A Crossing of Paths (Sharaku)

Penecia Island, an island loaded with much to do for the rich and curious, was a place always bustling with life as people treaded here and there on their errands and fun filled adventures. With all the commotion about, it was surprising if anyone stopped for a second to truly look around the island and find the strange cracks of contradiction here and there.

A super-mall overshadowing a closed down mom and pop store. A large house hiding a long forgotten smaller one in the backyard. The rich and fun loving passing by the poor and hateful on the streets. Contradictions. The very thing that humans were was represented in full color on this island. An island that appeared to be normal enough. An island that appeared to be ordinary. However, just like the people and sights on the island, Penecia was just as normal as it was abnormal, but to catch this strange flaw one would have to be seeking it or at least be sensitive to way spirits flowed in the world..

Unlike all the other flaws of this beauty, the abnormal appeared as something ordinary. It was a building. An abandoned looking one to ordinary eye. Plain and grey. Weather beaten and decaying. Unappealing to the normal who shied away from the place like it was the plague; however, to the sensitive to the abnormal, there would appear to be a slight shimmer in the gapping maw that was the buildings doorway. And if one were to step into that shimmer out of curiosity, then the little cat would find a very different story on the other side.

As if stepping into a completely different world, the old building would become a rather spacious oriental house that was well kept and decorated sparsely with furniture and art. The detail of the home and the way everything was shaded was perfectly balanced by the open screens that let in the natural light and crisp cool air of outside. The faint scent of flowers and snow hung in the air no doubt coming from a garden nearby.

The home was cozy and welcoming and yet no one seemed to be here. Why?

Winter.

In the outside world that the humans resided in the season took full hold of the world. On some days it snowed and the wind howled. On other days the world became still with only the cold breath of Lady Winter lingering in the air. The human’s reality changed drastically every second, but for this home within a rift things did not change as much.

Sure, the seasons changed, but unlike the human world this place inbetween reality and dream had subtle changes in temperature and the way the animals and plants reacted to the changes. There was no snow here. No frost. No rain. There was only the shift in light and dark, warm and cold, and the constant tick of time that existed in this strange world that existed in the rift.

This was the world of spirits, a place where the living hardly traveled, but today it would seem that Chance had drawn a guest into this world. It was a tall man with a strange skin tone and even stranger eyes. He had seen the rift from the normal world and perhaps out of curiosity had stepped up the rift and entered…and the spirits easily bowed out of his way allowing him into the odd and seemingly empty home.

As the man stood at the entrance looking around, the sounds of birds could be heard from a hidden garden as a cool breeze blew through the area. This tranquil air would last for only a moment before a voice was speaking out to the man at the door.

“It seems that Fate has brought us together again,” the voice said softly as the area around the man began to warp and twist before become a blur that blew past him in a gust of wind. When the world stopped moving once more, the man at the door would find that he was no longer at the front of the house, but instead just outside of a large rectangular room that had its painted screen doors flung wide.

Across the threshold was a mostly empty room with thin windows that let in light and air. In the center of this room was a low table where an odd man in strange robes sat quietly on the far side facing the door and the man just outside of the room.

Painted almond shaped blue eyes would narrow lightly with the small smile the man called Akumu gave the other as he raised one hand and gestured to the pillow at the opposite of side of the table.

“How may I help you, Mr. Sharaku?” the old attendant asked calmly as he watched the other, seeing if he would take the offered seat or not. Regardless of what happened, Akumu would remain calmly watching the man he had been unsure of before. As he watched he wondered why Fate had brought him such a person once more.

He was no guest of the Velvet Room and the aura around him suggested he was quite different from those that had the potential to become said guest of said room. Was this one perhaps seeking him out? Or had Fate led him her for different reasons?

Curious, he would await his answer in calm silence.
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Akumu is currently still neutral towards Sharaku, but at the same time this does not stop him from being welcoming to the other.

Displeasure followed by some form of clarity. That is what Akumu read in the other’s face as Sharaku spotted him. The man would stay in the doorway for a moment or two seemingly considering things before he crossed the threshold and entered the space where Akumu resided. Staying tranquil as always, Akumu would give the other as much time as he needed to settle into this space in existence. The old attendant could understand that those that were unlike himself would find this place too odd for comfort and if one wished it, then the one who had entered could leave at will. After all, much like entering time was determined by the guest rather than Akumu.

