<@Ciara> [Date: Sunday, May 9, 2004] <@Ciara> [It's a party at Haruko's place! Things are in full swing now, with people eating, drinking, talking, hanging out, and generally having a pretty good time!] <@Ciara> [One of the possibly surprising attendees is a certain Matthias Weiss, Seven of Pentacles and candidate for the Council.] <@Ciara> [One of our hostesses may wish to speak with him! Possibly on said candiacy.] <@Ciara> [Session Start!] * Haruko had taken a little time to clean up and adjust her makeup after getting a little emotional in viewing her artwork gift her room. * Haruko returns to the party and after preparing a Matcha Hai for herself makes her way over to Matthias to make sure he has been offered a drink. * @Matthias had been conversing with some of the ladies from the book club. As Haruko approaches, he excuses himself and bows politely to her. "Kinsha-san. Thank you for the invitation." * Haruko bows in return. "Weiss-san, you honor me with your attendence. May I get you a drink?" <@Matthias> If I could trouble you for a cup of tea, perhaps? * Haruko processes that for a moment. "No trouble at all." She goes to prepare him a cup of sencha in the kitchen in one of her glazed clay teacups from her own supply. * @Matthias accepts the teacup from her with a slight bow of his head. "Thank you." He glances around the room. "Your new abode certainly has character." Thank you, would you like a tour? <@Matthias> Certainly. * Haruko first leads Matthias to the courtyard. It's small, but the evening air is refreshing and a range of potted plants that pre-date Haruko give it a different feel than the rest of the house. "It's not a historic home, but it has some traditional elements I'm quite fond of." She takes a sip of her drink as she gives him a chance to look around. * @Matthias nods. "Tastefully arranged plants do add to the atmosphere." Proper credit to my roommates there, though I intend to do my part going forward. * Haruko leads Matthias back in side, walking by her room and stnading at an angle where her new acquisition is visible. Standing outside she gestures in, "My humble room." * @Matthias gives a polite glance. "Interesting artwork." It was a gift from a friend. I'd asked her not to shy away from her frankness. <@Matthias> I see. * Haruko leads Matthias to the craft room, which she hopes is empty. "Chidori has organized this. I do some simple seamstressing here. My main workshop though is on campus. The tidal simulator I've developed has some potential but might make a mess in here." <@Matthias> [The crafting room also has a dress form, which is covered over with a cloth right now, a small sewing machine, a few shelves and a cabinet, and a few other odds and ends.] * Haruko stands such that the kamidana, on an upper shelf and including an Isao drawing, is clearly visible. It's a bit more elaborate than the one that had adorned her dorm room, augmented with a few items from her family's shrine. <@Matthias> ["Resourceful," Matthias comments. He tilts his head slightly at the drawing. "The gentleman seems familiar. A grandfather?"] * Haruko answers in a quiet voice, "My predecessor." <@Matthias> ["Ah. You do well to honor him, then."] * Haruko blushes slightly and stands over by the sliding door to the room. She lays a hand on it for a moment before looking back to Matthias and seeing if he wishes to continue this somewhat sensitive conversation. <@Matthias> [Natthias does not seem to be indicating that he has anything further to say at the moment.] * Haruko thinks for a moment. "So that's really the tour. Though if now is a good time, I have an election question." * @Matthias inclines his head slightly. "Go on." * Haruko slides the door shut. "As campaign manager for Kyon and Katie, I asked both of them what their core argument for themselves, their agenda is. I'd like to know the same for you. It's not my place to speak for you, but if I get questions, it'd help to know your platform. That's stronger than just our history alone." * @Matthias raises an eyebrow. "I take it this means you aren't considering running for your own suit's Council seat?" * Haruko lets out a long breath. "I won't deny being tempted, but I think two from our group is enough to already draw skepticism." She looks down for a moment, "I already spread myself too thin, and I think I can do more good by focusing on my strengths and supporting my friends focusing on theirs." * @Matthias nods. "There are some, I'd imagine, who would say that two from your group is one too many. Or possibly two too many. At any rate, it is prudent of you to recognize your limitations. As for my platform..." He