Circumstances can change so quickly.
When they first arrived several days ago, Runealy could hardly tolerate the idea of being away from Gaofele for any meaningful length of time. This new world was scary, hard to navigate on foot, and on the times she did venture out alone she tended to run into danger. His resourcefulness, solutions to various problems, and timely reassurances had been something she clung to in challenging times.
Yet circumstances compelled her to go without him for a little while recently, and what followed was a battle with the unnatural and an eye-opening conversation with Hinote. Too shocked at the time to truly speak with him at length - what things Rune did have to say were spawned from bewilderment, injury, and a flood of emotions she couldn't really keep in check to speak plainly - she asked him to come by here today.
If she sees Gaofele before then, she'll have opportunity to explain what's going on. If he arrives later, perhaps not. Regardless, Rune fidgets in a chair by the checkout counter. It's kind of dim in here, but the candle light is enough for her to check her injuries from fighting that strange monster. A few bruises here and there when she had been struck by rocks, the 'blunt outside' of a crab-claw, and flailings of 'cloth whips'. Most of them are on the mend already, but they're reminders that had she been slightly slower to dodge she would have been struck dead on and might not be here. They're reminders that had Hinote not stepped up when she froze up -against the very advice she shouted for both of their benefit - she almost certainly wouldn't be here.
Reminders that one person on this world has definitely earned an explanation. Rune takes a deep breath, trying to steel herself for the conversation that will unfold once everyone is here.
Gaofele's schedule had been somewhat irregular, going off on exploration patrols at odd hours to get a better sense of the city. Yesterday, for example, he didn't arrive back at the store until after Rune had gone to bed, and today he had left early as well.
He slides open the door, stepping in and closing it behind him. "I'm back," he calls softly. "Spent the day watching the schools; I think I have a partial idea of what a student's day is like."
As he takes off his cloak, he looks over to Rune. "How was your day?" he asks, unaware of the happenings of the past day.
Hinote Kagari feels a little weirded out. Aswell as aprehensive. That--- thing had trapped them somewhere surreal, fought them, then left behind some sort of 'deranged christmas ornament'. That he saw Runealy shout some---words, gain some sort of Princess getup, but it all dissapeared when he reopened his eyes upon the.. things horrible screaming. He had a nightmare about a big hungry princess trying to eat himself last night. He himself, has a healing bruise on the left side of his face. It still hurts, but he'll be alright- he went to the doctors instead of school today. Mom insisted.
He of course lied about the encounter to his parents. He just fell down some steps. That's all. Nothing major. They belived him, they had no reason to suspect otherwise.
It felt bad lying, but it was better than telling the truth, and besides, he still promised Runealy he wouldn't say anything about them. He had to keep that promise, regardless.
He reaches the back door and kicks the bottom-right corner, aswells he enters, waits for that bell to ring, and just says. "Don't worry. S'just me." he says as he closes the door.
In his hand are three neatly stacked brown bags, and the smell of Takoyaki wafts out of them. They're slowly steaming from the inside still. Tako Cafe is not too far away, afterall. "Takoyaki. Like I promised." he says as he places them on the counter.
He flumps onto one of the futons, sitting. "Hi Gao! So. That was a thing yesterday." he says turning to Rune in a lightheated tone as he can muster. Which is pretty chipper, given what happened.
Wha!?" Runealy is startled, even though Gaofele was gentle in announcing himself; she was very absorbed in thought. "Schools? Oh... oh, right. Hinote was talking about them too. Good idea checking them out! We'll see what we need to do with them really soon." It's not small talk, she's genuinely relieved that her friend is so reliable and dedicated... that sometimes she doesn't even have to try to 'set policy'; as far as Rune can tell Gaofele will go find things to do on his own if she's not around.
"Today was... better. Yesterday I ran into monsters I can only describe as 'impossible.' Hinote was with me. Hinote is... why I'm even here. I shouldn't be. After everything he did, I... I'm sorry we didn't get to talk this out beforehand, but... he needs to know. He's the one person on this whole insane world who deserves to know." Rune knows that at the rate things have happened, she had little real chance to run this decision by him and her lowered gaze serves as a quiet apology for it.
Then... the familiar 'thud' of foot on metal rings out from the back door. She goes tense, but eases up once Hinote reveals himself. She's not as upbeat as he is, but has mostly calmed down from her hurt rambling that was in full effect last night. "Thank you, it smells great! Umm... I guess we can eat it while we talk."
Gao's eyes widen as he looks from Rune to Hinote and back. He takes an indecisive step towards Rune, then one towards Hinote. Finally, he seems to make up his mind. closing the distance to Rune. "Are you okay, Rune?" he asks, voice full of concern and a worried expression on his face.
The lack of major injuries is enough to bring a sight of relief, and Gao collapses into a chair as the worry ebbs. "Thank you for protecting Rune," he says to Hinote. "If Rune trusts you enough to tell you what we're doing here, then that's enough for me."
The smell of takoyaki reminds him that he hasn't eaten in a while, so he reaches over and takes one of the bags, opening it up to look at the food within.
Hinote Kagari gets back up, steals one of the three bags of Takoyaki and sits back down. "Sounds like a good idea." he says as he opens his back, and slides out the tray, full of the deep friend balls of octopus. He begins to toss one into his mouth, as he looks over to Gao a moment, and gives the other boy an inquisitive glance.
