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Post by Gavron on Jan 12, 2012 13:53:04 GMT -6
Someone treaded slowly on the forest path. Normally people did not venture out alone to this section of the woods - they were demon infested, especially during night. And dusk was approaching steadily. Any average local would be back at home in the nearest village by now.
But this person was hardly "average", and he was not "local" either.
Gavron Alexander came a long way from Europe. His journey took years and was full of perils, yet here he is. He and his companions were not the first Europeans to set foot on Japanese soil. But he was the first true militant of the Catholic Church to do so.
Yet he hardly felt much pride about it. Just another land where the upper classes, lords and such are too busy fighting each other and in the meantime let the populace suffer from freely roaming hellspawns. He heard the country was at an uproar of civil war, and local demon-hunting organizations were hardly reliable or affordable.
But this nonsensical chaos will soon come to an end.
One way or another !
They came here only recently. A week ago, perhaps. The others remained back at the port city, establishing a headquarters. Gavron volunteered for exploration. Like he always did.
As much as he was focused and strict with his work, there was one thing he liked about it, even if he didn't admit it: the experience of discovering. New peoples and new cultures. New challenges, new legends. He liked engaging in first contact with the local populace and wildlife.
It finally paid off to learn Japanese back at China with-
Gavron shook the idea off his head. He found a comfortable-looking tree stump and settled there, putting down his backpack, checking his equipment one last time.
"Looks like everything is in order... except for one thing."
His arm reached deep into the package, grabbed something and lifted it out - a lively tiny furball...
"Tila." - Gavron stared at his wayward pet with an unforgiving glare. - "What did I told you when I left ?"
The little monkey demon put up her most innocent smile.
"To-be-good-and-avoid-trouble ! And-me-do ! Stay.-in-backpack ! Nobody-would-hurt.-a-backpack, yes ?" - she reasoned.
"Your infallible logic always astounds me." - Gavron sighted as he let Tila go, and instead searched for an apple.
He gazed around, with the little monkey lying down next to him, following his example.
"Me-wonder-what-wonders-await..."
The Inquisitor nodded. He also wondered. They hardly knew anything of this strange new land as of yet.
He musn't let his guard down.
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Post by Kikyo / Jaken on Jan 15, 2012 19:18:44 GMT -6
Kikyo liked the west. The west was warm. It was not often cold or hot. The weather was predictable which was good. However, Kikyo did not visit the west often. The west land belong to Lord Sesshomaru of the West. Lord Sesshomaru was not a bad demon, but he was not a good demon. Most humans knew this and avoided the west.
Kikyo would have avoided the west too. However, Kikyo had heard word in the east that there was a strange man in the west. The strange man had been described as a magician in strange clothes. He was called a magician because he could use magic that the Japanese had never seen a Shinto priest or a Buddhist monk use.
Kikyo was a Shinto priestess and was fascinated by this 'magician'. However, Kikyo assumed that this man was not a magician, but a demon. Kikyo doubted that there was a man who was not a priest or monk who could use magic. What other kind of magic could there be?
Kikyo had un-sheathed her tanto (knife) to cut through the bracken. The bracken had been too thick to walk through. In the un-tamed wild there had been un-tamed demons that had tried to attack Kikyo. Kikyo had slain them but the demons had exhausted her.
She shouted in pain when she stepped on bracken. Kikyo sighed when she realised that her sandal had broken on the bracken. The sandals were simple sandals, after all. However, Kikyo realised that there was a glade ahead. She entered the glade, however, a tree branch scratched her cheek and tore her sleeve before she left.
She had entered the glade, but she realised that her shirt sleeve was torn. Her right sandal was broken and her hair ribbon had been pulled from her hair before. She rubbed the scratch on her cheek because it stung. However, the sting did not distract her from the holy aura in the glade.
Kikyo would have assumed that the holy aura belonged to a priest or a monk, but when she looked in the direction of the holy aura she did not see a priest or a monk. She saw a rugged man who was wearing strange clothing with strange armor. He did not look Japanese. Kikyo wondered who he was.
