melodiesofkupo | 001 (How does one formalities?)

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001 (How does one formalities?)

[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.

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[He would've scolded his son about staying up this late but even he knows that one saying about people living in glass houses.]

We should accept the invitation but take everything they say with a grain of salt. I'm not a fan of stuffy events like this but even I have to acknowledge they have their uses. As to what to wear, I'd say you can't go wrong with a well-tailored suit.

I work mostly the first half of the work week so you're welcome to swing by then. Oh and Bonnie's living with me so I can try to keep an eye on her when I can.

[Look Dad, it's not his fault he got stuck with closing shift. ...Okay and he may have decided to work on something while he's responding to texts.]

Way to state the obvious. Need me to make sure you don't make any weird faces?

I don't own one. Never have. And good to know. I'm still looking, but I'll be around sometime on the 7th?

Just saying. Other gods I can handle, but empires are little out of my experience.I think I'll be fine but hey I won't turn down an offer. If there was more time, I would've suggested a scouting mission to plan out escape routes too.

7th sounds good to me. Should be home by late afternoon if all goes well. If you need tips in finding a suit, I'd be happy to help when you come by. A good suit not only enhances one's image but won't impede too much should a brawl break out.

[Also he may not be planning on helping to pay for said suit but shhh...Let him do dad things, Takeshi.]

Heh, know the feeling there. Though if they're anything like who I'm used to dealing with, I might be able to help. Talk to Reno about a scouting mission. He might be thinking the same thing.

Considering I've never looked before, I'll take you up on that. See you then.

[And, sure enough. Afternoon of the 7th? There is his adoptive son sitting in the living room, papers resting on the nearby table as he's writing something down in a notebook resting on his lap.]

[Kenichi just made it back from the final flight on his shift and swung by the market for some sandwiches. Sure the kitchen was decently stocked, but it wouldn't hurt to get something fresh. The front door opening and closing signalled his return. Kenichi waved and held up the bag.]

Hey. Hope I didn't keep you waiting. Brought something we could eat.

[He takes a few steps closer to glance at the papers.]

So, what did you want to show me?

[At the sound of the door opening and closing, Takeshi looks up from his writing and smiles faintly.]

Hey, Dad. Just got here not that long ago.

[He nods to the papers in question.]

Found those out there. They're a copy of the report Jade Curtiss and Rukia Kuchiki worked on for all Heroes, longtime and new arrivals near the end. [He pauses, holding up the notebook.] I've been working on notes for what was skimmed over or missed.

I don't know how much Mom told you about what happened on Crystallis, but those hold information about everything up to the last five years we spent there. May want to eat before you read those.

[It's a copy of the real ones he found; it'll be fine.]

I do remember she mentioned them and their reports before. Unfortunately, she left her copy back with her moogle, Brigid, since she wanted to write about the heroes. I've only heard bits and pieces of it. To be honest, I think both her and Mary were still letting things from Crystallis sink in since so much time had passed there but not much did back home.

[He grabs one of the sandwiches and starts reading. This definitely beats reading the reports from his usual office work.]

Interesting choice of um, illustrations. Still, it's incredible to have all of this in one report. Geeze, Saori wasn't kidding how that world operates was a hot mess. And here I thought our world was complicated.

[Something does dawn on him as stops to rest his eyes and brain.]

How ...you got the item back from the Dream Width, didn't you?

I'd left mine at my house when we left to fight Chaos. [He informs his dad before grabbing one of the sandwiches and going over what he's already written. He slides them over after making sure there weren't any spelling errors.]

That was all Rukia. She had a strange fascination with rabbits, and I have no idea why. [He never asked. There were a lot of things he wanted to ask, but never did. Now, he regrets not taking the time to do so.] I thought mine was complicated, too, but Crystallis threw me for a loop, t-

[He pauses as the realization becomes obvious on his dad's face, and he nods.]

Yeah. I had no idea what it was. Could have been a test tube for all I knew, but, there that was. In the middle of blue and violet space dust.

Huh, so we can get items from worlds we've been to. This makes me want to hurry up and get my own airship to see what else we can find. I doubt there'd be a way to access my powers temporarily though.

[Sure, he had been saving up whatever was extra from his budget but that was one hell of a price tag.]

So, aside from diving into the Dream Width, what else have you been up to?

Doing that will also involve obtaining mods that allow Dream Width travel. Only reason I got this was because I went through the Center with two friends.

[Which, considering his luck with friendships both in Animus and on Crystallis, is likely saying a lot. So many acquaintances, not so many friends. He sighs, leaning back into the couch.]

I've only dived in the once since the last group of displaced arrived. Other than that, I've been watching the new recruits and building contacts. Both in the other nations, and in the Center itself.

[He pulls out another notebook, one written in Japanese on purpose. Yet before he hands it to his father, he looks at him with perhaps the most serious look in his eyes he's ever given anyone since his days in the Tower.]

