genessia | 1st Video/Action || Joint Post

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1st Video/Action || Joint Post

Video –

[After making sure that Richard is okay, Kahlan sets to reading the information they have as well as getting used to the new phone device. It takes her some time but the instructions are clear enough for her to understand. There is a pause before the screen flickers on.]

Hello Genessia. I believe I have this information right but I have a few more questions. Has anyone heard from a wizard named Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander, Wizard of the First Order? Where is the best place to buy supplies? What are those loud, horseless carriages? Are these necklaces magic? We are heading to Fayren.

[Meanwhile, in the background, Richard can be seen looking very serious as his shoulders are hunched, his own communicator in one hand, the instructions they were left in the other. He smiles as the screen lights up.] I think I got it!

Action –

[Not having pockets, packs or saddle bags means that they are both carrying the boxes under one arm. Richard has his sword in his right hand while his eyes flick around the strange setting. Kahlan stays close though her eyes flick to a map that she has in hand.]

There might be a store up ahead.

[While the pair may move forward they both look confused and lost.]

[ooc: This is a joint post and responses will come from both characters. Put in the header if you want to address one person or both or don’t care. Actions will be both. PURPLE is Kahlan. BLUE is Richard.]

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Koishi didn't seem to mind the stare, looking from Kahlan, to Richard, and back again. She was beyond elated. "It's very nice to meet you both! I see lots of people appearing. That's why I stay around here. Also the rabbits here are fat and slow and fun to chase and eat when I want a snack."

She turned in the air, positioning herself more like she was sitting, turning more completely toward Richard. "Well, that's because I'm not a demon or a devil. I'm a youkai. We're a lot like demons but we're not inherently malevolent or benevolent. We're aspect creatures. Spirits made physical."

That sphere in front of her chest drifted closer, nudging Kahlan's shoulder gently. It was rigid but had some give and- wait was it an eye? Yes. A closed eye. "I'm a satori youkai. We're psychic and live in the mountains and eat meat and tell stories. We're mind readers, but I can't do that anymore." The little thing certainly loved to talk.

[Kahlan's eyes never leave Koishi though she can't help but feel nervous when Richard introduces them. She doesn't seem to know who they are which is at least a small blessing. Her eyes however turn when the strange ball slightly nudges her shoulder. She doesn't really know what to make of that.]

You tell stories? I'm sorry for our surprise but we haven't seen anyone like you.

[She decides it's better to be honest about that.]

Have you been here long?

[Kahlan moves her eyes back to Koishi. She's a little thankful that this young girl can't read minds anymore.]

[Richard is accustomed to meeting things he's unfamiliar with. He's adapted to simply reacting and asking his questions later. What he was unprepared for was Kahlan's unfamiliarity as well. She always knew the answers. If she was just as confused, they had no idea what to expect. He still didn't sheath the Sword of Truth.]

Psychic? Like a Listener? [He shifted his head back toward Kahlan for confirmation. That's what that meant, right?]

And what do you mean you can't do that anymore?

"Well I don't tell many stories now. I'm not so good at it anymore. My head is broken." She didn't seem offended. "And its okay. Not many people know about youkai."

The question did give Koishi pause though, frowning and looking up. Her third eye drifted back a little, swaying gently. "Umm. I've been here for two snowfalls. I don't know how long I was here before the first though. Time is hard for me."

She blinked, turning to Richard and tilting her head. "Listener? What's a listener? Are they psychic? I'm a satori youkai. We're supposed to be mind readers but I can't. See?" She reached up and removed her hat, revealing a very old and very sever looking scar above her left temple. "See? Now I can't read minds anymore. Instead I can manipulate the subconscious power."

[Kahlan doesn't believe that this girl is a Listener. She fears that it might be something else but for now she keeps her thoughts to herself.]

Two winters is about two years. [Her voice is soft though her shoulders tense with the more Koishi tells about herself. She doesn't know if the girl is good or bad though her power set sounds frightening.]

Can we assume that you don't mean to hurt us?

Listeners can read minds like books. There... [He trails off, glancing toward Kahlan before looking back to Koishi.] ...aren't any secrets from Listeners.

[But something she said caught his attention.] You can manipulate the subconscious power? I don't understand.

