<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Apollymi]

Irkalla looked at her grandfather and shrugged. "I'm kind of always busy... so it seems a bit weird to make a kid I wouldn't really have the time to look after," she clarified. "Really?!" Irkalla was showing that she enjoyed the things that made her realm special and she really should show her grandfather. Miko would be chuckling at that little shared joke, finding it amusing that Makima wasn't willing to part with that bucket of hers. It was obvious that this groups growing influence was something she was quite happy with and Miko for her part in this was happy to give those types somewhere to fit in. "I mean fine but keep it away from the bath..." Miko asserted with a playful eye roll.

At the same time, a voice Miko found familiar was crossing through that portal. She smirked and waited listening to the two older people talk to each other. "Sure but most wouldn't see a portal and expect to see you... on the other side of it. And better luck next time~" Meron said scoffing. Still, it seemed their conversation was light-hearted and in good fun. Some kind of party was being hand, and Meron had an invite for that and exercise, well... the mention of lasagna had her attention so... she slipped right though. "Can't turn down lasagna, or grandbabies!~ But what kind of..." she paused after coming through. At the table was a rather strange mix of people. "This is an interesting dinner party... Hi everybody." she said after stepping through. "I feel like you should have given me more details before I stepped over here... this has the makings of an international incident." Meron commented absently. All the while, Makima was silently cackling but... Miko could still hear her.

[Bloodedge]

Albertus could only shrug to the reason Irkalla didn't consider children. He would have simply made a few who might help with the workload, but that was an entirely different era. Moving on from that, it was quite easy to convince Meron that joining was in her best interest. She entered, but took pause after taking note of everyone present. Albertus only assumed this was a party because of how many people there were, and how much horniness radiated throughout the building... but he was technically wrong. "Who needs details? Look! There's whiskey~" he said while pointing down the table. Albertus finally seated himself next to the goddesses. He looked at a plate of lasagna in front of him, and made a simple decision. "Can't hate the dish, but this ain't my style. Lemme just..." With a quick flick of the wrist, he kept the integrity of the lasagna, but converted its shape into a very thick slice of pizza. He'd be leaning back, kicking up his feet, and enjoying it as such without further hesitation. "No international incidents here! This is... uhh... Actually, what is this? I was just called here."

Of course, Albertus Animushere didn't have a clue why he was here. The time had finally come for Yugi to speak up properly. "It's not a party... but it may as well be. It's also not a workout, though I'm willing to 'work out' anybody who doesn't have a dick at this table. Kujaku-san, huge fan by the way. I'm guessing you don't need an introduction to harem life, so... this is two of them. Sort of. Introductions just finished," Yugi explained, leaning against the table once more. "What this actually is... is the precursor to the world's strongest guild. Everyone here can get stronger through us. I haven't worked it out yet, but I think there's something big hitting the world eventually. The idea is to be ready for whatever that is, handle it without difficulty... and along the way, nullify the Eternal Slumber. Speaking of, if any of the gods here have any information about that, we could really use it."

[Apollymi]

The two different eras of gods were easily sitting around each other in preparation to enjoy a meal. Ah but they'd have the whole meal to talk about stuff like that, regardless details were apparently unnecessary as there was whiskey, "You're trying to get us in trouble. Still, can't turn down whiskey though..." Meron said with a cheeky smile. She'd be sitting with the other godly types around the mostly unoccupied middle of half the table. Beside Albertus, so that she could get to know his grandbabies. Still the ones at the end of the table didn't escape her notice either. One of them was a grandchild from her own friend group. That definitely looked like the spitting image of her grandmother with brown eyes instead of purple ones. "He turned my lasagna into a pizza. I guess that explains that OP as skill, that kinda magic must be awesome♪!~" Miko chirped happily. She wasn't even displeased, still she realized not everyne had drinks and began packing a cart with drinks and glasses which she already had in Inventory, water, juice, a couple of others of those bottles of whiskey which were now purchasable for normal amounts of money after being crafted. She' materialized them and called for a shadow. "Give everyone who doesn't already have one a cup and let them choose a drink," she mentioned as that began to circulate other things would be covered.

