Return to Tokyo-D

[opening_act]

[ You step through the portal into a place where black coats your vision— a solid, glossy coating of darkness that blocks out all light. For a moment, it is as though you've been been blindfolded, and all light is lost from your reach.

The light does not return.

But colors, in impossible neon hues hew through the dark and spangle newly across your vision. The city is drenched in kaleidoscopic light, the skyscrapers spiral to the heavens. At street level, it is Tokyo. Above that, stars move out of their orbits in dizzying motions. Other forms crowd the street with you— shiloettes of people drained of all their colors like it's bled into the city instead move about, not quite tangible but still giving off body heat. Monochrome figures also move through the crowd, a few demons, and

One demon that maybe some of you will recognize? Or not?

There's a girl with big puffy pigtails in full color with a bag full of groceries slung across her shoulder, heading somewhere. ]

Comments

[opening_act]

Not very. We could take the subway, if you wanted! But it'd be farther to walk to the stop and back than going straight.

[cw_suicide]

I'll follow along, whatever path you pick, my lady.

[opening_act]

Okay, then I pick this one!

[ follow her into this dead-end alleyway, deserted of people ]

[cw_suicide]

[... WELP. THIS SURE SCREAMS HE'S GONNA GET MERC'D but better him than the girls, maybe.

so following, of course]

[opening_act]

[ he follows her into a dead-end alleyway, and she grins and takes his hand

and then they're in her office, anti-climatically. Or rather, an office that contains her desk, amongst other people's desks. She hasn't done her paperwork in an age, but it looks like she's not the only one. ]

I like magic tricks more than I like security.

[ she stage-whispers to him. ]

[cw_suicide]

[...... well, ok.]

Oh, in that case, I do know some sleight of hand, myself.

[and then he's pretending to pull a cute, pink bandaid out from behind her ear]

[opening_act]

[ claps!! ]

Bravo!

[cw_suicide]

[gives a bow!!]

[opening_act]

So, welcome to the office! Hosts don't really have to show too much, as long as we perform alright. I make all my scheduled appearances, so I just leave this stuff to interns most the time.

[cw_suicide]

It's a nice place.

Though it does have me wondering what you're expecting from me, if you're used to others doing work of that nature for you.

[opening_act]

Nothing much! You could entertain me if you like. But mostly, I'm planning on sending you home.

[cw_suicide]

Aw, that's it? Not even going to do a devil's bargain?

... or I guess uh. would "devil" apply here?

[opening_act]

We already own you, technically! I'm not sure how much else you could offer.

[cw_suicide]

I thought you only really owned us when we choose Heaven upon graduation.

[opening_act]

Nope, we own you to begin with. That's more like relinquishing our hold. A good show of good faith, right? Super heavenly!

[cw_suicide]

Ehhh... so if we're not interested in something like that--that would be more the other side...?

Though, if you have suggestions for a poor lost soul like me to encourage him to consider the heavenly option... I'd appreciate that. And also some time looking around? Being sent back so quickly isn't so welcoming, after all.

[opening_act]

Boo! Don't casually say you want your world owned by a hell! Boooo!

[cw_suicide]

Eh? So it's our entire world?