User:NekoRex/Alice7

Kaku_Seiga saw the giant plumes of smoke coming from the direction of the forest on a shopping trip to the Village. "Did someone or something light a wildfire or something?" She muttered to herself. THe forest wasn't known to be a peaceful place and the plume suggested that the fire was bigger than a simple bonfire or a smoke signal: what could be riled enough to set fire to large patches of it? Spurred by this thought, Seiga *	Kaku_Seiga strolled toward the smoke to investigate... 	The Tsuchinoko ambient sensory receptors picked up a heat signal in the nearby area. Fire didn't usually occur in this area unless someone deliberately lit it after all, and the Tsuchinoko was feeling slightly peckish after its 3 hour nap. Turning its large head, it began to slowly creep towards the source of the commotion. *	Marisa_Kirisame swoops down lands back at Alice's house after picking up some taiyaki herself, and lets herself in, as usual. Unknown to Alice, she's also letting a less-wanted guest in her home, from inside her head. "I'm back, Alice! I got some sweets from town!" *	Alice_Margatroid also curiously watches the white-golden flames from a distance, although while seated quite comfortably in her house. Somewhat lost in her gazing out the window, she startles a little while Marisa just.. strides inside and announces her presence. Huffing softly, she rises to her feet, crossing over to meet the witch. 	Did you? You've been gone a long time, I'd have started to think that you got yourself into trouble again. 	... As if there's not already enough of that. *	Marisa_Kirisame stuffs one in her mouth and offers a different one to Alice. "A Muhgician ers a high enurgy pruhfessun." 	(You couldn't wait to finish eating before speaking?) 	Not if you're me. 	"Ooooh, it's burning, it's burning~ <3" Seiga whistled and admired the fire and the heat as she landed on the roof of the small house with a light thud. Someone definitely lit this deliberately. Could it be that immortal Phoenix? Then again, given the season, a loose kindling could start a blaze of this magnitude. "I wonder what's coming out of the forest?" *	Alice_Margatroid sighs softly, taking one and starting to delicately nibble on it. She's not all that hungry, but.. it's been a long time since she has been. 	Maybe for you. *	Alice_Margatroid looks up when there's a slight sound on the roof. Her brow furrows, and she quite considers going outside to wave off whoever's out there... *	Marisa_Kirisame looks up at the sound, swallowing a bite of her fish. "Did you see that big fire, earlier? What do you think caused that?" 	I'm not sure. It was going on for quite some time.. so it probably wasn't an accident. 	As long as it stays away from this forest, I don't really mind. 	"Heh, yeah, if someone burns up my mushrooms they're in for a world of hurt." *	Alice_Margatroid shrugs, still eating the taiyaki slowly, before getting up from her seat and going outside. That sound on the roof just sounded too much like someone landing there.. 	A psychedelic world of hurt, I'm sure. 	... Hey! You! Get off my house! *	Alice_Margatroid gestures quite aggressively at Seiga, a few of her dolls flaring out into the air around her as she does. 	"Hi~ <3" Seiga waved and hopped off of the roof. "Don't mind me, I'm just here for the fireworks~" 	"Eh?" Marisa says, going outside too, recognizing the hermit she just saw earlier. "What are you doing here, hermit? Shouldn't you be back at Senkai with Miko?" 	The.. fireworks. 	Maybe you should do something about the fireworks if you're so concerned about them? <Kaku_Seiga>	"Oh, it's the magpie, hi~" Seiga waved, floating above ground a little. "But it's so pretty, you know? The white and the red match really well with the night~ It'd be a shame if someone put it out..." <Alice_Margatroid>	Surely it would be put out eventually, or else everything would burn. Including wherever you call home. <Tsuchinoko>	The Tsuchinoko raised its narrow head wearily, as it observes three people conversing in the air. They seemed a little preoccupied. The one that was shouting near the back with those strange little floating toys on the other hand... <Tenki_no_Tsukaitsuku>	(And here I was expecting a quiet night