[] The noose tightened, and the world turned black once again ... *** The sound of metal doors ringing as they opened and closed, the chatter of female voices in the air. The air was slightly warm from the proximity of bodies and the scent of sweat and moisture lingered in the room, but the metal of the open locker door was cool under my fingers where my hand rested against the dark green enamel. These were the sensations that greeted me as the second vision started. I asked myself as I glanced around the area, trying to be as casual about it as I could. Clearly it was a locker room, but where? The girls around me were keeping their distance; I could tell how none tried to get especially close as they passed back and forth. I decided to ignore them for the moment, instead turning my attentions to the locker my slim-fingered hand was resting on. Inside was a neatly folded bundle of clothes, and a fencing foil and mask rested in front of me on the floor. From what I could pick up from the conversations around me, a fencing class was about to start, so I left the clothes where they were. I allowed myself an inward sigh of relief that the locks appeared to be of the key type and not combination lock; that would make things easier on my end. After all, whoever's life I was now living wouldn't forget their combination like that! I closed the door of the locker and glanced at its name card as I bent down to grab the fencing items in front of me. I was not especially surprised to see written on the door in kanji: "Arisugawa Juri". So. I was in Aunt Juri's body again. That made sense, all things considered. Aunt Juri was slimmer and lighter than I was, but I had already had some experience with the peculiarities of her body from the prior vision. I turned to walk towards the room's presumed exit, foil in one hand, mask under my other arm; by now most of the other girls had left, and this allowed me a few more moments to gain my bearings. It was a good thing that the room was mostly empty, as the visage that greeted me as I walked past one of the locker room mirrors drew me up short. A familiar face looked out from the mirror, but it was not my own -- the face was Aunt's Juri's, aquiline features, thoughtful green eyes, red-orange hair in sausage curls and all; yet younger somehow, as if it had not been through the horrors of war and conflict that my mom and aunt had endured. In fact, her entire body looked as if it was in its teen years, not the full flower of maturity that I was familiar with from mom's trumps and paintings. That wasn't to say she wasn't full-figured, oh no; the fencing uniform that she (and I) currently wore left no doubt of that. I allowed myself a mental chuckle. The Harad genetics certainly carried through, no matter the age... Age. Waitasecond. Here I was, in a teenage body, in a modern school locker room, ready to fence. But according to mom, when -she- and Aunt Juri had been growing up, they had been preparing to fight in the wars against the Cimbri. No locker rooms -there-... I glanced around the locker room again, trying to keep myself from looking frantically about. Aunt Juri would never do that. Now that I forced myself to focus on the details of the room, I noticed that the place had a rather overabundant rose motif. The doors of the lockers, the moulding of the walls, the frames of the windows -- even the frame of the mirror I was just now standing in front of -- had some form of rose insignia incorperated into the design. The same sort of rose insigna to be found at Ohtori Academy out in Shadow. The school that Queen Anthy had discovered for Aunt Utena and Aunt Wakaba to study at. I hadn't gone there myself, but I had visited on occassion, given that many of my generation and the younger kids had attended. But Ohtori Academy had been centuries after mom and Aunt Juri were born. They'd never gone there. Yet I was here at Ohtori... in Aunt Juri's teenage body... What was going on? Where and -when- the hell was I? A voice from beyond the gym entrance, male and young, startled me out of my reverie. "Juri-senpai! The class is waiting for you! Are you all right?" I snapped back, perhaps more curtly than I intended, "I'll be right out. I just ... needed a moment to prepare myself." That appeared to be the right answer, as the voice on the other end did not protest. "Okay, Captain," it replied, and I could hear footsteps heading away. This time, I let out an audible sigh. I'd have to puzzle this out later. Right now, I apparently had a class to teach. It was fortunate that the fencing mask hid my features from the rest of the fencing club. I couldn't stop myself from grinning, and that