Kawaii Cataclysm (Inactive)

Game Master BastianQuinn

A game of Magical Girls using the "Magical Fury" rulebook. [Maps]


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Hashimoto Sora 「」 Trauma 1 ~ Magic 1 ~ Hope 1 ~ Fate 2

It wasn't intentional on my part. I just wanted a less 'grand' term than 'vault'. :)


Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 1

This keeps going through my head.


[Sheets] [Map]

The fickle hand of fate: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Magic Shift
As she visualizes her magic and packing it away for later, something inside Juno rebels. It's not time to put away her toys, it's time to acquire more. Juno can feel her mouth water and an unknowable hunger surfacing from a great depth. The debutante becomes uncomfortably aware of the number of arcane objects in the room: each girl's anchor (for some, they are also the keys to their first doors) and the seven small marble eggs Tenshi seems to be hoarding.

She doesn't need seven, surely. She should share. It's not fair for her to have seven, and for me to have none. So smooth and round like marzipan...

For the rest of you, the scenery outside the train is getting more familiar, and you can hear the train coasting to a stop in the near future. Now is the time to consider what you will do once you've left the train and returned to Obusa. Those of you who live alone have only your neighbors to worry about, but some of you have family and commanding officers to face if you decide to go to a familiar bed. If a means of transformation isn't found tonight, some of you might have to ask to crash with someone else.

Sovereign Court

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Kiyomi Shirakawa
Stats:
Hope: 3 ~ Magic: 3 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 3

"W-well... It seems that did not work. My sincerest apologies for misleading you, it seems I need more... more knowledge, yes, to truly understand how to transform back." Juno puts an arm over her stomach, clearly unnerved in some way. Her eyes dart from girl to girl, though she never quite meets anyone's eyes; her vision is certainly directed elsewhere.

"I am truly sorry that I could not provide a solution for you miss, err, sir. If you, or anyone else needs a place to stay tonight, away from the eyes of those who might question your identity, then I invite you to sleep in my mansion. My parents are both away, and we have plenty of rooms for everyone to have their own bed, and my maids are quite proficient in the art of not asking questions. Yes, your... your secrets, your secrets would be safe with me." There is more than a hint of desperation in her voice as she waits for a response from the others.


Andrastus smiles. You are of course free to refuse, but it wouldn't be in your best interests. Consider if you will. The Mitrans are the ones who wiped out a rival faith, they struck the first blow. And now the war will continue.

If you serve me you'll be in many fights and be well funded. You'll face the elite of the Mitran armies, the best swords masters in the country. Or you can go, without resources, equipment, food. At best you'll become a bandit, you'll be taken down by a few soldiers, probably fresh recruits who'll win through numbers.


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Hashimoto Sora 「」 Trauma 1 ~ Magic 1 ~ Hope 1 ~ Fate 2

Korak... mistakes were made.


[Sheets] [Map]

Paizo isn't very multi-tab friendly.


Female Caucasian May Carmine Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 1 ~ Trauma: 1 ~ Fate: 0

Chell considers trying to return her form but decides it's best to wait until the train has gotten them safely home.

"Leave them be." she tries to convince Sora to stop bouncing around in everyone's conversations.


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Stats:
Magic: 1 ~ Hope: 3 ~ Trauma: 3 ~ Fate: 5

Well stuff happens! Nothing to be ashamed of.

Tiresias stared at Naiad waiting for some acknowledgement as Juno spoke. The problem addressed was one of importance of course, some people could not return home in that state, however.

She is being so... nice. That's a bit odd, from what I know of her. Maybe she is trying to make amends? That could be an option.

Tiresias nodded slowly and then spoke to no one in particular and to everyone at the same time.

Why thank you! That is very nice and considerate of you. For what it's worth, I live alone in the city in an apartment. Although it is not as fancy or large as your mansion I do have a few rooms to spare. Two to be exact.

Tiresias smiled at Juno and she tried to gauge her reaction. If she was trying to make amends then showing her support of her plan would soothe her, if she was not... well she would see what the girl would do next.


Cismale/Complicated SN Alex Brooke
Stat Block:
Hope: 4~Magic: 0~Trauma: 2~Fate: 3

The transformed sailor squints at Juno's rambling commentary, straightening up a bit.

She's not looking anyone in the eye. Can't trust that. Basic military training here, if someone's trying not to look at you, they're looking at something else. But what is she looking at?

Tiresias then makes the offer and Naiad considers.

"You're trying to help a bit more, I think. I'll take you up on the offer of a room, please, at least until we can get this figured out? I don't need maids or servants, in fact, that's something rich people do. If... if I was rich I wouldn't've joined the Navy..."


Hashimoto Sora 「」 Trauma 1 ~ Magic 1 ~ Hope 1 ~ Fate 2

Tenshi starts to respond, when May speaks up, she looks over to her, and frowns slightly, but nods. "Thank you, but we'll be fine."

She sneaks one of the food containers and opens it to see if it's something worth eating. Truth-be-told she was worried about how things would go for her once she was home. She looked like a Baby Metal dropout.


Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 1

I, we, can't go home like this. T-thank you. the twins say together to Juno.

Sovereign Court

Kiyomi Shirakawa
Stats:
Hope: 3 ~ Magic: 3 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 3

"Oh, it's no trouble, really. We have plenty of room, and I have done so much to cause trouble tonight that I really want to do something to make it up to you all. Even if you don't necessarily 'need' somewhere to stay tonight, a cozy bed and a professionally cooked meal is the least I can do for you all to atone."

Though Juno's voice is a bit more composed, she is still holding her stomach and trembling. You would have to be pretty bad at reading people to not realize there is something suspicious about her behavior, though of course there is no way of knowing exactly what that would be.


Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 1

Are you okay? The twins ask simultaneously.


Stats:
Magic: 1 ~ Hope: 3 ~ Trauma: 3 ~ Fate: 5

Tiresias picks up on several conflicting cues as she listens and observes Juno.

