2367/Who Witch Where

Who Witch Where
Date of Scene:	19 January 2017
Location:	Naru's Dreams
Synopsis:	Naru lets Endymion and Zoisite into her dreams to talk to the White Flower. It goes remarkably well, and is unsurprisingly unnerving.
Cast of Characters:	Mamoru Chiba, Zoisite, Naru Osaka, Hana Shiroi

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Mamoru Chiba has posed:
It's generally a hell of a lot easier for Mamoru to set up group-dreams when all the participants are in proximity to each other, because it means he doesn't have to go searching for them the long way and carefully knocking on doors and pulling them into his own dream -- especially when it's not his own dream that's hosting, as it were. So it's on a couch in the ECFH, with Mamoru sprawled in a corner and Zoisite sprawled on him and Naru probably curled up against him, and Kyouko set up with all the caramel apples that Naru had the patience to make and a lot of caffeine, guarding them.

Asleep, it was short work to automatically bring Zoisite into Endymion's dream-- the setting, that windy cloudless blue sky with the Mediterranean sea around them and whitewashed walls and red-tiled roofs, mosaic floors, and beyond it the scrubby trees and rocks of a cliffy beach. Endy's not in armor, but he's definitely not wearing modern clothes -- loose in parts, stiffly embroidered in others, bright red and gold; he's darker, like he was back then, and when Zoisite 'wakes up', his prince is carrying him across a wide-open patio and through a door in the wall into misty forest, air nipping with ocean salt.

There's another door in the forest after some twists and turns, and Endy knocks on it, whether or not Zoi has swatted him, disembarked, or decided he's getting a kick out of being carried piggyback. "Naru~!"

Zoisite has posed:
Embodied, Zoisite has decided he's going to forego wearing "normal clothes" in favor of pajamas. If he's going to be essentially asleep for this, he might as well dress the part. His hair is even braided back, partially so it doesn't get tangled if he moves around in his sleep. The fact that he's acting as a living blanket to Mamoru is more or less left to one side.

In the dream, it's easy enough to wake up, dressed as he was during his past life, as one of Endymion's guardians. The sensation of being carried is what 'wakens' him , and he snorts at his prince. The small snort of laughter, coupled with a "really?" is all the overt reaction to being carried that Zoi has. He's amused by it, if nothing else.

Naru Osaka has posed:
The door opens, and Naru blinks a moment at the pair. "That is .. just odd." She comments, taking a step back to consider the doorway that wasn't actually there a moment ago, but now is and then steps back to permit them entry into her dream.

Compared to many of her dreams not so very long ago, this is downright delightful in its lack of opressive mazes and killer vegetation. Naru herself shows her hippie side, barefoot and in a loose peasant style dress, almost faintly glowing, but possibly just a trick of the light.

The escher-esque decor still holds in her dreams, the path underfoot moves impossibly in relation to where its been and where it's going, but no longer do the walls oppress the light, instead the pink pale light of dawn holds sway, just hinting towards the golden.

Naru gestures as she walks, her barefeet utterly silent upon what looks like stone but feels like grass underfoot. "There's a table and chairs, if we wish to sit. I don't know if Hana is going to join us or not. I've been thinking of her, often that is enough to catch her attention."

Hana Shiroi has posed:
    It seems, in fact, that Hana is going to join them.

    This becomes apparent as the group enters sight of the table and chairs- only to find one of them already occupied.

    Hana Shiroi looks human, though she has an inhuman aura to her that is impossible to define. She appears as a woman, short (perhaps somewhere between Naru and Kyouko in height), and appearing to be of Japanese ethnicity. Her features, however, have an almost too-perfect doll-like quality that mildly invokes the Uncanny Valley effect. Her skin is very pale. She has very long, very straight black hair which falls to the back of her thighs when she is standing. Her clothing is all white and appears to be leather or some equivalent- pants and a long-sleeved top which buttons across the chest sideways, the buttons running up the left side of her chest, with a folded-back collar. She wears calf-high boots with a 3-inch heel.

