<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Apollymi]

Miko's eyes were on Gojo the entire time, and his behavior was surprisingly... expected. He was definitely living in his own kind of world one she was a little shy of properly entering but when she did... she'd make it a personal goal to shut him up for a while. Yes, that is what his kind of sass got out of Miko. "Hm, I like the way that sounded... regardless, keep talking I'll eat your share♪~" Miko asserted. While continuing to behave herself as usual. Meanwhile, Shutara pointed out to the man the nature of himself and he had nothing but a joke to give in return, she laughed, as did most of the other women but Miko's pouty face shot him a devious look, 'Don't go talking crazy now. I'd survive that run bare minimum and I'm still considering it aside from... behaving,' Miko thought almost absently as that same side eye shot to Yugi. Oh well, she'd continue to playfully pout.

Until of course, the last two 'regular' guests appeared if they could be called such. Tae sat at the table shaking her head. "You two really don't hold back, who wasn't invited to dinner?" she wondered almost sarcastically. In before a pop up caught her attention, as well as that of Ai, Kaguya, Makima after she arrived and Miko herself. Miko was hearing that readout so eventually her eyes would shift to Hiruko a bright smile crossing her face, as if the mood had suddenly shifted. "Nice to see you again, fuku-kaichou♫~" Miko chirped as if pleased. "Half of ya'll look spaced out, also I'm seeing a pattern... Sup Nii-san~" Shutara offered Hiruko without hesitation. The harem was starting to look like an Air Gear Fantasy,... "Gambling Sim? And another Air Gear face claim..." Ai murmured, looking towards Miko with her own kind of pout. But as a gamer she'd download a new app regardless. "Hm? Are we late? It took a bit longer to find gifts, but this place looks interesting at least, good job~" Makima complimented the air. She'd be moving one of the chairs closest to the kids and replacing it with her own throne to sit in, such was her own nature.

Meanwhile, Kaiba Seto was set to abuse his own brain and more employees as he tried to track that corpse of his down. Makima hadn't made herself impossible to follow or anything of the sort, so she expected that particular contact to become a thing pretty soon. Regardless of all of that, Hiromi heard the complaints of Kaiba and found that he'd be going about this whole situation the hard way. "Fine, be difficult. Though I still find it hard to believe you'd let anyone else put the finishing touches on anything..." Hiromi stated as she exhaled the last of that cigarette smoke. At the same time, something was finally happening with that dimension rift. Irkalla had finally stood up from her throne. She found the opening big enough for her to comfortably walk through, so she began taking those steps forward. She'd also be using her own body and mana to strengthen the connection. Feeling death and the pair of kids she'd encountered earlier on the other side, was simply helping. But with each step she took, those magical vibrations would continue, and become more easily felt even by those not as deeply attuned to death.

[Bloodedge]

Gojo merely shrugged when Miko threatened to eat his share. He didn't come here for the food; he came here for the flex. If she actually ate his serving of lasagna, it would make him no difference at all. What would make a difference, however, was seeing how this gathering progressed. There were some interesting candidates present already. Not a lot of power sat at the table before Makima and Hiruko arrived, but there was a great deal of potential if what the Players did with Takemi Tae was considered possible for anyone. "Show-stoppers are here. Going off-screen~" Gojo said when eyes were drawn to the Hunters Association leaders. Hiruko looked around briefly to see a few familiar faces, all while receiving some greetings. "Konbanwa. Thanks for the invite. I brought presents~" he said first, peeling those sunglasses away to reveal a pair of 'mutated' violet and cyan eyes. "Taracchi? How'd you get caught-up in all this? Shouldn't you be in another country right now?" he asked of the girl he'd also be sitting beside ─ effectively placing Shutara between himself and Gojo.

