View source for 2203/Exploring the Medium

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/12/08
|Location=Dream
|Synopsis=Hana and Naru discuss art, reality, opinions, fear and humanity. All within a mutable dreamscape.
|Cast of Characters=127,189
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Dreams.<br /><br />It's a realm and an art that Naru isn't terribly familiar with, other than being dragged along on a movie ride, or being stalked and traumatized in her own, usually by killer plants that look like they would fit well into Escher's garden.<br /><br />The labrynth of vines is back, dark and ominous, with hints of Things in the walls of the passageways. Naru travels though with thoughtful contemplation, as if she is using the familiar paths that have so much weight and horror as meditative space. The sense of anxiety is hard to deny, but there's a determination, even in dream, to walk the paths as a reclaiming.<br /><br />It is with deliberate pushing aside of the panic that is her first instinct, that Naru forces herself to calm and let her mind settle as it will and it settles upon Hana. Upon her paintings. Upon the themes found in them, of solitude and struggle.

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Perhaps it is that meditative focus on her and her artwork that catches Hana's attention. So much of her existence is lived in a dreamworld- most of the time, floating in the formless ether that is the province of the mind.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To be aware of, and to interact with the real world in her current condition requires a great deal of effort, and in fact is generally not worth it- that energy expended is that much less to be used to reconstitute herself. It's better to save it, and to put up with being blind, deaf, and functionally unable to effect the world around you, if only to remedy those situations permenantly all the sooner.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nonetheless, there's some intersection between dreams that the unworld that she currently floats in. It's why her dreams were leaking out into the dreams of others, and how she spoke to Naru the first time. So maybe it isn't too hard to believe that as Naru rounds a corner in that floral labyrinth, she finds Hana standing there, regarding one of the vine-constructed walls.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her head turns fractionally upon Naru entering the range of her attention. "You have interesting dreams, Little Bird."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Interesting is one word for them." Naru agrees as she pauses, looking ahead in that passageway to where Hana stands. "Not the first word that came to mind, nor the second, but I'd say its in the top five." There's a flicker of a smile.<br /><br />The walls that Hana examine have, periodically, a look of people being stuck in them, like Han in carbonite, but drawn out and extended, as if they were first transformed into slender men and then embedded in the vines.<br /><br />Possibly that's what often happens.<br /><br />"I didn't expect to see you again so soon." Naru continues as she approaches, quite deliberately not looking closely at the figures caught in the walls.

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hana regards the walls impassively, though that does little to comment upon the train of her thoughts- from what Naru has seen of her (though granted, that isn't a lot) her expression almost never shifts from that almost bored neutral ambivalence. Her kaleidoscope eyes do shift from the figures in the wall to Naru herself as the girl approaches, though her gaze is inscrutable, her face difficult to read.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I didn't expect for you to find my old artwork so quickly." Hana responds. "I have to admit, I am mildly impressed. Madison told me the motion sensors at the old place had been tripped, but I told her it was expected. It was more a matter of curiosity to her than anything else, since we no longer have assets there. I suspected it was you though."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I was surprised to find them at the first place I looked." Naru admits with a little nod. "You have a gorgeous view. If you don't mind, I might return to draw it myself sometime." She pauses, a comfortable conversational distance away from Hana.<br /><br />"I always find working in oils to be challenging without a dedicated studio." Naru comments thoughtfully. "My art needs to be more portable, so I tend towards pencil, or ink."

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"There was never anything particularly secret about that place." Hana says, regarding Naru evenly. "I was overconfident enough at the time to feel no need to hide my location. You can be sure that I am not planning on making that mistake again, but regardless, I am not surprised it was relatively easy for you to track down the location."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She pauses thoughtfully at the comment upon mediums.. then shrugs. "I have dabbled in most mediums. I find oils the most.. expressive, and so the best suited to my needs when I have the time and desire to create in that manner. But we each must work as suits us."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Naru smiles a touch and nods. "Oils are expressive. You've done more sculpture than I have, certainly." She moves a touch, the few steps she takes and then the few steps back belying a hint of restlessness. Be it at Hana, or the dream itself is unclear.<br /><br />"You're very good." Naru replies after a moment or two. "Your style is evokative, and without being overt, carries a poignancy that was hard to sit with, and because of that, make it all the more interesting to sit with."

