Chiaki Nanami

[ As focused as Nanami is on the little plant, which she's now holding gently in her leafy fingers, it's hard not to overhear the shouted conversation from the main hall. She looks up from where she's sitting, the little guy still in her hands, and straightens up as Atem returns. ]

They... really don't mind? Why? [ The lotus she holds close to her barky chest, almost protectively. ]

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[Atem comes over and takes a seat next to her, sticking his froggy feet into the water. Even if he's not completely submerged, the water's soothing...he can think a little clearer, this way.]

It's because of how they came to be immortal. The way I understand it...years ago, a town of humans decided they were going to worship the Fog. To prove their devotion...

[Here, Atem pauses. There's a warning in the set of his shoulders that what he's about to say isn't good. A breath out, then back in, and he goes on:]

...they sacrificed all of their children to her.

That wasn't the kind of thing she wanted...it made her angry with the town, instead of winning her favor. So, she killed all of the adults, made this area her own, and brought all of the children back to life. Now, they can never die -- they're under her protection. Any time a monster feeds on them, they come back.

[And...he's got to tell her the whole truth, right?]

Truthfully, I've only fed on them if I find myself in a dire situation...I'm not too sure about how willing they are to be food for us. Maybe that's just because I'm usually a vampire, and humans used to ask me to bite them sometimes in a way that's weird. So I'm more suspicious about things like that than most! But, if you're kind to them, and you ask, and you don't make it painful or cruel...then, it can be a better choice than the alternative.

Edited (humans dont do that anymore he's a fog priest and scary) Date: 2022-08-07 09:30 pm (UTC)

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Wh-what?

[ Nanami freezes. She glances towards the door furtively. Holds the little lotus close. ]

They're-- they're the children? They really died like that?

[ Oh no. Oh no, she can't really do that to them, can they? Not if they've already suffered like that. ]

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[He nods.]

They're older now. But yes, that's who they are.

[It's obvious she's upset...she's a kind person. Atem has feelings of his own, about sacrifices...but, the people in Dyster have lives, here. Safer, arguably, than most humans, only that they have to experience death, sometimes.

But the way he feels about death and the way, say, Ryou does isn't the same. He's quiet, letting her make her decision. Dyster-sourced feeding isn't the only option.]

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[ She raises up on her roots.

Well, first she actually places the little lotus back down on the surface of the pool. She doesn't want to leave it alone from its family.

Then she looks at Atem. ] I... no. There's... other options. Like the soup kitchen, or... or what you said, people-- people who deserve it.

[ She glances back at the door, where she's halfway fearful of the lawn mower coming in at any moment. ] I'm-- I won't do that to them, they've suffered enough.

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[...and she's reached her decision. Atem nods. He won't try to change her mind one way or another -- everyone has to choose the targets they can live with.

(The lotus goes back into the pool, and maybe it's her nymph power, maybe it's a current in the pool, but it seems to spin happily in the water -- a little bit brighter than its fellows.)

If Dyster's people aren't an acceptable emergency food source for her, then that's fine. There are other options.]

Okay. Then I'll take you back...there's meat in my apartment that should tide you over for a little while.

[As he goes to the door -- the young woman, 19 or 20, smelling of cut grass and Fog, pushes the outer door open. She looks from Atem to Nanami, identifying her immediately. Her skin is flushed from work, but there's dark shadows around her eyes, not unlike Nanami's -- it's been a long time since this woman's seen the sun. There's recognition in her eyes, looking from Nanami to Atem, but no real fear -- not even the kind of resentment you'd expect from someone called in for jury duty. These are monsters, her siblings under the Fog, and she's fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time to help them.

"You're the nymph who needs help, aren't you?" she asks. "Would you like my name? Or will it be easier for you if you don't know it?"]

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[ Oh. Her heart skips a beat. The human is young, maybe just a little older than Nanami herself.

No, there's no way she can. Especially meeting her like this. The other girl is too kind.

She crawls up to the young woman on her roots and gently takes her hands in her own leafy ones. ] I'm not going to. I'm okay. But I'm... I'm really grateful, that you'd be willing to help me like that.

What's your name?

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[Her face falls, her brows knitting in confusion. No...?

"I'm Ingrid. I live with my brothers along this street. Our monster neighbors have always been good to us...really, I'd be happy to be able to help the Fog's other children."

