a welcome;

[mallowmods]

Who: Everyone and everyone!
What: Welcoming in the new members to Mallow Hallow
Where: Everywhere!
When: March 2nd.

[ Once everyone’s settled in their particular districts, no doubt thousands of questions running between each individual mind, there’s an announcement. Not over the devices, but rather in speakers all over each and every district. A familiar voice should ring out—you did, after all, hear the voice of your Queen earlier today. ]

Ahem! Can you hear me? Ah, right then.

Hello loveies! You might recall this particular visage which speaks before you—that is, I am your Queen. Call me Queenie, if you must! I’ve met you all on this particular day, and I find it important to bestow some of my boundless knowledge onto you, sweethearts.

Now! Done with formalities, let’s see where we stand… ah, yes! Might I be the first to welcome you all to Mallow Hallow, our wonderful little country. Not too big, not quite too small either! It’s just lovely, isn’t it? Oh, how all my new babies will love it here! Or—perhaps not. [ She clicks her tongue. ] Either way, it doesn't really matter. You're stuck here for the time, so do try to make the most of it, dears.

Of course, there are our sectors within Mallow Hallow. Six… [ There’s silence for a short moment. ] Yes, there are six, aren’t there..? Well, six different communities you might stem off from! Surely you remember the name from our meeting earlier? If not, I’m sure one of the regular inhabitants of each particular district will assist you in naming your new home!

Live where you’d like, eat what you’d like, do what you’d like! Our homes are now your homes, so please, consider us all a big happy family to you! Remember you can reach me or any of the other rulers of any of the districts, over at our voicemails! [ Somehow, that seems sarcastic… ]

Also, don’t cause any trouble, or I’ll personally end you. [ There it is. ]

I suppose that's all. Well then, bye now, dears! And let the word spread—Mallow Hallow is up and rising once again!

[ ooc: Quick links: Lochwell | Mallowhallow | Orlea | Astralfield | Crystalden | Highcrest | Whitewood | Network ]

Comments

[never_go_back]

[She doesn't seem to notice at first, for some reason her eyes are closed as she sips from her cup, then smiles.]

Another visitor?

[She stands up, but as she bows, she also opens her eyes.]

-Grk.

[On one hand, stranger things have happened in Nerima. On the other hand, there is a wolf sitting in front of her.]

Y- you.. Aren't expecting tea, are you??

[numen]

[ Amaterasu remains sitting, her tail starting to sweep along the ground the only sign of her amusement at Kodachi's reaction. She nods deliberately, almost primly. Yes, she understands, and yes, she is expecting tea.

Though it's only now that she's realizing that there's no polite way for her to drink it, but oh well. Small matters! ]

[never_go_back]

[Kodachi lurches back onto one foot and shrieks!]

Wha- the wolf is nodding at me!!!

[After a moment, she decides that isn't so much horrifying as it is rather amazing! She stands normally, and nibbles her thumb.. ]

This is a most unexpected situation.. And yet, such a well-mannered wolf graces my presence; what could this possibly mean? I suppose there is only one way to find out..

[Knelt once more, yet cheeks flaring red in embarrassment, she pours the green tea which cools from boiling rather quickly, all the while she stares, expecting something.]

[numen]

[ Hopefully she's expecting more of the unexpected, because after she pours the tea Amaterasu, without a doubt, bows slightly to her in thanks. She's making a special effort to try and be polite without causing her hostess undue stress! The girl doesn't seem to recognize her and yet is still serving her tea. It's an interesting sort of person who'll do that!

Amaterasu leans forward, sniffing at the tea gently before... well, okay, there's no getting around it. She's in the form of a wolf, after all, so the only way she can drink the tea is by carefully lapping it up.

She quickly finishes and sits back up, licking her lips. Tilting her head to the side and considering Kodachi, Amaterasu finally comes to a decision and uses the barest touch of her power to make a single flower grow and bloom next to the empty tea cup. Her tail's back to wagging as well, a much more mundane display of her pleasure. ]

[never_go_back]

Ah!!

[Kodachi expects and unexpects at the same time. She stares, no, she gawks in awe at the nodding, the 'drinking' then, most perplexing of all, grows a flower. She lurches back in shock again, her brow twitching a few times.]

... This day I, Kodachi 'The Black Rose' Kuno, have partaken in a tea ceremony with a white wolf. Wh- What.. What could this possibly mean? Is this some sort of sign?

Have I been blessed with some sort of guidance toward my journey toward greatness?

[She then grips her head.]

Or could it perhaps mean that I have finally succumbed to psychosis? It cannot be!! Dear wolf, is it true? Have I finally gone mad?!

