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Well she does wear a heart hairband... [Video, then Action] [Semi-Open]
Who: Ted, Satori, maybe others
When: Valentine's day, early morning
What: You don't want to know
Where: Depends
As Ted departed from the auction's festivities, he felt odd. A little disappointed, true, but then he couldn't have hoped to win much of anyone with seven bills, no matter how dear the number. His pokemon didn't fare much better, arriving somewhat dispirited. Still, he had fun, but the question remained: what to do on the day in question?
One option was to be a recluse. Satsuki's cryptic plans had put him in a state of pensive meditation. He felt as if something dramatic and fateful would happen at any moment. But Ted never could resist a holiday. And when he thought about recluses, he thought about Satori, more properly known as "Strength." He also thought about how odd it was that she, of all the women (or near enough) he knew was absent. She was important enough to condescend to unimportance. He wondered if her job kept her from the bourgeois, before dismissing the idea out of hand. Anyone who had ever worked as or known a Guardian knew that their days weren't nearly as busy as they'd have you believe. Ted had both experiences to draw on there.
And then, the idea struck. The silliness of it rather increased the attraction. Strength, the one girl he knew who had scorned the very idea of combining love and money. Was it mere loneliness that kept her from the party, or something nobler? Seperation, a deriding of vulgarity, a purity that would let only love marry love? There was only one way to find out.
If the Fool does not love women, he certainly loves novelty. If this worked, this would have a lot of new things in store, for the both of them. Destiny in his fingers, Ted called Satori up with a short message, inversely proportional to its portent.
"Hello, Strength. Are you very busy today?"
When: Valentine's day, early morning
What: You don't want to know
Where: Depends
As Ted departed from the auction's festivities, he felt odd. A little disappointed, true, but then he couldn't have hoped to win much of anyone with seven bills, no matter how dear the number. His pokemon didn't fare much better, arriving somewhat dispirited. Still, he had fun, but the question remained: what to do on the day in question?
One option was to be a recluse. Satsuki's cryptic plans had put him in a state of pensive meditation. He felt as if something dramatic and fateful would happen at any moment. But Ted never could resist a holiday. And when he thought about recluses, he thought about Satori, more properly known as "Strength." He also thought about how odd it was that she, of all the women (or near enough) he knew was absent. She was important enough to condescend to unimportance. He wondered if her job kept her from the bourgeois, before dismissing the idea out of hand. Anyone who had ever worked as or known a Guardian knew that their days weren't nearly as busy as they'd have you believe. Ted had both experiences to draw on there.
And then, the idea struck. The silliness of it rather increased the attraction. Strength, the one girl he knew who had scorned the very idea of combining love and money. Was it mere loneliness that kept her from the party, or something nobler? Seperation, a deriding of vulgarity, a purity that would let only love marry love? There was only one way to find out.
If the Fool does not love women, he certainly loves novelty. If this worked, this would have a lot of new things in store, for the both of them. Destiny in his fingers, Ted called Satori up with a short message, inversely proportional to its portent.
"Hello, Strength. Are you very busy today?"
[Video]-->[Action]
"Sooner, if I have a say." Tempting as Ted found banter, the call to action was yet more enticing. Besides, he'd worked too long with women to know what eons passed if left to freshen up unspurred. "The days are evil, after all. Let's not let this one get away from us." He hung up, satisfied in adding time's pressure to the present drama. It was, as always, meant in earnest. The advent had a definite time to start, like Judgment Day, and might very well mean as much...
Ted, unobservant though he was, still managed to find his mark. He knew what to look for: a crow with feathers curiously groomed in the shape of a witch's hat. Despite Satori's resolve, Ted was determined to be the seeker, not the sought, approaching with a warm smile and an extended hand. "Forgive me, I forgot the cart. Shall we meet this other dimension without it?"
Re: [Video]-->[Action]
Well, it had merely been one of her decorative kimonos, a simple one by her standards. It seemed expertly made, though by whom - Ted would most likely never know - decorated very finely with patterns of small heart-shapes and blooming crimson roses against its faded rose-coloured background.
