Winning vote: [X] ...Anthe is right. I'm just too tired. (Ken goes to sleep; temporary PoV swap to Anthe)
White Rose ~Flower of Innocence~ (16)
...I'm just too tired.
It's so obvious, no matter how much I try to deny it. After all, if I was in any shape to fight...
Anthe: Ken!? Hold on, I've got you!
...would I have fallen out of the car, almost bashing my skull into the pavement, only being saved from a forced knockout by my new friend, Anthe Stevens? No, surely not. Struggling is useless.
Yet I do it anyway.
Ken: I'm... fine... ughhh...
I can't see much besides streaks of light and darkness. Nothing's in focus. But my senses... comfort comes as the crows fly to me and perch upon me as Anthe lays me back on the backseat. They clack and purr as they surround me, covering me with a feathery blanket.
Anthe: Huh, didn't know you did that... anyway, Ken, leave this to me! We'll be back in a minute!
Ken: O... kay...
But the truth is, she can take as much time as she wants.
By the time she returns, the lights will be out and nobody will be home.
I'm already fading out...
Anthe's view
...and I can handle this without him! I just know I can!
Me: Alright, Anthe! Get those nerves in check! Let's gear up and get in there!
I leave the crows to care for Ken (they're cuddling with him, didn't know they were so friendly!) and grab my gear. Bro wasn't sure what exactly we'd need – never dealt with Magical Girls before – but this ought to be enough. Gun? Check. Taser? Check. Gas mask? Check. Goggles? Check!
Let's move.
Mary doesn't want more Magical Girls? Fine.
I'll do my own thing. I'm still a pretty soldier!
(I still want to be like Mary and Sarah though...)
The smoke is loud with glass smashing and women screaming. Mary's still in there, and so are two others, calling out names. Louise and Rina. So, the head of the Alletown Art Museum really is involved in all of this? That or someone else with the same name... part of me wants to find out, be sure, but most of me just wants to grab Mary and run.
Me: Okay, Mary, where are you...?
The lights on my googles cut through the smoke. Can't see too far ahead – it's so thick and chalky – but I can see more than this woman in front of me, clad in a white and pink dress and calling out for Louise. It's Rina!
Rina: Auntie Louise! Where are you-!? Gah, w-who are-!?
I get the jump on her, taser prongs flying before she can stop what's about to happen. Electric pulses run through Rina's body, stunning her, dragging her down to the ground, and it looks she's down and out!
But she screamed before she fell...
Louise: RINA!?
...and Louise heard it. Mary's fallen silent. I could speak up, but then I'd be giving myself away. The smoke is already dissipating. Not much longer until I'm exposed.
Better make it count.
I dash away from where Rina fell as footsteps come close to us. Louise can have her niece. I just want Mary-!?
Me: H-huh!?
I just stepped on something and it twitched! What the hell was-!?
Mary: Not too loud! Anthe, what are you doing here?
Oh.
Me: I'm here to save you. Ken's in the car and we're ready to ride out. Come closer so I can see you.
Mary: Ah. I'm a little... that is...
Me: ...why the sudden bashfulness? She didn't do something weird to you, did she?
Mary: I don't think weird is the right word... actually, maybe it is... hmm...
Well, that's got me curious and concerned, all at once. But no answers just yet. Just shuffling in the smoke.
Mary: ...okay, I'll come over. But you better keep quiet. Louise is distracted.
Me: I... okay? What's the matter...!?
I get it immediately once she comes into view, and gasp in shock. Her left arm...
Mary: Don't scream, Anthe.
...it's been sliced off right at the elbow! And there's these black vines and tendrils coming out of it, taking up the space where a forearm is supposed to be! They're writhing and undulating in the air, as if looking for something. Some of them touch my face, softly, and they're warm just like skin should be. But the splatter of those drops of blood coming out of her wound snap me out of shock.
Me: Ah... okay. But... that...
Mary grimaces.
Mary: I'll be fine eventually, so don't worry about it. We need to get out of here now before she realizes you're not Sarah. Where's the car?
Me: ...
...I lost track of the car.
Mary gives me blank stare, waiting on an answer. Hold on, but I can fix this!
Me: It's got to be that way, now follow me.
And without any more hesitation, I grab her free hand and start leading her out of the smoke. At least, I hope so. All I did was turn around and then shift a little to the right. Just enough to keep us out of Louise's sight, since we'll be avoiding the downed Rina. Don't notice us, don't notice us, don't notice us... there's another set of footsteps nearby, so close, too close, but keep away, keep away, keep away...!
But the light reveals, and it doesn't just reveal to me.
Louise: So then, you're not using your magic? Thought that would conceal you from me? Think again!
I see her silhouette move in the smoke and walk a little faster, Mary keeping pace. Something's in her arms – must be her weapon. But all we have to do is keep away a little longer and-!
Louise: Even if I can't see you, I can still hear your footsteps!
And I too hear her before I see her.
Louise Blauglas clad in a blue dress that's almost like armor, covered in her magical blue glass, with some of it in the form of a massive sword that's crashing down on-!
