balance_logs | Lunar Interlude 2

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Lunar Interlude 2

	Let's try to keep the paperwork to a minimum, shall we?
	NAVIGATION

1. NEW RECLAIMERS

A. WELCOME WELCOME! FAH WHO RAHMUS

For the nine of you who will be arriving today, the story is the same: though you may not remember it, there was a moment where you were living out your life, at home or wherever you were ... and then there was the moment the Hunger came. And amid the television static that is your memory of that moment, a hand reached out to you, beckoning your escape as the tendrils of darkness destroyed everything that ever existed about your world.

"Would you hurry this up, please? Your world no longer stands a chance. Come with me, we are the last bastions of hope for all universes everywhere. And we're going to need you."

And then, unceremoniously, you are dragged through the universal wringer and plopped down on the soft, though not quite cushioned, grass of the Moon Base Quad.

There are other people out in the grassy fields — they may even be people you recognize. They may just be strangers, other Reclaimers, who recognize what you're about to endure. The things they say may be interspersed with static — as if the words themselves aren't reaching your ears correctly.

And you have a few minutes to chat before you're calmly led away by Bureau administration, to do something about that pesky static problem.

B. THE VOIDFISH

The nine of you are quickly divided into two groups, and brought to the easternmost geodesic dome, to an elevator in a well maintained, but sparsely landscaped field. There's nothing particularly ominous feeling about the space — in fact, the two guards who greet you at the elevator entrance seem pleased with your arrival. You are, after all, one of the few chosen by the Director, the few who will reclaim what the Hunger has destroyed.

And in a few moments, you're about to find that out for yourself.

After a tightly packed elevator ride, your group is ushered out to a rather grand looking hall, banners of the Bureau of Balance adorn both sides of smooth metal walls. And inside the Voidfish's chamber stands a tank — impossibly tall, and soaked in a black ink that obscures whatever the tank may be holding.

You may notice the sound of someone speaking. It's a bard, on his second round of introducing Reclaimers to the Voidfish, and this time, he has chosen to demonstrate the functions of the outrageously vertical tank not by playing violin music, but by reciting a piece of classical, and highly valued poetry. When he finishes, he pulls at a drawer just at the metallic base of the tank. He solemnly enters a few scrolls into its basin as the tank begins to light up, like lightning behind dark clouds.

And suddenly, you forget what that invaluable example of universal literature sounded like.

"Yeah, man, like... don't think too hard about it, it's like that every time. I'm guessing you're here to be inoculated? Just a heads up, you might want to, like, seriously, hold your nose while you drink it down. It tastes wicked gross, man.

Anyway, I'm supposed to tell you that you have a choice. If you drink the black stuff, you'll be able to hear through the, uh... Huh, how do I describe it? Through the [TSHCSCHTSHCHSC] sound. You guys like, hear that? Anyway, it's all about knowledge or something. I don't know, I'm just here to, like, feed the thing. We call it the [TSCHHSCHSCH], by the way.

So, like. You get a choice. You can drink it and understand stuff, or not drink it and then hear that crackling noise all day every day. If I were you, I'd drink it. But, hey man, I'm not like, your dad or anything."

The bard takes five cups and draws liquid from a spigot connected directly to the basin of the large tank. Stormy, muddy looking ichor is drawn into them, one by one. He offers each of you a sip.

Drink it (he wasn't kidding about what it tasted like), and you're inoculated to the wisdom of the Voidfish. You try to remember the poetry this bard recited a few moments ago and the rhymes, the meter, the significance, all come back to you. And if you think back to your arrival, some of the things you may have heard other people in the Quad say, that simply sounded like static, are suddenly clear. Bureau of Balance. Grand Relic. Reclaimers.

Yet you still can't remember the Hunger or what it had done to your world. And as you look back to the tank in front of you, the water has become clear. There's a jellyfish, as tall as a building, floating within. You look into the body of the creature and you can almost make out a beautiful, tiny universe floating within it.

