005. those countryside roads to somewhere

[takasugi]

( weeks spent gathering non-perishables and their personal items into boxes couldn't have prepared them for what was about to happen.

it occurs in a flash, like a plant's tendril reaching out to seed a new life in something.

the sea vanishes, their epic on the high seas punctuated by a change in pressure. like when a whale breeches or dives with something inside it's mouth, it's an almost unimaginably long pause. their watery landscape transforms into an empty void, pieces of a plane that simply don't exist in the mind, and if one were to stay here, it could easily drive them mad. humans were never made to shift between realities and witness such emptiness, after all, and before takasugi can even think to figure out how shouin's soul might be contributing to this, everything tilts. the world about them flips to a new chapter filled with light, darkness, and stars, and if one blinks, it all becomes clear that everything is floating, floating without a sky to touch the pitch-black remnants of the rippling universe below, and—

a blink of the eyes next reveals that everything they've known has come to change.

the arahabaki mk. ii on the water is gone, and only rolling hills remain.

in the distance, a couple women tend to a small, cultivated field off a well-worn path, meticulously monitoring the water that'll birth life into their crop. the town is green and vulnerable under the piercing blue of the bright spring sky, with a quieter vibe compared to the larger towns that boast all the hustle and bustle of city life. a few open tea houses welcome visitors, inviting them to pause on their journey as they seek bigger opportunities in this new era of industrialization, but most importantly, as the members of 3kon might notice: some of the citizens here are sporting animal ears of various types, and no one acts like each other is worser than wear for it. )

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[takasugi]

( unlike the rest of them, a certain AI doesn't need to worry.

after all, jumping into another world entirely is just a regular day for compiled data. things didn't really change in the same way as they did for TAKASUGI as they did for others, his experience being far more stagnant. the horrors of karteria didn't cut into him as plainly, his flesh but bites and bytes containing all of what he can't ever forget. even if the others’ vision and memories were to become clouded by the emptiness of crossing over a plane of reality, TAKASUGI would still have clarity.

the logistics of the soul and how they got here aside, though, he can tell they're walking. or, whosoever's pocket he's in... is walking. )

Oiii. Don't forget about your good friend Takasugi Shinsaku, or, Takasugi Shinsaku's AI.

( and why hasn't shinsaku used him to determine their location yet? pick up the phone. )

cw: emeto, sorry

[hanikamu]

[The first thing the device's microphone will hear is the thud of hand against bark. Then, the retch of an idol that must never reach the ears of his loyal fans. Rinne shudders as he finds purchase on a tree trunk, careful not to let anything splash onto his clothing. He walked as briskly as he could, careful not to alarm his companions of his seasickness after they alighted, but now that the worst of it is over, part of him wishes that someone could be here to soothe his back after it all.]

Sorry, Shinsaku-chan. [His chest heaves as he catches his breath. At least this wasn't the sort of nausea that came with something worse.] You always gotta listen in on me like this...

[At his weakest, being so painfully human.]

Go bug the others. Rinne-kun's just wrapping things up.

[takasugi]

Are you sure you aren't the one in the most need of help here?

( he wouldn't consider the other things he's heard rinne expel a problem, even if the dissonance between each situation is starting to get a little crazy. truthfully, this is just another thing shinsaku would probably want to witness for some twisted reason or another, and that besides...

this is the wrong pocket.

he can't see the green overhead properly, nor the scattered needles of pine below. what he can tell, though, is the obnoxious lilt of his actual self isn't nearby. )

I'm perfectly fine with letting you be brave on your own, though. Try not to slip on your way back, Amagi-kun.

( is that all it took? yeah. he leaves just like that, popping through his instances in their digital devices to end up in the vicinity of one shiina niki. he'll think about why it all works later, because it's here that he can hear shinsaku casually chatting up a local as to the concerns of their lack of travel essentials, the state of a railway trailing off to nowhere in the distance, and of course, lodgings for the night. "with what money, sirs?" comes the reply, but... )

Shiina-kun, are you there?

[hanabee]

[On the other hand, for someone who doesn't remember much from their first excursion to another world, this was a surreal experience. Incredibly surreal, but Niki's a little more concerned with other things at the moment. It's better not to waste calories on things that don't matter, or things he can't understand, especially when a certain companion is known for being particularly sensitive... Where is he right now, anyway...?

Still, despite what is on his mind, he pulls the device from his pocket and answers as cheerfully as always.]

Whoa, is that you, Shinsaku-chan? [Of course it is. Takasugi is busy doing all the important stuff. But Shinsaku-chan doesn't usually reach out for no reason.] How's it going?

[So casual, as if what they've done isn't a big deal for them at all.]

[takasugi]

Perfectly fine. Me, at least. I can't say the same for Amagi-kun.