with a magician and her girlfriend. I guess you can't go anywhere without being bothered by some other individual.) <Kaku_Seiga>	"I know~ It's going to rain soon anyway," Seiga turned her back toward the Doll Master, not regarding her as a threat in any way. "Ahh, I wish I had some sake here... What a magnificent view..." *	Alice_Margatroid gives Marisa a warning look, as if to remind her not to follow any whim to get out the alcohol. *	Marisa_Kirisame gives a sideglance and raises an eyebrow. She wasn't planning on it. <Alice_Margatroid>	... Either way, you should find somewhere else to sit, it's not terribly polite to sit on someone's roof. <Tsuchinoko>	The Tsuchinoko slowly creeps up on Alice_Margatroid, trying to conceal itself in the foliage. It wasn't doing a good job though, thanks to its size. <Kaku_Seiga>	"But you've got such a nice vantage point! it's almost criminal to waste it..." Seiga turned around and glanced squarely at where the Tsuchinoko was, her smile still bright and warm like the fire burning behind her: "probably more of a crime if someone were to level it, though..." <Alice_Margatroid>	You can rest happily knowing that anyone who would try such a thing would find themselves suspended by the throat from the tallest tree I could find. <>Ambiance<>	 A familar looking--at least to Alice, perhaps-- young girl seems to materialize out of the shadows of the surrounding forest, walking solemnly towards the house. Unlike her previous visit, she doesn't seem to be trying to hide. <Alice_Margatroid>	... It wouldn't be terribly hard, either. *	Shiko-onseiku comes from the direction of the burning forest, so it's possible the bright light drove her out. Her unnatural, golden-looking eyes lock first on Alice, and then on Marisa, shining slightly with recognition. <Tsuchinoko>	A shudder went through the Tsuchinoko's body as she noticed the strange .... being on the rooftop set her eyes upon it. <Marisa_Kirisame>	"Heh, don't think I don't know the way to Senkai either." Marisa says, although obviously lying. "You won't get too far like that." <Tenki_no_Tsukaitsuku>	(...Wow, it got crowded fast. Does this happen often to you, Marisa?) *	Alice_Margatroid doesn't seem to be too concerned about the rustling in the distant plants, knowing it's probably some animal that's fleeing from the flames in the distance, but she does catch the sight of what appears to be some manner of humanoid shape. <Kaku_Seiga>	Dense little critters, these two. But then again, they could probably dispatch the visitors without too much trouble: "Relax, relax! I'm not going to blow up this nice little house. I'm allergic to violence, you know~" <Alice_Margatroid>	... Who's there? <Marisa_Kirisame>	(Eh?) Marisa thinks in response, taking a look around and spotting the girl, who's looking at her, a bit confused as to why she's being looked at. <Marisa_Kirisame>	(I dunno who that is, maybe she saw me in town and followed me?) *	Alice_Margatroid takes a careful step forward, a few more dolls fluttering out of the house to hover around her. *	Shiko-onseiku doesn't seem to stop, steadily getting closer until she's within a more comfortable speaking distance, looking up at the considerably taller magician. <Shiko-onseiku>	...So, you forgot already, did you? Should I show you again? *	Shiko-onseiku rasps, seeming as though her voice was damaged by the smoke of the fire, displacing the girl's once pleasant voice. Although, given this particular youkai's talents, it wouldn't be too far off to assume she's talking like that on purpose. <Kaku_Seiga>	"Have fun~" Seiga chimed, hopping onto the roof and sitting at the edge of it, her legs dangling in mid-air. She wasn't planning on fighting any of them; besides, the Puppeteer and her girlfriend the Magpie would probably open fire first. <Tsuchinoko>	The Tsuchinoko slips ever closer, keeping her eyes on the lifeless toys in the vicinity. Though they may not bear life, their pointy sharp sticks have left others on life's last strings... <Alice_Margatroid>	Wait.. wait, who're you? What on earth do you want? <Marisa_Kirisame>	"...Do I know you?" Marisa asks, adding "If you're here for my shop, I'm afraid it's closed for... remodeling." *	Alice_Margatroid takes a more