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

One does indeed.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei meets Fenimore's glance with a confused one of her own, because while she knows Grune is thick-headed she doesn't want to step too far one way or the other. She likes the other girl, enough to at least agree to go on a few dates. And there's always the chance they could click even farther, and she'll admit that would probably be nice. Maybe it's the beginnings of a crush, maybe it's just enjoying the company of someone nice? But then, Rei's feelings on the matter aren't the issue here.

Grune's misunderstanding could, she realizes, lead to her going around blathering about it. Which would be pretty embarrassing for her, and Fenimore too, she expects.

But then, getting angry and shouting like she might at some of her other friends wouldn't work. So she grits her teeth and follows the other girl's lead.]

Yes, exactly. I like spending time with Fenimore-san, she's fun to be around and I'd like to get to know her better. I think she's the same about me. But for the moment, we're just friends. I'm afraid you're jumping a little ahead of us, because who knows how these things can turn out. Either way, I think we'll become good friends at the very least.

[She turns to give the fair-haired girl a reassuring smile, hoping she'll take the hint and follow. She knows Grune values friendship too, so maybe that'll be enough to deflect her for the moment...]

Don't you think, Fenimore-san?

[lostinmyway]

[Even after all of this, Grune isn't deterred. They may have finally gotten through to her that maybe they won't become special someones (sort of)--but they can still become special friends, and that makes her just as happy.

And so, still sounding as if her day has been made, she says:] I think so, too. Because you're both such wonderful people.

[She beams at them again.]

[blessingone]

[Fenimore looks to Rei and nods throughout Rei's comments, as they reflect her own thoughts quite well.]

Yes. I feel the same way.

[And then she turns to Grune who...seems to have gotten it? Maybe. Fenimore makes a mental note to test if Grune has gotten it later, when they're alone together. It'll be weird if Grune continues to enthuse about their developing friendship, but it's an improvement over Grune enthusing over hypothetical special someone status.]

Well, I'm not going to argue with that, if you want to say it like that.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei nods once more in curt agreement.]

Neither will I.

[How best to deflect Grune from further excitement and potential awkwardness...

Oh. Right, food.]


Now, why don't we have something to eat, hmm?

[lostinmyway]

[Excellent tactic, Rei. Grune is now distracted from the question of your relationship status by food.

For the moment.]

That's a good idea. Everything looks so delicious!

[blessingone]

[And it seems they have made it through safely. Well, at least for now. Very well played by Rei. While Grune's attention is on the food, Fenimore turns to Rei to mouth "well done" before turning back to Grune.]

I agree. Rei's put all this work in getting it put together; it would be rude to not enjoy it.

[Despite putting in the effort to use honourifics with Rei, she forgets it when not addressing her directly. Oh well.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei returns that with a smile and a quick, subtle nod.]

Exactly, why don't you come try something, Grune-san?

[She meanders over to a table and picks up a plate to offer to Grune, who...hopefully...will just let the subject drop.]

[lostinmyway]

[And she will indeed! She accepts the plate and smiles at Rei.]

All right. Thank you! What would you like to eat?

[blessingone]

[Fenimore considers the biscuits she brought, her eyes even briefly flicking towards them, but she can't think of a way to say so without sounding like she's hinting that she wants Rei to try them. Still:]

At the moment, all of it looks pretty good to me.

[Fenimore reaches out and plucks something from the plate Grune is holding.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei doesn't really need prompting. Fenimore brought her the biscuits, and that's really that. She'll pick one of those up, give it a little sniff, and take a dainty bite. She chews thoughtfully, a small smile gradually growing on her face. First of all, it's really good. Secondly, the fact that Fenimore was thoughtful enough to bring the biscuits for her in the first place makes it even more enjoyable.

She takes another bite and nods gratefully to the other girl.]

These are really wonderful. Thank you so much, Fenimore-san. [Turning to Grune she offers one.]

Would you like one, Grune-san? Fenimore-san was so very thoughtful.

[lostinmyway]

[Grune is so happy to hear Rei complimenting Fenimore that she's practically wiggling with it. She sounds a little more enthusiastic than before when she answers.]

Yes, I'd love one! [She selects a biscuit.] Fenimore is such a wonderful baker, isn't she?

[blessingone]

[Grune would say that even if the biscuits were charcoal bricks, Fenimore is sure, but she refrains from saying so. Even if such a comment would go over Grune's head, it wouldn't go over Rei's, after all, and Fenimore appreciates the compliment, anyway.

She is more pleased by Rei's compliments, though, and can't stop the smile that is spreading across her face. She's guessing from Grune's reaction that this isn't helping convince her that they aren't "special someones," but it could just be that Grune is pleased to see two of her friends being friendly with each other.]

They really aren't anything special. [Though it is said in the pleased tone of voice of someone who isn't really trying to discourage them from saying that they are.] But I'm glad that you like them.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei declines to acknowledge Grune's apparent glee and nods to Fenimore. She completely understands that tone and decides not to give Grune more cause to think they are what they aren't. Being around Luceti's spaciest beauty is going to probably make her overly cautious, but better that than have her get the wrong idea and offend Fenimore.]

I hope you'll find the food here alright, there aren't many tarts, but I'm sure there are some around somewhere. Assuming Grune-san didn't gobble them all up.

[lostinmyway]

[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.

[blessingone]

[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.]

[faithfulflame]

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!]

[lostinmyway]

[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.

[blessingone]

[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.

[faithfulflame]

[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.

[lostinmyway]

[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.

[blessingone]

[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?

[faithfulflame]

[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?

[lostinmyway]

Yes, it is. [She smiles at Rei.] It's because you're doing such a wonderful job. Everyone wants to wish you a happy anniversary.

[blessingone]

Maybe they've heard about the effectiveness of the omamori here. [It's a comment she knows will go straight over Grune's head. One that she probably shouldn't keep bringing up, but she can't help herself, or so she would say.] Or the fortune readings, perhaps.

[faithfulflame]

Perhaps. But I don't advertise very often...

[She gives Fenimore a sly look, glad to know that the other girl believes the charms work.]