⠀⠀“ Lots of new faces... It's almost overwhelming. ”

Blue Eyed Samurai THE ONRYO Made of Mixed Metal 》I have no interest in money or power. I have no interest in being happy; only satisfied. 《

Time flies by quickly when you're scheduled to an important assignment. There's just so much to worry about. There's no feeling like returning back to your comfort. So... Hello, Astral Express. Your Phantom Butterfly's made her return. What trouble will she get into now?

◇ A C H E R O N ◇ Galaxy Ranger Wanderer Woman of Mystery

🦋 | ooc. lrt I've done it, I've made my second hyperfixation.

⠀ 〝 ⠀ 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄'𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙐𝙎𝙀 ?! ⠀ 〞

⠀⠀“ Not by choice. Belobog's Underworld is a scarce place when we're talking resources. I mean... Even 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘹𝘦𝘴 were gettin' in high demand at a point. ” After he'd finished his momentary inspection, Nightshade was hoisted back onto her shoulder with practiced ease. +

🦋 | ooc. I'll get to replies later today. 💜 I've almost got Luka ready to launch, too. I'm excited to get him started.

She's discovered something new this morning: the intergalactic radio. Who knew music was so captivating? ...But, no, that wasn't her loudly singing this morning. She promises.

ㅤ ㅤ 𝓦𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺~! ㅤ ㅤ

ㅤ 𝓨𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝑱𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒀𝒖𝒂𝒏 ㅤ

That's what the Trailblazer meant by experiments. There was a disconnect from how they framed this Simulated Universe and how Madame Herta did. ⠀⠀“ It sounds... complicated, can't say I understand how that works. How can a machine make something feel real? Though, if it helps you out... ” +

🦋 | chat... im considering making another muse... torn between Luka or Rappa... decisions, decisions...

⠀⠀“ Heh. Keep outta trouble, and you'll never be on her sharp end. ” As he'd stepped closer, Seele wrested the weapon from her shoulder and drove the pommel into the ground for his viewing pleasure. At his concern, she hummed in mild disappointment. +

[ starter for... @receptacle-x.bsky.social ] It'd been a few hours since the two Nameless had conversed and gone their separate ways. In that time, Seele had done the necessary maintenance on Nightshade and gotten a well-deserved nap. It was a lazy evening on the Astral Express. However... +

⠀⠀“ Uh-huh. I'm sure they do.” Sarcasm coated each word. ⠀⠀“ I wasn't droppin' it, anyways. So, I guess, you can mention me whenever you're talkin' about the weird nicknames people've given you now. ” Seele freed the other from her grasp. By now, that pink hue had been dying down. +

⠀⠀“ Pfft. I don't think anyone calls you 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 of those names-... ” It was always enjoyable to see what nonsense left the Trailblazer. It was never 𝘯𝘰𝘵 funny. ⠀⠀“ So, nope. I think I'll stick to callin' you 'Trash-Girl' when you're actin' like this. Got a problem with that? ”

⠀⠀“ ...Quit staring already. ” #SeductiveSunday

⠀⠀“ ...! ” That was unexpected. However, Seele returned her embrace, albeit half-hearted at first. ⠀⠀“ ...N-now, you're really pushin' it. I'll let you off the hook this time... Next time? Ask me first... ” There was a gentle tug of Stelle's hair, followed by a scoff. ⠀⠀“ ...Trash-girl~. ”

⠀⠀“ Hah. You can stop tryin' to get all mushy on me, now... ” In truth, she didn't mind this attention much. However, her blush only deepened in the face of such bold compliments. Seele put a hand on Stelle's head, ruffling her hair in return. All the while, she only laughed. ...This was nice.

⠀⠀“ What does that even me--? H-hey! Quit it-! ” In seconds, Seele playfully swatted Stelle's hand. Fallen, messy strands of purple hair had hidden away a subtle blush. ⠀⠀“ ...You're lucky that I don't mind the messy look... ” She'd slightly grinned, she'd just have to get payback for this.

