Summer, July 6th - Ten Minute Retirement

[zenoh]

Action - Locked to her old CR

[ It felt like another one of her bad dreams. Opening her eyes to see an eerie familiar sight of the Bay, with herself sealed tight within the pod. The scent of the cavernous dome she steps out into brought the memories of her previous stay like flashes in her eyes. Waddling through the water to get to the exit, Ayame shields her eyes from the sunlight bearing down from above. The summer heat instantly bombards her with humidity the instant the hologram plays. Seeing the familiar figure greeting her as another newcomer got a sigh out of Ayame. Her first thought was to check the phone she was issued with, and check the Memoria Park and see who has come home and which of her friends remain. Her fingers traced on the names she recognized, particularly Yuyuko Saigyouji. It stung to think she is no longer around, but she choose to hide her mourning for Yuyuko to reunite with people she knew.

Using her powers to teleport to their places of work or frequent haunt in all the five cities, one by one. Ayame appears clad in an elegant white sundress with a pair of smooth framed sunglasses on her head. She always dressed to impress; and this time around is no different. Appearing like a ghost, Ayame can be seen leaning casually on a random wall or pillar, the sight of her old friends in person brought a genuine smile on her face. ]

Well you seem to be doing great.

[ She broadens her smile once their eyes meet her's. Her shoulders shrug lightly as a small chuckle slips her grin, adding in an ironic joke ]

Surprise.

--

Video - Public - Forward dated to July 7th

[ In the morning of the next day after she reunited with her comrades, Ayame feels recharged of her energy enough to have some left for socializing. She can be found in a quaint cafe punnily called D Cups, with a small glass bottle of cold brew coffee with a twirly straw. With a small wave at the camera and a composed expression, she was eager to meet new faces. Maybe this would help her decide what to do now that she's back. ]

Hello, Genessia. My name is Ayame, and around six months ago when I was sent back home. Now it decided to bring me back for reasons unknown, I'm just here to say welcome to anybody who recently found themselves spirited away in this world, and hello to anybody I didn't have a chance to meet in my previous stay. I may have just came back, but I consider myself a local by now. So I'm hoping to meet any of you. I still have enough bills to pay for a coffee if you want a cup.

Comments

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Awww!

[ Konoka frowned. She'd been here for two straight years so she'd never lost anything, but she imagined that all of her hard work disappearing would have been a rather painful demotivator. ]

Well, is there a shop you could work for that would grant you the freedom to make stuff as you wish?

[ Now Konoka feels like giving her big sister a comforting pat. She looked like she could use it. ]

[zenoh]

There's Revocs but the owner and I have our differences.

[ Satsuki had warned her about Ragyo, and while Ayame and the elder Kiryuin are in peaceful terms, Ayame wouldn't entrust herself to someone like Ragyo. Konoka's gesture allowed Ayame to smile again, giving her little sister a grateful look ]

Now I'm not really sure what I want to do this with this second chance I'm given.

[ She shrugs. Ayame is open to the idea of starting again, depending on how the future goes, but right now she's feeling depressed and lost to really know for certain and have clear goals in mind. ]

[im_gonna_heal_u]

I've heard of them, but...

[ Konoka never dug too deeply into those affairs, and she trusted that Ayame's differences were nowhere close to 'petty'. ]

It can't hurt to wander for a bit, see what needs to be done, right? You were pretty good at that before. [ Albeit with mostly company owning. ] I kinda came up with my business because Everglade could use some protections, though I'm in Fayren now.

[zenoh]

Yes. Time will tell what new purpose I'll live here, but that is a topic for another time.

[ Ayame swipes Konoka's chin, assuring Konoka that it will be okay and that she'll find a way ]

Perhaps this time I should focus more on meeting new people. In hindsight, I never really did a good job in befriending others in my last stay here. I made some good bonds with others, but some are not strong. I don't suppose they think of me as a close friend.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

You know what? I need to as well.

I've been very lonely because I get wrapped up in deputy stuff, but I need to meet more new people and make friends, right?

[ Konoka bore a determined grin. ]

Let's make it happen. Together somehow, if we can!

[zenoh]

Together? I don't even know where to start.

[ Ayame rubs the back of her neck, chuckling at their plight but nonetheless determined to see it through. ]

Perhaps you can introduce me to your friends? Well, no. That would be a little shameful for me if I can't even introduce myself...

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Ahahaha, guess you have a point.

[ Ayame is gregarious enough that she might have already met some of the closest people who Konoka talked to, so it would just be embarrassing. ]

Don't worry yourself over it, then! We don't need to do this together, maybe just share the same goal. After all, knowing more people can't hurt, right?

[zenoh]

It never can.

[ Ayame replies, soft yet optimistic. ]

In any case, I feel the need to go camping again. I did not get much chances to do so in my previous stay, but now that I have the time...

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Haha, I really enjoyed the last time we went!

[ It was cool being able to visit nature deeper into Fayren, plus some of the conversations she had with some people were funny. ]

I wonder if there are other places to camp though?

[zenoh]

Any new subarchways that have appeared while I was away?

