DAY THREE 

Darkness is the first thing you notice as your swirl back into
consciousness.. the darkness fades a bit..giving way to a faint light..
the warmth of a bed around you.. as you find yourself in something of a
stone room.. like a medieval catacomb.. a relic of some bygone age... 

Utena sits up slowly, touching her hand to her head. Moments of confusion
spiraling as her mind catches up slowly, filling in the blanks from
sleep... where she is, who she is, the basic stuff. 

You see your outer clothes and small possessions by your bedside.. along
with a tray of fine smelling food.. croissants and sausage with fresh
milk it would seem.. my.. breakfast in bed.. 

Utena blinks a bit. Not expecting that as she pulls the blankets up around
her chest a little, readjusting them, and reaching over for the tray, her
mouth almost watering just at the barest whiff of scent. She picks up a
utensil and delicately parts the croissant with her hands, prying the soft
flesh of the bread open and nibbling.

It tastes fresh and buttery.. steaming from the moisture within.. as if
baked moments ago.  The rest of the breakfast seems just as succulent.

Utena devours the food greedily, but gratefully, the rich, heavy pastry
and the thick milk settling well in her stomach, giving her a relaxed
sense. Easier to think and cope on a full stomach. When she finishes the
meal she reaches over for her clothing, sliding out of bed, gingerly
putting her bare feet on the floor. She has.. a moment of pause when she
slides into the school uniform. It doesn't quite.. feel right any more,
though she couldn't begin to say why. 

At the precise moment you're dressed you hear a polite quiet knock on your
bedroom door.  Fashioned of simple wood boards it would seem.  Very
medival..

Utena glances up, adjusting the last button. "Come in." Turning toward the
door. 

The door opens with a creak as Michael enters.  Wearing his hood once more
as he intones with his soft yet deep voice, "I pray you have found your
breakfast exemplary?" you can tell in his voice that he's smiling. 

Utena nods brightly. "It was excellent... thank you very much." She colors
a little and links her hands behind her back, the soft blue skirt swaying
around her legs. 

Michael nods to you at this, "I'm glad.  I'll fetch the dishes to clean
later.. for now we must talk.. I have many questions to ask of you.. and
as many to answer I imagine."  Gesturing to the doorway behind him with
his thickly sleeved arm.. 

Utena crosses the floor and follows you, slipping past your arm and into
the hall. "... I .. I don't know. I'm still really confused. I suppose I'm
not supposed to understand..." 

Michael chuckles and waves a hand, "Do not worry, child.  I am here to
ease your confusion.  For knowledge will serve you well.. and will give
you a chance against the darkness." as he strides down the catacomb-like
hallway of the church.. seeming to float almost his strides are so even
and sure.  Hands folded together within the sleeves.  Hood drawn low. 

Utena follows you along quietly, looking around from time to time at the
stone walls and the softly flickering lights. "It's like another world in
here..." 

Michael comments to you quietly as he begins to walk up the spiralling
stone staircase, "In a way.  A rememberance of older times before the
advent of man's iron grip over nature."

Utena moves easily beside you.. up the spiraling case. A moment of..
pause, she stops on the steps.. shaking her head. Her hand reaches for the
rail to strengthen herself. "... Do we really control it?" she asks
softly.  "Earthquakes, terrible weather... we can't change those things." 

Michael avoids using the term 'we' as he states, "Man likes to think he
can.  And since the Revolution.. his efforts have only tripled." as he
reaches the top of the stairwell, "Of course.. you don't know much of
that. The powers that be have tried their best to suppress the knowledge
of the Revolution.  Kept it's secrets to an elite few.  Nothing more than
a red letter date on a calendar for you before you were born."

Utena dares to look up a little, to ask. "What -was- the Revolution?" She
shakes her head. "We all know about it, but we don't... no one really
explains it. It's like people are afraid to say too much. I suppose that
just proves what you're saying." 

