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[ For something like this, it's a matter of focus, and Hisoka doesn't even realize Tsuzuki backed off.

He can't cut himself off from the sense of other people or the messy fragments of emotion that litter the world around them. Strong emotions cling to their surroundings the worst, sharp and often painful, but being passive won't help him learn what he needs. He takes a few steps closer to the plot, closes his eyes, and he reaches out with his senses.

Tsuzuki stands out now in sharp relief, but it feels so natural to have him there that he blends in as a reassuring presence. There aren't any sharp, painful surprises here. No flashes of insight jump out at him at first, and he furrows his brow and digs stubbornly.

The picture fills itself in gradually with the lingering emotions, a sense of the day to day of the shrine that he has to make himself sort through to find something worthwhile. This was certainly the place, but then it's not. Bulldozed, gone, as if it didn't matter at all.

It's the sense of uncaring indifference makes him break out in a cold sweat. He isn't sure how long it took, but it might have been longer than he should have tried. He rubs at his eyes as he tries to pull himself back together, regretting the start of a headache that comes with it. ]

[Tsuzuki's sense of his shinki's feelings might not be anywhere near as detailed as Hisoka's empathy, but he can feel that spike of distress. As Hisoka rubs at his eyes, Tsuzuki heads over, reaching out to put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.]

What'd you sense?

[ He jumps slightly as Tsuzuki's hand settles on his shoulder, grounded by the touch even though his nerves feel frayed. ]

It's like she didn't matter at all.

[ Somehow, that's the part that matters most of all. He takes a slow breath, reluctantly dropping his hands. ]

Everything was normal, but then...

[Tsuzuki's eyes darken, and he squeezes Hisoka's shoulder gently.]

So someone just... came in here and cleared it out without caring, huh.

[That is awful. If they were doing it maliciously -- if whoever this murderer is means to kill gods, hates them somehow, at least Tsuzuki could understand. Playing with them like they mean nothing more than pieces in a game... he can't understand that.]

We've gotta warn the other new gods.

[They have to be on their guard. If it's this easy to wipe them out... Bo was probably asleep when it happened. It sounds like Yuuki had been, anyway.

He shudders.]

[ Hisoka shakes his head, regretting the motion rather immediately. ]

It'd do more harm if we started a panic. [ Or possibly blow any credibility they had with Tsuzuki's fellow replacement gods. It's hard to tell which might occur, but both were terrible options. ]

I didn't even witness the murder itself. But I could try. [ He doesn't think he'd succeed, and the doubt colors his voice. Everything was scattered, and it'd been hard to catch the little that he had as it was. ]

If we don't warn them, Bo's not going to be the last one to go.

[He swallows back guilt. He'd known they were all in danger when Tsukuyomi disappeared, and he hadn't warned anybody then. Now, Yuuki's goddess is the one who's gone.

Who's next?

Despite his worry, he doesn't miss the doubt in Hisoka's tone. He looks down, frowning.]

... Sensing the place being destroyed got to you, didn't it? Are you sure it's safe to try to get a read on her death?

[ There's no way to prevent another incident even if they do tell them, but maybe he'll have to hold that argument in reserve. Tsuzuki's guilt is misplaced and keenly distressing, and, by some instinct, he can't help but think it needs addressed. Maybe that's part of being his shinki, too. ]

Don't act like everything's on you to handle by yourself. [ Whether it's work or risk or whatever other burdens they might have to carry. ] I'm going to do my part, too.

[ He reaches up, his hand briefly resting over Tsuzuki's before he pushes it off his shoulder and steps away. Maybe something had gotten to him during that first try, but he's not going to admit it. ]

[A smile softens Tsuzuki's face, and he lets his hand fall back to his side as Hisoka steps into the empty lot. He does feel like he's the one responsible, around here. With Hisoka not remembering, and so many of the other new gods not having any experience at all... but he's not alone, is he? They're still here together, memories or no.

He's so glad.

He stands back, ready to jump forward if Hisoka hits something that overcomes him in the emotional residue of the bulldozed temple.]

[ Right then, Hisoka isn't entirely sure just what he'd be willing to give in order to find something concrete. There's a lot. If only to prove that he can carry his side of things.

But, in the end, there's still no epiphany to be found.

It's no one strong psychic impression that drags him down, but the weight of so many simple, smaller day-to-day fragments when he stretches himself so thin. There has to be something, anything past that dreadful impassivity as the land is cleared. His posture weakens and his head drops forward. He thinks to turn around to speak to Tsuzuki, to ask if they could next try the site where Tsukuyomi lived.

