Fourth Prayer: A Sputtering Candle [Action/Voice]

[faithfulflame]

[Action, House 3]

[Its an unbearably hot day, even for Rei who's used to Tokyo summers. Normally this would leave her with time to read, but after everything that had happened recently, its just left her feeling worse. Her fortune telling the last month had left her with a lot of anguish, as she'd seen nothing but death and despair for the people that came to visit. It was made worse by her fateful encounter with Harry Dresden, who'd Soulgazed her and forced her to bare her soul to a total stranger. Helios and Donatello had died, and she'd been trapped in space unable to prevent it, and then there was her recent battle with Viral. Rei had managed to keep up a good front, remaining calm and collected outside, but now that she was alone, there was nothing holding back her tears.

Anyone who happens to be in the Senshi house can probably hear the muffled sounds of a crying girl who's completely overwhelmed right now. Perhaps it might be good to talk? Rei would definitely appreciate it.]


[Voice/Action, Early Evening]

[She's calmed down a bit, regaining her usual poise, and now that things have cooled down Rei can be found out at her little tent shrine, meditating on a lot of things, including her connection with Eferin. Rei had spent a significant portion of her time the last month communing with the spirit, her powerful connection to flame helping her learn from the capricious Filial spirit. As the sun dwindles and twilight starts, the young miko stokes the brazier she keeps running, drawing on Eferin's power to do so, and opens her journal. She figured that she should make a greeting broadcast and remind people that she was willing to read fortunes.]

Good evening Luceti. My name is Rei Hino, and I would like to welcome all of the New Feathers who have recently arrived. I maintain some semblance of a shrine here just outside the village and I offer fortune telling to anyone who wishes to see their future. I will remain in the shrine for a time tonight if you feel like making the walk. I would be pleased to help you and provide my service whenever you need, however, should tonight be bad for you. I also provide protection charms for people who request them or need them.

I also have a question for anyone who may be listening. How are spirits viewed in your world? I've begun making connections to the Filial spirits here, and it makes me wonder. Do they speak to you in your world, or are they silent? Are they a conduit to learning Magic as they are here? If you don't believe in them, why?

[Voice, Private to Harry Dresden]
Harry-san, I would like to speak with you when you are available.

[Voice, Private to Viral]
Viral-san, I would like to speak with you when you are available.

(ooc: Feel free to stop by the shrine if you want a fortune and a charm.)

Comments

[Action - at the senshi house]

[geniustheveil]

[Luceti tested everyone. After this long, Ami would be lying if she ever said there weren't times she felt lost, too. Helpless when things happened to her friends. Unable to make any progress in the overall situation.

Rei was like her, in some ways. They both tended to carry these burdens themselves as much as possible. They also both tried to help each other carry them.

Ami heard the soft sound of crying, and went looking for it. She slipped quietly into the room, and at first said nothing, lending only her presence - and a hand lightly on Rei's shoulder.]

[Action - at the senshi house]

[faithfulflame]

[It took Rei a long time to even notice that Ami was even there, only when she felt her friend's hand on her shoulder did she even look up. Tears continued to stream unbidden as she met Ami's eyes. Her voice wavers as she finally speaks. She didn't want anyone to see her like this at all. Just...the crushing weight of everything piling up and piling up. She couldn't control it anymore.]

A...Ami-chan...am I...a burdensome person?

[Action - at the senshi house]

[geniustheveil]

[Eh? The quick flash of surprise couldn't be feigned. Ami hadn't even really imagined Rei felt that way - Rei, who seemed to do so much for everyone. She shook her head immediately.]

It's just the opposite! Rei-chan, you help everyone as much as you can.

[voice//private]

[no_compromise]

Anytime, Rei.

[Besides haphazardly training Billy how to think on his feet in combat and licking his wounds out by the lake, he had nothing but time. While it would have been wiser to stick around the village with his injuries...he had Sabriel to consider. That was a face he didn't want to see distraught.]

Did you wish to meet somewhere?

[voice//private]

[faithfulflame]

I am at my shrine. I am sorry, but I would prefer to speak in person.

[Her tone is grave, serious, and indicates that it is important]

[Text]

[flickerflash]

[She'd near forgotten about the vision until she hears this on the network, and Katie's paying more attention to the journals than usual. The shift between the mundane and the chimerical worlds was enough to drive most of the normal human experiences from her mind.

...she still has the charm, though. Tucked away in her pinafore pocket, because there is power behind it, and you don't just throw things like that away. But it does bring to mind a question.]


Dear Rei,

Do your charms only protect against ghosts?

