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[ What is only obvious.. man, despite the shitty situation, he really can't help but grin at that. Sousei is just such a good guy, Shinpachi doesn't know how to deal with it.. sure, he knows plenty of good people, but there's also plenty of people who would say it's not only natural to have other people's backs in a fight.

Sousei's brave, and he's fighting for what's right - what other fighting partner could Shinpachi better ask for in a moment like this?

So he easily follows along, not sheathing his sword just yet in case something jumps out at them again. Something will, he's sure, it's just a matter of time. ]

Man, would it kill them to have candles or something around here sometime?

[ It's so dark.. this is why you don't rely purely on modern inventions like electricity!! ]

[Candles...torches, anything that could work for that. But in response, Sousei just offers up dryly--]

Yes, perhaps it would.

[He'd give a lot for Ashiya right now, he could probably light their way using some of his onmyouji techniques. However, all they have is Abe no Sousei, and they're up a creek, because he sure doesn't know how to do much of anything in that way.

He's only vaguely irritated as he narrows his eyes, trying to see through the darkness. Only vaguely, really!! That sigh was. Definitely not because he's irritated by this entire situation.]

[ Well, they could have had a rasetsu who'd be able to see in the dark here, but Shinpachi also doesn't have much on that front.. so at least they're even here in their inability to deal with the darkness. But he's not hearing gigantic roars in the distance or anything yet, so that's a good sign. Not a sign that everything is safe, but at least a sign there's not some giant waiting for them to fight. ]

"Perhaps", he says, while he's clearly pissed..

[ It's said with a very light amused tone to his voice though. Sure, this situation is shitty, but Shinpachi's always drawn strength from comraderie. Especially in the shittiest of situations, because then it's all you've got. And Sousei-- well, he's definitely a good friend, that's for sure. ]

I am not pissed. [yes you are, Sousei.

Nonetheless, it is true that it's probably a good sign that it's quiet.

Probably. All he can hear are their footsteps on the tile flooring, and--

... and scratching noises.

Wait a second--]

There are-- [more. Is what he'd like to say, but he doesn't really have the time; as soon as he notices, there are more of those elves launching themselves at the two of them from the darkness.]

[ IT'S ALRIGHT 'CAUSE HE'S SAVED BY THE ELVES.

From having to endure more of Shinpachi's friendly teasing, anyway. Since he's quick to adapt to a battle-ready stance again when the things seem to literally come flying out of nowhere (seriously, how does this place even think up these threads) and he has to slice them up left and right all over again. ]

There's gotta be an end to these somewhere!

[ Right? They can't have some infinite elf supply in this mall out of nowhere, where would they have come from out of the blue.. ]

[Saved indeed.....

Sousei flings a sword up to slash through an elf that is getting too close for comfort, and then glances over his shoulder at Shinpachi.

And, wryly--]

Is that how it worked at Zelien? [Because from his four months or so here, he really doesn't think that's how it works in Cerealia.]

Sometimes.

[ He won't just say "yeah", since he's also dealt with invasions that just seemed without end - even times where it was better to pull back rather than risk anything in a fight they wouldn't win anyway, as sour as it was.

But the thought that it wasn't always impossible is exactly what drives him now, and it's enough for him to grin at the other after impaling one of the elves. ]

We actually got stuff done over there, y'know? [ Not always, but whatever, the few times they did are enough to have teasing material over. ]

[...Hm.

He snorts under his breath at that, even as he focuses on slicing his way through the next wave of elves. At least there's nothing too surprising there, huh...

Not like there could be any worse dangers lurking ~~until someone turns on the lights~~.]

Are you suggesting that we've been slacking here?

[ ~~Please don't let modern people much better with electricity pass through, more like..~~ ]

Well.. [ His tone lingers for a moment as he moves to mow some more elves out of the way, plainly punching one away when it gets a little too close in range to properly get at it with a sword - with relative ease too, like he's used to having to do it. ]

I guess there's really nothing more we can do here, that's the difference.

[ At least with COMPASS they were given the opportunity to get at them eventually - but here? He's hardly even heard of those CERES bigwigs for a while now. ]

[~~Modern people ruin everything~~

Though honestly, Sousei has nothing but approval for Shinpachi's fighting style. Considering he's always encouraged the Yamainu to fight in whatever way made them most dangerous (and not necessarily what was "proper samurai fighting", he's hardly going to judge. Shinpachi is efficient and trustworthy in this brawl. That's more than enough for him.]

There will be. [It's said cooly and calmly, even as he steps forward to chase down a few of the remaining elves, now keeping their distance rather wisely.]

We have not grown complacent, regardless of the others here. When things change, we will be ready to take the opportunities presented.

[He's...confident, at least. And...honestly, rather hopeful and optimistic.]

