[HUB ISLAND | ICE BREAKERS]

[spellheal]

Who: Coven Members
Where: Coven Base Camp
When: Day 90
Open/Closed: OTA

You're not doing anything right now, right? Good. Genette's using some of the resources taken from Aimintas to create a little get together. Even if you do have something going on, she's not averse to using a little force to make the evening magical. In fact, the magic is exactly how she's pulling this off. Genette is offering you to a little get together at the base camp, which may be all it takes for you to follow her. If not? Your hand is tethered (or some other part of you) quickly and you're led to the camp anyway. This is important, darn it! What's so important? A little "party" of sorts. There's an assortment of foods, some of which have been hastily made since some groups have gone harvesting for new resources, and a large water basin that's acting as a punch bowl. The true purpose of this little activity is a 'get to know you' exercise of sorts. Genette's got a glass container of a large quantity of Elto bones that can short-circuit the tethers, but the caveat is that you have to participate in a little, tethered sharing circle. (It's honestly a good idea to know who you're stuck within your little makeshift coven, but Genette is the pushy sort when she sets her mind to something.) The way to be released from your Elto shackles? Tell everyone your name, where you're from, your magic (seemingly left a little ambiguous) and something else about yourself. Discussions are encouraged! The more people know, the better! After you're done sharing with the class, food and drink is yours to have -- or you can just run off, that's fine too. OOC: Characters who would have absolutely nothing to do with this can of course escape, whether fleeing in the first place or using Elto bones of their own to circuit out their tether. A ▢ This is it -- your character can breathe deeply, unlock their knees and get this little activity over with. All they have to do is share the criteria and they're free to go! B ▢ Afterwards, their free to stick around the area and mingle. There IS food and also drinks. They may also want to have a more private conversation about something they learned tonight.

Comments

[soulcomet]

a.

[this isn't nearly as embarrassing as the speed dating, but for some reason, Madoka seems equally bothered by it all the same. maybe she's sleepy? maybe it's something else.]

Um ... I'm Madoka Kaname, and I can heal you — but the magic works only once a day, so ... just be super careful out there, okay?

[she pauses, wondering what on earth else would count as a fact about herself.]

I'm ... not really sure what else to talk about. What would you like to know about me?

wildcard

[yup she pretty much ollied right on out of there once her bindings were freed, without even bothering to take any food. but the more beach-faring members of the coven won't have any trouble finding her — she's seated near the shore, busily working on putting together more arrows. at least these aren't bound together by hair ribbons like her first prototypes.]

[rebells]

[Sometime after making his rounds at the party, he heads down to the beach, tucking a stack of papers into his sleeve as he does. He stops behind Madoka; she's being oddly quiet, he thinks.]

Should I leave you alone?

[soulcomet]

Oh - no, it's all right. I wouldn't mind the company, actually.

[she pats at the sand next to her. have a seat, Jay.]

[rebells]

[He sits down cross-legged next to her, then, and glances over.]

You're working hard, I see.

[soulcomet]

It's a nice distraction, I guess. I'm just glad I don't have to use hair ribbons to try to make these anymore.

[rebells]

That does seem like it would be less than optimal.

[Quietly:]

Is there something you're trying to distract yourself from?

[soulcomet]

... Yes.

[she looks down at the arrow sitting in her hands.]

I'm — stuck between a rock and a hard place, I guess? It's just ... a decision where both of my choices sound terrible.

[rebells]

[Well, he sure doesn't know how that is.]

That can be difficult. To be placed in a situation where you don't have very many options. [A pause.] Would it help to talk about it, or is it something you'd rather keep private?

[soulcomet]

[she wouldn't mind telling Jay; she's just sure that he would agree that there's an obvious choice between "continue this precarious existence to an early death" and "find a way to stuff your soul back into your body and stop being a magical girl."]

[Madoka, who is desperate to feel like she's of some use to the coven, and who is and selfless to a fault, doesn't see it as an easy choice.]

It's a bit complicated. I just ... know that I don't like either outcome.

a

[drizzle]

[It was interesting. Her very first thought of this whole thing reminded her so much of the speed dating as well. Nike can't help smile weakly at the other girl thinking about it; listening to her introduction, noticing an interesting detail -- there was something missing.

The memory she has of the other girl at the speed-dating was mainly of a more expressive young lady while this one. It didn't exactly feel the same way. That was more than enough to have Nike wondering about it until the other girl opens the floor over asking her more questions. All Nike could think about was.]

Yeah, I have one.

[Just give her a second to get up from her seat, head on over behind the other girl, and wrap her arms around her into a hug.]

How soft are you?

[soulcomet]

[if by soft, Nike means she wears her heart on her sleeve and is therefore incredibly easy to read, then yes! she is absolutely the squishiest!]

[Madoka is surprised at first, but then just. clings back tightly, hiding her face. excellent work, Nike, she's going to need a minute.]

