The Monochrome Witch

I've clawed my way out of oblivion...and now I know that all is g r e y . {Independent AU post-canon Erika Furudo, open to all. Spoilers for Umineko will be present.}

[emeraldsorcerer]

Are the voyaging preparations complete?

“Yeah, I’ve got the team ready. Shirakansu will be your voyager, and Saki will be your backup, just like you requested. Shirakansu is pretty…uh…belligerent, let’s say, but he’s the best we’ve got aside from myself as far as voyaging goes, and Saki is quiet, but a pretty great sorcerer.”

At the snap of his fingers, two beings were summoned from the ground. One of them seemed to be a large, painted-looking fish that swam through air as though it were water, and the other was a tall, stoic, grey-haired man with purple eyes holding a tome of some sort.

“Shira, Saki. You both know about our co-founder Erika? You are to ferry her to any one fragment she desires, wait until she’s done there, bring her back once she’s had her fill, and act as backup when requested. This is everyone’s first time voyaging without a Voyager Witch, so I don’t want anyone going too far or gone for too long until we know how this pans out. Got it?”

The grey-haired sorcerer simply nodded, while the large fish gave a scoff. 

“Fuckin’ kid, think I can’t handle my own shit out there?”

“Remember Shira, you’re responsible for both of them as well. If it were just you, I wouldn’t be too concerned, but you’ve got people depending on you.”

“Tch…fine, alright I get it, I’ll be your fuckin’ boat.”

“Good. Don’t let me down. In the meantime, I’ll be trying to train Levi up to the point where he can voyage himself, and see if I can get the ORKAL up to speed. You got a place lined up, Erika?”

[themonochromewitch]

emeraldsorcerer:

Sakana looked at her a little strangely. 

“Uhh…huh. Expected you to go out and start doing like…mystery stuff right away, but this is probably for the better~! Remember, if things get really hairy, you can call these two as backup to get you outta there, but if it’s what you say, it shouldn’t be an issue~.”

“Y’betta climb on miss. Don’ worry, I ain’ slimy or nothin’. ‘nless y’like sinkin’ in purpley goop, hah! Geddon already, let’s fuckin’ go! Y’too, bookworm!”

Shirakansu was perfectly capable of seating probably more than two, he’s a pretty big flying fish. Saki climbed on around the middle, probably expecting Erika to take front.

“It is for the best this time around. Start off small for a new venture.”

Erika visibly winced.                This is what she had in store for the foreseeable future?                                                      . . .

She got onto Shirakansu and leaned down to him.

“We will be staying quiet for this voyage unless absolutely necessary.           U n d e r s t a n d ?”

The most potent kind of sweet verbal venom oozed from these words.

[emeraldsorcerer]

Are the voyaging preparations complete?

“Yeah, I’ve got the team ready. Shirakansu will be your voyager, and Saki will be your backup, just like you requested. Shirakansu is pretty…uh…belligerent, let’s say, but he’s the best we’ve got aside from myself as far as voyaging goes, and Saki is quiet, but a pretty great sorcerer.”

At the snap of his fingers, two beings were summoned from the ground. One of them seemed to be a large, painted-looking fish that swam through air as though it were water, and the other was a tall, stoic, grey-haired man with purple eyes holding a tome of some sort.

“Shira, Saki. You both know about our co-founder Erika? You are to ferry her to any one fragment she desires, wait until she’s done there, bring her back once she’s had her fill, and act as backup when requested. This is everyone’s first time voyaging without a Voyager Witch, so I don’t want anyone going too far or gone for too long until we know how this pans out. Got it?”

The grey-haired sorcerer simply nodded, while the large fish gave a scoff. 

“Fuckin’ kid, think I can’t handle my own shit out there?”

“Remember Shira, you’re responsible for both of them as well. If it were just you, I wouldn’t be too concerned, but you’ve got people depending on you.”

“Tch…fine, alright I get it, I’ll be your fuckin’ boat.”

“Good. Don’t let me down. In the meantime, I’ll be trying to train Levi up to the point where he can voyage himself, and see if I can get the ORKAL up to speed. You got a place lined up, Erika?”

[themonochromewitch]

Shirakansu.                          Saki.                                          One who can travel.                                                                                 One for insurance.                                 Sounded like a solid plan for a first voyage.

