[Private Video - Open to Action]

[flamescout]

[Raye's partied out. That's more social activity than she's had since the Cherry Blossom festival she hosted, and even then, she hadn't really gone out of her way to talk to very many people. She leans on the railing of her apartment porch, gazing out at the city quietly. Tendrils of long black hair float in the hot summer gusts, brushing over her shoulders and the curve of her back. It's a long shot, she knows, but she's got to try. Maybe a call will be enough to shake away their encroaching apathy. Taking out her radio, she looks down at it before pressing a few buttons.]

Private Video to Jaune Arc and Harry Dresden

Haven't heard from either of you two in a while. Let me know if you're okay.

[She hesitates for a moment, wanting to say more. But she doesn't. Her gut tightens, and so does the line of her mouth.]

I guess that's all.

[The video ends as she shuts off the radio and slips it into the back pocket of her white jeans. Then, holding the railing, she leans back and takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. It's hot out, and she'd rather stay inside with the air conditioning, but right now a walk sounds pretty good.]

[Locking up her apartment, she heads downstairs with her purse slung over her shoulder and steps onto the streets. Where to go? It doesn't matter. Just somewhere. Her sneakers are laced up tight, and the forest green tank top lets her arms breathe better in the summer heat.]

[She hopes they're not gone, but...a little voice in her head tells her she knew they wouldn't stay. Men never do.]

Comments

[flamescout]

[Satsuki seems earnestly invested in providing education, Raye thinks. So why is she working with Wily? Does she just not know? It bothers her. Attending the school for a while is definitely a good idea, just to make sure he hasn't planted brainwashing machines into the lockers or anything like that.]

I'll do what I can then!

[She smiles, but...it doesn't last. The Wily thing is still eating at her.]

Hey, can I ask you something?

[weavemyownfate]

I look forward to it.

[Satsuki is quite certain what the next question is, especialy once the smiles fades. The Deputy Guardian nods and gestures for Raye to continue.]

Of course. Are you headed anyplace in particular? I would not mind walking.

[flamescout]

I hadn't really decided on anywhere in particular. I guess we could see if there's anything at the Hamete Strip Mall.

[Do you like shopping, Satsuki? You'd better. Raye takes several steps before she glances at her taller companion.]

Why are you working with Wily of all people? He spent the first several weeks here making robots and attacking people with them!

[weavemyownfate]

[Ugh.. Shopping. She does it more of out necessity than as a liesurely activity, but there are certainly worse ways for her to be unproductive.]

That is acceptable.

[And so she follows along.]

So he has. But would you not agree that letting him do as he pleases is similarly unacceptable? As one that possesses a strong stance in discipline and proactivity, I am just as disappointed in those that blame him yet do nothing.

[It isn't the answer just yet, but she feels she needs to explain how she sees the issue.]

It appears to me that your hands, for the most part, are tied. So I can hardly blame you.

[flamescout]

For the most part. I can't make him reform.

[She folds her arms, grousing over the situation.]

There aren't any jails, since the spirits aren't keen on anyone stagnating emotionally, and a prison might wind up doing that. And I'm not about to KILL him.

[Raye looks at Satsuki again with a newfound respect.]

Wow...you're right. I never thought of it that way.

[weavemyownfate]

.. Hmn. I am uncertain I agree with the spirits there, but I suppose I can work with it for the time being.

[And then Satsuki can't help but smirk. Enlightening others perhaps is one of the best parts of her day. Now she only has to do that for possibly hundreds of others. Still, she moves on.]

To answer your question, I do not feel Wily is a lost cause. It also did not hurt that he supports my.. Admittedly unpopular stance. Where I am from, situations in which you must pair with someone you hate to achieve a great goal is normal life.

[flamescout]

[Raye's not so sure about Wily. She's never met him in person, but she's seen him vomiting his ego all over the place. But she does trust Satsuki, whose judgment seems to be sound. And in all honesty, she really wants to be friends with this girl. People with common sense and respect seem hard to come by. So after a moment of reluctance, she nods.]

