1 ☠ Video

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[Ninetails had known from the moment she opened her single, functioning eye and sat up from a bed of flowers that something, somehow, had gone wrong. Not five minutes ago she had been in Sei-An, riding high on a murder gone right, and now- now this nonsense-? Sure, she had found her Fox Rods and prayer slips piled neatly nearby, had redressed herself in the priestess garb of robe, hood and beads, but the information cleaned from the scrolls taken from that cat had barely satisfied. (And the kick she had aimed at it afterwards, not at all.) Quite frankly, Ninetails was tempted to shed this stolen human skin and tear these pathetic gardens apart. But oh, that's just temper talking; Ninetails knows better than that. Usually.

"Stay calm. Remain in control. Watch and wait, wait and see."

It's with these firm thoughts in mind that the fox in disguise manages to keep a calm, motherly smile in place as she appears in the mirror.]

Oh, dear, so this is the "Vine"? Hmm, how clever!....yet I do wonder, have I been kidnapped, pretty and inviting words aside? But this appears to be far too lovely a place for that sort of thing. Really, perhaps I should consider myself rescued....

[a light, lilting laugh]

Joking aside, since it seems as if I will not be returning to my home anytime soon....introductions are in order! I am Rao, holy woman and priestess, so should anyone need assistance in that matter- don't be shy. It is both my duty and my joy to offer what prayers, advice, comfort or protection that I can.

-Ah, and one more thing!

[here the smile turns into a frown and her kind young face grows quite sad.]

Is there any way that I can communicate my apologies to this "Queen of Hearts"? I am bound by oath to serve one- and only one -royal woman, and so cannot in good faith pledge my person to another.

Comments

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

They're...they're really bouncing...

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[Questioning boing!]

Ah, what was that? I couldn't hear you, dear.

[readitinabook.livejournal.com]

[Wowwww...]

How did yours get so big...?

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

A priestess? [Excellent, another possible temporary Reimu!] I imagine we do need something to keep an eye on the youkai brought here.

Ah, permit me to introduce myself: I am Yukari Yakumo...and I don't think this Queen brought us here to serve her.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss Yakumo. And please pardon my ignore, but- I assume you are referring to monsters?

Serve her, or simply cooperate with what she wishes....both honestly render me uncomfortable.

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

Mmm...for some definition of monster. They aren't monstrous or evil, just rather rowdy. [Probably not Japan then]

Then do neither.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

Ah! Then I will do my best to help keep order, if I can.

As for the consequences of that?

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

Thank you. [She doesn't mention she's one of said youkai]

As of this moment, there do not seem to be any.

Personally I am waiting for a possible...opportunity.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

For? Please pardon my curiosity, but this is a very intriguing situation.

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

Oh no worries.

For our captor to make a mistake that we can capitalize on.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

Ah.....well, assuming that this Queen is fallible...

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

Everything is fallible, given enough time.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[something briefly flickers in her single visible eye.] But is it time we have, is another question.

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

Well I think I do.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

Should I assume, by that statement, that you're not human?

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

Very perceptive.

I am the youkai of borders.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[DOESN'T SEEM FREAKED OUT BY THIS AT ALL]

Regrettably, my knowledge of "youkai" begins and ends with those in my own world- none of which possess any such ability that pertains to borders. Would you possibly mind elaborating?

[border-phantasm.livejournal.com]

A youkai telling a priestess her secrets? You must be joking.

[video]

[mnementomori]

Kidnapped....

It's hard to say. We're not allowed to leave, but nothing bad's happened, either.

[the girl tugs at her hood absently, her face still obscured by it.]

[video]

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[hood bros y/y]

Oh, I'm sorry- I didn't mean to frighten. It was just a thought...but it is comforting to know, that this place has been so far peaceful.

[video] hrgghh typos

[mnementomori]

[sure she could always use bros. Bros that won't betray her--oh wait.]

[she shakes her head.]

It's okay. I'm not scared. Just...confused, I guess. It seems like a whole lot of work to bring all these people here for no reason.

[video] s'all good o/

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[OH WAIT INDEED.....Ninetails will just tilt her head and smile in a wondering sort of way.]

Perhaps the reason, or reasons, are simply a secret? The information I've been given about this place already certainly hasn't been....satisfying.

