citynet | 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.]

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Ah, one moment.

[ 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.

Ah, yes. Thank you for the explanation. And what might I need to do for you to perform that service?

[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.]

Hmm...

[ 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.

[It takes long enough for Seimei to answer that Loki starts to assume it will be a no. That is a disappointing thought, but one Loki can live with. It was worth a shot, but he long ago realized there were some questions he would never have the answers to.

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.

I understand. Very well.

[ 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. ]

[ And welcome to: Kai's extremely baffled face, having apparently just picked up Seimei's phone. ]

...did you just kill my roommate?

[Loki watches with fascination as Seimei begins. It is always a wonder to see others perform their own magic and it is something Loki will never tire of. He listens closely as he speaks, wanting to memorize every line so he can later examine it during his sleepless nights.

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?

[ Hold please.

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.

[ There's a shuffle and some coughing before Seimei reappears, taking back his phone from Kai. ]

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.

[Loki huffs, looking rather annoyed, glaring at Kai.]

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.

We weren't offering it. This was an exception.

[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.

Okay, fine. Then why did you make an exception if it strains you so much?

[Loki huffs slightly, annoyed that he might be blamed for causing this when he had no idea. He doesn’t even like getting blamed when he is at fault so he’s definitely not standing for it now.]

Hmm, well yes I can agree with that. Just make sure your friend knows it was nothing to do with me. And if you would like some tea, I have quite the assortment. Tell me your favourite and I will ensure you get some.

Why?

[He sounds surprised by that question. Maybe even a little hurt that he would be asked such a thing. Yet he's still smiling through the clear exhaustion.]

Because you wanted to trade. I told you. I think it's interesting. What other reason were you expecting?

[Seimei glances over to the cat, who is none-too-pleased about being put upon for any of this. The onmyouji, however, is amused.]

We'll accept tea! Give me some of your favorite and we'll drink it in your honor.

[Loki might be rather chaotic, but he still always has his reasons. So yes, why.]

That just hardly seems like a good enough reason for you to exhaust yourself. At very least there must be others with something more interesting than what I have provided. Wouldn't you rather wear yourself out on them?

I can bring a selection of my favourites and you can try as many as you'd like. Would that work?

video; un: ihavequestion

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