#GUH I can’t stop thinking about how nice that ending was i just totally expected the turtles would be unhappy at the end

[adizzyninja]

I doubt it was an intentional response or anything hostile like that but it’s really funny to contrast the story of Miles “To be Spiderman is to suffer and never truly feel like you belong” Morales with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles getting to go to high school and join clubs and go to prom

[maddogofshimano]

Lee Wen Hai Character Story

Minor Y0 Spoilers

Alright it’s been a little bit but I was doing other nonsense like ripping all the substory text out of Y0. Anyways!

Sotenbori’s God Hand, Lee Wen Hai. I really love this dude. 

Summary: Lee is attempting to leave his life as a hitman behind for good, but a local organized crime group’s executive is asking him to do one more job. Things get messy, which is exactly what Lee was worried about.

<A few months after Makoto began working with Lee Wen Hai> Lee: Ya don't gotta push with much force. Just let your body weight handle it.

Makoto: Don't use force, use my body weight... umm, like this?

Lee: Nah, you're bein' too timid about it. Don't worry about hurtin' your old man none. (Tl note: I had to re-read this line a LOT but I’m like 90% sure Lee is just straight up calling himself her dad) Makoto: Y... Yes sir! Lee: ....Oh, that's gettin' a bit better. Now, your palm is one half of a conversation with the muscles. Makoto: There's a lot to massages, isn't there...! I'll study hard! Lee: Though, why do ya wanna do massages anyways? You're my guest, ya know it's fine if ya don't work, right? Makoto: You've done so much or me, I can't help but feel a little guilty... So I'd like to be helpful to you Lee-san, even if only a little. Lee: (After all the awful shit she's gone through, she's still a good kid...) Makoto: I've got a an older brother. He's really smart, and a hard worker so... I hope I can become more like him. Makoto: ....Lee-san, you remind me a little of my brother. Lee: Heh... So this brother, ya came over to Japan together? Makoto: No... when I was just a child, my brother disappeared... I haven't seen him since. Makoto: However, for some reason he showed up in Japan... Eventually, somewhere in Japan, I'm sure I'll meet him again. Lee: ...Alright. I'll help ya look for him too. It may not seem it, but I got some connections I can pull scattered all over. Makoto: Th-That's... I could never ask you to go that far... Lee: I'm your stand-in dad... nah, I'm standing in for your older brother. It may be corny, but you can rely on me for anythin'. (Tl note: the term Lee uses here is actually foster father, but it was hard to word well with the bit about her brother) Lee: So let's get lookin' for your real brother then.

Makoto: Lee-san... Lee: ...Huh? Y-You're cryin'!? I wasn't tryin' to make ya cry! Makoto: It's just... Since I came to Japan, I've never been treated this kindly... Lee: Geez, uh, I'm really no good when girls cry! I'm beggin ya, don't cry any more! Makoto: Okay... sorry... Lee: I was seriously... Organization Executive: Yo, am I interrupting? (Tl note: They’re pretty vague on things for a long time, but he’s part of the yakuza, so I’ll use appropriate terms so I don’t have to say “organization” over and over to stay generic) Makoto: Ah... welcome! Lee: ....Makoto, today's lesson is finished. How bout you head on home first. Makoto: Ah, yes sir. Thank you for today... Exec: That girl, seems like she can't see. Where'd you find her?

Lee: It's got nothin' to do with you. Why'd ya come here today anyways. If it's about a "job", you're barkin' up the wrong tree. I ain't in that business anymore. Exec: Haw? What do you mean? Lee: I mean exactly what I said. I ain't takin' "jobs" anymore. Exec: And would that possibly be... because of that girl? Lee: That ain't related. Either way, it doesn't change the fact that I've already decided that I ain't gonna do it! Exec: ...Well, you do have the freedom to go from a hitman to a civilian. In the end, however, you'll agree to take this contract. Exec: In the same way that blood and law are tied together, so too is our organization and its members. ...Still, your case is pretty straight forward. Lee: What do ya mean? Exec: You know too much of the underbelly of the organization. You know what that entails. Lee: .......... Exec: As a talented hitman, you could leisurely stroll around Sotenbori. Now that you're a civilian however..... Lee: The well informed acupuncturist will get erased, is what you're sayin'. Exec: That's it exactly. Lee: Heh, I already knew I was riskin' getting snuffed. Ain't the first threat of it, and it don't change how I feel. Exec: You're a stubborn bastard huh... Well, ultimately you'll help me with my job. Lee: What makes ya say that? Exec: Despite how I look, I'm an executive in the organization. I can talk to any of the higher ups directly. Exec: All I have to say is that this civilian's been meddling. Of course, I'd rather you just clean up this job. Lee: I've already decided I ain't killin' anymore. How many times do I gotta tell ya, I ain't takin' that job! Exec: It's fine if you don't kill. Really, I just want you to get a little violent. Lee: Huh....? <They head out> Exec: Inside this bar is a gang that I want you to knock around. Of course, it's fine if you don't kill them.

Lee: ...Is that really gonna be okay? Exec: Mhm, this job will be a cinch for you. ...Of course, I tried to tell you that. You just didn't want to listen. Lee: When it's a job from guys like you, it's never been simple... <he goes inside the bar> Lee: Pardon the intrusion.

Goon: Eh? Geezers ain't allowed in this bar. You can go drink cheap booze with your own family.

  Goon 2: We're renting the place out right now. Before you get scared shitless, don't you think it'd be a good idea to head on home? Lee: Heh... you brats sure have a mouth on ya. Too bad I went and grew a conscious before I could bury ya. Goon: What the hell did you say! You want us to throw you out on your ass!? <fight, Lee crushes them> Goon: G-Guh.....

Lee: What, it's already over? That gang was all bark and no bite. Exec: Finished? Lee: Yeah, they won't be standin' up any time soon. I stopped before it got to anythin' dangerous. Exec: As expected, you did everything exactly to the letter. It'll be quick to get them to cough up what I'm after. Exec: Oi! You two, do you know a man called Iwai? That asshole has something he was supposed to be watching. Goon 2: I-Iwai, it's been a long time since we've seen him..... Exec: Covering for him isn't going to be good for you! If you don't want to die, hurry up and spit it out! Goon 2: Honest! I'm serious, I don't know any more than that! Exec: Tch...... Hey, what do you think!? Is Iwai going to come here!? Goon: He won't...! He ran off to join some family and totally cut ties with us! Exec: ....Lee, these bastards, do you think they're lying? Lee: Hmm. Well, this group ain't exactly fearless. The whole crew is already pissin' their pants. Exec: Looks like they really are separate... <they head back outside> Lee: This job's done. Well, I'm headin' home.

Exec: No, the job isn't over yet. I know it's a bother, but I'll need you to stick with me a little while longer. Lee: Oi... you're changin' our deal. I just did your damn job! Exec: I told you this job was to tidy things up. That was supposed to clean things up, but the plan went off the rails. Lee: Piece of shit... Exec: Let's get going to our next destination then. Or would you rather I speak with my higher ups? Lee: That's different than what ya said earlier. You're a real weaselly guy. Exec: Let's say that you don't continue with this job, this world wouldn't speak kindly of that, right? Lee: You're gettin' ahead of yourself. Whackin' some chinpira is one thing, sniffin' after the Osaka yakuza will land ya in a world of hurt. Lee: Even if ya take me along as a body guard, there's nothin' stoppin' your business partner from pumpin' ya fulla lead. Lee: The jobs ya bring me are always this way. Without exception they're a pain in the ass that I get tangled up in. Exec: And yet you always get them done in the end, don't you? I'm going to buy that arm of yours once more. Exec: I'm begging you, Lee. Lend me your power one more time. Lee: ......I had just stopped stickin' my neck out like this and ya had to go and say stuff like that... Lee: I just gotta know somethin'. What is it that you're chasin' down? Exec: Our group's stolen cash... 200,000,000 yen. Lee: Hmm... that is a hefty sum. Exec: The amount doesn't matter to our organization, it's our pride that's been wounded. We absolutely must get that money back. Exec: If the money is returned via your cooperation, then my organization will no longer be able to touch you. Doesn't that sound like a good job? Lee: Keh, so that's your game. Awful patronizin' to say it that way. Lee: ....Eh, whatever. This is the last time I'll be workin' with ya. <END PART 1>

Exec: Ora! <punch>

Exec: Cough it up already, Iwai! <punch> Iwai: ......... Exec: There you have it. No matter how many times he's beaten he's not talking. Hmm... I guess these fists just aren't going to cut it. Exec: These guys that don't squeal, they really know how to take a hit. Well, no use beating on him for no reason. Lee: And this guy, he's the mastermind that ran off with your cash? Exec: Mhm, by the time I caught wind of it, he'd already hidden the money. Lee: What a lousy job. Exec: My kyoudai was preparing our payment to the government. To get him out of that jam, I have to keep looking. (Tl note: I’m assuming it’s a bribe, but I’m not actually sure! It might be a tributary payment up to the main branch but I can’t find much one way or the other on that) Lee: So you're coverin' for your kyoudai, huh. Exec: I agree that this job isn't worth it. But, for my kyoudai's sake, I'm going to keep searching for that cash. Exec: This guy's in a totally different league from that gang. No matter how much you torture him, he's not going to cough up the location. Lee: Hey, lemme have a go at squeezin’ it outta him. Exec: Sure, be my guest. I'm going to go ice my knuckles.

Lee: Well then... Iwai-san, let's get started. Nice to meet ya. Iwai: .............. <fade to black> Lee: Ya don't wanna know what kinda torture I got. Ya should talk fast. Iwai: ................. Lee: Do ya intend to stay quiet till ya croak? If that's your decision, ya gotta know you'll be tortured the whole time. Iwai: ............... Lee: If ya really ain't gonna talk, you've got some guts. Unfortunately no amount of guts or backbone is gonna get ya outta this. Iwai: .............. Lee: Eh, I get the picture. Well, let's get started. First off the nerves in your shoulder. Give ya a taste of the painful death you've settled on. Iwai: .............. Lee: (.....Hm?) Iwai: ...........? Lee: I couldn't recognize ya with how bad your face is swollen. You've been to Hogushi Kaikan before. I recognize the feel of this. Iwai: ............ Lee: Yeah, your shoulder was always real stiff. I'm rememberin' it now. ...Say, didn't ya always come by with a skinny lady? Iwai: ............. Lee: Ya both came in durin' the middle of the day smellin' like cheap soap. In the middle of the dry skin on her back, there's a bodhisattva inked in. Iwai: ............. Lee: Yeah, a soapland worker. Think I outta make her aware of this? Iwai: She's got nothing to do with this! Lee: Finally ya gave me somethin'. Though it wasn't very clear. Seems like that cash, well it must be hidin' in the same place as that soapland worker. Iwai: She really has nothing to do with this! Believe me! Lee: Seems I'll have to go hear that from her myself. Once I get there, I'll do some lookin' around. Iwai: I-I'm begging...! She... That woman, please forget about her! Lee: Man, you're a real fool. Not only did ya fall for a soapland worker, ya went and gave her all the family's cash too. Lee: And what, ya planned on stayin' silent till ya got beaten to death? Iwai: With all that money... she wouldn't have to work that job anymore... At least, that's what I thought... Lee: You really are a dang idiot... But, I'm the same kind of guy.

Iwai: Eh...? Lee: Hang tight. <Lee leaves> Exec: Oh? Did you get him to spill?

Lee: He said he left it at a soapland. Exec: Haw!? Of all the stupid shit. That bastard, does he think this is a game! Lee: Yeah, he probably does. Still, only one way to be sure. <Lee leaves> Barker: Sir, sir, would you like to spend some time playing today?

Lee: Yeah, I think I will. I think I'll pick a lady who's inked up with a bodhisattva.  Barker: Huh...? Lee: It's a pretty flashy tat. I'm sure ya know which shop she's in. Barker: Wh-What are you saying! Do you think I know every single soapland worker around here!? Lee: If that's the case I'll just have to search through 'em all myself. I might as well start with your shop and give it an examination. Barker: A-A weird customer is on his way over! Please, get the conflict resolution people! Yakuza: Hello, we're this area's "conflict resolution" people. Sir, I'm afraid you're making a bit of a scene.

Yakuza 2: If you're determined to play anyways, how about you play with us instead? Though, our play time might get a little rough for an old timer like you.   Lee: You got some soft 'n' green asses. I'll have to work 'em over a lil. (Tl note: Lee says their asses are green and mochi-like, and that he's going to 揉む them a little which is. uh. usually rub/massage. fellas the homoeroticism of this posturing is pretty intense) <they fight> Yakuza: Wh, some other family's messing with us! Someone, phone HQ for reinforcements....!

Lee: Aww, don't go kickin' up a fuss. We were just playin' around. Lee: I ain't gonna cause another racket on your turf. I'm just looking for a soapland lady who's got a bodhisattva tattoo. Yakuza: Bodhisattva tattoo... Lee: Seems like ya know her. Which shop? Yakuza: The discount shop on the first corner.... Her name is... Niru, I'm pretty sure.... Lee: Niru, huh. Thanks, that helps. <he goes> Lee: Pardon me.

Niru: Eh....?

Lee: So you're Niru-san, huh. This shop seems to be pretty empty. Niru: Who are you... you’re that massage shop's... You're... not a customer, are you. Lee: Hey, Iwai told me to come here for somethin'. Niru: ............. Lee: He gave ya somethin' to hold onto. He needs ya to hand it over to me. Niru: I-I don't know what you’re talking about... I'm not holding onto anything... Lee: Well that's a lie. Right now there's gonna be a mess of problems if ya don't hand it over. Niru: Problems... Lee: Do ya wanna end up fish food in the Sotenbori River? Niru: .....! Lee: That's the kinda thing you're dealin' with here. If ya understand that, just cooperate and hand it over. Niru: ......... <suitcase hits the ground> Niru: That person, he brought that suitcase and promised he'd be back to see me later... but, it's been more than two days since I've seen him... Lee: Did ya look inside it? Niru: No... Lee: That's good. See ya. <Lee leaves> Niru: Th-That man, what happened to him!? Is he okay!? Please! Don't kill that man! Exec: Ohh, you got it all back! What kind of torture did it take to get it!?

Lee: It took something much more painful than torture. Exec: Hehe, well, as long as the money's returned, it's all good! Though, was it really being held onto by a soapland worker.... Iwai: ......... Lee: I've got somethin' I need ya to do. Help this man out. Exec: Huh? After this guy took my family's cash? There's no way I can keep the blame off of him. Lee: I ain't askin’. Exec: Oy oy, what's all this about. Whether this jackass lives or dies, that doesn't really affect you does it? Lee: He made a promise to his girl. Exec: A promise....? Hahaha! Man, are you a weirdo or what!? Iwai: Ugh.... Lee: Huh...! Exec: Of course I'm going to kill him! And I'm going to kill that soapland worker too! And then... <pistol noise> Lee: Guh...! Exec: I'll kill you too. Lee Wen Hai. <END PART 2>

Lee: Guh... Exec: Hehehe... The professional killer Lee, putting another person's life above his own. Are you getting senile? Lee: Mother fucker! Exec: Uh oh, looks like you can't move. Must be from that hole through your stomach. Lee: You planned on killin' me from the start...! Exec: I'd heard you'd stopped taking jobs after you picked up that girl. It was pretty clear that you wanted to wash your hands of this business. Exec: That made this the perfect time to ask you to do this "job". Lee: ....... Exec: This cash really was stolen from my organization. But, it's not my kyoudai's cash. It was being prepared by an asshole I despise. Exec: That arrogant bastard came preaching to me about preparing his 100 million. I got so mad that I wanted to kill him. Exec: So that got me thinking. Who was stupid enough that I could tempt into stealing the payment? Lee: That idiot, he was... Exec: Mhm, and that man, he's the driver for that arrogant bastard. He's stupid and always having money trouble, so he was the ideal piece. Exec: I went to talk to him at his hideout with his crew. Exec: The suitcase I had with me had around 100 million yen in it, but I was being pretty careless. Lee: ................. Exec: And then of course that moron really went and took the money and fled. After that, I had to figure out what bait to use. Exec: He'd be captured wherever he was hiding. After he was disposed of, I'd use that money to gain favor in the family. Exec: That insufferable bastard would be disgraced... and everything would be perfect for me to advance. Exec: I didn't expect him to hand two hundred million yen over to that soapland worker... That guy, he's really a bigger idiot than I could have imagined. Lee: That's a shitty picture you've just painted. I did learn one thing from it... Exec: Ah, thank you. ...Well, that's enough of my bragging. Exec: I'll be sure to pass along the information about you. "He became a civilian and has run off somewhere" is what I'll say.

Lee: Ya really don't get it. It turns out, you're the one with no end game here. Exec: Oh...? Are you going to be a sore loser right at the end? Lee: Earlier, why didn't ya follow me when I went out? Exec: Nobody would believe that all that money had been entrusted to a soapland worker. But, with that in mind, how is my endgame a problem? Lee: When I was out I called your organization. Exec: Haw...!? Lee: When an organization is tryin' to retrieve cash, they don't make moves by themselves. Normally, they use foot soldiers. Lee: Plus, I was angry that I had already gone back on my promise to stop doin' this sort of thing. I figured I should know what kind of shape the family was in. Lee: And ya wanna know what one of your boys over there told me that really surprised me? <stabbing sound> Exec: Y-You piece of shit...! How did you...! Exec: Guh! Shit, the gun...! Lee: C'mon ya amateur, yer gettin' shaken and flustered. If it's me throwin' needles, it's more accurate than any gun.

Exec: Flustered...? That stuff about calling my family was a lie!? Lee: I really did call 'em. In fact, they're gonna be here soon. Exec: Wh-... Lee: I didn't expect ya to put a hole in my gut though... Ah well, I can handle a handicap. Exec: Handicap....? Lee: I'm gonna kick your ass before your organization shows up! If I'm workin' with this sorta handicap, it should make for a good fight! <they fight, Lee does in fact kick his ass> Exec: Gah....

Lee: Guess a single hole wasn't enough of a handicap. The guys from your organization haven't even shown yet. Lee: ...Hey, Iwai, you still alive? Iwai: G-Guh... Lee: Seems like bein' that stupid has made ya real tough. The members of your organization will be here soon. Ya better scram before it's too late. Iwai: I-... Is that okay..? Lee: Ya made that lady a promise. If ya break it you'll never sleep easy again. I'll smooth talk the boys. Get outta here. Iwai: I-I'm in your debt! <Iwai leaves> Lee: That guy also had a hole through his guts... He really is powerfully stupid. (Tl note: the line kind of implies he’s powerful because he’s stupid) Exec: Heh..... People sure do change when they get involved with a woman... Lee: Ah? You're already awake. Ya lookin' for round two? Exec: Don't even joke about it... Though, it is a relief... Lee: What is? Exec: That softness... it's going to kill you one of these days... I think before too long, we'll meet each other again in hell...

Lee: Say what ya like. I ain't dyin'. <door opens and the family boys come in> Goon: ...Oh, ouch. Our backstabber looks like shit.

Goon: You're an executive too. When someone betrays our organization... I'm sure you know what happens...? Exec: Shut up... Just do whatever you like to me, I don't care... Goon: Fine by me! Boys, end him! <beating noises> Another Exec: You're the hitman, Lee? Where's the money?

Lee: Here it is. Seems like it's all accounted for. Exec 2: ...Sure enough. Where is the man who took the money? The kid who drove for me. Lee: Ah, that matter has already been cleaned up Mr. Executive. If ya'd like to find him, maybe try lookin' around the mountains next year? Exec 2: ...That's good. You've done me a favor. If you ever need one in return, you need only ask. Lee: I think I got one thing ya can do for me in return. Exec 2: What's that? Lee: I'm becomin' a civilian. I'd like for ya to square that away. Exec 2: Is that all? Lee: Yep, just that. Exec 2: ...Understood. I’ll handle it. I'll stake my honor on it. Lee: Well, if that's all, I'm gonna head on home. <Lee starts to leave> Lee: ...Ah, if ya ever have any aches and pains come see me. I'll fix ya up at Sotenbori's Hogushi Kaikan.

Exec 2: Haha... Yeah, I'll stop by next time I'm in the area.

<A few weeks later>

Makoto: Press with my own body weight...

