3rd ☆

[adropofjupiter]

[Action - afternoon POST OFFICE]

[Yes, Marisa had been told by a few people not to go to the post office. Never, ever go to the post office. BUT SHE HAD A PLAN!

Marisa was currently... invisible. Theo had been wonderful, casting the spell on her, and once confirmed, the witch and Rita headed for the post office. The plan was perfect. Rita would head inside, talk to the postman as a distraction, while Marisa used that time (and the open door the other girl provided her) to check out the back area.

It was a scouting mission, really. Marisa didn't have any intention of -taking- anything. So after a quick silence spell on herself (thanks to her recently restored lower magic), they set off to storm the castle. Only it wasn't a castle, but a post office, and less storming and more sneaking.

Yeah, that.]

Comments

[blastiagraphy.livejournal.com]

[ Obviously, this plan hinged around Rita being smooth with words, and not blowing up the post office. In this respect, their plan was doomed to failure.

Still she could at least make sure Marisa had her entrance. She opened the door, stepping inside, but not really leaving the door frame. Instead, she looked around the post office... not exactly what she had pictured. And the postman didn't look like some sort of limb-chopping demon to her.

Of course, standing there and looking around while at the entrance was just a reason to give Marisa enough time to get inside. More than enough time, really. And once that time was up, Rita would nod to herself, and move inside. ]

This is the post office, isn't it?

[mayfield-mods.livejournal.com]

Sure is, miss!

[The Postman's behind the desk, dressed fully in his dark blue uniform, cap and all- has he ever been seen without it?- and shuffling a stack of mail. He's smiling widely, looking directly at her.]

[adropofjupiter.livejournal.com]

[Nice! Rita made it easy for the invisible witch to get inside without it looking odd. She'll have to tell her that was awesome afterward.

Now that she was inside, Marisa looked the postman over. Wow, he looked really normal. Which, of course, meant he couldn't be normal. So, without lingering any longer, Marisa started making her way past him, giving enough room that she wouldn't accidentally brush against something to give herself away.

She was a thief - a good one. That had never needed magic.

Sneak, sneak, sneak.]

[blastiagraphy.livejournal.com]

Good!

[ Rita moves up to the Postman's desk, her movements aggressive. She reaches into the pocket of her dress... and pulls out a crumpled envelope. She slams it down in front of him. ]

I need this letter delivered.

[ She had prepared it earlier as part of the plan. It was a genuine letter inside, though. In the case this guy could deliver it...

On the front of the envelope, the name "Estellise Sidos Heurassein" was written, the name of a person who didn't live in Mayfield. ]

[mayfield-mods.livejournal.com]

[Strangely enough, the wooden door leading to the back room simply swings open before Marisa even reaches it. The Postman does not seem to be aware of this, and his attention is entirely focused on Rita.]

Well, you've come to the right place! [He pulls out a roll of stamps and cheerfully begins applying some to the letter.] Right off to Westport, eh? Shouldn't be more than a couple of days.

[Indeed, suddenly the address on the envelope says 'WESTPORT, USA'.]

[adropofjupiter.livejournal.com]

[Marisa glanced back when she heard the postman pull something out, just to make sure it wasn't a weapon, completely missing the fact that the door to the back room opened on it's own.

Oh. Stamps. Westport? Huh.

Turning back, the witch slips into the back room and starts looking around. This is where they keep their stuff, right?]

[blastiagraphy.livejournal.com]

Hey! [ Rita protectively pulls back her letter, and she definitely looks cross. ] Where the hell is this "Westport" supposed to be!? Estelle's in the Imperial capital, Zaphias!

[ She had hoped he could actually deliver a letter to her world, but she figured, realistically, that this would be the result. Still, her anger was genuine. ]

[mayfield-mods.livejournal.com]

[The back room is nothing exciting; there's wooden shelves lining the dull walls, various packages all boxed up and seemingly ready to be shipped out. A sack of letters sits in the middle, spilling over a little.

In the front room, the Postman just continues to smile.] I'm afraid that's beyond my delivery route. And you wrote 'Westport' right there, see?

[adropofjupiter.livejournal.com]

[It might not be exciting to most people but there was STUFF back here. Marisa rubs her hands together as she starts looking over the names on the packages.