Michael speaks unto you, "The Revolution.. is simple.. and complex." as he
and you both emerge to the vast church hallway.  The light from the
windows indicate morning.  He gestures to one of the chairs beside the
altar for you to sit once more, "And there is much to tell."

Utena's eyes move almost at once to the window of the sword... shining in
the early sunlight, gleaming silver and gold, throwing its shadow over her
as she emerges... if she were a little wiser, a little older.. maybe she
would understand.. but as it is, she only feels a faint, indefinable
chill.. her seat in the shadow of that sword's point as she nods and takes
a seat, nervously smoothing out her skirt. 

Michael seats himself as easily.  The shafts of morning light streak past
his humble apparel.  Hidden not in shadows, but by the beautiful light. 
He continues, "The Revolution.. was nothing short of the awakening of the
world.  The miracles long held at bay by the imprisonment of a good man.. 
have finally blossomed and returned.  The Revolution.." he clarifies, ".. 
was the great spirit.. Anshi.. taking the place of her long departed
brother Dios.  And returning the powers of hope to us all."
 
".. the... the power of hope?" Utena shakes her head softly.  "Then... she
failed.. the world is in terrible shape..." She gestures quietly. "Look at
the world outside..! You yourself said it.. a few control everyone...
things are run by people who have... have weird powers, and keep people
from knowing things.. That's not paradise, that's not Revolution, is it?"
Utena looks down. "I'm not very smart about these kind of things. I just
know.. what I feel. And I feel like things aren't any better... they've
just gotten worse.." 

Michael smiles beneath his hood, "No child.  Anshi did not fail.  She
succeeded in her mission.  The power of miracles and hope is all around
us. Permeating all things through her efforts.  However.." he tilts his
head to the side, ".. a Savior.. no matter how wonderful .. can not make
everything better by herself."  He gives an example, "Indeed.  My Lord did
die upon the cross so long ago.." gesturing to the statue on the wall
behind him, ".. he died not a hero.  Or the messiah that he was.  But as a
heretic.  A political rival.  A poor son of a carpenter whom spoke too
loudly.  But that did not make his sacrifice or efforts any less as great. 
No.. he indeed was the Messiah.. however.. it was up to the people
themselves to see the light of his ways."

Michael comments, "As it is with Anshi.  She has done her part and has
done it well."  He continues, "Now.. it is our turn to carry the rest of
the burden." 

Utena looks over at the statue... the gleaming crown of gold thorns.
Silent for a little time, it's hard to say what thoughts flicker over the
radiant smoothness of her still blue eyes. The face of the statue is
gone.. just the position, the form.. and the crown. She feels.. a small
horror at that, too... a savior without a face is... is just a symbol. Not
that she could clearly express that small flame of a feeling. She looks
back. "... How? What do we do?" 

Michael answers, ".. it is no easy thing.  When one has seen only the
darkness for so long.. it is natural that they do not see the light." he
continues, "However..before I can explain to you.. you must learn to see
the light that Anshi has brought to the world for yourself.  To better
understand the plight of all.." 

Utena takes in your words. "... B.. but I'm just.. just a girl. I'm not
strong. I'm not smart, or ... or -special-." Utena hangs her head again. 
"I'm just a scared girl who saw something she doesn't understand."

Michael smiles to you, "Easy, child." as he reaches out for your hand with
his own, "I am here with you.  Do not be frightened.  I will allow no harm
to befall you here.. give me your hand please." 

Utena swallows and regains her composure, reaching out a small, thin white
hand. 

Your hand disappears within the sleeve of his robe for a moment.. then you
can feel something slipped onto your fingertips..as he pulls back.. your
holding a simple waxen candle in your hand.. unlit..

Utena closes her fingers around the candle, looking to you for
explanation. 

Michael folds his hands together, "Now.. simply.  Light the candle.  Look
upon the wick.. see how lonely it is.  So unfulfilled." he speaks
soothingly this nonsense, "Fulfill its fate.  Candles are supposed to be
lit, are they not?  Simply... wish it to be so." 