likely would have been too much for the club members to take -- especially Uncle Miki. No, I hastily reminded myself, not Uncle Miki. The blue eyed and blue haired teen whose voice had addressed me earlier was not my half-Rebman uncle, but somebody entirely different who only looked like him... Karou Miki... also known as Mikel, son of Chaos, scion of House Hendrake. I was not in the Ohtori Academy of my family's past. I was not in Aunt Juri's body. I was in Juri of -Avalon's- body, and this was the Ohtori Academy of her past! I knew what my Uncle Miki had looked like when he was younger, thanks to some of mom's paintings; but the straight fact of the matter was that Aunt Juri and Uncle Miki had not met until they had long grown up and both had returned from Shadow. The fact that I had been confronted with a teenaged Miki clad in a male fencing uniform the same colors as my own once I exited the locker rooms had been the final piece of evidence I needed to realize I wasn't where I thought I had ended up. My smile faltered behind the mask, and once again I was greatful I was wearing it. I knew little of what Juri of Avalon... "Other Aunt Juri" as I tended to call her ... had actually -done- at her Ohtori. All I knew was what mom had told me about Other Aunt Juri -- that she had gone to Ohtori when she was still young, that there had been some seriously strange shit done there involving some Duels, Brand's son Tomas, and excessive amounts of memory manipulation, and then she had gone back home to Avalon. Other than that, it was truly a blank for me, so I had little idea of what would be expected of me here. At least I had trained sufficently under my Aunt Utena to know what to do in a fencing match. It made it easier for me to pretend that I truly -did- know what I was doing. I let Miki handle the announcement of my next challenger, curtly acknowledged the next student as they came up to the far line, and proceeded to clean their clock. I actually had to hold myself back; apparently while my body's strength and stamina was that of a teenage girl's, my martial skills were still the same as I remembered, that of a full Amberite trained by some of the best in the arts of war. I could feel the grin returning. I didn't restrain it. Even with my self-imposed handicapping I could feel a curious elation running through my body. So -this- was what it had to feel like when Aunt Utena or Aunt Juri had faced down a challenger in the past! I had never been the best at the arts of the blade as most of my family, but I wasn't a slouch either; and when compared against the students in this gym I veritably towered over them. For some, it would have been boring to challenge such lesser opponents, but the sensation was new to me when it came to a sword, so I privately reveled in it. At least they apparently expected "Arisugawa Juri" to be better than them, if the overheard comments were any indication. But then again I... no, -she-... was the captain of the fencing team. It only stood to reason. I parried another thrust from a younger female student, and achieved the touch with a sudden lunge, stopping before the point of the foil could even penetrate the padded fabric above her chest. "Next!" I exclaimed, and waved the girl away as I went back to the starting line. Another opponent stepped forward, a brown-haired man that I didn't recognize and didn't worry about memorizing, not removing my mask. A quick flurry of blows and parries after the duel began, and he too was defeated. "Next!" I announced. A shorter girl came up to the line, saluted me, and we began. It finished before she even realized how sloppy her form was in comparison to mine. "Next!" "Next!" Okay, perhaps it -could- get repetative after a while... "Next!" "Yes, ma'am!", Miki's voice spoke up in response, one hand already reaching for his fencing mask. Once again I could feel the smile creeping along my lips. -This- was sure to be interesting... ... for more than one reason, as Miki's approach to the far end of the fencing arena was interrupted as another person, male, tall, and wearing a full suit of fencing gear (including the mask, so I couldn't see his face) stepped in front of him, one hand already holding a fencing foil. "Sorry for not having an appointment, but would you mind if I was your next opponent?" the newcomer asked, his voice smooth as he waved Miki aside. Miki quickly glanced at me, and I gave him a quick, curt nod. I saluted the challenger with my foil, and immediately fell into a guard stance as soon as he returned it. And before I could realize what was happening, he lunged. By the Pyricorn! Such -speed-! After having to deal with a