genessia | [text/action] Job questions and... a bear near the Bay?

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[text/action] Job questions and... a bear near the Bay?

Are the bounties worth doing? It seems that once someone claims one other things pop up to be taken care of.

Was wondering. Working at the grocery store really isn't giving me much.

[Lately there has been someone watching the Bay constantly in the afternoon and night. An almost constant if you were paying attention to the streets around the area. The culprit? A small bear, usually hanging around a corner in the shadows.

This has been going on for a few weeks now. The bear usually ignores people passing by. Though, it does raise the question. Why is the bear there instead of a more wild area? It's no bigger than a cub so maybe it's lost. Yet... it doesn't act lost at all. Still, maybe someone should do something about that.

Later in the night, the bear eventually just falls asleep watching the Bay as it often does.]

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That's a lot of chatter to sort through. This person, this youkai... definitely didn't smell human and that wasn't even putting the fact of this 'third' eye. Ginko wasn't exactly sure what a youkai was. The bear kingdom was far more westernized than the human world. She does know something, though, and that was this stranger was stronger than a human. Her instincts told her that it probably would be a very bad idea to just attack even if she wanted to. "I know you're picking me up but you asked me a question so I told you--and I'm just a bear. They all talk where I come from."

But that ear rub felt so good, even if it made her crown slide a little. The crown was clearly just a toy made out of dented tin and covered chipping paint. Ginko's about to protest but her stomach rumbles at the mention of tasty fish. "I like salmon--wait, no, put me down!"

"Oh wow! They all talk? There must be a lot of bear youkai then! I bet sis would like it there!" She didn't put Ginko down, or even slow, continuing on her way toward Fayren. She wasn't just scratching her ears anymore but the entire back of her head. She was careful to avoid knocking the crown off.

"Salmon? We have salmon. Big delicious steaks of it. And lots of other fish too. Trout, halibut, eel, and a variety of fish that come from the underground. Those ones don't have names, but they're really delicious too. Sometimes Sis makes a disk with a bunch of different fish in it. It's really really good."

"Yes, we all talk. Let me go--"

That felt even better. Long fingers stroking her fur...wait. No. Now was not the time to start having a fantasy about Kureha. She was being bearnapped! Yet her stomach gave another loud rumble. "...growl. Why did you even pick me up?"

"I picked you up because you're cute and you're very very soft." She continued to pet her, alternating between strokes and earscratches. "Also I've never seen a bear around here. It's not a normal animal. Therefore you must be lost. It's okay. Sis has lots of lost animals. She takes good care of them because she is a mind reader and can understand what they want. They really appreciate it. But you can talk! So you can hold a real conversation with her if you like."

Koishi had just passed through the gate to Fayren, floating along at a decent pace now. She paused by a tree to look down at the bear. "She'll never admit it but she's super lonely. So she'll be very happy to have you there with her." Pet pet. "And she can cook all sorts of things. We have a whole garden filled with sweet fruits and delicious vegetables too!"

"Bears are dangerous, you know. Even if we're cute." Though, really, she's just a normal bear. Even if she could fight off a lot of humans she doubts this youkai would be so easy. So, so, so easy. "Hold on, though. Your sister is a mind reader?"

Wait. Does this mean, what? No. That can't be right. They were already in a different city--this wasn't good. "So that means--I'm not a pet!"

"But you're a tiny bear! With tiny little paws! They're so cute!" She was smiling hugely. "But we have all sorts of 'dangerous' animals in Chireiden. They're happy to live there with sis and in harmony with the other pets. Because they all have a good life with Sis's reading and psychic training. They keep her company."

Koishi's third eye had drifted around front again, nudging the little bear's cheek very gently. "Yeah! Sis is a mind reader. All satori youkai are. Except for me because my eye is broken. So I can't anymore. The problem is our powers don't turn off so people tend to hate us because we can hear their thoughts. But when you can hear the sins of everyone you meet it becomes hard to judge people. It gets really same-y really quick."

She was heading toward a stone passageway with steps leading down. It looked really old. "And of course you're not a pet. Sis has to decide that, not me! We're almost there. You'll like the palace. There are lots of wonderful things to do."

