aboxfulloftea222 | The 57th Post!

The 57th Post!

[The Homura timeloop glitch plot starts here!]

( homura noticed her own hand thenThe mark on her fingernail and soul gem ring were not there. She could not feel her magic. When she followed madkoka, no, gretchen, inside she saw a newspaper on the table, written in german. Her eyes widened when she saw the date. It was the beging of april, yes, but the year... It was over 200 years ago! What, how? Did something go wrong with the time travel? Why was madoka here then? Why was she calling herself gretchen? It just had to be madoka, homua felt it!)
('Lily' smiled up at Gretchen ) "I am fine. I just had a nightmare, but I am better now."
(Gretchen's smile returned and took her hand ") It is just a nigthmare then. It shant come true! Now come, our freinds shall be here soon!"

[Homura groaned inwardly, then, as she felt a familiar and unwelcome breathlessness as she - No, Humility or "Lily" or whatever her name really was started to walk next to Madoka, or Gretchen as she was apparently called in this strange place. So the girl whose body she was now inhabiting didn't only look like a slightly younger version of Homura, she even had the same kind of heart problems that Homura herself had used to have, it seemed. Damn it, she really did miss having her magic now - She could have fixed all of that right up if she'd had access to her magical healing powers, she was pretty sure. Oh, fixing up other people's bodies via magic wasn't at all as easy as fixing one's own body, as Homura had discovered from hard experience, but this girl was practically just a different version of herself, with only slight differences.]

[Gretchen, in the meanwhile, had entered a middle sized cozy looking room. A young noble woman with golden hair who looked just like a slightly older version of Tomoe Mami looked up at them from her chair, and then quickly stood up with a smile.]

...Welcome, Miss Gretchen, Lady Humility!

[And then, she came over to the two girls and tilted her head, looking at Homura's face.]

- Oh, Lady Humility, those coral spectacles are just adorable! So this was the special gift Miss Gretchen trying to keep a secret, hmmm?

[Humility blushed a bright red, then, and almost started to stammer.]

...Th - Th - Thank you, Lady Marianna! Um, Miss Gretchen is always so kind to me, and these spectacles are wonderful, I can see so much better when I have them on...

[Homura sighed a bit, then. Wait, so this Humility was obviously a noble, but nobody had even bothered to make her any glasses before this, even though her eyes were obviously bad? Come on!]

Edited 2016-08-21 06:12 (UTC)

[Mado- , Gretchen, giggled again and hugged Humility]
[Homura blushed, but was still worried about this time travel incident. .. As she looked about, she realized Mami was actually still the same age, perhaps it was her even more mature composure and the hairdo and makeup and dress, which admittedly portrayed her ample bosom more noticeably.
Homura also spotted Nagisa, wearing a white dress with a big orange sash, peering over the table hungrily looking at the lunch set up, especially the platters with cheese. Mami, Marianna? Noticed this and tutted with a smile.]
"now Charlotte, you must wait until all our guests are here and it is time to eat."
"Yes, big sister!"
[A servant came in] "Lady Von Seckendorff has arrived, Duchess Candlororo"
"Wonderful!" [Mami smiled. as they went out to gtreet the guest, to Homura's surprise, it turned out to be sayaka! Though she too was wearing a fine dress and her hair was longer.]
"Okty!" [Gretchen skipped up to her cheerfully] "how was the journey?"
"Well, we were attacked by thieves!" [The bluenette frowned in annoyance]
"oh no! Who was it?"
"All I could tell was tht the leader was a girl with red hair!"
[Homura blinked. Well, she could guess who this thief was..."

[And then, the girl who looked like Sayaka posed a little.]

...I managed to drive her off, eventually, of course, but still, in was quite annoying, I must admit!

[Marianna giggled a bit, while Charlotte clapped her hands.]

- You're so brave, Lady Oktavia!

...Why, thank you, Lady Charlotte -

[The bluehead said, and quickly gave the younger girl a hug.]

- I really appreciate it, especially since the knights my father sent with us didn't like what I did at all, ha ha ha...

[Marianna smiled as she saw Octavia hug Charlotte, and then went up to both of them.]

......Well, of course your knights wouldn't like it, Lady Oktavia - They're knights, dealing with thieves is supposed to be their job!

- Sure, I know, I know, it's just that -

[The bluehead sighed, then, and shook her head.]

...Oh, never mind that -

[And then, she smiled, and turned toward Gretchen and Humility.]

- Helloo there, Miss Gretchen. How have you been? I've missed you so much, our little castle was so boring ever since you and your family moved over here, really -

[The Sayaka-lookalike and Madoka - Gretchen hugged each other for a couple of minutes, then, looking so much like the Sayaka and Madoka that it made Homura's eyes tear up a bit for a moment.]

[And then, the bluehead pushed herself away from Gretchen, and turned toward Homura - No, Humility herself, and smiled.]

...I am Oktavia Von Seckendorff. You must be the young lady that Miss Gretchen keeps writing to me about, correct?

[Humility blushed, then, but then shook her head. It helped a lot when she could see the other person's expressions without squinting, she thought.]

