#hanabisays 01

[deathreversed]

It had all started with a new flower appearing in Nier's garden. They didn't quite match the aesthetic she was aiming for, and so she removed them and thought nothing of it. But it hadn't taken long for her body to start itching and for roots and stems and petals to start sprouting from on her limbs. It had all happened so suddenly, Nier's only thought was The Island Stars, again...

And now it hurt. It was like something was clawing at her insides, something that wanted out. And if Nier opened her mouth too wide it felt like it might slip out and ruin everything for her. So she huddles in an alleyway, far too far from the safety of her home, tearing at the flowers that cover her in the hopes that it will provide any relief at all. Ripping them off doesn't hurt that much- she's felt far worse before.

The sound of footsteps behind her makes her head whirl around, revealing her wide, bloodshot eyes. "S-stay away..." she mumbles, looking away from the new arrival. "Get away, I don't... You need to leave before something bad happens..."

@hanabisays

[grymfared]

❲ @hanabisays ❳

There's sorrow that radiates from her, it's permeated the space around her, and Malchior simply watches. Because of course he does. He's distant and proud and so very numb, because very little has been written in any color on his pale gold ⎛ parchment ⎠ body. He's dipped his fingers in various paints he's seen around the Ward, but he's yet to truly stain- to be filled with anything other than the base magic of a dragon. Not that it's such a bad thing, but ... it's so strange not being able to feel much at all. He has to re-learn emotion, a rather important thing to have in the first place.

❝ Your soul aches, ❞ he says, because he's felt in in the color as he's walked over it. It's dull, but he pities her for it.

Her color feels like the weight of the world, and Malchior wonders if he'll be filled with something like that, too. Surely, if he stays too long, if she reaches out to grab him- although she seems in a state where she'd be more likely to wrap her arms around herself. ❝ Carrying such pain at your core ... I once knew someone else like that- filled with a burden that was not meant to be hers. ❞

[ghostbxsted]

@hanabisays

That girl across the mall cafeteria has been staring at him for the past, like, half hour. At first he wasn't sure but the way she kept hurriedly looking away every time he bothered glancing over was pretty telling. And weird.

After eventually deciding he's had enough of that, he gets up, picking up his tray of food, and—

Vanishes from sight. By sinking straight through the ground.

He returns to tangibility once he's close to her table. He remains invisible until after he sets his tray down from across from her. "So... This seat taken? I mean, you kept looking at me funny, I wasn't sure if you were trying to call me over or not..."

[mindchess]

@hanabisays

"...You're a spirit medium," It's less of a question and more of an incredulous statement. Miles taps a finger on his arm, "That's quite the claim. Unfortunately, I'm not someone who falls for such superstitions."

He was never a believer in the supernatural or psychic, even when he was a child--it just wasn't realistic in his eyes. Fanciful ideas spawned from an active imagination, or a way to deceive others for one's own benefit; that's all it was. No amount of "psycholocks" could convince him otherwise.

"...That is, unless you have evidence to support it."

[thenameoftheflame]

"I take it you work at this Starberry place, then? Whatever the case, I'll scope it out and see if it fits my vibes- if they can hook me up I'll make sure you're first to see me rockin' out!" As much as she wanted to achieve her old goal with this city at some point, she did genuinely enjoy being a rock star, and getting Hanabi first in line was the least she could do for pointing her in the right direction.

"I'll need to find some others that can keep up with me, though. Killer as I may be on lead guitar and vocals, a star can only put her best work out there with a band that can bring the noise to back her up."

"Tehee! Honestly, if you ever decide to join Starberry Production, let me know! I'd be SUPER interested to see your performance." Hanabi may not be into rock ALL that much, but she couldn't pass up someone's hard-earned performance after all.

"It'd be a step in the right direction too." More people would know her name and, well, what she desired would happen and maybe put her to rest?

[guidingstarmira]

@hanabisays

Mira's been staring at the somewhat large piles of snow for a moment now where some children had been playing, watching them play amongst it. This was a different form of play she had observed, she'd seen the snowball fights, skating on frozen water, but seeing the children free falling backwards into the snow and just, waving their arms and legs around had her curious and confused.

