2023-02-02 - Impending Goodbyes
| Title: Impending Goodbyes | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Setsuna checks up on Kyouka following the interrupted party, and they discuss how Kyouka is handling the possibility of finally being able to return Strike Wolf to his rightful owner. | |
| Who: | |
| Where: Shitamachi Low City (Shitamachi Low City) | |
| OOC - IC Date: 2/2/2023 - Monday, February 15, 2016 | |
.**************************** Shitamachi Low City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Shitamachi Low City +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The traditions that the Shitamachi cultural region keeps alive were ancient
long before the Shogun turned the fishing town of Edo into Tokyo, "Eastern
Capital." The area has evolved greatly since then, but though Shitamachi is
a highly modernized metropolis, its traditions somehow coexist with bullet
trains, research universities, and electronics markets. The occasional
person in kimono and sandals will wait at the crossing alongside salarymen
in business suits. Compared to Yamanote, there are more bicycles, family
businesses, and food carts, and fewer scooters, corporations, and
convenience stores. Certain wards in Shitamachi can be just as dense and
urbanized as anything in Yamanote, but there's a tendency toward low-rise
apartment complexes in the residential areas, and office buildings rather
than office towers in the commercial.
The distinction between Shitamachi and Yamanote is messy, both
geographically and demographically, but significant enough that it remains
the most significant cultural divide in Tokyo. Shitamachi people, as a
whole, take themselves less seriously, and have a stronger sense of
community that feeds upon their active street culture of markets, shops, and
festivals. They may not be fashionable, but they are /fun/. The Juuban
public schools, undistinguished but in some ways better off for it,
exemplify this plebeian joie de vivre quite well. The Shitamachi dialect is
less distinct than it used to be, but it is still a force to be reckoned
with, with a broader, less refined, and more energetic sound to it than
standard Japanese.
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
After the... rather unexpected interruption to her party the other night, Kyouka had been in something of a mood. She'd done her best to play off the stranger's words, to brush off the portents, to just roll with the fact that nobody at the party really seemed to be aware of what had happened, that magical stuff had followed her to her house...
She was trying especially hard not to think about that last one.
She'd told her friends not to worry about her that night, tried to put on a brave face, but she wasn't that good of a liar. It was obvious to look at her she was troubled, and she knew she as projecting it too. Kyouka had begged off any follow-up for the next day--wanting her friends (genuinely) to worry about their Valentine's day more than her, but come Monday, she was markedly less lively than usual, and more than a little distracted in class. Even in track practice, she was just going through the motions.
And when Setsuna had approached her to check on her, Kyouka had invited her over to her home. She unlocked the front door, pet a very enthusiastic Wolfy, and unceremoniously dumped her backpack and shoes by the door. "Here we are," she says, a bit tiredly. "Sorry if I'm... off, I just... didn't sleep well. You want something to eat or drink? I've got some food leftover from the party."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Setsuna's been there; it's followed her 'home' before, too, even after leaving Labyrinth. It's... always unsettling.
Setsuna has been worried about Kyouka; she isn't always very good at People, but she can see the trouble Kyouka is having even so. She did, in fact, allow for Kyouka's protests--she had a lovely Valentine's with Lera. But now, on Monday while they're back...
Wolfy! Hi Wolfy!
"That's fine," Setsuna says of her being 'off'.
"I could always eat, if it's no trouble." Then she pauses. "...Are you sure it's only that you didn't sleep well?" She sounds worried, even looks worried, though it's subtle.
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Wolfy of course, gives Setsuna an enthusiastic bark, nuzzle, and a jump up on to lick at her face, then runs over to nuzzle worridly at Kyouka's side as she heads over to the kitchen.
Kyouka starts pulling things out of the fridge and freezer. "Alright. Let's see what we've got..." She starts pulling a few things out of the fridge, pulling out a pan to heat them up. She also takes out a cake, and while things are heating up in the pan she cuts a couple of slices off for both herself and Setsuna.
"I mean..." she sighs. "If you're asking if the reason I didn't sleep well was that I was up the past couple of nights contemplating... Stuff"--there's a lot of it, and it's important, so it gets a capital 'S'--"then the answer is yes."
