Scene #2070: Magical Tea Time

Owner	Pose
Sakura Kinomoto	The directions Sakura gave Ainsley and Inga to her 'castle' are... somewhat confusing. They lead into the residential district, which is fair enough, but then they say to head into Tsukihime Shrine and head into the couryard behind the central tree? That's odd. The shrine itself feels very... holy, if either magic witchy woman is capable of sensing that. The tree at the center seems to be the focal point. In the middle of the courtyard is a pink door, just standing there without anything supporting it. It's quite solid, staying upright no matter how much force is placed on it. Opening it will reveal an odd sight - the door opens up into another place entirely, showing the entrance hall of the Castle of Stars. The odd perspective might make it difficult to focus the eyes for those not used to it at first. Within the Castle, Sakura is busily setting up a small table in between the two larger ones, and might not notice her guests just yet unless they decided to knock!
Inga Freyjasdottir	Confusing directions? That garauntees Inga will be late. She's already somewhat directionally challenged as is. She needs to stop and ask local folks several times before she finally reaches the shrine with the tree. Then, naturally, having entered an obviously holy place she must stop and make a gift to the local gods and spirits at the tree. Which explains the pigeon blood. And the fat bird corpse in her hand, which she will offer as a hostess present. Upon finding the door, Inga does knock. She's worn her ancient styled clothing; a red dress of fine red wool, belted at the waist and pinned at the shoulders by silver brooches to the white linen uderdress, her white hair neatly plaited. Tada, viking witch at your service!
Ainsley	It's fairly easy for Ainsley to follow directions to react a given destination, since she's a studious creature. Her offering is different than Inga's, because she actually made some tea cakes for this little meeting. She arrives around the same time as Inga, having taken her sweet time to get there. She doesn't seem overly excited about anything. In fact, her face is dull and neutral, and her movements are slow and almost lazy, like she is apathetic to the idea of being here. She's in a sleeveless flower dress and a sun hat with little cloth flowers sewn into it. Some of her feathers hang down like very plush-looking bangs. She's even wearing elbow-length white gloves and white slippers, with a ribbon tied to the end of her tail. She's holding a basket of baked goods, good ole wicker design with some cloth to cover the contents. "Hello, Inga," she greets, softly, at the door, while she waits to be invited in.
Sakura Kinomoto	"Oh! You came! Come-" Sakura begins as she hears the knock, turning to face the door. She takes a few steps towards them, and then spots the pigeon corpse in Inga's hand. She stops mid-stride, and stares for a moment. "...Come in!" she finishes after an awkwardly long pause. "I'm glad to see you both!" Her smile is bright and cheerful. She, in contrast to Ainsley, is apparently in a very positive mood! "I've already made the tea. Come, sit down~" There are four chairs set out around the table. Huh. Why four?
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga, even though she shows up with a dead bird, is in a fine mood as well. She smiles warmly to Ainsley, reaching over to give her a brief hug of greeting. "You look lovely Ainsley! What a nice hat," she comments. When Sakura opens the door, Inga's smile grows. She bows her head slightly, then offers the bird. "I made a sacrifice to your local spirits. I can cook the bird if you like," she says. At tea, she brightens still. "Thank you for inviting me," she says, leaning o her staff as she moves inside and over to the table. She takes a seat, leaning her staff nearby as she takes in the table. "Are we expecting another?" she asks.
Ainsley	The hug Ainsley receives from Inga prompts a smile out of her features, warming the ice around her emotional state a little bit. She returns the hug easily, and then greets Sakura with a nod, entering the castle through that magical door and stepping onward to take a seat on one of the chairs. She looks over to the extra chair for a while in musing, and then over to Sakura. "Will one of your cards be joining us, then?" she wonders, as she sets the basket down and begins setting up the tea cakes for enjoyment during their little meeting. Well, she doesn't seem as melancholy now that her friends have greeted her so sweetly.
