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[lilacwood]

(She might be unrecognizable to the companions she has made, but she does look much more content. In Fayren, for those who care to seek her, rests a Unicorn under a tree. She is petite, moon white, cloven-hoofed and her eyes reflect all the wonders she has seen in the sea and on the land.)

If you can see me for what I am... (Some might be like the humans of her world - too blind to see the truth.) ...know that I now protect the forest of Fayren. No harm will befall it while I am here.

(Animals can be seen in the background, frolicking and forgetting their fear. Yet they do not approach her. She glances at them, watching over their play as if she is their guardian or mother.)

Comments

[lilacwood]

"I have regrets. I wouldn't hurt you for seeing them." but she understood to a certain extent, "People panic and they lash out at you. That doesn't make them right."

She was soft as a woman too; it was a wonder a being such as her could face a terrifying foe like the Red Bull. But she would and she would triumph.

"I'm sorry for your pain." she tucked her against her side, safe from the world for a little while, "I will meet her if you introduce me."

[koishi_komeiji]

"But normally we can't change other people. So I changed myself." Even if that meant removing a part of herself. "Besides, I can't really regret anymore. So there's no reason to be sad since I can't be sad."

Hopefully Koishi will never meet the Red Bull. She would try to hug it and likely get herself hurt.

"You will?" Excitement. "I can bring you to her right now. Follow me!" She turned and floated off, turning so she was drifting backwards. "Come on. It's this way-" Clonk. Head met branch. Fortunately not too hard but look where you're flying next time Koishi.

"Oww. It's this way." Another gesture, looking where she was going this time and rubbing the sore spot. She was fine.

[lilacwood]

"Change is a kind word for what you endured." she lifted her head to nuzzle the lid of the floating eye, "How did you lose that ability?"

Could she be free of her regret too? That would make her more like the other unicorns.

"Very well." she rose onto her cloven hooves and followed - only to witness the painful impact! Wincing, she hurried to the youkai and touched her horn to the bruise, healing it with her magic.

"Slowly. You can use my back if you like." which was quite the offer! Unicorns were proud and rarely let anyone ride them.

[koishi_komeiji]

"It really is, isn't it? To be honest 'lobotomy' is probably the most accurate word." A small laugh. "I never said it was a smart thing to do."

She was still rubbing her head when the unicorn came over and healed it, the little youkai blinking in surprise. "Oh wow! That's amazing! You didn't have to do that for me, Miss. That's really nice of you!"

Straightening up, she gestured again, drifting in the direction of Fayren's town. No. That's okay Miss. I'm not very heavy but I can't sit in one spot for very long. Besides, I can fly!" She did a little loop in the air. "Come on. It's this way."

Despite the unicorn's advice she didn't really move slowly. But it was at least slower than before. She led her around to the rear of Fayren to the furthest entrance to the waterway. She glanced back over her shoulder before diving down into the dimness, a single path illuminated by flickering... electric lights? Indeed. Those were electric.

They led to a metal door which led to an old pump room. On the far right wall was a shimmering portal made of jagged reddish metal, its shimmering surface displaying the silhouette of a dimly lit palace.

"Come on. Sis will love to meet you. She likes to act grumpy but she's secretly sweet and snugly. And she has lots of pets too. I bet they would also love to meet you."

[lilacwood]

"Lo...botomy?" she hadn't heard of that word and her ears shifted uncomfortably. What horrors had humans created this time?

"You're welcome." the Unicorn liked healing others - mainly those worthy of it - and she followed the little looping youkai, ears perked. Her concern was hardly lessened by the reckless way in which the other moved, but as long as she didn't have another accident, what could she do?

The lights spooked her and she danced in place, snorting at them. Electricity. Her apartment had that too. Amalthea reassured herself that this wasn't magic - it was merely modern technology.

Yet her fear increased as the journey continued; the metal was what decided her and she reared onto her back legs, whinnying.

"I won't be put in a cage!"

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi just turned and blinked back at the unicorn. She looked genuinely surprised. "Cage? I'm not going to put you in a cage." She turned in the air, still floating at an odd angle. "I don't think sis has any cages except for a carrying cage that she puts sick animals in when she takes them to the doctor. Because they don't like the doctor."

She righted herself in the air. "You don't have to be nervous. I can't lie anymore. So I'm telling the truth." And another smile. "It's scary for most people but its a sub archway. See?" She turned and drifted through the portal, the magic rippling a little. Her distorted silhouette was faintly visible on the other side. She waved an arm and was visibly startled when the lights came on behind her, getting the little youkai to land momentarily.

She hopped back through, still on the ground before taking to the air again. "See? I forgot sis made it so the lights come on when I get home. So I don't bump my head on things."

[lilacwood]

"Oh?" she didn't sound convinced and she flicked her curly mane out her eyes, "I am not sick; I do not need any healing."

Just so they were clear. The explanation only heightened her anxiety and she glanced towards the cave's entrance, certain she could outrun the little demon and her sister in the blink of an eye.

"Why is it scary?" she frowned at the ripple, her skin tingling at the presence of magic. But at the mention of the poor demon's head, she sighed, knowing if she didn't walk forward, she would always wonder. Being a human had taught her to be somewhat adventurous.

One step at a time, she brought herself up to the portal. Then she slipped through it, every muscle in her slender form tense with expectation.

[koishi_komeiji]

"Nooo." A laugh. "Sis has pets. When they're sick she sometimes has to hold them still or put them in a cage so she can take them to get medicine. Since the medicine tastes bad. But it's because she loves them very much."

"I meant the archway entrance. It's very scary, don't you think? It makes the palace look very imposing. Most people are frightened of it. But it's safe."

In fact the portal was looking marginally less scary now that the lights had come on. The building was lit and quite brightly contrasted against the black behind it... and simply swam into sharper detail when she walked through.

The estate was enormous; as large as any castle she had seen. Though more spread wide than tall. A large carved eye had been placed above the entrance and appeared to be looking down at anyone who would dare approach. The portal behind her was still there, set into the back of a decorative obelisk.

There was some slight movement as a large black panther stretched lazily, watching the unicorn with one yellow eye. Reluctantly it got up, stretching one more time before turning and walking toward the door. To go inform Satori of guests no doubt.

Koishi followed through next to her, doing a loop in the air. "This is Chireiden. The capital building of the great underground. This is where big sis lives." She was already drifting to one side. "Come on. Let's go around the back. You'll like it there. Sis has a big garden with lots of trees and flowers and vegetables."