“Worry not.                   I do not plan to be gone for too long.                   This is an initial test after all.                   In fact...I have an item I must return, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so.                                        ...a quick in-and-out, to return something long overdue.       If this works out, then we should start more investigations of mysteries with this system. Shall we, then?”

[themonochromewitch]

Person of Interest No. 17

[themonochromewitch]

freshholeinthewall:

“Wandering adventurer… That’s a nice way to put it, so yes.” Somehow it made her sound more dignified than vagabond, so maybe that’ll be how she refers to herself if anyone asks what type of person she is from now on. “I left my home country a long time ago, solely because at the time, I felt my talents and knowledge would be better appreciated in a place where they were less common, and a whole other country seemed a safe bet.”

“Pass that, I’m often on the move, and looking for new experiences. But some time ago, I think I came to realise what I’m searching for isn’t just something new and exciting every week or the like… but something interesting I can simply… latch on to, for a long time. I think I’d like very much for to settle down indefinitely in a comfortable place, but I find myself moving quickly afterwards, when there’s nothing to do. Nothing or nobody stimulating, that is.”

She sipped on her drink, already she was finding herself accustomed to the taste and felt it go down like she had been drinking it for as long as she remembered. 

“Don’t start thinking I’m someone aimlessly looking for a purpose in life or anything, though. If I wasn’t as capricious as I am, I wouldn’t come across nice places like this bar.” An admittedly early judgement of the place, as she gave it another glance around, before leaning forward slightly as she spoke again to her company.

“You said earlier you were looking for cases, right? Does that mean you’re satisfied fulfilling anyone’s lost pet reports, or do you have a desire to come across more compelling incidents?”

“Relatable.       Plenty of beings I know tend to meander after deeming a place as having ‘nothing better to do’.       My former master does it.       I certainly do it.”

Sip. That...was not actually as horrid as the initial hit.

And as a reaction to that last bit, she scoffed. Although...it was not as harsh or haughty as her usual scoff.                                               A part of her could appreciate the jest.

“Lost pets? Hardly.              In the first place, it is rare I take up any case that does not involve homicide.                             What I truly crave......                                        ......is                                                                 mystery.         Deduction.              Logic.               Dissecting and discerning the culprit, and method..                                     And...to a lesser extent, the motive.                    Once upon a time I did not care at all for motive - I simply cared about who and how.                                                Admittedly, motive still is not particularly my focus.                               But, best not to write it off entirely as I used to.                              This is what I do.                    The scene is the game.                                                      I am the detective. “

One more sip. Actually...she could bear this now.

[themonochromewitch]

Erika. Would you still be inclined to bring me catnip?

“...not out of obligation, no,but as a one-time favor for a...for lack of a better phrase, old friend?I see no reason why not.The next kakera I hit, I will scout around and find the finest catnip just for you.”

[themonochromewitch]

aonewingedhope:

It hadn’t taken a great amount of time for him to return to the simple deadpan stare he’d always be giving.  There wasn’t even…a transition of note that you could speak of.  Not even an exasperated sigh, groan, or movement of any kind after that outburst.  A glass of whisky had merely popped into his hand from the darkness and he took a swill of it after he was done with his ramblings.  Like an actor in a play..  There were so many ways to read the sequence of events that not even he understood his own actions fully, much less an onlooker.  Merely a feeling.  And feelings?  Well, the Detective could empathize in that regard-

Feelings are rare.

“That much I figured for the world of witches.  I cannot relate in this regard.  I shall not elaborate too much, however, I’ve been forced for more than you may ever know to experience that so-called boredom of poison.  A punishment dolled out by no one at all.  Perhaps you could say that boredom is simply my natural state at this point-”

Yeah, since you’re a walking piece of black painted cardboard, my dear edgy friend!

“…However, my desire to attempt this isn’t a fear of ‘poisonous boredom’, but a hunger for the ‘fire’ that inadvertently comes as a result of these methods that witches take to relieve this boredom.  That coupled with an inexperience in your interactions does make me boorish.  However…the end results are the same.  That passion, I wish to see how much ‘light for tomorrow’ it may yield.”

Even more rare than that bizarre outburst of his was how…well, up-front he was about these thoughts he’d been mulling over.  Erika had been one of two other folks who had really been worthy enough to merit a great deal of attention from him, and the other one was related to her.  He had drunk down the whisky like a soft drink at this point.  A furiously powerful beverage that he just let pass down his esophagus freely, with not so much as a wince.  Eugh..  Unenjoyable.  Much prefer Erika’s appreciation.  Perhaps he did it more as something to jog the senses a little. 