"Growl... bears don't get too much bigger than me where I come from. I'm not a cub." Her ears twitch though at these words. She tilts her head to the side. It...really sounded what the bear church said of Kumaria. That, for the most part, Kumaria didn't care what sins were committed. Ginko had given up on the church but Kumaria--Kumaria was still important.

Ginko gave the eye a little shove back. Not hard but acknowledging it. "The world is a rough place, for both human and bear. It would be even more difficult for someone with that kind of power. I'm a criminal bear, though."

She really hasn't admitted this to anyone here. Yet, if this sister truly was a mind reader. Well. It wouldn't be hidden. "I did the one thing a bear isn't supposed to do."

"Really?" She tilted her head. "Where I come from bears get bigger than me." She began descending the stairs. "They're so big they couldn't ever fit through the doorway to get down here. And they have big claws and can roar. And then the cubs are tiny and cute. Like you!"

She began making her way through the tunnels. "Don't worry by the way. We're moving unseen. It's easy to do because you're so tiny. But don't squirm too much or it will be harder." The passages were only dimly lit with glowing blue-green lichen and mushrooms, though it seemed the youkai could see in the dark since she wasn't hesitating. Her eyes were bright enough to illuminate her face.

"And I know it can be very hard. That's why Sis lives underground away from all the humans. She doesn't like dealing with them." They passed a tunnel occupied by a large growling mass. It exhaled loudly, rancid breath wafting through the tunnel, but it didn't seem to notice them.

She made a few more turns, passing through a half decayed metal door to an abandoned pumping station, though the hinges had been oiled and didn't squeak. Much of it had rusted away. The mushrooms in this room seemed further cultivated, providing significantly more light. The blue green light mixed with a burnt orange light emanating from a portal set into the back wall. The frame was made from jagged chunks of a heavy duty reddish metal. It wasn't really sharp but it would certainly puncture the flesh of anyone who walked into it. The surface of the portal was rippling faintly, showing the distorted image of a massive building on the other side, silhouetted by a faint fiery glow.

She stopped short. blinking down at the bear and tilting her head. "Oh? I didn't know bears had rules. What sorts of things are bears never supposed to do?"

"We're plenty dangerous this size." If only for the sake of her already broken pride. "Though... I wonder how it would have been if we were that size back home."

The humans wouldn't be able to kill them with one shot, that's for sure. She's about to say something to that but keeps quiet. She takes in the smells instead. The lichen, the mushrooms, damp air, the growling mass. She does stop struggling while they pass that.

That certainly was a portal, though. Ginko looks up to the person holding her. "I fell in love with a human."

"Oh..." Koishi looked down at the little creature. "I see. That's against the rules for youkai too. I mean, not officially. But we all know it will end in tragedy." A shrug. "It happens anyway, of course, but it's a bad idea. Something like that can only end in heartbreak as youkai live thousands of years. I guess it all depends if that kind of the decades happiness is worth the decades of sadness later. We have very long memories."

She stepped through the portal without a second thought. The other side of the portal was built into the back of a massive obsidian obelisk, facing the large building. Koishi flicked her wrist and sending a spark of magic to ignite one of the many globes that dotted the pathway. It started a chain reaction revealing the landscape and warming the air around them.

Chireiden was a massive building and was a mixture of Gothic and Russian architecture. A huge decorative stone eye had been set above the double doors, staring down at whoever dare approach. Most of the windows actually appeared to be stained glass, depicting a huge variety of scenes, ranging from beautiful to frightening. The area around it was mostly grass, though the path Koishi stood on was slate. The air was fragrant and sweet. No doubt there was a garden nearby containing all sorts of ripe fruit. It was actually snowing currently, though the ice crystals melted ad evaporated before they hit the ground, repelled by an invisible dome of heat that stopped at the stone walls marking the outer edge of the palace.

There was a small sound the sleek form of a massive black cat creeping out from behind a decorative statue, its yellow eyes showing brightly. "Oh! Hello Kuro. Are you chasing the butterflies again?" Still carrying the bear Koishi walked right over to the panther, reaching out to ruffle its ears. Fortunately the animal didn't seem hostile, its eyes closing as it accepted the petting.

