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( OWL ), ( JOURNAL ), etc
lux in tenebris.
( hogwarts letter. )
Mr. Minatozaki,
The Department of Mysteries is pleased to request your presence at the earliest time possible. You may wish to use the Ministry's Floo network at your convenience. It would be best to use your discretion and reserve all discussion regarding the nature of this letter, which will be explained upon your arrival.
Sincerely,
Director of Unspeakable Communications
Department of Mysteries
In a dark room foggy with incense, the letter's recipient pries open the Ministry's wax seal. After being thoroughly read, the letter crumbles into ash along with its envelope, charmed to be impossible to restore nor trace. The room is designed with the elements of Wu Xing: water in the indoor pond scattered with lotus flowers, magically enclosed despite having no borders, metal and wood encasing tabletops, scrolls, and sheaths of parchment, earth scents from picking star anise for herbal concotions, the great fire crackling in the fireplace. Five elements, all parts to a whole.
The fire, when met with Floo powder, turns an acid green. The wind snuffs the candle wicks out. Things are shifting, tides turning. He's felt this before, the brink of something still dark and undisclosed like the great Namazu still submerged beneath the sea.
The ticking of the clock echoes his mind's thoughts. Soon.
THE LOVERS (VI)
Inoue, a family name meaning "above the well". Passed on for generations, it carries the weight of its bloodline: illusory, established, gilded in the gold and jasper splendor of being one of Osaka's oldest magical names. The name carries wealth in coins, in status, in recognition. Not entirely pureblood and therefore of less importance than the sacred families of Japan, but the passage of time is still considered noble; the history is in the vines spreading across the manor, the centuries-old roots of the earth and the foliage, the ancient well from which the Inoue name is derived on the outskirts of the land. Older than any which now occupy the settlement, old as time itself.
(She can remember, as a little girl, imagining herself fishing fallen stars floating in the well, all golden and glowing warm. Like the Star Festival. The fated joining of Orihime, the Weaving Princess and Hikoboshi, the Cowherd, on their meeting once each year.)
The well is a few miles out from the settlement, allowed to become overgrown with earth and flowers as a way to honor the earth. Already bloomed into adulthood, she has spent many summers here under the waxing moon eating persimmons, in the shade of the billowing willow treetops, where white dove flower seeds feed the earth and screeching cicadas sound like the whispering wind.
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Mr. Minatozaki,
The Department of Mysteries is pleased to request your presence at the earliest time possible. You may wish to use the Ministry's Floo network at your convenience. It would be best to use your discretion and reserve all discussion regarding the nature of this letter, which will be explained upon your arrival.
Sincerely,
Director of Unspeakable Communications
Department of Mysteries
In a dark room foggy with incense, the letter's recipient pries open the Ministry's wax seal. After being thoroughly read, the letter crumbles into ash along with its envelope, charmed to be impossible to restore nor trace. The room is designed with the elements of Wu Xing: water in the indoor pond scattered with lotus flowers, magically enclosed despite having no borders, metal and wood encasing tabletops, scrolls, and sheaths of parchment, earth scents from picking star anise for herbal concotions, the great fire crackling in the fireplace. Five elements, all parts to a whole.
The fire, when met with Floo powder, turns an acid green. The wind snuffs the candle wicks out. Things are shifting, tides turning. He's felt this before, the brink of something still dark and undisclosed like the great Namazu still submerged beneath the sea.
The ticking of the clock echoes his mind's thoughts. Soon.
THE LOVERS (VI)
Inoue, a family name meaning "above the well". Passed on for generations, it carries the weight of its bloodline: illusory, established, gilded in the gold and jasper splendor of being one of Osaka's oldest magical names. The name carries wealth in coins, in status, in recognition. Not entirely pureblood and therefore of less importance than the sacred families of Japan, but the passage of time is still considered noble; the history is in the vines spreading across the manor, the centuries-old roots of the earth and the foliage, the ancient well from which the Inoue name is derived on the outskirts of the land. Older than any which now occupy the settlement, old as time itself.
(She can remember, as a little girl, imagining herself fishing fallen stars floating in the well, all golden and glowing warm. Like the Star Festival. The fated joining of Orihime, the Weaving Princess and Hikoboshi, the Cowherd, on their meeting once each year.)
The well is a few miles out from the settlement, allowed to become overgrown with earth and flowers as a way to honor the earth. Already bloomed into adulthood, she has spent many summers here under the waxing moon eating persimmons, in the shade of the billowing willow treetops, where white dove flower seeds feed the earth and screeching cicadas sound like the whispering wind.
After graduation from Mahoutokoro, the well is enriched with nostalgia from childhood memories. Through the cracks in the wood she can see it: a shimmering, faint blue light, barely perceptible unless one is watching for as long as she'd been. By magic she moves the cover and watches as the black water is illuminated by the pale light. This phenomenon, if she can recall - a hitodama. A spirit traveling through the earth, a ball of blue fire. Will o' the wisps, they're called elsewhere. (She remembers a stanza learned during school lessons, from the ancient Man'yōshū: When you are alone and meet the complete blueness of a hitodama, you would naturally think of it as the sorrow on a rainy night.)
There are sometimes ghosts near these lights. But this is her family's well, and this is her experience, and she's not the little one she once was. A magical descent down the well opens up to a passageway she didn't know existed, a tunnel leading down the course of the underground with the blue light growing ever brighter.
