I haven't seen Master or any of the other Pillars here.
[ And she made sure to keep a lookout. There are some people she would expect to see here if this island were a strange afterlife, but since there doesn't seem to be more, it makes her think.
What Giyuu says makes her smile freeze in place and think even more. She sees red behind the hard lines of her smile. ]
Tomioka-san. [ She says his name in that bright way she does whenever she thinks he's being absolutely tone deaf and awful at being a person. ] How do you know this?
[ She doesn't doubt that he thinks this, and she doesn't think he's lying, but how much truth is in it?
There's enough logic in that absurd statement that she can't completely discount it either, and she hates it! She hates it so much, haha! ]
[What? She glances between Tomioka and Shinobu, wide-eyed. Not only is the idea of such a curse awful, it doesn't make any sense. She has questions, but it seems that Shinobu, ever the smart girl, will be spearheading this discussion.
With an expression of unease, Mitsuri falls back to the familiar role of observer. She's at least relieved that Master is safe, but what does this mean for everyone else she's met thus far?]
[ wow isn't it great that giyuu is completely unaware of that tone that she uses on him when he gets like this? it must be nice to live in his world, sometimes, but he'll take a moment to consider how to explain it to her and if anything he looks confused himself.
hmmmmm.......... ]
A hunch?
[ and they're really not going to tell mitsuri about the bad things, huh? ]
I'm not certain—it's just something I know to be truth since I've arrived.
Well, Shinobu isn't against telling Mitsuri the bad things, if she's insistent about it, but sometimes, the future should stay that. Not that Shinobu knows they're from different timelines yet, so she doesn't think anything needs to be told or not told yet.
That he seems confused annoys her a little even if it's understandable since they've all washed up on some unknown island. Or is that just because it's Giyuu? A mystery. ]
Does your hunch tell you how many need to die? [ What is this certain number? ] We also need to find out if anyone else has a similar hunch.
[ Depending on what kind of people are out there, they need to plan for a murder spree. ]
[She wonders if Shinobu also had a hunch upon arrival. Judging from the direction this conversation is heading, that doesn't sound to be the case. Mitsuri doesn't want to believe that there would be someone wicked enough to take the lives of others, but she also isn't so naive as to not consider desperation as a factor.]
Eleven people. [ yeah, he knows how many people. ] In order to leave this place—eleven of the twenty-one people who set foot on this island need to die.
[ the next part that he wants to say is a bit of a struggle since he looks to be in a bit of a daze for a period of time. conflicted? that too, either way, he stops looking away from them and glances at shinobu and mitsuri before turning back away. ]
I would not like to count either of you in that number.
[ Her smile drops, and all cheer, real or put upon, is gone. Her anger, which is always simmering under all her smiles, all her care, all her desire to protect, flashes bright in her eyes. ]
That can't be the only solution. [ She doesn't want to believe that it is. She's long since lost her naiveté, but she still wants to be able to save as many people as she can. ] There must be another way to dispel the curse. If that information finds its way to everyone, there's no telling what will happen. I don't know the character of everyone here yet, and if someone wanted to be free....
You have to be careful about anyone you decide to tell.
[ Whether or not anyone will believe it is up in the air, too, but anyone who needs a flimsy reason to murder will take this and run with it. Demons were humans once, and humans can still be demons.
She notices Giyuu finally looking at them both. Of course she'd prefer if those two would live, too. ]
... What do either of you remember last being arriving here?
[Oh, Shinobu is angry again. And Tomioka is being unusually soft toward them! If only the situation weren't so dire, Mitsuri would have loved a moment to fawn over their respective displays of heart.
Her brow furrows at the question. It's a bit of an odd thing to be asking, isn't it? Or is Shinobu having trouble recalling what took place between then and now, just like Mitsuri?]
Master sent the siblings away to your home. We had our biannual meeting, and then . . .
[She shakes her head. She can't remember what came in the middle.]
[ why must giyuu come into this thread with nothing but bad news?!?!? either way he's not going to comment about shinobu's desire for an alternate solution because, well, canon points are important. they can argue(?) about that later. ]
Muzan attacked Master and... [ he'll look over towards shinobu for the nth time before looking away...for the nth time. clearly she must be getting tired of giyuu doing this but does he know how to handle this situation? absolutely not. you just can't go about telling people that they're dead when you last knew of them?? he doesn't even know how she died....
and even then how are you supposed to act?? this is all too much for him. not that his turmoil is shown since his face is next to the same as always. ] I was in the middle of a fight with an upper moon demon with Tanjiro.
