[Hey there, Kim Dokja! Expecting your vampire prosecutor? Too bad. Because rise and shine, there's a new detective in town. He's posing after he wakes up from the bed, swerving to look at the other man.]
[ Actually, he was expecting no one. Considering he hasn't slept in his shared room with van Zieks after the first day.
He blinks once, twice...]
Herlock Sholmes. [ A brief side glance, looking at the rest of the room briefly. His black hognose snake daemon peeks past his collar to flick her tongue in the Detective's direction. ]
I'm quite aware. I had been doing some late night reading.
[ There is the tell-tale sign of some bags under the reader's eyes. Clearly, he's prone to skipping out on some sleep. Even his snake daemon seems the slightest bit groggy. ]
For someone who goes around supposedly murdering the literary greats, I do say, being a bookworm is quite unsurprising. What were you looking up? Details about this world?
I'm a reader first and foremost. [ A simple matter of fact. ]
More or less. So long as people exist, someone is bound to write information that is important of this world down. Even something in the guise of a fairytale.
For a long time, this place was protected by "angels." Angels that did exist at some point. Beings that were providing their protection to the people and keeping them safe. Until one day, they suddenly vanished for reasons unknown, leaving the people here without their protection. They strongly held their faith until their last breath, praying to the stones structured after their angels.
But we already know what's happened since, given the bodies of the native and infestation of the spectres. [ As he talks, he gathers his things again in his bag. ] I'm sure most of this, if not everything, you already knew, but I find stories interesting.
Mmm. Yes. Fairytales are creative ways of acknowledging the reality of one's world. To filter it through symbolism, imagery, and the power of the written word. Though given all the facts...I would assume there is some mite of truth to the whole business. After all, do we not have masked figures modeling these very angels?
We do, and if asked they do claim to be like "guardian angels." It's actually because one of them that I was enlightened on the fact that there had been angels here a long time ago. [ a light hum. ] We likely would have been able to dig up some more lore had there not been a change in plans.
[ With the trial and execution, anyways he's peering back to the room. ] Are we on a different floor? This room is different than the last.
[ There's barely any light, other than the.. bioluminescent company. He shuffles to the door to peek out and... Yeah. These halls are completely different. ] ..We may have been moved somewhere else entirely.
[ Here they are in the square! It took a bit to find the man, and when he did, he sure is pacing enough he'll likely leave marks behind huh? Haha. Black-tipped white ears are perked forward curiously, the matching fluffy tail swaying side to side in a calm manner.
Even Jin, in her arctic fox form, is walking beside the reader looking on curiously. ]
Hope you don't mind if I ask for a bit of your time? [ He's gesturing nearby to sit. ] Mikotoba Susato is my roommate of this week so I heard something interesting about... well, your adventures last week that I was there. I wanted to hear it from you, if that's alright?
[ A pause, his head tilting. ] Whatever happened there, it isn't real I hope you understand, so I won't react negatively towards it.
[ A light confirmation, his arms moving to settle in a cross. Jin moving to sit with a curious tilt of her head. ]
Whether I'm proud will depend on what happened, I didn't want to make Mikotoba uncomfortable by asking for too much after everything that happened to her. [ Which is why he's here, she's gone through enough after Thursday night on top of it. ] So, if you could explain in detail?
[ It's probably obvious his trusty companion mentioned... none of this. ]
That much I know. Yoo Joonghyuk is a particular person, he would only see reason to mention what he thinks is important to know. Anything else is likely tied to emotions or unrelated, and so left unsaid.
[ A sigh. ]
He told me he didn't remember anything about himself. That he had a different set of memories, memories he still has even here. He spoke about how you were all employed to steal something from a highly guarded prison, "Jurda" that is supposed to enhance someone's strength- which ended up being an angel. He told me about the note as well and.. that's about it.
I see. Well, he surely wasn't sparing of any details.
[Said dryly.]
The basis is correct, though. But we all had our own motivations we were hiding from the others. I was quite alright in murdering the rest if I could get a reward for "Jurda" for myself, not shared with everyone else. But where our deal angel was stored, other people were found. People we knew.
[He tilts his head.]
You were one of them. And when everything went to hell, the prisoners, including you, were freed. Somehow, you all acquired weapons.
[Sholmes pauses for a moment, before lifting his new metallic hand.]
I do believe you were the one who went and did this to me.
Hidden motivations. [ A considering hum, hardly batting an eye when Sholmes states his own personal intentions at the time. People have murdered for less so that's fine. However, the mention of others... he seems to pause, tilting his head. ]
..I see. [ A glance to that metallic hand, then a smile over to the Detective. ] And that's why you think I should consider myself proud?