"What is it you're going to tell me anyways?" he asks. "I mean. I really don't get what happened yesterday." he admits. "Whatever it was, was very.... real. I just wish, I could had done more to help. You seemed to. uh. be able to handle those things on your own. I could throw rocks?" he asks with a gentle chuckle. He kind of shrugs a bit.
"I'm just glad it's over, apparently." he says.
Rune doesn't immediately meet Gao's gaze. She's expecting him to be very upset with this decision, given how firm the discussions about the 'policy of secrecy' were before they crossed over to this new world. And she did it without asking him beforehand, which is definitely not fair to Gaofele. ...Yet he instead checks on her wellbeing. "I'll be okay, yes." Not there yet, still rattled over what happened, but she thinks she'll be alright soon enough.
"He did just that, Gao. I did something stupid when we ran into some monsters, and... maybe I would have made it through anyway, but I really don't think so. Hinote is probably why I'm sitting here right now. You can ask him about that."
Then she finally looks up and faces the two of them. "Those things are so different from the demons from our home, but they seem to do about the same thing. They hurt people. Where we're from, the Queen and her Knights used to stop them. They actually did so good at it that these days we only need the Queen. ...Well..." Her throat tightens, words failing to come until several seconds pass. "...Need/ed./ What I'm trying to say is that everyone knows about demons back home. It's the Queen's job to protect them from monsters like that. Always has been. I'm not a Queen though, so maybe I needed a little help and you did just that at the best possible time." A nod to Hinote. "Your world's demons are so different from ours, but they do about the same thing."
Gao gives one of Rune's hands a supportive squeeze. Unexpected events happen, throwing chaos into previous plans. They hasn't planned on telling anyone here on 'Planet Japan' about what they were doing, true... but they also hadn't planned on a local helping to save Runealy, either.
He sits back, letting Rune take point on the explanation. Questions about the demon she and Hinote encountered can wait; right now, Hinote deserves to know the truth about the Waldians.
Gao does pop one of the takoyaki into his mouth. There's a look of surprise as he bites into it, but the expression on his face makes it clear that he enjoys the taste.
Hinote Kagari blinks. "But there's no such thing as demons." he says as he blinks. "Right? I mean... I guess... I dunno what that thing was." he says suddenly scratching his head. "But... I've never run into anything like THAT before." he says. "That was horrible. I dunno who could handle something like that." he admits.
"I don't even think an /army/ could handle that." he says in disbelif.
"Maybe... there are demons? I don't know. I'm still confused. I'm sure Europe doesn't have Demons!" he says. "I know that much from school." he says tapping his foot.
He scratches his head. "I really don't know what I can say on the matter." he admits. "I guess you know more about it than I do."
The squeeze helps; Rune looks up to Gao and nods wordlessly. She appreciates it, and it's helping calm her nerves.
"You're right." She faces Hinote, speaking seriously. "An army generally can't. Our history talks about a few times they've tried, and it's basically just short of pointless for them. Europe might not have demons, for all I know. You see... we're..."
She hesitates. "You talked about how the truth would get you called 'crazy' instead of 'hero.'" She uses those words to buy time, to steel her nerves. And finally, Runealy manages it. "We're not from Europe or Bermuda, or any other part of this world you call Japan. We're from another world entirely, and..."
Her head lowers. "We're here to do something horrible. Lying to you about being from Europe is the least of it.
Gao nods solemnly to Hinote. "That's why we're so unfamiliar with things on this world -- why we weren't familiar with can openers, or the 'glass candles' and 'metal carriages' on the roads," he adds. "Things are so... /different/ than what we're used to."
The sound of the room is filled with Hinote choking on a Takoyaki ball for a minute, it happens right about the time Rune says they're from another world. He needs to cough and tap his chest for a bit with a closed fist before he's able to talk again.
"Another World!? Well.. I guess that... explains the silly questions." he says with with a sideways smirk at Gao as he also mentions it. "But like. Are you aliens then? or... how did you even get here?" he asks curiously. "What's your world called?" he asks.
He seems curiously. "And how did you... do that thing you did. With the dress, and the... tiara?" he asks.
Runealy isn't eating much, and starts to rise to check on Hinote until he manages to get his food down safely. Once he's okay, she settles back down. "Gao's right, though. We don't know anything about any of those, even if they seem like the most obvious things in the world to you. And yes, we're 'aliens.' We talk like you do, we care about the same things, we're people... but we're from a very different place."
What's it called? "We're from Waldia. The First Queen, my most distant ancestor, is said to have named it after herself after she and her protectors trapped most of our world's demons behind the Barrier. So long as the Barrier exists, the only ones who can hurt us are the few that weren't sealed back then. The Queen of each era has to strengthen the Barrier so it won't fade, and teach the Princess to become her successor. So it has been for... well, basically forever. I did 'that thing' because I am this generation's Princess. Royal blood and magic are how I 'do that.'"
Hinote Kagari seems abousltely shocked! "So you're a princess? That's... amazing, too!" he says, he seems genuienly intrested, because he has a lot more questions! But then something Runealy said before nags at him...
"What do you mean you're here to do something terrible?..." he asks curiously as he scratches his head. "I mean. You're not. Invading. Are you?" he asks curiously. "With like an army?" he asks.
