Chore duty (shira)

[Ryu Hime]

Nani was doing one of her daily chores this morning, which at this time was grocery shopping. Her mother gave her money and a list of things to buy. Currently she is standing in the shopping district buying a sack of rice. With one arm she hugs a small Raggedy Ann doll close to her. The doll was dressed just like Nani. The doll held the list of items Nani needed to buy. The vendor hands Nani a pound of rice and she then asks her little friend, “Ok, Mimi what’s next on the list?” The dolls head and arm moves to look down the list. “Fish? That’s um…” Nani looks around not sure which way that vendor would be. The doll lifts her hand and points northward. “Thanks Mimi!”

 

[Mienai]

Shira was walking through the shopping district, looking for some particular items that she was planning to use for her recently revived hobby. Shira was looking for parts for doll crafting, something that her mother had been extrordinary at and something she herself had learned from her. Shira approached on of the vendors and saw that he did indeed have some parts of interest, but they were a bit too expensive for her own pocket. She could probably make some of the parts if need be. She turned to leave, only to stop as something of interest caught her eye.

At the booth beside her, there was a little girl that was clutching a doll to her side. Now, it wasn't the girl that really caused Shira to take interest, but rather the girl's behavior and the doll's. The doll looked nearly identical to her owner. This caused an old dying memory to reserface in Shira's mind. Kokoro... There was a dull ache in Shira's heart as she remembered her friend from long ago. When she saw the girl talking to her own doll, Shira was also reminded of her own hardships that friendship brought. Taking to a doll ended up destroying her life more than it did helping. Doctors visits, mental evaluations, her father's dead...her mother's, a four year coma, a shattered mentality, all at the fault of a child's imagination and a curse that was out of her control. She almost seemed thankful for the collar that was latched around her neck and now suddenly felt heavier. Shira returned from her memories when she noticed the slightest of movement from the doll. Shira smirked, so the girl was a puppeteer. The question was whether or not she was aware of it.

Shira approached carefully, attempting to not startle the girl. She cautiously reached out a hand went to lightly tap the girl's shoulder. "Word of advice, I wouldn't let others see you talking to your friend. People can be a little...harsh at interpreting that. It might sometimes cause problems for you." Shira crossed her arms and shrugged. She wasn't good at social interaction and she wasn't even really sure why she was even talking to this girl in the first place. Something about her just reminded Shira so much of herself, so she wanted to protect this girl from the suffering she herself had experienced as a result as having a doll for a friend. Shira gave a light smile to perhaps diffuse any tension she might have caused. "My name's Shira. Might I inquire as to your name as well as hers?" Shira nodded towards the doll.

 

[Ryu Hime]

The doll facing Nani warns her master of the approaching woman and Nani spins around almost before being tapped. Of course it was another adult that did not understand. Nani stuck out her tongue disrespectfully and then yelled, “My name is Nani and I can talk to whoever I want. Mimi is a good friend and I don’t care what you people think.” She turns around and runs away, but Mimi slips out of Nani’s grasp and falls to the ground in front of Shira. Mimi was curious of Shira for what she said. Most people would give a command for Nani to stop talking to doll, but she gave a warning as if she lived it herself. Mimi gets herself up and brushes the dirt off her clean dress. She then begins to run but after a few steps turns around. She makes a movement with her arms as if to tell Shira to follow her. Mimi, Nani and the other dolls played hide and seek all the time and she knew all of Nani’s hiding spots.

 

[Mienai]

[Apologies about the wait, I'm still having some computer issues, but it's better. Posts should be more frequent now.]

Shira glared at the girl's brash attitude. At least she'd gotten a name out of the kid; that's more than what she would have given as a child. Still, she had to desperately keep herself in check when it came to her tolerance though, otherwise she might do something that could seriously get her in more hot water. Ko would probably frown upon the act of beating up a small child because of petty frustration. Giving a sigh, Shira cracked her knuckles, a habit she had picked up to distract her a bit. She thought about her actions and just shrugged."This is what happens when you try to be nice to people, Shira. No skin off my bones, though. The kid can learn the hard way."

