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 Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:18 am
Xiu was definitely certain that they'd be seeing Excalibur again one day. She didn't know when, but...she seriously doubted that everything they had seen during the tear was over. Considering this fact, she made a mental note to visit the school frequently after graduating, just in case. After everything she had seen during her time at Amity, it made her stomach twist with anxiety knowing that her friends and the newer students here could be thrust very quickly into danger if they weren't careful.
The ghoul found herself smiling warmly at the sentiment about the fragments, her expression softening for a moment before it quickly became grim again. Xiu didn't trust the horsemen for pretty much the same reason Poke doubted them.
"They make me uneasy," She confessed, shifting slightly on her makeshift seat, "As with the hunters, I wouldn't say that I dislike all of them...but wouldn't necessarily side with their cause either."
Lips tugging upwards in a slightly sheepish smile, she shrugged. "That being said, I just don't like to take sides. So long as Halloween and my friends and family are safe, that's all that I can really ask for." Which meant that if the need to fight either the horsemen or the hunters ever arose, she would do it. That was only if they made the first mood though--otherwise she had no quarrel with them.
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Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 4:41 am
"That is a good point, I know I'll be doing my best to protect everyone as well...." Poke said with a nod. At the moment she still lacked the strength to go toe to toe with a hunter. It would be a few months yet before she would consider graduating, and after that she would have other issues to deal with besides fighting here, like trying to find a home for herself. "Though when it comes to taking sides..." The dragon leaned back into the comfy couch, troubled thoughts swirling in her head. "It will be hard. I don't want to take sides either..."Her eyes trailed away from Xiu's face to focus on her cup. "...But if it came between the horsemen and hunters, I'll proably side with the latter Oh, how reassuring she was. To one minute declare she would protect her friends, and the next to declare she might have a possible allegiance if worst came to worst. She sneered at herself, but it was impossible to chase away her doubts. "I don't know what will happen, but I am almost sure there will be another clash. And I know the hunters are nuts but....but... I'm a monster! I know how ferocious my kind can be. Has been." Her grip tightened on the tea set as she clenched her teeth in frustration and worry. "I have heard hunters confess their loved ones have perished and they crave revenge. I have to wonder how many have died. How many are grieving for a fallen friend or ally. How....how can I fight someone like that? Jack dam I can regerate, but they can't" She liked fighting, she enjoyed it, but not under those circumstances. "Somehow I don't think I could stomach it if I saw a hunter die. Especially if it was by my claws. But the thought of my friends getting hurt, I couldn't forgive myself if that were to happen..." Pokerus sighed, placing the cup down on the table before she broke it. "I may be over thinking things. But it's hard not to."
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Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 1:47 pm
Expression growing gentle, Xiu slid off of the couch's armrest so that she could take a seat directly beside her friend instead, reaching out to give the other ghoul a one armed hug. She hated to see someone so visibly distressed, though she could definitely understand why Poke was upset considering what they were discussing. When the hunters had first appeared, Xiu was quite dead set against them...but her mind had broadened significantly since then.
"It would be hard making a decision like that," She murmured, her tail flicking uneasily behind her, "It would be nice if things were a little more black and white. I confess that I'm not even sure who is at 'fault' in the conflict between the horsemen and the hunters. The horsemen hate the hunters, but that is likely because the hunters destroyed their homes and their people. On the flip side, the hunters hate the horsemen, because they are a threat to humans..."
"And then as Halloween creatures, we make personal choices. Some of us who may have personally suffered or lost a loved one to the hunters choose to join the horsemen, while those who may have befriended or feel sympathetic towards the hunters join them." And then there were people like her, perched in the middle of the fence with no intention of leaning either way if she could help it.
A small smile curled on the ghoul's lips as she gave Poke another gentle squeeze with her arm. "Ultimately, if the need to choose ever arrives, the decision is yours to make and you shouldn't feel ashamed no matter what you pick."
