[ It's fine. It's fine? Before he follows, he lifts one of Xie Lian's hands up, because even if he isn't real, he can't ignore that look. A kiss to his knuckles, a quick - ] I'll see you soon.
[ - and then he goes to take Ange's hand, other one holding his saber again.
Good thing Mob is leading the way and so insistent to keep moving because otherwise Hua Cheng would be digging his heels in more. ]
[ Well, Mob is going the right way by climbing up, and so the lady watches them go. It's only when they've almost reached the top of the mountain, having to dodge growing snowflakes on the way and probably being aware that the world is cracking and vanishing behind them that the setting around them will suddenly change.
Hua Cheng might feel a weight in his...clothes. I don't know if he has pockets. He seems to mostly have sleeves.
They leave one shrine only to encounter another, though this one is slightly different, surrounded by forests and wide trees. There's no immediate sign of their forth from the exterior of the shrine, however, but knowing that they'll keep walking and we are on a deadline, I will assume these fucks will go ahead and enter the shrine. Especially considering the sky is now entirely that glowing, fissured pink, with dark storms building up there. There's no sign of the scenery around them breaking down yet, but let's not give it a chance.
Once they enter the shine proper, they'll have to snoop a bit to come across domestic scene for Izumo, chattering at the table with people who look like her, holding hands with Alphinaud(?!), and being surrounded by just. A shitload of foxes. The picture is actually legitimate to this scene and how many foxes there are. It is so many?
The sword she touched earlier is hanging on the wall, like a piece of decoration. ]
[At least they aren't kissing. He'll lead the others in, going to look for Izumo. There she is. And Alphinaud? Izumo, you already have that boyfriend.]
[It's such a domestic scene... but all of them have a fair amount of small burns now and Ange is a little over it.]
Miss Izumo, thank goodness we found you! We really, really need to go...!
[... but also that sword... why is that sword there. She blinks at it, and then glances over at HC to see if he also sees it. She doesn't get why that sword is part of the whole thing. Aren't these supposed to be their dream worlds...?]
[ Were it any other situation, Hua Cheng would try to see if he could spook Alphinaud. Because he's awful like that. But they don't have a lot of time for that, and Mob's gotten them started on getting a move on with her.
He shares a glance with Ange, inclines his head in acknowledgment - he sees it - and steps towards it so he can take a peek and see if anything else is weird about it! It means he lets go of her hand, but it's only for a moment.
Also he has to check what's in his clothes. It's probably in the inner breast of his robes like the red crystal shard is, so he'll reach in for that and whatever weird thing is now on his person while they talk to Izumo. ]
We don't have a lot of time for this. How's your arm?
[ much like hc, when they arrive, izumo isn't paying attention to them even though they're addressing her directly. if anything she continues to smile (probably the happiest that they've ever seen her...maybe the happiest she's ever been(?)) as she talks to the two others sitting with her at the table and keeps a tight grip on alphinaud's hand.
it's not that she doesn't hear them, when hc mentions her arm, she does flinch for a moment but keeps her attention focused away from them. ...does she realize this is all fake? hm. who knows, but she does eventually give them a time and day and look over her shoulder to look at them and... ]
Mike, can you see what they need?
[ insert one of the many foxes, but the one who has a more humanoid form, addressing them now. his face is a little on the grumpier side but he nods at them nevertheless. sorry, but no. she is not going to be leaving so easily. ]
[ The sword on the wall is there! A simple decoration that is glowing dimly. This is normal. Do you guys not have glow in the dark swords? It's unclear how it's hanging onto the wall.
HC's prize seems to be a very pointy white gem that feels cold to the touch. It's got spikes all over... he might get the feeling that it would let him control ice if he used it.
While they're inside, they seem to be safe from any further disruptions! That, or they simply aren't seeing them. Which is fine, it means they can't get hurt. Probably. ]
[ Considering the fact the foxes aren't freaking out over them being in here with a jacked Mob and a weapon on hand, he's just going to go closer to the sword. No one's stopping him yet.