Shira turned to leave when she spotted the doll on the ground in front of her. Wait, was that moving by itself? Shira watched with curiousity as she saw the doll, Mimi, stand and brush herself off. Nani was the doll's owner, right, but she had definitely just run off. Shira gave a smirk at this new development.Interesting...<i></i> Shira thought back to her own psychiatric therapy and couldn't come up with anything. "Alright, maybe she's not a puppeteer. Hell, I don't know. Special case scenario then. Let's just go with that." Shira mumbled to herself, nodding at her logic. She'd seen weirder, so this wasn't anything spectacular, no need to dwell on pointless theories. Coming out of her thoughts, she saw Mimi had moved ahead, waving at her, like she was beckoning Shira to come along. After a quick raise of the eyebrow at the doll, Shira started forward. "Serious case of Déjà vu. Still, this is more interesting than running errands. Alright, lead the way Mimi." Shira would follow the strange being, wherever it went. Her curiosity was always getting the better of her.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Shira followed Mimi and Mimi led them to Nani, well until they came to an intersection. Mimi looks both ways trying to think which way Nani might have when. Mimi didn’t see Nani to the right and to the left. Mimi jumps and starts to run turning right, but she was not fast enough. A dog thinking her a chew toy ran up and snatched her with his jaws. The dog continues to run down the road as Mimi punches his nose with her soft fists. The dog was a stray with dirty gray fur and he drool all over her. His teeth pierce through her chest and legs. He would run through alleyway and jump over trashcans to escape Shira that is surely following him.

Mimi shrieks with the shock compressor in her body and releases his prize by tossing it into the air. Mimi takes a hand and plunges it into her chest to pull out the ninja wire she was filled with. While flying through the air she fashions the wire into a lasso a ties that mutt’s mouth shut. She then land on his back and rides the canine like a bull in a rodeo. The dog kicked, bucked, scratched and rolled but Mimi continued to ride. He then starts ramming trashcans and slamming into wall until he tired himself out. The dog lays on the ground and whines wanting to be let free.

 

[Mienai]

[Erm, Sorry again. I really had no idea what Shira would do with that. I'll be better.]

Shira was starting to get bored with the doll. It wasn't exactly walking very fast and having to slow down her own pace for it was becoming a chore. She sighed before looking back down at the doll and noticing it was gone. Turning her head to the left, she saw a dog running down the lane, a small item in it's jaw. Shira scowled in distaste. "Oh for fuck's sake..." The young adult turned and chased after the dog with lax enthusiasm. It wasn't like it was her job to take care of the toy, but she'd remembered seeing an old friend of her's toy clockwork rabbit being carelessly trampled by some rude ass teenages. She couldn't let that repeat itself.

She kept good pace with the dog until she heard it give a yelp. Suddenly the doll was doing some weird acrobatic string technique and the dog was tied and muzzled quickly. She silently applauded the dolls bravado and smirked. Mimi seemed to have some kick in her afterall. Shira looked down at the dog pathetically. She kneeled down and looked curiously at Mimi. "Alright, clearly you are no normal toy. Let's just hurry and find Nani before any more harm can come to you or possibly her. It looks like you could use a patch job anyway." Shira would hold out her hand to see if Mimi would let Shira carry her instead. If not, she would just retract her hand. Looking back at the dog once more, Shira just shook her head. The dog had clearly been asking for this...such a low intelligent being.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Do to the strange nature Nani’s puppeteering works, some of the puppet jutsus become a little modified as well. Nani placed a small demon within each of her dolls, which grants the dolls the ability to move on their own. However in order to move they must feed on the sealer’s chakra and thus Nani and her dolls are connected by a chraka string. She cannot make chakra strings to move an object because she does not know how to control her chakra strings like that. Instead the demons in her dolls can leave the doll and possess the object. When Shira lends a hand Mimi grabs her finger and attempts to possess. When possessing living things Mimi can’t control the thing but be a voice to guide it. Also Mimi can only possess willing hosts; if the host is unwilling she can be thrown out with a thought. This is Nani’s version of Life-Line Manipulation. As Mimi possesses Shira her doll body would fall life less. She then speaks in Shira's mind. “Hi, I’m Mimi and yes I’m in your head.” Which is as much as she could say before Shira rejects her, if Shira decides to do so.

