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glimmeronironSet-up
The great strange experiment of Teleios was coming to end. Even though, Riodan had no prior experience with magic or the multiverse, the defeat of Loki, like many conflicts, did give a sense of closure. Although Teleios was full of surprises, with the sense of closure after battling Loki, he found that when the Two announced that this great game was ending, for once he wasn't surprised. What <em>had</em> taken him aback was the offer of passage to Utopia, and the fact that if they went home they wouldn't remember their time in Teleios.
This infuriated him, he didn't understand why but it did. <em>It wasn't their right to take from his mind, his being like that!</em> It might seem strange that a young man who'd had the sense of self ground right out of him and seeing himself in shame, if at all, would be upset not to forget a time when he'd been captive and toyed with, but he couldn't help the feeling although he tried. Deep in his heart he, in a place he couldn't see or reach, the answer was there. With so much taken from him, and with who he was and what he wanted totally undermined, his experiences were important to him in a way that anchored him in the world. His memories were one of the few things he had that he could hold onto, and he <em>needed</em> them especially when someone had cared for him.
His memories of Nagihiko and Nadeshiko were precious to him, they had befriended him. Nagihiko had become angry on his behalf when he confessed he'd been a slave. Only the people who cared the most for him had had that reaction. They'd played together, that was really rare in his life just pure levity, and they'd worked toward something. It hadn't come to fruition, but it felt good it felt important. And they had both taken turns teaching him to read! Reading was for the important, those that could make changes and had futures, not the shadows of men with status. For the first time he'd felt like he could nurture, he'd felt like a big brother and had grown to love them even in the short time they'd had. When the Two said he could go home, he was relieved, but gutted he'd forget-- forget this amazing experience and forget two friends that had made their mark on him, like he'd never met. Death was common place in his experience, personally and in his world, but this was a loss on a level he didn't want to tolerate, for once he wanted to rail against the Two.
But he'd never had the chance. When he asked to go home, they seemed to sense his impending argument to keep his memories, and magically sent him packing before he could even get started.
Now...
Riodan felt a texture against his cheek and the soft sweet scent of... grass... He opened his eyesand saw his hand laid out before him and he strained to focus on the fuzzy green-ness all around him and the light of the sun in the mild spring day. Once he got things into focus he pushed himself up to kneeling. He flexed his hands they seemed fine and his limbs. He wasn't shaking, and his head or belly didn't hurt, so maybe there was no immediate danger. He touched his chest and found he was still wearing his scale mail and his helmet had sprawled a few feet away. He got to his feet, wiping at the dampness on the knees of his trousers heading over to helmet both absently, when the monumental building finally registered to him. It was a truly massive splendid building stone or brick with a white facade and some many arched windows. The larger section of the building was a good four stories with a massive arched doorway. Above was a smaller portion of another two stories and the whole building was crowned with several steeples glinting in the sunshine. Riodan couldn't help himself and gaped, the largest building he he was in with any regularity was the fortress, but that was easily two times smaller. The architecture and general splendor reminded him of a cathedral, but he hadn't seen even a cathedral this size. He licked his lips and gave an awed.
"Wow!..." At the same time, though a sense of dread settled like a cloud over his heart and bit into his stomach. Teleios hadn't sent him home. Riodan started a little as a small, but friendly and bright voice piped up just off to his right.
At first there was a stream of words of Riodan couldn't understand, a language he'd never heard, or even heard anything like. There was a odd sense of his perception being like water sloshed around in a bowl and he bit his lip and tried to focus, breathing in deeply. Then the words started to make sense...
"Hello there, welcome to Seiyo Academy! A-are you alright? You look lost." Said the little boy, who Riodan guessed was around 8 years old, with big dark eyes and dark brown to black hair he wore something that was strange and yet gave Riodan a sense of careful thought. A white shirt and trousers and a sort of blue closure sash around his neck.
"Uhh,--- Y-yes I'm alright, but um- I do seem to be <em>quite</em> lost. Can you take me to someone who can help me find my way?" He asked feeling both a bit sheepish and shy. But his heart lifted as the boy seemed to have a plan right away.
"Mmm-hmm! I can take you to the Guardians. They can help you, they help everyone!" The boy said as absolute fact. Riodan smiled.
"Thank-you so much."