folds his arms. "We are living incarnations of mystical archtypes. Secrecy is vital to our existence. And yet, with the events of two years ago, secrecy among our own at this level is inexcusable. If some wish to play at a secret governing society, that is one thing, but if they wish to actually enact changes among ourselves, then this needs to be done fairly and openly." * Haruko listens and nods. "I quite agree. Much of my activity since we last spoke has been focused on scheduling. I have meetings with Himeyama- san, Ashikaga-chan, and my representive, the Two of Cups, coming up. I can share that with them. There's also one member of the Council, Nekotani Hiromi, who will be here tonight if you want to speak with her directly." <@Matthias> Your offer is appreciated, but as you have said, you are the manager for two other candidates. It may be best for you to concentrate on their campaigns for the time being. If asked, you may certainly share what I have provided, but I shall also be performing my own outreach. I do believe I would be interested in speaking to Nekotani-san, though, when she arrives. * Haruko sets her hand on the door again, prepared to open it. "Of course, only if asked." Haruko then makes a quiet hmm sound, as if she's just thought of something, hoping she's not imitating Katie too obviously. "There are two other pieces of information that might be of use. But Kyon would likely tell you later, and I've probably detained you long enough already." <@Matthias> On the contrary, you have been a most attentive hostess. Perhaps Sorata-san and I will have further discussions later, but I would be interested in your take on things. * Haruko takes a sip of her drink to better hide a smile. "First, have you heard of the recent changes to the World Reversed?" * @Matthias retains a carefully neutral expression. "I had not." * Haruko loses the smile and her tone is serious. "Fissures have appeared. The one I saw was like a gap in the firmament of reality, leaving freestanding islands of asphalt in the middle of a road. They're not widespread, but they do make navigation more challenging." * @Matthias frowns slightly. "Troubling." As best we've been able to figure out, the loss of Arcana life back during the war may have been the cause. The final battles broke the cycle, and with no reincarnation, when one of us passes so too does some of the foundation of the World Reversed. * @Matthias lets out a small hmm. "I see." * Haruko prepares to go on to her second point but stops herself. "If you could restart the cycle, would you? That seems like a question that may face the Council someday, if it's even possible. * @Matthias shakes his head. "This is a question that requires deep and profound consideration." He looks at Haruko. "A word of advice: you may wish to be careful to whom you present such questions. Even in a purely hypothetical sense." * Haruko ponders that for a moment. "Wise words. Thank you, I'll take that to heart." As for my last piece of information, my friend, Ozora Kyoko, is also in attendance. Have you met her in the past? <@Matthias> I have had dealings with both of the Ozora siblings, yes. I did not realize that you were friends. These have been difficult times for many of us, her more than most. * Haruko nods and looks a little relieved by Matthias's comment. "She has had to become an adult in full, faster than even most other Arcana." <@Matthias> It is good for her to have continued support from her friends, then. * Haruko bends back her wrist, gesturing away with her drink hand, somewhat dismissively. "Thus is the nature of friendship. Friends support one another. I would just say, she has earned my respect." * Haruko seemed like she was pondering saying something more, and then decided that anything else would undercut the point she was trying to make. * @Matthias nods. "She can be quite formidable, when she puts her mind to it." I've had the chance to witness that for myself. Underestimating her, and not just her martial prowess, is a mistake. Which is all I had to say, unless I've left you with any questions. * @Matthias shakes his head. "No further questions at this time." * Haruko opens the door to the craft room. "If that changes, you know where to find me." <@Matthias> Of course. Thank you very much for your time, your insights, and your continued hospitality. * @Matthias bows politely. Thank you in turn, and I will pray that the Kami bless your run. * Haruko bows and leads the way back to the party, not downing her drink until safely out of sight. * @Matthias follows Haruko back to the party and rejoins the social scene. <@Matthias> [End!]