deontology | IC » Character Inbox

Alright. Then, I’ll start with a question or two, so I understand just how to go about this.

[Rei pauses slightly, looking Sousei right in the eyes, her own sharp and focused on him. She’s trying to get a read for his emotions, now, focusing more heavily than ever on her spiritual empathic gift.]

Do you believe in magic, and do you believe in reincarnation? And not onmyōdō, other magic.

[He's calm in response to her questions, nodding simply. It'd be silly of him to disbelieve in reincarnation when he's seen it happen for himself, and here he's seen magic other than onmyōdoō as well. The world truly is a vast place, when it comes down to it.

Who is he to say these things can't exist?]

Yes. I have seen these things with my own eyes.

[He knows she's building up to something, but... reincarnation, huh?]

Good.

[Reaching down into her bag she pulls out, of all things, a map of the Solar System. Setting it down, she turns it to Sousei.]

I...don't recall how much of this would be familiar to someone from your time. But this is relevant, so I'll go over it. [She taps each planet in turn and names them in English, Mercury all the way to Pluto, before circling back and laying a nail on the moon.]

But this is the collection of planetary bodies around the sun. Do you follow so far?

[... Yeah, he's not particularly familiar with astronomy. He got a good education, a very good one for his time, but that doesn't mean that he knows the sorts of things that people from later times know.

This is basic so far--so so far, he nods.

Otherwise, he'll just continue to watch, and let her carry on with her explanation, because for the life of him he can't figure out how planets, reincarnation and magic all fit in together.]

The easiest way to explain this is in the form of a story.

[A beat.]

A long, long time ago, each of these planets, and the moon had a kingdom living on them. A kingdom of magic and technology as advanced as Cerealia. The inhabitants of all but Earth were largely immortal, sustained by magic. And they all worked together, save Earth, as allies under the guidance of the Moon Kingdom and their queen, Serenity. This time was referred to as the Silver Millennium, some...five hundred thousand years before our epoch.

[...That's admittedly a little difficult to grasp. A civilization on the moon....? Five hundred years before? He blinks, once and then again, and then shakes the thoughts out of his head.

He's just going to have to accept it, really; he's seen things he can't explain here, and he's already in a completely alternate world. There's only so much he can scoff at, at this point.]

... I see. I believe I understand so far. [Sort of.]

Good. I wouldn’t want to lose you.

[Tapping her fingers on the side of her cup, she ponders how to proceed. Eventually, she settles on the obvious: to continue the tale as just that.]

During the Silver Millennium, there were princesses associated with each planet, and the moon. Rulers of their respective worlds, gifted with power and wisdom to fight the enemies of this united kingdom. They were goddesses, governing aspects and elements, and they had centuries to become skilled warriors and leaders. In time the first four, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter were all sent to live on the moon to act as guardians and companions for the Princess of the Moon, also named Serenity and a powerful object called the Ginzuisho. The others, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto remained on the outskirts of the solar system to watch for external threats.

[It’s here she’ll pause, looking to see if Sousei is still with her.]

[Honestly, losing him is a very real possibility as he listens to all of this. Goddesses, gifted with power? He's naturally never heard of any of this, but...

It's very clearly her reality, so it isn't like he really has the room to say it's impossible.

After a moment of ruminating on that, he finally nods. He thinks he's got it, as much as he can, anyway.]

Well, what happened next is where the story really gets started. The princess of the moon went to Earth, where she met and fell in love with the prince of the Earth. Things were actually quite pleasant for a while, as Serenity and Prince Endymion and the four Guardian Princesses lived happily. The Prince's guardians, the Four Heavenly Kings, were present as well.

Times were generally good, as these things go.

[But, as her voice may indicate, things changed.]

[That was all background information, huh.......

Still, he knows how stories go, and he tone makes it plenty obvious as it is. And so, pressing the terms into memory ("Guardian Princesses", "Four Heavenly Kings") he nods simply.]

What went wrong?

Metallia.

[It's a name Rei only half says out loud, and her voice is full of a kind of dread, as if the name itself is cursed.]