"Love... is a difficult thing."

That's the entire reason why she was waiting at the Bay. Kureha. She wanted to make sure that she arrived here safely. Humans wouldn't accept their love and bears wouldn't. Ginko had to be there...would Kureha even be accepted by these 'youkai'? She didn't know. Maybe she'd ask this sister.

Though, that does seem to be pushed away a little as she smells that air. Fruit! That meant there had to be honey, too? Then there was the promised fish. Her stomach rumbled in protest at the taunting smells. The stone eye did seem very intimidating, though. As did that stained glass.

It was far too familiar to the stained glass of the church.

Ginko smells the panther before she sees it. The youkai might have sense her tense up at the strange animal. She gives a low growl in warning. It seemed like the large animal ignored her entirely, in favor of being petted. Had such a beast been tamed so easily?

"You're big."

Koishi nodded in agreement. "Romantic affection is one of the emotions I don't have anymore. I can feel echos in other people though. It's very powerful." She stopped petting Kuro to resume petting Ginko. The panther only seemed mildly disappointed, waiting there for another moment before turning to slink off toward the main entrance of the building.

"Kuro will tell Sis I'm home, so she'll be out really soon. We can get plums while we wait!" Without asking she began making her way around to the back of the house. The grounds were even bigger than they had first appeared, lots of grass and a huge variety of flowers dotting the ground all over the place. Mixed in were small fruit plants, mostly strawberries, though several blackberry vines could be seen as well as ground cherries. Most of the plants were organized, however, creating clear patches of grass and flowerbeds.

The plants toward the back gradually became more woody, bushes showing up, many of them sporting fruits. And once they reached the back the bushes became more sparse, making way for actual trees. There were a multitude of different fruits being grown off in the distance there was an actual roped off area filled with rows of vegetables, but it seemed secondary to everything else. There was, indeed honey being made somewhere as a bee buzzed past Koishi, but there was no hive or bee box to be seen.

The little youkai set the bear down next to a large koi pond containing only four moderately sized fish. "The water is special and really pure so you can drink it, alright?" She paused, thinking, and then reached over with a tin dish, filling it with water from the trickling source: A stone spike driven into a rock. "And leave these fish alone. They're not edible. Just pretty. They might try to nibble your nose if you stick your face in so be careful. Sis will be here really soon so just relax until then."

With that Koishi floated up and zipped off, vanishing after a short ways. It was only a few moments before a multitude of mouthwatering, fragrant fruit began piling up around Ginko.

As Koishi and Ginko were enjoying the aromatic and altogether delicious treats of the fruit garden, Satori was roused from her calm by a large paw trying to get her attention. It seems Kuro had stopped by, notifying her that Koishi had found another guest. Interesting, indeed, if a little unwelcome.

It wouldn't be all that long before Satori herself showed up at the door of her palatial residence. Koishi's emptiness, she could usually tell right off the bat, and the bear's mind, once she'd caught attention of it, amused her. The thought that the little bear was worried...and moreover, whisperings about similarities to some bizarre bear-goddess made her somewhat confused, although a perplexed. Animals had some queer ideas, in their heads. She was more than a little irked that anyone would consider her as relevant to any sort of goddess. "You didn't have to send Kuro in there to get me, you know. I could've been doing something rather important, I hope you're aware of that..." She sighed... "Is it really necessary for me to-" Her complaints halted the moment she came in closer contact with the being's mind, within her third eye's effection range. It was then that she noticed the guest was an animal instead of the typical rabble-rousers Koishi brought about, with the exception of a certain Guardian of her aquaintance.

And this one was an animal, too? She much preferred hearing the voice of an animal in her mind and gently reaching out to calm it. Perhaps this might be unusual for her, but not altogether troubling. After all, some of her pets were youkai as well, and a few of them had a great deal of sentience in their own right, and the bear's thoughts were oddly...coherent.

