View source for 2714/Tale of a Cursed Painting: The Whispering Willow

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2025/07/31
|Location=Penguin Park - Museums
|Synopsis=Another cursed painting shows itself, and it's up to the Princess of Sarek, Snow Angel Mou Fubuki, Pulp Noir, Magical Rocket Girl Red and Sailor Moon to retrieve the relic that animated it and bring an end to yet another cycle of kidnappings.
|Cast of Characters=145,82,43,127,107
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:145|Princess of Sarek (145)}} has posed:'''<br>It might not come as a surprise to some that rumours have started surrounding Pikarigaoka's Art Museum yet again, but for once, the Magic in the Making Exhibit is wholly not to blame. This change of pace is instead involving a painting on the second floor, titled "The Whispering Willow".<br><br>According to the voices, people have been disappearing around it for many hours, only to reemerge with a complete blank as to where they have been, the sole exception being some vague impression about shifting trees.<br>It didn't take long for Veronica to catch on whatever seemed to be responsible had now made its return. She never did find out why there were no greed demons, or how her relics ended there. The brunette could at least take solace that it still is not harming people for whatever reason, no matter how long has it been since then.<br><br>&lt;PHONE&gt; Veronica Perenna texts Laisa Samuiko: Snowsweet, I am about to investigate a cursed painting at a museum.<br>&lt;PHONE&gt; Veronica Perenna texts Laisa Samuiko: Wanna come with?<br>&lt;PHONE&gt; Veronica Perenna texts Laisa Samuiko: It's "The Whispering Willow" at Pikarigaoka's Art Museum, on the second floor.<br>&lt;PHONE&gt; Veronica Perenna texts Laisa Samuiko: This might be fun. It has never been dangerous before.<br><br>With her girlfriend warned, Veronica immediately makes a trip to her destination, and it doesn't take long for her to find the culprit on the left wing, in a desert spot. It's a normal summer afternoon, which does make it a bit unusual, but either a fresh batch of victims, or the rumours keeping people away, could be a reasonable explanation.<br><br>"<span style="color:#5491FF">Moonlit Heist, Phantom Thief Release, My Evolution!</span>", Veronica calls out, snapping her fingers and summoning the Hallward painting's blessing. Glowing mist wraps around her, and her magical garments materialise, accompanied by feline ears sprouting from her scalp, and a swishing tail emerging behind her.<br><br>"<span style="color:#5491FF">The Princess of Sarek, with hope held tight, I leap through shadows to light up the night!</span>" she sings the final verse, holding her cane tightly in her hand.<br><br>"Yup, I see it now", she says while looking for magic traces inside the painting. "Really, long time no see", the cat thief gives a curious glare at the canvas. At least no people appear in the image. That should make things easier.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:82|Hinote Kagari (82)}} has posed:'''<br>"People are vanishing, Hinote. You know what that means!?" Tracy says with uncontained eagerness. "INVESTIGATION!" says Tracy. Hinote Kagari decides to relent before Tracy can force a Chara-Change. So thusly, Hinote Kagari just pays for a muesum ticket for the day and starts exploring around. "It was a dark and stormy night..." Narrates Tracy. "We broke into the gallery, to find a kidnapper." he says. Hinote sighs. "It is a nice day and I ''paid for the ticket!''."<br><br>"Semantics." narrates, Tracy.<br><br>Tracy ehs and leads Hinote to where he just felt Veronica Transform and soon Hinote catches up. "My Heart, Unlock!" he calls out, as he and Tracy merge and become Pulp Noir. Detective. He places a hand into his coat's pocket as the other grips the rim of his fedora. "Hey, Princess." he says.<br><br>"What's going on here now. Is this related to the dissapearances?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Usagi Tsukino is at the museum to investigate the mysterious exhibit, intending to take a bunch of pictures again and sprawl on Mamoru's huge couch so they can finally talk about maybe breaking into the museum and letting him touch touch touch all the maybe magic stuff he wants to get his magic hands on... <br><br>But she'd brought the big backpack, and after remembering the security the museum exhibit had... she'd decided to go downstairs, drink some of her water, eat some of her snacks, and relax. <br><br>...Only to catch a glimpse of the Princess of Sarek in full gear and choke on her egg salad sandwich. <br><br>"Vwewonifa?!" After an eye watering swallow and a few coughs, she tries again, this time remembering to whisper-hiss the correct name. "Sarek-chan?! Is there uh - is there some kind of business going on?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:127|Laisa Samuiko (127)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Laisa Samuiko hears a familiar 'ping' on her cellphone: the exact chime she set aside for texts from Her Girlfriend. The speed and eagerness with which she responds causes some of the people around her to wonder if she's having some kind of family emergency, though their concerns are alleviated when they see how her face brightens up.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A cursed painting, and Veronica is inviting her along? Sounds like an adventure!<br><br>&lt;PHONE&gt; Laisa Samuiko texts Veronica Perenna: You know I would love to.<br>&lt;PHONE&gt; Laisa Samuiko texts Veronica Perenna: I'll be right there.