702/Radiant Infirmary Episode 702: 'Sailor Europe' Arrives!

Radiant Infirmary Episode 702: 'Sailor Europe' Arrives!
Date of Scene:	04 November 2023
Location:	Administrative Office
Synopsis:	Nurse Meiou gets to meet 'Sailor Europe'. After a bit of confrontation about the rather interesting attempt at deception, Nurse Meiou helps the errant Princess to shore up her cover story.
Cast of Characters:	Setsuna Meiou, Runealy Waldia

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Setsuna Meiou has posed:
The infirmary at the Radiant Heart Academy is, as perhaps expected, just as swank as the rest of the school. It's a large, well-supplied room separated with some of those rolling medical divider walls. Fairly nice beds can be seen here and there through gaps, and the main area is set up like a typical waiting room/nurse's station, complete with posters giving info about various adolescent diseases/conditions/problems.

One poster that catches the eye is a small, framed one that looked like it might have been made on a printer with a sheet of A4 paper. It simply reads:

    'Please do not confuse your GOOGLE search with my medical degree.'

At the moment, things are (as is rather often the case), fairly relaxed. In point of fact, the nurse is, as is often the case, leaning against a counter in her oversized labcoat that's practically a dress in and of itself and, oddly for a medical professional, wearing three inch heels. To pass the time, it seems that she is, as is also her habit, reading a book.

Her current reading material has a picture of a tall, scruffy man in a longcoat and wielding a staff and a MASSIVE revolver on the cover. Her free hand is absently spins a pen through her fingers the way that some people unconsciously play with fidget spinners.

Runealy Waldia has posed:
Rune had no idea where to find Setsuna, so it took a while of asking around to figure out where to go. With a trail of students stunned by how ignorant her questions were, the alien princess eventually found the infirmary... and walks in, with soft footsteps and a quiet demeanor.

She spots Setsuna, and starts to speak up... but gets all of a syllable in before realizing Setsuna seems to be busy with a book.

So, Rune waits; she looks around the room and takes in the details rather than interrupting.

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Essentially the moment Runealy steps across the threshold of the room, Nurse Meiou looks over at her and says, "Greetings, Miss Waldia. What brings you to the infirmary today?"

As she does so, the pen in her hand stops spinning suddenly. The nurse gives a little twist of her wrist...and the pen disappears. Another twist, and it's replaced by...

Well, the best description for it is a manifested piece of void. It looks for all the world like the nurse is somehow holding a hole in space between her fingers.

She twists it around a little, revealing a stylized golden capital P just...hovering in the middle of said void...which she brings up...

...and marks her place in her book with it.

At which point she snaps said book shut (revealing it's title to be 'Turn Coat' in English) before setting it on the counter next to her and stepping towards Runealy.

Runealy Waldia has posed:
Rune doesn't get long to observe - she's quickly interrupted by Setsuna. "I was advised to come here and mention a certain person, odd as that may sound. Before I do, however... I would ensure I cause no trouble. Therefore, I must ask:"

She gestures at the printed sheet with an open palm, then faces Setsuna. "What is a medical degree? I would mistake neither them nor Google searches for one another, if this would hinder your duties as a healer." The question is asked with raised and confused eyes, with a soft tone completely lacking in sarcasm or comedy.

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou acually stops and blinks at that question...actually caught a bit flatfooted for once.

Still, after only a brief pause, she seems to recover somewhat quickly.

Her answer is, however, at least as earnest as the original question, "...A medical degree is a certificate indicating I have gone through some fairly extensive training and have proven adequately to a group of medical professionals that I am competent to be counted amongst them."

She then glances over at the poster in question before looking back to Runealy, "...and while being able to search the internet has done wonders to help people understand what certain things mean, all too often a certain type of person can lead themselves into thinking they have some strange disease because they have a minor symptom common to any of a hundred diseases."

She shrugs, "So what person were you suggested to mention?"

