forestcovered what-if museboxing. Mogeko Castle trigger warnings.

[knowthyham]

[It hadn't been long for Koriko. Three days, at most. And for Yonaka, maybe a couple of hours.

But the Yonaka who returns to Koriko is clearly not the Yonaka who left.

For one thing, Yonaka hasn't always worn that hat. It might be familiar to some and not to others, but even those who don't recognize it as the scalp of a Mogeko will be able to detect the smell of blood.

For another, she's not usually floating an inch off the floor.

And for another, her eyes don't usually have that dead look in them, nor are they quite so red.

She can be found anywhere Yonaka could be found before - her room, cleaning the bathhouse, eating prosciutto - or simply wandering the island in something like a fog.

After all... they still have a debt to pay, don't they? It comes with the body.]

Comments

[cloak]

[It's the first time Roxas finds himself in an environment that clearly isn't data. He flexes gloved fingers, scuffs at the dirt under his shoes, and wonders how in the worlds this is possible...

But he doesn't have much time to speculate when he senses the heavy approach of concentrated darkness. It forces him to turn on his heel, hooded head craned in the direction of an oncoming figure, knees bent as though he might bolt forward at any moment. His hands hover at his sides, as though waiting for something.

...This isn't a Heartless.

....This isn't a Data-Bug.

.....What...is this?

He straightens with a measured reluctance that doesn't ease the tension about his black-clad form, head tipped slightly to one side]

What are you supposed to be?

[knowthyham]

What I am.

[There's a familiarity to that voice, but they can't quite place it just yet. Yonaka's memories can be jumbled, at times.

Their own voice is soft and even, betraying no hint of emotion.]

And you?

[cloak]

[That answer is far from a satisfactory one, and the tense air around Roxas remains so. Under the shadows of his hood, he watches this figure carefully. She could be hostile - it wouldn't surprise him. In fact, he rather expects the eventuality of it.

A being so steeped in darkness coming upon one imbued with light...isn't a clash inevitable?]

An echo of what didn't really exist to start with.

[More specific than her reply, perhaps, but not much more illuminating]

[knowthyham]

I see.

[They have no idea what that means, but that's fine. They didn't give a real answer either.]

Do you know this place?

[cloak]

[Another slow glance around, choreographed by the movement of his hood, before he shakes his head]

No. The records I'm from didn't include this world.

[knowthyham]

Hm. I see.

I have no knowledge of it, either. It is not in My domain.

[Their domain is a small one, admittedly.]

[cloak]

Your domain?

[Maybe in this person's world they all wear such odd hats...]

[knowthyham]

[Mogekos wearing other Mogekos would be pretty bizarre.]

I am the god of Mogeko Castle.

[cloak]

[Like some kind of mogeko matryoshka...]

...A god?

[knowthyham]

Yes.

[Neither of them are all that talkative, but Lord Prosciutto at least elects to go on.] In my own domain I am supreme. Outside of it, my powers are significantly more limited.

[cloak]

That's not unlike Hades then.

[At least, as he understands the workings of gods]

[knowthyham]

We are not personally acquainted.

[They really only know Fumus personally, and that's because Mogeko Castle is situated in his world. They don't get along.]

[cloak]

He's the god of the Underworld. So far as I know, he has more influence in his own domain than otherwise.

[knowthyham]

Some other world's Underworld, I would presume.

[There are many places in which people die.]

[cloak]

It's a part of the Olympus Coliseum.

[So yes, certainly another world]