He is going to reach out for it, after putting away his fun rocks. If Ange and Mob need hhelp with Izumo he will help, but if this sword is what brought them here, in the first place... ]
[ the fox will cross his his arms across his chest and look down at the two teens with a disapproving look. meanwhile izumo is still blissfully involved with the group at the table and leans against alphinaud as they continue to converse. ]
T̶̢̠̔a̴̩̣̦̐͋m̵̯̈́́̏͝ä̸̖͈͓͇̰́́͗-̸̦͇̘͓̰̂̃̍̆̑c̶̟̪̦͋ͅh̷̝͚̮̜͉̩̽͋̇͐̈́a̵̘̺̗̓́̽̏̔͝n̷̨̹̮̿̄̕ is currently busy with her family, can't you see?
[ the fox will glance over towards alphinaud for a moment before turning back to the ange and mob, correcting themselves a bit. ]
[ Thanks for touching the sword, HC! Not only does it feel impossible to move away, but also, it electrocutes him for his trouble, which I'm sure is fun and pleasant.
There's rumbling as the wind picks up outside. Or maybe it's starting to come inside? Hmmm. ]
Yes, I can see. [He did get to see Izumo's memories a little - he understands why she might treasure something like this.
. . . He's just going to talk loudly enough for Izumo to hopefully hear.]
. . . We need her help, though. Do you hear that? [Gesturing in the direction of the rumbling.] It's getting worse and worse, and we're getting hurt. So we really need help from Kamiki-san.
[ At least he doesn't do the stupid thing of just continuing to hold onto it! But his left arm is taking some damage, here, and he yoinks his hand back with a quiet hiss of surprise.
As he shakes it out, he glances at Ange. Nods, then shakes his head before his gaze sweeps over in Izumo's direction, then back to her.
[ izumo can hear mob loud and clear but she's still stubbornly going to ignore him (them). to emphasize her response, she'll bring try to hide herself away from view with the use of alphinaud. for a moment, though, she'll look at her splintered arm before quickly lowering it to her side.
all the while the fox will look back over towards the older woman who is clearly chittering away gleefully at the table (maybe patting izumo on the head as she fusses something here and there) and then back to mob. ]
I'm not sure what help you think she can offer. [ he tilts his head to a side. ] ...and that brat still has a long way to go before she can help anyone.
[ storm's raging, sword's glowing, and, more importantly
they'll see one of those shiny cracks make its way through the floor of the shrine, quite literally dividing the three from izumo. it's glowing, but it isn't gaping yet or doing anything too scary.
[ Shaking his hand out still and staying near the sword, because, well. If the world falls apart, he'll try to rip the damn thing off the wall if he has to.
... but maybe the realization that made him leave will work on her. ]
No matter how happy you are here, it isn't real - if it all falls apart, then you'll lose it all for good.
And you won't be able to return to the real Alphinaud. What was the last thing you said to him, in the Realm? Do you want it to truly be the last thing?
[ TIME TO DI—no, izumo will hear what they're all saying and she can't ignore any of this anymore. the fox is about to chime in again, but this time izumo cuts him off as she very slowly removes herself from alphinaud—one version of him—and gives a kiss on the cheek. ]
Mike—! ...it's okay.
[ she'll carefully get off of the floor with a sniffle. ]
No, I have so much more I want to tell him. Years worth of things.
[ she'll wipe her eyes with the back of her good hand before marching over towards the sword and grabbing at the handle without any more hesitation with every intention to rip it off of the wall. did you know how much more she hates the realm now?
[ Izumo rips the sword out of the wall, and everything changes once again. Right in time, too, as the rip on the floor suddenly grew and probably one of them would have fallen in and it would've been bad. Boo.
Sword in hand, when they next blink, the group now find themselves... in a castle. This is just the WEEK of castles, isn't it? The aesthetic of this one seems to match a little the worm chamber they found in the cavern, with gold lined doors, colorful marble floors and purple tinted walls. There, at the end of the hallway is the angelic looking lady. She stands at the end of the hallway, facing nothingness before turning to them. She's got a full face now! Her eyes are pink like her hair and her skin is tinted purple. She's also very tall. ]
This has all happened before, and yet it hasn't. [ she's said this line before, wow. repetitive npc much? ] But it won't happen again. I'm afraid you're running out of time. [ she touches the walls of the hall, looking almost nostalgic? ] Take care of—
[ And before she can finish that, they'll find themselves back in the forest where they found the sword which Izumo is still holding. Now that that's done, she'll feel also that this sword could let her... heal? That's a weird sentiment. Also Mob is no longer jacked, we're free. He does have something in his pocket, though!
