It was finally spring. Though Hargeon's winters were never extreme due to it being situated in southern Fiore, the warmer weather was very much still welcome. It brought with it colorful flowers, curious animals, and an overall happier atmosphere. In part, Blue Pegasus's Easter event had helped springboard that newfound positivity. Though it entailed her as well as several other mages dressing up in a rather revealing costume, in the end it was worth it. To celebrate the end of the festivities, Atani decided to take a stroll in the warm sunlight.

Stepping out of her home, the young elf revelled in the fresh smell of petrichor. There had been a fresh April shower the night before it seemed, setting a blissful mood for her walk. It did not take long for her to become completely enveloped by her surroundings. Her eyes would drift from tree to tree, flower to flower, squirrel to squirrel. Her ears would tune into the soft chirping of the birds and scuffling of the rabbits. Needless to say, she had not even noticed she was going to quite literally run into someone until it was too late.

Atani lost her balance and fell onto the still damp streets. The man who she had collided with offered her a hand and apologized for what happened.

"Oh no, I'm fine. It was my fault too. I wasn't looking where I was going." She took the man's hand as she stood up. As she got a better look at his face, she tilted her head to the side curiously. "Have I seen you someplace before?"

bloop ♡

Ah, so that was where Atani knew him from. She nodded her head as the man asked if she had been to Blue Pegasus's most recent event. It appeared that they were both part of the same guild, but had never properly introduced themselves until just now. Evidently, his name was Lee Nakamura.

"Atani Tathvir," she replied, smiling to her guild mate. "You were... one of the ones dressed more fancily, right?"

Yes, she was fairly certain she recognized him now. The elf had mostly hung around the same people during the event-- Alisa, Daiko, and Raze to be specific. Aside from Daiko, she unfortunately did not end up meeting anyone new that day.

Atani was taken aback when Lee asked if she was an elf. She would have thought the ears were a dead giveaway-- she had never had anyone question their authenticity at least. She was equally as surprised to discover he hadn't met one before. She knew elves in Fiore were rare, but she didn't think they were that rare. It appeared she was wrong about that assumption.

"Uhm... Yeah, I am," she said, aiming a finger to her pointed ears. She spoke with a voice of surprise as opposed to using a matter-of-fact tone. "And I would guess you're a neko?" The girl eyed the man's own pair of unusual ears.

bloop ♡

"Oh, thanks!" the elf replied in response to Lee complimenting her name. "But really, don't worry about it. It's fine!"

She shot the golden-haired man a genuine smile. There was no reason for him to apologize. Perhaps her ears just were not as obvious as they sometimes were. She only occasionally adorned them in jewelry or greatly exposed them with tying her hair back. That said, they were so large-- as was typical of her species-- that her tips almost always managed to poke out even if she tried her best to hide them, though she never had any reason to as of yet. It seemed Lee did not have the same luxury as Atani in that regard.

He was not a neko, but rather a kitsune. She had never met one before and had certainly never heard of them being hunted for their tails. It was something the elves of Athalran never touched upon; the only races they warned of and thus spoke of were humans and beings aligned with the dark. Nekos, dwarves, and the like were never discussed.

"Oh, I didn't know," she said to Lee. "There are tales of those who hunt elves too for our ears... But honestly? I haven't met anyone in Fiore like that. I'm beginning to think it's an outdated tale the Wood Elves where I'm from tell us, but I guess I haven't really been here all too long yet to know for sure."

bloop ♡

Atani found it fascinating that it was even possible to conceal one's race like that. As far as she knew, it was impossible to completely cloak physical traits. Even if she were to use illusion magic to mask her appearance, her elven ears would very much still be there; she would be able to feel them. So for Lee to be completely unaware of the existence of his own ears and tails, it was unbelievable. There was likely a lot more to kitsunes than she knew.

"That's crazy," the elf marveled. "I never knew it was possible to suppress physical traits like that."

While Atani was left with dozens of questions on the matter, it seemed Lee was equally interested in her own life as a Wood Elf. In particular, he wanted to know about her culture, which Atani found surprising. It was not something people often inquired about, but that did not mean his questions were unwelcome. In fact, she was delighted to share what she knew. She would have wondered the same if she was in Lee's shoes.

"Sure! And don't worry, I don't mind at all." She gestured to a nearby park bench to sit during their discussion. Once situated, the mage would begin her explanation. "Hmm... Where to start. I suppose everyone has their own different customs depending on where they came from, but the core values in Wood Elves are rooted in nature. We're connected to it in every way, even in the mana that courses through our veins." As a demonstration of her own abilities, Atani spiraled a thin stream of water around her hand.

