I'm working on a solution to that problem. I don't have the materials to make shrines, but I have enough to have warded this entire apartment floor. I'd like to expand it, but I need time. For right now, it's...an alright bomb shelter, at least.
[And then the ever-faithful question:] What can I do to help? What materials do you need? Is it something we can find here? [Because if it's about price he can probably help. Or fetching the items. He could do that, too.]
[Well, that's certainly helpful. And what she'd expected.] I need untreated hemp rope, rice paper, and special inks. I can afford some of them, but they aren't exactly common here. Some shops have them, most do not.
Mostly? It's just time. It takes a lot of effort to really sanctify an area, and putting down those kinds of defenses just isn't a short process. The best thing, really, would be to prepare fallout shelters rather than warding the whole colony. It's less taxing and more efficient.
[Respect for Rei means continually offering to help her out. He's not sure what special inks entail, but the other items? Those shouldn't be too hard to find...] I know some people. I can probably find what we need even if it'll take a little bit of time, but don't worry about that.
[And please don't tell his brother that he's been dabbling in the black market. At least he's being more careful than usual.] It's not a short process and I bet it's kinda draining on you. I like the idea of fallout shelters anyway because you're right, way more efficient. A couple of bunkers popped up when the ghosts were out. We could probably follow the same pattern and spread them out enough just to be safe.
...think it's safe to head back out and check out the seal? I'd like to see it myself.
[She trusts you will, and she'll get you a list of supplies later on.]
Yes, the bunkers were my doing, and a couple of other people's. We'll get them back up again, but it's better in a disaster to stick together. At least, that's what we do in an earthquake in Japan.
[And it's the same with ghosts, right? Rei thinks of them more as a natural disaster than anything else, anyway.]
And I do. Yes, the seal's holding just fine. There's no negative energy bleeding through, or wasn't when I left. But you'll know if it is, because you'll feel sick if you get close.
Same with earthquakes in San Fransokyo, but we haven't had one in a while. [Thank god.] I hung out in Dipper's bunker for a while to regroup and it held up okay. And when the floods happened we all stuck together, too, so it makes enough sense.
[There's a thoughtful hum.] I'll let you know if that changes. I want to take some pictures and notes to add to my own files and start analyzing what we've learned in the last couple of weeks. And anyway I don't really doubt your powers, Rei. [Which is exactly why he asked if it was safe, but whatever. He's fine.]
Dipper-kun and I worked on that together, so it should have. He's pretty resourceful, you know.
[Dip's a good guy.]
And I know you don't. Really. I didn't take many notes, but I could draw out the sealing diagrams for you, if you want. They won't mean a lot to you I suspect, but for reference it can't hurt. I will want a copy though, Hiro.
[No kun this time. Which...is an oddly big deal to her, but they've been through a lot together.]
Trust me, I know. There's a reason Dipper and I are working together on some stuff.
[He's fairly fond of Dipper, too. As for what she says next, yes, okay, that would be great but he absolutely notices the lack of honorific and he pauses to stare at her. It's stupid, he thinks, to be weirdly pleased with that. But it means that they've made progress and it's another solid reminder that Rei's a friend he made on his own, and one he can't afford to let down. So instead of acknowledging it verbally there's a small grin.] Maybe not, but I'd like to take a look if you really don't mind. And I can do copies, no problem. Diagrams are kind of just a part of being an inventor anyway.
[A grin returned with one of her own as she picks up a notepad off to one side and begins sketching several diagrams. Circles laced with complex and esoteric kanji on the outside. Arranged in a mandala form, around a single character he might recognize...simply the symbol for "Closed."
It doesn't take her long, but she's silent throughout, and passes him the pad after she finishes.]
There you are. Several defensive layers, old spell-words, and the simplest thing. [She taps the central letter.] Intent. Which is how most magic works anyway.
[He's practically hovering over her shoulder watching her trace out the diagram, instantly recognizing some of the kanji (but, admittedly, not most of his. He has a decent enough grasp on the language but nothing of this complexity.) When he takes the notepad from her he squints at the lines and characters before nodding slowly.]
So...with enough intent could anybody use something like this? Magic proficiency or not?
[She rolls her shoulder in a half shrug, and gives him a serious look.]
What you write doesn't matter so much as the intent behind it. But you still have to know how to channel the will to give it energy. That takes training. At least for something this big. Something simpler? Well, anyone could manage that, for a smaller area. Say...you could probably ward your door with a little effort.
