It's a bit messy in here.. exactly as if a dark wave traveled through the
entire room- some burned streaks on the wall. But of more note are the
three visible people camped out here; a young woman with pink hair
sprawled wearily on a couch that looked like it was mauled by a wild
animal... a cheerful looking monk asleep on a pillow and under a blanket
on the floor, and a young girl beside him... It quite literally looks like
there was some kind of fight here and people just dropped where they
stood..

Alis wanders very slowly in from the foyer, leaning heavily upon the
sturdy branch she took as both weapon and walking aide for her journey all
the way here. Despite the desc, the collar and manacles she had worn have
been removed, though the burn marks from the bolts being soldered into
place are still easily seen, as are the outlines of her formers signs of
bondage. At the appearance of the place, however, she stops in her tracks;
her eyes going wide slowly as she regards the scene, beginning to wonder
if she wasn't misled as to this place being a shelter of peace for those
in need. It hardly looks it, now.... "....gods...."

Utena stirs as she hears a voice, weary-looking... a blue eye pops open
and dizzily focuses on you. "...nmng." She wedges herself up and the
blanket slides down toward her waist; underneath, although he's not listed
in the room contents, is a young man of about 13 who was cuddled up
peacefully against her side- much like a boy might cling to his mother.
This waking girl sighs as her eyes take in both you, and your reaction,
and the damage to her home; she finally turns her gaze back to you and
wedges her way off the couch. Her dress is stained with blood, but for all
that... her smile is apologetic, kind.

Alis moves back one step as you stand, catching sight of that bloodied
dress and adding it to the general disarray of the house as it is. She's
already been ambushed once by the slavors, and she isn't about to let it
happen again. Her eyes remain locked onto yours, as if she could read your
intentions there as she speaks. "..this.... this is the sanctuary, is it
not....?"

Utena nods slowly, passing her hand over her face; she looks kind, if
tired, and her eyes seem very... old. As if she has endured great
suffering for a long, long time... her voice is soft too, young and sad.
"... Yes, it is. I'm sorry about the .. the mess." Her nose wrinkles as
she realizes she smells completely of blood and she frowns... gestures,
her clothing becoming clean right before your eyes. . o O ( Might as well
use it, while I have it to use. )

Kaoru stretches sleepily.  "Ohayo, kaachan..."

Kaoru stumbles about, and starts attempting to clean up a bit.

Alis steps back once again as the dress is cleaned through such an odd
means, though she doesn't seem afraid of the magic; merely surprised to
see it used so effortlessly and quickly. Her eyes don't leave Utena,
though; far too weary to just turn back around and leave after coming all
this way. "...what happened...?"

Utena closes her eyes a moment. "... Bad things. But it's over for now."
She shakes her head and looks at the girl before her once more... taking
particular note of the marks on her wrists. Frowning at the sight. "..
Please, sit down." She gestures to one of the undamaged chairs, while
going and pulling a blanket over the tattered couch, spreading it out like
a cover to hide the messy-looking damage.

Kaoru yawns.  "Hrm....  whossat?"  He rubs his eyes a bit, and walks over
towards Alis.  "Hello....  I'm Kaoru...."

Alis nods once and moves for the indicated chair, taking a wide detour
around Kaoru; even going so far as the heft her staff slightly as a silent
warning to stay back, before arriving at and sinking into the chair Utena
had pointed out with a weary sigh. "......"

Kaoru looks a bit taken aback, but halts any movement towards Alis...  He
waves and smiles at her, and then looks at Utena.  "Want something to
drink, Kaachan?"

Utena watches this with a sadly knowing eye, and clears her throat.
"Kaoru-chan... can you make some tea?" Sensing that this girl is afraid,
and she thinks she knows the reason why... She then kneels down on the
floor on front of the girl's chair, and sits crosslegged there, lowering
herself below the girl's seated position as a psychological tactic to make
her feel more at ease, more in control. She nods to Kaoru... "Please, tea
would be wonderful."

Kaoru nods and walks off into the kitchen to boil some water.

Alis blinks as Utena lowers herself before her chair, though it does seem
to work as planned; her body relaxing just slightly and some of the
hardness going out of her expression as she shifts her hands over the
roughly-shaved branch carried as she watches the girl closely. "....are
you the mistress of this sanctuary and household, then...?"

Utena nods, resting her hands in her lap. "I'm Ten'jou Utena." Something
dark and snickering in her mind tacks 'for now' onto that. But she doesn't
say it, and it doesn't reach her face; she watches the girl react,
measuring her closely with an intense focus that would be unnerving save
that she has so much obvious kindness and concern in her manner. "What
happened to you?" she asks, having an idea. But wanting to hear the full
story.

Alis' eyes flick towards the kitchen and the direction Kaoru had departed
in nervously, making certain that he doesn't look to be within hearing
distance before her eyes move back to regard Utena judgingly; likely
finding that concern in her expression to be sincere enough for her to at
least tell some of what happened. "...almost two years ago, I came here
from my homeland aboard a slave ship. I was sold almost immediately and
moved from area to area at those men's whims, as were the many others that
were slaves, as I was. We really had no hope of ever escaping, but a lady
knight and companions of hers burst upon us one evening for some reason,
and started attacking the slavors... a fire started, and many of us were
killed where we stood chained and helpless. Those of us that were free
when it happened did manage to escape.... but they are out looking for us
again. I'm sure the lady knight was no benevolent soul, and neither were
the lords of the camp.... most of the few that escaped have already been
rounded up again and either punished or executed.... x.x;;"

Utena closes her eyes. For a moment, a shudder runs through her body.. a
shudder of two different crosspurposes.. one of memory, all too sharp and
clear, of her own time as a slave to one of the Mazoku generals- anger
accompanying that recollection... but the other is an unwanted shiver as
if a starving person came upon a meal that they knew was poisoned and
would kill them, but wanted it so badly anyway they could barely control
the hunger... She may be in control, but she's still a Mazoku; all of this
results in a blanching of the girl's face, a horror both at herself and at
your words at the same time.

