<@Ardweden> [It's Sunday, May 2, 2004. Maybe? Probably?] <@Ardweden> [You recently woke up in the World Reversed, having fallen asleep in Kyoko and Reiji's apartment in the World Not Reversed. The goal was to help Reiji. It may or may not be working, as he sent you here so someone can explain something to you. Regardless, at this point, Kyoko is with you and annoyed. Reiji is not and his mood is indeterminate. And Kaede may not be Kaede. But he sure looks and sounds like Kaede, even though he's certainly not acting like him - and doesn't seem to think any of you are who you are, either. Also, he's missing his hat. (Well, Kaede never wears a hat, so the other guy is probably missing his hat.)] <@Ardweden> [You've just stepped out from the apartment building, having taken the stairs down (the elevator isn't working). The streets outside are silent. Cars are there but not moving, no people are around, and you don't even hear or see any animals or insects. Whatever day it is, it's getting on - the sky is clear but twilight is approaching.] <@Ardweden> [Kyoko points towards Tokyo Tower in the distance. "If we want to get home," she says, "we gotta go there."] <@Ardweden> [Start!] * @Haruko does a bit of mental navigation, how far is the walk to Tokyo Tower and is it worth trying to manage a vehicle. "And there's the question of who Reiji wanted us to meet." <@Ardweden> [Tokyo Tower, as a reminder, is hanging downward from the sky.] * @Haruko looks over to the tower, then to Kyoko, and then back. "Have you had to get up there by yourself before?" * Wataru cocks a brow at the dangling tower. "How do we, uh... Get into it?" Then he shakes his head. "Anyway, shouldn't we be looking for Reiji?" <@Ardweden> [Kyoko nods to Haruko. "Yeah. It always gives me a headache." She starts walking towards the Tower. "And he's not here."] "How do you know?" * Wataru doesn't seem to doubt her, specifically, but is simply curious. <@Ardweden> [She stops and blinks at Wataru. "Because he's done this before."] * @Haruko thinks. "Reiji's done this one before to, uh, some of us." She glances over to Kaede. "We met the Hermit that time, but he didn't crossover." * @Haruko nods to Kyoko, "She knows more than I, of course." * Wataru nods. "Who's this guy he said we should meet?" He looks between them. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko frowns. "I dunno. *Probably* the Hermit. Sometimes he sends me and I don't find anyone. Sometimes I find him. Sometimes..." She shrugs.] <@Ardweden> ["Anyway, we should probably move. It's going to be dark before we get to the Tower at this rate, and the longer we wait, the darker it'll get. We can talk on the way."] * Wataru nods! He's good to go. <@Haruko> My motorcycle works in fields, but splitting is a bad idea. Also, three on a motorcycle is quite a crowd and four is right out. I can leave it, or someone can help me walk it and we can have an extra option. <@Ardweden> ["It's gonna slow us down if we have to walk it though, right?"] "I can help, if you want. Actually..." Wataru reaches out with his mind, getting a telekinetic sense of its shape and density and weight. "Yeah, I'll help." * Kaede grumbles as he steps forward. "None of those work in fields. Everyone knows that." Then he turns to Kyoko. "So we're following you then?" He seems uncertain. * @Haruko glances at Wataru, appraisingly for a moment. "Let's give it a try. If it slows us down, we'll give up after a block or two." She walks over to the bike and puts it in neutral. Once Wataru is ready, she'll get going without further prompting. <@Ardweden> ["You have a better idea?" Kyoko asks Kaede, mildly. Or mildishly, anyway.] * Wataru takes a breath and focuses on the bike, ready to keep it steady. He'll also put a hand on it to help her push it along. * Kaede gives a faint shrug. "A lead's a lead. Not really fond of workin' with *the enemy*, so to speak. But if you know where this Pentacle *is*, well...or if your guy does..." The shrug deepens. * @Haruko pushes in silence for a bit until she and Wataru have found their rhythm with the bike. <@Ardweden> ["Then I'll try not to kill you on the way," Kyoko tells Kaede. "As long as you get over yourself." And she starts walking, alongside the bike and the others.] * @Haruko suppresses a smile. * Wataru SNORKS. <3 Man, why is he not friends with Kyoko yet? * @Haruko calls out, "I know the Council has very real problems, but what's makes us the enemy? One of us wrong you?" * Kaede stops, startled, as she walks away, watching her back. "W-wait a minute! There's no way I'm getting over myself, you hear!" He points. "Hey! Wait up!" And then he walks along, quickly, shoving his hands into his pockets and frowning at the lack of something. At Haruko's words, he looks at her calmly, but suspiciously. "You really gotta say that, Isao?" * Wataru makes a mental note that "There's no way I'm getting over myself!" is probably the connecting line between Kaede and this guy. Yup. * @Haruko lets out a slow breath and chides herself for getting greedy. She's at a loss for words for a moment. * Kaede rubs his head as he continues, filling in the void and vacuum with his own thoughts. "Bad enough he's trying to kill me. It ain't about us or them. You *know* that..." And then he's looking over the situation. Kaede's always had sharp eyes, glasses not withstanding. But the focus seems somehow sharper for a moment right now "Who's trying to kill you...?" * @Haruko is listening carefully. Despite your past conversations, the Queen of Cups seems to be playing catchup. That said, the Queen's concerns about the Council seem quite real, taking a chance to ask about it even when it could be a dangerous question. You aren't sure why the Queen wants to recover some of the basics, but trying to make it better seems at the top of the agenda. At the same the Queen of Cups is doing that picking words carefully thing again, putting on the spot is the opposite of what Haruko wants and it might be easy to throw her that way. * Kaede swallows for a moment as his eyes train on Wataru, but he'll bite. Won't hurt to share this. His head turns to Kyoko. "*You* know...ain't like they ain't already killed once..." His eyes turn now suspiciously to Kyoko. "No telling when they'll turn on you again..." With a turn of his head back to Haruko, he punctuates somewhat coldly "..Isao." For emphasis. * Wataru cocks a brow again, and looks at Kyoko, then Haruko. He's starting to get ideas. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko's expression concerning all of this is totally lost. She's walking That Way, down the deserted street. She's not even helping with the motorcycle, really.] * @Haruko follows Kyoko, checking in with her partner regularly. "Right." <@Haruko> Someone said something to me a week or two ago that got me thinking. If you could restart the Council, change the ground rules, make it fair, accountable, and open. What would the first thing you'd do be? * Wataru tightens his grip on the bike, and pays attention to the conversation. * Kaede's eyes train on the woman, now deepening suspicion as he goes. "Accountable for *what*?" There's not quite a spit in his voice, but it's close. "You report to the same board that put you in power, how is that any accountability? Come on, Hasebe, help me out here..." He gestures, offhand, to Wataru. * @Haruko accepts the chastisement. "Fair." * Wataru thinks, thinks back, and further back, until the answer is just at the edge of his consciousness... Then thinks that plummeting down that cliff is probably a bad idea. Time to bullshit instead. "I've never doubted that power corrupts. Particularly for those who think themselves above democracy." There, that might have been Ayano enough, he thinks. <@Ardweden> [As you walk and discuss, it grows steadily darker. Kyoko's confidently leading you into a not-so-nice section of Tokyo, the Tower Reversed still in the distance. Even though the area's deserted, and no lights are flickering on, this is still a place you wouldn't normally be caught dead in.] * Kaede snorts, but it seems to go over well enough. "Democracy. Yeah. You *tell* me a shadow government is "democratic." Right." He walks behind the bike. Slowly. Part of his look is still on Kyoko. "And if it was? If there were elections, among us? Not that I'm overly keen on the idea, but..." * @Haruko has been fairly quiet for a bit, she's been contemplating Kaede's words. From her expression, and the odd interjection, it's fairly obvious that she thinks that the Two of Pentacles responses are mired in the Council's past wrongs rather than seeking what could be done. But she's also afraid the past might not be so easy to escape. "We're too small a *group*, Hasebe." he counters, slightly animated. "You get one who doesn't go along with the idea, then what? One person swayed to the party line is a huge *huge* swing. You think people like *him*.." his voice raises, pointing out his finger at Kyoko. "...really do anything but follow the party line?" He sighs, running fingers through his hair. "You either get followers or you get too many people acting on their own accord anyway with not enough manpower to back it up..." Something in him is still raw. <@Ardweden> ["He might be right, but who cares?" Kyoko interrupts, and if you turn your attention to her, you can see that she's stopped and turned, looking back at you guys. Kaede's been dragging his feet, so that makes sense. "I *bet*," she adds, looking straight at Kaede, "that if we *elected* people, everyone but you *still* would have picked the Queen of Wands. That's how she got her position then; it's why she wasn't overthrown like the Magician." She almost sneers. "She earned my loyalty then, and he's earned it now, and you need to get the fuck *over* yourself, Kaede."] * @Haruko looks shocked at Kyoko for a moment. She might be in love. * Kaede blinks, hit, almost as if like from a truck. "What? What did you call me?" <@Ardweden> ["Kaede! It's your name! Kaede Takeuchi, not Asshole Who Thinks I Almost Murdered Him In A Past Life!"] <@Ardweden> ["And you probably deserved it, anyway."] * Kaede ughs, holding his head and supporting himself on the wall, steadying for a moment. It looks like he's got one hell of a headache here as he breathes. Or tries to breath as he props himself up. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko folds her arms and waits.] * @Haruko glances to Wataru and says quietly, "Hold up a sec, if you can balance the bike, I've got some glow sticks in the trunk and a bottle of water in my bag." * Kaede comes out of it, whatever it was, and his fingers are shaking just a bit, trembling as he looks down. "That...that wasn't supposed to...that doesn't usually happen, does it...?" <@Ardweden> ["Your past self is a jerk," Kyoko supplies, helpfully.] * Wataru nods and holds the bike steady. * Wataru watches Kaede. Oh look, Asshole #1 is being replaced by Asshole #2. Aww. He'll miss Asshole #1. "My past self was an *asshole*," he corrects, clutching his head for the headache. "...but he knew a lot about the Council from the outside. Ugh. Remind me never to stare too deep into the rabbit hole again...." <@Ardweden> [Kyoko's expression softens. "Yeah." She looks like she might want to say something else, but doesn't.] * Kaede sighs. "It was like watching a movie of yourself. And kind of wanting to punch yourself in the face but being unable to do so..." * @Haruko digs out a package of glowsticks from her trunk and a water bottle from her bag. She hands both to Kaede. "You can keep the water, but pass on the sticks you don't need." * @Haruko looks to Kyoko as she gets the bike moving again, "Someday, when we're through all this, we've got to hang out. You can cut through things I dance around." <@Ardweden> [Kyoko shrugs. "I'm, uh. I don't even have to go to the last Three of Wands to want to punch myself in the face. He was more together than I was." And she looks at Haruko, mildly suspicious. "Thanks?"] * Kaede takes the water and downs it gratefully, then takes a flare and passes it. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, "There's different definitions of "together," Ozora-san..." * Wataru had a barely-disguised expression of "ugh" a while ago when Kyoko looked at Kaede with shmoopy lovelove eyes, but now he's trying to get over the annoyance of Kaede being back and just getting back into dealing with the situation at hand. He keeps the bike steady. * @Haruko keeps moving, glancing at Wataru a little more frequently as they rebuild moment. "Together is relative to the stuff one has to deal with. Any time I look remotely like I've got my stuff together, it's because a few people had my back." She is a little puzzled at Wataru's expression but then looks back to Kyoko. * Kaede runs his fingers through his hair now. "Some people fake it better than others. Take it from me..." He stands up, looking around the location. "It's weird though that it'd come up here. He was looking for the Pentacle...." * Wataru is happy to let the others talk for now, since he still only barely understands what's going on. He'll keep moving as soon as they're ready to keep moving. * Wataru seems to be over his initial reaction, too. <@Ardweden> [When the glowsticks come around to Kyoko, she takes three and snaps them in order, ending up with yellow, pink, and green. She passes them on, wrapping one around each of her wrists and the last around her neck.] * Kaede looks at Kyoko's new fashion statement, then stands back upright. He seems to be controlling some of the shakiness now, but then glances around, gesturing to Haruko. "You have a flashlight as well? It'd probably give us a better light source while I can use it..." <@Ardweden> [Then, after a moment, Kyoko takes the one from around her neck and puts it in her hair as a circlet that goes under her ponytail. "Thanks, Haruko. This'll help a lot."] * @Haruko watches Wataru for a minute before saying quietly, "Thank for the bike help. And good job, mining some information out of the past." She then blinks at Kaede's question. * Wataru takes two glow sticks, once they circle back around to him. He snaps them - they're both green - and just holds them, unsure of what kind of fashion statement he should be making. He looks at Haruko. "Uh, thanks. I didn't understand most of it, honestly, so maybe we can go over it together once this is all over." * @Haruko glances back at Kaede, "If you want to tap one of us out, you could just keep the headlight running." <@Haruko> Or, we could switch to a car to go the rest of the way. * Kaede sighs in response to Haruko, still rubbing his head. "Have a lot more to go if I'm going to unravel this mystery of what the past council was about. Apparently Masaki's mentor was just killed...between that and trying to get murdered, he was still a little sore..." He turns to Kyoko apologetically. "Sorry about that..." * Wataru looks around their surroundings again, for any signs of creepy shit or bad guys. "You know," he says, "in case we're not actually sure, I could probably locate Reiji for you." <@Ardweden> [Kyoko's gone back to walking! You guys might also be walking, too! "It's okay," she says to Kaede.] <@Haruko> Hm... do you have any way to find Winston, if he's around? * Kaede fishes through his pockets. Does he still have the drawing he was looking at before? <@Haruko> As Reiji is probably just in the real world apartment. * @Haruko emphasizes "probably" in that sentence. "The real world apartment? What do you mean?" Wataru frowns, then - "And... not unless you have something of Winston's. I can do, like, remote location stuff, but only with a thing. Like a token." So there's one secret out in the open. <@Ardweden> [The area, now that Wataru looks, has taken a turn for the nicer. It's still a bit run down, but only a bit - the kind of place that would be kind of okay to walk through during the day but not at night. And it's night by now. The sun has set, and a very, very full moon is in the sky.] If he sent us, there's nothing to say he came with us. He may very well just have been a beacon... * @Haruko goes with twin wrist loops as well and gives herself a pale blue halo, rooted in her bun. "I'm not sure what beacon means. Sorry I'm such a noob, but - I don't really have much experience with the World Reversed." <@Haruko> Oh, and you're welcome Kyoko. Just glad I keep the bike stocked, please help me remember to restock when we're done. "We all have to start somewhere..." There's half a smile at the term 'noob.' "So...like the drawings?" * Wataru nods. "It's how I found Katie, too, that one time." * @Haruko also processes Wataru's earlier statement. "You're doing well for an early time. And I didn't get a lot of it either but you drew out something really important. Apparently there used to be a board that picked the Council members. I don't think I'd ever heard that before." "Man, I even missed that. Good catch." He walks for a while. "I think that's maybe my biggest problem," he says, now that Honesty Mode seems to be activated. "I don't have much context, so everything new that I learn just sort of ... floats around and tries to make connections but doesn't really manage much. So I forget things, or focus on the wrong details... Everything seems to mean so much more to you guys." <@Ardweden> [Kyoko nods, but to what, it's hard to say. "Watch your step, everybody," she calls back.] * Kaede sighs. "That's a problem too. Sometimes it's harder to see things when you're immersed in it..." He turns to Wataru. "If you'd like to sit down sometime...go over a few key points..." * @Haruko slows up. "Kaede, want to try the headlight? It'll help if there's something up ahead." <@Ardweden> [Up ahead, Kyoko is clearly picking her way across... something.] * Wataru looks at Kaede, sort of surprised, but after a beat he has a slow nod. "Yeah," he says. "Sure, maybe. Let's -" when Haruko calls out, he turns to look at her, instead. * Kaede starts to respond, then goes to where Haruko says that. "Coming." And he rushes over to the bike, putting his hand on the handlebars and powering up the juice as they walk. <@Haruko> Sorry to interrupt. * Wataru shrugs, easily. Nbd. * @Haruko looks out ahead at what Kyoko's making her way through. * Wataru peers as well! <@Ardweden> [The headlight flares to life after a small flicker, and it takes a little while for your eyes to adjust, but once they do, you can see it: a road that's increasing less a road, sinking down and inward with islands of aslphalt barely holding together. The buildings to both sides are similarly crumpled in and down towards the road. Kyoko stops, too, her eyes adjusting, and when she sees the narrow chasm she's about five feet from possibly stepping into, she steps back and wobbles on the asphalt island behind her. "Holy shit!"] "..." * Wataru looks between the others, and switches back to Japanese. "Is that normal?" <@Haruko> No! ...we're in a