genessia | [Locked] A CHARMing Notion

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[Locked] A CHARMing Notion

Who: Koiball and Eyebrow-Grump
What: Koishi has 4 chaaaarms
Where: Grumphouse
When: Backdated to as soon as the Fayren charm arrives in the mail.
Warnings: The pun in the title? I dunno. Lol.

Whelp. Koishi had four charms. Four charms and nothing to wish for. It's not really a surprise for her. To fervantly wish in hopes of it coming true is something that humans did. A wish that does not come true is simply wasted energy, and one that does come to pass is luck. Or perhaps a miracle if someone was listening. And the charms meant someone would be listening. And how unlike a youkai it would be to try to invoke a spirit or kami.

No, this wish couldn't be used by Koishi. Nor by Satori for the same reason. And because Koishi already knows what she would wish for.

Wishes were best given to the weak but brave. Or humble heros. Or, ideally, ronin.

And so, an hour later she was slipping into Satsuki's window, ignoring Gothitelle angry pokemon chatter as she waited for the apartment owner's return.

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'Honestly, Koishi, how many years are we going to go through with this about you coming in through Satsuki's window!' Gothitelle would say. What is it going to take to do it right?? Gosh!

Of course Satsuki does eventually arrive, as told by her door sliding open, and she just takes a single step in before stopping.

"... Koishi. I will take things from here, Gothitelle."

She was hoping to get changed before starting her lessons with Anastasia and it looks like she'll be putting her plans on hold for a moment. She then steps the rest of the way in, and heads toward her closet. "And what brings you here today?"

Koishi hopped up and quickly flew over to Satsuki's side, the little youkai's third eye squishing itself into Satsuki's cheek. "Miss White! Hello!" At least it wasn't a hug.

However, Koishi was already fumbling in her pocket, the eyeball squishing more firmly to Satsuki's cheek as Koishi pulled out a key ring off of which charms were hanging. Four of them. Satsuki wasn't given much chance to react before they were basically shoved into her face.

"Miss White! Look! I got four of them! I got one in the mail from going in the caves where the crystals were! Isn't that great?"

Satsuki's gaze just.. Draws off to the side following the eye snuggling (so. weird.). While it's annoying, it isn't nearly as sharp an upturn as usual. The reveal of the charms is most certainly one way to make a sharp downturn to 'good', however.

Her hand raises to protect her face afterward. "... So you have. And they appear to be of differing cities." she replies, genuinely surprised by the reveal. While she had no doubt Koishi would stumble upon a few, she certainly wasn't expecting four different charms.

"Congratulations, Koishi, you have done well."

Edited 2017-07-12 19:57 (UTC)

And the eyeball just continued to nuzzle. No matter how Satsuki tried to escape it. And now it had squished itself quite firmly into Satsuki's cheek, distorting her face some. God dammit Koishi...

"Yeah! This Fayren charm was the last one I got!" She pointed at it, holding the charms out again in front of Satsuki's face. She didn't seem to be moving them. In fact she seemed to be shoving them gradually closer-

"Miss Whiiite! Take them. They're for you!" She was serious. "I'm a youkai. I don't need wishes or miracles. I just need flesh and emotion and humans to interact with. And I already know what sis would wish for and she knows I wouldn't like it. So I'm not going to give her the temptation."

What the HELL is up with that eye?? Satsuki can't even remember if it's always been that affectionate, but she's also distracted by the charms in her field of vision. They're just so.. Well, look at them!

Once clarified that they're an offering, Satsuki appeared taken aback but otherwise didn't hesitate to take them into her hands in silent awe. So here they are at last- She had prepared herself for one set, and knowing that a second is near completion, her ambitions could be recognized almost twice as quickly, couldn't they? Now the possibilities were (almost) truly without limit.

"... I see." Satsuki replied as she felt her heart rate steadily increase. "Yes, with these charms my plans could finally move forward at an accelerated pace."

She could hardly believe her fortune. ".. It has been years."

Edited 2017-07-18 00:36 (UTC)

"Yup! It's been years for me too Miss White. You haven't been here that much longer than I have." Koishi tilted her head. "... Wow. That's an odd thought, actually. A human having been around longer than me.

She seemed a little distracted though and Satsuki could feel the full weight of Koishi's presence on her mind. Despite the distracting nuzzling eyeball. Was she feeding on Satsuki's excitement? Or simply sharing in it? It was difficult to tell.

"I worked really hard to get them so you could make a wish Miss White. I know this story is a special one so I'm watching closely. As attentively as I can." She finally pulled the eye back, a sliver of its frosted surface visible.

"Sis will want to hear too. Ronin always have the best stories. So that means yours will be great as well."

The full weight is most certainly noticed, and brings a measure of discomfort to Satsuki only because she fully suspects that Koishi is feeding off her emotions. Sure it isn't fear like poor Luke, but it's still incredibly awkward.

That said, that isn't the reason why her excitement falters. It's the mention of Satori. "Actually... I am uncertain I will be able to face your sister again, Koishi. While I stand by the decision I had you make, I also have little doubt that it has earned me at least some degree of ire."