aggressive posture, her dolls drawing their weapons as she moves back a step. She's quite focused on this strange girl for the moment-- she doesn't seem to consider much about the other nearby youkai. *	Marisa_Kirisame just kinda sits back in the air, her eyes briefly flickering back to the big fire, keeping an eye on her surroundings. <Tsuchinoko>	The Tsuchinoko comes ever closer, its maw gradually increasing in size as it approaches Alice_Margatroid. However, it's maw came in contact with one of the many threads that Alice had attached to her dolls. *	Alice_Margatroid quite suddenly jolts away, nearly tripping over her own feet as she reels away from the nearby brush. She barely takes a second to think, sending three of her dolls flying into the plants, brandishing their scimitars and lances. <Alice_Margatroid>	A-ah?! Why are there so many weirdos out tonight?! <Tenki_no_Tsukaitsuku>	(I think I picked a good time to hop into your body. This should be entertaining~) <Tsuchinoko>	Seeing the pointy silver sticks come its way, the Tsuchinoko quickly grabs hold of its tail and rolls to the side, trying to get out of the line of sight of the dolls. <Kaku_Seiga>	"Ooh~ They're at it, they're at it!" Seiga whistles on top of the roof, her legs swinging in mid-air. "Now I really wish I had some sake!" *	Shiko-onseiku sighs, closing her eyes for just a brief moment in what appears to be concentration before glancing back up at Alice. Quite clearly, the youkai's body begins to warp and distort, gradually forming itself into a copy of Alice! <Shiko-onseiku>	It really is a pain to introduce myself to you a second time... *	Shiko-onseiku 's voice does take just a brief moment to adjust to match Alice's own, but not until the end of the sentence. Although, the sudden commotion gives her pause and she turns to face whatever may be there with a small frown. <Marisa_Kirisame>	"What the heck?" Marisa says, jolting upright and pulling out her hakkero, watching this bizarre scene go on, but her gaze flicks back and forth from Alice's scuffle to the little girl, trying to decide which to deal with first. *	Alice_Margatroid stares quite affixedly at the shrubs and brush, feeling every little movement and strike from her dolls, but.. it doesn't seem that they hit their target. Quite on-edge now, she looks back to Shiko-onseiku, looking almost offended when it takes her own shape. <Shiko-onseiku>	Do you remember now? We've met once before... <Alice_Margatroid>	You.. I-- I don't even know if I've met something like you. Marisa talks a lot of shapeshifting youkai, but.. ...  <Alice_Margatroid>	We-- we don't need you around. If you're looking to cause trouble, g-go somewhere else. <Marisa_Kirisame>	The girl who was now.... a clone of Alice. "Alright, that's about all I need to start fightin'." Marisa says, throwing out a batch of stars at the Alice clone. "I've had enough shapeshifters for one week!" <Kaku_Seiga>	"Ooh, this isn't something you see everyday!" Seiga smiled at the scene, quite entertained by the happenings in front of her. "Good luck, you two~" She chimed, picking up a piece of taiyaki from her basket. *	Alice_Margatroid almost speaks up to discourage Marisa from attacking, but.. it's a lost hope to try and convince her otherwise now, probably. Still anxiously watching the mirror image of herself, she looks back to the cluster of plants where she had felt and heard that.. thing. <Tenki_no_Tsukaitsuku>	(And it begins~ Do let me know if you feel you need my assistance, as I can still very well use my own tricks even in your body~) <Marisa_Kirisame>	(I didn't get my reputation with help.) *	Shiko-onseiku hisses at this interruption, almost seeming to liquefy as she moves between the bullets. Of course, Marisa earns Shiko-onseiku's wrath as a loud, debilitating screech now echoes through her head. In fact, Tenki can probably hear it, too. <Shiko-onseiku>	Didn't you learn your lesson from the last time?! *	Shiko-onseiku 's voice has switched away from Alice's for a moment, becoming sort of rumbly and agitated-sounding. <Marisa_Kirisame>	"Wha- GAH!" Marisa yells in pain, getting knocked off her broom in surprise and instantly slamming her hands onto her ears. <Tsuchinoko>	The Tsuchinoko suddenly