26 [Open Post] Valentine's Day, Plum Blossoms, and Home and Back Again!

[stillnotretired]

Winter is almost over, the Plum Blossoms are starting to bloom -

And now comes the Valentine Season (and also the Season for Heart's and Hooves Day and other holidays that are similar to Valentine's Day) as well!

City *****'s World Tree Mart and Market Square are both having their Annual Valentine's Sale, and many Gardens, Parks, Shrines and Temples are having Plum Blossom Festivals.

But wait...Something else seems to be happening too, as it so often happens in the World Tree System and City *****.

Some people and beings are being sent back to their home worlds and whichever eras, past or future they came from for a time, and then, being teleported back to the World Tree System again!

And not only that - Some people and beings that didn't even come from the same worlds and eras are also being sent away alongside the people who are going home for a while!

[All the characters who have been sent to other worlds and eras will come back within 3 days in World Tree System time, though they may stay a longer time in the worlds and eras where they'd been sent.]

[This is an open post, and the Muns can make up events and thread with each other as long as it fits the Home and Back Again theme, the Valentine theme, or the Plum Blossoms theme.]

Comments

Yuuko's Shop of Wishes

[stillnotretired]

[Yuuko is sitting at the table, sipping tea.]

[That is not unusual at all - But the fact that she's obviously getting ready to go out is.]

[She is dressed in a very beautiful kimono and obi, and her sandals are elegant and more durable then they look.]

[She also has a kimono coat folded on the chair next to her, and a package, too, neatly tied with a furoshiki.]

...Are you going somewhere, Yuuko?

[Sumomo asked, a bit hesitantly.]

[Yuuko hesitated for a moment, then.]

..........Yes.

The Antique Bakery - Valentine Sale

[theantiqueb]

[The Antique Bakery is all ready for their Annual Valentine Sale, but Tachibana looks pensive for some reason.]

...I have the feeling that something is going to happen, I really do...

[Chikage looked at him, grinning.]

- Oh, yes, so do I! I mean, it's the Valentine Season, right?

Something always happens on the Valentine Season here!

[Ono and Eiji both looked at each other then, and groaned.]

...That is true, but I have no idea why they have to say it aloud...

[Ono mumbled, while Eiji nodded.]

- Oh, yes, it's like they're jinxing us on purpose or something!

Team Madoka

[aremadeof11]

[Madoka and her friends had all decided to come to the Valentine Fair.]

...So much yummy chocolate, so little time...

[Kyoko said, her eyes sparkling.]

Re: Team Madoka

[puellamagia]

"Don't tell me you intend you sample all of them!" [sayaka chided, her hands held with kyouko's]
"And why not? ya know me. Ya know that I can't let any go to waste." [kyouko nudged sayaka's cheek] "Still I bet nothin' here will taste as sweet as you!"

Re: Team Madoka (1)

[aremadeof11]

[Sayaka blushed at that - Aand that was when all their World Tree Phones started to ring, all at once!]

[Madoka's eyes went wide as the World Tree System faded around them.]

...Are we...are we going back home?

[She whispered to Homura.]

- I don't know, but I'll find you, wherever we end up -

Re: Team Madoka (2)

[aremadeof11]

[Back at the Madoka Crew's homeworld]

[Madoka woke up in her room, then, and shook her head.]

...Homura...chan?

[A shining city, so many friends, having adventures together...]

- What a nice dream! It's a shame I can't remember more of it.

[Madoka said to herself, and then, she got out of bed.]

Re: Team Madoka (2)

[puellamagia]

[Madoka skipped downstairs, greeting her father who was cutting tomatoes in the garden, then went to help her baby brother tastuya wake their still sleeping mother up. Madoka found the solution was to pull open the curtains letting the sunlight in and pulling the blankets off of the bed ] "Rise and shine!"
[Junko Kaname yelled and flailed. Tatsuyan giggled ] "Mama woke up!!"

Re: Team Madoka (1)

[aremadeof11]

[Madoka's House]

[Junko groaned, and then she laughed.]

...Oh, get off me, Tacchan...

[And then, she got up. Madoka, in the meanwhile, had gotten into her school uniform, and was now eating breakfast.]

...I had a really good dream, Mama!

I rode a flying bike and everything, ha ha ha -

Re: Team Madoka (2)

[aremadeof11]

[And in the meanwhile...]

[In the hospital]

[Nagisa Sumako was very irritated indeed.]

...Go away, darn it.

I said I'll never make a Contract with you frikkin' devil-bunnies, and I meant it then, and I mean it now!

[The Kyubey at the foot of her bed giggled, then.]

...Oh, don't say that, that, Momoe Sumako.

You're dying already! What would you have to lose?

[Sumako groaned, then.]

...I'm also not a teen anymore, remember?

[THe Kyubey giggled again.]

- True, true, but you still have a surprising amount of Potential left, and I could use a energy boost, even if it's a minor one.

[Humph.]

[Sumako groaned as her fingers automically tried to find a cig, and came up with nothing.]

[The Kyubey laughed at that.]

...You wouldn't even have to use your Wish to heal your body, remember? The current Puella Magi upgrade package would work fine!

[Sumako put a hand to her mouth, then. From what she remembered about her friends who had ended up making a Contract with the bunny-things...]

[She probably really could make a Wish she wanted, and get the ability to heal her body too, just like that.]

Re: Team Madoka (2)

[puellamagia]

"eh. I'll think about it..." nagisa would be visiting soon. what a pain...

[meanwhile madoka was skipping off to school merrily. Another lovely day! she was wearing a new pair of pink red hair ribbons her mom picked out. They felt made for her,like she was always destined to have them!
Madoka caught up with her bestest friend Sayaka along the way] "hey Maodka,what took you
!" the bluenette teased "Cute ribbons! are they new?"

James' Flying Van - Special Valentine Services

[badassbooksnake]

[James is trying something new for this Valentine Season - He's offering personalized services to the people who want to go on a special Valentine date with their SO!]

[So this couple wants to go...bungee-jumping for Valentine's Day? Hmmmm...]

Kotomi and Ayaana's Adventures: Part Two!

[moondreamteam11]

[OOC : This is the continuation of Kotomi and Ayaana's storyline from the Wedding Fair Post!]

Re: Kotomi and Ayaana's Adventures: Part Two! (1)

[moondreamteam11]

The day after Kotomi, Ayaana, Chibi-Usa and Kousagi arrived at Ayaana's homeworld]

[In a room inside Ayaana's family's City Manor]

[Kotomi, Ayaana, Chibi-Usa, Kousagi and Tula were all eating breakfast.]

...Thank you so much for the good food, Master Ayaana!

[Tula said as he munched on a purple flecked crunchy bun.]

- I'm glad you're enjoying it, Tula.]

[Ayaana said with a smile - And then, he looked around the table.]

[Chibi-Usa, in the meawhile, was chewing on a brown and yellow bun.]

...Ohh! It's a meat bun!

[She said with a grin.]

[Kousagi and Kotomi, in the meanwhile, were eating a porridge made of mixed grains with dried fruits and honey.]

...It's good!

[Kousagi said with a grin, while Kotomi smiled at her.]

- I think so too, Kousagi-chan!

[Ayaana, in the meanwhile, was slowly chewing on a brown bun with meat stew and cheese inside, thinking.]

[Maybe bringing everybody to a house his family owned had not been really the most prudent thing to do.]

[He'd known that servants eavesdropped and talked with each other all the time, of course, but he hadn't really realized that reporting things to the people they worked for was probably literally part of their job description, back in the day. It was only since he'd started working for other people in City ***** that he'd realized that servants had their own lives and rules and agendas, just like everybody else.]

[...Oh, it wasn't like he'd had enough locally usable money to get a room at any of the decent hotels, but...]

[But soon enough, the breakfast was over.]

[Ayaana thanked all the servants, and then sent them away for the duration.]

[...Not that that was really going to stop the servants from trying to eavesdrop, but was pretty sure, but whatever, whatever.]

Re: Kotomi and Ayaana's Adventures: Part Two! (2)

[moondreamteam11]

[The meeting begins!]

[Tula took a deep breath, then, and put a small box on the middle of the table.]

- Master Ayaana - May I have your permission to use a light anti-eavesdropping shield?

[Ayaana smiled in relief.]

...Yes, of course you may, Tula. I'd been a bit worried about that, as a matter of fact...

