Even so, for some reason, after what had happened during the afternoon Kioku felt somewhat uneasy. She knew it was the right thing to do - regardless of what it was used for, the spirits connected to the sample needed peace. But she felt how the Rainbow Olm spirit had been drawn to her. How its eyes looked at her not only angrily, but ravenously.
Was it because of her connection to the lab?
...Was it because she should have been there?
She had felt often during these five years, of course. It should have been me instead. I should have been faster in finding a cure. I should never have left work that day.
Her rational side knew that would hardly have changed things. They lived nearby. They would all have been gone. But it didn't keep her from feeling like that. And now, with that ravenous look...
She shook her head, slowly, and look at the sample. She had promised to do this. Lingering on such thoughts would not help.
She concentrated on the sample, called to mind what she knew about it, looked at the notations Sumiko had left, and got to work.
Thread-weaving leathery spider ghost
Once again, the spirit within shows itself to Kioku - whether only in her mind was hard to say now, since she was the only one there. Instead of trying to bind her, the spirit lashed out at her, anger-filled eyes locked onto hers. It was less vicious than the Rainbow Olm sample was - perhaps the grudge it held was less personal? - but it still left a gash on her arm. Once again, she braced the assault and continued the ritual. Once again, when it was done, the spirit calmed down - this time becoming something odd, still amalgamated, but now clearly recognisable as including two moths, one spider and one bat. The strange mixed creature chirped, then disappeared.
Kioku let out a long sigh, then took a long breath. It took some time for her to notice that she was bleeding again. She moved her arms, they hurt a bit.
She whispered a silent prayer to the water spirits, asking them for their help at the same time as she thanked them for being by their side today while Kiyoshi had been helping her. She touches the gush in her arm, and it instantly closes, only a few bruises remaining.
"So much more work to do. But we'll bring you back. We will, right, Omoi-chan?", she said to no-one in particular, looking at the Rainbow Olm sample which was still above the table.
(/scene)
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Lore: Theology/ Intelligence to work on Sumiko's sample. 44/50 done. Exhausted if roll is less than 15 | 5k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: ?)
Mixed Deepblack Silk sample lashing out at Kioku | 2k1 ⇒ 9 (TN: ?) => total damage now 12, so nicked (-3).
Casting Path to Inner Peace. SR2, Water 2 - 4k2, -3 from nicked. TN 10 | 4k2 ⇒ 20 (TN: 10) - 10 Wounds healed; 2 Wounds remaining.