[Since "Ryoko's" arrival, Mukuro had been dropping in to check in on her between missions- bringing supplies and food, making sure she was managing okay... so far, so good.
No sign of Junko's memories returning either.
A strange mixture of despair and relief welled up in Mukuro's stomach. When she'd wished to see her sister one more time, to get closure, this wasn't what she meant! It wasn't like she hadn't enjoyed sharing her experiences in other worlds. Hearing Ryoko excitedly congratulate her on her knighthood in Avalon felt good! But it wasn't her, was it? And she wasn't sure if this was good thing or not.
Ngh- she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the reference books on magic she'd borrowed from the library, packed away safely in a camping bag.
Time to make some very poor, very stupid life choices with Dragon Magic.]
Hey... I brought some books with me. I thought it might help work out what your Season is.
[ Being Ryoko is irritating at best. As if the trappings of day to day life weren't boring enough, doing them in the guise of someone who doesn't care to make things more enjoyable and unpredictable... well, it's frightfully dull.
And yet Junko is careful to remain in character 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Alone, or not. She never knows, after all, when her idiot sister will show up.
Or, for that matter, one of those others who could identify her and ruin her plans before they've even begun.
It will be worth it, of course. She's earned Mukuro's trust in a way she never had before. In the past, she had blind devotion... but with the way Mukuro has grown and changed, blind devotion is far from enough. There's even the distinct possibility that her sister's circumstances have changed her enough that even her devotion could be called into question. And while betrayal would lead to a whole new kind of despair, Junko can't help but to take measures against it.
Therefore, "trust" is a necessary first step.
Besides, there are still some ways to have fun. Like how, right now, she offers Mukuro a distant, friendly smile, before reaching for the book next to her and thumbing through a few pages before she nods. ]
Oh! That's right, you're Mukuro-san. Sorry.
[ She reaches for the books though, eyes wide.
(And she wonders why this idiot is so desperate to have her figure out her season. Junko knows it, of course. It's autumn, just like her twin. But what's the fun in that?) ]
It's so frustrating. I know I should have powers, but I feel like I just can't find them...
[Predictably, pain- and of course, despair- rippled across Mukuro's expression at Ryoko seemingly forgetting who she was.
Come to think of it, wasn't it possible that Ryoko had already discovered her magic and entirely forgotten about it right afterwards? If that were the case this would make it a little more difficult... it needed to be done, though. How else was Ryoko supposed to keep herself safe when she wasn't around, without magic? That thought nagged at the back of her mind- made that anxious tightness well up in her chest.]
Yeah. Ikubasa Mukuro.
...Have you made notes about what you've tried so far? There has to be something I've missed.
[Something "I've" missed- not "we've" missed. Old habits died hard, for the stupid big sister.
And yes, she does hand the books over to her. It looked like Mukuro had been doing some reading of her own, from the sticky notes inserted at various different points- her militaristically tidy handwriting easily legible. It was mostly around the section on Autumn magic, things she'd been experimenting with herself, but also things they could test out from the basic magic in the other Seasons, just in case. ]
[ Deep in her own mind, Junko smirks. The look of despair, of pain, that moves across Mukuro's face... it's one of the most lovely things she's seen since arriving in Ellipsa. She's jealous—to feel that kind of despair... ah~
To her sister's question, she offers a nod and in return for the books handed to her, passes over her own diary. Then, she sits down on her couch and looks up with a smile, inviting the other to come and join her.
She's not surprised at all by the effort Mukuro has gone to in searching through the books now in her possession. As worried about her as ever, her idiot twin has taken it into her head to try and protect this "helpless" version of her somehow, and where the power thing had started as something of a joke at Mukuro's expense, Junko has started to realize that it's actually extremely useful.
That's why, amongst notes about various people and places Ryoko has met in Ellipsa—including notes about Mukuro herself: kind girl, seems sad sometimes—her sister will find frustrated notes about the things she's tried to uncover her magic, her concerns about it not working.