The world spins. I'm falling!
Only a strong grasp stops me from crashing into the ground. Mary has-!?
Louise: Rafflesia... so, you could still do that much...
Mary: You're lucky, Louise... I could have killed you...
Louise has dropped her sword, fractured in pieces. Those same vines and tendrils lashed out and slapped it out of her hands, breaking through the glass gauntlets, breaking themselves. And several others lashed out at Louise, forcing her to suddenly stumble back and fall over. Just as well, as those tendrils had been aimed at her head, eyes, and neck. Had one of them grabbed her instead of merely slashing at her...
...well, she wouldn't end up like me. I'm in her grasp, but she's being soft and gentle.
The vines retreat and I quickly get back up.
No need to worry about Louise, we just need to get out of here!
But Mary's focused on her, taking small and slow steps forward, while Louise recovers. Those glowing blue eyes behind her visor are filled with bloodlust, but also... fear? And definitely anger, given the bloody cuts on her face. I can't see Mary's eyes from here. Does she feel the same? Or is her fear absent, replaced entirely with hate? Is that how things are for her, how they've been all along, only now being able to be expressed?
Whatever she felt, Mary surely would have struck if not for sudden whimpering in the dissipating smoke.
Rina: Auntie... I'm sorry...
Rina's awake again, though she's still on the ground. Crying. Shaking.
Rina: I just wanted to prove myself to you... and it's all gone so wrong. Can we just go home...? Please...
Mary's of course incensed, but I can't help but agree with Rina. Not because I feel bad for her at all, but because I want to get us away from Louise as soon as possible. She's vibrating with tension. Even with her niece's heartfelt request, she's still thinking about continuing the battle. So confident. It might just kill her (and maybe Mary too, and maybe she'd be okay with that).
But something in her mind shifts, and she backs down.
Louise: Very well...
And with half of her sword pointed at Mary's chin, she continues.
Louise: ...but don't think this is over... little Rosie will be mine again...
She then suddenly strikes at the ground-!?
Mary: AGH!?
Turns out Mary's other arm was free, and slowly crawling its way over to Louise. She noticed at the last minute and stabbed it. Glass spikes extend from her broken sword into the arm, immobilizing it further.
The bloody appendage goes limp.
Mary leans on me for support. So, she still feels pain from it!?
Louise: ...and I'll be taking this too...!?
A scream rings out from the distance, followed by the sudden arrival of another woman I don't know onto the scene. Wait, no, that has to be Akane! So, what happened to...
...hold on, that's Sarah and Chrys in the distance, chasing her down!
Akane: Ms. Blauglas!? Rina!? What happened here!?
Louise grimaces.
Louise: Never mind that, we're retreating! Follow me!
Both of them pay me no mind, not like I could do much of anything here. My gun is holstered and I used up the taser. Mary's only gotten angrier, so I squeeze her hand and whisper to her. Remember the mission. Rosie's safe. They still don't know where she is.
Mary manages not to lash out as the trio of Louise, Rina, and Akane retreat.
Sarah and my twin bro then approach.
Chrys: Mary!? What happened here!?
Sarah: Mary... so, we're letting them go?
She sighs and pulls out a vial of water. I'm not sure what it's supposed to do until she drinks it and her arm starts regrowing. Chrys and I stare at her – me in awe, him in disgust – as she and Sarah speak.
Mary: Yeah. There's no need to worry; they have no leads. I didn't talk. But...
She gestures to her healing arm.
Mary: ...she cut off my arm. And with it, she can use a portion of my power.
Sarah: If she figures out how to harness it.
But Mary's not reassured by that, and nor is she by my attempts to cheer her up while I lead them all back to the car. So what if Louise cut off her arm? Louise ran away, so as far as I'm concerned Mary won that fight. She even saved me from certain death, even though I was supposed to be the one saving her! But Mary just looks more and more discomforted as I continue... well, if I can't get through to her, maybe Ken can?
But he's out cold, as he should be. As we all should be, to be honest.
As if on cue, we all yawn.
Mary: Let's get out of here. Chrys, Anthe... take Ken somewhere safe and meet us in the morning. Sarah, do you...
Sarah: No, it's fine, you can hide out in my apartment again. We made space for you.
Mary: I'm not hiding... but thank you.
Chrys: Hold on, don't you want to watch over him?
Me: And I want to keep an eye on you, Mary. We're sticking together!
And Mary thankfully leaves her despondency behind and starts arguing with me. That's what I like to see – that fire spiraling inside her hawkish eyes. I want to see it more and more...!
In the end, my bro and Sarah made the call for us, so we're ditching Alletown together. We sat Ken sat up to make room for Sarah and Mary, and he stayed asleep, even with the crows flying off. Sirens ring in the background as we depart, but they don't catch us or wake him up.
Wonder what he's dreaming about...
Ken's view
...and I fade back in while inside a dream. I know I'm dreaming because this place cannot be real...
