recolle | The Smoke Quest [Closed/Respatrum] Forward-date to May 20

"Oh yeah, I've been there a few times? You can get some amazingly pretty silverware there!"

It's said with a casual little shrug. But her own paintbrush is sporting a blood red color and she was in clothes fit for spelunking - well, other than the wide-brim hat that she had worn up until she got under the ground in the subway. There, she takes off the hat, and ... yeah.

"Mm, I've never gone this route though."

Kenta is also wearing some expensive but lightwear sports gear, and he has his huge sword strapped to his back to make sure it's accessible but also out of the way. His own paintbrush is also dark red.

"I've actually never been to Respatrum. The only outside area I've been too is Bosuma."

Although given their specialty, he might actually go there more often. It looks like a place someone who is also a sword would be interested in.

"I do assume that the way it floated in the sky last month was an anomaly, but I've never really had the occasion of visiting. I didn't even know the way."

In case the others haven't noticed, Kenta sometimes has trouble retaining information that is not immediately pertinent to him. He had no need for Respatrum before, so he never actually interested himself into how to get there and what was there.

Togusa has seen the blending effect of the paints before, but it is always fascinating to him to see how it comes out (he's clearly spent too much time around Koutarou.) Two reds and a silver, the reds dominate his own. While there are shades and gradations to their work, the overall effect is a dark wine red with a metallic sheen to it. Not bad at all.

Togusa is giving Kenta a little extra room, he remembers that the man can use that sword skillfully within the tunnels, so long as he doesn't have to watch out for hitting a companion.

"Is Respatrum dangerous, then? Pesgare is lovely, the only danger comes from the sea arount it." He nods towards Kenta. "But I heard about it floating, people flying, last month."

A pause. "Are there a lot of people out there?" There's Togusa's motivation kicking in. He'd be far more interested in helping a town of people than just doing this because Retrospec asked.

"Well I wasn't there on that mission when people were calling it hell, but the main danger I would note from my visits is just how hot it is. There's exposed geysers and such around?" It was possible - no, probable - that there were other dangers in the depths below the main town there. She knows the caverns go deeper, and she did get possessed by a fire spirit for a bit when it was floating...?

But that's a whole other thing.

So instead she presses on, painting a little as they head further down the tunnel. She's by far the smallest here so she just sort of weaves between them, "But yeah, there's a town! It's a lot of workers for their forges for the most part, it's a very craftsmen-centric town."

"It is rather warm."

Not yet enough for Kenta to remove his sports jacket but that could come soon.

He is tall enough to paint mostly up and above them, leaving the low parts to Elda as he listens to her description.

Ever since the beginning of the month there is something that has been bothering him, and as he keeps painting, he feels now might be the time to bring it up.

"There is something bothering me about what's happening. Or rather, something suddenly became obvious to me and I'm not sure if it's significant or not, but I can't help thinking there's a reason why things are that way."

He takes a small moment to gather his thoughts and try and present them in a way that makes sense.

"Those new areas appeared out of the blue, and we ended up being able to visit them and talk to the people who live there. And as the months have gone by, it's become obvious those areas are also affected by what Retrospec is doing. And yet...

"I haven't seen or heard of anyone from those areas coming to Recollé. We go to visit them, but they don't come to us. And apparently, there are no Retrospec users among their population. No people with strange memories of other lives like us."

He gestures at the stone they are repainting.

"If there were, they would have already started repainting this area. They wouldn't need us to do it for them. Why is that? Why are all the Retrospec users focused in Recollé only. And who are these people, really?"

Kenta makes a very good point, and it's something that Togusa at least hopes he can shed some light on. He listens and nods along, and waits until Kenta is done before he speaks up.

"We do know a few things. 1: There have to be other areas out there with Retrospec users. Zee didn't come from Recolle, but he is a Retrospec user. Someone farther along in the process than our cohort. But, Zee's home town isn't one of the four regions that we have access to now."

"2: Pesgare's people, at least, all seem to come from different places. They're all very friendly, but if you sit and chat with them, the stories they tell? It's all very fantastical. I'm assuming that they are also people from other worlds but who were undergoing the process in some other way."

"Because 3: Retrospec's reach only extended to those four towns when we arrived. There are other people who know about this process of memories and worlds, people who don't work with Retrospec, but people we don't know yet. There are too many people who know what's going on. The kidnappings in town, that first month, were coordianted by an outside force. In Pesgare, the city was trying to be bought out by an outside entity, someone who knew the place was special."

