white lotus

// a brief run-down of things on here

i went away for a work retreat/orientation earlier this week and thought it’d be more fun to uuhhh... try a new muse in my second slot! i’m really sorry to everyone i’ve been threading with, but since i’ve been having a bit of trouble getting her voice down anyway i decided to send in a drop for byakuren here and hopefully that will process with the next askbox run

also not sure if i’m actually going to go through with the reserve i’m putting in but. we’ll see how it goes! for now you can catch me over on eiki’s blog

“That’s understandable. Pokemon are creatures from my world with a variety of powers and abilities. Some people back home have them as pets, while others like myself battle alongside them. There are even competitions called leagues specifically designed for pokemon battles to see who is the best of the best.”

He paused for a moment. “If I wasn’t passionate about them, then I would have no right to call myself a member of the elite four.”

❁ – “I see...” Honestly, this all made her head spin -- there was quite a bit to take in! But, if this were anything like the spell card battles from her home world, she probably wouldn’t have too much issue, she figures.

She smiled, anyway. It was nice to see someone be excited about something they enjoyed, wasn’t it?

@prismaticspell

As much as she would not have ever admitted to thinking so, Miko thought there was some wretched sense of relief in finding the monk here in Hive City as well. At least then they would suffer equally, forced to begin again in a strange and hostile city that seemed to be almost entirely devoid of any religious influences. 

But then, she realized, the monk seemed to have been here for longer than she had – could she have perhaps already instated a new temple dedicated to youkai? That was a rather disturbing thought to contemplate.

<<I see that perhaps our rivalry may yet continue across dimensions, Hijiri. I will, of course, be the better person and ask how your time here has been thus far. So: how are you faring?>>

❁ – Great. Great, great, great-- Of all those from Gensokyo she could have possibly encountered, she’d ran into the worst of the lot. The worst of the worst, without debate; that great ominous force that had been emanating from the area her temple was built had doubtless surfaced, once again, and made herself manifest in this city.

Surely, if things continued as they were, this may as well spiral into another religious war. Not that Byakuren felt she had anything to worry about -- she was strangely confident in Buddhism prevailing in this go.

Even if she didn’t have a temple nor followers, anyway.

Still, to see Miko here was a godsend, if only so she could share in their misfortunes, anyway; in this moment, they were on equal footing, after all.

Despite her own feelings, no such hostility was reflected in her expression, a grin and a saccharine tone in place instead. “How unfortunate. I am hardly inclined to believe you’re being the better person if you’re having to make such an announcement. However--”

“I am fine.” Touch, huh? They’re still not that good with it. But, after a moment of gazing at the extended hand, the star takes it and drags themselves back to a standing position.

“The hand was appreciated, if not necessary.” They brush the snow off of their pants legs, then pause to look at the other. “…Phecda, a Star. Might I ask who you are?”

❁ – And with that, she heaves a relieved sigh, allowing the other to tug on her arm to lift themselves upright.

@prismaticspell

This woman stood alone. A saint trapped among tigers, a hermit surrounded by snakes.

Her hands trembled under her gaze, the tea cup vibrated as its boiling hot liquid spilled upon her lap. Not that she reacted, too intent was her focus on appearing nonplussed. 

Not even daring to lift her gaze to meet the other woman’s, Futo’s gaze remained glued to her tea. 

It had only been a singular match. Even she couldn’t have imagined that the Buddhist monk would be wearing such flammable clothing.

❁ – It all happened so quickly -- as was the nature of flame to move quickly along an especially flammable surface. The surface this time was her own dress, a piece of clothing she’d carried with her for centuries. It came as a surprise that it held up so long, even through her own imprisonment.

Before it reached any vital areas, causing much more than her to be startled and some mild burns on her legs, she narrowly managed to snuff out the flame. In the wake of such an incident, she could only be left speechless, barely able to react.

well, seles could agree that it was a strange question. with only a short walk, it seemed like you could find just about anything if you did enough searching. as for the question she was asked, she’s seen pre-carved wooden trinkets, but she didn’t really see anyone with shops to commission things like that. at the very least, she could help find such a person.

the girl seemed friendly enough, so she didn’t see why she couldn’t.

            “i haven’t really seen anything like that but… it’d be easier to find with two people, right? if you’d like, i could search with you.”

❁ – Concern waned, her relief evident in the smile that grew after hearing the other’s acceptance. She was honestly only relieved that she wasn’t met with harsh rejection; surely that would have been quite the crushing blow to her pride, though she could also understand her not wanting to help. It was a strange request, after all.

“Really, if you would assist, I would be most grateful.” Thus, she started by quickly glancing up and down the streets, looking for something -- anything -- that’d lead her to where she needed to go. But nothing immediately stood out to her.

Well so much for being intimidating. Then again he expected such a reply. 

“Pokemon battles can be intimidating if you are not used to them. However they can be exciting, as well.

I take it you’ve never had one before?”

❁ – She shakes her head. It’s not like she’s used to fighting others, anyway -- in fact, she’d much rather just avoid it altogether if she can.

@prismaticspell

In their wanderings today, Phecda has encountered a lady with interesting hair. It kinda reminds them of Alitoh in a way. Well, at least the purple bits do.

So despite the fact it’s cold and there’s snow on the ground, the star pauses mid-step and promptly pushes off the ground, flying backwards to stay in front of the odd being.

They might not realize it’s rude to stair at them. And they apparently have no spacial awareness when studying someone as they run backwards into a pile of shoveled snow.

“…Oh. There was snow there.” Ah, they’re still awkwardly staring at the lady. “…If the staring was unnerving you, it was because you reminded me of someone. I suppose if that is the case, apologies are needed.”

❁ –  She’s circled this part of the sector at least a couple of times -- she’s sure of it -- thus, she pauses and decides where she’d like to go. With a glance left, then right, then back again, she’s deciding either direction is just as good as any.

That is, until someone collides into a snowbank, leaving her with immediate concern. It doesn’t immediately register with her the lack of attention paid to the surroundings, what with the explanation and apology provided. Still, it’s no reason not to lend her aid; she approaches with a sympathetic smile and an arm extended toward the other.

“Well you are talking to a member of the Elite Four, so it’s natural to be intimidated.”

❁ – “Well, it’s not so much that I’m intimidated by you as I am by the prospect of whatever kind of contest you’re proposing.”

“How petty of Buddhist monks to not consider the entire issue. Clearly the Prince, who had the great magnanimity to protect even thine religion should be the great ruler of this city. Who else could be as unbiased as she?”

“You are all fools, the only one worthy to lead us all is Taishi-sama.”

✯ A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE SENTENCES / PART SIX

“This, you mean..?” Byakuren casts a sidelong glance at the flimsy plastic knife she’s holding in her hand. She can’t help but be puzzled, not just by the sudden presence of the shikaisen, but also by her query. For as much as the answer should be obvious, perhaps the setup of some kind of modern cafe as this would be beyond her. In the face of such a question, she does her best to exercise her hallmark patience with the other.“There is a display filled with them, over where the rest of those ‘condiments’ are.”