Charles Patricius

[Apollymi]

Miko had her question answered in a direct way but with a bit of teasing involved. What was said about how names worked made sense to her. She was also told to be careful because wherever she summoned him to, there would be a bit of a tear. "Well, it might be a while regardless... I don't think it's possible for me to be alone right now and I wouldn't want to tear anything else," she mused knowing that space and time were already kind of iffy around Yuuya's house. Whatever the case, she knew the name she needed to say, just not consciously and she should be prepared to say it in a different way, "That's terrifying? Exciting... I'm not sure which..." Miko uttered. Still, she wasn't a coward, she was definitely going to do it, though admittedly the extra anxiety wasn't helping her mind calm down at all. Maybe this was the feeling that Anais had dealt with when dealing with her next teacher and that was why she was afraid. Another commonality to mediate the extreme differences between them.

Meanwhile, the ways in which this game could be played without harming Wise made him happy. This was good as far as Kimiko was concerned, she considered him to be one of her best friend type people. She didn't want to harm him or have him unhappy very often. "I'm sure it's no better than burned to cinders or.... something like that. We'll avoid it for the most part. Oh yeah..." Kimiko murmured remembering something she'd forgotten from earlier. A new note was made, but while she was thinking about it she looked for where she'd left Kazuhiko and found him... wandering off. She supposed she'd keep an eye on him for a while yet. At the same time, Yugi was naming and giving master rules for the game that people were deciding to join in on. "Hai! Nice name for that one!~" Kimiko said. "The rules seem fair, to me..." Kaguya mentioned seemingly fine with a bit of extra time to spot a Wise to use. "Playing Atsu-Smash!~ I was born for this game!~" Belle claimed. Well, she would think that, she'd been playing some variation of 'Atsu-Smash' since she was a teen.

At the same time that sneaking Kazuhiko found himself with Jean and that young woman noted him as well and sighed. She knew she shouldn't do anything like whatever he was coming to her for, but... there was a certain lack of resistance that she maintained when it came to this particular young man. As such she was also sneaking off with him, even while trying to keep a low profile. "You are going to get us in so much trouble," she murmured softly. But even knowing that she was still here and willing to sink herself like she wasn't already taking a boundary sentence for this same man at some point in the future.

[Bloodedge]

"I wouldn't be so quick to say that if I were you," Yugi said regarding Miko's initial opinion. "It'll be a totally different story if I tear open reality, tear your clothes off, then start tearing you a new one. Perspective," he stated. The tearing effect he initially spoke of wouldn't be too bad either... though it could be, so he gave proper warning regardless. It all depended on how much Miko let the desire build before speaking his name aloud. Miko's additional clause, in which she confused something terrifying with something exciting, would also receive a quick note or two. "Yes. You're a bigger soul. The answer is usually... yes," he mentioned with no further context. All Spirits and those like them were fated to learn that such sensations were one and the same.

Moving on to the newest party game, basic structure and delegations were established with ease. Yugi liked what he heard, so he applied a buffer to the game's skeleton and let it become official across reality. "I feel like that's still an abuse of power, but no complaints from me this time!" Wise declared. Amidst a casual chat and some not-so-casual petting of Zmeya at that giant goblet, Ozymandias took the time to construct a series of temporary chairs, beds, harnesses, tables, desks and so-on ─ a structure for most of Wise's copies across the building. Meanwhile, Yugi had his tongue protruding in the core Wise's direction. "Everything's an abuse of power. That's what being powerful is. Anyway, additional rules. To claim a success, you have to make physical contact with the target. Too many people are able to do too much for game balancing. Break the rule, lose a point. Participants chime in!"

