Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kouyo nervously stepped into the hobby store and looked about for the models section. He had walked past this place a few times since had noticed it from the window of the smoothie shop, but today was the first time the High Priest had entered. Whenever he had peered in through the windows before, there seemed to be about as many visitors as the used bookstore got every day, but today, the hobby shop was more crowded.

Trying to keep his anxiety under control and ignore the other humans as well as he could without being rude, Kouyo edged past a table that featured a tiny vehicle made up of several cars linked together moving around on its own on a track in a circle. A boy and a girl behind him rummaged through bins of colorful plastic creatures that hopped or crawled when wound up. Most of the humans filled the aisle of models, though, and that was where Kouyo was headed.

The store had been boasting of the sale on models today for about a week, and the Porcelain High Priest decided that perhaps it was about time he got himself some new things to work on for when his pretzels puzzles was complete. Shopping always scared him, but he had finally decided that the sale was a good reason to try to overcome that fear.

Carefully, he edged up and down the aisle, peering around the other customers where he had to in order to see what all was available. Most of the things came in kits, but Kouyo figured that would be alright, since he was not sure he would be able to find the materials here in Gaia that he used back at home to construct his little models and toys. Perhaps the kits might help him learn a bit more about his temporary home, too.

... And then at the end of the aisle, the priest saw boxes that appeared to contain three-dimensional puzzles of buildings, and he immediately started eagerly scanning the ones available~

Ako ran into the shop ahead of Akram and her mother, radiating glee and excitement. She paused for a moment just inside to look around and take everything in, then headed straight for a set of bins filled with all manner of plain plastic animals, right next to the ones with the wind-up toys.

Just one, Chourou gently reminded her daughter with a laugh as she followed Akram inside. Then she told the girl that she would be just a little bit down the next aisle, and not to leave the store without her.

The merchant prince stepped down the aisle of models with the Porcelain Knight following, scanning them over.

"Any idea what your other daughter might like?" he asked, figuring that the answer would include neither tanks nor warplanes and moving past those.

The Knight of Bukoku concealed the fact that she did not really know for sure, and joined the human man in studying the ones on the shelves. Perhaps she would have been able to make a better guess at what Uki liked if the choices were things of the Golden World, but, confronted by so many Gaian vehicles and objects, Chourou was really at a loss.

"What sorts of things do Gaian girls like?" she inquired after a moment, figuring she could at least try to make conversation while she considered the numerous models.

"Usually little houses for dolls," Akram began, trying hard to remember what his younger sisters played with. "Cute little... how do you call them, plush animals. Puzzles, maybe. Or needlepoint pictures." He pointed to indicate that they should perhaps move to the next aisle over. "Puzzles are on sale today, as well...."

Kouyo looked up from where he crouched, pawing through the puzzles, as a large human with a red cloth hat brushed past him, and cowered slightly, surprised by his size.

... And then the priest gave off a sheepish feeling as Dame Chourou passed him as well. He offered polite greetings nonetheless, and stood, clutching the puzzles he planned to purchase to his chest.

"Oh, hello, little bird Kouyo," the Knight exclaimed, giving off a feeling of pleasant surprise. She noted the boxes in his arms, and projected curiosity but not judgment. "I am here for toys for my daughters, so they do not get bored here in Gaia." Has Kouyo found anything interesting?

Also, "This is Master Akram," she told him, indicating the human, who smiled briefly. She then turned to Akram and gestured to Kouyo, introducing him as well.

Glancing up at the tall human, Kouyo offered polite greetings and a small shy smile in reply.

The priest admitted that he had not been in the store very long, but tells Dame that he found puzzles enjoyable, and was excited to see that there were three-dimensional ones. All of them were apparently famous Gaian buildings; Kouyo handed one of the ones he held to Chourou to examine.

"You like puzzles and models, as well, Kouyo?" Akram inquired, glancing over Chourou's shoulder to look at the one he had given her. "I have made a few models, myself. Since I am buying toys for the girls, as well, I can also get you something, if you would like?"

"Master is too generous," Kouyo respectfully insisted as the human moved back into the aisle of models to scan the shelves. ... He was being treated like a child? The priest tried to keep his embarrassment hidden.

