Kuro
Third day here at Amityville High. So far I've spoken to a werewolf and a black dog ghost, both of who were present during the "field trip," as they're calling it (some field trip, if you ask me). Both told me the same thing - that recently a professor of theirs passed away and that it was covered up by the administration of the school as her "resignation." Clearly they're trying to either hide over the evidence or gloss over the more "negative" aspects of the supposed "field trip."
In asking subtly around, however, I managed to locate one of the creatures who had a closer connection with the entire experience - the demon known as Xiu, which our infernal boss Caelius stabbed through with that dagger.
My next move? Question the demon and find as much information as possible from her.
Gale snapped the little notebook shut, tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket, smoothing it down so that it would not be noticable. In his inugami form he was taller and lankier, however; his black hair tumbled over his shoulders and back like an inky wave, and he had almost grown used to the white ears and tail.
Almost.
<< She's in that room there; be careful. >> came Jinhai's voice, and Gale nodded.
Then he reached out a hand and knocked on the creature's door.
In asking subtly around, however, I managed to locate one of the creatures who had a closer connection with the entire experience - the demon known as Xiu, which our infernal boss Caelius stabbed through with that dagger.
My next move? Question the demon and find as much information as possible from her.
Gale snapped the little notebook shut, tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket, smoothing it down so that it would not be noticable. In his inugami form he was taller and lankier, however; his black hair tumbled over his shoulders and back like an inky wave, and he had almost grown used to the white ears and tail.
Almost.
<< She's in that room there; be careful. >> came Jinhai's voice, and Gale nodded.
Then he reached out a hand and knocked on the creature's door.
Kai
If there was one thing that didn't surprise Xiu anymore, it was the fact that she was getting so many visitors lately. With all the injuries that she and her friends had sustained on the field trip, the past few days had been filled with visiting friends who had come to check up on her. In turn, the baku had gone around to check up on some people as well--it was good to know that they were all recovering.
Recovering physically, at least. Mentally, it was a different story. It pained her to see that some of her friends were still struggling over the loss of their professor...but who was to blame them? She still couldn't believe it either, and her heart clenched whenever her mind wandered back to Red.
When the knock came on her door that day, Xiu had assumed that it was another of her friends who had decided to swing by. She smiled as she pulled open the door, but the moment she saw the boil standing in front of her, her expression became puzzled. Who...? "Ah, hello!" She greeted, the corners of her lips tugging upwards in another smile, "Um...may I help you?"
Recovering physically, at least. Mentally, it was a different story. It pained her to see that some of her friends were still struggling over the loss of their professor...but who was to blame them? She still couldn't believe it either, and her heart clenched whenever her mind wandered back to Red.
When the knock came on her door that day, Xiu had assumed that it was another of her friends who had decided to swing by. She smiled as she pulled open the door, but the moment she saw the boil standing in front of her, her expression became puzzled. Who...? "Ah, hello!" She greeted, the corners of her lips tugging upwards in another smile, "Um...may I help you?"
Kuro
"Ah," said Gale, smiling down at the creature. If it hadn't been for the ears protruding from the sides of her head and the long, rat-like tail that flicked behind her, she might have passed for a human.
Almost.
Details, Jin.
<< Baku. Demon. They eat dreams, or some such thing. >>
Well, that's, er...not entirely pleasant sounding.
<< From what we've heard, this one went after Caelius - or rather, was one of them. Maybe that's why she was the one our fearless leader grabbed. >>
...she doesn't really look like a creature that would be able to go after Caelius.
<< And yet that pink haired spider creature kicked you in the - >>
Point taken.
He fidgeted from one foot to the other as if nervous. "Pardon my interruption," said Gale, idly twisting his hair in his fingers and then rocking back on his heels, bouncing up and down. "I was looking for someone named Xiu? Might that be you? A friend - er, or rather, I heard tale that you were good at helping people to sleep better."
He offered her a weak smile, then hesitantly extended his hand. "I'm quite aware this must seem so out of the blue; pardon my intrusion - my name is Gallant. I'm new here."
Almost.
Details, Jin.
<< Baku. Demon. They eat dreams, or some such thing. >>
Well, that's, er...not entirely pleasant sounding.
