Within my dreams you see, the world is painted differently

[keystaff]

WHO: Sakura Kinomoto, OPEN
WHERE: Around?
WHEN: March
WHAT: Demonstrations/practicing with her cards and self-defense,
WARNINGS: None off of the top of my head?



[It's during the day. Perhaps she is just outside in her yard at home, for those there to come to see her, making use of the privacy while her brother isn't around to see her. To see her using the cards or practicing with the Sword especially, or her hand to hand that others had been teaching her in defending herself. Or perhaps she is out at the park or in the woods for privacy instead.

Either way, she is trying out her newer cards - Illusion (a card that creates an image of something the person most desires to see) and Watery (Which creates water, pretty self explanatory), while also keeping up with her less recent cards she has. Using Mirror as a training dummy of sorts to go up against, at least with hand to hand. Which makes it look like there are two of her. Or she might be using Fly, hovering to not quite go above the treeline in being seen too easily, but still enjoying the freedom and practice of that, the privacy and feel of the wind in her hair.

Though whatever semblance of privacy she has might well be shattered with someone else finding her. But for now she seems pretty 'in the moment'. Either savoring the feeling of the flight, or focusing on her training. So she might not quite immediately notice she has company. Not right away.]

Comments

[cardcaptured]

[With the weather getting warmer again, Xiaolang was much more inclined to do more of his studying outdoors, not really wanting to be cooped up in his room for any more than he had been this month. Unfortunately, a lot of the city had the same idea, and finding an empty park bench to settle upon was next to impossible. The trees and their branches, however, were very much unoccupied, and he puts his athletic skills to great use as he perches himself up there. And really, it wasn't that bad of an alternative-- being high above everyone else, he could do his school reading in peace, without being possibly bothered or interrupted by someone passing through.

But as engrossed as he was in his homework, a faint prickle of... something crosses his senses, eventually drawing him from his book. It felt familiar and strange, all at once, and he frowns, trying to pinpoint where it may have been coming from. From his vantage point, he could see a decent amount of the surrounding area, and his heart quickens as he spots where the feeling was radiating from.]

Sakura...?

[But before the familiar pitter-patter of his pulse could take hold, his breath catches as he spots who was with her.

Or rather, who was fighting against her.

The stories from Respatrum, told to him by Leon and the others, about doppelgangers and their less than friendly ways, pounds through his head, and without a moment's hesitation, he leaps down off of the tree and dashes in her direction. He didn't know how one of them gotten into the city, or survived the trip through the tunnels, but anything was possible when Retrospec was involved. If that thing even dared to harm a hair upon her head--

He bursts into the clearing, sword drawn (thank goodness he always kept it on him in case of times like these!!), sliding between one of the Sakuras and pointing his weapon at the other, expression threatening and words almost a growl.]

Get away from her. RIGHT NOW.

[... Xiaolang let's just hope you're pointing that sword at the right Sakura and not the one you're trying to protect.......]

[keystaff]

Eh? H-hoeeee? Xiaolang-kun? What are you -- wait! It's just Mirror-san!

[Sakura starts, flailing a little in surprise and panic when he steps in between them, when that sword points to her. Mirror pauses in the training too, merely looking to the boy, confused and hesitant. Unsure if she should retaliate to punish him for potentially threatening Mirror's Mistress.

Sakura, for her part, hadn't yet been told on the doppelgangers to be aware of that in regards to what happened at Respartum. But of course this would look suspicious, strange, to those that didn't know about her cards, or know at least about Mirror.]

[flowrite]

[Sakura's hanging out in the park today after Fai dropped her off; he had some errands to run around town--birthday party errands, ahem--and she's old enough to spend time in a public park by herself. So he'd dropped her off with a promise to be back in a couple hours, made sure she was wearing her enchanted bracelet for protection and had her phone with her just in case, and he'd gone off to the craft store, the party store, etc.

A few minutes ago he'd texted to let her know he's back, and to ask where exactly in the park she's hanging out, although given what she's up to it's understandable if she hasn't noticed yet. So here's Fai wandering through the park with two warm styrofoam cups of hot chocolate, one for each of them, keeping his one good eye out for his adopted daughter.

(And because he's a worrier, he's trying not to overreact. Mune-chan would tell him he's overreacting.)]

Saaaaakura-chaaaaaan~!

[Huh, she must be out of earshot. Where is that girl?

Another minute of wandering and he rounds a small clump of trees toward a clearing--

...where Li-kun is holding a sword out. At Sakura-chan.

..............there are two Sakura-chans.

Please excuse Fai just standing here gaping. He's a little confused right now.]

[cardcaptured]

[The fierce, tense look on his face morphs into momentary confusion, eyes shifting from one of the Sakuras to the next. The one he was threatening seemed to act accordingly to the Sakura he knew, all flailing limbs and 'hoe's and such, unlike the one who was hovering back and watching the scene unfold. It was possible the real Sakura was too scared to pipe up and say something, but-- no, that definitely wasn't like her one bit. She would have at least said his name, or something...]

'Mirror-san'?

