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video; un: lookingforshinsengumi

U-Um..

[ When the video starts, the girl visible looks clearly shaken up. She's looking a little pale, but it mostly seems to be since she's scared - since it matches the way her eyes look wider than usually, and the way she's breathing a little hard, like she's been running around for a while now. There's even some drops of sweat at her temples because of it. ]

I'm sorry to bother everyone. [ Despite her state, it's like she somehow can't help but mutter those words first, even offering a faintly apologetic bow of her head before she quickly glances around her and then speaks on. ] But, I-- I.. think I'm in danger, and I don't know what to do about it..

[ A valid reason to ask a question on here, one might say, and yet Chizuru seems so awkward about it all the same. ]

The other day I started seeing ghosts here around town. Um, ghosts I.. I recognize. I'm not sure if they're ghosts, but I can't imagine what else they'd be.. [ Because it's clearly not those people actually being there. ] At first it was just me seeing them and nothing else, but now every time I see one, they rush towards me to try and attack me. It's..

[ She hesitates, but then admits, helplessly, stammering-- ]

It's scary. It's really scary.. Has anyone else experienced this? Or.. what should I do..? I really don't know..

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[viktor eases just a touch- okay, this is something. hopefully this means someone can at least help her escape if things get dire, for a time. more time to research what they can do.

of course then chizuru is gasping, and he's concerned again.] Chizuru? What is it?

[ There's a brief pause before she responds. Nothing too long, but there's just enough of a delay to indicate that something really must have grabbed her attention if she isn't reassuring Viktor that everything is fine right away. ]

It's-- [ She finally starts, glancing back at the screen, but seeming to also be half-keeping an eye on something off screen.. ]

.. one of them appeared again just now.. H-He's not doing anything yet.

[ Thankfully. Even though Chizuru isn't too sure how long it'll last, knowing her luck so far. ]

[viktor is trying not to be too alarmed, surely there would be yelling? something? if violence was happening again.

ok, whew, another one. actually maybe that's bad but it's not the worst case scenario.]

Are these your friends from home? The group you found yourself with.

Yes..

[ Chizuru seems to be making an attempt to turn her device around. She definitely isn't used enough to the Omni yet to do it very smoothly, but after a moment she has turned it around to show what she was looking at, the device recording it for Viktor to see.

There's a figure in the distance. Not too far away from Chizuru, but she definitely still put a safe distance between her and the ghost, just in case.. It's a man with long, flowing black hair pulled back into a ponytail, and wearing a style of clothing very similar to Chizuru's own.

Rather than looking at Chizuru, he seems to be staring off into the distance. ]

That's Hijikata-san. [ Chizuru's voice sounds, even though she's not on screen right now. ] He is the vice-commander of that group. I've seen all of them appear at this point, but maybe I've actually seen him the most often so far..

[it's good to get a look at the ghosts, even just to see how they appear. he's been making his way to the archives as they speak now, prepared to start looking into all this, the only way he can really think to help.

a severe looking man. the one she's seen most has him asking,] Were you closest with him?

[ She lets out an uncertain hum, before adding: ]

I don't know..

[ After all, it's kind of hard to rank her relationships with all of those men, since every single one was so different from the other. Still, Chizuru realises that it's not the most helpful answer in the world, so she does try to elaborate a little on her uncertainty. ]

Hijikata-san.. he's very strict. I think that it was mostly just a bother to him that I was around at first.. [ Granted, some of that might be Chizuru's bother-coloured glasses giving the situation a certain tint. ] But in the end, he was probably the person who protected me the most whenever that person my father wanted me to be with showed up to try and take me with him.

[yeah, viktor isn't sure he can take that at face value, given chizuru is very quick to see herself a bother. he considers all this, a frown at the mention of this other man.

good. hijikata was a-ok in his book when he wasn't a potentially violent ghost.]

If this is born from your mind I wonder if that is it. As unpleasant as it is to imagine if this is meant to upset you then having your primary protector turned violent it... well, just that. [upsetting.]

.. you think that it's meant to upset me..?

[ It's not like Viktor is wrong. It does upset Chizuru - and exactly for that reason. Seeing the people you've seen so close to, basically the only people you've ever known, turn on you like that..

It's scary. And it hurts. So he's right that it hurts, but the part she's wondering about instead is-- ]

Like something is intentionally doing this?

[ That thought hadn't occurred to her yet. Not with how Chizuru wants to think the best of every situation. ]

... perhaps. Or at least test you. It seems often bits of our past are plucked from our minds and we are made to face it.

And with the violence these ghosts show- well, it seems likely.

[his least favorite part of the trench, mental attacks. so good.

he's quick to offer,] In that way it is no reflection of these people and how they feel for you, Chizuru. They are wearing the masks of these men, nothing more.

[ Chizuru is quiet. It's hard to tell in the moment that she's quiet whether it's because she's upset - perhaps for the exact reason he's quickly trying to combat with the last thing he says - or just because she's thinking.

Or maybe a little bit of both.