Alis seemed almost ready to add more to her short tale, but the look upon
the young girl's face stifled any thoughts she had in that direction;
instead, she looks a bit more uncomfortable and wonders aloud, "Did... I
offend you, somehow....? I understand I took a risk in coming here.... if
you are worried, I can go, before any trail would lead them here."

There is a knock on the wall by the corridor leading into the kitchen.  
"Tea is ready." Kaoru says.

Utena shakes her head, standing quickly and smiling. "No. No, I'm not
offended. Just a moment.." She crosses the room and hugs Kaoru briefly,
whispering something in his ear meant for him alone... then raising her
voice. "I'll bring the tea in."

You whisper, "It's not over, Kaoru-chan..." to Kaoru.

Kaoru whispers, "I'll be right in the other room if you need me,
kaachan....." to you.

Kaoru hands the tea over to Utena, and makes his way back into the
kitchen.

Utena takes the tray and carries it back down, where she kneels before the
other girl again, her head momentarily bowed while pouring out the tea;
Alis gets first cup, and she takes the second. By this time, she's
collected and in control of herself; a sort of hardness in her eyes. She
explains softly, "I spent time as a slave, myself. I remember what it was
like. No one is going to be taking any slaves on my ground in my house."

Alis watches at the whispered whatever to Kaoru with a detatched sort of
uncaring; her eyes once again tracking Utena as the girl kneels down
before her, unmoving until finally reaching out to take the offered cup of
tea carefully in shaking hands, pulling it back to her quickly before she
manages to drop it. She perches the cup upon the lower edge of her tunic
over her leg, losing interest in it briefly at hearing Utena's last words.
She's more interested in the face that this girl was once a slave, rather
than any hope that might have been meant to be felt at that reassurance;
her hope long having been beat out of her. "You were a slave...? I didn't
know... how did you get free? I didn't think people were able to escape
easily..."

Utena smiles grimly. "I killed the one who wished to be my master by the
grace of my then-protector." Another shudder runs through her; this girl
seems to be possessed by mixed emotions. Dios.. her terror, her savior,
her antithesis, her prison... she bites her lip. "Cut him in half with his
own sword."

Alis' eyes slowly widen at this brief, yet disturbing, tale; having wished
to do similar things many times herself, yet never finding the strength
through the constant blanket of oppression put upon her and her fellows.
"Your protector....? But... how did something like that enable you to
cleave a man in two....?"

Utena shakes her head, her hands spreading. "I don't know if I can explain
it. I just... I was going to die. And I needed the strength and he gave it
to me." Despite herself, despite all she knows, she still can't keep the
reverent awe out of her voice. "... I was meant for something else. He
saved me for that. I didn't know it then, but I just.. wasn't meant to die
there. So the power came."

Alis has totally forgotten her tea by this point, her eyes studying the
girl before her closely, almost as if wanting to tear apart her very soul
to see what lies within. "Destiny... who was this protector of yours? Who
is he, that could have given you power for such a calling? You speak of
him as if he were a god."

Utena sighs. "He was a god. Dios... a scion of the force of Order... he
saved my life because he wanted to use me as his tool to transform the
world. But he's.. he's dead now." She shakes her head, and that ancient
sorrow fills her eyes once again; she sips at her tea in grim thought.

Alis is taken aback at this; both such sadness in a young girl's eyes and
the fact that a god was said to have died, something her usually religious
culture would consider a blaspheme. If not for the time she had spent in
the slavor's camp, she would have jumped up herself with such claims. "A
god died....? How is it that a god can look out for you... make sure you
live for some destiny, yet die himself soon after...? What happened?"

Utena leans back. "It's such a long story," She hedges now, not wanting to
recount things that are still haunting her to this very day. "Why don't we
save it for another time. You should rest... please, drink, and if you
need something to eat, just tell me."

Alis nods once, her face troubled still by this revelation of gods dying
and granting destinies to mortals. Things like that should be unheard
of.... she raises her cup to her lips, sipping from it politely, though
she's had about her fill of things to drink for the next several days, she
would think. "In truth, I could use something to eat... I've been trying
to live off of roots and berries since I escaped... I guess I'm not as
woodsworthy as I thought I was."

Utena nods, and hastily scrambles to her feet, as if eager to get away
from her thoughts, from the memories.. from herself. She moves to the
kitchen, saying, "I'll start a soup. The others will probably be hungry
when they wake up, too..."

Alis nods once again, not adding anything verbally to this just yet; her
natural instinct of caregiving and concern having long since been stifled,
and though she feels it tingling inside at the sadness this girl obviously
feels, it's just not enough to break through the dark clouds that plague
her mind; falling to staring down into her tea thoughtfully as she's left
alone.

Kaoru smiles as Utena enters.  "Kaachan..."

Duplica has a broom in her hand. "Hello, Miss Utena! You feelin' better?"

Utena wedges her way in, a large black pot of strong-smelling beef soup
held in her hands, hot gloves wrapped around the handles as she sits it
down on the table in the center of the couches and chairs, nodding...
"Phew... yeah, I'm doing all right right now.... just a second." She
hurries back to the kitchen for bowls and spoons and a ladle, then
returns, and sits with a sigh. "That took a while.'"

Kaoru says, "It smells good, Kaachan....  Thank you."  He starts ladling
some soup into the bowls, handing them out.  "Here you go..."

Duplica's eyes get starry as she sees the soup. *.* "Oh, thank you Miss
Utena!!"

Utena sits down on the blanket-covered couch that was torn open earlier,
settling and watching Kaoru hand out the food. It's a wonderful smelling
thick stew with large chunks of carrot, cooked beef, and so on...
Something easy to make, quick and capable of going around a large table
several times. She ohs. "I forgot the bread..." and disappears again for
about five minutes while chopping sounds are heard in the kitchen. Then
she returns with a large plate covered in thick slices of brown bread.

