♘ duel the tenth. (!wildcard! vine. video. action.)

[ofnobility]

[Utena's basketball court is a familiar sight, as are the shadows playing along the walls, but there is something new about it today. It has expanded into a more elaborate sports field, an outdoor gym of sorts. There is a tennis and badminton court, an outdoor pool, and basically a lot of scenery porn the area around the grounds is surrounded by

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One tsun-princess reporting >.>

[beneiden]

Of course I'm here. [ There is one green-eyed young girl standing nearby, her flowing teal dress more than a little wrinkled, with the colors near the collar and on her head (is that a tiara?) bringing out her eyes. Her blond hair is longer than usual. Much, much longer, in fact. It seems to cascade all the way down her back, pool briefly near her bare feet and then disappear down some side path through the flower bushes.

She is standing there, arms crossed under her chest, thoroughly unimpressed. ] Don't tell me you brought me here and then forgot all about me that easily. I told you I'd be fine in that tower!

yaaay

[ofnobility]

[There's a moment, where Utena looks visibly confused, but then a memory comes to her in a sudden rush, and she shakes her head vehemently.] No, no, of course I didn't forget about you.

[Sometimes, Princesses have to be handled with caution. She has saved enough of them to know this is the case.] Really, a girl doesn't belong in a tower. [She tries for her most charming of smiles.] Isn't it better to be out in the open world?

[beneiden]

[ Her perception is warped; Parsee's no stranger to crafting illusions or manipulating feelings, but this is on a whole other level than what she can do. The false reality latches onto every part of her that's true and warps it all, nudging it in line with what it wants from her. ]

It was dark and no one bothered me. It was high up and had a nice view. [ At least some things never changed. ] Don't go thinking you know what's best for me!

[ofnobility]

I would never assume anything like that, honest! [Her bright grin stays firmly in place.] But weren't you lonely at all? It's just that I think I would be, if I were in a place like that all the time.

[beneiden]

Lonely? Lonely? What about that oni monster that locked me up? [ You know, the big burly one with the single horn? She blushes and turns away. ] She-- she kept me fed and brought me drinks and that's better than company.

[ofnobility]

[At that, the grin becomes the slightest bit strained.] If you can't leave, isn't that more like being kept prisoner? Being outside is much better, you'll see! [And she sweeps her arm out, in a grand gesture. If only she had a magic carpet, or something.] I'll show you.

[beneiden]

I didn't want to leave! [ Oops. That was too enthusiastic. Parsee struggles to backpedal. ] I mean, I could have walked out anytime I wanted to, but it's such a hassle. And then you just-- [ A few sweeps of the arm, she finds it difficult to use the words "kidnapped" or "rescued" or "absconded". Whatever it was that happened, the term for it wasn't important.

She shrinks behind her bangs. ] It's all bright and colorful. I don't see what the big deal is.

wow i legit have an icon that fits this tag. oh utena

[ofnobility]

Hm. [This is getting a little more complicated than she'd expected...] If you say so. [She thinks to apologize for her act of rescue, but what Parsee says next derails that particular thought.] You don't like the colors? That's the best part of it. Hm...

[And she goes to one of the strangely colored rose bushes, picking a green rose out of the bunch. The thorns that had pricked her earlier seem to yield to her touch this time, retracting into the stem. And with that done, she hands the flower to Parsee.] There's a lot about it the outside that's nice. You just have to know where to find it.

Hahah, nice! XD

[beneiden]

[ She's not blushing because Utena's nice. It's just really hot in this stupid dress! Parsee, a little bewildered, takes the flower and just stares at it. It's a pretty green... She brings a hand up to tug at the corner of one of her eyes. That is not a good look she's giving the flower and, after a moment, she throws it away as if it had made some grave insult against her and needed to be punished. ] I've never gone looking, and with good reason!

[ofnobility]

[Utena barely has the time to be relieved before Parsee throws the flower to the ground. She tilts her head, confused at this behavior, and kneels to pick the rose up again. She looks a little thrown off, and a bit concerned when she stands up.]

If you didn't like it, you didn't have to throw it, you know. [But she isn't easily deterred, and presses on.] Say...if you don't like roses, maybe there's another kind of flower you like? I can get it for you. Whichever one you want.

[beneiden]

...cherry blossoms. [ Her voice is quiet, and nothing has changed about her demeanor, but those words come out clearly and without any of her usual misdirected malice. ]

[ofnobility]

[A quick, determined nod. Unpleasantness aside, if Parsee wants cherry blossoms, Utena is going to find them.] All right.

[There are nothing but roses, as far as her eye can see, but as she is still within the Gardens, it does not take much traveling before she does find a cherry blossom tree. She is careful with the bloom she picks -- this flower is less resilient than a rose. Transient, something to be kept safe.

Parsee does not have to wait long before Utena returns, cupping the small flower in her hands.]