[ Her eyes widen. Even more impossible things are coming to light. First, she's alive (somehow). Second, they're from either different times (somehow) or their memories were tampered with (somehow).
Everything is terrible, and her gaze lowers.
She has her own, in Giyuu's word(s), hunch about why he keeps looking at her and looking away. ]
I see.
[ There is a weight to those two words. ]
I, too, was fighting an Upper Moon demon. And then, many things happened. This on top of everything does not help our goal in defeating Muzan. We need to leave and return to help. [ Or at least those two do. She sure is being vague about what she last remembers. ] We all must be ready for when the information leaks.
[Huh? Huh? Mitsuri watches Tomioka in growing confusion. Confusion gives way to dread when she sees Shinobu's reaction. Tomioka and Shinobu seem like they're on the same page for the most part, so why isn't she? She doesn't see what Shinobu sees at all.
If they were fighting Upper Moon demons, what was she doing? She doesn't remember any of this. Even if she's a bit stupid, isn't the disparity here a little too much? Mitsuri chews on her lower lip. She mustn't complain, not when there's something else to discuss at hand.]
We all found our belongings at different camps, right?
[ JAE HOW DARE YOU SUGGEST THAT THEY EACH TAKE CARE OF A CAMP RIGHT AFTER CHAT. camp dad giyuu is something that should not happen.
...that said, shinobu's own response gives giyuu no more peace of mind than he had before. if anything it just causes more questions that he'll want to ask. maybe he should ask? maybe he (they) should let sleeping dogs lie and accept what's to come. either way, now that's out into the air, he can stop looking back and forth all weird like and settle on limiting eye contact to the normal degree. ]
He was, and it's as Kocho says; it's important that we get back. [ because poor mitsuri who is so clearly lost compared to the two of them. ...even if he doesn't explained exactly what happened to their master because sometimes it's better this way. ]
...but that's right. We did. [ hmm. ] The island doesn't seem to be that big either.
[ bet they cover more ground when they have to patrol for demons back home. ]
They did have to cover more ground, but they also had a bunch of crows to help them. ]
I would like to confirm: both of you only received one belonging from home with the rest of the things given to us, right?
[ She sounds as sweet as ever, but there may be a little salt that didn't come from the ocean in her question (where is her poison, where is the knife in her boot, where is her handkerchief, where are her antidotes, where is her crazy stupid inventory i don't want to have to think about). ]
It'll be a little more difficult to cover this island without being able to breathe like we usually do.
[ She is assuming they can't if she can't. Please confirm or deny this assumption. ]
Kanroji-san, do you still feel like you can eat the same amount that you should?
Even though the island isn't that big, it's still a touch daunting to have to cover all that ground between just three people. But Tomioka and Shinobu are exceptional demon slayers, so Mitsuri feels rather good about this composition.
She looks aside in thought.]
Um, I think so. I'll let you know for certain when we meet again.
[It'll later turn out that she does. Her strength and subsequent diet originate from her natural constitution, after all. That being the case, she's going to have to work harder than most of the people here to sustain herself.]
As for our belongings, my sword was all that was there.
[ camp dad giyuu shouldn't be allowed. jungle camp is so unfortunate.
hm, yeah, the breathing thing is a point that he isn't thrilled about. weird how something that was so basic to be robbed from them. really strange. and time to make it a point to keep mitsuri constantly fed and hope that the land and people living on it can support her and her appetite. ]
Same as Kanroji; I only found my sword among what was given to us.
[ which, all things considered, is not a bad thing. he could have gotten something far less useful. and...shame that giyuu cannot contribute more to this conversation as shinobu has taken it over. ]
Even if we cannot use our breath as we used to, it would still be better than nothing.
[It's very troubling that they can't use their breaths. What's going to happen if they run into a powerful demon at night? And poor Shinobu—she must work hard to maintain her poison stores, only for them to disappear at a time like this. Mitsuri's heart breaks for her.