I hope you're right. Having the city guardians go missing on us has been putting me on edge.

[Raye smiles.]

I'd be happy to check out the school. Besides, might be interesting to take some history classes from different worlds.

[weavemyownfate]

[Satsuki doesn't really expect Raye, or many others to share her opinion. In fact she has been doing a lot of thinking about how to salvage reputations of those who make incredibly bad first impressions upon arriving here. That said, she would like to speak to the shrine maiden of the much larger project she's working on; but with her interest in enrolling, it can wait.]

I have been concerned about that as well.. I'd feel sorry for anyone who agrees to become guardian of Genessia City, though. It is a hotbed of nonsense. Yet the Guardian situation does need to be resolved all the same.

If I end up doing all of the work, I suspect very few people will be happy with the results.

[And she'd prefer not to have to teach such a lesson at her own expense.]

Might I ask a few more questions about Genessia?

[flamescout]

[Raye considers the request for a moment, then inclines her head once.]

If I can, sure.

[She has a few ideas on what can be done to make the school more appealing to potential students, but it can wait for later.]

[weavemyownfate]

It is about the spirits.

[Though now that she thinks about it, she isn't entirely certain how to phrase the question.]

I have been thinking about the way text is automatically translated and I have been wondering just what else we may not be 'seeing'.

Perhaps you may not know the answer to that, but if you could ask them for me should you get the chance..

[flamescout]

[Raye looks sharply at Satsuki. She might be the first one she's talked to who pointed out the fact that everyone naturally understands one another, no matter what world and country they're from. She folds her arms and frowns, glancing away.]

What do you mean, exactly?

[weavemyownfate]

You recall my questioning of text being translated automatically? I have spoken to several others, some whom to not speak Japanese, and have understood them perfectly. I was not sure what to make of it other than it being a convenience but..

[Satsuki raises her hand to her chin.]

It would appear our senses of both sight and hearing are being manipulated, and I cannot help but wonder to what extent. It is possible we may not be walking on concrete, for example.

[flamescout]

[Raye is thoughtful, and frowning, and thoughtful some more.]

Yeah, well, they wanted to make sure we could all communicate with each other. They're all about building some kind of relationship.

[Good or bad, unfortunately. As for the concrete, she's not sure she's allowed to comment on that, so she stays uncomfortably silent.]

[weavemyownfate]

[Satsuki is used to uncomfortable silences, her gaze remains focused on Raye's. The problem here is a) the deputy Guardian thinks the other is hiding something but b) isn't willing to try to intimidate her about it- the shrine maiden's cooperation is hardly expendable.

So after roughly fifteen seconds she speaks up.]

I have not forgotten that; the point is that I feel there is something more to this.

Hino, I suspect you are not one that trusts easily- I understand that, as I am similar in the aspect. I prefer to learn only what I need to know to move forward in an efficient manner. I cannot promise that I will end up forming some sort of personal bond with you. In fact, it is rather unlikely. However I am willing to give my all and work with others to attain a similar goal.

I ask that you continue to keep watch of my activities and perhaps soon you will find I am worthy of learning what you know.

Is this an acceptable proposition?

[flamescout]

It has nothing to do with trust.

[She's inclined to believe that Satsuki isn't an evil being bent on the destruction of others, so she doesn't exactly distrust her. But she won't openly state that she trusts her, either.]

It's a matter of what people are able to handle as far as truth goes. So the spirits are stingy with knowledge as a result. It's nothing personal.

[weavemyownfate]

I see..

[Well that makes her even more curious; but it almost seems childish to ask what she can do to prove herself worthy. Though that kind of question is not the kind of thing she would ask, regardless.]

Well then, that is all that I wished to ask. I shall continue to investigate in my own way, but should you change your mind, you know how to reach me.

[With that Satsuki nods her head and seems prepared to go along her merry way.]

But just a word of warning, Hino. While I may not possess any spiritual expertise it would be unwise to underestimate my capabilities for too long.