deercountry | ☆ of miracles & witches

Entry tags:

☆ of miracles & witches

Who: Rika Furude & Open
What: April TDM Prompts, Furuderika Bernkastel shenanigans,
When: Month of May
Where: Boardwalk, Streets of the Trench, Nearby Foraging Areas

I. The Festival at the Boardwalk

[The month had started off pleasantly enough. Rika was lured back to the beach to search for her friends, but she was no longer as desperate to see them washed up on shore. The aches that filled the empty spaces in her heart were beginning to subside. She had Satoko and they were more open with each other than before. That alone filled Rika with more joy and comfort than she'd let herself hope for before.

She finds herself enjoying the festivities too. Dressed in a pure white dress, and having drunk some petal infused hot tea, Rika is in a brighter state that usual. It's so easy to feel like 'Furude Rika' after drinking that tea! She feels her old curiosity returning to her as she experiments with maypole dancing, singing, and other strange new activities.

By the end of the night, Rika isn't dejected from not finding her Hinamizawa friends. Instead, she collapses on the beach, giggling and smiling.]

Mii...

[But after May is June, a voice reminds herself. It's always June eventually.]

II. A Mirror Made of Wine

[She had heard rumors of the mirrors. Rika already questioned her reflection without them. She had met a number of people now who recoiled at the sight of her. They called her 'a witch,' and 'bernkastel,' labels that she thought were privately held in her head.

It scared her.

It scared Rika to hear about this 'Bernkastel' encountering others, since she tried so hard to keep that 'witch' at bay. She buried that dark part of her heart under laughter and smiles, cute phrases and childish pranks... She finds herself staring at the mirror for a moment too long one day, thinking about it a bit too hard.]

can

[She assures herself. That's what she wanted in the Trench, anyway: To be perceived as 'Furude Rika,' the human girl, to its residents. She's tried so hard to conceal the witch and yet-

Rika blinks. Her reflection's lips have curved into a cruel smirk. Then the smirking Rika walks away from the mirror. It takes a moment for Furude Rika to realize that she is no longer the one moving her own body. It's the red-eyed witch, Furuderika Bernkastel.]

(A)

[Furuderika Bernkastel is not the cat-tailed witch of gameboards past, future, and present, but is markably different from the girl she pretends to be. Her eyes glow red and she moves without the childishness expected of a girl her age. She isn't very shy about showing off the change either; When Rika sees people she knows, she is quick to call out to them. But it isn't the voice of a cute child (or the masquerade of said child,) but the low voice of a witch.]

(B)

[Feel free to request a custom encounter!]

III. Flowers of Hell

CW: Discussion of the HUMMING IN THE SKIN Prompt, Child Alcoholism

[Rika had made a monthly habit of reading up on local folklore, gossip, and strange sciences. She felt more in control of her situation when she had a warning. At least, that's what she told herself every month: That patterns would help her predict life's next move and she could control herself accordingly. But in practice, it was the patterns and information that controlled Rika. This month especially, reading about the itchy skin and violent outbursts had Rika on pins and needles. It sounded so much like the Hinamizawa Syndrome... and it wasn't even June! This place was mocking her, wasn't it? Giving her a fun festival atmosphere, then throwing people into a violence state..!

She internalized her fears. She watched everyone for signs, scared of every time they itched their skin. She didn't want to frighten them or make them paranoid with concern, so only watched. Powerless and scared, Rika's days dipped into a familiar darkness. She thought to ask her best friend for help. Before that thought became action, Rika was ensnared.

The imposter flowers creep around her ankle and up her leg while she's foraging. Because Rika is so small, it doesn't take long for her to feel their blood draining effects. By the time she recognizes what is happening, Rika is already too weak to pull them off her body. None of this is helped by how the bloodloss makes her feel strange. It's the same feeling as the bernkastel wine she used to drink: Calming, making her mind sluggish and anxieties feel so far away.

Rika crouches on the ground. Mumbling to herself in her newfound daze, Rika pulls petals off of the imposter flowers in a vain attempt to free herself. Her voice, usually childish and light, is darker and low;]

[She pulls off another petal, and another;]

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[ .. well.