She realised then that this must be the "magician" she heard about in the east. Kikyo approached him with caution. She wore white socks on her feet because she had taken off both her sandals. She had combed the leaves and twigs from her hair. However, there was nothing she could do about her torn sleeve.
"Who are you?" she asked the man. "I am priestess Kikyo. You may call me Kikyo. I am searching for a magician. Are you... a magician?" She did not have a weapon in her hand. She had not searched for the magician to fight him. She had searched for the magician to learn from him.
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Post by Gavron on Jan 16, 2012 9:59:24 GMT -6
Gavron and Tila looked at Kikyo with a puzzled gaze. Gavron took a good glance at her, trying to figure out her intentions.
"Knife and bow... and those clothes... I saw them on priestesses back at the city. Warrior priestess ? Her clothing is torn. Was she attacked ? No wounds. No. Just clumsyness at worst."
At Kikyo's question, he couldn't help but grimace at first: "Do I seem a magician to you ?" - he asked, trying to keep an unemotional tone while he gestured, setting his arms apart as if he prepared to hug someone. Kikyo couldn't help but notice his weird-sounding accent. Sure, Gavron could speak Japanese, but it was odd-sounding from his mouth.
Probably it was then that Gavron realised he could act a bit nicer - priestess of a rival faith or not, he hasn't come here to make enemies out of the locals. Meanwhile, Tila positioned herself on Gavron's right shoulder, waving at Kikyo.
Gavron put his grimace aside, stood up, took his helmet off and theatrically bowed before he put it back on. Tila followed his example (except she couldn't take anything off her head obviously), balancing on the shoulder.
"Gavron Alexander at your service, lady Kikyo." - he spoke in a more charming manner now - "And what I am depends on what am I required to do. Depending on what kind of magician you seek, I may be able to assist in your endeavors, redirect you to a more proficient 'magician' - or into a dungeon for seeking aid from darker powers."
He didn't presume a priestess would seek out a practicioner of darker arts of course, but it's better to clarify her intentions right away. Sometimes people take gunpowder for magic and walk away disappointed after learning what it is. Most people seek his aid as a demon-hunter, and exorcist spells he knew a few - but what would a Buddhist priestess do with Christian spells ? He had the feeling this is either about a potential mission, or a request for mentorship, which he would decline anyway. Or has she come to fight him ? Rather unlikely...
He couldn't help but wait for reaction as he casually threw away the last chunk of the apple he was eating.
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Post by Kikyo / Jaken on Jan 16, 2012 12:11:06 GMT -6
((OOC: Lol Gavron. Kikyo is a Shinto priestess, not a Buddhist priestess.))
Kikyo thought that this man was strange in more than how he dressed. He had an unusual accent. It was an accent that she hadn't heard before. She realised that he must be foreign to have that accent. This was the second foreigner she had met. Were foreigners more common then foreigner had been 50 years ago?
However, Kikyo realised that 50 years ago she had not travelled as she did now. When the foreigner asked her if he seemed a magician, Kikyo told him, "You do seem a magician. I do not mean to offend you," she added when she noticed his grimace, "but I have heard rumors that you can do strange magic."
Kikyo smiled and told him, "Also, you have strange clothing and armor. Perhaps you are a foreign magician?" Kikyo looked on Gavron's shoulder and saw there was a demon there. Kikyo observed the demon and realised that the demon was a young monkey demon. It did not appear dangerous. She gave the young monkey demon a smile.
Gavron introduced himself as "Gavron Alexander". Kikyo was surprised and realised that the strangest thing about this man was his name! Kikyo tried to repeat his name, "Ga..ron? Gavron? Are..ander? Alexander? Gavron Alexander!" Kikyo managed to repeat, but it sounded strange coming from her.
Gavron bowed to her and Kikyo bowed to him. However, Gavron gave her a low bow that she was not familiar with. "I am pleased to meet you, Gavron Alexander." Gavron threw his apple away and Kikyo looked at the apple. She was surprised to see that Gavron had been eating the apple with the skin on.
