(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

[faithfulflame]

[Well, it's not like the priestess feels any less so...]

I've driven them once or twice, but I'm definitely thinking about it. It'd be convenient, and probably safer when glitches have public transit down.

[Someone almost got eaten by a ghost last time okay?]

[journaler]

[Another someone got stuck walking the rest of the way to the Entertainment District--and then had to spend the night there, with ghosts, so she feels this.]

Hopefully that doesn't become a regular thing. It makes sense though, to be prepared.

If only they weren't so expensive...

[faithfulflame]

They're not so bad...

[Rei shut it, you took a high paying job!]

But the prices vary so much, and I only know the very basics of what's offered. Still cheaper than a car, and I've never driven a car before.

[journaler]

[Look, Leia has to start thinking about rent and also did not take a high-paying job, SO...!! It's expensive. As much as the urge strikes her though, she really can't see herself riding it full time, or maintaining it...

Which also costs money.]

Why not ask? I'm sure someone can make you some recommendations. [Someone who's not a robot, preferably... Leia looks around at the staff.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei nods at the suggestion, agreeing.]

Archer recommended this one. [She points it out.] I just haven’t bought it yet, I’m still going through my budget. I’m able to afford it, with maintenance and fuel, but I’m still stuck on whether it’s worth the expense or not. It’d…cut into my valentine’s spending for sure.

[journaler]

Oh, man... tough choice.

[She looks over the one that's Archer-approved, though they all look the same to her... so she can't comment. It's nice, though? (Nice and expensive.)]

Do you have a date already?

[faithfulflame]

[Forgetting momentarily about the bike, Rei flushes scarlet.]

I...might? I'm not sure. It's a little complicated.

[journaler]

[Leia gasps at seeing a reaction like that. She just can't help it! She's grinning like she hit the nail on the head.]

Really? Is it really that complicated or do you just not want to tell me?

[Not that she would blame her if it were the latter.]

[faithfulflame]

I mean, I really don't mind telling you?

[You are a friend, she does like you!]

But I don't know for sure. I mean, I think I like her. She knows that, and we're friends from home. But we're trying to sort out what it all means. Because it's...confusing when you've been friends for years.

[journaler]

[... Ah. Ah--

Now that's something Leia can relate to, if the way she suddenly freezes up is any indication. The teasing stops, and there's just a hint of red to her cheeks too as Jude's smile flashes across her memory.

Their first night here on the colony, and what she did to him... that hadn't helped. But she's lucky, since there isn't much to sort out in this case.

He already made his choice.]

Yeah, I know what you mean.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei's eyes flicker to meet Leia's, and she cants her head to the left, studying the other's.]

Similar experiences, then?

[Most people probably had those experiences, but then Rei wasn't most people. She was awkward about this, and only just warming to the idea of wanting to be romantically involved with anyone. It took four years of closeness to get there, and she's still in over her head.]

[journaler]

[Leia snaps out of it quickly at the observation, and is just as quick to laugh it off. It's been over a year now.]

Something like that.

It's just... what you said reminded me of my best friend, too. When I was little, all I ever wanted to do was work at his dad's clinic so I could see him all the time. I got a job there as a nurse once I was healthy enough, and I loved it, too! It was super rewarding, but I don't think I would've ever done it if it wasn't for him.

[He inspired her to be a better person in a lot of ways. She would've never admitted it back then, but thinking back, maybe it wasn't so bad. After all, there are always worse people she could fall for.

At least she chose a do-gooder.]

Guess I was good at making convenient excuses, even back then.

[faithfulflame]

So, you...like this person too?

[Rei takes in that whole story with a half smile. A year ago she'd have scoffed, but she's had time to grow less bitter. Age has been kind to Rei Hino, it's given her a bit more foresight, and opened her heart to so many things.]

Do they return your feelings?

[journaler]

I--

[Yikes. It begins to hit her that she's said a lot already. Maybe too much, so she doesn't answer the first question (she'd made it pretty obvious anyway). This is pretty embarrassing stuff, and she was naive to think she could leave it at that.

Rei seems engaged and curious rather than dismissive and teasing, though. She's not sure how to take it.]

Well, no, not... exactly...

[She can't even say that she doesn't know, which is the worst part.]

B-But this was all a really long time ago anyway.

[Why... did she bring it up again, exactly?]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei is seeking advice, not teasing. she's not meanspirited, especially when it comes to things she needs advice on...]

Oh...well, I...hope things worked out for the best?

[journaler]

Thanks...

[She seems a bit relieved, and encouraged by the simple words.]

I think we turned out just fine. I bet you and your friend can, too.

[faithfulflame]

Well, that's where I'm getting a little stuck.

[Rei half-smiles, half purses her lips.]

We're trying to figure out how we feel about...becoming more. IF that makes any sense.

[journaler]

It sounds like you guys have been talking about it. That seems like a good first step to me.

[......Right?]

[faithfulflame]

It does. I just wish...well, I wish it wasn't so confusing.

[journaler]

Just give it a little time. A lot can happen in a couple short weeks, and things might be clearer then.

[faithfulflame]

True enough, I suppose.

[She chuffs a weak laugh.]

I just...hah, it's a little strange because we live together, I guess. But then, we've been close for a long time

But hey, why don't you tell me about the person you like? You've never mentioned them?

[journaler]

[She can't imagine what it'd be like living with Jude. On the one hand, she'd probably he happy, but on the other, she wonders if the distance from him has actually helped over the past year or so.

...Leia scratches at the back of her neck sheepishly, looking indecisive as she sways.]

He's... my best friend. [She quickly realizes that she already said that, but how else do you describe it?] He's kind, and caring, and he always thinks about others... but we are what we are.

He found someone else who's beautiful and just as selfless as he is. That's all.

[faithfulflame]

Well...

[Rei smiles gently and reaches out, putting a hand on Leia's shoulder. She understands now. Someone Else.]

I'm still sorry that he doesn't return your feelings. At least, that way.

[journaler]

[... Haha. It's only now that she realizes, she's never really talked about her feelings that openly before. No one had asked, and until now, she never saw any reason to say anything.

Maybe she made a mistake. She still doesn't see why she should've burdened Rei with all that, when she's obviously got her own feelings to worry about, but she can't take back her words now.

Darn. She's still weak after all this time, huh?]

Thanks. I can't believe I said all that. Now I'm totally embarrassed. [She laughs it off, wiping at her eyes. Jokingly:] Why didn't you stop me?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei's hand tightens a bit, holding firm and giving the blonde girl's shoulder a little shake before letting go. She understood, in a way, and she flashes Leia a quiet...somewhat sad smile.]

Because I wanted to know more about you, Leia-san. It's alright, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. That does happen, you know.