[Journal Post - Private to Samasu Shikou]

[danse_etoile]

...

Can we meet somewhere, relatively in private?

I'd like to discuss a book by a senpai of mine, more a collection of essays. It's called L'Avenir.

And I think it's highly relevant to you.

Comments

[observershikou]

Oh-- of course. I'll admit I'm a bit surprised at the request, but it should be no problem.

Does an outdoor cafe work, or would you rather somewhere more secluded?

[danse_etoile]

Only if the café is virtually empty.

Like. The woods outright are too much, and are their own danger, I think, for me.

[observershikou]

... You work at a school, correct? Do you have an office?

[danse_etoile]

No. I'm part of a teacher's room. My office is basically a cubicle, unless I'm an idiot.

[observershikou]

... Well, we'll see if the cafe can work. I think as long as we come in after the usual lunch period, it should be pretty empty.

[danse_etoile]

That works.

[Event]

[danse_etoile]

::She arrives at the café with a travel bag with flavored water and something of weight inside.

She's wearing a decent outfit::

... I expected you to be taller.

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

Ahah... Kinda my eternal curse of sorts.

*he's dressed lightly, but it's still rather... all-covering, even with the summer heat. fairly loose, as well. He's drinking a tea he got since he got here a bit early.*

Please, sit down.

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

::Does so, politely, crossing her legs, placing the bag on the table.::

Thank you for taking the time to see me.

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

Of course, it isn't a problem. Though I'll admit, I'm wondering what "L'Avenir" is, and why it would be relevant to me at all...

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

It's a collection of essays written by an alumni of Duel Academy, named Fujiwara Yusuke. It means "The Future" in French.

And.

"Behold the birth of the uncrowned king, who comes for his throne in dread Kaddath. For Kaddath shall be his holy land of the thousand year twin kingdoms of Domino and Tokyo, where the August Star shall descend, when he truly takes the hand of his chosen miko, who shall be the most blessed bride in all creation."

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

*makes a bit of a complicated expression, hiding it mostly behind taking a sip of his tea, but it's clear he has familiarity with what that may mean. But he's not sure how much Asuka knows... He knows Juudai knows, because he told him about that out of severe guilt, but...*

Ah... Strange, that such a thing would be in a book, like that. Though given the name "Fujiwara Yusuke"... I guess it isn't wholly out of place.

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

... It was an excerpt in one of the essays, citing a notebook called "The Prophecy of Flames" by one of his 'students', Yamamoto Suzume.

::Oh.::

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

Ah. Now I think I'm forming a bit of a mental image here.

Suzume did used to be tied up with Fujiwara's actions-- even though it ended with her acting against him, and it leading to...

*he shakes his head a bit, obviously revisiting a rather terrible memory*

... But why are you reading through this, in the first place?

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

... Because a group of Tengu led by I think the Shinobirds desperately want Fujiwara Yusuke's research notes, and Judai and I live on his property, I think you can piece enough together.

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

Ah. Alright, I get it now.

*rubbing his forehead a little*

I question why the Shinobirds would want any of this... Why they would want a collection of "essays". Is everything in there similar to that excerpt-- as in, all from things that would be called "prophecies"?

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

::Sighs.::

They're two different things.

L'Avenir are the essays, which are his thoughts on the impact of the Last Class of the Amnael Seminar, should their actions be uninterrupted, but I can only understand three-fourths of his conjectures because he wrote Adam van der Aart's section in Cuneiform, Coptic, and a dead language from Siberia, that one friend said might not even exist.

The notebook notes are basically his magical and alchemical and spiritual research.

The Tengu want the latter, I apologize for the confusion.

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

Mmm, but... why do they want his notes?

I would figure anything like the Tengu would have a deeper understanding of such things to not need anyone's notes.

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

To save the world from dying, whatever that means, by using the notes to... go to Yomi, the Japanese underworld, and open a way to "Katakamuna", which is a name connected to a supposed world spanning proto Japanese empire with flying cars and the like.

They're the types to go "Noun Jargon Noun Noun Jargon Verb Verb Noun Noun" that results in no one knowing what they're saying.

::Massaging her temples.::

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

Ah, yes, I do love it when beings of a higher nature give esoteric names and meanings to things, and then act smug or otherwise like you're dull in the mind to not understand it. So I absolutely understand the problem here.