<< From what we've heard, this one went after Caelius - or rather, was one of them. Maybe that's why she was the one our fearless leader grabbed. >>
...she doesn't really look like a creature that would be able to go after Caelius.
<< And yet that pink haired spider creature kicked you in the - >>
Point taken.
He fidgeted from one foot to the other as if nervous. "Pardon my interruption," said Gale, idly twisting his hair in his fingers and then rocking back on his heels, bouncing up and down. "I was looking for someone named Xiu? Might that be you? A friend - er, or rather, I heard tale that you were good at helping people to sleep better."
He offered her a weak smile, then hesitantly extended his hand. "I'm quite aware this must seem so out of the blue; pardon my intrusion - my name is Gallant. I'm new here."
Kai
"I...I'm Xiu, yes." The baku gave a little bob of her head, though she still looked confused. Why was this boil here--
--Ah. At once, her brows knit together in concern. "Are you having trouble sleeping? Or...nightmares?" Though not about the field trip, she was sure--she didn't recall seeing this boil on the trip, and as he had just said while introducing himself, he was new here. Relaxing slightly, Xiu politely held her good hand out to him.
"Pleased to meet you, Gallant!" He seemed like a nice boil, and if he had come to her for help...well, who was she to turn him down? "Would you like to come in? If you need help dealing with a nightmare or insomnia, I'll probably need you to tell me a little about it first." Xiu stepped to the side then so that he could enter.
Behind her, her storm melonkit peeked up at the stranger curiously, his tail lashing from side to side. However, after a moment of staring intensely at the boil, the feline merely yawned and stalked away.
--Ah. At once, her brows knit together in concern. "Are you having trouble sleeping? Or...nightmares?" Though not about the field trip, she was sure--she didn't recall seeing this boil on the trip, and as he had just said while introducing himself, he was new here. Relaxing slightly, Xiu politely held her good hand out to him.
"Pleased to meet you, Gallant!" He seemed like a nice boil, and if he had come to her for help...well, who was she to turn him down? "Would you like to come in? If you need help dealing with a nightmare or insomnia, I'll probably need you to tell me a little about it first." Xiu stepped to the side then so that he could enter.
Behind her, her storm melonkit peeked up at the stranger curiously, his tail lashing from side to side. However, after a moment of staring intensely at the boil, the feline merely yawned and stalked away.
Kuro
"Mostly just difficultly sleeping altogether," said Gale, surprisingly truthful - it was not a stretch that he had not been sleeping well; since the mission he had found a habit of tossing and turning without much luck in actually falling asleep. "I seem to be unable to actually sleep properly. My body is tired, but my mind refuses to let me rest, if that makes any sense."
Which generally made him quite irritable.
"I do apologize again for the rather, er, unusual visit," he added, biting his lower lip as he stepped into the room (what a very girly place), before standing around a tad akwardly, linking his fingers behind his back, one ear flicking towards the demon. A smile cracked on his face. "But I heard rumors you were the best..."
His eyes fell on her hand, wrapped in bandanges.
Looky here, Jin.
"Though I've also recently heard you all had...quite a field trip," Gale continued, biting his lower lip again and looking suitably upset. "I'm sorry if this is disturbing you."
Which generally made him quite irritable.
"I do apologize again for the rather, er, unusual visit," he added, biting his lower lip as he stepped into the room (what a very girly place), before standing around a tad akwardly, linking his fingers behind his back, one ear flicking towards the demon. A smile cracked on his face. "But I heard rumors you were the best..."
His eyes fell on her hand, wrapped in bandanges.
Looky here, Jin.
"Though I've also recently heard you all had...quite a field trip," Gale continued, biting his lower lip again and looking suitably upset. "I'm sorry if this is disturbing you."
Kai
Insomnia, then? Xiu pressed her good hand against her cheek, humming thoughtfully as she looked the boy up and down.
"I might be able to make a brew of tea that can help you with that," She said finally, "I managed to make a successful brew for my friend--he also has trouble sleeping--but it might take a while. I'll have to take your size and race into account." She didn't want to make something too weak, after all, nor did she want to make a brew that knocked him out completely.
