Open!

[mermaiding]

Who: mermaiding & you!
When: Like ICly 10/29ish. After the event
Where: Various
What: After becoming visible again, Oona 'celebrates' by touching everyone to reconfirm that she's solid
Rating/Warning: Random touching?

---

[Being invisible had been one thing-- she could deal with that. Sure it made everything a little difficult, but it could have helped her in the long run; you know, if she could have touched people.

She hadn't thought about how much she'd miss it until it was gone. It was...lonely. Cold. She'd felt more bitter and angry than she had in months, trying desperately to get the attention of others to no avail. It hadn't taken long for the anger to change to despair, and it had taken all she had not to cry when she found herself 'cured'.

It was a cautious optimism, but it had quickly grown to an almost mania as she ran around the streets, mostly looking or familiar faces, but strangers weren't immune either as she suddenly grabbed onto people with open delight]

Ah! Touch! Can touch you! You can feel, yes? Touching you! [She grabs at arms and hands, pressing at the skin and squeezing hands (lightly, she's mindful of her inhuman strength thankyouverymuch), even going so far as rubbing her cheek against shoulders if the person isn't too tall or doesn't throw her off right away.]

[Closed for Tenka]

[There is one specific person she's looking for though, and she's quick to track him down to his house again. She debates a moment on how best to go about contacting him, and while she knows deep down that calling him first would be best... Yeah she's not doing that.

She raises her fists and knocks. Insistently. No pausing until he answers eeeyyy.]

Comments

[souredsweet]

[She's certainly not going to hear Kaoru trying to prove her wrong, at least... Even if the smile that she gets is a little faint, that's pretty much the only response that's given to her circular insult. guess who couldn't care less about humans being insulted it's kaoru

The question earns her an inquisitive glance, though. After a pause:]

About this place - this situation in particular, you mean? I don't think that you're incorrect about someone else leading, but I doubt that anyone understands the ins and outs of CERES and its technology remotely well enough for something like that. Even then, giving one person or one group of people such great power... Well, it may turn out better than our current situation, but it may also end up worse.

[WHAT A VERY PLACID and unobtrusive answer.]

If you mean our reason for being here in the first place, or things like that... I'm still waiting to see if anything they've said proves true or false. Until then, we've almost nothing to go on, right?

[mermaiding]

[Oona heaves a sigh, nodding along.] That is true. Do not understand this... eh.. technology? [Yeah, that was the right word. She looks kind of pleased with herself; nevermind that it's because Kaoru mentioned it first or anything.

It was an answer, at least sort of, so Oona was satisfied. Someone else should be in charge, but hell if she could pick someone so it was just pointless speculation.

She thinks on it a moment longer.] Talked with someone. Said, if they have the codes and things like they say, could get my tail back. If true, then it would prove what they say. Maybe.

Suppose it does not matter. Will only be mad if world is not really destroyed. [Of course that also mean her mission is aborted but... Well. It's a small price to pay.] If humans are dead, does not matter... Bugs need to be squished, yes? [A shrug.]

[souredsweet]

[The first part just gets a small hum of agreement, since yeah, Kaoru sure doesn't understand much of it either...

But it's the next part that's more attention-grabbing, anyway. Asking about something like that might be a dangerous thing, with how unpredictable CERES has been so far and how hard to read its employees are. It's not like Kaoru's about to warn her off though, since it could be the source of important information in the future, regardless of whether or not it works out.]

Ah... I hope that your endeavor turns out well for you, Oona-san. Please be careful.

[GOOD ENOUGH. As for her comment about humans being better off dead and all, it sure doesn't get much of a reaction from Kaoru either.] Some people may disagree with such a harsh point of view.

["Some people".]

[mermaiding]

[Some people. Oona's eyes narrow curiously as she looks at Kaoru. She doesn't particularly try to learn about other people, so it didn't bother her that she didn't know much beyond that his clan had been killed and he was now the head of it. Before, it didn't seem necessary to know much more beyond that.

Now? Well.. She was curious, she couldn't--and wouldn't--deny that.]

Some people, yes. But not you?

[souredsweet]

[It's a direct question that brings with it a bit of a difficult situation, because even though Oona doesn't at all seem like a deceptive person at all, Kaoru has grown used to tailoring words and actions to suit a prettier, more elegant personality. Simply agreeing with that directly would be too revealing.

