jikan_network | video; un: tapir

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video; un: tapir

[the creature that appears on the screen is anything but normal; it has the tusks of an elephant, the mane of a lion, the body of a bear and paws like a cat's. And it's rather large; though it doesn't look nearly as threatening as it should, what with the way it's curled up, much like a big cat. For the more observant - it's curled up on a roof somewhere, with the sound of the morning crowds bustling underneath.

The voice may sound slightly familiar too if you've met Baku before, underneath the deep, rumbling tones]

It's nice to be honest sometimes, isn't it? One takes it for granted when one normally isn't allowed to be. And this place has given me the opportunity to be true to myself - [the creature snuffs quietly, a sound that could almost be a laugh] - in more ways than one.

I am known as the Baku, the devourer of dreams from Japan. Or the Mo, for those who are from my homeland of China. I eat the nightmares and undesirable dreams of those who pray to me. Or ask, because praying is a little out-dated.

This is my purpose and I would be honored to continue it here, and especially to help those who may need it. And while I don't technically need to offer, I prefer to be transparent - and I would rather have someone's permission first.

I know it's a strange offer, and one that no doubt benefits me in return, but I would be happy to answer any questions one may have first. Whether it's like this, or if you'd like to come meet me in person - and I definitely suggest that if you like to lay in the sun - do you have any idea how long it's been since I've been able to do this? [a happy, snuffing noise] But I promise I don't bite.

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Do you have any control over which dreams you eat? What happens to the dream after you eat it? Is it just gone forever? What happens if you eat a good one?

[If someone is going to invite questions in such a way, Pidge can hardly be blamed for following directions.]

[she is just utterly delighted by questions! Questions she's allowed to answer!]

Uwahh~ so many questions. [she sounds so happy]

I have complete control, so I only eat the bad dreams. After I eat it, it comes back the next night - but I'll eat it then, too - I can't take nightmares away permanently, so that's the best I can do. I think it's because they're ingrained in one's memory - and I don't go into people's heads. Just my realm.

If someone wants me to eat a good one I will, but I leave them alone because I don't want to take something good away. And they don't taste as good as the bad ones.

Ah...

[The fact that Baku seems legitimately happy about her crashing in with a bunch of questions is surprising enough to render her speechless for a moment, which is probably a good thing, given the circumstances. It's not the usual sort of response, so she'll have to make note of that for the future.]

What makes the bad ones taste good?

[She's making an effort to not just barrage this person with a thousand questions all at once, but it's pretty difficult, all things considered.]

[she lowers her head to lay on her paws, huffing quietly]

I think it's because those are the ones I started eating first. So when people started believing in my story, that became a part of it. That the baku likes bad dreams because they taste good.

Good ones don't taste bad, but like I said - I don't want to take those.

[The video comes on and it's definitely not very interesting. Have a young man with tanned skin and dangly gold earrings on his pointed ears staring in wonder, jaw dropped open. After a few long moments, he collect himself enough to ask, in a small voice:]

Really? [He looks around the room he is in, as if checking to see who might be pranking him, incredulous.] This is real? Did... th-th-that is. I mean. Um. Oh my. It's... really Baku-sama?

[This reaction is probably more fitting when someone meets a rock star, but, the rock stars in Souma's world are either gods or epic heroes.

OH WAIT he's supposed to represent his people well or things may go badly for them back home! That's right! Quickly Souma tries to collect himself, and averts his eyes to bow with his forehead to the desk, his hands over his heart in his tribe's proper obeisance to a god.]

My... my people leave many offerings for you, O Mighty Baku-sama. I, um. I. I hope you f-found even such lowly, humble things to... your liking. What... do dreams taste like?

[oh . . . oh no, this is too cute. It's not easy to tell with a face like hers, like this, but the animalistic features soften into something like fondness. She lowers her chin to rest on top of her arms, and the sound she makes sounds like a soft, growling laugh]

Your people are very kind to leave offerings for a lowly dream eater, I hope I treated them well. But just knowing who I am is more than I could ask for. Please - you can just call me Baku, I'm not a very formal creature.