Lee: Oh, that's feelin' just right. Ya got some surprising talent for this. Makoto: Do you really think so!? I've been practicing on our regulars during lunch hours, so maybe that's why I've improved this much. Lee: Heh, and now we got even more regulars. Makoto: Yeah, like that one lady. She always smells like really nice soap. Lee: ...That customer, has she been comin' in alone? Makoto: Yes, by herself... Why do you ask? Lee: Nah, it's nothin'. I'm always happy to get more regulars. Makoto: This time she did say she wanted a massage from you, Lee-san. It sounded like she might be someone you've met before. Lee: (The soapland worker? I wonder if she'll ask me about that idiot man next time we meet...) Lee: ...Next time that customer comes in askin' for me, tell her I ain't gonna do it. Lee: I'd rather my apprentice get in some more practice. Makoto: Hehe, sure. Lee: Outside of that, anythin' odd happen? Makoto: Anything odd? Hmmmm, nothing recently. Lee: Alright. That's good. Though, if anythin' does happen tell me right... OW!? Makoto: Eh...!? Lee: That's where the gun... I mean, that's where I had a surgery! The wound opened! Makoto: I-I'm so sorry! Lee: I got a serious request... Let's start this from the beginning! Today's trainin' will be tough! Makoto: Yes sir! I'm ready to go!

<END>

Bonus time: man, Lee just can’t catch a break! it’s really interesting seeing this and the sugoroku event, Lee keeps sticking his neck out for people because he’s a good dude and it always goes to shit but he just keeps doing it anyways! I love him. After years and years and years of Kiryu dancing around ever saying he’s Haruka’s dad I was so taken aback by Lee just saying it outright. It hasn’t even been that long! 

also ouch! what a called shot by that exec! I hate that he’s completely right

I’m not really sure what happened to the other 100 mil, since 200 mil did get mentioned twice, or if I just misread something? It’d make sense if it were 100 mil from each executive but it was not super clear to me. I’m also not sure if Makoto saying that Niru smelled like really nice soap implies that Iwai did get her 100 mil still, or if it’s just a difference in world view where Lee thinks it smells cheap and Makoto thinks it’s nice. Iwai wasn’t with her, and she still smells like soap at noon, so I’m leaning towards her not getting the money

during the Y0 event they had The Grand as a location you could send teams to so they’d gather items for you. I sent Lee and..........

Lee. Lee I think they need those. Lee c’mon. 

actually... were... were those just lying around in the Grand...? 😳😳😳

[theshy1sout]

Inseparable - Chapter 13

Tags: Broppy, Not rated, Slow Burn Fluff, Trolls Mythology Au

Ao3 here

Summary:  I am so sorry, but accidentally I wrote 4k words again! But it was so fun to write. I hope it is as fun to read

___________________________________________________________

- What are you thinking about?

- Hm? - Branch lifts his eyebrows and blinks, still having his mind out of this world.

- You zoned out. What are you thinking about? - Poppy repeats her question and makes them stop walking. She gazes at his face looking for an answer, but his look is still faraway. It takes a minute or two until the goddess can't wait and she continues:

- Is this something I should worry about? It's okay if you don't want to tell me...

His sudden chuckle interrupts her.

- Oh, Sweetheart... - He shakes his head, giving her a nice, tender smile, her favorite kind. Her ears get down and turn slightly red.

- How did you call me? - She breathes out in blank amazement.

- Sweetheart - He repeats even warmer, glancing at her pink ears with a hint of satisfaction. - Cause it's sweet that you let me be silent. You let me be myself. You have such a heart of gold.

His eyes wander along the edge of her ear with curiosity and quiet admiration. He never saw her ears get down like that. Only now he notices they are in interesting round shape. He suddenly wants to touch them, to discover slowly their little curves and a long round edge. Maybe they are as warm and soft as Poppy's cheeks...

- Well, I just understand if you want to have secrets - She smiles shyly.

Branch blinks, realizing he got zoned out again.

- To be honest, I feel better not keeping secrets from you - He smiles, but then he realizes that now he has to tell her, what he was thinking about. The god swallows slowly, immediately feeling that he isn't ready to face the consequences of this confession. - So... I was wondering... Umm...

The goddess leans her weight against the Staff in her hand, waiting patiently for his answer. Her face is serious, she doesn't know what to expect, of course, she doesn't, they don't talk about this topic for such a lot time, they avoid to talk about this, Branch is sure she would even hide this in her mind and think that they would never come back to this, and he wants to break this wall of absurd, but oh my goodness, he knows what it means for him, and it means he will have to get out from his comfort zone, and that is just so haaaaaaarrrrrddddd.....

- Well I was thinking! - He starts once again, after a long while of hesitation and quick thoughts. - I was thinking about... Your idea... Your idea about... - He crosses his arms on his chest and clenches his jaw. He gets his voice really quiet, avoiding looking into Poppy's eyes. - ...Parties...

The goddess blinks and frowns. She leans across to hear him better.

- What did you say? I think I misheard something...

- No, I'm sure you heard it correctly - Branch murmurs. He titles his head back, closing his eyes, and sighs. He starts once again a bit louder. - I said... I said I was thinking about your idea to teach trolls how to party. Party. I think... You put so much effort into creating Midday and stuff... To make space for parties during the Night... And I kinda... It impresses me and... I kinda... Like. The. Idea. I want to... Try it...

Poppy gasps, opening her eyes wide with amazement.

- You agree to teach trolls how to throw parties? - She breathes out excitedly.

- Yeah... - He mumbles.

- And you like the idea of a party??

- Kinda...

- And you help me with it?? - She is actually bouncing with joy now.

- ....If you want me to...

- Of course I want! - She beams so cheerfully. - Oh my goodness and beautiful rainbows stuck in the waterfall's water of river Lora, I am so HAPPY! - She squeals, kicking her heels. She throws her hands with the Staff in the air and screams, just screams. She runs through the yard, spinning and squealing and dancing and giggling and jumping and running even more until she gets tired and comes back to Branch, smiling like a drunk. She falls in front of him, huffing like a dog after a long long run. Lying in the grass, grinning at the blue sky, with her hair in the total mess, and her whole face red from the struggle, she looks like crazy, and the god of the Night asks himself, how she does it that she still is so beautiful.

After a while, she glances at him with pure happiness in the sparkling eyes.

- Thank you - She pants.

Branch heaves a sigh and sits down next to her.

- You are not happy at all - She notices at loud.

He twists his face, starting ripping the grass to do something with his hands.

- I don't want to take part in the parties...

Her smile melts a bit.

- So why did you say you like it?

- Because I like the idea - He pins his sight into the grass he plays with. - The trolls will have a lot of fun and you will have a lot of fun, and to be honest I will have a lot of fun too, but... Just looking at you having fun. Not... Being at the party...

She nods with understanding.

- Oh, the loud, loud music... - She says.

- Yess...

- And blinking, horrible lights...

- Exactly.

- And the dancing and singing, huge loud crowd.

- Guh!

- Branch...

He looks at her.

- Come here - She tells him, and when he gets his ear closer to her she whispers with a smirk: - I will draft you into dancing with me no matter what.

Branch gives her a disapproval sight from his squinted eyes and throws a trickle of grass into her face. She grimaces with a smirk. She shakes her head to knock blades over.

- Come on, Brrranch, It will be fun!

- You called "fun" petting cows on the field - He points out, putting more grass on her face. - I have a different sense of fun.

- Well, you called "fun" throwing me into the lake - She burbles in reproof.

- That was fun - He chuckles. - You have to agree.

- Nope - She closes her eyes tighter, facing other blades of grass.

- You laughed at the end

- Because you jumped after me! - She giggles. - With your clothes on you! What was that, huh?

He laughs heartily.

- My sense of humor - He jokes. - I guess it was my first high jinks.

- That was your high jinks? - She gets up on her elbows. - I mean... What happened to make you hijinks? That day was one of the casual ones.

He smirks at her and shrugs his shoulders.

- I don't know. It just... We were walking near this lake, and you didn't even notice it. You were talking for so long about your dad being overcared about the Staff. You told me this like... 4th time? And I never could stop you when you start talking about this again. You're always getting irritated about it so much. So I thought that maybe the water would cool you down. And guess what?

She lifts her eyebrows disapprovingly.

- What?

- It worked! - He collapses an honest giggle. - And your face was oh my hair... - He gets lost in the laugh.

She shakes her head with discontent, even if she can't hide a little smile on her lips. She looks away. Branch laughs at her for so long, and it looks like he really had a lot of fun then.

- Have you finished? - She asks.

The god wipes his eye from a tear of joy and sniffs, chuckling a bit.

- Not really.

- Oh you funny man! - She sits up in front of him, putting the Staff on her knees. - What about having fun like this again, but at the party? Huh?

- I dunno - He mumbles, but this time a smile can't leave his mouth.

- If I say "Please"?

The god rolls his eyes.

- Just let my introverted soul stand in the distance.

- No.

- I don't want to dance and sing - He yawps.

- You will!

- Nooo...

- Come on - She stands up. - We're starting arrangements now!

Branch tilts his head back and groans out.

- No "guuuuhh", stand up! - The goddess puts her hands on her hips.

His face is filled with displeasure and loathness.

- Don't look at me like this! - She gets closer to him and grabs his arm with one hand, trying to lift him up. - Stand up!

It is hard to get him up with the Staff in one hand! Poppy pulls him up with no effect. She pushes him and pulls, she tugs his arm with any possible direction, but he sits very still. He doesn't move a muscle! In the last desperate move, the goddess gathers all her strength and hits him with her arm. He swings slightly, making her groan with annoyance.

- Oh no - Branch says scenically, swinging on a side, and then hits the ground. - You brought me down. And now I'm lying - He settles down on the grass. - And that's how the goddess of the Light beat the god of the Darkness. From now on there is no Night anymore and everybody's happy.

Poppy heaves a sigh and smiles gently at him. She takes a long look at him before she says:

- But you know, you're necessary, right?

He huffs for an answer. She sits down next to him, like he did a few minutes before, and puts the Staff on her knees.

- Hey, maybe the world doesn't scream it into your face - Her voice is smooth and calm when she comforts him. Just the sound of it makes his heart warm. - But it needs you. Branch?

She calls him to catch his eyes and it works. The god turns head to her.

- I need you - She announces and smiles.

His eyes slowly view her face. Every detail on it. She feels it. His sight moving through her cheek, counting every little freckle. Then it slides across the shape of her nose. It stays a bit longer on her lips, with a hint of warm adore in his blue eyes. He meets her eyes again, but he doesn't stop there. He looks higher, watching the strands of her deep pink, strawberry hair. His sight slides down with them on her rosy cheek. His hand reaches to it dreamily and touches it gently like the most fragile flower in the world.

- Let's make a flower - Branch's voice is low and quiet, like a purr of a dreaming cat. His fingers caress her cheek, touching every freckle. - A red one. A little red flower without leaves. With petals so delicate, so fragile... Soft and evanculous... A flower with your name.

His hand reaches to the jawbone line and slides tenderly across, to her ear. It makes Poppy sighs blissfully, shivering slightly. He catches the nearest strand and hides it behind it. His thumber moves along its round edge. And it is as warm and soft as he thought.

- Okay - She whispers when his hand lets go of her face. She feels stroked, she can't hide the bliss in her voice and a tender smile on her lips. - But later. First, we will work at a party.

Branch gives her a begging sight.

- Can we not start it today? - He twists his mouth.

- How much time do you need?

- How much time can you wait?

- I can wait as long as you need.

The god wonders a bit. He can't dispose of the memory of Poppy dancing happily in a yard.

- Tomorrow? - He asks.

- You promise? - She tilts her head aside.

- I promise. Do you accept?

The goddess rips a few blades of grass and throws them ceremonially at Branch's face, making it wince.

- Your promise is accepted - Poppy announces, making him chuckle. He blows grass off his face and takes a look at her.

- You still have a lot of grass in your hair - He notices, sitting up. - You even don't try to brush it off.

The goddess looks up at her hair without much interest. She shrugs her shoulders.

- How do I look with it? - She asks lightly.

- Like a crazy grass goddess - He jokes, starting to dust the grass off her hair. - Your hair is such a mess.

- Well, yours looks exactly the same - She chuckles, tilting her head down to let him get blades from her hair. - The only difference is color.

He smiles to himself. He finishes his job quickly, but he feels like he doesn't want to end like that. Her hair looks so soft and he just slightly touched them. Can he do more?

- I have a stupid question - He announces. - Can I play with your hair a bit?

Poppy looks up at him a bit surprised.

- Well, okay then - She smiles and turns around, back onto him. - You can fix this mess, but I don't have a hairbrush.

Branch doesn't answer. Facing her back full of strawberry hair, the glory of the magenta cascade with a pleasant scent of meadow's flowers is a breathtaking experience for the god of the Night. Many random moments of him wanting to sink his fingers into her hair moves now in front of his eyes. He takes a deep, long, snatchy breath and feels a nice shiver of excitement running from his back to his neck. He bites his lips and slightly, slowly, carefully touches with both his cold hands the strawberry threads of silk.

The warmth is soft. Fluffy. His hands slide down the hair enjoying the smooth touch of it. To be honest, Branch has no idea what he wants to do with her hair. How to play with hair? He grabs a few strands and rubs them slightly between his fingers. They are nice to touch, obviously. What to do more? Oh, yes. Sink his fingers in it. He hesitates a bit. He knows how cold her hands are. He doesn't want to make it uncomfortable for Poppy. Should he ask about it? That sounds awkward even in his head. Well, she lets him play with her hair. She can always say if she feels uncomfortable with something.

So Branch once again slowly, carefully puts both of his hands on her hair, but this time, his fingers dig into it, gently moving deeper and deeper until they touch the head skin. He sighs with pleasure. The warm, soft hair between his fingers makes his hand warm immediately. He moves his hand up, to her top of Poppy's head, can't stop enjoying this delightful amount of touch.

- Don't I... go overboard? - He asks shyly.

- No... - Her soft voice melts and shakes a bit, sounds distant. - Go on...

Branch smiles. His fingers reach the top of her head. He starts rubbing her head skin down gently and slowly. She sighs, and it is this kind of sigh that makes his neck skin shiver and his mind dizzy, and he wants her sighing like that more... He blinks to emerge from this weird trance. He notices that Poppy gets relaxed a lot. She melts, looking like she could lie down and fall asleep any minute.

- Is this that pleasant? - He asks, half-joking, half with curiosity.

- Yesss - She sighs blissfully once again. - I'll show you when you finish.

- Okay - He smiles.

He massages her like that for a while. Then he brushed all of her hair with her fingers to dress them. He grabs a thick trickle of strawberry strands and carefully sinks his nose into it. His senses get lost in the strong sweet scent of wildflowers, gold honey, and fresh grass. He closes his eyes. He freezes like that, almost without breath.

Brushing her hair for a while Branch finally finds the thing he can do with them. He watched once trolls making baskets, twining wicker. He parts Poppy's hair into three and starts twining them as trolls did. Well, he doesn't create a basket surprisingly, which is a bit disappointing cause he finds this idea funny. Instead of it, he turns deep pink hair into one, long weaved tail. And, once again, surprisingly, it looks pretty good. He puts it on Poppy's shoulder and asks her to turn to him.

- What did you make? - She asks, looking curiously at her hair. - It looks nice.

Branch stops staring at her with his mouth open. The goddess looks different, much different with the twined hair. And besides that, she looks much calmer than usual. She moves with effortless grace, smooth and mild, her gentle smile is somehow a bit more alluring.

- I've never seen you like that - He blunders out.

She flutters her eyelashes and even this is a bit more cute than usual.

- What do you mean?

- You are so calm - He breathes out, low. He sighs delightfully. - You look so beautiful.

Poppy blushes slightly and smiles a bit wider.

- Thank you, but it's you who made me like that - She also sighs blissfully. - That massage was so pleasant... - She bites her lip and looks up at the god's hair. - I show you. Come here!

Branch chuckles and turns around. He tilts his head back, to let her reach them. He expected she would take slow, careful steps, just like him. But instead of it, the goddess immediately, without any warning, sinks her little warm fingers into his hair.

And oh my goodness.

It is soooo good.

The god doesn't know when he closed his eyes. His mouth freezes half-open. Little hands rub gently his head skin, playing with his hair and why it feels so good guuuhhh... He melts completely. His arms loosely drop down his body. Poppy gets a bit down, from the top of his head to the hair near his neck, and oh my goodness, it feels even better. He loses his senses. His mind is blank. He never felt better. His muscles loosen more and more, sometimes flex without reason, when warm fingers touch accidentally his ears or neck. He can't get enough of it.

- So, how do you feel? - Poppy asks and she gets his blissful purr for an answer. She chuckles and jokes: - Should I stop?

- Never - He huffs weakly, making the goddess giggle.

But after a long while, he sighs deeply and says:

- Okay, you should stop or I'll fall asleep.

Poppy giggles soundly and lets go of his hair. Branch needs a few minutes to come back to reality. He really looks like he can fall on the ground and start loudly snoring. The goddess smiles at his hilariously delightful grimace. She feels so satisfied to make him like that. He looks so deeply happy.

She rests her hands on the Staff lying on her knees. She takes a look at it. Maybe it is a selfish thought, but it would be nice if both of them had empty hands. She has no idea for what, but... it sounds nice.

Looking at the Gold Sphere reminds her of all of the questions about her mum she wanted to ask Branch one Day. The goddess looks up at him and thinks, that maybe now is a great moment. She gathers her thoughts and wonders from which question she should start.

- Branch?

- Yeah? - He gazes at her dreamily, smiling like a dork. He looks so disarmingly. She can't not smile at him, but she quickly corrects herself, clearing her throat. She has to get the tone down a bit.

- What do you... What do you know about my mum?

Branch frowns. His smile slowly fades. He wipes his whole face with both hands and looks at her more seriously.

- What do you want to know?

- Well... - She looks down shyly. - Everything. Dad never told me about my mother.

The god stares at her for a while with disbelief.

- For real?

She nods, feeling wrong. Oh, it feels so wrong to not know anything but a few fading memories from her childhood. It feels wrong, that it's her dad's fault that she doesn't know anything. It feels wrong...

- So... You don't know how the Gold Sphere was created?

She shakes her head. Branch heaves a sigh. He puts his elbows on his knees. After a long minute of Silence, he speaks:

- Immortals also don't want to talk with me about... Things that happened before I came from the Chaos - He looks at her. - I can tell you everything I know, but I'm not sure if this is what you want.

- That would be enough - She says gratefully.

After a while of wonder, Branch continues:

- When I came from the Chaos, the world felt pretty filled. I had the capote on my shoulders, a hoodie on my head, and this branch in my hand - He takes a look at the Staff. - And all I knew was Darkness and Silence. I knew what it was and how to make it. Immortals I met pointed at the Palace of Harmony, so I went there. And that's how I faced King Peppy and Queen Rose.

He rips a few blades of grass and starts playing with them in his fingers.

- Rose was really friendly. Her sight made me feel that I was created for a reason. That I was needed and necessary for this world. But Peppy looked at me with fear and distrust. He told me to introduce myself, so I showed that all I knew then - Darkness and Silence. And that is how the King exiled me from the Palace. - Branch gulps. - If your mum didn't put a good word for me, he would throw me back into the Chaos.

Poppy trembles. She feels her body flexed. Branch is quiet for a while again, staring mindlessly at the grass with his eyes opened wide.

- He exiled me - The god repeats. - But I stayed. I stayed in the Palace. Rose was the only person who was friendly to me. Where could I go? I hid there, scared and forlorn, but near my last hope. Not for long, as the time showed. A few weeks later another god came from the Chaos. I don't remember his name and his motivation. Maybe I was too far to hear it. But near enough to jump from my hide and shield Queen Rose from his knife.

Poppy clenches her fists.

- I don't remember much, I fainted for a while. When I woke up, I saw them fighting. I mean, King, Queen, and that god. And they couldn't beat him. It's not easy to kill an Immortal... The only way is to destroy his immortality with other immortality. And that's what Rose did.

Branch looks up at her. She is tense. But noticing that he hesitates, she whispers:

- Go on.

- Well... That's why she wasn't immortal anymore. She gathered her powers into the Gold Sphere. - He takes a look at it again. - And she gave it to me. She said she trusted me and that the world needed me. She wanted to give me twice more than I risked for her. She said I risked my life, but... We all know I'm Immortal. And besides that... I thought then that my life didn't matter at all. But Queen Rose... She was just so ridiculously generous. She gave me a name, she gave me the Gold Sphere, and... - He hides his face into his hands. After a minute he showed her eyes filled with tears. He looks touched. - I'm not sure if this is her will to you being here, but... I'm so grateful she bore you.

Poppy melts. Her tension fades a bit. Before she can answer something, he goes on:

- I talked with her a few times before she died. Queen was... Really good person. So generous. Selfless. Caring. Cheerful. She had a heart of gold. Just... You are just like her. Or maybe even better.

Their eyes meet, but Poppy quickly looks away, blinking and blushing.

