Happy February, folks! The hotel is chugging along as it always does and nothing really seems that out of the ordinary, actually. Mr Bennet is at the front desk as per usual, greeting new guests, checking out old ones, generally being mediocre at his job but there's something a little... off about him this morning. A little more Springtime focused. Is it the suit? No, no, that's the same as it always is. Is it the face? No, Mr Bennet's face is unable to be perceived by eyes as per usual. No, it's the —
The bunny ears?
HOP TO IT
It seems Mr Bennet has developed a pair of bunny ears and a tail overnight, but he's not the only one. Every staff member and guest of the hotel will find that they have grown a pair of animal ears and a matching tail when they wake up that morning. It's nekomimi time, y'all! But not just neko, characters will find themselves with all categories of ears and tails. Cats, dogs, rabbit, deer, fish. Whatever animal best suits the characters are what they'll find themselves sporting.
For all intents and purposes, these will be part of your characters bodies and real additional limbs. It will hurt if someone hurts them and they will bleed if someone cuts them. There will be some added bonuses as well as characters will also take on the traits of the animals they become. However players want to interpret this is up to them — it can be light like a cat person just being more aloof or heavy like a spider person having multiple eyes and limbs. Whatever is most fun for the player and most hectic for the character, of course.
This effect will last till the end of the month.
Of course, an additional note: For characters who already have animal ears and/or tails — they will either keep those ears and tails and develop more traits of that animal. Or they can become something entirely different for the month. Player preference!
ANIMAL CRACKERS
Mr Bennet has found this to be hysterical though so he has set up a stall in the main lounge that's advertising animal crackers. They're a little less cracker and more cookie though, and larger than the traditional animal cracker. They also come in all shapes and sizes. If you can think of the animal, you can have an animal cracker with it. There is a dog cracker. There is a whale cracker. There is a spider cracker. All kinds of things. Even fictional animals, like gryphons and dragons!
The only catch is — once your character eats the cracker they will become that animal entirely. This is probably tipped off by the bunny rabbit hopping around the lounge in a little hotel jacket, huh. Thanks Mr Bennet. The effect of these crackers will last as long as the player prefers and characters are free to eat another cracker and become another animal afterwards.
One thing though, as the animal, characters will still be able to speak in animal form. So there's that!
The animal crackers will also be available till the end of the month.
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hotelcaelum2024-02-02 08:06 am
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He's supposed to be the sensei, the counselor, and yet he finds himself utterly lost. He hates that feeling. ]
Now you're apologizing for being embarrassing? [ To the most embarrassing man in the world? ] Yuji-kun.
[ He pulls back, but just enough that Gojo can meet his student's gaze, one hand resting at Yuji's shoulder, while the other smooths over his unruly hair, between his fluffy canine ears. ]
Listen to me very closely. [ He's about to drop some teacherly wisdom — or rather, a lesson that he himself has been learning and relearning. It isn't one that sticks easily, for men like them, but once again, he's stubborn. ] There's no shame in letting yourself feel everything in your heart that there is to feel. How else will you remember what you're fighting for?
[ So, he can cry all he wants. Should cry all he wants, more than he wants, needs, and more. A sorcerer's heart is a burden too heavy to bear alone. ]
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He had been so desperate to do his own thing, to prove his point, to find proper deaths and have no regrets, that in the end it had snowballed out of control.
Sukuna had been right the whole time. People are going to die because you live. The list keeps piling up.
It's still hard to look at Gojo, but he knows he has to put himself back together. He can't be the one putting weight on Gojo's shoulders when he's not sure how much his sensei knows, and he can handle this. He can bury it down, deep inside himself, because he might be able to fix it. He had promised to save Fushiguro, so he doesn't intend to be in a position where he can't keep his word. No matter what it takes, he'll save Fushiguro - he'll fight anything, do anything, eat anything. This is what he can do, what Yuji Itadori is made for.
Ears flicking, he nods, once, sharply. ]
... Yeah. [ A sniffle. He's still crying. ] I'm trying to remember it all. I am.
