1308/Control

Control
Date of Scene:	02 April 2016
Location:	Pikarigaoka - Old Church
Synopsis:	Lacrima calls on Ayana to try to teacher some better control of her powers as she offered previously. Ikiko comes along, just in case.
Cast of Characters:	Norie Okana, Ayana, Ikiko Hisakata

---

Norie Okana has posed:
Ayana has probably given up on getting a call from the strange mainly purple colored vampire they met recently. Then she got a text. Come into the Church in Pikarighoka. I'm ready to talk..

Lacrima was standing in the middle of the aisle, in between the pews, as she squinted a little. She'd not been in a church in a while- not the Christian style. Something makes her feel off about the place. That sense of Deja Vu- it was never strong- just a feeling of soft discomfort. Why'd she pick this place?

Well it's quiet and out of the way primarily. Not an alley. Not the park. It's unlikely no one will find them here in the dead of night. Right?

She otherwise doesn't seem particularly on guard, or waiting for an attack- but she is watching out and alert otherwise.

Ayana has posed:
As a servant of a god, Ayana is not entirely certain where she stands on the whole 'entering the shrine of another God's temple.' On the other hand, Ayana is still not entirely clear on who all the various gods and goddesses of the world are, and the Christian God is definitely not on her list of 'well-studied topics'. Admittedly, the only things on that list are "food" and "Ikiko".

And she's still working on the second topic.

What she does know is that arriving at the Church, she feels ... cold. There's an uncertainty to the place, as if it were the an impediment to what she's supposed to be, in some way.

"What is this place?" Ayana asks her girlfriend, as the pair make their way up to the church front hand in hand. She hasn't bothered to henshin into Cute Fox Inariko; there's no need, just yet. But those canid ears of hers are flicking to and fro as she studies the structure, taking in the nearby sounds alertly.

Eventually, she works up the nerve to step up to the doors and inside, making no attempt to stay silent as she enters.

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
It's not common for Ikiko to be out at this hour and not in henshin, but she's here to provide support and backup for Ayana, and so far their henshins haven't been needed. "It's a place of worship for people of a certain religion," she explains to her girlfriend. "They worship a single, somewhat distant god; beyond that, I'm not well-versed in it."

Ikiko follows the kitsune into the church, offering Lacrima a small smile but otherwise staying back and to the side of the doors.

Norie Okana has posed:
There's no apparent traps. There's no 'active' darkness here--- is it safe? Or is this even the right church? Nope, there's the purple clad vampire in the middle of the aisle where she was still standing. The only movement she made was toward the door. There was a small flare of dark magic at this- but it died down when her eyes laid down upon the two.

When Lacrima last met these two- they were both 'in henshin'-- these two are unfamiliar to her. She's about to snap when she notices the fox ears-- and tail- which causes a flash of recognition.

Then there's just a twinge of an expression across her face. As if she has something snappy to say--- she in fact, opens her mouth, but seems to bite her tounge, in favor of something less scatching.

"I met someone who claimed you were a trickster- and to be careful around you." she says softly.

"She also said other things but they are unimportant." she insists.

"You claim you can teach me a better way of survival. One that doesn't force me to continually attack people..."

"The amount I need to drain went by one more person." she insists. "That's faster than it's been in the past. Usuaully it takes a couple of months... this was... barely even a couple weeks." she mutters.

Ayana has posed:
Ayana's ears twitch uncertainly at Norie's expression, then slowly droop a little to either side at the accusations. "Sora-chan," she mumbles quietly, then lets out a soft sigh of unhappiness.

Ayana says, earnestly. "I was a wild fox, once; a familiar for a dark and evil master. But now I am a Kitsune for Inari, who loves rice and industry and all foxes. Am I a trickster? Maybe," she says. "That depends on how you look at the term. I like to think I am clever. And yes, sometimes I like to hide Ikiko's shoes so she can't find them without kissing me first." This is said with a little smile and a wag of her own tails.

"But whether you should trust me is up to you," Ayana says, sobering almost immediately. "My name is Ayana. And I know what it is like to need to feast upon others to survive. I know what it is like to be a slave to that hunger. It won't be easy for you, especially because your hunger has tricked you into thinking that you have to do things a certain way. But if you want to learn, I will teach you. And I will gladly give you my own energy in the process, so long as you do not take from me more than I permit."

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata does a slight facepalm at the mention of Sora's name. "Aw, couz," she mutters, shaking her head slightly. Her cousin really does have it in for Ayana, doesn't she?

Although... why were Lacrima and Sora talking, anyway?

