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

[faithfulflame]

[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!]

Comments

[Action]

[blessingone]

[Fenimore nods.]

Yes, most of the time, the given name is all that's used. If you're being particularly formal, you can use both names -- Fenimore Xelhes, like you said -- but no one ever uses a true name alone to address someone. It most often comes up in introductions, since it tells something about the person. I haven't really been telling people it when I introduce myself here, though, since no one other than another Ferines would know about it, and -- well, it doesn't really feel right to talk about with someone who doesn't even know that I'm Ferines.

[Which is not a piece of information she's been exactly eager to spread around, given how nervous she'd been to tell Rei even after they'd known each other as long as they had. She shifts a little awkwardly and smoothes out her dress as a way of finding something to do with her hands. She feels a little embarrassed to have been so reluctant to tell Rei when she'd taken it so well in the end.]

So, um. What's the meaning behind how you write your name?

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

That's understandable. There's no real need to, after all, like you said.

[Mars takes out another parchment and writes out her full name to show Fenimore. It's a little longer, 火野 レイ, a total of 4 characters. She points to each in turn.]

Well, my family name, Hino, means 'of Fire'. And my given name, Rei, means either Spirit, Beauty, or Companion. So, my name, depending on how you want to view it, could be Spirit, Beauty, or Companion of Fire.

[Action]

[blessingone]

[Fenimore examines the characters closely, vaguely drawing them in the air with a finger. Relares doesn't have nearly as many characters as Japanese, being used mostly as a ceremonial writing system for names these days, so she doesn't have quite as much experience with memorizing characters. (Unless that's how the common language on Melfes works. Who knows what that's like?) She'll give memorizing them a shot, anyway.]

So names have more than one meaning where you're from? Still, whoever named you chose well. They all fit you really well.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

Names can, yes. The characters have different meanings, depending on context. But in a name they have all those meanings at the same time.

[Mars shrugs]

And thank you. I do feel they fit rather well. Like yours does you. It's a good name.

[She looks out the door and back to Fenimore.]

Do you mind if I change back into my...normal self?

[Action]

[blessingone]

[Fenimore smiles.]

Thanks. All of them at once, though -- that's interesting. I mean, the characters in Relares have different meanings depending on context, but true names usually only have one meaning.

[As for the question:]

Oh, of course I don't mind. Whatever way you prefer.

[Actually, Fenimore might prefer it that way. The strong presence Mars has put a lot of weight behind promises of saving her and was comforting in that way, but in terms of normal conversation, it could be a little intimidating. Just a little.]

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[Mars nods and shimmers briefly, replaced by Rei in her civilian form.]

Thank you. It's easier to talk like this. I feel more myself, I guess you could say.