Utena uhms softly. Were you anyone but YOU, she'd look at you like your
head came off, but she swallows again, an ulp in her slender throat...
looks at the wick intently, but with a touch of skepticism.. of doubt... 
she doesn't.. doesn't get it.. it's just a candle... isn't it..? 

It is a candle.. and just a candle as you examine it..but as you look
closer..really closer... the edges of the wick.  Flickering in the morning
light.. so much like the light.. glowing... reddish.. golden... burning...
Burning..  BURNING!  As you blink .. you realize.. there's a small little
flame actually on the end of the candle! 

Utena almost drops it in shock, her hand shaking, a drop or two of wax
burns her hand, but she doesn't notice. ".. d.. did I?" 

Michael smiles and nods, "Yes child.  You did.  That is the power of
miracles." he waves a hand and the light goes out.  So as to not burn your
hand further from the wax..  however.. the small pain almost sears the
sensation home.  This is real.  Not a trick of the light.  Not an
illusion. That candle sprang to life before your eyes..

Utena says, ".. h... how did... I didn't -feel-... I just..." She looks at
it again, shaking, and a little pale. Looking at the edges. 

Michael soothingly speaks, "Easy child.  You've witnessed the power of
miracles.  A small one.  But now you see that it is real.  And that the
world has indeed changed.  As such things were not possible before you
were born." 

Utena lifts her hand and gazes at the solidified beads of white wax along
the inside of her thumb. "..." 

Michael simply waits.  Letting you absorb things at your own pace.  

"I... I couldn't -feel- it," Utena protests. "You said I should feel
its incompleteness, but I didn't.." 

Michael answers you, "Actually my child.  You did." again explaining, "It
isn't a conscious thing.  You see.. within our minds.. we all 'know' how
the world works.  Throughout our lives.. we have been ingrained with
certain patterns.  Miracles aren't real.  The supernatural does not exist. 
And the key to these things.. is belief.  Belief is what drives the powers
of miracles.  If you do not believe.. they do not happen."  

Michael continues, "But you.  Indeed.  You do believe.  Inside.  Within
your deepest parts you do believe in the power." 

This causes Utena to fall silent. To sink into herself and probe... she
doesn't.. does she? ... She doesn't know. That... maybe that weird part
she doesn't really quite... understand. That isn't really in
synchronization with her. That makes her uncomfortable in her skirt and
makes her claw her way between iron fences and run from beautiful,
dangerous men, and that keeps her alive in dark alleys...

Michael allows you time to gather your thoughts yet again.  Not going
faster than you can absorb.. and letting you ask questions whenever you
feel like.. 

Utena asks the.. perhaps obvious. Perhaps not... Her eyes shrinking,
showing internal shadow. "... why am I different..?" she asks in a
harrowed, low voice. "... why don't I want to just .. be like everyone
else?" 

Michael pauses on that one likewise.  Mulling that over..as if looking for
the right way to answer that.. before finally intoning, ".. Because your
destiny lies on a different path than others.  Anshi is closer to you than
you know.  Indeed.. because you knew each other before.  In a dream long
ago." 

Utena says, "We..." She can't believe THAT one. "... How could we...? I
wasn't born until after the Revolution." Clearly very skeptical in her
tone... her arms cross over her chest.

Michael nods at that, "Indeed.  There is .... no way I can make you
understand as yet.  I have told you what I can on that.. perhaps someday
soon you will know the truth of it for yourself." 

Utena brushes her hand through her hair and gazes at the floor. "... I
guess... so... uhm.. what happens now? What do I DO? I can't hide here
forever.." 

Michael shakes his head, "No.  I'm afraid you can't." he speaks, "The only
way now for you.. is to go through.  You cannot surrender... or they will
destroy you this time.  You have the choice however.. to save yourself..as
well as help Anshi's light spread to those whom do not yet understand as
well." 