She sits down on a stool at the kitchen island with a piece of cake, and within easy reach of the stove. The second piece of cake is on a plate at the stool next to hers.
"I just..." she rubs at her face a little. "I don't know. There's a lot to take in and I really don't know where to start with any of it."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Setsuna is likewise enthusiastic to meet Wolfy again. Pet pet. But he has places to be, of course. So, at the matter of what they've got, Setsuna looks over curiously. Cake! She will accept the cake, taking the plate and looking to Kyouka as she speaks. The 'stuff', as she says... No, the Stuff.
"I am asking that, yes."
Pause. Setsuna takes a seat at the island, too, looking down at her cake as she organizes her thoughts. Hm...
"There's no wrong place to start," Setsuna decides. "You can start wherever you want. ...If you want to talk about it."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka stares down at her plate, not really touching the cake. There is a long pause, before she finally folds her arms in front of her on the counter and just sags.
"She came to my house." There's a healthy mix of emotions in that statement. Worry, anger, and maybe even, deep down, a bit of fear. "I tried so hard to keep this from my Mom, to make sure she wouldn't have to worry about all of the strange stuff I've been dealing with. Sanbu was bad enough, but this? I know she only put people to sleep, but somehow it feels so much worse."
She pushes her cake away so she can lay her chin down on top of her arms. "A person's home should be safe."
Wolfy sits next to Kyouka's stool and whines, placing his head on her lap. Kyouka reaches down to scratch at his ears.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Setsuna takes a bite. Just a bite, though. Until Kyouka speaks up...
Setsuna nods. "...I understand," she says. "Your home... should be safe."
"...Northa--the worst of Labyrinth's executives--" Even talking about her scares Setsuna, but it's relevant, "Sent a message to my house, once... It was very frightening."
"She shouldn't have done that, this assistant."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka turns her head to look at Setsuna as she mentions this most terrible of executives. There's a questioning look at the mention of a message, but... she doesn't ask. Instead she sighs a little. "Sorry to hear that. I'm still figuring out what all of the... rules, I guess, of all this magic stuff are, but... this definitely feels like it should be off-limits."
She sighs wearily and rests her chin on her arms again. "But even so, I keep... trying to see things from her point of view. She and her master have been working on Strike Wolf, he gets stolen, they don't know who has it, and when they finally find him... I guess it makes sense to assume I stole him. Not sure I agree with her methods, but... I guess I understand her motivation, a little."
"And the truth of the matter is... well... I don't own Strike Wolf. This was always a temporary thing. It just... I don't know, now that I'm suddenly confronted with the end of my magical girl career..." She doesn't finish that though. It's another whole bundle of Stuff to work out.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"It's okay," Setsuna answers. "...It usually is. Being attacked at home is... rare. But it does happen sometimes. Even though it shouldn't."
Setsuna considers Kyouka's empathy here. "It... make ssense," Setsuna agrees, but there's obviously a 'but'. "I don't like her methods, either. She owes you an apology, I think. ...Going off half-prepared when you've only got a guess what's going on... it's irresponsible. People could've been seriously hurt."
But... Strike Wolf. She nods. "You aren't ready?" Setsuna wonders. "...I's up to you and Strike Wolf, too, I think. But you did always plan for it to be temporary... It's hard to go back, though. I remember when I lost my powers... It was..."
"it was freeing, but it was scary, too."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"I mean, if our positions were reversed, and she said 'No I didn't steal him I rescued him and I'm keeping him safe' I might have a hard time believing it, too..." She frowns a little. "Actually, no, I do try to see the good in people. I'd take her at her word until I had evidence otherwise."
She nods at the mention of an apology. "Yeah, she... she could've waited to catch me alone, or something, or just... asked for it back, like a sane person. I might understand her motivations but there's still a part of me that wants to deck her."
<Kyouka...>
"I won't, I won't," reassures Kyouka. "... Probably." she adds, as an honest afterthought. She seems to anticipate Strike Wolf saying something else and preempts him with, "I'll try, honest. I'm just... processing my feelings, that's all."
She shrugs a little, "I mean, I don't know. This isn't exactly how I pictured it happening. I thought I'd find the creator, explain how I rescued Strik Wolf, and hand him back, but... that was before I got involved, you know? There's... things out there, threatening people. Jail and Shadow Stern and Fate's sister are out there. How can I turn my back on all of that?"
