PHASE I [ ?? ?? ] It's impossible to tell time in this place, and everything looks the same, but it won't be long before you're probably sick of the tower. Time to get down -- unless you have magical powers or can fly or something, it'll probably be pretty tough, too. You could try to climb down, but the walls look pretty slick, and -- oh god, your arm just went through the wall, what the hell.
Whatever you do, don't fall.
If you fall, you'll be stuck falling forever. And ever. And ever. Looks like they didn't put a failsafe into ViViD for falling, so now you're stuck. You might see some other people stuck in the same glitch, falling forever a la Alice in Wonderland, but honestly? You're stuck that way until your game resets itself.
PHASE II [ ???? ] Either way, you've made it to the ground (somehow). The ground looks like... a half-finished city, really. There are streets, and houses... but some of the houses are unfinished, just four walls and no roof, or only three walls, or nothing inside, and a lot of the NPCs are completely faceless, or only have one line they repeat over and over again.
It's honestly pretty unnerving, especially since there's no soundtrack at all. You can just traverse this creepy hellscape in complete and utter silence.
And then the cars start to fly away.
That's definitely normal (is there anything about this game that isn't faulty?).
PHASE III [ ???? ] It's not safe.
You could be anywhere in this level, wandering, searching -- and then suddenly, it's there. As it appears, a battle theme starts, but it's distorted, eerie and off-pitch. There's something very wrong about this enemy, that's for sure. It can't be defeated, either. Attacks can harm it, and it can be tossed aside or fought, but it just gets right back up, bloodied and beaten, as if unstopped by anything it's feeling.
Over and over and over again.
Just don't let it touch you.
Because it will start to absorb you, code bit by code bit, until there's nothing left of you. It's a cannibalistic distorted monster, wonderful.
PHASE IV [ ???? ] If it wasn't apparent already, physics is a little weird here. One second you're walking along, and the next there's basically no gravity; you could jump wherever you want, clearing buildings in a single bound like the superman you were always meant to be. One second you're your normal amount of strength, and the next you could life cars (if you so chose), for no apparent good reason.
Sometimes the world just tilts, making the ceiling the floor very suddenly, and sometimes the floor drops out from under you entirely.
Anything that could go wrong with the physics here does go wrong.
Just try not to get caught halfway through a now-solid floor. That sounds really, really uncomfortable.
BONUS [ ???? ] Of course, it wouldn't be glitch central without something weird happening to you. And it could be anything -- one second you're fine, and the next your arm is twice as long as it should be, and totally noodly. Suddenly you have a mermaid tail or animal ears, or your head has rotated upside down (how is that even happening?). You're suddenly able to walk through walls, or drag objects to you by pointing at them.
If this was a video game (it is), it would be the faultiest game to ever exist, that's for sure.
(Still, teleporting from one side of the world to the other by jumping on a single spot on a flowerbed is kind of entertaining, if nothing else.)
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Ah, it's like that?
[ She squashes down any tiiiiny little hope that had been left over and firmly tells it, oh well. ]
No, sir, I don't know a way to make the change back here in ViViD. Unless the level does it for you. When you're out in Cerealia, you'll be the way you should. Which, um...
[ She glances at his sword, hazarding a guess: ]
... should be tall enough to handle your vessel?
[ Pieced together knowledge don't fail her now!!! ]
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[Then he tries to process all these unfamiliar terms.] ViViD? Cerealia? I'm afraid I don't quite understand. How did we get here? I was just about to have breakfast when suddenly I found myself in this place...
[He notices her glance and smiles.] Ah, you are familiar with sword spirits, Miss? Are you a saniwa?
Yes, my original self is able to easily handle my vessel. I used to be even taller but my previous master Lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi had my height adjusted to suit him so he could keep me by his side at all times. Ah, where are my manners?
[Laying his vessel gently om the ground, he crosses an arm over his chest and gives another little bow, in a very royal manner.]
I am Ichigo Hitofuri. The only tachi ever made by Yoshimitsu Awataguchi. The Toushirous are all my younger brothers. It's a pleasure to meet you.
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It's okay, all things considered. She just... isn't sure how to respond to that bow. Too royal, does not compute? She does her best by bowing again more... formally. She hopes. Does she even have all her diction right... ]
Mm, it's nice to meet you too, Ichigo Hitofuri-san. I'm Chihiro Ogino, and I'm just a normal elementary student. Not a saniwa or anything special.
[ She gives a shake of her head that has her ponytail swishing along behind her. ]
I know some of your comrades, that's all. They've been very kind to me.
[ There has been only one death threat and she also didn't think it was real (it was real). Bad decision theatre aside, she's fond of (and has faith in) all the sword spirits she's personally met. ]
I don't know how well I'll be able to explain... but I can try to tell you about this place, if you want. How much you believe is something I think you have to decide for yourself.
[ Says the human girl to the sword spirit. BELIEF. The truth is out there??? ]
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He's a bit disappointed that she isn't a saniwa though, because a saniwa would be able to help him more, maybe? But he doesn't let that show, something he's very good at doing, and just keeps smiling.]
