crowspace | call me out v. 14.0

[Ah. He hates this. He should leave the way he came, try a different door, but, but... Knowing that Tsukasa's interfered with Tsuchi in some way...

He looks down at Hakujoudai and whispers.]

Should I go after him?

("... I don't know.")

[Comes the small voice of Hanako after a moment. He sounds bothered, but then, he always tends to get like this whenever his brother is involved or after having to speak to Tsukasa at all, so that's no surprise.]

("Once he goes through the library door, attempting to go through it yourself will probably throw you right back outside of this memory, and you'll have to try looking for him again somewhere else. If you're gonna talk to him again, it would have to be before that, or we'll just try again in a different memory.")

Edited 2021-08-31 23:22 (UTC)

[Suga nods. He sheathes his sword again - wouldn't do to have it out with a Tsuchigomori who doesn't know him - and falls into step behind him.

He's delivered his message, but... now what?]

[At first, nothing seems to be amiss. A student says something to Tsuchigomori while rushing past, to which he only nods in acknowledgement that he heard it, but otherwise doesn't say anything to them. Another teacher runs up and hands a paper to him, and he gives a clipped word of thanks and a warning that next time he won't be as forgiving if they are late with the report for the school's funding for textbooks next time.

Until, finally, he reaches the library. Thankfully for Suga, he actually gets lucky in that the library door was already open, so he can still keep following Tsuchigomori for a little longer until the other man will likely disappear into the secret passageway leading to the supernatural records of the school. However, Tsuchigomori doesn't go very far as he only steps into the entranceway of the public school library... and then he speaks aloud, but still not having turned around to look at Suga since Tsukasa's arrival.]

I know you're there. Why are you still following me?

Ah, um... I wasn't really told what I should do after delivering that message, and... also I'm worried about you?

[How does he say 'a gremlin of a ghost whispered in your ear while you were frozen in time'. Would Tsuchi believe him?]

I don't need some strange person worrying about me, let alone following me around. It's creepy.

[He says, as he begins shuffling the papers in his hands. For some reason, Tsuchigomori still hasn't actually turned around to look at Suga properly in this entire time...]

You've said your piece, so you can just leave now and go bother someone else. I don't have the time right now to deal with whatever nonsense you're talking about.

['Creepy'.

How many times has he heard that? How many times has he been the person that people cross the street to avoid, that gets whispered about right in front of him, when all he wanted to do is help-

Tsuchigomori has never called him creepy. Not once, even when they were still getting to know each other. And Suga knows, Suga knows he's justified right now - he doesn't know who Suga is, Suga's following him around and speaking nonsense - but...]

Ah... I-I'm sorry, I'll just... Sorry...

[God, why now. Why does he have to cry now of all times? Suga scrubs frantically at his eyes with the heel of his hand. He needs to be at his best, he needs to rescue Tsuchigomori from some other memory, he can't be standing here crying-]

[There's a moment where Tsuchigomori noticeably freezes in response to this, the papers in his hands no longer being shuffled around and instead gripping them rather tightly. It may be hard to tell from this angle but he grits his teeth for a moment, as if waging some kind of internal debate with himself before he suddenly steps further away without looking at Suga still.]

I have other places to be, so if you're done, it would be best if you would just leave already.

[And there he goes, making to leave for the secret entrance to his personal library of fate here in this memory. Abruptly, the door to the public library slams shut on Suga to separate them even further, the force of the door hitting the frame hard enough that there's a sudden spiderweb-crack shaped damage spreading out across the door. As if it's suddenly turned to glass... no, it seems the crack is spreading out and affecting the walls surrounding the door too, and from the cracks begins to drip a black substance like ichor...

Suddenly, Hakujoudai bounces along erratically and begins pushing against Suga to try to tell him that they need to be going, like right now. It's nudging him to see if he can quickly open a different door in the hallway that hasn't been affected yet, that will lead them back outside of this memory into the realm of doors from before.]

[Even an emotional Suga knows when to get the hell out, and black ichor coming from the walls is a good sign. He's moving even before Hakujoudai starts pushing him, near flinging himself through the nearest unaffected door without stopping to wipe his face first.]

[You're back into the realm of doors. Upon closing the one behind you, there's a clicking sound as if it locked behind you.

There's a long pause of silence that stretches in the void here, before a tinny voice emerges from Hakujoudai sounding awkward.]

"Hey, are you... alright? You're not hurt, are you?"

I'm-

[Ugh, he sounds pretty wrecked, and he doesn't want to talk to Hanako about it. Not that he has anything against him, but Tsuchigomori is the only person he's really talked to about how his life has been up until this point.]

Let's just keep going.

[He takes the first door he recognizes: the museum's front entrance. He has a few photos of it that Tsuchigomori has seen, so it's possible Tsuchigomori recognized it too, although he doesn't know why Tsuchi would go here?]

"You know, I think..."

[But then, Hanako's voice stops, and seems to reconsider something.]

"No, nevermind. Let's just find him already."

[Sure enough, when Suga opens the door to the museum's front entrance, he will find that it's based on his memory of it rather than anything to do with Tsuchigomori's memories. What kind of memory does Suga find himself being made to relive as he looks inside?]

[It's a fairly recent memory, as evidenced by when Suga catches a glimpse of himself. He ducks behind the desk, peering out at himself 'talking' to a middle-aged man.

The memory is a familiar one - one that's happened many times - and Suga doesn't care to stick around for it. They'll be able to catch a snatch of conversation - "acting like that is why everyone hates you" - before Suga slips back through the door.]

Should we try a school door again?

