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[Aikawa comes to. He's lying on ground that feels like compressed dirt and leaves, dressed in clothing that might be a little strange to him. Dawn appears to be on its way, though the air is heavy with the feeling of an oncoming rain. Barring the light of a halved moon overhead, it's a thin darkness that feels like it could be broken at any moment.
There's a knapsack next to where he'd been lying, which looks to be a little clearing tucked away in a thicket of bushes and bramble. In almost all directions, a dark forest sprawls outward, seemingly endless. It's silent and still, save for the chirp of insects and the occasional croak of a frog.
The only thing visible in the area he's sitting is a large, wooden building set with its back toward another slope of trees, which appear to lead in the direction of a mountain that looms just barely visible in the distance. It doesn't seem like anyone is around. From where he is, he likely won't be able to pick out many details.
What first, lad?]
There's a knapsack next to where he'd been lying, which looks to be a little clearing tucked away in a thicket of bushes and bramble. In almost all directions, a dark forest sprawls outward, seemingly endless. It's silent and still, save for the chirp of insects and the occasional croak of a frog.
The only thing visible in the area he's sitting is a large, wooden building set with its back toward another slope of trees, which appear to lead in the direction of a mountain that looms just barely visible in the distance. It doesn't seem like anyone is around. From where he is, he likely won't be able to pick out many details.
What first, lad?]
[Sieghart comes to. He's lying on ground that feels rocky, wearing clothing that is likely unfamiliar to him. In the distance, he'll be able to hear the sound of water lapping against a shore. The half-moon overhead provides some amount of light, and if he looks, he'll find that he's not very far away from the bank of a sprawling river. This river isn't in the middle of the wilderness, though; it cuts through the heart of a city, with its slopes carefully maintained by rock and leading all the way up to neat rows of buildings.
Of course, since it's still nightfall, there doesn't seem to be much activity. The footbridge stretching over the river nearby seems empty of any people, and not even a lone drunk is passed out on the banks. In the distance, there appear to be two small, flickering lights wavering through the air. But much closer is a bit of a strange structure. Some sort of tall, pike-like contraption, lined with what appear to be several roundish, melon-sized shapes. In the dark, it's a bit too difficult to make it out clearly.
As Sieghart moves, he'll also realize that he had been lying on a very small bundle.
What first, lad?]
Of course, since it's still nightfall, there doesn't seem to be much activity. The footbridge stretching over the river nearby seems empty of any people, and not even a lone drunk is passed out on the banks. In the distance, there appear to be two small, flickering lights wavering through the air. But much closer is a bit of a strange structure. Some sort of tall, pike-like contraption, lined with what appear to be several roundish, melon-sized shapes. In the dark, it's a bit too difficult to make it out clearly.
As Sieghart moves, he'll also realize that he had been lying on a very small bundle.
What first, lad?]
[ Aikawa wakes up slowly and
the first thing he does is just lie there for a while. Staring up at the sky and the forest leaves above him and wondering to himself 'what the fuck'. Not this shit again. Except the 'not this shit again' isn't about it being a CYOA, it's about him waking up in weird places.
Anyway he'll slowly sit up and rub his head a little, just a tiny bit annoyed -- removing his mask briefly just to shake out and check that there's no dirt lodged up in it, only to realise... it is not his mask. What the fuck is this?
... ]
What the fuck?
[ WHAT THE FUCK. Well he'll just kind of grab at the knapsack then, what is in this? ]
the first thing he does is just lie there for a while. Staring up at the sky and the forest leaves above him and wondering to himself 'what the fuck'. Not this shit again. Except the 'not this shit again' isn't about it being a CYOA, it's about him waking up in weird places.
Anyway he'll slowly sit up and rub his head a little, just a tiny bit annoyed -- removing his mask briefly just to shake out and check that there's no dirt lodged up in it, only to realise... it is not his mask. What the fuck is this?
... ]
What the fuck?
