onifukuchou | 二; Mallynappings suck 「action/voice」

二; Mallynappings suck 「action/voice」

[Hijikata stumbles out of the edge of the forest, barely managing to not trip over his own feet. He looks decidedly unwell - pale, sweaty, tired. A small part of his mind realizes he can't remember what day it is - or why he feels so awful, or how he ended up in the woods in the first place - but the larger part is concerned with more immediate problems like not falling over, and moving slowly enough that his vision doesn't start blurring again.

After a few largely fruitless minutes of trying to figure out where he is and where home is - gods, it feels like his brain has been replaced with mush - he realizes he should probably let someone know he's alive. Or something. He digs out his journal, not bothering with filters.]

Souji...? Someone...?

[...no, he doesn't sound a lot better than he looks]

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[Well, the person who's standing there giving the command is used to having most commands obeyed anyway. Saori steps around into view and offers a nod. A young-ish woman dressed in clothes Hijikata might find a little dated even by his standards, she gives him a level look.]

You'd be surprised what doctors here can accomplish. Come here, and I will at least dull some of the pain.

[Someone he doesn't know - but then again, that's most of the people here. He hasn't exactly been going out and getting to know anyone.

And hell, it's not like she can make him feel worse. Probably. He nods, a little vaguely, and makes his way over to her, managing to only start to lose his balance once]

[Saori steps within arms reach, and holds up a hand.]

I'm going to call on one of the spirits of this world, so do not be alarmed.

[And then her palm begins to glow with a pale blue light as she reaches for him. Hopefully it isn't too alarming, but enough people in her experience have found magic offputting that she felt the warning was necessary.]

[He stops when she puts her hand out, and there's another vague sort of nod. He's seen people do other magic, here - and talk about the magic of this place, but never actually call on it. The curiosity is plainer on his face than it normally would be if he had the self-awareness to school his features better at the moment]

[She gently takes the hand and presses it to his chest, releasing a pulse of light and sensation into him. It's warm, soothing, and should at least dull the pain and help him walk straighter.]

Now, follow me.

[The warmth of the magic surprises him, though as he feels it spread through him, it pushes back some of the stiffness and the dizziness. He stands up a little straighter, his head no longer reeling as badly, and the nod he gives her is decidedly more decisive this time]

Thank you.

[Firmly she directs him towards the village and starts to walk, careful to keep an eye on his progress.]

You're welcome. May I ask your name, stranger?

[He follows, and he seems steadier on his feet than he was before, keeping up with her without major problems]

Hijikata Toshizou.

[There's an ever so faint widening of her eyes, as the name is familiar.]

A pleasure then. My name is Saori Kimura, the Daughter of Wind and Rain.

[She huffs a soft laugh.]

You were asking after Souji-san?

Well, then. Thank you, Saori-san.

[He shrugs a little]

I didn't want him to worry.

No, you wouldn't.

[Huffing a laugh, she looks back at him.]

You are the Hijikata Toshizo from his world, then?

[He makes a little bit of a face at her laugh - what does she know of them? But he doesn't tell her off for it.]

Yeah.

[She nods once and takes a deep breath.]

You and yours have always been well regarded by my people. Toshizo-san.

[There's just a faint emphasis on the honorific. Almost like it's unfamiliar.]

Many of us wish we could have done more to help you.

[He gives her a confused look. His headache is starting to work it's way back, which isn't helping]

...Are you from Kyoto, then? [that's the best guess he has, really]

No. Dazaifu, on Kyushu originally. Hakata, you might know it by. But I've been to Kyoto.

Though...never during your stay there. It was not permitted.

[He doesn't look any less confused. Then again, he remembers feeling that way a lot the first time he was here in Luceti, too.]

Government trouble, or...?

Heaven's laws don't allow us to interfere in mortal conflicts like that one.

[Simply stated, but with a lot of implication.]

[he actually slows, and stops to stare. Because he knows that the temples have no problem involving themselves in worldly affairs, whether they're supposed to or not - and there's a calm surety in her voice that makes him think deeper than the rules of the earthly world]

...Kami...? [there's uncertainty mixed with hushed awe]

[The reaction stops her short as well, though a soft smile graces her lips. The awe in his tone holds quite a lot of meaning for her. So few in this world have anything but contempt for the gods and spirits of the natural world. Being looked at without that is refreshing.]

Myojin. [A gentle correction, but an important distinction. Kami she is, but one of the elder, the exalted among the spirits.] Did my title not give it away?

[He gives her a bow, deep and formal, though when he straightens, there's a small sheepish smile on his face]

No - I'm... not particularly religious. [but has the decency to sound embarrassed about it, at least]

That's quite alright. Few here would even know what a Kami is, let alone just a title.

[She inclines her head, a muted smile there too.]

I am glad to meet you, regardless. Religious or not. But we're close to the clinic, so let's hurry.

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二; Mallynappings suck 「action/voice」

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