The mind-reader bowed all too formally before taking his hand, surprisingly gently. Ted had probably known how calm that Strength could be in any situation.
"同行する喜びだろう..."
She almost caught herself greeting him in Japanese before switching languages.
"...It would be a pleasure to accompany you. Let's not tarry."
Re: [Video]-->[Action]
It was, in his mind, the ultimate surprise. Indeed, the only thing that, for Strength, wold make surprise possible. He grinned gamely, expecting some sort of comment on the mental barrier thus far. For now he'd pretend as if all was normal.
"All right. If we hurry, we'll be just in time to get front row seats." By now the clues had all assembled. Sunday best, other--higher--dimensions, singing, seating. Ted walked as they talked. "I thought it best we get some education on what today is all about, before we spend it. You know, build a foundation." It was obvious he was enjoying the build up. At least he knew where they were going, at a brisk but gentle pace as he held hands.
The building was quaint, wooden, and white. A board outside held times for the services. It bore a simple oak cross on its west side. The game was up, and Ted had led his captive into the one activity all good boys and girls should do on Sunday: church.
Chill winds flapped Ted's clothes, the cold bringing a cool and quieting clarity on the reveal. He couldn't help but get a look at Satori's face as he held open the door. "Lady's first."
Re: [Video]-->[Action]
And then, of course, there was this damnable feeling she'd only just noticed. The unpleasant feeling as if there was a filter over her mind - or possibly the minds of others - that kept her from entirely reading them. The more she thought about it, the more obvious this feeling of wrongness would become. This wasn't a case of her powers being sealed or a malfunction. Nor even Koishi blocking out other minds out of courtesy. Even then, most of these would be easier to spot firsthand. It was something else, for sure. And she was sure her erstwhile churchgoing friend had something to do with it. Her third eye stares at him, trying to peer into his thoughts, and she only gets back a few garbled snippets she can't entirely parse at once. All three eyes narrowed, the minder-reader refusing to look Ted in the eye.
"I have a few things to say to you, before we go any further with this."
She refused to pass him. She refused to step inside until she'd said her piece.
"Whatever way you seem to be impeding my abilities, I'm apalled that you'd even think to do so without my consent. You should know that my Murkrow can easily do the same thing with less hassle. Is there something you wouldn't want me to see, or did you think that...impeding my sight would render you some kind of advantage?"
Another pregnant pause as she tried to put her feelings of confusion and revulsion into words.
"From being in contact with you, I know your mind well enough to understand your average thought pattens to the very letter. Either you've done this to spring this elaborate surprise on me or you're wasting my time."
What a lovely date this was, wasn't it?
Satori watched Ted with a rather unclear expression. It wasn't quite confusion, nor anger, nor spite. Perhaps all three at once in incredibly small quantities, at this point. She admitted, sighing wearily.
"Besides, I'm not familiar with the ways and customs of your Gods, Ted. I fear a monster like myself would be out of place."
Her tone of voice went rather flat as the mind-reader became increasigly exasperated.
"...I don't have any idea what I'm doing, here. And, as you've proven, neither do you. Thankfully, for your sake, perhaps I may learn a little more about you."
[1/2, though feel free to reply here too]
"...As is traditional, you are to let me have the burden of ideas today. Besides, you needn't have very many ideas; nothing's as elaborate as you suggest. Not this church--we only have the one God, and thus the tidy blessing of monotheism--and not myself.
Like Cupid and Psyche, much hangs on faith. So, as befits the environment, please have faith in those people, and this person. If you can suffer that darkness till the end of the day, I'll shed a light at the onset of night." Implied here is that this was only the first event Ted had in mind for the day; there's the Rule of Three to consider. It was a gamble on both sides. He hoped Satori would patiently play along in that terrible dance of trust and ignorance. Strength was known to have the strength of patience. And if she did, it would be on him to explain. May that explanation not be too terrible. He decided to make a joke and lighten the mood.
"Oh, and of course you'll be out of place. The only place I've known you 'in place' was hell. I wanted to show you a glimpse of heaven, which, praise God, is really the only place worth being in place." Now to add a cherry on top with the most traditional compliment of all, one he'd place just as he followed inside.