He clears his throat and pops another Takoyaki ball into his mouth. This doesn't.. feel like an invasion? He means. A princess? In a rundown store? That doesn't make any sense.
"It's supposed to be amazing, at least. If I was better at this, maybe it would be." Rune verbally tears into herself. An invasion? "No. Someone else is, someone who sounds like he's from a third world I don't know anything about, it doesn't sound like it's Waldia or Japan. He's invading, but..."
She feels like she's on trial, pleading her defense. "We're not here to conquer. We don't want that. We're not here to kill anyone either. We're... we are going to hurt them. We're going to hurt a lot of people to get what we need to survive, but... but..." Her throat tightens again, mouth moving but words refusing to come out.
She has to force it, a few seconds later. "We don't want to ruin anyone's life or destroy your world. That doesn't make it okay, but... please. Please understand! I know what that's like, and we don't want anyone else to go through that. Building our world's survival on the death of yours is... it's impossible, it's wrong! We won't do that!"
Hinote Kagari frowns, she sounds... woeful. He gets up and walks across the room and shhhhhhhs a bit. "Just relax. I'm not judging you or anything. I'm just curious! Now it's my turn to ask silly questions, alright?" he asks with a wry smirk. He smiles a little. "Besides, I've never met a /real/ Princess before." he says with wide eyes. "I've only dealt with those playing the part. Also. My character usally kidnaps them or something." he says with a wry half-tiled smirk shrugging a bit, trying to take the edge off the conversation.
"It's okay. So you're here to.. do something because. Your world's in danger? What's exactly happening?" he asks, curiously. "Is there any way I can help? I mean. I'm just... a boy I guess. Not a Princess. but maybe I can throw more rocks at it, eh?" he says with that coy smile of his.
Gao squeezes Rune's hand again, grateful that Hinote doesn't seem to be angry. And the offer of help...!
"Never underestimate a well-placed rock," he murmurs, nodding.
"Maybe I'm just playing the part, too." Rune makes another verbal jab at herself, which is at least less frantic than the near-shouting she was doing seconds ago. The joke about kidnapping is heard, but kind of falls flat in her case. "...Yeah, but I know you're not really doing that."
"He was throwing rocks when one of the monsters attacked him," Runealy explains aside to Gao. Then Hinote cuts to the heart of the matter. "Our Barrier is going to collapse in... maybe half a year from now? I tried to restore it, but I can't! No matter how hard I try or how many times I redo the ritual, it doesn't work! That's why we're here!" Attempts to keep her calm were short lived. She is frantic once again, worried gasps and sharp breaths punctuating frightened words. "We're here to take enough magic to make sure our next ritual works no matter what, and do it before anyone from this world or any other can find out how vulnerable we are, so /they/ don't invade or try to destroy the Barrier themselves!"
Hinote Kagari nods a bit. "Magic, here? I haven't... really seen such magic." he admits, rubbing the back of his head. But a lot happening recently has him thinking-- a really errie 'Demon Attack' that seemed impossible special effects wise... then... whatever happened yesterday wasn't special effects. It was beyond anything he even though possible.
"Maybe there is magic here? I don't really know, I'm sorry." he admits.
"I guess, it happens? But it's rare or something. I mean. Yesterday was... I NEVER encountered something like that before." he admits. "I mean, I even had a nightmare about it." he also admits.
"It was all...creepy, and made of felt and... seemed so surreal."
"Just... I don't know what I can do to help you guys?" he admits sheepishly. "It's not like I run into something like that everyday-- you know?" he asks.
"I've seen more here in a week than in my entire life back home!" Rune comments. "Maybe a lot of it isn't as powerful as what we had, but there's so much more of it that we have a real chance of getting enough! But..."
It was creepy and surreal. Runealy quiets down for a moment, shaking as she remembers their fight through the insane 'sub-world' of the twisted castle. She's not sure she wants Hinote going through that ever again. "You've already helped." Rune latches on to that thought, getting herself off the other topic. "You've saved us time with your help," She gestures to the shelves, which Hinote has helped stock. "And saved me. And... if you help us with anything else, you won't be much of a hero. We... you can't tell anyone about this. We'll die if word gets out to the wrong people!"
Her train of thought certainly jumped in an odd way just then. "We are going to take that magic from others. We're going to steal it and bring it home with us, and use it to do what I can't handle on my own. The Barrier will be restored, but we're hurting people on your world to do it. Taking magic from them... is pretty awful. You shouldn't help with that."
Hinote Kagari thinks about this long and hard. There is magic? He doesn't get it. This is all so new. Amazing. He needs to think for a bit, and for a few long moments he's silent, putting a Takoyaki ball in his mouth as he thinks for a long hard moment.
"So. your world is going to die, if you don't get magic..." he says.
"You're not...going to kill them. Are you?" he asks curiously as he puts another ball into his mouth. He seems oddly calm, as he thinks through in his head. "I mean...." he murmurs. "You don't.. feel like killers..." he admits. "Even the really calm ones in Mangas..." he asides.
"We need a lot of it. We..." Runealy starts to answer, but cuts off when Hinote asks /that./ Even after she had insisted they wouldn't, the question comes up again. It's a good question. Probably the best question. "No! I... I can't promise. People probably aren't going to just give us what we want, we expect to fight. But we're not going to try to kill them! I know what that's like!" Any semblance of calm is gone now, Runealy is outright crying. "I don't even know if you can take magic from someone who's dead. We didn't try that back home! We're not going to! We're bandits, we're thieves, we're still doing something very wrong, but..."
