Twelfth Prayer: Some Flames Never Die [Action/Video] Late Afternoon

[faithfulflame]

Video

[A video feed flickers to life, showing a teenage girl dressed in long, thick looking priestess's robes sitting outside the little shrine on the riverbank. And for once in her Luceti life, Rei Hino looks genuinely happy with how things are going. Everything has gone...strangely well...for her lately. Despite the invasion, the discovery in the tunnel, and all of that, everything was actually alright in Rei's little world. So much so that it seemed like an ideal time to have a little celebration for an event that had been pretty significant for her a year before. It's not much, she never expects a large crowd for anything she does, but then she's never been one for that sort of thing, either. And who knows, it may even help to lift people's spirits after their own troubles.

There's no sigh, no subtle frown, no vaguely irritated look in her eye. She's even smiling at the camera as she addresses it.]

Good afternoon Luceti. My name is Rei Hino, and as some of you might know...and some might not...I maintain a small shrine here across the path from Community House 2. I haven't broadcast about it in a while, but I thought today might be a good day to extend an invitation to anyone who might want a peaceful place to spend some time before the weather changes. It was one year ago today that Brave Vesperia completed building it, and it felt appropriate to mark the date with a little something.

[She gestures to some tables of food she's prepared or gathered from the shops and bakery, a variety of snacks, along with curry, pasta, and various other easy meals really. Rei can cook alright, but this was kind of last minute, after all.]

So please, come eat and relax. If you like, I'll read your fortune and give you a good luck charm too. I know things have been stressful lately, so please consider it. It may do you some good.

[A pair of crows flap into view, landing on her shoulders as she turns to look at the building. With a laugh Rei playfully runs a finger under one's beak and looks to the journal.]

And you know...it's strange, having been here as long as I have. I've had a lot of friends come and go, and seen a lot of strange and unsettling things. But looking at this building...it makes me happy. Maybe it's because it's like my home. My...real home. [Rei's smile grows almost wistful, weary even.] Does anyone else have a place like that here? A place that makes you feel at peace, maybe even a little nostalgic? I'd like to know...even if you don't come eat.


[And then she waves a hand, whispers a word, and the book closes with a sudden gust of wind. Harry would've been proud...]

Action

[Rei will be available at the shrine all afternoon after around 2:00, or if you like you can catch her earlier in the day in the shops with armfuls of food. Nothing too fancy is going on, just a little impromptu anniversary party.]

Comments

[video]

[aerialassault]

I already showed ya my bit of nostalgia, Rei. You've got your shrine and I've got my ship in the sim programs.

[Cliff smiled through the video feed. There were never too many hidden layers here.]

Grats on the anniversary. With how crazy things get 'round here, keeping a place like that up and running is a big deal. Did you want me to bring anything over?

[video]

[faithfulflame]

[She almost laughs at that, nodding]

You did. And it was very interesting, really. I appreciated you sharing it with me. And I don't know, what do space-men like to eat?

[She's really glad there don't have to be a lot of layers there. Uncomplicated relationships were good.]

[ action ]

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ Kirk had caught her earlier announcement, and while he had, at first, not been interested, he decided he changed his mind. He could use something a bit different, and his meditations had left him sore earlier in the day, not quite as interesting without Spock jumping around in the head space with him.

So he put on his jeans and his boots and a plain white shirt and made his way to the shrine Rei had mentioned. He wasn't really religious, but he could respect people's religions and even found some interesting, especially those on the new planets. Just don't preach at him.

He pauses when he passes through the thresh hold, looking around, his hands tucked into his pockets as he surveyed the area, wondering if he was supposed to do something like hop on one foot and spin in a circle nine times... ]</sub>

[ action ]

[faithfulflame]

[It wasn't difficult for Rei to pick out someone unfamiliar with Shinto customs. As predicted it'd been a relatively quiet day, even with the food but still, she was pretty good about picking up on things people's discomfort and unfamiliarity. Even without being a psychic.

So, over she walks, arms folded in front of her. She bows politely, a reed in the wind, but there's a slight smile there.]

Good afternoon. Welcome to Tsukino Shrine. Have you come to for the food?

[Video]

[geniustheveil]

[Ami decides to answer over the journals. From the background, she's most likely at the clinic. It's an easy guess anyway, really. Most of her time is spent there if she's not at home or taking care of errands herself. She smiles out at Rei from the feed.]

Congratulations, Rei-chan. You, too, Phobos - or is it Deimos this time? It really will be Autumn soon, won't it? There'll be a lot of leaves to sweep this year, I think. Rains, too.

[She marks down a few notes on some papers while they talk. Idled is not particularly her natural state. It hasn't escaped her notice that this also means a little over a year since Usagi disappeared again - as if she'd ever need a reminder to tell her that date.]

[Video]

[faithfulflame]

[The crow squawks, and it's partner lets out a raucous crowing sound]

That was Deimos, Ami-chan. And thank you. I'll be counting on you to help manage all the work, with Sabriel-san gone. [There's a pause as she watches her friend working]

When you have some time today, please come by, okay? I have something special for you.