Makima asked if they were late, and Yugi was already grinning over his own clasped fingers. Their appearance now established the order he'd been wondering about. Given Makima's proclivity for aura farming of late, he thought it was rather amusing that she wouldn't be the true show-stopper of this evening. "You're not late. Actually, you might have liked to get here a little later... except you definitely want to see what's coming next," Yugi stated, looking toward the opposite end of the table. One person had yet to be seated. In fact, the former professional boxer Anan hadn't even come downstairs since he arrived... until now. "Oh, the Shepherd is here too? Must really be a party~" he said while sauntering in. Ah, but even a headcase like him took pause upon feeling the sensation of death itself in the immediate vicinity. Something untouchable was coming ─ something people like Yugi, and apparently Ren, would want to touch anyway. Of course, Yugi awaited Irkalla's arrival with a scowl instead of a welcome. "You could have crawled through ages ago. What? Haven't had any dead people talking about the 'help me step-bro' meme yet? It's already a classic~" he taunted, assuming the goddess could already hear.

[Apollymi]

Gojo might not have cared about dinner, but Kaguya could only chuckle, as she knew a threat like that from Miko went far beyond a single meal. 'Actually at this point, I'm sure it isn't even just about the food...' Kaguya thought smirking.This table currently had some very interesting faces dotting it. Knowns and unknowns all around. "Pretty sure you still count as a show-stopper but~" these were the words of Enju as she continued to sip whiskey out of that short glass, which she also raised in respect to Hiruko whom she'd not seen in a while either. "That, also... we get presents from you?♪~ But you already opened up gambling sim, did you find Gachapon too?!" Miko chirped in pure curiosity, what on earth could he have bothered to get them? Just the same after greetings were exchanged, Shutara found herself between two gorgeous men. "I was on a layover... heard Mi-chan was back in town. I dropped by to see her on my way out and she introduced me to her boyfriend, that's basically it~" Shutara said leaving out as many details as Miko often did, knowing such things would bring up secrets the girl likely hadn't shared with anyone considering the lack of gushing over her at an event like this. "Also I was... in one of those private waiting rooms in Rome, waiting for my connector flight back to the UK with the band~" Shutara answered, Hiruko as she always would. Everyone at this table knew exactly the band she generally traveled with when her own work permitted.

As for Makima she was amused to say the least. "I also bought presents. But it's not like I'm going to turn down a good show~" she claimed. Even as Anan made himself known and seemed to be part of this situation too. "Yo! You found Akiyama Anan?!~" Tae exclaimed while gesturing at Miko to have a peek at Hiruko's eyes, which was unnecessary, she was already doing it, staring and having her brain go seven different ways. "Right?!♪~" Miko chirped as she appreciated Anan physically and for the randomness of his words. No matter, what though that aura of death was growing, Yugi was scowling keeping his eyes at the far end of the table. Miko's head was still resting on her shoulder. "You don't have to shoot at anyone this time, Ai-sen~" she commented. "I pull a gun twice and suddenly I'm trigger happy or something~" Ai said, though she was already uncomfortable and seeming like she would have aimed at the other end of the table. At the same time, Yugi's words were finally coming through, and the voice of Irkalla would be heard long before she stepped through, "Crawled? Then it would have stayed that size and I would have had to do it every time. No... much better to walk through... besides I still have to connect this end properly~" Irkalla said as she reached the end. Her hand extended and the pulse of death would sweep the forest further, and her first footfall would alert every god and goddess of her arrival on this non-magical planet. "Oh, finally through... is this a feast?" she asked almost curiously looking down at the table. She was a glowing figure, dressed in white, with pink hair. Her eyes were purple with slit white pupils and she had the tiniest oddities present in her eyes.

[Bloodedge]

"Of course there are presents~" Hiruko responded, jokingly aghast. "Or you could consider it a returned investment, if you'd prefer. It doesn't matter in the end," he added. A couple of Ferraris was nothing at all to him for such an exchange, or even less for that matter. Whatever the case, he'd sit by Shutara and enjoy a bit of idle chitchat for the time being. "If I'd known Taracchi would be here, I would have picked up an extra present. Enicchi too~" he said, sounding almost as if he were flirting with both through normal words. Ah, but even he had to shift his attention in a matter of moments.

