June 12th, The Woods, Near midnight

[independent_dollmaker]

[Once again, it comes to this. Not that anyone present would be thinking of it this way.

On a dark night, deep in the woods behind Izumizaki, eight friends sit in a circle around a crackling fire. Holding hands, they look into the fire, its dancing shadows playing tricks on the imagination beyond the circle. Maria's established the rules, all that's left is to kick things off.]

So... on the count of three, then?

Comments

The Ritual

[independent_dollmaker]

[One, two... it seems appropriate to close her eyes, but instead she keeps her eyes open, looking intently into the fire.]

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

[fortunatetoaster]

...

[ chiyoko's making a slightly displeased face, and heaves a shudder -- it's way too cold to be doing anything, even with the fire and she lets out a shaky sigh. ]

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

[flatview]

[ as facetiously chipper as ever, Nui chimes in right on time ]

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

[ohmygah]

[Osaka mouths the words to herself several times before nodding slightly.]

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

[She nods triumphantly.]

[itwasfeyt]

[Maya's a little late on the chanting. She seemed preoccupied by a thought. Oh well!]

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

Post Ritual

[loveandwillpower]

[ Minako's leaning back, having gotten distracted in the course of getting to her feet. ]

Does it look like there are more stars than you'd see in town? They should tell us what's up with that in science class instead of all that powerhouse of the cell junk.

[independent_dollmaker]

[Pointedly ignoring the science question, but speaking up later, after all the others have gone their separate ways save for these two.]

I still can't believe you actually asked her.

[loveandwillpower]

What kind of friend would I be if I went back on promises as easy as that?

[independent_dollmaker]

I didn't ask you to make a promise like that, you just decided it on your own! You don't even like Nui, do you?

[loveandwillpower]

I wasn't expecting her to go for it, obviously!

...Fyi, she doesn't like me but she totally likes girls, you're welcome!

[all_onis_are_true]

...You completely missed when we were discussing the concept of light pollution, didn't you.

[loveandwillpower]

Probably! Why don't you explain it again, in your best sultry professor voice.

Tell me about the magical romance hidden in the starlight, Yamae-sensei. ♥

[all_onis_are_true]

[..."Sultry professor voice?" Is she making fun of him?]

Haven't you had enough "romance" for a while? God only knows how awkward things are going to be for a few weeks.

[loveandwillpower]

What are you complaining about, you don't have a personal stake in any of it.

...Unless you're pining from afar for any of the cute girls involved?

[flatview]

[ Normally this would be the part where Nui chimes in some form of mock agreement, tottering around as if she had all the energy in the world to spare.

Instead, she's just looking up at the stars blankly. ]

[loveandwillpower]

[ Minako understands, it takes so much out of you to be maximum blonde and peppy some days. ]

...Hey, Nui. Do you believe in destiny?

[flatview]

[ She doesn't say anything. ]

[loveandwillpower]

[ THIS IS UNUSUAL AND KIND OF WORRYING ]

[itwasfeyt]

Um, I think we learned that in class before.

[Somehow, Maya managed to pay more attention in class then Minako. Only barely.]

Say, Minako. About earlier...

[loveandwillpower]

[ DEER IN HEADLIGHTS ]

Earlier as in...

...you know time is a weird and subjective concept when you think about it, do you mean earlier as in something like a thousand years ago?

[itwasfeyt]

No! [/Screen snap noise!] I mean earlier yesterday, in school!

[loveandwillpower]

[ HANDS OVER FACE ]

[ ...peeks through fingers... ]

You think I overdid it too?

[ohmygah]

Maybe its aliens! And they all keep near forests and stay away from cities and towns!

[happyhalloween]

Or witches!

[loveandwillpower]

Or alien witches, why not?