"Do you eat the skin of the apple too?" She asked Gavron. It was a question that he did not need to answer, but Kikyo was curious. She was curious because people did not eat the skin of the apple in Japan. However, before Gavron answered her question about the apple he questioned her motives.
Kikyo looked into Gavron's eyes. Kikyo had to look up to look into Gavron's eyes. Kikyo was but 160 centimeters tall. "I am a travelling priestess. I travelled here because I heard in eastern Japan that there was a magician in the west. I wanted to learn from you."
Kikyo added, "I may be able to help you in return. I am very familiar with Japan and unless I am mistaken you are new to Japan. I can tell you about the local plants and animals, some are poisonous. I can tell you the location of villages. I think that it is a good exchange, Gavron Alexander."
Kikyo could not help but think that "Gavron Alexander" was a fun name to say. Although she did not pronounce it right, it was still fun to say.
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Post by Gavron on Jan 16, 2012 14:29:33 GMT -6
((OOC: Gavron doesn't know this yet. He's new to Japan and he heard Buddhism is spreading there, henche his presumption.))
Gavron smothered his short beard, trying to salvage what he could from the somewhat incoherent answers.
"Me ? Magician ? Pfft. He must mistake me for someone else. Or perhaps this is a severe case of culture shock and she doesn't realise that in my culture magic and war are viewed way differently than in hers."
But there was a different side to things. Gavron didn't feel sinister intentions about her, so why not go along with the flow ? Even if he possibly can't satisfy her interests fully, it won't hurt to have a new acquitance who knows the land and its inhabitants.
"Sigh... fine."
Gavron looked deeply into Kikyo's eyes, as if researching her. - "Your assumption of my magic abilities is not unfounded, priestess. But I am not sure if I am indeed the person you are looking for, nor that if I can teach you anything I know. Nevertheless..." - he put the pitch of his voice higher - "Just like you said, I am new here, and from your viewpoint, I am probably the first non-Asian you ever encountered so a deal can be struck if you so desire."
Tila pulled Gavron's ear with her hand.
"Oh yes. By the way, this is my... pet... Tila. She is also glad to have met you."
Tila nodded, probably not wanting to give away her talking capabilities yet.
The Inquisitor yet again waited eagerly for her reaction, all the more so because he had an ominous feeling crawling on his spine.
They musn't linger here for long.
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Post by Kikyo / Jaken on Jan 17, 2012 16:37:27 GMT -6
Kikyo smiled at Gavron. "I am sure that you are who I was looking for. I am glad that you are willing to teach me." Kikyo ignored his comment that he may not be able to teach her anything. Kikyo did not ignore Tila however. "Tila? Hello Tila." Kikyo looked at Gavron and asked him, "Does Tila speak?"
Tila had not spoken to Kikyo so Kikyo did not know whether or not Tila spoke. However, Tila was a domesticated demon. A non-domesticated demon would not travel with a man. Kikyo reached out to touch Tila, and gave her a small pat on the head. "I am honoured to meet you, Tila." Kikyo gave the demon a small bow.
However, Kikyo noticed that Gavron was uncomfortable. She realised that Gavron was not uncomfortable with her but with where he was. Kikyo concentrated on the area around them and noticed naught but common demonic energy and the energy that she and Gavron had. "Why are you here, Gavron?"
"You have weapons on you. Perhaps you are here to exterminate a demon?" Kikyo was uncertain. However, she was certain that Gavron would at least answer that question. "Or perhaps you are lost? I know where a human village if you are lost." Kikyo thought that she needed to get to a village soon.
She needed to replace her sandals. Kikyo doubted that she would step on something dangerous, but it would be unpleasant to wear just socks without sandals for long.
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Post by Gavron on Jan 18, 2012 12:44:01 GMT -6
Much to Kikyo's comfort, Tila did not shy away from her. The little monkey seemed to enjoy he smothering hand with a smile.