world that shouldn't exist with powers that shouldn't exist, I don't think the concept of "normal" really applies here.... But it's not *usual*, no. * Wataru looks around them, and slowly connects his glowsticks into bracelets. * Kaede gets closer, slowly and carefully and tries to keep his head low to investigate. <@Ardweden> ["No! I mean yes, kind of, but no!" Kyoko holds her hand out to one side, a spear appearing in it with absolutely no fanfare, turns and starts picking her way back to the group, now using it to test each of the islands she's about to step onto.] * @Haruko keeps pace with Kaede, trying to make sure that whatever he's looking at is illuminated. <@Ardweden> ["I'm gonna kill Reiji," Kyoko's muttering. She pokes another island. "I don't care how much he didn't know what he was doing." She takes a careful step over, and then another. "'You wouldn't understand' my ass."] "You sure he did this....?" <@Ardweden> ["He *sent us* here." Kyoko sighs. "But no, he wasn't trying to kill us. I'm just annoyed." That she almost tumbled into the abyss. She makes it onto another island.] "So - sorry, being a noob again - the person who sends us into the World Reversed controls the way the world is?" * Wataru's voice is a little tense. He sent us here for a reason. Because he wanted us to understand something. If we want to *help* him... <@Ardweden> ["Nope," Kyoko says, with fair confidence. She makes it to solid ground.] * Kaede pauses in his thoughts to turn to Wataru. "Not that I'm aware of...just the action...." * Kaede isn't *quite* sure on this point. But pretty sure. * @Haruko looks over to Wataru, "So yeah. Only way we know stuff is that we've been caught by surprise or even failed a lot. There's no shame in experience if you ask a lot of questions, try things, and are willing to learn. And you're doing pretty well on all three." <@Ardweden> [Kaede, as you assess the situation, you realize that the ground crumbled in along a subway line. If you can get around the line, or to a more stable area above it - like a bridge of some sort - that should get you through. Going down into the subway - not that you're considering it - would probably be suicide.] <@Ardweden> [Wataru, you're suspicious of the sudden instability of Tokyo Reversed. Things were normal... well, quiet and empty and dark, but normal- ish just the same, until they suddenly VERY MUCH WEREN'T. Kyoko's clearly been here before (and so have Haruko and Kaede) and none of them were expecting this, or at least nothing this bad. You should keep an eye out for anything else like this, and not just concerning roads.] * Kaede steps away from the precipice. "Subway line..." He comments, pulling himself upright. "Question is...who or what may have caused this damage?" 06[16:34] * @Haruko doesn't seem that freaked out by the precipice. Among other things she does spend a lot of time on the motorcycle you're helping to move. Environmental hazards don't faze her so much, as long as everyone is thinking straight. In the larger sense though, she's been not too subtling enjoying the needling Kaede has been taking even if she doesn't participate in it. She may actually deal with him pretty well around Wataru, but there's a lot of frustration and mistakes, with no small number on her side, in the past and every now and then that slips through. It seems like she might have noticed your discomfort with Kyoko's turn earlier. All in all, she feels like she's been where you've been and wishes someone had been there with a kind word to her back then. * Wataru peers at Haruko, nonplussed by her "gold star for trying!!" message - especially at this particular moment - but really, despite his reaction, it's kind of good to hear. He *is* willing to learn and try and ask. He breathes a little deeper, lets some tension drain from his shoulders, and looks around with renewed focus. ".... I dunno, but I think there's something going on here. Someone else, maybe. Or something unstable. We should keep an eye out for anything else out of the ordinary." <@Ardweden> [As you look around, Wataru, you realize that the collapse is connected to something... something else? Whatever it is that controls the World Reversed. You focus inward as well as outward, feeling for your connection to the strings of Fate, seeing the Wheel, and then you realize that its spinning is frayed and uneven and slowing down. The strands are cut, or maybe the Wheel is broken. Something's ended, possibly multiple somethings, and that's what's mirrored here.] * @Haruko nods and tenses slightly, no longer just seeing this as a hazard to be navigated. "Right. Might have nothing to do with why we came here, but still be a real problem." * Wataru suddenly pales, and his knees buckle. <@Ardweden> ["So what do we do?" Kyoko asks. She points at the Tower in the distance. "We still have to get there, or I can't get us out."] * Kaede stops for a moment, then looks back. "Yamada-san?" He starts going back, seeing if he needs to help him up. * Wataru tries to catch himself on the bike, but stumbles, ending up on his hands and knees on the ground. "Something... something's wrong. The Wheel...." * Kaede blinks. "The Wheel?" He looks back at Kyoko for a second. In a moment. "It's... broken, or... something..." He shakes his head, like he's trying to shake the cobwebs out. "Frayed... Fate is... There's something wrong. Something's ended. A *lot* is ended. Something..." He looks up, Kaede's face swimming into focus. "I'm scared." * @Haruko frowns and thinks. "Kyoko, have you been back here since we defeated the Oni? You seemed only half surprised earlier." <@Ardweden> [When Wataru has a moment to think about it, he realizes that the chasm Kyoko stopped at isn't *that* wide. It's deep, but not prohibitively wide, and the next island past could hold maybe two or three people, and then it got better. It's possible, with some help, to get across - especially if he uses liberal telekinesis help to get someone more athletic across. Does Haruko have rope? She seems to have come pretty prepared...] * Kaede goes to steady, hand on Wataru's shoulder, but then he tries to concentrate. "...the Ressurrection Cycle...." He looks back in the direction of the faltering road, then the tower. "...could some of this be tied to that?" <@Ardweden> [Kyoko nods to Haruko. "Yeah. Some of it's been crumbling after the oni and the portals, but I've never found a spot this bad before. Last time, this road was just kind of a mess."] "Satoshi said," Wataru mutters, "Satoshi said the Towers... they weren't going to be stable for long." He cuts himself short, though, realizing that Kyoko probably doesn't know about Bangor Reversed, and probably shouldn't. He takes a breath, and with Kaede's help (if offered) stands back up. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko looks at Wataru, obviously trying to figure out what he's going on about, then shrugs.] * @Haruko nods. "If this is follows the subway like Kaede said, it may be a while to navigate around. We could go to one of the above ground JR lines, although bridges might be a bad idea." * @Haruko glances over at Wataru and processes about the Towers and nods. * Kaede shakes his head. "The bridges should still be okay. Depending on the supports. It's mostly underground structure..." He frowns at Wataru's statement. "That was...different? Later..." He probably noticed a glance to Kyoko. He does help Wataru up though. * @Haruko nods. "Right, do want me to find the nearest station and then we walk the tracks, or do we want to try to cross here?" "We... Haruko-san, did you bring anything like rope? We could probably manage crossing here." * @Haruko checks the trunk and brings out a fairly thick nylon cord. * @Haruko seems up for the rope idea and is already slipping into problem solving mode. That said, she's still putting effort into niceness and by default she will in the future. Looking back at their time together, Wataru can see that she spends a lot of time dealing with the world around her as if it is fragile and she bears emotional scar marks from when those around her have hit their breaking points. She's responded rather positively to the honesty you've shown recently and her words to show that she agrees that you're a noob, at least for now. If he tells her what he needs writ large, and shows some self-awareness and confidence when doing so, she'll try her best to follow his lead. She'll probably overcompensate sometimes. Also, to some extent she treats others as she likes to be treated, so acknowledging what she was trying to do, even if she's trying to hard, might help her focus on what he's saying rather than just feeling bad about making a mistake. A little kindness on his part now might save a lot on her part later. * Wataru registers all this for the future. It's a very foreign type of personality for him, but he'll do his best with it. <@Haruko> What's your plan? * @Haruko grabs a spare water bottle for her bag but otherwise abandons the bike in a semi-legal parking space so she can come back for it later in the real world. "I'm thinking," he says, "that it's really not that far to get across. I mean Ozora-san already came close. If we - maybe she could go first, and bring the rope, tie it to something. The rest of us can hold on to the rope as we try to go over one by one, and I can try helping with my telekinesis. Which is another thing I have, if, uh, I haven't already told everyone." He pinks slightly. "It's not super powerful - usually - but uh, it should help." * Kaede frowns slightly, mulling it over. "It could work. But it's an awful drop if it fails..." That said, he's not *fully* against it... "I'm not committed to the idea. I'm fine with going around, if you think that's better. Either way, we should probably hustle, given... Given all the everything." * @Haruko grins. "Neat! I can only do water." She looks out over the crevace and then ties one end of the rope around herself. "I'm fairly agile but not that strong, I can have a go at it and the team back here can pull me back if I fall." <@Ardweden> [Kyoko looks across, then nods. "Yeah."] <@Ardweden> ["I was surprised, but I should be able to make that jump."] * Kaede sighs slightly, rubbing his head. "No. Speed is probably more important here. If you think we should move forward..." "It's up to you guys. We can probably make it if we focus, I think." He has half a slightly wobbly smile. "Teamwork practice...?" * @Haruko nods hands the rest of the rope to Wataru and then heads up to islands, adopting the pose of a dancer as she prepares to navigate. Her robes probably aren't ideal for this, but she's wearing sneakers and not sandals. "Let's go." * Kaede looks over at Wataru and deadpans. "...if you suggest trust falls right now, so help me..." * Wataru SNORKS. Then clears his throat. Hem. Ahem hem. * @Haruko largely follows in Kyoko's path as she tries to make her way across. "Oh, speaking of trust, Wataru, I can turn to water." She does a series of jumps, relying on momentum to help. "An ability of no use here, but wanted to warn you in case it happens later." "Jesus, okay. That's ridiculously cool and weird." <@Haruko> No, I think Christ-sama walked on water. Haven't managed that. * Wataru focuses on her jumping form, hands actually out to try and catch her if she falls. "Maybe if we teamed up we could pull that off. -- Fair warning, though, my TK is pretty bad with liquids. Solid and dense and evenly-weighted is easiest." I turned into electrical current once. I'm not sure which is weirder... <@Ardweden> ["Why don't you zap to the other side, then?" Kyoko asks, curiously.] * Wataru glances at Kaede. "That's also pretty amazing. As far as I know, I can't turn into anything." <@Haruko> Wow, I don't remember that at all! I'm not sure I can exactly *control* where it goes or when I reform. So it... * Kaede pauses at Haruko's statement and then, in a completely different tone. "It...didn't happen around the group." * @Haruko catches that tone shift, "Understood." She gets in position, judges the ground and then calls back, "Give me a bit of slack, going for it in 3..." * Wataru has handed the rope to Kaede before this juncture! * Kaede has a rope. He disperses rope. Some to Kyoko. Some to Haruko. Haruko can go to the lead though to attach it. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko wraps the rope around her wrists and holds on. <@Ardweden> [Which really means they go over glowstick bracelets.] * @Haruko runs up to the edge, waiting for the last moment before leaping. She twists her legs in the air, give herself a bit of extra reach on her landing. * @Haruko lands and quickly moves forward and finds a fire hydrant to secure the rope to. As she does so she calls out, "And the Water Witch sticks the landing." Mostly to herself. * Kaede doesn't comment, but between the spear and the glow bracelets, Kyoko would make a *real* expert raver. It could be a new theme restaurant theme brought to the Cafe, but focus, Kaede, focus. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko doesn't waste time, going for it without even tying the rope to herself. But she is holding on to her segment of it. She steps pretty confidently over - she's done this path before - and then runs and jumps across, ending up on the other side but her boots skidding slightly before she solidifes her balance. She lets out a breath. "I'll hold onto the rope from this side for you guys, just in case," she calls to the others, not at all for herself. Come to think of it, the spear she was holding is gone.] * Kaede is a bit more cautious, sucking in a breath. Still a little frazzled from that whole ordeal before. He does tie the rope around but he's done things like this before and looks for the most stable spot from where he looked before. Calm self, take the leap. * Kaede makes it. He doesn't stick it *quite* as cleanly as Kyoko, but it's at least very solid as his boots hit, taking a few steps before stopping himself. "...no elevators here..." he reminds himself under his breath. Yes. [Kyoko tilts her head, but she doesn't say anything. She looks over at Wataru.] * Wataru is the last to go, and he stands ready, taking slow breaths. He has the rope tied around him. He's seen three people do it now; the trail has been blazed. He can see it, the path to take, the jumps he needs to make. With one more deep, calm breath, eyes calm and steady, he takes a running start and jumps to the first platform, then the other, then the other, not letting his nerves break his stride. With a final jump, he lands on the other side of the divide, feet scraping up a skid of dust. He blinks, then stands up out of his slight crouch of readiness. Huh. That was... kinda badass. * @Haruko cheers Wataru's crossing and then collects her rope once everyone's to safety. * Kaede gives Haruko an odd look, then squints, turning back towards the Tower, hand over his eyes. To Kyoko, he responds, "You were leading?" * @Haruko accepts the odd look with a shrug, "It was a good landing." * Kaede's since moved on. Focused on the next objective. ["Yup, let's go," Kyoko says. She uncoils the rope from her arms and hands it to Haruko, then continues leading the way!] * Wataru follows! * Kaede untangles the rope and follows. [Kyoko's spear is back, and she's tapping the road in front of her with the butt of it. It's not a ten foot pole, but she probably wouldn't get the reference anyway.] * Wataru allows himself some smugness. That *was* a good landing. * @Haruko wears the rope in a loop hanging diagonally over her body. [You move on, darkness continuing to descend until you only have the full moon, stars, and glowsticks for light. It's hard to say if your surroundings have changed much compared to normal Tokyo at this point, but at least the road remains relatively stable. Eventually, you near Tokyo Tower - or, at least, the area where Tokyo Tower *should be*, as it's hanging in the sky above you. And as you approach, you see that someone's there - an old, suspendered gentleman in a bowler hat who's leaning back on a lawn chair, of all things, with one leg folded over the other, and smoking a cigar - a small red-orange point in the night.] [You all recognize him as the Hermit, Winston Connery.] "Winston!" Wataru squeaks. 8D * Kaede looks him over for a moment and then the *lawn chair* of all things, glancing out the direction he's looking. "Watching the End of the World, old man? Seems you have ideal seats..." * @Haruko bows, "Good to see you, sir." [He looks over, folding the (probably useless) newspaper that was on his lap before he reaches for the cane leaning at his side and stands, using it for support. The lawn chair stays. "It's about time you showed up," he grumps. "I thought I'd be here until the lunar eclipse after all."] * Wataru is so happy to see Winston that he's almost hopping from foot to foot. ["So you were expecting us?" Kyoko asks, her voice at the edge of hostile. Winston raises his eyebrows at her.] * Kaede sighs. "Of course he was expecting us. That's what he does. He's the Hermit." ["As it happens," he says, tapping ash off the end of his cigar, "Yes." Kyoko scowls.] * @Haruko nods. "So, we have a friend to help and perhaps later an election to discuss." She then frowns, "Though given the state of the World Reversed, I expect you may have news as well." * Wataru approaches, eager to hear what Winston has to say. [He shrugs. "I might. It depends on what you need to know."] * Kaede sighs. "Also what he does..." He turns to Kyoko. "Did you really not expect this?" "Well... the Wheel," Wataru says, carefully. "Do you know what happened? I... I could tell that it's... wrong, somehow. Slowing. Fraying." ["He's usually not here!" Kyoko says to Kaede. "And when he is, I usually want to punch him!"] * @Haruko takes a deep breath and watches Wataru take the lead for now. She takes a small notebook out of her purse for reference purposes. She also jots down a few things from earlier in the day while she's thinking of it. "So what's stopping you now?" * Wataru scowls at Kyoko. "No punching Winston, hey now, come on." [Kyoko scowls back at Wataru, and Winston lets out a dry chuckle.] * Kaede pinches the bridge of his nose, looking incredibly put out. "No one is punching anyone. Yes, the Wheel thing. Also why we're here at all would be helpful, I think." He pauses, looking at Winston. "Not an existential question." ["It looks like you're as fiery as ever, Kyoko," he says to her, and she glares at him. Winston turns his attention to Wataru. "Yes, the 'fraying' - that's broken cycles. Each of us has our own. But as Arcana - uprights, like us, and our Reversed counterparts - die, then it gets harder and harder for this World to hold together. Eventually..." He puts the cigar in his mouth and makes a poof motion with his free hand.] * @Haruko gives Kaede a look. * Wataru frowns deeply. "People have been dying? Recently?" [He shrugs. "I