Makima wouldn't turn down a good show. Well, pretty much anyone in existence could agree to the goodness of the coming show as the pink-haired goddess spoke before even making herself visible. Irkalla, goddess of the underworld, shirked the idea of crawling through the dimensional rift simply because she'd rather have full access on the way back. "Boring. And if you wanna talk about proper connections, I'm gonna need you to learn the purpose of a glory hole. You're supposed to at least touch it when it goes through," Yugi said to offer a complaint he'd been holding for several minutes. Soon enough, the goddess herself was among them. Heads were turned. Anan ceased all instigating and fell silent. Hiruko observed, also in silence. Ren... suddenly found himself in need of some new pants. Even Aki had a lit cigarette hanging loosely between his lips, nearly falling as his mouth became more agape by the second. The only one who wasn't openly staring was Yuto, who made himself look away, knowing he had no business looking at such glamor directly. Yugi seemed the most unaffected of males present, but he also knew what to expect by now. "And yeah... you could call it a feast. It's also an announcement, but I think we'd rather clear some introductions first. Everybody knows us, but... obviously not each other~"

[Apollymi]

Mockingly aghast was someone like Hiruko. He'd brought them presents or returned an investment, whichever way Miko preferred to think about it. "No idea what I did, but I'm glad I did it. I love presents♪~" Miko chirped happily. "You love opening things... those aren't entirely related ideas~" Kaguya mentioned casually. "Also we need to talk about things you managed to forget. Doing something for a guy this hot shouldn't fly over head~" Kaguya chided. "Look, I've been having such a couple of days... forgive me if unboxed things go away once their done♪~" Miko claimed. At the same time, Hiruko was talking of bringing presents. "As if I need another... I'm going back to Rome after this~" Shutara claimed hands up in the air. "I bet you'll find your way into giving something whenever you're ready~" Enju mentioned with a casual eye roll. Whether a car or something else, Hiruko could be counted on to provide for his friends.

Ah but soon the chatter at the table was dying down. Because the spekaing and entrance of the Death Goddess was going interestingly. Yugi spoke of the use of glory holes and Irkalla put together context clues and realized he was upset about the lack of contact when he made his offering. "I can't touch humans. I can only offer humans death. You may not be human but you still might not have enough of a soul to resist, you saw me after all. And if you die and you're in that strange in between state, I may not be able to reconstitute you and send you back. Which means you'll likely drift into the Void. You don't want that..." Irkalla mentioned. Though why humans would stick their tools into random holes and expect them to be touched still escaped her as a person. When the goddess was among them, Makima looked unabashedly, "Oh? The death goddess looks more like a love goddess wedding dress and all," Makima stated. Maki the green haired girl in the glasses also looked away, but snuck a few looks. 'There is no way someone who looks like that exists as one of his girlfriends and he's still choosing to invite me places...' she thought, but that tingle of disbelief came with something else. A little pride, if he was doing that then she couldn't be nearly as bad as she thought herself. "Oh another bright one..." Ai said slipping that visor back into place, there was no way she was blinding herself today. Shutara was speechless and not even managing to point, while Kaguya was sighing lightly, she looked she took in the goddess and she was without a doubt one of the hottest women on this planet. Even while not having low self-esteem she suddenly felt like she was looking much the same way she'd seen her friend looking for the length of time she'd known her. 'Damn is that what it's like to see an undeniable beauty? That's rough~' Apparently beyond quiet chatter and men jizzing their pants... introductions were being made. "Oh? Should I go first? I'm Irkalla and I'm the goddess and creator of the realm of death~" she said. As she drew that expulsion from Ren's pants and used it to create throne like chair at the end of the table, waving both hands in greeting. "I've seen you before..." she said looking at Gojo. "It's good to see you doing better~" she stated honestly. "And you..." she said looking to Hiruko. "Like clockwork actually... stay out of trouble~" All the while, Makima's eyes were drifting, towards her now ringing phone. Because someone had indeed felt Irkalla entering this world and that someone, now needed confirmation of how it'd happened. As such Makima was receiving a phone call from a different redhead... Ashikaga Himeko.