[ WHAT THE FUCK. Well he'll just kind of grab at the knapsack then, what is in this? ]
[Coming to like this isn't unusual. Rather, what's alarming is the absence of familiar faces. The last time he stumbled into a scenario like this, he had three others with him.
Sitting up, Sieghart narrows his eyes as he takes in his surroundings. This sort of time period isn't beyond him, and he has a mild guess as to what the pike-like contraption is up ahead. However, his attention first drifts down, past the foreign attire, to the bundle on which he's been lying, for which he reaches.]
Sitting up, Sieghart narrows his eyes as he takes in his surroundings. This sort of time period isn't beyond him, and he has a mild guess as to what the pike-like contraption is up ahead. However, his attention first drifts down, past the foreign attire, to the bundle on which he's been lying, for which he reaches.]
[The bundle is very light and made of a thin burlap-like material. If he opens the bag by untying the little strip of leather around it, he'll find a slip of paper inside, along with what appears to be a hand-drawn map.
Unfurling the paper will reveal the following note, written hastily in blotchy ink.]
Captain,
I have done as much as I can. The rest is up to you now. Here are the directions to Tama. I will leave the transporting of his head in your care.
Keep your eye west. Do not get caught.
We will meet again soon.
Unfurling the paper will reveal the following note, written hastily in blotchy ink.]
Captain,
I have done as much as I can. The rest is up to you now. Here are the directions to Tama. I will leave the transporting of his head in your care.
Keep your eye west. Do not get caught.
We will meet again soon.
[SWEET AIKAWA HELP HIM HE'S SO TIRED.
Anyway, knapsack! His knapsack is kind of heavy. Once he's opened it up, he'll find a piece of paper inside, a bag of silver coins, some folded paperwork, and a key. The paper is small, and the writing on it is easily visible. It says, in a shaky and blotchy hand:]
Captain,
The body lies east of the watcher's nest, toward the far side of the field. You may want to wait until rainfall, or it will sniff you out.
I will be waiting for you in Tama. Please bring our Commander home.
As Aikawa is reading and the moonlight shifts through clouds overhead, his eye might catch something glinting from the foliage nearby.]
Anyway, knapsack! His knapsack is kind of heavy. Once he's opened it up, he'll find a piece of paper inside, a bag of silver coins, some folded paperwork, and a key. The paper is small, and the writing on it is easily visible. It says, in a shaky and blotchy hand:]
Captain,
The body lies east of the watcher's nest, toward the far side of the field. You may want to wait until rainfall, or it will sniff you out.
I will be waiting for you in Tama. Please bring our Commander home.
As Aikawa is reading and the moonlight shifts through clouds overhead, his eye might catch something glinting from the foliage nearby.]
[ Oh.
Money.
Well, why not. He'll keep this. Do his current clothes have pockets btw? He is looking over this... huh. Well, he doesn't know which way is east, but maybe... maybe something will tell him eventually...
Such as this piece of glinting whatever. Suppose he'll just... wear this new mask around his neck for now as he gets up off the ground proper, and will start heading towards this foliage. Peekaboo??? What are you. ]
Money.
Well, why not. He'll keep this. Do his current clothes have pockets btw? He is looking over this... huh. Well, he doesn't know which way is east, but maybe... maybe something will tell him eventually...
Such as this piece of glinting whatever. Suppose he'll just... wear this new mask around his neck for now as he gets up off the ground proper, and will start heading towards this foliage. Peekaboo??? What are you. ]
[Head? Sieghart looks up at the moon, gauging his position. Westward, the paper says.
He lowers his head to peruse the hand-drawn map next, rising to his feet with the bundle in his other hand as he does. Don't tell him he has to steal a head and run? That'll be the death of him. Whom is he even supposed to meet?]
He lowers his head to peruse the hand-drawn map next, rising to his feet with the bundle in his other hand as he does. Don't tell him he has to steal a head and run? That'll be the death of him. Whom is he even supposed to meet?]
[He does have pockets, good work Aikawa's pockets. He can stash his fresh and nice money away in there if he wants.