In any case, the old attendant was patient enough as he waited for the man to enter and take a seat. He took note of the cautiousness of the other, but did not make any action or say anything that suggested this had offended him. When the other was finally settled and answered his question, Akumu nodded.

“Nothing is ever planned and yet we always find ourselves in the oddest of situations when we least expect it,” Akumu said with a light smile as he continued to relax on the pillow he was upon. “However, I do not think it was coincidence either that led you here. Not just anyone can find my door let alone enter here so easily. Yet you came in without a problem. Surely there is something you wanted. Just ask and I shall answer to the best of my abilities.”

There was no pressure behind Akumu’s words. He was just simply stating facts before becoming quiet once more and allowed a silence fall between the pair for a moment as calm blue eyes studied the shadow like ones of the man across from him. This one was strange and hard to read, so Akumu was not quite sure why Fate had brought them together once more; however, not one to doubt the spirits Akumu figured he’d simply have to wait to discover what was needed to be done here.

After a moment more of study, Akumu blinked before looking away from the other as he dug in his long sleeves. From them he produced an elegant pipe and a box of some sort. Placing the box upon the table, Akumu would look at the other.

“Do you smoke, Mr. Sharaku?” he would ask as he opened the box and turned it towards the other. A neat row of cigarettes would be there and an old lighter. “If so, help yourself. If not, I hope you don’t mind me doing so,” he said showing him the pipe before falling silent to see if an answer should occur. Being ever respectful, Akumu would not dare light the pipe unless his guest was fine with it.

Akumu watched the other respond to his words. He saw the questions flowing there, but for whatever reason the man was not asking them. What a shame. Akumu would much like to know what the man thought; however, the old being knew better than to meddle and so would keep his respectful silence. When the other spoke, Akumu listened his small smile remaining as his thoughts stayed hidden.

“Ah, so I have been found out,” Akumu said his words remaining soft and calm as ever as his small smile turned into a light smirk. “You are quite right. Not everyone can call upon magic so easily, but as I stated before an old friend taught me the trick a long time ago. It is called spirit weaving,” Akumu said as he moved one hand through the air pulling at the hidden spirits there. He would pull the spirits like threads into a small ball that quickly form to become a small porcelain clown in the being’s hand. The clown was dressed as a court jester though its white face was quite blank making it hard to tell what the black eyed doll was thinking as it sat quietly in Akumu’s hand tilting its small face towards Sharaku examining him.


“It is an ancient art not learned by humans as far as I can tell, but it is usefully in times of need,” Akumu said and then becoming slightly more serious, he tilted his head at Sharaku. “Do you know how Rita is doing now?”

Akumu would fall silent once again to allow the other to answer if the he wished to. After a few ticks of the silence, Akumu would move once more. He carefully placed the little being on the table. The doll would sit on the smooth wood looking around the room as Akumu became busy with finding some items in its sleeves. A few moments later, he produced the box and pipe before speaking to his guest and making the offer.

The other answered him easily enough before giving him permission to smoke his pipe. Quite pleased, Akumu would nod lightly before busying himself with the pipe. Within a few seconds, the pipe was lit. Taking a quiet drag off the pipe, Akumu would let the smoke flow out his mouth quietly as he watched his guest from the corner of his eye. He saw the gentleman take the cigarette after much thought and then pick up the lighter to light it.

Not making any comment about the trouble the gentleman was having with the lighter, Akumu would make a note in the future to offer matches instead. Regardless of this note, Akumu would remain quiet for a few seconds more before blue eyes settled fully upon the other once again.

“You said you are already accustomed to the rifts. That is quite a rare trait in humans. If you don’t mind me asking…just where did you learn how to see them?” Akumu asked calmly as the small jester blinked and tilted its head lightly remaining expressionless as always as it listened.

It was hard explaining the ancient magic that Akumu was taught without going much further into his past. While Akumu had no issues answering questions in order to guide others, he was not one to share his secrets, so easily. To be truthful, outside of the one who had taught him all he knew, the gods, and his master, no one really knew the old attendant. Not even his current siblings were that close to him. He only allowed surface material to show saving anything deeper for someone who had truly gained his trust. While it was true Sharaku had been met once before and a connection of a sort had been made with the other, Akumu still did not know the odd man. As a result, he remained mostly shut and gave only a hint of answers here and there.