"You look lovely, by the way."
[2/2 text avalanche]
The couple turned quite a few heads as they made their entrance. Part of it was the ostentatious dress, another part for Satori's third eye, and another for the tenuous fame a Guardian, past and present, held. Ted enjoyed the attention, especially the larger dose that went to his partner. True, her physiology was certainly worth comment. But this church, like most, was the complete opposite of snobbish. They welcomed aggressively.
The congregation had an unparalleled sense of who was new. Perhaps it was the thrill of discovering a lost sheep who had wandered back into the fold all on its own. Some of it was plain curiosity--both for who they were and what they were doing together--, some of it was the playful, factional rivalry between denominations, and some of it was anticipation and expectant, evangelistic dream. They wondered whether Fayren's Guardian might be on the cusp of conversion. Had she gone over the edge already?
Satori's nature, such as the onlookers knew, posed little trouble. In Christ there is neither Jew, nor Greek, nor, it could be supposed, Youkai. On top of that, this was a Genessia City church, posed at the nexus of the strange world. Furthermore, every church, like every family, hardly chose each other, and thus brought together persons as diverse as the ear was to a foot.
Ted smiled and greeted. He wasn't a regular, but the laity's memory held strong, remembering past visits. He especially enjoyed letting the unasked questions simmer. Should any ask what the Murkrow was doing there, he'd give every assurance that it was a service animal, utterly necessary and utterly domesticated, as was Strength's wont. He shook hands with the preacher, amicable as anything, before leading to the front pew. There was some strategy in this; it was inevitable that heads would turn still towards the two. He had every intention of letting them, so long as their own heads remained solidly fixated on the front; the music and the message.
The music started first, as a serene and stout woman approached the piano. This was the part Ted was looking forward to; hearing Strength sing. Ted is not especially sensate, though even he enjoyed their unprofessional choir. The motley unison; the way the communal sound vibrated the spine of the hymnal book. Like most churches, the music was entirely sixth-rate, and the poetry was not much better. Ted sang earnestly, just the same. But more than that, he listened for the novelty of Satori's voice amidst the others. He was all too eager to catch a hymn on a youkai's tongue.
Once music and introductory prayer ceased, the preacher took to the top and began the sermon. He was a short and rotund man, feisty despite his years. His liturgical style was combative; he took great pleasure in setting up the faith and The World, its eternal adversary, into a kind of spiritual duel. He painted the faith like a fight, and found it great fun. For they were to be in the world, but not of it, and so he'd borrow from the world only what material he needed: topicality. In this case, Valentine's Day.
First, he described modern notions of love; what one found in commercials, the cinema, the trashy novel. Was this all? To ask is to answer: "Certainly not!" he thundered. He ordered his flock to turn towards 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13. Ted would assist Satori in finding her place, as necessary. The preacher expounded. "...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud...it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres..."
Ted listened eagerly, though he couldn't resist trying to divine some meaning from Satori's expression. Frustratingly, her countenance was too subtle for him. He hoped, at least, that "always trusts" would find purchase. The sermon continued on like that, ringing with praise at the superiority of agape over all its pallid imitators. The latter part of the sermon was devoted to the relations of husband and wife; how their bodies belonged to each other, and "What God has joined together let no man separate."
Energy spent, the preacher retired, but for a final calling of alms and another round of group prayer. Church extracurriculars were announced, before finally, they were dismissed in grace under the name of the Lord. The partings rhymed with the greetings, as Ted bid peace to the other churchgoers, who expressed their wishes for next week's visit. "You never know," Ted teased. Worship concluded, Ted led Satori outside.
Despite the overcast weather, Ted couldn't help but wonder whether things seemed a little brighter than before. If Satori knew his mind as well as she claimed, she'd know the eager, obvious thing that he wanted to ask: "So, did you enjoy the Hierophant?"