[Tula pushed a button on the box with a smile, then, and a light purple aura formed around the room.]

- There, it's done!

[Chibi-Usa nodded at that.]

...Yeah, yeah, I get it - Servants overhear stuff all the time, after all, and it's not nice to put them in situations where they'd overhear things they shouldn't, even if the rules say they're not supposed to leak info and stuff.

[And then, she sighed.]

- Plus, they really, really, really like to gossip, most of the time...

And the newzies love that stuff, ugh.

[Tula looked at Chibi-Usa, then, tilting his head. The pink-haired lass came from a family which had to worry about such things, then?]

[Curious, indeed.]

[Kotomi, in the meanwhile, had been tilting her head, listening to what Ayaana and Chibi-Usa were saying.]

...You're worried that the...servants will eavesdrop?

[Ayaana and Chibi-Usa both groaned, then.]

- They'll try to, at the very least.

[Ayaana mumbled, while Chibi-Usa nodded at that.]

...And they must have sent world to your family that you're here already, along with...the rest of us, Ayaana-san.

[Kotomi smiled sunnily at that!]

...Oh, that's wonderful, Ayaana-san!

I know you missed your family...

[Kotomi became a bit blue in the face, then, as she realized that she would most probably have to meet Ayaana's family too.]

[Uh, oh.]

[dandeliongirl]

Back in Hikarizaka, in the days Kotomi felt affection for Tomoya-kun, she only knew that he never wanted to see his father, and thus was comfortable just being with Tomoya-kun's company.

In here, she read three books over the day on worldly history, the predominant religion, and local culture. A feat like that for a voracious reader like Kotomi was easy. This went with a good progress, with her dressing as modestly as this world desired women to do so, and performed the same rituals of greetings and courtesy towards all.

But... she never expected the nervousness of actually meeting her boyfriend's parents.

Kotomi's parents had been puzzled for a moment about Ayaana-kun, but after realizing both that he genuinely cared and loved her, and that she had grown fully as a person in her time in Infinity and in the World-Tree, they were happy to give them their blessings.

Now... even while wearing a long dress (what is expected of an adult wife in this world), and clutching both Kousagi-chan and Chibiusa against her big chest, this was an uncertainty she didn't know how to deal with. An equation without a clear result.

I'm a good girl... I'm a good girl. Kotomi took a deep breath.

"It is my duty to meet them and give the best impression possible," she then bowed, "I was brought here with Ayaana-kun's kindness and love, and I intend to return it in full."

She then looked at Ayaana, and tugged at his arm in affection.

"Whatever happens after we meet, know that you are lucky to see them again. I hope you know how much you love eachother."

[moondreamteam11]

[Ayaana, in the meanwhile, was sweatdropping too, because he'd never thought that he'd actually have to introduce Kotomi to his family, or visa versa.]

[He hadn't actually explained anything important about his family to Kotomi at all, and - ]

[...Aand that was when there was a loud voice!]

- Ayaana! Ayaana, is it really you!? We haven't seen you for ages!

[Tula the Badger Man jumped off his chair, then, and immediately raced out of one of the servant's entrances. Ayaana looked in the direction he'd disappeared to, glumly, wishing he dared to run away too.]

[Aand then, his father swept into the room, and held him in a bear hug!]

...It's really youuuuu!

[Ayaana sighed, then.]

- I'm glad to be back, Lord Father.

[Ayaana's father looked a lot like a well dressed Afgan Hound, which meant he looked a lot like Ayaana himself, Chibi-Usa thought.]

[Aand then, a smaller female Dog Person came into the room, sniffing! She was dressed in a fine looking travel dress, and had a small hat on her head.]

...So you're back, Ayaana. I'd been wondering if you'd disappeaered into the ether, just like your mother had.

[Ayaana groaned inwardly, and then, he sighed.]

- I'm sure she didn't mean too, Lady Yuwa.

[And then, he leaned down and mimed kissing her hand.]

[Lady Yuwa let him, and then, sniffed again.]

...Oh, I'm sure she didn't mean to either, but it still wasn't good for your father's reputation at all, one of his Concubines just disappearing like that.

[Ayaana's father opened his mouth at that, and then, he closed his lips again, sighing.]

