honkinbigteeth

[well. after the npc reveal, ylfa is hanging around a little longer.]

...Hi, Setsu. What do you think?

[ setsu hasn't moved much since they're arrived here, mostly to tap at their phone. but they lighten up a little when they see ylfa and set the phone away. ]

Ylfa, hello. [ they consider the question. ] ..On one hand, it's good to know that there are at least some people around to answer our questions. But I'm still stuck on some of the things they've said. Or rather, avoided saying. Like they're hiding something.

[oh. her ears sort of perk up, interested.]

Really? Like what?

Well, I was discussing it with someone else, but we think there might be more Reapers out there outside the ones we just met. Of course, it could have just been a random number they decided on, but one of the Reapers did say that it wasn't as if there were six of them.

[ of course, Setsu tends to just overanalyze every little thing, so it really could be nothing. it really could just be three..... ]

Interesting. Ruby mentioned she has a boss, and Aika has been in games before, but this one is different somehow. She didn't really explain why.

I'm wondering why she didn't explain.. Is it really that big of a deal to leave out details? It's one thing if they don't want to offer any hints.. but all games have been different? So they say.

Maybe the difference between this and the other games has something to do with a twist, or the way we win...?

It could very well be that... it's a good reason for why they wouldn't say anything. At least we can talk to them if we need to. It'll help to get some confirmation with any future tasks.

They seem friendly enough, at least.

[only one of them was friendly. but they were all nice to ylfa.]

[ they better be nice to ylfa... ]

At the very least they're civil. [ thinks about it for a moment. ] ..Sorta.

But they're really pushing about forming teams. Have you given it much thought?

Gerard is doing some poking around. We want to find some good party balance.

[and then they picked the swim teens.]

Logically, it would be good to find a good balance, especially when you consider the abilities we all have. So I can understand that decision.

[ and then setsu joined a drift only team. ]

[help.]

I think the most important thing is probably that everybody gets along and trusts one another, though.

...Yeah, I think so as well.

[ geuninely, ] I hope you get that with your team, Ylfa.

I have a good feeling about it.

[ park time! Setsu is idly sitting on a swing, waving over once they catch sight of her. ]

Hello Ylfa. Doing some exploring as well?

[swing! she'll skip on over.]

I can't believe it got bigger around here. It was already huge!

[ they'll gesture to another swing beside them for her to join. come come, we can swing together. ]

It might get even bigger at this rate. I'm curious to see what else there is.

[absolutely. she will sit on the other swing.]

Do you think? I guess there's really no limit to how big it could be.

Yeah. I know during my interstellar travels, I've seen some very large planets. It would be a bit strange to limit us to a small section of a city.

Interstellar travels? Tell me more!

Of course. Let's see...

..Oh! Someone I was traveling with is from the Sea Planet Nada, I've never been there but I've heard about it from her. It houses a laboratory that studies intellectualized animals. The one that came from that world, Otome, is an intellectualized beluga whale capable of speaking a human language. So she's proof of what her planet has succeeded in.

...Are talking animals unusual where you're from?

[this story is sort of going over her head.]

[ they're starting to realize maybe they should have started this differently. ]

I wouldn't say it's unusual, more that it's uncommon? But it depends on the world. The base I originated from didn't have talking animals. But in Otome's world it's the norm. Then there's Planet Tara, inhabited by "cat people", who have altered their DNA to change the shape of their eyes and ears.

[ this really sounds more like they're sharing information than telling a story.. help ]

Every planet you come across or visit is almost always drastically different than the last, it makes traveling a bit exciting in that sense.

[oh...she nods.]

We've been to the Land of Birds and Beasts, where all animals talk and everything they talk about is trying to teach you a lesson. Maybe it's a bit like that. But normal animals sometimes talk and sometimes don't. One of my friends is a cat, actually.

A lesson being taught seems to be a pretty consistent thing. [ with their story. ]

A cat? ..There is someone that is on the ship that is transitioning into cathood, though born human. [ the dream to become full on cat. so having a cat for a friend isn't strange to them. ]

They're turning into a cat? Like how I'm turning into a wolf...?