There are two things in the foliage when he goes to rummage around, though! One is a shovel, propped up against the tree. It's Aikawa-sized for convenience so it's not like sweet Aikawa has to go digging around with a little toothpick.
There's also a sheathed sword on the ground, the size of an oodachi. Another bigass item, just for Aikawa! Wow. Almost like they're his belongings to begin with.]
There are two things in the foliage when he goes to rummage around, though! One is a shovel, propped up against the tree. It's Aikawa-sized for convenience so it's not like sweet Aikawa has to go digging around with a little toothpick.
There's also a sheathed sword on the ground, the size of an oodachi. Another bigass item, just for Aikawa! Wow. Almost like they're his belongings to begin with.]
[The hand-drawn map appears to be of the area, and it highlights a path that goes presumably west along the river, up through a part of the city, and off toward a forest. As he's standing and shifting with the bundle, something else will fall out of it, too: a small, spherical object with what appears to be a fuse at the end...
Sure would be wild if he had to steal a head and run though, huh?]
Sure would be wild if he had to steal a head and run though, huh?]
[ Wowie! He will keep the key on his person just in case, and the note for easy access, but keep the coins inside the knapsack before tucking that away.
You really could've let me just
, but thank you for giving him a MASSIVE shovel. But wowie again! So much loot! He misses his knife but he supposes this will do, even though this isn't his normal style.
He huffs a little to himself. Well, he has no idea what's going on, but based on his ridiculous clothes, it might be one of those adventures... though he doesn't understand why he's alone, this time. It's good to stay equipped with defensive materials though so he'll stick the shovel handle in his obi so it can hang from there, and hoist this oodachi-sized bastard sword. ]
Oof -- ! This is why I keep it light and simple -- !
[ IT BIG. Okay, now he will look around... can he see any path that he can follow? ]
You really could've let me just
, but thank you for giving him a MASSIVE shovel. But wowie again! So much loot! He misses his knife but he supposes this will do, even though this isn't his normal style.He huffs a little to himself. Well, he has no idea what's going on, but based on his ridiculous clothes, it might be one of those adventures... though he doesn't understand why he's alone, this time. It's good to stay equipped with defensive materials though so he'll stick the shovel handle in his obi so it can hang from there, and hoist this oodachi-sized bastard sword. ]
Oof -- ! This is why I keep it light and simple -- !
[ IT BIG. Okay, now he will look around... can he see any path that he can follow? ]
[i was nice to aikawa this time but next time...... next time...
There is indeed a path! In the moonlight, he'll be able to see from his little circle of shrubbery that there's a trail leading from his side of the woods over toward the wooden building, which rests inside of a large clearing.
The building itself is set somewhat far back, closer to the woods on the opposite side of the clearing. To its left, there's an enormous field of dirt, with what looks to be a fence lining its perimeter. One sole watch tower stands between the field and the building.
A distant rumble of thunder rolls in from overhead, though the clouds aren't thick enough to indicate it will rain just yet.]
There is indeed a path! In the moonlight, he'll be able to see from his little circle of shrubbery that there's a trail leading from his side of the woods over toward the wooden building, which rests inside of a large clearing.
The building itself is set somewhat far back, closer to the woods on the opposite side of the clearing. To its left, there's an enormous field of dirt, with what looks to be a fence lining its perimeter. One sole watch tower stands between the field and the building.
A distant rumble of thunder rolls in from overhead, though the clouds aren't thick enough to indicate it will rain just yet.]
[It looks like it could definitely be some sort of small explosive device, wowee!
Rummaging through the bundle reveals two more! They're all about the size of ping-pong balls with nice, fresh, shiny fuses.
Off in the distance, those two wavering lights from before appear to be getting a little closer.]
Rummaging through the bundle reveals two more! They're all about the size of ping-pong balls with nice, fresh, shiny fuses.
Off in the distance, those two wavering lights from before appear to be getting a little closer.]
