Feather

[02:04] You are free to study the feathers, if you wish.

Those words may not have been directed to her but she certainly heard them. With the ruckus hopefully settled and the earnings distributed in an agreeable manner this left the few scraps remaining around left and right. One of those was exactly what Satsuki had mentionned.

Now, Rindou wasn't the type to genuinely care much for studying demons, archons, or even birds, but these feathers were... something else. Why did it feel so, so important for the Illuminated to obtain those? She delved into her heart for a moment, trying to understand why her fingers reached out to take these feathers for herself.

Inside of it there's a phoenix's feather.

... oh.

Reito Shimasu. Chancellor of the Illuminated and mentor to this young woman had always been far out of reach for her. People looked at that woman whether it be with disdain or love from down below. She was strong, powerful, and she definitely had more experience with phoenixes than anyone else on Agartha.

The terrifying outcome of Rindou's Ritual of Rays had came with the death of one of those, and all that remained was...

A feather.

The Illuminated peered at Jun almost aggressively. Lips parting.

"I'll take those. I need them."

To be like her.

"To study them in the shrine."

To have people look at me that way.

"I hope that's fine with you."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[02:05] Jun says, "If they are going for something worthwhile."
[02:05] Rindou Sakamoto says, "Of course, I will make them worth it."
[02:06] Jun says, "I am curious as to what, as I would be studying them to see if they are fit for use in armaments."
[02:06] Rindou Sakamoto says, "That would be a waste."
[02:06] Rindou Sakamoto asks, "Do you lay destruction on everything you touch?"
[02:07] Jun says, "No, but I am a fighter and a figher needs good armaments for battle. But I am not certain as of what you wish them for that also isn't a waste."
[02:10] Rindou was kind, respectful, and understanding. If there was one thing she was good at, it would be convincing others of her ideals. She had done with with even Isaac, after all.

"If there is a possibility to bring a phoenix back from a feather, there could be a way to bring that woman back using these, even for a moment.

I'm certain she has much to say."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[02:15] "Bringing one back is an admirable feat, but I ask who as well. What worthwhile knowledge they may spread with it. I frankly see more benefit in making those around us stronger than bringing a person back for even a moment."

He'd give a look around waving to Lea. He was clearly beaten up and using his sword as a crutch for his missing leg. He had been through a lot during his latest venture it seemed.

"I simply wish for something worthwhile to come out of it for me as well, or others if I cannot use these feathers for something. I did not lose a limb and sacrifice the luxury of not being in constant pain to leave empty handed. As selfish as that may be.

"I like helping others, but I also like helping myself if I can."
(Jun)
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[02:17] Cordelia I. Avitus says, "iN mY oPiNiOn, ThE dEaD sHoUlD sTaY rEsTiNg."
[02:18] Jun just simply ignores Cordelia and her childish antics.
(Jun)
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[02:18] Being nice had its limits, and these were definitely reached at this point. It was clear that Jun was not going to give these feathers up that easily. It didn't matter how Rindou truly felt about these, something deep within her wanted to receive the same kind of validation and adoration as her mentor did.

This left her with no choice.

"I think you should leave me these feathers and leave. How dare you insult one of our comrades who just died?"

A horrible choice of words.

That all lead to a blade being already drawn.

"Make no mistake. Jiuweihu may instruct kindness but I am capable of things you will certainly regret."
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[02:24] Ah. Anger and violence. Something he was not surprised about. This one wasn't getting what they wanted really. He wouldn't reach for his blade though. Instead he would stay there, holding the feathers as he looked at the now angry woman.

"I don't see how I insulted the dead in any way. I will not react to your violence and threats though."

He wasn't going to fight in the streets, nor was he going to fight at all. He was in no condition to fight. Constant pain as he moved and a missing leg. It was bad enough already.

"Your needless acts of aggression give me even less reason to hand these over though, as it is clear to me your reasons are merely selfish and are not beneficial to others. If you want them, give me a reason to see them as not selfish and how your wishes will help others and I will hand them over."

A simple request, one that would most likely stir the pot. Not that he cared.
(Jun)
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[02:26] Jun says, "I'm missing a leg and am in constant pain. As well as in no condition to fight."
[02:29] "If you believe wisdom is not beneficial for the world, then you must be a fool."

Rindou's words did not come with only themselves, however, the blade she had drawn was brought right up against Jun's neck— threatening far more than she truly intended to deal. The blade pulsed with mana as the circuits embedded in it shone a tad.

"No one deserves a death as cruel as that. A proper send-off after even a moment of wisdom is far better than some weapon.

Whether you hand them over on your own or with a missing hand is your choice."

She had made her point clear, but had yet to strike.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[02:31] Lea leapt off the chair but almost tripped in the process, her sense of balance compromised due to her having not adjusted to her new wings.

"Rindou, stop."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[02:31] Lea Elisheva says, "Don't make threats like that."
[02:32] ...Right. She allowed the argument to persist up to this point because, frankly, bickering was beneath her. Threats and drawn swords, however - those are sure to catch her attention. Adrenaline from the expedition still in her veins, Satsuki swiftly drew Insatiable and rushed between Rindou and Jun, meeting Rindou's blade with her own.

"To. Be. Clear," she began, "I genuinely do not care who gets the feathers. But you- are crossing a line."

Her gaze narrowed, the glow within her eyes intensifying as she tried her hardest to push Rindou's blade back. "You are supposed to be a hero. You are supposed to be upstanding," the Kitsune growled. "Act like it, Rindou Sakamoto."
(Satsuki Shimasu)
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[02:38] It had been her turn to pick the wrong words this time around, leaving a woman she merely had heard of from Reito's memories step in. Despite them crossing paths a few times she had never gauged much from Satsuki besides the fact she was one to observe, much like Calael, and Lea.