Heart racing, footfalls over upturned roots, she stumbles into the center: what must be hundreds upon hundreds of these blue orbs floating in mid-air, substances swirling ghost-like and cloudy inside.
THE MAGICIAN (I)
Minatozaki is an old name, rarely heard. The last member of the line carries the gift; unlike any others, he also carries the Prophecy Records. His mother taught him that, above all, a Seer should never learn their own Prophecies, as that knowledge may change the very concept they're divining. So he takes care not to examine the Records too closely; keeps his eyes on the light, away from the tags, earnest not to take advantage of his position. Always at an arm's distance while close to spirit of the source. Because of this, he'll never know if he's divined a Prophecy. Like the Yata no Kagami, the sacred mirror of wisdom, his own future is reflected in fractiles.
A Prophecy from an as-yet-unknown source gone unheard:
ＯＮＥ ＷＨＯ ＷＡＴＣＨＥＳ ＷＩＴＨＯＵＴ ＥＹＥＳ．．．．
ＯＰＥＮＥＤ ＢＹ ＴＨＥ ＬＩＧＨＴ ＯＦ ＴＨＥ ＭＯＯＮ．．．
ＯＮＥ ＲＥＦＬＥＣＴＥＤ ＩＮ ＴＨＥ ＬＡＢＹＲＩＮＴＨ．．．
ＲＥＦＲＡＣＴＥＤ ＢＹ ＴＨＥ ＤＡＲＫ ＯＦ ＴＨＥ ＳＵＮ．．．．
ＯＮＥ ＷＨＯ ＴＲＡＶＥＬＳ ＩＮ ＴＯ ＧＯ ＯＵＴ．．．．
ＣＡＲＲＩＥＤ ＢＹ ＴＨＥ ＳＩＬＫ ＯＦ ＴＨＥ ＳＴＡＲＳ．．．
ＭＯＯＮ ＷＩＬＬ ＨＵＮＴ ＡＮＤ ＴＩＤＥ ＷＩＬＬ ＳＨＩＦＴ．．．． ＡＮＤ ＴＨＥ ＨＯＵＲ ＧＬＡＳＳ ＷＩＬＬ ＲＥＶＥＲＳＥ ＷＨＥＮ
ＢＡＣＫ ＩＳ ＦＯＲＴＨ ＡＮＤ ＴＨＥ ＡＮＣＩＥＮＴ ＨＡＳ
ＢＥＧＵＮ ＡＧＡＩＮ．．．．
THE HERMIT (IX)
The last remaining member of the Minatozaki line has a few earthly possessions. A jacket with the Japanese Ministry of Magic's insignia painted on the lapel. An inconspicuous briefcase which, once opened, reveals vials filled with murky liquid, glass orbs containing shimmering substances, herbs, and roots. His father's old shop in a decrepit strip of Osaka, the only one on the lot which has been well tended all of these years, its polished wooden sign proclaiming the fortune reading which had been the family practice for centuries.
It isn't, the Minatozaki son thinks, what he wants for himself. To make a fortune off of the Sight, that is. His position at the Ministry's Department of Mysteries is more fitting for his inconspicuous lifestyle. Those who work there are called Shizukesa, or a hushing sound. He can't say anything about it, but as Assistant to the Overseer of Prophecy Records he's responsible for transporting records safely to an area only he and the Chief Overseer officially know about, supposedly, although he's sure the arms of the government have reached out to this area like all others. And they're just the tip of the iceberg. He knows, of course, that he got this job for two reasons: reliability and expendability. He's a responsible, hard worker, but the truth is that he'd be easy to replace - young, quiet-natured no-name that he is without a trace of family otherwise. The fact that one slip-up of those responsible for temporarily encasing the Records (in a magical shield meant to allow him to transport them safely) means utter and permanent loss of his mind explains the pay grade, anyway.
And, more importantly, it feels like home to him among all those dimly flickering orbs of light. Here is where the history of the universe lies, his history: he imagines his great great grandfather's (or someone's, perhaps, he won't let himself look) prophecy gleaming like the moon, and far, far beyond that, generations upon generations removed, echoing dimly in the dark. It's no secret that he has the Sight (although the reputation of other Seers may lend to a certain disbelief from others and has given him his own reputation as a bit of an eccentric at work), and the protection of the paths laid by those before him is more important than any fortune.
The rest of the magical community has adopted a belief in these records that he finds a kind of treasure in its own right. The legends surround the orbs, that they are seen as a a kind of hitodama, a ghost light, meant to be revered, perhaps sometimes accompanied by a yūrei. If one is seen in a fog, beneath the foot of a crane, in the mouth of a clam, that is the shining blue light of an otherworldly beacon. The Muggles have also adopted these stories, theirs rooted directly in superstition without knowledge of the records. Those are the legends; he can't help but find it heartwarming, knowing that this is simply the work of others like him, no-names responsible for the transportation of records, and yet the tales have spun gold out of these sightings.
And yet, he keeps the wood polished and the crystals gleaming at his family shop, because he knows it would make them proud, because this little sleepy town relied on it for years and years ago and, before that, the same doctrines of this shop graced the diving sticks of the onmyōdōs in his bloodline. It's here where the only customer of the day comes in, a lady, hair flowing out behind her like quill ink escaped from the parchment, held loosely by a porcelain clip.
He asks her if she would like her fortune read. More for a spiritual guide, she says. I have only one question.