( ??? )

I just wanted to check in given I hadn't heard from Shinsaku, and I could tell that we just made the jump from the texture of our old world and into a new one. This physical plane feels pretty familiar, though, in the sense of the conventional physics of reality and whatnot, but I won't bore you with all that. I'd be bored to have to explain it.

( in the background, the original takasugi shinsaku has somehow procured another blade or two in addition to the one at his side. )

[hanabee]

[What Shinsaku-chan says is worrisome, but rather than alarm, the expression on Niki's face instantly turns into annoyance.]

I knew it. [The AI didn't specify, but Niki has no trouble filling in the blanks.] That guy is always doing this...

["He never learns," Niki thinks. But then again, he reminds himself, Rinne hasn't actually had a chance to learn that stuff yet...

He spares a glance at Takasugi, not really thinking too hard about what he's holding onto or how many, before he turns away, looking for sight of his oldest friend instead. Takasugi would be more than fine without Niki's watchful eye. Despite his initial response, he still manages a small smile when he continues, stepping away:]

But I get it. I guess you were lonely, huh~? [He shouldn't tease, but isn't it so cute that he's worried? Or maybe he's just curious. In his head, it's definitely worry!] I don't understand what happened at all, but it looks like we all made it here in one piece. Prez is making it look like he does this every other day.

[takasugi]

What's there to be lonely about? If anything, I could probably repair myself and figure a way out of these phones if I wanted to. Probably.

( but maybe he is a little concerned...

for shinsaku, that is, or at least he was until the angle he's being held at flashes a view of one amaryllis-haired fox man in particular. the stiff shoulders of the tiny digital projection of TAKASUGI that leans against the edge of niki's device slack. so he's fine. asking for help in transforming what was left of yoshida shouin's core had left him feeling uneasy for what shinsaku might sacrifice next.

not that he's going to say that, though. he pokes the screen as they start away, open fields of shallow water reflecting their steps as niki walks. )

I don't have the coordinates quite yet, but this is obviously where we came from, right? Or some sort of alternative version of it with cat women. You recognize these offbeat paths and that style of thatched roofing, right? Don't tell me you've never been out in the countryside, Shiina-kun.

[hanabee]

[While Shinsaku-chan talks, Niki sniffs the air.

Sniff, sniff...

(This isn't a fox thing, for the record. He's just like this.)]

You think so? [He looks back in Takasugi's direction, taking note of the structures in the distance.] I guess all the cat girls threw me off. But now that you mention it, yeah, I think I have seen buildings like this before.

[He hadn't been thinking about it too much back then, but when he and Rinne left the city, they'd at least gotten far enough to stop seeing towering concrete all around them. It was dark, but he remembered seeing lots and lots of green.

He sniff again. As Niki walks, it's clearly with purpose—the warm, citrusy scent of summer pierces through even the scent of illness.]

So, it's not home, exactly, but it's like home. [He wonders what that means. Are they... close?] But, you know, compared to where we were, I guess anything is an improvement.

[To never be experimented on again... That, he thinks, would be more than just a small blessing.

When he finally tracks down Rinne, he doesn't say anything. He simply presses a hand to his back and rubs it gently to soothe him.]

[hanikamu]

[Teary-eyed Rinne holding his knee for support doesn't even need to look to know who's soothing him.]

Ohhh... Niki... [He sounds miserable.] They never talked about this shit in my isekai.

[He's not sick, though. From the way his tail sways, not anymore. He just needs to clean up and hydrate. Isn't that why Niki came to look for him?]

You and Shinsaku are incredible. I thought I'd never live to see Hiiro again...

[For the record, he's always this dramatic when it comes to his motion sickness. Well, Niki knows that, too.]

[hanabee]

Honestly, I was just thinking about what foods I was hoping to eat. I really wanna taste miso soup again... ♪

[Miso soup... Miso soup without having to ferment his own beans... It's not like he wasn't nervous at all, he was just too busy thinking about miso soup.

He'll lecture Rinne about trying to hide his unwellness from them later. For now, he offers Rinne a bottle filled with water that he can drink before he returns to rubbing his back.]

These buildings don't really seem that old, though, do they?

[hanikamu]

Yeah. They look like they're from before the war, but they're too new to be genuine... At least, that's what I thought. Pretty sure your country ain't got catboys roaming around the countryside.

[He stands back up, wipes his mouth clean and takes a few gulps of refreshing water from the bottle. No matter where they are, Niki always comes through! That's one of his best traits. Rinne ruffles Niki's hair for it.]

I'm just glad this ain't gettin' ya down. No clue what this world's like yet, but it looks like living here'll be easier. This was a gamble and we won it.

[Speaking of.]

Shinsaku-chan, how's your sensei?

[takasugi]

Asking me because you’re too scared to ask the original?

