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It had been easy. That was the weird part. She had thought that it would be hard to kill someone, but it was easy.

Alice mulls over what happened as she works, while also thinking about what comes next. There's been one sacrifice now, but there will need to be more. Some of the others won't believe so easily. Even with her powers as a witch growing, she'll need to work harder to convince them. If they still won't believe, then...

Well. It's not like Maya's actually dead. She's just been changed, temporarily. When this is over, she'll find a way to restore her.

Alice smiles as she puts the finishing touches on the doll. It turns its head slightly, smiling back.

[They needed to search the forest. The note had made that pretty explicitly clear. Someone had lured Souji out to the forest sometime between the time they last saw him and the time they saw that note. The only question was, had he disappeared before they did the ceremony, or after? And what would it mean either way?

His parents weren't back yet when Hiroshi and Maria returned. He'd barely been able to appeal to have Maria stay over; thankfully, his mother was much more understanding when he'd explained that she had nobody back at her place to take care of her, even if his father was clearly unhappy keeping THAT girl in his place. Sorry, Dad, but some things just overwrote filial piety.

He'd gotten the mail as they entered, flipping through it idly, if anxiously.]

...? This is odd...

[Behind the envelope with an emblem of a certain school was one that was completely blank beyond his name. Almost as if somebody had stuck it in at some point. He looked at Maria.]

Ah, my mail probably isn't too interesting. Why don't you go and round up what we'll need to go searching tonight, Maria?

[A long day of brainstorming plans for the group's big hit movie at the school eventually petered off and everyone said their goodbyes. Even as they went their separate ways, there was still one person still planning to make something happen. Maya had, with Maria's help, started on a brainstorming session of their own. A story needed action, drama, something unexpected. That's what movies were, right?

Speaking of unexpected.... Tomosuke. The poor little plush had sustained an injury in the middle of their important meeting. And amidst the crying and sadness, Maya had reassured her best friend that she could mend Maria's best buddy by tomorrow. It was an honest promise... But her skills at a needle and thread left something to be desired.

So she thought, and picked at a particular thread on the couch while doing so, her eyes trained on Tomosuke. Then a thought struck her, and they drifted towards the phone.

It wasn't that late. She could totally ask for a favor, right? That's what she thought as she grabbed for the receiver.

After all, Alice made Tomosuke in the first place.]

[The rain has mostly finished, the only remaining reminder a trail of thin clouds high in the sky. In its place is an unpleasant wind, the kind that only serves to knock stuff over instead of cool anyone down. Several hairs are out of place for Haruhi - it's this weather that makes it the most obvious she hasn't really been able to commit to lengthening hair enough for split ends. So she chews on the stray chunks, and her cheeks are puffed out. She sits on the windowsill, feet draped over the dolly of a camera.]

Hope everyone brought some good philosophical content to the table for today. It's like Maya-chan said, we want to make the audience think.

[More than yesterday, Haruhi is thinking. She has bursts of animation, of course, but increasingly strictly confined to between takes. During long lulls in ad lib performance, her gaze wanders to the head desk before she snaps back and nags the "actors" to get back in line.]

I wish that I could become closer to Harime-san.

The ritual in the woods was just a game. Nobody was actually expecting those wishes to come true, least of all Alice. So, why did it sting so much to find out that it wasn't going to come true? It's not like Shigetsuna-sama is real. It's not like she had any kind of real power.

That night finds Alice doing... not much, really. It's a beautiful evening to sit alone in her room, thinking about how all her friends hate her. Maybe cry a little. Not enough energy for anything more than that.

At least nobody else is around to see her like this.

[He keeps second-guessing himself.

Every time he thinks a negative thought about someone in the group, he reels back. Every time he looks at somebody suspiciously, his mind immediately shoots in the other direction. Are they saying bad things? Are they not saying bad things? Is he hearing things? Seeing things? Are his senses trustworthy?

Will he kill again?

He feels lost; everything he'd been certain about in the world feels like it's been yanked out from under his feet. It would almost have been preferable if he HAD been going insane, that the terrible "memory" he had was just some form of delusion. But then Maria had said there were more incidents. More of these moments, of which he was not the murderer. The same period, over and over, like a broken record.

He doesn't know how she knows. He doesn't know how she remembers. But she does. More than him, it seems.

He's indecisive about whether he wants to take Maria along. What if he hurts her? Like Alice, and Nui, and Minako... his parents. So much blood. He could kill her if his mental state destabilizes.

But he also feels protective. He wants to watch over her, make sure nothing happens. She's young. She shouldn't be killed. Maybe even if he goes insane, it'll be to protect her. He doesn't know.

He does, however, know one thing: Souji and Chiyoko both never arrived.