group of assorted teens of varying skills, this newcomer was a surprise, and it was all I could do to keep from becoming completely off-balance in the transition. Aunt Juri, either of them, would not have been taken off guard in such a fasion. I desperately parried, bringing to mind some of the footwork Uncle Miki had used in some of his duels. He was lighter and faster than I was, in any form, and now that I was in a smaller body, I could perhaps put that footwork to work for me. Besides, Uncle Miki and Aunt Juri had been friends, and according to mom, Juri's style had partially carried over to Miki's. I managed to recover before being driven off the fencing area, parrying the man's blade and therefore allowing me to go on the counterattack. The clatter of foils rung through the gym as I pressed my assailant back, but before I could even go halfway to the other side, he ripsoted and began to drive me back once more. I asked myself, trying to shove all other thoughts out of my mind as I desperately continued to parry and ripsote, the two of us weaving forward and back, trying for that elusive touch which would finish the bout. I chastized myself, and redoubled my assault, even as a small crude part of my mind commented that whoever this guy was, he was damn fine, if the way he filled out that fencing uniform was any indication... Touch! I gasped, startled. He'd broken through my defense! I panted, frozen in position, as the gym had turned deathly silent. The point of his foil lightly touched the padded cloth atop my left breast, the blade only slightly curved from the pressure. Finally, I pulled back, and the blade straightened as my unknown challenger straightened as well. I pulled off my fencing mask, and shook out my hair, a slight sheen of sweat droplets being released in the process. "Well now... satisfied?" I asked, trying to put as much cold sarcasm I could into my voice. It wasn't that difficult. "I'm impressed," the man said as he finally reached up and removed his mask. "I was wondering how much you'd grown while I was away..." Blue hair fell to both sides of his head, no longer restrained by the canvas of the mask, a lighter blue forelock jauntily styled so that it flipped over the right side. Deep blue eyes looked at me from that slim, lightskinned face ... ... another face that I knew. "But you almost had me going there for a moment," the man continued, smiling. I stared, despite myself. "... Captain -Ruka-?" I blurted out, and then immediately snapped my mouth shut. my mind screamed... ... but the vision did not end. Startled whispers and murmurs raced among the rest of the class, and I could have sworn I heard a voice like Aunt Utena's proclaim, "What?!" Miki ran up to my side, his own blue eyes wide with surprise. "'Captain'...?" The blue-haired man... this universe's analouge to Captain Ruka Tsuchiya of the Shalomar Naval Base... lifted his arms in supplication, still holding onto his foil and mask, his face still grinning. "Hey hey, you're the captain now, Arisugawa," Ruka stated, and before I could respond, my vision blurred. My vision refocussed, and I tried to hide my surprise at the transition as best I could. [portion with Kanna/Juri at the Student Council session w/ Ruka. Mostly smiling and nodding (or at least nodding), and trying not to barb folks TOO much.] [Transition to Kanna/Juri watching Ruka from the balcony of the gym. Shiori's on the sidelines, watching Ruka (and perhaps also glances up at Juri). Kanna steps back, and tries to figure out what she's supposed to do here, needing more information by unwilling to immediately leave. Realizes she's wearing a locket -- perhaps this could give info? She draws back and fishes it out... and sees that it's the same girl as down on the practice floor...] But here and now, I had frightfully little clues about what was going on, what Juri of Avalon had actually DONE here. Sure, I had just attended a session of the Mysterious Student Council, but my gut feeling was that wasn't the focus of my purpose here in the vision. I needed information about what was going on in Juri's life personally to make any sense of what I might need to do. [] I paused. Oh shit. I moved over to the edge of the balcony again, and casually regarded the people below, in order to cover the rising confusion and worry within me. The fencing class was now just breaking up, and male and female students were heading for the gymnasium locker rooms. I could see Ruka, laughing at something he and another male student were talking about. Most of the female students were still watching Ruka as he headed for the men's locker rooms, including... ... yes, yes, the one