    By far the most striking and inhuman of her features are her eyes. Rather than being one color, the irises continually bleed from one color into another, changing between all the colors of the rainbow and some which have no name, as if someone were turning a kaleidoscope behind them.

    As the group approaches the table, she turns those rainbow-hued, shifting eyes upon them. Her face is neutral, impassive, and when she speaks her voice is the same- not emotionless or monotone, but rather sounding almost bored, as if this event (or indeed, nothing in particular) is worth getting excited over.

    "Little Bird. I heard you calling me. I did not expect this to become.. an audience." Her gaze flicks to Mamoru, and her head inclines very slightly. "To what do I owe the honor?"

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Endymion grins at Naru as he steps through, invited in, and... still carrying Zoisite because Zoisite hasn't objected yet. "Hello again to you too," he tells Naru, then nudges the door shut again with one foot. He trails after her (why is he still carrying--) (--zoisite is an impromptu blanket) and looks around, trying to keep his dreams, his mind, to himself as much as possible. "That's fine, if she doesn't come calling, we can have tea--" he starts saying, and then they come into view of the table.

The prince lets Zoisite down, straightening up. He regards Hana curiously for a second, and then with ill-hidden amusement as she calls the situation 'an audience'.

Inclining his own head, with the smallest of smiles tugging at one corner of his mouth, Endymion answers her: "I was worried about my friend, given your activities prior to your imprisonment. After I ascertained you hadn't hurt her, I was curious to meet you -- Naru says you're a pleasure to talk to, and adept conversationalists are rare birds indeed." Then he lifts his hands a little way and his smile goes crooked. "If we're intruding, though, that's not my wish, and we'll take our leave."

Zoisite has posed:
When he's set down, Zoisite un-ruffles near-seamlessly, standing slightly behind Endymion as if he'd been doing it all his life-- which, in a sense, he has. The strawberry-blond Shitennou seems easy here, standing behind his Prince. He nods slightly to Hana, folding his arms slightly, one arm going up to curl next to his face.

He doesn't appear inclined to talk, for now. Just taking the Bodyguard Pose behind his Prince.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Hello Hana." Naru greets with a tip of her head and a touch of a smile. "I had friends who wished to meet you, and it is not currently very practical to call ahead."

Naru doesn't comment on Mamoru's point about them being worried about her, or concerned. Instead she moves towards the tea table. "I had wondered how you were doing." She notes, for her part in the conversation.

Hana Shiroi has posed:
    Hana does not smile- it is rare to see such an expression from her. Her kaleidoscope eyes flick up and down Mamoru and Zoisite- Naru receives only a passing glance. Not because she is insignificant, but because Hana is already familiar with her.

    Rather than answer Mamoru right away, her gaze turns then to Naru, as the girl approaches the table and inquires after her state of being. "Warning would have been appreciated." She says, her tone soft. "But I acknowledge the difficulty of providing such.. given the circumstances. I am.. well. As well as can be expected." For a Grief Seed.

    Her eyes then return to Mamoru. Her expression doesn't change, her head moving only fractionally to signal the shifting of her attention. "I would not hurt the Little Bird unless I deemed it necessary, and no such necessity has thus far been evident. She is a much-treasured conversation partner, given the dearth of worthy competition in that particular arena."

    "However, it is not my place to say whether you are intruding. This is her dream." A brief inclincation of chin towards Naru. "If she says you are welcome.. then it must be so. Your curiosity flatters me, though as with all things, I suspect ulterior motives."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"As is only fair," Endymion says easily at the end of Hana's assertion, and he reaches to touch Zoisite lightly before moving toward the table and taking a seat. Symbolically, he keeps his hands in sight. "After all, I suspected ulterior motives on your part. But you're free to inspect as you wish, and especially in dreams, I am bound by my word--"

He reaches to pour some tea. "And I give it: in this meeting, I am only here to speak with you, to gain some understanding of your perspective; I will not act against you unless self-defense proves necessary. Zoisite," he says, setting the pot down to gesture at the strawberry blond, "is herefore bound by the same. Of course," there's that amusement again, "you have only my word that my word is good, but I suspect that since you can move freely through dreams, you can ascertain my statement's truth."

