Zazie the Beast

Aevum Isles affiliated blog for Zazie the Beast of Trigun Stampede. Housed in 210 Seaside Province Corralled by Noodle

[avataroftheswarm]

Avataroftheswarm

Who will benefit this planet more? Humans? Or Plants? Who should I let live?

Aevum Isles Affiliated RP blog for Zazie the Beast of Trigun Stampede. (18+, possible triggers)

Application // Stats // Rules

[trapsforbreakfast]

open event starter.

peace and quiet. he was done with the dungeon life. done risking his life to explore the unknown. his golden years would be spent as a hardworking, upstanding citizen where he could amass enough wealth to retire peacefully and live out the rest of his life without much hassle.

that was how it was supposed to be at least.

so why was it, that he was now following in the trail of some lizard beastman, navigating an uneven jungle trail? well. the why was a matter of chilchuck having uttered a desire to learn of the flora and fauna in terms of procuring nutrition. he should very much be thankful to his hosts for entertaining his request.

but the very fact that a simple business trip had turned into a full scale stranded-in-a-hostile-terrain situation? he was way too old for this shit.

his nimble build had currently earned him a scouting position in the higher grounds of a treetop. definitely better than an expectation of combat, but that certainly didn't stop the halfling from making complaints in his silent mind. at ground level, three reptiles were awaiting his report.

with a light thud as his feet hit the ground, he rejoined them.

"it's no good. not even i can see much for all this damned fog. it only gets harder to get around the further you get. i don't know where those bird people you're looking for are, but it definitely isn't going to be here--"

the rustle of leaves disturbed by a physical body sounded from somewhere not too far away. it was hard to hear anything more specific to identify the approacher by, but whatever creature it may be, it was definitely coming closer.

"beware-- something's coming...!"

[avataroftheswarm]

Zazie had been intrigued by the news of new lands and a ship that would fly to them, intrigued enough to end up signing up to go see what interesting things would be found there. Given the track record of ships they were aware of, they shouldn't be surprised when the landing didn't exactly go well.

Still, there was much to explore and now a whole new people to explore with, so they had been quick to volunteer their services. After all, what better scout than a being who was made up of hundreds of eyes?

They were just going to conveniently ignore that they were generally disconcerting to everyone who knew that they were made up of a pile of bugs.

Of course, what with the fog full of sharp things, the actual scouting bits were rather more treacherous than they'd expected. It's a very disgruntled form that pushes through the undergrowth and blinks at the three reptilians and one very short humanoid they vaguely recognize.

"Oh, you were on the airship," they chime, holding out a hand for the large, dragonfly-like Worm hovering over them to land and then crawl into their voluminous sleeve to vanish. "Are you scouting too? We can't get through the fog, there's sharp things in there and they tear at our wings. It's a lot worse than the sandstorms back home." At least the sandstorms weren't made up of foreign creatures that were possibly trying to eat them.

[aevummarket]

And time for Zazie (Trigun Stampede) as well! I'd like to unlock their flight ability, as well as their spying via their Worms, please! Stats can be found here, and their currency is right here! Thank you!

When you awaken, you feel rekindled. As though some small piece of you has assembled itself back together….

You have regained your ability to FLY and SPY.

ABILITY UNLOCK 500 Emblems ALL Abilities and Items listed on a Muse’s application can be bought back at any time. Application unlocks are limited to two (2) abilities/items per Activity Check without exception.

ORIGINAL EMBLEM BALANCE: 1,450 TRANSACTION: 1,000 Emblems CURRENT EMBLEM BALANCE: 450

— Mod Leillis  🌸

ADDENDUM (08/03): "FLIGHT" has been changed to "VENOM", as flight was purchased on the following date: 04/16/2025

[firefcxian]

Was that how it's supposed to be?

No, more than that... he'd been far too out of it when Zazie had first come in, but now his head was a little clearer than before. There was something a little off about the whole situation.

His legs were much more wobbly than he had expected as he got out of bed, hand pressed against the wall to steady himself. He felt strange, like for just a moment he couldn't remember the shape of the room, where things were, even though he'd lived here forever... he had, right?

He couldn't remember anything before it.

