♘ duel the eighth. ( voice. video. )

[ofnobility]

( voice. )

[There's no video feed at first, just a few plaintive meows and the muffled sound of a girl's voice:] Wait, can you tell me where--

--at least the basketball court? Hold on--fine, leave! I'll find them myself. Stupid cat.

( video. )

[The Vine blooms. It pans in to a sleeve of a dark blue jacket, and then a hand with a silver ring

Comments

[video]

[tookupthesword]

You were her before?

And I don't think I've heard of anyone called that.

[video]

[ofnobility]

Yeah. I don't know why I got sent back here. [she squints, studies the girl in the mirror.] But I don't remember you.

[her face falls.] You haven't? Oh...

[She was hoping that this time, at least, that Himemiya had followed her here.] Thanks for letting me know.

[video]

[tookupthesword]

Clearly you're well wanted. But I don't remember you either, so it works out.

Sorry I couldn't help though.

[video]

[ofnobility]

[a snort.] I guess so. My name's Utena, by the way. Utena Tenjou. Say, is this place still weird?

It's all right. Maybe she'll show up soon.

[prescientific]

( Huh. Bonnie's head tilts to the side a bit, and she watches for a moment, silent, before collecting her thoughts enough to speak. )

I like your jacket. ( As if that were the only thing of particular note; not disappearing and returning, not anything to do with the nature of this place at all. ) It's pretty.

[ofnobility]

Oh [she looks down at her jacket, and rubs the back of her head.] Thanks! No one's ever told me that before.

[prescientific]

You're welcome.

( A slow, happy little smile. She's not really looking at Utena, anymore, but inspecting the vine. ) That's kinda weird. It's nice looking. Makes your hair stand out more, or something.

( Why, Bonnie. )

[ofnobility]

[Well, this lady is a little strange.] Thanks. [Utena runs a hand through her hair.] Hey, are you okay? You seem out of it.

[video]

[nelsangue]

[Ezio's interest? Whoever this girl is, she most certainly has it.]

You have been to these gardens before but managed to leave by some means?

[video]

[ofnobility]

[a quick nod.] That's right. I didn't do it on purpose though. It happened on its own.

[video]

[nelsangue]

But your memories of being here before are all intact?

[video]

[ofnobility]

[another nod.] Yeah. It's happened before with other people, but no one understands why.

[mnementomori]

[it's been a while, but she recognizes that face.]

Utena? Is that really you?

[ofnobility]

[Utena studies the Mirror for a moment, and then smiles brightly]

Xion! Yeah, it's me. You're still here, huh? Have you been okay?

[mnementomori]

Yeah, I'm okay. There've been a lot of new people lately. You were gone for a while...a few months, I think?

[ofnobility]

Yeah, I've noticed. [oh, but that surprises her.] Months? Really? It didn't seem that long...

video

[gun_cata]

Utena!

[ As annoyed as Utena is, Larry seems nearly as excited. ]

It's been months, here.

...sorry, no Anthy.

video

[ofnobility]

[Although Utena is annoyed by the overall displacement and the lack of help from the cats, she brightens up when she sees Larry.] Larry! It's good to see you.

[She sobers a bit at the mention of how long she's been gone.] Xion told me. It's really been that long?

[a beat, she sighs.] Yeah, I know. I was hoping she'd shown up with me this time.

video

[gun_cata]

[ Larry nods. She had been hoping that Utena was alright the whole time, so it's good to see that she didn't have anything to worry about.

Utena, on the other hand, is definitely troubled. ]

At least we know time tends to be kinda funny here. Hopefully there won't be a chance for her to miss you, even if I know that's not much comfort.

video

[ofnobility]

Yeah. When I went back to Ohtori, it was like nothing had changed at all. Maybe it'll be that way until I get back for good. [She smiles a bit; some of the worry leaves her expression.] Thanks, Larry. I hadn't thought of that.