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 Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:48 pm
Xiu was never sure what to do after returning home from an experience like the Haunted House. After so much fighting, struggle, and loss...it felt strange returning to the relatively normal life that awaited them at Amityville. Time at the school never stopped, but continued ticking on almost as if the Inverted Haunted House had never happened.
But of course, Red's return and the loss of a number of students proved otherwise.
Perhaps it was an unconscious attempt to break out from this normalcy of daily life that prompted Xiu to visit the library that day. Though she usually spent her time on Moondays split between classes, baking, and other things, she decided to change things up for once. Slipping quietly into the library, she cast the other students present a brief glance before heading towards the section that contained the recipe books.
...Or at least, she was headed that way when she somehow ended up walking into one of those library book carts. There was a loud clatter from the impact, a few of the books dropping off the cart and landing on the floor with heavy thumps. Staring at the cart with wide eyes, Xiu hesitantly glanced up to find all pairs of eyes turned on her.
"...Sorry."
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:14 pm
Barely a day since he had transferred to Amityville, and already TK had encountered one of the many peculiar events happening in the school. After following the mysterious fog, the undead had found himself in a vast sea of white until he encountered two odd beings. He wanted to say they were reapers, but then again, something was off about the two. They had called themselves hunters, if he recalled correctly. There was news about a so-called “Red” returning, but TK would worry about that matter later. First he wanted to know about these “hunters.”
His first instinct was to search the library for information. The new student highly doubted he would be able to creep around for clues about these strangers anyways. He scoured through the archives for a mention of hunters, but the undead found nothing. TK stood by one of the bookcases, one of the books balanced on his arm. Slowly, he read through the content before flipping to the next page. He didn’t dare skim for fear of missing a vital clue.
There was a commotion behind him. His eyes looked up calmly before he angled his head behind him. He considered the scene placed in front of him: a young ghoul on the floor with books scattered about her. A glance around the room revealed multiple pairs of eyes directed toward her before one by one, the other students returned to their business. He could have easily joined those other students, but with book in hand, he walked over to the baku and picked up a fallen book with his free hand. TK returned the book and held out the hand to her. “Need help?” he inquired in a soft, calm voice.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 10:09 am
Flustered, the baku quickly stooped down to clean up the books. Of all the places to be so clumsy, why did it have to be the library? And when it was filled with students, no less. Sighing quietly, she began to gather the books up in her arms, only to suddenly pause in surprise when she noticed a hand being extended to her. Reaching out to take it, her gaze slowly traveled up from the hand until it found the boil's face.
"Thank you," She whispered, lips curved in a smile as she used his hand as support to pull herself back up to her feet, stumbling a little with her armful of books. "It's alright--I think I've gotten them all." She turned to the cart, carefully setting each of the books back in place before turning back to the boil with a sheepish smile.
"I'm really sorry if I disturbed you!" She took a step back so that she would have enough room, clasping her hands in front of herself and bowing, "I hope I didn't interrupt your studying or anything!" Never one to purposely make the same mistake more than once, Xiu was careful to keep her voice hushed so as to not bother the occupants of the library for a second time.
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 3:20 pm
He smiled back. “No problem.” TK’s grip on her hand tightened and he pulled back slightly to help Xiu. He held out his other hand when he noticed her shake, but when she didn’t fall back down he relaxed and let go of the ghoul’s hand. “I’m glad to hear that.”
He smiled politely. “Not at all. I’m more than happy to help out someone who needs a little bit of assistance.” TK gestured slightly to the book in his possession. “I wasn’t studying, I was trying to find out about these ‘hunters’? Very curious,” he answered softly. He stared at the book’s cover before his gaze drifted back toward Xiu. She didn’t look new. What were the chances of meeting another student as new as himself, anyways? “Do you happen to know about them, by any chance? I recently transferred here, so I would greatly appreciate it if you told me any information I should be aware of—if there is anything I should know in the first place.”Kaiyumi Pardon the slightly short tag orz
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:16 am
Xiu's expression visibly changed at the mention of hunters, the soft smile on her face fading slightly and her eyes suddenly widening in surprise. "H...hunters?" She echoed quietly, as if trying to ensure that that was really what he had just said. When it became clear that she hadn't misheard, the baku sighed, lifting a hand and setting it on her cheek.
