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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Mar 10, 2008 3:25:46 GMT -5
What both of them,she was suppose to aid both of these spirits in one night.One she could handle but two,shooting a glare at the bath witch this was so unfair.Just because of her acts four years ago,Yu-Baaba was saying she was the best in this bath house.In a way it was true,no one else helped that river spirit and boy what a stench it carried.
"Yes mam,it would be a pleasure to serve them both".
Turning she began to lead them towards the baths,now the first spirit she would gladly tend to in a very polite manner but this second one she was having second thoughts about.But not wanting to cause trouble and be punished,she better do as she was told.
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Mar 10, 2008 4:01:39 GMT -5
As night fell, and the bold moon replaced the departed sun, an energy lifted into the air of the Spirit World. Suddenly, the town sprang into life. The vendors were all hard at work in the marketplace, fixing up food and oddities to sell. The Spirits began to flood into town; some arrived by air (those that could fly), some by land, and others seemed to materialize out of nowhere. The ferry shipped a full load of passengers across the great sea that was a grassy field by daylight. The roar of the crowds grew louder, and everyone in the bath house knew the customers were arriving. Everyone manned their positions.
Yu-Baaba watched as Chihiro and the guests walked away. She then retreated to her usual spot at a balcony directly above the main desk. From this vantage point, she could watch as every guest entered, and be right at hand if there was any complication. She also had a decent view of the first few large rooms of tubs. She could keep an eye on the bulk of her workers, since most were crowded in these first rooms for the first part of the evening.
"Aburaya is officially open for business!" she declared. The huge doors of the bath house swung wide open and a flood of spirits entered in. "Welcome everyone," she called above the din. "We are honored to have you all as guests. We are in humble gratitude that you would choose our fine establishment over our many competitors. Here we have the rarest bath salts and soaps, finest service, as well as a wide assortment of gourmet delicacies - all for your relaxing pleasure." As the spirits pushed and shoved their way into the entrance hall, the foremen frantically tried to check everyone in. "Please, please, we have baths for everyone. No need to push!" they pleaded.
Yu-Baaba oversaw it all, waiting for things to slow down just a bit, so she could go check on how Chihiro was coming along . . .
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Mar 13, 2008 23:20:37 GMT -5
She first led Andrea to her bath,glaring at her all the while as she prepared it.It was always a battle to get bath tokens from the stupid foreman,leaving the dragon girl to her business Chihiro led the next spirit to another bathing area and prepared it's bath.She kept a smile on her face all the time,being polite was part of the job.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy the baths here,they are the best".
Looking around her eyes kept a lookout for Yu-Baaba,she had a feeling that bath crone would be watching her process.Blinking she made sure the spirit had everything it needed,she would worry about the witch later.That punishment she was suppose to recieve still fresh in her mind,wondering what it would be.
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Mar 14, 2008 0:43:16 GMT -5
The strange spirit was very quiet – serene almost. He continuously stared at Chihiro with those empty sockets, as if his lack of eyes somehow enabled him to see more deeply into her soul. He thanked her quietly for her care and relaxed in his tub.
Suddenly, after a few moments, he began to cough ceaselessly as if he was choking. Then suddenly, (after a deep, hacking cough) he spit out a large lump. The lump was actually a creature, all balled up. It sat up, and revealed itself as an exact duplicate of the spirit – down to the empty eye sockets…
The original spirit relaxed once again and didn’t seem to take any notice of his unexpected clone. The replica stared expectantly at Chihiro.
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Mar 14, 2008 0:52:18 GMT -5
"EEK........I mean,sir are you okay".
He just hacked up a strange clone,what kind of spirit was she dealing with.Okay Chihiro calm down,you have to be polite and just hope Yu-Baaba didn't hear that.What should she do,this thing was staring right at her.In truth it gave her the creeps,she had her share of spirits but this was something new.
Glancing around again she just stood by and waited,she had done her job of making sure the two spirits we're comfortable.But what was she suppose to do with this clone,leave it or tend to it she didn't know.
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Mar 14, 2008 1:14:11 GMT -5
The original just smiled (was that a smile?) and nodded calmly, then went back to soaking peacefully.
