Of Lantern Bugs and Edacious Thugs

A marble of flesh rolls around the table, navigating through the array of plates and bowls lying about. Its smooth surface bubbles and deforms as it's molded, like clay, stretching out into an oval-like shape with several appendages drawn out from the mass. They gradually become more detailed until the forms of legs, wings, and a tail are recognizable. The rolling becomes a proud stride, and it pounces on a plate with a tentacle lathered in a pink sauce to test its new claws. Finally, fur and feathers explode in vibrant patches of color, leaving only the head missing.

Xinlin squeezes the octopus-like creature the tentacle belongs to between her chopsticks and sucks it down her throat with an irreverent slurp as she watches her creation as glide between the dishes. Everything feels right, but it's the look she's concerned with. A variety of possible heads emerge from and recede back into its neck as she searches for one that satisfies her, while the colors of the hair and fur constantly shift. Beaks, snouts, teeth, and eyes of all shapes bubble up and pop as a result of her indecision. Her frustration grows, and the creature's whole body begins to bulge obscenely, threatening to burst.

But it stops as soon as it starts. Not just that, but Xinlin freezes in the midst of bringing another portion to her waiting mouth. The familiar scent of salt, medicine, and holy water — the scent of an Exorcist — wafts into the Hunter's Lodge. A subtle ripple runs through the whole of her body as it adjusts itself for danger, and her eyes focus on the entryway. There, a fair-haired woman with ears that end in points and horns that taper into flames stands. Her eyes meet Xinlin's, and she makes her way over to the Undead's table without hesitation.

"You're Miss Xinlin, correct?"

Xinlin frowns at the question, her eyes flicking from the Overseer's badge on the woman's person to her horns. There was no reason for an Overseer who smelled like an Exorcist to be looking for her. Not any she liked, at least. Few people approached her unless it was for business or to deal with her.

"Am I in trouble? Are you here to hurt me?"

She delates as she stuffs another strange morsel into her mouth, bringing her legs up and curling into a ball as she hangs her head low. "OK. We can fight after I finish."

The Overseer's expression turns to confusion as she watches the woman shovel food into her mouth. While the rate of her consumption is curious, and the formation of mouths and grasping tongues across her body to facilitate it even more so, the woman's mind lingers over the implications of Xinlin's words. They suggest that strangers assaulting her isn't an unusual occurrence. Rather, it's entirely expected.

The darkness of her aura is a potent hint as to why. The exterior is pleasing, but what lies within is rotten. Such a foul creature has no right to lament any punishment that may come its way. If the worst came to pass, it would be treated more like property damage than anything. She'd been rather costly to put together, after all, so most were obliged not to take a proactive approach.

Yet the Overseer shakes her head. An exorcism wasn't in the card, this time. "I am Aoi, and I was hoping to utilize your services."

Xinlin's head doesn't turn back to Aoi, but a sea of tendrils extends towards her. They move all around her figure with curiosity, particularly her horns, but never go as far as to touch. Still, Aoi shifts uncomfortably as she tries to avoid them. Then, they withdraw, and Xinlin throws her head from side to side.

"You absolutely must be an Exorcist. If you were a normal Overseer, I could believe you, but there's no way an Exorcist would want me. Show me the contract if this is a request from the Lunar Temple." She was free to accept jobs as she pleased when not acting on behalf of the House of Catacomb, but anything important was to go through an elder. It is essential for them to finalize the details of her responsibilities and ensure that both she and the Great House are adequately compensated, first and foremost.

Again, Aoi shakes her head this time with a slight chuckle. My request comes solely from me. I assume you are aware that the Night of Lantern Bugs is approaching? I would like you to accompany me."

"Yes!" She springs out of her seat and leans in towards the Overseer with a wide grin on her face. Her suspicions remain, but are quieted by her excitement. The strangeness of a woman she had never met inviting her to spend the festival together cannot compare to the intense desire to experience the festival. In her short life, she had at most been able to view revelry from afar.

Another mouth opens, and a tendril pulls a pen and a piece of parchment out to offer to Aoi. The overseer takes the pen hesitantly, examining it. Upon inspection, it seems to be made from a length of bone, not cut into shape but formed for this purpose, and the red substance that stains the nib is most certainly blood. However, the viscosity is different from what it should be; it has clearly undergone a process to make it more 'inky.'

More tendrils point out where she must sign. "Here, here, and here. But first, is this rate within your range?"

"It is... but isn't this a little low? Deals with members of the Catacomb don't usually come so cheap."

"Well, going to the festival isn't all that hard, and I don't think I should charge too much for a date."

"D-Date?"

"Mmm. Do we even need a contract for a date?"

"Please, Miss. I'm afraid you're mistaken about my intentions. I was hoping that you would..."

But Xinlin isn't listening. Instead, she finishes off her meal and beckons her creation onto her shoulder. A lizard-like head has settled onto its shoulder, and atop its brow are a pair of horns that end in jets of blood. She nods along to Aoi's attempts at clarification, her mind wandering to thoughts of the approaching festival. The seasonal treats, shows, games, and the titular lantern bugs would all be new experiences for her. Of course, she was also excited for her first festival to coincide with her first date. Even if she had no real understanding of what constituted one, she'd read novels, and they sounded nice.