[Text]

[faithfulflame]

[She won't forget you anytime soon, Katie. You REALLY scared her good...]

No, they will protect you from evil spirits, Katie-san

Voice

[evildoorstop]

The spirits on my world are terrible beings. Too terrible to comprehend! They burn out the very minds of mortals! BWA HA HA

Voice

[faithfulflame]

Hello, Murray-san. Have you ever seen a real spirit before? Or are you just trying to sound menacing again?

[Voice, Private]

[quicktoanger]

Well, that sure didn't sound like the tolling of a damn funeral bell.

I responded not too long after she sent the message, trying not to sound nervous

"Yeah, sure. I'm free now, where should we talk?"

[Voice, Private]

[faithfulflame]

At my shrine, where we met before.

[Action]

[thebellthatbinds]

[Considering how taxing Rei's first day of business reading fortunes for the village had been, Sabriel had decided to swing by a little later that evening to check up on her friend. This time she's made sure to bring some iced tea and food, mostly sandwiches with her before she headed out.

Nearing the tent she calls out to the young woman sitting inside, pausing at the border to purify herself like Rei had showed her last time.]

Good evening, Rei.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei turns at the sound of a familiar voice, a quiet look on her face. Her face had cleared up, and her usual grace was back in full swing. She stood from her meditation and bowed, glad the other girl had come]

Hello Sabriel-san. Its nice to see you.

[action]

[folklorist]

[ After hearing Rei's message over the journals Helios will definitely be making his way out to her shrine for a visit. He'll also bring Luminair along with him the baby dragon will be walking beside Helios giving a little chirp when Helios stops in front of the tent. ]

Rei?

[action]

[faithfulflame]

[Helios is her first customer of the day, lucky him! Its right before nightfall, and Phobos and Deimos wheel and dart around the tent as he walks up. Rei herself is seated in meditation before the flames, concentrating on her connection to Eferin.]

Good evening, Helios-san.

[voice]

[kindhearted]

The spirits here are a lot different than the ones at home. At least, the one I've talked to is. [The most significant difference being that he isn't scared of the one he's met here.]

We don't learn magic from them back home, but some do help us out. Some stray spirits are nice...but a lot are bad. [He laughs nervously.] It's kind of complicated.

[As for the other reason he responded...] I wanted to ask about your charms, too. Are they wards of some kind? I haven't seen too many others around...

[voice]

[faithfulflame]

I understand the idea of evil spirits. In my world, I am a miko, so I've learned a lot about banishing and purifying evil spirits. We learn many things from them though, so its not that they are all bad.

My charms? They are wards, yes. Not just from spirits, but from bad luck as well.

[In Person]

[inheavenslight]

[Luce heard the ending bit of that post and decided to go talk to her in person. Because he hates the book as he knocked lightly at the door. He had seen her come here before so he figured she might be here still.]

[In Person]

[faithfulflame]

[When Rei hears the rapping on the tent-pole door of her shrine she looks up from her meditation briefly. Seeing that its the man from the other day she stands and bows politely]

Good evening, Father.

[video]

[cannotcrossdress]

A shrine? In the Shinto sense?

[A young Japanese woman appears, features soft, but not nearly as much as her voice. She doesn't wish to intrude too much, especially since this girl seemed quite serious and direct--reminiscent of someone in her not-so-distant thoughts.]

When you refer to spirits...I-I'm sorry, I'm asking a lot of questions, I should probably introduce myself first.

[She bows with a slight nod of her head, not wishing to obstruct the view of the video.] I'm Chizuru Yukimura. Your clothes...[They're Japanese, aren't they? Your name sounds Japanese too, classically so.]

[video]

[faithfulflame]

Yes, a Shinto shrine, Yukimura-san.

[Rei's eyes scan the video taking in the fairly traditional clothing and her name as well.]

Are you Japanese as well? And would you like to come talk? I have tea.

[Action]

[daisy023]

[A very tall girl happens to wander near Rei's small shrine, carrying a thermos full of tea, feeling Eferin's presence nearby. A mixture of raw emotion, determination, and fire Daisy feels in the spirit.

She notices the girl meditating. Knowing not to interrupt her, Daisy puts a cup in front, serving her tea.]

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[Ok, strange. Rei's not sure who you are, or what you want, but tea? Thats always welcome, even from towering amazons...

After a long moment, the much, MUCH smaller girl's eyes slowly open and she inclines her head thoughtfully]

Hello.

[Voice]

[of_sablier]

Oh, fortune telling sounds like fun! But how does it work?

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

I take some of your hair, and burn it, and then ask the spirits of the fire to tell me your future.