3084/White Room Pianissimo

White Room Pianissimo
Date of Scene:	23 September 2015
Location:	A Quiet World
Synopsis:	Mizuki has a get-together with a group of old(ish) friends.
Cast of Characters:	Arthur Lowell, Priscilla, 152, 183, 347, Riva Banari, Eryl Fairfax, 570, Ayako Hasekawa

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Mizuki (183) has posed:
    In light of all else that transpires around it, this world, like a painting, always seems to remain the same. All of the districts are still in their rightful places; the City of Echo still floats beside the Clock Tower; Silent Night still rests in the heart of the soundless city; The Palace of White Lilies still dominates the Northwestern sky. All these similarities may well serve to make the slighter disparities with the incoming group's recollections more pronounced, though, and more impactful. Where once the Monochrome Desert was devoid of all life, it seems a castle has been built over the entrance to Melody's domain. Likewise, a city has begun to form in the shade of the Clock Tower, populated primarily by the residents of Echo. This has, however sadly, left Echo mostly empty. Like the Palace before it, it has become a veritable levitating sepulcher.

    No more can be glimpsed of these things from here, though, and it would take time away from what precious little this group may have if they're to wander off in all directions as they might otherwise be wont. Mizuki, as several times before, has called her friends to meet her at the peak of the Palace of White Lilies. For those who are willing to exploit the rules of the realm to fly (or otherwise to do so on their own power), Mizuki has left the western window open and tied back the curtains to allow entry. For those who would prefer to walk, however, it may be a considerably longer traipse through the bleached halls, the winds of the rooms, then the contrasting wideness of such 'mighty' places as the Congressional. Whatever your method of approach, though, all paths lead home.

    So there they all eventually arrive. Each newcomer is met with the gentlest of breezes, each breath carrying a chill that might fool a less wizened person into thinking that Fall was approaching here, too. Platinum-colored wind chimes perched above the windows rattle and sing gently with each one. Such a simple, natural beauty that might be anywhere else, but here it is a willful concerto instead -- something planned, something cinematically choreographed perhaps days in advance just for the occasion of mundane social gathering. For some that might steal some of the beauty out of it to know it had been so planned; some of the most profound joys of life, after all, are entirely coincidental. Still others may be touched to know that such a job went in to the plans for this simple thing, and Mizuki would likewise be gladdened to hear of their enjoyment of it. Regardless, though, she does not stop there, and she can be found playing a pure white piano wrought of glass for them as they filter in. That piano, some might note, is the very same one she played upon for the first World Martial Arts Tournament Gala.

    For so long as she is allowed to continue, she plays like so: http://tinyurl.com/qh4kagc

    Priscilla may note this small hymn's similarity to the melody echoed in the music box gave her last Christmas. Many others will likely note its familiarity from other places.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Aside from her play, however, Mizuki does not take pains to greet her guests beyond simple nods here and there. She remains reverently silent, an almost invisible smile on her face as she studies each key pensively -- pensively, as if she were to hit a sour note and destroy her entire performance. At the least, though, this attentive inattention gives the rest of the party ample time to see their way about the room properly. Aside from the one opened window in the left, there are double-doors to the North and South, one leading to a balcony and the other to a bedroom. Another window, closed and locked with its curtains fluttering on an unseen breeze, stands parallel to its sibling. One could nearly imagine those curtains as clothing with how they bend around the pane, and then even go so far as to envision the entire aperture leaning forward in a bow. My, the things this place does to one's mind.

Kimiko Shinobu (570) has posed:
    It couldn't be said that Kimiko has much free time, lately--like some others, much of her energy of the past week has been devoted to preparation. However, she has responded to Mizuki's invitation, despite having declined at least one time before--or perhaps that previous absence factored into her desire to be here, now, close to the eve of yet another battle in which so much will be at risk.

    She cannot fly, and flight comes to her with some difficulty, even conceptually. Gliding she can comprehend, but her travel consists primarily of a mode of which she is normally capable, here performed without the great expenditure of magic it would otherwise cost her. She walks on air.

Faruja (152) has posed:
Faruja, for his part, arrives as he most often does: one moment silence, then space and time bends, and the mage is standing upon the balcony. The wind chimes must be pleasing to the ears, as he pauses for some time to close his eyes and simply bask in the wind and the sound of tinkling metal and glass.

But soon enough, it's the sound of a familiar figure playing the piana that draws in the Burmecian. Cane tapping lightly along, he summons up a chair, offers a bow to his fellow Time Mage, and silently sits regarding her and those arriving with smiles and an ear to Mizuki's music.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Mizuki's fingers begin to slow their stride across the keys, and each strike that eventually comes to them is so slight, so gentle, so gradual, that each sound seems to become noticeably quieter; ambient, even, or at least so ambient as a physical instrument mere steps away can manage. In the newly-tempered quiet, she turns to face both Kimiko and Faruja as they make their way inside, exchanging small yet quite warm smiles with the both of them. 'Miss Shinobu, Father Senra," She notes in a tone barely above a whisper. Following this, her music grows louder again.

    Seems she's making the music fade out for her whenever she speaks. Convenient as ever.

Arthur Lowell has posed:
    Arthur loves flying, but he is, after all, an RPG protagonist at heart. And so, he takes the long way, arriving by Zeppelin at one of the balconies, wandering through the hallways as is the proper way. He arrived with his usual swaggering step but he settled into a more quiet, less aggressive walking style as he began moving through the Palace of White Lillies. He keeps quiet, sticking to interactions of a more passive EXAMINE sort, but when he eventually does wander to the peak.

    Hanging around Mizuki is always an exercise in new atmospheres. But that doesn't mean Arthur can't sacrifice his new self-appointed duty to jab at Kimiko's social armor for no good reason, and as such he makes sure to wander on by and perform a quick, firm coolkid handshake that Kimiko would have to awkwardly pull away from to avoid. It involves several daps, pounds, slaps, and little wiggly finger things, and executes within the span of two seconds. Faruja gets a quick grin and some double fingerguns, but a more friendly greeting. The ratpriest is someone Arthur knows is already relatively social, so it's not nearly as fun to mess with them.

    He doesn't take a seat, but rather, begins drifting weightlessly, listening to Mizuki's song and just sort of chilling in a way that he's carefully calculated to look incredibly cool and also compliment the atmopsphere a lot, in terms of aesthetics.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    As she hears the telltale slapping symphony of a 'coolkid handshake' on the periphery of her range of hearing, she inclines her head slightly, eyes squeezing shut in such a way that foretells of vicarious embarrassment. After leaving a natural number of seconds in pausing before speaking, she merely mutters the name "Arthur," in the midst of her song before glancing over with a teasing, even good-natured narrowing of her eyes. She offers him a subtle nod as if to say 'welcome back'.

    There's already a glass of tea floating beside him. This is her way of reminding him yet again that he is firmly within her territory: by tempting him with a warm glass of herbal water that will evaporate once he leaves.

    Yum.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako has chosen to fly! Just so that she can look downwards along the way to see the sights of Mizuki's world. She's riding sidesaddle on the broomstick that usually is with her when she's dressed as a maid or a witch-although there's something different. She's going much, much faster than usual!

    It seems she's using the rules of Mizuki's world to... well. To put it simply, there's a large jet engine attached to the brush of the broomstick! As she approaches her destination, she detaches the jet engine (which poofs away in a cloud of smoke) and quickly slows down. It wouldn't do to go zooming in. Besides. She might miss the window if she went too fast. Now that would be embarassing!

    Ayako carefully flies in through the window and hops off of the broomstick, which is quickly collapsed and stuffed back into her star-shaped purse. She walks her way curiously to Mizuki and watches her play the glass piano, amber eyes quietly watching her fingers. If Mizuki should look over to her, she just waves hello cheerfully to her, not wanting to disrupt her concentration. Music is one thing she does appreciate!

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
    It's been a while since Eryl's gotten the chance to go off-world. To that end, he might be a little slow in arriving, but for a good cause! He swung by Njorun to take a long soak while his suit and cloak are cleaned. To his credit, he ran once he was dry and dressed, so his hair is still a little damp once he arrives.

    Though, once within the palace itself, he slows to a slightly fast walk. Running feels wrong somehow, in such serene environs. Yes, of course he walked. What is he gonna do, fly? Give himself a headache before things have even begun? Hahahahah no.

    He strides in, removing his cape and hanging it from the nearest convenient hook before loosening his tie. A gesture of informality that he hopes won't go missed. Although knowing Mizuki, she might prefer that he remain looking prim. Ah well, too late for that.

    To everyone, a polite bowing of the head is offered.

