Utena-kun> Himemiya keeps her eyes closed.. concentrating only on your voice. "But it's an irrational fear. You won't hurt me. You'll be just as gentle and kind as a gir.. as you were before. I don't want to upset you, either." Utena-kun> Utena-kun speaks softly to you. "You can't upset me. I'd forgive anything, Himemiya. Just, try to relax now." The voice is the same.. with your eyes closed, it's easier to let go of the fear, and just hear that familiar, warm tone washing over you, as warm fingers brush and gently massage at your temples. "Just relax... you know I wouldn't hurt you, ever..." Utena-kun> Himemiya sighs.. tension melting. The calming, familiar voice. It all helps. "I know you wouldn't. ..I've never been good with change, and this changes a lot.. even if I don't mean it to." Utena-kun> Utena-kun nods. "It does change things. But I wanted it to be changes for the better. Himemiya, we can do more.. we're more free, this way. No one can question us, we don't have to have people looking at us funny, or be harrassed by people like Carrot..." He sighs, "Is there anything I can do at all to help you feel more at ease with this..?" Utena-kun> Himemiya nods, nods. Eyes closed. "I know. Society can accept a woman and a man. So, we'll have less problems. I like that. But.. that's not what makes me nervous. It's.. it's us." Utena-kun> Utena-kun asks you quietly, "Us?" Utena-kun> Utena-kun says, "I don't know what you mean.." You can feel him shifting position and sitting up some next to you. Utena-kun> Himemiya opens her eyes.. looks at you. And you can see that's when she's uneasy. "Things are different. Changed." Utena-kun> Utena-kun says, "Well, we're going to take my body for granted. But... what else?" He doesn't quite follow. Utena-kun> Himemiya... isn't sure. "I don't know. It just feels different, right now. I'm not as comfortable near you as I was before.." Blushes, slightly. "Maybe I just need time to get used to it." Utena-kun> Utena-kun nods again. "You have a lot of bad memories associated with men and what they did to you. I knew that... but I was sort of hoping you could overlook it for me. I guess that isn't the case... but what you said before is true.. there's no real way to hide from it. This is what I am now, but I will love you for the rest of my life, even if you decide that it's too uncomfortable to be around me." He smiles faintly, saddened, and touches your cheek. Utena-kun> Himemiya bites her lip. "..I don't WANT to be uncomfortable. I don't want anything to be between us..." she considers, quietly. Utena-kun> Utena-kun mms. "Neither do I. I don't want you to feel ashamed about how you feel either." A grumble, as he looks out of the open door, down the hall. "I'm not trying to do that." He grins back to you. "Geez, we're a mess, aren't we." Utena-kun> Utena-kun says, "Himemiya, is it that you're scared that I'll hurt you.. or is it that you're scared of letting yourself feel interested in me... because of the past?" Utena-kun> Utena-kun asks, "Do you really think I could hurt you?" Utena-kun> Silence. Utena-kun> Himemiya says, "...I don't think you could hurt me." Utena-kun> Utena-kun sighs. "But you don't -know- it, do you. You don't wholly believe." Utena-kun> Himemiya exclaims, "I know it!" Utena-kun> Himemiya sits up. "You'd never hurt me." Utena-kun> Utena-kun nods. "I wouldn't." He grins shyly, brushing fingers along the back of his neck where the short pink fuzz is... "Hmmm." A couple of ideas about how to deal with this spring to mind, but neither he thinks she would be very comfortable with. n.n; Utena-kun> Himemiya looks down.. *something* you said there hit home, apparently. Utena-kun> Utena-kun nudges your arm lightly. "Hey, share. We can still talk, right?" Utena-kun> Himemiya is nudged. "..I'm not scared of feeling interested in you." Utena-kun> Utena-kun ohs? and smiles (sorry, was setting up food to cook) a little more. "Then what are you scared of..?" Utena-kun> Himemiya has no adequate response to that. "I'm not scared." Utena-kun> Utena-kun holds his arms out to you. ".. then, give me a hug?" A little bit of a pleading tone. He's been away from you for what FEELS like forever, even if it's only been a few days. Utena-kun> Himemiya hesitates.. before holding her arms out as well, and moving forward enough for you to embrace her. Utena-kun> Utena-kun wraps his arms tight around you, but careful not to squish you, he enfolds you closely, pulling you over into his lap. "C'mere. I'm just holding you, that's all." Utena-kun> Something's clear. She isn't hugging you; you're hugging her. Utena-kun> Himemiya says, "..hai." Utena-kun> Utena-kun sighs a little and lets go after a moment. "You're just not ready yet..." He looks aside. Utena-kun> Himemiya blinks.. and looks down, when you let go. "..." Then.. then she takes hold of your hand, quickly, and forges a telepathic link -- communicating directly to your mind, body aside. Utena-kun> Utena-kun blinks slightly, but is always open, and is there, formless spirit, when you move into the realm of the mind. *.. Himemiya..?* Utena-kun> Himemiya sighs, in relief.. here, maybe she can talk. *..I'm sorry. It's hard to say.. out there.* She relaxes.. she's always been more comfortable at this level, more open. Utena-kun> Utena-kun closes his eyes and his body relaxes, as he nods to you inside there, *... Just say it, Himemiya, please..? It's hard for me like this. It's really hard to go this way. I don't want to give up.* Utena-kun> Himemiya shrinks a little. *...I'm afraid of physical contact with you. Intimate contact of any kind. Because.. I've never been attracted to men before. I never let myself. You were right. And that's all it is.* Utena-kun> Utena-kun sighs internally, acknowledging that. *I wish you didn't feel that way. I really wish you didn't. I can't make myself back into a woman, it's not possible. I know why you can't stand men.. but those were Mazoku, which hardly count as much of anything... You don't have to like men. Just me...* Utena-kun> Himemiya sighs. *I know. And I love you. I really do.* She lets go of the telepathic link.. looking humbled. Such a trivial thing, she feels, and it's clouding her.. she looks at you. "..I have to get used to this. But I can't if I refuse to confront it." Utena-kun> Utena-kun nods to you. "I'm willing to do anything you think would help put your mind at ease. Anything. If you feel like you need to just... have me lay here and you look at me for a while... anything. I really mean it." Utena-kun> Himemiya swallows. "..it's a place to start." She nods. "I won't hide anymore." Utena-kun> Utena-kun nods too, and dutifully stretches out on the bed, lying still. n.n Utena-kun> Himemiya looks. Utena-kun> Utena-kun breathes quietly, his eyes closed.. .the features are so strange.. so much of Utena's female face there, but with a thicker jaw and smaller eyes.. the nose hasn't changed much. A flat chest, somewhat thicker arms... legs, hard to tell, but both thicker and more defined than they were. Utena-kun> Himemiya studies the details.. making herself look at them. It's different. This isn't the shape she's used to associating with Utena. Utena-kun> He continues to lie, hands with their long fingers resting at his sides, one leg bent up in a inverted v, as he settles himself a little more comfortably... a rich blue eye opens, looking to you; he smiles. "It's scary, huh. I'm still getting used to being inside."(reposing) Utena-kun> Himemiya blushes slightly, when looked at. "..I wouldn't say scary, just.. unusual." Utena-kun> Utena-kun is tempted to ask you if you want him to take off anything, but after a momentary suppressed snicker, lets that thought dissipate unspoken, and looks up to the ceiling again. "You know, I only just now realized all my clothes won't fit me any more." Utena-kun> Himemiya blinks. "..but these clothes fit you." She sits at the bedside, still studying you. Utena-kun> Utena-kun nods. "But what about if I have to wash them?" He grins some, and the muscles of his jaw move when he does. "They'll get dirty.." Utena-kun> Himemiya ahs.. "I suppose I can alter some of your normal clothes.. or go shopping." She hesitates from asking something. Utena-kun> Utena-kun catches it and looks to you mildly. "Or..?" Utena-kun> Utena-kun is so calm. This really IS your Utena, isn't it? Patient and calm... Utena-kun> Himemiya ahs. "It's nothing. An off-color joke the other Anshi made once." Utena-kun> Utena-kun hmms? "What, what?" Utena-kun> Utena-kun turns his head and grins at you. "What'd she say?" Utena-kun> Himemiya clears her throat. "At one time, Utena there was doing laundry, and Anshi said that she needed a shirt. Utena said they were all in the wash. So Anshi said she'd just have to go topless for awhile." Utena-kun> Utena-kun hmms. "Are you hinting something, Himemiya?" He raises a hand to the gold button at his throat. Utena-kun> Himemiya ahs.. "I was going to make a joke. That if all your clothes were dirty or didn't