video;

[jiyuujin]

[The video opens on a man who couldn't be called old, neither did he exactly appear young though the way he's dressed suggests that he's some noble from some ancient time. There's a cup of tea beside him and as he moves and speaks, it's with a kind of ethereal grace.]

For those of you from Japan you may be aware that Obon season is upon us. For those not familiar with it, Obon is a time to honor those that have departed the world, celebrate their life and invite their spirits back into our own lives for a few days. That may sound rather somber but it's really quite a joyous affair.

Although the particulars are somewhat unique to Japan, I believe there are similar traditions all over the world. I'd love to hear about them if you are familiar with any of them.

I would also like to extend an invitation to a festival that we will be having in a couple weeks around our home in Caihong. [He says our home as if he's done anything to make his housemates or employees aware of these plans. Maybe this explains the boxes they have been piling up in the back of their estate as of late.]

Make your way to the teahouse, Tsukiyo on the 14th of this month for a night of festival food and dancing. Light a lantern for someone you care about and end it all with a bang. There will be fireworks, to put it plainly. It hasn't quite felt like summer without any as of yet, don't you agree?

I hope to see you all there.

[He pauses here to sip his tea. Seems he's not quite done yet.]

Before I leave you, there is one small inquiry I'd like to make as well. I'm in need of someone capable of repairing a sword. I'm happy to pay for this service and I can guarantee a modest amount of additional business in return.

Comments

[jiyuujin]

Oh. Do you consider technology and tradition to be mutually exclusive then? [He sounds quite interested in the notion, given his own experience was quite the opposite.]

I'm unaware of any deaths at the prison though I can't imagine none occurred given what I saw there. Now the fox prismals that caused a stir only recently, a few of them fell by my hand no different than any other man.

As for what's become of them since, I imagine their bodies were returned with their kind to wherever they came from. Perhaps there's some way to follow after them...

[spellspeak]

I can't speak for every WORLD, but that's more or less the direction mine has TAKEN. Those in professions like mine are constantly having to combat skepticism and ridicule simply because people view science as inherently different from magic and older philosoPHIES. [At least people here seem to be into magic and fortune-telling, so he's fortunate for that.]

Unfortunately I haven't quite established my network as widely as I would prefer so I have no way to look into such a thing remotely with any efficIANCY, and I'm not so foolhardy as to follow on FOOT.

[After all he's an idol and magician, not a fighter. And this place oesn't have custom-built secret passages like he has at school. Yet.]

[jiyuujin]

Sounds like you could use a partner. Plenty of others foolhardy enough to take that risk instead. Especially if it comes with the benefit of knowing more about the situation here. [Maybe he counts himself among them maybe not.]

Not that I can claim to know how any of that works. Though my world now depends on a marriage of magic and technology so it seems to me that they merely inform one another. Depending on the perspective.

[spellspeak]

You're not WRONG, but I have high expectations when working with OTHERS. In my experience it's most efficient to rely only on myself unless someone has exactly the skillset I NEED. Unless you're volunteering yourSELF?

I also see them as very interconnecTED, but where I'm from that mindset isn't comMON. It's a SHAME.

[jiyuujin]

I imagine that if that's the dominant ideology then it's the only language they understand. They'd need to see it in their terms before they had any chance of accepting it.

As for whether or not I can help, that would depend. What kind of skills are we talking about?

[spellspeak]

It's that sort of close-mindedness that halts proGRESS.

[A dramatic sigh before he moves on.]

Well someone adept at gathering informaTION. I have my own methods of COURSE, but one should never limit themselves to what only they KNOW. And of course someone able to take hits should things become violent would be benefiCIAL.

[jiyuujin]

What a fine coincidence. My line of work often depends on our ability to gather information. Though I rather prefer to deal the hits than take them if it comes to that.

[spellspeak]

Oh? That's quite the coincidence INDEED. And of COURSE, if one is skilled enough there's no need to be taking any damage at ALL.