[zetsu what is this canon.]

[ it's wild i know. how i really wish it was like ylfa but instead ]

His way is a bit different probably. Since he's undergoing surgery for it, at the moment the flesh of his neck is... [ uh ] fused with a cat so.

...Huh! [what.] Well, who am I to judge.

[ im so sorry ]

Outside that, there's also planet Vuomo, where most people cannot leave their planet due to the slime mold that lives inside of their bodies. Though we did have someone from there aboard our ship as well. [ simply put: ] You'll never know what the next planet could be like when you're traveling in space.

That must be pretty exciting, then! How did you get the slime person on the ship? Did you just bring a lot of extra slime for them?

That would make for an interesting story actually. [ really, ylfa should be telling stories instead of setsu. ] But no, the slime mold actually disguises itself as tattoos on the person. I've heard that it really hates heat though, so there are a few precautions with it.

[ the wheel has deemed us.. history museum time! ]

There's supposedly a dinosaur exhibit here somewhere.

[ there are some interesting pieces around them in the meantime, but what are the chances they go look for the dinosaur exhibit and spend three hours lost. ]

...What's a dinosaur?

[she's following setsu around. still a bit bloodsplattered from the colosseum.]

[ HELP. THE BLOODSPLATTER ] ...You're not injured, are you?

Ah, a dinosaur is... well. [ thinks about it ] Fossil reptiles? Their sizes are quite enormous-- they can be as big as some of the buildings around here.

It's not mine! Or most of it isn't.

[so no worries. she also doesn't know what a fossil is but.]

Wow, a big lizard.

If you're sure... [ just some mild concern, but they trust Ylfa to heal if it's bad. ] Did you win?

[ i rolled 14 so they're kinda making some progress with searching for this dinosaur exhibit. nothing yet though. ]

Basically. Some of them lay eggs as big as basketballs I've heard. I'm sure some researchers back home would have been interested in taking care of some.

[she will reach into her cloak and pull out a collection of winner's keychains and wink.]

Big omelet...

[ they smile a little more. proud of you, ylfa ] You'll be more than prepared for whatever tasks they throw at us this week.

..An omelet of that size would feed you for a while. [ it takes 11 minutes but! dinosaur exhibit! tyrannosaurus rex skeleton welcomes them immediately. ] Here we are.

[....whoa.]

Setsu you really undersold these! These are so cool! Look at that one, with the little arms and big teeth.

I've only really heard of them in text, but looking at them... I really did, didn't I?

[ this is a big boy. though... Setsu squints at the dinosaur skeleton's head. it looks like it's wearing.. a top hat? there's a plaque descriptor right in front of it for them to read. so, they will take the time to read it. ] ..."The Alpha T-Rex shows off its leadership and pack leader status by adorning a top hat."

[ is... is that really how it is..? ]

[something...something about this speaks to her on a deep instinctual level.]

So an alpha needs a top hat. I bet it was beautiful in life. Maybe even a surprising color to show that he was fun and flirty...

Setsu! We need that hat!

Fun and flirty..? [ quietly repeating, they're thinking of someone from home now as a bright red t-rex. ]

Huh? We do? [ glances back... up?! at the hat. ] How would we get it down from on top of it? It's so high up...

[ ..thinks about their psychs. it's a possibility drift and aero can do something here, sure. ]

[they're going to get ejected from the museum. but she needs that hat.]

Can you drift me up there?

[ setsu is unfortunately responsible.

but also willing to test things just for information, and they like Ylfa so ]

I can but, we're gonna have to be quick. Ready?

[ It's gonna happen really fast too! so, they'll take hold of Ylfa and with a static shift they'll drift them both up there.

I wish us the best of luck. ]

[yessssssssss drifting up there. trying to drift herself closer using aerokinesis to the hat]

[ there ylfa goes....

will she get it in time before the inevitable swarm of guards... ]

[well...after the cyoa return she'll come looking for them carrying a small little bag.]

...Setsu?

