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Triskaidekaphobia~ Multiversal Witch Worlds

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Duskwitch said:
...
"In that case, mind if I join you?" says a voice from above. Black feathers and amethyst lace--Suigintou alights gently on one of the empty chairs.
DANGER. Black-winged crows and the purple salamander. SHE is here.
Yuki looks relieved. "Of course! Ah, I don't want to go back on my promise, but maybe Suigintou could clarify things for you? I'm afraid I'd mix up the facts…" She gives a nervous 'Ehehe,' before addressing the Doll with "That is, if you don't mind? We're answering any questions Candeloro has."
...

That makes...two major groups of people she's trying to create a space for? Well, this girl doesn't let her idealism stay just ideas, that's for sure.
Wasn't there someone else who did that too? Someone with kind red eyes and...not brown hair but--
"It's her brainchild." Dead Master smiles indulgently. "She positively dotes on it."
...
The vampire turns red (a bit ironic, that).

"Y-yes, but you don't have to say it like that."

As everyone chuckles, you remember another thing (well, group of things) you'd wondered about.

Has anyone else proposed subdivisions or teams like the one you're part of?
Are there any...potential enemies you might have because of the those who have taken you under their wing ("...literally," Dead Master snorts, with a grin at Suigintou)? For that matter, how do the other parties feel about Magical Girls? You can't put it into words, but that issue very important to you.
'I make it look glamorous, but it isn't. It's not a...good thing, to be a magical girl.'
To her credit, the Doll does not reel from your barrage of questions, but merely looks surprised.

"Magical girls? I don't see why they shouldn't be involved. There is strength in numbers, is there not?"

"You know where my opinion lies," Yuki reminds you simply. You like her more and more. Righting wrongs, standing up for the weak.
'A true hero of justice, huh?'
You look at Dead Master, who's resting her chin on a clawed hand.
...
Yes, that one. She's in trouble. Why am I telling you? Because you're her friend. Even if you don't remember…
And because I was caught in a repeating maze once, too.
And yes, the others can hear me. It's vital that all of you go to that Universe. This is your one warning, as I've got my hands full.
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Hora.

Edit:

So, the newcomer would be Rika? Between her appearance, the cicadas, and the 'repeating maze,' I can't think of anyone else it would be. And the locket would be about Homura? In any case, she said we should all go ... and while I'd like to discuss it, she also said someone's watching :/ I dunno.
 
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The 'endless maze' is Homura's motif as well (part of her monologue at the end of ep. 10).
 
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Lady of Wudan
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    • OOC: Closing votes early, but in exchange I have a fuckin' miracle. Update! I was really excited for this part you guys. The inspiration. It is flowing.

    [x]TO THE PLOT!

    The inter-versal road is shrouded in wispy fog. Dead Master walks ahead of you, scythe held lightly in her deadly hands. Yuki walks behind, watchfully bearing her Artemis Rod (also a scythe, ironically). Her hair is much longer now, twining about her in long dark swirls, and her eyes are closer to the color of roses, to the red of eternal dwarf-stars.

    "I'm no longer Yuki Cross," she had told you quietly, with a bit of wistfulness. "Right now I'm Kuran Yuki."

    Suigintou flies overwatch, just one more patch of silver mist and purple shade.

    You think you could have fought quite well, once upon a time. But since you don't remember, you'd rather not trust to muscle memory in a crisis. ("Silly amnesia," you had laughed self-consciously when your teammates brought this up, giving your head a light rap.)

    The will-o'-wisp lights shimmer into

    FIRE.

    A blazing hedge surrounds your group on all sides. Well, except up. You glance at the Doll, and see her hovering in place, eyes narrowed at the flame-shrouded marsh.

    Wait, don't you know this magic…?

    The fire weaves itself into a wall of diamond chains. Like a red...phantom…
    'Rosso...Phantasma!'
    A silhouette, on horseback--

    A great lady stares down at you with a scowl. Her kimono is red. It's woven with fruit, flowers, and delicate concoctions of chocolate and ice. Her hair is like fire.

    Or blood.

    And she looks straight at you.

    "Explain to me what you are doing here."

    It's Suigintou who answers, with equal coldness. "We are travelers from beyond your Dimension. Now, your turn."

