Who: Kija and homies, Okita Sougo and "ho"mies When: Whenever Where: Wherever What: A catch-all for both of my characters for the month because I'm lazy. Rating: R-18......
[ Many people have heard about the Emerald Lakes, but few know about one particular lake in that series that's tucked away somewhere off the beaten track. This particular pond carries all the qualities an its shimmering counterparts, but it also houses a naturally grown garden of beautiful lotus plants, their pads sitting above the water and their flowers peeking proudly above water surface. Not only were these flowers beautiful, but they were also huge, with pads the size of floormats and flowers big enough for a person to sit in. The pads are said to be sturdy enough to hold a person's weight, giving people the opportunity to walk on them, but this is something our heroes will have to try to confirm if true or not.
Even with all the unbelievable things he's seen in this world, Kija can't help but find himself gawking at the beautiful sight, the rich colour of the flowers and the fresh look of the leaves, as it all sat on the shimmering green waters. ]
[Now she has heard of Emerald Lakes from the people around them, but this secret? She never expected it. And she found herself frozen, captivated, at the large lotus that hovers so over the water, swaying as much as their deep roots allow.
Vietnam grabbed onto Kija's arm, clutching firmly as she couldn't find her voice. It was...strangely overwhelming to see a flower so important to her in such a large scale.]
It's...they're beautiful... [The fact she's so breathless was kind of telling that Vietnam isn't as controlled as she usually was.]
They are ... [ Right now, he's distracted by the look on Vietnam's face, though - she looks utterly transfixed, to the point of losing some of her flawless composure, and he doesn't think he's ever seen her make this sort of face. It's clear to him that the scene before them held some meaning to her; perhaps, the flowers were a relic from her home. ]
Jae Ha has told me that the lotus was an important flower in your homeland. Is this true?
[It does make it easier to explain herself right now, with how she's behaving, thanks to Jae-ha's clever words. She nods as her expression finally softens, though it's hard to tell what she's feeling right now. Well, other than mesmerised.]
He's correct. The lotus is my national flower...and so my name, Sen, means lotus.
N-no!! [She quickly shakes her head.] I am not someone to be revered. I may be a country and a spirit, but I serve our leader. Whoever leads the country is my boss.
And...I suppose to an extent, but mostly they refer to our boss.
I am still a person! I just represent the country. Well, I say I am a person, but I never truly got to live as a human until arriving here. I am also unsure how I came into existence. But as soon as a society comes into existence, a country, then we come about and continue our lives with it. In a way, I have to thank my husband for making that happen. Gilgamesh is the first legendary king of the world, he made civilisation possible.
[...does this even make sense, it always had to her. How would she describe fantasy Korea to him?!]
[ Ever since he heard of the arrival of that man, the new king of their country whose claim to the thrown Kija did not recognize, he's been acting a bit differently around Hak. He's seen the way Hak had reacted to Soo Won the last time, the scorn he still held in his heart for that man. What made the whole situation even more difficult and worrisome was that it wasn't just scorn. There was also an element of sadness to Hak's rage, and Jae Ha had told him that it's likely because they were once close. He can't even imagine what it must feel, to have a close friend betray you in such an irredeemable manner.
He doesn't ... actually know if both Hak and Soo-Won have crossed paths, and he's a little afraid to ask (for fear that Hak would catch on and go chasing after that man, if he hadn't known), but either way, Kija's been lavishing Hak with a little more attention than usual today. He's been sticking close to him, making sure he eats his meals and encouraging him to rest if he hadn't already done so. He's really a bit of a pest at times, but he does it out of love!!
Capablanca can be hot, and the sun tends to be hotter nearer toward the shore. Before Hak can react, he'll get a cold vending machine cherry cola nudged at the corner of his mouth. ]
It is hot. You must drink, or you will dehydrate. [ there's no actual cherry in this cola, which kija finds weird as heck, but it's delicious!! ]
[ There are two things Kija doesn't know: a) Hak and Soo-won, indeed, crossed paths in perhaps the most ironic way possible, and b) soda is supposed to make you thirstier, isn't it? Not like Hak knows, but anyway, he gives Kija a weird look. He's noticed the doting and how Kija's showing him a lot more attention, and he can guess why, but he'll save it for when it's appropriate. (Isn't Yoon supposed to be team mom, anyway...) ]
[ HE'S WANNABE TEAM MOM. Useless, discount team mom. Anyway, Kija doesn't know why he had expected Hak to accept his drink and give him the proper 'thank you's. He doesn't know why he's even surprised at this response. He should have expected that Hak would be such a lil shit!!!!! ]
NO ...?! How dare you insinuate that I would do such a thing! Perhaps I should poison you for being so very rude!