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Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 6:01 pm
At first Poke had not realized Xiu had moved, up until she felt the baku sit right next to her. Her presence was a warm comfort to the dragoness, and she was immensely thankful for Xiu's kind words. "When it comes to these kinds of wars, My mum believes everyone is at fault for being stupid enough to fight in them. Though it's a little harsh, I can see what she means. I'm sure both sides have had terrible losses, so both sides feel that they have a right to keep fighting for those reasons. But in doing that they suffer even more losses, so the problem escalates." "And it's as you say as well. When it comes to us we see either side and feel for them, or we have suffered by one sides hand. I suppose both horsemen and hunters see us as potential candidates to booster their forces as well. Although, one side hates us more then the other..." Grinning with the extra squeeze, she put both arms around the Baku and gave her a bear hug. "Thanks Xiu, but at the very least I know for sure I wont be abandoning you anytime soon. Besides, I'm s**t at taking orders from anyone. Unless it's you of course, Miss Red king." Or Wilson, maybe.
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Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:25 pm
Xiu found herself smiling, giving a tiny nod of her head. "I can see where your mother is coming from. Sometime I wonder the same thing--I understand why people want revenge, but I never understand what it's supposed to fix. One side kills someone from the other side, and as revenge, the other side kills someone from the first--it's like a neverending cycle, and even if one side were to be completely wiped out eventually, so many sacrifices had to be made along the way."
She shook her head. Ultimately, she'd like it if all this conflict could end but...sigh. If only it could be that easy.
Xiu laughed as she was enveloped in a hug, returning the favour before drawing back. "My only order to you is that you stay safe and happy. Otherwise, all you choices are up to you."
Leaning back against the couch then, the small ghoul stretched her arms over her head. "Phew. On a slightly more random note...I think my time at Amity is quickly coming to a close." She admitted, staring up wistfully at the ceiling, "I think I'm going to be graduating soon."
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Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:36 pm
"To stay safe and happy huh? Hmm, that might be a tough one, but I'll do my best." She'll just have to get stronger so no one would be a threat. That usually worked. "Though I think my order will be a lot easier to comply to if I know you'll be doing the same." Speaking of choices, Pokerus looked surprised when Xiu declared she was about to graduate. In fact, she jumped to her feet. "Really? Xiu thats amazing! And to think the first time I saw you, you were a little first year at the floestival, and now how far you've come!" She nodded with a beaming smile. "You should be proud of yourself." "But now that'll be escaping the dregs of school, what will you do? You got any plans?" It would be interesting to see what the baku had in mind.
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Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 8:38 pm
The ghoul smiled, assuring Poke that she's tried her best to keep a safe and happy life when she abruptly began to blush at the other ghoul's surprise. Ducking her head, Xiu set her hands in her lap and fidgeted slightly.
"You think?" She asked, looking bashful, "My first day at the school feel so long ago. I'll admit that a lot has happened since then." And when she really thought about it? ...It was a little embarrassing to remember what her younger self had been like. So skittish and tiny (...though that part hadn't really changed) and nervous. She was glad to have overcome (most of) those things.
Tail wagging cheerfully behind her, she grinned up at her friend. "Actually, Gene and I are going to open up a cafe. I always wanted a cafe to sell my baked goods and tea in, and we're looking to have it somewhere close to Amity so that we can come back anytime...and so that we can keep up to date with what is going on in the school."
She added the last bit with a wry smile. She just wanted to be close in case anything dangerous happened to the students.
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:05 am
It was now Poke's turn to blush, as her friend talked about how she was back then. Though when it came to herself... "I do believe I haven't changed a inch." She felt her face grow just a tad bit red. "Still headstrong, still charging into things. In fact I probably do it even more now that I'm a little stronger...er, in a safe way of course" At this she laughed. She was happy the way she was, and she had no intention of letting anyone change her. Her own tail swishing about as it hung over the couch, her eyes widened at the baku's idea. "A cafe huh? I can see you running a cafe too. I'll have to make sure to tell everyone about it. And make regular visits myself of course." Especially if it was close by, but she doubted distance would stop her anyway.