Here goes nothin'
Needless to say, the experience of the last few minutes was jarring, at first. Her kind were both the best - and worst - to adapt to social functions, let alone anything so out of the ordinary as this. It all depended primarily on context. And the fool had brought her to do what? To sing the songs of his God? To come to this unfamiliar place to hear talk his bizarre god and its unusual strictures concerning love? To learn from this blustery man's odd musings?
She sang when prompted. She saw no reason not to. Expected social reaction dictated by context. Humans value social cohesion. To lose said cohesion makes one a threat. Analysis of love remains topical, but standard human value associations. Nevertheless, sentimental enough to taste. Human relatioships and marriage issues remain complex for a youkai, who is neither human nor belonging to anyone in a romantic sense. And yet, implications of love requiring sanctions. Love, a feeling more than a physical thing, only understand by being in love. Even she found it hard to entirely understand.
The corpulent religious leader has some merit. His faith would be strange to a polytheistic belief system out of Japan. especially more to a youkai which would be broadly considered a 'demon' or 'monster' all the same. And yet, an understanding was made and reached in the space of less than an afternoon.
Ted's question came as a surprise, though not for the same reasons as one would expect.
same reasons as one would expect.
"...He is a rather intruiging human. Perhaps I may want to hear a couple more of his stories. If you don't drag me around here at every opportunity and let me come and go as I please."
A pause.
"Though, your God must certainly be a humble one, if he dictates the meaning of love to his faithful."
A sarcastic, though understanding smile to Ted. Her expression changed as she approached the preacher with an even gaze.
"...For such a simple man, your God has given you quite a voice and sense of purpose. I found your tales to be...intruiguing."
Re: Here goes nothin'
It seemed the preacher, one Mr. Spike, was not in a mood to cast out demons that day, instead being caught in a state of prayer as Satori approached him. He had a look of mild surprise, for he knew her to be something of a tourist.
His mind had a Jekyl-and-Hyde quality to it; he was loud on the pulpit and quiet in person. Should Satori let her Murkrow relax, she'd find that only Ted's mind was so blocked, and the rest lay open to her. His mind, poised in the sheathe of quiet, was slower to respond. He thought she spoke true and yet vaguely. He believed God did effect some change during his ecclesiastical duties. But why does she say "sense of purpose", and not simply "purpose"? Perhaps it's no surprise that when scripture begins with "In the beginning was the Word...", it would inspire a particular attention about words.
"Good morning, Satori. Or is it afternoon now? Good to see you in the house of the Lord. I'm glad you enjoyed the service." Naturally, a man so about enmity with the world knew its apparent leaders. Yet the simple man answered simply.
And now back to our scheduled awkwardly amazing.
"I am also quite fond of your resolve to help others as a spiritual mediator. Those who have such a position and actually act upon the tenets of their beliefs are rather rare, these days. In your words, I assume there are many who would stray from the path, so to speak...but if you'll forgive the introspection, you seem well used to shepherding your flock. I admire those qualities, by far."
Satori would actually seem rather amiable to this man. While she didn't share his faith, she shared somewhat of an understanding of how humans functioned. And this pastor surely knew, despite his blustery persona, didn't he?
"...The religions of my homeland couldn't be any more different from yours, but there is one thing they all seem to share. Mankind intercedes where the divine does not, and whether the group is protected by one or the other, everyone tends to look after their own without question."
A pause. Did she really just call his Church a clique, or something? Satori, no...-
"...In this instance, where that might've happened, you've proven me wrong. Surely, your God must also be rather accepting, if both you and he welcomed a monster like myself into their fold, even for a short time."
yey
Of course they cared for their brothers and sisters. Even the pagans do that. "Do they all share that? This faith posits rather that God interceded where man could not, making way for all else."
'Monster', he pondered. Was this meant as a term of art or taxonomy? Perhaps it didn't matter; 'by their fruits you shall know them'.
A verse occurred to him: John 1:3. "Yes. 'Through him all things were made..." Then another: John 6:37. "'...Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.' It is for all creation He cares, and God shows no partiality." At her last words, Spike looked at Satori keenly.
"It needn't be short. It could be longer. Say, eternity?" There was a hint of jest there, but only a hint.
Theology and Snark, together at last!
