Serenity like a polished mirror and still water is a phrase people use to refer to unflappable calm. It also refers to wishing to stay calm at all times no matter how harsh the trials ahead of you may be. For one man (Shiva), that was something he tried hard to become as he disciplined his mind and body. He wanted the power to defy his fate as opposed to anything else, and he gave his full attention to this goal. He just wanted to be strong.
As a reminder as to this season's nonsense, the loud yelling of uninvited camp guests has become the signal flare to a new summer adventure! We now have an Ancient Wolf's skull brought up from some overworld shift, and its voice was heard by Magami when it collided with his head! Our impromptu event party has formed to take it back to where it came from, but now an unforeseen adventure awaits you all!
Back to the story proper, Shirou hands you a backpack with supplies and asks you to be careful since anything can happen. A couple of his Evils cheer for you and raise their arms at you as they bounce by his feet. Kengo by contrast complains about you being the only one to go off gallivanting and demands he be taken along. Hanuman does too. Kijimuna and Agyou also plead to join in as they promise to be good kids, and Robinson expresses his surprise at some other incident happening as soon as he comes back from his own adventure, then comments that you're the same as always, no matter what happens.
Arachne comments on all the fuss and says she understands how they feel, but she has to apologize. Her special boat just doesn't have enough space to take everyone along. Shirou points that if people tried going along anyways, the boat might capsize. They've already promised to help Maria and the others with other things anyway, so Shirou suggests they split up there. Maria agrees with Shirou, saying having too many people in a boat would be dangerous.
Ryouta says that things being the way they are, they'll just have to leave you to it. Plus you've already promised to go, but once you get back Ryouta suggests that you join everyone else for some summer fun. Kengo reluctantly gives in, and Robinson makes a bid to be the leader for the group over here. Hanuman playfully argues for the role himself, and Kengo says he should be leader as he demands they treat him with more respect. Kengo then turns to you and tells you to call in if anything happens so they'll come over right away. You thank the gang for seeing you off, ask them to tell the Missionaries you said hi, or ask them to be careful too. In A, Shirou asks that you not be out too long and to be careful not getting hurt. He's about to say more when Ryouta tells him to chill and mentions being excited to hear what happens when you get back. In B and C, Kengo says they may as well have their own adventure, then wishes you luck.
Anyways, Tajikarao tells the gang he'll take care of you as a Kioh Police Academy student. Arachne says he has a good spirit, but she asks if he's fine going downriver in his police uniform since she figures it'd be a problem if it got wet. Tajikarao turns out to have forgotten all about that concern, but he insists it'll be fine. If it comes to it, he'll just take it off and put it on his head. It's just a job risk when he's protecting the public.
Arachne is affronted at this total ignoring of fashion, though she's not against the gym aesthetic and worries about it impeding the PR video pictures. She says she'll just accept Tajikarao's feelings, and you either agree that Arachne has a point, thank Tajikarao for wanting to protect you two, or say you DO want to see Tajikarao take his clothes off. In A and B, Tajikarao says he understands and that it'd be an honor to protect citizens. Magami says Tajikarao really is reliable and barks that everyone in school looks up to him. Tajikarao laughs and says Magami is pretty buff to keep up with him too, and Arachne comments that it's nice they get along so well, but she notes he's ignored her point. In C, Tajikarao is flattered and says you do get how it is. Magami takes the idea of Tajikarao stripping off to show himself off as a challenge that he should do so too, so Arachne freaks out and asks you not to provoke that side of them.
In any case, Arachne says this is a good time as any to try out some more appropriate fashion, then apologizes preemptively for what she's going to do. Tajikarao and Magami are shocked when Arachne instantly switches them out of their uniforms and into life jackets, and Arachne explains she put some quick ready-made clothes for them. She really can do it on short notice if she tries!
You either express shock at the instant swimsuit change or be pleased and drool a little over Tajikarao and Magami. Tajikarao comments on how skintight it is, which helps him feel both professional and liberated from clothes at the same time. Arachne is glad he likes it and says he can order his own unique haute couture if he wants. You either say it's time to go and order the party to move out and/or say you'll go take a lot of pictures. The rest of the gang wave you off, and Magami tells you the goal is downstream. He's good at guiding people, so he'll keep you guys oriented. Arachne is excited to go as she suggests getting the summer adventure rolling and looking for inspiration.
Some time later, Arachne comments on how nice the wind and flow of the water are. She asks if it's fine to leave the paddling to Magami and Tajikarao, saying they can switch out if they get tired. Tajikarao says it'll be fine since they have to do a lot of training every day. Magami agrees saying he can't leave the physical work to you guys when you guys are going along with his selfishness. You either thank Magami, call them both reliable, or whine that you want to row the boat too.
