Act 1, Scene 1: Okami

[opening_act]

[ A notification on your phone goes off, letting you know the purchase of your meeting with Exael has gone through.

There is an attachment. Where are you, when you open it? ]

Comments

[opening_act]

[ As he is wracked with pain, suddenly from behind someone has reached out to put a hand on his wrist. Unlike the silhouette people, this hand has mass, not just form, and a vice-grip on you. ]

[furrytailprince]

[ Instinctively going to try to yank himself free since he has no idea who is touching him at this point. Also instinctively, going to try to slash at said hand with blunt claws. All while still screaming and whimpering. ]

[opening_act]

[ The right choice, actually.

The hand that yanked at you draws back, and you can see it is clawed and bleeding, as is the figure it belongs to. The hand felt wet on yours, and you can see it's bleeding despite your blunt claws.

The shadow people around you have created a wide berth. You can run for it. ]

[furrytailprince]

[ Definitely going to do that! ]

[opening_act]

[ He runs off into the back alleys of the altered Shinjuku. Shops stack in too close together, busy with strange patrons buying strange wares, the scent of sweets and salt heavy in the air. This Shinjuku is so unreal, but very alive.

Beyond the stalls are more spire skyscrapers, and little accessway alleys to duck into, empty of people where he can hide from the crowd.

His phone will buzz again ]

[furrytailprince]

[ He is going to need a moment to catch his breath and clear his head of all that but eventually will shakily reach for his phone... ]

[opening_act]

《 An alert says security is looking for you. Did you follow the map? 》

[furrytailprince]

[ Oh, that's right. The apartment. Between those damn stars and the noise, he had almost completely forgotten. ]

There was a detour. I am heading there now.

[opening_act]

《 Not dragging security after you, you aren't. Stay put. 》

[furrytailprince]

What am I supposed to wait for?

[opening_act]

[ She answers his question by, not long after he asks, appearing at the mouth the of the alleyway and ducking back there to hide with him. ]

Hi.

[furrytailprince]

[ Probably going to jump at her voice ]

A-Ah, hello... I see you came to find my instead...

[opening_act]

Right. Your phone has GPS, and I know Tokyo better than you do.

[furrytailprince]

I suppose that makes sense... What was all that?

[opening_act]

All of what? This city? It's a Tokyo.

[furrytailprince]

The Security you mentioned. Those... things by the television...

[opening_act]

Security works for Imepro! The audience is the audience.

[furrytailprince]

[ Well, that was pointless. Which should have been expected. Sighs. ]

Where are we to speak properly?

[opening_act]

Your detour shaved off time, and I'm not bringing you to my apartment if security might tail you.

[opening_act]

So, here. We talk here.

[furrytailprince]

Very well. I appreciate your taking time to meet with me.

[ Time to activate Echo ]

Where are the others? I thought this was proposed as a joint discussion.

[opening_act]

The shop processed all of you separately, probably. I've already met some.

[furrytailprince]

[ Hnnnngh. Did not expect to be handling this on his own. Not ready... ]

I see. I am interested in learning about the graduation, what is entailed, whether there is a time limit imposed, what happens to those who do not graduate and what is the next step for those that do. I imagine not everyone is suited to becoming a host of their own.

[opening_act]

You don't have to become a host to graduate, you know. Graduation is just finishing off being an idol.

[furrytailprince]

And what is required to achieve that status?