Isn't this the shoe that Ange expected to drop here? After all, the way Rika reacted to some of the stuff Ange asked her about did make it pretty clear to Ange that the other wasn't just an ordinary girl.. though at the same time Ange did always think that Rika couldn't be the exact Bernkastel she knows either, for a variety of reasons.

It leaves her very unsure of what exactly Rika is. Or maybe who exactly.

And that fact by itself is enough to make Ange pause when she suddenly hears Rika speak up in that voice. She stops walking, instead turning to actually look at the other girl, squinting as she does so. ]

Who am I talking to?

[ Maybe it's a little bit too direct, but Ange can't help it. If there's anything she's still guarded as heck about at this point, it's any sign of witches like the kind she knows. ]

I've told you. I'm Furuderika.

[The response is tired. There's a salting of agitation as well, since she's tired of answering that question over and over. Repeating things is normal for her, but that doesn't mean that she enjoys it.

At least she's a bit more forthcoming than usual;]

The witch, Furuderika Bernkastel... Well. If I had a drink, maybe. I suppose I can only be "Furuderika" right now.

Edited 2022-05-18 04:34 (UTC)

You can tell me that, but you do seem to switch between acting like different people. [ .. granted, maybe it's not different people entirely. Rika still mostly looks the same, but there's something about the way she chooses to word things and her lower voice that sticks out to Ange for sure.

Especially when the other acknowledges the witch's name out loud so easily. Even if it's not Bernkastel in front of her right now, Rika is definitely not just an ordinary girl.

Even though that can mean a whole lot of things. ]

Would Furude Rika usually go around doing this kind of stuff? [ Sure, Rika did get serious the other time they spoke - but before that, and between that time and this time, the other did sound a whole lot different than she's doing right now. Back then, she sounded so much more like an actual regular young girl. ]

[Furuderika Bernkastel is like a bottle of wine. She's calmer, more loose lipped, and too tired to filter her melancholy heart. She casts Ange a glance, then looks towards the nearest window. Matured, red eyes are reflected back, set in the face of a child.

She sighs.]

I... no longer call what 'Furude Rika' would do. It's been so long since I was truly that child. Whoever I am now is a blend at best, but cannot truly go back to being pure and sweet.

[ Usually Ange would be more gentle about this. After all, despite the kind of attitude she portrays on the outside, she's a pretty kind person at heart. It's not for nothing that she's been running around trying to solve just about everyone's problems in this place, especially the people she's close to.

But it's harder here. Even though it's no fault of Rika's - even if Ange doesn't fully know that yet - there is just a level of base suspicion here that the red-haired girl can't quite shake off. It's hard to look at Rika and not think of that witch, despite their external differences.

Hence why there's no gentleness in her tone. There's no malice either, on the other hand, but it leaves her tone pretty blunt and emotionless as it lacks either quality. ]

Why? What happened to you that you can't go back?

[ That's the crux of it all, isn't it?

What makes Rika - the one standing in front of her right now - no longer just a normal kid? Why does she act this way, a little more reminiscent of that witch than of just any normal child Rika's age? ]

I need more information.

[ Maybe, deep down-- I want to understand. ]

That's why I'm asking.

[The human girl-- or rather, the shell of her,-- would not want to say. Furude Rika tries so hard to masquerade as a normal girl. She fights and struggles, dies and revives, all for the prize of being human again.

But the addition of 'Bernkastel' to her name comes with a dose of reality.]

I died.

Over. And over... [She sighs;] And over and over.

You cannot go back to being pure and sweet once you've tasted death.

[ It should be a big reveal. It's surprising, after all. Ange didn't expect the girl to say that, even when she's acting like this compared to the more cutesy way from before.

But on the other hand - it makes sense. Isn't it the involvement with Beatrice's game that was part of the cause that Ange became a witch as well? Didn't Bernkastel and Lambdadelta speak before about how Bernkastel was stuck in a game?

What does that make Furude Rika? The girl before Bernkastel..? ]

.. was it a witch that caused your fate? [ Ange shakes her head, quickly clarifying: ] Not Bernkastel.