[ Todo had reminded him of it, hadn't he? That's how he was able to get up after Shibuya. To keep fighting now, though... Only his own determination is enough. ]
It's really good to see you again.
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And he has no reason to suspect he might have been unsealed. Nanami hadn’t indicated anything of the sort, and even if he’s sure they’ll figure it out eventually…he hadn’t seen any need to rush back to utter solitude when he could stay here awhile longer. Now that just feels like an excuse, one he’s going to need to address sooner rather than later, but not until Yuji is settled in. Not until they’ve been able to spend some time together, and Gojo can ensure that Yuji can just…relax and be a kid, for awhile.
When was the last time he was able to do that? ]
…Yeah. It’s good to see you, too.
[ More than he knows. Maybe more than either of them know, considering all he seems in the dark on, but his words are nothing but full of fond concern for now. He continues to dutifully scratch Yuji behind his ears, his own flickering on his head. ]
Nanami is here, too. We might even get a smile out of him when he sees you’re around.
[ Little does he know… ]
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[ That might be because Yuji had 1) crashed into a wall and started bleeding from his nose and 2) had a breakdown on him, in a similar vein to his Gojo-based breakdown. Neither of those things could be described as a happy reunion, despite the butterfly joy he feels inside of him, bubbling up. It might have been enough to chase away his sadness, if he was less buried in grief and heartache.
He bites his tongue, metaphorically, as he sits back on his heels and stares at Gojo. He looks different from the man who had been left behind, which makes sense from what Sumina had told him; the Gojo-sensei of this place came from the prison realm.
Gojo doesn't know, and Yuji doesn't intend to tell him a single thing.
Rubbing at his face, he breathes out sharply. ]
I'm glad you're here, Gojo-sensei. I missed you, so much.
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That's just it. He has nothing to assume off of, besides Yuji's reaction to seeing him and his breakdown, and the somewhat cagey way Nanami had answered his questions when he arrived. The latter he was willing to look past, because he heard what he wanted to, and Nanami deserved a break, too. For all the ways that Gojo puts himself first, in others, he puts himself dead last.
As Yuji leans back, Gojo moves his hands to ruffle his hair instead, before his hands grasp Yuji's shoulders. He's in one piece, even if he looks like he's been through hell...and he's here now. He's safe, even if Gojo doesn't know what from. That's a good thing. He'll see to it that it is a good thing. ]
I missed you, too. [ He'd been the only sorcerer here for months before Nanami arrived, and now Yuji, too...more of them ought to take some time here, as well. ] You deserve a break more than any of us. So make sure to give yourself the chance to, okay? That's your assignment, from your sensei.
[ He will be grading this assignment. It might be the first assignment he's ever actually graded... ]
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He can't keep causing them pain. He can't.
The ruffle to his hair has him sniffling again, so pleased to have any kind of affection and positive reinforcement after weeks of training, suffering, watching Gojo-sensei fight and ultimately - well. He doesn't want to think about it. It's too fresh, and Yuji can feel his heart aching from the very idea of it all. The tighter he holds all these secrets against his chest, the easier it will be, in the long run. He's sure of that.
Finally, he manages something of a smile, watching Gojo before he nods. ]
... I'll do my best, sensei. Don't grade me too harshly, okay?
[ As if either of them really know what 'taking a break' means... Maybe he did, once, but that was months ago now, when he had a little more of a carefree attitude. ]
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Part of him chastises himself inwardly, that he shouldn't have even let himself entertain the idea of taking a break here, when his students and colleagues were still out there fighting for their lives. Nanami's arrival had brought many of the same thoughts to his mind, but it was in only hearing his report that Gojo decided to stay. Now that he's seen the state that Yuji's in...
...He has a lot to think about. A lot to consider. But for now, they can just...take it easy, as best they can. He's glad, at least, that he hadn't decided to check out yet. That he's here, when Yuji arrived. ]
Ehh, you know me. I grade more for style over substance. [ An encouraging, trademark grin. ] You hungry? There's an all-you-can-eat breakfast nearby.
