001 (How does one formalities?)

[acceptedlife]

[Takeshi has been... very careful. Since the last time he replied to something on the linkshell. However, he can't help but have a feeling of dread as August rolled in. Maybe he's just paranoid. But in the middle of the night, there is a text appearing on the list from him.]

Out of curiosity, what does everyone think of this invitation to the Empire? (Also what does someone wear to those kinds of things?)

Locked to [AU] Reno
Found something interesting in the 'Width. Be visiting soon.

Locked to Nagito Komaeda
Said I'd message you when I had something. I finished the map, so I'm sending you that now. Expect the other thing before some of us accept that most gracious invitation.

[Attached is crystallismap.jpeg and wor.jpeg. It's far rougher than what the official images look like, more like outlines that have been erased and redrawn until it seemed right and then redrawn over with ink. He's no ultimate artist (or any artist, for that matter), but it's passable and isn't inaccurate.]

Locked to Kenichi Nakagawa
Hey dad. Found something of interest you should see. I'll be between Arito and Yun'Ashia for most of the month working on adding to it, but lmk when'd be good to visit.

Comments

[spaceforged]

With an empire that size? It depends on their resources. It's very likely they have a wealth of resources at their disposal.

[Shiro blinks at the Moogle and sighs, laughing to himself. Okay. The Lion rises to its feet and he guides it back to the house. At a walk.]

[immortalmarshal]

And what do you mean by 'mystique'?

You haven't been reading romance novels, have you?

[Gods...that would make two people in his life if that's true]

[acceptedlife]

If they managed to survive this long with closed borders, they'd have to. My worlds may be different and self-sustaining on their own, but even I know that.

[And he was three days old at minimum before he... ended up in Animus. Yeah, he's not going to mention that part.]

[Meanwhile, the moogle sits atop the Lion's head. And pets it. She still has something to deliver, after all.]

text, private

[acceptedlife]

Unfortunately.

[acceptedlife]

Yeah. Nice to meet you.

Didn't get to see the final half of the qualifying rounds, myself. Was a bit busy at the time.

you're good.

[failtsuninari]

[Takeshi has Kenichi's full attention and he accepts the tiny notebook. He does open to see the list he's referring to and closes it. Now he understood why Mary included him into the Assassins.]

Understood. Bonnie has been behaving since the meeting but I'll make sure she won't know about any of this yet. You have my word that I'll follow through on this but I pray this scenario will not happen.

[He sits down on an open spot on the sofa.]

Takeshi, thank you for doing this. Both of your moms would be very proud of your work. And hey, stay the night. Bonnie won't be back until morning so you can deal with those notes without worry.

[mythmaker]

Of course I've been reading some. I just finished one last week about a handsome lady knight who falls for the dazzling white mage who keeps tending to her wounds. I couldn't stop turning the pages. You can borrow it if you'd like.

But 'mystique' doesn't have to be romantic like that, does it? I wouldn't mind meeting my special someone soon, but just the thought of seeing something new and trying more new things we can't even guess at is exciting. That's what I think.

[mythmaker]

You were looking for the aliens, then? I've heard a little about that, but I haven't heard much. It sounds like everyone had something exciting to do.

[immortalmarshal]

I'm good, thanks.

Ah, that kind of mystique is
Interesting

[mythmaker]

Are you sure? If you change your mind, feel free to let me know.

Isn't it? People haven't been to the Empire in several years now. We're going to be some of the first to see what's behind these closed doors. How does that make you feel?

[acceptedlife]

Yeah, it... sure did get exciting.

;o;

[acceptedlife]

[Takeshi nods, and in an instant... it's like a weight has lifted off his shoulders. He relaxes, lowering his guard as his father joins him on the sofa.]

I know, but that's still a risk we- I can't take. [He knows that, unless it's approved by Reno, this is something he's on his own for. He didn't come to Kenichi because he's another member of the Assassins, but because they're family.] So do I.

