Many years ago… a primary school in Purple
These two taller girls had been pestering XunYi – or Nails, as she liked to be called these days - for weeks. Every day, it was something new. Her Vibe was gross. She was fat. She was a bad dancer. Her lunch looked like worms.
This morning, when the teacher did roll call, she butchered Nails’ given name, as usual: “Ex-un-yee…cow?” To which the bullies mooed loudly before erupting into laughter.
Now those girls were following Nails around the schoolyard, mooing at her. Nails finally snapped, turning on her heel to stare them down.
“You better leave me alone. Or else… I’ll curse you.”
The girls’ laughter started up again. Clearly, they weren’t taking Nails seriously. With a hop from second position, a tiny flourish of Vibe produced something in little Nails’ closed fist. She lobbed the substance at Stacy, where it landed wetly on the other girl’s chest.
“Ewwww, what is this?!”
“Bone marrow.” Nails pointed at her, a shadow passing over her face. “I place a curse upon thee, Stacy.”
“You’re so creepy,” the girl spat, wiping the marrow off her ballet leotard. She stomped up to Nails, and shoved her chest, hard. Nails stumbled, falling on her back with an ugh.
The two bullies were too busy taunting to notice a taller figure approaching them from behind.
These two taller girls had been pestering XunYi – or Nails, as she liked to be called these days - for weeks. Every day, it was something new. Her Vibe was gross. She was fat. She was a bad dancer. Her lunch looked like worms.
This morning, when the teacher did roll call, she butchered Nails’ given name, as usual: “Ex-un-yee…cow?” To which the bullies mooed loudly before erupting into laughter.
Now those girls were following Nails around the schoolyard, mooing at her. Nails finally snapped, turning on her heel to stare them down.
“You better leave me alone. Or else… I’ll curse you.”
The girls’ laughter started up again. Clearly, they weren’t taking Nails seriously. With a hop from second position, a tiny flourish of Vibe produced something in little Nails’ closed fist. She lobbed the substance at Stacy, where it landed wetly on the other girl’s chest.
“Ewwww, what is this?!”
“Bone marrow.” Nails pointed at her, a shadow passing over her face. “I place a curse upon thee, Stacy.”
“You’re so creepy,” the girl spat, wiping the marrow off her ballet leotard. She stomped up to Nails, and shoved her chest, hard. Nails stumbled, falling on her back with an ugh.
The two bullies were too busy taunting to notice a taller figure approaching them from behind.
Suddenly a hand grasps each of them by the back of their hair. Pulling the two girls sharply.
The girls shriek. Rubbing their heads as the taller girl lets go.
“Ow ow ow!!”
“I- I’ll tell a teacher!”
Ayrin steps between them and the small target. Big purple hoodie over her leotard and sparkly leg warmers under her skirt.
She turns to look at them. “Tell them then.”
The girls shriek. Rubbing their heads as the taller girl lets go.
“Ow ow ow!!”
“I- I’ll tell a teacher!”
Ayrin steps between them and the small target. Big purple hoodie over her leotard and sparkly leg warmers under her skirt.
She turns to look at them. “Tell them then.”
The two girls ran away, one of them crying, the other shouting over her shoulder you’d better watch your backs…! Nails was sure they'd be waiting for her after school. Next time, she'd bite!
Nails faced her apparent rescuer: this older, much taller kid in a hoodie.
What Nails wanted to say was: thank you.
What came out of her mouth was: “…I could’ve handled them by myself.” Her cheeks coloured, and her eyes darted away.
Nails faced her apparent rescuer: this older, much taller kid in a hoodie.
What Nails wanted to say was: thank you.
What came out of her mouth was: “…I could’ve handled them by myself.” Her cheeks coloured, and her eyes darted away.
Ayrin is sure this will bite her when she gets home. She looks down at the kid in the spikey little pigtails. By herself huh? She wasn't going to try to tell her otherwise. “... Did you have a curse for the other one or just Stacey?”
“... You will just have to give it to her next time.”
“... You will just have to give it to her next time.”
Nails nods, completely serious. “Of course. She will get hers.”
