futurology | MASS TEXT; USERNAME: HAWKEYE

MASS TEXT; USERNAME: HAWKEYE

[In the end, she opts for the efficiency of a brief written message. (The message functionality of the jewelry still amazes her from time to time, but she's becoming increasingly fond of how fast it makes communication with others.)]

My name is Riza Hawkeye. I'm a military officer from the nation of Amestris. [Vague credentials, for anyone that really needs them.] There are a lot of us here gathered from different places and times, with different skills and areas of knowledge. I've spoken with a few others and we've agreed it would be beneficial for all of us to have a database of skills to pull from, both for this mission and otherwise.

[Most likely 'otherwise'; she can't be the only one suspicious of ALASTAIR after what happened in Anwick.]

If you're willing to provide a brief listing of the skills you possess, magical [because that's a thing that exists, apparently??] or otherwise, it would be greatly appreciated. If you're uncomfortable using the communications device I'm also happy to meet with you in person.

[And if you're not willing that's cool too. Everyone's got their secrets.]

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[She spins to meet the source of the voice, but takes a reflexive step back when she finally spots the small figure it belongs to, far smaller than she'd been expecting.]

You're Sakura?

[There's some disbelief in her voice; she hasn't met anyone this young yet, and hadn't even thought bringing children was a reasonable option placed on the table. But it's quickly becoming clear that ALASTAIR doesn't share her opinions on what's right and what's morally questionable.]

Oh, yes! That's me! And you must be 'Hawkeye', right? Come in!

[Hawkeye is hardly the first or likely the last to be confused and worried on ALASTAIR bringing in children. More than one person has asked how old she is, where her parents are. See, there's a reason Fai and Kurogane took her in. Besides the obvious of her being something of another version of their Sakura back home. Her younger age obviously implying she wouldn't have experience in finding anywhere to stay besides her own home or going for a sleepover at a friend's.]

[There's still a touch of hesitancy in her step as she enters, but she speaks up enough to confirm Sakura's question.]

Yes, that's me. You can call me Riza though.

[No point in maintaining formalities, especially with someone as young as Sakura. She'd seemed to be on good enough terms with the two older men, which leads to Riza's next question.]

Did you travel with Mr. Fluorite and Kurogane as well?

Oh, Riza-san then, all right.

[Sakura's still adjusting, some people telling her their first name, or preferring her to omit using honorifics after them. But that's not surprising given people are from so many different worlds, and that others outside Japan don't use honorifics, or not quite the same ones anyway. But she's quick to let the other in and lead the way inside to what has been designated as her bedroom.]

I didn't. I just met them when we got here and they offered me to stay with them.

[Although she still half wonders, given Kurogane's reaction to initially finding her. Calling her 'princess'.]

[She follows with ease, though Sakura's easy acceptance of both Kurogane and Fai cause her to raise her eyebrow a touch. They certainly both seem like responsible enough people, but still an odd enough pair to take in a young girl. (Kurogane, at least, doesn't seem the type to much like children.)

But Sakura's here and she seems happy enough, which is good enough reason to leave things be and not pry further.]

So quickly? You must've made a good impression on them both.

[Which, in all honesty, doesn't seem too difficult for this sweet-looking girl.]

I guess so? I'm pretty lucky, really. Otherwise...ah, I guess someone else would have offered if I needed to ask for help. But they saved me the trouble.

[Kurogane in particular seems to have rather an affection for her, in comparison to his interactions with. Pretty much everyone else ever, not that she is really noticing that quite so obviously just yet but over time she is starting to. She's trying not to question them too much, anyway.]

But, um...you wanted to see the Cards, right? Here.

[She pulls them out once the door is closed behind them, all nineteen of them in her hands held out to show Riza. Some sound far more tame in comparison, but are no less useful, like the Jump Card, for example, in comparison to Firey.]

[Of course, the original reason why she'd paid Sakura a visit. To be honest, Riza isn't sure what to expect - at the forefront of her mind is a deck of playing cards, with various symbols and scripts depicted on them. But then again, they could be closer to calling cards, or greeting cards, or something else entirely given the misleading name of 'card'.

In reality, they end up looking more akin to tarot cards than anything else, long and narrow with elegant graphics carefully printed on the front. Perfectly ordinary from the outside. She leans forward for a closer look, eyes bright with curiosity.]

And you said you could use them to create a variety of effects?

[There's a nod of confirmation, before she considers, handing them to the other to give her a better look at them. Some of them, the effects would be obvious. Or, on most of them, likely. She figures something of a demonstration is in order, but to do that with activating any of the cards, she first needs the staff. She pulls out the necklace, not the communication device she used earlier to talk to Riza, but her other one. The one the almost looks like a bird, with wings at the sides of the head.]

The key that holds the power of darkness. Reveal your true form to me. I, Sakura, command thee under convert. Release!

[With that, the necklace extends to the staff, revealing the pink handle as she twirls and grasps it.]

This is how I can use them. With this staff. Some of these are probably easier to demonstrate and show you. Or...safer, I guess. Were there any you wanted to ask about?

