(Open) Come on, choose one. You mustn't be afraid.

[faithfulflame]

Who: Rei Hino faithfulflame & You! This is open!
When: 2/1-2/6 (7/10-7/18)
Where: All over Cerealia. Entertainment District, Shopping District, Residential District, Research District
What: Rei goes out to check on some people, take care of some business/be social, and spend time with various people.
Rating/Warning: None save maybe language? Will update as needed.

---

I. Residential District:

[Today there's a young woman walking rather briskly through the winding streets of the residential areas. She's got something on her mind, a focus and more than a few worries weighing on her of late. There are questions she has, and people she needs to talk to. If it happens that she brushes past you on the street, there may even be a palpable sense of heat following her despite the chill. Her control is slipping, and she needs to get answers and information.

She's heading for specific apartments, preceded by a simple text message request to speak. Athena Cykes, Nonon Jakuzure, Simon Blackquill and England can all expect to hear from Rei at some point, but there are other people she's checking up on. CR can assume they're on this list, I cannot list all of you!


II. CERES Gym:

[Rei's kendo training is coming along well, and she's showing up at the gym even when she doesn't have classes with Sousei to practice both that and her archery, sometimes late into the evening. Her hands are steady as she holds the shinai, and her eyes are focused on each target she looses an arrow at. To an experienced observer she's much more comfortable with the bow, but she's seemingly taking to the bamboo sword rather quickly. Sweat and hard work may not be particularly dignified, but given how insane everything's been lately? She's willing to just give up on that for now.

Hard at work, she may not notice observers until she pauses, or practically sinks down next to a water cooler. Grab her however!]


III. Research District:

[Realizing that her control is in fact slipping and has for a day or so, Rei makes her way to the hospital to get a quick checkup. It's not that she's worried she's overdoing it...but she is, and she's hardly foolish enough to let the signs of stress go unanswered.

After her checkup, she heads out of the medical facility wearing a very severe frown, looking around and hoping she's not going to run into anyone she knows. That's probably not the case, knowing her luck, but she can hope, right?]


IV. Shopping District/Auto Shop:

[This is a bit of a whim of hers, but one she's decided to indulge. It's not like she can't afford something nice, and after the scare with the buses and trains recently it has a bit more practical application. So, here she is, browsing the selection of motor-bikes available. She's actually considering it seriously, simply to have an alternate way to work.

Look out roads...]


V. Closed to Minako Aino:

[The Shopping District was something alright. The selection of things to eye-shop and possibly by rivaled and probably exceeded downtown Tokyo, but Rei'd never quite admit it. She'd also never admit to Minako that she was letting all this stress and worry get to her, but it seemed the blonde had picked up on that without prompting. At least, that was what the raven-haired priestess had assumed when she'd been told that they were going out that evening for shopping and dinner, so that Rei could 'Loosen up a bit!'

And with no choice in it and the matter settled, here they were, outside a large department store. Just before Valentine's Day...]

Comments

[psycholawgy]

I'm at Simon's. [ is all she replies with, which pretty much means that Rei is more than welcome to visit. She is, of course, unknowing that Rei also has some business with Simon. But perhaps it's when Simon's out or something that Rei catches Athena at the apartment. ]

[faithfulflame]

[It isn't surprising, all things considered. Athena and Simon were obviously close. But she does wait until Simon is out to come by. Not because she didn't like him (she did, actually quite a lot.) but because she had a secret to share that wasn't Simon's.]

Knock knock!

[psycholawgy]

[ By the time Rei visits, her wounds have been healed, so Athena's walking fine now. It's as if nothing happened to her the past days. ]

Hey there, [ she says, as the door slides open. ] Any kind of tea you prefer?

[ Of course she'd serve the guest tea before anything else! But she'll take some from her stash and not simon's... who knows what he might do if he finds some of his tea misplaced. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Wounds being healed is an improvement. The meeting had her worried, as had Athena's general absence from Rei's life for the last few days.]

Tea? Oh. Jasmine, if you have it?

[The smoother flavor was supposed to make it easier to talk after, and she had a lot on her mind. And a lot that needed to be shared.]

I hope you're feeling better? I've been a bit worried, you know.

[psycholawgy]

[ Athena is going to prepare some tea for Rei, then. And while she's doing that, she'll answer Rei's question. ]

I'm fine now. Physically, anyway. And Simon's been helping me feel better too... Ryuko worries me a lot, though.

