2026-01-22: Heavy With Purpose
- Log: Heavy With Purpose
- Cast: Vivienne Sournois, Tamaki Uchida
- Where: Kagurazaka - Le Cinema du Monde
- OOC Date: January 22, 2026
- IC Date: September 14, 2012
- Summary: After having met in Mementos at odds with each other some time ago, Tamaki makes good on a promise to visit Le Cinéma du Monde and watch a special 'midnight showing' to see Vivienne in her capacity as a supernatural blacksmith. Tamaki's curious about what it would take to modify an old sword of hers from her high-school days, and she talks with Vivienne about the value of their respective pasts.
(|===================== Kagurazaka - Le Cinema du Monde ======================|)
-===================================================== Tokyo/Shinjuku Ward ====-
Le Cinéma du Monde is a single-screen movie theater in Kagurazaka, Tokyo run by
Vivienne Sournois. It has been renovated from the ground up to embody the
aesthetics of an old-fashioned theater, its marquee brightly displaying the
theater's name and the schedule of currently-playing pictures. Walking inside
feels like going back in time, with the carpet boasting a vintage geometric
pattern and the walls lined with movie posters from throughout the years. Within
the lobby is a refreshment booth and ticket stand, as well as some seats and a
table, and beyond that is the main auditorium. Le Cinéma du Monde plays movies
old and new, obscure and mainstream, from all around the world in a variety of
languages - the schedule is purely up to the whims of its owner, meaning that
almost anything might be playing at any given moment. Requests are also welcome,
should anyone wish to see a specific movie on the big screen.
Of course, a good, proper old-fashioned theater would not be complete without a
few secrets. There are secret passages leading to hidden rooms within the
theater, as well as a secret meeting room overlooking the auditorium behind
one-way glass. It is also said that if one requests a midnight showing of the
obscure French film 'La tragédie de l'armurier', the owner will meet them at the
refreshment stand during the Dark Hour to trade useful items and craft or
improve weapons for those who bring her materials gathered while fighting
supernatural foes.
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
A midnight showing of 'La tragédie de l'armurier' has been requested. Accordingly, as the yellow moon rises in the sky to herald the beginning of the Dark Hour and a ill green glow coats the land... the doors of Le Cinéma du Monde remain unlocked, welcoming their appointed visitor inside.
It's almost unnerving, walking into the interior of the theater with its classic look. Seeing is no issue, at least - and as expected, the keeper of the theater is here, seated at the refreshment stand. Vivienne's face is lit more brightly by a lantern set on the counter, a Holy Gem glowing within.
Where in the daytime there were snacks and drinks of all kinds, the clear glass counter now displays various trinkets and accessories useful in a supernatural time and location such as this. Weapons are displayed on the wall behind her, as a show of her skill.
And as her visitor arrives, a smile crosses Vivienne's face.
"Welcome, madame. I'm glad you were able to make it, at this late hour." She greets.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Earlier in the day, Tamaki had decided to stop by Kagurazaka road for a Friday evening of leisure and entertainment by herself. Indeed, having grown up in the area, this street was where she had initially cultivated her love of fine cuisine in her youth. Her old high school -- the first of two, at least -- was on the street just down the alleyway.
She had dinner at a sushi place she'd had her eye on for a while, then arrived at La Cinema du Monde to follow up on news she'd heard of -- request a midnight showing of 'La tragédie de l'armurier', and a local blacksmith may just show up to talk shop. Accordingly, she's brought something of interest in a sports bag slung over her shoulder.
A shiver shoots up Tamaki's spine as she places her hand on the door to open the way to the theater. Normally, she's at home and safe in her bed during the Dark Hour. There have recently been several occasions which had disturbed that pattern. Ultimately, she does trust that she's safe here, but vigilance has a way of intruding where she'd least like it to.
The light of the Holy Gem lantern is heartening, at least, and her own demeanor brightens up right alongside it. "Oh, that's clever! I hadn't considered that use of a gem before." With a grin on her face, Tamaki interlaces her fingers together and stretches her arms and hands forward. "Whew! It's good to finally meet on friendlier terms, you know? How're you doing, madame Sournois?" Her pronounciation of her surname is ... actually okay, if maybe a little clumsy.