How as that fun? How was it interesting?

So, once the snow has settled again enough for her to do it, she's making her way over before spinning to where her back is facing towards it and let's herself fall backwards with a solid thud for a moment, hair fluttering all along the snow before she's mimicking the motions she saw them doing, moving her arms and legs.

What an interesting feeling indeed.

[ciphertone]

@hanabisays liked for a starter !

Surprisingly, he's checked out more bars than cafe's since getting stuck here. Considering he loved a good tea just as much as a good tequila, the need to change this quickly arises. The menu isn't terrible, surprisingly; it certainly wasn't the fancy stuff he'd had back at home, but they've clearly got taste. Now, there's no such thing as too many choices, but.. a second opinion couldn't hurt. Out of sheer curiosities sake, he decides to get a strangers input on the matter.

"IF YOU WERE FORCED TO PICK ANY TEA OFF THIS MENU - QUICKLY OR ELSE SOMEONE YOU LOVE WOULD DIE - WHICH WOULD YOU PICK?"

He'd prefer a quick answer over someone explaining the pros and cons of each and every one.

[firehrt]

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Yours is very good,⠀ ❜⠀⠀⠀AELIN ⠀starts by way of greeting, tilting her head with an appreciative hum. Four ornaments dangle from her open palm, one on each finger, and her gaze is squarely fixed on the tree in front of the young woman.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Mine, on the other hand, looks as though it dressed itself in the dark. I pride myself on being much more fashion-forward than this... but I suppose it doesn't translate well to trees. Have any pointers ?⠀ ❜⠀⠀

@hanabisays : winterfes s.c.

[amerhauser]

random starter - @hanabisays

Hot Springs are a good idea for a relaxing spirit but here Beatrix again, back to her world as this place was merely messy and dried blood on the floor. Samurai Gear and all that, she ensures that there are no zombies around the corner.

Beatrix do rememeber that shortcuts are barricaded as main roads are the only way. Unexpectedly, someone is with her and waking her up.

"Die Luft ist rein. Bleib bei mir, denn du bist in meiner Welt." With Naginata on hand, bailing out of this place is a must before overwhelmed.

Perhaps, it can be a chance to find a bookstore while at it. She will need it to learn their language someday.

[existentialismee]

    –  ( ❀; @hanabisays​​​​ ​​​​​​ )

The air of the shrine was so clear and clean; Watanuki had only traversed the Sky-Strewn Isles once before his previous departure, though surely if a place like this had been there then, he would have remembered it. In looks, and even in terms of power, it reminded him greatly of the Doumeki compound; a place where he was always safe from evil spirits who wanted to devour him in the past, despite his chagrin from having to even be there.

This, however.. brought solace to his very core. It had been a decade since Watanuki could physically step into a place like this, so the shopkeeper took his time looking it over; hands caressing the wooden beams, eyes trailing up towards the high roof. Before anything, he supposed, he should go and make an offering; heading over to give his prayers before he spotted a young girl by the front entrance.

He stilled at the sight of her, curiosity immediately taking over his frame. It looked as though she had been cleaning up, perhaps from debris the weather had brought in from the night before.. but there was no mistaking that this place was of her design. On this part of the island, where his senses felt closer to what he had at home, the blinding light filtering through her was clear as day; reminding him yet again of someone he left behind in another world.

"Good morning. I'm not intruding, am I?" he called out from where he stood, hoping his sudden presence had not frightened her.

[deathreversed]

The girl's touch is gentle and warm, and Nier gives a small smile. To think that less than ten minutes ago, she felt as though she was about to fall apart, and now things are so serene. Even as stems sprout from her skin, each bloom desperately hoping to coax a secret from her lips, she feels at ease. She leans into Hanabi as her voice drops, revealing another hidden depth of her heart. "For me, it was the opposite..." says sighs. "The people around me told me I wasn't even worth my own happiness, that I didn't deserve to feel like that. All I felt was sadness for the longest time, until... I had pretty much forgotten what it felt like to feel anything else."

