And no sooner had the words left her mouth than a creak in the darkness filled the room...a strange noise...and a sense of permeating madness, death...
The thump of something crumpling to the floor behind Kisa could be heard, but as she turned the darkness had swallowed all signs of life...but on the floor there was a lump, red lines drawn into a pale canvas with the most cruel of materials...each stain, each slice a stroke of a master's craft. Whatever the lump had been before was nothing more than a work of disgusting art now...used, discarded, not a masterpiece but practice...a wasted canvas. Low laughter echoed throughout, but there was no lips to trace them to. All that filled the air was darkness, all that lay upon the floor was that lump...you reaped what you sowed. And if you laughed at the devil, then you should know that he will have his due.
And his due was this...this person upon the ground who had once been alive...now nothing. This sickening work of art...this victim...
This girl...
"This one was hardly beautiful enough to be called a sketch..."
The voice mocked as it and the sense of murderous intent faded entirely,
"...Would you make a lovelier canvas, I wonder...?"
Quote:
Ayumi Takahara is dead.
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 8:59 am
Kisa
Her weapon was in her hand in a moment, but that mocking laughter was already gone... and Kisa felt the bile rise up in her throat. After more retching than she would ever admit to anyone, she quietly fetched the Maid, who'd been entirely aware of the plans for testing this rumor... and grim-faced, Zaid simply nodded and went about recording the information. If there was a phantasmal killer on the loose, then it was the Yatagarasu's job to put an end to it for good. Panicking wouldn't change the past... but a small fire burned in Kisa's heart, all too interested in snapping that figure's neck with her own two hands. We're not as weak as you think, coward.
"So, uh, do you think it's always going to be this crazy?" Aoko asked, peeking over the side of the stairs as people moved in and out, despite the late hour. The ghostly figure floating beside her shrugged slightly. Honestly, what other Yatagarasu people did was none of their business - they weren't agents, and after that little... talk... Lady Ciela had had with them, Aoko had no interest in trying to cross the lines.
"I dunno. I don't think she's really sleeping, either, not with this many people going in and out..." the ghost mused, wondering if she should hitch a ride in somebody to go see what was happening. Ah, but they were supposed to stay here for now, especially during the Dark Hour... sigh. Well, they could go check on the ones who were still here... maybe that would pass the time better?
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 8:22 am
Estellise Udonge
"We have returned." Estelle called, entering the estate with her comrades in tow. It was nice to experience a time of peace, and many of the things she had missed in her own time, however returning home was always nice in itself.
Relika
"Welcome home." Relika said coming to meet her friends. "Did you enjoy yourselves?"
There was a crack sound from outside a moment later, and looking back, it was clear that Kuzaku had walked straight into the doorway through sheer shock, and was now holding his head as his mouth moved up and down. Titus didn't seem to realize that anything here was odd, though Ennea could be seen a little further back, covering her mouth to muffle her laughter even as she pounded on the wall with one hand.
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2015 6:06 am
Asuka Bokuro
"Maaaaaaster!!!" A voice cried out from the other side of the estate as the ground started to shake, Asuka would burst out of one of the rooms and sprint toward Ciela, followed by a large cloud of dust, before leaping at her Master with arms extended and hearts in her eyes.
"Dignity, my pupil." said the Great Summoner wearing a maid outfit as she lightly side-stepped Asuka. One foot came up casually to trip her student, even as she extended her arm to catch the falling girl, then pull her back upright and into a safe, standing position. "You're going to destroy our guests' image of you." With that gentle rebuke, she turned back to face them, noting the shopping bags Kuzaku was carrying. "So, how did your mission go?" she inquired.
Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 8:04 pm
Kuzaku Martillo, the Knight of Azathoth
"I'm pleased to report that our mission was a complete success." Kuzaku said, putting a hand across his chest and bowing slightly to the Great Summoner. "At the very least, I do not believe that particular spirit will cause us further problems." With that, he gave a concise but accurate summary of the events, though he did skip over most of what they'd done to relax afterwards - and most of the group was able to disperse without difficulty. He, on the other hand, still had some things to talk with his teacher and his honored father about...
Out in the backyard of Ciela's estate - his temporary abode - Kuzaku was quietly engaged in sword practice. You had to train for three days to make up for every day of training you missed, and he was determined to be ready for whatever else might happen. It took almost an hour to get through everything he wanted to do... and by the end of it, he'd worked up quite a sweat.
Nodding in satisfaction, he made his way back towards the entrance, toweling off his face as he went. Right... after this, it was get clean, then perhaps see if any of the ladies of the house needed help. Be it coking, cleaning, or moving things around, he fully intended to be available to help. Besides, his mother was out right now, and he quite literally wouldn't dream of interrupting that encounter.
Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 5:56 pm
[9/16 - Early Morning]
Mir
Idly, Ciela Kuzunoha the I began scratching some notes down from the books she was reading. Even in the middle of this study - of trying to sort through the Yatagarasu's archives of lore and uncover useful techniques - part of her mind was occupied by other matters.
Perhaps it was time to forgive him for being an insufferable arse... goodness knew he probably wouldn't return the sentiment, but Ciela didn't want to let her actions be limited by the way others behaved. She didn't have to be mean just because he was - after all, she was a Kuzunoha, a proud protector of humanity who had earned her position through time, trial, and skill.
Her opinions on the others... were varied, of course. Kyouji was the one she felt most comfortable around, for the Yatagarasu's black ops specialist was as reliable as she was mysterious. Knowing that she was out in the field was an enormous relief, and she trusted that one way or another, her friend would get things done.
