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aboxfullofstars2021-06-29 03:09 pm
stillnotretired) wrote in aboxfullofstars2021-06-29 03:09 pm
32 Portals Into Summers Past, Future Or Otherwise And All Kinds Of Summer Events!
The Rainy Season is drawing to a close, and it's getting warmer by the day in City *****...
And now, it's time for all kinds of other Summer Events!
The Summer Solistice, Tanabata, Obon, Summer Festivals, there are so many things to do...
The Merchant District and World Tree Mart have all started their Annual Tanabata And Summer Sales.
The Pools, Beaches, and Seaside Resorts are all gearing up for the Summer Season. So are the various Mountain Resorts.
Waterparks, volleyball matches at the beach, watermelon smashing - The possibilities are endless!
But wait - Something strange is happening, as it often does in the World Tree System.
Portals are opening up all over City **** - And those portals lead to back into other summers of the Past, possible Futures, or AUs. The only thing in common seems to be that some version of the people in question seem to be there, usually doing summer activities.
[Reality Wave : Portals into the Summers of the Past, Future or Otherwise. Characters will find themselves falling through a portal into a place were younger , older or AU versions of themselves are also doing all kinds of summer activities.]
[Whether the characters are affected or not by the Reality Waves are all up to their Muns. All the Reality Wave's effects will end in 3 days, or whenever the Muns want them to end.]
[This is an open post, and the Muns can make up events and thread with each other as long as it fits the themes.]
And now, it's time for all kinds of other Summer Events!
The Summer Solistice, Tanabata, Obon, Summer Festivals, there are so many things to do...
The Merchant District and World Tree Mart have all started their Annual Tanabata And Summer Sales.
The Pools, Beaches, and Seaside Resorts are all gearing up for the Summer Season. So are the various Mountain Resorts.
Waterparks, volleyball matches at the beach, watermelon smashing - The possibilities are endless!
But wait - Something strange is happening, as it often does in the World Tree System.
Portals are opening up all over City **** - And those portals lead to back into other summers of the Past, possible Futures, or AUs. The only thing in common seems to be that some version of the people in question seem to be there, usually doing summer activities.
[Reality Wave : Portals into the Summers of the Past, Future or Otherwise. Characters will find themselves falling through a portal into a place were younger , older or AU versions of themselves are also doing all kinds of summer activities.]
[Whether the characters are affected or not by the Reality Waves are all up to their Muns. All the Reality Wave's effects will end in 3 days, or whenever the Muns want them to end.]
[This is an open post, and the Muns can make up events and thread with each other as long as it fits the themes.]
Yuuko's Shop of Wishes - Summer Sale
The Madoka Crew Goes To The Beach!
This one is so cute! What do you think, Homura-chan?
It changes shape, too - See, if you do this, it turns into a summer dress you could just walk outside in!
Re: The Madoka Crew Goes To The Beach!
"daww!" [Madoka giggled and nuzzled Homura's cheek lovingly.] "Would you like one as well?" [Madoka looks through the rack and picks out another swim suit in that line, in Homura's size. This one was light purple with black tulle bows. ] "What do you think of this one for you, Homura chan?"
Re: The Madoka Crew Goes To The Beach!
[Homura said, blushing - And that was when Kyoko and the rest of the girls came their way!]
- Oh, come on, Madoka, Homura - You two have been stuck in the swimsuit section for more then 30 minutes!
[Kyoko said, laughing.]
Come on, Kyoko-chan.
We are girls, and we are totally allowed to enjoy shopping - It's a girl thing, OK?
[Madoka said, mock-seriously.]
Re: The Madoka Crew Goes To The Beach!
[Madoka mocked pouted] "well, I dodnt mean it like that. Anyway, we are almost done."
"Ok good. Mami's waiting for us." [Sayaja nodded, appreciating the swim suits that she saw, the obnes her friends were trying on at the moment.] "Hm, maube I should try on a new one on!"
Re: The Madoka Crew Goes To The Beach!
[Mami was heading were the other girls were, in a very nice flying camper-van she had rented.]
We're landing in 5 minutes, Miss Mami!
[The van's AI told her, cheerily.]
[Mami grinned at that.]
Thank you, AI-san!
[And then, she tapped at her Phone.]
Hi, everybody - I'm almost there, and so is the flying camper-van!
How's the shopping going?
Re: The Madoka Crew Goes To The Beach!
"Ooops! Oh my." [Mami sweat dropped at that] "Well, my mouth slipped. That was supposed to be part of a sur[rise!"
"A surprise? a bigg one? Get out of here, Mami! Can't wait!"
Re: The Madoka Crew Goes To The Beach! (1)
......Ohhh, neat!