Is she uncomfortable? But she sounds sincere... or at least she is trying to sound sincere. Either way something is obviously wrong. Maybe I should look into this.

Tiresias smiles and shakes her head slowly as she speaks.

I'm sure you'll be a marvelous host for anyone that decides to join you. But, if I may voice my opinion, atoning for what happened is not offering warm beds or meals. It's about earning the trust we had in you, is about showing us that when presented with the same temptation, to gather power by all means necessary, that we can count on you to make the right decision. To resist if you must. This kind of trust can't be earned through gifts, in my opinion. I may be wrong though.

Either way the most important thing right now was finding a way to turn back, they couldn't stay at each other's houses forever.
Tiresias takes her book from her hip and opens it in a random page, letting the book adjust itself automatically to what she was searching for, what can she discover about magical girls in general, and about them in specific. Is the process of detransformation the same? Do they require some extra item or input? Maybe a special state of mind?

She pours some of her magic into the book lighting up its pages and making them flip propelled by some secret wind.

Magical Girl Instructions Manual: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Sovereign Court

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Kiyomi Shirakawa
Stats:
Hope: 3 ~ Magic: 3 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 3

"Re...sist?" Something inside of Juno revolts at the very mention of the word, and she falls to her knees in pain. She realizes how horrifying her thoughts had been; she recognizes the hunger that she had been eyeing the Sakuras with when they accepted her offer to sleep in her home.

One of the two was an animated puppet, a construct made of exceptional arcane energy. It was impossible to tell which was which, but for a brief moment, Juno had been ready to cannibalize the child to find the puppet.

"What on earth is wrong with me?" Juno thinks to herself, still wincing in pain on the floor. Perhaps Tiresias could shed some light on the subject, but Juno certainly could not tell the group her thoughts; how do you tell someone that you might kill them for their mana and expect them to not strike first?


[Sheets] [Map]

Tiresias:
You skim the page as the text etches itself into the velum in an even, meticulous hand. This section covers the rites and rotes common to all holders of the Heart Pact, here described under the heading "Unlocking a Gate of the Sephirot"

Until now, the information found within this tome has seemed purely academic, almost sterile. So much so, you had believed that it was not a written book, but pure insight.

Now you see a section at the bottom of the page has been scribbled out furiously, and along the margin, in a hasty hand still recognizably neat and meticulous, the words "Never, never, never again." The heading can be made out between the hasty scratchwork, but not the content. This was "Vitae Essentia and their Effects on Aspect"

The page meant to come next seems to have been removed, as the instructions on the next visible page seem to suggest the reverse of the torn page included the instructions on how to change back and forth. The text does seem to suggest that it's a phrase of some kind, but the specifics have been lost. The rest of the page talks about the benefits and risks of using things other than your own essentia to make spell foci.


Stats:
Magic: 1 ~ Hope: 3 ~ Trauma: 3 ~ Fate: 5

Tiresias read the page eagerly, it was written upon by someone else. Another magical girl with access to a similar tome? Could she write on it herself? Maybe establish contact? Or were these the notes of a long dead girl, her mantle now passed on to her to keep and expand?

Tiresias was so enthralled by the developments in her research that she blocked out Juno's breakdown. When she raised her eyes to share with the others her findings the first thing she noticed was Juno, in pain. Did someone hit her? Magic withdrawal? Maybe some of taint stuck to her after all that?

Tiresias rose, a flurry of fabric as she ran to Juno and kneeled next to her, her book securely placed at her belt.

Are you okay? Do you need any help? What is wrong?

She said with a concerned tone to her voice, although she wanted to touch the girl and hold her she refrained herself, whatever happened could be made worse by any unthoughtful decision. Tiresias divided her attention between the pained girl and all nearby girls spotting for possible threats and trying to identify what exactly happened.


Hashimoto Sora 「」 Trauma 1 ~ Magic 1 ~ Hope 1 ~ Fate 2

I don't know what's going on, but that's some Tom Riddle stuff in your first line. If the book starts writing back, resist the urge to strangle chickens.

Sovereign Court

Kiyomi Shirakawa
Stats:
Hope: 3 ~ Magic: 3 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 3

"I'm... fine. Everything is just fine, thank you." She just needs some rest, surely. It has been a very long day, and Juno had gotten a very poor lot in it. With a good night's rest everything would be better in the morning.

Juno returns to her seat, hoping the train ride will end soon.


Stats:
Magic: 1 ~ Hope: 3 ~ Trauma: 3 ~ Fate: 5

Tiresias stood a bit away as Juno rose to her seat. She was worried and it showed but there was little she saw that she could do right there and then. As Juno settled in her seat Tiresias found the closest place she could and sat there as well. She stared at Juno and extended her hand.

Are you sure?

After muttering those words she retracted her hand as if instantly burned and turned her eyes to the ground.

If you say you are fine then...

Tiresias took a deep breath and pointed to her book still at her belt.

I did some research moments ago. I can only say that to turn back there is a specific activation phrase that will accomplish it. I don't know what phrase it could be since my notes are incomplete. Well missing would be a better word for it. Still I think we have a place to begin from now. Maybe the deactivation phrase is related to the poem we said upon transformation.

She looked around trying to see if she had gotten everyone's attention.

"A part apart; a fate undone.
By blood and rote, I seal this heart.
Bind this spirit; turn the lock,
And rise, again, to keep the watch."

She recited trying to remind herself of all she could conceive as being linked and also trying to see if any idea surged to either her or any of the other girls.


[Sheets] [Map]

A feint circle of turquoise light can be seen around Tiresias as she speaks the words, but nothing more happens.

The train coasts to a stop in front of the old Obusa Mall, just as the clock tower strikes midnight. A string of bells running through the train ring twice, and the doors open all along the passenger cabins.

