middaeg | She's into superstitions

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fatal frame: sae kurosawa

She's into superstitions

Who: Sae & You!
When: makes vague hand motions
Where: aefenglom
What: Sae practices with her fae illusion powers and probably scares the shit out of people as a result
Warnings: Body horror from the ghosts she illusions up, attempted strangulation in one prompt.

A. Spooky Scary Skeletons

[Hua Cheng had shown that he could use illusions rather well, so why couldn't she? Sure it seemed mostly geared towards changing the appearance of the land around them rather than individual people, but surely if she focused enough she could figure out one or the other, right?

It takes a long time--she's got too much self-doubt for this to go easily--but eventually she starts with small things and works her way up from there. Anyone passing by the river might be in for quite the shock, then, at seeing a rather grotesque man-like monster haning out, towering above the young girl. Behind it, unmoving, stands some sort of veild priest , though Sae doesn't seem to be able to hold his form as well as the other. It flickers and waves sometimes before solidifying again.

She doesn't appear at all afraid of the more monstrous form though, smiling warmly and reaching up to pat at his arm]

There, there... You look exactly like him. But I probably can't do much with you except have you look scary, can I...? I wonder if these can kill...

[A totally normal thing to wonder about, don't mind this!!]

B. Til Death Do Us Part

[Or perhaps, rather than seeing Sae playing with those ghosts, there's a mure curious sight you might come across.

Sae, in her kimono, laying out on the banks of the river. But the more interesting sight is an identical-looking girl straddling her, her hands enclosed around Sae's throat.

There's no struggle from Sae. She just stares up at the other girl, who stares back with an equally impassive expression. There's a beat before Sae scowls and abruptly, violently, throws the girl off of her. The girl disappears as Sae kicks at the ground with a scream of frustration, before she flops over and curls up on her side, hands pressed to her face.]

Useless...! What's the point!? Even now, why won't you--!? [She makes another muffled shriek of frustration and lays there, breathing heavily. After a moment she takes a breath and sits up, eyes narrowing at the space in front of her. The girl appears again, arms at her side, waiting and Sae stares at her intently.]

There has to be something...

C. Butterfly Garden

[At least this is a much mor epleasant scene to come across. Crimson butterflies flit about lazily, all seeming to converge in a mound on the ground. It's all rather peaceful at first, until the mound moves and the butterflies take off into the sky in a swarm of crimson, and then blink out of existence all at once.]

Oh... [Sae sits up again, looking vaguely disappointed, then rubs at her eyes before giving a big yawn. She rests her elbow on her knee, cheek in hand, staring at the sky rather dispassionately. But there's always people coming and going, so she conjures up another butterfly, sending it off to a random passer-by out of curiosity.

If it catches anyone's attention enough, the butterfly flits about for a little bit, before 'exploding' in a shower of sparks in their face and disappearing. Sae's immediately peals of laughter makes it quite clear just who it came from too.]

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[Ah, what lovely, cooler weather. With all the thick fur Heralia has been growing lately, the fall reprieve from the heat has been nothing short of great, and she can't wait for it to get even chillier.

A walk along the river is a good way to cap off a day of boring Parliament meetings, and she swishes her tail - which decided it didn't want to disappear after this last full moon - from side to side as she walks, just getting used to the way it affects her balance, and the feeling of it under her skirt.

Someone laying near the banks of the river is a bit of an odd sight, and Heralia's tail swishes to a stop as she watches, curious.

... She knows that girl. That's Sae, she thinks, and steps forward, pawpadded feet near silent in the grass as she approaches. What in the world is-

You know what, she's going to stop safely out of arm's distance before addressing her.] Hail, lass, what are you doing? Are you alright?

[Sae flinches and the girl disappears, Sae looking dismayed for a moment before she turns to see what's broken her concentration.]

Oh-- [Oh. She supposes it wouldn't be unlikely for people to be passing by and see her here or anything. She'd sort of lost herself in her brief grief and rage.]

I, um... Was just practicing? [She offers the explanation meekly, looking sheepish.]

[Red eyes scan from Sae, to the place where the illusion had disappeared, then back again, slowly, appraisingly.

Then, Heralia steps forward. At least she doesn't feel as in potential danger.] Just practicing your illusion magic... that was quite the illusion to conjure up. Was it trying to kill you...?

