likethelight | IC Contact @ Deer Country

[ Shouto... Shouto all of this is so unfortunate. He wouldn't even know where to begin. Sadly though, Allen has enough selective moral integrity to not try any before the competition. He has too many friends competing! He must remain fair and impartial!! So for now, your terrible secret is safe from Allen and he's even, sadly, really excited and touched about this. He can experience the full shock and horror on live camera.

Sadder still, all those labels fell off. Impishly curious batcat kittens that Sansa has attracted to the place, probably. Or... what did you attach them with, honestly? Otherwise he might question some of the fruit contents. ...although he did lift a few of them up and had questions about why some had... whole stuff in them. Um?

That said, have a positively radiant-looking Allen Walker popping up on your screen. ]

Ehhh? [ He smiles, waving about the "From Shouto" card held elegantly between gloved index and middle finger, and there is something demurely cheeky about his tone. Total nonchalance. ]

Is this what they call "bribing the judges"? [ ✨ ]

[ Will Shouto understand that he's just teasing him? Quite possibly not. Does Allen still really want to tease him a little anyway? Yes, but he'll apologize after. ]

Edited 2022-06-14 19:26 (UTC)

[ Thick pine trees rise behind him and the faint sound of the forest comes to life when he picks up. Mismatched eyes fall to the card, but a sound in the distance shifts his gaze to something beyond the camera's view. When Allen when starts speaking, his attention returns to the omni, eyes widening slightly before his movements cease all at once. ]

....

[ There's a long stretch of silence while he makes sense of that accusation and very quietly stares at the card with his name neatly written in Romanji. He forgot he was a judge. ]

That wasn't my intention.

[ Knowing what it looks like, he can only give one response. ]

Sorry for putting you in this position. I'll take them back.

Edited 2022-06-16 02:51 (UTC)

[ Time to apologize sooner rather than later. 💦 ]

No, no! It's fine, I know that! [ He's quick to raise both hands up and waves them about, trying to reassure. Also... where is he? Was he in the middle of something, that moment of distraction? But this is more important right now. ]

I'm sorry. I was just teasing, it's okay... I really appreciate them. Truly.

[ a pause ] You made them yourself?

Edited 2022-06-16 04:20 (UTC)

[ The straight line of his mouth twitches down a notch, recalling the other judges he accidentally bribed. ]

You're right for pointing it out. I should've waited until after the contest.

[ His eyes flick off-screen for no more than a second. There's a reluctance there that's quickly overshadowed by the sound of twigs and leaves snapping beneath his boots as he turns around and heads back. He lost the trail the moment he picked up the omni anyway. Kizu relayed who it was to him, and Shouto picked up right away, unwilling to let it go to voicemail in case it was important. Next time. He brings the omni up as the pine trees sway above him. ]

I'll apologize to the other judges too.

Edited 2022-06-16 04:46 (UTC)

[ No... Shouto... ]

You can if you feel it necessary but I'm sure they'll understand? It's just a friendly contest that's more about helping people and giving Palebloods a fun outlet while this is happening. [ Helpfully?: ] And it's a very thoughtful gesture.

[ another pause ]

Were you in the middle of something? [ Not... not hunting something, were you? His call wasn't that important!! ]

It's still a contest.

[ Which makes it unfair to the other participants. In the past, he's been accused of getting by with his father's reputation and wealth, yet it's the first time it holds any merit. ]

I'll speak with them.

[ He decides as he steps over tree roots and the amorphous bundle of organic matter decomposing on the forest floor. ]

I was tracking a cat.

[ hhhhhhh... ]

Okay. [ Honestly he knows better than to push, especially since there's no harm and would soothe his own conscience. Still, damnit, he shouldn't have teased. ]

Thank you though. Really. [ He'll be damned if he doesn't try to make that the bigger point though..!! Although that response makes Allen blink. ]

A cat? [ pause ] Why?

