View source for 407/A Princess, a King and a Knight

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/09/25
|Location=Uminari City - Abandoned Convenience Store
|Synopsis=The Princess and Guardian Hino have a chat with Virtue representitives Tsukasa Amakawa and Tadase Hotori.
|Cast of Characters=29, 45, 62
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>After school, a frightened princess sits in her trash-salvaged 'home.' The last several days have been full of tremendous risks... or things that felt like risks to her, anyway. Today will involve taking another huge chance: Revealing the location of their hide-out, the place they have used to conceal their campaign against Tokyo's protectors. It occurs to her that it is very, very possible those invited here in the late afternoon hours could bring along dozens of friends to shut them down in a single, climatic battle.<br /> <br />Yet she stands just outside the front door, using her cell phone as a constant reminder of time; those invited today should be here soon. Her eyes are glassy, with a faint yellow glow around the normal white of the sclera... and a purple bruise, diamond-shaped with jagged lines around its edges, can be seen on the side of her neck.<br /> <br />In contrast to those factors, she stands in a red and white dress with a small, gold and jeweled crown atop her head. Formal wear for a diplomatic function. It's meant to make her look impressive, but the tired expression in her demeanor will remove much of that benefit.<br /> <br />Gaze low, she nonetheless makes a remark aside to Hino. "I really hope you're right. This is it; if this new plan has any chance of working, we find out today. If it does, then you will have been the one to talk me out of mistakes that would have..." She pauses to realize the scale of what's at stake, and finishes: "...would have killed everyone. And to think I tried to chase you away when we first met. If I had, all we could do at this point is prepare ourselves for the end. It's strange how life works out like that, isn't it?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Hinote is standing next to Runealy. He's doing his best to keep her composed, and on target. He still feels kinda awkward about last night, but Runealy isn't apparently letting it get to her, so that's good. He's brought three of those sickening 'Demon Gems' with him and they're in his pocket in a small paper bag. He takes her hand, he gives it a soft squeeze. "I do not think Kamen-san would lead us down a wrong path, Runealy." he says quietly. Inside there is an old card table setup. four mismatched chairs. A cobbled together tea set. The Guardian's Garden, it is not. There's an electric kettle boiling water. Mamoru mentioned something about tea.<br /><br />Tsukasa was given an address. He's brought Tadase along. They were going to speak to this 'Princess' who'd been draining energy. Maybe her knights too. He had other plans, but this was priority. He looks down Tadase as he walks down the street. "Remember. We're here to talk. Kamen-san said there shouldn't be an incident.". Soon they're arriving to the store. There's a fancy dressed girl there. And a slightly less fancy boy. Is this an abandoned store...? He looks a little worried. But his face looks more worried when he glances between the boy, who looks a cross between sullen and confident, and the girl, who is most certainly dressed like a princess... but--- those marks. He doesn't say anything for a moment. He looks sad. Not depressed. Not upset. Not vengeful.<br /><br />"Are you 'The Princess'?" he finally asks softly. He doesn't address Hino yet. Hino does look a little edge as he speaks though. He does have his relic braclet on. Tadase might remember the gem in it as the same style he saw in Guardian Hino's sword. He's not transformed at the moment. But Tadase might be able to make a vauge enough connection if he thinks on it hard enough.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:62|Tadase Hotori (62)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tadase isn't always one to put grudges and hurt feelings behind - a character flaw he is well aware of. However, he is also aware of the fact that sometimes good people make bad decisions, hurtful decisions, in misguided attempts. And there's a reason he works for Tsukasa and not Lindy.<br /><br />It's for those reasons that Tadase Hotori is here, but arriving with empty hands and untransformed, Kiseki sitting on his shoulder restlessly. He's wearing his school uniform, complete with Guardian's cape.<br /><br />As Tsukasa introduces them, he also sticks out his hand in a greeting handshake. "The offer of help I made before still stands, if you're willing to explain things to us." he adds, and even manages a soft smile. The small king on his shoulder even is keeping his personal anger out of the discussion, having heard from Kamen and Tsukasa about the severity of things which might be at stake here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rune lets herself get lost in these thoughts, nodding and lightly squeezing Hinote's hand back. "I just have to hope he's right, and that you're right. If you both are, maybe we have a chance. I guess we'll know soon enough... but thank you for everything. We haven't had Knights in centuries, but you're probably way ahead of the last ones in what you've done."