felt indignant. Why was it running away from a bunch of pointy sticks? Had hunting normal animals for all this time made it forget it was a predator, a youkai and a beast to be feared? *	Marisa_Kirisame falls down towards the ground a couple feet below her. <Tsuchinoko>	The Tsuchinoko reared it's flat little head and glared at the people in the clearing. *	Alice_Margatroid remains quite on-guard and wary, waiting for this strange thing, whatever it had been, to show itself again. After all, she was quite assured that Marisa could handle that other youkai... or maybe not. Turning on her heel as soon as the witch cries out in shock and pain, she acts quite quickly, sending a couple of dolls and a few loose, whiplike strings at Shiko-onseiku. <Tsuchinoko>	Certainly, these would be the ideal victims for it to reveal its magnificence once more. *	Tenki_no_Tsukaitsuku 's entire train of thought gets derailed and she also lets out a cry in pain, though one only Marisa can hear, obviously. <Kaku_Seiga>	"Uuu..." Seiga covered her ears, the piece of Taiyaki in her mouth. Gee, these minor little things! <Tenki_no_Tsukaitsuku>	(That...that actually hurt me. If this continues I may need to leave you sooner than I anticipated...) <Tsuchinoko>	The Tsuchinoko rolls out of hiding at high speeds, aiming to ram Alice_Margatroid over and make it easier to swallow her whole! *	Marisa_Kirisame lands on her butt with a jolt, having no help from her headmate on landing, and seeming even further agitated by MORE screaming in her head. *	Shiko-onseiku stops her assault after Marisa falls over with a huff, still seeming quite agitated, however. Of course, Alice does nothing at all to help by attacking as well, although the physical nature of the attack doesn't seem to bother it much and it allows the dolls to cut it with their weapons, revealing the black sludge within. These cuts seal right up, seeing as how there doesn't seem to really be an internal structure to damage. <Shiko-onseiku>	How bothersome and pointless... Do you really intend to fight me, then? *	Alice_Margatroid shrinks back a little when she sees this mirror image of herself get cut up, only to drip a sludgy black material from within.. she isn't a squeamish person, having used even humans for her dolls before, yet that somehow strikes a nerve. Turning this anxiety into anger, she just narrows her eyes and lashes out again, bursts of danmaku exploding from her dolls as they strike at the chimerid. *	Alice_Margatroid seems quite intent on just chopping up Shiko-onseiku, feeling that, perhaps, if she did quickly enough, there wouldn't be a chance for the wounds to reform. This train of thought, however, is very quickly derailed when something strikes her at a terribly high speed, barreling her over into the grass with a sharp cry. Her dolls flail and panic for a moment before following her will, striking and stabbing at whatever it was that rammed her. <Kaku_Seiga>	"Ooh, this is unexpected," Seiga whistled again as Alice was struck with a thud. Two minor youkai were having their way with the humans! <Tsuchinoko>	Still rotating, the lances couldn't thrust entirely into its body, leaving it with numerous small wounds and injuries around its entire body, before it stops and unravels itself, flicking its short tail at the nearest doll as it untangles itself, sending the doll flying. <>Ambiance<>	 The doll in question is flung away with a sharp snap, landing a fair distance away, harmlessly in the grass. In its wake, however, the silken strings that held it writhe and flail around, whipping at the tsuchinoko. *	Alice_Margatroid struggles to get up, pulling herself onto all fours and scrambling away quickly before rolling over and struggling to stand up. She fights rather blindly, quite dazed from the impact, and just sends her dolls aggressively after the disturbance. <Tsuchinoko>	The silken strings dig deep into the Tsuchinoko's body, but because it was so fat... they didn't cut into anything, leaving but a simple indentation in its skin. Maybe it was fortunate that it had been lazy recently. If it was a bit more toned, it'd have been injured. *	Marisa_Kirisame looks back up with the cry, yelling "Alice!" and getting back up, ignoring the