magicalesbian | 4TH ☄ s h o o t i n g s t a r ☄ a c t i o n / v o i c e

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4TH ☄ s h o o t i n g s t a r ☄ a c t i o n / v o i c e

October 8th
[It's been two days since the spirit, Hoshiko, possessed Kari's body to break the spell that had been controlling her. Now it seemed that spell's presence was weakening in the village, and soon so would the spirit's hold on Kari's body. Her magic was not quite as powerful here in this village, and once it ran out Kari would regain control. It was a shame, really. Hoshiko was just starting to like this body. But there was still much Kari needed to learn, and until those abilities and powers were unlocked, it was rather useless to be wandering around like this. She didn't even have a full understanding of how her powers of time and space worked! How shameful, given how long she's been making use of those powers. Really, she deserved to be trapped in this strange world for such foolishness.]

[But so long as it still has this time, maybe it can do a little something to hurry things along. After leaving a number of notes for Kari when she regains control, it sets out about the village to enjoy its final hours of freedom. Maybe even make a little mischief while it's at it. If Kari became too complacent in this world, she might decide to never leave -- and Hoshiko just can't allow that to happen. It has no intention of rotting away in this dead-end universe forever.]

[So, for anyone who might be a friend of either Kari or Hoshikyo, expect to see "Hoshikyo" making her way over at some point. Though for those with the ability to sense such things, there will be something very different about her. Her magical power feels stronger, and there's an almost evil aura about her, brimming with malice and ill-will. Even just looking at her, there's certainly an odd look in her eyes.]

October 9th
[But come the 9th, things will be different. Kari is forced to come to terms with two painful truths rather suddenly. First, that the spirit who possessed her from before has not only gotten stronger, but is somehow completely aware of everything she does. And second, the fictional paradise that was "Luceti" in Billy's spell wasn't real. Her mother wasn't in Luceti. And as thankful as she was for that, on top of everything else, the sudden realization caused her to break down to tears.]

[She'll spend the rest of her day as herself, trying to find answers and hopefully fix anything the spirit may have ruined. She could only vaguely recall what happened while it was in control during those days. Hopefully nothing else terrible happened. It's only after another day or being out that she comes home and decides to ask something that's been on her mind since she woke up today:]

So. I've got one of those deep questions that people seem to ask on here sometimes. Maybe someone here can help me figure something out.

If you had something really terrible, and no way of getting rid of it yourself, what would you do about it? I mean, like, something that can't be taken away from you, but something that shouldn't be near other people.

[...]

It's kind of a stupid question, so if you've got a stupid answer, lay it on me.

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Yeah, a lot better...

[And really, if there was any one person in the village she could talk to about this, it was Rei.]

Are you at the Shrine right now? I could just come meet you down there?

I am, and yes, that's fine. I can set up a Warding so we won't be overheard, and it's not of Malnosso make so it shouldn't be bugged.

Okay. I'll be there in a bit.

[But really, it's not the Malnosso she's concerned about...]

[She makes it down there soon enough, looking a little more sheepish than usual -- at least part of which can be attributed to her temporary lack of magic.]

...Rei?

[Rei peeks her head out of the shrine building and smiles, waving her friend over.]

Come in, Kari-chan. I've got an eavesdropping ward in place now, so we can talk privately if you're still worried about that.

[She nods and makes her way inside, finding a spot to take a seat with a small sigh.]

...I'm not really sure where to start.

[Rei gestures to a steaming teapot, wordlessly asking if Kari would like some, before settling on the floor with a nod.]

Well, tell me what's happened, first. What's bothering you?

[She nods at the offer, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. Even if she states plainly what happened, it wouldn't explain very much...]

I've never told you before how my magic works. Technically the power I use to transform isn't mine. I think it used to belong to something else... something that had my pendent before I did.

[She brings her hand over her chest, running her fingers over the pendent through her shirt.]

...and I'm starting to think it never gave it up.

[Rei pours out drinks while she listens, quirking her head curiously.]

What sort of thing gives you this power? I...guess I never questioned it, I assumed it was like, well, my own.

And what makes you think that?

I don't know if you heard about that weird thing going on in the village last week? Apparently some guy decided to magic a bunch of people into happier lives, and I got caught up in it too. When that happened, I forgot I was Hoshikyo again, just like during the invasion.

[Except during the invasion, he power was gone. This time it was just dormant. But even still--]

...and I guess it must have not liked that, because it possessed me for a few days. This isn't the first time it's happened, either.

Spirits...[Rei sucks in a breath. that was a frightening prospect...] I...no I hadn't heard. I was on a mission last week. I had no idea.