- Ahh! Yes, pleased to meet you, Lady Von Seckendorff - My name is Humility Von Alphenrose, and I am from the Purple Kingdom...

"Come , you must be tired from your journey. There is tea already prepared." [ Marianna guided them back to the luncheon. Of the four of them, plus Charlotte, the ever graceful Mami seemed the most right at home in this setting. Inside Humility, Homura gave a twitch, remembering a couple timelines when Mami has mentioned she was descended from European aristocracy. Come to think of it, in the past timeline, during a school assingment about family history, all of them discovered that they had European lineage...
As they dined, " they continued to talk about the attack on Oktavia's carriage ]
"Well, it was not really an attack per say." Oktavia huffed again A robbery. Fortunately no one was hurt."
"Oh my. That is troublesome!"{ Marianne shook her head "A female thief in red. Yes, there has been reports about her around the area. "
[the bluenetter clenched her fist] "How dare she. Attacking people like that and stealing! It is wrong, rogues like that! I want to deal with them"
[Homura blinked. Yes, that seemed like the sayaka she knew, stubborn and proclaimed justice. ]
"That may be true, Oktavia. However, none of the victims were seriously injured, and apprently many of the goods taken were given to those less fortunate." Marianne sipepd her tea calmly "So, perhaps this girl is not such a crook afterall" ]

Oh, come on, Lady Marianna - They're still thieves! This "stealing from the rich and giving to the poor" business might sound good in a ballard or something, but -

[And then, Oktavia sat down again, and put a slab of meat in her mouth.]

...Look, just ask Miss Gretchen - Bandits are bad for business, really. The merchant caravans are already getting more expensive to run, because they need more bodyguards, and bodyguards cost money, just for one thing...

[Gretchen nodded at that.]

- Um, Lady Oktavia, you're quite right, of course, but on the other hand, um...the taxes...

[And Mariannna nodded, too.]

...The problem is the Royal Taxes, to be honest.

[The other girls blinked, then, and looked at each other worriedly, but Marianna waved her hand with a somewhat tired smile.]

...Oh, don't worry, everybody, I personally vetted the servants serving us now myself - And if we can't trust everybody else here, there's probably nobody we could trust at all, correct?

[And then, Marianna sighed again.]

They keep raising it and raising it with no end in sight, and for what? The Gold Kingdom's Army and Navy is still as ill-equiped as ever, while the Commonors just keep getting poorer and poorer!

[Oktavia sighed, then, and put her fork back on her plate.]

...It's all the new Queen's fault, or so they say, anyway. Usually, I wouldn't just believe all the stories saying it's this person's fault or that person's fault, but on the other hand, this is Princess Rillanne the self-centered we're talking about, so...

[Marianna looked at her, and ate a bit of the meat herself.]

- They're actually calling her the Princess of Evil nowadays, can you imagine? I mean, it's not like she could raise the Royal Taxes all by herself, but still. What I can't figure out is why the other Great Nobles are going along with something as insane as this, to be frank...

[Homura stared at Marianna, then, thinking furiously. Princess Rillanne? The Princess of Evil from those old folk ballads and plays actually was a real person, then? Homura bit her lip, wishing that she'd paid more attention to the history lessons in school.]

[Oktavia's frown deepend] ""All the problems in the Gold Kingdom It is because of that Princess Rillianne! What kind of ruler puts her own people through all that misery! they have a nickname for her now, the Daughter of evil! "
[Gretchen looked down passively, twiddling her fingers] "Now Oktavia, I am sure all those stories are exaggerations. She can not be that bad! She is just our age, after all. Perhaps, maybe she is just a bit misguided...?"
[Ah Madoka, Homura thought, even here she always thought the best of people...]
"Ah, maybe some were exaggerated." [Marianna hid a pained look. She had more experience first hand with Rillianne, being a noble of the gold Kingdom, in fact being her cousin, and she was rather cruel indeed... ] "I do agree with being misguided, I suppose.. [Marianna shook her head and smiled]". Ah to change the subject, I ldo look forward to seeing Queen verena again! Her kingdom is doing well and she is a fair ruler, even if nobles do find it silly that she spent royal funds asking a theater. She is quite a fan of the theater though. And then , she opened part of the palace to the poor young girls she had taken under her wing. How noble of her!"
"Indeed!" [Gretchen clapped] "Even though she is but 20 years old, she is a good mother to them!"

[Oktavia looked at Humility, then, and grinned.]

...Oh, right! You're from the Purple Kingdom, aren't you, Lady Humility?

[Humility gulped, and pushed up her glasses with the palm of her hand.]

- Um...Oh, yes, yes, I am! Our Queen is a most wise and gracious lady, and beautiful, too, but -

[Humility paused, then.]

...I may be mistaken, but I thought they were building an Grand Amphitheatre next to the Central Palace now, not a actual theater, to be honest? I may have to check again, though...

[Gretchen blinked, then.]

- Oh! You mean, it doesn't have a roof?

[Humility smiled, then.]

...Oh, yes! Lady Ve -

[And then, she put her hand to her mouth. Uh, oh - She'd almost let the cat out of the bag right now, hadn't she...]

