Well this quest took an unexpected turn. Now what do we do?
Happy April Fools folks :V! This year's crossover brought to you by Pokémon and me musing which mon each of the characters best corresponds to. You got to see Evelyn the Escavalier here, but I did actually have aesthetics for every one of Tamiko's friends.

As for what to do, I'd say get to voting for the previous update, since that's still a thing and all.
 
[X] Try to gently prod Ariane along to get her tell her story, or at least how she sees it. She'll probably have a lot to tell.
[X] Focus on your own questions and messages, some things need to be said.
-[X] Relay Kishi's apology.
[X] After that, give Ariane a long, much-needed hug.

 
Tally for thoughts. It seems like the QM has technically voted for a losing option, so we should be prepared to be smited from the heavens :whistle:
Adhoc vote count started by darknessworld on Apr 6, 2019 at 9:57 AM, finished with 1582 posts and 11 votes.

  • [X] Try to gently prod Ariane along to get her tell her story, or at least how she sees it. She'll probably have a lot to tell.
    [X] Focus on your own questions and messages, some things need to be said.
    -[X] Relay Kishi's apology.
    [X] After that, give Ariane a long, much-needed hug.
    [x] Give Ariane a long, much-needed hug. And probably knock her out cold.
 
25th of January, Tuesday - Ariane 2
[X] Try to gently prod Ariane along to get her tell her story, or at least how she sees it. She'll probably have a lot to tell.
[X] Focus on your own questions and messages, some things need to be said.
-[X] Relay Kishi's apology.
[X] After that, give Ariane a long, much-needed hug.


You follow Ariane's gaze with yours to the side, looking at the plush-filled shelf beside her large, veiled bed. For a moment, you consider helping her along by talking about something as easy as that, and working your way up from there. But you dismiss that idea as soon as it comes to you, realizing that you need to rip the bandaid before anything else.

You wince and motion at her. "Let's sit down, Ariane… I'll listen to everything if you need to," you promise to her and guide her back to her bed with careful steps. Sitting down on the cushy mattress, the other girl stays silent and hesitant. You let it be, she can start when she has the words and feels comfortable about it.

The first one to come out her mouth, when she opens it, is, "I-I didn't mean to do it!"

You'd honestly be worried if she meant to cause explosions right next to you, so it's alright. Though you nod along to encourage her to keep going. She'll know you're going to listen.

"I-I… The Cat? It's nothing more than a dream, one that has taken a life of its own, b-but a dream nonetheless," Ariane pours the words out rapid-fire. "So when- when it takes over Hana's body, she's sleeping. B-but if you wake her up somehow, the Cat goes away, and vice v-versa! Make the cat go away and she wakes up."

You rest your hand on her shoulder as she starts to shake. You know she's probably going to be knocked out cold or at least not able to talk if you hug her. This seems like the sort of thing the magic there activates, after all. But it doesn't mean you can't continue encouraging her through other means.

Ariane breathes in and out for a moment, before picking up again. "I… I could force it back," she admits, more quiet than before. This one actually surprises you. "It's a dream, and dreams are what my magic is all about. S-so… I pushed back against it when you were threatened, trying to banish it... B-but? I-it all just exploded instead, and-"

She cuts herself off, tears coming down her face at the recollection of what happened next. It's probably the part where- "...and then we were all hurt, right?" you ask gently, keeping your hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to talk about that if you don't want to - I understand completely."

Ariane nods weakly, but doesn't finish quite yet as she still has things to say. "W-we… we all fought, I-I tried to explain, but the words- they all got stuck in my throat. I-I got scared, so I… I left." The defeated way she whispers out the last part makes the girl look so much smaller. "I- I ran away." Her head is bowed, as if she couldn't look at you after the admission.

She's definitely taking it badly, and it does offer you a lot of insight into what happened. That explosion of light was not her shooting into the melee, but trying to dispel… Nekohana from the real world? That is if you understand this correctly.

You lean a little closer, enough to catch even the slightest bits of the girl's eyes. "Ariane? It is alright now," you tell her, focusing your breathing before continuing. "I'm not angry at you myself. It's the opposite, I mean, you said that you didn't intend to cause that?" you reason to her, avoiding mentioning that your Uncle probably had it under control already. "It was a honest mistake. I won't stop being your friend or anything like that - I am here."

