#moosemuses

   The door to the longhouse slides open and Sakamoto Ryoma sticks his head in. "Hide?"

   Toeing his boots off, he lets himself inside. He hopes Hide's here. This idea feels too important to share with anyone else. It's a real game-changer. A step forward. Proof that the world outside is full of wonders. All one has to do is be brave and look.

   He really hopes Hide is here.

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    William frowns at his fellow Shiftling. The good news is Hide too escapes the clasp of death. The bad news... "I don't know."

    Somewhere between touching the dilapidated shrine and arriving in the ravaged village, time ceased to exist. The moon hasn't moved since they fought past yokai picking at the rotten skeletons of the poor souls who once called the town home. Its red light turns the bloodstains on William's armor black.

    He offers a hand, pulls Hide to his feet. His shoulder aches in protest, but the amrita released from a bullet through a dripping onibi makes the enchantments in his armor throb in time with his heartbeat. Beneath the iron, bruises fade and gashes mend.

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    "'Will you marry me?'"

    Adams' smile fades as he puts more thought into the query. There are many things that could be said that put fear in his heart, he isn't ashamed to admit. But a question? He breathes deep, lets it out slow.