I12DT: Madame Web Wasn't Available

[John Hino]

After a nervous breath, John knocked on the door of Sam's and Nailah's flat. His scaly features practically oozed worry.

[Nailah Weaver]

Nailah opens the door, looking puzzled when she sees a John.

"Mister Hino?"

[John Hino]

"I need your help."

[Nailah Weaver]

"My office hours are between four and seven." she points out.

[John Hino]

He gave her a look that said, among other things, this was very much not class related. The weight of his ancestors warning had finally gotten to him.

"I can't wait for tomorrow. I tried, but I... I just can't."

[Nailah Weaver]

"I hope it really is that important." she says, stepping aside to let John in.

[John Hino]

"Honestly, I'm hoping this really is a waste of time," he said as he entered.

[Nailah Weaver]

"I'm not sure we're on the same page here right now." Nailah says, quirking an eyebrow before leading him into the living room.

[John Hino]

"Did you hear about my dad?"

[Nailah Weaver]

"Only that he collapsed in the garden. Is he well?"

[John Hino]

"He is now. There was something in his head but Cassiel got it out."

[Nailah Weaver]

"Are you sure you need my help and not Samantha's?"

[John Hino]

"I'm very sure. Are you familiar with yokai?"

[Nailah Weaver]

"Japanese spirits and mythological creatures. Beyond that I can't say I'm particularly familiar."

[John Hino]

"Well a paper lantern ghost was in his head. It was trying to deliver a message and got stuck."

[Nailah Weaver]

"Go on." she says, walking over to a cabinet and unlocking the wooden door to reveal a small selection of books and scrolls.

[John Hino]

He recounted the strange message delivered via magical VHS tap.

[Nailah Weaver]

"Your ancestor's familiar has a strange sense of humor." she says, pulling a book from the shelf.

"So there's an ancient curse on your family. I hope you're not here to ask me to break it because I'll have to disappoint you then. This is much too ancient for that."

[John Hino]

"I came more hoping you could use your precognition to verify if this cult is still out there to come for us. Daisuke did admit the possibly that this danger had blown over."

[Nailah Weaver]

"Verify. This is not exactly a science. I hope you understand that."

[John Hino]

"I do. But if you could see anything coming after my family, then I'll know the message was true. And yes, I know relying on you to be able to tell me everything I need to do is unfair... remind me I said that if I start demanding things."

[Nailah Weaver]

"If this was indeed a familiar bound to your family then you will probably find it's words to be true. Never the less, I understand your desire to make sure. Just know that you're stepping into something you might have a hard time understanding." she says, glancing at the computer-gadget thingie on John's belt.

[John Hino]

"Yeah..." he answered, "A year ago I'd have thought all this completely insane."

[Nailah Weaver]

"And now?"

[John Hino]

"Only half insane."

[Nailah Weaver]

"You're making the mistake of thinking you'll be able to make sense of it if you accept that it's real." she says, resting the book she took from the shelf in the crook of her arm. "Meet me at the lighthouse in half an hour."

[John Hino]

"Oh I'm sure I'll never fully get it," he answered before nodding, "I'll be there."

[Nailah Weaver]

"No one will. That's my point." she smiles vaguely.

[John Hino]

"I'll just... let you get ready then."