[ Let Hak Rest. Oh my god Kija. He's a grown man...ok...he doesn't need all of this pampering!! He usually expects this from Kija when he's hurt or something, but he's fine. Let him be a lil shit!!! ]
Don't blame me for being cautious. Snakes are filled with venom.
[ Kija's carrier, a harmless little white snake, pokes her head out at the mention of 'snake'. Look, here's a snake with no venom... ]
I am not a snake! [ But he's quite used to this insult by now. Find a new one, Hak. Stop slacking off. There's a big huff. He's mad that he was trying his best to be nice and this happens. ]
But if you do not want the drink, that is fine. Do not say that I did not offer!
[ Hello, snake chan...meet Hak's baby tiger, pawing away at the sand.
Also Hak really does need to come up with a new insult...probably something to do with potatoes, let's be real. He does not want to remember ever having a potato son with Kija though...#problems ]
Fine, just hand it over.
[ Okay, Kija's getting all fussy about this, so: ] You've been overbearing lately, did you know? [ rude af ]
[ He's glad Hak is willing to accept his drink, even if he's still being rude about it. Kija hands him the bottle... And it's good that he did, too, because he might have crushed it in his dragon hand upon hearing what Hak had to say next. ]
I-I-I have not! [ The accusation has him a little red-faced. He does acknowledge that he's been a little more fussy than usual, but Hak puts it in such a negative way!! ] I am only doing as a friend should!
[ He wants to say something just to be contrary, but there's no point arguing Hak's accusation. He was right, and it didn't come as a surprise that Hak would see through him so easily. Kija opens his mouth to speak, then presses his lips thin, the protest dying in his mouth. There's nothing he can say but the truth. ]
[ He's going to be really real with you for a second, homie: ]
Hak, I know you would say that whether or not you are fine. [ And that's actually fine. He knows his friend likes to put on a strong front, but he won't force Hak to shed that front for him. ]
I only want you to know that you can come to me for anything.
[ They've all become like a family--Hak's been made fun of before about that, about how he's slowly come to trust and care for the dragons and Yoon, how they've become his home away from home. He's gotten used to having others worry about him, especially their little dysfunctional group they've got going on, but he's not used to opening up about these kinds of things.
So he feels weird when Kija tells Hak he can talk to him, because Hak just...isn't really that kind of person. He'll tell Kija what happened if he asks, but his own personal feelings are a territory that he'd rather not let anyone tread on if he can help it. Such is the life of a tsundere, macho-man bodyguard.
Not sure how else to react, he takes a sip of the soda Kija gave him...before lightly punching the dragon's arm. ]
Oof! [ Maybe he should have expected to get a friendly punch in return. Hak's much stronger than the average guy, so even his light punches hurt a little. Kija rubs at his arm.
He knows that Hak has basically just turned down his offer for a heart-to-heart, but Kija doesn't find himself too offended by this. Hak was rarely ever ready to be open about the way that he felt, and this was fine. The punch on his shoulder is fond, he knows this, and he would respond with some fondness in turn if not for the fact that Hak follows up with some bullying?? ]
[ It wasn't that hard of a punch, gosh >:T Well, either way, Hak's not going to let himself get all mushy around Kija because that's just embarrassing. Hak's used to repressing how he feels, anyway, so it's not a big deal to him that he can't talk about his worries with anyone.
It'll come around to kick his ass one day, though. ]
[ As noon sets in, and the sun gets hotter and hotter, Kija suddenly remembers to take out a bottle that he had brought along. The label says 'SUNSCREEN'. ] Oh!
The sun is becoming too hot. We must follow the ways of the locals and apply this ointment to our bodies. [ He's just proud he knows what this strange lotion does now. They didn't have anything like this back in Kouka. ] I will help you rub it on your back, Hak.
...What? [ What is that--sunscreen? What? He's never heard of that before. Some kind of ointment, it looks like? ] What is that? You aren't trying to poison me for real this time, are you?
[ Money has little actual value to Kija, but it's good to have, so there's no reason to turn down the opportunity to explore a new area and get some money for it. That's why he's out and about and exploring the wonderful attractions that Gammon has to offer. He's been taking photographs too, with a camera that he had received on a previous job before. With his limited ... sense of artistry he's been taking these photos indiscriminately, flashing his camera at even the most mundane things. It's really the experience of capturing an image onto paper that fascinates him, rather than the scenery he's capturing itself. And when he does happen to snap a photograph of one of those shimmering lakes or breathtaking mountain views, something always seems to go wrong\; sometimes, he's angled his camera in such a way that the beautiful view isn't even in the picture, and on other times a white, scaly finger can be seeing peeking in from the side (it's creepy). He isn't the best photographer, but at least he's having fun.
