IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST

[beathollow]

it's all too perfect.

Comments

[fullmoonmutt]

Yeah, I got her.

[ Eli's followed the rest to the stage, hopping up to join them. He'll get into place to catch her if needed, assuming anyone tries cutting those strings. ]

[townmusician]

Alright, good.

[He keeps squinting up at the strings, scowling.]

...I don't know if it's better to try cutting her down now, or waiting to see what happens. Though...

[His voice raises.]

Mafuyu, what do you want us to do? Cut you down or wait?

[beathollow]

...

There's only a raspy noise for an answer.

[townmusician]

[Hm.]

...

[Is she afraid to because of what her mom might do? Or... did her mom take away her voice entirely? (She just sees herself as a voiceless, faceless puppet...)]

Alright, Mafuyu. We'll get you down, and then you can decide what to do for yourself. No matter what, you should be the one deciding your future.

[And!!! He has more to say!!]

Including if you want to pursue music or not. If it makes you happy, it's the best future you could have.

[fullmoonmutt]

Just cut her down already! Look, if Arven is catching her, I'll boost you. You got your sword, right?

[townmusician]

I don't want to hurt her!

[HUFF PUFF]

And I don't need a boost! I'm not that short!

[fullmoonmutt]

The boost is so you can reach the damn strings and not cut anywhere near her?! What are you, stupid?! Even you could have cut them! They're strings!

[goei]

Y'want me ta cut the strings?

[He is here and ready with his sword.]

[townmusician]

Please, I wouldn't want to cut her accidentally.

[ALSO MORE PEOPLE TO CATCH HER IS PROBABLY BETTER...]

[goei]

Yeah, leave it ta a sword genius like me.

[FINALLY HARUKA IS ADMITTING HIS GREATNESS.

Anyway He's going to try and cut through all the strings cleanly in one slash of Hizen.]

[townmusician]

[bro he doesn't even know who okada izou is]

[beathollow]

Mafuyu drops and lands in Arven's arms limply.

...

But...

it feels like holding a porcelain doll, not a girl.

And the veil over her face is concave.

[privatedomicile]

--Jesus Christ, get that off her face!

[Jesse, that might just be her face if that's not Mafuyu.]

[fullmoonmutt]

Is this...? [ What?! ] Is this even Mafuyu at all? Is this a big puppet?!

[supherb]

[Arven catches her easily and with as much care as he possibly can...

But he knows something is wrong as soon as he has her cradled in his arms.

He hears the others shouting around him, but he feels himself trembling as he looks at that concave veil.]

M-Mafuyu...?

[Well..might as well face the horror of removing that veil.]

cw: facial horror

[beathollow]

The veil is pulled back, and... in place of Mafuyu's face, there's only a pitch-black hole. Like someone took a hammer to a porcelain doll's face.

After a moment, she shifts like she's trying to look away.

It hurts...

[supherb]

[Any sinking horror he might've had dissipates the moment she moves- the moment she whispers her pain. She's still in there somewhere, but this is what her mother has left her with.]

Mafuyu...

[He pulls her close, trying to hold back his tears.]

It's okay. It's okay...we're gonna get you back to normal.

[goei]

Shit she's in there like that doll Jesse found! Don't worry Mafuyu! We'll get ya back in yer normal body!

[To Arven]

Yer in charge of carrying her real gentle like, ok? A guy like you'd better fer that than me.

[supherb]

[He's still in shock, but he does hear Izou loud and clear.]

As if you need to ask. She'll be safe and sound with me.

[fullmoonmutt]

Why are you even using a sword if you don't...?!

[ Haruka, please get some skills. Huff. Fine. He'll offer Izou a boost instead, hunkering down and linking his fingers to form a foothold. ]

C'mon, Izou! Get up there!

[townmusician]

Mina gave it to me!!

[IT'S NOT HIS FAULT???]

[goei]

[HELP THIS IS INCREDIBLY SILLY BUT YEAH HE'LL TAKE THE BOOST UP TO GET A BETTER ANGLE TO CUT AT!!!]