Encounter from the past

***

Once more, I was in the clearing. It was night-time, with the moon shining down upon me, in my current form. However, there was a significant change: the flying lights were absent, no spirits around. This was the first time it had happened, ever. Whether in a dream, or the last weeks walking outside.
Recalling Suzune’s warning regarding this phenomena, the usually protective sight of the trees around me felt more like a cage. It being nighttime didn’t lessen the horror aspect of it at all. At least, since I had my normal body, it meant I was able to move freely.
Standing up, I first looked around me, if anything else had changed. The last time this had happened, there was another, new visitor. Glancing at the bushes, I saw a glint. Last time, no sense of danger had emanated from the dark figure, but this time, I had the feeling, that something seemed off. Perhaps it was the influence of the situation around me. And if it wasn’t, it definitely didn't help it, at all.
Still being observed by it, I slowly approached the bushes I had seen it in. Walking past through them, I couldn’t find the large shape. Instead, I stood on a small, winding path, leading deeper into the forest. With this being my only clue, I heaved a sigh, and walked the track.
If I was watching a movie, surely I would yell at the character to turn around, and how stupid they were to follow an obviously suspicious path in the forest. Still, I had two reasons to do so.
First, this was a dream. Or a memory mixed with a dream. Whatever it was, surely I couldn’t receive any real damage from it. Only a shock, and then I would wake up.
And second, if it wanted to harm me, there was no reason to be so elaborate. The fox was large enough to tear me to shreds. I doubted I could offer any real resistance as well, as it likely was not a simple fox, but some kind of youkai.
Mulling over whatever fate might approach me, the path widened, and eventually cleared completely. The scene in front of me clashed with the previous atmosphere.
Most notably was the small waterfall, descending a ridge nearby. From there, a river flowed lazily further into the forest, passing close by the center of the scene: a pavilion. Not any, but the kind you see in fancy rose gardens. While there were no flowers surrounding it, only a patch of neatly trimmed grass, inside of it was everything prepared to receive a guest: A wide, round table, with several chairs around it took up the most space. A bit away from it was a corner with three benches centered around a smaller rectangular table. ‘Perhaps to separate children and adults?’ It probably was neither the time nor the place for silly thoughts like that, but it seemed so out of place, that I couldn’t help it.

Seeing me rooted to my space, a voice called out to me. “Intend on just standing around in a daze? Come and join me.” It was the voice of an old lady. Focusing a bit more, I could make out a shape in the pavilion from where the voice had emerged. It was the fox from before. “Now, stop staring and get a move on.”
Obeying the prompt, I closed the distance quickly. The fox appeared to be smaller than before. Though that may be what she wished to look like, as she deftly jumped onto one of the chairs.
Taken her silent stare as a beckoning to do the same, I sat down opposite of her. Much to my discomfort, the silence stayed for a while. Until finally, the fox decided to speak.
“I am sure you have many questions about your current situation at the moment. If you would like, I can offer you an explanation.” A sly smile appeared on her lips.
Being regarded by her, I offered my reply. “It sure sounds like a deal that is going to cost me something.”
“Oh, it will. That is for sure.” I could hear the amusement in her voice.
Sadly for her, I would have to cut it short. “Sorry, but I have to refuse.”
“Hm? But didn’t you want to know more?” Curiosity flowed into her voice.
‘Time to put pressure into my voice.’ “Yes, but it will come in time. Not only that, accepting shady deals by someone who has invaded my dreams and doesn’t introduce herself seems like a bad option.” I had played it up bit to make my point stand, and to convince myself that it was a bad option.
My reply was met with a sharp glare. Which only lasted for a few seconds, before I was greeted with a barking laugh. “Ahahahaha. At least you got some spunk, boy.”
Once she had calmed down, the fox regarded me coolly. “As we are now, I can not give you my name. Though, I can assure you we have met before.” The same grin like expression from before appeared once more. “For I am the one who had placed that seal upon your memories.” Now that revelation was …less shocking than I had expected. Someone walking around in my head, in one of my old memories. Little options to choose from. And she had picked up on it. “What? Is that all the reaction I get?”
“Well…” I thought about my previous feelings. “Sure, I might have been annoyed by you before, for having done that. But I had been informed you did it in the past to protect me in a sense. Not only that.” I looked her straight in the eyes. “I do not get the feeling that you wish me anything bad.”
“Maybe now.” She closed her eyes. “In the past, I was quite angry at you. But that has passed.” Opening them again, with renewed vigor and light in her stare, she looked me dead into the eye. “I will be brief: avoid hanging out with youkai too much.”
Now that was a bold statement. But, before I could utter a reply, she held up a paw, signaling for me to stop. “I do not say this without reason. Also, I didn’t say to stop all contact. I doubt that would even be possible at this point.” She heaved a sigh. “Now, I will explain things in order. Please hold all questions until the end. Alright?”
“Got it.” I reaffirmed with a nod. Remembering the same situation previously, it was likely the best course of action for me too.
“In that case, let’s get started.” She took a moment, and then spoke clearly.