[her elephant nose reaches out to adjust the video so she can see him better] Dreams taste like . . . mm, dreams? There's no real equivalent, but imagine a food you enjoy - one you wouldn't mind eating all the time. That's how it is for me.

Yahhhh no, no, no! We leave out plain old yokai things like, like fine fabrics on rolls? And handicrafts. And candy and sweets too, but I always wondered, "if Baku likes to eat dreams, what if Baku doesn't like the sweets? What if they taste terrible? Is this really a stupid plan?" But one cannot really... tell one's parents that. Especially if one has no proof--

[Here, Souma catches himself babbling on and covers his mouth with his hand to remind himself to shut up. He clears his throat and composes himself trying to look like a mature adult. Yes. Right.]

Ahem. So... I have many questions. You are revered and we tell bedtime stories to small children about you. It is a... a great honor, Baku. Um. Gods, that sounds blasphemous. Baku-san.

Do you ever eat regular foods as other beings do? And, which ones do you like?

If it helps put you at ease, I've never turned down an offering? They are gifts and meant to be cherished. [and, with the tiniest bit of impish amusement] I like sweets, though. What's your name?

[she's usually not so open about her delight, but it's hard not to be. She doesn't care about the formalities or the reverence; it's that someone knows who she is, remembers her in what seems like a time where she was at her most important, and that means more than she can put into words]

The honor is mine, really. I'm from a time where I'm not . . . mm, as known? Not in the old ways. But you're welcome to ask me as many questions as you like - it's new, for me, to talk so openly about it. Is that strange?

I do eat regular food - I'm very fond of human cuisine. It doesn't offer me any nutrients like dreams do, but I still eat it. Sometimes I have to, to blend in. [a thoughtful little noise] But I really like soba - and udon, too. There aren't many foods I don't like.

So they're an acquired taste?

[The explanation makes sense, and it's not any more outlandish than some of the aliens she's met.]

And you said all we'd have to do is ask?

[Her dreams aren't always bad, but she's had the same handful of nightmares for about as long as she can remember now, and it's starting to get a bit old.]

A long time ago, yes. Now I barely notice, honestly.

[she doesn't even consider the dreams she's eating. Though that's more due to it not being any of her business.

She nods, her elephant trunk bobbing with it]

That's right. As long as I have permission in some way.

I am-- [Whoa, he has to change his speech from his usual way back home, he forgot about that!] This one, is called... Souma. I am not human-- I am an Itou, a shadow yokai from a very small world. I am pleased to meet such a nice Baku.

[He bows again, and then goes back to listening. At her question, he shakes his head, and it makes his earrings jingle.]

It isn't strange at all! I think... everyone wants to talk a little bit of their true self. Don't they? Maybe... after I live here for some time, I will feel the same.

What is... what is a "so ba"? And... udon? Are these... [Oh, he has to think hard about this one.] A kind of... melon?

[she lowers her head as best she can in her position, bowing]

Ah, a yokai! So we are kin, in a sense. I am honored to meet you, Souma.

[she makes a noise of agreement] I think so, too. And I hope you're able to feel the same - if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

[oh . . . oh she's going to have to take him to get delicious food]

Soba and udon both are noodles, but made differently. They're traditional Japanese foods - perhaps if you like, we can get some together? [she smiles - or well, it looks like one] What about you? Do you have a favorite food?

[A Mo. He can't help but to smile a little as he reaches to respond. He may as well because he knows that he can easily keep this creature well fed every time he sleeps.]

I'm familiar with dream creatures like you. If you like, I can offer you my dreams. You may consume as many as you like.

[she inclines her head politely, as close to a bow as she can get in this form]

There are more than I thought there would be, from both of my homes. You have my thanks, and I hope that I'm able to provide you with decent sleep.

I was the Night Immortal once. My companion at the time was a Dream Beast. Feeding on the dreams of others was its nature. So beings like you have my respect and right now I know you will never starve here when I am sleeping.

[It's the unfortunate matter of carrying the weight of his many, many crimes.]

