video; un: ihavequestion

[emyoji]

[ Seimei is relaxing in one of the restaurant booths, apparently having a hot cup of coffee when he decides to pop up on the network. ]

Hello everyone! Has anyone figured out if we can go through the top yet?

[ Since powers all seem to be dampened and no one he's met yet can fly, it might actually make sense if the city had an opening above them. Well, it's at least worth setting that thought out for the public. They might get a chance to test it eventually. ]

Ah, but for an empty city, it's strange how consistent this place is when it makes us food. You would think that we would get some bad cups of coffee at least. It's more strange that it doesn't make mistakes.

[ He takes a sip to demonstrate. See? Perfect every time! ]

Since I'm talking about weird, my friend said that the only people brought here are strange ones. I thought it sounded like a good theory, so I want to ask: what is your strangest experience? Yes, we're all different from each other, but are you different from the people you came from? Or if we see things that are strange, sometimes we attract more things... Or maybe you're completely normal and this is a fluke?

I just wonder if this is really the first time something like this happened for all of us.

[ How many isekai veterans are in the city? This is important. ]

Comments

[catmemes]

.........why

[emyoji]

You just said I could ask questions if I wanted to. Why not? It's an easy answer.

[catmemes]

Abe-dono, nothing is ever easy with you.

[emyoji]

Now, that's just not true. Anyway, didn't you say that everything in the city was strange? Are you saying you didn't mean the people?

[catmemes]

You're strange.

[ Ah, maturity. ]

[emyoji]

[ He's smiling broadly even if it's just to a text. ]

Do you want to have coffee with me?

[catmemes]

Did you actually need something or are you just bored?

[emyoji]

What if I want your company?

[ He says that in a much more sultry tone than he needs. ]

Hah, just kidding! But don't tell me you're already done with me, Kai-kun?

[catmemes]

[ So just bored, then.

Foxes. ]

Sure, fine. No offerings.

[emyoji]

Oh, don't worry, I don't have those kinds of questions.

I'm more interested in what this city is looking for out of us.

[catmemes]

And you think I know?

[ More likely he's just looking for a test subject. ]

[emyoji]

No, I'm inviting you for coffee.

[ He laughs a little as he sets down his mug. ]

Don't overthink things so much. You'll lose hair.

[catmemes]

I already said yes.

[ Mostly because he knows Seimei will never let it go, but still. Call him curious about...whatever this is. ]

Where?

[emyoji]

You're so generous!

[ Ah, cat is so cool! He does throw a lilt into his voice, but at the same time he's already texting his location choice. ]

Come to this restaurant. It's nice.

text->action

[catmemes]

[ We're just going to ignore that one. ]

I'm coming.

[ And he does indeed appear a little while later, slinking into the restaurant in human form. At least Seimei isn't particularly hard to find in this weird empty place.

He still gives him a mildly suspicious look as he settles in across from him. Seimei is usually up to something, so Kai feels like it's fair enough. ]

Abe-dono. [ So dry. ]

action

[emyoji]

[ The cat is as dry as ever, using no extra words and leaving Seimei waiting as he comes to the meeting spot. He appears in human form, which is always an interesting look, but the onmyouji notes that he keeps the same expression. ]

Ah, please, we've already been acquainted for some time now. There's no need to be shy. Seimei is fine! What would you like to eat? I'll get it for you.

[ He's enjoying the company already. One cat's cloud is another man's sunbeam? ]

Re: action

[catmemes]

I thought you promised no offerings.

[ His eyes narrow slightly, though he doesn't look any more wary than he already was. Seimei, of anyone, should know how that all works by now and also how useless his fortunes are. Still, Kai has long given up trying to predict why Seimei does literally anything, so who knows. ]

I don't know. Whatever. [ Eating for the sake of eating is still kind of a new concept. ] Did you really just want someone to eat with?

[emyoji]

It's not an offering. We're having it together, okay?

[ He's as cheerful and pleasant as ever, as if he doesn't know what he's initiating or just doesn't care--it's up to Kai to decide which of those is true and what he might do about it. Seimei doesn't mind treating any youkai as a friend. ]

I want to eat with you, but I want to talk. It's a combination. Don't you think we've been learning a lot so far?

[catmemes]

[ Kai eyes him for a moment longer before letting out a slow exhale. Fine. He's already here so it's not like he wasn't resigned to whatever Seimei is up to before they've even started. ]

I guess. Not sure if any of it makes any sense, though.

[ He may not be actively looking for answers like a lot of people, but it's habit for Kai to keep an eye on networks so he's fairly up to date. Being able to put it all together is something else, though. ]

What are you hoping to find?

[emyoji]

You don't? I think it's making sense. There's still a lot to learn, but we know the city is trying to show us things, and we know that it doesn't support magic well.

[ He gestures to Kai. ]

Have something to drink. I want to know what the city wants us to see. And why it exists. Isn't that important for us to know? If it's causing problems, we'll have to put it back to sleep.

[catmemes]

[ The demand earns a somewhat baleful look, but Kai does slope off to fix himself coffee. ]

Do you want something?

[ Since he's already up. The offer is clearly kneejerk, but once it's out he doesn't try to take it back. Actually putting it all together takes some concentration, though, so we waits until the brewing starts to turn back in Seimei's direction. ]

You think it's awake?

[emyoji]

I think it's active.

[ Is the city alive? Well, he isn't so sure he believes that. It's functioning, reacting, but the land itself feels empty. There are no voices or spirits and no natural energy flowing through the invisible veins. But something must be conscious, because it's observing them, reacting to their presences. Seimei taps the table with a thoughtful fingertip. ]

Tea, thank you. If it can conjure up something good, I'll have that.

[ Even though he doubts they'll get a formal set from the strange kitchen. ]

I wonder if there is someone here. Maybe they are looking for something.

[catmemes]

Someone as in someone in control here?

[ He gives a thoughtful sort of rumble as he goes to paw through the kitchen for tea. What he finds are fairly cheap teabags, which he dunks into a mug with a philosophical shrug. If Seimei wants something better he can find it himself. ]

You think someone could mask themselves that thoroughly?

[emyoji]

Someone must have built all of this originally. Whether they are still in control is a more difficult question.

[ He shrugs with a careless smile, then takes a good look at the cup Kai brings him with its steaming water and little paper teabag. The smile fades somewhat, creasing his expression with small folds of restrained concern. ]

If they are still in control, then it is their domain. They know where to go and how to hide to avoid our notice. Against the experience of the crafter, we don't even have backstage passes. We can only keep searching and try to catch them in between plans.

But we can catch them.

[ He takes a sip of the tea, smile fixed despite the fact it hasn't steeped long enough. ]

That's what makes these places interesting.