He remembers many bodies in his nightmare.

He remembers Souji being one of the triggers behind his delusions.

He does not. Remember. Killing him.

He looks for Maria after the shoot.]

[The sky looks like Dorothy's dress in the Wizard of Oz; a relentless blue, but patched regularly with thick white clouds. Haruhi is clad in short clothes of similar hues, though her small purse doesn't match so well. She's got a clapperboard tucked under her arm. Do you know what Haruhi is not carrying? A CAMERA, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HIROSHI AND HINATA ARE FOR. Hey, be thankful she didn't bring a megaphone either. That's the great thing about rural filming: Everyone's voice carries really well, much less ambient noise. She describes the itinerary in a clear voice without outright shouting.]

Alright, everyone! It might rain later today so we've got to make the most of the time we have. Remember, we're shooting out of sequence, but all the non-school stuff is today. That includes the rooftop fight scene, the sleepover, the police station, and the Kasuga house scenes.

[A little more animated as she gestures expansively at the fine establishment behind her, well positioned so her arm underlines the sign.] But if there are no requests to do something else first, I think the best test of the equipment would be the group photo and the survivors eating ice cream. We can always make the video choppy like a purikura or layer sentimental music over the bad parts of the audio!

First things first: roll call, roll call. [She claps the clapperboard for emphasis.] Suzumiya Haruhi, ultra director, present.

((SCRIPT FOR REFERENCE))

[ Thankfully for Hinata Hajime, being a janitor was a rather easy job. Then again, he was holding a secret from everyone to the point where he had even deluded himself into thing that he was Normal, just like everyone else, even though that was a complete lie to begin with. And the mere fact that he always kept people away from his hair. Mostly because if someone did? They'd be able to figure out the truth about him, and subsequently, they'd ask questions.

Which is why he keeps himself physically away from the others.

But for the next few days, he'll be meeting with as many people as he can; partially because he wants to make firm friendships with the others and perhaps he could even help them out with their problems. Well, it's not that likely, but he can at least Try. Though they don't really have to talk about anything serious if they don't want to.

He'll walk up to anyone he passes by, though?? He's rather sociable, after all, he needs to get those FTEs! ]

( ooc: basically an open post for hinata at any point within those dates for some CR let's go--!! feel free to run into him anywhere, anytime either during or after school. )

[Alice never really had much motive to keep secrets from people, but didn't find it too difficult when it did arise, either. Haruhi and Hinata had both gotten pretty involved with the next few days' activities, but she was careful not to mention what was going on tonight to either of them.

I mean, it's not like the curse is real, but it's more fun if you go along with the rules.]

Shigetsuna-sama, Shigetsuna-sama, Shigetsuna-sama, we brought you an offering, so grant us everything we desire.

[ The club's taken over one of the classrooms like they so often do. Minako's plotting something like she so usually is. She's got a handful of chopsticks jammed into her hair under the bow.

And also her math homework, which she has been making an effort on despite being sidetracked into doodling rude pictures on. Is that supposed to be Mr. Spender? Is he picking his nose?

...That's his nose, right? ]

[Congratulations, friends! You survived to the end. Unless you didn't, in which better luck next time. Either way, enjoy some refreshments and discuss the events of the last few days. Round 3.

On the chalkboard is a sign, reading:]

HIROSHI - 5
OSAKA - 5
MINAKO - 7

[Minako has achieved the high score.]

There are several obvious jokes I could make right now, but I think I'd rather leave those to someone else.

Subject: Souji Seta (Age 18)

Died from a single stab wound to the chest. The murder weapon was the Shichishito sword (Exhibit A), belonging to the Fey family. The weapon was still in the corpse upon the discovery of the victim. The body was found in a locked utility shed near the Aino residence after a warrant was acquired to search the premises. No fingerprints were found on the scene. Had been dead at least 48 hours before the body was discovered.

Subject: Haruhi Suzumiya (Age 16)

Died from third degree burns. Body was found in the Home Ec classroom of the Izumizaki High School. Bruises on the victim suggest she was grabbed and forced into the school’s burners (Exhibit B) by the attacker before she attempted to fight back. The victim appeared to be gripping strands of blonde hair and a kitchen pan in her hands.

Subject: Nui Harime (Age 16)

Died from a puncture wound to the neck and lacerations to the throat. Found on the steps of the Fey estate. A tripwire (Exhibit C) activated by Maya Fey caused a crossbow (Exhibit D) to fire a bolt (Exhibit E) into the victim’s neck. Claw marks suggest the victim attempted to pull the bolt out of her neck only to expedite the injury’s effect.