She shifts from one foot to the other. Her overalls are clearly meant for work, and they're out of style even by Bavan's standards. They, and her shoes, have been repaired many times.

"Is, um...is there something wrong with me, Fog-Chosen? I can find somebody else, if I'm not the kind of human you want to eat. Just tell me what you need -- I want to help you any way I can."]

Edited Date: 2022-08-08 02:08 am (UTC)

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[ She shakes her head, fronds rustling. ]

There's nothing wrong with you at all. I just... don't want to hurt you... any more than you already have been.

[ Gently she squeezes the human's hand. ] Live, okay? Make a lot of memories that make you happy. Can you... can you do that for me?

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[She is so confused.

"If you're hungry, then you're the one hurting, not me. I'll be okay -- I'll come right back to life! Thanks to the Fog."

Atem's standing to the side, watching this -- he's not going to interfere, this is Nanami's decision.

"I'll live no matter what. But you'll be hungry, if you don't feed. You're a nymph, so I won't even feel it! I like nymphs. We don't see many here, but I've always thought they fed very gently." Ingrid has no idea what to say; she's not used to the idea that a monster might ask to eat her, then change their mind. So, her mouth is just sort of going -- anything that pops into her mind comes out. "Would it be better if I took care of it? I've got a shovel in the shed. I can dig up some of our garden, and take something that'll put me in a deep sleep."]

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[ It's true-- Nanami is hurting, her gut still painful no matter how much she ignores it. But her heart's breaking at this girl's kindness. ]

It hurts to die, doesn't it? [ She speaks gently and softly. ] Even if I was gentle... you'd still remember it. I don't want to do that to you.

[ Not to her. Not to this kind soul, immortal or not.

She finally lets go of Ingrid's hands and moves back, her roots carrying her over to where Atem's standing. She hesitates. ] You're kind. I won't forget you. I promise I'll be okay.

[ And before Ingrid can say anything else, so that Nanami won't have to look at the disappointment in the girl's face any longer, Nanami turns and hurriedly crawls her way down the passageway back towards the door where Atem let them into Dyster. ]

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[Atem puts a webbed hand on Ingrid's shoulder, thanks her, apologizes for pulling her away, and then follows Nanami. He'll need to open the door for her, to let them back into the hallway of the 38-8. As he goes, he says:]

Death's difficult for you, isn't it...? I can understand that, and it's not just you who feels that way.

[But he doesn't.

He's died so many times, both in excruciating pain and without any at all, that death is an old friend, a fact of (un)life. He could tell Nanami about this, about how he's died about ten times so far, and has thoughts about them all, and which were worst, and why...

...but, he has it together just enough to think, Nanami needs to eat. Not to listen to me.

He puts the key in the lock, and turns it, leaning hard against the door as he goes. He's exhausted, and on his last legs, even though he can't sleep. As long as he keeps moving, he's fine.]

I've got butchered meat in my apartment. We can bury that for you if you want it. Or, you can take some of me...

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Isn't it for everyone?

[ It seems like an obvious question, and she's a bit surprised at the way Atem refers to it. ]

You died too... I saw.

[ She follows him into the haul. She guesses the meat at his place is probably what'll have to do for now... ]

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[Someone is waiting for them when they come back. It's a werewolf in a very dapper suit with a large comical mustache on his face and an equally large comical cloak on his back, leaning against a wall a little ways away from Atem's doorway. He's a little hesitant to interrupt their conversation once he sees them come back out, but he also knows Atem's probably in no mood for a death talk.

So wish a dramatic swish of his cloak, he approaches them.... in an attempt to be menacing but it's so hard to be when your tail is wagging ridiculously much.]

Ya both stink, yo.

[They smell of Fog. Reaching into his pockets, he pulls out two equally ridiculous as his own fake mustaches.]

I weren't gonna kidnap you as well, brotha, but I can't have witnesses.

[He gently presses the mustache onto Nanami's face, then does the same with Atem's.]

So you part of the kidnap crew now. Or kidnapped. Whichever you wanna. Yer walkie talkie on you, Squiddles?

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[Atem's about to go into his own death, and his strange attitude towards it, over some human remains --

-- when. Beat shows up.

Suddenly, there's a mustache pressed to his face.

Atem...does not understand any of this.

He looks at Beat. Then, he looks at Nanami. Then, back at Beat. Blearily:]

...what's going on?