He picks up his tea and holds it, warming, in both hands; his own eyes aren't a kaleidoscope by any stretch, but they're a blue flecked with living gold, and they're older and more real -- especially in dream -- than they have any right to be. Not inhuman, but with the weight of all humanity behind them.

"So please -- I don't ask to know your weaknesses, only your experiences, your point of view. What has caused you such grief? What does the world look like from your eyes?"

Zoisite has posed:
Zoisite grumbles a little at the promise on his behalf, but nods. So long as Hana does not attack Endymion, he'll behave. "Worth noting, though- I will treat an attack on Endymion as an attack on myself-- or possibly worse than." Zoisite, pointedly, does not sit, instead standing behind his Prince. Cat-green eyes focus on Hana for a minute before he drops into a much more seemingly relaxed pose, apparently investigating his own fingernails.

Apparently.

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru is quiet as she settles at the table, nudging her cup forward for Endymion to pour. She sets the sketchbook she hadn't been holding upon the table as she finds herself with it, listening to the two of them converse.

"My dreams are not open to all and sundry." Naru notes, the welcome of the two boys implied by that statement.

Naru is quiet again, watching rather than being the driver of this conversation, flicking through her sketchbook thoughtfully as Endymion asks his questions.

Hana Shiroi has posed:
    Hana does not seem to attribute any particular symbolism to the placement of hands- her own are folded in her lap, although it's clear she isn't carrying any weapons. Not that that means much, in aw orld like these anyway.

    "I have no power to harm you here." Is her response, with the faintest lift of white-clad shoulders. "Dreams are not my realm. They are merely.. a convinience, considering my state in the physical world. One I shall not have to resort to for much longer, I am pleased to say."

    She turns her attention to Naru for a moment as the girl sits, but then returns her eyes to Mamoru. Zoisite is ignored- his obvious distrust or his position behind Mamoru, or both, indicating to her that he is not the main party to whom she should be addressing herself.

    "You wish to know the cause of my 'grief'?" Though her expression doesn't change, there's a vague hint of amusement in her voice. "Just because I am a Grief Seed, currently, does not mean that I wallow in sadness. Grievance, perhaps, would be a better word. And to that I can only answer that the world is unjust. Surely that is a truth all can agree to. To my eyes, the world appears a place which constantly seeks my undoing. But my wish is for it to not always be so."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
A flicker of a smile's sent Zoisite's way-- and then Endymion's set his tea down and is obligingly pouring Naru a cup. He glances up from it at Hana briefly before he's done, and gives Zoisite a questioning look before putting the pot back down.

At Hana's correction, he shrugs. "Grief isn't always bereavement, especially when given. Sometimes it's trolling." There's actually no twitch of the prince's mouth for that one, it's straight up, a fact of the universe. But he picks his tea up again and lifts his eyebrows. "I know another Hannah who holds that selfsame grievance. Her methods of railing against it have proven unhealthy for all involved, including herself -- I hope that yours cause less injustice than they correct."

Then Endymion sips his tea and sets it down again, looking interested. "You speak as though reality itself were cognizant and self-aware, and personally bent on your destruction."

Zoisite has posed:
Zoisite shakes his head a little- not feeling like tea at the moment. Instead, he buffs his fingernails on his shirt, examines them again, and pulls out a small nail file from god only knows where on his person. He's too meticulous about his appearance to let his nails get overlong, but...

The comment about 'another Hannah' gets a small snort of amusement from Zoisite, barely stirring the air coming out of his nostrils more than usual. Pfft. That was definitely one way of putting it...

Naru Osaka has posed:
There is probably no surprise at all to anyone that Naru is sketching. The attention she pays to the page as her pencil moves is almost an afterthought as she watches the other conversationalists. "Thank you." Is her reply to Endymion pouring her tea.