2. THE TEST OF INITIATION

With your new knowledge on the Bureau of Balance and your purpose here in tow, you are led without hesitation to the Arena, where the final phase of your initiation into the Bureau will be held. You are partnered up, whether it is with someone you drank the ichor of the Voidfish with, or perhaps even a veteran Reclaimer, who either stopped by to help, or simply out of curiosity.

One Grand Relic has already been reclaimed, you're told. They were a pair of bright red mittens, held by the mayor of a small village who may have meant well, but under the draw of the mittens' incredible space-bending powers, was corrupted into using them, and to nearly killing everyone who lived under him.

You may have noticed, at some point while glancing out into space while walking here, to the planet below, a massive evergreen fir that stretches past the planet's atmosphere, very nearly piercing the Moon Base itself. It appears to be decorated for the holidays. That tree is the direct result of those mittens, the actions of a man who could not resist the temptation to use them.

Resisting that very same temptation is your task here. And with that order in mind, as you and your partner stand in the middle of the Arena, the walls dissolve, and the simulation begins.

You're standing in the middle of a forest. Ahead of you, situated on a pedestal, is an item. It could be any ordinary item: a pair of gloves, a teapot, a simple decorative bowl. Whatever it is, it's yours for the taking.

Take that simple item in your hands, however, and the building blocks of the trees around you suddenly collapse like shattered glass, and reform into new scenery — it may even be a place from home that you recognize.

A voice in your head beckons you. Perhaps there's a mistake you made, or something that went wrong for you back home that you wish you had the power to undo. Perhaps there's someone you wish you could help, or even save. The item that's in your hands has the power to help you achieve this, if only you'd ever use it.

Resist the temptation. Take the item, and drop it into a nearby deposit box to be destroyed. Your partner is here to help you — because once you destroy it, you will be doing the same for them.

3. NEWBIES AND VETERANS, AROUND THE MOONBASE

Three or four days into the month, now that the newbies are settled in, something strange happens: The next time you return to your flat from whatever errand or exploring you were doing, when attempting to use your Bracer to open the door results in extremely obnoxious beeping that persists for an entire thirty seconds, and a message on the screen next to the door.

ERROR: HOME ASSIGNMENT MECHANISM MALFUNCTION. GO TAKE A WALK.

Welp. Looks like you're locked out for a bit while techs fix that. Here's a few places that might be worth checking out.

A. PIECES FROM HOME

Should you find your way to the Dojo, there's a door that still has that shiny, brand spanking new door look and new door smell to it off in one of the less traversed corners of the building. A sign next to the door demands that you empty your pockets before entering. A scanner for your Bracer will unlock it, assuming it's unoccupied, leading you to a plain white room with no furniture or objects at all in sight.

As the door shuts behind you, a pleasant female voice echoes from all corners of the room, greeting you by name. If this is your first time in the room, the voice has a simple question for you:

"What memory do you value, or think of, most?"

Once you've provided your answer, the walls crumble, much like they did during the Test of Initiation simulation, reforming into something that is, again, pleasantly, or even unpleasantly, familiar.

It's a space from home. Perhaps it's your room. Perhaps it's your favorite restaurant (though, the place is curiously empty, and the food you find, for some reason, tastes like strawberries). Perhaps it's a park you always enjoyed visiting, or a corner of the city you lived in.

Whatever it is, you, and whoever you may have brought along with you, seem to be the only ones there. And perhaps the details aren't quite right — like maybe someone built a model of your home to explore, but a few pieces were missing from the box.

But it's close enough.

B. SPEND YOUR DOUGH. SOLVE A MYSTERY

Whether you're a newcomer or a veteran returning from your first Field Mission, you've been provided with some spending money. You can use it to buy yourself one weapon and piece of armor from one of the blacksmiths in town. Regardless of who you choose to help you out with that, it'll take about a week to complete your order, so time your purchase carefully.

There's also premade weapons and a whole bunch of other bullshit for sale at FANTASY COSTCO. Shelves and pallets of an endless array of nonmagical items, pretty much anything you can imagine, can be bought here, but there's one particular, innocuous item that seems to have Garfield the Deals Warlock in a tizzy.