[ They can take care of Yuji's needs, one by one, and Gojo can't help the instinctive urge to hover around him, now that he's here. For as hands-off as he tends to be with his students in the field, the dynamic is distinctly different here. He doesn't want to sit back and watch Yuji grow into his own as a sorcerer; he wants him to eat a good meal and play games with the other guests and laugh like he has more to live for than their fight against curses.
It feels like...that light in him has gone out, now. ]
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Biting his tongue, he stops himself from giving up, from giving in to the urge to say more, and forces something of a smile onto his face instead. With Gojo-sensei here, he thinks he can find something a little bit like happiness. Maybe he won't ever have to go back... Even though he knows he has to.
He can't give up. He refuses. ]
A little? I haven't eaten for a while.
[ His lips twitch, a more genuine smile as he rubs at his eyes and forces himself to stand up. ]
I bet you know all the good spots now, sensei.
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...He can't, won't let that happen again. Yuji won't given in, and neither will he. As Yuji rises, so does he, keeping an arm around the younger man's shoulders, as if he's afraid to let Yuji out of his sight again. After all...what the hell even happened to him while he wasn't watching?
A huff of laughter. ]
You know it! C'mon, I'll show you the way, and I'll tell you all about your new home away from home in the meantime! By the way, did you find your room yet? What floor're you on?
[ A little small talk that he thinks they both can use, to give them a little breathing room from the emotional impact of their reunion. ]
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Like watching stupid movies, or ending up inside a volcano domain, or trusting him to fight Sukuna. That makes his heart sting.
Hearing Gojo laugh makes it a little easier, though, and he nods his head, trying to push a smile onto his face and let himself enjoy the reunion for a second time. ]
Floor two! Sumina-san showed me the way, hang on -
[ He got distracted by the smells. ]
0201.
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In case of what? Hell if he knows, but it'll be good for them both to take some time. ]
Got it. We can find it after lunch, then. [ With his arm still slung around Yuji's shoulder, he starts towards the elevator, guiding him along. ] So, you met Mina-chan, huh? And Nanami...run into anyone else yet?
[ Come to think of it, Sumina would have likely recognized Yuji, or at the very least his name. He'll have to touch base with her later, see what kind of spirits he was in around someone he didn't know. ]
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Yuji sighs, moving to walk beside his sensei without hesitation. The arm is comfortable, soothing, a little, after the nightmare the last few weeks of his life have been. If he can rely on Gojo-sensei just a little bit, then maybe things would be okay... ]
Well, there's Juju-chan as well, and Rowan-san, and Kanji-kun as well. There's a lot of different people here, huh?
[ Obviously, though, Gojo and Nanami were the ones he was most excited to see, and the mention of Nanami's name has a small smile twitching onto his face. ]
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With his free hand, Gojo lifts two fingers behind his head, mimicking a pair of ears. ]
Oh, Juju-chan, with the ears? You can think of her like a fellow student! Akechi-kun, too, even if he's the kind of person who won't admit he needs any help. You'll love it here — lots of people to meet, lots of good food to eat, and no curses to exorcise.
[ The last bit takes some getting used to, admittedly, and Gojo still finds himself watching his back, senses always on the alert. It's when he doesn't that something bad will happen. Yuji's distressed appearance has just reminded him how important it is to never let his guard down. ]
It might take some getting used to. Nanami probably told you time doesn't pass while you're here, right?
[ It had been a particular concern of Nanami's, too. ]
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Yeah, that's right! She was helping me look for you, before. I don't think I know Akechi-kun, though, but I'll make sure to pay attention to new people just in case!
[ If Gojo-sensei knows them... Well, he's not sure if he could say they'd be 'good' to know, but at least it would be interesting? Though, Gojo had introduced him to Nanami, who he adores more than a lot of people he's met over the last few months.
The idea of 'no curses' and 'relaxing' obviously doesn't sit well with Yuji, who just... Nods. ]
He did. If that wasn't true, then things would be different.