"Why did you come here today?" he said with a frown, once he'd made his way over to the bathroom. At least, he was pretty sure this was where the bathroom was... yes, the tile on the floor was cool beneath his feet, and there was a slight fragrance from the soaps. "You were... really just looking for me?"

His lashes parted, and he finally realized that the lights were still off, the curtains drawn-- his frown deepened. "Can you see in the dark?"

Zazie's strange way of speaking was one thing, it could be explained by them being a child on their own without much guidance, but right now there shouldn't be much light coming in at all-- it was more comfortable that way, especially with Jiaoqiu's headache. As far as he knew, children didn't inherently come equipped with night vision.

[avataroftheswarm]

They don't notice him wobble, not while now busy tugging the blankets off the bed so they can be set aside for clean ones. They are unfamiliar with this task so their tongue sticks out of their lips while focused on it, carefully tugging the sheets until they come free.

"Why? We noticed that your shop never opened up. So we climbed up to see what was wrong and check on you. We're glad we checked." They glance over then, tilting their head and making the beads in their hair click clack faintly. "We were really just checking on you. Did you think no one would?" That's a sad way of thinking. But then Zazie understands that too. There would be no one to come check on them if they stopped appearing out and about.

Then Jiao-Jiao asks a new question and they tilt their head the other way.

"Ye...... s?" They blink, a little bewildered as their answer awkwardly trails into a question of their own. "We can... Is that... odd?" It was odd, wasn't it? Humans can't see in the dark but they have no problems. Everything is a little dull, sure, but perfectly visible.

"That is odd, isn't it. Should we stop? We should stop, doing odd things makes people not like us. But I don't know how to stop." Distracted from their task, they cover their eyes with their hands. "It will be hard to take care of you if we can't see in the dark. Your house is very dark inside."

[firefcxian]

"We would have festivals back home," Jiaoqiu replied. "Not all the time, but often enough. The atmosphere is nice, though the crowds can be a little much sometimes, and the foods could use a bit more heat"

Speaking of that...

"Mhm. They're colorful, aren't they?" he explained-- even if he couldn't really see color, that much he could gather well enough from the cries of some of the nearby children begging for more red water balloons. It seemed like they were playing some kind of pretend battle... cute, perhaps. For those who had never seen the battlefield. Jiaoqiu hoped that they never would. "The colors come from different spices, herbs, and other plants. I've done a little research, and a lot of them are edible by the majority of sentient species here. They're fragrant as well-- I'm not sure exactly what I'll make yet. Maybe some sort of roasted meat, and some colorful side dishes to go along with it. Would you like to taste test?"

[avataroftheswarm]

"They are. Very vivid. It reminds us of the colors that existed before, when there was more water on the surface. Sometimes humans paint such bright colors above, but not quite this bright." This kind of brightness was only achieved with something just as colorful, so it was hard to make back home.

"There's nothing really back home to make most of these colors with. There's the glow of the Worms, but that fades out after we die." The Worms in their facade taste the powder idly, nibbling at the bits that have coated their fellows. It is kind of tasty.

"We will always taste test anything you make. We do love food, that's another thing the humans brought that's nice to have. Cooking is interesting. Flavors are interesting. We didn't realize cooking things changed the flavors so much." Maybe one day they'd learn, but for now it was perfectly acceptable to get food from others instead.

Most of the time they even remembered to pay for it!

[avataroftheswarm]

Hundreds of tiny lights flicker here and there, among the grass and brush, dancing and bobbing about in little dances designed to attract a mate. Everything about them was attractive, the dance, the pulse of light, the way they signaled 'look at me, I glow but I'm not eaten yet, I'm fast and strong'. Silly little bugs floating around on the wind, no idea that the twinkling stars above have been invaded by a strange predator that mirrors their little dances.

Above the little fireflies and their mating dance, tiny green dots flicker and pulse along to their own mimicry. The larvae didn't often venture away from the bigger Worms in the small swarm, but it felt like a good night for it. The heat had been oppressive for weeks and would be for weeks to come, but they sensed that wouldn't last. Soon, perhaps weeks, perhaps months, the summer heat would start to slip away and be replaced with cooling. Steadily, the cold would seep back in again and they would retreat indoors or into overly large coats in an attempt to regulate their swarm's temperature.