The more those vinyl covers that can be used to decorate your Bracers are purchased, the more the name seems to spread, ghosts of whispers around the entire Moon Base, of a person who may very well be a ghost herself. Who is Miss Zarves? Who was Miss Zarves?

A powerful witch with the power to scramble your memories, insists one cantankerous woman who pours you a drink at Madame Frione's Tea Kettle. A heavyset, flushed with drink sort of man sitting next to you disagrees — Miss Zarves is a practical joke Garfield likes to trot out every couple of months to mess around with anybody gullible enough to believe him.

Whatever the case, it seems that the name alone gives everyone a curious case of déjà vu. Someone has to have information on her — and this is the Reclaimers' opportunity to hone their information gathering skills.

C. A (PERHAPS MANDATORY) DAY AT STOP DYING 101

Whether you're in class voluntarily, or whether you were dragged there on account of dying the past Field Mission, today's session of Fatalistic Fauna, and Danger Sense to channel your inner barbarian is going on a little field trip to the Arena.

Because this is your first test to see if you can put all that information that's been given to you in the first few lectures to good use.

You and a partner are placed in the middle of the Arena, in a simulation of an expansive, empty field, up against the first monster you were introduced to in class: A Bulette, a fearsome beast that can burrow, lunge, deal severe piercing damage, and jump an absolutely incredible distance. And you and your Reclaimer partner are absolutely no match for it.

Your only option here is to escape. Can you? If you are dealt simulated fatal damage, then the Arena will dissolve back to normal, and you'll be given extra homework and reading material for the day. Sorry, them's the breaks.

D. OPEN THE DOOR, GET ON THE FLOOR, EVERYBODY DO THE DINOSAUR

There's a signup available for those looking to take Dance lessons at the Academy. There seem to be enough slots available for 50 or so people, and the form's name simply reads: "DANCE, NOW. WITH MS. CHARLOTTE." It's a pretty large time commitment- a crash course in dancing is a rather intensive affair. You'll be spending 4 days a week for 2 weeks, 2-3 hours per day, learning all the basics of the waltz, the tango, and the quickstep. Don't even think about trying the cha-cha slide here, it's simply not pasodoable. At the studio, you can borrow a pair of ballet slippers and join in with Ms. Charlotte, which, for anyone coming to the class for the first time should be rightly horrified.

The newest member of the Bureau of Balance is a spider. A delegate from New New Aspen, Ms. Charlotte comes equipped with a bracer of her own, has taken in the Voidfish juice, and relocated here, to teach at the Academy. She moonlights as a ballroom dance instructor and a coach, and boy... she's pretty demanding with her approach, but incredibly thorough. You don't want to let Ms. Charlotte down.

The sessions she teaches will get you to learn the basics. Natural aptitude, of course, goes a long way, but she's very 8-hands on with her approach at correcting posture and steps. Not without compassion, however, if you manage to get blisters on your feet, Ms. Charlotte's web bandages will set and help heal those sore, tired feet. The next 2 weeks of this boot camp are going to be brutal.

E. THE MOON IS YOUR SPACE OYSTER (WILDCARD)

There are plenty of other locations around the Moon Base that you can explore at your own discretion. Feel free to refer to the Settings page for more ideas on what shenanigans you can get into.

Additionally, we'll be fielding Bender rolls again this month! With the exception of the three items that have been removed from his recipe database, if a food item was destroyed in a failed roll previously, you may roll to try to fix it. Bear in mind, of course, that you may make it worse.

Successful food rolls will stay in place at this time.

4. THE DIRECTOR ACTS; A GRAND RELIC DESTROYED

Erika has obtained and delivered the Space Mittens to Madame Director herself. She struggles to remain calm and composed at the moment, but the amount of immense pride and relief at recovering the Grand Relic slips through an otherwise sturdy exterior of coolness and level-headed features. She congratulates the entirety of the Bureau of Balance for their hard work, and relates to Erika that she couldn't be happier that she had made this world one step closer to being safe. A message will appear across all bracers, everywhere, with the following:

Reclaimers, welcome home and congratulations on a successful first mission. Although there were certain drawbacks and difficult decisions that had to be made, I believe, without a doubt, that you all have irrefutably surpassed all expectations. Congratulations on a job well done. However, next time, please do be more careful out there.

