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 Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:43 pm
"I can tell you, we have access to that in this line of work," Akira nodded and held out a hand. The cleansed mirror appeared above her palm. She closed her eyes for a momen before retelling:
"Kazuko, Seijin.... YEs very good karma, reborn into a mole youkai that currently resides in the forest of magic. ... Now named Youji, Kansou, daughter to Youji Mina, an old sickly mole. It seems Kansou works for humans as well as selling minerals, plants, and furs she collect from the forest. Both the youji's live in a small home, and have a hard time making ends meet due to Ms. Mina's condition, but it seems both are happy with what they do have. Simple and humble, they are."
"If she continues to gather such good karma, she will end up working for the court. This last life is a test to see whether her aptitudes are carried by soul or by life. "
Akira opened her eyes and smiled at Lumine,"Does that answer your question, my dear?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 9:46 pm
"A... A mole???"
Lumine was obviously confused. "But... but that seems like such a downgrade! She was a beautiful wolf Tengu! And now... a mole?!" She pouted lightly, going to fold her arms, then realized Hanari was still holding her hand. "Well... If she's happy, then that's all that matters. Even if she was a well-respected and beautiful Tengu, she always lived humbly... her home was small and cozy, whereas anyone else with her status would live in a mansion."
"But wait... You said she might work for the courts?! Then that means..!" She turned to Hanari, eyes wide and hopeful, "She--We--! W-We could all be together again someday! She... she just needs to finish this lifetime, right?"
Lumine bowed again, and was smiling when she rose. "Thank you, miss Akira. What you told me did put me at ease, a little. So... What will I do now?" She turned, looking to Hanari, "Tebiki said she would train me... Is that all? I'm to be a Shepard, yes? Is there anything I need to know? I'm still a little confused about all this... It's still quite a lot to take in..."
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Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:13 pm
Hanari's arm jerked up with Lumine almost crossing her arms. Hanari self-consciously let go blushing lightly as she let go of the blue haired girl's hand and allowed her to speak with Akira.
"Mole Youkai are actually very gifted in many ways. This is life, think of it as a test on her soul; how she performs in it will determine her future working here," Akira nodded and smiled,"Your job is to roam this land and finds stray souls; they are attracted by your staff and its light. Once you have a sizeable amount of them following you, you are hand them to a shinigami or a ferryman to bring them over to Higan for judgement. It is a simple job, eternity is its only catch."
The judge stood in her seat, stretching,"Just do your best and bring in souls now and again, that is all there is to it. What you do with your time and how you manage is completely up to you really~"
"Anything else you need from me?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 10:10 am
"That sounds like an easy job to do! No wonder Shinigami are so lazy!" Lumine mused, nodding to herself. "Hm... I guess that's it. If it's okay, I think I'll need a little more time to think about everything, and I'd like a little time to spend with Hanari too... But thank you for this opportunity, a-and I want to thank Tebiki too! ... I still don't believe I did anything to earn this, but... I'm happy."
Lumine bowed again, before taking Hanari's hand once more and stepping away from Akira's seat and leading her away.
"...Wow, she really looks different than I remember..." She said in a hushed tone, "I really must have been gone a long time... I wonder what everyone else looks like?" Lumine looked at Hanari, smiling lightly. "Though, you've barely changed at all... It's nice to see you just the way I remember. Even if I don't remember anything else... I feel that I missed you. A lot..."
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Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:41 pm
Akira smiled and bowed her head in a farewell to the two workers, watching as Hanari was lead away by the once-celestial and out of her court room.
"Yes, Hijou-sama has gotten a lot experience under her belt for the last years. She works very hard, so its only natural she would look much more experienced!" Hanari said proudly , walking with Lumine out of the courts and about The higabanas that scattered across its gardens,"Uhm... I can't tell. Maybe they still look the same-ish? It always seemed Michiko wasn't much for change...."
As she was addressed the shinigami rubbed the back of her head,"W-well... my hair got longer!.... Bu that's all..."
"oh! Well since you weren't programmed for a turn in Samsara, and your soul was just cleansed, technically speaking, all your memories were intact; as were the connections to previous lives! " She recited,"In other words, it is possible you still were remembering me, and your past self , and your past past past self!"
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Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 11:17 am
"Your hair looks lovely! It... reminds me of how it used to be."