Subject: Chiyoko Shimamoto (Age 16)

Suffered third degree burns to her upper body. A bucket of oil (Exhibit F) fell on the subject before candles (Exhibit G) were knocked and fell on the subject. Currently at Hizumizaki Hospital in serious condition. Prognosis uncertain.

Subject: Ayumu Kasuga (Age 16)

Died from multiple stab wounds to the chest and throat. The victim fell down the stairs of the Fey estate basement, which were covered in grease. She landed on three steak knives (Exhibit H) which were set to point upward.

Subject: Hiroshi Yamane (Age 15)

Died from a single stab wound to the chest. Murder weapon was a knife (Exhibit I) found near the body upon discovery. Believed to have been killed defending Maria Ushiromiya from an attack.

Subject: Minako Aino (Age 15)

Died from asphyxiation. Suspect in the deaths of her classmates and Rosa Ushiromiya. Body was found on the Fey estate wearing a mask and a costume. Believed to have been strangled by Maya Fey.

According to the testimony of Maria Ushiromiya, the victim was operating under the name “Space Witch Venus” and responsible for the deaths of her classmates and “the Black Witch”, believed to be the girl’s nickname for her mother. No motive for crimes uncovered as of yet.

Subject: Rosa Ushiromiya (Age 35)

Died from blunt force trauma to the back of the head. Body was discovered on the Ushiromiya residence at the urging of the victim’s daughter, Maria Ushiromiya. A chain matching the contusions of the victim (Exhibit J) was uncovered at the Aino residence and is believed to be the murder weapon. Body is estimated to be around 24 hours old by the time of discovery.

Subject: Alice Margatroid (Age 16)

Died from asphyxiation. Murder weapon was the subject’s headband (Exhibit K), which was sewn into the victim’s body and her clothes. Body was found inside the Margatroid household. A small amount of smudged lipstick was found on the band as well. Fingerprints matching Minako Aino were found on the scene. The subject was dead for a few hours before her discovery.

Subject: Maya Fey (Age 16)

Found in her estate holding the body of Minako Aino following a phone call from Maria Ushiromiya. Responsible for the death of Minako Aino and a suspect in the murders of several of her classmates. However, the subject was in police custody during the estimated times of death for Alice Margatroid and Rosa Ushiromiya. Subject was unresponsive during questioning and is currently in the Hizumizaki Hospital’s Psychiatric Ward, pending further investigation.

Final Note:

Upon searching the Aino residence, multiple weapons, traps, and costumes matching other crime scenes were uncovered. As of yet, no motive for Minako Aino or Maya Fey has been established. Due to the unreliability of witness Maria Ushiromiya and the current state of Maya Fey and Chiyoko Shimamoto, police are still investigating these crimes.

Three are down, three are dead.

Haruhi. Rosa. Alice.

The Princess will be free of her chains soon, Hope from Pandora's box bright and innocent and so easy to be crushed by the unscrupulous. Enemies lie everywhere - the sisters, no matter which side they take, they're out of the way for now. If there are still enemies to take care of, if she's still alive at the end of the night, she'll see if she needs to drag anything out from under their skins.

Four to go. Tomosuke's message had been clear. A turncoat twice over, no fit familiar for a witch. Even a treacherous witch.

With Maria's betrayal, there's really no time to waste. Can't check on the prince, if he's gone then that's just wasted time, if he's not then that's still wasted time, if he's taken a turn for the worse and died then too bad for him, Maya's reign'll just have to kick off with a tragic star-crossed romance, it's his fault for getting in the way.

Time, time - wires strung across doorways and stairwells, ancient crossbows dredged up from the basement, sharp stakes and slippery steps in strategic places, all the traps her wild ingenuity can summon into being, and, of course, a certain upgrade for the power of Venus, purchased with the help of papa's credit card.

Mia will be back to free Maya tomorrow, so it has to be tonight.

A challenge must be issued to the worst of the demons remaining. With the power of love and beauty, she'll defend this household, and with that, she dials Nui. With Alice's cell phone, of course. She might not pick up for Minako, but she definitely will for Alice. Power of love. It's what she's got and she'll use every single tool at her disposal for the sake of her liege.

[Finally, after all those phone calls, they're all gathered outside the police station. There are some conspicuously missing members of the club, but Souji's been gone for days and Minako isn't really Minako anymore--she's Venus--and Alice wasn't able to get the message from Tomosuke, Maria supposes, and of course Maya is the one they're all trying to save from rotting in jail due to false accusations. But Maria is here and Hiroshi is here and Nui and the President and Osaka. That's enough people for a rescue mission.]

So does everyone have the things we need for the plan?

[Maria's plan being that they'd lure Mr Policeman out and steal his keys. It's a bit simplistic for a jailbreak plan, but she is only nine.]

