IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST

[beathollow]

it's all too perfect.

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PHASE ZERO: as empty as a heart

[beathollow]

♪

Little by little, you may appear in a vast, empty space. Whatever you were wearing is gone, instead replaced by somewhat tattered pure white clothes.

Though it seems serene, there's a bitter chill in the air. A black stage waits for performers who may never appear, but... beside it, there's several things left about. A small table set up with multiple cushions. A mannequin with an in-progress outfit. A painting on an easel. An old music box. A pristine aquarium housing seagrass. And a black silk ribbon.

In the opposite direction is a pitch-black forest. Eventually, you know in your heart, you must go to it. That's where your victim waits, after all. But for now...

What will you do?

[cleansewithfire]

[ The first thing Sunrise thinks is that this feels like being dressed for a funeral, except mourning clothes are usually nicer. So maybe not?

She will go examine the mannequin first. ]

[beathollow]

It's a very lovely outfit, a nice white with a pink skirt! Lots of lace and ribbons, but the embroidery isn't yet done. It looks like someone was taking a break and decided to leave.

As Sunrise investigates, a memory plays for all to see:

You and another girl walk side by side. It's dark out, and people are rushing home. She sounds like she's had fun, at least, as she slows down to talk.

"Anyway, do you feel a little better?"

"...What?"

"I'm asking because you seem a little more relaxed, now."

"I do...? ... Actually, I am feeling better."

"That's good to hear! Whenever it feels like walls are closing in, taking your mind off things by doing something else can help, right? In those situations, I always ran towards the things that felt safe and allowed me to relax.It's why I felt that you also needed something or somewhere you could run to, Mafuyu."

"Oh. ... Is that what you wanted to-"

"Hehe. Sorry... I thought it'd be best to just do it. It's a little different from what you're going through, but the truth is, I also went through a period where I wasn't really allowed to be myself..."

Mizuku pauses, gathering her thoughts.

"A lot of things happened while I was in junior high that led to me becoming the subject of everyone's ridicule. I constantly got all these weird looks...As rough as that was, watching anime and making videos helped me get through it..."

"But that didn't..."

"I know. It didn't actually solve anything. I went about it pretty aimlessly, and going to school eventually became too much for me. Even the one person I could talk to ended up graduating... That made things unbearable. So, I ran from school. I stopped going.At home, I felt safe... But I still knew deep down that I was running from my problems, which weighed on me a lot... However... I'm standing here today because I gave myself that time..."

"... 'Gave yourself that time'?"

"The thing is, Mafuyu... I believe that taking on whatever life throws at you takes a lot of energy. At the same time, if you can't get away from your problems, they'll just sap away all of your energy until there's nothing left. You know what I mean, right? After suffering through so much pain for so long, you just sorta lose the will to go on...

Which is why I believe in order for that not to happen... And to survive... It's necessary to have a place where you can run to whenever you need it.

Obviously, I'm not saying running is the best option since it doesn't actually help solve anything. And it only provides short-term relief... But I believe that it's okay to run when you're faced with an unbearable amount of pain and suffering that's going to take your life force away.

So... When you think you've reached your limit, it's okay to run away. For your own sake, Mafuyu. You. No one else."

...



Sunrise, you may feel tears forming in your eyes.

[emptyself]

[ between the white clothes and the bitter cold, soujuurou feels uncomfortably at home.

he’ll go to check out the aquarium! ]

[beathollow]

The aquarium isn't plugged in to anything, and so the water's a bit stagnant. Still, the seagrass within looks healthy!

As he looks around, however, he'll hear a soft wordless song- just a gentle vocalization. It's light and airy, yet full of longing.

Something in his heart hurts, hearing it.

[townmusician]

[Oh. An outfit change? Haruka looks down at his new digs, tugging at the sleeves of his white shoulder. Huh...]

Weird.

[Why white??

Anyways, he's going to take a closer look at that stage. Maybe he'll even hop up onto it, for funsies.]

[beathollow]

The stage is well-cared for, despite everything. However, despite being clearly set up for a performance, there's no way to power it.

There should be others with him to sing, he may think. But that thought... isn't quite his own.

[fullmoonmutt]

I'd be careful touching that if I were you.

[ Or don't. In any case, hello, Eli's come over to snoop around the stage as well. ]

[strawsandals]

[ Not this shit again...

He's pulled into the vast empty space and given Soujuurou-esque clothes, but he's more interested in investigating his surroundings, so he'll take a look at that painting. ]

[beathollow]

It's a unique art style with a unique clash of colors, and the emphasis on brush strokes. It looks like a planet floating through space, but there's somehow a fairy tale whimsy to it...

As he takes a closer look, something plays for all to see:

A girl sits at her desk across from you.

"I need to go home..." you say, and she looks shocked.

"What?! Why?! I thought you didn't want to go home!"

"It's not that I don't want to. But this cold feeling comes over me when I think about it. And it hurts..."

"Is that because of what happened the other day...? ... Ugh, you really should just tell your mom how you feel."

"Doing that is just going to make her worry even more... Between missing that practice exam and breaking curfew, I've already caused her so much trouble..."

Ena frowns.

"I get what you're saying... But are you happy with the situation?"

... Something seems to snag, as if something's skipping ahead to the next part.

Your phone is ringing. It's Mom. As you falter on what to say, Ena grabs the phone from you and turns on a cheerful, respectful voice.