fit, you'd just have to walk around naked." Suppresses a blush. "It's a bit silly." Utena-kun> But.. it did relax her, a little. Humor to lighten her mood. Utena-kun> Utena-kun snickers, reddening a little too. He smirks. "Well, I suppose I -could-... but then I'd have to go live in the trees or something.. or lock myself in a room n.n;" He shakes his head and puts his hand back down at his side.. "This is really weird, I have to admit. There's... just weird feelings. I don't even know how to explain them." Utena-kun> Himemiya gets scientific. "Well, body chemistry is radically different between the sexes. So there's bound to be some trouble compensating." Utena-kun> Utena-kun nods. "It's not just that.. there's... -hanging- bits.." He ahems, and blushes, which is strange, to see that soft glow spreading along his hardened cheeks. Utena-kun> Himemiya blushes as well. "...yes, I know." Factual. "I see. I mean." Utena-kun> Utena-kun sits up. But then erps. "Uhm, unless you want me to stay where I was." He remembers hastily. n.n Utena-kun> Himemiya ahs.. she tries to be rational. Perhaps overly so. "I have to be comfortable with being attracted to men again, don't I?" Utena-kun> Utena-kun nods... "Okay." He lies back down. n.n; "Himemiya.. have you ever given any thought to.. what you might want from a man..?" He waves his hands quickly. "I know you probably haven't. I mean.. you just started being comfortable with me as a girl. But I know that you have so much passion in there... I just... hate how this is making that passionate you go away.." Utena-kun> Himemiya really works to contain her blush. She wants to be cool and level headed. "..I haven't.. I haven't thought about it, much. Not for a long time." Utena-kun> Utena-kun realizes that, and replies in a softer tone, "I just thought I would ask." He rests his hands over his stomach, and gazes to you. "Anyway, it's quiet now, isn't it. I can't complain. It looks like our danger days are behind us. I really hope so, anyway." Utena-kun> Himemiya switches topics quickly with you. "Yes, it is. It's very quiet.. perhaps leaving Dios behind will help things be calm." Utena-kun> Utena-kun nods. "You were... it was amazing. I couldn't have done that. I would just have gone on, dragging myself further down.." He sighs. "I really.. almost made a really, really bad mess of things, while you were gone." Utena-kun> Himemiya says, "There is no mess now. All that is behind us, yes?" Perhaps not wanting to talk about it. "..now we simply need to adjust." Looks at you again. Utena-kun> Utena-kun looks back, gazing long into your eyes, almost holding his breath. He murmurs softly. "Your eyes are so green. I don't know why I'm noticing that right now. I mean, I knew they were green.. but.." Utena-kun> Himemiya blinks.. a compliment? She looks back, to your eyes. "..yours are blue," she understates.. looking deeper into them. Then, back at the rest of you. Sighs. "It's true. It's still you. Regardless of your gender." And.. smiles, a little. Utena-kun> Utena-kun smiles a little too, hopeful. He lifts a hand to you, palm out, supplicant. "Himemiya.. I'm yours. And I'll always be here. Whether I'm a girl or a boy or a newt." Utena-kun> Himemiya reaches over, and takes your hand. "Hai..." blinks. "A newt?" The.. absurdity of it throws her, for a moment. Utena-kun> Utena-kun nodnods. "A little lizard thing that skitters around and does this." He pfffts! with his tongue and goes all crosseyed. "It eats bugs. I wouldn't want to be one." Utena-kun> Himemiya says, "..." Utena-kun> Himemiya ahems. Utena-kun> Utena-kun rubs his thumb along the back of your hand gently. "Anyway.." Utena-kun> Himemiya says it quickly, as the levity of the moment broke enough tension for her to admit it. "..I'm attracted to you, still." Utena-kun> Utena-kun smiles in a soft, sweet manner to you. "I'm glad..." He almost whispers, that familiar voice dropping to the achingly low and demure tones Utena only uses with you, and in intimate moments. "Do you want to try something...?" Utena-kun> Himemiya closes her eyes. "..yes. Putting it off would just be.. putting it off." Utena-kun> Utena-kun frowns slightly, dark pink brows shaping. "I don't want to pressure you, though." Utena-kun> Himemiya shakes her head. "I don't mind.. I want to be pressured. If you don't, I'll just hide from it and hope it goes away.. like I was doing before." Utena-kun> Utena-kun mms softly, and sits up, craning his neck forward. He leans toward you, lips approaching. "You're sure?" Utena-kun> Himemiya watches your approach. "I'm sure.." she closes her eyes, and waits. "I won't run away again." Utena-kun> Utena-kun lifts a hand up and places his fingers in a light curl over your eyes and the bridge of your nose, slips his arm around the small part of your back, and kisses you smoothly, a light one, nothing deep. He's still getting used to this body too... but he lowers you and sinks down beside you, kissing your cheeks and your lips, and keeping his hand over your eyes. "Hopefully.. when we're done.. you won't ever WANT to run again." Utena-kun> Himemiya's arms stay by her side.. letting you guide her. But she almost melts, at the kiss.. it's a familiar kiss, in the same way your voice is familiar. She keeps her eyes closed.. wanting to feel before she sees. "..hai.." she says, quietly. Utena-kun> Utena-kun continues to kiss you, lips feeling very different than they did... they're not quite as supple or yielding, or as smooth. There's an altered quality of the interaction.. no less pleasureable, just different from what you're used to. Utena-kun> Utena-kun traces a line along your jaw with his mouth, hand still in place over your eyes. He thinks a moment, then, there's a pause as he looks around.. mutters a soft curse and kisses your chin. "Don't move, just leave your eyes closed, Himemiya." Utena-kun> Himemiya nods.. she stays perfectly still, eyes tightly closed.. "Okay." And awaits.. Utena-kun> You can hear slight rustling of drawers. It might be tempting to open your eyes, but... just when you're about to, a weight slides back into the bed. He whispers to you, "Don't be afraid." And something extremely soft moves over your eyes, feeling like a folded silk scarf.. which is exactly what it is. He drapes it there and leaves it, doesn't tie it off or anything, to free up a hand. And then resumes quietly kissing you, lips and neck. Utena-kun> Himemiya gasps, in the slight surprise as the cloth covers her eyes.. she blinks, unable to see through it. "..wh.why?" she asks, not afraid, just not understanding.. but sighing, as you resume kissing her.. Utena-kun> Utena-kun's voice replies, "Because I want you to feel, and not be afraid of what your eyes see." His hands worshipfully trace your neck and shoulders, slowly downward, GOD, he missed this, being able to be with you... his hands explore gently your clothing as he lays beside you breathing softly, looking for buttons and so on, to undo them. Utena-kun> Himemiya does exactly that.. she lies passively, not wanting to shake off the cloth, and lets you touch her.. unquestioningly and unhesitatingly. She's missed this, as well; her body has. The buttons are quietly undone, white dress opening to show her dark skin beneath.. Utena-kun> Utena-kun suppresses a breath, peeling back the dress like the layers of a flower, leaning over you and breathing above the join of your breasts, taking in your scent, so missed.. then the hands explore gently, fingers playing light and graceful, lips working and finding their way to a breast. All so painfully gentle, almost teasingly light, holding back to ensure that you don't feel any pain. Utena-kun> Himemiya is relaxed.. beyond relaxed. It's pleasant, and gentle, two things that she was needing from this.. she ignores what is giving her this pleasure, and just thinks that it's you. Sighing, happily. "Utena.." Utena-kun> Utena-kun draws back and curls his fingers under one of your resting wrists, raising your hand to his buttoned jacket; you feel a button brushed under your fingertips. Utena-kun> Himemiya now touches a little hesitantly.. she knows she won't find what she's expecting. But her fingers work the buttons.. slowly, carefully. To open them without fumbling. Utena-kun> Utena-kun exhales quietly through his nose, helping your hands, and slipping out of his jacket, bare chested now. He lifts your fingers, and presses them to the smooth center of his chest, you can feel warmth, and heat, and the pulse of his heart seeming to be right under your skin... there's no soft curve there, but there's a taut strength instead. Utena-kun> Himemiya's fingers tremble, feeling that strength.. but then she presses them closer, to feel that strength. "..." She's not sure how to react.. but isn't reacting badly, at least. Her breathing a little faster, from nervousness and excitement. Utena-kun> Utena-kun trails his fingers down your arm and kisses your palm, the joints of your fingers, then murmurs to you in a thick