Such seemed the cycle of this place, one which had broken on their home long ago and replaced with something new and altogether more delicate.

But the cold is not yet here, and the fireflies agree that tonight is one for dancing and living. The swarm might mate and create eggs and more larvae of their own, were they not seemingly frozen in time, paused in their growth despite all other functions being normal. Strange, but such was the way of this place.

It was easier to simply accept this as the truth of the world and not look further. Like the larvae danced in the air and thought of nothing at all.

The older Worms, their guardians and caretakers, had already ensured there was nothing to worry and think about in their little glade. Now they flew above, composing a song to the humming of the swarm and the fireflies and the rhymes of humans.

Twinkle twinkle, little Worm, keep your guard and gazes firm Watch the skies and watch the ground, least by hunters you be found Build the nest and build the Hive, feed them all and let them thrive Keep the young and eat the old, take them back into the fold Watch the balance, keep it strong, or your watching won't be long Twinkle twinkle little Worm, keep your guard and gazes firm.

Maybe they’ll sing it for Jiao-Jiao later, or perhaps Vash. Or maybe they’ll just keep it for themselves and only share when they return home to the Hive and all the others. When they tell them all about this place far away, where green things still grow and water still crashes on the shore and the breeze smells like life beyond them. Good tales for the Hive to hear, fanciful descriptions of worlds beyond their own. Maybe one day the swarm will get to leave their home properly and explore these places with the humans who have grown up with them. Maybe not.

For now, the older Worms circle, snatching curious beetles and bats out of the sky, using them to replenish the energy it takes to dance across the skies. Maybe no one else is here to appreciate the display, but they are, and that’s all that matters.

[lcngcolt]

…Smart worms? Who are people? Vash thinks back to every time he’s ever eaten a worm in his life, which is to say probably half of the meals he’s ever eaten. It does in fact taste like chicken if you get it from a big worm, but people fry the little ones and you pop them in your mouth for a snack like popcorn. The grubs are pleasantly salty when boiled.

Huh. Gross.

“Good point,” Vash squirms away until there’s personal space between him and the bug.

“You’re a Gung-ho Gun, you said?” He has no idea how on earth Legato recruited a worm of all things, but if someone was going to do it…

…Does this world’s Legato know about the bug?

Vash grabs his boots from the foot of the couch and starts putting them back on. He feels safe to assume that his nap has been cancelled.

[avataroftheswarm]

Zazie is tempted to follow Vash, just to creep him out a little bit more, but decides to let him retreat for now. They don't want to antagonize exactly, just pester. Annoy. Poke and prod to see what reactions can be teased out. But they're still vulnerable here, so they shouldn't. They should behave. For now.

"We are, yes. We worked with Knives long before there were Gung-ho Guns though. We watched long before that, even. We've been watching since the Fall." Their head tilts gently, inquisitively.

"We'd not seen anything but ourselves for so long, to have others suddenly fall from the sky and begin living among us was strange and interesting. We can only assume it is the same for your Worms, though we suppose we'd have to ask. Not your Zazie though, they won't count."

Yup, still highly offended by the thought of someone controlling the Worms.

[onenicebugperday]

Vivid dancer, Argia vivida, Coenagrionidae, Zygoptera

Found in western North America

Photos 1-2 by Thomas Shahan, 3 by leslie_s, and 4 by camerondeckert

[firefcxian]

Pointed ears swiveled this way and that to catch the whirl of wing-beats that surrounded him, before the many sounds coalesced into a single form just across the table.

Jiaoqiu smiled, nodding his head. "It is nice," he replied. "I'm not very fond of the cold weather, I much prefer springtime, when things are warm like this."

He'd never liked the cold, but it certainly had become far worse after the war-- ever since he'd been caught up in the Lux Arrow's fallout, it would turn his joints sore and his muscles achy. This had only gotten worse after his recent injuries-- and Arcanus' natural winter was far harsher than the simulated weather of the Xianzhou.

