002 - Voice (Action for crewmates)

[infinitime_loop]

[ It's hard to write when your fingers are freezing. After a few unsuccessful tries, Homura opts to go for a voice entry instead, keeping her teeth from chattering through sheer force of will alone. ]

This explains why the Backwater Brig's advertisement last week contained a disclaimer about anti-curse apparel. Perhaps the shopkeeper knew this unnatural cold, or something like it, was coming.

Has anyone found a way to warm up yet? The usual methods aren't working. Any information would be appreciated.

[ That's the extent of Homura's entry. Her crewmates won't find her in her usual spot in the crow's nest; instead, she's holed up in her room, cocooned in her blankets with only her face showing... for all the good that it does her. ]

Comments

[ action ]

[deathsought]

[ You'd think someone who could take a punch from Natsu without even as much a bruise afterward wouldn't be bothered by a little cold. But he was. He's freezing, and it shows. ]

No.

[ It's coming from the other room; formerly Madoka's Captain's Quarters. With its relative close proximity to the ship's galley (the only part of the ship where it's actually safe to light a fire, for obvious reasons), he's left his door open, hoping the hot air would warm the rest of the ship up. If it is, he can't feel it. ]

This... kind of magic. I-It doesn't... feel like any kind of magic from my world.

[ action ]

[infinitime_loop]

[ Homura wouldn't have been able to tell that there WAS a fire, if not for the sounds and scents coming from the galley. Still wrapping the blankets around her, she shifts into a sitting position, leaning against the wall. ]

It's... it's closer to a curse from the monsters we fight back home, if- if anything. Except a Witch's curse can't affect such a large area at once, and it always comes with a change in mental state...

[ Homura knows she's rambling a bit, but she feels like if she doesn't keep doing or saying SOMETHING, she won't be able to start back up again. ]

[ action ]

[deathsought]

[ He's heard that term come up before; 'Witch.' Apparently, in her world, it's not just a mage. He looks up from his spot on his bed, and attempts to get closer to the door; both to hear Homura better, and out of a vain hope that he'll feel the fire better. Needless to say, he doesn't. ]

Usually, t-the only way to resist magic is with more magic. I d-don't suppose any of your magic involves fire, or heat?

[ action ]

[infinitime_loop]

I don't have anything that convenient. B-Besides, no magic could reverse the effects of the last curse.

W-What about your magic?

[ action ]

[deathsought]

N-Nothing. Unless you would like for me to try summoning a demon that does.

[ He's not sure if that's worth the risk. And he's sure as hell not summoning Jackal for this. ]

voice;

[watchesthesea]

I think I might know of a way. Though I'm not sure how many people would actually do it.

[She figured it out by hugging her friend, so she knows.]

voice;

[infinitime_loop]

[ When she puts it like THAT, Homura can't help but be a little paranoid and/or worried. If there's the possibility that people would choose freezing to near-death over whatever solution Kairi claims to have found- ]

What is this way, and how bad is it?

voice;

[watchesthesea]

It's basically the normal way people greet each other. hand shake, hug anything that involves skin to skin contact. The closer the better.

[She can think people could shake hands, but it's not as effective at least to her, but then again ashe likes giving hugs.]

voice;

[infinitime_loop]

[ Oh, good, THAT'S simpler than she'd feared it would be. Still- ]

Holding hands with someone is enough to break the curse?

written:

[hostclubshadowking]

[It's been about three hours since the question was asked of the journal, but Kyouya finds it again.]

Human contact.

- Otori

written:

[infinitime_loop]

[ Short and to the point, and yet that raises a whole lot of questions that she'd rather not have to learn the answers to on her own. ]

Any kind of prolonged human contact?

written:

[hostclubshadowking]

Even just closeness seems to promote a bit of warmth, but any sort of contact works extremely efficiently, it seems.

written:

[infinitime_loop]

[ It takes a little longer for her to write a reply this time; she has to cross out one or two unsuccessful tries due to being unable to feel her fingers. ]

I see. Thank you for your answer.

Here's hoping the curse does not worsen.

[voice]

[oceanicbutterfly]

[Well, there's a voice Karen hasn't heard in a while.]

Physical contact. It seems we're meant to get together for the holidays.

[voice]

[infinitime_loop]

[ She hasn't had much reason to use the journal these past few weeks, especially after the center of her universe left this world. ]

Really? If that's the case, it's an unnecessarily elaborate way of getting us to do so.

[voice]

[oceanicbutterfly]

I can't think of any other reason that would work, and it does fit a pattern I've noticed. Some of the curses seem to be "seasonal." When people were becoming monsters, for instance--that would have corresponded with Halloween.

[voice]

[infinitime_loop]

Seasonal...? That would make sense.

[ Once is a coincidence. Twice is much more suspicious. A third time... ]

We'll know for certain when the next curse hits. If that truly is the pattern, perhaps we can find some way to prepare.

[Voice]

[undeadparts]

It's definitely unnatural. I don't even have a nervous system and I'm f-freezing...

[Ugg, this cold sucks and this blanket isn't doing anything. Zozo takes a moment or two to respond.]

It's gotta be some kind of curse. A strong one, too. I haven't been able to counter it with my magic at all...

[Voice]

[infinitime_loop]

I see.

[ Because really, how else do you reply to a statement like that? The subject change is welcome. ]

What kind of magic did you try to use against it?

[Voice]

[undeadparts]

[Nervous systems are so last year.]

The magic I use to reverse curses. It works against my sister and I, and our magic is pretty strong. So...

[So this isn't good, in other words.]

[Voice]

[infinitime_loop]

[ Oh, this is BEYOND not good. Especially if this curse becomes as deadly as the last one. ]

You're not alone. No one's magic seems strong enough to do anything about the worldwide curses here. We don't even know if these curses are a natural phenomenon or if there's a guiding mind behind all this.

[Action]

[deadlyribbons]

[Mami knocks politely at Homura's door.]

Homura-san? This is Mami Tomoe. May I come in?

[Action]

[infinitime_loop]

[ There's a rustling sound as Homura sits up and leans against the wall, the blankets still wrapped around her. ]

Of course. It's unlocked.

[ The first thing Mami will probably notice upon entering is the stuffed animals. Homura didn't have it in her to remove any of Madoka's belongings when she disappeared. And so the clutter- the decorations that are too cute to be Homura's, the thin layer of dust collecting on the things that haven't been used these past few weeks- just make the room look lonelier. ]

How have you been holding up?

[Action]

[deadlyribbons]

[Mami opens the door slowly. She's carrying a bundle of blankets and some kind of picnic basket. She's visibly shivering and her lips are very pale, probably pretty close to turning blue. But her smile is firmly in place, unwavering.]

Well I wouldn't mind a bit more sun but that's not going to stop us from having a tea party, is it?

[She notices the stuffed animals and she recognizes them as Madoka's. But she makes no comments. If anything her smile turns friendlier, warmer as she walks towards Homura.]

May I sit next to you?

[Action]

[infinitime_loop]

I doubt any more sun or tea will help. Nothing else has so far.

[ The basket gets a curious glance, but nothing else, because Homura can't help but stare a little at how pale Mami's lips are, even though she herself probably doesn't look much better. And while Homura marvels a little at how Mami can look so cheerful at a time like this, she doesn't smile back. It's nothing personal- she simply hasn't found much to smile about, lately. ]

[ Homura doesn't move when Mami approaches the bed- she doesn't even have to make room, since it was large enough to hold both her and Madoka without feeling cramped. She DOES hesitate slightly when Mami asks, but eventually nods. ]

... sure. If you're okay with it, I mean.