[ a lil woof... Setsu can be found sitting outside in the warehouse district, for some fresh air. they look mostly the same! minus the obvious makeshift bandages over where their right eye should be. ]

--Oh, Ylfa. [ they soften a little when they do get to see her. ] Have you prepared your plans for tonight..? Make sure you're not alone, okay?

Your eye...

[ahh, yikes. she frowns.]

I have plans, but in the meantime, I brought something for you to make you better. It's plenty of treats.

It's alright. I'll get used to it with time. [ just some gentle reassurances. ]

Treats? [ for them..? they're admittedly caught off guard by that. oh... after everything that's happened-- ] That's really sweet of you, Ylfa. Thank you.

[it's all stuff from the food trucks! cookies and cupcakes and stuff.]

I'm good at taking care of sick people. It will definitely make you feel better.

[ delicious treats... they finally manage a smile today after everything. ]

Just the thought alone already makes me feel a bit better. [ a cookie... ] I am a bit hungry, now that I think about it. Would you like to share one with me?

[absolutely she would. breaking a cookie in half.]

Let's split it.

[ thankie.. they'll take the other half. ]

Have you seen the others as well? [ kaveh, nahida, matsooie. ]

Of course. I brought everyone treats.

[phew.]

You all really went through the ringer.

[ ylfa is too good for this world. ]

Yeah, it was.. a bit of a mess. I didn't expect it possible for us to be sent to someone else's world.

Someone else's world?

That's right. It seemed to be the world that Nahida, Kaveh and Shenhe all came from.

[ top pate means more goodies! Setsu's emotions are vibing just quietly, maybe a distant feeling of loneliness, but contentment is more obvious with ylfa's company. ]

There's a lot more food to try here. [ god i want diner food so bad ] Which one are you interested in first?

[yeeeeeees.]

Milkshakes! Let's get milkshakes!

Milkshakes it is then. [ except the special one. not that one. ]

Hmm, there are a couple of flavors... do you have a favorite?

Ants on a log.

[this is not a flavor of milkshake that exists here or in any world.]

[ there is a buzz of confusion because ??? ]

What does that taste like?

It's celery, peanut butter, and raisins.

[im thinking about it and i could see celery and peanut butter actually being a good milkshake flavor. but it doesnt exist.]

[ well it's time to experiment via milkshake making. surely that can't go wrong]

I see... I've never had anything like that before. [ looking at the menu.. not here either apparently. a shocker.. ] Though, I'm used to relying on military rations so there's actually a lot I haven't really tried.

[yeah! looking at the menu. they do not have ants on a log, but...]

Do you think Rum Raisin has really strong alcohol? It sounds a little like Bubblegum and Whisky, which I didn't like that much.

[ ponders on this choice. ]

It possibly could, but the flavors might balance it out too. [ hmmm.. oh! ] Is there another flavor you're also interested in? You can get Rum Raisin, and I'll get the other- and if yours is too strong, we can swap. How about that?

Oh. But what's your favorite flavor?

I don't think I really have one. Growing up in the military, I've mostly dealt with rations there so.

That's why I enjoy trying everyone else's favorites. It's more than what I'm used to already.

Well...what's someone else's favorite you've tried that you like? Or what's one you've never tried before you've been curious about?

That's the one we should get!

[im just going to make this easier, ylfa is standing in the middle of the city! she has her hood pulled very closely around her head and over her ears and hands, like she's hiding a little bit, but she's still looking around curiously.]

It's huge...

[she looks like she can't decide where to go.]

[ Setsu will come close by, offering a smile and a little greeting wave. and perhaps some comforting company. ]

Hello Ylfa. It's a lot to take in, isn't it? Wanna explore together?

[ it really is a big city... so much to choose from. where will they go... ]

[she does seem to be relieved to have some company, drifting closer to setsu and tugging her hood closer around herself.]

I'd like that, as long as you don't mind.

Of course I don't mind. I always enjoy your company.

[ a gentle pat to her back, just for reassurance. ] We can try new food, if you're hungry. Otherwise, there's a projection area where you can simulate landscapes. Or we can go watch a movie...

[oh, she smiles a little bit when setsu says they enjoy her company.]