[Kyoko said as she went inside the Flying Camper-Van that Mami had rented.]
It's so much bigger on the inside then the outside - Look at those baths and showers!
[Mami grinned at that.]
...Oh, yes. It's one of James-san's new flying vans, and I got to rent it for half the official price since he wanted somebody to try out all the special features...
[Nagisa sweatdropped, then.]
- What special features?
[Sayaka snickered, then.]
...Well, since it's James-san's project, there's probably some kind of magical armory in here someplace, right?
[Mami snickered back at that.]
Well, I wouldn't know about that - But he did say that he wanted us to try out the "cooking on the beach was never so easy and fun!" feature, though!
Re: The Madoka Crew Goes To The Beach! (2)
[The flying campervan landed on a white shining beach.]
...Everything's so pretty!
[Nagisa said, laughing,]
[Kyoko, in the meanwhile, was looking into the big fridge, licking her lips.]
.......Ohhhh! It's barbeque at the beach time, then?
[Mami grinned at that.]
....Yeeep!
[And then, she held up a red button.]
[And according to James-san, once I push this, something interesting should happen!
[Mami pushed the button - And then, all the girls blinked as all kinds of kitchen equipment suddenly grew a face, and started to move!]
.....Ohhh, finally!
[A cooking table with a face came up to Mami, and saluted her smartly.]
Orders, Ma'am?
Kotomi and John's Big Adventure!
[The sand was warm between her toes, and she was dressed in a swimsuit ensemble that also doubled as casual clothes one could wear at places that weren't the beach.]
[...This was strange. Wasn't she supposed to be in the middle of a rather important mission in Ayaana-san's world, with Ayaana and Chibi-Usa-chan and Kousagi-san and Tula-san and the rest of the team?]
[But then, she shook her head. Something was telling her that that Kotomi was still there, with Ayaana-san. What would happen there would happen there, no matter what happened to this particular version of her, the Kotomi looking at the waves.]
[Very well, then.]
[Kotomi waded out into the warm seawater, and closed her eyes, trying to remember that strange vision she'd seen before she'd found herself on the beach.]
[She'd been younger - Not as young as when she'd went back in time with Wing'd Chihuahua ! James-kun, (And when had that happened, and how had it turned out? It was really weird to have bits and pieces of memories in her head like this) but still much younger then she was - and...]
[She'd been how old? Maybe 12? And Tomoya and Kyou-chan had - ]
[...She'd been in the school library, and Tomoya had gotten her some rice crackers, even though people weren't supposed to eat or drink while they were handling the books, because the books might get dirty.]
[And Kyou-chan had gotten her a bottle of tea.]
[And then...]
[A magical array had grown beneath their feet, blazing with magical light...)
[Kotomi sat sideways while the waves rocked her, then.]
[And then, she turned behind her, to where John was.]
...We have to get over the mountains before the summer ends.
Otherwise, it'll be too late.
[John stared at her.]
- Kotomi? What do you mean?
[Kotomi shook her head.]
Autumn is when the dangerous dark beasts come out to play and feed and breed.
And winter - Not even the locals who act as guides dare go over the mountains once the snow starts.
...That's what he said. And he knew what he was talking about, unlike some people.
[John came up to her, then, and picked her up, out of the warm sea water.]
- Who said, that, Kotomi?
[Kotomi shook her head, then.]
...I can't remember.
no subject
But all the same, Kotomi had not been in a Halo ring. If she, who came to learn even more of the universe and even more magic than he had in their time in the multiverse, it was something he would have to know.
Winter, John remembered the last, difficult days of his war. When the tide was turned, but only when all seemed lost. Kotomi always used to say that winters used to be the times when societies would fear the worst, and when they worried the world would end.
John slowly knelt beside Kotomi. She had once asked him not to treat her as a superior, as she herself hated to be seen as someone above, or separate from the people she loved.
But there were still many things she knew more than he did. And a part of him knew, even after Kotomi's survival in the Viraine Mountains, that there was something deeper guiding her.
"When do we part?" John asked her.
no subject
...We do not part. For as long as possible. If this works.
[And then, she shook her head.]
- Oh, John-san, that isn't really true - I have to go, but you don't have to.
Not really.
[And then, she lowered her eyes.]
I have to go, because I promised.
I wanted Tomoya-kun and Kyou-chan to survive, no matter what, OK?
And when I woke up in the library, Tomoya-kun and Kyou-chan were both there, even if they didn't seem to remember that they'd used to bring me food and tea and we'd talk about books together.
Or even that we used to be friends.
[John shook his head, then.]
...I will go, because you are my friend. Kotomi.
[Kotomi shook her head, again.]