I see, that's alright, Ogino-dono.
[What she says next does get his attention though.]
The others are here? Do you know if any of my brothers are here? They would be the swords with 'Toushirou' in their names? Or perhaps my uncle Nakigitsune?
And, yes, I would very much like to know more about this place, Ogino-dono. Any information I can get would be most useful.
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Just Chihiro-chan, please?
[ She looks somewhat embarrassed to even be asking. She knows she's not exactly anyone's A-list player when it comes to ViViD or Cerealia, but she'll do her best. Nothing less is enough for the people she's friends with here, or those she might become friends with. Things like that.
She hesitates, then shakes her head. ]
I've mostly spent time with Kashuu, Tsurumaru-san, Samonji-san, and Kayo-kun. I know that isn't everyone, but I didn't ask Kashuu for everyone's names. I'm sorry... I should have.
[ Genuinely feeling like a heel for not knowing all the swords??? Including the ones who got broken and sacrificed. Which is definitely not her story to tell, and so she pushes that thought away. That's probably personal for the swords. Or... at least it is in her young eyes. ]
Ah... we're in a game right now. It's run by this program called ViViD. While we're in the game, the bodies we have aren't our real ones. Kind of like how your vessel is your real body, so when it's safe, you're pretty much okay, even if your other body's injured.
[ She's not technically wrong... ]
What happens in ViViD feels real in here, but you'll be okay again when you're outside of the game. The place outside the game is a city called Cerealia. It's run by a company called CERES. CERES signed a contract that destroyed all our worlds, then made us again, only we're made from code they saved of all our worlds, not time travel or anything. So... we're code-people, based on who we were before our worlds were destroyed. We were kind of made by computers, I guess? Only we're in bodies, like... you are. After Haru-san wakes you up.
[ ... This is probably not helpful at all. SORRY... ]
no subject
Understood. Just Chihiro-chan then.
[Argh! That feels so weird to him but he'll keep it to himself. Just another thing to hide behind a kindly smile.
He nods at the names she lists.]
I see.
[Then he shakes his head/]
That's fine, Chihiro-chan. Those are swords I am familiar with and I'm sure they'll be able to help me find my family. Anyway, some of our names are quite a mouthful to say and difficult to remember!
[He lets out a little chuckle, trying to lighten the mood a bit.]
I hope Tsurumaru-dono hasn't been making too much of a nuisance of himself here. Though he's older than me, he's always acting like one of my younger brothers!
[Plus they've kind of been roomies for the past 300 years since they are both Imperial Treasures!
Ichigo listens quietly and attentively to her explanation.]
I see. How do we get back to the city...
[Then his eyes widen in shock at her next words!]
Des-Destroyed? Our worlds were... destroyed...?
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She still resolves to find one of the swords she knows and sit down and memorize names. It's not like the city's really functional or she's worried about work or school these days... seriously. ]
Tsurumaru-san has been very kind. Even if he says kindness isn't always easy, I can say he's been a reliable person, and kind to me. Inventive, too.
[ They've had discussions about this... what she does not mention: they're pretty cool, they went roof rappelling together, this is normal? He said don't steal him? She thought that was a joke??? Seriously she's not a sword napper that's just silly even as a sword without a human-style body they could probably still kick her butt. Somehow.
Her expression takes a turn for the serious as he processes through her strung together mouthful. She's a strange mix of optimistic and not when it comes to their worlds. Accepting them as destroyed allows her to fully focus on helping find the means of restoring them. She can only be pleasantly surprised if the contracts and everything else somehow turn out to be a lie.
But she can't be let down if they're true. Face the worst, hope for better, and carry on regardless in pursuit of her goal. ]
I'm sorry, Hitofuri-san. From everything I understand, that is true. Our worlds have been destroyed. We're focused on getting them back. We will get them back.
[ She's Absolutely Certain™ of that much. ]
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[Though sometimes his games and tricks get a little out of hand and Ichigo has to go all big protective brother on him! Also Ichigo had better not learn about the roof rappelling or he might need to give Tsuru a lecture on the dangers of doing so with a child as young as Chihiro! Seriously, what were you thinking, Tsuru?? She's a human child!
Little Ichigo looks up at her with those large deep gold eyes. He wants to believe her. He really does. He considers it for a moment then decides she has no reason to lie to him. He nods. He will believe in her optimism.]
What can I do to help get them back?
[He smiles with amusement at being called 'Hitofuri-san'.]
And it's just 'Ichigo'. Everyone calls me 'Ichigo'.
[With or without an honorific of their choice like -dono, -san or -kun. Only his brothers get to call him Ichi-nii. And there was the time he was known as 'Tenka-sama', but that's a story for another day and part of the huge clunk of memories he lost...]
no subject
... Support your comrades. Be prepared.
[ Her eyes open. ]
Things have been getting weirder. I don't know what it means... but it's likely that whatever's been happening is going to finish happening soon. I'm guessing people who can act fast and fight are going to be very necessary.
[ People who are not her; she'll gladly fall back to carrying messages or whatever else is in her skillrange. ]
I'm going to need to leave those kinds of things to you, Ichigo-san.
