handwritten | action

[thirdshiki]

handwritten:

[to find herself in an unfamiliar place and unable to sense Natori's presence was... just a bit worrying. but there was no immediate panic, no. Hiiragi had spent most of the day silently going about, searching for her master and an exit.

so neither could be found. alright then.

it isn't until a few hours of fruitless searching later that Hiiragi accidentally brushes against the vines, a scroll unfurling and a pen offered to her. there's a long pause of debate as to whether she should simply move on or investigate it further; the youkai takes her own brush and ink out of her sleeve, and after a moment of hesitation, experimentally swipes a couple lines across the surface. basically all you get to see is this:]



action:

[a woman wearing a horned one-eyed mask can be found around the gardens, heading nowhere in particular yet with a sense of urgency. if she spots your character but they're human, she'll walk right past them without a second glance. but if they're anything other, she'll be turning her head in their direction and slightly slowing her pace.]

Comments

[imperial_ray]

...

I don't believe you.

[thirdshiki]

[that only gets a slight headtilt.]

I'm only looking for my master. Attacking you would bring me no benefit.

[imperial_ray]

You're still frightening me.

[thirdshiki]

My apologies. [she begins to turn away.]

[imperial_ray]

-... Dizzy doesn't say a word, but her gaze remains on the woman. Without the mask staring at her, she's considerably less intimidating...-

[thirdshiki]

[Hiiragi looks off to the side, fingers curling into loose fists. Dizzy may as well not even be there anymore.]

Natori... why don't you summon me? [she has a feeling it wouldn't even work, but.]

[imperial_ray]

-... And that's when it dawns on her.-

The lost people...

You're a youkai.

[thirdshiki]

[she begins to turn back to Dizzy, but pauses so the mask isn't directly facing her.]

Yes, I am.

[imperial_ray]

... In my world, you are a lost people... Your home no longer exists. -Because her people destroyed it...-

I'm sorry... I shouldn't have treated you so rudely.

[thirdshiki]

... My home no longer exists? [distilled incredulity.]

[imperial_ray]

Yes... Japan no longer exists in my world.

[thirdshiki]

[oh. not what she was expecting to hear.]

... That's very unfortunate.

[... an understatement, to say the least, but Hiiragi isn't one for extremities.]

[imperial_ray]

So... I'm sorry for reacting so poorly. I did not mean to make you feel unwelcome.

[thirdshiki]

My appearance had received worse reactions before. [so basically, it's all coo']

[imperial_ray]

... But isn't that just a mask? Can't you remove it?

[thirdshiki]

I could, but I choose not to.

[imperial_ray]

Why not?

[thirdshiki]

I've never had any need to.

[imperial_ray]

I suppose that makes sense. But wouldn't it be more pleasant if people didn't find you so scary?

[thirdshiki]

People are normally unable to see me. Being scary was never a concern of mine. [and she was meant to be scary anyways, youkai and all.]

[imperial_ray]

People couldn't see you? At all? Do you just mean humans, or everyone?

[thirdshiki]

Humans.

There are few who are able to see us.

[imperial_ray]

Mm... I'm not human, myself.

[thirdshiki]

I noticed. You're not a youkai, either.

[imperial_ray]

-She shook her head, turning her face downward, as if shouldered with guilt.- I am... beyond both.