2023-04-23 - Another Familiar Conversation
| Title: Another Familiar Conversation | |
|---|---|
| Summary: While Raiko and Tama are having a conversation outdoors, Shiori has her own conversation with Yumi, checking how the latter is doing with all of the recent changes and to offer some thanks and gratitude. | |
| Who: Shiori (played by Raiko Takashima), Yumi Ohzora | |
| Where: Dormitories (Tama Outer City - Infinity Institute) | |
| OOC - IC Date: 4/23/2023 - Saturday, February 27, 2016 | |
.******************** Tama Outer City - Infinity Institute ********************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Dormitories +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The main dormitories of the Infinity Institute are, like most other school
services, within the monolithic tower itself. The accommodations are
slightly more homey than the class and club levels, though, with dorm levels
having warmer lighting and wood paneling. Built-in furnishings are fairly
ordinary: A desk and bed for each occupant, a Japanese-style table for
sitting around, and, most luxuriously, a small kitchenette. Each room houses
two or three students, with separate floors for boys and girls, with floors
arranged by grade level. Each floor also has a live-in teacher of the
appropriate gender to make sure nothing goes too terribly wrong.
The communal accommodations are fairly lavish. The baths on each level are
enormous, laid out in the fashion of large public Japanese baths and
arranged with artful stones and greenery like a resort. Exactly which kind
of resort depends on the school level. Similarly, the gymnasium has lifting
machines that can support loads of multiple dozen tons and treadmills that
at least claim to be capable of going up to sixty miles an hour.
Although accommodations can be made for talented younger children,
officially speaking the dorm only accepts students once they reach middle
school. Although attending Infinity is free due to its charter status, the
boarding costs are steep, so poorer students tend to live at home or seek
scholarships. Much to Infinitys fiscal delight, the dorms remain a popular
choice for those who can afford it; parents consider them a safe and healthy
environment, and students enjoy the relative lack of supervision.
<Pose Tracker> Raiko Takashima [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
To say that Shiori was relieved would be an understatement. There had been a time, once, where the burden of carrying the staff would not have bothered her in the slightest. She had spent years--decades, even--shouldering the burden of carrying it herself. Eeking out brief moments where she could temporarily lay down her burden to rest, zealously evading any with ill intent who might seek it out. Decades shouldering this burden alone, doing it gladly, untroubkled at all by the weight of the task, but now now...
The month or so she'd been required to carry it, to keep it at hand in case Raiko needed it had seemed far longer, somehow. How she had changed...
But Raiko had finally completed her enchantment, tested it, and the staff was secure--and it had seen fit to reward Raiko, as well, which was a pleasant surprise. But then again, she had always known there was a spark in Raiko. She supposed the Staff could see it as well. The trouble was getting Raiko to see it.
But for the moment, Raiko seemed happy, taking the time to show Yumi her enchantment and how it worked, eagerly discussing it and even sketching some ideas for improvements she could add... but after a time she ahd declared that she needed to get some fresh air. Shiori had dutifully reminded her to take a coat, Tama had seen fit to leave, and that just left...
Shiori cleared her throat gently. "Well, this is certainly welcome news, isn't it, dear?" She's watching Yumi curiously, curious to see how she reacted when Raiko and Tama weren't around.
<Pose Tracker> Yumi Ohzora [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
Yumi has been happy for Raiko, too; having to have the Staff away from her for a while was certainly difficult at times, but it's also just that she succeeded at something she worked so hard at! But Yumi herself is in pretty good spirits anyway, happy enough to stick around in here for the moment. Tama left, but...
"It sure is," Yumi agrees brightly with Shiori. "Not that we don't like having you around! But I know it's stressful on you, and... Well, she's been working so hard on it, too, right?"
"It's nice to see her succeed. I wouldn't have guessed at seeing her that happy after we met at the nurse's office..."
<Pose Tracker> Raiko Takashima [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Shiori does admire Yumi's bright spirits--and she does hope that some of that will rub off on Raiko, eventually. "I am glad to hear that," she says, of being around, "but nevertheless a little bit of independence is healthy for a witch. And yes, well, it is a burden, but one I am accustomed to. However I will admit that I am certainly relieved that the staff will be safe in Raiko's hands, where it belongs."