Utena brings her head up, and her eyes are blue, blue and calm, but scared
inside.. a delicate nugget of iron wrapped in silk. "... I don't want to
die," she says softly. "But I don't want them to do this to anyone else,
either." 

Michael smiles.  He reaches out and places a hand on your shoulder
reassuringly, "Your noble heart does you credit, Utena.  Your enemies are
those whom are hiding the light of the world from others.  Those who are
opportunists at best.. or diabolical fiends at worst.  These self-
appointed Kings of Earth have enforced the fact that there are no
'miracles'.  Hordeing this knowledge and power for themselves.  Perverting
the powers towards their own sick gains.  A mockery of everything Anshi
stood for." 

Utena frowns slowly, nodding, her hand brushing along the back of your
angelic touch. "... I.. I don't know what to do.. but I don't like that. I
don't like hearing you say that. I don't want people to be killed... like
my friends... because they're in the wrong place." 

Utena says, "I don't want this to happen again." She sighs, her hands
resting in her lap. "No one ever even paid attention to me before two days
ago. I might as well have not existed. I have to exist, I have to mean
something. Even if no one else cares." 

Michael nods to your words, "Noble enough an aim.  In time.. you'll learn
more..but for now.. that should be enough for you to get started in your
training." he states.  Giving your shoulder another comforting squeeze. 

Utena's interest is piqued, her eyes flicker. ".. training?" she asks.
 
Michael adds, "Now that you know of the power of miracles.  You must learn
to use them properly.  So you might fight against those whom have tainted
the power for themselves.  It is the only way to protect yourself against
their dark designs." 

Utena unconsciously sits a little straighter. She closes her eyes a
moment, smelling the breeze moving through the church from the open
door... silent. Listening to the silent world... it's time, isn't it. Part
of her deliberately tried to cling to the shadows at the back of rooms, at
the back of conversations.. to make herself unheard and unseen... trying
to avoid this day, this hour, this moment.  It knows. She knows. It's time
to lay aside childish things, and take up the work of her calling.
Something in her dies... and is brighter born. She nods. "... Teach
me, then."

Michael lifts his head up a bit more as well... his lips becoming visible
beneath the cowl of his hood.  Smiling openly.. as he speaks up, "Then
..we shall begin." as the morning light behind him finally reaches a
crescendo.  Spilling past his shoulders and bathing him and you both in
the beautiful light of the stained glass sword and roses emblem.  As you
begin now the true calling of your heart... of your life.

				    *

Concentrate.  That's what you have been doing for almost as long as you
can remember now.  Concentrating as you kneel on the floor.  Hands on your
lap.  Eyes closed.  Concentrating.  You can feel the subtle shift of the
light from the windows upon your body as the day fades slowly into the
afternoon.  Michael undoubtedly watching over you nearby.. as otherwise
you're absorbed into the esteemed silence..

Utena breathes quietly. Inner stillness... working to subdue the demons of
doubt and fear in her... the flickering images of Touga that won't go away
no matter how hard she tries, lodged into her awareness like a hook in the
brain. Her legs hurt, too.. but she honestly tries to ignore it all...
just to clear her mind. 

Michael decides you are ready.. as he speaks out, "Now.  Only in the still
clarity of thought.. can you bring forth the greatest miracles." he speaks
gently, slowly as to not interrupt the peace, "You must train yourself to
believe.. to believe firmly.  It will be hard at first.. your mind is
still crippled from your life within the shackles of the mundane.. but
within you.. I sense a miracle.  A common miracle that is ingrained within
you.  One not so easily muted." 

Utena's eyes are closed. Her fingers clasped together before her, in front
of her heart. "... what I am trying to believe will happen..?" she asks
quietly... Touga still lingering. She makes a supreme effort and shoves
him out... jams her thoughts of him into a box and buries it... then
things are easier, the stillness comes easier. 

Michael answers that gently, "Yes.. simply so.  However.. only true
unfettered belief can bring this about." 

