<Nocturnal Harmonia>

[Bloodedge]

The shift in Yugi's demeanor was something likely known by those who were aware of his... secret identity, so to speak. The one called Genokiller responded to challenges in a very specific way. Hard limitations counted as challenges to a gamer. If he was here, facing down an enemy with a red skull over its head... he'd just be in for a very long boss fight in the middle of a side-quest. Makima may have expected a similar outcome to her first pet, but she'd get something very different in the long-run with that firm ultimatum in place. The grin slowly spreading on Yugi's face was a bit wicked, unrestrained and unintentional. "That does seem fair, doesn't it?" he asked rhetorically at first. "Alright. Game on," he concluded, reaching a decision that involved numerous steps beyond a simple Strength threshold.

As for the forest and their eventual claim of it, Yugi knew adding further restrictions to the area would only invite more attention of a certain variety. After what they'd been through today... he welcomed that sort of thing. "Don't walk into a suicide forest and expect to come out of it alive," he said simply. "I can't imagine a National Hunter caring much about something so innocuous. As for how we get in and out... we've got reason to believe we only have to enter once. Our first quest gave us a way to establish a base in the System ─ one that works as a spawn point. Since we don't exactly have a life counter, it's assumable that we can teleport to base when it's established... and probably be sent there after System dungeons and other random bullshit like that."

[Apollymi]

Miko did understand the shift, and she was remiss internally, 'Damn, I'm not going to be able to get this one on my hardrive... or maybe I will?' she let the thought marinate. She would need to do something specific in an odd way sometime soon, but using the System for it didn't make her happy mentally. Meanwhile, Makima got to witness a shift in his face which she found, unusual. The lad's rhetoric wasn't missed, she knew he likely didn't see it as fair, but that was simply a gendered difference. Women were selective... and women with standards didn't renegotiate them without some kind of actual reward. Makima wasn't the type to take those kinds of risks with her own personal happiness, she had too many personal options to take an unsure one, even if it was highly recommended. His widening grin, that wicked look and the unrestrained look were interesting. Those words, were also strange, they came out so practiced so normal that Makima was sure he'd said them a thousand times. Oddly enough Miko was also sure and wouldn't be able to control herself. That tone? That cadence? Oh and now she could see the face that went with it, she squealed her happiness. Brown eyes wide, full of admiration, genuine glee spreading across her face, which reddened slightly. "Ah♪~ He fucking said it♪~" it was practically a moan, with the slightest bit of drool forming in the corner of her mouth. Makima observed both teens and it was... odd. "Oh? I didn't think I had a reason to say this to two outside of my normal circle, but... your face is showing," she meant it. Both of them seemed to be showing something normally hidden by their usual antics and demeanors.

But there was also their new base. A certain explanation was incoming about what the pair had access to by virtue of their early quest completions within the System. "I mean it has always seemed haunted, and given the number of people who have died there, I could easily make it off-limits. It'll be done~" Makima stated, she'd be sending such updates via text directly to Hiruko and Kaito. "I can but I also know one of them and the other... well, if he cares it will be a layered problem," Makima mentioned of the National Hunters. Still if they only had to enter once and could teleport in and out there after, such a place would basically become a high class secret base. "Sou ka, I can approve of that, it sounds rather interesting. I'll be wanting a tour when you're done with it~ But are you just planning to sneak in to the Forest the first time?" she wondered as a point of genuine curiosity. "I have a skill that would make it potentially quite easy to do so," Miko claimed knowing that it could potentially be quite easy to walk in even with people standing watch over the place.

[Bloodedge]

Apparently, Yugi's 'face' was showing. Such a strange clause that was, but not an impossible to follow one. He didn't mind. Above all else, Yugi was one who exceled in the face of challenges, particularly when it came to breaking the status quo. In this specific case, he'd made the decision to go so far beyond simple acceptance of a session with Makima. It was now a thing to grind for, and... if he was forced to grind, normal success was no longer acceptable. "Mhm. We're gonna see a face of yours showing eventually. One I'm guessing nobody's ever seen before. Probably one you'll never want to admit you showed anyone. That's the end result."

