video / action

[priceofmagic]

 [video]
[Satou is still standing in front of the holographic introduction when she switches her device on. A few things were made clear to her right away: This place has a concept of 'most powerful' and, very likely, an understanding of magic. So she shows no shame with her magic during the video.]

Good day, everyone. I'm guessing there must be a lot of people here like me, if you'd set up so many resources for us. [Her school uniform glows pink, then changes into a warm, black peacoat. The brunette taps the new necklace to her neck and creates a stylish choker for it to attach to. Her hand is shaking, but she wants to make her magic obvious.]

My name is Satou Kuroneko. I-I'm a witch. [Said as if to defend herself. She lets the camera sweep over a girlish pink staff, before continuing in as firm a voice as she can manage.] I'm not here to pick fights, so please don't start any. Um... Mikale. Shugo. Y-You're here, right? Or uh. I-I mean... H-How do I check if someone I know is here? Or, uh... um...

[Her attempt to introduce herself bravely is already faltering. Satou turns the camera back to her wand so she can wipe away her tears. Back to looking tough and calm..!]

I-I can help. My magic can be useful. I-I hope to b-be... um... nngh... What do I do...?

[action]
[The petite witch can later be found wandering the city, her wand now hidden from sight. As much as she wants to be a tough cookie who can be relied on, some might notice this kid occasionally stop to wipe her eyes and whimper into her palm.]

I'm all alone again... Mikky... Sh-Shooees... Dummieesss.

Comments

[Video]

[youfool]

[There appears Genessia's more-or-less official welcoming committee.]

Oh, dear. Not the sort that brings bad weather, I hope, else we'll have to burn you at the stake. Does this witch have a name?

[He's teasing. mostly]

[priceofmagic]

[And she's immediately on the defensive, not sure how serious he is.]

I can bring bad weather if I want...

I'm the Witch of Sins. Who's asking?

[youfool]

[He looked up her name before. Satou was so common it, according to his research, hardly meant anything, while the other was "black cat", appropriately enough. Though whether that was good luck--Japan--or bad--European--remained to be seen.]

A disquieting title. I'm Ted. How did you come by that?

[priceofmagic]

They assign us titles when we're welcomed into magical society. It gives other magic users a quick gleam into what we're known for.

I don't know the exact reasoning myself, but it's mine now.

[youfool]

[Worse and worse!]

I see. And what were you known for to be called so?

[priceofmagic]

Um...

[She's not exactly eager to admit to it. After all... This guy said they might burn her. Even if she could probably get out of that, Satou wants to be liked and not hated.]

... Well. It's just... I mean. Because I'm good with magic, the jobs I was assigned tended to be... and end in ways that... uh... I guess maybe I deserved it.

[youfool]

[He chuckles a little for the cut-outs.]

You tease very awfully. So they assigned tasks as well as titles. What was their nature?

[priceofmagic]

I'm not teasing!

[She huffs childishly, then narrows her eyes. He's being awfully curious and it's starting to set off alarms for her.]

Ted isn't usually a full name. Tell me your full name and why you care so much.

[youfool]

Hah, well you omit very conspicuously.

Yes, it is a diminutive, of...Theodore.

[The full name he's visibly shy of.]

Well, witches aren't usually the most benevolent beings. A "witch of sins" rather adds to that anxiety. Besides, is caring so uncommon?

[priceofmagic]

[Now that she has his name, Satou finally smiles. The way he gave it leaves her thinking he's probably an honest person. Not someone who is actively looking for a reason to shoot her.]

Ah, I get your point. Back home, I'm so used to being a witch that I forget why we're usually really secretive. But you don't need to worry. My sins don't hurt people.

[Her smile softens.] People don't usually notice me unless they want to kill me. I'm sorry for assuming you were bad. You seem super nice, Ted! Your name suits you.

[youfool]

Oh, ah...thank you, aheh.

[That's a lot of conflicting feelings to sort. The worry of the occult, the embarrassment over a too-good name and the assumptions it carried, a young girl made both the executor and target of severe intentions. Then there's "sin", which always hurt someone, somehow. A little more talk, perhaps, wouldn't hurt.]