Ah, but beyond that it was finally revealed what the proper point of this gathering was. An introduction to harem life for the initiated and the start of the world's strongest guild. Makima remained calm a grin on her face while she began to eat after taking water for herself to go with an oddly flavorful meal. She'd definitely let the little one cook for her. "You're a fan, really? Thanks... I'll still give one to be fair, Kujaku Meron, S-rank National. I drop in on the Galar League from time to time. Usually a mage that summons things~" she added for the sake of her own introduction. "That's a really mature choice to make so young. But it's better than a bunch of kids and a failed marriage. Good job~" she congratulated the kids on their obviously open and fruitful relationship. Whatever the case, the overall goals of the guild were listed and they were actually quite easy to support. Meron began to eat, and though she could do whatever she'd sit through this conversation mostly only giving input where needed. When he mentioned the Eternal Slumber... Tae looked up from her plate and pointed. That was the main point of her research after all. Himeko who was enjoying bread and a beer out of a can looked up. "I also figured something big was coming... also don't know what, I had to get into gates to start figuring it out... Oh, and I looked into the Eternal Slumber a bit... it seems to be like extreme mana incompatibility, but it can't be just that because there's also the soul drifting..." she gave her own observations. "I haven't seen anyone die of the Eternal Slumber..." Irkalla mentioned which made Tae pause and frown. irkalla wondered if it was serious if it wasn't killing people, but there was information she didn't have either. Maki for her part in this had sparkles in her eyes behind her glasses as she ate, and felt good about being involved in something that had way better overall goals than her family ever showed. At the same time, Miko was beginning her own meal listening to everything and boxing it as needed. "Anan? Dod you not want to sit with everyone else? Would you rather have a kid table?♪~" she wondered, willing to accommodate if he wanted to eat alone, she was the last one to talk about someone's neurosis.

[Bloodedge]

"... National?" Yugi repeated after Meron's introduction. He wasn't expecting to encounter a proper National Hunter so quickly. Given the snow, she'd obviously remained in Europe after the Gates appeared. Access to one National Hunter who resided in another country would be a boon to the overall plan. More importantly... it was Kujaku Meron. "Hm. I was gonna say something about being viable workout equipment... and you know what? Still a thing. I can handle it," he said after a few moments of thought. He put a fork to his own plate of lasagna to begin the meal, keeping an eye open for reactions around the table. "Both of those things were offers, by the way. One for the workout... and one for anyone and everyone here to consider joining a guild," he reiterated. "I'll join," said Ren. Of the males present, he was the only one to voice an agreement right away.

Albertus had things to say, but it had nothing to do with a guild. The Eternal Slumber was something he knew of, but not by the name humans called it now. Himeko was on the right track with her assumptions. The disease was old ─ very old. Just the same, that problem Himeko and Yugi considered possible was some ancient disagreement yet to be resolved. "It shouldn't be called Eternal Slumber. Humans who get it on this side do fall asleep, so I see how we got here. That's the Devouring. Some freaky form of it that somebody would normally only get from living on another planet. But that's where the other problem comes in. With these two here, the Rulers and Monarchs are probably going to war on this planet pretty soon," he explained mid-cheese pull. "Oh yeah, that's the good Sul'vani stuff!" he said as if nothing else even mattered at the time. Meanwhile, Anan looked toward Miko as if he'd just considered wringing her neck. "Been chained standing for months. I'll keep standing. Might want to get that kiddie table for yourself though, beansprout. Show me to the fighting ring."

[Apollymi]

Meron introduced herself as a National Hunter. She didn't expect that to be news to anyone, but the black haired lad apparently hadn't known it. "Really? You didn't know..." she said before going back to enjoy her food. "Iia, didn't know. That's impressive, Meru-san♪~" Miko chirped which only made that woman nod and smile. There was a lot to unpack in the fact that this pair didn't know her rank. It would mean they hadn't been around for about a year. She was friends with Miko's grandmother, she knew the girl had been missing, but not why... and in front of a bunch of people didn't seem like the right time to ask. Whatever the case, her partner was obviously in a similar boat. No matter, the lad seemed content to offer himself to Meron as workout equipment and the another would do the same. "Well, I was headed to the gym... and whiskey... well I'll consider your offers," Meron said honestly. They weren't bad looking kids, and Miko didn't seem at all affected by the outright push of her boyfriend. She might be a bit more like her grandmother than Meron would have thought. A workout partner was about all she was ever looking for, and she could see herself checking in on these kids as much as she did the ones in the Galar League... with that thought... Yugi would be receiving odd confirmation.

[BOND ROUTE UNLOCKED]

Bond Route: Kujaku Meron

Intimacy has reached 25%.

Route Activated: Creator's Heir

Objective: Deepen connection with Kujaku Meron.

Current Progress: 35%

Reward Unlocked:
- Skill: Soulforge (once per day, enhance or modify one existing skill or ability by one level or effect)
- Passive: Matron's Gift (healing and repair costs for all summoned shadows are reduced by 40%)

Accept Invitation?
[ACCEPT] / [DENY]

At the same time, a slightly more serious conversation was taking place concerning the Eternal Slumber. Tae was paying close attention and enjoying her food at the same time. She might have to consider a proper workout if Miko was the type to cook daily. "That... was totally a loaded thing to say!" Tae claimed before taking a sip of water. Himekko who was eating another piece of garlic bread was shaking her head. "War between Monarchs and Rulers? Why? I thought all that ended a long time ago..." Himeko mentioned casually. "You sound like you haven't had this in a while..." Meron mentioned, though she obviously wasn't following the conversation as closely as some of the others.

