After a short talk on the phone, Asclepius is directed by Tadase Hotori to a rather large greenhouse-like structure on the Seiyou Public campus. Any suspicions he might have had about the relative age of the person on the other end aren't helped by the fact that as Asclepius gets up to the large double doors, they burst open, and a flood of gradeschoolers erupts out. While Nadeshiko Fujisaki is elegant as ever as she leaves, and Kukai isn't exactly going out of control, Yaya Yuiki is running around in circles around the both of them asking some very inane questions about who Tadase is meeting and when she can get ice cream and why she couldn't eat all of the sweets Nadeshiko cooked.
Once that eruption is passed, though, the Royal Garden lies ahead, and that's got an entirely different tone. A massive garden of well-tended plants of all sorts, softly flowing water - it might be the least hectic, most calm place Asclepius has been in a while.
Tadase Hotori sits at the head of the table, under the gazebo in the center, with a pot of tea and some snacks next to him. And a very warm smile on his face, as he beckons Asclepius to come and have a seat.
Asclepius was very polite and demure sounding on the phone. Sounded a little older. Likewise, Tadase sounded infinitly more younger than expected- but this isn't a turn off- Daisuke had interacted with enough people to know that age meant nothing.
Asclepius happens to be watching from a nearby wall, keeping out of sight. For some reason, when he summoned his staff- then the outfit- the elaborate robe appeared- as did the commonish clothes underneath- but also a light chestplate that was orante. He frowned a little and tapped it. That was new. Was he feeling defensive? He doesn't really know. Regardless, when the meeting gets out he just sort of vanishes---
And appears in front of the doors without opening them. Teleporting is a neat trick. At least he didn't immediatly appear in front of or next to Tadase to scare him- he knows better than to do that bussiness. He has the Rod of Asclepius in his hand and takes a deep breath. Be brave, he tells himself. This is no different than any other social call right?
He takes a few steps forward and bows. "Hello, Hotori-san, I am Asclepius. Chiba-san said you were to be trusted for me to talk to." he says softly.
Tadase smiles. He was already smiling, this one is a little wider. "Asclepius," he begins, committing the name to memory"...I hear you haven't had the easiest first few days welcome to the world most people don't see." he says, understandingly. "I thought this might be an easier place to meet than some stuffy office in Seishou proper."
"So, I thought I can try to help you understand a little bit more about what's going on - but you look like you could use some tea and a scone or two." Tadase pushes a cup of tea and a plate with a couple of those small cakes at the chair nearest Daisuke. "It's okay to sit down and relax. It may not look like it, but the Royal Garden is one of the safest places in all of Tokyo." he adds. Tadase is, among many talents, good at understanding people on short glances now. It comes with being the King's Chair and spending so much time working with others, plus the whole Virtue thing.
Meanwhile, being surprisingly quiet, in front of Tadase, Kiseki is sitting on the edge of the table, reaching over and grabbing flecks of his own scone and shoving them in his mouth.
Asclepius sits down when he's offered a spot. "That is a little bit of an understandment, Hotori-san. My friend, Mercury-chan, confirmed for me I'd been more or less one big panic attack for the past few days." he admits. "I'm not used to lying to people or being mistrusted because I make someone feel they might know me somehow like a kick in the head of Deja Vu." he says a little softly.
"I'm more relaxed at the moment. Don't worry." he offers. He peeks down at tea and steals the pot and a scone and gets himself some tea and---oh small tiny prince.
Wait what.
".... that kind of reminds me of the tiny cat boy I saw with that boy..." he muses a bit to himself. "D--does he rule a tiny kindgom?" he asks. This is a serious question and not asked in jest.
"If it helps, you're not the first person I've met like this. There's a lot of strange stuff out there, and learning that it's been there the whole time and you've just missed it can be a bit of a shock." he adds, smiling. He leans down to his backpack to fish up a Virtue Phone...
