within-only-shadows

[within-only-shadows]

Sitting with Darumi like this... The only other time he felt so comforted was with Eito. This... this was a different kind of comfort, though. Not bad, just different. Like he could be a different kind of vulnerable with her. He didn't have to put up a front. No shield, no barrier.

"I... could never hate you..." he whispered, holding her even tighter, reassuring her.

[[ROUTE ???+1 | DAY 36 | AFTERNOON | BROKEN BUT NOT TOO FAR GONE]]

It was a good thing, in this case, that Hiruko dragging Takumi and Eito off that morning had meant that the door to Takumi's room was left unlocked for once. Made things far easier for Darumi while guiding a half-blinded Takumi back to it.

She wasn't exactly a doctor, or anything half as useful for that matter, but she did know a fucked-up injury when she saw it. And while he DID fuck up his eyelids real bad, when she flushed his eyeballs out with saline he didn't flinch too much and aside from being a bit bloodshot it didn't look like the actual EYEBALLS were cut or anything. Saline in an open eyeball wound would hurt like a BITCH, so either Takumi was super-hardcore in the pain game or it was fine.

"Heeeeere we are! Back in your gooner cave~! Thoough, I guess with Eito, it's less goonin' and more gettin', right?" She teased him a bit as she led him by the hand, "Since... I guess you two are a 'thing', now..."

Hopefully the teasing would bring him back to some sense of normalcy. She'd been worried about him for awhile. Takumi was probably her first real friend, as in someone that actually gave a damn about her, and she actually cared about too. Probably her BEST friend, with Eito hanging out in second. Probably. The Going-Home-Club was their own thing.

Though, if Darumi were being honest with herself, Takumi was... probably also her first crush. She thinks she likes him more than a friend, anyways. Not that anything would come of that, now.

Just her usual luck that her two (cute) best friends would hook up and leave her a third wheel.

She guides Takumi to the bed, and sits down on the edge with him. She doesn't let go of his hand- he still looks really shaken (totally the only reason). It sucked seeing him like this (it really, really does).

"You, um... Need anything? I have some snacks?" she was no good at being genuine. She always felt unwanted and vulnerable, "I can... stick around as long as you want?"

@within-only-shadows

[within-only-shadows]

Takumi's hold on Darumi tightened when she made her comment about killing her. He could never kill her. Not again. He already did that once and fully regretted it ever since.

"Never..." he whispered, "I'll never... kill you again... I swear..."

The tension from Darumi was radiating off of her and onto him. She was scared, just as scared as he was. They were both so, so broken. Just a couple of teenagers who went through too much for someone their age. They didn't deserve this.

"I..." he found his voice again when Darumi brought up the last defensive battle, "I watched you die... to Ve'xhness... in my last timeline. In the same fashion... When that happened, I... I couldn't..."

I couldn't let it happen again, even if it meant sacrificing myself.

"Darumi... you... you were my- my first friend, too..." he admitted, tears rolling down his cheeks as he recalled his second timeline, "I... I care... about you... so much... Thank- thank you..."

[[ROUTE ???+1 | DAY 36 | AFTERNOON | BROKEN BUT NOT TOO FAR GONE]]

It was a good thing, in this case, that Hiruko dragging Takumi and Eito off that morning had meant that the door to Takumi's room was left unlocked for once. Made things far easier for Darumi while guiding a half-blinded Takumi back to it.

She wasn't exactly a doctor, or anything half as useful for that matter, but she did know a fucked-up injury when she saw it. And while he DID fuck up his eyelids real bad, when she flushed his eyeballs out with saline he didn't flinch too much and aside from being a bit bloodshot it didn't look like the actual EYEBALLS were cut or anything. Saline in an open eyeball wound would hurt like a BITCH, so either Takumi was super-hardcore in the pain game or it was fine.

"Heeeeere we are! Back in your gooner cave~! Thoough, I guess with Eito, it's less goonin' and more gettin', right?" She teased him a bit as she led him by the hand, "Since... I guess you two are a 'thing', now..."

Hopefully the teasing would bring him back to some sense of normalcy. She'd been worried about him for awhile. Takumi was probably her first real friend, as in someone that actually gave a damn about her, and she actually cared about too. Probably her BEST friend, with Eito hanging out in second. Probably. The Going-Home-Club was their own thing.