It's very likely they're trying to do something that would be understandable, but they're too wrapped up in their own definition to be clear about it.

As for the world dying... *he clears his throat a bit, before taking another sip of his tea*

It feels like that's constantly just the problem, isn't it? Something might happen today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, and it may or may not be attributed to a threat. They're having their own personal "threat" to deal with, and think Mr. Fujiwara's notes will solve it.

At least, that's what it feels like, just hearing this.

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

Yes.

But the Tengu aren't why I'm here.

::Slides over L'Avenir and typed and printed set of bullclipped pages.::

I was able to get decent translations of the 3/4ths of the book that doesn't require dead or unreal languages.

And well...

::If you're able to flip through the pages, you'll find assumptions and guess work that are generally on the money about the course of things that have happened since you graduated.

Not specific events, but the speculations by Fujiwara generally line-up with Noriko's broad-stroke actions and what looks to be the creation of a high-tech nation of monsters and magicians, that looks like it will end up in theocratic constitutional monarchy.::

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

*just calmly reading through it. It is... fairly disquieting to see it all.

When he finishes it, he closes the book, calmly.*

... So, why bring this up to me? I want to hear your thoughts. Your view on why you're seeking me out specifically.

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

... I'm not sure. I've. Been talking to. Maybe learning. From Noriko.

I guess. I wanted someone to talk to, that might understand this roaring sense of standing over a cliff. I want to talk to my husband about it, but it feels. Outside his wheelhouse.

Is this true. Has. Mmm.

::Placing a hand on the side of her face, grimacing.::

It's this uneasy. Uncanny feeling.

Of feeling like you. Me. We're marching to scripts, and I'd been warned about falling into Fujiwara's 'script'.

I wanted. I guess.

To talk to someone, but the 'students', I'm not sure I can trust them to not be bound to say something. And felt. Maybe. You might be able to talk. Or understand. Or something.

And yet I feel frustrated.

Helpless. I'm tired of feeling frustrated. Helpless. Small. In the face of so much startling change. For what it means for me, my husband. My daughter...

::Laying her head down on the table, staring into space.::

I'm in my 30s and yet I feel as helpless as a little girl.

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

*... he finishes his tea, carefully setting the cup down.*

Honestly, you might be right. I might just be "marching to Fujiwara's script", no matter how much I've been trying to ignore it, ultimately.

I have a purpose-- but it's a purpose I'm not fond of at all. I don't want what's going to become associated with it, but others around me feel as though it's what I'll ultimately end up at.

And I try to think. I try to decide. Is there any way for me to really avoid it? I've attempted some methods to stave off what might be written there, but I worry at the same time... if I keep ignoring it, will someone else simply step up to the plate instead?

And sadly, it seems that answer is "yes", and it's someone I absolutely don't want to see do that.

But I guess the question for you, however, is what do you feel you should do, to not march to that script? If you had the power to decide anything, what would you be doing?

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

... I want to know. Twice in my life I've been manipulated. I lost my brother for a while because I was young and ignorant. I don't want to be some mad god queen. But. I want to not be ignorant. I want to have the ability to. Decide things to protect people.

But the knowledge feels like an ever darker ocean...

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

Of course it is. Knowledge. Power. Especially of this sort-- it's always a risk when you step into it. Wanting the power to protect yourself and your loved ones isn't a terrible thing, after all, and desire is perfectly healthy.

But it's human nature to not understand where the point of "too far" is. There will always be something more, something beyond the scope of what you can currently see... and people will ultimately feel like they may have wasted an opportunity, by not pursuing it, even if it's "too far".

But I think you do deserve the strength to be able to step up and protect those close to you, regardless of whether it's following the "script".

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

... Yes, and I'm not sure just listening to Noriko will entirely answer it. I'm not sure she can really. Teach anyone, what she learned down there. What my brother learned down there.

So. What should we do. I guess. I think I came here. To find. Direction.

Re: [Event]

[observershikou]

To be honest, I may care deeply about Noriko... but I'd recommend not exposing yourself too often to her, anyway.

Her presence is bigger than she actively realizes at times, and it can influence others. A good first step is to try to minimize external influences that you, yourself, are not allowing to occur.

However... Depending on what you want to learn, maybe there are people out there who have had to learn such things through experience, instead of being born or chosen into having that power?

Re: [Event]

[danse_etoile]

...

Do you know anyone who might be a good example of that?