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[For the purposes of this PSL, Yujin is now an Aspect in Forgotten Tales. Naturally, that means he was assigned an Essence. He's not familiar with The Adventures of Pinocchio, but it isn't too difficult for him to grasp what it means to 'be' Gepetto. Whether he can use his newfound powers of bringing wooden puppets to life for a little bit to help save worlds is a whole other question. He'll try his best, that's for certain.

Is it a good thing that Holmes is here as well? A very selfish part of him says "yes", though he knows very well that things could get dangerous around here. What offers him more conflict is the rumor that Kazuma Asougi is here. Certainly, Kazuma has been trained in swordsmanship by the best of his father's disciples and can therefore put up a much more impressive fight than Yujin ever could. Still, though... A very stubborn, reckless nature seems to have been passed down from father to son. Aside from that, Holmes had seemed a bit leery when speaking of Kazuma. The 'Hyde' Essence must not be anything to scoff at.

So Yujin finds himself stepping into the notorious Hydeout, one hand on his hat as his eyes scan the tavern in search of that one particular familiar face.]

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[The tavern had already started to wind down when Mikotoba enters. There were a few stragglers, some just finishing up and paying their bills like good customers, other just flat out gone from too many drinks.]

All right, who do we need to throw out? [From one of the back rooms, a man far too large for the door frame, steps out. His features gave him the appearance of a demon, easily towering over everyone else inside the tavern. He didn't appear to have notice Mikotoba, occupied with one of the patrons sleeping at the table.]

Oi, if you don't wake up and pay up, I'm taking whatever you have. [He gives the customer a few "gentle" taps on the cheek, but he doesn't work. He sighs, though it didn't sound like he very upset over it.] Bring me his bill. [And while someone goes to do that, he easily lifts the man in one arm, digging through his personal with his other hand to locate his money.]

[The sight startles Yujin; Kazuma's appearance is both familiar, unfamiliar and then once again back to familiar. There are some aspects to him that make the resemblance to Genshin stronger than ever before, but the incredible size of him would put even Jigoku to shame. It's no wonder Holmes was leery. It's also very likely that Hyde is in charge at the moment, which will make the upcoming conversation far less pleasant than Yujin had hoped. He won't retreat, though. He'd never.

After drawing in a deep breath to brace himself, he walks up to his foster son- or what's currently left of him, anyway. Even he doesn't know whether the smile that dawns on his face is genuine or mere common courtesy.]

Good evening, Asougi-kun.

What? [Who heck calls him by that? The man in his arm suddenly drops onto the floor with a discomforting thud upon seeing who that person was.] You-?!

[For perhaps just a moment, Asougi might have peeked through that Hyde façade out of recognition. Eitherway, both seem taken aback that Mikotoba is suddenly standing right in front of them.]

Sir... [He felt someone nudging him and it snaps him out of his shock.]

Tch. [Right, the bill. He kneels down to deal with that, saying nothing to Mikotoba. Honestly, what could he say?]

[... Well. That was certainly a reaction. Yujin pauses for a moment, then kneels down beside the man who was just dropped to the floor. He raises a hand to his forehead, just to check his body temperature is still normal, along with his breathing. Alcohol poisoning is a serious problem, kids! Luckily, it seems like this one hasn't passed a point of no return.

Once that's done, he straightens up again to address Kazuma a second time.]

You appear to have your hands full. Would it suit you better if I return at a later time?

[He gets lost in his thoughts again when Mikotoba comes down to examine the customer. He only proceeds with his task once he heard his voice again.] I won't be long.

[At a glance, he really only had one other patron to check on. Mikotoba could wait in the tavern or outside if he so chooses.]

All right.

[He'll wait inside the tavern, then. There's a nice booth in a corner that will serve him just fine. Is he also keeping a close eye on Asougi's actions as he sits? Definitely.]

[Wonderful. He certainly isn't going to be as rough with the second customer like he was with the first. Perhaps Hyde isn't completely immune to foster dad powers. Once the tavern was cleared out, Hyde hangs around the bar area for a moment, whispering something to the bartender. Eventually, he will join Mikotoba at the booth.]

Drink? [He sets down several large glasses of mystery ice cold beverages onto the table, far too many for two people to drink. He settles himself across from Mikotoba, his posture far too lax for someone like Asougi.]

