これも市のせい…

He notes the behaviour of her shadow, but doesn’t seem particularly offput in any sense.

“I’ve seen stranger, if you want an honest answer.”

“Still, you are welcome.”

“You had mentioned the Lord of the house, but she is not currently here. That being said, there are many still about. I arrived more recently than most.”

That, bluntly speaking, is the explanation he provides to not knowing who you are, at least.

“If in the meantime you wish to rest here, I do not believe there would be harm in doing so.”

Stranger...? You have seen stranger... than Ichi?

[Now that sounds interesting. Kind of scary, in a way--given the things that she’s done with her shadow hands, whether it be by her own volition or not, Ichi has a hard time imagining anything stranger.]

[Well, stranger that doesn’t involve her brother.]

Oh... my timing is poor, as it often is. Ichi loses track of time... too much... Nagamasa-sama tends to keep the time for me...

[It isn’t surprising to hear that there’s more people around--and that she knows that, with how scattered she is, comforts her a bit.]

Dankuri-sama is very popular... and warm... so many people flock to her. It sounds as if she’s grown quite a lot since Ichi last saw her...

...

There’s a tinge of guilt when she falls flat on her ass. Sure, it could all be an act to make him lower his guard, but at this point if it is she deserves some kind of award for it.

He approaches her, cautiously, but not with any hostility, and holds out a hand to help get her back to her feet.

Oh hey, that’s a prosthetic arm.

“Ichi, that is your name then, I take it.”

“Lord Dankuri would not see fit to turn a person in need away, especially if they are a friend.”

“My name is Wolf.”

He might not be divulging any other information for the moment, but the display has at least earned a little bit of sympathy. Honestly, he’s been in her position himself.

[She doesn’t flinch away from his approach--she seems timid, but not quite enough? Her own hand trembles slightly as she reaches to take his hand, still unflinching once she realizes that his hand isn’t flesh-and-blood.]

Oichi... is my name. But... most call me Ichi.

[Ichi moves to her feet, her shadow fading into something more natural, less resembling the demonic aura that had been following her to this point and more like her own shape.]

Wolf-sama... Ichi thanks you. For not... being frightened of me...

Dammit all.

She names the lord of the house. Because of course she does. The one that happens to be unavailable for various world saving reasons. One of the other people she names? Oh right the sword that she keeps by her side and has of course taken with her.

The demon king? Doesn’t ring a bell for him at least. Bit after his time and a bit wibbly wobbly with his history.

Still, there are considerations that have to be made. She hasn’t snuck in here as much as she has wandered in very much in a stupor from the looks of it. Upon questioning she’s answered sincerely enough when it would have been easy to lie or attempt to flee.

Can he trust her completely? No. Can he dismiss her as a potential threat? No.

But.

He jumps down from his vantage point.

“I won’t exactly extend a formal welcome to you at this point, discourteous as it is. But you’ve at least proven that you’ve come into contact with some individuals here before.”

“If you wish to enter the grounds, it will be with my accompaniment. If you take issue with such then you are free to leave without quarrel.”

It’s perhaps the most magnanimous offer he can make, all things considered.

Ah--!

[He startles her with his sudden appearance, to the point that she stumbles and lands flat on her behind. She’s well and truly out of it, if that’s all it takes to knock her off her feet.]

With... your...?

[That word, accompaniment... it’s formal, and the rest of his words don’t lend her any warmth. But seeing as this is the first person--real person, she’s still not certain he is real--that she’s talked to in what feels like forever...]

[She’s weak. So weak and maudlin, just like he’s always calling her...]

Ichi... is fine with that...

Her behaviour is baffling to him to some extent. She doesn’t seem like a spirit; but the way she’s acting certainly reminds him of of the few he’s had encounters with.

He’s still incredibly suspect. At the same time if she’s some sort of enemy why just wander aimlessly into enemy territory and then act confused upon being discovered?

Assuming that she’s not lying, he’s never seen her before. Granted it’s not like he can claim to know the myriad of people that inhabit this gigantic place. There are those that have come and gone every day that he still likely could not put a name to after all.

“If that’s the case then can you name anyone here that would vouch for you?”

He awaits a response.

