[ mitsuri is valid even when giyuu doesn't realize she's valid, but this time she's really valid because he's sharing her sentiments. he's not reacting the same way but he feels it. there was fire and then there wasn't fire.
clearly shinobu thinks that it's linked to the ritual and it would make sense, wouldn't it? or. well... ]
Did it really happen?
[ or more like, how did something like that happen? ]
It doesn't seem like something that could be possible.
Are you doubting your eyes? Are you doubting all of our eyes and senses?
[ Honestly, life (or death) would be easier if it were a mass hallucination, but what are the odds?
None of them have the super senses of the ones who will follow in their footsteps, but they've all experienced enough to know how to differentiate what's real from what isn't. When everyone tries to deny the existence of demons, they know better. ]
It's best to try and figure out what that meant.
[ If it's supposed to mean anything other than something to spook them. ]
[If all three of them witnessed the same thing, it had to have happened. Thing is, Mitsuri can't begin to fathom what did happen. Whatever that was, the only lasting effect on the present is the lingering smell of smoke.
She walks back up to the door. This time, rather than use her fists, she presses her ear up against it.]
I don't hear anything. What do you suppose that was?
[ giyuu will pause for a moment and consider what possibly make sense? or, well, ""sense"". ]
A memory?
[ but memories don't leave the smell of smoke lingering on your clothes or feel so real like you were actually there but...it's something?? ]
If this island is really cursed then we aren't the first people to be here.
[ it would be the best logical jump for them to make, right? given the fact that there was a voice that spoke to them. if there was a person behind it—they brought them all here so who knows what else they could do. ]
It could be something like a memory. I saw... something like a ghost earlier. [ Once upon a Persona 3.... ] Perhaps it could be something that's happened before, or it could be the reenactment of a past sacrifice. Or it could be a past sacrifice doing something.
[ There are a few options, and none seem more likely than the rest to her at the moment. ]
It makes me wonder how many rituals have occurred.
[ Needless to say, there's enough to point towards not enough people being saved. ]
[She's met beings who aren't human, but nobody who can pass for a ghost. It's a good thing that Shinobu ran into one, because that opens up a host of theories that's more than a shot in the dark. Perhaps the fiery death in the lighthouse was an echo of a time past, just like the ghost.
Surely their predecessors weren't all bloodthirsty and without morals. In the hours since the announcement at noon, no one has done anything drastic. But with the secret out in the open, it's only a matter of time before desperation sinks in little by little. When she thinks about it that way, Mitsuri's heart aches for the previous rituals' sacrifices.
She straightens.]
Why would they show us something like that?
[Whoever they are, there has to be a reason for what the three of them saw.]
reenactment of a sacrifice sounds nice but if this island wanted them to kill the other it would be a good way to shock someone into thinking about how futile things are. boy would he have more to add if this was after his cave adventures. ]
Encouragement. [ simple, right? ] Not everyone here can be trusted to be able to endure seeing things like this. Those who are of weak heart will be overwhelmed by those ghost and these memories.
[ kind of the reason why they've all decided to make sure that no one is going to go around knifing another person if they can help it. people may believe all they want but after seeing things like this...? how many would be able to stay steady? ]
[This is neither the encouragement nor the incentive she wants. But Shinobu's words give Mitsuri pause as she considers this from the curse's angle.
Indeed, what's the reason behind such a bloody ritual in the first place? It sounds like they're going to have to explore some more to find the answers. They appear to have overstayed their welcome with the lighthouse, so she takes a step back and away from the door.]
yeah, that'd be a good question to figure out along side of what else they could do other than "follow the orders" of a cursed island. but, mitsuri also brings up a nice point... there's no need to just stand around and talk next to a lighthouse that was once upon a fire.
shame they didn't have a lot of time to rummage through things for more answers or clues. he'll take a cursory look back at the lighthouse again—mitsuri didn't hear anything and nothing else stands out. seems like, there wouldn't be a reason to stick around.... ]
We should find out if anyone knows how to pick a lock.
[ That certainly isn't in their demon slayer curriculum. What laws and rules there are on this island don't deserve to be respected. Also, as individuals who carry around swords in the Taishi Era, they don't care about the law. ]
What we saw means there is something in there. Or there was.
[ This is her mind right now, and her smile is back in place. ]
They couldn't brute force their way past the door. Perhaps picking the lock—a far more clever alternative—will do the trick. She files this task away in her mind.