(Like something out of a dream, these lights, so beautiful and sad somehow. Is it a curse?)
He knows that his job description requires him to move prophecy records once every so often to places deeply hidden as a tribute to the land and out of the secret nature of the job. He knows, then, that the Inoue well has been covered for at least ten years, and covered with vines, and spiders have made home out of its crevices. That is why he chose it as one passage to the hall. He doesn't know why he didn't charm the covering so that it wouldn't budge.
She tucks her hair behind her ear, like a sea shell, as if you could hear the whole ocean beneath it. He thinks of threads of fate and stars aligned and the irony, that the future is right in his fingertips and somehow so wholly unpredictable, just like the stormy ocean. Maybe, he thinks, it's just as important what one wishes the future to be. He keeps thinking about her hair, her hands, the moving sea.
There are strange occurrences in the Minatozaki household. Of course, the slivers of uncontrollable magic have been happening since early youth with nothing disconcerting taking place. But there is something else, too; an inkling, a glint in the little one's eyes, a feeling familiar to her father somehow. Like trying to recollect a dream. Remembering just enough to get a sense of it before it slips away from his mind's eye.
THE WORLD (XXI)
At age ten, Sana's mother's diplomatic relations within the Floo network leads to a job referral to the London division. Osaka's outskirts are traded for England's countryside, visions of Mahoutokoro disappear as private lessons take their place, and the English lessons that she's been taking double in frequency. Sana wants to know what this is and that means, why a letter is here and a phrase is there, and soon she is adapting to these lessons with ease. Sana is curious like her mother, dreamy like her father. Sana is gifted in the divination methods her father shows her, yet forgetful when it comes to historical dates and names. Sana is a firm believer that the Milky Way river is actually the trickling stream in the field behind their estate. Just once (or twice), Sana wants to see a paper crane brought to life, the squid in the lake at Hogwarts which her lessons have been preparing her for, and the Aurora Borealis. Sana wants to experience the Hotarugari festival again, although she only visits her homeland once in a blue moon when her family's busy schedule allows. Sana accidentally turns her own hair silver after being fascinated by the way her grandmother's hair shines in the sun, and her mother turns it back (It's against the law, darling) but on Halloween, charms Sana's hair to glitter silver and starlike (There's nothing saying I can't do it, just for the night). Sana is drawn to lights like a magpie or a moth, to shiny, glittering objects that may be treasures or secrets or undiscovered mysteries.
Her father has been apparating back and forth and keeping track of their old home and his family shop these years past when the letter arrives from London's Department of Mysteries to bring him, too, into this side of the world. Sana doesn't know why, only that when she peers through cracked doors she can see her father talking to someone or someones, green light radiating against his skin, sometimes in different languages. Sometimes he's talking about how so many things were lost, about how he will do his best to clean up what's left, sometimes he's smiling and that's when she knows he's talking to her mother, who almost always prefers to communicate through the fireplace so she can see them when she's away.
Having been mentally readying herself for attending Hogwarts this past decade, Sana is more than ecstatic when her Hogwarts letter arrives. Her first trip to Gringotts is heightened by the fact that no one in her family has gone here before. Everything is unfamiliar and yet bewitchingly welcoming, from the magical shops filled with artifacts and knickknacks to the elaborately designed secrete passageways. The mystery and the intrigue lead to countless questions (What house will she be in? What will the courses be like? What adventures will she have? Will she be close to an observatory?) as well as new discoveries, enriched with endless possibilities.
STRENGTH (VIII)
All the meanwhile, the universe is speaking to Sana. Or so she thinks; she can't tell, really. Sometimes she gets these feelings. Familiarity and newness, backwards and forwards, opening and closing, it's a paradox of twists and turns, like two mirrors facing each other and watching a trick of the light occur in an infinite maze. She loves divination, especially using the stars but in any way, really, has a knack for the fluidity of the trade and enjoys learning about the figures and myths surrounding the art just as much. And, beyond that, her Inner Eye is just beginning to open in ways so subtle and discreet that she can barely fathom, much less explain. It's flighty, it's prone to change, but when it comes together it's like nothing she's experienced, like time and space conglomerating in one sequence and the universe reaching out to show her what she's been waiting for. It's clear that she has her father's gift, although it will take years to manifest and hone, and the degree to which she has the Sight is still unforeseen in many ways.
ABILITIES/SKILLS
Divination. As a budding Seer, Sana uses her Inner Eye to See into the beyond and foresee future events as well as decipher augments and auguries. Divination comes naturally to her, both as someone born with such an ability as well as someone who's much better with gut instincts and feelings rather than stone cold facts. This gift is difficult to explain and may be lost in translation at times, but Sana is learning more about herself and her Sight each day. The fluidity and shifting tides, as it were, of divination are fascinating to her and are also good practice for augmenting her ability. She'll often read the palms, horoscopes, or otherwise practice divination for those who are interested and is wide open about the fact that she's a Seer, taking up for any of those who may have been misjudged simply because they perceive things differently as well as those who need help in class. She'd love to be a tutor if need be.
