[He accepts all things at this point lest he end up like Kagachi.]
If you say so. [He's not his mom, he can't tell Hige what to do. But he looks a little surprised at the response.]
If it's something I can answer, sure. I didn't think you'd have questions to ask this time. [But...hm. To start:] I heard how you got into the room. What did you guys see?
It's hard to explain.... I hadn't seen anything like it before. There were plenty of colorful boxes that made lots of noise. [he actually will pause though to make 'ping ping ping' noises in a few varied melodies - very classic 8-bit sounds] Some of them contained the dolls that are running around now. There was a paper in one of them, and it looked important, so I stabbed the box open.
[who let the ye oldes out on their own]
My question is... Chuuya said that some of the resurrected may have certain things they can talk about better than others. Um... Nathan is about ghosts, I think, Polly for the demons that were released, but he was muffled when he tried to say what Carlos could help with.
[Huh. So that matches what Wei Wuxian described.] There are places called arcades. They usually have video games and other kinds of games that you can play for prizes. They're a little more obsolete now but--[Wait.] You stabbed an important box?
[HIGEKIRI!!! He doesn't even get time to linger on that because...Carlos. He pauses, unsure of how to answer that and instead he decides to ask a question.]
...do you remember what I said before? About me and Carlos finding the right timeline? How do you think we got there?
We had to get the paper - and Kagachi confirmed that it was the best course of action. It did release the dolls... but they're easy to kill, so it should be okay. I will continue to diligently hunt them.
[KAGACHI SAID IT WAS OKAY????]
Some nature of time travel, I suppose. [he's a ye olde sword and yet he answers this confidently enough] Surviving through poor circumstances, going back to earlier points, and then amending your behavior to others and each other so that the future may be changed. In your case, more drastic choices so that even the stubbornness of time and fate may be adjusted.
Is that the ability that he regained after the first week?
[If Kagachi said so, he'll back off? He respects his opinion enough.] Dolls are pretty annoying, but...if the paper was that important we can deal. What was it for?
[He tilts his head a bit.] Izuminokami told me a little about what you guys do, but it's different enough. It's not exactly time travel, but it's a concept called SHIFTing. Carlos, Akane and I, along with some of the other people we played the game with, are able to jump timelines to different versions of history. We leave the old one behind and leave our old selves behind to trade places with a different version of ourselves. We technically stay the same and keep the memories of the old timelines, but we transport ourselves to a new place where we can make the changes we need to to survive.
[...there's a nod.] I don't know if he regained the ability to SHIFT, but he could access the Morphogenetic Field again. It's an invisible space where information can get passed to people, kind of like telepathy. It also stores all of the information about different timelines.
...if I had to guess, Carlos might be able to tap the field and see how things went wrong last time. But it's just a guess. I haven't asked him about it since he left.
Another set of instructions for our next challenge - I was to engage in a stage battle, I believe that Wukiri needed to utilize a gun in order to fight enemies, and Kagachi was... mm, in a carriage of sorts...? When we did poorly in the game, we felt penalties. It was a rather difficult dance... [admittedly it had to be if higekiri was struggling with it] The rhythm kept changing. When my 'combo' broke, I received injuries... I think they are similar to the ones that Nighteye had when he broke into the 'electrical room'.
[he shrugs. he can still use his limbs so he doesn't think they're that bad]
Morphogenetic Field.... I see, I see. [he nods, like he's really trying to remember this] Then I would like to ask. We continue to hear more entries from the same voice... I would like to know more about it, if it may provide additional help for our actions moving forward.
It seems like they really are getting harder every time we break in somewhere. Were all three of you hurt? Nothing was too badly damaged, was it? [He's also trying to think of the games and how they could impact the players like that.
Nevertheless, he knows the field is such a weird concept, but at least it's nice that Higekiri rolls with it.]
Talk to Carlos and see what he says. I don't know what he may be able to tell you, but it was his knowledge from the field that helped save us the first time and learn to SHIFT. He told me it felt like there was a block to where he couldn't see certain things, but it unlocked after the trial. Maybe more things have unlocked for him, too.
[...] I've suspected that we might've been here before for a while now. About the time you, me and Beck broke into that room. I still don't have proof that's not true.