I do believe it was Miss Nanaly. In that world, I think she had some ability to explode hearts, or the like. There was a guard who was holding her who died in that way, and the pain in my chest was...well. Quite a blast.
[....]
[He just. Looks away.]
I would've killed Miss Susato if I hadn't been stopped. I had already killed Mr. Joonghyuk, and Miss Nanaly died not long afterwards, because I had shot her. [......] So that is why I am grateful.
[ For the most part, Dokja only listens, watching him closely as he speaks and even when the other man looks away. So, that's how it was. The mention of Sholmes killing Joonghyuk only has him hum a little.
"Not everyone is used to taking the lives of those they know." Those words make sense now. ]
The man then is different than the man standing here before me. ..I cannot speak for the others, but I know Yoo Joonghyuk for one will harbor no ill feelings against it. [ A head tilt. ] He might want to hit you though if he hasn't already.
Some of those lives were more short-lived than others, but another number nevertheless.
[ A quiet pause, his tail giving one slow swish to the side. ]
I do. However, I am not a regressor like Yoo Joonghyuk. Though I've died a few times already- I've come back only due to the abilities I've gathered during those times. I've still stayed within the same lifetime.
How lucky for you. For him, it seemed, everything was on the line, every time he died. [YJH dropping all the loot in every life...] Why couldn't he be in your role?
Every time he died, he regressed to the beginning. Starting all over again. Keeping only the memories and knowledge he had in the previous lives.
[ ...Lucky, huh? There's a brief moment of silence with neither Jin nor Dokja moving. Finally, he continues. ]
Because he's the protagonist, forced to regress time and time again on behalf of his Sponsor. And as for me... I am just a reader. A reader of that story.
So he is a character, and you are the one who witnesses his endeavors. I never heard of such a thing where a reader is so directly involved in a story. One would "support" a protagonist from the safety of one's home, I would suppose.
To be fair, a reader doesn't expect the story they love to suddenly become their reality one day.
.. Though the protagonist may have some perks and skills available to them given his status, the reader is starting off on a completely blank slate. He's a supporting side character.
[ Yes, his role is different to Yoo Joonghyuk's, but there's something else about the reader's. Glances back to the other man, a smile lingering on his lips. ] In my world, you are a story as well, Mr. Herlock Sholmes.
Hm? "Become their reality"? My, my, Mr. Dokja. You truly are Alice in Wonderland in the flesh.
[Falling into another world...]
[also wait i just realized alice in wonderland is a classic isekai. nice]
Hahaha. [And his eyes crinkle in amusement at that.] So I have heard. I'm not too surprised. Being a Constellation, a figure like a god...well, I can't say the thought of it wouldn't be fun, in its own way.
Any Incarnation is capable of becoming a Constellation. Just as any story, whether it be a myth or history- everyone has the potential to become a Constellation with enough stories and qualifications.
[ His head tilts. ] Though I know the best path, some ideal results for scenarios... that does not make me "god." The Star Stream is what controls the scenarios inevitably, even if I help guide my companions and me through them- that doesn't necessarily mean we have the ways to clear it if we aren't prepared enough.
[ Another smile. ] A Constellation is still capable of being killed. I am not immortal.
Well, of course. I assumed as much based on Mr. Joonghyuk's listed skills. [He smiles.] So what do you do, as a Constellation, then? You're just a sort of mentor?
Constellations have their own scenarios to complete and go through, but some entertain themselves by watching Incarnations. Whether it be watching Incarnations struggle, suffering through the scenarios, or rooting them on... [ Yeah, he can tell from the tone of his voice he greatly dislikes them. ]
They're capable of taking on an Incarnation like a Mentor of sorts yes, allowing them to help supply their growth by passing on a Stigma- which is an ability, and other rewards. [ ... ] I have an Incarnation back home that is a companion journeying with Yoo Joonghyuk and I.
..It was a necessary path to take to get where I am back home, so I can't say I've considered the idea of being happy as one or not. It means I'm stronger so I can't say I'm unhappy about it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 1 day 1
Miss Rika!
[...]
You look...very different!
no subject
He blinks once, twice...]
Herlock Sholmes. [ A brief side glance, looking at the rest of the room briefly. His black hognose snake daemon peeks past his collar to flick her tongue in the Detective's direction. ]
This isn't right. I was in the library.
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[Hm?]
For what reason were you in the library? You do realize a library has books, not beds, right?