Satori's voice, cool and calm, yet slightly sour, was tempered by the small animal's confusion and unfamiliarity. Besides, abnormally sentient or no, she had a soft spot for animals, especially lost or confused ones. "I understand Koishi must've found you in some unusual place and brought you here? You mustn't worry about that, at least. She tends to do it without much warning." She shook her head as she peered out the door, her third eye peeking out as well to stare, an eyelike red organ much like a normal eye, but not at all where an eye should be. "I suspect Koishi has also promised you a meal without consulting me. If you want me to fulfill that expectation, you should hurry on in and make yourself comfortable. Else, you'll be full, and Koishi will be impatient."

Ginko really couldn't get anything out of Koishi at all. Something about a sister that was kind to animals. She wasn't even sure if it was an older sister or a younger one. Either way, hunger had won out as it often did with her. The fruits were sweet and didn't smell off. Surely it didn't matter if she ate one or two. Besides, the water was fresh. (Even if she wanted to test hre luck with the koi...)

Now that her hunger was slightly pushed away, she couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty that she hadn't fought harder against her abductor. Who else would watch out for Kureha, should the girl arrive? That's when the sister finally arrived.

Ginko smelled her--similar to the youkai that had been holding her but somehow more grounded--before she saw her. It made her tilt her head slightly. Yet, she didn't scoot away. At least this youkai wasn't going to pick her up and carry her off. Hopefully.

"I fell asleep near the Bay. Then she picked me up and carried me here," Ginko said carefully. She'll grab a fruit and walk towards the door. She's not sure if she wants to stay for long but the memory of promised fish was strong. There wasn't anything a bear liked more than fish, after all. "You have fish?"

Edited 2015-05-20 05:10 (UTC)

"Sis!" Koishi waited a moment for Satori's attention to focus from the bear to her before drifting over and giving the elder youkai a tight hug. Her third eye likewise floated up, nuzzling gently against Satori's open one. At least Koishi hadn't pounced for a nice change of pace.

"Sis I found this sweet little bear near the bay. She was sleeping out in the open and the cold and her stomach was rumbling while I was carrying her down here. We should give her a home, okay? She's so sweet and cute I just know she'll get along great with all the other animals and with you."

Koishi's smile only brightened as she reached up and removed her own hat, placing it on Satori's head. "Please make fish for lunch Sis. The fish I brought down yesterday. I bet it will be really delicious. Also I told the little bear that we had fish and she got really excited. Please?"

She looked so starry-eyed and hopeful for her favorite meal...

Satori responded in kind to her sister's hug, squeezing the younger satori in a gentle, yet measured hug, her third eye pressing back against Koishi's with restrained affection. She was truly thankful that Koishi hadn't pounced her, or that little bear would've been more confused than she already was. "While I've no qualms about taking this little one into our care for a while, it is her decision if she wants to stay with us, indefinately." She took a moment to scan her mind again and added... "There seems to be someone she dearly wishes to meet, after all."

Gently putting her sister aside, she knelt down to pat Ginko gently and carefully. While her expression was still very much what had been seen earlier, the bear might be able to feel some degree of warmth and care for the animal's well being. That, and Satori had left a gentle hypnotic suggestion in Ginko's mind, hoping to calm her down and assuage any worries she had. "I certainly have plenty of fish, for you. As long as you won't make a mess and you promise to get along with our other pets, I have no reason to turn you away."

And after silently pulling away to head inside, she asked.. "I don't suppose you could ellucidate us about this 'Kureha' you think of so fondly? She must've been rather kind to you." She quickly left Ginko on that note, turning off in another direction once inside, most likely to the kitchen, quietly directing Koishi and her new companion to wait for her return. Within minutes, the intermingled smells of fish and warm tea wafted out as Satori upheld her end of the bargain.

It was probably for the best that she did make that gentle suggestion. Ginko wasn't someone who took kindly to suddenly being forced into this situation. True that she probably wouldn't attack anyone here--the fact was that these satori smelled different enough that it made cautious.

The mention of Kureha made her cough a little in embarrassment. "That's right. I was waiting for someone. She's a human though. The person that brought me here said you didn't like them very much."