Ah, there's the argumentation, right there. And yet, she adds a rebuttal to Spike's inclusive comment about turning no-one away.
"I adopt a similar train of thought to yours, when faced with outcasts and those who haven't a place for themselves. Mostly, these tend to be animals. And indeed, humans and otherwise. I believe there is a saint who already has come to mind in this regard...one who believed all creatures of the world were worthy in the eyes of your God."
Another wry little smile. She's getting used to this, fairly quickly. Though she does give a slight glance to Ted, to let him know she was still keeping a VERY close eye on what else he was planning, whether she saw it or not.
"...Perhaps I will visit your congregation another time. As I've said, it is a unique experience. While I may most likely have an eternity ahead of me, I should like to meet your God, one day. "
Back home, Gods were believed in, but at least they could be seen, could be spoken to. So, the idea that Satori put forth might seem a bit odd, both to Fool and Hierophant alike.
"After all, the Gods work in mysterious ways. But, at the very least..."
Another look at Ted. Oh god, she's really bearing down on him.
"...Most people do onto others as they'd rather have unto them. But the will of a God cannot be outmatched by human tenacity for trouble-making."
The Devil wrings his hands in anticipation
"I'd like that," he replied at last, referring to future visits. "So, I think, would the rest of the laity, and the young man waiting on you. I hope you do meet Him, for only the pure of heart will. Well, I'll let you go." He knew what day it was and the way most felt him a cramp to it. Spike lightly chuckled, joining in on the tease. "And yes, God does hate feet quick to mischief. Have a good Valentine's Day."
***
Ted, during all this, amused himself by thinking about outcomes. Perhaps, if he turned around and eavesdropped, he might be transfigured into a pillar of salt. Of course, if Satori were irreverent, she might be struck dead. How would it be done? The dramatic bolt of lightning? Worms eating her from the inside out? Or the classic smiting; an invisible blow that left her crumpled? Then, thoughts going up a level, he wasn't sure whether to be disappointed that Satori no longer 'heard' such things. "Probably for the better," he thought. "It likely irritates her less."
Naturally such occupation left him largely oblivious to Satori's sinister subtleties. Not to say he wouldn't have enjoyed them, if he could. He breathed a sigh of relief as she reappeared, seemingly unscathed from any kind of divine wrath.
"You had me worried. I'd no idea what to expect should a man from heaven and a woman from Old Hell meet. Let's complete the ritual and break bread. How does an outdoor picnic sound? There's a spot in Fayren I've got in mind that perhaps even its Guardian has never been."
Better to Rule in Hell...
"Of course, you as well. And may your God find me in as much esteem as he finds you."
Satori had been all too careful, not merely out of that sort of feeling, but to perpetuate the feeling of respect and toleration she actively attempted to bring to the table, these days. Nothing could be gained from offending the man, nor playing, fittingly enough, devil's advocate. Theological debate could come later.
Now, it was time for endlessly awkward adventures with the, bar none, the most annoying man on the planet. Or, where ever Genessia was, anyway. Focusing on Ted and still unable to read a damned thing about his thoughts, she decided to do something she hadn't done in a long time, until today.
She'd have to take him at face value, once again, and hope he didn't do anything silly. Unlike Preacher Spike, Satori didn't have that much faith to spare. But t'was the season, after all. And she wasn't about to let him off the hook, either, as they left the church behind them.
"I don't know whether to be absolutely mortified at your ineptitude at reading the atmosphere, that you took me to /church/ as your first option rather than something a little less out of my depth, or that you continue to think that this even remotely resembles success. Even amongst /humans/, your ideas would make their eyes roll enough to fall straight out of their heads."
Satori could've been worse, but was holding back almost the worst of her venom. And at the same time, she found some benefit in that experience, however embarrassing.
"...I haven't quite been 'outdoors' in some time, but I shall hardly refuse you. As the day demands, I'm a prisoner of your flights of fancy, and my morbid curiosity makes me wonder how this could possibly become worse. Moreover, I can't read you in the slightest. My dread's mounting for the inevitable slide into lunacy. So...Even if you bring me somewhere outlandish, I doubt I can really stop you, can I?"