[This isn’t good. If she doesn’t respond properly, he could attack... she doesn’t want to fight. But she doesn’t have a say in the matter--her shadow hands will act, with or without her control. And if she hurts someone... in her state, she has no idea what might happen.]

[Think, Ichi. She’s been here before, hasn’t she? Yes, she’s visited--along with...]

... Ichi remembers... the One-Eyed Dragon... stays here. He, and his Right Eye...

The Demon King... as well...

... and... the kind woman... Dankuri-sama...

It doesn’t take long for her presence to draw attention, although she might not realize it yet.

For his part, he almost, almost mistook her for Minamoto no Raikou at a glance. But something felt, off. Once he focused his attention and noticed exactly what it became less of a curiosity and more of a potential problem.

She’s wandered in here, seemingly without hostile intent. Seemingly. That’s probably the only reason he hasn’t moved to attempt to slit her throat before she even realizes he’s there. Not that he’s aware of how poorly that would go for everyone involved.

But this isn’t something he’s willing to just abide by without getting an answer.

“You there. Halt. What’s your business here?”

His voice echoes, but it’s hard to spot him. Somewhere above, maybe?

... ah...

Ichi is...

[She slows to a stop, swaying where she stands. What is her business here, indeed. Oichi has no business here--but then again, she doesn’t have any business anywhere. Her brother doesn’t need her, her husband isn’t with her, and as far as she can tell at the moment, she hasn’t got a friend in the world.]

... not sure...

[She’s not sure when she started wandering again--she’s not sure how long ago it was, or how much time has passed, or even if any time has passed. It’s hard for her to tell, harder now that she’s wandered away from her brother and his vassals.]

[Her footsteps are heavy, dragging. She’s made her way back into a haunt that is familiar to her, but it’s been so long, she’s having trouble remembering why.]

[This whole shitshow of a last few years?]

Wait wait wait, go back. That bald-headed trashbag named Mitsuhide is here, too? And another ‘me’? 

…

Oichi-nee…Please help Okita load those arcade machines into the truck.

I’ve got blood to spill.

Y-Yes--but--

[Shoot. You fucked up, Ichi. This is all your fault!!!]

Please, no! Ichi doesn’t want any blood to be spilled--Ichi was going to help if you left after taking the machines, but...!

[The shadowy hands slide back up, keeping the door blocked.]

(What a chill up her spine! She can’t help staring back at this woman, she’s… haunting.)

(Sheesh, today’s a mess. First she screws up on Minami-senpai’s timeline, and now this lady… unless— wait a minute. Memeko said about displaced figures, right?)

…Did anyone ever tell you you look kinda like a princess?

A... princess?

[At first, she wants to think that Nagamasa would call her something like that--in that brash, rough way he does things. But the truth of the matter is...]

No... Ichi has never been called a princess. The... closest thing that she can think of is... “the demon king of the fifth heaven.”

...

...?

No, no, you’re fine…

… But I see.  I won’t tell you anything else about how it happened if you think it might be dangerous and he might press you to speak.

I’m not sure why he’d be too concerned with it?  He and I have been relatively friendly, and Kanbei’s arguably closer to him than I am?

That would be best... Ichi does not want to... put you in danger. She doubts that Niisama would act out against you. Not... directly.

Yes--I... there is no reason for him to wish to concern himself with what you do.

Of course!

-HE WILL SAY THEM.-

Honestly… I really think if I even think about him, he shows up? He’s kinda like those scary games we see back home.  Where the enemy’s… all “HA!!!” and jumping out?

Y-Yukimitsu-sama...

[BETWEEN YOU AND NAGAMASA, SHE’S GOING TO GET!!! SPOILED ROTTEN!!!]

That... is a very apt description. Yes, he truly is like those... “jump-scares.” That is only a thin layer, however, when it comes to what makes Akechi-sama scary...

W-Well, I wouldn’t say that…  I think that the circumstances just kind of…  I got caught while making sure everyone else made it back home to complete the mission.  It was a weird encounter…

Actually, now that you mention it, I haven’t seen much of him.

Ichi insists...!

Ah--my... my deepest apologies for raising my voice...

But... compared to others, I would still say that your power is... beyond incredible. Circumstances or not... the fact that you can do such a thing is worth the compliment, at least...

[She pauses, looking around for a brief moment--and then lowers her voice.]