A sharp look came from the man as Jadira's harsh words were only working to rile him up further. However, for his sister's sake he kept himself controlled. It was clear in his eyes that he wasn't going to overlook this, though. But that sudden appearance of a storm had drawn the attention of those around, now looking with a mixture of curiosity and reservation. Murmuring went through the crowd once more, but quieter this time. "What was that? I've never seen anything like it…" "Strange, how strange!" "Binbougami…could it be?" There was a word which caused the horned man's expression entirely, to where he was alarmed. "…Binbougami?" The younger sister peeked from behind, tugging on his sleeve. "Brother? What's a 'binbougami'?" The man was hesitant to say, then lowered his head to whisper. "…It is a spirit that brings misfortune wherever it goes."

In the legends of Nisshoki, old wives' tales and hearsay spoke of beings which would possess or inhabit places, bringing all sorts of unfortunate events. So whenever someone had a string of bad luck, they would assume it was the work of a spirit of misfortune. When one's luck changed for the better they believed the spirit left. Yet even in Kujishoku, a real binbougami had not been around for many years. A hush fell over some of the crowd as they parted, making way for a woman with raven black hair and a fine porcelain complexion. With eyes painted with red, her kimono reached the floor and had many layers. "So what is this talk of a binbougami I hear?" Now close enough for both Jadira and Shiloh to see, the woman too had a pair of horns, sprouting from the upper portion of her forehead. The horned man bowed immediately, with eyes to the ground. "…Lady Shizuka."

"A thunderstorm suddenly appeared over the city, then vanished. Do you know something, Kanzo?" She smiled, her eyes drawn to the unmasked human. Her gaze was intently focused, as if she were searching Shiloh from head to toe. "Hmm, so this is the rumored binbougami? The old records depicted gods of misfortune as elderly ragged men. Though they are infamous for bringing misfortune, under the right conditions one could turn into a god of fortune." Shiloh was too stressed to say anything,  as she suspected this individual was likely of high station. Even if she made a run for it, she didn't know where to run to. The horned lady chastised the horned man. "Tsk tsk, Kanzo you should know better than to show such blatant disrespect. However, I have never seen a human with such a strong aura of misfortune hanging about them. What brings you here?"

Swallowing, Shiloh gave as short of a response as she could. "I fell in through the Menomori border on accident, I was just leaving." The lady nodded, understanding. "I see. Kujishoku is a vast realm, entering so unexpectedly must have been quite a shock. In which direction do you plan on leaving?" Shiloh paused, realizing she couldn't answer. "You don't know which way the entrance to the border is, do you?" Reluctantly, she shook her head. The lady suppressed a laugh, amused. "Kanzo, Mika–there is no reason for alarm. This stranger has merely lost her way. I doubt she is a binbougami, nevertheless I cannot be sure that she is a human either. Allow me to give you my name. I am Lady Shizuka of the Onizuka clan, wife of General Shuten. And you esteemed, stranger?" 

Bowing in the same fashion as Kanzo had, Shiloh carefully chose her words. "Lady Shizuka, this one is known as Shiloh–the current steward of the fortress south of the Tori Mountains, please pardon the intrusion." Spending time in Nisshoki allowed her to pick up certain forms of honorific speech used in addressing various people of status. This was why she chose to refer herself as 'this one' instead of using 'I'. The crowd was dwindling, the rest of the beings going back to their business. Kanzo however was not so happy with this turn of events. Mika shyly came and spoke up. "Thank you for saving me…" She then offered a small pouch made from flower-patterned cloth, which Shiloh took graciously. Also there was the fact she didn't want to displease Mika's brother or Lady Shizuka, but she generally wasn't cold to children.

Jadira was surprised when the rest of a crowd had began murmuring about a binbougami. She had only heard that word used once when she was a child but that was just during a story that she couldn't quite remember. Suddenly a beautiful but strange woman approached them. It was obvious that she was of high standing based on her clothes and the way that people treated her. Jadira stayed quite and listened as the woman spoke to Shiloh. A binbougami could transform into a god of fortune? Now that is a story that she had never heard of before. Jadira couldn't help but wonder if Shiloh was actually a binbougami.


Despite her being high stature Jadira was ready to help Shiloh, and herself, escape if it was needed. Although Jadira wasn't certain where they could run she knew that they couldn't chase them forever. The women continued on speaking once Shiloh gave out her explanation. This woman seemed to be rather kind to Shiloh despite all the chaos, which made Jadira herself respect the woman a lot more and when Shiloh decided to bow, so did Jadira. Partially because of her kindness, partially because she didn't want to get into trouble. However Jadira didn't say anything unlike Shiloh who properly introduced herself. After all Jadira had not been talked to and nobody had asked her anything.Yet it was also interesting to know that the woman did not take not of her. After all Jadira was also an intruder but perhaps it was the disguise that kept her out of mind. And the fact that Jadira had not caused any sort of alarm or mess, besides scolding the older brother for being an idiot. Well that didn't matter anyway.