[They're not talking about that memory.]

[Thankfully, Hanako does not ask about this memory.]

"I'm not sure, honestly. It depends on how far into the past or future it turns out to be if it's Tsuchigomori's memories... maybe we should try a different one from your memory? Maybe he saw one that he recognized from something you said or showed him."

Mm, alright.

[Another museum door, then. This leads them to a side room of the museum, and the first thing he notices is the patter of rain outside.

...The second thing he picks up on is a woman's voice from the next room over. Shii-chan's mother, meaning that this must be a childhood memory of his, and that means...

This could either be an average memory or the worst possible one, and either way, Suga quickens his steps. Out the museum's back door, and towards the forest.]

[Hanako forgoes speaking, allowing Hakujoudai to discreetly follow Suga to wherever he's going. Sure enough, Suga will find that it is indeed raining when he reaches the outside, and the woods are dark as it rains. Suga will find it is not just an average dark and rainy occasion, and is indeed the memory he thinks it is, because the deeper you go into the forest, you'll suddenly hear...]

"Mother... Mother..."

[It's your own voice from childhood, calling out somewhere lost in here.]

[Ah. He can't change anything now - he can't rewrite the past twelve years, but... if this is the memory, then he thinks he knows how Tsuchigomori got distracted.

He slips among the trees and follows the voice. If he's right, Tsuchigomori will be watching his younger self somewhere close, unable to step in and intervene but unwilling to simply turn away and let Suga face what's coming all alone.]

[Tsuchigomori is doing a good job of hiding himself here so that the supernatural that is currently tormenting the younger Suga won't detect him, but the present day Suga will find that there is a sign that Tsuchigomori is indeed here somewhere: there's a spiderweb that has been erected within the branches of this tree here that has allowed a small spider settled on the web here to be able to view what it happening.

It's hard to tell if the spider in question is Tsuchigomori, or if the man has done something to make it so that the spiders living in this area are acting on his behalf, but it's obvious that it's not a normal spider regardless as it's turned to watch what is happening rather than... minding it's own business and doing spider things right now.]

Tsuchi.

[Suga keeps his voice low. If he turns, he'll see the Kotori Obake, so he just doesn't turn.]

You don't have to watch this. Don't put yourself through that.

["But… If you become my little boy… MAYBE I’LL GIVE YOU LOVE, BITE YOU BREAK YOU INTO A PULP. I’LL RETURN YOU BACK INSIDE MY BELLY"

It's impossible to block out her voice, even if he doesn't look at her. But that's fine. It's not like Suga could have ever forgotten this voice, this memory, in the first place.]

Edited 2021-09-13 21:03 (UTC)

["…DETESTABLE, CUTE LITTLE BOY. LET US MAKE A PROMISE."

Despite Suga's words here, the Kotori Obake is louder within the other's memory, and while it doesn't drown out present day Suga being heard, it's easy to guess that Tsuchi would still bothered, not quite wanting to abandon the younger Suga in his plight just yet. It's irritating how much he can't interfere here, because this is an event that has already happened as opposed to a present day event taking place.

The spider in the web moves it's front legs against the web it is sitting on, and if Suga squints, he will be able to realize that it's tapping out a pattern that might be morse code against the web.

(Have to wait until she leaves. If we make sudden movements she might notice us.)]

...Alright.

[Normally he would say that Tsuchi would be fine, he's out of her age range - but Hanako isn't, so it's better to be careful.

So he waits. Shiori appears, making a promise to give her life in exchange for Suga's being spared. Suga is only able to offer his voice in exchange for the Kotori Obake not killing Shiori right this moment. The Kotori Obake is satisfied, and after reminding them that there is no escape, disappears.

As the child Suga clings to Shiori, trembling, Suga scoops the spider off its web.]

Let's go home.

[Upon saying those words, Hakujoudai will suddenly come back out of hiding, and quite suddenly, Hanako appears now within the memory too, holding out a hand.]

I can take you both back now that you found him.

[Once Suga takes Hanako's hand, he will find the memory twists as the atmosphere dissolves and shakes, and then between one blink and the next, they're standing in the girl's bathroom on the third floor again. Back to reality again...

The spider that Suga had picked up however is not there in his palm anymore, but then there's an awkward sound of someone clearing their throat, and sure enough, there's Tsuchigomori standing behind Suga in his normal form again.]

Well. That little trip was certainly something.

[Yeah sorry Hanako you're getting completely ignored once they get back to the bathroom, because Suga is immediately clinging to Tsuchi in a hug.]

I was so worried, Tsuchi, you were gone for so long and then those things that Tsukasa said and the black dripping from the library and then why would you put yourself through that memory when you know how it goes already-

[Clinnggggg.]

[Tsuchi isn't really surprised, per-say, but his response timing is a little awkward as he puts a hand on Suga's head.]

It's okay, breathe. I'm fine.

[A pause, as he glances over at Hanako, who sighs loudly over watching this display.]

"I do expect to hear a report on your findings, Tsuchigomori-sensei."

I know, Honorable Number Seven. But if you don't mind...

"Yes yes, later, go tend to your boyfriend or whatever it is you guys do when you're alone. Preferably elsewhere, though, Yashiro doesn't need to be getting weird dieas if she walks in on you two."

[Tsuchi rolls his eyes, but he pats Suga again.]

Come on. We can talk on our way home.

...why would Yashiro get weird ideas...

[Spoken like someone who doesn't know Yashiro very well.

Nevertheless, he'll untangle from Tsuchi enough for them to walk home together.]

call me out v. 14.0

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