Obusa Mall seems to have returned to its run down state, the few minor incidents of wanton destruction performed tonight are barely noticeable against the backdrop of the slow decay of time. As if to prove the night has hardly noticed your passing, a tanuki looks up from a pile of refuse near the docking bay, hardly perturbed by the train's arrival. You have trouble seeing the mystique this site once held.

Any girls who are eager to disembark will see a short line of spirits waiting to board the train. They don't speak, and their expressions are apprehensive. They carry the weight of a people who do not have the luxury of looking back.

There are no immediate signs of the talking raven or young man in the red jacket.

Where do you go from here? You have 5 hours in-game before day 1 begins. It would be a good idea to use that time to try and get some sleep, but there still might be a way to figure out how to change back before dawn breaks. What is one obligation each of your normal selves has in the morning?


Hashimoto Sora 「」 Trauma 1 ~ Magic 1 ~ Hope 1 ~ Fate 2

"Hm. Well... I suppose that makes much more sense." Tenshi says aloud. "That... everything is so wrecked. I'd thought it was just people... but now it makes a macabre sort of sense that maybe it was the girl in her fits of rage that wrecked the place beyond recognition."

She hops off the train, and rather than walking through the spirits, opts to walk around them. "I wonder if anyone else ever had something like this happen to them here. If... they'd gotten out better. Might be something to look into. Unexplained deaths and the like." she finishes, reaching the other side of the spectres.

I had a really neat idea, but it doesn't particularly work, now. I'll think up something soon!


Cismale/Complicated SN Alex Brooke
Stat Block:
Hope: 4~Magic: 0~Trauma: 2~Fate: 3

Naiad glances over at Tiresias as she attempts to revert back to normal and tightens into a ball once more.

"I might be able to get away with one night off-base as I'm on leave, but it can't become a common thing. I. Well, maybe sleeping will let it 'wear off'"

The sailor-girl attempts to stay out of the way of the spirits.

"Have a safe trip, with fair winds and following seas! G'bye!" It's not the greatest of send-offs, but it's better than nothing, at least?


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Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 1

We can't change back?! But, but our mom! I we can't see her like this! The twins cry out. They grab the breasts they didn't have at the beginning of the night and push them upwards for emphasis.

Sovereign Court

Kiyomi Shirakawa
Stats:
Hope: 3 ~ Magic: 3 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 3

Oh no, the twins are crying again. Juno had failed so spectacularly at comforting them before... but if she was going to be their caretaker for even a day she would need to have SOME capability of making them feel better, right?

"Um. It'll... be all right? We'll figure out how to change back. I promise." Juno awkwardly pats the pair on the head. "Um... We should go. Are you two hungry? I'm sure our cook would be happy to make you something to eat before bed. Then... then tomorrow, Tiresias will have this all figured out and you can visit your mom. Is that okay?" The phrase was as much a plea as a question; Juno could not handle much more stress that night, but she had already volunteered to take care of the kid...s.

It is fortunate that both of Kiyomi's parents are out of town; her father is in America on an extended trip, while her mother is in Kyoto. Tomorrow, at least, Kiyomi would be able to fake being sick... The blemish on her perfect attendance record would be painful, but endurable. Any longer than that though and she would be risking a surprise visit from her mother, who's erratic schedule makes it difficult to know when she will be in what city. Juno can only pray that she can go back to being Kiyomi sometime soon.


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Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 1

The twins are distracted for a second from the feeling of the palmed body parts they didn't have two hours ago before looking at Juno. You promise? Their eyes seem unnaturally large as they please form you to say yes.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Stats:
Magic: 1 ~ Hope: 3 ~ Trauma: 3 ~ Fate: 5

As the train reached its final stop at the mall Tiresias observed the conditions outside. Spirits were standing waiting for the train to take them somewhere else. The mall was back to its old delapidated self.

So the train isn't for us? I thought it had been summoned by one of us... And the rumor, it was true. Not that I'm surprised, I've seen a lot of unbelievable things today. A silver train with no driver is pretty unimpressive right now.

Tiresias observed mostly in silence as girl after girl left the train and said their farewells. She rose slowly and left the train taking extra care to avoid the spirits waiting, just like she would do with normal people waiting for any bus she left.

Now outside Tiresias approached Juno and both Sakuras.

Don't worry, I'll work through the night if I have to. I'll find a way to have us all go back.

She smiled reassuringly and with a small bow turned to follow Naiad out. After taking a few steps she turned to Juno again.

You'll do fine, I believe in you. Don't let anyone, even yourself say otherwise.

With that said she ran towards Naiad to guide her to her house.


Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 1

The Sakuras turn to Tiresias. I can't miss seeing my mom. Thank you. They squeeze around you hugging you tightly.


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Hashimoto Sora 「」 Trauma 1 ~ Magic 1 ~ Hope 1 ~ Fate 2

Tenshi watches the small, short interactions of her fellows, attempting to do so impassively. But ultimately her facade breaks slightly, and she grimaces. The play was only just beginning, and none of them knew the script.

"I'll see what I can learn." she says, forcing composure back upon herself. "I feel as though my dreams will answer more answers and questions... both of which are sorely needed. Regardless... I've an appointment tomorrow and my little adventure to take the edge off has added a few more rough edges that need polishing." she adds, chewing on a bit of her cheek for a moment. Then she turns and heads for home, a not-insignificant walk. She was a good companion, keeping conversation with Chell when she looked for it, and filling the void of silence when it inevitably arrived with friendliness and warmth.

================================================

Once home, the girl moves straight to the bath in their shared apartment, still able to converse through the closed door if May desired it. She switched on the water heater to allow their water to warm, as she moves over to the sink, running a little water into the basin, and beginning to wash her hands, and then her face. To no avail. The white and the black were like tattoos, rather than makeup. Still, she tried, scrubbing harder, using warmer water, and to no avail.

Slowly she stripped off what she could, though a portion of her clothing seemed to be a portion of her. Through force of will, far beyond her understanding, she eventually coaxed the wings to move under her control, to part so that she could look in the mirror. Everything was stark. Black on white.