[ It's not like Sousei is saying anything he doesn't know yet. He knows that there might be a chance, and if there will be, that they'll jump on it - it's why he doesn't mind Sousei's casual usage of the word "we" there, no matter whether it's them or a larger group of people. It's true, regardless.

But on the other hand, it's pretty hopeful. And since Shinpachi - however still not the most pessimistic - has grown a little more jaded thanks to a lot of events both in this place and Zelien, it's good to hear. Especially coming from someone who's usually fairly stone-faced.

It's why he grins even as they're still in the middle of fighting. ]

Your men must've liked you a lot.

[ Not that they can't have thought he was a pain in the ass with how strict he is at the same time.. hell, Hijikata is the same, and Shinpachi likes him just fine too. ]

[He doesn't falter, and there is no pause, even if inwardly, there's a definite moment of freezing. But he's too well-trained to freeze outwardly, and so he neatly dispatches the nearest elf with a blade between its ribs, and then next with a neat twist of his wrist, smacking the flat of his blade against the side of its head with enough force to snap the fragile neck.

... A statement like that, honestly...

For a moment, he doesn't know how to respond, and so he doesn't, focused on the fight for a long moment. His men...]

We share a common dream, and they have agreed to follow me.

[he'd asked once, if Ashiya was concerned about Sousei's going off and doing his own thing, basically committing treason. But Ashiya had been so clear about it.

"The only one I follow is Abe no Sousei." ...Hm.]

I trust in their loyalty if nothing else. [But he's much too awkward and tsun to consider how much they liked him, okay...!!] For anything else, you would have to get their own opinions.

[ Now that is a very Hijikata-like answer alright. It's entirely different than what Shinpachi would have said about his own men, and the difference makes him snicker even as he cuts open one of the elves before turning to face another. ]

I don't think I have to ask them to know.

[ If they have a common dream with Sousei.. well, then they all have to be upright good guys - that much is something Shinpachi firmly believes. And if they are like that, then there's not a doubt in his mind that they really must have liked Sousei.

What a good group to protect the country after them - it makes him glad, since a lot of the enemies they fought that he knows will eventually cause the Shinsengumi's downfall were just.. well, shitty. He'd rather have those around. Even if it might not be the same world, whatever, he can dream. ]

Sort of funny how a cocky guy like you just can't take certain compliments, huh? [ Teases him about it.. he can't resist, okay. ]

[... wow are you laughing at him--you're totally laughing at him!!

Sousei huffs in response to that, not lifting his eyes from the foes in front of him, but tone entirely tart.]

I don't know what you're implying, but I don't like it.

[You know, Sousei, don't lie....... you know exactly what Shinpachi is ribbing you about.]

Keep your opinions to yourself, Nagakura.

[It's amazing how he can sound so put-out even as he just casually decapitates another elf. They're a little too used to this, maybe.]

[ How is he not supposed to laugh though if Sousei is just so hilarious in all his.. Sousei-ness.. you only find a guy like that once every century, okay, Shinpachi's got to enjoy this opportunity while he can.

Especially since it's at least one way to have fun in the middle of this hellish town of blizzards and crazy elf-things.. sharing this odd sense of comraderie with Sousei is much, much better than that, even if it just looks like bickering with one half of the argument looking entirely unfazed about it. ]

You should know that's the one thing I suck the most at by now..!

[ Hey, it's true.. Shinpachi ever shutting up about anything, let alone his opinions of all things? That sure is never going to happen, but keep up the wishful thinking, Sousei..

Also casually getting rid of some of the last of these elf monsters here, okay. Totally normal battle activities, messing around with friends.. it's the Shinsengumi way. ]

[Wow, so glad someone's amused!!! Except...well, he is kind of glad that Shinpachi can still laugh and be amused like this despite everything he's been through. It's...nice.

Shinpachi's a really strong guy like that. That's the sort of guy that you can absolutely trust your back to.

And so Sousei simply snorts under his breath at that (an amused noise, though he'll deny that), and let's Shinpachi take care of the last of the few remaining elves.

Hm.]

I do know. It's not as though you haven't made it perfectly--

[And that's, of course, when the lights snap on. Sousei blinks. It's not a bad thing, per se, but... it also doesn't feel good, especially when there's a thump of a footstep heavy enough to rattle the floor.

Uh.]

[ EXCUSE YOU, MONSTER, CAN'T YOU SEE THEY WERE HAVING A MOMENT OF BROMANCE OVER HERE?!

Rude af, to be honest.

But Shinpachi realises this is Not A Good Sign. Not that it takes very honed instincts to know this isn't a good sign, honestly, this has "terrible idea" written all over it. That footstep sure doesn't belong to an elf, and Shinpachi glances towards the other man over his shoulder. ]

Sousei. [ His voice has taken on a considerably more serious tone. Look, Shinpachi is great at banter during battle, but he knows when they need to focus on something else for a moment - he's a captain of the Shinsengumi for a reason. ] Let's make a break for it.