Aokigahara Forest would be the Players' base. Makima easily agreed to establishing some extra security by making it even more off-limits than it already was. Yugi wasn't worried about National Hunters presently, but the thought of a 'layered problem' was worth some consideration. There was no point going into a situation totally ignorant, Yugi decided. "Define layered. I assumed it could only be so much of a problem, considering another assumption of mine... which involves you already being National level. You've got too much certainty going to not have a National at your beck and call already, but you're also in charge of the association here. It'd make sense if you just couldn't attend the raid that established Nationals... not that someone with mystery powers should have been going to it anyway," he chattered. As for sneaking into the forest to establish their base, Yugi considered it easy. Miko did have a method of sneaking in even if some difficulties appeared. "That. Besides, we're literal nobodies right now. E-ranks at that. Us walking into a forest to reroll ourselves would be completely normal."

[Apollymi]

Yugi's face was shifting in a way that Makima hadn't expected. In truth it was quite unusual to see, she wondered what this demeanor of his actually meant. Makima was normally a person who could tell what was going on in the minds of other people, but Yugi's brain was a bit far outside of the normal range, so it would be a while before Makima could tell what exactly he meant. "Oh?" Makima heard his words and thought about it. Her face was a bit odd, "Maybe, my pets tend to see more of me than most..." Makima admitted. Those who lived in close quarters with Makima knew her 'bad' habits and truer nature. Makima lead the underground of Japan for a while, her public face and quiet menacing nature were well known, but the part of her that was human and normal had been hidden as a result. "Though I suppose we'll wee when we get to the end~" claimed the young woman.

Beyond this point the Players were going to be taing Aokigahara Forest and in so doing, Makima would be making sure their access was good. She noted the oddities surrounding it, and tried to be helpful, such was her nature as the one looking after them. "Layered because that National Hunter's interest may not be high but if the person he chooses to work for is interested it could be the sort of thing he'd do. And I have a pretty high degree of certainty that some interest will be shown, given some of the simplest steps the two of you will be taking. There is also every possibility of 'criminal types' popping up but I have faith you'll be able to handle most of those yourselves," Makima explained. "That is a pretty solid understanding of the situation. As for power, I am not strong, but my power does not operate on the same rules as more physical things so... yes, I would have qualitied as a 'National Hunter', if I wanted to use the othe rpotential methods. But because I am in charge of the Association, I don't have that kind of title. I have one of my own classification as a 'Special S-rank', I have what they call a 'crowd control' ability. That might simply be because they are scared of me though..." Makima explained of the situation surrounding her powers. According to the girl she could easily sneak into the Forest even with extra restrictions and Yugi confirmed this, claiming a couple of E-ranks trying to die, wouldn't really be a big deal... "That is fair. I suppose even if people slip through most grunts wouldn't really go searching assuming they wouldn't make their way out again. I'll need a tour when you're done with it," Makima mused wondering what the pair would do with such an ominous place.

[Bloodedge]

"Obviously," Yugi affirmed. In their first meeting, Yugi had already come to several conclusions about Makima ─ the person, not the chairwoman. "But I'm not talking about you standing in front of your fridge at 3 in the morning in fuzzy slippers and a shirt that stopped fitting properly six years ago, drinking milk right out of the carton. I'm talking about the face you don't even know about... yet. Maybe it's almost slipped out a couple of times... but not fully. So..." Yugi paused briefly there, deciding upon a question he had to get the answer to. The longer this topic lasted, the higher his ultimate goal became. "Who's the best lay you've ever gotten?"

In this world, among the National Hunters based in Japan, there was one who would only be a potential complication because of the person he worked for. Worked for? That was quite strange. "... What do you mean the person a National Hunter 'WORKS' for? Names," he said, wondering what non-National Hunter had a National in their back pocket besides Makima. That sort of person could indeed be an issue... but they would also be a potential ally, and would undoubtedly want the additional power of the Players if some discoveries were made. Someone like that had no interest in losing their trump card to power-creep. He also imagined Makima was similar enough that she lamented not having direct control over that same National Hunter. "Hm. So which one of your dungeon basements has the sacrificial pawns in it? I'm still working it out, but I'm sure there's something big you use minions for. Doesn't matter if you don't tell me. Anyway... was there anything else to this call?"