All the while, the younger Kazuhiko was still creeping about. Kimiko wasn't the only one to notice, though. In fact, Kazu's older self was eyeing the young form and gaining memory of the moment, in the moment. It was a sad recollection that he refused to let his young self see, lest it affect the turnout. Ah, but the young one had no eyes for anyone else at the moment, as Jean began sneaking off along with him. Her comment about the trouble he'd get them in was the trigger for so many memories, further confirming her identity in his mind. "Well you're the one coming with me!" he retaliated via whisper. Once they were in the clear, Kazu slipped a corner to a room that contained only a few copies of Wise. A quick nodding gesture cleared the space, and from there... Kazu would be staring at the knightess with neither shame nor end. "How? I caught some stuff, and I know I won't remember this... but how?" he asked, thinking back to their previous meeting from his perspective. In doing so, he laughed just slightly. "You know, last time we met, I couldn't even get a hug. I don't know how I manage something so awesome, or what kind of alternate reality has everything work out this well for me... but can I ask you to show me something?"

[Apollymi]

Miko claimed she wouldn't want to tear anything and was told she shouldn't be so hasty. Why? Well, apparently, Yugi had quite a few things to say about tearing. Tearing through reality, tearing her clothes off, tearing her a new one... perspective was apparently the name of the game. "Well, maybe some tearing, guess I need to always be prepared to have clothes torn off me♪~" Little Miko mentioned. Good thing she'd filled in her wardrobe quite a bit already. Beyond that, it would seem that her understanding of emotions now had to do with her soul. She was a bigger entity according to Yugi, and that meant that both was the answer to her question. "Sou ka, yes has been the answer a lot for me lately. I get it..." Little Miko mentioned. Just the same soon enough Yugi was wandering away to properly situate this new game and little Miko was also wandering towards something that had originally caught her attention. Arthur had been rather quiet for a while, but Miko remembered his conversation with her elder self. She needed a more direct look and managed to navigate a few 'Wise' to get a bit closer and have a more direct look. There was a pure and innocent curiosity in her face as she took him in. Was he soft? Did he like being bossed around? Or did he need a bit more protection like another 'bo' type person she knew? There was something about him that drew her in, the same way she found herself wandering towards lost children.

An abuse of power was something which was stated by Wise, but as the game was coming together he had nothing to say about it. Yugi's explanation about powerful beings leading to abuses of power was rather fair, they knew this even as such young beings themselves. Meanwhile, game props were being put up, so that sexual endeavors could have a bit more interest. The Sun King was responsible for such a thing. "I feel like I could get far in a game like this. Yes! I'm in!" was Angelica's statement on it after hearing the rules. Meanwhile Sakura decided she'd also be playing because of the shift in rules, "Hm, I didn't know if I'd rather observe or participate. But with a balancing rule like that it presents a challenge I can't resist~" Sakura added. Meanwhile, both individuals would be receiving a counter of their own. A little chirp would be called out as well, as yet another orgasm as she bounced in Sunday's lap. "Cheeee♪ I wanna play. Just give me a second♪!~" Elder Miko chimed quickly.

At the same time, Kimiko was now keeping track of two moving targets that would have the 'Don't wander off.' Rule applied to them. As little Miko, now fully dressed was looking at Arthur with innate curiosity and Kazuhiko was chatting with Jean. Both were questionable actions but both would be allowed as she wondered what they were doing. Jean for her part couldn't help herself, "Of course I am. All those times before a look like that is too familiar, right?" she asked wistfully. As they moved into that quiet corner with Wises allowing them a little cover and privacy she heard the words of Kazuhiko. There was something there he simply didn't know about yet, "You make a decision and talk to me before I even go over there. Everything else works out, I don't hate you... I'd never hate you," she said wondering if he'd even be able to hear half of what she'd said. "All of time and space is a lot apparently. All kinds of things can happen when someone has the right intention and the power to back it up," Jean mentioned. "You can ask, if we're already in trouble, might as well. Also, I am sorry about her, she's really just fed up right now. She gets a bit better after a while..." she explained of her alter self.

[Bloodedge]

In the moments of her separation from Yugi, the young Miko shifted toward Arthur. Once there, she'd find him still looking toward that goblet of mana and Zmeya. He seemed partly impassive, but mostly annoyed. Silence had hold of him still, but his expressions spoke much. Eyes that shifted toward the young Miko did so with questions. What did she want? This entire party, his presence, and whatever 'lessons' came to him were a massive waste of time; he didn't need the addition of a young Miko who wasn't likely to be much better than the older one. Well, she seemed approachable enough; he wouldn't glare or take any frustrations out on the innocent. Alas, he couldn't say anything to the girl either.

