Furude Rika (古手 梨花) (
miiraculous) wrote in
deercountry2022-01-07 09:48 pm
Entry tags:
1st fragment
Who: Rika & OTA
What: Arrival + Unsnakely Prompt
When: Throughout January
Where: Trench, Edge of the Wilderness, Ocean Skating... Many places!
Content Warnings: N/A for now. Will update as needed.
(a) A Wandering Child
(b) Recycled Skating Prompt
(c) Edge of the Wilderness | Unsnakely Mention
(d) Wildcard
What: Arrival + Unsnakely Prompt
When: Throughout January
Where: Trench, Edge of the Wilderness, Ocean Skating... Many places!
Content Warnings: N/A for now. Will update as needed.
(a) A Wandering Child
- [There's a child wandering through the citylike streets of the Trench. She's wearing her summer school uniform, with short sleeves and a skirt that ends above her knees. The snow covers her red maryjane shoes and soaks through her white socks, but she hasn't stopped walking yet. Her curious eyes are wide and soaking in every detail in quiet observation. It has been lifetimes since she last explored some place new. She has never been near a city like this before.
Rika knows that she should be scared. She ought to pitch a fit over being away from Hinamizawa and she ought to be frightened for what that means for her beloved village... But her heart betrays her. She feels a forbidden wish burning in her chest; She's always wanted to see the world outside of Hinamizawa and here she is... Finally..!
... No. That's such an awful thought. She cannot have it. Rika lowers her head in shame.]
Is this really where I'm to live now..? There is no way home- [And she sneezes.
Then hugs herself.
Right... It's cold. She isn't really dressed for winter, is she?]
(b) Recycled Skating Prompt
- [Rika has not touched snow in... a long time.
She had browsed the ice sculptures with a thoughtful look on her face, hoping that her expression might be mistaken as awe. In reality, her squid brain is working overtime in an attempt to recall what is going on. This is not Hinamizawa. If it was, then it is not June and not 1983. It defies her logic. Did she break the cycle, then? But if she did, then why is she here? Should she not have instead escaped to July, then to August, then September... All in Hinamizawa?
As these thoughts become more dark and muddled, Rika turns her head away from the sculptures. As she does, she sees people skating on the water. The troubled darkness in her young face melts away to childish awe.]
Mii? We can go skating here..? [There's a warmth in her now. Like the missing June, but also a contrast and rebellion against it. She wants to go skating! She hasn't done that in so long! And yet... Is it okay to be playing right now?
She wanders to the skate rentals anyway, bobbing around curiously.]
Even if I wanted to... I don't have any money, do I?
(c) Edge of the Wilderness | Unsnakely Mention
- [As a country girl, Rika longs for some time among the trees and nature. However, every person she has met those far has also warned her against the wilderness. For good reason. Apparently there are monsters out there.
But she's a curious thing. She at least wanted to establish where the boundary was and make sure to avoid it in the future. It was tempting, sure, but Rika values her life and safety. She knows that she is a weak little girl, who cannot battle a monster.
Yet something catches her eye. There is a path marked in the snow; a melted path, as if something warm has slithered through. Rika's curiosity gets the better of her and she takes a few steps forward, examining the way that the greenery is exposed and the snow melted away.]
Mii..? That nice snake..? [She lifts her gaze, confused.] Why would she go that way..?
[Against her better judgment, Rika takes another step down the melted path.]
(d) Wildcard
- [Want a custom prompt? Let me know at

TDM w/ Rena
[Skating with Rena... If you'd told Rika that she would get to do this, she'd be reluctant to believe you. It's such a wonderful dream and she'd be so disappointed if it didn't come true.
But today, she actually does stand shakily on her skates. And when she stumbles towards Rena, instinctively reaching for support, she doesn't complain about her lack of balance; She laughs about it.]
Nihaha! I can barely stand up! It's harder than I remember!
[But she loves it. It's new and she's awful at it... Somehow, that's fun.]
A
[The voice came from a woman who was far more bundled up than her. She smiled at the young newcomer and made an effort to pat the child on the head, winking at her.]