"Yes, I...I've actually had plenty of encounters with them during my time here." She paused, her brows furrowed as she stared at him scruntinizingly with her bright pink eyes. She couldn't claim to be surprised that the boil was curious to learn more, and considering that a run-in with the hunters could occur at any time...perhaps it would be best to at least tell him what to expect. With a nod, she tore her gaze away and gestured towards one of the empty tables, "I...I'd be more than happy to tell you whatever you need to know. Shall we sit down?" There was a pause, and then she chuckled quietly, lifting a hand to point at herself.
"My apologies, I forgot. My name is Xiuying, but I usually just go by Xiu."Syusaki OH PFF YOU it's fine, 'kay *u* <3333
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 3:51 pm
His own expression remained neutral as he examined the ghoul’s. TK’s eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to take in the minute details of her fading smile, her widening gaze. They were all indicative of these apparent hunters. “Yes,” he confirmed. “Is that so?” He set the book in his hands onto the book cart so it could be returned to its proper place later on. “I have heard some interesting rumors regarding this school, actually.” Lips curled into a tiny smile, amused. One had to somewhat wonder why he chose to transfer here in the first place.
“None taken. I also apologize for omitting my own name until now. I am Taiki, but you may call me TK if you wish, Miss Xiu.” He bowed his head respectfully before he turned toward the empty table she had pointed to. As the new student walked over, he pulled out both chairs. First a chair for Xiu and the next one for himself. He tried to scoot his chair closer to the table quietly. TK furtively scanned the rest of the library before intently looking at Xiu. “You are free to start with hunters or whatever topic regarding Amityville that you want to talk about.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 11:41 pm
"Rumors...none that are good, I'm assuming?" She smiled wryly, emitting a little sigh as she thought back to that newspaper article that had once been published about the school. Honestly, Amity's reputation was rather...tarnished now, in some ways. Apparently not enough to warrant the school closing down--though that had almost happened--or for student enrollments to close, but she knew that there were stories going around.
The ghoul smiled, giving a polite bow of her head. "It's nice to meet you, TK! A-and ah, just Xiu is fine! No need to formalities!" She held her hands up and shook her head quickly. This boil was definitely a very polite one, wasn't he? She offered him a smile and a quiet thank you when he pulled out a chair for her, sinking down in it. Resting her elbow on the table, she propped her chin up on her hand, humming softly. Where to start?
"Well," She murmured, careful to keep her voice quiet so that it was audible only to TK, "If you aren't aware about the Hunters, it's best to let you know about them first, since they seem to be a constant threat. They're...a special kind of human, ones that wield weapons. These weapons are former-Halloween citizens who underwent a painful transformation."
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:56 pm
The corner of his lips curled upward. “I think that is up for interpretation,” TK answered vaguely. Then he frowned, shifted uncomfortably at her insistence. “…Miss Xiu.” The student grimaced, but it seemed he had no intention of changing his ways just yet. Xiu would have to bear with formalities for now (or forever).
When Xiu began, TK leaned forward slightly with his hands folded together and on the table. A threat, she said? His head tilted slightly at the thought and he continued to listen intently. His brows furrowed. “Do you know their objectives? Why are they using citizens as weapons? How do they exist, when humans are not supposed to see us? Why is it the other schools do not have this problem?” TK would have kept up the torrent of questions, but he managed to stop himself suddenly. His mouth hung open, but he closed it once he leaned back into his seat. The undead coughed quietly, adjusted his clothes by smoothing out the wrinkles. “My apologies. My family has told me I am sometimes too inquiring for my own good.” He cracked a smile.Kaiyumi Aaaah slightly short tag u_u
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:11 pm
...Ah, so TK was like Yincang in that sense. The baku smiled wryly when she noticed his discomfort, and she held up a hand. "But if it makes you uncomfortable to call me without the title of 'miss', then I will not force you."
The series of questions caught her off guard, but after a moment of surprised silence, she let out a quiet laugh. "No, don't worry about it! Questions are helpful, since it lets me know what to tell you!" She turned her hand over so that her chin was propped up on the back of her hand instead of in her palm. She hummed quietly as she considered his questions, and then she shook her head slowly.
