O Key which hides the power of the Stars

[keystaff]

CHARACTERS: Sakura Kinomoto, OPEN
DATE: 15th April
WARNINGS: N/A? Will edit if this changes.
SUMMARY: Sakura offered previously to show others her magic. Now they are back from Woodhurst, she does a demonstration.



[Sakura had told a few friends that she wouldn't mind showing them her magic, her Cards, once they were back from Woodhurst. She wasn't as sure while there on how risky it might be to be too open regarding her magic, after all. Since there did not seem to be any that the locals were so open about. It reminded her of home almost, in that regard. So she was more cautious while there.

But now they were back, even if not at Oska, she seems more comfortable with this. That she could hold to her promise to show some friends if they wanted. She sent out messages to meet her outside near a park sort of area. In the open, more. If anyone were interested. She holds to her stuffed toy of Kero-chan as she looks down to her necklace, still currently in the form of the necklace as she has yet to activate it to the usual staff form.]

Okay....alright.

[She closes her eyes, calling out the incantation to activate it while she waits. 'O Key which hides the power of the Stars, Reveal your true power before me. I, Sakura, command you under our contract! Release!' A bright light and gust of wind appears, a magic circle under her feet as she reaches for the now enlongated staff from her necklace.]

Now I'll be ready. I wonder which one to show them.....? Maybe if I let them decide?

Comments

[assent]

[ It was a nice surprise to get the message from Sakura to meet up, especially as outside of a few conversations via magitek, she actually hadn't seen the other girl in quite a while now.

She only catches the tail end of her transformation though, and ends up pausing from her spot as she watches as it all unfolds. It really is quite magical, even just for this stage of it.

It means that Sonia doesn't waste another beat, mostly because she thought she had got here early enough to arrive before Sakura showed up as well. It just seems as though they are both early in the end. ]

Good day, Sakura! I am glad to see you look well.

[keystaff]

Hm? Ah! Sonia-san! Hello! I'm just glad you found it okay. You're the first so far.

[This wasn't quite the closest to the residential or shopping areas after all, since Sakura still wanted to be careful depending on which card she might use to demonstrate her magic. So it is a relief that at least one of them found her alright.

She gives an almost sheepish smile amid the wave as Sonia approaches though, holding to the staff in her other hand. Sakura isn't sure how much Sonia caught to watch in her having activated the staff yet, but she then takes out the cards.]

Is there any you really want to see? While we wait for the others.

[assent]

Ah? I see. I suppose it would make sense... I am accustomed to arriving to meetings early, as it is recquired in my country.

[ Still, she's explored enough of the areas by now, having free time for the first time in a long time is quite refreshing. ]

I am not certain of what you are able to do, however, so whichever you feel would be best would be fine.

[keystaff]

Y-yes, well. I figured somewhere a little out the way might be better depending on the demonstration people wanted.

[Maze, for example, might be a little inconvenient to use in a more public area. So Sakura tries to be mindful of that sort of thing. But it is nice to have the time to relax and offer this to anyone who wants it, especially in the wake of a mission like Woodhurst.

Sakura looks down to the cards, eyeing them one by one for a moment.]

Well, there's Fly? I could take you for a ride? Ah, or at least sort of...hover. We should probably stick in the area in case the others show up still.

[assent]

Of course. I have done similar things for my own training. It would be problematic should one of the cats be harmed because of us, yes?

[ She gets it. ]

However... you are able to fly?! That is very impressive! Of course I do not mind waiting as well, but I would be quite eager to see before anyone else.

[keystaff]

Or other recruits. Y-yes, that's the idea, at least. I haven't tried every single one since I got to all these missions with ALASTAIR but. I've used a few and they seem fine so far.

[And then she looks a little sheepish but also proud. Because Fly is one of her most used cards for a reason. She loves it. The height, the freedom, the ease of travel, the wind at her hair. All of it. So she beams, giving a nod before twirling her staff, calling to the Fly card to activate before hitting the card with her staff. Wings appear at her back, large, white feathered ones at her shoulder blades, pocketing the rest of the cards before she extends a hand to Sonia.]

I probably won't for long, or offer this all the time since it can be a little tiring, but. While we're here!

[assent]

Quite. Though many of those would be capable of protecting themselves, I think. The cats... I am not sure what they can do, actually...

[ Still, it's nice to see that they have a been more space to practice out here, which is why she watches Sakura activate the fly card with her hands clasped together. She is trying to contain her excitement, at least. ]

Of course, just a little is quite all right with me as well.

[ She takes the extended hand, gently trying to get on as well. It's strange, but they've barely started at this point. ]

[keystaff]

[That is something to consider too though. The cats. But regardless, it isn't the big thing to focus on right now. No. The feeling of taking Sonia's hand in hers to then start lifting them up off the ground in a slight hover initially, that's it. That's what they should be focusing on. It feels so good. She's missed this, after trying to be more discreet on using her magic while at Woodhurst.

The feeling of the wind in her hair, the sun at her face getting warmer as she rises a little more, the flexing of her wings, this is it. This is the best. And she gets to share it with Sonia!]

I should probably have asked if you were scared of heights first.

[assent]

[ It's strange to actually feel it this way. Between the ways that Haise and Peter both get around, that they've let her experience, this is actually a lot less worrying. She has some control here as well even if she has to hold on a little, it's a lot more freeing than being held onto instead. ]

Not at all, this is no problemo! Back home I am able to pilot a helicopter, so while this is quite different, it is still enjoyable.

[ Though she hasn't had much opportunity to do that... it's mostly theory. ]

[keystaff]

A pilot? Really? I've never even left Japan. Or really been outside Tomoeda. I mean there's school trips and that one time we went to that holiday house over a break, but.

[She's not sure if that would really count. A helicopter seems so amazing in comparison. Not that Sakura is old enough to pilot or even drive, but still. This is the best she has, outside of Jump, for getting around quickly.]

[assent]

Well I did not get to travel outside of my country, sadly... Not until I left for Japan to study there, anyway. It is just something I am capable of with the right equipment.

[ The reasoning isn't as simple as travel either. Her country is a war country... where children are taught how to use a gun, tank etc from a young age. ]

[keystaff]

Ah, so you came to Japan for school? Or...was it university? My brother is studying at university at the moment back home! With Yukito-san.

[Mentioning Yukito is always important. It's hard now, to imagine them not together, even after Sakura spent years crushing on her brother's best friend and now boyfriend. Still, Sakura isn't quite aware on the realities back home for Sonia, to know this might be a little personal, a little close to something she might not be comfortable talking about to someone of Sakura's age.]

[assent]

For High School, yes. I studied at Hope's Peak Academy there.

[ Which probably doesn't exist in Sakura's world but okay... she tried. The age part isn't so much of an issue though, as she's shared this and more with Sieglinde, but it's more that she wouldn't want to ruin Sakura's optimism and view of the world instead. Sonia's whole life has been quite... harsh. ]

[predomination]

[with impeccable timing, Urahara arrives around the time she starts her incantation and hangs back a bit to watch. fascinating. it's not unlike the release command for a Zanpakuto, though certainly longer- more like a kido incantation.

the effect is the same too.

once she's finished, he steps out from where he's been lingering.] Look at that. I was wondering where that staff went when you weren't using it.

[keystaff]

My -- ah, yes....This is easier. Otherwise I'd need to carry it around all the time. This way, I always have it on me.

[Plus, the necklace itself is also kind of cute. Clow knew what he was doing in setting things up for her in his future as the next one to gain the title Mistress of the Cards. To say the least. Though she does look slightly sheepish as she clutches the staff to her.]

[predomination]

[he shoulders his cane pointedly.] I know a few things about that. Deceptive appearances make quite the difference when it comes to maneuvering through throngs of people who might find you strange for carrying things like staffs or blades.

[he adjusts the cane a bit and tugs on the sheathe, revealing about one inch of the sharp blade tucked inside.] Especially since you never know when you might need it.

[keystaff]

Blad-- ah! Your cane is?!

