Scene #2561: Tea Party For Dolls

Owner	Pose
Circe	The Island of Aeaea is a tropical paradise, and when Alice arrives across the clear, blue waters, it becomes quite apparent. Regardless of what the temperature and weather are like outside of this Territory, here it's pleasantly warm and sunny. The sparkling sand on the beaches is perfect, near-white, and smooth. There are not jagged bits of things hidden in the grains, the sand somehow doesn't get hot enough to burn the flesh no matter how much sun it receives, and various gorgeous women in ancient Greek attire run, play, or lounge about on the shores. Up from the beach a marble path leads into and through dense jungle filled with the sounds of tropical birds. Lions, bears, wolves, and other wild animals frolick around together like domesticated pets, and eagerly come up to greet any visitors, perhaps even lolling onto their backs for belly rubs. Bowls of fruit and sweet water rest within gazebos and rest stops along the long walk from the beach to the end of the path, for those who wish to take their time and take a break. More of the nymphs and nereids also sit and talk between themselves, or work to keep the gazebos replenished, or attend to the grooming of the 'wild' beasts along the way, until eventually the palace of Circe comes into view. Perhaps not quite as big of a palace as the modern world would consider it, it's still an impressive edifice, perhaps closer to a very large mansion. Three stories tall, with a multitude of windows and balconies. Whenever Alice arrives there, she will find herself being welcomed at the door by Caster who is wearing more casual clothing. Something taken from the 'modern' world. A red sling bikini with a straw sunhat strapped to the top of her head with a purple ribbon, her long mane of fire-red hair cascading down below her waist. "Welcome~!" Caster lilts.
Alice Margatroid	The Island of Aeaea, a place where Alice has not heard before the invitation. Hourai and Shanghai float around Alice slowly as she takes careful, measured steps upon the island and over the beach and through the jungle, "Mm, the area reminds me of Gensokyo. So clean." and a smile upon her face as she continues along, taking curious looks at the supposedly wild animals being unusually docile around, not to mention recalling the women on the beach in odd attire. "I seem to be overdressed for the occasion..." she mutters to herself, Shanghai giving her energetic smile and floating backwards in front of Alice. "It's okay! I'm sure she'll understand!" before zooming off and petting one of the wolves who's splayed out for rubs. Alice does make a couple stops, refreshing herself and giving thanks to the hosts of the nymphs and nereids, pulling out a small pad to inscribe something, using the Grimoire as a hard surface to write on. "Marisa might want some notes here..." "If she will even allow Marisa in, Alice." "Yep! But it won't hurt to ask, right?" And with reaching the end of the path, the mansion really catches her eyes, "This is more impressive than the Scarlet's mansion, Remilia might get jealous." Alice finally turns her attention to the woman addressing her... "I am overdressed." "Caster, I presume? It's appreciated that you've invited me into your home, and I will add that your home is impressive and reminds me of my own home." a light smile comes to Alice's face, Hourai and Shanghai moving to frame Alice's sides. "If... I knew that you were wanting a beach visit, I would have dressed accordingly so do forgive if I'm not in proper attire for this visit."
Psalm	Father down the beach, in one of those lovely relaxing chairs, with a sunhat pulled low over her face... is another redheaded lady. Despite Caster's outlandish outfit, this lady is wearing a comfortalble looking one piece purple suit, that shows off quite the collection of tattoos on her arms and legs. There is a warming bottle of wine at her side, nestled in the sand. She is snoring.
Circe	"Not at all, not at all! You are my guests. Dress as you wish." Caster seems far more sociable than she did at Phase Rock. Though even there, she was probably considerably more pleasant than Nonon. "Yes, I am Caster. Your kind words do me a great honor. Thank you for coming. Is there anything you need? Food, drink? Would you like to come inside to the feast table, or perhaps sit in the shade? I believe my dear sister is on the beach... I could bring us back to her, though you already walked all this way. It would be a shame to head back right away." Snapping her fingers, several nymphs bring jugs of wine and less-alcoholic fruit juice, and golden platters covered in various rich vegetarian delicacies, including some more modern additions to the menu such as chocolate. Still-warm melted chocolate drizzled upon strawberries and nectarines, is just one example, looking as though it was prepared only seconds before. A huge pile of icecream and bananas in a hollow, silver, swan-shaped punch bowl-sized vessel is carried out and set down on a spindly, green-glass table. "Anything at all!" Caster offers with a smile.
Alice Margatroid	Alice takes a look around and gives a nod, "I could not very well turn down an invitation after such gifts have been given to me, Caster. It's... good to see you outside of our last circumstance, you are a lot more pleasurable to speak to than one person I encountered there..." she lets her voice drop off a bit and perks a bit at the offerings, "Some shade would be nice, and tea, it's a good staple from where I come from." a pause, "So that lady in purple and bottle of wine is your sister? She seems to be enjoying herself on your beach." a pause and Shanghai speaks up, "It's really nice of you to let us come to your home!" Out of politeness and not of need, Alice does pick up a couple of the chocolae drizzled strawberries, popping them into her mouth and having a good taste. Her eyes perk and a slightly brighter smile escapes those lips, "These are delicious. Such a delicasy is rare enough to see in Gensokyo." a pause, "Remilia doesn't share her finer stuff often..." with another look around, "Pardon the question but do you spoil all your guests or is this just for me? I know you wanted to talk from that message you sent me."