[Bloodedge]

Irkalla reiterated her inability to make physical contact with humans. Yugi didn't think that would be a problem, as the System acknowledge her route. Too many features required very intimate contact, sex, the whole shebang. Whatever all that Void nonsense was, he refused to believe it was a fear worth having. "You said all that useless shit before. If I couldn't touch you, we wouldn't have a connection. Oh... and I guess some other people need to understand what's going on too, huh? We grow stronger through... the System. That's all it's called. That System gives us bond routes for people of interest, compatibility with us, all that other shit. Get close enough, you become a Shadow Concubine... with some exceptions, but also with an increase to what the System gives you," he explained briefly before addressing Irkalla more directly. "The System doesn't like the idea of us dying unless we're going against its rules or failing to meet expectations. You have a route sitting at 41% right now. I'm sure that wouldn't exist if touching you would kill me."

Around that time, Ren was feeling something very strange from his place at the table. His pants were officially full of spunk for the umpteenth time this week... but it was rapidly disappearing in the goddess's presence. "Hngh─! I uh... that feels weird," he mumbled, assuming Irkalla was the only viable cause. Meanwhile, her introduction ended with acknowledgement of Gojo and Hiruko ─ two individuals she'd seen encroaching upon her realm before. Gojo saluted. "Apparently I'm the rich, sexy Gojo Satoru!" he announced. Since Hiruko was also being addressed, he decided to go ahead with his introduction to the group as well. "Daikichi Hiruko. Vice-Chairman to the lovely lady right over there, and... apparently a loose associate with Death. Who'd have thought?~" he teased, looking toward Irkalla to offer a cheeky wink as an extended forefinger was held over pursed lips. He didn't need any details about his near-death experiences out in the open. "Oh, those'll be good details too. Ranks, guilds if they apply ─ all that good shit," Yugi added. "S-rank," Hiruko said plainly. "S, but with a bag," said Gojo.

[Apollymi]

There was more information to be shared and it opened up a strange oddity. The Players had a System which was essentially working as a match-making device for them. It wouldn't have allowed them to match with something they couldn't take on, even if a challenge was presented by it. Moreover most of that news was spread out among the individuals here. Any who'd been lacking information were having it filled in and that worked for most of the young women. Many even saw the oddity of the Players approaches to them and it was given context by this. "Really? You guys are picking up otome routes and playing an RPG unfair!~" Shutara said. She didn't know Yugi that well, but she knew Miko's propensity for playing Otome games it seemed unfair to let her conquer life. "The only thing unfair is that the System doesn't acknowledge my lack of gender preferences," Miko said that pouty look returning to her face. "That... is an odd way for something to work. I'll test it out in a bit," Irkalla decided. There were things outside of her knowledge base, so it was technically magically possible. They didn't have normal soul types she could originally only go by the fact that they spawned on this world. But looking at the people present here, it seemed to her several soul types were missing.

Beyond that Irkalla's introduction took place and she took what was offered from Ren and smiled at him. "Really? Maybe it's because you aren't used to felling the mana in it so directly," she offered as a general bit of knowledge and understanding. She didn't truly need introductions, as part of her vision she could see everyone's names at least but the humans did tend to enjoy this sort of thing so she wouldn't intrude. "Mm-hm~" Irkalla wouldn't spill something which was a secret if he didn't want anyone else to know, though Hiruko really should have been taking care of himself. "Shido Makima, S-rank... Chairwoman of the Hunters Association... and I need to take this call. Do carry on though, I know all of you already~" she said without bothering to move because she knew at least Miko's ears would hear regardless. Shutara would take this opportunity to send herself out to avoid any oddity. "Senjumaru Shutara, A-rank... Member of Lost Galaxy. Model, Musician, VA... face claim the usual~" she offered while that conversation took place.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of a phone call from you at such an hour?" Makima asked as if amused by the phone call itself. "What's happening in the Forest?" was the very simple question. "There are a lot of forests, do you expect I am keeping track of them?" Makima asked a return question. "There is only one forest that reeks of death on this entire island. That is also currently off limits and just gave off a magical sensation I can feel from where I am on Hokkaido so... Being evasive with me isn't going to work, you know exactly what I am asking you..." A long pause would be coming from Makima as she turned her gaze to Yugi. This was an unexpected turn of events, but getting another oddity under control was... a potentially fortuitous turn of events.