The charms were clutched tighter in her grip. "All I can do is continue forward, and continue I shall."

"Nooo. Miss White." Koishi was pouting. "Sis isn't mad at you. Because I'm fine now, see? She knows how your mind works. And how you're focused on power and your goals. And she knows why. We've seen humans like you before and your focused and driven mind tells her a lot more about you than you realize. She couldn't stay mad at you for something like that. Because it's not your fault."

The eye was swaying from side to side, the edges of Koishi's eyes darkening subtly. She was excited and indulging in her nature as a youkai. "But that's not important right now. What is important is continuing forward. Just like you said. There's no reason to be upset right now with a wish in your hand and a story to be made. So show me what that is Miss White. Please?"

"... Very well." It is incredibly difficult for her to accept that it isn't her fault, mostly because she prides in thinking steps ahead of her opponent- A skill Koishi has been thrashing in a certain board game, by the way.

"I confess that I am not completely prepared for this; many things have changed since I have first set foot in Genessia. However..." she clutches the charms tightly. The little youkai takes pride in boasting that she doesn't need gifts, and yet here is an opportunity for Satsuki to give the 'impossible'.

It isn't the wisest decision, but Satsuki could give up twice the speed for that.

'I wish for Koishi Komeiji's greatest sacrifice to be returned to her.'

A brilliant glow emits from the charms, almost blindingly so, and once the light returned to normal, her palm was empty.

Koishi was leaning further forward, attentive, watching Satsuki's face. At least... until she spoke her wish. "... Miss-" The little youkai's voice wavered, her human guise faltering completely, her gaze lowering as a great number of memories from before she closed her eye were returned. Her expression didn't change at first, gradually relaxing into something more complex.

She blinked and looked up at Satsuki the glow in her eyes slowly returning, her left flickering some. Her brow was slightly furrowed, glancing back and forth between Satsuki's eyes and the rest of her face, struggling to read her. "You weren't supposed to do that..." Her frown deepened slightly, though she still looked more confused than anything else, dropping her gaze to the floor for a moment before returning it to Satsuki.

"You're a terrible human. Trying to garner favor and trying to make me feel things again that I shouldn't feel. I've seen humans like you before, you know. So this isn't going to work!" She removed her hat, wiping her eyes with her wrist. She paused as she saw her sleeve, head inclining slightly. She sniffed and did so again with her fingertips, rubbing her thumb and index together. This was the second time Satsuki had ever seen Koishi cry. Her third eye was open and trembling, the left corner having split a little.

She dropped her hand after another moment, sniffling again, having drifted back down to the ground some time ago. She remained still for a moment before stepping forward, giving Satsuki a hug, face pressed into her torso and muffling her voice. "You're not supposed to give gifts like that to monsters. You know better than that Satsuki. Even if it's a really good story-end."

'You weren't supposed to do that.'

That actually gets a smirk from Satsuki in response. However the words that follow makes Satsuki appear a little more concerned, with the tears only making her more so. It goes without saying that she's at a loss for words, and while she's incredibly curious what the memory even was, she decides not to ask about it.

Most importantly, at least as far as the Deputy Guardian is concerned, Satsuki does not draw away from Koishi's embrace. It is awkward, yes, but she returns the gesture by setting her hands upon the satori- one upon her shoulder and the other atop her head, careful to avoid the scar.

"Koishi..."

Koishi gave Satsuki a squeeze, her claws digging a little into her back. She stayed like that for several moments before pulling back slightly, reaching up and wiping her eyes again.

"You... You aren't supposed to be so nice to monsters. No one is ever that selfless. No one no one." Maybe it wasn't the memory. "She would have understood if I forgot her. Because it's okay because I'm taking care of sis. Because sis takes care of me. So it's okay. But it's all shining and warm again and its nice because I can think about it again." She wasn't making much sense. But apparently the memory had been a person.

"Thank you... But you really aren't supposed to do that." She wasn't looking up at Satsuki. Something did seem off about Koishi. She was carrying a strange, almost immaterial presence around her. She wasn't even trying to pretend she was slightly human at this point, her aspects laid bare. It was indescribable but not overwhelming, though, at the same time, there was some familiarity to it. It was the feeling of waking to the smell of snow and broken pine branches; of wet flower-fields and freshly-turned earth; of the heat from a fresh-dead carcass; of looking down over a cliff; of the creeping sensation of being watched and stalked and having no sanctuary.

"Remember? About the beasts who lived between sleeping giants? I never told you how it ended. When the boy was carried home, his family grieved. But they praised the beast for its good deed. The praised it and built shrines and offered gifts in selflessness. And the beast was afraid. It was afraid the word would spread. It was afraid it would infect others. And it started to shine."

"The older grew distressed and began to terrorize the village. But she could harm to those who worked and lived on the mountain in their own homes. Finally she turned to pleading."

"'Please, stop worshiping her. Burn your shrines and release her.'"