But, um, yes, he did enjoy building models. It was a good way to pass time up in his tower, and now he had less time to fill, but he still required some way to fill it.

Smiling faintly, Chourou returned the box to Kouyo, then poked about at the others on the shelf. She assured the priest that she thought the Gaian puzzles and models looked quite entertaining to her, as well, and did not think him childish. There were other Gaian adults shopping here now, as well, yes? She would be most interested in seeing the High Priest's completed work when all of his puzzles are built.

... Ah, 'Hanging Gardens' sounded like something Uki would hopefully enjoy. It had no real plants, but Chourou thought the building looked interesting. The Knight picked the box up off of the shelf, turning it over in her hands to look at the pictures on the back.

Ako rejoined her mother, then, beaming happily as she showed off the colorful plastic bird she had selected. Look at how many different colors it had on its wings! The girl made a little soft whooshing sound, turning in a circle to let the toy fly around a little.

Then she made it land on Kouyo's wrist, and grinned up at him.

The priest smiled back at the girl and held his hand steady for her bird.

Dame and her daughter were lovely. Kouyo had nearly forgotten his worry at shopping with them around. Both would be welcome to join him sometime, perhaps to help him build his puzzle buildings? Dame Chourou's other daughter as well, and her husband. ... And also Akram. He was quite pleased to meet her family's human friend.

"Here, if you are going to be in Gaia building models, you should have one of these," Akram told Kouyo, holding out a box labeled "1937 Ford" and featuring a picture of a car. "And all the pieces are blank, so you can paint it your favorite color."

Ako's bird flew back to Mommy when Akram returned, because it was still kind of shy around the big human.

... Chourou had to admit that she rather liked the look of the car. Why had she not yet seen one like that driving about in Gaia?

"They do not make them anymore," the merchant explained, sounding perhaps a touch disappointed. Then he turned back to Kouyo and told him, "Tell me when you are ready to start building your car, and I will help you buy paints for it."

Kouyo nodded slowly, glancing wide-eyed between the tall human and the box he had just given him. Then he bowed deeply in thanks. "I will be sure to summon you, Master Akram."

"I think I will pick another model for myself as well, and then I will be finished shopping," the High Priest then told the others. He had seen some interesting wooden ones earlier that he wanted to take another look at. "If, um" - he squirmed a bit at the thought of having so much company - "You would like to join me for a few more minutes?"

Little red and blue and green birdy was getting hungry~

The Knight of Bukoku rested a hand on top of Ako's head, gently assuring her that they were nearly done shopping and could get some dinner at home as she told Kouyo, "Certainly."

I am gradually starting to feel comfortable around Setsushi again, and I suppose a bit better around Dame Tenkyuu, as well. At least it sounds like I will have new hobbies to occupy my mind.

Miss Tsubei comes to visit me again.

Kouyo bristled and glanced back over his shoulder as he heard Kumoru murmuring from the doorway of the storage room. The priest was both surprised and relieved to see that the necromancer had brought Xiao Huo with him, though, and was urging the child to join him.

Xiao Huo glanced warily at Kouyo, clutching his dolls in one hand and the human's sleeve in the other. He sniffled a little and projected a quiet, shy fear.

"I wanted to surprise you with him," Kumoru told the older Porcelain with a faint smile. "But...." he trailed off, glancing down at the boy, then up at Kouyo again. Then he gestured subtly for Kouyo to remove his mask.

"This little guy has been to the doctor a few too many times recently, and I think you worry him a little with the mask on." He crouched beside Xiao Huo, watching the priest as he rested one hand gently on the child's shoulder.

After placing the books he had been holding back into their proper cardboard box, the High Priest took his mask off and immediately held a sleeve to his face in anticipation of a sneeze. Fortunately, it did not come; the storage room was worlds cleaner than it had been when Kouyo had started his work there, and he probably no longer really needed to wear the mask.

Turning back to face the doorway, and trying to suppress panic at the necromancer standing in it, he carefully knelt on the concrete and focused on privately encouraging Xiao Huo to join him.