Ariane flinches at the words, swallowing down a sob that threatens to escape her. "But… what about everyone e-else?" Though you're there, you came alone. Your mutual friends are all either at home or in school right now, but it still would appear bad to her. "Th-they are still angry, aren't they?"

You shake your head. "Evelyn said she wasn't when I called," you explain, lowering your eyes a little as well. "She was still tired and a little thoughtful about everything… But not angry, and she sounded like she was worried about you as well, Ariane. I mean, friendships are made of strong stuff, right?"

Your eyes are turned back to her. "I also had the chance to call Kishi as well, by the way," you say, carefully measuring her reaction to see if you're going too far. "She couldn't come herself, unfortunately… But she wanted me to send you a message - that she's sorry for some of the things she said yesterday."

Numerous emotions pass through Ariane's face as she processes the news. In the end, the tears turn into full-blown crying. "I-I'm… I'm sorry too, for everything."

You let out a quiet sigh. It seems that this went relatively well, and you can really fix it all if you put some time and effort into it. Friendship really is made of some strong stuff. "Heh, and I suppose I am too, for getting everyone scared again."

With that said, you finally do the one thing you've wanted to do this entire time and pull Ariane into a tight hug with you. She returns it quickly, and you wince at the vice-grip she puts you in, like she had never been hugged before. The last night must have been long and rough for her if she's that desperate for someone to be there.

You're all too happy to help her out with that. "I… I guess it was a long day- and a long night," you tell her, noticing a reaction in her grip strength. The familiar feeling of something reaching out from your Soul Gem begins, and you can feel Ariane's body go limp in your arms. It only confirms that she really needed someone there, though you have to adjust your position a bit to prevent her from falling on the floor.

You stay like that for a bit, Ariane drying her tears against you, while you continue to support and hug her. Time loses its meaning there, but you're still eventually forced to let go. Pleasant as it would be, you cannot hug people indefinitely.

"Ariane?" you ask, prodding the girl gently. "Are you still here with me?"

"I am," she whispers back to you, spent but thankful. "And… I should probably tell it face to face. It's not fair to make you a messenger here."

You hum at her in agreement. "Are you going to be fine now?"

"Probably," she reluctantly admits. "You're not going to stay then? Do you have to go?"

Honestly, you have no idea what to do the rest of the day after this.

What do you do?

[] Remain there with Ariane, keep her company.

[] It's time to go, leave her to gather herself and go elsewhere.
-[] Surprise drop yourself over to a friend
--[] Evelyn
--[] Kishi
-[] Head to school to check on everyone else - not like the teachers will realize you're there while still skipping class.

[] Head out, but take Ariane with you!
-[] A witch hunt seems like a good idea?
-[] Take her to see one of your mutual friends for proper explanation.
--[] Evelyn
--[] Kishi

[] Write-in.

===


Pretty much done with all major projects for uni studies for the spring now. It's a very relieving feeling.​
 
"See? Don't worry about me, not now," she says. "I'll be fine here. I'm not really angry about what happened either, though I need to think about some things." You want to believe she isn't lying, and you can't tell for sure. "Best of luck with Ariane, okay? I'll be catching up to you later after some proper rest."

I think that remaining here with Ariane is a good idea, especially because it seems like Evelyn will come to us when she will be ready.

"I-I… The Cat? It's nothing more than a dream, one that has taken a life of its own, b-but a dream nonetheless," Ariane pours the words out rapid-fire. "So when- when it takes over Hana's body, she's sleeping. B-but if you wake her up somehow, the Cat goes away, and vice v-versa! Make the cat go away and she wakes up."

Well, I guess that thing hated Tamiko because of Hana's nightmares about us. It probably can't even distinguish reality from her dreams.

Now, about the vote:

[X] Remain there with Ariane, keep her company.

I'm not going to check her soul gem because we are not going to cleanse it right now, and it won't became dangerous if we remain with her. And because that wording isn't the best.
 
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"I-I… The Cat? It's nothing more than a dream, one that has taken a life of its own, b-but a dream nonetheless,"

Well, I guess Hana wished to become what she dreamed of. It would explain why she didn't said to us what she remebered about the situation in which she made her wish.

She didn't wanted to talk about Tachibana, who was, at best, simply her role model.
 
Been a while since I checked in on this!

She didn't wanted to talk about Tachibana, who was, at best, simply her role model.

It seems to be a bit more complicated than that. She's somebody that Hana seems to idolize and at the same time hate, because she created an expectation, at least in her own mind, that she continually strives to live up to and yet never can, and has continually pushed herself to the brink failing to do so.

