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MISSION 1
Participants: Hanako, Amami, Clamor, Lucifer, Meng Yao, Shinobu, Gundham
Location: Courtyard
Date: 08/07
(ooc notes: I will state any possible content warnings in the subject line of the mod response when it comes up. If anything makes you uncomfortable, please tell me so I can back off and refocus the thread.
There will be no tag order, and a mod response will come after at least 6 player responses OR the next day, whichever is earlier. Please note this means that if you're absent for a day or more, the thread will move on, but I will pace things so that people aren't missing large plot beats.
For this mission, characters will icly split into two groups, and there may be an opportunity to remix groups later in the mission.)
Location: Courtyard
Date: 08/07
(ooc notes: I will state any possible content warnings in the subject line of the mod response when it comes up. If anything makes you uncomfortable, please tell me so I can back off and refocus the thread.
There will be no tag order
For this mission, characters will icly split into two groups, and there may be an opportunity to remix groups later in the mission.)
no subject
[ As a cultivator he should've ensured Kazuki was slain (not that he has a black or white morality anymore that goes to somebody else), but also...well, in the end he's judged that the threat level currently to them is now lower. Or it appears to be.
Meng Yao may have acted a little impetuously in regards to the mask deal, however unlike the tree incident he can't say he feels like he regrets it all that much. For now, he'll be likely one of the few still standing, keeping an eye on him. ]
It's good to know that there appears to be some good in you, though. I'm sure you want at least a chance to make up for what you've done.
[ He says nothing else because he doesn't know what else to ask, so he'll just ... leave that as is. ]
;______;
...I understand where you come from. I'd like to think you and I are similar — damned by fate and circumstance yet monstrous in more ways than one. It's...
...
It isn't easy, ever, to be torn between your impulses as a beast versus your desires as a man.
[And then he pauses, letting that linger for a moment, and shakes his head. Time to give up on his vindictiveness... maybe there can be two horribly demonic murder entities at this school after all.]
...What can we do to help you?
no subject
[he's spoken to Noah enough times about revenge... and he has his own regrets as well. it's easy to accept a punishment decided by others. the far more difficult choice is to seek your own redemption, to live with your choices and try to make things right.]
... The wisteria tree in the courtyard. Is that where your students are now? [is that why he lingers, tending to the plants? because they've joined the souls in the tree?]
no subject
no subject
… I am also willing to support you in whatever capacity I am able.
[ But if he steps out of line… well, she’s got a sword and she’s definitely not afraid to use it. ]
no subject
...Some of my students have been lost, but still some remain bound to that tree, my old friend. It is not enough to bring them back. And what I wish for is for things to go back as they were, impossible as that may be.
[ He turns his head towards his mask/where he thinks his mask is/he can't actually see so he's maybe looking at a blank spot on the ground but that just makes him look contemplative. ]
That mask was supposed to suppress the beast within, so I may walk along others without being an endangerment. There are times when that control slips: when there are too many people around, during the night in the darkness...
[ He turns towards... somewhere near where Amami was sitting, to the best of his knowledge, but since Amami didn't speak up this round, it's a hit or miss. ]
You once asked me about the boundaries between the school and the courtyard, lad. Please understand it was for your own safety. Now that that boundary has been weakened... what you are doing here must be absolute. A binding without any mistakes, or end me where I stand.
sdr2 spoilies beware
More questions, then: Is there a specific binding process we must do? If so, what happened during the first attempt that went wrong? Just to ensure that we prevent it.
no subject
Binding is not my area of expertise. I am a gardener.
no subject
The supplementary seals should help strengthen the effect, but if there's a flaw in the primary binding seal... patchwork can only last for so long. Eventually, something will give. [which would translate to dead students, in this scenario. not good.]
What details can you remember? Did you know the person who performed the ritual? Where it was performed, the time of day, if there were any interruptions or surprises... please, anything that might give us a clue.
no subject
[ and actually, now that he thinks about it, maybe this is one of the major flaws. It had never occurred to him back then, when it involved so many of those precious to him coming together for his sake. ]
It was done in the courtyard, both night and day under the wisteria tree... It was painful, and it took a long time. I was not conscious for much of it, and I suspect I'd have fought back in the process.
[ Do other people's blood mess these sorts of rituals up? ... It couldn't be helped. ]
no subject
but Lucifer can't read minds so this is my tag to say that he's nodding and thinking. Hmm...]
no subject
Your students must have cared for you deeply, to take so many risks for your sake.
[he's quiet for a moment, thinking.
scouring the last of our collective ooc braincells.there are a few things they can try, things that might buy them more time to find an answer... but waiting would bring its own risks. if they had more time, more help...]... Would they help you again, if you asked?
