Open Complete ✪ Finweald Slice of Magi-life

[Magi Heart]

The Witches Den

Witches Den.

A club that opened up shortly before the return of the Starcalled. The owner is Lilian, a woman of varying ages. Some swear she's a late teen while other times they swear she's almost forty, always dressed in the most stereotypical witch outfits one could think of. It's said she is a UI-locked Traveler but doesn't talk about it much. Instead, she focuses on running the establishment. The place is set a bit off to the side of the more populated areas of Finweald. In order to even be allowed in you have to prove you are either someone who uses magic or a tag along of someone who does. In the back is a large cauldron where drinks are prepared and they have become the place's stable. Whether it's an alcohol made of mandrakes (partially detoxified of course!) or specialty milkshakes made from very special milk straight from Protean Pastures, The Witches Den has it.

So of course, if it's a place witches and other magic users would go to, it would also attract a certain magical girl.

"...It's not Rocky Road Clubhouse... but I guess I'm too old for that place now. Time skips are something aren't they? Hmm, it's not like I haven't drunk alcohol before right... so the rules are different here. I'll get us lunch here."

Magi Heart looked around as if she had never seen a restaurant before but it was mostly just to take in the different sorts of magic users (mostly of the witch stylings) chatting eating and drinking. It wasn't that busy but more than anywhere she had been in a long time. After ordering herself lunch and a milkshake from who must have been Lilian. Magi would find herself a seat by a window. The moment she sat down she noticed something strange and turned her head to see. The weather outside the window kept changing between sunny, stormy, or snowing at random Magi felt some sort of magic at play. The pinkette picked up her sandWITCH. Her somewhat blank look changed. Her eyes narrowed and she muttered under her breath.

"That's only three layers. I'm famished. I can't live on grief alone as long as I'm like this... Is it raw meat?"

Why was Wendel like this... we're all Dissonance into raw food or was it just her? Wendy had eaten this before but now that she was this physically aware of it... it was revolting. Ironically Wendel showed a similar revoltion outwardly as she looked disappointedly at the meat of the sandwich.

Grrr... it's not raw, this has been cooked. I should have just brought my own meat.
Um.. but that's how the sandwich is made? Oh no sandWITCH *giggle*. You have to think that's funny right? Witch which is the witch? Wendel, you have to laugh sometimes and we'll get sick if you eat raw food!
...Hasn't happened yet. And wowzers I laugh, when something's funny, dummy.

Wendel took a big bite and started to consume her meal. Wendy at least was getting fed. and there was a milkshake that wasn't filled with weird stuff... hopefully. This was a Witches den so maybe there were frog legs or something... The pinkette recalled that being. Wendy wanted something sweet. Her sweet tooth was in overdrive since being able to taste again without going through Wendel's filter.

Gee whiz...I'm eating. Wait.
Hey, I ordered it! It's... not just yours...I'm thirsty. Mmmm It looks really good!

The pinkette did her best to not catch attention as she sat there arguing with herself and changing from indifferent hunger to a disgusted look. Luckily the two halves of Wendy's soul had agreed to keep those "debates" in her head since being seen as just completely insane was not in either of their interests. Wendel suddenly dropped the sandwich as Wendy reached swiftly for her milkshake. Sticking the straw in her mouth she prayed it was sweet and delicious and not a frog leg...

She washed down the piles of meat stuffed between bread and darted her eyes around nervously. Was she doing it? Being... normal again? What even was normal anymore? Ever since Wendy was able to reclaim parts of herself from Wendel or more like, share more space... it had been like this. It was taking a lot longer to find a happy medium to who is in charge when.

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

There was no corner in Terrasphere that would be unexplored by Kyanna until she found her mother. Of course, it didn't mean that every place of Terrasphere to be explored was some epic adventure, sometimes it was a mere visit to a club that conveniently matched her own theme, filled with all sorts of witchcraft-esque facade that someone could pull out.

Kyanna made her way in, looking around in a (vain) attempt to try and find anyone that looked remotely similar to her mother... And honestly..? It did have a few close calls, which included the owner of the club, that made the young lady perk up and try to greet her, only to be met with the frustration and embarrassment of doing such a silly mistake, followed by the introduction of a menu that... Well... Did make her stomach growl a bit.

Seeming unable to find an immediate clue of her mother's whereabouts, Kyanna peered around, noticing that she would probably have to deal with these results.

But hey, she was in a club, she could have fun, right?

Eager, Kyanna went for milkshakes and a big portion of mushroom salad, which was far more colourful than she could actually approve- Yet, she didn't fear it, after all, the club wouldn't feed her hallucinogenic food, she hoped!

With quick steps, Kyanna hurried to try and find an empty spot, a hard task in such a crowded place. Soon enough, however, an arguing caught her attention, and as she turned to look at the source, it seemed like it was a girl that was arguing to someone that had already been gone.

She seemed a bit troubled, so- "Hey!" Kyanna smiled warmly. "Don't let them get in your mind, this is a fun place, so no point in getting mad in here, right?" She said- and by them, she meant whoever the stranger girl was arguing to.

Her eyes shifted to the empty chair, and she couldn't help but barge in. "Can I sit in here?" She asked.

@Magi Heart

 

[Magi Heart]

Slice of Magi-life

Magi still had a straw in her mouth as her eyes looked up at a girl dressed much like the others here. Stereotypical witch garments, the wide-rimmed hat, dark attire, and so on. From both of their experiences in Terraspeher. Wendy and Wendel had become pretty good at telling if someone was a Lander or Traveler just by how they dressed. There were many Landers that dressed surprisingly more like Travelers these days and certain manners of dress in Tertoria held shocking similarities for reason's Magi never sought to learn. However, certain things... like emulating tropes to this degree. Were a telltale sign of a Starcalled. So she didn't need to use any Astraa magic to try and know what kind of person she was talking to anymore.

"..S-Sure! I'm not with anyone right now... um...yep just me... hehe..."

She had heard her talking to herself? It was Wendel's voice that while the same as Wendy's always came out stronger and thus, louder especially if any dissonant tones accompanied it.. Magi put her shake down and smiled uncannily at the witch girl. Wendel felt a need to beat Wendy to any introductions. Since she was the prime soul of this body after all. She didn't need the broken shell of her "egg" to give first impressions.

"I'm Wen-...Magi Heart! Who are you witchy-san?"

Wendel as usual used honorifics she had no real reason to use. It was more due to her instinct being influenced by Wendy's fantasies than anything else. Giving Magi Heart as a name was also something the duo agreed upon to make interactions with others simpler. Since technically that was a unifying name they both related with. Two heterochromatic eyes of Magi watched if the young woman chose to sit. Then she noticed the mushrooms and all of their colors. Bringing Wendy to speak up again.

"Those are neat! I wish I had gotten a salad with my shake but umm I didn't... hehe."

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna tilted her head at the funny way the girl spoke. Truly, she was there all by herself, but the remark made it remotely suspicious. Probably whoever was talking to her was bad news, but she didn't want to attract attention to the issue. Kyanna nodded sagely inside of her mind, maybe she could help the girl with some company, but she shouldn't meddle with her issue directly!

"Thank you!" Kyanna said gratefully, placing her food on the table and tugging her chair so she could sit,

Witchy-san, eh? Was the other girl Japanese?

"It is nice to meet you, Wen Magi Heart! My name is Kyanna Wynne." She introduced herself, resting a hand on her chest and peeking at her mushroom portion.

"Really? Well, I don't mind sharing some with you. This portion is a bit bigger than I expected anyway." She said, giving a gentle push on the salad, keeping it on the center of the table and snatching one of the mushrooms to herself, muttering an enchantment to make it grow a bit more, making it sparkle eerily and lively.

@Magi Heart

 

[Magi Heart]

Slice of Magi-life

The pinkette played with her right ribbon with her finger. Its black color contrasts strongly with the red ribbon on the left side much like the two eyes that watched Kyanna did.

"Uhh... no, just Magi Heart! I get so nervous when talking to new people persons."

Wendel stared at the mushroom salad as Magi's face looked at it with slight disgust. Seeing the shrooms grow and sparkle when touched by magic earned her interest though. Taking one herself, she tried to inject magic and... It crumpled into dust before she could eat it.

"Hehe...he... I guess it has to be done really carefully."

Magi's face flushed as Wendy quickly covered for what was in fact just Wendel's normal effect on things. She immediately shifted to eating and stuffed a shroom in her mouth. Her cheeks bulge as she hastily wanted to move on from the awkwardness... only to create more.

After finally chewing it enough and swallowing, she felt something in the other girl. Her astral sense showed she was needing something and already Wendel stirred with some excitement at this. Hearing people's problems often made them feel bad, and while she did want to end those problems, the euphoria of the aura they gave off was always worth bringing out.

"...So you're a witch player right? You seem a little... wanting? Moreso than just for something to eat. Want to tell me about it?"

Wendel went back to her overflowing meat sandwich and took a bite while her eyes stayed locked on Kyanna.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

"Oh! My bad-" Kyanna giggled, a bit sheepish herself upon the reveal the girl was just a bit nervous. She hoped she wasn't being a bother, but she supposed she would've already been told if she was one. Her eyes then turned to look at the mushroom that was simply turned into dust, with a whistle slipping through her lips. "Amazing! To think someone can disintegrate organic matter with so much ease. You must be really strong!" Kyanna said, looking at Magi with sparkly eyes.

The sparkles, however, slowly faded as Magi seemed to almost read Kyanna's mind, mentioning her another 'wanting'. Now, Kyanna was naive, but she wasn't clueless.

"... So you are really powerful, eh? Already reading through my mind so easily." She smiled faintly, soon trying to perk up, revealing her true intentions.

"I am trying to find my mother. I am certain she is stuck in here, even if she isn't out there on Earth any longer." Kyanna said, crossing her arms. "I've seen this game in her device, and from the stories I've heard, chances are that she is in here." She said.

@Magi Heart

 

[Magi Heart]

Slice of Magi-life

Reading her mind?

Was that what Magi did? Wendy didn't want to intrude on anyone that didn't want to share. The astramancy she had picked up early on was just to imitate the flashy magic of magical girls in media. She hardly was able to use it back then, hence using actual arrows at the time. Now she had a lot of additional abilities attached to that. It was helpful for getting to places and knowing who needed help when. Wendel abused it regularly though. It was not so much reading a mind as it was seeing and feeling the person's current trajectory. This has been something ever since her awakening to the astral dream at Camp Hope. A useful power but one that was dangerous to over-rely on.

"Astramacy is pretty cool beans. It makes helping others very easy. People hide their grief but I know it's something everyone has and wants relief from."

Wendel's eyes seemed to have a shadow over them as she said this but it left her and Magi's look softened.

"Um. Yeah, so that's why I work as a Magical Girl in this game. To help people! Magi Heart is my Magical Girl name . I used to play this game just to do that..."

Wendy returned to her shake and her eyes widened at Kyanna's mention of her mother but more so, the mention of being gone in real life. Or Earth as she put it. Wendel appreciated the approach as for her this was real life and it was annoying to be called some sort of "virus". Magi had learned that she was under some sort of condition over these past few years called UI-lock. It had been so long that Wendy didn't even remember what the UI fully looked like anymore. Luckily the petite girl used magic to substitute for many of the conveniences players had. However, it didn't make life easier when she had nowhere to go home to.

The people she knew personally, Cain, Seigi, Roland, Brad... none of them ever mentioned anything about a UI-locked person vanishing into thin air.

Wendel churned.

Raina-chan could permanently die at any time. You know that. What did you think it meant?
I-I-I don't know! But does that mean my body is gone?"

"Hey! I can help you find her Kyanna! I don't think it's possible to just disappear in real life but maybe she is sick in a bed like I am. This game does weird stuff like a trap you when you die too much. If she's here, I'm sure you'll find her!"

"If she's dead. You'll learn that too *giggle*. Better than not knowing though right Kyanna-chan?"

Surely this strange changing of tones would be noticeable to the witchgirl. For Magi even when she tried, it was just her normal state and easily flowed in real-time. Finished her sandwich Wendel would tilt her head and ask quietly to her.

"So what sorts of magic can you do? Being a witch...you have dark magic? Do you use it?" You saw the mushroom earlier. I never had dark magic before but there are ways to swap."

"...and you can show me someday and stuff! *Giggle" enough about that now gee whiz!"

She closed her eyes and obviously cringed to herself.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

Kyanna listened to Magi Heart's reveal with a brim in her eyes. "Ooh, magical girl! So like a hero?" She smiled, internally puzzled at the constant shift of tone the girl had, but peharps it was just part of her basic behavior. "That's so nice of you, Magi..." Kyanna said with sparkly eyes.

The world was filled with wonderful people, and Terrasphere seemed to be no different. If most of them were so kind like Magi and Eva, she would find her mother in no time!

"You... You are sick in a bed..?" Kyanna's expressions shrunk in sadness. To think such a nice girl was ill, and even then, she was still willing to help a stranger. "My mother is dead out there, not sick." Kyanna said, solemn. "But if she is truly locked in this game, it means she isn't really dead, she is just in here. And maybe I can try to bring her back to the world, even if it is by using a machine out there or something. Turn her into a robot maybe? I will cross that bridge when I get there, but for now, I just want to find her. I am missing her already." She pursed her lips, subconsciously knowing she was being delusional, but most of her mind and heart wanted to believe there was a way out.

Kyanna then bent in. "And with a powerful magical girl helping me, I know I can do it. And of course, I will help you back, on anything you need, be it here or in Earth!"

Then, she bent back, pondering. "I use nature magic and control beasts. I am also studying a way to shapechange them... there is this... 'Corrupt' power I have been using for it... A dark magic may be useful, but I also want to learn how to make potions!" She explained, looking at Magi with curious eyes. "How about you? What kind of powers you have aside of Astramancy?"

@Magi Heart (sorry, Magi activated Kyanna endless talking mode in this post)

 

[Magi Heart]

Slice of Magi-life

"Hero? Depends on what you call a hero. Too many throw that around without knowing what happens to them."

"W-Which is why I try my best to be one for others, yep! I started this game wanting to just try out being a magical girl like uhh Sailor Dune you know? Now... some stuff happened and um... I don't seem to do anything else but be one hehe..."

Indeed, Magi had not been able to stop doing this for years. Was it fate or dissonance forcing her hand since it was her original desire made into obsession and nature? She wasn't going to be the one to ask for that sort of insight.

"My mother is dead out there, not sick."

Dead? So UI-locks can still exist in a video game even after dying? Wendy and Wendel both had the same thought but Wendel was the one to grab onto it. That meant that there was a chance that Wendy truly was dead. Which meant... who was the fake lesser half now?

"....Am I... really... *gulp* It;s been so long anyway. S-sure, I would love to show you some of the stuff I do for people!" ...Some of it hehe...he..."

Having someone around too much might not be the smartest thing though. Considering Wendel's actions on more than one occasion. Magi Heart may have been working to restore her reputation ever so slowly but there were still individuals that Wendel decided to permanently relieve of existence out there.

"Shape-changing animals? You... cause them suffering? Hehehehaha.....mmmm!"

Wendel laughed a little too maddeningly, leading to Wendy filling their mouth with a straw to try and use the last drops of shake to cover it. It ended with a bit of choking so maybe it worked...?

After a few moments. Magi was quiet and looked irritable. As if angry with herself. Which she basically was. Finally, she looked at the empty plate then the empty glass spoke again.

"I'm different. You'll see if you hang around me long enough. I'm tired of this place.. wanna go around the town some while you're here...? I need to get supplies to take out of town. I don't fit in around normies. So I won't be here long."

Although it was Wendel speaking. She actually ended up being the one to request it. Dissonance or not, she was Wendy too. Being inhumane or fanatical in belief didn't mean she wanted to just live in a pit until she could grow up.

@Kyanna Wynne

 

[Kyanna Wynne]

At the retort regarding the heroes, Kyanna blinked and nodded. "Ah, I get what you mean!" She probably didn't, but she was certain she did. "Sailor Dune?! You like those too?" Kyanna's eyes sparkled, before pausing and frowning at herself when taking another glance at Magi.

"I mean... Yes... It is a bit obvious. I like Sailor Dune too though." She beamed, though the joy was slowly toned down when the girl seemed to change her behavior once again, except that this time it took place with more intensity,

"... S-Suffering? No, not like that." Kyanna shook her hands, a bit too fast to emphasize her rejection of the idea, lowering her gaze slightly and reaching for a mushroom to fill her mouth for a bit. She wasn't quite sure about why the other looked annoyed, or even angry, but as soon as she mentioned the desire to leave, Kyanna perked up, realizing it wasn't her fault.

"Sure, I can with you. Where do you plan to travel too, by the way?" Kyanna asked with a smile, standing and stuffing a couple of mushrooms into her mouth and nearly chugging her milkshake down, scowling at the brain freeze and chewing while her cheeks inflated like a squirrel.

@Magi Heart