[After Maria had shown up with Minako that morning for school as if it had been any other day, Mr Policeman had decided that instead of going to classes, Maria should spend the morning talking to him about Mamma. She'd told him that Mamma had been in a bad mood that evening and that she usually tried to sneak out when Mamma was in bad moods like that and go to visit Maya or Osaka or Minako those nights, because they'd let her sleep in her room and not tell any grown-ups that would try to take her home.

She thought Mr Policeman believed her. All that stuff she'd said was true, she'd just said it in a way that made him think she wasn't there when Space Witch Venus saved her from the Black Witch.

But after such a long time of boring questions, that had gone quite past the lunch break, Maria knew she had to go somewhere else than the school, if only for a little while. And Hiroshi still needed to be given lunch. That was it. She'd go to the convenience store and buy food for Hiroshi and feed him and talk to him while the others were in afternoon classes. Maybe she could tell him more about the Moon Princess. It didn't seem like he remembered much about her, not like Venus did, but Maria thought he'd be happy to know she was probably Maya.

Maria was, anyway.

--

After her talk with Hiroshi, Maria spends the rest of the afternoon in the clubroom, putting the finishing touches on her Apprentice Witch Chibi-Venus cloak and thinking about everything he'd said to her when she visited. Eventually, just before everyone files in to gloomily discuss what to do next, Maria makes a decision.

Next time Venus leaves her alone with Hiroshi, she's going to help him.]

[This had been a complicated day for Alice.

People were disappearing and dying. Someone had to be behind it all, and Alice was starting to put together a theory about who it was. Everything seemed to be pointing in the same direction...

Compared to all that, that conversation with Nui should have been pretty unimportant, but it was certainly occupying a lot more of her mind that evening.

So for the moment, Alice was at home, alone, sewing. Nothing complex, just touching up some old projects and fixing some damage. Some mindless activity to clear her head. However dark things had gotten, it couldn't last much longer, right? People don't just commit murder without getting caught, whoever they may be. That's just how the world works. Right?

Surely, this tragedy was almost over...]

[The club room was looking very empty.

Alice looked around the room, trying to suppress the dread that had been growing in the back of her mind since that night in the woods. Nui, Chiyoko, Minako, Osaka, Maria. Souji was missing, Hiroshi was missing, Maya was in jail, the girl from the other school was dead, and word was that Maria's mother was dead, too.

What the hell was going on in this town? Didn't dad move here to have a peaceful life in the countryside?]

...Do you think we should try and do something?

[She said it in a smaller voice than usual, as if someone might be listening in on them.]

The work of an agent of love is never done! You'd think that someone with Minako's grades wouldn't even be a Watson, much less the guy with the deerstalker cap, but what she lacks in academics she's always been able to compensate with drive and raw cunning. And now that drive has a little something extra.

The determination to protect a dear friend against a dangerous foe.

The sun rises on another beautiful, ridiculously hot day at the Izumizaki school. At this time of morning, happy and healthy high schoolers flock into the entrance. One of them, while hale, clearly... is not wearing the same uniform. It's the full uniform of that nice school in the city; light brown shoes, dark brown socks, brown skirt, brown sweater vest, light brown bow, white shirt. That said, the little purse is probably not an actual schoolbag. Two long strands of brown hair dangle down; the remaining substantial mass has been threaded with a steady hand through the tastefully small hole cut in the back of a deerstalker cap, the brim of which covers any childish bangs.

Is this the Haruhi Suzumiya whose hair was short beneath ribbons in ninth grade? When could she ever have heard of "makeup"? Admittedly, her eyes themselves, as brown as everything else, are the same as ever: Blinking brightly as her glance gets bored of each new sight.

"Yamane-kun. Aino-san. What a pleasure to see you all again after such a long time." It's a completely conventional, general greeting. She could go on to call them all one by one, but they have unfini... Business. She and the school have business. "I hope I'm not intruding. I just naturally have lots of questions." Lots. Already the businesslike veneer is cracking as she bounces forward on the balls of her feet.

[Magic isn't necessary in a world where science could provide so many more tangible possibilities. This is what Hiroshi believes. And if he could get Maria to see how fascinating reality could be too, all the better.

Thus, this little trip. Nothing too fancy, just a trip to the woods. Nature abounds here, after all, and with it comes the myriad of marvelous scientific discoveries that come with it. She has to be able to appreciate THAT much at least, right? Even if he can't dissuade her completely completely from this witch nonsense, at least he can plant some seeds.

...Not sure why Osaka is here, though.]

See over here, Maria. Have you noticed how the moss almost always grows on the same sides of the trees?