Topic: The Soul Eater - What is it They're Doing? (OTL)

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-20 14:31 EST
"Saya Shashin here, delivering you with your daily dose of? something? or another? Crap. What was I saying?

"Right! While most everyone went back home to Shamanista, I, the Tengu Reporter, has remained behind to vigilantly bring new reports and new sightings based on circumstance! It's just a coincidence I happen to follow certain individuals and coincidence alone!

"Let's get a closer look and see what they're up to, today?"

(On an out of character note: I've been meaning to get a thread started that details what characters are doing with their day. We can't always be online and playing as we'd like. Even if we are, sometimes it's not publicly known what they're up to. This thread is and will remain open to pretty much anybody that has an interest! Make it as large or as little as you like!)

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-20 15:53 EST
Wednesday, June 20th

Stopped by the local bakery, Chiroru, to place a new shipment order. It was unspecified, but in large quantities. History suggests melonpan with a whipped cantaloupe filling.

Also went to the Shanghai Tea House after noon for a parfait before starting afternoon deliveries for St. Agnes' Cathedral.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-20 22:58 EST
Wednesday, June 20th

Late Evening

Dropped off the final set of deliveries just past ten at night. Spent the rest of the evening (and subsequent morning) at Chastity's flat. May be planning a beach trip to kill some time and get better adjusted to their reunion and put a definite end to their year long separation?

Vassal

Date: 2012-06-21 19:40 EST
Thursday, June 21st

Mid Afternoon

I gave the map to my Lady. Er? Flowing Claws. It's really hard to remember to call her that. She has been my Lady for so long. Even though she is no longer, technically, my Queen? I can't think of her any differently.

But, I gave the map to her, hoping it would be useful. Unlike myself. The problem is, I hardly remember any of it. Streets all begin to look alike the more I walk them. Thankfully potholes are part of what I have retained. Now, at least.

When I fell the first time, there was a small dog standing in front of me. I reached to pet it.

It bit me.

Vassal

Date: 2012-06-22 01:39 EST
Thursday, June 21st

Late Evening

I was too late to the bakery tonight. My? Flowing Claws likes a particular pastry, sold by this particular store, made by strangers and packaged in plastic. I had thought to bring some to her apartment before I rested in case it had slipped her mind. She is trying to keep track of several things.

When I got there, the storefront was dark. The lights in the glass pastry cases were dim. Even the white gold glow around the back room's door was gone. I reached out toward the door, to test it to see if it was true. If it was really closed, it did not matter. I would simply come back early.

A girl crashed into me, nearly knocking us both to the ground. She squealed breathlessly, shrieked an apology and disappeared into the night after she locked the door.

Her hair was short and light. She left smudges of flour all over me.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-22 02:27 EST
Thursday, June 21st

Mid afternoon to late evening

The last set of deliveries were made just past seven in the evening.

Stopped by the inn earlier in the evening with Chastity just to get out for a while. Defiled the door. Maybe need a little bleach to get that cleaned up?

Returned to the flat and looked over some pictures of the beach house they may possibly be staying at. A small one with two stories and with enough glass windows it condemns the prospect of privacy.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-23 02:30 EST
Friday, June 22nd

Mid-day

Picked up that earlier shipment request. Turned out to be melonpan, after all. Cantaloupe, raspberry and strawberry cream varieties.

Scouted the city's limits and began applying the first of many seals along its borders to keep a watchful eye on any possibly Dweller activity. Nothing's triggered so far, and her senses haven't picked anything up out of the ordinary. Despite her earlier comments about Vassal's map, she used it as a guideline.

She went to find Chastity before six. Possibly spent the evening with her, again.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-24 03:01 EST
Saturday, June 23rd

Near midnight

Made a late delivery to the inn and encountered a slew of people, both from the church and friends once had. A heated war of words ensued, but she mostly stayed out of it and only offered supporting words of encouragement as she could.

After leaving, she returned to the apartment to ready for her morning activities.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-24 18:31 EST
Sunday, June 24th

Morning

Stopped at the church to aid in weekly cleaning with Sister Caren. Stayed until 2 in the afternoon.