 

[Mienai]

As the doll took Shira's finger, she felt a small ripple run though her. She was unsure of what such a thing was until she saw the cross attached to the collar that sealed her from demonic interaction glowed brightly. She suddenly heard a voice in her head and frowned. The crystal on the cross cracked. "Not this again!" Shira felt Mimi's presence, but it didn't seem overbearing, however that wasn't Shira's biggest concern at the moment. Her seal was cracked, meaning it would either be in a weakened state, or would fail to work at all. Shira could feel the numbing of her mind coming back. Another presence. Shira, it's been far too long. Haven't you missed me? And here I thought we were friends. The demon that telepathically manipulated her as a child's voice joined Shira's inner thoughts, granted it was weaker and far less straining on her mind than when she was younger, but it was still coated in sarcasm and mockery. Mimi would be able to hear her as well. I don't enjoy sharing, I was here first. Throw this lesser being out! The demon hissed in displeasure. Shira closed off her emotions and mentality. "It's you again. I thought I'd disposed of you. I'm stronger now than I was as a child. Be gone." Shira used sheer will to cut the communication with her demon. It seemed the seal was still strong enough for her to postpone communication for the time being, but she would need to repair it soon.

Focusing back on Mimi, the presence she would willing allow, Shira sighed at the mild headache and addressed her mentally. Hello Mimi, I believe you've just met Nydira. Bad timing at that. I didn't exactly expect you to be a demon as well. That would explain the movement to some degree. Shaking her head, Shira looked down at the fallen remnants of the doll and picked it up, no use leaving it on the ground. With Mimi in her head, at least they could move faster. "At least you don't seem hostile. Shall we proceed then?" Shira would start to walk forward, waiting for Mimi to respond, as she continued to look for Nani.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Mimi was a bit surprised for she was not expecting another presence other than Shira to be in here. Mimi did not like how it talked for it sounded like something evil. Mimi growls at the evil being as it commands Shira to drive her out. “Nydira seemed to have made quite a nest here. Must have been here for a while.” Mimi thought the cross looked oddly familiar and felt stupid for not recognizing earlier. “My previous master used seals like that.” An image of a miko in the usual priestess attire hugging a full grown dog would appear in Shira’s mind. The image was motionless like a snapshot of Mimi’s past. “Of course I’m not hostile. I’m inugami. Dogs are man’s best friend you know.” The image would then fade as Mimi place her attention to other things. “Now do you know where the fish vender is? She should be hiding in one of the empty barrels.”

 

[Mienai]

As Shira turned down an alley to head towards the fish vendor she thought about the image and information that Mimi had provided. I see. So you know of these experiences? Nydira has plagued me since I was a baby. I'm just glad it appears that Nani is not aligned with such dark beings. I would not wish this on anyone. To show the extent of madness that Nydira had caused, Shira showed her own series of images. One of when she first met Nekozuka Kimi and her white bengal tigers when she was 12; the demon had told her to kill the animals. Another of when Shira had outrightly attacked her bedridden foster brother with her dolls by controling them with chakra strings because the demon hated the small, awkward, stuttering little boy. The last was of when her mother, an almost older replica of Shira, told her that the demon was in Shira's mind, that it was not her doll, and Shira had attacked several doctors from the overload the demon caused which sent her into a coma. Lies... Shira picked up her walking pace a little as she threw her out again. I was not a good person with her. This seal protects me. If your previous master knew of these seals, is it possible that you know how to fix them? Or destroy similar ones? I've been trying to track down the book she is bound to, but once I find it I have no idea how to handle that kind of corrupt power.<i></i> Turning another couple of corners, Shira finally saw the fish vendor. There were three or four barrels it looked like.

Shira remained silent as she approached the barrels. The vendor seemed to be giving her an odd glance that said 'don't even think about stealing my goods'. Shira glared at the man, but kept about her business. She found it hard to understand why a child would even want to hide over here. It smelled disgusting. Shira leaned over and looked into one of the old barrels, it was empty, except for some remaining fish parts. Shifting over a bit, the second barrel held relatively the same contents. That left two more barrels. Shira stopped, wondering if she should address the girl rather than scaring her by randomly showing up. "Nani? Are you around here? I brought Mimi back." Shira would wait to see if the girl would respond, if not, she would proceed to look into the barrels herself.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Mimi was starting to fill guilty about possessing Shira. How could she be so stupid? Tsubasa always did say she was to head strong and didn’t look before she leapt. “I cannot help you. I was a guardian only there to protect the priestess from danger. I know nothing of seals, but Tora might.” An image of a stuffed white tiger appears in Shira’s mind. It would be clear that Mimi was not the only possessed doll in Nani’s collection. “She is a bookworm and always curious about stuff. She’s bound to know something, but knowing her she will ask for something in return you might not like…” Mimi gives a dramatic pause for effect. “She would ask to talk with Nydira directly. In order to do that you will have to stop resisting her for the talk.”

