incandescentfaith | Deerington Inbox

[The things that stand out are the drastic differences. Though he watched the change, he couldn't see Hino in the being that rose after. She was different, even in scent. Such an ability must be good, whatever it is.]

Yes, much.

[For the first time in a while.]

It took far more than I thought, but... [He pauses, propping the Fluid against some jars in the kitchen, settling into a chair.] I owe you answers and it would be quite unfair to put it off. What would you like to know?

Well. Start with telling me what you are?

[She relaxes some now that she's spit that out, and now that he's actually agreed that she should know.]

And how much of you is the creature that attacked me, and how much the young man from the rec center?

'How much' is a more complicated answer than 'what' I am.

[He settles back in the chair, arms crossed, debating on how best to word it.]

I was once an infamous demon. A spirit fox, Youko, to be precise. I went by many names, whatever the legends wanted to call me. A little over sixteen years ago, I was fatally wounded. I separated my soul from my dying body and migrated to the human world, where I housed myself in a unborn and soulless human child, waiting until I regained my strength.

[He pauses, tilting his head, looking at something off-screen.]

The woman who bore me, who was so inferior to me, saved me in an accident. She taught me humanity, to care.

The boy from the Recreational Center and the person you met today are, technically, the same. Both are genuine aspects of me.

[Rei listens quietly, taking in his story, weighing his words. That certainly is a tale, and if she were anyone else...and any less supernaturally inclined...she might not believe him. She's not willing to give him complete credit for honesty, given his extremely aggressive attitude towards her earlier, but it sounds reasonable enough that she can accept it for the moment.]

Alright. That sounds like it could produce what I feel in you. I knew when we met that there was something different, I didn't quite realize the extent of it, though.

[She'd just assumed it was something about this place, but live and learn.]

The next question is probably also obvious. What triggered your attack? I certainly gave you no reason to think I'd hunt you down for what you are.

[It is quite a story, he can't deny that. To go into it more would probably make it even more unbelievable. No one would certainly believe the things he'd tell them about his adventures.

Kurama intertwines his fingers, steadily staring at the camera.]

One driven by instinct doesn't think. You didn't make a threat, but that doesn't eliminate you as one. I want to live peacefully. If I told you that, would you have believed it?

[He raises a brow, clearly not believing anyone would accept that.]

At the time, I could only see enemies all around me. My instincts reacted accordingly. This town has done a very good job of setting them off.

Were it not you, it would have been someone else.

I probably would have, actually.

[See, this is the thing...]

The town is the real problem, for all of us. Even a demon, provided they're capable of rational thought, would see that there's little purpose in fighting and killing one another. And the Authority is an added deterrent, given what they did to that man the other week.

[If he'd seen Leo's post. She'd glanced at it, realized he probably had done something incredibly wrong, and that had been that.]

So I could easily accept a helpful demon wanting to live in peace. You...forced my hand, unfortunately. But I think it's clear that something set off your instincts and something happened. Like last month. Do you think that might be the case?

You, Hino-san, appear to be a rare exception.

[Demons are demons in the eyes of the higher powers and they are always hunted for the slightest infarction. The stronger they are, the heavier the hand. He's absolutely sure he'd be dead were it not the debt they owe to their band of misfits.

Humans continue to surprise him. Maybe he should have known better, considering his friends.]

It's entirely possible. However, should that be the case, I am still a danger and it will only get worse.

[There's no point in hiding how troubled he is with this fact.]

We were fortunate that you are strong. Someone else may not be so lucky.

I've seen all sorts, Minamono-kun, but with rare exceptions I don't think there's anyone who doesn't want to find a way back to their world. Logically, working together makes the most sense.

[Of course...there's definitely the matter of him being a danger. If it happened once, it may happen again.]

But you're right, I suppose. There is the possibility of this place doing something to you again. And while I may be a goddess, I cannot be everywhere at once.

[There's no good solution, there.]

I think...perhaps...I may be able to help in some small ways, though. I can make charms and talismans that have some measure of power that can help you repress darker impulses. Hardly fullproof, but it may curb some of the worst of the problem.

[Kurama nods in agreement. Working together is important, he will not argue that. The next fact settles, a chill down his spine. Surprise, bordering on alarm, flashes in his eyes.]

A goddess...

[Deities are usually extremely powerful demons where he's from. Demons he cannot hope to cross. Her powers are pure, divine even, on top of powerful. Kurama never had a chance to defeat her, in that case. He's only just regained his former glory and surpassed that. While logically that relieves the burden, makes it safer...

... it also only furthers the threat she is in his mind. The fox within bristles, but won't bite again, even at full strength. Not unless he has a foolproof plan.

Subduing those thoughts takes a bit longer than he likes.]

I'll do whatever I must to ensure nothing of the sort happens again.

Yes. I, when I change into Mars, am the goddess of war and fire, in my world. I'm human when I'm like this.

[And that's a complicated explanation she'd rather not get into over the fluid. It just isn't the place for such things.]

I'd appreciate you keeping that to yourself, however. Please?

[She knows she can't stop him from talking if he really wants to, but she'd very much prefer her secret be kept close. She wouldn't have revealed herself if she hadn't had to defend herself obviously.]

[A soft smile eases itself into place.]

Hino-san, I understand what it means to hide something of such magnitude. You don't need to worry. Even without asking, I'd have kept your secret.

[A kitsune keeps his word. The rest is all something they can discuss another time, if and when they are ready. Secrets such as theirs are not easy to let go of.]

Thank you.

[She cannot really say she expected him to blab, but it's better to make it clear.]

Where do you live? I'll make the charms and have them sent to you soon.

300 Lisa Road. Thank you, Hino-san.

[It means a lot to him. Not that she needs it, but she has a loyal fox demon in her corner.]

Expect them in a few days then.

[By dog, probably.]

A final question. Do you think it was the corn maze that caused the outburst?

I can't be sure, not without testing it more. Neither of us want that.

[He pauses, thinking it over.]

In that maze, it became increasingly harder to ignore the desire to kill. It's hard to tell if it was the maze itself, or if I reached a point in which I could not resist.

Well I ask because someone I spoke to, a girl named River, said something about the maze having voices in it. I...have a feeling that she might be right.

[As crazy as she sounds.]

I heard some as well, but I also haven't slept properly recently. This body is still human and requires rest, so I contributed it to auditory hallucinations.

If others are experiencing it, too...

I noticed it the other day. Normally level headed people complaining about being tired and irritable. Also, being overactive at night. River and you both have confirmed a pattern.

I wish I could say that is a relief, Hino-san.

[The smile he gives is tight, because that means everything he's done to keep himself from being manipulated is... useless.]

It simply means that vulnerability is available to everyone, and unlike most, I am genuinely dangerous.

It gives us something to go on though. I'll see what I can uncover and get back to you.

[Because they are in this together, after all.]

I truly do appreciate it. If I can assist you, please let me know.

[The 'together' part is the part that makes him hesitate. He couldn't do this without her help, but it's another reminder how reliant he is on others to live among humans.

It's disheartening and frustrating.]

Was I able to answer all your questions to your satisfaction?

I will.

[Sorry, Kurama...]

But you were, yes. If I think of others, I'll let you know. But for now I'm good.

Then I will let you go. Stay safe, Hino-san.

[Kurama has a pride to nurse back to health.]

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