Rather than busy herself going out on the town, she stayed locked up in her apartment. Seemed the girl didn't want to see much of the world today.

Vassal

Date: 2012-06-25 03:12 EST
June 24th

The dog follows me. But every time I try to get near it, it bites me. Or tries to. I've tried feeding it, abandoning it.

It peed on my foot.

Why do I like them?

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-25 06:39 EST
Sunday, June 24th - Monday, June 25th

Evening into morning

Raelyn showed up at the apartment while the Hunter was busy doing a bunch of nothing late night. They spent the evening together which spanned into the bright early morning.

The Hunter stayed with her without letting her out of her sight for even a minute.

Vassal

Date: 2012-06-25 13:43 EST
June 25th

Early morning

The bakery girl would not let me pay for my purchase, squealing and murmuring that it was the least she could do for running into me like she did. I had to agree, she wouldn't let it go.

I knocked on my Lady's door but no one answered. That's not unusual, but there was light coming from under the door.

I did reconnaissance.

There is a small building next to hers, apartments I think, but on a much more affordable scale. Her bedroom overlooks one of the units and it was from the ledge of that balcony that I finally glimpsed my Lady and a girl that I did not know.

I left the package of melonbread outside her window.

Vassal

Date: 2012-06-27 11:53 EST
June 28th

It's very warm out, so much different from back home where the weather seemed to respond to your thoughts. If you thought it was too cold, the sun would burn brighter. And vice versa, too warm and a gentle breeze would blow.

But not here.

The sun is relentless, the breeze is warmed by its rays. Clouds are wispy, like cotton pulled apart. They drift, blocking nothing. My clothes soak up the heat like a sponge.

I see people wipe sweat from their brows and duck into the shade of shops and caf?s. They eat ice from off of sticks and ice in cups with spoons. They laugh and spread their arms out wide.

I cannot feel the sun on my face, but I have nevertheless discovered that I am one of them.

These cloudless days, they erase something inside me.

I let myself enjoy it.

Just this once.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-28 19:35 EST
Thursday, June 28th

Afternoon

Considering the blazing heat wave sweeping over RhyDin City, the Hunter spent the day at "RhyDin Water Land". She's always seen the many commercials with the people standing in front of a massive slide, saying in unison, "Get Wet!"

She couldn't help but check it out for herself.

Vassal

Date: 2012-06-29 01:56 EST
June 28th

Everyone is trying to beat the heat. Everyone sweats, everyone whines.

There were lots of wet children, hollering about how great Rhy'Din's water is. They liked the slides and splashing around. I don't understand.

Flowing Claws was gone today.

The girl at the bakery asked me why I always wear a mask. I told her that I had to. She wondered if I could take it off.

I think she was upset when I told her I couldn't. Her eyes were very sad. Something about that didn't agree with me.

I left quickly, clutching the melonbread. I had bought a small sandwich in case I saw the little dog again.

It must have been too hot for it.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-06-29 17:44 EST
Friday, June 29th

The dumpster outside the apartment was filled today. Somebody must have cleaned house since it was overflowing with so many plastic bags that a couple needed to be set on the side of the receptacle. A large assortment of jewelry and other doodads. Maybe trinkets. Maybe old gifts.

The Hunter's place is certainly emptier than it already was. That's for certain.

Vassal

Date: 2012-07-01 01:07 EST
June 30th

Late

Something about this day? This time of year, this weather. The stack of papers on the bakery's counter said today was the thirtieth of June. Whatever that means.

But there's something about it?

Even this sky?

Have I seen it before? Everything is familiar.

But of course it is. I spend my time doing nothing but exploration, compiling a mental map of our surroundings. I know it will be of use one day. To myself. To Flowing Claws?

Still?

I can't put my finger on it.