[Apollymi]

Apparently, Makima's understanding how far Yugi saw into things wasn't quite clear enough. She'd been leaving open how she spoke of things in the way she was used to dealing with them and Yugi spoke of things as he figured them out. Makima as a person was quietly a very different person in moments of privacy and quiet. He wasn't speaking of seeing her normal face, something he had pegged down to the last detail... no he was talking about seeing something different. Something maybe even Makima herself hadn't properly seen yet. "Uh-huh, does he do that to you too?" she asked of Miko who shrugged. "My face is way easier to read than anyone else's... I am also liable to blurt out something like that about myself rather than letting someone find out about it later," Miko confessed a hand sheepishly against the back of her head. So then what question did Yugi settle on? Well, Miko understood his thought process to a certain degree. He was determining the META. Figuring out what kind of tactics and what kind of antics Makima accepted as fun enough to let slide behind closed doors. Makima had to take a moment to think. "That is a loaded question..." she mentioned. Makima could say she had three regular rotation partners, people who survived a demand she had... but one who did so, and who would absolutely upset her to lose in anyway was... "Hi-pyon." That lad was special he could even be considered her favorite and a sort of habit Makima had that she wouldn't let go of, she'd practically raised that boy and their power dynamic not withstanding, she respected him. He was a point of hers best treaded around with the utmost care. "Mmmm♪~" Miko lightly hummed. In her mind a different kind of strategizing was taking place but she'd leave Yugi to his own devices, she now had her own sort of understanding of Makima.

Beyond this point, Makima was finding another interesting point in Yugi's personality. He didn't like the lack of information presented, but obviously didn't have enough based on what she was saying to work out things for himself. "Sou ka, you two really are missing a year's worth of information. Just that information would have been enough if you had anything resembling current amounts of common knowledge," Makima thought aloud. "As for the National Hunter in question it is Ishigami Daisuke. Who he works for... that one is not a Hunter at all... most don't awaken in youth, Ashikaga Kimiko. I don't know the details on that but your contact might be a little more helpful, she has a man on the inside after all," Makima said her word choice every specific as a reference for the lass the young man was looking for already. As for his question about her ability mostly wanting to know where the sacrifices were kept, "Basement 1... those there share a certain burden but have no outright usefulness to me. And if you want to know I can somewhat explain it to you, but I couldn't explain how or why it works. I simply don't know," Makima explained of the situation. As for the trip and the call, it had a very specific purpose but also wasn't quite the same, "Mostly it was for the outright decision and finding out if you two needed anything. Additionally it was to give the aforementioned treat and figure out what was necessary to get my progress marker to fifty percent..." Makima went the route of honesty with this pair, as aside from not directly revealing their identities, they'd both been fairly honest with her.

[Bloodedge]

Yugi's observational ability was not faultless, but it proved peerless in every situation of his young life thus far. When asked if he did the same thing to Miko that he'd just done to her, Makima did nothing but confirm his accuracy to the lad himself. "Easy," he mumbled. Now, what of Makima's ultimate sexual experience thus far? There was some brief deliberation before she uttered a single pet name easily attributed to one Daikichi Hiruko, whom they met earlier... and acquired as a recent Bondmate in Miko's case. That wicked grin of Yugi's returned swiftly. "Daikichi Hiruko," he said, remembering the name from a very recent conversation. His next words would be for Miko. "Limiter off. Lose 50% if you have to; we'll make it up later. Send recording in the System," he ordered. Life, in its current state, was now a game... and he'd do what he always did with games.