[video]

[mnementomori]

You're right, the Queen won't explain anything. But she hasn't really done much yet, either. She seems kind of...

[here she gestures with her hands.]

Not very responsible.

[video]

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[lightly taps her chin]

I'm unsure whether that's something to be relieved by or worry over, honestly.

[video]

[mnementomori]

Me too. The usual ways of leaving don't work, so I guess she's just...really good at getting people to stay here, and nothing else.

[Video]

[hentanuki.livejournal.com]

...Huh.

[Video]

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[Intrigued boing!]

I apologize- was I unclear?

[Video]

[hentanuki.livejournal.com]

No, I heard you. Just...Nah, it's nothin'. I wouldn't try worryin' too much about servin' this queen.

[Video]

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I'm just being silly, but it is something that bothers me. The very idea, ah....

[Video]

[hentanuki.livejournal.com]

No, no, what I mean is...this queen doesn't really want that sort of servitude. Don't worry.

[worthpraise.livejournal.com]

[ Amaterasu stares at the mirror in disbelief. Rao? This is definitely the woman she remembers (no mistaking thos- er, that look), but there's no way that she could be here. Rao was long dead, and Ninetails defeated soundly. The queen of this strange place is powerful, having locked away some of her powers, but could she bring someone back from the dead? Amaterasu doesn't think that's possible.

So Rao, have a woman with suspiciously familiar red marks watching you carefully. ]

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[Well, Amaterasu, in your current form Ninetails isn't sure what to make of you. ("How can this woman be the bothersome, foolish wolf of a goddess, markings or no markings?") So she, too, will be watching you right back.]

Oh, my....did I upset you?

[worthpraise.livejournal.com]

[ The stalemate could probably continue for quite a while, except Amaterasu doesn't have the patience for that. That face and that voice - this has to be the same woman.

Upset her? Yeah, Ninetails. You have. She gestures shortly to the mirror, and her voice carries a clear challenge. ] Himiko.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[The single visible eye narrows; still she plays dumb, testing Amaterasu, prodding.] Yes, I know a lady with that name. [Well....knew.]

[worthpraise.livejournal.com]

[ It might be smarter for Amaterasu to also pretend; to test Ninetails as she's being tested. Too bad she doesn't even think about it. Despite having already defeated Ninetails, Amaterasu cannot easily forgive her actions. This time, the word is a growl - old habits die hard. ] Fox.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[...Ah. She smiles, and it's not very pleasant. But her response is just as calm, as warm, and thus as fake as ever; that twisted little mind is racing. This is Amaterasu, and Amaterasu knows?

Hmph. No matter, now.] Is that what you see, mmm?

[peachhat.livejournal.com]

A priestess. Cute. Of course, you're still nowhere near as holy as me.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

Believe as you wish, dear; it's not in my nature to be prideful.

[peachhat.livejournal.com]

Sure, sure. Your little attempt at condescension isn't helping your credibility, though.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

Condescension? I'd never! It's only right for a follower of Buddha to adopt a stance of humility.

[peachhat.livejournal.com]

Really? More a stance of humiliation, I'd say. 'The fool who thinks he is wise is called a fool indeed.'

You should take that notion to heart. It's buddhist, by the way. Just in case you forgot.

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[well aren't you a maddening little gnat l-lmao]

Ah, did I? Then thank you for the reminder, miss...?

[Yes...thats kinda her shtick. ^^; And....yes, she's a fail tennin kinda xD;)

[peachhat.livejournal.com]

I'm Hinanai Tenshi, a celestial. Holy being, by the way, just if you also forgot what a Tennin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennin) was.

One never knows with you earth-crawling humans.

[thesetits.livejournal.com]

[Don't mind Chikane and her own bouncy twins. They're just chillin'.]

Hm... Himeko can pray for these people. ["By herself": she almost adds, but she's trying to behave -- as ordered, after all.]

[fauxwench.livejournal.com]

[Intrigued boing.]

What a commendable person, to care so deeply about the welfare of others! [suckin' up, awww yeah]

[thesetits.livejournal.com]

[awwww here it goes]

Yes, she is. [...HM.] You said your name was "Rao", correct?