Miko had casually noticed the still standing Anan, and heard him while he looked at her with an amount of aggression that made her smile before taking her next bite. "From wolf in sheep's clothing to beansprout... I'm really not sure of my place on the food chain. But... desire for a ring is fair enough... adding it to the list, it'll be a bit though unless we build it♪~" Miko added. She could see the general use of such a thing considering the idea of having dozens of men living together didn't lead to anything positive based on her own understanding of men in large groups and her own taste in very aggressive men. "I actually wouldn't mind the ring either..." Maki said quietly. "Hai hai♪~ Figured you'd enjoy it too♪ Omen-kun will probably enjoy it too♪~" Miko said offering the girl a smile as she also reached for another piece of bread while she ate. This food really was great. Miko's friends were more directly devouring their food, Shutara as well, "Mi-chan you can't send me back after feeding me this~" Shutara complained, while still looking visibly freaked out but very interested in her sandwiched position. "Hai hai... I already took care of it, Shu-nee♪~" Miko stated, having already packed a to-go bag for Shutara and her friends. Figuring that if she got back with the food before that call she expected, perhaps she could have a more civil conversation with one of her better known companions.

[Bloodedge]

"Didn't know. Disappeared before the Gates opened, reappeared this week," Yugi answered for the sake of Meron and everyone else who didn't already understand that about the Players. That was all the information Yugi found necessary to divulge on that topic. Besides, Meron was mentioning her consideration of an offer... and proving herself a bit more free than most would believe of the wholesome older streamer. Oddly enough, Aki was the one to speak on her answer. "Drink enough of this shit here and you'll probably fuck a shadow unicorn or something," he slurred over his glass. Two glasses deep, he was noticing some very potent effects. Meanwhile, Yugi was once again grinning from ear to ear. The System was treating him quite nicely today. "Accept," he muttered to claim a route that was both exciting and tactically useful.

As for the war Albertus so casually mentioned, he supposed he was the only one around who knew about it. There was one other in this world who may have seen the tail-end during their childhood, but he wouldn't leave the 'young' wisdom goddess ignorant to the truth now that it was a topic of discussion. Albertus swallowed a bite of lasagna 'pizza', took three gulps of fine whiskey, and exhaled contentedly. "No way, that war isn't over. Their whole purpose is to fight each other; they'll keep at it as long as there's another side. This probably wouldn't be happening, but... kids say they got this power before the Gates, right? Everybody should be worried about whose side that guy will be on if he comes back. And yeah, live on another active planet with the wrong build for it, you get displaced by the Devouring. Thing is... with these Gates popping up, the other planets are here. Didn't she tell you guys?" he asked, loosely pointing toward Makima for reasons few others in existence could even understand. At the same time, Ren was considering all this talk of a fighting ring. "You guys could have a full gauntlet. Like a training area in games..." he said. "I agree. If it's not too much trouble, I could use a place for target practice. Also I'll join... if you'll have me," Yuto added hesitantly.

[Apollymi]

Yugi spoke of the nature of their disappearances, and those who didn't currently known about it among the young women took note. Himeko considered it among the variables of her constant equations and Irkalla wondered where they had been. At the same time Meron wondered if that was connected to a few other things, but kept it to herself as she enjoyed her meal. "Ah, that's a lot in addition to all the crazy stuff going on with you two," she said about the situation. But nothing more, she was well past the meddling parent stage. Meanwhile, Aki's words made her laugh a little, "Bwahehe~ I remember getting that kind of wasted. Feed the man some extra bread," Meron offered almost playfully. Miko happily shifted just a little in Yugi's lap as he gave a grinning but subtle acceptance. By Miko's own approximation her day couldn't get much better considering how many people she'd gained from imaginary and real life boxes she'd been putting together.

Meanwhile, that conversation between the gods about wars long forgotten was still going and being listened to by anyone who had a mind for the information. Miko was letting it run in the background picking out pieces of it. "Really? That's fucking stupid!" Himeko said about the state of that war. Of course, if the pair sitting here could be considered points to turn a war one direction or another then it made sense that everything was converging on this place. "I'd hoped we were less related to all this but I guess we signed the iseekai protag contract..." Miko frowned. Tae converted her notes in her mind on the Eternal Slumber into the Devouring. "I fucking new it was an incompatibility issue. Quick question, does the magical world have a way to deal with it. Even if it sounds crazy for this side, I might be able to work on something similar or extrapolate a method," Tae said. With that part of her research complete it became obvious that Yugi's sister had always had such a thing so it was likely not Gate related in her case. As for that general gesture at Makima she turned her head as she was finishing off her plate of lasagna and grabbed her wine glass afterwards. "I don't know why you'd think I'd know anything about it. I definitely don't..." Makima offered honestly. The Gates and everything about them, this planetary discord all of that was completely new information. Meanwhile, the ideal training ground idea set was coming from those most likely to need it. Miko found that to be appreciable and was organizing desires and fine tuning ideas about it, while boxing away specific desires. "Not a bad idea Renny♪~ It's going in the box~" Miko offered. Yuto offered a few ideas as well, as he always would given his needs. "I'm also down for target practice, especially after I finish my next round of modifications. Both kinds of targets~" Ai added knowing how Miko worked she wasn't worried about her ideals being forgotten. Apparently, Yuto was also willing to join if the Players would have him. "Of course I'll have you... your ideas are also going into the box," Miko offered Yuto a bright smile. He was such a precious boy. "And while we're discussing fitness any of you weak body types should probably be taking over our original dailies to find your peak physical fitness. One hundred push ups, one hundred sit-ups, one hundred squats and a ten kilometer run... or equivalent activities♪~" Miko offered, with a flash of deviousness.

