suipokemon part 3 EXTRA part 1

06[23:13] * Somalakshmi asks around to find out where 'that one wearing all the black' has been given a tent, and goes over to where they tell her it is.
[23:14] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He actually has his own gear for setting up a tent, and insisted on setting up camp himself.  His tent is a dark brown, not black since that absorbs too much heat.
06[23:16] * Somalakshmi looks for the dark brown tent then. "Hello? Are you there?"
[23:17] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> There's a pause, and then he pokes his head through the tent, scowling.  "Yes?"
[23:18] <Somalakshmi> "I didn't wake you, did I?"
[23:18] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "No, I was thinking."
[23:20] <Somalakshmi> "Then my apologies for disturbing you regardless. Thank you for your efforts earlier. You fought amazingly. You must have trained very hard to be able to fight like that."
[23:21] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He gets out ofthe tent and stands up, nodding.  "I've taken my training very seriously.  Likewise, you were an excellent fighter, and I was glad to have you on my side."
06[23:23] * Somalakshmi smiles lightly. "It's kind of you to say that. I just couldn't run away when I saw an injustice like this taking place. But I wanted to speak with you about that last battle."
[23:23] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Yes?"
[23:27] <Somalakshmi> "Well, about that rune I used when that pair showed up with the Mayor. It's... not something I like to advertise, you see. I only used it because I felt I had no other choice."
[23:29] <Somalakshmi> "I don't mind that you've seen it, but I'd like to ask you for your silence on this matter if anyone else asks you about it. Can I trust you to treat this with discretion and not let anyone else know?"
[23:29] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "While I've considered dealing in information, I lack the subtlety and tact for it.  I've no inclination to divulge secrets, so do not worry."
[23:30] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Now I'm the one to ask something."
[23:30] <Somalakshmi> "Thank you. Go right ahead."
[23:32] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> His voice gets slightly deeper, and more controlled.  "Have you seen a woman that bears a resemblence to me?  A bit older, with red eyes like mine, and similar ethnic dress? I give this description knowing it is not the best, for I know she would be one to try to blend in, but I figured I'd ask anyway, as she might wish to advertise her status as one of mine kind."
[23:32] <Somalakshmi> "One of your kind?"
[23:33] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "A Tsukino ninja.  My sister."
06[23:34] * Somalakshmi tries to think... has she seen anyone like that?
[23:38] <Somalakshmi> "I don't believe so. Red eyes are a bit of an unusual trait... how long have you been looking for her? Do you know where she was going?"
[23:38] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "I've been looking for her for two weeks now.  I know not where she's going specifically, only that she left suddenly and didn't want me to follow."
[23:42] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "She left after a visit by the Gracefu- Gracidean Knights, so I think it might relate to them somehow, but I was traveling with some of them until recently, and it helped naught."
[23:42] <Somalakshmi> "I see. Well I don't believe I've come across her. The Gracidean Knights, you say? I'm not sure what this could be about, but I hope you find her soon."
[23:44] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "I heard she passed through that...what used to be that town, but now she's not here.  I'm planning to stick around in case I might learn something of more clarity."
[23:45] <Somalakshmi> "Out of curiosity... have you ever met any other Sarangan girls like me?"
[23:46] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "...no.  I've done very little outside of Tsukino territory until now.  I was mainly called on to handle internal affairs rather than things of more wide-reaching scope."
[23:48] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "But for my missing sister, none know her better..."  He pauses, frowning.  "Than me."
[23:48] <Somalakshmi> "You were very close?"
[23:48] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Yes.  She was my only family."
[23:51] <Somalakshmi> "What was she like? If you don't mind me asking."
[23:54] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Elegent.  Of constant composure, and constant thought.  She never performed any action thoughtlessly, and she moved with perfect grace.  Part of it was her training as a kunoichi, how she was trained to be able to put on any mask that suited the situation, and play it as if it had always been her real face.  But despite my roughness and immaturity, she always looked behind and made
[23:54] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> sure I could catch up, that I'd never get lost."