Thank you, John-san.
[And then, she winced.]
...Wait, I just remembered something - We shouldn't use our real names, when we get there.
We have to use made up names. Stage names, pennames, that kind of thing.
The names should be something close enough to our real names, or a stage name type of thing that we've used often enough that we've gotten connected to it, but -
[Aand that was when a very large magical array opened up under Kotomi and John's feet!]
[Kotomi winced.]
......I really hope they found a better energy source for this, this time around -
[And then, they were both sucked into the magical wormhole.]
[In a different world]
[Kotomi woke up, and shook her head.]
...Oh, dearest Heroes - Please wake up! We need you so badly!
[A beautiful blonde girl was leaning over her, a pitiful expression on her face.]
[Kotomi groaned. Not this shit again...]
[Though on the other hand - This poor beautiful maiden probably had no idea what was really going on, did she?]
[Kotomi closed her eyes, and then turned her attention to what the people in the background were saying.]
.........And there goes the last of the magic stored in our energy stones, darn it.
[....Well OK, so that was...better then the alternative, she supposed.]
[She shook her head, then, and sat up.]
[Showtime!]
...What is this? How dare you - My Master would have your heads, you fools!
I am the Mage Kalimba, apprentice to the Great Mage himself! How dare you try to kidnap me!
And where are my bodyguards?
[John - Or rather Joan - on the other hand, had woken up some minutes before.]
[She wasn't quite sure why she'd transformed this time, but on the other hand...]
...Lady Kalimba! Are you all right!?
[And then, Joan stood up, and quickly picked up Kotomi in her arms.]
...And I am Jocelyn of the Red Swords, bodyguard and servant to Lady Kalimba.
[She glared at everybody there, then.]
- So who dares to kidnap us, again?
no subject
His HUD flickered, and faded. With it, his sight, and consciousness.
She awoke moments later, on a bed and wearing unfamiliar clothes. Once again, her being had shifted into Joan.
Slowly, and trying not to raise alarm, she slowly sat straight. She rose her forearm to notice metal plating on it, closer to the ones of knights of eras past. When it touched her own chest, she realized it was bright, silver-colored steel metal. Plate armor.
Joan then overheard Kotomi, and her armor further clanked throughout its parts in a sudden movement to try to follow her -- and give her a cover name.
She thought quickly.
Spartan titles were out of the question, for the sake of her brothers and sisters in arms. 'John' was a name he kept close to his chest, treasured and left only to those he knew. 'Joan' was the name she took, wanting an identity of her own, knowing she was her own person. Even the title 'Master Chief' was so linked to their identity, it ran the risk of trailing back to even the old roots of their life.
So instead, she took the name 'Jocelyn', of the Red Swords.
After defending her, 'Jocelyn' extended a metal-armored hand over 'Mage Kalimba's own, towering over her liege. It was another identity she would have to take.
In spite of her new identity, Joan did not lie. As of now, she was a bodyguard and a servant to Kotomi Ichinose, and she would protect her by all means necessary.
She looked around, scanning threats and glances around the area. Trying to discover who or what could have called them. Joan moved to the side, letting Kotomi watch, covering her vision flanks.
(1)
...We - We didn't kidnap you - The summoning ritual is something we were given by the Gods themselves!
[Kotomi sighed at that. This poor girl was deluded as much as a certain other girl she could hazely remember.]
- Young woman - You summoned us here against our will, and that counts as kidnapping, no matter where the rituals orignated.
[The girl shook her head, then, tears poaring out of her eyes.]
But we had no choice - The Dark Sourcerers and the Dark Beasts they control are attacking our lands, even now!
[Kotomi sighed.]
...Can you even send us back?
[The girl smiled, then, and wiped her tears away.]
The Summoned Heros will be given many gifts, and then be sent back to the lands they came from, once their Holy Mission is done.
So says the Holy Book of the Gods!
[...Yiiiikes.]
[And then, she extended a tendril to Joan, mind-to-mind.]
(Joan-san? This poor girl is just a mouthpiece, and she has no idea what's actually going on. Be nice to her, but don't believe anything she says, OK?)
[And then, Kotomi closed her eyes as her mind connected up with something else.]
(2)
[Her neck hurt, 12 year old Kotomi thought, as she fingered the magic-blocking collar around her neck.]
[She was in a cage, and it was so cold. Outside the cage, on the other hand -]
[A rich looking merchant had just grabbed a man in a cowl, and was pushing him into a wall.]
Look, you're a Dark Sorcerer, I know how you people operate - All you have to do is get me and my son out of here safely,
and I'll give you all the sacrifices you need to get out of here!
[And then, the merchant lowered his voice.]