[And then Kari keeps going, and Rei's eyes go wide!]

What?! Possessed you? Tell me what happened? What did it do? What did it want?

It... didn't really do anything, actually. I only sort of remember what happened during those days. But it seemed it like it knew everyone I did. And it talked to a few people to try and figure out what happened.

[A few people who she still has to go talk to again when she can transform again to try and explain away the awkward conversations.]

The only thing I really know is that when it possessed me, it was able to break that guy's spell on me. And when my magic ran out, I became me again.

Did it have complete control over you? Would you say it's benevolent?

[She sounds a bit nervous, because let's face it: Possession is generally bad.]

Sorry to bombard you with questions, Kari-chan.

It's fine... and yeah, complete control. And it didn't do anything this time, but the last time it did, it tried to kill someone.

[Hence her concern.]

T-To be fair, they tried to kill me first! But. I mean. It's complicated.

It tried to kill someone?

[She sighs heavily.]

It may be complicated, but it sounds important. Kari-chan, why did that person try to kill you and Hoshikyo?

[It would be about as complicated as trying to explain why the Black Moon was after the Silver Crystal -- but she's not about to say something like that. There's enough going on right now without her just freaking Rei out.]

Well. Okay. So I had this friend, right? And she actually had -- has -- something like I do. Except she blacks out whenever she transforms and gets possessed by the spirit living in her body, and then doesn't remember anything afterwards.

I don't know too many details, but apparently that spirit wanted the power that my pendent has. She was always causing trouble around the city to try and lure me out. And when she figured who I was, she attacked me.

Only instead of behaving like a rational person and trying to get her to calm down, I got possessed and apparently tried to kill her.

[Rei would have no idea what she was talking about...but it would bother her, yes.]

So the spirit fought with you for control over the pendent? And Hoshikyo took over and tried to fight back violently? That...that's very confusing, but I think I understand.

You want to find a way to stop this spirit from taking over, then?

It's Hoshiko apparently. I mean, that's what it called itself, from what I can remember. [Not that different from the name she suddenly came up with when she first transformed -- it seems too close to just be a coincidence, now that she thinks about it.]

[She nods.]

I don't know if this spirit is good or bad. I mean, Chouka, the spirit possessing my friend, ended up being pretty reasonable once I got to actually talk with her... but I guess it's kinda different when you're the one being possessed, you know?

Yes, it is. I remember a bit of what it was like, from when Eferin possessed me last spring.

[It hadn't been so bad at the time, but now? She shivers at the thought.]

You want to seal up Hoshiko, then?

If it's possible, yeah. I mean, I don't really know what sealing it would do. It'd be one thing if I could just stop using my magic to avoid dealing with it, but...

[There's a pause. She's already trusted Rei with this much -- there's no reason she can't trust her with the whole story. She reaches up to undo the top two buttons of her own shirt, pulling it down just enough to show the pendent on her chest. At a glance, it almost just looks like it's laying against her skin like a necklace -- except it stays in place without a chain holding it up.]

...it's not really a matter of just using it in my case. It's kinda stuck with me.

I can try, if...you want.

[Her eyes widen sharply as Kari shows her the pendant though. It's really a curious thing, and the lack of a necklace? That...]

Kari-chan, is it a part of you? Stuck? Or can it be removed?

"Stuck" is a good way of putting it. As far as I know, I can't take it off by any normal means. I mean, it... goes deeper than what you can see on the surface. Trying to pull it off feels about the same as if you tried to pull my hand off or something. It doesn't budge.

So it's...a part of you? [Rei frowns...thinking. That certainly made it more complicated, sure. That wasn't normal at all.]

How long has it been like that?

Ever since I first got the thing about two years ago. I mean, to be honest? The whole magical girl thing was kinda forced on me. One minute I'm trying on an antique piece of costume jewelry and the next I wake up looking like I walked off a crime scene with this thing stuck to me like a NEET on welfare checks.

[Kari, you are the last person to be making smart remarks at NEETs.]

Most of what I do is try to find people who might know more about this thing so I can find a way to get rid of it. I mean, spiritual possessions aside, it's not really safe having something this powerful around.

[Rei doesn't get the reference, it is a bit after her time, honestly, but she does understand the idea.]

Yes, that's definitely true. Power not only tempts abuse, it attracts people who might want to take it, and hurt you in the process. I don't know if I can help remove it...but if you want me to I can definitely try and seal it up. Maybe that would make it let go?

[She nods.] It could work. I mean, from what I've researched? This thing has been around for a long time. And until it came to my world, it was sealed. So it should be possible. You know, in theory.

I'm not sure what effect sealing it would have on my magic, but honestly? I don't trust this thing.

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