“'
Well, there was that weird box from the other day,' you say? Hm, no, I cannot say it is anything I recognize. You believe it might have some importance, though? Ah, I see. You believe it had been in the possession of the witch? Something she had stolen, no doubt. Of course, that does not mean there is necessarily anything significant about it. Still, you would like to at least return it to its rightful owner if you could? Well, that is admirable, I suppose.”
“Hm? Your 'buddies'? Are you curious about what they think about you? Of course, I could tell you. I will not, but I could. Why? Well, aren't such matters best discovered on your own? '
That just sounds like a cheap excuse,' you say? Perhaps it is. To tell you the truth, there is also a practical reason why I will not. I cannot. It is not possible for me to do so. In order to read someone, they must be close enough for me to do so, and apart from the two who were with you none of your other companions are within my range. The only reason I know anything at all about them is that you, yourself, know about them. Still, though I either cannot or will not tell you their thoughts, I can at least tell you my own thoughts on them. That, however, should probably wait until after we've all been properly introduced.”
“Oh, are you still thinking about the bath? Do not worry about it. I don't believe my pet would take offense to being seen in such a manner. Modesty is not much of a concern for her. Hm? Me? No, I am not particularly offended, either. You would do well to try knocking or calling out before barging in on someone's bath, however. Speaking of which, yes, I would imagine you and your companions could all use a bath, too. No, not all at once. Yes, yes, I would imagine you
would want to see them. Most males do. Could we move on to a different subject, please? No, I am not bothered by this. There is just more on your mind than just
that, so let us deal with what we can, yes?”
“My third eye? As I said, it is a vital organ to the
satori No, I am not referring to myself in the third person. I am a
satori, as is my sister. Yes, I am aware my name is also 'Satori'.
No, my parents were not drunk. Our third eye is what allows us to view inside the hearts of others, and- please, can you stop wondering about why my name is what it is? Yes, I would imagine it would be rather strange to name a human 'Human'. '
So how is that any different than-'...do you want me to continue, or not?”
“...very well, then. As I was saying, our third eye is a vital organ. It is through it that we can read the thoughts and feelings others hold within their hearts. They are also connected to our own hearts. Because of this, we cannot afford to have our eyes damaged in any way. It would not simply harm our abilities, it would harm
us. That is why I cannot say I approve of you handling my sister's eye in such a fashion. Even if you meant well, any damage to it could have caused irreparable damage to her heart. Damage that would undo what little improvement she's recently.”
“'
Improvement? Yes. You've no doubt noticed it, have you not? That the eye of my sister is different from my own. That is because my sister's eye is closed. I shall spare you the details, but long ago my sister chose to shut her eye, in an attempt to seal away her ability. Unfortunately, this action also sealed her heart, and with it, her emotions. Hm? '
She seems fairly happy to me,' you say? Hm. She smiled a lot back then, as well, but it was not the same as before. She
changed, that day. She still laughed and smiled as she had before, it now felt hollow and empty. Instinct had taken the place of emotion, and when she would express herself it would feel like something born from expectation rather than any genuine feeling she had. When she would laugh, it was because she thought she's supposed to laugh, and when she would cry...hm, well, I never saw her truly cry again after that day.”
“Hm? Yes, she does seem fairly carefree, doesn't she? Perhaps she truly is. I cannot deny that our ability can prove to be quite a burden. To most, the heart is something sacrosanct. A safe haven for all their thoughts, feelings, and desires, upon which no one may intrude. As beings with the ability to do just that, it is only natural that we become feared and loathed. Even if they would not dare actually say it, they feel it just the same. And we know. We always know. To be free from that, I would imagine, would feel quite liberating. If only it did not come at such a cost. Hm? Me? Of course, I have wondered what it would be like, but to actually attempt it? I would never do such a thing. Even if there are those who would hate us for what we can do, there are others who would not. Animals, for example. Humans and those youkai who can speak can choose what thoughts they do or do not wish to express to others, and resent us for depriving them of that choice. But for those voiceless creatures who have no such ability to choose, our ability is actually appreciated. Not everything in the world hates us, and even we might have a place where we are welcome. I had hoped to help my sister realize that, but it was too late...”
Satori gazes down at the table solemnly, and even her third eye's gaze seems to have lowered slightly. Suddenly, though, it blinks and snaps its gaze towards the door. Clearing her throat, your hostess straightens her posture, and casually turns towards the doorway as the bird-girl from before walks in, her body wrapped in a large, green towel.
“Oh? We have a visitor?” the dark-hair girl blinks as she notices her master/owner/whatever-Satori-is-to-her is not alone in the room.
Though your mind is now mostly occupied by images of cloth and curves and the wonderful mingling of the two, some part of you is simply amazed at how well she managed to walk through the door without those massive wings getting in the way.
“Yes, my dear, this is one of the guests I told you about in the bath. You do remember that, yes?” Satori prompts the girl, smiling as her pet seems to have to think about the question before finally nodding her head. “He says '
hello,' by the way.”
“Oh? Hi!” the girl cheerfully smiles and waves at you, apparently either uncaring or oblivious to the fact that you're pretty much ogling her.
It is only when you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your ankle that you're shaken out of your stare-fest and return the girl's wave.
Glancing back at Satori, you see her face directed towards the girl, but her eye is fixed squarely on you.
“Anyway, Okuu, we will be having even more guests arriving soon. About,
hm, five or six more, I believe. They will all likely be tired and hungry when they get here. Be a dear and see to it that the bath is ready and begin preparations for dinner, would you?”
Listening carefully to her master, the girl's face suddenly becomes deadly-serious. “Understood. Leave it to me, Mama.”
As the bird-girl turns to leave, you think you hear a soft, coughy-chokey sound from Satori's direction, but when you look back at her she looks as calm and composed as ever.
“And do put some clothes on while you are at it!” she calls after the girl as she steps through the door.
“Okay, Mama~!” the girl's voice calls back from the hall.
Though you see no visible reaction on Satori's face, you are quite certain her third eye just twitched.
-----------------
Have to go to work now, so I'll just post what I've got ready so far.
>>129196 >>129199 >>129201 Okay, guys? STOP IT.
We are not going though this shit again so soon.