Riva Banari has posed:
The journey, to Riva, is more important than the destination in many situations.

At least ,that's her excuse for when she gets lost. Such as it is that Riva wanders around throug the environment, noting the subtle changes that spread throughout Mizuki's world like a pattern on a tapestry. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, as the saying goes. Riva chuckles to herself as she makes mental notes on places to stuck her inquisitive nose into later on.

But she has an appointment to keep, and such as it is that she arrives along with Arthur on the Zepplin, walking and stepping through the voluminous halls of the Palace of White Lilies with a spring in her gait and a song in her heart... Of a kind. The chimes that ring through the halls bring a certain pondering expresion to Riva, akind of speculation perhaps on the dignified minimalistic purveyance that Mizuki has been creating.

Riva arrives in the sitting room in her fancy dress uniform that Tomoyo made for her, her red hair a blaze of color amidst the white dres uniform. While her greetings are less complicated than Arthur's, they are no less exuberant as she dispenses hugs liberally to anyone she can manage to get her hands around. Yes, even Arthur. NO ESCAPE. Mizuki gets a pass, however, by virtue of her playing the piano. Once the greetings are dispensed, Riva finds a place to sit, as the environment definately communicates a sort of deep, pleasant languor to the artist as she quietly sits down and listens attentively.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    The sight of Ayako garners a rather unexpected look from Mizuki: a distinctly poignant one. Her eyes close again when she begins to return with one of her far more upbeat waves, but they don't scrunch in this case. They only remain calmly sealed for several moments of contemplation before she shakes her head for no particular reason. "Ayako," She says, still hushed. "Were it only that I had been more attentive before... were it only that my eyes had not been fogged over by the pressure of circumstance and the all-encompassing girth of my preconceptions, I might have found it within myself to relate with you far more than I have. I see that now -- to think! So many aspects of your character that I've missed when you are yourself translucent...!" Her song pauses, a finger freezing above a certain key. "... not that it is any less self-indulgent to speak in riddles that I only I can comprehend. Forgive me. Perhaps I will elucidate eventually. Once I find the words." And then she continues.

    How is it that odd can be so normal for someone? One should think that strangeness at least requires some norm to be judged by, but alas...

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    "A fine and heroic addition to your usual ensemble, Sir Fairfax," Mizuki idly comments as Eryl enters, and without so much as looking in his direction. In all likelihood he will look to his left and his right for said hook to find none; should he look to his left again, though, he would find quite a convenient hook indeed, this one placed immediately to the left of the window. He needn't worry overmuch, though -- its likeness would only garner the ire of Original Face for but a few moments before it snaps into a more correct form. Before that it had been... static? Perhaps. Though it could hardly have been called anything else, it's more likely that Eryl would have thought of it as simply 'painful'. Least his coat has a place to rest for the time being.

    The song pauses again for a moment here as Mizuki frees a hand to point toward an ornate, ebony-tinted case that may well have been carved from pure granite or obsidian. Inside of it rests a crimson cushion stitched with golden lace, and upon that cushion, an unusually large pocketwatch with a calligraphic 'M' decorating its surface. This is Equinox, Mizuki's Abstractum. Should this 'personage' see fit to speak with Eryl, they will likely open the glass and speak of their own accord. Trusting Eryl to take the initiative if this is to occur, Mizuki returns to her play for the time being.

Priscilla has posed:
    It seems that Priscilla is arriving late a lot these days, though considering the state she's forced to turn up in, one might be less inclined to blame her, or at the very least, not do it out loud. She doesn't really need to try to preserve the kind of atmosphere the Palace of White Lillies exudes; though it's a lot prettier -- a lot more refined -- than where she used to be, the sense of it is very much the same, and the all white crossbreed with the utterly silent step needs no help in keeping the peace of its halls, thus her arrival somehow manages to be more or less a surprise to all but the most constantly vigilant of souls. The scars around her throat and across one side of her face, healing excruciatingly slowly, and the bandages over one eye, however, bespeak of a violence completely out of place here.

    "I see thou hast been putting thine time well to use, Lady Mizuki." It's not at all sarcastic. Priscilla sounds as if she'd be very much glad to have a chance to drop off the grid and play the piano for a little bit. Of course, a 'sanity break' is more or less why she's here, and the soothing atmosphere, as delicate as it may be, is already vastly appreciated. "I am gladdened to see both that which hast changed and that which yet remaineth the same." She smiles ever so faintly in recognition at the choice of song. "Including thine particular tastes."

Faruja (152) has posed:
"Lord's blessings, dear Lady Mizuki. Ye look well, 'tis been far too long!" Adds Faruja in turn, quick to get that in as the volume of the mix lowers.

He'd never admit it, but being able to tune up or down volume of music is amazing. The rodent briefly wonders if he it's possible to devise a similar spell to use on a few Acolytes.

And in comes the perfect potential candidate for that spell-to-be. Arthur gets a smile that's as amused as it is warm, the young man ever a curiousity to the Burmecian. He offers a seated bow respectfully to those fingerguns.

Nor is Kimiko lost in the shuffle.

"Blessings be upon thee, Dame Shinobu!" No, you're not getting away from Priestly Words.

Ayako, when she enters, is similarly blessed. So too is a cup filled with what could best be described as tea from the Realm of the Espers. A small, playful jab at the elemental Lady, even if he's gotten over that old miscommunication.

The tea, for the record, is /amazing/.

Riva gets a bow and a blessing, as does Eryl, but the sudden, beaten look of Priscilla gets his attention. After a bow, the rodent discretely summons Faery. The winged woman gets to work trying to patch her up. The rat feigns not noticing anything.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Riva, like Ayako, gets a very... different sort of look from Mizuki as she meets her gaze. Mizuki does not stop playing her piano nor nod to Miss Banari, though she does meet eyes with her for a very, very long time. It isn't a severe look, but it certainly foretells of... something. There's a knowing behind her lenses, and a sense of fixedness. For one who knows Mizuki in the least, this feeling alone is enough to make one's hairs stand on end. As such, Mizuki says nothing, though Riva may rightly assume that her lack of words is an invitation for further conversation in the future.

    It may almost be a relief when her eyes go back to the keyboard. Phew.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako waves hello to Kimiko and inclines her head to the side gently as she watches her walk on air to arrive. "Huh... that's... one way to do it!" She then giggles brightly at the overly complex coolkid handshake that Arthur gives to Kimiko. Ayako does have to wonder if she could even do something like that. Her hands try to mimic the parts of that handshake. At least a little. Even after all this time of using them, she's not really that good with her fake, formed hands.

    She returns Faruja's smile and goes back to watching Mizuki play-and Arthur float about. Ayako bows her head back in return to Eryl. And eyes the cape that was hung up. Eryl has a cape now? And then gets hugged by Riva! Although this happens all the time at the apartment. Sometimes several times a day!

    When Mizuki's gaze upon her turns poignant, Ayako inclines her head to the side gently. She listens quietly to the change in music and inclines her head to the other side when her name is spoken. "A... Hmm?"

    A brief pause. "Well, you were going through a lot. Your world was ending after all." Her amber eyes blink slowly. Yup. She really isn't the type to understand people when they speak in riddles. "I... well, it's okay. Take your time." She smiles gently. "I'm sure it will be wonderful once you do."

Abstractum.Net (347) has posed:
    The little case over where Mizuki pointed pops open briefly. Equinox does, after all, have command over its containers. First the large case, then the little watch cap itself, pop open in sequence. Equinox's little crystal eye looks a little weary in a social sense, rather than a physical or emotional one, like it's been through a lot of conversation and activity recently. "Hi, Mister Fairfax." It says, in its usual tones that bridge the gap between professionalism and innocence. "Mizuki wanted me to tell you, we've been working a whole lot to find a way to help your world!"

    It makes a little relieved noise, and one clockhand swipes over the 10-2 range, like wiping a forehead. "No idea how far along we are, sorry, but sure feels like it's gotta be close to a nice jump in progress!"

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Priscilla's words garner a much more noticeable smile from Mizuki, and instead of a quieting of the music, a brief rise in its volume. She holds a grin for so long that it's a wonder she doesn't laugh -- ever a creature of restraint, though, she is eminently careful to keep the faintest noise from escaping her lips. When her expression - and by extension, the melody - calms again, however, she finally addresses her verbally. "Priscilla." The name is accompanied by another nod. "I am gladdened likewise to know that the 'scenery' here can so improve your mood. I daresay we all deserve a little of that in preparation for... for what is to come. Especially you."