Somehow she understood the purpose of the song she had heard only a few times during their encounters. It was an exchange. Like the exchange the girl in the nightmare had made. But with each bargain she became less human. Perhaps the twins had gambled away hope? Perhaps courage?

But those were too... real. Things that existed in both the physical and the dream. So perhaps that was precisely the case. But then, if that were the case, what had she bargained? Color? She eyed the seven spherical stones spread across the sink, lying near to the jet-black pastels that seemed to absorb all light. The colour gone from them, as it was gone from her. Perhaps she had bargained her own dreams for the dreams of others.

If the conversation still continued with May, she would excuse herself for a moment to climb into the shower, allowing the warm water to wash away what it could of the day. Warm rivulets ran down her face, disguised by the drops from the shower, as she leaned forward against the wall, her newfound wings, outside of her control, wrapping back around her body now that she wasn't fully focused upon them. Were they embracing her, or hiding her shame?

Tomorrow was going to be a new day. Would things have gotten better? Would anything have changed at all? She went through the motions of an ordinary shower, forcing herself to hum one of the jauntier tunes of her band, to perhaps supply May with some semblance of normalcy, if she could hear it from her room across the hall. If she had even gone to bed.

Tomorrow was going to be the first day of the rest of her life. She had thought she would be able to move on. To stop being an idol, and merge with normal society. Or maybe she had feared it, maybe this was all an extension of that fear. Somehow she knew for certain she wasn't dreaming, though. Nothing felt real enough for that.

No, tomorrow wouldn't be a dream. Her hopes of getting accepted to the local college of arts would be completely dashed. Her interview would be completely ruined by the girl's apparent eccentricities. Hopefully, this wouldn't become the new normal, but what other choice did she have? She could either go to the school looking like a mime that had gotten into a fight with a mascara factory, or she could try to reschedule. Somehow, she knew the latter would be worse. No, the new 'normal' had shown her the truth. She would always be different.

She shut off the water, and turned off the heater with a flick of the switch, reaching out of the shower, and allowing herself to drip dry for a bit... hoping that at some point, she'd see black running down the drain, but all that mingled with the water were her tears.

Her reverie was broken by the wings flapping themselves roughly, knocking much of the water of them free. She would still drench her bed, though. She reaches for the towel beside the shower, dries off as best she can, and then steps out into the cold. She gathers up her things, not even bothering to dress - not that she had remembered to bring any other clothes in with her - as her wings wrapped back around her, black on white, as she stepped back into the real world and allowing her mask to settle back into place.

Sovereign Court

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Kiyomi Shirakawa
Stats:
Hope: 3 ~ Magic: 3 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 3

Tiresias's words were enough to leave an impression on Juno. "She's right. I will be just fine. I can handle this." She smiles warmly, honestly, as she says her goodbyes to the older woman.

"Hm... I should call home. Make sure they're ready for us. One moment, Sakura." She retrieves her phone, which somehow is still present on her person despite everything else she had been wearing or carrying being whisked away in the transformation.

"Suzu, it's me. No, I'm not hurt. No, I'm not dead and calling you from heaven, don't be-I'm telling you I'm fine, Suzu! Please, stop crying! I'm coming back home now, and I have a couple, ah, friends that will be spending the night. We need a room prepared for them, and a good meal. If he's asleep, then wake him up! If he refuses, remind him that I still have evidence he's been swiping food from the pantry, that will get him in the kitchen quick. Yes, thank you. Will see you soon. Goodbye."

Juno groans audibly. Suzu is the housekeeper's granddaughter, born shortly after Kiyomi was; they had grown up together, and Kiyomi was closer to Suzu than any of her blood relatives. This relationship made the lines of what is and is not acceptable for a maid-in-training to say to the Shirakawa heiress a little blurrier than usual, though both parties tend to not remember how they are supposed to act around each other until after the fact.

Juno turns to Sakura, doing her best to look like a responsible and trustworthy elder sister. "Sorry about that. Are you ready? I'm afraid we're going to have to walk; normally I would call the driver, but considering our current situation he might, ah, not be the most reliable person." The driver is a good man, but Kiyomi did not have his undying loyalty like she does Suzu's, nor does she have blackmail material on him like she does Shuji (the cook). If he were to find out that Kiyomi was out this late he would certainly report back to her mother.


Hope: 2 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 1 ~ Fate: 1

As the commotion picked up, Chrysanth did what she did best and faded into the background. While she had trouble imagining how her father would react if he saw her transformed, she wasn't in as much of a panicked rush to turn back as some of the others. She spent most of her days holed up in her room on her computer. She had no obligation and could feint a panic attack of some sort to keep her father from intruding, leaving her free to hide her new striking appearance until Tiresias figured out a way to turn back.

She jumped in surprise as the Silver Train's doors slid open to reveal the crowd of spirits waiting for their ride. After a moment, and seeing the other girls filing out, she quickly moved to follow, bowing in apology to the line of fantastical beings as she passed. She continued her wallflower-esque tendencies until a sudden jingle from her own phone caused her to yelp, reminding everyone that, yes, she was still there, and still easily spooked.

While she had no obligations before, the events in the flashbacks have the potential to have altered things. If Tiresias and herself succeeded in changing actual events, she'd still be enrolled in classes, and the jingle could be her alarm to tell her it's time to get some sleep for the next morning. If not, it could be a call from her father wondering where she is and if she's alright.


Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 1

The Sakuras nod at Juno. "If we have to. "

Sovereign Court

Kiyomi Shirakawa
Stats:
Hope: 3 ~ Magic: 3 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 3

Juno hesitates for a moment before offering her hands for the pair to hold as they walk; it did feel a little odd to treat the twins like children, considering their current appearance, but their large, innocent eyes served as immediate reminders of their youth.

