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V I D E O

[Maya appears to be back in the Fey Manor today, surrounded by a crowd of happy ghosts. It's been a few days since she's been back from her spiritual training, but she's been busy getting re-acquainted with the city for the past few days.]

He-llo, Union! Sorry it's been a minute. I've been training!

But I'm back, now, which means you can take meditation lessons with me-- or I can help you with your ghost pokémon needs again. And of course, channelling is still on the table, too!

[as Shinrei snuggles up under her arm, Maya gives the gengar a headscritch with one of her dark, translucent ghosty arms.]

I've missed you guys a lot, so drop by and say hi if you can! Oh, and if anyone's moved here recently, um-- My name's Maya Fey! I'm the current leader of the House of Kurain channelling school in Ninetales Vale. Come by and see us if you can!

A C T I O N

[This action is mostly for Pearl Fey, but it is taking place in a very public area and others are welcome to witness it.

A short time after Maya's transmission, she finds the warm weather a good opportunity to get herself outside for the day. This, of course, puts her in the path of Pearl's mother.

They've never had a good relationship. Pearl's mother, Morgan, has always wanted Pearl to be the leader of Kurain instead-- after all (according to Morgan), Maya's mother, Misty, stole that position from Morgan.

Since Maya's birth, Morgan has been bitter and somewhat cruel to Maya (and her sister) under the guise of good will and tradition, but Morgan's less than savory means of dealing with Maya have ended up with her in trouble at times. She still resides in the village of Kurain, but without much influence or freedom.

That doesn't stop her from raining on Maya's parades.

Maya now stands in front of the manor in the open training area, where guests are welcome, listening to Morgan speak about Pearl. Though she says very little and keeps on a smile, her discomfort is apparent; the wisps that dance around her are dim, her hair floats just slightly less, her glow is dull-- and she seems almost weighed down as compared to usual.]

Yes, I know, Auntie. Of course Pearl did great while I was gone...

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[Pamela offers a smile when she sees Maya on the warp band.]

Well, well. Long time no talk. Welcome back, Maya.

Pamela!

[Maya seems quite pleased to see a familiar face.]

It's been forever. How've you been?

I'm doing well enough. Things have been...busy. And yourself?

[ it feels like every time Pearl turns around in the manor lately, she's found her mother lauding her to whoever happens to be within earshot. back when she was a little girl, it used to make her feel proud, even if she didn't really understand half of what her mother was saying.

these days - for the past few years, really - not so much.

it's wearing on her more than usual, knowing full well that she's getting all this praise as a way to try and put her cousin down in the eyes of anyone who might listen, and she's been trying to ignore it and just go about her business as usual.

unfortunately, today's business as usual takes her straight through the open training area. she winces at hearing her name, and something about Sanctuary (of all the events for her mother to talk about now...!), and makes to change course and make herself scarce, until she notices who exactly it is that her mother is talking to.

and well, maybe she sees red, just a little bit. the magatama around her neck even flashes for a brief instant before she strides, tight-lipped, across the training area to join her mother and cousin. to think that her mother would use her to bring Mystic Maya down to her face so soon after her return!

of course, by the time she actually makes it over, she still doesn't know what she's going to do, exactly. she may be so furious that she wants to launch straight into a lecture, but - her mother is still her mother, after all.

instead, perfectly polite, if clearly strained, she greets them both: ]

Oh, Mystic Maya! Mother! I was not expecting to see you both here at this time!

[ her mother's response would seem warm to anyone who didn't bother to take more than a cursorary glance. good day, mystic pearl, she says; she was just informing the master of your accomplishments during her period of absence. ]

[Maya's shoulders tense when Pearl approaches and she turns to face her, forcing on a smile.

She knows. She knows by now that all of this is Morgan's way of twisting her heart, and knows that Pearly knows, too. But she wants so badly for Pearly to be happy that she forces down her own feelings, trying to stay chipper.]

Yeah! You were so brave while I was gone, Pearly.

I'm so proud!

[Maybe if she can just focus on the positive, she can ignore the guilt.]

[ Maya's smile is painful. can Pearl do this? can she really pretend that everything is alright, when she knows that it's not? ]

Oh, well... to tell the truth, I did not really feel very brave at the time. But I'm very happy to hear you say something like that, Mystic Maya.

