XII: Shadows of Hope [Invite Only]

It was hard to think about a time when Griselda and Usumidori WEREN'T a unison of mind and body. Maybe it was partly because the sheer will and force of personality the demon exuded on her made her time with the demon stands out more than anything else in her pampered past. Usumidori took an active role in making sure its host knew of him and learned from him. And honestly? Recently she had seen a great improvement as usumidori pushed her to not only learn but take in the power of his brethren.

In turn, the flame of war also grew stronger.

"One... Two... Three!"
Griselda had gotten pretty good at blinking through space. Warping the fabric of the universe with the soul blade and creating portals from one side of a city to the next. Stretching her knowledge of her surroundings and developing a sort of sixth sense for where and what places she could sneak into. Cutting quick slashes in the air she's been able to pass by many buildings in the span of seconds. Soon enough, she might be able to make such great leaps without Usumidori's direct help via his sword and soul.

This next jump, into an alleyway, was as silent as ever. But the sight of bright red caught her emerald eyes. Someone that didn't seem to belong in the noisy and forgotten corner of this decrepit city. The Earthling took a moment to eye her before stowing the sword back into its proper place. A small portal opened up to swallow it back. Unarmed, she'd approach the stranger with a curious perk of her eyes.

"This place doesn't suite you. Are you lost?"
Startling the red fox or not, Griselda would keep her distance and let her get accustomed to her presence. Hands held together just in front of her, the prim and proper Griselda smiled at the lost fox.

'Keep your senses about you. This one lacks hallow of life.'
THe demon rang in her head. True enough, trying to get a sense of ki from this fox brought up nothing. The duo's single body, short as it was, didn't give off any particular power as well. Instead, sporadically jumping around in anyone's senses should they try getting a read on her lifeforce. The blend of the demon and human soul made reading such signs impossible.

---

Anti-Sense ACTIVE!
Thread PL: 25,000
WC: 402

Well, thankfully, they weren't dealing with some skittish mute. Griselda tilted her head some as they think about her question for just a moment. She SEEMED more than a bit lost. But, maybe she was assuming. The young woman just straightened up then and gave a look around as they questioned where they even were in East City. Getting at least that right was a step. The earthling herself as just zooming around the place moments before using general awareness of the layout before.

But actual names of their location? An index finger went up to her lips to tap them a few times in thought.

"Well. Where EXACTLY in East City, you ask? An alley near the downtown, I reckon. Not too far from the lesser dens that criminals call home. I'm surprised you're out here alone, getting lost in the darker places of this city spells a lot of bad things for us smaller girls."
Of course, Griselda knew this to never be an issue for her. Not since Usumidori. But she would have to act normal around people who didn't know, to keep that part of her locked away where she could. Sensing the fox lady, too, was hiding a bit of something with that paranoia she seems to be fighting the half-demon glanced around again. Just to see if anyone hidden was actually just unnerving her.

"I'd recommend not sticking around unless you know what you're doing. Lost or not. Have somewhere you're going? Need directions?"

---

WC: 254
TWC: 656

Coy, coming from someone the demon ALSO couldn't really sense. Griselda just flashed a smile and kept her hands folded in front of her. Another glance shot around the place between answering Rinako and looking at the path outwards, towards the streets where a few people could be felt. And one, seen passing right on by their little back alley here.

"Oh? Well, I've been described as hard to read at times. Really does help me blend in with a crowd and not stick out like a sore thumb. Some of those stronger people, like the president, stick out like a sore thumb even when he relaxes... Rest assured I AM here. I think."
She giggles a little at the idea she was just Rinako's figment. Clearly, the lack of awareness the half-demon gave off was setting off some red flags in this red head's mind. Caution might be warranted stepping forwards, even if she didn't consider the fact Rinako also didn't feel like much of anything.

"There are a few of those nearby... Hmm. Well, since you're lost and we both seem to be lacking any presence, care to indulge me in a question? Do you know what you WERE doing? Going to a hotel for what? Down an alley for WHAT? Just think about it. That usually helps when I get lost myself, just remembering not only why I'm here in the now, but how. And maybe I can enlighten you if anything sounds vaguely familiar. This is my city after all."
Hyperbolic, but she assumed Rinako wouldn't take that literally. It was home, nothing else.

---

WC: 272
TWC: 928

Huh. Well, with the way Rinako described it here, Griselda could only imagine paranoia. The only experience she had else wise with a person in her own head was Usumidori, and he was ANYTHING but subtle with his wants and influence. He had little need to create false images in her mind. Even to just mess with her. No, there were a lot EASIER and more thrilling ways to do just that. Rather than bring up something that was possibly sensitive, Griselda just nodded and looked around again.

"Well, if you were wanting a place to stay, I DO know a place. Someplace you can maybe get some peace away from the loud sounds and vibrant lights of the city. Maybe that'll help ease your mind?"
She offered, holding a hand out for the other girl to take. She knew a place alright. Her own place. Griselda didn't often take company there, but seeing as the girl was so obviously lost where she was and it'd probably do them no good to stay at some nearby hotel...

"You'll just have to promise to not tell anyone a few of my secrets, understood? My methods aren't exactly typical, you see. Any power-hungry thug could come around and try to strip me of my few tricks. Wouldn't want that. So, promise?"
Griselda would wait patiently, even if Rinako was apprehensive about taking the spin on Griselda's ride. Something she's attempted now plenty of times with a passenger. It was sure to pique her soon-to-be guest's interest!