Kaoru takes a few cautious steps towards Alis, doing his best to be
non-threatening, bringing her a bowl of soup.

Duplica takes a bowl of soup and just *starts* to wolf down, yet then
remembers a tiny little thing called manners. She then picks up the spoon
and wolfs down. ^.^;;;

Utena stifles a small laugh behind her hand and starts to reach for one of
the bowls... then pauses... stops. Blinks once... then picks it up and
starts to eat slowly, ".. Careful, Duplica. It's hot.." Ehhe. n.n;

Duplica seems to be unaffected. When living in a gypsy cavavan for as long
as she did, you eat what you get. -.o;; That may explain her cast-iron
stomach also.

Kaoru gets a bit closer, leaving the bowl within easy reach of Alis, then
going back for one for himself, taking a few slices of brown bread.  
"Kaachan, do you have any butter for the bread?"

Utena mms. "In the cold room in the kitchen, yeah. I'm almost out, but go
ahead."

Utena's eyes flicker over Chichiri. "He hasn't come around yet..?" A frown
crossing her soft features.

Kaoru nods, and walks over to get the butter, bringing it out for
everyone.  "I'll go into town later and get some more...."

Duplica stops immediately, sighing and shaking her head. "Whatever he did
took a lot out of him...." She casts a worried look at Chichiri, for a
moment forgetting her food.

Utena shakes her head with her faint sad smile. "Kaoru-chan, they don't
sell it except in the cold months- it doesn't keep otherwise. Most people
don't have cold rooms like I do. We'll have to churn our own later."

Duplica says, "I don't need any. The bread is just as good without.
^.^" She beams.

Utena nods to Duplica, after, her eyes closing with a sigh of guilt
escaping her. "... I'm glad he did.. but I wish he hadn't hurt himself in
the process. I'm not..." She pauses again. "... not worth that."

Duplica says, "I don't need any. The bread is just as good without. ^.^"
She beams.

Duplica blinkblinks. "Of course you are, Miss Utena. He's like that with
all his friends."

Kaoru looks at Utena oddly.  "Kaachan?"

Utena smiles at Kaoru gently, but very sadly... it just hangs on her, in
her smile, in her body, even in the folds of her clothing; she's affected
by a permanent frost of weary sadness. She's been through a lot, and she's
feeling the absence of her cheerful fiancee more than usual because of
recent events.

Kaoru moves over next to Utena, and holds her hand.  "Kaachan?"

Utena squeezes his hand. "It's okay."

Kaoru holds her hand a bit tighter.  "Okay kaachan... if you say so..."  
He scoops up some soup with the buttered bread, and eats it.  As he turns
back to look at Utena, you can see that he's got a slight drop of soup out
the side of his mouth.

Utena picks up a napkin and dabs at it, as reflexive and thoughtless as
any maternal gesture is. "Here..."

Utena grins a little, "You're dripping."

Duplica says, "Don't worry, Utena. I *know* Chichiri. -.^ He can spring
back from stuff even I can't stand. ^.-"

Utena nods, setting down the napkin with a faint grin. "I really hope so."
She gazes at him again anxiously for several moments, but takes a slow
bite of her bread and gazes into the distance a little.. ".. Sorry I'm
quiet. I didn't... Uhm. I'm just.. thinking about things."

Kaoru's tongue darts out the side of his mouth, catching the little drop
of soup.  Smiling impishly at Utena, and winks.

Kaoru exclaims, "What do you need a napkin for, kaachan?  Waste of soup!"

Utena giggles faintly. "Naughty boy." She squeezes Kaoru's nose a pinch
with two fingers, smiling before letting go. "Behave, now."

Kaoru smiles.  "What fun would that be?"

Duplica giggles. ^.^

Utena turns an.. interesting look on Kaoru. Before giggling a little
herself.

Alis can finally unidle! ICly, she has sat there the entire time; eyes
closed still as she sits in her chair, staff upright in her loose fingers
and appearing to be dozing quietly. . o O (...these people are
strange....)

Duplica giggles. "Don't worry; I'll keep him in line."

Utena laughs a little, and nods. "Someone's gonna have to."

Kaoru fehs.  "I don't need to be kept in line.  All it was was a little
soup.  Didn't want to waste it."

Duplica giggles.

Kaoru says, "It's good soup.  You don't waste a good soup like that...."

Utena blushes faintly and snugs Kaoru closely for a moment.

Duplica says, "Right. ^.^"

Alis stirs slightly now, her mouth turning down into a frown as she forces
her heavy eyelids open; the scent of food finally pulling her from her
semi-concious state. She doesn't announce her waking, simply gazing at
Duplica, then to and away from Kaoru quickly, then settling her gaze on
Utena.

Utena feels the gaze after a moment and returns it to the former slave
girl with sympathy but slight nervousness as well. Not that she's afraid
of the girl herself, per se. Other things about that are making her
afraid. But she stands from the couch and replaces Alis's cold untouched
bowl of soup with a fresh one. She doesn't like men, apparently- hell,
Utena didn't either after being a slave. That's understandable enough.
"Here.." she offers gently.

Duplica looks at Alis. "Hello! Who are you?"

Kaoru snuggles in closer to Utena.

Alis actually flashes a very brief smile to Utena as the soup is offered,
propping her shaved branch of a staff against the chair before reaching
out to take the bowl in both hands to make certain as to not drop it;
pausing before starting in on it to stare disapprovingly at Kaoru's
snuggling before glancing to Duplica; not a word said to the girl in
answer. "......"

Duplica smiles, not at all offended by Alis's silence. "My name is
Duplica, and that's Kaoru, Utena's adopted son." She then waves a hand to
the unconcious Chichiri sleeping on a couch. "That's Chichiri, my best
friend."

