faithfulflame | Thirteenth Prayer: A Flash of the Future [Video/Action]

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Thirteenth Prayer: A Flash of the Future [Video/Action]

[It's been nearly two years in Luceti, and Rei's come to realize that things are very different for her than they were initially. Then, she'd been so focused on getting home, getting back to the fight, and finishing what she'd started. But everything that'd happened since that time had given her other things to focus on, other people to care about besides just the Senshi, and a semblance of happiness she'd not had at home. People to trust, a shrine to call her own, and a way to grow stronger without having to rely in the power of Mars and that link to the past. It was nice, having that life, even the experiments and friends randomly disappearing were better than being dead.

Haruhi's departure had been a little shocking, but then...every time someone left it meant they were just going back to the life they'd been stolen from. Even as much as she'd grown attached to the place, going home still felt right, like it was the way things should go. After all, destiny could only be put off for so long. Which she knew all to well applied to her, that she shouldn't wish too hard to delay the inevitable, but all the same she couldn't quite bring herself to hope for that. Even if you knew you'd come back, and everything would be alright in the end, there was something oddly morbid about wishing for death.

Rather than dwell on it, though, Rei does what she does best: she moves on with her life with a sigh. Today is Setsubun after all, so inevitably, she finds herself in the shrine. After a while she decides to perform a flame reading of her own future, something she's been putting off for a while. Unsurprisingly the results are too much of a jumble to make much sense, though Fenimore is beginning to feature more prominently in them. Disappointed that she couldn't get more, she decides to set up a broadcast because even if she can't get a proper Setsubun ceremony going this year, Rei feels she should at least do something.]

Video

Good afternoon, Luceti, and welcome to any New Feathers that have just arrived. For those of you that do not know me, my name is Rei Hino and I run Tsukino Shrine, across the river from the Flame building. It's a peaceful place and it's open to visitors at any time, regardless of spiritual beliefs.

As today is a sort of traditional festival day in my world, I'll be offering fortune telling and flame readings to anyone who visits today. If you have an interest in knowing a bit more about your future, your luck, or other things, feel free to come by and I will be happy to help you.

Also, I was wondering if anyone knows much about carpentry. There are some parts of the shrine that are beginning to get a little worn and some improvements I'd like to make, though I need some help with that. Any assistance or advice would be appreciated. I'm more than happy to offer what services I can in return. Baking, limited enchanting, exorcisms, omamori and other charms, or even just help with yardwork.

[And she bows to the camera before turning off the feed.]

[As promised, Rei is at the shrine, and while she'll be replying to journals she'd prefer in person visits!]

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I'm never sure. A year is... not a long time to a lot of people.

Mikan? Really?

[She looks rather excited at the prospect. It is a favorite, after all, and they're not exactly easy to come by in the winter.]

That's very sweet of you! It's not all that easy to find them in the shop these days.

Well it certainly feels like a long time, but that may be because I'm young.

Really. I thought you might like them!

[He holds out the basket to her with a smile.]

I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't been at the shop as often because Nami went home. She was the one who did the most work in the orchard, after all. I wonder if anyone else will step up to help take care of it? I don't know much about tending to an orchard myself. All I really know how to do is water the trees and pick the fruit.

[Winks.]

Well, when you're old and decrepit like I am...

[ Bolin follows suit and toes off his shoes before following Rei inside. ]

Is that all? [ He writes down his name carefully and hands the paper over. ]

[Fenimore stills, the bottom dropping out of her stomach. With how strongly Rei reacted -- and Rei certainly doesn't seem like the sort to react this strongly over something small -- it must be really awful. She doesn't answer right away, but eventually:]

I -- I don't think I want to know, but...now that you've told me that much, I don't think I could stand not knowing. I'd like as not start jumping every time I saw my own shadow until it happened. [She sort of chuckles, but it's a strange, brittle sound, nothing like a real laugh. She's feeling a bit of panic edging in.] But, if you need a moment....

[She doesn't want to wait, but Rei is obviously in a bad way, so she's going to force herself to be patient if she needs time to work herself up to it.]

[Wordlessly, Rei reached out and took Fenimore by the hand, and began to share the vision.

It started simply enough, a small room with Fenimore and another girl talking two several others in similar outfits to the ones she usually wore. Nothing distinct, just talking. And then a darkness fell over the room, a candle appearing in the hands of everyone assembled. Then a flicker like a lightning bolt, and a man entered, shrouded in black. A blade appeared in his hand, swinging first at the others in the room. A shadowy hand grew from the blade, an omen of ill fortune reaching up to seize everyone in the room by the neck, and one by one the candles went out.

A hand darted out for the other young woman, but instead of her, it swerved at the last instant and grabbed for Fenimore. Her candle flared for an instant, and then was snuffed out, wisps of smoke visible in the murk cast by the light of the final candle.