Runealy Waldia has posed:
"I... I see." Rune smiles, "I am glad to hear that you are well trained to tend to others!" Setsuna tries to offer more context, but most of it simply doesn't take hold; the princess has another question and an introduction: "I was told to mention Sailor Europe. Yet I am to understand that Google searches look much like this certificate? I will look very closely when I encounter them, to ensure I do not mistake them for a true certification!"

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou wavewaves a hand at Runealy dismissively, "Don't worry about it, Miss Waldia. It's just a bit of humor to lighten up an otherwise overly serious area."

At the mention of 'Sailor Europe', however, she blinks a few times, then closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before tilting her head, "...ah. I take it you met Mister Harlaown, then."

She shakes her head, then waves Runealy over to a seat, "...and are you this 'Sailor Europe?'"

Runealy Waldia has posed:
Rune simply gives a slight nod when told to drop the subject of Google searches. Instead, she focuses on the more personal topic at hand. "I have met him, yes. Enforcer Harlaown seems quite dependable. Without exception, I have seen him care to minimizing harm to both the citizenry and their belongings!"

Then she is asked to commit to her lie. Rune visibly pauses, head tilting in thought. Should she? If she doesn't, this conversation might not get anywhere useful. If she does... is this some kind of trick? An anxious chill runs through her as she wonders what might happen when she 'confirms' her identity.

"...I..." A single, slow nod. "I am."

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou tilts her head a little, "...really? You do realize that Sailor Senshi are all named for the planetary bodies they're bound to? That's why there's a Sailor Venus, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, etc, etc."

She absently waves her hand, "...wheres Europe is merely a continent here on Earth...and one that has literally NEVER been united, at that."

Runealy Waldia has posed:
The blatant lie is called out. Rune turns defensive, deciding not to concede the point. She is not openly hostile, but Rune acts like she isn't in the wrong. "There may well be a Mercury, a Mars, a Moon - " that was not one of the ones Setsuna named, " - and yet here I am as well, seeking to defend others from demons and youma and witches and familiars, and errant telephones that turn innocent citizens into coins."

Despite the towering height difference, she stares eye to eye with Setsuna to insist: "We have common cause."

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou arches an eyebrow, "Oh, I'm not saying you don't fight for good, that you're not seeking to defend the helpless. I'm just pointing out that you're not a Sailor Senshi. And there's nothing wrong with that. I know plenty of magical people who do amazing work defending the helpless...but calling yourself a Sailor Senshi when you aren't one is somewhat dishonest, don't you think?"

Runealy Waldia has posed:
In other words, Setsuna isn't buying Rune's ridiculous lie. Rather than outright agreeing with the accusation, Rune tries to redirect the topic in a calmer tone: "What would you have of me, then? If 'Sailor Europe' is an impossibility, where do we now stand? I cannot imagine Enforcer Harlaown sent me here with no purpose, no goal - he does not strike me as the type who would spend your time and effort on matters of no consequence."

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou shakes her head, "Of course he wouldn't. That boy is altogether too serious."

She sighs and shakes her head, "I merely suggest you choose a different heroic moniker than 'Sailor Europe', since it's inaccurate. Where, precisely are you from?"She leans back against the counter again, and as she crosses her arms she also arches an eyebrow, "...because unless I miss my guess, you're perhaps from farther away than Mister Harlaown."

No, she doesn't KNOW...but for a young woman of Runealy's apparent age to be confused about the whole 'google search' meme? Well, that's kind of a big red flag.

Runealy Waldia has posed:
"I would describe him as dependable and concerned for others... though I suppose 'serious' is one way to say that." Rune is quick to defend Chrono, even from what barely counts as a slight against him.

Then Setsuna asks a very good question. Having already been caught in one bad lie, Rune doubles down and offers another one with a few pieces of truth mixed in: "I am from Europe. Even Guan Yu noticed this during his recent raid on Tokyo, comparing me to Liu Bei." This is the same thing she mentioned to Chrono, and she clings to it as the only thing that would seem to give much weight to her claim. "That comparison gives me far more esteem than I deserve, but it is there nonetheless."