To his words, Akumu got the feeling the other wasn’t completely satisfied with what he heard; however, just like before the man did not pry and Akumu did nothing to try and figure out why. He remained on neutral ground with the other as he continued to quietly observe the other.

When the other raised an eyebrow at the doll, the doll simply tilted its head curiously at him as if it was trying to figure him out, but had no way of communicating its words. In any case, the doll would continue its observation for a moment longer while Akumu kept his focus on his guest.

When he heard the answer to his first question, the old attendant closed his eyes lightly as he held the pipe elegantly in one hand. A small smile came upon his pale lips as he nodded slightly.

“I am glad that things worked out then,” Akumu would say before falling silent once more. He would eventually open his eyes and watch the other from the corner of his eye struggle with the cigarette and lighter a while longer before he asked his second question regarding the rifts. Staying as patient as usual, Akumu gave the other his chance to answer.

When the other spoke, Akumu’s head tilted lightly at the words.

“My. My, Times have changed quite a bit if what you say is true. A long time ago, the trait was rare and now you say many has the ability. On top of this, it seems Shadows have decided to get more bold in their hunting tactics. I wonder what this world is coming to cause such chaos that both shadows and spirits react so strongly to it,” Akumu said before he fell into thought about the situation allowing another silence to fall between them.

As he thought, the small doll had gotten up from its spot and had walked to the edge of the table. It stood on the edge looking down at the ground far below contemplating if it wanted to get down or not before it took a leap and with a light jingle of bells landed on the ground. Getting back to its feet, the little being looked around the house before heading towards the door. Unphased by the small spirit doing as it pleased, Akumu remained in thought.

If Sharaku wanted information, then he’d have to ask questions. Otherwise there was no telling what might become of the conversation.

Akumu’s would think some more before looking up at the other as he spoke. As he heard the words, his eyes narrowed as his usual smile vanished.

“Slow to catch up?” he repeated calmly as he watched the other with serious blue eyes. “I must admit that I do tend to be out of the loop with most things; however, unlike those of your world, I am not as free to see when or how these things occur. I simply know what the spirits allow me to know,” Akumu said as he bowed his head shaking it lightly, seemingly slightly frustrated with the situation; however, just as quickly as the displeasure appeared it was gone as he looked up at the other.

“I agree. The situation is unfolding in a unpleasant fashion; however, if shadows are attacking and more eyes are being opened to the rifts, then it must mean the gods are involved as well. It would seem a war of some sort is brewing and whatever is causing the shifts in the world is only the beginning of it,” Akumu said not worrying about sugar coating anything with someone in the know in front of him. The old attendant fell silent for a moment as he thought once more. He took notice the man was distracted by the doll, but did not say anything. When the other looked back at him, the old attendant met his eyes evenly.

“Since you are more in the know than I am currently, perhaps you can fill me in on the time frame this strangeness has been occurring. And perhaps you can aid me with one more thing,” he would pause for a moment before saying his next words, wondering if he may be stepping out of bounds here, but…

“The disappearances that occurred….What do you know of the situation and the condition of the one caught and the ones returned now?”

Akumu watched the other carefully as he spoke, his expression becoming more and more neutral as the other continued to talk.

“I am very interested in many things, Mr. Sharaku. The ones involving the spirits and gods are always the most pressing; however, I am not as free as you think I am. The only reason I appeared on that beach was because I was allowed to by those I serve. They give me missions to perform and allow me to wander outside of this realm to perform such things, but with the catch that I remain obedient to where they wish me to be. As much as I would love to wander about and dig into everything, I cannot due to the strict nature of my masters. I can only gather information and guide as far as they allow me to wander and from those they send my way,” Akumu said in his usual calm tones; however, there was a seriousness to his words that said he did not lie. No. He had told the man the truth in so far as it needed to be told. Nothing more and nothing less.