She looks down and aside, vision blurring as tears continue. "We're not murderers! Nobody should have to see what that's like, seeing someone taken from them forever...! We won't do it!"
"We tried draining magic from volunteers," Gao speaks up quietly. "Ordinary people, without any noticeable magic. While we /could/ get some magic from them, it wasn't much, and it was painful for them."
He shakes his head at the memory. "Causing that much pain for that little magic was not worth it, especially when it's from the people you're trying to protect. That's why we're here, looking for those with lots of magic. If we can take magic from those who have it, then maybe we can accumulate enough without having to hurt large numbers of people."
It still doesn't sit right with him, but it's the least worst of the options they have: hurt several people to save their world, instead of letting pain and destruction come to many.
Hinote Kagari frowns and closes his eyes. "Please don't... cry. Just... as long as you're not killing people, then I can deal with it." he says. "People will get over it as long as they're not dead, ya know?" he asks. He doesn't understand, the specifics, but, well. The Doctor stabs him with a needle to take blood. It hurts like a bitch, but it doesn't kill him, and his body makes new blood. He gets over it- see you in 6 months.
"I still want to help. alright?" he asks as he tries to calm Rune down. "Besides. I have a feeling /I'd/ be dead if you weren't around last night either." he says softly. "Right?" he asks. "I'd walked into that alone, and I'd be dead." he says.
"So I'm not just gonna walk outta here and say 'bye'...." he says a little sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
"I just wish I could help. ya know?" he says towards Gao. "I'm not. Magical. I mean. On stage I sure am! but...." he half nervously laughs a bit.
Rune stops talking, grateful to let Gaofele fill in gaps in explaining all this. She's still rattled by the question; 'are you here to kill people'? She just nods weakly as he lays out what they're thinking. That Hinote seems to be accepting this helps, but the memories that brought her to have such a strong response to the topic are too fresh for her to just totally shrug it off.
Still, she's at least trying to carry on conversation again, rather than near-screaming protests. "Not a lot of people do. Our Knights, when we had them, were extraordinary people. People who really, deeply believed in what they were doing and had something incredible in them. Today... that's still true, of the first Knights we've had in centuries." She nods aside to Gaofele. He's about as amazing as it gets, in her view!
"So being able to pledge to stand up and do what mattered, to have the magic in them come to life, was pretty rare. At most, our whole world has had a dozen at any given time. Usually a lot less. And you, even without their Oath and power, have already done so much to help!"
Gao looks a bit sheepish at the praise from Rune. He's just standing up to help his friend and their world, doing what he can to help, because someone should. He's known Rune for years, of /course/ he'll help!
And Hinote, who's only known them for a few days, is just as willing to step up and help out, even after encountering danger?
Gao blinks. "Bravery in the face of danger," he muses thoughtfully. "A willingness and determination to help, even without power..."
He looks to Rune. "If magic would aid him in helping us, then perhaps...?"
Hinote Kagari eyes light up. "Queens.. Princess... and Knights!" he says like he was a small boy again, he could squeal! And the two gets some of that in a little 'eeeeee' sound right before his next sentence. "I really need to hear more about your world. I just... don't know where to begin." he says kind of meekly. "Sorry just... I've been reading Fairy Tales since I was little. and... sometimes there's stories like this. Just... never really thought I'd be stuck in one." he admits. "Um... Fairy Tales are like, make belive storys, about Knights, and Wizards and stuff." he admits. "----For kids. I still read them though. I like them." he nods.
"Just. I dunno what I can do to help past.. talking and... just brining you stuff. or answering your silly questions with a straight face." he smiles.
"What?" Rune's question to Gaofele is a single word expressing only one thing: An utter lack of comprehension. Not anger, not accusation, just total confusion. "I'm not even sure that's possible? He's from /Japan/, a completely different world!"
Then she's jarred further out of crying by Hinote finding this... interesting? "Like I said, you've already been a big help. We have children's stories back home, though. Maybe not the same ones you have, but we have them! We're not /that/ different. Our cities are smaller, we don't have electra-refriger-waves," she's still struggling on a few terms, it seems, "But we're happy and we watch out for each other! Gao and I are doing this for them, they deserve it even if history will call us 'invaders' or worse for it. And you've already given them one more chance to make it through this." A sharp nod to Hinote follows.
Hinote Kagari blinks. "What's no possible? What are you two talking about?" he asks as he blinks, rubbing the side of his head a bit. He bites his lip a bit and thinks for a bit. He says. He sighs a bit as he crosses his arms a bit. Right... I mean, What is your world like?" he asks. "It sounds like... um..."
He walks across the room to a backpack, he left it here yesterday- he didn't come back afterall, and opens it and takes out a binder. He opens the script binder, and gets to the backdrop design of a large hill with a castle a forest, and a town surrounding near the base of the hill of the castle - the set designer notes in the back of the main script. "Does it look a little something like this?" he asks.
Gao shrugs slightly in response to Rune's. "It /would/ be unusual," he admits. "But then -- hasn't this entire expedition been like that? Doing things that we never expected, discovering things that we never thought possible... just generally expanding the limits of what we know."