Somewhat reassured, Xiao Huo toddled closer to the High Priest, glanced back at Kumoru, and then climbed over a few boxes to cling to Kouyo.

Smiling gently, the priest sent reassuring and friendly feelings to the child - Setsushi's suggestion that Kouyo eventually take in children of his own to raise into good, kind priests was one that he found he liked. However...

"Why so often to the doctor?" he asked, looking back up at Kumoru with far more concern for Xiao Huo than suspicion for the human.

"We found out he has an allergy to milk," the necromancer told Kouyo, stepping into the storage room. He leaned one shoulder against one of the shelves and pulled his reading glasses down his nose a bit to see better over them.

"I imagine his parents must have known and were doing something about it before he came here, too, because the little one is terrified of doctors." His tone was dispassionate, but there was a slight crease in his brow that betrayed his sympathy for the boy.

Xiao Huo gave off a worried feeling, not fully understanding what the adults were talking about, but having a good idea. He looked thinner than he had when he arrived, likely from how he had tried to avoid eating as much as possible for fear of being taken to the doctor when he found something that really upset his tummy.

The little explorer had also been sick recently, too. And missing his new big brother Jilan. One of Xiao Huo's dolls slipped from his arms as he reached up to wipe his still-slightly-runny nose on his sleeve.

"He is alright now, yes?" Kouyo leaned around Xiao Huo, to pick up his dropped toy.

Kumoru nodded. "I have medication for him to take now, which he absolutely hates, but I think he'll take the pills if it means he does not have to see the doctor again. And they also gave me a list of foods he should stay away from, and things he should be careful eating, if you want to take a copy of that to keep at Setsushi's house for him."

The priest nodded, projecting his thanks that Kumoru had been taking care of the child. "How long may he stay with us?" he inquired, feeling perhaps a bit upset that he had to be asking the human.

Crossing his arms, the mage glanced upwards and considered for a moment. Then he replied, "As long as you like for now, I guess." He shrugged a little. "With Jilan gone in the Silver World, he has seemed kind of lonely. He still goes out with Lucretia and seems to have a blast pretending he's a Sorcerer or whatever goes through his little imagination, but I think he really wants to be around other Porcelain."

Xiao Huo wanted Mommy, he clarified. And Daddy, of course. And... maybe even his great-aunt, too, at this point. He took his doll back from Kouyo and bowed a little, thanking him clumsily but politely.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Kumoru's mouth, then faded as he fixed Kouyo with his stern blue gaze. "Well, High Priest Kouyo is ready to help you get back to your parents now, so you don't need to worry," he told the boy, the gentleness of his voice not matching his eyes at all.

Kouyo fidgeted under Kumoru's stare and glanced away from him, instead opting to focus his attention on the Porcelain child. "Ready to do whatever my people need of me," he replied, and did his best to project a feeling of comfort and stability, to show Xiao Huo that he truly meant it.

Struggling again with the pain of desire for his wife, Kouyo closed his eyes and tried to remember her again as he attempted sleep - the good things, such as her pretty face and hair and the vanilla perfume she always wore.... Though he had hoped he had committed every detail of Ranko to memory, though, the High Priest found that Tenran's uncannily similar features came to mind more easily, and he was no longer completely certain of the exact scent of Ranko's perfume....

Kouyo squirmed onto his back on the sofa, draping one arm over his eyes and placing his other hand over the hurt in his chest. He could always just do as Setsushi had suggested, asking directly where she was and how he could get to her, but the Knight was already sleeping, and the priest did not wish to wake his friend - either on purpose to keep an eye on him while he asked his questions, or later, accidentally, should Kouyo awaken weeping or screaming from whatever the Name may show him. He drew a shuddering breath, trying not to start crying even now as he tried to think of something else of consequence he might be able to ask.

And the High Priest recalled that, when Ranko left him, she had asked for his "name", but he had distinctly felt that she had done so before. When he struggled to remember the first time she had made that request, the priest found that he could not remember that any better than the shoes she had worn the day he met her. He moved his arm to rest against his forehead instead, and peered upwards at the ceiling for a few minutes. It seemed like something important to know - not just when, but the circumstances for the question, as well. Perhaps he was too hasty before, too fearful, and had assumed too quickly that Ranko had asked for his precious Name specifically - maybe she had meant something else? Her diction in the Porcelain language had been strange, as though his people lacked the exact word.