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For her part, Hana seems unwavering, an almost physical solidity to her presence even in the mutable realm of dreams which speaks to the fact that she expects the world to bend to her whims, and not the other way around. Even when the world is somebody else's dream. She does not move, or fidget- in fact the stillness with which she stands rather adds to her unnatural aura.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Naru compliments her style, though, and the smallest of smiles does tug at the corner of her lips. "Ah.. you flatter me. It is pleasant to hear that you appreciated my work, even though I never expected to get to show it for an audience. I did try to.. experiment with different subject matter but as they say.. one must paint what one knows."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"As much as I would not wish to hear this myself, the validity of it is true.. quite often one's best work is that which was painted just for yourself, rather than an audience." Naru points out. "When you're painting for yourself, there's no underlying current of worrying about if a client, or audience will appreciate it, or grasp the nuances and subtleties. When its work simply for its own sake, its easier to explore the raw, the emotional."<br /><br />"Indeed, one must paint what they know." Naru nods in agreement. "Although I got the sense that the sculptures were less about what you knew, and more about exploring the medium."

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I long ago gave up on the idea of anyone appreciating my work." Hana says, her tone almost dismissive, a brief glance to one side all the expression her face betrays. "What I create, I create for myself." Although ostensibly the discussion is about art, there is a sense that this statement can be applied much more broadly to Hana's actions as a whole, rather than just what was in that studio.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the mention of the sculpture, she once again gives the faintest shrug. She turns and walks to one of the vine walls.. her eyes examining the twisting vegetation. Slowly, she raises a hand. Her hands are small and delicate, fingers thin and nimble, her nails painted in a rainbow of colors, a different color for each.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She touches the plantlife, and as she pulls her hand back, the plant comes with it, twisting and growing into a spiral shape that follow the retreat of her finger. "Sometimes I wish merely to do things to see if I can." She says, her eyes fixed on the stretching vine, as it begins to loop and twist into intricate patterns under her gaze. "Not every action requires a deep and meaningful motivation."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The laughter that comes is bright from Naru at the last words from Hana and she gestures a little. "I apparently have spent too much time in art class, and at galleries. 'Exploring the medium' is rather code for 'Just seeing what happens', but it sounds /way/ better in gallery blurbs than 'I didn't think that would work, but hey look, it did!'" She smiles brightly and watches Hana manipulate the walls of the path they are upon.<br /><br />"I have work that I show, and I have work that I do not show." Naru might well be speaking of other things as well, but art is the token topic.<br /><br />"I am not always very good at thinking.. big enough.. when I consider merely trying things to see if I can." Naru watches the twists and twirls of the shapes emerging under Hana's hands.

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hana does not seem to be creating anything with any particular purpose, but rather simply making a point.. once she feels it is made, she simply lowers her hand. The warped and looped construct of vines remains protruding from the wall, but she pays it no further attention.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She does not seem to share Naru's levity, though the girl is likely smart enough to know not to take that personally. "The time of my life when I either needed or wanted the approval of others is over." She says, simply and without particular expression. Simply stating a fact. "Seldom have I encountered another who cared for my opinions, and so I have ceased to care about theirs."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A brief pause, and then she adds, "However, it is mildly gratifying to hear that you got something from your visit. Although I do not care what you think, it pleases me that you did not waste your time. Time is valuable."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the topic of thinking big, there is a mild tilt to her head, her eyes back on Naru. "Very often we are limited only by the scope of our imaginations. The fact that people do not realize this has probably saved the world on many an occasion."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Naru does not take it personally. Hana is not the only one that Naru routinely interacts with that does not show emotion, or precious precious little of it. There's a moment of consideration. "When I am working for a commission, then it is a job and I am being paid to make my clients happy. Quite simply, they pay me to have their opinion and approval of my art matter. Commisons are different, however. The art that is for me? That is not for show. I care enough only not to show it to others. It is for me, it is not for them."<br /><br />Naru smiles easily and nods. "I found it interesting, and enjoyable. Thank you for it, and I did not feel my time wasted. I enjoy viewing art almost, although not quite, as much as I enjoy making art. I find it fascinating to spend time with the creative product of others."<br /><br />Unsurprisingly, Naru actually likes people.<br /><br />"Yes. It probably has saved the world on more than a few occaisions." Naru agrees with a little nod. "It is a hard habit to break, thinking within the realms of reality."