Utena realizes she doesn't know the girl's name either. x.x She slips an
arm around Kaoru, though, surprised at how comforted and natural she feels
with the boy's presence. Only now that she's had a moment of thought does
she notice it. She sighs a little and nods as her name is spoken.

Kaoru smiles warmly and nods.  "Pleased to meet you...."

Alis lets her eyes drift over each of the assembled people in turn as they
are introduced, nodding shortly once she has the names committed to memory
and, still not offering her own just yet, tips the bowl to her lips and
sets into drinking the soup with a decidedly odd lack of manners.

Duplica doesn't notice a thing... She's just getting the hang of that
little thing called manners. O.O

Utena never stood very high on formality, and her manners tend to get shot
to hell when she's nervous, damaged or exhausted herself.

Kaoru has manners, but chooses to ignore them for the sake of humor....

Utena just smiles at Alis and closes her eyes, finally sitting back
against the warm blanket, no longer interested in the pretense of eating
food she can't really do anything with in her current form. She rests her
hands along her stomach, lifting her hand to gaze at the radiant jewel on
her finger for a moment with a mixed expression of distrust and relief.

Alis certainly doesn't realize she is doing anything less than the
accepted normale, and continues drinking hungrily from the bowl until it's
emptied in rapid fashion; lowering it then to nod once at Utena, despite
the girl being preoccupied. "...thank you. It's been a long time since
I've had anything that good... what do you need done in return for the
food?"

Utena says, "nothing." Utena whispers, opening her eyes. "None of my
guests are asked to do anything. As I said... I was a slave once."

Alis quirks her mouth faintly at this; recognizing common kindness when
she sees it, despite not being accustomed to it. "If you're sure.... I'm
sure I can find something, though. This room, for example... it's going to
need a lot done to fix it to what it likely once was."

Utena gazes around. "Yeah.." She sighs with a little grin. "But that's my
problem." She doesn't add that it's because she CAUSED it in the first
place. "The important thing is that everyone rests up and gets their
strength back. Whatever that takes is what I'm concerned about. It may not
look perfect in here right now. but it's still warm, dry, and the damage
isn't really serious."

Duplica grins. "Kaoru and I were cleaning up."

Utena blushes, touching the back of her neck. "Eheh. It's really not
something you guys should worry about."

Alis reaches forward to set her bowl back down, then leans back into the
chair with a halfway content look on her face for once; closing her eyes
as she lets a small smile slip before adding, "Don't worry... we can all
rest, and once that is done, we'll get this place cleaned up. It is
perfectly functional, either way, as you said, Utena."

Utena nods a little, submitting to that. "Rest sounds really good right
now." She grins weakly. "If anyone needs anything, the house is at your
disposal. And if you can't find something and I'm not available, look for
the dark, tall, lurking guy who hangs around outside... Akio. He helps me
out with things here." So saying, she glances again at Chichiri, then
snuggles back into the couch, letting her eyes drift closed again.

Alis' smile slowly slips from her face as she makes herself comfortably;
the creeping feeling of relaxation the warm soup in her pitifully empty
stomach causing her to become sleepy again in contentment. "Akio.... I'll
remember that.... and thank you, again, for all you've done. Please sleep
well."

Duplica looks at Kaoru. "Well... you wanna clean or do you wanna do
something else?"

(Later)...

Chichiri has awakened.

Utena rubs at her eyes and glances over... smiles quietly. "You're
awake.." She looks relieved. "I was starting to wonder if you were going
to make it. I dunno what the hell you hit me with.. but it worked."

Chichiri smiles and nods.  He's seated on the floor next to Duplica who's
fallen asleep again.  "Hai no da."  He looks at Utena with concern.  
"You're feeling better no da?"

Utena runs her fingers through her bangs; she reaches up slowly to undo
the tight leather binding strings holding her hair back in its braid. She
nods with a slow exhale. "For right now, at least. Whatever you did..."

Alis' eyes snap open at the sudden noise, peering around the room
carefully until she spies Utena and the stranger she speaks to. Chichiri,
if she remembers right; remaining silent for the moment.

Chichiri smiles and nods.  Relief on his face as he hears that.  "I'm glad
no da."  Though he wonders how long it'll be before that happens again.  
He notices Alis and looks over to her and gives a smile, as well as a curt
nod.

Utena's hair spills down slowly, waved locks of shoulder-length pink hair
coiling around her neck and shoulders; she discards the leather strings
and brushes her fingers through the wild mess of her hair. She gazes at
Alis as well, asking her in a soft tone, "It's been a few hours. Do you
feel a little safer now?"

Alis actually returns Chichiri's nod, watching him warily; he may be male,
but he's all the way over there and she has her staff, besides. Her eyes
then move to Utena, softening somewhat as she slips a brief smile. "Yes, I
do... that food did wonders to help me think, thank you."

Utena nods, and rises. She took care of the blood on her clothes earlier;
she's back in her clean, simple outfit now. But as she gazes over Alis she
comments, "If you want to change clothing, or take a bath, the bathroom
upstairs is open. And I think some of Himemiya's old clothes might fit you
okay. If you want, anyway. I know the first thing I wanted when I got
loose was a change of clothing and a real LONG bath." She can't help
adding, perhaps as a way of indicating to the girl that she's sympathetic,
"The one who tried to make himself my master didn't allow us clothing. I
kind of got used to it, but... still. I know it was something I missed."

Chichiri looks curiously at Alis's wariness, but doesn't let it bother
him.  After all, he's got his staff too, which sits not to far away from
him along with his kasa.  But it's farthest from his mind at the moment.  
As Utena speaks he realizes why Alis may be acting the way she is, and
says nothing.

Alis frowns thoughtfully, then nods once to Utena; the nod sharp and
definite. "Yes, a bath and some real clothing would be very much
appreciated... I feel so filthy right now, I can't even talk about it...."

