【EVENT】 New Year's Wishful Dreaming

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Wishful Dreaming Event

On the Eve of the New Year, the city of Starsand is surprisingly quiet. For a place so eager to throw parties, you might think that the streets would be full of life. But instead, Starsand’s streets are quiet and it’s citizens shutting down shops early. In this city, the last night of the year is contemplative and quiet. Citizens might make their last shrine visits, but it’s uncommon to see them out past 11.

They say that it’s important to fall asleep before the New Year, because you want to treasure your first dream of the New Year. Supposedly it’s lucky and prophetic. If you write it down and remember it, that dream can even guide you to your greatest desire. And rumors are always good ideas in Starsand.

Sleep comes easy on this night. Characters will find themselves getting drowsy by 4am at the latest. When they do fall asleep, they fall into a deep and elaborate dream.

!

OOC NOTES

The first dream of the New Year will show characters their wishes come true. They will get to enjoy the life they long for. But strangely, they may find other Fallen Stars wandering into their dreams. These encounters may shake them out of their dreamlike state and make them aware that the dream is just that: A dream. If the dreamer denies their dream or has doubts, then the dreamscape will fall apart into a nightmare before both dreamer and visitor wake up.

It is possible to have multiple dreams: Characters must wake between dreams, even if just briefly, then fall back asleep in order to change their dream. There can be multiple visitors before the dream ends for good.

On the morning of January 1st, all characters who had a dream will find a prismatic crystal clenched in the palm of their hands. The crystal will reflect the contents of their dream, so long as they hold the same wish. If they change wishes or lose faith, then the crystal will turn black and melt into Rumor goo.

NPC characters may reply to dreams with clues. Please indicate which characters you want to receive clues by putting a “*” in their toplevel title. You may request clues for up to 3 characters. Thank you for your help!

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Comments

[applehearted]

Let's go. I can't leave, but I can at least lead you out.

[ Kanade can't be seen here. She can't get caught. If she is, then...

...

She doesn't want to think about that. ]

[composalvation]

[Can't...?

Kanade's gaze drifts down, stopping at Mafuyu's wrist. The string wrapped around it is so thin, yet it must be incredibly strong to hold her back like this. Slowly she reaches up, giving Mafuyu enough time to swat her hand away if she's doing something inappropriate, and pinches the string between her thumb and forefinger.]

If these weren't here... could you leave?

[Would you want to?]

[applehearted]

Yes.

[ It's a simple answer. She could leave if the strings were not there. But as for the second, unasked question... she doesn't know if she'd even want to. ]

[composalvation]

[Some of the stagehands are still at work setting up the next scene. In the area just past the backstage curtains, Kanade had seen some sewing supplies, kept out in case of emergency costume repair. If she just...]

... I'm not going to leave without you. I'll be right back, okay?

[It's easy enough for Kanade, small and scrawny as she is, to slip hopefully unnoticed backstage again amid the bustle of work, grabbing a pair of scissors and returning to Mafuyu's side in only a few seconds.]

... Do you want me to...?

[She wants to help Mafuyu. She wants to save her, to pull her into the light after falling so far into the dark. It's something she wishes for more than anything, but... she doesn't want to hurt Mafuyu in the process. So she holds back, scissors in one hand and the other extended towards Mafuyu. Her eyes only drift away for the briefest moments, like she's glancing around the stage to make sure nobody is trying to stop them.]

[applehearted]

[ Does she want Kanade to? That's the big question here. Truthfully, there's a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach of actually leaving. She feels almost sick. ]

I...

[...]

Where would I go?

[ This is her home. ]

[composalvation]

[There's only a brief moment of hesitation, and it's only because Kanade worries - is she... being too forward with this? Would it be too confusing for Mafuyu? She doesn't want to keep piling things on to an already precarious situation...

... But she also can't leave her to flounder like this.]

I told you before, didn't I...? [That free hand reaches out, but not to grab the marionette string again. Ever so gently she takes Mafuyu's wrist, thumb gently pressing over the spot where the string is wrapped around.] I promised that I wouldn't leave your side. So no matter what happens... there's always a place for you with me.

[applehearted]

Thank you.

[ She's grateful.

Utterly and truly. ]

But... I can't go. I'm sure all that the director wants is what's best for me. So if you don't mind waiting, Kanade... then...

[ After she graduates. Then she can free herself from these strings. Her mother will surely understand, then. ]

[composalvation]

[Kanade doesn't have the anger that Ena does, whenever they approach this minefield. She can't yell at Mafuyu about how shitty this all is, she can't gripe about all these restrictions her mother's been putting on her over every little thing. Really, she just feels sad over all of this. Seeing how wilted Mafuyu becomes, whenever she's mentioned.

