Night 21

[passingships]

I've always thought souls were the most fascinating things - even more so when they lacked tangibility. Yet, having been shown the physical - or perhaps I should say spiritual? magical? - form of one, I find myself even more intrigued.

Those eyeless men so many have warned about: at least one of their souls is crimson, braided with shadow. Perhaps that will mean something to someone. Perhaps it will not. If the former, I'd like to know what it means to you or whether, perhaps, you see them in a different light.

It seems that red is the basic colour of the soul and the darkness is rot. Has anyone seen aught to contradict this?

Comments

[passingships]

Shougo stared at her for a long moment. This was not a reaction he was used to. People had been angry at him before. Scared, yes, wary, confused, and - rarely - appreciative. But they had never laughed the way she was laughing at him now.

Unsure how to react, he shook his head. "No, but that's my point. We don't shy from using such a dangerous substance, do we? That's why I asked him if he understood what he was asking me to avoid. Yet he gave me nothing."

[mostpositively]

Masaki was, if nothing else, a rather unique woman with at times a strange personality. Then again, maybe that was how they got along so well.

"Are you so certain he gave you nothing? Shougo, Wordsmith...whatever you wish to call yourself..."

She shook her head, but she was still smiling up at him. "This may take some contemplation. If I told you what I heard, I would only cheapen it for you. But I will say one thing."

She held up a finger. "The element of lead is a highly useful, highly poisonous substance. Sometimes, it's better to know what it does, then to find out first hand."

[passingships]

"And yet, it isn't so poisonous that its effect is immediate or devastating." Shougo folded his arms loosely, head tilted. "It's more like a drug. Perhaps nicotine or opium, which are dangerous in large quantities or in the long term. Whatever the case, I have come away with no other course of possible action besides the one I currently know. It's rather disappointing."

[mostpositively]

"Lead, yes. Perhaps I should have alluded to plutonium or uranium instead."

Her voice was calm and even, even as her lips curled in amusement. "I disagree, but perhaps it will become more evident in time. Besides, the problem is not just the substance, but the path of knowledge."

She made a small gesture with her fingers. "Souls...are a difficult topic. I cannot give you the sight you seek. I wonder if it's because you want to see where it leads, despite warnings."

[passingships]

Shougo sighed. "I thought the entire purpose of this visit was to seek an alternate path. I'm still open to less dangerous methods, should they exist. But you are at least right about one thing." He chuckled quietly. "I have a bad habit of ignoring warnings."

[mostpositively]

"It was, and that door is closed, at least with that particular person." She offered a small shrug. "Though perhaps I was hopeful that you would see reason and see that the course of caution is not due to blind fear."

Masaki sighed at him.

"But if you decide you'd do best as a devil's pawn, so be it. I will not walk with you down that path."

She had a feeling he wouldn't care in the least. She was not as valuable as someone who could show him what he desired.

[passingships]

There was another sigh from him as well. It was small and quiet. Disappointment expelled through a single breath. They had backed into a circular argument and there was no merit in discussing the matter further at this point in time. If none would walk with him then he would walk alone - as he had before and as he would continue to do, it seemed.

"I do not ask anyone to follow me," he replied. The pale-haired man turned, preparing to leave. "Even so, thank you for walking with me thus far."

With that, he would depart. Whatever revelations or pitfalls awaited Shougo, he would face them head-on.