"I suppose you didn't have too many festivals back where you come from," he said, thoughtfully. "We had quite a few back home, though none exactly like this one. The herbs and spices used to make the color powders smell nice. I was actually thinking about trying to make a dish for the festival, using the spices as ingredients. Would you like to help?"

[avataroftheswarm]

"We don't like the cold either. It makes us tired and slow and we stop moving if it's too bad. Home is nice and hot, so it's good to have the sun on our wings again." They kick their legs a little bit and lean their elbows on the table, grinning at the nice clear sky and the warm sun.

"No, our kind never had festivals. That was a thing the humans brought, but nothing like this. At most there were little markets and banners, sometimes they had contests. This one is very different and a lot more interesting." They rub their fingers together, feeling the grain of the dust on the Worms making up their form.

"They taste interesting, but we didn't think they were food. Can they be food? We always like trying new things to eat!" Food is fuel, but fuel that tastes good is a lot better than bland food. Humans showed them that too.

"What were you going to make?"

[firefcxian]

For some reason, Jiaoqiu felt like he should be the one fussing, but also felt like this was sort of familiar too-- it was like there was a memory there, just out of reach, swimming within the haze in the back of his mind. He wrapped his tail up around himself, fingers starting to tug at the tangles in the fur.

"That... might be nice," he agreed, quietly. "Maybe we'll both feel better after a little bit of sleep."

Even though he'd already been sleeping for awhile now. Maybe Zazie was right, and getting cleaned up would make a difference... or maybe it wouldn't.

One of his ears twitched, following Zazie as he moved around the apartment.

"Pardon my asking, but... why are you so worried about me? There's really no need for it. I've always managed before, I'm sure I'll be fine this time. You ought to be worried about yourself first, you know?"

[avataroftheswarm]

"Hmm? Why wouldn't we be worried about you? You were nice to us when not a lot of people ever are, and you need to be worried about. We worry about our... our group." That's not the right word, exactly, but it's something close ish.

"You have to worry about all the members of your group, so the group can all be strong together. You took care of me before, so now it's my turn."

It makes sense to them. When one member of the group is flagging, they need to be cared for. Or eaten, but that's not applicable in this situation.

"You go take a shower and I'll make the bed clean and then we'll go to sleep. You'll feel better when you wake up." They hope so, anyway. They're not really sure what else to do to help. Maybe food? Food always makes them feel better too.

[nyarukami-yu-deactivated2025090]

The sound of a commotion was enough for Yu to take notice, and his head shot to look down the aisle where it had came from. His arm was still against the tv, but it relaxed as he took a step back and watched things play out. He didn't catch the start of it all, but.

Bugs? Inside?

Yu was just about to move until he watched his arm suddenly become a hostage for one of the insects deciding to hitch a ride. Yu looked down at it, eyes wide as his arm stiffened again, straightening out.

It looked like a dragonfly, even if it was. . . huge, but it didn't look like these things were attacking anyone. Yu couldn't help but shudder slightly. Though he managed to dig into his brain to recall all of the days spent bug-catching in the countryside.

It wasn't as if he disliked bugs, but one so big? Well, if he had more time to think and a clearer head he'd say it would probably make good fishing bait.

He took a breath. Stand still. Don't make sudden movements. Though-- the commotion of the store was in fact making that pretty difficult.

Yu turned again to look for an escape-- an air vent- another tv- no, the front door.

They'd still be indoors, but the mall had more space for this bug- bugs, to fly around without bumping into everything and freaking out. Hopefully he could hold the door open for them all, too. Keeping his arm out in front of himself, Yu moved swiftly towards making his way out of the store with his newfound passenger, a bead of sweat falling from his temple. He also held his other arm up over his face to avoid any of the others getting funny ideas.

He couldn't help but think aloud, "Please don't bite me. I'll try to get you out of here."

[avataroftheswarm]

The chaos was only increasing, but at the very least, the bugs seemed to have gotten ahold of themselves slightly. There was a green cloud floating up by the ceiling while the larger insects flew around, avoiding shouting customers and the store employees with their brooms. They still didn't seem to know how to get out of the store, which was posing a problem.

