The Hannya Mask

[warandpeace]

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.

Comments

[beeped]

Extra pillows. Maybe chocolate? [He sounds hopeful at that, though he won't be surprised if he can't find candy of any sort.]

I'd like that. [Richie is immediately earnest, eager. This is exactly what he needs. That way--next time something happens, if it happens, he can be better prepared. Hopefully be there for Eddie and his other friends too.]

When can we start? [He'd suggest right now, personally, but he is currently tasked with a mission of the utmost importance.]

[shadowblends]

Chocolate, huh? [It just so happens, he still has some leftover sweets from living on Thisavrou that he's kept tucked away in the convenient pacdisc he'd gotten on arrival. Honestly, that thing's been more of a lifesaver than he'd like to admit at times, but he's glad to have held onto it.

Kurt nods, shifts a bit closer to Richie and reaches to place a hand on his shoulder, giving a reassuring squeeze.]

As soon as you'd like, but how about this? We head back to my room to get those pillows and chocolate, so Eddie can be extra comfortable and have a bit of sugar.

[beeped]

[Richie doesn't even have to think about it; he is ready to accept this no matter what.]

Maybe tomorrow? Or in a couple days? [He wants to start learning as quickly as possible, but there's also the entire issue of knowing he's not going to want to leave Eddie alone. Maybe he can get Bill to swap places with him for a while.

Well, really. Richie knows he won't even have to ask. Of course Bill would want to.]

You're so fucking awesome, Kurt. Like a goddamn hero. [He'll gladly follow Kurt to fetch the pillows and chocolate.]

[shadowblends]

I'm fine with either of those. [For Richie, he'll make time to train him whenever he'd like. Perhaps, if they plan it accordingly, he can teach him while Bill is watching Eddie and vice-versa. Another option would be practicing in the same room with all three of them, allowing even the injured boy to pick up on some things, and letting Kurt show them how to defend themselves (and one another) in a tighter space.

Regardless of what they decide to do, he's determined to make sure the boys will be able to fight off that demon, weapons or no.

As he leads the way, the blue complexion of his cheeks flushes indigo, burning hot with embarrassment at Richie's praise.] Thank you, Richie, [he answers, a bit sheepish.] That's kind of you to say.

[beeped]

I'll talk to Bill and let you know, if that's okay? I don't want Eddie to be left alone. [It would be something awful if he went off to learn self-defense so he can protect Eddie and himself, only to have something happen again because no one was around. But he knows it won't actually be too much of a problem. All the Losers had each other's backs, so it wasn't like Eddie's going to get stranded alone.

Of course, this entire line of thought it Richie assuming that Eddie won't be able to move at all. In his own worrying, Eddie's serious injuries are even more exaggerated in his mind.]

Well, it's true. [He follows along after him, not entirely aware that he's embarrassed Kurt with his bluntness. He's just relieved that Kurt is such a good and kind person.] If there's ever anything I can do return this favor, I will.

[shadowblends]

That's perfectly acceptable. I wouldn't want to leave my friend alone if I was you, either. Too much risk in them getting hurt again. [Straightforward, but true in some (unfortunate) cases. He has a pretty good feeling that Eddie is safe with his friends, though, and trusts they know how to at least scrap like the teens or preteens that they are.]

Everything is copacetic, for the moment. There's a likely chance something will arise in the future. [Until then, Kurt is more than happy to oblige; sparing extra pillows and sweets is the least he can do for these sensational kids.

Once they reach the unit, he continues leading them through, entering his room without a second thought.] So, any specific amount of these items we need?