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Entry tags:
video; un: ihavequestion
[ The video turns on displaying one of the apartment building living spaces. For the most part it looks like the typical default space, but in the background there's a low table containing incense burners and what are probably offerings. The structure sitting behind it also looks like a shrine... a very small one, but made with loving detail. The lighting is intentionally dim, and Abe no Seimei is kneeling in front of the arrangement next to a black cat that is likely familiar to some in the city. ]
Since we've been facing some unanswered mysteries lately, I thought we should conduct a ritual to try to get some answers. The preparations are all complete if anyone would like to participate in the Offering Game.
[ As he says that, he lights several candles and places them around the cat in front of him. Once the cat, seated on what looks like a cushion on top of an array is properly surrounded, he asks: ]
Are you ready?
[ The cat, for it's part, stares at the lit candles and then snaps it's head around to shoot a look at Seimei that somehow seems deeply betrayed. Apparently, this was not part of the original plan. The only thing audible is a rumbled, plaintive meow, but Seimei nods as in in perfect understanding.
Answer received, Seimei claps his hands together two times and recites what might be a chant, but the words are difficult to make out over the device. Technical difficulties? The candles flicker, then abruptly seem to gain strength as they cast an ominous massive cat-like monster shadow behind the form of the housecat. ]
We are ready. In exchange for a personal story, we can now trade one offering to this great spirit and receive a fortune! But beware, we don't know what kind of answer the unknown may offer us. But if you would like to play, answers do await.
[ Seimei bows once to the cat and once to the camera. The cat stares at the camera for a long, unblinking moment before letting out a sigh that seems to shift it's entire body. There's another, brighter flash that seems to take up the entire screen for a second--the candles flaring?-- but when it clears, the actual cat is gone and all that remains is the shadow creature.
Though the close listener might hear something that sounds like a mumbled hate you so much coming from somewhere off screen. ]
[ooc: Both Seimei and Kai will be replying to this post to play a dumb creepypasta game and discuss possibly real magic.]
Since we've been facing some unanswered mysteries lately, I thought we should conduct a ritual to try to get some answers. The preparations are all complete if anyone would like to participate in the Offering Game.
[ As he says that, he lights several candles and places them around the cat in front of him. Once the cat, seated on what looks like a cushion on top of an array is properly surrounded, he asks: ]
Are you ready?
[ The cat, for it's part, stares at the lit candles and then snaps it's head around to shoot a look at Seimei that somehow seems deeply betrayed. Apparently, this was not part of the original plan. The only thing audible is a rumbled, plaintive meow, but Seimei nods as in in perfect understanding.
Answer received, Seimei claps his hands together two times and recites what might be a chant, but the words are difficult to make out over the device. Technical difficulties? The candles flicker, then abruptly seem to gain strength as they cast an ominous massive cat-like monster shadow behind the form of the housecat. ]
We are ready. In exchange for a personal story, we can now trade one offering to this great spirit and receive a fortune! But beware, we don't know what kind of answer the unknown may offer us. But if you would like to play, answers do await.
[ Seimei bows once to the cat and once to the camera. The cat stares at the camera for a long, unblinking moment before letting out a sigh that seems to shift it's entire body. There's another, brighter flash that seems to take up the entire screen for a second--the candles flaring?-- but when it clears, the actual cat is gone and all that remains is the shadow creature.
Though the close listener might hear something that sounds like a mumbled hate you so much coming from somewhere off screen. ]
[ooc: Both Seimei and Kai will be replying to this post to play a dumb creepypasta game and discuss possibly real magic.]
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When the display is over, Loki turns on his video to respond. He sits in his now freshly painted, and looking more like a home, apartment. He takes his usual place on his couch. He’s dressed rather casually for him, but still looks well put together, as always.]
Greetings. I am certainly interested in playing. Can it be any sort of personal story?
text; un: susuwatari
Text Response | UN: Loki
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[ Whether he likes it or not. ]
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Well, that's rather simple. Okay, let's see. As the story goes, I was born during wartimes. My father's side was losing and during the final battle, I was abandoned, left for dead. The man who raised me, the leader of the winning side, if you will, found me and took me in, but did not tell me of this beginning. Told me all sorts that made me think his enemy, my people, were evil, not once letting me know I was one of them. When I found out and I confronted him, he denied that I was merely a bargaining chip to keep the peace.
There is your story, now, was he lying? Or was there another reason why he would lie to me for my entire life?
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[ Sir please, a glorified magic 8 ball can only do so much. ]
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[ Hey, you asked. ]
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Fine. Here’s another question for you then. If I were able to find my way out of this city, would I live?
