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[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

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@Sano

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

...You're joking, right?

[ Sano? Not rough? Okay, he's not intentionally rough, but Heisuke's been headlocked, noogied, picked up by the scruff of his neck, and otherwise knocked around by the other man plenty of times before, so he's pretty sure it's just a case of not knowing his own strength.

Rubbing at his eyes and brushing mussed hair out of his face, Heisuke peers up at him, curiously. ]

So does this mean I actually get to do things with you guys now?


[ooc: re-posted from here for easy times. ]

@Hijikaasan

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Continued from here. ]


He does? [ There is something about those words that makes him perk up, eyes bright. If Sano remembers, then... ] He better still have Hijicroca, then! And if he doesn't, then he'd better get me a new one.

[ But the question that follows makes him blink. Is he Shinsengumi? That's kind of a hard question to answer, and his expression falls, head lowering, eyes averted. ]

I used to be... but then I left, and it's not like you can just go back to something like that because everybody looks at you like you're some kinda traitor, y'know? I mean, it's not like it'd matter anymore anyway...

[ The last thing he remembers, he was bleeding out in Shinpachi's arms. ]

[hijiwanwan]

[ ... he can't help but react to that name though? ]

Hiji...croca...

[ uh. MOVING ON -- especially since it seems like the air got a lil' heavy so suddenly. although, now, Hijikata can kind of make a good guess.

so, flatly: ]

Are you Heisuke, then?

[ not sure what to say about the whole traitor thing. this isn't even his Heisuke, honestly. although, if Hijikata had the chance to save his own Heisuke, he would.

hm... difficult stuff though. ]

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ At the question, his head snaps up, eyes wide. This guy knew his name? So then they didn't forget him after all! Though, he can't really say he thought they would... but at the same time, who knows what sort of things those two told people about him. ]

Yeah.

[ He has to ask... ]

Why? What'd they say about me? I mean, whatever it is, I swear I didn't do it.

[hijiwanwan]

[ it's getting easier and easier to guess these names. though, it's kind of funny how striking some similarities are despite being from other worlds? ]

Oh, I never talked to Harada or Nagakura about you if that's what you think.

[ sorry to burst that bubble. ]

I just guessed. You're like the Heisuke I know. [ sort of, at least. ]

@Ankh

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Continued from here. ]

[ The question is one he's actually kind of used to hearing, so it doesn't ruffle him as much as it might have otherwise. ]

Well, I could've asked if you were some kinda demon, but they usually just have horns and white hair, not creepy hands.

[ But the personal space, or lack thereof, is what's weirding him out a little more. ]

But um... can you maybe let go now? I said I won't do it again, and I mean it, honest!

Re: @Ankh

[notsogreedy]

Tch.

[And yeah, he lets go, taking a step back and just looking generally surly.]

I'm not a demon.

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

Good, because all they ever do is cause problems.

[ Like trying to kidnap people. And showing up uninvited. And killing him. ]

But... um, what's with the hand then? Is it some kinda armor? Because that'd be kinda neat if it was!

[notsogreedy]

Something like that.

[It's a good enough description at this point. That armor there is still part of him, but it's not quite in the same way it used to be now that he has his own human body underneath it.

He brushes that armored hand through his hair again, not having succeeded in getting all the sand out before.]

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Okay, if it's something like armor, then that's cool, because he's never seen armor like that before. And if it's kinda sorta but not really, it's still cool, because the guy isn't a demon so he doesn't have to worry about having his internal organs getting pulverized again.

But still... ]

I'm sorry for getting sand in your hair. I wasn't really trying to, or anything, it's just... this place kinda feels like a really sandy cave and I can't find the exit so I thought I'd try to make one, but it's not really working too well, y'know?

@Edgeworth

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Continued from here. ]

[ Well that's just confusing! Edgeworth, you may have to explain this one. ]

Why not?

[ Other than the fact that it's hella shady to begin with and who knows what mermaids are capable of. ]

I wanna know where it's coming from!

[prosecutory]

[IT'S MORE THAN JUST SHADY.]

There are mermaids out at sea. And their song is luring you to them.

[If he didn't drown because he couldn't swim or deal with the waves, then the mermaids would do the job themselves. The gravity of the situation shows in his face...even if this is just a video game.

Still, better to not die whether in reality or in a video game.]

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Cue wide eyes and shock. ]

Seriously?! Wait... how is that a bad thing? I mean, aren't they supposed to grant you a really long life if you eat 'em? Because that's not really a bad thing, y'know.