It was at this time that Shira called out to Nani. One of the barrels shake violently, tips over and Nani falls out of it. The fish vender was surprised and started yelling at her while swinging a fish. Nani pretty much ignored him and ran towards Shira. She snatches Mimi from her hand and inspects it. Mimi was not moving at all and Nani was starting to breathe heavily. “What did you to her? You killed her, didn’t you?”

 

[Mienai]

Shira was slightly disappointed at having reached a dead end on her information. Still, it was more hope than she'd had in years. Thank you, Mimi. You have been very helpful. I will have to consider speaking with Tora. Having Nydira at full force in my head might not be a very wise choice.<i></i> Shira didn't have much time to process anything further before she heard a rattling, followed by some thuds. It was one of the two barrels she'd been looking at.


Shira spotted Nani as the barrel tipped over and the girl fell out. As the fish vendor freaked out, Shira dug some loose money from her pocket and fired it at the guy's face. Maybe that'll shut him up, since it's obvious he wasn't keen of people. She really needed to work on her patience. Turning her attention back to Nani, Shira saw that the girl had taken the limp toy and was clearly upset with her. Shira had never really learned how you're supposed to deal with this kind of thing. On instinct, Shira kneeled in front of the girl, speaking slowly."Nani, Mimi is fine, please listen to what I have to say. Just, give me a chance to explain." Shira paused, unsure of how to really proceed, and waiting to see how Nani would react. She had just said please, she never did that. This was really starting to turn into a mess; she really needed to work on social interaction more.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Nani was still not clam around Shira quiet yet for most have a bad view on demons. “So you know what she is?” Mimi leaves Shira’s mind and enters back into the doll. Mimi’s arms fail around like nuts as see tries to tell Nani everything all at once. “Slow down Mimi, slow down. Take a deep breath a try again. Now what’s this about a demon with in Shira?” Mimi starts and explaining slowly, but Nani was not the only one to hear her story. Nani noticed Mimi’s disappearance not too long ago and had summoned one of her dolls to sneak around and look for Mimi. Shira found her first and Nani had put her stuff animal into her pack. Now a head pops out of her pack; it was a plush snake and it spoke to Nani. Aru liked the sound of Nydira for she sounded just like herself; not care about the morals of men, but only looking out for number one.

Aru slithers around Nani’s waist up the torso, over the shoulder and around the neck. She looked like a green scarf and spoke to Nani. “Aru says she would like to speak to this demon. She says she does not need a full audience. Just enough for the demon to give simple answers.” Nani then pets Aru one the head. “Aru is my little dipo… dipo…” Aru silently hisses the word she was looking for. “Diplomat.” Aru loved making deals and she had a delouse offer in mind for Nydira. Mimi shakes head disagreeing with this idea. She did not trust Aru at all.

 

[Mienai]

Shira seemed a little confused by this whole interaction. She felt Mimi's presense leave her, granted it almost went unnoticed until the doll started moving again, quite rapidly as a matter of fact. It seemed like only Nani could hear Mimi now, which was fine, considering it meant Shira had her mind back to herself. Think again. Shira growled internally, she seriously didn't want to deal with her. Based on what Nani was repeating that Mimi said she was a bit worried with how the other girl would take it. "Now you know."