...Look, nobody's going to come looking for those particualar servant brats of mine, all right? They're both orphans!
[The man in the cowl shook his head.]
...I said no already!
[The merchant groaned at that.]
How in the Names of the Gods do you expect to get out of here alive, then!?
...Do you actually want to die in this hellhole?
[And that was when Younger Kotomi and Older Kotomi linked up!]
[Young Kotomi opened her mouth, then. Oww, her throat hurt...]
...Since when do good upstanding merchants try to force Dark Sourcerers to sacrifice innocents? It's supposed to be the other way around, in most of the tales, if I remember correctly...
[The Merchant stared at her, then, through the bars of the cage, and groaned.]
- We will talk of this later!
[He snarled, and then, he stalked away.]
[Kotomi sighed, and tried to rub her neck. Darn, that hurt. And if she remembered correctly...]
[Yes, here came the boy, dressed in some kind of servants garb...]
...Hey. You. Sourcerer Man. Just what did the Master tell you?
[The man stared at him.]
You can guess already, I believe?
[The boy's eyes went even colder.]
...Yeah, yeah - He's not a bad master, normally, but -
[And then, he sighed.]
- Well, Sourcerer Man, I have a sister, and she's the most important thing in my life, all right?
So if you want me to get you somebody else for the sacrifice...I'll do it, as long as you can get both of us out of here,
and someplace safe. All right?
[The cowled man hissed, then.]
...I told your master no, and I'm telling you the same thing!
[The servant boy's shoulders drooped, then, though his eyes became even colder.]
- Yeah, but then, what are you planning to do? The shitheads who stuck us in this hellhole are planning to sacrifice the entire lot of us, no matter what they're saying, right?
[The man in the cowl turned away, growling under his breath.]
...Oh, yes, and they're being so obvious about it that a 10 year old could figure it out, apparently -
- Hey, I'm 12, not 10!
[The boy said, irritably -]
[And that was when the 12 years old Kotomi laughed!]
...Master Sourcerer. Innocents are one thing, but - You wouldn't mind sacrificing outright enemies to get away from
here, right?
[The man in the cowl looked at her, and narrowed his eyes.]
- Quite right, girl. However, since your magic seems to be locked down quite throughly by that nasty collar...
[Younger Kotomi smiled at that.]
Oh, yes, but - I can still bleed, and my blood does have more power then the norm, if you see what I mean...
[The cowled man blinked at that, slowly.]
...Hmmm.
[And then, he took a black knife out of his pocket.]
- Could your blood power this up, girl?
[She looked at it, sighing.]
I think so, yes. But you'll need to break your bigger blades up, and make lots of little knives, and put them on sticks, like miniture spears.
And you wouldn't be able to do it alone.
[And then, she looked at the boy.]
...You should go call your master now.
[And then, she leaned closer to the boy, and nodded at the cowled man.]
He also needs somebody to make a apperentice contract with him, because some spells need more then one person to do them right.
He does need a bit of convincing, though, because the last apprentice he had...turned out to be bad trouble.
[The boy slowly blinked at that.]
...Huuuuh. Well, I'll have to think about that!
(3)
[Older Kotomi opened her eyes as the link to her younger self dissoloved.]
[OK, then - She was in time, at least.]
[And then, she mind-linked to Joan again.]
(Did you see that?
1/2
Then, as they emerged back into the new world they found themselves in, Joan took a moment longer to recognize that.
When that happened, her position steeled. Kotomi would realize Joan was returning to her Spartan frame of mind. When the mission and the safety of her companions took priority above anything else.
She stepped in front of Dr. Ichinose. Resembling a golem at the ready.
"Where is she," Joan's mind entered into mission mode. Kotomi, a younger version of her, was in danger. Her driving instinct became to venture wherever she was held, kill everyone inside, and save Kotomi.
2/3
Kotomi said her name curtly, in an attempt to snap her back to reality. It frightened her. It was not a tone she herself liked to use. Joan was a close friend.
But she needed to have Joan blink and remember where she was. Dr. Ichinose stepped in front of her, straightening.
"I know you want to save her, the younger version of me," Kotomi's tone softened, as she gently returned Joan back to a non-combat frame of mind. "We have to be careful about this. If we go overboard... there is so much that could go wrong. I ask you to trust me... Joan-chan."
3/3
Then, her geas and her ability with magic reminded her there was more to it than her military instincts spoke of.
Slowly, Joan's body softened. She closed her eyes, and let go of the sword she had been holding.
"Yes, ma'am."
(1)
(...I'm sorry, Joan-san - But I have to at least try to get things right this time, OK?)
[She paused, then. "This time"? What did that actually mean?]
[Kotomi sighed, then.]