Geirin was more of an enigma, being a newcomer. He was skilled, but... inexperienced, perhaps, when it came to the kinds of situations the Kuzunoha would face. Admittedly, everyone had to start somewhere - and rather than blame him for this, she just wanted to help teach him some of the other things he needed to know. Indeed, several of the things she was researching were all about that, and hopefully she'd be able to meet with him soon.
Then, of course, there were all the others - from clan heads to individual messengers, the Yatagarasu was full of eclectic but talented individuals, all working towards a common end... and they would not fail.
With that thought in mind, she idly sipped some of the warm tea Zaid had brought in and got back to work. With the recent use of the Akarana Corridor, she needed to reconsider some of her plans... but at least they all seemed like good kids, and she was looking forward to getting to know them better.
After getting cleaned off and dressed properly, Kuzaku took a few moments to check his appearance in the mirror. It was the duty of a knight to tend to his appearance and make sure he was always presentable, after all, and he'd been doing it for so long it was actually a habit. Once he was satisfied, he quietly gathered his things and stepped outside, only to see a flash of red in the corner of his vision.
He was already halfway through turning, his eyes widening, when a familiar figure came to a stop in front of him, tears glimmering in her eyes.
Kawari Chishio, the Blood Caster
"Kuzaku! I... I..." the girl began, the tears starting to flow freely. It had been years since she'd seen him, even if they'd managed to come back to the right point in time, and actually seeing that he was safe and sound after everything that had happened, all the horrors and nightmares none of them would ever forget...!
Huh?
She paused, just for a moment, as Kuzaku pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped her cheeks, then sunk down to one knee and kissed the back of her hand.
"My lady Kawari, I'm afraid that I must beg your indulgence, for I don't quite know what to say." Kuzaku said, looking up and into her eyes. "But I hope these words will suffice to convey at least a small part of my feelings: Were I to pen a whole library explaining the feelings burning within me, I still could not adequately express how glad I am to see you, nor how much my heart ached in the time we were apart. You have always been the most radiant part of my life, and not an hour has gone by when I have not thought of you." he slowly stood up again - and Kawari threw her arms around him, squeezing as hard as she could. "A-ah, my lad-"
"Oh shush, you silly knight!" Kawari said, half-laughing and half-crying again as she held him close. In the future, he was the only one she'd truly had. She'd loved her mother, of course, and Ennea had always been there for the both of them... but she was also an ancient demoness, torn by loss, and there hadn't exactly been a lot of other kids together with them. "Just... just let me hold you for a bit."
"As you wish, my lady." Kuzaku answered softly - and he gently returned the embrace. "...Welcome back."
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:11 am
[9/16 - Early Morning]
Ciela Kuzunoha the I
Ciela glanced outside, her mouth twitching up slightly as she saw Kuzaku kneeling down before an... interestingly-dressed young lady. So that was one of the friends he'd been talking about, huh? And he'd been raised with manners, too. It was nice to see that some kids these days (or, well, in future days) were being raised properly. Still, duty called.
"When you two are done talking, come inside and call your friends - I've got a job for you." she called, sticking a note up on the wall.
All right - the kids should be doing fine, and more importantly, she had them out of the house for a bit. Ciela leaned back slightly, flicking a few Tubes between her fingers as she thought. Things had been pretty crazy lately, and would probably continue to be nuts for the near future... but she couldn't stay cooped up with just these books and papers, either. With a few nods, she put on her work clothes, then the cloak that went over them and hid everything. A few moments later, she was out the door - which was locked behind her by the house's maid. Now, then, who to drop in on...?
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 6:13 pm
Eve "Evie" Nekata
A petite figure stood outside of the traditional, and otherwise inconspicuous household, rocking back and forth on the ball of her feet, her hands behind her back. Evie Nekata wasn't one for being nervous, really...but this was the house of one of Ciela Kuzunoha herself! She had heard stories about them back home. The legendary Kuzunoha. They had helped so much, fighting against the Corruption. She couldn't say she had met any of them back in the Future, but... her father had talked about them. And, her uncle had been one! W-well...Uncle Nito would always be one of them to her. Whatever all the others in the village had whispered about.
She had met with Ven's dad once before, and Evie had found him really cool! Maybe after visiting Kuzaku and the others here...she could pass and say hi to Ven, and Patris, and Faye, and Dolus and...all the others! Maybe...and just maybe...she could convince Lael to come this time. It would be so great! Maybe they could all go and get some ice cream! Wait. No ice cream. It was already so cold... Hmm...well, perhaps some sweet crepes! Or or or takoyaki! Excitement had the girl practically bouncing in her place, before letting out a small breath, trying to calm herself."Behave, Evie! Behave!"
Finally, she decided to knock the door, waiting for someone to open. "I hope they are home. Or that I am not interrupting anything. It's just...it's been so long since I last saw them!" (Read: a few days, at the most)
"Hm? Ah. Good morning, Lady Evie." A refined voice rang out a few moments after the door creaked open. He looked like he'd been in the middle of an intense early-morning workout of some kind, given the light shirt he had on and the towel draped around his shoulders - a bit different than the uniform he usually wore. Still, he didn't seem to mind the interruption - but then, he didn't seem to mind anything that a lady did. It was a bit worrying to some, but it didn't seem to bother him any, and he placed a hand by his waist before bowing slightly. (He'd have made a pretty good butler.)
"Is there anything I can help you with this morning, or did you simply drop by to visit someone?" The question was quite genuine - as far as he was concerned, either was entirely appropriate for Evie to be doing, and therefore he was obligated to assist as best he could.
