» the city network

[ The video turns on displaying one of the apartment building living spaces. For the most part it looks like the typical default space, but in the background there's a low table containing incense burners and what are probably offerings. The structure sitting behind it also looks like a shrine... a very small one, but made with loving detail. The lighting is intentionally dim, and Abe no Seimei is kneeling in front of the arrangement next to a black cat that is likely familiar to some in the city. ]

Since we've been facing some unanswered mysteries lately, I thought we should conduct a ritual to try to get some answers. The preparations are all complete if anyone would like to participate in the Offering Game.

[ As he says that, he lights several candles and places them around the cat in front of him. Once the cat, seated on what looks like a cushion on top of an array is properly surrounded, he asks: ]

Are you ready?

[ The cat, for it's part, stares at the lit candles and then snaps it's head around to shoot a look at Seimei that somehow seems deeply betrayed. Apparently, this was not part of the original plan. The only thing audible is a rumbled, plaintive meow, but Seimei nods as in in perfect understanding.

Answer received, Seimei claps his hands together two times and recites what might be a chant, but the words are difficult to make out over the device. Technical difficulties? The candles flicker, then abruptly seem to gain strength as they cast an ominous massive cat-like monster shadow behind the form of the housecat. ]

We are ready. In exchange for a personal story, we can now trade one offering to this great spirit and receive a fortune! But beware, we don't know what kind of answer the unknown may offer us. But if you would like to play, answers do await.

[ Seimei bows once to the cat and once to the camera. The cat stares at the camera for a long, unblinking moment before letting out a sigh that seems to shift it's entire body. There's another, brighter flash that seems to take up the entire screen for a second--the candles flaring?-- but when it clears, the actual cat is gone and all that remains is the shadow creature.

Though the close listener might hear something that sounds like a mumbled hate you so much coming from somewhere off screen. ]


[ooc: Both Seimei and Kai will be replying to this post to play a dumb creepypasta game and discuss possibly real magic.]

[ 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. ]

The seventh day of the seventh month already. I didn't think we would be in this city for quite this long, but I guess it's also a surprise that we're here to begin with...

Does anyone else celebrate Tanabata? It might be nice to hang up some wishes. If only to do something new around here.

[You better believe Kamui has already tried everything else.]

Additionally, has anyone seen a good wish tree candidate around? [He's pretty sure they're out of luck on the bamboo front...] It needs a decent amount of boughs. There are a lot of people here.

I would like to pose a question for everyone. Consider it curiosity, or a thought exercise.

What is your understanding of God? Or experience with, if you prefer to answer that.

Different worlds? Okay. Still, I gotta see what I'm working with here since the last time I was in a place with people from whatever universe was at 1 AM at the coffee shop and everyone had the grand idea to suddenly order Neapolitan frappuccinos. So here's how I'm going to narrow down and categorize all of you for my sake.

First off, how do you pronounce GIF? With a 'g' or a 'j'

Answer carefully 😉😉😉

(and if you don't get it, don't worry about it, you just get sorted into the other category)