a.) [ he's swimming in stars--- or at least, that's what it feels like. as toge lowers the collar of his uniform, he's unsure about what and where he is. all he knows is that this cannot be real. the comforts of his room are surely very far away, or perhaps they're closer than he thinks? especially if this is a dream; he could wake himself up if he needed to. but at the core of this moment in particular, toge doesn't feel like he's in danger and any presence that could be threatening doesn't gnaw at his gut.

as he turns, toge looks at the other faces around him. some are clearer in his eyes than others. though as one passes by, he reaches out to touch whoever it might be on their shoulder. his finger definitely doesn't pass through them. this stranger, whoever it might be, now has the attention of one boy whose eyes are wide and blinking--- with markings extending from the corners of his lips.

but he says nothing. just... kind of stares, before uttering one single word: ]

Salmon.

[ yes. they are real. dream-real. or something like it. ]

b.) [ but after that moment of staring into the sparkling abyss, he chooses moving toward the center in earnest. toge is drawn to it. why wouldn't he be? as he walks through, it envelops him in what he could consider warmth. suffusing him with some kind of peace. he feels complete, emboldened by every step that he takes into the brilliance, eagerly chasing after what he thinks is what he needs.

faces. it's the faces of his friends... his classmates. yuuta. panda. maki. yuji. megumi. nobara. those who he would protect with all of his heart. they did just win a baseball game, too. a comradery that soothes his nerves and numbs the worries that he had moments ago before taking his steps toward a destination he's unsure of. there is none of that right now. those feelings of being safe and warm, surrounded by those who are his friends. his closest allies. ones who understand their personal struggle. the feelings that surround it.

still... it's hard not to feel lonely. even emboldened by his memories, some of which drift in and out of his head, toge pushes on. he's so determined, he might not even realize if he bumps into someone who's taking the same path toward the light. ]

[ at some point, the chrysalis breaks and toge unceremoniously falls out of it, covered in those broken shards of crystal. it took him enough time to break through it with his hands alone; unable to find the strength to scream or yell or do anything to get any more attention. and unfortunately, his ability comes from others being able to hear it. an inanimate object like the glass-like prison he just penetrated wouldn't be able to obey those commands.

but as he hits the ground with a grunt and rolls over onto his back so that he could breathe a little easier, the jujutsu sorcerer realizes that he's exposed out here. literally and figuratively. he immediately draws one hand up to his mouth and lowers the other.

ah. modesty. difficult to find, especially when he feels so weak. ]

[ he can't help but quietly watch the crabs and the fish. it's a beautiful sight to behold, one that isn't completely lost on toge. as overwhelming as it is to be here, and as easy as it might be to lose hope in general--- especially considering the circumstances surrounding his home. the idea that everything might be gone... humans, cursed spirits, all of it... maybe it should be a little more comforting? either way, toge can find no answers as he stares up into the 'sky'. ]

... fish flakes.

[ words that probably mean nothing to anyone but him. he could say other words. he could have a lot to say now, especially when he couldn't feel the cursed energy that made him so strong. so powerful.

for now, toge takes a seat. he's lucky to have a nice hooded jacket and a decent pair of pants. nothing that covers his mouth, nothing that would identify him as a student. so for now, all he can do is sort of wait. look around. observe carefully. ]