<br /> <br />When unfamiliar voices speak up, she's jarred back to the reality at hand. "Ah!? Y... yes. I am Runealy, Crown Princess of Waldia... and I'm the one behind these attacks." She confirms that to Tsukasa after a moment's stammering.<br /> <br />Then she hesitantly faces Tadase, reluctant to make eye contact with someone she hurt several weeks ago. "I..." He's offering a hand. It takes her a few seconds to work up the nerve to do it, but she takes that hand with a light grip. "I'll answer everything. I'll apologize for everything, try to make amends, and tell you anything you need." This is a far cry from the air of mysterious melodrama she tried to effect around others, in the hopes it might make them frightened of her or impressed by her. That, in the end, did not work out at all. "We can go inside whenever you like. We're not from 'Europe' or Bermuda or anywhere else we claimed to be... and this is where we've been staying since we arrived on Earth."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Hinote Kagari releases Runealy's hand so she can stand on her own for this one. That's important. But really, he looks down at Tadase, and then back at Tsukasa. "I'm... Hinote Kagari. Guardian Hino. I... thank you for coming." he says silently. He walks past the princess and opens the door and leads everyone inside. He doesn't have much to say, and Tadase was talking at The Princess, not him. He leads people to the card table that's setup for tea time. He takes the kettle off. He begins to pour tea.<br /><br />Tsukasa listens. He sounds concerned. "Let's sit down first." he says. He motions for Tadase to sit. He waits for Runealy and Tadase to sit as Hino pours tea into the mismash of cups and mugs. Hot water- a tea bag. Not super traditional, but it's better than nothing. Hino sits down when he's done pouring hot water.<br /><br />He looks down at the table for a moment before looking back up.<br /><br />Tsukasa settles in and smiles. "Thank you." he says for the tea. He peeks at the surroundings. He's never seen 'offworlders' slum in a convience store before. Usually... they have ways of affording hotels it always seemed. This was a new one. He took a sip of tea and looks at the Princess. "I'm Tsukasa Amagawa. I represent Virtue. We're an organization dedicated to helping people." he says. "Our mutual friend- the friend in a tuxedo." he asides. "Said you were worried about meeting. That you were afraid we've come to punish you." he says.<br /><br />"We don't do that. We're not a court. We're not here to pass judgement." he says with a kind tone.<br /><br />"May I ask why this all started, Princess?" he asks softly.<br /><br />Hinote is keeping quiet unless he's spoken to. He does glance over at Tadase. Wasn't he the boy at that lost logia fight?....<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:62|Tadase Hotori (62)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tadase is glad Tsukasa's given them the rundown about Virtue. He uses it to steel himself in his little internal war. He adds a little bit to Tsukasa's introduction, too - as much to remind himself as to educate the two across from him. "We're here to help, not to hurt."<br /><br />There's a pause as tea is served. Tadase, too, is aware of the dismal surroundings they find themselves in for this meeting, but he's not going to push that issue just yet.<br /><br />He looks over Hinote, trying to place him - it takes him a while to connect the boy standing before him with the flame-sword wielder at the Lost Logia fight.<br /><br />"I think my friend had it right though. There's something in your eyes - in both of your eyes - that's different than a lot of the things I deal with. I want to help. Virtue wants to help. So I'm very glad you both have come around to asking for that." he adds with a small smile.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rune follows inside, letting Hinote show them to the table. The interior is lit, as electricity has been recently restored, but this reveals something very easily noticed. This area is most definitely abandoned. Furniture has been hauled in to make the place technically inhabitable, but all of it has gashes in the arm-rests, missing screws, and other problems; these were all salvaged from the trash. Even the bedding is like that. These are the sort of living arrangements a homeless person might gather for themselves.<br /> <br />She takes a seat and offers a quiet "thank you" upon accepting the tea, trying a little. It's different from tea back home, but not unrecognizably so; she seems to like it well enough. Then Tsukasa says something very, very interesting in identifying her fears. "...Or if not 'punish' us, at least make sure we're in no position to attack you ever again. You'd be entirely justified for it," she admits.