cHImAirA DanCE 5/5

[doesitbotheryou]

I been looking at the stars tonight
And I think oh, how I miss that bright sun
I'll be a dreamer 'til the day I die
But they say oh, how the good die young
But we're all strange
And maybe we don't wanna change
~The Strumbellas, Spirits

All has ended well. They've exorcised the nue that had spawned in the spiritual disaster the practical exam had turned into, and did it on their own without the aid of the Onmyo Agency. Better yet, at least for Touji, Natsume hadn't even flinched when he'd show up ogred out. In fact, they'd been joking about how his horns had looked when they spotted a car driving up the street deserted by the Onmyo Agency in order to limit the danger to civilians.

Thinking the streets were just opening up again, the four (Touji, Natsume, Harutora, and Kon, Harutora's familiar) stood and stared as the car approached them. As it drew near, they noticed the car was floating above the ground. Stunned, they did nothing but watch as the car stopped before them and the rear window rolled down to reveal an elderly man wearing red tinted glasses. They all could feel the power coming from the man.

"I was planning on retrieving some of its essence," the old man said, "but your successful exorcism means I won’t find a trace. No point crying over spilt milk. After all you did let me enjoy myself tonight. I’m looking forward to it all. The anticipation is killing me. You’re all just baby chicks in this world. Freshly hatched, completely unaware. You should study diligently. And when you’re finished with that, perhaps we’ll find a place for you."

"But we don't know who you are!" Natsume managed to say.

"Then let me introduce myself. I'm Doman Ashiya."

Then, it was as if reality stuttered and the car was gone.

"What just happened?" Touji asked.