    Her eyes turn down to the keys for a few moments before she continues, "Indeed, one need not be the physical manifestation of their place of dwelling to be viscerally impacted by its changes. Lordran has changed... and so, too, have you. Where once you might have been indifferent to its plight, I sense that you have over time begun to glean a certain affinity for the realm. It might sound brazen of me to say this as your peer, but it would be a vast understatement to merely say that you have matured. So much have you grown that it humbles me some days. To know that you have grown -- no, rediscovered -- such a capacity for concern, and that you have melded that so neatly into your already existent composure and calculation. But that is just one of many things. Truly, though, I am quite proud to know you. Quite proud..."

    Her eyes close a moment more before she concludes, "... and equally proud to know that you still remember that little trinket after such a time has passed. Proud, and so very touched. Thank you."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako startles visibly when Priscilla arrives. "Priscilla!" The appearance of those wounds and the bandages over her eye! Her eyes glisten for a few moments... and then she also starts to help Faruja's Faery apply healing in her own way. Not the obvious spheres of Healing Water way, but with her fingers.

    All the same, she still does blush quite a bit at the playful job from Faruja!

Arthur Lowell has posed:
    Arthur gets a hug dispensed to him. This throws him off his coolkid act a little, but not so much so that there'd ever be any meaningful distress, just a little sheepishness on that hug back. "Heya Rivs." He says, more quietly than he usually does, with a grin that's definitely got a core of authenticity here. Hanging out with Riva is always something that helps get his spirits up!

Arthur Lowell has posed:
    Arthur takes a few sips of the tea once hug-related matters are settled. Even if it's going to evaporate out of him later, it's always nice to have some strange dream team. He then chuckles, briefly, at Ayako's commentary back to Mizuki, and says, with the usual intense emphasis but not loud volume. "Heh. Trust me, if there's ONE THING that MIZUKI'S good at, it's TAKING TIME and FINDING WORDS, you got GUARANTEES on BOTH OF THOSE." He gives her a friendly wink and then, after another sip of that tea, he says, "Nice engine on the BROOM. I usually go with ROCKETS on MINE. Upping the STYLE these days?"

Kimiko Shinobu (570) has posed:
    "Mizuki." One can imagine a -san suffix whenever Kimiko says that name, though the intricacies of language in the Multiverse means it may not sound as such to all observers. Her tone is soft, but warm it is certainly not. But then, when is it ever? On occasion, predictable occasion, but not frequent. She listens with some silent appreciation to the music before reaching a comfortable, conversational distance.

    Being one who attempts to greet those in the manner they state as preferred, this extends to Kimiko not actually pulling away from Arthur's handshake. She instead attempts, sincerely but with remarkably little success, to return it. It seems that her magically enhanced dexterity does not extend as far from combat as cool kid greetings, and the event leaves her somewhat confused and mysteriously frustrated, though this is likely to pass in short order as conversation turns elsewhere.

    Hugs are considerably less acceptable as 'probably just one party's culture' than bizare handshakes, and while she doesn't precisely run away, Riva will likely notice that Kimiko frowns at proximity and stiffens uncomfortably if one is dispensed her way. Holding off will just result in the frown.

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
    Needless to say, Original Face does get a little pissy at the sudden appearance of the hook. Eryl manages to keep his face placid, and convince it that it only missed it at first glance. They are century-old implants who have gone that long without firmware updates, after all.

    Cape safely hung, he turns to confront the gathering with gusto!... but Mizuki has previously set something out for him. Walking over to the ornate watch, he kneels down a little to look at it from eye level. He's had little experience with these Abstractum, but he's easily able to pretend that it's a computer with a speech modulator built in.

    "A pleasure to speak with you Equinox," he says politely. "That news is deeply heartening, thank you for sharing it. Once you have something definite, I would love to hear it so I can pass it along. And of course, if I can ever repay you or Mizuki," he speaks a little louder so his voice carries. "Please let me know."

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Though, eventually, Mizuki does hit the final note of her song. After several repetitions -- three, or perhaps four -- she finally allows her arms to fall to her sides, after which the piano itself picks up her slack. After allowing for another 'natural' pause, the keys begin to move themselves in the pattern of another familiar tune: Claire de Lune. And so the phantom pianist continues even as Mizuki rises from her bench, hands dusting the skirt of her dress out of sheer force of habit, and finally wraps one arm around the other behind her back. After a straightening of her posture and a quick adjustment of her expression, she finally looks to Faruja again.

    "Any time at all is too long," She says, her volume finally risen to its usual height again. "And my apologies for the delay. Sometimes I am busy, but most of the time I am simply lost in thought... or heavens forfend, I forget entirely that there is a world beyond my desk in Silent Night. One might be a bit surprised how often that happens with me if one does not quite literally come crashing through the stained glass to greet me." She narrows her eyes meaningfully before adding, prudently, "Not that I would ever -wish- for one to do such a thing, mind. That was solely intended to communicate the severity of my particular strain of 'airheadedness'."

    "Though," She raises a conversational finger, "I am appalled, in hindsight, to know that we still have not dueled on the roof of the palace. Or anywhere but the zenith of the Clock Tower! We must again one of these days -- we must! Such locales of climax are wasted with no actors upon their stage."

Riva Banari has posed:
Riva's seen this kind of response before. She doesn't force a hug on Kimiko, however, seeing the signs of a Non-Hugs type person. It's just how some people are, she doesn't judge. Instead, Kimiko gets a smile and a wave.

The gaze from Mizuki is exceptionally intense. Riva stares back with a mix of fascination and forboding. Something prickles along her spine, but reflexively she quashes it, her mind rapidly digging through layers and layers of information before she says, seemingly out of nowhere, "This is very lovely, Mizuki. I feel like I could hang around her for ages. It's been way too long." There is a pause, before she asks, then, "Are you feeling happy?"

She then gives Arthur an elbow and grins. "So, big guy, how are things going? You keep zooming around, it's liable to make people start thinking you're hiding or something~" She teases.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    For another moment, her eyes scroll to Ayako. "What I mean to say is that there is undeniably a history to you which I overlooked almost entirely. It has been something of a common theme in my mind of late to pry open the locked safes of peoples' errant memories, you know, and that newfound sensitivity to such experience has... well. It has 'attuned' me in a fashion that I should feel yours epochs with untold ferocity. They scream at me to discover them! ... and yet they do not have to good will to divulge their details with me lest I receive them from your voice instead." After noticing the Ayako likely still doesn't follow, she makes a final attempt to clarify: "To put it more plainly... you have more facets to you than I realized before, and you have much more storied a past than I feel I've given you credit for. I should like the opportunity to correct these mistakes if you ever feel so inclined to suffer my listening ear a while."

    So she's asking to talk to her some time about her life? Well, okay. That's... she could have just said that.

    Or maybe she really couldn't have. Hmm.

Faruja (152) has posed:
Faruja peers out of the corner of his eye to see Ayako helping. There's the smallest of nods. Truly, she might not be one by definition, but Ayako is ever as faithful a healer as Faery herself.

But his immediate focus is Mizuki.

The Burmecian tsk-tsk-tsk's a bit.

"A state for which I must accept blame on both matters! I hath been remiss in not dragging ye from thine study, lovely though it may be, to experience the bounty and miracles of the Multiverse! Ye miss far too much locked up in here. The Lord urges His Children to go forth and see His Will done! And thus it shall be." Perhaps a bit of an ominous statement, combined with a playful grin.

but the time for getting her pulled into Inquisitorial Shenanigans isn't now. No, it's time for the rat to use the malleable reality to summon up a table to the side with refreshments and food and booze for all comers. Snatching up a chilled bottle of Scotch, he starts pouring for anyone willing or wanting.

"Too long indeed, a most dire tragedy and one we must be sure to see laid to rest swiftly! I fear my blade shall grow dull quite soon without partners of your calibre. While fighting cultists is a necessary duty, most never quite possess that wonderful /spark/ ye brings to the battlefield."

Kimiko Shinobu (570) has posed:
    Kimiko is considerably less vigilant now, standing within an ally's stronghold for a purely social call, in casual dress, than she is at almost all other times if not in her own home. Priscilla's appearance does surprise her, though she shows no sign of it, and for her to have also been invited is not truly unexpected. Looking over her wounds, Kimiko feels an irritation she quickly quashes. An action was taken against her strongest recommendation, but it would impolite to bring notice to it when the actor has already so suffered for it. The effort causes her to keep silent, rather than make any greeting.

    "Father Senra." Kimiko nods his way when greeted, expression calmed, using the same form of address she'd just heard. Ayako gets just that slight inclination of her head, nonverbal greeting to nonverbal.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    At this point, Mizuki finally looks to Kimiko, meeting her ever-stoic expression with a faint smile -- an expression that she hopes will be neutral if not warm, but also one that is not likely to feel pleading or insistent. Something to give her a sort of mental-emotional leeway in interactions with her, as it were.