[23:55] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "Your training as a dancer has given you a similar sort of movement, so I figured she might find some sort of similarity with someone like you and perhaps associate with you, but it seems I have guessed wrong."
[23:58] <Somalakshmi> "You make her sound quite impressive. And I'm sure she must have a very good heart for you to care about her so deeply."
[23:59] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He nods.  "...yes."
Session Time: Thu Jun 25 00:00:00 2015
06[00:01] * Somalakshmi slowly reaches out and touches the back of Katsuo's hand. "You sound like you miss her a lot. I don't know how much longer we'll be travelling together, but if there's anything I can do to help, let me know."
[00:02] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He kind of nervously moves it away after she touches it, and he looks away, breaking contact.  "I will...keep that in mind while I stay with this group."
[00:03] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> *eyes breaking contact
06[00:04] * Somalakshmi is briefly surprised at his hesitance, but smiles anyway. "I'm Somalakshmi, by the way. You can just call me Soma."
[00:04] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> "I am Katsuo, of Tsukinoshi.  It is good meeting you."
[00:05] <Somalakshmi> "Good night then, Katsuo. And good fortune upon you in your future."
[00:06] <TsukinoshiNoKatsuo> He nods.  "May the kami guide you."
06[00:08] * Somalakshmi smiles and turns around to seek out the others she still needs to cover her tracks with.
06[00:08] * TsukinoshiNoKatsuo returns to his fortress of solitude.
06[00:10] * Iltani is sitting by a campfire some distance away from her company's tent. She is cradling a half-asleep Froakie as she knits something with purple yarn.
06[00:11] * Somalakshmi looks around to ensure that they're alone before approaching. "Good evening. Iltani, correct?"
06[00:11] * Iltani looks up from her handiwork briefly, and nods.
[00:13] <Somalakshmi> "May I sit with you?"
[00:14] <Iltani> "If you'd like. I do not think I will be sleeping anytime soon."
[00:15] <Iltani> "I figure I would put that time to good use by making a scarf for a certain -someone- who wanted warmth." At the mention of a scarf, Mistral perks up briefly, before settling back down into her half-dazed, half-asleep state, ribbiting absent-mindedly.
[00:15] <Iltani> "Consider it....doubling as stress relief."
[00:15] <Somalakshmi> "Even with everything that was going on, you seemed very focused. You and your companions fought hard today."
06[00:16] * Iltani sighs, brushing off the compliment. "Someone has to be in any pressing situation."
[00:17] <Iltani> "I'm sure Mistral appreciates it, though." A briefly louder ribbit forms Mistral's reply as she dozes off in the retrieval specialist's arms.
[00:19] <Somalakshmi> "You seem stronger than me in that way. When everything first went started happening, I panicked and went into shock. If I had stayed calm like you we might not have gotten separated the way we did."
[00:20] <Iltani> "It is....something you learn."
[00:20] <Somalakshmi> "I hope it's something I never have to."
[00:20] <Iltani> "My job involves lots of crisis situation control, albeit never to this degree."
[00:21] <Iltani> "Well....regardless, I suppose it's a useful mindset to keep when any stressful situation comes up."
[00:21] <Iltani> "What did you need, at any rate?"
[00:22] <Somalakshmi> "It's about that transformation rune I used..."
[00:22] <Iltani> "Mmm."
[00:22] <Iltani> "I wondered when you would talk to us about it."
[00:24] <Somalakshmi> "It's really not something I'm proud of having. But I can't get rid of it even if I want to."
[00:25] <Iltani> "I did assume there was a story behind it."
[00:25] <Iltani> "It did cast some doubt on the first impression of you as but a wandering dancer, admittedly."
[00:25] <Iltani> "One cannot help but wonder whether the dancer or the demon is the true face."
06[00:27] * Somalakshmi pauses for a moment when she hears that. "It is... a bit troubling to see someone like me turn into something like that. And that's why I'd like it if you could keep this a secret."
[00:27] <Iltani> "I certainly can try."
[00:28] <Iltani> "But I wonder if keeping it a secret will even be possible, with things as they are."
[00:28] <Somalakshmi> "It's been years since I've used that rune. my friends don't even know I have it, and I'd like to keep it that way."