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A while later, Mou Fubuki is ice skating her way towards the Pikarigaoka Art Museum. When she gets closer, she lets the ice blades on her feet shatter and disperse before she starts exploring the museum on foot. Of course, she was given exact directions, so it doesn't take her very long to find her catgirlfriend.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, Usagi, Pulp Noir," she says, voice cold but not in a mean way, more like a distant tone. Her lips curl into a tiny smile as she addresses Veronica. "Sarek-chan. Is this the painting that concerns you?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy's relaxing in her dorm room on the computer, when she comes across rumors of a ''magic painting'' and she can't help but feel kind of eager to check it out. The previous paintings were ''interesting'', and in some ways fun!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She walks into the room where the others have gathered, henshined but in her school uniform, Just A Totally Normal Student Here To Look At Paintings, and looks between the assembled group. "Oooh, so we all noticed it, huh?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks from Veronica to the painting. "So, what do you know about this one...?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:145|Princess of Sarek (145)}} has posed:'''<br>Veronica's smile widens from one side of her face to the other when she receives the text confirming Laisa is coming, and she gives out a gleeful sigh.<br><br>"Hello, Noir", the Princess of Sarek tips her hat to the detective with a chipper tone. "You could say that. It has all to do with the disappearances, in fact. I don't suppose you have heard about people disappearing around paintings before, have you?" She has no idea how much the voice has spread on that matter, with and without the Veil's meddling.<br><br>"Mou Fubuki!", the moonlit thief cheers, practically throwing herself into the snow angel's embrace. "Yup, this is the one. Seems like we have a forest on our hands", she tilts her head towards the painting, showing an endless group of trees.<br><br>"Hi, Usagi", the cat thief greets happily the other blonde girl. "Wanna drop everything? Seems like the worlds beyond the canvas have made a comeback." She doesn't really adds more to that since the Sailor Senshi had been to all of them, and probably doesn't need a brushup.<br><br>Amy meanwhile has just reached them, and is asking for one. "Only that it involves this forest painting. I don't know which of my relics is the cause, or how they keep ending here."<br><br>The Princess of Sarek turns towards the painting again. "I am gonna go. See you on the other side", she tells the group, and a specific message to Mou Fubuki. "Just let yourself be dragged in, the rest will come, and it doesn't hurt."<br><br>With a leap, Veronica's form blurs and disappears, finding her place on the canvas. If the rest of them imitates her, they will find Veronica waiting in an undergrowth, trying to perceive which would be the right direction. Inside the painting, the trees however stretch around and especially upwards, forming a canopy overhead in a dense mantle of air.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:82|Hinote Kagari (82)}} has posed:'''<br>"Eh? No I have not." he says as he releases the brim of his hat, looking into the painting. "This isn't the first time? So-- what does a -woah!" he goes as The Princess jumps into the painting? Huh. That's a thing. Are people...disappearing into the painting? Getting lost in a big forest?<br><br>He decides to follow, turning towards the painting. "Come on, ya jalopy, let's go." he says.<br><br>He lets himself get pulled in and soon he's among the trees with the others that have followed as he whistles, the masked detective looking upwards as he grips the top of his hat as he looks upwards.<br><br>"That's a big forest. I can see getting lost in here." he says a bit gruffly.<br><br>He starts looking around for clues, if people are vanishing into the painting. There should be signs of that, right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:127|Laisa Samuiko (127)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mou Fubuki happily holds Veronica in her slightly chilly embrace, wearing a small smile as she listens to her darling. As her icy blue eyes turn towards the painting, she comments, "A forest, you say? Ah, this is one of those painting worlds you were telling me about, right?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She releases Veronica as the cat thief starts walking towards the painting, and after giving everyone a glance and a nod, Mou Fubuki strides towards the suspected art piece. At Sarek's words, Mou says, "I trust you with my life, dearest."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Following suit after the painter and the detective, the snow angel leaps into the painting. Taking a moment to take in her surroundings, she comments, "Trees in every direction. I don't suppose anyone has carved a hideout into one of them here, too?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Heck yeah! More exploring painting worlds! [Lets-a-go!]" After Veronica leaps into the painting, Amy takes a few steps back and then takes a running jump into the painting, imitating Mario's "Woohoo!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inside, she eagerly looks at her hands, and arms, and the rest of her... "...Oh. I guess it's like Kingdom Hearts, and only ''some'' of the levels transform us."