Her expression was devoid of smiles or anything else, and her tone, while calm and accepting...well, to be blunt, was filled with the kind of acrid spite she'd been saving since she claimed a pew.
Ted would like to thank the Academy for "Most Annoying Man in the World"...
"Goodness, Strength! Is it any wonder the beasts listen to you with a tongue so barbed? If we had children, they would never hear the phrase 'wait till your father gets home'. Spankings would be superfluous should such harangues await their every misdeed." He wiped a tear as he led them back to Fayren. Ted was more absorbed in talking than walking; it'd be up to Strength and her subtle power to avoid any head-on collisions.
"But for all that, doth the lady protest too much? I believe your happiness shrunk with reverse proportion to your horizons. Besides, one needn't despair for want of love of worship; it happens to the best of us. Think of it like digging a channel for far-off, life-giving waters. A necessary toil for coming joy. Yes, a birthing pain! Why, you're practically a mother already.
Really, what else were we to do on Sunday morning but attend church?" Ted spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Not only that, but I could hardly resist the opportunity to unite it with a cardinal virtue. What could be more appropriate? If you brought Justice, and I--if I could only find her--brought Temperance, we'd complete the trinity. Any church could hardly hope to see a finer marriage." Ted caught his breath, thought for a moment, then laughed again.
"Nonetheless, I appreciate the lone virtue I have. You wear your dress well, but not half so well as 'Strength'. Patiently, reverently submitting to my trials and tribulations. Now I see why they used to call you 'Fortitude'. Well, take heart. We're headed to a quieter place, like you like. We'll find rest on the day of rest."
Ted's own happiness, apparently, was spoken for. It found rest too as they edged nearer, reflecting in his calmer cadence.
"This world has been giving me novelties from the beginning. If nothing else, I'm glad I got a turn to do likewise." None loved new things more than The Fool. Whether Strength could reciprocate was another matter.
Ted receives the award with flying colours, so far!
"That's implying I'd consider settling down with you. With such a closed mind and open mouth, it will truly be a wonder to see what kind of woman settles down with you, let alone consents to breed. And in any case, that implies you'd ever return home to begin with, you troublesome vagrant."
She quipped back with equal amounts of snark and disgust, very much the opposite of the meaning of this day. Though, she would at least acknowledge Ted was clever. It was the stupid sort of clever that infuriated her the most, after all. If there were matches made in hell rather than heaven...
"I applaud you for surprising me, but your surprises, so far, were neither warranted or wanted. What little enjoyment I've gained hardly absolves you. And your analogies are relatively clever, I'll give you that, but my barbed tongue is not a forked one. I say what I bear witness to, whether pleasant or not..."
Another long pause as she caught Ted's other implication, looking utterly mortified. Though, as to why, she wasn't entirely clear why.
"...So...that fools like you will learn from your mistakes. Remembering my cold words will spur you to self-reflection."
Satori huffed. She actually huffed in frustration, having no other means to express her confusion beyond internal regret and silent mental agony. Every minute made her increasingly tired of these antics, but at the same time she had found something her species hadn't once experienced in their lives.
Surprise.
"...While I admire your ability to change the subject, your 'human' nature and obsession with your value systems has little consequence on how I feel, right now. Perhaps that will change, if you don't have anything too ludicrous. My expectations aren't entirely at rock-bottom, so I shall give you the benefit of the doubt."
no subject
Nor did Satori's displeasure. Ted likened the best kinds of jokes to be the worst kinds of insults if they were not taken as jokes. So he regarded Satori to be a very good joker. That she was mirthless didn't quite clue him in to other possibilities. Perhaps she's a dry humorist? He did like the part about "closed minds", no doubt referring to his own operation. He was still assembling an explanation for that.
"'Cold words' is right. 'Human nature'? 'Value systems'? You've a way with words that's positively sti-" Ted stopped. There's making fun and then there's faultfinding. Ted, hoping himself full of warm words, couldn't bring himself to finish that thought with "stillborn". Black humor was far from him.
