video; un: lookingforshinsengumi

[tealeafs]

U-Um..

[ When the video starts, the girl visible looks clearly shaken up. She's looking a little pale, but it mostly seems to be since she's scared - since it matches the way her eyes look wider than usually, and the way she's breathing a little hard, like she's been running around for a while now. There's even some drops of sweat at her temples because of it. ]

I'm sorry to bother everyone. [ Despite her state, it's like she somehow can't help but mutter those words first, even offering a faintly apologetic bow of her head before she quickly glances around her and then speaks on. ] But, I-- I.. think I'm in danger, and I don't know what to do about it..

[ A valid reason to ask a question on here, one might say, and yet Chizuru seems so awkward about it all the same. ]

The other day I started seeing ghosts here around town. Um, ghosts I.. I recognize. I'm not sure if they're ghosts, but I can't imagine what else they'd be.. [ Because it's clearly not those people actually being there. ] At first it was just me seeing them and nothing else, but now every time I see one, they rush towards me to try and attack me. It's..

[ She hesitates, but then admits, helplessly, stammering-- ]

It's scary. It's really scary.. Has anyone else experienced this? Or.. what should I do..? I really don't know..

Comments

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar is very aware he is not the target, only an obstacle. Yet, he is an obstacle both very large and surprisingly swift for a man of his size. He fully intends to remain exactly that all the way up to the city's library, if that's what will be needed.
He considers it quite advantageous that his blade is able to block the ghost's sword. At least it gives him means to shield the girl behind him from the attacks.]

Do not halt. We need to retreat, even if slowly. Reaching the city is our only way of finding a solution to this problem.

[As if on command, a large, golden lion appears next to Chizuru. The beast weaves around her knees, nudging at her shins with a soft jingle of its metallic fur. Iskandar slides to the side to block yet another blow. Gods above, isn't this spirit persistent.]

Be not afraid. This is my omen, Chrysokomes. It will protect you, too.

[tealeafs]

[ At first the appearance of the lion is a little frightening. Even though Chizuru does recognize that it's got to be the man's Omen if it is being summoned in such a way, it's still a lion, a creature Chizuru has only heard of before, rather than actually seeing one in person. It makes it feel a little like being faced with a mythological animal in the middle of the street, and it threatens to make her freeze up.

.. but when Iskandar says that the creature will protect her, Chizuru dares to reach out a hand, gently touching its fur. Something about that does make her feel a tad more confident in the situation - if not just because the Omen seems to be so much like Iskandar himself. Strong, confident. Ready to protect.

The girl does manage to take a few steps, following the other's command to keep retreating, but it's still slow, a little hesitant. Maybe she's worried about taking her eyes off the ghost, that's still continuing to slash at Iskandar, seeming to not relent, even if it is being blocked each time. ]

.. could you do that and retreat at the same time..? [ Chizuru asks, softly.

Worried.

Because she knows that even if this is only a ghostly version of someone she cares about, it's still a great swordsman. Chizuru isn't too sure whether or not Iskandar could truly multitask like that, when there's so much at stake. ]

I-- [ She stares, then swallows thickly. The situation is scary, but she's trying her best to be strong. ] I don't want to leave you behind.

[ It wouldn't be fair, not when Iskandar is doing his best to protect her. Even though he doesn't even have to, since it's not his problem. ]

[towards_okeanos]

Worry not! It is not uncommon for an army to need to retreat to gain a more favourable position in battle.

[Each of his words is punctuated now by the sound of metal meeting metal. The girl did not exaggerate. Her commander, or rather the ghost of him, is a formidable swordsman.]

The secret to a successful retreat is to know your opponent and have a plan.

[While he can't spare focus to look if she's listening, he does make a small step back. It might look as if he's giving up ground, where in fact, it's moving them in the direction he planned. A living human would have noticed, but a ghost is too single-minded for strategy.]

In here, we are in possession of both.

[tealeafs]

[ Chizuru doesn't move. Not initially. She's far too worried about leaving Iskandar behind with the ghost, no matter how capable the man seems to be.

But then he seems to retreat, even if it's just that single step.. and that's what makes Chizuru try to trust him. She takes a quick few steps backwards too, putting more distance between her and the two clashing warriors - though that seems to aggravate the ghost only further, as it tries to slash even more desperately to try and get around Iskandar.

Fortunately it definitely is still a single-minded ghost, which means it doesn't seem like it's trying to do anything other than that. It's still trying to go for the straight line to Chizuru--

-- which is exactly where Iskandar is standing, so the ghost keeps focusing its attention on him. ]

Sir, I'm-- I'm going, don't worry about me! [ She'll try to retreat a little ahead of them. Enough to still see him and make sure he's okay, but far enough so he won't have to turn to look at her to see whether she's following the plan, or-- ] Don't worry about me..!

[ She'd rather he'd focus on the fight, considering she feels like the ghost really could hurt him if given the chance to do so. ]