[00:28] <Somalakshmi> "What do you mean?"
06[00:29] * Iltani sighs. "The operation we witnessed is a prelude to something much greater than any of us can comprehend."
[00:29] <Iltani> "Someone wanted blood to the point where they were willing to field soldiers disguised as the military of Davadezi to accomplish that."
[00:30] <Iltani> "War is inevitable, and so is the fact that we will be embroiled within that conflict."
06[00:31] * Somalakshmi shakes her head. "I'm not a soldier. My place is with my troupe now. I'm used to travelling, so we'll just have to go where it's safer."
[00:32] <Iltani> "When the worst inevitably happens...I suppose my point is that ultimately, you may have to make a choice between keeping that secret and using that aspect to greater ends."
[00:32] <Iltani> "Situations like the assault on Loamvil are likely to happen again, catching you within."
[00:36] <Somalakshmi> "I'm just a dancer, Iltani. The politics of foreign nations aren't something I can change. Wars happen. As long as people are around, they'll keep having war."
[00:37] <Iltani> "It's not something I am asking you to change."
[00:37] <Iltani> "It's something I am clarifying the sheer scale of."
[00:38] <Iltani> "It may also be worth considering that even if you talk to all of us and find us perfectly trustworthy, the fact remains that two extremely dangerous people witnessed your transformation."
[00:38] <Iltani> "They have no reason to hold back such a secret - and indeed, they have a unique, identifying mark for you."
[00:39] <Somalakshmi> "It's so far beyond our scale, the only thing we can do is keep out of harm's way and protect the ones we care about. And that's not what I'm worried about."
[00:40] <Somalakshmi> "I just don't want the ones  care about knowing I can become something like that. It isn't who I want to be to them."
[00:41] <Iltani> "....then for my part, I have no reason to tell them anything."
[00:41] <Iltani> "One can only go so far to affect how one is seen by others, though."
[00:43] <Somalakshmi> "What do you mean?"
[00:46] <Iltani> "Only that the ones you care about - or indeed, anyone that knows you - will draw their own conclusions about you, secret or no secret, -regardless- of what you want to be to them."
[00:47] <Iltani> "What -is- it that you are afraid of, should they know the truth?"
[00:47] <Somalakshmi> "Perhaps I'm afraid they'll start wondering if I'm really a human."
[00:48] <Somalakshmi> "Or perhaps the reason I have this rune is just too painful to talk about..."
[00:48] <Iltani> "Or perhaps they won't, and think of you as the Soma they had always known - just with some other capabilities."
[00:50] <Somalakshmi> "I'm happy with the way things are now. That question isn't something I need answered."
06[00:51] * Iltani shrugs. "All I am saying is that there may come a time where you might find that answer regardless."
[00:51] <Iltani> "I won't press further."
06[00:52] * Somalakshmi smiles. "If that's the case, then I hope your idea turns out to be right."
[00:53] <Iltani> "If they are the people that you think that they are, then I think I am."
[00:54] <Somalakshmi> "Thank you, Iltani. It's nice to meet people more optimistic than myself."
06[00:54] * Iltani raises an eyebrow.
[00:54] <Iltani> "That is -literally- the first time anyone has used that word to describe me."
06[00:57] * Somalakshmi chuckles playfully. "I suppose I'm a real worrier on the inside."
[00:58] <Iltani> "Mmm. Just don't let that worry consume you."
[00:59] <Iltani> "Was there anything else you wanted to ask?"
[01:02] <Somalakshmi> "I suppose not... thank you for the advice. Though I am impressed that you know how to knit as well."
[01:03] <Somalakshmi> "You seem to be a girl of many talents."
[01:03] <Iltani> "Some I had to pick up to survive. This is one of them."
[01:04] <Somalakshmi> "Knitting has helped you survive?"
06[01:04] * Iltani stops her needlework briefly, unsure of how to sum it up.
[01:04] <Iltani> "Keeps me calm around people. Puts my mind at ease when I need it the most."
[01:06] <Somalakshmi> "When you put it that way, I think I can understand. I tend to use meditation when I feel I'm worrying too much."