"Never mind." He immediately sought sunnier subjects. "But aren't I blessed to be looked after by not one, but two fairies?" He laughed. "Or does that make me an especially desperate case? Well, with all due respect, I'm not sure self-reflection's the way. Narcissus had that hobby, and his fate was less handsome than he. Have I made you so little happy as to wish my doom?"
Yet that did get him thinking of her feelings. The date so far had made him very happy. But then, most things did. It didn't seem to do the trick for Satori. But then, most things didn't. Ted made a goal to get her to smile at least once. Nothing wry or rue; simply true. That, he thought, would surely be the best novelty of all. Of course, he did much of his brainstorming out loud.
"Strength's a tough nut to crack. Perhaps the toughest. Humanity won't do it, morality won't do it. And we've already tried divinity. What else...ah, sensuality, of course!" The picnic might be just the thing.
***
All Ted's talking masked their substantial walking. They were in the vast green wilderness that surrounded Fayren. "I'm told this part of the woods is impossibly thick. One has but a hair's breadth of a chance gaining passage. Unless, of course," Ted grinned confidently as he got out a pokeball, "you know who to ask."
In a flash of light, out comes Trevenant. He nattered at Murkrow jubilantly before Ted made his request. "Trevenant, please ask your kin to part for us." The jolly tree nodded, then its red eye glowed white. He raised his arms, as arboreal, psychic, ethereal waves emanated off him. They were blue, and soon every treetop in view radiated the same hue. Ted struggled to maintain footing as the earth churned, roots loosing their grip and finding fresh footholds. Wooden limbs quickened with life as more and more space was made. Finally, the tumult died down, and a long, narrow glade was formed. A regular lovers' lane.
"Practically the same shade of romance as 'moving mountains'. After you." Ted looked very pleased with himself.
no subject
"...In my world, fairies are often childlike, innocent and endlessly annoying. And I understand that in yours, they tend to be the opposite. While I don't entirely enjoy that title, perhaps I may understand why you've forced it on me..."
====
Satori didn't quite mind the walk into the wilderness, nor any sort of wilderness itself. Once upon a time, she had wandered through forest and mountain alike with her younger sister, after all. She kept a curious eye on him as he pulled out a pokeball and asked his leafy friend to clear a path for the pair, and while she was quite annoyed by his previous actions, this left her the tiniest bit impressed. For once, something Ted hadn't failed at doing on this 'date' of theirs.
"Moving trees isn't quite as impressive as mountains, Ted, but you've made quite a show of it. If you keep this up, I may not be as displeased by your earlier transgressions..."
Satori moved ahead of the Fool, as requested and keeping an eye out in case there was some sort of strange catch involved in moving part of a forest for their amusement. Surely, especially in Fayren, wasn't anything else guarding this greenery, like a fairy or some kind of nature spirit?
no subject
Ted was being either myopic or generous, depending on one's own generosity when it came to fairies. His mind went to the rosier kind: the godmothers. Though in Satori's case he might amend that to "fairy mother-in-law". Truthfully most earthen fairies were playfully mischievous at best and outright malicious at worst, with most folklore devoted to keeping humanity as warded from them as possible. But Ted's a happy man, who assumes fairy tales--the kind of stories he likes best--are named such for good reason.
"They certainly got up to more than their fair share of mischief on Earth; until they're old enough to become godmothers, I suppose. One gets the impression that even the fay have growing up to do." It bore a resemblance to what Koishi told him of harmful Youkai needing age and time before they could change their cruel natures.
He continued to laugh and be pleasantly entertained by Satori's modest approvals. Her vocabulary pleased him not a little, talking about absolution and transgression. She spoke like a believer; Ted optimistically thought it might not take much to make one out of her. He was relieved to find not a single scold from Fayren's Guardian about the wanton restructure of its greenery. Blithely optimistic, Ted suspected no chiding from nature herself either. How could she object when one of her own, bark of her bark, made the move? He'll just have to remember to put things back the way they found it.
But for the most part, he occupied himself with scenery and daydreams, falling largely silent as they made their way through the lane. He did, after all, promote the middle stage of their journey as a time refreshing quiet (give or take Trevenant's showmanship), and would let Satori enjoy the relapse into relative solitude. Besides, someone told him once that nature walks and conversation were at odds.
