[she's about to greet him with a welcome, but the word stills in her throat as she takes over the changed appearance. it's striking, yet alterations were something she took to view as a matter of course by now.]
Vikenti?
[tentative, knowing there's an equal chance of it being him as well as it isn't. regardless, she'll aid whoever it is, but she needs to know where they stand.]
[the bandage on her wrist, she covers reflexively now that he mentions it. no need to mention what it's really from, or that she has a shirt that she's been trying to get the bloodstains from.]
You could say that. I'm trying to understand how we can really help her now.
[crossing over to where she's keeping the doses, she debates for only half a second before she takes out two. sorrowful as it is, the dead residents of the apartments have no use for these now, and Shu does.]
[the question gives her pause, and while she knows what really hurts the most, she's not comfortable disclosing that one. instead, she'll go for the one that inconveniences her most.]
[He lets out a little sound that--despite everything--is a light cackle.]
When the earth's gifts can aid me, but I haven't had a chance to find anything, not in this weather. You seem capable enough of that, don't you?
[He can smell the lingering of magic around her, even with his dulled senses] But healing a wound and helping with the pain are two different things, aren't they?
[curious, she at last extends her hand so he might properly see the bandaged wrist. the one that had been hit the hardest in her fight, it still feels tender and weaker. she can live with the pain in her chest, but her hands being affected feels like it simply gets in the way.]
[carefully, she unwraps her wrist, letting the deep bruise be seen. it's still dark, not yet beginning to fade - oh, she could remove it and heal it away, but that would be acting like that incident never happened. something needed to remain.
her eyes search his face, looking for whatever reaction he'll have.]
[There's a softening of his expression as he takes the arm, examining the wound. It definitely seems like it would be irritating for a healer, or anyone who uses their hands.]
We may identify the most with our own bodies because they're the vector through which it's the simplest to think about what we experience. But in truth, they are shells that we will eventually cast off. It is our essence, our karma which powers them.
So...if you experience your body in a different way...
[He passes a hand over it, and slowly, the healthy pink skin encroaches on the bruise, replacing the damaged skin and burst blood vessels. It's not healing, not truly--anyone who knows anything of healing would know it's not. But he is a Kitsune, an old one, and his illusion magic is powerful. He could change the sensation itself, but that takes more time, and he would rather do something less oppressive.]
Pushing pain away isn't always simple, but your eyes can help.
[He passes his fingertips over the arm, lightly. The difference in feeling should depend on her--if she's determined to feel it, it won't help, but to many, the appearance of knitted-together skin could be succor.]
[she's about to raise questions, to ask what he means by being a vector, but she feels someone else waking up, stirring and rising from their place. then, the voice that comes from her lips is altered - old smoke and feathers, amused and smoothed out by time.]
Now here's a fine surprise. Your host gave no clues away at all. It's been some time, hasn't it, Shunbin?
[The rustle of discomfort is something Vikenti notices keenly, even as he takes a backseat to his own body. And...was that a compliment??? Thank you, he thinks?
It's kind of nice to see Shu...Shunbin? So knocked off balance, though.
He feels his own brows knit together.]
Hibiki. You're as perceptive as always.
[He's not pleased, but he won't insult the other by pretending he's not who he really is. He still won't say that he gave his host no clues in the first place.]
To be most fair, you all but came in here declaring it, with your manner and what you're letting show. Don't give me more credit than I deserve.
[they wave a hand, but there's a glimmer of sharp amusement in the eyes - coming forward was a simple matter, like changing positions in a dance, now that the two of them are laced so tight.]
I know she'll thank you for your help, but allow me to say it as well.
[Ah, Hibiki and their strange sort of kindness. They were perceptive, and far more difficult to trick than most of their kind. Not for lack of trying, of course. He sighs, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly.]
It isn't you. I simply don't feel that I deserve such praise. Pride is...something that blinds too easily, is it not, my friend?
[He's silent for a bit, chewing the question over, and then tilts his head, his ears giving a flick. They're not as long as the ones he had before, and therefore not as expressive, but they still do the job.]
...Speak freely. I'll take responsibility.
[He knows he hasn't been fair, and he still doesn't want to tell him per se, but...they are sharing a body. The boy had been forthcoming with him...Shunbin is not a monster, as much as he wants to be.]
[There's a shimmer around Vikenti, and for a moment, once again, Hibiki can see the outline of the much taller, long-haired fox; a little glimpse of the one that Hibiki knows. It's for Hibiki's benefit, he supposes, but the Hibiki he knows rarely needs such things--and so, perhaps it's partially for himself, too. He's not sure, but perhaps...it feels a little nice. The illusion disappears quickly.] And should you ever need company for fruit wine at twilight, I will be here too. You do still drink a bit, no? If you abstain, I will take on your burden~
[Even Vikenti can feel the discomfort radiating off Shunbin, who nevertheless smiles once more.]
If I may face the lady once again, then? Should she have any questions.
[they smile in a peculiar way, knowing and wry all at once, before they close their eyes and something shifts in the body's posture, in the face. and then the soul that gazes out is just Emily, brought back forward easily - the dance has changed again. more weary than her counterpart, but still trying to gently, politely smile.]
