Orange Lily ~Flower of Hatred~ (9)
Solarstream
It's all in the cards
- Location
- Zombie World
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Winning vote:
[X] So, why have Lulu go to Diamondwood High?
[X] Did Lulu happen to mention any girl bullies?
[X]How are you doing, Charlotte?
[X] So, why have Lulu go to Diamondwood High?
[X] Did Lulu happen to mention any girl bullies?
[X]How are you doing, Charlotte?
Orange Lily ~Flower of Hatred~ (9)
Charlotte: You sure you're alright? You've hardly touched your water.
...huh, I haven't. Well, I haven't felt particularly thirsty. Sarah meanwhile has gone halfway through her cup. But never mind that. As long as Mrs. Drake is willing to have us, then I have more questions for her.
Me: I'm fine... well, fine enough given what I'm investigating. It's not like I've been hit by any tragedies.
At least, not recently.
Me: What I'd like to know if how you're doing, Charlotte. If you don't mind answering, of course.
She doesn't answer at first, instead leaning back in her seat and letting out a hazy puff of cigarette smoke. Her dog lets out a little whine and rubs his head on her leg, so she leans a hand down to give him a little scratch. When her eyes pass over me, they don't look at me – they look through me, past me, searching for someone else. She looks at Sarah the same way, or maybe it's even worse.
Charlotte: I do mind, thank you very much, but I'll answer anyway. I feel like my whole world's been falling apart, like the lights in my life have all been going out one by one. First my husband in that car wreck and now this... I often wonder why this has been happening to us. I pray to God. I get no answer.
She takes another drag of her cigarette, and I notice her eyelids droop a bit. She yawns.
Charlotte: Haven't been sleeping well either, even though that's all I really want to do...
Sarah immediately interjects, sensing some opportunity.
Sarah: Oh, I have something that can help you with that! May I use your kitchen?
Charlotte shrugs and Sarah gets up, followed by Goldie. I figure I better change tacks before Mrs. Drake's depressive state gets even worse, so I ask why she sent Lulu to Diamondwood High School in the first place. She lets out a bitter laugh before telling me that all she really wanted was an opportunity for her kid to advance in a way that she never could. Going to prestigious school like DHS would open doors for her, and she had the smarts and skills to get in on one of the few scholarship slots available.
Charlotte: That was the plan anyway...
I nodded.
Me: Right, but then the bullying started. Say, did Lulu happen to mention any girl bullies? When I stopped by the school that other day and asked about it, every name I got was a guy's name.
She blinked, a new expression emerging on her wrinkled face – confusion.
Charlotte: Huh? Not sure why they wouldn't have mentioned Molly.... ah I think her last name was Knight or something like that... Lulu was always complaining about her.
Sparks of life dance in her eyes. She's got some energy back.
Charlotte: You know, she was the one who started this whole thing! She had a problem with my little girl supposedly showing her up in her classes! As if either of us cared about her and her fragile little ego!
Now I'm wondering why Florence saw fit not to mention her.
Charlotte: My baby tried to talk her down... for nothing! That girl dragged her friends into it instead! I bet they're the ones who did this...!
She then deflates again.
Charlotte: But I can't prove it. They won't talk to me either... oh, I just want my little Lulu back...!
And then she starts crying...!
Me: Charlotte...
Thankfully for my awkward self, Goldie comes back, barking for attention and rubbing himself against his owner. He's followed by my niece, who has a sweet-smelling glass of tinted water for Charlotte to drink.
Sarah: Here you go, Mrs. Drake. This should help you get some sleep.
She gives it a curious look, but is too tired to protest and takes a big gulp. Afterwards, she lets out another big yawn and puts out her cigarette.
Looks like that's our cue to go.
Me: Thanks for talking to us, Charlotte. We'll do everything we can to figure out what happened to your daughter.
Someone has to, after all.
Sarah: We'll try to bring her back to you, okay? So, you should get some rest for her.
Charlotte: Yeah, yeah... don't need you telling me to take better care of myself, I get enough of that from my sisters... here, let me show you out.
Sarah tires to protest, but Charlotte insists, and escorts from her house as she lets out a series of large yawns and then excuses herself, locking up her home. Goldie stayed inside with her. Good dog.