[Bloodedge]

"You don't even know the half of it," Yugi said after Meron's observation. There was much revealed, but she'd not been present for most of it. There was a lot of catching up to do, but that could wait... apparently while the suggestion of additional bread was made for Aki. "Wasted enough to fuck a unicorn? I mean... I could probably get a unicorn. Or a horse dick. Halfway to one of those already," Yugi joked, even knowing what the woman actually meant. Whatever the case, both Ren and Yuto had agreed to join a guild that hadn't even been created yet. Yugi would definitely take Ren. If Miko wanted to keep Yuto along as well, he'd allow it... but he wouldn't have made the choice so readily himself. No matter. "Anyone else?" he asked. "Though honestly, I haven't even looked to figure out the requirements for a Guild yet. If only there were someone around who could explain it in detail..."

Of course, there was also the matter of that ancient war Yugi definitely called roughly a day or so beforehand. He was often right, and often annoyed by being right about things like this. "I think the dumb part is using this planet for a war when literal space is an option. And what the fuck do you mean the 'side that guy will be on'? Why two?!" he asked, despite having a hypothesis already. "That's what I'm saying!" Albertus responded. "It was seven the last time I checked. But about the Devouring... I don't know if the other side has a fix. I've never been there. Venus had a thing for that. There's always the binding method though. Link to another mana source, and boom! Can't float off into the hereafter~" he continued to answer Tae, moving on to Makima afterwards. When she responded, Albertus looked confused while holding half a slice of pizza between his teeth. "... Huh?" he questioned. "So I'm guessing you're... not Querehsha's offspring. That's freaky. You already got the whole bug princess thing going. I can see the feelers~" he said, fingers wiggling to mimic the legs of an insect. "Thousand gold says it's Saturn stuff," Yugi muttered. Meanwhile, Yuto was lamenting the idea of such an intense daily workout routine. Even so, he didn't seem at all disinterested in doing it... even if every part of it would be a great struggle. "Bet 'equivalent activities' means fuckin'," Aki interjected.

[Apollymi]

Meron didn't know the half of the situation surrounding Miko and Yugi, but she could see the oddity of their situation even without the details. Both of these two were well beyond mental teenagers and also pretty driven given their current goals. "Ha~ That's a pretty good one~" she said about the joke that slipped by, though she realized the lad probably wasn't joking about his package, that was just good news overall. Oddly enough, Miko also understood that Ren would be accepted for a number of reasons and that Yuto was her own kind of project. That didn't matter much she understood Yugi's take on such things so she wasn't the type to speak for him. As for the anyone else, Tae shrugged, "I was first to say so..." she mentioned while keeping most of her attention of the conversation about the devouring. Ai finished her plate an nodded. "I'm also in... I technically already agreed as well," she pointed out. Kaguya huffed, " Well... I'm not going anywhere else, when hanging out all day with my besties is an option~" Kaguya claimed, given that she was being evaluated in a couple of days she wouldn't worry too much about it. As for the criteria of opening a guild, Makima put down her glass and began speaking. "It's technically quite simple but I think you might still have a few complaints to lodge about it. Know that the rules are international," she pointed out. "To register a guild with the Hunter's Association the potential Guild Master must be part of 20 successful Dungeon Raids. After that, at last registration is as easy as giving it a name and having three starting members, the Guild Master, a vice-guild master or strike squad leader and at least one regular member. Guilds are essentially Hunter businesses with all cost falling to the Guild Master but establishing a guild comes with a few benefits that make it worthwhile. Guild leaders are typically S-rank but that isn't entirely necessary, but there is no sharing of those positions. You'll have to decide how you're actually going to have a guild master," Makima pointed out. She was willing to allow the Players all the leeway they wanted but some things were currently out of her control.