The count of game participants naturally included Belle, with Kaguya and Morgan adding themselves to the mix rather quickly. Now, they also had the likes of Angelica, Sakura and... apparently Miko, despite her existing literal entanglement. Six was a healthy number, but Yugi awaited any other callouts just in case. "Six in. In case there's a question, I'd say enticing a Wise who's viable as a target into coming at you will also count. How's a twist rule? Dick Magic Wise! Special targets may appear randomly and award bonus points for whacking!" Yugi added upon inspecting the Wises. To that, many of the white-haired clones seemed baffled. "Oh, did you miss it? That tech you were working on back home got atomized with you. The size enhancer, the knot former... all of those features are temporarily going to be part of you for a little while, and may appear here. Also... sorry, but the machine's gone now. Aaaand... so are the little ones," he added in a way that both relevant parties would hear, even as the ripples began to write their existences out of the current space.

On the young Kazu's end, he received some clarity. According to Jean, he decided something and sought her in the time before some arrival. Did she mean Gaia? He'd thought about it one or five times since their return, but he didn't believe the chances were very high. More importantly, Jean claimed she never hated him, and never could have. He'd have to go back without remembering that, and in fact... the memories of this entire party were beginning to fade with the passage of time moving forward. Kazu was fading, and so were all traces of everything since he regained consciousness. Chasing Nitocris and having that initial interaction with Johanna were already gone. "Ngh─! Something's missing. Is this the memory thing already? God damnit!" he griped. Well, Kazu had little choice now; he had to hurry and get his point across. "That one has every reason to be fed-up with everything. I get that better than anyone. Anyway... just smile. Can you do that? I─" Kazuhiko hesitated there as the memory of Johanna's entire existence disappeared in one final chunk. He was barely hanging on to Jean's identity, and would continue to do so to his last breath in this space. He wasn't going anywhere just yet.

[Apollymi]

After separating from Yugi, little Miko found herself staring at Arthur. There was something about the way her elder self talked to him that made her curious, but upon finding herself in front of him, she felt... something else. There was no animosity towards her, annoyance showed in the face of what was an obvious cucking. But other than that, there was a softness to him that she found herself feeling strangely. Though Miko was a deviant and some kind of sex-obsessed mad person, she was also very friendly and understood what it was like to feel outside of things on a deeper level. She didn't know what kind of interactions her elder self had with this young man but to her he felt... lonely. Perhaps she was projecting but she definitely wanted to do something about it, and she didn't have much time to find out. "I don't have time right now to do what I think I should..." little Miko mentioned. "I don't want anything, I just think..." she didn't finished speaking, she couldn't for a second, as ripples started and her brain started to feel strange.

Meanwhile the rules of the game were fully worked out and an almost complete group were ready to play. Full extra rules, "Oya, this game is getting spicy. I always enjoy something like that~" Kaguya mentioned. A bit of extra pizzazz wasn't anything to scoff at. At the same time, Belle, seemed "Waaa! I was gonna test that one! Though I suppose the upgrades will be worth experiencing..." she said of the machine, but she the game was still on with a couple of extras even. Kimiko for her part in this wanted in as well. "Oi oi, make it seven. Not like I can sit out Wise's first game~" she claimed of course, there was something else she needed to do first. Oh, but the little ones were leaving, Kimiko had something to do, "Shit, I forgot... gotta give a thing~" she claimed as she moved towards Kazuhiko as he tried desperately to hang on to his memories.