Her sister's mocking laughter, her parents' icy indifference, her suitors' selfish passions- they all drift at the edge of Nier's memory, kept at bay by the love of her crewmates. She presses a hand to her chest, smiling. "But eventually, I was able to meet some people who showed me I wasn't selfish for just wanting to be loved. They showed me what it meant to really be cared for, and I couldn't be more thankful... I hope you're able to find someone like that."

Nier had meant to stop there. It seemed suiting, and then the two girls could go their separate ways, content in their shared secrets. But more words come from her lips, and she furrows her brow. "And everyone who rejected me, everyone who hurt me or threw me away... I just erased them."

The blood drains from her face, and her eyes go wide, but Nier continues to speak, and petals drop from her body like snowflakes. "All those men who said they loved me, then lied about it, I killed them. The people of that village who hurt my dear Captain, I killed them as well. I killed the parents of that girl who hit her, and then I made sure the Captain wouldn't find out, because... b-because..."

Her face twists in agony, and she finally cries out as black fog pours from her body. "Death! Help me!"

A ghostly figure clad all in black materializes from the smoke, and she presses a hand over Nier's mouth. "My beloved, it's fine... I believe it's these flowers that are causing you this distress... And look, they're wilting! Soon, you'll be okay..." But her masked face turns towards Hanabi, tilting to one side. "But... what shall we do with this one?"

Sweat beads down Nier's pallid face, and even as Death covers her mouth, her shoulders heave with ragged breaths. She only stares at Hanabi, as if daring the other girl to speak first.

Hanabi shares a smile and when Nier plucks a flower from her skin, hanabi uses her own hand to pat the spot, in hopes of lessening that pain.

People kept secrets because of the fear and the feel of potentially burdening someone.

For hanabi it's both.

"You're right. Since we are here," she nods. Where would she even start?

"Sometime---a lot of the time..." she lowers her voice into a whisper. Ah, her chest aches when she thinks about revealing this one, but...

"I'm tired of putting on a brave and optimistic face. Smiling and having a positive outlook no matter what. Sometime I want to be sad and I want to cry, but I don't feel like I can. Like....I shouldn't feel despair and I'm not allowed to want to feel like I shouldn't exist."

[grymfared]

Malchior's tempted to reach out to her, because this was how Raven was when he first met her. A gloomy girl, lonely. She'd wanted a friend; he'd wanted ... what, another Rorek? So he'd told her stories of days long since gone, of things that had been, of things that never were. Belatedly, he realized that she had been rather smitten with him. He knew she had cried after everything. He'd heard her even from the chest she'd locked the grimoire in. What would he say if he saw Raven again?

Was she a friend of yours?

❝ Raven was my ... apprentice. All mages seem to have at least one or two across their lifetimes. She was my second; I doubt I'll take another ... ❞

❝ She is someone important to me. I would like to think that we had been friends. ❞ She'd laughed with him. She'd told him her secrets, her hopes and dreams and fears. When they started working together, she was always so blue- and when the day came for her to uphold her end of their bargain, she was dressed in white.

❝ We ... parted ways, I wish it had been on better terms. ❞ The way this girl holds herself reminds him so much of Raven's early days- Malchior had wished to give her comfort; that part had not been a lie, even if most everything else had been.

❝ You most certainly aren't okay, but no one can be strong at all times. If there is a grief you carry, don't hide it, don't let it fester. I am here to listen, if you would like to get it off your chest. ❞

If anyone were to ask her if she liked this whole color thing, she would say Not really. On a deeper level though, she didn't like that she could be perceived. People can see the thing she's hidden so hard. Buried deep within her core. Not even her best friend Haru could spot the inner war she has with herself and now...now everyone can see it.

She isn't the only one. She knows that much, but damn. The guilt of feeling that she wishes she WAS the only one who didn't have to go through this is so, so strong.

And here, she isn't even alone. A stranger sees her. TRULY sees her and she feels vulnerable in his eyes. He's right to think that she'd wrap her arms around herself because that's exactly what she does.

