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.]

/waxes poetic orz

[shiragamisama]

[Though the cabin in the woods where he no longer goes does not have stairs, there is a memory of what these are. And all else that is not memory in his mind says 'hill'. His forest is not sun-dappled glades and a home to animals, where wild-flowers grow in abundance. His forest is sink holes and shifting hills, with treacherous loose rock and a loss of sight among the thickening branches. These stairs are shallower than some of his more gentle slopes.

They will not be a problem.]

Understanding is the first step in many things.

[There is a thought that he should give his name to the child as he begins his ascent, and then a thought that he should not. Spirits rarely give their names. They are spoken about, not introduced. It is a very human thing, to give one's name without prompting.]

not complaining!

[changedling]

It is well to have a solid beginning no matter your task.

[Conan's glad that the stairs have not proved to be a problem -- especially since as they reach the top there is the faint smell of something cooking. Ran-neesama is not far away.]

It is close.

I-I kinda want shiragami to get dragged into meeting Ran, even though he's being a stubborn derp

[shiragamisama]

[A few steps, and he halts, stepping to one side to allow Conan free passage. There is a reluctance to go any further, now that he knows the child will be safe. He is a lonely spirit, mostly unseen.

There is a further reluctance because of the promised presence of Ran, though he does not recognise that for what it is.]

I will leave you to make your way, then.

Fortunately, Conan wants that too.

[changedling]

[When the spirit pauses, Conan does too. If his companion had ill in mind, he would surely insist on going further and try more at making himself agreeable -- not to mention that he had information they may need.]

Ran-neesama will want to thank you. [Pause.]

She may well want to invite you in for tea.

[See what he did there?]

:D

[shiragamisama]

[...]

[There is a feeling as if of rushing wind; the sound of branches rustling and moving. It dies away, but the feeling of power is back in the air, the Presence magnified. Some part of him is eager for this, but he holds back, uncertain and confused. Yōkai is Yōkai and Human is Human, and a meld between the two can be... confusing.]

...Aa.

Tea would be... pleasant.

[changedling]

[That is the correct response to being potentially offered tea by Ran-neesama, and the spirit receives a quick smile before Conan leads the way down the corridor. It's odd, but he thinks he hears a soft rustle as if of leaves as he does -- imagination, surely? Or his companion's doing? There was that sense of fullness in the air just now, like the air before a storm ...

Conan doesn't let himself dwell too much on these thoughts. It is Ran-neesama who will decide the right of it after all.

They've reached the door.]

Ran-neesama? I bring a visitor.

[shiragamisama]

[He waits in silence, a step behind and to the left of the child. There is a restrained thrum of eagerness to the calm-before-the-storm, like thunder roiling in the distance, but externally, he is calm and composed. A silent figure in black with shock-white hair drifting over his shoulders and hiding his eyes.

He does not know what to expect from this promised meeting.]

[mukashi_no_ran]

[A visitor? Ran automatically smooths down her hair, glancing around the room as she readies to answer.

It's something of an odd feeling, inviting a guest to these rooms. Her and Conan's rooms, and yet there are small changes, signs of occupancy -- the kitchen space reordered for easier use, other small labour-saving changes made. It's useful to be sure -- she's had time to tidy up as the meal cooked -- but it's still an odd feeling.]

I had wondered where you were, Conan--

[Opening the door to greet Conan and his visitor, Ran gets another shock -- this is not the guest she was expecting. He looks wild, intimidating and Ran glances down to Conan to see if this is a joke. He looks back eager and interested and Ran reminds herself that she is the daughter of a samurai and equal to any occasion and bows.]

I thank you for returning him. Would it please you to join us for tea?

[shiragamisama]

[He inclines his head in little more than an acknowledgment of her bow. He is a spirit and she is human, so it is right that she be the one greeting him with more respect.]

The child mentioned you would offer tea.

[A pause, tense, his hair rustling as if in an unfelt breeze.]

Would you invite me in?

[mukashi_no_ran]

[Ran's not unfamiliar with spirits -- if the stories weren't enough (and there are a lot of stories), there is the events she herself has experienced. The abrupt greeting, the hair ruffled by a breeze that isn't there --

Ran thinks she understands now, why Conan brought him to her.

He is a good child, she reminds herself. He would not harm me. She readies her best polite company smile and bows again, stepping back to wave them both inside.]

You are most welcome to join us.

[shiragamisama]

[He bows deeper this time, still less so than hers, but with greater respect.]

I thank you.

[He steps forward, into the dwelling and-- the building presence about him vanishes. He suddenly seems less wild, less untamed, and more of a man in a costume. Simply human. His shoulders relax as tension flows out of them, and his voice is horse as he speaks again, brushing his fringe from his eyes for the first time.]

Thank you... Ran.

[mukashi_no_ran]

[Ran has knelt to greet Conan as he enters, both to check that he's okay and maybe get a whispered explanation from him, so she misses the lessening of power -- but that voice--

There's no mistaking that voice.]

Shi-shinichi?!

[shiragamisama]

[He smiles, slow and gentle, lips lifting almost tiredly, like they're unused to the action.]

Hello.

[One hand raises to his hair, keeping it back from his face so he can see the world again without the concealing fringe. He's aware of the Shiragami, aware that it's still him -- but muted, diffused. Like salt in the sea, it's not all that he is.]

[mukashi_no_ran]

Shinichi--

[It is him. Ran reaches out shaking fingers to brush his cheek, her eyes filling with tears even as she smiles. She's seen Shinichi in the Mansion before, but not like this and she pulls her fingers back before she can get too carried away.]

Shinichi ...

[She's suddenly shy, and it's with relief she remembers her duties as a hostess, waving Shinichi to the cushions set around the cooking fire.]

You will want to sit. You look -- tired. Please, rest -- Conan, what are you doing? Shut the door -- it's Shinichi back.

[shiragamisama]

[Shinichi reaches out to catch her hand, afraid of the damage his being here, being invited by her.... what dammage will it do to her if he leaves it unchecked? Though it pains him to hurt her agian, he must, for a swift cut is better than a lingering infection.]

Ran, my love [--and where had that come from? Shincih's eyes widen briefly at himself, but he presses onward. It has been so long since he has been human, doing nothing but thinking as he fulfills his Duty, that certain things he chose not to see as the Meitantei of the East have been examined and accepted almost without his realising.]

--My love [His tone gentles, sad and sweet at the same time.] I cannot stay. I'm not yours to keep and hold any longer.