99 - all but a ring

[sore_feet_man]

That isn't fair play at all, gods of the island. Not one bit.

[Private, unhackable]

Is he all right? Will he be all right? Goddammit, he didn't need this foolish thing to happen. Damn. Damn.

[Filter to Hibari]

Kyouya?

Comments

[freedomwing]

I only hope no one is terribly hurt or embarrassed, emotionally and more.

[sore_feet_man]

It may be too much to hope, I'm afraid.

[freedomwing]

Hopefully . . .

I didn't believe Memento Eden would think to give us false memories. Has this ever happened before?

[sore_feet_man]

Not quite like this, no. It's given us memories that belonged to someone else before, but we were fully aware of the misplaced memories then. This is the first time we've been tricked to think memories were real that were fake.

[freedomwing]

I see. The island is a very strange place. Nevertheless, this revelation must . . . hurt for some.

[sore_feet_man]

It will.

I just hope we can move on, after coming to terms with what this means for us, and what this means in terms of the trust we have in these memories we regain little by little...

[freedomwing]

I am certain that, with the help of those that are dear to us, we will be able to move on. Even if the memories that come to us may be fake again, we'll at least have someone to confide in. That is how I believe it'd be.

[sore_feet_man]

Mm. Nothing's more important than those connections, hm.

...

Speaking of connections, I never did answer your question before about my profession as a Mushishi. I wouldn't mind delving into that now, if you were still curious.

[freedomwing]

Yes . . .

Oh, I would be delighted to hear about it! Please, do delve into it.

[sore_feet_man]

Like I said before, I helped people whose lives were effected negatively by "mushi", which are supernatural beings that exist alongside the rest of life on the planet. I have an array of tools for diagnosing a patient's physical health, as well as tools for detecting, luring, or even capturing mushi.

It's rare for people to be able to see mushi, so it's important to know about as many kinds as possible and to research them, so I can determine the nature of the situation accurately; they can't just point out to me where the mushi is so I can get rid of it. Just as important is interviewing the client and their surrounding acquaintances, so I know what's normal for the area.

[freedomwing]

That's quite the occupation. You must be very knowledgeable and have helped many people before arriving here; it is a respectable duty, I think.

To be able to treat the patients and remove the mushi so, it must be fulfilling.

[sore_feet_man]

You're very kind.

It is, when it works out. Sometimes there's only so much I can do, but having a completely successful record is more than one could hope for.

I'm Ginko, by the way; now that we've spoken so much, it'd be silly to go on without an introduction. You are..?

[freedomwing]

I'm merely stating the truth, am I not?

With your experience, surely you'll get closer to achieving complete successes over time. Though there are no mushi here, are there?

Ah, yes, of course. It is a pleasure. My name is Elincia.

[sore_feet_man]

I appreciate your words, all the same.

...There is a very thin population of mushi in the wilderness outside of the town, actually. I've gone into woods many times in my time here to observe them, though, and they're all largely benign ones. An invisible barrier surrounds the town so they can't come here, as well.

Good to meet you, Elincia. You know Ike, yes? He's a good friend of mine, has been for a long while.

[freedomwing]

Oh! Is that so? That's rather interesting. I wonder, does the wilderness hold creatures from other worlds as well?

Yes, I was told I hired his mercenaries. I take you've both been here awhile?

[sore_feet_man]

It's possible... Though, I have a hard time imagining a world that could exist without mushi.

Right, I believe he mentioned that. He and I have been here about the same time, over 2 1/2 years now.