When Kija takes a stop to review the photographs he's taken throughout the trip, he spots something peculiar. At the corner of a photograph he's taken in one of Gammon's quaint little towns, there's the back of one familiar-looking fellow. A person he had met a month or two ago, but hasn't seen since. Oh, could it be ...?
He'll be looking for you now, Zhong Hui. He retraces his steps to where he had taken that photograph and goes around town, pointing at Zhong Hui's back in the photo and asking whoever he can. ]
[ It still hasn't dawned on him how strange it is that he's returned to Blanc, but it isn't as though he has that many unpleasant memories of the place. There's still much to do, so much to explore. Luckily, he hadn't strayed too far from the location Kija had taken the photo; he remains at a local shop, exploring the art and culture he's yet to familiarize with.
He's merely tapping at a hand-made wind chime when he hears a familiar voice near him, speaking to the shop owner. Kija hadn't spot him yet, but Zhong Hui recognizes him immediately. The snowy-white appearance is still consistent with his outfit that night at the festival — it simultaneously feels like distant past and recent memory. He can't quite describe it, but it brings a smile to his face as he quietly approaches him. ]
I was wondering if you were still resident to this awful place.
[ He's exaggerating, of course. Blanc isn't quite as bad as it can be, and the smaller towns are much cleaner than some of the poverty he's seen in China. He reaches over and snips the photo right out of Kija's hand — he feels comfortable with the man. After all, he's the first familiar face he's run into. It's a relief. ]
Just who are you looking — for? [ Pause. Isn't that the back of his head? ] Huh?
[ OH. Who would have thought that the man he was looking for would appear in front of him on his own... Kija recognizes his voice immediately, turning to him now. Meeting a friend you previously thought you would never see again is always quite exciting, and the excitement has his cheeks all rosy. ]
Zhong Hui! It is a pleasure to see you again. [ But uh ... Now Zhong Hui has that photograph in his hand, and Kija's realising how strange this whole situation might appear to him. This is a little awkward. ]
I was ... looking for you, actually. But it seems you appeared on your own.
[ Despite seeing the clear photograph of his back, it doesn't really register that Kija is in procession of such a thing. And not to mention Zhong Hui has never seen such a clean painting of both scenery and person. It's almost sensory overload; he's flattered, intrigued, and proud — and he's uncertain which he should express first.
Zhong Hui's free hand idly plays with a lock of hair, twirling as he observes the heat of Kija's features — he wonders if he feels it off his face, or that he, too, is turning red. ]
Hmph. Surely, they found my worth fit to request my services once again. I do not blame them.
[ As he returns the photo back to Kija, he feels a question rising to his throat. It's a little awkward, but Zhong Hui is hardly the shy type. It's just — ]
You — painted this, of me? To look for me.
[ That sounds so gay coming out of his mouth but Kija started this??? ]
[ That does sound gay af but Kija doesn't ... pick up on that?? His mind is pure and gen. He only seeks to correct the misunderstanding. Especially since he can see how anyone would find him strange, if they were in Zhong Hui's shoes. ]
Oh, no ... I do not have talent in painting. [ OR... MOST THINGS. ] This is the work of this machine. [ He shows Zhong Hui the camera. ]
I do not understand it, but it is able to capture what it sees and paint it on a paper with stunning accuracy! By chance, you happened to appear it one of the pictures it had produced, so I went looking for you.
[ As one of the infected, it's in Kija's best interests to aid in finding a cure. So, even if every joint in his body aches and he can't hold down anything without feeling like throwing up, he sets out when he sees that call for help in gathering ingredients.
It sounded like a simple enough task. Lure the carbuncle out with laughter and take its gem from it. This may not even take much experience in hunting! There's one problem, though ...
Neither he or Caren laugh very often. Kija ... can't quite remember the last time he's had a good laugh. Surely they could fake it though?? ] If the key to luring out the creature is laughter, then I will attempt to laugh.
[ With how serious he sounds about this, they're already getting off on the wrong foot. And the actual attempt sounds like the most forced, painful thing. ] HA! HAHAHA!
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vietnam
Even with all the unbelievable things he's seen in this world, Kija can't help but find himself gawking at the beautiful sight, the rich colour of the flowers and the fresh look of the leaves, as it all sat on the shimmering green waters. ]
O-Oh ... Vietnam, look!
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Vietnam grabbed onto Kija's arm, clutching firmly as she couldn't find her voice. It was...strangely overwhelming to see a flower so important to her in such a large scale.]