(It does not help that my memories of coming to this world as a child are so full of holes, frankly.)
[And then, she concentrated again.]
[At the place where Younger Kotomi is]
[Younger Kotomi rubbed at the magical collar around her neck, sighing.]
...It doesn't have to be a full Apprentice Contract, Master.
Surely you've used short-term Contracts for...assistants before?
[The dark haired man twitched under his cowl.]
Contracting with Sorcerers leave Marks. Always. No matter how short the Contract is.
[The servant boy sighed at that. So did his Master, the Merchant.]
...I don't care about that, Sourcerer Man! Really, I don't!
I need to get my sister out of here, that comes first.
[He and the Merchant looked at each other for a moment, then, expressionlessly - ]
[And then, the boy smiled at the Merchant, looking very fake indeed.]
And I also have to get my honored Master's family out of this hellhole, too, of course - It's my obligation as his servant, after all!
[Younger Kotomi sweatdropped a bit as she saw the Merchant give the Servant Boy a smile that was every bit as fake as the boy's was.]
Of course, of course - Well said, my servant!
[And then, the Merchant looked at the Sourcerer, and tilted his head.]
If Contracting with Sourcerers always leave Marks, I should have quite a bit of those things already, right?
But I'm fine, as far as I can tell...
[The Sourcerer bit his lip at that.]
It's not the same if you're actually taking part of the rituals!
[And then, he sighed.]
...But on the other hand, the girl is right - I do need a apprentice - or at least a assistant, right now.
[He looked at the servant boy, then, his eyes narrowed.]
...I offer you a Contract for one month, as my...Assistant. Is that all right with you?
[The boy nodded at that, with a grim grin.]
Yes, Sir!
[And then, he walked up to the Sourcerer.]
- So I get to call you Master now, right?
[The room where Older Kotomi is]
[Older Kotomi sighed at that.]
(Oh, good, that worked - The last time around, he didn't make any Contract with Will there until after his sister died. Maybe we could even save her life this time around...)
(2)
[Kotomi leaned into Joan's arms, and closed her eyes again.]
(OK, the next thing to do was...)
[Where Younger Kotomi is]
[Younger Kotomi sighed, then, and scratched under the magical collor again.]
...Um, Master Sorcerer? I know you'll think this is creepy, or more to the point, that I am creepy, but I suggest that you use the "short and easy" ritual instead of any of the longer ones for this Contract.
And by the "short and easy" Contract, I mean the one that your grandfather used on you, back in the day.
[Younger Kotomi shook her head, then. Damn, she shouldn't have mentioned his grandfather at all.]
[Knowing about certain sorcereous rituals and spells were one thing, but knowing about his grandfather?]
[Ewwww.]
[But on the other hand, since she couldn't put her words back into her mouth...]
...Oh, just in case you were wondering - Yes, that ritual will still work with crayons instead of brushes and ink, but the colors do matter, so be careful.
[The Sorcerer looked at her, then, his eyes hooded.]
....Crayons?
[Little Kotomi blinked, then.]
.....Urrm...There're little sticks made of wax and pigment, so you can draw with them?
Your friend the Prie-
[Little Kotomi choked back her words, then, as the Sorcerer's eyes narrowed even more.]
...A certain friend of yours gave you a whole box of them as a present for the day he'd decided was your birthday, right?
[Little Kotomi closed her eyes, then, Damn, she couldn't keep her eyes open.]
.......Just do it, and wake me up when you have the mini-spears with the magestone shards ready.
It'll be better if I'm awake...to...
[The Sorcerer started at the girl in the cage as she slumped to the side.]
(3)
[Aand that was when a shiny blurry something came running up to them, panting.
- Master! I...I...
[Oh, right - This must be the boy's little sister.]
(...Hi, kid. I really wish I could link with you, and share your eyes for a bit...)
[Older Kotomi said with a sigh.]
(I'm really trying to help all the people here, including you and your brother, but it's hard to do that when I can barely see or hear anything, it really is.)
[She muttered, though she didn't really expect to get an answer - And that was when the blurry figure tilted her head.]
...Huh? Sure!
[Older Kotomi sweatdropped for a moment, and then she slowly extended a thin mindlink toward the little girl.]
- Ooookay...
[Older Kotomi smiled as she realized she could clearly see what was happening around her younger self, then.]
[Success!]
[Several minutes after that...]
[The Merchant was blinking as one of his young servant girls glared at him.]
...Master! You're not allowed to peek - Sorcerers hate it when people peek at their spells and rituals!
[She pushed at his legs, then, waving her hands, shooing him toward where the rest of his people were.]
[And then, she turned toward the Sorcerer and her brother, who were now bent over some papers, behind a tree.]