<br /> <br />Yet they insist this isn't the case. She takes a moment for some deep breaths, trying to force her fears out of her decision-making process. Tadase reinforces this sentiment, and finally she opts to speak. First, she faces Tadase. "I'm sorry. You never deserved what happened to you. As part of these discussions, I'll want to hear what I can offer to you as restitution." Then she answers Tsukasa: "'Why'... that's the most important thing to all this. Why. The reason is..."<br /> <br />Another breath, then, "...Our world is going to die in a few months, because I'm... I'm unable to provide enough energy to our Barrier, a seal that keeps most of a demon army trapped in an abyss. Once they get out, they are going to ruin our world... and they'll probably find the portal to Earth eventually. You'll be next. For everyone's sake, I've been trying to get enough power to prevent that. I know," she holds up a hand to stall what she expects will be a protest, "I know. It's still wrong. I agree. We did everything we could to make it the 'least wrong' possible, but it was still sick and horrible. I'm sorry!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Hinote talks finally, to Tadase at least as the other two talk. "Were you.... at a fight not too long ago. Where this thing was.... belching out fire?" he asks softly. He's making a vauge guess. "I was the one who took it away when those... two. Uh. Talky device users? Were arguing over it." he says. "I... that went poorly. Really badly. I think this is why we're here now." he says a little bit ashamed. He reaches to grab Runealy's hand again. If she lets him.<br /><br />Tsukasa listens to the story. He grows more concerned. More sad. "No. Not even that." he says. He does absorb that information. "Power. Why?" he asks softly. "Did something happen? Did something break you're trying to desperatly fix?" he asks. This isn't Tsukasa's first rodeo. But he also asks another question, reaching a hand out- also, without asking- he gently touches a finger tip to her neckline. On that brusie. There's a sudden spark. It doesn't hurt either part. He frowns.<br /><br />"That's corruption." he says plainly. An observation. No disguist in his voice. "How did that happen?" he asks even more concernedly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:62|Tadase Hotori (62)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tadase listens intently as Rune gives her explanation of things. At first, he doesn't react outwardly. He's taking it all in. "So this whole time... everything you were doing, it wasn't out of malice, just like you said. It was out of a desire to protect the people in your charge."<br /><br />"I don't want to patronize you by saying I understand... but I can see the logic you might have used to get where you were those days ago." he adds. "And to your credit, there are probably those out there who you don't want getting ahold of this information."<br /><br />He turns to Hinote. "Yeah, I was there - I try to prevent things like that from getting into the hands of people who would use them to do harm. It might not always work - but I feel it's always important to try."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rune is all too glad to allow Hinote's hand-holding encouragement; it helps calm her down. She adds after his remarks, "We got rid of it once we found out what it was doing, but at the time it sounded like a 'magic battery' that could solve our problem."<br /> <br />Tsukasa asks questions that hit several nerves all in a row; grief takes hold in her demeanor. "Something is going to break soon, at least. Our Barrier is collapsing. Every few generations, the Queen of that time performs our family's ritual to restore it... each Queen trains their successor, the Princess, to become the next Queen able to maintain the Barrier. It's just that... huh?"<br /> <br />Tsukasa interrupts her by touching her neck. She starts to shy away from his hand, but has nowhere to really go while sitting down; he's able to make contact and investigate. "I did it to myself. Our castle vault has a small collection of... 'demon crystals' is the best term I have for them. They're illegal. If you find one, you're supposed to turn it in to the castle for a reward, and we destroy most of them but keep a few for study so we can learn more about how demons go about their work. And these crystals are..."<br /> <br />Shame takes hold, even as there's no judgement at hand by those meeting with her. "Power and poison. They make you stronger, but they'll kill you eventually. They're starting to do it to me. I... I started using them because I wasn't good enough to fix our Barrier, and wasn't doing well in fights against monsters here on Earth, either. To the point where people were mentioning that I couldn't do anything without my Knights, and they were right. So... I began using them to get anything done."