Cleansing:Tag The Palengenesis: Episode 1
~Satoshi Yoshikawa Himiko~
Back at the Himiko residence Satoshi sits on the couch with someone else, eating cup ramen, noodles, vegetables and beef. The man sitting next to him drinks unsweetened green tea. He wears the national Mental Health Public Bureau officer uniform. His skin is pale, his eyes are grey, and his hair is white. He's old and wrinkled, but he gives off the impression that he could handle himself in a fight for his life. The TV shows a news program about the current Psyblock election results. A man named Galishmar will be serving a second term. Though, it was inevitable since he has shown himself to be an innovative leader, and compassionate person. "We sure are getting up there in age... How many presidents has Psyblock gone through since we were born?" Satoshi says. "More than five... I don't like to remind myself how old I am..." The MHPB officer says. "I see your kids still aren't home." "They're out with friends. I got a call a while ago about it." The MHPB officer stands up and walks towards the kitchen. "Sigh* Grumen, you wouldn't know the beauty of having kids. You never fancied dating or proms." "I assure you though, I'm no virgin..." Grumen grumbles. Grumen picks up a picture frame with the family in it. "Yes, family is a great thing to have. We pass down what we know to our children and hope our beliefs help preserve the future. In some ways we're like family, Satoshi. we've gone through much the same childhoods." "Ahh yes. It never gets old… First your dad got carted off to MHPB as a lunatic, then mine, Then I get married and your mother gets taken, mine dies, yours is returned with Alzheimer’s, and we both go to college, two years later your mother dies." Satoshi says sternly "Haha, is that what they call turbulent times?" Grumen says smiling, leaning on the counter and staring at the sealing. "But now you have a family. Your wife and-" "I'd prefer you didn't remind me of my wife and daughter." Satoshi interrupts, turning his head to stare at Grumen. "Of course not. But I am an officer of the law, and these things are of my professional concern. More immediately concerning the elopement of your youngest adopted son Evin and the psychological effects it has on your other children. I mean, Makoto isn't even a delinquent anymore..." "You make it sound like Makoto is supposed to be a troublemaker..." "Obviously not. But it still begs the question of what's going through their heads as things have changed in such a dramatic way. It's been six months, right? Now you tell me that he was to return yesterday and you also tell me he won't be returning. How am I supposed to feel about this? Are you aware of why our parents and Mariuchi were taken away to MHPB? It's all rooted in conspiracy for some people, but it is my profession you see." "Are you questioning my sanity, Grumen?" Grumen stands in front of Satoshi glaring at him. "I take those people away to MHPB, I take them away for believing in magic or witchcraft!" Satoshi puts his empty bowl on the table and stands glaring at Grumen. "I'm a proficient magic user, Grumen. Even if I cannot prove it to you on this plane." "And I'm trained to handle guys like you Satoshi! But I love you and your family, my family owes your grandfather a debt for saving my Nazi grandfather's family and giving him and his family a chance at a new life here. But that's beside the point!" Grumen grabs Satoshi's shoulders. "Where did your new daughter come from!" Grumen shouts as Zahura, and Makoto enter the house.
Zahura and Makoto stand in the doorway having heard the last words spoken. Zahura begins to hyperventilate staring at Grumen. "I got too carried away, huh. Now you've heard something you weren't supposed to." Everyone stares in silence for a few seconds until Zahura walks away upstairs. "Satoshi, this really can't continue. It's going to tear you three apart eventually..." Satoshi nods his head pathetically. "You could have pretended you were talking about the junior baseball leagues..." "No, I'm giving you all of this leniency. the least you can do is trust in these little ones some more." Makoto stands still mouth half open wondering where he should even start. "And to my point. I refuse to let that happen, so." Grumen puts his hand on Makoto's shoulder as he takes his leave. "If he doesn't tell you, I will. And do me a favor. Don't hate him." With that Grumen is gone. Leaving Satoshi and Makoto in the living room alone.
