thisavrou_log | The Hannya Mask

Entry tags:

The Hannya Mask

Who: Event Post | Open
When: Dec. 5th - 15th
Where: Around Avagi
What: A demon is haunting the station, spurred on by emotional responses. More information can be found here.
Warnings: Violence, possible death, body horror, etc.

THE HAUNTING

The onryō starts making her first patrols in the early morning when most people are comfortably asleep and not wanting to wake up. The sense of unease she creates is palpable, and initially she just looks at who is around. She chooses in the dark who she should be angry with, who is a foolish idiot for making her mistakes and who is an ignorant soul who ignored the anguish of someone else's attention. Everyone else is unimportant.

Occasionally, rarely though, she'll stop and look at something. Usually carved or drawn or molded, something someone used their hands to create. The very faintest of scraps of who she used to be, though that's barely significant. There's not enough left of that self to deter her from stopping more of the foolishness that damned her.

The Noh mask appears the same day, the same time as her first investigations get underway, and there it remains, conveniently close to where the Ingress once was.

The mask will always return to this original state the moment it's not being observed. It'll be returned to its resting place. If it's been destroyed or altered or damaged in any way, it'll be back to the state that it was when previously examined (even permanent marker would disappear).

It's made of cypress wood and is covered in layers of chalk paint and a glue-like sealant. On the back is a raised signature, indicating that it was handmade by an artisan. On closer examination (like swabbing or enhanced senses or super scanner) there's a bit of smoke damage, but otherwise it's not been worn many times. The straps attached are hardly frayed at all. However it's aged, it's not from scuffing or rough handling.

There might not be much time to notice or to bother with it, though. Not when people are being hunted in the shadows, when quick hands reach out from cabinets or a hunched form hangs upside down from underneath a table, waiting for someone to sit down too close to her.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Kelly Ann shakes her head and wiggles over on the couch to give him room. ]

I've been kind of... chilling in here a lot and it's pretty boring.

[ She looks at the space apple and blinks at the mist of tears stinging her eyes. She could leave. But she still doesn't know who did this to her or why. ]

Guess I'll just have to train harder with Creepy Claws when I'm healed up, right?

[Peter chews thoughtfully, glancing at her - he doesn't know what he can offer in this situation aside from his company but he just gets this wriggling feeling of annoyance that he can't do more than that. They don't know what's going on yet.]

Yeah... Logan's cool. Creepy (tm) but cool.]

If you wanna go for a walk, we can do that. Chill somewhere else with a change of scenery.

[ She hesitates. She does want to leave, but the halls are still pretty scary. On the other hand, Peter has like, super powers. She's not sure what good being super fast will do her but hey, if she gets jumped again he'll probably be able to get help sooner than the hours it took last time. ]

Yeah, that would be good. I can't keep moping around here forever, right?

Yeah, we can just got for a short walk or whatever... reshelve some books in the library, have a real riot of a good time. [He smiles crookedly, but does want to keep an eye on her so she doesn't get her recovery screwed up on account of his bad influence.]

You find a space dealer yet? I'm wishing I thought to bring back Kaittos flora to fuck around with for experiment's sake.

Yeah, ok, that sounds good.

[ She takes a deep, if shaky, breath and gets to her feet. At this point, some of her sore and stiffness is definitely due to sitting in one place for too long. She pulls her sweater tight around her and heads for the door like it isn't the thing that's been daunting her ever since she got attacked. ]

Come on, Pino. [ She clicks her tongue and the dino trots after her, nipping at Peter as he does so. ]

I actually got some. Lavellan brought me something he calls "elfroot" that knocked me on my ass.

Yeah? Good knocked on your ass or kinda trippy? [He asks casually, bringing along the jerky packet so he can try to win a bit more of Pino's favor by slipping him a few pieces. He's still got one hand bandaged but perhaps that's why their little dino doesn't snap at him too hard, nipping his fingertip gently but taking the food in his tiny lil' hands as they walk.

Peter stays in stride with her, ready to open doors and keep an eye out for anything suspiciously creepy.]

The good kind. Like the good kind of body high where you get all fuzzy and warm. My face didn't even hurt.

Aw, see, he sometimes doesn't bite you.

[ The lights are all on, now. People are up and moving. She still feels queasy as they near the door. She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. ]

So fucking stupid. [ She mutters. ]

[His smile from talking about her cool otherworldly high slips away when he glances back at her, catching what she mutters.

