songerein | [OPEN] November Catch-All

Entry tags:

[OPEN] November Catch-All

Who: Toge Inumaki and YOU!
Which: Open Log
Where: Farmlands and Treehouses
What: Quests: Harvesting, squirrel wrangling, and tree pruning
Warnings: N/A, will update as needed!

Harvest Time
[Toge isn’t really much of a farmer, but he’s taken care of the gardens around the Jujutsu High campus, so he knows a thing or two about gardening. So when the call goes out to help out with the farms and harvest the fruit, Toge is there to lend a hand.]

[His short and lean frame doesn’t look like it would be much help with something as labour-intensive as harvesting, but Toge works quite diligently, filling baskets with salvageable vegetables and fruits and bringing them over with the rest of the harvest. He works alone for the most part, softly humming to himself as he works, and might not even be noticed at first due to his quiet nature. But if someone is in need of some help, whether it be needing help carrying baskets of veggies or pulling up weeds, he’ll approach them with a wave, before pointing at their task.]

Tuna mayo?

[By the end of the day, he can be found sitting near a pair of baskets full of food that he was allowed to take home, going through a couple small pouches of seeds. Maybe he can start up a garden closer to home…]

Pesky Squirrels
[Back when Toge had arrived, he had somewhat befriended a squirrel while exploring the rubble and ruins. That squirrel ended up living close to Toge’s chosen treehouse, and had become a familiar figure for Toge to keep an eye out for. So when winter began to set in, Toge decided to help the hungry squirrel, rather than chase it away like others. It was a friend, after all, so why not help it out?]

[The squirrel decides to use a little hollow in the side of Toge’s treehouse as a storehouse for extra acorns and nuts, which is fine; Toge doesn’t take up much space, so he doesn’t mind sharing. However, it seems as though, as “reward” for his help, the squirrel has been dropping off all kinds of trinkets and objects at Toge’s windowsill and door. Objects that most definitely belong to someone else. Toge’s grateful for the thought, but he should… probably return these items. So, he will put out a little PSA out on the journals.]

If anyone’s lost anything small, I might have it at my house. I have a squirrel living in my tree who’s been leaving me gifts.

Treehouse Pruning
[With winter coming, the treehouses have begun to get… interesting. They seem to be getting more excited, or at the very least warmer, which is nice for the encroaching cold but has also led to a couple nights where Toge has woken up sweating from the heat. Something’s gotta be done to regulate this.]

[After seeing a few people trying out their dreamotion powers on the trees to help cool them off, Toge can be found outside of his chosen treehouse, arms crossed and foot tapping. He’s just… gotta channel dreamotion energy, right? But how can he do so? Is it like channeling Cursed Energy? And if it is, will he suffer a backlash for it?]

[He knows the only way for him to test this out is to… do it. But there’s a hesitance to do so. There’s a reason he doesn’t venture out of his chosen safe words and commands very often, after all.]

[So focused on staring at the tree before him, he might not notice others approaching him.]

Wildcard
[Permissions for Toge's Cursed Speech, if it arises, can be found here. If you’d like a custom starter or would like to plan something different out, feel free to PM me here or hit me up on plurk at

pocketnoivern!]

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( lio laughs politely as he has to look away for a second to avoid showing off his equally flustered face. )

It comes from personal experience. When you know you're strong, but you know using your strength recklessly can put people in danger... it's easy to be worried.

( when he does return his gaze back to toge, lio's smile is small but confident, and definitely proud. )

Just be confident in yourself. If you have a good heart, I'm sure you can't do wrong.

( and then he holds out his fist. )

[ Taking in the look on his face - now that she can see all of it - Naminé starts to tuck her chin in response to his open surprise, but remembers just in time that she probably ought to play the part of the encouraging teacher, reserved though she might be by nature. So she urges her shy smile just a little wider instead, giving Toge a fraction of a nod as if to reaffirm her assessment of his skill.

It seems prudent to look away thereafter, so her keen eyes don't miss the tree's slower reaction when they happen to turn that direction. The corners of Naminé's mouth sink thoughtfully, but she holds her tongue long enough for her companion to put his thoughts into written words. Once she's leaned in to read them, the girl straightens again with her, ]

Then I'm glad that it didn't cause you any pain. But... it is strange, isn't it?

