knowinginthedark | [Event Post]

*Juudai's first impressions is that he seemed to be a rather nice, trusting guy who is very enthusiastic about his work, but he needed to make sure to not let his guard down, while also attempting to build that trust between them.

They reach his office and they go right in.
The office is spacious with a desk on one side and a couch on the other. The desk is littered with some paperwork, but also has some framed pictures of what you assume are his family.

As he sits on the chair behind the desk, Juudai motions to the chair on the other side, opposite him.*

Feel free to take a seat!

*he's definitely looking around a bit, taking note of the pictures, but then he sits down*

Guessing this work keeps you pretty busy in here, huh?

*He gives out a chuckle.*

I have a secretary to handle the more complicated matters, but there's always some kind of paperwork to do that also needs my attention.

I tend to be a more 'in the field' kind of person, rather than stuck in the office, but there are some days I can't really escape it.

Well of course, the whole part of doing things properly is to make sure to have the paperwork all in order.

*he pulls out a few binders from his bag*

And I always make sure to find the time to do my own paperwork! After all, how better to let others learn, short of bringing them along yourself?

*Juudai looks at the binders he pulls out. He's impressed with the dedication he has to his work and he feels he doesn't get to speak that often about it to someone who'll actually take him seriously.

At the same time it makes him glad he has Ruka to help with any research SAI needs, cos that looks like a LOT of work.*

So you had some ideas you wanted to run past me?

Well, maybe not so much ideas, but more-- theories, I guess would be the right word here? *he singles out a specific binder that has some odd writing on it-- in fact all of them seem to be titled in some way that seems to be in another language. Perhaps it's his own shorthand?*

Let me start with this: How do you think Psychic Duelists develop?

Hmn. *He stops to think for a moment.*
What causes someone to gain Psychic abilities is unknown, but it could be linked to a number of different things, from it being a natural innate ability some humans are able to tap into, or to possibly being linked to something relating to duel spirits or the 12 Dimensions.

I'm interested to hear your theories on it though.

Well, there's definitely a lot of theories and ideas, but it's why I started researching what I do.

You see, I'm a Psychic Duelist myself-- but ah, I really prefer to avoid dueling where I can manage-- but the realization of it is what spurred me on to think: "Why do I have this ability? Why do others have this ability? Is this a hereditary mark, or is there some sort of specific trigger?"

I've found that usually, a lot of people don't tend to think about the specifics of this. The schematics of why this "works". Why it's tied to dueling in itself.

*he opens up the binder, and it looks like it's separated into multiple parts-- theories, as he put them-- that span several pages each, detailing things about psychic duelists as a whole. That they're related to Spirits down the line, that the presence of Spirits on Earth ends up influencing them to develop those abilities, research on the subject of "ka" and "ba" and that Psychics have a closer ability to summon and use such, evidence supporting that, evidence contrary to that...*

Despite how much time I've put into it, it's usually difficult to find people to take it seriously, especially given, well...

The permeating bias about psychics in general. People find it easier to separate themselves from them when they don't think about it seriously enough.

*Juudai glances over his research and theories. It definitely makes his head spin a little with all the information, but it's also stuff that sounds quite interesting.*

I'm impressed with your dedication to the subject, though I can understand since it's also a personal thing for you too.

It's definitely something important to look into, so we can continue to better understand and help Psychic Duelists in understanding themselves and their abilities, but I can also understand the struggles you might have been through to just be taken seriously.

Ha, I mean, there's a lot of reasons for people to have judged me before. "What, you're a researcher? But you look so young!" "Stop bugging me kid, about this magic nonsense." "Psychic Duelists? Aren't they those dangerous people? Aren't they a little unstable?" You know, just the general range of things.

But Domino and Duel Academy-- they seem to be generally more accepting of this type of research, even if the actual people I've gotten interested in the deeper qualities are far and few.

*he adjusts his glasses*

Of course, while my notes are only theories, I'd be glad to allow SAI to use anything I have as basis for further research on your parts. I can even send along copies.

I really appreciate that! We have a researcher here at SAI who I'm sure would be excited to read over your theories.

Likewise, I'd like to offer you the ability to use what resources we can give to help you further your work. If you have interest in studying Duel Spirits in general, then I'm happy for you to use our 'Spirit House' here. It's a building where we house smaller wayward spirits that we haven't been able to relocate to a suitable area.
I'm sure our own researcher would be happy to discuss ideas with you too.

Your own researcher?

And I'm surprised you have a place for spirits that've gotten lost. I imagine this is more for smaller spirits who don't have the higher sentience, correct? *he seems to think a moment*

Do you have methods in which you could potentially find and return them to their world?

Yes. Her name is Terasaki, Ruka. You'll probably come across her around SAI and usually if she's not in her office, she's probably in the Spirit House.

*He thinks for a moment.*

I have considered the possibility for any Spirit that may not be settling in the Spirit House to be returned back to their own world, but it's... a process.
I know someone who does have transport that can travel dimensions, so I've been meaning to talk to him about the potential of using it, but I believe I'd need to find out the coordinates of any world we'd need to go to and that's the difficult part.

Most of the small spirits seem to do well within the Spirit House though and we've tried to recreate the environments they possibly live in, in their own worlds the best we can.

Ah, alright, so long as you have avenues for that. Of course, spirits can get acclimated to this world, I'd imagine, but in that case, have there been any moves made towards integrating them with the wildlife, or otherwise expansion?

*he's actually very curious, and he seems almost enthused getting to talk about this.*

Some of the small spirits have kinda made homes for themselves naturally in the mountainous forest area just outside the city, but we do have to monitor them and keep an eye on any impacts on the nature there. There's some legal stuff we have to oversee and deal with too, since they're not a natural part of the eco-system and all that.

Thankfully any integration we have done seems to have gone well so far, but we have strict limits on what we can and can't integrate and how many. All that kind of stuff.

Hnmm, makes plenty of sense...

Ah, don't think I'm criticizing anything, it's just that I don't really know too much about your organization and what you do, past the basic idea, so I like to know what exactly has been done in terms of progression on your ends, of course. *he rubs the back of his head.*

*Juudai gives a little chuckle.*

That's fine. It doesn't come off that way! I'm happy to answer what questions you have regarding what we do here. I'm glad you have so much interest!

Heh, only wish more people did. Then maybe I wouldn't have to worry or second-guess myself.

Though... I told you about why I got interested. Mind telling me exactly why you started this organization?

*Juudai gives him a small smile.*

Sure. It's a bit of a journey but I'm happy to tell you.

Hmn. Well, the organisation started out as a fairly small thing that was dedicated to the Duel Spirit side of things, called the 'Spirit Foundation'. I've been connected to Spirits most of my life, being able to hear and see them, before an event made them visible to everyone in and close to the Domino City area, and even further afield within Japan.

Myself and a friend started the Foundation as a way to help Spirits who choose to live on Earth get accustomed to it, as well educate people about them too.

Some years later, when the Arcadia Movement hit hard times and announced it was shutting down, I decided to merge the Spirit Foundation with it and take it on, creating the Spirit Arcadia Institute.
I'll admit, I had two driving forces behind making that decision. One was that I have a young friend and neighbour who at the time was just coming into her Psychic Duelist abilities. She was concerned about her new abilities and even more so, not having a place to really support her. The other driving force was that I wanted a place where those with special abilities could go to get training or advice, something myself and a lot of my friends who had abilities never had.

So that's generally how SAI came to be. It's my mission to continue growing the organisation with the goals in mind to support Duel Spirits within the city, educate people about them and create strong bonds with the 12 Dimesions, as well as supporting not just Psychic Duelists, but also anyone with a unique ability, no matter who they are. I hope to continue to make this place become somewhere safe where they can go and get support.

*he seems like he's mentally noting something-- specifically when you mentioned the Arcadia Movement, but he otherwise stays quiet during your explanation*

It's a fairly noble thought, wanting to make sure you can help others like that. I'm sure you end up with a lot of people coming who otherwise wouldn't have gotten the assistance they'd require, right?

*Juudai had noticed that his expression really seems to change when he mentions the Arcadia Movement. Did he have special interest in it? He decides to just keep a mental note to keep an eye on his reactions to it for now.

He gives a nod at his statement.*

Yeah, we get a lot of people coming here seeking help which they wouldn't be able to get anywhere else and we do our best to support them, even when we have little information on whatever ability they have.

How unique do your cases get, anyway? Without getting into specifics, at least.

I know such things are more common, especially around Domino City, but it's hard to get a grasp on it when comparing to other places, yes?

They can get pretty unique at times, but sometimes there are similarities we can work with too. It's why I wish to expand SAI's knowledge on all kinds of abilities.

But yes, it's fairly common nowadays around Domino City, but not so much outside of the city, which is why things seem to be much more relaxed here and some of the surrounding areas in regards to these kinds of things existing.

Hnmm...

Have you ever had any cases of someone being possessed by a spirit, or otherwise by something else?

Hmn. It's definitely not something that's a common occurrence, but it's something that I'm aware can happen and I have seen happen, be it a full possession or just something influencing the decisions of someone else.

*He looks at him curiously.*

Do you have a specific interest in it?

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