[ Then again, he could be thinking of a ningyo. ]

[prosecutory]

Er...wh-what?

[That threw him off. He's never heard THAT one before.]

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

That's what they do. They're bad luck if you catch 'em, but if you eat 'em, you'll live for a long time.

[ Yep, totally thinking of something else there. Mermaids are not food. ]

You didn't know that?

[prosecutory]

No...because I've never heard that particular legend before.

[This still doesn't seem right at all.]

@Ishtar

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Continued from here. ]

[ She doesn't seem shady, so he's just going to grin and nod in acceptance of the aid. Then again, she could also be an ax murderer and as long as she doesn't come off as a bad person, he'd still be all smiles and happy acceptance. He's kind of dense like that... ]

Well, if there's two of us, maybe we can try and find the exit? I mean, I tried digging through the wall, but... I don't think it's going too well, y'know? It feels like it's taking forever! [ It's probably been only a few minutes, but that's an eternity.

That nervousness, though... Maybe it's because she doesn't know him? That's an easy enough fix! ]

I'm Heisuke.

[ And if she lets him, he's going to try to take her hand and dag her down a hall in hopes of finding a door. ]

[xroyal_bratx]

[ He didn't seem like too much of a creep either. Then again he looks younger than most people she knew so she had a soft spot for children and people who seemed younger or appear younger than her. Of course, she wasn't going to say that aloud. That'd be awkward. She did have of a maternal complex. She's kind of dense herself, so it makes two of them. ]

Yeah, I was thinking about that too since this place looks really long winded and creepy. Especially when you go around on your own. The walls are tougher and more problematic than they look so it's probably not a good idea to try that again. I mean I don't want you to get hurt or anything. Yeah seriously, how thick are these damn walls?

[ It'd be nice to have something to defend herself with. It was more about the overall situation but she was fine with greeting people and such. ]

Nice to meet you Heisuke, I'm Ishtar.

[ She replied smiling before he took down the hallway with him. How sweet of him. ]

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ It takes him a few moments to wrap his mind around her name, sounding it out in his head so it doesn't feel awkward to use, but as soon as he's pretty sure he's got it down, he's 'guiding' them along the maze of sandy corridors. ]

Ne, Ishtar-san, if there's a direction you wanna try, lemme know, okay? I'm not bad with directions, but this place all kinda looks the same t'me.

[ Sandy adventures, here they come! ]

[xroyal_bratx]

[ Lucky for her a few of her friends spoke the language and or have names in similar pronunciation so she's able to grasp the basics of his name. Of course she might have a hiccup here or there when she calls it. Ishtar follows along with him looking around. She wondered how bad this place was in all honesty. So far all she saw was sand, sand and more sand. ]

Everything seriously looks the same to me too. It's weird and all I see is sands and confusing walkways...or whatever.

[ Hopefully they'll survive this. ]

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

Well, I guess we just gotta take a guess and hope we're right! Though, if we run into anybody else, we might as well ask 'em to come along.

[ If two heads are better than one, then three or more is even better than that. Now if only he could tell which way was toward the outside and which way led deeper into the sand castle... ]

[xroyal_bratx]

The bigger the party the better but then again if we have too many people we might stick out too much and things will definitely try to get us.

[ Then again, she's not even sure how safe this sand castle is. Was something going to jump out at them and attack them or were there traps?! She didn't even know but two heads were better than one and it was a pretty vast place to be on your own. ]

I haven't seen you around before. Are you new here?

@Saitou

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Continued from here. ]

You mean we're stuck in here?! [ No, don't tell him that, Saitou. It's depressing!

At the same time, though, he has a point. Digging has been useless so far. ]

...I know I didn't wanna be here last time, but now that I don't really have anything else, it's gotta be something like this? I hate this place. At least all the other times, it wasn't some kinda sandy coffin.

[tsuranuki]

Only stuck here until they've had their amusement with...this. [ He's uncomfortable in these clothes (or lack of). So uncomfortable. ]

What you mean by not have anything else?

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

How's this amusing? I mean, I kinda feel like I'm buried alive... and it's not all that great, y'know?

[ And as much as he's not sure he wants to answer that question, he's not about to lie to him. ]

I-- I'm... I died. [ His voice is hollow, all the life sucked right out of it. Saying it out loud makes it seem a little more real than it feels. ] At Aburano Koji. They--

[ And now, he's just going to panic because what if Saitou didn't know about that? ] But I'm sure I get better! Really! I mean, people die and come back all the time, right? It could totally happen!