His expression softens a little.] It'll be cool, I'm with you? And trust me, I can get us out of any situation faster than we can get into it.

[ She doesn't want to doubt his reassurances, but she doesn't really know the extent of what he can do, so she's not as comforted by his words as she would have been otherwise. ]

I can't run as fast as you.

[ She holds her breath as they leave the deck and enter the main part of the station. But nothing happens. She should be relieved, but Kelly Ann's feeling of uneasiness just gets stronger. ]

You don't need to. [He replies, tipping his head to the side and strolling along casually at a pace that suits her.

His hands are in his pockets now, trying to keep the air casual.] With guns like mine? I can carry you, no problem.

[It's lighthearted, but:] Never met anyone who could run as fast as I am, anyway. But I'm not kidding with the fact that the second you say like, keyword: toaster? We're back in your quarters, chilling with Pino, safe and sound.

[ She gives him a skeptical look. ]

I've seen you try to do a pushup.

[ She laughs, scoffing at the idea. ] I don't need a safeword to walk down a hallway. Jesus.

[ Pino drops to all fours and starts to growl low, tail whipping as he looks side to side. ]

What the fuck, Pino.

[ Kelly Ann shifts, moving a little closer to Peter. ]

[Peter notes the demeanor change in their tiny chickensaur too, and lifts a hand to hover behind Kelly Ann and rest lightly on her lower back after a suspenseful moment. He feels the tension in the air and - casts a look back the way they came to make sure it's still clear.

He doesn't move yet, but squares his shoulders.] Pino, what's... up girl, who's stuck down the well? [Humor. Not really a great match but it's What He do.

Head tilted in towards Kelly Ann, quieter:] Say the word toaster and we're gone, 'kay?

[ Kelly Ann laughs a little harder than is really justified by the joke. ]

Ok. Change of plans. We need to go find Timmy. Make sure he's ok.

[ She shudders when he says "toaster" again, this time getting angry. Why does she need some kind of dumb code? ]

Look I'm not--

[ Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees something wiggling in a gross tentacle-y way. She whips around, searching for it. ]

Shit shit shit shit did you see that? Am I just imagining things?

Whoaaaa, whoa- whoa. Is something there? [Now Peter's on edge, but not as jittery - he hasn't seen anything and is mostly reacting to her. Which is a good way to get him to over react just a little, amped up on someone else's emotions even when he has no idea where he's supposed to be looking.

Pino's not helping.] Where?

[He's busy looking where she's looking, he doesn't think to look upwards. But one of the three in this Scooby Gang does, pino hopping in the air to snap with his little chicken dino eyes widely attentive to what's behind them. Peter freezes, feeling particularly peculiar, glancing at Kelly Ann - not entirely sure he wants to turn around and look.

Slowly, he turns his head.] Please don't fucking be behind me.

[ Kelly Ann keeps looking. The hall is mostly brightly-lit, but there are shadows in the corners of the doorways, parts where the fluorescent lights from the ceiling and the starlight from the windows don't quite reach.

She sees it, lurking there in the top corner of the doorway, tentacles shivering at the edges of the shadow. Pino hisses and snaps, hopping in between Kelly Ann and the thing. ]

It's right there. [ She says, voice barely above a whisper as she nods toward the door behind him. She closes her eyes and braces herself. She won't fight back this time, just curl up and try to protect the vital areas. ]

[He's seen Alien perhaps one too many times because the cold chill that runs through him as he turns around is crazy. Goosebumps raise along his arms as he sees it - this creepy little demon gremlin thing that's mega sketch but also pisses him off? He stares for just a moment, long enough for him to realize this is not somewhere they wanna be and if she's not gonna yell toaster? Fine.

He puts on his shades and looks to her.] I got this.

[What happens next is to her an indiscernible whirlwind but a few things happen with certainty: Peter has moved her, first and foremost, to the greenery. He went back for Pino, scooping up the beast under one arm and hastily giving the demon a fearful palm-punch on the way out. He's not usually one to fuck around with the paranormal, so he leaves it at that, remembering with no fondness the snapped leg he got the last time he took on someone out of his league.

Something feels warmer about the element of being surrounded by earth and grass, so in the greenery they stand and Peter adjusts to a slower time with a casual exhale as he pushes his glasses to sit on the top of his head. He should've put Pino down, but didn't, and makes a face as he thrashes about a bit like an angry terrier in his arms.]

