[ here's a room in the selfie museum that looks pretty normal when suddenly one of the fake little laundry windows opens up and out pops eiden with a big grin. ]
Check it out! You can pose inside of these! Heh. Hellooooo intrusive thoughts. Living the dream, Eiden.
[ surprise! in any case he leans back a little bit so that matsu can look inside. it's actually like a porthole kind of but eiden is stupid and is untangling himself from how he managed to perch inside the ledge like a betty spaghetti so that matsu can have a better look. ]
It's cramped, but it's a cute way to frame yourself for a selfie. Wanna take a picture with me?
[ he will make room so they can stick their heads out. together. hateful. ]
[LIKE A BETTY SPAGHETTI HELP he will peer inside this porthole kinda thing... Cramped indeed. Matsui's a little bit taller than this mans, but sure, it's touch week, he's down to attempt squeezing the both of them into this to get a funky little selfie.]
Are you certain that you would not be too crowded?
[ smecks aki on the head welcome to the museum, we are gathered here today to just sit on one of the benches and do some sketches for a little while. when he starts to hear someone passing through, he lifts his head and smiles. ]
Uwa a nickname... Matsui's a little surprised, considering only Buzen shortens his name, but little shows in his expression beyond a neutral sort of politeness.]
Ah - I'm feeling well... [And also a little bit of confusion because he's like WHY IS HE ASKING!!! Does he not seem well?? This is very funny because he was actually seething in fury earlier in the day but he feels like he's gotten it under control... He reaches up to tentatively touch his own cheek.]
I guess, I just like to check... sometimes people need to be asked before they can feel like they can talk about— [ a small shrug ] anything heavy that's on their minds.
[Oh it's human niceness at work... And a compliment too?? Wow, Eiden's out here being a generous man today. Matsui smiles, small and brief but grateful.]
Ah. I understand; thank you for asking. Then... are you feeling well?
Hmm, I think I really like the statues a lot. Good for drawing. The weapons that I've seen around are also pretty cool. They remind me of a friend back home... kind of wish I could take him here, but like, without the caveat of being dead?
[Nodding along as he talks about statues and weapons (nice). Thinking about how Buzen insists on greeting all of the artifacts every time he comes in here.
That last addendum is so fair, though.]
You could likely just take him to the places that inspired this if you return to the living, couldn't you?
It's... a long story? Kind of just... being in the wrong place at the right time.
This guy wanted me to make a specialty [ beat ] item out of a rare gemstone, but turns out that gemstone was the thing that sent me to a totally different world. So I ended up there for over a year.
Ah? So it was a portal of some sort? [The way he just assumes the item is like jewelry or something, hilarious.] Being stranded without a return portal is quite an issue...
[But he's DEAD NOW. That said...]
Apparently you can be returned to a different point within reason. Perhaps returning to earth could be in the scope of possibility for you?
Ah. [A little, understanding sound, followed by a little, understanding nod. He gets it... A year is a pretty long time for a human to be in a new environment, anyway. It isn't surprising to hear that he's attached.]
Mm. Something to keep in mind. But if you still have unfinished business where you came from before, then I hope you can finish it.
[Oh nail polish time... Matsui, who'd been vibin nearby doing whatever the hell it is Matsuis do, will glance over when he hears Eiden pondering aloud and then peer toward the selection he's observing.]
[ inner tail wag... he seems pretty happy to see him though, everything that went down this weekend aside. he had a good talk with someone. so he turns around quickly with a few colors, one beautiful deep red included. ]
If they're close enough for emotion swappies, there's a little flicker of surprise from Matsui, standing out above his General Default State which is that of an ailing Victorian staring mournfully out toward the sea, thinking about how they will soon widow their beloved who won't be able to cross the mountains before spring ends... There's just a lot of moroseness and melancholy and a constant, vague underlying stream of Catholic guilt. Amen.
He glances toward the colors and then toward Eiden's face.]
[ i cannot believe i had to see this ailing victorian metaphore twice i really love that this just encapsulates our dearest matsui!!!! but eiden feels it, the little flicker of surprise and latches onto it with care, like offering out a hand. ]
Mmhm. What color do you want for yours?
[ if you say anything but red you will surprise him. but he's asking anyways, already pulling a chair over to sit down at one of the empty tech tables. ]
[HIS COLD LITTLE DEMON HANDS!!!!! Truly between that and his extremely sharp cuspids and general aversion to the sun, he has no right being so shooketh when people think he's a vampire.
There's a little thread of curiosity with some faint amusement, but he'll let Eiden keep his hands for now.]
Yes... Many of you comment on it, and do exactly this. [Looking at their handsies. EVERYONE'S DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO WARM HIM.] But my hands have been this way since I was first summoned.
[ we are vibing somewhere here on this the day of curfew. eiden will go looking for dear matsui sometime in the very early afternoon, using a pair of roller skates that he's borrowing from the skatepark to kind of zoom about! scarfed around his neck is topper, who squeaks out a little greeting when matsui is in sight! eiden, of course, joins in. ]
[me pointing at the very early afternoon wording like I SEE YOU MAY STILL BE ON A CYOA!!!!!!