Togusa brandishes his paintbrush. "This is Retrospec's solution. I wouldn't be surprised if other areas outside of Retrospec's reach either have come up with something different, or aren't experiencing this at all."

"What kidnappings?"

That's not come up in her research. Or did he mean the whole incident with the mayor? Either way, she listens to all of that theory-crafting, not really speaking up with an opinion just yet (largely because she's still working out what she thinks on that, because Kenta makes a good point, especially in light of talking to those townspeople in Magatus) but...

Well, he's just getting a floor of red here. The tunnel is giving way to something more obviously rocky, the further they get. Rocky and hotter.

"Some Retrospec employees have said they come from other worlds. That security chief... I forget her name."

Elda's question does trigger his own, though.

"Do you mean the mayor and the Council? Those are the only kidnappings I know of."

The place is starting to look more cave-like, and after some more progress, Kenta will stop to take off his jacket and tie it around his waist. He's only wearing a tank top under it because of what was in the original message.

"... We also don't know why they're doing it. And if there are other entities as you said, does that mean maybe some of these other entities could be working against Retrospec and making the whole place unstable?"

He sighs.

"This is starting to sound like some sort of strange sci-fi space opera and it's giving me a headache just trying to understand it."

“I’m almost certain that all employees of Retrospec are former users.” Togusa spreads his arms out wide. “Hell, isn’t that why we are talking to Zee? Hiring Manager and all, they’re trying to hire us.” It comes out more bitter than he’d like. “And all that does is make me wonder where this all stops? The goal is to get Retrospec out of our lives, get back to normal. Help them complete their mission so that they go away. I’m still not sure how to do that.”

Togusa looks down. “Yeah, the Chief. Kenta helped get her and the others back.” Another grateful nod. “Zee said somebody was responsible for it, it was supposed to be a distraction.”

“So what other conclusion can we come to, in light of all that?” He keeps on painting, but he can philosophize or paranoidly spin information while doing anything.

"You mean Gou. She's not actually the head of it, just the most visible to us. The head's supposedly that Baroque man that Jirou and I helped back in August."

She answers for Kenta's part there, and... huh. So someone was responsible for that - someone with intentions, that's probably the most interesting point there... Right? She hums at that, hoping ahead just a little and reading out with her senses... Ah, yeah.

"There's some bats in these caves. Less than you'd think, though..."

Kenta frowns at hearing 'Hiring Manager'.

"I'm doing this because people need help, not to help Retrospec."

He's tried to put it to the back of his mind, this feeling he's been having every once in a while that this other life is the real thing and the people he calls family in this life may not really exist. Most days, he tries to ignore it but every once in a while it rears its ugly head again and makes him anxious all over again.

And Jirou isn't around to tell him everything will be alright. Although... He grabs his phone and sends a quick text. At least this time they're not completely cut off from one another.

"... Bats? Are we going to need to repaint the bats too?"

Every day, it bothers Togusa more than he can explain when his job happens to taper with Retrospec's motivations. He's supposed to be building a case against them, working towards justice. But that can only come when, well, reality stabilizes.

"Bats?" Startled. He looks between Kenta and Elda. "Uh- animals do need the repainting, I had to to get Daidai back."

Hmm. He eyes further down the tunnel, the whiteness seems muted here with the block of sunlight. "The paint'll stick if it just touches them, though, we might need to throw it?" How do you get a bat to stay still?

"Oh, we don't need to, I can just sense them! That's all."

Elda, of course, has her own internal world. She has a son who isn't on the app anymore and it makes her fret constantly. She knows the sun will eventually reject her completely (honestly, it's already started, and so she's appreciative for either of the men's efforts to get the ceiling so she can be in the shadows and she does still really hate Jim Halloway. But right now... well.

Perhaps she might seem almost airy by comparison. She took this gig because she didn't have that much better to do, and she was asked politely.

"It's one of my abilities. I could call some to sit still, if needed. I'm just pointing out that there is life around, that's all."

Mmm.

"Come to think of it, I probably should have brought more of my bats... I only have the three in my purse..."

"You have bats in your purse..."

That sounds... unsanitary and also not very safe.

"Maybe you should let them out. I mean, it's probably cramped in there, right?"

He is sightly worried about the animals, to be honest. Finding Jirou's dogs was his first initial moment of panic this month.

"It looks like the space is getting bigger over here... can you hear anyone?"

Togusa honestly tries not to stare whenever he gets a new perspective on Elda's abilities. It's impolite, he doesn't want to make her feel self-conscious, but she is carrying around bats. Not the baseball kind.

