Completed [Rearing Stallion] Manipulating the Intangible (Maduro)

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri 20th of Bell, 68th of Spring, 513 AV Why am I here again? Kouri wondered as she found herself inside the fated tavern. The tavern where she first met Cyrus Blackfire, her master and mentor. Why... She couldn't found the answer, perhaps it was out of her ghostly instinct to visit the places she had fond memories of. A haunting impulse if one might say. Kouri looked down, avoiding the stares she got from the various patrons of the establishment. But she didn't have to worry, most people do not want any problems with one of the dead so no one dared to make a say against her chilling presence. She floated to the corner of the tavern, finding an empty chair and table. She sat on the chair and began contemplating. It has been five days since the expedition at the Suvan Sea... Not more than five days ago, she along with Cyrus joined the Svefra in the hunt for the Pirate Captain Braten. During that time, she went on a bloodlust rampage and for the first time in her life... willingly took a human's life, even though they were enemies, they were still living breathing human under the orders of their superiors. I... I killed people... I... I'm no better than the beast... who killed my family... Kouri put her hands on the table and leaned her head on her hands. She felt great regret, if she had to do this more to reach her Master's goals... she wasn't sure sh-.. No! She shook her head and narrowed her eyes. If if it means slaughtering a whole country... she would do it, she would see that his ambitions succeed... Kouri continued to sat at the dark corner silently. Enjoying the tavern's noise for once.

[Maduro Salvitary]

When he saw a floating ghost his general impression was to walk over and say something. I mean who wouldn't want to hear about a dashing tale of Maduro hanging out with a ghost? It looked like a sad little thing, that wanted comfort.

Unfortunately this time Maduro bit a tad more then he knew how to properly handle.

Fancy cocktail in hand, with a perplexed look on his face.

It was unreal, a ghost?

What could he possibly say to make a ghost feel better? I'm sorry you died, can I buy you a drink? He didn't know how to handle that, of course being the lad that he was he'd still take the jump and sit next to the spooky ghost child thing...

Clearing his throat

Hi

Ummm I'm sorry you died ?!? Uhhh why do you look so gloomy ?!?? Uhhhh you can hang out with me, if it will make you feel better. Uhhh can I get you a water or a snack, errrr...

You don't eat people right?!?!

Maduros expression was grim, he was trying to be polite and courteous and despite not knowing how to.

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri Hearing something that was most likely directed at her and the presence of someone near her, Kouri slowly lifted her head and observed the direction of the voice. Very long strands of ethereal white hair slightly covered her face, but it soon magically moved out of her face as if an invisible hand was brushing it. Her eyes locked itself on the nearest figure that was facing her. A man with dark hair, icy blue eyes, and... Wow... he's... cute... his handsome facial features. His black hair and icy blue eyes contrasted greatly with Kouri's silvery white hair and crimson red eyes. Almost everything about them was different, from the physical traits, gender, build, height, and demeanor. It was like they represented each side of yin-yang. The man's face emitted an aura that seemed to specifically captivate females, even one of the dead like Kouri. His right hand was holding some kind of drink and a confused expression on his face. It's if he was trying to say something to her. He then greeted her and showered her with questions... his voice was kind of nervous. What the? Kouri tilted her head to side, confused. Was this man trying to pick a fight with her? With all his seemingly offending questions. She noticed that one of those questions were invitation for her to hang out with him. .....oh! Perhaps he only wants to talk to me, but... he doesn't understand a ghost... sigh... like some poeple... Kouri looked up to him and flashed him a small smile. "Hmm? Don't be so nervous, Sir. I would be glad to have company, please... sit down." She elegantly motioned the chair in front of her, offering the man a seat. "And for your information... yes... I already died... and you don't have to buy me food or drink, I cannot eat anymore..." She answered his questions, but avoided the 'Why do you look so gloomy?' and the man-eater accusation as she thought it was absurd and he spouted it out of confusion. "My name is Fubuki Kouri, may I know your name, Sir?" She introduced herself and ask for the same thing in return.

[Maduro Salvitary]

Maduro couldn't get over the fact that Fubuki was a ghost, it blew his mind so to speak.

He was offered a seat and he sat down next to her, his azure eyes met the scarlet red of the little haunt. He gaze did not swagger as he tried to figure her out, well the physical aspect of it all. Like a hazy dust, or an outline, perhaps a colored shadow of ones former past it was all very fascinating if just a bit on the spooky side.

Pardon my manners or lack there of, I'm just at a loss for words.

He kept his hands to himself but part of him wanted to pat the ghost girl ontop of the head to see if she retained her form. He didn't think it was a smart idea but the thought had crossed his mind.

My names Maduro, it's nice to meet you Fubuki

His gaze shifted to his drink and he picked it up, brought it to his lips and took a hardy gulp before placing it back down.