She snapped out of her thoughts when she realized where the boil's gaze had drifted to. Looking a little sheepish, the baku touched her injured arm gingerly. "Y-yes, it was...nothing like how I expected it to be." Her eyes widened then at the apology, and she was quick to hold up a hand wave it in a dismissive manner. "P-please, don't apologize. It was...not a very pleasant trip to be certain, and...and we lost someone dear to us," A pause, "But I do feel that I may have come out stronger because of it."
Xiu smiled weakly. At the very least, she could claim that she came out of the field trip feeling more determined to train and become stronger. She just hoped that Gallant, being new to the school, wouldn't have to go through a field trip quite as traumatizing as theirs had been.
"I might be able to make a brew of tea that can help you with that," She said finally, "I managed to make a successful brew for my friend--he also has trouble sleeping--but it might take a while. I'll have to take your size and race into account." She didn't want to make something too weak, after all, nor did she want to make a brew that knocked him out completely.
She snapped out of her thoughts when she realized where the boil's gaze had drifted to. Looking a little sheepish, the baku touched her injured arm gingerly. "Y-yes, it was...nothing like how I expected it to be." Her eyes widened then at the apology, and she was quick to hold up a hand wave it in a dismissive manner. "P-please, don't apologize. It was...not a very pleasant trip to be certain, and...and we lost someone dear to us," A pause, "But I do feel that I may have come out stronger because of it."
Xiu smiled weakly. At the very least, she could claim that she came out of the field trip feeling more determined to train and become stronger. She just hoped that Gallant, being new to the school, wouldn't have to go through a field trip quite as traumatizing as theirs had been.
Kuro
"A tea sounds good," said Gale, letting himself relax as though the thought came as a great relief to him. "Ah, and if it helps any, I'm an inugami - and I believe I'm somewhere around five foot seven."
A pause.
"Give or take a few inches."
<< There. She mentioned the field trip. Keep going - but slowly. >>
You really need to start taking your Midol again.
<< ...I have no idea what that means, but for some reason I feel insulted. >>
Never mind.
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Gale quietly, absently twisting the hair in his hands into thin strands. He wasn't entirely certain just how convincing his "sad" performance was being at the time, but this creature seemed to be easy enough to work with.
"Were you close to...them?" asked Gale quietly, then shook his head quickly. "No, I'm sorry, that's too forward of me to ask - please forgive me."
<< You're disgusting. >>
I love you too, Ginny.
<< Good grief. >>
Xiu's last comment, however, had his mind working furiously, catching Gale's attention.
"I do feel that I may have come out stronger because of it."
"Oh?' said Gale, lifting his brows, a small smile on his lips. "Why do you say that?"
A pause.
"Give or take a few inches."
<< There. She mentioned the field trip. Keep going - but slowly. >>
You really need to start taking your Midol again.
<< ...I have no idea what that means, but for some reason I feel insulted. >>
Never mind.
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Gale quietly, absently twisting the hair in his hands into thin strands. He wasn't entirely certain just how convincing his "sad" performance was being at the time, but this creature seemed to be easy enough to work with.
"Were you close to...them?" asked Gale quietly, then shook his head quickly. "No, I'm sorry, that's too forward of me to ask - please forgive me."
<< You're disgusting. >>
I love you too, Ginny.
<< Good grief. >>
Xiu's last comment, however, had his mind working furiously, catching Gale's attention.
"I do feel that I may have come out stronger because of it."
"Oh?' said Gale, lifting his brows, a small smile on his lips. "Why do you say that?"
Kai
"Inugami," Xiu echoed, nodding as she committed this to memory, "And...around five foot seven. If you're not in too much of a rush, I should be able to mix something up for you by tomorrow." With her arm injured, blending and brewing teas was about the only hobby that she could indulge herself in. It was kind of a relief--she had been getting bored sitting around in her dorm room all day.
The question caught her off guard, a flicker of remorse on her face. Slowly, she shook her head, "To be honest, I...I didn't really know her, but I don't think that made her death any easier." She sighed. For a moment, she averted her gaze, but then she turned to look at Gale straight in the eyes, her voice growing firm. "I'm sure you've heard by now, but what the school says--it's all a lie. We should never forget that, even in her last moments, she never stopped protecting the students."
She met his gaze for another second or two, and then finally broke away. "I regret never getting to know her, though. And now I'll never have the chance..."