[tsuranuki]

It's quite pointless, what they put us through. [ There's a lot to complain about; Saitou has quite the list. But then Heisuke mentions Aburano Koji, which is a sobering thing.

'I died.' ]

I know. [ They're sitting in a sandcastle, and there is sand literally everywhere, getting everywhere...and they're in these ridiculous clothes. It's loud and yet... ] I remember that.

[ But he pauses; does Heisuke not know that he drank ochimizu? Or was this a slightly differing timeline? He remembers what people have told him, and if Heisuke doesn't know, it's one more secret for him to keep. One thing is for sure; he's not going to tell Heisuke that he's rasetsu. Not yet. ]

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

Oh...

[ So then he really is dead, and not just dying. It's a sobering thought, but at the same time, it means he has to try harder to stay alive here because this is all he has left. ]

Hey, um... have you seen a metal crocodile? It doesn't have any skin, so it's kinda cool looking, and its name is Hijicroca. Though, it doesn't really come when you call it or anything.

[tsuranuki]

Do you not have memories of after Aburanokoji...? [ Saitou says this a little softer. He doesn't want to break the news, but Heisuke deserves to know. ] In any case, either Sano or Shinpachi or I can fill you in.

...I have not; Shinpachi mentioned it before. [ When they were at a bar, if he remembers. Or maybe it was upon arriving, his first (second?? he forgets that he's been here quite early one, but he's got no memories of that) time. ] Why the name 'Hijicroca,' though?

@Lili

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Continued from here. ]

[ This is a really good question actually. He's from Edo and while lakes, rivers, and streams are things, splashing around in actual open water like this? It's not a thing he really does. ]

But--! [ Be reasonable, boy. That is a long, long way. ] ...probably not that long.

[ It's not that he's suicidal, he just doesn't always think before acting. ]

And it's kinda hard to touch the bottom on some spots...

[ Wait for it. ]

...Okay, maybe this was kind of a bad idea?

[coastal]

What could've possibly given you that impression?

[DRYLY.

Still though, she's going to do her best to back up, though she is also grabbing onto his arm with one hand and pulling him back in case he needs the help since his feet are probably no longer touching the ground.]

I presume you just arrived - but that doesn't mean it's acceptable to be an idiot!

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

Well, the not being able to touch the ground is kind of a giveaway.

[ But later on when he looks back at this, he'll be grateful to her. ]

This is my second time! The first time was... kinda bad, I guess. But Sano-san and Shinpattsu-san are the ones who're the idiots, not me.

@Souji

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Continued from here. ]

[ CRINGING NOW THANKS. But it's true. If Souji were actively trying to kill him, he'd already be dead. There's no ifs, ands, or buts about that one. ]

I know where I'm at, and it's not like I'm gonna get to go home again anyway. I could die like three or four times here and yeah, it'll hurt like hell, but I'll just end up comin' back again.

[ Pouting now. ]

Besides, I'm not even Shinsengumi anymore, so why does it matter to you? [ In fact, he never made it out of Aburano Koji, unlike Sano, Shinpachi, and Chizuru. ]

[retorter]

[ At least Souji has now released Heisuke's luxurious hair. The expression on his face is just on the edge of confusion, then smooths out into a sort of neutrality.

It's not like he's too surprised by the fact that Heisuke has apparently been in Cerealia before. At this point, he should expect it. But what Heisuke says next echoes in Souji's head before he actually registers it.

It's been a while since he's thought of home. Home, where the last thing he remembered was becoming a rasetsu. On the night of Itou Kashitora's assassination. Kondou-san asking Sano and Shinpachi to bring Heisuke back, because that would be his last chance. ]

It's still a waste of time. [ dying ] But if you really don't care, then go ahead.

[ He's not even going to address that question. Don't ask him why he cares about his friends, he's not that well-adjusted!! ]

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Pouting at that. Really, Souji, you could pretend to maybe care... but then again, if he did, he wouldn't be Souji. ]

I didn't say I didn't care! I just... I already died here once because of some weird guys in masks, so it's not like it can't happen, I just don't really wanna do it again.

[ He'd spent how long afterward doubting his abilities and doubting his usefulness, only to go home and end up dying there too. Maybe there's actually something to that then? But eh, that means thinking about it, and right now, his head is hurting too much for that. ]

Didja have to pull so hard?

holds heisuke

[retorter]

[ The corners of Souji's lips press into a frown at this new piece of information, because well.

okay maybe he does care.

ugh.

he'll never say this out loud. ever. but still, this only reminds Souji that despite how strong they might be as swordsmen and warriors, despite how Heisuke's a captain of the Shinsengumi, everything about this place was different. different rules, different powers, different people.