[ Nanami would be... He's not sure. He'd go home right now. ]
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But the last thing he wants to do is pry any further, or pull the unstable footing that Yuji has found out from under him. Besides, Yuji said he missed him, right? So...probably still sealed. Sheesh...what a pain. Patience has never been his virtue, and finding himself in there completely powerless had been driving him stir crazy. ]
Yeah, I bet a lot fewer people would take extended stays here...but that means you don't have to feel bad for staying, okay? We can even work on some training — but not too much that you forget this is meant to be a break.
[ It'd be good for him, too, though. Even though he trains with some others here, it's different when it's a sorcerer, someone who lives and breathes the same kind of power he knows best. ]
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He doesn't really have a choice, especially if he wants to keep what is going to happen to them in the future to himself. Gojo and Nanami aren't the kind of people to let him be upset and alone for too long, so a brave face it'll have to be. ]
I'll try.
[ But, oh, the notion of training - he speaks before he thinks, rattling out. ]
I've learned some cool new stuff, sensei! You have to let me show you, okay!
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...Even if that's exactly what Gojo would do in his situation. Has done. This ain't about him. Anyway, more importantly — ]
You have?! You didn't find some new, less-cool sensei, did you? Better not be Kusakabe. He couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag.
[ With all due disrespect. ]
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[ Which, now that he’s saying it, Yuji thinks he should maybe be keeping this to himself. Telling Gojo what he’s learned is a sure fire way to make sure that his teacher is aware of how bad things have been, but… He shakes his head, mustering his courage.
Whatever, he’s kind of in the deep end now, isn’t he? ]
My brother and Noritoshi-senpai were helping me learn.
[ And, well, isn’t that a spoiler for the kind of cursed technique Yuji’s been learning? Unfortunately, Gojo is the kind of person to put two and two together. ]
1/2
Eh —
[ Come again. ]
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You have a brother?! When the hell did that happen? Wahhh, you let someone else adopt you?!?
[ What in actual fuck is happening outside that box. ]
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[ What a weird thing to say to an orphan, dude! He shakes his head. ]
Choso starting asking me to call him "big brother", so I guess I just do it now. He says we're related.
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So, if it’s a Kamo thing… [ God. He has so many questions he wants to ask, but he’s kind of walking through a minefield here. ] Blood Manipulation?
[ But also, it’s not like anyone can just acquire a new technique. Not unless they’re Yuta Okkotsu, and he’s a special case. Again, he holds back the obvious question, of how impossible it sounds that Yuji could just learn something like that. ]
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If Choso wants to be called big brother, then that's fine, whatever. Yuji likes him enough. ]
... Yeah. [ His lips twitch a little, and then he glances away, because... Well. ] I ate them. The death paintings.
[ His other brothers. ]
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You know, that actually makes a lot of sense — a shame he didn't think of it earlier, though Yuji already volunteering to eat Sukuna's fingers was more than he hoped for when they first met. The death paintings were kind of ideal for Yuji's unique situation, even if once again Gojo has to reconcile with the total absence of Sukuna in Yuji's body.
At length, he nods, nonchalant and unbothered. Ultimately, it's not that different from Suguru's technique. He just...
He just hopes it doesn't have to become a habit for Yuji. That it won't break him down in the same way, when he's already run so ragged. ]
Can't wait to see it in action. Although, you should've kept it up your sleeve! You might've even been able to get the jump on your sensei.
[ Okay, not likely, but still! He loves to be surprised. ]
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Not that Yuji expected that he would, but he appreciates the support either way. It's not exactly normal, to tell someone you've eaten what are essentially your siblings in order to gain the power to save someone else, not even in their world, and all he can do is nod his head, lips twitching into a little smile.
He missed this man so much, and he doesn't think he'll ever be able to say it aloud, not in a way that expresses it enough. ]
Don't worry, sensei! That's not the only thing I've learned!
[ Wait until he whips out his understanding of the soul and his new RCT! ]
I'll definitely impress you!
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