The baku may have looked like she was close to tears again, but fortunately (for Gale!) his question distracted her. "Why? Oh, I just...it's encouraged me to work harder. If I get stronger, then maybe this can be prevented in the future. I don't know what those...those people want from us, but I won't let them hurt anyone else. Whoever they are, they're cruel."
The question caught her off guard, a flicker of remorse on her face. Slowly, she shook her head, "To be honest, I...I didn't really know her, but I don't think that made her death any easier." She sighed. For a moment, she averted her gaze, but then she turned to look at Gale straight in the eyes, her voice growing firm. "I'm sure you've heard by now, but what the school says--it's all a lie. We should never forget that, even in her last moments, she never stopped protecting the students."
She met his gaze for another second or two, and then finally broke away. "I regret never getting to know her, though. And now I'll never have the chance..."
The baku may have looked like she was close to tears again, but fortunately (for Gale!) his question distracted her. "Why? Oh, I just...it's encouraged me to work harder. If I get stronger, then maybe this can be prevented in the future. I don't know what those...those people want from us, but I won't let them hurt anyone else. Whoever they are, they're cruel."
Kuro
"I've got time," said Gale easily, letting his lips quirk upwards in a sort of half smile, slightly sheepish. "Being new means I don't really have classes to attend to yet or anything, so I'm quite sadly free."
It was getting increasingly more difficult to keep speaking without the accent he had most of his life, but Gale had felt it would be much too obvious, should he ever run into the demonness again. Speaking with an American tone of voice was not a new thing, but he hated the way his voice sounded.
He listened closely as she spoke, fingers itching to grab the notebook from his pocket and scribble down her thoughts. But instead Gale did his best to commit everything to memory, eyes flickering as he nodded slowly.
They're trying to cover up everything - she's pretty much just outright told me that much, at least.
And that she's not happy with it, and neither are the rest.
Her eyes are angry.
It was at this point that she had actually started to look like a real, dark creature of Halloween, rather than a petite, slender girl with ears and a tail. Gale almost widened his eyes at the intensity of her gaze, but managed to hold it as best he could - though internally his heart clanged uncomfortably against his chest.
<< ...sounds like someone's not going to just let it go. >> came Jinhai's quiet voice.
They're building their strength. Like an army.
Seeing as how her eyes were suspiciously bright, Gale waved a hand. "I'm sorry," he said. "I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. If you like, we can do this another day, once we're both a bit more settled?"
It was getting increasingly more difficult to keep speaking without the accent he had most of his life, but Gale had felt it would be much too obvious, should he ever run into the demonness again. Speaking with an American tone of voice was not a new thing, but he hated the way his voice sounded.
He listened closely as she spoke, fingers itching to grab the notebook from his pocket and scribble down her thoughts. But instead Gale did his best to commit everything to memory, eyes flickering as he nodded slowly.
They're trying to cover up everything - she's pretty much just outright told me that much, at least.
And that she's not happy with it, and neither are the rest.
Her eyes are angry.
It was at this point that she had actually started to look like a real, dark creature of Halloween, rather than a petite, slender girl with ears and a tail. Gale almost widened his eyes at the intensity of her gaze, but managed to hold it as best he could - though internally his heart clanged uncomfortably against his chest.
<< ...sounds like someone's not going to just let it go. >> came Jinhai's quiet voice.
They're building their strength. Like an army.
Seeing as how her eyes were suspiciously bright, Gale waved a hand. "I'm sorry," he said. "I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. If you like, we can do this another day, once we're both a bit more settled?"
Kai
"Hm? Oh, I...no, I'm fine. I mean, I still need a few more details of your insomnia if I am to help." Her eyes widened slightly and she tilted her head, "I just...I apologize. I didn't mean to focus so much on the trip rather than the reason you came to me in the first place." Looking a little sheepish now, she rubbed the back of her head.
Really though, she didn't know how she got so carried away. Perhaps it was because the incident was still a rather fresh wound, so she had let some of her emotions run away. Whatever the case, this was too gloomy of a conversation for her. She didn't want to think about the next time that they ran into those humans. Not yet, anyways. she wasn't sure when this "next time" would be either, but she knew that it would be unavoidable.
If--or when--they came after the Amityville students again, Xiu would be ready to fight.
