[center][h2][b][color=0072bc]Shuichi[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

Shuichi pursed his lips when the girl called him out for his skepticism. She seemed like a kind person, and it definitely sounded like her heart was in the right place. He couldn't exactly be mad at someone who just wanted to do their part to save the world. However, looking down on him for asking questions was... perhaps naive was the word? "[color=0072bc]Look,[/color]" he said, looking at the girl with a calm expression. [color=0072bc]"If you wanna jump right on in, go ahead. I'm not gonna try to hold you back. But I'm not agreeing to anything unless I know it's legitimate. They say there's a monster eating magic. Cool. I get it. Maybe there is, maybe there isn't. Maybe these guys are working for the monster and are just trying to trap us here forever. I don't know what's what. But, like I said, it doesn't seem like a scam to be, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. And you know what else, I think it's cool that you'll jump at the chance to fight monsters. You're a hell of a lot braver than me."[/color]

With that, Shuichi turned to head towards the woods. Elizabeth had agreed to all his conditions, so he saw no reason not to go through with this. He gave Maemi one last wave. He didn't want his first interaction with his new... classmate perhaps... to be entirely negative. [color=0072bc]"I'll see you later."[/color] And with that, he vanished into the woods, appearing right by his front door once again. 

[@Sola]

* * *

Shuichi's house was quiet. His mother was away at work, and his sister was probably locked in her room studying. Well, at least nobody would bother him while he was packing. He climbed the flight of stairs, his footsteps echoing in the silent corridor, and gently pushed open his door. 

[color=00a651]"What are you doing back?"[/color]

Shuichi nearly jumped out of his skin. He spun around to see his father's hawk-like face glaring down at him. There were few people in the world that would dare cross Mr. Yuuto, and his gaze was enough to make any man's blood run cold. Some said it was innate magic caused by his griffin blood that called on some ancient predatory nature. Even when he was in a good mood, his expression was stern, but Shuichi could tell from the wrinkles around his eyes that his father was annoyed to see him. 

[color=0072bc]"Ah... J-just grabbing clothes and stuff... packing. For the letter thing. They said they talked to you."[/color]

[color=00a651]"They did."[/color] Mr. Yuuto's eyes narrowed.

Shuichi gave a nervous laugh. [color=0072bc]"Yeah, so I asked so questions and stuff, and they seem okay, so I'm going to go with them."[/color]

There was a long pause, then Mr. Yuuto's expression softened ever so slightly. [color=00a651]"Good. I was almost proud of you when they explained everything to me. I was worried you were having second thoughts."[/color]

Shuichi felt his father's eyes boring into him. Second thoughts? He'd had third and fourth thoughts on top of that. But, was he hearing this correctly? His father actually wanted him to go? [color=0072bc]"W-well... either way, it seems important, so I'm going to do what they say."[/color]

Mr. Yuuto turned his back. [color=00a651]"Good. Maybe when you come back, you'll finally have something to be proud of."[/color]

* * *

Shuichi returned to the pocket dimension, this time with a large bag draped over his shoulder. He wasn't sure how long he was going to be here, but he brought what he hoped would be enough to last him. Several changes of clothes, hygienic supplies, stationary, a lighter and a swiss army knife. If they did some crazy outdoor survival training, he was [i]not[/i] going to be caught without fire. He took a deep breath and walked through the portal. 

What he saw was... not what he expected: a rustic, cozy looking mansion that would likely have been condemned for being overrun with nature, yet at the same time stood tall and strong against time. He took a few steps forward and suddenly tensed up. For a moment, his senses felt more acute. Everything was so bright, he could hear heartbeats thumping around him, and he felt the subtle currents of the wind curling around his skin. And then it all subsided. His blood was hot and he felt like he just finished a sprint. Whatever this place was, it stirred his griffin blood. Now he was curious.