Ikiko shakes her head again -- that's not important at the moment. "And I'm Ikiko, although we first met when I was Cute Wolf Tsukiko," she remarks to Lacrima. "I'm mostly just here to make sure Ayana gets home safely."

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima head tilts. Was that the name the witch girl gave her? No... it wasn't. She purses her lips and hrmmms to herself. Does she say anything?... maybe not. She hrmms to herself in thought, as she seems to consider these words. A dark master? "Who was this master?" she asks very curiously.

She looks around and nods. "Right then. Hello... Ayana. And Ikiko." she says very curtly.

"I've no intention to hurt anyone tonight. I don't need to. I'm coherent. Most likely only for the next day." she says.

"Of course you have no reason to trust me neither. I understand." she says.

She looks around and purses her lips together.

"You talked about... draining people passively?" she asks. "I'm still not sure if I can learn this. I'm willing to try."

Ayana has posed:
"His name was Riventon," Ayana replies to Lacrima with a sigh. "He's still out there," she notes, motioning towards the city at large. "Still trying to hurt people. I want to save him, but I don't know how." She frowns, just faintly, then says, "His problem is different from yours. And he wants to hurt people. You, though ... you said you don't want to."

"And that's all the reason I need to trust you," Ayana observes quietly. "Because you want to learn. So I'm going to trust you, and I'm going to do everything I can to teach you how to do this. I don't want to stop you from surviving. I don't want to stop you draining people. If I could do it without hurting you, I would. But I'm not smart like Riventon is. I'm not able to change people like that. All I know is this power you've got, and how to wield it efficiently and effectively. Do you want to learn?"

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata sits in the back, just listening and watching. This is a lesson for Ayana to teach Lacrima; the werewolf is just here to help the kitsune get home afterwards -- or to have someone to talk to afterwards; either way.

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima purses her lips. "Riventon-san. We've met. He said that I should not care what others think. He said I am powerful, and that makes me better than everyone else." she says softly. "I helped him... once... because he seemed to understand me. I fought for my first time while coherent. It made me feel.. odd." she admits.

"He made me an offer of joining him with some sort of organization. I'm not sure if I'm accepting or not. I'm largely seeking how to control what I am." she admits.

She frowns and narrows her eyes. "Of course I want to learn. I would not be here- wasting yours and my time otherwise." she admits.

Her eyes glance over to Ikiko a moment as her eyes trace back towards Ayana.

Ayana has posed:
Ayana's ears droop even further, and she grips the back of the pew nearest. "That sounds like my master," she mumbles quietly, then sighs. "He does work for an organization, as a team leader. Their objective is power. He wants to change the world, and rule it unquestioningly. But the world he would rule will be desolate and full of nothing but despair."

"Even the wolf knows that if you prey too heavily in one area, you will starve yourself," Ayana quietly intones. She takes a deep breath, squeezes Ikiko's hand, then lets go and walks towards Lacrima. "The hardest part for you is going to be figuring out how to activate your energy drain without announcing it. Once you can do that, the rest will come with practice. Dr... Drenaj... Drenjane? You said that word last time. You also say you're in control right now. So ... let's take some of that edge off. Come and drain me. But if you speak loud enough for Ikiko to hear the word," she motions towards where her girlfriend remains in the back, "then you have failed, and I will drain the energy back from you. So ... make sure you are quiet."

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata gives Ayana's hand a quick squeeze in response, then settles in. While she's not focusing on Lacrima, she's still remaining alert enough to be aware of anything resembling conversational volume.

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima listens about Riventon. "I see..." is all she says. She seems to mill this over, before she nods. "Drenaje." she says. "It's spanish." she says. "It means...." she says. "Well 'Drain'." she says. "Lacrima is also spanish. It means, 'Tears'." she says softly. "I'm not quite sure why I dream in spanish or vaugely know it when I hear it now." she says softly.

She frowns and steps forward. "I need to touch you. I need to keep contact." she says softly.

"I apologize. I can't drain from across a room yet." she says.

She sighs and softly places her hands against Ayana's front shoulders, not grabbing-- just laying her palms flat there...

You know this is a waste of time. She can probably teach you, but you know the end result is still the same~ said the voice in her head. Lacrima frowned and closed her eyes and just shook her head.

"D--drenaje." she mutters. It sounds like someone trying to speak lowly-- but it's enough that Ikiko can hear it-- and the same stinging sensation happens---- and Lacrima immeditaly 'shuts it off' when she's taken what she belives is just a tiny sliver of energy- trying to keep true to her word.

Ayana has posed:
Ayana winces at the sting, but only briefly. That isn't the problem. "I can't drain from across the room, either," she notes, then glances at Ikiko for confirmation. She's pretty sure Lacrima wasn't quiet enough.