Thinking about the change in Sakuras' appearance reminds Juno that she looks like an entirely different person than Kiyomi; a makeover could explain the hair, but not the inches of height and shapely, adult figure. Juno is fairly confident she has the requisite number of embarrassing memories to draw up to convince Suzu she must be Kiyomi, but it is still unlikely that she would be able to get away with not offering an explanation... Just another on the long list of problems this night has caused.


Stats:
Magic: 1 ~ Hope: 3 ~ Trauma: 3 ~ Fate: 5

Tiresias pulls a set of keys from thin air and quickly opens the door to the eight floor apartment. The door swings open revealing a small entrance hall to the home. Tiresias moves inside with the confidence reserved to the owner of the house.

Welcome to my house. I’m sure it’s not as fancy as Juno’s but I’ll do my best for you to feel comfortable.

She places her keys on top of a small cabinet near the door and then stops looking at her shoes. She moves her feet around for a bit and tries to remove them but they seemed to be glued to her.

That’s odd. They felt so light and free before but I can’t take them off. I guess that’s good news, I won’t be losing them anytime soon. I was going to say for you to take a pair of slippers from the cabinet but I guess it’s okay. I’ll wash the floor later.

She smiles back and moves towards the door in front of them, which is actually the only other door in the entrance hall.

I don’t want to railroad this too much so I’ll describe the rest of the house as we go further in. It won’t be anything fancy but if any of it feels wrong then feel free to let me know GM.


Cismale/Complicated SN Alex Brooke
Stat Block:
Hope: 4~Magic: 0~Trauma: 2~Fate: 3

"Thank you for your hospitality though just having a spot to rack out for the night is plenty. I'm... what's going on with your shoes? And... I can help with the deck swabbing. It's something sailors do, even in this era of non-skid coatings."

Did I miss something about that, or is that a thing that Tiresias has going on that may or may not apply to Naiad?

Naiad attempts to take their own footwear off. It's only polite when entering homes to do that, according to the customs briefing they've read a few dozen times before heading out into town. Provided nothing unusual is in play, their shoes come off with practiced ease and then there's stumbling a little bit because their feet and legs don't *quite* move the way they are used to.

"I'm just glad that there's other options rather than risking the brig or that creepy rich girl."


Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 1

The two reluctantly slip their hands into Juno's. They look at Juno's threads looking for residual damage.


Stats:
Magic: 1 ~ Hope: 3 ~ Trauma: 3 ~ Fate: 5

No no. I was just following Tenshi’s lead, since her character couldn’t even take her clothes to take a bath I decided I would do the same… but I guess it doesn’t have to apply to everyone.

Tiresias pushed the door open while she talked.

Oh no, no. Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it later. You’re a guest. You just have to rest!

The room they were now in was a large living room shaped like a quarter circle. The wall in front of them curved to the right and was almost completely made from glass. The lights from the other buildings in the city of Obusa shone through the thin drapes over the window. On their right the wall where the door was continued joining with the curved wall at a small stone fireplace, on that same wall was another door leading to a small white kitchen. The wall to their left was perpendicular to the door they got in from and was covered ceiling to floor in bookshelves and books. Another door stood there next to the bookshelves and it lead to another hallway with even more doors.

In the center of the room was a low glass coffee table and several couches surrounded it. There was no TV anywhere.

Make yourself at home. I have a more western furniture style as you can see. The kitchen is to the right, if you’re hungry I can make you something to eat, if I have it you can eat it. You earned that. The rooms are to the left, so when you want to I can show you yours.


Hashimoto Sora 「」 Trauma 1 ~ Magic 1 ~ Hope 1 ~ Fate 2

Actually, Tenshi just stripped everything she could strip off. I went with the wings being 'actually attached and real'. It fits 'Tenshi' meaning angel. Add in the 'make it crowish' theme and it just sort of makes sense. Not that she can fly in reality... least not without magic (Or airplanes. Same thing). :) I still feel like something was said about not getting things to come off, though I may be misremembering just that our normal clothes wouldn't come back. (or at least, mine wouldn't). If she can't take any of her clothes off, then sockfeet were the worst choice ever. Ugh, squelchy socks.


Stats:
Magic: 1 ~ Hope: 3 ~ Trauma: 3 ~ Fate: 5

My bad then... I really should work on my reading skills. Anyway at least this way I can provide a neat explanation on why magical girl clothes and shoes don't just fall off during any of their many acrobatic stunts.


Female Caucasian May Carmine Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 1 ~ Trauma: 1 ~ Fate: 0

Chell gave the other spirits a wide birth if possible, she was rather overwhelmed with...well everything to offer much in the way of comfort to any of the other girls spare Tenshi's small talk. She joined Tenshi on her walk home but was quiet most of the time as she tried to deal with the problems internally until she was able to pass out at home.


[Sheets] [Map]

Tiresias and Naiad:
The shoes certainly seemed firmly attached to Tiresias. Amorous predilections aside, Dedric had been no cross-dresser, and the well-hidden zipper which would have loosened the footwear escaped her notice. There were other things to dwell on. Certainly not the fact that, should their collective efforts bear fruit, Dedric would have a fully male sailor in his den. She's suddenly very aware of every piece of decor and book title which might, in her mind, out her- him... Again, other things to dwell on.

Naiad, found the simple, functional kitten heels no problem to slip off, though the awkward transition to flat-soled slippers only served to call attention to their growing sense of dysphoria. The longer they steep in the reality of the world around them, the more they notice. The feel of their own skin, the way their weight shifts--not to mention the additional weights under their nose-- the sheer size of things around them from doorways to tables, everything just seems to serve as a reminder. Trying to consciously avoid touching things, making that size comparison, only causes Naiad to ball up their hands and drive their long fingernails into their soft palms. Like his first day in bootcamp, hair cut, starched collar scratching his neck, not quite sure how to hold his shoulders, but this... They feel a pressure just behind their eyes, like a migraine waiting to rear its ugly head.

The two of you have obligations to uphold. Where did you want to start?