He takes a look at the backdrop design. "Not a bad picture, although it /does/ take a few liberties in what forests look like," he chuckles. "But then, when you grow up in one, you do tend to develop an eye for them."
That's a very good point. "You may be right," Runealy concedes to Gao. "But are you suggesting what I think you are?"
Then she glances to Hinote's image. "That's... in the right area, yes. There are a lot of differences, different banner, the trees are different, but I can tell what you're going for. And... yes."
She nods once to Hinote, a deep and serious thing. "That's close. That is close to what our home looks like. It might seem impossible to you, or ridiculous and backwards when we don't have half the things you do, but... it's home. We like it. We like the people we live with!"
Hinote Kagari beams. "That's... amazing then!" he says as he closes his binder and puts it away. "You must live in... some magical kingdom. Or at least.. a kingdom... that's a place, I'd like to go." he says with a breath. "I mean.... no electricty, or tall buildings, but... clean air... clean water... and.. adventures!" he says as he closes his fists excitiedly.
"But... seriously, what are you guys talking about. Suggesting what?" he asks as he looks between Gao and Rune. "I mean if it's asking me to do something. I'm good for it. Just. It's not like I can buy you a car or anything." he laughs a little to himself.
Gao nods to Rune. "He's proven that he has courage, and that he's willing to help, even after knowing what we're planning on doing," he points out. "If he's willing to take the Oath, then why not take him up on his offer and make him a full ally?"
He smiles to Hinote. "I know I'd be honored to fight alongside someone willing to risk his life to protect others," he states with a nod, then looks back to Rune. "Do you think he's worthy?"
"Well, our castle is pretty tall," Runealy is willing to defend that part of her home's construction style. "Maybe not as big as some of your buildings, but... it's... it's home."
Then Gaofele lays it out. "...You're serious." He's suggesting something extraordinary. "We've never considered that, ever. ...Though I guess we've never /met/ people from another world to even consider it, have we." It's not a question, but a flat statement of truth. "Worthy? I'm not sure that even begins to describe it. I messed up badly yesterday and probably should have died for it! He's a hero and then some!" Now she's speaking more lively, voice intense and certain.
Her gaze returns to Hinote, and she takes the time to calmly gather her words. It takes several seconds, time where she stares at nothing but him. "We're not asking for that. I don't even know what a car is. Honestly, we're not... /asking/ for anything. You've already done so much, and we couldn't ask you for more. We... are offering."
She paces around to be standing by the entrance/exit of the checkout counter, making sure both Gaofele and Hinote are in her view even though her eyes stay on their new friend here on this 'impossible' world. "You know most of what there is to hear about our world." Not everything, but certainly a great deal of it and she has spoken in good faith; no more lies for Hinote, no more convenient omissions of fact. "I reinstated our world's order of Guardian Knights because now, more than any time other than when the First Queen fought beside the very first Knights at the start of our known history... they are needed. If I continue to do this alone, I will fail and our world is going to die."
She continues: "The choice is yours, but you've spoken a lot about this. If you want that, if the idea of facing demons like the ones you saw last night... if the idea of standing up to people who want to conquer other worlds sounds right to you, if that life is something you truly want... you may have it."
Hinote Kagari has to absorb all this for a long moment, it's kind of honoring , honestly. He's seen his Dad's plays. He's acted in his own. But never in his life could he imagine that a /real/ princess, from a /real world/ from a /real kingdom/ would be asking such a question to /himself/. He has to shove a ball of takoyaki into his mouth for the moment as he closes his eyes. Does he really want that? He's not much of a knight.
He swallows and has to finally speak. "I mean. I do! But, would I even be a good Knight?" he asks. "I can't... really fight things like last night?" he says, but it sounds unsure. "I couldn't protect you or anyone much, aside from shoving you out of the way of things, providing nothing gets me first." he says with a short smile.
"You could stand up to them if..." Runealy stops. Maybe words aren't what's needed to explain this. Instead, she looks aside to Gaofele. "Would you show him? Let him see what is being offered? He has seen what I've inherited, but not what can be awoken in others if they reach out for it."
Gao nods to Rune, then stands up. He pulls a bracer out from inside his shirt, then slides it over his left arm, shouting
"To protect the lands, I am Guardian Gao!"
There is a glow of woodland green, and Gaofele changes. His clothes shift into a fancier, sturdier version of a forester's outfit, and his hair lengthens slightly and lightens from black-green to dark green.
He opens his eyes (now an emerald green, instead of the dark brown they had been), and with a flick of his left wrist a bow materializes in his hand, strung with a faint line of energy. A shake of his right hand, and a small length of vine-covered wood appears in it. As Gao grasps it, the wood extends into a full-sized quarterstaff, which he twirls once.
"You could stand up to them like this," nods Guardian Gao.
Hinote Kagari watches as Gao changes into.. Guardian Gao! It's a change that feels very much like the way Runealy changed... and he- just summons a bow. From nowhere. And, in the other hand, summons a quarterstaff. He has to sort of blink and wipe across his eyes a bit. "Just like... you did." he says to Rune.
He says. "Well.. If.. I can fight. Like that. Then... yes!" he says with a soft smile.
"But.. how does it work?" he asks curiously. "I mean. What do I have to do?" he asks, a little curious
Runealy watches in silence as Gao's magic is revealed. She has only seen it once before, at his Oath ceremony. It was supposed to be a wondrous, celebratory event to welcome a hero's resolve to protect their beloved home, friends, family, and the things that matter in their life.
