Who ⬤ Emily and open! What ⬤ Monthly catchall - clinic work, music club, etc. When ⬤ Over May. Where ⬤ Across the city. Content Warnings ⬤ TBA if needed.
...Yes. You can think of it as a suggestive aid. [Cheerfully, he lets that one slide for the moment, because while it might not have been his meaning, it was relevant to the application. If any patients from opposing clans decided to have a problem with each other, these wards would put a swift end to that. Or at least, discourage it.]
[But.]
Don't worry. I have no doubts in the bedside manner of your masked friend.
[Matoba's eye strains as he glances at her, almost as if he's looking through her. Back then, he hadn't yet regained his full power, but now, his eye was true. There was the faintest sensation of a presence, but at that time, he had been too weakened and too bereft of his Sight.]
[Now, the meaning of her wings is much clearer. He cocks his head to the side with a calm smile.]
I see that after all, you were more or less telling the truth. But I do understand your hesitance. It might not have been the best time to be misunderstood as one of the Tengu clan's own.
[her hand drifts to the iron mask at her waist, passing over it so casually that it's almost as though she was reminding herself it was still there, still a comforting warm weight at her side. a reflex - but not her own. it's them and her, her and them - one presence that looks back as he gazes, and one that only seems as though she's bracing herself. a pair and yet one.]
If I was one of their own, it would be a far simpler situation, Mr. Matoba. Attending to your injury was of far greater priority to me than discussing the finer points of who and what I am. To offer the best care I can to those that need it - that is part of my oath as a physician.
[Matoba notes the gesture, though he doesn't call her out as hard as he could by allowing his gaze to linger on it. They all had their masks in this clan, whether figurative or literal; their master was defined by it. The Alliance was defined by it.]
[Matoba'd had the discussion with a few of his fellows, in the aftermath of that night. Some of them understood where he was speaking from better than others.]
...No offense meant; I would never mean to imply that your intentions were anything but to provide me aid. [He inclines his head apologetically, a gesture of politeness more than anything.] A role which you performed admirably.
But from my position, it was a risk. Putting myself into unfamiliar hands is something I try to avoid, even when they are human. To say nothing of what could have happened in a chaotic situation like that...
I could explain the details, but perhaps you have been informed? [The way his gaze shifts, even when he is still looking at her- he is addressing the other.] The benefits and potency of an exorcist's flesh and blood.
...I cannot think of anything you might mean that doesn't devolve into the truly barbaric.
[and indeed, she looks discomfited by the idea, unsettled. a natural human reaction to considering any number of possibilities when in the presence of beings with another moral code than yours.
(Hibiki laughs in that hoarse, smoky way, and it sets her on edge. no, it's impossible, it truly is, nothing had been spoken, there's not a chance the little exorcist could have an inkling. just his own prejudices, and nothing more.)]
[Which wasn't to say that humans didn't engage in them likewise; the use of youkai blood in rituals was not unheard of.]
[Matoba shifts his step and leans against the frame of the door he's sealed, and raises a thoughtful hand to his chin.] ...Hair is useful to trade to youkai for their spells. Did you know that? Sometimes, I get annoyed and chop it off, but if I do so, I need to destroy it quickly, or some passing ayakashi might get tempted to steal it. But hair is probably the least potent of things to trade them.
Spilling blood is a common part of our spells, as it allows us to summon contracted ayakashi, which we call shiki. Some shiki require blood only when we form contracts with them, while others demand it every time they are called upon. It's a rather costly thing as you can imagine, letting your blood all the time, but for the powerful ones who call for such tribute, it can be a very worthwhile relationship.
Unfortunately, that also means that our blood is sought after, as the commodity that another ayakashi can use to control those we have contracts with.
[He smiles; it's perhaps meant to be friendly, despite the subject matter.] ...So you see, that is why I was in a little bit of a hurry, that night.
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no subject
[But.]
Don't worry. I have no doubts in the bedside manner of your masked friend.
[Matoba's eye strains as he glances at her, almost as if he's looking through her. Back then, he hadn't yet regained his full power, but now, his eye was true. There was the faintest sensation of a presence, but at that time, he had been too weakened and too bereft of his Sight.]
[Now, the meaning of her wings is much clearer. He cocks his head to the side with a calm smile.]
I see that after all, you were more or less telling the truth. But I do understand your hesitance. It might not have been the best time to be misunderstood as one of the Tengu clan's own.
no subject
If I was one of their own, it would be a far simpler situation, Mr. Matoba. Attending to your injury was of far greater priority to me than discussing the finer points of who and what I am. To offer the best care I can to those that need it - that is part of my oath as a physician.
no subject
[Matoba'd had the discussion with a few of his fellows, in the aftermath of that night. Some of them understood where he was speaking from better than others.]
...No offense meant; I would never mean to imply that your intentions were anything but to provide me aid. [He inclines his head apologetically, a gesture of politeness more than anything.] A role which you performed admirably.
But from my position, it was a risk. Putting myself into unfamiliar hands is something I try to avoid, even when they are human. To say nothing of what could have happened in a chaotic situation like that...
I could explain the details, but perhaps you have been informed? [The way his gaze shifts, even when he is still looking at her- he is addressing the other.] The benefits and potency of an exorcist's flesh and blood.
no subject
[and indeed, she looks discomfited by the idea, unsettled. a natural human reaction to considering any number of possibilities when in the presence of beings with another moral code than yours.
(Hibiki laughs in that hoarse, smoky way, and it sets her on edge. no, it's impossible, it truly is, nothing had been spoken, there's not a chance the little exorcist could have an inkling. just his own prejudices, and nothing more.)]
no subject
[Which wasn't to say that humans didn't engage in them likewise; the use of youkai blood in rituals was not unheard of.]
[Matoba shifts his step and leans against the frame of the door he's sealed, and raises a thoughtful hand to his chin.] ...Hair is useful to trade to youkai for their spells. Did you know that? Sometimes, I get annoyed and chop it off, but if I do so, I need to destroy it quickly, or some passing ayakashi might get tempted to steal it. But hair is probably the least potent of things to trade them.
Spilling blood is a common part of our spells, as it allows us to summon contracted ayakashi, which we call shiki. Some shiki require blood only when we form contracts with them, while others demand it every time they are called upon. It's a rather costly thing as you can imagine, letting your blood all the time, but for the powerful ones who call for such tribute, it can be a very worthwhile relationship.
Unfortunately, that also means that our blood is sought after, as the commodity that another ayakashi can use to control those we have contracts with.
[He smiles; it's perhaps meant to be friendly, despite the subject matter.] ...So you see, that is why I was in a little bit of a hurry, that night.