yogen | MISSION 1

[ Imagine if the missing people from their group were up there in the tree, who would be strong enough to check each face out

There doesn't seem to be anything on the ground, though it's also been restored with no sign of battle. The door back inside the school will open for them, and anything normally within the school will be at their disposal, but they aren't able to open the front doors or go past the edge of the courtyard. ]

Yeah.

( said with far more confidence than you might expect from someone who is trying very hard not to think too deeply on the question and why he's being asked that right now. then meng yao lifts the sword and amami is grateful for the distraction, even if he bristles. )

Wait — hold on. Are you sure that's a good idea?

( the sword, he means. does meng yao mean to cut them apart? the idea is kind of alarming to amami, and his expression conveys as much. separating them... but their bodies seem so thoroughly melded together, he can't help but feel like there's no way that solution will end well. )

Tanaka-kun, is there anything there?

( any other options????? )

[ Gundham is grimacing as he makes his way around the tree, trying to not get too close or make... eye contact with any of the various faces. He looks back at Amami and shakes his head; there's nothing around it. He's at a bit of a loss. So, he's going to do what any reasonable person does when faced with a flesh tree.

He's going to reluctantly look up and ask it something. Why not, if it somehow has working vocal cords?

Also it would be wild if he did see anyone's face he recognized haha. ]

How... How do we assist you?

[ There are many working vocal cords! Some of them even working in tandem as the faces nearest Gundham turn their eyes towards him:

"...free us... he^lp... it hu_{rt_{s_{s_s}}}... to go home..."

... ]

It seems that they want to be released...

We seem to have only two options in order to free them:

Burn them, or cut them apart.

[ He takes out a few fire talismans. Technically they have a third option - there's still the option of utilizing the ghost destroying talismans, but if he used that he could irrevocably damage their spirits. ]

It sounds cruel, but I don't see any other option. [ ... ] Do either of you?

[ He'll raise his voice to the tree. ]

...Now, how would you all like to be freed? Being cut, or burned away from your prison?

That's... No.

( amami sounds at a loss, but if he's clear on one thing, it's that it's too early to make a call like that. he shakes his head, and while he sounds determined enough, there's a slight shake to the tips of his fingers as he crosses his arms. )

It might be better than the way things are right now, ( and he'll admit to as much, ) but we've barely even gotten here. They want to go home — slicing them apart isn't gonna give them that.

( and surrendering to something like this so quickly, it feels just as good as giving up on them. )

We should at least try to find an alternative first.

[ Gundham quickly makes his way back to the two. ]

Well, it seems like we are no longer within the confines of the void realm. Perhaps there might be something in the school that can help, though it might take a bit to comb through everything.

[ It's still worth a try, he figures. ]

[ "How do you want to die?" Whew, okay.

Like before, the voices aren't unanimous, some quick to answer Meng Yao while others latch onto Amami's and Gundham's words, a promise of a third option. Of the ones who want to be freed no matter what, most preferring a quick and painless end over a slow one, but there are some who cry out how they don't want to die— that they're scared— that they want to go back to how they were before. Others, older voices, chide the frightened and urge Meng Yao to burn them, burn away their flesh and purify them from this world, for something like this could only be an abomination.

Voices fill the air, what limbs that can still move feebly kick and scratch and bite at whatever they can reach, the bodies closest to the trunk— skin and nerves fused to wood— scream the loudest as the tree sways with the commotion.

Each person is still an individual person. There is no way to please them all. ]

[ He stares at Amami blankly, with the same look he was giving him earlier.

Then he looks back at the tree, waiting for an answer. As he anticipates, the answer from the tree isn't unanimous but the important thing to him is that there are some voices that speak to wanting to be burned away. It's just so unfortunate that the traditional method would be impossible to fulfill as they are not trapped of their own volition but because of something else entirely.

Meng Yao considers logically their options, recalling how earlier it went. Then he considers all of what happened, and then, well...he's trying to think but he's—upset. Everything went to hell and for a moment he was damned sure he saw blood spurt from Amami's neck. ]

An alternative? What alternative?

We still don't know where the others are. So far, trying to keep our hands clean of anything hasn't worked out well. Though I can't say violence was necessarily the answer either.

[ The sword lowers from it's current position, the handle back into his grip. None of the voices crying out seemed to prefer being cut down.