Psalm	There's a sharp, vacuum noise from behind the pair, and the lady under the sunhat steps sideways out of reality. "Mmmmh, I sensed food. Hallo." She shuffles sleepily over to Caster and kisses her on the cheek. "Solanda is... she is congenitally nice to visitors. It's charming, really. You'll have to excuse her." The redhead smiles, and lifts a hand. "Hallo, I'm Magatha Songsteel, and that's my sister Solanda. Nice to meet you, Miss Margatroid."
Circe	Caster bows her head in acknowledgement both of Alice and of Shanghai. "You are most welcome. And that is why I wished to meet you, yes. That was handled poorly. And in a way I would have advised against had I been aware of what was going on at the time." She gestures towards some marble benches in the shade, surrounding the icecream-laden table, and moves there, bare footed on the smooth marble blocks that comprise the path and courtyard. "As a hostess, I treat every guest as an honored one, provided they do not come with hostile intent." Then suddenly Maggie is there and smooching her cheek! "Oh, how fortunate. Now we don't have to go all the way back to the beach. Thank you, dear." 'Solanda' gives Psalm a cheek-smooch back. Then she carefully seats herself, crossing one tan leg over the other, and only after checking if Psalm wants to eat or drink anything does she partake of the treats offered. Including what appear to be gourmet candy bars. Not the things you get in a wrapper, but more like whipped-chocolate covered in dark chocolate ganache and sliced into chunks, chocolate and peanut butter cups the size of whole pies, and other candy done up the way that someone with a huge chocolate addiction and no need to be concerned about her figure might want her candy. She seems to want to put off the business aspect until she's sure her guests have had their fill of pleasure. "Would you like a back rub? A trip to the hotsprings? Perhaps some music or other entertainment? I think I have some dancing sharks around here..."
Psalm	Psalm sighs as some of the more... outlandish ideas of how to cater to the guest come out, and she sits in the chair. "Solanda, she may not have time for all that... Remember, some people are busier than you." A little stick of her tongue, and the bard... well it's a less than subtle shift as her outfit changes from the sleek swimsuit to something more homey. A red tunic and leater breeches and a white blouse underneath. Like a proper adventurer.
Alice Margatroid	Alice blinks, "I only know of one other person who does that when food is around..." she gives a light chuckle, shaking her head lightly before giving a curtsey to the new arrival, "Its... it's a pleasure Miss Songsteel." she replies in kind, and gets a revelation of the Caster's name. "The hot springs do sound nice, but I regret to inform you that I did not bring a change of clothing to enjoy the hot springs with. And Miss Songsteel..." a hmm at the outfit change, "is right. However it is I who do not wish to take up your time as a guest to your manor." Hourai shakes her head a bit, "What she is trying to say is that we will be glad to at a later time but she wishes to get down to the meat of buisness, without trying to offend." "Hourai..." "Furthermore, it was handled poorly, Alice stated she would have used a spellcard if she pressed any further into annoying her. Though, your invitation was well received as the more amiacable of the two and from your offerings, the more willing to actually speak about it properly than to lead her on." Shanghai grins a bit, "That's the bit of it! Sorry Alice!" Alice is hiding her face behind her grimoire right now, "You two..."
Circe	The red-headed Servant huffs slightly and says, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to train sharks to dance? Or rather to train dancers to dance in their new bodies after making them into sharks? One of them STILL can not keep rhythm with the others! He keeps doing his own thing!" Caster turns to Alice at the protest of lacking a change in clothing. "You are in luck~! I happen to be quite good at weaving! I'll have swimsuits for you all in short order!" Ah, but then Hourai and Shanghai clarify matters through more direct means, and Solands bows her head. "I understand. You are welcome to return at a more suitable time then. For now, we shall discuss 'business'. I can not offer you Phase Rock on my own, and have not received any notification from the higher-ups regarding if you shall be permitted to. I don't know on whose authority that Jakuzure girl decided to turn you away, or if she simply was oblivious to the report filed about our first encounter, or what-have-you. But though I can not offer you the usage of Phase Rock, I can offer you magic energy. I have the ability to siphon prana from plant life. I may be able to construct an object for you that will allow you to do the same temporarily. If you were to travel to a place rich in plant life, you could gather a great deal of energy. You could even limit the amount taken so as not to overly harm the environment if you so wished." Caster's red eyes with their vertical-slit pupils flick to the side for a moment, beyond Psalm, and then the Servant suddenly moves forward on the bench and waves a hand excitedly as she describes in more detail, as nymphs and nereids try to escort a quartet of sharks walking on their fins back to the ocean before Alice or the other two can notice. Their services will not be needed today. "The ability to drain energy from plants will not remain long-term, and the range is limited. But a good walk through a forest or a nature hike or something should let you gather plenty in passing. Though if you move more slowly you could probably petrify a lot of trees. May I ask what you need this energy for?"