There are people in this world who have the power to share their thoughts with others, she wrote just a few days ago. Sometimes I wonder if I could do something like that, if it would be easier. Maybe they could even help me remember all the things I forget?
But there's no way someone like me could have a power like that... ]
[Mukuro's brow furrowed in focus as she took a seat, taking a look through the diary- with a little hesitance, at least at first, as if she were viewing some secret she really shouldn't... but it had been offered freely, so this should be okay, right?
The comment about Mukuro herself gave her a little twinge. Something she wasn't sure what to deal with, right then, so put it to the back of her mind.
Huh...
Her automail hand strayed over the notes Junko had made about sharing thoughts.]
Telepathy? It's part of the Autumn load-out. ...A one-way link over a short distance is the basic form, but you can send messages out to multiple people with practice.
[A pause, before speaking into her sister's mind.
"Like this. It is useful for operational intelligence on stealth missions."]
...I've been trying to practice with two-way telepathy for that reason, too, but that's more advanced.
[A gesture to a couple of the sticky notes she'd made in the Autumn Section on the book:
Dragon Ritual Powers can upgrade this: Two-way telepathy - stealth missions/op. intelligence - expedition utility in mixed-Season unit.
Permanent Psychic link - limited utility vs risk. Removes distance limit?
Even as Mukuro made the gesture, though, a little apprehension rippled through her, before her mind could even catch up that this might be a terrible idea.]
[ Junko's practice, when she's had the space to do it, has not been in the area of telepathy. But she knows it's possible with Autumn powers, and so she's not surprised when her sister displays it as an ability. Still, she acts just like Ryoko would, sitting a little straighter in surprise, eyes wide as she looks at her. Awe. Admiration.
(It's so fake it makes her feel sick. What a joke!)
Her head turns though to the notes Mukuro has made, open curiosity on her expression even as glee coils in her stomach. Dragon Ritual Powers. This is exactly what's been on her mind. How like her twin to know exactly what's needed... while also being too cautious to take that step without a little prodding from Junko herself. ]
I heard that the Dragon Ritual Powers are dangerous... right? But... I can't... I kind of think this might actually be a good idea?
[ Her head tilts in thought as she looks up at her again. ]
Even if I did it with someone who turns out to be a different season to me, I can probably learn from how they channel their magic, couldn't I?
[Mukuro, of course, immediately buys that look of surprise- and a little well of pride bubbles up into her face. Magic had been something she struggled with, in the early days- something complicated and difficult that she couldn't quite get her head around. But now, she was actually quite a skilled mage. It fell in naturally with her weapons and combat techniques, and let her perform better in the field. Huh. Maybe... she was good at what she did here?
The proud little smile broke for confusion as she realised Junko was talking to her again.]
Huh- yeah. The lower calibre ones are fine, but there's a small number categorised as 'high risk'. ...I think I could pull them off, but I've never tried.
[Whilst Junko hid the glee welling up inside her, Mukuro was hiding her own sensation of dread. Her instincts may not be as sharp as her sister's, but unease swelled up in her all the same.]
...I can practice telepathy with you, if you think it'll help to feel how magic flows like that.
[That would be easy enough, not unlike her previous practice. But... her eyes did stray to the psychic link option, all the same. That couldn't be what Ryoko was insinuating, right?
Then again... if her sister was ever in danger, it would mean she could call on her wherever she was.]
[ And~ bingo, she's on the hook. She may have grown a lot, but when it comes to her at least, it seems Mukuro is as predictable as ever. Junko can feel a wicked laugh welling up within her... but she quells it for now, of course. Replaces it with a hopeful, worried little smile. The exact expression she's quite sure will make her older twin sister want to protect her. ]
Would you? Really? [ She leans forward, puts a hand on the other's arm. ] I wouldn't want to be an inconvenience. It might be hard for you, paired with someone like me... but the more I think about it... especially because you have such a good grasp of your abilities...
[ Reel her in, slow and steady... ]
I really do think it could help me. Do you think it will be horribly dangerous, Ikusaba-san?