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 11:22 am
The baku grinned, rocking her body to the side so that she could gently bump into and nudge the other ghoul. ”That’s okay. Why change what isn’t broken right?” She asked, her tone good-natured and teasing, ”So long as you keep yourself safe, there’s nothing wrong with that right?” Besides, everyone was at least a little headstrong. Jack knew that Xiu herself had developed a rather stubborn streak in her time here at Amityville.
Ducking her head, she smiled bashfully and laughed. ”Awww, Poke—I’d love to have you drop by!I’ll make sure to make something special for you if you turn out to be one of our regulars.” Grinning, the ghoul tried to ward off the feelings of excitement that were now filling her once more at the thought of her future café with Gene. It would be so very nice if it could become a kind of hangout for students—Xiu would definitely like to keep in touch with her friends and the new students when she didn’t have time to visit the school herself.
Folding her hands in her lap, she tilted her head at Poke. ”What about you? Any plans for when you graduate?”
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:57 pm
"I suppose you're right." She laughed again as she was nudged, returning the nudge with a tiny one of her own (which thankly had no strength in it whatsoever, because the idea of hurting Xiu was blasphemy). "You will?? Really?? Poke was amazed just how kind hearted Xiu was. It was no wonder her food tasted so nice and sweet, it was just soaking up the Baku's good nature. She could picture the cafe in her head now, a haven for all things good. It just made her even more eager to come along. Though she'd probably have to go punch her punching bag a few hundred times after, she had a tough image to maintain don't cha know. The dragon then sipped her tea as she pondered about what she would do. "Hmmm. I don't really have any plans. I've got plenty of savings, and I know how to use the stock market, so a job for me isn't really a priority." Starting a savings account plus having a long life was always a good combination. "I think my main concern is finding a place to live. I know when my parents did that they just found some land out in the wilderness and built a cave. So I'll probably have to do something like that. But that also involves finding said territory. Making sure it's not owned by anyone else, and making sure no one else tries to claim it after I do." Because she was not paying a landlord, and fully intended to chase anyone off her turf who claimed to be one.
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Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 11:37 pm
Visibly amused by Poke's surprise, Xiu laughed. "Of course! What do you like, anyways? Do you like really sweet things, or less sweet, or...? Any flavours in particular?" If she got a good idea of what the ghoul like now, she could figure out what to make for her once the cafe was up and running. Honestly, she probably shouldn't show any favourtism towards anyone but...she couldn't help it. Her friends were near and dear to her heart, and she held a very obvious soft spot for them.
Perking up, she listened intently the her plans, eyes growing round at the mention of the stock market. "You know how to use that?" She asked, genuinely sounding amazed. Then she ducked her head, grinning with a embarrassment, "Honestly, I'm no good at all with stuff like that. I think it's really neat that you've got your financial stuff down pat--that's one of the hardest parts!"
But ooh, so it was finding a place that was going to be hard. Frowning, the ghoul lift one of her hands and cupped her own cheek, humming thoughtfully. Unfortunately, all she had learned from her uncle was searching for houses and apartment listings that were up for sale. Looking for an actual territory though...
"That sounds difficult," She admitted, her tone sympathetic, "I'm not sure how much help I'd be, but feel free to call or text me if you ever need--or want--someone to accompany you while you search around for said place, okay? I wouldn't mind--it might even be kind of fun!"
Ever so positive.
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:44 am
While the thought of Xiu making her something specifically was appreciated, Pokerus knew she couldn't well ask her to do something like that. When it came to food she usually prefer fish or other meat, and she wasn't about to ask Xiu to go out of her way to satisfy one dragon. "H-how about...berry pies?" Though she wasn't the biggest sweet person, she had had berries before that could be nice, especially in pies or tarts. Plus it would work with her cafe menu, so It was a win win. To see Xiu act so surprised about knowing how to use the market was funny to say the least. "Xiu, when you're a monster with a penchant to hoard shiny treasure, you tend to figure out ways to get more of it." She grinned. "It can be quite difficult at times; it is run by sleepy demons out to make their millions, but I get by. I'm not expect of course." She admitted. Sometimes she lost more then she made, but other times she got it right. It was then she looked a little uncomfortable. Of course Xiu would offer to help her in her quest for a home, but she was not about to involve her friend in such a dangerous task. For all she knew she might have to fight other monsters and dragons to keep her patch of land. Not to mention there would be alot of walking and flying, scouting. She might have to stay there for weeks just to make sure no one trespassed, "Er...s-sure thing!" She said a little nervously.
