WEEK 1

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 1

[You now know why you're here, Titled. The question now is, is there a way to get out of here without invoking the rules? What will those who brought you here do to get you to kill?

Time will tell.

There are fifteen strangers in this place.]

Comments

[byanyother_name]

[The first couple of days were spent mostly talking to people and finding things out. So Kurama has a bit to do today, actually. After his breakfast, which he takes over to the cat cafe, his first stop is quick and hard to catch him at. He's in and out of the novelty weapons department, like he already knows what he wants. He leaves with a whip curled up and hidden away.

He also finds a place to buy some dart boards, and spends some time setting up a slightly elaborate target course in the area of the Mosaic. Kurama can be found back there for a while as he practices with his new power. He seems to be making sure he can hit his target up, left, right, down, and upside-down, literally, as well as in the middle of a backflip, handstand, or somersault. If he also takes a shot or two at the fastenings of the tarp, well, clearly he hasn't quite mastered it yet. Anyone with a particular interest in acrobatics might enjoy watching him, though.

Evidently Shuuichi Minamino is significantly more athletic than he's been letting on, even though he's not quite as much so as when his ki is available to strengthen him.

Later, he can be found in the gardening department, either caring for the plants or apparently meditating with his phone a few feet away. The Life Coach told him they might be able to master their new abilities on their own, and he's certainly going to try rather than rely on a crutch given to him by his enemies.

Dinner is at the sushi place, and he actually looks tired by now. Kurama is finding out just how much his demon energy has buoyed his human body over the last few years, and it's quite a bit. Of course, as soon as he sees someone else, that exhausted expression will be wiped away and replaced with a welcoming smile.]

They're sort of like darts?

[foolishjustice]

[Maybe not acrobatics in specific, but Akechi can still appreciate a display of fitness and training. So, Kurama, enjoy the sound of applause coming from nearby, though you probably already knew he was there.]

Impressive.

Fiery, probably horribly lethal darts...

[byanyother_name]

[Of all the people to see him at this. Well, he knew the risk when he took it. Kurama brushes his hair back over his shoulder as he turns to look at Akechi with a faint smile.]

I'm flattered, Akechi-san. But it's just practice. My ability, I'm sorry to say, is not half so practical as yours. It should be useful if I need to defend myself, however.

Isn't that the best kind?

[foolishjustice]

Given our lack of desire to either remain here forever or to play their game, I would think a self-defense power is quite practical, in the long run. Assuming, that is, that they can't merely disable our abilities at will...

Depends on who you ask? (If it's Kurama the answer is yes.)

[byanyother_name]

I expect they can, considering we're currently dependent on our phones to evoke them. That would be why it isn't practical, a defence you can't use against the true enemy is barely one at all.

The Life Coach said we may be able to learn to use them independently, however. Should I achieve that, well, then I'll change my opinion. [Said with a sunny smile and maybe a bit of a wink. He may or may not be actually trying to fluster Akechi.]

(...Akechi too, given his take on bombs as weapons.)

[foolishjustice]

[It'll take a bit more than that to fluster him, since he's inclined to assume that sort of thing is joking. He does nod, however.]

I've been practicing quite a bit, as well. It seems as though the healing properties fade twenty minutes after I create the drink...

[Don't ask how he knows that.]

But it seems prudent to create a stockpile, just in case resources run out...either from lack of money, or our captors holding them hostage.

These boys.

[byanyother_name]

[He will learn better, in time. Kurama isn't exactly overt but he's definitely not ashamed. Right now he's more learning Akechi's reactions than anything, though, so it's still good data.]

Isn't that the same amount of time it takes you to be able to create another? Perhaps the healing energy simply returns to you at that point to be re-infused.

[Now Akechi gets a nod!] Absolutely. The human body can go much longer without food than without liquid.

Akechi's a teenager, what's Kurama's excuse?

[foolishjustice]

A plausible theory. I had also considered that it might be a deliberate limiting factor, to prevent me from healing a large number of people at once. The amount of healing seems relative to the amount of liquid consumed, so splitting a single serving between multiple people would result in partial recovery at best.

But, it's more mundane uses can't be denied. If not for the delivery method of the healing, I would be deprived of my usual cafe order. And it's saved me a noticeable amount of money, as well.

He's a demon?

[byanyother_name]

That's also a possibility. As well, it could be because you are new to the power. The Life Coach seemed to indicate that we might grow stronger.