[dandeliongirl]

Kotomi sat still as Ayaana was bearhugged (pardon the term) in affection, grateful to see their son return, a prince to their family. Only by the mention of family relationship did Kotomi notice the similarities. Afghan Hound, female dog... the same features Ayaana sported. The same caring strength and beauty in him.

The others had at least guessed her relationship with him. But the moment his mother mentioned the possibility of concubines, Kotomi thought for a moment.

She imagined herself in a harem outfit for Ayaana. Then, she lowered her face further, trying to hide her blush.

"My heart is beating faster..." Kotomi murmured. Then, she slowly rose her head. She wondered if it was polite of her to enter in the conversation, given some gender roles varies across--

"Hello, Miss!" Chibiusa waved a hand! "I'm Chibiusa! She is Kousagi!" She nodded to her sister with a smile, then leaned her tiny head against Kotomi's chest, "and this is Kotomi-chan. She is Ayaana's fiancee!"

In a single moment, Kotomi compared the impact of a single word to an atom deciding to fuck off and smash itself against more atoms, just to cause a chain reaction.

James and AU John's Adventures

[badassbooksnake]

[James stood on the rooftop garden of City *****'s City Hall, watching the sun fall on City ****.]

..I've been here so long, I've even grown used to the big tree in the middle of the City.

[He said with a grin, pointing to the "twig" of the World Tree growing in the middle of the City.]

- What about you, John?

[one_one_se7en]

John glanced to James. Then, he slowly shook his head, before returning his sight back to the gigantic tree that sank into the light blue sky.

"This world always surprises."

Worlds like these always surprised him, even in times he thought it wouldn't anymore. As he looked up, and up, at the branches that spread into new worlds and new realities entirely, he remembered the selves where Big Boss' projects turned out to be right... and those selves that suffered from a world in permanent war.

Many times, those two overlapped.

His palm rested on the floor against his side, and his fingers then curled in tension.

"In some of these worlds," he said, "I became free."

Worlds in which he stopped being merely a warrior, at the cost of turning on his masters. Selves of his that suffered great pain, before achieving freedom to live.

He took the moment to breathe in. Even now, those futures frightened him.

[badassbooksnake]

[James' eyebrows rose at that.]

...Freedom is good, I think.

[And then, he smiled and reached up, patting John's shoulder.]

- You should be able to be what you want to be, John.

[And then, he snickered - ]

...But on the other hand - I can't imagine you just sitting around and being a farmer or something.

[James sighed, then.]

- And John - You're a hero. And people never seem to be able to leave heros alone.

[He looked up at John, then, thinking.]

My clone-father is a hero, or so people say. People worship him or hate him or use him - Sometimes all three at once.

...He has about, what, one or two people who actually treat him like a human being. Maybe.

[James smiled, then, his smile sharp like a blade.]

...I, on the other hand - I want to change the world.

Well, my world, anyway.

[He looked back at the cityline, then. The sun was going down, and everything looked red and orange and purple.]

- It's one thing I have in common with most of my AU versions, I suppose, at least.

[He thought of all the Liquids he had met, and sighed, again.]

...They wanted a world where poeple like them would be appreciated. Which was why so many of them ended up trying to burn down the world.

- I, on the other hand...

[James smiled, then.]

...I don't want to burn down the world, I just want to hammer it into something different, something more to my liking.

[Which was why his twin kept laughing at him, and saying he wanted to take over the world.]

[James thought that was a horrible idea, to be honest, even if it was possible, which he doubted. Who had the time to actually run the whole world, anyway?]

Just a little by little, y'know?

[Aand that was when James' World Tree Phone started to ring!]

[James blinked as he realized John and City **** was fading away.]

...Goodbye, John. I wish you well, and if I ever manage to get back here -

[And then, he was gone.]

[one_one_se7en]

John turned his sight to James in curiosity, then glanced forward, pondering on the same words.

What he wanted to be, or what everyone needed him to be.

He was never one for a simple lifestyle, and even now, he found great purpose in what he was. Even if the pain he had felt in his life had been massive, he knew it was for something better. But now...

He rested his elbows over his knees. How much of those success could he use, and how could he use them? As he glanced up, he wondered if, in the end, he was still changing the world, even in his freedom.