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:08 pm
Berry pies, hmm? Tapping her chin thoughtfully, the ghoul nodded. ”I can do that. And maybe some savory things too?” From what she knew of some of her friends—say, Yincang—some of the people she was close to were carnivores. Thus, it only seemed fair to keep a rather broad array of baked goods—and not just sweet ones—available for those who came in.
Her grin grew slightly at Poke’s answer, the impressed look still prominent on her expression. ”Even if you aren’t an expert, I still find that to be very admirable! I may be a demon, but I’m not the business savvy kind.” To say the least. Any and all of the café business things she knew had been taught to her by her uncle, her parents, and some of their family connections whom her uncle had called upon for help. In the end, she had learned the basics of what she needed to know to run her own café with Gene, but only just the minimum.
The fact that the ghoul looked and sounded a little unsettled by her offer didn’t go unnoticed, the baku’s brows lifting and disappearing beneath her bangs as she blinked owlishly at the dragon. ”What’s wrong?” She asked, sounding faintly startled, ”If you’d rather go about something like that alone, please don’t be shy to tell me! You don’t have to accept my offer by any means.”
Smiling, Xiu gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, her tail waving behind her.
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:45 pm
"Savory things would be good" She replied. It seemed like they were already figuring out the menu for her whole cafe. The only thing they hadn't mentioned were the drinks. Yet. "You should put this tea on your menu as well. I think it'll be a big hit." "And I can give you a few tips if you'd like to start messing around there yourself." Poke could feel her face heat up at the baku's admiration of her marketing skills. "It's all about buying low and selling high." And knowing which demon was about to rip you off in the process. "Although I don't think I'll be much help with actually running a business." She had no idea about that. Hearing the tone of Xiu's voice had the dragon back peddling like mad. "It's nothing Xiu, really!" With the pat on the shoulder she returned the smile, deciding to come clean on why she felt so uneasy. "It's not that I wouldn't appreciate the help in finding a home, it's just...not something I would want to put you through. I have a...different way of finding myself a place, and if I brought you along you could get hurt. It's not something I'd ever want to do to you. But once I find a home you can come visit me anytime." She quickly added. Maybe she could build a little guest house...
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Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:27 am
Nodding brightly, the baku duly noted the suggestion for savory foods down in her mind before letting out a light laugh. ”Yes! There will definitely be tea! I just need to figure out what blends I want to put on the menu, but it’s definitely in the works.” Honestly, there was so much that needed to be done to get this café up and running, but despite all of the work that she would have to put into this business, the ghoul was still very, very excited.
That being said, she wasn’t so sure that she’d be any good in the stock market business—numbers like that weren’t really her forte, to be honest. ”I appreciate the offer,” She grinned, offering Poke an appreciative glance. As she continued, her tone became somewhat sheepish and she lifted a hand to rub the back of her neck. ”But unfortunately, I don’t quite think that I have what is needed to survive out there in the stock market world. Thank you for the offer though!”
Tapir-shaped ears perking up slightly, she listened to the ghoul’s answer with internet, letting out a quiet “aah” when the reason she had seemed to uncomfortable was revealed. That made sense, and it was certainly sweet of the other ghoul to have thought of—and worried for—her safety. ”I won’t push the matter then,” She promised with a smile, patting her gently on the shoulder, ”But I’d love to visit sometime once you’ve found a good place for your home! I hope it won’t be too difficult for you.”
Xiu looked at her sympathetically, brows furrowing. She wasn’t sure how finding a place to live would be like for Poke, but even just trying to find a house around Amity that wasn’t outrageously expensive was proving to be pretty hard.
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