Though, if Darumi were being honest with herself, Takumi was... probably also her first crush. She thinks she likes him more than a friend, anyways. Not that anything would come of that, now.

Just her usual luck that her two (cute) best friends would hook up and leave her a third wheel.

She guides Takumi to the bed, and sits down on the edge with him. She doesn't let go of his hand- he still looks really shaken (totally the only reason). It sucked seeing him like this (it really, really does).

"You, um... Need anything? I have some snacks?" she was no good at being genuine. She always felt unwanted and vulnerable, "I can... stick around as long as you want?"

@within-only-shadows

[within-only-shadows]

Wow, a lot of your team are making blogs now. Hows uh. Hows that make you feel. Having everyone around.

Nervous.

[within-only-shadows]

Takumi's hand squeezed Darumi's. It was desperate, pleading.

"Please..." he whispered, "Don't-... don't go..."

His mind was slowly starting to clear, now that they were away from the problem, relocated to a more familiar location. He could feel THAT Eito's presence again, but he was keeping himself quiet. Always watching. Always observing. Like a snake hidden in the grass.

"I-I'm sorry..." he finally said, after what felt like years of silence, "I... You were... never meant to... to see me like that... none of you... were..."

He should've known he was bound to break in front of the others sooner or later. He had really hoped it would have never happened, but he can't control everything.

He supposed he would just have to be better next time.

[[ROUTE ???+1 | DAY 36 | AFTERNOON | BROKEN BUT NOT TOO FAR GONE]]

It was a good thing, in this case, that Hiruko dragging Takumi and Eito off that morning had meant that the door to Takumi's room was left unlocked for once. Made things far easier for Darumi while guiding a half-blinded Takumi back to it.

She wasn't exactly a doctor, or anything half as useful for that matter, but she did know a fucked-up injury when she saw it. And while he DID fuck up his eyelids real bad, when she flushed his eyeballs out with saline he didn't flinch too much and aside from being a bit bloodshot it didn't look like the actual EYEBALLS were cut or anything. Saline in an open eyeball wound would hurt like a BITCH, so either Takumi was super-hardcore in the pain game or it was fine.

"Heeeeere we are! Back in your gooner cave~! Thoough, I guess with Eito, it's less goonin' and more gettin', right?" She teased him a bit as she led him by the hand, "Since... I guess you two are a 'thing', now..."

Hopefully the teasing would bring him back to some sense of normalcy. She'd been worried about him for awhile. Takumi was probably her first real friend, as in someone that actually gave a damn about her, and she actually cared about too. Probably her BEST friend, with Eito hanging out in second. Probably. The Going-Home-Club was their own thing.

Though, if Darumi were being honest with herself, Takumi was... probably also her first crush. She thinks she likes him more than a friend, anyways. Not that anything would come of that, now.

Just her usual luck that her two (cute) best friends would hook up and leave her a third wheel.

She guides Takumi to the bed, and sits down on the edge with him. She doesn't let go of his hand- he still looks really shaken (totally the only reason). It sucked seeing him like this (it really, really does).

"You, um... Need anything? I have some snacks?" she was no good at being genuine. She always felt unwanted and vulnerable, "I can... stick around as long as you want?"

@within-only-shadows

[within-only-shadows]

*sits down just outside of reach of the boys* *starts playing the recorder very badly*

... You're very lucky I used my knife on that stupid machine.

@eito-rewind

[within-only-shadows]

Target acquired, moving in

A trail of white dust seems to circle the cage before making a beeline in Takumi's direction.

Dropping payload

A slightly-ripped paper bag just small enough to fit through is flung into the cage, catching slightly on one of the bars and ripping further, ensuring that its contents will coat Takumi's soggy frame as it beans him in the face.

Flour.

Tango down, moving in

A normal-sized seagull wearing a blue detective's hat flutters down outside the cage, staring down its beak at his target with eyes narrowed.

"The gods know what you've done."

Speaking with the voice of what is unmistakably an adult male, it spreads its wings and retreats to

wherever the hell it came from.

"JUSTICE FOR THE ENAGA!"

Takumi has received: Loose Flour (Wet) x 1!

