Chapter 4: Cutting Algae Part One

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

Texting was a pretty neat function. It was widely adopted by every teenager except the one he, Reigen, had so generously gifted a phone to do it with. Mob was diligent to a fault about picking up his calls, but texting? Still a work in progress. Mob was getting better, though. After all, how else was Reigen supposed to give him a heads up about big jobs before the end of the school day? Excepting the occasional friendly lunch break chat.

That was of course assuming the phone was still intact. After their chat last night, Reigen wasn't so sure. It wasn't like Mob made a habit of texting him first.

Reigen squinted at the clock on his second-hand laptop he'd just replaced the shattered one with. 12:05PM. He had found a decent deal on one in a flea market but there was something off about the graphics. Parts of the screen were always slightly out of frame and most of his day had been spent trying to uselessly dink with the display options until it was righted, but instead he just ended up with a resolution that was too small.

'Ugh. New laptop, and if we're really unlucky, a new phone? I'll just garnish it...' Reigen pulled out his phone and fired off a text to his pupil. You didn't get washed away, did you? Your phone's still working, right?

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[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob looked down at the picture.

"A castle," he answered. The answer seemed obvious to Mob, but almost too obvious. Was there a different answer Reigen was fishing for?

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“And what is it saying to you?”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

What was it saying to him? Mob looked down at the photo again, hoping the photo might convey some secret message with a second glance.

It did not.

"'I'm old'," Mob answered.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“It’s definitely saying that, right?” Reigen clapped once in approval. “When you consider this question you’re really having to consider not just what’s in front of you but the subject itself. Castles aren’t just built to be structures — they’re built to be symbols of power. They represent wealth and a clear hierarchy. They exert territorial control. That’s not even to say the cultural significance of the who and when…”

Reigen’s eyes had a gleam in them that went beyond professional intrigue as he spoke.

“It all comes down to something called semiosis. I’ll keep it simple but it’s the practice of analyzing signs and symbols. As for how this is all relevant you may ask…well! This the castle we’ll be investigating. The Kona-Zanshō Castle. It’s one of the most famous castles erected during the Sengoku period. It was erected to be a symbol of the lord’s power but…there’s a pretty sordid history with this one in particular. Human sacrifice.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"You know a lot about this," Mob observed once Reigen had stopped speaking.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Spiritual powers aren’t to be used in a vacuum.” Reigen tapped Mob’s forehead. “History, culture, meaning…that’s all there to inform our approach. So, why do you suppose there was a time when people thought something as sordid as human sacrifice was appropriate? Was it because they thought it was the right action to take? Or because of something else?”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"I suppose it'd have to benefit them in some way."

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Right again my vassal.” He winked. “The same is true for those who are sacrificed. Humans were immured as sacrifices to ensure the strength of the Kona-Zanshō Castle itself. Those who were sacrificed were to have their final wishes fulfilled. Unfortunately, there’s a legend that tells the story of a time where the lord didn’t uphold his end of the bargain, leading to a curse on the castle itself…or, so our client says.”

Reigen slid another picture towards Mob. It was a much more modern picture of a small ryokan elevated over water. “That’s where we’ll be staying as we investigate the matter. I’ve already done the initial consultation. Our client is complaining of severe rains, family troubles, and strange voices that seem to come from the castle near the property.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"So there are probably spirits involved and maybe a curse." Mob mulled this over. Spirits were one thing, but curses weren't exactly something he was familiar with.

Hopefully it was just spirits. Mob felt that he and Reigen could handle that much.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“It’ll be quite the train ride, so let’s pick up some food to go on our way there. Whatever you want.”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"Really? Anything I want?" Mob responded with the closest he ever got to excitement, which was only a slight shift from his usual neutral manner of speaking.

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Our food expenses are fully covered, remember? Spring begets generosity which begets gratitude. So…why don’t we go shopping and practice a little gratitude?”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"You're not worried about us missing out on potential clients?"

[mp_strikinglyblessed]

“Leave the business logistics to me. Have I ever lead us astray?”

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

"No, of course not." Mob headed to the door, already thinking of what things he'd like to get. Maybe he could even convince Reigen to get a box lunch on the way to the station before they left.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

~~

Shige! Send.

☆ ～(‘▽^人) Are you busy this weekend? Send.

Do you like movies? Send.

The cinema experience? Send.

I’m really theater deprived. ｡ﾟ･ (>﹏ <) ･ﾟ｡ We should go together.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Mob was buttoning his pajama top when his phone vibrated from where it lay on top of his futon. Once he finished, he picked up the phone, scanned the texts, then replied.

Sorry, but I have work this weekend. Send.

Are you free next weekend? Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

(＃⌒∇⌒＃)ゞ Send.

I am! Send.

What kind of work are you doing?

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

We're going to an old castle. There might be spirits there.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Wow, so cultured. Send.

Which one? Send.

You HAVE to send me pictures. Send.

I’ll find you if you don’t. Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Kona-Zanshō Castle, I think. Send.

I'll send pictures so you don't have to worry about finding me. Send.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

Kona-Zanshō!? ∑(´ﾟωﾟ｀*)

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Yeah, I never heard of it either.

[mp_simplyacommoner]

no no I meant Send.

that place is suuuuuuuper haunted Send.

[spiritsandsuchtrainee]

Oh. So I guess that means there are spirits, then.