[But Marianna just nodded at her, smiling softly.]

...You may be right, Lady Humility - I've only heard about it in passing, after all. So it's an amphitheatre, you think?

[Humility dithered for a couple of moments at that, but then, she took a look at Gretchen, who was looking a bit worriedly at her, and took a deep breath. OK, here goes - ]

- Um, that is what I heard, Lady Marianna - A relative of mine was involved in building it, and she said that she thought that an amphiteatre was much more useful then a theater in general, because they could use it for all kinds of things including swordmanship tornaments and giving awards and the like. You don't need extra lights if it's open air to begin with, right? It's much cheaper to build, too, and you could always put some kind of circus style tents up if anybody really needed an extra roof for anything, anyway, so...

[Oktavia nodded at that, and stabbed at piece of cheese with her fork, then.]

...Oh, yeah, that makes sense. So it's like a more fancy version of the little stage and the seats which we have right in front of Castle Canderolo's main market squre, then?

[Humility giggled, then, sounding much more animated then she had before.]

- Well, yes, but we're also going to have a wall and roof that's shaped like a shell, just to cover the stage part and the place were the musicians are supposed to play. The accostics - Um, I mean, the sound and music just carries much better that way, from what I've heard, and the musicians wouldn't have to worry about their expensive instruments getting wet in a sudden rain, either. And then, there'll be a large space around the stage where we can do other things like the tornaments, and can also be used as an extension of the stage itself too, and -

[Homura nodded, then. Hmm, so they were going to build some kind of open air stadium with a stage with a built in bandshell, which could also be used for sports events and award-giving and the like? That sounded both practical and useful, traits which Homura had not associated with medivial nobles up to this point -]

[And then, Homura's eyes widened inwardly, as a vision of a gigantic circus tent suddenly floating up into existance was suddenly inserted into her mind. There was a shell shaped something on the ground under it, and a stage under that, and many, many people were looking up at the night skies, their eyes widening in alarm - ]

[And then, the newly built Grand Amphitheatre was gone entirely, and there was nothing left but a bowl shaped depression in the ground. And that was the last time that anybody ever saw Queen Verena again.]

[Homura shook her head inside Humility's headspace as the vision faded, groaning. What the heck had just happened now, anyway?]

[Humility, in the meanwhile, had just stopped talking in mid-sentence, going bone white.]

...Lady Humility?

[Gretchen said worriedly, and then she stood up, and went over to Humility.]

- Are you all right? You just looked like you - you saw a ghost or something!

"I-I am fine...I just, remembered my nightmare last night..." [Humility nodded]
[The girls spent a while more of the afternoon just sitting around in the gardens, just catching up and being happy. Eventually Marianna stood up] "All right Charlotte, it is time for you to go to your lessons now."
"Aw, already?" the youngest girl sulked.
"We can accompany you" Gretchen offered "And can help if you need any! Of course, we shall try not to distract you, Charlotte"
"Hooray! I shall like that!"
"I have some business to take care of, but I shall join you shortly" Marianna said kindly, but she walked away.
"All right big sister, see you soon!"[Homura could not help but follow as Charlotte grabbed her and Gretchen's hands and skipped off. Oktavia started to follow them, but she noticed that Marianna left her purse, and decided to go after her to return it. The servants inforned that she had already left them manor]

[meanwhile Marianna made her way through the nearby woods and arrived at a cragged stone wall and gave a knock] "The apple is the favorite"
[A hidden door opened and a little girl with short mussy pigtails peeked out] "Lady Marianna?"
"Hello Chelsea. I wish to have a work with your leader."
[The girl nodded and let her into the hideout. Various thieves lounged about, most of them not villainous looking at all. Marianna approached a wild lookin teeange girl with long fiery red hair in a ponytail and wearing a long red coat. She was unching on some crisps and looking over at the music sheets and pendant she stole from the blue haired noblewoman today]

[At the thieves hideout]

[The red haired girl looked up, then, a smile on her lips.]

...Lady Marianna! So what's up, eh?

[Marianna sighed a bit, and then sat on one of the sofas after making sure it was reasonably clean first.]

- I'd come to talk about the music sheets and the pendant over there, actually.

[Out in the woods]

[Oktavia shook her head, looking around her, shuddering. Why did the air feel so cold, all of a sudden? And when had it become so dark? She still should have had plenty of time before sundown, and it hadn't been cloudy at all when she started out...]

[And that was when she heard some voices start to yell at each other.]

...No, no - This Witch is ours, you can't have it!

- We need the Grief Seed more, damn it...

....No means no!

[Octavia shook her head, and put her arms around herself. At least one of those voices sounded like a child. What was a child doing out in those strange dark woods, anyway?]