The Mage in him screamed experimentation but the scoundrel he was felt like prying. So sullen and depressed a moment ago. He had a way with reading women, she might have been a child but he knew she was trying to cover something up.

Of course the first step was admitting you needed help.

He was back in his element you could almost tell by the level of confidence in his voice, though not to be confused with arrogance he was just back in tempo.

[B]So why did you look so upset? If you don't eat is there anything I can do to make you feel better? You can talk to me[\b]

Maduro might have been a bed conquering womanizer but he was still human, and part of this was tugging at him. A little dead ghost child in the corner of a room sulking, it made him realize that he still had something of a concience.

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri The dark-haired man sat down next to Kouri. Kouri was rather nervous, it was seldom that a human could approach her in a friendly tone, some of them avoided her, and some of them even cursed her. The man's willingness to approach her willingly scored major points within Kouri's mind, she felt trust building inside of her. Kouri was a very easy person to get along with, just shower her with affection and love then she will consider one as her close friend or a parental figure, depending on one's age. "It's okay, Sir... I understand, I get that a lot..." This man was a gentleman, she was sure of it. The way he articulate his words and tone was akin to a well-educated man. Kouri figured she should act lady-like in conversing with this azure-eyed man, using the etiquette her mother taught her. "Sir Maduro, o ho ho ho~ It honors me to be your acquaintance" She let out a noblewoman laugh though with her child-like voice, it sounded cute rather than haughty or elegant. He then sipped his drink, the liquid flowed down to his mouth. Kouri couldn't help but felt envious. Sure, being a ghost has its benefits, she didn't have to eat, drink, or sleep anymore; however the act of eating, drinking, and sleeping brought pleasure in itself... now she couldn't relish that pleasure anymore, except by eating Soulmist produced by Spiritist. The pleasure was so great, she almost felt addicted. She wanted more... and more and more, her hunger will never be satiated. Then Maduro asked her a question, asking her why she was upset and is there anything he could do to make her feel better. Kouri appreciated his concern, but this man was still a stranger to her and as much as she liked his appearance, attitude, and friendliness. The reason for her melancholy mood earlier was rather... private. She decided to deny his questions even though it was true. "No, Sir... I wasn't upset, it just that I have a lot in my mind... ahaha, I appreciate your concern, just talking to you is already making me feel better, Sir Maduro" She beamed him a rather forced smile. Kouri was never a good actress. She was a singer, a singer who let her feelings flow through her songs, she wasn't used to holding them up inside.

[Maduro Salvitary]

So if you can't eat or drink are there things you like?

Maduro asked, he wasn't sure what pleases ghosts but for general knowledge it would be nice to have something to reference.

You could tell from his facial features he was excited and intrigued to be having a real life conversation with a ghost. It was delightful, and the ghostly child was especially friendly. And she wasn't trying to eat his brains

It came suddenly a haughty noblewoman laugh, or at least some kind of high pitched pip squeek attempt.

Maduro quirked a brow to this.

Well Ah ho ho to you to

Trying to mimick the laugh but dare not attempt the pitch at which it had come.

He was having a good time

But then she seemed to flutter out that fake laugh followed by a grimacing forced smile. Like a woman trying to tell a man that she had no interest, only to have that man not get it.

He felt the need to pry a little

He looked down his cheerful demeanor diminished and he looked terribly disturbed like his feelings had been hurt.

But..

I thought we were friends?

Friends don't keep secrets from each other

He looked at the table and sadly spoke to her as if she crushed his feelings

You don't want to be my friend

Maduro would do what he did best, he spun this feeling on guilt as he drew from his Djed. It wove into this feeling an Emotional Response it was a very sullen guilty feeling. And when he had that feeling complete he whisked it her.

The idea was to make her feel guilty, make her think she had ruined a friendship unless she fessed up

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri "Of course... I like singing, playing with my friends, and fly~" She listed some of her favorite activities to Maduro. Even though Kouri does not realize it conciously, she also likes to prank people, see people suffer, and... killing her enemies gruesomely. It's the insane part of her mind that never recovered ever since the tiger brutally killed her. Kouri could see the man was enjoying conversing with her, that made her feel happy and chipped away her melancholic mood. His effort of mimicking her laugh brought a giggle to her voice, his male voice did not suit well for the laugh. "Hmm?" Kouri tilted her head in confusion when Maduro's expression suddenly changed, from cheerful to heavily disturbed. "What's the matter?" Kouri thought she had offended this man in someway, she didn't want him to leave. Then he spoke like someone whose heart had just been broken. "W-what? U-uhm... y-you are my friend, b-but we only just met.. s-so you're not my friend yet... b-but! Don't get me wrong! Y-you're my friend, just not... friend friend..." Kouri tried her best to explain her feelings, but it didn't come out the way she wanted to. "U...uuuh... eeeh..." She fiddled with her hair ribbons, unsure on what to do. She didn't want Maduro to think she's cold, but she also didn't want to share her private matters with him... yet. "S-sir... I..." She materialized herself and was about to touch him when... Ah... I... I don't... She suddenly felt guilt was over here. She suddenly thought that her new relationship with Maduro would end if she didn't share her feelings, and she was the one to blame for ending it. "N-no! I... I do, I want to be your friend... it's just... it's just that... I... t-this is kind of private..." Kouri mentioning the source of her melancholy as 'private' was already a sign in itself that she's opening up. I think it's okay to tell him... he's my friend, right? She then held Maduro's right hand with her left. "W-well... I... I felt regret b-because I... killed people... t-they were enemies, b-but... I still killed them... I broke everything Mama told me not to do..." She spoke in a low whisper as if in a dilemma whether to let it out or not.