The replica continued to stare at her intently. Then in a high-pitched irritable voice, very opposite of it’s soft-spoken counterpart, he exclaimed, “Are you just going to stand around there all night, or are you going to get me something to eat? I’m STARVING!” Before he even had time to get the last words out, he began to have a coughing fit himself, and at the same moment, the original spirit began coughing again too. Then, at the same time (almost like a coordinated ritual), they each spit up a new double, both of which sat up and began to stare at Chihiro.
Now there were four spirits in total, and they were beginning to seem a bit cramped in that single tub.
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Mar 14, 2008 1:37:36 GMT -5
"Oh no oh no,what do I do".
She was going frantic now,there was four of them now.Chihiro thought she only had to deal with just one,and when the second demanded food she turned and ran out finding the nearest frog and giving him a order to bring food.She said it in a hurried voice,not really wanting to get yelled at again.
"Um food is on the way,but could you maybe stop doing that".
Why did she have to get stuck with this,was this suppose to be her punishment for slacking off because she wasn't laughing.If this continued she'd have to get another bath ready,and they seemed to be all filled up with other spirits who we're coming in.
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Mar 14, 2008 2:02:34 GMT -5
When Chihiro assured that food was on its way, the 2nd clone grumbled, and sat back impatiently. At the same time, the two new additions spoke up. One asked in a very slow, drawn out tone “Is there a way we can get this bath water a little hotter?” and the other said in an overly-excited voice “Can you please scrub my back for me? It’s hard to reach, but I can feel the dirt building up back there…”
Moments later, all four repeated the odd regurgitation ritual and suddenly, there were eight identical spirits – identical except for their dispositions that is – all squished into one tub like sardines. All of them requested something different of Chihiro.
“How much longer till that food arrives?” asked clone 2. “Do you have some other bath salts we could sample?” croaked another clone. “Can we get some entertainment?” chimed in another. “Can we get a little more ROOM please?” shouted yet another.
Moments later, the bizarre replication process occurred again. Soon it was becoming easy to lose track of just how many there were, and difficult to distinguish a single request over the increasing roar of the group.
Just around the time of the fourth replication, Yu-Baaba had approached the scene. The Bath House had been open for about half an hour, and there was just enough of a lull in the guest arrivals for her to sneak away to check on Chihiro. She kept her distance, and secretly watched from the 2nd floor balcony.
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Mar 14, 2008 2:08:57 GMT -5
Chihiro dropped to her knees,she couldn't do this it was too hectic for her.These demands and everything it was driving her mad,this was the last straw she didn't care if she got in trouble.When the food came Chihiro pleaded the frog to take over for her,she said she just couldn't take it anymore and ran off before the frog could answer.
"I can't take it,stupid crone how dare she put me with that spirit".
Finding the stairs to the second floor,Chihiro stormed up them and when reaching the top went the opposite direction.Okay so what if she got punished,that was too much for her to take.She wasn't used to taking care of so many spirits at one time,one yes but.....but that was absurd.
"I knew there was a catch...".
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Mar 14, 2008 2:27:28 GMT -5
Yu-Baaba stepped into the middle of the hallway so as to block Chihiro’s path as she approached.
“And just WHAT do you think you are doing???” she demanded. “I gave you your job back because you said you wanted to work – NOT run away every time things get a little difficult. You told me that you were willing to prove yourself no matter what it takes. Now get back down there and DO YOUR JOB!”
From the floor below, dozens of voices were calling “Sen?” “Sen?” (after all, that is what Yu-Baaba had introduced Chihiro to the spirit as.)
“Well Sen,” continued Yu-Baaba, “What’s it going to be? Do you have what it takes, or are you merely just a crybaby human who gives up?”
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Mar 14, 2008 2:34:59 GMT -5
"I am not a crybaby human,i'm not ten years old anymore".
She just couldn't handle all those spirits,yes she wanted her old job back but it said nothing about bending to the will of like eight of the same spirits.And besides she wasn't crying,if she was wouldn't she have tears in her eyes.
"You never told me it would do that,I refuse......".