Shira noticed that Nani now had a stuffed snake that slithered out of her pack and now rested around her neck. Shira liked snakes, but they were always to be weary around.Nani seemed to be quite confortable interacting with several of these demons at one time, and she seemed to accept Shira's own form of demonic interaction as well. While Shira felt that Nani was safe with her own demons, she didn't know how comfortable she felt with Nydira interacting with any of them. Mimi was a huge risk that she did not expect, not to mention her seal was broken so there was also the risk that it could break more. Shira pondered the offer. "A diplomat you say? Well, be that as it may, Nydira doesn't compromise with anyone, she's tricky. What kind of questions would Aru want answered that I couldn't ask her myself? Or is it simply easier to have a direct conversation?" Shira raised an eyebrow, she didn't mean to appear hesitant, but this was a touchy subject. If Nydira showed too much hostility, it could get ugly real fast.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Aru did not like this situation for the deal he had in mind, he did not think Nani would agree to immediately. She will have to tread carefully if she wanted to negotiate. It will be difficult to show to be on Nydira’s side with both Shira and Nani listening. Aru shakes the rattle on the end of his tail for he did not like this situation at all. No matter there was some pre-questions toward Shira that could be answered. It is unusual for an infant to have a demon sealed within it. Was this imprisonment or part of some sort of bargain? If it was imprisonment, getting rid of him will be easy. However, if it was the later, it might be hard depending on the deal and the nature that it was carried out. Aru lifts its head above Nani’s and looks Shira in the eyes. “Aru has some question for you as well. He wants to know the reason for Nydira being sealed within you.”

 

[Mienai]

Shira knew this would come up eventually. Well, crap. She looked at the snake wondering just how much to disclose. Her situation was a special case. Shira stood and crossed her arms, letting out a sigh. It had only been four or five months since she herself had even remembered the truth. It couldn't really hurt, this is probably the most assistance she would ever come into contact with, and that was saying something considering she was talking to sealed toys. Shira looked over and found a set of old boxes along a wall. Surely no one would mind her using it. "It's a long story, one I can't leave the details out of, otherwise you might not understand. Perhaps we should sit."

Shira headed over to the boxes and took a seat, leaning back against the wall. After a moments pause, she began, speaking as if it were a fairy tale. "It's complicated. There is a curse upon my family, but it only effected me. Long ago, the founder of the Minohodo family nearly lost his wife and unborn child from an unknown illness. No medical doctor could help her; she was destined to die. However, there was some kind of legendary book, one of great, unknown power. He found it, and begged for a potion to save his wife. He knew the book was no ordinary book, there was power that came from it. A demon that had been sealed within the book. The demon, Nydira, could grant you your heart's desire, with assistance of the book, but there would be a payment of equal and opposite calibur. His wife got better, and bore a healthy son, but since a soul was saved from death, another would carry the burden of suffering. The curse was placed upon our family that the first female child born would bare the suffering of a mental illness. She would also be born with the eyes of the demon within the book." Shira stopped for a moment and gestured to her red, black slit eyes. Looking up at the sky, she continued. "The mental illness, wasn't an illness. Nydira had the ability to speak with me, even though she isn't sealed within me. I had no say in the matter. I can't explain it, but it's part of the deal my ancestor made. My mother passed on before I could attain anymore information. I've been looking for that book ever since." Shira scowled at the memories. So much pain she had endured in her life all for a man's love. It was his fault, all his fault. She would not outwardly show her pain, Nani was still young and while she had a concept of this, obviously, she shouldn't be burdened with such troubling thoughts of another. Shira nodded back at the snake, sitting up. She hated telling long stories, but it was necessary in this case. "I believe that should satisfy his curiosity."

Shira thought for a moment. "Before I answer any more questions, or decide to let Aru inside my head, I have a question for you. How exactly did you come upon these friends of yours, Nani?" Shira gestured to Mimi and Aru. She realized by now that Nani was bound to have more, but they all seemed so different.

[So much blue ]

 

[Ryu Hime]

Aru looked like she was in her own little world as she thought to herself: So she is not possessed but a medium. Sound like a contract was involved here and I’m afraid it sounds like a rather solid one. To be able to corrupt a child from birth, such a receivable is a very lucrative asset. I wonder if Nydira was the one who made this contract or did this book demon sell his right to collect. I bet the book demon could make a nice profit off of that. If that is the situation looking for the book would be pointless. Maybe we can purchase Shira off of her. Let’s see, well she is still functional if you remove the seal. Not nearly as good as originally made, so depreciation definitely drive the price down. Damages are also an issue. If he didn’t use the darn equipment so hard it wouldn’t be so resistant. I might have a few receivables of my own that I could buy her with.

