XBLAZE - Concurrent:Butterfly [IC]

[Bird of Hermes]

Tsugumi Uro
Nurse's Office
Morning, April 13th, 2056
Event Stock: 0
Cloudy Skies

A warm wave of relief washed over Tsugumi. He couldn’t see her but the tone alone from her words was quite inviting. Tsugumi did have some bad luck with nurses in the past but right at this moment, the memories of that unfortunate time were pushed far back from his head. Right now he was safe with her.

"There's nothing particularly strange about your Crystal, but your body's stress levels are somewhat elevated beyond the norm; it's not a big problem ultimately, but do you get enough sleep at night? Do you still feel stressed from the move, or any other source? I would have woken you up a few hours ago, but you seemed to need the rest."

“A few hours? I’m a little shocked it was that much but if I needed if I suppose.” Tsugumi said as he began to poke his head around to try and get a look at the nurse’s face. “I was a little stressed from the move but I’m getting there. I did collapse on the train after all.”

That much was true.

"Of course I contacted your teachers as well once I decided to let you sleep, so there's no worry for missing assignments or anything; not that homework is traditionally given during the first week anyway..."

Huh.

That was nice of her. And completely unexpected too.

“Thank you miss, I probably would have asked around to see if I missed anything but it’s nice to know I’m clear with any extra assignments.” Chiasa probably would have told Tsugumi for something in return and he was already going to be giving her cooking lessons at some point. She was a little eccentric and it wasn’t that he disliked her company at all, after all she was willing with all his nonsense. Tsugumi just wasn’t sure what else he could offer besides making her lunches indefinitely.

Mizuki may have just old him to deal with it though that would have been fair. Tsugumi was the one sleeping through classes after all. He didn’t worry though, Tsugumi couldn’t have been the only one and besides, the nurse said that aside from seeming a little stressed he was perfectly normal.

And after all, being normal was perfect.

“I hope I haven’t kept you too long, is there anything else you need me for or can I return to class.” Tsugumi continued poking his head around, he still couldn’t quite see her face.

[Kuroyuki]

Yoko Aoyama
Abandoned Amanohokosaka Shrine, Tomobiki
Wednesday, April 13th
Weather: Cloudy
Evening/Night


I stared at the shrine very intently. This… This shrine is all mine! I never thought I would receive my own shrine this soon! I thought I would end up supporting one of Himari-oneesama in one of the smaller attached shrines. But this! This shrine was so much bigger than this. Not even Irmina...neesan could ruin this moment. In fact, it would be perfect if it wasn’t for one fact…

"...Yeah. This is pretty abandoned."

I pouted as Kasumi had to mention it… For all that I was happy about getting my own shrine… There was a lot of work. Leaves and branches piled up on all available areas. The storage shed looked like it needs to be replaced outright… or a serious overhaul.

I debated the costs of repairing this shed or replacing it… But first I would need to find a repairman and then a shop selling sheds. I haven’t looked around the town enough so maybe Kasumi and I should look at all of the shops? There has to be a repairman or shed shop right?

On the upside, the Shrine looked to be in decent shape. The roof and donation box, the main attractions of a shrine are in good shape. Getting into the Shrine looked hard enough to deter most petty crimes. The insides are probably a mess if they haven’t been tended to for over a year...

"Guess it's a good thing we brought brooms..."

“We’re going to need a lot more than brooms and trash bags. Maybe some wood polish… A new shed?”

Regardless of what we brought, we wouldn’t finish everything tonight. If split up more work would be done… But I had a great idea.

“Kasumi let’s work together and gather up all of the leaves today. And once that’s done let’s bake some sweet potatoes together!”

With all of these leaves, we should be able to bake some nice sweet potatoes. After some hard work, we can relax and eat some nice delicious food.

[Airen]

Tsugumi Uro
Nurse's Office
Morning, April 13th, 2056
Event Stock: 0
Cloudy Skies

"Kept me for too long? Not at all, this is my job you know. You guys are my responsibility, if I have to sit here for days to make sure you're alright, then I'll be keeping this chair nice and warm."

A voice overflowing with a sense of personal satisfaction, as if the owner was particularly proud of this achievement above most other things; of course, the doctor did seem to pride herself in her work, but for someone like you, the idea of having to put up with the sheer number of people she had to put up with on a constant basis seemed like a pretty draining task...

But true to form, she really doesn't seem to mind it at all; it's a good reinforcement of belief, as a passionate doctor also seemed like they would be a trustworthy one.

"But if you're asking to leave, I don't see a real need to keep you here any longer, so if you'd like to leave you may do so whenever you wish."

A pause, as she turns her head slightly towards you, revealing her usual face in a manner that dispelled any creeping thoughts of paranoia...

"...Of course, you also missed lunch unfortunately... Sending you back without anything... As a doctor it wouldn't sit right with me, let alone as the beloved school nurse..."

---Yes.

Remarkably full of herself this one...

What did she see herself as really? The attractive nurse? In some regard this was certainly probably the case, but-



"I don't have much food on me I'm afraid, just microwave ramen and some apples. Want anything?"

-regardless, she was as oddly cheerful as ever, smiling away at you in a warm way in spite of revealing what may just be potentially critical information about her personal dietary habits.

[Airen]

Watanabe Yuuki
Northern Cross Academy, The Azure Tent
April 17th, 2056, Early Evening
Event Stock: 0
Chilly

"...Hmm."

A quiet sound that emerges after what had felt like an eternity of silence.

While Chiasa was normally one to crack jokes or sarcastically judge everything around her, she listens to your story with the rapt interest of a student at a lecture, the fingers of her right-hand lightly tapping the surface of the crystal ball out of some subconscious tick. Of course it is a somewhat crazy story, it was supposed to be a fortune for the future after all, but it had turned into a conversation with... Someone...

Or something! Being raised as you had been, it was kind of hard for you to really tell what sorts of things were real or normal within the magical world! Chiasa had already shown you that spaces could be bigger on the inside than on the outside, so the idea of a spirit persisting after death didn't really seem too far fetched in comparison, even so-!

"Must have accidentally turned myself into a spirit medium. Happens from time to time, you see?"

Eh?

"Almost certainly a ghost. Doesn't surprise me. I saw one hanging around the shrine earlier this week, they' show up everywhere if you're really looking for em, but the occult club eh? Sounds like hints to lost regrets. My intention was to figure out the path to take in the future, so maybe we should visit it? It screams school mystery, and school mystery screams adventure-! Like stairs that have a different count going up than they did going down, or a piano that plays itself at night-!"

Yes.

In spite of admitting to possible ghost activity, this revelation does not seem to scare the girl in the slightest, rather... She sees it as something exciting, a game of sorts to be played with the people around her, yes...

She was hard to phase in any real way it seemed...

"Whaddya say? Wanna give it a look on that day? If we're lucky we might see something outrageous-!"

Yes.

Far too excited for a girl that had just heard what amounted to a horror story... And with the implication that she thought you should investigate it?!

[Bird of Hermes]

Tsugumi Uro
Nurse's Office
Morning, April 13th, 2056
Event Stock: 0
Cloudy Skies

Tsugumi contemplated silently his choice. It was quite nice of the nurse to invite him to sit with her for lunch. Some may say she is just full of herself but it is good to have a sense of pride in helping others. Tsugumi certainly couldn't manage her position with dealing with so many people all the time and providing a vital service as well. She had been kind and more than accommodating, to say no would be rude but if he stayed then some people may gossip. Last thing Tsugumi would ever need was for people to think his life was like a plotline out of a second-rate soap.

Regardless, she had this presence that just seemed to relax him. Was it her mannerisms? The way she carried herself? That infections smile? That dress that he was certain Naoko would love? It had to be something about her, just being a nurse didn't make someone a kind person--

--His aunt taught him that much.

On the other hand, microwave ramen and an apple was hardly something to write home about. If that was all she had for herself then dietary habits were a little concerning. Not that he would have said no but it wouldn't have been his first option. It was something he would have expected from his own soon-to-be culinary pupil who thought something he threw together at the last minute was a masterpiece. To turn her down for that reason alone would have been just cruel and Chiasa wouldn't have let Tsugumi live it down when he next saw her.

"It would be nice to have lunch with you."

Oh god was he really getting anxious about the ramifications of just having lunch with someone now?


---Yes.

"But microwave ramen and apples..."

-Weren't the worst thing in the world and certainly better than just a plain cheese sandwich. He had already weighed his options and deciding to stay was the better option but it still wasn't that much. He had known from his aunt that nursing can certainly be exhausting for multiple reasons. However that lead to another question, was this all she had? Tsugumi tilted his head at the nurse.

"Would this be your lunch I'd be eating? I don't want to leave you without anything. Sure I can't go grab something with you? I'm not missing any assignments and I'm going to study tonight to catch up what I missed anyways."

[palad1n]

Watanabe Yuuki
Northern Cross Academy, The Azure Tent
April 17th, 2056, Early Evening
Event Stock: 0
Chilly

While a part of Watanabe Yuuki perhaps thought that Chiasa would react a little bit differently to his story - and indeed it seems she did when she listened to his recount - her rather excited response after it's finished shows that the rather short girl does indeed has a rather unflappable nature.

"Whaddya say? Wanna give it a look on that day? If we're lucky we might see something outrageous-!"

But hearing her rather cheerful suggestion like this, well...

He didn't dislike it.

In fact, he could say that he's glad that Chiasa still act like the Chiasa that he knew; it brings a certain degree of assurance to the blue-haired boy's mind that even the supernatural encounter that terrified him is "just normal" for her. Once again, the purple-haired girl shows that her boasts weren't just for show if her mental fortitude is this high-!

As for her invitation...The old Yuuki would have refused. It's too dangerous, too uncertain, and even before he discovered the existence of the supernatural he was the type of person who would never try saying "Bloody Mary" in the bathroom thrice at night, just on the unlikely chance that something might actually happen.

