[ ic inbox. ]

[laeradr]

"... this is Vangeance. Please leave a message."

text | audio | action

Comments

text; un: nightroad

[expio]

Helloooo, Mr. Vangeance! I hope this is the right number. If it's not, I'm trying to reach Mr. Vangeance - so please disregard. Actually, please just deliver this message to him, would you? Um, maybe you should just let me know I sent it to the wrong place, actually. You know what I'll let you decide what you do, I trust in the kindness of strangers! Have faith in your fellow man, right?

Anyway. It's Father Abel, here! Whenever you have a moment, could you let me know? I had something extremely important to go over with you. No rush, but it's really life or death. But don't worry if you're busy! You could make a little haste, though, if you're not doing something important. But if you're doing something important, it's not a big deal, I can wait! Thanks!!

[laeradr]

[ ABEL??????? ]

this is vengeance fater whats wrong

[ This is text only because switching it to voice would take too long to figure out. And mortifyingly, even this took him a good few minutes to figure out, autocorrected rendition of his name and all. But what is pride and a few typos in the face of a LIFE OR DEATH matter??? ]

[expio]

Oh! There you are~! How are you doing? It’s good to hear from you! Did you manage okay after all that unpleasantness? It really was a pain, right? Are you all thawed and dried out? ❤️

[ wow this conversation is already

amazing, he’s very impressed by Van’s typing skills A+!! ]

[laeradr]

[ ? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?

Big ol’ visible question marks floating around him as he stares at this message in silence for a hot minute because ... Abel you said this is a life or death situation you can’t just say that to a knight and then not address it??? ]

are you in danger
are you being held

[laeradr]

hostage
?

[ ‘Accidentally hit SEND before finishing the message’ is apparently ubiquitous across all typing skill levels. ]

1/2

[expio]

[ ...he stares at his phone for a minute. a good, long minute. he knows he shouldn’t do this, he knows it’s wrong and he likes Vangeance— owes him, even!! he is a Good Guy. he deserves better. ]

2/2

[expio]

Yes. Absolutely a hostage, right now. It’s very unfortunate, isn’t it? I could really use your help, if you aren’t too busy! If you ARE busy, that’s totally fine, but if you aren't busy I think I hear someone sharpening knives in the other room and I like all my appendages where they are, presently. I wouldn’t be against a makeover, but usually that just means you get some kind of aesthetics change and not things taken OFF or added ON, right? Maybe I’m overthinking things. Do you think I need a makeover? Am I going out of style? Are priests not the ‘in’ thing anymore...? You’re so fashionable and earnest, so I feel I can trust you to tell me the truth about these things. Please be 100% blunt and honest! I can take it!!!

text; un: akeboshi

[paperpusher]

Hi Vangeance-san ✨✨✨ Hope you've been warm and dry for the past few days.

I learned a little more about the problem with my shiki that I think might be of use to you. It's not good news, but I thought I'd pass it on all the same. Should we meet up somewhere to discuss it? I have a strong preference for somewhere inside and floodless, but I can be talked into something else.

[laeradr]

Hello, Natori. I hope you’ve also been faring well.

Any information is appreciated, good or bad. I can visit your home in short order if you would give me the location, unless you’d prefer somewhere else.

[paperpusher]

My home's fine. Give me a few minutes to put the kettle on.

[read: give me a few minutes to make sure my hideous new body pillow is as well-hidden as possible]

I'm at Stepford Cottage. Feel free to come in when you get here, I'm the only one home.

[it's also fully decked out with ofuda and shide hanging strategically on the walls, along with a slightly-plumper-than-average couch.]

[laeradr]

You’ve no need to worry about being hospitable. But I’ll be there shortly. Thank you.

[ Silently, he notes the name Stepford Cottage. He’d walked Megumi back to his home after that flood, and he’s pretty sure it’s that very same cottage. Interesting. And a little relieving to know that stoic, serious, youthful Fushiguro has a more chipper but still competent adult to keep an eye on him.

It’s ten, fifteen minutes later that there’s a one-two knock on the door. A moment’s wait, just in case, then the door opens and Vangeane enters, glancing around at the curious ... decorations. ]

Good afternoon. [ Said as he tilts his head, looking over one of the more complicated-looking ofuda near the door. He’s a little reminded of the magic circles often used in traps. ] ... are there any precautions I should take before entering further?

[paperpusher]

[Natori's just taking the water off when Vangeance arrives (despite his objections; making tea is one of the few things in his very limited kitchen repertoire, please let him have this) for the two mugs waiting expectantly with cheap teabags inside (maybe "making" tea is a stretch). He turns to look over his shoulder as Vangeance steps in.]

Sorry, I should have asked-- the wards shouldn't give you any trouble if you're an invited guest either way, but if you're not human I can take them down if you'd prefer. [It's easy to say this matter-of-factly; it's a weird place, this Fogtown, and he's not taking anything for granted anymore. With its normal slurping wet sound, the lizard crawls from under his collar to sit on Natori's face as if checking out their visitor.] This is just meant to keep uninvited spirits out.

voice;

[shinizama]

[ Megumi figures that Vangeance will struggle less with the phone ringing than having to tap at his screen to text; so here's a call, incoming.

if and when Vangeance chooses to answer: ] Vangeance-san. Do you have a few minutes?

