1st Bloom ~ Voice | Open

[nephentes_rajah]

[ It's a familiar voice that greets the Gardens today. Familiar here to some of its older residents; recently known to the nosier visitors from Gensokyo; a voice long-since unheard from to captives from Makai. ] —n't you a clever little thing~? [ The low voice comes from out of nowhere. It isn't the typical accidental broadcast, though it might seem that way. The vine had unfurled upon an unspoken request for an audience, complying in the only manner it knows how.

The woman on the other end of the line, stroking the petals of the plant and cooing as if admiring a purring kitten's soft fur, continued on as if she had not noticed that she could be heard. ] What a delightful trick. Can you tell me how you've come to be able to do something such as this?

[ The vine is silent. ]

.... hmm. How disappointing. [ That voice took on a mote of annoyance. ] I'll just have to seek out your source and see for myself. It sounds like it could be... fun. [ There is quiet chuckle that accompanies that word, but it is one laced with sinister intent. She'll decipher the secret magic of this place if she has to tear it apart brick-and-branch to do it. The invitation said "to use the vine"; it didn't place any limits on how. ]

Comments

[majin_fukushou]

-OH GOD THAT VOICE NOPE NOPE NOPE. Though... she tries to keep herself calm in response.-

Hmph. The Queen has no taste, it seems.

[nephentes_rajah]

[ With no recognition at all, her surprise is for the fact that the "vine" spoke to her at all. ] Ah! You say it's a queen that commands me to be here? That won't do, since I don't believe in being ruled over.

[majin_fukushou]

Yes. You have fun with that.

[nephentes_rajah]

That's the idea~. [ Quiet amusement. ] You have no objections? That surprises me.

...more to the point, the idea that you're using a voice I swear I've heard before is surprising me even more.

[majin_fukushou]

Playing dumb is very unattractive, Yuuka Kazami.

[nephentes_rajah]

[ Someone was not prepared for that. ]



It seems I've slept through our introduction — and I'd add "child" to that, but you sound a great deal older than that. [ Subtle burn? Who knows. ]

[majin_fukushou]

Stop sitting there and pretending you do not know this voice!

[nephentes_rajah]

Knowing it or not won't explain how I'm hearing it. [ Which is beginning to frustrate her. She winds her fingers around the stalk but doesn't squeeze down. The vine shimmies a bit on her end. ]

[NOT ACTUALLY A REPLY]

[shanghaiworld]

[Check vine. Hear Yuuka being here for the third time. Do not reply. Go off and make dolls instead. Much better idea.]

[same]

[nephentes_rajah]

[ She'll figure out you're here sooner or later, Alice. You're only delaying the inevitable~ ]

[cleaningstop]

O-Oh, it's... you.

[so much for life.]

Wait! What I meant to say was... Um... I didn't expect you here, yes, that!

[nephentes_rajah]

[ She's spared for now, for Yuuka hasn't even figured out how this vine is doing things.

Or that it's not the vine's own voice speaking to her. ] To invite a guest and not expect them is terrible manners.

[cleaningstop]

Yeah, it's the same for everybody else... But at least this isn't such a bad place to be in?

[nephentes_rajah]

I'll be the judge of whether or not being uprooted is in my favor or not. [ Though by her tone, she's leaning toward "not". Not yet, anyway. ]

[cleaningstop]

Right, sure. You...

[Say something, Meiling.

Anything.]

Y-You like you're doing well! Yes!

[At least she didn't ask about the weather.]

[nephentes_rajah]

Am I doing well...? [ Yuuka herself sounds skeptical. Though she feels healthy enough, the weather is cooler and further along in season than she had just left behind. A shiver of her shoulders is masked by a shrug. ] Once I find the answers I seek, I'll be in a much better mood.

[cleaningstop]

Oh. In that case, um... Good luck!

[nephentes_rajah]

Luck. [ She scoffs the word. ] Are you my good luck charm, then~? [ And just when it seems like there mihgt be some recognition there, Yuuka's expression falls slightly and she waves her hand. ] ...whoever you are.

How did I miss this!?

[nekomikoreimu]

[Reimu hears the voices and a grim expression appears on her face. She Stops what she is doing, quickly grabs her Gohei, and takes off towards where everyone enters the gardens.

Yuuka, you may recognize the red and white figure quickly racing towards you. When she lands, she does not look happy at all.]

So, now you're here. Wonderful.

Stealth >.>

[nephentes_rajah]

[ Having no warning means Yuuka has no time to prepare! Here is hoping that Reimu enjoys the rather unique sight of (1) vicious youkai with the shift pooled at her feet, along with her skirt, as she has just started to button up her shirt.

What. She had to get dressed eventually. It's the miko's fault for not calling ahead.

At least Yuuka has the sense to look (falsely) bashful. For all of two seconds, before she just goes about pulling up her skirt like she wasn't being watched. ] And you are, once again, barging in unannounced and uninvited. [ As if this clearing was hers in the first place. ]

[nekomikoreimu]

[Reimu see's the half naked Yuuka, and stutters ever so slightly. She quickly recomposes herself, and looks annoyed... which is probably what Yuuka is used to seeing from Reimu.]

I came before you could start anything. I can't be too careful with a dangerous Youkai like you.

[nephentes_rajah]

[ Yuuka is facing away, so Reimu can't see the roll of her eyes, but it's evident enough in her tone as she continues to get dressed. ] There are youkai that aren't dangerous? I don't appreciate being lumped in with them.

[nekomikoreimu]

They are all dangerous, you just happen to be more so.

[She sighs and rubs her head]

Anyway, have other people explained the situation to you yet?

[nephentes_rajah]

[ Sighing. ] Honestly. You aren't going to try to blame this one one me as well, are you? It's getting tiring. Just because it is a garden, or it's the weather, or there are flowers, everyone always assumes... [ Yuuka trails off, muttering as she fixes her ascot. ]

[nekomikoreimu]

Who said I was going to blame you? I already know who is behind this mess, The Queen of Hearts. You, as well as myself and many other people, are a victim of her incident.