[b]Kotori Shirohane - Cave of Solitude | Sunday, June 7 2015[/b]

The search was turning out to be somewhat fruitless. The television spewed some sparks, the books remained illegible and unmoving and any secret passages decided to stay secret. The whole house still remained in its strange pixelated state and they didn't seem to be any closer to finding a clue - at least until Rui tuned the television to a station he'd found in the solely unblurred TV guide. Rather than sending out sparks, the screen instead flickered to life as a sound could be heard - before both stabilised into an actual image onscreen accompanied by corresponding sounds.

Stepped closer, as did everyone else, Kotori peered at the screen. On it was a drama of sorts - but verily overdone to the point of being hard to take serious. After needing a moment to get used to the excessively grandiose manner of speaking and overly dramatic musical accompaniment she realised that the person the drama seemed to be about was someone she recognised. She knew it was Ayano Wakahisa and that she went to the same school - that much she'd been told by the others - but it also was the same girl who'd been in a bit of a panic at the idol concert in the mall some time ago.

Thinking on that, she only realised that the events on screen had stopped moving when everyone started to look at each other in confusion at that. Kotori followed suit - until they realised that the screen wasn't actually frozen but rather just Ayano at its center. And then the TV itself began to move; growing ever larger and out of proportion.

Kotori drew a sharp breath and took a half-step aback - but just moments later the TV had stretched out so far that it completely engulfed the whole group, now finding itself in the world that had been shown inside the TV. And now that they'd arrived, Ayano stirred once more - but as she got up, she didn't seem to stop growing taller. In fact, she became ever more drawn out; within a few steps that she took toward the group becoming a barely humanoid shape of... [i]something[/i] with eyes fixed on them from above as it had grown to towering proportions already.

Kotori stared wide-eyed at this... thing - was this how it had been with her for the others? But before she could wonder about it, laughter erupted from behind them - laughter which was quickly joined by many more voices. Whipping around, the group found itself confronted by every Ayano they'd seen on the TV show; still garbed in the same clothes - and slowly stepping towards them. And as they did, so too did they begin to contort into the same amorphous shadowy mass; barely even humanoid and with only two giant eyes to stare down at them with.

Staring up at them, Kotori gripped her weapon closely to her - if one could call it that. It had been decided to be the best choice, given that she probably wouldn't be needing one for attack rather than just something to keep any would-be attackers at bay and thus something long enough without being too heavy or requiring actual training to use. And thus, she clutched a traditional umbrella in her hand; even though no one really knew how it had ended on the pile of weapons.

Just then, a voice broke through the eerie distorted laughter from the circle of shadows - Megumi's. She was glad to be through - and surprised at the sudden shadow presence. Luckily though, Rui was less so and calmly ordered the group to attack the shadows. The way he kept his cool did help - if the group leader was confident, then that must mean that they had a chance. Or at least, that's what Kotori hoped.

Drawing a long, deep breath, she calmed her nerves - now wasn't the time to be nervous or scared. She was here to help the others help the girl, Ayano, trapped in this strange world just as they'd done for her. And she'd already decided to do her best - so no more hesitating. Raising her free hand as she released her breath, Kotori uttered a single word: [color=green]"Kikuri-Hime."[/color] And with that, she clenched her hand into a fist - thereby shattering the spectral card that had appeared in her palm. Or perhaps it had always been there?

Either way, the result came immediately - as a ghostly silhouette formed in the air behind her; rapidly solidifying into the already familiar shape of her Persona. It was an action that she'd done for the first time - yet it felt as natural as breathing, requiring not a moment's thought or hesitation. The next step, however, wasn't quite as easy - she'd been told by Megumi about Kikuri-Hime's abilities and how to use them. Strong on the magical, weak on the physical side of things with only one offensive ability - one which she would have to picture in her mind and then command Kikuri-Hime to perform.

Fixing the nearest of the shadowy creatures with her eyes - they weren't really Ayano, they were just Shadows, Kotori repeated in her mind - Kotori focused her full attention on it as she spoke: [color=green]"Kikuri-Hime. [i]Zio[/i]."[/color] As if she'd just been waiting for that, Kikuri-Hime brought her hands, holding the large flower in them, close to her chest - when suddenly, without any forewarning, a bolt of lightning struck down from high above; arcing down onto the targeted shadow with a cracking boom even as a scything wind cut into some of the others.

Seeing the attack, knowing it was her power that had caused it - Kotori felt oddly calm. It was strange - looking at the shadows, she knew she should be feeling afraid. They were strange, otherworldy and malignant - yet with Kikuri-Hime at her side and the others, even if she'd only just met them, fighting along with her, she couldn't help but feel a small measure of confidence; hope even. With that, she quickly glanced at the others - knowing of Kikuri-Hime's abilities, Kotori also knew that she'd be able to restore injuries sustained in this mirror world and thus would make sure to keep a close eye on any damage being sustained.