3rd Transformation

[pompokolin]

[Phone]

For those of you who know her, it seems Byakuren Hijiri has been droned. [For once, Mamizou doesn't sound quite as cheerful as she usually does. Seeing a drone of someone you know isn't an easy thing for anyone.] I understand she knew quite a few people here, so I thought I'd spare everyone the trouble of finding out firsthand.

Also, since I'm curious and I hope you don't mind a tanuki's curiousity...what has anyone found in those portals? They're certainly something you don't encounter every day.

Comments

[imoutos]

... A-.. ah, Mamizou-san, I-I've been through a portal, so.. um.. I-I wouldn't mind telling you a l-little about it..! [ so eager to help.. ]

[pompokolin]

Oh, is that so? How was it, Nadeko-chan? [She tries to sound a little more like her usual self.]

[imoutos]

In the b-beginning it wasn't v-very scary, it was.. um.. a b-b-beach.. [ even though she had ben nervous all the same, but she isn't saying that much right now. ]

But then at one point everything suddenly.. became scary.

[pompokolin]

[Hmm.] Scary? How so?

[imoutos]

S-suddenly there was something like.. an earthquake, maybe, a-and lightning, and.. it almost looked like e-everything was being destroyed..!

[pompokolin]

An earthquake? That does sound troubling...it sounds as though most people would have had a rough time of it.

[imoutos]

Y.. yeah. Everyone t-that was in there q-quickly tried to get out, since it was so scary..

[pompokolin]

I'm sure they did. Is everyone alright?

[imoutos]

... I.. I don't know about everyone, b-but.. um.. I-I'm fine, and the person w-with me ended up being fine too, I think..

[in person]

[spitefulvitae]

There was a mountain. Which then became a volcano.

[Hey, Mamizou. There's a voice coming from behind you, and it belongs to an eerie and half-dead looking lady. The one that's been in the house for a little while now, but who hasn't said much and certainly hasn't been around during the day.]

That was my experience, at least.

[pompokolin]

[Mamizou's ear flicks at the sound of her voice, and she turns around.] A mountain, hm? Interesting...

[spitefulvitae]

That's what we found. I heard there was a tropical island for one of them... but I didn't see that for myself.

[She shrugs and leans back against the wall.]

If anyone found anything there, I don't know. I was too busy running back down the mountain, from all the lava.

[pompokolin]

I imagine one would be a little busy with running away if there was lava. I don't think I would blame you for that.

[spitefulvitae]

I got away. So the story has a happy ending.

[She pauses for a moment, then. And tilts her head, really looking at Mamizou for the first time.]

I'm going to be rude for a moment. What exactly are you?

[also in person!]

[kingofhero]

[He just happens to be eating in the kitchen when he hears her on the phone.]

Did someone you know get droned, Mamizou?

[pompokolin]

Yes, I'm afraid so. [A barely noticeable little sigh...] I lived at the temple she ran back home.

[kingofhero]

[He definitely understood; he'd run into Karina's drone a few times now, and it just didn't seem like she'd ever be back. But he was happy to still have the best pet Mamizou here. He'll only give her a sad nod.]

I'm sorry; I really am. However, I think that you'll be able to see her again!

[At least, he hopes really, really strongly that she will. Just like he hopes to see his friends again.]

[pompokolin]

[Well, hearing that comment helps to restore her a little more to her old self.] Thank you, Keith-san. I certainly hope I will. It's certainly different knowing she isn't around...

[kingofhero]

Yes, yes it will be. It's hard to miss someone.

[Just going to pet John a bit. He missed him a lot.]

Are you hungry? I can get you something; I'm already eating so it would be no trouble.

[pompokolin]

It is, especially after you've lived in the same space as them for a while.

Hmm...I suppose I could have some of whatever it is you're having, if you don't mind.

[kingofhero]

[He'll make her a sandwich and set it on the table.]

I can see how that would be extra hard.

[He'll finish his own sandwich.]

I still believe that it will all turn out okay in the end.

[pompokolin]

[Mamizou takes a bite out of the sandwich.] I guess I'll just have to keep telling myself that. Perhaps it'll make things easier.

[kingofhero]

Even if it doesn't feel like much, we all have something we can do that helps.

[It's just terribly cheesy, until you realize how much Keith actually believes in what he says.]

[priceofmagic]

Don't worry! Byakuren-mama-san will definitely be back soon! She probably just tripped and fell on a "don't step on the grass" patch and Mayfield-san is misunderstanding!

[ Doesn't want to believe her "mother" is gone, nope. ]

[pompokolin]

[Uh oh. Sounds like someone's already entered the Denial stage.] I'm not sure how soon she'll be back, but she definitely isn't herself. She didn't seem to have her scroll with her, either...

[priceofmagic]

It's okay~! Drones are forgetful. The drone probably forgot to take it with her. We just need to believe! Byakuren-mama-san would never leave!

[pompokolin]

I'm afraid she has, dear. I don't think we can blame it entirely on the drones this time.

[priceofmagic]

Ah... Nn-nn, no way. Sh-she's just gone for a short amount of time, I'm sure... [ Denial, denial, denial. ]

[pompokolin]

[It's a good thing Mamizou is patient.] Somehow I doubt that.

[priceofmagic]

I won't doubt it! She definitely has to!

[pompokolin]

Believe me, dear, I don't like this any more than you do...but she's been droned. And unless whoever runs this place decides to bring her back, she'll stay that way. [Her tone is a little more firm now.]