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

[chalicejoker]

"He's not going to go looking for trouble." Because that seems more important than defending his bomb-handling skills right about now. "And he's not the same guy."

Ryo, at this point, is just watching everything like he's watching a particularly intense three-way tennis match.

[fusionjack]

"Hajime..." His cousin is just trying to help, but it isn't helping, he's sure. He just lets that trail off, shaking his head at him before looking back to Tachibana.

"I'll stay away from her." No defensiveness, no protests. Just a firm seriousness, and absolute sincerity. "I'm... I'm sorry. Sorry for what he did." Because maybe it needs saying. He certainly hasn't said as much in so many words. He'd really like to unburden himself of some of the weight of these memories.

[triggerhappytraitor]

"I know that!" Tachibana snapped at Hajime, fists clenched. "But he fucking looks like him!" And with everything Sayoko had gone through...!

Jack's response, however, pulls his attention back, and he presses his lips together, looking to the side, emotions turmolitious in his expression. There's a moment's pause before he nods. "... How much of his memories are you stuck with?" he finally asked, not looking over.

[fusionjack]

He is not going to say anything in Hajime's defense. Shouty diamond guy has a point, this time around.

Jack's expression mirror's Tachibana's own, with the lips pressed together and gaze roving awkwardly away. It's a good question, the answer needs to be out there... but acknowledging it isn't something he likes doing. "I remember from him being unsealed, to you defeating him and sealing him." Everything, pretty much. Everything that's most relevant, anyway.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Tachibana's hand bounced uncomfortably against his leg. Meaning that Jack knew about the seaweed. About everything that had gone on while---

"... What happened when he-- when I--" He pressed his lips together, bouncing of his hand growing worse. "What's in the past should stay in the past," he finally said. "Even if it never wants to fucking stay there..." he half muttered.

[fusionjack]

Is he feeling the man's discomfort or is he just reading it in his body language? Either way, Jack catches on immediately to what Tachibana is stammering awkwardly about. "It stays in the past." He does not want to think about that, either. He's uncomfortable enough reconciling the murdering with his current self. The other parts... no. He can't bear to reflect on it for more than a moment, much less put it into words.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Another small nod, abit of visible relief that Jack both understood and agreed that somethings were best never spoken of with as little thought given to them as possible.

There's another moment more of restless fidgeting before he turns. "I'm heading back," he announces before he starts walking, not even waiting for Hajime's responce or acknowledgement.

Garren, at least, waves to the group from his perch, hugging his Slammer's head after.

[chalicejoker]

"Bye!" Ryo waves back at Garren and Tachibana.

Hajime just watches them go. He feels like he should say something--not to Tachibana, Tachibana leaving is good, gives him a chance to cool down--to...defuse the situation? Lighten the suddenly tense mood? He is not good at these things. "That went well."

"No punching," Ryo says solemnly. "Very well!"