What do you say we get you something warmer than this to wear? You'll be staying here a little while, so we should probably see to decent clothes. Spring's not for a few months.
no subject
Excuse me... I didn't expect to suddenly be in the middle of winter. I don't know where to purchase proper clothes.
no subject
[But the first thing she did was motion to where there were some strange looking little fellows moaning around a lantern, because that was the completely normal thing to do. Talk to strange moaning people so you could be teleported somewhere else.]
These little fellows will take us there. It's warmer in the shop, and I'm sure they'd be happy to help. Can't have you catching your death in your first weeks, mmm?
[Well, at least she was friendly, right?]
no subject
She walks forward slowly, nodding at a similar dazed pace. Can't be catching her death, huh? Deep within her, something chuckles darkly at that phrasing.]
I cannot. But I do not have any money to buy new clothing from a shop.
no subject
[She brought her in there and placed a hand on the lantern, gesturing for the girl to do the same. She rested her other hand on the girl's shoulder and began to focus on the willful machine.]
Money in this place doesn't exist as you understand it. They exchange favor and work, but ... they also understand that we are freshly arrived. They will help you, knowing you will be of help yourself soon. And I'll vouch for you. This place works together because it has to to survive. Now focus, and the lantern can teleport us there.
no subject
[How can you pelt loose change at Hanyuu???
No, Rika isn't seriously wondering that. Her question is framed in a way so as to figure out who the gods are here. She isn't sure if she can see others beside Hanyuu, but it might be worth trying to talk to them. Maybe they can help her sort out this mix-up.
Curiously, she steps closer and looks down at the wiggly lamp friends.]
I can try. But how will we teleport? That sounds like magic.
no subject
[The way she said it, it was jut off-handed enough that it was clear how rarely she went to Cassandra. Approximately 'when I'm out of incense for my house.']
It is magic. These fellows will send us to the market district. I'll direct it with my thoughts.
no subject
[Rika will be needing to check that out later, then. She can't imagine a world without religion and a deity watching over them. Surely there is somewhere there that can help her...
For the moment, she only nods.]
Very well. I will rely on you, if that is okay. A lot of this is still strange to me. [She won't believe the teleportation until she experiences it, honestly.]
no subject
So, I think shoes and a coat first, what do you think? We'll want to do gloves too, but those are in Prufrock. Best glove maker in town.
TDM w/ Ange
[The name does not spark any recognition in Rika. It sounds foreign and Rika has yet to meet any foreigners herself, so the most it earns is a curious head tilt. With that more childlike and cutesy gesture, some of Furude Rika begins to cover the 'witch.' It's like sand crossing to the other side of the hourglass; Rika feels herself filling the emptiness where Frederica Bernkastel had taken up residence. With the next blink, her glowing red eyes are gone and a cooler shade has taken over.]
... Furude Rika. I am Rika of the Furude family.
[She, too, is wondering if Ange will know her name. Then she'll know if this young woman is familiar with Hinamizawa.]
no subject
Frederica Bernkastel. Furudo Erika. It still feels like a cruel prank, especially since Ange can't forgot about the eyes she saw only a moment ago - even as the girl in front of her is starting to look decidedly more like a regular young girl, the longer Ange stares at her.
It almost feels like she was hallucinating. But she's so sure she saw it. She's so sure there is something up with this girl, some sort of connection with Bernkastel, except she has absolutely no idea how to make heads or tails of it with the little information she has. ]
I've never heard of the Furude family.
[ At least Ange offers up that information. It feels fairly harmless to share, especially when it might get more clues in return.
But she is definitely playing all other cards close to her chest until she can be sure who this girl here is. ]
Have you heard of the Ushiromiya family, then? [ Is she a pawn of Bernkastel's from another game? Maybe? Although Ange can't imagine Bernkastel making a piece that's so weirdly cute-seeming now the other is coming down from whatever took her over a moment ago. Rika is nothing like that trash rat Erika. ]
no subject
Rika's hands slowly rise to fold in front of her chest.]
I have not. We do not get many visitors in Hinamizawa, nor do we get much news of the outside world. [... Hm. She wonders what Ange will do if Rika says this;]
1983 has not been very eventful.
no subject
[ It does feel like Rika is saying that purposefully. That much Ange can figure out, since it'd be really weird to say the year otherwise. But that still doesn't make it make much sense to her. Is she supposed to know about this? Did something happen in 1983?
