deernet | handwritten-text (forward-dated to 20th-ish)

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handwritten-text (forward-dated to 20th-ish)

Hello, rambunctious children, with your magical self-writing rocks and magic-yous. I smell so many different yous, by the way! All these shapeshifter-sorts, angel-sorts and demon-sorts. Oh, demons, I’d be delighted to meet you, but if you are like the odds of dear Michael, then carry on. I will not bite. You all are welcome to call me what your heart tells you to, but Ammy, as much as Ammako, have always been the ones to soften my spots.

I'm very aware of the sun's disappearance, and these cursed lands have not allowed it to rise as of late, but, if you are to ask for it, in your thoughts and in your hearts, it shall come to you. Your plantlife shall flourish, your waters cleansed, and perhaps the air you breathe will taste less like a boiling pot of rot down your throat. In the meantime, it shall find a way. It always does. Fear not!

And if you have little interest in these things, then tell me, I am most curious: what is faith, to the lot of you? I am in the mood for the Good Chats as I carry on with my duties, yes.

Oh, and one more thing! If anyone manages to come across a bundle of bones that look and smell of the holy sort by the by, may I have them? They are my favorite snack.

[ as a note, people are welcome to find ōkami items! ]

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[ Clearly there is only one important question here. ]

the sun has a belly

[ Question mark.

There's meant to be a question mark there, but again, Chizuru is not good at this whole communicating this way thing yet. ]

would it not be much too hot for me to touch
but i mean if the sun really wanted to be rubbed across its belly then i guess it would be rude to not give it that

[ S-she thinks?!

This is so confusing to poor Chizuru's brain. ]

The temperature is just right for the likes of earth. Now, show me your face, if you would. I know these things have that fascinating capability. I can't find you, otherwise.

[ Most people would question why they would have to be found by this mysterious person. Or why they need to show their face.

But even though Chizuru might be confused as to why, she's also gullible enough to just listen to the instructions, even in a place as dangerous as this one. Which means that - after a moment of fiddling - the feed changes to video on her end, Chizuru first way too up close in view before she seems to move back to show herself properly. ]

Um.. like this, you mean..?

[ hmmmm. hmmmm. ]

Yes, that should do. Where shall I meet you?

[ T-They're meeting now?!

Chizuru is still both confused and startled, but.. also still going along with this all the same. It's a small miracle that she's still alive. ]

How about outside the Lumenarium..? [ That's not too far away for her. ] W-Would that be okay?

Yes, yes. That's fine. I will see you then, girl.

[ amaterasu goes about her day as she's always liked: busy. running this way, that way, fetching for, talking with those who need her ear, playing with children and slaying, yes demons. outside the lumenarium, she was in for a surprise, and perhaps chizuru, as well.

it's hard not to notice the wolf and her divinity approaching with the winds behind her. flowers blossom where she steps, and with her, in this cold, dead world, she brings life. even without the sun in the sky, she is the sun, and carries a fraction of it on her back in the form of solar flare: a celestial lick of rainbow flames that scorch the darkness into submission.

what chizuru sees is a god— what amaterasu smells is a demon. but that, too, she promised michael she would not to be so feral. these other-demons were not the same as the ones she has always known. to see how things go, amaterasu only slows her steps to a halt and stares right at the girl, golden eyes observant and black nose twitching with every sniff she gave to smell her. ]

[ Chizuru is definitely nervously fretting as she's waiting outside the Lumenarium. She has absolutely no idea what's awaiting her, after all. She doesn't even know who to look out for as she's waiting there, since she has no idea what the person who wanted to meet up with her looks like..

Which leaves her just nervously waiting there, staring back and forth, as if she might uncover some sort of Sign that shows her some nearby person is the one who wanted to see her.

But of course all her expectations are betrayed. It's not a person - or rather, not a human - at all who wanted to see her.

And the girl realises that too the moment she sees the wolf.

Just the sight of Amaterasu makes her gasp, clasping her hands over her mouth, like she realised the gasp was kind of impolite and is trying to cover it up. But what else is she supposed to do? It's so obvious that the wolf is not just any normal animal, not with everything that comes along with her presence. It feels like being in the presence of something otherworldly, and Chizuru has no idea how to deal with that.

Other than to quickly start bowing deeply once she gets over the initial surprise, either way. She remains like that for a moment before she uprights herself, her eyes still wide as she's staring at the being. ]

Are you.. the one who wanted to see me..?

[ the perks of demonics, or any real supernatural thing, really, was the gift of understanding what such a creature would like to convey. amaterasu watches on and awaits the passing of a display that was expected, but at the same time— she was not expecting this. it becomes more curious by the minute.

“yes, yes, that is me. unless you had a meeting with one more ammako i am not aware of.”

but she gets to the point, and quickly:

”what are you?” ]

[ Chizuru's facial expressions can always be read like a book - and this moment is no different. She stares at the other, surprised.. but there's also a sense of guilt in it, alongside worry. ]

You can tell..?

[ It's not often that this happens, after all. Most people can't see the difference between a human and a demon when they look at her. Hell, Chizuru wasn't ever able to do so herself for the longest time. But now there's this wolf, one who exerts energy like something much more powerful than that, asking it so plainly.

