#um if ur wondering how they're fluently talking even though their ears are blocked... um... i guess they're lip reading?? that works right?

[nrc-asteryn-crew]

STUDENTS OF NRC:

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT LISTEN TO HER MELODY. SHE IS TRYING TO LURE YOU TO HER. DO NOT GIVE INTO TEMPTATION.

SHIELD YOUR EARS. GUARD YOUR MINDS. SHE IS NOT HERSELF.

AVOID ANY INDIVIDUALS WITH A HYPNOTIZED GAZE, AND ESPECIALLY AVOID AREAS WHERE HER SONG IS HIGH IN VOLUME.

DO NOT LET HER CATCH YOU, SHE HAS NOT BEEN MERCIFUL THUS FAR.

GOOD LUCK, AND BE SAFE, STUDENTS.

"E-eh..? What- what's happening..? Ah-! Okay okay- 'shielding' my ears..."

Kiyuu had been walking down the halls, but had paused to cover their ears as soon as the announcement was made, not leaving anything up to chance by hesitating. Looking left and right, there were many people around who'd failed to react in time, with glazed over eyes, moving in one direction as if on autopilot. Hypnotized, no doubt.

' I have to get out of here. Covering my ears isn't doing enough to filter out the beautiful melody. '

Turning in the opposite direction, they began to move. They didn't know where exactly the song was coming from, but no matter where they went, it didn't seem to get any quieter. They pushed harder down over their ears, refusing to fall to the hypnosis. Then, they heard a voice call out to them, laced with urgency.

"--yuu- Kiyuu! Kiki! Over here!"

They heard Crimson shout out faintly through their blocked ears. They practically ran towards him, heaving breaths through their lungs, both out of tiredness, and a hidden layer of anxiety.

"Crimson! Are you alright?! Do- do you know what all of this is about?"

Crimson grimaced, and Kiyuu's heart sunk in return.

' I have a really bad feeling about this... Something about what's happening is making me feel really uneasy... '

"Don't worry Kiki, I'm alright. It's... It's another overblot. From the shouts I've deciphered, the victim seems to be someone called Calypso, I believe."

' ...Oh. That's what it was. '

"C-Calypso?! Oh- oh god... s-seven's- i mean...!"

They managed to stutter out, barely able to hear themselves over their hammering heartbeat and short breaths. Hearing that the victim was Calypso out of everyone made their heart stop.

' Overblots are a rare phenomenon. They can cost lives. Most commonly, cost lives.

Calypso could die. There's a chance that I'll never see Calypso ever again. '

"Oh- Oh. Is- she a friend of yours, then..?"

"She- she's- oh god I can't- Crimson- I have to- I have to help her. I have to see her again-!"

"Shh, dear- calm down. Breathe with me, slowly now. The announcement says that the goal of the hypnosis is to lure people to her. To go willingly is... Well, without a plan, it's dangerous. Are you sure you want to..?"

Kiyuu took a few moments of silence to level out their breathing, in an attempt to calm down. They knew they could refuse, guarantee their own safety and peace by running away right now. But they couldn't do that. They were buzzing with nervous energy, a burning desire to chase after Calypso, to help her, to save her.

They ignored the voice in their head telling them how useless they were, telling them that there was no point even trying without magic.

' No. I will see Calypso again. Alive. '

"I- I know it's dangerous- but- I- I don't care. I don't. I- I have to see her. I- I have to at least try to help her- And I- I'll figure out a plan if- if I have to- I just- I- If- if she dies then- then- I-"

"...Hey- hey! You don't have to defend yourself, Kiki. It's okay. Everything will be okay, alright? I- I won't stop you. However- I- must request to accompany you. I'll be too worried about you otherwise. ...Please let me come with you."

Kiyuu's mouth snapped shut, and they took a breath, readjusting their hands over their ears as they hesitated, before nodding quickly.

"Okay. Alright. Thank you, Kiki. Just- follow my lead. Right, now... the source should be..."

Crimson trailed off, before beginning to wander in a certain direction, glancing back to make sure Kiyuu was following, then continuing down the hall.

' I refuse to let my lack of magic stop me from doing anything I can to help save Calypso. I've done this before. I- I can do it again.

I can. '

- Kiyuu & Crimson <3

[ @bubblin-trouble ud probably find this anyway but tagging just in case !!! hope u dont mindd :33 as u can tell im :33 very excited :33 for a lot of reasons :33 ]