"I've got to learn to stop asking..." Togusa shakes his head, but there's a smile on his face.

Togusa moves to where Jirou is standing, and he starts tracing along one of the walls. Coming out of the manmade tunnels, now their surroundings are going to get more irregular. "It'll take a little bit to see if this is a full-on branch," Togusa suggests, as he keeps at working at the wall.

Okay, he has to ask. He cautiously looks over his shoulder back at Elda. "You can call the bats. Can they- talk back to you?"

... You know Kenta had a fair point. She just had them in there to speed things up when she was traveling and going into the subway. Normally, she just lets them be around in the area but right now, well. She can smell they didn't poop in her bag but they might need to soon. So they are let out of the purse now, two rapidly heading off in different directions and one settling on her shoulder.

Oh, as for the question-

"Not... precisely? But I can get a vibe for what their meaning is? And I can get a vision for what they're seeing?"

"Would they be able to warn us if something comes out way?"

That could be very useful if it's the case. Of course, Kenta has seen the bats before so he's not very spooked, and really he is not thinking beyond practicality here. Jirou loves Elda, and that's all he needs to trust the woman.

"... It keeps getting warmer. I don't know if that's normal here."

Togusa's whole form tenses for a second. It's not the he's afraid of bats, but even being warned that they were here, there is an instinctual reaction of bats in the lizard part of his brain that tells him to freeze. It's okay, see, one is staying right there on Elda's shoulder.

...he realizes he's staring again.

Togusa clears his throat to try to refocus himself on the wall in front of him. Painting. Painting is a good distracting activity. "Can they- uh- 'see' the things that are unpainted, then?"

A hand wipes at his forehead, even though he isn't sweating yet. Just the idea of it. "About the only thing Ardyn mentioned about this place was bitching about the heat. Might be their version of normal?"

"Like I said, in my trips here I've known them to make amazing silverware and other such metallic things. It's probably a matter of keeping the forges hot, but maybe this place is just hot in general? I've never delved deeper than their many district."

She hums a little, the two bats which went ahead going to the edge of the unpainted white ahead of them only to double back and float closer to one of the weird reddish silver walls here, perching there while they wait for more to be painted. The one on Elda's shoulder... Ah, wait, she was asked,

"Anyway, yes and probably? These bats actually operate pretty well with sight, but they do still have the ability to use echolocation."

"That'll probably come in useful, then. People have mentioned there might be monsters that are not visible."

The tunnels are now really rock, not brick or cement, and more irregular. Kenta has tripped a few times so far, and he's having to be more careful with his head too, feeling around with his hands and flinging some paint around to make sure that he's not going to bash his head into something again.

"They have forges, so that means open hearths and fires at some point. We'll have to be careful where we step".

The odd docileness of the bats gets another stare out of Togusa before he goes back to studiously painting. Okay. This is normal. Like anything else can be normal.

“Invisible fire,” Togusa has to remark. “That’s going right up there on my list of things I never knew to be afraid of.” He shakes his head. “And more of those monsters. At least we know it cant be those birds?”

“Maybe the bats can help keep us safe,” Togusa looks up at them again. “Just dont put them in any more danger, hunh?” He is trying to trail more paint ahead of them, but it is such slow going, with the heat rising just as slowly. Togusa finds himself reaching for one of his water bottles sooner than he expected. Damn.

She nods at this conversation again, getting ahead of the other two. the painting is slower going, but ... it's less white up ahead. Maybe the "whiteness" of the blank world can also reflect the fact they're deep underground...? All the same, there's definitely movement up ahead. Men and women who seem to be hard at work doing... whatever it is they're doing.

It's in the distance though, she notices mostly because of the contrast against the whiteness.

"I think I see people ahead. We must be getting near the entrance of things proper."

Which means they have a good starting point for the map to move out in various directions in these tunnels, once they get there.

Kenta is busy wiping swat off his brow and his hair is starting to feel sticky, but he gets distracted for a second by his phone buzzing and takes the time to check the message and answer it.

"Can you see if they have paint brushes?"

He knows Elda can see int he dark, but he's not sure of how far she can see.

"Maybe they can help us out at least, point us in the right direction of where things are and what they needs to find the most urgently."

Togusa is using far less caution. As soon as Elda mentions that she can see people up ahead, he tries to go into the lead, perking up. The water bottle goes back into his bag, re-energized more by the fact that at least the first part of their trip is done.

"Likely not Retrospec users," Togusa answers quietly, "they're going to be the same as the people from Pesgare, I guess. Not on the network." But there's still something strange about them, at least the people from Pesgare.