There she said it,it took courage and guts both of which she had now.Chihiro refused to go back down there,the frog worker can do her job and she would just take a punishment whatever it might be but she was not going to be afraid anymore.
"Hit me,punish me I don't care,turn me into coal and it's Chihiro I refuse to go by Sen".
She had matured alot,and seemed a little defiant but if she showed any fear of any sort it would only take her courage away.
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Mar 14, 2008 2:59:11 GMT -5
Yu-Baaba frowned. She started to tremble just a bit and a slight glow began to emanate from her body, then stopped abruptly. She took a deep breath and straightened a few stray hairs that had come loose.
“You are fortunate Sen, that I am going to overlook this little spat of defiance – just this once. You seem to be forgetting that I run this bath house. You belong to me. As long as I have a signed contract from you, you do as I say. You think you have grown up? Well you are certainly acting like the spoiled, stubborn child I remember you as… Be wary of rousing my wrath, child. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M CAPABLE OF!!!!!” With that she had that terrifying look in her eye once again, but just for a moment.
Then, she whispered a quick incantation under her breath, and motioned a quick gesture with her fingers. Suddenly, Chihiro’s limbs began to move out of her control. It was as if she was a puppet on strings – every move the devise of some unknown master. She was forced to march back down the stairs and into the bath chamber (where a relieved frog hopped hurriedly away at the sight of her).
Suddenly she was moving at a super fast speed - like someone had hit a fast forward button just on her (the rest of the bath house continued to move at a regular pace). Suddenly, two more pairs of arms sprouted from Chihiro’s back, as if she was some warped version of Kamajii. She was now able to keep up with the still multiplying spirits, and even stay one step ahead of their requests. It was like a she was under a spell of some sort . . .
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Mar 14, 2008 3:06:57 GMT -5
*Oh this can't be happening to me,why......why*
Those thoughts ran through her head,she felt like her body wasn't her own anymore as it turned and headed back down the way she came from.Coming back to the place where the spirits we're and watching the frog worker hop off merrily,she frowned and wished she could shoot a glare up at Yu-Baaba.She did belong to that crone,but she was not the same person she was.
Her eyes went wide with fear,this time she was scared.Where did these extra arms come from,was it her doing a spell of somesort.Deciding not to go against the witch anymore,Chihiro continued with her work filling everyone of their requests while grumbling.
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Post by tin on Mar 15, 2008 20:05:53 GMT -5
Tin was busily scrubbing one of the large tubs, hearing the other workers busily serve the guests. He sighed, glancing over as he saw Chihiro walk by and return to the cloning spirit. A part of him was relieved he didn't have to suffer with that sort of task, while the other hated the fact he was almost always scrubbing tubs or helping Kamaji. Grabbing the brush from his belt, Tin scrubbed a bit harder at a particularly nasty spot.
"I'm going to need something bigger than this," he said, trying to pull his brush from the muck. It squished and resisted no matter what. Releasing it back into the goop caused the substance to make a rather nasty squelch. Climbing out of the tub, he finally managed to get out and down to the floor. Leaving the bath, he headed to get some kind of bathtoken to help him clean it or at least get it ready for any customers.
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Post by Andrea on Mar 15, 2008 23:56:32 GMT -5
Andrea looked around the bath sniffing it before her blue eyes followed Chihiro as she was back into her Dragon Forum, she pooked her head from the bath then. It was her job pretty much to look after the girl, kinda like Andrea was Chihiro's guide, spirit. Though she didn't like humans she had to do it to save her skin just about.
She had follow the girl and growled when she saw Yu-baaba and become her human forum. A tight black neckalce was around her neck as she growled still, glaring at the witch "If she wants to be called Chihiro then let her be called that!" Andrea snapped walking infront of her and sighed as she looked at Chihiro, but her head snapped back to Yu-Baaba, becoming a dargon again and hissed slightly before she turned walking after Chihiro.
Her long blue tail moved with her steps as Andrea made it slowly move towards the child, though it hurt a bit she wasn't to make it sore more. Her blue tail wrapped around Chihiro pulled her to follow into a sall corner. Blue eyes just stared at Chihiro.
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