mayfield_rpg | 3rd Spellcard: Haphazard Exchange "The Priestess and the Immortal Flame"

It's, uhh...not that I'm showing off, because I'm not. It's more like, uhh...

...more like trying to get used to them, honestly. She said something about willpower, but it took her a long time to get where she is today. At least I'm not burning down anything bigger than a bush.

I see... So it can't be helped. [a small sigh, but she seems understanding.] I suppose it's good that you're at that level and not worse, and hopefully this'll be over by the time the day ends. [A beat.] So you already ran into her? Did you used to know her, before this bodyswap happened?

(She nods.)

We're both from the same place, so we knew each other before Mayfield. She did call me and tell me not to mess up her hair, but she told me her body's fireproof, so there's nothing to worry about.

That's a relief. As long as you're careful, nothing bad should happen until things go back to how they usually are. You'll try to not go too crazy with this either, will you? [She gives a small but bright smile, this is more like a friendly warning now.] So you're from Gensokyo too... Goodness, there's certainly many of you around here. May I ask for your real name then, if that's okay? [she did present herself as an acquaintance of Mokou's, so it may not be too surprising that she's heard of Gensokyo...]

I'll try; Mayfield might suck, but I'm not the kind of person who'll try to destroy it because of that.

(Have a polite bow.)

Reimu Hakurei, shrine maiden of paradise and 13th miko of the Hakurei Shrine. And you are?

That's good news, aha. We still live here after all, wanton destruction wouldn't be productive at all.

[Her eyes do widen in mild shock at that, though.]

--Oh! Hakurei-san? Marisa's spoken about you!

Ah... it does make it inconvenient that we're introducing ourselves in the wrong bodies, but it's still nice to meet you. [That melts back into a chipper smile.] This body right now belongs to Esther Blanchett, but my actual name is Ciel. I have short blue hair and wear glasses! Today set aside, I live in the same house as Marisa Kirisame and am assigned as her 'mother' in Mayfield. I'm sure we'll get to meet properly in due time, but this is nevertheless a nice surprise! [Can we do handshakes even if those are the wrong bodies... Because she'll offer her hand, if Mokou!Reimu doesn't mind!]

(Oh, Reimu definitely recognizes that name. And she's all for that handshake, by the way.)

Oh yeah, Marisa told me all about you! And how much she loves your cooking. I've had some of it, too; it's great stuff.

Oh, about all of that stuff with Bazett...sorry about that. I didn't know things were that bad.

[Awesome. They'll have to "officialize" this on a better day, but for now, this is more than good enough.

That comment causes her to blink, before breaking into a faint but good-humored chuckle.]

So she really is that sort of person - or it may be accurate to say we have that sort of relationship. You'll have to tell me what you like, Hakurei-san. Marisa said it didn't matter, but I'd still like a direction if we're to have you over, like for dinner.

[oh... about that. She sobers up.]

It's okay, Marisa isn't the type of person to elaborate on things she dislikes, I think. You probably underestimated the gravity of the situation, so please don't apologize. That said, I've tried to mediate, but I've witnessed Bazett Fraga McRemitz' recklessness firsthand. ...Do you need more detail on anything? I might be able to provide more context and general information, if you'd like it from a different perspective.

I'll be sure to give you a list.

(Because if she really had to write it all down, it'd be on one of those scrolls that could cross the street and still have more to unravel.)

It must not have been fun watching those two argue. Does Bazett normally bring that much trouble on herself? Marisa tells me she does and she gets the best friends benefits, but I just want to be sure, if that's alright.

Thank you, I'll do my best with what's available here.

[It gives her something to do! And moving on...]

I tried giving Bazett the benefit of the doubt, but she really is appearing to be incorrigible. [She's frowning and holding back a sigh.] It's in a sense 'worse' for me, because we are actually from the same overarching world. I've never met her in my life, but I can recognize the places and positions she talks about and fully understand the implications, such as the Mages' Association and the title of an Enforcer. I have a good understanding of her abilities as well. The possibilities of an alternate reality exist, but it's for these reasons that I believe we're from a common home world. [a beat.] I've kept that part to myself though, Marisa would likely get even angrier if she knew what that woman was really babbling about. But how to say this... [crossing her arms and looking thoughtful...]

