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

[letgrow]

May I ask? Why you came through the portal?

[vitainmorte]

I...

[ pauses. for a second. ]

I felt like-- I had to.

[letgrow]

Why?

[vitainmorte]

... I don't know.

[letgrow]

[Reaches up to frame her face]

All right then.

[vitainmorte]

[ startles, staring wide-eyed at her. ]

--Camellia?

[letgrow]

Whatever the reason....we're here. So, let's be as tough as weeds.

[vitainmorte]

... I'll do my best.

[letgrow]

[Nods, shooting a quick text on her phone before taking Cypress' hand again]

There are five of us here, but five others fell through. I think they're on the other side, but I'd like to be sure.

[vitainmorte]

"Other side"...?

[letgrow]

Mm, Vengeance.

[Heading over to a group group of demons, illusion in place]

Excuse me?

[vitainmorte]

[ following behind her, curious, but keeping her expression neutral. ]

[opening_act]

[ demons, unlike the damned, are in full color and aren't super impressed that a group of the damned are talking to them. A tall woman in a suit with a lion's mane and four eyes that are dripping with golden, waxy tears looks down her nose at you. ]

Can I help you?

[letgrow]

I'm sorry to bother you, you just looked so impressive...

[opening_act]

[ She raises an eye at you and then glances at her colleagues, and back at you ]

I'm on my lunch hour, so let's make this quick. If you want my time, you pay for it.

[letgrow]

I was curious where a group like you worked.

[opening_act]

[ she repeats: ]

Payment.

[ she holds out a hand ]

[letgrow]

[Digs in her purse before setting some satchels of tea in her palm]

[opening_act]

[ her eyebrows raise higher and she smiles, amused.

she pockets the sachels of tea, apparently accepting it ]

Communications. We keep the line going with Belhor's people for keeping Tokyo-D up to date with broadcast tech.

[letgrow]

That's amazing. Is your office near here? Are you working on anything new?

[opening_act]

Not on my lunch break.

[letgrow]

....this is very bold of me, but...if I were to come by once you were off your lunch...could we talk more? Your work sounds really fascinating.

[opening_act]

[ she seems amused. ]

How about this? You make me a good cup, and we'll sit and chat. You take my time, I take yours.

[letgrow]

Very well. That's more than fair.

[opening_act]

[ she calls out to the guys to order her usual, to go, and guides Camellia into a nearby office building— looks like she had just left on her lunch break. The building is narrow, and in the elevator they're standing side-by-side. She shows a badge and gets let in, the office front-desk secretary another damned in black-and-white.

In the office breakroom, she gestures to the electric kettle and fishes out one of the tea sachets from her white blazer pocket. ]

So.

[ She says, smiling, as she pulls a chair out for herself and sits down. Her teeth are distinctly feline, as well ]