<br /> <br />Tadase brings up other important points. She stares at him with wide eyes, pleading her case, "That's right. We tried everything else we could think of, first. We even tried draining ourselves, but for some reason the Shrine Crystals weren't taking much. It still hurt just as much as when we did it to you, but we were barely getting any energy out of it. If I had to guess, the Oath that brings us together might have been blocking that?"<br /> <br />He also mentions those who might use this information for ill, a sentiment she quickly confirms. "Some of the first people we met on Earth were those saying they were conquerors from other worlds. Or from kingdoms who had come to harvest people's lives and said it was their 'due', some sick sort of tax! And people who wanted to study our magic in order to use it to hurt others. So we hid. We hid here, and told people nothing about where we were from, because... if the wrong people find out..."<br /> <br />Fear takes over. "We're vulnerable. We have a few people back home protecting it, but not enough to stop a huge invasion. We couldn't risk that, so... so that's why!" Those last words are said with the sort of pleading tone one might take in begging someone not to kill them. There is no pride or defiance in Rune now.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Hinote Kagari nods. "That's why I took it. I.. we handed it over to Kamen-san. I dunno what he's going to do with it." he says softly. He doesn't know that it was stolen/missing by someone else already. He looks down. He doesn't have much more to add. He softly squeezes Runealy's hand. It's all he can do to help make her feel better about this. Easier to talk.<br /><br />Tsukasa softly frowns. Still sadder as he places his hands on the table. "You've been through a lot, Princess Runealy." he says. "I... I have a few ideas how we can help. We actually came into posession of an artifact recently... that let's others pool thier power together into a single spell. I'm not sure if it can help here. But maybe we can try. But before that....."<br /><br />"That corruption is what's causing you to fail. That needs to be removed before anything can go forward." he speaks with some authority on the manner. "Do you have any of those crystals? I'll need samples. I can also, try a few things here, and now, but. I'm not sure how successful they would be." he admits.<br /><br />Hinote speaks up. "I took them from her when I found out. I brought a few, because I figured you'd want a few for that reason." he says softly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:62|Tadase Hotori (62)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tadase hears Rune's side of the story - and the desperation in her voice. And from somewhere, the part of him that stands up, that leads the Guardians, that understands, speaks clearly. "Being a good person isn't about making the right choice every time, Princess. Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has moments where they make the wrong choice. What's most important, what shows your true character, is as much about how you handle mistakes as anything." he says.<br /><br />"Yes, apolgize, make amends, understand why the choice you made wasn't the best. But... don't hurt yourself, and those around you, even more by mentally beating up on yourself for making mistakes. I mean you no harm - I only wanted to prevent suffering." he adds. "And now, I still want to do that. But now I can do that by your side instead of across the battlefield from you. So please, don't let those dark emotions - the fear, the sadness, the regret - rule you." he contnues. He's seen firsthand what journeys like that can do. "There are more ways than just dark crystals that negativity can grasp you." Tadase continues. While Tsukasa's got the right of it on the cleansing, Tadase can see Rune's emotional pain written upon her face, too. As far as the young man can tell, she'll needs to be able to overcome that pain and the negativity, the fear, the regret she carries etched so clearly there.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rune keeps that hand-clasp going, managing an aside "thank you" to Hinote; she might not be able to spare an at-length response to his gesture during this talk, but she is noticing it and appreciating it.<br /> <br />Tsukasa mentions something very, very interesting indeed. Something that causes her eyes to raise in astonished interesting, not terror. "What? Something that combines magic? That's... at least related to what we're trying."<br /> <br />She actually offers some disagreement on his assessment of her problems, though. "I've been failing well before I touched any of those demon crystals. I tried the ritual myself dozens of times before we even thought about coming to the 'Unknown World', to Earth. Every single time I either got it right but wasn't producing enough power to complete the process, or I screwed up and... well, here we are, because of that."