"Tila speaks when she wishes." - Gavron concluded the topic. - "As for my purpose here, I'd rather discuss the specifics at a safer location. From what I see you need a new sandal anyhow."
If there's one thing Gavron never understood about far-eastern cultures, it was sandals. They seemed so uncomfortable, loud on hard surfaces, and difficult to walk in as opposed to his favourite pair of leather boots.
In any case, footwear seemed secondary right now. Gavron had a sort of uneasy feeling upon himself ever since the morning. It was clear that this area was not safe.
"Kikyo." - he said - "As a priestess you probably know we shouldn't linger here. So if you know a village nearby, be so kind and guide the way. We can talk all we want after we rent a room at an inn or something."
A swirl of wind played the leaves of the trees, whistling, chilling, as if intending to emphasise the idea. Gavron bore his gaze around, but noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
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Post by Kikyo / Jaken on Jan 22, 2012 14:24:10 GMT -6
"I understand, Gavron. Follow me." Kikyo turned to the north and began to walk in that direction. The north wind ran through the west and ran with the smell of rain. As Kikyo and Gavron walked against the wind Kikyo explained to him, "There are not a lot of human villages in this region."
"This region is a demon region. The humans that live here are not regular humans. These humans are warriors or spiritual people like me. However, these humans are kind although they are strong." The wind blew stronger, and blew her long, black hair with it (because she had lost her hair ribbon earlier).
The wind began to run with rain and the cold rain hit Kikyo and Gavron. Kikyo closed her eyes against the rain and whispered, "Rain is beautiful. However, we should move faster." Kikyo began to move faster, which became more difficult when her white socks began to sink into the damp ground.
Kikyo thought as she continued to walk, "I will need new socks too. How inconvenient."
The further Kikyo and Gavron went the harder the wind and the rain blew until Kikyo and Gavron were in a storm. The sky became dark with dark clouds until the sun was concealed behind those clouds. "Damn." Kikyo swore before she said to Gavron, "We are at the village! I know where we can wait out the storm."
Kikyo was a Shinto priestess, because she was a Shinto priestess she could remain at a Shinto temple. Kikyo led Gavron into the village temple (after she removed her socks and asked Gavron to remove his shoes) to wait out the storm. When Kikyo and Gavron were inside Kikyo sighed.
Another Shinto priestess (she also wore a chihaya) came to Kikyo and Gavron and bowed to them. Kikyo bowed back. The priestess said to them, "Hello, sister! Welcome to our temple." The priestess looked at Gavron and asked her, "Who is this strange man you have with you?" Kikyo looked at Gavron.
"He is a friend, sister. Please allow me and my friend to remain here until the storm is over. We have nowhere else to go." The priestess smiled and told Kikyo and Gavron, "I doubt the storm will end until tomorrow, but you are welcome to spend the night at our temple."
"Follow me." The priestess turned and began to walk away. Kikyo began to follow her and signaled to Gavron to follow her too. The priestess led Kikyo and Gavron to a room and told them, "This room will be your room until you leave."
She looked at their wet clothes and told them, "I will get you and your friend new clothes. While I am preparing your new clothes, please take a bath. The bath room is in that direction." The priestess pointed in the direction where the bath room was.
Kikyo thanked the priestess and bowed. The priestess bowed back and went to get them new clothes (or tell another priestess to get them new clothes). Kikyo looked at Gavron and explained. "There should be two bathes. I will take one bath and you will take the other bath. If you leave your clothes outside the bath room a sister will wash them. I promise you that you can trust them with your clothes."
"We will meet in our room after we have bathed." Kikyo smiled at Gavron before she bowed and walked into her bath room.
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Post by Gavron on Jan 22, 2012 15:53:28 GMT -6
Gavron raised an eyebrow at Kikyo's talk about the local populace. Warriors and spiritual people ? Mainly demon territory ?
Should be interesting.
Perhaps he could recruit some to their cause. And then get down to business immediately afterwards. Despite the cold rain, the thought of a glorious campaign heated him up.
"Let's move our legs faster, then. These damn droplets will soak my pistols if we tarry too long."
