poly_chromatic | SEVENTH SUN -- who the hell are you?; video

You're going to finish reading this.

Why?

Because you know very little about the world around you, and you need to learn something.

I can't read half of this, and I don't need to.

Keep your voice down. We're in a library.

[Utsuho and her "better half" are sitting behind a dusty table, books piled high. Despite looking almost identical, it's clear which one is which. Utsuho the original is perched in the chair with her feet on the cushion and her arms folded around her knees and looking sullen; Utsuho the copy is sitting upright, one leg crossed over the other, back straight, looking down her nose with pity on her face. In stark contrast to the near-yelling volume that the raven normally has, this intruder speaks softly, calmly, and folds her wings nicely.

Judging by the scientific texts laid neatly on the table, she's also a bloody genius. Several notebooks seem to have been filled with her work already; she is talking and writing complicated equations at the same time.

The copy looks over at the video feed, now facing the City audience.]

Yes, the device is on. You still haven't learned to type on it, have you? It's about time you do. Here, let's check your spelling, try this.

[She lays down a sheet of paper in front of Utsuho; the raven tries to get up, but her copy forces her back into her chair.]

Look, this is stu--

Sit. Down.

[Despite all her calm, the copy's eyes gleam a deep and unnerving red, controlled power exuding quite the magical aura. Utsuho sits down, hard, as instructed. Now that she's better facing the camera, it's apparent how tired she is. Has the copy been keeping her here all night? Her eyelids are drooping and she has dark circles under them and her shoulders are slumped. The copy sighs.]

City, it is so difficult to educate fools.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Where's Ikari? [Wonders if the poor dragon got outfitted with a rhinestone collar and subjected to "walkies".]

Hello, Luke. Ikari is at the Temple; due to her angry demeanor, she is not allowed near flammable objects. Utsuho wanted to bring her, but that would have been poor judgment. But don't worry; she has a long lead and access to a food-dispensing system.

She'd have been fine. You just stuck her on a leash.

I did not just 'stick her on a leash.'

Luke, why is psycho-me following me around?

Edited 2013-04-21 22:55 (UTC)

Good afternoon to you.

[To the real Utsuho] Come midnight, things should be fine.

And to you. Pardon me for not introducing myself; I know of you because Utsuho mentioned you earlier. Perhaps call me Reiuji, her last name, since we share a name.

Have you an individual like me with you? A..."copy," as Utsuho calls me? I prefer to think of myself as an advanced clone of sorts.

Thanks, Luke. I hope so.

I wasn't 'twinned'.

Hang in there best you can, only a few hours more. In the meantime, me and Enyo and will visit Ikari - she's probably due for a long bout of unfettered playtime with another dragon.

Thanks! That'd be great!

Be quiet.

Why must you insist on interfering, Luke? I am treating them both quite well.

fools waste time with fools.

I assure you I am capable enough at multitasking to do my work as well as attempt to teach this girl. But if it is a useless endeavor...ah, well, perhaps my skills are better put to use elsewhere.

it's useless.

Hmm. I will take that into consideration.

A pity, really. I would prefer that she come out of this for the better.

came out of what?

My presence. I am aware that I am likely to disappear within the day.

who cares how that effects her.

You okay there, kiddo?

She is fine. I am teaching her to read.

We haven't been introduced. I share Utsuho's name, so perhaps just call me by her last name, Reiuji. And you are?

NO I'M NOT FINE I CAN'T BLOW THIS PSYCHO THING UP!

That is because I am stronger than you, and because you are poor at dodging.

AM NOT!

Rory Fletcher. I met, uh, Utsuho a few days ago. I guess I figured I'd check on her since, you know, this seemed like an intense little interaction between her and, um, you.

How...benevolent of you. (She seems to have a bit of disdain for Rory, and looks down her nose at him.) She doesn't need your help or your misplaced sympathies. I am treating her quite well.

Edited 2013-04-22 15:46 (UTC)

Good to know. I'll leave her to your care.

A lack of academic knowledge does not make anyone a fool.

(Reiuji shakes her head, her tamed flat hair swishing about her shoulders. Her atmosphere is one of calm, almost sickly sweet condescension. And pity. She's genuine, not just teasing, but...well, she's abrasive in her own way.)

Chekhov, Chekhov, from what Utsuho has told me of you, you should know better! Knowledge and learning, not just brute force, is power.

She is several hundred years old and still cannot read, for heaven's sake. She lives her life as a pet, desiring no knowledge of the outside world past what will immediately serve her. Despite her accelerated mind, she lives as an animal does, fearing the stronger, preying on the weaker, and thinking of nothing but the day at hand. For a youkai of her age, she is quite deficient. There are others who have constructed their own systems of magic, and here she is, nothing more than a dog on a leash for some hated creature in Hell, now lost and knowing nothing of how to be a true sentient being.

She could be so much more than this. No wonder she lost in her only important endeavors back home. If she would even take a moment to think, her magic would be much more organized and powerful, and her efforts more efficient and well-placed.

(Utsuho, on the other hand, is flailing to get closer to the camera, as her counterpart holds her off with a strong hand.)

Che-khov! Make her shut up! I lost because Reimu is really freaking fast! Not because I'm stupid or something!

Reiuji, power comes in many forms. Yes, I rely on knowledge and learning to gain what power I may, but others rely on strength; others still depend on cunning, strength of character, logic, or any number of things. Each being operates differently according to his or her strengths, and I would no more expect Miss Utsuho to become an academic than I would expect myself to spontaneously create a star.

My knowledge of youkai is very limited, but I know that, in my universe, all sentient beings--and Utsuho is a sentient being--are encouraged to do what they can and to be happy. If Miss Utsuho is happy, I see no reason to force her to cultivate skills that she has no desire to learn.

[He doesn't know what to say to Utsuho. Hopefully his comment to her twin will make the situation better.]

Thanks, Chekhov.

...And you consider happiness in ignorance to be worthwhile?

[He smiles at Utsuho and addresses Reiuji.]

I consider all happiness worthwhile.

[The copy's eyes narrow, and she sighs.]

How idealistic of you. So if one utterly wastes one's life, you would consider it quite worthwhile so long as they are pleased with their existence.

...Then why better oneself and others at all? Why force children through school? Why not simply let everyone do what they want, and ignore the consequences unless someone gets hurt?

You are taking my philosophy regarding individual choices and applying it to the infrastructure of civilized society. There is order and structure; there are laws. Everyone within a society is obligated to operate within a designated framework, but beyond that?

Miss Utsuho fits into the framework of the City. So long as that is true, what she chooses to do for herself is up to her.

[Raikov's just gonna... be wary about this girl. And avoid making an actual comment to this post]

SEVENTH SUN -- who the hell are you?; video

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