Her own... Patchouli's... Alice's... Rita's... Theo's...

Crap. She stepped on a letter. Marisa's head whips around to look back at the front, hoping that little crumpling sound didn't draw attention.]

[blastiagraphy.livejournal.com]

[ Meanwhile, Rita's looking indignant. She's really not a good actor, but thankfully, that expression is genuine. ]

I did not write that! [ She... pauses for a moment. Before shifting her hand, which is over the envelope, to the side, and glancing down at it. ] Did I?

[ For her part, at least, Rita didn't hear anything. ]

[mayfield-mods.livejournal.com]

[The door to the back room abruptly swings shut, but nobody's there to have closed it. Again, the Postman doesn't appear to notice, despite the loud 'thud' sound it makes.

He chuckles at Rita.] You tell me! You're the one that brought the letter in. Do you want it mailed or not?

[He lifts an eyebrow, leaning forward over the desk a little.] Or are you here for a trade-off?

[adropofjupiter.livejournal.com]

[OH SHIT.]

...

[ohshitohshitohshit!

Eyes wide, Marisa freezes and stares at the now-closed door. A couple heartbeats later and she bursts into action, grabbing the letter she stepped on along with a couple more, and the most interesting looking package.

If she was going to have to bust out of this place with magic, she was going to get away with something. Letters go in a pocket, package under her arm, she creeps toward the door and tries the knob ever so slowly, hoping the sound of her pounding heart didn't echo through the building.]

[blastiagraphy.livejournal.com]

[ Wait, why did that door close?

Rita backs up... just a step, but enough to show she was nervous. Was it because of the postman, or was it because of the door?

She was itching to throw a fireball either way. ]

I- No, I don't want a trafe-off! [ Trade-in? Whichever. ] I just want the letter delivered to Estelle!

[mayfield-mods.livejournal.com]

[When Marisa tries the knob, it won't work. The click it gives indicates it's been bolted somehow.

The Postman's smile remains affixed in place- actually, he hasn't changed expression at all since Rita arrived. It's starting to become unsettling, the way he keeps looking directly at her.]

You sure? I could give you some new spells. [A chuckle.] Anything you want. Your Mystic Artes? Or maybe the Aspion?

[His smile smooths out into something less bright and cheery- something almost... hungry.]

Whaddya say? I don't ask for much in return.

[adropofjupiter.livejournal.com]

[Marisa can hear the postman. 'Don't do it, Rita' she thinks, wanting to say it but didn't as she clung to the chance that she could get away without breaking the invisibility spell.

Peering at the knob, she knelt down to examine it. A moment later, she put two fingers on the metal about the doorjamb where whatever was bolting it was, and murmured the incantation for an unlocking spell.

Work... work...]

[blastiagraphy.livejournal.com]

[ This Postman is really getting to Rita. She doesn't want to run away, though-- she wants to blow him up. Or punch him.

She knows, deep down, that it's a bad idea. That's never stopped her before. What does stop her is the fact the plan is still going, and she doesn't want to be the one to ruin it. Get the damned door open, Marisa. ]

I don't have anything I'm willing to give you, creep.

[ She glances down at the desk. Her letter's still on it. ]

Just... can you get this letter to Estelle... Estellise? [ She's trying to change the subject back to her letter. Better than slipping and punching the guy. Or worse, giving up something to get back her Artes. It's almost a tempting offer, and one she'd probably consider, actually, if the guy suggesting it weren't so creepy. ]

[mayfield-mods.livejournal.com]

Did I touch a nerve? Heh.

[Before Rita can take her letter back, the Postman picks it up. He fans himself with it and appears to give her request some contemplation.] Sure. But between you and me, I think this 'Estelle' is still in Mayfield, eh?

[He winks at her and turns towards the back door.] I'll just go file it away for mailing, then.

[He turns the doorknob and opens the door easily.]

[adropofjupiter.livejournal.com]

[The door is opening! Yay!

...THE POSTMAN IS OPENING IT?!

omgomgomgomgomgomgomg

BE FAST WITCH!

Staying low to the ground, Marisa tries to scrape past him as quick as she can. If she succeeds? Immediate barrel roll toward Rita.