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes. I allowed you to view my art because I feel as though we are much alike, Little Bird, at least in the broad strokes." Hana says. "I knew you would not judge it, but simply observe it. And perhaps learn something from it. Such lessons are valuable. Sometimes for the teacher as well as the student."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hana turns her eyes up towards the sky, barely seen through the weave of labyrinthine vines. "It is. But once you manage it.. there is no limit to what can be done." She snaps her fingers.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Suddenly, bright sunlight beams down into the dark walls of the maze.. and wherever it falls upon the vines, they cease being ominous and greyish, becoming in an instant bright green and cheerful. All traces of figures trapped in the walls vanish where the sun's rays fall, instead replaced by flowers of varying colors, blooming from previously-unseen buds along the vines.

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"It's not my place to judge your art." Naru shakes her head a little. "It is your art, it is not mine. It is your thoughts and perceptions and emotions and ideas and how can someone try and claim that those are wrong. They might not agree, but there is nothing about needing to agree with art to acknowledge it, and connect with it and be interested in what its telling you."<br /><br />Naru lifts her face to the sunshine coming in from above, illuminating the now brilliant swaths of foliage, full of colour and life. She closes her eyes a moment, savouring the warmth and light upon her face. "This dreamscape was one of my nightmares for a long time."

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"In my experience, people are all too willing to tell you that you are wrong if they do not agree." Hana watches the sunlight transform the area of the maze they are in from something out of a nightmare into something from a fantastical children's novel, all in the space of a few moments.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Even nightmares can be overcome. If you have the willpower. Dreams are even more mutable than the real world- but even the real world is not immune to this principle. At least for people like us." Hana moves a step closer, her multicolored eyes swirling in slow rotation of color. "All that is required to achieve something is to ''want'' it badly enough. And to hold to your convinctions when people tell you that you are wrong. Even should they call you a monster."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Hmmm mmm." Naru opens her eyes, and one can almost watch various wheels turning in her thoughts, ideas and notions of her own being considered and either accepted or rejected, and sometimes unclear. "Yes. I can see how opinons and perceptions are thought to be wrong when they do not match someone else's."<br /><br />"I've .. I.. I don't mind being challenged on my ideas." Naru decides after a moment. "Sometimes I learn new things, more information I didn't have before. I am not always right, even when I am certain that I should be, sometimes there is more I did not know than what I thought I did." She smiles as she watches the trasnformation around her. "Want it enough. I've heard that before, not just about the mutability of dreams and the world as a whole."

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hana considers Naru for a few moments more, her expression remaining neutral. Then she turns away, her long, straight black hair swishing behind her like an onyx waterfall, nearly to her knees. "Learning new information is valuable, of course. But holding to what you believe is correct is the highest form of virtue. Besides.. if I find a truth I do not like.."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She glances over her shoulder, then around them at the walls of vines. Suddenly, the labyrinth simply... collapses. The walls fall back into the ground, forming a green carpet of leaves that now seems to be a forest floor, grass protruding through the leaves, peaceful old trees towering benignly overhead. "I change it."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Naru watches the labyrinth fall around them and there's a soft chuckle and a little shake of her head. "You didn't like my maze?" She asks, giving the fallen leaves underfoot a scuff, as any kid might do in the autumn.<br /><br />"How do you know that your truth is better than the one you've changed it from?" Naru asks, thoughtful, curious rather than challenging.

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Your maze was irrelevant. I was simply making a point." Hana says, with the off-hand unconcern of one without the slightest bit of worry about hurting feelings.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for the latter, well. She reaches up and catches a falling leaf as it flutters by.. examining it, held between two fingers as she replies. "Because it is mine, of course."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The nuances of gentle teasing about her maze are as lost upon Hana as Naru truthfully expected them to be. There's no hurt feelings, but there is a touch of amusement.<br /><br />"I think I envy you that confidence, but not entirely." Naru decides after a moment, watching Hana examine the leaf.