Sakura Kinomoto	Sakura smiles at Inga a little nervously. "Umm... I've never really eaten... pigeon before. Did you catch it in Tomoeda..? I'm not sure the local ones are safe to eat..." She rubs the back of her head. But then she remembers the entire reason she organised this little get together, and gives Ainsley a quick hug as well. "I like your ha-" Pause. "Feathers. I like your feathers." She nods her head, giving a little giggle before letting go of the pretty lizard. "Ah! Yes. Um." She throws her hand out to her side. "Release!" And her wand appears in her hand. Was she hiding the Key up her sleeve or something...? She spins the wand around in one hand while producing a card from one of the many pockets on her current pale green dress. "Cloud!" she calls out. The temperature of the room drops, very slightly, as clouds begin to gather near the ceiling. Sakura busies herself pouring the tea, while the clouds condense. A small dollop of cloud pops off the main body, and floats downward - supporting the form of a small, fae-ish humanoid with a broad smile aimed right at Ainsley.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga looks at the bird, then frowns. "Yes, I did. Not safe...? Hmm," she says, examining it. After a moment, Inga sighs and opens one of her pouches, dropping the bird inside. No bird-shaped lump remains. Indeed, it looks just as full as it was before she put it in. Inga blinks, watching Sakura as a strange object appears in her hand, then clouds begin to gather. The wisewoman's eyes widen at this. Getting straight to displays of magic, are we? When the little creature floats down, Inga looks a little stunned. Eventually she shakes her head, manners winning over the oddity of it. "Greetings," she says, then would accept a cup of tea.
Ainsley	Ainsley looks amused for a moment at Inga's discovery of the dangers of eating city pigeons. The lizard woman motions to the tea cakes instead, which are sweet and flavored with raspberry and other tart fruits and berries, either as a filling or frosting. She tried every which way she could. She soon turns her attention away from all of that, however, when the clouds collect... "Hello, sweetie," she says with a motherly warmth to the Cloud, the cute fae-like being prompting a rarely-seen level of happiness out of the lizard woman. "I haven't visited you enough, and I am sorry about that."
Sakura Kinomoto	Sakura doesn't seem to be treating the magic as a big deal, at least! She's already sat down, passing out the teacups and smiling brightly. "I'll be honest. I've been a little worried about Ainsley the past couple of days? So I wanted to see her," she says. To Inga, one assumes. "...Ainsley looks so much prettier when she smiles." Nod. The fae-like creature blinks as it's addressed by Inga! It tilts its head to one side, then gives a small, unsure wave - before quickly turning back to look at Ainsley. It opens its arms, offering a hug~ Apparently it doesn't begrudge her for not visiting. Also, apparently it can't talk.
Inga Freyjasdottir	One eyebrow climbs slightly as Ainsley greets the being with a large degree of familiarity. "A friend of yours hmm? A pleasure to meet you," she said to Cloud, smiling again to Ainsley as she reaches for a tea cake with strawberries on top. "These look delicious. So...cute," she says in admiration, already planning to make some herself. To Sakura, Inga nods. "Mmm...I'm glad to take part in the cheering up of Ainsley," she says, looking to her friend, laying a gentle hand on her arm for a moment. "Though I'm not sure what prettiness has to do with anything," she says with a slight quirk of her brow. Inga shrugs it off. Probably one of those expressions she just doesn't understand. "So, who is this? Are you a...ah...a summoner of beings, Ms. Kinomoto?" she asks, indicating Cloud. "Is it a local spirit?"
Ainsley	The offered hug is accepted! Ainsley reaches to gather up Cloud in a hug that lingers for a few seconds. Then she gentle sets the fae creature back down and rests a hand gently on the magical being's head, displaying that very friendly smile, like all her worries had melted away. It's that she's reminded of those same worries that makes her smile falter for a second, her gaze turning to regard Inga and Sakura. "I do not want to impose in any way," she tells the others, in reference to her emotions. She takes this opportunity to enjoy some tea and sweet tea cakes. She almost answers Inga's question out of reflex, but decides against it, instead smiling and watching Sakura for her explanation.