All of those things sound fun to me. What do you like most of all of them? ...Well, I know you like trying new food, but we could always get some and go see a movie or simulate something.

A combination of the two would make for a very fun eventful day. [ and it isn't as if they're in any rush to go somewhere specifically. ]

Then how about... we grab a few things to snack on, and then see a movie. I've only ever seen one movie so I'd like to give it another try. [ for now, to the mime cafe !! ]

[to the mime cafe! the vibes here are something.]

...Hmm.

[ the vibes... ]

..What are they doing? [ watches a mime trap itself in an invisible box i guess. ]

I think he's casting a spell? Get behind me, Setsu! I'll break it down!

[she's drawing her ax...]

[ the way Setsu just trusts Ylfa immediately and moves behind her, warily looking at the mime because?! ]

A spell-? [ two more mimes show up and start shaping a... wall? between them and the rest of the mimes in Aboslute Sheer Panic because WHY DOES a child have AN AX. ]

[she goes to attack with her ax but fortunately she attacks the invisible wall itself, not the mimes, so she just keeps going and falls.]

Ylfa! Are you alright?! [ AH well, dice maiden has forsaken me with a 13 as Setsu will try to catch hold of Ylfa and steady her.

the mimes however seem to be preparing for battle upon being threatened by this twelve-year-old. one is blowing into an invisible trumpet. and more mimes are coming in riding on invisible horses. ]

Oof, I'm ok -

[gasp!]

Setsu! Mime riders! I'll hold them off as long as I can, so make a run for it! Don't worry about me!

I won't leave you behind, Ylfa! [ the Mime riders are starting to swing their hands around in the air... invisible ropes?! ] Here, take my hand--

[ they'll reach for Ylfa, so long as they have any kind of contact and... with a static glitch, they'll teleport them both the max distance away and outside the cafe. they.. should hopefully be safe now. ] ...I did not think it would be a dangerous place to eat.

[she'll take their hand.]

Setsu! Good job! Maybe we can just get popcorn at the theater!

[ a paw... :pleading: Setsu will hold hers gently, smiling. ]

You distracting them helped too. [ a nod, they'll start to lead them to the theater. ] There are interesting sweets there too, so that's probably a better idea.

[good morning. ylfa is out exploring the clouds, probably floating by in a bubble, when a pig runs by.

have a memory. when it's over she's still floating awkwardly in a bubble. but it pops and she lands.]

[ this mem made me really sad. send help

well, Setsu will approach Ylfa, a bit of concern at both the memory and the sudden pop. they extend a hand to her, a quiet offer. ]

Are you alright, Ylfa?

[she will take that hand with a heavy sigh. it's especially a bad ending, of waking up in a world where she's already done brutal and violent things she can't take back.]

I'm okay. I'm sorry that you had to see that.

[ gingerly, they squeeze their held hands, some reassuring comfort. ]

You don't need to apologize. You have no control over what gets shown. [ their words are nonjudgmental, it doesn't change how they perceive her. they still treat her the same and that won't change. ]

...Our past experiences make us who we are today. There won't always be good things, but we learn and grow from it. And I can tell you've grown a lot, Ylfa.

[awww, setsu. this is so sweet.]

I think I have, too. Even though all of that is a lot, I think I needed to be the person I am now.

[ those words resonate deeply with them, because it's... how they think too. when they think of their own universe. holding onto her hand, gently they say ]

...Our situations are similar in that way. I've done a lot of things, have gone through so much. But those too made me the person I am. So I know exactly how you feel. ..I'm glad we are both the kind of person we are now.

[ what probably isn't sweet is this memory of setsu's though. as a note, the player's name is "Takashi" rather than Kaio. totally important. also, the video does cut out like... 5 days of discussions in the middle because it's like 83753 minutes of mafia werewolf of people pointing fingers, doubting and accusing who is bad aka "gnosia." voting people to cold sleep at the end of the day, waking up to someone being erased/gone. it's back and forth.

but otherwise! memory time! ]

[she was not aware of this about setsu. it is pretty cool information to learn about setsu.]

...What's a gnosia?