Shiori sits primly upright as Yumi mentions the nurse's office. What a fortuitous segue. "Yes, it is certainly a relief to see her in such good spirits for the moment. And speaking of the nurse's office... I wanted to extend my thanks. You were kind enough to look after Raiko in her moment of need, when I failed to be. For that, you have my deepest gratitude."
She continues. "That being said... how have you been handling all of these changes? A lot has certainly happened recently, hasn't it? Are you adjusting to everything okay?"
<Pose Tracker> Yumi Ohzora [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
They aren't always so bright... But Yumi makes an effort. She tries to stay cheerful, for herself and for the people around her. Nobody much likes it when she's glum, her included. "True about independence... we can't exactly grow if we let you guys run everything, right?" Yumi smiles. "But it does. You care a lot about her."
Shiori's prim seatgets Yumi's attention, and she notices--Ah.
"You're welcome," Yumi says, "But I just did what I thought was the kind thing to do. You can't be the person you want to be if you don't put in the effort, right?" It's a rhetorical question, really. "And you were doing important things, too."
But that said...?
"Well," Yumi says, "A new friend is a pretty good change, as those go! So I think I'm doing fine." ...It doesn't really take into account everything, of course.
<Pose Tracker> Raiko Takashima [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Shiori doesn't know the full picture--certainly not in the way Tama does--but she can make some educated guesses, at least. "Quite true... but do remember that we are here to guide and support you. Even the witches of old relied on their familiars for support." She looks a bit taken back, just for a moment, at having her own care for Raiko called out. "Indeed. I have watched over her her entire life, hoping one day she would be ready to step into her destiny... It has certainly been... a bumpier road than I would have liked but it is good to see her making strides again."
The familiar recognizes the rhetorical question for what it is, and offers what might be a rhetorical answer, just to acknowledge the sentiment. "Of course, dear." There is the tiniest flick of a tailtip at the mention of her doing important things herself. "Yes, well. Sometimes it is difficult to choose your priorities."
She's not about to express her guilt to Yumi. Tama, perhaps, but that's not something she wants to burden the young witch with.
"That is certainly a positive way to look at things..." muses Shiori to herself. But out loud she says, "Indeed. But it has not escaped my notice that she is reliant on you, to a degree... are you okay with that? While I am relieved she has you for support, it is not entirely fair to lay such a burden on you, in turn."
<Pose Tracker> Yumi Ohzora [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
"I don't mind 'support'," Yumi says. "It's nice. Going it alone... That's pretty lonely. But I think it's good to have a balance, too." She doesn't elaborate on that, instead beaming back Shiori's way. Looked after her her entire life... "Well, that makes it more interesting, right? It shows, though. How much care you put into this. It's more than just her 'destiny'."
Choosing priorities... Yes. Yumi notices that. But she isn't going to press this much older cat about her feelings, either. "For sure."
Reliant on her.... Yumi tilts her head, and then shrugs. "It's fine," she says. "I don't mind. I like being able to help, actually. A lot of people just assume I'm too fragile or flighty or whatever to do things, so having someone rely on me is... nice. It's not like it's totally foreign or anything! But it's still nice. And I think Raiko-chan needs a friend. So I can be that."
"She's helping me out, too, anyway."
<Pose Tracker> Raiko Takashima [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
More interesting. "Yes, that is certainly one way to describe the experience." But more than just destiny? Shiori considers that for a moment. "I suppose one might consider it a rather... generous interpretation of my duties to the inheritors," she allows.
Shiori appreciates Yumi's discreetness in the matter.
"I see. I am glad you are happy to shoulder this burden, then... and that is something I suppose that both you and Raiko have in common, that rumors do not make the full truth of a person." Shiori regards Yumi quietly. "Do you mind if I ask how she has been helping you? I have watched her grow even just since meeting you, but I would like to know what her presence means to you, from your perspective."
<Pose Tracker> Yumi Ohzora [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
"Right," Yumi says, and seems to be even more sure of what she's saying from how Shiori replies to it. She's definitely not uncertain about this much, anyway. "If you were just using us to fulfill some 'destiny'... I think it would look a lot different. Instead, you're helping us 'achieve' it."
"That's what I think, anyway."
As for that... "Right. I think rumors usually don't. They're just the things people wnat to talk about; even when they're true, they're only part of the picture." She pauses. But how...?
