July 22, 2010 - 8:56am — OkamiLugia
I wondered through the Forest, greeting deer along the way.
I decided I would pay a visit to the Gods Statue. I often liked to sit there and meditate, I guess you could say.
On my way there, I stopped at the lake for a drink.
I looked at my reflection for a bit.
I never really liked my face. Don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you. I just get this strange, almost sad feeling, like an ancient memory is trying to surface that I can't and don't want to remember.
I shook off the thought. I wanted to go visit the Statue even more now.
When I arrived, I found something on the ground in front of the Statue.
A mask.
I went to stand over it to get a closer look at it. It was an elongated mask that I often saw on many of the other deer. On some it looked like a real face.
Beside the mask was a flat, white, rectangular object. It looked quite delicate.
I tested it with my hoof.
As soon as I made contact with it, I heard a distant voice that seemed to fill my head.
It said, "A gift. I think it makes you look more like me. I hope you like it."
I broke contact with the object.
It burst into flame and the ashes blew away in the wind.
The mask glowed a bright green as it lifted itself off the ground.
It floated to fit onto my face.
Then nothing.
At first, I felt like nothing had happened, but then I focused my sight to an elongated snout that seemed to be coming from the center of my face.
I sprinted to the lake and looked at my reflection.
A new face looked back. It was long and fur-covered like the ones on those deer that wore the masks.
I liked it. I found it... Comforting.
But... Who had spoken to me? What had it said meant?
It wouldn't be too long before I forgot these questions as I continued with my life in the Forest.
July 22, 2010 - 8:30am — OkamiLugia
This body stood in the shallow waters, gazing at its reflection.
Any other being would have been content with a second's glance.
I wasn't.
I still did not understand this body, this place, and these other beings apparently equivalent to my current state.
I heard a cry, young and yearning, more than loud enough for the distance between its source and the intended target.
Me.
The cry was familiar, yet most things were. A distant familiarity that the simple, physical mind I now had could not grasp.
This body's head moved itself to face the crying one.
A fawn.
I felt my body react. I could feel it wanting to move away, but I stopped it. I am still not sure why.
The fawn stepped out with one leg and lowered the front of its body toward it. A bow, as it is known.
I did not understand at first. What did this gesture mean?
This body must have made a curious motion, since the fawn repeated its gesture and nodded.
I thought the nod indicated an emphasis of some sort. An affirmation?
This body attempted to copy the fawn's movement.
The fawn nodded vigorously for what seemed like a long time, its eyes brightening as it... Smiled.
After more nodding and a bow, it went away.
So this is how this world's residents recognize each other's presence.
