deercountry | ☆ of miracles & witches

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☆ 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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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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