Why would people want to do that?

[priceofmagic]

[In the back of her mind, Satou worries about saying too much. Explain why some people want to kill you and you may have everyone trying to kill you. On a similar note, it's such a long and personal story that she doesn't want to spread it freely.

He seems nice, so she decides to strike a medium between comfort and honesty.]

Hmm... Let's put it this way. I represent a lot of things to people back home. Things that you can't actually touch, or see, or kill. And some of those people wish they could kill what I represent.

... Are you always this curious, Ted? Or are you being cautious?

[youfool]

Huh. A manifest symbol, then? Of what?

[Ted could see perfectly the logic of wanting to kill the symbol of something like witchcraft or sin. Ted's so used to the particulars of one's context ceasing to matter in Genessia that he takes it for granted that new arrivals will arrive to the same conclusion.]

Oh, haha, yes I suppose; I plead "guilty" to both charges.

[Don't believe him he's one of the least cautious people one will find. When it comes to his own life, anyway.]

Does it irritate? I'll stop if it's making the welcome unpleasant.

[priceofmagic]

[Again, Satou allows a moment of hesitation. She's not sure what to make of him.]

... It doesn't matter here. You can decide what I am for yourself. Sound fair?

[youfool]

[Story of his life.]

"By their fruits you shall know them", eh? All right, I'll presume innocence. Goodness knows there's sin enough without looking for it explicitly.

Well Ms. Black Cat, is there aught you need at present?

[He gets the meaning and the Kanji of a name mixed up sometimes.]

[priceofmagic]

Satou is fine, Ted.

I think that, for moment, I should do be fine. Are there any restrictions on magic that I should know about? Is flying legal?

[youfool]

In the terrestrial, legal sense? Nothing that would be wicked if pursued by more earthly means, of course. Flying's all right; just mind you don't go too high and run into the barrier. That's a good way to lose consciousness.

[priceofmagic]

A barrier? Interesting.

I suppose that would explain why no one has flown away yet. So it knocks you out, huh?

Does it surround all of the city?

[youfool]

Aheh, I can't imagine they'd go anywhere too fruitful even if they did. I doubt the heavens--referring, of course, to their spatial aspect--hold the key to much of anything on the earth.

Yes; the whole world, in fact, or at least the five cities our whole world is comprised of. Right again; get too close and touch the thing, and it's lights out for you.

[priceofmagic]

Yeeeeah, thanks for warning me before I... fell.

And I suppose not. But a good fly can certainly get you excited enough to try new things! It's a shame humans can't enjoy flying.

[youfool]

Aheh, no, I think the world has the courtesy to put you directly in the hospital and save you the inconvenience of gravity. Not something I'd test regardless.

Oh, we've technology enough to compensate! Assuming a certain fairy doesn't enchant one to do so regardless.

[priceofmagic]

Wow, how nice of this place! I don't want to die, so that's appreciated!

[She beams and nods.] Yeah, humans are really amazing. Technology is amazing! Someday, magic users like me are going to be obsolete!

? Fairy? Do you have fairy friends, Ted?

[youfool]

Haha, yes, death is something Genessia would suffer as little as it can, apparently.

You think so? Nothing magic can accomplish unique to itself, eh?

Oh, ah...

[There's a slight tense at the word "friend". He'll quickly power through it.]

I'm familiar with two such fairies; siblings, in fact. They can make these fantastic pins that allow one to fly. Or float dangerously.

[He hasn't mastered the skill.]

[priceofmagic]

I think humans are amazing enough without magic. They'll overpower us someday.

[She giggles at the thought of the pins, seeming a bit awed at the same time.] That's so cool. I can't do things like that to share my magic with people. They must be amazing and generous.

[youfool]

Aheh, thank you, that's very flattering. I'm sure the ones that do use that will induce fainting.

[Not that he's very comfortable with his own taking to the practice. using magically-imbued stuff doesn't count]

It's funny, the ones that I just mentioned used to be a little antagonistic to humanity; they claim that our affinity for the occult is what tipped the scales in our favor. I should introduce you to the two of them; doubtless they'd enjoy your acquaintance. If you don't mind having your thoughts laid bare, that is.