“Ponder not.  If I know something, it’s detective’s.  My puzzle could surely not evade your attention to detail at this-  Reminds me of an old friend and…opponent you could say.  Unfortunately now that role is vacated, but..” 

Well.  She understood the implication.  Like two martial artists of profoundly different styles facing off, it seemed he was eager to see what things he could conjure up from the abyss that is himself. 

“Worry not about my pride.  I have no need for such thing.  I just wish to see what lets you see ‘tomorrow’.”

Odd phrasing this guy has.

“...fair enough.       I must admit, I would not have taken you for a passion-chaser.”

As far as Erika was concerned,          it was the same thing, simply from a different perspective.               All is grey, all is grey.               This was simply affirmation that all is grey.

       “...challenging a witch is no trivial ordeal, you know?            Neither is challenging one whom already has challenged a witch.                ...of course you know. I merely state it as a formality at this point.”

In fact, a lot of this had become formality.        The most interesting parts had come and gone,              the ‘fire’ so to speak, had died down, as fire always does.

She downed the rest of her drink and stood up. Paused for a moment. That was quite a bit of harsh flavor in one go. It did not show in any other way except for a slight pause. Her face, like her color, was stone solid.

“I sense this waning.        Unless you have anything more of interest to say,        I feel it is about time to move onward and take my leave.”

[themonochromewitch]

What is one of Erika's favourite pasttimes?

Like a tinkerer taking apart and putting back together various mechanisms, a pencil the grey girl holds scratches notes in a common version of a popular mystery book.

Constantly deconstructing, breaking every moving piece in the scenario down.At her side, scratch paper containing room layouts, arrows, times, and other notes neatly in the margins.Take a concept from the book.Draw it out meticulously.Iterate and innovate on it.

Convert it with various rules and conventions.      Could it work under Van Dine? Under Knox? A combination?      If not, how can it be altered to adhere?            How could it be altered in general for a more extreme version?

What she seems to be doing, in essence, is creating modifications of existing mysteries to increase difficulty.

[themonochromewitch]

bold what you apply to your muse . italicise what applies , but isn’t oftentimes established in detail.

defensiveness : arms crossed on chest • crossing legs • fist - like gestures • pointing index finger • karate chops • the fig leaf position

reflective : hand - to - face gestures • head tilted • stroking chin • peering over glasses• taking glasses off — cleaning • putting earpiece of glasses in mouth • pipe smoker gestures • putting hand to bridge of nose

suspicion : arms crossed • sideways glance • touching or rubbing nose • rubbing eyes

openness   &   cooperation : hand - to - face gestures • unbuttoned coat • tilted head • open hands • upper body in sprinters position • sitting on edge of chair

confidence : hands behind back • hands of lapels of coat • steepled hands

insecurity   &   anxiety : chewing pen or pencil • rubbing thumb over opposite thumb • biting fingernails • hands in pockets • elbow bent / closed gestures • clearing throat •  “ whew ” sound • picking or pinching flesh • fidgeting in chair • hand covering mouth whilst speaking • poor eye contact • tugging at pants whilst seated • jingling money in pockets • tugging at ear • perspiring hands • playing with hair • swaying • playing with pointer / marker • smacking lips • sighing

frustration : short breaths • “ tsk ” sound • tightly clenched hands • fist - like gestures • pointing index finger • rubbing hand through hair • rubbing back of neck

tagged by: @greatcourtarchives

tagging: @freshholeinthewall @emeraldsorcerer and anyone else who wishes.

[themonochromewitch]

Person of Interest No. 17

[themonochromewitch]

freshholeinthewall:

Sipping her own drink, after giving an appreciative nod and smile to the bartender of course, she’d find it to be very sweet, tasting almost more like candy than the last few drinks she had before. It wasn’t a bad taste at all, so she’d certainly have to try another sometime down the line.

For now, Seiga listened intently to her company speak, engrossed while making her own possible conclusions as to the ‘meaning’ of the other’s appearance. She decided it would probably be uncouth to start verbally announcing her speculation right in front of Erika, but that was before the detective proceeded to ‘investigate’ her own appearance. 