Utena laughs knowingly and sadly, nodding. "I'll show you the rooms and
the clothes, too." She rises from the couch and approaches the girl,
turning an apologetic look to Chichiri. "The house is completely at your
disposal. Anything you need or want, at any time, now or later, use
without concern. I can replace anything that's used fairly easily. I..."
she pauses. "We can talk, later. I want to make sure that this young lady
feels better..." Then she offers her hand to Alis.

You offer to take Alis_Landale around by the hand.

Chichiri nods to Utena.  Remaining quietly seated until both leave the
room.  o O (Perhaps I should take this time to look over the grounds of
the house no da.)

Akio has arrived.

Alis frowns in brief surprise at the hand being offered down to her, but
takes it easily enough; placing her downturned hand into Utena's as if she
were a noble lady being courted by a nobleman from her chair. "Thank you,
Utena... I appreciate all of this you're doing for me."

Utena bobs her head gently to the girl and shifts her arm position so that
Alis's hand rests along the lower part of her arm- courtly gesture that,
granted, is traditionally male but no less effective by Utena's use of it.
She says softly, "I've been there. It's what I would have wanted." Then,
she leads the girl toward the foyers and the stairwell leading to the
second floor.

Utena says, "We'll look at the clothes first and you can pick what you
want.. they're in my personal room." She pads softly down the hall,
resting her hand over yours; her fingers are warm, her touch
compassionate.

Akio> As both leave the room Chichiri gets to his feet.  Picking up his
kasa and staff.  Holding his staff loosely in his right hand and placing
his hat on his head.

Utena says, "The left side should still have a bunch of Himemiya's old
clothes..." she gestures. "Feel free."

Akio> Chichiri looks idly around.  Wondering where to start first.  He's
never really looked around this place.  But decides to start outside, it's
as good a place as any.  o O (How am I ever going to find Utena-san's body
no da....)

Himemiya's tastes run very much toward the minimalistic- not a lot of
frills, not a lot of fanciness- but for that, they're clean, tasteful and
modestly cut. There are just dresses, no pants, slacks, leggings or
anything that would be considered 'unfeminine'.

Alis moves over to the left wardrobe; throwing it open carefully to glance
inside, and nearly gapes at what she beholds within. "...I... I can't wear
these!! They must belong to someone important... not out of material, but
they are very nice...."

Akio> Akio is just ... there. Beside you, and you have no idea how he got
there or what he was doing; you didn't see him when you stepped out of the
house. He watches you a moment, appraising, and then he speaks.. a dark
honeyed voice like black silk. "You are aware of Utena's condition." The
way he says it, it's not a question.

Utena groans softly, very softly. "Himemiya said the same thing when I got
those for her. She would want you to have them- she was a slave too. I
rescued her when I freed myself."

Alis reaches out one hand to nearly trace over the clothing reverently;
catching herself and jerking her hand away before her sullied fingers ruin
the pieces. "A slave, too.... but... won't she miss them? Where is she?"

Akio> Chichiri steps outside, looking around the oak grove.  Really very
much at a loss on where to begin his search.  This place being really
quite large.  His thoughts vanish as he hears the voice and turns,
blinking once behind his mask, not having noticed Akio being there.  Then
mentally scolds himself for being careless.  He gives a nod, "Hai no da.  
I'm trying to help her, I need to find her body no da."  Other people
might feel strange asking such an odd question, but the monk doesn't at
all.  Maybe it's because, before he came here he spent so little time
really speaking with people he doesn't know an odd statement when one
comes out of his very own mouth.

Akio> Akio doesn't seem bothered by it; he merely nods. But in the man's
narrow, heavy-lashed green eyes there's a wave of something that can only
be called RELIEF. Relief and the easing of some internal anguish. Although
he doesn't smile, it's a fairly obvious change; subtle relaxations of his
neck and face muscles, the set of his hands. "Thank you, God." he murmurs.
"I've been looking, myself, with not a great deal of success yet. But I
don't believe she's in the front yard. I was away from the house when she
was taken, and I'm still trying to understand how it happened HERE in
these grounds." Frowns.

Utena says, "She's dead," Utena whispers ever so softly. "She died. She
won't ever wear those dresses again." There's a catch, a horrible snag in
her voice. "Please... I don't want to keep them for nothing, I'd rather
see them used again, even if it's not her that uses them."

Akio> Chichiri notices the relief, and begins to feel more at ease.  
Realizing Akio does in fact know everything that's happened and may be of
help.  He nods, looking over the trees.  Wondering himself how he was
struck by the dark magic the night before.  This place seeming the safest
place from such things.  "Not in the yard no da?"  The monk furrows his
brow.  o O (Well, that's one place down no da.)  "What about Utena-san?  
Shouldn't she be able to remember where it happened no da?"

Alis blanches at hearing that, biting her lip nervously and quickly
nodding; hoping to at least stifle whatever bad memories she triggered.
"Yes, of course... I understand. I will wear them.... please don't get
upset..."

Utena turns slightly, her eyes in shadow. "... I'm sorry. I'm not upset. I
just..." She sighs, and forces a smile as she turns back to you. "I just
don't want those to sit there useless when someone needs them, that's
all."

Akio> Akio nods. "I don't believe it was in the front yard. From what I've
been able to piece together..." He pauses, looking back at the second
floor of the house. "...DAMN IT. Now I see... I should have known it. HE
should have known it... damn you, Xelloss." You get the sense Akio and
Xelloss are NOT on the best of terms... as he clenches his fist. "It's so
simple, I should have seen it long ago. The attack must have come
astrally- the one route this sanctuary wasn't defended."

Alis nods once again, forcing herself to smile to at least appear cheerful
for Utena's sake. "Yes, of course.... once I am clean, I will don one of
them and see if you approve. Will that be okay?"

Akio> Chichiri glances up as Akio does, watching curiously.  Though the
monk doesn't fully understand what he means.  "Astrally no da?"  Yes, he
does a lot of repeating.  It's a terrible habit.  Just add another quirk
to his already very long list.