---

WC: 258
TWC: 1186

Had this been Usumidori in control, this poor soul would be in a world of pain just taking any promise like that with concrete 'deals'. But not only did Griselda not care about fricking over possible allies, she'd rather not make more enemies than what she had currently. With the two exchanging touch, the small earthling would hold her other hand out to the side. A moment looking to pass as she just grasped at the air. But with a tug, it seemed that she started yanking a handle out from the middle of space.

"A trickster, huh? Is it because you've got some fox about you?"
She made the light comment as she finally pulled the rest of this large katana out. It's ebony blade a stark contrast to the many whites of the girl. Even so far as standing out in the dim alleyway. Without so much as giving the vixen time to recoil or prepare, as if she was going to attack, the young swordswoman would instead slash a cross formation to their side. A red glow around the soul blade as it tears through the empty space between them and reveals a distortion in space. A portal. It's silent, and mysterious, as only Griselda truly knew where it went.

And suddenly, the girl would attempt stepping casually through the tear. Pulling Rinako behind her in an attempt to bring them both in. It was rather instant, the transition between alley and this new room...

One would describe it as lavish for a room if a bit abandoned. The two would be stepping back into a small bedroom of a manor that has seen better days. In some form of disrepair and neglect. If one had to guess, close to ten years worth by the dust and creaky wood underneath them.

"Closer than last time..."
She scoffed a bit at herself as she broke from the pair to open the door leaving the room. The only other way out was a window to their back, so it was some interior guest room by the looks of it. Poking her head out she made clear note of where they were.

"Well, hey, we aren't that far. Let's get down to the end of this wing and we can get you settled in. How's that?"
It's unclear if she was some squatter or genuinely had some stake in the place, but how much did that really matter? She wasn't really going to mention it unless it came up.

---

WC: 423
TWC: 1609

Griselda just laughed a little as she opened the door out into the hall for them both. Said hall being a similar amount of unused. The fox was about half-right. This was the place she stayed. Like, the mansion was the place. That room though? Hardly. Griselda did a 'come hither' with her fingers and shrugged.

"Kind of. Not this room, but the place as a whole. Some years ago a rich family lived out here. The edges of East City society, where they held onto so many... valuables for themselves. You know, rich people things."
While not exactly spilling the guts out about their criminal family or where the fuck they were now, the young earthling would try getting them to follow her further down the hall. To a few rooms that looked to be a lot better in shape. More bedrooms, of course, but bigger and more spacious. If the decorations around this end of the wing didn't give that off.

"Used to be my house, actually. Then some things happened. Just know, I don't usually have visitors. Seeing as I can do that with me blade."
Speaking of, the girl would flourish once in her hand before letting go of the sword. The blade disappearing into the aether much like how it first appeared from the grasp of the woman tugging on air. Leaving herself unarmed, she showed her hands like she just did a big magic trick. Just before opening the first door to their right down here.

"And this is my room! Don't mind the mess. It's just a lot of training equipment. Being busy all the time, you know."
It's just as she described it. Several dummies with slash marks, weights, bags, and training swords were scattered around what was otherwise a lavish and comfortable main bedroom for one of the kids. She didn't keep too many personal belongings out, but the few that did show themselves were a few journals, books, and writing pens. Old school stuff.

---

WC: 338
TWC: 1947

Well, can't say she wasn't EXPECTING such an answer. People like that in their entirety didn't usually fade like that, nor did their belongings. Yet, here they were. One of the places still dimly lit in this ghost house was her own abode within it. She casually nodded and decided to sit up on her bed's edge. Watching Rinako casually magic their own staff into their hands. Neat. Can't say she was also too surprised with how she was dressed and looked. Not the most common to see zoanthropes so human.

"It's true. Nowadays, it's only known to be a haunted manor. With rumors of a ghost stalking its hall. Can't imagine why anyone would even come around here but some kids like to get their kicks. Better to spook them than let them linger."
Relaxing, she'd lean on her hands with arms put behind her, those emeralds drawing up to the ceiling. THere was no rhyme or reason to tell a stranger about WHY it was like this now. That story was a strange one that required some know-how to navigate. The magic RInako seemed to have was reassuring, but she still didn't know much about her.

Pulled away from her absent-minded thought, she shook her head and giggled at the lack of manners. Crossing her legs and returning her gaze.

"Oh, how silly of me. It's Griselda Tops. Parents taught me better to not talk to strangers, but I guess I'm just confident enough to not feel threatened by people I bring in?"
Well, that crutch of a demon she uses definitely keeps her safer. Not that it'd really help her if someone superpowerful was going to be malicious to her. But who'd even consider doing that? She had little to nothing to take advantage of.

"Each of the other adjacent rooms I also keep clean for storage and guests. Whenever you feel like it, you can take one for the night. I prefer we take my portal back out rather than you slipping out randomly, but I can't exactly stop you. Imagine you won't have much need to stick around so..."
Her shoes tapped a few times on the ground, a slight tick as her body rested and she struggled to find something to talk about immediately.

"The staff's cool. Is that your magic making it, or is it something special?"

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WC: 398
TWC: 2345