But Shinobu is capable, so Mitsuri knows she can handle the matter of plants on her own.]
So gauge what other people might know about the curse, and keep ourselves in shape in order to protect everyone. Is that it?
[ yeah, but then giyuu would have to have all of the plot info and where would that leave everyone? running around while some weirdo spouts nonsense at them... it'd be real bad. honestly, this is the best way. tho shinobu is truly suffering between these two.
no one suffers more than shinobu here. ]
We should make sure we could defend ourselves first before we think of protecting anyone else. [ because not all of us have monstrous strength. giyuu can lift but... ] What I know about the number of people that need to die isn't for negotiation.
[ now it's a matter of time before anyone else figures that out? will anyone else figure it out??? it's gonna be real awkward if not. ]
[ It would leave everyone alive probably. And stuck on this island.
Shinobu truly is suffering because nothing Giyuu is saying is something she likes, but how often does he say something she likes anyway? ]
Kanroji-san, you're correct. [ She smiles kindly at the girl who is only ever full of love before turning a less kind smile to the boy who is only ever full of depression. ]
Someone had to set that curse. Whether they're here or dead or alive is another question. Not trying to find another way is the same as giving up. I won't stand for it.
[ She became a Demon Slayer to protect and save lives. To simply grin and bear it for so many people to die in front of her when she doesn't know for certain she can't stop it goes against her everything. ]
[Tomioka is also correct! More than ever, it'll be important for Mitsuri to take care of herself. She won't let either Tomioka or Shinobu down—especially not after a kind smile like that! She'll take extra care of herself in order to protect the people at her camp.
Moreover, Mitsuri was so caught up on the curse itself that she didn't stop to think about the person who must have set it. As expected of Shinobu.]
How would that work, though? Even if someone were to kill eleven of us, they'd still have to find a way off of this island. Doesn't it make more sense for all of us to work together?
Something would arrive to come take us off of the island.
[ he thinks?
either way, another hour, another time giyuu has said something to make shinobu angry and he has no idea why... but it's fine. all of this is fine? the fact that they're all behaving like this without skipping a beat is fine. still, it's not as though neither of them bring up good points. ]
Nearly everyone who I've spoken to here seem amiable and non-threatening. [ if not overly friendly but shouldn't that be saying something come from him? or should it mean nothing given him. either way, he's saying this not because he doesn't trust everyone here but it's a good base to work off of. ] I doubt they'd be willing to kill unless forced. Working with them shouldn't cause any serious issues.
[ That's so suspicious? Isn't it terribly suspicious? Who allowed Giyuu "I'm not like the rest of you so this has nothing to do with me even though it obviously does" Tomioka to have this knowledge that may or may not be correct but it's the only thing they have to go on?
Giyuu Tomioka is unaware of when he's being attacked unless danger hits him in the face, and even when it bites him on the hand, he thinks that's playing sometimes? She's worried. She's so worried.
He's going to be someone's first target because he has no idea how to talk to people. Mitsuri is full of kindness and the ability to see the best in people, which allows her to disarm most types of people, not even counting her natural strength. ]
Of course we should all try to work together, Kanroji-san. It would be nice if we could all get along, but I'm concerned about Tomioka-san. [ She knows what he's like, and Mitsuri automatically likes everyone. ]
The way you spoke about it... depending on who else knows, they may think they won't have a choice.
[If they all get together to make a sturdy raft, they won't need something to arrive to take them off the island. There's a choice! Yes. Choice is there.
Anyway, Tomioka is a man who cares beneath the distance he maintains. Surely he'll get along with the people at his camp. Mitsuri is worried, but more in the sense that she's concerned for everyone's well-being with the looming threat of violence.]
We're here to stop anyone from getting hurt, but what should we do if someone attacks another person? We won't be able to keep the curse a secret once that happens.
You don't have to worry about me, Kocho, I can handle myself.
[ the jab at him for being someone to be concerned about goes over his head because wow? he is totally fine, thanks. roughed up or not by a demon, he is perfectly fine. nowhere in his mind does he consider how he has spoke to others. ]
As I've said, it is the only choice as I'm aware. But if we want them to stop attacking one another once they find out, then we have to give them a better reason why not to kill anyone.