Chell and Tenshi:
This late at night, no one roamed the halls of the apartment building, though this was as much a comfort as a reminder that the same may not be the case in the morning.

As morbidly curious as you may be of what dreams a dream walker dreams, the wings keep you up, Tenshi. There’s no two ways about it. No matter how you lay you can’t get comfortable. As you lay awake in the dark, watching your alarm clock tick away the minutes, it does occur to you that you have a relatively robust array of makeup products. Your other clothes probably also fit, a considerable advantage over the other girls that’s not lost on you. You can sit and wait for morning, or you can decide to make use of your time, but your hummingbird's heartbeat will not settle itself. Do you do anything before morning?

Chell, on the other hand, gets plenty of rest. When she wakes, she’ll notice that all of her normal clothes are super baggy on her new, slight frame. Other than that, there shouldn’t be anything between her and getting on with her day as a slightly younger, slightly too-perfect version of herself. Although, if she tries to get into any bars, the muscle might think she’s stolen her big sister’s ID.

Sakura, Juno, and Sakura:
Sh-Shirakawa-Dono!」There is a great clattering of silvered plates and cutlery as Juno enters her home to the panicked squeals of Suzu’s greeting. 「W-we did not expect you h-home for w-w- so soon!」Suzu barely manages to set the tray of tableware on a set of drawers without letting any of it fall on the floor. Then, she buffs her hands on her apron and approaches, bowing so steeply and furiously that it seems at any point she might smack her head on the floor.

Would you like for me to help you with that dress? It looks quite heavy. Shuji is- well,」the maid-in-training lets out a nervous titter as she realizes it was far too telling to admit the cook was almost finished with a midnight snack. Fortunately, she meets Juno’s eyes before she’s forced to decide how to handle that potential catastrophe. 「Kiyomi!? Sugoi! That makeup is beautiful! I thought you were your mother for a second there! You almost had me wetting myself in fear! Well come in, come in, Shuji’s got the food done, and I was just setting the table. You would not believe the trouble I went through getting him into the kitchen. I think he might have been drinking last night.

Catching sight of the Sakuras, Suzu taps her lips with the fingers of an open hand, attempting, in vain, to contain the cuteness. 「Who are these adorable little muffins?!

Things seem to be going according to plan, so far… Sakura, what names, if any, will you be going by in the presence of the Shirakawa staff? Juno, anything other than full bellies and a soft bed planned for the night? Your stomach growls for food, and another yearning seems to twist at your stomach. You may have to find something more than food to sate yourself tonight.

Chrysanth:
The label attached to the notification puts your heart in your throat. “Exam Prep with Dhital Paresh: you should be sleeping! Make sure hoodie and leggings are washed and set out for the morning.”

You don’t recall setting up any kind of meeting with that boy from school, but the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. You try to piece together the past weeks, and you seem to recall going to class rather regularly, talking to a few other students, especially those in your English class, especially Dhital Sempai- the honorific feels invasive, like you don’t recall deciding to call him that, and you don’t feel like it’s something you would do. Your instincts side with suspicion, and you’re not sure how you feel about this “new future” but the note about making sure to set out certain clothes reeks of a Miyako desperate to make a good impression. This wasn’t just English Exam Prep, this was Exam Prep with Dhital Paresh.

All that said, the memories are coming more readily, as you chain together the important points. The thought of the school doesn’t turn your stomach like it did before, and you feel like Paresh had something to do with that. While you are on your phone, you notice that you have both Paresh and Dedric’s numbers. The SMS chain between Paresh and you seems fairly sparse and functional; although, if it were anything more, you would have known for sure this Miyako-that-goes-to-Exam-Prep was an impostor.

How does this make you feel? What else might you check for more information? What do you do next?


Cismale/Complicated SN Alex Brooke
Stat Block:
Hope: 4~Magic: 0~Trauma: 2~Fate: 3

Naiad winces a bit as they take the shoes off, wobbling a bit as the slippers give them a strange new perspective and footing and they don't like it one bit, shuddering as everything that's just *wrong* with them flares into their consciousness with alarming immediacy.

"Thi... this is a very nice place you have here. I... I don't think eating would be a good idea right now the way I'm feeling. I'm really not feeling okay... it's like being on watch for an extra watch worth of time but no one's come to relieve you yet and you can't quit your post until properly relieved of your duty?"

It's a lie, of course, but it's better than having an outright screaming fit at their generous hostess, who has opened up her residence to them.

They tried to sleep. But every time they moved it was just another alarm bell blaring as body parts sent messages they shouldn't, and soon they were back up and awake in the main room.

"Please for ****'s sake just let me go back to normal already. What do I have to do?"

They grab the dogtags hanging around their neck and start gripping them with all their might. I can stand down already, the watch is done, the mission accomplished, okay? Just let me go back to normal I can't TAKE this anymore!

They've got a headache? Well, then. That headache is going to go away and make them back to their 'normal form'. Magic if need be. Something. Anything...

Sovereign Court

Kiyomi Shirakawa
Stats:
Hope: 3 ~ Magic: 3 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 3

Juno stares blank-faced as Suzu goes through her frantic tirade. Juno did look a bit like her mother; Juno breaths a sigh of relief as she notes that none of the plates Suzu was carrying had shattered in her panic. Then she would really be in trouble.

Being confused for her mother was far less confusing to Juno than immediately being identified as Kiyomi. She is far too tired to look a gift horse in the mouth, though.

"When was the last time Shuji wasn't drinking? Honestly, it confounds me as to how my mother has not yet found reason to fire him." The truth is that Kiyomi's mother has a long list of reasons she could use to terminate Shuji, but is holding onto them to use against him as threats. The man is about as lazy as they come but if you can get him to do his job his performance is undeniably excellent.

"These two are, um... I'll let them introduce themselves. They are... friends of mine, from school. They needed a place to stay tonight because, erm, reasons... so. Here we are." Juno proves once again that she is terrible at lying.

