"I believe we are helping you..." Himeko muttered, looking around the area. It was a graveyard through and through. She just followed Livia and her little wisp through the winding path of the graveyard until it came to a stop. The Tengu didn't see Odette anywhere. Nowhere visible at least so she was probably hiding. Well, now Livia was saying that Odette was around at least... Now to look for her. Himeko just started to wander around the area. There were a few graves here and there of course, but what caught her eye was the one thing that just seemed out of place. "What's this?"

She looked to a tree stump. While the stump itself wasn't exactly out of place, the thing that seemed to sit on it seemed quite so. "A bow, is it?" With a questioning look on her face, she walked over to the small thing to examine it. "Odette?" She asked, putting a hand on the handle of her katana, ready for anything. "If that is you, reveal yourself. Slowly."

"I believe we are helping you..." Himeko muttered, looking around the area. It was a graveyard through and through. She just followed Livia and her little wisp through the winding path of the graveyard until it came to a stop. The Tengu didn't see Odette anywhere. Nowhere visible at least so she was probably hiding. Well, now Livia was saying that Odette was around at least... Now to look for her. Himeko just started to wander around the area. There were a few graves here and there of course, but what caught her eye was the one thing that just seemed out of place. "What's this?"

She looked to a tree stump. While the stump itself wasn't exactly out of place, the thing that seemed to sit on it seemed quite so. "A bow, is it?" With a questioning look on her face, she walked over to the small thing to examine it. "Odette?" She asked, putting a hand on the handle of her katana, ready for anything. "If that is you, reveal yourself. Slowly."

The purple bow lifted itself from the Tree stump, a decidedly scared Odette phasing through it so her face was showing to the others. She placed her hands on the surface, as if she was shyly looking over the edge of a counter or something as Himeko ordered her to show herself. Charlotte watched carefully from a somewhat safe looking distance, hands ready to fling one of her vials towards the bow if something happened.

"..." Oh no. They found her. What should she do? She couldn't say anything. She was too petrified from nervousness and anxiousness, not to mention the fact she had been ordered not too. Ugh, she was terrified. She was scared. She wanted to die again. She wanted to -

"....!" Argh, her head hurt again. How was it possible for a ghost to get a headache in the first place.

"Odette." Livia approached carefully, the ghost making no movements other than seemingly glowering at the ground with a dark expression painted on her features. "Himeko, get back!" The Tengu would only have seconds to react before a gout of pale blue fire launched itself towards Himeko from Odette's mouth, both intending to harm the Tengu and propel the spirit backwards a little ways from them.

Silly human, thinking a Tengu wouldn't notice before her... Well, not that she knew what a Tengu was. "Five steps too slow." Himeko said, deftly dodging to the side quickly, then closing on the ghostly girl. "Divine Kami, grant me power to touch this spirit." She chanted as she closed. If the Divine could give her power to cut away at spirits, than it should be able to allow her to touch them. And... Success it seemed, as her hand wrapped around the ghost's neck. Not painful... If the ghost could feel pain at least. It was there to restrain her and only that. "My intent is not to hurt, merely receive answers. Cooperate, and perhaps we can help each other." The Tengu said, looking the ghost girl in the eyes. Confidence, is what they translated to her likely. "Nod, speak if you can. Agree and I'll release you."

"You idiot!" Livia shouted to Himeko as the tengu grabbed Odette by the throat. "Scaring her is only going to make it worse-!" Himeko would only have a few seconds before she'd figure out why. Whatever was happening to Odette, was becoming worse by the second. Black, pulsing veins seemed to snake their way across Odette's body, stopping only when they had claimed her all the way to her chin.

"Cooperate? No no, you want to hurt me...I can't...won't let you..." Odette hadn't spoken much before now, but it was clear that she wasn't in her right state of mind. Her voice had an odd ethereal, unsettling quality to it. Instead of being scared or responding further, her own hand grabbed Himekos, and where her ghostly flesh met the Tengus, it began to burn and a mass of black veins appeared on her arm where contact was made. If Himeko kept holding on to her, something quite bad was likely going to happen.

