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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Oct 25, 2010 19:12:37 GMT -5
"I'm only a quarter yōkai, and I take strongly after my human father. Perhaps I am fortunate in that aspect. My blue eyes, though, came from my mother." He looked down at his reflection in the water. "Yes." He answered her question. "One of many wandering martial artists in these troubled times. I also freelance as a medium, helping humans with yōkai and yūrei troubles... but what of you? You are a drifter too, yes?"
(Yay, I'm glad you replied. Nice to see you posting again.
As you may or may not know, blue eyes are exceedingly rare among East Asians. You may already know, but 'yūrei' is the Japanese word for 'ghost'.)
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Post by Kage on Oct 27, 2010 17:22:22 GMT -5
"I am," Kage replied, looking up at Hieda. "I sell medicinal potions, and creams... to any yokai, or human who is willing to purchase it. I sell them cheap, in hopes of encouraging buyers. Many though are reluctant to purchase an unknown substance from something like me..." she sighed looking away from him, feeling slightly exposed. The vulnerability wasn't due to being physically naked, in fact, that did not bother her in the slightest. It was what she was, who she was. Kage could have attempted to hide the fact, but he could tell anyways, and there was no sense in denying something so clear to him. The feeling and expression left her face as she turned back to looking into his blue eyes, and smiling. "Do you enjoy traveling?"
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Oct 28, 2010 19:17:17 GMT -5
"Ah, a traveling apothecary, huh?" He said, but then fell silent, sensing her feeling of vulnerability. A yōkai among humans. It must be difficult. Certainly, he had his own experiences with mistrustful humans, and he was only a quarter-yōkai. "Um, yeah. I like traveling. Seeing new places, meeting new people." He looked up, meeting her gaze. "Hey, tell you what, I'll buy some medicine from you. Full price. A person in my line of work gets banged up a lot, so ointments for cuts and bruises are handy to have on hand."
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Post by Kage on Oct 29, 2010 15:53:50 GMT -5
"Oh, please. No, that isn't necessary Hieda. I appreciate the kindness, but honestly..." Kage smiled, and then stood up. Her stomach made an obvious growl, and she blushed slightly. "I think it's time I had something to eat," Kage stepped out of the bath, gracefully moving towards the room where they had left their clothing. Her kimono, haori, and obi was gone, and instead there was a plain white yukata both for her and Hieda.
Kage grabbed her yukata, and slipped on before turning and peeking around the door to see if her new found friend was coming. "Are you coming, or not?" She asked from the room looking at his weapons which were still hanging on the rack. Kage eyed the blades, carefully examining them. She wondered how many people he had killed with them, and did he feel shame for taking another human's life? Kage didn't completely understand humans. Many humans would kill men, women, and children... how could they do that to their own brothers and sisters? She never had the urge just to kill someone. Not yokai, or human. She would in the case of defense, and even then Kage was quite reluctant.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Oct 31, 2010 10:37:51 GMT -5
Kazuki's eyes widened a little when she stood up in front of him, but he quickly forced himself to avert his gaze. "Food... would be good." He mumbled, fishing around for the wash cloth in the tub. He looked up as she called after him. "Yes, I'm coming." Again using the small wash cloth to cover himself, he exited the tub and moved to the front room. He awkwardly put on the yukata with one hand while holding the towel with the other. "They were my father's..." He said, noticing her looking as his swords.
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Post by Kage on Oct 31, 2010 19:00:04 GMT -5
"I see, your father's..." Kage's gaze drifted into the distant past, remembering her father, Hiro. He was a human. And the kindest she had met ever. He did not discriminate. He didn't care she was a monster.
Kage smiled, "I do not mean to be forward, or...inappropriate. But I take it, you've never seen a woman exposed before? Or...someone like me exposed?" He seemed so shy. Most men would savor a chance to be naked with a woman in a bathhouse, with no one else around. Hieda...did not appear to be most men though; however that was what intrigued Kage.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Nov 1, 2010 14:44:27 GMT -5
"H-Huh?" Kazuki stammered a bit, clearly caught off guard by Kage's question. "No, I've seen women before. But I'm rarely, you know, alone with them... while naked..." He glanced toward the floor for a moment, but then suddenly changed the subject. "Food. Let's go get some food." He quickly took his swords off the rack and slid open the door. From seemingly out of nowhere, Taro appeared on the veranda. Kazuki wondered if the innkeeper had been waiting for them, so that they didn't wander unattended back into the lobby. Smiling and bowing, he said, "I trust your bath was pleasant?"
