Seventh Prayer: A Raging Bonfire [Action/Voice]

[faithfulflame]

[The last few weeks had been a fairly frustrating affair for Rei, and so she'd thrown herself into her studies and practices. Tsukino Shrine had been prepared for winter, summer shrine trappings exchanged for winter, and wood had been pre-chopped so the sacred fire could keep the honden warm for visitors. Still, there were marked signs of annoyance all around the temple, most notably the area where Rei practiced her magic being scorched fairly badly. People who might have seen her around would definitely notice that she looked more tired and overworked than usual, with dark rings under her eyes.

Anyone visiting the shrine today, or even in the general vicinity can clearly hear roaring flames and a series of minor explosions coming from the outdoor workspace. After one particularly deafening blast, the crows around the shrine took off, all save for the two largest. Phobos and Deimos watch as the miko keeps at it, drawing deeply and chanting words Helios had taught her. Onlookers or visitors might notice her hands weaving together, like sewing together a tapestry made out of fire. And then it's released with a rush of heat and a pealing cry. A phoenix shaped fireball rips through the targets she had set up, the heat incinerating them before the fiery construct exploded and sent shards of wood in all directions.

Rei turns up to the crows with an excited gleam in her eye!]

I did it!

[She keeps practicing the spell a few more times before she heads into the village proper, deciding to reward herself with something nice for lunch. As irritated as she was, she did feel somewhat accomplished, like she'd turned that anger into something positive. It didn't really help alleviate the frustration, but it did at least lessen the tension a bit.

For part of the afternoon, Rei can be found at either the bakery or the tea shop, trying to enjoy herself. She looks tired and annoyed, but she's not overly hostile if someone approaches.

Late in the afternoon she returns to the shrine and settles in, deciding that it'd be better to stay here tonight. She stokes altar flame to a golden blaze, and opens her journal to broadcast, and hopefully clear her head with some conversation.]

Voice

Good evening everyone. For those of you who are new, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rei Hino, and I maintain the shrine here in the village. If you need assistance, even if it's just a peaceful place to meditate. I perform flame readings, and I'll be here all night tonight and any day of the week from ten to four. If you would like a charm, I can provide those as well.

But, I've got a question, too. How do you deal with anger? What do you, personally, do to control your temper when you get frustrated? Do you repress it, or do you turn it into something positive? I'm curious, it's just something that's been on my mind lately.

Thank you for your time, and have a pleasant evening.

Comments

[Voice]

[mysicksadlife]

I don't really see the point in holding it all in. It's not going to go away by ignoring it. On the other hand, I've probably bitten off more heads than I should over time.

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

So you just let it out at whatever made you angry?

[Voice] because she's cowardly.

[geniustheveil]

[Ami can really only think of one time she's gotten honestly angry enough to yell at her friends. It had been at Rei, back home, when Rei had claimed all parents were selfish towards their children and Ami's mama was included in that.

Most of the time? To be honest, she hides it behind the courtesy and self-effacing politeness.]

If I'm angry, I sometimes worry the other person will be angry, too, and we won't be able to see eye to eye again.

[Voice] Totally is a coward.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei, for her part, is a fairly angry person compared to Ami. She rarely lets it bubble over, but when she gets angry...she has quite the temper. Of course, Ami's one of the sources of frustration here]

Oh? And when do you actually get angry?

Have a Vulcan...again. XD

[spohkh]

May I inquire as to what 'flame readings' are?

[Spock was not inclined to answer the question about anger.]

Hello Vulcan

[faithfulflame]

Flame readings? Oh, they're a form of fortune telling. I can use them to read someone's future.

[voice]

[transam]

...turn it into something constructive and use it as fuel.

[voice]

[faithfulflame]

Fuel to what end?

[video]

[justicereigns]

I stack rocks. It's supposed to be good for patience.

[And luck, but he has no luck.]