In his case, it had been conducted in secret in Rune's room at the castle. The public simply could not know that the /princess/ (why not the queen?) had done something as sudden and drastic as reviving the order of Guardian Knights. And so the Oath had been a hasty, hidden thing; she promised a proper one would be done later. Still, seeing him here in that form does offer some reassurance and majesty.
Now Hinote is asking how to embrace that same path. Rune is surprised. She didn't doubt his courage or kindness, but... "Just like I did, yes. You would be taking an Oath. An Oath to become a Guardian Knight, someone who wants to protect others so strongly that you'll reach out for it, work for it, and make their safety a reality. And in turn, their safety becomes yours... everyone works together in their own way. If you want to walk away, I'll understand. Swearing yourself to a world you've never seen, to people you've never met... some would call it reckless. Think about it very carefully, no matter your choice. You will be making a decision that you'll remember forever."
Gao nods solemnly. He knows that Hinote is a persistent friend, and someone who cares about the safety of others, but to devote yourself to this degree to a cause? It takes a strong heart...
...and Gao's certain that Hinote has that strength.
Hinote Kagari seems to be in deep though.... become a Knight, of another world, and fight for people. He stuffs another ball of Takoyaki into his mouth. The last one in his tray, therefore loosing his ability to non-awkwardly pause as he closes his eyes. It feels like he's dreaming. He wonders, just for a moment if this is a candid camera show. But that can't be it. That would be /insane/. Even if it is, he'll say what's in his heart. There's no shame in that. Right?
"I.. I'll do it!" he says. "If.. I can keep people safe... anyone safe, and help you guys, I'll do it." he says with a dedicated smile.
Indeed, though he wonders how this happens, as he scratches the side of his head awkwardly.
"So then. Is there a test I need to pass or something?" he asks meekly, suddenly.
"A test?" Runealy walks to stand beside Gao, smiling to him as Hinote asks that question. "You've already passed. We're trusting you with our world's secret, offering to let it be your world too." She indicates Gao with a wide palm gesture, then faces Hinote. "You could have ran away and told everyone what we were doing. You could have stood there and watched when we wound up in that twisted castle."
"You have more than passed any test we could imagine for this... I won't insult you by asking for proof a fourth time. No... if you really want to do this..." Runealy paces toward the shelves, and points to a backpack. "The relics of previous Guardian Knights are in here. Look through them. Find one that calls to you. Then think."
She looks back to Hinote, tone serious and firm; no more stammering, no more gasps, no more crying. "Think about who you care about. Think about what you value in life, what your dreams are. Think about demons, whether ones from Waldia or Japan or any other world. See yourself telling them 'No. This is wrong.' See what weapons and magic you would use to stop them. What armor would protect you."
She begins pacing for the door to the office. "When you've found those things, call for me. You will take your Oath then."
Gao nods to Hinote, giving him an encouraging smile before walking over to the door to the office. Finding the right relic is a matter of what speaks to you as a person, what calls to you on a personal level. That is something that can only be done by the Knight-to-be; Gao can't assist Hinote with that.
What he can do, however, is to give the young actor enough space (and a modicum of privacy) to listen to his own heart.
Hinote Kagari blinks and stands up and walks towards the backpack and picks it up carefully, and gently begins picking each one out one by one. Various artifacts one by one. He looks at them in awe. Some of these things looks very old, with otherworldly craftsmanship. He places them all out on the futon and studies them for a good, long while. Runealy seems to .. leave the room to the back office? He guesses this is a private thing. He looks over to Gao and back to the items and examines them carefully....
He picks up a necklace, with a large diamond, and holds it. He thinks about these things and shakes his head. "No.. this one feels wrong...." he murmurs as he puts it down. He picks up an old seath containing a small decoractive dagger, and frowns. "No-- this is... wrong too." he says as he bites his lip. This is very strange feeling. He finally picks up a braclet, crafted of a silver- inset with orange-red gem. He holds the braclet and thinks for a bit. There's a certain calm this time, as he examines it. He unclasps it and clips it onto his wrist, and closes his eyes- he thinks about things. His parents.... things his mom said, things Dad says... Yeah this is the right one, he thinks. He removes it from his wrist and carefully looks over the others. Nothing else calls to him. He carefully places the rest back into the backpack, leaving the braclet on the futon as he places the backpack back into the location he found it, carefully. These items are important, afterall.
He's not done yet. He sits alone for a bit in silence, looking at the braclet, resting his head on his hand in thought. Is this a thing he truly wants to go through? He's ALWAYS wanted to be a knight. But on the stage. Being one for real---is a lot of work. Can he live with that? Can he live with helping people who may not appreciate him being an outsider. Mom always says to help. Dad always says to help AND recognition isn't important.
He takes a deep breath.
"Alright... you two can come out now." he says. "I...I'm ready." he says.
Runealy steps into the office, closing the door once Gao is in. She looks to him, dropping the formalities and solemn words. "I can hardly believe this. We've gone from wondering who he is, to wondering about sharing this place, to facing monsters, and now..." She takes a breath, the gravity of the situation hitting her fully: "We're going to do something unheard of, something nobody would have ever imagined, and we're going to have someone like that helping us. Someone from this impossible world is going to be our friend and stand with us, and you took the first steps in making that happen. If he knocks on that door and offers to take the Oath... history will be happening because of you!" It's a staggering idea.