It has been a very tiring day for poor Juno. She seeks only to fill her stomach and get some rest; she will push that other hunger to the furthest recesses of her mind, never to be approached again, and it will certainly not influence her behavior in any way. Juno is thoroughly in control of her own actions, and no silly mana addiction will change that. So she thinks, at any rate.


Stats:
Magic: 1 ~ Hope: 3 ~ Trauma: 3 ~ Fate: 5

Tiresias listened to Naiad, a slight disappointed feeling creeping up on her as Naiad refused the offer of a meal. It was the first time Tiresias had someone over and she just wanted to do her best to be liked. Maybe her best would be to let her guest rest. She approached the open door to the hallway and on the way caught a glimpse of the bookshelf. The books themselves were nothing major, all the “incriminating” material was well hidden and mostly digital or in her office but still. Naiad was a man in her natural form, what would her reaction be if she realized? She called Juno creepy for her behaviour what would she think of her if she knew? Cold sweats took hold of Tiresias as she turned to Naiad and tried to use her body to cover as much as she could of the bookshelves.

This way please then. You’ll eat something in the morning!

She said, her voice slightly too loud and unnatural, almost forced. A smile on her lips too big to be natural as she signalled down the hallway.

You can take this room. It’s a very simple room with a western bed. I have a futon somewhere too if you’d prefer but I think you’ll sleep just nicely here. Have a good night!

And she closed to door to Naiad’s room, the closest door to the living room and the one she basically pushed Naiad into a few moments ago.

Dodged a bullet for now, I’ll just have to be careful tomorrow. Right, tomorrow I have classes. I need to sort that out just in case I can’t get this done by then.

A few taps on her smartphone and she sent an email to her assistant professors, an intentionally vague email but enough to buy her a day before people start questioning why she hasn’t showed up to work. Even if she manages to reverse the transformation she will need to explain herself but it will certainly be easier than explaining her appearance right now.

Tiresias was now in her the living room, the quiet of the city soothed her as she paced around preparing for what came next.

Research Time:: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

She focused her magic around her, passing it through her book to attempt to summon a helper for her study. Maybe a blackboard where she could easy write her ideas and options, where she could take the original poem and cross-reference it with other texts on her book. She would try all night if it took her that long to manipulate the poem and experiment, time and time again, all possible derived phrases until she could find the one that brought Dedric back… and would hopefully bring everyone else too. She was ready and willing to stay up all night and endure whatever trauma that might inflict on her. Everyone expected no less of her.

And of course the dice hate me. Nothing new here move on.


[Sheets] [Map]

Oh, the dice never mean nothing.

When she completes her encantation, there is a moment of pause, enough to convince Tiresias that her efforts had borne no fruit. Then, a soft thump draws the girl's attention to the collection of house slippers.

Kararin, kororin, kankororin! Two eyes, three eyes and two teeth!」One of the slippers has pushed itself into the room, and is reciting a strange mantra in a voice that suggests it wishes to be scary, but is not familiar with how to do so. You have summoned a Bakezōri, the sandal Yokai. It twists from its position on the floor, seemingly scanning the room with a single, beady eye on the slipper's toe. 「What task have I been summoned for, great seer?


Hope: 0 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 2 ~ Fate: 1

The two just shake their heads and duck behind the one person they know there refusing to speak.


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Hope: 2 ~ Magic: 2 ~ Trauma: 1 ~ Fate: 1

Chrysanth stares at the tiny screen as the name Dhital Paresh appears under the alarm, along with the frantic notes. She quickly scans her contact list, noting his and Dedric's numbers, and looks for any more entries she doesn't remember adding. Her earlier calm over her seemingly stuck appearance breaks in an instant, the comfort of her bonded trinket doing little to quell her anxiety as she takes in her horrific, yet beautiful appearance. There was absolutely no way she could explain this away. She'd have to skip the exam prep.

But what if it was a huge chunk of her grade? What if she was the only person who bombed the exam? Would everyone start bullying her for it? What if there was more to her friendship with Dhital-Sempai... She struggled with the honorific that came so easily, even as it seemed so out of place. What if they're interactions were more social in person than just the somewhat formal tones in their texts? Would she hurt his feelings with a sudden cancellation?

Her whole trip home was filled with her typical paranoia. She forgot to even try unlocking the door and whacked her face against it as it refused to budge, knocking some sense back into her. She had far more pressing matters to attend to. She retrieved her key and opened the door, glancing around cautiously to make sure the coast was clear before stealthing her way to the stairs. The mace seemed to have caught up with her state of dread, soothing the twinge of fear of the dark before it escalated.

She wasn't even sure if it was dark. She hadn't turned the lights on, but she saw just fine. Everything looked dark, sort of, but she navigates as if it were brightly lit. As she moved up to her room, everything was deathly quiet save an ominous creak, as if the house was settling eerily, despite its solid construction. As soon as she was safely behind her door, she reached up and gave a tentative tug on the skull bone mask adorning her face, trying to remove it.


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Hashimoto Sora 「」 Trauma 1 ~ Magic 1 ~ Hope 1 ~ Fate 2

Well... they would fit aside from looking like she'd had some plastic surgery done. Maybe. Though a hoodie was a good answer for that, probably. But... showing up in a hoodie...

Ugh.

Toss, Turn. Toss, Turn... She might be able to sleep if the wings weren't worse than her restless leg. It occurs to her that maybe she really has bargained away sleep. And that she's wasting her time. But stubbornly... she wastes it for a time. She doesn't bother with the makeup, at first.

Once she finally gives up, she does what every sane person who can't sleep does. She drags her laptop off of her endtable, and begins to scour the internet before falling into a rabbit hole.

Rabbit Hole Teal Deer:
She starts with the heartbeat, because that seems the most pressing. See a doctor. Right... because 'here, check my heart rate, don't mind the wings.' was an option. Maybe she could convince them they were on one of those western camera shows before she got reported to the government.