Astronomy. From a young age, Sana has been mystified by the cosmos. Her parents bought her several the magical telescopes and books on celestial bodies over the years, and studying astronomy has become her number one love and something she wants to make a career out of in the future (pun intended), especially considering that she would never want to make money off of her Sight. Also, it can be difficult to explain all of the enigmatic things in her mind's eye that can sometimes be lost in translation, and astronomy is a way to express herself. She loves all branches of divination, but astrology is one of th ones which she's able to pick up with natural ease, finding the planetary movements comforting somehow. She'll often go to the Ravenclaw towers or any of the tallest parts of the castle as well as the castle grounds to stargaze and watch any starry phenomenon such as full moons or meter showers. Lights, whether from astronomical forms or spells surrounding lights (lumos being one of her most loved), are some of her very favorite kinds of magic.
Adaptability/Open-mindedness. Sana tries to keep an open mind and heart in everything she does. Any aspect of magic or non-magic which she doesn't yet know about is intriguing to her, and her naturally positive personality lends her to think of the opportunities in a situation regardless of the challenge. The enchanting, mystical, and otherwise unknown are where she's in her element. Her ability to adapt quickly has aided her in learning English (she also wants to learn Latin and mermaid, although she's yet to find out if that's possible), and her understanding disposition lends her to great compassion. While not naturally gifted in Care of Magical Creatures, Sana is very much interested in the conservation and care of such critters and wishes to be fair to all creatures no matter how 'different' they may seem. As a Seer, she's also well acquainted with certain aspects of herself being misunderstood.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
Potions. Despite Japan's reputation for being skilled at potion-making, Sana is the polar opposite when it comes to the magical equivalent of chemistry. The exact nature of potionwork goes against her very nature, as she would rather go with the flow and add what the potion seems like it's missing. Of course, in order to make good grades and safely make potions she can't do this, so it will take some work to go against her instincts and be precise about it.
History of Magic. Long incantations and the pressure points on a person's palm are easy to remember for Sana, as well as history about things she loves such as ancient astronomers, but dates and names in general tend to allude her. Once classes begin, Sana will find that something about the specificity of it and the lack of change within the class makes it difficult for her to find stimulation, so she'll do much of her own research outside of class, as the historical subjects themselves are interesting.
Offensive spells. Sana's wand core reflects her proficiency for protection and charms rather than offensive or combative hexes. She's naturally a lover rather than a fighter. Despite this, she's doing her best to channel her energy towards picking up on such spells for class purposes and the betterment of all areas of her magical skills.
There are sometimes ghosts near these lights. But this is her family's well, and this is her experience, and she's not the little one she once was. A magical descent down the well opens up to a passageway she didn't know existed, a tunnel leading down the course of the underground with the blue light growing ever brighter.
Heart racing, footfalls over upturned roots, she stumbles into the center: what must be hundreds upon hundreds of these blue orbs floating in mid-air, substances swirling ghost-like and cloudy inside.
THE MAGICIAN (I)
Minatozaki is an old name, rarely heard. The last member of the line carries the gift; unlike any others, he also carries the Prophecy Records. His mother taught him that, above all, a Seer should never learn their own Prophecies, as that knowledge may change the very concept they're divining. So he takes care not to examine the Records too closely; keeps his eyes on the light, away from the tags, earnest not to take advantage of his position. Always at an arm's distance while close to spirit of the source. Because of this, he'll never know if he's divined a Prophecy. Like the Yata no Kagami, the sacred mirror of wisdom, his own future is reflected in fractiles.
A Prophecy from an as-yet-unknown source gone unheard:
ＯＮＥ ＷＨＯ ＷＡＴＣＨＥＳ ＷＩＴＨＯＵＴ ＥＹＥＳ．．．．
ＯＰＥＮＥＤ ＢＹ ＴＨＥ ＬＩＧＨＴ ＯＦ ＴＨＥ ＭＯＯＮ．．．
ＯＮＥ ＲＥＦＬＥＣＴＥＤ ＩＮ ＴＨＥ ＬＡＢＹＲＩＮＴＨ．．．
ＲＥＦＲＡＣＴＥＤ ＢＹ ＴＨＥ ＤＡＲＫ ＯＦ ＴＨＥ ＳＵＮ．．．．
ＯＮＥ ＷＨＯ ＴＲＡＶＥＬＳ ＩＮ ＴＯ ＧＯ ＯＵＴ．．．．
ＣＡＲＲＩＥＤ ＢＹ ＴＨＥ ＳＩＬＫ ＯＦ ＴＨＥ ＳＴＡＲＳ．．．
ＭＯＯＮ ＷＩＬＬ ＨＵＮＴ ＡＮＤ ＴＩＤＥ ＷＩＬＬ ＳＨＩＦＴ．．．． ＡＮＤ ＴＨＥ ＨＯＵＲ ＧＬＡＳＳ ＷＩＬＬ ＲＥＶＥＲＳＥ ＷＨＥＮ
ＢＡＣＫ ＩＳ ＦＯＲＴＨ ＡＮＤ ＴＨＥ ＡＮＣＩＥＮＴ ＨＡＳ
ＢＥＧＵＮ ＡＧＡＩＮ．．．．
THE HERMIT (IX)
The last remaining member of the Minatozaki line has a few earthly possessions. A jacket with the Japanese Ministry of Magic's insignia painted on the lapel. An inconspicuous briefcase which, once opened, reveals vials filled with murky liquid, glass orbs containing shimmering substances, herbs, and roots. His father's old shop in a decrepit strip of Osaka, the only one on the lot which has been well tended all of these years, its polished wooden sign proclaiming the fortune reading which had been the family practice for centuries.