"That, and spirits. Woodland spirits roam freely where I'm from, and elves live in harmony with them. It's one of the most magical experiences living in Athalran."

bloop ♡

"A family unit?" Atani scratched the side of her chin. "I wouldn't really consider elves to be any closer to each other than humans, if I'm being honest." Though they probably wouldn't like to hear that. Some would own up to it, but others engulfed in elven supremacy would claim they were more loyal to their kind than humans were. To be put on the same level as them in any form could be perceived as an insult, which of course was not an idea every Wood Elf possessed, but a large enough number did for it to be irritating to think of.

Atani knew where Lee was coming from, asking if the connection to spirits or abstract things such as nature was the same with humans, though that was something she disagreed on. "I don't think so," she admitted. "Not that there is anything wrong if humans don't, but they're just so diverse of a race. If a human is connected to an element or concept, it's probably from their family or culture. For instance, someone from Joya would be raised vastly different from someone from Iceberg... But Wood Elves, well, it's kinda in our name. We're connected to the woods and nature."

She hoped that was a sufficient explanation. There were parallels she could draw between the different cultures of humans and the different kinds of elves. While humans traversed between countries with ease, the same could not be said about elves. Generations ago, all had been part of a singular elven race; however, they since splintered off. Wood Elves such as herself were now vastly different from High Elves and even more so from Dark Elves, though that was another discussion for another time. Atani did not feel like turning this into a history lesson.

The elf's brows knit in concern as she saw Lee be spooked by something, though she could not see what it was. He proceeded to ask about spirits, how they functioned. He suspected issues of his own regarding them and wanted to know more.

"They... can, yes. Most of the spirits I've encountered were rather friendly, but even the mischievous ones cause no harm. In most cases, they're tied to something. For where I'm from, the woodland spirits are of course tied to nature, but outside of that, I suppose they could be attached to objects, places, the deceased, and sometimes even the living."

bloop ♡

It didn't seem like Lee took a liking to Atani's explanation of spirits. Rather, he was shaken, as if what she had told him was the complete opposite of what he wanted to hear. The elf took a sharp inhale in regret as she watched the color drain from his face. Spirits being tied to living beings was especially off-putting.

"It could be anything."

What could be anything, she wanted to say, but Lee rambled on. He wanted to know about the alignment of spirits, whether they were always exclusively good or bad. Again, she understood where that was coming from. Mankind often had a misconstrued conception for the supernatural, that they were either good or bad; it was impossible for them to be neutral. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. Just like people, spirits could be neutral.

"Yes." Hopefully a short, flat answer would be a good enough jolt for Lee to put is mind somewhat at ease. "Spirits don't have to be good or bad. They can be neutral, and along that spectrum they could also range from tame to... chaotic, as you put it." Not lawful, because spirits didn't truly have rules to govern their actions, but tame for sure was a possibility. Some she knew floated around rivers with the fish, not having a care in the world.

Atani listened intently to Lee's story. Upon hearing of his cousin, she had to stifle a gasp by placing a hand over her mouth, though the shock was still evidenced by her widened green eyes. It soon became clear why Lee was so worried about spirits. After praying to gods knew what, Lee got his wish. Someone, or something heard him.

"And you think this thing, the shadowy figure, is a spirit of sorts." Atani wished she could tell Lee that was not the case, that these dreams were just dreams, and the voices were just his imagination, but that would be a lie. From what he told her about actively seeking help to grow stronger, she was afraid his suspicions about spirits were indeed true.

"Spirits that are tied to the living, to people... They're often weak. Weak without a vessel, at least. Without one, some can barely maintain a corporeal form. From what I understand, they look for those who are desperate, who are willing to accept the strength they can give a person, who aren't afraid of the potential consequences... Which honestly I can't even tell you. Each spirit is so different, but only the malicious ones will manipulate a person. I should know." The elf took a deep breath before admitting to Lee what she thought so few people would understand. "I had one cleansed from me."

bloop ♡

"Crap."

That was not the response Atani was hoping for.

She watched nervously as Lee began to delve deeper and deeper into his combination of frustration and confusion. At this point, she didn't quite know how to make him feel better, if that was even possible given the information she had dumped on him. She hoped it would bring him a sense of clarifying comfort, but the clarity she did give him resulted in the complete opposite. The only way she saw him calming down was if she retracted what she said, though that was impossible.

He was afraid of people thinking he was crazy. She could only imagine the responses people would give if he did confess to hearing voices. They would call him schizophrenic. The unfortunate reality was not many people had experience in dealing with spirits-- not many humans at least. Hell, it took literal spawns of the devil brutally murdering innocents in a public bloodbath before some even believed in demons.

"I know what you mean." Atani grimaced as she remembered being told about her ablution. It was rare for an individual to be possessed by a spirit. It was even rarer for the ancient ritual she underwent to be done. Not too long after her statement, a blur of red took Atani aback. She blinked, startled. A short and stifled gasp. She saw what looked to be a paw move. It was hard to make out the details beyond something dark and animalistic, it was only there for such a brief moment. Lee was completely oblivious to whatever she saw. "-- You said you used fire magic?"