(it hurts. her heart breaks. there's that burning again-)]

But if it's something you want to do... shouldn't she want that too? What's best for you is what makes you feel things you want to feel...

[She's not going to presume Mafuyu will be happier with her. As much as the idea sparks a comforting fire in her chest, she can't be that selfish. Not with this.]

cw: family emotional manipulation; also spoilers for jp prosekai

[applehearted]

...

[ She's quiet for a moment.

But soon, the ground beneath Mafuyu's feet begins to turn into ice and the sound of voices can be heard reverberating in the background - one being unfamiliar, and the other being Mafuyu herself. It's obvious from context who this unfamiliar voice is.

".....Hey, Mafuyu. Do you have anything to hide from me?"

"Eh.......? There's nothing. How can I hide anything from from you--"

"--Really? Look into my eyes, can you really say there's nothing?"

"Eh... I hide nothing form you. How can I do that to you?"

"Then, what is 'this'?"

"....!"

"I should have thrown this away before. I wonder why it's still in your room."

"..... Umm. Well-- I was thinking of studying for the future."

".....What do you mean?"

"I have a friend who is doing music. When I saw them, I became interested in it, and I wanted to study it too. You see, there are things like music therapy in the world. I thought it might be useful in the future..."

"...I see. As expected, Mafuyu. It's great that you are willing to learn new things."

"Thanks, mom. Therefore, this synth--"

"--However, is it really necessary for you now?"

"Eh....?"

"Music is indeed wonderful. As Mafuyu said, there is music therapy, and it might be useful if you become a doctor. But I'm worried."

"Worried.....?"

"If you neglect your study because of that instrument, you might fail the exam, right? Of course, I know it won't be the case as you are smart and a good child.....I'm just worried if it might narrow down your future."

"Mom...."

"I don't think it's too late to study music therapy after college--and I'm sure there are other ways to relax. That's right. How about watching a movie like you did last night? Didn't you say that if you watched it without subtitles, you'd study listening? Next time, I'll ask a teacher I know to offer you a movie that's good for studying."

".....Thank you, mom. I'm sorry I made you worried. But--"

"......Mom, to know that you're worried about me so much makes me really happy, but. I..... want to try it. Doing music."

"Mafuyu......"

"Of course, I won't let it cause any problems to my studying for the exam as well as bother the friend I told you...."

"......Is that friend of yours the same age?"

"Eh? Yes, we're the same age....."

".......I see. That's amazing. Art enriches the mind, and I understand that Mafuyu is interested in it."

"...! Then...."

"But...... is that child studying for the exam properly?"

"Eh.....?"

"If that is a child who has as high goals as yours and is studying hard for the exams, I can support you to do it as a hobby to relax....."

"Their study is...."

".....So that's it. Hey, Mafuyu. I think it's important to get along with various people. It's a good way to improve your sensibility and make connections for the future. But for now.... I think the ones you should care about most are the friends who are also trying hard for the exam, don't you think? I think you may have a more fruitful relationship with people who have the same goals as yours."

"That might be true, but..... I...."

"Mafuyu... what's wrong with you today? Did I do something to you....I just mean good for your future....."

"Ah... I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean that...! Even though you always think for me seriously--I'm sorry for bothering you."

"--No, it's okay. I will support if you really want to do it. I'm worried for you, so I'm just being a little nosy, but this is your life after all. Therefore--you can do whatever you want to do, Mafuyu."

"Eh....?"

"Please do what you really want to do, but--don't regret it, okay?"

"......I...what I want to do is.....I'm sorry, mom. .......I will quit doing music. And I will study for the exams for the future. So rest assured, mom."

".... Is that really okay?"

"Yes, studying is the priority now."

"I see.... I'm relieved now. THen you don't need this synth anymore. I will keep it for you."

"Yes, I got it. I'm sorry for speaking so selfishly. I will be studying until dinner." ]

[composalvation]

[As the ice spreads beneath their feet, so too does a deep chill in Kanade's veins. But it's not the ice that does it - it's the words of Mafuyu's mother that freeze her down to the bone. Is this... is this really how Mafuyu is talked to at home? Kanade kind of assumed that her mother had more of a... serious, cold personality, from what little Mafuyu's told them. But this...]

Is this... real?

[She honestly sounds horrified, now hearing the full context of Mafuyu saying she'd quit music. And under that, there's a hint of... guilt?

"If that is a child who has as high goals as yours and is studying hard for the exams, I can support you to do it as a hobby to relax....."

Is... is her mother trying to use her against Mafuyu? Is Mafuyu being worn down like this because of her? Is her mere presence once again cursing one of the people she cares about most?