[ This said with one last bow, because she's really asking, not telling; she has a lot of respect for the different strengths and skills of all those she's met here. It's just knowing... what she's talked about before with Kashuu. That it's unlikely there won't be casualties, when things come down the line, that makes it important to her to know that those capable of defending and protecting her friends are able and willing to do exactly that.
... Granted, swords might be better built to lean that way anyway, but that's not quite how she thinks. ]
Please take care of your friends. You'll be big again soon... [ her eyes slide back to his vessel, a tiny smile turning her lips up at the corners. ] ... or at least both parts of you will be the right size together.
[ He's not small, after all. He is exactly the size he's supposed to be. (Sorry for this literal child...) ]
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Understood. I shall lead them to victory and we shall swiftly and gracefully vanquish the enemy.
[He is used to leading troops to battle and to leading his own personal army of brothers. He was also the beloved sword of the great unifier of Japan, Hideyoshi Toyotomi. He will do his best in the upcoming battle and not let anything tarnish the great name of his creator, Yoshimistu Awataguchi, who was one of the Three Great Swordsmiths of Japan.
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She really hopes his friends can give him better things. She's not quiiite equipped to do so. ]
Good luck. And stay safe.
[ Followed by a pause: ]
... Do you want to look for the exit to this place for now?
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I will ensure that my troops return safely. [Even if it should cost his own life for perishing in battle is a glorious end... Much better than being burnt to the ground then being reforged and losing the memories of the greater part of one's life...
Then the kindly smile returns to his face and he nods.]
I would very much like to, Chihiro-chan.
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... THough she'd prefer to avoid death or reforging, given her too literal take on swords and the not entirely logical streak she's developed of not wanting them to get hurt, since... it does require reforging, versus human injuries being handled without a bellows, fire, and a weaponsmith. Clearly she's better able to take damage. (... NO?)
Thankfully! Unless the glitching monster stumbles on them, it's not a point she'll be acting on anytime soon. Instead she smiles back, nods her head, and claps her hands together. ]
Okay! I'm not sure where it is yet, but each level has one. I was thinking it might be near the half-finished tunnel I saw from up on the taller buildings.
[ Glancing to him: ]
Wanna start by checking things out that way?
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He nods and picks up his sword again, struggling a bit to keep his balance. He never knew his true self was so... heavy. He should go on a diet. Would a diet even affect the size and weight of his vessel? Though dieting and not having enough sleep due to constant nightmares is probably a very bad mix... Anyway, he beams up at her.]
That sounds like a good idea! Please lead the way, Chihiro-chan!
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Also stop dieting away, that doesn't seem like it'd work, new friend!
Chihiro takes the lead, having approximately zero idea of how right her direction of choice is, but figuring a methodical enough approach means investigating all reasonable avenues. She ah... only pauses to ask over her shoulder: ]
Um, I found it easier to carry Samonji-san at an angle across my back. ... I've got fabric if you'd like anything to tie yourself down with.
[ ... yeah, facing forward and scanning the streets in front of them after having made the one suggestion that comes to mind. He's smaller than she is, but the principle's about the same. Neither one of them is built to carry swords up to six feet long with any great deal of ease??? ]
no subject
Eh? Carry Samonji-dono? [And because there are actually three Samonji swords!] Was it Kousetsu-dono? Did something happen to him? And trying myself to my back does sound like a better way than trying to hold it.
[Well, he is not quite 6 feet since he was shortened but it's true that his current human form is most ill-suited to wielding his vessel. Though back home tiny Hotarumaru somehow manages to wield his Oodachi self just fine ...]
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Something was making powers go weird. His human part went away, so he was back in his vessel. I helped carry him to where you all live.
[ "You all." Not strictly true, but she did carry Kousetsu back to the apartments where a number of the swords had lived/were living/still live in, as far as she knows. She also pauses to dig into pockets and pull out the tasuki in question. She holds it out for Ichigo. ]
Here you go! I can tie it on for you, too, if you want. ... Or hold your vessel if you don't want to set it down on the ground again, but... I don't want to be rude.
[ She's 100% not sure when she should be offering to hold anyone's vessel, despite the fact she's actually okay touching people casually as it is. Still, she makes the offers just in case, so that he can say no instead of ever having to ask. ]
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Thank you. I would much appreciate it if you could help me tie it to my back.
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[ no promises on anything else. Politely side stepping making promises she can't guarantee. She turns back, pulling out the tasuki and slipping around behind him like she's going to tie his sleeves back out of the way. She's fairly quick, tying firm and with a nice big bow. ]
There. Would you like help placing your vessel?
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[He stays still as she works. Then he hands her his sword.] Yes, please, if it’s not too much trouble.
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Does that feel secure enough?
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Mn! It's perfect! Thank you, Chihiro-chan!
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You're welcome, Ichigo-san. Now... let's get out of here!
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Yes, let's.
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... though really that would dump Ichigo into the presentation on Cerealia, so... ganbatte, applicant!! (ty for this thread) (i'm so sorry for chihiro) ]