I've yet to speak to Reno about this; he hasn't answered my messages. And until Bonnie learns to keep sensitive information to herself, these names do not reach her ears or eyes. Not because I don't trust her, but if she even accidentally lets slip the information they're willing to share and anyone from their worlds who would wish harm upon them are fished from the Dream Width, theirs and their teams' lives could be at risk.

[It hurts to say this, he's not used to being this open or this vulnerable, but it needs to be said. There has to be backups in case he...]

When I am done with my notes, I am making this information public to the Center and the others like us. I've seen what the lack of free sharing of information on anything that could be remotely crucial has done to two worlds already. Confusion, fear, anger and open hostilities that those who sought to harm innocents turned against their victims and those who want to help. The Tower taught me that, and if the theories of this world being connected to Crystallis is true in any way, they have a right to know. But doing so could paint a target on my back.

Dad... If anything happens to me and I don't report in, or if my name is ever greyed out on the contacts list, I need to know you'll let them and the others know.

[He finally passes the tiny notebook to him: Kenichi's name being the first one on the list, followed by Reno, then Bonnie. Takashi Shirogane, and Futaba Sakura.]

The last two have agreed to work with us, but they're letting the rest of their respective teams to decide for themselves.

... I don't ask this because I plan on getting myself killed, but in a foreign world... anything is possible.

[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.

[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?

[He chuckles.]

Thankfully, I spared you from the hunt for a tailor. Premade suits are decent, but it'll be much quicker to have it tailored to your size. Plus, the guy works incredibly fast so it'll be done in a day or so. I figured you'd like to get back on the road as soon as possible after all.

[He may have already arranged an appointment already just to be safe and to make sure he got paid before Takeshi could even bring up the issue of payment.]

[Dad.

Dad no.

Dad, no.]

Dare I ask how much that's gonna cost?

That's for me to know and you to never find out.

[A pause and he breaks into a smile.]

Can't a dad be allowed to treat his son from time to time, Takeshi? Besides, I managed to get a good deal with the tailor. It'll be ready to pick up the day after.

[He had been taking more shifts with his airship piloting job, but thankfully he finds the work to be rather satisfying.]

[The look Takeshi gives him is one of slight horror before he just... relents. Realizing that someone isn't going to let that go.]

Fiiine.... [S i g h.] But I'm buying lunch after.

[And probably dinner, too.]

[Dad: 1, Takeshi: 0.]

Sounds like a deal to me. It's really the least I can do for you since your mom got a headstart on family bonding time with you over me.

[dad y u r liek dis.]

Well, guess it's your turn now. [He stretches a little, before getting back to work on his notes.] Besides, it's still better than when she decided my bedroom window was a better option to knock on than the front door. To deliver a birthday cake.

[what the hell mom he could have been changing clothes and no one needs to see all his scars.]

What can we say? It's part of our parental obligation to embarrass or go out of our way to all out for our kids now and then. The twins won't be i immune to this either when they get older. Its stuff like that makes the memory stick more to you in our opinion.

[Sorry if you were expecting normal parent things, but welcome to the Nakagawa family, Takeshi.]

[Takeshi stops, blinking as he looks up at his dad again. It's a very good thing he has no idea what a normal family looks like. Because honestly? This is his normal.

Guess he'll fit right in, after all.]

Note to self: Close the curtains when I change clothes, then.

[...No that totally isn't an innocent and amused glint in his eyes. ~~His eyes can't lie.~~]

...Wait, you seriously change without the curtain pulled closed? Scandalous.

[Eh, normal is overrated. There are a few throw pillows within arms reach, Takeshi. Just saying.]

That probably was just a one-time thing since that was the first birthday of yours she got to celebrate. So I think you'll be safe from that. For now at least.

[He shrugs, acting completely innocent before lightly tossing a throw pillow at Kenichi.]

Nope. [Not anymore.] I shared a dorm for a year with three other guys. You get used to a lack of privacy.

And yeah, I figured. Still, that was definitely a surprise I didn't see coming.

Nice try.

[He may have lost his vector manipulating soul power, but he can still catch an incoming pillow.]

Ah, that makes sense. I never did try rooming with people before landing here. There were moments for me where privacy didn't exist. I kept getting put under house arrest because I'd find ways of sneaking out of the manor undetected. I couldn't help it since I refused to follow in your grandpa's footsteps for the longest time. Hell, I even swore I'd never get married or have kids but uh, you know how that went.

[Look. He dumped everything into white mage, okay. Don't judge him, Dad.]

The heart is funny like that. Deciding on one thing when we sometimes say another. [He chuckles.] Though don't we all want to follow our own paths, anyway?

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001 (How does one formalities?)

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this got really long i'm sorry /)_(\

you're good.

;o;

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gmail is a jerk and I didn't see you tagged me i'm so sorry ;a;

no worries

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