That cup sits on the table for the moment, to steam in peace as Naru works on her art. She might be using a pencil, but the page holds colour, and textures at her whim, the design as yet abstract.

Hana Shiroi has posed:
    "Not reality itself. Reality is merely the canvas upon which the world is painted." Hana lifts a delicate hand. Her fingernails are each painted a different color. She absently draws a loop in the air, and it leaves a dark, coruscating line- though it should be noted it does not feel like Dark Energy. Merely a visual illusion. "It is not intelligent. But the beings that dwell within it.. yes."

    "They call me a monster, because I do not fit into their defitinions of what 'should' be. Therefore, I take it upon myself to re-write those definitions." Her hand drops and her eyes return to Mamoru, flat and sharp. "And if, as a result, they no longer fit, well.." A brief shrug of her shoulders. "If it must be them or I, surely you cannot blame me for choosing myself."

    "It is not my intent to harm those who do not deserve it. But it is my intent to create a world in which I do not feel threatened." A lone finger taps the tabletop. "I am an artist, as I am sure the Little Bird has told you. Creating worlds is my passion. If the world as it is will not accept me, then perhaps I shall find a way to re-work the painting into one more suited to my tastes."

    "Justice or injustice.. these are concepts defined by those who hold power. There is no universal absolute."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"I was merely using the word you yourself had chosen, in calling this world unjust; if you have one you'd prefer, we can use that instead," Endymion says mildly, then cups his tea in his hands again. He's reserved of motion, but not a stone; there are small graceful tells, and they all say the same thing -- he is at ease. "And monster is another term with a mutable definition: certain of my guard are proud of the label, and I am proud of them."

He allows a small smile. "Having rewritten definitions myself, I can understand the need. Of course, I am an idealist; I truly believe that it's often possible to change minds instead of ending lives." Then, once more, there is tea-sipping -- but it does not cast shade. It's only a thing to do, social and disarming.

"I've seen some of your art, and I've seen some of the beautiful recreations that your admirer," he gestures at Naru, "has allowed me to view. What I wonder is -- if you have the power to create worlds, why not create one afresh, and invite like minds to join you?"

Zoisite has posed:
Zoisite's smile might be a little crooked at that comment. At times, he has been 'guilty' of embracing that label with a certain small amount of viciousness. After all, good is not always nice, and so long as those important to him do not label him a monster, he is fine with behaving like one.

"That is why he's the brains of this conversation, and I'm not sticking my oar in," Zoisite adds after a moment. "I never would have thought of that." Creative and clever he might be, but in this, Endymion has thought of a good solution far faster than he.

Naru Osaka has posed:
There is just the faintest flicker of a smile from Naru at the mention of 'reality is merely the canvas', but she doesn't comment. She does reach for her tea, to take a sip, her pencil absently tucked behind her ear for just a moment.

"There are few absolutes, and fewer places where the impossible isn't merely a theory." Naru comments quietly, breaking her silence only for a moment before she picks up her pencil again and considers her work. Her expression is thoughtful at being called Hana's 'admirer', but she doesn't protest that label.

Hana Shiroi has posed:
    "Because I am not a god, Prince of the Earth." Hana says, her tone mildly censuring. "Though I might forgive the small-minded for confusing me with one." A brief arch of one slender eyebrow. "Not to imply that you are such. I know you are simply making a point. No, I have not the power to create from whole cloth. I am not sure that any do."

    "What I can do is improve upon the design before me. But you must understand, I do so not out of any misguided altruism. Long ago I was forced to acknowledge the fact that most intelligent beings do not, in fact, care one whit for the suffering of others. You say you are an idealist- I must counter with the idea that I am a pragmatist. I will not subject myself to the risk of destruction in the interest of hope. I will simply pursue the agenda I feel is best for me."

    "I do not seek to harm those who do not seek to harm me. But some harm is, unfortunately, inevitable. I understand that you do not accept this but frankly, I do not care." A mild lift of her shoulders. "I mean no offense. It is simply the truth."