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[ There is the tell-tale sign of some bags under the reader's eyes. Clearly, he's prone to skipping out on some sleep. Even his snake daemon seems the slightest bit groggy. ]
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For someone who goes around supposedly murdering the literary greats, I do say, being a bookworm is quite unsurprising. What were you looking up? Details about this world?
no subject
More or less. So long as people exist, someone is bound to write information that is important of this world down. Even something in the guise of a fairytale.
For a long time, this place was protected by "angels." Angels that did exist at some point. Beings that were providing their protection to the people and keeping them safe. Until one day, they suddenly vanished for reasons unknown, leaving the people here without their protection. They strongly held their faith until their last breath, praying to the stones structured after their angels.
But we already know what's happened since, given the bodies of the native and infestation of the spectres. [ As he talks, he gathers his things again in his bag. ] I'm sure most of this, if not everything, you already knew, but I find stories interesting.
no subject
Mmm. Yes. Fairytales are creative ways of acknowledging the reality of one's world. To filter it through symbolism, imagery, and the power of the written word. Though given all the facts...I would assume there is some mite of truth to the whole business. After all, do we not have masked figures modeling these very angels?
no subject
We do, and if asked they do claim to be like "guardian angels." It's actually because one of them that I was enlightened on the fact that there had been angels here a long time ago. [ a light hum. ] We likely would have been able to dig up some more lore had there not been a change in plans.
[ With the trial and execution, anyways he's peering back to the room. ] Are we on a different floor? This room is different than the last.
[ There's barely any light, other than the.. bioluminescent company. He shuffles to the door to peek out and... Yeah. These halls are completely different. ] ..We may have been moved somewhere else entirely.
week 4, earlier in day thursday.
[ Here they are in the square! It took a bit to find the man, and when he did, he sure is pacing enough he'll likely leave marks behind huh? Haha. Black-tipped white ears are perked forward curiously, the matching fluffy tail swaying side to side in a calm manner.
Even Jin, in her arctic fox form, is walking beside the reader looking on curiously. ]
Hope you don't mind if I ask for a bit of your time? [ He's gesturing nearby to sit. ] Mikotoba Susato is my roommate of this week so I heard something interesting about... well, your adventures last week that I was there. I wanted to hear it from you, if that's alright?
[ A pause, his head tilting. ] Whatever happened there, it isn't real I hope you understand, so I won't react negatively towards it.
no subject
Ah. Yes! Yes, that...adventure.
[Okay, okay. Focus. He fixes his gaze back on the other man, Irene in crow form preening at her feathers.]
Well, as you surmised, you were a star character there, near the end. You should be proud.
no subject
[ A light confirmation, his arms moving to settle in a cross. Jin moving to sit with a curious tilt of her head. ]
Whether I'm proud will depend on what happened, I didn't want to make Mikotoba uncomfortable by asking for too much after everything that happened to her. [ Which is why he's here, she's gone through enough after Thursday night on top of it. ] So, if you could explain in detail?
[ It's probably obvious his trusty companion mentioned... none of this. ]
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[A huff, slightly amused.]
Well, tell me generally what you are aware of. You know we were not the same people we were here, yes?
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[ A sigh. ]
He told me he didn't remember anything about himself. That he had a different set of memories, memories he still has even here. He spoke about how you were all employed to steal something from a highly guarded prison, "Jurda" that is supposed to enhance someone's strength- which ended up being an angel. He told me about the note as well and.. that's about it.
[ Read: Only Important Details. ]
no subject
[Said dryly.]
The basis is correct, though. But we all had our own motivations we were hiding from the others. I was quite alright in murdering the rest if I could get a reward for "Jurda" for myself, not shared with everyone else. But where our deal angel was stored, other people were found. People we knew.
[He tilts his head.]
You were one of them. And when everything went to hell, the prisoners, including you, were freed. Somehow, you all acquired weapons.
[Sholmes pauses for a moment, before lifting his new metallic hand.]
I do believe you were the one who went and did this to me.
no subject
Hidden motivations. [ A considering hum, hardly batting an eye when Sholmes states his own personal intentions at the time. People have murdered for less so that's fine. However, the mention of others... he seems to pause, tilting his head. ]
..I see. [ A glance to that metallic hand, then a smile over to the Detective. ] And that's why you think I should consider myself proud?
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[And a shrug.]
I don't blame you for it. I should thank you for it, honestly.
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[ Oh. Curious. ]
Well, it wasn't me that did it, but. Long as you're happy with the results. [ ? ]
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[....]
[He just. Looks away.]
I would've killed Miss Susato if I hadn't been stopped. I had already killed Mr. Joonghyuk, and Miss Nanaly died not long afterwards, because I had shot her. [......] So that is why I am grateful.