The one clinging to Yu's arm held fast with its little buggy feet and its wings fluttering frantically, at the very least appearing to recognize that it wasn't being harmed. None of the other bugs attempted to divebomb him, right up until he got the door open and then held.

It didn't matter where in the store the other bugs were, they all turned as one and made a beeline for the now open door. Even the odd little cloud flowed out of the exit, the whole swarm flowing past Yu in a rush to get out of the place. For a moment, the swarm just buzzes frantically around, grouping up as one instead of fluttering around as individuals.

Then they really group up, coalescing into the solid form of a small child like person with wild whitish hair and wide turquoise eyes. They immediately cling to Yu's shirt, the remaining bug on the taller boy's arm staying put.

"They tried to hit me with brooms!" Zazie screeches, absolutely indignant and completely frazzled. "We just wanted to look at the bright walls! We weren't doing anything!"

[hypnoticallycaucasian]

Seeing them so gently deal with the butterfly makes Badou forget this is a walking Worm who also took his lighter. At least they have sympathy for lifeforms....even if they aren't maybe the human ones.

"Hmmm....only thing I've heard about that can make shapes and still be-- different parts-- is a school of fish. Or something in a movie. Nature is something, man!"

Badou had no idea there were creatures that could do that out here. A unit....he raises a brow again.

"I'm a guy, but I'm just made of one guy, one consciousness. A family-- unit? Is made up of different people, but we don't share thoughts."

[avataroftheswarm]

"Yes, there were once lesser creatures that were like the human understanding of fish that schooled like that. There still are, in hidden places that we guard carefully." They smile, a little smuggly.

"They are not like us, though. There is nothing else like us. This facade takes a great deal of coordination and cooperation to pull off, and far more intelligence than any other grouping creature we've ever seen." Clearly, they're proud of their trick and not afraid to show it.

"Humans don't have a Hive to share minds, which we still think was a very poor evolutionary choice, but they can be decent at coordination sometimes. Don't units coordinate for the good of those in their homes? You and your roommate are a unit, even if you're not one like we are."

[aevummarket]

Hello, hello, I’d like to rank up Zazie the Beast from Trigun Stampede to Ardent Rank please! My Stats Page can be found here, and my threads can be found right here. Today is 5/2.

Your experiences have led you to deeper ties in this world. Young Echo, may you cherish them well.

Congrats! Your muse, ZAZIE has ranked up to Ardent Rank! You know have the following benefits:

Access to tier 2 of the marketplace

200 emblems per Activity Check

All other benefits listed on the RANKS PAGE

— Mod Leillis  🌸

[hypnoticallycaucasian]

This is like a horror movie, like a whole medley of horror movies squished together in a-- worm-person. His brow furrows at them, follows their trail to the butterfly, the new...buddy?? And hums to himself.

"This might be the weirdest thing I've heard of. No offense, I guess. How-- is it the type of worm that you're made of? Magic? Worms don't really do that where I'm from..."

On the subject of his roomies, his mouth quirks to one side.

"Yeah, nice. Didn't understand it then, still don't know if I do now."

[avataroftheswarm]

"Oh, we forget, the worms in the books in the Archive were long, wet, and wiggly. We are not like that, we are more like... Hmm. Well there are many life stages of Worms, so many of us look very different. The Worm that took the lighter is the most common form, they are some of the youngest forms." They regard the butterfly on their hand for a moment, then look around. Ah, a nice cluster of flowers by the sidewalk, perfect.

They trot over to the flowers and hold out their hand, letting the butterfly decide if it likes the smell of them. After a moment of consideration, it steps delicately from their hand to the bright petals. They smile, then leave it there to find its supper and trot back to Badou's side.

"We don't know what you mean by magic. We simply cluster together to form a facade of a human shape. It is complicated, but this swarm knows their exact places and how to vibrate in the right way to mimic a human's speech. It took a long time to learn, but we had some help." And now they had their preferred form down to a science, perfectly arranged to their liking with several very special shapes all formed together. It's extremely useful.

"Why do you not understand? Are you not a unit? Is that not what makes a human unit? I understand human units take care of each other, just differently than Worms do so."

