video; username: julius

[viscontree]

Hello everyone. My name is Julius Visconti.

Allow me to take this opportunity to formally thank all of you. I was held in prison for some time along with some others. I understand how much trouble you went through just to aid us.

There isn't a lot I can do to repay the favor. For that I apologize.

[He bows his head down in apology.]

I promise that I'll work even harder from now. [It's the least he can do around here. Julius isn't going to waste his time.]

On another note, I'd like to ask you all a question.

What do you know about magic? I've been intrigued by its concept and origins for some time, yet I hardly know anything. Magic is a difficult thing for me to grasp. I'd appreciate it if we could sit down and discuss it in detail.

Comments

[viscontree]

An exact clone? That's impressive. I don't think even technology can replicate the details of a human being so accurately.

[Yup, he has a small idea.]

I suppose I can give you some suggestions on how you can use it in battle. Combining that with your sword skills even I'd be afraid to stand up against it.

[keystaff]

I've been practicing with the Sword and a wooden one from Pearl-san. I'm still not sure how easy it might be to hit or hurt Mirror though. I haven't really tried that out in a battle, exactly. I'm not sure if some people might be able to tell the difference, with her being a Clow Card, but unless someone could sense magic, they might mistake us.

[viscontree]

You're right. It'll be dangerous to use against someone with magical capabilities like yourself. [Geez, he really doesn't want Sakura to get caught into a situation where she even needs to use her sword and mirror.]

How have you been finding your sword training with Pearl so far? I want to see where you stand with your physical build. [Sakura's just a child, but still. She's working out she can probably sprint a few miles.]

[keystaff]

Yeah, if someone can sense magic they could probably sense the difference. Maybe.

But I have been enjoying my practices with Pearl-san! I guess the best way would be to start practicing with you so you get an idea?

[Because it's kind of hard to describe where she thinks she is at with this. The Sword card can definitely make a difference, but she's also training without it as well in case she might need to improvise too.]

[viscontree]

Contact me whenever you feel ready. Practicing magic and fighting can be a lot of work, but you should be able to manage it.

You had fun last time. [He nods to her words. It's strange to him, he'd never consider this kind of work to be fun since it's necessary for survival. Julius is trying his best to see things from Sakura's perspective too.]

[keystaff]

Okay! I will!

[She gives a nod of agreement there, ready and willing if it means she can improve. If she can then help more somehow. Could help defend others.]

I did. I do, yes! But I guess...I'm used to this from P.E at school and all, and cheerleading. And with the Cards. It's almost like dancing, when Pearl teaches me, really.

[viscontree]

You studied cheer leading? That sounds like excruciatingly tiring work. [He doesn't really understand how you could stand there and cheer for so long. Just think about the stamina necessary!]

In the military we have many drills that need you to be fit.

Somehow I feel that cheer leading takes about the same amount of energy and effort.

[keystaff]

Ah, well, I've been getting better at it! The baton doesn't hit me in the head nearly as much now, anyway.

I guess they are both pretty tiring and intense. The military must be hard work too! I hear you have to be really fit to join with them, right?

[She figures that must be similar if not the same sort of standards regardless of which country or world, exactly.]

[viscontree]

I'm glad to hear that. [Sakura's so cute...she's always trying her best. It's admirable.]

For some jobs yes, for others not so much. Office jobs are just as important as physical labor ones.

[A military can't be founded on brute strength alone. You can still work there as support instead of a combatant if you aren't physically fit.]

Did they have a lot of secretaries in your school, Sakura?

[keystaff]

Ah, I guess so. Like, people that pass on messages and help with the paperwork, right? That's important too!

[Of course there are all sorts of roles even within the military. It's just most kids, like Sakura, probably think more of those actually out there in the front lines, fighting. The soldiers risking their lives to protect their country, their people.]

[viscontree]

Precisely. You learn quickly. [He feels like complimenting her. It's good, she'll be able to keep up with everything. Julius has faith in Sakura!]

I assume you were a diligent student in class.

[keystaff]

Ah....I guess. I'm best at P.E, really. But I like music a lot too. I usually manage my homework okay, just...with summer break I sometimes get distracted and rush it before school starts.

[Time always gets away with her a bit. But otherwise, she manages okay. Which is something, considering her often late nights dealing with the Clow Cards and all.]

[viscontree]

[Julius laughs a little.]

You know I don't need to tell you this, but you shouldn't leave everything to the last minute. It'll be harder for you to focus clearly.

[He understands though, sometimes it's like that with his job too. Either you get busy or something happens and suddenly you find yourself doing last minute work...]

[keystaff]

I know! I just get really excited and distracted when we have break, with my friends and sometimes dad has taken us on trips, so.....

[So she kind of forgets about homework in the process. To the point where Toya jokes that it's a tradition each year for her to run around that last week or so getting her homework done.]

[viscontree]

What kind of trips do you go on? Forgive me for being curious.

I don't know a lot about your world. I simply wish to learn more.

[A family vacation? It's not something he can easily imagine. There's too much destruction and war in his world. ]

[keystaff]

Well, one time, dad rented a place out in the country we got to visit! That was fun. I just wish Tomoyo-chan hadn't been busy with choir to come with us too.

[And that isn't counting some school trips to pools, camping of sorts, the aquarium, ice skating, that sort of thing. But it's never really that far, certainly she's never been outside of the country.]

[viscontree]

It sounds really nice. I never experienced anything like that before.

[Having a fun time with family and friends. Speaking with Sakura gives him some hope that more things will change for him in the future.]

You must miss being with your friends and family.

[keystaff]

No? I would say we could here but....

[Well. Still kind of difficult. Given the focus on the missions with ALASTAIR and all. Though some missions may not be as dangerous, it's still hard to say if they might ever get a chance to get away for a bit and relax.]

Ah....I do. But I'm still making new friends here! And if I keep helping ALASTAIR, I'll see Syaoran-kun and Tomoyo-chan and everyone again!

[viscontree]

Sakura, I think of you as friend. [Admitting these things is always strange to Julius. It's not something he's used to saying, but it's really how he feels.]

It's better to meet more people you can trust and yes-- I believe that you'll be reunited with them.

We just have to work hard. [ALASTAIR better hold up their end of the bargain and send them home once this is completed.]

[keystaff]

You are a friend! I didn't mean you weren't.

[Still, he's not wrong. The more allies they gain, the more chance they have of completing these missions, surely. If they can learn to work together. Either towards helping in general because people need them, or to gain a way back home.]

I'm sure I will! We just need to keep at it.