Psalm	Magatha... stays quiet as Caster makes that particular offer. That's not one she's able to do herself, though... blighting an area for a magical source is something she's familiar with. A look to the Dollmaker, and Magatha murmurs. "Is there some sort of specific conduit that you need to perform... whatever it is you are doing? By what medium must the magic be powered?"
Alice Margatroid	Alice is only slightly red at the offer of Solanda making swimsuits for the three, to which Shanghai is cheering and Hourai is staring at her 'sister' in a "Stop it" sort of fashion. Though as the conversation quickly turns to the actual buisness, and return being secured, Alice visibly relaxes and turns to her normal shade, giving a light nod at the woman. "Perhaps that would be the next best thing, I am not willing to make enemies over a rock. But I digress, that Jakuzure girl does not seem to know proper procedure.. or even a modicum of tact." Then the offer of a device to help piques her interest, "Even Marisa does not know this, unless she's been sneaking into my house, but it's a goal that I am working towards." as she gives a look between Shanghai and Hourai. "At the moment, these two represent the pinnacle of my study, my power. I'm looking to extend it, to make a doll that is truely autonomous... one of its own free will. That is what I'm needing the magical energy for. The cloth is, admittedly, an afterthought, ideas for outfits for her to protect my project as secondary to her." a pause, "I must confess that, while truthful that I am a dollmaker, that being a magician is also why. But this need not go outside this Island, if you would be kind to keep the secret. I'm not sure what Marisa... or even Reimu... would do if they were to find out." "As for the device itself," Alice starts, "you said it drains the energy from plants? Perhaps I can pick up a few different sources of energy in the Forest of Magic then..."
Alice Margatroid	"I will persue anything to reach this, though, I do have time. A lot of time..."
Circe	"A few strands of my hair woven into a specially-designed talisman should suffice. Or perhaps a scarf with the proper patterns." Caster answers Psalm. "The strands will eventually break down when they run out of my own mana. Admittedly, part of the talisman's extracted energy will go towards sustaining them. But that diversion will be minimal by design, so that the majority is retained by the one gathering it. Long-term, it would not be a simple matter to continuously gather sufficient prana to keep even a piece of a Servant intact without significant harm to the environment. Though with the Multiverse as big as it is, there are probably lots of plants to drain, they aren't always conveniently next to each other." Turning her attention back on Alice, Solanda quirks an eyebrow. 'Magician' means something else to her than it does most people, though she has learned the other definitions. "Very interesting~! Well, I hope it will be of use to you then. I will get started on crafting it right away. And you need not worry about me or Magatha It would be inexcusable to share information given in confidence as a guest with those not authorized. Maggie understands the laws of hospitality, I'm sure." Caster plucks out a few strands of her own hair. They seem to wisp and move in an unseen air current. Perhaps the gentle breeze off the ocean, carrying with it the scent of salt water? "Do you have a preference for what these will be put into? A pendant? A scarf? A dress? A support garment? An umbrella?"
Alice Margatroid	Alice sips on a bit of tea that was convinently placed beside her, giving a light nod as she listens to Solandra with a nod, "Alright, the last thing I wish to do is harm something as such." though her eyes pique at the word Servant... "I am sure it will be of good use to me and I do thank you for it." she reaches behind her, fumbling with something only to finally pull it out from some hidden stash. "This may not be much in terms of payment, but this is one of my tools. It's a doll filled with magic powder, designed to explode after contact." it looks almost like Solandra. "I've included a slip of paper with the incantation to activate the powder to make it volatile and I can provide a small amount more if its nessecary to fufill a proper agreement." Though, when the suggestions of where to put the strands of hair are mentioned, "I would not like anyone to know it is active, I would think somewhere hidden." a pause "So a supporting garment would be preferrable. After all, it will keep not only my secret a secret... but your assistance a secret as well." Shanghai giggles some at this and Hourai shakes her head, "In addition, it'll lessen the chance a fairy would want to rip out the new 'shiny', as well, ruining my collection." Alice takes one more sip, "And... I have a question of my own. Aside from the obvious term, what is a Servant?"
Circe	Caster nods thoughtfully as she looks Alice over, taking in her measurements by eye. "Understood. I'll have it ready before you leave." The offer of an exploding doll sparks a memory. That was mentioned before as well. A temporary gift for a temporary gift? Seems fair. Though a single explosive doll is perhaps a bit paltry compared to what Alice is getting... But perhaps studying the powder inside would grant Solanda the knowledge of how to make more eventually. Alchemy, you know. If it expands her knowledge, it can't be a bad deal! "It is appreciated. As for a Servant, we are heroes and legendary figures who have been summoned to the present and granted bodies comprised of concentrated magical energy. We have high energy requirements to remain functional, but even the weakest Servant has physical abilities ten times that of a strong adult human. I, for instance, could probably crush a human skull in the palm of my hand with little difficulty." She smiles sweetly. "We have other abilities as well, but I'm sure there's many people who could tell you more about us if you ask them~." Caster then floats up onto her feet and struts away towards the palace, calling out over her shoulder, "I'll get started on your special present~. Let the nymphs know if you need anything!"