don't care to find out. But people have died already. It might just be catching up."] * Kaede pauses. "...you mean Arcana hold the World Reversed together...?" * Wataru rubs his forehead. * @Haruko frowns at Winston's first statement and jots things down. She nods at Kaede's statement. ["Yes," Winston says. Cigar puff. "That's what I said."] "Is there any way for us to stabilize it....?" * @Haruko half holds up a hand. ["Probably." He looks at Haruko and nods.] "Mine's less poetic. More to the point." He sighs, shaking his head. "So many things we take for granted..." He considers. For a bit. "So the Artifacts..." He tries to consider on that one, but stops to think. <@Haruko> Reiji Ozora was left mentally scarred by his time as the Pentacle bearer. The three of us are here, under Kyoko's guidance, to help him and the cards say we have hope. Do you have any suggestions, as he sent us all to you. * Wataru is clearly thiking hard about things, his eyes distant but bright. ["Hrm." Winston considers, puffing his cigar. "He probably sent you here as a warning. He knew the costs."] ["He DID NOT," Kyoko yells, suddenly, and Winston looks at her, disapprovingly.] ["He *did*," he maintains. "He knew what he was going to do to himself."] * Wataru flickers back to attention at all this, and frowns. "Sorry, what?" * Kaede frowns, thoughts naggling in his brain before he steps forward. "...who told him where to find the Pentacle in the first place? Was it you?" ["You asshole! I'm going to-!" And the spear's back, and Kyoko's advancing on Winston, who takes an involuntary step back.] * Wataru gasps and immediately runs to protect the old man, stepping in front of him if he can. "Kyoko, *chill*!" * Kaede also moves to step in Kyoko's way. "Come on, Ozora-san. He's not the enemy here..." He glances at Winston for a moment. "That we know of. Let's hear him out." * Haruko steps in the way but faces Winston, "Connery-san, being told the cost is not the same as genuinely understanding what something means for you and your family. Reiji was not alone in bearing them." [Kyoko glares at Wataru, standing between herself and Winston, and then she hears the others. And she sighs. "Fine." She gestures, and the spear disappears. "I won't stab him. But if I don't like his answer, I'm gonna punch him."] "Non-vital," he compromises. [She rolls her eyes. "Obviously."] * Wataru relaxes slightly, but is still wary. He lets the ~cute banter~ unfold. * Kaede gives her a look, folding his arm, in a way that shows, no, it is very much *not* obvious. * Haruko looks to Winston, "He was a casualty in a greater war. But according to the cards, Kaede can design, Wataru can cast, and I can heal to aid. We were all child soliders and not all can be healed. But please help us tend to those we can." [Winston wipes his brow with a kerchief before tucking it away. "Children these days, no respect for their elders," he mutters. Kyoko glares at him, but he's unfazed and continues, more clearly. "I did tell him about the Pentacle. The Magician - I didn't know at the time, but it was him, and his people - was close to reaching it, and your brother," he nods to Kyoko, "was capable of both finding it before him and also changing it."] * Haruko nods. "Changing it?" "Changing it?" Kaede echoes. * Wataru thinks it really doen't need to be said three times, so he shuts it. ["Yes. A transfer, of sorts. Taking some of its ability into himself and giving some of his own away. Normally, well... you would know." He looks at Kaede. "What did Masaki Tsumioji think that the Pentacle could do?"] * Haruko takes notes again. * Kaede does get a little thrown off by the name but, Winston knows. Of course Winston knows. His lips pursed. "...what he was told...that it could find any Arcana." * Kaede pauses. "...so if Sho got it while it could still do that..." * Haruko nods. "So can it be reversed? The Magician is dead and the artifacts are destroyed." ["Certainly. You would simply have to repair the Pentacle." Winston puffs on his cigar.] ["You can't very well reverse the process when it's in pieces."] [Kyoko's brow furrows. "But we don't know where all the pieces are," she says.] * Haruko looks skeptically at Winston. "And that is within our power? What sacrifice is required?" ["Quite true," Winston says, agreeing with Kyoko.] * Kaede mutters under his breath as he paces. "...as I thought..." He's rubbing under his chin. "So he's focused....wait..." * Kaede looks up at Winston. "You said that part of Reiji is in the Pentacle. Does that mean he can find it?" [To Haruko, he says, "It is well within your power. Any sacrifice you make is determined by the actions you choose to take in doing this." And to Kaede: "Perhaps. If he can, it seems he's chosen not to, at least so far."] * Kaede ughs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The pacing continues. "It's so simple it hurts. If it can find any Arcana...Reiji's an Arcana too...if parts of him are in it, maybe he can find hims-- my brain hurts just thinking about it..." He looks to the rest of them. "So putting it back together must be the actual ritual..." * Wataru suddenly reaches into his bag and pulls out a handful of Pentacle sketches.... [Kyoko looks down at the sketches. "Seriously?" she says, in disbelief.] * Haruko nods. "So Kaede doesn't design the ritual to heal Reiji, he designs the Pentacle. Wataru may have to cast it and maybe find it. And I'm responsible for helping restore Ozora-san once we have it back." [Winston holds up a hand, cigar in it, but obviously for attention.] * Kaede stops and waits for Winston to take the floor. * Haruko quiets down and jots more notes, including things Kaede is saying. ["So you have what you wanted. But not what you need." He huffs. "What you need is this: you seem well aware of the potential paths and dangers before you, but not beyond that. Say you repair the Pentacle - then what? You have an Artifact on your hands, the only one."] ["Artifacts were more than just symbols and tools. They were destroyed in the fight with the oni for a reason, and with them went the cycle. Bring one back... well." He looks at Kaede. "There will be a future Two of Pentacles, at least."] * Wataru looks at him, eyes serious. "I didn't want to be the one to... to bring that up," he mumbles. "I... I want to save