maskormenace | [ Video ] | MIRROR NETWORK

[ Video ] | MIRROR NETWORK

[ video comes up, and there is Kaneki and Cass looking at the camera. He is sitting down with a serious expression and nods at Cass to let her know he will start ] It has been a week since the Death Island Swear-in, and we actually have a lot of things to discuss. [ so… many… ]

During the Swear-In, myself and a team of imPorts met with an OTO representative from a less extreme branch of their organization. We talked and they said all they want to do is to send us home: this branch has no plans on killing us, but they also don’t really care about Atropos. All they want is for us to go home. So they suggested us working together on just that: they want us to establish a spy to report back on government and imPort projects regarding the imPort multiverses and multidimensional advances. In return, they’d do the same and tell us about their own interdimensional travel efforts. [ by kaneki’s expression, he is not Impressed. ]

We decided we would ask the imPort community what you want to do. Ideas, options, opinions. I do want to remind you, however, we never established direct contact with the OTO before, this is the first time. [ so it’s good to think things through.

After, Kaneki will look back at Cass because this trip is not over yet. ]

Yeah, I’m here too. Again. [ She’s starting to realize this is a pattern, at this point. ] So, if you’re wondering about the actual permanent-death-inducing laser cannon that caused what we were all memorializing over there- it’s not there anymore. And it’s probably in the hands of OTO. Because we can’t have a single fucking moment of peace around here, obviously.

[ After taking a moment to rub her forehead: ] Specifically, it’s owned by a company called Agile Systems Solutions that OTO owns most of the stock of- well, companies associated with them do. Let’s just say it’s OTO and get it over with. Kaneki’s thinking we should pool our combined riches and harness the power of late capitalism to worm our way in, so if you’re an imPort that actually has money, feel free to pitch in, I guess. Or whatever you want to do. Point is, something that can off any of us for good is in the hands of a bunch of mass murderers who want to murder us specifically, which makes me think we probably shouldn’t trust them with any spies...but obviously we’re all leaving that to you people. Try not to lose your shit.

That plan from- uh- Psychopomp and I last month is still on the table, by the way. [ She sighs. ] Like I said. Try to actually think before you pitch a fit, here? We kind of have a potential apocalypse to prevent.

((ooc: mirror network))

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Hell. That'd take a while, considering how many people keep volunteering- which is actually good, but still.

If it's not too much, it'd pretty great, if you could. Is finding the ingredients hard? Or is it just herbs, basic sorts of things you can grow?

[ In a wry tone, ] What I can do is powerful and versatile, but it is also very slow. Many do not have the patience for it.

The rarity will depend entirely on you, or whoever else is the subject. Most of the basis will be consistent, and I can gather those myself, but the more personalized the unique components are the stronger it will be. I would not recommend doing less against Atropos.

Then...I'll have to figure out who's going to be part of it, and soon. We can't wait too long to do this.

[ She sighs. She has a lot of people volunteering to join, but she has complete trust and faith in...very few. Maybe not any of them. ]

But- thank you. If you want to test something on me, ways to find the materials I'd need, whatever- you know where to find me.

It is easier that I know you already, at least in some measure, [ Circe admits. ] Put some thought into physical things you feel are representative of you, and that you would not mind losing.

For example, for myself I could do no better than sand from the shores of Aiaia. It is not unique, but it is mine.

Huh. Alright. [ There's a clear moment when she stops to think. ]

Not like I have a lot that came over from my world. I could just buy new copies of some of my books... [ As she's speaking, something better dawns on her. ] Or one of my masks. I've got a few.

A mask?

[ Clear, notable interest. Her mind is working. ]

What does it symbolize to you? How you feel about it. Not how others feel.

Not...much. I’m kind of the literal type.

[ At least she’s aware of it. ]

I wear it when I don’t want to deal with people’s shit, I guess. Not all the time. Why?

[ She looks amused. ]

That will do, literal as it is. It is an appropriate feeling to have put into a protection spell, wouldn't you say?

Ha. Yeah. [ For once, she sounds genuinely amused. ] Let me know when you need it, then?

I will take it immediately if you do not mind. This will take several attempts to refine.

Oh- yeah. Are you at our house? I can meet you there.

[ In fact, it looks like she’s already straightening up to do so. ]

I am. I will meet you in the kitchen, then.

[ Cassandra isn't back immediately- between saying goodbyes, using the Porter and flying, it's about a half hour. When she comes in she seems a little more tired than usual, if only from talking to so many people, but not too frazzled; she knows what she's up to.

...And she comes in via coming down the stairs, as she entered through her bedroom window. Made things quicker. ]

Circe? [ She calls out, looking around. ] I've got one.

[ It's one of the plainer ones- white edges, black stripe through the middle, no particular fancy design. But she uses it often. Easily hers. ]

[ Circe notices the oddity of her arriving from upstairs, but doesn't comment on it. She'd known plenty of gods capable of flying at home, and here, the possibilities for weirdness are so much more expansive.