voice, "It's different, isn't it.." His other hand traces a single line down the middle of your chest.. "It's good to be different... I can hold you closer this way. They were in the way before.." Utena-kun> Himemiya smiles a little.. it's an ironic truth. "Hai.. it's good." Xelloss touches down in Ops, with Utena at his side.. nudges her. "Henshin, ne." Utena moans, her wings showing as she crosses over and relaxes, no longer having to hide them. "Do I HAVE to?" She gripes. Ops is... tense. Bugger's in an impenitrible cloud of cigarette smoke. Anything-chan... apparently hasn't moved since you set her down. The others sit around nervously.. except the Corinthian, of course. Xelloss nods. "Afraid so." Utena snorts softly and fishes out the gizmo .. holding it above her head and grumbling. "I really hate this." *WHAM* goes the device... Sparklies cover you, head to toe.. and when they pass... you wear a wraparound bikini top with a LARGE diamond cut out of the center, a fairly brief set of bikini bottoms, a belt with various work tools and your Sword of Dios, and a small badge reading 'Yuri / Lovely Angels / WWWA." Xelloss *_*. Utena blinks down at herself and GYAHS and rolls her eyes. "I hate my life." This skimpy outfit coupled with her wings definitely makes for .. an odd sight. She flinches a deep red, but is either too annoyed or just too worried to bother changing out of it, and wonders why she has this strange urge to twirl her hair around her finger.. Xelloss whistles innocently.. and looks around. "So! People! What's up?" Bugger, from .. somewhere in there, talks. "Look for yourself." He cues up the image, and.. now, SIX spheres of nightmare energy surround ops. The triangle, plus a mirrored one, six geometric points of a star.. Xelloss o.o; Utena winces. "It's getting worse." She groans quietly, her wings bzzing behind her, reflecting her agitated state of mind. "Xel.. about that theory of mine.." Xelloss o.o;; Utena says, "When did these things first show up?" she asks softly. Xelloss o.o;;; Xelloss o.o;;;; Utena says, "Just... humor me. For right now." Xelloss blinks. "Ah.. gomen, I was distracted by a fear of being annihilated." Ahem. "..the one we found Seeker outside is the first one we had found. So, it'd be then. I mean, we didn't know where the penguins were coming from until you trapped that one for me to study.." Utena says, "But you said those had been happening regularly..." She peers at you. "So when did the first incident with the penguins happen?" Xelloss thinks. "About.. a week ago today, I think." The day you rejected Dios. Utena was already heading that way, thank you... she nods grimly. "Then it IS what I thought." Xelloss says, "Care to illuminate? n.n;" Utena crosses her arms over her chest. "I don't know the whole thing. But... I can tell you that I'm almost sure that those things are related both to the Lord's mourning and to the fact that the Rose Bride undid the trinity when we finally abandoned it." Xelloss looks back at the screen. "That's a pretty big jump, isn't it?" Utena says, "About that time, we abandoned Dios, about a week ago. For the final time. That's when the Castle fell." Xelloss says, "But the castle didn't have anything to do with the World of Dreams." Utena says, "We may have broken something serious, or taken it out of balance. I can't know for sure unless I go to see those things for myself." She shakes her head. "You're wrong, Xel. Really wrong there." Xelloss says, "Why am I wr.." BLINK. "Go see them for yourself?!" Utena says, "The Castle of Illusion existed as a focus and nexus of human fantasy, imagination and desire. It contained the miracle powers of the human mind. the WHOLE human mind." Xelloss says, "Wait. Back up. 'Go see them for yourself.' I distinctly heard those words." Utena nods, her wings a jittery blur behind her. "I'm the Lord's agent. Those are representations of Her enemy, Xell. And I'm very afraid that may be the power behind Dios as well. You always hated Dios because he wouldn't DO anything. Wouldn't move, wouldn't change, just sat there." Utena says, "But what's the opposite of Chaos and constant motion?... INACTIVITY." Xelloss hrmms. "Granted, they aren't moving.. except to multiply." He blinks. "Wait a minute, why don't we just move Ops?" o.o Utena blinks too. "No reason we can't. I don't think we're surrounded." Utena says, "But.." She looks at the screen. "Something's out of balance.. those things are moving to correct it." Xelloss grins. "Well, let's do that!" He hops to one of those controls with all the DO NOT TOUCH buttons. "Let's see. Which one was it.." Utena . o O ( Are you that angry, Dios?... or should I call you the Rose Bride? You said Dios was your puppet. We've all been your puppet... yet, you had to do with the forging of the Million Swords... this is your move, isn't it.. but what are you trying to DO? ) Utena shakes her head and moves over to join you. Xelloss ahs. "Here it is. Punching Ops to... gridspace 1-1-4." He hits buttons. The screen's grid lines shift..... but nothing else does. Utena looks up. "We didn't move, did we..." She almost expected that. Xelloss frowns. "We moved. They moved to follow us PERFECTLY." Utena says, "They want us to be right where we are." She frowns again, turning inward. Wishing desperately right now that she knew more philosophy and magic lore- something about this is sitting uncomfortably in her mind. Utena says, "A pattern that's moving with us... Xel, we may have to destroy Ops." Utena says, "Whatever that is knows this is important to us.. it's trying to box us in, keep us contained." Xelloss ums. "If we do that, we're powerless. I didn't make Ops. L-sama did. And it's our only easy access to her. If it's gone.." He looks in the back. "Not to mention that Ada and Seeker are in medical right now.." Utena uhms and clears her throat softly. "It's not the only access." Utena flaps her wings at you idly. Xelloss ohs. "Ah.. are you certain? Have you tried?" Utena sighs. "I haven't.. I just feel it..." She sighs. "But we're doing what they want us to do.. huddling in here, being scared out of our minds, instead of fighting back. We're being contained." Utena says, "But if it moved with us... then that means, logically.. it's connected to this place. To here. Somehow." Xelloss coughs. "Yes, well, we don't have enough power to squish out nightmares of that density, much less six--" PINGGG. Twelve, now, still in a circular pattern. O.O Utena shakes her head, scowling. "That's it." She moves for the door.. the Outside one. Utena says, "Now they're practically CHALLENGING us to come out." Xelloss runs to stop you. "Utena, we CAN'T challenge those things!" Utena says, "Watch me not care." She tries to move past you and get to the door. "This is what I agreed to DO for the Lord. Xel...." She looks up, her eyes meeting yours and her wings blurring like a hummingbird's. Utena whispers, "Don't think I'm not scared. But I have to." Xelloss nods.. "Then I'm coming with you." He opens the door. Utena draws the sword from her belt and steps out of Ops, with you. Outside.. the spheres are enormous. You don't get the right sense of scale you get on the screen. Just huge black spheres, featureless and void of light. Light falls INTO them. But.. out here, you can tell one thing. Black lightning crackling from time to time between the spheres. Chaotic bolts.. just a little. Utena has another sudden thought... a fearful one she doesn't know how to encompass. If those are chaotic energy.. then... has She turned against us in her anger over Dios' loss? No.. the spheres are still amazingly ordered. Perfect. Mathematical. It's just those crackles that seem to be chaotic. What IS going on here? Xelloss stands his ground. ...not WANTING to get closer. Utena follows her instinct, which, naturally, says to get closer to one of the spheres. She flutters over, so agitated and uncertain she moves on her wings, not on her feet, and doesn't even notice. Xelloss ulps. "Utena! Be careful!" He runs after you on foot.. As you approach.. you can feel the darkness. The nightmares. Howling nastiness and fear, pain and agony. Faint, but stronger as you approach. But it's all ordered, like a repeating loop of screaming. Utena REMEMBERS that. It was Nightmare's trademark.. she remembers the thing left in Anshi's mind. That was Nightmare, and the Beast... cooperating. Her bewilderment only grows. She reaches out her hand, everything's instinct right now. Then, one of the crackles snarls around your arm like barbed wire; grabbing you, tugging you in. Xelloss immediately takes your other arm and pulls the other way. All in an instant. Utena screams, in shock and fear as the thing grabs and WRENCHES on her, and Xel grabs her other arm, and suddenly she's being pulled in two different ways.. the question is, who's stronger, the sphere, or Xelloss? She tries to pull her arm loose from the sphere's grip... no leverage, her feet aren't on the 'ground'.. Xelloss sweats, and PULLS with all his might.. but he's losing. He knows he's losing. "I won't leave you in there alone!" he shouts.. and lets go. Not of you, but of himself; the strand JERKING you in.. and him as well, riding in with you. After that, purest silence and darkness. Void. You can't hear yourself scream. Utena is alone in it, a tiny little golden thing in the dark. All-encompassing, soundkilling, lightkilling nothingness... she whirls in a panic, trying to find Xel with her mind... *Xel...!!