It isn't, the Minatozaki son thinks, what he wants for himself. To make a fortune off of the Sight, that is. His position at the Ministry's Department of Mysteries is more fitting for his inconspicuous lifestyle. Those who work there are called Shizukesa, or a hushing sound. He can't say anything about it, but as Assistant to the Overseer of Prophecy Records he's responsible for transporting records safely to an area only he and the Chief Overseer officially know about, supposedly, although he's sure the arms of the government have reached out to this area like all others. And they're just the tip of the iceberg. He knows, of course, that he got this job for two reasons: reliability and expendability. He's a responsible, hard worker, but the truth is that he'd be easy to replace - young, quiet-natured no-name that he is without a trace of family otherwise. The fact that one slip-up of those responsible for temporarily encasing the Records (in a magical shield meant to allow him to transport them safely) means utter and permanent loss of his mind explains the pay grade, anyway.
And, more importantly, it feels like home to him among all those dimly flickering orbs of light. Here is where the history of the universe lies, his history: he imagines his great great grandfather's (or someone's, perhaps, he won't let himself look) prophecy gleaming like the moon, and far, far beyond that, generations upon generations removed, echoing dimly in the dark. It's no secret that he has the Sight (although the reputation of other Seers may lend to a certain disbelief from others and has given him his own reputation as a bit of an eccentric at work), and the protection of the paths laid by those before him is more important than any fortune.
The rest of the magical community has adopted a belief in these records that he finds a kind of treasure in its own right. The legends surround the orbs, that they are seen as a a kind of hitodama, a ghost light, meant to be revered, perhaps sometimes accompanied by a yūrei. If one is seen in a fog, beneath the foot of a crane, in the mouth of a clam, that is the shining blue light of an otherworldly beacon. The Muggles have also adopted these stories, theirs rooted directly in superstition without knowledge of the records. Those are the legends; he can't help but find it heartwarming, knowing that this is simply the work of others like him, no-names responsible for the transportation of records, and yet the tales have spun gold out of these sightings.
And yet, he keeps the wood polished and the crystals gleaming at his family shop, because he knows it would make them proud, because this little sleepy town relied on it for years and years ago and, before that, the same doctrines of this shop graced the diving sticks of the onmyōdōs in his bloodline. It's here where the only customer of the day comes in, a lady, hair flowing out behind her like quill ink escaped from the parchment, held loosely by a porcelain clip.
He asks her if she would like her fortune read. More for a spiritual guide, she says. I have only one question.
(Like something out of a dream, these lights, so beautiful and sad somehow. Is it a curse?)
He knows that his job description requires him to move prophecy records once every so often to places deeply hidden as a tribute to the land and out of the secret nature of the job. He knows, then, that the Inoue well has been covered for at least ten years, and covered with vines, and spiders have made home out of its crevices. That is why he chose it as one passage to the hall. He doesn't know why he didn't charm the covering so that it wouldn't budge.
She tucks her hair behind her ear, like a sea shell, as if you could hear the whole ocean beneath it. He thinks of threads of fate and stars aligned and the irony, that the future is right in his fingertips and somehow so wholly unpredictable, just like the stormy ocean. Maybe, he thinks, it's just as important what one wishes the future to be. He keeps thinking about her hair, her hands, the moving sea.
THE STAR (XVII)
The girl is born already immersed in a family scandal. Divination is highly prized in theory for its spiritual connections, but the reality is that the Minatozaki name is virtually unknown among the inner circle. In fact, it is a rarity; and, really, the rumors say, in these modern times, wouldn't a respectable Ministry job be more fitting for an Inoue woman, especially one who has her own honorable position on the Floo Network Authority board?
They pay no mind to such sayings, inflused with a kind of love new to the both of them. To keep the scandal at bay and honor in the family's name they come up with a plan: their little one will be officially a Minatozaki, but will carry the Inoue name all the same.
In the end, it is her first name that matters most to the doting pair. Sana, a name meaning: summer, resplendence, brilliance, light. Their fallen star plucked right from the universe. They pass on stories: of the Star Festival where the star-crossed lovers meet on the bank of the Amanogawa, the Milky Way river, floating paper dragons who burn and rise with their own breath, human-foxes born with nine tails, peaches that offer immortality with one bite. They pass on love. They pass on something else too: a hint of enchantment, uncontrolled and imprecise as it is at that age, a faint shimmer of magic in the air.
WHEEL OF FORTUNE (X)
They pay no mind to such sayings, inflused with a kind of love new to the both of them. To keep the scandal at bay and honor in the family's name they come up with a plan: their little one will be officially a Minatozaki, but will carry the Inoue name all the same.
In the end, it is her first name that matters most to the doting pair. Sana, a name meaning: summer, resplendence, brilliance, light. Their fallen star plucked right from the universe. They pass on stories: of the Star Festival where the star-crossed lovers meet on the bank of the Amanogawa, the Milky Way river, floating paper dragons who burn and rise with their own breath, human-foxes born with nine tails, peaches that offer immortality with one bite. They pass on love. They pass on something else too: a hint of enchantment, uncontrolled and imprecise as it is at that age, a faint shimmer of magic in the air.
WHEEL OF FORTUNE (X)
There are strange occurrences in the Minatozaki household. Of course, the slivers of uncontrollable magic have been happening since early youth with nothing disconcerting taking place. But there is something else, too; an inkling, a glint in the little one's eyes, a feeling familiar to her father somehow. Like trying to recollect a dream. Remembering just enough to get a sense of it before it slips away from his mind's eye.