Looking at James, it was when he realized it. James was free. As many problems as he had with his father and their legacy, James was who he chose to be, and had his own agency. And the fears John had in the past... he hoped James would learn from him, just as Chief Mendez, Dr. Halsey, and Yuuko taught him throughout his life.

Before James faded, John saw the same marks of someone being pulled back. The glow of light over the person, the colors of another reality blooming for a single moment.

"James...?"

He his sight to his friend as he became transparent. He extended a hand through him. He moved forward, trying to keep him there...

Then, his fingers grasped at nothing. He remained silent.

Welcome home, James.

His hands lowered back onto the ground, grasping at the dirt beneath his palms, remembering the final words Cortana said to him.

(1)

[badassbooksnake]

[Back in James' Homeworld]

[James and David's Room]

[James woke up in his room, and wondered why everything felt so umfamiliar.]

...Smaller, more fragile, and my stamina is even worse. Bugger.

[And then, he turned around. His twin Solid - David - was lying on the bed next to his, both eyes closed.]

[And then, David opened his eyes.]

- James? You're still you, and you're the same size as far as I can see, and you're not actually a Chihuahua no matter what he says.

...All right?

[James sighed, then.]

- I was healthier in the dream I just woke up from, that's all...

[David slowly blinked at that.]

...Yeah, and you had a flying van, too.

[James and David looked at each other, then, and shrugged at the same time.]

[And then, James hand-signed - ]

So we're sharing dreams now? Great!

[David just laughed at that, and signed back - ]

I don't think it's the first time that's happened, to be honest.

[And then, he sat up, reached for two water bottles, and tossed one to James.]

[James stared at the bottle in his hand, and shook it.]

...Well, I've decided what I want to do next, anyway.

[He said aloud. David smiled at that.]

- Yeah?

[James grinned, then.]

...Oh, yes - I'm going to sell cellphones in Africa!

[David nearly choked on his water.]

......Um. .......What???

(2)

[badassbooksnake]

[About Six Months After That]

[A Secret Base]

[Dr Elizabeth Halsey was looking at Big Boss, her eyes serious.]

...And this is the latest photo of my daughter, Cortona.

- Your clone, you mean.

[Big Boss said, as he looked at the photo of a young woman in a white coat, smiling at the camera.]

[Elizabeth shrugged at that.]

...She's still my daughter, even if we don't get along very well these days.

[And then, she looked at Big Boss, her eyes narrowed.]

- You know, John - If only you could have kept your mouth shut...

[Big Boss glared at her, and gulped down his tea.]

...She'd figured it out already. All I did was comfirm what she knew already, all right?

[Elizabeth sighed again, then.]

- Oh, I know that already, but...

[And then, she sighed.]

...John, John. Talking about what we should have done will get us nowhere.

- For now, I just want Cortona to be safe, all right?

[Big Boss sighed, then.]

...Fine. I will try to send somebody to get her back.

(3)

[badassbooksnake]

[About 2 days after that...]

[Dr Halsey and Big Boss where both sitting in another room of the Secret Base.]

...Oh, right, there she is!

[The tech at the controls said with a happy smile.]

[Dr Halsey smiled as she saw the somewhat blurry image of Cortona come up on the screen.]

[Her clone daughter was looking up at the skies, smiling.]

...Yes, that's her!

[Aand then, she blinked slowly as a second person came into sight on the screen.]

[The person was rather short, compared to her daughter, though it was a bit hard to tell, she thought. The sun was shining on his hair, and he was gesturing widely, swinging his arms about.]

- Uh, John...

[Everybody in the room slowly looked at a young handsome man with his back against the wall, then.]

...Solid?

[Big Boss hissed, eventually.]

...Well, I told you he was selling cellphones, Sir.

[The young man using the codename Solid Snake deadpanned.]

(4)

[badassbooksnake]

[30 minutes after that...]

[A tall handsome man in a military uniform was standing at attention.]

...Your mission is to protect Dr Halsey the younger, and make sure she gets back safe.

[And then, Big Boss sighed.]

- As for the Chihuahua - He's not important, no matter what Solid says.

[And then, he looked to the side.]

...But on the other hand, I don't want Solid distracted right before a mission, so if you can get them both out of a soon to be war zone, that would be a plus, I must admit.

So can you do that, Sergent Smith?