* No reply. Nothing. Silence. Void. No exit. No entrance. Omega. ...is this what a nightmare is like, though? Nightmares usually are screaming, wild, uncontrollable things. No. This isn't a normal nightmare. Something else is going on... A nightmare is chaotic.. this is the absence of chaos. An ordered mind is a quiet mind... she shudders, and starts to move through the darkness, floating, having no idea whether she's making progress, or just staying in place... trying anyway, refusing to just sit down and shut up and be still. "Shut up and be still." A familiar voice. A dark voice. But emotionless. Utena says, "I won't." she replies coolly to.. the whatever. Trying to remember, filter it through her memories. Then.. an image appears. A person. It's hard to see, as he's largely black, but black on black makes an outline.. a young boy, with pale skin and a black bodysuit, and black hair, and.. black eyes. Nightmare. Utena draws back. Stops her movement and jerks herself to a stop, swinging the sword up in front of her... "How the hell did you ... You're not here.. you can't be here, Dream took you!" But Nightmare is oddly sullen. No evil smile. Just his voice, speaking. "My release was negotiated, by the Lord of Order. To do battle on his ancient enemy. To crush her elite while she was weakest." He looks directly at you. "In return.. when the task is complete, he will release me.. and give you to me. To be my bride and my toy and my slave forever." Utena snarls. "Not going to happen. We already played this game once, Nightmare, and I WON. I'll win again." She notices the sullenness, the indifference. "You're not even yourself, you're being used by it, aren't you. You're not even enjoying this." Utena says, "Normally you'd be making some snide comment about how glorious my fear is. You're trapped here, aren't you.. you're being used." Nightmare doesn't shake his head. "He won't let me have fun. But he's powerful. More powerful than mother, because he is control. Mother is erratic. Once he's done, I can finally be satisfied." He pauses. "Did you ever wonder why so many men enjoy violating you, Utena? It's because you're succulent. They can't have only one taste." Utena waves her hand. "This is getting old, Nightmare. Get to the point." Nightmare says, "I'm killing Xelloss right now. He's not strong enough to resist the Lord of Order. And then I'll contain you until we complete the operation." Now he smiles. "We've already begun the attack. Thank you for walking into my trap first." Utena says, "You want me to do something, or you wouldn't have brought me here." She snarls. "You WON'T..." and LEAPS at you, her eyes flashing with sheer RAGE, her wings acquire fire, and color and definition and she SLASHES at you.. Nightmare is cut in half.. the forces of rage and chaos mixing together, sharpening the blade with a fractal edge of serration. His body lies in two peices.. but is still alive. And then, in the void, you see the eleven other Nightmares.. all identical copies. One per sphere. "You can't stop us all. It's already begun. Your friends are dying." Utena screams, "I'll STOP YOU. I'll CUT THROUGH ALL OF YOU...!" Her rage fires brighter, burns that much hotter... wings more like flame than air now... she moves forward, and tries to find the circuit that had that tiny bit of chaos, ride it out into the next sphere... You ride it.. chasing it, actually. Is it alive? Into the next sphere, the next Nightmare.. this one armed and ready, scythe in front of him. Expressionless, but not stiff. But Utena isn't going to hesitate, though the scythe brings back memories of fear. "You're not real!" She leaps into the attack, desperate.. chaotic. Angry and hurt and afraid and all of that is probably her best defense now, againt the cold and emotionless thing in front of her.. It's the natural defense -- and the most optimal one. Calm and serene can't stand up to the wild, uncontrolled anger you hold. Your sword passes through the scythe handle, and through that Nightmare's body.. and you feel a spark of chaos leap from it, to the next sphere. Is he escaping you just before you can actually kill him? ... Or is he leading her on? It's possible. Utena moves to follow, making a grab for that spark like a bit of wet soap in the bathtub; it slips out of her hands but she can see where it went.. chases it.. It goes, logically, into the next sphere. This Nightmare comes to life more.. frowning as he faces you, hands tighter on the scythe. "You WON'T stop me. Not again." Utena says, "I think you WANT me to." She grins. "I'm happy to oblige." Arrows forward and aims for his scythe-holding fingers, to make him drop the weapon.. This one reacts faster. He jerks the hand you strike at away; and brings the blade in a sweeping circular arc, intent on burying it in your shoulder. Something's wrong. He's not as ordered as the first one was. Utena manages to sidestep... shuddering, as she barely jerks herself clear, and almost loses a piece of her right wing.. makes a forward thrust trying to rip in low and sideways while he struggles to swing that massive thing around... fear pulsing. If this thing wasn't lying, if it's absorbing Xelloss, it might be gaining power from that.. The blade sinks into his body.. he slumps, dead -- and the bolt of chaos flies from him before that final fall, zooming to the next available Nightmare-body. He's escaping each time. Utena doesn't follow this time.. she tries to do the chaotic, the unexpected. It's leading her in an ordered pattern, each time getting stronger... what if she just bypasses that and goes around behind its back...? Her heart racing furiously, that's exactly what she tries to do- turn around and cheat. Move unpredictably. You pass by the other two you killed.. and to the fresh one in the other direction. And THAT is the one who has Xelloss. Xelloss, who is lying prone in the void, tangled in black strands of nightmare energy, squeezing the life out of him.. the Nightmare-body there lifeless. The spark hasn't reached it yet; it's waiting for you at the other end. Utena slashes through the body, cutting off the uninhabited Nightmare's head in a vicious singular arc... then races forward, her hands flying to the strands, trying to rip them away, break them off of him, crying in fright. "Xel.. XEL! Dammit, don't you DO this to me...!" The strands resist your tearing, for the large part.. some snap, some hold. He looks up, weakly.. smiling. "....oops.." THEN, the black chaotic spark launches into this cell.. animating the dead Nightmare. It raises a scythe, like the tolling of a church bell. The head screams. "NO! I won't lose!" Utena nods, weakly. "... oops. Right.. .I screwed up..." She grabs the sword and tries once more to actively CUT him free... then freezes when she hears the scream of Nightmare's outrage... has to turn and defend herself.. The scythe swings.. but not at you. It swings at Xelloss, who can't defend himself. Except that Utena's still standing in front of him.. she rose up, but was by his side... she brings up the sword and tries to block the scythe's downswing, keep it out of him... Nightmare grimaces.. at least, his head does, which is floating near the body. The body pushes DOWN, intent on severing you and Xelloss with overpowering strength. "..stupid, stupid girl! You can't beat eight more of us! Your Ops is already being crushed, you know. You've LOST!" Utena raises her foot hard as her arms struggle to keep the scythe at bay, locked with her sword... KICKS at Nightmare's body in the gut. "I WON'T LOSE TO YOU!" The body tumbles, in this weightless void.. losing control of its balance. Helpless. Utena stays near Xelloss, turning and trying to cut him loose again.. desperate to manage this... she has to hold this thing off here, not let it get away to a fresh body... but she has to get Xel free too... Nightmare gives up on this body, as you thought.. zooming on to the next sphere. Four down, at least.. the sword cuts through the last of the binds on Xelloss, but he's too weak to fight. Too weak to do much other than float. But.. he points. "..kill.. the spark. Cut that and you'll have him.." Utena asks, "Stay close, Xel.." She shakes her head. "I'm not moving from here. I want it to come to me. Can you heal yourself..?" Xelloss coughs, weakly. "Yes," he says. "GO. Stop it. You have to hurry. He can't come back; you killed his body here!" Utena bites her lip. "Dammit.." She kisses you quickly and whirls back in the opposite direction, back the way she originally came