"Do you want to take a seat?" It was a belated offer--she had invited the boil in, but she had forgotten her manners when he had brought up the trip.
Really though, she didn't know how she got so carried away. Perhaps it was because the incident was still a rather fresh wound, so she had let some of her emotions run away. Whatever the case, this was too gloomy of a conversation for her. She didn't want to think about the next time that they ran into those humans. Not yet, anyways. she wasn't sure when this "next time" would be either, but she knew that it would be unavoidable.
If--or when--they came after the Amityville students again, Xiu would be ready to fight.
"Do you want to take a seat?" It was a belated offer--she had invited the boil in, but she had forgotten her manners when he had brought up the trip.
Kuro
"It's fine," Gale said hastily, lifting his hands as though to show he really did not mind her getting "carried away" - which he didn't in the slightest, since she was helping him enough without realizing she was doing it in the first place.
<< Don't stay too long. >>
I know. Get the information, move on.
<< Yes. >>
Glancing around the room, Gale spotted a chair, and with a nod to Xiu, he sat down, careful to not get too comfortable - he was not here to merely "chat," after all.
"I didn't mean to make you recall such things," he told her in what he hoped was a soothing tone. "Here, then, perhaps you can just tell me how school's been for you?"
<< Don't stay too long. >>
I know. Get the information, move on.
<< Yes. >>
Glancing around the room, Gale spotted a chair, and with a nod to Xiu, he sat down, careful to not get too comfortable - he was not here to merely "chat," after all.
"I didn't mean to make you recall such things," he told her in what he hoped was a soothing tone. "Here, then, perhaps you can just tell me how school's been for you?"
Kai
"It's fine," Xiu shook her head dismissively before pulling another chair over and sinking into it. She smiled at him, but a look of confusion soon took over at the unexpected question. "And...I, er. How school has been for me?"
She thought that they were going to be talking about his insomnia? Though considering that he was new, perhaps it was just curious about how things were around here. "If you're worried, don't be. Everyone here is very nice, and I'm certain that they would welcome you without any hesitation." Xiu laughed, looking a little sheepish as she continued, "I know what it's like being new, though. I was really nervous when I first arrived as well."
Fortunately, with some effort and a push from her friends, she had eventually gotten over that. Had she still been as nervous as she was when she first arrived at Amityville, Xiu probably would have never invited a stranger into her room. Speaking of which, "About your insomnia--could you tell me a little more about what's plaguing you when you try to sleep? And if you do get to sleep...any nightmares?"
She thought that they were going to be talking about his insomnia? Though considering that he was new, perhaps it was just curious about how things were around here. "If you're worried, don't be. Everyone here is very nice, and I'm certain that they would welcome you without any hesitation." Xiu laughed, looking a little sheepish as she continued, "I know what it's like being new, though. I was really nervous when I first arrived as well."
Fortunately, with some effort and a push from her friends, she had eventually gotten over that. Had she still been as nervous as she was when she first arrived at Amityville, Xiu probably would have never invited a stranger into her room. Speaking of which, "About your insomnia--could you tell me a little more about what's plaguing you when you try to sleep? And if you do get to sleep...any nightmares?"
Kuro
Gale almost instantly realized his mistake.
<< You idiot - that was a stupid question. >>
Shut up, hissed Gale mentally, hoping desperately his face was showing nothing. He couldn't deny it; the question clearly wasn't one that had been expected, since Xiu's expression had shifted from a sad one to a confused one.
"Er, yes, I'm a bit worried." Gale gave a nervous sounding laugh, his cheeks dusting red. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ask such an obtuse question. Just, you know..." His shoulders lifted and fell in a lame sort of shrug that he hoped came off as sheepish and awkward. "New school, and all."
Relief made him relax more; she had moved on to discussing his "insomnia" - which was half true, at least.
"I, er...recently went through some rough times," said Gale, dropping his voice low. "It wasn't...well, it's hard to go into detail, but let's just say I was a bit traumatized due to someone I knew getting hurt because of me. So my mind can't seem to....settle."
Convincing?
<< Let's hope so. >>
<< You idiot - that was a stupid question. >>
Shut up, hissed Gale mentally, hoping desperately his face was showing nothing. He couldn't deny it; the question clearly wasn't one that had been expected, since Xiu's expression had shifted from a sad one to a confused one.