[A quick nod. A flicker of surprise as Ryoko complemented her mastery over her magic- one that turned into a little smile. Evidently, entirely unaware of the minefield she was creeping ever closer into.]
...it shouldn't be dangerous at this level. And- it's no issue.
[Two-way telepathy was a dragon-blessed ability, yes, one of the more basic ones- and she shouldn't need to dive too deep for that. So, she didn't really think anything of it.
Deep breath, speaking into her sister's mind.
"Ikusaba reporting in. I need to practice for missions anyway. Try and 'think' back to me, I'll try and read you."]
[ Junko is confident that she could "think at" Mukuro if she wanted to do so. After all, if her idiot of a sister could figure it out, she will certainly be able to do so.
But... she needs to act like someone who's struggling. Someone who doesn't have autumn powers—someone who needs the dragon-blessed ability if she's going to improve her skills.
So she scrunches up her face, intense focus written over her expression. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Action, "Ryoko's" apartment, backdated to idk late Dec/early Jan
It's me.
[Since "Ryoko's" arrival, Mukuro had been dropping in to check in on her between missions- bringing supplies and food, making sure she was managing okay... so far, so good.
No sign of Junko's memories returning either.
A strange mixture of despair and relief welled up in Mukuro's stomach. When she'd wished to see her sister one more time, to get closure, this wasn't what she meant! It wasn't like she hadn't enjoyed sharing her experiences in other worlds. Hearing Ryoko excitedly congratulate her on her knighthood in Avalon felt good! But it wasn't her, was it? And she wasn't sure if this was good thing or not.
Ngh- she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the reference books on magic she'd borrowed from the library, packed away safely in a camping bag.
Time to make some very poor, very stupid life choices with Dragon Magic.]Hey... I brought some books with me. I thought it might help work out what your Season is.
no subject
And yet Junko is careful to remain in character 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Alone, or not. She never knows, after all, when her idiot sister will show up.
Or, for that matter, one of those others who could identify her and ruin her plans before they've even begun.
It will be worth it, of course. She's earned Mukuro's trust in a way she never had before. In the past, she had blind devotion... but with the way Mukuro has grown and changed, blind devotion is far from enough. There's even the distinct possibility that her sister's circumstances have changed her enough that even her devotion could be called into question. And while betrayal would lead to a whole new kind of despair, Junko can't help but to take measures against it.
Therefore, "trust" is a necessary first step.
Besides, there are still some ways to have fun. Like how, right now, she offers Mukuro a distant, friendly smile, before reaching for the book next to her and thumbing through a few pages before she nods. ]
Oh! That's right, you're Mukuro-san. Sorry.
[ She reaches for the books though, eyes wide.
(And she wonders why this idiot is so desperate to have her figure out her season. Junko knows it, of course. It's autumn, just like her twin. But what's the fun in that?) ]
It's so frustrating. I know I should have powers, but I feel like I just can't find them...
no subject
Come to think of it, wasn't it possible that Ryoko had already discovered her magic and entirely forgotten about it right afterwards? If that were the case this would make it a little more difficult... it needed to be done, though. How else was Ryoko supposed to keep herself safe when she wasn't around, without magic? That thought nagged at the back of her mind- made that anxious tightness well up in her chest.]
Yeah. Ikubasa Mukuro.
...Have you made notes about what you've tried so far? There has to be something I've missed.
[Something "I've" missed- not "we've" missed. Old habits died hard, for the stupid big sister.
And yes, she does hand the books over to her. It looked like Mukuro had been doing some reading of her own, from the sticky notes inserted at various different points- her militaristically tidy handwriting easily legible. It was mostly around the section on Autumn magic, things she'd been experimenting with herself, but also things they could test out from the basic magic in the other Seasons, just in case. ]
no subject
To her sister's question, she offers a nod and in return for the books handed to her, passes over her own diary. Then, she sits down on her couch and looks up with a smile, inviting the other to come and join her.
