Midnight Train (Wandering Parlor Ghost)

One could argue that demons were fake. That they were just things thought up by media and people seeking to scare others and gain attention. People could argue that the belief in them was just as shaky as ghosts if one were to narrow their perspective and focus on that alone; however, the difference between demons and the sort of ghost that Haru spoke of was this: Demons, no matter their form, were never the dead, but actually defined as a race and type of spirit that lived in one of the multiple spiritual planes that humans rarely were allowed to interact with. There were records of demons for many years and now physical proof they were actually real was constantly before them. He could not explain why Endyimon sat in a spot where the creatures could manifest themselves to man. It was one of the many great mysteries of this place; however, what he could say was that despite their ability to hide, demons of all shapes and sizes, personalities, and alignments were living things like humans were. They were not the deceased coming back to haunt the human world.

Those ghosts on TV and the internet that were so hostile? Those things actually performing the mischief were still counted as living in his book. A living spirit that could take on many names such as demon, angel, spirit, or ghost. His argument while seeming shallow and shelter was not trying to say the things that happened as a result of these spirits was fake. No, all he was saying was that his way of viewing the matter was very different and that the dead had nothing to do with what was happening in areas infested by malicious spirits. The way “ghosts” and demons even were portrayed in the media was silly and nonsensical with only the imagination making that sort of thing real in the mind of people who actually took that stuff too far. While he did not seem it, Haru did a huge amount of research into spirits and the way they were portrayed or viewed by humans all over and always he had found the same conclusion in the end: the dead were dead. They did nothing, but their spirits typically went to a place of sleep until Judgement Day came. The dead did not harm. The dead did nothing. But malicious spirits? Living spirits?

They could do something and if they were strong enough they could go beyond simply messing with the head and actually start doing physical things to others. As for forms and why people saw their dead loved ones when encountering said living spirits? Well that one was simple to answer. Living spirits had the ability, just like humans, to appear as someone desired them to appear. Their real form was hidden behind a person’s deep memories or society’s various views on what these creatures looked like through their art mediums.

In the end, Haru believed in the supernatural; however, just not in the typical way making him less scared and gullible of what was placed before him on the media front as his mind tore into those ideas with logic and down to earth thinking. His view was very grounded in reality and facts and maybe that is why he and the lady with him could not see eye-to-eye on this topic. Maybe her views were more fantastical and imaginative than his. It was hard to say, but the disagreement would make itself fully known with the answer he received to his question.

To what was said, the young man would give the woman a neutral expression as he responded.

“I don’t expect everything I hear to be agreeable with my way of thinking.” After all, everyone had opinions and what not and while he didn’t aim to find out all thoughts on various matters, he often wished people weren’t so afraid of potentially butting heads a bit or to debate topics that had clashing views. One only learned by discussing right? And as long as the other party didn’t loose it too much, why not see what can be learned by looking at something from a different perspective. He honestly could’ve poked more, but taking into the consideration that they were simply stranger and not on a level where those sorts of waters could be traveled safely, the dark haired male would eventually blink as he shook his head a bit and looked away from the woman. “However, I will respect your wish and leave the topic be.” Well can’t say he wasn’t respectful.

The next topic would be less serious as they got into a realm that was not only familiar to the idol, but also less dangerous to tread. As he listened to what the other said, he would raise his eyebrow surprisingly showing interest in a subject.

“Interior design, huh? That is an interesting practice though i am afraid I don’t have time to do much of it myself. Even so, you must have a keen eye for details if you work with this art yourself. You stated you charge for your services and work. I don’t blame you there. After all, everyone needs money to survive.” he would say, his words appreciative and respectful of a fellow artist. “Though, I do wonder….  Do you happen to charge for viewings of your designs? It might seem silly, but I am kind of interested in seeing the blueprints to a design or two if you don’t mind sharing.” Call it a hobby or what have you, but the guy did like to absorb what he could about the various avenues of art no matter the form. If he had to pay a price to gain such knowledge that was fine as long as the price was reasonable that is and the end result could match or go beyond what was being asked for.