She couldn’t help but let out a chuckle at that, then speaking with a mix of amusement and sheepishness.

“Oh my! I suddenly feel like I should be more careful, lest all my secrets be revealed in an instant.” She has since put down her drink, more focused on the topic of herself, something she was often eager to go on about. 

“I hail from China actually, though I have spent a significant amount of my life in Japan, so that may have had a part in your conclusion.” That part was said fairly quickly, before getting to what had really piqued her attention. As she spoke, she had already begun to pull her ‘hairpin’ out from behind her head.

“But I’ve never had anyone pointed this out before I showed them myself.” She twirls the stick in her hand a few times, and it seems she was content on keeping it in her hand for now, waving it around somewhat as she spoke. “My hair just happens to be the most convenient place for me to put it.”

“Then, am I allowed to note-…” She says, not waiting to hear whether she is actually ‘allowed’ to continue or not. “-your appearance isn’t something you put together for the sake of a message, but rather a result of a harsh, life-changing incident?” Not that any of that would be hard to guess when the other person goes on about ‘scars’ or ‘the past’. “I had thought at first that you just had a lot of heavy make-up on yourself, but you now you definitely strike me as the type not to care much for your looks.”

          Erika could not help but give a little self satisfied smile.                                Most of her assertions seemed to be right on the money.                     <Good.>                    She had not lost her touch after all.

“...ah, this?              No, no, this is no makeup.              And as far as your own assertions go,                                    you are correct.”

Of course, it did not take a Sherlock Holmes to have figured that one out.                Still, most wrote her off altogether by now.                            In fact...had anyone truly inquired about her appearance like this?                  She did not recall such.

                            “What brings you all the way from the east, then?                                                      Simply the wandering adventurer type?”

Judging by her tone, diction and posture, this one seemed fairly free-spirited.            Erika would not have been surprised if Seiga traveled the majority of her life.

She sipped on her Brandtini again.                 Ech. Disgustingly sweet.                  ...good. She could still taste.

[themonochromewitch]

aonewingedhope:

“…”

……

Ahh, I haven’t talked much about those Games, huh?  No matter!~  My heart flutters into Heaven whenever she manages to-

“Hahaha..”

A rare thing.  A clearly observable, plain as day smile on his face.  Well, a smirk more like it.  Something about this situation had made it so for him.  This cold, unfeeling, hulking man had put his hand to his face (edge) and begun chuckling under it.  Well, Erika foresaw how that usually went down anyway-

“Hahahahaha!  Those fangs-  Your kind!  I know I didn’t make a mistake!!  Hahaha!!” 

He crushes his own cigar in his hand, turning to mere ashes of darkness.  He stands up at this point, arms extended to the pitch black Heaven above the roof over their heads.  A laugh rung out.  Not the kind of absurdly warped cackle that those oddly-dressed Witches spat.  A simply overjoyed and loud laugh of a normally stone-cold man. 

“Destroying fantasy, putting it all on the line for naught!  An existence so fragile and ill-adjusted, but able to throw a gas fire into that blackness called ‘tomorrow’!  That’s it-  Without needing to take any form, that’s the kind that can laugh at the name of Paracelsus!” 

On the face of it, clearly the laughing ramblings of a madman.  Eventually, the air seemed to simmer down and he pounds his fist to the bar next to him.  With his greatly pleased expression still there.  This fire that exuded from the aura of these Witches was certainly something of immeasurable appreciation for the black man.  While not like the eternal sun, and fleeting, that’s just the kind of thing to break the coldness of the dark he’d always been looking for.

“I’m bewildered to think I’d be so sold on it once again.  It truly wasn’t a fluke.  I wish to learn more of this intoxicating world of ‘Witches and Fragments’.  Games that burn with tension, something I can truly sink my teeth into.  How do I get to experience it for myself?”

Anyone who’d ever met this elusive M would be guffawed and call him an imposter at this point-  Eager as child for something like this?  The pinnacle of absurdity, but here he was.

...goodness.                       Quite a sudden outburst.            Still, it did not seem...negative, at least.

                                       What a reaction, though.                          Of course, Erika was no superwoman.                           She took a good handful of seconds of silence to herself,            analyzing and interpreting.                                 Not necessarily taken aback,                                                             but simply processing the information presented.              This sort of energy...there was a lot that could be done with it.                                                               She wondered if he realized it could be used against him.                                It reminded her of a fledgling witch she once met.                                      Mere years into his own boredom,                                   anxious to dismiss it altogether. He had learned, however. Maybe this one will too.