    The Rider snorts, and you think you see a glint of a fang. "Me? This...World is mine to protect, and I patrol without ceasing. And that one--" She grits her teeth, throwing a glance down at you. "--has a face identical to someone who has given me a lot of trouble."

    You speak up, your voice surprisingly clear. "I am not from this Universe. I may have met someone like you in my former life, but I have no memory of that prior existence. As to my doppelganger--let me apologize on her behalf, whoever she is that caused you ill. But do not hold me responsible for her actions."

    The Lady looks surprised. "Amnesia, huh? Interesting. Well, even if I believed you, I still have to decide what to do with all of you…"

    Dead Master tosses her scythe idly from hand to hand. "If you want to start a conflict, be my guest. I might even learn something from you."

    She makes as if to reply, then stops, and her eyes flick from the scythe-wielding girl in black, to the red-eyed vampire, to the funereal gown of Suigintou.

    "What is this, the Goth Brigade?" she mutters.

    All of a sudden she grins--not a menacing grin, a sunny one--and with a clap of her hands, the marsh fades away. (So does the horse, but somehow she manages to dismount gracefully from her dematerializing steed.)

    Your new surroundings are...no less ominous, but definitely more comfortable. You're in what looks like a darkly opulent sitting room, filled with brocade and deep velvet. There are candles everywhere. On a mahogany table rests a tray of sweets amidst pots of tea, wine decanters, pitchers of milk, jugs of cider…

    "Welcome to my home," she says graciously, spreading out her red-robed arms like wings. "Despite my comments earlier, you do seem like you'd appreciate the important things in life. So help yourself." She gestures at the table.

    "Your hospitality is most kind," says Yuki, polite but guarded. "But forgive us if we're a bit confused by your sudden goodwill."

    "Ah, that." She waves airily. "I'm fickle, really. That's all." She sits down on a cushion, leaning back on one hand in a study of relaxation. With her free hand she pulls a pipe out of nowhere and draws a savoring breath. "But go ahead and eat. No reason we can't discuss this further over a meal, right?" She flashes you a winning smile.

    The light catches on a red jewel hanging from her ear.

    "Oh, by the way. Name's Ophelia."

    She's watching you behind half-closed eyelids.

    {So that was different…}​

    [ ] How do you respond?
     
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    • Ophelia said:
    "What is this, the Goth Brigade?" she mutters.
    ...
    "Ah, that." She waves airily. "I'm fickle, really. That's all."
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    Oh, Kyouko :3 Ophelia. Whatever :/ (A smoker? :confused:)

    [X] Introduce ourself, allow others to introduce themselves.
    - [X] Talk about Tea.
    - - [X] Explain what we're doing here.

    ... What are we doing here, apart from following the advice of a creepy girl we don't know?
     
    That, and honestly she just needs a way to constantly be snacking that's more 'elegant' than her usual way. :V Candeloro's having flashbacks to Beato right now.

    Edit: Also, there are quite a few hints scattered as to what's actually going on. Avatar pic related.
     
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    I hope everyone had a good holiday! And hugs to anyone who had to deal with stress/depression/relatives-not-being-'family'-like etc.

    I will try to update soon. Sorry for the wait, just been busy the past few weeks. Most notably, I went to ALA! For two of the days I Gretchen'd it up in cosplay. The best part was going up to the various Madokas and saying "Hi there, I'm your Witch!" And getting invariably a "Huh...?" followed by an "Oh shit!" and then usually "That's awesome!".

    I also saw a really perfect Beato. ^-^ Made me think of my fellow Witch (@Higure).

    And went to my first cosplay gathering, eeeee! The Madoka one of course. There weren't that many witches, just myself, one spiderweb crack-face Homulilly, and an amazing pair of Ultimate Gretchen (her HOOPSKIRT WAS MADE OF SPACE FABRIC GAH JEALOUS) and a fully-witched-out Homulilly, who looked exactly like the real thing (except not being fifty feet tall).
     
    I've written a good portion of the next update, which should be ready soon! Get hyped you gais!

    Also at some point, I wanted to mention how it might seem weird that I procrastinate so much in writing (with my own stuff too), despite how much I love doing it. (Definitely not judging other QMs/writers for procrastinating.) I have a chronic anxiety thing that makes it really hard to sit down and enjoy writing sometimes, so that's why I put it off. I'm just scared that I won't enjoy or get meaning out of doing this thing that I love, which is soulcrushing frankly. Or has been in the past.