THE WORLD (XXI)
At age ten, Sana's mother's diplomatic relations within the Floo network leads to a job referral to the London division. Osaka's outskirts are traded for England's countryside, visions of Mahoutokoro disappear as private lessons take their place, and the English lessons that she's been taking double in frequency. Sana wants to know what this is and that means, why a letter is here and a phrase is there, and soon she is adapting to these lessons with ease. Sana is curious like her mother, dreamy like her father. Sana is gifted in the divination methods her father shows her, yet forgetful when it comes to historical dates and names. Sana is a firm believer that the Milky Way river is actually the trickling stream in the field behind their estate. Just once (or twice), Sana wants to see a paper crane brought to life, the squid in the lake at Hogwarts which her lessons have been preparing her for, and the Aurora Borealis. Sana wants to experience the Hotarugari festival again, although she only visits her homeland once in a blue moon when her family's busy schedule allows. Sana accidentally turns her own hair silver after being fascinated by the way her grandmother's hair shines in the sun, and her mother turns it back (It's against the law, darling) but on Halloween, charms Sana's hair to glitter silver and starlike (There's nothing saying I can't do it, just for the night). Sana is drawn to lights like a magpie or a moth, to shiny, glittering objects that may be treasures or secrets or undiscovered mysteries.
Her father has been apparating back and forth and keeping track of their old home and his family shop these years past when the letter arrives from London's Department of Mysteries to bring him, too, into this side of the world. Sana doesn't know why, only that when she peers through cracked doors she can see her father talking to someone or someones, green light radiating against his skin, sometimes in different languages. Sometimes he's talking about how so many things were lost, about how he will do his best to clean up what's left, sometimes he's smiling and that's when she knows he's talking to her mother, who almost always prefers to communicate through the fireplace so she can see them when she's away.
Having been mentally readying herself for attending Hogwarts this past decade, Sana is more than ecstatic when her Hogwarts letter arrives. Her first trip to Gringotts is heightened by the fact that no one in her family has gone here before. Everything is unfamiliar and yet bewitchingly welcoming, from the magical shops filled with artifacts and knickknacks to the elaborately designed secrete passageways. The mystery and the intrigue lead to countless questions (What house will she be in? What will the courses be like? What adventures will she have? Will she be close to an observatory?) as well as new discoveries, enriched with endless possibilities.
STRENGTH (VIII)
All the meanwhile, the universe is speaking to Sana. Or so she thinks; she can't tell, really. Sometimes she gets these feelings. Familiarity and newness, backwards and forwards, opening and closing, it's a paradox of twists and turns, like two mirrors facing each other and watching a trick of the light occur in an infinite maze. She loves divination, especially using the stars but in any way, really, has a knack for the fluidity of the trade and enjoys learning about the figures and myths surrounding the art just as much. And, beyond that, her Inner Eye is just beginning to open in ways so subtle and discreet that she can barely fathom, much less explain. It's flighty, it's prone to change, but when it comes together it's like nothing she's experienced, like time and space conglomerating in one sequence and the universe reaching out to show her what she's been waiting for. It's clear that she has her father's gift, although it will take years to manifest and hone, and the degree to which she has the Sight is still unforeseen in many ways.
ABILITIES/SKILLS
Divination. As a budding Seer, Sana uses her Inner Eye to See into the beyond and foresee future events as well as decipher augments and auguries. Divination comes naturally to her, both as someone born with such an ability as well as someone who's much better with gut instincts and feelings rather than stone cold facts. This gift is difficult to explain and may be lost in translation at times, but Sana is learning more about herself and her Sight each day. The fluidity and shifting tides, as it were, of divination are fascinating to her and are also good practice for augmenting her ability. She'll often read the palms, horoscopes, or otherwise practice divination for those who are interested and is wide open about the fact that she's a Seer, taking up for any of those who may have been misjudged simply because they perceive things differently as well as those who need help in class. She'd love to be a tutor if need be.
Astronomy. From a young age, Sana has been mystified by the cosmos. Her parents bought her several the magical telescopes and books on celestial bodies over the years, and studying astronomy has become her number one love and something she wants to make a career out of in the future (pun intended), especially considering that she would never want to make money off of her Sight. Also, it can be difficult to explain all of the enigmatic things in her mind's eye that can sometimes be lost in translation, and astronomy is a way to express herself. She loves all branches of divination, but astrology is one of th ones which she's able to pick up with natural ease, finding the planetary movements comforting somehow. She'll often go to the Ravenclaw towers or any of the tallest parts of the castle as well as the castle grounds to stargaze and watch any starry phenomenon such as full moons or meter showers. Lights, whether from astronomical forms or spells surrounding lights (lumos being one of her most loved), are some of her very favorite kinds of magic.
Adaptability/Open-mindedness. Sana tries to keep an open mind and heart in everything she does. Any aspect of magic or non-magic which she doesn't yet know about is intriguing to her, and her naturally positive personality lends her to think of the opportunities in a situation regardless of the challenge. The enchanting, mystical, and otherwise unknown are where she's in her element. Her ability to adapt quickly has aided her in learning English (she also wants to learn Latin and mermaid, although she's yet to find out if that's possible), and her understanding disposition lends her to great compassion. While not naturally gifted in Care of Magical Creatures, Sana is very much interested in the conservation and care of such critters and wishes to be fair to all creatures no matter how 'different' they may seem. As a Seer, she's also well acquainted with certain aspects of herself being misunderstood.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
Potions. Despite Japan's reputation for being skilled at potion-making, Sana is the polar opposite when it comes to the magical equivalent of chemistry. The exact nature of potionwork goes against her very nature, as she would rather go with the flow and add what the potion seems like it's missing. Of course, in order to make good grades and safely make potions she can't do this, so it will take some work to go against her instincts and be precise about it.