[laeradr]

[ Thank you Megumi, you are truly a good lad and there’s a reason Vangeance trusts you.

Despite his struggle with text-based stuff, he’s highly used to dealing with voice-only magic-based communication tools back home, and responds pretty promptly. ]

Hello, Fushiguro. I’m not occupied at the moment. What can I do for you?

[shinizama]

There's something I want you to do.

[ vague. Megumi doesn't really trust this network, especially if there's a direct point of contact that it provides with the Admin; he'd rather keep things sparse, over the phone. ]

Can I find you in person?

[laeradr]

[ Vague, yes. But he somehow doubts Megumi is the type to request an in-person meeting for anything frivolous, so it must have some significance. ]

Of course. I’m at the border of the forest at the moment, but I can move quickly. Where would you like to meet?

[ ‘How private do you need it to be?’ ]

[shinizama]

The forest is fine. So you don't have to move.

[ "it should be as private as possible." ]

I'll be there in 5 minutes.

—Thank you.

[ quick, and to the point. no bells or whistles— Megumi hangs up as suddenly as he'd called.

and, well. as promised, he shows up promptly: carried by the talons of a large bird-beast that melts back into his shadow once Megumi lands. he dusts himself off, and does a quick scan of the area before calling to Vangeance. ] ...Vangeance-san. Sorry for the sudden call.

text; un: jlawlove0320 ▸ dec 22

[ikizama]

vangeancesan!!!
busy???

its fushiguros bday!!! 🎉🎉🎉
i cookd a lot so come over to stepford & hav sum!!
if u want i can go over too!!

[laeradr]

[ WHOMST ....... oh. It takes him a solid fifteen seconds to connect the dots and realize who 'jlawlove0320' (???) is. Usernames are still kind of a weird concept to him okay. ]

Hello, Yuuji.

I'm not busy and very much appreciate the invitation. However, I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't know it was Fushiguro's birthday and thus haven't been able to prepare anything for him. I hope you'll understand.

[ikizama]

dont worry bout it!!!
fushiguro wont mind!!!

( don't decide this on your own??? )

we'll be happy to see u anyways ☺️✨
come anytime we'll be here all day!!

speaking of which!!!
whens ur bday vangeancesan??

[laeradr]

[ Well, it's true that Fushiguro isn't really the type to grouse about birthday gifts, so. ]

I'll visit later in the afternoon then, thank you.

[ That said, ah ... It'd be one thing if his birthday were in July or something, but saying 'it's in two days, actually' would feel a little strange, so. ]

You've no need to worry about mine. But may I ask when yours is?

[ikizama]

ok!!! c u later!!!

ehhh ill tell u if u tell me 😏

( ehehehe gotcha )

REVENGE DELIVERY!!!! 🌸 12/25

[equillibriums]

[ listen you feathery fiend, there's a!! DELIVERY!! on your front steps this morning. don't ask how it got there. all mister vangeance needs to focus on is the fact that it's a nicely wrapped box with a neatly written letter on top. it reads:

Hohoho! Dear Sir William... Or perhaps today, Mister William:

Merry Christmas! This is my first time experiencing such a day, so I'm not certain what wishes or gifts are usually given... But I couldn't let such a fun time go uncelebrated! I wanted to make sure that I showed my gratitude to you, my new friend of mine that I met through a strange twist of fate.

Though the circumstances aren't ideal, I believe myself lucky to have met you. You're a lovely individual... Strong, warm, reliable. I truly pray that the battles you have yet to fight end in your safety, and that you come to enjoy a peace in your Kingdom that you deserve. One of the gifts (hint: it's the one you can't eat!) in the box has a blessing I've cast on it... To help reduce your fatigue, and protect you if needed. I hope it can provide some of the safety that you provide to others.

Now, for the time being, please allow me to support you in person! Let's get to know each other well in the time that we have, and maybe share a drink in the near future? A toast for the holidays! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Rutile 🌸

with that out of the way, the inside of the box contains three objects. a thin, glass bookmark, where the drawn picture seems to move if angled in a particular way... a large, decorative cookie wrapped in plastic, and a homemade dish! enjoy, mister (sasuke voice) "i keep my distance for his own good"! ]

postcard

[paperpusher]

[On January 1, a homemade postcard slides under Vangeance's door under its own power. There are some surprisingly nice calligraphy bare branches inked across the top, with a few small brushes of petals just starting to bloom on the tips. In very nice formal handwriting going down the center:]

Happy New Year!

[On the back:]

Thank you for all your kind help during the past year. I hope for your continued favor this year. Wishing you good health and as few ridiculous circumstances as possible, as well as a quick return home.

Sincerely,
Natori Shuuichi

◣ DELIVERY: AFTER 12/26

[ikizama]

( jujusanta is here for their favourite senpai!!! vrom!! )

(click the letter for your present)

( vangeance would find, apart from the goodies they got him there's another package that looks suspiciously... long. in there he will find this and this. hm. what a combo. )