    "Sheep speaks often of you, you know," She says, if somewhat abruptly. "I see her often now that Sophia has decided to live within the Grey Castle on a more permanent basis: we all gather there for meetings sometimes. Ah, and it might bear mention that, gradually, Sheep and Telephone have both begun to regain their 'color', as it were. It seems the bizarre hues of their bodies were side effects of their survival through many doomed timelines. For that and very many other reasons, I should like to have you as a guest there one of these days. I know you are busy, but it does any woman of conviction good now and again to see tangible indications of how their actions have helped others, no?" She says no more than that before bowing her head and allowing her space anew.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako looks cheerfully over to Arthur. "Yes, that's true! Eh heh... I'll look forward to it." She glances thoughtfully at the tea as he sips it. "Hmm... huh? Oh. I-" She scratches her cheek with a pointer finger as she glances off to the side. "Just wanted to try something that reminded me of something long ago." Ayako giggles brightly.

    Ayako looks back to Mizuki and smiles brightly. Aha! She did find the words! "Ah, I see, I see! Well..." She gestures at herself with a hand. "As for me... all you need to do is ask. I don't really mind talking about most of it." Her amber eyes sparkle golden. "I always like a good question!" The Water Spirit seems to like listening to Mizuki talk!



    Although that word.

    'Most.'

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    At hearing Eryl's voice, Mizuki turns a bit more sharply and decisively. After taking a few paces toward him, she clarifies: "Definite, but incomplete. Kowaru -- that is, the Apostles' hand of technical expertise -- believes that she comprehends the theory of how we will accomplish what we set out to, though she has yet to fully research and develop the necessary components. Though I brought Equinox here today more for the sake of demonstration than anything." She smiles to him a moment before continuing, eyes still firmly on her 'most cherished timepiece,' "The principles of Abstractum will be integral in what we seek to accomplish, you see. Are you familiar with the concept of a Node? If not, then they are, in a few words, conceptual gateways rendered in a manner our larger world may interact with. They allow people wielding Abstractum to attack concepts directly. Kowaru and I feel that, were this technology combined with the power sources the Palace has at its disposal, that we would be capable of quite literally bombarding a world's local concept of 'reality'. In short, we would be able to utilize this method to edit our the imperfections of your world. We could turn back centuries of decay in mere seconds."

    She folds her hands together at her waist. "It seems a dream, does it not...? But ah, my world must have seemed a fever-drawn delusion at one point as well. If hopes can be made reality here, I say, why not elsewhere?" Her smile seems to grow ever-so-slightly with every word that slips away from her tongue. Only too late does she become consciously aware of this and take a breath, erasing any indicative appearances on her countenance. Still, she trusts Eryl grasps her meaning. "Though in the meanwhile, I would appreciate it if you would broach the subject with Regenesis. Perhaps we could have a meeting here or there. Discuss possibilities. This is all purely conjecture as of now, and yet I find myself increasingly restless with each passing day."

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
    Eryl pays very close attention to Mizuki's words. To be truthful, he wasn't entirely clear on Nodes, but the girl's lecture is simple enough to understand. "So leave the very laws of reality in ruin, and replace them with more convenient ones?" For that brief moment, where Mizuki lets herself slip by grinning, her smile is matched by his own.

    But he too, recomposes himself. Pulling it back to a placid smile, he says, "I will be sure to bring this up with ReGenesis. I've little doubt they would be very interested, as long as you can offer some test data once you have it all ironed out. The last thing we need is for gravity to no longer work, resulting in everyone being flung into space."

    He does a deeper bow to Mizuki and Equinox both. "Thank you both for taking such interest in the tragic state of my world. Please, pass my thanks on to Miss Kowaru also."

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    It seems apt that she looks to Riva immediately after saying these words, somehow, though at the least her eyes bespeak less dire intent this time around. As to the question of whether she is 'happy', though. That seems to garner a genuinely thoughtful look from the lady who, in time fits a hand around her chin in thought. "Hmm... I believe so, yes. I derive a certain amount of energy from having my friends in my vicinity, and I feel as though I am finally making progress. Perhaps for the first time since I've arrived in the Multiverse I feel as though I may be a trifle closer to solving my own vexing, internal conundrums -- my philosophical quandaries, many of which I am sure you are viscerally aware. Being on the cusp of realization and having the 'light at the end in sight', as it were, is an extremely happy occasion. Earnestly, this may be one of the few times when I can answer that query affirmatively without reservation."

    And now she looks absolutely jubilant again. Her mood is bouncing around a lot under the surface even if her words remain constant, it seems!

Arthur Lowell has posed:
    "HA ha ha ha, STUFF'S been goin' FINE. Just CHILLIN' and takin' ODD JOBS after the whole ARKHAM FIASCO and the WMAT VACATION." Arthur says, giving an elbow back to Riva. "HAH. I don't HIDE! I make EVERYTHING ELSE hide. So how've YOU been, Rivs? Hear you're mostly all up in UNION BUSINESS."

    And then he's thinking about what Mizuki said earlier. "HUH. You're VISITIN' more often? Sounds COOL. Good to hear there's not a lot of GRUDGE-HOLDING after that whole..." Arthur makes a nebulous gesture with one hand. "Yeah. Good to hear you two getting along, y'know. I sure couldn't pull off gettin' along with her that much myself." Arthur chuckles sheephly." Then he seems to consider what Mizuki's saying properly. "...Huh. You know, sounds kinda crazy, but at the same time, honestly, I'm keeping judgement 'till I see it in action. Laws of physics can be resilient, and there's usually enough redundancies to keep a world working when a few get knocked out."

Kimiko Shinobu (570) has posed:
    Kimiko unbristles quickly enough when she is spared hugging. The posture shifts are subtle, but noticeable to anyone sufficiently observant, especially in how they stand out here, at a friendly gathering. Calm, again.

    Mizuki has her attention, after that, but still, Kimiko is calmly quiet. Thinking. Remembering, likely. Finally, "I see. So, she kept that name." After another, mildly shorter pause, "I can find time to see them... probably. If not here, then somewhere." She and Sheep had had a conversation. In Kimiko's estimation, it was a good one. She's certainly had worse, in the process of trying to kill someone.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Mizuki steeples her fingers toward Faruja before collapsing all fingers save for her two index fingers, pressing them together in a 'point'. Her hands remain in this posture as she begins to speak again. "Yes," She says, nodding, "Ferham's will. Though I am somewhat woefully uninitiated as to the particulars of what that will entails, I can assume you allude to such things as 'justice', 'rightness', and the general triumph of good over evil. In those regards, my dear inquisitor, I can steadfastly and solemnly affirm to sally forth with your lord's will at heart. Indeed, I do so every day... in some form or another. One in your position should know very well that not all attempts at just action are quite so clean and innocuous as alms and etiquette, of course." And so she returns with a decidedly impish grin of her own. Oh, you.

    Allies of her 'caliber', though? She might chuckle faintly at that. "You flatter me," She says. "If anyone brings a spark to the battlefield, though, I daresay that personage is Phoenix, or any other fire-alligned creature that you might happen to summon." Another of her poor attempts at humor. Oh, well.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    For Ayako, Mizuki gives but one more nod for the time being, as well as a bit of a starter question. "Since you seem so amenable to the idea," She offers, "I might like to know how it was that you ultimately came to decide upon a human form as a baseline. With so many other options available to you, why that, specifically? I imagine all us creature of mutable shape have /some/ reasoning behind this choice, yes?"

Kimiko Shinobu (570) has posed:
    Kimiko watches Mizuki with an odd attentiveness, almost studious, when the latter responds to Riva about her reasons for positivity. Apart from that look, it passes without note. Without actually facing her, but eyes to the side, this repeats to a lesser intensity when she speaks to Faruja of rightness. Again, without other note, even nonverbally.

    She instead avails herself of some small refreshment, courtesy of Faruja. This won't be able to occupy her long, as she is not actually hungry.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Mizuki quirks her brow at Eryl. "In ruin? Perhaps in a manner of speaking, though only so much as you believe the laws of -this- world to be in shambles. Of course, such an act would likely produce a scar -- something a trifle /too/ erratic and mutable even for my liking -- that would have to be dealt with eventually. So long as we could reign in the, er, less savory imaginations of your world's populace, however, I see no complications. And if I may," She says, raising another oratory palm, "I believe seeing grass upon every hillside and untainted water in every ocean might be worth some risk in this case, yes? To see all of that in your lifetime, and if we're very fortunate, so soon... I believe it is high time the struggle of your people be rewarded. Rewarded presently, too, so that their toil may be vindicated within their lifetimes."

    'Thank you', though? Mizuki's smile fades at that notion if only slightly. "Ah, no, no -- I have a plethora of vested interests in this, and Equinox is only going along with my wishes. It's nothing to thank me for. More or less, this is just... equivalent exchange of opportunity. I 'give' you something so that I may learn something in kind."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako pauses for just a moment in response to Mizuki's question... and then beams! "It's not -just- a human form!" She gestures softly to herself with one hand, fingertips placed over her heart as her eyes slowly close.

    "This appearance... is that of someone very important to me." Her eyes open once again. "Her form, how she looked, how she sounded." She then giggles brightly. "Oh, but of course. I admit I... adjusted a few things to be more attractive! And to my own taste."

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    For his part, Arthur gets a thoughtful look from Mizuki. "Hmmm. It's true that one applies a certain degree and form of stigma to, erm... entities which you lon believed to be relentless evils which threatened your existence and the existence of your world at large, and yet..." She looks off into a corner of the room. "And yet names have such a power to them, I find. Being able to know her now as 'Sophia' rather than 'Apathy', and being able to see her without those gruesome skeletal appendages... it does much to alleviate any preexisting mental strain. Earnestly, I view her as something of a co-worker whom I am on good terms with now. She manages half of the world so that I can not be required to whilst I observe the other half. We do not need to fret over the predicaments of the sentinels either. Really, her presence is too much of a relief for me to find fault in it any longer, history be damned."

    Though of course he becomes interested in her discussion with Eryl. That, too, garners a small smile. "Indeed, it was my intention that you bear witness to these mad plots and schemes of mine. You are in a uniquely good position to evaluate them, you know -- even if you would prefer to believe otherwise." She gives a somewhat sympathetic look here, or at least so much of one as she can manage. "Not even considering the fact that two people are not enough, not by far, distinct minds to govern an entire world. We will need far more input from the likes of you and the others in this room if we are to be successful in this endeavor. That said, then," She widens her smile just slightly, perhaps making the expression a trifle warmer than before, "your candid interest is much appreciated. As ever."

Riva Banari has posed:
"Well, you sure don't make /me/ hide." Riva laughs. "You've got to be worse than a rocket-powered jerk to get under my skin." Still jokingly, Riva touches a ringer to her lip, pondering. "Yeah, mostly up in all the Union business when I'm not getting days off work or doing assignments for home. It really is never a dull moment, which is why times like these are important!" Riva chuckles for a moment...

And Mizuki responds. Riva tilts her head, rubbing her chin for a moment as Mizuki responds. "I'm glad to be helping you figure some things out, Mizuki." She says pleasantly, then goes on to respond, leaning forward a bit to gesture. "You're one of the only people I know who can give an answer like that. Are you sure your /real/ superpower isn't turning any question someone puts to you into a big gooey layer cake of philosophy?" She says, still joking and grinning.

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
"A scar will be left then? Good to know. A weak point must be defended until it can be closed up..." In that moment, his mind is flipping through the places he's been, trying to identify an easily defended position, just in case they can choose where this scar would be.

    Her words draw a slow nod from him, the corners of his mouth lifting even higher. "I would like that. Very much." Although, if there's one thing that Eryl has become adept at, it's cutting through the treacle of Mizuki's words. Flowery prose is all well and good, but it does obfuscate what she means somewhat. But now, he doesn't even need Original Face to figure out what she means.

    "So, we are to be the guinea pigs then?" He smiles knowingly, and gives a single nod, patting Mizuki on the shoulder. "Very good. At the very least, it would be hard to make things worse. I'm sure they will accept. And I will still offer my thanks, even if you try to deflect it with the declaration you are doing it with selfish intent."

    Glancing over at Arthur, he chuckles. "Well, one would hope that they are sturdy. No one wants to see what happens when the fundamental forces stumble across vagaries in their rules. But, is it not the way of man to enforce their will upon the world around them? Altering the basic laws of reality is just the ultimate expression of that, really."

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Mizuki swivels around to regard Kimiko this time, nodding. "Yes, she did. She interchanges both titles, really, but as I said: names have a certain power. Though she has been through much tribulation with the name 'Sheep', it is also the title she chose upon swearing herself to one of my prior incarnations. It likely meant a great deal to her when she chose it. It was indicative of a change, a newfound freedom from a world she deplored. Failing all that, it likely also foretells of a certain bond she had with that Mizuki that she cannot have with me, and indeed, likely never will have with another sapient creature again. When one considers the issue under those myriad lights... one can begin to see why." After a transitory moment of quiet, she adds, "It's incredible how someone who has lived some 1200 years or more can still be so attached to a singular moment in time. Truly, the determination of humans to cling to certain key memories, certain defining fibers of their being, is incredible. Very sobering, in a way, to observe."

    She waves a hand here, though. "Though this is all decidedly empty prattle, forgive me. Far more germane to simply say that I will pass along the news. I am sure she will be very glad to know that she may be seeing you shortly." After several more seconds and another, small nod, she breaks eye contact with the puella once more.

Faruja (152) has posed:
"Justice, righteousness, and yet unfortunately half the time it all boils down to 'damage control'. Ye art quite correct, Lady Mizuki, mine dear. An Inquisitor's job is to see to all those horrid little tasks that keep Ivalice's disturbing lack of piety amongst certain persons from infecting the pious and holy cities we hath managed to build in between the nobility and Crown trying to gut each other."

Yes, Faruja sounds more than a little salty here. His job clearly makes him bitter at tiems.

"A spark's flame lasts but an instant. An author's? For all time." He counters cheerfully.

Then he mostly quiets down, taking in the atmosphere and enjoying imaginary scotch.

Priscilla has posed:
    Priscilla isn't ignorant to Kimiko's disapproval. In fact she might be a little bit surprised that Mizuki doesn't have a commeasurate degree of frustration with her. She had, after all, made a very stupid decision, risking far too much on the immature desire to believe in common ground between herself and something else not at all like her. Her gaze uncomfortably avoids contact with the puella magi's, as subtle as the display may be, but she doesn't have to awkwardly pretend long before other things legitimately capture her attention.

    "Thou art not . . . the first to suggesteth along such lines, though the first to be so confident and articulate in doing so." she first replies to Mizuki, faintly hesitant in the sense that she isn't quite sure what to make of it. "I shalt maketh no deliberate secret of the fact that I yet feel some love rekindled for mine homeland, or at the very least, what it was and might yet become again, even in as sorry a state as it may be. Simple bitterness cannot obscure such worth forever, and I hath had a very long time. As for the rest . . ." she makes a quiet sound of helpless bemusement. "I cannot say that I feel as if I hath grown at all, though that is perhaps the same for all of us. Such changes art never so easily recognized from within. At the very least, I may truthfully say that I hath not been quite the same as ever meeting each of thee."

    She isn't quite sure what the fairy is for until Ayako starts joining in, at which point she is immediately embarrassed by the attention, her face flushing the slightest shade. "Sir Senra, Lady Hasekawa, please concern thineselves not. This is as well as it shalt be for now. Alloweth time the rest." She isn't kidding either. The visible wounding isn't a failure of Njorun's medical staff. The additional magical healing seems to have exceedingly little, if any effect, as if deliberately stymied by some opposing force. The two of them won't have to guess for long, because their attentions are both awarded a brief, unwarned, loud and startling flash of a furious orange eye in the dark and a blast of formless, toneless screeching, like an incredibly unsubtle screamer scare. Priscilla seems to be completely unaware of it.

    For the time being, she seats herself like a civilized being, catching up with Riva, Faruja, Eryl and Arthur, whom she specifically hasn't seen in a while. "I believeth I am pleased as well to hear that thou hast made thine peace with Sophia, though I hath known her only as Apathy, and little even then. As for these plans with Sir Fairfax . . ." she stalls for a moment. ". . . thou hast certainly been productive."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako winces slightly at the mention of untainted water in every ocean and the talking about the rewriting of the laws of physics. It goes away quite quickly, though. She does smile softly and nod her head quickly when Mizuki says that names have a power to them. "Yes, yes! It's true. Names and words do have a power to them!"

