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Tsukiakari's Ideal world
[ When you come to, you find yourself inside some sort of theater. There are no seats, but the stage in front of you is lit up. Though the background that’s been put there is most definitely fake, the light of the moon, the movement of the trees and the petals scattered in the wind seem incredibly real, so much so that it’s easy to question whether it truly is background or not.
You feel sleepy, still, but you’ve been slumbering for far too long and something inside you is telling you to get up. Go out. You have to wake up. There are tears running down your face, but you might be too distracted to notice them, because soon enough you hear music coming from somewhere.
For a moment, at the center of the stage you can see a shadowy figure dancing under the moonlight. As it fades away, unmistakable, you can hear Tsukiakari’s narrating voice. ]
"You were born with a face fairer than any other.
You were divinely created, but you were cast aside like worthless dross."
"You are a failure. Too fragile to be a tool or a human. But this is a story after all, and you’re the one who will choose the way it unfolds. Write it all from scratch or stick to the script - it's up to you after all."
You feel sleepy, still, but you’ve been slumbering for far too long and something inside you is telling you to get up. Go out. You have to wake up. There are tears running down your face, but you might be too distracted to notice them, because soon enough you hear music coming from somewhere.
For a moment, at the center of the stage you can see a shadowy figure dancing under the moonlight. As it fades away, unmistakable, you can hear Tsukiakari’s narrating voice. ]
You were divinely created, but you were cast aside like worthless dross."
"You are a failure. Too fragile to be a tool or a human. But this is a story after all, and you’re the one who will choose the way it unfolds. Write it all from scratch or stick to the script - it's up to you after all."
Tatarasuna
”What he saw in his dream was a phantom dancing to the music under the moonlight,
Just like the young man in the distant past, who was akin to a blank sheet of paper,
And like a pure yet fragile persona, emerging once the resentment and suffering had dissipated. ”
[ Outside of the Shakkei Pavillion you reach the outskirts of Tatarasuna. It’s night, but the sky is well lit by the stars, and in the distance you can see a fire and a number of people gathered around it. The mood seem to be overall jovial, and you can hear people laugh and generally having a good time. Once you get a little closer, you can see two people performing a sword dance together - one is Tsukiakari, and the other is what looks to be a young Shogunate officer. Surprisingly, Tsukiakari himself looks quite happy. ]
Re: Tatarasuna
But he leaves that thought for later as the scene changes. He takes a seat and watches, putting the doll on one knee as if it was watching, too.]
Re: Tatarasuna
—Hades! It is good to see you again. I didn't think you'd make it.
Re: Tatarasuna
[He stands up and gives a bow and then opens his arm for a hug.]
Re: Tatarasuna
"Ah, so this is the man that woke you up. Finally in the flesh!"
Re: Tatarasuna
What an odd turn of phrase. Are you teaching him that art? It is quite beautiful.
Re: Tatarasuna
I wasn't spying. I was just wandering.
[ He corrects, and then moves to let go of Emet but only to link his arm with his instead ]
These soldiers have been stationed here for a while. They're helping with the curse. I saw them inside the Pavillion, and then I followed them.
Re: Tatarasuna
[He keeps their arms linked.]
A curse? Well, now I am curious.
[He looks down at him.]
To listen. To learn. To remember. Have you been enjoying the sights, good and bad?
Re: Tatarasuna
”But happiness is fleeting. There for one moment and gone the next. A flame that burns bright for only the briefest time … not unlike human life.”
“And so each one of them died. Whether to sickness or to the betrayal of another, they all fell. For a time you sought revenge. But in the end that too became boring, and you decided to look for your heart elsewhere.”
[ Just as you hear the voice talking in your head, the scenery before you changes. The people are completely gone, the land itself seems more dangerous, and you can feel something is wrong in the air - an aura of hate and resentment, and you can tell if you’re not careful, you might end up swept up by it. ]
That is the curse. Resentment left behind by a god that has been slain.
Re: Tatarasuna
A dozen thoughts I would give. Options for paths forward. But in them is not the solace you seek.
You say this story is mine to write, but you believe your own already penned, do you not? Bound by strings.
I will ask you the same question again. What do you desire?
Re: Tatarasuna
... I want to find a reason to breathe. A meaning behind my existence. A purpose for all of this.
Even if my story is already finished.
What was the point of it all?
[ and then he shakes his head, continuing ]
I want to be loved. But I can't.
Re: Tatarasuna
[He can't help but bring a hand to his face and chuckle at the last part.]
You are entirely too late for that. You are already loved by multiple people. Some in small ways. Some in large. Some dead. Some still breathing. Certainly not loved in the ways grand tales tell of it. Not as pure. Not as selfless. But it is there nonetheless.
Perhaps it is time to get off the stage where everything glitters in perfection.
Re: Tatarasuna
And is love really worth it when it's going to disappear sooner or later?
Re: Tatarasuna
[He kneels down in front of him and takes his hands.]
You'll find the answer the same to both questions. To love. To both receive and give it. To bask in its warmth. Even if it is fragile and fleeting. Yes, it is worth it.
[He kisses the back of one of his hands.]
And you are loved. By myself. By Tartaglia most of all. By Katsuragi. And I'm sure there are others.
Re: Tatarasuna
When I killed my creator she didn't override my personality. She could have exerted control over me at any time, and just like that I would no longer be myself. I would have been just her vessel.
But she didn't.
She said she was sorry.
Re: Tatarasuna
[He pulls him into a hug and rests his chin on his shoulder.]
Re: Tatarasuna
[ He will hug him back once again, only this time it's impressive because it is really him and not a role ]
... But thank you.
Re: Tatarasuna
[He stands.]
And in case you were not aware this is a game of the Production. Would you like to leave?
Re: Tatarasuna
Can I remove everyone's memories?
Re: Tatarasuna
[He sighs.]
It must be voluntary, so I cannot speak for others. But I would allow it only because I am fond of you.
Re: Tatarasuna
[ and with that, he'll offer him his hand ]
Let's go.
Re: Tatarasuna
[Yes, he's being obtuse on purpose.]
Re: Tatarasuna
Re: Tatarasuna
Please. You wouldn't have back problem in your ideal illusion.
[And he doesn't want to walk, so if ideal world magic will let him, he'll just teleport them both out.
He's keeping the doll though.]
Re: Tatarasuna