[the rage bubbling in his system is immense]

[if he finds you]

[he will kill you]

[he will remember this]

[within-only-shadows]

Takumi sat shivering and crying into Darumi's arms for a while, incoherent words muttered under his breath as she patched him up. He was lost in a world of confusing sounds and colors, unsure of what was up or down, before slowly, slowly swimming back up to the surface.

His eyes were bandaged up. He couldn't open them without a slight sharp pain slicing through them. He could still see, as evidenced by the blurry colors he could make out from behind his eyelids.

A hand was in his. It was smaller. Not Eito. He faintly remembers a higher pitched voice...? Whoever it was with him, he could tell they were safe. He felt comforted by their presence.

Hiruko? No, her scent was different.

Darumi.

"I... I'm... sorry..." he muttered quietly. His head felt like it was full of cotton. His limbs like heavy weights. "I... m-making... a m-mess... again..."

He was always making a mess of things. His entire time at the academy, his whole life- his ACTUAL life- was nothing but mistake after mistake, always saying or doing something to ruin everything.

"Sorry..."

An anon dressed in all black appears. It steps aside, revealing a portal, and gestures for you to step inside.

Take any props you want. The actors are already in position. It's time for you to take centerstage.

A being capable of summoning portals showing up out of the blue was not anywhere near Eito's list of expectations. He doesn't know what to think. The portal definitely looks real, no arguments there, but where it leads to is the biggest concern plaguing his mind. It could send him anywhere. The middle of a desert, the bottom of the ocean, the void of space... the Artificial Satellite. Perhaps fate is rewarding him for his hardships. And maybe, if he wishes and believes hard enough, the portal will take him exactly where he wants to go. Besides, why else would this magical figure tell him he can bring whatever he wants? If they meant any real harm, they wouldn't allow him to prepare at all. He'll take his chances.

"Any props, hm? Give me one moment," Eito responds before casually strolling out of the courtyard. A few minutes later, he returns. Stuffed in his jacket, out of sight, is his infuser. Better safe than sorry. The fear of the unknown will not get the better of him. "I have all I need now. I'm ready."

'It's time for you to take centerstage.'

When a performance is demanded of him, he shall not disappoint! He cautiously walks up to the portal, looking behind him to ensure Salem is soundly asleep and serene. With a determined nod, courage welling up inside his chest, he steps through the portal.

...

It feels like Eito hasn't moved an inch. Not in a literal sense, since he definitely took a step forward into this unknown dimension. Yet he never thought he'd end up right back in the courtyard. While his eyes adjust to the sensation of déjà vu blindsiding him, another heightened sense gets right to work. Everything smells off. Some scents are eerily absent while other unfamiliar scents invade his nostrils. The strongest of them all is the stench of a human. A vile mixture of tar and... spoiled milk?

His eyes pull the source of his discomfort into focus. It's Takumi. A different Takumi. In one of the cages. Not his. Through the bars, the stubborn teen's form is similar in its melted appearance. However, among the blood and flesh rotting and regrowing, thick tar pours from his pendulous jaw.

But that's not all. This strange Takumi's stench carries over into the other cage. Where a reflection of himself stands alone. But it can't just be any reflection. It's that one. The disgrace. The broken mirror. And as he most recently learned, the host infested by a parasitic Takumi that killed his own Takumi.

To say Eito is enraged is an understatement. "YOU!" He roars, stomping up to the alternate's cage. "This must be why I was brought here! I've been sent to destroy you for the death and scarring of my Takumi! You will pay for your heinous crime with your blood!" He reaches under his jacket to grab his infuser. WAIT! He stops. That's right... Takumi told him not to harm this deplorable version of himself. He had a promise to keep.

Eito steps back, crossing his arms. He retraces his thoughts, finally realizing that not only this reflection, but a Takumi being inside the cages here were oddities of their own. "Actually... I'd like to ask a few questions first. For starters, why are you and that Takumi caged?"

[within-only-shadows]

His hands felt around familiar textures. Leather. Metal. A warm hand. That voice... His Eito.

Takumi's sobbing changed, shifting from pain and suffering to desperation and want. He squeezed the hand that was intertwined with his own, his other hand feeling around for that familiar fabric to grasp onto. Comfort. He desperately wanted to be held, to know he was safe. The voices were loud, too loud. Telling him to do things he didn't want to do. Things he should do. Taunting him, laughing at him, making him suffer.