As the storm strengthened and raged, Tila crawled back to Gavron's backpack.
...
Gavron was not used to easygoing and friendly welcomes; and while it seemed the local priestesses trusted a fellow sister's judgement about him, Gavron felt the sense of uneasiness in the villagers as he passed by, as well as in the girls who let him into the temple. He felt like a snowflake in the middle of a desert: alien and unwanted.
He didn't feel enthusiastic about staying here. Storm or not, he can't stay for long. Maybe this day and tomorrow. But no longer.
A bath would be nice nevertheless...
He sought out the other bathroom. It was not hard to find - it was just opposed to the one Kikyo went into. But leaving the clothes outside the room ?
F* NO.
Hah, like he's going to entrust his coat and boots to any priestess. He didn't have a change of clothes anyway, and considering to wear a kimono was out of the question for him, so he decided in favor of an alternative solution.
He closed the door behind himself. The bath was already prepared, but not scorching hot. Good enough. Gavron put down all his stuff into a corner of the room, and held a holy ward in his hand. It slowly heated up...
"This should dry up my things without setting it all aflame." - he thought as he put the ward at the top of his hoard of clothes, then proceeded to deepen into the invitingly warm water. Nevertheless, he put his rapier beside himself... one may never know.
And then Tila, without further warning, threw herself into the bath with full force, splashing a wave of water into his master's face.
"Tee-hee-hee, this-water-fun !" - she commented.
"Tila. Out."
"But-me-wanna-bathe-with-you !"
"We've been through this a hundred times. Maybe when you're older I'll allow it. But not now. Go play with Kikyo instead."
"Aww..." - she replied with a disappointed tone as she crawled out and went over to Kikyo's place.
Gavron sighed. Tila was still just a young girl, even by human standards, maybe 15 at best. He knew that at her tribe, girls were sometimes already engaged to boys at that age, so she didn't bother about modesty. Perhaps she didn't even know the meaning of the word. She was still so innocent.
He then shook his head and turned his thoughts to other matters.
"Should I really tell Kikyo about the Inquisition...?"
Meanwhile, Tila knocked softly on the floor of Kikyo's bathing room to draw her attention.
"Um... may-me-come-in ?" - she inquired with the most innocent expression she could put on.
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Post by Kikyo / Jaken on Jan 23, 2012 17:22:25 GMT -6
When Tila asked Kikyo whether or not she could enter, Kikyo told Tila that she could. Tila entered and Kikyo moved to the right in the bath tub to make room for Tila. Tila entered the water and Kikyo smiled at the demon. "Hello, Tila. Why are you not with Gavron?" Kikyo asked her.
Kikyo continued to wash her black hair with soap. Her hair clung to her back, to her front, or floated in the herbal water around her. The herbal water was hot and a light green (due to the herbs which made it herbal water). Kikyo set her soap on the bath tub edge and put her head under-water to wash the soap from her hair.
When Kikyo removed her head from the water she handed the soap to Tila. "Do you wash your hair, Tila? Whether you do wash your hair or not, use this on your hair. It is soap I bought from a trader." Tila accepted the soap and began to wash her hair. Kikyo sighed and felt content as she began to wash her body.
...
Kikyo had finished bathing. When Kikyo left the bath room another priestess handed Kikyo a clean chihaya. Her own chihaya was being washed. Kikyo put on the chihaya and thought that it was refreshing to wear clean clothes. It was even more refreshing to wear clean clothes after a bath.
Kikyo entered the room that she shared with Gavron. There was a small table in the room (or the table would appear small to a foreigner). Kikyo sat on her knees in front of the small table and began to comb the tangles out of her wet hair. When she had combed the tangles out of her hair she pulled her hair back with a new cloth band.
A second priestess, not the same priestess who had met Kikyo and Gavron at the entrance asked Kikyo, "Hello, sister. Could I get you food or drink?" Kikyo told the priestess, "I want water, please. Thank you, sister." Kikyo looked at Tila. "Do you want something to eat or drink, Tila?"
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