LookingGlass

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

Beneath his Ancient Nun glamour Hitori perked up and his eyes momentarily glimmered, "What do you mean...you saw visions of the Hollow Wizards..." Hitori said in a cautious tone. His Gnarled Crone-like hands gripped around the false necklace he wore like a cornered Animal sheltering its young from attackers. "You just described the False things I saw in my Dream all that time ago. What do you mean they are coming!" Hitori seemed very agitated and his glamour scintillated from this.

Ritsu put his hands on Hitori's Shoulders, "Easy there Grandma Fox, it's just a vision. If we stick to the plan then we shouldn't have to worry about your 'Hollow Wizards' or whatever."

Hitori raised an eyebrow in a harsh Old Woman Scowl and raised an Arthritic Claw to Ritsu, "You don't understand False Monkey, they are not to be Trifled with. If they are coming then we as a whole are in Serious Danger, they crave the Safety of Royal Blood and have no concept of Empathy. These things are the Worst sorts of Perversions to the World...." Hitori pulled back and began to mutter something under his breath about Forests.

Ritsu was uncomfortably confused by this, he leaned in to whisper to Cassius, "I'm not going to say that I'm familiar with Kumiho or that I particularly care for Hitori but...Is he going to be alright?"

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

Hitori weaved his glamour to make himself appear as a Mother Superior Nun, old and hard with Time but somewhat matronly and stately, His Teal eyes and his Gem were the only things that gave away he was Hitori but these things would not be looked for by outsiders.

"Fun Gives way to Idle Thoughts and Idle Thoughts lead to Idle Hands and Idle Hands Play the Devil's Flesh Clarinet! There is no time for fun in our most clandestine of Holy Crusades, we are on a Mission to save the Souls of everyone on Gaia!" Hitori said in a holier in thou way before turning to Cassius, "Was I in character right?" the Disguised Kumiho asked his dearest of friends.

"I guess you could say that, complete Nutter and Holy Roller is more like it." Ritsu said as he donned a set of Robes that made him seem less conspicuous, still wielding his staff.

"And what exactly are you supposed to be Mr. Macaque?" Hitori commented on Ritsu's choice of attire.

"Militant Security for our so called Clergy." Ritsu replied deadpan before lowering his hood, "Come along then Mother Superior, we have souls to save." Ritsu teased Hitori, Hitori just flipped him off which looked rather Comical coming from a Nun's body.

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

Hitori nodded at Cassius' request as he told the Dolls to Assist in Tidying up the place. He watched as Ritsu began to calm down out of his trance state and noticed he seemed exhausted, he may not particularly like Ritsu but he wasn't about to have Cassius worrying for no reason over that Monkey; reaching into his robes he pulled out an Apple and offered it to Ritsu, "It's not much but it will replenish you a bit. You burn too brightly for something so supposedly empty." Hitori said to him with a bit of concern in his voice.

Ritsu took the apple slowly and accepted the strange truce Hitori was trying to offer, "Thank you Hitori." He said as he bit into the apple, amazed by how sweet and juicy it was. Hitori just smiled silently.

One of the Dolls returned and whispered a high-pitched garble into Hitori's ear, Hitori's eyes widened as he sighed dejectedly, "Oh dear...I liked them though..." Hitori said as if he was disappointed someone had left.

"Liked who?" Ritsu asked as he took another bite of the apple.

"Apparently this little one said that the Princess found Lady Minerva and from the sounds of it we might have other casualties." Hitori said as he heard Camazotz call for him. He sighed as his hands glowed a faint teal and fresh young vines began to grow from beneath his skin and wrap delicately around his arms like long gloves.

Following the Doll Hitori found the Princess kneeling next to the body of Minerva, "My Lady, you requested I make her part of the Garden didn't you?" Hitori said solemnly and respectfully. He could smell the stink of the death of his Comrades and could tell via his gem when Cassius essence was along with the emptiness that was once a living being, there would be beautiful gardens that traveled the skies today.

____

Ritsu's eyes widened as he went to find Camazotz and Cassius, it wouldn't be too hard considering they were rarely far from one another, it was soon then he saw Cassius standing over the corpse of Perrin, still with his can of Pineapple and his homemade pizza spattered with his own blood now. He didn't know Perrin all that well but he still felt bad that the poor guy was slaughtered like that. He also felt like he could have prevented his death had he not been so quick to run to find Cassius but he tried to banish that notion, there were far worse things he had done in the name of his love but it still made him feel like there was something he could have done.

He turned to Cassius, "Do you ever sometimes think we might have signed up for more than we thought we were going to be dealing?" Ritsu asked Cassius, trying to lighten the mood somewhat.