Tamaki lightly snickers at the mention of the late hour, then winks at Vivienne. "Of course, of course! You came highly recommended, you know? Besides, I like visiting this part of the city every now and then. I've got history here."
She peruses the lineup of weapons and accessories interestedly, though she does have a question. She's hesitant as she asks it, but pushes through her reservations. "Could ... I ask you to take a look at something I've brought with me? It's been modified once already, but I'm curious about how one would even go about altering the blade."
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
"Why, thank you. It's a helpful little trick, isn't it?" Vivienne replies, pleased, as Tamaki comments on her use of the gem. It wasn't originally developed for use during the Dark Hour, but she was quite glad when she learned that it worked just the same.
"Yes, quite. I do enjoy a good battle, but it's hardly the best first impression, is it?" Vivienne replies with a chuckle. She doesn't comment on her pronunciation of her last name - either she's being polite, or she did well enough to pass her judgment. "I have been doing well, at any rate - certainly, I have no complaints... How about yourself?"
She looks pleased once more, as Tamaki mentions that she comes highly recommended.
"I'm quite flattered. But you do, do you...? What a remarkable turn of fate." Vivienne comments. She watches Tamaki with interest as she studies the shelves - and then, there's a question.
"I'd love to. Please, show me, show me." Vivienne replies, scooting forward eagerly. "There are a number of methods, of course - and this Hour affords some more esoteric than others..."
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
"I'll have to keep it in mind. I'll be honest, I don't pay much mind to some of the more practical applications of this business." Tamaki rubs the back of her neck. "But maybe I've been skating by for a while ... I could stand to give it some more serious thought."
She curls a finger over her chin in thought and taps her foot a few times before she points in the air. "Yeah, actually, where I work gets a handful of requests to look into what they call ghosts or the like, but they often end up being some particularly weird and rare Demons. If you're ever after more materials, maybe I could give you some leads on where to go hunting for them, yeah?"
Tamaki's expression hitches slightly as Vivienne remarks on Tamaki's mention of 'history'. For a moment, nervousness slips through, though just as quickly it's gone again. "Yeah, I grew up around here. Something ... happened nearby, if you catch my drift, and ..."
" -- you know, let me show you what I mean." Talking about history actually dovetails nicely into the topic of blacksmithery. Tamaki unzips the sports bag and pulls out an electric sabre, then places it lengthwise on the counter for Vivienne to inspect. In mundane contexts, its edge is blunt, intended for use in practice and competition. It shows signs of age and wear, such as the faded remains of the manufacturer's brand logo under its bell guard. Its hilt and pommel are decorated with amber gemstones, which are clearly an after-market modification.
Whatever edge it gains in supernatural spaces seems to originate from the weight of the amount of conflicts and battles that it's seen since Tamaki had first wielded it.
Tamaki drums her fingers, then gestures at the weapon as if exasperated. "Yeah, I'd like it to remain blunt so I don't get questioned during the day, for one. That's where this all gets a bit too abstract for me to figure out if enhancing the blade portion is even feasible in the first place."
Some memory causes a twinge in her heart and floods her thoughts with bitterness, and she narrows her eyes. "... Not even sure if I want to." She cracks a wry grin. "You don't do trades, do you? Kidding, kidding!"
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
"For the average individual, the knowledge is simply a novelty... But it can be useful in a pinch. You find ways to get by, when you're in the field long enough. ...And the experimentation is also quite a convenient way to pass the time." Vivienne replies... then winks. "I would, of course, be glad to part with some for a small fee, if you'd like to start."
It's hard to tell if that's actually a joke or not...
She watches curiously as Tamaki's expression turns thoughtful. Particularly weird and rare Demons, hm...?
"I'm always on the lookout for materials. All the better to expand my repertoire, you know." Vivienne replies. "I would be grateful."
She catches that hitch in her expression, though - that slip of nervousness... Something 'happened', hm?
"Of course." She replies, with an understanding nod. Tamaki presents an electric sabre, then. Vivienne looks at it with interest, and reaches for it - though stops, before actually taking hold of it.
"May I?" Vivienne asks - and if approved, will lift it gently, studying the weapon cautiously. Taking it all in - the age and the wear...
She 'hm's to herself thoughtfully, as Tamaki explains that she'd like it to remain blunt - and chuckles, as Tamaki excuses her comment with a 'kidding, kidding'.