The mention of losing powers does get Kyouka to sit up. This time, she does ask. "You lost your powers? What happened? Was that tied to you... defecting?" She mentioned dying before, but not the power loss detail.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"I think that's a good quality..." Looking for the good in people.
"Mm. I guess she was afraid," Setsuna thinks, working it out for herself. "And I can understand that..." She doesn't really want to sympathize with the Phantom Fox, but she can't help it.
"Don't worry, Strike Wolf," Setsuna says. "I will advise her not to, as well. Even if I understand the impulse..."
"Yes," Setsuna agrees. "It is difficult simply to... walk away. And while there are other ways to help, it is difficult to contemplate being on the 'back lines'."
"There are other ways to help, though."
Then she pauses, and nods. "When I left Labyrinth... Once I was no longer loyal to Mobius-sama, I couldn't use my powers. I was prepared for that. Then, when I was on a school trip--I started going to school, then--Northa came after me. After..." She hesitates, "After that, I became Cure Passion. And then I could help everyone."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka doesn't really want to empathize with the Phantom Fox either, but... stupid her, it's in her nature.
Strike Wolf doesn't really emote that much, but he still sounds just a little pleased as he says <Thank you> in response to Setsuna's reassurances.
"Yeah, I guess if nothing else, I can still cook food for the rest of you, keep you energized. That's something, right?" She's learned a thing or two about the importance of keeping a fighting force fed from her father and his military buddies. "Or help people cover with non-magical people, provide alibis and stuff..."
After a moment she says, "Or... I could try to learn how to cast magic on my own, maybe? Might take me a while, but hey, I'm persistent."
"Though honestly, I'd take any suggestions you have."
As Setsuna explains, and very explicitly skips over a detail she's heard before, she sits up so she can lean over to give Setsuna a hug.
"I guess I'm just worried I won't be able to help anyone anymore, or at least... not in the same ways. I'd hate to let anybody down..."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
It's a good nature, Setsuna thinks.
She smiles, when Strike Wolf thanks her. But she doesn't look towards Kyouka's wrist. She seems content to talk to Devices without looking towards their physical forms, for some reason.
"That's true." Those are all things she could do.
"Hmm. You could try to learn magic on your own! It would take a long time, and a lot of work... but you could help us that way. Even if you couldn't fight the strongest enemies, you'd be a valuable support."
Suggestions? Well, "I think your first ideas were better, though. Helping be there for us all, supporting us with food and information and handling matters at school... Those are important things, too."
Setsuna hugs back. She likes hugs, even if she isn't a big toucher otherwise. "...It doesn't let us down," Setsuna says. "If you do what you feel is right... That's the opposite of letting us down, I think. That's the most important."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka is just big on treating Strike Wolf as her partner, and for her, that means treating him as an equal, and thus, looking at him when they talk. She's also insistent on uncovering him when going to transform, which is another politeness, in her mind.
"Yeah, I got some info on basic Midchildan magic from--" she pauses. She doesn't know if these two friends of her know each other, so decides to keep it vague, "--a friend of mine, so I could try and understand Strike Wolf better. There's... a lot of math." Math is not her favored subject. She still gets good grades in it, but only because she applies the same work ethic to her homework that she does to her sports.
"But even if all I can do is... cast a barrier, or something, that's something someone else doesn't have to spend their time or attention on, I guess."
She nods as Setsuna validates her first choices. "Yeah, for sure. I mean... I still want to help even if I can't fight. I know I'm not going to just... forget about magic after all this, you know?"
She nods a little as Setsuna confirms she won't be letting them down. "Thanks. I needed that. I guess..." She sighs. "I guess I'm having a hard time figuring out what the right thing is. Returning Strike Wolf is right, because he doesn't belong to me. But keeping him feels... wrong, even though being there to protect others also feels right, and arguably more important. Feels like either way, I'm doing something wrong. Keeping something that isn't mine, or turning my back on those in need."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Setsuna's approach is more that she doesn't try to treat them like humans; she speaks to them respectfully, but on their 'level', as she sees it. She doesn't think either is particularly correct or incorrect.
