cycle 005

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

[Rena is wandering around the plane, looking distracted.] Keiichi-kun... I hope he doesn't--but--

I wonder, I wonder...

Comments

[shunofandromeda.livejournal.com]

Something the matter Rena?

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

Keiichi-kun--one of my friends from home... He's acting strange, he is. I'm worried.

[shunofandromeda.livejournal.com]

Have you tried talking to him?

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

[little nod] He just... Got angry...

[shunofandromeda.livejournal.com]

What about your other friends? Have they tried talking to him too?

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

I know Mion-chan would if she were there... I wish Mi-chan hadn't disappeared from my... Reality? [She still thinks that's really weird.]

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Wanders up, looking curious.] Are you alright, child? You seem troubled.

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

[Ah, she's a rather surprised.] Oh! Ah, one on my friends... He's acting strange, he is.

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

Is he, now? That's unfortunate. Have you tried talking to him? It is likely that something is on his mind that is making him act out of character.

[She tilts her head as if catching a distant sound and then sniffs a little.] Your scent is...interesting.

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

I tried, but he got angry... I'm worried about him, I am.

...Oh? [heatilt]

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

That you worry shows that you are a good friend to him. Perhaps what is troubling is something personal that he does not wish to discuss with others, even his friends. Sometimes, when people are troubled, they distance themselves from others. But I'm sure he will come around eventually! Perhaps all he needs is some time and space.

It is an interesting mix. [Sniffs again.] Clean air and water and grass, cotton and living things. But also metal and glass and blood. And...[Pauses, sniffing, tilting her head again as if puzzled.] Something small and almost unnoticeable that I cannot place.

[Blinks as if coming awake.] Ah, forgive me! I did not mean to sound so dramatic.

1/2

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

I hope so, I do!

[Her eyes get bigger at the mention of metal and glass and blood. And something small. Her voice is very tiny, very quiet.] It-it's... I...

2/2

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

[And suddenly Rena is far more solemn. Her demeanor has changed entirely. Her voice, however, is still quiet.] Oyashiro-sama.

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Amaterasu watches her for a long moment, posture rigid.]

If I frightened or upset you, then I apologize. It was not my intent.

And who is Oyashiro-sama?

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

[Her tone remains solemn, but her voice picks up in strength.] Oyashiro-sama is the god of Hinamizawa. He... Punishes those who wrong Him.

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

Oyashiro-sama, is it? Another god I have not heard of, though of course that is hardly strange at this point. [Carefully,] But most gods and goddesses I have met have been more concerned with protecting their people than with punishing them.

In any case, this scent is certainly an odd scent for a god.

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

He only punishes those who go against Him. [Half to herself:] But I came back, I came back...

It was my-my...

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Small sigh.] You do not need to tell me anything you do not wish to, child. It is hardly my place to question the methods of other gods and goddesses.

May I ask your name, at least?

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

[And she seems to return to normal, at least.] Ryuguu Rena. [bow]

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

[Well, Amaterasu now knows who to be worried about. But she smiles brightly and returns the bow.] A pleasure to meet you, Ryuguu Rena. I am Amaterasu, sun goddess of Nippon. I am sorry again for upsetting you before; it is just that the nature of new scents and the business of other gods and goddess all interest me quite a bit.

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

Amaterasu-sama! [Another bow.] I'm sorry if I disrespected you in any way, I am!

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

-Sama? [Delighted chuckle.] Ah, so you have heard of me! Though considering the nature of this place, it is unlikely that I am the Amaterasu you are familiar with. And no, no, not at all, don't even worry about it! [Giggles.]

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

Even if you aren't all gods and goddesses should be respected, they should! [smile]

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

Perhaps that is true, but I like to think that respect should be earned--even when it's gods and goddesses. But thank you, all the same! You are very kind~

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

Thank you. [smile] I didn't know this sort of place could bring even gods and goddesses.

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

Indeed! I was quite surprised myself. My presence here seems to have made things...a bit off in my world, but I cannot wholly dislike this place. The people here certainly make it worthwhile!

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

I hope your world goes back to normal, I do! There are a lot of fun people here, I think!

[shinypaws.livejournal.com]

Ah, thank you! I hope it does too--I'm already hard at work on it. And there are indeed! Almost all of them decent people, no less.

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

What about Kei-chan?

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

He's started acting strange. Like--like before.

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

I– Are you sure?

[Sigh. Mion looks worried.]

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

[Little nod.] I'm worried... What if he--he transfers?

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

I don't know why he would...

Did you talk to him?

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

I did, I did. But he just got angry.

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

He did? [Mion taps her chin.] Is the... have you guys already gone to the festival?

I wish I was there to help.

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

[nodnod] And then Keiichi-kun started acting weird, he did.

...

[lowering her voice] It happened again this year.

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

[Spoiler! She's quiet for a while.] Who was it?

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

[Still hushed.] Tomitake-san was killed and Takano-san disappeared.

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

W-what!? [Covers her mouth.] I mean... Tomitake-san loved Hinamizawa!

[Frowns.] Why would he be... And Takano-san...

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

I heard it was because Tomitake-san was taking photos of the sacred festival, I did... I don't know about Takano-san.

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

Oh... I wonder if there's anything I could do to keep that from happening in my world.

[YEAH, THIS DIFFERENT REALITIES THING STILL BREAKS MION'S BRAIN. 8|]

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

Maybe you could... Stop them from going to the festival? [IT BREAKS RENA'S BRAIN TOO]

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

[... Good idea! Mion brightens up a little bit.] I think that's what I'll do.

And if it works, maybe Kei-chan won't transfer away...

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

Maybe, maybe. [little smile] But what do we do about my Keiichi-kun?

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

I don't know... [For once, Mion isn't sure what to do. She hopes it isn't too late for him.] Maybe... just try to comfort him...?

What happened when you tried to talk to him?

[cutecleaver.livejournal.com]

He--he got angry, he did.

[demonsblood.livejournal.com]

What did he say?