Meanwhile, in the Two Faced Forest....

[thequestgiver]

Characters: Any hero brave enough to walk into the utterly normal looking woods.
Open? Yep
Where: The Two Faced Forest (tm)
When: Whenever you'd like, I've got all day here.
What: Time to get hero-ing, oh heros.


The Two Faced Forest isn't far at all from the walls of the Kingdom's capital, something that vexes many of the locals. You see, there's a witch in those woods, a horrible creature who lures children to her gingerbread home and eats them!

...not that anyone's ever lost a child that way. They've all taught their children to be cunning and crafty, you see, so their children won't be caught and eaten so easily! It's just all the other children that they worry about! Especially now that the Cruel and Terrible Witch has a horrible Dark Mastermind at her disposal; a dark cloaked figure who commands terrible minions of unspeakable horrors! And what's worse, they gossip so loudly whenever a Hero is near so they're sure to overhear, this horrible figure was once a Hero whom the Witch ensnared and corrupted! Surely someone can do something about this terrible situation! A line delivered over and over with such a complete lack of subtlety that many a hero will find themselves being outright stared at with expressions varying from moon stuck smiles (the younger lads and lasses of the town) to expectant annoyance (the older grannies and gumps who want to see some proper hero action before they die already, so get on with it, would ya?)

The Forest (the capital letter is very important, you see) itself... is honestly very unremarkable. There's trees, there's rocks, there's birds, there's squirrels (you can even bless them, if you're of a hero class that's so inclined), and deep in the heart of the woods, there's a cottage that's made entirely of gingerbread, complete with piped icing shutters and decorations. Around this cottage is a gingerbread fence with the piped icing reading: "Private Property. No Solicitors."

... so maybe it's not entirely unremarkable.

Comments

Somewhere between the city and the gingerbread house....

[fusionjack]

There's a feeling in the air that Jack can pick up on, and he's not sure if he cares for it or not. Something is stirring outside of the Two Faced Forest, something that might well require him to throw down... oh, it has been a while since he's had to do that. As much as he likes to ignore it and not think about it too hard, there's something in his blood, in his very being that burns at the thought of fighting and struggling and triumphing. There is only so much wood he can chop, and so many spherical blue feathery minions he can chase to make that feeling subside. And now that it has been provoked and inflamed, it's not likely to go away on its own.

Well, it doesn't matter if he likes it or not. There is something happening, something out there. And there's been a dearth of anything for far too long now. Why not haul out the dramatic black cloak and go for a stroll? He looks fairly good in it, if he does say so himself. It's not like he's going to make the muttering and the rumors any worse, at this point. Especially when there's a grain or two of truth to those muttered rumors...

He knows his way around the Forest, more or less. Knows the main paths, knows some shortcuts, knows what to avoid... and knows how to stalk quietly from the branches above, if need be. He's fairly confident he can get the drop on whatever Heroes might be out and about.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Not too far into the woods is one rather pissed off looking Red Mage (who has ditched the idiot robes for the far more normal-looking sage and black renfest garb that seemed to be the only thing that his attempts to use Wardrobe Manipulation had resulted in), stalking angrily through the woods with Garren clinging tightly to his shirt as he rode on his shoulders.

"Hajime!" The name was yelled loudly and with irritation. "Goddamned idiot, the instant he thinks there's something to fight he loses his goddamned head... Hajime! Where the hell are you!"

[fusionjack]

Upon hearing that voice, Jack goes stock still. It's just a reflexive reaction, at first, but then it's calling out again, and he's really hearing it... and he recognizes it. Recognizes who it's calling for, and who it's from... and he gives a sharp, anxious hiss of breath inward. That's Garren. Tachibana. The man whose life his past self completely ruined. This has all suddenly gotten a lot more complicated.

He doesn't want to face this guy. But he has to do his job. But this is going to suck. But shouldn't he actually make contact with him? But this is going to suck... Teeth still gritted, he levitates slowly and carefully from tree to tree, closer to the source of the voice. Maybe they can just talk this out.

...they're not going to be able to just talk this out. He knows it.

[triggerhappytraitor]

With how much irritation is all but radiating off the stalking form below... chances do not at all look good for anything calm coming of this encounter. But luckily for Jack, Tachibana's not looking up, and is instead, muttering under his breath as he pushes aside branches and bramble.

Garren, however, is. And with a curious tilt of his head, he tugs on his Slammer's collar before pointing up to the trees above. There had been something moving...

[fusionjack]

Though branches and leaves somewhat obscure his full view, Jack can see enough to recognize the man's face. It matches the voice. It's him... or a version of him, at least. He has done this dance before, once or twice, and at least knows to expect just about any possible answer... but something tells him that no matter if he's recognized or not, it's going to be an angry answer.

...wait, did that little thing on his shoulder see him? He's just going to try and levitate to a branch that's better concealed... there's a bit of a rustling in the leaves, though.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Tachibana pauses at the tug before looking up. "Who's there!?" he demands, posture shifting defensively as his eyes narrow. There's been far too many things messing with him the past few weeks, he has no patience for anything hiding right now...

[fusionjack]

Damn it. He's not going to be able to sneak his way out of this one. As much as he'd rather try dealing with this guy when he doesn't look ready to throw down, it doesn't seem like he's going to get to make that choice. So he sighs, adjusts his tinted glasses, and shifts his weight on the branch so that the leaves give a loud and purposeful rustle.

"No one you're going to be happy to see." His tone is flat, exasperated, and yet... oddly imperious. Very Isaka. "Why are you in this forest?" Best ask the important questions before the scuffling starts...

[triggerhappytraitor]

Garren all but squeaked, hiding behind his Slammer's hair with a small whimper.