Soon I will run out of fingers.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-07-02 04:34 EST
Monday, July 2nd

Morning

The Hunter stopped by the church to deliver various packages on an earlier than usual schedule. One delivery involved flowers that were meant for the local graveyard on the cathedral's grounds. It gave the Hunter a slightly intrigued idea concerning her disappearance and supposed death that has only been whispered of.

Before she left, she hailed the attention of Sister Caren to see what could be done?

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-07-05 21:59 EST
Thursday, July 5th

Evening

The Hunter took in the city's sights for the first real time. She had a contemplative expression as she visited remote areas such as the fountain in the market square. She stayed an exuberant period of time.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-07-06 14:59 EST
Friday, July 6th

Afternoon

At the behest of the Voice in her pendant, the Hunter lopped off a generous portion of her long hair to conserve her intention and need to appear different. Jagged and somewhere around the shoulder. She did it without restraint or mercy.

Vassal

Date: 2012-07-07 02:43 EST
July 7th

There is something that I have not yet told Flowing Claws.

Since I have come to this Realm, every handful of hours it seems, a nest of a periwinkle crystalline substance appears somewhere on my body, attached to my skin. Always at the same time, never in the same place. After a single minute it cracks and disappears, like it never existed.

My Lady and I, nor Lady Rin and I, have discussed much further into my continued existence here in this Realm, what abilities I may have. It is as if I am returning to the outer fringes of their awareness. I think I startle Flowing Claws every time she returns to her apartment even though she invited me to stay with her.

That sounds like I am complaining.

That I want to occupy her thoughts.

That could not be farther from the truth. She has a great deal more things she must busy herself with. I, who have over and over again reassured her that I do not need such surveillance, have not changed my mind. It is not for her to do that for me but the other way around.

And that is why I have decided to keep it to myself. For now, at least.

It is harmless information, a harmless event really, one that I myself have yet to understand.

Until I do, revealing it will only cause confusion and unrest.

I regret it but I know it must be done.

Vassal

Date: 2012-07-08 02:15 EST
July 7th

Evening

The relenting heat has caused the streets to fill. People mill in every direction like insects, traveling alone or in packs.

The scents of food, fried and glazed, reach my nose.

A tiny traveling circus asked me to join them. Milton's Mobile Menagerie. I think. Milton said I would fit right in because of my costume. I did not correct him on the fact that I was wearing my normal clothes.

We tried several acts. I had nothing else to do with my day.

The only thing I was successful at was juggling and target practice using throwing daggers. I can't remember the last time I even held a knife, the only blade my hand has touched that I can recall has been a short, sleek sword. Not the one on my hip.

I have a bandage on my left arm where Bertha, their caged tiger, swiped at my head and missed. It has since healed perfectly, but I need to keep up appearances. Especially since I had not bled blood.

I earned a modest sum for my efforts.

Before I left them, the youngest child traveling with them gave me a daisy with only five petals.

It was sweet.

?

I can't remember her name.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-07-08 07:41 EST
Sunday, July 8th

Morning

An excerpt of a morning conversation

"You look like somebody you're close with? This body was designed according to my specifications. I'm not sure I follow you."

"I realize that. The short black hair, the silver eyes? I may have had a lot of things going on before to distract me, but I can't exactly forget what's in my soul. Two thousand years, ten thousand years? it doesn't matter."

"Hm."

"I cut my hair because you felt it was necessary. I didn't think twice about it. But? all I see when I look in this mirror is? her?"

"The woman that is fused to your soul."

"Yeah? It's like? a spitting image of her?"

"Hm? The Cleansing Fire should be helping dim those thoughts to keep you from being swayed from your objective. Spending all this time with the populace is obviously affecting you."

"I told you. That has nothing to do with this. I see her every time I close my eyes or even think. And now?"

"Now you look exactly like this Martyr woman."

"?Yeah. Her existence is inside of me. It's not unheard of, even if you created this body so I could come here."

"Indeed. If you appear as though you are this woman, it may cause additional issues. I cannot create a new body for you while we are in our present contract."

"Yeah. I know. Enough time has passed now that it may not even matter. People might not even remember her. I just? I realized it. It surprised me. I? It'll be fine now."