[ Before Rika thinks she's starting about that again. ]

I was involved with a game like that back home. A game where people kept dying and dying, over and over, repeating the same time frame. And then there was the witch who caused it.

[She shakes her head;] No. Only humans.

And... myself, should I really be considered a witch.

[Furuderika Bernkastel's eyes, though dull in their liveliness, do find a way to darken with pity as she hears of Ange's problem. She knows how painful it is to watch people die over and over. You can't tell them. No one believes you... So you can't save them either.]

Is that how you become a witch, do you think? These death games?

I.. don't think it's the only way. [ Ange is mostly thinking of Maria as she says it. Maria, who had found a way to become one long before any part of Beatrice's game really started taking shape. But then again - Maria is also one of the strongest people Ange knows, so maybe it just takes a lot to be able to become a witch outside of all that death. ] But I think it's hard to come out on the other side of it without having become one.

[ It's surprisingly open, Ange just saying it like this. Even her tone, while still carefully controlled, sounds honest here.

She's still not entirely sure what to think of Rika, but if the other is being honest about everything here.. ]

If you haven't come out on the other side yet, then maybe she is waiting there, as your future. Or if you already have, it could have been that she split off from you during the process. Either way, that would mean you're not Bernkastel after all. [ Yet, in the first case. Not at all, in the second. ] .. I know it might not have seemed that way so far, but I would honestly prefer to not think of you as that witch.

[ Because Bernkastel actually being in this place would ruin so much of Ange's life here. ]

Edited 2022-05-27 19:01 (UTC)

A future as this 'Bernkastel' sounds deplorable.

[Furuderika's voice is small. Frightened, even. She opens her red eyes to meet Ange's, holding an expression of pain and sadness.]

I do not wish to create an unkind witch either. And yet, my wish to 'live' has become a desire to hurt others, hasn't it? This cycle of my selfishness will spin until it becomes a blade that harms others.

.. yeah.

[ Ange's answer is quiet, but earnest. After all.. the things the other girl is saying here also feel weirdly earnest. More so than anything she ever expected from someone who looks so much like that witch.

The least Ange can do in return is to return the sentiment then. ]

I think it's already too late to do something about it.

[ Bernkastel already exists, after all. She's a voyager witch, going beyond the limits of all the various worlds and fragments. Even if Rika were to change something about her life, Bernkastel would already have been created. ]

But.. I at least get it now. You want to have to do just as little with that witch as I do. [ Even if it might pale in comparison to the idea of being able to do something about as big of a threat to Ange's life and happiness as Bernkastel.. reaching that understanding of Rika is valuable in its own way, Ange thinks. ]

I'm sorry. For maybe having treated you unkindly because I was too used to that witch.

[There is something distinctly off about the both of them today. For one, this child's eyes are like tar, there is no schlera or iris, only the dark of the void. ~~Chara~~ The Fallen Child looks at the one they know as Rika Furude curiously. Something is clearly different about it too. The eyes, for one. And the demeanor is more similar to the one they were first introduced to.

Ah. Could this be the Witch it was speaking of earlier? How odd. Killing her would not even grant them additional EXP. What is the point of her?

The Fallen Child shows no emotional reaction to ~~Rika Furude beyond that glance, but they do find themselves speaking up. It is, after all, their job to narrate.]~~

It is odd, isn't it. They concern themselves with such pointless games, even knowing that their deaths are inevitable.

Humanity in any world is incapable of understanding the true extent of their hollow existence.

[In truth, they were staring at the festival because they were counting. This world is more difficult, but the numbers remain the same. Every game has them.]

Is it so odd and pointless to play a game?

[She may be a witch, but she counters in defense of humanity. Because if such things are pointless, then why does she bother keeping the 'Furuderika' in her name? Her red eyes turn away from The Fallen Child, though it is in understanding. This person is still her friend, Chara.]

But it is unfair. They tease us with happiness, but it is not our choice whether or not it stays. We can only accept what it is shown to us.

Well, I suppose it's not odd. It comes from an understandable place, after-all. It's only natural they would seek an escape from the lives that they live.

[They look at a couple walking along the docks, something measuring in their empty, hollow eyes. By their estimation, the EXP they would drop would probably increase if Chara killed them in front of one another.

