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[The video David receives is from a young woman. Roughly the same age, but dressed as a Japanese priestess. She's sitting outside in a garden, ignoring a Trevenant scuttling around in the background seemingly doing yardwork.]

David Alleyne, yes?

My name is Rei Hino. Gwen's told me you're from her world, so I thought it best to introduce myself.

[Ah, Rei. The one Gwen mentioned in the briefest passing. And with fondness.]

Indeed I am. And it's an honor to meet you, Miss Hino. She's mentioned you in passing, and I was looking forward to speaking to you at some point.

[He doesn't even seen remotely phased by her outfit or the pokemon in the background. This is the strangeness his life is no composed of.]

Forgive me for presuming, but Hino, that's a Japanese surname, correct. Would you prefer I address you as Hino? I would hate to be too forward just because American forms of address differ from Japanese.

[Yes. the mysterious girlfriend.]

She's mentioned you as well. It's a pleasure. She said you've worked together on occasion, and that you're a mutant.

[Which, importantly, that final word has no trace of inflection placed on it. It comes out just like saying 'boy' or 'girl', implying that she thinks that's completely normal and accepted, hopefully something that helps her avoid spelling out her comfort with mutantkind.]

You presume correctly. Hino is my surname, and I'm from Tokyo. Rei is fine though. I've been in Deerington long enough that I've grown comfortable with American forms of address, and I tend to only use Japanese honorifics when dealing with other Japanese people here.

[Hardly mysterious. He's learning her now, isn't he?]

Those are all accurate statements. And I shall call you Rei if you prefer. I admit, the people I know from Japan back home weren't as given to honorifics most of the time. I can't say if that's a result of long term interactions with English speakers, or just being tired of English speakers getting it wrong.

Right. Well...yes. It could easily be both. For me, it's just easier to not worry about being formal. But if you prefer, then Rei-san would be appropriate.

[She's not really fond of her last name, if she's honest.]

How are you settling in?

[Well, that's a fair thing. And he supposes he'll have to consider how he will feel most comfortable addressing her.]

Fair enough. There are a number of people I know here, even if they are from my past. They seem quite happy to guide me through life here. Gwen included.

Good. She's been around longer than I have, now. I'm sure she'll be a help.

[She blows out a breath, not being the best conversationalist.]

What has she said about me? So I'll know where to start.

Very little. That she was involved with someone. Beyond that, you're a giant question mark, Rei. Though I believe if she trusted you enough to talk about mutants, you're a good person.

Has she told you much about me?

She didn't tell me about mutants first. That was actually a man named Logan, who is different than the Logan from your world. A parallel version of him. Him and an older gentleman named Erik Lensherr and I spoke at length about mutants and the way they are treated in your world.

She told me that you were a mutant, though, and gave me a physical description, told me a bit about your powers, and some highlights of your exploits. I don't have context for most of those, but I am impressed all the same.

As for myself, I'm dating Gwen, yes. But I am also a Shinto priestess, and I've recently taken over the primary duties of managing Hikawa Shrine, in downtown Tokyo. And, perhaps more relevant to life in Deerington, I am on Onmyoujin. I practice Shinto and Buddhist faith magic, including pyromancy and binding and warding, as well as the manipulation of spirits.

[David looks... uncomfortable at the very mention of Erik's name.

She told you about my powers? That's got to be a fun explanation to sit through. It's always one that earns me a weird look. But thanks for the honesty there. I'm not used to people having talked me up, so normally only true nerds know my exploits.

[Throwing playful shade at Billy and Teddy? Yep.]

Onmyoujin? Forgive me, I'm still learning my way around things here. And I've known some pyrokinetic people before, but not ones with your full skill set, so I must say I'm very intrigued.

She did. It's not so difficult to understand.

[She's dealt with Ami, after all. And she's at genius levels of intellect herself, with a different focus.]

Onmyoujin is the proper word for a practitioner of that Shinto faith magic, which is more formally called Onmyoudo. You might have heard of Abe no Seimei?

Most people look like they're a blue-screening computer when they try and fathom psychomimetic powers.

[He listens very intently to what she explains and offers her a negative shake of his head.]

I'm sorry to say I haven't. Most of my knowledge of Japanese culture and traditions comes from my mutation giving it to me from natives. And those I've met are not as familiar with Shinto practices. Add in how America remains so foolishly Euro-centric in educational practices and you wind up with people that don't know as much as they might want.

I've had some experience with strange things. Just...a little.

[She manages a crooked smile.]

It's fine. I do understand. What I do is esoteric even in Japan. Just...think of me like an exorcist.

So responsible for protecting the living and mundane from the possible infringing of those who have passed. That's a very important skill.

Yes, or malicious spirits. Because those are real.

Oh, I believe you. I've lived through a haunting. Nearly died three times in the course of it. Could have used someone like you.

I'm sorry I wasn't around to help. I take those sorts of things seriously, of course.

That being said, I'm also sorry that you're here. Deerington is not a place I'd wish on my worst enemy.

It's understandable. But I managed not to hurtle to my doom in a shallow lake, so small victories.

I've got a lot of enemies I might wish it on.

Then you're a harsher person than I.

[She laughs though.]

I do hope that you find some peace here, even if that is unlikely.

My species has been nearly wiped out by humans. It's hard to not hold dark feelings in relation to it. I'm sorry about it. It's just... hard to trust them sometimes.

[Find some peace. David laughs.]

My boss has found peace. If that Quebecois punk can, then I can too.

I. Can relate to that, in a way. Though, it's not really appropriate talk for the network, unsecured.

[She can trust him a little, she thinks. Given the Gwen connection.]

Your boss?

Chances are Gwen is quite able to provide a synopsis better than me anyway.

[He would be sad if she could relate at all though.]

Jean-Paul Beaubeir

I've only heard the name. A Canadian, yes?

Indeed. And Jean-Paul leads a team I joined recently.

Fair. No, we haven't met.

But it's good you have companions here.

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video | UN: Hino

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DW is rude lately

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