[Well, the cane doesn't transform or need to be activated the same way her staff does from the usual necklace disguise but even then. It is deceptive, like he said. She'd have never guessed otherwise, unless he'd shown her about the cane being a sword.]

[predomination]

[oh Sakura. you have much to learn. but maybe not today. this is about her after all.] A blade, yes. It's silly to travel around unarmed, so sometimes you have to employ a little bit of trickery.

[he takes a seat on the ground, laying the cane across his lap.] So! [he claps his hands together once, grinning.] Are you ready for your demonstration?

[keystaff]

Trickery....I hadn't thought of my staff like that but. I guess? I preferred to try hide it from most back home.

[With a certain few exceptions. Syaoran and Tomoyo, mostly. Though her father and brother ended up more or less finding out in the end. It's just by the time Fujitaka got involved, Sakura had more or less finished that chapter, having changed all the cards to Sakura cards with Eriol's help. Thus claiming her place as the most powerful sorceress back home.]

Ah, but um. Which did you want to see? There's...Sword, Fly, Jump, Maze, Light, Dark, though those need to be used together. Ah, Shield, Firey, Watery, Windy, Earthy, Flower, Glow, Illusion, Wood, Mirror, Thunder, Shadow, or Erase?

[Sakura doesn't just hold them up for him to see in front of her, but makes the cards circle around her, showing him the cards in movement through her magic, through her connection and bond with them.]

[predomination]

[Misdirection. Well-meaning deceit. Illusion. These are all things he has to employ himself- as did Ichigo before Urahara allowed his friends to remember their experiences with "the other world." Hiding things from your loved ones tends to involve a lot of trickery, and not all of it is very nice.

But Sakura is too pure and sweet for him to point that out. Instead, he dramatically swirls his finger as he observes the cards floating around her, a delighted little smirk on his face. After a second or two of considering he points to one at random (or possibly not at random- it's difficult to say where he's concerned)- the Wood card.

Call it a sort of kindred draw, considering his own blade's name comes from a tree.] How about this one?

[keystaff]

[She does use those things, though with the best of intentions on not getting the rest of her friends or family caught up in this, in worrying for her. She doesn't like keeping things from them, but not everyone has magic back home, and she doesn't want them scared or fretting over her safety.

Still, she gives an easy nod as she notes which card he chose, dismissing the others back to her free hand to pocket them quickly before calling out to Wood to activate, twirling her staff and smacking it against the card in doing so. There's a magic circle that glows yellow at her feet, a small gust of wind as the card comes to life, growing a few smaller trees around them.]

[predomination]

[Urahara makes a noise of approval- the spectacle is a bit much, maybe for someone who doesn't like dramatics, but he does (sometimes dramatics are necessary).] Ahhh. Look at that. [he examines one of the trees, checking for any sign of illusion or anything that would give it away as just magic, but they feel real to the touch.]

Are they real? [he can't imagine he's being fooled this extravagantly, but this is magic from a world he doesn't know.] Or are they just a product of the magic?

[keystaff]

Real? Ah, well...things came back to normal quick enough after I'd catch the card, sealing it. So...that makes me think it seems like magic? But they feel real enough. And one time I used Flower to give my grandfather some flowers with his birthday present. I'm sure Clow-san would probably be better to ask that. Or even Kero-chan or Syaoran-kun.

[Even after she has come so far. There's still some things she's not as sure on. Still the odd question that comes up when she stops to consider things. Even if most of it was explained and answered before Eriol left for England with Kaho-sensei.]

[predomination]

It makes sense that you're still learning. You're young yet, Sakura-san. [he chuckles as he runs his fingers through the leaves.] I'm sure you'll figure out all the answers someday.

[he drops his hand back to his side and turns to look at her.] You make it sound like you can communicate with them.

[keystaff]

Maybe. At the least, it had been a while back home since I'd had to use the cards. Since Eriol-kun left back for England.

[Since she found out the truth. Since she admitted her feelings for Syaoran, debunking Eriol's assumption that she and Yukito would fall for each other.]

I can. I told them I didn't want to rule them. I wanted to be friends.