the13tharcana | IC contact post for Adstringendum

You could say that. He's somewhat of a prodigy, you see. Unfortunately, he's also one crayon short of a full box. I was aware that he was ambitious enough, but I never really thought he had the means~

[He's... not going to mention the way that he acquired those means, either.]

That's right. Though it seems I have to be physically present for both here. It's the same for him, but it's that way at home, as well. At least at home, I have a considerable advantage.

[He lets out a little sigh, glancing away for a second. Everything in general is better at home.]

Noise are creatures made up of the Soul energy that creates all living things. They exist on a plane separate from the RG and the UG, yet they are able to traverse both. They feed off of the negative energy given off by humans and block the flow of positive energy. He, like any other Reaper, can summon existing Noise and send it to attack Players.

Minamimoto, though, seems to have stumbled on a taboo method of creating them himself. Strong ones that are resistant to normal types of attack. Though, considering there isn't any spare Soul energy floating around here, I doubt he's capable of that.

[He smiles again, eyes lifting to the sky.]

As for Noise forms... well, only Reaper Officers and above are capable of having those. Think of it like a Final Boss form. Enhanced speed, strength, defenses... Not to mention, it's considerably intimidating.

...You were able to read people's thoughts without being physically present around them before? [Well that was kind of... both amazing and a little scary at the same time? Though Ryoji supposed it only made sense, if Josh was being connected to the whole city like that.] But this is something you have control over, right? Or do you hear what people think even without meaning to all the time?

[Because if it was the latter? Ryoji could only imagine how annoying and tiring something like that could be.]

So this Noise that you speak of... is more or less a physical manifestation of the negative energy people create? A kind of 'evil spirit' thing? Or is it something neutral in nature, but becomes negative the more negativity it feeds on? Is there positive type of Noise as well? [How both of their worlds worked seemed complicated to explain in this regard, wasn't it?] And there's no spare Soul energy around here? ...But it still exists in people, right? Or is it replaced with something entirely different here?

[Sorry for all the questions, Josh, but you're gotten Ryoji curious now.]

Meaning that... you have a Noise form yourself?

Of course. I could hear the thoughts of everyone in the city, if I so wished. [He waves a hand.] I didn't have control over it at first, but it didn't take long to figure out how to filter it all out.

[Granted, he'd had an awful headache for a week or so.]

Noise are made from Soul energy, actually. They simply instigate negative emotions. While they exist in both the UG and the RG, the only plane they're physicaly physically present on is the UG. They're more like spirits on the RG, possessing people and drawing out their negative feelings. Normally, people can't see them at all. It takes a special natural talent to be able to see the UG from the RG.

[He pauses for a moment, considering.] There isn't any Soul energy here because people don't die here. Not in the normal sense, anyway. It's present in those living here, sure, but there isn't a way to tap into it to create Noise. [Not that isn't taboo, anyway.] Because the Animus hold the souls of the dead and place them back where they belong, it doesn't really work the same as it does at home.

[... and that question gets a little smirk, and a bit of silence as Joshua glances away. He'd normally be evasive, but... well, it's Ryoji. It isn't like it will hurt anything.]

I haven't needed to use it in a long time.

[So are you able to tell what I'm thinking right now? Ryoji asked the question in his mind and turned silent for a moment, wondering whether Josh would catch it. If not, then... well, that would mean that either Joshua wasn't invading his mind right now, or would try to make Ryoji think that he didn't on purpose.]

I see. So I guess it's no wonder that this place works differently, considering. The Animus disrupt the natural order of things - and obviously in regards to a lot more than just that.

The Dark Hour that I mentioned to you about a while back doesn't seem to be taking place here, either, after all... but then again that's also an anomaly that started happening back in my world, so perhaps it's not that surprising that it doesn't happen anywhere else.

[Just like not everyone was aware of the things Josh was talking about, besides the residents of Shibuya. But all in all, just because Ryoji wasn't aware of something like the UG existing back in his world, it didn't necessarily mean it wasn't there. And come to think of it, the UG and the Dark Hour seemed to have a few similarities when you looked at it a bit closer. Especially in regards to the 'natural talent' thing, at least.

Ryoji blinks at that smirk, suddenly even more curious.]

Are you still able to use it here?

[Hm. Clever, Ryoji. And here he'd thought you had found your answer long before this. It wasn't really anything to hide, considering what Ryoji already knew, so... 'Of course I can.' Ryoji will be able to hear it ringing through his own thoughts, clear as day.]

I doubt that there's much in common with any world out there, really, other than a few buildings. There isn't a Game here at all, and to be quite honest, this world feels incredibly chaotic. Though, that probably doesn't come as a surprise.

[He tilts his head skyward again, chewing the inside of his lower lip in thought.]

I can. It takes a lot of energy, but...

[Ryoji perks up at the answer immediately, giving Josh an excited smile. Because as much as he knew that the other could read his thoughts, this was the first time Joshua gave him a reply in such a way. So they could practically communicate like this without saying anything at all! (Just like Josh could do with his kitty?) Talk about being able to hold private conversations with other people around as if nothing. ...Oh, of all the places they could go with this.