[ He nods and keeps trekking through the forest floor, noting the dimming light. Above, faint sunlight peeks through the canopy marking the onset of sunset. He lost track of time tracking down the tabby and would have kept going if Allen hadn't chimed in with his card. ]

She was living near an abandoned housing area where a beast recently went on a rampage. She hasn't been back since. [ He checked. ] I caught sight of her in the forest today, but tracking isn't my specialty.

Edited 2022-06-17 01:19 (UTC)

[ That's... so incredibly charming, actually. He's looking for a cat that might be hurt or in danger... even Allen who normally has a dislike of cats due to the pain they cause him with Timcanpy help but find that incredibly sweet.

He leans forward on his elbows slightly. ]

Do you want help looking for her? Tim's very good at tracking. Or I can let you go if you need to concentrate.

[ Still on crutches? Mostly, although he can get by without. Gonna let that stop him? No. ]

[ Useless is the word you're looking for there. Kizu did most of the tracking. However, the tabby was small, and her passing went unnoticed. They were used to tracking down beasts who easily stood out in a quiet forest. He shakes his head at the offer. He appreciates, but no, he can't accept. ]

I've lost her trail, and it's getting dark.

[ He's a Hunter and knows the perils of staying out on his own past dark. There's a reason why most hunters work in pairs. A rule that's imperative after sunset while deep in the wilderness. The Hunters tell stories of deadly encounters out in the middle of the woods when the moon is in full bloom. It rouses the blood some speculate, yet all agree it's courting death to patrol out there on your own at night. When he's assigned a night shift, it's always within district limits. ]

I'm heading back. I'll check again tomorrow.

Edited 2022-06-17 01:55 (UTC)

[ Useless actions can still be charming. And who says it's useless! It's... working towards something! The cat wouldn't think it useless! Fite him. ]

Mm. Sounds good. [ He did notice that, the combination of the time of day with where he likely was. Trenchwood being a dangerous place in general, but especially at night. But then, being an Exorcist... your life was always in danger. The lives of your friends were always technically in danger. Every time someone went on a mission, there was a very real chance they wouldn't come back, so you just had to trust in them and their strength that they would come back safely. To be ready to jump at a moment's notice to help them if you could.

The Waking World and Trench aren't a lot different from that.

It's nerve-wracking, but you learn to live like that. Compartmentalize and take things as they come. So he wouldn't chastise him for staying out into a dangerous time of day or tell him not to, even if just to look for a cat; Shouto is strong and capable (and stubborn). That said, he's relieved to hear he's coming back and to be able to keep an ear somewhat tuned himself, and so he sits back a little with a faint sort of thoughtful smile, curling up a bit more comfortably in his chair. ]

You can always ask for help looking for her if you want, you know? Later.

Edited 2022-06-17 03:29 (UTC)

[ Trench was nothing like his waking world where people aspired to obtain the title of Hero. Where danger was common but not death, where friends and families worried for them yet were comforted by the fact that that tragedy was uncommon but still a real possibility, especially for those heroes who took on the most dangerous missions. He's not unaware of Allen's feelings: the need to trust in their strength, to believe they'll come back from their mission in one piece. The difference is, that's not a naive thought in his world. ]

I'll keep that in mind.

[ He has no issue asking for help. Prefers it, despite working mostly on his own but that's more a matter of circumstance than preference. If he hadn't lost her trail, he might've taken him up on his offer, but right now, the smart move is to return.

Above him, the sun begins to set, and the canopy becomes enshrouded in shadows, with whispers of light filtering through in a shimmering haze dictated by the wind. ]

I'll keep you posted if I find her again.

Edited 2022-06-17 05:33 (UTC)

[ He'd insist it wasn't naïve in either respect, but that's always a big point to him: pointing out the difference in his eyes between hope and naivete and holding fast to it. And his gaze flickers for a moment between the play of shadow and light on the projection and the actual dimming light outside his window high above the streets below. Not nearly as dark in Crenshaw yet, but that's because there is no forest canopy.