- I mean... For me. Better for me - He smiles, a bit awkwardly. He clears her throats. - Well, sadly, that's all I know about her. She was the goddess of Harmony. And... That's not a lot...

- Actually, that's all I needed - The goddess interrupts him. - You even don't know how important was every word you told me. - She gazes into his eyes gratefully. - I'm so sorry for what happened to you. That must have been an awful feeling to be treated like that.

He blinks. Some kind of relief drifts through his face at those words. He needed to hear something like that. To be understood.

- It's okay now. I needed time and a crazy pink lady to worked it out - He smiles slightly.

- That's why you were so grumpy at the first meeting? - Poppy smiles jokingly. She picks a little flower and puts it into his hair.

Branch looks up and smiles awkwardly.

- Was I? - He asks like he didn't know about it.

She giggles.

- But now I'm not, right?

- It depends on if you go to the party or not.

- Heyy, I promised you, didn't I?

Poppy sighs, feeling like the wave of many emotions that gathered during Branch's story flows over her with the calm, cheerful sight of his blue eyes.

- Yes, you did - She smiles widely.

_______________________________________________

Index

[kaitoujokerscans]

Showdown in the Dark Night! Joker vs Shadow CH7

<7> Break the Code!

The three of them came to a stop near a pond with a brook. Probably tired from using her powers, Rose was huffing and puffing to steady her breath.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Just a little tired..." Rose exhaled deeply. At this level of exhaustion, she could still use a little more power. "Take this.." Rose handed Queen the hairpin.

"Got it..." Queen took it. "Are you sure about Shadow?"

"Perfectly, I can't trust my brother as he is right now..." Rose gave her a sad smile.

"......" Queen took a long look at the hairpin and contemplated.

Beside her, Ai put a finger to her ear and contacted Spade. "Spade-sama, we've escaped immediate peril."

"Well done, I knew you could do it. You just might be the strongest trio ever."

"No need for the hollow praise. Roko, how are things looking?" Queen asked, unruffled by Spade's patronizing.

"Right, Queen. Joker, Hayami-san, and Inspector Oniyama are still in the salon."

"Got it. Rose, you can meet Hayami soon."

"O-Okay..." Rose anxiously placed a hand over her chest. "But I wonder if he'll even talk to me..."

"It'll be fine," Ai reassured her. "Just be sincere and tell him you wanted to see him."

"Eh, 'I wanted to see him'..." Rose's face suddenly went red, and she shook her head from side to side. "T-That's not what I...!"

Ai smiled and continued, soothingly. "No, that's enough. If you can make that clearly understood, men will listen to what you have to say."

"R-Really...?"

"Hmm, is that true?" Queen thought of the men in her life. Considering Joker, and considering Silver Heart, it felt like there were a lot of men in her life who didn't hear her out. Ah, but Roko does hear me out. And listens to what I tell him. This in mind, Queen addressed Roko. "Guide us to the salon, Roko."

"Roger. Queen, be careful. Inspector Oniyama gave out orders not long ago. You'll have more people on your tail," Roko warned Queen.

"Fu fu, rest assured. No matter the numbers, opponents like that are no threat at all." Queen boasted, just as...

"Think again!" The moment she sensed a presence behind her, Queen took a hit and was sent flying forward. She fell onto a thicket.

"Ouch...!"

"Queen-san!" Ai and Rose dashed towards Queen and helped her up. Behind the three of them had been Momo, battle-ready. She had struck Queen with a flying kick to the rear.

"Your back's wide open, Phantom Thief Queen!"

"Guh... It's not fair to attack an opponent unawares..." Pressing a hand to her back, Queen got to her feet and scowled at Momo.

"We're taking back Komachi's Gilded Chrysanthemum!" Behind Momo was Ginko, at the head of a division of officers, scowling back. Once they saw them, Ai and Rose immediately poised themselves. Queen seemed to think for a moment, before deftly sticking the hairpin into her knot of hair. The large diamond glinted on her head.

"Rose-san," Ai then whispered, "Leave this to Queen-san and myself. Rose-san, you should hurry to where Hayami-san is."

"Eh? Why?"

"We'll hold them off here. While we do, Rose-san, please enter the manor on your own."

"Eh, but..."

"Nice idea, Dark Eye," Spade's voice sounded in her ear. "Rose, let those two handle it. Go inside while you still have stamina. We'll guide you through the safest route."

"But..."

"It'll be fine. Spade-sama will help." Ai turned to Rose and spoke softly so it wouldn't be picked up by the microphone. "Rose-san, please tell Hayami-san your honest feelings."

"My feelings..?"

"Your feelings right now, Rose-san. If you just tell yourself you'll say them eventually, you'll lose your chance..."

"......"

Ai glanced at Rose and gave her a small smile. Before Rose could pick up on the hint of wistfulness in her expression, she heard Momo's battle cry and Queen readying to meet it.

"KIEEEEEEEH!"

"YAAAAAAH!"

Queen and Momo's battle had begun.

"Now go!" shouted Ai as she took her mic out of its holster and leveled it at an officer.

"...Okay!" Rose acknowledged, and handed Ai something that looked like a key.

"What is this...?"

"Oniichan's bike should be parked at the edge of the garden. I stole it just earlier." Rose grinned, then ran at full speed towards the manor.

§§§

Time passed quietly in the salon. The shrill alarm and sounds of officers fighting streamed in from the outside. In total contrast, the three inside the room were silent, passing the time with their thoughts alone.

"Inspector Oniyama, shouldn't you go?" Joker asked, and Oniyama responded in a low voice.

"My subordinates are handling matters outside. I have to keep watch over you here."

"Hmm, you really trust them." Joker rattled his cuffs and went on. "Inspector, are you really going to quit the force?"

"Fu fu fu, as long as you stay snug in there, I won't have to. Don't tell me you'll be lonely?"

"Heh, nothing'd make me feel better, in fact!" Joker talked trash and turned the other way. In his line of sight was Hayami, zoned out on something. It looked as if he hadn't yet solved the code's riddle. All right... now to just wait for the time to come... Joker grinned internally.

Just then, there was a small electronic beep. It seemed to be coming from Oniyama's wristwatch. Oniyama took a quick look at his watch, and was questioned by Joker.

"Inspector, what's that sound?"

"M-My daughter Haruka set an alarm on my wristwatch. When cases drag on, I end up losing sleep, so the alarm tells me when to get ready to go to bed."

"Ha ha, nice of her. I don't mind if you sleep, you know?"

"Hmph, once you're safely under arrest, I'll so catch up on sleep! I won't rest until then, not even if I catch a whiff of that Gilded Chrysanthemum!"

"Heh heh heh, big words."

Listening to the conversation between them, Hayami suddenly raised his face as if he had hit upon something. "An alarm... lettin' ya know the time..." he said, then laughed, "I get it, that's what it means."

"Oniyama-han, many thanks. I've solved tha code."

"Y-You did?" Oniyama turned to him in surprise.

"Let's hear it."

At Joker's prodding, Hayami squeaked his wheelchair over in front of the cage. "'Three onces follow each other' refers to tha time... there is Oniyama-han's theory of it bein' 1:11, but tha phrasin' of 'onces' weighed on my mind."

"Same."

"Using that phrasin' ta express time... in olden times, morning breaks were called 'elevenses'. 'Elevenses' morphed from 'elevens' and got passed down that way."

"Yeah, that's right." Joker nodded.

"What did th' count of 'elevens' refer ta? It was... tha bell toll."

"......"

"They used ta ring bells to announce tha time. Just like we use clock alarms these days." Here Oniyama gave a grunt and touched his wristwatch. "They told tha time from the number of tolls. When th' bell rang eleven times in tha day, it was time fer a break." Hayami began to wheel his chair around the room. "And we have a clock chime right in this house ta tell the time. The clock here tolls once every thir'y minutes. At 5:00 on tha hour, it rings five times, and on tha half-hour, it rings once. That's how time is announced ta people in tha manor."

That all checks out, thought Oniyama. When Oniyama greeted Hayami, the 11:30 bell rang just once.

"So tha 'onces' in tha code is tha time when tha bell rings once. Then what time is when 'three onces follow each other'... this is key. Is there such a time?"

"......" As if he already knew what Hayami was about to say, Joker listened with his eyes shut tight.

"If tha bell rings five times at 5:00, then tha bell rings once at 1:00. 30 minutes before and after that... at 12:30 and 1:30, tha bell rings once each time. So at 12:30, 1:00, and 1:30, three times in a row, tha bell rings once. This is our 'three onces follow each other." Hayami spoke calmly and smoothly. He was walking through his thought process, expounding on his deduction.

"Tha 'first and next' is, simply put, 12:30 to 1:00. The Gilded Chrysanthemum blossoms during that interval." Hayami said and held up his watch. "Thus tha flower's already bloomin'. Five more minutes and it's time up..." The clock's hands pointed to 12:55.

Joker slowly opened his eyes. "I get it, I bet you're right. Then where's the place?"

"The place follows naturally once ya know the time. This manor is squat in the middle of a massive, round garden. It's like a giant clock itself. Ergo, tha direction of 12:30 is..." Hayami pointed a finger toward the window. It faced slightly east of due north. Beyond it was the donut-shaped hanging garden that encircled the manor. "That section of tha hangin' garden's where Komachi's Gilded Chrysanthemum is blooming."

"......"

"Well? Ya reached the same conclusion, I'm sure?"

Joker's eyes focused tightly.

"And that's why ya came back here, innit?" Hayami chuckled at having realized this. "Ya came in the manor and waited fer your chance ta escape, but ya were a moment too late. Yer a prisoner now. There's nothing you can do ta escape from there at this point."

"......" Joker watched Hayami intently, not saying a word. To be frank, this was earlier than he expected. Hayami had completely solved the riddle in this short span. Joker was even impressed at his insight. However...

"It'd be futile ta try escapin' from there. I've been watchin' ya this whole time."

"Well, I wonder about that?" Joker second-guessed him with a grin. "Your solution to the code is probably right on. But you see, a phantom thief thinks two or three steps ahead. I'll take the Gilded Chrysanthemum, just like I said!"

Just after Joker shouted, the bell tolled. BONNNNNG! It had struck 1:00. Hayami laughed triumphantly.

"Hah hah hah! It's time. Tha flower's withered! I did want ta see the Gilded Chrysanthemum myself, but more's the pity!"

"......" Joker glared at Hayami.

--But just then, something unexpected happened. BONNNNNG! The bell tolled twice.

"Wha...!" Hayami looked up in surprise. A third toll, BONNNNNG!, rang out in a row.

"I-Impossible!" Hayami checked his watch as fast as he could. It was unmistakably pointing to 1:00 A.M. "How! Tha bell should only ring once at 1:00!"

In spite of, and almost drowning out Hayami's cries of denial, the bell kept tolling BONNNG! BONNNG!

"Why's this happenin'!?" Hayami was in utter confusion, turning his wheelchair to and fro. The bell was still tolling.

"Do you want to know why?" Joker's voice rang quietly. With an audacious smile on his face, Joker observed Hayami.

"...Joker, you set this up!"

"Guess again. Would there be any point to just changing the number of tolls?"

"Then how...?"

"I first realized it when the 12:00 bell rang. I was with Shadow then, when I heard the bell. But I realized something was off, right then."

"Off?"

"The bell only rang 11 times."

"What!?"

"Yup, no doubt about it. There really was one too few. At first I thought I miscounted. But when you mentioned that the manor owner's base of operations is in Singapore, and that he had no outside contact in Japan, I solved the riddle. Of why this house's clocks are one hour off..."

Once he heard this, Hayami too realized. "Wha... time zones!"

"Exactly."

The room clock tolled again. BONNNNNG! In harmony with the sound, Joker stood up proudly. "The manor's owner set all the clocks in this house to Singapore time, which is one hour behind Japan. So when the clocks in this house say it's 11:00, it's actually 12:00. Following that, when it's 1:00 now, the clocks here say..."

"12:00.... So tha bell rings 12 times..."

"Yes, 'three onces follow each other' in this house when the clock strikes 12:30, 1:00, and 1:30. In Japan time, that's 1:30, 2:00, and 2:30, and the 'first one' is... 1:30 A.M.!"

"Goshdarn... tha flower isn't bloomin' yet. But it will in another 30 minutes..." Hayami inferred and bit his lip. But soon enough he had another thought and focused on Joker. "None tha less, we can just have Inspecter Oniyama secure that section of the hangin' garden 'til the time passes, can't we?"

"Mhmm, that we can." Oniyama, like Hayami, watched Joker. But Joker's flippant expression didn't fade.

"Hee hee, why do you think I was staying here so patiently? You might have thought you had me captured, but you're the ones who've been captured."

"What?"

"What!?"

"It's right about time!" Joker shouted, and at that very moment, the twelfth BONNNNNG! tolled. Immediately after, a ground-shaking rumble came from outside the window.

"W-What is that sound!"

"Do it, Hachi!"

"Okay!" Hachi's voice came from the device hidden in Joker's hand.

Hayami rushed to look out of the window to find that northeast of the manor, the section of the donut-shaped hanging garden in the direction of 1:30 was gradually rattling up into the air.

"While I was detained, my excellent assistant finished the heavy work!"

"Wha... yer stealin' tha entire garden!?"

"The Gilded Chrysanthemum will bloom in another thirty minutes. By that time, we'll be on the horizon with the whole garden!" Before they knew it, Joker was free of handcuffs and jumped out of the cage. He threw a card at the ceiling, which exploded with a boom and left a gaping hole. Joker deftly lifted Balloon Gum overhead and rose up lightly. "Then as promised, I'm taking Komachi's Gilded Chrysanthemum! Au revoir!"

Joker began to fly towards the hole in the ceiling. But before he could, a weight tightened around his leg. "Wha...!?"

"Guh... I absolutely won't let you get away, Joker!" Oniyama had grabbed onto Joker's leg.

"Inspector...!?"

"This time I have to so arrest you for certain!" Oniyama held fast to Joker like his life depended on it.

"Argh, let go, Inspector!" Joker tried to peel Oniyama off, just as Oniyama grabbed onto something. "Leggo already!" Joker shook Oniyama off.

"Wauugh!" Oniyama tore something off of Joker as he fell to the ground. When he looked up after crashing, he saw Joker escaping through the ceiling hole into the night sky.

"JOKEEEEEER!!"

In the piece of sky visible through the hole was Joker's airship, the Sky Joker, with the section of the garden suspended from it with multiple wires.

"Blast..." Oniyama pounded the ground in anger. In his fist was the golden J-shaped badge.

[shirtlesssammy]

1x16: Shadow

Previously on Supernatural:

Sam and Dean are hard at work looking for their dad.

Now:

Down an empty city street, a lone woman walks into a dark, foggy alley. A sudden wind storm sweeps through the area and shadows dance across building walls. The woman starts running (and like, seriously, I don’t care how late at night this is, there’s no one else around??) and makes it back to her apartment, sets the alarm and locks the door. Whew, she’s safe, or at least that’s what the music is telling me. She then plays messages on her ANSWERING MACHINE. Lol, sometimes I laugh at how old this show is. 

Anyway, a shadow creeps along the wall and SPLAT, we have a cold open victim after all. 

One Week Later

Sam and Dean, professional cosplayers, are dressed as alarm system employees today. Dean is a tad incredulous they have to play dress-up (but secretly LOVES it, let’s admit it.) 

He ribs Sam a little bit about a play he did in high school (Dean’s such a supportive brother to go watch that. Poor Sam can’t act himself out of an alternate universe where he IS an actor.) They enter the victim’s apartment. The landlord tells them their company sucks. The windows were locked, the door was bolted, and the alarm system was still on. Hmm. Everything was in order, but Meredith. She was in pieces all over the floor. 

The brothers start looking around the apartment. Dean previously spoke with the police (and ofc he’d hit it off with a Sagittarius) and reveals that the victim was missing her heart. They speculate about what they’re dealing with until Dean sees a pattern in the blood splatter on the floor (My sweet, smart son). He starts laying tape to form the pattern. It forms a symbol that neither brother recognizes.  

Later, at a bar, Dean is busy talking up the bartender when Sam wanders in with notes from the case. Dean checks in, and normally at this stage in the game I am eye-rolling hard at overcompensating Dean, but he is SO proud about getting the bartender’s number. (Like, why Dean? You’re an A+ charmer and you look like Jensen Ackles.) 

Honestly, though, Dean was doing the job. He gathered a heck of a lot of info on Meredith. They have another victim but there doesn’t appear to be a connection, except with how they died. 

Suddenly, Sam takes off. He finds his old travel buddy, Meg. WHAT A CRAZY COINCIDENCE. (Also, <insert old WB joke here>)  She yells at Dean for making Sam do things he doesn’t want to do. Look at Dean’s face when he looks at Sam! Guh. Then he pulls the classic Dean move and makes light of the comment and walks away to get a beer. AND then he looks back at Sam again as he’s walking away. This gives Sam and Meg some time to talk and Sam gets her digits. 

Later, when Sam and Dean are leaving the bar, Dean asks about Meg. Sam doesn’t really know her and finds it weird to have run into her again. Dean wants to know more about the shit talk Sam was spreading about him but Sam is trying to talk about how weird it is to run into Meg again. He tasks Dean with learning more about Meg Masters and the symbol at the victim’s apartment. Sam is going to watch Meg, and Dean finds this infinitely funny. 

Later, Dean calls Sam, who’s outside Meg’s apartment, to tell him that she checks out. He encourages Sam to ask her out. And at the end of the day, I can’t help but love Dean’s way of helping Sam. Maybe it’s not the most understanding but he really wants to help Sam move on and heal. Anyway, he also learned about the symbol. It’s a Zoroastrian demon sigil. Sam wonders how Dean learned all this, and Dean makes it clear that HE READS TOO. 

For Science:

But Dean realizes that he’s not performing enough and tells Sam that he asked a friend of John’s. All the same, Dean says that from the info he (NOT CALEB) gathered, the demon has to be summoned and that means someone is controlling it. Anyway, Dean gets gross and Sam hangs up on him. Then Sam gets gross and watches Meg change through her window. 

Meg leaves her apartment and Sam follows her to an old warehouse. Once inside, he finds that she’s set up a nice little summoning altar. She talks to someone/thing in a chalice. She’ll await their arrival. 

Sam sneaks out of the elevator shaft he was hiding in. He sees the altar and is literally like, “What the hell?”

“Dude, I gotta talk to you,” is how these two giant nerds simultaneously greet each other back at the hotel.

Sam fills Dean in on Meg. She’s the one who’s been summoning the daeva. Dean reveals his own new intel. His police contact got him the victims’ files: they’re both originally from Lawrence, Kansas. Dean calls their dad and tells them they might be close to the thing that killed their mom. (“That’s where everything started.” Crying noise. Crying noise.) Before they head out to the warehouse, Sam dumps a big bag of weapons on the bed.

Sam is like me packing for a trip at 2 a.m. Uh, idk, maybe I’ll need this? Better pack it just in case. Holy water, ritual books, and just about every weapon he can think of. “I’m not sure what to expect, so I guess we should just expect everything?” I feel you, Sammy.

Then the boys talk about how NOT nervous they are - how totally chill they feel about possibly confronting the thing that killed their mom. If they succeed, Sam would go back to school. Dean, though? He’s in the life for good. “There’s always gonna be somethin’ to hunt.” Sam asks Dean if there’s anything he wants for himself (crying intensifies) and Dean bursts out that he doesn’t want Sam to bail on him again. “You and me and dad. I want us to be together again.” Oh, Dean Bean. 

On that fun note, let’s go kick some ass! Sam and Dean climb back up the warehouse elevator shaft. Meg stands on one side of the room facing a wall and muttering incantations (as one does). They creep into the room while she chants and take up defensive positions. Without even turning around, she calls them out. “Hiding’s a bit childish, don’t you think?” (Meg, the proper word to tell them to stop hiding is olly-olly-oxen-free.) She tells them that she was waiting for them. It WAS a trap! She commands the daeva to attack.

The daeva slices the hell out of Sam’s face and hurls the boys across the room, knocking them out. They wake up a little while later, trussed up to beams. 

Sam tries to unravel why Meg targeted the two victims. It turns out their deaths were meaningless; killing people from Lawrence was simply bait for her Winchester trap. Dean tries to cut through the villain monologue and find out why they’re still alive, but Meg tells him that the trap she set isn’t for them…it’s for their dad. “He has one weakness,” Meg says. “He lets his guard down around his boys. Lets his emotions cloud his judgment.” BOOM. Cue the feelings.

Meg lets her snarky demon flag fly around Sam. She taunts him about watching her, wanting her. Meg starts to kiss Sam (gross gross yuck gross) until she hears a snick of a blade as Dean tries to break free. She tosses away Dean’s knife and goes back to Sam, who head butts her, revealing his own released hands. 