Jadira wanted to make sure that they both got out of here and into the regular world as soon as possible. She knew that time did pass differently here. For all they knew they could have been gone for a few seconds or for a few months. Perhaps even years. Or at least that's what the stories she was told explained. Either way it was not a good idea to chance it. Shiloh and her both entered this realm at the same time and they traveled to the same place and somewhat helped each other. Although Jadira is certain that Shiloh doesn't realize that she isn't from here, they still were together. Jadira would see this through and make sure they both came out safely at the same time.


While Shiloh and the little girl were talking, a strange cat started to approach the group. It seemed to be a normal black cat but Jadira did not trust it whatsoever. Normally cats were fine but after the dog incident she didn't really trust any animals in this realm to be harmless. Jadira kept an eye on it while staying next to Shiloh. Jadira wished she could take off the mask but she wasn't too keen on revealing that two people happened to fall into a highly protected realm at the same time. It would probably make them both seem suspicious. She decided to just wait until they started heading to the border. Then they both would be able to leave. 

Formalities now aside, Shiloh felt it was time to address the figurative elephant in the room. "Lady Shizuka, please forgive my rudeness. I am afraid my time in this realm would only cause greater disruption, and wish to return to the realm of mortals. As you have discerned, misfortune has a terrible tendency to follow wherever I go. In most cases the effects are limited to myself, however there are occasions where it can spread to those around me." Lady Shizuka contemplated her words before giving a nod. "Yes, I understand, traveler. For one such as yourself I can imagine staying in a single place would not be advantageous for you. But you should not dwell on your misfortune–after all, you were quite fortunate to have come here despite not knowing the way." With a motion of her hand, a vulpine spirit emerged from a cloud of wisps, and rested on her shoulder. "I will send a guide to lead you back to the entrance of Kujishoku. May fortune smile on you in the land of mortals as it has for you here."

Shiloh bowed deeply, this time kowtowing low to the ground. "…I graciously accept your benevolence, Lady Shizuka. May you and your house be forever blessed." The fox familiar leaped off the shoulder of its master and began walking towards the gate Shiloh had came through to enter the city. Rising and giving another bow to the lady, Shiloh prepared herself to leave. It was strange; this place reminded her so much of the time she had fallen through the Veil, yet she had been met with civility. That time back then, all she remembered was heart-wrenching fear of what would emerge from the next corner. Was it true that there were spirits who were wholly benevolent? As much as she wanted to believe, her past experiences still left her with its share of doubt. Things had ended better than she could have ever imagined. Shiloh only hoped it would continue to stay that way until she was back on the other side. 

Jadira listened as Shiloh talked to Lady Shizuka. It was obvious that Jadira needed to go with them. The best possible choice for her in the situation would be just to follow and keep the mask on. That way she would seem as though she was just helping Shiloh get back to the surface. After the discussion with Lady Shizuka, Jadira bowed to the lady in order to show respect. In case the lady knew that she was only a simple elf and so that the lady would not be offended if she didn't show respect. Before they left, that small cat had suddenly appeared next to Jadira's legs and began rubbing it's fur onto her kimono. Then it hopped up onto her shoulder and touched it's cold nose to Jadira's ear. It seemed that it was about to whisper something for her to hear but not a sound came from it. The cat then hopped off her shoulder and ran off, back into the city. Jadira hoped that there weren't any consequences if a fey cat touched her. Or got its fur on her. Yet the deed was done and there was nothing that she could do about it. Jadira then noticed the simple mask on the ground. It was scratched up and damaged but still might become useful to Shiloh later. So Jadira picked it up and walked over to Shiloh. 

"I believe this is yours. Friend." Jadira said holding out the mask to Shiloh, "We both have simple masks. I think we are more similar than you may realize." 

Jadira was also trying to give out the hint that she was not fey but instead a normal person. However she would not take off her mask or state that fact plainly in case somebody would get angry that there were two fallen intruders instead of just one. The last thing Jadira wanted to do was cause more trouble. However she was ready to finally be able to leave. To get the chance to go to an inn and not have to worry about a mask or follow somebody around like a lost puppy. At the same time, she wondered if she would ever be able to return to this place or if she would ever meet Shiloh again. Most likely not, but it was an interesting thought. Perhaps they would end up helping each other out once again. Maybe one day.