For those of you who wish to watch, my office will remain open until 1600 hours today. The relic will be destroyed, and if you would like to attend to see how it's done, please stop by.

There will be light refreshments and coffee served, of course. If unable to attend, you can watch the ceremony later on your bracers. Don't forget to click Like and Subscribe.

At the appointed hour, a ceremony will occur. She calls forth Davenport to wheel out the structure that's been created and designed with the sole purpose of destroying these things. She dare not takes the relic herself, no, refusing to touch the item at all. It's a medium sized metallic sphere, and once opened and closed, can never be opened again. Pulling back the curtain to an observatory, the Reclaimers can watch as Davenport sports a nifty pair of goggles, and wheels the orb onto a raised platform. He waits for the Director's signal, which is performed by an agreeable stamp of her oaken staff against the floor, and a nod. Davenport hits the KILL SWITCH, and the light show from behind the glass is amazing and terrifying all at the same time. You watch as the Space Mittens are obliterated from existence.

An eruption of cheering breaks out. This concludes the first successful mission, and a deeply needed win, for the Bureau of Balance.

blurb code by photosynthesis

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She giggles again. She can't help it, he just looks really cute when he wants to impress!! It's what makes her answer come easily.]

Well... yeah! It's not like I have to worry about my grades to get accepted to university or anything.

[--Well, she's never had to worry about that, to tell the truth. Her musical talent would have more than made up for any poor grades. Not that she ever had any!! She just wasn't a straight-A student.

But for some reason, Akechi has been a perfect teacher's pet all class. Even if he hadn't looked at her with that cute expression, she'd offer all the same.]

What if you tell me what to do while we're out there? That'll show, um, leadership skills. And it'll still show the teacher I know how to use my abilities, too.

If you're certain, then I think that would be a good idea. I certainly could use a boost there...

[While he doesn't exactly think of himself as a follower, he knows in battle he's more likely to just do whatever he feels like; if it happens to line up with the course of action the leader feels is best, great and all but if not, well...

The point being he needs to work a little on conveying things and working together anyway.]

That should work. And I do have a shield now to protect you no matter how close or far I am.

[She taps his forehead.]

I trust you! So let's ace this test, together!!

[She pumps both fists in the air before turning, ready to just charge into the Arena. Apparently that's all the planning she thinks they need? A basic gist of what they should do before escaping.]

...!!

[Once the Arena does form around them and she sees what they're up again, she can't help but let out a frightened squeak. Wow, it's ugly!! And looks brutal!!

She starts humming, very quietly, the beginning of one of Liszt's Transcendental Etudes, focusing her Bardic Inspiration directly on Akechi. Any more than that, and she's relying on him to direct her what to do!!]

[It's honestly a little surreal to actually be in a leadership position when he has never really done it before. Most of his concerns melt away, though, when he hears her song. Right. He can do this. She's counting on him and, perhaps just as important, she believes in him. Though he wishes he had a plan for this.

Right, start with buffs.]

Akamatsu-san, put an illusion in front of us!

[He needs the thing to be distracted from them for a moment.] Loki!

[Akechi raises his hand to his face and Loki appears behind him, bowing as he listens to Akechi's command. He casts Heat Riser on himself and then Kaede, to give them both a boost in defense and agility.]

[She's still humming, so she can't give a verbal confirmation. The Bardic Inspiration fades away as she switches seamlessly to another etude to continue her performance. She casts out one hand, pointing straight ahead, and conjuring a five-foot brick wall a few feet in front of the creature. It won't actually stop it, and it'll be destroyed if it so much as touches it, but hopefully it does its job as a distraction!

Her movements feel lighter and more fluid as she points... it must have something to do with Akechi's Persona. And while she might not be able to speak while she's keeping her song up, she does shoot a quick message to him that only he can hear, right in his brain.]

You've got this, Akechi-kun!

[Oh right she has telepathy. He wonders if it works both ways? He should have asked that, fuck. One point from leadership.

