(no subject)

[moredakka]

[In theory, Sio was trying to just think this at Hijikata, but she's kind of bad at the focus thing when she's actually freaking out a bit. So. Hi everyone.]


H-Hijikata-sama... I'm in Greengard with Souji-san. Your Souji-san. A-and think we've got a problem...

Something's really really wrong with him. He's acting super weird, um, I mean, more weird than before, and scary, I mean, different-scary... we're here with Fang-san and we're in this spooky forest and I don't know why he wanted us to come here but I think there's zombie unicorns and that's kind of freaking me out.

I know he's an Infiltrator now b-but... do we... do anything?

Comments

[unabatedly]

[Was this supposed to be private? Because it's not. And now you've got a very worried mage, Sio.]

Souji? What do you mean 'different-scary'?

[moredakka]

[Well SERVES YOU RIGHT ACTUALLY she worried about you too. Not that that comes through. She's mostly just delighted to have Responsible Adult Neria back.]

He's all... quiet? Like something's... I think he got traumatized when everyone died...

[unabatedly]

[Oh. He was there too, wasn't he? Maker...]

Stay calm. Try to keep him calm too, if you can. This must be very difficult for him--

[Being rational isn't going to keep something horrible from happening, though.]

Why not suggest stopping for a bit, taking a break from your expedition, until one of us comes to find you?

[moredakka]

N-no, he is calm, just this... really creepy kind of calm?

[She's really not good at this you guys. In fact, this is what she is least good at, figuring out what people are about and what they're doing and whether they're going to turn into crazy stabbing machines.]

I think he's looking for something. Um. Are you guys coming from Liminal Space? Quickly?

[Please god let it be quickly let this be someone else's problem.]

[unabatedly]

[Oh, that's even worse.]

Garrett and I are on our way. Sit tight, all right? We'll try to get there as quickly as we may.

[moredakka]

Hijikata-san is coming too, and, I think others... um, Neria-san, this is a lot of people for just one guy...

[By which she means, what makes this one guy so much of a problem?]

[unabatedly]

[To lie? Sio deserves the truth, this she knows. But she doesn't want her to lose her cool before backup can arrive.]

Souji is important in this. And if something is wrong with him, we need to know what it is...and we need to solve it quickly.

[blackhand]

I take it that's our cue.

[Jokingly, but he's pretty sure he knows what this whole thing means. Souji approached them so long ago for a reason.]

HIVEMINDING BECAUSE I JUST TAGGED YOU TOO

[unabatedly]

I imagine it is.

[This was not how she wanted things. Not by a long shot. Neria runs a hand through her braid and closes her eyes tightly.]

Hijikata's on his way as well.

[Which means, inevitably, that the two of them might cross blades with him too.]

MAN SOMETIMES THIS STUFF IS WEIRD

[blackhand]

I know, I heard.

[If Hijikata gets there first, Souji might kill him. With how unstable he is right now, Garrett really wouldn't put it past him.]

Guess this means it's a race now.

[moredakka]

What? Why a race? Aren't you and Hijikata-sama coming together?

[What is everyone not telling her.]

[blackhand]

No. Just look for Neria or me, we'll be there as fast as we can.

[With what's at stake, Garrett's going to fly to get there as fast as he can.]

[moredakka]

[Right, now look carefully, Garrett, because you are about to see the rare spectacle of Ogura Sio losing her temper.]

Why not?? What's going on? This isn't fair - I'm alone here and no one's really telling me! He's just one guy with a sword and I've got a gun! What's such a big problem?!

[blackhand]

It's not a problem if you keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't get aggravated.

[Sio's temper does little to phase him. If anything, it's made his tone sharper.]

Nothing should go wrong so long as he's fine. Keep an eye on him, Sio, and wait for us.

[moredakka]

That's not an answer!

[The stress is getting to her. It's solidifying her anger from flailing to stark and even mature.]

If you want me to be able to handle this situation, then I need all the information! Until you come I'm the one that's over here so tell me what I need to know!

[unabatedly]

Sio.

[Gentle, calm, but also commanding, Neria speaks up.]

Souji is potentially dangerous. I do not know what's upsetting him, but he is a formidable fighter when he is not an Inflitrator. If he has retained even an ounce of what he is capable of in this world, you will need to be very careful. And you will need to defend yourself.

[moredakka]

[It hits her pretty suddenly - maybe they just have no idea. Of course he's a formidable fighter, being Okita Souji and all, but the whole point is that sword fighters stop being anything when guns are involved. They haven't seen her in action. They don't know what she can do.

Something in her - something that isn't her, but is - laughs maniacally. Alright then.]

Don't worry about me, [she announces.] Whatever happens, I'll keep it contained. But get here quick.

[Because she'll be fine, but Souji... well.]