Twenty-Third Duel [Video Post, Japanese]

[to_blossom]

[Three... two... one... BZZZZAP!]

OUCH! [Utena bolts upright with a shout. She was laid down on her bed only a few seconds ago, taking an afternoon nap after pulling an all-night watch for Gohl. With or without Prydain's say-so.]

[Hissing painfully, she rubs a hand against her lower back as sits up.] Geez... that really smarts. [Looking past her shoulder, the camera focuses up at her face from the side. She makes a grab toward the communicator, fingers obscuring the camera's view as she pulls it closer.]

What's it even doing there? I thought that I--... Chuu!

Eh? [Chu-Chu can be seen standing on her pillow, tilting his head curiously at her.] Did you move it there, Chu-Chu? You were probably playing with it, huh? Chuu?

Well, I guess it's not such a big deal... The shock isn't so bad, but try to be more careful for my sake next time, okay? [...] Wait. This date... [She blinks at she leans toward the camera to get a better look at the communicator.] ...It's my birthday today, isn't it? Huh. I never thought that I'd be spending it in a place like this.

[Then, as she looks up, Utena ends up staring straight at something off screen.] Wait a second, that's-... But it's only been two days! [...] Still, that scent... it's just like-...

[She runs a hand through the bangs of her hair, clearly perplexed at the growth rate of this plant and letting out an exasperated sigh.] Oh, I just don't get it!

[As she turns around to step out of bed, her foot catches on part of the cover on the floor and she starts to fall. A graceful tumble forward that lands her flat on her face and with a hard thud. The communicator, being pulled along with the ride, slides down and the viewers catch a glimpse of her plant with white roses in full bloom. The recording times out once gravity finally takes over and it tumbles over face down with a clatter.]

Comments

[Voice; Japanese]

[yakyubaka.livejournal.com]

Ah? Are you alright Utena-san?

[He pauses as he looks at the communicator screen.]

Haha, what is that?

[Voice; Japanese]

[to-blossom.livejournal.com]

Ouch... Huh? Yamamoto-kun?

...

It was recording the whole time, wasn't it? Great.

[Voice; Japanese]

[yakyubaka.livejournal.com]

Haha yeah! It was recording video!

1/2

[mizu-isei.livejournal.com]

Utena-san...are you alright? I heard there was trouble at your apartment place.

[mizu-isei.livejournal.com]

... [Actually paying attention to the post now.]

Also, I wish you a good birthday.

[1/2]

[to-blossom.livejournal.com]

There was. A housemate was killed right outside of Gohl.

I'm not sure if anyone figured out who the culprit was yet, or even if we have all the details. ...But... things have been pretty tense since then.

[to-blossom.livejournal.com]

What?

Oh, uh... Thank you, Fujiwara-kun.

voice; english

[medanmyboy.livejournal.com]

Are you alright?

text

[to-blossom.livejournal.com]

[Oh no. Not you too, Meryl.]

I'm fine. Really.

...Sorry you had to see that.

text

[medanmyboy.livejournal.com]

Good, good. It's no trouble, my lady...

...What a lovely plant yours is growing into.

[seasaltissacred.livejournal.com]

[ zapping sounds? uh oh. ]

Miss Utena, are you okay?!

[to-blossom.livejournal.com]

[ Just your friendly reminder to post from the scientists. ]

Mm. I'm fine. I just tripped.

Sorry you had to see that.

[seasaltissacred.livejournal.com]

[ They're so mean! ]

As long as you're okay...

[ Oh he sees your plant there. ]

Wow, yours is blooming already? You must be pretty good at this stuff. Mine doesn't even have any leaves...

[loyal_cube]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I-I'm sorry... I... I wish I could have gotten you something, Utena-chan...

Are those roses...?

[to-blossom.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Cube-kun.

Heh. I think that greeting is good enough for me.

Mm. They are. I can't figure it out, but... they just started growing on that plant that I got for Christmas this year.

[loyal_cube]

They're very pretty... I hope they stay in bloom for you for a while. They must smell nice, too.

White roses... don't they mean purity, true love, and goodness? Hm...

[loyal-inferno.livejournal.com]

Are you okay, Utena?

That sounded painful...

[to-blossom.livejournal.com]

Jackie? Oh, man...

Yeah, I'm fine.

Just a pratfall.

[loyal-inferno.livejournal.com]

Ah, alright.

It's been a while since we've spoken-wait...did you say birthday?
[Utena's earlier words catch up with her and she has to ask?]

[crippledroyalty.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday!

[to-blossom.livejournal.com]

Heh. Thanks a lot!

[rosebridled.livejournal.com]

Shall we do something to celebrate, Utena-sama?

[to-blossom.livejournal.com]

Mm. That would be nice, but... how?

Being stuck here makes it hard to even find a decent birthday cake.

1/2

[distemperate]

[distemperate]

WHAT DID YOU DO TO EARN THAT PLANT?