What are you. As if she's not even a person. ]

I.. am a demon. Or, um, what's called a demon where I come from.. [ Chizuru has noticed some wild cultural differences between this place and the world she comes from, anyway.

Even if she isn't so sure whether or not said differences extend to demons as well. But either way - she is answering the other honestly. It wouldn't feel right to lie in the face of the other's odd, almost overwhelming presence. ]

[ she speaks and speaks the truth rather than garble along something obtuse and asking to be slain.

"if there is one thing i am learning here, is that all demons i come across are not the demons i am used to. yes, i can tell. i smell you." and it's quite the learning session for her. it's turning all her beliefs upon their heads. while it may also be a terrible word choice, she says, without aggression but with resolve:

"what is your purpose, in this world and that from where you came?" ]

...

[ The question leaves her dumbstruck. After all, what is her purpose? Is she supposed to have one? What does it have to do with her being a demon?

It definitely leaves her baffled for a moment, but it's not like she wants to say nothing in the face of a situation this relatively intimidating. So Chizuru gathers her courage to speak again. ]

I.. I don't know.. Isn't it just to live, just like everyone else..?

[ After all, Chizuru doesn't think that has changed from back when she thought she was fully human, before finding out she was instead fully demon. ]

[ ”to live,” the wolf repeats. that was not a demonic answer— that was quite the human one. amaterasu stares at her deeply, as if somehow she could see past her flesh carapace and into her soul if she kept it up. the girl could be lying. the girl could be plotting.

but she may also be true to her word. never would one of the demons she knew curve before her. amaterasu is benevolent, above all, and would not steal away the demon’s one chance to do something so simply and worthy.

“I hope you live a good, happy life, then.”

her haunches seem less tense, and more accepting as she approaches and decides to sit.

”settle down now, i will not harm you. you are not the kind that does harm.” ]

[ When she asks Chizuru to settle down, Chizuru does try to do so - though some of the nerves about her definitely remain, unable to disappear this quickly, even though the creature seems to be satisfied with her answer. Maybe it's since Chizuru is so sensitive about this topic, considering how differently she always thinks people would treat her if they knew about her true nature, but she can't help but still feel like she's on thin ice.

Even as she slowly moves to sit down next to the wolf. ]

In your world.. [ She slowly starts. It feels like she's picking her words very carefully here, folding her hands in her lap politely. ] Do demons.. do harm there..?

[ It would seem so, at least, judging by the wolf's reaction. ]

[ from a sit and awaiting the girl to do the same, she stretches the rest of herself out into an attentive, sideways lay. in a way similar to how chizuru folds her hands over her lap, amaterasu crosses her paws in front of her— almost elegantly.

"very much so, i'm afraid. illness, corruption, whithering, even death itself— most are caused by one or another. they do not wish to live, in peace. they only wish to harm." ]

[ The girl frowns - clearly not too happy to hear this.

It doesn't even have anything to do with the entire demon situation. Just hearing about that being caused, that happening to people regardless of the place or regardless of who's doing it.. It's something that makes her feel sad. There's already so much suffering in the world, and she never understands why people have to cause even more of it. ]

I wonder.. if the humans where I come from thought demons were like that as well.

[ Even though she's pretty sure demons aren't like that where she comes from. Sure, Kazama is a jerk, but he's not a jerk causing illness in people.

At least there's that. ]

Demons always tried to live separately from the human world back home, but.. the humans started coming to the demon villages more and more, destroying everything there. There are almost no demons left where I come from because of that. [ Her voice grows more quiet as she speaks of it. ] They've all been killed..

[ amaterasu remains in silence but piqued. she can't help it, even though there was the word demon thrown into the mix, her empathy extends near immediately.

"what an odd turn of events," she muses, "i would not usually say this, but it is a genuine thought amidst your circumstance: i'm sorry for your home."

how odd, indeed. with a bit of a huff that flaps her lips: "never did i think i would say that in my life." ]

.. well, it seems that even though we use the same word to describe people like me and the beings from your world, it seems like demons are very different after all from one place to the next.. [ Hence why she doesn't think it's so surprising for Amaterasu to say this here, despite the fact that she obviously does not like the demons from her world.

It's enough to make Chizuru wonder why the same name is being used then in the first place, but maybe it's something she should think about more later. ]

And.. you mentioned another demon, right? In that message. [ Michael, she means, though Chizuru has already forgotten the name the other listed. ] Are they also a good kind of demon..? Or a bad one?

[ "i would say he is not malevolent, on his behalf. he tends to souls, from what i understood, but not in a harmful way. i would describe it as being a guide in the afterlife."

perhaps there should be a name change. there's too much confusion when one word is an umbrella for so many things beyond her own imagination. amaterasu looks the other way, then, the other. it almost looks like she isn't paying attention or has lost interest, but canines do what they do: attentiveness, everywhere. she speaks, regardless:

"and you, child, what is it that you do? you may add your name, as well, even though i will still call you child from time to time." ]

[ It's surprising how easily everything is coming out of Chizuru's mouth today. It's not like she's a liar or anything, but she can be a little cagey about certain things sometimes, worrying about how it might make other people feel.

