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[faithfulflame]

This is for when logs overflow.

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Carnival 2016

[faithfulflame]

[faithfulflame]

[A nod. And oh! He's finding other people, that's so great]

Who'd you end up staying with?

[sortileges]

[ He's making friends!! Are you proud, Rei? ]

Shigeru? Though I'm not sure if that will mean much to you either. We arrived around the same time.

[faithfulflame]

I don't know him, but the name is Japanese at least.

[So that's a thing. she does seem proud though, and pleased. She might pat your head.]

In any event, you haven't had much trouble, have you? Getting around, I mean. I know it took me a few days to really learn my way around the residential area.

[sortileges]

[ He's probably too tall for that, Rei... He's 6'. ]

It hasn't been too bad. [ It probably has, honestly. His sense of direction isn't terrible, but as this shows... he has bad luck. ] I mean, people here are willing to help if you admit you have no idea where you are.

[faithfulflame]

[She can reach. She has long arms, okay?]

Usually yes. Especially if you admit that. Better to seem slightly clueless than be obviously lost and appear a true fool.

[sortileges]

[ Ah... another noodle. ]

Well, that wouldn't be a first. [ Just what kind of shady things has he done? Best not to ask. ] It's just been easier to ask for help here.

[faithfulflame]

[Shoujo character, so yes, noodle.]

I imagine so, but you're getting the hang of the little things right? The shower's not still giving you problems is it?

[sortileges]

[ Ah one of those, I see I see! ]

Still? [ Well, maybe the first time was a bit confusing, but-- ] Do you know how much easier it is to not have to fill up a huge tub to bathe properly? Most of us-- [ Actually no. Let's stop there. ] --um. Well. It's easier.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei bursts into a quiet laugh and nods cheerfully.] I know exactly what it's like. And I know enough about the past to know that bathing wasn't an everyday occurrence for most people. Nothing to be ashamed of, it took a lot more work, but frankly I think indoor plumbing is the most important invention man's had since the wheel.

[sortileges]

Oh it definitely took more work. The worst part is when you've been pelted with rotten fruit beforehand. Do you know how hard that is to clean off?

[ Maybe stop getting put in the stocks then, Merlin??? ]

It's a lot better here for that though.

[faithfulflame]

Well, I don't know firsthand, but I have a good idea. I mean, I've seen what happens when people fall into garbage.

[Usagi...]

Tell me you don't have a lot of experience with that...

[sortileges]

With garbage? No--No not that.

[ But the stocks??? Sadly, yes. Way too much, which is why avoids specifying that one. ]

Letting Ema's thread goooo!

[faithfulflame]

Well, then you're better off than my best friend Usagi-chan.

[She's a mess, okay?]

Hopefully you didn't get covered in rotten fruit too often. But...how?

Yu

[faithfulflame]

[Mars grabs hold of one of the extra trunks, hanging on with a crushing grip until the elephant comes down. It yowls, but she's already reorienting herself, battle-light glowing in her eyes. She wants this to be over, she's tired of CERES and it's shenanigans, and these are just an inconvenience really.]

Almost!

[The fact that this stupid thing has two heads is part of the problem. She could kill it, yes. Her magic would make that a simple enough task, but it's still just an animal, and that's the only reason she doesn't just destroy it right then and there. Instead she rains down another blow on one head, staggering the animal and driving it to it's knees. There's a distinctive crack as she thinks she drives loose something but that is about the most unimportant thing right now. A second punch, delivered to the still thinking head, drops it finally. A last trumpet, and she's jumping clear before it collapses.]

There.

[Landing neatly, she reaches a hand out for him.]

Let's go before the handlers come. I've got a place in mind.

[covenantal]

[ He takes her hand without hesitation. Whatever she's got planned, he's game for it. Izanagi is ready, waiting, just in case, but if they're leaving, Yu can always banish him on the way. ]

Lead the way.

[faithfulflame]

[It's not so much leading as flickering. The world around them distorts a bit and the next thing he'll know, they're on a roof of one of the nearby towers. She lets go of his hand then, walking over to the edge of the building and putting a booted foot up on it to better dramatically look out at the carnival below. If she were Haruka, there'd be dramatic rose petals, too. Alas she is not.]

You're not hurt, right?

[covenantal]

[ Yu puts a hand on his chin, the other on his waist, considering her. The cuts quite the striking figure. It's really something. He'll drop the hand on his chin after a moment, huffing a breath out through his nose. ]

No, I'm just fine. I do have a few questions, though.

[faithfulflame]

[She looks back at him consideringly, eyes meeting his unwaveringly.]

Ask and I'll answer. I can't promise you that I can give you full disclosure, or that everything I say will make sense, but I'll be as honest as I can.

[covenantal]

[ A beat, and he repeats, with a tinge of humor: ]

Mars?

[faithfulflame]

That is my name when in this form, yes.

[She looks back, deadpan.]

I am the ruler of Mars, the last Martian, and yes, the Goddess of War and Flame as well.

[covenantal]

Wow.

[ Is all he says, at least at first as he soaks that in. His expression is more thoughtful now as he considers her. She's kept it secret until now... she must have her reasons. So, after a beat, what he adds is: ]

Thank you. [ With another small smile. ] For trusting in me.

[faithfulflame]

I didn't have much choice. I'd rather reveal a secret than see you hurt.

[Sorry, that's the truth. She's still not completely sure of what to make of you. But, this is a start.]

I know you'll keep it to yourself, but Yosuke-kun knows. It's a secret, because I've got someone that I have to protect, if an enemy from home comes here. I'm a part of the royal guard for the Queen of the Moon and the King of the Earth.

What else would you like to know? I don't bite.

[covenantal]

[ He pauses for a moment, briefly pressing curled fingers to his mouth as he sorts out what he knew about Rei versus what he now knows about Mars. The difference between quiet, studious, sharp Rei and brash, bold, powerful Mars is pretty stark; yet, at the same time, it somehow seems obvious to connect the two of them. Rei and Mars are both built of incredible fire and strength. A certain unflinching steel which is what he's admired about her since the day they met.

There are a lot of things he's curious about, like the nature of her powers or what it means to be a Goddess (capital G?) of war; but it feels impolite to press her to satisfy his own curiosity, even if she said he could ask. ]

I don't want to impose. In the end, you're still Rei-san to me. Rei-san, and also Mars. A powerful and reliable ally I know I can count on.

[faithfulflame]

Fair.  It’s not much of an imposition, but if you can accept me as this, then good.

[She smiles dryly, glad deep down he wasn’t going to press for answers.  That was nice, easier than sitting down and explaining the nature of the Senshi, of divinity…]

The only thing to remember is that Mars and Rei are not the same person.  In public, at least. 

[Offering her hand a second time…]

You can count on me, though.  If there’s trouble, I will be there.   Now, let me take you home.  Your current dress is a little bit drafty looking.