“I heard my grandpa say I’m a curse, so I thought maybe if I threw some of my Vibe stuff at ‘em, it’d pass the curse along…” she trails off, kicking at a pebble on the ground.
She blinks those huge eyes at the older girl, still scowling. “You’re in my class, right?" Though she couldn't remember her name. "You may call me… Nails.” She’d never spoken the nickname out loud before.
“I heard my grandpa say I’m a curse, so I thought maybe if I threw some of my Vibe stuff at ‘em, it’d pass the curse along…” she trails off, kicking at a pebble on the ground.
She blinks those huge eyes at the older girl, still scowling. “You’re in my class, right?" Though she couldn't remember her name. "You may call me… Nails.” She’d never spoken the nickname out loud before.
Ayrin nodded, she was. And she watched that name butchering every class. Grandpa sounds normal… if not a little weird.
Nails. “That’s cool. . . I’m Ayrin.”
“To pass a curse you need something of theirs too.” She talks very sure of herself. Holding her hand up, strands of hair still stuck to her cold fingers. “I read that online.”
Nails. “That’s cool. . . I’m Ayrin.”
“To pass a curse you need something of theirs too.” She talks very sure of herself. Holding her hand up, strands of hair still stuck to her cold fingers. “I read that online.”
Yes… Ayrin, that’s right. She remembered now. Ayrin also struggled in class sometimes. A comrade?
Nails eyes widen, and she grabs Ayrin’s hand, looking at the frozen leftover residue from her attackers. She hadn’t heard that information before, but hearing the other girl say it out loud, it sounded correct.
“O-of course! I knew that already. Good job," she said, with a determined nod... as if it'd been Nails' idea to rip the hairs off their heads.
Nails thought of an anime she’d recently watched over her older cousin’s shoulder. “We also need to draw symbols on the ground.” She picks up a nearby stick, and begins to draw a wobbly circle in the dirt around her, occasionally punctuating the drawing with random symbols.
“…what else do you know about curses?”
Nails eyes widen, and she grabs Ayrin’s hand, looking at the frozen leftover residue from her attackers. She hadn’t heard that information before, but hearing the other girl say it out loud, it sounded correct.
“O-of course! I knew that already. Good job," she said, with a determined nod... as if it'd been Nails' idea to rip the hairs off their heads.
Nails thought of an anime she’d recently watched over her older cousin’s shoulder. “We also need to draw symbols on the ground.” She picks up a nearby stick, and begins to draw a wobbly circle in the dirt around her, occasionally punctuating the drawing with random symbols.
“…what else do you know about curses?”
Ayrin nods approvingly at the dirt circle. “You put the ingredients in the center then we surround it.” She was fully making up everything of course but she liked the weirdness of it and she did read some spooky pastas online that did this stuff. But maybe it was for ghosts? She couldn't remember. Maybe ghosts can transfer curses.
“Bigger circles are more powerful- but I think us two is enough. . . ”
She offers her hands out for Nails to take. “And you say . . . ’A curse I place upon, Stacey-” She deepens her voice for that bit. “And then what you want to happen.”
“Bigger circles are more powerful- but I think us two is enough. . . ”
She offers her hands out for Nails to take. “And you say . . . ’A curse I place upon, Stacey-” She deepens her voice for that bit. “And then what you want to happen.”
Sacrificial hairs placed in the center of transmutation circle, Nails grabbed the other girl’s hands. Hm… cold. Maybe Ayrin had a curse of her own. Nails squeezed Ayrin’s fingers in her chubby little palms, attempting to warm her up.
Deepening her voice in a similar way, Nails chanted: “You shall be cursed… to be the worst dancer in class.” Nails had thought long and hard about this, hoping to transfer her clumsiness onto someone else.
“And I curse thee, uhh…” Nails couldn’t remember the other girl’s name. “…friend of Stacey, to always trip over your ballet slippers.”
A wind whipped through the trees across the playground, ruffling Nails and Ayrin’s clothes. Whether it was a coincidence or the curse in action was yet to be seen.
This all made quite a sight for the teacher who approached them.