On Dean’s direction, Sam topples the altar, freeing the daeva. The daeva goes after Meg, dragging her to the window and tossing her to the ground below.

Back at their hotel, they open the door to find a mysterious shadow. It’s their dad! It’s Hugchester time.

Dean apologizes for not spotting the trap and John tells them that a) he knew it was a trap so no worries and b) he was in town as well. HEY John, thanks for warning your kids. John reveals that he’s working on a way to kill the yellow-eyed demon for good. But he’s (tosses hair back dramatically) got to do it ALONE.

It’s Hugchester time AGAIN, when suddenly John gets hurled across the room. The daeva’s back in Daeva’s Revenge: Part Two: The Wreckoning. The daeva proceeds to wreck the hotel room, and toss Dean and Sam around as well. Outside, Meg approaches with a daeva sigil necklace. It’s looking bad for our heroes, when Sam lights a flare to chase away the shadows (including the daeva). 

They all stumble from the room, bruised and bloodied, and make their way to the Impala.

They’re about to head out together when Dean tells them that John can’t go with them. Meg was right - John’s vulnerable when he’s around his sons. Sam begs John not to leave but John’s already got both feet out the proverbial door. They give each other the worst sort of goodbye hug - a manly pat on the shoulder, and then John takes off in his truck. 

Meg watches them leave town. It’s not over, boys. Not by a long shot.

________________________________

Only the Shadow Quotes:

You think credit card fraud is easy? 

I came, I saw, I conquered. Oh, and I met what’s-his-name, something Michael Murray at a bar.

Maybe you’re thinkin’ a little too much with your upstairs brain, huh?

What’s the significance of Lawrence? 

What if this whole thing was over tonight? Man, I’d sleep for a month. Go back to school—be a person again.

Things will never be the way they were before.

Dad’s vulnerable when he’s with us. He’s stronger without us around.

Alright, you little pervert

You don’t have the corner on paper chasing around here.

________________________________

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[sieben9]

“the final battle” impressions

{Quick request to anyone reading: I’m watching OUaT for the first time, and I want to avoid spoilers. So, if you want to discuss something spoilery, I’d be grateful if you could start a new post for that. Thank you!}

Ah Once, what am I going to do with you?

I mean, this episode was definitely an Experience™, that much is certain. Just… ::sighs::

Look, if I try to sum it up, I think the best I can do is “this was twenty minutes of a really good finale stuck inside a rushed ninety-minute wtf-fest. Also, those twenty minutes belong to a totally different season.

this is the sort of thing you’ve got to foreshadow at least a LITTLE

The acting was pretty damn good, though.

(Fair warning: don’t open this on mobile, there’s a ridiculous amount of pictures under the cut)

OK. So. Couple of things that I really liked up front, so I can gripe in peace later on. (And readers can skip whatever part they wish ; )

First, and I realise this is a weird thing to enjoy, but I loved how utterly despicable I found Fiona in this one. She may have hung around like a bad smell for most of the season without really doing much, but she sure stepped up her game for the occasion.

Seriously, if Rumple hadn’t killed her, I would have found a way. “Our son”, indeed.

Though, please, have some pity on the poor guy. At this point, he has killed both his parents, and one of them twice. That can’t be good for anyone.

oh look the wall robots are still there

And speaking of Rumple… dang, that was a good scene in the mines. What I loved most about it was that this was literally all him. Nobody would ever know what he did in there if he didn’t tell them, except for himself, and he still made the right choice. Despite being offered everything he ever wanted, despite being under the influence of his curse just as much as ever…

before you ask, yes, my mind did go Places

…and more literally than it’s usually shown. Well done, pal. I should probably be more excited about this, but despite the tense buildup, I feel like the scene kind of fizzled as a whole. Maybe because he already made the exact same choice earlier, and was just confirming that he really meant it, too. Still, it was a good moment, and I was very proud of this walking human disaster by the time it was done.

Some more on the topic of Rumple: congratulations on his acting skills. Rumple’s, not Robert Carlyle’s, specifically. Because there’s no way in hell I could have seen these photos…

…and kept a straight face. Honestly, I’m half convinced that they were a test by Fiona to see if he was awake after all.

Oh, and the book!

The book made it across! And you know why? Because Belle and her son have True Love, even if Gideon cannot remember that, because Fiona is The Worst. And Rumple worked so hard to make Gideon remember; it was heartbreaking to see. I mean, he had to do that for… what? Five hours? And he still couldn’t stand the thought that Gideon might believe his mother didn’t love him. It was a good scene, OK?

On a sillier note (but still unambiguously positive): Emma’s wardrobe came back for the finale!

I don’t know, it’s just nice to see.

Other things I loved a lot:

Any and all interactions between Regina and her now-settled other half. Just. Pure joy, even in the midst of the wtf-ery. And with the obvious standout-moment when the Queen goes and sacrifices herself to give the others that tiny bit of time they need to get back to their world and help Henry (and Emma, but I think we all know who the priority was in this case)

Just… damn. I’m still worried about this woman’s self-destructive streak in general, but this was a good moment. (It also helps that she got better. ‘cause that could have been really depressing otherwise.)

Oh, and since we’re speaking of Regina (or the Reginas, plural), I absolutely adored the speech she gave Emma. Just… I mean, I expect the hope speeches from Snow (and that one was pretty good, too), but this? I mean… wow. Please compare and contrast with season 1. Except you don’t have to, because Regina already did that, and it was beautiful.

Then we have an actual mirrored TLK (see below for a botched version…) in this very good moment:

Like, yes, I love bookends, and this was a great one. Calling back to the “holy crap why didn’t I see this coming” kiss in s1 worked surprisingly well, considering how little interaction Emma and Henry had this season, but there’s enough material in the show in general to make me buy into this. Like I said: sucker for bookends.

In general, I feel like this episode was at its strongest whenever re-focused on the family relationships between the characters.

And to close it out, the ending montage.

Just... it’s like Snow said. They get to live their happy endings now. Snowing finally have the time to be a proper family (and David got a dog!). Regina is accepted and loved by her people (and the Queen gets to have a completely “new adventure”, as Robin so aptly put it.) Snow can do what she loves and doesn’t have to fight all the time anymore. And Emma finally has a place in the world; one where she can settle and be comfortable and doesn’t have to be alone anymore... and I’ll just leave it at that. It’s a good ending.

And no, I haven’t forgotten it--obvious special mention to this bit here:

Yup. Killed me dead. And I died happy, thank you very much. They’ve been through so much bullshit, and now they can be together, and raise their son in peace, and won’t be really worried when he doesn’t stop growing, either.

I also want to give a special shoutout to the five six people who immediately made sure that I knew that 1) the kiss wasn’t scripted and 2) we, as a fandom, are extremely lucky to have Robert and Emilie. (For those who haven’t seen the interview in question, it’s here, and here)

The finishing dinner was nice, too, even if I’m not sure what the whole Last Supper imagery was supposed to do.

Listen, I’ve been going “just let them be happy!” for way too long to complain much when they finally are. Also, I could write an essay on the range of emotions Rumple goes through when he comes through that door and people are actually happy to see him and his family. Or about that look that passes between him and Regina, because I caught that and it made me cry! I don’t think either of them ever imagined they would really be this happy again when they first met and they’ve been through so much crap and just... guh. I like this. It’s a good closing shot.

And now, the rest.

Because frankly, this wasn’t a great finale. It wasn’t even that good of an episode. It was everything wrong with the 4B finale, only more of that.

For example: What was the deal with making Emma lose her belief? Since when was her belief required for the magical realms to exist? The only person who’s ever had even something approaching that function was Henry. She didn’t need to believe in magic to keep it alive, she needed it to break the curse.

And this was never set up as the Black Fairy’s plan. Not even a little. This came so out of left field, it wasn’t even in the same stadium! And it’s so frustrating, because this wasn’t a bad plot, as such, but there was no build-up, no real payoff, nothing. Or, let me put it differently: this was a perfectly fine plot resolution, it just had no business being attached to this season.

Everything felt rushed, there were about five dozen plot points, none of them with any time to breathe and somehow, we still got that terminally boring climb up the bean stalk.Sorry, David, you know I love you, but what was the point of that sidetrack? Nothing happened. There was no try-and-fail cycle (because there wasn’t time for one) and honestly, if you needed a handwave for how they got back from the magical realms, maybe you could have gone with a less time intensive one?

And that moment where Snow kisses David back to life? Yeah, unearned, again. And dear show: the cut-in from the first episode worked for the split-heart curse, because you were subverting it. But here? It just didn’t do anything. This wasn’t a parallel. David wasn’t cursed, he was crushed by a beanstalk.

And speaking of things that don’t make sense…

For the love of fuck. Her ankle? Really? This is such a cliché that even the slasher genre doesn’t do it anymore. And it’s a dumb cliché, too. It’s rooted sexism and it makes it look like you didn’t have any other ideas. I get it, you don’t want Belle with Rumple at that final point so she doesn’t influence his decision. Here’s a thought, then: let her stay behind for a good reason! Or, hell, if you don’t want to write a scene for her (the writers sure seem to be allergic to giving Belle any screentime), let there be a fork in the road! They don’t have the time to check each one, let Belle go one way and Rumple another. It’s still a lazy plot excuse, but at least it’s not the stupidest cliché in the book.

And one more thing…

::sigh:: I have such mixed feelings about this?

Because on the one hand: Gideon had a life that nobody would want. He was kidnapped, imprisoned, kept in the dark and abused for all of his twenty-eight years, and even if he got free, he would never get that time back. Nobody would ever choose that for themselves.

At the same time… Gideon died. The person I got to know over the last half-season is no more. He’s gone. And he never had any say in the matter. Hell, he didn’t even get to say goodbye. It’ just such a messed-up way to get a wonderful thing.

(Also, while I’m on that topic… yes, I did notice that Rumple didn’t recognise his very tiny son at first, and I realise that it’s because he’s never seen him before. It prompted a particularly long “oh noo…”, too.)

And finally…

… that cliffhanger/teaser, though, huh?

I have so many questions. Why was Henry in that monster forest? Why is he now in an apartment and doesn’t remember his daughter? When did he get a daughter? (Also, who with? Enquiring minds would like to know.)

So. I know, like, three things about s7, and one of them is the cast list. Please try not to spoil anything else, because that’s already way more than I wanted to know going in. Seriously, I’m a reasonably grown adult. I can deal with a couple of surprises.

[vocaotome]

Hakuoki Shinkai Drama CD - Oedo Kaiko Roku - Full translation!

Many thanks to @ghostbunnies​ for commissioning me to translate this entertaining drama CD! I was super into Hakuouki when I first joined tumblr so it felt nice to revisit an old love <3 If you like the story, please support the series by buying the drama CD! It’s available in several online stores, e.g. cdjapan.

Translation under the cut! The CD was almost one hour in total with with 12 tracks, so it’s pretty long.

Hakuouki Shinkai- Drama CD

Chance encounter in Edo

 Track 1: The Renbukan successor

 -sparring yells-

Motoyama: They’re so enthusiastic as always. The number of pupils also seems to have increased a lot compared to when I came last time. Hmm, I wonder where Iba is…Ah, there he is!

Iba: Hey, you there. Your body axis is unsteady when you thrust. I always say to stand with your body on the midline, don’t I?

Motoyama: Iba!

Iba: Oh, Motoyama. What’s the matter? Did you have some business with me?

Motoyama: What are you saying! Didn’t we make plans to go drinking after this?

Iba: Ah, that promise was for today?

Motoyama: “Was it for today”, you say….sheesh.

Iba: My apologies. I have been occupied by tasks lately, and it slipped my mind.

Motoyama: Geez, you’re a heartless one. By the way, what’s up with Gunbei-san? I can’t find him.

Iba: Father is out for an appointment, and isn’t likely to return until late at night.

Motoyama: Eh, seriously!? I was looking forward to drink with him…

Iba: Are you changing your mind then?

Motoyama: No way! Regardless of the reason, there’s no way I’m putting off a chance to drink! I can just drink with Gunbei-san at some other time.

Iba: Is that so? Understood.

Motoyama: Well then, how about you? Will practice hold you up for a long time?

Iba: Please wait a little bit. I’ll wrap things up soon. -claps- Everyone, let’s end practice here. Please start cleaning up.

Disciples: Yes sir! Thank you very much! -relieved sighs-

Motoyama: (Iba has really gotten used to being the successor of the dojo. It’s hard to believe when you know about the past.)

  Track 2: Meeting

 Motoyama: Haaa! It sure got late! The pretty moon is spinning…

Are you alright? Your legs are wobbling. Shall I lend you my shoulder?

Motoyama: I’m not wobbling…Rather it’s everything around me that’s uselessly shaking.

Iba: I really should’ve stopped you midway. We only have a little more to go, so please do your best to walk for a bit longer. -footsteps- Uh?

Thug 1:You two. Sorry to interrupt, but could we have your attention?

Iba: What do you want?

Thug 2: You are the successor of the Renbunkan dojo at Okachimachi, aren’t you? We have some real important talk with you.

Motoyama: (Wha…Why do they know about Iba?)

Iba: I believe this is the first time I’m meeting you all. What could be this talk you’re referring to?

Thug 1: Nothing too big. You teach swordmanship in the Koubusho (T/N: a Japanese Military academy) for the Shogunate, don’t you? My employer got totally beaten up by you there and really got an earful for it. He was pretty mad about how it’d sully his reputation as a warrior if he let this go.

Iba: So you are here for the retribution of that?

Thug 1: Impressive, you get things quickly! That’s the correct answer.

Iba: In that case, instead of going this roundabout way, wouldn’t it have been more logical for your employer to just come to either the Kubosho or our dojo himself and ask for a rematch?

Thug 3: That indeed would be the right way to do it, in this world most people care more about their reputation and status. We have nothing against you, you see.

Thug 2: It’s just that we’ve already received a good bunch of money from our employer. Don’t hold this against us. -unsheathes sword-

02:00

Motoyama: Whoa! Hey, these guys took out their swords!

Iba: Motoyama, please hide behind me. Don’t leave my side at any cost.

Motoyama: But you alone can’t face off against so many-

Iba: Just listen to me and do it quickly!

Motoyama: G-got it.

Thug 3: Haha, this is good. Even though he’s carrying such an impressive sword, he’s useless when it comes down to actual fighting?

Thug 2: In this era, this is how warriors are. We are much more used to handling swords.

Iba: I’ll ask you this last time. You don’t plan to retreat, do you?

Thug 1: You’re making me laugh. Why the heck would we want to retreat when in such an overwhelmingly advantageous position?

Iba: Understood. In that case…-draws sword-

Motoyama: (Iba also took out his sword, can he really win against this many opponents?)

-swords clashing-

Thug: Shit!

Motoyama: (Amazing! Even though he’s going one against three, he doesn’t look cornered at all! Things might work out…!)

-swords clashing-

Iba: -panting-

Thug 1: Looks like you’re getting out of breath. Even if you’re the heir for some bigwig dojo, I guess being this outnumbered is still too much of a disadvantage.

Iba: -frustrated huff-

Motoyama: (This is bad! At this rate Iba will…!)

-footsteps-

03:30

Hijikata: Sheesh, I always tell you to hold back during practice…you really did a number on the poor disciples from downtown.

Okita: Even that was me holding back quite a lot, you know.

Thug 3: Aniki! Someone is approaching!

Thug 1: What?!

Thug 2: Hey there brothers, stop there for a bit. No one is allowed to pass through here. Look for another road.

Hijikata: What’s up with you? What do you mean by passing through not allowed?

Thug 1: It’s just like you see. If you don’t want to get hurt, do as we say.

Saitou: A three against one swordfight, huh? Hard to call this a fair fight.

Hijikata: Seems like either highway robbery or spree killing? Either way, I don’t like this.

Thug 1: Stop harping! We’re telling you to screw off, can’t you hear? This has nothing to do with you!

Iba: He is right. Please leave this place immediately. You might end up receiving collateral damage.

Okita: -chuckles- Collateral, you say? These three don’t seem to be skilled enough to win against us though?

Iba: It’s no time for jokes! Please, go away quickly!

Motoyama: Iba…!

Saitou: The person involved is saying so…What do we do, Hijikata-san?

Okita: Let’s do it! None of them seem that good.

Hijikata: I was also feeling kinda irritated just now.

Iba: What are you saying?! Didn’t you hear what I said earlier?

Thug 2: What, you wanna have a go? You could leave unharmed if you just left this place quietly. I guess these are what they call suicidal idiots!

Hijikata: Now then. I wonder who are the idiots here. -draws sword-

Motoyama: Uwah! They drew their swords too!

Hijikata: Souji, Saitou. No need to hold back. Beat them into the ground as long as you don’t kill them!

Saitou: Understood.

Okita: Even if Hijikata-san didn’t tell me, I wouldn’t have gone easy on them.

Thug 1: Seems like they won’t learn without some pain. You two, take them on!

Hijikata: You louts are the ones in for a world of pain!

-swords clash-

05:49

Motoyama: Look, Iba! That man, dressed in black, he’s holding his sword to the left!

Thug 3: What the heck is up with this guy?! Why is he holding it to the left?! -swords clash-

Thug 2: Shit, it’s hard to face those strikes! You bastard…what a cowardly tactic-

Okita: Do you have time to look away? Your opponent is me. -swords clash-

Thug 2: What the hell are those movements!?

Okita: Ha!

Thug 2: Aaah! -sword flies off-

Iba: I can’t follow his footwork at all! Also three consecutive hits!

Hijikata: Now then…you’re the only one left standing. Are you prepared?  Heh, I don’t plan to let you go regardless of whether you’re prepared or not.

Thug 1: Huh, keep prattling! Haaa! -swords clash-

Hijikata: Oh? Seems like you do have some skills. Why do things like this when you are this good?

Thug 1: We also have our own circumstances. You were just unlucky! I’ll show you just how much until I drill that lesion into your flesh and bones! -swords clash- I guess swords won’t do. In that case…let’s end it with this!      

Hijikata: Oh! Eat this! -throws sand-

Thug 1: My eyes! You coward! -punched-

Hijikata: Serves you right! It’s your fault for letting your guard down.

Iba: What on earth? Did he throw sand towards that roushi? (T/N: Roushi - lordless samurai)

Okita: You’re the same as always, Hijikata-san. Won using an unfair tactic again?

Hijikata: Shut up. A win is a win. If I let this go on for any longer my sword will get dull. (T/N: He literally said “How many togidais do you think are here?”, and togidai refers to a policing bench for Japanese swords).

Saitou: Hey. The others with you aren’t in a position to hold their swords anymore. Do you still mean to continue?

Thug 1: Guh! We’ll retreat for now, but you definitely won’t get away with this! We’ll definitely pay you back for today! Remember it! -runs away­-

08:15

Motoyama: -exhales- We are saved! I seriously thought we were going to get killed.

Okita: Oh boy. -sheathes sword- They were weaker than I expected. Considering how they were, wouldn’t Hijikata-san alone would have been fine?

Hijikata: I’m not so sure. They didn’t seem like the sort to honestly fight face-to-face.

Iba: Um…

Hijikata: What?

Iba: I’m Iba Hachiro from the dojo in Okachimachi.

Saitou: Okachimachi? One of the four big dojos of Edo, Shingyoto Ryu dojo Renbukan? The name of its founder was indeed Iba, I believe.

Iba: Yes. The current head, Iba Gunbei, is my father.  

Okita: A young master who’s the heir of a bigwig dojo, huh? You seem to have been raised very well.

Iba: Thank you for rescuing us in the face of danger. –That’s what I would like to say, but as a swordman I cannot help but question the way you fought earlier.

Motoyama: -splurts- Iba?!

Hijikata: What about the way we fought?

Iba: First of all, why is he -points to Saitou- carrying his sword to the left of his waist? Any proper dojo would have corrected the dominancy of his hand.

Saitou: Of course I’m aware.

Iba: Then why do you not correct it?

Saitou: Because I reached the conclusion that correction wasn’t necessary.

Iba: Are you trying to commit sacrilege against swordmanship?

Hijikata: Just carrying the sword wouldn’t be a sacrilege against swordmanship. Seems like the young master of a big dojo is pretty inflexible.

Iba: That’s not all. Earlier you threw sand into that roushi’s face to blind him.  No matter what a sword used through cowardly means manages to achieve, it will never be more than a tool for evil.

Hijikata: I don’t particularly care. It can be evil or whatever as long as I win.

Iba: Are you mocking me? A victory earned through such means is nothing except a fleeting win.