"Pardon me. It's nice to meet you. My name is Ena Shinonome. I'm the friend Mafuyu was talking about. ... No, I go to a different high school. We were studying together and lost track of the time. ... What- how...? ... ... ... Music...? No, I'm not sure what you're talking about... No, I doubt she was talking about me..."

"Ena-"

"You stay quiet." Ena shoots, before returning to the phone conversation. "I... I met Mafuyu through art. ... Uh- So, Mafuyu and I met when she came to see one of my father's art exhibits. We got to know each other after that. ... Yes, have you heard of Shinei Shinonome? He's my father... Yes, that's him! I ran into Mafuyu while helping out at one of his other exhibits... After finding out that she liked his art and that we were the same age, we really got along! ... ... Hehe. I always enjoy hanging out with her. And much like how she was helping me study today, she's done a lot for me. Oh, also... There's something I'd like to ask you...Would it be okay if I had Mafuyu be a model for one of my drawings?"

That catches you off guard- both the idea of her using you as a model and... ... Ena hates her father, and their connection. She's a proud sort who wants to use her own strength and skill... and yet...

Ena keeps talking.

"Yes. I'm not directly following in my father's footsteps, but I'm also trying my hand at art... And she fits exactly what I need to do for my current assignment. So, I'd like to have her be my model... Thank you very much! However, I need to finish my drawing tonight, so I was wondering if Mafuyu could stay over at my house. ... ... Thank you very much!"

...

A night of freedom. To breathe. Is it true? Relief washes over you and only now do you realize how much your stomach hurt from the call.

[bloodweapon]

[Oh, cool, guess we're doing this palace as a catboy. Not like he needs his armor or anything!! Not like he's going to be feeling ill at ease without it!!

Anyway, Fray's going to go check out the black ribbon. What's up with this?]

[moodwrecker]

[...

Since when have they had a catboy????????]

[emptyself]

Oh, someone new. Hello.

[ waves! ]

[cleansewithfire]

Oh, hello Mr. Fray.

[ Thank you Aaron for spoilering Sunrise. ]

[beathollow]

It used to be a very high quality, but the edges are starting to fray... no pun intended.

As Fray picks it up, he'll feel-

Small. Younger, even, and in so much pain he can't help but want to cry. Someone is holding him, singing softly- but the voice is mechanical.

How strange. Despite this, it helps.

For now.

[vogelfrei]

[ Ah... What a desolate place. It reminds McGillis of his own dream from last week and not in a good way.

He'll waste no time and get right to investigating. He'll sound the music box. ]

[beathollow]

It's a classic wooden box, and clearly loved. Despite how old it is, it's well-cared for and seems to have been left not out of a lack of care, but to be shared with this world, desolate as it is.

Picking it up will play, for all to see:

You're feverish, eyes squeezed shut- the heat hurts so much, nausea washes over you with a heavy force and you've never felt so alone. Eventually, however, you manage to open your eyes and you're in an unfamiliar and... thoroughly messy room. Music sheets and CDs are everywhere, and it's dark.

A young girl sits beside you. She seems both releived and concerned.

"Oh, Mafuyu, you're awake?"

"Kanade...?"

"You need to rest. Your fever hasn't broken, yet. Also, I tried making some apple sauce for you. Would you like to try some...?"

You nod and manage to sit up just enough to swallow a couple spoonfuls with shaky hands.

"Good, looks like you can keep it down... But you're still sweating quite a bit. Your towel even feels warm now... Please, just try to rest. I'll go get you some ice water..."

Before you can think, you speak- "Don't..."

"Huh?"

"Please, don't go... Don't leave me alone..."

Kanade looks shocked, and then hurt, before she manages to turn it into a warm, reassuring smile as she takes your hand.

"Okay. Don't worry. I'll stay right here. Here, hold my hand. I won't let you be all alone."

"Thank...you..."

...

And the fever drives you back into sleep, feeling warm and safe for the first time in... you don't remember when.

[cirquedesang]

[Oh, this isn't ominous at all.

Given that it's only a (short) matter of time before discovering whose palace this is... he'll investigate the music box, winding it to see what it plays.]

[beathollow]

Say hi to McGillis!

[supherb]

[As with every other palace that Arven has found himself in, he’s hit with how off everything feels from the get-go. It’s especially obvious with this one, considering even his clothes have been changed.

He peers down at the white outfit, then at Mabosstiff who has joined him. Even the Pokemon has been graced with a white bandanna around his neck.]

Whose palace could this be…?

[He looks around to see who else has been summoned. Phew. Looks like Mafuyu was spared this time. That’s good.

He’ll join the others in their investigations.]

[cirquedesang]

[Spared, huh. Can't wait to see his reaction to whose palace this is--]

[moodwrecker]

[Her dress is simple, if tattered - but once she's done tugging at it a little in distaste, she'll finally get moving on actually investigating.

She'll go with Yoon to check the painting.]

[beautifulknight]

...?

[ WHA-

HIS BEAUTIFUL ARMOR???? Ah well...

Let's check out the black silk ribbon with Fray! ]

[fullmoonmutt]

...the fuck? [ Eli looking down at his now very white clothing. This is not a good look for him. ] Oh, come on, at least Izou's palace gave us cool clothes!

[ Eli, it gave you weird, tattered shit, too... ]

Tch.

[ Displeased, but here nonetheless, he decides to join Haruka in looking at the stage. ]

[idealies]

[ Ai finds herself in a frilly white dress not unlike the one she wore when modeling for Sweet Lolita, only tattered.

She shivers a little in the chill, but she'll proceed to check out the aquarium with Soujuurou! ]