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Furude Rika (古手 梨花) ([personal profile] miiraculous) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2022-01-07 09:48 pm

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
    [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 [plurk.com profile] taiyakinonaku! I'll also transfer TDM threads over here if you'd like~!]
onerthes: (08)

A

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-08 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
You, my dear, aren't going to be living anywhere except the Luminarium for the next week if you stay out here like this...

[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.
onerthes: (09)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-09 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
Not a worry. We're going to get you something to bundle up in. And I'll show you around the Willful Machine. It's where most do their shopping.

[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?]
onerthes: (02)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-18 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmm? Oh, my dear, don't worry about money.

[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.
onerthes: (Default)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-19 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
A few people arrived with coinage from home, and some try to trade things like seashells but no, there aren't any really. As for offerings... there are ways, but we can save that conversation for later? If you wish to know, you could ask over in Cassandra. That's where the shrines are.

[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.
onerthes: (Default)

[personal profile] onerthes 2022-01-28 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
[And, as Vira-Lorr placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and then one on the lantern, she was about to experience it first hand. There was a momentary 'pop' sensation and a whoosh. And then, in a breath of time, they were suddenly surrounded by a market district and she was smiling down at her.]

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.
entreats: (felt it in my fist; in my feet)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-01-10 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Furude Rika.

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. ]
entreats: (but don't reach for me)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-01-18 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
1983..?

[ 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. ]
entreats: (i heard an unhappy ending)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-01-19 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Wine.

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. ]
entreats: (as if hurrying the sound of rain)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-01-23 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I see.

[ 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?
entreats: (and all my bones began to shake)

[personal profile] entreats 2022-01-25 10:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ What a question to ask Ange, of all people. If there's anyone who could give ten thousand different answers to that question, it's her.

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. ]
onekindsoul: (pic#15218821)

(C)

[personal profile] onekindsoul 2022-01-09 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
[Ruby eyed the burned path. It not only reminded her of Madam Generosity's but of her she had been making with her cold blood powers. She had heard about the new snake in town and was personally taking the chance to hunt it down. Look it was a giant monster and Ruby lived to fight them.

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.
emptyeyed: (30)

a!

[personal profile] emptyeyed 2022-01-09 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ When Mikey notices the child walking down the streets of Trench, shivering in the cold, he can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. The thought that even children are being taken here, to a place so dangerous... it's unsettling, isn't it? There's nothing he can do about it, of course, and it's not like he's distressed about it... after all, he's sure that, like with him, she was brought here for some kind of purpose, even if it's one he can't comprehend. Maybe she was miserable back at home, or maybe there's some other reason she needed to be here... it's impossible to say.

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?
emptyeyed: (1)

[personal profile] emptyeyed 2022-01-18 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Mikey feels his heart soften at that. How couldn't it? ]

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.
zib: (pak hoodie)

B

[personal profile] zib 2022-01-09 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[There's also another child here who has been kind of watching other people ice skate here, but has yet to try to take part himself.

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.
zib: (this isn't so bad)

[personal profile] zib 2022-01-18 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, fair enough! I still find it hard to believe that anyone else actually does that here either.

[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?
zib: (a single crumb of self-confidence)

[personal profile] zib 2022-01-19 01:14 am (UTC)(link)
[It was back before his sister discovered video games as her passion, and when she was still willing to tolerate Dib long enough to take part in family activities like ice skating or even just playing in the backyard like they used to do. Now, however...

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?
zib: (this isn't so bad)

[personal profile] zib 2022-01-30 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[... Well, this might make learning ice skating by comparison definitely a significant curve in difficulty without that experience with roller skates at least. But, Zib is nothing if not at least sympathetic to that here.]

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.
killed: (pic♯15756240)

B

[personal profile] killed 2022-01-18 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hiyori doesn't particularly like children. That isn't to say that he dislikes them, or even that he's bad with them, but rather that he tends to prefer the company of adults who he's able to better converse with. Despite that, he's ever willing to humor them, and so there's a gentle smile in response to Rika's question. ]

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.
Edited 2022-01-18 06:42 (UTC)
killed: (pic♯15286413)

[personal profile] killed 2022-01-18 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
Oh my! Yes, I should think that I wouldn't want to disturb such important spirits...

[ 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.
killed: (pic♯15756395)

[personal profile] killed 2022-01-18 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ He wants nothing but to leave a good impression on others, truly. In an enclosed space such as this, goodwill is a better currency than any other. There's another little laugh, the kind laugh of an adult aware that they're being roped into a child's games. ]

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. ]
killed: (pic♯15286413)

[personal profile] killed 2022-01-25 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hiyori gives a little laugh in return, shifting his set under one arm just long enough to bring his hands together in front of him a couple times in front of him in a little clap. ]

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.

b.

[personal profile] albaedo 2022-01-18 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
... This world appears to operate under a different set of standards.

[ 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. ]

[personal profile] albaedo 2022-02-04 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Rather than trust, let's call it an... unnecessary risk.

[ 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. ]