"This weapon has seen much. It grows heavy with purpose." Vivienne observes, setting it back down. "It wears its battles on its surface - cruel, hard-fought battles, no doubt... How long have you had it?"
She 'hm's to herself, then, considering the practicals.
"I can adjust the balance for you. Bring the blade to a smooth polish, make the gemstones shine like new... But as a weapon," She taps her fingers against the glass surface of the counter. "I can infuse cognitive material into the blade to adjust its performance in supernatural spaces, depending on what enhancement you seek. ...Rest assured, of course, by day it will remain as if any other competition blade."
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
At the very least Tamaki doesn't take Vivienne's offer as a joke, and she raises her eyebrows, intrigued. "No fooling? Maybe we could even do a trade instead, I'm drowning in Zan stones. Some cat keeps leaving them on my doorstep. I wouldn't mind having a bit more light to do some studying during the Dark Hour."
About those rare Demons: "Some people even post bounties for them, so if the materials end up being a bust, the pay's still good. My own dance card is way too full to take on those requests myself, so we encourage the community's Persona-users to take them on."
She blinks in surprise as Vivienne asks to see the sword more closely, then lightly nudges it closer to her with a grin. "Oh -- of course, go right ahead!"
How long has she had it? She gives a wary glance to the door behind her, then nods at Vivienne. "... Five years. I was a first-year in high school, then. And that they were."
Tamaki's choice of amber for the gemstones was deliberate. There is something about this sword and the memories associated with it which she wants to preserve ... or seal away. Possibly both. The events of the last few weeks have had her reconsidering that decision, however. A thought crosses her mind, but she'll speak it later: first, Vivienne speaks about the adjustments she can make.
Maintenance, she can do, but it might help to get a professional's expertise in that from time to time. The second part has her interested, though. "Huhhhh. Well, I don't have anything specific in mind right now, but if I just wanted to make it sharper, does that narrow it down any? What kind of materials would that take?"
She glances back out the door again. "And, uh ... truth be told, the sword's important because it reminds me of someone. I've been on the fence about if I should keep using that sword in particular, or if I should finally give it a rest and switch to something else. The second option feels like giving up the past, in a sense, so ... what would you do?"
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
Tamaki takes her comment at face value and is interested in a trade. ...Vivienne, of course, is never one to turn down an opportunity to do business.
"Well now, that is an intriguing offer. Very well - I'd be amenable to a trade." Vivienne replies with a nod. "I'm certain I can find a use for them."
Tamaki explains about the bounties, too, and Vivienne listens with interest.
"My, my... That is intriguing. I can never say no to decent pay. I can take some of those requests off of your hands. I can pass them along to the others, as well." Vivienne replies.
She continues to listen as she examines the sword.
"Five years, hm...?" Vivienne considers. She can only tell so much by looking, of course - but she can see that there is meaning there. Accidents are rare, in things like this - decisions are made for a reason, consciously or not.
It makes for quite the marvelous mystery, truly. The blacksmith business is never dull.
"Sharper, hm? Then I would recommend challenging foes who prioritize physical attacks, or gathering materials in areas frequented by such." Vivienne replies. "With that proof of your efforts in hand, I can work my magic. When you face the fear of getting cut, your blade can become sharper in turn."
The sword's important because it reminds her of someone, though - and that draws Vivienne's interest immediately.
"Someone, hm...?" Vivienne replies. There's a nostalgic tinge to her words, as she thinks back to her own past. She offers a slightly wry smile.
"...I think I would be quite the hypocrite were I to suggest you divest yourself of your past. There are some things we can't give up." Vivienne admits. She's never quite been able to leave it behind, herself.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Zan stones and Demon hunts. Tamaki's burdens are getting lighter by the minute! She gives a nod as she chirps, "Oh, please do!"
Tamaki jerks a thumb back towards the door. "Yeah. Five years ago, just one street over." A short stroll down memory lane.
Tamaki nods at the explanation of which materials would make the cut, but Vivienne's last statement causes her to bark out a quickly-suppressed laugh. "HAH -- sorry, sorry, I, uh." She clears her throat and adjusts her blouse's collar. "I get what you mean, the phrasing was just funny to me. You're more right than you know. Shame that the space next street over is gone now, otherwise I'd know just the place."