    So uh, it's not because I don't love you guys or I'm not super excited about this quest. Just wanted to tell y'all. :V
     
    The Truth Comes Out
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    • Note: Thanks for waiting! Long update tiem! Stuff Happenstm​! I'm trying out a different thing for the not-main-text parts. (Not the best name for them, but it will become clear what I mean.) I love invisitext as I'm sure you've noticed, but it didn't really fit here.

    --


    The four of you share glances, and cautiously accept her offer. You and Suigintou each select a pot of tea, Dead Master pours some cider, and Yuki sips some sort of red fruit drink.

    Everyone introduces themselves to Ophelia, who seems in no hurry to discuss the why of your coming here. Just as well, since you're not quite sure what you'd do if she probed deeper. You should probably have discussed this with your team before hand.

    Every so often another tray, pitcher, platter, or teapot is brought out by what looks like a...doll, maybe? The traditional ones, in resplendent kimonos. Each one you've seen so far has been unique, their kimonos similar in overall appearance but made individual by pattern, hue, and hair ornaments. They're silent when they serve you, but in the shadows beyond your table you can see them quietly giggling to each other behind discreetly raised hands.

    You briefly wonder if they're akin to the sort of Doll that Suigintou is. Ah well. You'll have to ask her later.

    "You said you're protecting this world," you finally venture. "Is it in danger from something?"

    "You could say that. I don't know how much the rest of y'all know about how things work where Candy and I are from…"

    "I'm afraid we don't," says Yuki politely. She gives you a nod as if to recognize you as their squad leader in this Universe.

    "We're all ears," Dead Master drawls.

    "Weeeell, things were pretty bad back in the day. I'm talkin' Magical Girls who sold their souls for some stupid contract--which, by the way, gets transferred to a shiny rock (your soul that is) without the bugger even thinking to inform you. By the bugger I mean the contract-giving alien shit that gave us all a Faustian wish."

    You nod, doing your best to follow along. You sense that constructing a linear train of thought isn't Ophelia's strong point.

    "And then, on top of it all, you've got girls going all Highlander on each other, not to mention the constant battles with weird-as-fuck eldritch horrors--they're called Witches, see--" Here she gives you a conspiratorial wink. "...which they need to fight in order to survive. Until they turn into one themselves." She suddenly turns sober, looking somehow wise and ageless. Almost like a Goddess...

    "That was pretty messed up, so one of us decided to fix the System. It didn't seem right that after being a hero of justice (if we even managed to do that), our only reward was to fall into tortured madness until someone else finished us off.

    "So one of us...Changed the existence of Witch Barriers to be a haven where we could kick back and rest for a while when we get tired. I mean really super tired, it's not something you can just switch back and forth between. Sorta like those vampire stories where they hafta sleep in a grave for a while to get their energy back. As cheesy as that sounds."

    You notice Yuki perk up and then frown at the last two sentences.

    You sip your tea thoughtfully. "That sounds like a very beautiful and noble thing to do. If I may, Lady Ophelia, were you the one that Changed things?"

    Ophelia's gaze falls on your locket, at once predatory and wistful.

    "No...someone else did."

    I wish for the power to grant peace to those fighting for justice!

    "But I want to protect Her gift to us in any way I can," she goes on. "I would--I have--become anything necessary in order to fulfill that goal." She glances up at you, seeming a little more vulnerable and--human? mortal?--than before. "I mean, it's the least I can do, right? After we go Witch for a while, we get all these cool powers, not to mention a World of our own, and She--She takes us away to Her starry ocean when we die for good…"
    I want Witches to no longer be born from Curses, but from Acceptance.
    She trails off.
    If anyone tells me it's foolish to be a hero, I'll tell them they're wrong every time.
    Her earring flashes, and she jerks her head up. In the sudden motion, you notice something odd about that piece of jewelry she's wearing. Just above the crimson gem is a tiny serpent of the same hue, holding an apple in its fangs.

    BOOOM.