First came the smell. Damp and decaying, thick with rot. It made me want to puke at first. Did I get used to it or was I overwhelmed...? In either case, after some time, it stopped affecting me. I could then place thin floral scents wafting in the air. Some of them I even recognized... roses and peonies, soothing me...
These things, accompanied by the sound of softly dripping water, made me think I'd simply taken to Mary's house. But then I opened my eyes and took in the view of this dimply lit cavernous space.
Me: ...where... is this?
Is this a cave or something else? The walls are brown and look cragged and rocky, but are covered with dimly luminescent vines. They almost remind me of Mary's, but the colors are shades of bright green instead of her deep black. Hm, curious.
The floor is damp. Water (?) is seeping from the walls and vines.
I almost expect to see blood when I raise my left hand and look at it, but no.
Me: Smells sweet...
It's covered in something wet and slimy instead.
I brush it off my pants and get up. Whatever this place is, I got to get out of here and back to reality. The path extends into the darkness both in front of me and behind me. Smells about the same in both directions. All I can do is walk forward then, so I do. I walk, and walk, and walk...
Me: Where am I even going? I feel like... am I going up?
There's a sudden incline for sure. A shirt in the darkness. Sap flowing down and out to somewhere else.
The incline steepens. I'm forced to crawl to keep going.
Me: ...!?
But there's a light up ahead. Even if I'm covered in sap, I have to reach it. That hole! It must be a way out!
The walls become harder to grasp, and for a moment I suspect that the footholds are moving out of my way. But they don't stop me. I reach that hole of light and peer out.
Me: What is this place...!?
The world outside is also dark, but I can still see thanks to the starry sky. And because I can see, I can realize a portion of the truth. This cave was in fact a root, and from that root a plant has grown.
A plant that extends and extends and extends...
Far out into the starry distance, perhaps it is still extending.
And along all that length, the plant is covered in flowers of all different shapes and sizes, all colors, and all scents. And before my eyes, two flowers stand out amongst the crowd: one small and white; and the other massive and red.
But those flowers... a blue substance is encroaching upon them!
Hold on, I recognize that substance! That's glass!
That has to be Louise's blue glass!
And the glass is spreading, aiming for that white rose, glowing with a radiant light!
And the glass has already struck, damaging the red rafflesia and breaking off a piece!
On instinct, I reach out for that fallen flower shard...
Me: ...!?
...and at that moment, I exit the root network and am launched into space instead.
Me: No...! Wait...!
But my shouting means nothing. The vines reach out to me, but always stop short.
I cannot be saved.
And the damage has been done.
Floating into a starry void of flowers, I drift and drift until I disappear into the darkness...
...and I don't fade back in again until there's warm sunlight on my face and a roof over my head.
That dream... what could that have meant...?
...there must still be in danger somewhere. But things are peaceful here.
Last night must have worked out for the best, right? I have to hope so.
After all...
[] ...I've awoken beneath the familiar ceiling of the Drake house, and Sarah's even joined us.
[] ...Mary was convinced to host the Stevens at her place, despite her usual resistance to guests.
[] ...this place... it's the Stevens house? I can only tell because I hear Chrys and Anthe chatting.
Hmm, one vote so far. Well, I have time to write this weekend, so I'd like to close the vote in two days, so hopefully more votes come in by then. Around this time:
And along all that length, the plant is covered in flowers of all different shapes and sizes, all colors, and all scents. And before my eyes, two flowers stand out amongst the crowd: one small and white; and the other massive and red.
Oh no. So the threat will creep on two individuals. While the threat is targeting the small white flower that's glowing with radiant light. It has also already damaged the red Rafflesia.
It seems that the red Rafflesia is protecting the white Rose. Wait... the dream appears to be a prophecy of sorts which depicts Louise targeting Rosie. In the process, someone represented by a red Rafflesia is hurt in the process. I guess that's the missing piece in deciphering this dream. Who exactly is the person represented by the Red Rafflesia I wonder?
Edit: With @Meridian's help. That means that the dream was about Louise targeting Rosie, only to end up hurting Mary. That has already happened with Mary's arm being severed and all. But hopefully that won't happen again.
My Vote:
[X] ...Mary was convinced to host the Stevens at her place, despite her usual resistance to guests.
Winning vote: [X] ...Mary was convinced to host the Stevens at her place, despite her usual resistance to guests.
White Rose ~Flower of Innocence~ (17)
...there's soft piano music filtering in from below, accompanied by the sweet and spicy scent of red roses. I'm sure Mary isn't the only person in the world with this sort of décor, but she's the only one I know. So then, this is her place? Not like I could tell from looking around this room. There's no decorations or furniture at all and the walls are bare white.
Me: Must be the guest room... with no guests, she never felt the need to give it a personality, huh...
I've offered to spend the night here before, but it's always turned into her sleeping over at my place instead. Granted, I have a widescreen TV and she doesn't, but I doubt that's the only reason. Part of it has to be keeping Demi a secret, but I'd hazard a guess that she's a recent addition.