[His eyes settle on the other girl behind him, the odd sensation that drew him towards this little scene to begin with practically pulsating off of her. Oh. That certainly confirmed things. Not that he could tell just by these senses whether this was one of the water sprites or something else entirely, and Sakura did seem the type to make friends with and nickname the most untrustworthy of things...

His sight turns back to the real Sakura, lowering his sword only slightly, his expression still a bit skeptical.]

And just why were you fighting--?

[But a second, less familiar feeling twists it's way into his stomach, tensing his grip, and his head shoots up just as Fai enters the clearing.

... oh.

OH.

He lapses into awkward silence, staring at the other man much like a deer caught in headlights. Fai... didn't know about his sword yet, now did he? And this whole scenario certainly didn't look so good out of context...]

... ah.

[Welp. This was going to be weird to explain.]

[keystaff]

I -- Fai-san?

[Sakura blinks, turning at the sound of the familiar voice as best she could without potentially hurting herself on the sword. Her own expression probably wasn't much if any different to Xiaolang's when she realizes Fai was right there seeing this. It really was all just a misunderstanding. And she isn't sure if she had mentioned Xiaolang's sword to him or not before this.

But this decidedly couldn't look good to Fai. Who seems too shocked at the scene to react just yet outside from him having been calling for her.]

This is -- I was just training with Mirror-san. Xiaolang-kun saw and got confused?

[Please don't freak out? This is. Fine? Mostly. At the least, Mirror seemed less tense when the sword lowers.]

[flowrite]

[Okay, so. Two Sakura-chans aside (he'll get to that, rest assured), the most pressing issue here seems to be the sword. Pointed at what Fai can only assume is his adopted daughter. One of them (??) anyway. Fai knows it's going to take a minute or two to parse this whole situation and there are definitely going to be some questions, so he can only hope to prioritize his confusion right now. Which means getting the sword away from Sakura-chan first--whether or not Li-kun means any harm with it.

Almost absently, Fai tucks the second cup of hot chocolate into the crook of his other arm (thank goodness the lid is on tight) and immediately begins to trace runes of vivid white light in mid-air in front of him. He doesn't have a lot of the magic he can only assume the other version of him had, but at least one of his spells ought to do some good here.

A magic shield springs up around both versions of Sakura, those same vivid runes encircling them. Fai doesn't know which Sakura is the real Sakura, so he's not taking any chances.

And then he's stepping forward, looking Very Concerned.]

What on Earth...?

[cardcaptured]

[It's not until Sakura tries to awkwardly turn towards Fai that Xiaolang remembers himself, and quickly lowers the sword away from her. What was he doing, still pointing it at her like that?? He can't help but fluster over what she says, however, his pride scrambling to defend itself.]

I-I wasn't confused--!

[... well, except no, that wasn't true at all? Especially now that Sakura had mentioned that they were training, and that explained the fighting, somewhat--

But before he could try to defend himself further, a surge of... something pulsates through his senses, and suddenly a string of bright white lights wrap around Sakura (Or letters? They looked unfamiliar, so he couldn't tell--), alarming him. What's more troublesome, however, is that those odd lights seem to be pressing him away from her, much like two similar poles on a magnet. Was Fai doing this? He did seem to remember him talking about charms, and doing odd things during the Winter Festival, but nothing quite to this scale.

Cheeks flushing, he moves to sheath his sword, now that Fai happened to contain any potential threats. 'Or keep them out,' he thinks ruefully, looking thoroughly and undoubtedly abashed by the whole situation as the other man approaches. All he had wanted to do was keep Sakura safe-- and now, here he was, almost endangering the one he wanted to protect instead.]

I... I thought saw that thing attacking Sakura. [And here he gestures to Mirror, a short ways away.] There were these water sprites, over in Respatrum, that could copy people, and--!

[He grits his teeth, looking down, and his voice gets just a bit strained.]

... I was just trying to protect her.

[It's obvious, from his voice and expression, that he's fully aware that he mixed up the two Sakuras, but he was too embarrassed to admit as much.

...... still doesn't explain the sword, though??]

[blondferret]

[Derek is riding his Nimbus 2001 around in city, enjoying the breeze when he sees a movement near the edge of the forest. Now who the hell is over there? He eases the handle of the Nimbus down a bit and he lowers himself to get a better look. It wasn't just one person, it was two and they both looked like...Sakura?]

[What?]

[Derek guides the broom stick lower until he lands behind some trees which hide him from view of Sakura. He peeks around the trunk of the tree and sees Sakura fighting with herself. Since when did Sakura have a twin? After a few minutes of watching, Derek reveals himself from the shadows, Nimbus in hand.]

I thought you said you had an older brother. You have a twin also?

[keystaff]

Hm? Derek-san! Ah, this isn't...she's one of my cards. Mirror-san.

[The two pause in their training and Sakura gives a wave to him, while Mirror simply seems more content to watch for now. While Sakura initially gave a bit of a start, not expecting other company, she doesn't really seem to mind now he is here at least.]

I was just training with her. What were you doing out here?

[blondferret]

[Derek raises his his broomstick to show Sakura.]

Felt like taking it for a ride. I saw you from above.

[Derek looks at "mirror-san".]

You have a card that can project an exact image of you?

[keystaff]

Oh! The broomstick!

[She had been curious, since he had said he got it, over the network and all. So of course Sakura peers, stepping closer. She gives a nod, glancing back to Mirror for a moment.]

Yes. Or, I suppose I could tell it to copy someone else. I just figure this is easier. For training.

[blondferret]

No one is willing to practice against you? I mean, that [Derek motions to the mirror card that look like Sakura.] is a pretty impressive piece of magic. I can't do anything like that... yet.

[keystaff]

Oh, they are! It's just, you know, sometimes I want to train myself without needing to meet up with them outside of when we said we would. That's all.

[She pauses then, head tilting a little.]

What can you do, with your magic?

[geckoman]

[Originally he was just enjoying some food inside when he sees her practicing out in the yard. So he takes his sandwich with him as he goes to watch her, curious honestly. It's weird to see two Sakura fighting but he's kind of accepted the fact that somehow he's the normal one of the app users of the household.

After finishing his food, he comes further out while making sure to stay out of her way. Hey, he doesn't need to be losing blood that he and Fai both need.]

That magic? What you're using there?

[He's curious. Can't help it really.]

[keystaff]

Eh? Oh! Iwai-san. Um. It....yes. This is Mirror-san. One of my cards. I just find she's useful for helping me train like this.

[Or say she had to figure time off of school or something? It could be useful there. And in not worrying her brother if she was out with something to do with the app maybe.

Sakura pauses, wiping at her brow as she smiles to Iwai, Mirror simply giving a nod and waiting patiently to see if they might continue or if Sakura would dismiss her now, if they were finished.]

[geckoman]

So she's like a magic clone of you? That's handy.

[He actually nods to Mirror because apparently it's sentient so that seems...polite? Iwai's still learning how all this magic stuff works okay.]

How's training going? You hungry?

[Not the normal reaction to a young girl fighting but hey this is Iwai.]

[keystaff]

Yes! She is. I know I still have a lot to learn, but. I'm getting there! And I guess I am a little hunger after this.

[Mirror does have her own personality and such outside of attempting to imitate Sakura in order to pull off pretending to be the other girl. Still, Sakura doesn't want to use the cards without reason, either. In not wanting to put them in danger or others because of them or something. Still, she can't help but look sheepish when her stomach seems to speak up in rumbling at the mention of food.]

[geckoman]

Well if she eats she's invited to lunch. Come on in and I'll make something.

[He may not be pro-chef levels like Fai is but Iwai makes a damn good meal when the mood strikes. And he sure does know his Japanese food since that's where he's from.

With a wave and a nod, he invites Sakura to come inside for lunch.]

[keystaff]

[Sakura doesn't often usually use Mirror that casually, but she does ask and offer if the other does want something to eat as well. Which Mirror doesn't seem adverse to, so she gestures for the other to follow when Iwai invites them inside.

She offers to help, if there's anything she can do in prepping or anything, while she tells Mirror to sit and wait. Too many people in the kitchen would only make things more awkward in getting it all done.]

park

[spirithacker]

[Shinji is used to looking up at people - that's just something that comes with being eight years old. His only respite is when interacting with kids near his age rather than adults.

So when he sees a girl who's not a lot older than him flying a couple feet off the ground-]

No fair!

[-his immediate reaction is indignation and jealousy rather than, you know, surprise at seeing somebody flying in the park. That's normal and fine.]

[keystaff]

Wh--ah?! Um. Well. Maybe another time I can give you a ride?

[She assumes he is probably here with his parents? So she doesn't want to do anything that might get them in trouble, or get him hurt for that matter. She places a finger to her lips in trying to tell him to keep quiet about her using Fly.]

[spirithacker]

[His parents are indeed around, though they don't mind if he gets a little bit out of their sight. So when she shushes him, he nods. Very secret.]

When did you get your cool ride?

[Lots of people have cool rides that are totally normal, like motorcycles, etc. You are now picturing Sakura riding a motorcycle.]

[keystaff]

Um. From Retrospec, actually.

[She answers, landing next to him and dismissing Fly, pocketing the card itself before she deactivates her staff, changing it back to the usual necklace form. This is usually more discreet, but. Since he has already seen her, she doesn't seem to mind so much if he sees this too. In her then clasping the necklace back around her neck, the tiny bird like pendant on it reminiscent of the staff she was riding.]

[spirithacker]

[It even has a travel mode... or, wouldn't the other form be the traveling mode? Whatever, it's convenient to have a tiny version.]

I want one too, but they're not going to let me pick what I get even if I ask nicely...

[It's okay, Shinji. Someday you'll get a tank.]

[keystaff]

Unfortunately, no. I'm not sure we get to choose. I mean. You could choose whether to get your things from the mail, but. I'm not sure there's more than that I can try reassure you on. Unfortunately.

[It's not like she was specifically asking for her getting these cards either but. Here she is. Apologizing about it to some kid.]