flameandpassion | 77 [Voice]

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77 [Voice]

Apples, hm. That's pretty harmless, for the Animus. Let's hope it lasts.

[But it's quiet, distracted -- if only a little. There is the sound of a thunk -- Rei is outside, collecting apples.]

Are we going to do anything for Halloween again, this year?

[And the feed cuts off -- and now, to business.]

[Filtered to Roy Mustang // Private // Unhackable]

Remember how I told you that I would let you know if I didn't trust anyone in the police force?

[She pauses.]

-- I'd like to talk to you. In person, please. I can meet you wherever you want to meet.

[Filtered to Nathaniel // Private // Unhackable]

Still serious on helping make this city a better place?

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It's alright. I'm quite used to it.

[That came out a little worse than he intended it to be. But Nat doesn't seem to notice, and nods, standing up, tucking his notes away in his jacket.]

I'll be over after I finish a few things. Ah, and... [A pause.] -Faisal isn't a demon, technically. He's simply a spirit who is capable of offensive and defensive magic. I'd like to bring him with me- he can conceal his form so you won't even notice that he's there.

[Rei long since lost the ability to sense spirits, something that causes her to purse her lips slightly -- but she ignores the pang.]

It won't matter if he shows himself or not. I'm used to spirits.

[Pause.]

... I'm a priestess at a Shinto shrine. It's part of my job.

You'll have to explain that to me sometime.

But, thank you. I'll be on my way.

[The feed is cut.]

[Rei will be sitting on the steps of the Temple, chin in her hands boredly, waiting for Nathaniel to show up. There's a basket of apples at her side, of all different colors, along with two crates full of apples at the bottom of the stairs. She hasn't quite worked up the energy to haul them all the way to the top -- it's a lot of stairs. And she can make Yuuichirou and Castiel do it later.]

[Nathaniel shows up after a long wait- he did have to walk the whole way- a bag strapped over his shoulder. He still looked far too proper to be really roughing it here- his clothing was formal, clean pressed, his hair was still mostly kempt, his shoes were clean. But even so, there was a trace of weariness that hung in the air about him, something that seemed almost like defeat, curled with exhaustion. Sleep is for people who don't have work to do, after all. Sleep is for people who don't care about nightmares.

Still. He seemed pleased enough to see her, and offered Rei a curt smile, extending his hand to shake her own.]

It's good to finally meet you in person.

[Her brow furrows slightly, at his appearance -- because Rei recognizes the way he carries himself. She shows it, on certain days, how difficult life is here -- and the people she loves the most in this place show it even more. Hitsugaya, on certain days -- Castiel, on others -- but to see it on someone as young as she is somehow makes her even more tired.

She smiles, though, and gets up to extend her own hand. She, in contrast, is dressed rather practically. A sweater, against the chill, and jeans -- sneakers. A relatively normal girl.

With special powers and an excellent ability to read people, anyway. And as Rei tilts her head slightly, to look at Nathaniel, she relaxes almost instantly. Her sense of intuition tells her that he isn't someone to fear -- at least, not yet. And she drops his hand after the handshake to slide her hands into her pockets.]

It's nice to meet you, too.

[And Rei tilts her head back towards the Temple, turning on her heel to continue up the stairs.]

Come on in. He's somewhere on the fourth floor, I think. Did you walk far?

Not terribly.

[Nathaniel follows her up the stairs to the temple, glancing about the place. Faisal was nothing but a little insect tucked inside one of the pockets of his bag- quiet, unassuming, and simply along for the ride, as long as Nathaniel didn't require anything of him.]

It was a ways, but I rather enjoyed it. It's difficult to remember that I need some fresh air too, sometimes. [He laughs softly at the joke of sorts, removing his gloves and tucking them in his coat pocket.]

Getting colder, though. Are many places around here insulated?

It depends on where you look. The Temple --

[And Rei pushes open the doors. It takes some effort, but a lot less than you would expect out of a short sixteen year old girl, and it reveals the cavernous insides of the building.]

-- is huge, so it's hard to keep warm. But I have a few tricks to make sure we don't freeze to death -- and one of my best friends is a portable snow plow.

[Hitsugaya would kill her if he ever heard her say so.]

[He laughs slightly, nodding and glancing about the area.]

This is a very nice building. How long have you lived here?

A really long time -- almost a full year, I think.

[After her death -- as a way to hide from Aizen.]

Interesting.

[Glancing around.]

It's just you and Castiel here?

No -- Usagi, Michiru, and Setsuna live here, too. They're all from my world.

[Castiel was going to just be here for a week and then he never quite managed to leave. Not that Rei particularly minds.]

But Cas has a floor to himself. He's not really social.

I understand.

[A slight smile. He really, really does.]

I like living alone. I have for awhile, now- it's what I'm used to.

I used to be alone -- I like being around people a lot more, though.

[She shrugs a little with half a smile.]

Cas does too. He just doesn't want to admit it because he's an idiot.

[That gets a little smile out of him.]

I don't think I can say the same for myself. I miss the usefulness- my secretary or my other spirits would be a great asset- but one doesn't entertain much genuine company when one is a magician.

[He glances around the hall, curious.]

It's... kind of nice, actually. Not having to put on airs for other magicians.

Pretending to be someone you're not kind of gets annoying after the first two or three years.

[Somewhat airily as Rei passes by a few rooms to head towards a set of stairs. They have four flights to get to the angel's room. Best start climbing now.]

Or eight.

[Rubbing at the back of his neck.]

You can't be that much older than me.

[An observation.]

Is it worth it?

[He blinks at her, as if she'd just asked him something unfathomable.]

...I don't know. Maybe. Yes.

[He takes a deep breath and puffs it out in a long sigh.]

Not really.

It's a good thing you aren't much older than me, then.

[Mildly. There's still time to change whatever it is you want to change.]

[He laughs, dryly.]

Yes. It is a good thing.

[She smiles a little, at the laugh, before she turns off the staircase, now on the fourth floor. She pauses for a moment, feeling to see if Castiel is around, but she shrugs and continues down the hall.]

Probably outside -- his collection is down the hall.

[And Rei starts down the hall. There are various sigils drawn on the walls, in both blood and chalk, but Rei doesn't pay them any attention, save for a soft 'hn' at one or two that are apparently new.]

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