synopsychic | (no subject)

[There's a bit too much chaos to deal with it while the flash mob is still going, but as soon as things settle down, for some relative value of settling down, Hijikata's straight on to business.]

If this is your first jaunt: don't panic, try to blend in.

Some of our number are going to think they belong in this world. If you can hear this, then obviously, you're not one of them. Keeping an eye on our infiltrators is usually our second clue to figuring out what the hell we're supposed to be doing here.

Our first one is when we arrive in the middle of some shitstorm like this, though - that usually means something. So it's sounding like this one's got to do with... [A slight noise of frustration. This is not his wheelhouse.] Romantic shit? Valentine's Day? If any of you are experts, now would be a good time to tell the rest of us. Or if you know a lot about, I don't know, weddin-

[Actually, no, this is not how he wants to start wedding planning, he is going to cut himself the hell off there. Embarrassedly.]

We usually start by checking in, anyway, so if you're still yourself, speak up. If you've noticed anyone is definitely an infiltrator, tell us that, too; you might as well save us the trouble of saying something really goddamned stupid to them while we're trying to figure it out.

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Don't think I've heard your voice before. What's your name?

[...god, he needs to catch himself faster, there are serious things to discuss here and now everyone's gonna...!]

...we can discuss that later.

[Don't mind the tsun.]

[ He can certainly catch the tsun, and goes along with it. ]

Kobayakawa Takakage, from the Land of the Rising Sun. And you?

[...oh

YOU'RE FAMOUS]

Hijikata Toshizou...likewise. It's an honor, Kobayakawa-dono.

[ He knows that name as well - though through a rather anachronistic manner. ]

It is an honour as well, Master Hijikata. [ One of the Shinsengumi captains, if memory serves. ] Rather unfortunately, this is my first jaunt. Might I ask if physical modifications are the norm in such situations?

[ It's a nice touch to give him the features of his Persona, but given how bizarre Awanagi looked it might not have been such a good idea. ]

It's not the norm, but it's not unheard of, either. If it happens, it's generally part of the whole "blending in" bit.

[And now that he's looking around, he does see some people with weird animal tails. Okay. That's...that's a thing.]

[ That, he can understand. ]

I see. Though I must say, it seems rather excessive. [ It made him easier to identify, in any case. ]

Would you mind meeting up in person to discuss more later?

I wouldn't mind at all.

[ Which is good, because everyone needs sanity in this place, especially since emotional tension is running high.

So he lapses into briefing mode and starts talking. ]

I am not sure what sort of magical ability that the natives possess, but it seems that the black-clothed individuals have done something to whatever the couriers were carrying in their envelopes. I did not have a chance to pick one up and examine it, but I have heard from the students that it seemed to be love confessions.

Seeing the emotional amplification of the environment, this is going to cause quite the problem.

So we're dealing with a bunch of teenagers flipping their shit because they told the wrong girl they liked her.

[Deadpan. He...he's blunt.]

Starting to think maybe we'd rather go back and take our chances with the King in Yellow again.

Most teenagers tend to be rather illogical, yes. And we would have to solve this problem, I take it?

[ Why else would they be here? ]

Who is this King in Yellow?

If we're not here to solve something, sometimes we're here to smash it open, but this time, I'm guessing it's the former.

[His tone sobers up a little, because...okay, that joke was kind of bad.]

King in Yellow was what we were up against, on the last one. Don't take me too seriously when I say I'd rather go back to that.

[ Interesting. He is quiet for a moment while he files that detail away to ask later. What is important is that they get their bearings first. ]

Well, it seems that the task is already laid out in front of us. But where to start would be difficult.

Sticking close to the infiltrators usually gets us somewhere. Whatever we have to do, at least some of them tend to be in the middle of it. But that's a little tall of an order on your first jaunt, when you haven't had time to know who's who.

If you recognize anyone from Liminal Space who seems to think they belong here now, keep an eye on them.

I can do that.

[ He had spent only a little time in Liminal Space, but it should be enough for him to remember a few faces. ]

I'll catch up with you once all this settles down a little, then.

Likewise. Stay vigilant.