Jean for her part in this, understood Kazuhiko's words. She knew he'd forget and didn't know if she was going to get into trouble. "That's how its gonna be, if you try and hang on to it, it will hurt more..." Jean said of the memories he was losing. But regardless he understood, the part of her that was fed up, too much to be a normal version of herself. Oh well, there was something else, he wanted her to smile. That was it? The grin that broke out across Jean's face was so legitimate in the moment that she didn't even have to try. Even as he forgot thing sshe couldn't help it. 'You're always the same, don't change!~" she offered Kazuhiko happily even as Kimiko approached. "Hm, you two are too cute. All of you really... but I have to give a thing, sorry to interrupt~" she claimed as she tilted Kazuhiko's head up towards herself. "I am sorry I meant to give this earlier. It's probably going to give you the worst heartburn of your life, but... as a bonus it will let you explore the new hot bird~" she said lightly. While she pressed her lips to his, she'd pass along something so hot it'd likely burn when he swallowed it, it'd likely feel like hot lava pouring down his throat before settling into his stomach to erupt a second time. She also made sure both he and little Miko had their phones on their person with that mild telekinesis she used. "Grow up big and strong now~" she offered. At the same time, MIko's mind was being wiped but she was holding a thing herself. Nothing big, nothing truly significant just something for her elder self to do. "Consider it an exchange for that present. Do the thing for me!~" Little Miko offered as she flitted out. Her head was on fire, nothing felt right, but she was sure she was losing something else... moment by moment.

[Bloodedge]

The leaders of Uranus were an interesting pair with the things they used science to do. They could have easily used magic and accomplished all of their desires easily, but there was something appreciable about the different approach and dedication to their preferred craft. If nothing else, Kaguya seemed pleased by the turn of events... even if Belle lamented the loss of a machine just slightly. Wise seemed more sheepish than anything. "Did you have to out me like that? Nobody needs to know what kind of thing I was tinkering with," he said only to receive more mocking from Yugi. "Oh yeah, totally a better idea! Let's leave you to explain mid-game why your dick's set on dynamax or has a knot in it," he replied. Whatever the case, there was a seventh participant for the game. Kimiko, despite signing herself up, had to shift away for a few moments. In those moments...

Kazuhiko was struggling. Memories disappeared so rapidly, he barely managed to hang on to where he was or who Jean was. It did hurt like nothing before, but that was fine. He had a goal here ─ one he intended to remember against whatever laws of time were deleting events in his mind. Jean gave that smile he remembered ─ the very same one he hadn't seen in millennia. Even through the pain, he seemed infinitely pleased. Changing wasn't on the list whether she said anything or not, but that line from Jean was extra motivation. "There it is. Makes it all go away, you know? I'm gonna remember that one forever. Promise. If I forget everything else... I'm remembering this," he vowed. All the while, Kazu's elder form was silently standing just outside the room, seeming more pensive than anything. Did he remember? Time would tell. First though, his younger self was interrupted by none other than Kimiko. She had something to give him. He didn't care for anything else at the moment, but...

"Wait but I─" Silenced was the young Kazuhiko as Kimiko's lips pressed to his. If the memory erasure wasn't painful enough, the soul-burning sensation pouring down his gullet was a thousand times worse. Actually, he could compare it to the feeling experienced when he last met Jeanne in the Nexus. Determination was all that showed in his eyes when Kimiko separated from him. The memory of another intense burn triggered by this one would serve as fuel to help his current effort to remember. "Hu-aaaah! Can you not?! I gotta..." Slouching and clutching at his chest, Kazuhiko found himself falling back against a wall. Only there could he even remain standing, his attention still shifting toward Jean. "Ngh─no! Not important. You hear me Jeanne? Hear me time people? I'm fucking keeping this one!" he shouted as if demanding the universe obey his wishes. Kicking and screaming, he'd fade more into obscurity. The older one never left the other side of the door during all that fuss. No, he also leaned against a wall, arms crossed and eyes raised high.

[Apollymi]

The scientific minds of Uranus were indeed using science to do things magic could do, and then using magic to buffer it. They were odd in their choices, but both seemed fully committed to their ideas, enough to do them together. What was more, it seemed they were appreciated for their efforts even when they were feeling sheepish about them. "I mean, this whole game is about fucking you... so you're already outed, Onii-san~" Belle teased just a little. Beyond that Yugi was quite right, they'd have definitely had a few questions if some random dick based augmentation had popped up out of nowhere, especially for those who regularly encountered Wise. Still as the group was setting up it would seem a few more moments were needed. Kimiko had to give a gift, Elder Miko had to detangle and the little ones had to fade.