"Tch." Himeko said as she released her grip on Odette. Anything that burned as such could not be a good thing. "What is wrong with her?" She said, peeking back at Livia for a second before gluing her attention on the ghost girl. Her hand instinctively went to her katana, ready for something to happen. Her touch burned and seemed to corrupt, what would do such a thing?"

"Wrong? With me? No no." Odette replied, a smile forming on the wights lips. "but trespassers on my land must be dealt with. You think you can escape, no no."

"Urgh." Livia grimaced. "I thought something like this might happen. You'll need to weaken her a bit, Himeko. I can fix this easily." She had enough of an idea what was going on, but she needed to prepare a bit, otherwise she'd end up hurting Odette. Charlotte, was had taken shelter behind a gravestone and was carefully peeking over the edge, giving Himeko an encouraging thumbs up.

"Fix? Nothing needs to be fixed. Yes. Everything is fine. This is my land, I'll do on it what I want." Several blue orbs formed beside her, before their wispy forms turned into more of the same specters as earlier. Before Himeko could do anything more, a blue fireball was tossed at her.

Himeko didn't have to think too hard. She unsheathed her katana and cut the air in front of her, releasing a blast of air that sliced the fireball in half and made it miss her completely. The blade shined as the Tengu ran towards the additional spirits and rendered them non-existant. She was closer to Odette now and held her blade towards the ghost girl. "Now. Let me pose to you a question, girl. Would it that I wished you harm, why would I not cut you down now?" She was prepared for the ghost to do something. She was not nearly that dense.

"Simple. Because you can't. You can't kill what is already dead...besides," She smirked. "Killing me would mean killing her. And I don't think you can kill your friend, now can you?" The wraith, who was clearly someone other than Odette at the moment cackled. "You don't even know what's going on, do you? Run back home to your mountain, whelp. Your kind has no business here...but you can leave the alchemist and the mage. I'll take them as my playthings."

Livia didn't comment, only exhaled in mild displeasure. Damn, it had gotten this bad, had it? A minor oversight on her part, but something she could deal with.

"Ignore her Himeko. I can fix any damage done to her as long as she's not completely banished."

"Yes yes, everything must be fixed because I'm the bad one. Always me. Never anyone else's fault. Of course. But that's fine. I'll burn you all to ashes just like they burned me." Another fireball was tossed at Himeko, Odette seeming to blink from existence, only to appear several yards away where a few more wraiths appeared.

"Don't worry so much about the Wraiths. You take care of her they'll be gone too!"

"I'll fight without the Divine's blessing then." Himeko said, considering how she would harm but not "kill" Odette. For now, she just needed to fight with the base of her blade. It was enough to mildly interact with spirits, but not do amazingly much. "Have at you then, Odette. This is not my real desire, but I must fight you." With that, Himeko rushed forward and struck at the possessed Odette. Her katana swung up at the ghosts head as if spinning from underneath. "I'd also prefer if you didn't take my companions as "Playthings" you disgusting being with little regard for others." Himeko would be exceptionally glad to have this malicious force gone.

Odette moved backwards swiftly, Himeko's katana barely grazing her neck, seemingly catching the ghost by surprise. The black veins that had started stretching across the ghosts body seemed to have extended more, covering most of her visible body by now. Whatever it was, was seemingly winning whatever battle for control it was having. Either way, the ghost summoned a small wraith, launching itself towards Himeko. It was no bigger than a hand, but it wore a ghoulish grin and a a ghostly shriek as it sped towards Himeko, intent on seemingly biting her.

The two summoned wraiths swiftly moved in towards Himeko, leaving Odette quite unguarded after she finished her little move.

Charlotte was still watching idly behind a gravestone, having noticed a few flowers she hadn't seen before and was writing down a few notes about them while Himeko did whatever it was she normally did. Livia was holding her hand to her chest, seemingly muttering something quietly to herself.

