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Setsuko Kaminagi     It's New Year's Day in Luanjian. And while wintertime can bring with it some rain for a rocky desert land, the thunderstorm hanging overhead for some hours now seems somehow... different. The speed with which it's rolled in is one indicator, of course; it certainly wasn't there at midnight, but now the clouds stretch from horizon to horizon, with distant rumbles of thunder making themselves heard. Never quite threatening, never close enough to be a concern, just the occasional rumble. If a storm could be said to be 'watchful', this would fit the bill.

    At some point after the sun has risen, though, there's a twinge, a shift of the land's natural magic... and a divine presence. Not a blazing bonfire to be felt for a hundred miles, but more of a calm, steady beacon, far more controlled. Simple, radiant... but aside from so radical a shift in its manifestation, its nature is very familiar indeed.

    The doorbell rings.
Amalthea     "That's not an Exalt." Amalthea comments, mulling over her morning coffee. As ever her sleep is evasive, eased only by the presence of her wife and daughter so close. But even still, after Annu, it was never quite the same. First came the thunder; and now the doorbell rings. Normally an easy tone, this time it feels like the soft automated sound hits every room of the fortress like a gong.
    But that presence. Divine, but not local. There's a difference to it that has the unicorn's attention. And yet she does not feel /threatened/ by it. Considering she's fine with letting Lest or Ariel answer the door.
Ariel "Helloooo!" It's Ariel who answers this time, opening the door without much feat because... well, it's her home, and she doesn't feel /threatened/ despite the ominous thunder. So the door opens to Ariel to see who her guest is!
Ellestaria     Ellestaria lifts an eyebrow, her cheek twitching. That's a werid presence, yes. She debates just letting Al or someone handle it, because she was thinking about doing something special tonight. But oh well. She only changes her mind when she hears that Ariel is answering the door.

    With a sigh, Lest rises. "I'd better see what that's about." She gives Ariel a lot of independence, but she's still amom.
Setsuko Kaminagi     "Hello, Ariel," Setsuko greets with a soft smile. "Happy new year."

    She looks entirely different. The long side of her hair has been cut - it's now equally short on both sides. Her usual sleeveless black top and cargo pants have been replaced, by a long blue coat trimmed in gold and decorated with black, small-spiked shoulder pauldrons, over a more formal set of pants and boots. There's a new scar on her face, from the middle of her forehead down over her right eye.

    And she seems to have traded in the hoverbike for a very, very large warhorse, midnight black, fitted with a saddle to suit a general, and radiating just as much divinity as Setsuko herself now does. The horse snorts once, idly stamping one foot at the ground.

    "May we come in? I don't have very long, I'm afraid, but I wanted to visit."
Amalthea     From her seat, Amalthea leans over to better get a look at just who it is waiting in the doorway when Ariel answers. Mainly at the horse she rode in on. At least before the unicorn's lone blue eye focuses better upon Setsuko herself. "It seems to be a guest, dear." She notes idly to Ellestaria. Thusly no one to worry about, in spite of to new appearance. Though THAT makes her quirk a brow.
    "Setsuko. Happy new year, always a pleasure. Yes please come in, be at ease. Have a taco."
Ariel "Aunt Setsuko!" Ariel blurts happily, clapping her hands. "Yeah! Come on in! Ah... it's great to see you made it out. I mean you're hard to kill but I was still worried."

A pause, and then the obvious question, "Did you get a new outfit? You look different. Won it in the heat of battle?"
Ellestaria     Hm. Ellestaria looks over the new Setsuko for a long moment, then tsks softly. With a strange tilt of her head, she turns around and heads for the kitchen. "Even if she doesn't want a taco, I do. Have a seat."
Setsuko Kaminagi     "Thank you," Setsuko replies to Amalthea, with a small nod. She'll take a taco for herself, but she eats it only slowly, seeming to want to savor it. She can't help the smile returning to her face at Ariel's question, though. "Yes and no. It was originally a uniform, for the Duchy of Bran's Aerial Navy. But this morning, it... changed." The warhorse lightly stamps at the ground, where its hoof crackles with a small amount of electricity. Overhead, the thunder rumbles faintly. Both woman and steed step in the doorway then, with Setsuko selecting a chair to seat herself in, and the horse just... staying nearby. It might be sizing up Amalthea. "How have you all been settling in, since things... changed?"
Amalthea     Contrary to popular belief; horses and unicorns do not get along. In fact most of them fear unicorns for some odd reason. Though Amalthea's eye narros slightly, she does her level best to not return size-up her guest's mount, remaining as casual as can be as she sips her drink and shanghai's Ariel to her lap. "And you wear it now? So what changed it?" She asks, keeping to conversational tone, despite memories of Setsuko's homeland and incidents there. She pays the thunder little heed.
    "I feel as though I am the bearer of an unfortunate curse sometimes. A curse that goes as follows: 'May you live in interesting times'. ... Let me tell you it's been interesting. But I'm sure you know that." She says, inclining her head. "I do not quite think I was worried for you, when things happened. A gut feeling that something like that wouldn't kill you."
Ariel "We all joined the Paladins," Ariel answers Setsuko. "It was... um... a little rough. Worrying a lot. We're pretty safe here, bu tthere are a lot of people I haven't heard from. Or people I've heard um... worrying things about. I wonder if we have something for your horse? What's his name?" She peers, but doesn't approach. Instead she steps aside smoothly.