...she probably doesn't invite people over for the same reasons I don't. Not having people to invite. Wanting to be somewhere else instead, but being unable to go to that place, wherever it is...
And now I'm in this place of Mary's old torments. I suppose that flower garden is a way of turning it into a place of joy, huh?
...
I shake my head. No, I won't do the same thing, though maybe I'll hang up some decorations. Those and the old charms Mom left behind. Left some up but the rest are stashed away and long forgotten. Couldn't stand to look at them right afterwards, but it's been years upon years now. Time to dive back in.
And speaking of diving in...
Me: That dream... just what was that about...?
I've never had a dream like that before. Not one that I can remember. That place... it was rotting, but so full of life in truth. I was inside it. Was it alive? Some kind of organic being, or maybe a spiritual existence instead. In either case, it felt like I was really there in the flesh, among those flowers.
...was that a Shadowflower? Or their origin?
If so, makes sense that I saw a white rose and a red rafflesia there. Those two have to be Rosie and Mary. And so that blue glass... Louise Blauglas, perhaps?
But I didn't see any purple or orange flowers at all... no, maybe I just didn't notice them. Perhaps if I reflect on the dream, I'll recall something. This room is actually a perfect place to meditate – no distractions, and plenty of floor space. I finally get out of bed, arrange the blankets on the floor, and sit to meditate... okay, all I have to do is empty my thoughts and let the dream return to me as my mind drifts...
...
...
...
The music in the background stops and a voice calls out to me.
Mary: Kenny? Are you awake?
I focus back into reality with nothing gained.
Me: Yeah, I'll be down soon!
Can't remember anything else about that dream. And even the details are escaping me...
(Ken will be doing this on his own, if selected. Choose one.) [][Dream] ...and there's nothing I can do about that, so better to just let it go. Besides, I don't want to be so tired I have a dream like that again anyway.
[][Dream] ...but perhaps I can try to return to it, if my mind is in the right space. I did say I wanted to put up some of Mom's charms, so maybe that'll help.
[][Dream] ...so I write them all down as a reference for later and plan on actively seeking that place out. Looks like I'm in for some long nights ahead.
I need to focus on the present for now. And in the present, I...
...completely abandoned Rosie and Olive to the care of Mrs. Drake. Hopefully, they're doing fine. No, I don't have to hope for it. They are fine, otherwise Mary, Chrys, and Anthe wouldn't be idly spending time here with each other. They'd be either at Mrs. Drake's house, or on the streets looking for someone.
The stairs creak as I step down them, drawing in everyone's attention. Sure enough, Mary is at her square piano, but Anthe was the one playing, following the sheet music.
Me: That was the Maple Leaf Rag, right? I didn't know you played piano, Anthe.
Anthe: Oh, I don't! But Mary's a great teacher.
Mary, as usual, blushes and deflects while Anthe gives her a smile.
Chrys: Good to see you're up, Ken. Sleep well?
I shake my head.
Me: Ah... no I slept fine, but... I had an odd dream. There were a lot of flowers and... well, I don't remember the details, but I saw something massive... no, I think I was in it...
Mary: Huh. Well, you've had flowers on the brain for a while, Kenny, so that's not surprising.
Anthe: I had a dream that I was a Magical Girl!
Mary: ...and I'm not making it real, Anthe...
Anthe proceeds to complain to Mary while I walk over to Chrys and ask him to catch me up. As it turns out, I was right not to be worried. Sure, Louise and her cohort got away after Anthe tased Rina to tears (!!) and Louise cut off Mary's arm (!?), but they never figured out where Rosie was. Mrs. Drake called in not too long ago to confirm that she and the girls were alright. As for Sarah, she went home on her own. Probably still there now, doing homework or running errands, living her normal life. Anthe managed to talk Mary into letting them all crash at her place. I'd have thought the cops would have been here due to the "mysterious explosion" but if they did come around, they were all gone by the time Chrys drove up. Mary then waved away the neighbors and went to fixing up the garden with his and Anthe's help once they all woke up.
I don't bring up Demi. Hope she's okay.
Chrys: Charlotte also asked about the kids, by the way. Are they staying with her? She's got to work tomorrow.
Me: ...uh. I'd been hoping so, but maybe not...
Truthfully, I'd been hoping that this would have been resolved by now. But no, Louise is still out there and could strike at any time. She'll definitely return here, and probably soon, so moving the kids to either mine or Mary's homes isn't an option. What do we do here...? I'm sure Charlotte won't mind leaving the kids where they are, but that means one of us will have to go watch over them, likely either me or Mary. On the other hand, Chrys and Anthe seem willing to take Rosie in, at least for now. Chrys is still working on finding a relative for the little Janvier girl, as it doesn't seem like any of them stayed in town and it turns out the mom has been missing for years.
How inconvenient.
[][Caretaker] Rosie will stay at Charlotte's house, and in exchange I'll watch over her. I can trust Sarah will continuing my lessons to the Calderon kids.
