faithfulflame | 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.]

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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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[He laughs.]

Don't worry-- I won't tell anyone if you don't.

[She gives him a conspiratorial smile.]

I'll think about it harder...

That's more like it.

But I believe we were in the middle of something else right now?

[Never mind that it was his fault they got distracted in the first place.]

Haha, fortune telling or tea, I think. You never did tell me for certain which you'd prefer.

Ah... would you be mad if I said both? You could tell my fortune while we drink tea and kill two birds with one stone.

I wouldn't be mad, though, you'll have to write your name again, of course.

[She's already making her way to her box of flame-reading things!

Ah yes, I'd almost forgotten. Will you be needing some of my hair too? Or perhaps I'm remembering things wrong...

[He reaches for the end of his braid just in case she says yes.]

[She shakes her head with a little laugh.]

No, no. And if I've learned any thing from magician friends in Luceti, it's that you should never give people bits of your hair.

[Harry Dresden taught this girl well.]

I just need you to write your name.

[Jack laughs, letting his braid drop back down to swing behind him.]

I'll be sure to remember that, then. I wouldn't want anyone putting some kind of curse on me without me realizing it.

But my name I can do, if you'll give me that piece of paper.

Good.

[She slides over some paper and a pen.]

Let's get started then.

[Jack takes the paper and writes his name with a flourish before handing it back to her.]

Let's hope my fortune this time is a good one!

Yes, of course. It will be just a moment.

[She takes the paper and goes over to the fire, tossing it in and clapping before kneeling before the flames.]

[He'll remain quiet and just watch, curious to see what's going to happen and not wanting to interrupt her if she's concentrating.]

[As before, it takes a moment. Taking her gaze from the fire she turnsand holds out her hands, palm up, for Jack to take. Her expression is somewhat blank, but definitely not horrified at all. ~~Unlike with Anakin~~]

[It takes him a moment to realize that she actually wants him to take her hands; once he does, he reaches out to rest his hands over hers and wait for any further instructions.

What is she seeing, he wonders?]

[She doesn't say anything, she just wills the vision to pass from her to him.

And it's a fairly simple one. It's just Jack, sitting in a dark room and covered in chains. But then, light begins to fill the room, and the chains begin to crumble away, falling to ash.

Rei pulls away with a nod.]

That's certainly not a bad thing for you, I think.

[Jack is quiet for a moment before a smile slowly makes its way onto his face. That's not an odd reaction in the slightest to a vision like that; there is a definite note of relief in his expression, though there is also something more, something unidentifiable there. Or maybe it's just a trick of the light?]

No, no, not at all. In fact, I'd say that's a very good thing. I couldn't have asked for a better fortune.

[Rei nods and pulls out her little electric kettle and a tea set.]

Good, that's good. I'm glad it was positive for a chance.

You make it sound as if you haven't had many positive fortunes lately.

I'm not trying to make it sound that way. It's the truth.

[And she begins setting about making the tea.]

It's not an easy gift to have.

No, I can't imagine it would be.

[He takes a seat, sweeping his braid out behind him.]

You must see many things that you wish you hadn't in this line of work.

You have no idea, Jack-san.

[She's had more than a handful of nightmares dumped on her by people.]

But all the same, I'm glad yours was a good one.

And I'm glad I could give you a respite from the less pleasant ones.

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

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[Action] Is there something you'd like for her to see?

[Action] Hmm... she could see chains crumbling, perhaps?

[Action] okay!

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