However, ever since he met Eve that overly cautious part of his has decreased. It's still there, and he'd never did something that will definitely has a terrible consequences for himself or those around him, but for something that is uncertain - where something exciting or unknown might happen - then the him in the present is quite curious and excited to see it. As someone who had played it "safe" for so many years, the prospect of having an adventure - or the thrill of facing the unknown - is quite tantalizing to Yuuki, who is also admittedly quite curious on the mysterious girl he conversed with just a few minutes ago.

Of course he might have refused if he were to consider the decision alone, but with Chiasa being the one to ask him...

"Sounds like a plan to me."

...Just like that, he agreed to do it.

The presence of another person - especially someone who seems experienced and knows what they're doing like Chiasa - boosts his confidence to a degree that he was easily swayed to her cause, his fear of the earlier encounter temporarily forgotten in place of a burning curiosity!

"Ah, but will it be just the two of us? I'm thinking of having another person tagging along if that's okay." Yuuki said after a few seconds of additional thought; he didn't want to leave Eve out of a potentially exciting investigation like this if he could after all.

... He might asks himself what was he thinking later on that night, but at the moment, Watanabe Yuuki is totally on board with his senpai's idea.

[Airen]

Tsugumi Uro
Nurse's Office
Morning, April 13th, 2056
Event Stock: 0
Cloudy Skies

"Ahahaha, are you worried about my diet?"

She seems to find your reaction cute.

It's hard to tell what exactly is going on in that genius head of hers, but the cheerful laughter that emerges as a result of your question is one that once again brings out slight feelings of self consciousness...

"People worry about it all the time, but it's fine-! Not the best thing ever from a nutritional standpoint, but I monitor my own vitamin intakes as well; in worst case scenarios, I could survive in here off custom supplements alone for over a year~"

Was she bragging? A lot of the things she said made it feel like she was bragging-!

But was this really something to brag about?!

"But if you want to go out and get something that's fine too~ I can indulge the 'date with the school nurse' fantasy a little bit I guess~"

And this...

It's a joke.

It was clearly a joke, but she says it all without even the slightest hint of embarrassment in her voice.

"Your records show a bit of shyness, so I'll escort you around town for a bit myself~"

---Because that's just how this person is...

An invincible form of 'older sister.'

[Airen]

Yoko Aoyama
Abandoned Amanohokosaka Shrine, Tomobiki
Wednesday, April 13th
Weather: Cloudy
Evening/Night

Rather than rush to try and finish everything in a single night, you decide to take things slow for the sake of being thorough with your efforts; a shrine that is restored in a rushed and half-hearted manner might just anger it's Guardian God (not that such a being would be pleased with it's current status either) so...

It is best to tackle each and every area with one hundred percent of your efforts, it might take you longer as a result, but you're sure the end-result will be worth it, and thus-!

An evening is spent brushing away the lingering remnants of a countless number of autumns. While most students would think the shrine takes on a haunting atmosphere after dark, there's nothing particularly frightening about your stay even as the sun begins to settle over the distant horizon. The leaves are crisp, the perfect sort to light a fire (or perhaps to alert one to the sound of approaching footsteps), but nothing of the sort is ever heard by the two of you in your task, nor would you really expect such a thing to happen in this place.

Not only was the shrine clearly abandoned, but it was present in a town that was clearly being protected by some sort of massive bounded field... While you can't 'see' such a thing with your eyes, the words of the principal back on the train, as well as the slow sense of 'familiarity' you had acquired with this town's atmosphere over the past few days...

You can feel it.

There's a barrier on the outskirts of town, and at night, said barrier doubles in potency. It is impossible to tell what it's actual effects are, but your instincts say that leaving (or entering) Tomobiki without permission would be...

Difficult.

This entire land was the principal's garden, and like a Queen, she seemed to rule over it all as a silent guardian.

---In that respect, there is likely nothing in town that could possibly hurt you while you were here; it was as safe as one could possibly be... But also cage-like in nature, still...

A circle of rocks and leaves gives forth to a strong blaze...

Like all of your other tasks, this was one that was shared between the both of you; showing her usual chivalry, Kasumi seemed determined to be the one to actually lug a 'bag' of sweet potatoes out here to the shrine, and as a result, the actual care of the fire was being left to you...

Even without magic it was easy. Scattered logs were dried out and ready for a strong flame, and the crisp leaves were a starter that would offer no real resistance to any outside source of heat. They shrivel like paper, but their ashes cling to the logs that burn alongside them, and before long the encroaching chill of the early night was being beaten back by a surprisingly large and healthy flame.

It's a small effort, but one that will be worth it in the end; whether you take pride in accomplishing this or not, it is also in this moment, when you turn your gaze away from the entrance and back towards the flames, that you notice there's someone kneeling down next to the circle of rocks as well... While the figure is that of a girl it's not Kasumi, and yet...

"Hi-! I didn't startle you did I?"