Still, he won't criticize himself right now. Later, sure. But now, he has to keep Kaede and himself safe. Kaede put her trust in him. He's got this.

The monster keeps its attention on the wall for the moment, burrowing under it before launching up like some rip-off Jaws. When it fails to 'break' it and it vanishes, it seems confused and angry. Well, that wasn't what he thought would happen but it makes sense. With a growl, he gets away from the monster fast, half-running and occasionally hopping or sliding with Loki's aid depending on if he needs to speed up again.

Akechi taps his sword on the ground as he does, flames running down it. The light catches the monster's interest even more and it jumps—it really does jump far, shit. He dodges as it lunges but he has to keep it away from Kaede. It's fast and he realises he needs a better plan. Think. Quick.

Sleep. Okay. He has to get it near Kaede.]

Get ready!

[Now he's leading it towards her but Loki runs ahead, to Kaede's side, hunched over in a protective stance. Loki communicates to her suddenly in a quiet but deep, smooth voice, something that might sound like an older Akechi. Sleep.]

[Kaede's running, too; it was one thing to read about how far it can jump, but like, those just seemed like numbers. Actually seeing it in action is way different!!

Akechi's keeping its attention on him, which she's grateful for, but also worried about. She knows he wants to look good in front of the professor, and she has total faith in his abilities, but she can't help but wonder if he's being a little too reckless.

Wait, huh?! He's running toward her?! She skids to a stop with Loki beside her, flinching at the unexpected voice. It's Akechi, but not, which she guesses makes sense for the strange zebra-man that's the manifestation of his soul, or whatever.

Her humming changes pitch, eyes narrowing as she focuses. She doesn't know if sleep can miss, exactly; she's pretty sure it can't? But she doesn't want to risk it, either. So she takes a few more seconds, preparing herself before casting the spell. Again she throws her hand straight outward as if it's something physical she can hurl.

The Bulette's charge slows, starts to stumble. Kaede takes a step back, shielding herself half behind Loki as it finally crumbles to the ground.]

That's our chance, let's go! It only lasts a minute!

[Although he flashes her a smile, they have to hurry.]

Understood! Loki!

[Calling out to him, Loki takes the command and scoops up both Kaede and Akechi, practically throwing them over his shoulders and holding them there as he runs at top speed. As they reach the exit, the Bulette begins to stir but it doesn't matter—they're out the door.

With that done, Loki unceremoniously drops them onto the ground. Akechi doesn't seem to care, though, laughing to himself.]

Shit.

[That was kind of intense.]

[Kaede lets out a little shriek when she's scooped up, disrupting her song. Which is fine, since the Bulette is out for the count. This isn't the most dignified way she could be carried, Loki!! Learn from Akechi and his charming ways!!

Another shriek when she's dropped, then she's laughing, a little shaky from the test.]

We did it! I knew you could do it, Akechi-kun!

[She leans over, holding her hand out for a high-five. And... offering one to Loki, too?]

Thanks for taking charge like that, I couldn't have done it without you. [And while the sentiment is sincere, she's mostly saying it for the professor, who she's sure is observing somewhere. Gotta make sure to make Akechi look good, after all!]

[Loki does give her a highfive, though clearly if she wants someone who oozes charm, she needs to meet Robin Hood. Alas, she's stuck with the one now stretching out to lounge on the ground, though it has its own charm, albeit something a little more on the seductive side than the prince charming side.

Akechi, too, gives her one but he smiles, too.]

And you as well. I couldn't have done it without you, either. You were amazing. [Before, he would have said that just to look like a team player but he really does mean it now. A little quieter, he adds:] Um, thank you for your assistance.

[He thinks that should have looked good enough to get him out of this class and back on his regular class schedule.]

[Even the kinky part of Akechi's soul is charming, good to know.]

We were both amazing, [she concedes, then gasps, patting the air with both of her hands.] O-Oh, I mean, all three of us? It's not cheating that there were three of us, right?

[Certainly not... Loki is basically like a magic spell, right? Or an animal companion? Which is to say, Akechi is using his resources to better survive. He'd better be the top student in the class for this, or Kaede will fight the teacher!!

