faithfulflame | Tenth Prayer: Fanning the Flames [Action/Video]

[What a week! Rei couldn't remember a time she'd been more exhausted in her life. The minute she made it in the door of House 3 she'd just dropped into bed like a wilting flower. And she'd slept. For days. When she finally managed to get up and feel...human...again, though, she had things to address. Lots of things.

And the first thing on that list? The shrine. And preparations for a trap she planned to lay on two unwary wizards. After that, she had promises to keep and work to do. This was going to be a long day...]

Action

[Rei spends the early part of the day around Tsukino Shrine. She's been gone for more than a week, and the whole thing needs a bit of tending, just basic chores. While she works, Phobos and Deimos play around the small courtyard, flapping around merrily in the spring breeze. It's a pretty nice time, a far cry from the insane battle the week before. Anyone's welcome to come by and help out with chores, or setting up for her foray into forced match-making.

Midmorning, before she sits down to have lunch she opens her journal and sends out a broadcast. Phobos and Deimos are probably pawing around the camera, being nosy birds as usual.]

Video

Good afternoon, Luceti. This is Rei Hino. I would like to inform you that fortune telling at Tsukino Shrine will resume today as normal. I'd also like to express my sincerest condolences to anyone who was injured on the draft last week, and even more to those who lost someone in battle. Words...fail me at the moment, but if you are in need of a place to pray or find a peaceful place to think, you are welcome to use the shrine here for that. I hope you are able to find some measure of solace, however you choose to seek it. If you need me for anything, I will be here until six this evening for fortune telling or prayer services.

Additionally, I would like to ask a question. What are ways that you've learned to relieve stress? Particularly after a battle. How would you go about creating an atmosphere to help people relax? I have a small project that I'm working on down this vein, and I could use some suggestions. I would appreciate it a lot.

[A little later she sends out 3 more filtered broadcasts]

Locked to Max Woodville

Max-san, can we talk?

Locked to Okita Souji

Souji-san, if you have time, I would like to make good on my promise.

Locked to Helios Sprensonne
Helios-san, can you visit the shrine tonight at around seven? There is something very important I need to discuss with you. I'll prepare dinner, so please come hungry. This may take some time, as well. And it's a sensitive issue, so I'd appreciate it if you could leave your journal at home.

(OOC: Feel free to just drop by the shrine instead of responding to the broadcast if that suits your character better.)

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Yes. She lives with me actually. I help take care of her here.

Historical? So they did exist at one point.

Well then you'll have to introduce us, won't you?

They did. Did someone tell you otherwise?

Alright. I'll look forward to it.

[He shakes his head.]

No, in fact I believe I've heard something similar before. I'm merely making a mental comparison of worlds.

Ah. Well. Hmmm.

Have you ever heard of creatures called Youma or Youkai in your world?

Demons and spirits? Mostly in a fictional sense.

[Not that some don't exist, though many are tied to strong jutsus.]

Y-you're welcome!

[She sounds surprised and relieved. She was helpful? Really? That's great!]

Hmm. They're quite real in my world. But I've gathered that's unusual.

[Of course, they're just minions of the Dark Kingdom and all]

[Rei...definitely makes a note to look this girl up later. She seems really sweet.]

[ It's meant to be a gesture that's otherwise pleasing to the other. And the words Helios speaks are meant to ease whatever fears Max might be encumbered with.

Helios will smile moving his own glass against Max's so that they both clink in unison. ] I'm glad you approve. Good memories are sometimes hard to come by here, so that fits rather well too.

[ Helios will then take a sip of his own drink laughing lightly. This was more picturesque than he ever thought he would get here especially without an experiment being involved. ]

[Well, it succeeds. Maybe it's just kind of sinking in that this is really happening and he's not just dreaming. Or being screwed over by a dream shifter. He kind of wants to pinch himself to make sure.]

I think so.

[He takes a drink, and hey, the sake tastes way better than it had when he was 18. Maybe his tastes were changing with age. Whatever it is, it makes him feel warm and happy.]

You should laugh more. It suits you.

[ Helios himself wasn't much for drinking alcoholic beverages. But this sake is very good and perhaps its flavor is only enhanced by the company he's drinking it with. ]

I think I can manage that. Especially if I keep drinking like this. [ He laughs again a light blush creeping across his cheeks. It's not that he has a low tolerance but it's been a while since he's actually had more than a glass of wine or a beer or two. ]

[That makes him laugh too, and he takes another sip of the alcohol.]

Well, it's not like we're going anywhere for a while, right? And it's really smooth stuff.

[And Helios is blushing again and he can't resist reaching up to touch, stroking his fingers across his cheek, happiness and the alcohol making him a little bolder than he might otherwise be.]

It is if they're commonplace, or if they reveal themselves to humans on a regular basis.

[He hasn't heard of this happening with all worlds similar to hers.]

Only sometimes, but enough to cause trouble.

[Like...on a near daily basis in Tokyo]

I wouldn't say we have that in my world then, no.

[There were the tailed beasts, but those were something... different.]

Then I would consider your world a fortunate one.

[She smiles, somewhat sardonically]

[Itachi shakes his head slowly.]

Where one sort of demon is absent, another may step in to take its place.

Ah. Yes, I suppose that's true. Even if it's just men.

It certainly is. Very, ah, smooth. It's rather strong too.

[ And then he'll laugh once again, only pausing to blink and watch in surprise at Max's rather bold gesture. His smile softens and his hand comes up to wrap gently around Max's hand that is stroking his cool cheek. Helios will press a few light kisses against Max's fingertips. A bold gesture that he would otherwise not normally enact. And it shows from his clear somewhat embarrassed reaction that he's not normally this open or responsive towards such things. But he's trying to get better and more accustomed towards these things again, but he's not afraid or ashamed to go slowly. Max has already proven to be more than understanding so Helios can take his time with experimenting on these things once more. ]

Just a bit. Probably shouldn't drink too much.

[Oh god, oh god, did that... did it really happen? He gives a delighted laugh when he feels that, the brush of Helios's lips against his fingers, a little breathless with feeling. He grasps Helios's free hand in his, , just holding it, gentle encouragement.]

Mm. Yes it would be embarrassing falling asleep when-when we're the only one's keeping each other company.

[ Helios will laugh lightly and happily as he shakes his head at the thought. He doesn't even mind the fact that he's just a bit tipsy at the moment. It almost seems to help wash away all the inherent fears and underlying trepidation he still has about all of this. ]

Max. Thank you. For-for s-staying and just being here right now.

[ Of course the other man could have left, if he really tried, and they could have not spoken or talked about this. But they had and Helios was rather grateful for the result. ]

Just a bit, yeah. Besides... I kinda want to- to enjoy the time, you know?

[And not have to worry that it was just a result of the alcohol and all. He raises an eyebrow at Helios for that, a slightly bemused look on his face.]

I said we needed to talk and, well, I'm really glad that we did. [If this is the result then yes, he's ridiculously glad that he hadn't tried to leave.]

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Tenth Prayer: Fanning the Flames [Action/Video]

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