tamamo.

[preceptive]

image later

Comments

[preceptive]

Yeah.

But we can't afford to let distrust ruin us, either. We won't get anything done that way.

[foxweddings]

-- Are you a human?

[random ass question]

[preceptive]

... What? Where is this coming from?

[foxweddings]

Curiosity, really.

... It's such a human sentiment that it took me by surprise for a moment.

[preceptive]

Is it?

[foxweddings]

... Perhaps not.

[sipping her tea, glancing away]

Ah, look at me, showing my age...

In any case, you're not incorrect. If the demon wanted to sow doubt, that is an effective strategy.

[preceptive]

We'll probably see soon enough how well it worked.

[foxweddings]

Mmm, yes. This upcoming week will be crucial for us as a group.

[preceptive]

With more surprises in store, no doubt. Like those markings we all got—hard to see what their purpose was other than to cast all of us in a bad light.

[unless your name is tonbokiri and your worst sin is eating the last daifuku, apparently.]

[foxweddings]

... Indeed.

Apparently many of us have heavy sins weighing on our shoulders.

[preceptive]

At least it doesn't seem like anyone's made a big fuss over them so far.

[foxweddings]

At least not in public.

[Taking another sip of her drink]

Though it could very well backfire on the demons, too, if they meant to divide us. With most of our sins laid bare, we have a better idea of the kind of group we're working with.

[preceptive]

Have people been giving you trouble for yours?

[whatever it is, kagachi doesn't know]

Maybe. I'm not even sure if it's the demons' doing.

[foxweddings]

No one knows of mine.

[Though her head gives a soft tilt]

Do you have proof that it's another's doing, then?

[preceptive]

Then it's on your back, I take it.

[he shakes head.]

No. But we know another force is in play here—we were brought to this place even before Polly summoned the demons. And I don't think they'd be helping us exorcise them, so something else decided to give us the info and means.

[foxweddings]

... True. I nearly forgot about those who brought us here in the first place.

[She's a little annoyed that she did. And the comment about her back isn't acknowledged. He's right, in any case, and so she sees no reason to continue talking about it]

This second force... likely they're the ones who took our powers away. Yet if they are helping us with the demons, I wonder why.

[preceptive]

[it's fine, kagachi doesn't really meant to press her on her sin, especially since he's kind of glad no one's asking him about his.]

That's what we're still working on.

[foxweddings]

"We"?

Do you mean us as a group in general, or someone more specific?

[preceptive]

Bit of both.

I think it's something that we should all be considering, but I do talk more about it with certain people.

[foxweddings]

[Nodding because that's perfectly fair]

Would these certain people include Nathan or Chuuya? Even if they're somehow unable to communicate everything they have learned, they're still the most informed out of us all.

[preceptive]

Chuuya. He's the main person I went to for info on the affliction being passed around.

[foxweddings]

Did you learn anything of value?

[preceptive]

Not really. It wasn't part of the info he was given, so he has to do his own investigating.

All he could say is that if it's the demons' doing, it's not a form of possession.

[foxweddings]

It's... not?

[Her head cants to the side]

So you mean, the demon itself can't possess us?

[preceptive]

No, I mean about the thing that came up with Nikkari—the visions and compulsions. Are you familiar with it?