Kimiko approached Kazuhiko knowing what he would try to do to some extent. Even so, what she had to give couldn't really wait, and whether it helped him, or hurt his goals didn't really matter in the long term. Whatever he managed was a bonus regardless. A vow was made and Jean looked at the young man in front of her. There was so much promise and determination in those eyes. She found herself hoping for his success, if for no reason other than wanting him to be happy, even if only for a moment. Still, as he told Kimiko to wait she could not, this was a volatile sort of exchange to give, that particular addition was important enough that she had to give it before he transitioned back. "Not an option, but at least you have a good look in your eye..." Kimiko mused, she was willing to leave him knowing that she'd done what she needed to and that he now had several tools he needed. He was going out in a tantrum that made the one Miko threw seem calm by comparison. He was keeping it, Kimiko looked at him and so did Jean. She didn't know if he kept it, but she wasn't going to discourage him either. She understood what these moments did for those in their early stages. "I heard you." was the reply from Jean as he began to fade. Ah, but what about the elder Miko? Her little self was fading but she'd received a mental demand the likes of which she'd not known she'd give herself, "Ugh damnit, little me... you really are the best of us. Fine, I'll do it. The lost leading the lost..." she uttered knowing that she wouldn't understand but that it was what was happening. Elder Miko didn't know when 'lost causes' became part of her responsibility but she supposed, if nothing else, she would do a favor for her younger self. Little Miko could take solace in that even as her train of thought was slipping, at least her older self would do as she asked, but... what was it she'd asked? She couldn't recall.

[Bloodedge]

True enough, any 'outing' of Wise was done with or without Yugi's mention. He supposed there was no real room to complain; not that he would after Belle spoke a bit of sense. "That's fair. A little tact would have been appreciated, but whatever," another Wise huffed to no particular end. "So about that fucking part..." said another copy. Some of them didn't seem too patient, already reaching out for Kaguya only to be halted by Yugi. "Oi! None of that! The game hasn't even started yet, and every one of your copies is a target!"

Kazuhiko had only one goal: remembering. Whatever Kimiko gave to him was of little consequence. The same could be said of having a shot at the 'new hot bird' she spoke of, which was certainly that form Miko acquired earlier. Nothing mattered as much as this memory. Jean accepted his conviction, and the memory still wasn't going away even with that continuous burning. "Good! Don't you forget it eithe─agh!" Surely the young Kazu wasn't having the best time. Even so, there was a wide, smug grin on his fading face in those final moments. He didn't recall a single thing, except... "I can still see it. I remember! I─!" And so, the young one was gone, and the older was closing his eyes on the other side of that door. Younger Kazuhiko opened his a moment later, seeing an alleyway around him. He and Miko were placed earlier in time, across the street from their original destination of that card shop. Kazuhiko was still leaned against a wall, now on the outside of a nearby building with that burning still in place. "Hngh! What the fuck?! Why am I on fire?!" he griped while sliding down onto the pavement. While that occurred, the older counterpart was recalling the same moment and opening his eyes to a newly-misted state.

[Apollymi]

Tact, was what Wise was asking for in outing himself. Given that the game itself functioned as such it was hardly a problem overall, and Belle had pointed this out so she wasn't too upset. "Yeah, fucking part!~" Belle chimed in, that was going to be fun, but apparently the game hadn't yet started and all of Wise's atoms were all still ready to go and thus would compromise the game state. The rest however was being put on hold at least for a moment, because Kazuhiko was still trying to hang on to the memory he was creating. He didn't want Jean to forget. He'd yelled at the space to remember and that he wouldn't obey the general rules of spacetime. Jean watched all of that and exhaled a gentle breath as Kazuhiko disappeared from sight. The little one at least, was off to live a rather adventurous life, but what of the elder one? As Kimiko floated back over to the game space a blue runic counter set to zero appeared over her head as well. At the same time, Jean slipped over to speak with the elder from of Kazuhiko, if only because she was curious about one thing, "So... did you actually remember it?" she asked of him.

