video; un: ihavequestion

[emyoji]

[ 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.]

Comments

[blackwaterchild]

Oooh, a deal, huh? Driving a hard bargain.

Tell me the extra service first.

[emyoji]

That depends on what your offering is.

It's not like I can decide that based on nothing.

[blackwaterchild]

[She considers for a long moment]

I don't keep secrets here, so there's nothing I can tell you that some others might not know already.

So, what do you want to know? About how I'm only half-human, or how I was sacrificed for a few days? [For a many days....]

[emyoji]

Sacrificed?

Words are sacred. Only say what you are comfortable saying.

[blackwaterchild]

[She doesn't care, so.

She copy/pastes what she told Kai]

I'm half-human. My mother was a living woman, albeit with strong spiritual powers. My father was a spirit. I was born half-dead and probably drained half my mother's lifespan to live-- At least, that's my theory as to why having a Yomiko like me shortens the mom's lifespan.

Anyway, my mother abandoned me when I was 3 with some friend of hers', which is when all my powers started manifesting.

But, it worked in my favor sometimes anyhow. I've got an agent and everything and am on my way to stardom in my world. But I heard a woman who looks like my mother was spotted on a once-sacred mountain so I went to investigate when I got captured by the spirits and thrown into their sacrifice rituals.

I'm still alive though, so it's fine.

[emyoji]

That's partially cheating, you know.

I'll overlook it this time.

Hmm. Children born across the boundary of two worlds are given gifts from both, but those worlds often have difficulty finding balance with each other. Since you've come this far, my service will be offering you a trick. If you write a person's name on an effigy and whisper one of their fears to it, you can temporarily bind them.

[blackwaterchild]

I said before, I don't have a lot of secrets or stories. I get up, I go to work, I come home, I sleep. I don't have friends or go out and do things. ┐(￣ヘ￣;)┌

The most interesting thing to happen to me and the only decision I've made on my own in years was going to that mountain and ending up in a box in the ground. Sorry, I'm really not that interesting.

Binding them sounds fun though. Does it bind them in place, or binds them to me, or something like that?

[emyoji]

You could have at least written it to me personally. Each story is a living thing and special, you know. You already gave that one to Kai-kun. (▰˘︹˘▰)

Maa, well, it's done now. It should bind them in fear, whether or not they freeze or how long it lasts really depends on the caster and the target. If you have talent, you'll figure it out. That's a fair service, yes?