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[ Or any guarantees at all, thanks Seimei. ]
Why do you want to know the future so badly?
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Hello again! Did you want a fortune? It can be any story, as long as it's personal, yes.
[At least to feed the cat. Any onmyoudou tricks will be another magic entirely, but he's not concerned about that.]
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[He’s frowning, though he admits it’s nice to see Seimei again. He really must get better at actually keeping track of people.]
Are you able to give fortunes as well? If so, perhaps you should considering cutting dead weight.
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[ The video disconnects for a few seconds, but then returns with Seimei waving his hand fan thoughtfully in front of him. ]
Danna-sama, about your request. That's reading the past, not the future. I do indeed provide such a service, but this ritual was conducted in order to provide answers for good fortune and insights into the future. It won't cover a question within your timeframe.
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[It’s something Loki’s been curious about for some time and he’s not just going to give up if there’s an option.]
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[ He thinks that over, because he usually doesn't perform any traditional onmyouji services like he did in the past. Divinations, answering nebulous questions for the entertainment of the court, or solving problems seeped in human relationships. These days, he's quite happy to use his performance and little tricks to be a "ghost hunter" or "freelance exorcist" without any real formality. Especially where gods are concerned, he prefers not to get involved. But he's already started this show, so Seimei closes his fan and taps it on his shoulder. ]
All right. Because it's interesting, I'll make an exception. Look at your hand, and tell me the one thing you imagine yourself holding. The first thing that comes to your mind.
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But then, he is proven wrong and he can’t stop the look of surprise that crosses his face. He looks down at his hand and smiles. That is an easy one.]
One of my daggers.
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[ His usual cheerful and slightly absentminded attitude melts away for something more obscure. An older, distant consciousness that exists within rituals modern times have already forgotten. He closes his hand fan and taps it rhythmically against his own palm, keeping time to his own chant. ]
One question gives birth to one answer. We accept the flow of time, cause and effect, life and death, whatever their passing brings. What has been written cannot be altered, so grant us the grace of wisdom and reveal the truth resting within the echoes of past lives.
[ On the last tap, he opens his fan and draws the edge over his open palm, drawing blood. ]
Use this stain to break through the passage of natural sight, cleanse both blood and question with your answer.
[ The camera of his phone struggles a bit as he casts a spell with it, producing the faint illusion of shadows around Seimei's form. They're unclear, but may resemble mannequins or blank forms vaguely dressed in clothes Loki would be familiar with. ]
Lies are born from hatred and fear, but endurance is a form of devotion. What you want is simplicity, but human nature isn't simple. Perhaps the lie at its birth was intended to be a means to an end, but everything with life grows along its own path and blooms according to its own will and time. The lie that was named "family" may have been born from hatred and fear, but its life is long, and desires are complicated. The better question is: when you asked, did you see hatred in his eyes?
[ He holds that serious expression for another second, but then dips off screen and cuts the video abruptly. ]
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...did you just kill my roommate?
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At the end, the last thing he says takes him by surprise. Had he seen hatred in Odin’s eyes? For a long time he would have said yes without thinking too much about it. But when he’d seen him last, at his death just prior to everything that had happened with Ragnarok he had seemed… proud? Had even said that Frigga would have been proud. It didn’t sound like hate then.
He was just starting to really think about things when the video suddenly cuts.]
Seimei?
[When it’s the other one that answers, Loki scoffs.] I am one of the most talented mages in all the Nine and even I cannot kill someone that effectively from this distance without saying a word. Is he okay?
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The phone gets set down again for a long few moments, and there's some quiet murmuring offscreen. When Kai appears again, he just looks dry. ]
Think he just overdid it.
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Ah, I'm not dead. How dramatic.
[ So he says, but he's looking much less lively after expending so much energy. The city doesn't make anything easy, and Seimei is covering his face a bit more often. ]
Everything here has to be difficult.
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Why are you offering such things if they strain you so much?
[He is no stranger to overdoing it with magic. For him it’s like the worst hangover you can imagine and it’s something he tries to avoid at all costs.]
I find a nice green tea and sleep helps when I have overdone it before. Oh, also not offering up such things when you’re not at full strength. That also helps.
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[He smiles, tired, but still somehow playful. He'll probably die with that look on his face one day.]
If I were to wait until I were at full strength for everything, we would never have any fun. It's a fair trade. This is just another way of getting answers.
[That said, he seems to being shifting the camera, trying to rely on Kai to hold the phone steady.]
But I do like tea.
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