That woman flags down every person displaying even a hint of supernatural power within her sights in this town, then forcibly questions them if they're a magi or not, followed by whether they intend to use their abilities to harm innocents or not. You can already see the problem there already, right? Especially in a town like Mayfield, where individuals with all sorts of powers coming from different backgrounds are brought to one place, whether one has the ability of a god or a street magician doesn't matter in the least. We're all stuck with each other, so if there's someone particularly malevolent, it's only a matter of time before they gain a reputation for everyone to be wary of. As for magicians like Marisa herself, she's not obliged to explain to anyone who she is or what she intends to do with her power. That's not even taking in consideration that with such a painfully blunt question, anyone malicious with powers can simply lie to Bazett and be subtle about their actions. I believe she's aggravated miss Knowledge as well, so you can understand how that would only add fuel to the fire.

[She pauses, but clearly she's not done. If Reimu's got comments though, she's free to input them now.]

Yeah, I was wondering what that was all about. She was definitely curious about the barrier I set up around my house; she seemed to calm down after I told her I don't have anything offensive yet.

So I guess she's one of those really reckless soldier types? I can respect the dedication, but if she wasn't so upfront about her motives, she'd be like Merem.

(Which to Reimu, isn't a very good thing.)

But it's the same either way, isn't it? If you refuse to answer, she threatens you with an organization that doesn't exist here. If you're not malicious and give her any sort of positive answer that may imply helping others, she would almost definitely ask you for an alliance. Not only invading personal privacy by insistently questioning about what others do with their abilities, but almost coercing them to help her out... I wouldn't be so concerned myself if she knew what she was doing, but that woman just kept repeatedly landing herself in trouble with that sort of approach without showing any signs that she's learned anything. She even asks those who are powerless, involving the innocent in matters that they should be kept away from. I don't know how Marisa may have worded it, but she has no restraint, tact, or awareness. You know how Marisa specifically set up a ward around our house against her, correct? Yet she keeps on insisting to see her. I've issued Bazett a warning myself personally to leave Marisa alone. I haven't heard anything since, but goodness knows if she really listened to me. Honestly, I have a very hard time believing a woman like her could even be an Enforcer, but if she says so... Your role in Gensokyo is nothing like one, by the way. [She's making a sour face...

Looking up there though.]

She's absolutely nothing like Merem. [Without batting and eyelash and looking surprisingly deadpan, she sure seems absolutely certain all of a sudden...] Bazett did mention him threatening you, but I'd rather hear the details firsthand. May I ask, Hakurei-san?

Even I'm not that reckless; I only fight those who actually start trouble. Policing all of Gensokyo is too much work for me to want to do.

(Okay, so she's not like Merem; Reimu has to remember that Ciel probably respects him a lot more than Bazett.)

He told me that the church views eastern religions as heresy and it's his job to eliminate heresy. I get defensive when people threaten my shrine...

(She really does.)

I'm glad you understand. That sort of approach is quickly exhaustive and the last thing that could lead to productive results. Does Marisa's irk make more sense now? Honestly, I'm beginning to be at my wits' end myself...

[Looking pretty nonchalant, she just blinks back.]

Ah, as I thought... Actually, have you noticed that while he's given you two statements, any threat you may perceive is projected? An indirect one, in other words. He just said two facts about himself and Christianity, but nothing like directly telling you he'd harm you, right? That's how he usually is. He just likes to say disturbing things to get people on guard, but the truth is he dislikes violence and fighting in general. I do believe he's been warming up to Marisa behind my back, so I don't think it's in his interest to anger her either. Please ignore him and just let me know if he does actually cause any trouble. Mm... This is a secret, and while what he says is true, as a member of the Church myself, I could really care less about something like that here. But since I know him best, I'll assume responsibility if he does do something out of line. Will you keep me updated, Hakurei-san? [kayneshrug.gif]

It makes a lot of sense now...