Utena sighs, sitting back on the bed. "No. No, it's not. Look, I don't
care. If you don't feel comfortable, don't WEAR them. I just don't want
you to have to slouch around in torn, unclean clothes. You're a person.
People deserve good clothes."

Akio> Akio's darkly angelic face frowns; a breeze touching his lilac hair
and pushing it before his eyes. "The astral plane. I can see how we
all..." The man sighs. "Xelloss and myself... both of us were once Mazoku.
Consequently it seems.. that we gave no thought to the physical truth that
Mazoku are astral beings when we and Utena laid down the defenses of the
sanctuary. In all truth.. I believe it never occurred to Xelloss to be
concerned; he probably expected he would always be here to defend Utena."

Alis shifts her feet in an awkward moment, the clothes appealing to what
she now sees as her past life, while she rejects anything so nice in her
current state of emotions; either way, wanting to do something to comfort
the poor girl that has tried so hard to help her so far. "Once again, I
find myself having to thank you.... even before I was caught, no one
except for my brother looked out for me this way.... I will wear them, and
gladly. I just hope I can fill them with the greatness that this woman
must have before me."

Akio> Akio jams his hands into his pockets, looking down. "Imagine,
friend, a building with four solid walls, but no roof of any kind. That is
the status of the defense of this place."

Utena blushes a little, and tries to wave it off; she's hardly great and
she certainly doesn't FEEL it in the least. She clears her throat. "Why
don't you take one that you like now, and then I'll get your bath
started."

Akio> Akio says, "That is how serious our oversight was, and how foolishly
we thought Utena safe from harm."

Akio> Chichiri nods as he listens.  Looking up at the sky.  The breeze
which brushes by moving over his flaring bangs and sending them into a
slight sway.  Recognizing the name Xelloss, having heard it a number of
times already, he finally asks "Xelloss.  What happened to him no da?"

Alis shows quick disapproval of the idea, shaking her head once as she
states, "Once I am clean. I do not wish to sully these with my hands just
yet."

Akio> Akio shrugs. Here, the dislike between the men rises in his
protective, jealous scowl. "Utena's lover... but in many ways, the one who
destroyed her life. She devoted herself to him, in body and spirit, but
he's careless... lackadaisical... he flits here and there and leaves her
alone for weeks at a time."

Utena nods. "Then, to the baths." She rises from the bed and leads you
back out of the room to the hall once again.

Utena steps across the patterned tiles on her bare feet, and leans over to
wave her hand gently over a small rounded jewel set into a series of metal
pipes that overlook the smooth white tub. As she touches it, a stream of
clear water begins to flow into the tub; she puts a stopper in the bottom
drain, and steam begins to fill the large chamber.

Akio> Chichiri hears the tone of voice in Akio, but understands his
dislike as he explains.  Feeling bad for Utena, for having given her heart
to someone like that.  "I see no da.  How long has he been gone no da?"

Alis' eyes go wide as she looks around this room's marvels, and very
nearly gapes as the water is drawn forth so easily. She had envisioned a
wooden tub and buckets, likely; certainly not anything this grand.
"...wow..... this is... extraordinary....!!"

Utena warns, "It'll be a little hard to bear at first, especially if
you're not used to bathing in hot water. Take your time getting in, or
you'll burn yourself." She smiles a little at your awe, stepping back from
the tub. "You could say everything in here was earned. We cheated; we used
magic to imitate something that won't be in this world for hundreds of
years to come."

Akio> Akio rubs his chin. "At least a couple of weeks this last time.
Possibly longer." He shakes his head, the strong line of his jaw hard as
he thinks about Utena being alone. "I've tried to keep her company as best
I can.. teaching her what I can, training her, keeping her mind
occupied... but she's a young, vital woman who carries her pain poorly
alone." He exhales hard, and brushes back lilac curls from his eyes. "As
far as I can perceive with my own powers, the intrusion occurred at night,
through the astral plane. The bitch Revi looks... I'm sorry to say..
substantially enough like Xelloss in her usual form that she probably was
able to take Utena directly in her own bedroom. She probably led her
outside, where she was murdered." His voice is surprisingly calm, even
though his eyes burn with rage. "There is little that can prevent someone
determined to kill in these grounds from doing so. Magic is deterred as
best we can, but there are forms of physical and psychological assault
that don't involve them. And we can't do much about that."

Alis manages a weak, child-like grin as she nods to show she heard, still
staring around the room as she sets her hands to struggling with the
knotted rope she uses for a belt. "Hundreds of years....? How do you
know?"

Utena closes her eyes a moment. Remembering her duel cycle against the
wingless, the duels that took her across time, across worlds, to versions
of herself she could have never known existed in places she couldn't have
imagined.. her blue eyes are laden with memories as she replies softly,
"... that is a secret."

Utena tentatively asks, sensing you may not be comfortable with it and
ready to take no for an answer, "Do you need help with that?"

Akio> Akio motions for you to follow him around to the back of the house,
the back gardens.

Alis' grin slips into a more sheepish expression, nodding once slightly as
her fingers keep stumbling over the knot she tied herself a few days back.
"I think so... guess my coordination still needs to recover... I never had
trouble with this before.... sorry."

Utena shakes her head. "It's okay." She moves over and says, "Pull your
hands back... I'll take care of it." She kneels in front of you and moves
her hand to touch the knot of the belt, concentrating on it just for a
moment; the tips of her fingers seem to turn black, and the knot slides
itself apart.

Akio> Chichiri nods, looking again over the grove.  Finding it a bit
disturbing that he's about to begin a hunt for the body of a girl he was
speaking with only a few moments ago.  "But, how did Utena's spirit end up
in the body, along with the evil one no da?" 

Akio> Akio says, "It's not as simple as that. From what I've been able to
gather..." He paces around the back grounds, beyond where the greenhouse
sits, but on a large expanse where there are some vegetable shoots, "That
evil spirit was Utena's soul, perverted. Attend me- you aren't familiar
with Mazoku, are you?"