"This way." The boy prompted starting off. They walked briskly across the expansive lawn and up a manicure pea-graveled walk way. It felt a little odd under his boots and he followed closely on the boy's heels. This place seemed safe, but it was was kempt and <em> ornate </em> in a way that was really alien to him. He gave yet another "Wow" as the boy lead him into a to a great glass house! It shone in the sunshine it was tall and was filled with lush plants. He blinked for a moment, then quickly realized the his guide was talking him.
"Pardon, I-- uh didn't hear that." He said softly.
The great strange experiment of Teleios was coming to end. Even though, Riodan had no prior experience with magic or the multiverse, the defeat of Loki, like many conflicts, did give a sense of closure. Although Teleios was full of surprises, with the sense of closure after battling Loki, he found that when the Two announced that this great game was ending, for once he wasn't surprised. What <em>had</em> taken him aback was the offer of passage to Utopia, and the fact that if they went home they wouldn't remember their time in Teleios.
This infuriated him, he didn't understand why but it did. <em>It wasn't their right to take from his mind, his being like that!</em> It might seem strange that a young man who'd had the sense of self ground right out of him and seeing himself in shame, if at all, would be upset not to forget a time when he'd been captive and toyed with, but he couldn't help the feeling although he tried. Deep in his heart he, in a place he couldn't see or reach, the answer was there. With so much taken from him, and with who he was and what he wanted totally undermined, his experiences were important to him in a way that anchored him in the world. His memories were one of the few things he had that he could hold onto, and he <em>needed</em> them especially when someone had cared for him.
His memories of Nagihiko and Nadeshiko were precious to him, they had befriended him. Nagihiko had become angry on his behalf when he confessed he'd been a slave. Only the people who cared the most for him had had that reaction. They'd played together, that was really rare in his life just pure levity, and they'd worked toward something. It hadn't come to fruition, but it felt good it felt important. And they had both taken turns teaching him to read! Reading was for the important, those that could make changes and had futures, not the shadows of men with status. For the first time he'd felt like he could nurture, he'd felt like a big brother and had grown to love them even in the short time they'd had. When the Two said he could go home, he was relieved, but gutted he'd forget-- forget this amazing experience and forget two friends that had made their mark on him, like he'd never met. Death was common place in his experience, personally and in his world, but this was a loss on a level he didn't want to tolerate, for once he wanted to rail against the Two.
But he'd never had the chance. When he asked to go home, they seemed to sense his impending argument to keep his memories, and magically sent him packing before he could even get started.
Now...
Riodan felt a texture against his cheek and the soft sweet scent of... grass... He opened his eyesand saw his hand laid out before him and he strained to focus on the fuzzy green-ness all around him and the light of the sun in the mild spring day. Once he got things into focus he pushed himself up to kneeling. He flexed his hands they seemed fine and his limbs. He wasn't shaking, and his head or belly didn't hurt, so maybe there was no immediate danger. He touched his chest and found he was still wearing his scale mail and his helmet had sprawled a few feet away. He got to his feet, wiping at the dampness on the knees of his trousers heading over to helmet both absently, when the monumental building finally registered to him. It was a truly massive splendid building stone or brick with a white facade and some many arched windows. The larger section of the building was a good four stories with a massive arched doorway. Above was a smaller portion of another two stories and the whole building was crowned with several steeples glinting in the sunshine. Riodan couldn't help himself and gaped, the largest building he he was in with any regularity was the fortress, but that was easily two times smaller. The architecture and general splendor reminded him of a cathedral, but he hadn't seen even a cathedral this size. He licked his lips and gave an awed.
"Wow!..." At the same time, though a sense of dread settled like a cloud over his heart and bit into his stomach. Teleios hadn't sent him home. Riodan started a little as a small, but friendly and bright voice piped up just off to his right.
At first there was a stream of words of Riodan couldn't understand, a language he'd never heard, or even heard anything like. There was a odd sense of his perception being like water sloshed around in a bowl and he bit his lip and tried to focus, breathing in deeply. Then the words started to make sense...
"Hello there, welcome to Seiyo Academy! A-are you alright? You look lost." Said the little boy, who Riodan guessed was around 8 years old, with big dark eyes and dark brown to black hair he wore something that was strange and yet gave Riodan a sense of careful thought. A white shirt and trousers and a sort of blue closure sash around his neck.
