onerous | IC Inbox

Yeah. It sounds like someone cryin'.

[ Or something. Spoiler alert, though: Majima hated crying. Which was why he started cautiously toward the sound, which was further down the trail. There was the rustling of feet through the fallen leaves, moving slowly toward them.

"Please..." came a piteous voice from somewhere up ahead. ]

[Yuri's straightens up a little, knowing fully well that it could be a trap, but...] What if someone's stuck up here...?

[The... thing that eventually emerges and reveals itself, however, isn't what Yuri might call a 'someone.' It reminds her a little of the dolls at Shiragiku's shrine. And although she doesn't have to, because sure Majima is smart enough not to charge ahead or anything, she still reaches out to grab his arm to stop him]

Is that-- Is that a doll? [UNSURE. It sniffles and appears to be quite upset, which makes Yuri's heart ache for it a little, but she doesn't want to rush it without some ideaof what it is]

[ "Please, I beg of you!" it cried, clicking as it made its way towards them.

It was missing almost all of its limbs, save for a single leg; it smelled like cat pee. Worst of all, there seemed to be some kind of infestation in its torso. This was literally the sketchiest monster Majima had ever seen. He didn't move forward, but he didn't yet step back, either. ]

You what now? Who are ya?

[ Monsters typically didn't talk to Majima, or at least they hadn't so far. Was this actually a person somehow? Maybe transformed?

"Hold me," it said instead of answering, twisting its face up to look at them. Well. It could all just be a giant trap. ]

[Gross. Gross gross gross. Yuri feels her stomach churn a little, but her heart breaks at the pitiful voice.]

Hold... you? [Yuri echoes the request, looking surprised. Huh.] ...If I do, you won't hurt us, will you?

["Please..." It sobs, which isn't exactly an answer, but she takes a deep breath anyhow.]

...Majima-san, I'm going to do it.

[ Wow, this seemed like a terrible idea but let's not pretend Majima was immune to terrible ideas. He turned back to Yuri. ]

Ya sure? I bet I heal faster than you.

[ "It's been so loooong...." said the creature, sounding... actually, that was a little suspicious. Hopefully it wasn't a clinger. With its... leg. Possibly teeth. ]

Things like this are what I used to do back home. In a way. [She'd take that pain if need be. She was... Well, maybe not used to it, but it was fine.]

Let me pretend to be able to protect you for once. [She glances over, a hint of a tired smile, before she approaches the doll. Thing.]

Here. I'll embrace you. [The doll lurches at her, near-collapsing into Yuri's arms. She stumbles a little from the unexpected weight and shivers in revulsion, but seconds later the doll suddenly becomes dust. Yuri makes a startled, confused noise and stares down at herself and the dust now coating her front.

...Did... She win?? She turns to face Majima, looking baffled, then yelps at the raven that comes to land on her shoulder. It looks around, head cocked, croaks a "hello!" and starts picking some leaves from Yuri's hair.

Slowly Yuri looks back at Majima with a bewildered expression that seems to ask 'is this supposed to happen??']

Uh. D'you feel any different?

[ "Cheese!" said the bird, flapping its wings once or twice. Sure, he'd heard that ravens could talk, but he'd never heard a bird speak so clearly. Although... maybe not all that usefully. ]

Ya look about the same.

[ He fished a handkerchief out of his suit pocket and offered it to her. ]

[Yuri winces in surprise at the flapping and casts the bird a wary look, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything concerning beyond... Existing there.

She takes the handkerchief to wipe her face off just in case some dust got on her there before concentrating on brushing herself off.]

I don't... think so? I feel like I need a shower now though. [She frowns, then gives a helpless shrug.] I guess we'll see if anything happens later, but that went better than I thought it would.

Ah... Sorry if I worried you.

You're pretty reckless, aren't ya?

[ That sounded like... a compliment? It was a compliment. Still, it didn't solve their problem with the mountain, and that strange bird was apparently hanging around. ]

Well, we're out here. Why don't we take a look around for a little longer before we give up the ghost? Maybe we'll find another path up.

Am I? [She looks honestly surprised at that assessment.]

Mm. We should try as much as we can. Maybe we'll get lucky.

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want to wrap this up and say they couldn't find a way to the mountain?

Sure!