.....Um. Um. Are you serious?
[The boy said, sweatdropping.]
I mean - We're just supposed to draw this on each other's backs? For real?
It looks just like a - a -
[His sister ran up to him, then.]
For shame, Hansel, don't be that way - He's going to be your Master, even if it's just a short Contract, right?
Be polite!
[The boy jerked up at his sister'r voice.]
- Gretal!?!? What in the world are you doing here - I told you to stay with the cooks!
[Gretal huffed at that.]
.....I was worried about you, silly Hansel!
[And then, she gave her brother a hug.]
- And anyway, you shouldn't be making fun of that picture-thing you're supposed to be drawing on your backs, because the Master Sourcerer's grandfather spent almost half his life making it simple and safe enough to actually use, and he ended up with big burns on his back, too, because he always tested it on himself first.
So there!
[The Sorcerer looked at her with hooded eyes, then, while the boy looked horrified.]
...Gre...tal...???
[Older-Kotomi-and-Gretal shrugged at that.]
Well, I did ask first, and she said yes!
[The Sorcerer sighed, then.]
- Will you give me your word that you'll let her be when we get out of here - Whatever you actually are?
[Older Kotomi-In-Gretal looked at him, and sweatdropped herself.]
.......Um. I don't mean to take over Greta-chan's body or her life or anything like that, but I can't give my word on when exactly I wouldn't need to link with her anymore, I'm afraid...
[The Sorcerer sighed, then.]
- We will discuss this again, later.
[And then, the Sourcerer and the boy spent some time drawing on each other's backs with crayons.]
It's a smily-face made with simple-script. And this is supposed to be actual sorcery?
[The boy grumbled.]
- Yes, yes it is, Hansel - And remember, the colors are important!
[Older-Kotomi-And- Gretal said, grinning.]
no subject
She took a step back, steel armor rustling with her motions, as she took a moment to categorize the data from Dr. Ichinose's sight.
One of the first details she caught: Hansel and Gretel. From the times a younger Kotomi would ask John or Joan to read with her. One where two lost children made a trail of crumbs to go back home as they explored, until they found a candy house, used by a witch to lure children.
Some worlds repeated in a lot of things. The existence of humans, technology and magic existing in numerous ways, stories resonating in numerous ways... It is possible there was a relation. If the conversations were anything to go by, they were taken in for something. For someone.
Joan slowly turned her eyes towards Dr. Ichinose.
"What do you know about the captors, ma'am?" Joan asked. "We'll need to go after this."
Ever the disciplined warrior, Joan's mind focused on the mission, and wherever they had to go next. She would not let Dr. Ichinose, nor her sister, come to any harm.
(1)
[Older Kotomi smiled at that.]
...Well, those people are -
[And then, she closed her eyes, and held Joan's hand.]
(I'd better not say this aloud, I think.)
[And then, she sighed.]
(Have you ever heard of that saying, "May you live in interesting times?"
Well, let's just say - This entire continent has now entered a period which will probably be very, very "interesting" for history buffs in the future, but as for people who have to live through it - -Ha ha ha!
New technologies, new magic, new ways of thinking about things - The industrial revolution of this world hasn't really started up yet, but the seeds have been sown, and their societies are starting to change massively, for better or for worse.)
[Kotomi sighed, then.]
(And those people - Some of those people hate the fact that their societies are beginning to change, and some of them just think it's a good chance to grab more power for themselves, but they're ruthless and vicious and very hard to deal with.
...Did I mention that at least 6 of the local Great Nobles and a large chunk of the local religious authorities are apparently part of this plot?)
[Older Kotomi shook herself, then.]
(But wait, I'll tell you more about that later - I have to go and see what Younger Me is doing now, I' afraid...)
(2)
[Younger Kotomi woke up to find the Sourcer trying to push a cookie in her mouth, through the bars of her cage.]
[...It was bitter and smelled of medicines, just like the last time this had happened, in a different timeline.]
...Master Sourcerer - I can't swallow that without some water or something, I really can't.
[She mumbled - And then, she smiled a bit as Hans stuck his smaller hands through the bars and put a cup filled with lukewarm water in to her lips.]
Thanks, Hansel.
[Younger Kotomi chewed on the bitter cookie-thing then, sighing as her pains went away and she began to feel more energetic.]
.......I know it's going to be hellish when this wears off, but thanks, Master Sourcerer - I needed that.
[Hans looked at his temporary Master with his eyes narrowed, then.]
...I thought this was supposed to be some kind of medicine!
[The Master Sourcerer sighed at that.]
- Oh, it is - It's just not the kind of potion that heals the body, that's all.