At the reveal of this gaudy stranger's name, it was as if a lightbulb went off in her head. ⠀⠀“ I think the Trailblazer's mentioned a 'Madame Herta' once before. Guess that's you... Anyways, I'm Seele. Nice to meet you. ” However, that question prosed a skeptical raise of her brow. +

⠀⠀“ Sure, if my scythe 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 was enough for a 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘯-fused Supreme Guardian... I think I would've chosen this path too. ” A playful chuckle followed. It was always fun to banter with the trailblazer. ⠀⠀“ Anyways, that's enough compliments from me. I don't want you to get the wrong idea, now. ”

⠀⠀“ Yep. I'm a proud Belobogian, you've got that right ... But, uh, 'met' is a bit of an understatement. I'm actually a Nameless, myself. ” As proof of this statement, she'd raised the golden ticket kept on her person. ⠀⠀“ Why? Does that mean something to you, or--? ”

⠀⠀“ I can respect the dedication to perfection... But, no, you've got it right--I'm sharpening my scythe and I'm only cutting through problems with it, not ingredients. ” In a moment, a hefty scythe materialized in her hand and she'd rested it on her shoulder with a swift flourish. +

⠀⠀“ Lack of better options, huh? In a way... Sounds like it was destined for you to be a Nameless. Cause you don't strike me as the best test subject... What kinda research can a baseball bat help with, anyways? Regardless... I'm glad you set on this path. I'd not be here without you. ”

⠀⠀“ No, you've got it right. Belobog's just a small part of a greater universe, and I want to experience more before my time comes. Y'know... I've got you to blame for that. I remember... I was teetering on asking, the day the Express was departing. ” +

⠀⠀“ Yeah... I surprised myself, too. When you fight so much for the sake of others, you lose track of yourself. Even if I dreamed of a unified sky, I'd always dreamed of what was beyond that, too. This decision just felt like the next step to realizin' that dream. ” +

Currently trying her best to read a fantasy novel. Nothing but pure confusion on her face, with a hint of frustration.

⠀⠀“ Eh. We'll just have to let her win here and there, I'm sure that'll be enough to keep her pleased. Here's to hoping she survives our crossfire! Hahah. ”

There was a warm feeling in Seele's heart, reflected in her smile having grown wider. ⠀⠀“ I've never gotten to play games or watch movies... Sounds like a fun time. So why not? I don't know about the pillow fights, though... I don't think you or March would enjoy losing to me. ”

As Stelle spoke, the ex-Wildfire member's lips curled into a smile, even if it were a small one. ⠀⠀“ Goes back to it bein' your third year, huh? I guess, it stops being special after a time. It's comfortin' to hear that even an experienced trailblazer like yourself wasn't too sure, at a point. ” +

⠀⠀“ Hah, something like that. I guess I've just been so used to wearing it, I put it on without thinkin'. But, that aside, I'll try to be out of my room more. ” She cleared her throat, averting her gaze. ⠀⠀“ But, uh, hey, Stelle, can I ask you something? Sorry if it's a bit off-topic but... ” +

𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺

⠀⠀“ Oh-- I guess, I never did take off the armband, eh? But, Wildfire's the past, now. ” She presents the golden insignia of the Nameless hung from her shorts. ⠀⠀“ I get if it's slipped your memory. I've not been a familiar face, with me lockin' myself in my room these last few weeks and all. ”

⠀⠀“ H'yeah, time's got a way of passin' by us quickly, doesn't it? Keep countin' the years, trailblazer, we've got many more to go and we're gonna appreciate each of 'em. ”

⠀⠀“ Sweet, I'll just need the one. Thanks. But, why do you've got multiple though? Not that I'm complainin', just curious. Only havin' one's served me well through the years... Until, y'know--now. ”

⠀⠀“ Hey, anybody got a spare whetstone--? Mine's startin' to crack... ”

⠀⠀“ Uh-? I mean... Sure. Why not? If you've got nothing better to do, that is. I can't say there's much to do on the Express unless you like stargazing. ”

⠀⠀“ Yeah, I did. I had to be this way, or the other kids in the orphanage would take what's mine. So, I had to draw boundaries somehow... ” ⠀⠀“ You look friendly, like a helpful person that gets pulled into people's errands. Got good parents, siblings, and all that in your life, I'm guessing? ”

⠀⠀“ Heh, good. That's the kind of impression I'm hoping to leave. Looking all friendly is just asking for others to get the jump on you. ”

⠀⠀“ ...Hah? You're... Uh. You too. Thanks. ” ⠀⠀“ ...But, um, the Astral Express is always welcoming. Our gates are open for the next expedition. So if you tag along... I can make good on that ask... --It's not like I'm tryin' to convince you or anything, though. Come aboard only if you want. ”

⠀⠀“ Nothing big. I've been resting between long sessions of scythe sharpening. That last expedition really did a number on it. ” In kind, a small smirk was returned. ⠀⠀“ ... Sooo, if you find lazing around all day amusing--... I had tons of fun, yeah. ”