Utena takes in a deep breath.. the stillness is hard to maintain. Her mind
wants to wander, to worry, to gnaw over reality... letting go is hard.
She's not... not sure what she should be looking for inside herself..
apart from communion with the strange, the other self within her... 

Michael's voice intones softly, "..Yes.. there.  Within you.. just beyond
the edge of your vision.. outside the reach of your touch.  Something
familiar... something ritual.. something you've done countless times
before.. somewhere.. in a dream.  A miracle you can believe in.. for you
know it to be true.." 

Utena sinks into the words, now that her consciousness is empty, her body
stilled except for rhythmic breathing, in and out... the words lull her,
trance her, send her away and in and down... seeking the miracle, seeking
the thing of ritual inside her, trusting. All she can do is trust. 

Trust.. that incredible trust.  The sensation of giving yourself totally
to someone.. someone intimate.  A Bride perhaps?  Yes.. that seems
appropriate somehow.. a bride..standing over you.. holding you back
gently...hand hovering just over your chest.. a sensation of
warmth..budding there.. 

Utena gasps softly, pain and fire and holy light gathering in her chest,
drawn from all parts of her body, from each cell and neuron, the light of
animated will... Her body gives out a pulse that's both dark and light at
the same time, flickering between the two... in her ears, crystal sounds,
like a windchime disturbed by gale force... bells... the hidden part cries
out in joy and longing.  Utena can only wonder if she's dying, if her
heart is exploding... it feels like it.. bursting in her chest... redness
and darkness and light... 

Slowly.. this enchanting figure.. familiar yet never before seen.. 
Alluringly pulls her hand away..with it.. withdrawing an ornate sword from
you.. from within.. a perfect weapon..glittering and glistening like a
mirror...the handle especially intricate and decorated.. the figure
withdraws it fully..fingertips not quite touching the pommel..as she holds
it out before you..just waiting for you to take it... 

Utena dimly wonders through the haze of blood and music in her ears... is
this mine..? Am I supposed to...? She's dying, something dies, but her
fingers reach out for the sword yearnfully as if it can save her... 

You take the handle...and at once the figure disappears..as if the tight
grip of the material returns you back to the real world..  Back from this
floating nothingness... 

Utena blinks... slowly, almost stupidly, feeling dazed... lifting her
hand.  The light from the blade glistens off the rosey colors of the
stained glass on the wall.  You're in the church still.. as if you never
left your kneeling position.  Michael is standing a short distance away. 
Arms folded together.  Simply witnessing. 

Utena blinks, and blinks, and blinks AGAIN, her eyes feeling like they're
about to fall out of her head. Shadows of the sword falling over the sword
in her hand... luminous silver and darkness, rose at the hilt of black and
gold.. She almost moans, a soft, low sound from her throat. She knows
this. She KNOWS this. It feels right to her. It feels natural. 

Michael whispers to you, "Behold.  The miracle power in it's primordial
glory.  The Sword of Dios.  Locked deep within you, now pulled forth once
more." 

Utena says, "..." for several moments. Utterly speechless. Turning the
blade around with her wrist, feeling its almost negligent weight.. 
-feeling- it cut through the air with its razor edge, slicing through
reality in layers... "... th.. this can't be real.." she stammers.

Michael comments to you, "And that.. is why you are unable to perform any
further miracles as yet." aptly. 

Utena winces. "... but..." 

Michael smiles and shakes his head, "Worry not.  The Sword of Dios will be
all that you need to defend yourself for now.  Believe in the sword. 
Believe in yourself.  And you can work wonders." 

Utena brushes her thumb along the edge of the sword. "... The sword of
Dios." She's just.. amazed. And yet she also.. now that it's in hand...
wants to charge out there.. .throw herself against the darkness... the
inner self that knows this sword very annoyed with her outer self that
doesn't. Conflict. 

Michael continues, "If you have belief in the sword.. then you shall never
be defeated as long as your belief holds true." 