As for Shira’s question, Nani gets up from her seat. “Here let me show you.” She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and raises her hands up slowly. A green flame rise up off her body and grew until she completely engulfed by it. She was a light in the darkness attracting demons like moths to a flame. Even Nydira looking through Shira’s eyes would be entranced by the flame. Cats, dogs, foxes, birds and other animals came out and watched the flame, but all of them more than what they appeared. Some were cleanly demon with extra tails or runes on their body. While others you would swear were merely animals. All of them seemed hypnotized by the dance of the green flame. It invited them and drew them to her, but ward them to keep their distance or be burned. Nani opens her eyes and smiles at Shira. “Isn’t it wonderful? I learned this form an old book Auntie use to have.” Nani looks at the crowd unsure who to pick among them or if she should pick one at all. “Would you like to see how I seal them?”


[sorry for the wait]

 

[Mienai]

[Wow....I really let this thing go for a while I am really really sorry. I finally got ahold of a functioning laptop so hopefully<i></i> this won't happen again. I thank you for your patience though.]

Shira's interest was suddenly spiked as the girl was pretty much a beacon of energy calling forth several variety of beings. It was clearly visible and even she found herself completely enraptured with the thought of what such a task was. Why can't you be interesting like that? You just bite people. Shira's eyes visibly narrowed, a rumble from her chest could be heard. Shut up. Shira looked over and noticed the minor demons that Nani had called. She had never really seen any up close before, surprisingly. So, Nani had learned this from a book, eh? Perhaps her own book and the one Nani's Aunt's book share commonality. She would most definitely like to learn more. Standing up and folding her arms, Shira nodded. "Sure, I'd like that very much. You have my curiosity, that's for sure." Shira wondred how exactly this would go, but also the dangers of it. These demons roaming close didn't exactly look hostile, but looks are always decieving, and while Nani looked like she knew what she was doing, demons can be tricky.

 

[Ryu Hime]

Nani looks at the crowd unsure who to pick among them, but she does pick one. She walks up to a white five tailed fox. “Oh handsome fox will you vow to protect from my enemies, play with me when I am bored and cheer me when I am sad?"

He presses a paw to his heart as if wounded. “Mademoiselle, you flatter me.” He lowers his head and does not look at her directly, but stares at her feet. “Nay, I am an ugly creature unfit to gaze upon thy beauty. For I have failed to save my beloved senorita. But if you will have me, I will gladly lay down my life for you to restore my honor; so that I may be in her warm embrace again when I fall.”

Nani felt like some sort of queen knighting a squire. Being the child that she is she could not help but play along. “Arise fox and be counted among my number. Please, give me your name.” The white fox stand on his two feet like a human and stand proud. “Gengoro, milady.” She places a hand on his head. “From this day forward you shall be known as Sir Gengoro of the Knights of Nani.”

She then pulls out a plush white fox out of her pack and sits it in front of Gengoro. Nani was happy to actually have a toy that matches the demon she was sealing for once. “This shall be your armor. Are you ready?”

“Yes Milady”

“Usstan N'rieth dos dhyn quortek wund nindol khel” Gengoro’s soul left its body and flowed into the doll. His body fell lifeless and the toy comes alive. The plush fox stands and bows to Nani.

 

[Mienai]

Shira watched the selection process, though it didn't seem very hard considering there were many to choose one. However, the one she chose did happen to catch her interest. Kitsunes could be tricky, even small ones like that. Still, she waited to see what Nani would do. The process seemed overly polite to her, no small part on the foxes end. Seriously, it was all a bit dramatic, but maybe that was normal. Nani held another doll husk in her hand, which Shira made the connection of that becoming the new 'host' of sorts. Nani said something in a language she was unable to understand, but Nydira growled in her head. You would be wise to stay away from this girl. She isn't good for you. Shira ignored her. She makes her own decisions and if Nydira didn't like something, chances are it wasn't for Shira's own benefit. Shira clapped when the stuffed fox came to life and started to move. "Impressive. I'm assuming those were words from that book your Aunt has?" Shira paused as a thought came into mind." So can you do that with anything? If this is something akin to a spirit transfer, does the new hosting body have to be a doll?" Shira was wondering just how powerful this could potentially be, not for her own purposes, but she had an idea she might want to try later if that were the case.