"Ah... I'm not sure what you mean..." Lumine turned away from her in thought, her gaze falling across the gardens. "I mean... I understand that my memories are still with me, but... you mean to tell me that I have memories of my previous lives as well? Then... just what am I? Am I still Lumine, or am I only part of her? What if someone of my past tries to be me? Hanari, I--" She returned her attention to the Shinigami, "I... I just want to be me! Just Lumine, not anyone else, and...! ..... And yet..."
There it was... that clarity again. It was the same as when she had taken up the shepard's staff. Though perhaps clarity wasn't the right word... No, things were not clearer, as the fog still surrounded her mind, but a beacon of light had appeared amidst that fog. Somehow she knew that light had always been there, even if she had lost sight of it.
"... I always knew you would have wings someday..." Lumine smiled, squeezing Hanari's hand as she ran forward. "C'mon, Michiko and the rest are waiting for us! They don't know it yet, but they will soon!"
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Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:01 pm
"Really?" Hanari thought for a moment before reaching up and undoing her long side ponytail. She ruffled her long hair into some order before retying it in regular ponytail, smiling, "Like this~?"
The shinigami listened to Lumine speak out loud. "Don't worry If something like that was gonna happen it would have happened already, trust me!" Hanarai tried to be as reassuring as she could be, but she had to pause and be confused once Lumine spoke about her having wings, and how she knew it all along. "Wait?... What do you mean have wings?... I did have wings but---"
And there she went again, dragging the shinigami and her large scythe towards nowhere in specific. "HE-Hey-- Wait! Do we even know where we are--- Michiko--? Aaaah?!"
A small gale of red sakura blooms rained past the two, since they were running before clearing and revealing them to be at the edge of the Tengu Village; the cemetery to be exact. "Wait Lumine---" Yanking the shepherd back among the tombstones of her once-family.
It was near sunset, and the full moon could be seen at one extreme of the sky, overpowered by the sun above them, above even the tallest of trees. The air was cool but not hurtful; it was probably soon to be Autumn, a speculation further confirmed by some already maple-red leaves that danced in the winds soft encouragement to be free. Hanari held Lumine's hand, scythe stabbed in the floor,"I have no idea where Michiko is, Lumine, she is in there, and she might be able to tell you where everyone else is," the shinigami told her,"I can't go in there. Tengu are strong and defiant; death is something they are more than eager to beat away. I can't just stroll on in.... But maybe you can. You are a shepherd now, and I am sure even they have an idea of what that means... If not I guess I could try to move us inside very quickly - But only if they catch you, because if I go in, I could cause a riot!"
"Think of what kind of places Michiko would frequent... I don't know, a library or something? .... I-... I don't know where she may be, but I know she is in the village! Maybe you can ask about..." The shinigami sighed,"I really have no better advice, but you know that if you need me, you just need to call out my name, right?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:37 am
Lumine paused when Hanari held her still, taking a moment to view the beautiful scenery that unfolded before them. She was laughing on the inside; she hadn't even told Hanari where she wanted her to take them, and yet here they were, right where they needed to be.
"It's okay, don't worry, Hanari. I understand Tengu and their ways; remember, I used to live with one!" Lumine took her staff with both hands, bringing the tool to her chest and leaning it to her shoulder. "If Michiko knows where everyone is, then you can be sure I'll find her!" Standing high in the graveyard, they could see almost to the other side of the village. Finding their old friend would be troublesome indeed.
"But, you have a good point," she continued as she cast her gaze across the village, "There's only a few places I can think of that she might be. We can rule out Master Kazuko's home because, well... I don't think Michiko would want to live in her late mother's home. That isn't like her, that much I know." She pondered more, pressing the staff to her cheek. "When we were talking... I think she mentioned becoming a writer, because she wanted to tell her mother's story, and not let it be written by someone that might plagiarize it. If that's the case, maybe she got a job working with paper... like an archivist, or a librarian like you said... I think that's where I'll start."
Lumine scooped up her staff with one hand and turned to Hanari, wearing a cheeky smile. "Of course I know. Thank you, Hanari..." She wrapped her free arm around the Shinigami's waist and pulled her close, giving her a firm kiss on the lips. "You don't need to worry about me anymore~" She let go and turned,
"Okay, I'm off! Wish me luck!"
And was gone, bolting down the path leading towards the village.
