therewerefifty

[Of late, Saori had been noticeably absent from House 44. The breakup, her general discomfort level with Adele ignoring her, and the plethora of spiritual possessions in the house had all but forced her to out. Being in the house was a trial that she didn't like, and so she'd taken to staying with Morrigan. As...ill-advised as it might be to stay with a succubus, Saori had found it much more pleasurable to simply stay there and enjoy her friend's company and charms.

But today, she's home for a while. Picking up a few things, including her shamisen. It's a little sad, seeing the pair left by Adele and Obi-Wan sitting side-by-side across the room. A little wistfully, she looks down at her instrument, shaking her head.

Makie's presence isn't unnoticed either. Saori nods to her new friend, who...seems to at least have shaken of any spiritual influences. She thinks, anyway.]

Hello Makie. I'm...sorry I haven't been around. I hope that you're well.

[Makie shakes her head slightly, though her eyes track the belongings Saori is picking up.] No, it's all right. I understand, besides. Things have been... [Strange, is the best way she could put it. Unsettling, to say the least. She trails off, before motioning to Saori's shamisen.]

Are you... staying away for a while? [Leaving?]

Just for a night or two more. This is my home. I've just been staying with my friend.

[Saori's eyes scan the room and seeing them alone, she takes a seat. Makie deserved some sort of answer, at least.]

Whatever happened here, with the spirits of this land...it made me uncomfortable. All the spiritual energy swirling around made it hard to sleep. And...I've needed to be away to clear my head. I...had a falling out with one of the women here, one of the ones who's leaving.

[And a break-up, but that's another mess.]

I see. [That's unfortunate. She doesn't know the details, but friends are few and far enough between for one of them to break down, Makie thinks. But it's not her business, so the most she can do is give Saori an encouraging smile.]

I'm glad to see you. But I understand full well the concept of needing space. You needn't worry about me.

[Saori wistfully smiles back at her new friend and nods.]

I'm glad to see you as well. I am sorry, for just...vanishing without a word. That was rude of me, particularly with regards to new friends. And thank you...for understanding. Adele LeBlanc is moving out shortly, I'm told, and that's just as well. I've no desire to spend time in her company until she can manage an apology. [Though knowing the woman, she expects that will never come.] It's been a bad time, but Morrigan is good company for the time being. After...ending my relationship with Clint and this most recent bit of trouble with Adele, she's been kind. I couldn't ask for more.

[More to herself than anything, she idly holds her instrument close to her chest, setting it as though to play.]

But I suppose that there's no use dwelling on that. Shouganai. It can't be helped, can it? It hurts, but...I know nothing that can dull that.

[A whole bunch of names she doesn't know. Makie wasn't quite expecting to get so much information in one hit. But... there's nothing that can be done. A phrase she's all too familiar with.]

Time will make it bearable. [The words are softly offered, the heaviness behind them of long repeating it to herself.] I am sorry for your loss.

[When Saori rambles...she really rambles. Better to just spout everything at once than to hold back, where these things are concerned. The faster out, the faster it can be over and done with.]

Yes. I...suppose that's true. I just...it all came so quickly. All at once.

[She chuckles, no mirth there.] Before, I'd have talked to Adele about this. About ending it with Clint. She was the one who told me I should take a lover. But...something changed in her. I don't know what, and I don't know why. I don't know if it was me, or something else, or any of it.

S-sorry...I shouldn't burden you like this. I just...I haven't talked about this with anyone...

It's all right. I don't mind being "burdened". [Makie smiles.]

Listening is one of the few things I can do. It sounds like you've had a very rough time.

Thank you for listening, then.. I just...I don't know. These sorts of things don't happen to my kind often. We stay away from humans, mostly. Maybe it'd be easier if I knew how I should feel.

[Her hand shakes slightly...]

I know I feel bad about Clint. But it was right. But with Adele, I don't know if I should be angry or sad. She...left me. Abandoned me when I needed support, and has been doing so for a long time. I feel like I should be furious with her. But she was a dear friend, and now I'm not sure. And that...that's very sad, isn't it?

[She's quiet for a long moment. Not knowing the other people involved makes things difficult-- she's seen enough to know there are always two sides to a story, and being completely blind to one half makes her feel uncomfortable. But in the end, Saori is still a friend, and her eyes are on that shaking hand.]

I don't... have any friends at home. Not really. But... [She thinks of Kagehisa and how she'd feel if he had done such a thing.] I think being hurt by a friend's betrayal is natural. It obviously already bothers you... and I don't think there's any way you should feel in such a situation. If it hurts, it hurts, because she meant a lot to you and she let you down. There's not much you can do...