She needs to get ready for that. Rune calls out, "Summoning Princess' Tiara!" Gold headwear appears in hand, "The Line of Succession... transform!" It's brought to her head, red light engulfs her, and her magical garb takes form.
And some time later... he calls to them. The princess allows a tiny gasp, a mix of surprise and wonder. Her heart begins pounding as she nods to Gao. "Thank you....!" Then, Runealy emerges.
She sees what Hinote has selected, and walks over to pick it up. The futon will have to serve as the most ceremonial looking thing here, it seems. She turns it in-hand for a few moments, then turns to face the Knight-aspirant. "Hinote Kagari." Full name basis.
Rune walks toward him. "You are here because you are extraordinary. Because something in your heart and mind speaks so strongly, that you would see that which you cherish be preserved. To be kept safe." 'Safe' is an important word to the off-worlders, conveying both 'protected' and 'happy' at the same time.
"Speak of them. Tell us who and what you treasure!"
Hinote Kagari watches and blinks as Runealy comes back out, in that Princess Dress she donned when she transformed last night. Out of something awful, he's able to examine her, which he does. It's rather surreal. This makes his heart race in a weird way. Combination of feelings, some good, very little bad, but he knows right now is a good time to shut up, as Runealy speaks. "I treasure my parents, who told me help people no matter what...." he says. "I treasure Justice... protecting and helping people in need..." he says as steadily as he can--- hoping this is the answer that is being sought, as he swallows a little.
Runealy gives Hinote her complete attention. She listens to what is important to him. His words are burned into her memory. There is no set answer, no one true correct answer to the question; it is unique to everyone. "Magnificent! Then today, here and now, the excellence within you can take form. Together, we will make that a reality. Protecting your parents. Protecting justice. Helping others. That will be your legacy!"
She keeps tight hold of Hinote's chosen Guardian relic for the moment, but holds it up for him to see. "Will you pledge yourself to that? Will you take an Oath, promising to protect your parents? To protect justice? To aid others when they suffer? Will you serve and defend a world you have only heard described to you, knowing that it will be wonderful to see it, to see who and what you have brought safety to? Will you work with its royal family, and the other Knights, to achieve these goals? To see our Barrier maintained, so that future generations may embrace the same justice and kindness you hold dear?"
Hinote Kagari watches as Runealy holds the Guardian Relic close... should he be kneeling? Bowing? He's not even sure about Royal Decorum.. but.. if Runealy cared about that, he'd had know by now, he's sure. Calling her 'Rune' and 'Runealy' all this time. He feels kind of silly now. But.. he has a feeling that Runealy might hate being called Princess all the time. It's a hunch. It's just one of the many thoughts racing though his mind as he listens. Boy is he listening.
"I will, with all my heart..." he says as he takes a deep breath.
He's going through with it! Runealy struggles to control the wonder that courses through her; she didn't doubt him, but hearing Hinote state it with such conviction is still moving. As he says those fateful words, a soft pulsing noise, a hum of energy, can be heard from the bracelet.
No backing out now. He has offered his word, and Runealy cannot ignore it or brush it aside. Nor does she ask him to bow or kneel; Guardian Knights are meant to stand proud in what they do. They might serve the royal family, but they are cherished friends, not common subordinates who must lower themselves in the presence of Queen or Princess. "Then take this." She holds Hinote's chosen relic out for him, her grip loosening on it. "Take it, and call out that promise!"
The latent magic in the relic should help him find how to proceed, to find the right words. It continues to make that gentle pulsing noise, waiting to fully atune with Hinote.
Hinote Kagari takes the item and feels weird. It's like the things talking to him, while not talking to him at all. He's never felt like that before. He unclasps it and he puts it around his wrist, because this is what feels right. The gem begins to just glow lightly. It didn't do that earlier when he tried it on. It takes a few moments as he closes his eyes. "With... all my heart...." he says holding his arm high a moment.
"To Protect Justice, I am.... Guardian Hino!", which isn't his name at all! Regardless, there's a small orange-red flash that lights the room, and gives it a warm feeling, when it passes, Hinote stands there in silver armor, some sort of sword belted around his waist and looking VERY confused. "I.. ugh." he says as he holds his forehead a moment. "What just happened?" he asks.
In an instant, the bracelet flashes light as it evaluates Hinote's Oath. The Oath is special... it has some common tenets for all Knights, but also tenets that are unique to each person who takes up the title of a Guardian Knight; they are not interchangeable pieces in a machine. Those who would be Knights are all unique people with their own feelings and dreams. Their Oath is their way to pledge what they care deeply for. It cannot be made lightly. One does not choose to take the Oath to 'try it out for a week' and see how they feel about the job. Anyone taking the Oath is making a profound statement about their life.
It must be made sincerely, in good faith. It is not a trick; Knights must know what they face, and while not every aspect of Waldian life has been explained yet... Runealy has stopped lying to Hinote. She has laid out what they are about, so he can make a fair and informed decision.
The Oath cannot be tricked. Hinote's words are judged to match his heart, that he must truly want this and is ready to dedicate himself to advancing his ideals. For himself, for the world immediately around him, and perhaps future generations will be inspired.
