afterword | ★ ( bookmarked: sunfish. )

[ fingers gently brush hair back, humming with thought before he presses another featherlight kiss to his head. ]

Then we simply won't play by its rule. We'll figure out a way to deal with it. [ it's both reassurance to him and himself. ] There's always an alternative.

[ haven't the life they've led back home been proof enough of that? bypassing scenario after scenario. there has to be something. ]

[ To that kiss, he does that slow blink that cats do when they are content.

There’s always some underhanded way, is there? ]

While keeping the Nightman entertained… [ Hm. ] From what Hua Cheng said about his trip, I wonder if all of this is just a stage. Similar to execution.

[ cute.. nuzzles a little against his hair. ]

Mmm... It seems like it. There was talk of someone having gone a stimulation so, if this is all a stage I wouldn't be surprised. [ which is just. exhausting to think about. it's streaming entertainment all over again. ]

... We should be learning more about our situation by now.

[ He is antsier now that one of our chasmas is dead and tbh diluc is going to be next, he's sure. ]

There's probably something out there, given we have a bit of our own we've gathered.

[ closes his eyes, pondering. ] If we held a Town Hall meeting we would know for sure but. Not sure how effective it'll be if the Nightman learns of it.

Do you plan to share with others then? A circulation of information is important and we do not benefit from keeping it to ourselves.

Not that I know what we can do with what we know.

[ It's... Fine... He guesses. ]

... I want to return the dead as soon as we can.

I've spoken with Mikazuki Munechika and Shinobu Kocho regarding the break-in. I'm sure they'll share it with others. You can show the postcards around as well.

[ though it isn't really a whole lot. ]

Normally we would have some kind of sign by now. [ which they will learn tomorrow but ] There's bound to be a way to get them back though.

Edited (yodels) 2022-07-12 00:53 (UTC)

Someone had mentioned not to steal their items.

[ So! Here’s to hoping? ]

It's a good enough sign as any.

[ sets his book down finally, turning a little in Joonghyuk's hold to rest more against him. ]

We had Watchers helping deliver things to us, so I'm wondering if the staff here are doing the same.

I plan to talk to them and see, but they are tight-lipped. We may need to figure out a way ourselves.

Perhaps sending postcard... Or leaving flowers. That means learning flower language.

[ bleh. ]

Which we could... if we had more information.

[ though he has a point. ]

We do have a library for learning. Otherwise we can rely on Hua Cheng to translate. [ raises a brow at yjh. ]

It wouldn't be that difficult for us to learn the language or to hold a book on the meanings. At least in comparison to Hua Cheng bettering his handwriting.

[ no one asked to be MEAN ]

Maybe you can offer some writing lessons.

[ Stop being mean and take responsibility then. ]

He won’t accept them.

[ Which is funny, so he’s going to keep dunking. ]

The handwriting sessions are reserve for Xie Lian, anyway.

Guess we'll leave it at that then.

[ threads fingers through Joonghyuk's hair, pondering with thought. ]

Mikazuki Munechika is pretty informative.

I’m sure he sees himself as one of humanity’s guardians or protectors, maybe not so grand but similar position.

[ He rests his head against Dokja some more, then. ]

Being a sword makes it easier. Certain mortal or human proclivities make people unlikable.

[ Joonghyuk thinks humans are annoying and while swords can be annoying they’re just… So different? ]

I'd agree with that. There's also the given fact of being an observer in his own game, just like Hua Cheng's own Watcher role.

[ the npc role embedded into your soul. humans truly are annoying and tbh swords have been quite helpful so far. ]

Hua Cheng is unfortunately more annoying like a human would be.

[ but hc was once human, so… ]

He is also very reliable.

[ even if you find him annoying, he is a powerful companion. i think it's really funny they're just cuddling here talking about hc now ]

Edited (help i keep fkcing up this tag) 2022-07-13 05:07 (UTC)

He is trying too hard to be a babysitter.

[ Joonghyuk says that only because he has never... Had a guardian aside from his Teacher who is a menace on his ass. ]

Less of a babysitter, more of a guardian. Protective, careful, seeming to step out to try and quell any threat or danger towards us.

[ they are his responsibility, is what it feels like. ]