journal ⚔️ a warning

[discourtesies]

Sender: Barok van Zieks

[The writing is hurried, a cursive that just manages to be legible. In his rush, his usual formalities are cut short. The message is more important than the form it takes.]

There is a demon in the wilderness — a bestial man. Powerful and violent, able to heal itself in an instant. Anyone unable to defend themselves should avoid the woods until [until what? It's killed? If there's any shred of the man still in there, he can't condone that.] further notice.

[Is that a drop of blood on the page? Eh, it's fine.]

It was Kazuma Asogi. I don't understand it, but I wasn't able to reason with him and he became this thing before my eyes.

[After a moment, he adds:]

He cannot be left like this.

Comments

[thousandcraneswish]

Forgive me, Rokurou-san, but hurting him may not help Asogi-san return to himself. He may not be able to feel pain in that state.

[ The Furies in her realm couldn't, especially when they had lost themselves to the bloodlust. ]

[rokubro]

Oh hey, Chizuru! You're probably right, but I mean if you think about it, if he needs to be disabled to stop from attacking, wouldn't removing a limb or two be the best way to go about it?

[Rokurou please. With only the text, hard to say if he's serious or joking. Given who he is...possibly half.]

[thousandcraneswish]

Rokurou-san, no. We do not know the extent of the healing powers here. You might be leaving them defenseless against any new attacks. There are other ways to disable him as a skilled warrior. I can't stop you two from fighting. But please don't make his situation worse.

[ Chizuru is adamant about this. No harming people on her watch.

Guess who may be overlooking the joke here. ]

[rokubro]

Okay, okay, hard to continue when I know you're being this serious about it.

I won't deliberately cut off his limbs.

[It started as if he was really going to listen and at first read it does sound like he'll be good. But no, he's still joking a bit.]

[thousandcraneswish]

[ Chizuru squints at the words, looking for the loophole. She's been tricked too many times by other fighters trying to get around her advice. ]

You're not looking for an accidental way to cut him, are you?

[rokubro]

If I was looking for it, it wouldn't be an accident, would it?

[He'll stop being mean soon.]

[thousandcraneswish]

[ Chizuru is equally part amused and part exasperated with him by now. But at least, she's not as worried about Asogi's state. ]

That answer seems like more trouble, Rokurou-san. Don't make me hit you over the head with my sheath!

[rokubro]

Hahaha, okay okay! I promise I won't get too out of hand.

Or cut off his hand.

[He couldn't help himself—]

[thousandcraneswish]

[ Oh, now it's obvious. Chizuru's lips purse into a pout. That man is just playing with her! ]

You do and I'll slap yours!

[ There is a pause. ]

Be careful?

[rokubro]

Don't worry, I won't let myself get killed.

[SO REASSURING...]

But if it'll help you feel better, I'll send a message once it's over.

[thousandcraneswish]

You better not.

Take care and good luck.

[ Rokurou seems like someone who will be giving Chizuru lots of headaches, but then again, that's what she'd grown used to. Back home. It's a detail that really shouldn't comfort her, but it does. ]