[][Caretaker] Rosie will stay at Charlotte's house, and in exchange Mary will watch over her. Of course, this means that I'll have to watch her house.
[][Caretaker] Rosie will be moved to the Stevens' house, allowing Charlotte to bow out from here. In exchange, Chrys wants Mary and I there too.
After we decide, we then head out to Charlotte's place, and not just to confirm it with her.
Mary and I owe her an explanation.
QM Note: Thought this would be longer, but I found a good stopping point imo.
Hm, well, I do think it's in our best interest for Ken to have more dreams about the Shadowflower. He could gain some interesting insight from there after all.
[X][Dream] ...so I write them all down as a reference for later and plan on actively seeking that place out. Looks like I'm in for some long nights ahead.
[X][Caretaker] Rosie will stay at Charlotte's house, and in exchange I'll watch over her. I can trust Sarah will continue my lessons to the Calderon kids.
[x][Dream] ...but perhaps I can try to return to it, if my mind is in the right space. I did say I wanted to put up some of Mom's charms, so maybe that'll help.
[x][Caretaker] Rosie will stay at Charlotte's house, and in exchange I'll watch over her. I can trust Sarah will continuing my lessons to the Calderon kids.
I agree! Do you want Ken to actively seek out the dreams? Or, do you want to make him just try to have the right mind space whenever he goes to sleep? The former's the active approach, while the latter is the passive approach. Pick which one you think is the best approach for the situation.
Scheduled vote count started by Solarstream on Jan 26, 2025 at 5:53 PM, finished with 7 posts and 2 votes.
[X][Dream] ...so I write them all down as a reference for later and plan on actively seeking that place out. Looks like I'm in for some long nights ahead.
[X][Caretaker] Rosie will stay at Charlotte's house, and in exchange I'll watch over her. I can trust Sarah will continue my lessons to the Calderon kids.
[x][Dream] ...but perhaps I can try to return to it, if my mind is in the right space. I did say I wanted to put up some of Mom's charms, so maybe that'll help.
[x][Caretaker] Rosie will stay at Charlotte's house, and in exchange I'll watch over her. I can trust Sarah will continuing my lessons to the Calderon kids.
Winning vote: [X][Dream] ...but perhaps I can try to return to it, if my mind is in the right space. I did say I wanted to put up some of Mom's charms, so maybe that'll help.
[X][Dream] ...so I write them all down as a reference for later and plan on actively seeking that place out. Looks like I'm in for some long nights ahead.
[X][Caretaker] Rosie will stay at Charlotte's house, and in exchange I'll watch over her. I can trust Sarah with continuing my lessons to the Calderon kids.
White Rose ~Flower of Innocence~ (18)
Mary: You know, you didn't have to tell her about Lulu, right?
Me: Oh?
I turn to look at my old friend. We're both in the backseat of the Stevens car, taking in hushed whispers – Chrys has kindly offered to drive us over to the Drake house, but we don't want him or Anthe to overhear this. Speaking of, Anthe's riding shotgun and controlling the tunes, having us listening to some new pop music, loud and proud, that I've never heard before. Got a good beat though.
I tune it out and focus on Mary. She's in one of her voluminous red dresses again, standing out amidst the three of us in our white-and-black casual attire. She's also been fidgeting the whole time we've been on the road, constantly keeping an eye out. As if any person – or perhaps every person – we pass by might be a secret agent of Viticulture on Louise's payroll. Chrys and Anthe both tried and failed to talk her out of that mindset, but I don't blame her at all. The fact is that Louise Blauglas and Lily Helyblanc have access to resources and connections that we don't, some of which we might not even know exist.
That said, I don't think we're being spied on at the moment.
Mary: You could have kept quiet about it.
And neither is Charlotte's house, so it's safe to drive there.
Me: Oh? So, I should have kept the truth a secret forever? Even though we're asking her to support us? Besides, Rosie's the one who spilled the beans. I couldn't in good faith leave Mrs. Drake in the dark after that.
Mary sulks in her seat further.
Mary: That girl... what's with her? I thought she hadn't awakened to her magic yet, but she's been hiding it instead? That's the only way she could have learned about Lulu, since none of us told her...
Me: Couldn't Louise have mentioned her?
Mary: Maybe, but I doubt she has anything to do with Molly and her family anymore. So, there's no reason to bring them up, and definitely not in front of an ignorant little girl who wouldn't understand what she was talking about.
She sighs.
Mary: I'm not telling Mrs. Drake everything. I'd rather say nothing, to be honest... but I don't speak, you will, right?
She glares at me when I don't reply immediately and then lets out a grunt.
Me: Of course I will! Mary, she's grateful. She wants to thank you.
Mary: ...I don't deserve her thanks. But I have to take it anyway, don't I?
That sure sounds familiar. I understand why I was hesitant to accept her thanks, but I'm not sure why Mary is. She did what she could, which turned out to be a lot more than what I could have done. Even if all she cared about was Lulu's revenge, she still gave the girl a brief return to this world on her own terms. That allowed her to meet us, reconnect with Rosalyn, and have a change of heart. And then she made Molly and Jack suffer another type of consequence, one that's sticking to them even now.