[ Curling a hand against her mouth, the girl only needs to consider briefly how to say what she's thinking. It may be that she's given it some mulling over already. ]

It's the same for me. Before I came here, I wasn't able to cast the spell I showed you earlier. I was trying to learn to do it on my own, but without a teacher...

[ That's neither here nor there. Humming, she lets the thought go to simplify it to an, ]

After I'd spent some time in this world, I realized that the magic here seemed different when I tried to practice with it, and that suddenly I could do all sorts of things that I couldn't before. It seems-- almost like the energy that exists within this dream can make other powers stronger, not just create new ones entirely.

[ So it gave something of a boost to what she was trying to learn before. Familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, like his (less-?)Cursed Speech. ]

Ok cool.

Yeah, something like that. And you're right, for the most part. Most phones are able to access the internet in my time, so you're not out of luck if you don't have a computer handy.

A computer is a machine that also lets you access the internet, but it's bigger and has a keyboard... here, let me show you.

[And Toge takes a moment to scribble out a couple little doodles; one of a smartphone, and one of a laptop. It's not the prettiest doodles, but he also adds little notes like "the screen is a touch-screen, so you can just tap it to make things go" and "older computers were bigger and bulkier, most are sleeker and thinner now" and other little notes.]

[There's some deep wisdom in Lio's words, Toge can see it. Lio understands the burden of strength, and how easily it can slip into pain and hurt. But Lio's words fill him with warmth and confidence. He smiles back at Lio, nodding.]

Salmon.

[Yeah... he can at least try that.]

[He blinks at the fist, before his smile widens further, and he lifts his own to bump it against Lio's. Fist bump!]

[Toge nods slowly, his lips curling into a frown. It definitely was strange to speak and not feel the tug of his cursed energy, nor the familiar ache in his throat. He listens to Naminé explain how she learned to use the magic here, slowly nodding. So, this world... seemed to not only grant them new abilities, but augment old ones? Use them in new ways? It's so strange to consider.]

[And yet, there's a strange sort of thrill in Toge's chest. Being able to speak commands other than the ones he's used to, and have different effects... it's something that had never been a possibility. Something only obtained in his wildest dreams...]

[Maybe that's what it is. Maybe because it's a dream, things behave differently here. Now, he wants to know what else is possible.]

[He pauses for a moment, before writing down another sentence for her.]

It's kind of exciting and freaky at the same time.

[ Although Naminé has never been one to long for power, she can still appreciate in her own way the newfound freedom being in a world like this has granted them both. Beating her head against a wall in her previous cage with only secondhand memories to guide her practice when she was trying to learn to defend herself has made such a victory - or such a mercy, perhaps - all the sweeter. (The fact that she has fewer reasons to need to protect herself now is largely irrelevant. It remains an inevitability that she'll be under threat again at some point. Fortune favors the prepared, as they say.)

Perhaps she can sense his excitement, because she smiles even though she agrees, ]

Maybe even a little bit frightening. It's hard to say what the limits are, now - for any of us.

[ And she finds that troubling, sure, but the novelty and wonder of the experience still outweigh that feeling of uncertainty. Gradually, however, the girl seems to sober; with a sidelong glance up at the tree and its leaves, ]

But I do think--

[ The blonde hesitates, cutting herself off. Mouth flattening into a contemplative line, she lowers her head to regard Toge again. Her eyes switch once between his before she appears to decide she trusts him at least enough to not expect a bad reaction if she speaks freely for a moment. ]

I think... that if you're going to cast another spell on your friend, it might prefer that you use a-- happier memory.

[ She may not know what Toge was thinking of exactly, but the sentiment wasn't hard for her to perceive, and neither was the way the tree reacted to it. One of her hands curls unconsciously against her chest as she adds, ]

I probably don't need to tell you this, but living creatures' hearts are delicate. Even if asking nicely hasn't worked in the past, maybe... you can find another new way to speak to them, now that you're here. [ A shoulder lifting as she considers; ] At least to the ones that you don't want to hurt, that is.

