threelayers | Deer Country Inbox

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*BEEEP*

It seems that Neopolitan still isn't managing to master the fine art of caring to be properly sociable. Still, the inbox does work, and she's known to respond fast enough, if she likes someone. So, at least there's that?

(OOC Note: 99% of all replies will come in the form of Text Messages unless Neo has a strong reason to send video messages. She might send pictures, but she prefers text.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

tealeafs

Back home.. we have something like that too.

[ But even as Chizuru is saying that, she's still thinking. It's been more than once now that the other girl had alluded towards her not exactly being the best person back home.. But that doesn't make sense to Chizuru. Partially since Neopolitan is so nice to her now, but also because..

Well, it's a world filled with monsters.

Why would people have to fight each other or be rude to each other if they had a common enemy..? It makes no sense. ]

It's a group called the Shinsengumi. The shogun.. um, that's basically a ruler where I come from. [ She figures that not everyone might be used to her world's terminology. ] They're a group that the shogun assigned to protect Kyoto, since most people can't really fight where I come from either.

[ Chizuru goes quiet for a moment, seeming to think this over. ]

I guess some things stay the same across worlds, huh..? Even when circumstances are different.

From:

threelayers

[Ah, the trick of a 'smiling face.' It didn't always hide a smiling heart. But Neo knew how to keep up appearances, though she had definitely improved somewhat over the last few years. Ruby'd helped a lot, but so had others.

She nodded along as they talked, and up ahead was a very colorful looking four story building. It was almost gaudy with the various colors of it, and everyone outside or going inside were women. As they got closer to Sapphora, she smirked and shrugged.]

You change the names, but you end up with the same thing.
City Councilman, General, Headmaster, King. Shinsengummy, Hero, Huntsman. But it's kind of likely the same.
You one of those Gummy folks?

[uh... she didn't know Japanese spellings well, clearly.]

From:

tealeafs

.. gummy?

[ Maybe some people would immediately realise what the other was talking about, but apparently Chizuru needs a moment longer. It's almost as if there's question marks floating over her head as she seems to consider that word, before.. ]

Oh, um, you spell it gumi! G-u-m-i! [ Thank god for language barriers not being as much of a thing here, or spelling that out would be really hard. Let's not even start on describing hiragana to the other.. ]

But.. yes, I do! [ She's still walking though, having glanced at the building, but apparently being relatively unfazed by it so far. Chizuru is used to seeing things here that don't quite fit her own experiences.. ] I actually was the page of their vice-commander.. I have been that for a few years already before suddenly ending up here instead.

From:

threelayers

[Page page... she thought about that as they were coming to the door. She held it open for them, revealing a pretty rowdy lower bar and motioning right for the stairs. She didn't really take Chizuru for the type who'd want to shoot pool with a lot of hardened warriors, and she wanted a bit of quiet herself.

Laughing softly at the explanation, she nodded. Gumi, huh?]

So, basically you were the military attache or something like that?
They teach you how to fight much?

From:

tealeafs

Ah.. a little!

[ Chizuru is grateful to follow the other up the stairs, really. It's not like she hasn't seen something like this before - because it very much seems like the way nights at the Shinsengumi compound would get once they'd start drinking, except with only men rather than only women - but that doesn't mean she necessarily likes being around a bunch of rowdy strangers.

And as she follows, she continues to speak. ]

Since I was a page, I wasn't really on the front lines too much. I more just.. helped Hijikata-san take care of his personal business. And helped to ensure that things continued to run smoothly across the compound, by helping out with cleaning and making food..

From:

threelayers

[The second floor was considerably less rowdy. It wasn't exactly sedate, but there were booths set up to the side, places that folks could relax. the bar wasn't saturated, and they even seemed to be serving wine. Neo waved to one of the bartenders and pointed towards a booth before leading the way.]

Have to be able, just in case they get past the front lines.
But, yeah, if you're mostly handling the logistics that'd make sense that you wouldn't do much.
You wanting any lessons while you're here?

From:

tealeafs

[ Chizuru follows the other's lead until they get to the booth, and then proceeds to get herself settled in there, looking around curiously for a moment - before her gaze returns to the other.

The question seems to be considered in her mind for a moment. ]

I.. have been thinking that it might be a good idea. [ Chizuru is a little cautiously in admitting it, since she so isn't used to being able to talk about anything freely the way she can here.

She had to pretend to be a lot of things back home, after all. And trying to get used to that no longer being the case is taking some work. ]

It's been a little hard to ask anyone for it, because I wouldn't want to be a burden. But on the other hand.. I think that I should be able to defend myself if things were to get dangerous here. It'd be the responsible thing to do..

From:

threelayers

[She nodded. When the server drew close, she held up one finger, getting a nod. It wasn't like they didn't know her favorite drink after all. Motioning over at her, she indicated the server and nodded for her to put in an order before typing out her response.]

It'd be a good idea one way or another.
We've got the hunters like me and the rest here to handle the big stuff, but things tet through.
Learning from the folks around here isn't a burden.

Just gotta pick your fights carefully.

From:

tealeafs

[ .. oh.