He did. Whatever she saw, it wasn't made of fire. It wasn't a summon. There were no magic circles in sight.

Atani leapt up from her seat on the bench as a lavender cloud of smoke surrounded Lee. She slowly backed away. It was hard to see, but his shadow behind the clouds appeared to be... changing. When the mist departed, his whole appearance changed. He no longer seemed like a he. He was a she.

Lee was just as shocked as Atani-- probably even more so, since it was his body that underwent the change. His hair grew both in volume and length. His body became more curvaceous. His facial features became structured in a far more feminine way.

"L-Lee?" Atani asked. "Uhm..." With a wave of her hand, she created a reflective pool of water in front of her to act as a mirror. It was best Lee saw for herself the extent of her transformation.

bloop ♡

Once Lee had gotten a good look at her new body, Atani would dispel her makeshift mirror. The water dropped to the ground in the form of a puddle. It dried up not too long after. The elf folded her arms across her chest as she listened to Lee's explanation.

This form-- long hair, curvaceous body, feminine features-- it was her original form. The man she met not even an hour before was the form she had donned for two years. She had heard of magics and potions that could change the appearance of someone, but to completely change their gender as well? ... Now it made sense as to why Lee wasn't as shocked as she could have been from switch genders yet again.

The elf listened again to the extra information Lee gave her. She could not say she understood the situation in its entirety. She felt as if she was missing key bits of information-- Joyan goddesses, Nakamura ancestry, mysterious illness. None of those held any true meaning to Atani in that she could not understand its significance. Yet, if it dealt with spirits to the extent she saw just in this mere fraction of time, there was no doubt in her mind that this matter was nothing to be taken lightly of.

"You're welcome, but hold on. Nakamura. Is that your family, or something else?" The name sounded Joyan, which linked with the mention of a 'Joyan goddess.' It also held ties with her being a kitsune, since those she heard indeed hailed from the country of Joya. That end of her story held up. "This just all seems like... a lot. Not that it's bad or anything, but--" Atani scratched the back of her neck. This was coming out all wrong. "I guess it's just different. We never heard tales of spirits acting like this from where I came from."

bloop ♡

So these Nakamuras-- whoever they were-- were led by Lee herself. Even though she was adopted, she took charge of the family which told Atani that they cared less about blood. It was a view she respected. One did not have to be of blood to form strong bonds. If anything, it probably just made those bonds stronger.

"Oh, you don't have to apologize!"

Atani would have hated for Lee to feel as if she was a burden in this moment. She was lost and confused in this entanglement with spirits. There were not many people (humans in Hargeon at least) who were knowledgeable about those sorts of things. Atani too would have latched onto the first person who could shed light on the situation if she were in Lee's shoes.

"Really, I'm happy to help. All those things just help paint the picture so I can understand it better, you know?"

It was true, though she'd be lying if she said she wasn't at the very least taken aback from it all. The wood elf went from peaceful forest spirits in Athalran to chaotic spirits that changed genders on a kitsune whose unique racial traits were suppressed via magic. It wasn't exactly something a mage came across every single day.

She listened to the rest of what Lee had to say. She was trying to find how this all was connected. Joya. The Nakamura family. Her past... Which evidently was not too pretty. "It's alright." She gave an understanding smile to Lee. And if she'd let her, she'd place a hand on her shoulder. "We all have skeletons in our closet. And spirits? They're sometimes drawn to them."

As with Atani's spirit, that was unfortunately the case, though she admittedly did not know all the details. If Lee wanted to gain insight from her own experiences, that would have to be another story for another time when she was able to rediscover her lost memories. But back to Lee...

"Could be that?"

bloop ♡

"The spirit could be linked to my past from when I was...kidnapped and torture by a cult years ago. It could of stemmed from that."

So that was the reason.

"I... don't even know what to say." It was a lot to admit to, even to a fellow guild mate. Kidnapping and torture... It was no matter to take lightly. Atani was curious. She wanted to know if this cult Lee spoke of dealt with spirits like the one who possessed the kitsune, but she was reluctant to pose her endless questions. For one, she wouldn't even know where to begin. For another, she did not want to subject Lee to such a discussion so early after meeting her. Thus, for the time being, the Wood Elf held her tongue.

Atani watched as Lee scribbled down something on a piece of paper. Her green eyes fell across the words. There was a name she didn't recognize: Judina Karlnlius. She was part of the guild Empyrean Divine, which the elf did recognize.

"... I want you do take care of my family if I ever am gone."

Atani's eyes flew up from the piece of paper. She looked at Lee in disbelief. Her, take care of the Nakamura family? She gulped before embracing Lee in a hug.

"I-- Yeah. Of course."

She gave a cautious wave as LeeAnn left. Left in a daze, Atani couldn't help but feel as if whatever had happened between her and the kisune was only the beginning of something greater.

-exit-