Trenchwood always seems somewhat dark, too. But he gives a nod in response to that answer. ]

Mm. [ A corner of his lips quirks though. Desperately trying not to let his amusement show, but the bright-eyed smile is undeniable. ]

Are you thinking of adopting a cat, then? [ Do you think Kizu would mind?, but he's learned his lesson on teasing today. ]

Edited 2022-06-17 05:49 (UTC)

[ The question draws his eyes back down to the device unaware of his amusement. ]

She's an alleycat.

[ He states as if that answers the question. ]

[ Um.

Blinking once. Twice.

--yeah he's got nothing. ]

Is that a... problem?

Yes. [ You see, he's thought about this a lot. ] It means she likes to roam.

[ Here, at least, he opts to explain. ]

I live in an area away from the district she's used to with predators she's probably never encountered. I'd have to keep her locked up in an empty house every time I went on patrol to keep her safe.

She'd hate that, I think.

Edited 2022-06-17 06:30 (UTC)

[ If you've thought about it this much that means you probably would like to have a cat... suddenly Kizu makes more sense too. ]

Mmm, you're probably right. [ Unfortunately. He was teasing very lightly before, though there was a distinct chance he was slightly hopeful for a cat. But that actually is a sound reason -- at least to Allen who doesn't understand cats very well. Isn't the whole of Trench generally quite dangerous to any living creature though? ]

I'm sure you'll find her a good home though. [ Which causes his thoughts to skip back, recalling what he'd said before. ]

Was the beast found? [ ...saved? ]

[ Unfortunately, he's already killed a few koi fish after transplanting them from the vendor's shop where he bought them - for an exorbitant amount of blood - to the stream near his home. Two he never saw again, a third a bear ate upriver. After that incident, he's hesitant to bring more animals home.

He shakes his head at the question. ]

The two Hunters on scene chased it out of the district and lost sight of it when it hit the treeline near the forest.

[ Which is why he's patrolling the area. ]

[ If Allen realized how much blood you spent... My god let him try to negotiate on your behalf at least. A middleman?? You can even still pay, but how are you not chronically anemic. ...That said he did enjoy playing with the koi greatly, even without the glowsticks. It was fun to lean over and try to get them to nibble at his fingertips and follow them around...

As for that answer -- damn. He leans his chin onto his palm thoughtfully. ]

Let me know if you spot it, if it's a troublesome one. [ a pause ]

I'm not the only one who can fully exorcise them safely it turns out. Beyond someone trying to enter their minds and pull them back. [ effective, but very risky and needing them to be fully restrained ]

Edited 2022-06-17 07:17 (UTC)

[ Those were planned purchases. It took him a month of steady pinpricks to create enough frozen blood crystals to pay for them, but it was worth it in the end. Two koi survived and seemed to like the shade underneath the house, which is where they usually retreated to when Allen wasn't outside with offerings of food. They weren't shy and were quick to explore anything that hit the water including curious fingers that didn't always offer food. They grew fat during Allen's stay being fed more than once a day. Now, back to their regular schedule, they're not as active.

The sunlight starts to fade and the forest grows dark, drawing some animals from their slumber and they add their voices to the chaos which echoes throughout the forest. Shouto looks over his shoulder, trying to pinpoint the location of the sound. After a few seconds when he's unable to distinguish a direction, he turns back to the Omni, nodding at the request. Though, what comes after has his brows lifting slightly in a questioning manner. ]

There are other Exorcists here?

[ It was fun!! Fish are nice and relaxing, he never thought you could really play with them like that before... it was really enjoyable, honestly.

Allen stills a little though, becoming quiet and not answering right away when he notices a sound get Shouto's attention, eyes flickering around the forest behind as if there'd be anything he could notice like this. A pulse of wariness, but he lets it slide when he looks back to him. ]

-mn. [ He gives a thoughtful hum, his thoughts coming back around. ] Not an Exorcist. Not quite like me, although the end result is the same in this case I suppose and he calls it "exorcism."