That makes Utena smile a little. She uncurls from the stone floor and
makes a sweeping gesture or two with the blade... awed at it, a holy relic
put into her hands. And she turns to look at you, lowering the weapon to
her side. 

Michael nods to you, "But.  Do not underestimate those you shall face. 
They too have twisted miracles.. or more accurately.. fetishes of their
own.  A few rivals to even Dios itself.  Do not hold false belief.. for
that too is a path to destruction." 

Utena bows her head, nodding slowly. "I'm not the only one with this
power, you mean. Maybe... Touga, too...?" 

Michael purses his lips for a moment upon hearing the name 'Touga'... 

Utena blinks, looking worried at your reaction, the recognition of his
name. "What is it..?" she asks softly. "What about him?" 

Michael answers simply, shuffling his robes a bit, ".. you are not the
only one whom came from the depths of the Dream.  And there are those whom
could have possessed the Power of Dios.  If not for some minor flaw. 
Touga.. is one such person." 

Utena nods slowly, and her eyes flicker to the cross and its crown. "...
Is he my enemy, or my friend...?" she has to ask. Even guessing she can't
know the answer. 

Michael oddly enough, or is that predictably (?) doesn't clarify it at
all, "Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  Not all of those who relish their fetishes
are corrupt to the core.  Some are simply misguided and can be returned to
the light.  Others.. only deserve destruction." 

Utena mms softly. "And I have to decide which is which. Isn't..." She
pauses... looking at the cross again. "... I thought only God could make
those choices." 

Michael smiles at that, "The Lord does make those choices, my Child.  He
speaks through you, through your actions, through Dios.  He trusts you not
to make the wrong choices." 

Utena gazes at the sword quietly. "... I should go. It's calling to me. 
But.. I can't just walk around with this openly.." 

Michael answers that, "Sheath the sword sideways." as if that's supposed
to make perfect sense.

Utena frowns... having no clue what you meant. "... I don't understand." 

Michael smiles again, "Miracles..being what they are.. often cease to be
when they are no longer needed.  As you can see there.." gesturing to your
hand.  Your... empty hand.  The sword is gone.. 

Utena stammers. "... It'll come back, right...? If I .. if I need it
to..?" 

Michael answers softly, "Simply believe.  And it will be there.  Always." 

Utena bows her head again... she looks at the cross. At the thorns.. and
looks at you..."... Can.. can I come back here..? If it gets really...
really bad...?" 

Michael smiles to you, "All are welcome here my child.  You may partake of
my humble hospitality as much as you wish.  This place is for all whom
seek the light." 

Utena approaches you and gently sinks to her knees, her head bowing as she
draws a small corner of your robe and kisses it. "I don't entirely know
that I understand. But I know what you ask of me. I'll do what you ask.
I'll try my best." 

Michael waves a sleeved hand.  Gesturing that such show of difference is
unnecessary, but smiles nonetheless, "Please my child.  Rise.  Go forth
and do what you can..and remember what I have told you.  I..and others
like me.. have the utmost confidence in you.  You did not fail before..
and we know you shall not do so now." leaving you to wonder what that's
supposed to mean, but at least it sounds positive. 

Utena inhales her breath.. stands up. Looking at the window again... 
drinking in the image, the colors. The sword against the dragon... its
shadow upon her. Now she is that thing.. that weapon. A small girl in an
uncomfortable dress she no longer likes... She starts to turn and go. Not
feeling complete or certain about anything... but she knows one thing. She
has to face Touga again.. 

Thus.. you are exaunt the church..seeing it from the outside for the first
time since yesterday.  Looking upon it's dark and gothic features.. who
would have thought it possessed such beauty within?  The nigh perpetual
London fog swirls about you..as you continue through the mists.. leading
you now back to whichever destiny you choose..  

She doesn't know. She draws in her breath and listens to the fog, and
stands where she is outside the church, inside its gates.

The mists seem indifferent to your listening.  Not revealing anything
further.. but within the previous lessons continue to echo within you
'Believe'. 

