In spite of his general lifestyle, touring the galaxy and working in fictional settings, Kiyoshi was always most at ease when he could surround himself with nature. The sanctuary might seem like an ideal place for that, but the animals were really the only natural aspect of it. He was hoping that the gardens, in spite of their artificial aspects would provide the environment he needed to center himself.

He sat in an open grassy area and meditated. The Detective waited a few feet away, knowing that this was a quiet time that should not be interrupted. Patience was difficult for a monkey, especially with so many things to look at and touch. He was reaching for one of the robots when Kiyoshi finally opened his eyes.

- - -
(D4, ME) Seeking Tranquility, Meditation/Void, TN 20, Recovering Void Points | 5k2 ⇒ 37 (TN: 20)
2 VP recovered

It was almost a perfect opening sequence for 'The Detective and the Mystery Five'. A mysterious garden, the detective examining a strange robot, and Souta meditating when the pair suddenly heard something bringing Souta's eyes open. A very faint singing could be heard coming from somewhere far off in the garden, hidden behind the holographic images.



I can’t count the nights when I’ve hoped tomorrow won’t come
I’ve lost my dreams and my love; lashed by the rain, I’m crying, crying, crying…

What do I need to do
To be able to live as I am, without dressing myself up?
I can't even believe in myself, so what should I believe in?5
The answer is so close that I can’t see it

I cry black tears
I have nothing, I’m so sad
Unable even to put it into words
My whole body begins to ache
I can’t take being alone

At night I grew tired of crying and drew my face, yet it wasn’t my face
I need to stop hiding my weakness and putting on a smile

Is it the hardest thing in the world
To live without dressing oneself up?
If I could have something from you, I want something intangible
I no longer need things that can break

Even if I cry black tears and scream
Tomorrow will come with an unfamiliar face
And I’ll come up against the same pain
If those days are going to continue
Then I want to go far away
Even though I know it's selfish of me...

I cry black tears
I have nothing, I’m so sad
Unable even to put it into words
My whole body begins to ache

Even if I cry black tears and scream
Tomorrow will come with an unfamiliar face
And I’ll come up against the same pain
If those days are going to continue
Then I want to go far away
Even though I know it's selfish of me...

Ever curious, the Detective followed the song back to its source. Kiyoshi was not far behind, humming along with the melody.

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:03 pm

Ever curious, the Detective followed the song back to its source. Kiyoshi was not far behind, humming along with the melody.

Had this been an episode of the show, the camera would have followed the pair through the garden, the song slowly getting louder. The voice was pretty, but sad. After enough turns in the garden to properly build tension (and lead up to the first commercial break) the intrepid duo would come upon the source of the song.

A thin girl with long hair and tattered clothing was facing away from the duo. The holographic lights and night atmosphere gave her a washed out ethereal appearance.

The camera angle would have intentionally been high so the viewers could not see her feet.

Was this.....the Singing Ghost of the Holographic Park?!?

Hato wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:23 pm

"That was very beautiful." Kiyoshi said, stopping a few feet away. The Detective continued forward to get a closer look at the singer.

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:31 pm

Hato wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:23 pm

"That was very beautiful." Kiyoshi said, stopping a few feet away. The Detective continued forward to get a closer look at the singer.

Standiing up and turning towards the voice, the young woman bowed deeply, the wakizashi on her hip making clear she was samurai at least, and not some random peasant.

"Ah, this one is glad that this one did not disturb you....Lord Fox." she said, picking out his mon in the moonlight.

She gave a side glance to the curious monkey.

"Or your companion."

Hato wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:38 pm

The Detective verified the ronin's existence with a poke to the knee.

"He liked it, he was drawn to it." The Fox bowed. "He's the Detective and I am Kitsune Kiyoshi."

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:51 pm

Hato wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:38 pm

The Detective verified the ronin's existence with a poke to the knee.

"He liked it, he was drawn to it." The Fox bowed. "He's the Detective and I am Kitsune Kiyoshi."

The knee was solid, though there was a bit of a flinch from the touch. Apparently the ronin was no wildlife expert. What did they say about monkeys? Don't show them your teeth?

"This one is known at Hato." she said. "This one hopes that the Detective and Lord Fox have been enjoying their stay upon the World of Dreams."

Hato wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 3:25 pm

"We have." Kiyoshi stepped closer, prompting the monkey to leap up to his shoulder. "We apologize for disturbing you. Do you come out here to sing often?"