As for Sarah and I... it's become essential that we find Lulu and bring her home, so we decide to head over to Elmwoods next. We need to know for sure whether or not the dragon-eyed girl is Lulu, and if that girl chasing after her really was Molly. Because if so, it sounds like the bullying hasn't actually ended. While on the way to train station, I send a text to Florence asking if he knows anything about a girl named Molly Knight, maybe has blond hair and green eyes, maybe was bullying Lulu Drake, maybe would have been nice if he had mentioned her before.
He hasn't responded by the time we get to the station. Ah well, we'll probably have our answer soon and...
...!?
Someone's calling me. I don't recognize the number either, and neither does my niece.
Curious, I answer.
Me: Hello, who is-?
I get cut off by a woman's voice.
???: Who the hell are you and why are you trying to contact my daughter!?
I had to yank the phone away from my ear. God, she's loud. But her daughter...? What is she talking abou-.
Oh.
Rosalyn.
So, this must be her mom.
Me: Good afternoon, Mrs. O'Keefe. My name is Kentarou. I'm investigating the recent deaths of students at your daughter's school and-.
I get cut off once again.
Mrs. O'Keefe: My daughter has nothing to do with those deaths, so you keep away from her! She's innocent!
Me: Well, I know that, but-.
Mrs. O'Keefe: But nothing! I better not catch you getting anywhere near my daughter! Got it!?
She doesn't wait for me to answer, and hangs up on me.
...sure enough, I'm also getting a series of text messages from someone claiming to be Rosalyn O'Keefe. Looks like she wants to meet up with us, hoping that we've found her friend. She says she can head over immediately.
Me: Well, should I invite her?
Sarah: I'll have to go back to my apartment first, but I can prepare something for her. Tell her to meet us in Elfwoods in an hour.
Me: Got it. Though, I'm surprised that you're fine with letting this kid tag along.
Sarah: Well, she deserves to see her friend safe and sound. Besides, it's better to have her somewhere we can keep our eyes on her.
Fair point.
I text Rosalyn a time to meet us at a certain Elfwoods train station, and she agrees at once. With that settled, Sarah and I make our way back to her place in the Mon Meadows. As we travel, the sky darkens further with a cover of ominous clouds. Looks like it'll start raining soon...
While I'm waiting for her to finish her preparations, I decide to take a walk around the University of Alemonowa campus area. It's nice this time of year with all the trees in bright fall foliage, even with the dismal lighting and crackles of thunder in the distance. Florence responds to my text in the meantime, citing privacy concerns as the reason not to mention that girl Molly before. He doesn't apologize, but he has some gossip for me. Some of the parents have heard from their kids that Molly is claiming to be the very one who saved Jack from... well, I have my own ideas but I don't tell them to Florence. Instead, I thank him and tell him to send me more rumors as they come up. Every little bit of information helps.
An hour passes, and Sarah and I head to Elfwoods. By this time, the rain is imminent and threatening a downpour. Hopefully our "mystery girl" sees fit to show herself quickly.
Especially once she sees that Rosalyn is with us. She's a spindly girl with light pink skin, cascading orange-red hair, and soft green eyes, so she stands out. I told her about my niece's purple hair, so she spots us without any issues.
Rosalyn: Thanks so much for meeting with me! Do you know where Lulu is!? Is she safe!?
Me: Well, we have some ideas.
Sarah: And you should worry more about yourself. Here, take this.
My niece then hands one of her flannel bags over to Rosalyn, who gives it a curious look. When she tries to open it, Sarah warns her against it, prompting a frown from the little girl. She looks about ready to hand it back.
Rosalyn: Why shouldn't I open it? Is it dangerous?
She then gasps, and steps back dramatically.
Rosalyn: Are you after Lulu too!?
Me: No. And that thing is for protection. See, I have one too.
I then briefly pull mine out of a coat pocket.
Rosalyn: Protection...? Is this magic?
She then gasps again, this time with her eyes sparkling.
Rosalyn: Are you a witch!?
Sarah: No. Witches don't exist. And keep it down, kid! We don't want to be noticed except by one person in particular.
She glances around, but looks like no one's paying much attention to us, not even the cops on the corner. Means we can move freely for now. Sarah pulls out her phone as if she's leading us around the area, but in truth we're just wandering around. Sarah's aim is for us to be noticed, not for us to go to a specific place. It's not as if we have a specific place to go to, after all.
...actually no, we should have at least one in mind. I ask Rosalyn, and she points out a couple of local parks we can try. Once we're found, we can go-!
