[Kirifuri Highland] Japan
(Season: Winter) January
(Day)
The breeze sent a familiar chill to his bones. Good thing his wings were there to protect him. The falling snow makes it a little foggy for the jinx's vision. He feels a little tired, having his feet covered in thick snow the further he gets away from where he began.
Jinko swear he feels a strange aura, watching him in every step he take. Something that feels terribly strong is lurking here. If you think he's bothered, actually no. He actually feels great, that's a good sign for him. Because he came here for that.
Because, just when he thought that The Aka Manto could have the job done, he saw them the next days, very much alive.
But having found a new human with her, he now knew that he had another chance to find a costumer, which feeds on man's flesh. The everstone, and the new comer that seemed to be close to Gabby, would sure be enough to lure the she-devil he's after into helping him.
However, he's still pretty pissed. His patience is slowly degrading. He felt that he was just being played, an endless loop of defeat is what he always receive. That had hurt his pride deeply.
How dare the fates take his victories away? When he should have won easily? Perhaps if he was someone else, he would have just logically give up this fight and move on. That's what smart people do, that's what he should have done.
But no. He have poured a lot of effort into taking this REVENGE. And he won't let them go to waste.
He finally saw a path, which felt quite suspicious. The trail, was still fresh. And the snow was swept clean, the pathway leading to a cave.
He felt a little chilly, a different chill than cold, when he followed it carefully, watching his every step and keeping his ears alert at all times.
The sound of snow, twigs and pebbles grinding, crunching and cracking as he steps, were the only things he heard despite his journey being in broad daylight. The area devoid of animal sounds made him wonder.
Hm, something is...not right.
Is she getting closer? He hoped she won't kill him on spot. After all, men are her favorite meal.
He walked to the cave, it was empty for now. But it stinked of blood and bones. He looks around, then saw just how many piles of human skeletons were on a corner.
Then he felt a cold sensation crawl up to his spine.
He was sure she is...getting closer.
The dark cave echoed when he spoke, "Is someone here?"
But no response.
In a matter of minutes however...
A sound of someone dragging something, could be heard behind. He although nervous, had tried to make himself appear confident and bold, as he looks to the origin of the sound.
Ah, he expected this.
He looked, and saw the beautiful woman, wearing a black modern dress, her raven hair swept into a neat bun. She have amber eyes, while her skin is almost as white as snow. Almost as if she had no blood at all.
She smiles at him seductively.
???: Oh, a visitor? This never happened before.
Her menacing voice was enough to make him shake.
He found a strong one indeed. Just what he had intended to find.
She was a Jorugumo.
What is a Jorugumo?
You see, when a red golden-orb weaver spider reaches 400 years of age, it will morph into a beautiful woman. Facial features may vary so no Jorugumo would look the same.
They typically get hungry, and soon animals won't be enough to prey on, they'd then kidnap men, drag them to their nests, and eat them there.
They are very powerful, but escaping them is possible. So long as you know the danger when you see one. The key is their eyes. Jorugumo's don't blink. Because spiders don't as well. They usually don't have eyelids. So a Jorugumo would usually wear sunglasses to avoid their defect being noticed.
When you grow suspicious, you can politely ask them to take it off. Do it when you're in a crowd, she won't attack if outnumbered. If they do take it off, than walking away, stare into their eyes. Then observe if they blind or have real eyelids,(They wear fake ones and I'm sure you'll realize of they're fake or not) if you caught them, politely decline them, don't make it seem that you're scared.
Treating them without losing your cool and respect is very important. Jorugumos only attack men who aren't as polite. When they grow fond of you they'll break your supposedly 'date', and move on to the next prey. They have conscience, unlike other demons. So don't be as sad when someone turns you down for no reason. Your life might have been just saved.
...
The demon looked at Jinko, with a hungry smile on her lips.
JORUGUMO: I never thought I'd have two meals this day.
She quickly spurted a thick white silk, then hung herself upside down with her newest victim.
She carefully makes a web out of her hands, then placed her meal for later, on her carefully crafted web.
She then comes back down, then gave him that look of hunger again.
JORUGUMO: So stranger...why did you come to my nest? Don't you fear me?
She said in a taunting voice.
Jinko tried to keep his cool, trying to look intimidating, but her stance and posing made it hard for him to act invulnerable.
He looks like a prey to her. And he isn't sure how to change himself to look threatining at least.
JINKO: I am here to propose-
JORUGUMO: But we just met. Am I that beautiful?