He is painting less, just enough to leave a trail behind him, as he approaches the people. He raises his free hand in a wave. "Hello there!"

Elda is amused at those difference in opinions. She follows behind Togusa, but not in such a way as to rush after him so much as keep near Kenta but still be able to leap over if needed. That said, to answer Kenta, "No brushes I can see."

But then, it was a ways off.

Still, the townspeople here will turn to Togusa's attention. They are distinctly less friendly than in Pesgare, but their tone is more gruff than it is mean. Sort of even keen and taciturn. The quintessential worker smiths, for the most part.

Kenta approaches more sedately - and warily. He doesn't have his hand on his weapon, but he only paints as much as needed to get a general feel of the place so as to make sure he can access it quickly if needed.

"Hi. We've been asked to come here to help you out."

He holds up the paintbrush, but Togusa seems to be much more of a people's person and is probably better at explaining.

Gruff, Togusa can deal with. He shifts more into a mode he's used to dealing with his co-workers rather than normal civilians. Keep it short, and to the point, then. He gives their names (leaving off that he is an Officer), explains that they are from Recolle, but that they're here to help.

A few people are already looking back at Kenta, so Togusa shows with his own paintbrush that the floor and tunnel wall appear when he highlights them. That seems to get people actually listening.

Togusa finishes his explanation with a quick shrug. "We don't entirely know why it's working, just that it is. And so we're here to help."

Well, she'd been introduced already, and so she decides to just stand there with a smile, allowing the good officer to do the talking. Though that said, the ones who were most interested in the brushes seem thoughtful a moment before pointing out it would be good to re-light the forges so they could get back to work! All this nothing existing had put them real behind on orders now.

Basically, the gist is explained to them. Some people want them to repaint the shipping center, some people are eager to get their stock and warehouses and shops back into existence. Some people say they need to collect their scrap material, and some people just want the flames back into existence. After all, the forges are the heart of things.

Well, that sounds straightforward enough. But since they need to stay together for the paint to actually do something more than black and white...

"How about we start with the forges so they can get their work going?"

Unsaid id also the thought that once they have done that some people will get back to working and thus get out of their hair. They will be faster and more efficient without people hounding them and scattering their efforts after all.

Togusa is smiling and assuring everyone that their concerns will be addressed, but he can't quite pick one before another is brought up. He gives Kenta a very grateful look for swooping in with the save. "The forge, that seems to be the heart of it all. If we start highlighting things, can you help show us the way?"

There's one guy in particular who is watching their progress thoughtfully, and eventually pipes up that if they can get him to the forge, he might be able to jury-rig a sprayer, maybe even three, something to give them more power.

The work becomes easier with a goal in mind, and, after a time, the civilians realize they have to back off a little (to keep from getting splashed) to let them work. Back to what they were doing in the tunnels, but Togusa is letting Elda lead more of the way.

"First time I get to see this place, and I can't see any of it at all. Feels like a bit of a shame," Togusa points out.

Elda gets in step with the two men, commenting more to herself as they make their way to the main forge, "We'll have to be careful either way though. There's exposed flames and super-heated air... I wouldn't be surprised if further down there's exposed magma."

In fact, their guide confirms that is, indeed, the case - that there's tunnels and even some underground slopes and cliffs that can lead into magma if you aren't careful! Don't worry though, he'll steer them all right.

Magma. Lava. Great. Kenta barely just manages not to let his consternation at the idea show on his face. Barely. It's starting to get really hot in here, and even with his jacket off, he's sweating profusely already, his T-shirt sticking to his chest.

"Would you happen to have any water? We'll probably need more than what we've been able to bring if it gets any hotter."

And it will, closer to the forges and the open flames.

"We'll need to do it differently from before. Fling some paint forward first and see what's in front before we get to the details. And I'm not sure of how to repaint magma."

Or flames, really, but well. It seems to be working, he's not going to bother trying to wrack his brain about the how.

Togusa is listening to Kenta, using more of a flinging technique to send the paint forwards first. "There was a...something...that Koutarou was doing one semester, like this." A big splash of paint comes off his brush. "He's got his easel, and a tarp up and behind and under the thing so he doesn't get the paint anywhere else. And he just starts..." Togusa finishes his statement with a gesture, splattering the paint on a wall in front of him. A smile at the memory.