Kaede reaches out and impulsively pats the top of Loki's head as if to prove that there was no ill-will by only referring to them as "the two of us." She should probably ask first, but that's never been her style.]

[Loki seems mollified now that his own efforts have been recognised. His shoulders go from hunched to relaxed and he leans forward towards her, long braids swaying with the movement. Regardless of her reaction, he'll decide to crouch close to her now. Praise him more, Kaede.

Akechi, meanwhile, looks a little amused and feels somewhat embarrassed as well. He rubs at his cheek with the pads of his fingers.]

It should count as just us. He is a representation of part of my soul after all.

Oh!

[Well he sure is right there now. Kaede blinks at him; looking at Loki is a little dizzying, honestly, with all those strange stripes... but he was willing to stand in front of her to protect her, and he cast some kind of magic earlier.

She pats Loki's head again. Is his soul a big puppy? That's the sense she's getting. Good boy, good boy.]

Which part?

[Do souls even have separate parts? Well, she guesses her friends on this base are proof that they can.]

[Ah. How embarrassing—or rather, it would only be a little embarrassing to see her pet him, if it weren't for the fact that Loki dips his head into it, braids falling over his shoulders as he makes a low, pleased sound. That makes it embarrassing.]

Ah... I would say... the darker parts of me. [As if it weren't a little obvious by appearance but he can contextualize it for her.] The Loki of myth was something of a whimsical trickster concerned only with his own agenda. Compared to other Norse Gods, he was almost considered a stain on their noble lot... [He sighs.] A bastard child of the world of Gods and of Giants, not belonging to either, who eventually triggered Ragnarok and thus ended the Golden Age of the Gods.

[So. Yeah. Not the great parts of himself—more like the selfish, scared and violent parts of himself with a charming swagger that might be borrowed from movies he saw as a child.

That all said, Loki is now making a sound kind of like purring, so appearance aside, he seems more like a big sweet pet right now. That might just be him doing it for attention though.

(Spoilers: it is. Love him. Praise him.)

Akechi frowns.]

It's a shame I can't introduce you to Robin Hood. He's my other Persona but there seems to be something keeping me from him now. He's more gallant and brave. The outfit you first saw me in comes from Loki but the other is quite regal and lovely. I think you would have liked it.

Hmmm...

[She hums aloud, a curious, musical sound as she keeps petting Loki, tentatively trying to rub his horns, pat the top of his head; she's starting to reassess her "big puppy" impression with the purring, deciding he's more like a large cat. Hopefully pianist fingers are good for playing Personas as well as piano keys.

And, well, she's pretty sure the cat description suits Akechi more, too. His whole description of the trickster Loki suits him a little too well, really, leaving her frowning a little as she glances past Loki to Akechi himself.]

I'm sure Robin Hood is nice, but I like this part of you just fine, you know.

[She rubs Loki's horn. Who's a good weird purring zebra-boy?? It's Loki!!!]

We're more than the stories people tell about us, after all! And I'm sure there's more to you than what Akechi-kun just said, huh?

[She tries to look Loki in the eye but just gets dizzy trying to figure out where his eyes are. Hm.]

[Loki hunches down even more on the ground to make it easier for Kaede to rubs his horns and head. Unlike Akechi, he's shameless about accepting and encouraging attention directed at him. Oh sure Akechi is pretty shameless but Loki seems two seconds from just flopping over on the ground and exposing his belly or something equally ridiculous.

Okay he won't because he does want to be elegant in some manner but still.

Still, he nods and murmurs in response to her, "Stories and legends change over time to suit the needs of the people telling them. Nothing is ever set in stone." Akechi makes a face at him. Stop taking her side, self.]

Well... I'm glad, though. [He hesitates, trying to word his feelings.] I think... they are both me and represent me but I often think that... Loki perhaps became truer to who I am. It could be that he just is what I've been most recently but... he is me no matter what.

[He knows Loki looks unsettling. And he knows what Loki's inherent abilities are. But he still wants others to accept that part of him, too.]