Himeko's katana glowed again, as she cut the wraith that was shot at her. She needed it to disappear for now. Along with those other wraiths. "Pathetic." The Tengu said as she slashed across them and made them gone. "Come, spirit inhabiting Odette. I think you are hardly as powerful as you wish." The sword's glow disappeared as Himeko dashed at the black-veined spirit. She'd slash and cut and keep the spirit on her toes. If she had to keep moving, it'd be harder to counter. She just hoped Livia would figure out her thing soon.

The wraith dodged to the side. How could a blade hope to touch her? Yet, the feeling she got from it made her feel uneasy. Bah, annoying. Not to mention how fast this bird-brain was. Like this she didn't have time to prepare her spirits! They were closing in on Himeko, but being unable to directly fight in close quarters like this was something she shouldn't have to do.

Still - she had a few tricks up her sleeve. A blue flame formed in Odette's hand, the fire growing in intensity as she held it towards Himeko.

"Himeko, move!" Livia's voice interrupted their little clash. Almost faster than the eye could move, Livia had moved from where she had been standing, to Odette's side seemingly faster than Himeko would be able to see. Odette barely had time to react before Livia slammed her fist into the wraiths gut, her other hand grabbing the wraith by the forehead.

"And what do you think you're doing, human? I'll just take that-" Odette's eyes seemed to widen. "Y-you-what!?" Livia didn't reply, merely somehow seemed to reach into Odette. The wraith seemed to struggle weakly. "No no I don't want to die again you can't make me! I was their lord their lives were-" Livia grabbed Odette with her other hand, and pulled. Something seemed to separate from Odette's body, a black, wispy mass that vaguely resembled a human was pulled out of her. It was difficult to make out its features, but its voice sounded oddly similar to Odette's.

"Himeko, if you would." Livia said, wobbling a bit on her feet. Urf, she maybe overdid it a little.

When Livia yelled to move, Himeko obliged as she leaped upward and away. She watched the exchange as the girl moved in... Rather quickly and separated one soul from the other. Then pretty much asked a favor right? "My pleasure." Himeko said as she held her blade out. "Blessed Divine, grant me power to purge this soul of evil and return it to the cycle." She chanted, right before cutting this black wispy spirit in half. "May you be granted eternal rest." Himeko said before grabbing Livia. "Good work. You look like you could use a bit of support here." The Tengu said, giving her a shoulder to lean on if she wanted. She deserved at least this much respect... For now. "You did well for a human."

Then she turned to Odette, curious of if that helped her out fully. "Are you well, Odette?" She asked.

"Fools!" The spirit wailed. "You-can't-I just-help..." The spirits final words were disjointed as Himeko's blade cut through it. "You can't...escape the past-geh..." And in an instant, the black wraith was gone. Of course, Livia was a little preoccupied with making herself stand. She certainly looked rather bad - pale, unsteady on her feet and muttering a few things to herself still.

"Hmm...of course we-I did." Livia grunted, inhaling deeply. "I may have over did it a little..." She felt a little nauseous and didn't entirely mind leaning on Himeko. Odette was for the most part, silent, and had seemingly returned to her old self. She had taken shelter behind a tombstone, and was peering out at Himeko and Livia from behind it. The ethereal fox, Ren, seemed to come from nowhere and take a seat on her head.

"..."

"Are the ghosts dealt with?" Charlotte also looked over from behind a tombstone, having been using it as a shield this entire time should something have tried to use her as a chewtoy.

"They should be." Livia said, exhaling letting go of Himeko. "No need to be shy, Odette...they aren't going to hurt you." The ghost, having been noticed retreated further behind the tombstone. Maybe Himeko could say something to get her to come out. It was obvious her normal state wasn't exactly one with very much presence.

"Greeeeat." Charlotte sighed, slumping her shoulders a bit. "Now that this detour is over with, help us already." A little blunt and to the point, but she was a little tired of this graveyard as well as these supernatural things. She was a scientist damn it!