[cloudspierced]

It was a familiar sort of story-- after all, those on isolated worlds had no reason to believe there was something more beyond it, whether they were human or otherwise. It was rarely a simple matter, either piercing through the skies for the first time to see what lay outside, or when those same skies were pierced by visitors from the wider universe. Dan Heng had read about these encounters before, though he had yet to truly experience one for himself-- the days in which the Trailblaze first began to connect distant worlds had come before his time.

Still, though he knew it was difficult, it was still not something he fully understood-- other worlds, other species, a universe so wide it was incomprehensible, he'd been aware of all of those things for countless lifetimes before his own. He couldn't quite comprehend what it would be like to have none of that, and then have an alien species descend upon your homeworld...

"It must not be easy," he noted, with a slight frown. "But I agree, this is a good opportunity. You'll learn much about humanity here-- especially when there are so many different worlds represented. Perhaps this knowledge will help you when you return."

In the end, it seemed like their objectives weren't too different, even if their backgrounds couldn't be any more so.

Or... maybe they were a more similar than he'd thought. From what Dan Heng could tell, the Paths and Aeons did not hold the same influence among those unknown worlds represented here, and yet there were similar principles to be found everywhere. How fascinating.

He took down a few more notes.

There was no need to correct Zazie on the fact that his kind could indeed die, and that it was a particularly grave matter-- that had little relevance right now. "Evolution is a long and difficult process. Humans may be able to adapt to unfavorable environments, but... there is just as much of a chance they will die off before adaptation can occur." Or they will simply reshape the environment to their will, often at the cost of what came before.

"Likewise, only the most powerful among the Vidyadhara are able to turn into dragons," he said before closing the notebook. "Those who possess the inheritance of our kind's progenitor. Of course, it's not something I can do right now, with my power sealed."

Not to mention the emotional complications, and the still-shrouded unusual circumstances of his rebirth... but that was something for Dan Heng to worry about when it actually came up.

"I am curious, though-- you haven't been here long, but what do you think so far of this world's human society?"

[avataroftheswarm]

"We have spent a hundred and fifty cycles they call years watching them build and consume and attempt to overcome our home in various ways. Some of them are better at it than others, and they have help, but they do not see anything beyond themselves. They do not know the ones they consume are aware and awake, though they know they cannot make more of them. They do not know the Worms are aware and awake. We fear if we help them adapt, they will simply take everything until there is nothing left." There is no chance the general population will survive a war with the Worms, but there are enough of them, with their guns, that they can hunt the Worms right back. If it came to it, they may simply destroy each other in the attempt.

They shake their head and brush aside those musings for now. Those are thoughts they have been considering for a very long time, and that they will continue to consider for a long time to come.

Besides, this non-human is more interesting than pondering the fate of their humans.

"So then you are one of the most powerful of your kind. Perhaps one day you will show us what you look like when you have your ability to change back. We would show you a Grand Worm, but our swarm is small and young on purpose. We wouldn't be able to mimic a human form with the larger Worms."

Now that question requires a bit of thought. What do they think of the human population here? They've admittedly been distracted with the environment for most of their stay, but they have made a few observations. They suppose there is no harm in sharing them.

"They are not like the ones I know. These humans are quiet and calm, they indulge in things that have no use for survival. They are not worried about what may come tomorrow or the next day or if they will survive. There are no threats waiting at the edge of their city to destroy them. They do not seem to be reaching for more than they have. In a way, they seem... stagnant. They aren't trying to adapt and expand, just living. We suppose this easier life has advantages, but they will not advance much more, we think."

[firefcxian]

The coating colors festival wasn't nearly as depressing as Jiaoqiu had expected it might be. Sure, it may be difficult to get the full experience, and the puddles of water and noise here and there were inconvenient to navigate around, but the sun wasn't too bright today, and the powders were made from various flowers and herbs, their scents mingling together on the breeze that blew through the streets.

Altogether, still rather pleasant, even if he did prefer to sit on the sidelines.

It was better to be out here than sitting around indoors and being depressed, after all. Things had been... a bit tense, ever since the curse that had fallen across the isle had lifted. Though Jiaoqiu was back to acting like his normal self, he had yet to fully shake off the lethargy and despondency that still hung like a fog around him.