"Uhh,--- Y-yes I'm alright, but um- I do seem to be <em>quite</em> lost. Can you take me to someone who can help me find my way?" He asked feeling both a bit sheepish and shy. But his heart lifted as the boy seemed to have a plan right away.
"Mmm-hmm! I can take you to the Guardians. They can help you, they help everyone!" The boy said as absolute fact. Riodan smiled.
"Thank-you so much."
"This way." The boy prompted starting off. They walked briskly across the expansive lawn and up a manicure pea-graveled walk way. It felt a little odd under his boots and he followed closely on the boy's heels. This place seemed safe, but it was was kempt and <em> ornate </em> in a way that was really alien to him. He gave yet another "Wow" as the boy lead him into a to a great glass house! It shone in the sunshine it was tall and was filled with lush plants. He blinked for a moment, then quickly realized the his guide was talking him.
"Pardon, I-- uh didn't hear that." He said softly.
"No problem, I said the Guardians are probably taking tea together at the moment, but they're very kind and dedicated I'm sure they'll help you right a way. Just go inside." Riodan turned to face the boy and gave him a soft smile.
"Thank-you again, I would have wandered around the grounds for ages if it were for you." The little boy's bid dark eyes lit up with the thanks.
"You're welcome, it's what the Guardians would do, and I hope to become one when I'm older." He explained with pride. Riodan nodded.
"I'm certain you'll be a fine Guardian, you're off to a good start already." He gave a the boy a little wink. The boy beamed and urged him on with a hand wave to the door. Riodan opened the arched glass door and stepped through. The scent of greenery and soil was strong, but nice and the warmth of the glass house was like a caress. He continued into the glass house.
"--- Hello?-- Um pardon for the interruption, I seem to be quite lost and was told that I should seek the Guardians for help?"
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Date: 2017-01-15 04:18 am (UTC)"Just come on in!" she called, bounding out of her seat with all the energy of a hyperactive toddler. "Amu bought cookies! And some of the students made us hot chocolate! That's super sweet of them!"
Amu sighed a bit and rested her face on one fist, to look at the direction the person would be coming from.
Nagihiko was just sitting there, staring in that direction, sure he was mishearing things... wasn't he? He was silent for the moment.
Tadase was keeping a subtle eye on Nagihiko, noticing the change, and wishing Kukai was there.
Rima sipped her cocoa, unimpressed with everything as she worked on her paperwork. She hated working, but it was that or react, and kusukusu was laughing enough for the Guardians to hear, even if their visitor could not.
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Date: 2017-01-15 05:42 am (UTC)His breath hitched and the feeling of it made him twitch. His eyes were bright green in the profuse sunlight of the glass house, and now were huge with surprise.
"N-Nagihiko-- It's you? You're alright! I assumed you were sent home, but there was never a way to know... It's so good to see you!" He closed the distance between himself and Nagihiko in a few strides and took the younger boy's hand, after a half second of hesitation, uncertainty with reality, a bit of shyness whichever both, he enveloped Nagihiko in a hug.
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Date: 2017-01-15 06:22 am (UTC)"I'm fine. I'm fine. How... how are you even here?" How.... And now he had to try to remember... what did Riodan know? About him? About Nadeshiko. How long had it been? Months. Some days Telios felt like a dream, but there was no question now that it was real. Very real.
But how in the world was Riodan here?
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Date: 2017-01-15 06:47 am (UTC)"They let us go, all of us! the Two ended Teleios. They said you could go to Utopia (can you believe that?) or go home. Although they said when we went home we wouldn't remember, any of it." He combed his hand through his hair and exhaled.
"That didn't sit right with me. I didn't want to forget, especially you and Nadeshiko.... Nadeshiko! Your sister, is Nadeshiko here too? I looked for both of you, but in the end I reckoned you'd gone back together. Is she okay? She's not here with you?"
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Date: 2017-01-15 07:53 am (UTC)And then there were the Charas. Kiseki was sitting on Tadase's head seeming like he was above such conversations, when his ear was half the size of his head. Subtle the Charas were not. Ran, Su, and Miki were almost up against NAgihiko's face in their eagerness for an answer. Kusukusu, of course, thought this whole thing was hilarious, and Pepe was singing "Nagi and stranger sitting in a tree"
Nagihiko had never before been so glad that his friend couldn't see or hear the charas. The other Guardians were bad enough. And he couldn't easily pull Riodan aside, not now. And if he invited him over to see Nadeshiko, Amu would insist on coming along, and Tadase and Kukai, claiming they were there to help would come along, which would have everyone coming over, which would be a disaster.