No alcohol, easy. No caffeine... ugh. If she got tired the next day, it was gonna be hellish. But better than dying.

Next she searches for Hoodie Transformation, but only gets a way to recoup old clothes. Magic Jar just gives her something about stealing souls in a game. Well... hopefully that wasn't the case here.

Ort apparently meant 'scrap of food'. So perhaps reinforcing that question had been a bad idea.

Next up was Russian Faerie Tales. She was pretty sure that was Russian. Koschei the Immortal. That was promising. A man who could only be slain by removing and breaking a needle from an egg. Kidnaps little girls as revenge.

Looking into the tale of Maria Moreyna, she finds even more. Three sisters. Eight feet, one hole. Their parents died, and the only will that was left, was to give the girls away should someone seek them. Princess Maria was given to a white falcon prince. To an eagle prince, more than a year later, he gave Princess Olga. Finally, a raven came, seeking the hand of Anna... and she too was given away.

Alone, the man sought after his sisters... and the first thing he came upon was a battlefield full of dead men - all slain by Maria Moreyna. He approached her tents and was invited to stay, where the two fell in love. The two wed, and the queen moved off to war, warning Ivan not to enter one of the palace chambers. But he did, and unleashed a powerful monster: Koschei, who stole his queen.

He searhed for her and found instead, Maria and the Falcon. He stayed with the pair, and when he left, they bid him to leave his silver spoon. He did and traveled onwards. Then he met with the Eagle and Olga. Once more he stayed until he had to go. They asked for his silver fork, and he gave it, before riding on. Finally, he arrived at Anna and the Raven's home. They requested he leave his silver snuffbox when it was time to paart, and he did.

Finally he found his queen, and tried to steal her away, once, twice - but then the Deathless man came and took her, both times, leaving him a warning. If he tries a third, he will not be forgiven. He did, and the Deathless man cut him into tiny pieces, threw those into a barrel, and threw the barrel into the ocean. But the Eagle, Raven, and Falcon came, for the silver had tarnished. They collected the man, and spring water, and still water, and rebuilt him of the three. Made whole with still water, and made alive with spring. He returned and asked that she find where the powerful horse that carried Koschei each time to him was to be found. And the answer was Baba Yaga.

He crossed the country-side, starving as each he approached asked that he not take from them, and that they would return the kindness. Finally he met with Baba Yaga who said she would give him a horse if he served her. He tended to her horses as the days passed, and were it not for the aid of those he had not wronged, he would have failed, and she would have taken his head. Finally, he was told not to visit Baba Yaga, but instead to steal the horse that was rightfully his - and so he did. She pursued, but in the end was slain by her own defenses. Then he went and stole back his love. His Heroic horse defended him, and he was able to defeat the Deathless man, and burn his body, scattering his ashes. As he rode towards home, he visited with his family once more, and they rejoiced. Once home, they lived happily ever after.

Well... the story had been promising to begin with.

There was another tale of Prince Ivan, the Firebird, and the Gray Wolf... but that seemed even more of a stretch, but as she read it, she nodded.

A King's golen apples were stolen by a firebird every night. The King promised his princes that should they catch the bird, they would rule half the kingdom and be his heir. As they went, they reached a sign that said that the left fork would lead to starvation and cold, while the right would lead to the death of their steed. Ivan took the second and a wolf ate his horse. He continued on until he was exhausted, whereupon the wolf offered to aid him in his quest. At each step the prince was greedy, and was forced to travel onwards, and at each step, the wolf saved him. Finally, returning with all he could carry, his brothers found him, cut him to pieces, and took what was his, before going back to the castle. Once more, water was used to revive him, and he returned vengeful to gain his queen and live happily ever after.

Well... alright. She sighed. Perhaps it wasn't a tale of a cold forest and an easier path. Tenshi rubbed her temples.

Water seemed to be a powerful thing in Russian Folklore.

She quickly read back over the few notes she had taken, before returning to the bathroom where she had left the seven stones. She ran her hands along them, turning them over and looking for anything that would reveal their secrets, before carrying one back to her room with her, where she looked up 'Seven Stones'... which was apparently biblical. More temple rubbing. Her english wasn't good enough to understand the odd words and stylistic choices, so she set it aside for later, allowing the stone to rest comfortably on her bed.

Next, she searched for the poem: A part apart...

And so went her morning, until her alarm clock began to scream at her in its incessant shriek of malice. She punched it off, dressed, and headed for the bathroom once more, this time to work through her makeup to hopefully not make herself look like a freak... so that she might have a chance of a normal life. It was all so... odd.

As she worked she contemplated the dream. The Salt was useful. She still had the little bible, so maybe she could read about the stones in there.

Birds were a central theme to russian folklore. As was water. Powerful witches, cutting to pieces. She wasn't even sure of why she was giving folklore as much credence as she was. Until tonight, they had all just been stories. Her wings struggled against her button up shirt and the skirt that held them both in place, causing her to grimace. Hopefully they wouldn't do that during the interview. Briefly, she contemplated binding them down as women would their breasts... but she'd give them this one chance. And besides, she really didn't want to have to worry about messing up her makeup.

She realized, too late, that she probably should have exchanged numbers with the other girls, as her mind went to the woman with the book that seemed to have all the answers.


[Sheets] [Map]

Just to be perfectly clear, you guys can change out of your serafuku. Tenshi is a special case because she used a Tengu feather instead of essence, so she actually has wings and colored skin. She sort of started with multiple Magic Shifts for "breaking the rules". For all intents and purposes, the rest of you are just unusually perfect-looking sixteen-year-old girls... except Juno. I'll let her decide if and when she wants to share her new... acquisition.

Edit: Oh my gosh, dat research do! Tenshi, take a Fate just for that. Didn't even roll any dice for it, just IRL research, holy crapola. It's not the whole story, but those folktales have a wealth of hints in them. Koschei is one of my faves.

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