we scream our very souls free
It would be a mistake to imagine Haunt either alive or dead. They are neither, and somehow both. They do not require food, only shadow. Their heart does not beat and breath does not fill their lungs except to speak. They exist as something other. Something more and less at the same time.
The spotted stallion who calls himself a scientist would no doubt find all this both interesting and useful, but as fate would have it, Haunt makes a very poor test subject. Their whims are too fickle. He could not hope to hold the shadow for more than a moment, just as one could not hope to hold a wisp of smoke. The moment Haunt grew bored of such indecorous attentions, they would be gone as swiftly as an exhale.
For the moment however, Haunt is perfectly happy to play to the tune of the fiddle the ghost now plucks. It hardly matters that he knows of Haunts ability to traverse the afterlife. They could not part that particular veil for any but themself under normal circumstances. And now, with the borders worn so thin, any could cross if they truly wished it. Haunt merely takes advantage of a shortcut.
As the woman presses even closer, coat once more melting into stripes (these ones violet), Haunt hums in quiet contentment, pleased to have found a creature so free of boundaries as they are.
With a wickedly delighted gleam in their yellow eye, Haunt leans closer to the striped woman, whispering now in her ear. “I think our ghostly friend has great lusts and a frustrating impotence, don’t you?”
Grinning, Haunt withdraws abruptly, silent form moving forward, towards the ephemeral appaloosa. Head tilting, they address their newfound friend with a candid cheer. “You offer discovery but not a price. How will we ever know if you can afford it?”
The price is not for Haunt. After all, they have already discovered so much. Enough to keep the scientist busy for ages. But truly, what incentive does Haunt have to barter their time away for the amusement of a ghost? They would be bored within moments.
@[Rajanish] @[BEASTIE]