Utena believes, then. She starts moving... turning herself onto a kind of
autopilot. Trusting she'll be lead to where she needs to be next, because
she isn't sure. Part of her wishes to return to the school, but as much
resists that notion, the idea of becoming trapped and bound there... but
if that's where she's led, where her feet end up... then she'll submit and
face what's there waiting. 

As you walk through the mists.. the vague shapes of the cobbled pathways
and brick walls are in view.  So strange.. within the church it would have
seemed a cloudless sky with a brilliant sun.. yet here.. outside.. thickly
fogged and cold.. only the dim light of the street lamps filter through
as you walk along.  Trusting whatever unspoken faculties at your disposal
shall get you wherever your needed.. 

Utena shivers, rubbing at her upper arms with the cold, watching her
breath mist out of her, joining the mass of pale white fog around her
body, that she slices through with her motions. As if it all got worse
while she was gone.. she suddenly has a strange thought.. how long WAS she
gone from the world..? 

That thought will have to be left unanswered for the moment... as you
finally walk from a thick cloud... and enter a familiar street..  Look! 
the school... right before you, the ominous gates still shut. 

Utena sighs, coming to a stop.. Far be it to question.. but she didn't
want to be here. She brushes a hand over the iron gates.... "Here we are
again.." she murmurs. Not nearly so anxious to force herself through as
she was to escape it. 

Prehaps outwardly you didn't want to be here.  Yet... you did allow the
thought of confronting Touga again cross your mind... and he most
assuredly must be here .. somewhere... 

Utena looks at the gates.. from the outside. They won't open for her...
She puts her hands on the bars.... sucks in her breath... starts to force
herself back through. At least she has the comfort of knowing they can't
bind her ever again.. she CAN leave when she wants. 

The moment you begin to strain.. *CREAK*...  The hinges swivel as you
realize the gates open just a bit at your touch.. 

Utena jerks back, thankfully having not put more than her head through,
and steps back to give the gate space to open. This triggers alarm bells
in her mind.. these gates don't just OPEN. Not for her, not for anyone..
and not like this. Her teeth clench as she strides through them. 

You walk through.. and the gates do not close behind you.. it's as if
someone simply forgot to lock them... 

Utena frowns more deeply now, biting her lip. Moving on instinct and some
automatic guidance, she moves toward her dormitory, toward her room. 

As you meander through your dormitory.  Hrmm.. it's almost abandoned it's
so quiet.  But that is normal afterall.. absolute silence is required..but
it does nothing to help your nerves.  The hallways are clean.. crisp. 
Just as you remember them.. nothing out of the ordinary.. really.

Utena walks to her door. Puts her hand on the knob... finds her key and
fumbles it out of her pocket to unlock it and enter.. 

As you enter the room.. you see all your things right where you left them. 
Everthing seems in order... but.. there's a white box on your bed...
rectangular....wrapped with a red ribbon and a small card..

Utena puts the keys over on her desk and approaches the box, resting on
the smooth and perfectly made bed. Checking the card first. 

The card reads 'To enhance the radiant beauty of a young woman beyond
comparison - Kiryuu Touga'

Utena narrows her eyes and flicks the card back onto the bed... Fingers
pulling and parting the ribbon around the box now. 

The ribbon easily comes undone.. there is no wrapping on this simple
box..simply lift the lid. 

Utena does exactly that, and peers at whatever might be lying inside. 

A dress.  It's hard to tell exactly what it looks like.. folded as it is. 
But it's pink.. the same color of your hair.. regal and effeminate in the
utmost.. 

Utena flinches. "... a dress...?" She pulls the thing out and PEERS at it
more closely, grasping it by the shoulders and shaking out the folds. 

Strangely familiar.. it would leave your upper shoulders and chest bare..
but not distastefully so.  A bow upon the midriff..flaring folds over the
shoulders.. with a full length skirt down to the ankles.  Elegant and well
cut.. 