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    When Mizuki's gaze finally meanders back to Ayako, though, she promptly falls under a new spell of silence. She bats her lashes as though the wind has been utterly torn from her sails, and her mouth hangs half open for want of the spoken word. It isn't that this isn't a hard concept for her to grasp, but... well, it seems to hit home. In fact, is that a blush on her cheeks? No, no, nothing of the kind, certainly. Only after firmly clenching her wrist for some indiscernible reason does she finally reply, if meekly, "Th-That... is quite something. To wear the face of one's own loved one, I mean. Were I to attempt something of that nature, I would surely be unable to persist in doing so; my emotions would get the better of me eventually. It would not be -awkward-, per se, but it would be... it would be..." Her voice peters off, and her eyes begin to wander.

    Eventually, though, she calls herself back to order with a decidedly fervent shaking of her skull. "But! I... I see. This certainly shows me quite a lot about the strength of your will, and the import you assign to those you cherish. To be able to surmount one's reservations at the idea of assuming the face, the appearance of one close to you is a feat indeed." A feat she could not surmount herself if the slight jittering of her frame is any indication.

    "I suppose one of these days I'll have to ask about how you met this person, then, and whom they were to you. If they have become such an integral part of you as this, surely I can not hope to understand you without knowing more of them."

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Then, Riva. Riva gets another pronounced quirk of Mizuki's brow -- a distinctive expression that likely draws attention away from the last several seconds within which Mizuki's left leg continues to spasm subtly in response to her nervousness. Really, where had that even come from? ... regardless, "Ahahaha, you should know quite well that I cherish any opportunity to be or become a thought provoking presence. Truly, though, there is little more to my responses than natural inclination, and so I must admit that it does manifest as something of a superpower. Even if that 'superpower' isn't always necessarily a beneficial one to have... and even if it comes with the drawback of never being able to communicate ideas with any sort of concision. A pity, that, but alas."

    "I suppose this is why it is indeed a 'layer cake'," She adds, "and not only a slice of said cake, or a cupcake otherwise. I am simply not capable of baking cupcakes, as it were! I suppose this is the weakness I accrue in exchange."

Faruja (152) has posed:
Faruja, at first, doesn't respond to the protests of Priscilla. Instead, he turns, frowns, and looks her over. His head tilts questioningly, the look of an annoyed healer or perhaps just an annoyed priest.

His eye closes, and he finally relents. She might notice she now has an Esper companion though. He mutters something to the creature. It sounds like 'catch her if she passes out'.

"Rest and relaxation for ye then, Lady Priscilla, white mages orders and all. Bloody good to see that ye survived." There's honest concern there.

Faruja then sighs. Ahh, Sophia.

"That entire ordeal in our dear Mizuki's Tower was quite the mess. Though I must pin a bloody medal on ye Ser Lowell for the accomplishment. Ye wouldst be knighted for that sort of thing in Ivalice." Is that...some form of invitation?

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    As if Mizuki reads Eryl's expression in kind, she nods in response to his thoughts. "Yes," She says, "which is why we shall, morose as it sounds, likely prefer to aim the 'conceptual cannon' - whatever its name ends up being - in the skies above the tallest standing Regenesis complex. Somewhere where they, as the governing body with the most communal authority, can exercise said authority easily. We can indeed control the location of the scar, as it were, and so I would certainly recommended that we do so." As he begins to smile at her promises of 'rejuvenation', she smiles in kind. One of her most pronounced faults is, of course, that she gets rather caught up in the idea of her words drawing such reactions from people. Really, when has she ever seen Eryl so earnestly excited about something? And visibly so? It is vicariously exhilarating for her, and her countenance betrays every ounce of that shared excitement.

    Though never would that keep him from seeing this for what it is -- perish the thought! She nods once, twice for unequivocal certainty when he calls this a 'guinea pig' test. "Indeed. The impact radius of the weapon will be too broad when it is first fired to attempt utilizing it on anything smaller, and for a proper test we must have a fairly large sample of sapient creatures. We must also observe the whole of said sample and treat it as one ecosystem reacting to a sudden change. We must see how different cultures react to the change, then different subsidiaries of those larger units, then see how individuals might respond when they realize the newfound 'freedom' of their existences... et cetera. In other words, yes, this must be an incredibly holistic psychological and practical analysis. If people respond with overwhelming negativity to the changes, I believe the shift can be revoked, but not immediately. Such large changes can only be made so often lest the manipulator risk destabilizing what remains of a world's logical foundations. This principle begs caution even in alterations to my world."

    Fianlly, though, she can only sigh. "Persist in believing that I have any nobler intentions if you must, but this is merely a coincidental intersection of our interests. It would be senseless and irresponsible not to use this test for something productive, and so here we are. There is no more to it, really."

Riva Banari has posed:
Riva is a whimsical person. Thankfully, she is demonstrobly human and not some kind of fairy creature.

At least last time anyone checked.

"As long as the people you're with can handle that much cake, it's o problem~" Riva says happily. Way to go, metaphor! "I'm glad you're managing to get along. I saw some new places out there while we were arriving. Looks like the people of your world are moving right along to do some new things. Do you have any new plans for your world?"

Riva smiles to Priscilla politely. She doesn't hug the half-dragon. It just seems wrong, somehow, especially with her recoving from being gravely wounded on the field of battle.

Faruja garners a chuckle from Riva at his suggestion of giving Arthur a knighthood. "Don't go throwing around titles, Faruja. Even Arthur can't hold them all up."

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    This time, Mizuki really can't conjure any substantial responses for Faruja. So instead she simply raises a wine glass, filled to the brim with pure, ice cold, sparkling water, and taps it against Faruja's at the most opportune moment she can find.

    She eventually peeks one I open at him. 'Don't worry,' She's probably thinking, 'my job makes me bitter sometimes too.'

    Were it only that she knew what exactly that occupation was...

Arthur Lowell has posed:
    "Hah. Hey, remember? I ditched the one hundred percent completion. Don't start pinnin' medals on me there, Faru'. Thanks though." Arthur says, laughing a little, sheepishly. "Best I've ever felt about killin' off millions of uncollapsed quantum waveform little girls, lemme tell ya." He continues smiling for a moment after that, but slowly, almost comically morphs towards a frown when he reconsiders his words.

    "Well, anyway. When it comes to times like this, way I think about stuff like that is, so long as it /probably/ won't instantly destroy reality -- and trust me, reality's tough as all hell -- and it probably won't kill life, it's worth a shot. But, like, /as soon/ as I see ominous fire and thunderstorms and some death-mountain-looking stuff going on, we're going to talk." Arthur's joking there, but his meaning, at least, seems serious: 'I'll know it when I see it if this goes too far, so I'm definitely going to be there to reel it in if it does.' "So hell yeah, you got me all on board to consult on this. Let ReGenesis know they got the Syndie head to help out on reality consultation."

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako breaks off when Priscilla tells her to let time do the rest of the healing. "Ah. Well. Alright." She smiles softly. "And call me Ayako, please." Of course, she doesn't stop healing in time to evade that crazy, unsubtle jump scare. She flinches and flails about suddenly! Ayako groans loudly and sighs softly. "Well... something definitely doesn't like me trying to heal you!" She puffs her cheeks out and pouts. "I almost feel like trying to continue healing you just to spite it, but... since you insist." Ayako smiles brightly at Priscilla.

    Ayako looks back to Mizuki in time to see her utterly stunned speechless for a moment. Her expression becomes firm for a moment. "I want to look like her. It's to show the world she lived." Ayako's expression softens as she smiles softly. "Also as a bit of an act of defiance against fate, or whatever." She giggles softly.

    Ayako nods her head quickly. "Oh. Certainly! I wouldn't mind that at all." Ooo... another visit to Mizuki in the future! That'd be nice!

Faruja (152) has posed:
And the toast is made!

"To good health all around!" Sidelong glance to a certain dragon in the room.

It's almost as if Faruja's getting good at reading Mizuki by now.

"Ah, right. Lady Mizuki, thine...particular talents shall come in handy for a little excursion I plan to take. I shan't ruin the night with business, but do keep thine schedule free, hmm?"

That smile is big, but utterly lacking in his usual warmth. It's the prelude to another /Ivalice/ job. God help her.

"Bah. Quit keeping tally Ser Lowell. Our Mizuki is alive and we solved everything with a minimum of Heresy involved. That is a good day in mine line of work. ...Speaking of, here." He passes out little slips of paper to various persons that were involved in the incident. They're all signed by Ivalice's High Inquisitor.

"There. As I said, not an ounce of Heresy in the whole affiar." Darn corrupt churches and their indulgences.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    "Wise words," Is Mizuki's shockingly succinct reply to Priscilla's statements at first. "Indeed, our perceptions of our own merits and failings are often fatally misguided. This is why it is essential for all beings with conceptions of psychology that mirror humanity's even faintly to seek greater knowledge of self through others. Other beings like ourselves are mirrors of us: they change in response to us, and we in response to them. Thus, we may see our own growth - and ourselves - in them far more easily. Proximity to someone and their ideas will bring our spirits into greater harmony with them as well, and by extension, whatever notions they hold most dear. Oftentimes these notions truncate our own in ways complementary. When this occurs, we are allowed to incrementally grow as people."