Yes. I feel most undeserving, to have a mighty god offer help to me. I shall do my best, but, your kindness...

[Souma looks aside, ears turning a bit pink.]

Just that... someone would say that. It makes me... feel reassured.

I don't know "noodle." I wish to try it. I think my favorite food...

Humm. Um.

["Precept number twenty-four: A modest person shall not state foods he likes nor dislikes. Such statements of preference are unbecoming to a well-behaved and moral demeanor."

Souma can hear the admonishment echoing in his mind like his tutors were right there! He thinks extra hard, and then admits:]

Nn-nn. At home it was considered bad to have a favorite. I wonder ...

[It takes him a while, but finally he ventures, a bit unsure]

I think... I liked almost everything. Salted fish, steamed millet and rice. Very cold tofu. Sliced cucumber on a hot day.

[He rubs his chin, looking up.]

All... very good. But maybe, my favorite was hot tea. Any kind. And mixing it with the leftover rice to make a light soup. It's called ochazuke.

Edited 2021-08-04 07:36 (UTC)

A Night Immortal and a Dream Beast . . . [it isn't surprising that she hasn't heard of beings under those specific names, but the relief that someone understands it is hard to describe] I'm honored that you understand, not many do - not truly.

What is your name? So that I may thank you properly.

[she laughs, a soft, rumbling noise] I'm not mighty at all. We're no different - and if someone tries to claim otherwise, then they have a complex they need to be knocked down from.

[she isn't humble but also, she hates the high and mighty types]

Not having a favorite means there's more than one thing you enjoy, then. [look at her, putting a positive spin on it]

Ochazuke . . . I've haven't had that in a long time.

It's decided, then. We will have to meet and have a feast together, and introduce each other to the foods we like the most.

Makes sense. Do all the bad ones taste the same, or is it different for each person?

[Pidge is probably just going to keep firing off questions until she's asked to stop because she can be a little nosy by nature and, currently, she doesn't have anything else going on.]

So... it's just a matter of someone telling you that you have permission?

They all taste the same to me. I could probably make them taste different - since it's my realm, and they're technically intangible until I touch them - but it's a little pointless.

[they're going to be here forever, they're doomed]

Mmm. [she nods, her snout bouncing] As long as they're okay with me doing it, that's enough.

[He offers the creature a soft smile.]

You don't need to thank me at all but I am Runyu. What do you prefer to be called?

[she inclines her head as best she can]

Baku, if you don't mind. It's an honor, Runyu.

Baku then. It's my pleasure to meet you, Baku. Perhaps we will one day in person too.

The pleasure is mine. And I would love to - I love meeting new people.

I have a form I take most of the time, a human one - maybe we can have tea together.

[That makes him smile a little more.]

I would like that actually. It would be nice to have someone to have tea with once in awhile. The company is always nice.

I enjoy being able to sit with friends and drink tea. Not many people indulge in it where I'm from anymore.

That's a shame. It honestly happens to be one of my favorite things to do. Perhaps we can make it a regular meeting so that way we can both indulge in it.

It's a very different time, so I understand why it's like that, but. [a happy, little snuffing noise] I would really like that.

Well then we will make that happen, Baku. I know that I would greatly enjoy your company as well.

It probably loses something if you have to make them taste differently.

[Is she overthinking a little? Maybe. But it's one of her hobbies so it's probably fine. There are more important things to worry about right now, anyway.]

Ah. Well, the ones I can remember are mostly nightmares, but you're welcome to them.

It might . . . maybe I'll try it. For science.

[is it science if it's technically not something that falls into the realm of science? Who knows]

. . . thank you. I'd be happy to take them from you.

You definitely should.

[Is dream science even a thing? Pidge has no idea, but she's seen no shortage of odd things in her short life so it wouldn't surprise her.]

I feel like I should be the one thanking you here.

E-eeh...

[It is almost a little squeak, as he scratches his cheek. Souma's mystified and yet excited, and it seems to be a ticklish feeling in the pit of his stomach. Someone wants to spend time with him?]

I would be most honoured, My Lady Baku. To meet.

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