Utena peers. "What the hell would I use this for..?" She's already
uncomfortable enough in her SCHOOL clothes... let alone something like
THIS. Utena has.. an image come to her mind, unbidden.. black and white... 
something black and white... it's too vague to focus on or make clear...
but it's there. 

The question is.. now.. what to do with this dress.  An attempt on Touga's
part to dress you up like a doll.. it must be. 

Utena checks the box again. In case there's another card or a note or any
HINT what the hell she would humanly USE this for. 

None.  None at all.  Just the dress..and the card. 

Utena sighs and folds up the dress again, putting it back in the box.
She's certainly not going to WEAR it. She's not going to be Touga's pretty
doll.  Or anyone ELSE's for that matter... She strides to her closet and
yanks it open, looking for something ELSE to wear. 

Uniform, Uniform, Uniform, Uniform.  Only changes for your uniform are
within there.. and perhaps now you notice how utterly drab and dreary it
is. 

"This is stupid." Utena mutters to herself. "I can't keep wearing this,
either." What will she do..? This dowdy, boring thing that makes her itch
and squirm.. she doesn't want to wear it any more. She wants.... dammit,
she wants that itching image at the back of her mind..  she can almost see
it now, graceful cut, perfectly tailored lines... white, with a strip of
black down the center... a rose at the breast (she's not sure about that
last, but she wants it there..) ... She longs for that image as it takes
shape in her. 

Uniform, uniform, uniform, black&white outfit, uniform, uniform...  Wait a
sec..  In the random shuffling of your apparel in your closet.. you could
have sworn you just saw... 

Utena jerks her hand through the hangers... oh God. She bursts into a
massive smile, drawing it down from the hanger. That's IT. That's exactly
it... She tosses it quickly to the bed, and fairly RIPS off the dowdy blue
skirt and school blazer, her hands shaking when she, reduced to her small
female curves, takes up the two-toned outfit with her and goes to get
dressed in front of the mirror... It's perfect. It's perfect, just what
she wanted... her fingers pull open the buttons of the jacket, smelling
faintly rose-like... slipping it over her shoulders, settling into the
whole ensemble, looking at herself in a mirror. She starts rebuttoning the
thing closed... of course those boring socks and brown shoes won't do
either. Kicks those away. Not with THIS... She digs up a pair of black
ones, and some dress shoes that previously sat in the back of her closet,
rejected for being too flashy.

Thoroughly and completely unacceptable for the school.. which only makes
it that much more satisfying to wear.  A shocking contrast that screams
for attention.  The finality of black and white.. yet so close together to
add a flare that is never out of fashion. 

Utena brushes her hands through her hair... letting it fall out of the
collar around her shoulders. And she hms. Hair's wrong. It's too... ah! 
She undoes the braid she's always worn it in... and long pink wavelets
fall around... she grins at the mirror now. Transformed, by her nature, by
her pact... she can't help but giggle at what she sees. Not the mere
wallflower any more. Someone worthy of miracles. She rests her hands on
her hip, stretches a little, testing the 'give' of the clothing. Ideal.
Scandalous. She LOVES it. She can't wait to get out there now... with this
on... shake up the world. 

If one must be the Revolutionary.. one must look the part.  And this will
do.  Though it makes you wonder.. since when DID you buy this outfit? 
Perhaps.. finding it in your wardrobe is yet another aspect of your
newfound miracle power.. 

Utena shakes her head. Like everything else since stumbling her way into
the church, she isn't going to question. She offers a quiet thanks to ...
to the feeling inside her, to miracles... and picks up her keys again,
slips them into the jacket's hip pocket, putting her hand on the doorknob
and stepping back out into the hall. She's not going to be the quiet one
any more. Never again. 

And so begins the new day.  A new Utena Ten'jou prowls the world.  Armed
with faith in her power.. and some confidence in her ability.. setting
forth to shake everything up to its foundation.  Exiting the dorm and
stepping onto the property of the school proper.  Freed from convention..
as beyond these halls the mysterious Touga awaits...