Beyond the discussion of guild creation, there was still... the matter of interplanetary war... and both Himeko and Yugi thinking this entire thing to be stupid. The why two question kept coming back, and Himeko had something to say about it. "There are a couple logical reasons why two, one stupid and one weird that I think of immediately," she stated pausing only to finishing downing a beer. "First is a creation issue, making you two make a vessel so two so you can become one the old fashioned way. Sum of parts coming together to make something that can hold what both of you grow into," Himeko pointed out as a 'Creator' herself. "The weird one would be... the split of something as necessary. Perhaps two sides of something that can't currently exist in a single vessel here because... lack of Mystery on this side. Weird, but... technically possible. And less annoying than the first," Himeko pointed out. As for the issues concerning the nature of the Devouring, the gods spoke of anchors, with Albertus not knowing about the other side. "When people need to fix it on the other side, they use familiars to bind people. It's the least invasive method. Granted there are very few who understand it. There's also a weird place that kind of just makes a bunch of objects to drain mana from people to avoid it... the long term results on that are weird," Irkalla pointed out. All of that went around in Tae's head. Whatever other methods there might be, this anchoring thing could at least be tested potentially. "Arigatou~" she said while her brain was alight with ideas and hypotheses... she'd keep thinking on it for a while. At the same time, apparently Albertus was seeing something in Makima that others couldn't currently. And even said a name that registered in Miko's ears. "Oh so I can hear that one... but not the one related to me," she said looking huffy after finishing her third serving of lasagna. As for the bet on Saturn, Miko scoffed, "I'm not taking the under on that... if I had to think about things on planets... Saturn the bug planet makes the most sense. Those rings have to hit like amplifiers, it probably sounds awesome♪~" Miko uttered. "That sounds kind of creepy... I've never heard that name before and have no idea what you're talking about," Makima offered honestly. Though that would explain the fearfulness certain people showed around her. But to her knowledge nothing about her had changed very much before awakening. At the same time, Miko looked at Aki as she worked on that plate of lasagna and gave a cheeky wink... technically speaking he wasn't wrong but it wasn't like they went looking for the alternative they simply learned about it while... bonding.

[Bloodedge]

Ren and Yuto weren't the only takers. Tae had indeed already thrown her hat into the proverbial ring. Ai and Kaguya were onboard as well, but Yugi considered them a given due to their friendship with Miko. "Five," Yugi counted. None of the other males had anything to say about their own involvement, though Aki raised a glass as his head fell back. Some of the others had existing ties. One exception, however, was the otherwise distant Anan. His expression spoke for itself. "Six..." Yugi said after seeing Aki's movement. "Seven," he concluded based on Anan's grin alone. "Don't even ask. It's definitely going to be necessary to fight Hunters as well. We've already had to kill one."

What of the finer details to starting a guild though? Makima was here for that. According to the international rules, a Guild had to possess a singular leader, no less than three total members, be self-funded and have at least 20 successful raids beforehand. "Sou. We need at least 18 more raids... but not even for us. It'd probably be best to pick a figurehead. Easy. Two weeks," he decided, giving a similar timeframe to something else he'd recently taken as a challenge. With that, Yugi's eyes were on Himeko throughout her explanation of the dual Shadow Monarch issue. She claimed one explanation was stupid and the other was weird... but Yugi found both of them stupid. "They're both dumb. The whole mixing thing already has its framework established with the bond system. If something can't exist as it is because this world has physics or whatever the fuck, I feel like the optimal solution would still be the same. Pick one vessel, grow them bit by bit into what you need while keeping the bond system for whatever fucking 'chaos' Brainface is looking for, and don't run the variable of having two brains with their own differences and processes throwing a thousand more possibilities your way," he ranted. Hiruko had something to say over the lip of a wine glass in that moment. "That's a Blackjack move. If you've got two tens, you can split and potentially hit Blackjack twice for double payout," he interjected. Yugi paused then. After a few moments of silence, another tirade was coming. "... Double... huh. So... the Shadow Monarch disappeared at some point. I'm guessing Brainface is some descendant or loyalist who wants him back, through us. Does the double thing track? We become vessels, but also create a vessel? Still leaving open the potential sacrifice route, which would mean... oh yes!" he paused in another moment of grand realization. "So magically, a child is the product of both parents' power, plus whatever the mix created! One plus one equals three! But... but but! We've seen the combination affect the would-be parents as well! So... one plus one equals one point five and one point five! But then there's also a kid who equals three! If there's already compatibility because of source coding, sacrificing parents to their own kid would mean... one plus one equals six! Oh ye...s..." Yet another hesitation was caused by Yugi realizing he had reasons to be upset. If that was Brainface's plan, he had yet two overseer figures trying the same thing.