Okita: Could it be that you didn’t notice? I guess the Renbukan dojo isn’t that much of a big deal, unexpectedly.

Iba: Eh?

10:37

Okita: Hijikata-san, the roushi from earlier was hiding something in his bag, wasn’t he? Considering the size, it was probably some throw weapon.

Hijikata: Don’t say unnecessary things.

Iba: !! Don’t tell me, the roushi from earlier was about to use that?!

Okita: You finally noticed? I guess there is a limit to being slow.

Iba: -speechless-

Hijikata: Since you ran off your mouth so much about our fighting style, let me say something in return. If you were surrounded by people like earlier while you had a woman with you, what would you do? If they used the woman as a shield and took off with her, would you make excuses for your defeat -“they were cowards, I would’ve won in a fair fight!”

Iba: That’s…

Hijikata: Haha, I guess the young master of a big dojo would’ve managed something using all those disciples. Either way, you won’t be able to protect a single thing with such weak determination.

Iba: !!

Okita: Let’s get going already, Hijikata-san. Talking with people like this is a waste of time.

Hijikata: Yeah.

Iba: Wait!

-footsteps leave-

Motoyama: -sighs- We were saved…The first group were bad enough, and now these guys…all people I don’t want to get involved with. We should return home already for today.

Iba: ….

Motoyama: Iba, what’s the matter?

Iba: No, it’s nothing. Let’s go back.

Motoyama: Even though I managed to relax for once, it’s all ruined now. Oh well, I guess it’s fortunate that neither of us received injuries.

Iba: I…guess so. (Who on earth were the people from earlier? They were around my age, but they were very skilled with a sword and appeared to be familiar with actual fighting.)

  Track 3: Thoughts on being a warrior

 Kondou: Toshi.

Hijikata: Oh, it’s you, Kondou-san.

Kondou: I was wondering where you went after dinner, what are you doing alone in a place like this? Everyone else already went to sleep.

Hijikata: Sleep lost me while I was thinking about stuff.

Kondou: Is that so. Come to think of it, I heard from Souji that you guys got into some flashy brawl today. That you rescued an heir of some famous dojo?

Hijikata: It happened just by chance while we were on our way back.

Kondou: What’s the matter? You seem different from usual today. Is there something big troubling you?

Hijikata: Not really. I just realized that there are people in this world who have certain things from the moment they are born, things that we cannot obtain no matter how hard we wish for it. People who have the samurai spirit driven into them from childhood, and after genpuku (T/N: Japanese coming-of-age ceremony in the past) wear their daishou (T/N: a matched pair of Japanese swords worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan) at their waist like it’s a given.  

Kondou: Are you referring to the young man from the Iba dojo?

01:14

Hijikata: -inhales- Yeah. I usually believe that we’re more skilled than most samurais of this era, but would dealing with peasants and spending all the time fighting with disciples from other dojos really help us become warriors?

Kondou: That’s…

Hijikata: Ah, sorry. It isn’t like me to make such pathetic complaints. I’ve always known that this was an absurd dream, but…

Kondou: Sometimes you have to let things happen at their own pace. Rushing doesn’t help.

Hijikata: You’re the same as always.

Kondou: But for him to have left such a strong impression on you, Toshi, makes me want to meet this young man at least once.

Hijikata: Hey, what are you saying? Nobody said anything about ‘a strong impression’.

Kondou: Is that so? Normally you wouldn’t care if someone higher than you in status said something to you. Didn’t you notice something in that Iba boy that you couldn’t ignore?

Hijikata: I guess the heated way he could sprout preachings -that made my body itch just from hearing- without any embarrassment is something I found admirable.

Kondou: Saying such things again…

Hijikata: Anyhow, he’s the young master of a big dojo. A rundown dojo like ours would never be have anything to do with him.

  Track 4: Origin

 Iba: No good. I can’t concentrate today.

Motoyama: Iba, you were here?

Iba: Ah, Motoyama. What’s the matter? Do you have some business with me?

Motoyama: Nah, no urgent business. I heard that Koubusho was closed today, but you’re still doing swinging practice at home? How zealous. Your body won’t hold up if you don’t let yourself breathe once in a while.

Iba: I’m fine. I know about my body the best.

Motoyama: Could it be that the guys from earlier are on your mind?

Iba: …

Motoyama: It might not be my place to say this, but wouldn’t it be best to forget about them quickly? They seemed to live in a world different from our own.

Iba: What do you mean? Do you know something about them?

Motoyama: Ah…that’s…

Iba: Please tell me! What on earth were they? What dojo were they from?

Motoyama: …After that incident, I investigated about them. They seem to be freely associated with Shieikan dojo that’s situated in the Edo outskirts.

Iba: Shieikan? I’ve never heard of it.

Motoyama: They don’t have any disciples who have made a name for themselves. But they seem to be really strong at actual fighting with no record of losing. The people associated with the place also seem to be a rowdy bunch who get into frequent fights with the disciples of nearby dojos. During matches they seem to use thick bokutou (T/N: Japanese wooden sword used for training) that are like tree branches.

Iba: I have sparred with disciples who use bokutou, but I have no experience with any that are thick like tree branches. I see…I want to try it out once.

Motoyama: Why do you look so interested? Didn’t I tell you to not involve yourself with them?

Iba: But I’m indebted to them for rescuing me back then, and I should at least say my greetings…

Motoyama: Stop it! There are more reasons for you to not involve yourself further!

Iba: Which are?

02:35

Motoyama: To tell the truth, I heard this strange rumor while in the market in Edo. Remember the Roushi we encountered the other day? Apparently they are recruiting members from dojos and amusement quarters here and there, planning to get back at the Shieikan members.

Iba: Really?! Then we have to inform them quickly!

Motoyama: -grabs- You can’t! You are the heir of Renbukan! In case something happens, you might end up disgracing Gunbei-san, the dojo followers, and even the name of Shingyoto Ryu! You’re different from the typical Hatamoto successors! (T/N: hatamoto were samurai in the direct service of the Tokugawa shogunate of feudal Japan)

Iba: Disgracing the name of Shingyoto Ryu…

Motoyama: Yeah! As the next head, you should think about what you should prize the most! You gain nothing from involving yourself with such thuggish people!

Iba: Father once told me this: Shingyoto Ryu is a discipline that values training your heart. Hesitation in your heart means results in hesitation in your body and your sword.

Motoyama: Yeah yeah! It’s exactly as Gunbei-san says! You shouldn’t associate with twisted people that would warp your heart!

Iba: With that said, I interpreted it as advice to take action as per your beliefs, without lying to your own heart at all times.

Motoyama: That’s right! Just take action without lying to your own heart at all times-EEEEH?!

Iba: I cannot declare that their swords are tools of evil from just a glance. If I am to succeed Shingyoto Ryu, I cannot allow myself to be influenced by their general reputation, and let my eyes become cloudy in judging their swordmanship.

Motoyama: Hey, Iba! Where are you planning to go?!

Iba: I’ll go out for a bit. I apologize for being unable to accompany you. I’ll leave things here to you.

Motoyama: Wait, calm down! Rethink this, hey!!

  Track 5: Shieikan

 Motoyama: Hey, Iba. Do you seriously plan to go? You can still turn back!

Iba: Why are you coming with me? Wouldn’t it be better for you to go back if you don’t wish to get involved with them?

Motoyama: Because I’m worried about you, obviously! When you decide on something you become unable to see anything around you…

Iba: Ah, the building over there must be Shieikan. Seems like someone is taking a bath in open air there…

-rustle, water splash-

Shinpachi: Haa…It’s such nice weather today, but one can’t do anything when one doesn’t have any money! Don’t you think so, Sano?

Sano: Yeah. Me, of all people, not drinking any sake for half a month…something like this has never happened before! Maybe I should try to find some work in the district to get money for drinking.

Heisuke: What work are you planning to do?

Sano: There’s a bunch of stuff to do. Working as a debt collector, or as the bouncer of a bar…

Heisuke: Wouldn’t it be better for you to give up? Knowing you, Sano-san, you’d lose your temper and punch a guest. Rather than doing a bouncer’s job, I can clearly visualize you being the one to create a ruckus.

Sano: Heisuke, that’s rude! Even like this, I’m famous for having calmed down a lot compared to my youth, you know?

Shinpachi: Isn’t that simply you being overly terrible when you were young?

Sano: What’re you saying, Shinpachi. It’s not like you can keep your cool either.

Iba: Excuse me, there is something I’d like to ask…May I?

Heisuke: Ah, who are you guys?

Sano: Debt collectors…? Doesn’t seem like that. Could it be…dojo applicants?!

Shinpachi: Seriously?! Lately we’ve had our disciple count go down, so we’d be happy to have you! Welcome to Shieikan!

Motoyama: No thanks! We’re actually-

Shinpachi: Hmm? I think I recognize the young man there. Have we met somewhere?      

Iba: Me? Um…

Heisuke: For now let’s continue this conversation inside. Kondou-san and the others are out, but they should be back soon.

Motoyama: Like we said, we aren’t applicants-

Iba: Motoyama, let’s explain later. I don’t think any of it will enter their ears now.

Motoyama: Seems that way. Boohoohoo, why did things turn out like this…

02:26

-heavy sound-

Sano: Rejoice, Saitou! The new applicants we’ve waited for so long have come!

Saitou: Hmm. You are…?

Heisuke: What’s with that reaction? Could it be that they are your acquaintances, Hajime-kun?

Saitou: Never mind if I know them or not, that person is the heir to Renbukan.

Shinpachi: OH! I thought I had seen you somewhere, but you’re him, right? The Iba kid?

Iba: Did we meet somewhere?

Shinpachi: I used to train with Tsubouchi-san from Shingyoto Ryu! We must have met several times during that time.

Iba: Ah, I remember! It was Nagakura-san, right? You were famous for being undefeated!

Shinpachi: Yeah! I’m honored that you remember me!

Heisuke: Sheesh, if you guys have met then don’t forget. You really don’t pay attention to anything other than swordplay, Shinpachi-san.

Shinpachi: Why are you here today? Could it be that you came here for an inter-school match? (T/N: “taryuujiai”, contest between followers of different schools of swordmanship)      

Iba: No…it’d take some time to explain…

Saitou: It’d be better to leave the explanation for after Kondou-san and Hijikata-san come back. They should be returning from degeiko (T/N: training at another dojo) soon.

Heisuke: Oh, speak of the devil...

Hijikata: -slides door- Hey, you hoodlums, I understand your desire to take open baths with how hot it is, but don’t leave your shit lying around outside! Oh? You are…

Okita: Isn’t it the young master from the other day. What did you come here for? If you’re trying to take over our dojo I’m up for facing you, though.

Iba: There is something I must relay to you all. Will you please listen to me?

Hijikata: It seems like it’s going to be long conversation. -sighs- We’re going to put away our tools, so wait for a bit.

Iba: Understood.

  Track 6: Warning

 Hijikata: I see. I understand what you have to say. Those men are trying to get back at us, right?

Iba: Yes. You should be careful while recruiting.

Hijikata: Thanks for going through the trouble to inform us. We’ll do something about this on our own.

Motoyama: Is that so?! Then we’re going to take our leave…Let’s go, Iba!

Iba: Isn’t there something we can do?

Motoyama: Iba…

Hijikata: What do you mean?

Iba: We’re the reason you have become the target for the grudge of those roushi. You wouldn’t have gotten into this if you hadn’t rescued us back then.

Hijikata: We just did it out of our own will. You guys don’t need to feel responsible for this.

Iba: We won’t be satisfied that way.

Okita: What we’re gonna have from now on isn’t a dojo match, but an actual fight. Your sophisticated swordmanship won’t be of any use here.

Iba: We won’t know until we actually try. I don’t plan to lose in a swordfight.

Hijikata: Hey, you are-

Iba: If you won’t allow me to fight together with you, I will face them on my own.

Hijikata: What stupid things are you saying? It’d only be a bother if someone like you loitered around while we’re fighting them.

01:27

Kondou: Wait, Toshi. He isn’t saying this lightly, so let’s listen to his words properly.  Iba-kun, if you lend us a hand regarding this matter, wouldn’t it trouble your house and your dojo?

Iba: I believe this battle is for the right reasons, and turning away from it would be against the principles of Shingyoto Ryu.

Kondou: Is your father, master of Shingyoto Ryu, also agreeable with this?

Iba: I haven’t obtained his consent yet, but I will definitely convince him.

Hijikata: Sheesh, he’s extremely stubborn.

Kondou: Isn’t it great that he has a strong sense of responsibility? Besides, there’s no chance of defeat if you’re there with him, Toshi. He’s asking that much, why not reward his spirit?

Hijikata: Saying that so easily…If you’re asking us that much, I don’t mind allowing you to fight alongside us.

Iba: Really?

Hijikata: However, when up against people like that, regular methods don’t work. I will have you follow my guidance for the battle, are you okay with that?

Iba: I accept that.

Hijikata: Got it. If we get any news of them making a move I’ll let you know immediately.

Iba: Alright. I’ll also investigate a little more about the roushi involved in this incident. With that, I’ll take my leave for today-

Shinpachi: Hey hey, wait a minute! You went to the trouble of coming to the dojo, going back without doing anything would be such a shame!

Iba: Could you be thinking of….a match?

Okita: I don’t mind a match or whatever. The idea of breaking your nose sounds fun.

Iba: Understood. It’s not something that would break so easily, but I’ll accept that invitation.

Shinpachi: Alright!! Then I’m gonna collect the necessary tools, wait here! -hurriedly rushes out-

Sano: Sheesh, he’s super pumped up about it, that swordplay maniac.

  Track 7: Sword skills

 Shinpachi: Well then, let’s decide who is gonna fight first!

Okita: Since this is a rare inter-school match, I’m gonna go first. That’s okay, right Kondou-san?

Kondou: Yeah, it’s fine. Go ahead and give him a chance to practice with you.

Okita: Iba-kun, wasn’t it? What do the followers of Shingyuto Ryu use? Shinai, or Bokuto?

*T/N: Shinai are strips of bamboo bound together into a straight sword-like shape. You can be hit with them and you won't mind too much, although in kendo you wear armor because it's still much harder than say one of those foam boffer weapons. Bokuto, also called bokken, are wood, generally shaped much more like a katana (curved, rather than straight, sometimes tapering) and they sometimes try to balance like one as well. If you're hit with a bokken, you're not happy, you've got broken bones or at least deep bruising. So you can use shinai to train with contact, but not bokken unless everyone involved is very good and pulling their blows. Bokken are more likely to be used for solo forms or slowly for partner forms where everyone knows what's going to happen. You would never use a shinai for forms, because they're just not swordlike enough - if there's no danger of hurting someone else, you use a bokken or an iaito or an actual sword.                                            

Iba: Shinai, but personally I’m okay with Bokuto too.

Okita: You’re quite laid-back. I’ll try to hold back, but maybe I should apologize beforehand anyway. In case I end up injuring you, sorry.

Hijikata: “Sorry” won’t cut it! Do it in a way that won’t cause injuries. What would you do if you damaged our dojo’s reputation even more?

Kondou: The referee can be…Saitou-kun, may I ask you?

Saitou: Alright. Both of you, take position. Start!

-wooden swords clash-

Heisuke: What is that guy…he’s fighting equally with Souji!

Sano: Oh? He’s quite something. He shouldn’t be used to handling a bokuto, but you can’t feel that at all.

Shinpachi: Hachiro’s skills have become so much better than the time I was at Tsubouchi-san’s place! Ah, my body is itching from just watching!

Kondou: That’s some outstanding talent. Being able to master this level of sword techniques at such a young age, he might grow up to become one of the best in Edo-no, maybe in all of Hinamoto. (T/N: Edo is the former name of Tokyo, and Hinomoto is an old name for the country of Japan)

Hijikata: Maybe he will.

Saitou: Strike one! Round over.

  Track 8: Feast

 Kondou: I have to say, you really showed us a good match today. I’m really sorry we cannot offer better hospitality than this, but please enjoy yourself.

Iba: Not at all! I gratefully accept. I didn’t think you’d even go to the trouble of inviting me to dinner…

Okita: I don’t know if this will suit the mouths of the young masters who are used to delicious food all the time.

Motoyama: No…It’s not like that…We hardly ever get the chance to eat daikon radishes this withered, we’ll take our time savoring it…hahaha…

Sano: Kondou-san, can we really drink this sake?

Kondou: Yeah, of course. But after serving it to the guests.

Sano: I know that! You were named Motoyama, right? You like sake?

Motoyama: Eh, sake?! Well, I’d say I like it…

Sano: It seems like you can drink. Alright, drink up! -pours-

Motoyama: Ah, thank you for this!

Iba: Um, it might be a good idea to not make Motoyama drink too much…

Sano: It’s fine! He’s not a kid, and he should know his own limits, right?

Iba: It would be great if that was the case…

Motoyama: -gulps- Buha! DELICIOUS! It soaks into the depths of my stomach!

Sano: You drink well! Seems like there’s no need to hold back. Keep drinking, here!

Motoyama: Aah…thanks, thanks. Then I’m going to drink without reservations…

01:35

Heisuke: Even so, you have some amazing skills. Souji fighting someone equally on their first visit to the dojo is something that hasn’t happened since Hajime-kun came to the dojo.

Saitou: You cannot compare me, a left-handed person, with him, who is right-handed, using the same standards.

Iba: It’s nothing big, really. I’m still in the initial stages of learning.

Sano: They’re complimenting you, just accept it. Saitou’s eyes are very accurate when it comes to swordsmanship.

Iba: But…

Shinpachi: By the way, when did you start learning swordsmanship? Must be during your childhood, right?

Heisuke: He’s the heir of Shingyuto Ryu, so obviously! Don’t you have any fun stories?  

Iba: That’s…uh…My real father also did swordsmanship, so I had chances to hold a shinai ever since childhood, but I seriously chose this path after visiting a samurai house belonging to a friend of my father’s. Seeing a painting of Miyamoto Musashu in that samurai house, I was struck by a feeling that was like a lightning.

Hijikata: Hmm…

Heisuke: Miyamoto Musashu’s painting,..? That’s kinda amazing.

Sano: Sounds like a young master of Hatamoto. What a sophisticated reason.

Shinpachi: Well, compared to you who was about to die after trying to commit seppuku, anyone’s reason would seem sophisticated.

Iba: Eh? About to die after trying to commit seppuku?

Heisuke: Shinpachi-san, you idiot! Don’t say unnecessary things! He’s going to start with the usual rant again! Oh, shit.

Sano: What, you want to hear about it so badly? Then I guess I gotta talk! First let me show you the scar from the straight line carved onto my stomach! When I was still at my home back in Matsuyama, I carved this scar onto myself by cutting open my stomach. -his voice becomes distant-

03:32

Kondou: He’s such a rare candid youngster. It’s admirable how on top of his aspirations for swordsmanship, he possesses the openness needed to accept the advice of others. There’s nothing lacking in him both in his swordsmanship skills or his character as a person, so I’m looking forward to his future.

Hijikata: He does have the type of character you would like.

Kondou: What, Toshi, you don’t like him? I think you have a good eye for people’s character, though.

Hijikata: It’s not that I don’t like him…

Kondou: It’s not that you don’t like him…and?

Hijikata: Nothing, forget it. Rather than that, Kondou-san, you said that in addition to studying swordsmanship, it’s also important to be honest and open, but don’t we have a bunch of people this doesn’t apply to? For example, a certain person who keeps harassing me every single day without getting tired of it?

Okita: I wonder who you’re referring to?

Hijikata: You, obviously! Who else is there?

Okita: I don’t remember anything like that~ I respect Hijikata-san so much.

Hijikata: You’ve got a lot of nerve saying that.

Kondou: Toshi, what are you saying? Souji is a very honest kid.

Hijikata: Well he might be honest in front of you, but,-sound of a crash- What the-? Did someone flip off the table?

Motoyama: -In the first place, I felt that there’s something wrong with the bigwigs at the Shogunate! I thought that for the longest time!

Shinpachi: Right? None of them really think about Hinomoto or its people!

Motoyama: Yeah exactly! But nobody would listen to what a young brat like me says…

Iba: Aah…this is why I asked you to not have Motoyama drink too much…

Sano: Don’t lose hope, Motoyama! Who else would beat those bigwigs into shape if not you?

Motoyama: Really? I wonder if I can do it…

Heisuke: Of course ya can do it! There’s no one other than you who’s gonna shoulder and support the Shogunate in the future!

Motoyama: Okay, I’ve got it -stands up and gulps more sake-

Iba: Motoyama why are you taking off your kimono?! Could it be-seppuku?!

Motoyama: Aaah don’t stop me! I’m determined to give my life for the future of Hinomoto!