shapeshifter now. Her broom seems to float back up under her as she glares at the Tsuchinoko in anger. "Now you've done it!" <Kaku_Seiga>	"I don't know... ganging up on the fat snake and ignoring the little girl seem to be a bad idea~" Seiga commented, but over the commotion of the fighting it couldn't be heard. <Tenki_no_Tsukaitsuku>	(Apologies for the additional scream, by the way. Whatever that thing did got to me just as badly as it did to you.) *	Alice_Margatroid staggers to her feet, moving back to brace herself against a tree, her free hand pressed to her forehead. She seems to be getting her bearings back, despite her panting breaths. *	Shiko-onseiku lets out a creaking scream as a few of the danmaku graze past it, showing that at least magic has some effect on it. But, unfortunately, now you've made it angry. With a deep hiss, its body begins to bulge and deform grotesquely, multiple tendrils sprouting from its form as it grows larger and larger. Eventually, it has become a large, tauric-looking monster. Its tentacles flail wildly and without any sort of aim as they at *	Shiko-onseiku tack Marisa, the Tsuchinoko and Alice. Seiga, however, is a tad too far away. *	Marisa_Kirisame activates a spell with the flash of her hakkero, two shimmering magic circles forming beside her broom and beginning to spin rapidly as her hakkero glows brightly. *	Alice_Margatroid backs up against the tree, using it as a sort of brace for the time being, and she only now notices that one of her dolls was severed from her grasp... well, no matter. She can fix that later. With the silky string still clinging like a fishing line around the Tsuchinocho's body, she lets that string go, gasping when she's almost struck with a tentacle.. <Kaku_Seiga>	"A tentacle monster! Assuming the guise of a little girl, too!" Seiga clapped and giggled. "Maybe I should haul it home or something~" *	Alice_Margatroid doesn't seem quite as fazed by the awful screaming and hissing, narrowing her eyes and trying to focus despite the dull ache in her head. With the last of her doll brigade flying out to her from the protection of her home, she starts directing them towards Shiko-onseiku's... head(?), moving cautiously as to avoid getting caught by tentacles. <Tsuchinoko>	The Tsuchinoko hisses menacingly. These lifeless dolls will not be affected by its poison, it realises, and decides to bite upon the pesky little threads that had impeded its failed approach earlier, its dripping fangs corrupting the magic in the strings that link Alice to her dolls. *	Marisa_Kirisame rears backwards as she's attacked again by the shapeshifter, and now one of her spinning magic circles seems to adjust to aim one at each of them. "Magic Bullet 'Starlight Vulcans'!" Marisa yells, as her magic circles begin to rapidly fire a thick line of magic missiles at Shiko-onseiku and Tsuchinoko. Marisa's hakkero charges and starts bursting out very large stars that seem to home in on either one. <>Ambiance<>	 Unfortunately for Alice, perhaps, her vision begins to twist and swirl, as though she had suddenly attained vertigo, raspy whispers begin echoing through her mind. (This is your fault...Don't blame me what for whatever happens.) *	Shiko-onseiku bounds about in a rage, as though angered by the light that Marisa gives off. It is hit a few times, leaving small craters of inky sludge where it gets hit. These types of wounds do appear to heal much more slowly. Many of the tendrils stab out at Marisa with hardened points, attempting to impale her. <Tsuchinoko>	The Tsuchinoko whips its tail towards one of the falling dolls, who's strings were cut off by its venom infused fangs, and tail whips it towards the incoming barrage of danmaku, hoping it would soak up some of the damage. *	Alice_Margatroid looks almost pleased when her strikes and stabs start to prove effective, watching the wounds caused being much slower to heal. She turns her dolls away from the Tsuchinoko entirely now, knowing that it probably won't attack too much with the chimerid freaking out as it is.. <>Ambiance<>	 The doll that was severed from its strings from the bite is struck by quite a lot of danmaku-- and it explodes quite violently, sending stinging powder and embers everywhere. *	