girl on the main floor who was still in her school uniform was watching Ruka as well as he exited. There could be no mistaking her now, now that my attention had been drawn to her. She was the exact same girl as the one in Juri of Avalon's locket. Oh shit. Oh shit oh shit oh shit. [] [] This had the potential to get -extremely- messy. ===================== ===================== [re-edited priorities and rationale for this vision:] [The Yig Visions are pretty much always geared towards more PERSONAL encounters -- yes, they're critical decisions on the whole, but they hinge on personal reactions, feelings, and decisions. Review the Shizumaru/Gendo visions -- those had Shizumaru defusing/correcting wrongs that Gendo had made by being too stubborn and prideful to admit he'd been wrong in past actions or clinging to the certainty that he was right for his current actions.] [So, with that in mind, there really is -only- one possible focal point for this vision -- the relationship between Juri and Shiori. Which, of course, Kanna has no clue ABOUT (after all, Corrine never knew about it, for either of them), but she can start putting 2 and 2 together and get 4 pretty quickly.] [Why the beginning focus on the fencing club and Ruka? Partially 'cause I don't want to throw away the text, partially 'cause Kanna can use the background of what WAS happening at Ohtori, and partially a way to transition from the -apparent- focus on Ruka to the -actual- focus on Shiori. (besides, resisting temptation is good for the soul, so I hear)] [And the resolution of this part (the degree to which I'd explore PAST it is up to how much Mike would want revealed)... would be Juri finally SAYING out loud to Shiori that she loved her.] [Of course, with Kanna currently being the one inside Juri's body, this ain't gonna be EASY... but it's what -needs- to be done. Either Shiori will be repulsed by the admission, or be more accepting, but either way it'll be better than the original outcome, which was leaving the words unsaid and the wounds to fester.] [Now, getting Kanna TO that point will be interesting... but hey, isn't that what stories are about? :) ] =============================== =============================== [Vision parts:] [Original history (juri pov sep from rest):] [The Student Council meets (eating a meal?), and Ruka intros himself as another Duelist, out to have some 'fun' while he's there (more to egg juri on than anything.)] [Juri watches Ruka teaching her class. Ruka is clearly the star of the girl students.] [Ruka happens upon Shiori 'polishing his sword'. Ruka thanks her with a kiss.] [The campus is agog that Ruka and Shiori are going out. Juri is not happy with this. She has him meet at 'their place.] [Juri and Ruka meet, and Juri warns Ruka away from Shiori. Ruka states that he's prolly going to keep doing what he's doing.] [Ruka makes out with Shiori near one of the school fountains, such that Juri is able to watch him do so.] [Juri tries to warn Shiori away from Ruka, but Shiori will have no truck with it. (in fact, she tells her off)] [Ruka, Shiori, Touga, and Akio ride to the Ends of the World, planning to take hold of the Power of Miracles.] [(Ruka duels with Utena and fails, and reveals to Shiori that he'd known that she was just faking polishing his sword (to hook Ruka and egg on Juri))] [Juri tries to get Ruka to keep his hands off Shiori some more (though at this point, it's questionable wether they were now officially 'together'). Ruka, in turn, states that she chose it herself.] [Shiori keeps trying to convince Ruka that she -really- does want him, but Ruka will have none of it.] [The school is abuzz about the Ruka/Shiori breakup. Juri ignore it.] [Meanwhile, Juri is back to teaching the fencing class. Utena confronts her about Shiori's current emotional state, and Juri replies that it's none of her business and walks off.] [Utena and Anthy briefly chat about how Juri might be taking this.] [Shiori tries leaving a message for Ruka on his answering machine.] [Touga and Ruka talk about his duel, and Ruka states he's still got a reason to win.] [Juri goes to try and talk with Shiori to help her, and gets blown off even more harshly than before.] [Juri meets with Ruka after another fencing class, and Juri tries to get Ruka to go out with Shiori now. The two verbally spar about how Shiori is and how could anybody want someone like that (Ruka implying why the hell Juri would want Shiori), and then Ruka tries coming onto Juri, kissing her. In the moment of distraction, he gets a hold of Juri's locket, and threatens to crush it. Juri manages to recover the locket and slaps Ruka. They agree to a duel to decide