Lumikki of Iceberg

"In a calm and chilly breeze the petals dance."

The sun’s arc was lowering in the sky, long gone from its highest point and on the verge of turning into evening. Clouds condensed up above, softening the harsh light and granting relief. Something Lumikki appreciated as she sauntered onto the agreed location. The Demoness wore a long deep blue yukata. White flowers were speckled onto the sleeves and lower-most part. While the sash used to tie it all together was a shiny black with white embroidered detailing.

Lumikki appeared human though her appearance was hardly negligible. Her pale white hair was tied back in a mix of Iceberg braids and Joyan hair sticks. All bunched into a bun where some of her locks hung free and fresh blooming flowers wrapped around them. Her black stain hands could still be seen past the sleeves, coming to the tip of her obsidian like pointed nails. And though she hardly enjoyed wearing shoes anymore, her feet dipped in shadow were tucked within Joyan wooden sandal that gave Lumikki an extra inch or two in stature and small wild flowers bloomed with every step only to fade away. Her lips and twilight eyes painted a black, which stood out from the delicate markings imprinted on her face and neck. One could say they were reminiscent of Kitsune but only the superstitious would know. Meanwhile the hovering beads of her necklace were like hefty tears of jade that rotated around her next like an orbit. While just beside her legs was a small creature born in this country by means of a festival. One in which Lumi was given a chance to make something anew. She clung to Lumikki’s side with every step, her mischievous and cat-like eyes often darting about.

It was both an odd surprise and to be expected, when Lumikki received the message and invitation from her raven. It had been ages since she saw Takao last, but this was his home and he perhaps was being ever vigilant or dutifully hospitable. Either or, Lumikki looked forward to the tea and solace of the tea house and as of this moment, she was just around the corner.

Stepping through the entry and into the dimly lit and empty room, her gaze had no choice but to wander to the fox sitting upon the floor. Dressed in yellow as he always was, she’d stumbled over and took a seat of her own just across from him. Her companion waiting patiently until the moment she could rest her head upon Lumi’s lap. ”It’s been ages haven’t it? Hope the time has treated ye well.” Her lips parted in a smirk just wide enough to show her fangs, but there was no malice there. Just excitement.
 

"A garden of frostflowers."

Lumikki of Iceberg

"In a calm and chilly breeze the petals dance."

  ”The Gods and their kin are a lofty kind….it would be a wonder if ye knew the sound of a ticking clock.” Slightly leaning toward him, a budding smile played on her lips. ”I’d be more surprised if ye managed to stay grounded, but a las, I didn’t think ye’d be spirited away so soon. Ye’ve been missed in the North Takao.” Her voice was melodious and playful. Though not enough to be perceived childish, as the delivery was still smooth, if not somber. Lumikki pulled back, glancing down upon her companion before stroking their head. By then, Takao was pouring her a cup of tea. ”Thank ye lad,” she took the cup without any hesitation, knowing that she could cool it upon touch.

”Ye make us sound so brutish, there are intricacies in our culture ya know. Fighting is but one, and a means to keep the people strong….to some, it’s their very purpose….But a las, whatever major strife we’ve had raging before has cooled now. For sometime at least, yet it feels the embers will come back alive soon enough.” She took a pause to take a long sip, savoring the taste of the tea and its warmth. ”This jasmine tea is soothing. A fine drink to enjoy after the longs days.” Her eyes pointed before her since the slight on her people, but her gaze finally pulled back to the fox beside her. ”Yer mother was fascinating. Truly the embodiment of calm, chilling death. Makes me wonder thought what ye’d grow to become with enough time. Whatever the outcome, I’m curious of that fox-like nature of yers—Oh speaking of!” Lumikki settled her cup back atop the table and pointed at the necklace that hovered around her neck. ”I met a Kitsune ye know. A remnant from before the war but she was exploiting the people within the villages beside the old battle fields. The lass even stole the pearls of her like, stowing ‘em into this very necklace to extend her power and grow more tails. Five other Kitsune, souls consumed to push her own ideals. No matter where ye go, they’re all the same.” For how dreary her point, Lumi spoke as if entertained. There was no need to be hung up on the animosity of the world, this of course is part why she strove for where she was.

 

"A garden of frostflowers."

Lumikki of Iceberg

"In a calm and chilly breeze the petals dance."

Despite the slight flicker in the light, Lumikki did well not to push it further. She was not here to be in a bad mood, nor did she feel it was on her to inform him of her people. If she could take the time to learn the language and their ways of life, then a fellow timeless could do the same. But it did add a bitter taste in her tea she couldn’t enjoy, and so her eyes looked about the table for some honey or sugar to calm the craving.

Lumikki pushed the conversation elsewhere. Somewhere she found more amusing. Why not, after all. He reduced Iceberg to something simple, so in the moment she was compelled to do the same. It was a give or take, and thankfully he’d reward her for it. So with a chuckle, Lumikki relished view of his bubbling scarlet mana pooling atop his skin paired with the blood read eyes that gazed upon her.