Shinpachi: Alright! Show your determination to those bastards who don’t care for Hinomoto! I’ll clean up the blood on the ground!

Iba: Nagakura-sama, don’t agitate him! Motoyama would really try to do it!

Hijikata: Sheesh, what are they doing…

Track 9: The fight that was asked for

 Hijikata: I see. People saw a suspicious group of men hanging around near Kasenjiki at Tamagawara, hmm?

Saitou: Yes. From the information gathered from the villagers of Kinrin, there is the possibility of them being the roushi from the other day.

Heisuke: -door opens- Hijikata-san! Hachiro came.

Hijikata: Send him here.

Heisuke: Ok, got it! -door closes-

Iba: -footsteps, door opens- Sorry I’m late.

Motoyama: I hope it’s okay that I also came… I probably won’t be of much help, though…

Hijikata: Sorry to have called you all the way out here. For now take a seat there.

Iba: Okay. Is it true that you received a duel invitation from those roushi?

Hijikata: Yeah. “Come to the Tamagawa river in the evening”, it said. We were about to discuss the strategy for that.

Iba: Is that a map of the duel location? Why do you have that?

Hijiakata: Investigating the area obviously has to be done beforehand. That has been true since the oldest days of war.

Iba: Okay…

Hijikata: Around here there should be a number of bypaths that a single person can sneak through. If the road width is narrow, it’d be possible to shorten distance with an opponent there. Harada!

01:26

Sano: So we’re setting up an ambush there? Leave it to me!

Hijikata: I’m glad you’re good at catching onto things. Shinpachi, Heisuke, you went around investigating at nearby dojos, right? What did you find?

Heisuke: Some thug-like people have been loitering around dojos in Edo. They have been accosting the disciples from all the famous dojos, one after another, and also some people from Hokushin Itto Ryu dojos.

Shinpachi: Also get this, the dojos the thug-like guys have been loitering around are dojos that have people who practice archery. It’s possible that the enemy has members who use bows.

Hijikata: Bows, huh. I see. Around this season there should be the grass by the riverside should be pretty thick. We would have to fight while hiding ourselves there. Things would get dangerous if we don’t make taking the archers down our priority. How many enemies are there?

Saitou: From what we know, around ten.

Iba: (These people are…)

Hijikata: Ten people, hmm…We won’t have good footing by the riverside…Heisuke, provide backup and don’t engage with the enemies much.

Heisuke: Why?! Are you planning to not give me any chance to act?

Hijikata: When fighting people from the Hokushin Itto Ryu, a place with bad footing would work against you. (T/N: The Hokushin Itto-ryu is a very intense dueling style, which focuses on simple and fast techniques where no unnecessary movements are made.)

Heisuke: That is true, but I don’t like this.

Okita: Heisuke can just take care of the guys we let escape.

Heisuke: What’re you saying? I don’t plan to go against Hijikata-san’s plan, but I don’t want to be in your favor either, Souji!

03:06

Iba: (Hijikata-san can see all possible developments related to this battle. Taking enemy movements and both best and worst case scenarios, he’s thinking up possible countermeasures. He’s just like a war general.)

Hijikata: While our goal will obviously be to bring down the enemies, in case you let any escape, chase them to the trail where Harada will be waiting in ambush. Drill the contents of this map into your brain, and make sure you don’t forget where you’ll be fighting.

Shinpachi, Harada, Heisuke, Okita, Saitou: Yes sir!

Iba: Please wait! Will you please give me a support role as well?

Hijikata: This is our fight, you aren’t involved. -That’s what I’d normally say, but you wouldn’t listen to me if I did, anyway.

Iba: Yes, of course!

Hijikata: Got it. Come with me. I’ll give you a role on our way. I’ll have you show me what you’ve got.

Motoyama: Is this okay, Iba? In case something happened…

Iba: It’s okay. I don’t understand why, but somehow I feel like I won’t lose when I’m with them.

Hijikata: Well then, let’s go! We’ll give them the fight they asked for tenfold!

Track 10: Battle in the riverbed

 Thug 1: You finally came. We were growing tired of waiting. We’ll pay you back in double for the other day!

Hijikata: I could’ve ignored a challenge for a duel like that, but having lowly flies loitering around is also extremely irritating. So I gotta squash the vermin as soon as I can.

Thug 1: Stop fucking around! You’re the ones who’ll get squashed! -draws sword-

Hijikata: So you’re drawing your swords. -draws sword- Everyone!

Heisuke: Got it! -swords clash-

Random Thug A: Damn you! -runs away-

Heisuke: Shinpachi-san, he went that way!

Shinpachi: Of all the places you had to run towards where I was at. There should be a limit to how bad someone’s luck can be. Well, luck is also an ability, so don’t blame me! -overwhelms with heavy sword attacks-

Random Thug A: What the hell is this strength!? Damn, at this rate…! Take this!

01:13

Saitou: Shinpachi, dodge!

Shinpachi: Whoa! -arrow zooms past-

Saitou: Carelessness is one’s greatest enemy. You were the one who mentioned that there were archers among them.

Shinpachi: It can’t be helped. I didn’t think anyone would be rude enough to butt into a one-to-one fight between men!

Saitou: The arrow came from that way. From the precious aim towards you earlier, I’d guess the archer is most likely the shadow on top of that tree there.

Heisuke: You can sure see something like even in this darkness, Hajime-kun.

Saitou: Leave the handling of the archers to me. I will definitely get rid of them.

Shinpachi: Sheesh, you always swoop up the best parts. But anyhow, I’m counting on you, Saitou!

Saitou: Got it. -leaves-

-swords clash, a thug is being dominated-

02:02

Okita: Come on, done already? I’m getting bored from the utter lack of resistance. If you have confidence in your own abilities, come at me! -swoops in, swords clash-

Random Thug B: What the hell is up with these monsters? Hey, surround this guy! We’ll get him from all sides! Killing him is fine!

Okita: Kill? Haha, you say such funny things. There is only one person in this world who can win against me. -sword clash, enemies scream-

Random Thug C: Shit, it’s no use, we practically can’t do anything!

Archer Thug: What the hell are those monster-like people?! But they won’t be able to defend when aimed at by arrows from afar. -draws bowstring- Prepare ourselves!

Saitou: Sorry, but your opponent is me.

Archer Thug: What!? You bastard, when did you get so close?

Saitou: I can’t deny that you have a good understanding of the advantages of your weapon and its usage, but being so overcome with bloodlust that you fail to notice enemy presence means you’re still inexperienced.

Archer Thug: Stuff your bullshit! -aims and fires bow at Saitou, arrow is broken by Saitou- Whoa! He cut off the arrow I shot? -Saitou has him at swordpoint in a blink- I didn’t see the moment when he drew his sword!

Saitou: Do you still intend to oppose us? Then I will be your opponent as much as you want. Though I do not know if I’ll be able to stop my sword at the last possible moment next time.

Archer Thug: I understand! I’ll throw my weapon away, so please, don’t do anything more!

Saitou: Wise decision.

03:58

Heisuke: -swords clash- Iyaa!

Random Thug D: -gasping-

Heisuke: Haha, seems like you’re out of breath! Are you at your limit?

Random Thug D: -pants- I can still keep going!

Heisuke: You’re bad at giving up. Well, in that case I’m gonna keep you company though! -swords clash-

Random Thug D: Smug brat! -trips Heisuke-

Heisuke: Argh!

Random Thug D: Hahaha, who’s the one who let down their guard now?!

Heisuke: You bastard with your sneaky legs!

Random Thug D: -laughs weakly while running away-

Iba: Wait! Where are you trying to go?

Random Thug D: There’s no one stupid enough to wait because he was told to! This isn’t a match, but a fight!

Iba: I definitely won’t let you escape!

Random Thug D: If I remember right, there should be a bypath around here!

Sano: So it’s finally my turn.

Random Thug D: What? You…

Sano: Sheesh, I was getting worried that I have been waiting in vain, but thanks for chasing him all the way here, Hachiro.

Iba: If you want to thank someone, thank the person who considered this scenario.

Sano: -slams thug with weapon-

Random Thug D: Gah! -collapses-

05:20

Sano: Now then, that took care of one of them. I wonder if the others are also done?

Iba: Yeah. I’ll go check how they are doing.

Sano: I’m counting on you! Though I don’t think we need to worry.

Hijikata: Hmm. Your guys from earlier not coming back means that you’re the only one remaining. If you want to apologize now is the chance.

Thug 1: You bastard…

Okita: Oh well, if he was the type to retreat from this, he wouldn’t pick a fight with us in the first place.

Hijikata: With that said, I don’t like the idea of ganging up on him with all of us. How about a one-to-one fight to settle things?

Thug 1: One-to-one fight?

Okita: That’s not like you, Hijikata-san. There’s no need to show kindness to a man like that.

Hijikata: It’s annoying be thought of as being unable to fight without unfair means. How about it?

Thug 1: Got it! Let’s fight one-on-one, just as you said!

Hijikata: In that case, come at me from wherever.

Thug 1: Grr, don’t underestimate me! -swords clash, grunts-

06:45

Shinpachi: Oh, he’s much stronger than I thought. I guess he didn’t thoughtlessly pick a fight with us.

Iba: (Nagakura-san is correct, but Hijikata-san’s technique is obviously superior. More than anything, the enemy is getting tired.)

Thug 1: -grunts, has his sword blocked-

Hijikata: Well then, let’s bring this fight to an end!

Thug 1: You said it!

Iba: (!! That Roushi pulled out something from inside his sleeve! Could it be…!!

Iba: Toshi-san, look out!

Hijikata: I know!

Heisuke: What the heck is up with this guy? He was hiding a short knife!

Sano: What a despicable fellow. There really was no reason to play nice.

Thug 1: No, I just did it on an impulse…!

Hijikata: Aren’t duels supposed to be fair? What’s the meaning of this?

Thug 1: If you’re gonna say that, aren’t you also unfair for coming with such a big group?!

Iba: Wasn’t this a fight instead of a duel to you? So we just adopted our approach to that.

Hijikata: I see. So he wasn’t just a hardheaded young master.

  Track 11: Triumphant return

 Motoyama: Iba! What happened with the Roushi? You didn’t get hurt, did you?

Iba: As you can see, we are all safe. We can expect those Roushi to never show their face around here again.

Motoyama: Oh, is that so? Thank god…

Iba: Everyone, I sincerely apologize for troubling you so much regarding this matter.

Kondou: No, don’t worry. Running a swordplay dojo means ruckus like this a common thing.

Shinpachi: Yeah yeah, nobody thinks of it as a trouble!

Heisuke: Rather it was fun to get to cut loose.

Iba: It relieves me that you think so.

Hijikata: Now that things are settled, shouldn’t you be getting back? I don’t think they will try to attack, but I’ll walk you part of the way.

Iba: We will be okay. We can protect ourselves.

Motoyama: Yeah yeah! Absolutely no need to worry!

Okita: You say that, but who were those people that were surrounded by thugs during our first meeting?

Iba: That’s…

Hijikata: Don’t be so formal. Besides, there are things that I want to talk about on the way. It’ll be just a stroll.

Iba: Is that so? Understood.

Saitou: Hijikata-san, will you be okay alone?

Hijikata: Yeah, I’ll depend on you to take care of the place while I’m gone. (To Iba) Let’s go then. If you’re too late the people at your dojo will worry.

  Track 12: Secret things

 Iba: Really, thank you so much for today. I got to have a nice experience I can’t have in the dojo.

Motoyama: (whispering) Yeah…an experience that we can hardly ever have…or more like, one that we’re better off not having…

Hijikata: What do you mean by “nice experience”? Here I’m trembling from imagining how the people at your dojo would chew me up saying “Don’t make our heir do unnecessary things!”

Iba: It’s fine. We’re also a swordsmanship dojo, we’re not as sophisticated as you think.

Hijikata: You’re a strange one. From the point of view of a Hatamoto young master, we shouldn’t be any different from stray dogs.

Iba: I believe what I see with my own eyes. I find some people with high status unworthy of respect, and also vice versa. It might be slightly different from the way samurais usually think, though.

Hijikata: I’m sorry. You seem to be different from the rotten samurais I confused you with.          

Iba: No no, you don’t have to apologize…

Hijikata: I do. At this age, getting jealous of someone nearly a decade younger and venting my frustration on him is so pathetic.

Iba: Jealousy?

01:45

Hijikata: Kondou-san and I were originally just sons of farmers. It would’ve been normal for me to do farmwork or maybe trade at most, but because of my nature neither of those worked out. The stupid dream to become a warrior has brought me to this wretched state today.

Iba: I don’t think it’s a stupid dream.

Hijikata: If you’re trying to console me, there’s no need.

Iba: This isn’t flattery! Even among people born in samurai families, I doubt there are many on your level who can develop such precise plans. In the actual battlefield, I think people like you are the ones who can be relied upon.

Hijikata: Sheesh, how do you keep dishing out those embarrassing compliments? I’m not that much of a great person.

Iba: Eh, but…

Hijikata: The person who’s actually great is Kondou-san. Even though he was born a commoner just like me, he polished his sword skills until he finally became a real warrior. Compared to that person, I’m nothing more than a spoiled thug.

Iba: I see.

Hijikata: Personally I don’t care about things like leaving my name in history or succeeding as a master swordman, but Kondou-san isn’t someone who should stop at being the owner of a small dojo like this. He definitely should go out to the world. I believe in today’s society, people like Kondou-san are the ones who are worthy of being called a true warrior.

Iba: You truly hold Kondou-san in the highest regard, don’t you?

Hijikata: It sounds cheaper when I try to put everything in words.

Iba: -chuckle- “Some things are better left unsaid”, I suppose?

Hijikata: Hey, don’t tell Kondou-san what I said just now. Don’t tell the guys at Shieikan, either. Got it?

Iba: Of course. I wouldn’t do something so rude.

Hijikata: Is that so? Then okay. -keeps walking-

03:57

Iba: That reminds me, I must thank you.

Hijikata: What? Didn’t you thank us earlier already?

Iba: It’s regarding a different matter. Um…I wonder where I should start from. The other day, when I was invited for dinner, do you remember what I said regarding the incident that encouraged me to pursue swordsmanship?

Hijikata: Yeah, something about the drawing of Miyamoto Musashi…that?

Iba: I mentioned that in front of everyone, but to tell the truth, that wasn’t the real reason. The actual reason I aspired to learn swordsmanship was…to protect a certain person.

Hijikata: Hmm, a woman?

Iba: Wha-how did you know it was a female?

Hijikata: It’s no secret. Everywhere around the world, women are the ones men need to protect, obviously.  

Iba: I guess…that indeed is true.

Hijikata: You look like a late-bloomer, but you’ve started getting involved with women already? Be careful, when serious men fall into bad habits they forget the proper conduct.

Iba: It’s not like that. The story is of a time long ago, and the other person probably has forgotten about the likes of me by now. How many years has it been? Probably almost a decade.

Hijikata: A fiancée, or a childhood friend?

Iba: No, we just played together a number of times.

Hijikata: It’s pretty impressive how you’re still taken with a woman that you met during your childhood.

Iba: Is it strange after all?

Hijikata: It’s not. It just means you were a man even when you were a kid.

06:03

Iba: The thing you said to me before- “you won’t be able to protect a single thing with such weak determination”- really struck a chord within me. If she had actually been in that place, I’m not sure if I could’ve managed to protect her or not. I keenly realized that there were many things I still needed to learn. …So it’s okay for me to keep visiting Shieikan from now on, right?

Hijikata: HUH?! Wait a minute! Don’t you have a dojo that you’re supposed to succeed?

Motoyama: That’s right! What’re you saying, Iba?

Iba: It’s not like we are forbidden to study at other dojos, and father also most likely won’t be against it.

Motoyama: Well, it’s true that Gunbei-san might find this amusing…

Hijikata: Sheesh, you won’t listen even if I say no, right?

Iba: Yes, of couse, Toshi-san!

Hijikata: Sheesh, I got close to a troublesome guy. Oh well, there is no helping it….By the way, Hachiro. There is something that has been bugging me.

Iba: Yes, what is it?

Hijikata: Won’t you do something about the way you call me?

Iba: Eh, is it strange? Kondou-san also did the same…

Hijikata: It’s not strange, but…How do I put it…Being called by my given name is kinda…

Iba: Eh, is that so? But you also call me Hachiro, Toshi-san. Besides, using actual names has a deeper feeling of familiarity, and makes me feel closer to you.

Hijikata: Shit, just do whatever you want.

Iba: Yes! Please take care of me from now on, Toshi-san! -footsteps-

(And this is how we became acquainted with the people affiliated with Shieikan. Of course, back then neither Motoyama nor I could imagine that one day they would be called the Shinsengumi. Still, compared to us who were born in samurai families, their earnest eyes, and their figure as they fought without looking back, appeared to be much closer to a true warrior.)

 Iba Hachiro- Miyano Mamoru

Hijikata Toshizo- Miki Shinichirou

Okita Souji- Morikubo Shoutarou

Saitou Hajime- Toriumi Kousuke

Todou Heisuke- Yoshino Hiroyuki

Harada Sanosuke- Yusa Kouji

Nagakura Shinpachi- Tsuboi Tomohiro

Kondou Isami- Ookawa Tooru

Motoyama Koutaro- Hatano Wataru

Roushi- Yoshimura Kazuhiro

Rosuhi- Fujisawa Yuki

Roushi- Nagase Yuu

Roushi- Murakami Kazuya

*Last 4 are thug voices.

[jolienjoyswriting]

The Maze of the Manor, Ch. II

Chapter 2 of "The Maze of the Manor," an Essence of Ragnarok story.

Yes, this is how the story was originally intended to go. No, I'm not sorry.  And, I never wiiill beee~

Word count: 27,260 – Character count: 4,495 Originally written: May 29th-30th, 2019

Lost in the castle, Joseph meets a friendly face… one that Jessica knows all-too-well.

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    The moon rose high, full as a rain barrel after a heavy storm and bright as Muramasa City at night.  Somewhere in the woods outside of Talwar Village… two individuals had arrived outside of a pleasant-looking manor.  One knew what lay within those walls, but they weren’t telling.  It was only after the slip of a tongue that the other learned the truth; that the manor belonged to Count Arturo Moretti, Lord of the Moretti Clan of Vampires… someone that one of them did not have a good relationship.  Once that fact had been revealed, he made haste to find the exit, wanting nothing to do with the vampire’s manor.

    “Un-freaking-believable,” he muttered to himself as he ran down the stairs leading up to the first floor.  “Jessie willingly put me in danger just for a laugh!  And, I just went along with it, like a dope!  Seriously, I should’ve known something was up by the time we got here– no, I should’ve known something was up when she said ‘spooky manor.’  How many ‘spooky manors’ could she possibly know about?  Granted, my first thought wasn’t exactly ‘The Manor of Count Moretti…’ but, still.  I didn’t think she’d do something so completely stupid!  Doesn’t she know Count Moretti hates me?  I wish he didn’t…  Shoot, I just want to be friends with everyone…  It’s not my fault Jessie likes me more than she likes the Count…  I’m sure if he’d just stop being dramatic, for two seconds, she’d warm up to him, and… haven’t… I passed by this same painting three times, now?”

    Joseph was pulled from his thoughts as he slowed down, taking in his surroundings.     “And, actually, I don’t remember there being so many stairs.  Thirty-two, at most.  But, Jessie only dragged me up one flight…  And, uh… where… did the front door go?  In fact, where’d the entire ground floor, go?”     Indeed, he was in a place he didn’t recognize – a much smaller hallway with no fewer doors than the ground floor he’d previously seen.     “What is this place?  Oh, what the Void…”  He paused, then blinked.  “W-wait, where’d the stairs go?!”     The fox spun around.  He was sure his hand was on a railing, seconds prior…  Yet, he saw absolutely no rail, nor the stairs it was supposed to be connected to.     “Jessie wasn’t kidding about getting lost!  Forget retracing my steps!  I can’t go backward if ‘backward’ doesn’t exist, anymore!”

    Joseph felt himself starting to panic.  He took several moments to breathe, trying to clear his head of the metaphorical cobwebs…  Once he was calmer, he got an idea.     “Okay, I’ll just call Jessie, and–”     Unfortunately…     “There’s… no signal in here.  Of course not.”     His clam-style phone couldn’t get a signal.     “Hmph.  Bet if I had Jessie’s phone, I could get a signal.  Why do ‘retro-style’ phones have to have ‘retro-style’ phone signal strength, too…?”     Shortly after that plan fizzled, he folded his phone and put it back in his pocket, then crossed his arms and gave a bit more thought to his situation.     “Well, when you get lost, the normal thing to do is to just sit and wait.  But… this place is hardly what I’d call ‘normal.’  Plus, the last thing I want is to be found by Count Moretti, if he’s around!  So, uh… I guess my only option is to walk around.  See what I can find…  At least if I’m wandering and see the Count, I can try and book it.  Well… onward.”