    A brief glance towards Naru as the girl speaks. "For a true artist, there is no impossible. Only degrees of difficult."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Endymion quietly puts his cup down and folds his hands on the table; his glances -- and small smiles -- toward Zoisite and Naru were locked to the context of their comments, and his attention is once again on Hana Shiroi, who's named him. It's only vaguely that he wonders how she knew; coming in, he'd wondered if she'd be able to tell, somehow.

He doesn't seem upset. Instead, he inclines his head a little, briefly. "On the contrary. I do accept that some harm is inevitable-- I only hold that it's less than those who label themselves pragmatists might think. I have killed, and it's very likely that I'll be put in the position of having to do so again. Even the best of intentions and the most moving of arguments cannot always win peace. It's just--..."

He sighs, then lets out a laugh and gives in, looking as earnest as he's been trying not to. "Sometimes they can. Sometimes the bitterest of enemies can become the most precious of friends. And-- I know very much what it's like to be alone and cut off, shunned and feared and despised-- but I also know what it's like to make friends in the middle of that, or after that. They mean so much more. They remind us of what it is to have a heart, and they're something worth protecting. So what I hope for you, Hana Shiroi--"

He sits back, and he looks -- not wry, because the only amusement is at himself for not being able to keep it professional -- a strange, strange mixture of resigned and hopeful. Hoping for the best but expecting the worst. "--I hope that you find friends worth protecting because you love them and they love you. I hope that you find your heart. If you do-- then you'll find far more allies than labels."

Zoisite has posed:
Zoisite smiles fondly down at his Prince, pointedly relaxed but still wary body language reflecting something... deeper. "It's truer than you might think," Zoisite intones. There's fondness there, his gaze still fixed on the prince next to him. "That's the reason I would probably be more upset and more vicious if someone attacked him, rather than myself."

"I value my own skin, but physical wounds can heal. Losing him..." There's a shake of the head to go with that, leaving the damage unsaid there. The fact that death would be too good for anyone who killed his Prince is unsaid for now. It probably doesn't need to be said.

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru returns to her silence, after her brief commentary upon impossibilities. She is very clearly listening, everything about her body language says that she is attentive to Hana and Endymion each in their turn (And Zoi too, have no fear), but her attention has settled upon her work.

A flick of Naru's pencil sets the design upon the page into motion, the abstract curls and twists and impossible angles all moving together as their colours twist and turn upon the page, a colourful escher print animated. The tip of her pencil guides the motion to the edge of the page and just a little bit beyond before being pulled back upon the sketchbook's surface. There's no sound to accompany the colourful swirls, nothing to unduly draw the attention away from their conversation.

Hana Shiroi has posed:
    "Harm is indeed inevitable. It is the nature of the world that everyone simply cannot be happy." Hana releases the faintest sigh. "And there is the crux of the matter, I am afraid. Whether I find my 'heart', as you say- whether I find friends who I truly believe accept me as I am, it does not change what I am."

    Her multi-hued eyes focus on Mamoru's, level and honest. "I am a Witch. I cannot change this, even should I wish to do so. I have great power to change the world around me... but none to change myself. At least not on such a fundamental level. If I am to survive, I must feed, and in order to feed, some will be hurt. I would be lying if I said I felt any great empathy for humans- they long ago proved they feel none for me. But I do not hurt anyone out of malice or for pleasure. And yet.. I must feed. I must survive."

    Her eyes turn to Zoisite, as he speaks of his feelings regarding the Prince. "It must be pleasant to have such ardent defenders." Is her comment. "It requires a great deal of trust.. in both directions."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Endymion's ears might be a little red, but it's the only tell there is for the prince not just taking Zoisite's protectiveness of him as rote. For Zoisite there's more; Zoisite is here through Endymion's dream, through his connection, so he'll be able to feel the welling of gratitude and love. On the surface, though--

--"It does. Trust and forgiveness," he says calmly, and then finishes his tea. He sets the cup back down on the table and says, not without affection and not without sorrow, "There are humans who have empathy for you. There are even humans who would have empathy for you even as you killed them. I will continue to hope for you, Hana, but think I understand that you would not wish to change in such a way as to avoid preying on humanity even had you the ability or opportunity. If-- in a world of infinite impossibilities-- if it were an option to stay what you are, stay who you are, stay the person you are-- and not have to kill people to do so, would you take that option? If it were no risk to yourself?"