Makoto and Satoshi stand in silence for a few minutes, when Makoto speaks. "So, you really won't tell me what the hell is going on..." Satoshi says nothing. "How could I not hate you dammit! You tell strangers and not your own son? How the shit am I supposed to feel about that!" Makoto walks away when Satoshi grabs his wrist. "That's because the truth... is so strange... it also puts us all in danger... Not just with those forces behind the curtain. But with the ones that govern us on this island..." Satoshi says avoiding Makoto's eyes. "There you go again... What is this curtain?" "Tonight. No matter what, whether Evin comes or not..." Satoshi pulls Makoto into a hug. "I will tell you. But please do not treat her any different than you have." Makoto hugs his father back.
Cleansing:Tag The Palengenesis: Episode 2
~Takeshi Dennis~
Takeshi stands in the doorway holding folded clothes in his arms watching Zahura purse her lips angrily at Marisa. "I don't blame her. I don't like Marisa either." Takeshi thinks to himself. "You sleep soundly Top-Idol. I almost thought you didn't survive your dance with Walker." Zahura's head jerks up to gape at Takeshi. She clearly underestimated her position since she was hyperventilating. "No need to be afraid. Me, you, Sasha, and- surprise, surprise, Marisa are on the same team." Zahura glares at Marisa again. Takeshi enters the room to sit in a chair across from the bed. He lays the clothes on a coffee table in the middle of the room. "I have a lot to tell you, some of it, probably the stuff you’ll want to hear, I'm not authorized to tell. But first things first, do you remember a tall, strongly built, dark skinned man with corn rows?" Zahura sits back on the bed and hugs her knees. "Usman. I can remember things that I had completely forgotten, I think. I don't know why." Takeshi smiles softly. "That's fine. What was he to you?" "Usman only showed up at night with some other people. He always made me crepes before practice, but he wouldn't let me eat them until we were done..." "But what was he to you?" Zahura lowers her head onto her knees. "A friend..." Takeshi stands from his chair as Sasha enters the room. "Takeshi, the girls aren't even properly dressed and you're standing in here invading their privacy..." Takeshi grins at Sasha proudly. "Yes I am! Shinobi pride themselves on intruding in on privacy! Anyway, where is Marian? I told him I wanted the current team assembled when I told Top-Idol." A young dark skinned boy walks into the bedroom. "I can't find my favorite knives, I just finished rebalancing them for throwing…" Sasha grits her teeth at the boy, Marian. "That's because I took them. You keep disappearing at night and no one knows where you are!" Marian smirks and stands a little taller despite his short stature. "I have to keep my skills sharp! If you had heard about me on the news, I would not be worthy of number two in this squad!" "And when did I promote you to number two, Marian?" Takeshi says smiling. "Why do you kids have to do this in my room, While I'm sleeping no less!? I swear if I have bags in my eyes I’m going to complain for the next hour!" Marisa sits up in bed rubbing her eyes and jumping at time "It's a quarter past noon." Takeshi sits back in his chair staring at Zahura. she glances around the room. She must have been taking in everyone in the room. Everyone she met that day was together again. She didn’t look happy, but still. "Like I said, I have a lot to tell you but today I'll make it brief since we've lost so much time. First of all, you’ve been asleep for two days." Sasha and Marian find places to sit. All eyes are on Takeshi in anticipation. Even though just about everyone in the room already knew what he was going to say they still listened intently.
"There's an entity called the Church of Mar. For certain reasons they want to execute what they call the anti-Christ. That anti-Christ happens to be you." Zahura lowers her chin behind her knees making a sour expression. Her hands clench the bed sheets tightly. "The man who heads them should be quite familiar to you. For the man in charge is none other than the President of Psyblock, President Galishmar." Zahura's head raises sharply. Her teeth gritted glaring at Takeshi. "Stop. Stop telling me these lies!" Takeshi frowns and shuts his eye. "Obviously, I can’t prove to you that I'm telling the truth..." Zahura's head lowers a second time with her eyes shut tightly as if to reject reality and she begins to cry. "Usman, He said I had to defeat Galishmar." Her hands wipe away her tears as she curls her legs and continues crying. Takeshi stands from his chair. "Then you understand. That's enough for now, I'm sure Chester Iris and Leino will tell you everything in time... Marian, Sasha, Let's allow the ladies to get decent. We have a job to prepare for."