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 3:48 pm

Hato wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 3:25 pm

"We have." Kiyoshi stepped closer, prompting the monkey to leap up to his shoulder. "We apologize for disturbing you. Do you come out here to sing often?"

Hato shakes her head.

"it is no disturbance at all, Lord Fox. Indeed, if this one unknowingly brought pleasure however briefly to one without planning to, that is a boon, not a curse." she admitted.

"Ah, occasionally. This one struggles with finding places to sing. There are, of course, a plethora of karoke bars all around the planet. But those would drain this one's resources in the blink of an eye. It is much harder to find some place where one can sing freely and for free here. This one must go to where the people aren't. The beach on off days, the garden when people are drawn towards the buildings, the wildlife sanctuary when when others are drawn to the luxuries of the city."

She looked up at the stars.

"But there is tranquility this one finds in such lonely locations. The waves, the stars, the birds listen to this one's song and sit in silent appreciation."

Hato wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 4:44 pm

He nodded. "I've found it difficult to find anything natural here. There is some beneath the façade of the gardens, though, enough to meditate upon. And, we had your song to appreciate."

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 5:23 pm

Hato wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 12, 2022 4:44 pm

He nodded. "I've found it difficult to find anything natural here. There is some beneath the façade of the gardens, though, enough to meditate upon. And, we had your song to appreciate."

Hato nodded.

"Lord Fox speaks the truth. The Scorpion have endeavored build many illusions of many types. Nature is but another one of those. One can visit the wildlife preserve, close their eyes and listen to birdsong. But it is simply the song of a caged bird, even if it is simply a larger cage, such as many find themselves in. Few will every truly fly free." she offers, thinking of those things that have bound her in the past.

Hato wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:48 am

""All they can do is imagine what might be." he nodded. "This is truly the World of Dreams. What do you dream of Hato-san?"

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 4:05 am

Hato wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:48 am

""All they can do is imagine what might be." he nodded. "This is truly the World of Dreams. What do you dream of Hato-san?"

Hato smiles a bit.

"You must truly be a Detective's assistant to ask about such insignificant details from such an insignificant person, Lord Fox." she offered with a small shake of the head.

"Freedom from want, freedom from fear. Dreaming of more than that is simply too much for this one to even conceptualize. This one is curious of what Lord Fox dreams of though." she explained.

Hato wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 4:09 am

"No one is insignificant." he shook his head. "Not even one who has played his roles too long while watching friends and peers move on to greater things. My dreams are the same of yours, though I'm sure 'want' and 'fear' are different for me."

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 4:17 am

Hato wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 4:09 am

"No one is insignificant." he shook his head. "Not even one who has played his roles too long while watching friends and peers move on to greater things. My dreams are the same of yours, though I'm sure 'want' and 'fear' are different for me."

That earned a curious tilt of the head from Hato.

"Lord Fox speaks the truth, surely. But while Lord Fox does not want for food, this does not mean he does not hunger still. Perhaps that is simply the nature of mortals. Hands forever outstretched, no matter how high they climb or how low they fall." she mused.

Hato wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 4:54 am

"Sometimes you wish only to hold on to what you have." He nodded. "I'm curious, Hato-san, where did your song come from?"

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:32 pm

Hato wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 4:54 am

"Sometimes you wish only to hold on to what you have." He nodded. "I'm curious, Hato-san, where did your song come from?"

Hato nods.

"Ah, it is the ending theme for a show. In the show two young samurai women move into an apartment in the big city, one is seeking to advance her career in music, the other to be closer to her friends and the man she intends to marry. However, as they follow their dreams, troubles of fame and love begin to test their friendship." she explains.

She smiles a bit

"A very typical story on the World of Dreams, but it is well told."

Hato wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 3:28 pm

"Ah." he chuckled. "Our themes were usually about spirits or mysteries and, more often than not, were little more than catchy melodies. The more substantial songs were saved to use in certain episodes."

Kitsune Kiyoshi wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 4:21 pm

Hato wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 13, 2022 3:28 pm

"Ah." he chuckled. "Our themes were usually about spirits or mysteries and, more often than not, were little more than catchy melodies. The more substantial songs were saved to use in certain episodes."

Hato nodded.

"Does Lord Fox have a favorite from those certain episodes?" she asked, truly curious, but not wanting to demand a performance from the world-weary Fox.