Me: ...
I'm not sure what to say. Sure, it would be better if Lulu had never died and neither had her victims. But there was nothing Mary could have done about that, right?
...no, she could have stopped those murders if she wanted to do so. But she supports taking revenge...
Me: Mary...
Mary: Hm?
She turns slightly towards me.
Me: ...I asked Lulu to think about what she really wanted before she made her declaration. Maybe you should do the same thing. What is it that you want, Mary Raffles?
Mary: Hmph! I know what I want, it's peace! I had it, even if only for a little while, and I'll get it back.
Hmmm... that could mean any number of things. But I don't press her. She needs time to think.
As we all do.
We're at the Drake house now. Charlotte's neighbors are easily dismissed with a pleasant greeting, a warm smile, and a happy wave, especially once Goldie comes out and greets us.
Charlotte: Ah, there ya'll are! Come in! Hurry up!
No one's paying us any mind, but we do so anyway. Just in case. We're greeted with the greasy smell of recently delivered pizza, and then by Rosie and Olive as we enter the Drake house.
Rosie: Mister Ken! You're okay!
Me: Yes, I am. Sorry for running off on you all last night...
Olive: You'd better be!
Me: ...but I'm sure you can see that it was for a good cause. Mrs. Drake, I'd like to introduce you to Chrys Stevens and Anthe Stevens, the twins. They've volunteered to assist us in finding any of Rosie's surviving family. And of course, you've already met my friend Mary Raffles, but I'd like to reintroduce you to her.
Mrs. Drake, for her part, warmly greets Chrys and Anthe, but then gives Mary a considered once-over, one that makes Mary shudder. It's nothing like the pseudo-draconic stare I briefly saw... wow, that really was just last night, huh... anyway, it's not so intense, but Mary must not be used to it.
Charlotte: ...take a seat. No, get some food first, then sit. The table's too small, so you'll have to sit on the floor, sorry. I'll get drinks for you.
She then walks off, and Mary positively deflates, much to Chrys' and Anthe's confusion.
Mary: Don't worry about it... thanks to Kenny here, I'll have to explain myself soon enough.
The both of them then give me a thumbs up, prompting Mary to sulk her way into the kitchen.
We follow behind.
The chatter as we eat fills up the whole of Charlotte's house, and somewhere in it we manage to fill her, Rosie, and Olive in on the events in the darkest hours of the last night... this morning... whatever it can be called. Well, Mary starts by explaining what she and Sarah were up to in the first place, why they were out and about and in danger, and also the events of the prior night when Rosie was freed. I felt the air around Charlotte shift as the explanation went on, but couldn't tell if that meant something or was just me imagining things... Chrys and Anthe also chimed in, revealing that they've yet to make any progress in locating Jasmine Janvier or any of her relatives.
Charlotte: Must be Viticulture's doing. Yeah, I'll help you keep Rosie away from them; she's been a little sweetie.
Rosie giggles lightly as Mrs. Drake continues.
Charlotte: But I still have to work, so someone will have to stay with Olive to watch over her.
Olive: I could do it myself...
Charlotte: I'm not letting you handle that burden yourself.
Olive: She's not a burden! I...
I cut her off.
Me: I'll be the one sticking around. One of Mary's assistants is also nearby watching over Rosalyn. Between the three of us, that ought to be enough. Sorry for imposing; hopefully this'll blow over soon.
Olive grumbles under her breath and rolls her eyes at me, but doesn't contradict what I said, so Mrs. Drake nods in approval.
Charlotte: Oh, but who is that assistant? It's not Anthe, is it?
Anthe: I wish...
Mary: Trust me, you don't. As for the woman in question, she goes by Red, and Red alone. She's been with me for years, nice and reliable. I had her aid Ken during the recent incident at Diamondwood High School. And as for that... yes, it is true that I brought Lulu back to this world temporarily, as a ghost.
She shudders under Mrs. Drake's gaze. But...
Charlotte: I see... then, I must thank you. For ensuring that the truth was brought to light.
...there was no reason to worry.
Though Mary doesn't relax.
Mary: ...that wasn't my doing. You should thank Kenny for that. If it was up to me, her rampage would have continued until everyone involved had died. I only cared about her revenge.
Charlotte: Because it was your revenge too?
Mary: ...
No answer was given, so Mrs. Drake took another angle.
Charlotte: So, how did you do it?
My friend's a bit shy and hesitates in answering.
Mary: ...it's like I told her. She made it easy. Dying but not yet dead, I could channel the hatred in her heart into power. Because she was dying, I needed somewhere to store her soul, and her stuffed dragon plush worked well for that.
Charlotte: Ah. The one Rosalyn returned to me.
Mary: The same one.
Charlotte: And that's your... magic? You can do something like that for anyone? ...but they have to be dying.
Mary nods, sullen.
Mary: "Death" is my magic specialty, same way as "healing" is Sarah's and "blue glass" is Louise's. As far as I can tell, every magical girl gets one, and once you have it, it's yours forever.