That's all the warning they get before his knees buckle and he starts to drop. ]

[It's lucky Tsuzuki's been half waiting for that moment: as soon as he sees Hisoka's head droop, he starts forward, and that puts him just close enough to catch his partner as he starts to fall.

He goes down to one knee, worry clear on his face.]

Hisoka?

[Did he pass out, or just gray out for a second? Tsuzuki leans over to get a better look at his face.]

[ It wouldn't have been the first time Hisoka ended up hitting the ground. He's actually gotten rather used to it with how many odd things might tip him over the edge of his endurance. It's still somewhat novel when firm arms wrap around him, shoring him up.

It'd just been a moment, and he blinks dizzily to clear his vision. Tsuzuki comes into focus, and Hisoka starts to try to steady himself against him. Perhaps a bit foolishly, he asks, ] Do you know where Tsukuyomi lived?

[Tsuzuki can see where that's going. He frowns in his best attempt at a stern divine expression, which comes out more concerned than anything.]

No way. We can go check out his shrine tomorrow, all right? One more day isn't going to make a difference at this point.

[Whereas Hisoka trying to go to another shrine and search out its emotional echoes right now might put him down for the count.]

Anyway, we at least need to go tell Yuuki about this.

[ With that swell of concern behind it, no attempt at being stern is going to make much headway, but somehow it feels like a rebuke in its own right. It's embarrassing to make Tsuzuki worry so much over so little. ]

But I didn't get anything else here.

[ Not strictly true. It'd been more that he couldn't get anything useful. It probably isn't the most effective time to argue when he's still being supported by Tsuzuki, but he's never been anything if not stubborn. His own physical limitations were obstacles only worth trying to push past.

He mostly regains his balance, and, for the sake of his pride, hopes Tsuzuki won't call him on the fact that he's got one hand tightly fisted in his suit jacket. He hates having to lean on him, especially after saying he could do his own part in this. ]

What are you going to tell her?

[Hisoka might want to keep looking, but he's also still keeping himself upright with sheer willpower and a deathgrip on Tsuzuki's coat. Not that Tsuzuki needs to point that out, though. He figures they both know.

He keeps an arm around Hisoka's shoulders, just in case.]

That Bo didn't abandon her, Bo's disappeared.

Maybe she saw or felt something when it happened, too.

[Surely a shinki should feel it, when their name is handed over to another god?

How could that even be done without the knowledge of the shinki or the god?]

[ Willpower should be enough to get by on! Hisoka does have to admit, if briefly and only to himself, that he appreciates that Tsuzuki isn't pointing out his weakness. It's so painfully obvious that he doesn't need to, but the sentiment helps a little all the same.

He nods briefly. It's not much, but he supposes the pain of not knowing what Bo's fate might be easier to bear for her new goddess, at least. He doubts it'll be much easier than the fear of betrayal and abandonment from Yuuki's perspective.

But she deserves to know. ]

I wouldn't be surprised if she's the type that has zero spiritual sense. She seemed blindsided, but maybe...

... Yeah, she did seem like the whole thing came out of the blue. You never know, though, maybe asking will shake something loose!

Something she might've thought was a dream, maybe.

[He's grasping at straws and he knows it. Mostly, he just wants Yuuki to know something about what they've discovered. She deserves to, even if she can't help with any further information.

Even if it doesn't make it any easier for her. Ignorance usually isn't bliss.

He glances down at his phone.]

Want to come with me?

[ The truth is that Hisoka really doesn't want to go, but he can't afford that right now. He could plead fatigue and he wouldn't be lying. It's impossible to question an excuse like that when he's still shaky.

He's not good with people, not like Tsuzuki is. He won't say the right things or comfort Yuuki or any of that, not like Tsuzuki will. He's tired and frustrated with himself and this case, but none of that matters. ]

Yeah, I do. [ Then, more sourly: ] You aren't getting off that easily. Don't look for chances to run off on your own.

[ Someone has to watch out for Tsuzuki. ]

Hey, I wasn't!

[He invited Hisoka, after all. That's the opposite of trying to run off on his own.]

C'mon. [Getting away from this ground is only going to help Hisoka's mood, he's pretty sure. He tightens his grip on Hisoka's shoulders, and takes them both to the Near Shore to meet Yuuki.]

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