“Um... hey, kids! Recess is over. Head on back to class," they said, a bit nervously, before moving on to gather up the rest of the kids.
Deepening her voice in a similar way, Nails chanted: “You shall be cursed… to be the worst dancer in class.” Nails had thought long and hard about this, hoping to transfer her clumsiness onto someone else.
“And I curse thee, uhh…” Nails couldn’t remember the other girl’s name. “…friend of Stacey, to always trip over your ballet slippers.”
A wind whipped through the trees across the playground, ruffling Nails and Ayrin’s clothes. Whether it was a coincidence or the curse in action was yet to be seen.
This all made quite a sight for the teacher who approached them.
“Um... hey, kids! Recess is over. Head on back to class," they said, a bit nervously, before moving on to gather up the rest of the kids.
Ayrin nodded in approval at the ritual.
Shooting a thumbs up to Nails as she follows the teacher back in, she wanted to talk to her about her behavior with the other girls before next class. They were going to have dance practice-
—
The assistant teacher watched the other kids before the teacher came into the room with Ayrin who seemed. Largely the same, unfazed. Ayrin made a point to stand by nails for the class. Glaring menacingly as much as she could down the row at the other two girls.
“Okay class- today is partner dance practice. Pair off.” The teacher claps, the rooms resident DJ bot lighting up.
Shooting a thumbs up to Nails as she follows the teacher back in, she wanted to talk to her about her behavior with the other girls before next class. They were going to have dance practice-
—
The assistant teacher watched the other kids before the teacher came into the room with Ayrin who seemed. Largely the same, unfazed. Ayrin made a point to stand by nails for the class. Glaring menacingly as much as she could down the row at the other two girls.
“Okay class- today is partner dance practice. Pair off.” The teacher claps, the rooms resident DJ bot lighting up.
Nails noticed when Ayrin was pulled away by a teacher, but didn’t speak up about their own involvement in tormenting the other girls. Better her than me, they thought.
…then immediately felt guilty. Ayrin was her ritual partner! And the only person in this class who’d been nice to her, so far... Nails felt her face burn with shame as she filed back into the dance studio with the other children. Stacey and her friend kept glaring at her across the room, sticking their tongues out at her. Nails tried to ignore it, hoping for the ritual's success.
When Ayrin rejoined the group, Nails looked to her anxiously – and felt a wave of relief when Ayrin took up the place beside her.
As the DJ bot starts up some classical music, Nails takes hold of the barre to do her pre-dance stretches. Looking to Ayrin anxiously, she asks: “…did you get in trouble because of me?”
…then immediately felt guilty. Ayrin was her ritual partner! And the only person in this class who’d been nice to her, so far... Nails felt her face burn with shame as she filed back into the dance studio with the other children. Stacey and her friend kept glaring at her across the room, sticking their tongues out at her. Nails tried to ignore it, hoping for the ritual's success.
When Ayrin rejoined the group, Nails looked to her anxiously – and felt a wave of relief when Ayrin took up the place beside her.
As the DJ bot starts up some classical music, Nails takes hold of the barre to do her pre-dance stretches. Looking to Ayrin anxiously, she asks: “…did you get in trouble because of me?”
Ayrin stretches her legs and doesn’t reply for a moment. “I’m on a strike system to send me home. That’s all. You didn’t tear out their hair. And they don't believe in curses.”
She stood up straight and pulled her shoulders side to side. “I’m not too worried, they won’t dare call my parents. I think I’m on strike 5 of 3…”
She stood up straight and pulled her shoulders side to side. “I’m not too worried, they won’t dare call my parents. I think I’m on strike 5 of 3…”
Nails hums, impressed at Ayrin's track record. Clearly she was a good person to have around, for many reasons…
Nails looks at Stacey and her friend over Ayrin’s shoulder… she sees the two begin to dance together, in perfect synchronization. Their movements smooth and perfect… as always. She scowls. Perhaps it takes time for the curse to take hold.
Stretches complete, Nails releases the barre. She looks at Ayrin, fiddling with her tutu for a moment. Assuming they will be partners for this dance.
“Just so you know… I’m not very good at this,” she mumbles. She poises her feet in second position before hesitantly reaching for Ayrin’s hands.
Nails looks at Stacey and her friend over Ayrin’s shoulder… she sees the two begin to dance together, in perfect synchronization. Their movements smooth and perfect… as always. She scowls. Perhaps it takes time for the curse to take hold.
Stretches complete, Nails releases the barre. She looks at Ayrin, fiddling with her tutu for a moment. Assuming they will be partners for this dance.
“Just so you know… I’m not very good at this,” she mumbles. She poises her feet in second position before hesitantly reaching for Ayrin’s hands.
She follows her gaze to the other girls. “Maybe we should have done the curse . . . eaten by bugs.”
She doesn’t acknowledge the warning. Mostly not wanting to admit she wasn’t good at this either. Averting her gaze now from the other pair back to Nails. She simply took up position and held Knives hands.
“Sorry for the cold-“
Partner dancing was- not very practiced at all. Who would dance with her? Tall and awkward and cold to the touch… She moved the first couple steps then misjudged the length of her stride and over stepped where she should have, pulling Nails with her in a clumsy fumble.
rolled 2 performance
She doesn’t acknowledge the warning. Mostly not wanting to admit she wasn’t good at this either. Averting her gaze now from the other pair back to Nails. She simply took up position and held Knives hands.
“Sorry for the cold-“
Partner dancing was- not very practiced at all. Who would dance with her? Tall and awkward and cold to the touch… She moved the first couple steps then misjudged the length of her stride and over stepped where she should have, pulling Nails with her in a clumsy fumble.
rolled 2 performance
“Bugs would’ve been good. Or maybe rats,” Nails mumbles in acknowledgement, falling into step with Ayrin. "Next time."
[Rolled a 1…]
Nails doesn't mind the cold at all, but their height difference is… awkward. When Ayrin accidentally pulls her, Nails slips, fully crashing into the taller girl. The top of her head collides with Ayrin’s chin, the loud bonk of skull against skull heard even over the music.
“Owwww...,“ Nails mumbles, fully stunned for a moment. She clutches at her head as her cheeks turn bright pink. "S-sorry."
The teacher walks by, observing.
“Why don’t you two try to use your Vibe a little?” Whether it’s genuinely kind encouragement or rubbing salt in their wounds, Nails is not sure.
Being the shorter of the two, Nails assumes Ayrin will lead. She stands on one wobbly leg, holding out her arms for Ayrin again.
[Rolled a 1…]
Nails doesn't mind the cold at all, but their height difference is… awkward. When Ayrin accidentally pulls her, Nails slips, fully crashing into the taller girl. The top of her head collides with Ayrin’s chin, the loud bonk of skull against skull heard even over the music.
“Owwww...,“ Nails mumbles, fully stunned for a moment. She clutches at her head as her cheeks turn bright pink. "S-sorry."
The teacher walks by, observing.
“Why don’t you two try to use your Vibe a little?” Whether it’s genuinely kind encouragement or rubbing salt in their wounds, Nails is not sure.
Being the shorter of the two, Nails assumes Ayrin will lead. She stands on one wobbly leg, holding out her arms for Ayrin again.
Ouch! That smarts. Ayrin flinches at the headbutt with a painful hiss. It was mostly her fault she felt like. Ayrin crinkles her nose at the teacher, whipping her head away disrespectfully. She had better teachers.
Ayrin grabs nails hands with a firm reassuring grip. “Don’t worry.” She takes the lead. It’s better this time. Some steps are still a bit awkward after that first doozy but it’s passable now. She tries to focus on her vibe- the temperature… might have dropped? Or the AC was just kicking in. It was hardly anything but she felt good about it anyway.
[ Rolled 3 Mixed ]
Ayrin grabs nails hands with a firm reassuring grip. “Don’t worry.” She takes the lead. It’s better this time. Some steps are still a bit awkward after that first doozy but it’s passable now. She tries to focus on her vibe- the temperature… might have dropped? Or the AC was just kicking in. It was hardly anything but she felt good about it anyway.
[ Rolled 3 Mixed ]
[Rolled a 5!]