<br /> <br />She's very quick to jump on agreeing with Hinote on what to do with the crystals. "Have all of them. I... my body keeps screaming at me that I need them to fight, to do anything at all, but... look at me. Hinote," a nod over to him, "said I'm starting to not even look human, with my eyes like this. Honestly, all of you look like colored blurry shapes to me. I can pick out which ones each of you are because of the different colors, but that's about it. 'Not even human'... scaring you like that... just take every last one of them and make sure I can't get at them even if I beg and scream and cry without them!"<br /> <br />Then Tadase jars her thoughts with an important revelation. "How I handle mistakes... huh..." He seems to have her thoughts down very well; sadness and regret dominate her feelings, mixed with confusion and uncertainty, even now. "I... I can't believe it." She's saying this out of astonishment, not out of literal disbelief or accusing him of lying. "I'm listening, and maybe you're right, but... what are you, or you," a nod to Tsukasa, "asking me to do now?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Hinote just squeezes Runealy's hand. He's helping. He removes those crystals. He doesn't leave them on the table, he offers them to Tsukasa, who takes them into his hands, he studys them a moment, until he slides them into his pocket. They seem 'safe' enough as long as he's not trying to jam them into himself.<br /><br />"No. I'm not. Asking you to do anything right now." he says. He stands up. He walks over to Runealy's side and hunches down a bit. "Just relax. I'm not going to hurt you. This isn't my intention. If. If this starts to hurt. You let me know." he says.<br /><br />He leans a finger in before and... pokes it slightly to that black spot. There's another spark. There should be no pain. He does this a few times around the bruise and frowns. "Okay. This is... very virulent, I see." he says with a softer tone. He smiles slightly at Runealy as he stands back up. "Well. Before we talk about helping your world-- and there are plenty who will help, Princess. I can promise you this." he says.<br /><br />"But. I really do think we need to make you well again." he says.<br /><br />He offers a hand out. "Princess, can you take my hand for a moment." he asks.<br /><br />Hinote watches with concern.<br /><br />His eyes looking between the man and Tadase. "We're doing our best...." he murmurs quietly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>That is very much the case. Tsukasa can safely take the crystals... they are a temptation, 'power and poison', but the user must make the decision to be desperate enough, or greedy enough, to use them. Just having them on hand is not enough to hurt their holder.<br /> <br />Runealy sits quietly, trying to just focus on breathing as Hinote hand-squeezes. Tsukasa's request is met with a simple "Okay," and she waits... and he is correct; merely probing at it isn't yielding any harm. He may discover later that attempts to heal her are met with the corruption 'bursting' to inflict secondary damage on her before being healed, but simple exploratory efforts aren't enough to provoke this.<br /> <br />She's quick to confirm his suspicions. "They're terrible. These crystals are illegal for every good reason. But they /do/ give you extra power. I used them for that reason. My hand, though?"<br /> <br />At this point, any sort of defiance is beyond her. The alien princess who came here to hurt others and take their power as part of a shadowy plot to keep a demon army sealed away just seems emotionally crushed. She simply makes a tiny, confirming "mm...", and reaches out to take a very light hold of Tsukasa's hand. He could easily ask her to stand on the table and dance like a chicken while singing the French national anthem and - after asking what France is - she would probably comply. She does add a defense for Hinote's sake, though. "You've been doing great, Hinote. If you had left it up to my decisions, if you just blankly followed my orders... we'd be dead right now."<br /> <br />Idle, near-whispering repetition follows as she ponders some of Tsukasa's points, and build on them. "People who will help... yeah... Tokyo's heroes seem like that. Some of you wouldn't even fight me until I threatened to go attack someone else instead."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Hinote Kagari softly looks up. "You give me too much credit Runealy. It's not like I've tied you down here and are making you face this." he says gently, looking down. He closes his eyes a moment. Relaxing.<br /><br />Tsukasa gently grips Runealy's hand. Nothing happens, but he places another hand over hers. He's not doing anything magical. Not directly.<br /><br />"Please stop talking ill of yourself..." he says in a kind tone. "Did you cause trouble? Yes. But you can't beat yourself up over it. This is behind you now. You'll have help. I'll promise you this. You're not a monster. Or trash. or a bandit." he says. It seems he's been keep abrest of things. "You're a princess who is desperatly trying to save her world." he says softly.