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

A Wall was caved in as the body of one of the Pirates was flung through it like cheap cardboard, he had been torn open and was Missing his liver but was still barely clinging to life. Rather he was still barely clinging to life, the Dolls swarmed him and began ripping him limb from limb as Hitori made his way through the hole. Hitori's mouth was covered in Blood as were his hands, every so often stray flecks of gore would stain his robes but he would simply laugh in a strange bell-like timber. He saw the Crocodile Man and Grinned, his teeth were a brilliant Crimson. He lunged at the Demihuman into the Other Vessel and Gripped his shoulders, "Hello new Friend." He said with a terrible Vibrating in his voice before moving with intense speed and Sucking his Liver out through his mouth, The Crocodile man writhing in Agony. Hitori Gulped the Liver down and let loose a gutteral clicking noise of pleasure as he did so. As Hitori let him go he crumpled to the ground of the Prima Vista and the Dolls proceeded to have their merry way with his body as they tore it apart.

"Oh Dear I must be quite a sight, how ghastly I must have looked. Siren, care du predicament?" Hitori asked his familiar.

"Thank you for asking nicely." Siren said as a Momentary Veil of Water overtook Hitori and cleansed him of all his gore.

"Much better, thank you my darling." Hitori said to the disembodied presence of Siren. He then made his way to Cassius, "Your lover boy is fine and on his way. He's displaying more arms than I can recall his kind having though and he is calling himself 'Zapathasura' like some old Monster from a fairy story. I must say I find this to be the most fun we've had in weeks!" There was the sound of child-like Glee in Hitori's voice.

_____

Noticing the opening made by Hitori and the Dolls Ritsu made his way through, still in full Trance. He watched as Hitori had delivered the blow to the Crocodile and was absolutely disgusted but thankful Cassius was unharmed. He sprinted his way up to Cassius and enveloped him in all his holographic arms as tightly as he could without crushing him.

"I was so worried about you....You aren't wearing the disguise anymore. That doesn't Matter though! You are safe!" Ritsu said as he held his love closely.

"I wouldn't say safe yet my dear Spider Monkey, These ships are going to go down whether we want them too or not and I think I can smell the Rumblies of a Few of those Rapscallions....I think we should have Strawberry Jam later!" Hitori responded.

Ritsu was just so confused, "Cassius your friend just gets weirder by the day."

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

Hitori simply waited as Pirates boarded the Vessel and pulled out several Dolls of Various Cute Animal People from the sleeve of his robes and began to mutter an incantation to them, causing them to rise.

"Hello every one, It seems like we are in a little bit of a scuffle so I am going to need everyones help. Some of you might not make it and I will cry tears for everyone of you who doesn't but know that you are all my beloved ones and that we are doing this to protect our friends. Now my lovelies, go take care of the Rabble." Hitori spoke to them the way a Parent would speak to their children in a time of crisis, both solemn yet reassuring.

The Dolls nodded and all flew with a Bright Greenish pink Fire burning in their stitched bodies out the door and towards the pirates, bearing razor sharp claws and fangs as they relentlessly attacked the invaders.

Hitori himself stood up and lightly ran his fingers over His Gem and the Gem that contained Siren, "It seems our peaceful interlude has finally come to its end, Siren." Hitori said as he pulled the long steel ribbons from his sleeves, He swished the metallic fabric and it became shard and rigid like a blade.

"Such a shame, I was enjoying the Quiet too." Siren said inside Hitori's mind as he walked after the Dolls, elegantly slicing any perceived foe as he made his way towards the others.

"Oh well my Love, we as Beggars cannot be Choosers." Hitori said with a laugh as he neatly carved the liver from one and slurped it down, licking his fingers clean before continuing on. Who said he couldn't indulge just a little, it's not like he wasn't intentionally killing them.

________

Ritsu heard the loud crash and thud of the intruders and shoved his piece of the pizza into his mouth as he reached into his pocket to retrieve his bo staff, extending it into a fearsome polearm as several of the pirates made their way down the corridor. With a few Nimble swings and Thrusts he had disarmed them and injured quite a few, "Heh, who do you think you guys are messing with?" Ritsu said as his eyes burned a bright Gold and his skin took on an electric blue hue. Several Phantom Arms emerged from his back wielding various blades while his hair became a wild veil of Black tendrils that seemed to float in the air, his tail had gained a more sharp and long look to it as it blackened.

He proceeded to attack the Intruders without mercy as he howled in Rage, "I am the Zapathasura! Demon King of Endless Terror!" He didn't care how many he had to kill, he just wanted to make sure he could get to Cassius before it was too late. His Trance raged on like an oncoming storm as he tore through them.

He then saw a few get mauled by a pack of flying dolls, the Fox was definitely on the same page as him it looked like. He just hoped he wouldn't be considered a threat by him as well and kept moving as fast as he could to find Cassius.