[ Not that Shinpachi is a coward, but.. well, whatever makes that kind of sound when it walks just can't be fought by the two of them. He's not stupid enough to risk everything on something totally hopeless. ]

[MONSTERS RUINING ALL OF THE BROMANCE--but honestly, he's not going to get any argument out of Sousei. The footsteps (is that what that is?) of the monster are shaking the ground enough to rattle his teeth, and so he just clenches them, nodding shortly.

He hates running away, he really does, but this place doesn't play by the typical rules.

This new threat may not even be defeatable. No need to tempt fate.]

This way.

[They can backtrack and head towards the exit they know the location of. If nothing else, he doubts they have a whole lot of time here. Time to book it, bropachi.]

[ He quickly sheaths his sword again. If they're going to run it won't be much use anyway carrying that around, and if something does appear in their path, he'll just draw it again. No problem, he's way too used to doing that sort of thing now for it to be a real hindrance.

And then all Shinpachi does is nod before he's already off in that direction. He doesn't look if Sousei is coming along too, but it's not a case of selfishness as much as it's trust. Sousei is a reasonable guy, of course he's coming too. Even if it's nice to have each other's backs, it still doesn't mean he has to coddle the other - Sousei's enough of a warrior in his own right.

He does briefly glance over his shoulder, but there's no sign of what's chasing them just yet.

No sign, that is, except for an incredibly loud growl ringing out through the mall. ]

What sort of ridiculous thing do they even have in here? [ Because seriously, how does something that can make that kind of loud sound get stuck in a mall of all places. ]

[Naturally, Sousei follows suit, drawing even with Shinpachi so they can retreat together. True bromance, fighting together and RUNNING THE HELL AWAY together.

That growl is loud enough to leave his eyes ringing, and Sousei narrows his eyes.]

It may be similar to the larger ghost, in which case... [A glance down to his sword, and he shakes his head sharply.]

There may be no way to harm it. Escape is our best option.

[At least they can see now with the lights turned on.]

[ Dealing with two unbeatable enemies on a day, this sure isn't Shinpachi's day.. besides, it's not just the danger that gets to him, it's just that this pisses him off. Sure, it's totally not the time or place for it, but this place is just annoying as hell. And you have to draw the line in the sand somewhere, man, you have to ask yourself, what am I willing to put up with today, NOT FUCKING THIS--

But sure, sure, he keeps on running.

Just with grit teeth. ]

I can't believe whatever keeps causing this.. It can't even give us a damn fair fight!

[ THAT JUST ANNOYS HIM, OKAY. If you try to torture people that's one thing, but at least give him the opportunity to kick your ass fairly in return?! This is just not cool, man, it rubs straight in against every single sense of fairness and justice that Shinpachi has. ]

[Yeah, Sousei won't argue with you there, Shinpachi...this is all sorts of bullshit, and he hates it. All he wants is to be able to kill whatever's chasing them and carry on with his life, but noooo, here he is running away because Cerealia is full of bullshit.

Sousei huffs vaguely, tightly.]

At this point, I would accept an unfair fight with something that could be harmed.

[The ghost was kind of scarring, okay......... he was sure he'd be able to handle it, and then poof, his sword did nothing.]

If they'd just stop being cowards--

[ But just as Shinpachi starts with that statement, there's a rather large growl from somewhere behind them.. and when he turns to look, he can finally see what's chasing them by now, since it's just turning the corner.

And that thing? It's absolutely gigantic. Shinpachi's climbed hills that were smaller than that. ]

Are they kidding?! [ He sounds half incredulous, half just Done with this. How ridiculous are they going to make these situations? Sure, he's still running, but that doesn't mean he has to be okay with this shit. ]

[Good lord what is that thing.

Sousei stares at it for a moment, and while his jaw doesn't drop, there's some definitely surprise on his face.

Coming from him, that's basically slack-jawed surprise.

But either way, he takes this opportunity to...decide to run faster... no, he doesn't want to fight that thing. And it seems to be covered in blood already, though he's not entirely sure if it's from other peopl...e....]

Stop talking.

[LESS TALKING, MORE RUNNING.]

It probably won't fit through the door.

[SO THAT'S THE GOAL HERE.]

It's exactly that "probably" that's worrying me!

[ It's only half-snappy.. mostly since the situation is sort of agitating (no, really agitating, actually. he's a warrior, give him a damn fight already--) rather than anything else. But at least Shinpachi does grit his teeth a moment later, speeding up his pace a little. There's no way they can outrun something of that size otherwise, right? That thing could take a leisurely step after them and still have a good chance of catching up.

Their only hope is really to run out of the doors and have that thing be trapped inside.

.. If the doors haven't locked behind them, that is.

But those are thoughts for later. If they don't have anything else to try, they might as well risk everything on this. (Especially when his sword is little more than a toothpick to that thing.) ]

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