...No questions currently, but I am genuinely grateful for your help. You're quite right about what the eyes see being a part of it all.
[if someone could believe they were getting better, then they would be that closer to doing so.]
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Vikenti?
[tentative, knowing there's an equal chance of it being him as well as it isn't. regardless, she'll aid whoever it is, but she needs to know where they stand.]
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[he smiles, his pointed ears giving a twitch.]
I believe I owe you a thank you personally, for the potion from before. My head feels much clearer.
[He'd normally not want to be out like this, but...well, he's been pushed out to the forefront, hasn't he? The circumstances being what they are.]
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[stepping back, she gestures that he can come in, if he likes.]
You're welcome for it, I'm truly happy it's helped you so much. Do I take that to mean you've come to get another dose to hold onto?
I'm still figuring out what kind of font I want him to talk in lol
[There's no shame in helping!
He exhales thinly, thinking of the bloodstained streets, the shouting, even as he enters.]
Her displeasure is quite the dilemma.
[His eyes settle on the bandages.] I see you've felt it keenly as well.
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You could say that. I'm trying to understand how we can really help her now.
[crossing over to where she's keeping the doses, she debates for only half a second before she takes out two. sorrowful as it is, the dead residents of the apartments have no use for these now, and Shu does.]
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[Vikenti--he can't really begrudge him his distress. He takes them with an appreciative nod, checking the vials.]
I'd like to repay you for helping me come back to myself. Which of your wounds hurts the most? Would you show it to me?
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[the question gives her pause, and while she knows what really hurts the most, she's not comfortable disclosing that one. instead, she'll go for the one that inconveniences her most.]
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When the earth's gifts can aid me, but I haven't had a chance to find anything, not in this weather. You seem capable enough of that, don't you?
[He can smell the lingering of magic around her, even with his dulled senses]
But healing a wound and helping with the pain are two different things, aren't they?
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[curious, she at last extends her hand so he might properly see the bandaged wrist. the one that had been hit the hardest in her fight, it still feels tender and weaker. she can live with the pain in her chest, but her hands being affected feels like it simply gets in the way.]
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Mm! A healer such as yourself shouldn't underestimate the power of pain relief, hm? Would you mind unwrapping it? It's best if I see the wound.
[His ears twitch somewhat happily. It's been a while since he's been able to flex his abilities.]
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her eyes search his face, looking for whatever reaction he'll have.]
1/2
We may identify the most with our own bodies because they're the vector through which it's the simplest to think about what we experience. But in truth, they are shells that we will eventually cast off. It is our essence, our karma which powers them.
So...if you experience your body in a different way...
[He passes a hand over it, and slowly, the healthy pink skin encroaches on the bruise, replacing the damaged skin and burst blood vessels.
It's not healing, not truly--anyone who knows anything of healing would know it's not. But he is a Kitsune, an old one, and his illusion magic is powerful. He could change the sensation itself, but that takes more time, and he would rather do something less oppressive.]
Pushing pain away isn't always simple, but your eyes can help.
[He passes his fingertips over the arm, lightly. The difference in feeling should depend on her--if she's determined to feel it, it won't help, but to many, the appearance of knitted-together skin could be succor.]
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[He demonstrates on his own earlobe.]
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Now here's a fine surprise. Your host gave no clues away at all. It's been some time, hasn't it, Shunbin?
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It's kind of nice to see Shu...Shunbin? So knocked off balance, though.
He feels his own brows knit together.]
Hibiki. You're as perceptive as always.
[He's not pleased, but he won't insult the other by pretending he's not who he really is.
He still won't say that he gave his host no clues in the first place.]
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[they wave a hand, but there's a glimmer of sharp amusement in the eyes - coming forward was a simple matter, like changing positions in a dance, now that the two of them are laced so tight.]
I know she'll thank you for your help, but allow me to say it as well.
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It is nothing. Just fox magic, as you know.
[Strange for him, one who's never been particularly shy or humble. Even if he'd said it before, it would have been in jest.]
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[one eyebrow raises, and they seem genuinely surprised by it.]
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It isn't you. I simply don't feel that I deserve such praise. Pride is...something that blinds too easily, is it not, my friend?
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[they pause, looking carefully at him.]
How much does he know?
[so that they might not overstep with their host.]
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...Speak freely. I'll take responsibility.
[He knows he hasn't been fair, and he still doesn't want to tell him per se, but...they are sharing a body. The boy had been forthcoming with him...Shunbin is not a monster, as much as he wants to be.]
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[it's his story to tell. his to disclose, if ever. there were parts of their own life they still kept quiet.]
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And should you ever need company for fruit wine at twilight, I will be here too. You do still drink a bit, no? If you abstain, I will take on your burden~
[Even Vikenti can feel the discomfort radiating off Shunbin, who nevertheless smiles once more.]
If I may face the lady once again, then? Should she have any questions.
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...No questions currently, but I am genuinely grateful for your help. You're quite right about what the eyes see being a part of it all.
[if someone could believe they were getting better, then they would be that closer to doing so.]