—Guys… Inola and I want to ask you a question… do you see the creatures Ayakashi talks to? —Jacob looked at them seriously and paid attention to the others’ response. Inola, in total composure, also waited for the answer.
—Well, yes… why shouldn’t we? —Mina asked, bewildered.
—You shouldn’t; everything here is a spirit, even the house is a very strong entity —Inola replied, crossing his arms; he turned to look at Jacob.
—It worries me a little; I’ve never heard of a spirit that lets you see other spirits… —Jacob thought and tilted his head to the right with his eyes closed.
—Magaska thinks that maybe we died!! —she said scared, with chills running through her pearly hair.
—What? Seriously? —Leonidas, bewildered and nervous, asked the others.
—I don’t think so, Ayakashi needs help from someone outside; if not, whatever he needs, he would have done it himself —Ithil got up from the floor, rubbing his head.
—Ithil, are you okay? Magaska was worried —Magaska cheered joyfully as always.
—Hahaha, yes Magaska, excuse my behavior, guys, and thanks Mina for covering for me —Ithil sat down with the others and looked at the reflection on the table sideways.
—Heh, heh, what did we get ourselves into now… —Ithil looked at Jacob.
—Our host is special, Ithil; we must be careful —Jacob settled into the red cushion in the living room.
—For the moment, I don’t detect any malice in him; in fact, I feel he’s happy to have guests —Mina told them with her arms crossed.
—Well then, just wait —Ithil, giving a few pats on Leonidas, cracked his neck and fists, waiting for Ayakashi to return.
—Well, if I remember correctly, Nana told me about the customs of the northern clans of Iphenor and Llytnia; it seems Ayakashi is related to those clans; his attire and customs are similar. If I remember correctly, we should sit like this —Jacob sat in a curious pose, on his knees with his feet back; his straight back maintained a formal posture, the others tried to imitate him.
—Eeh? Like this? …mmm, this… pose hurts!! —Inola sat similarly to Jacob; it was difficult, his body seemed unaccustomed to the pose and soon his feet began to go numb.
—Magaska has no problems, in fact, it’s comfortable!! —Magaska and Varneth were able to sit like Jacob and, like him, remained firm.
—GHaaaaaaaaa —Mina was prey to terrible cramps while Leonidas juggled to stay on the cushion.
—Well, I can stay like this for a few moments… but I think I’d better settle in however I can —Ithil crossed his legs in front and settled in; soon the cramps would reach him too.
—Ready, ready, here I bring you the tea and some snacks, I hope they are to your liking —Ayakashi returned from the end of the hallway carrying trays with clay cups; without any adornment, different clay colors mixed in the simple-designed cups; they fulfilled their purpose and, yet, were like seeing small wonders smooth to the touch, emitting a pleasant aroma between the tea and the clay of the cup; each sip of it would be a soothing experience.
—Excellence, I bring you the Rebril and Amarto snacks, I hope they are to your guests’ liking —an elderly woman hopped along the hallway; she only had one leg and wore an eye patch over her left eye; she wore a straw cape that made her look like a walking umbrella. Arriving at the edge of the guest room, she knelt and gave a small bow, leaving the dish at the entrance. Ayakashi soon mobilized silently and delicately through the red lacquered wood tray; on it, small fruits like pink cherries overflowed in honey along with other small balls of a kind of amber-colored flour.
—Thank you very much, Grandma Kasa, can you allow us a few moments? —Ayakashi received the tray. The grandmother nodded and withdrew, closing the sliding door; on it, a beautiful painting of a fox in a moss-filled forest and a gray wolf in a rocky, grassy landscape.
—So, what is the situation in which your excellence needs help? —Jacob immediately took the situation with a formal smile and a tone of seriousness and business; once again, the others had never heard Jacob use that tone of voice.
—Ha, I see, educated people. Mr. Jacob, I’m glad you can use this voice, but I would like us to talk with confidence; you can call me Ayakashi.
—Ah, I understand, Ayakashi, I think that is a good option —Jacob continued with the formalities. Inola moved his cramped feet while the others drank the tea and tasted the small sweet fruits and the amber-colored balls with curiosity.
—Woaa, Magaska has never tasted these berries!! —with star-filled eyes, Magaska delighted in the Rebril.
—Ayakashi, we hope we aren’t a bother, thank you for receiving us in your home… we would like… —Jacob.
—Ayakashi!! We understand you are an important person, we have seen it. What Jacob wants to ask and what I and my group would like to know, in what do you need help!! I bet you are a very strong person, I can see it… which leaves us wondering, why would you need the help of common people like us? —Inola stood up, propelled by a cramp attack in his feet and impatience.
—Aaah… do you consider yourself… common? —Ayakashi said as if examining Inola; an Old Man mask appeared on his face.
—Mnngg… it’s obvious you are stronger, and more beautiful… —Inola blushed, but a tint of frustration could be seen on his face.
—Aaa, I see… thank you very much young Inola… you are also very beautiful even if you can’t accept it… just as everyone at this table possesses a quality worthy of the Seishi and Katsujinken from my people’s songs. I approached you for the purity of your hearts —Ayakashi, with a smooth and beautiful movement, removed the mask from his face. Inola and Jacob were dazzled by the face; Magaska, with wide eyes and surprised, like Varneth, dropped her spoon on the table; Ithil and Leonidas, bright red, only looked intensely; Mina stayed mid-sip of the tea, it spilled a little and she placed it back. Everyone in the room was enthralled for a moment; blushing, they recovered the thread of the conversation with great difficulty.