[She fidgets with her sleeves, looking-- oddly disappointed as she shakes her head.] No. [She sighs]

Or, well... It couldn't. I can't get it to actually...do anything with the world, you know? It doesn't seem like it'll be able to protect me very much...

[or kill her, which really is the worst part of this.]

... You call that protecting you?

[It was definitely sitting on her and trying to strangle her. But there's something a bit odd about it - it sure looked like a more human version of Sae herself, but something a bit off about it.

Heralia can't quite put her finger on it, though.] Perhaps you should summon it against something that isn't yourself. I could see perhaps there being a limit on you purposefully trying to attack yourself with your own magic. Like how it's very difficult to badly harm yourself with your bare hands because it hurts too much to concentrate on doing what you're doing.

[Sae hesitates more, looking uncomfortable even as she focuses the identical-looking girl back into being. She tries to imagine Yae hurting anyone else, and--

She abruptly shakes her head and the illusion vanishes.]

No, I don't think I could do that to her. That's not the kind of person she was.

But... your explanation makes sense. But maybe this sort of thing is only good for tricking people. Like a defense thing? Hmm...

She... so it's the image of someone? She looked so much like you, I thought it was just yourself...

[This is Heralia cocking an eyebrow to prompt an explanation, young lady.] Regardless, I know very little about the particularities of fae, but it would make a lot of sense if you can't use your own powers intentionally against yourself.

Though I suppose those failsafes are not there for Witches... hm...

[Sae turns to look quietly at the image of the girl, frowning lightly.]

...She's my twin. This is Yae, my elder twin sister. [Yae smiles, friendly and polite, and bows in greeting with a perfect poise.]

I don't think a lot of people know about the fae. We're pretty rare...I only know of two others. I think a lot of it's just... trial and error, since I don't have too many to really turn to about it... Witches sure have it easy.

Yae, I see. I suppose it would make sense to create an illusion of protection in the image of a close sibling... though there's no love lost between myself and my siblings, I can see the appeal in it for some.

[She might've killed a few of her siblings herself anyway. But she understands, sort of. From her younger days, before she saw the world for how ugly it really was.]

It's true. There aren't many of your kind around, are there? I hear they're quite rare among Monsters in general, as well. Have you looked into the libraries of the Coven or the city though? Ah, and there is that one young man - Nerissa's assistant's Bonded - he's a fae, I believe. The Coven likes to try to be helpful, though you should be wary of what they might want in return of you!

[She latches onto that immediately, looking curious.] You have siblings?

[That is good advice though, even if Sae looks a little apprehensive about it.]

I don't really have anything to offer in return though... So I might just try to see what I can find on my own first. I haven't really thought to try the library. We didn't have them in my village.

[Not like, really. Not like it was here, anyhow.]

Aye, eleven of them. And me the youngest.

[Not that that's very important, but!] And it's alright. I don't think he'll mind so much to help out one of his fellows that wasn't born into the life! But yes, the library is a great place to start, if you'd rather strike out on your own first. I don't know it well, but I have been there to visit and take a few books.

Eleven! [She echoes with a gasp of shock, looking alarmed and impressed in equal measure. She's never heard of anyone having that many kids before and, presumably, surviving them all. It seems a bit rude to ask, 'is your mom still alive!?' all of a sudden though.

She ponders this a moment]

You just... take them? [Is this... stealing? Is she going to be a DEVIANT?]

Eleven trueborn siblings, yes, and me makes twelve. My father was a king, and loved little more than bedding women, especially in his younger years. Given his luck with wives, most of my siblings are out of different women. I actually have many other siblings that are considered illegitimate as well; mothered by milkmaids and servants and foreign dignitaries, and, I am fairly certain, at least one or two from traveling performers.

[She wasn't kidding about her dad being kind of a ho, but as for libraries...] Regardless, with the books, you have to check them out. You borrow them! With the promise to bring them back.

[Sae listens with wide eyes and jaw dropped in surprise. A man taking on a wife and concubines wasn't unheard of, but only usually nobles as far as Sae was aware. And she'd never really been in contact with any of those before.

Until now, apparently.]

So you... You're a princess? [Check books out, return them later, right got it but first: PRINCESS??]

Aye. It doesn't mean much if you're not in direct succession to the throne, though. You're just a thing to be sold for a marriage to strengthen alliances and treaties.

