[Filtered from Asakura]

I was curious if there was anyone within the city willing to offer lessons in self defense? I've actually had some sword training and I'm skilled in archery, but my proper lessons have gone the wayside since coming here.

I'm willing to pay tokens for lessons, if it's needed.

Oh, and thank you to everyone who gave me a gift over the holidays. Christmas isn't celebrated on Terca Lumires, but it was enjoyable to experience another culture's traditions.

[Filtered to Dhaos]

The person who injured me several months ago has returned to the city. We were being somewhat civil towards one another before she left the first time, but I still have my concerns.

I don't want this to become an issue if she's not going to try anything, but I felt you should be aware.

[A video feed begins to flicker to life from a StarFish Communicator, that, oddly enough, seemed to be on the ground. It showed at image of a park in the city, with a.... oddly dressed boy with brown hair that seemed to defy gravity, sitting down on a bench. The youth was wearing what looked to be a white toga, with a red piece of cloth, and brown shoulderpads, brown armbands an a thin, gold band around his upper right arm, as well as brown leg braces and sandals, and a necklace with a thick jewel of green crystal. with a brochure in hand, the boy seemed a little confused, unsure of what should be his next move. He seemed a bit wrapped up in everything, not even noticing the device on the ground transmitting this, until a shine from it caugh his eye.]

What's this?

[the boy picks up the Starfish communicator and begins to play with it, gently.]

A video feed? Ummm..... Hi there. I don't know how I ended up here or with this mark on my left arm, but, I guess I should find a place to stay before it gets too dark, I guess.

I read that Brochure, and well, I still don't understand anything yet. Why am I here? ANd more importantly, what should I even do now? Maybe, maybe I should just try to fit in around here.... after all, this isn't the first time I've lost a home...

Hopefully the people around here aren't too bad...But I can always just help out and make friends that way I guess! This weird things been recording this video, so maybe someone been watching, I better keep in on me if someone tries to contact me, like the old 3G pager!

{Mamoru turns the video feed off before securing the Starfish Communicator in his old backpack from school on Earth.]

[Minako appears on starfish communicator, holding up the brochure and giving it a look, it was something to arrive soaking wet you thought you should of brought swimming wear, but it's another to arrive at a new place and expect to read.]

I'm fine with reading manga, but to have to read when you first arrive is not what I call fun. It's like school all over again, minus the boring classroom or lessons. [She puts the brochure to the side, she wasn't going to read it, at least not now.] If it had pictures in maybe it might be more interesting, just so you lot know.

[Wisdom of the ages ladies and gentlemen. It's another moment before she waves with her free hand.]

Anyway, I'm Minako Aino an idol in making and even with being here isn't going to stop me from reaching that goal. So expect to see my name in lights sometime in the future. [She sounded so happy about that before she pauses, her face not look too keen at the next question.] Though I must ask, what is the deal with school here? Is there one, or are we free from it? I'm kind of hoping for the latter.

[The voice is soft, contemplative, as if she's speaking to herself and has only turned on the SFC as an afterthought.]

This concept of a 'new year' is interesting. The idea that the passing of time is something to be marked and celebrated is not one that I have been familiar with until I was brought here. The structure of my society is not one which encourages such celebration.

However.. I find that in the spirit of it I have many things now to be thankful for. I may find a life here far preferable to the one I had been reduced to when I.. left my previous location. I have found familiar faces, some much loved, some.. not so, and some which appear to have changed enough to warrant fresh judgement. It is an unusual and.. privileged position to have been placed in, and there are many things from my past that I now wish to put behind me.

I know that this resolution will not be easy, but I believe that I am interpreting this recognition of the beginning of a new year correctly.

And.. with that in mind, I do have a question to put to anyone who might answer. What is the purpose of 'fireworks'?