[X] Remain there with Ariane, keep her company.

There really isn't that much we need to do today, and out of everybody with the probable exception of Hana, Ariane is the one hurting most. Being with her is probably the best thing we can do to expediate the healing process at the moment.
 
It seems to be a bit more complicated than that. She's somebody that Hana seems to idolize and at the same time hate, because she created an expectation, at least in her own mind, that she continually strives to live up to and yet never can, and has continually pushed herself to the brink failing to do so.

Yes, this is also my reading on her situation. What I really meant to say was that it would be the best for Hana if Tachibana was simply her role model, but, as you said, this isn't probably the case.
 
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[x] Remain there with Ariane, keep her company.

This is good. Probably not literally what we want to do for the whole day, but especially with Uncle downstairs and the calls we've already put out, things will come along when they need to.
 
25th of January, Tuesday - Ariane 3
[X] Remain there with Ariane, keep her company

Shaking your head for a bit, you offer a smile at Ariane. When you think about it, what else would you really do this afternoon if not keep her company like a proper friend. "I'll stay," you tell her, repeating the words to her. "I'll stay, if you would have me here? I mean, if it's not a bother to you?"

Ariane brings you right back to the bone-crushing, impulsive hug. She doesn't keep at it for long, but the message it pretty clear on that one. "I… wouldn't mind having you over, if it's okay," she says. "I didn't really think to get anything prepared, though, snacks or things to do."

"Eh, that's fine. We'll just figure out something to do!" you exclaim, nodding with steadily growing sense of enthusiasm. "Heck, I haven't been over that many times before, so why not make the most if? I did miss the sleepover as well, so there's that to make up to you as well."

Ariane seems receptive to the idea, expression brightening as you go along. However, that is pulled to a halt as she quickly runs into a problem with another realization. "Wait… isn't your Uncle here with you as well?"

"He is," you confirm. "Why?"

Ariane casts her eyes down again and bites her lips. "I'll… have to talk with him as well," she says quietly. "Yesterday, he was- he was there as well, and worried to death over you because of me."

You don't doubt the description of his reaction, not like you might have a while ago. But you're not sure if you want to cause more grief to Ariane through that. "Are you sure?" you ask her, audible about your immediate unease about the idea. "I mean, you don't have to do it now if it makes you feel worse."

"Maybe… But I want to," she says in turn, sliding off the bed. It seems that she has decided to go through with this, and you'd be doing her a disservice by trying to discourage her from it. You follow after her away from her room and down the hallway of the large house that takes you to the central living room with your Uncle and Ariane's aide there, talking to each other.

Ariane hesitates for a moment before stepping in, and you follow suit. "...Mr. Takeshi? Could you leave for a minute - grab a coffee or something… I need to talk with Mr. Hirohito about something in private."

The redheaded aide's confusion lasts for only a second, before he jumps up and gives a quick bow. "At once, Miss Verrier." He bows out with brisk steps, not quite understanding what it is about without being involved in magic. But you think he has had some kind of briefing that Ariane is to be allowed this.

"...Maa~, you look serious there, miss Ariane?" your Uncle notes as soon as Takeshi has left the room, demeanor oddly expectant. "I assume you have something on your mind."

Ariane bows her head, hesitation creeping into her expression. You try to give her an encouraging smile and set your hand on her shoulder. It seems to comfort her well enough. "I'm… sorry. For everything that happened yesterday, for causing worry and trouble," she stammers out as steadily and bravely as she can.

You're not surprised to see the raised eyebrows on your Uncle's face. You don't think he was quite expecting that, not in this manner at least. But he looks like he's fine with the development, and chuckles a little. "Well, that was a bit out of the left field, but I am happy to hear that you can at least face it so soon. All's well that ends well." He inclines his head slightly as he looks over Ariane. "But I would like to ask you something about that? Was there anything you learned from your mistakes?"

Ariane looks to the side for a moment, before weakly returning the gaze. "That I… I should not recklessly cast magic I don't know how to use when my… friends are close."

"It's a start," your Uncle muses. "Practice makes perfect, and you simply lack experience. To be honest, I was not really expecting any kind of apology. If you and Tamiko have patched things up, that's good enough for me."

"We have!" you quickly confirm while Ariane tries to find words for it. "Also, uh, you don't mind if we were to stay here for the noon, Uncle? I mean, we're not in a rush to go anywhere, right?"

