I heard something. Something very special! So I'm going to need someone to explain it to me.

Mostly I want to know how I can get free presents this month. Someone was saying something about it but I really didn't understand. But it'd really be nice if I could get some presents from other people. [HINT HINT] I could probably come up with things to give in return too.

I've got some magical equipment laying around that I could still give away. [Does that even count as a present?] It'll be a fair trade!

[And, as always, if anyone in the mansion wants mistletoe hijinks or just messing around in person, Kris can always be found still working on that pile of cake she got a long time ago. Thank god for magical preservation. IT'S STILL FRESH.]

At the Tohno Mansion
[A certain someone had returned home, looking a little disoriented and a bit confused. After experiencing her first death in the gardens, she had admittedly stayed away for a short while, still a bit confused about the whole thing. That and she had to sort out her own feelings on certain things. Hopefully Akiha wouldn't mind too much that she was gone for a couple of days?

Whatever it was, she walked into the front door a little dirty but nothing worse than that. Maybe she could sneak in without being noticed.]


Video
...did I miss something? I feel like something important happened and I wasn't there for it. Or maybe I was...

I don't really know.

[She tilts her head, as if trying to recall something, probably something she had attempted to forget, but lingered there with a sense of detachment. Suddenly, excitement pops back into her eyes.]

Aside from that, I'm feeling like something big! A big cake...the biggest one here. How do I get someone to make that?

[Gal is sitting at the edge of the lake, one of the grassy parts where the bank is higher than the water, her knees drawn up to her chest. Martha the robot dog is "napping" in the sun by her side, tail waving idly. There's a fishing pole stuck in the bank, and Gal reaches over to test the tension of the line while waiting for the mirror to appear.]

Hey--everyone.

[she's getting a little better at this mass communication thing.]

I can't help feeling like...with everything handed to us here, I'm getting a little out of touch with practical stuff. So, if anyone wants to learn how to fish? I'd be happy to teach you. I know a few other tricks, too, if you're interested. Travelling around the world, you pick up a few things.

[she waves a little, to dismiss the mirror.]


[Private to Akiha and Kariya]

I've been--kind of putting this off, so--look, I think we should talk.

I don't really understand much about electricity but if you can use lightning for it, it shouldn't be that hard to make a proper power source. All you'd need is...hmm....

[Yes, it's an intentional video. One of Kris in her workshop, mulling over plans on a table. Plans to make a power source that is perpetual. It's magic, man. MAGIC.]

What if I used a crystal? But that would need recharging after a while. If it had a soul, maybe, but no one would want to give one up. Unless there was a volunteer...

Anyone have any ideas? Throw them at me and it could help me push ahead!

[It's a bright, beautiful day in the Gardens. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, yet the Vine shows one very soaked Akiha Tohno. In fact, it seems to be raining on Akiha, plastering her white blouse to her torso (sadly she's flat as a board so it's not like it shows anything other than the lines of her camisole) and water drips off her hair. She's also, surprise, glaring at the mirror.]

If anyone needs me, I'll be out about the Gardens today and not at the mansion.


[For anyone looking for Akiha or just crossing paths with her, she's fairy easy to spot with the little black raincloud hanging over her everywhere she goes, constantly showering her with rain.]

[up pops Gal in the mirror, looking a little frazzled. She's standing somewhere outside Beaumont, by a patch of flattened grass.]

Who would even--all right, where's Noelle!?

This is really important so pay attention!

Has anyone seen Akiha around??

I haven't seen her in a long time [three days] but she has to be around here somewhere. If I'm looking in all the wrong places, someone should let me know.

No, I'm definitely looking in the wrong places but she's definitely hiding and waiting to surprise everyone.

[Yes, yes, she knows Akiha is gone. But denial is not just a river in Egypt. She's been searching for quiiiite a long time and is quite exhausted. So, Kris in on the edge.]

Help me make a new spell, everyone. Give me all your ideas and I'll put them all together. I might decide not to put in something useless though. Useless effects are a waste of magic.

[Her idea of useless might be a little off though, fair warning.]

[Kris' face is covered with paint! But...but...she's happy about it! No ifs, ands, or buts about it, she looks rather satisfied over her handywork, which she isn't showing on the video. That's because it needs to remain a secret a little longer.]