The sun had already been setting, and quickly turned to night as Lumine searched. She had passed a few Tengu along the way. Most of them gave her odd or cautious looks, but they didn't mind answering her questions - she assumed it was only because they wanted her to leave them sooner. Unfortunately none of the Tengu citizens she encounters were guards or involved politically, so no one could tell her for certain where Michiko might be, but they did confirm that, many years ago, a lost member of the Rouki family had surfaced and rejoined the ranks of the Elite families. Lumine knew only one person could be this lost Rouki. That was one step closer.
Over the course of the next two interrogations (as her conversations with passerby's never seemed to last long), she inquired about any new buildings being built in those last few years, especially those that might be involved with the Academy or the government. Hanari's hunch was right; in the last ten years, a rather large addition to the village was built, but outside the Academy's walls and as such, outside its jurisdiction. It was now the greatest and largest public library the village had ever constructed, and rumor had it that it was run by only two women. The coincidence was just too perfect. Lumine got directions to the new library and was on her way.
It took her nearly an hour to reach the building, and by the time she did, the sun had been down for some time. The air had gotten colder, but it didn't leave Lumine uncomfortable - in fact, she barely felt it at all.
The building was tall, and wider than it was tall. Truly a marvel in its design and scale. The front doors alone could rival those of the Courts. Lumine looked around, into the windows of the building. They were all dark... could it be closed? It was nearly midnight she was sure, and the bright and full moon was directly overhead. She walked up to the grand doors and tapped her staff against it, the deep sound made spoke of how thick the doors were.
"Hello?" She paused. There was no answer.
Undeterred, Lumine took the large handle and pulled, bracing her arm against the other door. It slowly swung open, letting out a low groan and creak that sent a slight echo into the village. With a space opened enough for her to slip through, Lumine stepped inside, leaving the door open for herself in case she needed to leave quickly.
It was dark inside, almost too dark to see, though a small light could be seen somewhere in the back of the building. Lumine tapped her staff to the ground, letting its tip shine forth and cut the darkness.
"Hello...?!" She called out louder, yet in a hushed tone, and waited for any response.
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Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:36 pm
Hanari was a bit too surprised as Lumine kissed her, and her cheeks turned rosy red in response. The shinigami stuttered for a second,"A-Ah! Go-good luck!" She sighed and smile softly after Lumine. It was nice to see her so energetic once more.
---
Inside the library a light flickered in the back where the check out desk was. A tall woman walked with her desk to a book, a hand holding the candle holder that emitted the soft dark-vanishing fire. The woman had the typical characteristics of a white wolf tengu, garbed in a blue robe with hints of traditional kimono tailoring complemented with a pair of hakama like silk pants, both looked elegant over her subtle frame. Her hair was cut sort, though one side was adorned with a small charm of a color equal to her hair.
She was lost in her book, having thought that the last customer and guest had come and gone, just as had her fellow coworker had called it a day. It was not till the bright clear shine caught the corner of her eye. "Tebiki, you come here rather late," the wolf put her candle to the larger lantern on her desk, cast the night of a nice area of the desk. The wolf set her closed against her chest, and turned to who ignored to be Lumine.
The unfamiliar staff and slightly different colored light at its tip made her stop and squint into the dark that still covered the intruder of her home," Pardon, you are not Tebiki, another worker of the courts....?" Finally the face was clear, one she recognized and knew so well. Her yellow eyes, so familiar to her mother's, went wide with a wink , and she dropped her book as she stumbled back into her desk. "What-... Lu-...Lumine?"
She pushed away, drawing carefully to the shepherd, ears perk cautiously, "Tis my eyes playing tricks? Or is it really you?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 9:01 am
"Tebiki?" Lumine called out, tapping the floor with her staff to conceal its light once more. "Did your eyes go bad already?" There was a cheeky grin on her face, as there usually was.
Lumine walked around Michiko and the desk, going over to pick up the book she had dropped after leaning her staff against the desk. With the tome in her hand, she brought it to her lips and blew off the little dust that had collected. "You gotta be careful with these things! After all, this is probably a first edition, right? Really rare!" Her smile widened, and in a burst of energy, she threw herself over the desk (probably knocking errant items around!) and wrapped her arms around Michiko's neck, book still in hand.
"MICHIKOOOOO!!!" the eternally young shepard squealed, nuzzling into her old friend's neck as she hugged her. "I'm so happy to see you! It feels like it's been forever!" She pulled away from Michiko, though keeping her hands (and book!) on the taller woman's shoulders. "You look great! I was asking around town about you - I heard rumors but I had to see for myself! You really came back to the village, huh? And took up your father's name? I'm so proud of you!" She hugged her again, "And I think your momma would be too!"