    Joseph moved forward, decidedly avoiding contact with any suits of armor, statues, and painting that he could.  He’d seen enough horror movies to remember the clichés, like armor that came to life, or paintings that reach out and grab you.  Still, as he walked from one hall and into another, he couldn’t help but stop and admire the decor to some degree…

    “This painting…” he mused to himself.  “Isn’t this that raccoon lady from that bar?”     Situated between-and-above two small tables with some lovely flowers was a portrait of what appeared to be the authoress, Serenade Rankins.  She was wearing a nice, calm smile and appeared to be sitting on a comfy-looking chair.  Her arms extended out-of-frame, but it seemed like a reasonable guess that her hands were resting in her lap, given her seated pose.     “Whoever did this painting really captured her good side.  I remember how pretty she was… but, she looks even prettier, in this painting!”     He stared at the portrait for a few moments more, half-expecting it to turn into a devil or something… but, all it did was sit there and look lovely.     “Well… guess I should get a move on.”

    After admiring the painting, Joseph headed to the double-doors at the end of the hall… only to wind up right back in the same hall – albeit, on the other side of the room.  He tried doing this a couple more times before getting annoyed and backtracking… only to end up in an entirely different multi-doored hallway with double-doors on each end.     “Am I making progress…?” he muttered.  “Guh.  Fine.  We’ll play it your way, house.”     With that, he decided to start trying the side doors.

    The first door he opened led into a small room with an undressed bed, a wooden dresser, and something tall that was covered by a long cloth.  He also noticed there was a window covered by some dark purple drapes.     “Let’s see where I ended up…” he sighed as he walked to the window.     Opening the drapes revealed that he was on the second floor… but, he was nowhere near anything he could climb onto – not that he was brave enough to try.     “Oh, good…” the fox irately thought aloud.  “Somehow, I went up instead of down…”     He grunted… then, he closed the drapes.     “Guess I’ll try a different room…”

    After leaving what he assumed to be a guest bedroom, he entered back into the hallway – which was the original hall he started in, somehow – and tried a different door.  Unfortunately, the house wasn’t cooperating him and he wound up seeing the same second-floor room he’d seen, before.  At least… that’s what he assumed.  It had all the same furniture.  However, by the sixth door, he decided to walk back in and actually check.  Sure enough…     “Second floor…”     Once again, he pulled the drapes closed and turned around.  As he did, something caught his attention…     “Wuh?”     The fabric covering the tall object had rustled.     “Guess I spun too fast, or something…” he commented as he walked over to it.

    “So, let me guess…” the fox hummed as he examined the object.  “I pull the cloth off of this and end up seeing a mirror that has an evil version of myself in it, right?  Well, I don’t want to disappoint the house…  Ha… ha… hah – c’mere, you…”     Joseph was feeling more-than-annoyed as he whipped the cloth off the object.     “Yeah.  I figured,” he muttered as he shook his head.  It was, indeed, a full-length mirror.     “Well, reflection?  What’s your game,” he asked the mirror.  “Are you gonna trap me in your world?  Are you gonna possess me and make me do weird crap?  Are you gonna send my reflection out to beat me up?  Well?  Well…?”     Joseph waited…  He waited for a few seconds, then he waited for a few moments.  After moments became minutes, though, he just sighed and shook his head, again.     “Magic house without a magic mirror, huh?  That’s… oddly disappointing.”     He paused… then, he got a stupid idea.

    “Mirror, mirror, on the wall,” he called.  “Who’s the fairest of them all?”     Once again, he gave the mirror a few minutes to react.  And, once again… it did a whole lot of nothing, which didn’t surprise Joseph in the slightest.     “On the bright side…” the fox rationalized as he draped the sheet back over the mirror, “I didn’t see some other-dimension version of me, or something I couldn’t resist, or… whatever!  As clichéd as that would’ve been, I’m not sure I would’ve been ready to face it.  Heh.”

    With his curiosity satisfied, he left the room once more and tried a different door.  However, instead of finding the same room, again…     “Oh, thank the Trinity!”     He found himself on the first-floor landing which overlooked the massive entryway.     “Now, if the house feels like playing fair,” he commented as he stepped onto the walkway, “I can just walk around this rail, here, and be on my way!  Easy as that!”     He had to pause, then, as he realized what he’d just said.     “I… totally jinxed it, didn’t I?”

    Surprisingly, the house apparently did want him to leave, at some point.  As he slowly walked toward the right-hand staircase – his left – from what was roughly the middle of the overhang, he didn’t see any duplicated portraits, any extra or missing staircases, or anything that might possibly stop him from reaching his goal!  However… he did notice that there was an open door on his left, as he drew close to the stairs.  Curiosity once again kept him from continuing and he glanced in only to see another bedroom.  Disappointed, he was about to leave it be when he noticed… it wasn’t the same bedroom he’d found seven times prior.  Rather, it was a somewhat-larger room, decorated in shades of pink and purple.

    The room opened with a lovely, purple throw-rug made of some fancy-looking silks, placed over a soft-looking carpet of pink wool.  That led out into a large room which had a vanity dresser to the left and a large wardrobe to the right, each matching the soft colors of the room.  Further in, Joseph could see that there appeared to be a chest of some kind situated in front of a large, comfy-looking bed in the corner that had a nightstand beside it and an electric lamp on top.  The lamp seemed to be lighting up the area… which led him to his next discovery – a person!

    Sitting atop the bedspread was a figure covered in pure white fur – though, one foot looked like it had been dipped in black ink, as did one their hands and the tip of their plush fox tail.  They appeared to be wearing a dressing gown – likely, a nightgown – woven in a way that reminded him of spider silk with the way it shimmered in the dim light.  It covered the figure from at least their chest to their knees, he noted, but he couldn’t see much else, as the figure was seated against the headboard, legs raised at the knee and arms up with a book in their hands.  They seemed very involved with said book, too.  Their black-tipped ears hadn’t moved from their upright position, nor did the rest of their body budge even a little.  At least… not at first.

    Joseph was just about to move on when, suddenly, the figure’s ears twitched and they pulled the book away from their face!  He briefly noticed… the fox – visibly female, he noted – had some very lovely curves which were accented by the gown she wore…  But, the next thing Joseph saw was the most innocent-looking white fox face he’d ever seen in his life!     Slowly, the figure slowly set the book down and turned to one side, pressing their legs together and staring at him with brilliant crimson eyes… eyes that Joseph felt he just could not look away from…  For a moment, he thought he’d heard a quiet, high-pitched voice ask him something… but, he couldn’t make out all the words.  The only thing that seemed to stick was… “play…”  But… that was all it took to get him into the mysterious lady's room. –––––

    “Joe?  Josey…?  Joseph!  Where on Ragnarok are ya, kiddo?  Mansion ain’t that big!”     Jessica had been searching the manor for a good thirty minutes after her companion had vanished from sight.  She knew he had to be somewhere… but, she had no idea where.     Having been there a few times prior, the girl knew all the right ways to go in order to avoid getting caught in a loop or pulled into a different area of the manor.  It also helped that its owner, Count Moretti, allegedly “synchronize her aura” to the magic of the place, “whatever that meant.”  In short, she had completely free roam of the household and never really felt too lost or confused as to where she was… something that helps, immensely, when you’re trying to find someone who got lost in the same place.

    “Jooosey…” she called in a sing-song sort of way as she checked the second floor.  “Where aaare you?  I can smell your blood, dah-link!”     She giggled a little at her own bad “vampire” accent.     “‘least, I could if’n ya bled…  Speakin’ of…” she hummed, “I shoul’ give ya a nibble, when we get’cha home.  Been a while since I had that sug’ry sauce ‘n my system!”

    After exhausting all possible rooms on the second floor, she walked through the far set of double-doors and into the upper foyer to check those rooms.  A few minutes later, she found her way back downstairs and decided to check the first floor rooms.     “Jus’ gotta r’member which one’s that weird girl’s…” she thought out loud.  “I–”     Shortly after reaching the landing, however, her ears perked.     “What’s that noise?  Wait… what’s that smell?  A– is that…?”     She sniffed the air a couple of times… then, she went wide-eyed!     “Joe’s blood!  He’s been bleedin’!”  She paused before realizing, “Th’ weird girl!!  Sh-she must’a foun’ Joe ‘n– oh, haaang on, Joe!  Mamma Jessie’s comin’!!”

    Jessica was quick to run along the landing and find her way to the door nearest the right-hand stairwell.  A second later, she stuck an ear to it and listened in.  There were some unfamiliar noises happening within… only for it to come to a sudden silence.     Wha’ happened?  Why’d it stop?  Did she… kill Joe?!  Tha’s it!!     Without any further investigation, she kicked the door open and ran inside with a shout!     “Drop th’ fox, you– ah–”     Unfortunately…     “Oh, gods!  What…?!”     Was she saw was something that defied even her most wild expectations.     “This ain’ what I expected t’ find, at all…!  Of all th’ things ta– un… believable!” –––––

    Joseph couldn’t stop blushing or fidgeting as he sat at the edge of the white vixen’s bed, doing his best to avoid eye contact with Jessie as she stared, mostly im amusement… but, with a lingering amount of irritation.     “Of all th’ things t’ walk in on…  Gods.  ‘n I mean, really, Joe?  Wid her…?”     The male fox winced, keeping his ears folded.     “I… I don’t know what came over me…” he shyly whispered.  “I-it was like… I was compelled to–”     “Bang th’ count’s concubine?”     Joseph should have been mad at that comment…  That was a pretty mean thing to say about the girl.  But, instead, he brought his hands over his face and just emitted a long, pitiful wail of embarrassed confusion.  He really couldn’t find the words he was looking for.     “Not only that… but, seems like she made a li’l snack’a ya, s’well!”     “What…?”     The fox blinked… then, he touched his neck and winced.  When he withdrew his hand, he noticed a little red on his chocolate fingertips… blood red.  He looked at the vixen who had hidden behind him almost immediately after hearing Jessica kick the door open… only to blush, again.  Even with that little bit of red on her muzzle… she looked so sweet and shy.  He couldn’t imagine that any of what had happened… actually had.  But… that little smear, combined with his tender neck, combined with other things…  Well, it painted a damning picture, all around.

    “Well?” Jessica said with sudden sharpness.  “Got anythin’ you’d like t’ say, lady?”     The vixen peeked out from behind her friend only to give a silent blink.  Shortly after, she turned her head up at the fox she in the newsboy cap.  Joseph tilted his head in response… then, she slowly slid back behind him, hiding from the angry bat’s sight.

    “I… think she’s just as confused as I am,” Joseph eventually told the bat.  Honestly, he didn’t have much else to say…     “Righ’, but…”  Jessica gestured to them.  “What, exactly, led t’ you two knockin’ boots?  A-an’, put that thing‘way, fer cryin’ out loud…”     He stammered, adjusting his pants and zipping them up with another blush.  What a time to get nervous blood flow…     “I felt, uh… compelled?” he told her for the second time.     “Ah-huh…”  The bat-girl could have easily made a joke, there… but, seemingly, she was feeling more irritated than amused by his lack-of-answer.

    “Look, I don’t know what to tell you!” he exclaimed, causing the vixen behind him to wince.  “I just… just… I heard a voice, okay?  I think it said… ‘lay?’”     Jessica leaned in.  “‘Lay?’”     “‘Lay me…?’” he reiterated.  “I… I feel like that’s what I heard.  Then–”     “‘Play…’”     “Huh?”

    Joseph lifted his arm as the vixen stuck her head through.  He blinked as she wrapped her arms around his middle, then blushed as she guiltlessly stared up at him.     “‘Play… me…’” she said in a soft, tiny voice before finally licking her muzzle clean of the red stains.     “You– I…  Huh?”     The vixen closed her eyes, rubbing her face against the fox’s black-cloth-covered chest.  Jessica could see her black-tipped tail wagging behind them both.     “I… think th’ concubine likes you,” Jessica commented with a grin.  Apparently, she was feeling amused, again.  However…     “Not… ‘com-cube-ine.’”     The vixen didn’t seem as amused by the comment.  Especially the second time around.

    “Well…” the bat said as she stepped into the room, causing the vixen to disappear, “if it smells like a concubine, acts like a concubine, lives in a nice room like a concubine…”     Joseph scowled.  He really didn’t like what Jessica was accusing the vixen of being.  A second later, he blinked, his ear twitching.  Without meaning to… he gave a nervous chuckle.     “What?  What’s funny?” Jessica asked.     “She… says she doesn’t like you,” he said, gaining a hug around his chest from the otherwise-hidden vixen behind him.     “Well, too bad!” spat the bat.  “I wanna know why you two was fuckin’ ‘round!”     “Alright, calm down, Jess…”  Joseph noticed… “You’re scaring her.”     Jessica narrowed her eyes before giving a grunt.

    “Anyway… what I think happened was–”     He paused, his ears flicking a little more.  Jessica could barely see a little, black nose wiggling near his right ear and had to assume the vixen was feeding him more information.     “Somethin’ you’d like t’ share with th’ rest’a th’ class, missy?”     The nose disappeared almost as soon as she’d spoken… as did the arms.  A second later… the full figure of the snow-white vixen could be seen sliding out from behind Joseph, fully dressed in her shiny, web-like gown… and, to the fox’s thinking… looking rather lovely.

    “Don’t like you…” she whispered to Jessica as she cuddled against Joseph, hugging his side.  “Mean…”     “Mean?  Me?”  The bat-girl chuckled.  “You hearin’ this, Joe?”     “Well, you did kick her door in and you were shouting…” he commented as he gently hugged the vixen – something she appreciated… but, the other fem didn’t.     “Dun encourage her!” she yelled, causing the vixen to wince.     “Loud…”     “Shove it!”

    “Never play…” the younger-sounding girl huffed before nuzzling Joseph.  “Mr. Joseph played…  Had fun…”     Jessica snorted.  “Yea’, I bet…”     “Showed me… new game.  Tiring…  Scary…  Exciting…  Fun…”     “I… I… I didn’t mean to!” Joseph suddenly blurted out.  “I swear, I heard ‘lay!’”     “‘Play,’” the vixen corrected, again.  “Said ‘play…’  We played…  Happy…”     He blushed a little as the girl sat up and kissed his cheek.  When he looked her way… she still wore a largely-neutral expression.  Somehow, though… he knew she’d meant what she said.     “Yea’, good fer you.  Le’s go, Joe.”

    Jessica took a step forward, reaching out to grab Joseph’s arm… only to stop in her tracks.  The vixen was suddenly looking right at her.     “Don’t like you…  Never play…” she repeated from earlier.  “Not… Mr. Joseph.”     The bat-girl gave a sharp blink.  “Come again?”     “Leave.”     “Uuuhh…”  Joseph’s ears fell.  “H-hang on, now…”     “‘scuse me?  I ain’ gonna take orders from you, missy!”     “‘A– Ana…’”     “‘Ana?’” Joseph repeated.  His ears flicked as the vixen quietly cleared her throat.     “‘Diana,’” she tried again.  “Name… ‘Diana Grey.’”     “No one cares,” Jessica snorted.     “I care…” she heard the fox quietly mumble as he looked away.

    “Joe, c’mon.  Le’s leave th’ Count’s concubine ‘n–”     “Not… ‘com-cube-ine,’” Diana repeated from earlier.     “Whatever ya are,” Jessica said in a raised voice, “leggo my pal!  We’re leavin’!”     “You leave.”     She sharply blinked.  Her expression hadn’t changed… but, Diana was looking at her kind of strangely…     “Leave?  Me?” she questioned.  When Diana gave a nod, she just laughed.  “Not without Josey!  Ain’ that righ’, Joe?”     For whatever reason… Joseph stayed silent.     “‘course not!  Now, c’mon!”     “Mr. Joseph… stays.”     “What?”     Diana practically looked thought Jessica… then, she narrowed her eyes and repeated…     “Mr. Joseph… stays…!”     “Yeah, I heard… you… want Mr… Joseph… to stay?”     “Yes,” the vixen said before squeezing her new friend.  “Leave.  Meanie.”     “I… sh-should leave?” Jessica asked in an odd voice.  “I… I’m a… meanie?”     “Never play…  Always mean…  Call me ‘com-cube-ine…’” Diana murmured into Joseph’s side.  “Mr. Joseph better…  Love Mr. Joseph…”     “Mr. Joseph… is better…” the bat-girl repeated, sounding out-of-character…     “‘Mr. Joseph’ is… really confused, right now,” the golden-furred fox said as he looked between the adoring vixen and the dazed bat.  “Diana, what are you…”

    “Dumb bat… leave…” she whispered.  “Never come back…”     “Uh… wait, no.”     “Mr. Joseph stay…” the vixen murmured with another affectionate nuzzle.  “Best friend…  Play with…  Teach… new games…”     “Diana, h-hold on…”     “Love Mr. Joseph…” she cooed.  A moment later, she closed her eyes and slid down, resting her head in his lap.  “Love me back…  Please…”

    Joseph had rarely felt as confused as he did, then.  The little, white vixen sounded so sad…  Did she think he loved her… but, suddenly changed his mind?  He gave a little sigh before gently stroking the girl’s head.     “I… have to go home, Diana.”     She quickly turned, looking right up at Joseph.      “Nooooo…”     Even with her fixed expression… that whimpering tone absolutely broke his heart.     “It’s okay, Diana!” he assured her.  “I’ll come back, soon.  I prom–”     “You will…?!”

    All-of-a-sudden, Diana leaped up from laying down and sat on her knees.  Her hands came to rest under her chin and her tail couldn’t seem to stop wagging.  Most importantly… Joseph noticed her eyes.  For the first time since they’d met… she looked hopeful.  Happy, even!  He almost believed she might even give him a big, bright smile!  All the had to say was…     “I will.”

    Jessica rapidly blinked her eyes before rubbing her face.  There was an annoying noise in her ears… one that she recognized as fox chitters.  When she finally had a clear look at what was going on… she didn’t know whether to be angry… or upset.     “N– no…”     From what she could tell, the vixen had pinned her best friend to the bed and was in the process of smothering him with affection and… he was reveling in it!  Had he fallen prey to her hypnotic spell, again…?  Or… was that the start of something more… something upsetting…?

    “J-Joseph… no…” she called with genuine worry, reaching out to the fox.  “It can’t be…!”     Diana stopped nuzzling and kissing her laughing friend to look over at the bat.  A second later, she defensively curled her arms around his shoulders and shot a stony look Jessica’s way.     “Ya d’cided t’ stay here… wid her…!  I-I can see it in yer eyes!”     “I…” Joseph started to say.  However, when Diana cuddled into and nuzzled him…     “W-well, then.”     That was all the bat needed for a conviction.

    Both foxes gave a blink…  All-at-once, Jessica straightened up, adjusted the collar of her sweater, took a deep breath, then cleared her throat.  They leaned up, paying attention as the bat-girl said a few choice words…

    “Fuck ya both.  I’m out.  Peace!”

    With those parting words, Jessica calmly walked out of the room, closing the slightly-damaged door behind her.  A moment later, Joseph and Diana looked at each other…     “Mad…” Diana whispered.     “Extremely,” was Joseph’s reply.     There was a bit of hesitation, but Diana eventually whispered… “Like her?”     “She’s… a good friend,” the fox said with a nod.  “Like I want us to be.”     When Joseph gave her a little nuzzle, she gave him the biggest hug he’d ever gotten from someone her size!  But, then…     “Come back… soon…  Miss you…”     She let him go and mysteriously vanished without so much as a “goodbye.” –––––

    “Stupid…!  Asshole…!  Fucking…!  Wasted…!  My time…!”     Outside of the manor, Jessica was having a bit of a field day with Joseph’s car, using the front bumper as a melee weapon and slamming it against the hood, when…     “Hey, Je– oh, my car…!!”     A piercing shriek caught her attention, causing her to drop the bumper with a clatter.

    “J-Joe!!” Jessica shouted in surprise.  “Uh… I can explain!”     “What the fuck did you do to my car?!”     “I– uh– yah– beh–” the bat stammered.  After watching Joseph closely examine the damage for a few moments, she cleared her throat and cockily asked, “S-so, Madam Grey let’cha off th’ leash t’ say ‘g’bye,’ huh?”     “Jessica, you… you goddamned bat-head!”     She winced, fully expecting him to punch her in the face as he ran over.  However…     “Ooph…!”     Instead, she found herself on the receiving end of a really good hug!