And during this time Aasclepius asks Kiseki about himself. Tadase's eyes go up a bit at the mention of the tiny catboy. But before he can say anything, Kiseki's saying... well, everything. Thankfully, the question about ruling a tiny kingdom is overriden by the mention of Yoru. "You cannot trust that theiving cat! Or the larger, theiving, jerk cat he hangs around!" Kiseki all but shouts, and he probably has little dagger teeth as he says it.
"Kiseki, calm down." Tadase says sternly. Kiseki calms down... a little. He stops shouting, but he does turn and inform Asclepius that "I don't rule over a tiny kingdom, I rule over everyone! Commoner." He's obviously put out about having to behave.
Tadase is laughing a bit uncomfortably at Kiseki's outburst. You'd think he'd be used to them, or have Kiseki stay out of the way, but YOU try to make Kiseki be unseen.
But he sets the small, flat smartphone on the table. "Kiseki is my Guardian Character - the small cat you encountered was probably Yoru, another person's Guardian Character. Kiseki's right though, you can't trust that one or the catboy it belongs to... That's one of the hardest things about getting involved in all of this, I think. It's natural to want to talk with people who are like you, but not all of them have your best interests at heart. I think I heard you got an early introduction to that problem, too..."
Asclepius head tilts... "He can't be trusted?...but... he.... followed a sick animal in. He was checking after the animal." he says a little and frowns- remembering that Chiba had used a similar anaology with Mio. "It's been unpleasnet a bit, yes." he says.
He looks down at Kiseki and blinks... "My apologies." he says as he blinks rapidly. "I didn't mean to---ugh. Nevermind." he says as he shakes his head.
"Anyways." he says softly. "I'm a healer, as far as I can determine. That's about all I can do. I can teleport me and others with me, aswell. I do not feel inclined to fight and don't appear to be able to very well." he says.
"I have some dreams and nightmares. But this isn't your problem. The Senshi are handling that one." he says.
"Asclepius is a name Tuxedo Kamen called me. He said it sounded right. Thier cat was calling me 'Snake Staff' before that." he says.
"Hotori-san." he says softly. "I think of myself as a kind person. I don't like to think this. I think everyone is kind and I have never had to raise my hand to anyone before. I do a lot of charity work- it's practically my hobby. I do not like talking about this at length because it feels like boasting to me. I do this because it feels like the right thing- and that's always why. I am in Verone's Animal Care Club- It's my wish to be a Veternerian." he says.
"This is what I am about. This is who I try to be. The only reason I'm--- even in Henshin like this right now is because I'd promised Mercury-chan that I would do better to hide my identity. I was given a very stern lecture about this. I'm trying."
"I like to think the best of people too, Asclepius-san. Which is a much better name than snake-staff, I'll add." he says after a deep breath. "I think that even people who are doing destructive things, who have hearts filled with darkness - I'd like to help them however I can. So I understand where you're coming from." There's another big breath.
"But... I'll just use the example of Ikuto - he's the boy you met - because I know him." Tadase pours himself a fresh cup of tea before he begins. "I grew up with him. And I really want to believe there's still something good in him. But that boy... I've seen him tear a heart's egg out - a child's dream of who they want to be - to attempt to deliver it to his employers." he says, very sternly. Kiseki doesn't chime in, he just floats over and is /closer/ to Tadase, before the little King gives up and just sets his much smaller hand against the back of Tadase's.
"I don't say this to scare you off or anything, but just as an example of what's out there. An example of why Mercury-san is right. Because if you want to be able to rest, you need to be able to keep your magical life seperate from your nonmagical life." Like many people Daisuke has met, Tadase is a really bad example of practicing what he preaches.
"I also think... you need to understand. That same heart, the heart that does charity work, that does the right thing?" he pauses to take a sip of tea. "That's why you're here talking to me. That's why you've got the fancy outfit and the powers. Because not everybody has this sort of thing within them. So I understand if you want to focus on your healing powers - we like having people work where they have the most success! And we can certainly use your talents in Virtue." He passes the magical phone across the table.
