Now, now, if I outright tell you then you won't figure it out on your own but my previous message has a clue for you. I am sure that with your adept skill and keen mind you can manage to decipher this simple game.
It's fine. I should be getting up now anyway, I've had enough rest. Really. In any case, the person who should be sleeping in would be you. And come on, don't ask me to surprise you, I want to know what you're really craving. I can't imagine that they make any specialized meals over there. What if I make something you don't like while attempting a surprise?
I've had enough of romance in text, I know what I'm going to do next. Don't worry.
Now that's not fair! Then it seems I shall have to keep my eyes on it as I am stuck at the hospital until the end of the day. Although, I sure do hope it will be worth it in the end.
That is true, the snacks they served wasn't quite pleasant. I believe the 'gelatin ' they provided wasn't the best. However, if you are daring? I wouldn't mind trying one of those chips I've seen in stores. I heard they were fried potatoes but cut in thin slices. I want to know if they are as amazing as people say they were.
If you say so.
Hu Tao.
[text] pretend this is the day after the tower team's success
[ It might seem a little out of nowhere, but this one would have taken him longer to compose anyway- this is someone he knows, and wants to know better, and that sort of bleeds a little in to his own writing. ]
Hu Tao,
I heard from my [ Aw, to hell with it, he's not gonna lie about it to someone he's spoken to on and off for a month and change- ] partner Minakami that you were one of his team-mates during the mission in to Kaigo no Bou. I wanted to thank you for helping to keep him safe; he means the world to me, and knowing that you were there to help fills me with relief.
I also wanted to thank you for your part in stopping the nightmarish blood rain, of course, as well as acting as a representative of Sutoku, and being present alongside the Daitengu...but, perhaps more embarrassingly, I wanted to thank you as a potential friend, too. I hope you are well, after all is said and done, and that this message isn't strange or overly maudlin.
It's not a problem! If anything, he should be getting all the gratitude for attempting to throw the knife at the entity! I'm afraid I didn't do much outside of providing support to the rest of my teammates. To be honest, I'm not sure why you are giving me such praise. You should be thanking Cloud as well for being a better representative of Sutoku after all he done!
And honestly, please don't feel like you're being strange! You are talking to someone who is used to working with dead bodies. Weirdness might as well be a part of my name!
Is it not? If not fair then at least I hope it provides you with some entertainment. Well, if anything I am amused. Hehe... Don't worry, don't worry. Your time there won't be so dull. I did say I would visit and if you don't figure it out by the time I arrive then I'll provide you with an answer.
I can't quite say if they are as exceptional in taste as some people claim, I favor different types of snacks, but for this occasion what if I find several varieties to bring to you. Then you can put them to the test, and form your own opinion. Perhaps you may even find a type you favor.
This may not be the most appropriate time to write this, but...a heroic sacrifice is hardly 'heroic', to me. It's just a tragedy that people need to find meaning in.
Real praise should go to those who support and help others, first and foremost- it's not one great act that saves the world, but many small ones. You were all able to prevent a great catastrophe by working together, so please don't feel as if your part in the matter was small. Frankly, given the Enma's crass behavior, I would say you more than did your part anyway. I would have stabbed him in the finger for that. (ㆆ‸ㆆ#) But I'm finding I may not be his 'biggest fan' after what Minakami told me, either way about it.
I might not be as acquainted with the dead, but only me and my grandmother are left of my family. Maybe that makes it hard for me to find warm comfort in these sorts of matters...not that I would disparage anyone for what they did, of course, as I'm proud of all ten of you being willing to take risks for the rest of us. I hope that you're all okay, and I'm still thankful to every one of you for helping to save Jigoku and coming back alive and safe.
Except the Enma, who is an absolute jerk!!! ヽ(`⌒´#)ノ
[For a moment, Hu Tao raised an eyebrow at his message. She wasn't expecting a response like this nor was she prepared to know what to say back. He can't see it but there was a chuckle on her end.]
You certainly are right. What happened was a tragedy and that everyone's support counts just as equally. Granted, I was about to give the Enma a piece of my mind but I already knew scolding him wasn't for the best. If anything, I'm glad to know my words alone could bring him to his knees! ♡(◕ᗜ◕✿)
But I apologize if my words made you uncomfortable. I'm afraid I'm used to working with the dead so these things are normal to me. However, I want to say thank you for your words. I'm glad to know that I have done my duties to help everyone and gain a protentional new friend!
Oh, I'm not mad or uncomfortable because of you at all! [ despite how long it took me jgfhkd, Tama is quick to respond to that part, sending it before the rest of his response even. ] I'm just always worried about the ways that society prizes self-sacrifice. It might not be a fitting image for a writer, but...I prefer endings where everyone makes it out safely. Because losing someone to a noble cause is too painful to imagine.
[ He can almost remember around something like that- but quickly puts the thought from his head. Tama wants to thank people, not...whatever it is he's doing. Ugh, why isn't he better at this stuff yet? ]
...I'm a bit of a novice in several regards, I guess. I certainly wouldn't have been able to hold my tongue with the Enma, even if I'm sure he has his reasons. [ This inch he's willing to give the Enma will be gone as of his "speech", but for the time being Tama won't go any further with it. ] Either way, consider this an offer from a friend, then- I still want to reward you for your hard work!! I work at a cafe; I can guarantee their dango are really good, and they have 'boba tea' that my bosses keeps trying to get me to drink...