Wukiri was bleeding... I believe that if he missed an enemy, he likely sustained damage. My right side received minor damage from the shocks, and I believe that Kagachi suffered some impacts when he ran into obstacles in the game. However we all passed, and we were given one additional challenge.
[but higekiri listens - and then he nods]
Mm. I was not sure... but I continue to hear this story of a brother, who suffered when his family was taken from him - who grew distrustful and hurt each time another tried to press forward to receive answers rather than considering his feelings.
[he stares at junpei... and then offers a smile]
And so I would like to request a favor - as a friend.
No... I do not feel anything else aside from the occasional pain. Kagachi may have endured the worst of it - our last challenge required us to move according to directions given to us, onto colored dots. I only had to move my left side... but he was forced to place pressure on his injured hand, and Wukiri bled on the mat.
[karma houdinis
anyway at the question, higekiri just offers a calm, easy smile]
Should anything happen to me... please do not allow my brother to be haunted by my memory, or to grow unkind or distrustful. I love his smile above all else... I am worried it would disappear with me, and I cannot allow that.
[Bad.] I'll see if I can catch up with Kagachi today or tomorrow then to hear his side of things, too. And make sure he's okay.
[This request doesn't surprise him.] That, I think, I can do. [He hopes.] I don't know how much Hizamaru really trusts me but I'll do what I can to make sure he's okay if something does happen. But what about if something happens to him, first? Will you be able to keep going?
[Both of the genjis start with H, it's hard to tell if this is coincidental or not.]
That would be nice - if you need additional help, my brother purchased the human repair kit.
[so like. the swords have the human repair kit. for some reason. please don't ask why, it's a horrible turn of events.
that said.... higekiri just laughs a little bit at the question. it's a fair one in return]
I will be able to keep going, as long as we are able to ensure his safe return. It would not be the first time that we are separated. Even so... for the eldest brother to allow harm to befall the younger... that would be a failing in and of itself.
[is this hige saying that he'd literally die for hiza you bet it is]
That would be useful. Thanks. [Keeping track of where the first aid kits are has been a good idea and he's working on it. He won't ask, but there is a moment of "hm" there.]
Hizamaru told me that Prompto's probably with Carlos and Polly. We've been thinking about how to get them back safely, so we'll do the best we can. [...but ah. That sentiment again.]
...Akane's older brother would probably agree with you about that. It sounds like a tough job, looking after someone like that. We're not letting either of you fail though as long as we can help it.
Then Monika's probably there, too. [Enough about that though.] He did tell me about it. I want to know who these thirteen are, and why our demons are hydras. If they're really multiplying, we have an even bigger problem to deal with than just the two making their way across the ship.
[simply, and curtly, because he would still be pretty okay with cutting monika if the reason ever came up for it. junpei was probably right to ask if higekiri would be okay if something happened to hizamaru because it's unsure if he would be!!]
It sounds as though there are more creatures than just demons, doesn't there? The demons, but the thirteen might be other entities. Or at least, that's what I think would be correct... and there's something identifying the thirteen.
Thirteen different entities? Or thirteen of the same entity that aren't demons? That's what the next question is. It's a weirdly specific number.
[He shakes his head.] I haven't found other gift recipients, no. But to be honest my approach for the week's been a little...distracted. [Aphro week bad.]
The latter - thirteen of the same entity. I also want to know when the recording I heard yesterday was recorded... since the first one we heard said that there were 12 remaining after four weeks. If it truly was simply a repetition of events... could those two have been recorded closely in time to each other?
[he tilts his head]
Mm, I understand. I mostly desired a chance to rest yesterday... but I will continue to ask.
I had the same thought. Or, perhaps, the person recording it counted as the thirteenth and they weren't counting themselves for some reason. We need to uncover more of the recordings.
We still don't know much about who that person is either. [But he shakes his head.] You can take a longer break if you want to. I appreciate the help, but you just did me an even bigger favor by telling me all of this.
Mm... we do. There are likely more in unlocked rooms... I've had good luck in getting them open, so I gave my brother my key so that he may try to search in the future.