    "But," She says, setting her glass down someplace, "I'll not waste too much of my breath lecturing you on things you are already keenly aware of. Rather, I will simply say that I look forward to the day whence the sun will burn bright in Lordran again. To cast aside that veil of eternal twilight and gloom that hangs over it -- I am sure that it will breathe something new in you, too. But ah, perhaps that was my interest in this all along? Perhaps I had predicted since the beginning that you would become more attached to Lordran, to feel a sort of satisfaction when things finally came to a conclusion? Perhaps~." She... actually winks, here, before waving the back of her hand dismissively. "Ahhh, no, no, most likely not. Just luck, I suppose. Still, it is far from the worst outcome I could have envisioned. I am glad to hear its whispers on our horizon."

    As for her 'plans', though. Her expression straightens out considerably at the mention of them. "Mmm... yes. I am physically capable of idleness chiefly because I cannot force my thoughts into stagnation. The most I can manage is to lock myself in continual patterns of thought -- never do I have the luxury of stopping them outright. Hence, I have spent every moment of my time away thinking. I have given this all much thought, I assure you. And if it is successful, well..." Almost too softly to be heard, she adds, 'Perhaps I won't stop there...'

Kimiko Shinobu (570) has posed:
    Kimiko is sufficiently polite, despite how quiet she is, to respond to Faruja's toast, as non-alcoholic as anything she drinks is certain to be. Seeing Priscilla healed would rather please her, too.

    She accepts the slip of paper with a studied lack of comprehension.

Eryl Fairfax has posed:
    Eryl smiles at Priscilla as she comes over, eyes running over the place where her scars would likely be. "Lady Priscilla. It is good to see you up and about once more." He chuckles at her words, nodding. "Indeed. I believe she is trying to play it cool, but I can only imagine the amount of work that went into this."

    Listening to Mizuki's suggestion, he rubs his chin. "Hmm... atop the seat of authority certainly sounds striking and dramatic," he begins, acknowledging what the girl probably likes best about the idea. "But the area around Eden is mostly plains, prepped for expansion of buildings or farmland. Anyone with mobile artillery would be able to get a clear shot. Not to mention the issue of potential air strikes. ReGenesis may like the idea as a means to keep an eye on it, but I would prefer opening it inside a bunker or somesuch..." Ah, a point where the two will likely differ forever.

    "Hmmm... a sample size like that. I wonder if it might clear up some differences I've come to realize of late..." He rubs his chin, looking deep in thought for a long moment. "Er! Never mind that though. Yes that should all be fine." Looking to Arthur, he bows his upper body to the boy god. "You are too kind to offer your help. As this is your specialty, I am sure ReGenesis would be happy to accept your help. Thank you, Mister Lowell."

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Again, Riva makes Mizuki cup a hand around her mouth in thought. "Mmm... for my world, specifically? Not particularly. Though it seems that the crisis which you lot so adroitly resolved actually caused the advent of a plethora of new self-aware creatures on its own power. That's to say, where before there were likely one hundred-some beings here that could be said to be thoughtful, reflective creatures in their own right, that number is now closer to ten thousand. I believe this world is going to begin to advance on its own power very shortly. No... I intend to focus more completely on Eryl's world for the time being. Sophia and the rest of my chil --" She stops herself. "... and the rest of this world's inhabitants may tend to things a while without my explicit intervention. I am sure that will be a welcome change for the lot of them; I have heard that I can be a trifle too 'hands-on'. Autocratic, even, though I'm not exactly used to managing people who can form such complex opinions for themselves either, so I promise that this is an innocent mistake on my part." We can only hope.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Ayako. The water spirit gets a decidedly firm look back from Mizuki when she finally musters the courage to speak on the subject again. "... yes. You might be interested to know that a good portion of the novels in Silent Night are merely biographies of specific people. There are many multitudes of floors in the Spiral - that is, the stair in which the Prognostics were once housed - dedicated solely to individual lives. Were I to hazard a guess, I would assume that there are at least ten million such books in the Primary Archive alone. But all this boasting means only to prove that I, too, assign a great precedent to the memory of people I grow attached to. It... is because I understand the ferocity with which you feel this way that I reacted so, erm, inelegantly when you rose the idea. Such intense feelings catch me off guard at times. We may liken it to, um... how you say... ah..." That blush on her cheeks comes back in full force for a moment. "A-A... young woma - say, a young -adolescent- who easily becomes engaged in romantic media? Y-Yes. Something like that to the 'n'th degree."

    Right back to rubbing her arm and looking off awkwardly again, though. Geez, this is a pressure point for her, apparently! Arthur better take notes so that he has fodder for when she teases him (hint hint).

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    But before leaving Ayako -- defiance against fate indeed! When again she surmounts her embarrassment, Mizuki smiles -widely- at that notion. "... yes, we've far more in common than I once thought indeed. Perhaps you might even like to see more of what Eryl and I intend to do. Something to consider, perhaps."

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    "And on the subject of remembering those who would otherwise be lost." Mizuki turns her attention to Arthur before solemnly nodding her head. "... the presence of Sheep and Telephone here will never allow us to forget all those who... who preceded me. That is a burden I must carry - one that I am ashamed to admit that I oft forget to carry. Though I know that, were those others in my position, they would forget for the same reasons. They would be fixated on the same goals as I am, possibly even have the same motivations and priorities as I happen to harbor. In that sense, they are not, nor can they be forgotten: I carry on their work. -Our- work, which is and always has been the goal of bettering humanity and all like creatures. So at the very least," She attempts a meek smile at Arthur, "they will never be gone. Not entirely."

    Thankfully, though, the second series of statements - somehow, some way - manages to be considerably more lighthearted. Mizuki nods in response, allowing a grateful smile to say the rest for her.

    Some things don't require massive layer cakes of words, at least.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako nods her head slowly. "All of the people I have met. All of my experiences. Have left their own little mark in what I am. What started as a blank slate-not even with a will of it's own. I can't say that I have recorded their lives. I only know what I've seen, felt, and heard myself. But yes. I remember." She smiles brightly and then sticks her tongue out playfully. "Now... as for them being people I was attached to, well... I admit even those I don't like have some influence as well." She shrugs lightly. "Everything's an experience, after all!"

    Ayako's cheeks puff out again in a pout. "Which... does make me a bit annoyed about how I can't taste or smell! I mean... I'm missing things!"

    But Ayako does smile cheerfully at Mizuki when she remakes on how much they have in common. "Oh oh... I would! I still am interested in helping Eryl's world, after all."

Riva Banari has posed:
"Oh, huh! That's really interesting. You must be really proud of them." Riva says brightly, as if she didn't notice Mizuki's rewording there. "But after doing it yourself for so long, it can be strange to let other people do it I guess!"

The conversation keeps turning to what Mizuki and Eryl are planning. Riva observes the conversation there but doesn't jump in headfirst like she usually does. Her normally jovial face has an odd concerned look to it and she fidgets slightly, "Everything will work out fine." She says. Is that a vote of confidence or an attempt at self-assurance?

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    "You never do miss a good opportunity to recruit, Faruja; or to convert, as the case may sometimes be." She says this as she takes a seat again - perhaps in a chair that was already there, or perhaps not - and fetches the glass she had set down earlier. She takes another sip in the midst of a good-natured smile. As Faruja has become better at reading her, she has essentially made treading the line between heretic and affable outworlder into a veritable art form: as that statement demonstrated fairly well, she is likely one of the few people who can openly declare things that would otherwise make the good Father Senra seethe with anger only to be met with a rivaling grimace in return. Such bizarre concessions our philosophical systems sometimes make for our friends!

    Nevertheless, she gladly accepts the slip of paper, tucking it in to Equinox's 'bed' before closing the glass with a few supplemental pats. It's her way of saying good night, in a way; she only has the opportunity to converse, or heaven forbid, actually use Equinox so rarely these days. She misses him fairly often. That gesture out of the way, though, Mizuki nods valiantly in response to Faruja's words. With an over-dramatized flip of her hair, she proclaims, "Wheresoever there is heresy in this world," Her eyes seem to glint as her wings appear in a sudden tempest of ebon feathers, "I, the Raven, shall be there to purge it. Ye of faith who seek salvation in a world of vice need but call my name," She looks to Faruja with -purpose-, "and lo! I will be there."