Just then, Lumine remembered that she knew where Seijin was. She wondered how Michiko would react if she knew her mother had been reborn somewhere?
... As a mole...
...Perhaps some things were best left unknown by the mortal.
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Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 4:58 pm
Michiko blinked still in some sort of shock, eyes following Lumine's steps. Reality didn't sink in until the shepherd flied over the desk and into her arms that tried their best to catch her. Now sturdy with physical training, Michiko managed to tale Lumine's momentum and hug her back,"How is this possible?!" She laughed. She couldn't help but laugh.
"Yes, Yes! I came back years ago, I got involved with the village's politics, pulled some strings, and here we are!" Michiko laughed again,"You don't look a day older, I guess the afterlife treated you well, uh? Say is Hanari in the knowing?" The Rouki parted from Lumine taking the tome and placing it on the stack at her desk. "You startled me!" She smiled warmly. The years in the company of others had served her well," I was expecting someone just not you!" The wolf putted a hand to her chin, lost in thought of a second before a small luster of worry went over her eyes, making her tail flick once,"You must tell me what happened with you! Have you been awake for a long time--?"
"Hun?"
Michiko's ears perked for a second,"Oh excuse me a second- " She walked around the desk, though she stopped on the other side putting a hand on the desk for the moment," Actually, I would like you to meet someone, Lumine." The sound of the door closing at the front of the library was followed by the steps of two people.
A tall black wolf with a bolster sword to his back, came walking in hands in his pants pockets. He wore a western-looking suit jacket, outlines with red buttons closing it over his chest; at his breast was a crest. On his shoulder was a young tengu, a pup by the looks. The boy looked just like his father, with his body slung over the man's shoulder, his dark yellow eyes were sleepy. Behind him was another young pup, a girl with white hair and grayish eyes, a hand latched on her father's tail. Much easier to see, she wore her hair with a red ribbon adorning it to the side of her face. She wore a white kimono highlighted with orange decals. She was smiling as their father lead them down the hall to the desk.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't know you had a guest!" the man apologized with sheepish smile. As he and Michiko met, the little white-haired girl latched onto Michiko's hand, who smiled down at her. "They wanted to come to the shop, so I brought them here, " He chuckled as the boy shifted to look around,"Kuro fell asleep on the way here though.~"
"Of course It's fine!" Michiko giggled, lifting the girl in her arms. The young tengu leaned into her neck, nuzzling there comfortably,"You two little rascals just wanted to avoid bed time, was ir?"
"Thank you for bringing them here though," she leaned up and placing a hand on his chest kissed him softly on the lips,"It's always nice to have them running around, they do cheer up the day!"
"Aye-... Oh, you have a guest?" The man noised Lumine, his wolf ear twitched. He really did seem curious.
"Oh! Sorry!" Michiko blushed lightly with a small grin,"These is who I wanted you to meet, Lumine!"
"This is my husband, Watiso Hakazi, from the Watiso clan," She patted her spouse's chest teasingly as he waved with a hand and a smile. "And these two... are my children. They are twins. This is Yuki," Michiko patted the back of the girl in her arms,"And the boy is Kuro."
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Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 7:31 am
"Yes! Yes, Hanari knows! She was the first person I saw when I woke up! I've only been awake for a little-- ...ah? Someone to meet?"
Lumine was surprised to find that they had another visitor tonight. She humbly let go of Michiko, nodding to her as she pardoned herself to meet this next "guest". But then, the wolf invited her along, so Lumine happily complied and followed behind her the few paces it took to close the gap between them and... Who? A tall, dark-haired wolf, and a child? No, two...?
She watched as the two traded casual words about the children, before Michiko greeted the other wolf, very... informally. What was going on? Then it hit Lumine, before the wolf even said it. This was...!!
Lumine couldn't hide her grin, even as Michiko had returned her attention on her. The resemblance of the young girl, Yuki, to her mother was uncanny! It reminded her so much of the day she had found Michiko's photograph, tucked away hidden and safe inside Seijin's journal. If only Seijin knew she was a grandmother now...
"Watiso...?" Lumine thought out loud, walking in front of the much taller man and staring up at him. "Heeeyyy... I think I remember you! You were one of the Elite, right? I remember seeing you when Maemi left those really important meetings!" This, of course, would have happened nearly two decades ago, but in Lumine's mind it was like only yesterday.