The locals are far more used to the heat, but even they have their limits. As they go slowly, highlighting things in front of them, at one point, the guide gestures to a side path, a good place for water. Togusa breathes out a quiet prayer of thanks when this gets pointed out. He is practically throwing his paint off the brush to try to bring it into relief as they walk.

"Ah, more here!" the man finally says, as they get the edge of a tank. Doesn't have to tell Togusa twice, who starts painting more fervently so they can hopefully refill what they've brought.

Well hot damn, finally!

Hopefully there's not any complications by monsters or whatever...? They're probably too close to town for that anyway. Exasperated at the heat and following the others leads, she's all rearing to leap up to the front and hurriedly paint out this tank of water. Hell, depending on how much there is in this new mix she might just splash her face a little, clear her head.

Probably not, but it's a fun dream.

"Plus the squirt gun's a good idea! Main reason I didn't bring one is I figured the heat'd warp the plastic."

Kenta joins in rapidly as soon as the water tank is located. The water might end up reddish given the colors they have to work with, but normally it should be drinkable anyway, since it hasn't seemed to affect food and drinks. Maybe they can send more people later to tweak the colors.

Once they finally have a clear look on the tank, Kenta takes out some of the bottles he's been transporting so they can be refilled. And also a handkerchief that he will wet and use to wipe his face and neck a little. The heat is not kind with him. he's not very fast usually, but he feels even more sluggish with the heat.

"How much further to the forge? It might be prudent to come back here to take breaks regularly if this is going to take us long."

Flinging paint around takes quite some effort in this heat.

Togusa is quickly doing the same as Kenta, as soon as they have a spigot. He has to hold himself back from drinking as swiftly as he can, don't make yourself sick. He closes his eyes and sits for a moment, back resting against the metal tank.

Their guide informs them that it's not too far, they have to keep this tank as close as they can to the forge for the workers. If the man has any comments about the group's inability to stand the heat, he is thankfully keeping them to himself.

Togusa knows he is sending up a hell of a scent into the air, but can't bring himself to care. Might as well just throw himself into the park lake when he gets home, and it still wouldn't feel like enough. "This is a hell of a job. You really think the three of us can handle this whole sector?" Another wipe of the back of his neck. His two companions might have extra-natural endurance, but Togusa is only human. For some value of the word.

Elda is irritated at how hot she still feels after drinking up far too fast from the valve here. She goes first and then sloops around again to go after the others. She filled up her bottles, and even offered some to her bats which flickered around by her. But even as she did, her face still felt hot and...

... Ugh, Togusa smells too nice. It's irritating.

But while that's the case, it also means her fangs are a little more exposed (she can't help it) as she waves her hands and smirks for them, "Oh please, we've got this! Light up the forge, get some better sprayers, it's fine. Even if we run into monsters, I'll deal with them right easy!"

See, reassuring!

Well, it's good that someone at least has confidence in their abilities. Although monsters Kenta is pretty sure he can deal with too, unless he dies from heatstroke before then.

Just as they're about to go on their way again, his phone buzzes. he's been getting a lot of messages. He quickly checks it and sends something back, then grabs the sword and his paintbrush one more time.

"Alright, let's do this."

And down again they go, helpfully guided by both the bats and the locals. Who don't seem too spooked by the bats, as it goes. But then again they basically live in a cave. There's probably more bats down there.

Togusa has to automatically nod in response. “I was more worried about the size than the danger. But all right. We’ve got this.” He leans heavily on the tank as he stands.

He glances at Kenta on the phone, and offers quietly, “Jirou doing all right without you?” He thinks it’s a safe guess, the person he knows Kenta would be worried about back in Recolle. Jirou can handle himself, but it’s a sweet side to Kenta some might not get to see.

The ground slopes down under their feet, and the path starts to widen, making it feel like this is a major throughway. “We’re going to have to come back for some side passages.”

"Definitely, and make a little map..."

But no, she understands the concern about the size. She's worried about that too - this is going to be at least a day long project, possibly bleeding into tomorrow...

Ugh.

... She might need to call Toushiro, now she thinks of it.

Kenta blinks at Togusa at first, then smiles and nods. He's not actually worried about Jirou. He just doesn't like being away from him for long.

"He keeps sending me selfies so I won't feel too lonely without him," he answers, and the blush can totally be explained by the heat right? Right.

The place does seem to get bigger and bigger until not even Kenta can reach the uppermost parts above them. There's a hit more air circulation, but it's all hot air, so that doesn't make it easier to breathe, and they have to stop several times to drink and pace themselves.

"The main forge is down that way, right?" Kenta confirms with their local guide. So it looks like there's definitely fire ahead. "We need to go slower, until we find the edge of the foyer."