[Bloodedge]

Shutara had a very fair reaction, outrageous though it was, to the Players' abilities. Yugi had only a mild correction to make. "Otome, RPG, resource management, a bit of sim... the list goes on. It's somewhere between whatever it needs to be, and whatever we need it to be. But it's a way to fix these stupid Hunter mechanics either way," he spoke. Makima would go on to introduce herself to the others ─ not that anyone present needed to know who she was. Still, Yugi kept his eye trained on her. That phone call had some very interesting timing after Irkalla's appearance. He'd have to pay close attention to the perceivable side of that conversation.

In the meantime, Ren was recovering from the strangest draining of all time. Irkalla blamed his odd feeling on a matter of adjustment, but... he surely didn't want to adjust to that. Such a boring outcome it was; he'd have even preferred snowballing! "I don't think I like that either way. Gomen. Amamiya Ren. No guild. A-rank, Assassin-type... and keeping it secret," the lad explained with his introduction. "Oh, types too?" Hiruko interjected to ask. "In that case... Tanker. Slightly atypical," he added. Interestingly enough, Gojo had nothing to say about his own classification. It didn't matter; everyone knew he was ridiculous. Speaking of knowing things, Yugi knew something interesting was at the other end of Makima's phone call. The way she dismissively spoke of a forest implied a certain knowledge and understanding from the person she spoke to. Based on some key information provided by Irkalla during their first proper meeting, Yugi had some assumptions... and some hopes. The expression on Makima's face when she looked his way was also quite telling. A potential Bondmate was coming his way ─ a big one. "Let me guess: just enough information coming through to matching the description of... what was it, wisdom goddess or something? Is that Japanese Athena over there? We had a deal~"

[Apollymi]

Shutara's outrage was something Miko was quite used to, she'd leave Yugi to answering a few of those questions, if only to avoid making too many more direction connections between Shutara and herself. Miko was willing to reveal her status as the Monarch of Shadows to everyone present, but her personal secret was still that outside of her recently initiated friend group. "That last part is the best thing ever. I don't like being stuck with an NPC stat sheet, based on something arbitrary~" Kaguya said. She knew about the types of games that Miko enjoyed as well and figured the girl was having a lot of fun using seduction on every target she came across. Shutara's hands went up soon after. "Can't argue that last part..." Shutara said as one of the weaker members of her own guild she completely understood not liking the fact that you could do nothing about how you turned out overall.

Just the same, Ren claimed to not enjoy the sensation of his mana being taken at a distance. "Hm, well you're defintiely human you'd die if I touched you... resist offering." That was the goddess's reply to Ren. That was an odd thing, Miko would be calling that 'goddess logic' from this point forward, and created a box in her mind for it. "Oh, Shinomiya Kaguya, I'm not ranked yet or anything~" she offered almost playfully. "Kagari Enju, A-rank... Ranger... no guild," said Enju before she took another sip of the alcohol she'd been enjoying. Meanwhile, that special note on Hiruko's classing as a Tanker made Miko's eyes shift again. 'God fucking damnit, Brainface! Offering me the super special after I've taken your easy normal option you piece of fuck!' she thought. And once again her face shifted to pouty. As for Makima's phone conversation and the assertions Yugi was making about it... Miko patted his leg in a congratulatory way. He enjoyed putting things together so she'd not bothered telling him that she knew exactly who was on the phone within a few sentences. "Yes, we did have a deal," Makima said to Yugi after looking at him. Meanwhile the impatient woman on the phone scoffed. "I'm in no position to answer your question. So how about I send you the number of a contact who might be willing to give you the information you're seeking~" Makima made an offer and she could practically feel the web tightening. Traps laid and points. "I'm only allowing this because you aren't the type to waste my time frivolously," said that woman on the other end. This world wasn't ready for her type of anger and it was best if she was quelled immediately.