She can't think of it, but on the other hand.. she was only three years old back then. And it was three years before the incident on Rokkenjima too..
... ]
Clearly you know something that I don't.
[ That's the conclusion Ange seems to reach after a few moments of thinking. Nothing else really makes sense. ]
And I know something you don't. [ Apparently. Unless this is still a Bernkastel act, but that's feeling less and less believable to Ange with each passing moment - which means that what Ange is saying now must be the truth instead. ]
no subject
That would seem to be the case, indeed.
I do not know you. This is my first time meeting you.
Did you expect something different from me?
[Perhaps Ange is from some far-off fragment? Has she met a version of Furude Rika who was untainted, who took a vastly different path and reached a different fate?
... Or does she know another muddled mess of consciousness, whom Furuderika has yet to become?]
... Bernkastle is the wine my father drank.
no subject
Weird.
But rather than letting her mind linger on that, Ange continues thinking. It seems like they're getting somewhere now. And despite feeling a sense of unease around the other due to the resemblance to Bernkastel, it does seem like Rika, whoever specifically she is, is willing to work with Ange like this on some level.
Now it's all just about finding some common knowledge. A starting point. Ange thinks about all the things she has both heard and read Bernkastel talk about, and.. ]
Do you know about the sea of fragments?
[ That feels like a good thing to ask about first. To see on what level Rika is operating in the first place. ]
no subject
No, that's impossible.
Because the path that Rika is on is a lonely one. No one else could ever understand how it feels to loop between worlds. No one else can understand what it's like to fold fragments of hope and be unable to piece them together...
Because no one else is supposed to know about the sea of fragments.
Rika tenses. Scared of opening up and realizing this conversation might take such a turn, she begins retreating back into her shell.]
... I've heard of such a place, yes.
no subject
[ Ange is still careful, trying her best to not let her own reaction give away too much yet. But she is definitely making sure to remember everything she can about Rika's reaction in turn. That surprise - and the way it seems so genuine. She's not used to people knowing about it, that much is clear.
That makes her connection to Bernkastel even stranger, but that aside..
There is one thing she can think of now, combined with what Rika is saying earlier. It's just a guess, but.. even if she's wrong, there's a shot at learning more regardless. ]
Then.. is a witch messing with you in the Hinamizawa of 1983? [ 'Not been eventful', Rika said. It feels important. ] Are you exploring different fragments of that place and time?
no subject
The younger girl falls silent again. She's thinking hard... Unsure how to proceed. Should she keep her cards close or show her full deck? It seems that Ange knows some of these cards. It's like the Games Club deck in that sense.]
... I am unsure if I would call her a 'witch.' But someone is helping me to explore the different fragments, yes.
[Speaking it hurts. Rika can feel something in the back of her throat. She's held back for years. Decades... For so long, Rika has withheld the urge to tell someone about the cycles. She didn't want to be called 'wrong' or 'crazy.' That fear remains, even in the face of someone who seems to be going through the same.]
What is a 'witch' to you?
no subject
And even then she isn't sure which one would work best in this weird, weird conversation. ]
Someone who can view multiple fragments, or has the ability to drag others into viewing them.
[ That feels the most relevant definition here, even if it's not close to the one Ange would usually use. It's true in her world anyway, isn't it? Everyone in her world who ended up on that level was a witch or a sorcerer in some way. ]
Various witches showed me different fragments of the Rokkenjima of 1986.
[ She doesn't expect Rika to recognize that, especially if Rika is talking about a time three years before that.
.. but.. who knows. And it's information that Ange doesn't mind throwing out there as much, especially with such a low risk of any actual recognition. ]
TDM w/ Midoriya
She holds onto that fact like a lifeline. They're both in agreement, too. This is not a typical illusion. This kind of location could not exist in both of their minds without a third source to put it there.
So it isn't the Hinamizawa Syndrome. Rika knew she could not actually exhibit symptoms, but she's relieved none the less. Her trembling begins to lessen as she turns to look at Midoriya. Her voice is still low, aged by exhaustion and depression, but no longer as manic.