...Whoever it is shows an absurd lack of thought for the scenario, kneeling down next to the fire with her hands stretched out palm first towards it, as if she seeking to absorb as much of the warmth with her body as possible... She was dressed kinda like a ninja, but...

She hadn't made any noise at all, nor had you sensed anyone approaching you.

It was like she had melted into existence right where she was now... Unless she had somehow found a way to fall from the sky...

Regardless, the blatant stranger smiles at you without shame (perhaps because she wishes to play off this moment as being decisively not strange in spite of the fact it was clearly strange) and you-

[Bird of Hermes]

Tsugumi Uro
Nurse's Office
Morning, April 13th, 2056
Event Stock: 0
Cloudy Skies

Tsugumi Uro was not sure of what the reaction would be, the woman had a wondrous aura to her but in the last few seconds he realised his concern in regard to unbalanced eating habits could have sounded like something else entirely. But that never would have been the case though. Tsugumi wasn't interested in such a thing at the moment, he didn't want any attention around school as it was and even if he was interested-

-Propositioning the pretty nurse in such a way was something he lacked the courage to do anyways!

It made his heart race just so much as thinking about such a thing.

"Ahahaha, are you worried about my diet?"

Oh thank god was all Tsugumi could think. She could be hard to read but at least she hadn't misinterpreted what he tried to say but it wasn't as if he had done himself any favours in the matter. Asking a woman about their diet was often used in a derogatory manner and the way Tsugumi had asked her sounded like he was asking her out on a date. He was thankful he had landed in the middle ground rather than earning her ire.

But the way she laughed didn't help either, Tsugumi was very aware of what just happened and was quite conscious about his position - seemingly having flirted with the nurse all alone in her office and she had thought his reaction was cute.

But-

"People worry about it all the time, but it's fine-! Not the best thing ever from a nutritional standpoint, but I monitor my own vitamin intakes as well; in worst case scenarios, I could survive in here off custom supplements alone for over a year~"

Wait, was she bragging?

That wasn't something to brag about. Vitamin supplements were no substitute for a proper meal! He would have to take her to someplace nice or at least back to his for the night so he could make a proper meal. He would have to go out and buy the ingredients for a proper English roast but that would be far better than whatever pills or the like she was on and-

Wait.

What?

"But if you want to go out and get something that's fine too~ I can indulge the 'date with the school nurse' fantasy a little bit I guess~"

"Your records show a bit of shyness, so I'll escort you around town for a bit myself~"

What?!

"Well, I um, er..."
Wait Tsugumi he thought to himself.

For a split second, he could feel his heart beating out of his head but she couldn't have been serious. She couldn't have! But for a split second there, he was contemplating taking the nurse home to cook dinner for he. Oh what would everyone say? Chiasa would never let him down then there'd be Mizuki and... oh what would his aunt say? But no, it wasn't an actual date and he wouldn't become subject of a huge scandal.

Ariel couldn't have been serious but how could she say that so shamelessly - !?

The beat of Tsugumi's heart slowed down, his hairs were no longer on edge. This wasn't what he assumed and he was just making problems for himself now. He had done it earlier this week with Naoko and he was doing it again now. The only enemy he had here was himself and he was self-sabotaging. The consequences of this couldn't have been that terrible and t wouldn't hurt to not be miserable for a change and besides spending time with someone nice wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. If she was the 'Older-sister' type then Tsugumi should reasonably be on board...

"That sounds quite lovely, do you know anywhere nice in particular?"

[Kuroyuki]

Yoko Aoyama
Abandoned Amanohokosaka Shrine, Tomobiki
Wednesday, April 13th
Weather: Cloudy
Evening/Night

Maybe we could have finished the shrine today if we split up… But it’s better for us to be thorough. I don’t want to potentially insult the God inside the shrine or any potential visitors. The first impression is the most important impression… Also I would rather spend time cleaning with Kasumi over not.

So, our evening went by in a flash. The leaves and branches that were spread all over were now currently burning in a nice fire or waiting their turn nearby. I watched as the sun slowly set and my fire’s light grows in strength. My ears perk up as I feel Seithr begin to flow more and more to the outskirts of the town and into the barrier.

If I didn’t know who made that barrier, I would be worried. But sensing the caster up close and knowing whose magic was going to the borders placed me at ease. As the sheer raw power of the barrier was something beyond a typical magician or exorcist… Maybe even a small group. The barrier guaranteed that nothing got in or out. So I could relax because unlike home, there probably won't be any incidents for me to handle.

After lazily feeling the power flow into the barrier for a little, I decided to go back to tending the fire. Thankfully since we gathered all of the leaves and branches so keeping the fire going was simple. I didn’t have to do much. I didn’t have to summon some fire. All I had to do was toss on some branches and leaves periodically. Which was boring while I was waiting for Kasumi to come back with the sweet potatoes.

Eventually, I saw someone kneel next to me… But they weren’t Kasumi. I was let down briefly because I thought we could start baking the potatoes to eat. Instead it was some… Ninja? That’s the best way for me to describe this person. I think? Does a single item in a vaguely ninja shape make someone a ninja?