in here, past the dead Nightmares... knowing the one right ahead of her will be too strong... wanting to go in the back way again.. It's a good tactic. The next body hasn't been reached yet.. it's like running in a circle, but by changing directions, you're gaining ground. This one hangs lifeless, waiting for the spark to fill it.. Utena hacks through this one, too. She'll just keep butchering them until he CAN'T run from her, until there's only one left.. the anger and fright and pulsating 3 percent of Mazoku blood giving her a vicious edge. Five down. Then six. Then seven. Then.. the eight faces you. But something's different. The spark has dragged along the rest of the bodies with it.. SLAMMING them together. They melt, and fuse.. and a larger, NASTIER Nightmare stands, in full Chaos. Frowning down at you. "Let's see you beat THIS." The void.. wobbles. It's not good at putting up with this strain. Utena smirks viciously, sword covered with blood. "That's very chaotic of you." She smiles, her wings lined in a dark fiery orange now... "Very chaotic. That wasn't smart at all, whatever you are..." She tries to PULL on that, as she moves to attack, sideways zigzag making a slash aimed at the larger thing's knees. Nightmare tries to match your glow with his own black one.. dark gold, dark chaos. The void is shattering. It's not MEANT to contain this kind of chaos, it's supposed to be a power vessel.. the scythe moves to parry your attack, then twist left, to impale you. ( A voice pierces the whirling battle. YOU ARE UNSETTLING THE BALANCE OF MY PROCESS. THIS IS NOT WHAT WE AGREED YOU WOULD DO. But Nightmare doesn't respond, too busy. ) Utena says, "You can't be me.." Utena cries out as she drops low, taking a slight slash across her upper left arm... some blood.. she ignores it.. "You want me to kill you, don't you? So that you can't be used by him any more..." Nightmare snarls. "Shut UP! You don't understand anything!" He attacks in a frenzy now, flashing slashes.. but not as skilled. Angry. "I'm going to win! I'll be free and you'll be mine! I'll be FREE!" NIGHTMARE, YOU ARE GROWING UNCONTROLLABLE. CEASE. Utena exclaims, "NOT LIKE THIS! THIS ISN'T FREEDOM!" Nightmare howls. "Leave me ALONE!" And.. he makes a mistake. The wrong flick of the wrist, the wrong parry, opening a vulnerable point. Utena falls back against the slashes, as there's power and frenzy behind Nightmare's motions that matches her own speed and chaos... she was waiting for that moment... she DIVES, swordpoint gleaming for that vulnerable spot.. The sword rips into him. He screams in pain, the spark trying to escape, but battering against the walls of the void.. eventually, it gets out.. but only by shattering this sphere. It falls apart like glass, dumping you into the colorful dreamspace... where you see the other spheres HAMMERING on a wartorn Ops, with black lightning. The spark that is Nightmare tries to escape; it's caught in a cube. YOU FAILED, Order delares. RETURN. The cube vanishes. But the attack continues. Utena closes her eyes and opens her mind to the paradox of creating containment... too many targets to seal.. she inverts it, and tries to envelop Ops in a wall of perfect illogic contained in a void of nullspace, throws and tries to cover, to protect it... SLAM. The pyramid inverted comes down over Ops, sealing it; the black lightning bounces harmlessly off the envelope. The spheres.. turn to look at you. They don't move, but you can TELL they do... DO NOT INTERFERE. THIS IS BETWEEN ME AND CHAOS. Utena says, "Wrong. This is between you and me." Utena says, "Right now, I AM Chaos." I CAN ARRANGE ANYTHING IN THIS UNIVERSE YOU MAY DESIRE, IF YOU RELENT. ONE CHANCE. Utena is about to shout an instant denial. But she pauses. It would make the Lord strong again... maybe restore some kind of BALANCE... if Dios is brought back. Her mind races, trying to extrapolate whether this could work... Order reads your thoughts. Predicts them. I CAN RESTORE DIOS. I CAN MAKE YOU THE VICTOR AND RETURN YOUR BRIDE. IN A MORE PERFECT TRINITY. THE WORLD NEEDS REVOLUTION. .. But it couldn't work, and that means she's enslaved back into the Rose Signet.. and so would be Akio... and Anshi... and the Lord knew this couldn't ever truly work.. love or no love... and she would lose Xelloss and probably be forced to be one again.. no. NO. She shakes her head. "NO DEAL... BACK OFF! Get OUT of this place, it doesn't BELONG to you.. this is a place of chaos for humans! Since they can't batter Ops anymore, the spheres glide silently.. merging, forming just like Nightmare did. To become one large sphere. Xelloss, you'll note, is deposited unconscious into the raw dreamstuff.. to keep him inside would be to invite chaos into itself. The uber-sphere confronts you.. almost daring you to act. It could crush you easily. GO HOME, OR BE DESTROYED. YOU ARE NOT A GOD. Utena stares down the sphere. "No, I'm not. That's why I just kicked your ass. Take your own advice and LEAVE HERE." Utena moves over to Xelloss, kneeling and pulling him into her lap, though her eyes continue to watch the giant black sphere. The sphere considers the situation. NIGHTMARE FAILED ME AND DISRUPTED THE PRECISION OF MY MANUVER. I WILL RETURN WITH A SUPERIOR PLAN. And the sphere goes away, in less than an instant. Xelloss is totally out cold. Pale, and weak. But alive. Utena lets the protective paradox around Ops go, resolving itself into nothing, and cradles her lover tightly in her lap, only now daring to breathe and take in deep, deep breaths.. to try and calm herself... "... Xel.. Xel... can you hear me..?" She probes gently, mentally as well as with a small kiss. *...I have seen better days. But I'll recover.* Utena nods, letting out another deep breath. *Ops got banged up bad. But I don't think it's totally gone. The spheres are gone... it's over for now. We won this time.( *Go inside, quickly. Make sure nobody's hurt. And please drag my sorry ass in with you, and put me somewhere soft and fan me and feed me grapes..* Utena laughs faintly. *Will do.* She picks you up in her arms, and flies back, using her wings; she wouldn't have the strength to carry you, otherwise... *Hey, I want some grapes too... I just had to fight off a natural force. o.o* She returns to Ops, wearily.. wincing at the external damages.. One whole wall is GONE. The big screen has been cracked, and is dead.. the rest of the structure is just battered. Most consoles are busted, chairs are scattered.. and everybody is holed up near the stairwell leading to the Employee's Only door. Was Order trying to get in there? Everybody, meaning Bugger (holding the bonzai tree of Marco's Memory) and the Corinthian defending, with Ada and Seeker unconscious and resting awkwardly on the stairs... but Acceptance, Denial and Anything-chan aren't there. Bugger gapes. "We figured you two were toast.." Utena shakes her head, exhausted and resisting the awareness of it. "Xel's hurt... but we're both okay. Where are the others..? What happened in here?" The Corinthian shrugs. "We got hammered. Figured out it was trying to get to the boss lady, so we picked here to defend. Acceptance and Denial are dead. They didn't make it here fast enough." Utena swallows, pain crossing her features, but she nods. "And Anything-chan...?" Bugger shrugs.. "I didn't see her. We didn't have much time, hadda get Ada and Seek to safety, they were totally helpless.." The room is a mess. It'll be hard to find her... if she's here. Utena sets Xel down tenderly on the floor. And sighs... "It's over for now. I'm going to look for her. You guys... should get out of here, get rested... then come back." Bugger ums. "What about..?" He gestures to the two wounded. The Corinthian grins. "Sounds like a plan." He vanishes. Utena looks over to the two. "I don't know what we can do for them right now. Take them to the Lord's shore... at least we'll know where they are, and they'd be safer there than here." Bugger nods.. looks around. c.c "Great. I get to haul a plant, the brat AND the butch upstairs.. just my luck." He grumbles, but does what you ask. Utena sighs... looking around at the damage. Maybe if she hadn't.. no, it would have attacked anyway. If she'd waited, maybe it would have been a lot worse. She did what she could. But that doesn't stop her from staring numbly at the devastated area... she pushes forward and starts sifting through the debris looking for a sign of Anything, Xel still resting on the floor where she left him. ...you find her under a chair and some papers, near the console she was leaning against. In dolly form.. with one of her arms burned off, from the attack. Silent. Utena stifles a sob and frees the doll from the debris, hugging her tightly... "... no... oh, no..." The doll is inanimate.. but she always was, when she was a doll. Is she alive? Utena tries not to cry, reaching in, nudging gently with her mind, her senses, hoping that the poor little one isn't dead.. but her heart is afraid. It's hard to sense.. but she's in there. She's unconscious, afraid and in pain.. but she's alive. That makes TWO people Utena loves this thing hurt. *...hurts..