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru sets her pencil on the table, a hand wiping over her sketchbook and removing any trace of the drawing from the surface of the paper with the same sort of ease that one might wipe an etch-a-sketch. Easier, really, there's no awkward holding it over her head and shaking vigorously.

The sketchbook closes, being set on the table as Naru takes up her tea. A lingering sip, now that it is cool enough to drink, and Naru continues to feel no obligation to inturrupt Endymion's questions with any of her own.

Hana Shiroi has posed:
    Hana regards Endymion steadily as he speaks. As ever, there is no judgement or hatred in her gaze, in her expression. She never gives off the sense that she is an enemy, or that she wishes harm. She is merely implacable, like the sole tree in a forest whose branches are somehow unmoved by the wind. "I value, above all things, my sense of self. It is an issue of trust, you see- if I were to give someone that sort of power over me, to effect my nature in such a fundamental way... what guarantee do I have that they would do as they say? That I would still be 'me' on the other side of such a transformation? That is a risk I am unwilling to take."

    A mild tilt of her head at his question about the hypothetical situation in which she could stay as herself and yet not have to kill anyone to maintain her existence. "I do not believe such an option exists. If it did.. I would consider it." She allows, at last. "But it would require proving to me that it works beforehand. Unlike your guardians, I value my own life above all else. You may call me selfish, and I do not dispute it, but self-preservation is the highest tenet of all life. All.. intelligent life."

    And there, at last, the faintest hint of a smirk.

    "You are an interesting conversationalist, Prince of the Earth. I have enjoyed our talk.. though in a different way than I enjoy speaking to the Little Bird. You speak of harsh reality, rather than art. A harsh reality that I am afraid I must return to.. all too shortly."

    Her head inclines slightly. "Believe me when I say that I hope the next time we meet, it is not in violence. I bid you good evening. As for you, Little Bird," Her eyes flick to Naru. "We shall speak again. In this world, or another. Goodnight."

    And then she is simply gone.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
And Endymion holds his breath for a second-- then exhales noisily and slumps in the chair, roughly running his dark hands through his black hair. "Jeez..."

One bright blue eye fixes on Naru, the other obscured by hair and hand. "Is she always that much of a party?"

Naru Osaka has posed:
There is just a faint hint of a smile from Naru as Endymion looks to her. "That wasn't atypical of our conversations." She acknowledges with a little bit of a shrug. "I enjoy the discussion, and the debate. Even knowing that our philosophies will come in conflict at some point, I find it fascinating." She leans forward a touch, to set her tea cup on top of her sketchbook.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"Fascinating, sure. Nervewracking-- oh, I forgot, you're literally not afraid of anything," the prince laughs, maybe a little hollowly.

Finally stretching, Endymion hauls himself up out of his chair and reaches back to tug on Zoi and pull him into a hug. "Thank you for putting up with that." And then he lets go and leans over part of the table to firmly hug Naru, too. "And thank you for letting me come talk to her. We'll get out of your head, now. And if you want, you can stay asleep; I'm sure Kyou would be happy to carry you off to bed."

Zoisite has posed:
Zoisite leans into the the hug with a smile, wrapping his arms around his Prince in return. "Well, this was different," he mumbles into his Prince's shoulder, leaning back to let Endymion hug Naru.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I am afraid of things." Naru protests. "I'm still scared of heights."

Because in the realm of reasonable fears, clearly heights trumps sentient witches in one's dreams.

"I'm just not afraid of her." Naru adds after a moment. She shakes her head at the offer to stay asleep. "No, I'd rather wake up and resettle." Naru leans over to give Endymion a hug. "I'm glad it went well." There's a bright smile. "Now get out of my head."