Chapter 1
The New Arrival
The terminal building was the last stop for those spirits departing the physical world. Spirits are not immortal, but they nearly always remain for their entire existence among the mortals. Only those who have lost the desire to interact go there, and it's usually just to go there to die in quiet dignity. The cold stone walls in the main processing room reminded them of the human world where they no longer felt welcome--it was designed that way intentionally. The drinking fountain, positioned squarely in the center of the cavernous waiting room, dripped incessantly. The spirits could only watch and listen. The empty benches were useless to them, as sitting served no purpose whatsoever. Eating, drinking or even touching solid things no longer had meaning. The door leading out to the spirit world, on the other hand, invited those who had grown weary of their existence. Multicolored windows added a festive touch to the transition. Once the spirits passed though the threshold, they would have very little opportunity to return.
It was Yubaba's turn to greet the newcomers to the Spirit World. There were about twenty spirits that day--a little lighter than usual. Nonetheless, each sentient spirit needed to be interviewed for placement. That was the bound duty assigned to the stewards of the world. Yubaba announced, [NEXT!]
Nigihayami Kohakunushi, former master of the Kohaku River, drifted into position. Yubaba eyed him and proclaimed [THIS IS A NON-SENTIENT RIVER SPIRIT. WHO PUT THIS THING IN THE LINE?] Nigihayami Kohakunushi startled her by replying, [I AM NIGIHAYAMI KOHAKUNUSHI AND I BELIEVE I AM SENTIENT]. Yubaba noted almost imperceptibly, [SENTIENT RIVER SPIRIT. RARE. BLOCK SEVEN] She then directed her discussion toward the new spirit, [TAKE THE TRAIN TO NUMANOURA STATION. TELL THE GREETER YOU ARE TO BE PLACED IN BLOCK SEVEN]
[BUT I BELEIVE I CAN BE OF USE TO YOU. I'D LIKE A JOB]
[YOU AREN'T WORTHY OF A JOB WITH ME. BLOCK SEVEN]
River spirits can bend on a point or two, but are relentless when they get determined. [I KNOW I CAN WORK VERY WELL. I NEED A JOB]
[WHAT CAN A DRIED-UP RIVER POSSIBLY DO FOR ME? NUMANOURA STATION - FOURTH STOP.]
[IT'S MY OPTION WHETHER I ENTER HERE OR NOT--AND I'M A FILLED-IN RIVER, NOT DRIED UP. I SEE A DRINKING FOUNTAIN HERE. I COULD MOVE INTO IT AND MAKE LIFE MISERABLE FOR YOU, BUT I'D FAR RATHER HAVE A JOB. I'LL WORK VERY HARD]
Yubaba got a crusty look in her eyes and asked, [WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING I ASKED YOU TO DO?]
Nigihayami Kohakunushi gave it some thought and replied, [IF IT'S HONEST WORK, I'LL DO WHAT YOU ASK]
Noting the delay in his response, Yubaba figured she might have reeled in a big catch. She was bound by her duties to put anyone who persisted to work, but she was free to try to get the spirit to accept less. [I MIGHT HAVE NEED FOR AN ASSISTANT, BUT I MIGHT NEED TO HAVE YOU DO--VERY RARELY--SOMETHING, SAY... ...A LITTLE LESS THAN HONEST. A PERSON IN MY POSITION NEEDS TO BE FREE TO CONDUCT AFFAIRS WITHOUT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS IN ORDER TO DO GOOD. I AM THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY HERE AND YOU'D NEVER GET INTO TROUBLE.]
[I DON'T KNOW. I'D RATHER HAVE HONEST WORK]
Yubaba had him and she knew it. [I HAVE A CONTRACT HERE TO WORK UNDER MY TERMS. BEFORE I SIGN MY NAME WITH YOURS, I NEED TO PUT YOU TO A TEST. I WILL TURN YOU INTO... ...A TWELVE YEAR OLD HUMAN BOY AND SEND YOU BACK FOR THREE HOURS. IN THOSE THREE HOURS, YOU WILL STEAL MONEY FROM THE RICHEST PERSON YOU CAN FIND AND BUY FOOD FOR THE POOREST FAMILY YOU CAN FIND. THAT IS THE KIND OF WORK I'LL NEED YOU TO DO, AND I NEED TO KNOW IF YOU'RE UP TO IT]
Nigihayami Kohakunushi rationalized that it was OK to do bad things on occasion if a greater good came from it. [I WILL DO MY BEST TO MAKE YOU PROUD. I WILL MAKE SURE A HUNDRED HUNGRY MOUTHS ARE FED BY THE TIME I RETURN]
Yubaba was proud, alright: proud of herself. She just got this fool to give up his most precious posession: his integrity. Stealing from the rich is still stealing. Once he signed her contract, she would have a lackey she could use for anything she desired. She cast a spell on the spirit, turning him into a young boy as she stated she would. She also cast a spell on him that made it impossible for him to get caught at whatever he decided to steal...