A demon that lived in the sun, a powerful and evil force of Chaos. It sought to gain control over the Moon Kingdom and the magical power held there, and it did so by spreading darkness into the hearts of humankind. It...did something, corrupted a human sorceress named Beryl, who in turn used her connections and power to twist the Four Heavenly Kings into servitude.

A war broke out between Earth and the Moon, and...it went badly. The prince, Endymion, was slain in battle and the princess took her own life in her despair. The Queen and the Guardian Princesses all turned their power against Metallia and Beryl, barely managing to seal them away...but the damage was too great. [Rei swallows.] One of the Outer Guardians, Princess Saturn, the Goddess of Death and Rebirth came and ended the conflict. Decisively.

She used her power to unmake everything, and the Queen used her power to ensure than the nine Guardians would be reborn together.

[A beat.]

And so the end of the Silver Millennium came to pass.

[A demon, huh... That's believable enough to him, consider the Yamainu's entire purpose is to take on the Orochi. Such things can really ruin everything--as seems to be the case here. So he nods understandingly, expression calm. It's a grim story, honestly. Unmaking everything...

That's a harsh fate.

But he can see where this is going, he thinks. Reincarnation...]

Then I take it these nine Guardians have been reborn together. [And that Mars is one of them?]

[She nods slowly, and reaches into her jacket to pull out a small red wand.]

Correct. And as you might have guessed, I'm one of them. I can change into my past self with this, to draw on my divine power.

... Yes, I believe I understand--or as much as one can understand without being a larger part of the situation.

[There's only so much he can understand, but he has the gist of it, at least.]

And your goals? To protect people, naturally, but also...?

Peace.

[What other goal is there, really? It's always been about peace, and protecting that peace.]

And, I suppose the return of the Silver Millennium.

...Hm, yes, that is unsurprising.

[It's about what he expected, after hearing all of that. And even if it's a big goal, it's not as though Sousei's going to argue that it can't be done.

He's prefer to believe that it can.]

It is an honorable reason to fight. Though yours is a different Japan from my own, I will nonetheless be looking forward to your success.

All it takes now is a little patience.

[Rei smiles, but it's wan, thin.]

We've...completed our trials, really. And we know our future, and where it will lead.

[...hm.

Maybe, much like his own world's history, it's best not to inquire too deeply about the future. Such a thing only causes trouble in the end, really.]

Is that so... That does not mean you are finished fighting for it, does it?

[Regardless of what sort of fight it is now, physical or trials or just continuing to strive for something better.]

It's a strange thing, but... our last battle? We defeated a dark god, for lack of a better word. Galaxia, a powerful being of Chaos. And we were told by another, a being so ancient that I have no words to describe her, that none would interfere again.

So, it's now a matter of patience and building our own power. And in four years time, Serenity and Endymion will claim the throne of Earth and reforge the Silver Millennium. A little odd, knowing the end, but it is nice, in a way.

[A dark god, huh........]

...I see. Then you have accomplished the task you've set out to do, as much as you currently can. Is that correct?

It is, yes. Time will do the rest.

[There's a pause as he absorbs all of that.

And then he nods.]

I believe I understand your story now. Thank you for taking the time to share it with me. [and now he understands her transformations as well.]

I take it you would prefer that I continue to refer to you as separate entities. [Mars and Rei, that is.]

I would, as...while we are one and the same, or near enough? I'd prefer to keep my identity and hers separate. For my own safety, should one of our old foes arrive.

That is fine. Now that I know, I will be certain to do so.

[It's a simple enough request, and it makes sense. He'll protect her anonymity and keep her secrets; if nothing else, he's trustworthy enough for that.]

Is there anything else?

Just two more small notes. First, if you hear anyone asking about something called Ginzuisho, please let me know immediately. That means in all likelihood, they're an enemy.

[And that's just...not a good thing.]

And second, in the most recent batch of arrivals, a friend of mine came. Minako Aino. She's a little different than I am, and not a miko. All the same, if you see her around, say hello and look out for her? She's...a little absentminded at times.

IC » Character Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Rei actually likes storytelling...sorry if this is convoluted.

No this is beautiful, don't worry about it!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)