She gives this answer while mostly standing still, letting Setsuna occupy the counter and have plenty of personal space.

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Setsuna just gives Runealy a bit of an unimpressed look, "Whereabouts in Europe? It's a big continent, after all. Which country? Which city?"

Yeah, she's still not buying it, it seems...though she's not being particularly agressive about it...she just wants to get the truth, after all.

Runealy Waldia has posed:
When pushed for even the most basic facts, Rune's lie crumples. As her grades will likely attest, the alien princess knows virtually nothing about Earth geography. So she simply offers an answer in a calm tone, seeking refuge in her rank: "I am from West Europe, as is the norm for the royal line."

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
"Ah, West Europe. Once again, which country? There are only about half a dozen that would be counted in the 'West' part of Europe. And which Royal line? Each country has their own, after all. Well, the ones that still HAVE Royal lines, that is."

Runealy Waldia has posed:
"I have given my answer," Rune insists, hoping an edge of finality in her tone will make up for blatantly not answering Setsuna's question. And for having basically no idea what countries are in any part of Europe, nevermind the western portion. "I am here, we both strive toward the same goals, and the finer details of Europe's line of succession change none of that. Enforcer Harlaown, as a mutual ally, sent me to seek aid and understanding."

She holds up a hand, trying to stall a reply and gain a little more time to speak: "I know nothing of your televisions, and it is taking a great effort for me to care for a kitten our common enemies wished to pummel into submission for its magical relics. Left to my circumstances, I will continue to falter on these matters and many more. That weighs far more heavily on my mind than what nation I hail from."

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou nods, "And I am attempting to help you with the 'understanding' part. Because there IS no Royal line of Europe and there never really WAS one. Even the Hapsburgs couldn't make that claim stick, and that line died out hundreds of years ago."

"I can help you with your backstory if you want...but it might help if you tell me where you're really from. Because the easier you can navigate and work here in modern Tokyo, the easier it will be for you to fight the good fight against those that would prey on the weak and unaware."

Runealy Waldia has posed:
In other words, no amount of posturing, deflections, or cold-calling tricks are going to make this lie work. Rune is being asked for her real origins. Her head lowers, eyes lidding - not fully shut, but tired with defeat. "You are right to ask. Yet... I cannot tell you. Not because I distrust you." she holds up a hand in a delaying gesture once more.

"Rather, because once information exists... it will spread. My very first battle upon arriving in Tokyo was not with a demon, as it should have been. It was with a person." Her gaze snaps up, staring intently at Setsuna. "A person with a name, a home, a family, a mother. She sought to give fight to another person, one who has all those same things, for reasons completely beyond me. We fight ourselves, even as demons by any number of name and nature prey upon us. This is the height of insanity!"

Her tone is sharp as she concludes: "If others learn my origins, some of them clearly will attack my home. I cannot have that, so I am from 'Europe' because on my first day in Tokyo... one of your less attentive citizens supposed that was where I hail from."

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Setsuna rolls her eyes a little, "Miss Waldia, I think you may have failed to notice that we're HUMANS...and AS a species, for all our virtues, consistently doing what is in our best interests as a species is sadly NOT among them."

She sighs, "...which is not to say you're WRONG...just that expecting humanity as a whole to act 'sensibly' is kind of expecting a LOT."

As the younger woman explains what she can, Setsuna nods, "Well, then...I can understand that. Though that was probably more a guess borne of THEIR ignorance than anything else. That being said, perhaps we should help improve your backstory by picking you ONE place in Europe and working from there. You can make learning a little bit of that history a hobby, as most anyplace you pick will have quite a bit of it."

Runealy Waldia has posed:
When rebuked, Rune stands her ground: "I was not taught to give battle to people. We have our flaws, but every blast of royal magic I hurl at a person is a far greater stain upon me than a million lies about Europe will be. I say that, knowing full well I will bear both of those marks against my character and blaming an insane society gripped by televisions is a meager defense at best. Regardless..."

