Listen closely and you should be able to hear

[Voice]

"Oni yori haruka ni tsuyoi"...

"Stronger than any demon."

[BZZZZAP!] ...again? Isn't it enough that I'm thinking out loud so that others can hear me like this?

[He takes a deep breath, and then slowly lets it out in a sigh.] Fine. I don't normally ask questions like this, but I'll try it this time. As long as it will appease your little spies, or this stupid machine.

[Text]

I have been thinking about names, and how the nations here have human names. It was something that the one called China told me about some time ago.

Why must humans name everything? Nothing is real to you until you've named it, given it limits.

Why does something need to be named, and what does the name you've been given mean to you?

... -you want to die? Because if you continue doing whatever you want like this, then your death will only come faster here.

You've become a threat. It would just be easier to hunt you down and have you for dinner.

[While the communicator is shuffled around by the fabric lining Haruka's jacket pocket as he shifts position, the sound of fluttering wings can be heard nearby. Along with the occasional soft cooing of mourning doves.]

Calm down. I'm not interested in doing that, so don't worry.

...If you were brought here the same way as everyone else, then I can understand. You're probably not very happy to be stuck here.

Just-... [BZZZZAP!] AUGH! Shit! [The mourning doves take off in a flurry of panicked movements and wings, startled by Haruka's sudden shout.] Ah-

[...] Hm.

[Click.]

[BZZZZAP!] -tei!

[The communicator fumbles out of the pocket of Haruka's trousers and onto the floor with a clatter.] Che. Again?

Again! [There is a thud, like a fist hitting a table.]

[...] What?

We'll continue until I win. Now, pick a card.

( Click here for more! [Not an IC cut] )

[There's an audible twitch.] You little--... You did that on purpose, didn't you? [The next card is picked with much reluctance.] ...what the hell? This is the joker!

MWAHAHAHA! You got the Old Maid! Ahahaha!

That's because you made me pick it, you cheating asshole!

You won all the other games! I was tired of losing!

[[ooc On one cold winter day, a man and a tengu decide to play some children's card games. Special thanks to Kantarou's mun for the cooperative post. ♥]]

The trees here are unusual. Usually it takes a lot longer for a sapling grow this much. ...Well, whatever.

[A pause, followed by the light clink of glasses in the background.]

Ah, that's right. Just a fair warning. Just because Shinjiro is out doesn't mean there's going to be sudden change in policy. I'm not doing anyone any special favors, so expect for pay for your drinks in full.

That means you, Ichinomiya Kantarou.

I'll be here throughout the week, so don't wait up for me. There is someone that I would like to introduce to you though.

( Private; Hackable )