At the mention of the others, she entwines her fingers together and beams. It would be presumptuous to claim that she's getting along swimmingly with everyone, but they've all been good to her one way or another, so she nods.]
and it really isn't any surprise that mitsuri is getting along with everyone...even if it might not look that way. it's kind of hard to dislike mitsuri (or be disliked by her). giyuu considers his camp for a moment and, well, guess his camp is fine? everyone's fine at jungle camp..... ]
The jungle camp has been fine.
[ which is not the "everyone" that shinobu was asking about but even then things would be fine—to him. ...except for the very obvious threat he got from ogata but he doesn't even know the guy's name so it doesn't matter. ]
Shinobu also isn't surprised that Mitsuri views everyone in that light and also that Giyuu thinks everything is fine. Would he be aware if it weren't? Even for how much he's changed, she still has her doubts.
Her very founded doubts. She knows Mitsuri will try her best to see only the good in people and none of the tells that could lead them to murdering people for freedom. Why couldn't the explosion in the lighthouse shatter the window open so they could sneak in that way?
Someone should try to blow up the door or set it on fire, if it's wooden. ]
Everyone I've talked to from my camp is various degrees of odd. I'm keeping an eye on one of them especially.
[ Wen Ning hasn't been completely cleared of suspicion. ]
[New objective: Find a picklock or a bundle of dynamite!
Ogata is a very nice, kind man.
Odd people are endearing. Mitsuri is relieved to hear that Giyu is getting along with his camp companions. But, oh? For Shinobu to take an interest in someone, they must truly stand out.]
[ where are they going to find explosives here.... actually if they find explosives here that will only end poorly. not that things wouldn't end poorly even if they don't find explosives.
and giyuu is also interested in hearing who shinobu is monitoring while they are here... most of the people seem harmless that he's met so far (or chaotic for no reason at all). either way, yes, braincell, please tell us who is sus. ]
[What are the odds that people like that would all end up on Shinobu's side of the island? She hasn't met anyone by the name of Wen Ning yet, but she'll keep an ear open for him.]
but wen ning...that's a name that he hasn't come across but then again, giyuu doesn't actually ask people for their names 80% of the time. most have been just very kind in terms of exposition and saying everything without him needing to say anything. still... ]
[That is suspicious. But something else grabs Mitsuri's attention. If they're all truly from different worlds, Ogata (who is not actually Ogata) was right!]
[ he was about to ask about if that was the reason why she hasn't gone and killed them yet but then the whole island comes to mind. ...also likely because of the answer to mitsuri's answer being "no". and if it isn't then boy does that leave room for even more questions. ]
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clearly shinobu thinks that it's linked to the ritual and it would make sense, wouldn't it? or. well... ]
Did it really happen?
[ or more like, how did something like that happen? ]
It doesn't seem like something that could be possible.
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[ Honestly, life (or death) would be easier if it were a mass hallucination, but what are the odds?
None of them have the super senses of the ones who will follow in their footsteps, but they've all experienced enough to know how to differentiate what's real from what isn't. When everyone tries to deny the existence of demons, they know better. ]
It's best to try and figure out what that meant.
[ If it's supposed to mean anything other than something to spook them. ]
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She walks back up to the door. This time, rather than use her fists, she presses her ear up against it.]
I don't hear anything. What do you suppose that was?
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A memory?
[ but memories don't leave the smell of smoke lingering on your clothes or feel so real like you were actually there but...it's something?? ]
If this island is really cursed then we aren't the first people to be here.
[ it would be the best logical jump for them to make, right? given the fact that there was a voice that spoke to them. if there was a person behind it—they brought them all here so who knows what else they could do. ]
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[ There are a few options, and none seem more likely than the rest to her at the moment. ]
It makes me wonder how many rituals have occurred.
[ Needless to say, there's enough to point towards not enough people being saved. ]
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Surely their predecessors weren't all bloodthirsty and without morals. In the hours since the announcement at noon, no one has done anything drastic. But with the secret out in the open, it's only a matter of time before desperation sinks in little by little. When she thinks about it that way, Mitsuri's heart aches for the previous rituals' sacrifices.
She straightens.]
Why would they show us something like that?
[Whoever they are, there has to be a reason for what the three of them saw.]
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reenactment of a sacrifice sounds nice but if this island wanted them to kill the other it would be a good way to shock someone into thinking about how futile things are. boy would he have more to add if this was after his cave adventures. ]
Encouragement. [ simple, right? ] Not everyone here can be trusted to be able to endure seeing things like this. Those who are of weak heart will be overwhelmed by those ghost and these memories.
[ kind of the reason why they've all decided to make sure that no one is going to go around knifing another person if they can help it. people may believe all they want but after seeing things like this...? how many would be able to stay steady? ]
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[ Encouragement is too nice of a word, Shinobu thinks, but she doesn't disagree with what Giyuu says. That's another possibility.
