01 ★ video

[spellspeak]

[When the video turns on Natsume appears to be outside on the street somewhere, standing in front of a darkened building. It's... A little creepy actually, not at all helped by the fact that he's wearing a dark robe.]

Good NIGHT~ ★ While I have made myself known to some of you there are just as many whom I am not acquainted WITH, so allow me to introduce mySELF.

[He curls his fingers in the air, something like green light seeming to glow around them just briefly before he places his hand to his chest dramatically.]

My name is Natsume Sakasaki, and I am a magician and fortune tellER. In my endeavor to enrich the lives of those here with the allure of enchantment and the occult I ask you to allow me to announce the opening of Chymica Esoterica!

[He grins and snaps his fingers. Instantly the building behind him lights up, revealing what appears to be a small shop. The windows are hung with tasteful string lights and somehow candles seem to be flickering inside, although it's hard to tell exactly through the curtains that are made of some shimmery and slighty-sheer fabric.]

In addition to offering my services as an advisor and fortune teller I also can provide you with brews of all SORTS, as well as items to grant your own special magic power for a short WHILE. If you happen to be of the more discerning and particular type I would even be open to making something special just for YOU.

I now welcome any quesTIONS, but until then let all enjoy the darkness and stars of the evening together until we meet aGAIN...

[Natsume winks and waves before snapping his fingers again and the video ends.]

Comments

[spellspeak]

[Natsume squints a little to make out the character before he sits back and crosses his arms.]

I apologize that I can't be of more assistANCE. I'm hardly a private investigator and as of yet I haven't quite established my usual network of informaTION.

[Back at school he has not only secret passages but bugs and surveillance cameras almost everywhere. You never know when you might need to blackmail someone or be able to collect information on your classmates, after all.]

But you shouldn't let yourself grow too disheartened just YET. There are a considerable amount of people from my world who keep arriVING, so there is a chance that the same will happen in your CASE.

[inuko]

[ He gives Natsume a wan smile, then shakes his head and brightens up. It's half sincere, half not, but Shino prefers not to linger in dark thoughts. They steal too much away from him when he does, and they're already inescapable on a certain level, and he's not defeatist by nature. ]

Yeah, you're right. Thanks! I'll just keep checking out the moon base and see if any of the new guys who wake up out there are familiar... it's what we can do, huh? Keep hoping.

[spellspeak]

That's RIGHT, in times of trouble the only option is to keep pushing forWARD.

[He pauses, humming thoughtfully before adding:]

A magician's job is to help bring joy through maGIC, so while I can't grant your wish of completing your quest I could perhaps help distract your THOUGHTS. If you find yourself wanting tea or company feel free to visit my SHOP.

[inuko]

That's... kind of you. You're a decent guy.

[ He doesn't sound surprised by this, more pleased to learn it's true. It takes all kinds, right? And despite the fact it's... entirely likely he'll accidentally mimic speech patterns again if he's around him in person, it's also possible he won't!

Plus, he's fond enough of teas, and he's constantly at a dearth of company. ]

Thank you.

[spellspeak]

Hmph. Don't grow too complaCENT, I'm a liar as WELL.

[Even though that isn't really true. While Natsume might purposefully talk oddly and act or speak in ways to distract from his actual feelings it isn't usually too hard to read through all of that to the truth.

And even when he does actually lie it's generally pretty harmless. Usually.]

... But you're welcome I supPOSE.

[inuko]

You're human.

[ Shino says, his smile wry. The implication seems to be: he's not surprised that he's a liar, because he's human? Or because humanity lies? It's not like Shino doesn't, depending. Lies by omission are still lies. ]

I'll definitely stop by sometime, so when I do, I'll be in your care!

[spellspeak]

That is TRUE.

[Natsume understands what he's implying. He's well aware that everyone lies in some way, he's simply more aware and up-front about it.]

I look forward to it.