Gate of Memoirs/Communion

Contacting the dead is one thing -- the restless dead, another.
Eyinhel: Seabound Song Episode 2—Spared to the Sea—
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Cordelica"	Music: "Cordelica"
 	
*Eyinhel.
*An island inaccessible by normal means, seen only in that dream-world of shadows and dust.
*Thanks to the fox-demon Hakuzo, you find yourself upon its mist-tinted shores,
 	
*but the sole inhabitant you recognize doesn't seem very pleased at your intrusion.
*Aoife: ...Why are you here?
 	
*Hakuzo: We haven't met in so long, and this is how you greet an old acquaintance?
 	
*Aoife: You are *sorely* mistaken about our relationship.
 	
*Hakuzo: When you put it that way, perhaps I am.
 	
*You cough into your fist.
 	
*Hakuzo: Where are my manners? This is .
*Hakuzo: Since I've upheld my end of the bargain, I'll leave them here until they're finished.
*Hakuzo: Please do be nice to your only visitor in, what, decades? Centuries?
 	
*Aoife: Leaving already?
 	
*Hakuzo: Oh? Did you want me to stay?
 	
*Aoife: Don't flatter yourself.
 	
*Hakuzo smirks and steps away, idly strolling up and down the beach.
*Left with Aoife, you decide to make the most of your situation and explain your strange visions.
*Despite your best efforts, however, one particular entity's name keeps slipping your mind.
*It came unbidden to you once before, but now the sounds are trapped in your throat.
*Regardless, you press on with your purpose—to find out about the island.
 	
*Aoife: I...see.
*Aoife: I can't say I know whoever this...entity that sent you here, is...
 	
*Aoife: But an age or so ago there were people here, yes.
*Aoife: Now, all that is left behind is dust and ash.
*Aoife: Whyever you would find yourself drawn here is beyond me.
 	
*You take a chance and ask about her past as a demon.
 	
*Aoife: ...Where did you hear that story?
 	
*Aoife throws a dirty look at Hakuzo, who raises his hands defensively.
 	
*Hakuzo: I had nothing to do with that.
 	
*Aoife: As I've said, nothing remains, and this will never change.
*Aoife: Ask the ghosts if you are so inclined. I do not wish to speak of it.
*Aoife: And take your fox with you. HE can kindly leave me alone.
 	
*Hakuzo's foxish smile grows wry.
 	
*But before he can say anything—likely to provoke Aoife further—he gives a somewhat insincere bow and walks away.
*You turn to follow him, but you think you see Aoife incline her head at you with a strange look on her face.
 	
*Aoife: ...You shouldn't have come here.
*Aoife: Don't stay too long.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Land of Giants"	Music: "Land of Giants"
 	
*You follow Hakuzo up the narrow path overlooking the stretch of beach.
*The fox-demon stands, one arm akimbo, an irritated hand on his face.
 	
*Hakuzo: As ornery as ever. She never did like company, save for *that* person.
 	
*Hakuzo: Nothing much else you can get out of her in that state.
 	
*In any case, what had Aoife meant by "asking the ghosts"?
 	
*Hakuzo: Now that, I can do.
 	
*Hakuzo: This is going on your tab, you know that?
 	
*You roll your eyes, but a small pang of fear runs down your spine.
*You'll deal with that when this is all over.
*Taking a knee, Hakuzo runs his gloved fingers across the ground.
*In the fading sunlight, tiny lights drift upward from the dust,
*and before long, a small constellation of motes dances around the two of you.
*They coalesce into vague humanoid figures—some seemingly in the blush of youth, others withered with age.
 	
*Hakuzo: Huh. That's a lot more than I remembered...
 	
*A pulse—and in an instant you find yourself assailed by phantom claws as the figures descend upon you in a cacophony of howls.
 	
*Hakuzo: What—!