They turn to look at Furuderika. Something is different about her, but she is not like them. There is nobody in the universe who is like them, and it took destroying it for them to realize that. There's not much that can save them from their bitter despair at this moment.]

This entire world is a desolate created in the dying moments of a little girl every single person here failed in some way.

Perhaps we are being punished for the failures of those that came before us. Wouldn't that make more sense? It's unfortunate. I deserve it, I'm sure, but you do deserve your peace.

Hooooh?

[Just as this Bernkastel was not the Witch of Miracles that had caused so much pain to everyone locked inside Rokkenjima's catbox, this Beatrice is not the Endless and Golden Witch, lord of her Fragment and all that was trapped inside. But she is still the master of Rokkenjima's night and the witch who masterfully crafted that catbox in the first place, callous and cruel and whimsical. Beatrice smirks at Bernkastel's question, miming a pipe in her other hand like all the times she'd met with Maria under the covenant of Mariage Sorciere.]

True, true. But that's what's so interesting about it, no? The festivities themselves are boring, yet what they foreshadow is the true attraction. I cannot wait to see how it unfolds.

... "Interesting."

[This 'witch' lowers her head again. She was not expecting for someone to respond to her observation this way. To Furuderika Bernkastel, patterns are not interesting. They're boring.

So she sighs. Whereas Bernkastel of Miracles might pry for amusement, Furuderika is eternally exhausted.]

I don't want anything more interesting than a festival. I'd rather die from having too much fun, if that's what must happen. And even then... It feels like we've been thrown from one game to another, without winning or losing the first.

[Now this witch speaks Beatrice's languages. A single elegant eyebrow raises as Bernkastel talks, and when she finishes Beatrice throws back her head in a carefree cackle.]

A fair point! I'm all too familiar with that feeling myself. Even if the chessboard is gathering dust in an abandoned corner somewhere, it always feels as though the game is just five minutes away from resuming if you're pulled away from it before it ends, no matter how prematurely or how much time has passed since then.

[... This woman is different. She seems warm somehow, yet not foreign to a witch's heart. Furuderika Bernkastel doesn't recognize others as witches, but she can feel that this person understands something that no one else can.]

... Yes, just like that. We're constantly tossed about here, with no room to 'win' or 'loss.' It feels like the games are mounting... I wonder, at what point will we go numb to the number of chessboards gathering dust?

If you're not already numb to it, then you've already gone quite insane, I assure you.

We're players a level above this board. Nothing can remove us from it other than the whims of the sea... and by those same whims, what may churn through the citizens like so much butter has no lasting effect on us.

The misery mounts beyond our ability to withstand it, yet here we stand immutable, unable to shed it or our mortal coil. True death would be a mercy.

And so some casualty cruelty and callousness is the only way to survive, is it not?

[Witches of a feather flock together, even if she does not recognize herself as one yet.]

[She's never felt understood on this level before. It's almost painful. When she exists in isolation, with her thoughts and words only heard by herself, Rika can deny them. She can pretend that the cat inside her box is alive: It's a sweet and innocent life. She just needs to convince everyone else.

But she's opened the box. She's seen it is a dead cat.

It sounds like this witch has seen it too.]

Even so... Even with that being true.

I... I don't want to be this person.

[Kokichi has been minding his own business during this whole mess - maybe that was for the best. Less pain, less frustration, just keep in line and--

Well, that certainly wasn't going to last forever. Least of all here.

He's headed off the beaten path, which has never served anyone else in the history of ever, and that's when he notices a familiar sight. A little girl with blue hair crouched down.]

Rika...chan? [He's walked over, and he hears that voice--such a contrast with her normal appearance has him arching a brow.] What's--what's going on?

[She's pulling at something near her feet. A flower? Mmm...]

[Tired eyes lift at the sound of Kokichi's voice. Rika had become quite fond of his company lately due to their shared love for games. But she's tired right now. She knows that the flowers are sapping her strength and that she's too small to fight it.]

... Waiting for June, I suppose.

[She weakly plucks at the flowers;] You should stay away. It is not safe over here, Kokichi.