<br /><br />He finally asks. "Is that why you live here?" he asks. "Because you think this is where trash belongs?" he asks sincerely.<br /><br />Hinote can only listen. Only hold Her hand. This isn't his discussion.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"No, but you made me realize I'm screwing up even more," Rune counters to Hinote's modesty. "To the point where it's hurting others, including you. You... ..hn?"<br /> <br />Tsukasa cuts her off with very specific words, recalling conversations he was never present for. "How did you hear about...?" A headshake follows. "No... 'contacts', right? Someone told you? But no, that's not why we live here. 'Trash living in trash'? That's giving me more credit for symbolism than I'm really capable of, you know. It would also assume I think of Hinote and Gaofele and my other friends as 'trash', and I don't. Not at all! No, the reason we live here... is you, and Sailor Moon and the samurai who wanders dreams and the one who tries to round up Lost Logia and the Puella Magi and everyone else, and everyone who lives around them. Look at this place." That was a rather long-winded sentence, rambling from a rush of emotion.<br /> <br />She gestures around the area with her turning head, eyes sweeping the area. She wants to use one of her hands for it, but they're both held. "It's not exactly in the middle of nowhere. I would have preferred it, but it's as close as we'll get to that. We've been attacking you. You've been looking for us. We took efforts to make sure you didn't trace us to our... 'base'," to use an odd word for it, "but what if you succeeded? What if you found us? What if any of you wanted to put a stop to our attacks permanently, and came for a fight? Better to have it here than in Mitakihara General Hospital, or one of your strange 'apartments' that stacks homes atop each other, or one of your massive inns with hundreds of rooms. Presume we did fight there. Presume one of us dodges the other's attacks."<br /> <br />She stares at Tsukasa, eyes narrowed as she asks a leading question: "What do you suppose would happen, given the power any one of us has?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:62|Tadase Hotori (62)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tadase leans in after a moment. He's glad to hear she at least hasn't been that harsh with herself as to consign herself to living like a 'bandit'. "So even when you were considering a place to work from, you had the well-being of others in mind... above your own comforts." he says, calmly. "That sort of thing? That's why you can't hold your mistake against yourself so hard. Even while you were making it, you went out of your way to make the best mistake you could even then."<br /><br />There's a sly grin on his face now, even. "Things like that are why it's much easier to see you're a good person who made a mistake. You came here to protect your people, and while you were here you went out of your way to protect ours too - as much as you could with the plan you thought was the right one." he adds, leaning over the small table.<br /><br />"And that's why I'm not looking for vengance, why I'm not mad, and while I'll stand between you and anyone who does have their mind clouded by such a desire. Because that's what Virtue is really about at the core... forgiveness."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tsukasa smiles. "What Tadase said, give or take, is correct." he says softly. "I'll be running the items you gave me today through some testing and attempts. Though." he removes his hands of Runealy's carefully. When he does. There's a card there now. With his phone number. "That's a way to reach me." he says. "You can also come to Seiyou Public, and ask for me. Or Tadase, if using a cell phone isn't an option." But he pauses, he finally looks to Hinote. Hinote kind of blinks for a moment.<br /><br />"And then there's you." Hinote kind of looks ashamed. "Eh...?" he asks.<br /><br />"No. Nothing bad. Just- idle curiosity. You're not from... Waldia. Are you?" Hinote kind of looks down. "I stick out that much, eh?" he asks. Tuskasa smiles. "You do. Your terminology isn't the same. You're familar with words. I'm also curious how you ended up in this all? It seems your princess plays her cards close to her chest that, well-- that wouldn't seem likely she'd had found a likely resident here for help?" he asks. Hinote looks down. "This was. My practice spot. for drama club. I came in one night to find furniture here... and then. Um. Runealy.. and her friend came along and tried to chase me away." he says softly.<br /><br />"I was thinking they were runaways at first?...Mom always told me to help people. So, I got them to just lemme hang out. I made sure there was food and--- and tried to bring things over, and... make sure they could charge thier cellphones---- even tell them what cellphones were." he says with a slight smile.<br /><br />"Um. We got attacked. One day? But something called a Witch? I. um. She transformed. I saw it. I really. Couldn't protect myself there at the time. But I um. I managed to save her by just kinda knocking her out of the way of some sort of failed attack?" he says.