”Is that so?….” Her voice reverted to its true sound akin to a boundless tundra. It echoed with a sound like a howling gale whipping upon the snow. Her eyes too came to life as they began to glow, reveling a fuchsia and violet hue. All while the room dropped in temperatures rather rapidly, too soon for one to naturally register, and the lights flickered for a moment. ”I could incur that Demons have their fair share of differences, but as ye eloquently stated, it’s more like a point of different motivations or ideals.” Just as sudden was her stir, did it settle but not before spreading thing black frost along the table. It like a blooming garden of frostflowers, or a pattern on a dress. Yet if one were to touch it, they’d be struck with just how cold it was. ”Lad, I would be for more surprised if he did care. Rare is it that anyone cares for the lesser—Hel, I’ve consumed me fair share whenever they found their way to me realm…though I could only wonder….do all Kitsune taste the same?” With a smile on the fringe of a tad menacing, Lumikki reached for her tea and pulled it back to her lips. Despite her demonstration of shared power, she kept in mind not to turn her drink cold, though it was on the cusp of warm.


 

"A garden of frostflowers."

Lumikki of Iceberg

"In a calm and chilly breeze the petals dance."

Lumikki chuckled, but her would be quite right. There was no arguing that her comments—pardon the pun— were quite distasteful. Of course all things held reason, and chaos did too despite its hectic nature and presentation. Lumikki nodded in response, while holding out her cup to Takao so that he may extend his helpful trick to her as well. ”For what it’s worth, Demons wouldn’t come off as savory to must.” She’d smile slyly and take another sip, sighing deeply with the relief of her tea upon her tongue.

”—Huh…afraid? What for?~ I figured it was simply a passing moment of I’ll show ya mine if ye show me yers. I have no reason to garner fear so pitifully. Reeeeally, those kind of stunts only serve to dilute yer reputation. A joke that needs to seethe at every moment to remind one of their power must often get overlooked every other moment as well. Sides, what does a lad of Death have to fear in that regard when a mother is far more terrifying than and end.” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke because truth, she was enjoying this. It was like the feeling of meeting with an old friend. With how time has been passing, so much has changed for her. Pieces of the world’s puzzle have been slowly falling into place with her elated status now opening barred avenues and new friends. Lumikki wouldn’t detest, despite how limiting her new role was proving to become. But what is the worth of a Demon if they could not overcome something so small to prove their desires. Chaos is but one facet, and it shows in many faces. Breaking exceptions would simply have to prove as one until she could find something earnest to destroy.

”Ye know…I always remember ye to be so serious. Why did I have it in mind ye’d be otherwise when I see ye. I resend me jest, all of which actually. There is no need to offend, and I got me jab back for a prior remark. Tell me Takao, it’s clear I’ve changed. So what have ye? Or, for interesting conversation, tell me more about this acquaintance of yers. Kurama is it? It’s lovely to meet ye.” In truth if the being in Takao was but another Demon, he would only see Lumikki’s fangs and distain. A reaction all Demons face as she was quite territorial. Not wanting to share her realm with the likes of any of them besides perhaps those born here themselves. Even then, she claws to the heavens to situate herself the highest among them, a status that could only be stripped from her by paying a high price. But Kurama was not a part of those sentiments. He was a being of Joya and their culture with Kami. So he only garnered her fascination and curiosity, as many aspects of Joya tend to do.

"A garden of frostflowers."

Lumikki of Iceberg

"In a calm and chilly breeze the petals dance."

 It came as a surprised to the Demoness when Takao extended his hand. What more, the words that followed. Lumikki trusting the Demi-God, extended her own palm out of curiosity. Wondering to where this could likely lead, but when she was spirited away, well it was more than she imagined.

It felt like what she could of sworn Ginnungagap may be like. Endless with its darkness, albeit, missing the cold. Her silent steps still impacting the floor as it rippled with each step. Lumikki looked around with vast wonder, but the trek hardly lasted all that long before Takao turned around and introduced her to the being that occupied this realm. Sadly from the other side of his gate, something she wasn’t quite pleased with. Was it for the reason of compassion, to the empathy of not wanted to be contained? She could not say, and she’d have to contemplate it later.

”Greeting Kurama, God of another realm. I was simply curious of ye, but I couldn’t imagine it would lead me to a conversation like this. Excuse me intrusion, for that, I will also be more transparent.” A sentiment Lumikki meant to express by the shift of her own form. With the plentiful darkness all around them, it’ll swirl and then smother Lumikki’s small frame. Bubbling and twitching as it expanded until it was pushed away by a gale garnered by Lumikki’s very four wings.

Now, standing before Takao, was another large being. A raven Demon with strong blue and purple hue’s amid her black feathers, who stood at fifteen meters. ”It is not often a Demon could encounter a God ye see.”
 

"A garden of frostflowers."