Hinote's Oath is genuine. Even as his bracelet flashes once more and begins the transformation, Runealy's tiara flashes a matching orange-red light, a beam flowing from the royal headwear to his bracelet, linking them and fully awakening the spark of magic within Hinote - Guardian Hino.
When it all fades, Runealy smiles. What happened, he wonders? "Look at yourself. Something wonderful just happened!"
"You became a Guardian Knight," adds Gao, stepping forward with a smile. "It's slightly disorienting at first, but you get used to it. Just don't try climbing any trees for, say, the next half hour." That last is said with the ruefulness of experience.
He takes a few moments to size up Hinote's -- sorry, /Guardian Hino's/ magical equipment. "Sturdy armor, a good sword... looks like you'll be adept in melee combat," he nods. "Not sure what form your magic will take the shape of, but it'll tell you how it wants to be used."
Gao takes a stride forward, grasping Hinote's hand and clasping him on the back. "It is an honor to fight alongside you, Guardian Hino!" the forester Knight beams.
Hinote Kagari also has a red-orange cape to match. It's all very nice looking. He has to look at himself. He wishes there was a mirror nearby, but he settles for the reflection of the window of a nearby empty and defunt cooler. (The same one he pointed at when explaining a refridgerator to Runealy.). "Wow..." he says. "This is... amazing...." he says as he feels over himself a bit. He gives his chest a quick tap. The metal 'dings!' back. Then Gao takes his hand and he just grips it. "I feel really weird. But... your right. I feel like it's talking to me. It's really weird feeling." he says. "But... It's an honor too." he says with a wide smile.
"Um.." he moves around a bit in the armor. "Um.. I'm going to stand over here for a moment." he says. He moves over a few feet and grabs the sword a moment and unseathes it, unveiling, an nice orante sword. He boggles at it. You two get to watch as he touches the edge and then quick withdraws it, sucking on his finger. "Yikes, that's /sharp/." he says. He puts it back before he pokes his eye out with it or something by accident, not exploring further for the moment. "Ah--right, like.. I'm stating the obvious." he says with a deep blush. He looks back to his reflection, and strokes his chin. "This is.. lighter than costume armor." he says.
Runealy remains smiling as Hino checks himself out. Having spoken so much, and so dramatically, she has no words right away and simply watches.
...Right up until he gets his first lesson in sword safety! "Ahh!? Are you okay?" Well... he seems to be since he's still continuing exploring his new magical form. "I wouldn't know if it's lighter than a costume or not. All I can say is it's yours. Exactly yours, down to the last detail. Your heart was your armor's 'blacksmith'."
For now, she's keeping her distance since Gaofele seems to be celebrating having a new peer, another fellow Knight.
Hinote Kagari smiles. "Yeah I'm okay. I didn't even cut myself." he says. "Don't think I'm going to do that again though." he smirks, as he crosses his arms a bit. "Huh... you're right. This is almost how I look when I dream about it..." he says as he blushes a bit. "The cape and all... I just hope I can act to your expectations." he admits meekly.
Then he holds his head. "Ugh...I think I know what you meant about getting used to it, Gao, my head is spinning on and off a bit. Maybe I should sit down." he says.
He wonders how to turn this thing off...
He wonders and then he just knows the answer suddenly. It's very odd. He just points his arm forward, and everything just dissapears, leaving the braclet on his arm. He sits down a moment and takes a deep breath as he ughs.
"Ugh..." he manages to giggle a little. "I guess humans from Earth need a little bit to get used to this whole thing." he says. "But...at least you know it works now. I mean, with us people on Earth." he admits.
Gao nods in understanding. "Lighter than normal armor, definitely," he agrees. "Might have better range of movement than normal armor as well, but that might be harder to tell."
He points his arm downward as Hinote de-henshins, returning to his normal clothes as well. "It should be easier the next time," he says with a reassuring confidence. "Just like any other kind of practice."
"What do you mean 'Earth'? I thought this was Ja-- ohhh..." Rune thinks on what this would mean. It would mean they are in city Tokyo, nation Japan, world Earth. That is an embarrassing mistake to make, but at least now they know. Tiara removed, she also reverts. "I'm not exactly planning to go making a lot of Earth people into Knights, though!"
Hinote Kagari laughs. "Earth is the planet. Japan is the country we're in!" he says with a smile. "Don't worry, it's not like you'd know that.. with everyone calling this Japan, or Tokyo.. or something..." he says with a grin. He looks down at his braclet and removes it. He places it into his pocket. "I'm gonna need to hide that from my parents. If they end up finding it, I can say I just found it in a thrift shop. I still need to keep my promise to you guys. "And right. So.. I feel honored to be helping you guys..." he smiles as he just sits there on the futon. "--- and maybe we SHOULD spar sometimes Gao. At least, I do need the practice. Why not right now? There's lots of space in the back of this place, no one'll see us. Just need to get some broomhandles or something." he laughs. "You up for it?" he asks motioning to the back door.
"Sparring sounds like a good plan," nods Gao. "I even know where there's a pair of brooms." He scarfs a few more takoyaki balls, then heads to the corner where he stashed some of the things they had found when first cleaning the abandoned store.
The mission is still a dangerous one, and the odds still feel against them... but with three people working together instead of two, the future is looking just that much brighter.