"I can't belive it, Michiko...! I never thought you would ever do something like this!" Lumine was ecstatic, waving her arms (and staff) about as she spoke. "I mean, you would hardly leave your house when I first met you! Bunny-Sensei and I would have to drag you out and and things! And you!" She turned back to Hakazi, "You better be taking good care of her! If not then I'll have to beat you up and I'm stronger now!" Lumine stood on tiptoe in front of the man, though even then she was still much, much shorter.
"...Hey, speaking of that... Where is Bunny-Sensei anyway?" Relaxing again, she paused to ponder, her hand tapping her staff idly. "And... And Rubuke! They're still around, right? Both of them?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 10:22 pm
"Ye-yes, I suppose it was a bit out of character-" Michiko snickered, blushing a bit. She set Yuki down , while Hakazi took Kuro off his shoulder and held him about to set don- till lumine came to interrupt,"Don't worry, I'll take good care of her~" He smirked and set the boy down,"And yes, I am the Elite Representative of the Watiso clan, my older Sister is Watiso-dono. I remember you, though ! Always latched onto Maemi, it was very cute,... well you two were cute!"
"... And Rubuke is still around, she is the Elite Representative of the Kenkaku Clan now, she carries the sword Maemi once had," Michiko added, setting Yuki down by the boy."As for Ochiba--"
"She knows Auntie Ochiba?" Yuki asked her ears perking along with her tail. The little tengu looked up at Lumine with round eyes,"Auntie Ochiba takes care of kuro and me! She is really nice to use and brings us things from the forest of magic all the time!"
"She finally started looking a bit mature; all she had to do was grow out her hair," Michiko smiled, while Watiso laughed.
"Yeah, and now she has white hair because of it!"
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Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:36 am
"I knew it, you are the same guy, and--" Lumine paused when Hazaki commented on her and Maemi. She felt her cheeks light up red with embarrassment. Those days felt so far in the past, but now there was a chance to make even more happy memories.
"Ochiba...? She looks older now?" Her face quickly lit up with excitement, nearly matching Yuki's round-eyed expression. "I wanna see her! I bet she's still short though! Shorter than me! And I wanna see Rubuke too, did she grow up at all? I mean personality-wise, she was already grown and everything but still acted like a spoiled brat! Ah--!"
She leaned down and hugged Yuki, picking her up in a tight squeeze. "And you are adorable! And so is your brother!" Full of energy, Lumine rocked the child back and forth, nuzzling into the top of her head and soft ears, "Ooooh Michiko, can I be an auntie too? Please please please??" She went over, with Yuki still in one arm, and hugged Kuro as well. "I'll be a good one, promise! Maybe not as good as Bunny-Sensei, but still good!"
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Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:29 pm
"Rubuke? Oh she is the Elite Representative of the Kenkaku now, she has the nodachi," Watiso said, looking and nodding at Michiko,"I recon she's gotten a better attitude than she did when Maemi was in charge. She's gotten more mature physically as well; she's up to about my shoulder now. "
"Mhm, she's gotten much more educated as well. I think she went back to the academy to study more rather than train," Michiko nodded back, but both parents perked and turned to their children being picked up suddenly.
"Of course you can be their aunt too," Michiko responded,"We don't have much family to consider... well actual family!"
Yuki and Kuro didn't seem to mind. Sure Kuro was startled but because he was sleepy; once he was fully awake him and his sister traded blinks. "Hey she's cold..."
"Like... Like snow!"
The twins nuzzled there, sniffing the shepherd,"She smells like flowers?"
"But not flowers from the mountains..."
"Uuuhh..."
Kuro leaned up on Lumi's shoulder sniffing her hair- And Taking a bite of it. "Kuro don't eat that! It could make your stomach cold!"
"Like icecream--"
"You are going to spit hairballs like a bakeneko," The girl said, and her brother quit it, settling to slide into Lumine's arm and gnaw on her shirt's shoulder.
"... Sorry, Kuro is having one those phases where he bites everything,"Hakazi apologized sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.
"Anyway...Ochiba lives near the village now, and we are in the Watisos' home," Michiko responded,"Its getting late, so would you like to come with us and enjoy some refreshment?"
"Yah," her husband smiled,"Come on along, it'll be quiet by now, and we can tuck the pups into bed; It is pas their bed time!"
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