"How can we hope to get out? I've yet to find so much as a window."
(C)
She sees Rika on the path and tilts her head curiously.]
Uh- You might have your snakes mixed up. This one apparently isn't all that nice.
no subject
[Rika pipes up in a tone that is almost absurdly innocent. Her steps have stopped at least, with the snow high enough to reach her mid-knee.]
How would we know this one is unkind? Has someone already said hello?
a!
But even so, after a moment of watching, he finds himself approaching - be it out of sympathy, curiosity, or both. ]
Hey! What're you doing out in the cold dressed like that? Want me to take you somewhere warmer?
no subject
She nearly loses her voice. It's been so long since she met someone new with this feeling in her chest: Could this be a new friend?
Is it okay for her to hope for new friends?
Does this particular wish not betray her friends back home?]
... M-mii. I have no money.
no subject
That's okay! ...We don't have to go anywhere if you don't want to. Here-
[ And he takes off his coat and holds it towards the small girl, offering for her to take it. Immediately, he feels the cold chill of the winter weather hitting his skin - but Mikey's used to the cold, so he knows he can take it. This girl, on the other hand... he'd rather she had it. It'll probably be pretty oversized on her if she does wear it, though. ]
Put this on. It'll be warmer that way.
no subject
She reaches for the coat out of instinct, but stops herself.]
You will become cold in my stead, sir. I cannot allow for that.
[Even if she knows that she really needs the coat. Her knees are shaking and she's visibly shivering.] Mii... I apologize. Can you direct me to somewhere warmer?
B
When he notices Rika and overhears her lamenting about a lack of money, he speaks up.]
I don't think that's going to be a problem. The people here are usually pretty nice if you pay them back later, or trade them something like meat and furs or whatever else they might want. And since you're just borrowing skates, they'll probably let you take them if you just ask.
no subject
[She says something so stupid, but Rika knows what he means. This style of commerce is so bewildering to her. Are humans not predisposed to build civilizations based on greed? Rika may be young, but she is aware of how unusual Hinamizawa is in its help your neighbor mentality.]
Do you know how to skate, sir? I would need to buy knowledge as well and I worry that I cannot afford that on top of skates.
no subject
[At the question, Dib tips his head in consideration.]
Kind of? I've only done ice skating once or twice before in the past with my sister, but I still sort of remember the basics of it. I could try to share them with you if you want?
no subject
In any case; It seems worth it to take him up on the offer.]
Mi~i! Is that really okay? I would be very happy to learn!
no subject
Well, family drama aside, the point is that he did at least get to do it once in his life, so there shouldn't be any harm in teaching it to someone else here, right?]
Great! Let's get some skates from the rental guys, and then I'll show you how to get onto the ice.
[Thankfully, acquiring the skates shouldn't be much trouble, and as he's showing her the skate here--]
In theory, it's kind of the same as roller-skating. Except instead of wheels, you have these blades on the bottom to balance on and propel you across the ice. [Wait] Have you ever worn roller skates before, by any chance?
no subject
I have ridden a bicycle before?
[But roller skates... She isn't sure she's even seen those in Hinamizawa.] The roads in my village are not paved, so rolly skates get icky and snuck in the mud.
no subject
I can't really say that it's the same as riding a bicycle since there's no handle bars to hold onto as you skate with your feet, but you shouldn't have to worry about falling here. I can catch you if it looks like you're stumbling at all.
[In fact, once their skates are on and they are about to step onto the ice, he will offer out a hand.]
Here, you can hold on to me until you think you can stand on your own out here, if you want.
B
You needn't worry about that. People are happy to aide one another here. Isn't that wonderful?
[ It's so unlike the world of traditional currency. It's far more inconvenient, he thinks, knowing that one need barter favors and information int he absence of anything better. Still, one makes do with what they have. ]
Have you ever gone ice skating? It can take a little getting used to, but it's quite fun.
no subject
Nihe~ I have not skated in a while! It's not the same to skate on a swamp full of demons~ [She lifts her hands and wiggles her fingers in a joking-menacing kind of way, then lowers them.