No. No. As much as Kanade so often gets lost in blaming herself for others' pain, this- this isn't about her. This is about Mafuyu, the way her mother seems to be wearing her down with each question, each judgement. Like she's putting her into a mortar and pestle, grinding down until she's nothing but dust that can blow away into nothingness at any moment. She wants to stop this - she has to stop this.]

Mafuyu...

[Her grip around Mafuyu's wrist tightens. A comforting hold, as Kanade's touch always is, but it also seems like Kanade is bracing herself for something?]

... I'm sorry. You can be mad at me for making this choice for you, but I have to.

[And that's all the warning Mafuyu gets before Kanade pulls her closer, slashing out with the scissors still in her hand and severing all her strings.]

[applehearted]

..... Kanade.

[ She's not mad.

But concern traces her eyes and the strings are cut. However, there are consequences to these actions. A noticeable one in fact, as that same familiar voice can be heard overhead. ]

"...Mafuyu? Where are you now?"

Ah-

[composalvation]

[Ah

There's a sharp pang in her chest, like her heart is trying to turn itself inside out. Was that worry? Fear? Whatever it is, it's damn near physically painful and causes Kanade's breath to catch in her throat. This isn't good, this-]

Let's go.

[This is something they can't wait out. They need to get away from that voice, and fast. Kanade takes a few steps backwards, towards the edge of the stage, rather than the curtains, but keeps her hold on Mafuyu's wrist. She's not forcing Mafuyu to move just yet, but she's not going to leave her either.]

Come on, we can get out of here.

[If they can just get out of the theater, maybe...!]

[applehearted]

[ She can feel the iciness in that voice that she can't entirely explain and while there's a part of her that feels discomfort in her chest - the way that Kanade holds onto her wrist is a contrasting warmth.

Quietly Mafuyu nods, knowing that leaving is probably better than staying here. ]

[composalvation]

[Kanade keeps walking backwards - it's a little tricky, as she keeps glancing over her shoulder to make sure she can see the steps leading off the stage, but she's not turning away from Mafuyu now. She keeps her hold gentle, and she maintains eye contact as much as she can. As much as the voice looming above them worries her... Kanade tries to keep her smile soft, reassuring...]

We'll be out of here soon. If we can just get out of the theater...

[She's not sure if they'll be safe. But it's better than where they are now.]

[applehearted]

Where is the exit?

[ Mafuyu certainly doesn't know where it is. Or rather - she wasn't allowed to know.

There just seems to be long, endless hallways after all. No exit in sight. ]

[composalvation]

[Ah. Not good.

Kanade's grip on Mafuyu's wrist tightens, ever so slightly, when she finally makes it off the stage. Are there normal walkways down the rows of seats or is it something completely different...?]

I don't know. But we'll find it. There has to be a way out.

[applehearted]

Mm.

[ There are in fact normal walkways, but they seem to expand further and further in, almost endlessly with no end in sight. ]

[composalvation]

[That's fine. She'll walk as far as she has to, terrible stamina be damned, to lead Mafuyu out of this stifling place.]

... Mafuyu. Can I... ask you a question?

[applehearted]

What is it?

[ She asks the question; it's clear that she doesn't mind. ]

[composalvation]

[As they walk, Kanade keeps her free hand just barely brushing the wall closest to them. She read once that an easy way to solve maze puzzles is to just keep moving and follow a wall, so maybe it would work here...?

But she only seems to be half paying attention to it. Mostly, she seems to be focusing on mulling over whatever it is she's about to ask Mafuyu. It's... a tough subject, after all. She doesn't want to hurt her, but...]

... Does she... [The director. Your mother.] Does she... talk to you like that a lot?

[applehearted]

... not all the time.

[ She answers, a bit hesitant. ]

But... she just wants what's best for me, I'm sure.

[composalvation]

... But it's hurting you, isn't it?

[Kanade is... lucky. The worst she has to deal with in regards to her parents is worrying whether her father will remember her or not. She can't quite understand what it's like to be in Mafuyu's shoes in this. But even so...]

You... you didn't want me up on stage. Where she could see me. [There's that guilt again, seeping into her voice.] Having to hide like that, promising to give up music... if it hurts you, it's not good for you.

[applehearted]

It's fine.

[ They're words that she tells herself - words that she's telling Kanade. ]

Once I graduate... I'm sure she'll understand.

[composalvation]

... But can you hold out that long?

[As much as she wants Mafuyu to be happy, as much as she wants everything in her precious friend's life to be good... it's Mafuyu who's the priority here. Not her mother.]

Even if she understands... how much more of you will be chipped away because of that hurt?

[applehearted]

I'll be fine.

[ ... Will she, though?

She doesn't really know. But she wants her own words to be the truth. ]