ic inbox | ruby city

[heirdisqualification]

This is the voicemail of Byakuya Togami. Leave your business here, and I'll determine whether or not it's worth my time.

Comments

[text]

[unholey]

Togami, I need to talk to you about Lucy.

[heirdisqualification]

What, are you still sad that I said her cookies taste bad?

[unholey]

"Sad" is not the word I would choose to describe my feelings on that subject.

A few days ago, I brought Lucy some soup. She didn't answer when I knocked on her door or respond to any messages I've sent to her watch. Every time I've gone to her house since then, it's been empty.

[heirdisqualification]

I assumed that's where you were going with this, because if there was any other news she would contact me herself, presumably. What do you expect me to do about it, Fugo? I'm not omnipotent.

[unholey]

I'm asking you or expecting you to do anything. I'm just sharing the information I've gathered.

She isn't gone from the city. If she was, I wouldn't have been able to send her messages at all. She's still here, somewhere.

[heirdisqualification]

Maybe she's just avoiding you.

That's facetious. She's not intentionally avoiding anyone--at least, in my opinion. I was told people are sometimes lost under the city for sometimes weeks at a time, so I'm going to assume that's where she is. I'll allow myself concern in this instance.

[unholey]

Do you think it would be worth it to go down there. To try and find her?

[heirdisqualification]

It would be illogical. I'm not a proficient fighter, and I doubt that you have any combat tricks up your sleeve.

So: yes. Very worth it.

[unholey]

Well, maybe you should have a little more faith my ability to be terrible.

I have a trick. It's just dangerous. Especially in closed, dark spaces.

[heirdisqualification]

What, is it to beat something to death with a dictionary? Besides, I was hardly suggesting we go down there ourselves. I was more going for "extort someone else into doing it".

[unholey]

Never mind. Forget I said anything.

Who do you think would even go down there?

[heirdisqualification]

There's a lot of real idiots around that likely have nothing better to do. Either that, or someone who is fairly powerful and accepts payment in many tasteful pieces of literature and/or pasta. Or just somebody who likes Lucy enough to do this. Does she have any friends?

text;

[naeggs]

Togami, I was wondering if you could help me with something.

[heirdisqualification]

Oh, god.

[naeggs]

[Ignoring that.]

It's just that it's getting a little late, and I think I've passed the same street a few times.

[heirdisqualification]

Naegi, the city's barely a mile across.

[naeggs]

Is that... really true

[heirdisqualification]

Yes, and you're pathetic. Where are you so I can come collect you?

[naeggs]

I don't know!

You really don't need to come get me, though. I'm sure if I go somewhere easily recognizable and you point me from there, I'll be fine.

[heirdisqualification]

It's all a big circle. You should be able to loop yourself around and come back home--it's not difficult.

[Home.]

[naeggs]

[Naegi doesn't miss that. It makes him wish he were curled up in a library chair.]

Ahhh, I see.

[No he doesn't.]

[heirdisqualification]

If you make your way to the center of town, there's an obelisk. Around that obelisk are shops. I'm in one of them, on the outside part of the circle. It's genuinely not difficult.

[naeggs]

[Look! It's dark! And he's bad with directions! And- and this is super embarrassing.]

Right. I'm on my way!

Did I wake you up?

[heirdisqualification]

No, you didn't; I don't get much sleeping done. Lights are on.

[naeggs]

[It's not a voicemail or a text Naegi is leaving for Togami today.

Neither is unusual for him; but today, out of the blue, he's felt inclined towards doing things differently. Breakfast out, somewhere he hasn't tried. A walk somewhere he is unfamiliar with.

A small package, tied with a cheerful yellow ribbon, inside of which are three glass jars filled with cat grass. Seems as though someone has hand-drawn a friendly, smiling sun onto one of the jars.]