* the dolly thinks. Utena holds Anything-dolly tightly, cradles her and tries so hard not to cry... *I know it hurts... I know.. do you have any strength to change your shape..? It might hurt less... * The doll blurs.. trying to change shape. It takes a lot of strength, but.. she manages to make it into little human girl form. But it's not a pretty sight. That arm which was burned is broken badly, and bleeding.. tears soaking her face. "..owww!" Bugger meanwhile finishes hauling everybody upstairs, and sits down, exhausted. He shakily gets out a cigarette, and lights up. Utena ssh's you gently. "Don't move. Don't move it..." She puts her hands out and wills and shapes dream to create a binding and splint for the broken arm.. she can't heal it, though right now she would give a LOT for the resonant power in the Sanctuary... she can't return there. "I'm so sorry, Anything..." She bites her lip. "This will make it so you can't move your arm until we can heal you." The split forms around her arm.. she cries out in pain, as it tightens, but it does immobilize the arm effectively. She breathes hard, thankful for that to be over.. and hugs you with her good arm. "I'm scared. Our home is gone. Where do we go? I don't want to stay here." Utena realizes something. This is dream. She can work dream. She can make .. it won't be the same.. but she can make a replica of it.. She's tired.. and still bleeding a little from the arm slash, which she hasn't paid any attention to yet... concentrates... it's so little though, just to raise a safe place in a dream... a replica of the sanctuary with some differences... but physically mostly the same.. trees, beauty, many rooms... a safe place. She needs that, everyone needs that right now. It works. It's a dream of the sanctuary.. somehow brighter, more comforting, softer. Unreal. But safe. It appears, on a site near the shattered remains of Ops, just within walking distance.. or easily within dreaming distance. Bugger's cigarette drops from his mouth when he sees the manorhouse appear just beyond the busted wall. "..." Utena turns Anything, to show her. "There. That's where we can be for a little while, okay? Can you make it there on your own? I have to help Xelloss and the others." Anything steps away.. wincing, but she nods. "I can." She makes a pair of roller skates, and zooms off.. gliding easily over the floor. Bugger looks up. "...guess you'll be wantin' me to haul the bodies back down the stairs." -.- Utena seems faded, even her wings seem faded, pale, almost not-there yellow rather than the living gold.. she shakes her head. "... I... I can do it." She wills again, and without seeing it happen you just know the injured have been moved.. she staggers, catching herself on the edge of a console... but then turns to pick up Xelloss too. Bugger sighs. He moves ahead of you.. and picks up Xelloss instead. "Can't stand to see a woman bloody well work herself to tears. C'mon, let's go." He slumps off towards the sanctuary. Utena stumbles off after, too tired to argue it, starting to feel it more distinctly now, with adrenaline fading down and dream-will running toward the red line. She notes with grim amusement that the pictures inside the house are of herself and Xelloss, as she wearily climbs up the stairs to the bedroom. Bugger follows, and uncerimoniously dumps Xelloss on the bed. "There. Now, you get sleep. I'll go guard the front door." He stretches. "I swear, I'm always punchin' overtime.. just my luck." Utena smiles wryly. "Thanks, Bugger." She means it... then just flops over on her side, beside Xelloss, looking at him. *... hey... we're home... you still in there.../* Xelloss-.- *Go away. Sleepy.* Bugger lurches out, lighting up again.. gonna be a long night. Utena groans and sits up, *Fine...* and stumbles off to find something to make her arm stop throbbing and stinging. Gee. that's a lot of blood for something she didn't even feel. o.o Utena ohs, right. Giggles stupidly. Stupid me. Just make myself a bandage... there. Exactly. This IS a dream. (Later... in the Catspaw Inn) Utena walks in and smiles to you, "Hey! Nice to see you again." She grins, and approaches you, sitting down at a nearby table. Aerith glances towards the door, her everpresent basket of flowers on the table, as she smiles, "Utena! It's good to see you again. How are you feeling?" Mirufi Yu comes down the stairs from the inn. Mirufi smiles. "Hello." Utena says, "What brings you this way, miss Aerith?" She tilts her head. "Oh, better than I was. But pretty tired today." She stretches out her arms above her head... stifling a short yawn. Utena nods hello. Aerith smiles gently and waves a polite greeting to Mirufi (waits for Utena to get back before responding to her question) Aerith shifts her position, calling over towards the lavender haired woman, "Would you like to buy a flower?" smiling brightly. Mirufi smiles back. "Thank you. What will it cost?" Mirufi hopes you meant her ^_^ ) Rail comes in from the village square. Rail has arrived. Aerith smiles, "One haypenny each." She waves politely to Rail. Rail smiles charmingly to Aerith. "Do you have any gardenias?" Mirufi nods and goes into the sash and pulls out two haypennies and hands them to Aerith. "Then I'll take two." Xelloss comes in from the village square. Xelloss has arrived. Aerith nods brightly to Rail, "Yes sir." She reaches into her basket, and takes out two flowers for Mirufi, then reaches back in for the gardenias. Xelloss announces his presence. "Hello!" Rail approaches Aerith, rummaging in a pocket. Utena waves to Xel, cheerfully. "Hi." She smiles to Aerith quietly, and checks her own pockets, looking for a coin to buy a white rose if one's available. Mirufi smiles at Aerith. "Thank you. Feel free to stay." Xelloss ohs! and walks over to Aerith. "Can I have a flower? Perhaps a rose?" Rail locates the elusive haypenny, draws it out, and watches expectantly for the gardenia. ^^ Aerith smiles at Mirufi as she finally fishes out the gardenia as Rail approaches. Half to herself, she chides the flower, "HIding were you? Silly thing, no time for pranks.." She holds the flower over to Rail and ( o.o; is beseiged by people wanting to buy flowers n.n;;;) nods to Xelloss.. and yes Utena, there are quite a few white roses in the basket. Mirufi puts the flowers in a watered mug and places it behind the bar. Utena draws back so as not to overwhelm the poor flower girl n.n and moves back toward the bar, hopping up onto a stool. Aerith smiles at Xelloss, "Any particular color you'd like sir?" Xelloss says, "Purple. ^_^ Or if that's impossible, red." Rail gives the coin to Aerith, smiles warmly, and sticks the flower in his lapel before wandering back from the group of people and sitting down.. somewhere. Xelloss offers Aerith a large-value coin. n.n Aerith smiles and takes the coin, tucking it into her pocket. She glances curiously at Xelloss, "Not impossible," she smiles gently, "But I'm afraid I haven't any purple roses in stock. I may at a later time.." Could be interesting to see if there are any roses that turn out that color in the process of growth. She selects a full blossomed red rose, and holds it out to Xelloss delicately, Blinks at the coin, "Let me get your change.." o O ( Do I even HAVE that much in change? ) Mirufi smiles at Utena and speaks in a husky voice. "May I get you something?" Martina comes in from the village square. Xelloss shakes his head. "Keep the change, ne. Not a problem." Utena shakes her head, but smiles back. "Not at the moment... thanks anyway, miss." Xelloss takes the rose. Aerith smiles warmly and takes the coin, in that case, "You're most generous, thank you." Martina stanggers in... o.o and speaks weakly, "Water..." Mirufi nods at Utena. Mirufi pours a mug of water and places it on the bar. Aerith glances over at Martina, setting her coins neatly into her jacket pocket. Martina hurries over to the bar and reaches for the mug.. *_* Martina drinks like she's never drunk before....downing the entire mug in three seconds.... "Ah!" *_* Aerith blinks, "Goodness." Mirufi blinks then refills it. Neena opens the door of the inn and looks around, stepping in. Aerith smiles a polite greeting to Neena, waving in addition, "Hello!" Rail sinks backward into the shadows, sweatdropping at Neena's arrival. Neena brushes her skirts while turning to close the door. She looks around worriedly... Martina waves the mug, "Another please?" Mirufi blinks then refills it. Neena sighs sadly, then walks over to the bar. Martina drinks that mug far slower than the first. Aerith flicks her bangs out of her face, watching the two curiously, and directs her question to Neena first, as Martina makes like a cactus, "Excuse me, is something wrong?" Neena says, "oh... I'm just looking for someone... And I can't find him..." Aerith smiles, "Who are you looking