"S-stop..." he hiccupped, "W-won't... won't s-stop... hu...rt..." He was shivering by that point, from the cold and the pain.

"P-please... m-make... make it s-stop..." he begged, pulling Eito closer.

It truly was a sorry sight to watch.

Even more so for anyone who happened to be watching from another angle.

@bloodmoon-eito

An anon dressed in all black appears. It steps aside, revealing a portal, and gestures for you to step inside.

Take any props you want. The actors are already in position. It's time for you to take centerstage.

A being capable of summoning portals showing up out of the blue was not anywhere near Eito's list of expectations. He doesn't know what to think. The portal definitely looks real, no arguments there, but where it leads to is the biggest concern plaguing his mind. It could send him anywhere. The middle of a desert, the bottom of the ocean, the void of space... the Artificial Satellite. Perhaps fate is rewarding him for his hardships. And maybe, if he wishes and believes hard enough, the portal will take him exactly where he wants to go. Besides, why else would this magical figure tell him he can bring whatever he wants? If they meant any real harm, they wouldn't allow him to prepare at all. He'll take his chances.

"Any props, hm? Give me one moment," Eito responds before casually strolling out of the courtyard. A few minutes later, he returns. Stuffed in his jacket, out of sight, is his infuser. Better safe than sorry. The fear of the unknown will not get the better of him. "I have all I need now. I'm ready."

'It's time for you to take centerstage.'

When a performance is demanded of him, he shall not disappoint! He cautiously walks up to the portal, looking behind him to ensure Salem is soundly asleep and serene. With a determined nod, courage welling up inside his chest, he steps through the portal.

...

It feels like Eito hasn't moved an inch. Not in a literal sense, since he definitely took a step forward into this unknown dimension. Yet he never thought he'd end up right back in the courtyard. While his eyes adjust to the sensation of déjà vu blindsiding him, another heightened sense gets right to work. Everything smells off. Some scents are eerily absent while other unfamiliar scents invade his nostrils. The strongest of them all is the stench of a human. A vile mixture of tar and... spoiled milk?

His eyes pull the source of his discomfort into focus. It's Takumi. A different Takumi. In one of the cages. Not his. Through the bars, the stubborn teen's form is similar in its melted appearance. However, among the blood and flesh rotting and regrowing, thick tar pours from his pendulous jaw.

But that's not all. This strange Takumi's stench carries over into the other cage. Where a reflection of himself stands alone. But it can't just be any reflection. It's that one. The disgrace. The broken mirror. And as he most recently learned, the host infested by a parasitic Takumi that killed his own Takumi.

To say Eito is enraged is an understatement. "YOU!" He roars, stomping up to the alternate's cage. "This must be why I was brought here! I've been sent to destroy you for the death and scarring of my Takumi! You will pay for your heinous crime with your blood!" He reaches under his jacket to grab his infuser. WAIT! He stops. That's right... Takumi told him not to harm this deplorable version of himself. He had a promise to keep.

Eito steps back, crossing his arms. He retraces his thoughts, finally realizing that not only this reflection, but a Takumi being inside the cages here were oddities of their own. "Actually... I'd like to ask a few questions first. For starters, why are you and that Takumi caged?"

[within-only-shadows]

The pain. The noise. It was too much.

He needed it to stop.

[stop??? don't stoppp!!!]

[what's the matter? don't think just kill!!!]

Takumi could feel his energy disapate. He slowly stopped struggling against the bars and slid down to the floor, clutching his head as he curled up into a ball of pain and suffering.

Why

Whywhywhywhywhywhy

[why what? use your words!!]

"Why..." Takumi sobbed, his voice barely even a whisper, "I just... just... wan...ted... g-good..."

[good feelings are for good boys]

YEAH ONLY GOOD BOYS

[you're broken, Takumi]

so so so broookeennnnn

Takumi was broken.

He was broken.

Everything. Hurt.

@bloodmoon-eito

An anon dressed in all black appears. It steps aside, revealing a portal, and gestures for you to step inside.

Take any props you want. The actors are already in position. It's time for you to take centerstage.

