✗ ✗ ✗ [ Reduction 05; Video ]

[leggierissimo]

[Welcome, Adstringendum, to the inside of the Shibuya household. It's the kitchen, in fact. And Joshua is standing at the counter, stirring something in a mug.

Except that Joshua looks a little different today. His hair is pulled back, and he's wearing what looks for all the world like a girl's clothes. He's clearly comfortable in settling for

Comments

[greatcuppajoe]

Honestly, I'm startin' ta wonder if they just do it to tick us off.

[He's still glasses-free, though the scab on the bridge of his nose is healing.]

[douchecouture]

I wouldn't be surprised. Baiting the sharks, so to speak.

[It's so weird seeing you without glasses, Sanae. Those things have been on your face for ages.]

[greatcuppajoe]

[His face feels naked. Saturday can't come soon enough.] I woulda gone for a metaphor involvin' caged animals and sharp sticks, but shark-baitin' works well enough.

Keeps the tension high.

[douchecouture]

I can't help but wonder what this means for the week after next. If they're riling us up now, it can't be anything good.

[greatcuppajoe]

Honestly, I'm still not sure what they're after. [He shrugs.] But if it's emotional reactions -- something annoyin' and inescapable to keep people on the edge, then somethin' with a strong emotional impact to push 'em over it.

[leggierissimo]

That would make sense. I wonder what purpose those emotional reactions would serve? Surely it isn't a food source.

[greatcuppajoe]

It might just be entertainment.

[douchecouture]

And when a particular toy isn't entertaining anymore, they throw it out.

[greatcuppajoe]

If they're in control of who enters and leaves at all.

[douchecouture]

Maybe that's something else we should look into.

[greatcuppajoe]

I'd like to know. [Lightly -- then pausing and tossing a glance at Josh.]

Where'd ya get the sweater?

[leggierissimo]

At the mall. It was on sale.

[greatcuppajoe]

Ha! Guess I oughta check for a coat or somethin' myself one of these days.

[He shrugs, amused.]

[leggierissimo]

There are a few things there that are salvageable, actually. It seems like the majority of the mens' wear has been taken, though.

[Unless you're into dressing like a woman, Sanae~]

[greatcuppajoe]

Guess I oughta hurry. I can't pull that off as well as you can.

[leggierissimo]

I suppose there are benefits to being stuck like this after all.