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"Not everyone is used to taking the lives of those they know." Those words make sense now. ]
The man then is different than the man standing here before me. ..I cannot speak for the others, but I know Yoo Joonghyuk for one will harbor no ill feelings against it. [ A head tilt. ] He might want to hit you though if he hasn't already.
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[That actually makes him crack a smile.]
He hasn't! I think he should! I rather deserve it.
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Maybe it'll happen when you least expect it. [ Lightly, he pats Sholmes on his shoulder. Jin seems to perk up at that with a slow sway of her tail. ]
Sorry to have brought up those memories.
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[He looks over at the shoulder pat, and he just keeps that light smile on his face. Irene tilts her head, looking at Kim with beady eyes.]
It's quite alright. It was a different lifetime, after all. One might feel it was just a story. Though one that had lasting repercussions, after all.
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A story often does. And as most stories do, they stay with you. [ ... ] Yoo Joonghyuk has lived many different lifetimes so he would know that best.
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[He nods at that, understanding.]
I saw some of his memories, a few weeks ago. I know how much he has lived...and died, through. [...] You come from the same world as he, do you not?
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[ A quiet pause, his tail giving one slow swish to the side. ]
I do. However, I am not a regressor like Yoo Joonghyuk. Though I've died a few times already- I've come back only due to the abilities I've gathered during those times. I've still stayed within the same lifetime.
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[A new term, it seems.]
How lucky for you. For him, it seemed, everything was on the line, every time he died. [YJH dropping all the loot in every life...] Why couldn't he be in your role?
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[ ...Lucky, huh? There's a brief moment of silence with neither Jin nor Dokja moving. Finally, he continues. ]
Because he's the protagonist, forced to regress time and time again on behalf of his Sponsor. And as for me... I am just a reader. A reader of that story.
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[He tilts his head, considering.]
So he is a character, and you are the one who witnesses his endeavors. I never heard of such a thing where a reader is so directly involved in a story. One would "support" a protagonist from the safety of one's home, I would suppose.
no subject
.. Though the protagonist may have some perks and skills available to them given his status, the reader is starting off on a completely blank slate. He's a supporting side character.
[ Yes, his role is different to Yoo Joonghyuk's, but there's something else about the reader's. Glances back to the other man, a smile lingering on his lips. ] In my world, you are a story as well, Mr. Herlock Sholmes.
no subject
[Falling into another world...]
[also wait i just realized alice in wonderland is a classic isekai. nice]
Hahaha. [And his eyes crinkle in amusement at that.] So I have heard. I'm not too surprised. Being a Constellation, a figure like a god...well, I can't say the thought of it wouldn't be fun, in its own way.
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[ big braining over here. ]
You think so? [ Oh, Dokja looks amused at that. ] Coming from a Constellation like myself, in a way it might be.
[ Yeah. ]
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[Ohhhh?]
So how does a reader become a Constellation? Since you know everything that happens, does this make you "god"?
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[ His head tilts. ] Though I know the best path, some ideal results for scenarios... that does not make me "god." The Star Stream is what controls the scenarios inevitably, even if I help guide my companions and me through them- that doesn't necessarily mean we have the ways to clear it if we aren't prepared enough.
[ Another smile. ] A Constellation is still capable of being killed. I am not immortal.
no subject
[Boy, sure are two words he won't hear later!]
Well, of course. I assumed as much based on Mr. Joonghyuk's listed skills. [He smiles.] So what do you do, as a Constellation, then? You're just a sort of mentor?
no subject
Constellations have their own scenarios to complete and go through, but some entertain themselves by watching Incarnations. Whether it be watching Incarnations struggle, suffering through the scenarios, or rooting them on... [ Yeah, he can tell from the tone of his voice he greatly dislikes them. ]
They're capable of taking on an Incarnation like a Mentor of sorts yes, allowing them to help supply their growth by passing on a Stigma- which is an ability, and other rewards. [ ... ] I have an Incarnation back home that is a companion journeying with Yoo Joonghyuk and I.
no subject
[Hm. Doesn't like the sound of that.]
But Mr. Joonghyuk, he's not an Incarnation? Or is he?
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[ Constellations really are an audience, yeah. Awful. ]
Yoo Joonghuyk is an Incarnation. Everyone starts off as one when the Scenarios start, and though he's incredibly strong- he is not a Constellation.
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[like dude promote YJH please]
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[ (yjh voice) im strong enough without ]
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Are you happy being a Constellation, Mr. Dokja?
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..It was a necessary path to take to get where I am back home, so I can't say I've considered the idea of being happy as one or not. It means I'm stronger so I can't say I'm unhappy about it.