Hooded Girl: Rosalyn...?
I didn't hear her approach. Sarah must have sensed something as she's the only one who doesn't flinch and immediately turn to the source of the voice. It's the girl. Orange eyes, lizard eyes. The little dragon.
Rosalyn: ...Lulu?
Mrs. Drake's daughter.
She spontaneously materialized out of the crowd behind us, eyes wide and focused on her friend, whose green eyes are wet with tears and face is lit up with a smile.
She then glares at Sarah and I.
Lulu: Who are you two...? What do you want with Rosalyn..? Leave her out of this...!
Sarah: She's already involved in this. And so is that other girl.
I blink, shocked, and glance around. It takes me a moment to notice her myself. White and silver uniform, pale white skin, curly yellow hair, sharp green eyes, coming up on Lulu. She's walking up slowly, with confidence, passing in and out of the crowd, a wide and wicked grin in her face, alone. Not that it matters much if she believes herself a hero, able to face down the dragon-girl, the man-slayer.
Rosalyn turns to look at her too.
Rosalyn: ...Molly!?
She takes a step back...
...and Lulu steps away, grimacing.
Lulu: Since you dragged my friend into this... keep her safe...!
She then dashes off, and Molly gives chase, ignoring the three of us, laughing with sadistic glee.
Molly: Oh, don't run away now, Lulu~! Let's have some fun~! HAHAHAHA~!
Rosalyn: Lulu, wait!
Sarah: Don't worry, we're going to follow her! Come on!
She then dashes off, and Rosalyn and I trail behind her. My legs are burning, but I don't let them give out! Sarah leads us towards one of the parks, where we find the two girls staring each other down. Lulu briefly glances our way as we take cover to the side behind some trees, but otherwise keeps her attention focused on Molly. Molly, meanwhile, either hasn't noticed us or doesn't care about us.
Molly: Oh? Worried about your little and her chaperones? You should worry more about yourself~!
Ah.
Well, maybe she still doesn't care (I hope). She is still focused on Lulu.
At some point, Molly switched up her clothes. I've never seen anything like what she's wearing. It's a white frilly dress that flows softly around her, despite looking like it's made out of icy armor. Maybe it even is from how cold its suddenly gotten, and not just from the impending rain. Her head is adorned with a silver tiara where the jewel is instead a white camellia flower of ice. Speaking of said flower, its emblazoned on a silver shield she's holding in her right hand, while her left hand's holding an arming sword, both with a frosty coating, occasionally crashing the two together.
Lulu, meanwhile...
Rosalyn: ...oh no...
...has dropped the hoodie, revealing her own school uniform... and her orange, scaled skin. It lacks a certain shine that I'd associate with a dragon's hide, but that could just be due to the lighting... or lack thereof.
Thunder roars closely. Raindrops start falling on my head. But I can't muster the will to take shelter or cover my head. All I can do is stare, just like Rosalyn. What exactly am I witnessing here...!?
Sarah, meanwhile, is rummaging through her purse for... something. Must have made extra preparations, just in case. Molly's started mocking Lulu as the dragon girl glares at her silently, and I want to listen in, but my niece speaks up and I focus on her instead.
Sarah: ...this was a mistake...
Me: Huh?
Sarah: I shouldn't have let you two come here. Quickly, get out of here before they start fighting!
Rosalyn shakes her head.
Rosalyn: No way! I'm not leaving Lulu behind!
Her declaration is punctuated by a roar from Lulu as Molly charges at her, laughing merrily, eyes gleaming.
Me: And I'm not leaving you behind either!
Sarah: I can take care of myself! Now g-!
She's cut off by an explosion of flame. A gigantic ball of fire erupted from Lulu's mouth, which Molly evaded, letting it crash into the ground and blow up. The shockwave knocks Rosalyn over, and I move in to help her up.
Sarah: Go, now! I's not safe here!
I know that!
I know that...
[] ...and I'm not going anywhere!
-[] In fact, I'm going to stop this myself!
-[] But I'll keep Rosalyn out of harm's way.
--[] I'll escort her out of here, and then come back ASAP.
--[] We should stay nearby, but give Sarah some space.
[] ...but she's right. Rosalyn and I need to get out of here!
QM Note: Here's the first opportunity to see an Early End if you want. It's the option in Red. To see it, vote for that and a second option. As long as half of ya'll vote for the Early End, you'll see both that and the winning normal vote.
