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Evening! ✨ Of course, I'm happy to help.

[ What the hell is that little ... picture. Anyway. ]

Thank you.

You mentioned you've been here longer, so you've more familiarity with the way things work. An acquaintance mentioned that the passage of time in our homelands is halted while we're here. Not that I doubt their integrity, but it sounds so strange I wanted to confirm if it was common knowledge. Do you know anything of it?

[He can teach you this too, Vangeance! He taught Falco already!]

I do, actually. The Admin (one of the people responsible for bringing us here) has mentioned it a few times, but it seems like it's true. Someone I'm familiar with from my home arrived here recently and confirmed that time wasn't passing the same way in this realm as it is in the human world. In my experience that's not uncommon when dealing with spirits, but it was a relief to hear. Even though I've been here for over a month, he said it didn't seem as though I was missing back home.

[ Natori: spreader of Dangerous Knowledge.

There's a bit of a pause before there's a response, and not just because Vangeance is a slow-ass typist. ]

I see. It would bring me some relief if it's true.

I also wanted to ask of your personal opinion on something, if you don't mind. You mentioned before that people here are incapable of dying. How does that align with your understanding of magic and spirits?

Mm, I can't say for sure that no time will pass back home; all I can confirm at this point is that I haven't been missing for a month. [He takes a second to think it over; he had a movie shoot scheduled two days after his visit to the old Yorishima residence, and his manager would certainly hear about it if he never showed up. Maybe another day before she realized he'd never gone home and took further action beyond filling up his answering machine, another day for the authorities to get involved and for the information to trickle over into the exorcist community.] Conservatively, I'll say that no more than 4 days could have passed back home while I've been here. I know that's not the most reassuring answer, but I want to be straightforward about what we know for sure.

It's not something I've come across before; I really doubt such a thing would be possible back home. Humans and other creatures can become ayakashi after they die, and even retain some degree of their personality and memories, but it's a fundamentally different existence. It doesn't sound like what people are describing here. My best guess is that the people in charge of this place are very, very powerful-- maybe even powerful enough to create a realm where they alter something like even death.

I'll keep it in mind.

[ Natori's hypothetical is good food for thought, but unfortunately doesn't bring him much comfort. The passage of time is an all-or-nothing deal for him; even a few days would be devastating, so he tries not to dwell on it. ]

Reincarnation magic does exist where I'm from, but comes at a grave cost to the caster and can also affect the one being reincarnated. I'd assumed the stakes would be similarly high even for different worlds. Even if death isn't permanent here, acting brashly wouldn't be wise.

Please be careful.

[ He hasn't forgotten you casually taking the risk back on the trail!!! That said, he drops some of the professionalism for just long enough to add, ]

It's good to discuss these matters with someone calm. I appreciate your patience.

[ His housemates are ... a lot. Thank you for being relatively normal and an adult, Natori. ]

Haha, don't worry. Just because it's not permanent doesn't mean I want to go testing it.

But thank you! For the concern and the compliment both. It's no trouble. [and this is the only conversation he's having today where he gets to be the level-headed one, so.] How are you adjusting?

[ He's Suffering. ]

I'm suppose I'm doing about as well as anyone can under these circumstances. Thank you for asking.

It's sort of a silly question, isn't it? It's also why I feel weird saying "nice to meet you." But if there's anything else I can do in my limited ability to make things easier, let me know! I am apparently very adept at teaching people how to use the microwave, for example.

Is that so? I'm sure some of the relationships forged in this place can be meaningful regardless of circumstances. At least, I don't regret making your acquaintance.

I won't deny that the technology here has given me some trouble, but I wouldn't want to trouble you over such trivial matters. So I'll keep your kind invitation in mind for the future, instead.

That's so sweet ✨ [are you sure, Vangeance] Haha, no, I still mean the sentiment as intended. Just that I can't help but think of how many people could be doing something at home instead.

It's always open!

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