Sakura Kinomoto	Cloud happily hugs in against Ainsley, closing its - probably 'her' judging from the other Cards, but it's probably impolite to assume - eyes and letting out a soft sigh of contentment. It then takes the chair next to Ainsley's, using its little mobile cloud as a booster seat. It's really quite short, after all! Sakura takes one of the tea cakes, taking a small bite. "Mmmh..." she lets out in approval. "You're really not imposing! I totally get my own selfish desire to hang out with you and see Cloud happy out of this, too~" She giggles impishly. Then she turns to Inga! "Mmmh. Well..." She flicks her free hand, one of her Cards levitating up out of a pocket and floating up near to Inga. It shows its back before flipping around to reveal the face - which depicts a woman wearing vaguely Arabic clothes, meditating with legs crossed and apparently floating in the air. Her eyes are closed. Under the picture is the title 'The Sand', and then Sakura's name. "I'm the inheritor of these Cards. They were created by a man named Clow Reed." As she says this, the Cloud looks up eagerly to Sakura for a moment, before looking back to Ainsley when it realises she's just talking about its Creator. "They're... -like- nature spirits? But apparently they were all made from... giving life to spells, essentially?"
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga shakes her head at Ainsley. "Not at all...I could also use the company. Things have been...difficult, haven't they?" she replies with a sigh. Gods know its /her/ world Ainsley's problems came from. "How has Faruja been? How's the new house working out?" she asks, keeping talk going. Her and Faruja don't necessarily get along, but Inga's nothing but polite. Back to Sakura, Inga's brow furrows as she listens to the explaination. "Interesting," she remarks, not sure what else to say! It is a confusing sort of thing to her. Are these entities bound to these 'cards' somehow? Tea-sip.
Ainsley	"The cards are all beings of their own, attuned to their nature but essentially people," Ainsley supplements, gesturing to The Cloud as she says this, "This is why they are sometimes difficult to track down, and why it is possible to calm them and give them shelter under Sakura's guidance like any other person. In Cloud's case, I simply made an effort to be kind to her when she needed someone to do that for her." She flashes a gentle smile to the magical entity. She looks back to Inga, "Sadly, their natures are different than humans. They are elemental, and they need to spread the influence of their nature when they interact with the world. The Cloud filled a wide area with thick fog when she was lost, and others have accidentally caused damage and trouble trying to fulfill their nature without proper guidance." She then sips her tea once. "Faruja smells like gyshal pickles right now, but he is always happy when we are in the same room, enough to ignore the smell on his part. The house has been wonderful, but it is very large. I feel it needs more people to live in it or most of it will go unused for years."
Sakura Kinomoto	The Cloud smiiiiles warmly at Ainsley, then slowly moves its teacup to its lips, having to use both hands. Careful. Caaaareful. Siiiip. It may be obvious it's not actually used to manipulating objects with its hands like that... "Did you see the workers at the park on the way here? The Storm did a lot of damage about a month ago and they're still fixing it. I'm glad most of them don't cause that much damage, really..." Sakura reaches over to pat the Cloud on the head. "Cloud was really no trouble at all, thanks to Ainsley~" "I'm not... really sure I'm that good at giving them guidance. I've been meaning to let them out to stretch their legs more, but I don't really have the time to monitor them -and- do all the other stuff I need to do..."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga nods, lips purses thoughtfully, her teacup held halfway to her lips, steam rising. "I....see. I think I understand. The cards, are the bound to them in some way? I've never seen anything like it--a picture that becomes a being," she says before brining the cup to her lips and gingerly takig a sip of the hot liquid. "I did notice the workers, yes. I thought it only from a normal storm, or battle perhaps. Seem to wonder into those often," she grumbles quietly.
Ainsley	Ainsley turned her head to look toward the door as they spoke of the workers, her brows lifting in silent thought. Her gaze soon trails back to Inga and Sakura as the words are exchanged. "Once you have all of them back with you, talk with some of your allies in the Union and come up with social exercises. There are so many that you could simply have them interact with each other and still witness the most curious of stories unfold." She shows a warm smile. "Does it strain you at all to manifest them like this?" she wonders, looking over to Cloud again, briefly.