In A, Magami politely thanks you too, then asks you and Tajikarao to instruct and encourage him. He also asks you two to be firm with him. In B, Tajikarao is pleased and tells you to rely on them as much as you like. He starts talking to himself about maybe getting something from the headmaster if his efforts get recognized, then immediately claims it's nothing. Magami takes note that it's weird for Tajikarao to hide something and wonders what it is. In C, Magami is impressed and asks you to teach him rowing tricks later.
Anyways, Arachne starts commenting that the police students must have it rough since they have to keep practicing during social holidays. Tajikarao says the rules are strict, but he can get a break if he properly applies for one. Right now though he's stuck being with Magami everywhere, so his breaks have to be at the same time Magami's are. Arachne is surprised at this and asks if there's a reason for that, so Magami admits he's doing badly as a police dog and has begged Tajikarao to help him with his extra lessons over the summer.
You are surprised at the idea of police dog grading and asks what the police dog department even is. Tajikarao explains that with all the Transients in Tokyo now, schools are creating new departments to offer new future paths for people. The police school has a police dog department just like how the Santa school has a reindeer department, and it helps a lot of beastfolk Transients develop their talents at being a police dog. Tajikarao never originally had any interest in being a handler, but he was picked to be one as a practice link partner for someone outside the police dog department.
Magami tells you he's been told he's extremely curious compared to the other police dog students, which resulted in him having difficulties working with other police officers. Until he does something about his tendency to chase after anything that catches his interest, he'll be prevented from having long vacations. Arachne notes that he was rather stubborn earlier, but she doesn't think it's a bad thing to go after his goals. She sighs for a moment and says she can't act like she's uninvolved anymore since she's sympathizing with him. She also notes how attached Magami is to the wolf skull and asks if there's something to that. Magami answers that it has to do with himself, so you ask for elaboration.
Magami explains that his body has the power to investigate anything it eats or gets hit by, so it's also his artifact. That means he understands things a lot quicker if it hits him in the head, and he also explains it's why the thought of going home has gotten stuck in his head when the skull hit him. He hugs the wolf skull to himself, and Tajikarao is shocked as he tells Magami that he's supposed to have practice not explaining how his artifact works. Magami quickly apologizes to Tajikarao, and Tajikarao starts saying he feels he isn't hiding anything himself before stopping himself and insisting that Magami just shouldn't in case someone tries using his power for themselves. You either say Tajikarao has it rough, say you get what the reckless tendency is about, or point out the irony of Tajikarao saying all that. C gets an extra line of Tajikarao trying to excuse himself saying he only reveals things that won't bother other people.
Since they're on the subject of Magami's artifact, Magami decides to ask Tajikarao to hit him with his big rocky fists. He also asks you to hit him too to make this double as an introduction and become friends with you. It'll be so much faster than saying things, so go ahead and sock him in the stomach! Tajikarao freaks out at this and tells him to stay since what he wants to do is inadvisable in a boat. His commands get even more frantic when Magami decides to stand up all of a sudden, which he says is dangerous. Arachne is also alarmed by Magami's suggestions since violence would be problematic if it got into her commercial video.
You change the subject to ask if anyone else thinks the boat is starting to move faster. The party is confused at this, and the boat is indeed speeding up despite nobody rowing at the time. Arachne is the first to comment on it and wonders if you guys have hit a current in the river. Tajikarao says he can hear crashing waters, and Arachne cuts him off from saying any more in an attempt to deny reality. Up ahead is a waterfall, and below it is Jugo standing there unmoving. He feels something moving underneath his skin, but he stays still. Jugo thinks to himself that he won't let his mind be affected by this since Orochi will be waiting for him to drop his guard. He tells himself to be calm and become stronger, and his burning spirit pushes away the cold falling upon him. It however does nothing to stop the party falling on his head the next moment. You guys have two boats actually, by the way.
Jugo tries to calm himself from the sudden interruption and getting knocked into the drink, and when he gets back up he asks what's going on before spotting one of your boats floating upside down. The party resurfaces soon after, and Tajikarao asks why there's a waterfall over there. Arachne asks if you're alright, and Magami whines that he swallowed a lot of water.
Jugo asks if you guys are okay, and you catch sight of him as you wipe your face off. You tell him you guys are okay somehow, apologize for falling on him, and can optionally think to yourself that he's hot. Jugo holds his hand out for you without thinking about it, and when he realizes what he's doing he pulls back and freaks out telling you you shouldn't touch him. You actually do before he steps back, and when you touch him he seizes up like he's been shocked.
You ask him in alarm if he's okay and/or if he really was hurt by the impact. Jugo thinks to himself wondering what just happened since he felt something run through when you touched him. He's also surprised that the contact made Orochi shut up after all the worming around he was doing, and he wonders if it's his heart that's trembling.