"We didn't want to forget you either," Nagihiko assured him to buy time before he had to answer about Nadeshiko. Time to think.
Time he didn't have much of, to judge from the others... Amu was 'casually' leaning her chair so far back, he was afraid she would fall, and while that would buy him time, it would only be funny if she wasn't actually hurt, and there was no way to guarantee that....
"Nadeshiko is..." out of time. "She's traveling abroad right now, like I did when I was younger. "Learning dances from all around the world. Thanks to our time in Teleios, we have dances to teach no one here had ever heard of or seen, but it isn't fair to chose between us early, even with that."
"Teleios?" Tadase asked.
"Ah.... that's...a bit of a long story....." he said, sheepishly. He was in so much trouble....
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Date: 2017-01-15 08:40 am (UTC)"My apologies to interupt your meeting. I-- I really didn't see this is coming! Any of it at all. Traveling in between the realms of the multiverse, it still seems as ludicrous as the first time I heard it, and yet I seem to have done it twice now!"
He gave Nagihiko a tender smile as he explained he and Nadeshiko didn't want to forget him either. He rubbed the rounds of Nagihiko shoulders with a boisterous, soldier's affection. "Thank-you. I hope I get a chance to see Nadeshiko as well, but just knowing she's well makes me glad."
Luckily for Nagihiko, Tadase's question and Nagi's answer is enough to move him from question about Nadeshiko.
"Oh is it a long strange story! Not something that's supposed to happen, like a dream, but real, a place a physical place, that's elsewhere--."
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Date: 2017-01-15 08:57 am (UTC)She was short. Almost ridiculously so. And the huge poof of hair didn't help. Sitting it wasn't so obvious, but standing... she looked like a toy. Her face was utterly blank of emotion, but she had made enough noise with her chair to guarantee she had everyone's attention. "If we aren't going to get any work done, perhaps we should leave."
Nagihiko breathed out a small sigh of relief. Rima hated when he got any attention, and would throw a small jealous fit. But for the first time ever, it was going to save him from having to explain. If the meeting was breaking up, he could hustle Riodan off.
Rima then added, a flash in her eyes meant only for NAgihiko to see, there then gone instantly, "We should all go and give Nagihiko's best friend the true welcome he deserves, after all. And hear their whole story."
.....Oh. That was her angle this time. Okay, he'd admit that it was well played, but he wasn't without tricks of his own. "I thought you have to go home right after meetings?"
"For something as important as your best friend, I'm sure I could make time, especially as we finished early," she said. The words sounded sweet and sincere. The look in her eyes when she glanced at Nagihiko through her hair said 'checkmate'.
And... they had been so busy squaring off, they had missed the stricken look on Amu's face. "This....this is your best friend?" she asked, trying to sound friendly and supportive and brave, and mostly looking like her knees were kicked out from under her....
Rima looked horrified for just a moment, then a glimpse of sly calculation before she smiled warmly. "PRobably NAdeshiko's best friend too, right?" she asked Riodan too sweetly.
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Date: 2017-01-16 06:34 am (UTC)"I-- uh- it's--"
Nagihiko was quick with a rebuttal. Then Rima was whip quick too, Riodan didn't understand what was going on, but the tension and the feeling that this wasn't unusual between these two was there and the two locked gazes.
Then his glance came to Amu, the pink hair helped point her out, he hadn't seen that before, but the vulnerability in her as she asked after the status of Nagihiko and his friendship. The vulnerability was painfully familiar. He gave a gentle look to Amu and faced her as he started speaking. "I don't think that's how it works, at least not in my experience." He turned to face Rima, "I'm not best anything to anyone." There's not self-pity there, or self depreciation, he's simply stating fact. "I can't measure how I feel about someone."
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Date: 2017-01-16 07:29 am (UTC)Okay, usually he could handle Rima's little games. But this time she had hurt two people who were very very dear to him. And to Nadeshiko. And he would find a way to get back at her for that. But.... first he had to fix this. Somehow. And he hadn't the first clue how. Which of them did he comfort? Who should he reassure?
He wished Nadeshiko were here. What would Nadeshiko say? She would know what to say. His hand went into his pocket and curled around one of the unhatched eggs hidden there. It was Rhythm's, but for a moment he heard Nadeshiko's voice, and Temari's. And he heeded them.