"Hi-! I didn't startle you did I?"

I shook my head before tossing another small stick into the fire. If a ninja couldn’t sneak up on people then were they really a ninja? Also I’m sure if they meant harm to me, they would have done something when I didn’t notice them instead of sitting next to me. Well since she’s here…

“Friend coming. Want potatoes?”

I tossed a few leaves into the fire unconcerned. I hope Kasumi comes soon… I’m starting to get a little hungry.

[Airen]

Kotetsu Shima
???
Date: April 11th, 2056
Weather: Clear Skies
Event Stock: 2

Is it a bizarre reaction?

While the confines of a dream certainly loosen some of the restraints that come with reality, with knowing that one can no longer be perceived by others in a way that really matters, to treat the smaller doll version of 'you' as a person all it's own is one that might just feel a little embarrassing after going through with it, even if the only people around to judge you for it are various incarnations of your 'self,' still...

You aren't really given time to ponder such things.

It's nothing so dramatic as an explosion, but your body jerks alongside it all the same as the handshake comes to an end. Is it the result of something you had done?

It is hard to say, but by the same token, it is also something that couldn't be triggered by anything else... Regardless, the jerking of your body tips the boat over as your center of gravity changes abruptly, and you are pitched off the side of the boat and into the depths of the sea of clouds. While it is certainly a form of sea, it is not water that stops your fall; indeed, the reality quickly becomes apparent that nothing is going to stop your fall other than a ground you are not yet able to see...

"Run away! The three of you, listen to me and go now!"

A voice echoes in your memory, and this scene itself becomes somehow nostalgic. It's a woman's voice, telling you to run away with a desperation that makes it clear the situation is not good... It's the voice of a parent that is telling one's children to forget about them and go, and while it doesn't really make sense, some thoughts drift pass the surface of your consciousness.

They're out of context, but dreams barely have such things anyway.

You ran, yes, right along with the others.

However, there was a cliff-side, and-

Ah, that's right.

You fell off the island and away from the others, landing in the sea far below, a sea of rushing waves and churning waters that reappears now inside of your head, waiting to greet you with the horrific embrace of the planet itself-

---

-and thus you jump.

This time with your real body.

Shooting straight up as if bolting out of a nightmare... The sea is not a frightening entity to you, and yet your heart is racing, breaths so rapid that you were either scared out of your mind and just didn't realize it, or...

Were gasping for breath...

Still... It fades with time...

A bizarre feeling that can easily be dismissed as simple tricks of the mind.

--}i{--

[Airen]

Yoko Aoyama
Abandoned Amanohokosaka Shrine, Tomobiki
Wednesday, April 13th
Weather: Cloudy
Evening/Night

"Sure, I haven't eaten yet tonight."

Just as you treat her existence as normal and answer her honestly, so too does that girl give you an answer that is remarkably normal for someone that had snuck up on you like a ghost.

"Of course, I was actually out buying snacks to fix that problem. Had to hurry, because most of the shops here close at nine, but I got a couple bags of marshmallows, some chocolate, and a couple bags of cheese crackers. Mostly stuff I could carry around in a pouch, but tonight seemed like a good night for a campfire, so when I saw this one, I couldn't really help but drop by~"

So saying, she turns to look behind her, as if expecting to see something there... But when nothing seems to appear, she turns back to the slowly growing flames with a smile.

"Although I'm surprised to find students up here, haven't you guys heard this place is haunted?"

And...

Well...

That's not really surprising, even if no one had really confirmed it up until now...

"Gotta be careful, or the azure maiden will steal you away into another world~"

[Airen]

Tsugumi Uro
Brewed Awakenings, Tomobiki Branch
Noon, April 13th, 2056
Event: Bonus
Cloudy Skies

"Well it's small, but there's one person I know who will cook for me when I need her~"

Yes.

Those are the words that had brought you back towards the edge of town, or more specifically, the words that had dragged you back towards a place you hadn't been since you had first arrived in town, namely...

The Tomobiki train station, or to be more specific, the little shops that had seemed to exist around it. In comparison to the restaurant you had went to on your first day of town, the one you find yourself in now is rather small, the sort of mom-and-pop shop that could seat three or four people at best, and that clearly only had a single cook present on the premises, but...

But...

But...

It was the nature of that cook that was somewhat astounding, namely...

"You're not bullying students again, are you Ariel?"

...This seems to be Isako's little sister.

Even if their features hadn't been similar, the graceful way the two of them moved was near identical; while it had taken you a bit to notice it, the movements of the principal had always been like those of a dancer, possessing a sort of innate flow that never seemed to waste movements, and while that could perhaps be expected from a vampire, this person doesn't seem to be a vampire...

But the movements are just as graceful...

So maybe it's just a Nagatani Family thing?

Regardless...

"Bullying? I don't bully... At worst I tease. He came with me of his own free will, I can assure you of that; this one's a good kid, listens to others."

