SPOILER: Click to show

Special thread for the Halloween Apple Bobbing game. Only Jeff's character Yoshiya may enter. Jeff chose number 4 which was a treat apple.

Time - Noon

The weather was cool as the fall harvest season was upon the land. It wasn't uncommon to see people in the fields; all except one odd figure who stood out in stark contrast to the people who were working among the fields at the farm Yoshiya frequented for work. It was a woman appearing to be in her twenties. Raven tresses fell in soft waves to her waist, standing out against the orange of her kimono. Even at a distance, the vivid green of her eyes was noticeable. She simply stood among the crops as if waiting, though no one around her seemed to even notice her presence.

Yoshiya sensed a presence behind him. The lady did not belong there. That was not enough for Yoshiya to satisfy his curiosity. Women had stood and watched the labourers work before. What really got him was that none of his colleagues seemed to take notice of her.

On previous occasions it was common for a number of some of the rougher day labourers to yell cat calls and wolf whistle. That was until they became accustomed to Yoshiya's temper and the back of his hand. Now they tried to avoid looking at whatever woman was there or Yoshiya. But this time was different, they were not actively trying to avoid looking, it was as if they could not perceive her. This was very unusual, especially as her looks were stunning.

Against his better judgement he rose up from the soil and approached her.

"You're going to regret this Yoshiya," he thought to himself, grumbling that his curiosity had gotten the better of him.

And then he was in front of her. He wished he had his staff to lean on, but it was too far away from his initial position to justify getting it. He looked at her with tired eyes. He would make a generic opener. Hopefully she would give him something to work with.

"Good day, ma'm."

The woman was completely still even as Yoshiya approached and addressed her. There was no recoil nor sign of recognition that he had interacted with her. Her eyes just stared ahead of her, widened as if experiencing some intense emotion. They didn't mesh with the rest of her face which was flat, expressionless, as stoic as stone. But that all changed as a gust of wind washed over the field and past the pair.

Her hair was caught in the currents and unfurled behind her like a million little ribbons flowing and tumbling over one another. It seemed to spark life into her face and motion into her body. She extended her right arm toward Yoshiya, her slender hand opened as if beckoning the man to take it. "Help me," she said, her voice deep for a female, but by no means masculine. Her eyes were still wide, but glittered in the midday light, as opposite from Yoshiya's tired stare as could be. Her face had been uplifted from indifference though no identifiable expression could be placed. As she spoke and even as her mouth settled into a half opened position which was almost a smile, one could just make out the fact that her canines were a fair deal larger than the rest of her teeth.

He gazed into her eyes and saw the flash of her teeth. This presented a quandary. Everything about her screamed siren. He did not trust her. However he could not let her roam free, and he didn't have enough justification to strike her down. He would have to play along, for now...

He would take her by the hand and led her to a more secluded and shady spot, but not before grabbing his staff and giving her his cloak. He would rather not have her draw attention to herself, even though that oddly did not seem to be an issue so far.

"What seems to be the problem?" That would be his question to her once they reach there. He would ask it in a monotone, matter of fact voice. Two stoic beings together.

He would stand with his staff ready to move at the first sign of trouble. That was his plan anyway, assuming the woman did come with him.

SPOILER: Click to show

Made a small edit after I put the thought colour instead of the talk colour.

The woman offered no resistance as Yoshiya took her hand and led her out from the middle of the field. Her steps were fluid to the point it seemed as if she was gliding. Given the fact that her kimono was long enough one could not see her feet, it was entirely possible. She stopped only when he gave her the cloak. She examined it as if it were something she had never seen before, but that was how she looked at most things as they continued on after she draped the garment over her gently sloping shoulders.

When she next stopped, it was when Yoshiya had decided that they had reached their location. She scanned the area, her head turning ever so slightly as she did; first to the right, then the left, and finally back to Yoshiya as he questioned her. "I'm lost," came the reply. "Help me."

Yoshiya sighed. He feared he had overreacted, taking her here. He had a penchant for that. But he still couldn't get out of his mind how he seemed to be the only one who acknowledged her presence. Best stay on guard.

"Watson, you dolt..."

Well, the next thing to do was obvious. He'd taken on this task instead of leaving well enough alone. He should know better, he was old enough.

"Where are you trying to get to?"

He considered handing her off to someone less misanthropic, but her nature was in doubt. What a pain...

"There," the woman said and raised her right arm in tandem as she had before to offer it to Yoshiya, but this time her hand was not extended, just her forefinger as she pointed off in the distance behind Yoshiya. Her eyes made contact with his as she pointed and some deep power within her would compel Yoshiya to at the very least, turn his head to see where she was pointing if not turn in whole. Regardless, when he did look back to the woman, he would find her gone. In her place was a small satchel and within were herbs that were good to ease one's stomach or nerves.

SPOILER: Click to show

Yoshiya's 'treat' is an item off the item list!

Herb Bag - A tiny satchel with one good mouthful of a commonly found herb which can help to calm the nerves and uneasy stomachs. Limit one bag at a time.

You may post your exit to collect your item, then I will allot RP.

He was stunned at her sudden disappearance. An examination of the immediate area revealed little more than a small satchel and his discarded cloak. "Check that she hasn't turned invisible." Yoshiya swept the room with his staff, showing his familiarity with his weapon. Nothing. She was gone.

He gave up. Enough strange things had happened this morning. Who knows what she was? He pushed the thought out of his mind. Just one more item of business before he got back to work.

After collecting his cloak and the satchel (but not before inspecting it) he went to search the point she had indicated. Same as before. Nothing.

He felt ill and teared up as a wave of melancholy struck him. How could she be lost and yet know the direction she was headed? It made no sense. Another nonsense upon another nonsense? And those beasts who were human but not human? Was he loosing his grip on sanity? He clasped his staff tightly, panting. What was going on?

"NO! YOSHIYA! SNAP OUT OF IT! FOCUS MAN AND PERSEVERE!" He smacked himself in the head to clear his mind.

Ok. He was all right. He would get back to work. He would go on. That was his purpose. Yes. He was Yoshiya Watson. That was who he was and what he shall be.

He went back to the fields and tried to lose himself in the earth, digging up crops. This was his place for this time. May the peace continue.

[EXIT]

Thread Rewards:

Yoshiya - 4 RP & 1 Herb Bag

Points and item added, thread locked.