[Yujin can't hold his alcohol very well, to tell the truth. One small drink is fine, but the size of these glasses is already giving him pause. Unfortunately, it's rude to waste food and drink, so... Fine, he'll slide one of those glasses towards himself and hope it's not too high up in the alcohol levels.]

Thank you very much.

[Familiar as he is with Kazuma's usually rigid posture, the laxness of it doesn't go unnoticed. Hyde is going to take some getting used to, he supposes. His fingers drum along the glass for a moment before he smiles up at the man across from him.]

Would it be in bad taste to remark that you've grown since last I saw you?

[He can't guaranteed the drink he picks will be light on the alcohol levels. It'd just be rude not to offer something to a guest.]

...Heh, it has been some time. [He takes one glass easily downing it's entire content. Suddenly there being so many drinks at the table made sense. Hyde is sure going to need it all after this talk.] More than two or three years now, as a matter of fact. [He didn't exactly see Mikotoba on his last home world visit.]

[Due to dumbassery, it was neglected to mention that Yujin removed his hat when he sat down in the booth, but FYI, he removed his hat a while back because that's just polite. Also, he'll be relieved and horrified at the same time if Hyde manages to down all those other drinks. He's not taking any sips from his own just yet.]

I see. It's been far less time for me; mere weeks. However, one might argue that the two of us have never met before. You are Mr. Hyde, I believe?

You've been informed. Good, it saves me the trouble to correct you. [He pulls over another glass, but doesn't drink from it.]

Now if you're looking to speak with the other, well, I'm afraid I can't help you there.

Hmm... [Interesting. So either Hyde has no control over who's controlling the body, or he's lying about it to avoid any pleas regarding Kazuma's return. Whichever the case, Yujin thinks it's best not to pursue that matter for now. Getting into a fight with Hyde, either physical or verbal, could still have very negative consequences for Kazuma.]

I see. Regardless, it is good make your acquaintance, Mr. Hyde. You have a very nice establishment here.

[He scoffs at the compliment.] You're full of shit, if you're calling this place a "nice establishment".

[And down goes another glass as he slams it onto the table this time. There were cracks appearing at the bottom of the glass.] Get to the point as to why you're here, Mikotoba. Just to catch up on things? Figure out how to "handle" me? It sure wouldn't be the first time someone's tried to get an angle on me.

[Yujin flinches a bit when the glass hits the table, but only because the noise was too loud for his liking. He'll try to keep a straight face apart from that.]

Getting an angle on people is more Holmes's strength, I'm afraid. I would not presume to be anywhere near his level. [He shakes his head a bit.] I am here because, well, I am here. It is better that we meet now than in the midst of one of the Storyteller's ventures, don't you agree?

[He tilts the glass around in both hands for a moment, peering down at the contents.] And I did not say your establishment is proper or clean. I only said that it is nice. It reminds me of the pubs I frequented in London when I was a younger man.

[Granted, he doesn't know about the fighting ring. He might change his tone a bit once he does.]

[He eyes the older gentleman a moment longer before relaxing his grip on that empty glass.]

You might find there are more cut throat customers here than your usual London pub. [He leans back in his seat.]

But yes, you're right to say meeting now is better than later. How- [He felt it when he down that second glass, but he's got to let out a loud belch now. ] Mm, already figured out your way around this world?

[It's almost fascinating how Hyde is lacking in manners. Yujin takes a quick gulp from his own glass now, so as to politely ignore that belch.]

... It's a bit of an adjustment, I must admit. This world is full of fantastical, unbelievable things.

Isn't it? All very exciting things to try that you can't at home. The food, the magic, the fightings and killings, hehe. [That grin of his gets unsettlingly wider]

Just about anything you can think of, you can do here.

[He'll pretend he didn't just hear that "killing" thing. Yep. The sentence ended with "fightings".]

Indeed, it appears so. And it seems as if you've already experienced quite a bit here these past few years.

[He gets the feeling he's avoiding that part, which further amuses him.]

We've been through a lot of stories, even my own. [He leans back in his seat.] What is your essence anyway?

Something far less exciting than yours, I'm sure. [He smiles wryly.] It's an old woodworker by the name of Gepetto. He hails from The Adventures of Pinocchio.

Gepetto...? [He hums idly.] Ah, that puppet story. Of course you'd get a father role.

[He shakes his head with a scoff] So, you can carve wood and make puppets now. [It doesn't sound that thrilling when he puts it like that.]

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