And so Kouyo sat up and closed his eyes, folding his hands and taking a deep breath to relax. Not what he was supposed to be asking, but it was an important question nonetheless. When had she first asked for his name? And had she mentioned why? The High Priest did his best to keep suspicion and worry from his mind - after all he was her husband, and should be doing his best to love and trust her....

When he found himself in his dream, Ranko was there, seated uncomfortably close on the cushions on the floor and playing with her hair. Kouyo's cheeks were warm with a blush, and he stared at the toes of her dark blue slippers instead of at the rest of her. As he hesitantly ventured to raises his eyes, the priest studied the human woman's body carefully and found her... somehow more delicate than he remembered her, and wearing a longer robe-dress than usual. Was this quite a memory? It felt somehow unfamiliar, but perhaps this meant it was instead some other deeper message.

Kouyo could nearly feel her breath on his cheek as she spoke, and he lowered his eyes again, overcome with the shyness of his younger self.

She told him of marriage where she came from, how the woman takes her husband's name, and how this brought her into his clan, under his protection and power. Having his name made her helpless and vulnerable no longer.

... Kouyo of Two Years Prior was content to just listen to her voice, but Kouyo Who is Dreaming was not; he struggled to figure out more of Ranko's meaning, but of course it was exceedingly difficult since the human did not project.

After a second, though, delicate, bashful Ranko asked Kouyo what marriage is like among his own kind. And Kouyo Who is Dreaming took control then, attempting to be subtle about it, and told her of the ceremony where a man's parents bring him to his new wife. And then, unable to keep the blush from his cheeks, he glanced away from her, from her beautiful doll-like form, and briefly described in vague and poetic terms how the intimacy between the new couple forms the true bond between them, between their hearts and minds.

But he desired to know more of human custom where Ranko was from. Is there only a sort of legal protection behind a wife taking a husband's name? Or is there a deeper spiritual significance like the mate-bond of Porcelain? She teases him for his stupidity and naivete so often, little Kouyo wishes to be sure he understands her fully....

Something about the dream changes then, once the Kouyo of that moment attempts to interact more directly with the Ranko of the dream. She listened to his explanation with the adoring attention that seemed more characteristic of Kouyo of Two Years Prior himself. And then she answers the High Priest by telling him that the protection is economic and social as well as physical, so... something like "legal" protection, but also more symbolic and affective. And she would also gain the power of her husband's bloodline, his glory and strength-

- though, she notes with sudden melancholy that his name would never truly be her own. Her sons would share his blood in a way that she could not, and there was always the danger that some rift could make her naked and vulnerable, or lost, or perhaps even abandoned.

Kouyo gently inquired to what sort of rift she referred? A mere separation of spacial distance, which he imagined put a strain on the love between any two beings? Or something more terrible...?

Ranko replied with talk of distance. Of spacial distance, yes, but distance between hearts, as well, and betrayal. Or just being forgotten, or tossed away, like something spent, withered, and now useless with no name to protect her, no armor or weapons as she is surrounded on all sides by enemies.

The feel of the vision changed again then, but before he could properly consider the new overall feel of it, the Ranko before him became enraged, screaming but... somehow lacking the energy to really put force into it.

"Or not having one's sacrifices repaid!" she shouted-- and then dissolved into passionate, almost childish tears.

The High Priest just stared at her for a moment. And then... even though it was only a dream, she was only a dream, he sent gentle, calming thoughts to her, slowly reached out with one hand to touch her. And she fought him away at first, but the best Kouyo knew how to do was to love her, and so she finally gave in, resentfully and like a child, and Kouyo held her while she cried. Ranko would give him no more answers, and so he would not press her for them. He held onto her, starting to cry a little himself, and just quietly continued to do so, allowing the dream to fade away on its own.