Hey, hey - no biting. There, good. Good boy. [He puts him down and looks to Kelly Ann, hoping she doesn't get too sick from the motion he probably should've warned her about.] Better?

[ She still doesn't remember much about what happened the last time the demon got her, but she remembers it dragging her from the ankles, really fast, into something dark and cold. She shrieks when she's grabbed and moved but when she opens her eyes she's still standing. But in the greenery.

She feels sick to her stomach. Like carsick, which is nuts. She hasn't gotten carsick in years. There's a soft breeze and Pino and Peter are there. She starts to shake, still not quite breathing and pretty sure she's about to puke. ]

What just happened.

Sorry - that uh, happens. [He makes an apologetic face, tentatively reaching out to touch her but thinking better of it and just grazing his fingers over her elbow instead. Giving her space to breathe in is important so he sucks in a breath and looks around, sticking his hands in his pockets.]

I made an executive order to like, toast and get outta there. I told you I was fast, right? Sometimes it makes people sick, but it'll pass. [He was careful not to jar her around, too, on account of her injuries.]

Gave that creepy bitch the finger when getting out of there, tho.

[ Peter touches her elbow and Kelly Ann chokes on a sob. She covers her mouth with her hand, struggling to regain her composure. ]

Yeah you said I just didn't... I didn't realize you could move other people fast, too.

[ She tries to take a deep breath and it hitches. ]

Thanks. I'm sorry I'm so fucking useless.

[ She covers her face with both hands and sobs through clenched teeth. Pino skitters away, startled by the sound. ]

No, no... it's okay. [Peter's voice softens and he doesn't let go of her arm, much rather he gently reaches out with his other hand to tug her closer. He's not going to pull her into a hug if it's not something she's into, but it's an automatic reaction from growing up with two younger sisters that just clicks into play at that first hitching breath that spikes his concern.

He leans down a bit, trying to peer past her fingers and catch her eye.] That was freaky and it's okay to feel freaked out because of it, but you're safe, okay? That thing, whatever it is? It's gone. We're safe here.

[ She leans against him, her forehead resting on his chest as she starts to cry. It's all so much. Stuck in space with a bunch of strangers was bad enough but now some psycho demon thing kept attacking her. ]

Are we? I mean... Am I? [ She chokes out. ] God this sucks. It's not my fault that mask maker had an unrequited crush or whatever the fuck this stupid thing is so mad about.

Yeah, you are. [He confirms, knowing there's no real way for him to say it with certainty yet he does - if only to try and help quell her fears. He wraps his arms around her gently, smoothing his hand over her hair and dropping one arm to rub a reassuring circle against her lower back.]

Yeah, it's not your fault - whatever's going on is just fucked up shit you happen to be in the middle of, and it's not fair to you. But you're not alone, 'kay? I'm here, other people're here and we'll make sure you're safe.

[ It's really nice to be held like this. She wants to just stay like that. Feeling safe and cared for.

But it's not his job. Or anybody else's. She needs to take care of herself. She needs to get a hold of herself, too. This is embarrassing. She tries to take a deep breath, fails, and then succeeds on the second try. She extricates herself from his arms and wipes her eyes and then her nose on her sleeve. ]

Yeah. This thing is fucking with everybody. I'll just try to keep my head down until the people who can actually do something useful go ahead and do it.

[Peter loosens his grip on her and lets her draw away, returning his arms to his sides as he gives her some space. This is a pretty shitty situation all around and while a lot more could be said on it, he doesn't want to dreg up any more shitty feelings- she deserves a boost instead. He's usually pretty decent at cracking a shitty joke, but now he draws a blank.]

Just remember there are people here, 'kay? [Like him, awkward and uncertain of what kind of help he'd be.]

And places to go, no matter what. Like, this? [He gestures around to the Greenery; the overall feeling of it, it just reminds him of the life on Kaittos a bit. Something alive, not quite as sterile as the rest of Avagi.] Pretty cool place to hang out. Actual grass to lay on. Just like home... only not really at all like home, but y'feel me?

I know. [ Her breath hitches. He's been so great and she's just throwing it back in his face. ] I'm sorry.

[ She looks around the greenery. She's been in here before, but hadn't really looked at it the way Peter does. She sniffles again and wipes her nose. ]

It's not really like my home. [ She says quietly. ] Not much grass. It's real hard to keep a lawn in L.A. and the grass that's there is like, short and hard and spiky. Lots of palm trees, though. And skate parks. Used to spend a lot of time there.

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