[video]

[faithfulflame]

Oh? And you think that helps you release anger?

[Video cause Leanne knows that button and that button alone very well]

[song_princess]

I sing and focus on happier times.

Flame readings? What are flame readings?

[Video]

[faithfulflame]

[Ugh, singing. She doesn't deign that with a response]

Flame readings are a means of telling the future, by asking the spirits of fire for help.

[Voice]

[toujoursfluer]

An interesting question. I wish I knew the answer. Though I wonder if the answer depends on where the anger is born from. Is anger out of frustration soothed the same way as anger out of helplessness?

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

I don't really know if that's necessarily true. Isn't helplessness just a type of frustration?

[Voice]

[proxyerror]

We've got a shrine here?

[ -- he'll get around to answering the other question in a minute. ]

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

Yes, we do.

[action]

[idealism]

[He couldn't very well ignore such a good spell casting.]

Good work!

[action]

[faithfulflame]

[She turns and nods in thanks, her expression a bit tired]

Thank you, Tsuzuki-san.

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

[Oh his gosh. Explosions and phoenix fireballs? Hell to the yeah. This requires further phoenix investigation. So Marco flies down lower to find the source of the frustration. Oh hey crow bros! Sup. Polite friendly nods to them both before he lands.]

Rei? Did what? [At least she's excited so that's fun! YAY FIRE!]

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei's in the middle of weaving another fire spell when Marco lands nearby. Before responding, she finishes the weaving and sets loose another fireblast.]

Marco-san, hello.

[And she starts a third]

[Action]

[quicktoanger]

Well, that sure was a great big bird made out of fire...

And it was sure being... expertly controlled and put through targets with stunning precision.

Well, see, that just makes a guy feel inadequate.

"Nicely done, Rei."

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

For a moment, Rei didn't answer, she just started weaving another spell together. A tapestry of flame took shape in front of her, and she spoke a word, and sent another larger spell roaring off at the targets. After it struck she turned to Harry with tired, sunken eyes.

"Thank you. I've been practicing that for a few weeks now."

[Video]

[tapdancinskelly]

Personally, I like to let my anger out with my music!

[Video]

[faithfulflame]

Oh, hello Brooke-san.

Do you now? What sort of music do you play?

[Voice]

[asthehawkflies]

When I'm angry, I shoot. As long as I can until there's nothing else but the draw of the bow and the shot. Whole world narrows down to that.

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

Really? You're an archer, sir?

[Coincidentally, so is she.]

Sometimes, when I'm in a foul mood, I do the same.

[voice] Hope a late tag is ok?

[falenandawn]

[Flame readings? He didn't know what they were, but they sounded interesting.....]

I concentrate on pouring my energy into something constructive. Something to fix what made me upset in the first place, if possible.

[voice] Absolutely! I have Frey's post in another tab =D

[faithfulflame]

That sounds like what most people have said. Is there any specific thing you do that calms you down?

[She doesn't sound irritated at the similar answer, just curious]

[action] hope you don't mind such a late tag

[noexit]

[Misato is out for a walk, bundled up for the chilly weather. She might be a little over bundled for the weather, with a hat, scarf, and gloves - the cold isn't something she's used to. But she wasn't going to let it deter her from getting some fresh air.

As cold as she is, the sudden burst of flames up ahead catches her attention. It's hard not to notice something like that. So she decides to head over, surprised to see a familiar face when she gets closer.]

Rei? Is everything okay over here?

[action] Of course not! Though, OOC note at the bottom ^^

[faithfulflame]

[When Misato arrives, Rei is slumped a little, a worn expression on her face. She dips her head to the woman before tottering over to a bench and taking a seat.]

Hello, Misato-san. [She offers a weak smile] Yes, everything is alright. I'm fine.

(ooc: I'm happy to keep the thread up in backtags, just wanna let you know next week I'm moving from the US back to South Korea, so I'll be a liiiittle bit slow.)