June 12th, The Woods, Near midnight

[independent_dollmaker]

[Well, if they didn't want kids exploring the woods, maybe they should have said why!

Hiroshi, Alice, Nui, Osaka, Chiyoko, Maya, Minako and Maria advance through the darkness. It's not as creepy as Alice was expecting, honestly. She told her parents that she was visiting Maria, and wouldn't be back until late, and they seemed happy enough that she was spending time with friends to not ask too many questions. Her main contribution to the exploration party: A flashlight!

Alice looks up, quietly noting the moonless sky. Good luck, hearing about this whole thing the day before a new moon.]

So, I never did get a clear answer on whether or not there are bears in this area.

Comments

[happyhalloween]

Uu! Maria will help everyone chant!

[itwasfeyt]

[Hair ruffle time!]

Way to go, Maria-chan! You get to be the boss now!

[independent_dollmaker]

[Alice casually sits down next to Nui, shut up it totally counts as holding hands even if you're doing it to summon a witch from the netherworld]

All right, we'll begin on Maria's lead.

[flatview]

[ she totally doesn't mind. savor it while you can, Alice. ]

[happyhalloween]

[Maria's going to sit by Maya, on whatever side Minako isn't on. She's looking very excited.] Maria's the boss! Maria's everyone's boss! Uu uu!

[itwasfeyt]

[Maya plops down on the ground, Maria on one side, and Minako on the other.

aw yeah, this was gonna be fun!]

[happyhalloween]

Osaka should sit by Maria too! [Since Osaka is now the Witch of Enlightenment.]

[ohmygah]

Alright, you got it!

[Sits down next to Maria WITH DETERMINATION.]

[happyhalloween]

Uu uu uu~

[Those are the sounds of a Happy Maria.

No wait, these are the sounds of Happy Maria. But anyway. Carry on.]

[all_onis_are_true]

[Hiroshi sighs, but sits down with them all. Let's get this over with.]

[fortunatetoaster]

[ and Chiyoko's casually plopping her butt down too ]

Y'all came up with a wish, yeah?

[happyhalloween]

Uu uu! Of course Maria did!

[Oh good, now everyone's sitting down and Maria can start bossing them around more. Yay!]

Now we all stare into the fire and say "Shigetsuna-sama, Shigetsuna-sama, Shigetsuna-sama, we brought you an offering, so grant us everything we desire." But we have to say it together. Can everybody do that? There are lots of words, but you're all big so you should be able to remember it.

[independent_dollmaker]

[A bit of a mouthful... but when it comes time to say it together, she finds it surprisingly easy to reproduce.]

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

[ohmygah]

[Well, Osaka doesn't want to ruin this for everyone so she takes a quick chance to practice real quick before anyone else gets rolling.]

Shigetsuna-sama, Shigetsuna-sama, Shigetsuna-sama, we brought you an offering, so...

[errrgh.] Could you say it one more time?

[happyhalloween]

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

[ohmygah]

...so grant us everything we desire. Got it! Thanks, Maria-chan.

[Yay, she got it together.]

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

[loveandwillpower]

[ With a creepy firelight atmosphere like this, Minako isn't sure whether to believe something's really going to happen or not. On Maria's cue, let the harmony begin. ]

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

[all_onis_are_true]

[There's a distinct lack of enthusiasm in Hiroshi's voice as he speaks. This is so ridiculous.]

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

[itwasfeyt]

[Maya stared right into the fire, her gaze previously set on the magatama hanging around her neck. Fey clan, protect her while she did this possibly stupid thing.]

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

[flatview]

[ it takes her a moment to stop giggling, but sure enough: ]

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

[fortunatetoaster]

... Yeah, that ain't ominous at all.

[ sigh. ]

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

[independent_dollmaker]

Ah!

[Alice starts suddenly as she looks away from the fire. Did she see something?]

...No, just Minako's shadow. Did anyone see anything?

[fortunatetoaster]

Nah, just a buncha--

[ and then her head whips to one side so fast it's almost audible ]

What the hell was that?

[itwasfeyt]

[Maya follows her gaze, blindly scanning the area.]

Wh-what?! What is it?!

[all_onis_are_true]

[Hiroshi pushes up his glasses, which nicely covers up his own temporary surprise.]

Probably just a trick of the light. Flames can cast odd shadows, after all.