She's not surprised at all by the effort Mukuro has gone to in searching through the books now in her possession. As worried about her as ever, her idiot twin has taken it into her head to try and protect this "helpless" version of her somehow, and where the power thing had started as something of a joke at Mukuro's expense, Junko has started to realize that it's actually extremely useful.
That's why, amongst notes about various people and places Ryoko has met in Ellipsa—including notes about Mukuro herself: kind girl, seems sad sometimes—her sister will find frustrated notes about the things she's tried to uncover her magic, her concerns about it not working.
There are people in this world who have the power to share their thoughts with others, she wrote just a few days ago. Sometimes I wonder if I could do something like that, if it would be easier. Maybe they could even help me remember all the things I forget?
But there's no way someone like me could have a power like that... ]
no subject
The comment about Mukuro herself gave her a little twinge. Something she wasn't sure what to deal with, right then, so put it to the back of her mind.
Huh...
Her automail hand strayed over the notes Junko had made about sharing thoughts.]
Telepathy? It's part of the Autumn load-out. ...A one-way link over a short distance is the basic form, but you can send messages out to multiple people with practice.
[A pause, before speaking into her sister's mind.
"Like this. It is useful for operational intelligence on stealth missions."]
...I've been trying to practice with two-way telepathy for that reason, too, but that's more advanced.
[A gesture to a couple of the sticky notes she'd made in the Autumn Section on the book:
Dragon Ritual Powers can upgrade this: Two-way telepathy - stealth missions/op. intelligence - expedition utility in mixed-Season unit.
Permanent Psychic link - limited utility vs risk. Removes distance limit?
Even as Mukuro made the gesture, though, a little apprehension rippled through her, before her mind could even catch up that this might be a terrible idea.]
no subject
(It's so fake it makes her feel sick. What a joke!)
Her head turns though to the notes Mukuro has made, open curiosity on her expression even as glee coils in her stomach. Dragon Ritual Powers. This is exactly what's been on her mind. How like her twin to know exactly what's needed... while also being too cautious to take that step without a little prodding from Junko herself. ]
I heard that the Dragon Ritual Powers are dangerous... right? But... I can't... I kind of think this might actually be a good idea?
[ Her head tilts in thought as she looks up at her again. ]
Even if I did it with someone who turns out to be a different season to me, I can probably learn from how they channel their magic, couldn't I?
no subject
The proud little smile broke for confusion as she realised Junko was talking to her again.]
Huh- yeah. The lower calibre ones are fine, but there's a small number categorised as 'high risk'. ...I think I could pull them off, but I've never tried.
[Whilst Junko hid the glee welling up inside her, Mukuro was hiding her own sensation of dread. Her instincts may not be as sharp as her sister's, but unease swelled up in her all the same.]
...I can practice telepathy with you, if you think it'll help to feel how magic flows like that.
[That would be easy enough, not unlike her previous practice. But... her eyes did stray to the psychic link option, all the same. That couldn't be what Ryoko was insinuating, right?
Then again... if her sister was ever in danger, it would mean she could call on her wherever she was.]
no subject
Would you? Really? [ She leans forward, puts a hand on the other's arm. ] I wouldn't want to be an inconvenience. It might be hard for you, paired with someone like me... but the more I think about it... especially because you have such a good grasp of your abilities...
[ Reel her in, slow and steady... ]
I really do think it could help me. Do you think it will be horribly dangerous, Ikusaba-san?
no subject
...it shouldn't be dangerous at this level. And- it's no issue.
[Two-way telepathy was a dragon-blessed ability, yes, one of the more basic ones- and she shouldn't need to dive too deep for that. So, she didn't really think anything of it.
Deep breath, speaking into her sister's mind.
"Ikusaba reporting in. I need to practice for missions anyway. Try and 'think' back to me, I'll try and read you."]
no subject
But... she needs to act like someone who's struggling. Someone who doesn't have autumn powers—someone who needs the dragon-blessed ability if she's going to improve her skills.
So she scrunches up her face, intense focus written over her expression. ]
...Do you hear anything?
[ The words are spoken aloud, though. ]