Action

[mothergoose]

[Although a. not very religious and b. not very social. Tenenbaum is rather curious as to what a shrine is like and decides to pay a visit. She will be the awkward looking women looking out of place.]

Action

[faithfulflame]

[There have probably been more awkward people...really. The sparkling velociraptor that visited last spring for example. But Rei walks over to the woman with a smile and a bow.]

Hello there. Can I help you with something? Food, or a fortune?

[voice]

[godbent]

Why would you identify a "real home" here?

[Even if she, too, probably has]

\[voice]

[faithfulflame]

Haruhi-san, my real home is in Tokyo. This is just a place like that.

[Was she not clear?]

[crimsonblade]

[She sees the girl carrying bags upon bags of food and moves over to speak with her.]

If you're not careful, you'll drop some of that. Perhaps you'd like some help?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei peers around the food and nods gratefully]

Yes, thank you. I'd appreciate it a lot.

[action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios is going to be stopping by the shrine after Rei's announcement. He's brought a few offerings with him like a bowl of fish and some recently cooked fish too. He'll give Rei a happy wave of his only good arm, a bright smile on his features as he gets closer. ]

Rei! I so sorry I forgot all about the shrine. [ His mind has been a bit preoccupied lately. ] Do you need any help?

[action]

[faithfulflame]

[Well bowls of fish and cooked fish are nice, and Rei appreciates that. She hops out into her shoes and crosses the grounds to give her adoptive father a quick hug.]

You forgot? [She frowns, but her eyes are teasing. She knows about his arm, his housemate's injuries, and the upcoming anniversary, after all.] Well I can always use a helping hand around here.

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

[Even though Rei offered food and snack, Marco brings a present of tea and snacks for her. She'll probably get full with all the people coming to visit her however.]

Hello.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei waves and walks up to Marco. Even weird pineapple pirates can't dampen her mood.]

Hello, Marco-san.

[Action]

[linefacingforever]

[Yu had to admit, he was a bit curious about the shrine. After all, he had spent plenty of time at the one in Inaba over his summer. It was a nice place, one to curl up with a book, or catch bugs, or just relax with the fox for awhile. From how Rei talked, it seemed this shrine had that same kind of appeal... and, well, from how she ended her video, he couldn't help but feel a little worried for her.]

[...hard to believe he had difficulty reaching out to others a year ago. Now he couldn't stop.]

[As luck would have it, he arrived at the shrine just in time to see Rei with her bags of food. Don't mind him; he'll just be hurrying over to give her a hand right now.]

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[And as luck would have it, Rei doesn't mind him coming to help carry things. She hands over some bags with a half smile and a nod.]

Thank you, Narukami-san. I appreciate it.

[blessingone]

[Fenimore catches the post not long after comes up, but it's well over an hour before she makes her way out to the shrine. A part of the reason involves finding someone to keep an eye on Sophie, but the rest of the reason lies in the small basket under her arm, which has a number of warm biscuits. Sure, Rei has a lot of food at the shrine, but Fenimore remembers Rei mentioning that she doesn't get warm, fresh bread terribly often. That's easy enough to fix and, besides, it feels polite to bring something before partaking of some of the food already there.

She's delayed at the entrance examining the gateway, though. The shape seems odd to her and she wonders if it means anything. If Rei doesn't come to talk to her there, she'll eventually make it farther in and seek her out, but she's temporarily standing with her arms crossed and looking up with a contemplative expression.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei, of course, notices Fenimore just standing there and rather than leave her alone she trots over as quickly as she can without seeming to hurry and waves cheerily.]

I'm glad you could come, Fenimore-san. It's nice to see you.

[video]

[toujoursfluer]

I have a place...though the nostalgia is becoming increasingly...complicated. [though that is the most she'll say on the matter]

What kind of fortunes do you read? And what do you do if they're bad?

[video]

[faithfulflame]

Ah. Well, that is a shame, Robin-san.

[Rei raises an eyebrow. She remembered giving Robin this information before but then...who could say what people remembered.]

I read people's futures, and it could be whatever the spirits choose to show me. And if it's bad? I tell them anyway. It's my responsibility.

[action]

[shinesbrightest]

[Shinji also decides to visit the shrine after hearing Rei's announcement. He couldn't quite share her sentiment about having a home away from home, but that was no reason not to be supportive, he'd decided. So, he makes his way to the shrine and offers a small smile when he catches sight of her.]

Hey, Rei.

[There's a pleasant sort of mood here today and it feels just a little bit contagious.]

[action]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei turns at the sound of the familiar voice and smiles.]

Hello, Shinji-san. How are you this afternoon?

[She waves pleasantly towards the tables, if he wants to get started with food and such.]

[Voice]

[of_sablier]

A good luck charm? What sort of luck does it bring, might I ask?

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

What kind do you need? Luck comes in many forms.