She stands up on her hind legs to follow. Ginko rubs the back of her head. What can she say to that? Of course Kureha was important and kind to her. She had been the first person, human or bear, to treat her like she was another person. It had been, what, eleven years now since then? Ginko finally re-united with her. Even if she had to pretend to be human to do so.

Speaking of that, well. Maybe using her human form around these youkai wasn't the best idea.

The inside of the palace was as grand as one would expect from a building of that size and style. The walls had been carefully painted with intricate designs and the floor was tiled with a variety of beautifully polished stone. The doors were worn but made of exquisite wood, often carved with abstract designs. This beauty was broken here and there by large holes that had been bored into the walls to make room for large pipes and heavy cables, often ruining the carefully painted artwork. Some areas actually looked like they had some old water damage around where the pipe had been bored and they passed at least one wooden door warped and damaged beyond repair. A low clanking and humming could be heard from the other side, the nearby pipes humming softly... The dining room had no such issues, however, and was a formal table and chairs rather than a low one with cushions. It was not as massive as one might expect from the scale of the rest of the house. It's likely that this was not the main dining hall.

Koishi followed Ginko and her sister, absolutely jittering with excitement. "Don't worry little bear. They give you a pretty necklace and a flat box with a screen when you arrive. If your friend shows up then they'll probably appear on the flat screen box. If not you can always send out messages to all the screen boxes occasionally. If your friend sees then they can reply. If she's human though Sis will have to meet them before they can stay."

Koishi pursed her lips, pulling out a chair at the table and zipping off, returning with a box and a very thick book. She placed both on the chair before picking the bear up once more and placing her on the raised seat and scooting the chair in behind her. Koishi settled into the chair next to her, looking quite pleased with herself.

"It's not that Sis doesn't like humans... Though she really doesn't I suppose. It's because humans don't like her. Like I said, most sentient creatures don't like their minds being read and get cranky when Sis does it by accident. Sometimes satori youkai get mixed up as to which thoughts are their own and they for the person they met, or sometimes they to the person's thoughts rather than their words. Humans and most sentient youkai find this disturbing and hate satori youkai because of it. I guess they think their sins are actually unique and interesting and not something that literally everyone has. If your friend doesn't mind sis knowing all of her secrets and sins there isn't any trouble."

Koishi shrugged, smiling down at the little fuzzy creature. "I mean... Sis has lived for centuries. She's seen everything bad that a person can do. It might be annoying if she's really loud with her thoughts but beyond that I can't think of a reason."

Koishi visibly perked up as the smell of fish began to fill the room, looking toward what was probably he kitchen, bouncing a little in her chair. "Ah! It smells so good! I can't wait!"

From the kitchen, Satori was somewhat aware of the fact that Koishi would give her typical assurances to Chireiden's guests. It's true that Satori wasn't always the best sort of person, but in most cases, neither were the people she despised. It's just that she'd come to expect Koishi to say what she couldn't quite always say, herself.

Having thought upon the bear's worries since she started cooking, Satori, perhaps, had no problem with the little bear. Hopefully, she'd have no problems with Ginko's companion. She knew very well that it would be cruel to separate people from their loved ones, as well, bias against ignorant individuals aside.

Just in time, she'd finished her hard work in the kitchen. The scent of grilled and spiced fish wafted out as she took her time to bring it out to the table and gently set down a fair-sized plate for the fish as well as a pot to the side of it. It seems that Satori had grilled part of the fish and used the rest elsewhere. The smell was reminiscent of trout, but perhaps a little unusual - and all the more enticing - from the particular underground herbs she'd put together for flavour.

Looking into the pot, it seems part of the fish leftovers had gone into suitable fish stock for a soup. Ginko and Koishi, should they get a good feel for its aroma, may note that it seemed to be garnished with slightly different, yet altogether pleasing set of spices and herbs. Flat, greenish-yellow noodles were liberally floating in the stock, giving off a similar smell to subterranean vegetation, or closer to seaweed and kelp. Mixed into the broth, amidst the noodles and chunks of fish were a mixture of leeks, onions and other such hearty vegetables, sliced finely into small strips. Satori had also included some sort of strange underground mushroom cut into thin slices. The grilled fish's gentle flavours would easily be offset by the heavier taste of the soup.

