Video/Action; So very cursed down an abandoned road

[moonlitrequiem]

[The person known as Yin is seated at her piano, basking in the light of the moon. And on her face is an impossible smile. It's soft and gentle, like the light she's bathing in.]

However horrible it is here, I can't think it's all bad. Not when the moon comes out. Being in this light again makes it easier. This place isn't so awful. Not to me.

[After saying that, she starts to play the piano for a time. A far more happier tune than Yin might have picked. When she finishes, though, there's a slight frown of concentration as she reaches for the device. Her fingers flicker over the screen for a moment before it switches off.]

[Options for run ins:

[A - Day time, at the Welcome Center: Everyone will be greeted with a brilliant smile, whether co-worker or new arrival, or just stopping by.]

[B - Mid-day, on the streets: She's attempting to take the same path home as she did to work, but there are more people than there were in the early morning, and Yin's forehead crinkles in distress when she bumps against people that get irritated with her. She tries to politely explain it's difficult, but not everyone cares to listen. At times she feels the buildings and certain landmarks to continue on. Maybe she should get a seeing-eye dog that would get along with her cat?]

[C - Moonlit meeting in her apartment: For anyone that knows her well enough, they can meet at her apartment, where she plays the piano, far more than she has ever since she acquired it. The moonlight spills in from an open window, allowing anyone to either spy in.



[ooc: Post backdated to last night. Cursed with "Road not taken", what if Yin hadn't become a Doll. She's a normal teenage-adult, more aware of her place in the world as a woman. Perhaps scarred by past events, but still able to smile. Void of her specter and blind, but full of emotion.]

Comments

action - A

[anunluckypenny]

[Penny's out of the hospital after... well, after being tortured, but she's sure not going to tell everyone what happened. Especially not Yin, who seems so sad and damaged already and has done such a great job of keeping the Welcome Center going in her... ah, absence.

As soon as Yin comes in for work, Penny can tell that there's a curse going on. Smiling? What?]

Hey, Yin. How's it going?

action - A

[moonlitrequiem]

["Yin" doesn't react to Penny at first, not until she speaks, then her head perks up in Penny's direction and Yin walks closer to her, almost eagerly.]

Did we get a new employee? I haven't met this Yin yet. But Penny, it's so good to hear your voice! Are you better now? Or were you just stopping by to see how things are going?

action - A

[anunluckypenny]

[Wha--]

You mean you don't...? Oh, no, I just--I'm back now and ready to work. Thank you so much for taking care of things while I was out.

[If that was her. Um.]

action - A

[moonlitrequiem]

...mean I don't what? [She actually looks perplexed!] I'm very glad to hear you're better and well enough to work, though. [Back to those smiles.] That means you must be doing very good.

And you're welcome. It was easy enough.

action - A

[anunluckypenny]

Sorry, nothing important! [These facial expressions are seriously confusing.] Yeah, I'm doing pretty well now. How about you? I didn't miss out on anything too crazy, did I?

action - A

[moonlitrequiem]

No. Everything was pretty quiet.

[She pulls away, feeling the conversation is winding down, and it's time to set things out.... How did she do this everyday? Her memory insisted she did, but now that Yin is about to attempt to set out pamphlets she can't tell which is which, or where they are. Her hands reach for the place she's sure they're supposed to be, but she just touches the wall.]

That's good, right?

action - A

[anunluckypenny]

Oh, good. I was afraid things wouldn't go well with all of the craziness that happened, so quiet's amazing.

[She notices Yin fumbling uncertainly.]

Hey, are you okay?

action - A

[moonlitrequiem]

[She looks frustrated, eyes not looking at the counter as she feels around.]

I-I just thought I left the brochures here, but I can't feel them. I must have left them somewhere else. [But she isn't sure where that could be. In fact, she might have the wrong spot of the counter. But she was so certain it was the same portion, judging by the distance from the wall. What was going on? Why were her memories not meshing with her capabilities?]

action - A

[anunluckypenny]

What is it...?

[Penny slides the pamphlets into the path of Yin's hand.]

You can't see?

B :3

[mortemscintilla]

[ If Hei had the slightest interest in art (he doesn't), he'd think Yin looks like a Fragonard -- those pretty pink and white ladies in the beautiful fluffy gowns. The ones who look like they'd shit rose petals if they shat at all -- everything about them so decorative and willowy and still. But since he has no idea who Fragonard is, and no interest in finding out, he simply studies Yin intently for a few moments, seated at an outdoor cafe. The characteristic Doll's blankness is completely absent from her face. It's strange how un-Yin-like that makes her seem. ]

[ But this isn't Yin, is it? Just a facet of the curse, floating down the street in pale pastel shades, occasionally bumping into passersby like a lost bonnet on a stream. ]

[ He stays where he is a few moments more, observing her. Then, as she crosses his spot, he gets up and merges into the crowd. His fingers close lightly around her elbow; leaning close, he murmurs, ]

You shouldn't be wandering around alone.

