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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

Well, I'll give it a try, if you want.

[Rei offers a reassuring shoulder squeeze]

And if you really need to use it, the seal I know how to make can be undone pretty easily. I wouldn't want to do anything permanent here, with as insane as things can get.

Yeah, that's a good point...

[The hand on her shoulder gets a smile.]

Would you be able to try it now? I mean, I don't want to rush you or anything, but my magic is actually pretty low right now. Maybe it'll be easier to seal if we do it before it can recharge all the way?

Yes, I think I could. Just...give me a moment and I'll get ready. While I do that, can you...lay down and get comfortable. Maybe take your shirt off so I can get to the pendant better?

[There's a clinical tone to her voice now, like she's ready to get to work. Rising, she heads over to a trunk and starts taking out bits and bobs, papers, incense, a brush, inkstones, all that sort of stuff.]

...y-you mean, like, my whole shirt?

...Enough so that I won't accidentally get ink on it.

[Kari doesn't mind ink. She doesn't mind ink one tiny bit! And she would much rather stain an easily replaceable shirt that take hers off.]

[But then, she's not sure just how much room Rei going to need around the pendent. And it's not like Rei's never seen a bra before or something, but...]

[With a slight huff, she complies and unbuttons the rest of her shirt, pulling it off and setting it aside before laying down. But her real reason for not wanting to take it off was for more reasons than just being shy.]

[It was probably always noticeable on her arms. Various scars and battle wounds scattered clear up to her shoulder, where a rather large stab wound had been. There was another on her side that seemed far more recent, that she had received on the previous draft.]

[Well, no, Rei's certainly seen bras before, but Kari's shyness definitely does take her by surprised. She never really thought of the other girl that way, not after Valentine's...but when she turns around she can definitely see why.

Scars. Well, those are always nasty. Not something a Senshi has to worry about, thankfully. And Rei's good sense enough not to comment. That would probably just embarrass her friend further. Instead she moves over and kneels down beside Kari, mixing a bit of water with the ink and readying the brush.]

Okay. This may tickle a bit, but try and keep still. I've got to make some signs, alright?

Got it.

[Actually, now that she thinks about it, it's also a little embarrassing just laying here on the floor without a shirt, scars or no scars. Especially with Rei just leaning over her like this. Really, the only thing keeping her from being more flustered is how serious this is -- if she could really find a way to seal this spirit, it could be step in the right direction towards figuring out how the pendent works.]

[Rei nods and claps her hands twice, rolling up her sleeves, and taking up the brush. Starting with the pendant, she writes out several archaic kanji in a neat, precise hand before moving onto the skin around the object.

All the while she's chanting in a low voice, a steady cadence to her words with an almost song-like rhythm, applying her will to the words and pouring it down into the brush and the ink she's laying down...]

[Kari isn't sure what she should be feeling now, if only because she's not sure what it would feel like to have the spirit sealed. Will she even notice if it works or if it doesn't? Will she be able to tell? Would it be safe -- or even possible -- to transform with it sealed?]

[Really, the only thing she is sure of is that the spirit shouldn't be able to show it's face right now, given how low her magic is. She wouldn't even be able to test if she could transform right now with how low it is.]

[Rei keeps at it, the chant growing louder and louder until finally it reaches a crescendo, her voice just louder than speaking.

All of a sudden she opens her eyes and brings her palm down on top of the pendant, hovering a few centimeters above it. She rams will into the seal and the ink dries immediately, glows brightly for just a moment, and then it's over.

Rei sits back on her heels and smiles down at Kari, breathing heavily.]

Th-there, that should do it. Hah. Not...hah...so hard as I thought.

[Everything seems to be going well on Kari's end, up until the last moment. As the glow of the ink fades away, so does the shine on her pendent. The gold plating looks tarnished and aged, and the gems have lost their sparkle. The magic has been sealed.]

[And suddenly Kari is hit with a cold sensation in her chest, as though a bucket of ice water were thrown right through her. Was this how it was supposed to feel? She laid there for another moment or two before slowly sitting up. Something still felt off, though...]

W-Well. Something... feels different. Kinda. But I think it worked!

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