Ariel seems to get along with her just fine, and unlike Isako, this Nagatani doesn't come across as "overwhelming" just by existing too close to you, indeed this one's softer voice doesn't quite demand the same level of attention, and-

"Well that's good I suppose... You're Tsugumi-kun correct? Welcome to my kitchen, it's a bit small, but I'm confident in my talents. Name me something, and I'll do my best. We'll put it on Ariel's tab."

Maybe...

Maybe this one was mostly normal-!

[Kuroyuki]

Yoko Aoyama
Abandoned Amanohokosaka Shrine, Tomobiki
Wednesday, April 13th
Weather: Cloudy
Evening/Night

Sure, I haven't eaten yet tonight."

I look at the mysterious ninja with a slight bit of concern. Isn't it a bit late?

"Of course, I was actually out buying snacks to fix that problem. Had to hurry, because most of the shops here close at nine, but I got a couple bags of marshmallows, some chocolate, and a couple bags of cheese crackers. Mostly stuff I could carry around in a pouch, but tonight seemed like a good night for a campfire, so when I saw this one, I couldn't really help but drop by~"

Oh... I guess she should be fine then. Also now that I think about it, the fire is really noticeable especially since the sun is setting and the fire is starting to give off a very bright light. It was weird when she suddenly turned her head around. Was she looking for something? What was it?

"Although I'm surprised to find students up here, haven't you guys heard this place is haunted?

Gotta be careful, or the azure maiden will steal you away into another world~"

While I felt something was off about here... It could've always been the location or the general state of the shrine itself however if it's haunted...

"Haunted? Azure maiden? Will be fine..."

I pointed towards myself.

"Exorcist. Kasumi here too."

I may not be as good as my elder sisters, but I can handle a small incident like this... I think.

[Airen]

Yoko Aoyama
Abandoned Amanohokosaka Shrine, Tomobiki
Wednesday, April 13th
Weather: Cloudy
Evening/Night

"Oh? Exorcist?"

---This person seems like the excitable sort.

Having been chatting away at you from the moment she had walked up to your fireplace, the sheer sense of cheer you can feel exuding from the girl is the sort that makes you feel like you're the only thing she's paying attention to, or rather...

It feels sort of like she's hanging on your every word now?

As if she found your existence interesting, or perhaps, she simply found the act of interacting with others interesting?

It's hard to say one way or another, but...

"Haven't seen one of those before, although I've seen plenty of mages around in town."

...Casually, she drops the existence of the supernatural on your head, of course...

This town seems steeped in the supernatural... Even if one were to disregard the Unions, everything about Tomobiki screamed Old Land, places where spirits might gather and fester, and where monsters might be born in the dark...

Of course, this land also seemed to be under SLEIPNIR protections, but they were a newer agency in the world, power of magitechnology rather than that of the old ways, and so there are some things that could potentially be missed, then again, this land did seem like the principal's garden (and she probably knew what she was doing) and nothing too strange has happened so far...

So perhaps... It may just be the innate paranoia of an exorcist? Or perhaps simply one's pride?

Do you have such a thing?

Only you know that answer, still...

"Is your friend also an exorcist? Are you two coming to claim the shrine? Give it a new owner?"

She laughs to herself at this, but...

Her eyes are bright, as if she's sincerely curious...

[Kuroyuki]

Yoko Aoyama
Abandoned Amanohokosaka Shrine, Tomobiki
Wednesday, April 13th
Weather: Cloudy
Evening/Night

"Haven't seen one of those before, although I've seen plenty of mages around in town."

"Nnh..."

From what the Kasumi's mom and dad told us, now that magic users like have created a city for magic users. Most people like us end up moving there as it's easier to learn and grow your sorcery and people specialized in combat would be dispatch to areas like ours of high concentrations of incidents. The only people who seemed to have stayed in the outside world were people like my family who feel duty bound to watch our area and the goddess who lives there.

However, her casual declaration of the supernatural didn't surprise me. After all, isn't a ninja just like a exorcist? A sorcery user who passes down their family art to everyone in the family. The contents were made more for sneaking around and killing, but I think I can trust this ninja. After all, my family wasn't rich or famous. We haven't hurt anyone and those we did hurt were evil. Himari-oneesama and her friends made an explicit point to crush any agencies that couldn't be redeemed. So there shouldn't be a reason why she would come after me. Also if she wanted to do something, she would've done it earlier before I noticed her.

The only puzzling thing is why would a ninja be here? Was there a target that she needed to defeat? Judging by how she wasn't trying to keep a low profile and how the lands seemed welcoming... No, it was just like back home. It was land that was seeped in history and the mystery. A place full of spirits both benevolent and occasionally malevolent. There could only be one reasonable explanation.

"First ninja too."

"Is your friend also an exorcist? Are you two coming to claim the shrine? Give it a new owner?"

I shook my head to her question about Kasumi being an exorcist. I thought for a second about what would Kasumi's official title be... Sorcerer of Ishana? I personally think she should be given the title Paladin or Flame Knight with how she fights. Also it's a little cooler.

"Kasumi Sorcerer. Shrine given by principal so yes? I new owner?"

