002 [dream]

[middaysdream]

You are now stuck in a large western styled mansion. Everything is clean, kept in it's place, organized. Though there is not a hint of anyone being alive, you have this strange nostalgic feeling that people once lived there. Little flickers of warmth flash and vanish as soon as they appeared

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[cagemyhappiness]

[This is familiar beyond words to Eleanor. The worlds of her old home and the orphanage she was sent to somehow merging, all dust and emptiness and faded love. A new, heavy surge of abandonment at every corner, pressing down from the very walls, eating away at the protective apathy carefully built out of a child's pain. She hates this place; one miserable, broken abode or the other, but not both. She is too small to hold all these feelings, too weak under the coldness to fend them off.

Eleanor wanders through the dream in a towering fury, none of it showing on her pale face, only hints burning out of her dark eyes. She tips the teacups over to shatter on the floor, takes a butter knife from the kitchen to try and carve over the names. Short, focused jabs into the wood.]

[middaysdream]

*During her rounds, one Hisui catches Eleanor trying to carve over those names. Those names that Hisui holds oh so dear to her. Without thinking, she runs up behind Eleanor and grabs for the knife. It doesn't matter where she grabs it at, blade or hilt, she just wants to get that knife away from her.*

P-Please, do not do that!

[cagemyhappiness]

[Hisui can likely snatch the knife away fairly easily, although Eleanor's grip is remarkably tight around the hilt- born of a slow-building anger years old, teetering on the cusp of this blank facade. She turns her head to regard Hisui, sharp shards of emotion in her gaze as there haven't been for a long time.]

It's pointless to remember. They don't love you.

[Her words are quiet but still pack a bite.]

Idiot.

[middaysdream]

*Hisui's demeanor changes from frightened to anger at Eleanor's words. Holding the knife by it's blade, she speaks strongly and firmly.*

I will not allow you to speak of Shiki-sama and Akiha-sama like that! You did not know them. You would never understand Akiha-sama's kind words or the way Shiki-sama held me close. You don't understand!

[alchemistsquery]

[None of this is familiar to Alfimi. But that girl, isn't that....?] Hisui?

[middaysdream]

*Hisui bows deeply.*

The head of the house, Shiki-sama, is no longer here. However, I can...

*And then her face flushes a bit with embarrassment.*

You were looking for me? But I am... just a household servant.

[alchemistsquery]

Yes! Because Hisui is fun to talk to.

[middaysdream]

... Shiki-sama would be glad to know I have a friend.

[headedforhope]

[The loneliness of this place strikes Mami immediately, stings in its familiarity. If it wasn't for the style and other particulars of the mansion, she would almost think this was a dream of her own.

When she comes upon Hisui, her expression is cautious, yet kind.]

...excuse me, miss.

[middaysdream]

*Hisui gives a deep bow.*

Forgive me, the head of the household is not here right now. I can take a message for him.

[headedforhope]

[carefully, after a pause:]

That's all right, it wasn't him I wished to speak to anyway. Do you have a moment?

[Somehow, Mami gets the feeling that she and Hisui are the only real ones here. Or if not entirely real, than made of firmer stuff than those phantoms on the porch, the wisps of sourceless sound within this house.]

[middaysdream]

What is it that you need?

*Hisui puts down her broom to address Mami more formally.*

[ofnobility]

[This is before Utena's dream, and in a landscape wholly unfamiliar to her. She wanders in, and without thinking, brings up her hands to rub at her arms in a defensive gesture. This place is unnerving. It feels like being in a coffin.

She catches sight of the girl, and stops.] Hey, are you okay?

[middaysdream]

*Hisui bowed and gives the normal message left to every visitor.*

Forgive me, the head of the household is away on business. If you would like I can take a message for him...

*Oh wait, the guest asked how she was doing. This is unusual, but Hisui answers without faltering.*

... I am well.

[ofnobility]

I don't know the head of the household. [She frowns, scratches her head.] I'm not really sure how I got here.

It's good you're doing okay. Say, how long have you been here? It's pretty quiet...

[middaysdream]

I understand. In that case, please make yourself at home. I am certain that Shiki-sama will not mind.

I have worked for the Tohno family since before I can remember. I have always been here.