For her to step it must've meant Rindou definitely crossed a line. Halycon was pushed back in all of its red, spire shard-coated glory before the Illuminated voluntarily brought the weapon down.

She couldn't just give those feather away, however. No. She needed them to be on the same level as her mentor. To rise up and have the attention she deserved.

.. Much like now.

Satsuki's green gaze may just catch a glimpse of odd satisfaction in the middle of all of that mess, even if it was from being told she was wrong - being scolded. She wore the right face for the occasion, apologizing swiftly.

"I... am sorry, Lady Shimasu. Recent events took a toll on me. I just..."

I want them to look at me like they look at her.

"I want the world to be a better place."

It wasn't a lie.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[02:47] They had seemed to calm down after Satsuki had stepped in. But he was still curious really, about who she was trying to bring back. Or rather if she even needed to bring them back.

"If I may give a suggestion, as it seems we both don't want to relinquish these feathers. If you are trying to find wisdom from someone who has passed, perhaps a trip to one of the spiritual realms may be all the more beneficial rather than gambling on a feather, mind you that came from an Archon."

It was a simple suggestion from the man. One to him that was reasonable. There were plenty of other opportunities and way for her to find such in his mind.

"I am certain there are others around that can bring those back from such a realm for much longer than a moment as well. You may have a more guaranteed path seeking out someone who is extremely skilled in spiritmancy than with a feather froma being that was of the occult."

He had looked quite a bit into the world of spirits and had seen what those could do that were capable of much stronger things than just attracting wandering spirits to their plane of existence.

"I do not think wisdom and knowledge is bad, it is the key to many strengths, but it is how you achieve that wisdom. Getting it through violence is not a righteous or heroic way of doing that."

"I will cut you a deal though. Let me hold onto these and search out someone who is well versed in spirits, like Ohtli, see if they can help. Give some insight before you jump desperately at things. If they cannot help you, or say that feathers such as these can help. I will return them. I think that seems like a fair deal, until then I will do nothing with them."
(Jun)
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[02:51] With Halycon lowered, Satsuki withdrew Insatiable as well. Any further use of the blade would - as she knew all too well - trigger the bloodlust that the sword demanded. Before she truly decided to eviscerate Rindou, she sheathed the sword once more.

"...Yes," she said once the influence of the sword faded from her, "I also wanted the world to be a better place, in the way that I thought would make it better." She nodded, slowly. "Doubtlessly, that is what you mean when you say that."

She took a step back from the two, attention settling on the nearby clinic. That was her next destination, then; the expedition had done a number on so many people, and it was her duty as a medic to assist.

"You are... headed down a dangerous path, Rindou Sakamoto. All it takes is one bad day, one... unfortunate happening, and that well-intentioned drive to improve the world becomes... something selfish- something dark. It is the downside to our order - our... ineffable hubris."

Before she left, however, she gave a few of her final thoughts: "...This man has actually presented a plan," she said. "He has... made suggestions of what to do with the feather left behind by the songbird. You... only covet them, Rindou Sakamoto."

A pause.

"Come up with a worthwhile plan for it, then - or allow this man to keep it, as I am sure what he learns will benefit us all. And then... you will still have your turn with him. But- sort it out amongst yourselves. I... have things to tend to. Good evening."
(Satsuki Shimasu)
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[02:57] Why did she sound this way? Why did it sound just like when Calael came down crashing upon her case, telling her that she was wrong for trying to live up to the expectations she had set for herself? Why did it reach even deeper into her, too? It was as if the woman could see those horrible moments when Rindou broke down, the precursor to devastation.

Amber eyes flicked away from the fellow Illuminated and towards the man who came with a plan. She wanted to refuse it. To say no. To turn him down and send him to hell. But she could not. She was unable to do something like that, in fact, she held all of those desires, this anger, this wrath within, putting on a metaphorical mask pleasant to the eye.

".. I'll see if I can find a way." She said, lying wholeheartedly.

Things were only going to head towards the wrong path. It was a wonder if Satsuki thought the one she was heading on was equally as wrong. If she knew.
(Rindou Sakamoto)
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[02:58] Jun asks, "Am I free to depart now?"
[02:58] Satsuki Shimasu says, "...Dishonesty does not suit you. Be careful- er..."
[02:58] Satsuki gestures toward Jun. She doesn't know his name.
(Satsuki Shimasu)
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[02:58] Jun says, "Jun."
[02:58] Satsuki Shimasu says, "Jun."
[02:58] Jun says, "I wish to get my leg fixed up so I can walk normally."
[02:59] Rindou Sakamoto says, "... I'm not holding you back."
[03:00] Jun says, "I wish youluck in your endeavors then. Perhaps you can find a way to gain what you can seek without losing yourself."
[03:12] Why? Why? Why?

Why did it have to be this way? Why couldn't she rise up to be where Reito was? Why couldn't she be where Calista was? Why was life treating her that way - giving her no chance to stand where the Shimasu, the Elisheva, the Kang stood? Why was life... unfair?

Satsuki had seen right through her. She could read her lies, read her mind, read who she was deep down. She knew this was going to happen. She saw her walking down that path. She caught her lies.

It was never about the feathers. It was never about the archon, either. How was she supposed to change the world from the gutters down below?

High class does not bother with commoners.

She was nothing but trash.
(Rindou Sakamoto)