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks up at the scenery. "Admittedly, I'm not sure what this painting would make us. Some kinda plant people, maybe.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Beat.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy's shoulders slump and she narrows her eyes slightly. "Then again, maybe it's better it didn't."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then she perks up again, looking around with interest. "Do you think ground-level is the part we should be exploring, or are the places of interest up there?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"A forest of giant trees feels like a place we'd be exploring in D&amp;D." Since the painting didn't provide a costume change, she does it herself, conjuring a witch-or-wizard type outfit with a maroon wide-brimmed hat and cape over loose offwhite shirt and pants, with leather gloves and boots and belt and a wooden staff. And fox ears and a tail.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...Has anyone else here even sat in on the RPG club's D&amp;D campaign? It's clearly her character, if so.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After adjusting her hat to tilt back a bit so the brim isn't blocking the top of her visual field, she looks back to Veronica, smiling. "So it was... trees this time, right? But they're everywhere, it's a ''forest...''"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy focuses, trying to remember. "No... it was ''shifting'' trees. I wasn't sure what that meant, but..." She walks over to the nearest tree, places her hand on it, and stares at the bark intently for several seconds to see if the tree 'shifts' or changes in any way.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"There are people disappearing?! Oh - wait! This is like before!" Well that answers the question on whether Usagi knew about it or not. "Sure, I'll drop everything, those painting worlds were pretty fun." <br><br>She might not be as Lets A-Go, I'm-a Mario about it as Amy, but there's a good amount of enthusiasm to Usagi's voice as she enters the painting world after the orders - it's only once they're inside that she transforms into Sailor Moon; her clothes turning into a mass of ribbons and then solidifying as her Sailor Fuku in a few bright seconds of light. <br><br>She looks around the enormous forest, the trees stretching high over head, and whistles. <br><br>"Wow! I don't think I've ever seen a forest this... ''foresty''." She turns to the others. "What about you guys - Amy-chan that outfit is so cute!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:145|Princess of Sarek (145)}} has posed:'''<br>When the air feels dense, it's like it's clinging to the skin in a rather uncomfortable stamp, and the trees don't really help with making someone feel more welcome, contorted in unusual shapes, and there is the distinct feeling everything is watching you, and you are not welcome here. There is an indistinct pressure, but it resists definition, but otherwise it resists definition.<br><br>Pulp Noir's search of places people might have been at is soon rewarded with a subtle showing of broken twigs and fallen leaves. At her roughly left, Veronica starts falling in line with everyone else. "Good job, Noir, one can really see why you are a detective", the cat thief muses, squeezing herself in at the mention of its vastness.<br><br>"I would say it is, yeah", the moonlit magical girl mentions, remembering how they had already made that comparison. "Remember that time we explored those futuristic ruins and everyone else stayed normal, but you became a robot of sorts?", Veronica considers to Puella Red.<br><br>For all you joke at the mass of trees doesn't seem to resist definition, and trying to follow the mess of broken twigs doesn't really give any further clues. "Ok, this is odd", the cat thief looks around, trying to get a definition of any sort in here. "I don't really see any hideout, but if I do, I will tell you", Veronica considers with a smile to Laisa.<br><br>However one can see Veronica's smile drop in record time when trying to dive through some trees gets her barely scraping by. "What the heck is that?", her brow furrows, while her tail twists around her own waist. "I was sure there was enough space!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:127|Laisa Samuiko (127)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Mou Fubuki sees the trail of twigs and leaves that Pulp Noir has discovered, she starts following it, keeping her gaze to the ground and studying it with a pursed frown. "You know, this place seems a bit... nondescript? I'm not sure how we can tell if we've been here before or not," she notes. "Maybe that's how the others got lost."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After thinking about it for a moment, Mou Fubuki realizes that she has her own method for leaving a trail of breadcrumbs. She cups her hands together, making a small ice sculpture of a kitten sitting down with its tail wrapped around its feet, and then sets it down next to a tree. Then, as she walks, she makes another sculpture and sets it down.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At Veronica's complaint, Mou looks back at her with concern. "Are you alright? I thought there was plenty of room, too. Wait... are the trees moving without us noticing?" The snow angel looks at the offending trees with a cold stare. "... Something isn't quite right here..." she notes, crossing her arms.