[He knows, Rei. After all sometimes the only payoff to having any faith is when it's tested and tested again. All that aside, he plans on working hard to make it work. Slow…isn't really in his repertoire, but he's trying to be more patient and take things as they come instead of charging in like usual.
It's the only way things will work here.]
I think I can do that. Probably. [He's actually a tad hesitant but he has faith in his abilities. That's the same thing, isn't it?] Just how slow is slow though?
[It is the only way things work, because that's life when you don't have a clear goal, just a vague sense of what you want to accomplish. Still, she notices the hesitance, but also his willingness to actually accept that it might...be...slow.]
I mean I can't teach this to you overnight. I know you're smart, but it's a matter of repetition more than anything you'd learn in a book. Experience and practice are how this works.
[But in all seriousness he has a bigger plan. He thinks maybe it's kind of naive and stupid but it's a plan he wants to go with, a goal he has in mind. At this point, he'll do anything to accomplish it.
Still. He takes a deep breath before slowly nodding.] I wouldn't really expect you to anyway. I could practice. I'd practice a lot to make sure I got it right. We've got a ton of time here anyway. Should probably make the most of it.
[Rei stands up, sensing his...disquiet, and sits closer, sliding an arm around his shoulder now. She has a few thoughts about what it could be. Thoughts she shares.]
You can repay me by using it to help people. That's the most important thing anyone can do with any sort of power. And that's all I'd want, Hiro.
[Despite the fact that he'd been here originally to check in with her and help her, he finds himself allowing his head to tilt and lean on her arm a bit.] That's my job, remember? Helping people. That's why I want to learn everything I can and that's why I'm doing everything I'm doing.
[She'd like to think she's a pretty good big sister, you know.]
Absolutely it's enough. That's...why I do everything I do. That's what a priest does, that's what a soldier does, that's what a Senshi does. I'd even say that's what a goddess does.
We're not really that different, you know. In a way, I'm a superhero too. And superheroes help each other too.
[A very good big sister, actually. It's for that reason that he listens to her again, knowing that she's right in that sense.]
I know we're not. Sometimes I just worry that it's not going to work. [There's another short pause.] I think it bugs him. The superhero thing. [How's that for no context?]
I don't know. When I first told him about the Big Hero 6 I don't think he really knew how to react other than being totally shocked and weirded out. And even now, I don't know if he really...[Pause.] I mean I know he believes me. Tadashi's always believed in me. But he's also always wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything dangerous and protect me. I don't know if I ever want to tell him the extent of what I do back home and what we've done.
That's why I want to learn more here. It's my turn to protect him, isn't it?
Well let's be honest. Would you expect your brother to become a superhero? I know Sailor Moon's brother would find it rather shocking. And who wouldn't worry about a superhero? It's a dangerous job. So...I'm sure he'd worry.
[But, she has to concede...]
And...while I want to agree with you? It's not your turn to protect him. It's both of your turns to protect each other.
Well no, but that's because Tadashi's kinda boring. [He's grumbling but it's not entirely true. Tadashi's still the coolest big brother ever and Hiro still knows he won't quite ever live up to what Tadashi was. Is. What Tadashi is.]
Maybe that's true, but I'm not the one who--["Died." He stops himself just short of finishing that sentence, pausing and thinking of how to phrase it less callously.] My job protecting him is helping me protect myself. I've grown up, Rei. I don't want to keep weighing him down.
I'm still going to have to disagree. Not because your statement is faulty, but because of how deadly this place is. You both need to watch out for one another. Because that's the nature of this place. And he's going to look out for you, even if you don't want it. So...you might just want to accept that. [She glosses over the phrasing, not wanting to dwell on Tadashi and his death.]
He's here. And he's your brother. And he's going to do what he's always done and not accepting that will probably bother him more than anything you might do as a superhero.
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[And the best she can do for the moment.]
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Mostly? It's just time. It takes a lot of effort to really sanctify an area, and putting down those kinds of defenses just isn't a short process. The best thing, really, would be to prepare fallout shelters rather than warding the whole colony. It's less taxing and more efficient.
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[And please don't tell his brother that he's been dabbling in the black market. At least he's being more careful than usual.] It's not a short process and I bet it's kinda draining on you. I like the idea of fallout shelters anyway because you're right, way more efficient. A couple of bunkers popped up when the ghosts were out. We could probably follow the same pattern and spread them out enough just to be safe.