Of course, when they found the sword, it wasn't also in direct path with what looks like an industrial complex, and yet here they are. To be fair, the sky is also still falling apart with a storm around and the ground is shaking in earthquakes, so, uh.
Looks like they didn't leave trouble behind, just their dreams.
Careful about those fissures, because they are sudden and massive and completely in the way of them going anywhere safely! Wuh-woh. ]
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Okay.
She offers her hand to Hua Cheng, with a faintly sympathetic look. It's rough, buddy.
Join the hand holding chain. Mob's leading now. She's gonna follow him!! Time to climb the mountain.]
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[ - and then he goes to take Ange's hand, other one holding his saber again.
Good thing Mob is leading the way and so insistent to keep moving because otherwise Hua Cheng would be digging his heels in more. ]
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Hua Cheng might feel a weight in his...clothes. I don't know if he has pockets. He seems to mostly have sleeves.
They leave one shrine only to encounter another, though this one is slightly different, surrounded by forests and wide trees. There's no immediate sign of their forth from the exterior of the shrine, however, but knowing that they'll keep walking and we are on a deadline, I will assume these fucks will go ahead and enter the shrine. Especially considering the sky is now entirely that glowing, fissured pink, with dark storms building up there. There's no sign of the scenery around them breaking down yet, but let's not give it a chance.
Once they enter the shine proper, they'll have to snoop a bit to come across domestic scene for Izumo, chattering at the table with people who look like her, holding hands with Alphinaud(?!), and being surrounded by just. A shitload of foxes. The picture is actually legitimate to this scene and how many foxes there are. It is so many?
The sword she touched earlier is hanging on the wall, like a piece of decoration. ]
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Kamiki-san, can we talk to you?
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Miss Izumo, thank goodness we found you! We really, really need to go...!
[... but also that sword... why is that sword there. She blinks at it, and then glances over at HC to see if he also sees it. She doesn't get why that sword is part of the whole thing. Aren't these supposed to be their dream worlds...?]
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He shares a glance with Ange, inclines his head in acknowledgment - he sees it - and steps towards it so he can take a peek and see if anything else is weird about it! It means he lets go of her hand, but it's only for a moment.
Also he has to check what's in his clothes. It's probably in the inner breast of his robes like the red crystal shard is, so he'll reach in for that and whatever weird thing is now on his person while they talk to Izumo. ]
We don't have a lot of time for this. How's your arm?
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it's not that she doesn't hear them, when hc mentions her arm, she does flinch for a moment but keeps her attention focused away from them. ...does she realize this is all fake? hm. who knows, but she does eventually give them a time and day and look over her shoulder to look at them and... ]
Mike, can you see what they need?
[ insert one of the many foxes, but the one who has a more humanoid form, addressing them now. his face is a little on the grumpier side but he nods at them nevertheless. sorry, but no. she is not going to be leaving so easily. ]
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HC's prize seems to be a very pointy white gem that feels cold to the touch. It's got spikes all over... he might get the feeling that it would let him control ice if he used it.
While they're inside, they seem to be safe from any further disruptions! That, or they simply aren't seeing them. Which is fine, it means they can't get hurt. Probably. ]
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Anyway, he looks up at the fox.]
Hello. We're here to talk to Kamiki-san.
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Um... please, it's very, very important that we speak with her.
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He is going to reach out for it, after putting away his fun rocks. If Ange and Mob need hhelp with Izumo he will help, but if this sword is what brought them here, in the first place... ]
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T̶̢̠̔a̴̩̣̦̐͋m̵̯̈́́̏͝ä̸̖͈͓͇̰́́͗-̸̦͇̘͓̰̂̃̍̆̑c̶̟̪̦͋ͅh̷̝͚̮̜͉̩̽͋̇͐̈́a̵̘̺̗̓́̽̏̔͝n̷̨̹̮̿̄̕ is currently busy with her family, can't you see?