Alice_Margatroid only really realizes this now, and knows well that she'll be able to replace that one later on down the line.. after all, it's nothing new, losing a doll. Almost a little triumphant in nature, she focuses her attacks more on Shiko-onseiku, determined on fending it off with attacks it can't regenerate from-- but then she wobbles and staggers, her vision turning dark and quite.. off. <>Ambiance<>	 As such, the dolls she's handling start to grow incoherent and wobbly, as well, slashing blindly with their little swords in the vague direction at their target. Some start to emit whirls and bursts of colorful danmaku, red and yellow and orange and blue. <Alice_Margatroid>	Ugh-- ugh, stop it... stop it, we.. we never intended to.. *	Marisa_Kirisame begins side strafing to avoid impalement, making quick jerky movements in the the sides an up and down to avoid them. Her homing stars begin to exclusively focus on Shiko-onseiku, while the spinning magic circles continue blasting the semi-spray of danmaku at each target. The large homing stars spit out trails of tiny star danmaku as they travel about, and the stars make wide arcs. <Kaku_Seiga>	By now it's obvious that something is attacking the two humans from the inside. But Seiga doesn't sense anything other than the two youkai around the house. The fat snake is apparently way too dumb to do it, so that leaves the little kid--uh, tentacle monster. "Mm~" She nodded and observed the blackened mass of tentacles. It seemed much more interesting now. <Marisa_Kirisame>	(Ugh, now I'm remembering who I think this is. This must be the youkai that was causing children to vanish way back) <>Ambiance<>	 The voice continues, the venom in its voice becoming more and more clear. (Never intended to do what? Do you attack those who seek help often...?) The psychological effects seem to continue-- worsen, even. *	Shiko-onseiku Bursts into streams of the black goop, each little stream individually weaving through Marisa's attacks. It attempts to latch onto her with as much of its body as it is able, gurgling in a horrid fashion. *	Alice_Margatroid doesn't know how to handle this-- perhaps unfortunately, she's a little weak of mind when it comes to attacks like this. Her dolls still flail and attack with their radiant explosions of danmaku that they send here and there, but it's become quite blind now, perhaps more damaging to the trees and plants than they would be to Shiko-onseiku. *	Alice_Margatroid doubles back, her knees starting to grow weak as she braces herself agains that same tree. She struggles to see through the vertigo and fog, her thoughts dropping off right after they start-- she only still seems to be able to attack from muscle memory in her hands. <Alice_Margatroid>	S... stop... please stop.. <Alice_Margatroid>	I-I-I never meant to... ... to... <Kaku_Seiga>	It seemed like there was a history between the girls and the tentacle monster. Seiga sighed and hopped off of the roof; the Puppeteer and the Magpie were not prepared to face a foe like that, it seemed. <>Ambiance<>	 In a perhaps odd bit of mercy, the mental assualt ceases, perhaps not liking the sound of other people begging. (..Hmph. Fine...) *	Marisa_Kirisame abrubtly ends her spellcard and quickly starts backpedaling as fast as she can, the black goop grabbing at the edges of her dress as she quickly charged her Mini-Hakkero with another spell, summoning telltale large rainbow magic circles around it. <Marisa_Kirisame>	(Gah, blasted creepy youkai trying to grab me, let's see how it likes my Master Spark up close!) *	Alice_Margatroid had near-collapsed at this point, clinging to the tree's low branches as she struggles to keep herself upright-- much less awake. She curses herself endlessly for being so susceptible to this, agonizing over why she didn't work on it sooner... and then it's gone, leaving a world quite overloading in the sudden inflow of sensory detail. She shudders with each breath, drawing her dolls back close to her. *	Shiko-onseiku halts after apparently missing Marisa, falling flat with a wet sound before it gathers itself up into one pool again before forming itself back into the shape of the little girl. Her arms are crossed and she still seems upset, but