Meng Yao has killed before, he can do it again. Though, he does hesitate, he doesn't really want to upset Amami. But then he remembers that the tree is a threat, the image of what it's done to Amami playing again and again in his head. Something must be wrong with him, he muses. Or it can be that this place is finally getting to him.

So. Maybe it's the wrong choice, but this tree is a liability.

A loose end.

Maybe for a moment the fact he's silent and not moving may look like he's decided to stay his hand. ]

If you hate me after this, I will understand.

Gundham, if I were you, I'd get back.

[ He'll wait purposefully for enough time for the other to move. Once he does, he will take action.

Meng Yao tosses the fire talismans straight onto the tree, and conjures the fire from them in an attempt to burn the tree down. At least this way it'll burn quickly, though it's not going to be a pretty sight. ]

[ The tree and all its people go up in flames immediately, the flames so hot that hair is gone in seconds, eyeballs bursting and running down faces, skin and flesh melting off bone and dripping down onto the ground in chunks. Anguished screaming fills the air, pleas for mercy, for death, for a curse upon Meng Yao and all his generations to come— and then there is the sweet smell of meat as the bodies burn and cook, the smell of copper as blood boils away.

With as much as there is, it takes almost a full minute for the bodies to burn, for there to be nothing left but charred bone and the tree, smoldering in places but it remains standing tall as smoke rises and ash falls.

And from the ashes emerge a butterfly, and another, and another, bright blue with shining wings that flutter to shake off the ash and take off into the sky in a swarm. As they look up away from the tree, they'll see then that the school building around them is gone, leaving them staring across an open field in its place, forest of trees visible around them, and on the other side of campus there is a large pond where the pool building should have been, a garden where the tracks lie, the dorms in the back looking brand new, windows and doors unbarred. ]

( it hasn't worked so far, but lets be fair: amami was passed out for the worst of it. still doesn't like the idea of giving up on a better possibility — on hope — so easily. you know, just like the hope that meng yao is going to give them time to look that other possibility, that they can give gundham's idea a try and search the school, which is more than enough to catch amami's attention, though he'll recognize that this isn't the case the moment meng yao puts those words out there.

...? )

Meng Yao—

( the look of alarm, the hesitant impulse to reach out — to stop him. but what's he gonna do? wrestle meng yao to the ground? what then?

so when he takes out the talismans, amami turns his gaze away, facing whatever direction the tree isn't. it's too late, he realizes, to stop the other, but that doesn't mean he has to watch. and even if he avoids the sight itself, amami still hears their cries and pleas and curses as the cacophony of voices rise up all at once in pain and panic. he runs a hand through his hair. closes his eyes, and breathes out a heavy sigh. the slight tremble in his fingers begins to spread, so crossing his arms after, he curls his fingers into fists to steady them. looks up at the sky as the sound begin to fade out and draw to an end.

he's still not sure if he wants to turn around though. let him brace himself for a minute here first. )

[ Well having harsh words hurled at him isn't anything new so he just kind of tunes it out? The disgusting smell is expected so he also likewise stands there, watching, and allowing himself to just deal with it. Maybe it's telling he doesn't look away but it at least he gets to see the butterflies. ]

Their spirits turned into butterflies...they're free now.

[ Meng Yao will face Amami, before falling to his hands and knees. ]

They're no longer suffering, but this one apologizes for inflicting that horror upon them, and the both of you. I could not bare it if any more harm was to come upon anyone else...and I had a feeling there was no separating them.

[ He will then let his head touch the ground as he prostrates, essentially bowing low before them, dirtying himself some due to that but he does kind of fear some verbal reprisal so he does what he does best: grovel.

Even if he says he'd understand if he was hated, he doesn't want to be. ]

[ They're free, but the butterflies— almost perfectly camouflaged against the blue of the sky— don't fly away into the forest and beyond. They seem to be headed towards the dorm building north of them; if any of them were to follow, they'll realize they are no longer confined to the courtyard. ]

( amami hears the words, but with the echoes of those screams resounding in his mind, it takes him a moment or so to really brace himself to look — to see what meng yao is talking about. he does, mind you, and some of the dread that's gathered into the pit of his stomach lifts at the sight, but then meng yao drops to the ground and honestly the expression on amami's features is still more troubled than anything else. he'll need some time to process it, but... butterflies. that's good, isn't it? his first thought sure isn't any negative connotations, so... how's that ache in his chest doing. )

C'mon, you don't have to go that far.