And then, darkness, the vision coming to an end.

Rei pulled back immediately and fell forward onto her hands and knees, tears beginning to fall.]

I...I...I'm so sorry...

Huh, I see. Do you happen to know what's in America?

Americans? I've never traveled outside of Japan, I'm sorry.

[~~Luke's been taking care of it and Applejack's orchard for a while now~~]

It's really a shame, but I know it'll be well tended. Someone's always willing to take care of that sort of thing. And I appreciate the thought.

[She pauses, thoughtful.]

Do you want another reading, Jack? It's unlikely to change, unless you've got a specific question in mind.

Oh, now you're just being silly.

Have you been well? It's been some time.

Yes, it is.

[She takes the paper and nods towards a cushion for him to sit on before turning to the fire.]

I'll need a quiet moment, and when I'm finished, I'm going to take your hand. When I do, I'll be able to show you the vision.

That's fine, don't worry about it.

[Though now that he thinks about it...]

Would you like to start reading my fortune though? I don't know how much more you have to prepare for it.

[Kari just waves off her concern, pulling off the mask to look at the ofuda still stuck to the front.]

Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Though remind me not to try sneaking up on you like that again... [She holds out a hand.] Help me up?

[Fenimore tenses as Rei takes her hand, knowing what's coming. But the tension relaxes somewhat at first as confusion overtakes apprehension: partially because knowing it was coming did not stop the vision from being such a new experience, and partially because she was expecting something much more terrifying. Instead, she's just...talking with Shirley? That much of a prediction -- that she'd be able to meet her best friend again -- could even be seen as a good thing. And there were more Ferines than she'd ever expected to see in Luceti. In fact...they did seem a little familiar....

But then the darkness comes and, with it, the man with a sword. She may be unaccustomed to visions, but, under the circumstances, the meaning behind the candles being snuffed out couldn't be clearer. She winces each time the hand grabs for another person, her expression growing tighter as the number of candles grows fewer in a vain attempt to mask her growing fear. By the time they're down to only a few, lower lip is trembling and her arms are shaking. When the hand darts out the final time, she gasps, and then, when it swerves towards the vision of herself, she jerks back as though she were actually being grabbed, nearly accidentally pulling her hand from Rei's early.

As the vision ends, her legs buckle and she also falls, landing with a thump on her behind. She feels light-headed and dizzy from the intensity of the experience, making Rei's words sound oddly distorted. So...she was going to die, and soon, by how young she looked in the vision. Actually, if anything, she'd almost looked like she was younger --

Oh. So that was it.]

I -- [Her voice croaks through a throat that feels strangely full. She swallows and tries again.] I didn't know you could see other worlds.

[She gives him an impatient look. He was the one asking questions, not her.]

I need you to write your name first. On the parchment here.

Well, now you know.

[Rei offers her a hand to pull her up...]

[Rei's hands ball into fists and she shakes her head, the tatami in front of her beginning to darken with teardrops. It's a long moment before she can even collect herself enough to speak, and even forming words is hard. What do you say to that? How...do you comfort someone when you've just shown them their death? And soon, by the look of things.]

I...I...sometimes I can.

[She looks up, staring at the other girl with reddened eyes.]

I...should not have...I'm sorry. I don't...I didn't...

[She trails off, suddenly unsure of what she'd meant to say. A lightheaded sensation settles over her, and she shakes her head once more.]

I'm so sorry...

[ He returns the nod with a small frown, though it's quickly masked with a smile and wave of his hand. ]

It's quite alright, dear. Besides I-I haven't exactly visited very much so it's my fault as well. [ He'll hold up the bag then with a more genuine smile. ]

Oh this? I just brought some leftover dango from the cafe and-and some Choucroute garnie. I-I've been testing out my french cooking. If-if you want any to try feel free.

So ya want me to act all big and scary for someone....and the beans do what?

[He could do big and scary, he just wanted to be clear on the facts.]

[You grew up at a temple, Rei. She grew up in a science classroom.]

But... [She almost sounds as though she's thinking this through as she says it.] I think people need things to believe in, too.

Just dance around and let people throw beans at you.

[He thought about it for a moment. He thought about it long and hard, because he kind of liked the idea of dressing as something big and scary for the sake of putting on a scare-show for kids...but there were few kids in Luceti, and the probability of this actualy working was minimal...in his opinion.]

Yeah...not this time. Maybe we could do something like that next Halloween for some kids. That might be pretty fun.

[She pretends to pout.]

Ah well, I'll just have to come up with something else. Honestly, there's not time for a proper celebration anyway. But you should come by, I've made ehou maki, and you'll probably like that.

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Thirteenth Prayer: A Flash of the Future [Video/Action]

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[action] Maybe a journey a frozen land? So he gets vaguey vague hints to season 2

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[action]okay!

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[ action ] What do you want her to see?

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