Even more oddities were appearing by the moment. Ishigami Daisuke was the National Hunter who answered to someone else. Yugi scoffed and grimaced; he had many a bone to pick with that man as a gamer. "Kisama," he growled. That competitive fury was quickly replaced thereafter, however... by confusion and interest. Ashikaga Kimiko was a name no one in Japan was allowed to not know. If anyone was going to be a 'civilian' in charge of one of the world's strongest Hunters, she'd certainly be one of few on that list. "Rich, bitchy and in charge of Sage King, huh? Figures," he said bitterly. Yugi had already started pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration ─ which he'd be doing until the rest of Makima's plan became clear. He sighed then. "What treat?" he asked first. "And as for the 50% thing, it depends. Mostly on you. We level together, share Inventory and all that other shit... but the Bondmate system is an individual thing. As it stands, there's no conceivable way for you to cross the threshold by anything but the sexual method ─ not for the foreseeable future. We've seen loopholes, but if that were to happen, you'd have gone over 50 either during the Job-Change Quest, or earlier in this conversation."

[Apollymi]

'Easy'. That's what Miko heard Yugi grumbling after pegging the exact and slovenly nature of one Shidou Makima. Miko could see it too, but not in the same way. She saw a certain likeness in Makima to herself that could be attributed to OCD but also be a note to the hidden mania, that hairstyle choice. But that was a conversation and mental tirade for a different time. Makima herself found out that Miko would tell on herself long before letting Yugi completely dissect her the way, she'd just experienced. Meanwhile, Makima's mention of 'Hi-pyon' lead to Yugi speaking the name of one Daikichi Hiruko aloud. And then, saying terms which were in a language Makima could speak but had no real context, aside from apparently, "YES♪ DADDY♫~" Miko sang happily a hand flying to her forehead in a salute. If she was being tasked with losing herself in the moment, she'd do so without restraint or hesitation. The fact that it would help was something to just go with. Makima on the other hand was left confused, "Hm, that sounds like permission to gather intel. No limitations, loss of fifty percent, after the complaints about thirty. If I was someone else I might feel threatened. Did you get a route for Hi-pyon little one?" she asked curious, given the girl's general reactions she would have expected an immediate desire to conquer that one... "Hai, randomly a bit ago while I was doing something completely unrelated. Also he's the one I just dropped that bag too, I had a good feeling," Miko confirmed knowing that withholding information from Makima was mostly unnecessary. "Oh? You have good instincts, you'll definitely get good returns on that investment," Makima mentioned wondering exactly what kind of day the girl had planned.

Beyond the new gamer plan of dividing and conquering as a part of strategizing the greater conquest of Makima, there were currently more direct potential issues to deal. A swear left Yugi's mouth at the mention of Ishigami Daisuke, Makima knew of his lifestyle before becoming a Hunter and figured it was something related to games that brought out that attitude. But the man was simply an unfair advantage who got to walk around the world. His description of Ashikaga Kimiko was also appropriate, "That about sums it up. She's also the guild leader, money still talks and she didn't miss the windfall~" Makima said, there was something akin to respect in that tone. Miko on the other hand watched the signs as they appeared. The frustration of that nose pinching, the huffing and scoffing. All of them were reaching prime. That potential hiccup was interesting, but if routes popped for either or both individuals, they could be allies. And Miko had every reason to believe that Ashikaga Kimiko would be more willing to play ball than burn a bridge, she had to believe in other 'miko'. Ah but that was a thought she kept to herself for the moment, as Makima spoke on her plans, it would sem he wanted to know the treat, and went on to explain something about the way the System worked. The pair was going at this game of life and conquests together, but... their gendered roles made it so that bond routes were only truly pushed on a one to one basis. He also claimed the issue with this situation was Makima herself, "Hm, I was planning to get a bit of use out of this pedicure before I go in. As for the push, I definitely want it, but I don't understand what else would help in this case," she said taking a more logical approach than being upset could allow. Miko had been listening the whole time, collecting bits of information and thinking back on Makima's explanation of them to what was now clearly her favorite and most trusted pet. And then, a big one happened, something in the depths of her mind, slipped into her observations of human relationships and her play of Otome Games. it combined with how Makima spoke her observations and how Miko noted interest in herself and others... and then, it shook the top exploding off a box she could almost visualize in her head. It made her eyes sparkle with pure intention, "OOOH!♪~ Box is open♪!~ I think I understand something... and I might have an idea that can help." Miko asserted. "I'd need to out you..." Miko made use of that lipstick so that Yugi was the only one to hear, looking sheepish while Makima wondered over this supposed idea.