That's a very inexact answer. [He points out, but they both know that. Waiting for June...they were all doing that, in a way.] And if it's not safe, then there's no way in Hell I'm leaving you here alone.

[So he walks over - carefully, minding his steps - Rika sounded so tired. He has Pixieduster on his back just in case any beasts come out to attack, but right now it mostly seems like...]

Flowers?

[They're wrapped around her...digging into her? Mmm...]

Kokichi-

[She makes a weak move to stop him, throwing her hands out in front of her. But everything feels so heavy and it feels like the world is tilted to one side. Her tiny body is affected all too quickly by the blood sucking flowers.

At the very least, she can attempt to warn him in a wavering voice.]

I read that they would bite you. I- got distracted.

[Rika had been so busy worrying about being displaying Hinamizawa Syndrome symptoms that she wasn't watching her feet.]

[Kokichi stops for a moment. He glances down - he's been watching his footing - but then back up.]

Well, I'm not just going to leave you here to die! I can't do that!

Did that book say anything else? Anything about getting you free?

[Either they both get out of here safe or neither will.]

If not, we'll have to brainstorm.

[Her mind is clouded. Rika isn't sure how to ask for help, because her thoughts are muddled in the drunken fog. But seeing him walk across the field towards her does light a concern in her heart. She keeps her hands out, but she isn't sure what to do.]

Cold. They don't like to be cold. But I'm already so...

[Still! Someone wants to help... There's hope! Rika puts her hands on the ground and tries to stand up. Her leg is rooted to the ground by now and she's stuck, barely standing, but she's trying.]

If they get you too then we're both going to be stuck, Kokichi.

That's why they're not gonna get me. We're not gonna be stuck. Don't worry. I've got this.

It's like how they say on TV shows: always be prepared. And I've got some cold ammo for my Pixieduster. I'll have to be careful with my aim, buuuut...

[As long as she believes in that being a possibility, it'll work. He doesn't actually have the ammo yet, so as usual he's depending on his blood power.]

That's what my training's been for.

Pixieduster..?

[Rika stands on trembling legs. She does believe it. She's so desperate to believe in good things that she will defy logic for it. Rika doesn't know what 'Pixieduster' is or how it works, but that's not the issue. Kokichi is offering hope and she takes it.

She tries to walk towards him, but she's rooted in place. Even so, she now has reason to tug at the plants with whatever strength remains in her.]

Can you really do it?

Mhm. It's a crossbow. Got it made for me during my lessons at the Clockhouse. [Kokichi takes it off his back, and pats at his side. Cold water-based ammo. Shouldn't hurt.]

As long as you believe in me, anything is possible!

[With that, he loads it up.]

Ready, aim... [He aims at the flowers, and fires it off.] Splashy splashy!

[She had really been ready to stay here until the plants killed her. Pathetic, right? Rika thinks so. She's so helpless, even against flowers.

But Kokichi fires the cold water at the plants and Rika remembers that she has to fight. She yanks her body free, running over to Kokichi and grabbing him in a hug like he's a lifeline. And while she feels ridiculous for it, she's also safe. With a friend's help, this hopeless situation could be solved by even a splash of water.

Rika loosens her grip, realizing what she'd done.]

Th, thank you. Kokichi... Thank you..!

[Kokichi hardly thinks it's pathetic. It seemed a hopeless situation until he'd lucked out and found her.

And, luckily, with that splash of water, Rika manages to yank her body free. Immediately, he heaves a sigh of relief. Rika's okay. She's alive and she's okay and she's bolting over to him and--

Oh.

She's hugging him. His mind flashes back--when is the last time that's happened? Before the killing game, at least. Back when he was still taking care of kids. Sometimes they had particularly bad scares, DICE was their only escape, and Leader Pierrot was their only lifeline...and he'd always been their comfort.

He gently hugged Rika, smiling softly.]

Hey, of course. Whenever you need help, Rika-chan. I'm here for you. Just like I know you'd help me.

[He can't cry, but it does hit him in an emotional spot that hadn't been vulnerable for a long time.]

M, mii...

[And for Rika, this brings her back too. She feels so foolish for having sat there and plucked petals. She wasn't even calling for help. If Kokichi hadn't lucked upon her, would she have died from that?