    “Uh… J-Joe?” she started with a confused tone.  “What’s, uh…?”     “I love you, you turd…” he whispered as he gently rubbed his face to her upper chest.  “You’re my best friend…  Don’t ever forget that…”     “I– I-I love you, too?” she replied with uncertainty.  “What… happened in there…?”     “We’ll talk about it on the way home.  Just suffice to say…”     Joseph stood up, then looked toward a first-floor window.     “I made a very good friend, tonight.  Now, who’s driving?”     “Uh, about that…”  She rubbed her foot against the ground before confessing… “I… may have put a fist through yer engine block…?” –––––

    The echoing shout of “You what?!” drew the attention of a bright-eyed girl.  She watched from the roof of the house as the golden fox made every attempt to pummel the black bat girl who absorbed his blows while nervously laughing.  Clearly, they had some issues to work out!  Still… the girl hummed a little tune, rocking back-and-forth as she watched, her plush tail wagging and pointy ears perked.  All-the-while, she had the sweetest sort of smile on her face.  After all… she’d made a new friend, that night… one that she was sure she’d see, again!     “Can’t wait…!” she excitedly whispered.  “More games…  More hugs…  More fun…!”

[wolfrahne]

Rahne & Illyana (Issues 62-70)

Part four.

It’s time for Doug’s funeral with issue 62. Rahne is not taking it well- neither is Warlock, for that matter. Illyana’s not taking the death of her brother well either. Everyone is in a state of depression. Rahne’s taken to staying in her wolf form, and curling up with Illyana. But a small ray of light comes in the form of a letter from Amara, who’s returned to Nova Roma, her home, with Empath.

This is really all we see of the New Mutants in this issue, as it’s focus is on Amara. Definitely worth a read, though.

Issue 63 is focused heavily on Illyana (and I’m not complaining), with a good bit of bonding with Lockheed! (YAY. LOCKHEED. I LOVE HIM SO. Like, a lot. I’ve needed him in the movies foR SO LONG HURRY UP MOVIES COME ON GIMME MY DRAGON BABY.)

With that out of the way, 64 is where they really go to Doug’s funeral. Nobody’s doing too well, as expected. Before going in to see his body, Erik explains the cause of death that he’d told Doug’s parents. But Rahne knows how he really feels. Illyana’s the one to comfort her, this time around. Standing beside her, even as they go to view his body.

(Dani’s on her other side, which is nice, having the three of them together again, despite the circumstances.) Warlock is confused as to why Doug looks the way he does, Bobby briefly explaining that it’s from what the mortician did to make him look presentable. Rahne can’t take it and runs out. The others go out after her (and the other people there comment on this, jerkfaces that they are, though they don’t know any of the students are mutants). Rahne completely breaks down, revealing that Doug is going to be buried, never to be seen again- which gets Warlock going and freaking out. (Totally understandable- he needs so many hugs.)

Later that night, Warlock sneaks out and goes to get Doug’s body, temporarily reanimating him and is confused when people react with horror and sorrow, instead of joy. (Cut him some slack, he’s from another planet and doesn’t get Earth customs.) Rahne is utterly horrified, but after Warlock tries to explain himself, Bobby points out that he was only trying to help. And she tells him that nothing he can do can help. And they share a touching moment (grab your tissues, people).

They take the time they need, while the others get dressed and Illyana ‘ports them to the room with Doug’s coffin. Doug’s father is absolutely certain that he’s not in it (which isn’t wrong), but Dani uses her power to project the mirage of his body. (Phew.) They’re able to get him back, get home, and go to the funeral the next day, where Rahne and Warlock take their time to say their goodbyes.

When returning home, Illyana replays the tape of the X-Men’s death and sets her sights on taking Forge out, setting up for issue 65.

Illyana calls Erik out on his capabilities of taking care of the New Mutants, Charles made a mistake, and hopes that Kitty will understand where she’s coming from. Sadly, that isn’t the case and Illyana leaves in a rage. She goes back to the attic to retrieve her costume, where the others have already changed and jump into the disc into Limbo. A game plan is.. Sorta laid out. Mostly, the others are reluctant. Except for Roberto, who’s sick of Erik’s shit.

Rahne doesn’t exactly take that side, but is for going with Illyana, for her friend’s sake.

(I AM LOVING THEIR RELATIONSHIP. GAH.)

Illyana nabs her soulsword after finding Forge with her scrying mirror (with Rahne and Dani trying to talk her out of outright killing Forge), leaving Limbo open for takeover. They’re teleported there, and.. Hello Freedom Force. Ugh.

Blob knocks Illyana out, Sam catches her, and sets her down to go fight with the others. Rahne goes over to her to make sure she’s alright (bless her big heart).

Oh. And Pyro does what he does best- be a jerk. Warlock busts Dani out of the fire wall, going after Avalanche, only to be stopped by.. Wait for it... Stonewall. Poor Warlock. But he does provide enough of a distraction for Sam to go after Pyro, and Bobby to bust out too. Rahne is not leaving Illyana’s side.

Bobby sets his sights on Spiral (which takes out Stonewall and Avalanche, bless), Dani goes after Commando. And we get a brief few panels with Forge talking to Destiny. You must be wondering, where’s Blob? Well...

Rahne’s having none of his shit. Illyana’s able to make a stepping disc in time, before he can do anything to Rahne. Sabre, however, has to be an ass and get him out of the way.

Look at that teamwork. ... I mean Illyana and Rahne.

Two badass ladies working together. Fuck yes.

The others have their fights, teamwork for them works out, Illyana sets her sights on Forge. Who Rahne is near now. (Mostly wanting to get Forge dealt with, but some serious big sister feels too. Fite me.)

Sam’s able to stop her before she can do any real damage to him.

Except... That wasn’t Forge. It was Mystique. Whose distraction paid off for Freedom Force. (As much as they annoy me, it is kinda nice to see Raven and Destiny. Especially together.) Things seem pretty bleak. Dani projects Destiny’s worst fears. And here we have a moment of serious business. (I’ve also included Raven with Destiny. You’re welcome.)

With all that being said, Rahne wants to make sure Illyana is okay, precious girl that she is.

And then Forge had to go and show up. There’s a little more with Freedom Force before this issue ends. Up next, 66: Illyana v. Forge.

Forge plays a bit of cat and mouse with Illyana (with him being mouse), and Rahne knows she needs to stop her before she actually does kill him, reasoning that the soulsword will only hurt anything magical, and seeing as she’s a mutant, she’ll be fine. Except.. It’s cut through rock, and the piece of rock Warlock picks up has a face. Yeah.

No one is really pleased, nor surprised by this, though. Save for Sam, who was rendered unconscious towards the end of the last issue and gets filled in.

Forge tries to reason with Illyana, saying that what Colossus and the X-Men did was voluntary. It goes about as well as anyone can expect with Illyana as Darkchilde. (SOL, Forge.) Rahne knows the dangers of trying to stop her, but needs to move anyway. The only one keeping her back is Dani, who projects a mirage of Forge while Sam takes her off her feet. Which, again, goes about as well as anyone can expect. Time to go back to Limbo, kids.

Illyana commands vines to keep the team from getting in danger. Which isn’t actually the case, but she’s so focused on revenge.

Sam, have a little faith, will ya?

Ah, who’m I kidding. She really is too caught up in fighting with Forge. Until Dani’s able to project an image of Illyana being full on Darkchilde, which gets her attention.

Rahne pleads for her to come back to her senses, getting swallowed by the vines by the time she can finish. The rude-ass demons call Rahne a fly and try to encourage Illyana to finish Forge off- to fully become a demon in her own right.

It seems like Illyana’s going to do just that... But nope. Fuck that shit. She throws her soulsword at the vines, releasing her friends. She restores Forge to full health and power (feels like a Zelda game to me), sending him back to Dallas and taking herself and the New Mutants back to the attic of the school.

Illyana’s beating herself up about almost killing him, and them. Rahne, who seriously needs a medal or something, reassures her that she didn’t. She could’ve. But she didn’t. She went down the path that saved them, instead of offing them.

And it pays off.

They all head off to their rooms, passing by Magneto in his costume, and we’ve got a new arc ahead of us with the next few panels of this issue. Spyder going after Lila, using Gosamyr. Because Sam. Yippie.

67, Sam goes to Lila’s concert because he’s a standup guy and a sweet boyfriend, Spyder grabs Lila, Gosamyr shows up and “falls” for Bobby, and the girls (Rahne, Illyana, and Dani) are extremely skeptical of this (bless their hearts).

Just look at their faces. Look at that shared skepticism. I love them so.

Issue 68, they’re helping Gosamyr, Illyana’s trying to repair her scrying glass (which doesn’t end well, with shards nearly cutting everyone). And overall, Illyana’s afraid. Dani, Rahne and Warlock try to comfort her.

Gosamyr pulls focus back to herself, only mentioning Lila as an additional thought, and Dani’s had enough of her shit (so have I, Dani. So have I). Illyana suggests she should go after Lila by herself. Warlock and Rahne, and Sam, are having none of that. While Bobby offers to be Gosamyr’s boyfriend. Smoooooooth, Roberto.

They ‘port into the ship Gosamyr “stole” and have a little fun with it, while Illyana goes off to be on her own. (Girl needs serious hugs.) Dani’s not in the mood to play dress up, and Gosamyr puts a long, black wig on Rahne, having her look similar to Lila. Fuck. You. Gosamyr. (Warlock stays by Illyana’s side, though. Precious alien baby.) Who shows up with a version of Sam’s costume and totally steals the show. Like. No, seriously, Sam and Roberto have all eyes on her. I want to punch her out.

Later, Bobby is having some one on one time with Gosie, and Rahne gets curious, wondering where they are and how close to Spyder’s ship they are. Only to walk in on the two kissing. Which makes Rahne uber uncomfortable and has her running off. Cut back to everyone being in the same room, with Sam as focused on Gosamyr as Bobby. Guh. Seeing Sam like this, when she knows he loves Lila (and she knows she’s got a crush on him herself), breaks her heart. Out she runs. Dani goes to check on her, best friend and soul-mate that she is.

Gosamyr goes after Dani, uses some kind of power, and shit goes awry from there. A princely mirage of Sam shows up, trying to woo Rahne. But she knows he’s got his heart set for Lila and runs back to the others to get help. Just in time for Dani to provide ‘paperwork’ to get them to Spyder’s ship. Rahne loses her shit. She thinks Dani did it on purpose and goes to tear her throat out. Bobby’s able to hold her back. Dani is rightfully pissed off with Gosamyr. Basically, everyone is under her play, save for Warlock and Illyana. No, seriously. Fuck. Her.

Issue 69. Oh boy. I’ve got to say, just read it. If for nothing else, do it for this moment of feels.

Teleporting to Limbo, demons demons demons, soulsword..

Still don’t like Gosamyr, though.

More fighting, Erik being White King of Hellfire Club, more fighting, Illyana frees Gosamyr from the clutches of.. Something. Doesn’t make me like her any more.

Illyana can’t turn back, which causes more heartbreak. Yay. I’m sorry, going through this pains me. But it’s to get to the other important parts of this relationship, so.. I’m toughing it out. They get to Spyder’s lair with Warlock’s help, then get caught in a trap. Issue 70. It’s almost done. Phew.

There doesn’t seem to be any way out of the cage Spyder has them in, he’s got Gosamyr tied up to a pole, and there’s a cut to more Hellfire Club stuff. Gosamyr gets herself freed and risks her life to get the team out of the cage. With teamwork! Shocking.. They get to Spyder, fight, free Lila, get out, Lila teleports herself and the thing trying to kill everyone (I stopped paying attention, whoops) to a distant sun. And Illyana gets the others to Limbo before they can all get killed.

... Oh. And S’ym’s taken over.

Part five will have the rest of this. The worst part’s over, the worst part’s over.. Oy.

[londonspirit]

One Last Time...

... for this year, that is! (Hopefully they sort their Brexit shit out soon, otherwise I have no clue when I can be back!) 

Anyhow, this trip was wonderful, mad and all around fantastic! (the usual then! *grins*) 

Flew over with my friend S., and naturally we had a one hour delay to start our vacation (we do have a bad travel karma, me thinks, not the first time). And sadly that was the reason I (again) didn’t managed to meet up with my L, cause she only had about an hour between engagements, and that was exactly the hour our flight was late. (Here’s hope we’ll manage another meet-up soon’ish before she goes back to the States, it’s been too long and I really miss her!) 

Upon arrival it was raining! Boo! But after dropping off our luggage and finding us dinner, we didn’t want to go to bed (afternoon flight there, evening arrival) so we decided to have a quick wander around. It had stopped raining which was perfect for a nightly walk.  Wow, even wet London is beautiful, and even more so at night. Streets were mostly empty (not empty enough to be scary tho) and we took much longer than expected.  Stumbled across filming by the side of the river - there were a few people in safety vests and we were already wondering when one approached us. He told us they were filming in a side alley, and not to worry, we could just walk past but shouldn’t stop. Of course we walked very slowly but we didn’t see much or anyone we knew. It was pretty dark, and all we say was a huge projection into the air. *shrugs* Still curious as to what was filmed there (we went there on the last day but no signs at all).  We were in bed way past midnight... (my usual London bed time!) 

Monday was HAMILTON DAY! But in the evening - we had the whole morning and early afternoon to explore some more!  So we went to Greenwich - by BOAT!! That was soo cool. I’ve taken one of the boats two years ago with Sis but only for a few stops, this time we went all the way. And even thought it’s not cheap (Oyster card does make it a bit cheaper tho), it’s totally worth it - the view from the water is amazing! And since the weather was still not very tourist friendly, we had the entire back to ourselves.  I can def recommend it - you see so much from that side. Plus, it’s quick, we were in Greenwich within 15 minutes!  Found coffee and walked up that hill to the observatory! The view was foggy but still amazing. And since the coffee didn’t want to go back to the city with us, we wandered inside to find a loo.  Did you know that you can go inside and check out a few of the rooms without having to pay? Cause I did NOT! And boy, is it cool inside. Loads to see, and touch, and just perfect for a grey and misty day. We spent 3 hours or so in there, bought souvenirs, checked out the old telescope inside, climbed small stairs, looked at all the time measure methods humanity had invented over the centuries, and had a great time!  After that we returned to the hostel to get ready for the evening. 

The smile on my face when I saw the Victoria Palace Theatre again was HUGE! I fucking LOVE this place soo much!!! Especially when it’s all lit in the dark!  Getting inside was just as smooth as ever! (And this time we even saw the dog, didn’t meet it tho as we arrived and were inside like 2 minutes later, despite a pretty long queue!)  Inside we walked around, looked at the Pretty all around and then we went to our seats. 

DUDE!!! I had booked a box back in January, but I had no idea that we would’ve had one all to ourselves. It’s just for TWO seats (not four as I expected), and it’s the coolest thing ever!  We got us drinks to pass the time (you can only take so many pics of that beautiful stage!), and once again the staff showed why they deserved all the praise! I got us two bottles of cider but since bottles aren’t allowed inside, two of the ushers made sure to fill it all into plastic cups! And when it all didn’t fit into two cups, they held the doors for me to bring it to the box and when I returned for the rest, they were already waiting for me! Those people are the real heroes! And everything with a smile and the loveliest attitude!!! 

And when it finally was time, I might have made noises. Being this close (with nobody in front of you, or behind you for that matter), being able to lean forward and chairdance, is the best thing ever!!! 

I was a bit sad that we didn’t get Obi or Jason, but Gabriel and Waylon did so well, it didn’t last long.  And boy, Mondays are an amazing day to go and see it! Every single soul on that stage was on FIRE!!! (Not sure whether that’s because they have the Sunday to recharge, or because some will have their last performances in the next weeks, but it was WORTH going  on a Monday!) 

I had booked that because I wanted to see Ash, as people kept raving about him (and I had seen Jam twice now). He did NOT disappoint.  His performance differs so much from Jam’s; not in a bad way, no. But he’s so into it, so ... THERE?! More intense?! Can’t really describe it. He’s fantastic. And being this close, seeing all those expressions, the cheek, the sass, the sadness, made this time so much better than the last two times.  Ash is incredible and sooo worth seeing! (although I missed the height difference between Jam and Rachelle, Ash is her height.) 

I was very happy that we got Giles, cause I’ve fallen fast and hard for his Burr!!! He’s put such a different twist on him, and once you got used to him, he IS Burr. What I love is that you can see all those little physical actions, he’s doing a lot with his body, and also with his face. Small things you miss when you’re further away. A raised eyebrow, a bitten lip, a suppressed grin. GOD, I will miss him soo much!!! There are times when I wanted to hug him and then there were times when I wanted to slap him. He’s such a great actor, and I will fight anyone who says differently!!!!! 

As for the rest of the cast, they were brilliant as usual; even though I really had the feeling everyone was giving even more than the 500% they already do!! SO DAMN AMAZING!!!  There was a big cheer for “Alexander Hamilton” in the beginning (as it should be), but weirdly NOTHING at the “Immigrants” line!!! O_O That shocked me a bit! I’ve been three times now, and I’ve had a different reactions every damn time! So weird!  Yorktown got an in between applause which I never seen/heard! Was very nice.  The King got all the laughs, naturally.  What else?  Oh, so Tarinn and Cleve are basically themselves in costumes on stage: they kept goofing around and grinning like idiots at themselves, which was adorable.  And I now know why people are shipping Laurens and Ham - the gazing loving at each other was INSANE!! *lol*  Rachel is madly talented but that you already know. That woman’s voice, her acting - GEEZ!! HOW?? So soo good!!!  Christine... god, that voice! Melted chocolate, poured over warm coals, making one feel all warm and fuzzy (and very sinful)  inside. GUH!!  Also: the ensemble blew me away, the perfection they put on that stage (night after night) is MAD!! I found myself watching them more and more, wondering how the human body is capable of the things they do and make it look easy as breathing!! WOW!!! 

It was over way too soon, and I even cried in the end. I have no idea where that came from but Rachelle really made me tear up during the last song. Never had that before. (And she’s the only one I’m still not fully convinced with; she’s good but this is NOT the perfect role for her)  So yeah, I did my final applause in tears!!! 

We stuck around towards the very end, and for the very first time, they let down the safety curtain!!! O_O (They did in the interval as well for a moment). 

And then it was stage door time. It’s all well organized and sorted, and we queued up and waited. It wasn’t cold so that wasn’t too bad. Didn’t take long for the first to come out. I didn’t want anything signed, only asked for pics which seemed fine with them all. Although they were all well prepared with sharpies! Kelly is TINY, and so very sweet, and sadly the only one of the girls who came out :-(  Waylon was a bit shy, but also very nice. Gabriel was dressed for artic temps which made me giggle.  Tarinn and Cleve are... well, Tarinn and Cleve! They’re always goofing around, being super sweet to everyone and really taking their time. Cleve enjoyed being the birthday boy, and wishing him a great one, got me a tight hug! Tarinn smells really good, by the way! *hehe*  At some point the security made an announcement. I think he said they were all gone, or nobody wouldn’t come out anymore; we could stay but at our own risk, or something like that. We were at the end of the queue and didn’t catch everything.  Since we didn’t have anywhere to go, we stayed. Which was the right thing to do!  First Giles came out, and that’s when I got a bit nervous! He’s so good, and I never managed to get a pic with him. He took his time, chatted to everyone and was all around the sweetest. Once he came to us, I told him how incredible he was and how much I loved the Muse Of Fire documentary he did ages ago. I think he blushed a bit ;-p When I asked for a pic, he pulled me real close and thanked ME afterwards!! O_O  Hach, he’s amazing!!  And then Ash came out as well (lots had left already so we were only a few people). And the silly man did NOT have a pen!  The ladies behind us asked if we had one. When I pulled out my assortment of sharpies (three: black, silver and bronze!) I ALWAYS have on me, they laughed so hard.  Hey, you can never be prepared enough - as that night taught us!!! Once again, we only asked for pics, and praised him, told him how fab he was, and that we booked a Monday just for him,, which made him laugh. “Heard of me, did ya?” he said, cheeky bugger. But yeah, we did. So we got another really tight pic - that cast is so touchy feely, I swear! I love them all to pieces!!! SO SWEET!  He chatted a bit before moving along.  We waited a bit longer but that was it so we reluctantly left towards ‘home’. (Once again, it was LATE!) 

The next morning we got up early to have one last walk around, and London was gracious and got out the sun and basically summer weather!  We didn’t want to leave but sadly we had to.  So long, my beautiful! See you next year - in February, for sure. After that... well, that depends on how you get your shit sorted!  Once more, a fantastic time was had, with the best company I could’ve wished for! Thank you, S, I know why I love traveling with you - here’s to our next time!!!