Sakura Kinomoto	Sakura hmms. "...That's an interesting question. I'm not entirely... sure? I mean, I think the Cards and the spirits of the Cards that I bring out to do magic are literally the same - the Cards are warm to the touch like living things, you know? I'm not sure if they transform or... project a body around themselves." Pause. "Although given the Little, Sweet and Sleep are smaller in spirit form than in Card form they probably transform. Or fold up really small." She giggles a bit self-consciously. "Nooot entirely sure how they really work..." she admits. "Hm. I have all but -three- of them back, now. So that's a thing I should be thinking about... Yeah. That could be pretty fun. I know the Dash really likes Yunomi..." "Aaah... a little?" she responds to Ainsley. "Keeping them -all- manifested would probably be kinda tiring, but just one isn't too bad. As long as Cloud doesn't do anything like cover the entire city in fog or something. That would be pretty tiring for me~"
Sakura Kinomoto	The Cloud looks up at Sakura with a slightly mischevious look in its eye... then goes back to tea-sipping.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga listens, sipping her tea, taking a bite of her cake now and then. "Ah! I think I understand. They draw upon your anima--your magical energy, whatever you call it," she says, nodding. "I know I certainly grow tired if I expend too much. Tend to pass out from blood loss if I use too much too quickly," she remarks casually. Mmm, tea!
Ainsley	For whatever reason, Ainsley has begun to quiet down, as she idly stuffs her face with tea cakes and washes those down with tea. She seems to zone out as they exchange words with each other, nodding only in acknowledgement of Sakura's words. She doesn't seem to be overly social right now, her constant aura of depression quite easy to read. It's hard to fix a problem like this with hugs and kindness, it seems.
Sakura Kinomoto	Sakura's tea halts inches from her face. She puts it down, staring at Inga. "-Blood loss-? Oh, man. The worst I have to worry about is... um... complete loss of muscle strength. ... I guess that isn't too much better honestly..." The Cloud looks up at Ainsley, and hmms a little bit to itself silently. It then places its teacup down, carefully, before jumping over into Ainsley's lap. It stands up in her lap, looking right into her eyes. Ainsley may note that, despite its childlike mannerisms and appearance, those eyes are... old. And then it tilts its head to one side, completely ruining the effect again.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga can't help but smile a little. She's shocked frequently by the things people can do, it is good to know she can shock a bit as well. "Most of what I do is blood magic--usually using my own blood. I...heal very quickly, but even so..." she waves it off, looking to Ainsley. Her smiles lips, her eyes growing distant. Should she....Look? Should she follow a strand of fate? Would it give her any comfort at all? Cloud jumps into Ainsley's lap. Pieces fo visions scatter like tiny fish that dark away and disappear back into dark waters.
Ainsley	A cloud creature leaps into Ainsley's lap, disrupting her thoughts and forcing a stare of surprise and confusion. She has to carefully set her cup aside while the Cloud stares at her, the look prompting nervousness... the lizard woman sometimes forgets that the concept of Clouds are both young and old. Clouds are constantly renewed, but have existed as a part of nature for as long as the Earth has had water. "Even if we clear out Aztlan, there is something else that we will have to hunt. I cannot help feeling like the endless fight will crush me under it, and I worry that there will just be another monster to gobble people up in the void of the ones we destroy," she tells Cloud, in a soft voice, as if understanding. "I do not mean to make you worry. There are simply some feelings that are difficult to defeat."
Sakura Kinomoto	Sakura leans forward. "Oh! Blood magic? I think I've heard you mention that... So you use blood to do magic, then? Is that how you see the future, too? Do you... make a pool of blood to look into or something...?" She doesn't look particularly distressed by the idea of using blood for magical rituals, at least. The Cloud keeps its head tilted to one side, then shakes it. It goes up on tip-toes to kiss Ainsley's forehead, before snuggling up into a hug. Ainsley gets the distinct impression of being being enveloped in something soft and cool. Almost like being surrounded by chilled cotton wool.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga shakes her head at Sakura. "That is not how I see the future, no...though I see other things. The past too. I see that...I see it almost all the time at the periphery of my vision, little snippets...sort of like pictures, mm? If I grab onto a strand of fate...it pulls me along and I /see/ it. Sometimes, the gods or spirits speak through me directly," she explains. "I can read runes as well. That helps sometimes, to put things into focus...or to ask the gods if they will speak," she continues. "The blood magic is also something I do, however. I use it for healing, warding, offensive magicks...there's much I can do with blood," she says, smiling slightly. Creeeeepy. Inga looks to Ainsley, frowning, closing her eyes. It doesn't actually stop any potential visions. "Yes Ainsley...I understand completely that worry. You're probably right. The Filth...It seems I am made to combat it. There is a long road ahead, I know with surity. The events are variable, always shifting...but I know, whatever it is, it shall not end soon," she sighs. It's a dark road they walk. Difficult not to think of it. Especially when she /sees/ it.