"To be honest, I still don't know their exact objective, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was something like, 'get rid of everything that harvests FEAR from humans'. To be fair, there seem to be some kind hunters--one who are genuinely fighting to keep each other safe, but..." But just as there were kind hunters, there were those on the opposite side--those who were violent and sadistic. Although she did not say this aloud, she was certain that TK would get the point.
"They're some kind of...special type of human," The baku added slowly, hesitatingly, "It may be something that differentiates them from normals humans at birth? As for why the other schools don't seem to have these problems..." Xiu simply shook her head. She wanted to know too...or maybe the other schools just didn't report on such happenings.Syusaki I just realized how many typos there were in my last post........asdfglskd
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Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:40 pm
He smiled gratefully at Xiu. “My apologies, Miss Xiu. It was how I was raised.” TK paused, then tentatively added, “I cannot say my siblings turned out the same as me, though.” The undead smiled wryly, but it turned grateful once he realized the baku welcomed the questions. At least one classmate here at school would not completely mind his constant inquiries. He pressed his back to the chair while he patiently waited for the ghoul to compile her answers.
“I certainly hope that is not the general idea of their objective because I do not think they would ever see an end. Humans make creatures like us and in turn we harvest that FEAR. It is a giant loop that never seems to stop,” he mused, a bone-colored fingered drawing a circle in the air. “I am not surprised to see varying opinions within the group of hunters. Most organizations and races will have different ideas; it is only natural.” TK’s eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized Xiu once more, thinking of what she had said and what she had not.
“Perhaps I shall have to ask a hunter should I ever encounter them again, though I have a feeling I will.” The conversation fell into a silent respite while TK digested the information. “Is that everything I should know about hunters?” He leaned forward and puckered his lips slightly while he wondered what to ask Xiu next. “I heard a teacher has come back recently. It certainly is stirring up talk around the school. Do you know anything about that?”Kaiyumi LOL I didn't notice aldf;as TK is going to ask Xiu questions forever and ever u_u
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 4:58 pm
”There’s no need to apologize,” She assured him, grinning. It wasn’t as if she was offended by his use of formalities—it just took her a bit to get used to being called “Miss Xiu”. She considered asking more about these siblings that he was talking about—after all, she didn’t know anything about this boil beyond his name and the fact that he was new—but then she decided that such questions could wait until after she had satiated his curiosity. It would not hurt him to learn what he should be prepared for here, after all.
The baku managed a weak smile, shaking her head. ”No, you’re right—it would be a neverending loop. In some ways, the hunters’ actions probably seem noble—they are just trying to protect their own kind—but the way they’re trying to go about it…” She made a face. Until she had heard of the hunters, Halloween creatures and humans seemed to be getting along find. Sure, the job of the former was to harvest Fear from the latter…but was that really such a bad thing? Considering all the rules in place against killing humans, aside from the stray Halloweener, they were all quite harmless. Some humans even liked being scared—didn’t that made their relationship a mutual partnership, or a symbiotic relationship of sorts?
”Ah, you heard of…” She looked surprised at the question, and then sighed, nodding slowly. Her lips had curved downwards in a frown, her brows knitting together. “Professor Red, you mean?” Who else could it be? Her lips twisted into a small grimace, and she leaned back in her seat. ”Come back’ is one way to put it. For a while, we…we thought she was gone for good. Her death had seemed so final, but she returned recently.” There was a pause, and then her voice became grim, ”She...she may have even killed Caelius, one of the head hunters.”
The baku shook her head, lifting a hand to rub at her temples, as if thinking about this was giving her a headache. "The hunters are why you see so many horsemen around here lately as well. They...they destroyed their homes. The Four Clans' islands--they're all gone."Syusaki ...>__> *wrote this while she was in class SO HOPEFULLY IT...MAKES...SENSE kind of*
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Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:53 pm
“Indeed,” he murmured with a wry smile, “but I suspect they use harsh methods because they see it as necessary or retribution for something our kind has done as a whole.” TK sighed, fought the urge to shrug his shoulders. “I do not know if it is either or both, but I assume it is far too late to change the hunters’ minds about their cause and methods. I am guessing that they have existed for a while now. Most likely it is too late for them to turn back. Such a shame.” If the hunters’ intentions were to eradicate all of Halloween, they would find that it would take more than converted weapons and organized determination to do so. The loop would always continue, after all.