It's even harder to tell since her face isn't in view, the camera still focused on the ghost, but Chizuru's voice does sound a little tighter when she speaks up again. ]

Why would they test me like this? I.. I mean, um.. What would this be supposed to test? It just hurts to see all of them again like this..

I do not know. I could theorize on it but that is all it would be, theories.

[guesses, more like, with no solid basis. wild attempts to make sense of what may very well be senseless torment.

at least he refuses to believe it's all for entertainment just yet. that's a little too depressing to settle on.]

It is a storm to be weathered, at the very least. And as you can see you are not alone in it.

.. you're right.

[ There's the sound of the device being moved as the view spins, and then Chizuru's face is right there in full view again. The girl still doesn't look exactly comfortable, but she at least looks like she might be trying to calm herself down here.

It's at least something. ]

I should try focusing on that, right? Maybe if I just stay calm, then.. the ghost might stay this way, and not attack me until someone shows up.. [ She slowly breathes out. ] .. you talking to me helps too though, you know. Thank you so much for doing that.

[it is a relief, even if there's so little he can do he can't help but feel frustrated. moments ticking by are just another the ghost could turn.

of course chizuru thanks him for what he can do, and his lips quirk, faint but sincere. maybe a touch grateful, to feel like he helped even a touch.]

Of course. I would like to stay talking until someone gets there, if you'll allow the company. [a mild joke, vague attempt to lighten the mood. still.] Staying calm is indeed the best you can do. Even if they attack you will have a clearer head to make an escape.

[ Thankfully Chizuru recognizes it for the attempt at humour that it is - rather than getting all flustered about it and telling him that of course he can always talk to her..

Hence why she instead smiles a little. It's a nervous smile, but that's better than nothing, right? ]

Well, thankfully I have a lot of experience with getting away from danger..

[ Probably a little too much experience, really. ]

Though sometimes in this place it feels like it'd be a little bit easier if I could actually fight back, you know..? [ She wonders if it's something Viktor struggles with too. He must have a hard time fighting as well, given his condition. ]

[he absolutely does, and offers a soft sigh to that extent.] I do know. Sometimes... hm. It is difficult to be so dependent on the strength of others in these matters.

I admit I've been considering learning more of paleblood magic, in that regard. [how useful it'd be who knows, but still.] Have you considered it? Learning to fight back.

People have talked to me about learning more about blood magic.

[ Which is.. perhaps not an exact answer to his question here, but maybe it's just that Chizuru isn't entirely sure of the actual answer. Or she doesn't want to say it.

Still, it comes close enough to be an answer here, especially as she elaborates. ]

But from what I heard about paleblood magic.. It didn't really sound to me like something you could use in battle. [ Granted - Chizuru only got her information from other people, so it could just be that someone skipped over something somewhere. ] Or did you hear something else..?

I suppose you have a point there. Paleblood powers I've heard are usually mind reading, dream walking or prophecy. Not exactly useful in our dilemma.

[a sigh. he admits,] I simply have little else that could be done unless I delve into weapons. You though Chizuru, you could train. There are several schools here, and if you prefer basic techniques I know a man named Jason who would be willing to teach.

[ There's a faint pause.

Chizuru trusts Viktor with her life, really, but she's just meek enough and shy around new people that she can't help but still ask this out loud, sounding a tad unsure. ]

That man.. He's not.. [ She pauses. Awkwardly. She doesn't want to accidentally insult one of Viktor's potential friends, after all!!

It might be why she's lowering her voice to a whisper, despite both of them not even being in the same place in this moment. ]

.. he's not scary, right..?

[ Look, Chizuru has met some scary combat instructors in the past! She knows the way some of them can be! ]

[ok it takes an effort not to laugh, mostly because... well, given the instructors of the schools during that tournament? fair question. extremely fair question. sorry johnny, please leave chizuru alone.

he considers for a moment though. was jason frightening? he doesn't think so, though chizuru certainly had a different metric there.]

I don't think so. At the very least he isn't the type to yell and harass in a lesson. He's always been quite straight forward. He taught me to punch properly, actually.

I could introduce you, if you'd like. [give her morale support basically.]

Okay.. If you say so. I trust you, Viktor.

[ At least enough to think that he wouldn't tell her someone isn't scary at all when they are actually scary. He wouldn't play such a cruel prank on her, right..

Regardless, the girl still seems a little apprehensive. Though it's more at the idea of meeting a new person more so than anything else here. ]

Maybe you could introduce me to him in person..? [ Meaning that Viktor will be present for it too.

As a ~~person Chizuru can hide behind in case it gets too scary~~ third party. ]

I'll let him know. [infact maybe this is why he specifically invited them to the festival? love when all this works out.

and he nods.] I certainly can. Maybe I'll come to some more training with you as well. I've been a bit lax in it after learning the basics.

[his own limits there sometimes annoy him but he might as well try. jason did mention learning to use his cane as a weapon better.]

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video; un: lookingforshinsengumi

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