at least she isn't trying to kill anyone now. <Shiko-onseiku>	How selfish. Attack me and then beg for mercy...? I shouldn't have stopped. *	Shiko-onseiku seems to have forgotten about Marisa's attack, so she will be unable to dodge if Marisa carries through. *	Alice_Margatroid is surrounded by a half-circle of dolls at this point, all of which hold their weapons out, ready to attack at a moment's notice-- but that's all they do, wait. She shies back, clutching her knees to hold herself upright as she still struggles to get her bearings back. <Kaku_Seiga>	"So the puppeteer is out..." Seiga muttered under her breath, leaning against the outer wall of the house and watching Marisa with some interest. "Let's see how the Magpie does..." *	Marisa_Kirisame points down her Hakkero to blast it, but hesitates when the attacks suddenly stops, especially at the snide remark. "Mercy? I neve-" she begins, then instantly snaps her head in Alice's direction, yelling "Alice!" and bursting towards the puppeteer to put herself between them, right up next to Alice, completely disregarding anything else going on. *	Marisa_Kirisame still points the charged hakkero at Shiko-onseiku, but her head faces Alice, looking highly worried. *	Alice_Margatroid glances up when Marisa darts over, giving her a bit of a weak, forced grin. <Kaku_Seiga>	"How chivalrous~ and from the magpie, of all people!" Seiga exclaimed with a giggle. That comment was audible enough through the lull of the fighting that everyone could hear her. <Alice_Margatroid>	.. Don't do that. You're looking away from them, you know. You're just going to get yourself hurt if you look away from your enemy, you know that, you stupid witch. *	Alice_Margatroid says this last part in jest, almost fondly, as she rubs her forehead. <Marisa_Kirisame>	"Are you alright? What happened?" Marisa asks worriedly. Meanwhile, her hakkero starts to overcharge, even larger magic circles forming as if to excaberate the threat further. She's still not turning her head back. <Alice_Margatroid>	Nothing-- it's nothing. Just something weird that.. thing did. I'm not hurt, just.. just tired. Stop focusing on me. *	Alice_Margatroid reaches out to gesture at Shiko-onseiku, shaking her head to accompany her words. *	Shiko-onseiku sighs, turning her gaze towards the blazing forest in the distance with a wheezy moan, sounding almost depressed. The moan grows into an aggrivated wail, however, as though cursing whoever started such a large fire. It seems incredibly distracted at the moment, so if you're gonna blast it, now would be a good time. *	Marisa_Kirisame turns to face the youkai once again, her Hakkero's charge now at the level of Magicannon "Final Master Spark". She glares angrily at Shiko-onseiku, but not angrily enough to blast it to smithereens - yet. "You better give me one reason real quick why I shouldn't make 'ya into dust for doin' that." Marisa warns. *	Marisa_Kirisame is ignoring Seiga's snarky comment, obviously. <Alice_Margatroid>	Marisa.. just... stop. It's.. not attacking you or me anymore, so just leave it... *	Shiko-onseiku stiffens somewhat, hissing softly, you've definitely caught its attention, so its too late to just blast it now. It whirls on Marisa, face contorted with rage. <Shiko-onseiku>	You attacked me first! I only came here to ask for help... *	Shiko-onseiku 's rage quickly turns into sorrow as it glances over its shoulder at the fire, but the anger returns as she resumes looking at the witch. <Shiko-onseiku>	Whoever did that better I hope I don't find them. <Kaku_Seiga>	"You know, giant light beams tend to start fires," Seiga stretched a little, loosening her muscles. *	Alice_Margatroid glances up at Seiga, huffing softly. She doesn't have much energy or patience for more fighting. <Alice_Margatroid>	You should... should close your mouth before I have to close it for you. *	Marisa_Kirisame isn't keen on ignoring the threat that almost put Alice out of comission just yet. Through gritted teeth, she replies. "Well. I. Ain't. The one. Who started. The fire." she says, before loosening her mouth a bit for a better answer. "Maybe you shoulda been a bit more clear with your intentions." <Kaku_Seiga>	"oh, I don't know... you seem to be in