Well, of course Ryoji had the disadvantage of not being able to read Joshua's thoughts on his own in return, while being totally exposed himself. But he made peace with this fact a longer while ago already, anyway.]

So you tried changing here before already, I take it?

[Oh, of course. It's the best way to hold conversations behind someone's back without them knowing. He and Sanae do it all the time, honestly~ ... and of course, he's been conversing with Poco quite a bit, too. It helps, to be able to talk to him like that. Especially considering he's a nekomata. If something happens and he goes berserk, it could be easier to control him.]

Only a couple of times. It's a little exhausting, honestly.

[Exhausting, huh? Well, Ryoji wasn't really intending to push it at first, but if it didn't have any other negative symptoms beside just that... At least, from what Joshua was saying...]

So... what are the chances of me bribing you into showing it to me?

[Only a little more exhausting than flying, dragging Ryoji with him, supporting his weight with telekinesis and blocking bullets with telekinetic shields.]

... it depends on what you're using as a bribe, I suppose.

[...Okay. Ryoji would most likely think twice if he knew it was that exhausting.]

Well, there's not really much I could use besides another bowl of ramen, I guess? [As far as material things went, at least. But you weren't really interested in... non-material things as far as Ryoji was concerned, were you, Josh?]

So maybe there's something else that could go along with your wishes that I'm not aware of yet?

[As far as bribes go, material is the way to go. Non-material... well, he's still solidly on the fence about that. In terms of bribing, anyway.

A little sigh, and he pushes a bit of hair from his face.]

If I'm going to do this, I need a bit of open space.

[Shifting in cramped quarters was usually fairly uncomfortable.]

Open space...?

[Ryoji blinked, taking a moment to actually register that information. Did Josh just agree to it, just like that? And-- excuse him for panicking there a bit but he wasn't sure if he should start running away and put some distance between himself and Josh yet or--]

--Wait, you mean this bridge is too small for that?

[Hey, as long as Ryoji is willing to make him ramen, he doesn't mind doing it. He'll just have to rest up a little before heading home. No big deal.

Joshua glances around the bridge for a moment, considering.]

Well, if I do it here, I won't have very much room to stretch my wings, if you will.

[The moment Josh mentions wings, Ryoji glances up to the bridge's construction himself, trying to even imagine how big those must be. ...Which pretty much leaves him in awe already.]

Should we head to the wastes or something, then?

[Because if the bridge didn't do the trick, he assumes the top of the city walls alone wouldn't do that, either.

...Not to mention something like that was bound to catch most of Adstringendum's population's attention?]

[The wastes are ideal, actually! He could do this anywhere within the city walls, actually, but out there... well, the little burst of power would go unnoticed. And he didn't need Sanae poking around asking him why he'd shifted into Noise form.]

That sounds like an excellent idea.

[It isn't like the bridge is that far from the wall, anyway.]

[Great!]

Off we go, then?

[...Nothing would attack them there if they stayed close to the border, right? Ryoji was about to start walking, all excited-- while he suddenly slowed down and paused for a moment more, all the eagerness fading.]

Uh... is now the appropriate moment for me to mention that I've never actually been outside the city walls before?

Off we go.

[Of course nothing would attack. If it did, Joshua could easily take care of it, anyway. And you haven't really seen him in combat yet, have you, Ryoji?

The question makes Joshua pause, turning to glance at Ryoji with a rather amused little smile.]

I wouldn't worry. You're going in good company.

[Ryoji can't help but chuckle at that. And blush just a little bit because those words alone made him really happy-- but you didn't see a thing, Josh.]

That I am~ Well then, lead the way, mister-Joshua-senpai-bodyguard!

[...No, don't question your new title, Josh.]

[... he isn't even going to ask, Ryoji. Really.]

As you wish~

[Follow close behind, Ryoji. The wall isn't far, and while he can just hop over the top of it, he'll forego that to take the far more normal route of going through the gate.]

[No need to tell him twice! Ryoji smiles and follows Josh close behind, and even though they don't get to talk much during their way to the place in question, that walk alone is something Ryoji was sure he would long cherish. He also appreciates Joshua going out of his way and not jumping over the wall like he'd probably normally do.

And the wastes themselves? Well... perhaps they weren't exactly what Ryoji expected them to look like. They almost seemed... kind of plain?]

Have you been outside a lot yourself, Joshua-senpai?

[They only look plain because they aren't far enough out for things to really shift. Walk about a half a mile out, and you're in for a show.]

A few times, yes.

[Well, that's not something Ryoji will probably have the opportunity to see for himself anytime soon. Unless someone were to talk him into going with them or something...]

Out of curiosity?

[It's always safer to travel with at least one other person. Though Joshua doesn't usually play by that rule...]

Curiosity and boredom, mostly.

[At times like these Ryoji kind of missed his ability to change into his Thanatos form. But only a little bit.]

Well, this is enough of open space for you, isn't it?

[Good thing it's only a little bit, because as far as Joshua is concerned, Ryoji isn't getting it back.

He pauses, looking around for a moment.]

... yes, this should work nicely.

[Not too far from the city walls at all, but far enough that he has plenty of room. He slips his hands into his pockets, smiling.]

Ready?

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