There were places where you could skate outside of Hinamizawa, but obviously no one would use the most important body of water.]
This place is very kind, isn't it? It is like the currency is smiles here! Do you think we have enough smiles to rent skates together?
no subject
[ His tone is light, but Midori does seem to be serious enough. He places his hands on his thighs, leaning forward a bit to bring himself closer to her level. Whether they be demons or gods, Hiyori finds that one must not disturb places where spirits resides.
At her question, his own smile brightens a bit before he offers an enthusiastic nod. ]
Yes, I should say so! With a brilliant smile like yours, I would think that anyone would accept it as fair payment.
no subject
Mii~ If my smile is so brilliant, then I shall trade it for two sets of skates! Let's go!
[He's coming with her, after all! Rika likes the compliments. They can come along too, actually.]
no subject
Hmm? I suppose you shall! I'll be sure to offer my best smile as well~
[ He'll walk over with her to a little booth where they're handing out skates, his expression as bright and charming as ever. ]
Excuse me! Might we get two sets of skates?
[ The individual manning the booth looks a little bored, no doubt from manning the booth all day, though they regard Midori with a polite smile in return. ]
no subject
Once the skates are acquired, Rika takes her own pair and holds them close.]
We did it! Our smiles are worth two skates! You did a very good job~.
[Praising him like he's the child is meant as a joke.]
no subject
Mhm! We make a great team~ ♪ Let's see... Why don't we give it a try now?
[ He'll walk a little closer to where they'll be skating, trying on the pair he'd been given. ]
Make sure they fit properly. You want them to be a little snug.
no subject
[Rika sings childishly as she pulls the skates onto her feet. It's amazing... She wonders if Hanyuu would agree. The feeling of warm skates on cold feet isn't something you experience in an eternal summer. Rika loves the way that her cold fingers are clumsy with the laces. She's taking delight in every sensation, even the feeling of stumbling when she stands.]
I did it, I did iiit~! Do you need help? It's harder than it looks~! [Her smile couldn't get any wider, even as she wobbles on clumsy feet.]
b.
[ there isn't much on his person that he is willing to part with, however momentary the exchange. but from the pocket reality that shelters his inventory comes his lamp friend, plopping into his open palms. albedo hands it over to the owner of the stall, even as the little skeletal hands attempt to latch onto him. there, he's handed a pair of skates, fit for rika, and not someone as grown as he is. ]
Even if you are financially incapable of acquiring what you perceive value in, it'll suffice to mutually lend one another what you hope will be returned once it is opportune to do so.
[ surely, this little girl won't run off with the borrowed pair of footwear, equating to albedo losing one (1) lamp friend, right. well, the alchemist is confident that he'll figure it out if it ever does come to that. after all, no one is as troublesome and outlandish as a certain little sister of his. ]
no subject
But she instead sees the skates are too small for Albedo. Rika briefly looks around for another child he may be giving them to, then curiously meets his eyes.]
... You do not know me. How can you trust me with such things?
[It is not an accusatory statement. Rika is not accusing him of stranger danger, which perhaps a normal child should. She's merely shocked by his trust. How does he see the world if he can have this kind of trust?]
no subject
[ yes, unnecessary. different circumstances may entail albedo passing by without much of a cursory glance, his single-minded focus leading him to where his momentary goal can be fully achieved. but there's a quieter spot from afar, apt for sketching out the general structure of his surroundings to aid in memorization — or a harmless attempt in immortalizing a mundane human memory.
but something about this child felt strange. nothing in relation to what he sensed from the traveler, but perhaps something with a more profound depth that seems to transcend journeying from world to another. well. sometimes, albedo can also be wrong. whatever this interaction may come to be, he'll accept it for what it is. for the time being — ]
What is the worst that you are capable of? [ a beat, then: ] Material possessions can be easily replaced. When push comes to shove, I'll figure out a solution. You needn't worry.
[ besides, in a place like this, kids are the most vulnerable, aren't they? and in times of fleeting happiness, they ought to just enjoy themselves rather than wrack their brains over these smaller matters. after all, he can always sketch a near-identical pair anyway. and so, the offer still stands. ]