Poor little babes, on a fine summers' day; were stolen away

[shiragamisama]

There's a flick as the lights go out briefly; the magically sensitive will notice a surge of power, and a sudden Great Presence in the manor. Something with a lot of innate power and spiritual presence is here.

Physically, he's not that imposing. Creepy, with an otherworldly air, to be sure, but those who have seen Shinichi in his Shiragami

Comments

[changedling]

[This particular Conan was half expecting the surge. Despite his long residence in the Mansion, he never felt easy there, never accepted it. Spirits did not give so freely, and the Mansion could only be the work of spirits. So he waited, staying alert for a sign such as this -- and now that it had come he did not even hesitate before setting off in bare feet and habitual robe in the direction of that resounding presence.

His instinct was unerring and it did not take him long to reach it's source.]

[changedling]

((ooc: no worries! I hadn't associated the threshold law with Japanese myth so was completely confused. Unfortunately, the law doesn't exist in Conan's world, so Shinichi now has the fun of trying to make him understand.

Incidentally, if Shinichi's able to tell that this Conan isn't human either, do you have any questions for me about what Conan is, etc?))

[shiragamisama]

[ooc: Y-yeah, Shiragami's kind of a mishmash of mythic thngs.

Shinichi can tell, but the part that's Shiragami doesn't care; he just sees a child that's in his domain, so to speak. It's all very much a matter of working around the restrictions of his role as Shiragami. ...I am very curious, however :D?]

[changedling]

((ooc: Let me know if there's anything specific that Shinichi'd be looking for/wanting to find out about! Otherwise, I'd kind of prefer for Conan's backstory to come out by playing rather than me explaining it if that's cool?))

[shiragamisama]

[ooc: That's cool! ^.^ I will let it unfold as it does :D Shinichi's not wanting to know anything yet; he's oddly blinkered by being the Shiragami]

[changedling]

Invite you? [Conan is clearly not expecting this.]

This mansion is not mine to make so free with it. And you are here already -- are you not already free to use this place?

[shiragamisama]

[He chuckles dryly, leaves whispering through his laugh, and the intensity of the power that had been building slips away like vapour in the wind. Perhaps this young one was not the hope he'd thought he was.]

I am free to wander these pathways as I would, child. But not so free as I would.

I am the forest, in the forest. These trees are my home.

[Saying too much is hard; a balance between the Rules he now lives by, and the desires he cannot express fully except in riddles and half-words.]

[He straightens up, remote and distant once more.]

Leave my trees, young one. It is not safe here.

[changedling]

I am not in your trees, Lord Spirit. Or -- perhaps I do not see your trees?

[shiragamisama]

As plain as the day... clear as the moonlit night. My trees are where you see them.

Yet, you are a child. My duty is to your safety.

[The chance seems to have slipped away; if there is to be no invitation in, then his object is now to see to the wellbeing of the child.

Except that he is a being of fear, of ghosts in the trees and an inescapable hunter. He protects from afar. Always.]

Come. I will take you to a guardian.

[For anyone is better to care for a child than him.]

[changedling]

[This was all starting to sound very familiar. Resignedly, Conan pointed down the corridor.]

Ran-neesama should be in our room.

[shiragamisama]

[He is already turning as Conan speaks, to face away from the boy and walk in front of him.]

[A shudder runs through him at the sound of the name; a ripple of power, almost like a branch breaking sharply underfoot.]

[Ran.]

[An aching moment later and it seems to pass, though he does not sound as sure of himself as before.]

...Hold onto my robes so you do not get lost.

[changedling]

[Obediently Conan reaches out his hand to hold onto his companion's robes.]

I do not wish to take liberties.

c-can I just say that I love this thread

[shiragamisama]

You are not.

[He feels that the child deserves some sort of explanation - prompting from his human side, though he couldn't tell you that if he were asked.

He walks down the corridor at a pace reasoanble enough for Conan to keep stride with.]

While you are in my forest, you are my duty. I am bound to see you out safely.

/o/ me too!

[changedling]

[Conan nods sagely. That is logic he understands.]

It is a responsibility, then, to have a forest.

We turn left here.

[shiragamisama]

[Left it is.]

To be a forest.

[There is the suggestion of looking behind him conveyed in the shift of white hair over his shoulder; his eyes are unseen still, but a brief hint of a smile might be caught playing along his lips.]

I am more than the form you see before you.

[changedling]

[Is that it then? Even the oldest foxes treat the forest gods with a respect they show little else -- a worthy opponent. Which -- could mean a valuable ally for Conan and Ran.]

I think I begin to understand, Lord Spirit.

[As they approach the stairs, Conan considers their next move. Forests don't normally have stairs, do they?]

It is up here.