"Oh yeah, these?"
"Yes. They belong to a friend of mine, which I do not apprecriate you attacking this afternoon, Ophelia."
"That blue haired lady, I remember. " (Ophelia rolled her eyes ) "Whatever. She's just another one of those whiny, stuck up, aristocrat ninnies. Which you';re not. as much." ( She tutted and scratched her fiery hair) "But ya know, then she surprised me. Right after, she suddenly charged up and came afta me . She was runnin in her skirts an everythin, even climbed up the wall1 course se was no match for me!"
(Marianna sighed. Well that was not surprising and explained Oktavia's discheveled appearence upon arrival). "Oktavia is, an energetic girl. Almost as energetic as you are. And she is quite upset about what happened"
"Well let er complain. " (The thief snigegred and stretched )"I aint gonna apologize if thats what you want."
"Hmph. Could you at least please give back what you stole from her?"
"Maybe, maybe not. Got no use for music notes, but this pendant might be worth somethin"
"Those are important to her! That pendant was given to her by the man she loves!" (though it was increasingly clear to others that he had not much interest in her. she sighed as Ophelia just rolled her eyes. Sometimes there was not much use reasoning with her.) "I should get going now. It was, good to talk to you."

(There were the sounds of some inhuman screeches, and then of battle, and then the chill faded away. As Oktavia neared, she caugjht sight of some colorful leaping away, and three girls, also dressed colorfully and holding ornate weapons, remaining. The older girl was comforting the youngest girl)
"There there, Helga..."
"Waah! Those big bullies!"

[In the woods]

...Yeah. Well, at least it wasn't one of those Witches with the power to hole up in their own little worlds - Those are horrible to deal with, honestly.

[The older girls said, sighing, and then put something in the younger girl's hand.]

- But we got at least one Grief Seed from the upgraded Familiar, so we can share that, I suppose. Yay?

......Yay. Um, I mean, thanks, Delia.

[The younger girl said, listlessly, and then, she did something with her hands, though Oktavia couldn't tell what she was doing.]

- You know, Delia? I can't help thinking that those nasty Ribbondorf girls are right on one way - We'll never get enough Grief Seeds if we keep on getting rid of the immature Familiars like we have up to now...

[The older girl sighed, then.]

...I know what you mean, but - Look, Helga, come on, we can't just let monsters go attack ordinary folk because it suits us better that way. I mean, what would Lady Ve - Our Sponsor think of that?

[The younger girl huffed at that.]

- Well, it's not like Our Lady knows about the Magical Girl business, or about Witches and Familiars for that matter, right?

[And then, her expression became much brighter.]

...But wait, I have an idea! What if we found some bad people to feed to the Familiars? I mean, I wouldn't want to stand by why they attack ordinary people either, but it doesn't seem like they care at all about who they try to suck energy off, so.

[And then, the younger girl looked around the clearing, and snickered, a dark look in her eyes.]

- And there's a pack of theives which are making a name for themselves right around here, from what I've heard, ha ha ha -

[Oktavia groaned inwardly, and slowly pinched her own cheek. She wasn't dreaming or anything, right?]

[Ophelia's people's hiding place]

[Ophelia paused for a moment, then. It wasn't like she wanted to get on Marianna's bad side, honestly - Marianna was one of the few nobles that she actually respected, after all.]

...Hey, you know, Lady Marianna? How much do you think a honest merchant girl could get for these music sheets and the pendant, if she just happened to find them in the woods or something?

[Marianna turned, and smiled a bit.]

- For all of them? Hmm, well, she could get at least a gold piece as a reward, I'd suppose. She'll have to make up a believable story about how she just happened to find them in the woods, though - I mean, it wouldn't do if the young noble lady in question thought that the honest merchant girl was actually one of the theives, after all!

...True, true.

[Ophelia said, and then, she looked at the sheets of music again.]

- Well, let's say that the this honest merchant girl just happened to be taking a walk in the woods, and then, some idiots almost ran her over with their horses! She yelled at them, of course, but they just ran away laughing, and then, she found a bag on the ground, and those things just happened to be inside them...

[The older girl rapped the younger girl scoldingly on the head with her staff] "No, Helga! I don't care if they are thieves! They are still people, and hurting them is wrong! We are not going to sink to those other magical girl's levels!"
"all right..." [Helga pouted]
"now, let us go home." [there was a twinkle anf the girls were suddenly dressed in normal clothing and the weapons vanished. They headed off. Oktavia stared. What had she just witnessed?)
"Oktavia?"
[Oktavia gave a startled jump and twirled around to see Marianna standing there] "Ah! Marianna! What a surprise?"
"A surprise, indeed. What are you doing here?"
"Ah, you have forgotten your purse, so I followed to give it back."
"I see. Thank you, Oktavia."
"The question is, what are you doing here in these woods?"
"I was, taking care of some business. It is all right now. Let us return. Tomorrow is the festival after all! " [they headed back to the castle[

[Ophelia's band's hiding place]

[Ophelia, in the meanwhile, was quickly making some plans.]

...Oookaaay then! I need one of you to play the honest merchant girl, all right?

[Chelsea raised her hand, then, giggling and jumping up and down.]

- Oh, I wanna, I wanna! Choose me, Ophelia!

[Ophelia looked her up and down, mock-seriously.]

...Hmmm...You're a bit young for this, but on the other hand, having cute kids around usually does make con games easier to run, so...