History of Magic. Long incantations and the pressure points on a person's palm are easy to remember for Sana, as well as history about things she loves such as ancient astronomers, but dates and names in general tend to allude her. Once classes begin, Sana will find that something about the specificity of it and the lack of change within the class makes it difficult for her to find stimulation, so she'll do much of her own research outside of class, as the historical subjects themselves are interesting.
Offensive spells. Sana's wand core reflects her proficiency for protection and charms rather than offensive or combative hexes. She's naturally a lover rather than a fighter. Despite this, she's doing her best to channel her energy towards picking up on such spells for class purposes and the betterment of all areas of her magical skills.
Minatozaki Sana (名井 南). Also used to go by her mother's last name, Inoue (井上). This was used more so when she was a young child to sate her family's reputation and is less necessary now that she has grown into her own.
18. December 29, 1999. Year of the Rabbit. (Celestial stem jǐ, element Earth). Associated with the moon, agility, artistry, speed, unconventionality, softness, and shifting nature.
Hufflepuff. First year. Sun in Capricorn. Moon in Aquarius. Leo rising. (As an Earth sign, many Capricorn traits parallel those of Hufflepuffs: hardworking, patient, and loyal. Yet as the most pragmatic of the signs, Sana's Sun sign is slightly ironic for someone so fascinated by the far-off and undiscovered. Truthfully, the mysticism of Aquarius aligns more with her inner core. Leo represents her bright aptitude; although not leaderlike as the typical Leo is thought to be, Sana's close relationship with the sun and propensity for looking up is reflected in her birth chart.).
11 1/2" silver lime, springy, fairy wing core. The origin of Sana's wand derives from the most reputable wand shoppe in Japan, known for its delicate touch towards mythological creatures native to the land. Legend has it that the particular fairy species used in her wand is from a yōsei, whose wings and antennae resemble those of moths' and who reportedly make homes out of flowers. These fairies (whose lives are measured in moon cycles, but who are believed to be so ancient and elusive that no witch or wizard has been successful in keeping track of their age) lose their wings naturally over the long years and have the ability to regenerate them at will.
Silver lime is an unusual and highly attractive golden wand wood which was highly fashionable in the nineteenth century. Demand outstripped supply, and unscrupulous wandmakers dyed substandard woods in an effort to fool purchasers into believing that they had purchased silver lime. The reasons for these wands’ desirability lay not only in their unusually handsome appearance, but also because they had a reputation for performing best for Seers and those skilled in Legilimency, mysterious arts both, which consequently gave the possessor of a silver lime wand considerable status.
Silver lime is an unusual and highly attractive golden wand wood which was highly fashionable in the nineteenth century. Demand outstripped supply, and unscrupulous wandmakers dyed substandard woods in an effort to fool purchasers into believing that they had purchased silver lime. The reasons for these wands’ desirability lay not only in their unusually handsome appearance, but also because they had a reputation for performing best for Seers and those skilled in Legilimency, mysterious arts both, which consequently gave the possessor of a silver lime wand considerable status.
To be determined in her second year! There are many creatures Sana is fascinated by, both magical and non-magical, so only time will tell which particular one truly represents her spirit.
To be determined in her second year! While she has an aversion to loud noises, Sana has always pictured her Boggart as something less tangible, possibly.
To be determined in Potions class!
Has a barn owl, Solis, the Latin word for sun (affectionately nicknamed Sol).
Her father practices the traditional Japanese art of onmyōdō, a kind of ancient divination. Sana has been taught some of the pillars of this practice by her father (in non-magical, theoretical methods, since she wasn't of age) and has been learning about Western divination on her own since she moved to England. Because she hasn't been able to apply these methods, she's looking forward to getting the hands-on experience in Divination class.
Her mother is a member of the Floo Network Authority Board. Her father was transferred from a position on the Japanese Department of Mysteries to become an Unspeakable for the Britisih Department due to being skilled at the upkeep of Prophecy Records. His job now consists of (among other secret tasks) helping to create a system for and keep track of the Records still intact after the incidence in the Hall of Prophecies several years ago, now infamous among Ministry workers. It often makes him sad thinking of the many visions lost, but none of this is known to the general public nor Sana, who is intrigued by her father's secretive behavior towards his job.
Enjoys learning about ancient prophets and astronomers such as Nostradamus and Ptolemy as well as Muggle astronomical practices. Also enjoys reading about mythology, both Eastern and Western.
Often has softly flickering candles lit in her little burrow of a dorm, which she playfully refers to as her pets. She's been looking into a way to get glowing stars and planets reflected on the ceiling.
Clubs she's interested in being involved in include Astronomy Club as well as any sort of magical or non-magical apiary or butterfly garden (her love for moths, bees, and butterflies is very prevalent, and she'll often set out flower nectar and fruit when she can for the little ones).