( it's just a guess, the cutting question. maybe a good one, all things considered. if he were amagi rinne, he wouldn't ask shinsaku about it either. )

I'm pretty sure Shinsaku has mentioned to one of you that he used to be a "Heroic Spirit," a familiar made of magical energy. Yoshida Shouin's soul is actually quite similar, marked in history eternal for his achievements and deeds. Given we basically burned out what's left of sensei's mana within the core of Proto-Arahabaki, forming a network of leylines to cross down... I'd say he's gone to us entirely. Even the machine itself doesn't seem to be around from the looks of things. It's just, uh... houses and rice and rocks out here.

( the vestiges of his memory that TAKASUGI could save, though? they tug at the corners of his data-driven consciousness, knowing it's filed away somewhere. all that's left is to encrypt any messages or images he could preserve in their downtime. to pick shinsaku's mind on what his real point was in doing all this, and whether he figured the obvious would happen: that his own AI would try to preserve what little there was left. he simply smirks on the screen, folding his elbows neatly over his tiny window. )

Anyhow... Congratulations on making it safe and sound, gentlemen. Unless the souls inside you are about to revolt and chomp your consciousness into bits or something. Like, can you still even hear them?

( bro sounds entirely unconcerned. )

[hanabee]

[Oh, Rinne... Niki puts his hand over his. Rinne never fails to let his appreciation be known. He's so sweet... He just wishes he didn't feel the need to hide these things. He's always like this.

As for what Shinsaku-chan says...]

Honestly, I'm not sure mine ever liked me very much in the first place.

[He says this casually, which is maybe a little alarming, given the AI's example, but Niki doesn't elaborate. Instead...]

So there really are no more mushrooms, huh...

[It doesn't have anything to do with him, but he's still a little sad to hear it.]

1/2

[hanikamu]

[ Idly playing with Niki's long and fluffy hair... If Niki came looking for him, then Takasugi must be handling things back there himself. They should start moving.

Hooking an arm around Niki's own, Rinne takes the lead. ]

Mushrooms?

[ It's just as Rinne feared. Like the short-lived light of a shooting star, Takasugi's mentor came and went. Rinne briefly wonders if he should have let Takasugi watch the memory they saw back in Proto-Arahabaki. Maybe it wouldn't have done him any good. One never stops mourning the dead, but so long as one is alive, there are always things to live for. He's sure Takasugi's mentor also taught him that. ]

I'll respect Shinsaku's decision. If he can say goodbye to his sensei with no regrets, that just means he's growing up.

[ Hopefully. Rinne's just worried Takasugi's too lovestruck to think straight. If it were up to him...

If Hiiro was forced to make such a choice, Rinne would steer him towards the same one. But, should they ever arrive at the same conundrum once more, Rinne wonders how Takasugi would approach it. ]

[hanikamu]

[ Still, he smiles. ]

Thanks for being honest, Shinsaku-chan. You're being pretty cute today, aincha? [ Twirling a finger around one of Niki's locks... ] My soul's been a good girl herself... It's probably 'cause of all this nature.

( 1 / 2 )

[takasugi]

Sure. More importantly, could you stop flirting like that in front of—

( but the auditory texture of TAKASUGI's dialogue, oft buzzing with noise, is interrupted by a stomp of feet and a much larger voice waving at them.

it's an older man wearing indigo hemp cloth, with his shoulders wrapped in something a bit nicer than the usual farmer's fabric. this town is at a crossroads of development, nestled between the wave of coming development and the need to stay a smaller inlet for travelers to rest their feet. he fits a hand on his hip, gradually routing the other in a closed fist against his back to tap it. it's a gesture to ease any discomfort than anything else, suggesting he's well past middle age and approaching elderly.

"you folks don't exactly seem like you're from further down, but i think i got the gist of what's going on from your friend. you're looking for a place to stay on your way back to the city, right? well, i'd be more than happy to help shelter a couple of performers, long as your 'aidoru' talents or... whatever he said you ought to put on to entertain us are up to scratch. is that some sort of new age kabuki? just be sure to make it on time tonight, and your rooms will follow."

it's a meandering sort of declaration, with a finger pointing shaky into the distance behind him towards an old two-story dwelling fitted with brick stairs, and... )

( 2 / 2 )

[takasugi]

( a certain red-tailed fox casually waving at them with a full arm from far away. )

[hanabee]

[Niki lets Rinne lead them without a fuss, figuring if he's doing that and playing with his hair, he must be feeling a little bit better, at least. If the comment about flirting is directed at them (him?), however, Niki doesn't bat an eye at it. He's used to hearing that kind of thing, for one thing, but also, isn't Rinne flirting with Shinsaku-chan, too? Or is he bothered because...

Hold on. That's not important right now. His thoughts are interrupted by what the older gentleman says, and Niki tilts his head.]