At the same time, Miko and Kazuhiko were appearing in an alleyway not to far from the card-shop they were supposed to appear at. The outburst of Kazuhiko who wondered why he was on fire, drew Miko directly to him as he fell against the wall in that alleyway. "On fire isn't good. I don't know... I don't remember. Did you end up with a fire form too?" she asked as she reached out for his face to look him over. It was directly in her nature to check on him physically but if this was a purely spiritual thing she didn't figure there was anything to be done about it immediately. Though admittedly she felt like she had a splitting headache too, or maybe... "Were we drinking?" she wondered absently. She felt like she'd drank too much but that didn't seem right either. She remembered gaining a flaming form herself that was rather explosive and could only think something similar had happened. They'd not even gotten around to thinking about where they were, or the greater details of what was happening, no they had a lot of things to sort through.

[Bloodedge]

Shortly after the young ones vanished at last, the remaining Kazuhiko was approached by Jean. He first saw Kimiko pass by to join the game, but Jean's words were what took his attention. Did he remember? "Not joining the game?" he asked in temporary deflection. Kazu was no liar, though. He'd still be addressing her query after a few moments of recollection, though a lack of joy may have been answer enough already. "I made a promise. I always said there's nothing worse than a broken promise, right?" he asked. True enough, he hated nothing more than breaking his own promises. Any made with such conviction to someone like her, were particularly distressing. "But... it's never too late, right? I remember it now... and starting this moment, I'll never forget what I saw," he vowed once more. As if to enforce his own statement, without even looking in Jean's direction thus far, he added something more. "You've got a little piece of tomato skin on your top left canine by the way. Guess you were having pizza this morning."

Meanwhile, a burning young Kazuhiko wasn't burning at all. One could have fooled him by mentioning it; he could just about say he'd never felt something so hot. Alas, there was one hotter feeling in his recent past ─ one that brought a certain face to mind when he thought of it. Jeanne was such an angry individual in her current form. Kazuhiko found distraction from the pain by thinking that a single chance to see happiness in that woman's face would set things right, and surely be something he could never forget. Little did he know. "Aah! I don't think I got an anything form, but it's way too hot for cl─" He paused again. When thinking of clothes and how removing a few probably wouldn't even help, Kazu found himself giving Miko a once-over. He would have done so anyway with her current proximity, but the extra purpose added another point of easy distraction. "We weren't drinking, but when the hell did you change clothes? You do cleavage now?" he asked while staring straight down into an exposed flesh pocket atop Miko's chest.

[Apollymi]

While the game seemed to be starting out in earnest, Jean was talking directly to the elder version of Kazuhiko. She'd asked him about his memory while he deflected for at least a moment, she had a feeling that he'd not been able to retain it, but maybe. "No, I like to let them fully figure out games before participating," she said about her game participation. It was a personal preference given how much she generally drank in these sorts of situations. But what about his memory. He made a promise and he did always say there was nothing worse than a broken promise, "Hm, that is something you always say..." Jean mentioned with a softness to her which belied a certain understanding. He'd forgotten, but that wasn't his fault, keeping memories from paradoxes was never supposed to be possible. "It is never too late, and no one blames you for not being able to defy space time," she commented a smile breaking out over her face. Until of course, it was mentioned that there was tomato skin in her teeth. Her face immediately turned red and she covered a mouth with her hand as if she was shocked. "I just had lunch at the Cat's Tail. Treat myself to pizza and embarrass myself for all space time!" she said seemingly mortified. Perhaps it was for the best that he wouldn't remember it for a while.

Now in an alleyway, Miko and Kazuhiko were chatting. There was something missing from both of them, but neither could quite place what it was, all they knew was that Kazuhiko's chest was currently aflame from within. "Mine was like that too... only it was like pouring into me or something like that. There is also still the stinging of my ass cheek," Miko offered. If nothing else, that flaming feeling would die down a bit eventually, she knew that from her own experience. Still as Miko questioned her own state, no drinking had been on the menu from Kazuhiko's perspective, but her clothing had changed. She found herself looking down at her outfit after the mentioned, "Waaaaah♪!~ Who put this on me... there's so much of me showing!" Miko seemed just as surprised. "Apparently, I do cleavage now. Do I look okay? Is it too much?" she asked. As the most trustworthy man currently present she'd take his opinion on her appearance. The clothes themselves were comfortable, even if she couldn't think of a reason she would have pieced such an outfit together for herself. Still she'd stay and comfort Kazuhiko for a while yet, she stayed within arms reach checking his temperature and making sure his mana circuits weren't malfunctioning or anything like that. Even so, there was no reason to avoid conversation at the same time and from what she could recall they'd done something rather amazing today.