"Sounds like that Zandar kid," Albertus added after hearing that long rant of discovery. "But that math tracks. Groovy brainwork, kid. Reminds me of him more and more," he said with no further detail. "Yeah, Querehsha was on Saturn. She was the latest Monarch of Plagues, Queen of Insects. Saturn does the whole colony thing. The rings were more like prison bars, I think. Uranus has the amplifiers," was his answer to Miko's theory. "Maybe you're a vessel? Most Monarchs can do that. I can check, if you're chill with it~"

[Apollymi]

Ren and Yuto were both willing to join... that much was expected by Miko... the insertion of her friend group was also expected for the most part. She gave a slight eye turn to Kaguya, wondering if she realized she was already placing space between herself and her fiancé, she had to know that man wouldn't be invited, at least subconsciously. Whatever the case, she soon shifted her eyes towards Aki who seemed like he'd pass out at any moment but was sitll down. It seemed that Anan had been gained by Kenpachi Rules... as Miko would call them. "Probably one more, whenever Chi-tan finds out we're doing something together. Speaking of, Chi-tan says her therapist hasn't changed his cell number since she's had him... it's still the same, do you need it, Mi-tan?~" Ai asked Miko just shook her head. 'Iia, I have it memorized, I just didn't want to shock someone with a random text from me if I didn't have to. Chi-chan isn't going to recognize me, but she'll definitely join if you two are♪~" Miko murmured. All the while, Enju looked over and chuckled, "Build a bar and I'm in~" she said in a joking manner willing to throw herself in. "Wow, already, must have been a really rough day for you guys..." Meron mentioned having a very unique understanding of the world.

Soon after those exchanges, Makima was giving the details of how a guild was started. It was very... fantasy world start... but the world had basically become a fantasy so Miko didn't mind. Yugi gave an understanding of the situation that said they'd pick a figurehead to 'run' their guild and be able to meet the criteria within two weeks. "I'd say that goal is outlandish, but you two can do whatever you want... I'll be waiting," Makima said without much fuss. Soon enough HImeko was listening tot he response of her ideas, and watching a boy's mind work in a very interesting way. She was more than a little impressed, all the while Miko was calmly eating likely her fifth plate. Himeko had been about to point out that old ideas, were likely unpolished but... Hiruko also chimed in, and she heard a rather interesting take. That man hadn't said too much but when he did interject over that glass of wine, Miko's eyes were drawn up from her plate towards him. She took in his method of understanding and processed it. She'd been observing him since his appearance and was making box related notes intending to take full advantage of her freedom to see if she could get the best version of this man as Makima had with her own approach. "Sou ka... the gambler♪~" Miko chirped quietly, as she gave the man her full attention for the duration of his speech. Though she did like his idea, anything more she had to say was dropped for a moment. Still, Shutara saw it, and glanced at Hiruko for a moment and then back at Miko. She'd seen that look on the girl's face before and it had a very particular connotation. Suddenly a quiet moment of thought and Yugi was back on a tangent. His thought processes were heard by both Himeko and Albertus and backed by one while the other seemed shocked into silence. That first 'oh yes' had Miko shifting in their shared seat, a pout coming to her face rather suddenly. "That's crazy the only trope missing from that is the princess, Brainface is trying to bang as the ultimate show of loyalty or whatever..." Miko said rolling her eyes. "I hate people that choose the easy way out," she ranted.

Still, Yugi was receiving several compliments along the way for his brain, including ones directly from Albertus Animusphere and a comparision that would definitely be questioned later. Appaerntly the rings of Saturn functioned more like prison bars than acoustics. Miko looked at Hiruko again specifically noting that strange marking on his neck and then looked to Makima. "Prison tracks... especially if things can be unconsciously magical..." she observed quietly, barely more than a whisper between bites of food. As for the thoughts of Uranus and amplifiers... "Techno.... box it♪~" she chirped happily putting that thought aside once again. No matter. It seemed a strange offer was being made towards Makima who once again was turning those ringed eyes of hers towards him. He claimed she could be a 'vessel' that other Monarchs and Rulers had them.... with apparently less oddity than the two kids sitting at the head of the table. "Vessel? Me? If anything is in my body I'm in control of it, not the other way around," Makima pointed out. "Though what would such a test entail, I'm curious but I don't just agree to things," she said diplomatically. Makima was a different kind of person to most but that was fine.

[Bloodedge]

Another of Miko's friends was listed as a likely future member, and Enju offered herself as one under the simple condition that they build a bar. "A bar? Easy," Yugi declared. "Eto... there's already a bar on this floor. I saw it," Ren interrupted, pointing adjacent to the kitchen. With that pointed out, Yugi merely accepted Enju as a new member. Ah, but there was still his newest Bondmate, who seemed a little outlandish for someone with a known full history in this world. "It was... but rough is good, if you ask me~" he said shamelessly.