(Now that she's heard it directly from Marisa AND Ciel, Reimu won't try to make them do anything with Bazett.)

Oh, so he's one of those types who likes to get a rise out of people. I know plenty of those...

...but I'll keep you posted, if anything; he hasn't said anything about my shrine since then, so I was wondering if he forgot about it. Hopefully, me getting my divine power back won't get any negative attention.

Mm. ...I'm sorry that you had to be involved in it too, Hakurei-san. She is our neighbor, living on the same street as us, so I try to handle things in Marisa's stead because it wouldn't end well for anyone if Bazett really pushes her past her limit. And trust me, she has the capacity to. [Having pity on Marisa and Reimu because they're teenagers overlooking the peace of Gensokyo... Pity, really? Ugh, it's best if no one else ever learns of that.]

That's right. I don't think he's forgotten about it, he probably just grew bored or found something else more interesting. Deep down, Merem is just a child looking for toys. And you don't have to worry about that; Christian exorcists also draw their power from faith. While it's a different variant, the base principle is similar. You probably won't be doing anything he hasn't seen before, and even so, unless you possess some rare artifact, he'll soon be on his way again.

And from the sound of things, she's definitely pissed off more than Marisa before. It's got to be rough, being her...(Pity for the person who pities her? WHAT IS THIS I DONT EVEN)

Ah, that might be a bit of a problem, then. If Mayfield gives it back to me, I'll have my yin-yang orbs. They're a family treasure filled with incredible divine power; they can only be used by those of the Hakurei bloodline, but yeah...that's something to look forward to.

...That's the worst part, Hakurei-san. I don't even think she realizes, it's why she's not changing her ways. I've tried to explain too, several times even, but to no avail. Any form of pity would be quick to transform to annoyance, if you're starting to realize more and more than nothing may be done about it. [Coolly; yeah no sorry not following you there...]

Is that so? ...Well, it's not like he can use it, but he may want to give it a look. Still, that would be your opportunity to get him to do something in exchange. Either way, please don't worry about it. We don't know when you will be getting them back, do we? There's no use fretting about it now.

So what's left to do, then? Leave her to do what she's doing until she learns the hard way? (It's cool; Ciel had to tolerate her longer than Reimu.)

Fair enough. I don't think I have much I could ask him for, anyway.

I'm... not sure, honestly. [Frowning in conflict now as she gives a small sigh.] I know there are ways to seal her thaumaturgy, but you can get the idea that as long as she doesn't understand why her behavior is antagonistic and aggravating to the point of infuriating, she won't change how she acts. I suppose I could try telling her explicitly this time to leave Marisa alone, but... [whelp. She is just getting sick of this repeating, and SHE's supposed to be the patient one here...]

It's best to have little to do with him, so let's hope he doesn't bother you again. [she can nod to that though, and like she's already told Reimu, let her know if Merem starts something, :|b]

I guess if she actually listened, things wouldn't have gotten this bad. If things get really bad, I could try sealing them; by divine power lets me seal things away, but I don't know how effective that would be...

I hope he doesn't, either. (Oh, Reimu will totally let her know. Totally.)

I know a magus from our world capable of such feat. Our organizations aren't on good terms back home. We've maintained neutrality here, and while I'd rather not go to her for help, it's still a viable solution. ...It's likely more punitive though, so if you're willing to do something if this persists, I would be grateful. ...But time will tell; ideally, we wouldn't need to talk about any of this.

[She'll just give a small nod at that. RE: She knows him pretty well, so she at least would like to think that she knew Merem enough to predict this much.]

(To Reimu, Merem seemed like the unpredictable type...then again, she doesn't know him nearly as much as Ciel does, so she couldn't say for sure.)

I'm hoping we won't, but for what it's worth, I've been laying low and playing defensively until I regain a few more things. Barriers, seals, healing, all of that miko stuff, so I can definitely give you a hand if you need it.

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I hate the tab key sometimes.

happened to me too bwuh

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