[Bloodedge]

Jean didn't care to participate in the first iteration of party games like the one they were currently starting. He supposed she was enough of a distraction when partying that a new game would have a totally different outcome. In fact, he could count one or two events of that exact thing happening. "I think that would be pretty fun for this one though. If I'm one of the Wises next time, I hope you come to mix it up," Kazu said, seeming to reach a more casual level of interaction through conversation alone. Jean offered comfort. None could blame him for being unable to defy space-time. Alas, it was something he eventually became able to do... just not back then. He would have commented further on that topic, but everything was halted by an outburst of laughter. Simply pointing out a bit of tomato showing on Jean's teeth was apparently enough to cause massive embarrassment. Yet another thing Kazu would never forget, was that reaction. "Baahahaha! Don't worry about it! I think it's like admiring art. There's this big, flawless mural, and just that one little imperfection showing from an accidental brush stroke. It adds appeal; it doesn't take any away."

The burning of young Kazuhiko would not fully go away for some time yet. According to Miko, however, there were a few notable differences between their situations. He could only assume it would go away at some point, but as per usual... there were more important things. What could be more important than a burning soul he could feel in every fiber of his being? Surely this more provocative change of outfits Miko had for reasons unexplained. He didn't know who put it on her, but... "A bro, obviously!" Kazu decided. The cleavage was one thing, but another was a random string of some sort in the window-style opening ─ something that seemed to serve the purpose of pulling her breasts together. There was only one thing for Kazu to do. When asked if Miko looked acceptable or if this new getup was too much, Kazu's initial response came from a single hand rising, its forefinger pushing into that exposed cleavage. "What counts as too much? Like, is it a scale of how much I want to put my dick in here? 'Cause if high is too much, it's too much."

[Apollymi]

After explaining her choice to not participate in the earliest iteration of a new game, Jean was confronted with a suggestion that she participate in one where Kazuhiko was one of the Wises in addition to mentioning the fun of a potential moment. "Of course, I wouldn't say no to something like that... If we fully understand the rules, we could even play at home~" she teased just a bit. Of course she would, there wasn't any way she or the others would give up some potential fun when the opportunity was present. Beyond this point though, there would be a bit of laughter. Why? Well, there was the embarrassment on Jean's face given the piece of tomato skin caught in her teeth. Every time there was a moment like this she experienced nostalgia about the amount of fun they had growing up together. Still she was trying to blindly get food from between her teeth, still she eventually stopped and looked at him, her eyes sparkling just a bit. "You know when you say it like that, it's actually really cool~" Jean managed stepping up to him to place her lips against his for managing to say something sweet to her. Of course, he'd always been like this but it was always interesting to see the difference between two people's selves.

Meanwhile, Kazuhiko and Miko were busy in an alley way. They were discussing some burning in his chest and body but also her apparent clothing choices that weren't ones she remembered making herself. Well, according to Kazuhiko a bro had clothed her, given how she was dressed, "Hm, is this a bro choice? I mean, I guess it would be enjoyable..." she mused as she looked down at herself. While she did that, apparently Kazuhiko decided to place a finger within her cleavage. She didn't mind this at all... "Hmm, that's still a really new feeling..." she mused, while she pushed her boobs together just a little from the sides. Perhaps, it'd be worth it to practice a few things and get used to them being so close together, Kazuhiko did have quite a nice cock that could be placed in the middle, and she could both eat and rub muscles. And lo, Kazuhiko mentioned wanting to stick his member between her breasts and wondered if this was the kind of too much she was asking about, "Well, I meant like am I showing too much skin or something..." she mentioned a blush coming to her face. "But... given what this shirt looks like I assume that kind of too much is great♪!~" Miko chirped happily.

