21 April 2023
It all came together. I’m thinking that, in order to establish the yokai army as a threat, they’ve already destroyed a town, and are on their way to Nanmoku; Hanko and the construction duo pass through the ruined city on their way. Still figuring out how they beat the army to Nanmoku; maybe they don’t, and Hanako lays into them from the rear. I’d miss some of the Mikuzume/Hanako banter before, but if that’s what’s best…
Anyway, as part of figuring all that out, it gave me more focus for what she’s doing in Chizu. She’s just stopping to get supplies, maybe grab any extra info she can from the dad, and then going to book it for Nanmoku. Not sure if I carried that urgency into this yet; I’ll have to edit it a few times more before I’m satisfied.
Hanako spent the next day or two making sure no other yokai patrols were wandering near the new Chizu. When she arrived back, she ignored…
…speak with the oni. “Good to see you’re still in one piece. Any news?”
“I ran into an oni scouting party about five miles from here. They said they’d come from Tsurui.”
Keiko’s expression turned grim. “We’ve gotten a handful of refugees. It… doesn’t sound good.”
“And I think they’re targeting Nanmoku next,” Hanako said. She bit her lower lip. “I sent a father and daughter the oni had captured this way. Have they…?”
Keiko nodded. “They’re here; arrived yesterday, in fact. I assigned the father to the mess tent, if you wanted to speak with him.”
Hanako nodded. She needed all the information she could get before she headed to Nanmoku. “Thanks.”
She turned to leave but Keiko stopped her. “Wait. Before you head back out, would you drop by and visit Chiaki? Nothing we do seems to be helping.”
Hanako’s heart tightened. “Are you sure she’ll even want to see me?”
Keiko paused. “Honestly, I don’t know. But even if she doesn’t, I’m hoping that will at least snap her out of this.”
After a moment, Hanako nodded. Hopefully she wouldn’t just make things worse.
She started with the mess tent; it wasn’t too far from Keiko’s headquarters. A handful of people she passed smiled at her, but the vast majority either scowled or refused to meet her gaze. That was fine. Hanako was fine. She was used to it, after all. Right?
She approached the head chef, who gave her a disapproving look. “What do you want?”
Hanako forced a smile. “I’m looking for someone. A father, just came in yesterday. From Tsurui?”
The chef stared at her a long moment, then grunted and gestured toward the servers. Hanako found the father minding a pot of rice, ready for the lunch rush that would be starting soon.
As Hanako approached, the father started, then peered closer at her. “Are… Are you that oni girl that rescued us?”
“Ah, yeah.” Hanako reached up and showed him the talisman. “This lets me pass for human, as long as I don’t use my oni abilities. Normally,” and she took it off, “I look like this.”
As her horns reappeared on her head, everyone around her started muttering. Some hissed, others cursed; it caused a lot of panic. Hanako pretended not to notice and put it back on.
Current Draft of Hanako’s story (including unposted content)