[ she'd be happier about it if her mother wasn't standing right there souring every sentiment. she doesn't want to hear oh my, there's no need to be so modest. you upheld the honour of Kurain admirably with your actions.

she can't do this.

maybe she can try to steer the conversation away...!

she bows, polite, but stiff. ] I tried my hardest. However, um, I am much more interested in hearing about Mystic Maya's spiritual retreat. I'm sure she must have reached new heights of understanding that she can bring into everyone's training! Um, right, Mystic Maya?

H-huh? Well, I guess so!

[Maya laughs a bit, rubbing the back of her neck before clapping her hands together.]

I mean, Shinrei and Shiyon kept me working hard... It wasn't so bad, though. I was mostly just thinking of ways we could do things a little better... Y'know, connecting with the spirit world more efficiently.

[But it's hard to sound confident next to Morgan...]

[ determined to try and keep things going in this direction, Pearl summons an encouraging smile. ]

I'll have to give my thanks to Shinrei and Shiyon for all their work in supporting you the next time I see them! I can't wait to see how your new ideas will improve our spiritual capabilities.

[ yes, says Morgan, though the sleeve of her kimono hides her mouth. much like Maya's confidence, Pearl's smile wavers... i too am interested in witnessing these, forgive me, more efficient methods of which you speak. ]

[Maya keeps her eyes on Pearl, avoiding Morgan's gaze. Pearly's the important one here, the one whose opinion matters.

She puts on her widest grin, puts her hands on her hips, and laughs a bit triumphantly-- trying to stay positive..]

Oh, you do, huh? I'll have to show you some time!

Buuut, those two missed ya too, Pearly. We should go catch up with them.

[ Pearl, for her part, looks at first as though she is seriously weighing up the idea of letting her temper go - there's that smouldering spark in her eyes that would usually precede it.

it's probably fortunate for everyone present that Maya's suggestion - and her defiantly positive attitude - manages to defuse that. instead, she just looks comically confused for a second, mouth dropping open before she realises that that's incredibly rude, and rushes to cover her hand with her mouth. ]

O-oh! Oh, yes, you are quite right! I had forgotten that I haven't seen them yet, and um, there is also some training that I must get to. [ she turns to her mother and dips her head stiffly, not meeting her eyes. ] May I be excused?

[ for once, it doesn't matter what the actual answer is (it is not for a lowly branch family member such as i to overrule the Master); she's not going to stop to listen to it either way, or she really will be tempted to stay behind and speak her mind. ]

[Maya takes Pearl's hand, shoulders a little stiff, and starts to lead her away with a quiet Later, Mystic Morgan.

The further they get from Morgan, though, the more her shoulders lock up, as though she's holding back some emotion. Not in front of Pearl...]

They'll... They're gonna be really happy to see you.

I missed you too, y'know.

[ Pearl unclenches her jaw with a small "oh" - she hadn't even realised she'd been doing it - and squeezes Maya's hand, stopping short to take it in both of hers. ]

Oh, Mystic Maya, I missed you terribly, too! It was far too quiet around the manor without you, even with Nozomi coming back to further her training. I much prefer it now you're back.

Aw, Pearly...

[Maya lets go of Pearl's hands to wrap her in a hug, unabashed. Even with Pearl's mom being constant pain in hte as, Pearly gives her something to stick around for.

A reason not to run away. A reason to keep coming back.]

Uuuuugh. Next time I'm taking you with me!

[Ok maybe she won't, but she wishes.]

[ Pearl hugs back in a way that could almost be called fierce. it isn't fair, she thinks, and she's very close to apologising for her mother (because somebody has to, and Morgan never will) when Maya's declaration instead makes her blurt out: ]

Really?! [ she's very excited by the mere suggestion. ] I would be honoured if I could! I'm getting very strong, you know!

[Maya just keeps a tight hold on Pearl, shutting her eyes tight.

Pearl's the last thing Maya has in this world, the one piece of her family that truly cares about her, and-- she just... wants Pearl to be proud of her.]

I know you are. You're incredible, kiddo!

[Grinning, she hops on her ghosty toes a little.]

I promise. Next time we'll go train together.

[ Pearl positively beams in response. ]

I can't wait! Though, [ and she giggles slightly ] I suppose that I'll have to whether I want to or not. But I promise, I won't let you down!

[ Nozomi had been spending more time around the school lately, perhaps the most since she first joined the Toujou family. Still dressed in her haori and hakama, she overheard talking.

Maya and aunt Morgan? That couldn't be good. Should she say something? Maybe make an excuse to pull her older cousin away? To be quite honest, she couldn't stand how the woman treated her daughter--or her, for that matter--but using Maya's spiritual training as a bartering chip was beyond low. Pearl deserved praise, but not like this.

Broom held in her hand, gripped tightly, she almost stepped out right then and there, ready to say something. She wanted to give that woman a piece of her mind. The whole thing bothered her, far more than she would ever really say. It wasn't her place to say. Really, she knew her place.

Magatama or not, she knew her place, as a Toujou, and as an outsider. That's what she as to Morgan, after all. She waited patiently, knowing her aunt could be quite long-winded when she wanted to be. As Nozomi stepped out, her expression said it all. ]

She didn't waste any time, huh?

[ Nozomi wasn't one to mince words. ]

You know her.

[ Grinning sheepishly, Maya rubs at the side of her neck and shrugs.]

She's just really proud of Pearly. I mean, I am, too.

[...Well, she is. But that doesn't mean that Maya's feelings aren't a little sore.

She tries to keep up a good attitude, though; she doesn't want Pearly to get hurt from all of this.]

[ Sometimes she wish she didn't. But Nozomi wouldn't say that out loud.

She sighed a bit, head slightly tilted, and a balled up fist on her cheek. ]

Still, doing things that way isn't going to help anybody.

...She's old and traditional. That's just... how she's gonna be.

[Maya clears her throat, putting on a voice that's almost an exact mimic of her aunt's.]

Like lovely green tea so bitter you lose your tongue!

[ Nozomi gets a good laugh out of that. She sounded just like her. ]

You've gotten pretty good at that, you sound just like her. I'm not sure that's a good thing or not.

See, I even scare myself sometimes.

[Still, Maya's pretty happy to have gotten a smile out of Nozomi; maybe it means she can get her off that topic...]

I'm sure she'll settle down sometime. It's no big deal.

[She just wishes she'd stop being such a jerk in public...]

[ Nozomi tries to stay in relatively good spirits about the whole thing, but there was something about Morgan that knocked the wind out of her sails. She could be more candid with Maya, at least. ]

I doubt it. She's been like that since we met. She at least gives the pretense of respect when she talks to you.

[ A sigh. She didn't want to dwell on her sourpuss aunt more than what was necessary. Which was pretty much not at all, as far as she was concerned. ]

Pearly's really grown up. I was surprised. I thought I'd have to pitch in while you were gone, but she took care of everything before I could lift a finger.

[Maya sighs at the further mention of Morgan, but tries to focus on the new topic more. It's easier just to not talk about it-- to pretend she isn't bothered.

There's nothing else she can do about Morgan... so what's the point?]

I know! I'm super proud of her. I'm... actually kind of surprised, though.

[When her friend had returned from the spiritual retreat, Rei hardly felt right saying hello over the Warp Band, so she decided to head towards the school. And just in time to witness the unfortunate display, too. The inner workings of Fey family bickering weren't entirely something a Hino was privy to, but she was a leader in her own right, and in some ways that she'd never admit...she was like her father. Shrewd, curious, and with an ear for what people said. And that included friends, with the aim of helping out.

So the Morgan issue? While not a Hino issue, was a Friend issue. And something she couldn't let stand. She pauses at the top of the stairs, letting Morgan finish and leave before approaching. Whatever Morgan thought of the Hino there was nothing she could do to Rei, as both the heir apparent to the Hino household and priestess of Hikawa Shrine, to say nothing of familial protection politically. It doesn't stop her from brusquely passing by and giving a sharp look though.

Arms folded, the Hino member of the Kurain scowls at the older woman's departing back.]

She's up to trouble again, is she?

Rei!

[Despite Rei's question (or perhaps Rei's question just makes her more eager to change the subject) Maya hurries over to hug her dear friend, arms around Rei's waist.]

Don't worry about that-- it's been forever!

[Maybe, maybe if she can act cheery enough, Rei won't press it. That's at least what Maya hopes as she grins up at her.]

[Rei looks down at Maya, hugging back. She knows you better than that, dear. And don't forget that she can read your thoughts. You aren't Dark Typed you know.

All the same, she smiles and squeezes like a dutiful friend.]

It has been a while. I take it your meditations went well? When did you get home?

[She'll come back to Morgan soon.]

Welcome back, did your training go well?

Eli! Good to see ya!

Yeah, my training went great, actually! I think I figured some new stuff out.

That's great! What did you figure out?

Like, how to talk to the spirits a little easier. It's almost like we're making real progress!

[She smirks a little, as though she's being facetious, but she really is pleased.]

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[Video] sorry for the wait!

[Video] No worries! My turn to keep you waiting.

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BECAUSE COUSINS

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