[ trust him, it's not like he particularly wants to kill anyone here or even watch anyone die here. however, he also values mitsuri and shinobu far higher than the lives of some of the other people that he has met. does this mean he's going to start to evaluate them to see who could die??? absolutely not. he's not a monster. ]
[ Shinobu smiles. What Giyuu thinks is handling himself is not handling it at all. This is just proof that she has to worry. ]
It's unfortunate that killing is wrong and innocent lives shouldn't be taken isn't a good enough reason for everyone.
[ Her smile brightens. ]
But maybe we'll be surprised and enough will be reasonable as to not attack others right away. We can't control people. It's better to persuade.
[ More than anything, Shinobu wants people to have their own will. If their will is to be a horrible murderer, they take that person down. ]
If we want violence to be kept to a minimum, we have to stand by our word. We only fight when we have to. We'll have to find that better reason.
[ Another solution, if there is one. It's easier said than done, but if that's what they have to do, they need to do it. They didn't become Pillars on words alone. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ And she made sure to keep a lookout. There are some people she would expect to see here if this island were a strange afterlife, but since there doesn't seem to be more, it makes her think.
What Giyuu says makes her smile freeze in place and think even more. She sees red behind the hard lines of her smile. ]
Tomioka-san. [ She says his name in that bright way she does whenever she thinks he's being absolutely tone deaf and awful at being a person. ] How do you know this?
[ She doesn't doubt that he thinks this, and she doesn't think he's lying, but how much truth is in it?
There's enough logic in that absurd statement that she can't completely discount it either, and she hates it! She hates it so much, haha! ]
no subject
With an expression of unease, Mitsuri falls back to the familiar role of observer. She's at least relieved that Master is safe, but what does this mean for everyone else she's met thus far?]
no subject
hmmmmm.......... ]
A hunch?
[ and they're really not going to tell mitsuri about the bad things, huh? ]
I'm not certain—it's just something I know to be truth since I've arrived.
[ does this work? it probably won't work. ]
no subject
Well, Shinobu isn't against telling Mitsuri the bad things, if she's insistent about it, but sometimes, the future should stay that. Not that Shinobu knows they're from different timelines yet, so she doesn't think anything needs to be told or not told yet.
That he seems confused annoys her a little even if it's understandable since they've all washed up on some unknown island. Or is that just because it's Giyuu? A mystery. ]
Does your hunch tell you how many need to die? [ What is this certain number? ] We also need to find out if anyone else has a similar hunch.
[ Depending on what kind of people are out there, they need to plan for a murder spree. ]
no subject
If there is, what should we do?
no subject
Eleven people. [ yeah, he knows how many people. ] In order to leave this place—eleven of the twenty-one people who set foot on this island need to die.
[ the next part that he wants to say is a bit of a struggle since he looks to be in a bit of a daze for a period of time. conflicted? that too, either way, he stops looking away from them and glances at shinobu and mitsuri before turning back away. ]
I would not like to count either of you in that number.
no subject
[ Her smile drops, and all cheer, real or put upon, is gone. Her anger, which is always simmering under all her smiles, all her care, all her desire to protect, flashes bright in her eyes. ]
That can't be the only solution. [ She doesn't want to believe that it is. She's long since lost her naiveté, but she still wants to be able to save as many people as she can. ] There must be another way to dispel the curse. If that information finds its way to everyone, there's no telling what will happen. I don't know the character of everyone here yet, and if someone wanted to be free....
You have to be careful about anyone you decide to tell.
[ Whether or not anyone will believe it is up in the air, too, but anyone who needs a flimsy reason to murder will take this and run with it. Demons were humans once, and humans can still be demons.
She notices Giyuu finally looking at them both. Of course she'd prefer if those two would live, too. ]
... What do either of you remember last being arriving here?
no subject
Her brow furrows at the question. It's a bit of an odd thing to be asking, isn't it? Or is Shinobu having trouble recalling what took place between then and now, just like Mitsuri?]
Master sent the siblings away to your home. We had our biannual meeting, and then . . .