“You may not remember it anymore, but you started to remember things more clearly. This was from the seal weakening. While this may be the intention of the current actions, it was doing so too quickly. Now, what do I mean with too quickly? Easy: it has negative effects on the person. Just like quickly pulling off a bandage from a bleeding wound that hasn’t completely healed, it will rip open once more. It will damage you.”
To this point, I could follow her. It somehow made sense, and would explain the recent feeling of déjà vu.
“I was in the area, since I wanted to attend the festival as well. Having been made aware of your situation, I decided to send someone to check in on you. And that was when I noticed your current state. So, I decided to intervene.”
I had to hold myself back at this point to not say anything.
“I accepted the decision you have made, and agreed not to intervene. Though, this is a different situation. Were I to leave you alone, the damage would increase, and inevitably hurt you more than benefit you. After acting upon this, I had a talk with a certain little kitten.”
That had to be Suzune.
“She filled me in on the current circumstances. Then, seeing you wander around the festival tonight, it looked to weaken the seal more. In short, the sudden exposure to all these magical elements was too strong, and it began to crack. Mind you, it was designed for a life away from magic, so I had never seen reason to craft it sturdy. I can, of course.”
Not wanting to be sold for less than you actually were, I guess? Also, this was likely to cause to me blacking out. Gotta apologize to the oni in my heart.
“So, with things as they were, I came to a solution, and proposed it to a certain shrine maiden overseeing things, and her little companion. They decided for you, so if you want to complain, take it to them.”
“I won’t complain.” This time, it came out directly without thinking. I was sure they would have decided for the best of me, no matter what it was.
“…Sure trust them, don’t you?” I got regarded with consideration. Remembering I had interrupted her, I bowed my head to her, hoping for forgiveness. ‘I just can’t stop doing that, huh?’ “Well, nice to see you have that much faith into them.” I was forgiven. And, her voice had been surprisingly warm during these words.
Though, it faded as soon as she resumed her retelling. “The result of it is the following: I changed the seal somewhat. As you might know, I had no wish to interact with this situation. But this time, it was to assist someone, so I had little choice.”
With what seemed like a shrug, she gave herself just a short pause.
“It should be easier for you to remember certain things from now on. Not only that, I adjusted the seal in a way that it won’t break that easily from outside influence. Instead, it will just block off those influences. So, what do you think?”

As she ended on a question, I took it as allowance to speak. And there was one question on my mind. “As you had said before, you did not wish to interact with this situation. Still, you helped me move forward. So, what is the price?”
A grin spread on her face. “Pain.”
“…Huh?”
“You are right to assume that I wouldn’t do this freely. But there isn’t anything I would require of you. And while I do not have any enjoyment for tormenting people, as a side effect of the procedure, you will feel fairly bad for the next three days. And yes, I didn’t do it deliberately. There actually was no way around it. …There may have been if I had more resources, but that is something that doesn’t matter anymore. So, still accepting it?”
My answer hadn’t changed. “Yes. It must have been hard on Ayame and Suzune not make this decision, so it is now my turn to face the consequences.” I pumped myself up.
Which earned me a reproachful glare. “Tough talk. Quit pretending. You do not know what you are in for.”
“What was that about not enjoying tormenting others?”
She scoffed at me. “That was true. But that doesn’t mean I like you personally.”
“…Then why check in with me?” That seemed to be the one thing off. She could have simply had the others explain the situation to me.
“Several reasons. One, I needed to check if the new seal is holding up. Even if I do not like you, I have a personal responsibility, which I intend to see through. Two, it might be hard for others to explain things to you properly, given the situation, and a lack of understanding for the details. Three, I wanted to see your reaction. At least somewhat entertaining.”
“Then, what about the previous time?”
“…What previous time?” She seemed confused.
“Hm? At the beginning of the week, I had met you before, also during this dream.” Was something off about that.
Much to my concern, her expression darkened. “Make no mistake, this is my first time contacting you. Are you sure about that?”
“Yes.” To ensure that there was no mistaking it, I explained to her my usual dreams, and the first time I had met her look alike.
“Hm. First, those are no dreams. You are reliving your memories. Essentially like remembering them, but on a deeper level. But you talking to me is a dream, based on a memory and subverting it. As for your first encounter, I can assure you, that was not me. Though it should be impossible…” The last sentence trailed off into a murmur.

I waited silently for her to sort out her thoughts, until she spoke up. “Tomorrow, someone will come by and give you something. Keep it close to you when you sleep, and it will appear in your dreams too. When you encounter that impostor again, and only then, rip it open. Any other instance, and you are done. Got it?”
“Yes.” ‘Sounds dangerous. But also important to her if she is willing to give me something that dangerous, and to continue meddling in my affairs.’
“Well, that should be all. My job here is done.” Giving me these last words, she vacated her seat, and started to walk away. I tried to stand up too, but my body failed me. Not only that, I started to feel heavier by the second. “Oh yeah, two more things. One, medicine won’t help you with what you will feel the next days. Two, if you ever find this place again, I will help you out…” As she grew more distant, her voice started to trail off.
Not only that, everything else seemed to grow further away too. The weight of my body kept increasing, until I felt my eyelids too heavy to keep open.
With the darkness encroaching on me, soon enough, I fell into a deep slumber.

***