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A chilly wind picks up, and a light covering of snow alights upon the branches, trees, and forest floor. A pair of icy wings slowly sprouts from Laisa's back, weighing her down but allowing her to keep up her arctic magic. If the trees are moving, or if the ground is, it might possibly disturb the snow... or so Mou Fubuki thinks.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>Remember that time you were a robot?<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy looks down at her arm. "Yeah... That was interesting..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's staring suspiciously at a tree, but when her outfit is praised as 'so cute' she blushes a bit and shrinks into herself slightly, and pulls the brim of her hat back down, but she can't help that ''smile'', and she squeaks out a "Thank you, yours too" and then realizes the partly-automatic reply doesn't really... make sense here, like yes Usagi is cute but she wears the Sailor Moon outfit all the ''time'', and she pulls the front of her hat brim the rest of the way over her face...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately, Veronica's having trouble! Well, that's not fortunate in itself, but hey! Amy can stop digging this hole!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy hurries to follow Fubuki's path and check on Veronica. "Are you okay? ...So the trees only move when we're not expecting, huh?" She conjures a miniature version of her witch hat to set atop the latest kitten-ice-statue. "Good idea, I wonder if this path will even stay visible...?" she looks around to see if she can see the previous ice cat, and hugs her cape around her at the cold.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Luckily for Amy, Usagi only smiles at her completely understandable faux pas, not planning on saying anything else about it. She's pulled off her tiara and is using the sharp-ish end to carve a little lopsided crescent moon onto one of the nearby trees, in hopes of leaving a mark. She's seen enough survival shows to know that figuring out where you've been helps you not get lost! <br><br>...unfortunately, that's about all she knows from those survival shows, because she usually turned the channel or flipped the video shortly after. <br><br>"So people have just been kind of getting turned around in this forest - eh? You found a trail? Awesome, Pulp Noir!" Like Veronica, Usagi moves closer to check out the trail, trying to not step on twigs or leaves while also being an incredibly klutzy person and immediately stepping on several twigs. <br><br>She carves another clumsy crescent moon on a tree near the messed up twigs, and looks up in surprise when Veronica only just barely makes it through the gap. <br><br>"It - did the trees move? I didn't see them moving..." She very cautiously puts a hand between two trees, suspiciously prepared to jerk it away if the gap starts to close.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:145|Princess of Sarek (145)}} has posed:'''<br>"I am alright", the cat thief confirms, ears drooping a bit low at the close call. She did not want to imagine what a tree yanking on her tail would have felt like if she didn't react quickly. At least it managed not to become a problem, she decides to repeat herself.<br><br>Veronica sets aside the incident with the closer trees when she sees the cat statuette Laisa has made, even if her ears are still drooping a bit low about it, and smiles to her beloved. "You always make the prettiest things, my snowsweet", she remarks to the ice magical girl.<br><br>Veronica gives a nod to Amy despite the trees' impediment, and watches Laisa try out the use of her powers. Seems like the kind of thing that would make them have an easier time.<br><br>The addition of the snow mantle kinda influences the sensation of pressure that has been hounding them ever since they got here, and it becomes sleepier.<br><br>The snow seems to signal to the trees it's winter, and the feeling of pressure in the air becomes more feeble, replaced by a sensation of sleepiness. "Did you feel that change in the air too?", the Princess of Sarek considers to the group.<br><br>Usagi carving out a sign in the trees quickly changes that however. Suddenly the sleepiness is gone, replaced by twofold pressure that presses down on the group, and the Sailor Senshi gets a sudden root pulled in front of her path while she is walking. "What is going on now?", Veronica squirms uncomfortably at the ringing in the air, gritting her teeth.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Veronica and Laisa are genuinely very sweet; she's happy for them! They have cute pet names for each other! And yet, that distraction cannot be blamed when Usagi trips over the root. (Of course she trips over the root, there was never any world where she ''wouldn't'' trip over the root.) But it wasn't because she was distracted - it was because ''the root wasn't there before''. <br><br>Sprawled on the floor with dusty knees, sputtering to spit dirt out of her mouth, Usagi makes sure everyone else knows it too. <br><br>"That wasn't here before! I didn't trip over something that was there before! It ''totally moved''!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:127|Laisa Samuiko (127)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mou Fubuki smiles at Veronica's compliment as she keeps walking. "That's because I'm ''inspired'' by the prettiest things." As she glances backwards, she senses a damper in her girlfriend's mood and turns towards her. She draws closer to give the Princess of Sarek's hand a quick squeeze for a moment, before letting it go.