[She shakes her head. She can't remember what came in the middle.]
no subject
Muzan attacked Master and... [ he'll look over towards shinobu for the nth time before looking away...for the nth time. clearly she must be getting tired of giyuu doing this but does he know how to handle this situation? absolutely not. you just can't go about telling people that they're dead when you last knew of them?? he doesn't even know how she died....
and even then how are you supposed to act?? this is all too much for him. not that his turmoil is shown since his face is next to the same as always. ] I was in the middle of a fight with an upper moon demon with Tanjiro.
no subject
Everything is terrible, and her gaze lowers.
She has her own, in Giyuu's word(s), hunch about why he keeps looking at her and looking away. ]
I see.
[ There is a weight to those two words. ]
I, too, was fighting an Upper Moon demon. And then, many things happened. This on top of everything does not help our goal in defeating Muzan. We need to leave and return to help. [ Or at least those two do. She sure is being vague about what she last remembers. ] We all must be ready for when the information leaks.
[ She is already discounting if. ]
no subject
[Huh? Huh? Mitsuri watches Tomioka in growing confusion. Confusion gives way to dread when she sees Shinobu's reaction. Tomioka and Shinobu seem like they're on the same page for the most part, so why isn't she? She doesn't see what Shinobu sees at all.
If they were fighting Upper Moon demons, what was she doing? She doesn't remember any of this. Even if she's a bit stupid, isn't the disparity here a little too much? Mitsuri chews on her lower lip. She mustn't complain, not when there's something else to discuss at hand.]
We all found our belongings at different camps, right?
[Then they can each watch one camp.]
no subject
...that said, shinobu's own response gives giyuu no more peace of mind than he had before. if anything it just causes more questions that he'll want to ask. maybe he should ask? maybe he (they) should let sleeping dogs lie and accept what's to come. either way, now that's out into the air, he can stop looking back and forth all weird like and settle on limiting eye contact to the normal degree. ]
He was, and it's as Kocho says; it's important that we get back. [ because poor mitsuri who is so clearly lost compared to the two of them. ...even if he doesn't explained exactly what happened to their master because sometimes it's better this way. ]
...but that's right. We did. [ hmm. ] The island doesn't seem to be that big either.
[ bet they cover more ground when they have to patrol for demons back home. ]
no subject
They did have to cover more ground, but they also had a bunch of crows to help them. ]
I would like to confirm: both of you only received one belonging from home with the rest of the things given to us, right?
[ She sounds as sweet as ever, but there may be a little salt that didn't come from the ocean in her question (where is her poison, where is the knife in her boot, where is her handkerchief, where are her antidotes, where is her crazy stupid inventory i don't want to have to think about). ]
It'll be a little more difficult to cover this island without being able to breathe like we usually do.
[ She is assuming they can't if she can't. Please confirm or deny this assumption. ]
Kanroji-san, do you still feel like you can eat the same amount that you should?
no subject
Even though the island isn't that big, it's still a touch daunting to have to cover all that ground between just three people. But Tomioka and Shinobu are exceptional demon slayers, so Mitsuri feels rather good about this composition.
She looks aside in thought.]
Um, I think so. I'll let you know for certain when we meet again.
[It'll later turn out that she does. Her strength and subsequent diet originate from her natural constitution, after all. That being the case, she's going to have to work harder than most of the people here to sustain herself.]
As for our belongings, my sword was all that was there.
no subject
hm, yeah, the breathing thing is a point that he isn't thrilled about. weird how something that was so basic to be robbed from them. really strange. and time to make it a point to keep mitsuri constantly fed and hope that the land and people living on it can support her and her appetite. ]
Same as Kanroji; I only found my sword among what was given to us.
[ which, all things considered, is not a bad thing. he could have gotten something far less useful. and...shame that giyuu cannot contribute more to this conversation as shinobu has taken it over. ]
Even if we cannot use our breath as we used to, it would still be better than nothing.
no subject
Giyuu shouldn't have dumped plot info on her, so she wouldn't have to think!! ]
My sword came without the poison that's stored in the sheath. [ She's mad about it even if it's not visible on her face.
Also, some people aren't born with strength, Giyuu? She smiles. She's smiling very hard. She's mad about it!! ]
I'll have to see what plants are common on this island and see what can be made.
[ Limited equipment, limited ways to concoct and store anything. Also a problem to solve somehow but it's something to know for any future needs. ]
no subject
But Shinobu is capable, so Mitsuri knows she can handle the matter of plants on her own.]