[ She gives a wry chuckle, shaking her head ]

There is one that apparently leads to Thailand. Then entire country, if I'm not mistaken. I'm just unsure if it still stands.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

I haven't heard of any new ones popping up, no.

That would be interesting to see, nonetheless. Never actually went there, even back on my world.

[zenoh]

So have I, but my sister have. She had nothing but good things to say so I couldn't feel anything but optimistic.

[ As much as a pain in the neck her sister can get when she's teasing, Ayame trusts and loves Kanae more than anything. Even with their past. ]

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Oh, your sister?

[ Ayame's only mentioned her once or twice, and Konoka was eager for whatever details she'd spare. ]

It'd be cool if I could meet her one day. I've always been an only child.

[zenoh]

Perhaps one day...

[ Somehow the thought of Konoka meeting Kanae has brought goosebumps to Ayame, feeling it crawl all over her skin. ]

I figured you were, though. Wealthy people seem to care less about having children from my experience.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Yeah, unfortunately.

I made a lot of friends in school though. Some of them complained about siblings, but perhaps it was a case of the grass always being greener on the other side.

...by the way, would you like to try out one of my charms?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame nods. Her family life wasn't the most normal, so she doesn't want that for anyone really. At the mention of charms though, Ayame raises an eyebrow as her head tilts slightly in curiosity ]

I might be. It depends on what sort of charm are you talking about here, my resistance to magic can be a pain to deal with when testing these sorts of things. As another sister figure of mine have found out... but kept trying anyway.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Magic resistance does make that kinda difficult...

[ That mean direct attack charms or protective seals were right out. Not that Ayame really needed the latter... ]

Hey, there's at least one thing you can still do!

[ Konoka dashed over to a section labeled "dolls and lookalikes" and plucked one of the ofuda there. She gave it to Ayame. ]

You can write your name on it and you can get either a cute doll version of yourself or a double, and you can activate it some distance away so your magic resistance won't get in the way. At least I don't think it will...

[zenoh]

Oh, I like the cute version.

[ Ayame's eyes sparkle subtly, and her tone rose a little to denote her excitement, like she just heard she's gets to pick a toy at the toy store. Taking the ofuda, Ayame pulls out a pen in her pocket dimension to write her name down with nice handwriting ]

Alright, what's next?

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Focus and call out, 'Charm-san, Charm-san! Give me a second cute self!'

[ If this worked, then the paper would go 'POOF'! And it its place, a small Ayame doll would appear! ]

[zenoh]

[ Almost taken aback by Konoka's answer, Ayame shoots her a look that pretty much says "Ugh, really?". With a sigh, she closes her eyes complies anyway. Her voice is not as enthusiastic and shows shyness in having to say a silly chant, but she spoke with an elegant tone that cast the spell just fine.

Having the paper puff in her hand, feeling a doll of herself appear, Ayame looks impressed. Mildly, but impressed nonetheless. ]

Hm. When does she move? Do I have to say something else?

[im_gonna_heal_u]

[ She'd get her answer a moment later, when the doll would slowly begin hovering, affixing itself so its limbs looked less creepily doll like. It kept a blank smile, however, and stood still an equal distance. ]

You control it now! You can give it some basic commands and it'll follow them... including magic, if your capable of it and have the energy to spare. You can also see through its eyes, and if you focus, you can talk through it and do more complex things!

[ Konoka flashed a sheet of paper, murmuring the same chant she told Ayame, only much faster. Her doll bounced out of its poof of life and settled on her head. It waved. ]

See? [ The doll was clearly channeling Konoka's thoughts, speaking in her place. ]

[zenoh]

Yes.

[ Ayame can also use her Resonance to manipulate supernatural forces like magic. It just took her a bit to match the energy signature being used by Konoka to really feel comfortable enough in controlling the doll. Once she did, she made the doll jump on platforms to get on her shoulder, crossing it's leg over the other much like how Ayame would ]

So, how long does this spell last?

[ She asks, taking the doll from her shoulder and removing her control of it for now, bringing it back to a more lifeless state as she observes it and appreciates how cute it looks ]

[im_gonna_heal_u]

However long you want!

[ Konoka grinned. ]

When you wanna dismiss it, just aim your index and middle finger straight up and imagine the connection being snapped. It'll turn back into a paper charm!

I tend to use it for around a couple of hours.

[zenoh]

It's a convenient spell, Konoka. I love it. Are there other drawbacks to it?

[ The doll zips back to life as it found its way back on Ayame's shoulder, giving Konoka a wave. Ayame gives it a tummy poke, making the doll's hands cover its mouth as if to giggle ]

She's adorable. I'm buying it. How much do I owe you?

[im_gonna_heal_u]

You can't push all of your power into it, obviously.

Also, be sure to use good ink on any you buy, because if it gets wet while in paper form and the ink gets messed up, the spell will fail... or worse!

[ Konoka finds herself amused by how playful Ayame is with her doll. She can't help but wonder if that poke looked familiar... ]

That'll be 12 redbills, please!