After the explanation, Akumu would fall quiet as the man responded to his summary of the situation. To the other words, Akumu nodded lightly in agreement as he let out another quiet stream of smoke. It was true they were being shown bits and pieces of the truth that had many endings, but Akumu had to wonder what sort of ending this one would come to…

The being continued to think before turning to observer the man when he was distracted by the doll. When the other shrugged and answered about the time frame. Akumu’s eyes narrowed slightly. Several months….Had that mission really lasted that long? And why had the spirits not called him sooner? Why leave him out of the loop? Had he lost his worth to them? Or was there something more at play? Hrmm…very troubling indeed, but nothing Akumu would linger on for long. He was here now so he would do what he could…provided he could get untangled from the web of chaos in some fashion.

As the other spoke, the old attendant gave the other a light smile devoid of hostility or warmth. He was amused and understood where this one was coming. They did not know each other and if the other wanted to keep what he knew a secret than he could. Akumu wouldn’t force the other into anything.

“Despite my bound life, I wish to understand what is occurring out there and in turn assist in figuring out what to do with said situation, even if I cannot sway the tables directly, I want to know the truth, thus I am curious about these disappearances and the status of the girls. The spirits point towards the girls as clues, but it has been rather difficult getting more information past that,” Akumu said a hint of frustration to his tone. He hated being bound by rules, but at the same time there was nothing he could do about it, so he could only rely on hope and readings to get very far at this stage in the game.

If he had a strong link outside of the world in between then perhaps the rules would bend a bit more….But who knew that truth except the gods? Yes, the situation was indeed frustrating.

Shaking his head lightly to clear, Akumu would look to the other his smile gone now he watched the other from behind a veil of smoke.

“I am bound by many things, yet ironically I am concerned about what is happening out there. Is it not natural to at least hope that someone from the outside may have some form of news? To hope those that guide you are not leading you in useless circles?” Akumu asked calmly before falling silent once more observing the other, expecting nothing. He had given the truth as far as he felt comfortable giving it now it was up to the other to accept this or not. The other was under no obligation to give him anything after all. They were simply strangers that for whatever reason the spirits had brought together once more. Unfortunately, the reason remained in the midst causing the attendant to work harder than usual to understand this encounter….

“I deal with my lot in life the best way I can. That is all anyone can do; however, death is not an ideal escape. Even if I have chains on me and certain aspects of living get under the skin, at least being alive I can perhaps find new paths to make what seems like a bad hand into something better,” Akumu said as the man watched the other. Akumu wasn’t into the idea of killing himself or needless deaths. No. It was better to live, suffer, and learn than waste what was given to you simply because you disliked the idea and wished things to be different.

Wishing and knowing nothing could be done was what drove people mad in bad situations, but accepting the bad lot in life and expecting change to always be there…that is what made this sort of life style easier to swallow even if the life style made other things more complicated. In any case, it would appear that Akumu and his guest were at odds with each other. This did not cause Akumu to hate the other, but it did nothing to sway his earlier uncertainty about the guy. He had given what truth he cared to share in hopes of information and yet this one was quite the difficult one to get said information out of.

As the other spoke, Akumu sighed inwardly as he watched the other with a neutral expression. When the other finished, Akumu was quite for a moment as he thought.

“It does make me feel better knowing that I do not have to worry about any missions on collecting bodies from the other side. Also, it may seem like I am locked in a position where I cannot do much with what is heard or said; however, you’d be highly mistaken if you think that makes my questions futile to ask. Chained and restricted I am, but you’d be surprise how such a lot in life makes the playing field a mess, but not a hopeless case. You just have to learn how to move as what you are,” Akumu said flatly.

While he was thankful for the information he was given, he was not pleased with the way it was given. Surely, the spirits had not brought him someone to become an enemy with. Surely, there was something else underneath, but what that something else was was hard for Akumu to see at the moment.

He was searching for the source of the problems on the other side, searching for ways to get further in to find where the whispers and chaos came from. He had hoped this one would be some form of limb to gain what he sought until he had the power to freely move into the other world himself, but if they could not get along then Akumu would have to simply look elsewhere for an ally in solving this mess. He wasn’t dumb after all. He knew this went beyond just the kidnappings; however, he was seeing if they had anything to offer to the blurry situation.…

In any case, once the words were spoken silence would fall between the attendant and the man. The slowly shifting smoke the only movement outside of the pairs’ breathing in the room.
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Caution: The Hierophant Card has turned in an unpleasant fashion. Akumu is not pleased.