...think it's safe to head back out and check out the seal? I'd like to see it myself.
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Yes, the bunkers were my doing, and a couple of other people's. We'll get them back up again, but it's better in a disaster to stick together. At least, that's what we do in an earthquake in Japan.
[And it's the same with ghosts, right? Rei thinks of them more as a natural disaster than anything else, anyway.]
And I do. Yes, the seal's holding just fine. There's no negative energy bleeding through, or wasn't when I left. But you'll know if it is, because you'll feel sick if you get close.
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[There's a thoughtful hum.] I'll let you know if that changes. I want to take some pictures and notes to add to my own files and start analyzing what we've learned in the last couple of weeks. And anyway I don't really doubt your powers, Rei. [Which is exactly why he asked if it was safe, but whatever. He's fine.]
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[Dip's a good guy.]
And I know you don't. Really. I didn't take many notes, but I could draw out the sealing diagrams for you, if you want. They won't mean a lot to you I suspect, but for reference it can't hurt. I will want a copy though, Hiro.
[No kun this time. Which...is an oddly big deal to her, but they've been through a lot together.]
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[He's fairly fond of Dipper, too. As for what she says next, yes, okay, that would be great but he absolutely notices the lack of honorific and he pauses to stare at her. It's stupid, he thinks, to be weirdly pleased with that. But it means that they've made progress and it's another solid reminder that Rei's a friend he made on his own, and one he can't afford to let down. So instead of acknowledging it verbally there's a small grin.] Maybe not, but I'd like to take a look if you really don't mind. And I can do copies, no problem. Diagrams are kind of just a part of being an inventor anyway.
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It doesn't take her long, but she's silent throughout, and passes him the pad after she finishes.]
There you are. Several defensive layers, old spell-words, and the simplest thing. [She taps the central letter.] Intent. Which is how most magic works anyway.
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So...with enough intent could anybody use something like this? Magic proficiency or not?
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[She rolls her shoulder in a half shrug, and gives him a serious look.]
What you write doesn't matter so much as the intent behind it. But you still have to know how to channel the will to give it energy. That takes training. At least for something this big. Something simpler? Well, anyone could manage that, for a smaller area. Say...you could probably ward your door with a little effort.
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...think you could train me to maybe do the same? Nothing big! Just small, something I can manage and just an extra assurance.
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Of course I can. But you're going to have to take it slow, and have faith. Faith...is the key to making any of this work.
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It's the only way things will work here.]
I think I can do that. Probably. [He's actually a tad hesitant but he has faith in his abilities. That's the same thing, isn't it?] Just how slow is slow though?
Ty get out, I caught those lyrics.
[It is the only way things work, because that's life when you don't have a clear goal, just a vague sense of what you want to accomplish. Still, she notices the hesitance, but also his willingness to actually accept that it might...be...slow.]
I mean I can't teach this to you overnight. I know you're smart, but it's a matter of repetition more than anything you'd learn in a book. Experience and practice are how this works.
I'm helpful.
Still. He takes a deep breath before slowly nodding.] I wouldn't really expect you to anyway. I could practice. I'd practice a lot to make sure I got it right. We've got a ton of time here anyway. Should probably make the most of it.
[A pause.] How could I repay you for that?
you are
You can repay me by using it to help people. That's the most important thing anyone can do with any sort of power. And that's all I'd want, Hiro.
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...you really think that's enough, huh?
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Absolutely it's enough. That's...why I do everything I do. That's what a priest does, that's what a soldier does, that's what a Senshi does. I'd even say that's what a goddess does.
We're not really that different, you know. In a way, I'm a superhero too. And superheroes help each other too.
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I know we're not. Sometimes I just worry that it's not going to work. [There's another short pause.] I think it bugs him. The superhero thing. [How's that for no context?]
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Why do you say that? Or rather, what about his behavior makes you believe it?
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That's why I want to learn more here. It's my turn to protect him, isn't it?
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[But, she has to concede...]
And...while I want to agree with you? It's not your turn to protect him. It's both of your turns to protect each other.
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Maybe that's true, but I'm not the one who--["Died." He stops himself just short of finishing that sentence, pausing and thinking of how to phrase it less callously.] My job protecting him is helping me protect myself. I've grown up, Rei. I don't want to keep weighing him down.
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He's here. And he's your brother. And he's going to do what he's always done and not accepting that will probably bother him more than anything you might do as a superhero.
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