After a few seconds of thought:]

Rather than agreeing or disagreeing, it's simply not a priority for me. The humans take care of their own, usually, and likewise I have my own to worry for.

[Which is about the nicest way anyone could ever possibly say "haha I sure don't care about humans" and even that's not entirely accurate. There's a difference between apathy and passionate hatred... Maybe one day Kaoru will feel comfortable enough to say as much but for now, the most cautious option is selected.

This is also the strongest distinction that Kaoru has made between humans and demons without directly saying "I'm not human", too.]

[mermaiding]

[Oona, for all her flaws, is not terribly stupid. While he may not be able to pick on the most subtle of subtle hints, she's good at body language and--generally--reading people (even if her own biases often cloud her judgement, she doesn't think that's the case here). Reading between the lines is a new thing for her, coming from a place where lies were too small to matter, or nonexistent.

But she can see--or she thinks she can see, anyhow--what Kaoru's hinting at. And if she's right... Why was he bothering to hide? It doesn't make sense to her, someone who loudly and proudly proclaims her non-human nature.

She squints, as if trying to read through Kaoru, before she gives a hum of acknowledgement.] Why keep it secret? Do not understand. Why let them think another way?

[souredsweet]

[The fact that she understands saves an explanation, at least. Fingers lacing together, Kaoru gives her a quiet, contemplative look.]

If someone were to ask me directly, I would tell them. [Which is only true because Chizuru is here and isn't quite as quiet about the matter, BUT TRUE NONETHELESS.

As for her question - there are plenty of reasons that could be given, all with varying degrees of honesty attached. In the end, Kaoru settles for something that's truthful without being too revealing; something sympathetic. Simply stated:]

Humans fear what they don't understand. I would prefer to live peacefully, without the risk of having to fight for that peace.

[mermaiding]

Humans fear what they don't understand. [She echoes Kaoru quietly, thinking it over. Well, Kaoru's not wrong, though she can't help but wish the scientists who'd grabbed her had been less fascinated and more afraid.

Oona reaches out to grasp Kaoru's arm, giving it a light squeeze to show her understanding.] Mm. If it comes to fighting, can turn to me. Will protect. [She nods as if solidifying this agreement without Kaoru's input.]

If it is human, do not even need to explain. [She grins toothily. Was she joking?? Who knows.]

But yes, can understand, I think. Is not what I want, but humans can be dangerous. Understand that, at least.

[souredsweet]

[The sudden touch seems to startle Kaoru a little, but the understanding seems to be recognized, at least. The look she gets is one of mild concern, even so.]

Ah— You don't need to go so far for me, Oona-san... I appreciate it, but I would hate for you to get into a troublesome situation for my sake.

[Though it would undoubtedly be nice, having someone who's perfectly willing to take out humans... Even if it's a joke, it's still a comfort!! The last part is met with a gentle hum, that said, and a nod.]

Even if they aren't as powerful as some of us, I think that they're the most dangerous thing out there.

[mermaiding]

[Oona bears her teeth in aggravation.] Bugs. A sickness that spreads and infects everything.

Like, eh... What are they? Cockroaches? Annoying. If true that world is gone, if true they bring it back, will bring it back without humans. Better that way. Will you do the same? [She looks curiously to Kaoru then. She wasn't sure if the people in charge here could actually do that, just bring everything back except that, but it was a nice dream.]

[souredsweet]

[Kaoru's honestly so used to being self-sustaining when it comes to goals that the thought of CERES helping it along hadn't even occurred. The briefly surprised expression that appear may hint to that, though it may be hard to tell what Kaoru's opinion on it is, beyond "that was an unexpected suggestion".

After a few seconds of thought, Kaoru's gaze shifts away, both hands rising to fold together in a somewhat nervous-looking gesture.]

It would be a lie to say that I don't wish for a world where my kind can live in peace... I would prefer for extremes to be avoided, but we've already shouldered so many burdens that I couldn't possibly wish for more to be shouldered. A chance to thrive is something that we deserve, too.

[It's only semi-agreement and very delicately worded, but it's certainly not denial.]