“Perhaps you are more a witch than previously realized.

                           With a reaction like that, it seems you have been tortured by boredom for a long while.                      ...do keep in mind, I am simply a detective.                                   I am no true witch myself, mush as I have granted myself the name.                             In the end, I may call myself the Monochrome Witch,                                         but I am not recognized.                                                            I could refer you to other witches if you wish to challenge their own game boards. I know a certain one utterly green with envy that would be positively thrilled to have you. And of course, there is the Great Lady as well, if you are feeling particularly confident.”

She paused for a moment.

“Boredom is a poison, is it not?              Maybe figuratively, for you, but quite literally, for witches.                                   You have hosted me well enough. And you said you wish to create, rather than play.                        Another option would be...”

                              “...well, you could create your game, and I could tear it all down.                          Strip it, expose it, dissect it,                  v i o l a t e   it.                       And it could serve one of two purposes.                                   Either to relieve your boredom, as a true duel between the two of us,                                   or, as a preliminary examination, say, that I teared everything you create down, in order for you to build it back up,        stronger,              better,                    so you could go so far as to use that game board of yours as a challenge to even greater beings.                              ....what is the phrase people use nowadays? A beta tester, so to speak?

Of course, it is simply a proposal.                 I would not think lesser of you if you rejected it.                         It simply seems, by your reaction, that you suffer from mundanity and boredom more often than preferred.”

And, truth be told, either way,  it would give Erika a chance to flex her little grey cells too.

[themonochromewitch]

aonewingedhope:

Another snap of his cold, bony fingers.  The glass gets carried off by small extending fimbrae-like appendages swaying it to the end of the bar, into the darkness out of sight.  This followed by another glass materializing in front of her from that inconceivable blackness. 

“Freely, whenever you wish.  And naturally, like any competition, it’s no fun to not be giving it your all.  For me?  High stakes aren’t an issue.  If you could say if that even existed, really-  Perhaps I’m more suited making one for people to play.”

You edgelord..

He reaches into his massive black shadow for a coat (though, it’s really just a very dark coat) and pulls another luxurious looking cigar from its pocket.  He slides it over to her, lighting up another one himself after finishing his first.

“Don’t inhale.”

Brief instructions.  Normally conversed like that to a certain someone else, but this one proved to be worthy of his time, so naturally he’d extend the same treatment.

“...you offer a little girl such a big cigar?”

Smiling amusedly, she took it regardless and performed a perfect drag.                  If it were any other time, she would have been coughing mad.                                    But, well...she barely had physical feeling anymore, so it was fine.                                                         Numb and grey, how tragic.

“Of course, you play regardless if you create or not.                    That is how the game works.                              You do not get out of playing by being the author, and if you tried,                                no one would bother to play your game to begin with. A creator unwilling to play their own game is boorish and implies the game is not worth playing.                                     Even the aloof Great Lady played the game with her miko, in some form.                                And being the creator actually puts one at a disadvantage.                                          Constantly on the defense                                          Constantly justifying                                          Constantly dodging bullets while the offense has infinite ammunition .                                  That man I mentioned before?                               He created that scenario.                          Meaning all the opportunity to trap himself in an inescapable undoing was his.

        And this is not limited to witching games. You would do well to realize that a certain level of mutual etiquette is implicitly required from creators, to keep them honest.            After all, why would anyone play a creation the creator themselves would not play?

Of course, if you realize all of this, then there would be no issue. It simply seems to me that you take these games far too lightly for your own good, from the way you talk about them. You seem to have an air of low key bravado about you that would do well to disappear outright, so you do not make any stupid mistakes like that man once did. I do not complain. I simply advise more caution. 

How can I complain when I have been served these drinks so graciously?”

Sip, which turned into a few sips, really.

[themonochromewitch]

aonewingedhope:

“…Hm.  She did seem the eccentric type, I wouldn’t put it past them.”

So much for that ‘cute daughter’ thing.  Looks like even the familia wasn’t important to those coveted witches.  If only he had such a similar mindset.  He had started puffing on that massive, luxurious looking cigar of his.  It was almost his trademark at this point.  He wasn’t seen without it.  Another screen of smoke that curled around him like spectral vines. 