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Post by Kage on Nov 1, 2010 15:06:07 GMT -5
Kage chuckled slightly, a soft smile on her lips. She nodded, "Yes, food would be lovely." Kage followed him to the door, and watched as Taro bowed. "Yes, it was thank you. We were hoping to share a meal now, perhaps in the privacy of our own room...so we do not scare your patrons?" Kage smiled as nicely as she could muster. She knew he'd not change his mind that she was some sort of monster. Hieda was lucky...only partially yokai. Kage continued to smile at Taro, before looking at Hieda. "If that is okay with you?" She asked, placing a gentle hand on Hieda's arm.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Nov 1, 2010 16:59:10 GMT -5
"Yeah." Kazuki said as she touched his arm. Though he did not outwardly show it, after the brief discussion before exiting the bathhouse he was more aware of her touch than he normally would be. The short man seemed to breathe a small sigh of relief and lead them to a wing of the inn that stood a little apart from the rest. He slid open a door and beckoned them inside. The room, just large enough to sleep two people, was bare and clean. Aside from the tatami mats, the room contained a charcoal brazier, lamp, and a cabinet against the wall that held bedding and provided a space for personal belongings. "I hope these lodgings will suffice." Taro said, bowing and backing away. "The maid will be along shortly with your meal."
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Post by Kage on Nov 1, 2010 21:36:21 GMT -5
Kage followed Taro leisurely, examining their surroundings as she did so. When they arrived in their room, she gracefully entered and smiled. "Yes, this is fine, thank you."
Kage sighed and moved to a corner, before seating herself carefully. She put her palms together and muttered a few inaudible words, before looking at Hieda. "I hope you don't mind sharing," Kage smiled at him politely. "I figured you wouldn't...besides it's cheaper for both of us." She sat silently for a moment, contemplating her next words. "So, Hieda... how long have you been here?" Kage asked somewhat curiously, as she adjusted her yukata.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Nov 3, 2010 18:30:22 GMT -5
"No, I don't mind sharing." He said, taking a seat in the adjacent corner. "How long have I been here in Ueno? I just got here this morning. Before that, I was staying at a small village a couple days east of here. They hired me as protection against a group of bandits. What about you?" As Kazuki had just finished speaking, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard on the veranda outside. The door slid open and a maid entered on her knees. She bowed and set out two trays that held portions of fish, rice, vegetables, and soup. She poured the tea and sake. As Kazuki gave a word of thanks, she smiled politely and withdrew.
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Post by Kage on Nov 21, 2010 17:49:57 GMT -5
"I've only been here a couple of days," Kage stopped as the maid entered. Kage smiled and thanked the woman before she exited. The aroma of the rice and fished entered her nose, and her stomach growled hungrily. "Ahem, sorry. This will be my first meal today," Kage smiled, her cheeks turning rosy. Kage moved in front of her tray before closing her eyes and mumbling a small prayer over their meals. She placed her hands in front of her, and waited for Kazuki to do as he did over his own meal, in case he had his own. When he finished, she smiled, "Itadakimasu!"
Kage picked up her chop sticks before slowly beginning to eat her vegetables. "Wow, this is good," she smiled at him, before continuing to eat. "Do you plan on staying here long?" She asked in between a bite of rice and fish.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Nov 22, 2010 16:15:47 GMT -5
"Right. Better eat up then." He said, hearing Kage's stomach growl. Picking up his chopsticks, he quietly said, "Itadakimasu." He started with the vegetables, which were quite fresh tasting. He silently agreed with Kage's assessment of the food. "I have no plans, really. I just... drift in the breeze. It's always a mystery what I'll encounter next, but that's part of the fun of wandering."
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Post by Kage on Dec 29, 2010 15:17:49 GMT -5
Kage continued to eat, listening intently as the man spoke. She sipped the tea, before her gaze drifted far away as she remembered a time when her father Hiro had taken her to a lake. There was a wind that had nearly pushed them into the water. She smiled slightly at the memory of her with her father before looking at Kazuki. "Drift...I see." She murmured slowly. "I suppose I pretty much do the same," She said before taking another drink of her tea. She finished eating silently.
When Kage finished her tea, she leaned backwards a bit, sighing with content. "That was really good," She said smiling. "So, is there anywhere you want to go? I mean I know you say you drift, but surely is there not a drop of desire for something in your life?" Kage questioned curiously.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Jan 6, 2011 16:15:59 GMT -5
"A drop of desire? Hmm..." He sipped on his tea with a pensive expression, thinking about the past, about Mibu. He had not visited his parent's graves for sometime. "Why, that's easy," He said, taking on a lighter expression, "I want to help people, both humans and yōkai. It's why I offer my services as a medium and intermediary between this world and the spirit world."
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