<br /><br />"That's when she decided I deserved to learn the truth. I wanted to help. I-- well." he looks down. "It was important. More important than anything I could do here normally. They offered me to take an Oath. The Guardian Oath. That's what. Um. Let's me transform and all that. With the relic..." he asides. "I guess it's more complicated than that. But. Um. I do consider myself Waldian. That's my home now. I've never seen it. But I will." he says softly.<br /><br />He knows the Princess is probably going to say something about it. He'll let it.<br /><br />Tsukasa nodded. "I see..." he says softly, there's a small sly grin on his face. Hinote smirks back for a moment.<br /><br />"No...I. I know what you're going to say, it's been pointed out to me. What's the point of wanting to play a knight on stage when... well. you are one?" he asks.<br /><br />Tsukasa smirked. "More or less. I remember you a little bit now. You came when your schools drama club asked about the rights to use Seiyou's auditorium." he says. "You were kinda upset you were playing the villian of the play." he says.<br /><br />"Yeah.. that's. Yeah." Hinote says quietly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Yes. That's why!" Runealy is swept up in fully explaning this decision as Tadase makes his guess. "Not because I thought 'trash should live among trash.' I might hate myself enough to think like that for me, but I don't think my friends 'deserve' this place. This 'home' is sad and scary and humiliating, and beneath them. They should have somewhere better to stay, but they endured it because we did not want to get random people of Tokyo caught up in this. Because we know what that looks like. They would find someone they care about, hurt through no fault of their own, and all you can ask is 'why?' and there is no good answer for it." Geting her started on this topic is apparently a good way to get her to talk and talk at some length!<br /> <br />She makes a sharp nod to agree with Tadase's conclusion. "So we lived here because nobody will miss destroyed trash. Someone will miss a destroyed person."<br /> <br />Then she ponders his smile and offer. His expression is blurry to her damaged vision, but she can make a guess at it due to his tone and words. Her head lowers. "All this time, I was told Earth justice would see us killed, as a celebration. You're talking about doing the exact opposite." Rune's confusion is voiced as an odd mix of laughing and crying.<br /> <br />She's interrupted by Tsukasa, and takes the card he presents. "We know what cell phones are. I'll call you. We should probably find somewhere else to go, though... I just don't know where." She quiets down to allow Hinote to explain his history, adding a bit of information at the end: "Guardian Knights. They're people who have taken a special promise to stand by the Queen, to help keep everyone safe. We use that word to mean 'protected and happy'... you have to have both to truly be safe."<br /> <br />A few low headshakes follow. "And this time, I had him 'play the villain' for real, but after a while he decided to change this script. Maybe it's for the better this way. This way, you," a nod to Hinote, "Have a chance to actually see your home. Just like we promised."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:62|Tadase Hotori (62)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tadase looks over to Rune and Hinote. "So... now that we know the score, we're going to help you." he says, assuredly. There's not a lot of room for discussion there, this time it's not an offer, just a statement. "However we can. You need to get this barrier up and running again, right?" he goes on without waiting. "Then whenever you go to that place again, I want to come with you. To help however I can. To protect your people... and you." he says, adamantly.<br /><br />"I mean it. If you try to resolve this issue without me I will be very cross!" there's a bit of that 11 year old coming out in his petulant voice there.<br /><br />"And no, you shouldn't live here. At the very least I can't think it'd be sanitary, much less comfortable. I'm sure Tsukasa can come up with something on the temporary level while you prepare for this journey?" he half comments, half asks, looking to Tsukasa.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Hinote looks between Runealy and Tsukasa. "I... have a home. Here- I mean. On Earth. But. I wanna be able to stay with my friends when I can." he says softly. "If.. room is going to be an issue. I mean. I can just keep home." he says.<br /><br />Tsukasa seems to think for a moment. He reaches into his pocket and gets his cellphone out. "A moment..." he says. He scrolls and scrolls. Virtue has what amounts to safehouses. Apartments paid up a year in advance for things like this. There's most certainly not an unlimited amount of them. But they don't get used very often, or permenantly.