[And that was when one of the other girls who looked a little older then Ophelia raised her hand with a grin! She had light green hair and light green eyes, and was quite beautiful indeed.]

- I can play her older sister, then. We can be the honest merchant sisters, right?

[Back in the castle]

[Humility was feeling much better now, after she'd spent some time with Charlotte and Gretchen, and then had taken a nap. She was now making her way toward the Canderolo Castle's Grand Baths, smiling and humming to herself - ]

[And that was when she caught sight of Marianna and Oktavia, who were apparently heading toward the baths, too!]

...I don't feel too well, Lady Marianna.

[Okvatia was complaining as she absentmindly rubbed at her neck.]

Ever since I saw those strange girls, I...I...

[Marianna sighed a bit, then.]

...Lady Oktavia - I am sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about. What strange girls?

[And then, Marianna put a hand on Oktavia's forehead, looking slightly worried.]

- Humph. You do not appear to have a fever, but...

[Humility, in the meanwhile, was staring at Oktavia's neck. What was that dark smudge, anyway? She took out her extra spectacles with the wooden frames out of her sachel and put them on her face, trying to get a better look. Gretchen had said that she'd fitted those with the lens that should make it easier to read or do her embroidery, but...]

...Lady Oktavia? There's something on your neck here, I think.

[She said, and pointed at Oktavia's neck with her finger.]

- I'm not sure what it is, but - Did you get bitten by a bug or something?

[And Homura, still in Humility's mindspace, was now staring at Humility's neck, too, her eyes growing wide.]

[The thing on Oktavia's neck looked like a really weak version of a Witch's Kiss. Did Familiars even leave Kisses on their victims? Oh, cripes!]

[But it must have been a very weak kiss indeed, as it soon faded away and the gloom left Oktavia. As they bathed, Oktavia shared the story of the strange girls she witnessed with Humility.]
"Well, that certainly was strange, Lady Oktvia. I wonder what that was all about?" [Inwardly Homura cringed. So there were still magical girls even here... ] "wait a moment. Helga, Delia, those are the names of some of the young orphan girls Queen Verena has taken in!"
"Is that so? Perhaps we can ask her about it next time we see her."
"Perhaps..."

By the time they got out of the baths, it had gotten dark. The duchess Matrianna went to check on her little siste in her quartersr. Charlotte was already in bed, snoozing peacefully and clutching her favorite pink and cream plush doll. Marianna smiled lovingly and stroked her soft pale hair
"Oh my little Bebe. I am sorry I was not there to tuck you in. At least I can give you a good night kiss." [She leaned down and panted a kiss upon the child's plump cheek.]
And meanwhile Homura lay in bed, thinking about this whole predictament. What did this all mean? was this a dream, or reality? And what should she do? It seems sometimes she was control of her body here, but most other times this other her was in control. It was like she was watching the scene out of another, or herselves, eyes. How strange...]

Humility's Mindspace]

[Humility fell asleep, then, eventually, and Homura found herself wandering in Humility's dreams. A regal lady waved at an 8 year old Humility, blurry in the distance, and Humility waved back. It was some kind of summer party, judging from the heat and what people were wearing, Homura thought.]

...Auntie Venera! Tee hee!

[Homura, in the meanwhile, had found a table to sit at inside the dream, and took a sip of iced tea, sighing. Homura was pretty sure the iced tea was an element she herself had brought into the dream, as ice in summer was probably very expensive in this society, if it could be gotten at all.]

...Damn. I really wish I had my magic, now - I could fix your heart properly if I had it, you know? The eyes could wait, but your heart...

[Homura said, sighing, to the 8 year old Humility that had wandered over. The younger Humility nodded, solemnly.]

- Dr Elminister said I might live long enough to get married, if I'm lucky, but I shouldn't, because having a child might kill me.

[And then, she tilted her head, and looked at Homura.]

...Please don't tell Miss Gretchen, all right? Or Lady Marianna, or any of the other girls?

[And then, she sighed a bit.]

And I don't want you to talk to Auntie Verena about it either, because I'm not supposed to know about it, either, even if she does.

[Homura looked at her, and gave her a nod.]

...I wouldn't, then - I give you my word.

[And then, she put her her hand with a smile.]

- Pinkie swear, then?

[8 year old Humility looked puzzled at that, but then, she held out her hand with a shy smile.]

...What's a pinkie swear?

[Humility's Room]

[Homura woke up on the bed, then, still in Humility's body. She sighed a bit, and tried to sit up - Aand that was when a very small version of Homura's Magical Shield suddenly came tumbling down from the air, and hit her on the forehead!]

[Homura grabbed the little thing on her forehead, and stared at it for a moment, as it was barely the size of an bottlecap. Yes, this was her shield, and she could feel her own magic resonating with it, though the humm of the magic was much more muted then when she was back in her own body.]

[Homura paused, then - Wait, was her mind really in her body when she was back home in her time? Wasn't it actually supposed to be inside her Soul Gem?]

[She put out her hand, then, concentrating - And then, she went wide-eyed as a half transparent Soul Gem floated into existence above her palm! She tried to poke it with her other hand, and sighed a bit as her finger went right through it. Oh, she did feel a little something, like her finger had poked into something made of warm water, but...]