Jugo recomposes himself before looking at you again and saying he's okay and asking about you guys. Magami says they're tough, so they're all okay aside from swallowing some water. Arachne apologizes for the surprise saying you guys were caught up in a conversation that you ended up getting caught in the waterfall. Jugo says it's good you guys are okay, then goes silent. You take note of Jugo's face paling, ask if you've met him somewhere before, or introduce yourself. A gets an extra line of Jugo saying he's okay, probably just a little chill. B has Jugo agree that he does feel like he's seen you before but figuring he should introduce himself anyways.
Jugo takes a deep breath, then speaks like he's at some sort of martial arts match as he gives his name and says he's studying the path of gentleness. He starts saying he's training his mind at the waterfall before awkwardly stopping himself, thinking that's oversharing. Magami needs a moment to think about it before realizing Jugo is saying he's a judo student, so he says there's a lot of dan ranked judo students at Kioh as well. Tajikarao complements Jugo on his discipline and says he should be able to hold up against Kioh students.
Jugo tries to decline the compliment saying he's still in training and points out there's Transients bigger than him. Based on appearances alone and compared to them two, he has a long way to go. You think on the human to Transient comparison and say you feel there's not much to be done about that, or you sigh how nice it is that Jugo is humble and earnest. C has an extra bit of Jugo being surprised you said that and says he wasn't trying to fish for compliments. He then apologizes and says he isn't mad at you guys, just disappointed with himself.
Anyways, Jugo thanks you guys for being concerned with him but says he can't presume upon your kindness. He speaks hesitantly and balls his fists as he looks down, at which point Shiva walks up saying it's you again. Here you are showing your face again when he's trying to challenge his limits away from the frivolities of the world, and the party turns to look in curiosity.
Shiva has apparently been training so hard that steam is rising off of him, and gets pissed as he asks why you keep showing up. The party is shocked at this sudden crazy twist of events, and you either are shocked to see Shiva, try to explain you just were carried here by the river, or dramatically gasp at how white his swimsuit fundoshi is. B has Shiva interpret your comment of being carried as being carried away by social customs and calls you a weakling for it. Wherever you came from, he tells you to stand firm and resolute. Arachne attempts to clear the misunderstanding and make the conversation more reasonable. In C, Shiva is confused by what you're talking about, then asks why your arms and legs are barer than usual before realizing you're in a swimsuit. He figures this must be some sort of trick and yells that he won't accept wearing a swimsuit for summer. Tajikarao wonders if he's right and that you should be manly or pure or whatever outdoors. Magami says he agrees with Tajikarao, though he doesn't understand what's going on. Arachne is baffled at how the conversation got to this point.
Anyways, Shiva tells you all to shut up since it's bothering his meditation. Arachne tries apologizing since it did happen because of you guys being careless. Magami tries arguing that the carelessness doesn't matter much because you guys fell off a freaking waterfall, so Tajikarao tells him to hush up and stay. Shiva accepts the apology but says he's not addressing just you guys. He talks about how everyone is using summer as an excuse to indulge in their desires, then asks if you know why he's angry.
Shiva says he came to visit earlier at your school, at which point someone told him you went off to hang out with other people. That was when he decided to get away from the foolishness of the world and train in isolation. So do you get it yet? Do you see why he seethes in such anger and indignation??? You either ask if he's jealous, ask if he wanted to be invited along, or ask if he wanted to invite you somewhere. Every answer has him surprised and blushing for a moment before angrily denying the idea, though C throws in some extra embarrassment on Shiva's end.
Shiva talks about how he's training and seeking the truth to resist worldly desires. But then you had to show up and lead him astray, and he just can't deal with that. Seeing your face is the one thing that makes his mind of steel bend! Jugo decides to step in to speak against this rant, and Shiva asks who he is, surprised at this interruption. The rest of the party is also surprised at Jugo stepping forward, and Jugo talks about also being someone trying to train his heart and mind at the waterfall. He figures Shiva should be well-informed based on appearances, but as another martial artist he won't stand for how Shiva spoke to you. He admits to just meeting you and not knowing your relationship with Shiva, but he won't stand for Shiva blaming you for his own heart wavering.
You either attempt to talk Jugo out of trying to pick a fight with Shiva or sigh over how cool he is. Jugo admits he's not sure why he's mad, but he definitely won't let Shiva slide and challenges him to a match. Shiva is surprised by the move, but he agrees to the fight as another seeker of the path. You either attempt to stop the fight and say Shiva is out of Jugo's league, or you act like the two of them are fighting over you as you try to stop them. In the former, Tajikarao says he can't let this fight happen as a police officer, and Magami agrees as he barks and tells the two to stop. In the latter, Arachne is taken aback that you would actually say that, then tells you it's not the right time for it. And either way, Arachne suggests stepping in to stop them since you guys caused it to begin with. Shiva and Jugo tell you all to butt out, and TV style narration asks if you guys can stop them as it starts the episode battle.
No comments:
Post a Comment