It's...they're beautiful... [The fact she's so breathless was kind of telling that Vietnam isn't as controlled as she usually was.]
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Jae Ha has told me that the lotus was an important flower in your homeland. Is this true?
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He's correct. The lotus is my national flower...and so my name, Sen, means lotus.
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Is 'Vietnam' not your name ...?!? [ HAS HE HAD IT WRONG ALL THIS TIME ]
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Vietnam and Sen are both my names. I have two. A country name and a human one. [Ah.]
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A 'country name'? Does this mean your country has assigned this name for you?
[ Just like how everyone in his village calls him 'Hakuryuu' and not 'Kija'. ]
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Yes. My country did.
[Oh my god be more detailed, girl.]
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I see. Does everyone in your country receive a name assigned by the rulers?
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In my world, yes, our kind are given names assigned by our bosses. Or rulers, depending on the time.
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this is a pretty acceptable answer, but he's curious about her phrasing. ]
What do you mean by your 'kind'?
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My kind...immortals. I am the spirit of a country, that of Vietnam.
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[ .......... ]
WHA --?!?
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O-oh...yes, I'm not quite human. I've been around for at least 1000 years.
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I-I still cannot understand this. What is meant by 'spirit of a country'?! Are you a god of some sort?!
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N-no, not at all a god! Far from it. I only came about when a country has an identity. In fact...I don't actually remember much about it at all.
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Are you some sort of spirit that protects the land?
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In a way, yes! I walk through history and help guide them.
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So when the people have a problem that they need solving, you are the one they turn to for help?
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And...I suppose to an extent, but mostly they refer to our boss.
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YOU ARE A COUNTRY?!!???
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Y...yes...?
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But you are a person! I am afraid I do not understand -- how is this possible?!
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I am still a person! I just represent the country. Well, I say I am a person, but I never truly got to live as a human until arriving here. I am also unsure how I came into existence. But as soon as a society comes into existence, a country, then we come about and continue our lives with it. In a way, I have to thank my husband for making that happen. Gilgamesh is the first legendary king of the world, he made civilisation possible.
[...does this even make sense, it always had to her. How would she describe fantasy Korea to him?!]
hakku at the beach
He doesn't ... actually know if both Hak and Soo-Won have crossed paths, and he's a little afraid to ask (for fear that Hak would catch on and go chasing after that man, if he hadn't known), but either way, Kija's been lavishing Hak with a little more attention than usual today. He's been sticking close to him, making sure he eats his meals and encouraging him to rest if he hadn't already done so. He's really a bit of a pest at times, but he does it out of love!!
Capablanca can be hot, and the sun tends to be hotter nearer toward the shore. Before Hak can react, he'll get a cold vending machine cherry cola nudged at the corner of his mouth. ]
It is hot. You must drink, or you will dehydrate. [ there's no actual cherry in this cola, which kija finds weird as heck, but it's delicious!! ]
hello friend
...Did you put poison in this?
[ WOW, RUDE??? What a dumb bully ]
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NO ...?! How dare you insinuate that I would do such a thing! Perhaps I should poison you for being so very rude!
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Don't blame me for being cautious. Snakes are filled with venom.
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I am not a snake! [ But he's quite used to this insult by now. Find a new one, Hak. Stop slacking off. There's a big huff. He's mad that he was trying his best to be nice and this happens. ]
But if you do not want the drink, that is fine. Do not say that I did not offer!
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Also Hak really does need to come up with a new insult...probably something to do with potatoes, let's be real. He does not want to remember ever having a potato son with Kija though...#problems ]
Fine, just hand it over.
[ Okay, Kija's getting all fussy about this, so: ] You've been overbearing lately, did you know? [ rude af ]
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I-I-I have not! [ The accusation has him a little red-faced. He does acknowledge that he's been a little more fussy than usual, but Hak puts it in such a negative way!! ] I am only doing as a friend should!
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[ It's supposed to be Yoon's job to be the mom here...Hak knows something's up. The last time Kija went full nurse mode on him was when he....... ]
...If there's a reason why, just say it.
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I know ... that man is here now.
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[ Ah. So..Kija remembers when they met him, then. From what time period, Hak isn't sure, but... ]
I'm fine.
[ He will be, but the wounds are still fresh. ]
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Hak, I know you would say that whether or not you are fine. [ And that's actually fine. He knows his friend likes to put on a strong front, but he won't force Hak to shed that front for him. ]
I only want you to know that you can come to me for anything.
1/2
So he feels weird when Kija tells Hak he can talk to him, because Hak just...isn't really that kind of person. He'll tell Kija what happened if he asks, but his own personal feelings are a territory that he'd rather not let anyone tread on if he can help it. Such is the life of a tsundere, macho-man bodyguard.