"Hm. Very well."

"Ahem? You mentioned something earlier. There was something you wanted me to see?"

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-07-15 06:41 EST
Sunday, July 15th

Morning

The Hunter spent the past week maintaining her delivery schedule. Didn't seem she had much else to do on her list. Without a Dweller in sight, it seemed she was content living what some might consider a normal life without ever being seen.

She rather liked it.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-07-16 16:22 EST
Sunday, July 15th

Evening

The Hunter spent the evening conditioning her poise and control with weapons during combat. It was there she met with a woman that she was troubled by. She could almost place her name and the place where she works with the face.

Almost.

They spoke for a considerable amount of time.

Vassal

Date: 2012-07-20 03:19 EST
July 20th

I have woken yet again from another dream. They come frequently, nearly every time I close my eyes.

Too much happens for my sleeping mind to keep up with. One thing is for certain, the setting is this city.

I do not know how I know that. It just seems? right.

I do not recognize any of those I come across. I speak, but I do not understand my own words. Every vision is seen through a haze of smoke.

I put my hand over my face, feeling the cool reassuring presence of the mask against my damp palm.

I was here, in Flowing Claws' apartment, her uncomfortable chair having become my normal resting place. All was the same as it was when I laid down.

As it always was.

Does this have meaning?

I feel like I cannot ignore these things much longer.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-07-21 21:16 EST
Saturday, July 21st

Midafternoon

An excerpt of a conversation

?Can you believe that she?s? alive??

?Hm. There are many things I?ve come to see as normal, even if the common law of logic is absent.?

?I? I guess? I just? I watched her die. I watched her, with my own two eyes, fall over. The blood was everywhere, nothing was clotting. It was the second time I saw it, but? unlike the first time, there wasn?t some other personality inside of her. She was just??

?The same could be said about yourself. When I first found you, again, I was very much surprised to have seen you. You were not supposed to return to Shamanista. Circumstances changed? much the same with her.?

???

?What do you intend to do? You gave her soul back to her and your powers have altered. My flame can help you regenerate even if it?s much less potent than that blood. Do you still intend to complete your mission??

??I? I don?t know. I?m here for that reason, right? I only came back to take care of that? But with her here??

?Hm.?

?I can?t give up doing that either, can I? I?ll figure out what I need to do and how to go about doing it. Martyr?s here and at my side. She?ll help me do whatever it is I may need to. I?ll handle it with her if I have to. Everything will be fine.?

?What about her memories? She barely knows anything about you, today. Can you trust she?s still the same person and intends to remain at your side??

?Without question.?

?Hm. I will keep an eye on this girl for any possible motives. I may not know her, but I do not need a reason to approach her myself if I have to.?

??your consciousness resides inside of me, doesn?t it? How can you--?

?If. Need be.?

??great? if you don?t get along with her, it?s like dealing with her mother all over again??

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-07-23 14:13 EST
Monday, July 23rd

Morning

The Hunter hasn't separated from her wife since their reunion some days prior. She requested absence from her deliveries at the church during this crucial time of rebuilding and healing.

They spent the past few evenings mostly in solitude, entertaining ideas that would help Martyr reclaim her lost memories. Exploring each other and their bodies may have also been included, much to their chagrin.

Vassal

Date: 2012-08-04 00:07 EST
Late

Days, nights, mornings, afternoons.

So many words to distinguish time and yet they hardly hold any meaning to me any longer. The difference between light and dark is the most I can tell, when once a single look at the sun's position could speak so clearly to me.

I turn my head to gaze out the bank of windows making up one wall of Flowing Claws' apartment. Vertical blinds sluice the incoming moonlight. It falls over the rest of the room, and me, in strips as if through bars.

It turns this chair into a prison, and rightly so. I do not remember the last time I left it.

I do not remember the last time I saw the world with my waking eyes and was not plagued by a phantom image. An echo of a thought. They linger long enough to capture my attention, fading before I can make sense of them.