wether Ruka will make up with Shiori or if Juri will do whatever Ruka tells her to.] [The two duel at their place (not shown in sequence). Although intense, Ruka wins.] [Ruka has Juri ride with him and Touga and Akio to the Ends of the World, trying to convince her to once again attempt to obtain the Power of Miracles. Juri states that she's just doing this to free Shiori from Ruka, really.] [Juri challenges Utena to another duel.] [They meet up in the Duel Arena. Juri has her sword drawn, and they fight. The Power of Dios causes Juri to lose her locket, shattering it. Juri forfeits the duel to Utena.] [Ruka leaves the school (due to his health?) Life goes on.] [The ep/sequence ends, hinting that Ruka wanted to give the Power of Miracles to Juri in order to free her from being bound up with Shiori, because he loved Juri. Wether or not that actually -happened- is up for debate.] [Possible Modifications for Kanna:] [Student council section -- kanna finds out more about Ruka and being a Duelist, bluffing her way through.] [Transition -- Kanna briefly sees Ruka teaching the class and Shiori by the sidelines, but isn't sure what to make of it. She takes the chance to look at Juri's locket she wears, and sees that there's a picture of Shiori in it, which just confuses her even further, albeit with concern as well.] [Transition -- Kanna and Ruka are now at Juri/Ruka's place. Ruka asks why she asked him there, and Kanna, of course, has no clue (not knowing about the Juri/Shiori stuff.) She starts shifting the convo off-course of what it used to be -- more concerned of him hitting on the girls in general, not Shiori in specific; which of course sidetracks Ruka a bit. She is impressed with his debating skills, tho...] [Transition -- Kanna briefly sees Ruka and Shiori making out, but it doesn't -quite- have the impact that it did before -- or, more to the point, it effects Kanna 'cause she's starting to feel something for -Ruka-, and couldn't care less 'bout shiori other than a 'friend'. However, this time she interrupts the two. Ruka covers while Shiori fumbles(?)] [Transition -- Kanna teaching another class. There's the occasional buzz about the Ruka/Shiori breakup, but she disregards it. Utena confronts Kanna about how Shiori's doing (especially about the Duel, which Kanna didn't know about but Juri would have). They argue for a bit, and then Kanna gives in for the moment to go and see her.] [Transition -- Kanna tries to console Shiori, but it doesn't exactly work, though Kanna does get to see Shiori at her bitchy best... Kanna tries to figure out why the heck Juri was ever friends with her, anyway, given her behavior.] [Transition -- Kanna and Ruka talk after another class. The argument gets heated over Shiori, though Kanna's more questioning Ruka's motives in general regarding the Duels and the school and stuff instead of Shiori/ Juri in specific. However, it does get heated enough to motivate Ruka to try and grapple and kiss her. Kanna holds it more than one might expect Juri to... though she does manage to seperate, glaring at him for having taken advantage of her. She challenges him to an impromptu duel...] "You want me, Ruka? Then you're going to have to -earn- it!" "What?" "Duel me. If I lose, I'll do whatever the hell you want me to. But if -I- win, I lay out the terms..." "Say no more, Juri." [Transition -- Kanna and Ruka back at Juri/Ruka's place, and they do a second duel (either Juri will do what Ruka wants, or Ruka will do what Juri wants.) This time, however, Kanna wins. She kisses him --] [Transition -- Kanna wakes up next to Ruka in bed. Needless to say, this was somewhat (though not entirely) unsuspected, and when Ruka wakes, they chat a bit. Talk digresses towards the duels some more, how suspicious it is that they've been manipulated. Ruka admits that he -was- falling in love with Juri and wanted to help free her from Shiori. Kanna quirks a smile that it looks like he very well may have succeeded... though this still leaves the question of what they do next -- won't the Ends of the Worlds be wanting her to duel Utena next? Ruka and Kanna agree to see this through to the end, and perhaps they'll finally puzzle out what they need to do... they kiss again, and the vision completes...] Kima pages, "Hrm. You might want to have him say something like, 'I know who you really are...' to Juri/Kanna... perhaps right before the vision finishes." to you. Kima pages, "Which, of course, means that he knows Juri is from Avalon, but Kanna will take it differently. :)" to you. You page, "Hrm. Ohhhh. *nod* Kanna'll be afraid that the vision has failed, but it actually would've counted as a success." to Kima.