Still, Heisuke's complaint causes Souji's attention to shift back on him, his frown lessening. ]

I thought the pain might bring you back to your senses.

[ lightly... Souji likes Pain. ]

You said you didn't want to die again, didn't you? So shouldn't you be thanking me?

@Shinpoodles

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Continued from here. ]

[ This is disturbingly familiar. Not the being caught and dragged back to shallow water, but the being in Shinpachi's arms after doing something stupid. Only this time, there's no pain and a lot less blood. ]

Huh, I must've mistaken you for a lumpy rock or something.

[ But the tone is playful, the words in jest. He's not going to dwell on it right now. There's plenty of time to figure out what happened later. It's not like he's going anywhere or has anything to go back to...

Instead, he's going to focus on something else. ]

You should put me up on your shoulders so we can go see where that noise is coming from!

[nostatus]

[ Let's keep up that less blood streak, okay. Shinpachi has held a dying Heisuke one too many times in his arms to really want to have it happen one more time - it could happen twenty thousand times and he'd still be upset. Of course he would be, because dammit, that's his Heisuke. The third part of the baka trio. No way he could just let him do something stupid or die if Shinpachi was around to help it, you know?

Which is also why he isn't all for that last idea, despite carrying out dumb ideas basically being a daily activity for those three. He'll even ignore the insult - for now, god knows Heisuke will get his moment of (non-deadly!!) payback later. Instead he just drags the shorter guy a bit back even more in case any weird thing comes to nip at their toes until they're practically standing on just the sand again. ]

Sorry, kid, no weird noises for you today. [ Yes, Heisuke, you're definitely going to be called a kid if you want to go look for something that's clearly suspicious! Shinpachi is too jaded to give in to these things by now, even though he's keeping his tone light.

It's only then that he lets go of Heisuke, not even really caring if the other wasn't using his legs and would just drop straight onto the sand. Payback. ]

The game we're playing today's called "let's not get ourselves offed." You at least gotta try a little harder, y'know?

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ "Let's not get ourselves offed"? Really, Shinpachi? And thanks for dropping him on the sand like a sack of rice. Now he's going to have sand in places he'd really rather not! ]

Shinpattsu-san, I really hate t'break it to you, but if that's the game we're playing, I already lost.

[ Does he really want to say this? ]

I already died.

[ Hey, why not? ]

[nostatus]

[ If they all have to suffer the sand in asscracks curse, Heisuke, then you do too. Sharing is caring.

But more important than that, they're not going down this direction. Nope. Heisuke dying is not a topic Shinpachi particularly cares to discuss since it's still a sensitive thing -- hell, it's been a sensitive thing ever since Aburano Koji, even though Heisuke was still around after that.. sort of. ]

Hey, Heisuke.

[ He drops to squat down (not getting sand anywhere in the process, okay, he's safely hovering above it, only touching it with his feet!) to be on an even eye level with the other there. ]

Is that the kinda gloomy expression you're gonna greet me with? I'm pretty sure there's a living guy right over here I'm talking to, unless you're gonna say I'm crazy. [ And then Heisuke would have his head pushed into the sand to get only more sand in unfortunate places. Don't wish that upon yourself, Heisuke. ]

[wolfthatbarkstheloudest]

[ Curiosity is a horrible, awful thing. It kills. And unfortunately, he's curious.

Peering up at Shinpachi, he cocks his head to one side, weighing the sanity of what he's going to ask... but only for a moment because he doesn't really seem to give much thought to anything really. ]

Maybe now, but how come you didn't tell me I don't make it outta Aburano Koji? I mean, you knew that, right?

[ Cut right to the chase. ]

[nostatus]

[ THAT.. is pretty directly getting to the point, yeah. Not that Shinpachi doesn't get it, he's a pretty direct guy too, after all. But this topic of all things.. it's a sensitive one, of course. Especially since by now it's not the only time he's seen Heisuke die by a long shot. And having to talk about it to Heisuke's face.. well, that sure doesn't make it any easier. ]

Yeah, I knew.

[ His tone sounds a little heavier as he says that. He can put up a positive mood about a lot of things, but this sure isn't one of them. Shinpachi decidedly looks a whole lot more awkward. ]

People made it sound though like we wouldn't remember anything if we ever did go home. Then what would've been the point of telling you all 'bout it? It'd just be painful.