Alis moves her hands away as asked, casting her gaze down to watch
curiously as you kneel at the knot; once again taken aback as you so
easily call upon the arcane to do your tasks, her fingers coming up to
pull the rope apart slowly, almost testingly, as the knot unravels.
"...you did it again... you must be a skilled sorceress, indeed!"

Akio> Chichiri follows around to the back of the house.  Carrying his
staff loosly in his right hand.  He glances over the garden, which makes
him wonder how Aerith is doing, and notes to himself he'll have to see if
she's returned from her trip yet.  "Utena-san has mentioned them to me,
and told me some about them no da.  I've never actually met one before I
came here na no da."

Utena shakes her head and stands, dodging the question. "I'll leave you
alone for your bath. I think the water's just about done..." She moves
over and stops the flow with another wave of her hand, the tub nicely
filled now. "Like I said, step in slowly and be cautious so you don't burn
yourself." Then she turns quickly toward the door.

Alis feels a quick pang of uncertainty and nervousness as she hears she is
to be alone now, stifling it from plain view in order to spare Utena any
more trouble for one day as she moves for the tub slowly, sliding free of
the coarse tunic quickly as if it's very presence disturbed her, now. "I
will be careful, thank you... it looks like it will be wonderful."

Akio> Akio nods. "In essence... they are astral beings, spirits of evil.
But not all Mazoku are self-creating.. many are made from the souls of
their victims. In Utena's case... there is a common technique Mazoku
know." He looks away, and recites in a cold voice, "The astral self of
humans exists on a different but joined plane to their physical form. The
astral self is a.. copy, a representation of the threads of light that
compose a human soul. At the moment of physical death, the connections to
the astral form are severed, and if uninterfered with, drift away freely
to pass into the next plane. But Mazoku can create more of their own by
interrupting that process... by killing a victim and seizing their astral
soul at the very moment of dissolution, before it drifts free but after it
is disconnected. It's a very delicate operation."

Akio> Akio says, "Because the astral self is a copy of the personality, it
tends to look and act as the mirror of the one who it belonged to. That is
why Utena, as a Mazoku, looks and contains some of the memories of Utena
who was human."

Utena casually bends down to sweep up the dirty coarse fabric and the
binding rope, taking them in her hands. Then, with a small dark smile of
satisfaction, she causes them to burst into flames in her hands... her
back to you, but you can smell the burning. That gesture's been used to
hurt her before... it feels good to twist its meaning around. "I'll be
right outside the door," She offers. "I'll guard it. If you need
something, just knock on the door on this side, and I'll come in."

Akio> Akio says, "Urd.. I'm not sure how, but she applied something to the
Mazoku Utena that altered her spirit, her astral pattern, and caused some
of her original patterns- which Revi had altered significantly, as one
must to make a Mazoku- to reemerge. This made it look as if Utena were
having two different personalities in one self.. but that's not the case."

Akio> Chichiri Says, "So Utena-san really is a Mazoku then no da.  And the
evil spirit I felt and fought was actually her.  If that's the case, then
how do we help her to become the was she was before no da?"

Alis turns to peer over her shoulder warily at the smell of the burning,
it triggering a rather intense recollection of the night the lady knight
'set her free'; burning down the camp and killing some of her fellows in
the process. "..y..yes.... of course. If you are going to be just out
there, though, why do you simply not remain in here? I understand if the
steam offends your senses, but it might be better than sitting out there
by yourself."

Utena blinks. "I thought... you'd want some privacy. I don't know what
your original situation was. When I was held that way, I was forced to be
with upwards of 70 girls all the time... he liked his slaves to cower
together in fear." The contempt in her voice is clear. "I wanted privacy,
because he wouldn't allow me any."

Akio> Akio sighs. "It is possible, but not EASY. I did it myself, but I
had to die to my Mazoku soul... and I was only half-Mazoku, and
half-human. With her astral and physical forms severed.. I'm not sure how
it can be done." He hardens his gaze. "The only Mazoku to escape the
'family' were half-breeds. Utena is a full Mazoku by Revi's cursing and
destruction of her."

Akio> Akio says, "If she were restored to her body, it would be possibly
easier. There are ways once she is flesh. But as long as she remains a
mere astral form... you can think of her as a ghost, struggling to hold
its original shape, if that makes the vision easier."

Alis shakes her head quickly, pausing at the edge of the tub; placing her
fingertips along the edge as she stares down into the water as her mind
wanders. "No... there weren't quite so many of us together. I'm guessing
your own time was much worse than mine ever was... there were quite a few
females there, and the slavors did enjoy seeing us together and
properly... beat upon, so to speak. Keeping together like we did is the
only way any of us made it through the days and nights of hell... privacy
almost brings insecurity and fear to me, now. I'm sorry you had to live
like you say.... I don't even feel I should talk, after what you went
through."

Utena moves over and trails her hand along the edge of the tub, replying
simply. "I understand." Just a straightforward answer. "I'll stay here, if
you like, and keep an eye on the door." She doesn't make any move to
disrobe or to enter the tub though, and her gaze has never fallen on any
part of your body other than your face and shoulders.

Akio> Chichiri leans on his staff, looking away thoughtfully for a moment.  
"So if we can return her spirit to her body it can be done no da.  I don't
have the power for something like that, but I know of someone who does no
da."

Akio> Akio nods. "It's delicate work, and it requires power, but it's not
impossible. But we'll have to revive her body as well, once it's found."
He glances down at the ground. "She's here, somewhere. I know she is, I
can feel her. She and I have been connected... spiritually.. physically,
psychically... since she was born, for reasons known only to those who
made both of us to exist." His eyes almost show the same sorrow as hers...
no. Deeper. Much deeper, much older.. as if what she knew was only a
fraction of what he knew and lost. He gestures over the ground. "It's
somewhere back here. Revi has a sense of humor, which doesn't help
matters."