"No, two winters. It's winter now, after all. I don't know how much of the rest of the year I've spent here though. Time is muddy for me. Sis would know though. She's good with time."

A pause, frowning. "Of course I'm not gonna hurt you. Why would I?" And the smile was back. "As long as you don't try and hurt me. I can see you basic intention. Even when I first showed up your intention wasn't hostility. It was defensive. So that's fine. It's good for humans to be cautious and defensive. It makes them live longer."

And then to Richard. "If that's a listener then satori youkai are a lot like that. Except our powers don't turn off and we just hear the noise of the minds of everyone around us. That's why sis tries to stay away from people."

A pause. "Oh. Is that what I said? Sometimes my words and my mind get confused." A small laugh. "My power is the control of the unconscious mind. Wants, impulse, emotion. That sort of thing. I can make someone hallucinate or dredge up their fears and trauma or just break their mind with my own." Her cheerful tone never wavered. "I can also do things like sooth emotions and nightmares and direct a person's perception to help them understand foreign concepts. Things like that!" No doubt there was more to the power of 'the subconscious' than just that. At least she seemed friendly.

"Also, my power makes my mind unreadable and it's why I'm always invisible. Or, rather, I'm always 'unnoticed.'"

[Kahlan's brows furrow in confusion. She's never met anyone like this and it's hard to know how to handle her. She silently wishes Zedd was here, surely he'd know something about the young floating girl.

Her eyes watch her as she moves and she see's enough to believe that Koishi is telling them the truth. She gives a quick nod and then tries to smile only the explanation of her powers is worrisome.]

I understand that you can use your powers for good but do you try to avoid the use of your powers?

[Kahlan does but she knows that's not true of everyone.]

Edited 2016-01-06 19:57 (UTC)

I don't...think Listeners really turn their powers off, either. [At least the boy hadn't, but maybe he just hadn't known how.]

[Her powers afforded her a lot of control over people, but that didn't frighten Richard. It made him a little wary of the girl, but he wasn't about to ostracized her simply because of it. Kahlan seemed to believe her, and that was enough for him. Besides, powers were simply that, tools. Kahlan's own had the ability to put people completely under her control for the rest of their lives. It wasn't the power that determined someone's intention.

He was interested in her answer to Kahlan's question, himself, and waited for her response.]

Koishi tilted her head, blinking once. Her expression didn't change but she seemed puzzled or maybe curious. "Avoid? I ripped my powers out in the first place to avoid using them. That just made everything worse I suppose. Heh."

The artery over her left shoulder looped itself into a heart-shape. "Though, at this point, I don't know why I would avoid using them. A satori that can't read minds is hardly a satori and I like being a satori. If human perception of me changes then I change. And I want to stay as I am."

"Also, its hard for me to hold my power inside. It gives me headaches and makes my head fall off and my mind and perception roll away. Then I wake up days later I don't know where. Besides, losing my power cost me my emotions too. If I stop using my subconscious then I can't feel other people's emotions either. It's unpleasant being completely empty."

She held up her hands. "I like making people feel happy and calm! It makes me feel happy and calm. That's the way it works!" She did a little spin, the biggest smile on her face.

Now that she pointed it out there did seem to be an unnatural aura of contentment and joy around the little youkai that was somewhat infectious. Not enough to force the emotions onto people. Just encourage them.

Edited (Sorry for so many edits) 2016-01-07 18:24 (UTC)

[Kahlan is a little to on edge to feel the full effects of the joy surrounding Koishi but she does notice it and she knows it'd be easy to lose herself too it. A soft sigh leaves her lips as she takes all the information. Her powers sound more like a curse than a gift which is something Kahlan can relate too.]

I understand then.

[She stops herself from apologizing about the girls circumstance since she doesn't seem to mind. Most likely she's lived her whole life like this.]

Can I ask about the rabbit that you were chasing? Are there a lot of them around here?

[It might seem like an odd question but the answer will confirm a lot.]

[Richard finds himself smiling, because this girl is nice, if not strange, and because Kahlan is there. He's just generally in a good mood, really. He returns the blade to its scabbard, feeling the power of the sword drain from him at the same time, leaving more room for this calm and contented feeling to wash over him.]

That's a good question. [He nods.] This doesn't seem to be a place rabbits would frequent.

"I'm glad. Not all humans understand things like that."