[ Clenches my fist... I WANNA DIG............. but Aikawa isn't the type to go around doing stupid things first over objectives when the situation feels kinda serious. So he'll kinda toddle down this trail... and looks at this building. Hmm. ]
Hello?
[ ...He'll walk over to the home and knock on the door. ]
Hello?
[ ...He'll walk over to the home and knock on the door. ]
[Judging from the size, he concludes that they're probably smoke bombs. Sieghart's shoulders slump in a silent sigh. He really is going to have to steal a head, isn't he?
His eyes flit in the lights' direction. They're wavering and drawing closer—lanterns? (It's definitely not the lantern guy, because he'd be hearing raucous laughter from a mile away.) Evidently, he's wasted enough time standing here. He slides the bombs back into the bundle and moves swiftly toward the strange structure.]
His eyes flit in the lights' direction. They're wavering and drawing closer—lanterns? (It's definitely not the lantern guy, because he'd be hearing raucous laughter from a mile away.) Evidently, he's wasted enough time standing here. He slides the bombs back into the bundle and moves swiftly toward the strange structure.]
[Well.
The first thing he'll notice once he gets closer is that the wooden building probably doesn't look very home-like. In fact, it's very large and seems unusually fortified, like the barracks of an army. The barracks of an army whose door he sure just knocked on!
There's some noise from deep within the hall, and what sounds like someone's voice. Light begins to seep through the cracks between the wood, and before long, the door swings open. It reveals a young man whose countenance is stern, holding a small candle in one hand. The other rests against the hilt of the blade at his side. Even in the middle of the night, he's dressed crisply in what appears to be a military uniform. His eyes narrow at the sight of this WEIRD DUDE IN A WEIRD MASK though.]
...You intended to seek out the camp?
[He asks in a way that implies he's, like. Not entirely sure. Spies are weird? Maybe that's what's happening here?? Bro he's an intern.]
The first thing he'll notice once he gets closer is that the wooden building probably doesn't look very home-like. In fact, it's very large and seems unusually fortified, like the barracks of an army. The barracks of an army whose door he sure just knocked on!
There's some noise from deep within the hall, and what sounds like someone's voice. Light begins to seep through the cracks between the wood, and before long, the door swings open. It reveals a young man whose countenance is stern, holding a small candle in one hand. The other rests against the hilt of the blade at his side. Even in the middle of the night, he's dressed crisply in what appears to be a military uniform. His eyes narrow at the sight of this WEIRD DUDE IN A WEIRD MASK though.]
...You intended to seek out the camp?
[He asks in a way that implies he's, like. Not entirely sure. Spies are weird? Maybe that's what's happening here?? Bro he's an intern.]
[Now who would make sweet Seighart do that...
To the strange structure he goes, though! As he gets closer, he'll begin to smell it even before he can hear the buzzing of the cloud of flies that had been essentially invisible in the darkness. It's a pungent, rotten odor, sharp with the underlying metallic scent of blood.
It is, as he'd probably guessed, a strange display that holds numerous heads on pikes, all of them looking out toward the river as if in some strange mockery of sight-seeing. They're in varying states of decay, though they're all recognizable as human heads to some degree.
One head in particular may stand out among the nails and pikes, looking relatively fresh, save for the sag of its facial muscles and the discoloration of the flesh. Though it might not be as eye-catching as another nearby.]
To the strange structure he goes, though! As he gets closer, he'll begin to smell it even before he can hear the buzzing of the cloud of flies that had been essentially invisible in the darkness. It's a pungent, rotten odor, sharp with the underlying metallic scent of blood.
It is, as he'd probably guessed, a strange display that holds numerous heads on pikes, all of them looking out toward the river as if in some strange mockery of sight-seeing. They're in varying states of decay, though they're all recognizable as human heads to some degree.
One head in particular may stand out among the nails and pikes, looking relatively fresh, save for the sag of its facial muscles and the discoloration of the flesh. Though it might not be as eye-catching as another nearby.]
[Souji would.
