Tenth Prayer: Fanning the Flames [Action/Video]

[faithfulflame]

[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.)

Comments

[cynicism]

[He doesn't understand why she would be so confused. Doesn't Tsuzuki ever talk about him when he's off at the temple? He doesn't even see what's so great about this girl. She's downright plain, really.]

You've been to his house?

[What has she been doing anywhere near their house??

[faithfulflame]

[He talks about a friend. And he talks about someone he...had a romantic fight with. He's never given a name, and that's why she's so baffled.]

I...walked him home once, last Halloween. Is something the matter? Who are you, anyway?

[She's only willing to go so far with the politeness.]

[cynicism]

[Well he should have given a name. Or. Or a something! An anything! He shouldn't just be running off with the first psychic that comes along!]

Nothing. It's fine. [THIS IS SO NOT FINE.]

Try not to mention that I've been looking for him.

[faithfulflame]

Who are you?

[Rei folds her arms across her chest and sets herself, now getting a little worried.]

Is Tsuzuki-san in trouble?

[cynicism]

[What is she doing worrying? Is she worried about him? It's Hisoka's job to be worried about him! The very nerve.]

That's not your business.

[faithfulflame]

He's my friend. He's my co-worker. If he's in trouble, then it is my business.

[She gives him a completely exasperated look now, her patience beginning to crack.]

[cynicism]

["Friend." she throws around that word so flippantly, as if that much trust is easy to give away. If she trusts like that, it's probably why Tsuzuki likes her so much in the first place.]

Your eyes are violet. Is that natural?

[faithfulflame]

[Her violet eyes narrow and she reaches for her journal, ready to call Tsuzuki]

Yes. Is that a problem?

[She opens the book and starts looking for his.]

[cynicism]

It's different, that's all. You don't see many Japanese with eyes your color. That's all.

[Said the equally-Japanese boy with the blonde hair and bright green eyes that somehow pass as normal where he's from. Because manga logic.]

[faithfulflame]

If you say so.

[She doesn't call Tsuzuki just yet, instead eyeing him skeptically]

You never answered my question.

[cynicism]

If it was a problem? Some people think so. I'm not normally one of them.

[Unless Rei turns out to be some kind of shape-shifting succubus taking on a pleasing form just to lure Tsuzuki into a false sense of security.

He's also curious about how far this "spirit miko" thing goes. He focuses "I also know you're psychic" in her direction to see if she picks up on it.]

[faithfulflame]

[She raises an eyebrow, getting a weird, fuzzy psychic sense from him but her senses aren't quite that strong. And she's starting to get angry. Rei takes a single step towards him, her fist clenching in irritation]

Who. Are. You?

[She's found Tsuzuki's contact page now, just in case.]

[cynicism]

You don't need to know that.

[Names hold power with some monsters. Maybe she's so able to hold Tsuzuki's attention because he let her in. He's got to stay alert.

[faithfulflame]

[Ignoring the waves of...mistrust Rei sends a written message to Tsuzuki, quickly scribbling into her book...]

Tsuzuki-san, there is someone at the shrine who seems to be looking for you, and he's being hostile to me. Please come quickly.

[Turning back to Hisoka she gives him a level look]

Then if you cannot answer a simple, polite question, I'll have to decline to answer anything further from you. I don't know what you think of me, but if Tsuzuki-san is in danger, then it's certainly not from me.

[written] (I'm writing this from my cell, so forgive typos)

[idealism]

[His answer comes fairly quickly, considering that he wasn't expecting to get any messages that day. He doesn't immediate connect the threat with Hisoka at all. What he's most worried about is that Rei has met a white haired doctor with a sadistic streak.]

Ok. Don't let him take you anywhere!

[With that, he runs out.]

[cynicism]

I knew it! You can feel things! [Maybe he's jumping to conclusions, but he's sure that he didn't directly talk about Rei being a threat to Tsuzuki. She must have felt it!]

[faithfulflame]

Yes. I can.

[She's glad that Tsuzuki's on his way, she certainly won't be going anywhere with this angry fellow.]

I don't know why you're being so hostile.

[cynicism]

If you can't see that, then you're not looking hard enough. Haven't you spent any time at all honing your abilities?

[faithfulflame]

I don't like the idea of prying into another person's thoughts. I've learned other things instead.

[She's glaring now]

I don't know what kind of person you think I am, but you're starting to make me angry.

[idealism]

[It's then that Tsuzuki comes into view, although still a bit far away. Because he was scared that Muraki had arrived in Luceti, he didn't just jog from the house. He bolted. But since he can't see any Muraki yet, he begins to slow down. Still winded, he waves instead of yelling.]


Hey.

[cynicism]

[sdhkghjgklhk TSUZUKI WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE. He grimaces and tenses, tearing his attention away from the potential-demoness to bark at his partner.]

Stupid! It's your day off! Go back home!

[THE ADULTS ARE TALKING. Run along, old man.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei looks from Hisoka to Tsuzuki with a blank expression on her face. Who is this asshole, Tsuzuki, and what's going on?]

Tsuzuki-san, who is this boy?

[Explain. Now.]

[idealism]

[Tsuzuki's expression show how unexpected the chilly greeting is. It almost feels like he's responsible for destroying something, but for the life of him he can't imagine what he's guilty of.]

[Maybe he'll find out if he keeps calm and open.]

Uhm. Rei, this is Hisoka.

[He pats Hisoka's shoulder in a friendly way, a small smile on his face even though Hisoka sounds so mad at him. It's making him anxious.]

He's my partner.

[cynicism]

[He's rigid under Tsuzuki's touch, hard and angry. Nononono this is ruining his interrogation.]

He only needs one.

[And that's the only explanation he can blurt out to either of them. Tsuzuki only needs one partner and she is not it and he will gladly exorcise the heck out of her if that's what it takes.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei ignores Hisoka entirely now, her face remaining neutral.]

Then why is he so angry at me? I got the impression he thinks that I'm going to hurt you. I don't know why, though. What have you been saying about me, Tsuzuki-san?