He seems to catch on to your reasons as well, nodding along. "Sure, you girls have fun!" He turns thoughtful for a moment. "Well, if our hostess here is fine with me loaning your kitchen, I could make you something with good old Takeshi to pass time?"

"Permission granted!" Ariane exclaims immediately, all too happy to keep you over for the day. It likely helps that she knows how well your Uncle can cook. She then turns to look at you, a bit embarrassed by her answer. "We don't really have a room prepared like during the weekend, though… I would have wished to show you what we did."

You nod a bit unsurely. Another time, perhaps. "We'll have the chance some other day," you say, looking around. "But, say… if we're going to be here, how about we just watch a movie?" It requires minimal brainpower and preparation on either of your part, and it is the sort of relaxing thing you really need after everything.

Ariane agrees with the suggestion, and you set to picking one you can watch with her. You don't think the comedy is anything particularly noteworthy, but you really need something as light-hearted and simple.

Your Uncle doesn't join you there to watch the movie, though he does bring out the snacks with Takeshi, before returning to their adult things elsewhere in the house. It's probably for the better that they let you have your peace, if you're being honest with yourself. Though he is dear family, some things are meant to be enjoyed with just your friends.

The movie itself is admittedly fun, even if you doubt you're going to remember much of the details in a scant few hours. That is not helped by Ariane asking you something very distracting halfway through the runtime either. "Tamiko? I- What does magic mean to you?"

Ariane sounds a bit hesitant about the question, as if she was not sure if she should have vocalized it in the first place. The cat's out of the bag now, though.

"I… am not sure," you admit, taken aback by the topic. "It's very important to me, I guess? I mean, I wouldn't- I can't imagine what I would be doing without my wish." Except you know full well, and the thought it not one you want to keep dwelling on. "I mean, I could say that magic is something that has… basically made my life or so to speak. The time I've had it has been some of the best of my life."

Ariane nods along to your explanation, understanding where you're coming from, but avoiding looking directly into your eyes while she listens in. You take the chance to follow up with a question of your own. "What about you, Ariane? Why ask something like that?"

The girl frown, biting her cheeks for a moment. "I think it just sort of occurred to me?" she offers weakly, before shaking her head. "Magic has been a life changer for me as well… I wished to make my dreams real, you know. And from not being able to stand the glow of a bright light bulb to basking in the light of the Sun again like I had dreamt of? It's such a change that… it was pretty easy to forget the, well- more serious side of it."

Ariane sighs, grabbing another pastry from the plate. She doesn't eat it yet, but turns it around on her hands, looking at it in her thoughts. "Magic is not all fun and games, is it?" she asks after a moment, sounding dejected. "It can be scary and dangerous… but it's just difficult to wrap my head around the idea of it being like that, even beyond the W-witches." Her feet are lifted on the large couch, and she leans against them. "I-I'm afraid, Tamiko… of all those things, I-I admit it."

You wince at the troubled expression on her face. "I guess it isn't," you admit. Witches don't particularly scare you, to be honest, gruesome and vicious as they sometimes can be. A monster given form is infinitely preferable to the alternative, because the former you can handle with your magic.

You reach slowly to Ariane and bring her to another hug. "...Do you regret your magic despite the trouble?"

"No, I don't," she says while returning the gesture. "But… It's just no longer possible to run from the darker side of it all now."

You suppose that's as good as an answer as any, and you return your attention to the movie playing in front of you. You have missed a good chunk of the plot while you were talking, though, which makes it somewhat difficult to understand just what is going on.

Regardless, you're left in better spirits after finishing, even if the clock tells you it's afternoon already. You've been here for a while already, keeping Ariane company, but others are starting to get home from school now.

What do you do?

[] Hang out with Ariane for the rest of the evening - Mariko should have the housekeys to your home.
-[] Keep it light, focus on simple, relaxing things you can spend an evening doing.
-[] Pursue heavier topics - try to get to the bottom of her issues.
-[] Go out with her to the city.
--[] Hunt a witch.
--[] Take the chance to hang out in cafes and such.

[] It's time to go.
-[] Bring Ariane with you.
-[] Go home to greet Mariko, hang out for the rest of the evening.
-[] Go grab Hana from the school, you're not quite done with her yet.
-[] Visit a friend in their home.
--[] Evelyn.
--[] Kishi.

[] Write-in.
 
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