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

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.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Discretion? Please.

[He waved it off. He understood the concerns-- having word of something like this get out would only hit the rumor mill at some point, which was the last thing he wanted to see affect Rei. He knew the ways of these things quite well, and the effects were all encompasing...]

I was married to Souji last month, during that thing. I think I can handle being a little discreet.

I'm not sure I want to know how that happened. But thank you.

It was a shift, and he was a babe. [He winked-- it really was funny.]

But seriously. I can be discreet any time you need...if you just want someone to be discreet. Don't worry about it.

I don't even want to think about it. It's not like they tell us much of anything here.

[If they were getting stronger or better on the outside, there was no way for them to know in Luceti until it was too late. But even if there was, it wasn't like he could really help, either. It was more than a little frustrating.]

The Malnosso like doing that to him a lot. He does make a pretty young lady though.

[She laughs that off and nods.]

Thank you.

[Have a wide-eyed look from Grune.]

Oh, no, I wouldn't do that. Then no one else would be able to have the tarts. It wouldn't be fair.

Heh. I guess he does make a very pretty lady...

[There was a bit of fondness there, but he just wrote it off as being a remnant of that Shift. Those things always faded after a bit, right?]

And you're welcome. I've gotta hunch that I won't be leaving this place anytime soon either, so there's no need to worry 'bout that either.

I wouldn't call it normal, but something like it does exist, even if many people haven't heard of it. So in that sense I suppose we're somewhat similar.

No, I didn't think you would be. Of course it's unpredictable, but the people who've been here more than a few months seem to last longer than average. Some don't stay very long, though. so there's no middle ground really.

Oh? So it's just uncommon then? I haven't heard of many places like that, really. Usually it's so...all or nothing.

[Fenimore's smile turns into a grin.]

I don't know about that. Other people might not enjoy them as much as I would, so it wouldn't be fair for me not to eat all of them.

[Her tone makes it obvious that she's kidding. At least, obvious for Rei. It's hard to tell for Grune. She does start looking for those suggested tarts, though, pleased that Rei thought to make some available for her. She'll just have one, though. ...Well, two. Maybe three on the outside.]

Yes, the sort of magic we have is a bit like the Filial spirits here. One has to make a contract in order to use it, and there's no guarantee you'll be accepted. Most people go their entire lives without ever encountering it or even knowing much about it.

Well take as many as you like, but do it fast. [Rei offers Grune a teasing little look] Before a certain someone decides to take them.

[And she bites into another biscuit smugly, wondering how Grune will take it!]

[She'll take it...by taking a tart to hold onto.]

I'll just have one, so Fenimore can have the rest. Because she likes them very much.

That's not so different from what I do at home, really. Anything I do comes through the spirits that live in my world. Most people don't believe in them, of course. But I've felt them. They're quite real.

[Well, Rei's spiritual powers anyway. Sailor Mars is a whole different story.]

Huh. This please is weird like that, I s'pose.

[A shrug.]

I just know that I don't mind being here. Sure, there's something important to do at home, but why should I waste my time worrying about it?

...Although, that said. I wonder how those people who've been here for years handle it all.

[People like Leon. Or Souji. There were probably many others, but he hadn't met too many of them yet to know for sure.]

It's a shame, isn't it? That some people won't believe in something just because they've never seen it for themselves.

Honestly, it's more than a little sad. People just don't have any concept of faith anymore, at least in my world.

[Fenimore chuckles, but she feels like she should clarify things. Even if she started the joke, she doesn't want it to get out of hand and imply she's being a glutton.]

You can have another, Grune. Even -- I won't be able to eat all of them, even though I'm sure they'll be delicious.

[The exchange is amusing enough to draw a faint, and quickly stifled, laugh from Rei. Grune's so very sweet, in her strange sort of way. And Fenimore manages her so deftly.]

There should be plenty, really.

[Grune looks from Fenimore to Rei. They're both laughing, which is a good thing, even if she doesn't really know what they're laughing at. Oh well.]

All right. Thank you very much.

That isn't a problem limited to your world.

No, I suppose not.

[Rei lets out a faint sigh.]

It's always hard to think of it dwindling, but...I guess that happens anywhere as people move away from traditions.

[Fenimore nods at Grune and picks up a tart of her own. After swallowing a mouthful, she turns to Rei.]

So, have you had many people come to visit, besides us?

[She bobs her head cheerily.]

Yes, actually. I've had quite a few visitors today. It's been unusually busy, really. Guess it's good that I got all this food together, right?

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

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