She has to step aside, because a massive war hound bounds into the room, woofing and pouncing at Setsuko! Well, Iyoshi doesn't seem to care, huh?
Ellestaria     With a small chuckle, Ellestaria takes a seat. "Where did you find that one?" The horse, that is. "I've... been pulled into active duty, myself. I suppose it could be worse. We have a lot less to go on, so we all do our part. What about you? Have you managed to find a place?"
Setsuko Kaminagi     "That seems to be a common sentiment," Setsuko observes, her tone amused. "Everyone I've visited has said similar. 'I didn't think the fall of Njorun would be enough to kill you.'" She listens more quietly to Ariel, giving the younger one a little nod. "I'm glad to hear that you're doing alright. Things... they may not be the same anymore. But I know the three of you will find a path through it all." The horse being addressed snorts once, shaking his head irritably; Setsuko looks his way, then to Ariel again, and replies, "Kuro-no-Tatsumaki, the Storm Courser. Tatsumaki, for short."

    And then there is dog. Setsuko does not seem to have anticipated this, and has only just got her arms up when she's pounced. She can't stifle the soft laugh - it seems to come much easier to her now - but there is a brief moment in which Tatsumaki looks as if he's about to be very angry.

    Setsuko stalls it out with a steel-eyed glance. "Behave."

    The horse nickers rebelliously, but falls still. As if to divert its attention, it turns its head to size Ariel up next. Somehow, its gaze seems less hostile than it was for Amalthea.

    But she's left something un-answered, and it's now that she turns to Lest and Amalthea both. There are a few answers to give at once. "After the ending of the great war, I went home to Pugna. To Seiryuu. Our attack on General Yemir inspired a rebellion, and things were... bad." She turns to look briefly at Tatsumaki. "He was the war steed of the Forgotten God of War. My predecessor had him under his control, and sent him out after me a week ago or so. I won." The silver-haired woman sits back in her seat a little. "To answer your question, Amalthea, what changed my uniform this morning was the same thing that changed me." She leaves that one hanging in the air.
Amalthea     And then there is dog.
    Amalthea lets the conversation pause for a moment. For there is nothing more important than dog. She casually sips during the pounce as if this was completely normal and anticipated. Though she does particularly eye the massive horse when his attention turns to Ariel. Mechanical or not, every iota of her body language states that there will be Issue if aggression turns towards her daughter. When that instinct seems unfounded, and the war god steed is notably less hostile, she recedes back into her mighty leather throne.
    "In fairness, I'm pretty sure most people thought the fall of Njorun. You know. Wouldn't kill /you/." She points out. But she looks to the steed once more. Talk of predecessors and change.
    "It is official then. More than a Demi-God now? More than Setsuko Kaminagi?"
Ariel Ariel lightly holds her hand out to the stallion, offering it as a measure of peace. She seems rather saddened to hear it though. "I'm sorry we weren't there to help you," is the first thing she says. But there's more than that, isn't there?

"... is this a thing we should be happy or sad about, I wonder?" The unicorn looks over to Setsuko curiously, the question a bit loaded, more abstract than Amalthea's. The implication is 'what does this mean for us?'
Ellestaria     Oh... that's a good question. Ellestaria mns quietly, taking a seat now and staring at Setsuko instead. "And you came to visit us." It's a half-question, really. Sort of indirectly prodding for the rest of the news. "I remember when you came to me wanting to know how to unlock your power. I'm sorry I couldn't have been more help."
Setsuko Kaminagi     "'Official'... yes, I suppose it is," Setsuko replies, closing her eyes and absently brushing fingers through Iyoshi's fur. "I think the only person who didn't expect it of me eventually, was me. I didn't find out until days ago that in my own world, to best a God in the domain they preside over, is to earn their mantle for yourself. And how does one best a War God at war?" Tatsumaki, for the moment, is surprisingly silent compared to his previous behavior. He even leans down close, nudging his nose into Ariel's hand gently.