Once they'd traveled fifteen minute's distance into the heart of the woods, Ted decided now was as good a time as any to get things started. Out came the blankets and vittles. The spread was simple, but varied. None of the offerings had ever touched a modern cooking appliance, for Ted had no regular access to that kind of heat or electricity. Sandwiches, salads (fruit and vegetable), cheese cubes, and so on. Thanks to the internet, Ted had a never-ending supply of novel recipes to try out, each stranger than the last. Having never done something before gave him more courage, not less, and it showed in the unusual fare. But then, he wasn't sure he could quite match Gensokyo's own odd variety. At the very least, he can play host for her this time around. "Dig in."
This may be the last time today Strength has rest from The Fool's words. Even he knows better than to talk with his mouth full.
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The comparison was indeed quite apt, though, she noted. She felt he needed another little reminder...
"That said: Don't expect me to grant you any wishes or offer you favours, Ted. Not, at least, until you are deserving of them. And I say this as both a friend and one who isn't human. There is only so much in my power, even as Guardian, that I can accomplish. And as a human, your best qualities are seen through struggle and persistence."
Satori eventually deigned to take a seat at their picnic spot when she figured she'd quite finished. All too politely, she pressed her hands together before her face - a gesture not unlike prayer - but under a much different context.
"In my homeland, there is one tradition humans and youkai share - to be thankful for a meal, whether alone or offered by others. Perhaps where you come from, such a practice goes by another name. But, out of respect, for your surprisingly tolerable afternoon..."
A phrase that even Youkai remember in order to give praise before a meal.
"いただきます..."
And within seconds, she reached for the food...
"Knowing you, you'd presumably launch into some long devotion. But knowing what I know, Gods aren't always that capricious, to be angered so easily."
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Turnabout is fair play, Ted thought, as he found Satori's confirmations the first thing to annoy him that day. There wasn't much that Ted didn't like to talk about, though reminding him of some eternal antagonism between their two respective races certainly qualifies. Such fatalism nearly turned him off of Youkai altogether, had Koishi not offered something to the contrary. If he hears the tautological phrase "we are what we are" one more time, Satori would have a food fight on her hands. Few things irritate an idealist so much.
He'd just have to avenge himself in kind. "Persistence, eh? I confess my sex isn't quite so skilled at nagging. But if that's the way, then it is what it is."
He had to laugh as Strength beat him to the devotional punch. "I would? Well, I'd hate to disappoint you then." Saying grace was something he would've forgotten, had Satori not reminded him. He kept it short, however, as per scripture. "Yes, fortunate for both of us that the Lord is slow to anger."
Bread broken, Ted took a moment to think out the last event he had planned today. "Suppose I'll start asking, incessantly if need be, for something now. Strength, where is Fayren's highest point? Where does the earth kiss the sky?"
AFTER A THOUSAND YEARS, I'M FREE! (No seriously)
She didn't quite like Ted, but his earnest honesty bordering on stupidity was hard to DISlike, either. And worse still, his tenacity to bring out the best in people was familiar.
"Before I answer that...despite how I constantly claim that youkai and humans are at odds, there is a woman in my world who, like you, wishes to bring all together, regardless of species or antagonism. In a world whose basis is formed around interactions between Youkai and Humans, this feels like folly."
Another tilt, this time of her third eye, gazing into his human eyes, dilating a little bit.
"While she is a Buddhist and you are a Christian, perhaps the pair of you would get along with your idealism much better than a jaded old monster that I am."
Something about that sequence of words, that turn of phrase, suggested deprecating humour. Or at least, something approaching it.
"...As for the highest point in Fayren? If I had a preference..."
Well, might as well let him indulge at least one of her passions.
"I would scale the highest mountain near Fayren. The higher the view, the better. And if not a mountain, whatever else is closest to one."
*chinhands*
"Will you take us there, then? You may fly me there yourself, if you like. I hear you Youkai are stronger than you look. That, please you, should be our final stop for the day."