expiationnet | video; un: ashiya-dono

-ing piece of... Ah! Does this work? Helloooo? Gods, I’m going to feel like such an idiot if this doesn’t-

[The video shakes and turns several times around before it finally settles. Apparently the owner put it somewhere and is inspecting it now like one would a mirror, all angry frowns, tousled purple hair and challenging red eyes that match well with the ornate red and black kariginu that the teen(?) is wearing. And is that a paw-print on his cheek? His voice is surprisingly deep though, and comes as a belligerent growl.]

Alright. This.

[He holds up a very elegant & smug looking fox by its scruff, looking disgusted.]

This poor excuse of a pest has been having a field day eating my food, stealing and burying my clothes, tracking ink over my notices and otherwise being a nuisance. So if this is anyone’s pet, I want compensation.

If it isn’t... I’m looking for a talented fur monger or tanner to turn this into an outfit for next winter. Money won’t be an issue.

[He lowers his captive.]

Second, what’s the best way of getting from place to place here? That stupid grilled chicken Suzaku dares ignore my calls, so I need to invest in a ride that’s both reliable and worthy of an imperial court noble.

Are those Choo-Bootys really better than horse- OW! You-!!

[Rule 1 when handling wild animals: don’t take your attention off of said wild animal.]

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Yeah, sure. [That's a VERY teenage eyeroll Fandaniel gets as reward for his sincere faith.]

Laugh all you want. I will beat them at their own game - both the man and that fox! There has to be a reason why that small plague ghost keeps getting in my hair, and I'm planning to find it.

Oh, you misunderstand, sir.

I am not mocking, sir.

[He said, mockingly.]

What chance would these spirits have against an Imperially favored court Onmyoji? Why, none at all!

Although...

I wonder if you might require assistance with this "plague ghost"? You do seem to be fighting a losing battle thus far.

[If Douman were a cat Fandaniel would be treated to some extra-angry tail lashes.]

Because I am holding back! [is he really?]

I'm used to exorcising oni and hordes of maneating monsters, or maybe a well-hidden curse cast on a high-ranking noble or general in order to turn the tides of a war campaign! Having to deal with vermin in the middle of a living district is like asing a tiger to catch you a bug inside your house without breaking anything.

[Note that he didn't say that he isn't needing help dealing with that thing.]

I am not hearing a "no"...

[dhkfdhkf damn this joker! Calling him out like that...! ]

Then you need better ears!

What I'm saying that it's not a lack of skill, it's just the situation that's handicapping me in that bastard fox's favor!! [somebody to block the other side of the road or exit in the house would be nice]

Oooh, so you do require assistance!

[His cold smile lights up his face.]

Ask me, then, I shall hie to your position.

I do happen to know something about binding.

Screw you!

As if I'd ever ask for the help of a clown such as you or invite them to my place!

[Fandaniel pulled the kitty's tail a bit too hard. Douman has activated hisssss!]

If it's just binding magic, I can do that myself...!

Oh dear, I've struck a nerve!

[He holds his hands up in a gesture of surrender.]

Well, if you should happen to change your mind then reach out.

My handle is "curtaincall". One word.

I do not often display it.

?

Why'd you call curtain? Do you want somebody to hide something? [Heian Period awareness finally strikes.]

My user name. Yours appears to be "ashiya-dono", yes?

And mine is "curtaincall". It is a theater term in my realm. Do not overthink it.

[User name. User of what? The magic mirror? Fandaniel must have enchanted one of his own, so maybe the caster's name is required to make the magic work, similar to how one needs to mark the intended receiver of a message somehow? ..... Come to think of it, Douman doesn't remember when or how he created his own magic mirror, only what it is and vaguely how to use it.

How suspicious.]

That is what I am commonly referred to as. Why do you wish to hide your own name? Crime? Gambling? Debts? Some other dastardly deeds that you don't want to be connected with?

[aaaand he's overthinking it. Or more like trying to sus things out so that he can understand and use this new tidbit of knowledge to his own advantage. Ignorance can be easily fatal when dealing with spirits, and he isn't quite sure that that isn't what Fandaniel is as well. He'd definitely been eager enough for chaos and destruction to qualify, and the truly dangerous monsters can both disguise their looks and are as clever as humans.

Hmmmm.]

Do you like theater plays?

I do. I have long been a patron of the arts.

[Well, he enjoys theater as much as he is capable of enjoying anything.]

As for your question about me hiding my name...

[He lifts a finger to his lips and grins.]

While I find it useful to commune with this network of my fellow Chosen, I would prefer to be left alone. 'Tis difficult for anyone to send me irritating, nonsense messages directly when they do not know which name to send them to.

So you see, my reasons are hardly as nefarious as you suggest.

They can still send it to your alias instead, curtaincaller.

[That might just become his new nickname for Fandaniel. "Curtaincaller." Or maybe "theater demon", depending on how Douman feels.]

Which kind of plays do you like?

All kinds. But I do have a special fondness for the ones that are tragedy and comedy in equal measure.

[So the story of Douman's life would qualify, not that he's currently aware.]

Good answer. I prefer sangaku over overly tragic pieces as well. There's already enough shit going on in everyday life, no need to fill our leisure time with it as well.

Half of my work is dealing with the results of one fucking tragedy or another, and people never learn... !

Is it now?

Do tell!

....A grudge is a sentiment that is chained down and cannot move. With no escape, without a way out...

That sentiment soon festers. It'll turn into sadness or hostility. In any case it'll keep growing and growing until it starts lashing out at others. And then it's too late. Anybody who causes such a deep grudge will ultimately have to satiate it themselves.

Until then it will keep raging and dragging others into it's mess, causing new deep sentiments to arise in the process. Such is the nature of curses.

I know that because I'm the one who they call once shit's really hit the fan. One 'evil' to deliver them from another. I can't even count the number of times where I was tempted to just kick some asshole into the arms of the monster they theyselves created with their actions.

It sounds to me like you aren't speaking in metaphor when you speak of these monstrous grudges.

[A slight grin.]

That isn't what that fox was, I hope?

I'm not.

[Which is about all he'll say on that matter while in public.]

That fox is only an animal that got himself drunk on a bit too much spirit energy. I don't know if one of his parents was a real spirit or not, but it's at least no grudge. You'd know if there were a real one around, trust me.

video; un: ashiya-dono

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