Mizuki

[nosediving]

Comments

[digestif]

[ wow, so polite. Mizuki remembers this guy, although it's certainly not because he did anything remarkable. They simply did their best to memorize as many statues and faces as they could. ]

I don't own this room, you know? Anyone can come in if they want. You don't have to be so formal, either. Uh... "Shang Qinghua," right?

[ their pronunciation leaves something to be desired, but it's not horrible... ]

[nosediving]

[ they're trying their best (unlike him). He can't help but to look up in surprise. Even in his own world, he knows that he's all too forgettable.

taking this as an open invitation, he steps inside. ]

Right. My presence was lacking during the trial, so I'm surprised that you recognize me.

But I'd like to show you the same respect that I've approached the other participants of the contest with. Is that all right?

[digestif]

As long as it's not disrespect, then how can I complain?

[ this guy's so obsequious they're surprised he's not bowing with his nose to the floor when he walks in... is Mizuki's first impression. They lean an elbow against the bar, raising an eyebrow. ]

You seem low in self-esteem... That's no good.

[nosediving]

[ huh? ]

I'm just treating everyone as deserving of dignity. I harbor no illusions that my worth is greater or lesser than it is. I am one of my sect's twelve spiritual leaders, no more.

[ and no less, but definitely no more. The others here may as well be grand detectives compared to him. ]

[digestif]

If you're a leader of your sect, then you should be a little more confident! You can intrude and stand out during the trial all you want. Everyone else here doesn't seem too worried about it, anyway.

[ a rueful smile. ]

But I'm guessing you're not talking about one of the 12 sects here. None of them have 12 people in them.

[nosediving]

[ he shakes his head. ]

I belong to a spiritual sect in my world. Coincidentally, there are twelve branches like the temple has its twelve great gods.

[ then he smiles wryly and, finally, approaches the bar. ]

The participants they've gathered are rather lively, aren't they?

[digestif]

That's one way to put it. I assume the gods selected us for those sorts of traits on purpose. We're the ones willing to play along with their game.

[ too proud and headstrong not to try and win... ]

Anyway... Do you want something to drink? I'm quite good at cocktails, if I do say so myself.

[nosediving]

[ yes, and that's exactly what's so scary about all of this.

but cocktail? based on the context, it's something that can be ingested. why not? ]

Since you offered, it would be wrong of me to refuse. What do you suggest?

[digestif]

That depends. Do you want to forget today's events for a while or not?

[nosediving]

Ah . . . I shouldn't. Is that too much trouble?

[digestif]

Of course not. That's why I asked, you know? I'll make you something light, then. Do you like sweet drinks, or not so sweet?

[ they speak while they slip behind the bar again. ]

[nosediving]

. . . Sweet sounds good.

[ he sits patiently. that is, until he asks: ]

What do you make of this contest?

[digestif]

[ a short laugh. ]

What do I think of it? Mostly that it's a sadistic farce, I suppose... Those gods are as "guilty" as Itachi Uchiha-kun is for permitting this to happen at all.

[nosediving]

Those words are excessive. [ he lowers his head. it's an observation, not his pushing back. ] But I see your point. It doesn't sound like the deaths will stop after this week, either.

This system, isn't it treating the value of life too lightly?

[digestif]

Hmm... I don't think they're excessive at all.

[ Mizuki has no tolerance for this kind of thing. ]

It is. Even if they claim that they'll bring us back later, they're still forcing all of us to endure it - both the pain of dying, and the pain of grief.

[nosediving]

During the trial, didn't someone say that the contest was originally not meant to be played this way? What changed that even the great gods couldn't help but to allow it?

[digestif]

[ a shrug. They offer him an apologetic gaze as they line up two martini glasses and a shaker behind the counter. ]

You're asking the wrong person. Sorry - if you thought I had a lot of answers after that trial, you'll be disappointed. All I have are theories and my private thoughts.

[nosediving]

Those are more than this one can offer. I don't mean to pressure you for answers. Only, the trial has left us with more questions than we already had, and

[ that's his impression, anyway. He straightens with his gaze being drawn to the process behind the counter. ]

[digestif]

No, you're not. I'm only wishing I had some real answers for you.

[ they start pouring a few things into the shaker... ]

What do you think of all this?

what happened to my last tag

[nosediving]

. . . Even though I am the elder to most of the participants here, I was naive when I entered this temple. I sincerely thought that we would all be taking part in a fair contest presided by the great gods.

[ his tone takes a tired, bitter turn. ]

Instead, a child was discovered to have been viciously slain. What virtue is there in a wish gained by murdering a junior? I have seen too many youths die in recent days when they should be the future of the world. Regardless of my reason for being here, I do not wish this misfortune upon my fellow participants.

SDFKJH I WAS LIKE SHOULD I SAY SOMETHING.... NAH

[digestif]

[ they give him a bitter smile in return. ]

I feel about the same. If I'd known this was what their "contest" would be, I wouldn't have agreed at all.

I'VE BEEN BETRAYED BY SIB

[nosediving]

That choice is no longer in our hands. It has only been days, and I find myself questioning what I should do.