    A series of explosions rattles the walls from somewhere below. Huh. You hadn't realized you were on one of the upper floors of this mansion. Or maybe physics worked about as well in Ophelia's house as it did in yours.
    I won't let the suffering of those who fought so hard be in vain.
    "We have company," the Lady growls. "All of you, move out of the way. The Oyotsu-tachi will show you where to go." She throws an arm at the Dolls (you presume) who had been serving you. Her wide sleeve billows out like a crimson wing.
    So please, don't give up on your ideals. None of you have to curse the world any more. You don't have to pay the toll in equal misery--I'll pay it for you.
    The four of you obey, at least in stepping away from the main room and the lamplight. But you don't go further. You have the feeling you'll need to (at least) watch this confrontation in order to start unraveling the mystery and whatever danger you were warned about.
    A white slip of paper, like the To/From tag on a gift
    More cracks of thunder from the depths. You don't feel alarmed by them so much as...excited. Nostalgic almost. Your spine tingles. Something Important is about to happen.
    Fingers made of nightmares reaching up in desperate Hope towards the stars
    The whish of something whistling through the air, down below. The Lady stands in the doorway with her back towards you, crimson against the darkness. Black pinioned wings unfurl behind her.
    A skeletal queen crowned with lillies
    A sequence of sharp reports. Bang. Bang. Bang.

    The doorway is flooded with light, as Ophelia's fire roars to life in a wall encircling the intruders.

    There are three of them. One is a somber, dark-haired girl in a black and grey Gothic Lolita ensemble. The girl on the other flank leans more towards Hime Gyaru style--all sweet, classy pearls and pink roses that match her immaculately done-up hair.

    And the leader is wearing a black biker suit. She removes her helmet--golden curls spill out, and you find yourself staring at a gaze of fire and ice. A gaze that looks exactly like your own.
    What have you done to our Goddess?
    But she's not looking at you. She's looking at Ophelia.
    You've stolen a piece of the Rule of our Nature!
    "The new arrivals to this Universe. Release them at once."
    I will always, ALWAYS remember…
    The Lady--the Witch?--sneers back, showing a fang.
    Call me vampire, succubus, Lillith herself.
    "What, you think I'll just hand over my guests to you? After you rudely barge in? Really Mami, I thought you were the one with manners…"
    It doesn't matter.

    --

    Stop! If you do that, I'll break…!

    I was waiting for this moment.
    My mermaid.


    {Stunned silence, or confirmation of foreboding?}​

    [ ] Interfere
    [ ] Observe
    [ ] Other


    Note: I have been WAITING for the moment when I could share with you the nickname I came up with (after some struggle) for the Kyoko version of Homucifer. 'Devilia'? Or Ophelilith is another I thought of. I'll explain that in a minute.

    Partly from her Christian background, this Kyoko sort of internalizes her guilt by seeing herself as someone like Lilith (who's associated with succubi and vampire -type things), hence the serpent/apple reference. I dunno, I thought it was cool.

    As for the Oyotsu-tachi, originally I was going to call her familiars (her equivalent of the Claras) by whatever name they have, but TWIST! They don't have a name on their card, only a bunch of ???????. But apparently they were based on the legend of rokurokubi, so I found a legend of this one woman (Oyotsu) who turned into a rokurokubi.

    And lastly: Yes. They can legitimately Witch out for superpowers in this universe. XP That was...not deliberate. Well sort of. I like Witches (shocker).
     
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    • [X] Observe
    Biker!Mumi. We're not in Kansas anymore.
     
    I'm surprised no one caught the two Sayaka-centric in-jokes (from other Quests and stuff), by which I mean Ophelilith's comment about 'going Highlander,' and Sayakami being the 'Rule of our Nature'. I was trying to think of an alternative for Law of Cycles and then that popped into my mind, so I was like fuckit that's to good to pass up. :p
     
    The Highlander joke I got, but I don't know what the Rule of our Nature thing is from. Is there a Quest where Sayakami is canon or something?
     
    AuraTwilight said:
    The Highlander joke I got, but I don't know what the Rule of our Nature thing is from. Is there a Quest where Sayakami is canon or something?
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    Pretty sure it's a MGRR thing invoking Rules of Nature. That said, I wouldn't call the Highlander one a particularly Sayaka-centric in-joke; sure there's Highlander Sayaka from Ersatz, but in context the situation is fairly similar in that you can't have too many Magical Girls in any given area, which leads to some being killed/driven off.
     
    'Rules of Nature"!Sayaka is from MGNQ, at least that's where I heard it. Yeah, the Highlander thing isn't Sayaka-centric, but I've heard it most often with Highlander Sayaka from Ersatz.
     
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