[And then, the half transparent Soul Gem floated right into her - No, Humility's chest, and disappeared from sight. Homura sighed a bit, then, and slumped back down on the comfortable bed again.]

[OK, so she could use at least some of her magic, even in this current state, it seemed - But now what? She still didn't have anything near enough magic to fix Humility's heart properly yet, she was pretty sure...]

[Homura blushed as she herd Humilitiy murmur one more thing] "I do want to marry Gretchen....]
"...so do I..." To Homur'as diappoinment, the magic flickered off. Well, if she did have magic, she would have to save it for when she really needed it.
Later at breakfast, Marianan was telling Oktavia that she heard from commoner merchant that they found her missing items dropped in the woods. Oktavia was suspicious of the claim.]
[Marianna sipped her tea calmly "] besides. What if they really. Are commoners who do need the money?"
Oktavia sighed, knowing they were right. "I suppose. I sorry. What sort of hero of justice would I be , thinking thoughts such as this? "
" not a very good one" [Gretchen teased. All of them laughed among themselves] " ah, it shall be time to go help set up the festival! My family will be running a booth there. Would you all perhaps like to join me?"
" sounds splendid!"
[Homura offered a smile, continuing to try to follow along.[

Sometime later the girls were milling about the park, watching the festival being set up and interacting with the locals. Some younger girls ran up to them giggling " hi lily!" " we found you again!" " yay!"
" h- hello..."
" mother will be happy to see you again!"
And that's when the people clamored a bit. " queen verena is here!"
[Everyone bowed as a familiar beautiful young woman with dark hair and wearing an ornate blue and purple goown approached. Homura's mouth dropped open in disbelief. She knew her, though her eyes were normal and she did not have an air of darkness about her
The little girls ran over to her happily " mother!"
" look there's lily!"
" I know, my dears." She said in her clear voice

[Humility, in the meanwhile, was sweatdropping up a storm.]

...Hello, everybody!

[She said to the girls, forcing herself to smile for a few moments, and then, she turned toward the dark haired beautiful woman.]

...Um...

[She groaned, and then, she whispered - ]

......Lady Vere - Your Majesty, are you actually supposed to be here?

- Why, of course not!

[Verena whispered back, smiling - And that was when Marianna raised her hand, smiling.]

...Everybody! Please pay attention - As you can see, Lady Verenia Selenius from the Purple Kingdom has arrived yet again for our Summer Festival with her troop of beautiful actresses...

[Some of the girls bowed and waved, then, while the crowd cheered!]

[And then, Marianna struck a pose.]

- So everybody, please don't call her Queen Verena, all right? Lady Verenia does have a similar name as the most beautiful and wise Queen of the Purple Kingdom, and she has played a Queen on stage occasionally, but it's not like she's actually Queen Verena herself, after all!

[The bystanders watched and clapped, then.]

...Well, of course not - Welcome to Castle Candeloro, Lady Venenia!

- Your troupe's singing and dancing are always a wonder to behold! We've missed you, Lady Venenia!

[Verena went up to Marianna, then, and smiled at all the bystanders.]

- Thank you for the warm welcome, everybody! Our performance will start in a couple of hours...Thank you, thank you!

[And then, she came back to Humility, who was sweatdropping even more, and gave her a mischevious smile, and whispered - ]

- See? Everything is just fine, my dear Humility!

[Humility sighed a bit, then, and then, she snickered, looking at her aunt. Verena's hair now had a slightly darker tint, making it look more like Humility herself's hair, and her hairstyle, clothes and accesories all made her look like a high ranking but eccentric noble who really liked the outdoors and acting, which was exactly how she wanted to show herself to the public at times like this, of course. But the real difference was in how she acted and talked - Her accent, expressions and body language were all different when she was being "Lady Verenia", ho ho ho...]

[Homura, in the meanwhile, was becoming very confused, indeed. Why did her mind keep showing her a vision of a woman who looked a lot like this Lady Verenia or Lady Verena or whatever her name actually was, except that her eyes where slitted like a cat's, and she was practically shimmering with a dark aura? Something...Something had happened, right before she'd ended up being sent back in time to this strange place and stuck inside the body of a girl who was so much like Homura herself, yet not...]

Edited 2016-09-06 06:08 (UTC)

[Marianna, in the meanwhile, had gone to talk to Oktavia and Gretchen.]

...And that is Lady Verenia. She's a bit, hmm, eccentric, but she's a very kind and good person, and she's actually related to the real Queen Verena, from what I hear, so you two should be on your best behavior, all right?

[Marianna did know already that "Lady Verenia" was actually the real, actual Queen Verena, of course, but she did have to keep up the pretense that she wasn't, she felt - Oh, she was pretty sure that a certain percentage of the people here had figured it out already, but whatever, whatever.]

[Oktavia nodded, sagely.]

- Oh, I've heard of her, I think - She's Queen Verena's go-to woman when it comes to things like the theaters and the troupes, right?