A being capable of summoning portals showing up out of the blue was not anywhere near Eito's list of expectations. He doesn't know what to think. The portal definitely looks real, no arguments there, but where it leads to is the biggest concern plaguing his mind. It could send him anywhere. The middle of a desert, the bottom of the ocean, the void of space... the Artificial Satellite. Perhaps fate is rewarding him for his hardships. And maybe, if he wishes and believes hard enough, the portal will take him exactly where he wants to go. Besides, why else would this magical figure tell him he can bring whatever he wants? If they meant any real harm, they wouldn't allow him to prepare at all. He'll take his chances.

"Any props, hm? Give me one moment," Eito responds before casually strolling out of the courtyard. A few minutes later, he returns. Stuffed in his jacket, out of sight, is his infuser. Better safe than sorry. The fear of the unknown will not get the better of him. "I have all I need now. I'm ready."

'It's time for you to take centerstage.'

When a performance is demanded of him, he shall not disappoint! He cautiously walks up to the portal, looking behind him to ensure Salem is soundly asleep and serene. With a determined nod, courage welling up inside his chest, he steps through the portal.

...

It feels like Eito hasn't moved an inch. Not in a literal sense, since he definitely took a step forward into this unknown dimension. Yet he never thought he'd end up right back in the courtyard. While his eyes adjust to the sensation of déjà vu blindsiding him, another heightened sense gets right to work. Everything smells off. Some scents are eerily absent while other unfamiliar scents invade his nostrils. The strongest of them all is the stench of a human. A vile mixture of tar and... spoiled milk?

His eyes pull the source of his discomfort into focus. It's Takumi. A different Takumi. In one of the cages. Not his. Through the bars, the stubborn teen's form is similar in its melted appearance. However, among the blood and flesh rotting and regrowing, thick tar pours from his pendulous jaw.

But that's not all. This strange Takumi's stench carries over into the other cage. Where a reflection of himself stands alone. But it can't just be any reflection. It's that one. The disgrace. The broken mirror. And as he most recently learned, the host infested by a parasitic Takumi that killed his own Takumi.

To say Eito is enraged is an understatement. "YOU!" He roars, stomping up to the alternate's cage. "This must be why I was brought here! I've been sent to destroy you for the death and scarring of my Takumi! You will pay for your heinous crime with your blood!" He reaches under his jacket to grab his infuser. WAIT! He stops. That's right... Takumi told him not to harm this deplorable version of himself. He had a promise to keep.

Eito steps back, crossing his arms. He retraces his thoughts, finally realizing that not only this reflection, but a Takumi being inside the cages here were oddities of their own. "Actually... I'd like to ask a few questions first. For starters, why are you and that Takumi caged?"

[within-only-shadows]

Takumi was completely lost to the madness. The noises that came out of his mouth were wild and animalistic, his hands desperately swiping at his prey.

[tear his skin off his muscle!]

[OOOO maybe we could eat him?!]

that sounds nasty maybe not

[WE HAVE TO GOUGE HIS EYES OUT]

"Yes!!!" Takumi agreed, "His stupid eyes!!! They'll be first!! AHAHAHA FUCK YOU!!"

[fuck Eito!!]

[yes yes kill kill kill~!]

The voices were getting louder. More bold. Takumi's skin itched.

that other Eito is talking too

[ANNOYING]

[annoying]

"SHUT UP!!" Takumi screamed, stopping his desperate attempt to kill Eito by smashing his head against the iron bars. He slammed his head two more times before he started to scratch at his eyes. He was desperate for some release, anything. Anything to make the voices stop so he could focus on what he wanted to do.

"GO AWAY!! GO AWAY GO AWAY!!!" he screamed. Tears and blood ran down his face. Everything burned. The voices wouldn't stop. They kept whispering, screaming, taunting, they wouldn't stop wouldn't stop wouldn't stop

"ALL YOUR FAULT!!" Takumi suddenly lunged back at the other Eito, desperately clawing at him once more. His vision was red and blurry, but there was no mistaking that form.

Kill kill kill kill kiLL KILL KILL K I L L

@bloodmoon-eito

An anon dressed in all black appears. It steps aside, revealing a portal, and gestures for you to step inside.

Take any props you want. The actors are already in position. It's time for you to take centerstage.

A being capable of summoning portals showing up out of the blue was not anywhere near Eito's list of expectations. He doesn't know what to think. The portal definitely looks real, no arguments there, but where it leads to is the biggest concern plaguing his mind. It could send him anywhere. The middle of a desert, the bottom of the ocean, the void of space... the Artificial Satellite. Perhaps fate is rewarding him for his hardships. And maybe, if he wishes and believes hard enough, the portal will take him exactly where he wants to go. Besides, why else would this magical figure tell him he can bring whatever he wants? If they meant any real harm, they wouldn't allow him to prepare at all. He'll take his chances.