( he feels kind of uncomfortable. looks it too, with the way his hand rubs at the side of his neck, giving a sidelong glance to gundham. to the butterflies. to like, anything that isn't meng yao prostrating to them like amami isn't literally Just A Guy. )

It's... ( well, he can't say it's fine yet. maybe later, when he's not about two minutes off of having to listen to that. )

You can get up, Meng Yao. Besides, they look like they're headed somewhere.

( they aren't simply scattering, dispersing in different directions the way amami would expect of them. staying together, clustered in a way he's not thinking too deeply about, he watches them head in the direction of the building. )

[ He rises to his feet, blinking and then turning back to glance towards the direction of where the butterflies are going. If anything, that doesn't really sit well with him because they don't seem to be leaving the place...

He'll just finally let out a sigh. ]

They do look like they are, yes. I wonder why they're heading towards a building...you would think that they would want to head away instead.

[ Or maybe not. He feels like he hardly knows anything despite the information they've managed to collect during their time here really, and it's frustrating. ]

...The others still haven't returned either.

( meng yao raises a good point — one that's been bothering amami for some time, though the tree was... a lot. and if it was a normal situation, then the natural conclusion would be to stay put until they're found. because god knows he wishes people would do that when he was looking for them. this isn't a normal situation though, and he doubts standing around and waiting for the others will accomplish anything, so he'll return his gaze to meng yao. )

Why don't we keep moving. We might get a better idea of where they are when we know more about this place.

( because the school isn't there, and he doesn't get the impression they're in the void either.

...and so amami, ever a bastion of good ideas, decides to voice his thoughts. )

Maybe we should follow them.

( maybe the butterflies are staying because they want to show them something important! as a thank you :) )

Logically, we shouldn't. We've no idea in the danger in going to follow them, and that might is a big if.

[ To sum about the two big reasons why they shouldn't go around and chase butterflies, though he does start to get out some talismans to glance over how many he does have. One he didn't consider they may have to use if they do end up going to follow the butterflies, like some spirit-repelling talismans.

It seems like he's kind of resigned to the fact they may end up going that route. He does have some self-preservation instincts but he also wants to ensure Amami doesn't run off or something. ]

But before we make our final decision, I'd like to ensure we're all on the same page...or at least go about this carefully.

Gundham, what do you think?

[ They hear the sound of a whistle, thin and tinny, and rather than taking to the sky, the butterflies swoop down through open windows, gaps under the door, any open space they can squeeze themselves through to get inside the building as quickly as possible.

...

The emptiness in Amami's chest is compounded by the gnawing emptiness in the pit of his stomach, and he alone feels the gentle compulsion to run into the building after the butterflies. ]

( there's a grimace on his face, and it isn't as if he doesn't understand meng yao's point, but if they don't venture anything then they don't stand to gain anything either. his first thought is to convince gundham — if he can, he'd feel better having them at his side, where he can see them. it's not like he wants to split the group any more than it has been, but there's hesitation, and in that pause, the thin sound of a whistle echoes through the air.

the butterflies panic. his stomach drops. amami realizes this isn't over, and he grits his teeth in frustration as he resists the urge to break into a sprint. he's tense, and his gaze continues to return to the building, but he only exhales, cutting the conversation off. )

It's fine. I'll go check it out — you two can wait here, in case they show up.

( if it's a choice that needs to be made, it's better that those two stick together for safety reasons. as for amami... it'll only be a minute, right? he'll come right back. look, he's already turning. )

[ Watching the butterflies move and hide away makes him feel kind of ... nervous, actually? He doesn't feel a compulsion like Amami does but when you're a cultivator and you notice supernatural shit is hiding that is a sign that things are Bad, fam.

Especially with that odd whistle. ]

... I can't let you just go off by yourself. Why are you so insistent on following them?

[ He's sure he needs to protect him, but can he leave Gundham by himself? The answer is probably not so hopefully he'll go along with this or make another suggestion.

... He'll just take out two spirit repelling talismans for now, throwing one to stick onto Gundham if he lets it happen; that should keep the spirits away from him if they get separated or whatever. Then he'll turn to Amami, quickly moving closer to him to try to stick one of the talismans to him as well and use his other free hand to try to grab him by the hand to stop him from gaining pace. ]

I'm going to give the both of you some protection, so please take it. [ And to Amami: ] I'm also supposed to be keeping you safe, so you must at least understand I can't let you do as you please. At least, not alone.