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

"I don't see why not, I'm open to trying new things." Ritsu said as he sat down next to Perrin and accepted the slice, he barely noticed the Jar that Perrin was trying to conceal but he noticed in anyways.

"This is rather tasty Mr. Perrin, what is it exactly?" Ritsu asked as he bit into the Pizza, "Also if you don't mind me being nosy whatcha got in the Jar there?" Ritsu asked as he gestured to the jar. The rest of his "Crewmates" could be a bit weird but he felt the need to at least try to get to know them on some level, he felt like he knew the Fox way too well at this point for his liking but that was neither here nor now. The Dish though was actually rather tasty, part of him thought Cassius would more than likely like it as well. He might have to try his hand at making it for his beloved some other time.

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

Hitori looked at the Necklace and smiled. He extended his thin tongue to taste the spiritual essence on the Jewel and shuddered in a perverse sort of bliss, "Oh my, GAHD, I almost forgot about you. Enjoying your home?" Hitori spoke to the Jewel as he reached into his sleeve and pulled out some leaves and a silver powder. He took the Necklace and began breaking it down except for the Crystal and reweaving it anew to properly house the gem, "You know that Perrin boy offered us Pizza. Do you remember when I showed you how to make Pizza? Those were simpler times dear Obsidian Butterfly. We should have accepted some, I suppose that would have been the properly polite thing to do, It smelled nice....I'm sorry but how was the Necklace broken dear Cassius? I thought I made the Bonds tighter than the promise that flames will burn." Hitori said as his long dexterous fingers rewove the bonds of the amulet.

"As for their eyes, Yellow as the Golden Kernels of Corn or the Blazing petals of a Sun Flower. Just like the Strange people of the Queens but these were those blokes who fancy themselves Crow Spirits, imagine the sheer pomp of that." Hitori just casually gossiped as they were at least confirmed they were to be in danger. Nothing is more relaxing than that affirmation, the real worry is all in fretting over if you actually are in danger or not. He just calmly continued to make the necklace whole again.
______

Ritsu walked in to see Perrin sitting by his lonesome eating pizza, "Hello Mr. Perrin, awfully lonesome place to be eating. Did you make that yourself?" The thief asked in his friendly way.

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

Hitori looked at the Pizza and it did indeed look edible, it smelled rather pleasant too but soon he was distracted from responding to Perrin out of an instinct to tend to Cassius that had never quite left, "I'm fine. Just missing the heartbeat of the forest is all, I don't think Kumiho were meant to be skyloft this long. I had a strange Dream..." He said rather seriously.

"In the Dream I was eating of an ancient beast when strange Steeple hatted people fell from heaven and brought calamity in their wake before their ruin dissolved into dancing silver coins which became fairies that fled into the mists. Then I made Drinks and woke up...did I actually make the drinks by the way?" He questioned.

He could sense something off about Cassius' emotional state, both with his gem and from knowing Cassius so long, "Is there something on your mind my cherub? You seem as if you want to say something but are hesitant."

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

Hitori began to Mutter in his Sleep as Perrin tried waking him, "Eye of Newt...Tongue of Frog...Wing of Bat...Tongue of Dog...Adders Fork and Blind Worm's Sting...Barbados lime...is Just the thing...Fragias Salt like a Sailors Stubble...Flip the Switch and let the Cauldron Bubble-SNNERKWHA?" Hitori said as he rose from his pile of tails in fox-shape before looking at Perrin.

"Oh...it's just you...I had a Dream about Liver and Silver Fairies Dancing in the Mist. I then remember making Drinks and then Waking up....I'm sorry this all must be terribly Boring to you. Did you need something?" Hitori asked as he got up from the bed and shook his form, resuming a More Typical Humanoid Shape seen in Kumiho.

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Ritsu watched as this display of training and one-upping continued and couldn't help but smile, "that's all well and good but none of you could Catch a proper thief in an Urban Jungle with that Technique. You need to be much more crafty and to be able to think on your toes, it's all about getting inside your opponents head and toying with their hearts Desires...Careful though, the Game is a Double Edged Blade and you might end up getting cut right back. Isn't that right Cassius.~" Ritsu said teasingly to Cassius, referencing how he was the only person to take his heart from him only for Ritsu to want him to keep it.

"Besides, blades are only so useful. A Pole or a Staff though, that is where the magic really lies." He said with an Impish Smirk.

Final Fantasy 9 - Reimagined [Private and Full.]

And this is where I have to Interject. Shadow you can't change races after having established as one through use of a specific ability, had you not already have used it there would be wiggle room but unfortunately that isn't the case.

CAS there is no need to beat the Dead Horse, it was all a simple misunderstanding. Now that this is settled can we agree to put it behind us and try to move on for the better?

:)