"Any props, hm? Give me one moment," Eito responds before casually strolling out of the courtyard. A few minutes later, he returns. Stuffed in his jacket, out of sight, is his infuser. Better safe than sorry. The fear of the unknown will not get the better of him. "I have all I need now. I'm ready."

'It's time for you to take centerstage.'

When a performance is demanded of him, he shall not disappoint! He cautiously walks up to the portal, looking behind him to ensure Salem is soundly asleep and serene. With a determined nod, courage welling up inside his chest, he steps through the portal.

...

It feels like Eito hasn't moved an inch. Not in a literal sense, since he definitely took a step forward into this unknown dimension. Yet he never thought he'd end up right back in the courtyard. While his eyes adjust to the sensation of déjà vu blindsiding him, another heightened sense gets right to work. Everything smells off. Some scents are eerily absent while other unfamiliar scents invade his nostrils. The strongest of them all is the stench of a human. A vile mixture of tar and... spoiled milk?

His eyes pull the source of his discomfort into focus. It's Takumi. A different Takumi. In one of the cages. Not his. Through the bars, the stubborn teen's form is similar in its melted appearance. However, among the blood and flesh rotting and regrowing, thick tar pours from his pendulous jaw.

But that's not all. This strange Takumi's stench carries over into the other cage. Where a reflection of himself stands alone. But it can't just be any reflection. It's that one. The disgrace. The broken mirror. And as he most recently learned, the host infested by a parasitic Takumi that killed his own Takumi.

To say Eito is enraged is an understatement. "YOU!" He roars, stomping up to the alternate's cage. "This must be why I was brought here! I've been sent to destroy you for the death and scarring of my Takumi! You will pay for your heinous crime with your blood!" He reaches under his jacket to grab his infuser. WAIT! He stops. That's right... Takumi told him not to harm this deplorable version of himself. He had a promise to keep.

Eito steps back, crossing his arms. He retraces his thoughts, finally realizing that not only this reflection, but a Takumi being inside the cages here were oddities of their own. "Actually... I'd like to ask a few questions first. For starters, why are you and that Takumi caged?"

[within-only-shadows]

[he snorts, then quickly glances away]

Well, it was worth a shot...

[he will get a pair of Eito's gloves eventually]

Here is a cookie that looks like eito now that hes soooo far away *gives eito shaped cookie*

[he starts longingly at the cookie for a moment]

[he then glances up at Eito from across the courtyard and bites into the cookie, taking its head clean off]

It's just as delicious as you are~

@eito-rewind

[within-only-shadows]

A second Eito appeared.

What will Takumi do?

Fight, obviously.

Unfortunately for him, Takumi only had the one knife on him. He did have his infuser on him, but it was basically useless while he was inside the cage.

He could still use it to threaten.

[nah better to keep it hidden]

wouldn't want him to know our surprise~!

Takumi agreed. Better it be a surprise. That didn't stop him from lunging towards the one thing he despised, desperately reaching out to claw at this new Eito's eyes.

"THAT WAS YOU WASN'T IT?!" he screamed, shaking the bars in one of his fists, "I'M GONNA KILL YOU, YOU FUCKING CREEP!! FUCK YOU AND YOUR BULLSHIT!!"

@bloodmoon-eito

An anon dressed in all black appears. It steps aside, revealing a portal, and gestures for you to step inside.

Take any props you want. The actors are already in position. It's time for you to take centerstage.

A being capable of summoning portals showing up out of the blue was not anywhere near Eito's list of expectations. He doesn't know what to think. The portal definitely looks real, no arguments there, but where it leads to is the biggest concern plaguing his mind. It could send him anywhere. The middle of a desert, the bottom of the ocean, the void of space... the Artificial Satellite. Perhaps fate is rewarding him for his hardships. And maybe, if he wishes and believes hard enough, the portal will take him exactly where he wants to go. Besides, why else would this magical figure tell him he can bring whatever he wants? If they meant any real harm, they wouldn't allow him to prepare at all. He'll take his chances.

