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

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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.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well I'm sorry to interrupt your fun.

[She starts pouring tea out for herself, but nods to the pot.]

Would you like some?

Less fun, more co-dependent and unhealthy coping mechanism, honestly.

Ah, please. That would be great.

I suppose. But it's better than crying alone. Battle is...harsh.

[She keeps a kettle set next to the fire, so it can boil. Pouring out steaming liquid, she adds the leaves to the clay mugs and pushes them over to him]

Give it a minute.

I guess. And yeah, it is harsh.

[He falls quiet after that, watching as she serves the tea and waiting for it to brew.]

[Rei keeps quiet until her own tea is ready, and takes a sip before beginning]

Are you alright? Like, really alright? After...everything?

[He opens his mouth to insist that he's fine, that everything is just fine, and then stops, shaking his head.]

I- I've barely slept since getting back. And after what happened on the last day, my housemates seem to think I need constant supervision to make sure I don't- I dunno, slash my wrists I guess. Maybe jump off a tall building.

[She knew already, but...consider this a test Max.]

What happened?

Aside from landing myself in the infirmary because I... well, I did cut my hands up so maybe it's justified...

[Not that he's about to admit that to Jack or Eugene right now...

He lets out a heavy sigh, shaking his head.]

I fucked up. I hurt someone.

[Half-passed]

Whom?

[He glances up at her, his eyes wide and hurt.]

Sabriel. I hurt Sab.

[Setting her cup down, she nods and moves to give him a hug. Screw you, Max, it's her turn]

She told me. I'm sorry. I know it was an accident.

[He starts when she hugs him, just going stiff for a moment before he relaxes a little, slowly hugging her back.]

I didn't- I never wanted to hurt her. Never wanted to hurt anyone but... I- it was my spell and she got hurt.

[She squeezes back]

I know you didn't mean to. You told me before you're not a soldier. And she's alive. And so are you.

[It felt ridiculous. He was a grown man, supposedly, and she was a teenager and she was having to comfort him. And he was so so grateful.]

She's alive, but she's hurt, and I don't know how to fix it. I made the spell... shouldn't I be able to mend it? But I can't.

It's not always your place. Sometimes only time can heal those wounds. All you can do is ease the burden.

I should be able to fix the problems I cause. This- it's the second time my magic has done harm to someone I care about.

[At least Sabriel was still there.]

Max. You aren't a god. You cannot foresee everything. Mistakes happen. And she will be fine.

[She keeps hugging him, but loosens her hold to pull back a bit. Hopefully, he notes the significance of the lack of an honorific.]

You cannot blame yourself for it.

[It isn't Max-san this time, and that- he can tell that it's a big deal to her. She's always so formal.]

I know. I just- I just wanted my friends to be safe, and nearly every one of them got hurt on the draft.

And you saved my life.

[A small reminder to take victories where they can be had.]

[He meets her eyes for a moment and then gives a weak smile and nods.]

It's what anyone would have done. I'm glad I was there to help.

And I'm sure you'd have done the same for anyone else.

[She pats him on the shoulder and settles back on her cushion]

Don't beat yourself up. What's done is done, and she's alright. I'm alright. And you're alright.

You make me sound much braver and more selfless than I am. But thanks.

[His smile becomes a little brighter and he sips at the tea.]

Yeah. Yeah, we came out of it. Mostly in tact.

You're braver than you think you are. And more selfless too. That's...three times you've seen me at my most vulnerable. A weaker man might have taken advantage of that.

[He doesn't feel very brave. And he just looks confused when she mentions taking advantage. The thought really hadn't occurred to him.]

No, a complete bastard would have taken advantage of that. Any decent person wouldn't.

[She nods, smiling quietly to herself. Hearing someone say that...helps a lot. The men in her life have all mostly been of the bastard variety, and she's glad to have someone else agree with her.]

You're right. Very right. You're more than decent, though.

[This is her way of giving you a peptalk]

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