<br /><br />"I have an apartment available. I think it'll suit your needs." he smiles.<br /><br />"I can have it all ready tommrow~ Kurosawa-san's been kinda itching to do things to help since she brought back Unity Loop. I think she needs to learn that even the small things like cleaning and dusting an apartment can help besides just punching things until they learn thier lessons~" he smirks.<br /><br />He nods to Runealy. "Will you accept that? I.. I honestly don't feel this place is very good for you. I think that, maybe sleeping in a real bed will do you some good for your mind." he urges. "Sometimes simple comforts help a lot." he smiles. He smiles a lot, but every one is genuine.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"You're...?" Runealy is trying to say 'you're coming with us?', surprised by Tadase's offer. Or insistence, really. "...You're the second 'hero' I've hurt who has said that. By the Barrier," she says this odd slang with the tone of someone shocked by what they've heard, "was I really that wrong? I... okay. You're in. You can go with us and see all the people you're helping, and they're going to know about it!" She's still shaken, but this is a matter of being residually upset rather than having any active reason for it; now there seems to be some kind of plan to proceed.<br /> <br />She's not sure who 'Kurosawa' is, having no idea that was most likely the person atop a roof near Clover Tower, shielded by Blue. The rest of what Tsukasa speaks of stuns her. "You're serious? After everything we did, everything I ordered... 'an apartment'... By the Barrier," there's that phrase again, "I..."<br /> <br />She begins crying anew, but this time it's not as severe, nor is it spawned from feelings of utter hopelessness as it previously was. "...Okay. Our attacks on Tokyo are over." They have been for several days. "And... we... we'll... we accept!" She's struggling to get those words out between being choked up and confused and thinking this new plan might actually be leading somewhere, as layers of fear and second-guessing are being struck down by reasoning and offers from Tadase and Tsukasa. "We'll start packing immediately. I'm so sorry about all this! It's over, it's really over, and... thank you."<br /> <br />Her mood is still very low, but between efforts from Hinote, Gaofele's ongoing support, Mamoru's urgings, responses from 'Miss White', and now what has been laid out by Virtue's representatives here and now... she sees potential, some way that things might end in something better than utter disaster. They have pulled her up from total despair. It may take time to work through the rest of it, but this is a first step.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Tsukasa smiles, and just lets Runealy get it out. He understands it's important. He says simple. "You're welcome." he says. He doesn't say anything more. There's no reason to. He does add. "Just call me tommrow and I'll send Kurosawa your way with the keys." he puts down his cup. "Thank you for the tea, by the way." he smiles.<br /><br />He stands up, sweeps his hands over his shirt a moment, and Tsukasa and Tadase leave through the door.<br /><br />Hinote blinks. "T... thank you." he says a little softly. He looks down and takes a deep cleansing breath. The Guardian Relic comes off his wrist now, and back into his pocket. He wanted it on hand just in case. Just in case he was wrong. He's very glad he wasn't.<br /><br />He looks towards Runealy and takes a deep breath.<br /><br />"I think that went well." he says softly. That's really kind of an understatement, but he doesn't want to overwhelm the Princess right now.<br /><br />He softly asks. "I..I hope you feel a little better now Runealy." he says gently. "Do you?..." he asks.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I will," Rune answers to Tsukasa, watching Tsukasa-blur and Tadase-blur depart, posture sagging once they're gone and the tension is off. "I think that went better than I could have ever expected," she remarks to Hinote, building upon his own wording for it.<br /> <br />How does she feel? Runealy has a short coughing fit, but manages to contain it after a few seconds. "I... ...yeah. Everything feels so unreal right now, but... it looks like you were right. Tonight is probably going to be the first one in... since all of this began, that I'm not just going to find distractions, find things to do even if they're bad things, because stopping to actually think is just too much to bear!"<br /> <br />And so she faces Hinote-blur, giving one tiny nod. "'A little better', now. Thank you for bringing me around to this!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Hinote Kagari (45)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Hinote Kagari manages a small smile and leans forward and gives Runealy a tiny hug. "It'll get better. I promise." is all he can say. At least...at least he can get her out of this store tommrow. Tommrow looks so much brighter now.<br> <br>
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