"The older's plea was earnest and many of them listened. But some did not. They were greedy and held the little one by their side for protection, but the beast struggled to remain out of sight. And succeeded mostly. But it was bound to hear the ceaseless whines and pleas of unsatisfied humans who took pleasure trying to force it to act as a kami would."

"But humans are fickle, and the grip slowed and stopped, save for one. Sibling to the dead boy, she prayed daily, not for reward, but for companionship. She prayed with compassion, teaching the little one more and letting it reciprocate. And never asking for anything in return. And thus the beast chose only to protect this one. For it was the only one worth protecting."

"The beast was never seen again. By that family or by the village or even by the girl who kept praying. But the beast did follow. And would keep companionship until the human was old and grey."

Koishi tilted her head, staring up at Satsuki. She seemed... lighter somehow? Her skin? Her hair? Maybe? Or was it simply her releasing her human guise so completely and the contrast of those black scleras. "... You need to stop being so sincere like that Satsuki. Really. Or else you'll never be rid of me." She smiled brighter, showing off those sharp teeth. "Some aspect of me might even get dragged home with you if you vanished. Then I'd still be cheering you on, I suppose. Which isn't all bad."

Satsuki furrowed her brows at Koishi- to this day she would never agree that 'sincerity' was a word that would describe her actions; she would say she does what she needs to get something done. Satsuki would at least admit that has blurred over the years, though.

That said, the story's end, Koishi's continuous form shift was making it a bit difficult to keep her focus. Concerned that she might let something slip that she wouldn't want, she keeps her response simple.

"I shall keep that in mind." A beat as concern crossed her features- she didn't know what to make of Koishi's changes at this point- there was a different intensity to it that she couldn't quite explain. ".. Just so we are clear, I did not 'break' anything, correct?"

Koishi seemed to be easing back into normalcy... or whatever counted as normal for the little green terror. Or at the very least she was getting a handle on her form, the presence dying back down. "Broken?" She tilted her head. "Of course not!" Well, no more than usual. Her third eye was bleeding on the floor. "Sis wrote a book about me a long time ago so I can't change drastically all at once since a well-written book can hold a youkai together as long as the book survives."

"You just surprised me. A lot. I haven't felt like this in two centuries. I'm not sure if I like it but if it's you then it's okay." At least she seemed extremely focused. "I'm not sure if you reshaped me or bound me or just reactivated what was there before." She tilted her head the other way. "Well... I guess it's not really either one since I'm still me and I can still move... But it's fine since you're not going to force me to be a kami. So I can't be too upset about being tethered to such a wonderful human." Again with the compliments. "It's kinda funny since you weren't even trying to, Satsuki."

She set her hat aside, rubbing the scar above her temple with the heel of her hand, some of the nerve damage lightly visible around her hairline. "My head is fuzzy though. Fractured here and there along clean and clear lines and moving up and back and around my head. It's all really clean though so it's okay."

... Satsuki's not cleaning that up.

Ok, she is. Just not now. "A memory, perhaps." Satsuki then murmured. Not to mention it had been quite some time since she had seen Koishi this focused. It's unsettling in its own right, and yet she had been getting used to that as well. Hopefully it would serve as a lesson to be more careful about losing such important things. Then again... Maybe she hoped for too much on that front.

"That is a curious concern all the same; if it came to creating a 'kami' I would be the first in line after all." Satsuki replied as she crossed her arms.

Koishi paused in her rubbing, blinking up at Satsuki. Her left eye had completely gone out again, but other than that she was back to normal.

"You?" She couldn't help but smile. One that grew and grew until it finally broke into a laugh. "A kami? You!" She covered her mouth. "It's such a human desire. I'm sorry. The idea is so funny!"

Koishi that's not very nice.

"You would be so miserable as a kami, Satsuki. Gathering faith and being bound to shrines. You would need to spoon-feed a legion of followers to keep them worshiping you. And you would be subject to a changing power and personality based upon the changing whims of your worshipers. You would have to live up to their expectation which perpetuates that expectation. Even if its not something you want. Not to mention you would be torn between different forms in different places. All that power spent only on perpetuating more faith and therby more power. See what I mean?"

"Just because they aren't as heavily bound to aspects as youkai doesn't mean they can fulfill any sort of special ambition." Koishi looked thoughtful. Her eye was finally starting to relax a bit and bleed less. "In fact, it's worse for a kami since they can have ambition that remains out of reach."

Edited 2017-08-30 20:08 (UTC)

Wow. WOW. Satsuki frowns, though that isn't anything out of the ordinary.

"Perhaps you are right- Perhaps the ones responsible for Genessia do suffer some sort of misery;" Satsuki replied, though she paused to consider the rest of what was said. Her eyes close as she found herself falling a bit deeper in thought. "And there are those with power that far surpasses my own that had also proven incapable of making headway."

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[Locked] A CHARMing Notion

Annnnnd we're the brow grumps

God the jingle went through my head...

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Sorry for slowness! I wanted to make sure I go it right!

help

no help for u

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I thooooooooought I replied to this!

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