for?" Mirufi smiles from behind the bar. Rail slips out while Neena's back is turned.. Rail leaves the tavern and heads out into the village square. Rail has left. Neena says, "Rail Keibu... I was sent with a message for him... But I can't find him anyway..." Aerith ohs, "What does he look like?" Neena sighs hearing Aerith's words... "He's tall... Has shoulder length black hair... Kinda like..." She thinks, scanning her eyes over the inn, then stops and points to Xelloss. "...kinda like him!" Neena blinks, suddenly realizing the similarities between Xelloss and Rail. Aerith glances over towards Xelloss, then turns back to Neena, "Well I saw someone that looked like that in here earlier." Xelloss asks, "Ano?" Xelloss o.o Mirufi hmms? Neena looks at Aerith, her face brightening. "Really?! When?!" Utena blinks, sitting watching the inside of the room with her back against the bar's countertop. o.O Aerith says, "Not too long ago actually.. he bought a gardenia from me." She pauses, and looks around. Xelloss walks over to Utena.. and presents her with the rose he bought a few minutes ago. ^_^ Neena says, "That means he _is_ around here!" She smiles, looking very happy now. Martina finishes the water...and sighs... *_* "ummm much better." She sits up on a stool. Utena ohs! and blushes softly, reaching out small hands and taking the flower, with a little smile. ".. Thanks.." She lifts the blossom and smells it, a good, sweet opened rose. ..there's a ring in the center of Utena's flower. n.n Xelloss says, "Ta-daaaaa. o/~" Aerith smiles at Neena. Xelloss pages, "It looks vaguely like a rose signet, but more clearly ring-like and not signet-like. But with a flower motif." to you. Martina umms and streaches lightly. Rail comes in from the village square. Rail has arrived. Martina relaxs and than glances around the room. ^^ Utena... and blinkblinks to fish the ring out. "..." Giggles... "... You really did..." She pries the jewel out of the flower and looks at it... surprised for a second.. then smiles. "It's wonderful." She slips it on her finger, lifting her hand to admire it. Rail steps in, and backdashes almost instantly into the shadows.. fearing pounceage from Neena or Martina.. Xelloss nods! "And it squirts water at people when you touch the design!" n.n Mirufi Yu goes up the stairs into the tavern. Martina blinks and glances over to Xelloss...and instead of glomping onto him she just waves... That's a first! Utena giggles. "Don't make me test that on you." She smiles, though, and leans back, still looking at it.. Xelloss nods. ^_^ "So, will you marry me?" Utena blushes some more, and nods. "I asked you first anyway." She moves over and hugs Xel tightly. n.n Xelloss wais. n.n "I'll always remember those words. 'I asked you first anyway.'" Neena smiles, watching the couple silently. Rail inhales deeply from his flower, smiling vaguely at the scene Neena looks at Martina, then she pulls out a handkerchief. Neena says, "Here." Martina BLINKS...her jaw droping at the scene...nearly hitting the ground. Utena snickers and bips his arm, then looks a little more serious. "Besides, I went through all that trouble to save you last night..." She slips under one of his arms and snuggles close, but... oh dear, there are people... she blushes, looking at the various folks here shyly. Xelloss waves to the nice people. ^_^ Aerith waves back to the nice couple ^_^ Rail, concealed, feels no need to wave, but merely nods. Utena grins a bit to Aerith, touching the back of her neck. "Eheh. Uhm, Xel..? When are we going to do this?" Utena blinks. "Geez, I don't even have a -dress-..." Xelloss says, "Ah.. I hadn't thought that far." Martina pintches herself...and flinches. o.O Aerith grins back at Utena, then turns her attention back to her flowers (she'll supply the bouquet Utena! :D) so as not to cause any embarrassment. More of it that is Neena watches the couple silently, then she brings her hands up to her chin, looking up at the ceiling a dreamy look on her face.... Utena nods. "I guess I hadn't either." She grins wryly. "That's rather like us, isn't it.." Neena . o O ( If only Rail Keibu would do that....? ) Xelloss says, "Basically, yes." n.n; He giggles. "Well, anyway, at least it's official." Aerith . o O ( How cute ^_^ ) Utena giggles too, feeling uncharacteristically shy in the crowd of mostly-strangers. "It's official." Her voice is soft, but happy; she just contents herself to lean against her.. gosh, fiancee. Martina says, "Xel-xel-xel-xel...*gulp*" She just stares and can't believe her eyes. Xelloss asks, "SO! Round of drinks on me for everybody!... ano, Martina-chan? Yes?" Martina o.o "..." Aerith flashes Utena a soft grin of smothered amusement, "Congratulations Utena." She offers softly. Utena blinks, looking over. O.o The 'when did we get money?' question is evident in her eyes before she turns to give Aerith a weak and crimson smile. "... Thanks.." She slips the rose that Xel gave her into the lapel at the breast of her jacket, which it seems to be almost made for, and beams with quiet contentment. Martina holds her breath... O.O than exhales... -.- Martina pouts for a moment....fidgiting than looks up FORCING a smile, "Yeah...congratulations." Xelloss ahs.. "It's from the expense account. I won't tell if you don't, Utena." Ehheh. "Thanks, Martina.." n.n; Martina ehs and waves, ^_^; She than stands and starts backing away. "Well...I just remembered...I've got someplace I need to be..." Utena grins softly. "I don't think She'll complain... but.. uhm, Xel? I need to sit down.. like right now." She does so. o.O She kind of didn't.. realize it yet. Until now. n.n Neena looks at Utena. "Are you alright, miss?" Aerith smiles at Utena, then glances towards Xelloss and Martina. Xelloss waves to Martina. ^_^? Utena nods.. ".. I'm okay. Really. *n.n*" She giggles brightly. "... Just.. realized." Utena looks at her ring again. Pretty much oblivious to almost everything else, with this small, dreamy smile. Martina giggles....smiling at Xelloss than turns to leave....bumping into Rail as she begins to run off. -.- *oof!* Neena then smiles. "Congratulations, miss..." Aerith chuckles softly at the dreamy look on Utena's face. That's just too cute for words. Martina blinks and looks up at who she ran into.. *_* Xelloss . o O ( ...aaaand that distraction should cover Martina's personal loss. n.n; ) Martina says, "Well hellllllo!" Xelloss turns back to Utena. Awwww. That's adorable. *^^* Utena . o O ( I'm going to get married. Really married. Married with a dress and a -husband- and... I'm going to get married! ) Rail nods nonchalantly to her. "Good evening." Martina *_* Xelloss says, "I think I want to wear the dress. *_*" Aerith blinks at Xelloss.. and giggles softly. Neena suddenly looks up in Martina's direction, her face brigthening. "Rail Keibu!" Utena blinks... -pause- look up.. "*I* get the dress. You're not depriving me of my dress." Xelloss asks, "Can we both wear dresses?" Utena says, "no." Xelloss pouts. Martina glomps onto Rail's arm, "And what a good evening it is." *_* Utena says, "Besides, you're sexier in pants." Xelloss says, "Oh, alright. -.-" Neena says, "Rail Keibu!" She hops off of the barstool and runs over to Martina and Rail, only to stop and give a confused look at Martina. Neena asks, "Anata wa.... Dare ka?" Rail politely disengages from Martina. "Indeed.. it's quite pleasant. Look at the couple.." He gestures. Utena says, "Xell, you've been alive HOW long and you don't know that the woman has to look prettier than anything else around her, including the groom, on the wedding day?" Xelloss says, "Well, I've never been in a wedding. o.o" Neena says, "Rail Keibu! I've been looking everywhere for you..." Utena sits back in her chair, coming out of lalaland a -little-, but still grinning. And then blinks. "... Really?" Martina hehes and continues staring at Rail. ^_^ Xelloss says, "Yes really." Rail says, "Is that so? What for? " to Neena. Neena says, "The duke sent me with some papers for you, Rail Keibu..." Utena now looks touched, and honored, and somewhat surprised, too... She pulls out the chair next to her and patpats it. "... I didn't know. I thought for sure.. you know, maybe once before or so.." Neena reaches to a pack slung over her shoulder. She opens it and pulls out a folder, handing it to him. Rail takes it. "What is it?" Xelloss shakes his head. "Never been married, never attended a wedding. I've read about them." Neena says, "It's more information on the economic structure of the duchy that needs to be gathered. He also wants to see if you can get an audience with the local royals here." Buffy pages, "If that's okay ^_^" to you. Rail nods, flipping expertly through the folder, and then putting it away. "I'll get on it." Martina makes a mental note... (Name...Rail) *_* Utena leans on her hand, that soft look coming back into her face. "I was a flower girl once, in a wedding. It was really beautiful... flowers everywhere... and the gown was amazing.. just.. miles