28. Can you help us find a clue? [Accidental Video Post]

[vile_queen]

[Carmen fills a glass with Kahlua before holding the clear cup up to the window in silent salute. There's a moment before she nods, a small, sad smile on her lips.]

May you find what you sought so earnestly for.

[She sips from the cup, and then the expression grows a little warmer.]

May you keep your youthfulness and spring.

[Again she drinks

Comments

[pervy_sennin]

...missing someone?

[vile_queen]

Yes. Disappearances... gain more import. I did not use to notice them.

[pervy_sennin]

Mmmm. It never gets easier, does it? But...I believe he'll come back.

[Private//Unhackable]

[turn_a_blindeye]

Do you (and which one)? ...Or are those just comfort-words, Jiraiya-sama?

[Private//Unhackable]

[pervy_sennin]

Any of them, but especially Gai. He wouldn't want to leave his students for too long if he could help it, hmm? And no, they're not merely comfort-words. I'm not very good at that. Think of it as....reassurance with hope, if you will.

[Private//Unhackable]

[turn_a_blindeye]

It's...not like Gai had much of a choice in the matter, though. Or like hope matters a lot in this place.

[vile_queen]

I do not know. Two previous disappearances were merely disappointing. Based on this pattern, they would then get more difficult as time progresses.

Do you? He will only remember those of his world, but I would not mind his return.

[pervy_sennin]

That could be the case. But disappointment is not good either.

Neither would I. He may be loud, but he's a good person.

[vile_queen]

Disappointment I am used to. Loss I am not.

I have nothing to judge by, but I believe he was also a good brother. He was certainly acceptable.

[Private to Jiraiya]

Your writing has been praised to me. But I am not a fan of the genre I've learned your books belong to. Do you have anything that is not... explicit?

[pervy_sennin]

Then it's a good thing you're not from my world. Loss is an everyday thing, we go out not knowing if we or our comrades will return.

One cannot hope for a better brother than him, in a way.

[Private to Carmen.]

.....you would ask that. I do, actually. Nothing special, but I suppose you're welcome to read it if you want.

[vile_queen]

I am sorry. That sounds like a warzone, but I only know from books that war is rough.

That is pleasant to know.

[Private to Jiraiya]

I would enjoy such opportunity. And... in regards to... During Family Bonding... Jiraiya, what winds up in your books?

Strikes not viewable

[pervy_sennin]

It's not a warzone, just a way of life for a ninja. Wars are brutal, and I'd rather not see another one.

Though knowing my luck, that's exactly what'll happen if I can't stop him.....

Isn't it though?

[Private to Carmen]

Funny, I doubt my publishers would agree. Eh? Oh. Family Bonding was fun, if a bit warped for some.

Also, you can relax. That was personal. I....wouldn't ruin something like that by making it meaningless.

[vile_queen]

What is a ninja, from your world? I... have never seen a war. But I have seen the end results of wars. They are never appealing.

Yes. There were many families that were stuck together and did not work well. I was, with one exception, pleased with whom the Animus linked me to.

[Private to Jiraiya]

Publishers are used to a specific genre from a specific author, no doubt.

That is a relief. I was... It was not as if I was your choice. I was not sure... I was not sure.

[pervy_sennin]

A ninja is...difficult to explain. All those silly stories and movies ninjas? Only slightly true. And no, it's not. Makes you wonder why humanity does it, huh.

See? It worked out nicely for the most part.

[Private to Carmen]

They are, but at the same time, every author can write something completely diffferent.

But you were a good choice! I didn't mind at all~. I do have standards and rules. That's one of them. Cheapening something like that, even if wasn't planned, would be unfair to both of us.

[vile_queen]

In my world, ninjas are dark-of-night killers. They do not wear orange, and they work alone. So I do not know what to make of your world's ninjas. It does.

Indeed. And the one I did not enjoy is gone. That is a departure I did not mourn.

[Private to Jiraiya]

Then why would they not approve of me reading your work?

It is kind of you to say so. ...You... You were a good choice as well. And knowing your standards is... reassuring.

[pervy_sennin]

Well, Naruto's an exception to anything normal anyway. We only work alone if we're doing solo missions, and they're usually high-ranked. Otherwise, most ninja are grouped into a team of three, and some remain that way.

Lucky for you, then.

[Private to Carmen]

I doubt they'd mind, it's more of an "Why is she reading that, when she could be reading this?"

Thank you! And I'm happy you're reassured.