queenofheartsrp | # video / action

[Anthy is happy to help!]

Yes. There are lots of flowers.

[Fortunately, when she decides to take a second look at her surroundings, her head moves entirely out of the frame. The waterfall behind her is at least a little more easily identified than flowers.]

[Utena rubs the back of her neck, bites down on an exasperated sigh.] Himemiya, there are flowers everywhere here. I need more than tha--

[But then she catches sight of the waterfall in the distance, and knows where to go.] Nevermind. Just stay put, okay? I'll be right there.

Yes, Utena-sama.

[After a long moment, completely oblivious to whether Utena is still able to hear her, she adds:]

There's a cat.

Right. [She sounds distracted - she's already heading for the door.] You should read the scroll it has!

[It takes her a while, but eventually she shows up, out of breath and slightly frazzled. She slows her run down to a trot when she gets closer, and then stops, trying to catch her breath. It's apparent she's run the whole way.]

Himemiya! [She looks up and smiles, bright and guileless.] You're finally here!

[Anthy smiles back, but it freezes before it reaches her eyes.

There is something subtly different about Utena.]

Utena-sama. [She sounds as unruffled as ever.] Yes, I'm here.

[Almost as though ...]

[Utena has changed - she's a little taller, her hair has grown out. There's a weary tightness around her eyes, but they are still as bright and warm as ever.

She walks closer, until she is in front of Anthy, hesitates for a moment, and then impulsively pulls her into a hug. The embrace is almost tight enough to be uncomfortable.]

It's, ah -- [She swallows hard.] It's been a really long time since I saw you last. [She pulls away, suddenly awkward. Her smile falters and then returns in full force.] Say, did you read the scroll? D'you need me to explain?

[She doesn't stiffen at the hug, or relax; just lifts her hands, after a moment, to Utena's back.]

How long?

[If she doesn't know what's going on -- she must not need to know.]

[She rubs the back of her neck and frowns, thinking back.]

Mm...a year, almost. Maybe more. [If she counts her momentary absence and then her return, it's been well over a year.]

[She must ...

She must not need to know.]

It's nice to see you again.

[Nine whole hours later.]

[A helpless smile. It's almost sad.] It's nice to see you again too, Himemiya.

[A moment passes, and then she removes her coat to drape it over Anthy's shoulders. She doesn't remove the scarf, however.] Did you talk to anyone else?

[Anthy lifts a hand to touch the coat, distracted.]

Besides the cat? Oh, yes.

[Quite a few people.

You might think that she would take this opportunity to describe them.]

Oh, good. [She seems relieved...at least Anthy is talking to someone.] Who'd you talk to? Er, and are you cold out here? [Utena takes this moment to tuck the coat more securely around Anthy's shoulders.]

I'm fine, Utena-sama.

[She doesn't look cold, despite the familiar, poorly insulated uniform. But her hand stays draped over the edge of Utena's coat, holding it in place against her arm.]

Oh ... there was a fox. [A moment of thought.] And some girls. Is the vine like a television station?

Something like that. It's more like a...telephone, with video and stuff. Everyone uses it to talk to each other around here.

[She stretches an arm behind her head.] That's another thing...only girls are allowed here. I haven't seen a boy yet. There's a weird lady in charge. She calls herself the Queen.

The Queen?

[Surely there was never a queen, only princes and princesses. And witches.]

Do you think maybe it's time we went back?

[Utena's expression immediately sobers. She frowns, shifts her weight from one leg to the other.]

Ah...yeah, the Queen. I've only seen her a few times. She's really odd. She says - Himemiya, we can't go back right now. No one's found a way out yet.

[For a few moments, Anthy is silent. Then:]

I see.

[Utena is (somewhat) accustomed to Anthy's unnerving calm, but this placid response throws her off considerably. She stares for a moment, uncomprehending, and then asks:]

That's all? [A pause.] Don't you have any questions?

[She blinks uncertainly at Utena, distracted from her reverie.]

What questions should I ask?

Well...[She sighs.] Anything. You're not curious at all?

[She may look different -- older -- but she's definitely Utena. Anthy obligingly asks,]

Who takes care of the flowers?

The animals do, I think. Or they take care of themselves. I never see anyone tending them.

[She slumps her shoulders, clearly disappointed. But she won't ask if Anthy has any questions again, for now. Instead she rubs at her arms, and asks:] Are you ready to go? I've got a place to stay.

[Anthy's gaze lingers on the flowers for a moment longer. They're beautifully kempt; no minor infestations, no rashes of dying leaves. Like a memory of a garden.]

Yes, I'm ready to go.

[And with that, Utena begins to walk.] Okay. Just follow me.

[She's cold, and dimly uncomfortable - restless is the word that comes to mind. There's no way Anthy's not worried or frightened, she decides, and so begins to explain things without being asked.]

There are all sorts of people here. They say they're from different worlds. The only one from Ohtori that's been here besides me was Juri-senpai...um, but she's gone now. I guess she got to go home.

[She glances over her shoulder and smiles.] So we might get home too, one day. And there are a lot of nice people here. I've made a lot of friends.

Yes.

[Said in absent agreement: you've made friends. From different worlds. Of course Utena wouldn't realize, wouldn't know that there are places in Ohtori ... Utena wouldn't remember Nemuro Memorial Hall ...

But it's strange that she couldn't place the girls, not any of them.

Anthy smiles back.]

It must have been confusing, at first.

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