Reiji, but..." He looks between them, and at Kyoko especially. "With all respect, is it worth the danger? The Magician may be dead, but I'm sure he's not the only one with bad intentions." * Kaede quiets. Frowning at that implication. He's not sure he likes that implication. "--- Wait, did you say there would be a future Two of Pentacles?" * Wataru's face is slightly flushed, his breathing quicker. ...because we're tied to Pentacles. [Winston just puffs on the cigar.] Fix the Sword, the reincarnation happens for Swords. That's....and Majors... "Yeah, what about Majors...?" ["Surely one of you can guess," he says.] * Haruko nods and raises a hand, then lowers her hand; she doesn't have a guess yet. It'd make sense that it'd probably take all of them...or... The tower is a physical manifestation of a major card as well, but I do not know if it stands for the suit. ["Quite so," the Hermit says to Kaede. "Much like the Magician's portrayal contains every one."] * Haruko nods. She then holds her hands half up, but steps back a little. She lets people finish on this topic before her question. * Kaede quiets. "...we either have to bring them all back. Or the Pentacle needs to be destroyed again after we're done...there's no inbetweens here..." I don't follow, but we can discuss that later. ["As long as we help my brother," Kyoko says, "I don't care."] * Kaede nods, then goes over to Kyoko, hand on her shoulder and softening. "We'll do what we can. I did swear to that..." * Wataru shoves the drawings back in his bag. He's frowning. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko nods at Kaede's words, and she takes a deep breath. "Yeah." She tries to calm down, unclenching her fists. "Yeah, okay."] * Haruko hearing no other questions, steps forward. "So, this brings us to the other matter the larger situation around our attempt. A group of Arcana, likely lead by the World, are attempting to reconstitute the Arcana Council but with democratic procedures. Katie and Kyon are running to seek to be sure it remains accountable, fair, and seeking the greater good." She bows, "Are you participating and if so may we earn your vote?" "Campaigning, seriously?" Wataru blurts, almost in spite of himself. <@Ardweden> ["I try to stay out of politics," Winston says, removing the cigar from his mouth. He lets out a stream of smoke and adds, dryly, "It goes against my image."] * Wataru steps in. "Winston, would you be able to tell us anything more about this new Council, though? Do you know for sure it's the World?" <@Ardweden> ["If it is," Winston says, "Some of you should be able to recognize her. Hideo Watanabe, for one, or... likely Katherine Andrews, at this point."] She is a woman of many talents. "Satoshi," Wataru says, face hard. "Satoshi Watanabe." <@Ardweden> ["Hm," Winston says, unmoved, "Yes, that's his name these days."] * Wataru considers giving Kyoko a chance to punch now. * Haruko looks to Winston, a bit defiant. "We understand it to be a secret ballot. We ask no public endorsement. But sir, you have fought at least two wars against those who sought to make a single leader the one who makes decisions. Surely participating in a vote to secure that victory is worth bending your policy." * Kaede sighs softly. "Hopefully it's not actually Hideo who had the knowledge...." He knows that's not true. Rubbing his nose. "and...." But he stops himself to just *stare* at Haruko what is she even doing oh yes, she's being Haruko, that's what. Doing Haruko things. <@Ardweden> ["Hmph," Winston grumps to Haruko's insistence. "Perhaps, if mine is the deciding vote. But I'd rather the decision be yours."] * Haruko bows, "Thank you sir. I will seek an absentee ballot on your behalf so you retain the option. If yours looks to be the deciding vote, I may be back." <@Ardweden> ["So," Kyoko says, "if we're gonna talk about this later, are you guys ready to head up?"] * Wataru nods. "It's... it's been nice to see you, Winston. Give my regards to Jin, okay?" <@Ardweden> [Winston smiles, fondly. "Of course. And it's been good to see you as well. All of you." He looks over the group. "I'll trust you to make the right decisions." With that, he walks off, using his cane for help and collecting his lawn chair.] * Kaede nods in agreement with Kyoko, taking a step back. * Haruko bows as he heads off and lets out a breath. "He's the third one in that category." She looks to Kyoko. "Ready." <@Ardweden> ["Right." She takes a breath. "Okay. I've never moved so many before at once, so..." Kyoko holds out her hands. "Join hands, okay? It makes it easier."] "W... what are we doing...?" He reaches out his hands. Trying to get back to the other side... * Haruko joins hands, taking Wataru and Kyoko's. * Kaede frowns a little, reaching for hands. "It's not particularly pleasant always..." <@Ardweden> ["If I make a Field, it'll take us up to the Tower Reversed," Kyoko explains.] * Wataru blushes, holding Haruko and Kaede's hands. Blush. <@Ardweden> [Kyoko closes her eyes in concentration, and a moment later your stomachs flip as gravity turns abruptly upside down, but there you are: standing in the dark lobby of the Tower Reversed, the full moon looming almost directly out the window.] <@Ardweden> [Kaede and Haruko can feel Kyoko shift her balance, almost going slack before she catches herself. "Ow. Shit." She lets go of their hands and brings her right hand up to rub underneath her nose, wiping away a spot of blood.] * Haruko reaches out to her, "Do you need healing?" * Kaede sighs, letting go and immediately going for tissues. "It's pretty standard. This is actually relatively minor..." But then he's there. * Wataru is concerned about Kyoko, but if Haruko seems to have it well in hand, he's going to go look at the moon instead. <@Ardweden> ["I'll be okay," Kyoko says, turning to see Haruko. She's squinting a bit and is clearly in pain. "Tomorrow."] * Haruko puts her hand on Kyoko's shoulder, "Please?" <@Ardweden> [Kyoko sighs. "Fine."] * Wataru watches the moon, with no idea how he's going to get home from here, but trusting his friends and companions. He's gotten a lot to think about, today. There's going to be a lot to tell Katie and Satoshi..... * Haruko rests her hand gently on Kyoko's head, until the younger girl stops squinting in pain. "Thank you." <@Ardweden> [End!]