Personality type is an ENFP (When it comes to new ideas, ENFPs want to go out and experience things. ENFPs are imaginative and open-minded, seeing all things as part of a big, mysterious puzzle called life. ENFPs believe that there are no irrelevant actions, that every shift in sentiment, every move and every idea is part of something bigger. To satisfy their curiosity, ENFPs try to notice all of these things, and to never miss a moment.) with INFP tendencies (Dreamy and thoughtful, INFPs communicate deeply with others, easily speaking in metaphors and parables, and understanding and creating symbols to share their ideas. Like the flowers in spring, INFP’s affection, creativity, altruism and idealism will always come back, rewarding them and those they love perhaps not with logic and utility, but with a world view that inspires compassion, kindness and beauty wherever they go.).
Her father practices the traditional Japanese art of onmyōdō, a kind of ancient divination. Sana has been taught some of the pillars of this practice by her father (in non-magical, theoretical methods, since she wasn't of age) and has been learning about Western divination on her own since she moved to England. Because she hasn't been able to apply these methods, she's looking forward to getting the hands-on experience in Divination class.
Her mother is a member of the Floo Network Authority Board. Her father was transferred from a position on the Japanese Department of Mysteries to become an Unspeakable for the Britisih Department due to being skilled at the upkeep of Prophecy Records. His job now consists of (among other secret tasks) helping to create a system for and keep track of the Records still intact after the incidence in the Hall of Prophecies several years ago, now infamous among Ministry workers. It often makes him sad thinking of the many visions lost, but none of this is known to the general public nor Sana, who is intrigued by her father's secretive behavior towards his job.
Enjoys learning about ancient prophets and astronomers such as Nostradamus and Ptolemy as well as Muggle astronomical practices. Also enjoys reading about mythology, both Eastern and Western.
Often has softly flickering candles lit in her little burrow of a dorm, which she playfully refers to as her pets. She's been looking into a way to get glowing stars and planets reflected on the ceiling.
Clubs she's interested in being involved in include Astronomy Club as well as any sort of magical or non-magical apiary or butterfly garden (her love for moths, bees, and butterflies is very prevalent, and she'll often set out flower nectar and fruit when she can for the little ones).
Personality type is an ENFP (When it comes to new ideas, ENFPs want to go out and experience things. ENFPs are imaginative and open-minded, seeing all things as part of a big, mysterious puzzle called life. ENFPs believe that there are no irrelevant actions, that every shift in sentiment, every move and every idea is part of something bigger. To satisfy their curiosity, ENFPs try to notice all of these things, and to never miss a moment.) with INFP tendencies (Dreamy and thoughtful, INFPs communicate deeply with others, easily speaking in metaphors and parables, and understanding and creating symbols to share their ideas. Like the flowers in spring, INFP’s affection, creativity, altruism and idealism will always come back, rewarding them and those they love perhaps not with logic and utility, but with a world view that inspires compassion, kindness and beauty wherever they go.).
wanted plots.
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| (STUDY PARTNERS ) Whether a study group for a particular class or a fellow student who wants to have study sessions with tea or other ideas! Sana may need a bit of a push in History of Magic and Potions if anyone is skilled in those areas. Contrarily, she can offer help with Divination. There's also the opportunity for her to meet friends through getting involved in school activities and clubs. Although Sana's currently only a member of Astronomy club, she's also certainly open to other school-based organizations. On a similar note, she'd love to have fellow Astronomy buddies! | ( HOUSES / INTERHOUSE RELATIONSHIPS ) Anything centered on connections between and among houses is most welcome. As for fellow badgers: bonding over being dormmates, meetings in the common room, and sharing house spirit via celebrating Quidditch matches or house points are some of the activities she and other Puffs might be involved in. Among houses: group assignments, friendly rivalry and - Different tropes and getting the houses to interact!! A protective Slytherin and loyal Hufflepuff, a Ravenclaw who always sees Sana going to the towers to stargaze, a Gryffindor interested in Herbology, etc |
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| ( MAGICALLY ASSOCIATED ) Any chance circumstances based on bewitching events and a moshposh of situations. Perhaps there was a mishap in Transfiguration class, a wayward owl addressed to the wrong person, a run-in during a Hogsmeade trip? Or anything in between. | ( COMRODERY AND.COMPANY ) - Coven/girl friendships - Lil friend group?? - Any and all are welcome!! - Also other interactions not just based in friendship |
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| ( MYSTICALLY INCLINED ) - Ideas to salve her curiosity and quench her thirst for the great unknown, whether through thought-provoking conversations, delving into the great unknown of the universe and the cosmos, books asking century old questions, or physical adventures to some as yet-discovered place | ( DIVINATION ) - Lines based on her being a Seer |
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| ( RUSSIAN ROULETTE ) Any other random associations! Based on chance occurrences or predicted in the stars, long-established or newly happening, based on any kind of relationship. Preference is to work somewhat organically with these plots (or establish them to a certain point and then see how the line fits); or we can pick a line at random and go from there if needed! | ( ARISTOCRATIC CONNECTIONS ) - From Japan/England - Connections based on family name aka posh inner magical circle? Or even further back, father's name if obscure ancient magical connections |
http://pixels--galore.tumblr.com/post/121635761706 moon
http://pixels--galore.tumblr.com/post/123017431654/pixel-jars magic jar
http://pixels--galore.tumblr.com/post/122378915571 magic ball
greenhouse http://pixels--galore.tumblr.com/post/121482900684/lazy-crystal-greenhouse-afternoon
food baskets http://pixels--galore.tumblr.com/post/121364036905/food-baskets