[He'd never been a praying man. Even before being adopted by one, he knew the gods were real. Hard not to when the real thing once worked with a group that involved the Greek god of the Underworld. Still... Relying on others is new to him.

Takeshi smiles faintly. He really hopes they would be.]

I'll do that, and... Thanks, Dad. I know it's a lot to ask. [He pauses.] Besides, don't we have shopping to do tomorrow?

[shinra_dog]

Sounds good. I wanted to show you my new place anyway. Feel free to stay.

[acceptedlife]

I can for a few days, sure.

[save him from housemate hell one is literally a giant ant]

[shinra_dog]

Had a feeling you'd be in the area anyway.

[An address for an apartment in the city is listed.]

LMK when you'll be around, or if I'm at work Sohma will let you in. Make yourself at home.

[acceptedlife]

Been visiting with my old man. Be over once he's done dragging me to every single clothing store in the city.

[#h e l p]

[immortalmarshal]

I'll keep that in mind.

To be honest, I am a little curious, since this is the one great nation that we haven't dealt with yet.

But also hesitant.

Maybe it's just my paranoid side, but I'd prefer to be cautious.

[shinra_dog]

omg clothes shopping with your dad? that's so precious.

you want me to text him a fake mission or something? suggest he left the stove on?

[acceptedlife]

those are the oldest tricks in the book and somehow I doubt that'd work

[mythmaker]

That's what everyone is saying.

To be honest, I'll rest a little easier knowing you're being cautious, but...

Please be open to good experiences, too. Okay?

[regalblaze]

[The moogle is free to get attached to Ignis at any time. Ignis actually admires these guys, following the Otherworlders like this and helping them out. Or maybe that's just Ebony. Ignis didn't touch to dust the place or vacuum ever since they moved to Yun'Aisha. Ebony took on all the cleaning duty from Ignis and he appreciates it a lot.

So free treats will be gifted to all nice Moogles.]

I haven't met a person yet that didn't enjoy a few macaroons, [Ignis says with a smile and sets the cup of freshly brewed coffee in front of Takeshi.]

I don't think I've said this before, but I appreciate a lot all the information you shared with me.

[acceptedlife]

[He'll admit: he lucked out with Moglina. While she hasn't fully won his trust like the one who followed him on Crystallis just yet, he can't help but admit that she was very helpful and (almost) never pranked him for one thing or another. He was lucky he noticed the different coloration in his shampoo once.

He jots down a few notes, nodding.] Never had them myself, so I'll take your word for it.

[He mutters a word of thanks, smiling faintly.]

We're in this together, whether you join us or not. [It's said more as an unavoidable fact than anything.] This has been my solo project for months, before what 'Lina there gave you showed up in the Rift.

[He taps the notebook with his pen.]

Re: text, private

[gathersnomoss]

It can be useful, if they keep surviving things like that.

[regalblaze]

[Ignis always thought that Moogles were just dolls that Gladio's sister really liked. They were really popular back on Eos. To see them alive, talking and floating around was a surprise he didn't expect.

Without a pause, Ignis pulls out a small plate and takes few macaroons from the pastry display and places the treats in front of Takeshi.]

It would be rude to treat your Moogle and not treat you. [Especially since he came all the way here to share notes.]

I... [there is a contemplating frown on Ignis' face before he answers.] Noctis is a good judge of character. If he says that the... group' [need to be discreet about the names around here] is worth the time and effort put into it, then that's how it is. He is very rarely wrong when it comes to these things.

[acceptedlife]

[He would say welcome to the club, except that the real thing has seen a moogle or two before. Walking on their feet. The floating thing is new to him.

He blinks. He's still not entirely sure how to deal with random acts of generosity, but he tries not to show it. For a moment, he almost looks a lot younger than he seems when he smiles.]

Thank you. [Both for the macaroons and the discretion.] He has a decent head on his shoulders. [Which is more than he can say of himself.] It'd be good to have you on board.