Setsushi and I converse about the Silver World over pancakes... and try to keep little Xiao Huo from touching us sweatdrop

Kouyo threw himself down onto his sofa with a tired huff, and remained face-down on the cushions. He exhaled slowly and steadily, trying to drain all of the tension from his tired muscles at the same time; fueled by a desire to be done wiht the storage room forever, and now also wishing to do so sooner rather than later to free up his time to pay a visit to the false Silver World, the Porcelain had very likely overworked himself today. Weary and sore, Kouyo carefully rolled over onto his back, resting his hands on his stomach and closing his eyes, then took a few more deep breaths.

Though his body ached for sleep, the High Priest wished to receive an answer to the question Setsushi had voiced concerning the mysterious other plane. ... And shadows of worry and anxiety begin to form in Kouyo's mind; he realized after a moment that his relaxation would do him no good if he kept clenching his fists and jaw. With some effort and protest from his body, the priest got up again and hugged his knees to his chest, resting his chin on them while he considered. Rest would be the best idea, but napping now would also likely make it more difficult to sleep tonight.

So perhaps now there was time to ask for visions. The priest squirmed again to a more comfortable sitting position and pressed his palms together, wondering for a moment if he should inquire first after the name of the little boy they call Xiao Huo; it was a fairly simple question. On the other hand, however, if he had a clearer picture of whatever may be going on in this false Silver World, then perhaps he would be able to rest easier after.

The mental tiredness continued to weigh upon Kouyo as he awakened to his vision, but fortunately, his body no longer ached in sleep. He could not see anything, however. At least not at first.

A familiar god's voice told him that the place they believed until recently to be the Silver World was "also Her world". And as Kouyo tried to focus his tired eyes on the shapes and forms in the air before him, they slowly solidified into buildings, streets, people. Porcelain. It looked like home, but Kouyo knew by feel that it was not; the place had to be the Capital City of the place they called the Silver World.

The High Priest knew the date in that place to be far in the future; Jilan and Setsushi had purchased books there that described the latter's life, Kouyo's, the Imperial Princess's as history. And yet the buildings looked so similar, Kouyo could feel the pain of nostalgia and longing settling into his heart.

But he had to know if the place was safe first. And so he inquired further to clarify - did the god mean it was another place created by the Silver Empress? The little Porcelain High Priest did not mean to question Her nor Her motives, but.... He and his people feared what they did not understand.

The god then told him that it was a gift for "you all". Beyond that, not even the little gods knew what it was for.

Kouyo's eyes remained fixed on the vision of the Capital City as he took in this information, then suddenly asked to whom "you all" referred. The Porcelain? All Gaians?

The god clarified that the other world was for all of the Porcelain who had left the Golden World.

Faintly troubled, the High Priest simply nodded. He remained silent for several long moments as he tried to move in closer to the city in his dreams, but it threatened to fade and fill with mist, obscuring his vision - perhaps he was too tired. He will be going to see it eventually anyway....

Ah, which reminded him, he still would be able to seek the counsel of the Name in his dreams as long as he was in the Silver World, yes? And... though the priest was somewhat reassured if the other place was created by the Silver Empress, he still had to ask again: was it safe there for all the Porcelain?

After reassuring the Porcelain that he would still be in contact with the Name during his time away, the god considered for a moment before telling Kouyo that the other place was not safe. However, it was not any more dangerous than the Golden World.

... The Golden World in which Kouyo and the others grew up? Or the Golden World now, where Porcelain were finding themselves taken from their homeland and placed instead in Gaia? Was the danger supernatural, or merely the day-to-day worries of mortals?

The god reiterated that he meant the Golden World, and then gently reminded Kouyo that his distinctions were not sensible. Even the supernatural meant little to the divine gods. However, at his continued questioning, the god told the little High Priest that there are fewer malevolent spirits to trouble the people of the Silver World; that the Names and Chaoses, who could be dangerous or not, existed in both places; and that the outside visitors would be more likely to have psionics or magic applied to them either against their will or without their knowledge than in the Golden World.

Though his mind was growing hazy, Kouyo nodded, taking in this information. He committed it to memory so he could tell Setsushi of it when he awoke... but before he could think to ask anything else, the priest's tired mind pulled the vision from him and urged him into deeper, more restful sleep.