[Younger Kotomi nodded at that.]
Don't worry, Hansel - It's just something that people use if they have to stay awake and keep moving no matter what, that's all.
[And then, she reached out through the bars and poked Hans's nose.]
- And no, you're not going to use it. It makes one feel horrible when it wears off, and you have to sleep for days and days...
[Aand that was when Greta came walking toward them, holding a wooden box in her hands.]
Hey everybody - The miniture spears topped with magestone shards are ready now!
[And then, she stared at the bitter cookie that Younger Kotomi was chewing on, and looked at her brother, narrowing her eyes.]
...........Hansel, you're not going to eat that, it's too dangerous!
[She said - And then, Greta and Younger Kotomi looked at each other, twitching identically.]
...This is really, really weird.
[They both said in unison - And then, they both started to laugh, sounded eerily similar to each other.]
[The Sourcerer groaned, then.]
........You're both - linked to the same person, aren't you?
[Greta and Younger Kotomi both smiled at him, then.]
...Sort of!
- Maybe!
[Some time after that...]
[Younger Kotomi carefully sliced her finger open, and put a drop of her blood on the small spears topped with magestone shards.]
...Now everybody - Remember this : You do not bleed on these magestones once I power them up, and you don't spit on them, or even breath on them, either!
Everybody wears gloves and covers their faces, or else - You might end up dead on accident!
[Hans nodded at that, and held up his hands, covered with oversized gloves that had used to belong to the Merchant.]
Yup, we get it. If we trip and fall and we end up bleeding on those things - We die.
That's it, right?
[And then, Hans turned over, and stared at some of the guards in the distance.]
...We'd been travellling in a big group of merchants, and we'd hired bodyguards of our own.
Our bodyguards couldn't do a damn thing agaist a real army, even if they were acting like bandits.
When they first caught us, they said they'd let us go if we paid them enough money.
Some of the other merchants paid them, and were taken away. They said...the shitheads out there said they've been taken to the nearest town, and set loose.
But then, we noticed that - The captains and higher-uppers in this place had...stuff. Stuff that was supposed to have belonged to those other merchants who were supposed to have been set free.
Jewels. Religious Icons. Dresses. Stuff that those merchants would never have given to them willingly.
I mean, if they'd given them the money already, why should they? And why would...
[Gretal (linked to Kotomi) nodded at that.]
Yeah - That doesn't sound good at all.
[Hans chewed on his lips, then.]
That's when Master - my former Master I mean - figured out that they meant to kill all of us anyway, I think.
no subject
Just as well, Dr. Ichinose mentioned one of the greatest triggers of conflict: Technological and societal changes, between the harbingers of change and those that wanted to slow it down. Independent militias were often the consequence of conflict, as they were benefiting from a state weakened by war.
Something had spared them all. Something had allowed the Younger Kotomi to continue living. Something deemed her too precious to kill... for now.
"Who were they," Joan asked, "what happened after?"
no subject
[Older Kotomi sighed at that, and shook her head.]
(...My memories of this place when I was younger is still filled with waay too many gaps - Sorry, Joan-san.)
[And then, she smiled a bit.]
(What I do remember is Greta-chan dying - Which hasn't happened this time around, thank goodness - And Hans-chan going nuts and making a Contract with the Master Sourcerer.
I also remember getting away from that place - there was a really big explosion and stuff - and the Master Sourcer carrying me away on his back once I really couldn't move anymore, and also meeting some friends of his, but...)
[Older Kotomi shook her head again, sighing.]
(Oh, and there's another thing - See that big mountain range over there?)
[She said, and pointed out of the window.]
(That place and the surrounding areas are all considered part of the Dark Forest - It's choke full of Demon Beasts and even more dangerous things.
And beyond that is the Great Enemy, which is hemmed in by a Great Barriar created by the Great Hero. Or so do the legends - And so do most of the local religious groups.)
[Older Kotomi snickered, then.]
(Except that, a couple of years ago, some people from this kingdom went exploring that way - And what they discovered was that the Great Barrier had come down on it's own centuries ago, and beyond that place was a tiny country filled with people with strange magics, and once you went through that country and went to the other side, why, there were even more countries! Filled with all kinds of people!)
[Older Kotomi snickered again.]
(And the things was - They knew about most of the other countries on the other side of this little country, because they'd been trading with them for more then a century, once they developed the sea routes.
And not only that - Once they sat down and compared notes, they discovered that they'd been trading with this little country with it's strange magics all along, because the little country was the best at producing certain magical potions.)
[Older Kotomi took a sip out of her water cup, then.]
(Or in other words - Your "Great Enemy" not only turns out to be "just people", they also are your trading partners, and have been so for at least a century.)