Why I don't much call myself a princess anymore! I'm a retainer.

[She blinks a moment, not sure what to make of that-- most girls get married off like that, right? She didn't expect to even find her own Bonded by herself here.]

Is... There a big difference? I guess there must be...?

Well, yes, actually. As a princess I was mostly a political tool, and something to further a bloodline. I could do a bit of negotiation, and there were many household duties of a wife, obviously. As a retainer, I work in service to a lord - and, in this case, a lord of my own choosing! I don't have to bear her children or anything, and she's in no rush to do anything but assign me tasks to carry out in her name and will. Much more active, much more entertaining. I get to travel, enforce laws, make treatises and run diplomatic errands, among many others!

I much prefer this life. So long as I get results, and continue to remain loyal, I can do very well what I wish. Unheard of for a princess. [And sometimes that includes pulling her lord back from the brink of doing something reckless and... regrettable.]

[She listens, fascinated, and makes a small noise of understanding. It did sound like a lot more fun than sitting around taking care of a household.]

But isn't it scary too? I mean... [She pauses, brow furrowing as she tries to figure out how to explain what she means.]

Are you and your lord friends? You're not lonely?

[nothing about anything strikes yan bingyun as 'pleasant'. it's as much a personality flaw as anything, but he's blaming it completely on aefenglom.

but at least he minds his own business wherever he goes, be it the library or a teahouse or simply out for a walk to clear his head and stretch his legs. bingyun doesn't pay the butterfly much attention at first, just lifts his hand to push it away from his face. that only seems to make it swarm even more, until he actually draws back from the large red insect. when it explodes, his first thought is of poison powder or flying needles, making him bring his arm up to shield his face.

...nothing happens. yan bingyun lowers his arm again with a confused look before turning to the source of the laughter.]

Do you find this funny?

[She'd mostly targeted him because she'd mistaken him for Wei Wuxian--she still doesn't quite notice that it's not at first, smiling as she sits up further.]

Mm! Didn't you think so too? [Sae pauses then, brow furrowing slightly in confusion] Big Brother?

[big who? yan bingyun's expression tightens even more for a moment before relaxing again. but even "relaxed", he looks like he could swallow coal and produce a diamond.

he walks over to her, tall and straight, arms behind his back. just a girl, doing girl things...probably.]

Why aren't you helping your mother?

[She realizes instantly that this is not Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian would never carry himself like this, even as part of a joke--he could never keep a straight face that long.

Embarrassed, Sae shrinks away somewhat, watching him uncertainly. The question makes her pause, blink, and then glance away again.]

...I don't have a mother. [And because she figures this might be the next question, she adds:] I don't have a father anymore either.

[oh. yan bingyun's lips part to say something, but he doesn't have the words for it. compassion wasn't something that overwatch council encouraged...it kind of gets in the way when you need to torture the enemy for information.

but he hadn't meant to cause her pain with the question, nor inspire her nervous reaction to him. he frowns briefly while lingering there.]

So you're not a native child but a prisoner of this place as well. How long have you been here?

[She nods, folding her hands politely in front of her, though her fingers fidget with her sleeves once in a while out of nervous habit] A few months now. Um... I think about 4, maybe 5 now.

Do you... really think of this place as a prison? [The concept of gilded cages is a new one for her, but she looks around as if expecting to start noticing bars everywhere or something.]

We can come and go as we please. Except, I guess, back to our original homes...

They brought us here against our will and then forced changes upon our bodies, all to better serve them. I don't think it, I know it.

[no one else seems to see just how insidious this place is, and that never stops surprising him. but yan bingyun won't let himself be fooled. everything and everyone are sus.

but her body language, her expression, all that he watches closely suggests that she really is just a girl.]

The butterfly. Can you make it again?

[She's quiet a moment at that, lowering her eyes to the ground as she thinks.] I guess... If you came from a place that was better, this place is a prison or a type of hell. [She could concede that point.

His request startles her and then she brightens, nodding eagerly.] Mm! [She concentrates a moment, and a bright crimson butterfly appears again, floating lazily about. It wanders over to yan bingyun's shoulder and rests there, but there's no weight or anything to suggest there's actually something there.]