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The leaf suddenly splits down the middle, then splits again, then crumbles into dust as Hana brushes her fingers together, forgotten as she glances back at Naru standing nearby. "Your opinion is also irrelevant, of course." She says, as if explaining the way of the world to a small child. "But you are a far better conversational partner than most I have had access to of late."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She turns to face Naru again, her arms crossing over her chest absently as her head tilts to one side. "This world is hostile to me, Little Bird. Is it not reasonable for me to be hostile in return? When the cards are stacked against you, there is no option but to change the rules."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"My opinion is irrelevant to you, but by your worldview, it is as solid a reality for me as yours is for you, so ultimately our realities should be in conflict if we disagree." Naru considers, her tone one of thinking aloud, thoughtful.<br /><br />Naru is thoughtful first, considering Hana's words and lifting her head to consider Hana herself. "There is a different sort of satisfaction in making the rules work for you."

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes," Hana says, her tone sounding almost regretful. "It is a sad truth that life is conflict. We all wish to shape the world, yet there is not the space. So we clash.. and the winners shape the world."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At Naru's statement about playing by the rules, Hana simply shrugs. "If you cannot dominate the game, then find a way to subvert the rules. Yes, that is valid. But that is for lesser players. It is within my power to be the one setting the rules, and so I will settle for nothing less."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She studies Naru a moment more. "But I find myself kindly disposed towards you, Little Bird, so do not fear. There shall be a place for you.. and for all true artists."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I enjoy our conversations quite a bit." Naru comments thoughtfully. "You give me quite a lot to think about." She smiles a touch. "To form my own opinions on, some of which I'm sure you'll think of as wrong, but they are mine."<br /><br />Naru smiles just a touch. "I rarely fear. That is one reality that I /have/ the power to hold sway. Fear is rarely useful to me, and I don't much care for it."

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You should take pride in your opinions, whether I or any other disagree." Hana says, sounding as though she means it despite the fact that by her own admission this leads to conflict. "Although I wish to see my own laws take hold, I have respect for even those who stand in my way, if they do so because they believe they must."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hana pauses a moment at Naru's mention of fear, seeming to consider. "I have forgotten the feel of fear, other than as a source of energy to be consumed. Creatures such as I.. are incapable."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I lost all of my emotions for a short time." Naru notes thoughtfully. "Temporarily. It was a very odd and interesting sensation. I missed then, but I suppose I was still capable of missing them, as I am still human." She nods thoughtfully. "I would be interested to see what art you produce, if you do, when you have your body back."

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am not without emotion, Little Bird," Hana says, with a mild tilt of her head that speaks merely of light censure, rather than rebuke. "I still feel. But with the loss of human frailty came a loss of fear- I am not even sure I ''can'' die, now, so what is there to fear? Oh.. clearly I can be beaten, reduced to a helpless state, imprisoned. But I am patient. Given enough time.. all adversity can be overcome."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She smiles just a little. "I appreciate your interest. I am sure you will have a chance to see. Maybe sooner than you think."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"No, death isn't something that you would fear. Clearly. That is a matter of patience. Patience is simple, if not always terribly easy." Naru quirks her head, watching Hana thoughtfully.<br /><br />"I look forward to seeing. I .. do not look forward to the conflict that will come entwined with it. I admit that, but I can look forward to one bit without the other." Naru gives a little shrug, accepting of the dichotomy.

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Contrary to what some might think, I have never desired conflict." Hana says simply, watching Naru back, again without any of the fidgety or unconscious movements so often to be found amongst more human conversational partners.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But as I have said, it is intrinsic to the nature of the world, and I have accepted that. I am sorry if you feel you must oppose me, Little Bird, though I am not surprised."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Even if I am not amongst those who ultimately end up facing you in opposition, the challenge and the conflict and the potential shifts in reality will be hard on a city that sees a lot of challenges, and I do not look forward to that." Naru's smile is gentle. "I know that it is not something that falls in the realm of your concerns, and I can respect that, but I am not you.<br /><br />As the dream wears on, possibly as the labrynth has been shattered, Naru is more at ease with being still, with facing that consideration with the same poise she usually has.

:'''{{#var:189|Hana Shiroi| (189)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Perhaps. But all things, worlds and cities alike, grow through challenge and conflict. It is a stagnant world which never changes, or faces any difficulty." Hana says, with a slight shrug.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You are not me. As I am not you. Such is both the beauty and the travesty." She turns, and glances over her shoulder. "The time approaches for me to leave you. Thank you for your time, Little Bird. It has been.. diverting. Do not fear to return to the apartment you visited. I promise you this if nothing else: it will be safe there."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then she is simply gone, as suddenly as she had appeared.
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