We get close to the building together, and then I'll check out the door first.

[ He doesn't like the idea but provided this goes well and whether or not the hand grabbing is successful he's going to like, get moving anyway... ]

Edited 2021-08-21 04:18 (UTC)

[ So much happened that frankly, it all happened in a blur for Gundham. First the tree gets burnt into a pile of screams, viscera and ash, suddenly replaced by butterflies. Then they're in a completely different location on the school- it's a lot to take in for anyone really. He watches as the butterflies take off towards the building, and only pick up speed when the sound of whistling has reached everyone's ears.

He may not be a bug expert, but he does know that when groups of things immediately rush to hide, it means something bigger is on the prowl.

He lets the talisman stick to him, nodding, and then promptly speaking up. ]

...We're all going towards the building, now. We have more to fear from that whistling than we do mere butterflies, I believe. They wouldn't react so hastily otherwise.

[ He motions for them to all head toward the building, beginning to make his way over himself. ]

( honestly, amami's already well on his way by the time meng yao catches him — a brisk walk that was seconds from breaking into a run before meng yao's hand around his keeps him from going any further. which, amami isn't so aggressive as to yank it away, and he has no reason to distrust the talisman that he finds stuck to him now. but... it does bring him to pause, glancing down to their hands for a moment with an expression that's almost visibly dumbfounded. he blinks once, twice, eyes raising to meet meng yao's as he listens to the plan, and while he does still have some qualms with it.

well, then gundham speaks and he's very validated in that hollow sense of dread that has made a comfortable home inside of him. amami offers a nod, turning on his heel and continuing towards the dorms. )

Sure, okay.

( whatever their plan is, sure. they'll see when they get there. and even if he doesn't necessarily make an effort to pull his hand away, amami kind of just assumes meng yao will let go now that he's agreed, so he begins to resume making his way over with the kind of quick pace that assumes that. )

[ ... ... ...

... ah.

He feels like he should be embarrassed, but he's not.

Still, Meng Yao quickly makes sure to let go, hurrying along himself. Assuming they reach the door over at the dorms without incident?? And it's still unlocked so it can be opened? ]

[ The door is unlocked and they are able to enter without a problem. The building is dark when they enter, and the moment all three of them have stepped foot inside, the door and all the windows slam shut simultaneously, none of them able to be opened if they try.

It's a one story building, and at the entrance they find themselves in a room lined with two rows of shelves, each divided into little open cubbies holding outdoor shoes and slippers. There's a bulletin board on the opposite wall with papers under a placard, and a hallway spanning their right, and another to their left. At the end of the hall to the right is a large open room, wooden floors scuffed with years of wear. To their left the building is divided into smaller rooms: three classrooms with a small number of desks, a room with bookshelves sparsely filled with books, a room with reams of paper and ink, two other rooms that are club rooms but I can't remember what they're supposed to be and my notebook with those details are in a backpack in my car and I don't want to go outside to get it.

The butterflies are nowhere to be seen. There are no other students in the building.

Occasionally, they can hear a thump against the outside wall, the sounds of scratching, the sounds of growling, as if something outside is on the prowl despite not being able to see anything if they look through the windows. ]

( well, the fact that the doors don't open again once they've shut, that's concerning. when the first resounding thud resounds through the building though, crashing not far from the doors where they stand, maybe... that's not such a bad thing after all. )

There was something out there...

( is, he should say, but he's not too worried about the technicalities. he takes a long breath to steady himself and looks around. okay, so, they can't get outside, and you know what? not sure he wants to at this precise moment. not the type to stand around either, he'll take in the entryway, pacing over to the bulletin board just to have an excuse to keep his body moving somehow. a glance to the other two, a smile that's not so much reassuring as it is resigned — maybe half relieved at best, but listen. )

At least it looks like we can take our time looking around in here.

( not that he intends to, but like.... the idea is that it's safe in here. that's always nice. silver linings, y'know? with a glance back to the board... anything interesting amidst the papers and the placard? )

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cw: burning bodies, brief eye stuff I'm sorry Yama, death

wow i love , this

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