[ IS IT COOL... ]

Gnosia are... what we call people that got infected by Gnos. They receive a vision from them and the fabric of their brains undergoes an alternation that connects them to the Gnos. It changes them into the carriers of its will. All they care about is saving humanity in the Gnos' stead- and by doing that, it meant.. erasing humans, allowing those minds to join in with the Gnos.

[ and there was definitely a moment in that memory where the Gnosia side of Setsu showed, the black coating around the area of their right eye, eyes a bright glowing blood red. because being infected does affect your physical appearance too. ]

I'm not infected now. [ they don't have those urges they had in that memory. ] But... I have been on the enemy side during some of my loops.

[it is cool, yes. monster rights.]

But in that memory, you told your friend you were infected, and you didn't kill them. So you can't have only cared about the Gnos.

[ monsters rights.. ]

...I did. But, it's not really something I could hold off from doing forever. Eventually, I would've killed them. Our.. minds join in with the Gnos, so we'll do what benefits them in the end. I was just lucky enough that when I'm infected, I don't lose complete control and go rampage.

That is lucky.

[it's definitely very lucky, in her opinion.]

I'm glad you're not infected now, but I also think - maybe when people become monsters, it's showing a truer part of them that you might otherwise never see. I like the monster you are, Setsu. You still...helped.

[ they're quiet for a moment. it isn't just that those are words they've heard of before, it's also that-- ]

...I've never thought it of that way. [ that the true parts of them would show, even in that state. ] ..Thank you, Ylfa. That.. [ ... ] I'm glad that you do.

Is that still how things are, in your world? It's like, loops and stuff, and sometimes you're infected?

Only for me, but yes. My life was saved.. but at the cost of being entrapped in endless time loops. [ but they don't seem overly upset by that fact ] In some of them, I end up infected and eliminate the people around me one by one. In others, I'm on the human side, trying to find the infected and stop them.

[ well... a bit later, but before curfew, Setsu is looking for ylfa! which, when they find her, they'll come over and offer her a lil basket of treats. ]

I've got you something.

[she's outside the warehouse, getting a bit of fresh air. she looks at setsu, and the treats, but she doesn't approach.]

Thanks. That's nice of you.

[ it's alright, they know how the excursions go so... anything could be happening to each of them. they'll leave the basket of treats with her. ]

I've got enough for you to share with Haru and Gerard. [ gerard's very not good very bad day... ]... A lot must have happened but, I'll wait until later to ask, if that's alright?

[oh...she nods.]

That's alright. You can ask later if you want. It was mostly pretty weird. Haru and Gerard will like the treats.

[ the treats are probably warm pastries and cookies. ]

Then I will later. [ god if you die i'm gonna flip. they nod at the mention of them liking the treats. ] In the meantime.. you're not too hurt, are you?

[she's got some gnarly looking scratches all over her face, but otherwise it isn't very obvious if something is wrong with her.]

I'm okay. I don't really know how everyone else got so hurt. I wasn't there for that part.

[ there's of course concern at the scratches but, they are but a drifter. ]

You were separated from them? It had been that way at the beginning of my excursion a few weeks back... [ but, they shake their head. ] When you can, make sure you treat those scratches, okay? It would be bad for them to get infected.

[drift auras them away.

also i hope so bad you guys are lying and you bought the psych change pin.]

Yeah. We - I was with Amelia for a while, but then she disappeared, too.

[ the psych change.... ]

But you must have regrouped again at the end?

Yeah. We all showed up in the same place, and they were all hurt and stuff.

If it put you all on separate paths, there's really no saying what everyone went through... I'm sorry, Ylfa. I hope it wasn't too hard on you.

It wasn't, don't worry. I mostly got to bake cookies and hang out with Rin and Amelia.

[ baking scratches.. ]

..At least, it must have been nice to see Rin. [ but ] I'm glad you didn't get too hurt.

[yea!]

I felt bad I couldn't help the others more.

It's alright. On those trips... you don't really have a lot of control over what happens.