Koishi seemed a little surprised by the question, tilting her head and looking around. "Well, there are lots of trees and lawns and pretty bushes around here. The rabbits like to hide under the bushes in holes. They come out at night a lot. I dunno how many there are but they're always good to chase around."

Koishi drifted up a little higher, turning in a circle. She paused and removed her hat, closing her eyes to listen... After a moment she drifted back down. "Do you want me to catch you one? I can hear something. I bet it's another rabbit maybe. It might also be a rat. They're not as fast so they're not as fun."

[Kahlan laughs softly, smiling over at Richard.]

I think I'll leave catching the rabbits to my woods guide here.

[She teases him lightly before turning to Koishi.]

I should thank you, you've helped more than you know.

[Hearing about rabbits being here, in a place so heavily populated, meant the game was still around, and if it was so prevalent here, Fayren must be a paradise. After the decimation of wildlife brought on by Darken Rahl and his men, it seemed like one, anyway, but there was an even more exciting thing of note from the girl's information.

Darken Rahl and his men were no where near here. He laughs slightly at Kahlan's jab and grins broadly.]

You have, Koishi. Anytime you want to talk, just tap me on the right shoulder. I'll know to look for you, and I'm pretty good seeing things when I want to.

"Ah, okay. I can show you good hunting spots if you like. The rabbits here aren't as good as other places. There's a lot of things to chase in Fayren though. But if I hunt in Fayren I don't get to meet new people. Like you!"

"Ohh!" She zipped around to Richard's shoulder, almost vanishing as she moved. She tapped him sharply on the shoulder. "Like this? Normally I put Mister Hat on people when I want them to notice me. I always remember Mister Hat because he's so close to my head."

She drifted back a little bit, looking over in a direction. "But for now I can show you where Fayren is. Or even where the good hunting spots are! Don't rely too much on hunting though. There are lots of dangerous monsters in Fayren. There are plenty of people who sell food though. Have you ever had a hamburger? They're delicious!"

[Kahlan's smile widens some.]

That would be very kind of you. Hunting spots would be nice but the Inn in Fayren sounds like it'd be a better first stop.

[At least for them to get their bearings.]

...Hamburger...???

[Kahlan looks really confused.]

[Richard laughs, nodding at the girl as she floated around.]

Yes, exactly like that. Like I said, I'm good at seeing things I'm looking for.

[He continues smiling at the offer, but nods his agreement with Kahlan.] Maybe I'll take you up on that sometime, but I prefer to find my own hunting grounds.

[He pauses, blinking, but his interest is clearly piqued. His expression says he likes food.]

...What's a Hamburger?

"Ohh~ There's that human pride. Hehe. It's cuuute!" Koishi seemed like she legitimately thought it was cute... "But no, I'll show you the good places to hunt. If you wander into the wrong area you might get your head bitten off by an enormous fire-breathing dragon. Or run into a variety of other unpleasant monsters."

She paused at the question, looking from Kahlan, to Richard, and back. "That was my reaction too at first. But there's something called a hamburger! And its delicious! It's like a tiny tender steak made of pressed ground meat in between pieces of a special kind of bread made for the little steaks. Sometimes there are vegetables too. The quality isn't usually as good as other foods but it tastes really good."

"Come on. Let's get some!" Without really asking she grabbed their hands, pulling with a surprising amount of strength despite her size, though she was being careful not to hurt them. "See that big yellow and red thing on the pole in the distance? Over there? Poking over the top of that tree? That's where we're going."

[Kahlan looks a little concerned about these hamburgers but she won't say no to trying something new. It's probably some sort of meat? Or maybe a type of fruit? She's attempting to figure it out while her eyes follow Koishi's pointing. She stays by Richards side walking next to him instead of behind or in front.]

What do you say Richard?

[She smiles over at him tilting her head slightly.]

I think it's worth a try.

I can handle monsters. The "good" hunting grounds tend to go barren faster than the untrodden paths. I prefer those, but thank you. [Not that he's disregarding that the mentioned dragons and other monsters. He'll go exploring to learn every nook and cranny of Fayren properly prepared.

He looked over to Kahlan for a moment. He could certainly eat. It'd been a while since either of them had had a proper meal.]

I don't see why it would hurt anything.

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