pretty bad shape," Seiga shrugged and smiled at Alice. "With you around, your lover there can't fight quite so freely either. Maybe I should just borrow myself a cup of sugar from your cupboard or something~" <Alice_Margatroid>	I-- I'm not.. *	Alice_Margatroid wrinkles her nose, agitation starting to overcome her exhaustion. She struggles to her feet, still twitching a little from her episode earlier, and her dolls all rise in unison-- as clumsily as they do. <Shiko-onseiku>	Wasn't it obvious that I was trying to talk to the one with the puppets? And then you shot me...And she helped... *	Shiko-onseiku shakes herself a little, turning away from both of the magicans before adding with a growl <Shiko-onseiku>	Fine. If you won't help me... I'll save the forest myself. *	Shiko-onseiku then stalks off, many visible tendrils sprouting from its form and thrashing about, presumably with anger. <Alice_Margatroid>	You're-- <Alice_Margatroid>	. . . *	Marisa_Kirisame finally powers down her hakkero, yelling "Why the hell should we help you?" *	Alice_Margatroid glances over to Marisa with a slight, faint accusing look of starting this, but.. she's more focused on Seiga right now, really. The idea of someone going inside and stealing things when she's not feeling very well enough to defend her possessions.. <Kaku_Seiga>	"Well, maybe it's because the forest's kind of on fire? I wonder how many youkai have burned to death in there..." Seiga mused, walking past the pair after Shiko. "Well! I don't know a lot about fire, but I bet burning to death isn't a pleasant way to go..." *	Tenki_no_Tsukaitsuku has quit (Quit: Legally unconscious until further notice.) *	Marisa_Kirisame glances back at Alice with a worried frown again, offering a helping hand and moving a bit closer on her broom, scootching up to the tip to offer a seat on it. <Alice_Margatroid>	.. Thank you. *	Alice_Margatroid steps over, clambering onto the broom behind Marisa. She breathes a long sigh, closing her eyes as her dolls just idly float around her. *	Marisa_Kirisame turns to face Seiga now, not really amused by her continued presence, but not making any threatening gestures this time. <Kaku_Seiga>	"Oh my, look at the time! Miko-tan must've been starving up there. It's been fun~" Seiga spun around, facing the pair with a wide smile. "Take care of each other now, you two~ It'd be a shame if something happens to any one of you~" <Alice_Margatroid>	Yes, just.. just go away, please. You're not really.. needed here anymore. *	Marisa_Kirisame rolls her eyes and sighs, not really thinking her worth making a snarky comment to tell her to buzz off. <Kaku_Seiga>	"Bye now~" Seiga strolled off with a bounce in her steps, humming an old tune as she left. The Hermit seemed to be in high spirits! <Marisa_Kirisame>	She makes one anyway. "Yeah, I'm sure you're terribly worried about our well-being, Hermit. Leave us alone." *	Marisa_Kirisame looks back at Alice with a hint of worry still plastered on her face. "You okay?" *	Alice_Margatroid sighs, looking over at her house and then leaning her head against Marisa's shoulder. <Alice_Margatroid>	I'm tired, that's what I am. <Alice_Margatroid>	I'm fine now, I.. think. That was terrible, I.. I'm not going to talk about it. Not right now. I think I might want to just nap, or something. *	Marisa_Kirisame puts her arm around Alice's opposite shoulder for support. *	Alice_Margatroid manages a little smile -- it's strange for her to sleep much at all, anything more than 24 hours of sleep a week is bizarre for her. All the same, this last hour or so has proved ridiculously draining on her, and she's not exactly sure why. <Marisa_Kirisame>	"Alright, I'll get ya inside so you can lie down. Wanna try some of my cooking tonight?" Marisa asks with a little grin. <Marisa_Kirisame>	"There's still plenty of taiyaki too." <Alice_Margatroid>	Yeah, that doesn't sound half bad. Thank you.. *	Marisa_Kirisame chuckles, slowly floating them both along back to the house so she can get Alice onto a sofa or a bed. "Hee hee, you won't be dissapointed, then!" <Marisa_Kirisame>	"My cooking happens to be almost as good as my magic!" Marisa boasts, although you can tell she's exaggerating just a bit as they fly back in the house.