It was dangerous, being that like Nadeshiko as Nagihiko, but he would be careful, and there wasn't any other way.
Nadeshiko would have smiled here, a charming feminine smile. He shrugged instead, at Rima, as though she didn't matter.
The words were Nadeshiko's but they came from Nagihiko, in his own voice. He tried to use tone to keep them sounding more like him than her, but he was aware which of them had the stronger spine.
"Some people have hearts big enough to have more than one best friend," he said simply. Nadeshiko might have apologized to Rima for the fact that the younger girl didn't. Offered syrupy sympathy. He didn't quite have the guts to try and pull that off as Nagihiko.
But he did know how to redirect the conversation from here. There was a moment of dead silence. He broke it.
"Right, Yaya?"
Yaya didn't even realize she was taking a side or helping, as she nodded eagerly. "Of course! My best friends are Pepe and Amu and Tadase and Kukai and NAdeshiko and Rima And Nagihiko and Kairi and Kiseki and Ran and Miki and Su and Kusukusu, and... " it was clear she could go on for a while
Nagihiko grinned a bit. "But if you still want to come out to celebrate with us, Rima.... Riodan is nice enough that I'm sure he'd be happy to have you along."
Tadase had been looking worried, then he was proud, now he was mostly exasperated.
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Date: 2017-01-16 08:17 am (UTC)"I don't want to take away from your tasks, as guardians there must be a lot for you to do. I may need a place to stay though... I'm not sure how long I'll be in town, um so to speak."
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Date: 2017-01-16 08:34 am (UTC)"If you guys can finish the paperwork without me, why don't I get Riodan settled in at my place for now. Amu," since Amu seemed tough but could be emotionally fragile, and because this would tick Rima off royally, "Why don't you come by for a bit after the meeting?" And then to really hammer a blow at Rima, "We can all do a welcome thing for him tomorrow after school, if we do our meeting in the morning instead."
"That sounds like an acceptable plan."
"Re...really?" Amu squeaked, then coughed a bit, and looked more aloof. "I mean... yeah. Okay. I have some time after school."
Yaya flung herself onto Amu's back. "She's exciiiiited! Can Yaya come too?"
"You don't have to babysit?"
Yaya dropped off of Amu's back to sit on the floor, pouting. "I never asked to be the big sister," she sulked.
"Well! Alright, see you later Amu, see you guys tomorrow have fun. Oh, and get home safe, Rima," he said with a smile that seemed warm and genuine.
Rima glared after him as he hustled Riodan towards the exit.
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Date: 2017-01-16 09:10 am (UTC)"Um-- so this huge building out over here is a school?" He asked pointing in the direction of the Academy.
Riodan grinned at the kenetic interaction between Amu and Yaya it was sisterly, something he never really got much chance to see back home.
Riodan let Nagihiko hustle him out without any hesitation and as they went.
"I'm so relieved to see a friendly face- let me tell you-- and not only a friendly face, but one I know and am really happy to see again. And I was ready to admonish Angels of Teleios for being cruel. Maybe not, ha! for once! Or maybe it's all a cosmic happy accident."
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Date: 2017-01-16 09:21 am (UTC)"You can stay with me as long as you need to," he assured his friend. Not an offer Nadeshiko could make, but it was far safer to do it as Nagihiko, with Nadeshiko safely abroad. "And yes, that's Seiyo acadamy, well.. Elementary division. Middle school is on the other side of the trees."
He pointed, but the trees hid the other building. Of course, after two turns they also hid the royal garden.
"Nadeshiko and I..." he took a deep breath as they walked. "When we arrived here without you, we were devastated. Happy to be home... but... She tried to threaten the gods of Teleios with her Naginata to bring you here. We figured no one was listening." She shook his head a bit.
"Nadeshiko was supposed to be abroad now anyway, so that worked out, because she wasn't sure she could smile all the time for our friends, and she didn't want to worry them by seeming sad, since they usually only see her chipper." Or angry.
"But we'll give her a call later, and I'm sure she'll be relieved to hear you are here and safe. I don't know if she'll be able to come back immediately, but you're not going anywhere any time soon. This world is safer for you than any you've ever known. We'll protect you. And besides, once you see the internet, you'll never want to leave," he teased lightly.