[higekiri has such stupidly good luck in getting into these rooms it's upsetting]
It's alright - it's for the mission, so I don't mind doing what needs to be done. [he's a sword at the end of the day, even if he gets pretty airheaded] I wonder... if maybe the items are related to the thirteen? I wouldn't suppose you'd tell me if you have anything that sets you apart from the demons?
Just be sure he's careful whenever he goes. We've been thinking the rooms will get more dangerous now that we've been here for a while.
[Somehow he suspected that would be the answer, so he shrugs to let it go. Then again, that's...kind of a rough answer.] I've been thinking the same thing. Something that sets thirteen people apart, but...I don't know what that would be. If it was just items, that means there's a lot more people to find. [He looks at Higekiri then.]
Are you asking me if I'd tell you if I was anti-demon?
[...hm. Like. Good line of question, but also hm.]
Ah. Well, I haven't had any of those dreams from last week? So I think I might be okay in terms of demon possession. [He's hoping he's understanding right.]
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If you say so. [He's not his mom, he can't tell Hige what to do. But he looks a little surprised at the response.]
If it's something I can answer, sure. I didn't think you'd have questions to ask this time. [But...hm. To start:] I heard how you got into the room. What did you guys see?
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It's hard to explain.... I hadn't seen anything like it before. There were plenty of colorful boxes that made lots of noise. [he actually will pause though to make 'ping ping ping' noises in a few varied melodies - very classic 8-bit sounds] Some of them contained the dolls that are running around now. There was a paper in one of them, and it looked important, so I stabbed the box open.
[who let the ye oldes out on their own]
My question is... Chuuya said that some of the resurrected may have certain things they can talk about better than others. Um... Nathan is about ghosts, I think, Polly for the demons that were released, but he was muffled when he tried to say what Carlos could help with.
Do you know what Carlos can do?
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[HIGEKIRI!!! He doesn't even get time to linger on that because...Carlos. He pauses, unsure of how to answer that and instead he decides to ask a question.]
...do you remember what I said before? About me and Carlos finding the right timeline? How do you think we got there?
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[KAGACHI SAID IT WAS OKAY????]
Some nature of time travel, I suppose. [he's a ye olde sword and yet he answers this confidently enough] Surviving through poor circumstances, going back to earlier points, and then amending your behavior to others and each other so that the future may be changed. In your case, more drastic choices so that even the stubbornness of time and fate may be adjusted.
Is that the ability that he regained after the first week?
[he does remember hearing something about that]
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[He tilts his head a bit.] Izuminokami told me a little about what you guys do, but it's different enough. It's not exactly time travel, but it's a concept called SHIFTing. Carlos, Akane and I, along with some of the other people we played the game with, are able to jump timelines to different versions of history. We leave the old one behind and leave our old selves behind to trade places with a different version of ourselves. We technically stay the same and keep the memories of the old timelines, but we transport ourselves to a new place where we can make the changes we need to to survive.
[...there's a nod.] I don't know if he regained the ability to SHIFT, but he could access the Morphogenetic Field again. It's an invisible space where information can get passed to people, kind of like telepathy. It also stores all of the information about different timelines.
...if I had to guess, Carlos might be able to tap the field and see how things went wrong last time. But it's just a guess. I haven't asked him about it since he left.
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[he shrugs. he can still use his limbs so he doesn't think they're that bad]
Morphogenetic Field.... I see, I see. [he nods, like he's really trying to remember this] Then I would like to ask. We continue to hear more entries from the same voice... I would like to know more about it, if it may provide additional help for our actions moving forward.
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Nevertheless, he knows the field is such a weird concept, but at least it's nice that Higekiri rolls with it.]
Talk to Carlos and see what he says. I don't know what he may be able to tell you, but it was his knowledge from the field that helped save us the first time and learn to SHIFT. He told me it felt like there was a block to where he couldn't see certain things, but it unlocked after the trial. Maybe more things have unlocked for him, too.
[...] I've suspected that we might've been here before for a while now. About the time you, me and Beck broke into that room. I still don't have proof that's not true.
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[but higekiri listens - and then he nods]
Mm. I was not sure... but I continue to hear this story of a brother, who suffered when his family was taken from him - who grew distrustful and hurt each time another tried to press forward to receive answers rather than considering his feelings.