“I had a feeling it was special to those two.  Perhaps my slight understanding made them intrigued, so we got to discuss quite a bit.”

Naturally listened carefully to the detectives qualifications.  They made him curious.  How would he do in one of these games?  Didn’t want to be a detective himself, but some intellectual stimulation might make him get excited over something.  See what exactly mystery has that draws that hawk-nose so.  Even if it was opposed to the black fellow himself. 

“Golden Witch?  That title..  Hmm..”

Something like that seems too out-there to forget.  And he naturally never really forgot much of anything.  Knowing he hasn’t heard it, but feeling like it meant something to him.  Or to someone.

Oh, James..  Someday, you’ll really get to understand.  Those words, of our captain-

“…”

He seemed to shrug.  That didn’t happen to bother him anymore.

“Tenacious as well?  So, you were a ‘piece’.  I haven’t participated in a game, but I saw how they were handled.  Perhaps someday I’ll have my own.”

That really reminded her.  Kitty’s tenacity seemed to not stem from her golden eye.  Maybe everyone with that fashion sense had such wild fire hidden in their soul?  Admirable. 

Special...to those two...yes, one could easily say that.

Special to many a two.

She downed the rest of her drink,         giving a small shiver and recoil in the process. Disgusting.                                   Good.                                                                                                                    She still exists.

“Indeed I was. Games of those nature are not to be taken lightly. I very nearly doomed a man to a special hell of his own making due to him taking the game, as well as I, too lightly.                      The stakes are always the highest.                      That is the only thing that makes it interesting to them.                      Alleviates their boredom.                                      So, I would warn you against traipsing into such a ruthless world unless you are fully prepared for the possible consequences.                                                                    ...is there a chance I might be granted a refill?”

[themonochromewitch]

Person of Interest No. 17

[themonochromewitch]

freshholeinthewall:

She listened patiently, helping herself to a seat just across the table when it was clear the other wouldn’t mind. With hands resting on her lap, she thinks on the matter of drinks for a whole of a second.

“I’ve always liked trying a variety of different tastes, never know when you might discover a new favourite, or something bad enough worth talking about. Most of the time though, I lean towards either something sweet to put myself in a mellow mood, or something bitter for the lasting sensation it leaves in my throat. I hope that answers your question?

That said, I actually haven’t had any alcohol in this city, or even country since arriving, so who knows what I’ll favor here. So then, Detective Erika? Or would ‘Miss Erika’ suffice? I’m Seiga Kaku.” Hopefully, that she didn’t state her own occupation in turn didn’t come off as odd. Since she was allowed to sit though, she assumed there was assurance that she may start or lead conversation. “Don’t suppose you’re on some case right now, are you?”

“By the way, you said your appearance is simply who you were, yes? Well it’s similar for me, only that I am intentionally drawing from my culture, while also adding my own personal touches. I had thought maybe you were trying to represent something as well with your appearance.” From a distance, she had thought that she was looking at someone wearing a lot of chalky make-up, but up close it was more clear that there was simply a lack of colour in the skin, on top of everywhere else. She would hold off asking if that was some kind of condition.

Gauge her.

                Preference - Sweet...and judging by her formalities, she seemed rather classy, too.                                     A couple of ideas, maybe they would have a variety over the night, but for now, she knew exactly what she would open with.

All she had to do was look at the bartender and do a little motion with her head for him to come over.                                                        “Two Brandtini, please.                                              And I will be opening a tab tonight.”

Spirited, the bartender got right on it, and before they knew it, they were met with two wide-brimmed vermilion drinks.

She sipped, - way more sweet than her usual go-to, but it was like Seiga had said,  a variety was not a bad thing - for a moment considering that she would respond with something along the lines of ‘It does not matter what you wish to call me’

But..something about that second choice...

“Miss Erika is fine. Simply just Erika is also fine. One might say I am on a case -  a case to find cases. And the most interesting cases tend to crop up in settings like these.”

...Culture...what an odd concept to ponder.

                  “...I suppose my appearance is many things. A scar.                  A mark of triumph.                    A statement of purpose.        A reminder of the past.                       A sentiment of gratitude.                                          A lesson I learned. I may have slightly misspoken before. This appearance holds meaning to me, just, not as a fashion statement or cultural icon. That is what I meant by ‘it is simply who I am’.”