Anthe: Can it evolve? Your magic?
Mary: Yes, but not so much that it becomes something else entirely. I will never be able to "heal", and anything I could do that might look like "healing" would in truth be something else. That's why Sarah had to heal me.
Olive: I still can't believe she stole your arm...
Mary: I can. If her lab was intact, she would be able to use it for her own ends. And even without that, she'd want to punish me. We were enemies before and we are once again. Ah, before any of you ask, I don't want to talk about it and won't respond to your questions.
Charlotte: That's fine. I only have one more and it's not about your enemies. It's about you. Could you do 'it' again?
Mary: ...'it'?
It takes me a moment to get what she's getting at too. But it should have been obvious. She's talking about her daughter.
Mary: ...oh. No, I don't think so. Lulu got what she wanted and gave up her "attachments" to this world. Without those "attachments", there's nothing I can do for her. I've tried before but it just ended with a soulless corpse.
Charlotte: I see.
She sighs and sinks into her seat, Goldie coming over to comfort her. Good dog.
Charlotte: It was worth asking, I suppose. And this doesn't change anything between us, Rosie is still welcome to stay here. ...hm, since you'll be here to watch the house, then I won't need Keelin to watch over Goldie for me. You don't mind, do you Ken?
Me: Not at all. Oh, but I ought to go back home and pack a bag... could be here a while.
Mary: Hopefully not. I'll deal with Louise, one way or another.
Chrys: And we'll keep looking for Rosie's relatives, Mrs. Drake.
Charlotte: Thank you kindly.
The rest of the dinner passed back into casual chatter, and not long later Chrys drove me back to pack my belongings for an extended stay at the Drake house. With any luck, Louise will never realize that's where I am.
Here's hoping.
(As for those charms... Ken found several, but they're all old and maybe their "charminess" has worn out. What to do here?) [] Try them anyway, you never know if the magic is really gone or not. Maybe you'll get lucky.
[] Go to a temple and buy new ones... will have to take Rosie, Olive, and Goldie with you.
[] Alternatively... maybe you can make new ones based on them. Rosie and Olive can help.
Me: ...I asked Lulu to think about what she really wanted before she made her declaration. Maybe you should do the same thing. What is it that you want, Mary Raffles?
Mary: Hmph! I know what I want, it's peace! I had it, even if only for a little while, and I'll get it back.
Hmmm... that could mean any number of things. But I don't press her. She needs time to think.
Yeah, Peace is subjective. Do you want the Peace to be one where you are content with life, even though you're alone, or do you want it to be surrounded by your loved ones, Mary? Or maybe it's something else entirely.
But yeah, wow. This update clarifies and gives information, specifically about Mary. Her thoughts on things, what she did during the Orange Lilly route, and even a bit of her past history. Overall, I enjoy this update!
My Vote:
[X] Alternatively... maybe you can make new ones based on them. Rosie and Olive can help.
Winning vote: [X] Alternatively... maybe you can make new ones based on them. Rosie and Olive can help.
White Rose ~Flower of Innocence~ (19)
I'm woken up from dreamless sleep by the sound of a coffee machine switching on. Yeah, no odd dreams tonight, despite still being kinda wiped out the rest of the day yesterday. Didn't really do much the rest of the day besides pack up and hand over my class notes to Sarah. Either that dream of odd roots and flowers in another realm was something special and entirely out of my control, or I have to utterly exhaust myself to return to that place.
In either case, here's hoping some charms can help me get there.
...okay, there was one more thing, but I just barely started it. Making new charms. I never decided what charms I actually wanted to make and ended up crashing before getting started. Sarah gave me everything she thought I would need. Anything else is up to me. Though I'm sure Rosie and Olive wouldn't mind helping if I asked them...
Charlotte: Oh, you're up?
I yawn and get up.
Me: Yeah, yeah... I'm actually kinda refreshed now. Amazing what getting actual sleep does. Though it's still pretty early...
Making my way to the kitchen...
Charlotte: Yeah, I got to get to work. You don't have to worry about taking Goldie out on a walk, I can do that when you get back. Unless it's safe, of course, then feel free. You have my number in case anything happens.
...I find Mrs. Drake all dressed up and ready to go, pink purse stocked and stuffed, wearing smart black pants and her sharp red jacket, hair twisted into a long ponytail. She points at the coffee machine.
Charlotte: There's extra if you drink it. Take care now.
Me: You too. See you later.
As she leaves, Goldie trots over and I pet him.
Me: Alright, Goldie, we're gonna watch over the girls today. Got it?
He barks lightly and then makes his way to his empty food bowl. Can't work on an empty stomach.
While he eats, I go to flip on the TV. And the first thing I see when I switch over to the local news is none other than Mary's face! She's been named – correctly – as a suspect in the Alletown Art Museum heists and noted as missing from her home. ...where is she now then?