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The snow seems to calm the trees for a moment, and the ''air'' changes, and that's... really odd. "I felt it too," confirms Mou Fubuki, frowning as she considers the implications of that. Her train of thought is interrupted by Usagi tripping over a root. After giving Veronica's hand another squeeze, she walks over to the ''other'' princess here and offers to help her up.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I get the feeling that the trees didn't like what you did. Which would imply... that the trees themselves may be ''aware'' of us and ''responding'' to us."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The pressure she feels is... strange and unreal. She looks over to Veronica and asks, "Is it always like this? That pressure... it's kinda creepy, honestly."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>They ''are'' a cute couple! Despite the cold, it warms Amy's heart to see!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I felt sleepy when it was cold, and then when Usagi cut the trees it's like... Is there a psychic dryad in the trees or something? Which of your artifacts would do ''that?'' Ack, Usagi!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy runs over to her too late, and offer a hand up.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Answering Snow Angel, Amy notes, "The other paintings didn't feel like this, I think..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then she looks around, calling out: "Hey, whoever's doing that... are you there? I'm sorry we damaged the trees, can we talk? Please?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:145|Princess of Sarek (145)}} has posed:'''<br>"If that's why they are angry, I think they didn't like the way I commented on your idea of a hideout", Sarek's princess considers, squeezing her hand back, and watches Mou Fubuki go over to Moon first, and listening to the other blonde's protests.<br><br>"I don't think these trees like people very much", she frowns. "It's totally a miracle that they have been returning people in good health. But with how the other paintings worked, that might not be ''their'' choice", she considers out loud.<br><br>There is also the fact that they probably don't want to be returned to a normal painting, but Veronica doesn't know how to share that without alerting the trees to it as well, assuming they can understand that much.<br><br>She rummages into her hat and takes out one of her relics, the constellation book, and points to it, then to the trees and places her arms like a X. She then facepalms when she realises she had an easy way to share her thoughts all along.<br><br>Moonlight gathers in her hands, and three calling cards come out of it, but instead of the usual message it reads "If they catch on about us looking for the relic, we will never find it. Let's not talk about that again".<br><br>Amy's callout doesn't get any answer, but there is a huge noise like a crack, and suddenly they are standing in a clearing, with all the trees dotting the perimeter. A huge, old, willow stands right at the center. That sensation of sleepiness comes back, and with it, unintelligible whispers. "Do they want to put us to sleep now?", Veronica frowns.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:127|Laisa Samuiko (127)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Veronica recalls the hideout comment, Mou Fubuki makes an 'oops' face. Yikes! "True, they don't seem to care too much for our company. Which makes me question how people are getting lured in here to begin with, but... maybe that simply isn't up to the trees.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her precious darling gives her a gift! It's a calling card! It says something on it. Mou Fubuki reads it maybe a bit too eagerly only to realize... oh actually that's a very good point. Huh. After sliding the card into a pocket inside her poncho, she purses her lips and starts looking around for the trees.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The forest shifts, and now they're in a clearing. The old willow stands in the center, and it has Mou Fubuki's undivided attention. Drowsiness closes her eyes for a moment, only for them to open again with a startle. Mou considers how to counteract this and well... snow and cold are the ''worse'' ways to avoid being made to sleep. Ice, on the other hand... Mou creates a tiny pointy icicle and starts holding it in her hands in such a way that it pokes her palm. Not enough to do harm, but enough to make her uncomfortable.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It seems that way. Do you think that willow is at the center of all this?" she asks, getting a bit closer to the old tree. Her steps are slow and apprehensive, expecting some kind of attack from the suspicious plant, but if there's some kind of relic involved then maybe she can see a sign of it from here?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy looks at the cards and gives a slight nod. And then... So sleepy... Amy leans on her staff for a moment and then catches herself nodding off.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In a half-asleep state, it somehow makes sense to her to try numbing pain, temporary degrading the connection of sensations from her body. But is sleepiness in the body or the soul?R<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Listen... tree... thing..." She shakes herself alert, she hopes. "What do you want? We're reasonable people... We don't wanna hurt you," she says this plainly, not threateningly, "and if you keep us here, well, we'll keep wandering around and more people will come here looking for us..