He grew more attentive as Xiu started to explain the next topic. “Yes, I believe that was her name. I caught a glimpse of her once. She certainly lives up to the title.” TK narrowed his eyes at the baku. “So final?” he repeated. “Would you care to elaborate?” A head hunter. That was quite serious. The hunters were less likely to stop or cooperate when their own died by the hands of Halloween. This conflict would go on forever, it seemed.
“Ah yes, the horsemen.” His eyes lit up at the mention. “I had heard news of that, but I am afraid I am still unsure about the horsemen.” He pressed his lips together before speaking up again. “I would like to ask you about them, but I think it is better if I see them for myself.” TK smiled at Xiu. “I think that is the extent of my major inquiries. I hope you will not mind if I come back to ask you more questions, should I come up with any more.” This was highly likely. “Again, my apologies for all of the questions. Perhaps I could return the favor sometime.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:40 pm
TK, she noted, seemed to be quite a clever boil. Or at least, he definitely seemed like he was the kind who desired to learn more and thought carefully on what he knew to come to logical inferences. "You're certainly right there. Many of us have tried to talk to the hunters in the past, but it's clear that this isn't something that's up for debate." At the very least, it had prompted Xiu to pick up learning how to defend herself fairly early on in her school life.
Xiu pressed her lips together in a thin line as she thought back to her first visit to the Haunted House. "Yes, final as...w-well. It's a long story, but she became this large beast that seemed to indiscriminately attack students and hunters alike. Because of the perceived threat, everyone worked on fighting against her and..." The baku trailed off with a heavy sigh, but after shaking her head and taking a moment of pause, she continued.
"She...she turned to stone, and was then broken apart into pieces by the head hunter. She didn't dissipate or anything, so we all thought that she was somehow gone for good. And she was gone...until recently."
It still amazed and befuddled her--how did Red recover?--but that wasn't a question that could be answered without asking the werewolf herself. Smiling wryly at the topic of the horsemen, Xiu nodded. "I'm not sure what to think of them either, really, but...ah, yes!" She perked up, and held up her hands, "Don't apologize! I'm always happy to help if I can be of any assistance!"
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Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 3:36 pm
“I wonder why exactly they refuse to change their ways, and I wonder if it’s a general consensus,” he mused, eyebrows raised. TK quizzically eyed Xiu, but remained silent as she attempted to explain. It was difficult to imagine with visuals, but at least it was beginning to paint a clear picture of the situation. “The house that we appeared at. It was all black and white, mostly grey. Is it usually like that? It was unusually foggy as well. Is the area often covered in thick fog?”
He smiled appreciatively. “As thanks for bearing with my questions, I would be delighted if you would be willing to have some tea with me another time. I am sure you have many other things to tend to, so I shall leave my other questions for another time.”Kaiyumi Wanna wrap it up here? ovo
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Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 7:28 pm
Pressing her lips into a thin line, the baku shook her head again. "No," she answered quietly, her eyes darkening, "Unfortunately, the insanity is...not new, but something that had only recently completely taken over the Haunted House. I should think that it's better now, but--" She cut herself off, gaze flickering over towards the others in their vicinity. It seems that, despite being quiet, their chatting had attracted a few people. Looking apologetic, she turned back and offered TK a smile.
"But perhaps we can wait until another time to discuss that."
When he mentioned that she probably had something else to do, she recalled that she did promise to pay a visit to a particular friend that day, and a quick glance at the clock on the wall determined that it was almost time to meet up with her. Pushing back her chair, she stood up and smiled, giving a little bow of her head. "I would love to! I have a passion for tea." Grinning, she gave a little wag of her tail, "And please, feel free to ask me more questions whenever we meet again. It was nice to meet--and to talk--with you, TK."
And with one last smile and a wave, she slipped out of the library.
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