"But that might not always be possible. Even if you didn't take the phone and you walk out, you're in the world now. We'll try to keep to your wishes as much as possible, let you do your healing." He smiles, but the teacup is sat down loudly. "But it isn't just us. You might find yourself in the middle of something started by a giant shadow monster, or trapped in a terrifying labrynth of despair - you might be the only one who can save dreams, lives, hope. You might not think of yourself as a fighter - but you CAN protect people, and that's something most of the people you pass by every day, the kids at your school - that's something they can't do."
Asclepius is hearing some of this a lot, but he frowns. "It saddens me to hear that." he says about Ikuto. "He seemed like a nice enough sort." he says gently. "It appears being able to see things---what you called Guardian Characters, are a clue into some sort of magical life though." he says. "I should probably ignore them, right?" he asks. "I mean. In public. Or...look you know what I mean right? Like I don't wanna ignore your friend there." he smiles a little.
"Ugh this is getting more confusing. I guess I'll catch on to what works over time. I just need to learn to compose myself faster." he says.
He listens and nods and peers at the phone... "What is that?" he asks as he takes it into his hand----then it turns purple and then the emblem changes to that snake staff sigil on it and blinks. "Oh. Okay." he says. He pockets the phone into his robe. "I see then." he says softly. "I accept, of course. I know I can trust Chiba-san on this at least." he says.
He closes his eyes a little and sighs and shivers a bit. "Ugh---that all. Sounds dreadful- but...if people need help in that--or protection I can only do my best." he says softly.
Tadase looks at Asclepius. "It can be awful if you let it - but you've also got a special gift." he begins, trying to shift the content a little bit more positive. "You said you want to be a veterinarian - that you like helping animals? I think you and I both agree that it'd be better if the animals never needed any help, but since that's not the case, isn't it good to have someone like you who can take care of them when they're hurt or sick?"
Tadase leans back in his chair. "And now you have that phone. It'll keep your identity secret, but it it'll also mean you shouldn't have to go into anything alone - or at least, not for long. There are a lot of us - and we all back you up as best we can."
"I was really lucky, because I always had Kiseki with me.... but even then, the more friends you can bring to bear, the better things are. And I guess this is strange after some of the things we've said, but I'd like you to think of me as someone you can trust, too. That's why I'm not in henshin - since Chiba-sempai vouched for you - and it's hard to get to know someone when both people are behind masks. And if you need help, you can call on me like you would any of the other friends you've met."
Kiseki helpfully adds "It's a King's responsibility to tend to their subjects. We can bring the cavalry if you need it."
Asclepius nods. "I.. Chiba-san is important." he says. "I don't know why or how I feel this, but it's what I feel. I can't figure it out. Sometimes I run into a person and I am hit with a kick in the head that I might know them but I don't and sometimes this reaction is a little more severe than it is for others." he says. "Chiba is on my severe end." he says. "I know I can trust him implicity."
He crosses his arms.
"All this talk of royalty is familar..." he murmurs and sighs.
"Well. Hotori-san. For now I'm going to keep my identity if at the least to get more familar operating under one. I trust you- and I'll do my best to trust your friends and people you care about and work with these other members of Virture. If I need help, I'll call. More important, if other people need help, I'll come." he says softly.
Tadase nods. "That willingness to help other people makes you stronger than you know, Asclepius-san. There's a lot of people out there who are out only for themselves, because they're too afraid to spend a little effort on other people, trying to horde it all for themselves."
"And yeah, we're hoping to help you and Chiba-sempai with those feelings. There's probably something there. Blue-sama and Tsukasa-sempai - you'll meet them eventually, I'm sure - are aware of them and trying to help."
"Don't worry about your identity. I can trust Asclepius, and that's good enough for me. You should keep that identity on, for Virtue. Like I said - it's also important to keep the two lives seperate? Trust me, it makes it easier on your head." Tadase probably shouldn't speak to this personally either, but he can speak to what he's heard from others.