[ This is all said with a very sunny smile, too. ]

[faithfulflame]

Physically fine is a start.

[She nods to the collection of swords along the wall. Simon was a strange man. But she liked him well enough.]

Ryuko-chan worries me too. Because it doesn't seem like something she'd do. None of that does.

[psycholawgy]

Actually...[ she starts off with that, but hesitates. It's probably better not to discuss it. ]

[faithfulflame]

Athena...

[Rei's eyes sharpen.]

I'm worried too. Please, tell me what you know.

[It's not as if she's never killed anyone. But then, Athena doesn't know that...]

[psycholawgy]

It's... none of my business. You should ask Nonon.

[ She really can't deal with people when she's in this state, and she tries to shut herself away from everybody as much as she can. It's nothing personal. ]

[faithfulflame]

Athena Cykes.

[No honorific, and using her last name? She's serious.]

I will speak to Nonon-san later, but for now I'm here with you. And I'm worried about you as much as I am her. Don't shut me out like that.

[Rei moves closer, one fist clenched. This was a tactic she knew well, one she'd used herself. When you were hurt and afraid it was only natural to pull back into one's shell.]

I did that for years, before I met Usagi-chan. Before...everything happened at home. I know I cannot force you to say anything, but don't...just...don't be like me.

[psycholawgy]

[ But shutting out is how she copes... this is a side of Athena Cykes that Rei has never met before. ]

I'll be fine later on. This is just a phase, you know?

[faithfulflame]

[There's no point in prying at this, Rei knows it. And in a way is reminded of herself. It was pointless then, and all it would accomplish is hurt feelings and frustration. So she makes a very conscious decision to move on.

But, she makes very certain to give Athena's shoulder a good squeeze. A little 'I'm here if you need me' squeeze.]

I'm going to talk to Ryuko-chan later on. [A pause.] But enough about that, I guess. If you need me, I'm here, okay? And I brought something.

[She gestures to the basket.]

Open it.

[psycholawgy]

Thank you, Rei... I'm just sorry for how I am right now.

[ She looks puzzled as she gazes as the basket, but does what she's told. ]

[faithfulflame]

Don't apologize for being you.

[The inside of the basket is stuffed to the rim with sweet foods. Cookies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls to pure for this world, and small cakes too.]

I baked you a few things. I thought you could use them.

[psycholawgy]

[ this is all so sweet, that athena begins to cry. but she quickly dries her tears with her sleeves. ]

Thank you... Thank you, Rei.

[ She sets the basket on a nearby table and hugs Rei. ]

[faithfulflame]

[A little surprised, Rei returns the hug awkwardly. Patting Athena's back, she holds her close.]

There there. It's alright. I'm just glad I could help in a small way.

[psycholawgy]

Thank you...

[ she's still crying, but her smile is so genuine. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei lets out a small laugh and hugs tighter one more time before pulling back, hands on her shoulders.]

You're such a sweet girl. I know it's hard and you've been through a lot. But I know everything will be fine. Ryuko-chan will be fine, and I'll be here to look after you when you need it, okay?

[There may be an uncharacteristic firmness to her voice, a certainty and zeal to her words.]

[psycholawgy]

[ Mm, she just nods somberly, thanking Rei again before letting go. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei takes a step clear and shakes her head. And then a hint of resolve enters her voice, changing topics for a minute to lighten the mood.]

Athena-chan, I also…I wanted to ask you for some advice on something. Maybe you can help, maybe not, but I’m bad at expressing my feelings, and I know that.

[A beat.]

What would you get someone you liked, for Valentine’s Day?

[psycholawgy]

Advise on this...? [ she blinks curiously. she's never been on a real date before, and... she's just starting things out with simon. . . ]

Um, flowers, and chocolate? Wine? And something handmade, so it's more sincere.

[faithfulflame]

Okay. Would you say...clothing would be appropriate too? If you...knew the person really well, let's say?

[Yes, she remembers Athena's had no time for love but this is a poll. she's asking more than one person.]

[psycholawgy]

I guess it's important if you're going out on a date... but otherwise, just wear something smart casual?

[faithfulflame]

Oh, I...meant as a gift. But yes, that makes sense.

[psycholawgy]

Oh! You want to give clothes as a gift?

That's kinda weird, isn't it?