[Is he seeing things? He understands that can happen, if you go long enough without sleeping.]

Nanami, are you seeing this...?

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Wha...?

[ Okay she's very confused. She's staring at Beat uncomprehendingly. She has-- a very funny moustache on her face?

She giggles. ] Ah... yeah, yeah I do. Here... [ She unzips her bag and pulls it out-- her W.E.B. (Walkie Emitting Broadcasts) for W.E.B. (Weirdos Equalizing Bavan). ]

What-- Beat-kun, what's going on?

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[When Chiaki takes her walky talky, Beat promptly takes it and sets it aside. On the floor so it looks like it was dropped, or discarded. Hm. Knocks it over so it looks a little more dramatic. There.]

I'm kidnappin' you, yo. It's enrichment fer yer peeps in yer super hero group AN' enrichment fer you.

[And to get her to eat, if she hadn't with Atem.... Hm, Atem is an outlier here. The poor boy looks absolutely dead on his feet. Beat's tail wags as he stares at him, debating, before going over to him to gently pick him up and lightly place him over a shoulder, patting his back.]

I'm kidnappin' you too, brotha. How you wanna be heisted away, Squiddles? Over the shoulder or under the arm?

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Beat....

[It's a sign of how much Atem trusts him that he only blinks, instead of balks, when he's picked up.]

No. Now's not the time! Nanami needs to eat...I was going to share what was in the fridge...

[Hey Atem why do you have human meat in your fridge. How can you say "fridge" with a mustache on and still have it come out with gravity. Big questions today.]

I don't know what game you're playing, but it'll have to wait.

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[ Nanami, however, can't stop giggling. Oh, but Beat's not getting into character! But she can help with that. ]

Beat-kun!! You would do... something so dastardly... and villainous? We'll stop you... W.E.B. will stop you!

[ But she's grinning, and she raises her arms to be picked up - in whatever grip is easiest for Beat to grab her. ]

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[Beat's all smiles - dastardly ones! - when Atem complains but Chiaki jumps right into it. Turning his head briefly, he whispers into Atem's ..... side, where's your ear oh it's down there, shifts him a little.]

Don' worry yo, we'll get her fed. This'll also put her in a better mood for it. You jus' doze a little if you can brotha, you look dead on yer feet. My shoulder.

[Another gentle pat to Atem's back, then he throws a grin at Nanami.]

W.E.B can't stop me, girly! Oh, I haven't come up with a villain name yet, have I?

[When Chiaki lifts her arms, Beat snatches her up! Into a foot ball hold, sorry, it's easier with Atem on the other shoulder like this. Tucks her tight under his arm, gets her comfortable and balanced.]

Nyehe~ [Yes he's copying a certain old shit man's laugh cause it's skincrawling enough and just as annoying. With Atem and Chiaki it's a little awkward but he does manage to start running away with them.] Gonna force you into a life of crime, girly!

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......

[He bounces along, on Beat's shoulder, holding on as best he can to Beat's shirt and to a sense of reality.]

Are you.......

[He squints.]

....role-playing...?

[Maybe? Maybe that will make it easier, somehow? If Nanami can divorce herself from the "self" that needs to eat...]

Edited Date: 2022-08-13 08:39 pm (UTC)

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No! Not crime! I'll never join you, Beat-kun!

[ She snuggles into his grasp, a few of her roots lightly gripping his opposite side for purchase. ]

What are you ... going to do with us?

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Yeah, yo! Or well, kinda.

[Is it role-playing? Huh, Beat guesses it kinda is? He's doing it to help W.E.B. and they're not really role-playing, but Beat isn't a truly evil guy. He tried the whole evil thing. He sucked at it. But he can play be evil.]

I'm givin' the Web-Head's somethin' to do!

[You know how hilarious it is exiting the 8th floor into an elevator with two people you're kidnapping? This feels very anti-evil, but he can't shapeshift as a werewolf so. No flying them evilly away.]

First, Ima take you to my lair, yo! Then we gonna eat, cause I got some hamburgers! Then we're gonna go blow up a buildin'!

[What?]

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...what...?

[He's way too tired to make sense of this.

He's just...going to trust Beat, for now, and trust the game he's making out of this, and stick close to Nanami, to make sure she's okay. That's about all Atem has the capacity for.]

....I'm still wearing a mustache....

Edited Date: 2022-08-16 02:53 pm (UTC)

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