CONTACT | Call me, maybe

[intercalaryninja]

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[intercalaryninja]

[And even then sometimes it isn't enough. He's considered asking Mana for teleportation so he can specifically get to his kids faster.]

I worry in general. Sometimes people have very misdirected anger. It's a catchall. [He sighs quietly.] If you find a way to strike at them, let me know. I'm sure there are many of us that feel the same way.

[showyouthesight]

That's the thing. We don't know how many of us actually feel that way. We don't even know how many followers there actually are. We need a means of getting that information. And a means of gathering everyone who's fed about it.

I'm tired of just letting this shit happen over and over again. At least the followers have some protection.

[intercalaryninja]

Then naturally we should do something about it, shouldn't we? [Tsukikage says it, but the weight in his voice makes it clear he knows this is something serious. He has ideas, but they require a lot of dedication.]

I can tell you for a fact a few more who fervently deny gods and want peace... Actually, a few days ago, I talked to Percy about this matter in particular. [Maybe four or five days now that he thinks about it.] He's on our side for one. Interestingly, he managed to get a lot of attention and got a lot of people to go to the GSA meeting.

Like-minded people will be drawn to things if there is something established. If we had something to draw people who feel as we do, that would give us a better scale of things. In terms of followers, it'll be trickier to figure things out, especially since it seems that followers don't even know each other.

... I am as well. It's why I want to do something about it so we don't have to continue to suffer.

[showyouthesight]

I heard a little bit about that meeting. But that meeting was open to everyone, including followers. We can't risk followers getting word back to their leaders.

But what can we offer people that comes anywhere close to what Elias and the Fog Bitch can? It doesn't matter if most of it is lies, they give people some sense of control over their lives. How can we offer that?

[intercalaryninja]

Hmm... That does make it a bit more problematic... I'll consult Mana for that, actually. She has very good ideas. Percy too. He might have a more secret way about going about these things... [Tsukikage ponders if he can somehow upgrade his blood magic to detect alignments. He can already do it for a vast amount of statistics. Why couldn't he do it for determining if someone was a Fourth or a Fog? That would be incredibly useful.]

The Fog offers power and security, and people join because they feel freedom through the expression of monster forms. Elias' main gimmick is to offer friendship and a way to fight the Fog, and people join to make themselves feel not so helpless. In all honesty, the best we can offer is collaborative support, because while we cannot provide the power that the Fog provides, we certainly could protect those who need it a lot better. And Elias'... while his last few attempts have been... of questionable success, his followers don't really fight the Fog God like he promises. They just help Elias get power.

Training, for one. Open knowledge sources, perhaps a subset of the network to help people stay informed. Ways to monitor feeding and minimise it. We don't even have to lie, Rin. We just have to attack the enemy's weakest points.

[showyouthesight]

I know a place we can use. Hijikata kept it well hidden. But he trusted me enough to let me know where it was. He spent a lot of time gathering information about the factions. I'd like to ensure his work doesn't go to waste.

[ His tone grows quieter, softer as he discusses his old mentor. He has no idea how he'll be able to live up to Hijikata's role, but he has to try. There's nobody else anymore and this meant so much to Hijikata. ]

I think people would find value in a strong guarantee of protection and anything that helps them regain control of their lives so they don't feel jerked around.

[ That's what Rin yearns for anyway. ]

I don't plan to lie to anybody. I want to offer something better those bastards.

You think training will really protect people against the high leveled followers?

[intercalaryninja]

That would be useful. I have less hidden places in mind in terms of open spaces, so we may have to use that location. Also your information though would prove invaluable.

[He understands the reverence of this person and Tsukikage would like to help.]

We have to tell them we cannot guarantee it, but we can definitely give them a little more control. At least so they can go to bed and know they won't be stolen out of it.

[Tsukikage gives a nod.] Against higher level followers? Absolutely. We may not be able to give them powers, but we can teach them how to use their bodies and more importantly their minds. [As much as embracing the Fog God's gift hurts him, Tsukikage knows it would be foolish to not use everything at their disposal.] I know what to prepare for. I can even arm them, if we want to go that far. I still make a number of weapons in the old Japanese style after all. My swordsmithing has improved of late. [Using a hammer drowns out the voices in his head.]

[showyouthesight]

They worry more about being attacked. They worry about losing themselves. We need some sort of protection against that, and then we'll really be able to make a difference.

[ Maybe some sort of support group that can respond quickly should someone lose themselves to the Fog or some other madness. Provided, of course, the madness isn't sweeping the entire peninsula. But then, even followers aren't safe. ]

Ah, I don't know if we need to arm anyone just yet. But giving them a better understanding of self defense might help. Too many people are getting swept up in the vengeance cycle, as you said.

What exactly do you mean by teaching them how to use their minds? Like strategy?

[intercalaryninja]

I have full confidence we can do something about that. I have experience with those aspects... [Tsukikage nods, having dealt with both of those things before and having come out the other side of those struggles.]