[Bloodedge]

According to the goddess, Ren should simply resist 'offering' to her. He looked at the pink-haired divine as if confused, not registering that as an option at all. "Iie, arigatou," he said respectfully. There was no way he'd even think of avoiding ejaculation due to something like that. "I could uh... just shoot it?" he suggested with an upward inflection. "That's what I did," Yugi said. Ren seemed quite excited by the potential, as if he was already prepared to provide another 'offering' on demand. In fact... he was.

Introductions were still ongoing. Enju was the next to offer her information, so Aki supposed he'd follow while holding an empty glass in her direction. "Hayakawa Aki. B-rank. Mage. Recently Guildless," he said simply. "Eto... Hayashi Yuto," the more timid lad said. "Also a B-rank Mage with no Guild," he concluded, seeming to believe no Guild would even bother with him. All the while, Yugi's attention was elsewhere. He watched Makima intently, keeping track of the slightest movements to her lips and eyes during that conversation. With her confirming their earlier deal, Yugi narrowed down the few possible senders of that call to a single person. Yugi grinned. "Fuck yeah~" he said. None of the introductions going on were of any concern to him. No, he was more interested in bringing another show-stopper to the table. He didn't even reach for his phone. No, when that call came... he'd definitely answer it through the System.

[Apollymi]

The oddities of goddess life were something the humans weren't really ready for. Maki couldn't imagine a world in which some random A-rank guy offered to jizz on a goddess and it got a positive response, but here it was. "I mean that is how most humans do it. And I wouldn't have to waste energy to get it. Or in a chalice I guess..." she said casually. "Just don't go offering me lives. You're just making work for me," was Irkalla's explanation. "I'm Maki, all this is weird. I'm a B-rank Fighter associated with the Zen'in clan," the girl with the glasses managed to slip in while trying not to think about freaky life dating sim mechanics.

Moving on from that point there was a number of mentions of unassociated members. This could make starting their guild quite easy. Miko even saw the potential for inter-guild cooperation, figuring that people like those working directly for Makima and the Lost Galaxy likely wouldn't join them implicitly but would still be down to be associated. "Um-hm♪~" Miko chirped. Aside from learning everyone's typing she was at least familiar with their powers and abilities, especially the ones she'd already fought with. Makima's phone call with one very angry woman ended and she smiled as she texted her a phone number which likely seemed odd but knew it would get a response in the near future. She looked up after doing so at Kaguya. "You're definitely already awakened. I'll move up your Evaluation. Not tomorrow, I'm busy, but the next day~" she said the black haired girl. Meanwhile, Ai was introducing herself as well. "Hayasaka Ai, A-rank, Ranger...no guild, but under-contract as a bodyguard for Kaya-tan," she explained the situation gently. The only one yet to introduce themselves from the girls was Tae, "Dr. Takemi Tae, S-rank, Healer... Non-conformist...I'm associated with them," she pointed to the Players willing to leave it that way.

Soon enough though, Yugi would be receiving a phone call from an unknown number. "So answers. What are you doing in that forest?"

[Bloodedge]

Ren's eyes were sparkling. To hear that it was normal that human offerings to goddesses be given as money shots was better than he could have imagined. Better still was the idea of a chalice. Ren's excitement was shared partially by Yugi, who had an idea stewing even as he kept track of Makima's conversation. "The legendary Cum Chalice, going right on the list," he said, as though intending to 'bond' with Amamiya Ren in sheer deviance. In fact, he'd soon be producing a large goblet from the System for that exact purpose. "You and me. We're gonna overfill that bitch," he said to the other black-haired lad. Meanwhile, it seemed the last introduction was left to the still-standing Anan. "Whole flock's getting real friendly, eh? Alright. Akiyama Anan. S-rank sometimes. Fighter. Tied to the nearest shepherd~" he joked.

