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

text

[mythmaker]

I'm excited to see more new places and try new things. A festival in a forbidden city sounds romantic, doesn't it?

text

[acceptedlife]

Yeah. Clearly.

[He has no idea what she's talking about at the end there.]

[mythmaker]

[Ah! She's talking to a fellow romantic. How delightful.]

What do you think of the invitation, then? I know some people are nervous, but I don't find myself feeling that way at all.

[acceptedlife]

[...He has to remind himself sarcasm is not a thing that translates well to text.]

I'm more leaning on the worried side of the fence on this one. Sure, it'll be nice to see another corner of the world we haven't yet, but something just doesn't feel right?

If that makes sense.

[mythmaker]

Would it be alright with you if I asked why you're worried? I don't think it's wrong to feel any way over another, of course. Is it just a feeling?

[acceptedlife]

Just a feeling, and, if I know anything about my gut, it's usually right.

[mythmaker]

That's wonderful. You should never ignore your gut feelings. If you can't trust them like an old friend, then who's left?

[acceptedlife]

No one, really. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[mythmaker]

What an interesting face you're making. But in the end, women's intuition really is our greatest ally, isn't it?

[Whoops.]

[acceptedlife]

I'm a guy.

[ a w k w a r d . . . ]

[mythmaker]

Eh?

Are you sure?

That's a silly question, isn't it. I'm sorry. I'm sure you've got something similar, so it's fine.

[acceptedlife]

["Unless my creator made a mistake, yes." is almost sent, but he changes it to something else.]

I call it "being older and knowing better", but yes. That was a silly question.

[mythmaker]

Yes, I imagine everyone here is old enough to know what they are.

What's your name, Mr.? My intuition tells me...we've never spoken before.

[acceptedlife]

You'd be surprised. I've seen some kids as young as eight years old running around in foreign worlds before.

[Nope, totally not him. What are you talking about?

Takeshi Nakagawa. I was there while you guys were competing in the Gauntlet.

[Quiet in the background, until Hunk was like "let's search for the PuPus!" ...He might still be laughing about the electric fence in hindsight now.]

[mythmaker]

That sounds horrible. I can't imagine being so young and taken away from everything you know.

[She knows it happens sometimes in the real world, too, but...]

You were watching me perform? I didn't make it to the finals, but I was competing in a wedding dress to help an elderly dressmaker get more customers...I'm Azusa Miura.

[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.

[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.

Re: text

[immortalmarshal]

Romantic?

[mythmaker]

That's right. A place like the Empire has a certain mystique to it, doesn't it?

[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]

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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?