video; un: natsume.takashi

[natzoom]

[Natsume begins the video message with the best intentions. He's sitting very calmly in his apartment (which is strange, he's sixteen, he isn't old enough to have his own place to live), legs crossed, expression very composed for someone who just arrive in Trench. His voice is even, shoulders squared, like he isn't the least bit disturbed by the circumstances.]

Please excuse the interruption, but I had a quick question. Where is --

[Then he stops, mouth hanging open, eyes widening, staring at something just past the camera. Long, loooong seconds pass as Natsume stares, face slowly turning pale, barely blinking, barely breathing. Then his head moves, eyes fixed on the something as it sloooowly approaches, closer and closer, until he's staring off to his left, watching the thing. It's moving closer, it'll appear in the camera frame at any second...

...but nothing does. Natsume is still watching, still silent, craning his neck around, then turning in his seat to keep an eye on whatever-it-is, as it apparently moves past him, behind him, then off to one side. Either he's a very good actor, or there's something he's seeing that the camera isn't.

Natsume keeps looking off to the right, where the unseen thing had disappeared, for another couple moments. Then he blinks, turning back to the camera. His face is still very pale, his voice quite a bit fainter, shakier when he speaks:]

Where is the nearest shrine?

Comments

video | un: BRO

[givehead]

(Be still his heart. His guardian instincts are kicking in.)

Yo sweetie. You alone? (Is he speaking to him like he is a five-year-old? Yes.)

video;

[natzoom]

[Natsume is distracted enough by...whatever-it-is that he doesn't immediately register the pet name.]

Yes? I didn't think these apartments came with roommates.

video;

[givehead]

Well, somethin's caught your eye. (The Texan drawl is thick on this one.)

And it ain't me. (The dude was asking a question though.) There's a whole district dedicated to religion. Might wanna start there.

Re: video;

[natzoom]

-- mosquito. [It's almost a convincing explanation. If it wasn't February. Still, Natsume plasters a smile across his face, repeating:] It was a mosquito.

Thank you. That -- where is that?

voice, private; un: imyarek

[unsheathedfromreality]

[Ordinarily, a video message would be lost on Illarion. The very long pause, however, prompts him to summon his Omen, who watches the last half of that long shot for him.

That's disturbingly familiar behavior.]

The Pale Sanctuary in Cassandra may not be nearest you, but it is the safest shrine in Trench.

Forgive me for being so direct: Are you in danger from what you are seeing?

private;

[natzoom]

[Just the voice is sort of nice -- Natsume isn't used to being seen while talking to someone from far away. He doesn't have a cell phone, and things aren't exactly technologically advanced where he's from.

Still, it's odd not to be able to see who he's talking to, all the same. No way to tell who -- or what -- they are.]

Cassandra. That's a -- district? [The question gets a weighty pause, before:] I-I'm not sure.

[That's what's most concerning to him.]

private ∞;

[unsheathedfromreality]

A district of the city, yes. Not a woman. [Strange how some stories, some names, were shared between very disparate worlds.] If you require help getting there, I am glad to assist. Though if it is being very urgent, there are safe places throughout the city--you are where, now?

[...Right. Yes.]

Then it is perhaps better to assume that it may be hostile, than harmless. But not to panic. You are doing well.

What is it doing now?

[natzoom]

Right. [Quieter, more to himself:] Strange name. [Then he clears his throat, looking over at the -- presence again.] It's not urgent, no. I'm in Crenshaw, but I wouldn't...want you to inconvenience yourself.

[Then, a little wryly:] Thank you. I've had some practice.

[Natsume breathes in, exhales, slowly.] Watching me.

video; un: tabris

[peripheries]

Oh, it's Takashi-kun.

[He feels happy...? About this? Or some sort of elation.]

What is it that you're seeing?

video;

[natzoom]

-- ah, Kaworu. [Last names!! Some of us have manners.

The question gets a reflexive pause, Natsume actually going so far as to open his mouth and lie. But he pauses, glances to the side again.] I can't really tell.

[peripheries]

You remember!

[WHAT ARE MANNERS. Still, he looks very delighted at being remembered.]

There's strange energy here. Could be spirits or something in the air.

...I've seen a shrine around here before.

[natzoom]

Of course. Thank you again for being so welcoming. [Kaworu is officially the Trench welcome wagon.

The mention of spirits has Natsume clearing his throat, quickly moving on to the next topic:] A shrine, yes. Do you remember where?

video; un: taka

[retsuden]

[ Oh this guy. He tilts his head because that is a strange reaction to have, but he does remember a question from the last time they met, and it's making... a little more sense. ]

Spirits?

video;

[natzoom]

[There's another of those reflexive pauses where Natsume tries to formulate a lie, only to recognize that this is the serious-looking guy with the chakra powers. So he nods instead, eyes flicking to the side again and again as he tries to ignore...whatever it is.]

I think so. Yes.

[retsuden]

[ Given the look on his face, he's going to guess it's not some benign, pretty one like they draw in picture books or movies. ]

Mm. Are they dangerous?

[natzoom]

[Natsume manages a faint, uneasy laugh.] They're not...friendly. But they don't seem, ah...aggressive.

Video; un: lothrat

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Well, that's concerning.]

Do you...want someone to come and walk with you to Cassandra?

video;

[natzoom]

Cassandra is where I should go? [At least he'd written down that it's a place, not a person.] Is it very far?

Re: video;

[ezra_of_lothal]

Well, I guess that depends on what you're actually hoping to do at a shrine.

Where are you now?

video; un: shiro

[shiro2hero]

Hey, everything okay?

[Hello child. Do you need an Adult.]

video;

[natzoom]

[Oh dear, an Adult.

Natsume immediately plasters a smile on his face, trying to keep his eyes from flicking over to the side.]

Yes, thank you. [A pause.] Mosquito.

video;

[shiro2hero]

A... mosquito.

[Wow, the skepticism in his voice could stop a train.]

I didn't know we had mosquitos in town. [In the winter.] Has anyone been able to help you find a shrine?

voice; un zhongli

[brokebitchmountain]

If you happen upon a shrine then I would like to accompany you as well. There are not many left in Liyue but they bring a certain peace to an addled and troubled mind. But it is also the sense of familiarity that helps ground oneself in an unfamiliar place.

voice

[natzoom]

Most people are saying there's one in a place called...Cassandra?

[brokebitchmountain]

That's not too far from here. However, the trek around those woods is dangerous. An escort would be for the best if you don't mind the company.