"I'm really okay." She attempts to reassure but fails miserably.

"That person....was she a friend of your's?"

[ghostbxsted]

Man. It's actually kinda fun leaning completely into the whole weirdness of being half-ghost, without having to worry about what his parents or classmates would think. It definitely helps that he's not the weirdest thing around here!

"Cool," he says casually, going ahead and sitting down. "Cuz, like, you were staring really badly at me. I figured I'd come over and, like, ask. What's that about?"

OH shit, she's been noticed! Hanabi really did try to be as discreet as possible, but it's hard when you're not sure if who you're looking at is alive or dead.

The ghost boy disappears and then reappears in her proximity and she isn't startled by the slightest. JUST even more embarrassed by how rude she was being.

"I am SO sorry. Gah! This seat is ABSOLUTELY not taken! Here!" Oh, this strange woman must be the absolute weirdest in his eyes.

[retracedwill]

Oz was having SO much fun. When was the last time he had so much fun, and was able to just... be a kid? Too long, frankly. He doesn't want it to end.

He opens his mouth to speak — and is caught off by the growl of a ferocious beast... Nope, it was just Hanabi's stomach. He can't help the laugh he barks out, nearly doubling over as he clutches his stomach. Seems he can't quite stop laughing, either. Then his own stomach growls. Even louder. Much louder than is reasonable for someone with such a small frame, and that sends him into yet another laughing fit.

"PFFFT— hehahah, my goodness! Having so much fun works up quite an appetite, doesn't it, miss?" He manages between giggles, straightening back up and wiping a tear from his eye. "How about we grab something to eat, before heading back to the apartments? Shouldn't walk back on an empty stomach."

Oz manages to barely avoid running into Hanabi when she finally stops and turns around, and finds himself frozen in place as he takes the moment to soak in the sights. He smiles wide, matching her enthusiasm as he throws his hands up into the air excitedly.

"Oh WOW!! This place is amazing! So many fascinating contraptions, so many people..." It's almost like visiting the city proper for the first time all over again. The excitement is genuine.

His head whips around to look at the ride she pointed out, eyes widening almost comically as he tries to make sense of it. Some sort of cart on tracks that went really fast and really high?

"...Let's try that one then!" He laughs, quickly grabbing her by the hand before running off to join the line. "C'mon!"

[ultimatelifefcrm]

"Well, I do like a black coffee every once in awhile." for when the crunch of a coffee bean just isn't appropriate. "I'd hardly call that inspirational. Basic, maybe."

He didn't really understand why he had autumnal vibes, anyway, he was more of a winterhog, if you asked him. the cold being enough to numb his hands.......Actually, not getting into that.

"Maybe you should look elsewhere."

She can't help but have that smile grow bigger when he takes his seat. That's a YES!

"I wanted to do something Autumn-related. You give me Autumn vibes. Do you have a favorite drink? I'd like to incorporate Autumn, you, and your favorite drink into this thing."

[guidingstarmira]

Mira had taken notice that Hanabi was watching her more intently, but she was just chalking it up to her appearance, it was what caught most people here it seemed. Not making mention of it, she's finishing the bun in her hands and licks her thumb as she listens to Hanabi list of what 'Mira' means in her word, before eyes glance more towards her when she brings up ocean. How.. Interesting.

"I look forward to it. "

"Anything else I haven't tired?" Mira tilts her head at the question, "That list is very long and I'm sure I do not know the names of everything that would be on it. Food is a new thing I'm being introduced to here, so I've only had a small handful of things."

Maybe she shouldn't be watching with such anticipation! Did it make her look weird? She wanted to see her reaction though, so she can't even seem to bring herself to look away.

She smiles big,

"It means admirable! It can also mean peace, female ruler, and ocean!" Maybe she can keep the other meaning to herself. To say that a name meant mummy didn't sound good.

"Next time, I'll give you a hot piping hot bun, okay?" And that's a promise.

"Is there anything else you haven't tried yet, Mira?"