The New Arrival
The terminal building was the last stop for those spirits departing the physical world. Spirits are not immortal, but they nearly always remain for their entire existence among the mortals. Only those who have lost the desire to interact go there, and it's usually just to go there to die in quiet dignity. The cold stone walls in the main processing room reminded them of the human world where they no longer felt welcome--it was designed that way intentionally. The drinking fountain, positioned squarely in the center of the cavernous waiting room, dripped incessantly. The spirits could only watch and listen. The empty benches were useless to them, as sitting served no purpose whatsoever. Eating, drinking or even touching solid things no longer had meaning. The door leading out to the spirit world, on the other hand, invited those who had grown weary of their existence. Multicolored windows added a festive touch to the transition. Once the spirits passed though the threshold, they would have very little opportunity to return.
It was Yubaba's turn to greet the newcomers to the Spirit World. There were about twenty spirits that day--a little lighter than usual. Nonetheless, each sentient spirit needed to be interviewed for placement. That was the bound duty assigned to the stewards of the world. Yubaba announced, [NEXT!]
Nigihayami Kohakunushi, former master of the Kohaku River, drifted into position. Yubaba eyed him and proclaimed [THIS IS A NON-SENTIENT RIVER SPIRIT. WHO PUT THIS THING IN THE LINE?] Nigihayami Kohakunushi startled her by replying, [I AM NIGIHAYAMI KOHAKUNUSHI AND I BELIEVE I AM SENTIENT]. Yubaba noted almost imperceptibly, [SENTIENT RIVER SPIRIT. RARE. BLOCK SEVEN] She then directed her discussion toward the new spirit, [TAKE THE TRAIN TO NUMANOURA STATION. TELL THE GREETER YOU ARE TO BE PLACED IN BLOCK SEVEN]
[BUT I BELEIVE I CAN BE OF USE TO YOU. I'D LIKE A JOB]
[YOU AREN'T WORTHY OF A JOB WITH ME. BLOCK SEVEN]
River spirits can bend on a point or two, but are relentless when they get determined. [I KNOW I CAN WORK VERY WELL. I NEED A JOB]
[WHAT CAN A DRIED-UP RIVER POSSIBLY DO FOR ME? NUMANOURA STATION - FOURTH STOP.]
[IT'S MY OPTION WHETHER I ENTER HERE OR NOT--AND I'M A FILLED-IN RIVER, NOT DRIED UP. I SEE A DRINKING FOUNTAIN HERE. I COULD MOVE INTO IT AND MAKE LIFE MISERABLE FOR YOU, BUT I'D FAR RATHER HAVE A JOB. I'LL WORK VERY HARD]
Yubaba got a crusty look in her eyes and asked, [WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING I ASKED YOU TO DO?]
Nigihayami Kohakunushi gave it some thought and replied, [IF IT'S HONEST WORK, I'LL DO WHAT YOU ASK]
Noting the delay in his response, Yubaba figured she might have reeled in a big catch. She was bound by her duties to put anyone who persisted to work, but she was free to try to get the spirit to accept less. [I MIGHT HAVE NEED FOR AN ASSISTANT, BUT I MIGHT NEED TO HAVE YOU DO--VERY RARELY--SOMETHING, SAY... ...A LITTLE LESS THAN HONEST. A PERSON IN MY POSITION NEEDS TO BE FREE TO CONDUCT AFFAIRS WITHOUT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS IN ORDER TO DO GOOD. I AM THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY HERE AND YOU'D NEVER GET INTO TROUBLE.]
[I DON'T KNOW. I'D RATHER HAVE HONEST WORK]
Yubaba had him and she knew it. [I HAVE A CONTRACT HERE TO WORK UNDER MY TERMS. BEFORE I SIGN MY NAME WITH YOURS, I NEED TO PUT YOU TO A TEST. I WILL TURN YOU INTO... ...A TWELVE YEAR OLD HUMAN BOY AND SEND YOU BACK FOR THREE HOURS. IN THOSE THREE HOURS, YOU WILL STEAL MONEY FROM THE RICHEST PERSON YOU CAN FIND AND BUY FOOD FOR THE POOREST FAMILY YOU CAN FIND. THAT IS THE KIND OF WORK I'LL NEED YOU TO DO, AND I NEED TO KNOW IF YOU'RE UP TO IT]
Nigihayami Kohakunushi rationalized that it was OK to do bad things on occasion if a greater good came from it. [I WILL DO MY BEST TO MAKE YOU PROUD. I WILL MAKE SURE A HUNDRED HUNGRY MOUTHS ARE FED BY THE TIME I RETURN]
Yubaba was proud, alright: proud of herself. She just got this fool to give up his most precious posession: his integrity. Stealing from the rich is still stealing. Once he signed her contract, she would have a lackey she could use for anything she desired. She cast a spell on the spirit, turning him into a young boy as she stated she would. She also cast a spell on him that made it impossible for him to get caught at whatever he decided to steal...