[ It's the illusions that catch his attention immediately, or rather the fact that he can tell exactly what they are even before one of them flickers slightly. Hua Cheng finds himself watching for a moment or so, interested enough in trying to figure out what looks so off to him that it takes a bit to register the gruesome nature of what he's looking at.

After that, it's no real surprise when he traces his attention down to the source. Who else would be walking with ghosts. ]

I doubt it. [ He absently makes his way closer, attention still mostly on her creations. ] Unless one is likely to be scared to death.

[She jumps in surprise; the mourner disappears, but the monstrous creature wavers a bit before solidifying again as Sae concentrates. She sighs a little and turns to look at him, but there's a bit of a smile there as she perks up seeing who it is.]

I guess they're really only good at tricking people, huh? I guess that's fine too... But they're really hard to maintain.

They are.

[ It takes more concentration than Hua Cheng would like, though he suspects that might lessen with time. It's part of why he's been playing with them so often, and he imagines it's the same for Sae.

Still, he moves closer to the creature, studying it with a curious eye. ]

It's good work.

[She practically beams at the praise, perking up] Do you really think so? I heard-- Um, I heard we should practice with things that we know, so...

[She looks up at the monstrous creature with a fond look] This is the Kusabi. He was a sacrifice too, an outsider. When everything-- [She pauses, trying to think of how to explain it nicely.] When I came back, he would go where I told him to. He protected me...

[AKA he'd kill whoever she directed him at.]

I met him once, while he was still alive. He was a good man. It really... What happened to him really shouldn't have happened, but... [Guilt winds through her and she looks away, frowning.]

Edited 2020-11-10 20:12 (UTC)

[ He hums without inflection in response, attention still mostly on the illusion. It's all too easy for him to see through it, solid as the image is, but if Hua Cheng concentrates enough he can focus on the details.

Sacrifices and what they deserve. A wry smile curves briefly at one side of his mouth as his eye darts back towards Sae. ]

Sounds useful. [ Both as the original protector and as something to practice now. Hard for someone to want to bother you when you have that standing at your shoulder. ] What else have you been practicing?

[SHe perks up, looking eager that someone's asked.]

Oh! I-- [The Kusabi wavers and then disappears. Moments later in its place is a girl that apepars idenctical to Sae in every way, except her kimono is pure white and her expression seems more mature and serene and befitting of their age. The red, rope-like mark around her throat is also missing.

Sae's hand darts out to grasp the other girl's and she smiles brightly.] This is Yae! My twin! [She looks quite pleased about it, looking at the illusion with an expression of utter adoration.]

[ And despite knowing exactly what it is, Hua Cheng turns to the illusion and folds his hands in front of himself to bow neatly. The gesture might toe the line between mocking and genuine, but the faint smile on his face is real. ]

A pleasure.

[ Perhaps not the best thing to tease her about, but if nothing else Hua Cheng can understand wanting someone there enough to surround yourself with images of them. It doesn't entire help, but it doesn't hurt either. ]

[Yae bows back after a moment, her movements far more graceful than they probably eer were in life, but Sae's working on a definitely biased memory here.

It takes her a moment to realize Hua Cheng might be making fun of her too and she pouts, the vision wavering and then disappearing.]

You're making fun of me. [She accuses him, but she doesn't seem very angry by it, just exasperated.]

A bit. [ No hesitation in the admission, either. ] But it's good to keep the images of those we love with us.

[ He certainly has no stones to throw in that regard, not when his new home is starting to fill up with statues again. The illusions seem both better and worse, more lifelike but intangible.

Though the thought does make him tip his head slightly in thought. ] What do you intend to do with them?

[Sae is quiet for a moment; the answer to such a question hadn't really occurred to her]

Oh... I don't know. I'm not sure what they can do. I just... [She trails off, staring at the spot where Yae had been standing.] I just wanted to be able to see her more. But it's hard to keep it up all the time. I don't like her disappearing...

[ There's a moment of thoughtful silence before Hua Cheng nods once to himself as if coming to a decision. But one side of his mouth just curves up as he studies her. ]

You'll get stronger at it. With practice.

[ Likely never quite enough to keep the image with her permanently, but at least a goal to work towards, perhaps. ]

[She gets to Xichen's much quicker than she probably should have if she'd been going, you know, at a normal pace. But she's practically run the entire way, too giddy and excited to drink tea with him to think about it much until she's at his door.