of white satin and silk and lace..." Neena says, "Rail Keibu... I can get you a cup of tea if you want." She smiles oh so sweetly to him. Xelloss gapes. "Miles?! But that's expensive. And hard to manage." Neena says, "That way you can have something to drink while you read over the paperwork." Rail still has a burn somewhere tender.. "No, that's all right. I'm fine." Utena elbows him gently. "Not literally... anyway, that's what bridesmaids are for." Utena realizes, and her expression falls slightly. "I don't know any girls that could BE a bridesmaid.. I won't even have a proper ringbearer.." She sighs. "All my friends are guys, and no, I won't let them wear dresses." Xelloss blinks. "What about Anshi? Or Sylpheel or Aerith?" Aerith glances over to Utena and Xelloss, as she hears her name. Utena ehs, looking over to Aerith. "Well, no offense.. they're all sweet, but I don't really KNOW any of them." Utena says, "I mean.." She looks away a moment. "You're supposed to have the whole family in on it... I guess that means I call in the wingless, that's the closest I've got now..." Xelloss shrugs. n.n; "So get to know them. ...you don't know Anshi?" Sylpheel comes in from the village square. Sylpheel has arrived. Utena-looks- at Xelloss. "How do you think she would take that, Xel? Think about it closely." Xelloss says, "...oh. n.n;;" Sylpheel steps in brushing her fingers through her hair slowly as she enters...glancing around...steping around the starry eyed Martina. ^^; Aerith waves politely to Sylpheel, "Hello again." Neena stands near Rail silently. She then moves over to a table, then pulls the chair out for him. "Rail Keibu... Wouldn't you be more comfortable sitting at a table?" Utena nods. "oh.. is right. I couldn't possibly." She sighs, watching her daydream evaporate into something a little less romantic, a lot less expensive, and a lot SHORTER. Sylpheel looks over to Aerith still holding the yellow tulip and walks over to her, "Here..." ^_^ "I couldn't find anyone else to give this to." Xelloss u.u. "Gomen ne, Ut-chan." Aerith blinks at Sylpheel, "I'm sorry?" Sylpheel blinks than smiles, "A gift...you may have it. Better than it going to waste, ne?" ^_^ Rail looks oddly at her. "No, no, I'm fine, really." He flips the file folder open again and reads the contents in the dim light.. Utena smiles a little. "It's okay.. I guess all of that is really secondary. It's just.. you only get married once..." She pauses. Actuallly, this would be her second marriage, but her first OFFICIAL, recognized one... stifles that and goes on to say, "... so you kind of have images of what you want." Aerith looks puzzled, then looks at the tulip. Pause. Smiles, "Keep it." Xelloss ahs. "Expectations, hai. Well.. we'll see what we can whip up, ne?" Neena gasps. "Rail Keibu! You shouldn't be reading in the dark like that...!" She quickly moves to a table and picks up a candle in its holder. She lights it from another and walks over to Rail with it. Utena giggles. "Right. Anyway, I'm happy.. no matter what else happens." Neena stops at the table near Rail and sets the candle down near the edge, but not too close to it. It wouldn't do any good to drop it now, would it. Xelloss grins. "Yay." Waves a little flag. Neena exclaims, "There, Rail Keibu! That's a lot better!" Utena tickles the ex-Mazoku. o.O ^_^ Xelloss drops the flag. n.n! Rail edges away from Neena. "Hmm.. this looks pretty important." He closes the file folder. "I'd better get on it immediately." Rail leaves the tavern and heads out into the village square. Rail has left. Utena says, "You're mocking me. Don't mock me. Or I'll have to do something about it." She thinks about what that might be. -Grins-. Aerith smiles faintly. Sylpheel glances from Aerith to the flower...puzzled at first...her gift in a way refused...her eyes closing as her ears are assulted by the conversations floating around in the tavern. Neena blinks as Rail suddenly takes off. Martina blinks, "Hot damn! He's trying to get away!" She runs right behind Neena to chase after Rail too. Xelloss hmms. "It seems there's a new playboy on the market now that I'm off." n.n Neena smiles, staring dreamily at where Rail was... She apparently has no intentions on chasing after him. Utena looks at the others running out quickly, but it's not really her business. She laughs. "You're still a playboy, you're just a taken one." Aerith smiles at Sylpheel, "You said you couldn't find anyone to give it to right? Why don't you give it to yourself?" Martina (OOC) whoops...runs after him than. ^^ Hehehe mahahahaha! Martina leaves the tavern and heads out into the village square. Martina has left. Xelloss nods. Hmms. "I think I'd better head back to.. Not-Ops. They'll be waiting." Neena blinks, seeing Martina run out, everything suddenly hitting her. "wait a sec...!" Sylpheel blinks her eyes open...an almost sad yet confused expression. "I've never done anything for myself...before...others..." Utena nods. "I'll meet you in a while, okay? I want to sit here and bask in this for a while." Neena says, "Hey! Wait a sec!" She runs out of the inn as well. Neena leaves the tavern and heads out into the village square. Neena has left. Xelloss nods. "Okay." He sneaks off. c.c Aerith smiles, "Oh what harm will it do?" She looks at the flower, "I think that everyone could use a flower. Spoil yourself a little." Xelloss teleports out of the room. Sylpheel looks back down to the flower...her smile tiddering on the edge of a frown. Aerith watches Sylpheel for a minute, then glances towards the flower, and back, "Keep her happy." Though to who she directs that, is anyone's guess. Utena sits back, with a faint giggle. "... He actually did it." She shakes her head, and lets her hand fall, and watches the exchange between the other two girls quietly. Sylpheel looks back down to the flower and closes her eyes for a moment with a soft sigh... Aerith studies Sylpheel with a curious expression, concerned. She brushes aside her bangs again, then glances towards Utena with a smile, "You still can't believe it?" Sylpheel opens her eyes...forgetting the sole purpose she came here...and turns to leave... Utena says, "Well, what I said is true. I did ask him first. But.. yeah, I'm.. I mean, we've been serious for a little while now. It's just so fast.. and... I am kind of surprised. n.n" She looks at Sylpheel. 'Hey, Sylpheel, were you able to pick up that spell?"" Aerith glances back after Sylpheel, a slight frown crossing her face. She turns back to Utena, and smiles, "It couldn't have happened to a nicer person." n.n Utena smiles to the flower girl. "Thank you... That's sweet of you to say." She blushes all over again. It looks like she'll be doing that a lot today. Sylpheel pauses at the door as she's addressed. Aerith smiles at Utena, "If you need anyone to help with the flowers," she offers sweetly. Canal comes in from the village square. Utena grins to Aerith. "I think we need an actual DATE to be set. But believe me, I'll come to you for that." She looks back toward Sylpheel, tilting her head a little. Canal walks into the inn quietly. Sylpheel is near the door...and steps aside for Canal to enter. Sylpheel turns around to Utena and nods, "Yes...I did Utena-san." Canal sighs and walks over to the bar. Aerith giggles behind a hand, and nods to Utena, "All right." She waves to Canal. Canal smiles and waves to Aerith. "Hello." She then smiles to Utena. "How're you doing?" Utena smiles. "Oh, I'm glad! I hope it helps." She looks relieved, and settles back, but also nods with a wave to Canal when she enters.. she'd go over and offer to help, having heard the sigh, but a strong 'Don't bother me' field seems to be in effect... She giggles. "I'm engaged.." Canal blinks. "Engaged?! That's great! Congratulations! To whom?" Utena giggles brightly. "Xelloss.." Sylpheel turns back around and continues to leave.. Canal blinks. Canal exclaims, "Xelloss...?!" Sylpheel leaves the tavern and heads out into the village square. Sylpheel has left. Martina comes in from the village square. Martina has arrived. Utena nods. "I know, I know... but..." She shows Canal her ring, grinning. "We've actually.. been kind of serious about each other for a while. It's just.. there were reasons we couldn't, before recently." Martina pouts and enters just after Sylpheel leaves...her feet draging as she walks to a table... =( Canal nods slowly. "He just doesn't seem like the kind who would settle down easily..." Aerith glances over at Martina curiously, "Is something wrong?" Utena nods. "I know.. but I know a lot about him he doesn't show to other people. He's got a whole different side.. soft and gentle... sweet." Utena says, "And he makes me laugh." Martina sighs...glancing out a window, "No..." c.c Aerith tilts her head slightly, braid swinging. "Are you certain? You look..down." Canal smiles and moves to sit next to Utena. Martina mmms and rests her cheek in her hand as she continues staring outside.... "I'm .... sure..."