Goals considered outlandish to most, were simply mathematical matters for Yugi. He'd already given consideration to the current growth rate, and the potential acquisition of funds to go along with the members they had available right now. Two weeks was the comfortable conclusion. "If that's outlandish, I could say more like four days. I only said two weeks to account for time spent dicking off," he specified. At the same time, Miko was acknowledging Hiruko's nature as a gambler. After taking another long, slow sip of wine, he shifted his gaze in her direction. "Guilty as charged~" he said with a sly wink. As for Brainface's clichés, Miko was right; the only thing missing was the princess he was going for. Yugi looked up, and saw everything he needed to know in Albertus's face ─ a face unsure of how the truth should be delivered. "... There's a princess," Yugi said. "Well there always has to be a princess," Albertus added. "... Not sure how I feel about the 'always' part, but the whole thing is annoying enough already. Silver lining: I'm gonna cuck that annoying motherfucker!" Yugi decided.

Makima was a massive point of curiosity after Saturn became a topic to discuss. Albertus couldn't decide whether she was a descendant, an offshoot, or a vessel. According to Makima, she was in control of anything inside her body. Albertus nodded along as that claim was made. "That's..." Albertus started. "Exactly what a 'Plague Monarch' who specializes in that kind of behavior would want in a vessel," Yugi finished before Albertus carried on. "That. Querehsha would probably consider somebody like you one of her daughters even if there's no relation. How to check... Well, there's a lot of radical ways to do it. Just gotta touch your Source~" he said while pointing to his own chest, right around the heart region.

[Apollymi]

That particular friend was one who needed a warning label, but Miko wouldn't bother sure that Yugi would understand by the time he met her. Enju apparently wanted a bar, and that was an easy enough accommodation, but according to Ren, there was already one present. "Really?!~ Sweet~" Enju claimed. If staying around the lad of this pair kept that chimera attached to her mostly quiet, she could live a happy life, especially with readily available booze. "Found that while you were creeping, Renny?♪~" Miko teased the lad only to think about it. "Anything else of interest, I'd hate to make the same common area twice♪~" Miko decided. She'd not really had a thorough look around herself. They'd gotten the house based on the basics, but she'd not bothered with too many of the details herself. Speaking of details, Meron was being reminded of the wayward wordplay of the youth, "Hehe~ Stop~" ah, but there was something a bit playful about that, and honestly she didn't much care, within certain kids of spaces.

Beyond that point, apparently, Yugi had given the two week time frame under the assumption that they'd be 'dicking off' at least some of that time. And Makima had to concur. "A bit of off time would be good for you, even if you don't need it for the same reasons as everyone else. You also wouldn't want to push too hard and neglect your dailies or personal goals~" Makima said. Those two were oddly able to throw themselves into things and as such they needed to mediate a bit more, if their form of mediation was random sexual activity she wouldn't stop them, she thought it... healthy. Speaking of oddities with that pair, Miko had zeroed in on Hiruko's nature. Imprisoned by choice, a gambling flirt... putting 45 percent of his interest in based only on his own information gathering and continuing to leave himself open thereafter. A sly wink delivered as he acknowledged his guilt, would get one of the more mature reactions Miko currently had to offer, with smug intent playing across her face for that single instance, "Careful with those admissions, the penalties are astronomical♫~" Miko mused. There was an idea coming together in her head... just a few more pieces had to filter into the box before she was certain. All the while Shutara peeked at the two men at her sides and wondered how she'd ended up between them, and why Miko currently seemed so comfortable. While it was mulled over and she finished her food, Miko's other statements about tropes and desirable princesses was acknowledged in an odd way. "Of course there is... but chair guy will always be a chair guy~" Miko concluded firmly. At the very least a hot princess was well within her boundaries. "What in the Kingdom Hearts is 'always a princess!♪~" Miko chirped in defiant outrage. Oh well, it wasn't something she needed an answer to.

Not when someone like Makima was receiving an answer to her question. A curiosity surrounding her being was one which was acknowledged by Albertus. Apparently, Makima's attitude would make her an idea vessel for the Monarch of Plagues. "Well, that's interesting to know..." Makima decided. At least she could respect such a person even if she wouldn't have surrendered her body to them. Apparently checking for her as a vessel would involve touching her source. He gestured towards his own chest as if that cleared things up and Makima's left brow rose. "I don't know what a Source is, but I'll be taking that information too. If you can sate your curiosity non-invasively I'll allow it," Makima said those words were so specific Miko eye's shifted again. She was such an interesting woman.

[Bloodedge]

Ren absolutely found the bar, and some other things, while sneaking around the castle. He wasn't going to acknowledge Miko's teasing query about it, even seeming to distance himself after having his stealth openly acknowledged so freely. On the other hand, curiosities about other facilities deserved an answer. "There's a library, and another door that looks pretty intimidating that leads to a cellar," he said before thinking about anything else he'd seen. "I think there's a bathroom. Like... a big one," he added afterwards. At the same time, Yugi was holding a sullied fork between his teeth and looking across the table at Meron. "Not gonna happen. Drink more whiskey~" he suggested ever so casually while Albertus snickered at the thought. Meron and whiskey was a match made on Venus, he thought.