Not at all! Sometimes stories need a happy ending and especially as a reminder to the reader that there are some good things in this world. Despite everything going on, it's still nice to know everything's going to be okay!
[Not that she usually like stories with happy endings. Or at the very least, she would much rather read a story that would leave an impression on her but...!]
Oh? Is this an invitation for me to come and visit you in person? Shall I finally get a chance to meet the oh so mysterious pen pal that I've been writing to all this time?
[He can't see it but her eyes widen as she leaned in a little closer!]
'Mysterious'...I don't know if I'll be that for much longer. (´ ▽ `;;;) In truth, I'm pretty normal compared to most lost souls here!
[ The whole 'time travel' and 'reincarnated thousands of times' things were more, uh, side. Things. Hardly normal to his day to day. He's not counting it. ]
You must have some martial skill to have been able to support the tower climb, correct? And you mentioned working with the dead...?? I can't imagine what a colorful life that would be, especially for someone able to be so chipper about death.
Even so, it'll be nice to meet up with you. I can't wait to see you in person! (ノ◕ヮ◕)ノ*:・゚✧
And yes, you are correct. I am skilled with the polearm as well as being a funeral director! I can't really say it's colorful but every day is never the same. You never know what you're going to get, right?
I did actually try to learn how to use a staff when I was little, mostly because I knew I wasn't healthy enough to heft a sword or an axe around, but...I broke enough of my grandmother's things for her to simply sigh and pat me on the head over it. That's worse than being scolded.
Though...her things aren't here to break, so maybe if I train in hell, then I'll be super capable of defending myself when we return to our homes, and without breaking the door screen!
My health is actually rather poor, though. I'd have to improve it first, but maybe someday I can take you up on that offer, if you'd truly be willing.
In other words, it's the face of disappointment. I know the feeling, there's nothing worse than knowing you could have tried better but it wasn't up to par.
Of course I would be willing! If I didn't, I wouldn't have asked. Although, before we go that, it is important that we work on your health first!
How about we focus on your stamina first before we try anything?
In that case, I guess I should warn you upfront that sometimes I get really sick, kind of for no reason...ah, but that's not the problem. I know when those are coming on and what to do around them just fine, and endurance would probably help with it. But I don't...
I'm bad at hospitals? Doctors. All of that. I really don't want to go to any clinics unless I absolutely have to. The last time someone tried to take me to a hospital, I tried to climb out of a still-moving motorcar, and that was a dear friend of mine trying to help me. He had to sedate me so I didn't hurt myself inadvertently... (´▽`;) I don't want or intend to do anything that foolish, for the record! I can't imagine it would even come up with endurance stuff! But I...feel embarrassed by it, and I don't want to risk behaving like a
[ There's a distinct break of the text, like he's not sure how to say it. In truth, he's trying to run down what words are 'acceptable' and what ones are 'very frowned upon in this modern society'. ]
an idiot with someone unfamiliar with how I can be. So, I figure it's best to be direct early-on than to risk, I don't know, breaking my leg and flailing about madly when someone from the clinic has to come fetch me.
I guess that's also why I had to ask again if you'd be willing...I know saying all of this must sound quite dramatic.
Not at all. You are talking to someone who is prone to dramatics so nothing you say can ever frighten me! Although, I have to admit, I am surprised how honest you are. Most people wouldn't allow themselves to be brave enough to be so open to others! Especially toward people whom they met!
[Nevermind that Hu Tao isn't one to talk...!]
And who said you were an idiot? Because everyone has to start somewhere, correct? I think we need to start off slow as we build our way up! Before you know it, you'll be someone that one should not mess with!
If worse comes to worse, I can always teach people a thing or two about bullying you. I did get some of my powers back so I can always blow them to smithereens! ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ̀ˋ
[No, she wasn't being serious. However, if she hears people are indeed messing around with him...!]
[Childe drops by pretty early in the day. Along with a hair ruffle, he presents her with a tin of freshly baked walnut cookies and a small hair pin. Happy birthday, ghoul girl!!]
[There's a soft, sort of vague laugh followed by a cough and a bit of an audible wince before the voice comes on. Tenshi sounds pretty pleased with herself even if she did just hiss.]
Hey, so... uh, Hu Tao. I have kind of a favor to ask of you? You free? Totally have some drink vouchers in it for you if you help me out here.
[While Hu Tao wanted to enjoy her time in the festival, she wasn't going to leave a friend behind. So when she heard her message, she couldn't help but worry.]
I am free but what's wrong? What happened? Is everything okay?
Oh, it's fine. Everything's fine. I just... kind of need a change of clothes. My last set is a little ... and don't freak out, but it's kind of burned to a crisp. Except for the boots. My boots are fine.
[She laughed and coughed once, wincing again before giggling to herself.]
I-I'm not freaking out but how did you get your clothes burnt? What did you do?
[Should Tenshi hear carefully, she could hear the poor girl's voice sounding a little strained. After all, she was running as fast as she could to her apartment!]
How can I not worry? Especially when you're without any clothing?
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