[ the fox will glance over towards alphinaud for a moment before turning back to the ange and mob, correcting themselves a bit. ]
Mostly family.
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There's rumbling as the wind picks up outside. Or maybe it's starting to come inside? Hmmm. ]
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. . . He's just going to talk loudly enough for Izumo to hopefully hear.]
. . . We need her help, though. Do you hear that? [Gesturing in the direction of the rumbling.] It's getting worse and worse, and we're getting hurt. So we really need help from Kamiki-san.
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Ange would like to help Mob with this but she just watched HC get electrocuted for touching the sword and she's a bit preoccupied with that.
She just mouths at him:
Are you all right?
Mob's totally got this covered though, right?]
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As he shakes it out, he glances at Ange. Nods, then shakes his head before his gaze sweeps over in Izumo's direction, then back to her.
He's pretty sure they need her, first. ]
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all the while the fox will look back over towards the older woman who is clearly chittering away gleefully at the table (maybe patting izumo on the head as she fusses something here and there) and then back to mob. ]
I'm not sure what help you think she can offer. [ he tilts his head to a side. ] ...and that brat still has a long way to go before she can help anyone.
[ this is, uh, the kamiki household, after all? ]
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they'll see one of those shiny cracks make its way through the floor of the shrine, quite literally dividing the three from izumo. it's glowing, but it isn't gaping yet or doing anything too scary.
i mean.
besides existing. ]
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[He sounds very sure of himself. He's just going to stay where he is and not move, whatever the cracks are doing.]
And she's a very reliable person, so I know that she's going to help us.
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Ange looks between HC and the sword and Izumo and the crack in the floor aaaand:]
Miss Izumo...! Miss Izumo, I'm certain you can hear us. Please... please grab the sword! We need you!
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... but maybe the realization that made him leave will work on her. ]
No matter how happy you are here, it isn't real - if it all falls apart, then you'll lose it all for good.
And you won't be able to return to the real Alphinaud. What was the last thing you said to him, in the Realm? Do you want it to truly be the last thing?
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Mike—! ...it's okay.
[ she'll carefully get off of the floor with a sniffle. ]
No, I have so much more I want to tell him. Years worth of things.
[ she'll wipe her eyes with the back of her good hand before marching over towards the sword and grabbing at the handle without any more hesitation with every intention to rip it off of the wall. did you know how much more she hates the realm now?
a lot. ]
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Sword in hand, when they next blink, the group now find themselves... in a castle. This is just the WEEK of castles, isn't it? The aesthetic of this one seems to match a little the worm chamber they found in the cavern, with gold lined doors, colorful marble floors and purple tinted walls. There, at the end of the hallway is the angelic looking lady. She stands at the end of the hallway, facing nothingness before turning to them. She's got a full face now! Her eyes are pink like her hair and her skin is tinted purple. She's also very tall. ]
This has all happened before, and yet it hasn't. [ she's said this line before, wow. repetitive npc much? ] But it won't happen again. I'm afraid you're running out of time. [ she touches the walls of the hall, looking almost nostalgic? ] Take care of—
[ And before she can finish that, they'll find themselves back in the forest where they found the sword which Izumo is still holding. Now that that's done, she'll feel also that this sword could let her... heal? That's a weird sentiment. Also Mob is no longer jacked, we're free. He does have something in his pocket, though!
Of course, when they found the sword, it wasn't also in direct path with what looks like an industrial complex, and yet here they are. To be fair, the sky is also still falling apart with a storm around and the ground is shaking in earthquakes, so, uh.
Looks like they didn't leave trouble behind, just their dreams.
Careful about those fissures, because they are sudden and massive and completely in the way of them going anywhere safely! Wuh-woh. ]
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But after doing that, looking towards the industrial complex. Then looking at his map? Is that even still working?]
Is that where we should go?
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She presses her lips together tightly.]
Most likely, if only because it will be the most difficult way to go.
Is everyone ready...?
[She'll of course be thrilled if Mob's map is like "actually don't go that way at all", but like... wouldn't that be too easy?]
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