Then he leans back again and, before plopping the last of his scones into his mouth, asks Asclepius. "Is there anything I can help you with, though - any questions I can answer? I'll do my best. But I think I've given you the big speeches, now."
Asclepius thinks. "A rundown of some of the magical people I might meet might be good. I mean. I know the Senshi, Tuxedo Kamen but that's it so far. And you people with the Guardian Charas." he says. He holds a hand to his mouth and blushes. "I don't mean that in a wrong way. I am curious...." he says.
He sighs a bit and taps his chin.
"I will admit Sailor V being real was kind of a shock..." he admits.
Tadase taps a finger to his chin. "Well, you've met Kiseki and me, but maybe I can give you a little rundown on what the Guardian Characters are... All kids have an egg in their hearts. It represents the person they want to be - their dreams. For most people it stays inside them, but for some of us it becomes a literal thing. And a Guardian Chara hatches, like Kiseki is mine. And we call those people Chara-bearers - the Guardian Character allows you to tap into the aspects of that person you want to be. Like, until I met Kiseki, I was actually really bad at talking to people - at being a leader." Kiseki nods EMPHATICALLY at this.
"You've met at least some of the Senshi - and yeah, Sailor V is real - she's been active for a while. She might be a bit unorthodox, but she's actually a veteran. The rest of the senshi - they're all good people. I haven't had as much time as I would've liked to meet them all, though."
"And then there's the Pretty Cure. They're a lot like Sailor Senshi in a way - they're very strong, and they fight evil in... a very direct way. Often by punching it." he adds with a grin. "They seem to come about through different ways, but if you haven't met one yet it probably won't be too long before you do. Blue-sama knows more about them than I do, though."
"And there's... the Prism Keepers, who fight to protect color. Which is more important than you'd think. I've seen an area that was drained of color. It can kind of be amazing to realize fundamental concepts like Color have defenders. But it's because even things like that are under attack by the darkness... I've worked alongside heroes defending color, music, and hope."
"Oh... and there's... the Puella Magi. There's not very many of them. If you ask me..." he stops to take a drink of tea "I think they carry the biggest burden. They became magical girls because they made a wish - and in exchange for that, they have to fight Witches - or they will die. I hope you don't have to come into contact with a Witch, but it's probably inevitable. They're creatures straight out of a nightmare." Tadase actually shudders a bit involuntarily, breaking his 'knowledgable contact' character for a moment because of it.
"As far as people you might actually meet... the Senshi are around the most. And myself. And Cure Gull. The Prism Keepers aren't actually part of Virtue, but they're great, if you run into one - you'll probably know it pretty quickly." he adds with a smile.
Asclepius nods. "Alright..." he says taking all this in and dedicating it to some part of his head. "That helps a lot actually." he says with a smile. "I didn't know there was so many!" he says. "So that's a lot of potential patients." he insists as he crosses his arms a moment.
He takes a deep breath. "Yeah... yeah I'm feeling better about this now I think. Thank you Hotori-san. I think I can deal now." he says softly.
"Do you have anymore questions for me personally?" he asks softly.
Tadase smiles a bit. "I think you've been put through enough." he says. "And now you've got that phone, so if I need anything, I have you on call, Doctor Asclepius." Tadase adds. He manages not to grin too much at his own little joke.
Kiseki turns to Asclepius, and then floats right up into his face. "I guess this makes you the Royal Doctor then?" he adds, with a dramatic finger point. "But you're still a commoner to me." he adds after a moment, hands on hips.
Asclepius stares for a moment- shakes his head. Fricken... like a brick wall stall everytime.
"I'm going to go then- 'King Kiseki'." he insists. He looks back to Tadase. "I'll get.. the thing setup. The phone then and--- you have my number until then." he smiles a little before----
Teleporting away. Sometimes magic is neat.