"I know a little," Setsuna says of Midchildan magic, "Because of Lera. But onlhy a very little. ...The math is easier for me. I mostly had to learn new notation when I came to Earth; Labyrinth's math education is significant."
A barrier... Hmmm, yes. "That's a good point!"
"Yes. You can't. Or, if you did... I would worry. I suppose there are ways but... I don't like to meddle with minds like that. The way the universe does it is one thing; it keeps people safe. But people doing it..." It's different, to her.
"It sounds like you know what you need to do," Setsuna says. "You want to help people in this way, but there are other ways to help. You don't want to 'keep' him because he's not yours."
"...If she would agree to let you stay his partner that would be nice... But it seems she may not."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Yeah, it's... a lot to work through. I mean, Strike Wolf and I have made some progress in working together better, so I haven't really touched it in a while but..." She brings a hand up to her chest. "There's... all this potential inside of me I was never really aware of before. Strike Wolf helps me tap into it, but... it'll still be there, after... Would be a shame not to be able to anything with it..."
She sighs. "Guess I'll just have to get better at math, even if it's not my favorite subject."
She shakes her head, "Yeah, I... fighting a mage without magic once was enough for me. I'm not gonna do that again."
"... If I can help it, anyway," she mutters. If STrike Wolf were in danger again, she'd...
Well, it's different this time. This time she has people she can call on for aid.
She shivers a little at the mention of meddling with minds. "Oh, nonono, I wasn't even remotely suggesting... I'd rather know the truth of how the universe works, thank you." She's voiced her displeasure at how the universe conspires to hide the truth before.
"... You know, I almost didn't find Strike Wolf in time, because of Recognition Inhibition. It was a faint cry for help at first, and it slipped my mind. If I hadn't seen the mage or Hasegawa-san on the street..." A shudder, to follow up the shiver. "... Anyway."
Kyouka sighs as she gets up from her stool, returning to the stove to shuffle some of the food around in the pan to make sure it heats up evenly. "Yeah, I do..." she agrees. "Strike Wolf and I have been discussing it. We think she's telling the truth, as best as we can tell, so by all rights, he needs to go back."
"I thought about that, but... it's hard to say without having a chance to just talk to her, but I don't know how to reach her at the moment."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Yes," Setsuna answers. "I understand."
Math... Well, math is fundamental, they say. "Yes," Setsuna agrees. "I tackled the Fox without my magic... and it was very dangerous. I wouldn't recommend it. I'm lucky she didn't want to hurt us. I was relying on Nori-chan to save me, but..."
But of course, Kyouka would do it again. That's the kind of person she is.
"I didn't think you were. It just... occured to me." She nods, at that. "Right."
Setsuna takes another bite of cake as Kyouka handles the food, and thinks about it. As best she can tell...
"I'm not sure how to reach her either, but she's been showing up in places; maybe she'll come back to one of the ones she did. Maybe you can leave a message..."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Yeah, it was but... I mean... Can't say I would've done any different." It's dangerous, and she knows it's dangerous, but... she can't help but grin a little. "Either way, I owe both of you big time for stepping up when I was knocked out of commission. Strike Wolf's said he's put some measures in place that will hopefully prevent the Phantom Fox from disabling him quite so easily next time."
Kyouka's a bit distracted with food for a moment, giving Setsuna plenty of time for her thoughts. She puts down two plates on the counter. There's a slice of pizza on each, and a few bits of the more worldly fare on each plate. "You want something to drink? I've got some water, soda, might have some cider left over..."
"She said she'd be keeping tabs on me, right? So maybe I just need to wait for her to get back in touch again? I hate waiting, though..."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"I know," Setsuna says. "I admire that." It's not 'smart', necessarily, but it is brave, and bravery counts a lot for Setsuna. She puts on a small smile at the thanks. "I would do it again," she says. "I'm glad strike Wolf has some ideas..."
Setsuna accepts the plate. "Yes, please. Anything's fine. A soda?" She doesn't really mind which she gets, though.
"Hmmm, she did say that. So if you can leave her a message, she'll probably get it... But I understand. It's hard to be patient, especially with something like this."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka can definitely appreciate bravery. Even if it comes with a little bit of recklessness. "Yeah, Strike Wolf was really bothered by what happened. Happy that we found his creator, but... he was worried for me, too."