Small figures, large ones. Colors and scents remain with me. Fruit and flowers and iron, clean cloth, clean flesh. White and brown and evergreen, slick crimson. Musical chimes and bells.

Voices, high and keening, speak to me. Call to me.

Without purpose, without cause, my existence seems to only be defined by this constant badgering.

Constant badgering from a voice that won't let up.

"What?" I say over my shoulder.

Silence is my answer.

No one is behind me, no one has been behind me for the longest time.

My dead heart lurches in recognition to a word I have never heard before in my life. That single word, it must be a name, is the only thing they say. But it is not mine.

What's happening to me??

Vassal

Date: 2012-08-04 12:18 EST
Early

The skies cry and groan. Lightning flashes. The air smells like a swamp and sticks to my skin.

But I cannot help to be outside.

My hair and clothing plastered to me, I walk. The easy, mechanical motion puts my mind at ease and I find rest in the most obscure places. A white fountain whose waters dance with multicolored lights. A tower that was once used as? something, but has now fallen into disrepair.

The higher I am, the more at ease I feel. From up here, I can nearly see all.

The horizon? It's beautiful.

There is more to this world, and this life, than what is inside my own mind. A humbling thought, and yet I feel my mouth begin to smile.

Peace? It's so fleeting.

Vassal

Date: 2012-08-05 01:39 EST
Late

No longer can I ignore this. No longer can I pretend that I do not have a clue what is going on.

I am the only one who notices.

?

When we enter Shamanista, we leave our past behind. A rebirth, an afterlife. We are dead, after all.

But to return to the land of our life? It's? stupid to think that something would not grow back.

This city is as familiar to me as my own skin. The air it breathes, the people within its barriers. Being here feels as comfortable as being back home.

Because?

I was here.

Elisa Clarke

Date: 2012-08-07 07:47 EST
Tuesday, August 7th

Early morning

A conversation

?You feel it, don?t you??

??I??

?It would seem the 'Hunter Chaser' will be our first? encounter.?

??Hunter? Chaser??

?Yes. You are not the first Hunter to be established outside Shamanista?s jurisdiction. A long time ago, there were many Hunters that were hosted, or ?Contracted? by those such as myself. They were the primary source of dealing with rogue Youkai that left the realm. Because of a rogue?s need to consume the living in order to continue to manifest, as you saw personally with Ria possessing your body, we felt it was improper for them to remain unchecked. Hunters were our solution.?

??a long time ago? If they used to be everywhere, what happened to them??

?The Ruler, once he was officially established as our governing body and able to stop a rogue Youkai?s ability to escape, abolished the ability to form contracts, which is the source of providing our vessels with the necessary existence in order to flourish outside Shamanista?s boundaries. Those already in a contract were promptly severed.?

?Severed? the contract? But without a contract?!?

?Yes. Many Hunters were still out in the corporeal realm at the time the Ruler made his decision. It was? swift.?

??d-did? you have a contract at that time??

??I was under one, yes.?

?I?m? I?m sorry. What? What was her name??

?Her name? It was Adelaide Saint-Claire. A woman of strength who understood her task and accepted that she and those she worked with would not see a greater tomorrow without giving in to the thought she must sacrifice something, herself.

"You must keep your wits about you. The ?Hunter Chaser? earned his name from his insatiable thirst for the existence all Hunters are fueled by.?

??so he?s a? true Dweller? I thought those monsters we?ve been seeing around town recently have all been Dwellers??

?Incorrect. What we have been encountering up until now are servants of a Dweller. They are abominable creations meant to feast on the existence of living creatures and collect it. Once enough has been consumed, they deliver it to their master. A very small percentage is offered to them, which provides them with the necessary strength in order to function.?

??that?s??

?It is imperative that you destroy the Dweller. Without him, the servants will be unable to function for very long. You will effectively be eliminating two problems in one go.?

??two birds with one stone??

?Two problems at once.?

?Yeah! It?s called ?killing two birds with one stone.??

?Why would you be killing birds? Are they a problem in this city, as well??

??n-no. Never mind??