...on the other hand, maybe it's better that she's laying low and staying out of sight. The neighbors being interviewed don't know anything and give up nothing useful on the air, probably didn't off the air either. Mary was never close to any of our other neighbors growing up and looks like that hadn't changed. And I wasn't either, to be honest. Pays off here since my name never comes up. Though it looks like the cops want to talk to me as one of her neighbors...
Me: Not letting that happen.
Olive: Not letting what happen...?
And there's the girls.
Rosie: Good morning, Mister Ken...
Both in pajamas still. Granted, I am too.
Me: Ah, the cops are looking for Mary and I.
Olive's eyes go wide but Rosie's plan confused.
Rosie: You mean like Mister Chrys?
Me: No. Chrys wants to help you, but these guys want to hurt Mary.
Rosie: Oh no! Is Miss Mary okay!?
There's a brief flash of white behind her eyes. I make a mental note but don't comment on it.
Me: As long she keeps a low profile, she ought to be fine.
Though, if she does go through with killing Louise, she'll only be drawing more attention to herself.
Me: She can take care of herself. Now go get dressed.
Olive blinks, confused.
Olive: Huh? Are we going somewhere?
Me: No, but you can't wear pajamas all day. Go on, get going.
I shoo them both back into Lulu's old room, Olive complaining all the way, and then get dressed in Mrs. Drake's room. Even though I'm not at work, I still wear the same outfits I'd wear then. Better not to change the routine, better to keep up a sense of normalcy even under these new circumstances. Besides, I like how I look in them.
Olive and Rosie return to the living room later in real clothes, Olive in green/black and Rosie in white/black, Goldie following alongside them.
Olive: Alright, alright, we're dressed. But seriously, what are we doing today? You can't go out if the cops are looking for you... you know, I could have my birds keep an eye out and warn us if they get too close.
I nod.
Me: That's a good idea. But as for today... well, we are stuck inside. However, doesn't mean we have to sit here bored... take a look.
The two girls come over and leans curiously at all the material I've left on the table.
Olive: What's all this... worksheets? And scraps of paper too... Silk and flannel bags...? You're not making us do school stuff are you, man?
Me: I ought to. You don't get to skip out on school just because you're here helping us out.
Rosie: School...?
Me: It's a place you'll get to go once everything's calmed down. You'll get to learn a lot and make friends there.
Rosie: Oh... Can't I go now?
Me: Not yet. We'll let you know when.
She frowns, but relents after I promise her she'll get to go soon. One day. If everything works out, that's what'll happen. Have to get Chrys on that too... can we even enroll her in any public school as is? She's like a little ghost. No parents, no identification, no nothing. At least she can read. She's grabbed a bunch of the papers I left lying out and started reading them to herself while Olive starts questioning me.
Olive: Ain't you a homeschool teacher, man? Can't you teach her?
Me: She needs more than just me around. More than you, than Sarah, than just our little group. There's a whole world out there that she ought to be able to see. ...Besides, I don't think you're actually asking for Rosie's sake, now are you?
She grimaces at me and huffs.
Olive: I don't know what you're talking about.
Of course not. I smile and chuckle and she growls at me, so I figure it's time to get back on topic.
Me: These things on the table... well, I guess arts and crafts are taught at school, but that's not why I asked Sarah for them. These are for making protective charms. She's busy covering for me, so I have to make my own... and I figured you two might want to make ones for yourselves too.
Rosie tilts her head and then nods.
Rosie: Yes!
Olive: ...hang on, if we're making our own, can't we make them any which way?
Uh... I suppose so. And I say as much. As far as I'm aware, as long you put the prayers and plants in the bag then you're all good.
Olive: So I can put bird feathers in mine then?
Me: Yeah, I guess. Don't know what that'll do though...!?
Rosie immediately grabs my attention. Not because she's said anything, but because of her actions. Her eyes are glowing white again, and objects are slowly and gingerly being moved around in front of her, as if she has access to another pair of hands!
Me: Rosie!?
The glow stops and the objects fall back on the table.
Rosie: Ah!? Mister Ken, is something wrong?
I look at Olive, who shrugs back at me.
Me: No, but use your hands for this.
Rosie: I was...?
Me: Those hands.
And once I point to the hands on her real arms, she gets it immediately and gets to work. Olive, meanwhile, excuses herself to step outside and get some feathers from her precious birds, seemingly unfazed. But what was that? Was that her powers manifesting? Or something else entirely?
With no answers forthcoming, I also get to work.
(Since Ken is making new charms, he gets to focus on what they're meant to do. Rosie's will be focused on "protection" while Olive's will be focused on "freedom". Ken, meanwhile, will choose one of the following.) [] Maybe it's best to double down on "protection", since that's what Mom's charms were for.
[] Maybe it's best to double down on "freedom", since I'll need that while exploring my dreams.
[] Maybe it's best to come up with my own idea...
-[] ...such as "good fortune", and not just for myself.
-[] ...such as "driving away evil", to keep Louise away. -[] ...such as making something "dragon-like", somehow.
-[] ... such as (write-in, maybe mixing and matching?).