That said, Matsui's pretty nervous on THIS THE CURSED DAY OF THURSDAY... He's currently in the park, trying to keep watch over both his phone and the immediate area. Both Eiden and sweet Topper get a little nod of greeting in return, though! The vibe warms faintly, like someone happy for this company, even if the anxiety and ailing Victorian backdrop of melancholy is still there.]
Hello, Eiden. [A glance down at his WHEEL FEET.] I see you've found the rollerskates...
[ we are here in God's House for Cold Wayward Victorian Swidows.
but also eiden is cautiously walking in, turning his head towards the spread of the pews and the altar, the stained glass, and slowly walking towards the frontmost pew where he remembers seeing the body on the ground. as he does though, he'll probably see matsui as he walks further in, and he does his best to sort of steel his emotions as quiet as possible. it's hard... after all of that, but if he bites the inside of his cheek, he can maybe ignore it. ]
[He's up near the front! No one ever told him exactly where Buzen's body was found and he didn't look at the pictures of the crime scene, but being up front is just natural when it's the point closest to the altar.
He looks up when his name is called, though, which is as good a start as any. He doesn't bother trying to pack his own away, though. Unfortunately, he's just a burden everyone else has to deal with right now.]
[ that is honestly for the best, matsui, it sucked. but he's willing to take the sucker punch of emotion, because of all of them of course matsui would be the epicenter of the sadness. and he kind of wants to feel sad. he'll meet him wherever he's standing, hands in his pockets. ]
You may. Praying itself is not the important part, so much as the act of remembrance. To carve what made a person when they were alive into your mind and heart, so that you may carry them with you.
[It's heavy, horrible work. But it's something Matsui is used to, even if the weight is crushing.]
He just nods at that, though, emotions heavy and still rather than tempestuous. Like lead sewn into velvet.]
Yes. Buzen... He deserves to have this. The remembrance. His past and his future, even back home, were uncertain... So he deserves these tethers. Things that will keep him here, even when he goes ahead.
[ he's just sitting by hachiko (?) with a cup of starbucks coffee in hand. it takes him a minute, but he'll breathe in once and then hold his pin in his other hand, focusing for a moment. ]
... Matsu? You out there? Wanna talk...? I know it's been a while.
[HELP. SWEET EIDEN!! When he concentrates, the blurry form of Matsui still in a maid dress materializes nearby. He blinks, a little surprised.]
Ah. This is going to take some getting used to... [But then turning to Eiden with a faint smile. There's a little flash of some blossoming trees behind him, cherry petals raining down.]
w0, monday
Check it out! You can pose inside of these! Heh. Hellooooo intrusive thoughts. Living the dream, Eiden.
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Matsui starts a little since he'd just been meandering by, not expecting there to be an entire Eiden inside of the props in this room.]
Ah-- ...You can? [UNCERTAIN. He leans forward to try to peer around Eiden in an attempt to see how much space is back here.] It looks very cramped.
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It's cramped, but it's a cute way to frame yourself for a selfie. Wanna take a picture with me?
[ he will make room so they can stick their heads out. together. hateful. ]
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Are you certain that you would not be too crowded?
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[ i never got this tag screams like an eagle. ]
w1, monday
Hey, Matsu, how're you feeling today?
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Uwa a nickname... Matsui's a little surprised, considering only Buzen shortens his name, but little shows in his expression beyond a neutral sort of politeness.]
Ah - I'm feeling well... [And also a little bit of confusion because he's like WHY IS HE ASKING!!! Does he not seem well?? This is very funny because he was actually seething in fury earlier in the day but he feels like he's gotten it under control... He reaches up to tentatively touch his own cheek.]
Do I look unwell?
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I guess, I just like to check... sometimes people need to be asked before they can feel like they can talk about— [ a small shrug ] anything heavy that's on their minds.
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Ah. I understand; thank you for asking. Then... are you feeling well?
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The museum's huge, I can't walk it all in one day!
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Mm. It's impressive... Which part has been your favorite so far? Of the displays, that is.
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Hmm, I think I really like the statues a lot. Good for drawing. The weapons that I've seen around are also pretty cool. They remind me of a friend back home... kind of wish I could take him here, but like, without the caveat of being dead?
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That last addendum is so fair, though.]
You could likely just take him to the places that inspired this if you return to the living, couldn't you?
[Yeah just fly to Rome it's fine.]
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[ a beat ]
I mean, I can't go back to Earth... Well, at least I haven't found a way back yet. Not from where I ended up before this.
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--? Where did you end up before this...?
[WHERE DID YOU GO...]
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This guy wanted me to make a specialty [ beat ] item out of a rare gemstone, but turns out that gemstone was the thing that sent me to a totally different world. So I ended up there for over a year.