Akiha couldn't decide when her birthday was so I decided for her! I suppose there was some math involved in there [there wasn't] but once I'm done making this gift, it'll be her birthday.

I don't think she wants a party though....so just give her well wishes if you talk to her, okay? Thanks!

Just a little more time needs to be put into this so you can start telling her now. Don't wait for an announcement from me or anything.

[What, no way Akiha was going to watch that video. Though, for mansion residents, Kris is working in her basement area that she made if anyone wants to visit, Akiha included. Though she may be denied entrance for a few minutes.]

[ Well , wasn't this unusual ! The woman smiled as the vines twisted and turned together , intertwining as she dared to lean in close , a gentle smile on her pale lips as she backed up , long hair coiling around one of her clothed legs . Turning her head , she sees a mirror , and she tilts her head .

How peculiar ! ]

Hello? Is anybody out there? My name is Reiko Aya!

[ It's best to use her alias outside of business , right ? Crow-san would become upset if she did anything other than such ! ]

Do you want my business card? [ She pauses , then looks down at the letter in her hand , already crumpled from her grip . ]

This is an interesting place! ... So, is anybody out there? Hello, hello?

[Not even watching the vines twist and twine together, tuning into the new arrival that had already been very much distracted in The Gardens.

She was breathing. Living. Her testing clothes being taken away from her was replaced by a dress, but the metal collar was still wrapped around her neck.

It was all confusing.

She couldn't understand it, sitting there staring at the flowers that she so badly wanted to see all around her with a shocked expression on her face.]

Haine?

[The first word that stumbled from her mouth was barely even audible. Lily stood up, realizing the mirror that had been recording her, her once surprised expression had easily adjusted to a gentle smile.]

Hello? My name is Lily and um...

[She glances back at the flowers.]

This place is really pretty! I also got a letter, but I don't know how to read it... can someone help me?

It's time for cake!

[As Kris has decreed!

And prepared. For she is out on the Tohno front lawn with a table and a large cake.

Cake is about what it looks like but it still looks...off. It probably tastes a little off considering how it looks. Icing not quite spread properly, things like that.]

Everyone is invited for some, even people I don't know. Who wants to be the one to cut it?

[there's a short silence before Gal speaks, still a little unused to this method of communication. Which is why the message is unfiltered, since she hasn't gotten friendly enough with the Vine to make it listen to her.]

Where I'm from, there are holidays for gift-giving, but none of the ones here are anything alike...this calendar is completely different, too. The years are so short! Anyway, it's kind of late, but--Kris, I've got the gift I promised you.

[she offers the mirror a rueful smile.] Chances are if we've talked a few times, I've got something for you, too.

[The video feed opens up on the image of a katana being slid, slowly and deliberately into its sheath. Behind the Katana is the face of Amamiya Sakurako, her mouth set in a grim line and her eyes on fire with cold anger. The blade settles solidly into place, and she pulls away from the camera as she slides it into its place at her waist, revealing that she's standing in one of the Apartments.

She'd done a small amount of digging since Fionna had staggered home, and now knew exactly who had attacked her. And more importantly, where to find her.]

Tohno Akiha.

[She extends one hand to the side, and a closet bursts open as if of its own volition, and from it flies a kusari-gama, the sickle landing safely in her right hand while the other grasps the chain.]

You hurt my friend. I will not forgive you for that. I suggest you prepare yourself.

[She snaps her fingers, and the message ends.]

[In the Vine's mirror is the visage of a goddess, more composed and focused than the first time the network had seen her. She poised to make an impression, now dressed in her favored bronzed armor and her great avian wings fanning out from her back to cast shadows on gleaming metal. Her expression may be calm, but her gold eye betray an ever burning ferocity that should not be underestimated.]

Mortals of the Gardens.

[She doesn't mean it in a derogatory way, as it is simply how she sees the shorter lived species.]

I do not know what faith you follow. I do not know who you name as your protectors, your saviors, or your rulers. I do not know of the realms you come from. We are from different versions of the same existence. This much I understand, and this much I appreciate.

What I cannot comprehend is why you would deny the truths of the universe that extend beyond the barriers of time and space.