Letting that go where it would, Haru would find himself letting out a soft snort of amusement at the next answer. “Alright keep your secrets then,” he would say as a light smirk crossed his face. Did he believe she actually had some perks and was indeed dead? Without solid proof not really, but he was curious to see what she would say or come up with. Too bad she had decided to remain tight lipped. Though maybe that was a sign the matter was personal or uncomfortable for her...or maybe she had nothing to begin with and had made up for the hell of it. The possibilities were endless really. Ah well.

In time, it would seem their conversation would drift to silence until Haru decided to break it by poking the woman for her thoughts. However, the answer given didn’t get them very far. “Mmm. I see,” Haru would say as he kept his eyes closed as he used his other senses to tell him what was happening around him. It seemed that the young man while curious had his limits to how far he would attempt to make small talk with another. When the other didn’t go beyond just answering the question, he would opt to be quiet rather than continue to try to make chatter happen. For him silence was just as good as chatter, so after his initial response, he would remain quiet as he remained in his relaxed and sleep-like state as the train continued to carry them to their destination….

Haru was indeed a quiet person, even more so when dealing with people for the first time. He could come off as too cautious or too tight lipped for the talktive, but that was simply how he was when he was not in a role that required him to play the part of out going or charming. Outside of the spotlight, if one wanted to get him to loosen up and speak more they would have to be patient or be very good at finding the right triggers to get him actually speak or be comfortable enough that he invited chat in on his own.

This woman with him, she had done a okay job of getting him to chat with her being far more successful than others he had contended with and outside of some oddness, the young man wasn’t bothered by her too much so that was good. Though at the end of the day, he had neutral feelings towards her. Now these feelings could turn into something more if he and she perhaps hung out more, but the idol wasn’t usually attracted to the strange such as her...unless of course the strange had something that interested him enough to ignore the oddness they brought along for the ride. And what do you know? It seemed this woman he was with had exactly what was needed to keep him interested enough to ignore the odd. What was that thing that held his interest? Interior designing and the potential of viewing another artist’s handiwork.

Upon catching his interest with this, they would fall into a small chat with the dark haired young man poking a bit into the matter mainly to see if he could get a glimpse at the other’s work and in turn perhaps find new inspiration for his muses, a business partner if things went way, or maybe just a friend. There were multiple doors that could open with this small interest, but the dark haired male didn’t dig too deeply into the future that was never guaranteed, so outside of minor speculations and wandering thoughts, the male stayed rooted in the present as he heard her words.

A small smirk would cross his face as he reopened his eyes briefly to look over at the woman that sat a few seats away from him.

“I see. Well then, perhaps when I am in the area, I’ll take up the challenge of finding this moving location and in turn get a glimpse at these elusive prints.” His tone was light and good-natured, the young man more intrigued by the idea of a challenge than the actual blue prints which could be his reward if he was able to find Mrs. Ghost’s home. It would indeed be an interesting game to try when he was free from work and his schedule in general.

Outside of that small show of interest, the conversation would die between the two and the idol would go to relaxing with his eyes closed. With no new topics to deal with, he would continue to rest as the subway chugged along. It would be a while, but eventually an announcement was made that they would be arriving at the station soon, so preparing himself the idol pushed himself into a seating potion and then after stretching a bit, he got up and moved to a rail closer by the doors. Choosing to stand for the rest of the time, he would watch the outside world quietly until finally the train slowed and came to a stop on the more busier platform of that was associated with Vista Square, his home.

If the woman had stayed on this long, then he would glance over and give her a light wave. “See ya,” he would say and then shifting his weight he would get off the train. Once off the train, the idol would stuff his hands back in his pocket and begin to head home shifting easily through the crowds he was all too familiar with no matter what time of day it was.

~Provided he is not stopped or followed, Haru is exiting the thread.~