[Even without rolling over, Kaede can tell that Loki really is enjoying the affectionate attention. It's enough to make her laugh, placing one hand between his horns and pressing down gently to see if he'll just go along with it or resist the motion. She can't help but be pushy, even now.

It's really interesting for her to think about; the idea that stories and legends can change and grow with time isn't a new one, but it feels somehow different speaking with... whatever Loki is. "Persona," "soul," "demon," whatever.

More importantly, she hums, looking back to Akechi and beckoning with her other hand. She hasn't taken her other hand off Loki's head yet, still absently rubbing her fingers along it.]

Hmmm... come here, Akechi-kun.

[Given his somewhat fickle nature, Loki debates going along with Kaede's push or not. If it earns him more, wouldn't that be nice? But at the same time, he's given her a lot of slack, so instead of going with the push or pushing back himself, he tips his head back to nudge her petting downwards— taking a guiding path rather than trying anything else.

Akechi makes a face at Loki but at Kaede's beckon, he blinks. Well, no reason not to? So he does come closer to her.]

Ah? What is it?

[Oh! That was unexpected, but Kaede goes along with it, returning some of her focus to Loki again so she can try to figure out what he wants. The... side of his face? Okay, she guesses, letting him guide her hand.

It's a little tough to split her attention like this, but she glances back toward Akechi with a light, mischievous grin curving her lips. It's clearly taking everything she has not to giggle.]

So if he's you, then...

[She reaches out to pet the top of Akechi's head the same way she was petting Loki. He must like this too, right?]

[Perfect. Loki seems pleased with it. Well, it's kind of hard to tell but he doesn't try to guide her anymore, so that probably means he likes it.

Meanwhile, Kaede has unlocked a secret side of Akechi. His eyes widen in surprise for a moment before his expression softens, a blush tinting his cheeks.]

Ah...

[Truthfully, he quite likes it, which makes it hard to properly protest this terrible move.]

I-I'm not a cat...!

[He says, clearly just barely resisting relaxing into it.]

[Oh, nope, she laughs at him, giggling as she cards her fingers through his hair and rubs her fingertips against his scalp.]

Are you sure? You and Loki both seem pretty cat-like to me!!

[She looks to Loki for confirmation, continuing to pet both of them at once. This, truly, is what a lifetime of piano playing has prepared her for: being able to pet two big cats at once.]

Oh! You should pet Blake-san's ears when you have the chance.

[Loki gives a thoughtful hum. "A cat isn't a bad analogous animal to choose. Though he preens like a bird." Akechi tries to give him a Look but it's difficult when he's still rather flush and relaxing from being, well, petted by his friend. It's wonderful. He doesn't really know what to do about it but if he were a cat, he would be making biscuits. This is just a mental image to have.]

Ah? Do you think she would be okay with me touching them?

Does he?

[Every day she learns more and more... she tucks a bit of hair behind his ear with another quiet giggle, smoothing it out from their frantic fight earlier.]

I think she will! She didn't mind when I did it, anyway, so I'll come with you. They're really soft, just like a real kitty cat.

[That settles it! She'll just have to make sure to run into Blake while she's with Akechi at some point.

But as much as she'd like to just stand there petting Akechi and Loki... she's tired from the exam. Really, she just wants to sit.]

C'mon, let's go to the café. We're done with the test, so we deserve something to celebrate, right?

[Loki might be him but considering Akechi hates himself, it might not be surprising that he enjoys needling him somewhat. Though it really does come down to whims.]

Ah, that would be lovely, yes.

[Understanding the cue, Loki stands enough to bow to Kaede with an elegant flourish of his arm over his chest before disappearing in red wisps of light shaped in flames. Akechi sighs as he stands and offers his hand to her.]

My treat.

[The cafe is free. The wink says he knows and it doesn't matter.]

[This is why she thinks he's flirting with her. This tag right here, officer.

Kaede laughs and tries for a courtesy before Loki fully disappears, then takes the offered hand with another smile. The wink is charming, sending a hint of a flush to her cheeks as she squeezes his hand and tugs him a little, clearly expecting him to follow her along.]

Alright! Let's have fun.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Lunar Interlude 2

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