[Slowly, Riza sifts through them, taking care not to damage the cards as she flips through them one by one. Most of them clear in their effects, others of them not, but all of them bearing effects she never would have expected from a simple piece of paper. She's about to hand them back when Sakura pulls out the pendant-that's-actually-a-staff, and Riza's surprised enough that she keeps a firm grip on the cards.

More magic....? Or highly advanced technology? (At this point, she's no longer able to tell the difference.) Either way, a demonstration would be nice.

She glances back through the cards again, then pulls one out to hand to Sakura. The words 'The Windy' are written in neat script at the bottom.]

How about this one?

[It's more magic. Though the technology available to Sakura is also likely more advanced in comparison to what Riza would be used to back home in Amestris, given their parallel timeline differences of sorts. Sakura being from much later on than Riza's comparative 1915 or so.

But either way, she figures this to be the most effective means to explain and show her abilities. Even if it does make her a bit nervous and sheepish, evident in the flush at her cheeks even as she peers to the Windy card that she is handed.]

Ah! Well, okay. This is one of the more powerful Cards, along with Firey, Watery, and Earthy. The elements. But let me think...

Windy! Become a small gust of wind, a binding chain!

[Which Windy does, producing a strong breeze, almost enough to make it appear that Sakura might be hovering, but not strong enough to cause damage to their surroundings of the room or harm Riza. Smaller demonstrations are safer, even if it might be wise to later really let loose to show that potential.]

[Once the card's handed over, Riza takes a small step back to afford Sakura more room. Even if the names themselves sound somewhat silly, there's no telling how strong the end result will be and it never hurts to be prepared for anything. That's a lesson she's learned well enough in past years.

For a brief moment, there's a small smile on Riza's face, meant to be reassuring. That fades quickly enough once Windy's released, shifting into a clear look of surprise. She watches the gust circle around Sakura while leaving the rest of the room's scarce belongings untouched. Proof of control over the wind, which is good.

She doesn't move from her spot but does lift her voice to ask another question.]

Is there something inside the card you're controlling?

[Or is it the air already surrounding them...?]

[It's just a short demonstration, and Sakura is quick to dismiss Windy in thanks for the assistance with it, her feet once more touching the ground as the Card releases her gently before returning to the Card. She holds her hand out, catching it before looking back to Riza and considering the question.]

I guess. It's....well, these cards, they're all made from Clow-san's magic. But I wouldn't be able to use the Cards if I didn't have some magic myself. Kero-chan or Li-kun....Syaoran-kun, would be better able to really explain it, I think.

[Yet another magic user. Is magic one of the qualifications ALASTAIR looks for then in their recruits? Or perhaps the existence of magic is far more common in other worlds than it is in Amestris. Whatever the case may be, Sakura's small demonstration has Riza looking at magic in a different light.]

Does everyone have magic where you come from?

[Is it an innate skill, or something learned?]

Not everyone. Some of us do, but I don't think it's very common. That and there are different kinds of magic. Clow's is based on both Eastern and Western magic. It's only me and Syaoran-kun back home that could use it as far as I know. Brother could sort of use it, he could.....see...ghosts....

[Which is why Sakura is now subsequently terrified of them. Having Toya tell her about seeing them and not being able to herself. Sensing them but not actually seeing them the way he could. Yet by now she has likely far surpassed his own potential.]

[There's a twinge of sadness as Sakura mentions the presence of an older sibling in her life, one she seems quite close to. Parents, siblings, dear friends....surely she has better places in life to be than stuck here in a town without sunlight.

While there's a whole host of other questions quickly arising over the differences in magic, Riza settles for what she's learned this evening, gracefully handing the cards back over to Sakura.]

You have quite the talent then. [Hopefully it's enough to keep her safe here.] Thank you for showing me the cards, Sakura.

[Certainly, she misses everyone. But that is just why she needs to help. Even if that might mean using the Cards more publicly than she did back home. If it means completing their missions and getting home. But that budding confidence in her magic and increasing powers doesn't stop her getting sheepish at the compliment all the same as she takes the cards back to herself, holding them to her.]

Well,....I just figure, I know I might not be able to help out as much as some others here, but. With the Cards, I can at least try.

[Sakura doing her best is more than good enough. The fact that she's standing here with her shoulders straight and a determined look on her face speaks volumes to the strength still untapped inside, and Riza smiles.]

You can do a lot that many of us can't. I'm sure you'll be able to help out a lot.

[Both now and later down the line. Now that the demonstration's over though, Riza pulls her coat tighter once again. It would take too much time to go through all the cards - and probably a good deal of energy on Sakura's end too.]

I've taken up a lot of your time though; I should probably get going.

I guess so. And you probably have others you are seeing as well. I'll show you back out then. I guess...mostly I'm glad glad you didn't....freak out. So, thank you.

[Not every world might have such magic, after all. It could be easy for some to be scared of such power, even if there is still more potential underlying Sakura's own magic abilities. Pocketing the cards, she shifts and dismisses the staff back to it's usual necklace form before moving back to the door, to unlock it and lead Riza back out.]

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