...Yeah, exactly. It's stupid. I'll fight furniture or jump into the mouth of a giant fish or run into danger or anything and I don't care. But just going to school and baking cookies for a while made me feel, I dunno. Completely crazy.

I know I would be pretty restless in that kind of environment as well. Some people are just naturally used to more mundane events and lives like that than others.

[nods. she is a barbarian she halves everything but psychic damage.]

Yeah, and the cookies weren't that nice. It was actually making me feel really bad. Like, Rin was there, but he was just ignoring me.

[ a barbarian im in tears good for her good for her ]

When I saw my teammate in mine, it was like it was actually him.. I'm surprised that Rin ignored you. That isn't like him. [ he would never ignore ylfa ]

...It isn't, no.

[that argument does work on her.]

He was paying attention to Amelia.

hey i just wanted to say thanks
what you said to me and haru was really nice
i feel like
weve talked to some people about things
not in too much detail but some people had figured it out
and most people even if they were mad kind of understood

but for you to just say "ill help you if you need it"
youre really cool setsu
and it means a lot

In the end of it all, we're all trying to survive.
We all have people we want to save and protect.
And for that reason, I don't think anyone should be blamed for trying to do that.

I want to save your team as much as I want to save my own.
I would like to save everyone, really.
So even if officially we aren't a team together, I still want to help you both.
You can always count on me if needed.

i would like to save everyone too
i dont know for sure if its possible
but i want to try
and i want to save you guys

i know youve been through a lot
alex and jonas also have been through some crazy things but they still
feel like normal teenagers to me
and kazuki too

haru and rin were like that also
but rin dying hurt haru a lot and made him feel like he had to change
and id like it if alex and jonas and kazuki didnt have to go through that
i know they have anyway because we all care about people here and because
theyve lost people before but
i still dont know if im the same as them and i dont know if you are either

i would be really happy if your team manages to survive to the end

I know you do.
That's why I trust you.
You have a good heart, Ylfa.

This place has a way of pushing people to change, to consider things they've never had to do before...
My situation has been similar to this, though.. with more time loops, time and time again rewinding, and alternate universes.
I've watched friends become enemies, become erased, and have personally done the erasing in my loops.
I probably understand this situation way too much.
And I know you've gone through a lot as well.

...I would be happy about that as well.
But I have no idea what this week may bring, especially since we're the only full team now.
I'm more worried about the rest of my team though.
If something happens to any of them... I'll do my best to keep my team going, but I won't sit idly by after that.
Though, if something happens to me, I.. I'm worried about what that will do to them.
Whatever does happen, I hope I can count on you too, Ylfa.

of course
you can count on me for anything
ill help you guys however i can

Thank you, Ylfa.
I feel a bit more at ease knowing there will be others looking out for them.
Tomorrow is bound to be busy but, if you're ever interested in some company, let me know?

yes! we can hang out and eat bugs in honor of gerard!

[she's coming to find setsu a little later. are they still in that same intense sort of state?]

[ by now, it seems not, because when they see Ylfa there's some of that familiar warmth, though a bit surprised. there's none of that earlier apathy.. for now anyways. ]

Ylfa. [ and then, a bit guilty ] Thank you for earlier.

Setsu!

[she's just relieved to them more like themselves, not upset.]

You're welcome, I'm glad I was able to help.

[ weh ] It helped a lot.

..We took some vials to heal up right before we came back but for some reason our injuries reverted back. [ (cyoa runner voice) die actually ]

...What happened to you?

...We were traveling on a bus. It was Luo Wenzhou, Valerie and I. When we finally arrived at our destination, we came across some wanted signs and missing posters.

The missing posters showed Fei Du, Alex, and someone Valerie recognized. The wanted posters showed Vash, Mizuki, Nahri, and Jonas. At the time we didn't think anyone else was actually there... what with how these excursions work. But we still ended up splitting up to try and find some answers.

It’s so weird how many of you there were…

[it’s not weird hei and Lowe did this.]

Setsu

week 0; sunday

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

WEEK 0, MONDAY.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

WEEK 1, MONDAY.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

week 1; thursday

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

WEEK 2, MONDAY.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

week 3; monday

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject