Charles Patricius

"Well I don't expect judgment from you, but... what if someone else saw me doing it? They'd think I was just some random pervert," Kazu countered. Even if he were to acknowledge his own visual appeal, Kazuhiko didn't/couldn't place himself in the same league as Angelica; she was far beyond the realm of good-looking by any standard. As an outsider, if he saw someone looking at her the way he did, he'd assume perverse thoughts were taking place.

Soma's eyes were currently shifted in Emirie's direction without ever glancing away. She was quite the interesting one after all. Not only could she see beyond the surface level of his intentions, but she could easily take a step even further beyond. If anyone in this group could get close to truly unraveling the mystery of Soma's goals via brainpower alone, she had a very good chance of being that person. The way she took his reference of 'Queen' without any additional information, was a major sign toward that very positive note in her favor. "I don't expect you to understand my goals. I expect you to understand and work around things in a much smaller timeframe," he said swiftly. It seemed Emirie would not easily agree to joining his cause; she needed information. It was time to open a proper dialogue, Soma decided. "Then I'll cut you a deal. I'll allow you three questions to address those 'unknowns' you mentioned. If I can give you enough information to work with just three answers, you join me. If I can't... well, that condition is for you to determine. What do you say?"

Hiruko and Sakura spent quite a long time discussing random magic theory in his car. Now, Sakura was wondering if he was magical based on a simple parlor trick. How interesting. He could count one more thing she was ignorant to... or at the very least, one joy lacking from her childhood if no other variables were involved. Either way, his answer was unchanged. "Of course I am. Isn't my magic the thing that brought you here?" he replied. During that peck on the lips that apparently accompanied Sakura's gratitude, Hiruko took the time to cup her chin and force an extra moment of lingering. He even used that empty hand to sweep away her bangs, carrying it behind and around her ear. At the end of that little journey, there was something between his fingers: a token she may or may not have seen in the possession of Miko or Kaguya. "Oh, and you should keep this handy too. Don't let yourself be caught in public without it."

Apparently, Kazuhiko didn't expect judgement from Angelica about his staring. And claimed that it was only a problem because other people might think him some kind of pervert. Perhaps, Angelica was really too young for this world, because there was only one logical reply in her head, "You're obviously not some random pervert. Why does it matter what they think?" she countered. Even if he was a pervert, he was one she'd chosen to have within the space of her person, no one else's opinion on that really mattered. That last message from Sakura about the grumpiness of her baby was indeed one which reached Angelica as she looked down at the picture of Kazuki, "Eh? He really does look very angry. A lot like you though, why is he so mad?" she wondered aloud. And given the amount of politeness in this society, it seemed backwards that anyone would have anything to say about what was going on in someone else's life. It was simply ridiculous to do so.

Glowing red eyes were shifting in Emirie's direction and they'd done nothing but settled upon her since this conversation began properly. By the blonde lass's own observation, there was some kind of acknowledgement of mental acuity taking place here. She wasn't being dominated by this man or tricked with childish wonder. No, he was trying to lure her in to whatever his long term plan was, even if not on a permanent basis. He even had some explanations, he needed her to work towards his goals within his limited time frame and with only a limited understanding of what his overarching goal was, by logic he wanted her analytical ability. "Sou ka," she said having come to a conclusion in the moment and turning slightly, not to look out of the window but to look at him directly. The deal he offered was a set of three questions, which she could use to fill in the unknowns in her understanding of him. If she did so to a satisfactory amount, she would join him. And if she did not then... her terms would be her own. "A deal and a test," she said while looking at this young man directly. Her own light colored pupils flashing in understanding. "Alright, I can agree to those terms," Emirie decided in a single moment. What she knew about him already started with the fact that he was building his group from the ground up. He was aiming for someone to seek council from while he built his own understanding and gathering potential which outweighed current boundaries. "First question, which of your senses is most important to you?"

Meanwhile, Sakura had asked Hiruko if he was magical and his reply while playful was exceedingly pointed. He claimed she was here for that reaosn, and that was true, but he couldn't fully understand the rest of that information from her. Surely, "Well, yes~" she said that light teasing of hers returning. She'd thanked him and kissed him only to find him extending that meeting of the lips. It was quite pushy but also appreciated and part of the reason she could compare him to her favorite person and happily accept him. His ability to go beyond her basic expectation. At the end of that gesture a tenderness marked by a sweep of her bangs and the production of a coin. He told her to keep it on her in public and that was interesting and as she rolled it over in her fingers, she found herself looking between it and Hiruko. There was no way, the coin itself seemed to be more like an artifact than most things she'd seen in this world so far. An accessory with the same sort of magic bending around it that Hiruko himself had as a person. "Since it's a gift from you, I'll definitely hang on to it~" she said while her eyes were still locked on it. 'I am going to need a second group chat.' she thought. And thus she would be starting it in her opposite hand, Miko's number and Kaguya's number were the ones she'd use to begin that but a message wouldn't be immediately sent. No, she had to gather all her thoughts first.

One thing Kazuhiko couldn't properly explain was the importance of social image in this world's society. There wasn't much of a choice but to try, though... so he'd try. "Because the moment you're seen as a pervert here, your life is over. Jobs, social opportunities, and even freedom can be taken away based on a misunderstanding," was all he could manage. As for the young Kazuki, his angry expression was something the father in question could actually understand. If they were so similar, and considering spiritual genetics were a likely factor, there was only one real answer. "That's... probably also my fault. After the fall, I was teetering on one of the biggest boiling points of my life. That kind of anger doesn't just go away. Maybe it went into him?" he wondered.

A deal and a test. Soma and Emirie were locking themselves into a chess match of a different sort. Though it wasn't one with definite victory or defeat conditions, Soma intended to win emphatically. Emirie agreed to his starting conditions; she'd be asking three questions. Most notably though, she went ahead without establishing her own terms of victory. The realization of that fact widened Soma's grin just slightly. Now then, what did she want to know? What sense did he find most important? "I wouldn't be so short-sighted as to choose just one. Whichever accessible sense is most valuable in the moment, is what I deem most important. Otherwise, there is no hierarchy," he answered.

Sakura easily accepted Hiruko's claim of being magical... or perhaps she was instead agreeing that magic was the reason she was here. The latter seemed most likely, but it made no difference overall. What did make a difference, was the necklace he'd placed on Sakura; it really brought the rest of her look together. He was satisfied to have that in place, and more satisfied still to have her receiving his token. "Good. It might be the most important thing I can give you. So... ready to go?" he asked. The shop workers were already en route to Hiruko's car, ready to load the boxes from Sakura's new collection. At some point today, he figured a shipping order would become necessary. Oh well; that was usually the case regardless.

There was a certain truth of human life that higher order beings who were born as such would never understand, and that was the structural limitations placed on humans by other humans. Civilization did many great things, but also contributed to backwards thinking which humans seemed to just accept at face value. Such was the thing being discussed by Kazuhiko, who claimed that all manner of normal life sustaining activities could be negatively impacted by the way someone perceived your actions. "That's backwards," Angelica said. She was trying to avoid lumping all humans together in stupidity but they weren't doing themselves any favors by making up and following such stupid and unenforceable norms. To let something like a misunderstanding stop one person in an instance, but let known evils go unpunished was simply asinine. Ah, but what about the very angry looking child of Kazuhiko and Sakura? Well, apparently he was angry potentially because Kazuhiko himself was at the time of his conception. "Sou ka, you were pretty on and off for a while there... and the conditions of conception do have an effect on the outcome..." she said thoughtfully. "Still, he's pretty cute and I'm sure he'll work on a proper outlet for his emotions," she said seeming to have a bit of faith in the outcome. Her own child had flown off into the distance with only a passing goodbye so she'd have hope for Sakura's instead.

Speaking of children flying off on their own, Soma and Emirie were having a battle of minds. Well, that wasn't exactly the right word for it. Emirie was being mentally tested and potentially claimed for Soma's long term goal benefits, but she wouldn't commit to such a thing without a certain amount of clarity in her own right. So, she was asking him questions and assessing his answers to determine how much of a danger she thought he was to others. She'd not bothered declaring terms for her victory because, either she was given enough information to work with so that she'd agree to helping Soma, or she wouldn't be and thus would be free to choose an option later which left her outside of his purview. These were the only options she needed, ah but what of her first question. Soma's answer to that open ended question was that what was most important was what was needed most in a moment. He didn't apply stagnant value and that could be a sign of goodness. And since he'd given her no reason to think otherwise, she'd chose her next test question based on the potential negative associations. "Sou, I understand..." she murmured softly. Her second question would be posed in a similarly vague way but would also leave her just enough room to come to a few conclusions. "Second question, you and a group are walking in the woods, and you come to a fork in the road, to the right is a path filled with thorns and to the left a path filled with snakes, which path do you take, explain your reasoning." she said looking at the still grinning boy. He was admittedly rather easy on the eyes, and of the people born to today that she wasn't related to directly, he'd likely have been the one she could have the most interesting conversations with in this early point of her life.

Sakura knew Hiruko to be magical, and also knew that she'd found him at least in part by magical means. There was no arguing either of those points. Instead of harping on those points, she was now peeking at herself in the mirror to see how the addition of a few pieces of jewelry had altered her look. She wasn't opposed to it, and it seemed that Hiruko was satisfied by it, and thus she could be happy. This coin however though was a point of tension she now had to deal with, "Definitely the most important and interesting things I've been handed lately," she said. That little coin would be slipped into the pocket on her little jacket's inside and she'd be holding her phone in one hand as they existed this shop. "Hai, it was nice here... the craftmanship of these pieces was also quite interesting and I enjoyed seeing the things you chose for me~" she offered as they headed out to the car. Boxes and bags in hand she'd slip into the car sending a message to Kaguya and Miko that simply read. "Do you know how magical this man is?"

Human society could easily be described as backwards. Kazuhiko knew it, Angelica knew it; basically every human with a brain in this era knew it. "There's not much to be done about it. Society can only change by the will of the majority. People have a lot of problems as a group, but it'd take a big effort from a lot of people. Most people just silently complain and move on because a single voice doesn't matter, but it's the lack of movement that stops progress in the right direction. It's just the way things go," he said, almost sighing as he did so. Regarding Kazuki, he could only hope the lad had his own anger instead of inheriting that of his father. If what he dealt with was an aftereffect of what Charlemagne felt, he'd be needing a very effective outlet. "I hope he does. I wonder when I'll get to meet him, and Lux too. I've never met my first two children, and they're mature enough to go on adventures or be angry at the world. At this rate, I'll be history's worst dad before this body is old enough to drink legally," he joked.

Emirie continued her questionnaire without issue after an open acceptance of Soma's first answer. Her intentions, already open to theorization, were made abundantly clear with the second query. Alas, there was an opening for many variables ─ variables Soma believed she left open with great purpose. No matter; it was another question that could be answered with ease. "Ho? That's a good way to maximize value," he complimented, raising his hand with a single finger extended initially. "First, assuming this group is my party and there are other groups involved, the answer is waiting. When someone else has already made a move, follow suit and take advantage of the carnage and whatever mistakes they've made. Second, assuming I am alone and this is a group of strangers, the answer doesn't change. Third, assuming this is my party and there is no one else involved... then I choose to go left. I won't waste time and valuable energy guiding a group through a thorny path, but snakes have consciousness. Snakes can be frightened, dominated or controlled. It wouldn't be a problem to walk in with a group, and leave with a venomous army."

So long as Sakura was satisfied with this part of her shopping trip, Hiruko could leave satisfied overall. A moment of appraisal in the mirror seemed to confirm just that, though her main focus appeared to be that token. They each had different views of its importance, neither right and neither wrong. Regardless, Sakura kept it with her as they exited the shop. "They do make good pieces here. It's still not the best, though. There's another place back home worth looking at, but that trip is a little out of the way for now. I'll take you one day," he said by the time they reached the car, which Hiruko started while clerks sorted those boxes within. Once that was out of the way, he'd be driving toward the next destination posthaste.

The explanation that came from Kazuhiko about human society and how it worked was odd. Angelica wasn't a big thinker by any stretch of the imagination, but she definitely didn't understand human nature. As far as she was concerned doing things the way it was implied just continued a cycle of bad outcomes for numerous people just because they couldn't handle the idea of standing out from the norm. "Yeah, I am pretty sure this is one of those fundamental differences. It makes no sense to me, and given how you said it, you and other people also acknowledge it doesn't make sense," she said with certainty. But it didn't seem like one of those things any one person could fix, or rather if one person could fix it, the rest of the humans would likely strike out against it because of that free will they don't use until they feel challenged. Oh well, beyond that point there was the matter of Kazuhiko's relationship with his first two children, Angelica had a lot to say about it, but would leave it simply. "Kazuki is in Munetsuchi and since we plan to go back I am sure you'll get to meet him soon. Lux flew off into the distance like someone else I knew," she said with her nose turned up in the air. She was never going to let go of her abandonment issues, but she wouldn't let one thing stand. "I don't think you're a bad father, Chuck. I had one of those and I am going to say no," she said earnestly. "Second from another girl with a bad male genetic components," said Kaguya who was pulling out a vibrating phone. It would seem she'd been added to another group chat, this one making her smile, "Good morning, Saku-chan. I watched him walk into a casino and bet it all on green and win. I know he's magic..." mentioned Kaguya in that text message so casually. Miko had her phone vibrate and draw her attention as well. "Hai hai, good morning Saku-chan ^_^ I also know he's magic o.o That much is obvious by.... :3 Well you know by now >.<~ Are you worried about it? O_O" Miko texted as well.

At the same time, Emirie was being kept track of by Soma. Both of them were busy having a discussion which was testing the waters between them. In Emirie's case, she wasn't just poking at his morality but also his intelligence and problem-solving with her questions. She wanted a fuller picture before agreeing to help him one way or the other. So what would be happening? First, Soma would be acknowledging the loaded nature of her question which would give her more answer for a singular question. In this moment, a small smile crept up onto perfectly pink lips as she confirmed a certain amount of extra thought from the lad sitting beside her. "It is," she said almost coyly. Of course, his answer to her actual question came in tiers. He revealed his level of thinking which seemed to go into specific variables left out of the scenario. Those added variables left quite a bit open to interpretation. And in so doing Emirie was able to get a fuller understanding of the lad in the moment. He was callous to his enemies and those he considered expendable, but his own friends and comrades weren't among them. He approached situations logically and in a way to maximize value and effort while minimizing casualties and maximizing advantages. He also had a great deal of faith in his own abilities, which she could now safely assume leaned in the direction of summoners given his listed reasoning of sentience in animals being the reason to chose a snake riddled path. "Those are a lot of variables covered..." she mused seeming to find something akin to amusement in the moment. That just left her last question didn't it?

At the same time Sakura was packing up after a rather fruitful jewelry shopping trip. According to Hiruko this wasn't the absolute best place, and the place he thought was best was near his home. The claim there was an interesting one, and given his hidden magical potential she had to wonder if his taste leaned towards pieces that were a bit closer to what the magical world would view as accessories? Well, she supposed she'd find out eventually, "Hai, if it's a place you reccommend, I look forward to visiting it some time~" she clarified happily. She'd take her seat back in the car and leave the driving to Hiruko. Whle that occurred she received two back to back messages, one from Shinomiya Kaguya and the other from Iino Miko, all concerning the man currently driving. First and foremost, there would be a giggle, she found Miko's method of texting rather amusing for reasons she couldn't explain, but more serious matters were being discussed. "Well, those are magical things, but there is also the fact that he is awake enough spiritually to sense people like us and to see my inmon. He is... using magic of the soul freely and his body and mana have grown to match it, but his mind isn't quite awake enough to fully utilize magic actively. Because of that, the fact that he is unaffected by karma is a bit problematic and makes him experience huge shifts in the activity around him every seven years. By his own words he is currently approaching his 4th seven and I don't think he or whatever area he is in will survive the event. And after having him I don't wish to lose him. I assumed you two are both onboard with this sentiment so what do we do?" the message sent by Sakura was done with utmost clarity and full reaosning.

"It doesn't seem like much of a difference to me. The gods of Alaya were said to mostly be absentees who let the Anunnaki do whatever they want without rising up," Kazu stated. Angelica continuously expressed an opinion of difference between humans and other species, but after seeing the results... he could easily blame all manner of civilizations. Something similar could be said about his view on bad parenthood. Kazuki's conception came during one of the darker times of his life, but it may not have been the darkest to date. Angelica and Kaguya weren't the only ones who had terrible fathers; his words were taken from a direct comparison. "Oh yeah? I also had one, you know. Two at once... sort of. Finding out you've been living a life based on the emotions of a guy you've never even met doesn't sit well with a young boy. It'll turn a bleeding heart black real quick," he insisted. For that eternally smiling face, Kazuhiko as Charlemagne was certainly not born and raised in the light.

Meanwhile, Emirie gave simple acknowledgement of Soma's assertion. What she'd done with her question, she'd absolutely done with purpose. Good. He wanted her onboard for such a potential. Seeing it was potential that was already being actualized, he only became more sure of the plan. She'd be an excellent addition, whether short-term or long-term. First, Soma had to get through her final question... which wasn't being asked just yet. Emirie commented on the number of variables he addressed, and all fell silent there. Well, not all. Soma himself would be speaking again. "You'll neither find any additional information that hasn't been requested, nor bait me into revealing more about myself than I've already decided you can know. Does that cover it?" he asked without hesitation.

Kazuhiko saw things from an interesting perspective. Seeing the gods of Alaya as the same sorts of civilized garbage as humans. As was the case with all major groups there were caveats and Angelica saw herself as one in this particular case. "Wouldn't know, it isn't as if I grew up with those gods either. I meant that from the perspective of a shut-in as you keep calling me. I don't actually know if they all let it go or not, I wouldn't but... I'll argue anything I feel is right," Angelica pointed out. And that part was true, what she found annoying about the situation wasn't just humans not doing anything about something as silly as looking after themselves, it was the other humans allowing that craziness to change their lives. Beyond that, it seemed that Kazuhiko had his own bad parenting experiences. According to him the effect that the oddity Kazuki's birth could go very badly and it was why he considered himself bad. The two girls wouldn't agree but for markedly different reasons, "You aren't planning not to see him at all, nor are you trying to dictate his life... I simply can't see it as the same," Angelica said thoughtfully. "Hm, that experience of yours is showing isn't it? But I think the fact that you are even conacious enough to question it leans you in the opposite direction, no need to be so hard on yourself, the world does that enough right?" Kaguya asked in the light kind of way she did while she read a sizeable text message from Sakura about one Daikichi Hiruko. "The only answer would be to make sure his mind catches up to his body and soul? if he's awake enough for his senses to be working he has to be at least a little suspicious by now~" Kaguya offered her opinion on the matter. Miko had listened to the argument on parents and felt she had no place in it, the first time she was born her parents were great, and the second time, well she'd ended up an orphan, her understanding of life complications was very different. So, she'd quietly continue to reply to Sakura's text message. "Yikes x.x We should definitely see about fixing up his understanding and keeping anything bad from happening. >.< I am surprised you managed to form an attachment so quickly O.o Congratulations ^_^ We could bring it up with Charlie... I took my parents through the door already D: I doubt he'd have anything negative to say about the potential after meeting Hiru-nii either *_* I also don't want to miss out on more of him -_-" Miko offered before eyes bounced up. "We'll be getting off the bus in three stops..." she stated as a method of keeping up with time for the group at large to hear.

In the meantime, there was a break in the questions which were being asked by Emirie. Such an action was also by design if only because a moment of gentle conversation could give a bit more context and let her understand the young man she was talking to a bit better. What was more Soma decided to reveal quite a bit of information about the nature of this deal of his. He made the claim that she wouldn't be receiving more than she requested and that he'd only be saying what he decided she should know. She smiled at him then in a genuine sort of way. "You can't be sure of what I will take from the things you say. If you could be you wouldn't be trying so actively to recruit me to your cause, I'd be relatively useless to a brain that could completely predict me on its own. But I didn't ask any questions to find information you weren't willing to give I was asking that way as a matter of your privacy. So yes, that about covers it..." she mentioned without the added details. If he was giivng nothing extra away she saw no need to do so either. "Last question, if you had a different name, would you be a different person?"

Kazuhiko had no intention to be missing in the lives of his children. Even so, it couldn't be said that he made no moves to dictate their lives. He didn't do so consciously, but he didn't have to if some spiritually inherited anger was going to do so for him. If nothing else, he could hope for some understanding from the other side. Both Angelica and Kaguya seemed to take the reasonable approach. A young male, however, might be a different story entirely. Time would tell. "Guys, chill. I'm not freaking out about it right now or anything; it's just a passing thought. It won't go away that easily, but it's no big deal until it is. Let's just enjoy the shopping trip," he suggested for the sake of moving on. Any concerns he had about parenthood would be shelved and addressed whenever any signs showed themselves. In the meantime, they apparently had three stops to relax on the bus... which meant it was time for something important to be addressed. "Ang, you haven't said anything yet. What do you think of motorized vehicles?"

Still ongoing was the more intellectual chat closer to the bus's center. Emirie was sure Soma had no cause for certainty regarding her takes and formed opinions. "Don't be so sure. I'm not actively recruiting you. Right now, I'm just killing time before you finish beating around the bush. You're going to join me. That much has been clear for the past five minutes," he said as if certain beyond any doubt. Moving on, Emirie claimed to respect his privacy with her questions. This wasn't a matter worth any extra care the way Soma viewed it, but that semantic was of no importance to him either. Emirie's final question, strange as it was, made the male close his eyes again. That grin hadn't gone anywhere. The nature of his answers, however, did become a bit stranger, more indifferent. "Compared to what I am currently, yes. But what I will be... isn't something that will change. I'm climbing my way to the top by any means necessary. That decision was made when I gained consciousness, before I was even born."

Ah, though the girls of this group tried to offer Kazuhiko comfort in his first steps into fatherhood. It seemed he didn't want it. He claimed he wasn't freaking out about the start of his life, but instead it was just a thought popping up in his mind. The minds of men and women were so very different, Kaguya could only chuckle while thinking that this kind of thing was why men of their era walked into oncoming traffic, but she simply nodded. "Hai hai~" Kaguya mentioned. At the same time Angelica looked at her husband and sighed, he was always like this but she wouldn't push him on this, she was trying to be more understanding of his oddities. "Of course we're going to enjoy the shopping trip," mentioned Angelica. The girls at large had already had quite the fun time finding lingerie. But what would Kazuhiko move on to? Apparently the knowledge that Angelica hadn't yet encountered motor vehicles yet. How was she enjoy it it? "It's a bit weird, there's so much vibration happening it feels almost unstable but we're moving relatively fast I guess, and in a large group which is a bit weird under normal circumstances. I guess I like it alright... though I don't really understand why there are so many kinds of vehicle," she explained of herself. Well, the magical world had different kinds of transportation.

Meanwhile, a gentle conversation was taking place between two very clever individuals. According to Soma it had been obvious for about five minutes that Emirie would join him. She supposed that was a truth she'd not considered initially. "Well, I did say that if the unknowns were covered that I didn't mind helping you..." she mused. Overall she saw several benefits to being helpful, most of them surrounding her younger half-sister. But what about her last question. She was curious about his motivations, and how deep they ran. Though apparently such things were nothing to worry about, he claimed to have been the same since his consciousness developed. "Sou ka, that was all I needed to know. I'll help you... even though I don't know what it is you're climbing to the top of," she said as calmly as she did everything else. Whatever he desired her brainpower for, she'd offer for now as she grew into herself. Whatever the case, Emirie wouldn't be arguing with a drive that existed before this man existed as a being. If he had a goal she figured he'd eventually make his way to it, she wouldn't question that.