"Er, yes, I'm a bit worried." Gale gave a nervous sounding laugh, his cheeks dusting red. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ask such an obtuse question. Just, you know..." His shoulders lifted and fell in a lame sort of shrug that he hoped came off as sheepish and awkward. "New school, and all."
Relief made him relax more; she had moved on to discussing his "insomnia" - which was half true, at least.
"I, er...recently went through some rough times," said Gale, dropping his voice low. "It wasn't...well, it's hard to go into detail, but let's just say I was a bit traumatized due to someone I knew getting hurt because of me. So my mind can't seem to....settle."
Convincing?
<< Let's hope so. >>
Kai
"I know. If there's anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable, please let me know. I could take you on a tour sometime if you haven't already been shown around." Hmm, and she could always introduce him to the others, maybe!
But right, focus. Insomnia.
The baku cocked her head to the side, listening intently as he spoke. By the deepening frown that was on her face, it was clear that she did indeed feel some kind of sympathy for the boy's story. "I...I'm sorry to hear that." Hoping that it wouldn't be too forward of her, she reached out and rested her good hand on his shoulder in a reassuring manner, "I...um. Have you tried talking to this person, maybe? Perhaps trying to solve your insomnia the more natural way might help first, if you haven't already tried that." And by more natural way, she meant addressing the cause of the insomnia.
As Xiu spoke, her mini came padding up again, ears pricked high as he stared at Gale. The storm melonkit blinked once, twice, and then began to curl around the boy's legs, purring loudly. Noticing this, Xiu smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. Is he bothering you?"
But right, focus. Insomnia.
The baku cocked her head to the side, listening intently as he spoke. By the deepening frown that was on her face, it was clear that she did indeed feel some kind of sympathy for the boy's story. "I...I'm sorry to hear that." Hoping that it wouldn't be too forward of her, she reached out and rested her good hand on his shoulder in a reassuring manner, "I...um. Have you tried talking to this person, maybe? Perhaps trying to solve your insomnia the more natural way might help first, if you haven't already tried that." And by more natural way, she meant addressing the cause of the insomnia.
As Xiu spoke, her mini came padding up again, ears pricked high as he stared at Gale. The storm melonkit blinked once, twice, and then began to curl around the boy's legs, purring loudly. Noticing this, Xiu smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry. Is he bothering you?"
Kuro
"Ah, a very nice werewolf was kind enough to show me around, but thank you," said Gale, nodding. "I appreciate the offer."
She's a simple creature, isn't she? Easy to please and easy to read.
<< I wouldn't underestimate her, though, She was the one who went for Caelius before Caelius went for her. That whole "appearances can be deceving" thing. She's already showed us just how angry she is over the whole thing. She's preparing herself for a fight. >>
And she'll get one - eventually.
The touch of the creature's hand on his shoulder almost made him jump instinctively, but Gale managed to tamp down on it just in time. As it was he gave a half sort of shudder, forcing himself to sit still. Lifting his eyes, he gave her a small, shy smile, twisting his hands in his lap.
"N-not exactly," said Gale hesitantly. "I mean...it's been rather....an unusual situation, and not one that's easy to talk about. I suppose I might have been putting it off as well."
Something was curling around his legs - Gale's eyes flickered downwards, catching what...was almost a normal cat - except not really.
"Er," said Gale. "No. No, he's fine."
She's a simple creature, isn't she? Easy to please and easy to read.
<< I wouldn't underestimate her, though, She was the one who went for Caelius before Caelius went for her. That whole "appearances can be deceving" thing. She's already showed us just how angry she is over the whole thing. She's preparing herself for a fight. >>
And she'll get one - eventually.
The touch of the creature's hand on his shoulder almost made him jump instinctively, but Gale managed to tamp down on it just in time. As it was he gave a half sort of shudder, forcing himself to sit still. Lifting his eyes, he gave her a small, shy smile, twisting his hands in his lap.
"N-not exactly," said Gale hesitantly. "I mean...it's been rather....an unusual situation, and not one that's easy to talk about. I suppose I might have been putting it off as well."
Something was curling around his legs - Gale's eyes flickered downwards, catching what...was almost a normal cat - except not really.
"Er," said Gale. "No. No, he's fine."