[Bloodedge]

Jean seemed interested in the later iteration of Whack-a-Wise that might involve Kazu, and in fact suggested that they play at home with a bit of rule understanding. It was a good enough idea that Kazu considered suggesting an inverted version as well. After hearing about the Uranians and their technology, and after seeing some of the harnesses certain Wise variants were connected to, he had a couple of ideas. "That'd be pretty awesome. I might suggest a flipped format too. Sounds fun~" he agreed. Following Kazu's acknowledgement of that tomato, Jean believed he'd managed to say something cool. The kiss she initiated after was a welcome change of pace after all the craziness of this pre-party, but he'd also noticed her struggle to remove that piece of tomato. The smallest application of gravity occurred from Kazu's end before their lips separated, adding to the 'pop' that occurred in the moment. Just afterwards, a cheeky and playful Kazu showed his tongue... which happened to have that very fleck of tomato skin at its tip. "That's me. You're never gonna see cooler~" he flirted jokingly, adding a wink.

The choice of Miko's current outfit was absolutely, unquestionably made by someone he'd call a comrade. If he ever found out exactly who it was, he'd probably thank them somehow. "Yes. It's a bro choice. Whenever you find out who did this, bring them to me immediately. I need to show gratitude for this awesomeness," he declared. That finger was having difficult to move, but he had another forefinger to point at Miko's face instead. "And yes I'm using the privilege for that. That's an order!" he added. He'd never say too much skin was showing ─ especially not after the things he'd seen lately. The way her breasts were squeezing around that first finger didn't make any progress toward changing his mind, and the heat through his body wasn't helping the situation either. "Well I can take everything I've got off if you think you're showing too much. We'll be more balanced that way, and maybe I won't feel so fucking hot!"

[Apollymi]

Already, two of the Jovians were making casual plans for home based games. If she was being honest, Jean thought that the adjustment of inverted rules might make for a good game for their home life version of a game like this one. Beyond that, any fun to be had could be shared among the group, which while sizable was well worth having everyone involved in. "Flipped format would be awesome for one of those all home days. Rare though they are~" Jean mentioned. She knew that other than their 'planned' times, getting unanimous involvement was a bit difficult, but always worth it. It'd be a fun game to include everyone in. Beyond this point though, Jean had ended up kissing Kazuhiko after of course, telling him about the coolness of his statement to her. He was always cool though, even when he didn't know it, but now wasn't a time where he didn't know. No, instead she was confronted with his confidence in being cool, as he kissed her and applied the little gravity which would let him help her with her embarrassing moment. A little piece of tomato skin removed from her teeth as a popping sound occurred as their lips separated. Oh and he even flirted with her over it. "Show off!~" she claimed. Still she wouldn't be one to say she didn't like this sort of thing. "I'm pretty sure we all like it though~" Jean commented absently. If they were to flirt they definitely could do so, it wasn't a problem given they weren't currently involved in the game.

Meanwhile, Miko's new attire apparently made Kazuhiko a comrade of some sort. Whenever it became obvious who had dressed her, she'd be sure to point him in their direction. Ah, but that wasn't even a choice of Miko's to make. It was a demand by Kazuhiko so he could show gratitude, and he even made the claim, that he'd be using his privilege to make that happen. "Aye, Sir!~" Miko chimed her agreement even as a finger was pointed at her, which she leaned forward to flick with her tongue playfully. "Box it..." she put to the side the idea of figuring out who dressed her. "I really don't remember getting dressed though... it's weird I feel like I lost something," Miko said speaking of her missing memories but with no real knowledge of what she lost. Beyond that though, she wasn't wearing too little, and Kazuhiko offered to take off clothes given his own heated body. Casually did Miko begin unbuttoning his clothing as nice as it was, just to help... well, until her fingers made contact with heated skin. "Hm, you are hot to the touch, we should get you some of those vented shirts, you know... the ones that are only shoulders and sides to keep you cool..." she said while her eyes traveled down to his abs and a tiny bit of drool collected in the corner of her mouth. Maybe she should lick him, if he was having trouble regulating his own termperature surely he could use a bit of help, right?