But doesn't the shrine belong to the god or goddess that inhabits the shrine while we, mikos, keep their place clean and secure? However, people say possession is nine-tenths the law... Then again... I would've taken care of it regardless because I don't want the god or goddess of the shrine to be sad.

"You protect town?"

Finally my curiosity on the person next to me caught up. I don't think they'll answer too much because aren't ninjas supposed to be secretive? However, it would be nice to know a bit more about her.

[Bird of Hermes]

Tsugumi Uro
Brewed Awakenings, Tomobiki Branch
Noon, April 13th, 2056
Event: Bonus
Cloudy Skies

"Bullying? I don't bully... At worst I tease. He came with me of his own free will, I can assure you of that; this one's a good kid, listens to others."

This enough was true at least, sure the pretty nurse was a tease to be sure. However such actions seemed to be the norm. Of course Tsugumi was nervous and apprehensive around the older woman but he was like that with everyone due to being a walking case of anxiety disorder after all. Her good looks and charms certainly had nothing to do with it.

Although he didn't like the attention usually, being called a good kid wasn't so bad from time to time.

"Well that's good I suppose... You're Tsugumi-kun correct? Welcome to my kitchen, it's a bit small, but I'm confident in my talents. Name me something, and I'll do my best. We'll put it on Ariel's tab."

"H-Hello! Yes that's me. Nice to meet you ma'am!"

Ms Nagatani, at least the one who wasn't a vampire at least, did not possess the same bombastic aura every other woman he had met here possessed.

"Ms Ariel's tab huh? Even if someone's offering to pay full price for me I don't want to take advantage of her kindness."

Tempting as it was to request something as indulgent even if Ms Nagatani have him free reign and Ms Ariel said she'd pay on top off that, still having all these lovely people catering to his tastes left an odd fluttering sensation in his stomach. Gah, he'd never get used to this! The best way out would be a compromise, something that sounded elegant but was actually quick and easy to make and eat!

Tsugumi scratched his chin, pondering for a moment before clapping his hands together with the realisation of something that everyone here would enjoy. A glorified hot ham-and-cheese sandwich sure, but if done right it even a homemade one could compete with restaurant level cuisine. If Ariel had good faith in this lady's cooking skills then it would be easy to make and still be delicious without Tsugumi being a burden.

"I know, does a Croque Monsieur sound good to everyone? If you'd like I could even help out in the kitchen if you want an extra pair of hands."

He laughed a little to himself and his expression actually perked up a little from stoic to excited as Tsugumi's eyes widened and a smile lifted up his face.

Tsugumi didn't know how to deal with people all to well but he knew a kitchen and he knew food. If he could pick up a few extra tricks of the trade, all the better.

[Airen]

Tsugumi Uro
Brewed Awakenings, Tomobiki Branch
Noon, April 13th, 2056
Event: Bonus
Cloudy Skies

"A Croque Monsieur?"

The younger of Nagatani siblings seemed surprised by this request for a moment, as if she had been convinced she'd be given something far more complex than a glorified ham & cheese sandwich, but...

"Very well, that shouldn't be a problem. I made a fresh Béchamel last night~"

...Unlike Isako, who had a powerful 'mischievous older sister' energy to her, Nagatani Aoi...

Was clearly a 'mom' type-!

Her eyes have lit up, and while many would have simply went for a simpler recipe, the woman instead reaches down to the small refrigerator at her knees, retrieving a white bowl even as she laughs in a good natured way at your change in expression-!

"I can handle this sort of recipe myself, you came here with the doctor after all, so let me spoil you two a bit~"

---Yes.

A strong 'motherly' essence-!

"Lets see... I should have some Gruyère too... Hmm, herbes de Provence... Ah! Here they are!"

Talking cheerfully to herself at first... Now she's even humming to herself?!

It's quite the sight, a graceful dark-haired girl twirling around the kitchen with an obvious grace, like a princess from the olden days, and...

"Taking advantage of my kindness?"

Ariel just laughs at your earlier words...

"Kid, there's nothing you could order that would put a dent in my wallet. I've been in the Agency for a long time, if there's one thing I have plenty of, it's money."

So saying, the nurse leans forward to rest her arm on the counter, chin resting on her hand as she regards you:

"So, how's life in the town so far? I know Tomobiki is pretty... In the sticks as some might say, but it has it's own charm to it, no?"

[Bird of Hermes]

Tsugumi Uro
Brewed Awakenings, Tomobiki Branch
Noon, April 13th, 2056
Event: Bonus
Cloudy Skies

""That would be lovely, thank you Aoi!"

It was quite wonderful to watch her work, not one to take the easy route, she used some home-made Béchamel prepared in advance as well as deciding to yse Gruyère and herbes de Provence. Yes, using the authentic stuff was a good sign, especially with the use of cheese. So many people, especially in the west would be lazy and use something as mediocre as american cheese, fine in burgers sure but in any other situation it would be 50% plastic, 50% food colouring, 100% unapologetic crime to cuisine.