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Please? We don't want to fight, and you probably want to be left alone, so let's parley?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Sailor Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Laisa and Amy suggest that the trees may not have liked being carved - that's fair, Usagi didn't think trees ''felt'' things like that, and for that reason she hurriedly apologizes, dipping in a polite bow. <br><br>"I'm sorry, forest-san! I didn't consider your feelings and that wasn't kind. Can I make it up to you?" <br><br>There's that pressure, intense and foreboding, and it softens into a heavy sense of sleepiness, the strange inclination from earlier returning more powerfully. Usagi shifts slowly, uncomfortable but also - yawning. <br><br>Sleepy. <br><br>"I think... it does. But... I'm not sure why?" There's another yawn, and then she's sinking down on her knees, legs splayed and her eyes are heavy. "Maybe they...want us to dream..." <br><br>She's out.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:145|Princess of Sarek (145)}} has posed:'''<br>Veronica doesn't have any convenient ways to resist the sleepiness, not like Laisa, who is actually quite inventive with such matter, and she has to tell herself with every step she takes to keep her eyes open, and that she can't afford to fall asleep before they have resolved this incident, or this cycle will just continue over and over.<br><br>It has managed to take Usagi down as well, which really speak to how dire the situation is. Her eyes start closing and she gives herself a slap, the sting helping her stay awake. "Eh, at the center of all this", the Princess of Sarek smiles drily. It certainly it at the center, in one way or another. "Maybe. If that's the case, it probably has the relic, one way or another." There is enough magical energy flowing through it either way.<br><br>The tree's leaves shake gently in a wind that's not there. Maybe it really is listening to Amy. "Listen, the hideout tree thing, that's not something we did, and I don't know how, but that tree isn't dead. We really don't want to do harm. I am sure you don't even want that relic. It's dangerous, and something humans made. You don't want our junk, do you?", she tries to convince it.<br><br>There are a few interminably long seconds and then, the willow raises a root, and gives Mou Fubuki a little gold bell, and retreats, before slamming the ground, and causing the space to fade and kick them out of the painting, with Usagi slumped on a chair. And a cat.<br><br>"Emery?", Veronica asks open-eyed. "What have you been doing there?", she hesitantly picks the cat up and petting by the ears. "Well, this is over. Mou, can I have that bell, please?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:127|Laisa Samuiko (127)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mou Fubuki struggles to keep herself awake, but it might not look like that from the outside. It may actually just look like she's sleepily glaring at the tree, as if she can't seem to decide if she hates it or is bored with it. Neither of which is true, it's just her coldness making it seem that way.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The moment she notices the gold bell, the snow angel reaches out to snatch it in a hurry. She clutches it in her hand and holds it close to her chest as she steps away from the tree. "Thank you," she says, somewhat glad that this isn't turning into a weird fight or something.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Suddenly the are all ejected from the painting world, and she glances to Veronica first and then Amy, Sailor Moon, and Pulp Noir. Making sure everyone is okay.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A lovely voice makes a request, and Mou Fubuki smiles at the Princess of Sarek before holding out her hand, offering her the gold bell. "My dear, you may have anything you please~."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her eyes dart curiously towards the cat Emery, before she turns to smile at Amy. "It seems like parley worked?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy is starting to wonder if the tree(?) is going to stay hostile, and is starting to wonder if she can turn into a big scary robot again... although, a wizard ''should'' also be pretty scary, considering everything they can do... but she's not at 'blow everything up' level yet, even as Usagi falls asleep.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hideout tree? Dead? Wait, what?" Amy shakes her head, trying to stay awake and looking between Sarek, Mou, and the Willow. She's just raising her staff and about to pretend to start casting when the bell is handed over.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then they're kicked out of the painting. This time, Amy's still dressed as her D&amp;D character, because she did that, not the painting.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She nods to Mou, smiling, then approaches Emery, reaching out to pet him if allowed. "Aww, hello there Emery!" She gives Veronica a curious look, "Can't you ''actually'' ask him that now that you can speak cat? Uhhhh.... Mrrr-roww?" &lt;What&gt; is perhaps as much as she can manage, a month of hanging around cats and Veronicat made learning a few words imperative, but she can't manage even broken, accented Feline.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It does help that right now she has ears and tail to assist with the body language part, at least.