"Alright. Coming right up." Setsuna gets a big glass of soda, and Kyouka sets down a glass of water for herself, then she sits down again. This time she does manage to pick at her food, at least a little.
"Yeah, Strike Wolf and I can work on figuring out how to leave a message for her, or even what we want to say." She's silent for a moment as she picks at her plate. "You know, speaking of potential... Strike Wolf wasn't finished being built yet. If he can do this much now, imagine how much more he could do once he's finished. He deserves to reach his full potential, too..."
Another sigh. "I always knew it was going to be temporary." The whole 'magical girl' thing, that is. "I tried not to get attached, but... I've met so many amazing friends because of this. I never expected I'd be this torn up about it when the time finally came."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
They go together! "...Yes," Setsuna agrees. "It doesn't surprise me. You've become close quickly."
Setsuna accepts!! She eats a little more, when Kyouka does. Like she said... she can almost always eat.
"Right," Setsuna agrees. And then... hmm. "Yes," she agrees. "Soaring Sky wasn't completely finished, either..." One of Lera's Devices. "But I agree. Strike Wolf should."
Temporary... "Well, you'll still have us as friends, whatever happens," she says. "...It's all right, to have trouble. But remember that much, all right?"
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Yeah, we did..." Kyouka looks to Strike Wolf on her wrist, contemplatively. "I guess I named him, too? When we were synchronizing for the first time I could tell... well, there was a connection forming between us, you know? All this data and information flowing between us. Like I didn't understand the details of him tapping into my magic, but I still knew that's what he was doing? But he didn't have to say it outright, I just knew. The name was kind of like that, too. It just came out of nowhere, and I thought that was just him telling me his name."
She's silent for a moment. "But maybe it came from somewhere else," she says finally. "But I never thought to question it, until now."
"Yeah, I hope Strike Wolf will do even better things once he's completed, even if it isn't with me. Find a way to stay in touch, okay buddy?"
<Agreed. I will.>
She looks over to Setsuna. "Soaring Sky?" She still hasn't run into Lera again, yet, in order to finish the introductions. Though maybe now they'll be left incomplete...
She smiles a little at that, nod nods. "Thanks. I appreciate it. And thanks for reaching out, all the way back when I first found Strike Wolf. You let me know I wasn't alone in dealing with all of this crazy magic stuff, and... it was exactly what I needed back then. And this is exactly what I needed right now."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"He seems to like his name. Do you, Strike Wolf?" She thinks so, but it's only fair to actually ask him. "Yes... I understand." That makes sense, the way she explains their synchronization.
"It does suit you too," Setsuna thinks. "You're... protective, and there's Wolfy..."
Setsuna smiles, when Strike Wolf says he'll stay in touch. Then she answers, "One of Lera's Devices. ...I suppose I shouldn't tell you that, but I trust you, Kyouka-chan."
She smiles again. "I was glad that you let me. You still aren't alone. I hope you can remember that..."
"I will be your friend, regardless of what happens."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
A light deep inside the depths of Strike Wolf's standby form pulses gently as he rpelies to Setsuna. <I do. Kyouka choose well.>
Kyouka smiles. "Thanks. And you've been an amazing partner."
<Thank you.>
Kyouka grins a little sheepishly as Setsuna compliments her. "You really think so? I guess part of the reason we synchronized was to protect people from the mage going after them... Though... Hrm." A slight frown. "I probably shouldn't have just let that mage go, but... I didn't know what else to do at the time."
At the mention of his name, Wolfy perks up and wanders over to sit next to Setsuna's stool.
She nods, "Don't worry, I won't tell." She holds up her wrist with Strike Wolf on it. "Iiii know what it's like to have a device, after all." She pauses, and then frowns. "I ran into her at Juuban once, but neither of us realized the other had a device. I'd hoped to run into her again at some point so I could introduce Strike Wolf properly, but..."
Kyouka nods, "I won't. The fact that I'm not alone in this is something I think about often, when it starts to get overwhelming. Just knowing there's someone else out there who gets it helps."
"Thanks, Setsuna-chan. The same goes for me."