While introductions were wrapping themselves up, Makima's call was ending... and Yugi's was beginning. He answered through the System, immediately sending a prompt that would switch to video... though Ashikaga Himeko was already visible on his screen the moment that selection was made. She didn't give any time before the questioning began. What was he doing in the forest? The redhead really wanted to know. "No," Yugi said first. "Wrong question. Here are the answers you need. My partner here and myself have access to something called the System. We level up like it's a video game, collect gear, gold... people, et cetera. Earlier today, we went through an evolution that made us share the title Monarch of Shadows, including an ability called Shadow Extraction that lets us use some sort of spiritual necromancy to create an army. Also... I've got a huge dick that's getting bigger by the day, and mana that can even appeal to a goddess," he said in a very pointed way, certain Ashikaga Himeko had to be the sister Irkalla spoke of.

[Apollymi]

Miko could see that sparkle in Ren's eyes. She'd actuallly seen for herself the amount of depravity that one had in his list. She knew interacting with the goddess would make him happy. And since he'd only be sharing the snacks and not wasting them, she wouldn't even hold it against him. "You two are filthy♪!~" Miko stated earnestly though there was no judgement involved. Moving on from that the last introduction was made, by Anan who claimed to be an S-rank conditionally and to follow the nearest shepherd. "S-rank sometimes?" curiosity plagued Tae almost immediately. Conditional, Atypical... all things she considered interesting potentially. Miko looked up with sparkly eyes. "Oooh♪!~ It's awesome. One hundred percent worth the study unde ryou... medical expertise♪!~" Miko chirped excitedly.

Soon after Makima was watching as the boy of this group brought another into the fold. She could trust him to take an approach that would work on most and it seemed he did have a plan in mind for this one. Ashikaga Himeko looked at her phone for several seconds with that ping happened for a video chat. And after a moment of thought, and her brow furrowing for a single moment of thought. "I swear if this is something that's going to annoy me, I'm killing someone today," that was it. Just a promise to the universe. The first thing to appear in front of the Players would be the angry face of Ashikagam Himeko, eyes with blazing suns in them and fire red hair tucked under a white hat and an infinitely displeased expression. And what she got was a run down of this lad and his partner a small girl with a very familiar face waved at her. All of it was processed, calculations made, information drawn upon. "Alright special cases, who aren't bound by the strange rules of the Gates. Odd but not completely unheard of for obvious reasons. Monarch of Shadows... no, too old as a title, special necromancy though explains the Suicide Forest as a choice locale, still doesn't make sense of..." a pause came from Himeko as Irkalla had gotten up to investigate. She knew that voice and wanted to say high and peeked in from Yugi's side and waved at the screen she could see properly. "Ooh!~ It is you!~ Hi Metis~" Irkalla sang. "Irie?!" thee was a swift change in recognition while the pink haired goddess waved with both hands. "Oh, and I guess while I'm over here..." Irkalla paused choosing to place a hand down atop each of the teens head's much to Himeko's surprise. "Wai..." once again her words stopped. But no negative things would occur. A pleasant little tingle is what Miko felt on to of her head and a strange warmth. That wreath of flowers she was wearing invisibly showed quite a bit of magical charge and it felt... welcoming instead of dangerous. The same also applied to Irkalla who felt welcomed by their presences.

[Bloodedge]

Ren nodded emphatically when Yugi offered his camaraderie. He'd definitely put his all into filling that goblet if it meant getting to watch the goddess drink from it. If they filled it enough, maybe they'd get to see it dribble down the lower half of her face! He and Yugi shared a brotherly glance, a glint in each of their eyes, even while Miko called the pair of them filthy. "Hai!" Ren said emphatically. "We three are freaks. We know you'll be watching... and looking for excess if you're not too busy cleaning the taps~" Yugi added. At that time, Aki was shaking his empty cup at Enju, silently reiterating his need for a refill. "I'm getting too old for this shit," he said at the tender age of 21.

