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

[mostpositively]

I haven't heard of this before. But how did you see this? It sounds as if this isn't something you have normally.

[passingships]

I was offered the chance to see things as these men do and I took it. While I can't be sure it wasn't a brief hallucination, given the warnings written about their blood in earlier pages, it was a fascinating experience all the same.

[mostpositively]

It certainly is possible that it was that. I would be worried in your position about the addictive properties, but I have yet to hear of the alternatives.

There may be people in town who have an idea or three on expanding your natural sight more safely.

[passingships]

Ah, the addiction? The desire does burn uncomfortably at times but it has subsided for now. It comes and goes but it's only a matter of waiting for it to pass out of my body.

More importantly, are you suggesting it's possible for someone like me to 'expand my sight'? Abilities like that exist in the realm of fantasy where I'm from.

[mostpositively]

Yes that. In a strange way, the man we met seems rather fond of you. He may be hoping to use that for his own ends.

But yes. The rules are different. I like to think anything is possible until proven otherwise.

[passingships]

[ Unseen, Shougo's mouth curves into a faint smile. Perhaps they were, perhaps they weren't. He would see. ]

Who would you suggest I see then?

[mostpositively]

Now if I said that on an open forum, that would paint me a fool, and people endangered.

Don't you think?

[passingships]

You're right. I forgot for a moment that anyone can read these words.

Where would you like me to meet you?

[mostpositively]

It's easy to forget sometimes.

I think I might try playing a few games, just for the fun of it. If I'm not there, I'll be by the fire.

[passingships]

It might be nice to play a few games again. I will be there in a few minutes.

action

[passingships]

True to his word, Shougo made his way out of the castle and headed to the town. He was relieved, truth be told, to leave the flooded basement and its disturbing creatures behind. He could sleep on any surface but he had grown used to a bed.

Proceeding cautiously, it took him more time than usual to reach the gates. Once he sighted the flickering lights of the bonfire, he breathed out a sigh of relief. Safe, he thought.

From there it was only a matter of locating Masaki.

action

[mostpositively]

She noted the message but didn't respond. There was plenty of reason not to go into the flooded basement, the leeches being one of them. The storage room was better to sleep in, she thought, and she liked being out here with the people.

Even if it was humid. She felt Shougo's familiar soul, and the flicker of white hair reflected on the fire.

"Ah, there you are." Her voice was pleasant, and she came forward, smiling. She was wearing her servant greys, but then she didn't have anything else. "Your trip was uneventful?"

Small talk, but also checking to see he avoided trouble that might have arisen since her arrival in town.

[passingships]

Neither did Shougo, who wore his greys as it seemed to allow him to pass unremarked by the guards. What a familiar feeling that was.

"Somewhat. I was worried that I would be picked off by the creatures in the basement, but it seems like the other things roaming tonight are keeping to the upper floors." Shougo halted before her, shaking his head ruefully. "I don't know where they expect us to sleep when the water rises as it does."

[mostpositively]

It was just weird. It made her feel like a ghost, and not in a good way.

"Ah. Good thing I didn't explore the upper floors tonight." She shook her head back at him, smiling. At least neither of them were hurt.

"But I don't think they really care how we are; they can always get more may be the mindset." Foolish and upsetting, but not surprising. "If there isn't anything happening on the second floor, I would suggest sleeping in the storage room. There are blankets there, and it seems safe."

Seems being the key word. At least for a time.

[passingships]

He thought for a moment. "The one with the jars of preserved fruit?" Shougo queried. "I'll look into it."

But there was a more interesting matter to address first. His eyes focused on her, curious yet piercing, while he adopted the casual posture of hands tucked into pockets. "First, however, you mentioned knowing how I might expand my natural sight...?"

[mostpositively]

"The very same. They have pastries and tea there as well."

She dipped her head in a nod, before starting to walk around him. It was very casual, but she kept an eye on him.

"I did. And I thought, too, that it might be fair to give you a few warnings in the interim. Because if you desire to go ahead and do so still, there will be consequences." Her tone was matter of fact. Even tranquil. "There's no promise that it will turn off, or that you will not be overwhelmed. It could be highly distracting, or take time and concentration-or you may take the risk and find yourself with nothing. So I hope this is not an impulsive choice."

[passingships]

He mused over her words for a little while, ignoring her circling.

"It's hard to say how I'll feel until it happens. I'm not one to shy away from new experiences. Anything that allows me to feel alive, I will chase. I would hope that it won't change me permanently, but, well..." He spread his hamds. "If the process itself is not dangerous, I will deal with the results."

[mostpositively]

The circling was mostly for herself, not for him. She hummed in her throat, her fingers lightly touching on each other.

"Ah, well. I cannot be certain of such a thing. Nothing is certain, especially with the road you desire to walk. I don't know if it would permanently cause any change either of us have not anticipated."

She stopped her pacing, but her gaze was pensive, and focused not on him. "As it is, if this were from my world, this would not bring you closer to life, but to death-and bait for creatures of the other side. It will not be so simple here. So I ask again: are you certain?"

[passingships]

"Yes," he said calmly. There was no reason, the way he saw it, not to venture a try. Shougo had talked before of wishing to see the splendour of the human soul - and now, he had a chance to do so literally.

When he thought about what he could learn from the experience, there was no question about what his answer was going to be.

[mostpositively]

There was a distant look in her eye, something judging-which vanished in a few moments, before she offered a small, calm smile. It was only her usual mask.

"I see. I make no promises, just an idea and a chance. If you would be so kind as to follow me?"

She waited a moment, before striding off, her arms idle at her sides.

[passingships]

Nodding, he fell in behind her and matched her pace. What had been that look, that hint of expression before she'd turned away?

"Where are we headed?" he asked.

[mostpositively]

"Not far from here." She didn't turn around; instead he was walking to the former apothecary. "I do not promise that you will get what you want. But who knows? You may get what you need."

[passingships]

"That's fine. If nothing changes then it's no loss to me; merely no gain," Shougo replied.

He peered beyond her at the house they were approaching. Shadows of movement and the promise of chatter met his ears the closer they came. If she could somehow evoke the ability in him, that would be wonderful. However, he was also perfectly happy as he was right now.

[mostpositively]

"I wouldn't go so far as to say there will be no change. Just not what you desired."

She shrugged, not glancing back as they approached the busy place. But out of courtsey's sake, she knocked soundly on the door, before letting her hand drop. Waiting to see if there would be anyone answering, or if they should let themselves in.

[passingships]

"'Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for,'" Shougo recited, chuckling. "Please don't worry about me."

He, too, waited patiently for her knock to be answered, wondering who it was she wanted him to meet - if indeed it was a 'who'.