[he stares at junpei... and then offers a smile]
And so I would like to request a favor - as a friend.
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[...and yeah, okay, it's not like he hasn't thought about brothers in context of the genjis, so he stares right back.]
If I can fulfill the favor, I will. What is it?
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No... I do not feel anything else aside from the occasional pain. Kagachi may have endured the worst of it - our last challenge required us to move according to directions given to us, onto colored dots. I only had to move my left side... but he was forced to place pressure on his injured hand, and Wukiri bled on the mat.
[karma houdinis
anyway at the question, higekiri just offers a calm, easy smile]
Should anything happen to me... please do not allow my brother to be haunted by my memory, or to grow unkind or distrustful. I love his smile above all else... I am worried it would disappear with me, and I cannot allow that.
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[This request doesn't surprise him.] That, I think, I can do. [He hopes.] I don't know how much Hizamaru really trusts me but I'll do what I can to make sure he's okay if something does happen. But what about if something happens to him, first? Will you be able to keep going?
[Both of the genjis start with H, it's hard to tell if this is coincidental or not.]
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[so like. the swords have the human repair kit. for some reason. please don't ask why, it's a horrible turn of events.
that said.... higekiri just laughs a little bit at the question. it's a fair one in return]
I will be able to keep going, as long as we are able to ensure his safe return. It would not be the first time that we are separated. Even so... for the eldest brother to allow harm to befall the younger... that would be a failing in and of itself.
[is this hige saying that he'd literally die for hiza you bet it is]
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Hizamaru told me that Prompto's probably with Carlos and Polly. We've been thinking about how to get them back safely, so we'll do the best we can. [...but ah. That sentiment again.]
...Akane's older brother would probably agree with you about that. It sounds like a tough job, looking after someone like that. We're not letting either of you fail though as long as we can help it.
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[but regardless higekiri just offers a simple enough smile at that...]
Did Wukiri tell you all that we heard? About 'one of the 13', and how the demons may be akin to something called the 'hydra'?
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[simply, and curtly, because he would still be pretty okay with cutting monika if the reason ever came up for it. junpei was probably right to ask if higekiri would be okay if something happened to hizamaru because it's unsure if he would be!!]
It sounds as though there are more creatures than just demons, doesn't there? The demons, but the thirteen might be other entities. Or at least, that's what I think would be correct... and there's something identifying the thirteen.
Did you find any other who received gifts?
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Thirteen different entities? Or thirteen of the same entity that aren't demons? That's what the next question is. It's a weirdly specific number.
[He shakes his head.] I haven't found other gift recipients, no. But to be honest my approach for the week's been a little...distracted. [Aphro week bad.]
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[he tilts his head]
Mm, I understand. I mostly desired a chance to rest yesterday... but I will continue to ask.
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We still don't know much about who that person is either. [But he shakes his head.] You can take a longer break if you want to. I appreciate the help, but you just did me an even bigger favor by telling me all of this.
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[higekiri has such stupidly good luck in getting into these rooms it's upsetting]
It's alright - it's for the mission, so I don't mind doing what needs to be done. [he's a sword at the end of the day, even if he gets pretty airheaded] I wonder... if maybe the items are related to the thirteen? I wouldn't suppose you'd tell me if you have anything that sets you apart from the demons?
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[Somehow he suspected that would be the answer, so he shrugs to let it go. Then again, that's...kind of a rough answer.] I've been thinking the same thing. Something that sets thirteen people apart, but...I don't know what that would be. If it was just items, that means there's a lot more people to find. [He looks at Higekiri then.]
Are you asking me if I'd tell you if I was anti-demon?
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[but he seems pretty accepting of the cautioning. as for the questions, he just blinks vapidly before nodding]
Yes, I am. I would tell you if I was as well.
[higekiri might forget some details at times but he's at least pretty open about what he wants to be open about]
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Ah. Well, I haven't had any of those dreams from last week? So I think I might be okay in terms of demon possession. [He's hoping he's understanding right.]
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[he'll actually be pretty direct about that]
Neither has my brother, as far as I know... Or anyone in our room. Has Nightbone been alright...?
[he imagines he gets a lot of traffic]
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He's okay. All three of us in our room are fine, which means it's out there somewhere else.
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