All in all, it formulates a terrible equation, no matter how you look at it. ]
What are the sacrifices for? What does the ritual accomplish?
[ She breaks her gaze away from where the fire lit up and went out. ]
That's the answer we want.
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Indeed, what's the reason behind such a bloody ritual in the first place? It sounds like they're going to have to explore some more to find the answers. They appear to have overstayed their welcome with the lighthouse, so she takes a step back and away from the door.]
Should we leave the lighthouse be for now, then?
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yeah, that'd be a good question to figure out along side of what else they could do other than "follow the orders" of a cursed island. but, mitsuri also brings up a nice point... there's no need to just stand around and talk next to a lighthouse that was once upon a fire.
shame they didn't have a lot of time to rummage through things for more answers or clues. he'll take a cursory look back at the lighthouse again—mitsuri didn't hear anything and nothing else stands out. seems like, there wouldn't be a reason to stick around.... ]
There's no other reason to be here now.
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[ That certainly isn't in their demon slayer curriculum. What laws and rules there are on this island don't deserve to be respected. Also, as individuals who carry around swords in the Taishi Era, they don't care about the law. ]
What we saw means there is something in there. Or there was.
[ This is her mind right now, and her smile is back in place. ]
Are you both getting along with the others?
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They couldn't brute force their way past the door. Perhaps picking the lock—a far more clever alternative—will do the trick. She files this task away in her mind.
At the mention of the others, she entwines her fingers together and beams. It would be presumptuous to claim that she's getting along swimmingly with everyone, but they've all been good to her one way or another, so she nods.]
Everyone is so kind!
How is everything at your camp, Shinobu?
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and it really isn't any surprise that mitsuri is getting along with everyone...even if it might not look that way. it's kind of hard to dislike mitsuri (or be disliked by her). giyuu considers his camp for a moment and, well, guess his camp is fine? everyone's fine at jungle camp..... ]
The jungle camp has been fine.
[ which is not the "everyone" that shinobu was asking about but even then things would be fine—to him. ...except for the very obvious threat he got from ogata but he doesn't even know the guy's name so it doesn't matter. ]
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Shinobu also isn't surprised that Mitsuri views everyone in that light and also that Giyuu thinks everything is fine. Would he be aware if it weren't? Even for how much he's changed, she still has her doubts.
Her very founded doubts. She knows Mitsuri will try her best to see only the good in people and none of the tells that could lead them to murdering people for freedom. Why couldn't the explosion in the lighthouse shatter the window open so they could sneak in that way?
Someone should try to blow up the door or set it on fire, if it's wooden. ]
Everyone I've talked to from my camp is various degrees of odd. I'm keeping an eye on one of them especially.
[ Wen Ning hasn't been completely cleared of suspicion. ]
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Ogata is a very nice, kind man.
Odd people are endearing. Mitsuri is relieved to hear that Giyu is getting along with his camp companions. But, oh? For Shinobu to take an interest in someone, they must truly stand out.]
Who's that?
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and giyuu is also interested in hearing who shinobu is monitoring while they are here... most of the people seem harmless that he's met so far (or chaotic for no reason at all). either way, yes, braincell, please tell us who is sus. ]
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[ He is a good zombie, but lifelong prejudices aren't easy to override. Nezuko is a special case, the exception, and not the rule. ]
There are a couple other people who seem quick to be hostile, but I don't know enough to say if they're quick to murder for no good reason.
[ She has not found out Ogata's name as of yet, but he seems trigger happy to her. ]
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[What are the odds that people like that would all end up on Shinobu's side of the island? She hasn't met anyone by the name of Wen Ning yet, but she'll keep an ear open for him.]
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but wen ning...that's a name that he hasn't come across but then again, giyuu doesn't actually ask people for their names 80% of the time. most have been just very kind in terms of exposition and saying everything without him needing to say anything. still... ]
What's so suspicious about them?
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She shakes her head. ]
They aren't all from my camp. If he were from our world, there wouldn't be any doubt that he'd be a demon.
[ Isn't that suspicious? ]
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He hasn't harmed anyone yet, has he?
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[ This is on Monday night. SHE KNOWS NOTHING
I'M SCREAMING i'm sorry ]
But we'll have to wait and see.
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Anyway, there are people besides Wen Ning. Mitsuri will try to keep an eye on hers.]
What do we do now?
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You mentioned the other ones who were hostile. Who were you thinking of?
[ you know, since giyuu is a poor judge of character in who is hostile or not since sanemi and him just have disagreements or he's in a bad mood. ]
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