Three films and nearly five hours later, I understood well enough what was captivating about them compared to the dia Helene had few mories of. Flashy dance sequences that bring festivity and movent in a way that feels surreal but also hard to look away from.
Of course, that’s not all they were. The drama was intriguing and even particularly moving in a scene in the second film. But their narrative strengths didn’t keep from feeling the disconnect between everything that was ’close’ but ’different’ in the language and culture.
Between the brief period between the first and second movies, I’d sent texts to Ellie Rushwater - asking if she wanted to join Anise and I for the dinner to make it a group event. Inspired by a spirited supporting actress who reminded of her level of ’fandom’ energy.
> She seed concerned over whether she really had permission from the Ricoat Alpha to go. Does she think I’m using her as so sort of pawn? Well, I kind of am, I guess. <
During the brief intermission before the third film, in which a blind man actually cooked a quick snack of a ’grilled cheese’ that was as interesting to watch be put together as to eat, I contacted Claire.
My thought at the ti was that she probably needed a break from all that research into whoever was behind the sabotage... on top of whatever other duties she kept to in her Lunarizon role. Or her BoundaryKeeper one.
Then as soon as the last wrapped up, I’d called the Morin household directly to speak with Zoé’s mother about inviting the teenager to join us all at Tsukisushi. Gracious but appropriately cautious, the woman agreed to let her daughter co provided she could et our group briefly beforehand as she dropped her off.
> Hold on, could I actually be the most normal adult of the group? Do you think it will actually be alright...? <
Vrika huffs, with its blue eyes staring down. Seemingly ’done’ with the whole mindscape’s palace being altered with touches I saw in each of the films. As if having a mystical soul construct is all that strange!
"Are you sure you won’t join us?"
"No, no. I’ve had more than enough social stimulation for one day. Besides, dinner with a whole group of young won sounds exhausting."
He walked to the door as we said our farewells. Making sure that I did not discard the gift in a corner of his ho with a plan never to return and have it forced on again.
I’d love to say ’as if I would’, but the thought crossed my mind. So to keep myself from doing so, I placed the nice dupatta in my Stash.
The elevator ride down felt more settled and less nervous than when I’d co up. I’d gotten a dical scan on him again in all that ti and things looked to be a bit better already. At least it didn’t claim he had high blood pressure right then anymore.
When the doors opened, I nearly collided with soone entering too quickly. Mira Thornfield stepped back startled in her fairly professional attire that suggested she was possibly getting ho from work.
"Oh! Citra. I didn’t... expect to see you here."
"I was visiting soone else in the building. Actually... I’m eting so friends for dinner at Tsukisushi in about an hour. You should join us."
Her eyebrows rose and pinched at my offer, which I spoke without thinking it through *too* much. Which is to say, I had a reason or two in mind, but...
"That’s very kind, but I wouldn’t want to impose on plans you’ve already made with others."
"It’s not an imposition. I would not have invited you at all if it was. Plans like these are made to evolve, anyway."
Not that she isn’t a strange adult herself, but a job like hers should make the gathering look more like an eclectic group of won for the girl’s mother to et with. The copper haired Pineheart shifted uncomfortably, glancing toward the elevator door that had closed behind ... and then down the hall where I expect a stairwell is.
> As if calculating her escape route. So straightforward and obvious about it. <
"I’m not really dressed for going out..."
"You look fine and I’m more than willing to wait for a short while. It’s just dinner, not a formal event."
Before she could protest further, I stepped back into the elevator and held my hand across the sliding tal door. pressed the button for the ground floor... and watched her just standing there.
Looking like soone who’d just been swept up in sothing she hadn’t seen coming again. That does kind of seem to be her thing, huh?
⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖
The warm lighting and elegant traditionalism of this restaurant made it the perfect choice for a group dinner. I’d attempted to arrive first with Mira in tow, mainly because I wanted to try handling the Annexation of the grandfather and granddaughter before the others showed up.
Interestingly, it was easier to get my hands on the old man than the young woman despite her being the one I saw first. After asking if I could greet him, she led back to where he was enjoying the chill evening air again.
A few minutes of conversation and then offering to rub his shoulders when he seed stiff solved it. The process had beco routine enough that I barely hesitated when I saw a clear chance.
Hamada Reina, however, proved difficult and forced to make up a plausible story about trying to get back into a hobby of palm reading. A ’hobby’ I never actually had, even if I did learn *so* from a mystic of my world.
In the end, all I could do was be a believable scam artist employing sothing akin to ’cold reading’. Telling her enough of what she wanted to hear to be positive while also adding enough negatives to not seem like I was only seeking favor.
Getting back to Mira in the reserved room before she could escape, I found her in conversation with Anise. The others trickled in within the next minutes, including Mrs. Morin and her daughter.
She was a fairly tall human woman with warm brown skin. An expression that suggested she was reserving judgnt only because her offspring bounced beside her, clearly excited to be here and failing to contain it in her mother’s presence.
"It’s nice to et you in person, Citra. Thank you for looking after our Zoé."
She extended her hand I shook it, noting the especially firm grip and assessing gaze. This was a woman who took her daughter’s safety seriously. She was indeed still just an adolescent.
Impressionable and needing this kind of guardianship. Even though the curly haired werewolf teen was likely plenty strong enough to ward off anything physically dangerous, if it ca down to it...
"The pleasure for both things is assuredly mine. I’ll introduce you to the table and hopefully ease any remaining tension in your heart. This lovely woman here is Mira Thornfield, a Junior Archivist at-"
By the ti I got through all of their impressive current title details, I truly wanted to cap it off by listing my own. But I held back against my burning desire to announce my royal presence.
> Of course, I’m sure Ellie would get a kick out of my claiming aloud that I am a Fox Princess. And completely ruin the impression I am trying to make... on everyone in this room.
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