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Ah? So it was a portal of some sort? [The way he just assumes the item is like jewelry or something, hilarious.] Being stranded without a return portal is quite an issue...
[But he's DEAD NOW. That said...]
Apparently you can be returned to a different point within reason. Perhaps returning to earth could be in the scope of possibility for you?
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... There's still some stuff I've gotta do. I made promises and I have to keep them. Can't leave my clan members in the lurch.
[ he hums ] But! That's good to know...
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Mm. Something to keep in mind. But if you still have unfinished business where you came from before, then I hope you can finish it.
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What sort of things are waiting for you back home, Matsui...? Buzen mentioned you were all from a place called the Citadel?
It sounds pretty cool.
w2, monday
Hmm... I mean I guess I can always take it off if I don't like it, but what color to even start with first...
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[And then it's not but it's fine sometimes wars happen.]
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--Red compliments everyone well.
[Thanks blood Gou.]
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[ inner tail wag... he seems pretty happy to see him though, everything that went down this weekend aside. he had a good talk with someone. so he turns around quickly with a few colors, one beautiful deep red included. ]
Want me to paint your nails?
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If they're close enough for emotion swappies, there's a little flicker of surprise from Matsui, standing out above his General Default State which is that of an ailing Victorian staring mournfully out toward the sea, thinking about how they will soon widow their beloved who won't be able to cross the mountains before spring ends... There's just a lot of moroseness and melancholy and a constant, vague underlying stream of Catholic guilt. Amen.
He glances toward the colors and then toward Eiden's face.]
--You wish to?
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Mmhm. What color do you want for yours?
[ if you say anything but red you will surprise him. but he's asking anyways, already pulling a chair over to sit down at one of the empty tech tables. ]
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Anyway there is so much kindness here that it just makes the undercurrent of Catholic guilt become stronger and more prevalent. Truly funny.]
Ah... You don't need to... But-- I will leave the selection to you, if you wish.
[Hilariously, his nails are already painted a bright turquoise and have been since his arrival, but he's willing to let it go for Eiden.]
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Oh... Are you sure? This is a really pretty color...
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I don't mind. It's the color that I was summoned with... I have no particular attachment to it.
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Didn't realize you could be summoned with nail polish...
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We are summoned with all manner of things. Nail polish, glasses, jewelry...
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Wow, you're like ice...
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There's a little thread of curiosity with some faint amusement, but he'll let Eiden keep his hands for now.]
Yes... Many of you comment on it, and do exactly this. [Looking at their handsies. EVERYONE'S DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO WARM HIM.] But my hands have been this way since I was first summoned.
w2, thursday pre-curfew
Hey, Matsu!
[ so: where he be? ]
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That said, Matsui's pretty nervous on THIS THE CURSED DAY OF THURSDAY... He's currently in the park, trying to keep watch over both his phone and the immediate area. Both Eiden and sweet Topper get a little nod of greeting in return, though! The vibe warms faintly, like someone happy for this company, even if the anxiety and ailing Victorian backdrop of melancholy is still there.]
Hello, Eiden. [A glance down at his WHEEL FEET.] I see you've found the rollerskates...
w2, saturday post-trial
but also eiden is cautiously walking in, turning his head towards the spread of the pews and the altar, the stained glass, and slowly walking towards the frontmost pew where he remembers seeing the body on the ground. as he does though, he'll probably see matsui as he walks further in, and he does his best to sort of steel his emotions as quiet as possible. it's hard... after all of that, but if he bites the inside of his cheek, he can maybe ignore it. ]
Matsui...?
[ softly to just announce his presence. ]
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He looks up when his name is called, though, which is as good a start as any. He doesn't bother trying to pack his own away, though. Unfortunately, he's just a burden everyone else has to deal with right now.]
...Hello.
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... What're you doing?
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...Praying. Or-- making an attempt.
[Trying. No prayers he's given have ever felt this difficult before, but he supposes that makes sense enough.]
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Sorry... Hope I didn't interrupt.
[ but he'll quiet down after that. ]
... Can I join you? I don't really pray, but. [ can he just send vibes? ]
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He just nods, no hesitation behind it.]
You may. Praying itself is not the important part, so much as the act of remembrance. To carve what made a person when they were alive into your mind and heart, so that you may carry them with you.
[It's heavy, horrible work. But it's something Matsui is used to, even if the weight is crushing.]
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he nods slowly. ]
Remembrance... that I can do. It's something I want to do... it was important to him when he took me to go see the swords in the museum.
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He just nods at that, though, emotions heavy and still rather than tempestuous. Like lead sewn into velvet.]
Yes. Buzen... He deserves to have this. The remembrance. His past and his future, even back home, were uncertain... So he deserves these tethers. Things that will keep him here, even when he goes ahead.
w7, monday
... Matsu? You out there? Wanna talk...? I know it's been a while.
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Ah. This is going to take some getting used to... [But then turning to Eiden with a faint smile. There's a little flash of some blossoming trees behind him, cherry petals raining down.]
Hello, Eiden. It is good to see you again.