This 'mom-energy' as others would put it reminded him of his aunt on her good days. Seeing her like this reminded Tsugumi of the old days before the damn crystal popped up on him, cooking dinner with Naoko before enjoying their joint favourite shows on re-runs. Tsugumi wondered if Aoi liked British costume dramas, then she and Naoko would have even more in common.

But then-!

"Taking advantage of my kindness?"

Ariel laughed, Tsugumi laughed too. Not because he thought he had been funny, just because it would be easier to match her tone and less awkward.

"Kid, there's nothing you could order that would put a dent in my wallet. I've been in the Agency for a long time, if there's one thing I have plenty of, it's money."

"So, how's life in the town so far? I know Tomobiki is pretty... In the sticks as some might say, but it has it's own charm to it, no?"

Damn, with Isako just outright buying aunt Naoko the cafe she dreamed of owning and Ariel saying she had more money than he'd see... were all workers in the agency loaded?

"Some might take that comment as a challenge Ariel. I didn't want to assume you'd just drop wads of cash because I asked for something nice but as a general rule I don't like making a fuss as it is."

Naoko had the ever-present misfortune of having a few ex's like that, a few self entitled arseholes who manipulated his aunts kindness, using her like a sugar-mama of sorts before bailing after they got bored of buying toys and someone younger and prettier came along. Tsugumi had been witness to his aunt's curse and knew the kind of person he did not want to be. Attention was never his forte but the idea of... using someone. Even if he couldn't affect Ariel's finances, using her as a walking wallet just felt wrong.

Tsugumi kept his smile from earlier though, the good cheer from Aoi and Ariel had infected his system and he wasn't looking to flush it out of his system.

"As for Tomobiki though?" Tsugumi continued "Yeah it's in the sticks but I actually prefer this kind of living. Living with my aunt, the two of us have been on the move a lot, spent a lot of time around the USA but Naoko loves Europe and especially England - or at least the romanticised version of it in her head. When we lived in cities it was nothing but noise and chaos. You never had a moment to yourself, it was full of drama, everyone knew everything you did but at the same time you never knew anyone so you couldn't rely on other. None of that kind of stress here, I just like a nice quiet life.

He paused for a moment, was that oversharing?

Ah, nevermind that- he thought, Ariel wouldn't mind.

"Aside from that, smaller places like this are prettier and have more charm to them too. Compare Tomobiki to any world capital and I'd choose to live here any day of the week."

With that he slouched to the counter and matched eyes with his eating companion.

"How about you? You like it here?"

[Ayakashi]

		Alicia Val Florence
Location: Phase: Date: Weather: Crystal: Seithr Lvl:	Northern Cross Academy Grounds, Archery Dojo Morning April 11th, 2056 Clear Skies, Chilly Phase 1 40 (Safe)

She takes hold of my hands, and I feel the warmth of her affection flow not only from her voice to my ears, but from her hands to mine. It is the first time in years that someone does that to me. It isn't a doctor checking up on my pulse, nor is it a stranger trying to stop me from driving my sword into their heart. It is a friendly touch, a loving touch.

"Haruka..."

I call her name, as if in disbelief that it is her before me. 'She is here, she really is here,' I repeat to myself. To see her from afar was one thing, but to have her speak to me, to have her look at me with those kinds eyes of her... nothing could have prepared me for this. Oh... how have I longed for this moment, like a wanderer in the arid desert that has finally found the elusive Oasis... she is the spring to my winter, the dawn to my night and the relief to my suffering.

"But how are you? Was the journey unpleasant? Do you require assistance with sorting your things? Assistance with anything at all?"

"There is... no need for anything... to see you is enough..."

My mask must have broken momentarily. The fake visage of happiness and pride that I wear everywhere, the smile that weaves an illusive ego together... all of it doubtlessly had faded for a moment. I could feel it all crumble away as my vision briefly became blurry, and my lips trembled from the emotions that were taking hold of me. Watery eyes, shaky voice, there was no way she couldn't have noticed.

How could I be so weak, to let any of this happen on the very moment of our reunion?

It is disgusting, I am disgusting... to let such a thing happen. She is the last person that I have the right to trouble with my problems, for after all, am I not supposed to be the one to help her, to protect her? I promised back then, and it is a promise I intend to uphold for the rest of my life. There is no need for her to be burdened with my own petty problems... instead, I should be the one helping her shoulder the new yokes imposed on her...

I do my best to quickly regain my composure, wiping my face in case my watery eyes had had the audacity to let a tear trickle down on my cheeks.

"Sorry.... ce n'est rien... it's been so long. Teehee~ Je suis ravie de nos retrouvailles! Words cannot express how happy I am to see you, Haruka!"

Smile, be sweet and cheery. That is what Alicia Val Florence must be, that is how she has always been.

"I'm sorry; I meant to meet you at the station, but it seems that things happened a bit off the posted schedule."

"And mind not the fact that you couldn't greet me at the station... for how insignificant are a few minutes of extra travel compared to four years of waiting?"