She mirrors Setsuna's nod. "...If you are offering to aid me in my deceptions, then you have my thanks and my surprise. I had expected laying my falsehoods bare would end in you dismissing me from the academy, gripped in righteous - and justified - anger."

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou snorts, "Miss Waldia, this Academy secretly houses at LEAST two aliens, multiple divine champions, one or two possible demigods, a little over a dozen reincarnated guardians from a Kingdom tha fell over fourteen thousand years ago, numerous students empowered by alien supercomputers, a magical dessert chef, and multiple supernatural beings. We're USED to helping those from the magical side of things keep their secrets. I'll be glad to help you in any way I can...but I DO ask that you perhaps consider adopting a different heroic name? The Sailor Senshi are said reincarnated guardians...and fourteen thousand years has left their memories of events in the past...shall we say...inconsitent at best. I'd like to save them the confusion if at all possible."

Runealy Waldia has posed:
Rune blinks several times as Setsuna lists all sorts of amazing students. Then, Setsuna asks for something entirely fair and reasonable.

The princess' answer is immediate: "It is done. I styled myself 'Sailor Europe' only to confirm Enforcer Harlaown's guess... it seemed wise enough at the time, so as not to arouse his suspicions." Nevermind that Rune probably ended up just making him more suspicious of her origins.

"I have, in all other encounters, simply announced myself by my personal name. Or as 'The Princess', or 'the Red Princess'."

She adds a single, deep nod. "There will be no more talk of 'Sailor Europe'."

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou taps her lips, "Might want to work on something better, but that should be good enough for now." She stands up, then walks over and does a quick circuit around Runealy, "...well, by your height and build, you could easily pass for coming from any of several places in Europe, certainly enough."

Coming back around in front, she shrugs, "Offhand, if you want to pick someplace, I'd suggest Austria or perhaps Liechtenstien. It's a fairly small and obscure country that most people have heard the name OF, but know little ABOUT...which in general should make your job easier."

Runealy Waldia has posed:
Rune's head turns to follow Setsuna's walk, not immediately sure what's going on. Then Setsuna has advice, and Rune takes to it with immediate interest and raised eyes. "I am to style myself the Princess of Liechtenstien, then? Its obscurity certainly will help!"

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou sighs and shakes her head, "As much as I think you may not like it, I'd advise keeping any claims of being a Princess to the magical side of your life, rather than the civilian one. Mainly because there are EXTREMELY few people who are openly recognized as royalty in this day and age...and those people are all fairly well known."

She hrms, then gets a piece of paper and jots down a few book names on one side and then on the other the name Lichtenstien and under the heading 'Wikipedia', "I'd suggest checking these books out of the library and using your student computer to look up Lichtenstien on Wikipedia."

She snorts, "You'll probably end up reading a lot of articles, but Wikipedia's generally a good place to get started for an overview of a lot of subjects."

She then scowls, "...Unfortunately, I need to get to closing down the Infirmary for the evening, but that should give you a good place to start...and your fellow magicals will probably be more than glad enough to help. I'll be here as well...but that's all I really have time for tonight."

Runealy Waldia has posed:
Rune takes the advice in stride, with very little disappointment. "Then instead of 'princess', I am the heir to a merchant's operations and fortunes. A simple enough change."

She takes the offered paper, looking it over before staring at Setsuna with wide-eyed surprise. "Certainly, I will be on my way... though I believe my first tasks shall be to learning what a student computer telephone and a Wikipedia telephone are - nevermind how to use them. That, or perhaps I will consult these books - that will be no great challenge."

Despite these admissions, Rune calms down and begins pacing for the door, looking over-shoulder as she speaks with a slight smile. "Please be well; you've my gratitude for your aid today!"

Setsuna Meiou has posed:
Nurse Meiou waves, "Ask your roommate for help with your computer...or someone in your room cluster. Most of them should be happy enough to help. Fair winds and following seas!"