    ... soooo, is that a yes?

    Meh. Faruja is going to assume so, so same difference.

Arthur Lowell has posed:
    Arthur looks a little sheepish at the reassurances he gets. He doesn't seem to like the idea of dwelling on the good or bad of it, though. He seems to shift gears and topics effectively and quickly. "Man, wait, so the whole NPC thing you had going on where everything was sorta populated with extras is easing up? Man, that makes me feel... Way less stupid. I got /all/ worked up about keeping those dudes alive, hearing that you've got sentience going on more here is kind of a huge load off here." The mage laughs a bit, in a self-depriciating way, and rubs the back of his head awkwardly. "Hey, check it out, turns out I was onto something and not bein' irrational."

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    "You know your world best, Eryl," She nods to herself, "and so I will leave such tactical decisions to you. The only reason I would recommend against placing it in such a remote location is for the fact that such an area lacks a solid political presence. Ideally we would place it in an area that is easily fortified, but also laden with Regenesis buildings and whatever soldiers it has to spare. The authority of Regenesis is one of exceedingly few things that I can fathom to galvanize people, and so their mere presence will count for much, I feel. Even at the expense of practicality if need be." And not to mention if any troublemakers get any ideas about trying to come into contact with the tear themselves. Then it would -certainly- need to be in such a defensible location. Mizuki keeps that one to herself for the time being, though.

    But, differences? Mizuki cants her head as Eryl seems to inwardly muse, those she doesn't call attention to it beyond that. Whether or not he wishes to clarify himself is up to him, she supposes.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Mizuki raps her fingers against her cheek a moment, carefully studying Ayako. "Hmmm. I'm... not entirely sure if this would work, but if you have any physical sensations you would like to experience, you might be able to do so within the confines of this world. I have a certain ability to share dreams that may yet allow me to communicate raw sensations to you, or at least a ground up powder of them that you may use more generally. Failing that, I could attempt to consciously communicate whatever sensations I'm feeling at the present moment to you. This would take far too much energy to be feasible outside of this world, but with how fluid things are here, such a thing may in fact be feasible. Do let me know if you would like to try smelling vanilla some time! It's quite lovely."

Faruja (152) has posed:
Indeed, Faruja would have likely hauled just about anyone else to the dungeons for those remarks. Instead, they get him smiling and even laughing.

"'Tis a priest's life's work to see that the flock ever grows fruitful. At times, that requires a bit of drama that we may reach the hearts of those in despair, or in the heights of blissful power!"

He takes a bow. The glorious jerk!

Faruja snatches one of those feathers from the air, and tucks it into a fuzzy ear.

"Oh dear raven of the world of silence, I shall hold ye to thine oath!" It's both playful, and yet equally serious in purpose, walking that odd line between joviality and heresy. Mizuki, in turn, might be rubbing off on him.

Then he walks up, gives a hearty slap on the back just to throw her off, and then finds a seat. He looks oddly smug and satisfied.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    "It can be a bit nerve-wracking," Mizuki admits, "though Sophia is more than competent enough to accommodate traditional degrees of unrest. And if the need ever arises for me to exert more firm control over things, I'm certainly capable of that. Ah, and as a last-chance solution any dissenters could simply move away. Palora is living with Psyber, after all, and they've yet to experience any trouble on that front."

    When Mizuki notices the 'it'll be fine', though, she frowns. Even if she isn't entirely sure that's what she heard... still.

    ... it's far from an unsubstantiated reservation. And Mizuki knows this.

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    Whilst holding a hand to her forehead and after returning to her seat, Mizuki looks to Arthur again. "In fact," She expounds, "much of the newly-acquired sapience was gained in the midst of moments of great chaos. The vast majority of the new sapients hail from Echo, primarily because that entire settlement survived the collapse when their number was removed. Your and everyone's concern for them likely saved them at the only time they would have understood how to fear death. That 'irrationality' was, quite possibly, one of the single greatest feats of sheer humanity which any of you demonstrated throughout that entire disaster." She... she tactfully omits mention of all the people who likely gained sapience just before they were consumed by the whiteness, though. She isn't sure whether sapience survived the reset, or...

    ... or if it would've left them traumatized if they died just after attaining enlightenment only to come back. Suddenly, she feels much more driven to look into this. Maybe she has a few more things to attend to on this world after all.

Ayako Hasekawa has posed:
    Ayako stares at the piece of paper that Faruja gave her. "Umm... Faruja? What is this?" Her head slowly inclines to the side gently as she stares at it. Oh well, she's not so good with holding onto papers anyway!

    Ayako looks back to Mizuki as she starts to carefully study her-and does an extremely common idol pose. Yes. She's winking and placing her middle and pointer fingers arranged in a 'V' shape sideways by the open eye. In a moment, she catches herself doing it and quickly-almost frantically-moves her posture back to normal. Whoops! Habit! She blinks her eyes quickly and inclines her head to the side. "Huh... I don't really dream, but..." She smiles brightly and clasps her hands together cheerfully. "Let's give it a try sometime!"

Faruja (152) has posed:
Faruja looks to Ayako. He smiles too nicely.

"...It means that the, erm, re-genesis we all participated was in no way, shape, or form Heresy and none of us shall be immediately shot for events that certainly never happened." Smile. SMILE!

Mizuki (183) has posed:
    It's at this point, though, that Mizuki begins to find herself doing that human 'nodding off' thing. One of the single oddest changes to have come to her since joining the Multiverses was a capability for exhaustion. This, too, is a feeling she can mitigate, even thrust away with enough focus, but without that focus it becomes as niggling as it would be for any other mortal. So as she finds herself rubbing her temples, she decides that now is likely a good time to retire. To garner attention, she holds up her palm.

    "I," She begins, "fear that I will have to take my leave of you now. Please feel free to stay and to talk amongst yourselves for as long as you so please, but I need a bit more time to independently muse upon some of the topics we've broached this evening. Ah, and remember: no matter how silent I may sometimes seem, nor how long I can at times be absent, I am in some capacity always listening to the radios, and always thinking of the lot of you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you ever need something, even if that 'something' is solely conversation or a place to rest your head."

    "With that, though," She finishes, "adieu. Good night. Et cetera." Luckily for her, Mizuki's preferred place of resting is only a few steps away, behind the mighty, ivory door at the Northern end of the room. She opens this door after retrieving Equinox from the top of the piano and, with a final, small wave, she closes the door.

    On the other side of the door, she takes a deep breath, holding Equinox tightly. This... this business with Eryl's world. It will be an ordeal, certainly, but now is not the time for doubts. She had months and months for doubts! And now... yes, now is the time for action.

    But that action will have to follow a good night's sleep. Unfortunately.

Priscilla has posed:
    "To the best of mine ability." Priscilla says to Faruja, hopefully clearly communicating the fact that while she's been doing her best, affairs may only permit so much. "There is still a small matter to which I owe Lord Psyber, but otherwise I am left to wait." She does her best to acknowledge Riva as well, but it's a little stilted and awkward, never quite sure what to make of the girl's exuberance, never mind when it is suddenly downplayed. Her awkwardness returns as she realizes she's slipped back into the habit of referring to Ayako by last name again, despite the water spirit's insistences to the contrary. "Of course." she quickly appends. "Mine apologies, I-"

    Then she abruptly cuts off at Ayako's reaction. She seems about to say something, but swiftly decides better of it, perhaps not knowing where to start, settling instead for gently taking hold of her so that she doesn't fall over or knock something off the table in her shock. "What I insist is that thou not trouble thineself unnecessarily. Thine efforts are valuable enough to not be wasted on such." The warmth bleeds out of her expression a little bit at the same time Arthur's smile inverts, for similar reasons, resetting only when she gets the slip from Faruja, taking several moments to figure out what exactly it is, before suppressing the urge to do the equivalent of rolling her eye(s). "As thou sayest, inquisitor." It's surprisingly good natured.

    The halfway beginnings of a smile slowly return as Mizuki launches off however. Used to having all the time in the world, Priscilla is the kind of person who is well disposed to allowing others as long as they need to say their piece, and Mizuki is just plain entertaining to listen to. "Thou were always well favoured by chance. Let us then see how mine fortunes appear." she concludes facetiously. Honestly, now she's interested in this biography stuff, but feels it would be undignified to probe into the history of it; at least right now. "All this of sharing dreams and 'conceptual cannons', righting worlds, obliterating laws, and reinventing others, however, is also very far from the reclusive and timid girl I didst once hear of." She mostly drifts through the rest of the conversation, glad to simply relax for a change in the presence of others she has good reason to trust.