[01:06] <Iltani> "Drawing the link to meditation isn't unusual, I suppose."
[01:08] <Somalakshmi> "Did you teach yourself?"
[01:09] <Iltani> "Yes. It's not too different from tinkering - it's a way of returning to familiar territory in a way that is completely disconnected from stressors."
[01:12] <Somalakshmi> "I can't help but feel a little envrious. It sounds like a very wonderful skill to have. I wonder if I could still have time to learn something like that."
[01:13] <Iltani> "With enough time and motivation, I don't see why not."
[01:13] <Iltani> "Just think of something you want to make."
06[01:16] * Somalakshmi smiles and shakes her head. "I wonder. I had a friend when I was younger who made me this shawl. I was so amazed when she did it... we were the same age, but she'd already been able to do something so beautiful."
[01:17] <Iltani> "I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to pull off something similar, given time."
[01:18] <Somalakshmi> "I always felt like it would be impossible to catch up to her and make something so beautiful when I didn't even know how to sew together a square of cloth. But we all have our specialties, I suppose. And our friends cover for us with what we can't do."
[01:18] <Iltani> "There was an old saying in my village - 'the best time to plant a tree is fifteen years ago. The second best time is now.' The same is true of anything requiring discipline and practice."
[01:19] <Iltani> "Don't worry so much about catching up. Just focus on what you want to do."
[01:20] <Somalakshmi> "You've got a lot of wisdom for someone so young, Iltani. You're making me feel a little jealous again."
[01:21] <Iltani> "Mmm. That's another uncommon one - being called young."
[01:21] <Iltani> "Other than by Garm when he's feeling rather cross with me, anyway."
[01:21] <Iltani> "I was under the impression that I was older than the rest of you."
[01:22] <Somalakshmi> "Oh? But your hands look so delicate, and your hair is just so vibrant..."
06[01:23] * Iltani is clearly puzzled by all of this.
[01:23] <Somalakshmi> "And that fair complexion..."
[01:23] <Iltani> "Hands calloused by two decades of working with machinery, and hair that was more often than not stained by grease and oil."
[01:23] <Iltani> "..."
06[01:24] * Iltani adjusts her glasses, and shifts her seated position slightly. She's a little uncomfortable.
[01:26] <Iltani> "....yes, well."
[01:26] <Iltani> "Genetics." She is well past the point of offering meaningful comments.
06[01:29] * Somalakshmi smiles gently. "Have you ever been to a very fancy restaurant, Iltani?"
[01:29] <Iltani> "Several. Why?"
[01:30] <Somalakshmi> "Then you should know, only a small part of a good meal is the quality of the ingredients."
[01:30] <Somalakshmi> "The rest comes in the skill, and the presentation."
[01:32] <Iltani> "I'm not quite sure where this analogy is going," Iltani admits with a mutter.
[01:33] <Somalakshmi> "We have some skilled costume designers in our troupe. And plenty of makeup. If you're feeling stressed, maybe you should stop by and see what they can make with you. You might surprise yourself."
[01:33] <Somalakshmi> "For some girls, it can be a nice way to relax when under stress."
[01:35] <Iltani> "Maybe something I'll consider later."
[01:35] <Iltani> "...."
[01:35] <Iltani> "Much...later. When....not busy."
06[01:37] * Somalakshmi stands up and gently brushes the dirt off herself. "Well, you know what they say."
[01:37] <Somalakshmi> "The second best time is now."
06[01:37] * Iltani sighs. "'They' do say that..."
[01:38] <Somalakshmi> "Well, whenever you're free. But who knows how much longer we'll be travelling together."
[01:39] <Iltani> "I'll keep it in mind. At the very least, my job here isn't done, so it'll at least be a little while longer."
[01:41] <Somalakshmi> "I'll see you around then. Take care, Iltani."
[01:41] <Iltani> "Likewise with you, Soma."
06[01:42] * Somalakshmi heads off, presumably to talk with the other girl who saw her.
06[01:42] * Iltani continues her needlework, keeping first watch as she promised.