The flowers of the wisteria tree... I've noticed they have a calming effect. [he's slept under it before. kinda morbid now that he knows why, but] If those spirits would lend you their aid, would they be able to help?
[if they could put the gardener to sleep, he wouldn't be able to struggle nearly as much. less risk, less mess, and... if that's what the spirits wanted, who would Kazuki be to refuse? would his former students still want to see him happy, to see their failed ritual completed?]
no subject
Honestly he should've checked a moment ago. It's something every cultivator should after they finish up with such things. But they have been here all night and nobody is perfect.
As the others are making their suggestions and questions, Meng Yao has a comment of his own. ]
Pardon this one, but there is always also an option of inscribing a binding or supplemental array to our work in the clothing if somehow what we have done still hasn't been adequate.
[ Given how strong the spirit, he supposes it'd make sense that it may be that there would require more strength and multiple suppression techniques. The same principle has been applicable when dealing with spirits/fierce ghosts, and the like back in his world, after all.
The other option he supposes is redoing the ritual but right now? They're all tired and, uh, yeah. ]
no subject
If I were a mortal man, perhaps asking my friends to put me to sleep would have been an option. But I do not sleep in a true sense.
[ He thinks of Meng Yao's proposition, through, giving it some consideration. ]
...Originally, the mask was chosen to hide my disfigurement, with the knowledge that it would not be removed on accident or purpose. [ on purpose regard to him, anyways, not that he ever expected anybody to come at him with swords flashing ]
Clothing may be torn or burned. Accessories may be lost. Can it not be carved directly into the flesh?
[ Can't lose his flesh... well actually he can. Maybe the bone, somewhere it can't easily be cut. The backside of a rib. ]
no subject
... assuming it is possible, though.] Would you be alright with that, sir spirit? You said the ritual was already painful... if we're putting the bind directly onto your body, it's going to be much worse.
[yes he is concerned for the demon gardener's physical comfort... like he'll still help, but he'll feel bad about that]
no subject
It is indeed possible, though as you might imagine it won't be painless.
Of course by you asking as much, I assume you're prepared for that.
[ Meng Yao can manipulate the shape of Hensheng into a freeform whip, it stands to reason him using it to carve the array into flesh isn't an impossibility. Or even a harder surface than that.
Still, he'll wait for Kazuki's response, but he is prepared to get right to work, his hand now tightly around the handle of his sword. ]
no subject
[:)]
It can be easily broken once the... procedure ends.
no subject
Okay, yeah, he can sense that smug little smile on Lucifer's face and will address Clamor and Meng Yao instead. ]
Do what you must. I imagine I would not take to the pain quietly, but you are not alone in the binding. [ begrudging little chin nod towards Lucifer ] So my most dire concern is quelled. I can rest easy knowing there are those who will keep you all safe.
You also have that little spirit that would cut me down without a moment's thought should things go awry, do you not? Be sure of your course of action, but decide quickly. The veil will lift soon.
[ As he says this, the darkness in the sky starts to descend slow inch by inch, black taking on swirls of cloud and glittering stars. ]
no subject
The veil will lift soon...? Fuhahaha, that's a nice line. Very well, then. We shall begin! Steel yourselves, and prepare for anything that might happen!
Behold, A Summary
[ Meng Yao gives a bow, before he unsheathes Hensheng, stalking forward...
The following occurs:
Meng Yao begins the process of carving the supplemental binding array into the flesh of Kazuki at the best possible location, and of course there is assistance on the part of Clamor and Gundham in the background. With a steady hand and assistance, it is guaranteed the best efforts are being employed in this matter.
There is, of course, the tigers eye being used in the midst of this to help facilitate this as well, given that before it worked great before, with thanks to Amami (perhaps by having Kazuki hold it.)
In the midst of this, Lucifer is of course still on bind duty, keeping Kazuki in place in the event he tosses or turns or is otherwise not behaving. Presumably Shinobu is around in the event of an emergency as well in case things turn for the worse.
In addition, Amami is watching this go down, keeping the faith in his comrades in bringing full circle the extra insurance to all of this. Though the gruesome sounds are not easy on his conscience.
All in all these are the efforts and reactions of everyone involved in this, and hopefully this is a success of some sort...? Additionally, Meng Yao will in fact check to see how well the bindings look in their totality to ensure that there are still no holes whatsoever. ]
oh thank god a summary
Imagine Hanako in the background holding his knife like "what... what did you guys even accomplish" because all it looks to him is that they've done nothing more than take a step backwards, breaking a bone to reset it again but the barriers along the door and windows and around the courtyard remain in place.
But they've learned the name of the person who may change that, a "dear friend," as Kazuki calls him, spent upon the ground with the binding finally complete, promising to speak to him when he is able to as well— but not tonight, as dawn approaches and he cannot stay. ]