JINKO: -a plan.
JORUGUMO: Oh. I see. Well, continue.
The demon said in a bashful face. Wow. She looked less dangerous now.
Jinko cleared his throat then continued explaining.
JINKO: If you carry on with a mission I'm about to say, you'll have a man, *cough* a free meal, and an everstone waiting.
JORUGUMO: Oh! I love that plan already! I'm in!
JINKO: Uh, okay.
Suddenly Jinko have doubts if this was the same creature he feared before.
...
Murasaki decided to visit Gabby again after work, she looks kinda pale and unhappy. Red follows her timidly, but Murasaki wasn't able to see him because he took a different form.
MURASAKI: How are you, buddy?
GABBY: Seriously, what did you told him?
MURASAKI: Nothing!
GABBY: It can't be just nothing!
MURASAKI: Come on, smile a bit.
GABBY: Fine.
MURASAKI: Want ice cream?
GABBY: No, thank you.
MURASAKI: What do you want? It's almost your birthday. Want a vacation?
GABBY: Nah.
MURASAKI: Give me something.
GABBY: Fine. A vacation would be fine.
MURASAKI: Nice! Let's go somewhere fun! Let's ski!
GABBY: I've never done that before. I'm afraid of heights, remember?
MURASAKI: I know. But there's a first time in everything, right?
Gabby sighs.
GABBY: I...I guess you're right.
MURASAKI: Hey, you're still not smiling.
GABBY: How...do you expect me to smile?
MURASAKI: Everything happens for a reason.
GABBY: I hope this reason is worth it. But it better not be because you talked him into this.
Gabby pointed a finger at Murasaki, she was angry, but then she calmed down a little.
GABBY: Sorry.
MURASAKI: It's cool. Now...let's hang out today too so you won't feel sad.
GABBY: Tiwari, Jerico, Finn and I already had the night planned out, so sorry.
MURASAKI: Oh, okay. You're not mad at me, right?
GABBY: Yeah. Sorry if I'm not at my best today.
MURASAKI: No need to apologize.
Gabby's disinterest in him made Murasaki quite hurt and a bit hopeless. He was about to go, when the guilt stricken red haired spoke.
GABBY: Hey, uh...if you really want to hang out with me so badly, maybe you can join us.
MURASAKI: Really? But isn't it only for animators?
GABBY: We're to chill so I guess you can come too?
MURASAKI: That's awesome Gab! Thank you so much!
GABBY: Yeah, sure.
MURASAKI: High five?
GABBY: Oh, okay!
...
The five of them spent time together, with Jerico being more and more confused as to what his place could be, Finn is flirting with Tiwari. While Murasaki is clearly interested in Gabby. Jerico thought that the double date he disguised as a friendly date he planned for Gabby and him would work, but it seems like he had another competitor. He had such a bad time.
Red (still in spirit mode) looks at him with pity and whispered,
RED: Same buddy, same.
Jerico tried to talk to Gabby, ask her questions and such, but everytime he'd do so, Murasaki would cut him short and steal the show.
Ugh. He had never felt so angry over some guy. For him, Red seems much more tolerable. At least Red doesn't stop him from hanging out with Gabby.
TIWARI: You know, you and Gab can actually work.
MURASAKI: Oh, thanks. But Gab here says I'm just a brother.
JERICO: An annoying brother at that.
The crowd laughs while Murasaki showed great dislike towards Jerico.
FINN: Oh, Jerico. Don't be rude.
JERICO: It was just a joke.
TIWARI: Yeah, our kind little baby won't say such things. Jerico is a sweetheart, so sorry if he offended you, Mr. Jun.
MURASAKI: It's fine, hehe. I don't mind at all.
GABBY: I'm glad I get to hang out with you guys for now.
TIWARI: Of course. Anytime you need us sis.
Red looks down, he feels horrible seeing them laughing and making her happy. But he needs to man up, and swallow the pain. It's for her own good anyways.
...
After that night, Gabby had MJ walk her home. The two talked to each other, even about the littlest things. Murasaki can make her laugh, laugh the way he had never made her do so before.
Red feels himself breaking.
Everything he said finally came true now. There's no turning back.
There's no way he can turn things back...
But what else can he do? Oh, only to see and admire her beautiful smile, even though it's because of someone else. How unfortunate, right? Now, all he can do for her, is to keep her safe. From all the dangers, that may befall her.
He wasn't aware that it'd be so soon though.
The Jorugumo waits.