Moving on to his call with Himeko, Yugi heard a most interesting threat. It didn't take long for him to figure out what she could have been so preemptively annoyed about. "Sou," he muttered. "Nothing to worry about. I handle my Ashikaga-san jerkoff sessions at home in front of my computer. Y'know... like a normal person," he said with an eye-roll. Himeko quickly put together the rest of the missing pieces once a few points were given. Then came Irkalla, greeting her apparent sister and making contact with the Players' heads. Yugi quirked a brow, feeling a deep sense of belonging in a way he couldn't explain. Just the same, there was something within and beyond the Players spiritually embracing Irkalla as a grandparent would a newborn. Himeko, called Metis by the other goddess, nearly warned against that contact... but there was no point. "See? All it's doing is getting me hard. Next time, proper glory hole. Anyway... should we set another plate? We're having lasagna and were just finishing introductions."

[Apollymi]

Dinner time conversation had taken a strange turn. A pair of degenerates discussed a cum chalice and shared a brotherly bonding moment. And once again, even though Miko called them filthy someone like Ren would only agree. Yugi on the other hand had something to say, calling the girl out for what would be her activity of choice during such an incident. "I wasn't excluding myself, I was just pointing it out♪~" Miko chirped, a little blush tinting her face. She'd definitely do all he said an probably more, given her own 'filthy' behavior. At the same time, complaints were coming from Aki and he would find his extended glass being filled again. "Nah~ You're only as old as you feel. Get a couple more of these in you, and I'm sure you'll burn the flame of youth~" Enju joked as she casually took another drag from a freshly lit cigarette. With regular introductions out of the way

Meanwhile, Yugi was having a more straightforward conversation with the Goddess of Wisdom. "Good, reasonable people are always a bit less annoying than everyone else," Himeko said without thinking too much about it. Still, she watched as her younger sister touched two human individuals and even Awakeners should have found that sort of contact disturbing. Still... they both seemed fine, smiling, joking, even to Irkalla's surprise. "That is quite the warm fuzzy feeling♪~" Miko chirped. "Uh-huh... I'm in route," she said as for the dinner plans, she could always eat a bit. "Do I need two places? One for you and one for your hot husband?♪~" Miko questioned with a bit of hope. Himeko's eyes shifted to the girl. "Sou ka, that would be a thing to do. He can't come the way I'm coming though... so not this time. I'll make sure to have that conversation though..." Himeko claimed much to the girl's happiness, though she was still pouty. "Hai hai♪~" Miko chirped. "Get another plate set♪!~" Miko chirped as a Shadow popped up with another place setting near the one Irkalla had chosen for herself and set it up. "Yay!~ I haven't seen her in ages!~" Irkalla claimed. as for the lad's desire for more direct contact. "If it won't hurt you... fine. Don't just go sticking it into dimensional rifts though... you wouldn't want to lose it~" Irkalla claimed firmly. All the while, Makima's grin had only grown wider over time, another one was being brought in. Another variable made to walk the line... it was euphoric and with it would come a 10 percent increase in her Intimacy... and then a pop up form the System as Himeko hung up the call but that same woman in a white hat and white dress with high split showed up across the table and began to walk forward rather casually. "That is odd to see. It doesn't make sense. I don't like it..." she said as her brain processed the sight of Irkalla still touching this pair of children and their life forces remaining strong. Admittedly though she said she didn't like it, a point of curiosity created for a Goddess focused on wisdom was... without question interest.

[BOND ROUTE UNLOCKED]

Bond Route: Ashikaga Himeko

Intimacy has reached 25%.

Route Activated: Night of Wisdom

Objective: Deepen connection with Ashikaga Himeko.

Current Progress: 25%

Reward Unlocked:
- Passive: War God's Decree (amplifies the power, range, and authority of Yugi's commands and shadow-based abilities)
- Passive: Divine Command (allies under Yugi's command gain +15% damage and +10% defense when fighting near him)

Accept Invitation?
[ACCEPT] / [DENY]