6th Key ♫ Lost my Way ♫ Voice + Action

[golden_gaytime]

This isn't good... [ A concerned Mugi addresses the vine. ] I can't find my way back to the apartments. Could someone please help? I really need to get this food back to Akira-kun, but between the mansion and there... I think I took a wrong path. This doesn't look familiar to me at all. [ She's so out of it that she didn't even summon a mirror for this. And she's been here long enough to have at least a passing familiarity with a lot of the Gardens. ]

I just can't leave her alone right now. She hasn't been feeling well, not since... not since Kazumi-chan went home. [ Vanished, from one night to the next. Mugi sounds rather down about the fact, herself, but it's an odd sort of distance. A distraction. She's lost in more than one sense of the word right now, and it's clear from the lack of any positive excitement in her voice. ] Please! I really need to get back in a hurry!

[ Anyone who manages to find their way to her will see that she's actually fairly close to those apartments, just... somehow keeps walking wide circles all around and avoiding any paths that actually lead in toward the center of that circle. ]

Comments

[loveswaffles]

Describing where you are would help, just so you know.

[golden_gaytime]

...would it? [ She doesn't sound so sure of it. ]

[loveswaffles]

Surprising, I know.

[golden_gaytime]

Oh, I see. [ She really doesn't. Not for a good, long moment. ]

Um, there... are trees. And I'm on a path. The flowers — they're new to me.

[loveswaffles]

Well that's really helpful.

[sigh.]

Just stay where you are, I'll come find you.

[golden_gaytime]

O-okay! [ She nods and just stands where she is, turning this way and that while she tries to look for any familiar part of the path. It really should be around here somewhere.... ]

[loveswaffles]

[And Raven sort of just... appears out of a black, bird-shaped silhouette.]

There, that wasn't so hard.

[golden_gaytime]

[ Mugi makes a surprised sound and jumps a bit. ] Oh... my! How did you do that? [ The dumbfounded question that just had to be said. ]

[loveswaffles]

It's just something I can do.

You know, magic.

[golden_gaytime]

[ She seems to calm down a little. ] Ah, of course. How could I forget? [ Not knowing many magicians or the like, it's hard to avoid surprise. ] Do you... know where this is, then? [ Mugi looks around. ] I swore that path took me right to the apartments... [ She turns another way. ] Or was it this one...?

[loveswaffles]

Don't worry, all we have to do is... [she turns around and... doesn't recognize her surroundings in the slightest.]

Uh, yeah, it's not far from here.

[golden_gaytime]

All right then! [ She knew it had to be so. Mugi is still uncertain, so she reaches for Raven's sleeve or hand. ] I'm ready.

[loveswaffles]

Right, it's... this way.

[Spoiler: She has no idea where she's going. Feel free to realize this sooner rather than later.]

[golden_gaytime]

[ They're bound to run into the place sometime.

Eventually.

Right? ]

I'm sorry that I've been absent so much lately. [ Since she's been busy taking care of Akira ever since Kazumi disappeared. ]

[loveswaffles]

What's there to apologize for? You're busy and have things to do just like everybody else.

[Honestly be glad you missed Raving having four glowing red eyes of death and being extra terrifying.]

[golden_gaytime]

I know, but I just wish I could do more to help Larry and you all, as well. [ She feels a little selfish but, at the same time... ] It's just that Akira-kun isn't doing so well. I don't know what else I can do for her except be there.

[loveswaffles]

You've already done everything you can. It's like you said, just be there for her.

Having someone important near you is more helpful than you think.

[golden_gaytime]

[ Mugi smiles a bit. ] Do you have someone like that, Raven? [ Inquiring shippers minds want to know! ]

[loveswaffles]

Not really.

[Have fun.]

[golden_gaytime]

I'm sure that will change someday. In the meantime, I hope you have some friends you can count on. [ Like her? Well, she won't presume, but she would hope to be helpful in some way. ]

[loveswaffles]

I might have a few.

[A sideways glance. Yeah, that's all you're getting, Mugi. By the way, they still aren't any closer to their home.]

... Over here, let's go.

[golden_gaytime]

Okay! [ Progress! On one front, at least. Mugi nods and follows Raven's directions, trusting the other girl's instincts. ]

[loveswaffles]

[Yeah, about that.]

So...

[time for a poor attempt at conversation.]

Been up to anything else?

[Nailed it.]

[golden_gaytime]

[ Shaking her head. ] Nothing, really. The food shortage has made exploring the gardens difficult. I do not want to wear myself out, or add to anyone's worries. Instead I have been practicing my keyboard — but you probably did not hear it since I also made myself some new headphones to do it with!

[loveswaffles]

[Magic Dirt Headphones. Buy them at your local lesbian gardens while supplies last.]

Yeah, don't do that. Everybody was worried about you last time you disappeared.

[golden_gaytime]

[ Mugi nodded. ] Mmn. I remember. [ Looking around. ] ...what I don't remember is this path. Were these flowers always here?

[loveswaffles]

I don't think so.

... You think maybe they're the reason why we-[whoops. close call.] Why you got lost?

[golden_gaytime]

...would they really do that? [ Now she's paying closer attention to the marigolds. ]

[loveswaffles]

You really gotta ask when we're still stuck here?

[golden_gaytime]

...I suppose not.

[ But wait, what's that in the distance? Is that the apartment complex and all its weird designs peeking out from the end of this trail? Even when totally lost, they were bound to stumble upon it accidentally sooner or later. ] Look! I think we found it!

[loveswaffles]

About time.

[And not a moment too soon. There's books that Raven needs to be reading, you see.]

... You can let go of my hand now.

[golden_gaytime]

Ah, of course! [ And after a moment, she does so, clasping her hands together in front of her. ] I hope Akira-kun hasn't been worried.

[loveswaffles]

[If you like her so much, why don't you marry here.] I'm sure she's fine.

[golden_gaytime]

[ It's much too soon for that! ]

Mmn, of course. [ She doesn't sound so convinced. At the end of the path, Mugi stops and turns to Raven. ] Would you like to come up for some tea? It's the least I can do to thank you for helping me. [ Since she's convinced Raven's the reason she managed to make it home. ]

[loveswaffles]

[See, this would be the part where Raven would just go "no" at whatever offer for socializing was made to her. However this time, there was is tea involved.

Tea changes everything.]

Alright.

[Raven likes her tea, okay.]

[golden_gaytime]

[ It's a good thing that Mugi loves sharing tea, too! ]