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Homophonic: Libby

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It is. Personally I enjoy folklore.

[ Legends of things like nue and ghosts are right up her alley. ]

Yeah? You got a favorite story?

It's hard to pick a favorite... Have you ever heard of Bancho Sarayashiki?

[shaking her head]

I'd like to hear it, though.

There are many variations of this story, like all stories. Here is the common thread.

Okiku was once the beautiful servant of a revered samurai. His name was Aoyama Tessan. After Okiku continuously turned down his solicitous advances, he tricked her into believe she was responsible for the loss of his precious family heirloom.

Aoyama promised to forgive her, only if she would become her lover. He was once again rebuffed. His plan backfired, and Aoyama killed Okiku by throwing her down a well.

In the end, Okiku turned into a vengeful spirit hellbent on tormenting the master who wronged her.

[huffs]

I'd like a story where she throws him down the well instead.

He did deserve it.

In the end her torment does kill him. She goes on, tormenting other terrible men until they die.

That last part sounds appealing until you remember she had to die before that. I'm sure she had other goals and dreams.

Yes. There are many stories similar to this, of women killed because of a man's inability to accept the word no.

I wonder why it's so widespread.

Fiction mirroring reality, I guess?

It's been going on for centuries, at this point.

That story... What makes you like it?

There's something satisfying about it. To know that even if a life ends violently, there will be some retribution for the perpetrator.

You don't have to, um, answer this... But is that something you're familiar with somehow?

Hmm...

[ Thinking about it. ] I'd rather not. [ Or at least, not at this time. ]

[she nods.]

Of course. I, um, I didn't mean to pry.

It's alright. Thank you for asking.

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