[ Naturally her specter can't help her. A tactical liability, but how is that different from any other curse? ]

B :3

[moonlitrequiem]

[She looks almost alarmed at first when Hei's fingers meet her skin. But even before he speaks she eases, recognizing the fit of his hand in hers.] Hei.... [Still, she doesn't smile right away, her eyes a little wide, her breath caught in her lungs.]

[When her lips do turn up, she takes Hei's whole arm and holds it.]

I needed to get back home, though. I've walked this way plenty of times. [At least, in her cursed mind she's managed the walk before, while blind. She's confused as to why it's suddenly difficult.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ It's weird. Seeing Yin display a range of expressions. Watching her curl around his arm, like some sleek white kitten dawdling for scraps. A youthful eagerness seems to well up into her glowing skin, her girlish smile. It makes Hei uneasy. To his credit, though, there's only the slightest shuttering of an expression on his face, there and gone again. His life -- as much by choice as circumstance (both become interchangeable, given enough time) -- has been pared down to the basics, and it's the same with his expressions. It makes him feel like the Doll here -- the stereotypical automaton -- while Yin radiates life. ]

[ Again. Weird. ]

[ At her words, he doesn't bother to explain it's a curse. Her memories have probably been teased into a different shape for today. Instead he says, ]

This way, you'll have less people bumping into you.

[moonlitrequiem]

[For now, she can't see the brief expression, so it makes no difference, or impression on "Yin", assuming she would have caught it with sight.]

I prefer this way.

[mortemscintilla]

[ At that, a smile -- or the ghost of one -- flits across his lips. Not pleased so much as amused. Indulgent. He has the distinct impression he's being flirted with -- she's giving off all the shyly playful signals that Korra does. But it's easy enough to ignore. This girl -- Yin, Kirsi, whoever the City's made her today -- is just someone he's watching out for. His prime objective is getting her home. ]

[ To her: ]

If there's something you need to pick up on the way, or later, let me know.

[ Not polite so much as matter-of-fact. It's rare of him to offer. But for Yin, he supposes he can make exceptions. ]

[moonlitrequiem]

[She shakes her head, skin and hair brushing against Hei's arm as she does.]

I have everything I need. [Kirsi nuzzles her cheek against Hei's arm.] Especially now.

[mortemscintilla]

[ He half-smiles again, but the expression doesn't reach his eyes -- it's thin, like he knows the name of that fluttering coyness in Yin's (Kirsi's) body-language, and he's being watchful in the wake of it. No, not watchful. Wary. Part of him wants to brush her off, and walk back the way he came. The other part just fixes on the glossy silver top of her head, a creeping unease in his stomach. She's so enchanting, this cursed facet of Yin -- but so completely alien to anything he knows about his teammate. So normal and vibrant that he can't relate to her at all. His profession has left marks -- invisible, irreversible -- that make it impossible for him to feel easy around anyone who's not jagged or broken. ]

[ He used to feel that way with Korra too, until his cruelty left dark smudges over her shine, like a mirror dulled by blackened fingertips. ]

[ Aloud, he says, equal parts dry and dismissive, ]

You sure about that? A guide dog would be useful.

[sleepingstar]

[Pai comes running and tackles Hei in a hug, shopping bags swinging in her hands.]

I've been looking EVERYWHERE for you!!!

action - A

[anatural]

[Don't mind Korra, she's just swinging by to pick up her last check.]

action - A

[moonlitrequiem]

[Not that Kirsi knows it's Korra. She looks up in the sound of the door opening and gives a bright smile.]

Hello, and welcome to the City. Here at the Welcome Center we can help you with a variety of things. Is there anything you need today?

[anatural]

[Korra blinks at him.]

Uh, no? Yin, are you okay?

[moonlitrequiem]

Korra? [She seems to light up.]

I'm not sure who Yin is, but it's good to hear from you. I thought you quit?

[anatural]

Picking up my last paycheck. You're Yin. [wtf is going on?]

[moonlitrequiem]

[She gives Korra a confused look.] My name is Kirsi. [Yet again, something that didn't fit with her memories.] And oh.... Do you know where it is? [Because paychecks. Where are those kept? And here she thought Korra might be coming back, just for a split second.]

[anatural]

That's news to me. [What the fuck is going on?]

[moonlitrequiem]

You're not the first person to seem confused. I must have given the wrong name before...?

Either way. Do you know where your paycheck is?