"Though I can drain a little further than touch," she explains, before looking back. "Gloom," she whispers the word for the first time in three months, barely loud enough to be heard by Lacrima, nowhere near enough for Ikiko.

A miasma of power flows out of Ayana, and she shivers at the darkness she had to call on to activate that energy. It's so tempting. So powerful. "No," she says, quietly, in that same tone of voice. Instantly, the gloom vanishes, and with it that same sliver of energy Norie took from her is now back within Ayana.

"Mine is pretty hard to coneal, too," she points out with a smile. "I really do understand what you're going through. Try again."

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata gives a headshake in confirmation. "Close, but not quite," she agrees, giving Lacrima an apologetic smile.

While she can't hear Ayana's whisper, the sight of the miasma is a familiar one to Ikiko. She's tempted to go over to the kitsune and give her hugs and skritchies, but not while the 'school of draining' is in session.

Maybe later, though.

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima listens softly as she frowns. "I don't really think you understand what I'm going through." she says, thinking back to what the witch had told her. The fox had friends, had the help of a god. She has a handful of friends, many bad influences- and the help off no god. Would a god even touch her now, she wonders... this makes her teeth grate in irritation because she knows she's getting some form of jealous. This is one of the few emotions that comes /super/ easily to her.

She takes a deep breath-- then winces when the energy is stolen back, it's a twinge, her right eye twitches and she clenches her fists-- it's like some sort of instinct is trying to act and she's surpressing it. It seems easy to do so at least.

"Nrg..."

"I--felt like.. I should attack you just then..." she said.

"If that happens.. I'm really sorry. I don't think that's anything I can control. Should stick to the small amounts, I guess..." she mutters.

She sighs and raises her hands again. "D-dranje." she mutters- a little scared when she feels there's some risk of her losing control like that. It's a little quieter- but Ikiko should still hear it-- and the effect still happens. Like before. She takes just a little sliver. Not much. It's easy when she's full-- her instincts don't want to keep at it too hard.

Ayana has posed:
Ayana watches Lacrim's response uncertainly, but nods her head nonetheless. "It's okay," she says. "You can't hurt me. Even if you attack me, I should be okay. I'm a big girl. I can take a little pain, and I have a few tricks," is she a trickster, then? "up my sleeve."

She makes a face as the vampire drains her a second time, then grimaces and nods her head. "Better, but you're still too loud. Try just ... whispering it. No voice." This time, Ayana doesn't return the favor; she doesn't try to drain Lacrima in response. Best not to provoke the vampire by accident.

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata frowns slightly at Lacrima's mutter, then makes a mental note to buy Ayana some extra goodies tomorrow -- the kitsune could undoubtedly use some extra TLC after this session.

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima seems to mull for a moment. Before she talks.. "Okay." she says softly. She frowns and closes her eyes softly. She sighs a bit... and replaces her palms back to the foxgirl's shoulders... she tries just mouthing the words. No vocaliziations and----

Aboustlely nothing happens. Lacrima's hands are kind of cold though. But that's always a given.

She frowns a bit. She raises it up once, whispering it to herself. "Drenaje.". Ikiko should not hear that.

Nothing happens. Lacrima opens her eyes and looks a little sadened a moment.

"Drenaje." she says, just a little louder. Ayana can hear it- if she's listening close. Ikiko should actually not be able to hear this one unless she's paying close attention in which case all she hears is that telltale of a whisper- though not exactly what's been said.

This causes the power to activate- though it still has the same stinging 'oomph'.- no change besides that.

Ayana has posed:
Ayana waits patiently, ears upwards and pointed towards Lacrima expectantly. She waits, she hopes, she wills this to work for Lacrima.

And eventually it does, although not quite as silently as Ayana would like. The sting gets a grimace, but she's smiling through it. "Good!" she says, cheering the vampire on. "That might almost be quiet enough. And it's a lot of progress." Turning, she asks Ikiko, "That was better, right? Could you hear her?"

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
"Don't think I heard anything," Ikiko confirms. "I think I saw an ear-twitch before Ayana spoke, but that was it -- and it's not like an ordinary person is going to have tells like that."

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima blinks softly. "Okay." she says.

She blinks again. "But.. how do I use that now? It just seems like I'm saying the word lower and that's it.." she says softly. She sighs and shakes her head a bit as she bites her lip.

Then she stares. She's forgetting something.

It's 'Thank you'. says Norie's voice in her head.

"O--oh right. Thank you." she says softly. Though there's not much emotion in her voice there. Though there never quites seem to be when she's trying to be positive about anything.