"Well, I won't deny that she's leaning on me pretty hard in her personal life. She needs a friend, and I'm happy to be there for her. But she's been super helpful when it comes to taking on the enemy--when it comes to magical stuff. We can do so much more than we used to be able to--we took on one of the Hungry Queen's main servants! I couldn't have done that by myself."
"And I bet, when she has the chance, she'll help with a lot of other things, too."
<Pose Tracker> Raiko Takashima [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Hmm. Yes, I suppose you could look at it that way. Though the staves may choose their bearers, the bearers themselves must also choose to take them up. I have been quite certain for a long time that Raiko would be a worthy bearer of her Staff, but it took you talking to her to help her decide to accept that responsibility. So in a way, you are just as responsible for her destiny as I or Tama."
"Indeed... I know Raiko was quite surprised by the impression you made on her, compared to what she had heard about in rumors."
"She is at that, and that does cause me some worry... both for her and for you as well. It is good that she is reaching out to others for support, but overreliance has its own issues. Still, I thank you again for being her support. Please, if you ever have any concerns about her, feel free to let me know. I can support you in that much, at least."
"Yes, your description of the confrontation with Conflagria was certainly quite harrowing. I was immensely relieved to know that you both made it through the encounter. Raiko certainly has more to grow, but it is quite a relief to see her coming into her own as she has." She nods, "Indeed, I am quite certain she will, at that."
<Pose Tracker> Yumi Ohzora [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
"It's not enough to be worthy... You have to choose, too, huh? I guess that makes sense. I mean, of course it makes sense, I've seen it happen, but I haven't thougt of it in exactly those terms." She pauses. "...I guess so. Well, I'll try to make sure she doesn't regret it, then."
Yumi smiles. "I like surprising people," she reflects.
For both of them... "Yeah. If she relies on me for everything, then she'll forget how to do for herself. But I don't think we're at that stage, yet. She just... needs some extra support right now. It's not the same as it was for me--my dad wasn't missing, he just died--but... Still."
She smiles back. "I will," Yumi says. "You really look out for her..."
Harrowing is right, though. Yumi nods. "I agree. None too soon--I've needed all the help I can get with this. I know we'll have to face Conflagria again, and she's still really powerful, but it doesn't feel impossible anymore, if that makes sense."
<Pose Tracker> Raiko Takashima [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Quite so. And yes, your assistance and support are much appreciated. And I continue to support her as well, of course."
"Yes, I do agree that Raiko is not quite at the point where we need to truly worry. Once she has her footing, once she recognizes the fruits of her efforts, I rather suspect then she will be able to stand firm on her own two feet. But until that day arrives, I am sincerely grateful for your support." Yumi's dad passed... right. Quietly, she says, "The loss of a parent or a guardian is never an easy burden on a child."
"Yes, well... all I can do is as I have done."
"With any luck, not for a while, yet, but yes... I do understand your sentiment. I am glad Raiko was able to support you in your time of need, and that you were both ultimately triumphant."
<Pose Tracker> Yumi Ohzora [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.
"What're friends for?" Yumi says with a pleased look. "And I bet you will. ...I rely on Tama a lot, myself. Don't tell her or anything. ...Because I think she already knows..."
"Yeah, totally," she says of Raiko. "And, well. You're super welcome. I'm glad to be part of helping her out. She's got a lot of potential, I think. She's young but she's really cool."
A pause. The loss... "It wasn't," Yumi agrees then, and shakes her head. "But I got through it. Takahiro helped a lot... which is why it was so important to me to save him. Well, not the only reason, but--"
"That's all we can do, right?" A beat, "Hopefully, yeah. ....So, thanks, Shiori. You're helping us a lot."
<Pose Tracker> Raiko Takashima [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Shiori chuckles very quietly. "Do not worry, Yumi. I rather suspect she does, but she will not hear it from me."
Shiori already appreciated Yumi's efforts, of course, but when she expresses her thoughts on Raiko's potential... that earns her the slow cat blink. "I'm glad to know she's made such an impression on you."
But Takahiro helped Yumi through her loss... That does explain a few things, then. "It is not wrong to want to protect those dear to you," she comments quietly. "It is those bonds that strengthen us in our times of most desperate need."
"You are quite welcome, young witch." Shiori hops down from her perch on the table and pads over to rub against Yumi's leg. "I have things to attend to, but if you ever need advice or council, please do not hesitate to seek me out and I will offer what I can. For now, have a good night."