Hold on, Chizuru would reply to what Neopolitan was typing over there, but she's momentarily very distracted by the fact she has to order. After all, this is Chizuru's first time in a place like this, and she has absolutely no clue what to order.

For a moment she seems to be trying to figure it out herself, but her face is growing increasingly red with a blush as she gives Neo that frantic desperate puppy stare, indicating that she has no idea what to order here, but is too shy to say as much out loud. ]

From:

threelayers

[She blinked and then giggled before one finger became two and she winked over at the server, who just grinned away and chuckled herself. The waiter raised an eyebrow and looked about to say something, but there was an idle tap to one hand, over her ring finger, and she shook her head. It wasn't the first time that the girls here had thought she'd picked up a stray.

'Sure thing, I'll be back with your drinks,' they said before toddling off. Neopolitan, for her part, turned and smirked, reaching over to ruffle her on the head.]

Don't be so nervous around here.
Nobody's worried in this place if we look a little silly.
You're among friends in Sapphora.

From:

tealeafs

[ It's so easy to ruffle Chizuru on the head. Her hair is so nice and fluffy, and she doesn't move away from the touch in the slightest either. It really is as if Neopolitan just brought a puppy in here..

Especially since Chizuru still seems a little shocked by it all, even now it seems the other took care of her order. ]

W-Wait, um..

[ She leans a little closer towards Neo when the other is done ruffling her hair. ]

Sorry, but.. this isn't some sort of.. gang, is it..? [ Look, that question is a lot more understandable when you consider the fact that meeting in inns is something gangs did all the time where Chizuru comes from.

And Neo's whole remark about being 'among friends' sure only made it seem even more that way to someone as innocent as Chizuru who would not recognize a lesbian bar. ]

From:

threelayers

[Blink.
Blink blink blink...

Huh? Gang?]

From:

threelayers

[She busted out laughing silently right afterwards, realizing what the girl had just suggested. Slapping the table, she looked like she was in stitches for a second before she managed to hold a finger up to forestall her. Give her a second.

Wiping a tear away, she typed and smiled at her.]

Hah, no nothing like that.
I should know what a gang was, since I was in one once upon a time.
Nah, they're all hunters who patrol the streets for monsters, that's all.
Fair warning, though, some of them are gay, so you might get hit on.

From:

tealeafs

[ Sorry, Neo.

This is your company for today.

It probably doesn't help that Chizuru still looks as nervous and half-panicked as she sputters out: ]

H-Hit on me? But you just said they aren't a gang..!

[ Because of course Chizuru, a pure and innocent flower, would immediately think of that kind of hitting, rather than flirting..

If not just because she's definitely not used to anyone trying to flirt with her. Or when it happens, it always went straight over her head. ]

From:

threelayers

[She was busting up. There was a momentary snort, and then she was patting on her shoulder, laughing softly, holding a finger up and shaking her head. The drinks came out at this point and she shook her head, grinning over at the barmaid, who looked confused. She paused and took the device up before typing her a quick message and holding it so that the server could see.

'Go easy on her. She's real new to this.'

She deleted it and gave her a wink which got a nod from her and a little color in the server's cheeks as she stammered something off and departed. Neo grinned and wiped a tear out of her eye, finally typing for Chizuru.]

Not 'hit hit.' Hit on you means flirt with you.
You're an attractive girl, and some of the girls in this place like girls, not guys. That way.
So, a few of them will probably want to flirt with you, hoping for a kiss.

[Or more, but she was going to just start with kisses for explanations. Kisses were easy to understand. They didn't involve nearly as many other ... things.]

From:

tealeafs

[ The only mercy in this situation is the fact that Neopolitan at least leaves it at just kissing. Because even just the mere mention of that..

.. well, it's making Chizuru's face turn as red as a tomato, visible even under the lighting in this place. The idea of girls kissing girls doesn't even strike her as wrong, it's just.. girls.. wanting to kiss her? And Neopolitan even just saying she's attractive as some sort of objective compliment here?!

She's dying. There's steam coming out of the poor girl's ears at this point. ]

W-With me?!

[ That's the baffling part. People wanting to flirt? With her?

???? ]

I.. I've never kissed anyone before though!

[ It's not really Chizuru's main objection here, it's just the first one her flustered mind reaches. And since there's so little of a brain to mouth filter when she's this embarrassed, the words just fly straight out of her mouth. ]

From:

threelayers

[Oh yeah, this ball of awkward was absolutely someone's type in this place. Neo was sure of it now. She grinned and patted her on the hand before taking a glove off to show a wedding band on one of her fingers before typing again.]

Well, don't worry about it tonight.
Your first kiss is safe as long as you're with me, since I'm spoken for.
You're a nice girl, but not quite my type.

My type involves green hair and a love for pilfering property.

[She gave her a wink at that point, hoping that the fact that she wasn't in any danger of getting flirted with seriously tonight would help her calm down a teensy bit.]

From:

tealeafs

[ At least Chizuru seems to believe Neo when she says that. After all, Chizuru is such an innocent-hearted girl that she wouldn't even consider anyone being even slightly disloyal to their partner, after all.