Not sure how else to react, he takes a sip of the soda Kija gave him...before lightly punching the dragon's arm. ]
You worry too much.
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So if I can go to you for anything, does that mean I can boss you around?
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He knows that Hak has basically just turned down his offer for a heart-to-heart, but Kija doesn't find himself too offended by this. Hak was rarely ever ready to be open about the way that he felt, and this was fine. The punch on his shoulder is fond, he knows this, and he would respond with some fondness in turn if not for the fact that Hak follows up with some bullying?? ]
Of course not! That's not what I mean at all!!
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[ It wasn't that hard of a punch, gosh >:T Well, either way, Hak's not going to let himself get all mushy around Kija because that's just embarrassing. Hak's used to repressing how he feels, anyway, so it's not a big deal to him that he can't talk about his worries with anyone.
It'll come around to kick his ass one day, though. ]
1/2
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The sun is becoming too hot. We must follow the ways of the locals and apply this ointment to our bodies. [ He's just proud he knows what this strange lotion does now. They didn't have anything like this back in Kouka. ] I will help you rub it on your back, Hak.
no subject
...What? [ What is that--sunscreen? What? He's never heard of that before. Some kind of ointment, it looks like? ] What is that? You aren't trying to poison me for real this time, are you?
[ HAK. ]
zhong hui
When Kija takes a stop to review the photographs he's taken throughout the trip, he spots something peculiar. At the corner of a photograph he's taken in one of Gammon's quaint little towns, there's the back of one familiar-looking fellow. A person he had met a month or two ago, but hasn't seen since. Oh, could it be ...?
He'll be looking for you now, Zhong Hui. He retraces his steps to where he had taken that photograph and goes around town, pointing at Zhong Hui's back in the photo and asking whoever he can. ]
Excuse me, have you seen this person?
no subject
He's merely tapping at a hand-made wind chime when he hears a familiar voice near him, speaking to the shop owner. Kija hadn't spot him yet, but Zhong Hui recognizes him immediately. The snowy-white appearance is still consistent with his outfit that night at the festival — it simultaneously feels like distant past and recent memory. He can't quite describe it, but it brings a smile to his face as he quietly approaches him. ]
I was wondering if you were still resident to this awful place.
[ He's exaggerating, of course. Blanc isn't quite as bad as it can be, and the smaller towns are much cleaner than some of the poverty he's seen in China. He reaches over and snips the photo right out of Kija's hand — he feels comfortable with the man. After all, he's the first familiar face he's run into. It's a relief. ]
Just who are you looking — for? [ Pause. Isn't that the back of his head? ] Huh?
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Zhong Hui! It is a pleasure to see you again. [ But uh ... Now Zhong Hui has that photograph in his hand, and Kija's realising how strange this whole situation might appear to him. This is a little awkward. ]
I was ... looking for you, actually. But it seems you appeared on your own.
no subject
Zhong Hui's free hand idly plays with a lock of hair, twirling as he observes the heat of Kija's features — he wonders if he feels it off his face, or that he, too, is turning red. ]
Hmph. Surely, they found my worth fit to request my services once again. I do not blame them.
[ As he returns the photo back to Kija, he feels a question rising to his throat. It's a little awkward, but Zhong Hui is hardly the shy type. It's just — ]
You — painted this, of me? To look for me.
[ That sounds so gay coming out of his mouth but Kija started this??? ]
no subject
Oh, no ... I do not have talent in painting. [ OR... MOST THINGS. ] This is the work of this machine. [ He shows Zhong Hui the camera. ]
I do not understand it, but it is able to capture what it sees and paint it on a paper with stunning accuracy! By chance, you happened to appear it one of the pictures it had produced, so I went looking for you.
caren
It sounded like a simple enough task. Lure the carbuncle out with laughter and take its gem from it. This may not even take much experience in hunting! There's one problem, though ...
Neither he or Caren laugh very often. Kija ... can't quite remember the last time he's had a good laugh. Surely they could fake it though?? ] If the key to luring out the creature is laughter, then I will attempt to laugh.
[ With how serious he sounds about this, they're already getting off on the wrong foot. And the actual attempt sounds like the most forced, painful thing. ] HA! HAHAHA!
[ ...Nope. Nothing happens. ]
no subject
Yeah, this isn't going to work. She doesn't laugh easily, and Kija...trying to laugh...sounds...really painful. Caren shook her head.]
That sounded as if you were just stabbed with a dull knife. No, it won't do.
[She's tried. She's trying to force a laugh out, but it just...yeah. It's like how some people are just born without soul. She can't laugh.]