I see... Well, if the time comes for us to face the gods in battle, I'll be ready anyway. [It's a bit of a shame no one is going to use those shiny weapons at home, but Tsukikage isn't too disappointed. Maybe it's for the best.]

Exactly like strategy. Many people resort to instincts when fighting and while it is useful in a pinch, it's not the best way to defend yourself. To be effective in a fight, I find one must focus on their opponents' weakest points while utilising their own strengths. [Fighting is a discipline after all.] For example, striking with a sword rather than flailing wildly with it is usually more affective. Combat is one of the few things I'm useful at, so I'll be able to help there.

[showyouthesight]

[ No bombs, Tsukikage. ]

Well, I'd definitely be interested in hearing what you can do about the control thing.

[ Now that he knows from the conduit event that both he and Haruka are as susceptible to the madness as anyone else. ]

And you know how to apply that strategy to each of the different monster types?

[ Rin has made it a point to keep himself abreast of all monster feeding and combat habits for both helping the younger monsters and defending himself against those in the grips of madness. His goal is to ensure Haruka never has to deal with his death every again. ]

[intercalaryninja]

[He's never used them on anything except the blob. He's been showing remarkable self control with the bombs.]

It's the same way of managing the fog form, really. Don't starve yourself and learn how to manipulate your instincts. It takes some practice, but it can be done provided you aren't hungry.

[He's given tips to a few people how to curb themselves while in Fog form and just general hunger. Not a guarantee but it does help.]

Yes. I've been learning how each monster type attacks and defends. Of course it depends on the individual and their style as well as their different monster mutations, but if I see them I'll be able to figure something out. Ninja pride themselves in quickly adapting to situations and assisting our comrades by doing such.

[showyouthesight]

Isn't the fog form always hungry?

[ It had certainly seemed that way for Rin when he was under the influence of the conduit. ]

How do you manipulate something like that?

[intercalaryninja]

Yes, but you aren't starving. If you've eaten... well it's three days for me, but it varies... If you've fed on humans recently and aren't on the brink of starvation, you're able to have a chance at controlling yourself against the fog form.

[The conduit zones were a special case though. Even Tsukikage hadn't been able to resist that. And it's only a chance. Not everyone could control it. Most could... but...]

It's about directing your thoughts. Mindfulness. When instincts from the fog kick in, you need to be able to recognise and grab the thought. You recognise that it is an instinct and what you want to do, and channel it into something else. I use my hunger in that form for fighting. That aggression, that anger, that thirst to survive and just stuff myself senseless are all horrifying... but I do my best to use it to fight other monsters that have gone crazy in their fog form. Being able to protect people keeps me clear-headed. The ways to cope will vary from person to person.

The best counter of monster instincts is to be human. Compromise with those instincts. Rationalise thoughts. It helps.

[showyouthesight]

[ So the trick is to eat before the fog hits and before entering any of the corrupted zones, should that be necessary. Being a harpy, Rin has been able to detect the fog's arrival every now and then. It's not a perfect science, but it should give him some leg up on the situation. More importantly, he can share that with the other monsters to control their own madness. ]

And you think you can teach this thought-redirection to others?

[ The concept doesn't seem too far-fetched. Just a method of refocusing, strengthening one's mental defenses. ]

What do you mean be human?

[intercalaryninja]

I'm fairly certain I can. It's an art taught to me from young. I would be disappointed if I could not.

[Meditation and thought exercises are very powerful when applied properly. Admittedly, Tsukikage's been a little slack in them with his lack of free time, but he's coming back to them.]

The proper saying is 'It is better to be a good duelist than the best monster'. I'm applying it to our situation here. A monster can only use the skills and powers that it has been given, but a duelist, a person, utilises all the things they have, rather than their raw ability. They use their minds, their souls, they think creatively. They work in teams, they strategise and use order. Does that make a little more sense?

[showyouthesight]

I think I get it. You're saying we can't always rely on our monster powers. We need to learn how to manage our bodies, even when those powers are lost to it.

[ Which would be especially pertinent in the fog-corrupted zones. ]

[intercalaryninja]

[Beneath his mask, he smiles and nods.]

If you'd like a demonstration, I'd be happy to give one in time. I really think we could make a difference if we applied ourselves.

[showyouthesight]

[ Rin is starting to look less somber and more intrigued in turn. ]

I'm up for it whenever you are.

[intercalaryninja]

Mornings are better for me. It'll take a few sessions to see if it has an effect, but I don't mind. I'm happy for you to come over whenever as well. [Usually he'd offer to come to Rin, but he knows things are... tense between him and Haru so he doesn't want to make things awkward.

But either way, Tsukikage wants to make time for this, even if he's not free. This really feels like doing something. A step towards further defying the gods.]

[showyouthesight]

It's a date then. I'll start coming over tomorrow after I'm through my jog.

I guess we can wrap up and try get more neutral progress soon!

[intercalaryninja]

Indeed. I look forward to it, Rin. Hopefully it'll help you as much as it's helped me.