[Gretchen, in the meanwhile, was sweatdropping a bit. She snuck a look at "Lady Verenia", who was now talking with some of the local minor nobles and rich merchants with a smile, and tilted her head, but then, she turned back to Lady Marianna with a somewhat forced smile pasted on her face.]

...Um, yes - I'll be on my best behavior, of course! Thank you, Lady Marianna...

[...The hairstyle and clothes and how she talked and moved were all different, but - She'd never seen anybody who resembled the real Queen Verena that much, to be honest. Well, it wasn't like she'd ever been formerly introduced to her, but she had attended one of the big parties with her family where Queen Verena had been the guest of honor, so she had seen her from a distance, so to speak.]

Edited 2016-09-06 06:12 (UTC)

[One of the merchants scoffed nearby scoffed] " 'Lady Verenia'. Is everyone here really that stupid that they'd fall for that?"
[Then Homura noticed something noticed something about some of the girls with Verena. They were wearing silver necklaces that resembled soul gem rings. Could they be...? And then,a certain devious extraterrestial critter nearby, watching them...]
Gretchen setting up her booth, that white beast within her line of sight, but she seemed to take no notice of it.
"Perhaps, she is not meant for it in this time, for now... Thank goodness." [Homura thought
"I finally get to go out!" Charloote cheered, looking around at all the going ons with wide curious eyes.
Marianna caught sight of a booth nearby and its residents, including the merchant who spoke up, and narrowed her eyes "Excuse me for a moment. Charlotte you must stay here." with a level head she went over "So. Is this a legitimate booth, or a cover up if you had a pick pocketing event planned for tonight?"
"Bit of both" Opelia repleid as she peeled potatoes, wearing a plain peasant class dress and her now temporarily dark hair under a kerchief " Got my crew set up, but we also gonna be sellin some crisps. Huh, I see that blue twit is here. I brought her stuff"

...Crisps, huh?

[Marianna said, and looked at one of the younger girls, who was busy cutting into some potatoes with a rather strange looking curved knife.]

- Well, ya see, a local witchy-woman told us we could make the potatoes taste much better if we cut them thin, skins and all, and made the slices wavy before we fried then in oil, and then sprinkled some salt, pepper an' herbs over 'em, ho ho ho -

[Ophelia laughed, and took another crisp with her fingers, sticking them in a white dip.]

...And they taste even better with some cheese or sour cream with pickles! You wanna try them too, Lady Marianna?

[Marianna shook her head with a sigh.]

...Maybe later. And Ophelia? I think you should keep the pickpocketing to a minimum, if you don't want to mess up what we're planning to do with Lady Oktavia. You do want the reward, right?

[Ophelia sighed a bit at that, and waved her hand.]

- Sure, sure. So you're going to help us set things up now, right?

[And then, she grinned.]

...I think we'd rather prefer to talk someplace where "Lady Verenia" and her troup of beautiful girls wouldn't come and bother us, though. Boy, does that lady get around or what?

[Marianna sighed, then, and rolled her eyes, snickering herself.]

- For shame, Ophelia - Stop spreading those stories about her, please! Do you know how much trouble I'd be in if the Queen of the Purple Kingdom actually happened to turn up on my doorstep or something?

...Yeah, yeah, I get it...

[Ophelia said, and then, she got to her feet, and clapped her hands.]

- Well, OK, then, everybody - It's time for the performance we've been talking about. Come on, let's go, Chelsea, Emmy!

[And and about half and hour later, the green haired beautiful girl who Ophelia had called Emmy was bowing toward Oktavia, looking very embarrased. Marianna had taken Oktavia, Gretchen and Humility to a clearing in the woods, so they could do this without any extra fuss or muss.]

...And then, the theives ran away on their horses, sounding very drunk, and the bag was just lying on the ground, and oh, I was so scared, my lady...

[Emmy said theratically, putting her hand to her chest, while Chelsea nodded, her cute eyes wide, and struck a pose.]

- I was scared too - They almost ran right over her, lady! And they were all scary and noisy and hollaring and everything, and they stank of booze, too!

[Oktavia, in the meanwhile, was groaning.]

...They both sound soo fake! And I'm expected to pay them for handing me my own stuff back to me!?

[She whispered. Gretchen sighed, poked her in the arm, and whispered back to her -]

- Oh, Lady Oktavia, can't you let it go, just this once? I mean, we have no evidence whatsoever that these people are in cahoots with the thieves, right? And once this is over, we can go see my family's booth and everything...

...Oh, all right, all right, let's get this over with. I really don't want to lose the music sheets I wrote, or the pendant Lord Kelsey gave me for that matter.

[Oktavia grumped, and then, she tossed a gold coin at the green haired girl.]

- There. Now, you give me back my stuff, all right!?

...Thank you so much, lady!

[The green haired girl said, smiling and bowing profusely, and then, she immediately took the bags, and gave them to Oktavia. Oktavia took them out and looked threw them, scowling.]

...Darn, the third music sheet got dirt stains on it now, but all right, they're all here....

[The two girls disappeared very quickly after that, then, thanking Oktavia profusedly all the while. Gretchen sweatdropped a bit, wondering if the girls had been associated with the original theives which had stolen Oktavia's stuff after all, but decided not to worry about it for now.]

