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]

[ they roll their eyes, and a guy in the group elbows you and whispers apologetically: ]

Sorry. They put up my part of the payment for the studio time, and even if we're popular enough for technicolor, it's not like there's that much to spare.

[ ...is... that an apology? It actually seems like he's trying to guilt trip you, as the Persephone cosplayer leads you to a photo studio. ]

[crystallinelore]

[hm. well, given the whisper, he can get away with not answering!! onward.]

[opening_act]

[ He enters the studio without problem, though the Persephone cosplayer has to stop at the front desk and pay, and looks strained and drained afterwards, technicolor meaning the pale bloodless skin isn't just a trick of the black and white.

the room inside is a blank white, which is so bright as to be almost blinding after the thick dark of everywhere else. It radiates, like the neon colors do.

The guy who apologized— the Susanoo cosplayer, a little shorter than the real thing, turns to you ]

So, you're the best on the camera. We're counting on you, man.

[crystallinelore]

[this is... honestly hysterical to him, but he gives it full smarmy bard charm with his sweeping bow.]

I shall give it my all, of course.

[opening_act]

[ he gives you a weird look and someone else (your group's Levi) mutters something about "fucking soulbonders".

The Persephone cosplayer, meanwhile, is dragging the Lucifel into a pose on one of the stairs, which they then stand opposite them, doing the same pose. It looks like they're a mirror, but their expressions are totally different— Lucifel's a manic smile, Persephone's face like calm clear water.

The Susanoo throws himself down the stairs in front of them doing a pair of peace signs while the Levi and Sekmet try to catch on to the back of his shirt and stop him. He is actually probably going to slam into the camera tripod if no one catches him

are you. photographing any of this. what are you doing, Noah. ]

[crystallinelore]

[this is. just so much. it's hard not to start laughing???

he is dutifully getting behind the camera, though he is uh. scooting it back to a bit more safety, no thank you Susie Cosplayer.

luckily, his brief time during unitswap as a lilis means he does like, have half a clue what to do with a camera, if not a FANCY one, so he's taking like. basic shots of first the actiony shenanigans, then the twinsies.]

[opening_act]

[ The action shot's a bit blurry when it comes to the Susie cosplayer, but the others turn out well!

Once the Susanoo cosplayer gets his face off the floor he scoots behind him to look over his shoulder at the shots. ]

Not bad, man! Knew you had it in you! You wanna take a go in front of the camera? You put in all this work getting all dressed up, and all.

[crystallinelore]

We have an hour, yes? I do not mind taking a few more before switching off.

[he has NO idea how he's expected to act in front of the camera, so,, "soulbonding" intensifies? while he tries to figure out exactly how he'd be caricatured for these people.]

[opening_act]

[ and then, the real Noah cosplayer they were waiting on bursts in.

he looks almost exactly like you, though his eyes are contact lenses. he's really really good at the effects make-up, though. He is shouting nearly as soon as he is in the door ]

Why did none of you—

[ he sees you

spider-man pointing ]

[crystallinelore]

[ok

yes

sorry

cracking the fuck up]

[opening_act]

[ he roars: ]

THIS MAN IS AN IMPOSTER!!

[crystallinelore]

Pray forgive me, but I am fairly certain that, by definition, that is you?

[opening_act]

I am a proud cosplayer, currently dedicating myself to Noah in all his incarnations.

[ He straightens, trying poorly to look above this all. ] I would never infiltrate a rival cosplay group for the sake of ruining their photoshoots! For my pride, and to not tarnish the man whose face I bear, I would never do such a thing.

[crystallinelore]

[...looks to the rest of the group.]

I now see what you mean about soul bonders.

[opening_act]

[ The girl dressed as Levi laughs, loudly, and the Noah cosplayer's face heats.

The Susanoo cosplayer wraps an an arm around your shoulder and says to the rest of the group ]

Hey, so can we keep this one? What'dya say, guys?

[crystallinelore]

[grins but shakes his head.]

I am afraid I will not be able to stay, so if you want a full group it would be unwise to try and keep me.

Ah, more seriously though, your time is limited, yes? I can keep taking photographs, if you would not wish to waste it.

[opening_act]

[ the Susanoo cosplayer makes an exaggerated awwww mannnnnn and sags down against your waist, while the girl dressed as Levi says: ]

He's got a point. And now we can all get in the picture without doing the delayed timer thing. So get your stupid ass in our pictures? Don't look a gift Noah impostor in the mouth.

[ the Noah cosplayer looks between you two and then sighs. ]

As you wish.

[ HE'LL POSE IN THE PHOTOS BUT HE WON'T BE HAPPY ABOUT IT!! ]

[crystallinelore]

[casually headpats the susanoo cosplayer, then nudges him away. off you get.]

And rest assured that I have no interest in, ah, ruining your photoshoot.

[opening_act]

[ The Izanagi cosplayer who has been silent until this point gives him a thumbs up from where they're posing like a corpse on the floor. ]

Cool. Let's get back to it, then? [and, turning to look at the other Noah ] And hey, did you bring the fake blood like you were supposed to or do we need to do that in post?

[ After an hour of this, the photoshoot is done.

What do you do next? ]

[crystallinelore]

In any case, I shall be on my way.

[he's gonna just. walk out.]

[loveandthunder]

[ and as soon as he walks out, someone's grabbing back of his collar. ]

Look what we have here—a lost kitty-cat, huh?

[ behind him is a blonde man, dressed in black. ]

I've been looking all over for you.

[crystallinelore]

[tail: puff

but he keeps his voice even]

Is that so?

[loveandthunder]

They're worried sick for you back home, you know?

[crystallinelore]

That is what we do best. Have you come to take me back?

[loveandthunder]

Sure have ♪ You'll be a good kitty, won't you?