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Date: 2017-01-21 10:21 am (UTC)He peered in the direction Nagihiko gestured to. He bit his lip then gave a whistle. "They certainly make things big and beautiful here. I've never seen a building like it. closest comparison is to a fortress! Back home education is for the wealthy, those that can afford tutors, or educated slaves to teach their children. This seems nice, I'd like to see more of it.
Riodan's eyes widened when Nagihiko explained how upset he and Nadeshiko had been find themselves back but alone.
"Oh I'm really glad she didn't go through with threatening the Gods." He gave a wistful tiny smile, "I'm grateful for her concern though." His eyebrows knitted and he frowned as Nagihiko explained that Nadeshiko felt she wouldn't be able to put on a brave face for the other Guardians.
"I'll have to give her a big hug when I see her again. He shook his head slightly at the mention of her coming home. "No, no the journey she's on is important I wouldn't want to interrupt her. It'll be good to talk to here though, her her voice. Maybe I'll be here long enough to see her when she returns? I hope so." Riodan trusted Nagihiko fully, but there was no way he could concieve of the level of safety, which Nagihiko describes, and he's quietly made up his mind to protect the twins, if danger arises. One eyebrow quirks up when Nagihiko mentions the internet. There's a significance to the way he says it that has Riodan curious already.
"Internet?" He frowns in a pondering way. "No, never heard of it. Has it got something to do with fishing? You did say your homeland was an island, right? I- uh can't remember the name you called it though- sorry."
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Date: 2017-01-21 05:16 pm (UTC)And that would start with education, clearly. "I can tutor you on weekends, and while I am at school, I am certain my mother can help you with your studies. Once we get you caught up enough, you could probably enroll in high school. If not, then we'll get you through those lessons as well, so you can take the exams for university. If you want to learn still, we'll help you."
"I'm sure Nadeshiko would love to get that big hug. It'll be up to her, about coming home, but I think you're right about the import, and I think she will see it too. Especially since you're sticking around.
He laughed a bit. "the island is called Japan, but the internet has nothing to do with fishing. Once we finish your lessons in reading you'll be able to explore. It is like a whole world apart, yet a part of this one, but one accessed through words and images and sounds, while you remain physically, safely in this world. It is a tool for learning, and a way to have fun."
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Date: 2017-02-11 09:03 am (UTC)"Understand, but- if there is some help, or work, or something I can do in return it would do my heart well."
Riodan lurched into a sudden stop as Nagihiko went right into plans to tutor him again. He'd been so caught up in the wonder of finding Nagihiko again and seeing his homeland as well, that had even outshone the possibility of learning.
"You would have time to teach me again? I-- I'd treasure that. Me a man of letters! I thought that was something of a lovely dream that disappeared when we were separated."
"This probably sounds odd-- but I'm glad you have your mother." He gave into a nervous embarrassed tick and scratched at the the nape of his neck. “ Not many of my friends back home still have their mums, life if pretty fragile.”
He licked his lips.
“I hope she doesn’t mind a strange man coming to live in her house.”
He chuckled
“In all seriousness though, it’ll be nice to meet her too.”
Riodan was glad his fish-out-of-water-ness was funny rather than grating on his friend. Hopefully that’ll last. He thought.
“Japan.” He tried out the word, feeling relieved it didn’t feel difficult on his tongue.
He blinked a little on listening to Nagihiko’s description of the internet, then rubbed his hand firmly over his mouth and chin trying to hold in all the awe of it all.Teleios, Japan these new places expanded the horizons like nothing he’d ever in countered. The idea of whole different worlds or beings was not outside of Riodan’s experience the church was a constant reminder of Heaven, Hell, Demons and Angels. Country belief gave fae, fae circles, burial mounds, wilo-the-whips. In these new worlds though, they offered a way into these other worlds, portals within portals it seemed like a multi-faceted prism.
“It’s all amazing. I’d like to see that too.”
He gave a rueful little sigh.
“I’m starting to wonder if there’s a bottom to our reality in truth.”
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Date: 2017-02-11 07:52 pm (UTC)He stopped when his friend stopped, and looked to him. "Of course there will be time to resume your lessons. I'm sorry you weren't able to find a teacher after we left. And... we are glad to have our mother and grandmother as well. We treasure them, and they treasure us. Not all of my friends realize how wonderful it is to have parents, though most of them have both still. Tadase gets it, since he lost his grandmother a few years ago. I... am not certain Rima counts as having her parents, honestly. They are still alive... but they don't seem to care about her as much as they should." Says the man whose mother made him dress as a girl for 13 years.