.. but on the other hand, even if she's safe from Neo flirting with her, it doesn't mean she's necessarily safe from anyone else doing it, right.. Especially now the other has established this as a Flirting Zone.

Chizuru warily looks around them for a moment before scooting a little closer to the other girl. T-There, she's safe here, r-right? ]

U-Um... The person you like must be very.. special. I mean, if they like.. pilfering property and all...

[ .. wait, is Neo in love with a pirate?

Confusing. But it's still better than focusing on the flirting danger all around them, thanks. Chizuru is too faint of heart to think about that too hard. She might just pass out at the table otherwise. ]

From:

threelayers

Emerald's a one of a kind, a real partner in crime.
We've known each other for years, but when we were in the nightmare we realized how important we were to each other.
She went and stole my heart in the end, corny as that might sound.

[She let Chizuru scoot in and patted her on the head and smirking, shrugging as she let her get away from all those flirtations that weren't quite happening just yet. But the imagination was a terrible thing.]

Of course we're both crooks, so that's just part of the show.

From:

tealeafs

[ It sounds corny, sure, but Chizuru is the type who totally thinks that anything corny is also cute. If people can rely on each other in these sorts of places, then that's all just for the better, right..?

Which means it's not that part that she focuses on. Instead there's something that's been on her mind for longer now, considering stuff Neo mentioned even longer ago. ]

.. you know.. You keep saying that you're a crook, or that you did bad things, but.. you seem really nice to me.

[ She isn't too sure if that's not just a naive observation, but at least it is true to her. ]

I mean.. not that I'm saying you wouldn't have done things, but.. um, I just mean that you don't seem like a bad person to me.. You've been really kind to me so far.

From:

threelayers

[She winked as she typed. no, she got this a lot. She definitely got it a lot with folks who'd just met her.]

Well, by crook, I mean I actually am a thief.
Used to steal a lot for a living, and me and my partner were damned good at what we did.
I was his muscle, and I did most of the stabbing if someone needed to die during a job.
But I don't just go around stabbing people unless I have a reason.

So, I guess the smile's not totally an act, and there's no point robbing people here.
Which means I fall back on what I'm really best at, which is stabbing things, and monsters are things.
But, I've had a little help on the whole social graces thing.

[She didn't entirely like pretending to be a good guy. It never sat well with her, especially since her being on everyone's side here was as much survival as ethical growth.]

From:

tealeafs

W-Well.. I don't think stabbing monsters is a bad thing..

[ After all, monsters are pretty indiscriminately bad - especially in this place. That's the impression Chizuru has gotten so far. So that means stabbing monsters is just protecting yourself and the people around you.

But the idea of stabbing people.. it's a little harder to process. Chizuru spent all her time around people who killed for a living back home, but at least she liked to believe that they did it for a good reason. That they got rid of the bad guys, so people could be safe.

She doesn't scoot away from the other. There's no rejection, but Chizuru does look a tad more worried - if not just because she's a tender soul. ]

But those people who had to die during jobs.. Were they bad people..? [ Or bad people too, perhaps she should ask, since it doesn't sound like Neo was exactly the good guy back home.

But it's so hard to combine the idea of her as a bad guy with the kindness the other has shown her so far. ]

From:

threelayers

[She reached up a hand to pat her on the head. Deep down Neopolitan was more aware of others moral concerns, even if she didn't actually share them. However, she did at least have a little that she could mollify the girl with.]

Well some of them were definitely other crooks, just as bad or worse as us.
But I won't pretend that everyone I ever fought actually deserved what they got. I'm honest about it.
Still, if it's any consolation, most of the people with enough wealth to get our attention to steal?
Those folks didn't get that kind of money the honest way.

[That had never been part of the justification, but yeah. You didn't get rich in Remnant by being honest most of the time. At least not in her world view.]

From:

tealeafs

[ It sure is a moral conundrum.

One that Chizuru never really had to think about before. After all, she's always lived in such secluded ways. Growing up in the demon village, away from humanity. Then in her father's house once she did live among people, never mingling with others out of fear that they would find out about her power. Then among the Shinsengumi, never having been allowed to leave the compound..

It sure made it hard to ever really have to consider such social conundrums as the shady ways people make money when Chizuru has hardly ever really been part of society.

.. It feels complicated, and messy, and Chizuru tries to shove the thought a little bit further to the back of her mind when she feels her stomach turning. ]

Then.. have you been doing the same thing here..?

[ She doesn't think so. Neo has been talking about stabbing monsters, after all. Not people. ]

Have you hurt people for similar reasons in this place..? [ Chizuru can't imagine it. Someone who could do that one day, and then go to this place with her and sit here and pat her head like a friend right after.

It'd make no sense.. ]

From:

threelayers

[She shook her head rather firmly. That, at least, she could be honest about and not come off as dangerous, not in the same way.]

Not unless I end up cursed.
I haven't really hung the whole "Thug" thing up completely, but there's no reason to hurt random people here.
And there's no real sense of property so stealing's just about completely pointless in Trench, honestly.
So I just kind of converted my talents to something people use.

I'm adaptable.
No crime? Fine, I'll work in a protection racket.

[Because in the end, that's sort of how she saw the Hunters. A protection racket without the shakedowns.]