[Maduro Salvitary]

So she wasn't as innocent as she seemed

He kept his composure as she fell apart in front of him like a house of cards, tumbling and fumbling all the way down.

Maduro smiled in a friendly manner, his body language was warm and inviting.

There there it's ok

His hand outstretched to gently pay and comfort the distressed ghost child, he would take careful measures not to touch her hair ribbons

He took careful approach as he leaned in close using his charm to try and help alleviate the damage he had done. His sky blue eyes peered into Fubukis scarlet as if he could see into rather then through her.

I forgive you

Simple words delivered in tones that, would let her know it would be alright.
Even though she had been ever so Cruel to her new friend.

You can trust in Maduro he's not like those fair weather friends.

His attention focused to his drink and he took a sip, as his demeanor relaxed and he became his bubbly up beat high tempo self.

Sometimes things happen, this isn't a fair world, and it can be unpleasant.
They made there choice, they wanted to hurt you. Do you think your mom would have wanted them to hurt you? She isn't here anymore, and you have to protect yourself.

That's what your mom would have wanted.

Words of comfort, to sooth a troubled mind.

Delivered in a hushed whisper

It's how she delivered the sentence he intended to twist it, to use her memory not to self scold but rather to find a peace of mind that she wasn't mad.

[Fubuki Kouri]

Fubuki Kouri "Uuun..." Cooing like a baby, Kouri closed her eyes and smiled warmly, relishing the warm touch of Maduro's hand patting her head. So warm... he's so warm... I want more... Kouri was almost in a trance. Ever since she became a ghost, she always craved for the body warmth of the living, endlessly sucking it while giving her frost touch in return. Not many people appreciated this, it's not uncommon for her to be scorned and cursed just because she materialized herself and touched someone to call them. She slowly opened her eyes and looked upwards, locking her crimson eyes with Maduro's sky blue. His next words brought warmth, this time in her heart and mind. He forgave her... for some unknown reason, the notion of Maduro forgiving her brought great joy and relief. She couldn't contain her delight as she quickly hugged Maduro from the side, circling her arms around his upper waist. "Yes... Sir, I trust you..." Her voice was rather dreamy and slurred, like she was being hypnotized. "Eh... what?" Kouri suddenly spoke, her voice strangely filled with confusion. "No... they didn't want to hurt me... those pirates didn't even have anything to do with me." Kouri released her hug and looked at Maduro suspiciously, it seemed that Maduro's inaccurate deduction made her subconsciously realized something was wrong. "I was the one who applied to join the Svefra with Master. I am the attacker, they merely defended themselves." She explained, her voice now clear and precise. "My mother... no, you're wrong... my mother would never let me join a group of warriors to go to war in the first place... how could you say that?" Kouri tilted her head, this time her pupils visibly narrowed into reptilian-like slits, a sign that Kouri was either annoyed, angry, or in a rage. All in all, it was not a friendly sign. "Say... Sir Maduro, what did you do to me?" She wasn't really sure, but she had the gut feeling that something was wrong and it was because of him.

[Maduro Salvitary]

It seemed as if things had been going well enough, the spirit absolutely loved warmth. The only problem with this, is that it was like he was dousing his hand in icey cold water. It was uncomfortable almost unbearable but he did not let it show.

He could endure it.

Of course the most interesting thing was that when he used his natural charms the ghost seemed to trip over herself, slurring her speech. He almost thought that Fubuki was more mesmerized by him rather then the magic.

But then no sooner then she said I trust you she pulled away.

Damage control went from perfect to disaster, but that's what he got for making assumptions. This whole mess was still salvageable, as she basically spilled herself out on the table to defend that she had done terrible things.

Fubuki even went so far as to accuse Maduro of doing something.

Yes your right, I'm sorry for just jumping to conclusions.

It's just your my friend and I wanted you to feel better

Maduro smiled in the face of dialated pupils and finger pointing accusations. What had he done except jump into the fray and tell her she wasn't a bad person.

Was me being nice to you to much? Are you afraid that you made a real friend?

Your not a bad person Fubuki your going to have to come to terms with it.

He acted confused shooting random questions, as if he had done nothing wrong but was looking for an answer as to what he might have done.