VIDEO; UN: SMOKING_BOMB

[bakudan_bambino]

[The video starts with a boy at the training ground, sitting and looking at his nails. They are covered in dirt, and there's a large hole in the ground in front of him. He's got the back of one wrist against his mouth and he's looking mildly disgusted. There are a lot of sticks in that hole. It's not been covered up with dirt.]

Does... anyone know how to lift a curse?

[He remembers training, but digging a hole and filling it with sticks? No recollection of that. There's dirt on his face if he moves his hand away from his mouth.]

Comments

[forgeabettertomorrow]

That's...a huge gap of time to be missing with only one witness...

...Wait, can you explain this 'Storm' to me?

[bakudan_bambino]

You must be new around here. There was a winter solstice festival, and some stone slabs we had to dribble water on. Anyways, apparently that started some sort of...

[He wasn't so focused on the problem so much as trying to steal some glory.]

Imbalance of power and a giant storm hit the city. We had to stop it, but in order to do that, had to get a sword from the Black Knight. There were multiple swords, so someone had to have gotten the real one, since there is no longer a storm. Anyways, I'm still cursed. Went into that with a curse, came out of it still with a curse.

Now I'm just... missing parts of my day and acting strange?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Just dropped in this week. Literally.

Damn...

You know, I was looking into the schools of magic. I might be a healer but there was something about...cognitive magic? Maybe you can find someone that can do a deep dive into your head and find the root of all of this.

[bakudan_bambino]

Wouldn't I be more likely to dream of the shit I've done if it were really deep in there?

I doubt it's something some newbie with mind powers can help me out with. If it's really a curse, they'd probably just be like..

[He puts his glasses on, shuts his eyes, hums for half a second, then nods.]

Yep, you've been cursed alright. Stay away from brunettes.

[Gokudera rolls his eyes. He feels like he's gotten nowhere fast with this entire network post.]

Just let me know if you ever learn how to make healing potions that can lift curses.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You could be reflexively blocking it out. Who knows? Until the nature of the curse is figured out, it'd be hard to say either way. But there's gotta be some people around here who aren't as new as I am.

...I'll look into it. I can't just leave a guy wandering around cursed, after all. In the meantime, though...

If you need anything or remember something, don't be afraid to come find me. Name's Darin Altway, Master Blacksmith.

[...A blacksmith who can apparently heal. That's not weird at all.]

[bakudan_bambino]

I'll be sure to remember that, Darin. I'm Gokudera. If I ever need a blacksmith, I'll be sure to head your way.

[Maybe he'll commission something to put someone at the bottom of the lake they all arrived in once he figures out who put this curse on him. A nice pair of iron boots perhaps?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Gokudera, got it.

Listen...be careful. I'll keep my eyes and ears open too. This world is pretty similar to mine...which hopefully means I should be able to dredge up information the same way.

[bakudan_bambino]

Tch! I don't need to listen to your advice. I've dealt with some pretty bad shit. I just need a curse lifted. That's all. Nothing major or life threatening.

If you can lift this curse or find out how I can, I will reward you handsomely. If I can't do that, I'll owe you a favor. I never forget a favor.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Why are you so cranky! I'm just tryin' to help! Geez~!

And I don't need a reward! What if I just don't want to see you get killed by a dumb curse?

[bakudan_bambino]

I'm not cranky. [Here, have a dramatic eyeroll for that observation.]

Whatever your reason, I'll have to pay you back one way or another.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I'd call exactly what you're doing 'cranky.'

What, are you gonna force a reward on me or something?

[bakudan_bambino]

Complaining about a curse? I see that as completely valid.

No but I'll find some way of returning the favor one way or another.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

No, complaining about being given helpful advice.

You're a stubborn one, aren't you.

[bakudan_bambino]

I don't like your tone.

[And that's in regard to both statements.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I've literally been trying to help you this entire time!

[bakudan_bambino]

So then why are you suddenly being a prick? If you want to help, go do that. At this point, you're just making yourself look like a fool.

[And Gokudera, you are looking like you have your head shoved up your own ass. Pot, meet kettle?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You're the one getting an attitude over helpful advice! And if I'm looking like a fool, then you look ungrateful!

[Oh good! Short fuses and loud mouths always mix well, don't they?]

[bakudan_bambino]

I didn't ask for advice! I hardly think it's helpful! This curse hasn't killed me! You don't even know what it does!!

Why are you even still interacting with me?! We already came to term with what is going to happen, yet you continue to go on as if this conversation is even relevant! Which it isn't!

I don't care for the well-wishes, Darin! Don't waste your time with them! That's all. Plain and simple. Let's keep it at that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Neither do you! Isn't that the problem?!

Maybe I don't want someone I just met and plan to help to get themselves killed or worse because they blindly meandered around when chunks of their memory were just up and disappearing.

Seriously, are you that much of a loner? Sometimes people just don't want to see other people get hurt. And I happen to be stubborn as hell!

[bakudan_bambino]

Blindly meandered?! Who the fuck said I was blindly meandering?! What the fuck do you take me for, a tumbleweed?

Do whatever you want. Just leave me out of it. Good for you, be stubborn. I don't care and don't want to hear any more of it.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You might as well be if chunks of your memory are missing and you don't know how things are happening to you! At this rate you're just letting the wind blow you around until a solution pops up!

And I will! I'm gonna cure you so hard your damn head'll spin!

[bakudan_bambino]

I'm not! I activey hopped on here looking for a solution and knowing that I'm losing my memory is better than blindly meandering!! At least I know I'm cursed!

Go for it! Just leave me alone until then!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

And then got cranky at the guy trying to help you!

Like hell I will! Maybe I'll check on your dumb ass just to spite you! How about that?!

[Idiocy at its finest]

[bakudan_bambino]

You want to eat dynamite?

FUCK OFF!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Joke's on you! If you blow me up, I'll just heal myself!

[Darin, no.]