[numen]

[ "Interesting", Amaterasu is learning, seems an appropriate word to use for her hostess. It's also a good thing she's not inclined toward speaking, because this would probably be a very bad time to start.

Instead she snorts in disdain at Kodachi's question, looking away briefly to emphasize just how much she thinks the question is off base. Hey, she might very well be totally mad, but it isn't any of Amaterasu's doing. She hopes that the girl understands, else Amaterasu might have to resort to dousing her in cold water to snap her out of this fit. She'd rather not do that, and she sighs slightly at the thought. ]

[never_go_back]

[Actually she finds the snort.. Adorable, in a way! She can't help but giggle, for the briefest of moments forgetting her troubles, but then she's back in the moment with a serious nod of her head.]

Really? Well, if a wolf says so, it must be true!

[She settles down.]

Perhaps I am looking at things the wrong way. According to folklore, farmers once worshipped wolves at shrines in exchange for protection of crops from boar and deer.

But, I have no need of such services.

[numen]

[ Amaterasu just doesn't have the patience to slowly snap someone out of hysteria. Or to deal with them in that state in the first place. It's a relief, then, that this Kodachi is willing to take her at her word. Or snort, whichever.

That last line, however, makes Amaterasu's ears prick up. She has no need of "such" services? To Amaterasu, that implies that she needs something, and she's more than willing to help out. So she barks softly, her head once again tilted as she watches Kodachi, her gaze clearly expecting something. This is the part where people tell her their troubles! ]

[never_go_back]

[Kodachi takes another deep drink from her cup, followed shortly after by a wistful sigh. She notices Amaterasu's reaction, then blinks rapidly.]

Hmnn? You wish to hear my tale of tragedy? Well, it is a story of loss! You see, I come from a well-off family, with a well-off school life and a reputation as Queen of Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics. And then one day..

[She clenches one hand into a fist.]

I fell in love. In love with a common man! The moment I laid eyes on him I knew that I would, one day, have eight children with him!

[Suddenly a hanky is in hand, which she uses to dab at her cheeks.]

But now.. I am left without love, without family, and never again will I hear the cheers after a well-fought battle. I simply have no direction in life, Miss Wolf. What is a girl to do?

[numen]

[ Honestly, Amaterasu is only half-paying attention to Kodachi's tale. Mostly because she's trying to figure out what in the world Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics is. And why she seems to be encountering so many queens lately.

On the other hand, the girl does seem to be genuinely distraught. Amaterasu sighs herself, her ears turning down. Sometimes it was so much easier to have Issun there to speak for her. But wishing won't make it so, and she stands and slowly paces over to Kodachi, pressing her head into her hand in an attempt to give the girl some comfort. Everyone here had people and things that they missed, after all.

It's not her only answer to the question, but it's a good start. ]

[never_go_back]

[Why it's only the greatest thing ever! It doesn't even occur to Kodachi that the wolf would have no idea what it was, it's simply that great! But, more importantly is her woe, and the Black Rose actually seems touched by the gesture in the end.]

Are you trying to tell me something? What?

[She leans her head down, head turned toward Amaterasu's muzzle.]

You're saying that rather than weep about it, that I start a new chapter in life and seize opportunity to the mountaintop before it is too late, and decisively crush those that stand in my way? [She cups the sides of the wolf's face, her eyes wide.] Why.. Why that is brilliant!

[numen]

[ ...You know what? That's actually fairly close to what she was planning on saying. Minus the bit about crushing people, but if the girl's feeling motivated again and not wallowing in her own misery, that's pretty much good enough for Amaterasu.

One only hopes she isn't making a giant mistake.

She yips softly in confirmation, her tail wagging swiftly - she's clearly pleased by Kodachi's decision. Life is what one makes of it, after all, and there seem to be too many people here caught up in their circumstances to realize that. And queens have duties to attend to, even if they're far from home! ]

[never_go_back]

[What's the worst that could happen?? The inspired young lady sets the cup down so that she can pull the wolf into a hug! ]

Thank you so very much Miss Wolf, no, Great Flower! For truly you have blessed this once-distressed maide- hmn, what's this? Some sort of divine artifact?

Ah, so it appears the legends of the wolf hold true here; that could only mean that I, too, shall be blessed with fertility should I hope to have children! How wonderful!

[Leaning back she lightly claps her hands and giggles in excitement.]

But! Before I allow myself to become too greedy, it is only proper that I provide a proper donation in exchange for your first service. That is, unless the tea was suitable, Great Flower?

(OOC: If you'd like to continue this in the other welcoming thread, let me know!)