You would deny me, you would dismiss all that I am. I am not perfect. I am not your specific vision of celestial life. I have no illusions of such. Yet my power is real, and my purpose is grand and ever continuing.

I am a goddess.

I know what I am. Why would you think yourself so learned that you may tell me otherwise? Why do you suppose yourselves higher than I, when all you have achieved in your short lives is to quarrel with and suppress one another? Why do you assume I lie when I have nothing to gain from you?

I would offer you proof, and you would dismiss it, wrapped within your cocoons of rusted logic and skewed perceptions of the world around you. You would call for me, and I would answer, yet once your victory has been won you would assume all the glory for yourself. What am I to do with such narrow-minded beings?

I do not assume I will ever understand you, mortals. I only admit, that even I, can be dazzled by your unexplainable ways.

[Her wings flap restlessly. She is not used to this, having to deal directly with nonbelievers and skeptics.]

[As the mirror flickers to life the image of Rumia sitting upon her coiled tail appears. Wearing a smile that clearly showed her pointed, snake-like, teeth, Rumia was excited for a reason that soon became apparent as she moved farther away from the mirror standing before her. As the snake-girl moves back a two-story building comes clearly into view. Sporting a simple and rustic facade that resembled the decor favored by architects of her homeland, Rumia's home was testament to simplicity and elegance.

The buildings innards were of special note, as every structure and piece of furniture within was made especially to cater to the specific needs of the snake-like Lamia race. With shallow ramps instead of stairs, a round bed that lay sunken into a small alcove in the floor, and a skylight designed to allow Rumia to partake in sunbathing on even the coldest of days, in all Rumia's new home was something of a slice of home in a foreign land.

With her home fully in view of all who wished to see it, Rumia excitedly waves at the mirror.]

Hello everyone, I've finally finished my house! It made be a bit awkward for humans to move around in, since I made it to fit my body especially, but I'd love to have friends over for a awhile anyway!

[After a ending her conversation with Kris, Lambda set out on a quest. A quest... to learn to make beef stew. This means that today she can be found doing various things centered around this particular task.]


A. Video
[When she appears on the Vine, Lambda is already dressed for going out, which in her case mostly means that she is in full armor. She doesn't waste time before cutting right to the heart of the matter.]

I require information on the preparation of beef stew.

[She doesn't know anyone to ask in particular, and she hadn't wanted to waste time hunting someone down, so this seemed like the most efficient course of action.]


B. Action
[A while later, she can be found in Orchard, carrying a large basket. (It's hard to say where she got this from; maybe she constructed it out of the dirt herself?) Whenever she comes to a vegetable patch, she stops and crouches down, picking and digging up a fair amount of just about everything she comes across. She's not certain what vegetables go well with beef, so she's just grabbing some of everything instead.]

[Also of note is the fact that what seems to be a living radish pokes its head out of the basket every so often. Perhaps its appetite is the reason the basket never seems to actually fill up...]


C. Action
[Finally, having collected all the vegetables she needs, she sets out with a fresh basket and no Hoppip to find the "Arena" Kris had mentioned. She can be encountered either wandering near and far in an attempt to locate the place or actually there, looking through the meat that has been laid out by the bears. Where did they leave the beef, now...?]

[Kris looks absolutely distressed. What could be bothering her? Perhaps the crazy monster that is now Akiha? She's doing lots of bad things, right? Nope.]

There's no one around to cook anymore! I think I'm going to die from starvation...

...send help please...

I don't know if I'll survive.

[Oh right, Kohaku has injuries to get taken care of and Akiha ran off Gal. Priorities...]

[ super late intro... but, the vine opens up to a bedroom in the onsen with a girl looking curiously into the screen, making slight adjustments as if it were a webcam, before giving a flowery smile. ]

I realized that I've never actually used this to talk to everyone, so I should correct that, right? Hello, to whoever might be watching! I'm Ryoko Asakura. It's a pleasure to meet you!

Hmm... this feels a little like an introduction at school... but, speaking of, I happened to be the president of my class. So, if you're ever in need of a friend or any help, I'll try my best! Even if it's with love advice~ Valentine's day is coming up, isn't it?

[ she winks cheerfully. look at that face, there is no way she could be anything but a genki japanese social butterfly schoolgirl, you know you want to be friends! h... haha... ]