Thankfully, Satori had helpfully given them the option to choose what they liked out of either of them. While pleased to have finished things, for the time being, she looked visibly tired, and her face showed clear effort, from her concentration and the sweat of her brow. She didn't quite sit down for a moment or two, but eventually lowered herself to a seat, waiting to see if her sister and guest enjoyed the fruits of her labours.

Hidden very well underneath her calmness, and even her typically aloof manner, anyone could clearly see the elder sister's hint of slightly begrudging pride. She could've spent time reading or writing instead of doing this, after all, but the fact that she'd done this much betrayed the flicker of warmth behind her distrust.

Edited 2015-05-28 23:55 (UTC)

Kureha was a reasonable sort of human, Ginko thought. After all, befriending a bear was a very dangerous thing to do--if only because other humans wished to exclude that particular species. Kureha probably would be fine with it. Hopefully. Well, to be honest, Ginko wasn't really sure but hoped that she would if only so that they could stay together in a place that was so bountiful.

A large place like this surely would be perfect for them after they shared the promised kiss. After all, there wouldn't be many humans here other than Kureha and while the two sisters were certainly, well, odd to say the least they didn't seem too dangerous if one was careful. The subtle hypnotic suggestion had already soothed Ginko's nerves about her abduction. There was some annoyance towards Koishi still yet her agitation greatly decreased.

Especially when she smelled the scent of fish on the air. Food was the surest way to a bear's heart. Ginko wasn't starving from a lack of food but well prepared food? That was something that had become quite a rarity now that she found herself in Genessia. No Kureha or Lulu to help prepare her meals. She sniffs the air with anticipation.

"I know she'd probably use that but I'd still like to meet her personally," Ginko admitted. If only because that way they could be reunited sooner. After what happened with Kureha's classmates... the sooner the better.

She does tilt her head slightly when she sees the box. Kureha's mother did use such things to help her sit at the table before. Though, she still gives a small growl of surprise when she's picked up and put into the chair. "I do have a human form... I don't need this to eat at a table."

It's a little embarrassing, to say the least. Her attention soon swerves back to eating when Satori returns with the food. She licks her lips and gives a low nod while rubbing her paws together in eagerness. "Delicious smell, growl. I bet it'll taste even better...thank you!"

Without further ado, the small bear digs in greedily.

Edited 2015-05-30 20:11 (UTC)

"You can still meet her personally but it would be good to use the phone to check. If it's important to you ask my sister to fly you back near the bay if your human friend comes." Koishi didn't pay the growing any mind though. "You can use whatever form you want Little Bear. We have pets that can turn into human forms too. But they didn't come with the sub-archway..."

Koishi would have kept chattering, but her sister came out with the food. She almost squealed with delight as it was carried to the table, hopping up and down in her seat a little bit. Immediately she made a grab for it, filling both her own and Ginko's dishes with the wonderful-smelling meal. "Sis! Thank you so much!" Koishi dug in with equal eagerness, her chopsticks clinking slightly each time she went for a bite.

"Oh ah ohg! Ess! Ets oh oog!" Koishi did her best to talk with her mouth full, her words more than a little difficult to understand. Though the meaning behind them was fairly clear. She was enjoying the food. She swallowed what she had in her mouth, managing to slip a few words before the next bite. "Thank you Sis! You know how to cook the best fish. You should eat some too! Instead of watch me." Though they both knew why Satori was watching Koishi as opposed to eating. "Don't worry. The world is strong and in a line weaving gently from side to side. I'm not going anywhere. See?" As if to make her point she made herself extra-visible for a few moments, sharpening significantly. "See? Now you enjoy the food too."

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[text/action] Job questions and... a bear near the Bay?

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Time for SCENERY PORN!

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More scenery porn!

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I awaken. ~( O)~

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Pretty descriptions! :D

Regular Ordinary Satori Mealtime ~( +)~

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