His name is Fushiguro. Fushiguro Megumi.

[ it took knowing each other for more than eight goddamn months and Viktor spilling the beans for Megumi to finally tell him but Allen isn't bitter. not at all... ]

Edited 2022-06-17 08:10 (UTC)

[ They were skittish at first, not recognizing the newcomer but after a few interactions, the water splashed with activity every time Allen came by the ledge of the wood overlooking the water. They learned the sounds of his coming and going, and came out looking for extra food. Even Tim became a fixture of familiarity not that that stopped them from nibbling at his tiny hands and feet, even wings anytime he drew near in a more playful manner than an actual attempt on gobbling him down. He probably didn't taste good in their opinion and much preferred the food Allen gave them.

With the waking of the nocturnal creatures, the sounds of the forest begin to change, new voices join the songs in the air, some he recognizes and a few others draw his attention away from the recording. That was close. Kizu hums in his mind. Did you recognize it? She shrugs in his mind, unperturbed by the sound. It's not a beast. Anything less doesn't garner her attention.

He returns his attention back to the camera, his eyes flicking ahead every few steps, paying attention to the path ahead, stepping over rocks and plants. When Allen mentions the person isn't an exorcist, his eyes flick down to him before looking ahead. ]

He performs exorcisms but he's not an exorcist like you. [ A pause. ] Is he a priest?

[ Then the name drop which has a flicker of surprise flitting across his face. ]

Megumi? [ The chatty one? ] His omen is a wolf isn't it?

[ Timcanpy absolutely played with them too; the sort to sit on the edge of one of the stepping stones and lean over while trying to splash the water with his tiny hands... and probably falling in half the time. He learned to skim by the surface of the water while hovering after that, waving his hands at them that way. Honestly probably where Allen was a good amount of the time when he was home and where he'd chat with people via Tim.

He misses it, honestly. A lot. ]

Definitely not a priest. [ The suggestion gets a droll sort of dead-in-the-eyes sort of glance aside from Allen. Definitely not that... ] He called himself a shaman.

[ Although, chatty?? That guy? ]

But yes, that's him, and her name is 'Kage' I think. [ He blinks, head tipping to the side in some surprise. ] You know him?

[ He'll send him a video of them some time, so Allen knows he hasn't lost them to the river. He's grown fond of the pair, feeling better that it's two of them, and not one. Otherwise, he imagines, it'd be a lonely existence. ]

A shaman? [ His brows furrow. ] Isn't that another name for a priest? A religious figure from a tribe.

[ He might be naive but he's read enough books to have a notion of the different cultures of the world. As for Megumi, Shouto would challenge anyone who said he wasn't a chatterbox. He's bold, which Shouto appreciates, and doesn't feel the need to ease into conversations simply stating what he means, questioning his words and motivations anytime he finds fault with them. Shouto doesn't mind, he appreciates that kind of straightforward talk but it's also led him to see Megumi as someone who likes to talk, like Allen. ]

Kage. [ He nods. ] That's her name. [ He nods at the question. ] She and Kizu fought the Huntsman together.

[ He won't go into details because it's not something Shouto likes to think about even now. There's something dark and vulnerable about him, like his brother. Maybe that's why he's come to trust him. ]

[ He'll fuss happily over it when he does. And fidget a touch before asking if he could come feed them again sometime... ]

It's not entirely the same thing, but you're not wrong... [ He wrinkles his nose slightly. ] He doesn't strike me as the religious type, though. [ Kind of the opposite, really. It's that kindred sort of sense that people burned by or wary of religion tend to have with each other. How ironic for Allen, the so-called "left hand of God." ]

The Huntsman? [ He blinks, recalling that time. Ah, back then... His demeanor quiets, recognizing that for what it is. ] Ah...

I'm grateful you had each other at that time, then. [ It's gentler, more sober. That could have been dire, likely was, and he likewise won't ask further. ]

Viktor called him a good man and I believe that too.

video;

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