2nd Spell [video]

[loveswaffles]

[Today, we see Raven sitting in the shade somewhere outside, doing some morning meditation. Eyes closed, legs crossed, arms to her sides and... levitating. In any case, she keeps repeating the same words over and over again:

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos"

The mantra continues to be recited without interruption until some visitors make their way to her.

Opening her eyes, she now notices that she's literally surrounded by Bellosom. While the creatures are certainly happy to see her, Raven doesn't seem to be nearly as excited.]

... Go away.

[Not excited in the slightest as she attempts to go back to her meditation. However, the Bellosom have other plans as several of them begin to chant their own name, much to Raven's growing irritation.]

Bellosom! Bellosom! Bellosom!

I said-

[Nope, sorry Raven, the Bellosom are currently busy dancing and trying to bring some cheer into your life! To which she responds with being visibly angry and...

... Is that a black aura surrounding her entire body? Sure does look like it.]

Comments

[action]

[swordthrowing]

[Hopefully one more distraction won't be too much. Yumeko just happens to be passing by, and Raven is the first person she's seen since waking up. Even though she has changed back into her usual uniform, that she's new shows easily enough; in her arms, she is cradling the shift she woke up in, along with a number of scrolls she received from the cats.]

Excuse me.

[She had meant to ask if the information delivered by the cats is correct, but the chanting creatures circling around Raven catch her eye. What strange... Flora? Fauna? She has no idea.]

What are those?

[action]

[loveswaffles]

You mean besides annoying? I have no idea.

[Seriously, Raven has no clue as to what they are, why they're there and why keep saying that name.]

[swordthrowing]

I can see that much, at least.

[They are making quite a racket, aren't they? Yumeko's brow furrows slightly. She shifts her makeshift bundle under her arm, stepping closer and moving to seize one of them under its nubby little arms and lift it like one might an unruly child.]

[loveswaffles]

[Doesn't seem like the Bellosom really likes that...]

Careful, you might get some leaves and flower petals on you.

[swordthrowing]

[And Yumeko does set it down, though not before turning away and pointing it in the opposite direction. Again, as though she were dealing with a small child, she gives it a gentle smack where its bottom should be to urge it along.]

Go on, now. You're bothering her. You can play later.

[loveswaffles]

[Raven can't help but look on as it... actually works, and the Bellosom begin to scatter.]

You're pretty good at that.

[Someone's impressed.]

[swordthrowing]

[Yumeko actually smiles a little as she turns back to Raven.]

It's nothing so remarkable. I just treated them the way I would a young child behaving as they were.

[loveswaffles]

You did way better than me when I was stuck babysitting.

[swordthrowing]

Well, my experience in the area is old, but it's not as though I don't have any. You just need to be firm without being unkind.

[loveswaffles]

Somehow, I think there's more to it than that.

[swordthrowing]

Well... Maybe sometimes. For a situation like this, though, it's not much more than that.

[loveswaffles]

You deal with kids often?

[swordthrowing]

I haven't in some time. But I do have a younger sister, and Lady Shinki has a daughter as well, so I've had to in the past.

[loveswaffles]

So, uh... what's your name?

[you're kind of alright, and raven would like to know]

[swordthrowing]

Yumeko. [She hesitates a second, then asks,] Yours?

[loveswaffles]

Raven.

[she's really good at these introductions.]

[swordthrowing]

[Yumeko doesn't seem to mind.]

Well, then. Would you mind if I asked you a question or two, Raven?

[loveswaffles]

Go ahead, can't say I'll have an answer for each one, though.

[swordthrowing]

I'll make this quick, then. Is the information provided by the cats...accurate?

[loveswaffles]

Pretty much.

Apparently, the Queen of Hearts is really bored.

[swordthrowing]

I see. Thank you for your assistance, then.

[She gives a short, quick bow.]

[loveswaffles]

Sure, no problem.

[she just kind of... watches.]

Gonna find a place of your own now?

[swordthrowing]

I suppose so. It seems like the most sensible thing to do.

[loveswaffles]

Got any familiar faces you can stay with?

[swordthrowing]

Doubtful.