But in front of Amaterasu.. it feels like she has to just say everything. Maybe it's something about the other's presence, or maybe it's just the sheer fact that Amaterasu is a talking wolf - which means there's a big chance that she's something more than that. Like a spirit, or a youkai, or even a god.

You have to be respectful in the presence of those sorts of beings. ]

My name is Chizuru. Chizuru Yukimura. [ That's the easiest part. Straightforward. ] I don't have a role that grand...

[ Please, she could never beat guide in the afterlife. ]

I just.. got involved with a group back home called the Shinsengumi. They are a group of honourable men who protect the city of Kyoto and the people living within it. I can't really fight, but.. um, it's why I've been trying to make myself useful to them in other ways, like taking care of their meals and other chores, and helping treat them when they are wounded after battle.

[ chizuru, a demon caretaker. making sure honorable warriors are fed, cleaned and healed after their harsh duties. amaterasu looks upward then, a huff rumbling through her throat to her lips and seeming much like a chortle.

”that seems grand a role to me,” is what she thinks in turn, ”chizuru yukimura.” ]

Edited 2022-05-04 01:04 (UTC)

[ Chizuru's eyes grow wide. Her mouth opens a little, and she just stares at the wolf, seeming so baffled.

After all, there is currently a Conflict going on within Chizuru's head. Either she has to accept a compliment from a being like this, which is kind of terrifying since she's so bad at ever acknowledging anything good about herself, or she rejects it and risks facing Eternal Punishment.

Both options are clearly equally terrifying to this girl.

In the end, however, she just stammers: ]

U-um, thank you, but it's.. nothing that special. I mean, anything could do it...

[ She shakes her head, quickly moving on to: ] But what about you though? For you to be a wolf, yet to be able to talk to people like this.. You must be really special and powerful.

[ "ohoh. me? careful, i am easily flattered."

a tease, at best. she likes this girl, she has decided. the malice had probably been in calling her a demon in the first place. well, worlds have different meanings. she'll get used to it. but now, yes, this girl is a chizuru to her, and no vile demon in need of repentance.

"i am but a wolf, that has some technique in brushwork. quite the natural thing, you see. if, of course, you don't happen to see these flames and feathers, that i am sure you do."

oh, she hasn't given her name! goodness her.

"you may call me amaterasu. or, if you prefer short versions, ammy. or my pen name, ammako. i do not care much for my names. " ]

Miss Amaterasu, then..! Ah, um, unless you're not a miss..

[ It's just that the other's voice inside of her head kind of sounds that way - she thinks? Something about calling her a miss just felt natural in the moment, but it's only when the word has already slipped out of Chizuru's mouth that she seems to fully realise that she said it so easily without asking, and it makes her blush a little in shame, damping the enthusiasm of the way she said that name in the first place. ]

In which case.. I am terribly sorry! Even if you don't care much for names, I still want to make sure to properly refer to you.. After all, you've been very kind to talk with me like this, despite knowing what I am. [ And despite Amaterasu's own inherent dislike of demons. That makes it feel even more special.

Like something she truly ought to be grateful for. ]

[ since she's feeling a touch playful at the moment— amaterasu lifts a leg in the way a dog would to inspect an itch— she gives her belly, and further down, a little curious look before putting it down and replying:

"hm— it looks like i have come as a lady this time." the wolf chuffs a breath that flaps her black lips, before she pulls them into a bit of a thin grin. the girl is getting nervous again. she needs to see that she can ease up— and not in the presence of something that should be feared. "look at me, a joker today. you have earned my kindness and respect, chizuru. that is your own doing. it is the disregard for life that i dislike— not necessarily the name or species."

in fact, there's a lesson in that. amaterasu lifts her head and erects her neck in an almost regal posture.

"you are one of the people who have taught that to me. thank you." ]

[ .. what a strange being, Chizuru thinks.

But not even in a bad way, really. It's just that Amaterasu is so unlike anything Chizuru has ever encountered, both in this place and outside of it. A talking wolf, something that perhaps fights demons, with the power of brushwork and a sense of humour..

She's not sure what to make of it, but she doesn't dislike it. If anything, something about the wolf complimenting her makes something warm bloom inside of Chizuru's chest, even as she struggles to accept the fact that she could earn someone's respect like that. ]

A-Ah, thank you too...

[ It's her instinctive reply at that last part. Mostly instinctive because Chizuru is thinking about something else here too, rather than just Amaterasu's words. Maybe it's the way the other is posing, but it makes it so, so very tempting to just.. slowly reach out..

.. and plant a hand in that fur to gently pet the wolf. Which is exactly what she does. ]

.. so fluffy..

[ She's not even realising that she's saying that out loud.

Maybe later she will fluster about impolitely suddenly touching someone once she snaps out of it, but right now she is completely mesmerized by Fluffy Petting. It's too powerful. ]

handwritten-text (forward-dated to 20th-ish)

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that may be wrap soon!

yes, we can wrap it here! c: