Prompt 13 (Winter Rainbow): Winter weather is usually fairly predictable–clouds, rain, snow, and a sunny day if you’re lucky. It’s unwise to predict anything in Destiny City, though. Lately, there’s been an uptick in unnatural rainbows. The sky almost regularly seems to be covered with some sort of pastel shimmer. The clouds have a rainbow sheen to them during all weather, and more than once you can even make out a rainbow from just the moon’s beams. Scientists claim there are just many water crystals in the air–and that checks out. During the frequent snows, it’s common to observe soft rainbow snowflakes that catch the light like tiny suncatchers. Even fallen snow seems to have an iridescent sheen to it. It’s not a common occurrence, but it’s happening often enough that you're likely to see it at least once this season.
Pulling herself up and out of the kitchen window again, Desiree hopped down into the alley behind the house. Everyone was asleep so she could get around without being seen, especially since her musician and the other guy were up on the top floor. It was easier to sneak and slip around because of that, she hadn't confronted either of them about everything. It was something she'd have to plan for and work towards soon once she knew more about all this. So tonight, Desiree was meeting up with the sweet senshi who had helped her take the first step she'd needed. Snow started to stick to her as she made her way to the park, she really didn't like it so once she had made it there she went ahead and messaged Hylomene on her tablet before putting it away. She wouldn't be able to use it or sense them after she changed so it was good to give them a heads up. Making sure nobody was around to see, she pulled her keychain out and hit the button.
And like that, she was dressed in a warm winter outfit with a scarf designed after the one Aloysius wore. She'd slept on it enough to know the feel and texture of it so it was easy to get programmed into her glamour. Taking a seat on the bench, she looked up and watched the sky. There were bits of rainbow catching on the falling snowflakes. It would be nice to talk about things with this as a backdrop, she wanted to know more about them so she could try helping with their problem. They'd helped her out so it was time to return the favor, she also thought they looked so very sad and she wanted to do something about that. She'd been able to do things here and there for her musician but that was before all this. Now there was the possibility that more could be done but she had to figure out how to proceed without freaking them out.
tefla
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:38 pm
Amora had been surprised, but elated, that Desiree had reached out to her once more. It had been strange getting a message on her tablet requesting a meet-up in the park where they had met but even as she thought about leaving a note for Reed explaining that she would be out, she dismissed the thought. Ever since she'd grown in rank Reed had insisted that he trusted her implicitly for whatever she needed to head out to do: whether it was simple errand running while she was Amora ... or going out to gather her quotas as Hylonome. He trusted her to make the right decisions and that knowledge warmed her greatly. It felt nice to be trusted.
Even so after a careful moment of consideration did Amora simply write a brief note that she was heading out.
Having grabbed her henshin pen earlier, Amora slipped into her winter weather gear before heading outside and in the direction of the park where she had first met Desiree. Her mind flitted back to that initial, and awkward meeting, where the Mauvian had come across her sitting on a bench trying to make sense of things. The meeting though had ended with Hylonome witnessing the sweet Guardian Cat becoming one of their rank, filled to the brim with chaotic energy. The act of corruption had not been pleasant to experience but even as she had taken in the procedure had there been a moment in which she'd experienced that very same moment of confusion.
Shaking off the memory Amora found a secluded area in which she could draw down the power that was afforded to her to become Hylonome before pulling out her tablet again. So, the meeting place was the same bench as before and she sighed before making her way towards that location. The weather turned a little colder and Hylonome glanced up when a snowflake had the audacity to land right on the tip of her nose before she sneezed, loudly. There was a hope that whatever Desiree requested her company for wasn't to express regrets because the young woman wouldn't know what she could do if that was the case.
Approaching the bench though Hylonome was startled to see that there was a young woman there instead of the cat that she was expecting. Even as she wrapped her own coat tighter around her senshi uniform did she merely take a seat on the bench before glancing to the stranger. It seemed odd that Desiree was not here but this stranger was. Well, if the stranger didn't take off perhaps there could be another use for the continued presence: namely a source of potential energy. Even so, she breathed out a large sigh before muttering Desiree's name quietly into the night air ... framing it like the question it should have been if she were not quite sure where this 'Desiree' was. Even as she did that though did she cast a surreptitious gaze to the side to see if there were any discernible reaction to the name she had uttered.
“Hello Hylonome, it’s good to see you again.” Holding up a small musical note shaped keychain to the senshi. “I tinkered around with a few things and made something. Though I may have taken apart a few of my musician’s devices to make it. I quite like having fingers you know? I can play the piano instead of just listening to it now.”
“Are you doing alright tonight? I would have reached out sooner but I’ve been trying to figure out a few things here and there. I’ve been exploring a lot like this.” Gesturing down to herself before adjusting her scarf.
tefla
Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2023 6:32 pm
Okay, so this was apparently Desiree. How else would she have known who she was if it hadn't been? Hylonome took in the other's appearance before listening to the explanation about the altered appearance with interest before she took a seat on the bench. She gave a soft chuckle at the thought of a cat taking apart things before she posed a thoughtful question, "is what you've done, something all Guardian cats can do?"
The thought that anyone could be this technically sound was a little worrying. What if the enemy could do this? There would be no telling who could be trusted in a world of ever changing tides in the war. One side would have the advantage, and then the next day, the opposing side. Hylonome shook her head free of the distressing thought before concentrating on the other part of the conversation.
"I'm alright I suppose. I've been low key taking it easy since I helped you out. And it's okay if you don't reach out to me. I wasn't thinking it was a requirement for bringing you onto our side. Have you told the person who you wanted to do this for yet about who you really are?"
Hylonome was indeed curious about this last salient question, and entirely serious about mentioning that it wasn't necessary to reach out. Taking a moment to glance up at the sky the senshi gave the softest sigh before simply taking in the myriad amount of colors that seemed to be shifting every time a snowflake became visible to her eyes. How strange, but how utterly breathtaking at the same time.
Thinking for a moment she really didn't know just yet. "I know that I was able to make it because of some information I got once I was brought over but I'm not sure about the other side." As long as nobody knew she was what she was while using her glamour then it would be fine right? There wasn't any way for them to feel her or her to feel them so it was a good trade-off to be able to lay low.
"I mean you helped me out and I wanted to still help you maybe if I could." Shifting a bit uncomfortably though at the next bit, she sighed and adjusted and fiddled with the fringe at the end of her scarf. "Not yet, I'm trying to figure out the best way to approach things. I've been sneaking around when they're not home to try learning the piano on my own but it's a bit difficult. With the holidays coming up, I think it will be hard to keep hiding. It's all still fairly new to me and I've been trying to explore a bit and learn what I can." Looking up at the sky for a moment, she enjoyed the colorful snowflakes and hints of the rainbow she caught reflecting off of them. They were just as pretty as the snowflakes she'd gathered and made into a little garland a few nights before.
That was the best part about there being so many people coming in and out of her home, if she left something up as a decoration it was unlikely that there would be any suspicion that there was another individual living there with how hectic it was.
tefla
Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 5:57 pm
Hylonome listened to Desiree speak before she sighed. There was honest regret in her eyes as she considered what to tell this sweet cat. That Desiree did not seem upset about the choice that she had made lightened the emotional burden that Hylonome seemed to be carrying around with her these days. Damn that eternal senshi for opening small fissures into what seemed like an idyllic life. The words that had been exchanged had allowed doubt to creep into the story that she had been told had really happened to her. But was it right to burden down Desiree with the nitty gritty details?
Instead of doing so Hylonome merely reached out a hand to catch a snowflake as it fell from the sky before watching the delicate creation melt against her dark skin. The effect was something magical but she regressed to falling silent before sighing rather loudly.
"I don't know if there's anything at the moment that you can help with as I'm trying to puzzle out something that I was told by a member of order. I think it's something I need to try and work out on my own. Although having someone to bounce ideas off of that won't try to convince me of being right or wrong could be helpful."
Hylonome sighed and brought her knees up to wrap her arms around them before peering over at Desiree and continued, "I just don't know what I can do to sort out the confusion I'm feeling."
At the moment, she felt extremely vulnerable. But yet, even as she felt this way, she wanted to still provide help to Desiree if she required it.
"Is there anything else I can help you with, maybe trying to figure out a way to break the news to those that you are needing to tell. Or just finding you more places that you can be like this without worry? An escort maybe?"
Watching as Hylonome sighed, she could tell that something was bothering them more than a little. Looking back over at them, she crossed one leg over the other and turned a bit to face them more directly. "Some information you thought you wanted to know but left you confused more than satisfied?" She'd remembered the bit that they had shared before helping her join the side of chaos. "I don't mind helping out when it comes to bouncing ideas. Even if my knowledge is still a bit limited, I can always try looking down different avenues maybe and seeing what I can learn while I wander around like this."
Placing a hand on the other's shoulder as they pulled their knees up, she tried to think of what she could do to help. "Sometimes it takes time or a new point of view on things. Maybe talking with those you are close with as well? It might not be any of those options but something else, it's hard to tell at the moment but things will get figured out in time." Desiree tried thinking of options, she'd taken care of her musician in a way but that was just keeping them company when they otherwise were always alone.
"Oh, well, hrm... That I'm not sure of. He's been hurt a lot by many people over the years so is just as skittish as I was. I need a careful approach and then there's the matter of the other person living there and yet another who comes and goes as they please. I think they are the musician's sister based on how they look but, they are such a nasty woman. I have an idea that they all are on the same side but the others have been careful to not power up near his home so I don't really know. " Even her musician was careful to avoid letting people know where his home was by powering down far enough away and walking the rest of the way home. She'd only known because of a weird little crystal instrument he kept hidden under his pillow.
"Oh, but as for an escort, that sounds nice but I wouldn't expect something like that. I've found that looking busy and keeping a quick pace has helped keep people from bothering me when I'm like this. But if you'd like to join me from time to time I would like that. I'm still getting used to wandering around while being so much larger. It's harder to tell distances and I've managed to bump into people or things on my blindside." Tapping under her blind eye she laughed a bit. "I figure between this and my other scars it keeps most people away as well. Never really thought about it before but my musician seemed to think it was the end of the world when I lost sight in this eye all those years ago."
tefla
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 9:19 pm
The offer of being one to bounce ideas off of had Hylonome relaxing just a little bit but there was also the gentle touch of a human's hand that finally had her giving Desiree a bit of a smile in return. If the cat-turned-girl would be willing to snoop around well it would possibly make things easier she supposed but the added idea of asking those that she was close to for information had Hylonome sit a little straighter. She couldn't go back to Prehnite and ask for the truth, could she? What would he think of her if she did?
Shaking her head at the thought she also knew that somehow she wouldn't be able to approach Actaea, Mizuki or Hatsya for the exact same reasons. As much as it hurt her to admit it to herself, she would need to find someone that could possibly tell her the truth of what happened, from an impartial point of view ... but who could fit that bill?
At least Desiree seemed warm to the idea of her being an escort at times hadn't been shot down but rather considered. In a way, it was reassuring to know that she could continue to offer the newly corrupted Mauvian some of her assistance.
"If you are up to the offer of an escort, I'd definitely undertake the mission. And I will completely understand if having me around when you finally reveal what you are to your friend as an extra concern, but if you need me afterwards, you know you can always call."
And finally Hylonome sighed heavily, "what I've been dealing with is conflicting stories told to me by opposing sides about why I can't remember who I was before. It's hard to piece together the facts and I may need to find someone who isn't order or chaos to get an accurate account of what really happened."
"I think it'll be nice, but don't go laughing if I stumble into things." Frowning a bit before she laughed. "I'll get used to it eventually though I would hope just like I did with how I normally am. I think I'll work on the how part here soon, once I know a bit more about the adjusted schedule they all have. It would be best if I could single out them one at a time to sort of build my way toward all the inhabitants knowing of me though when it boils down to it, only my musician matters."
The rest were just there and she really didn't want to deal with them if she could avoid it, though the other male there had pulled her musician to the upper floor to sleep more often than not. It was annoying but maybe she could trust that one at least. The woman.... no never, not with the things she said and did. A wicked woman and she'd avoid them at all costs.
Rubbing Hylonome's shoulder as they sighed, Desiree could really only think of the average citizen of this city that fit the bill but even then would they know anything? Or would they just write it off as some random conspiracy or mass hallucination depending on what might have happened? "I can help if you'd like, in finding some people that may or may not have seen what happened. If they're just normal people though, I'm not sure how reliable their view may be either so that should be something to keep in mind."
tefla
Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2024 1:13 pm
"I don't know why you would think I'd laugh at you if you were to walk into something. It's not something that friends would do to each other if they weren't goofing around."
Hylonome gently shifted her frame so that Desiree's hand hit a spot on her shoulder before she adjusted her position once more. It would be hard to find someone both not of order or of chaos that could possibly hold clues to what had occurred. Given the nature of the situation that she had woken up in, it almost looked like it would have to be one side or the other that answers were provided from. As much as the thought was that perhaps there might be individuals (civilians) out there that had known what had happened, in the mind of the edelweiss senshi, it was more than likely a fervent dream.
"I think there are not many out there that could fit the description of what I am truly searching for. I do remember other beings that were around when the entire group was brought back to Negaspace, but I think I was too distracted to really learn about who they were."
Perhaps the idea of confronting Prehnite for the truth would be the best idea going forward. Although she would have to get him alone to force the discussion. It would need to be done, and sooner rather than later. Her breath came out in a little huff before she closed her eyes, trying to envision the talk that could follow.