Alis' smile reflects her relief at the statement, that chasm of solitude
that her mind perceived closing back up comfortingly at the promise of
company; her eyes still on the water below, rather glad that her
near-emanciated frame isn't being stared at, being quite ashamed of how
painfully thin she has become. "Thank you... I again appreciate your
kindness. It is a large tub, though, so if you would like to spend your
time here bathing as well, I would not object. That is, if you haven't
already had a bath lately. It is more effecient that way, considering
circumstances."

Utena laughs faintly. "I don't need one... but I suppose it can't hurt."
She finds that she can't remember if Xel bathed when he was still a
Mazoku; for some reason, that inability to recall bothers her. But she
concentrates a moment and the is unclothed; her body slender and painfully
perfect if you dare look, showing nothing but perfection.

Akio> Chichiri nods.  "It can be done no da.  That is, if I can get a
favor no da."  Wondering if he really can get the old bag to assist.  But
first things first, they have to have the body.  He frowns at the mention
of such a sense of humor.  Not finding it funny at all.  And in a garden,
where much soil is normally turned up anyway will only make the body more
difficult to find.

Akio> Akio paces a bit more... or rather, lopes... he puts you in mind of
a predator bird, a crow, longlegged and dark, arms folded behind his back
as he gazes intently at the ground in thought.  "If I were Revi.." he
murmurs in a dark scowl..

Akio> Chichiri silently watches Akio pace.  Not moving in the slightest as
he observes.  And hopes that he may be able to think of something that
will speed up the search, or narrow it down a bit more.  Not looking
forward to possibly having to dig up the entire area.

Alis does spare a quick glance; a very brief look of envy and awe crossing
her face at the perfection in that slender form, again reminded of her
past live painfully. She extends a hand over to you, palm turned down once
again as she begins to think of this girl as one of the more polite men
from her home; looking to expect the courteous and traditional hand of
support before stepping into the tub.

Utena holds out that expected hand, and smiles faintly. "After you,
m'lady." She says in a soft voice, that almost, if you closed your eyes,
could be mistaken for that of a young man, a page...

Alis smiles gratefully, once again set at ease as the gesture is received
without surprise, taking comfort in how much this girl reminds her of home
as she raises one leg, then the other, to step into the tub; her hand
tightening in yours a brief moment as the heated water stings at her legs.
"...ergh... you're right... I have to take this slow...."

Akio> Akio finally stops, and suddenly turns and glares at the tree from
which hangs the black round object attached to the tree. "Of course." he
snarls softly. "The farthest point from the house and it fits their
mentality." Swiftly he turns and moves carefully around the vegetable
patch to snatch up a shovel that leands against the back house of the wall
near a potting table.

Utena laughs faintly, nodding. "I actually screamed the first time. Now I
can't get along without it now and again." Except, well, she's dead now.
And ghosts-made-flesh don't do things like bathe, eat, sleep. But she
hasn't let herself realize that fact yet; her senses work and she
certainly feels real when you squeeze her fingers seeking her support.
"Take deep breaths, slowly," She advises. "I don't know why, but it
helps."

Akio> Chichiri follows and watches as Akio takes up the shovel.  "You
think you've found it no da."  He brushes his kasa back to hang at his
neck and rests his staff against the wall.  "I'll help you dig then no
da."  And goes to retrieve a shovel as well.

Akio> Akio nods grimly, tossing you the one he just picked up and grabbing
another. "The tree was a place meant for children to play on- that object
is a child's plaything. To a Mazoku, corrupting such a place is a joy...
and burying her within her own protective land is an even bigger joke." He
strides off to the spot, pushing the black round object with a hard shove
up into a low branch so as to get it out of the way.. then he braces
himself, jams the shovel's edge into the ground, and grimly begins to dig.

Alis nods quickly, trying her best to contain an ourburst of pain as she
closes her eyes; swaying just a bit as the visual aide in her balance is
removed; focusing her thoughts and taking deep breaths as instructed.
"....okay...."

Akio> Chichiri catches the shovel's handle in his right hand.  The tool
taking the place of his staff and follows over to the spot.  o O (These
Mazoku certainly do have a twisted sense of humor no da.)  Then burries
the end of the shovel into the dirt, turning the soil over and begins to
dig.

Utena closes her eyes a moment too, but from a different reason; the
need's there, and at a burst of pain it stirs like a restless beast in a
cage, but she RESISTS with the force of her tempered will now at its peak.
She WILL NOT feed, WILL NOT encourage that pain; she would rather starve
to death than take that poisoned wine of human suffering into her lips.
"Almost there..." She murmurs thickly."Now, sit, it should be all right."

Alis opens her eyes at hearing that tone of distress in your voice,
turning her head back to look at you as she slowly begins to lower herself
into the water; wincing and jerking back up repeatedly as she makes slow
progress. "...is... ow...! ..something... wrong...?"

Akio> It's soft ground; there's no sound from Akio, just a dark, horrible
expression on his face that you're glad you're not on the receiving end
of. He looks like he's ready to tear out the entire oak grove with his
bare hands; his motions are hard and controlled, wasting no energy even in
his rage, push, scoop, pile. In short order you're about four feet into
the ground.. no signs of anything yet, but the ground becomes soft and
loose here once you've broken the surface, not tightly packed but shifting
around more easily.

Utena says, "I'm all right." She purses her lips and says nothing more,
eyes closed tight, her hand continuing to support you.

Alis figures her delay in getting situated is either keeping you in this
mood, or simply keeping you from joining her, and solves it as best as she
can; using that drive of fear she's been accustomed to and dropping into
the water without hesitation. Yes, her hand clenches very tightly in yours
as she does this, the eyes watching you clamping closed right after as she
bites down hard on her lip to stifle the exclamation of pain that
threatens to tear from her lungs. "....!!!"