[Log/Open] Waiting, But Not for a Miracle.

[satori_komeiji]

What strange notion would have made Satori take the air, like this? 

It's a rare sight to see the mind-reading and semi reclusive Guardian out and about. Much less finding herself on a rather high point in Fayren. Such heights reminded her of home, just as the depths of the earth did. An intrepid observer, or merely someone who has caught sight of this oddity might notice several other curious things. Satori can be seen drinking out a flask. Of what she might be drinking, it's clear that it's warm and steaming out of the inside of the container. Upon closer inspection, she's also curled up in what appears to be a heavy quilt. 

And that's to say nothing of the veritable spectacle of the dour youkai surrounded by a veritable Disney Princess's worth of friendly animals, some of them curled by her lap, her feet and her sides. The look of her face suggested otherwise. She wasn't going to sing about how she wanted more. She was fine as she was, thank you.

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[blackparagon]

Xander, meanwhile, had gone out for an exercise. Lately he had taken to climbing the hills to keep himself in greater shape. He's a cavalier first and foremost, but he won't forego the chance to keep his lower body in just as good shape as his upper body in the event he can't get to a horse. Not to mention it works wonders for his endurance.

There was also a spot Xander had discovered that looked over the city, and one he liked to admire as he took a break. He wasn't used to such opportunities in Nohr, not with the walls surrounding and dividing Windmire and the dreary skies that were all too common in his kingdom.

However, he wasn't the first one to reach the spot today. To his surprise, he found someone else sitting there. Stranger still, she was surrounded by wild animals. Perplexed, he came to a stop and watched for a moment. He just had to take in the odd scene before he did anything else. His thoughts further confirmed his confusion and curiosity.

Things have been busy as heck, these days. Excuse me! *brings defibriliators!*

[satori_komeiji]

Without looking at the Nohrian, the youkai pulled the quilt around her body a little more and placed what appeared to be a hungry squirrel into her lap. The small animal continued nibbling on a piece of fruit as Satori took yet another drink from the flask and asked...

"Must you always ask for an explanation?"

A question to a question, hm? She paused as she adjusted her posture a little and finally turned about to watch the man. But, of course, she was replying to his thoughts, not his words. After a moment, she redirected herself to look into the distance, again.

"It's obvious why I'm here. This view brings peace, no matter who scales it, so I've heard. It's never quite gone wrong."

The squirrel runs off, only to hop over to Xander and quietly paw at his leg. Satori looked apprehensive. She realized what was going on and just about turned that look into a dissatisfied one.

"Gods above, don't you start..."

Was she talking to Xander...or the squirrel?

It's fine! I don't mind having to wait a bit.

[blackparagon]

"What?"

Xander stared at Satori, eyes wide. Here he hadn't even said a word yet, and she was acting as though he had spoken to her. Confusion is apparent both in his face and in his mind.

"I beg your pardon, but I hadn't even said anything yet. How did you know I was..."

He trailed off as he pondered what had just happened, watching the squirrel paw at his leg. It was the first time a wild animal had come up so close to him, but he made no moves toward it. At any rate, she had managed to accurately predict what he was wondering. Was she able to hear his thoughts?

The idea seemed outright far-fetched to Xander. Not even the best magicians in all of Nohr had ever been able to create a spell to read someone's mind. No, this wasn't the realm he called home, but still, such an ability was extraordinary to him.

But what if it's true? Concern builds within his mind. However, he doesn't seem to be afraid. More than anything, he's curious. Finally, he does speak aloud again.

"I beg your pardon. I had not meant to intrude. You're right about the view here, though. I've come here often myself since I arrived."

His politeness, at least, is genuine.

Getting my A game back! o/

[satori_komeiji]

Satori just tilted her head at him a bit at his confusion. She was used to this. The initial panic was often unpleasant for the mind-reader to notice, but his fear was rather fresh, his dread quite ripe. Even this little bit might be nourishing.

"You are intruding just as much as I am. You're quite welcome to stay, if it pleases you. And, of course, you aren't too troubled by my being here. Natural wonders, so to speak, belong to everyone."

Rather bluntly, however, she decided to save the poor man the trouble of speculation...

"To stop that incessant anxiety: Yes. I'm able to hear your thoughts. There isn't much need to panic about it, even if you humans dislike having your 'privacy' exposed. While magic, in my world and yours, is most likely a wondrous thing, nothing it can do will quite compare to latent telepathy."

She takes yet another sip of the flask as the squirrel returns to her lap. A confused bird hops about, unable to remember where Satori's arm was. A small nudge from the youkai, and it was back on her shoulder.

"Your honesty is commendable, Xander of...Nohr."

She took a moment to consider how that place felt just by saying it.

"...What an unusual place to call home. Though, I dare say it's no worse than mine. All I ask is that your good nature will hold."

[blackparagon]

"I see. I'm grateful you were willing to confirm it for me." After all, confirmation was better than speculation. Xander willed himself to relax. He stepped up closer to the view, and thus Satori, and gazed out himself.

"It's quite different from Fayren, but in some ways, it's similar. I'm far more used to it than the infrastructure of the other four cities." Fayren, on the other hand, was much closer to the medieval fantasy of his home, though much more bountiful -- as though someone had created a land using Nohrian culture and the environment of the neighboring military power, the kingdom of Hoshido.

"As for my intentions, I only wish for peace." After years of hostility between Nohr and Hoshido, Xander had been left with tremendous appreciation of peace. It was one of the things he appreciated about this realm, even if it wasn't entirely peaceful.

"However, would you be willing to introduce yourself? I'd appreciate knowing how to address you."