[Kurama looks rather amused before glancing at his watch and tossing a spray of bullets over his shoulder. They all hit targets.]

I'm sure we're all better off for it. The deprivation of a coffee addict is a dangerous thing and we are trying to prevent these murders.

mosaic area!

[classmated]

[ He watches the display for a little while. Definitely impressive! Whenever the redhead looks like he's going to take a break, Wake approaches to chat. ]

You've got skills! Were you a gymnast before you came here?

[byanyother_name]

[Well, after every burst of five bullets, he has to stop for a couple of minutes to wait for his power to charge back up. So there is an opportunity fairly quickly.

He offers Wake a small, friendly smile but shakes his head to the question.]

Perhaps I could have been, but no, not officially. They're skills I've honed on my own. I suppose you could call it a hobby. [He wouldn't fight the way he does if he didn't enjoy it along with it being effective.]

[classmated]

[ That's the limit, huh? If he were inclined to memorize someone's weaknesses, he'd remember that. As is, he returns Kurama's smile with an easy one. ]

You definitely could have been. Like I said, you've got skills. [ Nodding his head firmly! ] I don't think I've ever met anyone with a hobby like this before, but it looks like you love it. When did you start it?

[byanyother_name]

[Even if he were, Kurama is maybe the sort to set a smaller weakness out in the open as a distraction. Then again, he might not be doing that. But he is definitely looking friendly and approachable!]

Quite a few years ago, when I was young. Well. Significantly younger. I do enjoy it very much. It's a bit flashy, I know, but that's a part of the fun.

[classmated]

A friend of mine would say if you've got it, flaunt it. I kind of agree, there's nothing wrong with being proud of the work you've put into something. [ Maybe that's not good advice? Hm. Maybe he should change the subject, then. ]

Thinking of it... It might be helpful for me to learn some of them. Do you think you could teach me a few?

[byanyother_name]

I can imagine something along similar lines coming from one or two of my own friends, to be honest. Though I'm not in danger of a lack of pride... [He gives a little chuckle at that but doesn't take it any further.

Besides, it's time for more of the 'sounds bad out of context with Wake' show.]

I don't see any reason why not. How are your stamina and flexibility?

[classmated]

Makes sense. You've got a lot to be proud of, after all. [ Will Wake ever run out of compliments? Probably not, he's so here for boosting egos. ]

And I think it's usually pretty good, but I admit I push myself a little harder when people have their eyes on me.

I hate you a little rn.

[byanyother_name]

You're very flattering, Archus-san. [Kurama's ego does just fine, but he does think Wake seems like a genuinely nice person.]

I don't think that's unusual. We all want to show our best side to others, after all. We can start simple. I'll show you a good roll that helps soften a fall.

Would you mind explaining a bit to me about Star Children in return? I don't think I understand the concept and I'm rather curious.

special delivery/text during garden meditating, lol

[theirmagic]

Mister Minamino, are you busy? I believe I might have something of yours.

[byanyother_name]

...of mine? Does this have anything to do with that strange vending machine? I'm not in the middle of anything I can't interrupt. I'm at the garden area but I could meet you elsewhere.

[theirmagic]

Oh, how did you guess? Yes, it does. I received a photograph with you and some other people in it. I assume it's yours?

[byanyother_name]

I got a rather curious looking robe out of it. A photograph... That certainly sounds like something of mine. If it's what I think it is, I'd certainly like to have it back.

[theirmagic]

I received a bunch of other things. A strange wand-like rose Professor Croix and I have been trying to decipher, some cup noodles, and an... actual kitten I'm now taking care of... I'm not really sure how this works, to be honest.

Can I come see you to deliver the photograph?

[byanyother_name]

[There is actually a brief delay before she gets another reply.] Yes, of course. I'm still in the gardening department. Ah... About this rose... May I ask what strikes you as strange about it?

[theirmagic]

Well, it had the feeling of residual magical energy to it... I'm sure you wouldn't know much about it, but it felt a fair bit like the wands carved from real-life trees most witches used in the olden days, or another wand I've... been acquainted with in the past, the Shiny Rod.

[byanyother_name]

...As if the rose is a natural conduit for an individual's energy? Still living despite being a cut flower due to incorporating and binding to that particular 'magic'?

[There's another pause, shorter.]

Callistis-san... I would appreciate it if you brought that rose with you as well.