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(She is so taking some selfies of herself like this before she dismisses the costume and dehenshins)<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:145|Princess of Sarek (145)}} has posed:'''<br>"My hideout tree in Sarek. There is this cave, with lots of crystals and a tree that doubles as a house", Veronica explains to Amy.<br><br>"Thank you, Mou", Veronica smile affectionately at her, then she takes. good look at the small bell. "No doubt about it, this is what we were looking for. That tree is going to be angry once it finds out how important it was", she considers. "Although by then it will be too late for it to do anything."<br><br>"She is asleep", Veronica turns towards Puella Red so she can actually see the cat. Hard to notice it from her perspective. "Maybe I should wake her. <span style="color:#5FAFD7">Emery, please wake up.</span>", she meows, and the cat actually gives a yawn and opens her eyes."<span style="color:#5FAFD7">How did you get out of the dorm?</span>"<br><br>The cat just stares and blinks, then replies the cleaning services came in and she slid out, which makes Veronica sigh. "This could have been ended so bad", she muses, and tell the others what Emery said.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:127|Laisa Samuiko (127)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mou Fubuki watches Veronica and Emery meow at each other for a moment. Of course, it's only when her kitten provides her with a translation that she actually knows what's going on. "Oh, I see." She reaches out to scritch Emery behind the ears. "So she made a break for it and ended up all the way over here? Quite the adventurous cat. Not unlike a certain kitten I know."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mou glances at the bell and asks, "So that's the relic? In that case... does that mean the painting has lost its curse?" Her icy blue eyes go towards the painting they just got kicked out of.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Turning to Amy, Mou Fubuki says, "Right. The hideout is a place on Veronica's island. The one we stayed in while we were stuck in the bad version of Crystal Tokyo."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy looks so confused for a moment. Hideout tree? What's that have to do-- "''Ohhhhh,'' you thought the willow was mad at you because of that?" She scritches at her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. How would it know, though?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tree will be angry. Amy looks at the painting. "Is it even still there? I thought once you took the artifact out, there wasn't a magic world in the painting anymore..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cat-human communication occurs, and despite Amy listening her best, she can't get a word. There are no germanic, latin, or greek roots to latch on to -- all she can follow is the tone.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Veronica translates. "Damn... and they came all the way here?" She's impressed! And nods to Mou about the hideout, "Right."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:145|Princess of Sarek (145)}} has posed:'''<br>"Mou and I were speaking about it earlier", the Princess of Sarek reminds Amy. "It simply overheard. And it is still there, but it has minutes at most left. If not ''a'' minute."<br><br>The cat thief smirks at Mou's observation, then leans playfully against her. When she puts it like that, she is not really in any position to blame Emery. "Guess I have been rubbing off on her. Or maybe, it's the other way around." Still she is really happy she didn't get hurt.<br><br>"Alright, time to get out of here", the Princess of Sarek says, hosting Sailor Moon on her back. "I will make a detour to Mamoru's cat cafè, who wants to come?", she asks the others.<br><br>She start walking out of the museum with any who said yes. It was surprisingly close today. Good thing the tree apparently took a liking to Laisa's winter trick, and was willing to listen to Veronica and Amy.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:127|Laisa Samuiko (127)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mou Fubuki seems a bit alarmed at the explanation. "That world is still in there? And it's ''ending''?" Well, that's a bit mortifying to think about. "Oh... but I guess that's no different than a Witch's Labyrinth, is it?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her cold eyes turn towards the painting for a moment as she imagines what must be happening to the shifting forest. When Veronica starts leaving with Sailor Moon, Mou Fubuki jogs to catch up to her and then walks by her side. "Dearest, I would follow you anywhere."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The snow angel looks back at the painting one last time, before they eventually turn a corner and leave its line of sight. Well... that was certainly a curious event.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy winces at there being an entity ''in there''. She looks to Mou, "Well... a Witch's Labyrinth goes away because we ''killed the Witch.''"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Heck yeah I'll come along! Just a minute..." Before leaving she gets some selfies of the costume and hugs the big fluffy tail -- "So soft..." -- before going back to her 'school uniform' disguise so as not to attract attention on the way out of the museum.<br> <br>
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