"I'll talk to mom about you staying, she'll be fine with it. You can let her know that Nadeshiko and I were telling the truth about where we had been."
"You will see the internet in time, worry not. All the cat videos you could ever want," he said ruefully. "And one thing I've learned... reality can always get weirder."
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Date: 2017-02-28 09:20 am (UTC)Nagihiko explained treasuring and being treasured by his Mum and Granny. That's something that universal across time and place, Riodan gets it first time around. He looks over to Nagihiko side long, part if him still feeling happy wonder at how he'd come to felt such a brotherly connection with him in such a relatively short time.
"You are a treasure. They're very right."
He frowned a little on hearing of Rima's parents, parental distance wasn't unusual in Britannia, but he'd been lucky not to see it directly in those he cared for.
"That's a hardship for her I'm sure. Perhaps that's why she more towards vinegar than honey?" He observed.
He blinked and gapped a little at Nagihiko saying that he could help convince their mum that they'd spoken the truth on Teleios.
"Oh-- I'll try-- Goodness though! I'm relieved it I haven't had to explain to any of my people back home."
"You're right there's so much to see and do, if the internet won't go anywhere we can get to it when we get to it. There are cats here too?" He gives a grin, he's not surprised actually, but happy to hear it. "I'm glad of it, I like cats. I uh have no clue about videos though, cats don't have those in Britannia."
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Date: 2017-02-28 02:56 pm (UTC)Though the smile turned a bit grim when he spoke next. "The people of your world need quite a bit explained to them. If we ever go there, I'll be happy to do so." There was a darkness to his voice that didn't sound a thing like happiness. His hands curled into fists. He might feel powerless here, in his own world... but there were somethings powers weren't needed for, and standing up for what was right, defending people he cared about.... that was part of him to his core. Nadeshiko too, though her methods differed. she had the power he lacked.
"Yes," he said softly, "There are cats here too. The videos are not inherently part of them, however."
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Date: 2017-03-12 07:42 am (UTC)"You would give them a piece of your mind, I know it. I've thought about it myself a few of times too. I end up mostly asking God. It's the ways that people are just submerged in like fish in the sea."
He can tell his friend is frustrated and feel protective, but he doesn't know the root of it is in feelings of powerlessness, without out his saying so. Although Riodan may not be able to speak of it as clearly, because he can't see how deeply it goes in himself. They have so much in common with the sense of powerlessness and missing a piece of themselves, but it has to be spoken of first.
"I look forward to seeing cats and videos. Are we getting close to your home?"
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Date: 2017-03-12 09:52 am (UTC)"No one, here, there, or anywhere, will hurt you if I am with you. If they hurt you and I am not, come get me. Or Tadase, or Kukai. If you can't find any of us and you are still on this world, there is a girl named Utau. Blond hair, purple eyes, bad attitude. She and her brother are always showing up where they aren't wanted. You tell her you're a friend of the guardians, and that you got hurt because someone figured she and her brother had gone too soft to cause us trouble, and too weak to protect us. She'll know she's being played, but her pride won't let her take it anyway. She'll get you to safety."
"Very close," he said, taking a deep breath, trying, and failing, to calm himself down.
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Date: 2017-04-09 09:01 pm (UTC)He reached out his arm and put it around Nagihiko and fell into step closer with him wobbling a little with their height difference. He squeezed the round of the younger man's shoulder with affection. I'll be alright.
Riodan knew Nagihiko would look out for him. As a trained and tested soldier he does feel pretty confident in his ability to defend himself. However, on the other hand Japan could have many things he might not expect. Also no one gets a title like Guardian without being able to at least hold their own in a conflict.
"Go to Tadase or Kukai." He repeated making sure he had a mental note of the names.
"Utau-- blonde hair- purple eyes- bad attitude." He chuckled and his right eyebrow quirked with his curiosity.
"Sounds like there's a story there."
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Date: 2017-04-10 07:49 am (UTC)"Utau used to fight against my friends. Nadeshiko could tell you more, most of what I know is second hand. Which might be why it is easier for me to accept her than it is for Nadeshiko. She left the people who made her fight us, however, and now hangs around sometimes. She's a singer, and pretty good at it. A little older than we are. But I wasn't kidding about the attitude."