[Joan stared at Kotomi, then.]
...How long ago was this "Great Battle"?
[Older Kotmi shrugged at taht.]
(More then a 1000 years ago, at least. The details are a bit different, depending on the religious sects.)
[Joan groaned at that.]
...Those religious sects - They aren't happy about this, are they?
[Older Kotomi shrugged again.]
...........A lot of them don't know about this at all - Info doesn't flow very fast in a mediaval - or semi-medivial - society, after all.
But the ones that do, the high ranking people - Well, the reactions varied.
Some of them were willing to keep the lid on and not make a fuss until they - and the Kingdom - managed to figure out how to deal with this, but some of the others -
Well, they went nuts, to put it mildly.
no subject
It was what Kotomi had said. When there was change, conflict was almost inevitable. Whereas the war in Joan's world was caused by a lie only known by a handful, this was now a well-known one. It was something they could work for their advantage.
Joan's armor rustled when she turned towards Dr. Ichinose.
"We have to stop that war from happening," Joan said. "Your sister may be more important than we think. If she is linked to all of this, saving her has priority."
She then walked towards the window, plate armor resonating with every single step, as the taller Joan thought.
"We could get more details out there. On the city that was blocked," she turned to Dr. Ichinose, "are we to go there, ma'am?"
no subject
Nope. Not now, anyway - First we have to deal with those pack of deluded people who are trying to sacrifice a bunch of innocent or not so innocent bystanders to gain power, magical or otherwise.
[And then, she took Joan's hand again, and closed her eyes.]
[Kotomi and Joan's Vision / Where Younger Kotomi is]
[Younger Kotomi shook her head, then.]
OK, then - Go. May the Old Ones That Watch Over Us give us the luck to presover.
[Hans and the rest of the masked and gloved people nodded at that, and clapped their hands to their hearts as Younger Kotomi said the prayer - it was a prayer, right? - aloud.]
We will. May the Old Ones look over you too, Young Lady.
[One of the merchant's guards said.]
[And then, the spread out, going for the fence with the guards on the other side.]
[Younger Kotomi grimanced as she felt Hans throw the mini spear with the magestone shard on it, right into one of the captains throat.]
[Well, since she did know that the captain was one of the bad guys, who was also responsible for getting some of Hans' servant friends killed, she didn't really mind the fact that he was going to die very soon now, buuut...]
[Several screams were heard from the fence, then, and the Sorcerer raised his arms, chanting softly - And a Dark Beast came diving down from the air, right into the magical force field which was keeping them hemmed in!]
...Oh, right. That is much easier then actually trying to keep the Dark Beasts under control when you lack magical energies, I suppose...
[A whole flock of the Dark Beasts were hovering over the camp now, and the magical shield was getting shredded.]
- Alright, then. Girl, girl, get on the floor, and cover your eyes!
[Younger Kotomi blinked for a moment as she realized that the Sorcerer was yelling at her.]
[And then, she rolled on the floor and closed her eyes, and waited until one of the Dark Beasts rammed right into the cage she'd been kept!]
...One...Two...
[And then, she was in the Sorcerer's arms.]
- You know, Master Sorcerer, one of those days, your friends are going to figure out that you're a big softy - And then, what are you going to do?
[She murmured as the Sourcerer ran through the mayhem, and then raised his arms, sending a magical light arrow into the air.]
- Everybody - Start running! We're getting out!
[Older Kotomi waited until they all ran up the mouintans, and were far enough from the camp that they could take a breather. Hans, Greta, the Merchant and his family, and most of the servants and Merchant's Guards, etc, that had chosen to fight with them seemed to have made it out, thank goodness.]
[And then, she linked to Younger Kotomi and Greta once more.]
...All right, then, that worked - But now, you have to make it over the pass over there and get to where the big ships are. You should make it in half a day, if you hurry. And you really should use the battle medicine the Sorcerer still has, if you feel you can't make it without something extra.
And once you get there, the merchant and his people can do what they want.
[Younger Kotomi and Greta both said - And then, they yawned sleepily at the same time.]
- But Master Merchant? Remember your promise. You've got the give the Master Sorcerer what he asked for, all right?
[Older Kotomi and Joan felt the Vision unravel, then.]
[Back where Kotomi and Joan are]
[Older Kotomi slumped on the bed, exhassted.]
...I feel drained, and I wasn't even really there!
[She muttered - And then, she turned to Joan.]
- Joan? Are you OK?
[And then, she yawned.]
- At least it was easier getting out this time - The Sorcerer tried to control the Dark Beasts he summoned last time, and that didn't go well at all.
This time, he just directed them at a target, and let them do what they wanted to do anyway, soo...