Sip. Maybe now was the time she could flex some of those little grey cells in her head.

“...while we are on the subject, you wear an interesting, flowing, floral-eastern design, yet unbound by the trite affair of cliche cherry blossoms. I would hesitate to say you are from Japan specifically, however it is clear you are not from around here as well. Also, while to the layman it is something barely worth noting,                           your hair is not being held up by that curious stick in it, is it?                                                                              It is a clever trick of the eye, I will give you that.”

[emeraldsorcerer]

Time Travel

Send “Time Travel” for your muse to go back in time and meet my muse when they were younger

A tall, purple haired man could be seen observing a painting entitled “The Hanged Man” inside an art exhibit. Somewhere in the periphery, a young, brown haired girl passes by.

“………”

He doesn’t really pay attention to his surroundings, even as a peculiar grey girl approaches him.

[themonochromewitch]

What a spacey individual.

                                                 But that was certainly him. 

                      Although she did not take him as an ‘art gallery’ kind of person.

                    How to approach this...

                                      She stood next to him, looking at the painting.

The face reminded her of The Scream, arguably the most famous painting of Edvard Munch.

“...you are going to be in danger soon, you know?”

                                    Of course it was probably too late for him to actually get out.                                                 Let us have some fun with this.

[themonochromewitch]

Person of Interest No. 17

[themonochromewitch]

freshholeinthewall:

“Oh, I hadn’t realised I died!” That was unlikely to be the first time a customer made that joke, but the timing was so good that she couldn’t help herself. The woman had stood out for more than just her unoriginal quip though, her choice of dress that night was not only foreign what with the decorated Chinese vest over a long-sleeved dress, but the back of her hair was shaped into two loops, seemingly held in place by a large hairpin.

She had entered mostly on a whim, but turned up the charm as soon as she did, making brief small talk with the bartender, mostly how she’s new to the city and how she promises to try a drink or two before she left. A cursory glance was had around her immediate surroundings when her gaze double backed to something she thought she might have imagined for a moment. It definitely looked like somebody either out of a silent film, or whom fell in a pile of chalk. She didn’t hesitate approach the table where they sat.

“Excuse me.” She asked with a friendly smile, hands clasped in front of her. “I couldn’t help but notice, but that’s a very bold aesthetic you have going. Is it meant to be a vintage sort of bohemian look?”

This new person was far too different for Erika to simply ignore. She had watched her make her smalltalk, observing, and preparing herself to come up to the front, slide next to her, and introduce herself. Clearly, this woman had some new stories to tell, and came with her own set of mysteries.

And yet, as she was about to leave her seat, it turned out, she had decided to approach her first.

Very interesting...and yet, her first comment is on look?            She supposed it was the most notable thing about her upon first glance, but could not deny her slight disappointment, which just as quickly faded away with talk of specifics.

She thought for a few moments.

“I might say the same for you, as well, though.           As for me...            ...it is simply who I am.             Any particular choice in aesthetic is unintentional.”                         

Curious... The grey lady had not particularly considered that others may think her outward appearance a conscious decision.

“...I am Erika, freelance detective.                 Sit, if you wish. What taste of drink do you favor?”

[themonochromewitch]

aonewingedhope:

Detective.

…

Ahh, Holmes.  What must you be doing right now?  Someone needs to destroy fantasy someday, after all.

Normally wasn’t one to show emotion ever.  And really, he hadn’t felt any particular emotion.  The only one who had to the ability to get a rise out of him was at a lecture right now.  But, these witches..  Something about them felt very homely to him.

“Relative, I presume?  Normal humans aren’t allowed to come here.  But that kitten had a very interesting tale of cicadas from the Far East to discuss.  I don’t quite favor things like tea, but I was impressed.  How about you?  Surely a detective must have an interesting resume under their belt.” 

Would play off the whole resemblance, after all.  This was her ‘cute daughter’ after all.  She’d be an interesting conversationalist just like hawk-nose, certainly.

“...recently estranged relative, one may say.                 Though it is not personal.”

Swirling the drink, she sipped again, giving an exhale of satisfaction. Disgusting. Perfect.

Depending on who you asked, that was a blatant lie.

It was absolutely personal. The point was that she held no ill will towards her former master, even if everyone else might say she should.

“...I hear those cicadas were not too far off from oblivion itself, for her.”