    Opening her eyes again, the goddess gives a soft, sad smile to Ariel. "It's fine... this was my trial to weather. As to which to feel... both, I think. Despite my new responsibility, I am free of the debt of Zanjintou, and the burden of my family's honor is lifted from my shoulders. The Kaminagi can rest peacefully, at last... or will, at the end of the day," she adds. "Many of them lie trapped now in a formless abyss. Refusing to worship another god after our old patron died. I intend to set them free as my first act. Forcefully." There's a little arch of her eyebrow there, just briefly.

    "I've never felt more free... but I will need to remain in my world, to act out my duties as the new Goddess of War. And the Multiverse no longer has a war for me to keep my eyes on. I can leave it to all of you." She nods then, to Lest, sitting up some to reach into a pocket for something. "It's an old tradition from Seiryuu. Shared with versions of Japan, as it turns out. Hatsumode. The first shrine visit of the year. You spend it with family, if you can. I... have no shrines, as of yet, but I wanted to fulfill the other half."
Amalthea     Official then.
    "I know you." Amalthea says solemnly. "I almost knew you as soon as I felt you on the road, coming to my door. Were I blind, I would know you." Such is the unicorn's reponse now as she slowly eases out of her chair. "Of course she came to see us, Ellestaria. This is a goodbye." Added as fingers sift through Ariel's hair. She listens. To the fate of the Kaminagi clan. And Setsuko's claiming of her mantle. The unicorn digs into the pocket of her shorts for her phone and snaps a picture of Setsuko, then and there in her new regalia and with her new steed.
    Without a word, she casually turns to a side table and sweeps everything off to the floor in a callous display of sending small christmass nicknacks to the floor, flicks a button on the phone and sets the image on display, before resting it angled up like a photo.
    "Well. There. Now you have a shrine. And family to visit it with."
Ariel Pat. A little pat is good, and Setsuko can touch Ariel all she wants. The little unicorn has to think though, because this is one of those situations where she wants to be as mature as possible. "... you are family, and always will be. You're kind of my opposite. Always fighting and always about fighting, while I try to... not. And that's okay, because I know you never looked down on it."

She steps in and will offer a squeezing hug. "You helped me grow up. And be who I am. Maybe someday I'll be able to come to your world and repay you somehow."
Ariel Iyoshi growls... that turns into a whine. His head tilts and leans against SEtsuko, wagging tail. The dog won't forget her, it seems.
Ellestaria     Siiigh heavily. Ellestaria gives Setsuko a bow, then straightens up as the others are saying their parts. "You've been a part of my life almost since I Unified. You've seen me at my worst, and as I am now. I'm honored to be considered family by you... something that I wouldn't have been able to say four years ago. I can only wish you luck with your future, because you've gone farther than I ever intend."
Setsuko Kaminagi     Amalthea makes a shrine.

    Setsuko quietly stares. "...th... thank you."

    The goddess is, however, quite content to wait patiently to let Ariel say what she wants to. And then, when the unicorn steps in, she reaches her arm around and squeezes tightly. "Of course not. You are what I could never be, do what I've long forgotten how. The world needs you more surely than it has ever needed me." She releases the squeeze, and then sets her hand on Ariel's shoulder. "I would be deeply honored by that. It's been wonderful to see you grow." Here, she finally stands, giving Iyoshi a last little ruffle. "And you. Take good care of her."

    The swordswoman returns the bow to lest, her expression softening. "I've gone a bit farther than I intended as well. But I won't ever forget the path I walked, nor those who shared it with me." Finally, she brings her hand out of her pocket, to hold up three identical pendants; simple gold, each set with an identical gemstone, a clear blue that matches Setsuko's eyes. "To remember me by. They have no particular powers, but they have been touched by Storm and War. They will mark you as close friends of Kaminagi-no-tachi Kiri-no-musume, and so as close friends of the Duchy of Bran, if you ever venture there."

    The goddess hands them out, and then reaches out to rest her hand gently on Ariel's head, ruffling lightly. "Be well. All of you." And then she turns to go, with Tatsumaki following along... but for a moment, she stops, and looks over her shoulder. "My gift to you in years past still holds true. No matter how far, I will come. I don't forget my vows."
Amalthea     Amalthea makes a shrine.
    Though she has no incense, she's already lighting a candle. She can make it into a more official shrine later. But it looks like that shall be where it stays; even as she dons the offered pendant. "As long as there is still breath in my lungs and a heartbeat in my breast I gaurantee you will never be forgotten, Kaminagi, Setsuko."