Of course, this wasn't new either. And if nothing else, the experience had led to making a few new connections.

He was sipping on some milk tea-- the fragrance of spices in the air added a rather delightful dimension to the flavor-- when his attention was caught by the sound of now-familiar wing-beats flitting about nearby. He was still getting used to the fact that the child he'd befriended during that month was actually a hive-minded swarm of bugs, but... well, it wasn't the strangest thing in the universe, and since Zazie had been staying over so often that they were virtually a third housemate, the initial surprise had worn off rather quickly.

"Zazie, is that you?" he called out still, just to be sure. "You seem to be enjoying yourselves."

——— ✧ @avataroftheswarm ( amity festival starter - starter call )

[avataroftheswarm]

Spring was such an interesting time in this place. It brought back memories of long, long ago, when water still gathered on the surface of their home, when there was green and colors, when they were not the only species still left alive. The cold slowly fades (thank goodness) and the green returns, followed by colors and scents so far beyond what they knew. The people celebrated, and Zazie was more than happy to be pulled into the celebrations.

Especially this one, where the air turned into colorful powder, and bright slashes bloomed on walls, ground, and people. It was fun, as long as they made sure not to get too covered. It wouldn't do to drown while having fun.

The swarm had broken up to fly playfully through the clouds, adding their own flickering green lights to the show and letting some of the children chase them around. At least, until they spotted a familiar face. Jiao-Jiao was still nice to them, even after they regained their memories (Zazie wasn't thinking about that, about being forced into one form, being one mind instead of hundreds), and Zazie had decided he was one of their favorite new people. It was convenient that he and Vash lived together (and other Vash stayed so often he half lived there too) so they could spend time with people they liked more easily.

The Worms fly down, flit around their furry friend in a pleased little dance, then come together back into their human facade at his table. There are no chalk smudges on them now, since they were keeping the larvae out of the dust and wet.

"Hello, Jiao-Jiao! We are enjoying ourselves! The color dust is fun to fly through, and everyone is having fun celebrating spring. It's nice, don't you think?"

[nyarukami-yu-deactivated2025090]

The idea was a little silly, Yu could admit that.

Though this wasn't his first rodeo with coming to a strange new world, and he'd be thinking about it excessively if he hadn't at least tried. So naturally, when Yu Narukami found himself in front of a store in the mall that was lined with various electronics- most notably of the flat-screened variety, he went inside.

It almost made him laugh a little, nostalgic as it was to his time in Inaba (which somehow felt equally far away and also like just yesterday). He really paid no mind if there were other customers or not, instead testing the waters by raising his hand and placing it onto the front surface of one of the display televisions nestled on a shelf in the back of this so-called Kiwi Electronics store. The one he had chosen in particular was turned off as well, as it would be odd to attempt to place his hand inside of one while someone's face was on the screen itself.

But- as he suspected, there was no reaction from the TV itself apart from the natural resistance of his hand meeting the surface of the screen. Yu could only give a small sigh in response. It would be okay either way.

| open starter!

[avataroftheswarm]

It was probably a stupid idea; in fact, Zazie would know it was stupid idea in hindsight. But the simple fact of the matter was: there were no TVs where they were from. So the bright lights and the flickering images were fascinating to the swarm.

And they were a pile of bugs in the shape of a person. So really this was an expected outcome.

They'd wandered into a store with many of the lit up displays, looking around like they were enthralled. It had been fine, except there were a lot of bugs under their facade and only so many of them could be at the surface to look at once. They'd maintained their shape only long enough to get partway into the store, before the urge to get close to the pretty displays became overwhelming and the swarm had split apart.

Apparently, watching a small, child-like human form dissolve into a swarm of dragonfly-like bugs as long as a human's forearm was traumatic for people. Zazie took no notice of the screams their antics caused, but they did take note when the proprietor of the shop came after their bugs with a broom.

A half enthralled and half panicked swarm promptly scattered, flying erratically around the store as they tried to figure out where the exit was. They bounced off the TV screens in their panic, including the one Yu had found. The Worm that had hit the screen scrambled and clung to his arm for something to grip, in the hopes of reorienting itself.