Nails nods, ready to try again. She lets the other girl lead her into a turn. She’s acutely aware of the temperature of Ayrin’s body; of the gentle, encouraging weight of Ayrin's hand against her side.
Come to think of it… Nails once overheard the teachers talking about Ayrin. Speculating that she might be Jamdeaf. Nails wasn’t fully sure what the word meant, but her family always spoke it in a mocking tone. Apparently, it was a bad thing to be.
But that couldn’t be true. If Ayrin was anything like Nails… maybe they were just trying their best. Why was that something to laugh at?
This flurry of thoughts whips around little Nails’ head as she holds onto Ayrin. Seconds turn into a minute as the girls lead each other through a small routine. Nails breathes deeply… the air feels cooler… and she feels something pop within earshot.
She opens her eyes to see… a tooth! A baby tooth, floating before her. Nails lets go of Ayrin and lets the bone fall to her palm.
"D-Did I... make that?" Nails eyes widen in disbelief. How she managed it, she wasn’t sure – all attempts to use her Vibe so far had created nothing but icky gross bone marrow. But this was a fully formed tooth! She looks to Ayrin, excited, holding it out for her to see. "Look!"
Nails nods, ready to try again. She lets the other girl lead her into a turn. She’s acutely aware of the temperature of Ayrin’s body; of the gentle, encouraging weight of Ayrin's hand against her side.
Come to think of it… Nails once overheard the teachers talking about Ayrin. Speculating that she might be Jamdeaf. Nails wasn’t fully sure what the word meant, but her family always spoke it in a mocking tone. Apparently, it was a bad thing to be.
But that couldn’t be true. If Ayrin was anything like Nails… maybe they were just trying their best. Why was that something to laugh at?
This flurry of thoughts whips around little Nails’ head as she holds onto Ayrin. Seconds turn into a minute as the girls lead each other through a small routine. Nails breathes deeply… the air feels cooler… and she feels something pop within earshot.
She opens her eyes to see… a tooth! A baby tooth, floating before her. Nails lets go of Ayrin and lets the bone fall to her palm.
"D-Did I... make that?" Nails eyes widen in disbelief. How she managed it, she wasn’t sure – all attempts to use her Vibe so far had created nothing but icky gross bone marrow. But this was a fully formed tooth! She looks to Ayrin, excited, holding it out for her to see. "Look!"
“Haha- sick.” Ayrin laughs and picks it from her palm to look closer. How the heck did she make a tooth- Still holding Nails with her other hand she glances from the tooth to Nails to the other girls. Placing it back in the chubby open palm.
“This could mess someone up if they stepped on it-” She speaks quieter, slowly scooching their dance within toss distance. Smiling with mischievous intent.
“This could mess someone up if they stepped on it-” She speaks quieter, slowly scooching their dance within toss distance. Smiling with mischievous intent.
A shadow passes over Nails’ face as she hears Ayrin’s scheme. She matches the other girl’s evil smile with one of her own.
She lobs the tooth over to the bullies. Stacey backs onto the tooth and yowls, whirling around to see what she stepped on – at which point the Vibe creation goes poof.
Nails barely contains her glee watching this. She clutches at Ayrin’s arm, excited. "Dance with me more! Let's see if we can make more!"
She lobs the tooth over to the bullies. Stacey backs onto the tooth and yowls, whirling around to see what she stepped on – at which point the Vibe creation goes poof.
Nails barely contains her glee watching this. She clutches at Ayrin’s arm, excited. "Dance with me more! Let's see if we can make more!"
Ayrin slowly gets more into the groove. The dance felt more natural. Perhaps the joy of getting revenge, or the joy in her new friend that so eagerly went along with the ploy.
Either way a cold wind followed them as she lead the way keeping them both relatively on rhythm though a bit awkward still.
[Rolled 4]
Either way a cold wind followed them as she lead the way keeping them both relatively on rhythm though a bit awkward still.
[Rolled 4]
Moderators: AJ_89 Steven (played by Robo-Craig) QnQ Hide Miyagawa (played by Monoclejack) Chroma (played by lewsey)