Ainsley	The lizard girl slowly calms and nearly dozes off in the Cloud's arms... she's cold-blooded so it's a little easy to make her pass out and snooze with a little chilly air and a relaxing seat in a safe place. Ainsley holds the magical cloud spirit, and turns her attention to Inga, and then to Sakura, and wonders with some quiet uncertainty, "Could you seek a vision for the path we travel with Aztlan?" She holds a hand out to Inga and smiles searchingly.
Sakura Kinomoto	"Everything will surely be all right," Sakura says, softly, with all the conviction with which she'd say something like 'the sky is blue'. "I think... Inga probably has better control of her visions than I do? But if you need a second opinion, I could probably help..." With a flick of two fingers, she produces another card from her pocket - this one is named 'The Dream'.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga sighs heavily. "Sometimes I have control...but more often not. Once I follow a thread, it sweeps me up and carries me along with it," she explains to Sakura. Then, to Ainsley, her lips thin. "I could. I don't know if it would give you comfort....but I can look. It might help. It isn't set in stone...things can be changed," she says. Inga glances to Sakura as she takes Ainsley's hand. Inga looks back to Ainsley, but her eyes are no longer seeing her.
Ainsley	Ainsley takes the hand, and stares into Inga's eyes. The vision comes, slowly filtering in. Black eyes that hide souls flood into the visions, belonging to people older than any living mortal. A guardian, a wizard, a warrior, a priest. Five diverging paths, and a great serpent in the sky with eyes of the blue sky, staring down the paths. The sky then burns and reveals an infinite, unknowable emptiness that threatens to swallow everything, and the serpent looks into it and stares into it, as if speaking war against something far greater than itself. The image burns away as if the weight of the events itself melted away. A glimpse of a dead world is seen... and a glimpse of a world saved from its suffering. The vision ends. Ainsley blinks in silent anticipation, unaware of what she just gave to Inga.
Sakura Kinomoto	Sakura is completely oblivious to vision shenanigans! As is the Cloud, but at least the Cloud is still cuddling up to Ainsley.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga speaks as the visions come, her voice distant and low, almost musical in quality. Her eyes remain unblinking, black holes in the world through which the prophecy machine is glimpsed. The tapestry, ever being woven, unwoved, rewoven in such maddening intricate detail. Inga shudders, a vibration that runs through all parts of her body, her soul plucked like a string. Inga's holding tightly to Ainsley's hand now, her eyes closing, shoulders slumping as she breathes, trying to ground herself back in the here and now. Trying to recover from what she's seen.
Ainsley	Ainsley almost pulls her hand away, but the tight grip prompts her to look down at the clasping fingers and back up to Inga's face. "I... have no idea what any of that means," she tells Inga, smiling warily at her friend. "I know the serpent is me. It describes my eyes. I suppose I should have expected it, but..." A beat. "What I do know if that was bound to happen anyways. Does that mean this war risks killing my entire world?" Ainsley creases her brow, the sheer responsibility of such a thing weighing on her even more.
Sakura Kinomoto	Sakura rests her head on one hand. "It also means there's a chance of your world being -saved-," she notes, with a smile. "...So I guess this means there's going to be four people down there that got sealed away or something? And five... wings or districts or something? Then something happens when they've all been explored? Something like that." She's experienced with interpreting visions, after all. Although she may also be entirely wrong.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga shudders again, pulling her hand aware to wrap her arms around herself. "Yes. Those are always the stakes. Those are the stakes...in so many places," she says, very quietly. Just how many times has she seen something like this? The answer is obviously 'too many'. Inga looks to Sakura. "Yes, it may still be saved."