(01 video)

[anomia]

[The camera flips on to reveal a young girl with long bright blonde hair drawn up in two high pigtails, and a blue and white striped sweatshirt. There’s also noticeably a long, wrapped package slung over her shoulder, in what someone who’s familiar with swords might realize is exactly the right size for a full length katana. There’s a fierce, set expression on her face, and she dramatically points her finger directly into the camera.]

Alright! Let’s not waste any time around here! If we’re given obstacles, then we have to overcome them, right? I’m sure if you’ve all been here for a while, then you’ve gotten a lot more answers than what those unhelpful lackies told me on the ride down… So, fill me in. What's something interesting you've learned since you got here? Just one thing!

[She’s not totally mindlessly determined and naïve, though. Raimei sobers, frowning slightly.] My name is Raimei Shimizu, a samurai. We don’t need to keep any secrets here, do we…? I’ll openly try to achieve my goals with my sword.

[Then she brightens up again, not letting herself think about how dire circumstances are for too long.] Ah, and--! Since I guess I’m not going anywhere fast, what’s all this about a job? Shouldn’t a girl my age still be in school?!

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Re: video

[anomia]

[She doesn't recognize the name because she's Japanese, a teenager, and oblivious.]

So that means you've been here a long time. What kind of business is it, if it's not a front for ninja interests? [Now she's obviously teasing.]

[cowled]

[He laughs, pleasantly surprised.]

We do a little bit of everything, honestly. Prominently I've focused on the betterment and advancements of medical treatments here. I've built several clinics as well.

[Free clinics, that is. But saying so seems a little déclassé.]

[anomia]

Has that been a big problem? It's a little old-fashioned and strange here, but it didn't seem like the medieval ages.

[cowled]

[Wryly,]

That depends on what you mean by 'medieval'. I haven't seen any trepanning tools, but that hardly means they don't exist. Mostly they've a dearth of medicinal compounds that aren't blended roots.

[anomia]

Roots can be pretty effective! [That gets a grin, mostly teasing.] Ninja medicine is based on medicinal herbs like that, but it makes use of ninjutsu, and they probably don't do that here.

It's really kind of you to try to help everyone that way! [All of her a hundred percent full force honesty is behind that.]

[cowled]

Could you?

[Oh, of course he sounds merely curious. He spent enough time among various clans to know the potency of their medicine, but although he can recreate a great many recipes, it never helps to have a more... visible source.]

And ah-- thank you. It's always been a particular passion of mine.

[anomia]

Me? No, no. [She waves a hand.] I don't really use ninjutsu. But I understand it pretty well to fight it! My clan keeps the barrier between Nabari and surface world.

[The thread of conversation is dropped because Raimei is incapable of focusing on two things at once.]

[cowled]

[It's 'k, he's more interested in this stuff anyway. Give him a moment, he's doing that fingersteeple bat-thing over here.]

I'm surprised at the secrecy involved, honestly.

[Bruce no.

No.

No.]

[anomia]

Why? Shinobi have always been secretive. Being too open gives your enemies the advantage. And these days surface people don't really have much to do with us.

[cowled]

Oh, it's just an unusual concept. I suppose it makes sense, but it's not as if I've ever met a 'shinobi' to confirm or deny all this back home.

[anomia]

Maybe you have and you didn't realize!

I'm not great at keeping secrets... like I said. I'd much rather be direct! [That's obvious, Raimei.] But I can do it if I have to. Not just for the safety of my village, but, for the safety of the civilians. They can't be mixed up in things like this.

[That's actually the main tenant of the Shimizu clan, or one of them.]

[cowled]

[Eyebrow.]

So what's different here?

[anomia]

It's like I said. You're not really a noncombatant, are you?

[She suddenly grows more serious.] Even if you don't have powers... You can't say you're uninvolved.

[cowled]

I took a couple karate courses when I was a teenager, but I'm afraid I'm not much of a fighter.

[He sounds vaguely apologetic about this, as if he's well aware of the burden his presence puts on other people.]

[anomia]

Even if you aren't, don't you feel like you're part of what goes on here? You don't have to fight to be involved. And you've been here so long...

[cowled]

[Don't remind him.]

Of course I'm a part of what goes on here. It's difficult to be anything else, the way we've all been brought together.

[anomia]

Right! So I don't see why I should keep it a secret here. Everyone needs to work together, because we all have the same motivation! I can't do that if I'm hiding my capabilities.

[cowled]

I suppose I see your point.

[Says the man whose secret identity could not be pried out of him at... basically any cost, oops. But he sounds sincere, at least?]

So what do you intend to do with your 'capabilities' here?

[anomia]

Ah... that's a good question! [She looks momentarily stumped, and sheepish.]

Help defend people, I guess? The role of the Shimizu clan isn't totally applicable here, but I can't abandon my duty. I just need to find out where it fits in.

[cowled]

Mm. Well, good luck in that endeavor. It sounds like you've got your work more than cut out for you.

[anomia]

I'll keep trying! Did it take you a long time to settle in when you got here?

[cowled]

I'm still settling, believe it or not. Extensive travelling for business aside, I've lived in one place my entire life. And this is no Gotham.

[anomia]

Gotham? I've never heard of that. Is that in America?

[cowled]

[He makes an agreeable noise.]

The East coast. In New Jersey.

[anomia]

I've never been! I've pretty much just stayed in Japan.

What's it like there? [Everyone likes talking about their home, right?]