She blinks in surprise as he hugs her. When did she start crying..? Rika isn't sure, but she lowers her head and accepts the hug.]

I would. I'd try. I need to try, I... [Her words as much to Kokichi as they are to the Rika of five minutes ago. The Rika who had given up from exhaustion.] I don't wanna die in this place.

[The thought that Rika hadn't been calling for help hadn't even occurred to him, but it's definitely something that will concern him when he's thinking back on it. Hopefully, nothing...that's a joke. There's always danger in this place, and he can't lie to himself. Finally, he notes she's crying, and that's what makes him cry a little, too.]

As long as you stay resolute, you won't. We won't. I can't afford to die, either. Not now. [Not anymore. He can't just idly say something like 'Nobody will be sad if it happens.' Kokichi Oma has to live. For his own sake, and for the sake of others here.

He only slowly pulls away to look her over for injuries - is she still hurt or bleeding? IF she is, he's gotta make sure she gets bandaged up.]

Just...never get near those freaky plants again. For both of our sakes.

[Rika also remembers now that she needs to look after herself. She looks down to where the planets had been digging into her legs and winces at the sight. Just as quickly, she looks up to Kokichi and nods. Her legs may be bleeding, but at least the plants are out.]

Yes, I will... I did not think they would be so close to town.

[She's dizzy. Rika closes her eyes and finds her legs are still wobbly and weak.]

My head is pounding bang bang.

[Guh...yeah, she is scraped up bad. It's some obvious blood on his white clothes, too, but he doesn't mind.]

Yeah, neither did I. [He's gonna get a weed whacker and chop these dumb things up. Not really, but he'd like to.]

Mmm. Well. How about I take you to my place and we fix that, mm? I can help bandage your legs and clean the wounds. I've got a first-aid kit, so it's fine. [Thanks for keeping them decently stocked on that front before ya squidded, Alvin.] And if you're tired, plenty of guest rooms.

[He's preparing to gently lift her into his arms.]

Sound good?

Eh? Is that okay-

[She's surprised by the offer to pick her up. Rika debates brushing him off and insisting that she's fine, but she knows otherwise. Her head is spinning from the bloodloss and her legs feel ready to snap.]

I'll get blood on you, Kokichi.

It's not like I don't have any other clothes, you know.

[He gently hoists Rika up into his arms, holding her close and starting to walk.]

Besides. You're more important. I'm completely confident in that.

But it stains-- Mii!

[Rika isn't upset to be picked up, but it is a surprising feeling. While she's getting used to talking to Satoko more, Rika hasn't reached out to other people. She's not used to being given help freely either.]

Kokichi... It is true that I am worth more than a shirt, but that does not negate the impact of a bloodstain. [...] I'll clean it later..?

[In exchange for the help. Rika wants to help as much as she's helped.]

...Hey, if you know how, sure. I'll let you clean it later.

[This is putting aside the fact that he's planning on dressing her wounds, letting her rest, and getting them both food. All of that will help them both recover from this.]

You might even do better at that than me. I had to have my Ultimate Maid classmate help me take care of that kinda thing back home...nee-hee-hee.

"Ultimate..."

[Her tired voice perks with curiosity,] You say that a lot. Were you a prodigy, Kokichi?

[Like Keiichi, maybe? He sure does remind her of Keiichi when he carries her like this.]

Kind of. [Kokichi says, as he walks.] I went to a school called the Gifted Inmates Academy that was supposed to be a conglomeration of prodigies, from the mundane to the irregular. There was the Ultimate Pianist, the Ultimate Maid, the Ultimate Artist...but also the Ultimate Neo-Akido Master, the Ultimate Robot...and me.

None of us chose our titles. We just kinda got 'em handed to us based on what we were best at. Mine was 'Ultimate Supreme Leader'. [He says it like it's a joke, which to him, it is.] It sounds like some kind of cartoon villain, right? ...But that's what I got for running my little club at home. Neeheehee.

...It made the Ultimate Detective preeeeeeetty suspicious of me. But he was cute and nice. So I didn't mind.

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☆ of miracles & witches

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another ii-a,,,

bingo!

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