Wait, are we performing tonight? Already?

[Niki doesn't have a problem with it, of course, but he immediately looks over at Rinne. He doesn't say it out loud, but the question is clear: Are you okay with that?]

[hanikamu]

[Moving between worlds, it always took Rinne some time to get his foot in the door. Yet the moment he sets foot in this strange new land, it gives him a chance to shine with no question. Is this okay? No way, right? Being an idol in Karteria was tiring. But now... Takasugi is watching. Smiling, as if expecting him to shine as brightly as he did in that theater.

Rinne would burn even more brilliantly here. Fueling him, after all, is the dreaming soul that Takasugi gave him.

His stomach twists. He encouraged Takasugi to follow his own path, knowing in his heart that it was right and true, but if that path meant hurting a man for his own gain, he's not sure how to live with it.

Rinne can't let these emotions show now. The mood is light, so he should keep it that way.

Where Rinne would usually forget his own strength and pull Niki close, he simply rests an elbow on his shoulder.]

You heard the guy, Niki. If it's entertainment they want, 3kon's gotta deliver! We just gotta do the usual. Right, Prez?

[takasugi]

Unless you're willing to slap powder all over your faces and do something a deal more traditional.

( takasugi gives the old man a gentle pat on the shoulder as he strolls by, his usual swagger marked by the familiar clack of sandals amidst the sounds of ordinary places, one hand resting on the hilt of a sword strapped to his back. his sway, without an ounce of hesitation, just a breeze upon the hill.

the extra set of swords from earlier, though... are missing. but surely that has nothing to do with anything. takasugi comes to stop before them, smirk deepening. )

Can you pull that off? Kabuki, I mean. It'd be a blast to see either of you giving it a try. That aside, I introduced the two of you as my performing proteges, even though I’m long over the whole hierarchy thing by now. It just makes things simpler. Especially since no one out here seems to have a device, and they keep asking for notes that I don’t carry. I'm sure you haven't had reason to check yet, but. We're broke.

[hanabee]

[Rinne says it's okay, but Niki can tell he doesn't have all his energy back yet, so... He really hopes it is. The next time he pushes himself, his body might not be so kind to stop where it did... But that's what Niki's here for. If he falls sick, he'll just have to make him something delicious and nurse him back to health.

At Takasugi's words, Niki shakes his head.]

Nuh-uh. I barely know how to be an idol. There's no way I'll ever learn how to do all that. [He frowns.] I really don't wanna have to sell my body, though...

[He says, like this is just the next obvious option for making money, the only other course of action.

He does feel like he recalls Takasugi was supposed to be holding something else, but he's not thinking too hard about it. Instead, he's looking at his device and poking the screen. He hopes Shinsaku-chan's doing okay.]

That guy said something about rooms, right? Is he gonna feed us, too?

[hanikamu]

Kyaha! Not unless you start shakin' that thang, Niki. [ He gives his butt a squeeze before walking the fuck away. ] Don't listen him, Prez. We both know Niki's a natural.

[ And that talent will be able to make up for the mental energy Rinne might not have by the evening. ]

As for me, what kind of idol would I be if I said no? Knowing you, you've probably got another job just for Rinne-kun. [ He makes a big sweeping gesture with his arm, urging Takasugi to say it. Come on! He saw those swords! ] Well, don't be shy! Let's hear it!

[takasugi]

Hmm?

( takasugi tilts his chin slightly to the side, and if one pays attention, they might catch a hint of weariness in his brow before he quickly resets his expression. )

I only mentioned you'd perform for a night of room and board. I didn’t guarantee anything more than that.

( there's a pause, and then, tail sweeping ineffectually out behind him as he looks off in another direction: )

Look. I figured I could just hypnotize our way into a couple heirlooms, but it seems like my ability to charm people isn't working like it used to. Pretty unfortunate, all things considered. This isn’t your Japan or my Japan, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have some ways to keep yourself safe, depending on our destination. What do you both have on you?

[hanikamu]

...

[ Rinne smiles, places himself behind Niki, and gently pushes him forward. ]

[hanabee]

[When Rinne grabs his ass, Niki jumps, and he's just barely recovered from that little surprise when suddenly, Rinne's pushing him forward. He stumbles and turns back around, bewildered. Hello??]

Wh-wh-what do you want me to do?! I'm totally useless here! There are probably animals in this field who are more useful than me!

[Ahhh! He didn't really understand what they were talking about to begin with, but...]

If our money's no good, then I don't know what else to offer.

[His jewelry might be valuable, but he wouldn't trade it for the world. He still has the taser Takasugi made him, but it might not be safe enough to give that up. The locals would have no use for their devices or anything, probably, and giving away Shinsaku-chan would be cruel...]

You don't think they'd wanna try my cooking, do you?