As Livia let go, Himeko was somewhat concerned she'd just fall over but she seemed fine. Charlotte seemed fine as well. Good. That was less to worry about at least. The only real concern now was Odette. With Livia standing on her own, Himeko walked to the tombstone that Odette hid behind, sheathing her blade. "Are you well, Odette? None here are going to hurt you now. Come, take my hand." It was an order, though it sounded as a request. Her tone was gentle... Well, gentle for Himeko that didn't seem to think well of lower creatures. "Perhaps we could be friends." Mayhap she felt better about being friendly with a spirit.

Odette shrunk back, a little afraid of Himeko.

"...scary..." She fidgeted a bit where she stood...erm, floated, with Himeko only catching that word from whatever it was she mumbled. She didn't seem entirely too talkative now that whatever was ailing her had been fixed. She simply peeked at the Tengu from behind the stone, the little fox from earlier hopping off of her head and onto the stone, waving in a comical manner before poking Odette's cheek, causing her to pout a bit.

"Hell...me..." Most of her sentence seemed to be lost in translation as she floated out behind the stone a little ways. She had meant to say 'Hello, thanks for helping me' but it seemed that was mostly lost.

Meanwhile, Livia was still a little unsteady seeming on her feet.

"Here," Charlotte handed her a vial of clear orange liquid. "Helps with nausea and any feverish symptoms you might have."

"Hmm...oh, you have my thanks." Livia gratefully accepted the vial, downing its contents quickly. She was unsure if a mundane seeming remedy would have any affect, but was quickly finding out that it was. "...that was quite a fast remedy." She mused.

"Of course it was," Charlotte replied. "I know my medicine."

Himeko smiled. Well, she got a sort of sentence out of the girl. "If you think I'm scary, than you've yet to see the male Tengu. Their noses go out to here and they're big and red like they had "the worst cold" as a human acquaintance said." The swordswoman commented, hopefully to ease Odette. She felt more respect for this spirit than she did for humans at least. "I'm not completely sure of what you said, but I don't think I'm too scary. I thought my form to be rather attractive to humans, in fact." Regardless, she held her hand out, hoping the ghost would allow herself to move closer.

Odette frowned lightly at the thought of a man whose nose was that big. That wasn't possible was it? They must look funny, then. At least, that's what she thought given Himeko's impression. The ghost moved a bit closer to Himeko, though she still kept a comfortable distance from the Tengu. She didn't seem keen on taking her hand, though and instead simply floated there, giving her a mildly stoic expression. Attractive? Was Himeko attractive? Odette could certainly say she found her attractive but that wasn't exactly something she was going to easily admit.

Besides, she was obviously better looking anyways. It'd be far too embarrassing to say that though, so she kept her mouth shut.

"..." Odette tilted her head to the side "U-uhm..."

"Heh," Livia chuckled lightly. "No need to be shy Odette. We both know you think you're the most attractive person here."

"....L-livia...!" She stuttered out. If it was possibly for a ghost to blush, she'd be doing it. She didn't seem to deny it, though she visibly pouted and shrank away from the group a bit.

"For someone so shy she's awfully confident in herself most of the time." Livia continued, clearing her throat. "That said, I am tired and request we move back to the city. I am...not feeling too well, though the nausea and dizziness has been alleviated thanks to Charlotte."

"You are still going to help us, right?" Charlotte questioned.

"Tsk, impatient, but yes yes, I always keep my word. I may just need to rest a bit...I was not expecting that thing to be here." From her tone of voice, it did sound like she knew more than she was letting on but didn't seem keen on saying anything.

"Think you're the most attractive person here?" Himeko questioned. Not that she wasn't, Himeko just didn't have such a sense for aesthetics. "I don't really care I guess. Looks hardly matter I think. Anyhow, we're returning? Hmm, well, if we've finished with this here I guess it would probably be a good idea. I'd hate to leave that Artifact by itself for too long. The sooner we find that dangerous object the better." She muttered to herself as she thought about the worst case possible. "This is your home, Odette? Yes? In the assumption you won't be joining us, I'm glad you're safe. Take care of yourself."