week two, saturday, post-trial

[digestif]

[ Mizuki has a lot of business to attend to tonight, and Ishikirimaru is most certainly included in that bunch. They're quick to seek him out after the trial - not because they believe he'll be removed from the game anytime soon, but because they have a feeling plenty of other people are going to want to talk to him. ]

You have a lot of faith, Ishikirimaru-san. As expected of someone with Piety, I suppose. [ a beat. ] Is now a better time to ask what you're planning?

Comments

[ritualization]

I am, yes. I'm aware of how it must sound to you.

[thanks for not vocally questioning it too hard, mizuki.]

It can be difficult, and sometimes unfortunate, but... it is necessary work. There's no telling what would become of history otherwise.

[digestif]

[ woah, super anime... but Mizuki laughs a little, leaning back. ]

It doesn't sound any stranger than the other things you said. If anything, I think it's a little more believable than the youkai part. [ they wave a hand. ] Who's your enemy? Other youkai?

[ritualization]

Is it truly? And here I expected this to be the stranger part. Perhaps I should adjust my expectations, in the future.

[but the faintly amused tone there quickly fades, voice slightly softer when he answers-- it's a little slower, as if he's more hesitant to say it.]

Mm... of a sort. They are somewhat like us, in that they too are weapons, but... corrupted, may be the best word for it.

[digestif]

You're not that far off in the future. Of course, we don't have time travel or anything like that, but I wouldn't say it's out of the question. Technology grows exponentially, after all.

[ a smile. ]

Evil spirits, on the other hand... I don't think those will be making an appearance any time soon.

[ritualization]

Unless they are the sort you simply don't see, I suppose...

[none of them existing at all sounds kind of fake? though... well, he supposes there may be worlds and timelines where they truly don't exist.]

Ah, but for your sake, I will hope you never meet any evil ones.

[digestif]

Hahaha. You're good at prayer, right? Maybe spending time with you will help ward them off.

[ they shift on their feet. ]

Right now, all the evil spirits I need to ward off tonight are in this temple. I've got some damage control to do for poor Beauty-kun.

[ritualization]

Perhaps it will. I will pray for your protection, regardless... I would not like to see anything happen to you.

[and he is just immediately moving on from that!]

But I suppose that wouldn't be a bad idea. I have yet to meet with Beauty, myself, but I think I ought to change that, particularly now. I take it you know what he likes?

[he likes leaving Good offerings, okay.]

[digestif]

[ a nod! they're eager to talk about something else and take their mind off of the day's events now that the most pressing issue has been resolved. ]

Mm, I do. He likes flowers and anything beautiful. Although he told me that anything is fine, as long as my heart was in it... Something like that.

[ beauty is Very Corny. ]

[ritualization]

[that's cute though... ishi nods, quietly noting that.]

If I might also ask-- what is it that keeps you with him?

Just out of curiosity, really. I am not asking this to try to sway you.

[digestif]

What keeps me with him? Hmm...

[ they ponder that for a few moments. ]

He's cute! And if I leave him, he'll be all alone. Someone has to take care of him.

[ one gets the sense they aren't being entirely serious ]

[ritualization]

[yeah, one definitely does. he hums, taking a moment, before-]

If you'll forgive my saying so, Mizuki-san, that seems a bit unlike you.

[and a little more gently:]

You may say so, if you would prefer to keep your reasons to yourself.

[digestif]

[ they laugh a little. ]

Not good enough for you? I think judging them by their character is the best we can do. In the end, they're all promising us the same rewards, after all.