002

[remembertheroses]

Can someone please help me? There is a ghost at the corridor and I do not know how to get away.

[Obviously, no one has explained to Ib that the ghosts in Hogwarts aren't like the vengeful ones from Japanese folk tales.]


[Later in the day...this is filtered to Shinra]

Kishitani-senpai, here's the picture.

[Enclosed is a very nice crayon drawing of the Hogwarts lake. There's the sun in the sky, the castle in the background and a whole bunch of students, some swimming, some flailing in the water, some sun-bathing, and some sitting down and just chatting with friends or reading books. While Ib did not draw any student in particular, there are two figures she made sure to get right. Underneath the tree, Shinra should find a recognizable depiction of him and Ib sitting together.]

I hope it is to your liking.

Comments

[remembertheroses]

[Ib's actually hiding underneath a table, with her head buried in her journal and her hand clutching her quill for dear life, when the ghost appears and speaks to her.

Naturally, the right thing to do when you meet a ghost for the first time is to scream out loud and throw your journal at him.

Oops.

[c9rp9realn9rmative]

[There's a long moment where Kankri looks through himself to the journal, and then he looks back to the little first-year with a look of confusion. He floats back a few feet and focuses hard enough to gently nudge the journal back across the floor to her. He hesitates before he speaks, and maintains a respectful distance.]

You dropped this.

Does my presence frighten you? I assure you, that's not at all my intention, and I apologize if my appearance may have dredged up unpleasant memories or experiences without my knowledge. If you would prefer for me to leave you alone, I absolutely shall do so from now on, but if you require assistance or directions, then I am happy to provide my services for you.

[remembertheroses]

[The ghost's reaction surprises her, but does little to calm her fears until the journal slides back to her and he speaks. She's still in a state of shock though, so a lot of what is being said to her just flies over her head. The only thing she does though, which she feels is at least the polite thing to do, is whisper back to him as she picks up her journal and hugs it to her chest.]

Thank you. I...am sorry I threw it at you.





Please do not drag me to hell.

[c9rp9realn9rmative]

[He's about to respond, when she murmurs that last remark. He couldn't have heard that right. Could he?]

Drag you to...hell?

[What a preposterous idea.]

Why on earth would I do something like that?

[remembertheroses]

B-because I am a human.

[It's really that simple to her.]

[c9rp9realn9rmative]

...

[He opens his mouth. Closes it. Rubs his chin for a moment thoughtfully. Then smiles.]

I was too, not so long ago.

[remembertheroses]

[Alright, this is strange. The ghost had not touched her yet, had returned her journal, apologized and is smiling at her. She relaxes slightly, but she's still ready to bolt the first instance she sees any signs of danger.]

So, you will not hurt me?

[c9rp9realn9rmative]

[Good, this is some sort of progress. He makes sure to maintain a respectful distance so as not to frighten her.]

Of course not. Truth be told, even if I were to try and touch you, I would pass right through.

[He sinks down into the floor a little ways to demonstrate his intangibility, and then bobs back up a little like a cork.]

But I assure you that the last thing I could want to do is hurt you. Or anyone else, for that matter.

[remembertheroses]

[She is startled when he phases through the floor; she has seen the ghosts in Hogwarts do the same from as far as possible, but to see one just sink through the floor right in front of her is a little disconcerting and frightening.

Still, he was talking to her. Not moaning, not clawing, not grabbing her ankles or her hair and pulling her down with him. And he said he did not want to hurt her, and he seemed nice. Maybe...maybe he was a nice ghost instead?]

Oh, thank you. I am...I am glad. You are not a yurei?

[c9rp9realn9rmative]

[He blinks a little.]

A...yurei? I'm not sure what that is. I'm afraid you'll have to explain. Is it some kind of malevolent creature?

[He's situated himself cross-legged, a couple of inches off of the floor.]

Whatever it is, I'm fairly certain I'm not one. My name is Kankri. May I ask yours?

[remembertheroses]

A yurei is a vengeful spirit who dies angry and full of hatred. They want to kill people, even innocent people, because they cannot rest in peace.

[She shifts till she is sitting in the seiza position, her legs folded underneath her.]

My name is Ib Amano.