[Toge nods, looking up at the tree. There would definitely be limits that need to be discovered, as is the case with any power. Still... it's kind of exciting, thinking of using these new powers of theirs, now that he has a bit of an idea how to use them.]

[He is brought from his thoughts by Naminé's words, and he looks at her with wide eyes. Happy memories..? He blinks a few times, surprise clear on his face, before he looks up at the tree. Oh... had... his memory been too much for the tree?]

...Salted cod roe.

[He says it as he pulls up his collar once more, but Naminé can probably see the embarrassed flush on his face. He didn't mean to harm the tree with the memory he chose... He clears his throat, before writing another sentence for her and offering it to her to read.]

I hadn't thought of that. Cursed energy works on negative emotions.

[Something he definitely has to work on, clearly.]

[. . .This is a lot. And it may take Kazuma some time before he actually answers.]

So a typewriter with a screen that can display a newspaper or whatever you want. It almost seems too convenient to be true. Amazing how far technology will go one day.

( he laughs--- a chirp of a noise that accompanies a smile wide enough that causes him to close his eyes. this kind of friendship... partnership, what have you, is still a little awkward for him. easier to work alone because it reduces the number of those who could be affected by potential failure, but... he believed in toge. so, he knew there was no way he would fail.

a simple and somewhat naïve hope. )

Do you have more trees you want to fix? Maybe you could do mine, too.

[ There's always a line somewhere - it's just a matter of finding it. Still, it's been Naminé's experience that that endpoint usually seems to be much farther out than she ever truly wants to go. She doesn't know the limit of even her own power, and to add yet more on top of that... anyway, it doesn't bear thinking about now.

The girl's own eyes blink a bit wider open at Toge's look, an instinctive sympathy of hers as she watches him realize the side-effect of his magic. She may not know his vocabulary well enough yet to translate the words directly in her mind, but she can recognize the sentiment in his flushed face before he hides it. (His timing in closing his collar again might be telling in itself.) Her reflex to soothe his obvious embarrassment gets held off only long enough for her to wait out his writing, her lips shaped into a wry, apologetic smile. ]

Then you must be used to it working that way, [ she observes understandingly, by way of agreement. ] But maybe you don't have to anymore.

[ Work on those kinds of emotions, that is. Faltering, she offers a bashful look with her amendment, ]

Not that you seem like a negative person to me...!

[ He's been nothing but kind in her presence, after all. She takes just a second to mentally chastise herself for her phrasing, then pulls her smile back together. ]

We'll both have to keep learning new things, just like everyone else who came here with us. So-- I'm sure there'll be plenty of mistakes to go around.

[ She's trying to commiserate, here. ]

Something like that, yeah.

Only for just as much information there is on the internet, there's also a bunch of stupid stuff too.

Like games and memes and people trolling other people for fun. Plus a lot of people fighting each other over opinions and stuff.

[It's a strange feeling for Toge as well. He's never really had friends who weren't a part of the world of jujutsu sorcerers, so he's never... really learned how to be friends with regular people. But if situations were different? He'd really like Lio as a friend. And if Lio is here willing to help him? Well, Toge wants to extend that olive branch as well.]

[So at the offer, he nods, tugging his collar back up for the time being. He gives Lio a thumbs up.]

Salmon.

[Toge waves a hand at Naminé, indicating that he doesn't think that she actually thinks he is a negative person. Using negative energy didn't necessarily make one negative. Being trained to use cursed energy from such a young age, Toge was more than adept at finding negative emotions to channel and boost his cursed technique. That was how cursed energy worked in his world; two negative forces created a positive result, and the stronger canceled out the weaker. Like a poison neutralizing a weaker poison. A little barbaric, but it was the way of his world.]

[But he's never had to think how to channel positive emotions before. It's like the inverse of what he's grown used to. It'll definitely take some time to get used to. He nods in understanding.]

Tuna mayo.

[She may look demure and small, but she's very wise. Toge can see that. So, after a small pause, he takes a moment to write something down before showing it to her.]

You seem to have a knack for this kind of stuff. Is it ok for me to ask for some help once in a while?