Between Miko and Hiruko, there was a new kind of approach being taken. She claimed there might be some astronomical penalties to his admission of guilt. Ever the suave fellow, Hiruko chuckled. Astronomical penalties sounded like precisely the thing that would make him sign up for something. "I should be more reckless then. That's one of the golden rules of gambling. High risk... high return~" he quoted with a mock toast offered.

Albertus had two things to acknowledge. First came the Players' curiosity about princesses and why they were so necessary. "Ya' gotta have at least one princess! Creation's a big deal. If everything goes south, who else is gonna handle the reset? You need a girl who's got all the old stuff in her, but the old queen won't work because that'll just remake the original a second time," he explained. "Tch! Too much 'vessel' shit in this magic world," Yugi complained. With that, Albertus moved right along to Makima. She wanted more information, and cleared anything... non-invasive. Albertus still didn't know what humans actually considered invasive, given all their differences and whatnot... but he wasn't too bothered either way. The information would be the difficult part as he pulled Makima's chair and his own closer together by magical means. "Your Source is like... uhh, how to put it..." he stammered. Nonchalantly as ever, he was reaching out with one hand to take hold of Makima's bosom. Indeed, it seemed he intended to feel her up just as he'd done Irkalla earlier. "Right! Mortals have that whole concept of souls that kept to this time, yeah? That's a Source, but less wicked. A Source is everything you are, everything you could be. It's not something a human would ever have access to. If you did, you wouldn't be human anymore. Hey girls, what's the little Source being called?"

[Apollymi]

Ren's exploration of the house had been more thorough than either of the Players. That simply made sense, as both were being distracted around the time the house went up. Regardless, his reaction to being called out for his 'lurking' behavior was one which made Miko smirk. Perhaps at some point she'd tell him she'd not meant it about his power specifically, it really was odd to see others with such rigid reactions to mentions and she wondered if she didn't look like that all the time. What did he see though? A library, a scary door, a big bath... "Box it," Miko uttered immediately upon hearing the word library, though not for normal reasons. She simply didn't want to cry while eating for the second time in two days. "Hm... we really should have had a better look around. But I guess most Player Housing does tend to come with all the basics and thens ome upgrade options. I was really excited about a big outdoor bath," Miko said with a pout. She be leaving those other things to float around in her head. Just the same, Meron was being encouraged to drink more whiskey which she sure was doing already... but Albertus snickering would get him playfully back handed over the chest. "Don't you start, Albie!" she pointed out but she was still enjoying her glass after finishing her plate.

Beyond the other oddities, some were getting to observe real time, as Miko's persona and approach were shifted for a different kind of conquest. Hiruko was smooth, so smooth he had a retort for her... it was expected but still worth note. Astronomical penalties didn't scare him, he'd act more recklessly, because bigger risks came with higher payouts. "Oooh♫~ I like the sound of that. Good luck♪~" Miko offered cheekily. In that moment Kaguya wondered if Miko knew how different she sounded just in how she addressed this particular man. She'd seen her be cute, be helpless, be authoritarian... she'd even seen a taste of a flirt, but not quite the level of maturity those words of hers had now. There was impact, oddly enough a few of the other adult women saw it too... Himeko's eyes swept over the girl for just a moment, as she realized who she sounded like, that had to be done with purpose. Maybe just because of the mention of libaries or because, she was obviously not talking about her parents and it had to leak out in someway.

Whatever the case, Albertus had an explanation to offer about the necessities of princesses. And his explanation made Yugi mad, but most things did that. Miko on the other hand only shook her head, "I mean I guess it's fine to cover a potential base, but that's a lot of forced responsibility," Miko murmured. She wouldn't have liked something like that at all. But soon enough they were moving past a point again, Albertus was soon molesting Makima which was worthy enough for Miko's attention regardless of the reason. It would seem it would come with a bit of a lesson about what 'Sources' apparently were... which oddly enough wasn't just news to the humans sitting at this table. "God-fucking damnit he's so fucking stupid!" Himeko was swearing before anything else, and oddly enough, Irkalla seemed completely unbothered as she ate, her way through her 4th serving of lasagna. "I missed that!~" she sang happily. "Oh I also meant to say I wanted to join... I don't know if I can but I want to be included~" Irkalla had no stakes in the race against whatever was coming out of the Gates, but she would easily stick by the side of the only two poeple she could touch outside of gods. "Ugh, context says you're talking about Cores," Himeko was absolutely stewing because of the sheer stupidity of a certain male creator, and the tirade building was massive and mostly without context for a lot of people. All the while Makima found the outburst interesting. She wondered what had made Ashikaga Himeko so angry in such random and innocuous statements and could only assume that the mention of Sources was giving conotext to some older slight against her.