The smell of rotting flesh is nothing new, though that doesn't make it any less unpleasant. Sieghart swats some flies aside as he steps closer to inspect the heads. It's not hard to notice Kondo after the familiarity of those sagging features was burned into his memory from the other week. Frowning, he reaches for the head when a vibrant red enters his periphery.
He'd almost forgotten.
They're similar; however, a certain softness absent from the hardened face of a warrior hits him like a wave as he stares at what can only be Julia's head. His heart twists despite the paradoxical turn of gears in his mind. Despite his longevity, he hadn't stuck around long enough to see death make its claim on the first love of his life. To see her in the dark like this after so many centuries, reminding him of details forgotten over the merciless passage of time . . .
He tears his gaze away after a beat, moving to dislodge Kondo's head from the pike.]
The smell of rotting flesh is nothing new, though that doesn't make it any less unpleasant. Sieghart swats some flies aside as he steps closer to inspect the heads. It's not hard to notice Kondo after the familiarity of those sagging features was burned into his memory from the other week. Frowning, he reaches for the head when a vibrant red enters his periphery.
He'd almost forgotten.
They're similar; however, a certain softness absent from the hardened face of a warrior hits him like a wave as he stares at what can only be Julia's head. His heart twists despite the paradoxical turn of gears in his mind. Despite his longevity, he hadn't stuck around long enough to see death make its claim on the first love of his life. To see her in the dark like this after so many centuries, reminding him of details forgotten over the merciless passage of time . . .
He tears his gaze away after a beat, moving to dislodge Kondo's head from the pike.]
[Fortunately Aikawa is large enough that the wholeass oodachi fits behind his back pretty well, even though this soldier is literally just standing there like (eyes narrow) about this entire situation. Maybe this is an... enemy spy??? But, like. What kind of spy would do this? Isn't this so obviously weird that anyone would give it a second glance? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of trying to be sneaky?? But maybe that's the true spy technique! Oh damn, this guy might be high level...
Is how this soldier's thoughts are carrying on. His expression is serious, but his brain is empty.
Unfortunately for Aikawa, his suspicion levels are high enough that he does have the braincell to ask one thing, moving his hand from his sword to hold it out.]
I'll have to see your travel papers first.
Is how this soldier's thoughts are carrying on. His expression is serious, but his brain is empty.
Unfortunately for Aikawa, his suspicion levels are high enough that he does have the braincell to ask one thing, moving his hand from his sword to hold it out.]
I'll have to see your travel papers first.
[SOUJI WOULD NEVER.
Well, he's here with a head now. It's about as gross as you'd expect from a head that's presumably been piked for at least a day, and it will likely leave some gnarly decomposition fluids on Sieghart's hands, presuming that's how he dislodged it. He'll probably have to leave little bits of skin behind, but they tear easily enough, given their rotten state.
As he's working on freeing Kondo's head from its pike, however, a voice drifts over from the head he had just been looking at.]
"Will you take me with you, this time...?"
Well, he's here with a head now. It's about as gross as you'd expect from a head that's presumably been piked for at least a day, and it will likely leave some gnarly decomposition fluids on Sieghart's hands, presuming that's how he dislodged it. He'll probably have to leave little bits of skin behind, but they tear easily enough, given their rotten state.
As he's working on freeing Kondo's head from its pike, however, a voice drifts over from the head he had just been looking at.]
"Will you take me with you, this time...?"
[ Yeah he's very weird mister sir-san. Sometimes you should just accept that people are weird and maybe harmless even though he's 6'8" and therefore guaranteed to be like twice of your height if this manga were realistic.
He waits patiently while the guy plays 4D chess. And very innocently: ]
My wha-huh hah?
He waits patiently while the guy plays 4D chess. And very innocently: ]
My wha-huh hah?
[Oh yeah... Oh damn... Damn, this spy is good. He's just frowning in his suspicious way, hand still held out expectantly between them.]
Your travel papers. [As if repeating that will help???] You must have them, if you've even ended up this far into this area.
Your travel papers. [As if repeating that will help???] You must have them, if you've even ended up this far into this area.
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