- OK, so that's done!

[Gretchen said, and then, she turned toward Marianna, Oktavia and Humility, forcing herself to smile brightly.]

...Lady Marianna, Lady Oktavia, Lady Humility - I would be honored to take you to my family's booth now, if you have to time to visit us. Do you have the time, do you think?

[Homura, in the meanwhile, was furrowing her brows inside Humility's mindspace. Was it just that she was becoming jumpy, or was a certain red eyes white critter actually looking directly at her - Or rather, Humility?]

[And then, the Incubator opened it's mouth!]

...Strange, strange. Why do you look so sparkly, all of a sudden?

Edited 2016-09-11 06:20 (UTC)

[Homura hurried along, pretending she had not taken notice of the incubator. Along the way to Gretchen;'s family's stand, Charlotte had stopped at the stand the green haired girl was from, ordering some crisps. [The owner of the stand, the kerfiefed girl who had spoken up about the queen, leaned over and smiled down at Charlotte] "But of course, young miss! alas, we are not open for business yet and have just started our cooking." [ Upon seeing her dispointed look, she added "But just for you young miss, we shall offer our very first batch! " And she brought out a still hot plate of crisps, topping it ff with seasoning and melted cheese "Voila!"
"Hooray! Thank you so much!" Charlotte reached into er coin purse and puleld out some coins "Here you are, I hope it is enough!" it may have been too much, but she did not know how to manage money very well yet.
[Homura couldnt help smile as she watched the scene. Yes this Nagisa seemed just the same as the current incarnation, and that girl at the stand had a familiar air as well...]
"There you are Charlotte!" [ Maianna approached, Oktavia behind her. ]"I see you wanted a snack all ready" She took out her kerchief and wiped the crumbs form her sister's cheeks.
[the girl at the stand bowed demurely, keepign her eeys down] "It is an honour, Lady Von Seckendorff."
Oktavia just nodded "Thank your friend again for finding my stolen items."
"You are welcome. as she said, we found the lost items. we decided to return as much of the itmes to their ownders as possible. I am fortunate enough to be able to read, and I saw your name. Im sorry we cant just give it right back to you and ask for money in return, but as you understand, times are hard..." [the conversation eventually turned to arguing over other merchandise.]
"Is it so a fair price! It is not just my mouth to feed after all! See little chelsea there?"Ophelia pointed to the little girl with short green piigtils that was now running around playing with Charlotte " I took her under my care when her abusive mother was killed by a beast!"]
"Well that is noble of you, fine I will match it, but this is getting far, and_"
[they were interupted by the sudden clater of the little girls ran inside the booth and stumbled over the crates, heading right for the boiling pot of oil! In a flash, Ophelia suddenly leapt and spun agilly over the booth in a way a normal commoner woman would not be able to, grabbed a pole and knocked the pot out of the way and pushed the child to safety, landing both of them into the washtub with a splash.
Oktavia's mouth dropped open as she revisualized taht exact same agile leap as the theft yesterday and matched it, and even more proof with the crimson hair that appeared as the dye dripped off. "y-you!!!"
"Ah, looks like you found me out." Ophelia just gave her a wicked grin "Thats rigt. Im the thief. And damn proud I did! " why you so mad? Its cause I took some silly sheet music and some jewerly from your boyfriend?" ]

...Lord Kelsey is not my -

[Oktavia almost shrieked - But that was when she realized that Marianna was almost burying her face in her hands, wincing.]

[The other people at the booth, on the other hand, were looking at both the girl Oktavia had been yelling at and Marianna, as if they couldn't decide exactly what to do. Some of them were even looking at Marinna directly, almost like they were begging her to do something about the situation.]

[.......Haaah? Well, she'd heard that some of the lords had "arrangements" with the local thieves, but...]

[Oh, well, she wouldn't make life more difficult for Lady Marianna if she could help it, and who knew what kind of "arrangements" her own family had made, but whatever, whatever.]

[Oktavia snarled, then, and pointed at the woods outside, looking straight at the now brown-haired girl who was sneering back at her wolfishly.]

- Very well, then, you idiot thief - Let's go and fight properly out there, so people don't get hurt, all right!?

[And then, she snickered, and said - ]

...And if I win, I get to keep that pretty spear of yours. That'll be fair, right?

Edited 2016-09-14 06:15 (UTC)

Oktavia glared back, her eyes just as cold "That is a good plan. Let us go."she went over to the carraige and took out the sheathed sword she had brought along.
Marianna took her arm "Oktavia, do not be foolish!"
"I must deal eith her!"(d Okatvia replied, ppassing her by She and Ophelia headed out to the oudsits of forest near the festival grounds
The thief chuckled as she saw the sword )
"Oh-hoh! So you found a way to defend yourself, huh? You pretty lady even know how to use such a thing?"
"Shut up!" Oktavia growled, pulling off some of her underskirts for easier movement then drawing the sword, standing in a proper stance "I have been training in swordsmanship for a while now! And I shall become one of the royal knights and a defender of peace and justice!"

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