“...resume...hm...”

It had been so very, very long. Close your eyes.         It took her a few moments to access those memories,                  but they came back, clear as day. Contrary to popular belief, eidetic memory did not necessitate a certain speed of memory recall,                                     only truly referring to the accuracy of those memories.

“...I participated in two sets of games against a formidable golden witch.            She taught me the importance of perspective in the second game, in particular.            After which I was cast into a deep, dark oblivion,                                                                            and was supposed to perish there.                                   I refused to.                                                                      That is the short of it.”

[themonochromewitch]

"Eeeerikaaaachaaaan~~~! Catch!" Sakana tossed her a small, black rectangular box with a green bow. It contained a pair of ornate, black chopsticks with, lightly corkscrew carved at the green base. The tip was honed sharply and custom, one could tell it wasn't storebought. "Merry christmas~!"

A trap!?

              Has he finally turned against her?                              No witch just gives a gift without something else being involved.                  This was Lambdadelta’s apprentice.                                          She knew all about her boxed gift snares.                                                         No doubt

            this is one of them!

A swift and precise catch on the loop of the bow.One more turning motion to unravel it and send it sailing away.The box opened itself.It and chopsticks clattered to the floor.

…

       No explosion?                No springed-up hammer?                        No scattering of bladed candies?                                 No black holes popping out?                                           No konpeito bomb?                                                      No blinding green flashbang?                                                                Just……chopsticks?

Turn to Sakana.

                                       “What is your game here?”

[themonochromewitch]

...

Wait until he is truly gone.

Turn. Approach the small box and chopsticks that litter the floor. Get ready for something to happen,           obviously teleport out of the way when it happens.                   Pick up the chopsticks.

... Twist it.                    Maybe a hidden cap is somewhere.                   Tap it.            Listen close.

...nothing.                  Just...chopsticks, it seemed.                           Cannot rule out the possibility of it being enchanted. ...                                           ...the craftsmanship was rather high quality...she had to admit...

.................................................it could be used well as an improvised weapon, too. Especially with the screw grip.

                  fine, FINE.                                  She will choose to take the bait.                                                  But nowhere where he would have the satisfaction of seeing.                         She tucked it away in her sleeve, heaved a small sigh, and left.

Was it really just a gift?                        ...she could not afford to let her guard down.                                                                                                                   But............ ugh.               stupid witch.

[themonochromewitch]

aonewingedhope:

E…Erikaaaa?!!  Oh sweetest love of my life..!  

Oiiii-  James, I’ll really give you an ole’ one two if you don’t treat this lovely Detec-

“Gin and tonic, coming right up.”

The grating annoyance that persisted in his head, he’d always jump at the moment’s notice to silence it.  At least nobody else had to witness this foolishness.  He can make out with his dignity intact, at the very least.

A snap of the fingers.  Shadows pile up upon the counter like tentacles to a crustacean prey before forming into a finely ornate glass with that requested serving of clear, slightly viscous, and fragrant mixed booze.  Who knows what impression he would be trying to give with that show, but what was certain was that at least he’ll treat a dignified visitor well and allow them to feel comfortable.  Even despite his reservations towards those investigators, and very much regardless of the goading he’d be hearing at the back of his mind. 

“I suppose it’s rude to not introduce myself..  James, a pleasure.  Your kind was a welcome addition to those seeking my audience some time ago.  A certain other blue-haired one had invited me to tea before.”

Naturally seems intentionally sparse with his words.  It should go without saying that trying to parse the meaning between the lines would be more engaging for her than to simply espouse esoteric facts about some past encounters that were normally run-of-the-mill.

An eyebrow slightly raised, then lowered.                   Clearly, this was something else.        To her, something line Gin and Tonic hit her tastebuds hard enough to remind herself she had feeling there.                 She slightly winced as she took a sip.                                         Good. It still provokes a reaction.

“Furudo Erika.                            Detective.                                            ...quite the show you put on.                             Shadow puppetry is difficult, from what I understand.”

What to do with these words, this information?                        This James character.                                 ‘Your kind’?                                             A blue haired one, invited for tea.

He knows she used to have blue hair, despite it being grey now. Addresses her as an other. It was clear he had done his homework.

A little disconcertingly clear, really.                  Very interesting, though.                                                              She will play for now.

“...I do not suppose this person you speak of favored dried plums in her tea?”