Should she... wait? Leave and come back? Take a walk around the block first?? She wrings her hands and frets, at least taking the time to calm down so she's not panting for air or something and making it obvious she got her week's worth of exercise in here. Sae swallows hard, straightens up, then knocks on the door, rocking a little on her heels as she waits.]

[It doesn't take him long to answer the door since he's not too far away. Preparing water for the tea and getting some small snacks to accompany it, because he imagines Sae will want something nice like that for this awkward conversation. Has anyone asked yet what she dreams of? Probably not. It seems like something that might have been forbidden in the past, or at least considered unnecessary, and since their arrival it just hasn't been something he thought to approach her about. But if Sae is thinking about it this seriously, it's definitely time they have a talk.]

Ah, you didn't need to rush. We have plenty of time to talk. Come in here.

[He ushers her inside so he can get her safely seated and encourage her to rest.]

Have you been worried about finding someone all this time? What are your thoughts?

[Has she been sitting in silent anxiety? He really should have checked up on her more.]

I-I didn't! [She did.

But she comes inside without protest, even if she looks a bit sulky that he's seen through how quickly she'd rushed to get there. But as they get seated, she lets it fall away so she can answer his questions truthfully]

Mm... Not really. I didn't think much of it-- I knew we were...supposed to Bond with someone, especially if you're a-- a Monster. [God she hated calling it that. She fidgeted with her sleeves.] I guess I just didn't want to think about being one.

But... Then the wedding happened. And Big Brothers Wangji and Wuxian seemed so happy together, in their bond and their marriage. And I realized just about everyone else around me was Bonded too. They all seem really happy too...

[She trails off, staring down at her hands.]

I've never... been alone before. I always had Yae by my side. I never imagined it'd ever change. So even though I've made a lot of friends here, even though I'm not alone, I still feel... lonely, sometimes.

[He doesn't insist when she says she didn't rush, but he does smile. If Sae was just eager to visit, Lan Xichen is also eager to share some company with others, so he can't really judge her for looking forward to it. And it seems to him that Sae really does need this opportunity to discuss her feelings. If she's been holding them in for this long, it's no wonder she's excited.]

You shouldn't form a Bond based on fear.

[That is something he's firmly sticking to.]

Whether you are a monster or witch here, you should choose to be with someone you care about because you enjoy their company. Not because they are one or the other. And you shouldn't hurry to marry just because Wei Wuxian and Wangji decided to be married. Many Bonds are more friendly here. Besides, they waited a long time before even- well, anyway, they always take their own path and rarely acknowledge the others.

[He sets about getting the tea ready and pours a cup for her, pushing a small plate of snacks forward to join it.]

Even with a Bond, you might still feel lonely. That isn't a guarantee against any feeling. Sometimes it is the opposite. It's more important to find what you want for yourself and see what people here might travel with you to achieve it. It might be that you will be lonely together. Is a Bond still what you want if that is so?

Edited 2020-12-01 03:40 (UTC)

[SHe holds the tea in her hands, listening carefully as she tries to consider all the points he's made. Even a friendship Bond sounds better than having nothing and no one, even if she can sort of acknowledge that reaching out to form a Bond with just anyone who would have her isn't smart.

She chews on her bottom lip and then drinks some of the tea. It seems embarrassing or wrong to try and put a voice to the odd feelings in her chest and swirling through her mind.]

I just... [She hesitates, her grip tightening on the cup, and she stares down at it to avoid looking at Xichen] I want someone... just for me. I want someone who won't-- Who won't...abandon me in the woods. Someone who... will come back for me if I fall.

[it feels like a betrayal to even whisper the words out loud, though it seems oddly specific and she flinches as if she expects to be scolded.]

That doesn't sound like such a bad thing to wish for.

[His answer is soft and spoken from the heart, offered with a smile. He had carried his share of romantic dreams when he was younger, of going off to some far land and living with someone that was devoted to him, beyond any other responsibilities. These days, he's more grounded, but seeing that light in Sae's eyes brings back fond memories of a time when he had hoped for more. Maybe on the occasion he had left the sect and met someone that was truly kind.]

I think we can find you that person. We just have to look. It's just that things might not be as easy as you imagine even if we find your fated person. Life is... difficult.

[He reaches out to touch her hand.]

I don't want you to be disappointed.

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She's into superstitions

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For Lan Xichen -- Tea for Two

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