dramatispersonae

PERIDOT

You're standing together on what seems to be the main street of a small village, paved with cobblestones, with low buildings standing silent on either side. If you look in any of them, you'll find them dark and empty.

In contrast to the Ring, it's rather chilly. The sky is slate-grey, and it seems like there's snow falling, blanketing you and the village in pure white. On closer inspection, the snow turns out to be ash – but the bleaching is literal. Even when you brush it off, your skin, your hair, your clothes, and your keys remain ash-coloured.

A single, feeble light flickers further down the street.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In the middle of this room is Firebird's golden sword.

You are aware that when you pick up the sword, you will experience absolute despair and loneliness. Any defenses you have against this – such as enjoying negative feelings, or being unable to feel very much in the first place – will be battered down completely. This effect will not end until after the game.

Only one of you has to do this.

...

I'll take this one.

Are you sure? We kind of . . . [glances at Mirage and Emilatosk]

Can you still restrain someone if that's weighing you down?

Probably...

[takes a second to consider it more seriously, though]

I can take it instead . . .

...Are you sure? It's not a lot of fun, feeling like that. Well, I guess that much is obvious.

What good am I going to be otherwise? I don't remember anything. The only one I could hold back is the kid.

You need to stay together more than me.

... [ugh sense of responsibility winning out over self-sacrificial tendencies]

...If you're sure. But you are a valuable teammate. There's a lot of stuff you can do. You won't remember that if you take it, but after... don't let it stick, okay?

I'm not that ridiculous. It's only because I've only just arrived.

Haha, alright. Well then, thanks for your help. I won't let you do anything stupid either.

You're valuable. Don't ever doubt that -- there's a reason you're on this team.

[ I-- I don't know you well enough to hug you so you get an awkward shoulder pat and also the scarf that she's wearing draped over your shoulder. ]

Here.

Ah—. . . thank you.

[wraps the scarf around his shoulders loosely '^' . . . a-and goes to pick up the sword]

[ '-' I BELIEVE IN YOU BABBYDOT. ]

WELL THAT IS A HORRIBLE FEEL FOR YOUR FIRST DAY

The sword vanishes. Another match appears, and this time the little girl is the one to pick it up and strike it. Her basket is now empty.

The back wall crumbles, revealing the open village gate beyond. The village is bright now, bustling.

[SORRY WHAT VILLAGE? I am busy dealing with this soul crushingly empty feeling now]

[ I'm also filled with impotent rage but now my tears have dried, so what if I just. Vent this rage. By pulling you into a big hug!?! ]

Even though you weren't meant to be the one who took that... that was really brave! We'll make it up to you for sure!

[BUT I . . . I AM SO ALONE. THE WORLD IS BLACK. LIKE MY FEELINGS. Obviously this has to be some kind of fake put on!!

p. puts a hand on Mirage's head]

You don't need to lie to me . . .

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