So gauge what other people might know about the curse, and keep ourselves in shape in order to protect everyone. Is that it?
no subject
no one suffers more than shinobu here. ]
We should make sure we could defend ourselves first before we think of protecting anyone else. [ because not all of us have monstrous strength. giyuu can lift but... ] What I know about the number of people that need to die isn't for negotiation.
[ now it's a matter of time before anyone else figures that out? will anyone else figure it out??? it's gonna be real awkward if not. ]
no subject
Shinobu truly is suffering because nothing Giyuu is saying is something she likes, but how often does he say something she likes anyway? ]
Kanroji-san, you're correct. [ She smiles kindly at the girl who is only ever full of love before turning a less kind smile to the boy who is only ever full of depression. ]
Someone had to set that curse. Whether they're here or dead or alive is another question. Not trying to find another way is the same as giving up. I won't stand for it.
[ She became a Demon Slayer to protect and save lives. To simply grin and bear it for so many people to die in front of her when she doesn't know for certain she can't stop it goes against her everything. ]
There will be someone who will kill to escape.
no subject
Moreover, Mitsuri was so caught up on the curse itself that she didn't stop to think about the person who must have set it. As expected of Shinobu.]
How would that work, though? Even if someone were to kill eleven of us, they'd still have to find a way off of this island. Doesn't it make more sense for all of us to work together?
no subject
[ he thinks?
either way, another hour, another time giyuu has said something to make shinobu angry and he has no idea why... but it's fine. all of this is fine? the fact that they're all behaving like this without skipping a beat is fine. still, it's not as though neither of them bring up good points. ]
Nearly everyone who I've spoken to here seem amiable and non-threatening. [ if not overly friendly but shouldn't that be saying something come from him? or should it mean nothing given him. either way, he's saying this not because he doesn't trust everyone here but it's a good base to work off of. ] I doubt they'd be willing to kill unless forced. Working with them shouldn't cause any serious issues.
[ there's that comfort?? ]
no subject
Giyuu Tomioka is unaware of when he's being attacked unless danger hits him in the face, and even when it bites him on the hand, he thinks that's playing sometimes? She's worried. She's so worried.
He's going to be someone's first target because he has no idea how to talk to people. Mitsuri is full of kindness and the ability to see the best in people, which allows her to disarm most types of people, not even counting her natural strength. ]
Of course we should all try to work together, Kanroji-san. It would be nice if we could all get along, but I'm concerned about Tomioka-san. [ She knows what he's like, and Mitsuri automatically likes everyone. ]
The way you spoke about it... depending on who else knows, they may think they won't have a choice.
no subject
Anyway, Tomioka is a man who cares beneath the distance he maintains. Surely he'll get along with the people at his camp. Mitsuri is worried, but more in the sense that she's concerned for everyone's well-being with the looming threat of violence.]
We're here to stop anyone from getting hurt, but what should we do if someone attacks another person? We won't be able to keep the curse a secret once that happens.
no subject
[ the jab at him for being someone to be concerned about goes over his head because wow? he is totally fine, thanks. roughed up or not by a demon, he is perfectly fine. nowhere in his mind does he consider how he has spoke to others. ]
As I've said, it is the only choice as I'm aware. But if we want them to stop attacking one another once they find out, then we have to give them a better reason why not to kill anyone.
[ trust him, it's not like he particularly wants to kill anyone here or even watch anyone die here. however, he also values mitsuri and shinobu far higher than the lives of some of the other people that he has met. does this mean he's going to start to evaluate them to see who could die??? absolutely not. he's not a monster. ]
no subject
It's unfortunate that killing is wrong and innocent lives shouldn't be taken isn't a good enough reason for everyone.
[ Her smile brightens. ]
But maybe we'll be surprised and enough will be reasonable as to not attack others right away. We can't control people. It's better to persuade.
[ More than anything, Shinobu wants people to have their own will. If their will is to be a horrible murderer, they take that person down. ]
If we want violence to be kept to a minimum, we have to stand by our word. We only fight when we have to. We'll have to find that better reason.
[ Another solution, if there is one. It's easier said than done, but if that's what they have to do, they need to do it. They didn't become Pillars on words alone. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)