She'd been standing at the kitchen counter with an array of spell ingredients laid out in front of her, some whole, some crushed or chopped or suspended in liquid or oil. She has a contemplative look that fades into alertness as she looks up to examine the mask.

Circe makes a thoughtful noise. ] I had another thought while I was waiting. I have not done it before, but it could be more useful to apply the spell to the mask rather than make a potion. Then you may take it on and off. I will add, if it is specific to protection against Atropos it will be much stronger for it. [ Specific, narrower, targeted spells are best for protection. ]

Shit, I didn’t think you’d have so much ready.

[ But it’s happy surprise on her face- Cass doesn’t smile much, but she likes to see someone with the ability to get things done. More importantly, there’s some thrill in having this done by Circe, of all people. She approaches and gives the ingredients a look. ]

If you think you can do it, I say do it. This is one of the ones I don’t wear that often, so it’s not like I mind you messing with it. [ She puts it down next to the ingredients. ]

What would you need to make it specific to Atropos? It’s not like we have anything representing her- not that I know of.

[ Circe shrugs. ] I arrived with some of this, and for the rest, I have had little else to occupy myself with.

[ Also, she feels completely defenseless without a good store built up, so Circe has been prioritizing it. This is what she has that she thinks might be relevant or useful to this spell. ]

It will not be so difficult to focus it to Atropos. If she did not want the limitations that come with being known as a god, she should not have called herself one, whatever she is. We all have things we are known for. Belladonna and snake venom will serve for her.

If you say so. So you’re sure- this is all ready? You can do it? Do you need my help with anything?

[ She knows she probably won’t get more than an observation, but she’d love to be a proper part of this, and there’s a twinge of enthusiasm in her voice. Honestly, though, she’d love to just watch what’s about to happen, too. ]

[ Circe shakes her head with a slight smile. ]

I must experiment, as I said. Spells are not like recipes. They do not turn out the same way every time, even if you do all the same steps.

[ She thinks more deliberately on Cassandra's offer of help. ]

Once I have determined the components, I will have you assist me in putting it together. It will help if you are able to think strongly on your motives for being protected from Atropos while we do so.

Hey, I'm never not thinking about that. Doesn't sound like it'd be too hard.

[ There's a slight pause. She tends to think most people should be more invested in stopping the apocalypse around here, but she's gotten used to them not doing so. She should probably convey her thanks. ]

Thank you, though. If you need help figuring out how to do this for some of the other people working on this- let me know. I know a few of them.

[ She is not expecting thanks, and shakes her head immediately. ]

It is quite literally the smallest thing I may do, and partly for my own protection. I need no thanks for that. [ Circe is oddly particular about being thanked, and knows this is a churlish trait of hers, so she pushes on. ] It will be best if I meet them one by one, addressing each individually. Though you may prepare them with the same instructions I gave you.

Yeah, I can see why. Well- I'll let you know when we actually figuring out who'll be with us. A bunch of people were interested, but who knows who will stay.

[ She rubs her forehead. ]

Honestly, it might be better with just a few of us. We need help, but I also don't want to be responsible for things getting any worse around here.

I understand. It is one thing to take a risk for yourself, and another to subject others to risks that you have created.

[ Not that she understands that a little too personally or anything. Circe busies herself with putting away some ingredients she has already decided she will not start with. ]

You may stay while I make my first attempt if it pleases you, though witchcraft is slow work and not typically interesting to watch until it is done.

I’ll watch, yeah. Might be worthwhile to know how exactly it works.

[ She settles at the table, sitting down and watching contemplatively. She’s clearly interested, despite the strangeness of the situation; there’s still a part of her constantly impressed by and interested in Circe, despite the fact that they live together. ]

What does it look like when it’s done?

[ Circe could not be more oblivious to any amount of interest in her. Especially not while she's working. ]

It is difficult to tell yet. It is not a transformation, so I suspect it may not look like much of anything. But my intent is for your mask to carry protection properties when it is worn. It seems crucial to me that effective protection would have... [ she fumbles with what word to pick to articulate her intuitive sense of witchcraft, and settles on, ] an anchor.

Though I may change its appearance if you wish that as well, [ Circe adds. ] That is simple. [ It's what can't be seen that is extremely not simple.

As she speaks, she starts compiling ingredients. There's nothing haphazard or whimsical about her selection: Circe will open a jar and consider each leaf individually in her hands before selecting one. As she'd said, it is not exactly an interesting process to observe, but there's clearly an internal logic she's following for how deliberately she approaches each step. ]

You don’t have to change it, no. I kind of have an aesthetic happening here, if it wasn’t obvious.

[ That’s the Cassandra Igarashi equivalent of a joke. But it’s also a sign she really is grateful, and comfortable around Circe; she’s not usually in a mild mood about these sorts of things.

Cassandra isn’t conscious of most attention directed toward her, either; she’s had multiple people in love with her without her realizing. But she pays attention to Circe, if only because she’s interested in knowing if Circe actually cares if she watches this happen. She notices, soon, that Circe really is focused, as if she might as well be unaware. It’s funny. Cassandra didn’t think anyone could beat her on that front. ]

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