Right. Yes it can. Although Togusa is happy to see a sweeter side to Kenta, he also doesn't want to know what Jirou's idea of flirting looks like. So, he'll smile to himself, but answer Elda's point. He taps his own head twice. "The map is handled. I honestly think that's why Retrospec sent me here. Piece the video footage back together, and we'll have a map of everywhere we go."

Togusa falls into a silence as they trek on further. He is relying on throwing the paint out ahead of him, and the air just feels thicker and heavier in his lungs. It's just like training, though, and he can keep his head down and his focus on just doing the next thing, and the next.

He raises his head again, turning to look at Kenta when he speaks up. He nods and takes a few steps back, he'll let Kenta go in the lead. "Keep an ear out, too. We've got to be able to hear it before we just walk right into fire...right?" Some of that hopefulness is back, perhaps.

"If we can, I can tell you there's things burning ahead by the smell."

Of course, the smell and sounds are conflicting, especially where they can't see. But she says this blithely, largely because the sights are getting worse. The more they repaint towards this forge, the more smoke they are repainting on the air. If they concentrate it too much, that might make it hard for them all to breathe even beyond the thickness of the air.

Still, the whole idea of Jirou sending selfies is...

That's cute. It's cute. She hums, her phone now out to text Toushirou.

"... Video footage?"

What exactly does Togusa mean by that? That he has a photographic memory? But then there wouldn't be footage, right?

Kenta starts coughing a little as they progress. Being taller than the others he often ends up with his head right into the smoke when they manifest their surroundings into visibility again, and he has to try and bend over to escape it, with mixed success, really.

...His hair is going to stink so much, he is going to need at least three showers to make it clean again.

he doesn't protest about it, though, or about ending up in front. It's logical. If something jumps out or if they get close to the fire, he can heal fast.

The look on Togusa's face quickly jumps from surprised to downright embarrassed, and he puts a hand to his mouth, because he thought Kenta knew.

"My brain has a lot of tiny machines in it. Turns what I see and hear into digital signals." He has to keep his sentences short and breathe between them. "So if I download today into a video? We should be able to make a map off it."

Togusa keeps tossing paint ahead, a few steps, and then more paint, just to try to get to the smoke first. It is strange seeing the wispy blackness come into being. But he is trying to aim low, to make absolutely sure he is repainting ground before they step on it. He points and helps Kenta adjust at one point, he isn't sure what was there, but it was going to drop off. It's all slower-going, but he can keep from getting frustrated.

"Oh, you had mentioned that, hadn't you..." back at that meeting, that is.

It is slower going, but... Soon enough they should be getting there. The man leading them claims it's only around the next corner.

... Wait, corner?

Yes, corner. As they paint the floor, it becomes obvious - the tunnel has given way to on the left there is some sort of a hill or a cliff face. And there's a bend around to their right ahead. That's... not. Good.

"... Your brain has what?"

Excuse Kenta, he is tired this is going to take him a little while to process. Elda seems to know about it, though. But there is... something else that she doesn't seem happy about.

"Anything strange up ahead? Can the bats feel anything?"

Since it's his first time here, Kenta is not capable of telling whether the ground they're revealing is looking the way it should or if anything is different.

Togusa's turn to look a little embarrassed. "Uh. Micromachines. Little machines the size of a micrometer, very tiny." He holds up his finger and thumb only a small space apart, and that's still much larger than they are. "They let me hook into networks, or make a digital copy of everything I see and hear. It's a bit more complicated, but I can explain more later."

When things aren't- apparently troubling? Togusa's brow furrows, but they won't see what is up ahead until they paint it, so he starts flicking the paint ahead of them in earnest, highlighting what he can so they might be able to look before they leap. He takes in a lungful of air and coughs some. Is the air getting thicker or just hotter?

"Blank space?"

She shakes her head, and reaches a hand out to lock eyes with one of the bats. She's still not great at sensing their intentions when it comes to more specific, more complex ideas. She frowns at the "response" from the bat and...

"The path gets narrower, I think."

To test this, she leaps ahead of the others, giving a wide splash of her purple (well black before mixing) paint and... well, it catches on a lot of smoke so that's hard to see, but just as relevantly- yes. On their right, there's a "Wall" of rock, as before, but on the left, that sure is the edge of a steeper fall than you'd expect.

The Smoke Quest [Closed/Respatrum] Forward-date to May 20

Togusa --> Elda --> Kenta?

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Sorry about the delay here

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