[drizzle]

[More like, Nike was being quite literal over if she was squishy physically. Which she should be. Unless she is made of metal or something just as strong.

As much as Nike does pride in reading other people, she didn't expect to find Madoka feeling like she needed a hug. Subconsciously, maybe she did All she'll do is give her that minute as she gives her another squeeze, hoping it'll help in keeping the younger girl from falling on her.]

[soulcomet]

[no, she won't! in fact, when Madoka does let go and pull away, she has a relieved, teary-eyed sort of smile on her face.]

Thank you. I didn't realize how much I needed that.

[drizzle]

[She'll be watching her closely now. Slight concern will be present, but she will do her best to return her smile with a small one of her own.]

I'm glad to hear it. A hug is always comforting thing to do with those you feel, well, comfortable with. I always did this sort of thing with my older sisters. You're the first one I have done this outside of my family.

[She has embraced Livi before, but it somehow doesn't count like it did in this moment.]

[soulcomet]

... Really? I'm honored, Nike-san.

[drizzle]

Yes, really. It isn't everyday I'm given the chance to do this sort of thing. I have a pretty big family. They're all a pretty protective bunch, no matter how laid back they are.

[Kitora, her distant cousin, was just as over-protective towards her next to her grandmother. It's clear in her distant gaze that she hasn't seen them in a while too.]

How about you? Do you normally hug your friends from back home?

[rootandbranch]

[Geir wasn't present at the icebreaker; maybe Genette couldn't find him, or maybe she just rethought trying to drag a dragon to a meet-and-greet. whatever the reason, when Madoka makes her escape, she finds him curled up on the beach, the waves washing up against his foreclaws as he watches the edge farther out where the space meets the water. it's not a bad spot...]

[soulcomet]

[who would have thought a giant dragon and a tiny pink magical girl would wind up being the coven grandparents? but after a few minutes, she looks up from the arrow she's working on, and turns her gaze toward him.]

Hello, Geir.

[rootandbranch]

Oh! Hi, Madoka.

[he didn't see her come onto the beach; now that he has, he shifts a bit, rearranging the long heavy coils of his body so he's in a rough half-circle facing her direction instead, and rests his chin on a loop of his tail to look at her. it's easier to talk that way.]

You must've been quiet. I usually notice people moving near me.

[soulcomet]

Ah — sorry about that. I was just looking for somewhere more ... well, quiet, I guess.

You didn't go to the ... party thing they were having back at the base?

[rootandbranch]

I didn't hear about it. Was it fun? Was there food?

[he glances in the direction of the base, but doesn't get up.]

...I dunno if I would've gone if I had known. I still feel pretty partied out.

[kind of sheepish about that last point, but even for an outgoing dragon with very limited socialization, Aimintas had a lot of party.]

[soulcomet]

There was food! I didn't take any, though.

[which is a bit strange, considering that Madoka has a literal pile of notebooks with laboriously detailed notes on the different foods she's tried, from here to Aimintas. but she looks down at the arrow she's working on again, frowning.]

[rootandbranch]

Not hungry, huh?

[he's observant, even if he doesn't always know what to do with what he observes, and Madoka doesn't look happy to him. Geir debates saying something -- he's starting to realize that people don't always enjoy him calling them out on their flinches and unnoticed expressions. he doesn't want to get snapped at. on the other hand, it's terribly hard for him to dissemble, and Madoka seems like a nice person who he'd rather not see unhappy.

finally, he does ask, but with a fair amount of diffidence.]

...is everything okay?

[enflame]

( It's as nice a night as any to have a little stroll, especially after suffering horrible snail disgust. Emil's not a particularly pensive person, so his staring and humming to himself is mostly a bored mind wandering as much as he is.

Madoka has the potential disadvantage of being pretty easy to spot -- little girl, bright pink hair. Not too many of those running around, despite the anime population being somewhat present here. Something about it seems a little strange; sitting alone on the beach isn't typically something someone does unless something's up. At least, that's how things work in Emil's mind.

His demeanor isn't immediately consoling or anything once he approaches her, partially because it at first seems like she's busy with something. Ah...arrows. Kind of loses its cuteness considering it's a weapon, but it's still somewhat endearing. )

You're really into making things, aren't you? It's creative. ( Hopefully he doesn't startle her; Emil isn't exactly the strong and silent type. More like stumbling and conspicuous. )

[soulcomet]

[she's not startled at all — in fact, she's happy to see Emil. it wasn't so much that she was seeking solitude; it was more that she has too much on her mind to handle crowds. it is a bit unusual for her.]

[back home, she would retreat to her room. maybe draw a little, to think about other things. here, she heads to the beach.]

Ehehe ... it does seem like every time we meet, I'm making something, doesn't it?

[Madoka offers a warm smile, and directs her gaze to the ground next to her. he's free to have a seat, if he wants.]

I guess I'm just trying to work on something useful.