[...she falters. She's never once tried to give comfort in her life, except once to a small crying boy. Saori is hardly a child.]

I'm sorry. I'm not good at this.

It's...really alright. I'm putting a burden on you, and...that's not fair.

[She reaches out and takes her shamisen, clutching it tightly.]

You're right though. There's nothing I can do. Not until she...decides to stop acting like this. But...it does hurt. And I...I don't know if I did something? Or it she was always just this way. Or...anything. I just feel like she tossed me away, and I shouldn't. I'm stronger than that, and it's...plain I don't need her.

But would you...like to play? I don't think I can really talk about this anymore, but music...that might help get out some of these feelings.

Music. [She's relieved. That's certainly something she can help with, at least.] I would be happy to. We haven't had a chance to play together, yet.

Yes.

[That one word is enough. Raising the instrument and waiting for Makie to get ready, she begins to play a slow, haunting melody, a traditional rendition of a centuries old folk-tune.]

[Saori plays by herself for some small amount of time, as Makie listens, picking out the familiarity before she plays quietly also in complimentary accompaniment. She feels self concious-- this is something she's actually not done before. But her playing is sound, she knows, and if she's hesitant at first, she's sure Saori won't mind.]

[Saori doesn't mind at all, glad to have the accompaniment. She listens to the two sounds as they mingle together, and the gradually rising tempo of the tune draws a tired smile from her. It's an exercise in release. Passing one thing to take another, marking a serious shift in her life in Luceti.

Strumming, she nods at her new friend, but keeps playing. Hopefully it'll assuage any of Makie's doubts.]

Makie! Would you like to have a picnic with me in one of the parks? Get back to me and let me know!

[lmao she honestly wasn't sure she'd hear from him again after the Marsiva, this place is so chaotic. It might be a surprising invitation but it's a welcome one.]

I'd love to, Sorey. Did you have a time in mind?

What about tomorrow? That'll give me enough time to put something together, too! We can meet at the park with the fountain?

Assuming there's only one park with a fountain. [She sounds amused. But she's pretty sure of the one he's referring to.] A lunch?

[there's only one park with a GOOD fountain]

Yup. Half past noon okay? Oh, and what do you like to eat?

[That

actually throws her for a loop because she hasn't had much of an appetite in such a long time UM--]

There's real food here, isn't there? [Not the gels. Or the rabid animals from the last place she stayed in. (Stellar menu!)] It might be hard choosing food when we both come from different worlds. We could try a variety of meats and fruits, perhaps.

Okay! So like a roulette. I'lll get some variety! I'm sure we'll find something we can both like. [this is gonna be a mess hope ur ready makie

prepare]

[She will politely eat whatever and
possibly regret it later but MANNERS]

It might be fun. [Probably like the second time she's ever uttered that word tbh.] I'll look forward to the food and the company, then.

Otono-Tachibana Makie. Friend.

[On July 1st, Mai leaves a message in your inbox that has a little image attached to it. It reads that you are invited to her and Ryuji's birthday on the 3rd! No need to RSVP, feel free to bring friends!]

((OOC: No pressure to come, just she would invite Makie!))

[An unwrapped gift waits for Makie at her home - a Go game board with stone pieces - and the identifying note stuck on top simply reads "-A"]

[Well, that's a pleasant surprise. She will take it inside and find the set its own little table to sit on, and message Akechi some time later.]

I hope you realise this means we must play soon.

I look forward to it.

By the way, I've purchased a training gym with lore that I offer you to use freely.

It's inhabited by shadows - vicious, mindless creatures from the cognitive world - that will respawn indefinitely. If you feel like giving the trees a break, I'll show you how it works.

[...hoh.]

Magical monsters? I am certainly intrigued.

I thought you might be.

The gym is located in Epiphany. Whenever you are free to come see it, just let me know.

I am free now.

[Serenely.]

I'll send you the coordinates. See you soon, Makie-san.

[the unspoken :)]

[Casey sends over the video he'd taken of her performance at the bar, with the audio cleaned up to sound more clear. (It also comes with instructions on how to open/play it, because, well.)

Enjoy your debut single!]

[Man if 18th century Japan was full of teenagers like Casey maybe the place wouldn't be such a hot mess. She'll send back a written thank you, bless. (And work out the instructions eventually.)]

In Box

[Action] House 44 June 6th?

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[while on the station] voice

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Re: voice

Shared Reminder Text: Otono-Tachibana Makie

July 1st

[a gift left on her doorstep - Aug 17th]

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march 2025 - a few days after the tdm bar visit

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