Tachibana's own expression was only shocked for the barest of moment before his lip curled, posture shifting even more as his fists clenched.

"You..." The word was a curse, all but snarled. "Get down here and show yourself properly, Isaka!"

[fusionjack]

That reaction tells him one thing, at least. This Tachibana knows who he (or his past self, at least) is. That's a start for negotiations that he'll just have to accept. And maybe this Tachibana will be still too disoriented from arriving in this strange place to put up much of a fight.

He leaps from the branch and with but the lightest bit of telekinesis to guide himself, he lands neatly on the path before Tachibana and Garren. "I prefer 'Jack', if you don't mind." He readjusts his glasses, then lets his hands drop to his sides, palms flat, hopefully signifying that he's not looking for a fight just yet. "Where are you from? When are you from? You are Sakuya Tachibana, aren't you?"

[triggerhappytraitor]

There's a deep, visceral reaction at the sight, every inch of Tachibana tensing even further with a deep anger and loathing laced with the barest hint of fear.

But the words made him pause, frown shifting from the one that was a warning of impending ass kicking to one of almost annoyed confusion.

"Jack?" he repeated, eyebrow raising. "... Hajime's cousin Jack?"

[fusionjack]

The look that Tachibana is giving him is so, so familiar. Uncomfortably familiar. He does not like being reminded that he was once a creature that could provoke reactions like that in people. He doesn't like being regarded like that. So he tries to hold an impassive expression, betraying no emotion, unaware that he's making himself all the more Isaka-like....

Until Tachibana blurts something about his cousin. Something that acknowledges him as Hajime's cousin. "...yes!" And now his expression is one of open, naked shock. "That's... that's the Hajime that you're looking for?"

[triggerhappytraitor]

Tachibana lets out a loud, almost frustrated curse, looking even more like he wants to punch something; but the tension is mostly gone, replaced by a deep tiredness that shows the extra 10 years clearly in his face.

"He has all his memories now. But yes. That fucking idiot who ran off into this goddamned forest the second he heard there was something to fight in it."

There's a very deep scowl before he turns to half glare at Isa-- Jack. "...How much of that bastard's come back to you?" he demanded.

[fusionjack]

All his memories. And... oh. Oh. Jack groans and brings a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose, feeling an unpleasant aching behind the eyes. "He ran off into the forest after me, is what he just did. Ugh..." Tachibana's question does need answering, though. He lets his hand lower somewhat. Does... this mean that they're not going to end up throwing down? Why does that feel the slightest twinge disappointing? "...enough of him's come back that if Hajime can sense other Undead? Then he's going to be able to pick up on me."

Funny, that ache is still behind his eyes...

Later!

[chalicejoker]

So after Hajime finishes catching up with Jack (and telling Ryo that it's very rude to tell anyone they're supposed to be dead, because that's coming up way too often these days), he goes looking for Tachibana. Better make sure the other Rider isn't doing something too broody or destructive--that's his job.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Excuse you, being broody is his his thing. Just because he's gotten better over the years doesn't mean you get to have a monopoly over it.

Tachibana hasn't gone far, just to the edge of the forest where he's found a convenient stump to flop down on. He's resting his elbows on his knees, propping his head up with his thumbs. He doesn't look up when Hajime approaches.

"If you're going to yell at me more about your cousin, I don't want to hear it."

[chalicejoker]

"Wasn't planning on it." There does not appear to be another conveniently-located stump nearby to sit down on, and so Hajime remains standing. "I was just making sure you weren't...I dunno." Upset? Flipping out? How do you express concern in a cool, detached sort of way? Hajime's floundering there a bit.

[triggerhappytraitor]

"Doing anything stupid?" Tachibana guessed, tone a bit wry.

[chalicejoker]

"I never said that." Hajime shrugged. "Just making sure you weren't doing anything I might do in a similar situation."

So, something stupid.

[triggerhappytraitor]

A small, almost amused huff escaped. "So, something stupid," he interpreted, shifting how he was sitting to be more properly upright. "Sent Garren off to check on Sayoko. I'll.. have to find a way to explain the situation to her," he all but sighed, shoulders slumping.

[chalicejoker]

Hajime grimaced. "It's...awkward, yeah." Pretty awkward. So awkward. Incredibly awkward. A level of awkward that simply should not exist. "Ryo went to check and see if anyone else has shown up. He enjoys talking to new people." And the townspeople; their idiocy never seemed to bother the mantis much.

[triggerhappytraitor]

"I don't know if awkward is even the right word for it," Tachibana reflected, expression distant. With an almost distracted motion, he reached into his hammerspace, pulling out his deck, looking down at the jack of diamonds card. "You'd think sealing the bastard would have been enough. And yet..."

[chalicejoker]

"He's not...not like the guy you sealed." Hajime is just going to remain firm on that point. "And he doesn't want any trouble."

[triggerhappytraitor]

"I'm not talking about your damned cousin you goddamned thick headed moron," Tachibana sighed, utterly no anger in his voice. "Isaka isn't like you, or Shima-san, or the Tiger Undead. There was no goddamned humanity in that bastard, and yet, his existence...!"

His fingers tightened around his deck. "One more goddamned life he can ruin..."

[chalicejoker]

"You're automatically assuming the worst thing is going to happen." Hajime scowled. "I get that our lives kind of tend to skew that way, but still..."

[triggerhappytraitor]

"He has Isaka's memories!" Tachibana glared. "The hell don't you--"

He broke off, looking away with a curse. "You don't even know, do you?" he realized, shoving his deck back into his pocket. "You were barely there, when he pulled all that shit, you don't--" He ran a hand through his hair, cursing again. "Bad enough just remembering the shit I did in that bastard's power, but to remember being that bastard...!"