Someone. "Yeah, ah ... old friend of mine. She's not coming back." Unwilling to discard it, reluctant to wield it. This piece, it seems, is intended to one day become strictly ceremonial, laid atop some kind of memorial.
Vivienne's words pique Tamaki's curiosity -- and give her a way to divert the conversation away from her own introspection. She glances around this part of the theater again, the 'refreshment stand' displaying its peculiar set of goods, then gestures to Vivienne with a hand. "If I may ask about your own past -- what brought you here in the first place? What led you to set up shop here, of all places? How did you come to learn your craft?"
Tamaki wonders: Just who are you?
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
"Excellent. We can conduct that shortly, then." Vivienne replies brightly. Five years ago, just one street over, hm...?
"...The world certainly has its way of toying with us, doesn't it?" She responds with a small laugh. Tamaki seems to appreciate her explanation, at least. She raises an eyebrow briefly - but smiles, when she apologises.
"It's quite alright." She assures. "Ah, that is a shame... But for better or worse, there are still other spaces with just thing you'd need."
An old friend, who isn't coming back...
"Ah... My condolences." Vivienne offers. And Tamaki asks about her own past. Vivienne chuckles.
"Nothing glamorous, I'm afraid. I moved to be closer to the people I know... and this place happened to be available for purchase. I've always had a love of movies, you see, so I saw it as a sign that it was time to pay that love back to others." Vivienne explains. None of it is a lie... but it's not difficult to tell that she isn't telling the full story, either. "As for my craft... It started with a simple love of prop-making. But over the years, I honed it into something more... applicable, to exploits such as those from the other day. A Hunter is at her best when she gathers her own materials, after all."
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Tamaki laughs again at the Vivienne's thought that the world likes toying with them, albeit more good-naturedly this time. "Hoo, boy. You're telling me."
For better or worse. Worse, right? It's a bad thing when supernatural spaces crop up like this. And yet, this sort of upkeep is necessary. "Yeah, there's no shortage of them. I'll just need to update my notes. I had some beetle carapaces from Shadows a while ago, but I've already traded those away ..."
"Thanks." After her brusque reply, Tamaki shifts her weight to her other foot.
Vivienne recounts the parts of her own past that she's willing to, and Tamaki nods along. Lots of French people come to stay in Kagurazaka, so that doesn't stand out as unusual. Tamaki grins at the mention of movies. "I'll have to catch a matinee showing instead sometime, I'm curious about the collection you must have curated. Could you tell me some of your favorites?"
Prop-making leading to material-gathering. "Huh. So you've gone and fully embraced this." Tamaki's own aimed trajectory is different, but she doesn't say that like it's a bad thing. Eriko, for instance, seems to thrive in this world. "I don't see myself doing the same, but ... I don't know, plans change."
Tamaki reaches into her bag and retrieves a business card. "Well! I'll return someday soon for sure, but this has been an informative conversation. Here you go, and feel free to ask us about any Demons that need hunting down."
She feels she ought to buy something before she goes, then points at the Holy Gem lamp before rummaging around her own bag for the Zan stones. "Still want to do that trade?"
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
Vivienne chuckles at Tamaki's agreement, and the nods.
"Indeed there are not. Ah, alas - those would've done nicely, but at least you know what sort of thing to look for." Vivienne replies.
She nods at Tamaki's thanks, and seems pleased when she seems interested in catching a movie.
"You're certainly welcome to!" Vivienne replies. Her favorites, though... "Hm... That's difficult to say. Film has been a constant companion for me, so it's difficult to pick favorites... I would say... Anything that affords me a look into another world - another life. I can provide some recommendations later. ...And, of course, I do enjoy 'La tragédie de l'armurier' as more than just a codeword."
It's a film about a crafter of weapons who is ultimately slain by the very weapon he forged. The irony of using that as a codeword for a set up like this amuses her.
"That I have." She agrees. "I suppose I've had time to make peace with it."
Tamaki retrieves a business card, and Vivienne accepts it gratefully.
"Of course. I do look forward to seeing you again - and I'll certainly do so." Vivienne agrees - then grins.
"Naturally. Now then... down to business!" She says.
It'll be a productive business exchange.