COME ON, KIRISAME! YOU CAN DO THIS! JUST LIKE GETTING PAST MEILING INTO THE SDM. GO! GO! GO!]

[blastiagraphy.livejournal.com]

[ Personally, Rita's hoping that Marisa's not right in the doorway so the Postman'll bump into her... Herp derp. But it's not like there's anything she can do.

Other than prepare a fireball if the postman notices something. ]

[mayfield-mods.livejournal.com]

[The Postman turns slightly, and, for a moment... just a single, fleeting moment... he looks Marisa right in the eyes as she sneaks past him. Or has he? Is it a coincidence?

But then he simply glances away as if nothing has happened, and tucks the letter onto a shelf, carefully closing the door behind him again and returning to the desk.]

It'll go out with the rest of this afternoon's mail. [He folds his fingers together.] Anything else I can help you with?

[adropofjupiter.livejournal.com]

[Whether he did or not, Marisa's eyes widen with fear at that second, and then she's rolling silently across the floor, not taking any chances lingering and making sure she doesn't drop that package.

Once back on her feet, she heads to the door, tugging lightly on the edge of Rita's skirt as she passes by as a signal to go. The witch wants out of there and out of there NOW.

COME ON, RITA!]

information: regains

[mayfield-mods.livejournal.com]

[For three days, Marisa's newfound magic will work perfectly fine. She'll be able to heal anything she touches, mending even the worst of injuries and curing illnesses.

However, after three days, anyone Marisa touches will experience excruciating pain and injury. Perhaps they'll double over, suddenly overwhelmed by abdominal pain- or maybe a limb will be wrenched off just like that, leaving them to bleed in terror. Cuts might appear all over their body; bruises may bloom whereever Marisa's hands have been. Soon, it's not just people Marisa will effect; objects will blacken and crack in her hands- beds will collapse beneath her, food will turn rotten, and the grass beneath her feet might even burn. Everywhere she goes, Marisa will become a catalyst for destruction.

Additionally, Marisa might be happy to have her hat back! And, indeed, she'll be able to wear it all she wants for three days. But after that, once she puts it on, it won't come off again. It will be stuck to her head and cannot be removed with magic. More than that, it begins whispering to her- soft at first, but as time passes it will grow louder. But nobody will be able to hear what it says but her. It is up to you exactly what the hat says to her, but none of it is pleasant, whether it has to do with people she knows or things she's done.

For three days, Rita's telekinesis will work perfectly. The psychic energy at her disposal will enable her to move or transport anything she wants- whether it's a glass of water, a person, or a car.

However, after the three days are up, Rita will begin experiencing crippling side-effects. Her head will feel like it's splitting in half; the trapped psychic energy in her will swell up and overwhelm her mind, slowly driving her insane. She might have terrifying hallucinations, or she might become mistrusting of everyone around her as reality distorts more and more. The more time that passes by, the stronger the side-effects will grow.

As for the other gift, the shapeshifting will work perfectly fine for three days. But then Rita will find that the turmoil in her mind is just about matched by what begins happening to her body; she'll find herself shapeshifting at the most inopportune times, completely out of her will. Or maybe it's just part by part- a feature changed here, hair color changed there. Soon she'll be struggling to keep looking like Rita.

Everything comes at a price, after all.

...But luckily for them, the Postman is an understanding man. You see, all they'll need to do is drop by the Post Office, and he might consider taking the 'gifts' back. Perhaps they won't want to go at first, but both will soon find out that nothing can rid them of the regains... Except for their keeper.]

[ooc; You are free to schedule another thread with the Postman if/when your characters will be forced to go see him to take the regains back and turn them back to normal. Additionally, if these consequences are problematic in any way, please let me know and I'll alter them a little. Thanks!]

questions

[adropofjupiter.livejournal.com]

[Does death have any affect on this?

Also things that are broken (not people) by Marisa once the healing turns, do they stay broken/destroyed/dead grass or do they fix in the mornings?]

[mayfield-mods.livejournal.com]

[If either dies, they'll stay dead for the standard 24 hours, but they'll wake up again with the regain still in place.

The broken things will be automatically fixed once she gives back the regains.]

[adropofjupiter.livejournal.com]

Marisa's giving the regains back here! (http://adropofjupiter.livejournal.com/1942.html)