[What are memes? What is trolling? Are people sending trolls onto other people??]

I didn't quite understand most of those terms, but it sounds like this internet has it's fair share of problems. I suppose it's to be expected, when you can connect with so many people.

Great. Let's go... I don't think mine has been acting up, but it probably doesn't hurt to make sure it doesn't do anything crazy.

( like the last thing lio would want to do is light it on fire? but that's practically all he can do, outside of trying to reason with it. then again--- utilizing whatever dreamotion energies would probably help find a peaceful solution.

but getting to watch toge use his voice like that is a sight. how lucky he is to have a friend like him. )

[ Although she'd been able to surmise from what she knew of his personality that he'd be unlikely to hold the comment against her, Naminé's brow does ease a little as he waves away her concern. Her tentative smile returns, though her eyes grow curious as she watches him write. Once she's read the results, she looks up with her, ]

Me? Really?

[ Since she's not exactly accustomed to receiving any kind of praise for her skills beyond wonder at her natural ability to do horrible things to a person's memory, it requires a bit of extra effort to process such a statement. More still to wrap her head around the idea that someone would want her advice on a related skill, but when she does, she has to admit, ]

I guess I do have some practice...

[ Both with her own magic and with a few other kinds, now. As strange as she might feel about the idea, though, the answer was always going to be, ]

... All right. I do-- sort of owe you.

[ For his generosity the first time they met. Curling a hand against her chest, Naminé looks a bit hesitant, but the more she considers it, the less she doubts. With a hint of regret, ]

And it's not easy to learn all on your own. I found that out the hard way.

[ In fact, with power like his, maybe-- it would be advisable for him not to work alone. Or at least, she can easily see how things could go very wrong, and having someone else around - like herself - who can heal potential injuries certainly wouldn't hurt. Rather seriously, ]

So... I'll do my best to help you how I can whenever you ask.

Oh yeah. Like as convenient as it is, there's always going to be people online trying to sell false info or cause problems just to mess with people.

But yeah. I would spend a lot of time on the internet back home, but that's not really an option here.

Salmon.

[Yes, he means her! He may be an expert in matters involving cursed energy, but it's clear he still has a lot of room to grow here. And since she's got the hang of things here, he's happy to learn from her if she's willing to teach him. So his expression softens and he nods to her, giving her a peace sign.]

Mustard leaf.

[He'll do his best to be a good student!]

[IN MY TIME. WE WENT OUTSIDE AND PLAY WITH OTHER KIDS.]

Well, what did you like to research, or play on the internet? Maybe you can translate that to an activity.

[TIMES HAVE CHANGED OLD MAN, GET WITH THE PROGRAM.]

Well.

I used to also like taking care of the school garden when I could. It was pretty relaxing.

[ That sounds enough like a vote of confidence that some further amount of the tension in her expression ebbs in the wake of it, and falls away entirely at Toge's funny little gesture. Naminé's exhale in reaction sounds a bit like a laugh, her smile returning and settling in along with it. ]

I look forward to working with you?

[ she tries, because what exactly is one meant to say in such a situation? She certainly doesn't have any experience to tell her. Yet her features are warm enough; it might sound like a question, but she means it. Something seems to occur to her, then, and she gives a small, 'oh.' Glancing toward the nearby trunk to indicate her meaning, ]

By the way - did you accomplish what you set out to do?

[ Since it looked like he was clearly trying to work with the tree before she disturbed him. ]

A school garden.

Do you know about the communal garden that's here then?

Communal garden? Is that what they're making?

That's pretty nice actually... anyone can help out with it?

Tuna mayo.

[He honestly looks forward to working with her, too. Even if he can't verbalize it completely, he wants her to know that the feeling is mutual. Though, given her warm expression and smile, he has a feeling she understands what he's trying to say.]

[At her question, he blinks and looks up at the tree. Well, he was still figuring out the basics of it, but... yeah, he had. He nods, turning back to her.]

Salmon, salmon.

Yes, and people can add or take what they want. I'm thinking of starting my own personal garden using some of the plants there, and what I find growing in the forest. Contribute a few things that I grow.

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[OPEN] November Catch-All

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can end this one here if it's ok!

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