"Any props, hm? Give me one moment," Eito responds before casually strolling out of the courtyard. A few minutes later, he returns. Stuffed in his jacket, out of sight, is his infuser. Better safe than sorry. The fear of the unknown will not get the better of him. "I have all I need now. I'm ready."

'It's time for you to take centerstage.'

When a performance is demanded of him, he shall not disappoint! He cautiously walks up to the portal, looking behind him to ensure Salem is soundly asleep and serene. With a determined nod, courage welling up inside his chest, he steps through the portal.

...

It feels like Eito hasn't moved an inch. Not in a literal sense, since he definitely took a step forward into this unknown dimension. Yet he never thought he'd end up right back in the courtyard. While his eyes adjust to the sensation of déjà vu blindsiding him, another heightened sense gets right to work. Everything smells off. Some scents are eerily absent while other unfamiliar scents invade his nostrils. The strongest of them all is the stench of a human. A vile mixture of tar and... spoiled milk?

His eyes pull the source of his discomfort into focus. It's Takumi. A different Takumi. In one of the cages. Not his. Through the bars, the stubborn teen's form is similar in its melted appearance. However, among the blood and flesh rotting and regrowing, thick tar pours from his pendulous jaw.

But that's not all. This strange Takumi's stench carries over into the other cage. Where a reflection of himself stands alone. But it can't just be any reflection. It's that one. The disgrace. The broken mirror. And as he most recently learned, the host infested by a parasitic Takumi that killed his own Takumi.

To say Eito is enraged is an understatement. "YOU!" He roars, stomping up to the alternate's cage. "This must be why I was brought here! I've been sent to destroy you for the death and scarring of my Takumi! You will pay for your heinous crime with your blood!" He reaches under his jacket to grab his infuser. WAIT! He stops. That's right... Takumi told him not to harm this deplorable version of himself. He had a promise to keep.

Eito steps back, crossing his arms. He retraces his thoughts, finally realizing that not only this reflection, but a Takumi being inside the cages here were oddities of their own. "Actually... I'd like to ask a few questions first. For starters, why are you and that Takumi caged?"

[within-only-shadows]

What? It's not like we can fuck each other here. We're too far away for that.

However, if you wanna toss me a pair of your gloves, I can certainly pretend-

Here is a cookie that looks like eito now that hes soooo far away *gives eito shaped cookie*

[he starts longingly at the cookie for a moment]

[he then glances up at Eito from across the courtyard and bites into the cookie, taking its head clean off]

It's just as delicious as you are~

@eito-rewind

[within-only-shadows]

Here is a cookie that looks like eito now that hes soooo far away *gives eito shaped cookie*

[he starts longingly at the cookie for a moment]

[he then glances up at Eito from across the courtyard and bites into the cookie, taking its head clean off]

It's just as delicious as you are~

@eito-rewind

[within-only-shadows]

🐌: I AM VERY SPECIFICALLY NOT EITOS SNAILS I AM THE SNAIL GOD I AM HERE TO LAUGH AT YOUR PAIN

[he grabs at the bar violently]

YOU'RE JUST A SNAIL!!! FUCK YOU!!

[within-only-shadows]

Ahaha shame cage shame cage *sticks a sign that says shame cage on only takumis cage*

WHY JUST MY CAGE?!?

THIS ISN'T FAIR??!?

[within-only-shadows]

[it takes a minute for Eito's words to register in Takumi's head, and even longer for him to register that it was HIS Eito speaking to him]

[it settles him down enough for him to see more than red, but he's still livid]

Don't- Gonna... Don't... Might... hurt....

[hurting his Eito was bad]

[but if his Eito kept talking, Takumi might end up hurting him on accident]

[don't we want to hurt Eito though?]

No...! No nonono....!

[killjoy]

[you're no fun]

[maybe later]

*sets up a speaker playing one of the other eitos rants/sermons just out of reach* to purify you heathens. Or something.

Oh.

This guy.

[His eye's twitching a little.]

[There's a visible cringe every time he mentions anything about a 'holy form' or anything similar.]

[It's almost like forcing someone to look at their old middle-school photos.]

Oh Takumi~~ You don't happen to have any rocks or similar aerodynamic objects within reach of your cage, do you? I'd QUITE like to silence this self-aggrandizing drivel.

@within-only-shadows