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Date: 2017-04-16 02:56 am (UTC)"So- Nagihiko- you're a student and you're a Guardian to other students at the school? But you fight with other groups, to protect the students? I don't think I've put the pieces together. Is it alright for you to tell me more?"
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Date: 2017-04-16 04:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-04-16 09:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-04-16 10:47 pm (UTC)"But none of the regular students understand how the Guardians are chosen. All kids have an egg in their hearts, their unseen self, yet unseen. For some rare children, those eggs hatch, and we meet our who we want to be. Generally only other children with hatched eggs, or eggs about to hatch can see the eggs or the charas, though really little children can, and animals can. In addition to helping us find who we want to be, these charas give us powers and abilities to work towards that."
"But there is a group of evil people in this world, called Easter. They are looking for one specific heart's egg called the Embryo. And they are willing to crush the hearts and dreams of countless children in order to find it. The Guardians... we fight Easter. We work to protect not just our students, but all children."
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Date: 2017-06-06 08:46 am (UTC)However, when Nagihiko's story turned towards the wondrous, an egg which holds a child's self they wish to be, the charas-- giving powers and abilities to protect the children of their community. His eyes widened and looked at his friend as he spoke now. Easter, searching for a special egg... willing to crush the hearts and dreams of countless children in order to find it. Riodan couldn't conceive of a world without a number of threats, he hadn't imaged Japan to be a utopia, but it sounded like even in a world apart he'd found another friend embroiled in battle. While he on one mental thread he felt concern for Nagihiko, but on another thread there was pride and effection of course he was working to protect the safety and dreams of children, he knew his friend well enough now to know that if Nagihiko could help others he would. Protecting the safety and dreams of children-- it reminded him of Garwin too.
"Powers? Like a kind of magic? Are you in danger? Any of the Guardians even? Perhaps I was brought here other than by just hoping to see you and Nadeshiko again? Do you need help? I'd lend you my strength, you don't even have to ask."
And back to my paid being expired, lol
Date: 2017-06-06 08:28 pm (UTC)He took a breath.
"There is some danger, yes," he finally admitted. "But not as much danger as there is in doing nothing." Which was going to make admitting to Riodan about his egg when he had to much much harder.
"I don't know yet about needing help. So far we've done our best to keep people not involved out of the way, to keep them safe. You don't have the same power we do... but you're also not like the adults of this world. There may be ways you can help." a deep breath. "But I will not lie. Without the power of a Chara helping to keep you safe, it will be more dangerous for you than it would be for a transformed Guardian."
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Date: 2017-06-07 07:59 am (UTC)He gives a little quirk of a smile. When Nagihiko says he's not like other adults, but without the Guardian transformation it might be more dangerous.
"I understand, I'm trained for a fight, but magic I'm not! I just want you to know I'm there for you."
He bit his lip, and if Easter got a hold of him, magic or no magic, I'd tear that group apart. He blinked at the ferocity of his protective feelings, but the bond they had felt reassuring and good.
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Date: 2017-06-07 08:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-07 08:18 am (UTC)"So-- all children have eggs? What happens to a child's egg when they grow up? Do they still have it? Is it rare for a child's egg to hatch?"
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Date: 2017-06-07 08:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-10 02:36 am (UTC)He gives a fond smile. "I don't remember seeing her temper, but I know she had a lot of energy underneath her lady's ways."
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Date: 2017-06-11 11:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-12 09:51 am (UTC)How he understands this without having it internalized is a mystery. He sees other peoples wants, but if Nagihiko or Nadeshiko asked him about his wants, beyond surviving all of what gets thrown at him, he would only at this point draw blanks.
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Date: 2017-06-12 12:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-21 04:34 am (UTC)"I'll be sure to tell her. She might listen to me, because I'm older. Back home ladies are often taught to be demure too, not showing their energy, especially not their ferocity."
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Date: 2017-06-21 10:50 pm (UTC)He gestured to the long stone wall and the house set behind it. "Welcome home, Riodan."
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Date: 2017-06-26 08:17 am (UTC)"I hope your mother doesn't find my stay odd. I'd be more than happy to help her with housework."
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Date: 2017-06-26 08:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-02 06:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-02 06:51 am (UTC)