Ayana has posed:
"You don't, yet," Ayana says quietly. "You did it once, but you're not quite ready, yet. You need practice. But ... not a lot," she notes thoughtfully. For a moment, Ayana seems to be deep in thought, then she smiles.

"So the cool thing about Mitakihara is there are so many people and so much noise that even what you just did will be unheard, from right next to someone," the kitsune explains. "And the little sting that accompanies being drained ... I mean it'll be noticed, but they'll just think you shocked them or something. So the next thing you need to learn his how to be a trickster," she points out with a wink. "You need to learn how to get someone to take your hand." And then, her eyes widen suddenly and she reaches out with both hands of her own, searching for Norie's. "Ah! Onii-chan," she begs, suddenly. "Please, won't you help me? I've dropped the necklace my mother gave to me!" What? That's out of the blue.

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata manages to cover her mouth to stifle a giggle at Ayana's little acting routine. The kitsune does bring up a number of good points, though: Mitakihara is noisy enough that a quiet word could easily be missed, and convincing someone to offer their hands would make it easier to drain energy.

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima blinks, she takes this to mean 'crowded places' aswell. Festivals? Conventions? Those might work. She bites her lip and seems to be thinking about this---okay. She's getting it now- she's imagining brushing up against someone by accident... could she make that seem like an accident everytime?... she seems to be mulling this when Ayana suddenly takes her hand and does her routine.

She blinks blinks and then politely removes her hand from Ayana's. This seems to be offputting to her, but she frowns... she's expected..

To act? She frowns a bit. T-this isn't something that's going to be easy to her. Not like how she is now. She almost very nearly speaks in a monotone as her neutral tone- unless she's lost some form of control. Then it peaks and dips and valleys consistently.

"Nrg..."

"I'll have to..learn that." is all she admits.

Ayana has posed:
"Mmm," Ayana agrees, reverting to her normal self almost immediately. "But it doesn't take much. Just a little, to convince people to take your hand. Then you can drain them a little and move on. Wait ten minutes, find another mark, do it again.

"They'll think you're a little crazy," says the kitsune, "but if you do it every night for two or three hours, you should be able to pick up fifteen to eighteen marks, and drain each of them of a quarter of their energy. That's four to five total people you've drained, that way. And the worst they'll have is a little sleepiness."

She smiles at Norie, then says, "It's worth it. I know it seems overwhelming, but it is worth it. You'll draw less suspicion this way, and you can avoid the worst crowds. No more hunger frenzies from fighting it too long; control it, don't try to fight it."

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata stretches and stands up. "Sleepiness, and maybe some extra appetite," she agrees, thinking about the times she's been drained. "Nothing too unusual for a healthy person."

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima mmmphs and just nods. "Right.." she says softly as she sighs. She feels.. a little bit better? It's hard for her to figure out. She feels like she /learned/ something at least. So that's a start. Isn't it? And her voice only goaded her once during the whole affair.

But she already knows it wants her to hone her abilities in awful ways.

She sighs a bit.

"I just hope that..." she says softly. "Things get easier.." she sighs.

"Rather than harder like they've been..."

Ayana has posed:
Here is where Ayana's expertise runs out, and she shakes her head uncertainly. "I don't know if it will get easier," she says. "Maybe you will need more, and more. Maybe you will find a balance. I just don't know." Ayana hesitates, then says, "But you've got my number. And I will help you. I promise. Just ... do your best," the kitsune suggests. "I believe in you."

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata steps up and gives Ayana's hand a squeeze. "May you find something that works for you," she says to Lacrima with an encouraging smile.

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima purses her lips, looking between Ikiko and Ayana and seems to stare expectantly a bit before she shakes her head a bit. Almost like she was dazing a bit. She sighs a bit. "Right. Thank you." She says.

"I'm-- I'm going to go back---"

"--home then." she says after a pause.

"I'll call.. eventually." she says softly, before she turns around and begins to walk away-- probably toward's the back somewhere- a back exit, or back into a Dusk Zone teleport. Perhaps a little of both.

Maybe she feels rude using that specific power here.

Ayana has posed:
"Good luck," Ayana says softly as Lacrima heads for the door. Her tails wag just a little, and her ears track the vampire until the door closes behind her. Then, very slowly, Ayana sinks into the pew with a sigh.

"That was scary," she whimpers at Ikiko quietly. "I almost couldn't turn it back off."

Ikiko Hisakata has posed:
Ikiko Hisakata hugs her girlfriend and gives her a small kiss on the cheek. "Your Gloom is a part of you, beloved," she reminds Ayana, giving the kitsune some ear-rubs. "I think your own advice might be helpful: control it, don't fight it. And I know you have the strength to control it."