+ The (Final) 12 Days of Ewaymas +

[vitaelamorte]

Who: EVERYONE!
Where: Real Side only!
When: 12/13-12/25
Rating: PG-13, warn if going higher
Summary: On the first day of Ewaymas, Wonderland took from me...
The Story:
On the first day of Ewaymas (12/13/19), Wonderland took from me:
The Forest and all of the trees!
On the second day of Ewaymas (12/14/19), Wonderland took from me:
The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the third day of Ewaymas (12/15/19), Wonderland took from me:
Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the fourth day of Ewaymas (12/16/19), Wonderland took from me:
Hedges and their maze! Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the fifth day of Ewaymas (12/17/19), Wonderland took from me:
ALLLLL OF THE MIIIIIIIRRORS! Hedges and their maze! Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the sixth day of Ewaymas (12/18/19), Wonderland took from me:
So many fruit trees! ALLLLL OF THE MIIIIIIIRRORS! Hedges and their maze! Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the seventh day of Ewaymas (12/19/19), Wonderland took from me:
No more lake a-swimming! Six tons of fruit! ALLLLL OF THE MIIIIIIIRRORS! Hedges and their maze! Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the eighth day of Ewaymas (12/20/19), Wonderland took from me:
Traumatic human chess! No more lake a-swimming! Six tons of fruit! ALLLLL OF THE MIIIIIIIRRORS! Hedges and their maze! Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the ninth day of Ewaymas (12/21/19), Wonderland took from me:
The flora and the fauna! Traumatic human chess! No more lake a-swimming! Six tons of fruit! ALLLLL OF THE MIIIIIIIRRORS! Hedges and their maze! Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the tenth day of Ewaymas (12/22/19), Wonderland took from me:
Somewhere dark and dingy! The flora and the fauna! Traumatic human chess! No more lake a-swimming! Six tons of fruit! ALLLLL OF THE MIIIIIIIRRORS! Hedges and their maze! Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the eleventh day of Ewaymas (12/23/19), Wonderland took from me:
Shady backyard vendors! Somewhere dark and dingy! The flora and the fauna! Traumatic human chess! No more lake a-swimming! Six tons of fruit! ALLLLL OF THE MIIIIIIIRRORS! Hedges and their maze! Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!
On the twelfth day of Ewaymas (12/24/19), Wonderland took from me:
Endless magic closets! Shady backyard vendors! Somewhere dark and dingy! The flora and the fauna! Traumatic human chess! No more lake a-swimming! Six tons of fruit! ALLLLL OF THE MIIIIIIIRRORS! Hedges and their maze! Every grain of sand! The whole entire Ocean! And the Forest and all of the trees!

Comments

[moraloutrage]

[Ishimaru nods along and then frowns thoughtfully as he looks over the items, while the Christmas song continues playing in the background.]

That is the tricky thing, Enoshima-kun. I have brought all of these items out specifically because they may in fact be clues! I cannot tell what meaning most of these hold. But there is this paintbrush... [He holds up the red paintbrush.] ...This may be relevant to the original Wonderland story, at the very least!

[testcase]

Painting the roses red, right?

[She'll think about that one for a moment, or at least look like she's thinking about it.]

Probably a bad time to try though, can't imagine finding them out there now.

[moraloutrage]

Well, yes, that is true. There is no longer a garden to apply this to! I have been trying to think of any sort of alternate meaning or hint within this paintbrush, but I have come up dry! Could this be another dead end?

[testcase]

Even if it is, it's not like there's a lot of options here. If there's anything that would keep the void from coming closer, that'd be nice.

[Or slow it. She'd be more okay with slowing than stopping. She doesn't care if it consumes all of Wonderland so long as she can spend whatever despairingly dismal last moments she has here with her friends.]

So maybe there's something in Wonderland to paint instead?

[moraloutrage]

It is a distinct possibility! But what could it be? I feel as if painting a void would be a futile effort. Perhaps a room somewhere? But we would need more clues to find out exactly where... [He continues to pace while looking from item to item, desperate to piece any kind of conclusion together!]

[testcase]

Yeah, even if you could, it's not like anyone would see it. Outside of that weird white crack, anything that goes into there's not something you'll see again.

[Which may or may not explain where a certain mirror's going, but that's not the point!]

But I can't think of anywhere like that.

[And then an idea occurs to her.]

Hey, isn't there that other girl here? Yasuke's patient? Doesn't she have a notebook full of everything about everything? She might have an idea or two about where we could look.

[moraloutrage]

[She does bring up a compelling point... but then his eyes widen as she brings up the last part.]

Ah! You - you are speaking of Otonashi-kun? It... is true that her notes may be very detailed, even if she has not been back in Wonderland for very long! But, ah, it may be best for me to seek her out!

[testcase]

Can't hurt, right?

[She's trying to sound optimistic about this when she knows...]

I know she doesn't really care for me, but I'm hoping we can put that aside since this is way more important.

[Yup, that's what she knows. She definitely doesn't know anything else about the continuing Ryoko situation. Especially now with everyone being on the same side in Wonderland. Nope, she doesn't know anything about that at all.]

[moraloutrage]

I- I do wish that everyone would get along! [It would be nice if they could all be in the same room for once. Like one big happy, healthy Hope's Peak family!]

But the fact of the matter is - well, I would not go as far as to say that she does not care, but she... seems wary of you, because of that misunderstanding that we discussed the last time that we were both here! It may take time for her to come around... S-so for the time being, it is best for me to do the talking!

[testcase]

All right, you do all the talking.

[She doesn't have a problem with that. If they find Ryoko, sure, he can do all the talking.]

Any idea where she is though? Where does she hang out around Wonderland?

[moraloutrage]

Well, I have yet to run into her yet today! With so much of Wonderland vanished, I suppose that narrows down the number of places that can be checked. She could be in the dining hall, one of the tea rooms, the library, or her room!

[testcase]

Her room first then?

[She'll think about that one for a second, having chosen the one that could technically cause her the most trouble, but it's a pretty safe choice.]

Seems like the best place to start.

[moraloutrage]

A good idea! It is a very likely place for her to be, after all. We may find her in no time at all! [And he wastes no time marching over towards her room!]

[postcondition]

[Ryoko, or someone who looks like Ryoko definitely seems to be in her room! No one's mysteriously disappeared, so she'll answer her door, looking concerned, but she doesn't seem to remember who she's looking at, which probably isn't too surprising.]

Um, can I help you?

[She'll just look at Ishimaru, a little confused about this. Meanwhile Junko'll just hang back and let him do all the talking. That's fine with her.]

[moraloutrage]

[...Thank goodness she's there! Ishimaru smiles as he greets her. Just a little awkwardly due to Junko's presence.]

Ah, Otonashi-kun! Good afternoon! You certainly can help us. This is your friend, Kiyotaka Ishimaru. I am seeking your assistance to help solve the mystery behind one of my presents!

[postcondition]

My friend?

[Apparently that doesn't ring any bells to her, but it probably shouldn't.]

Let me grab my notebook.

[She'll just step back into her room to collect that, the door's open so they can come in and see Ryoko's giant collection of post it notes on the walls.]

Um, okay. You're my friend, I'm not sure how I can help with...what was it again?

[She's got her notes and they're open to the section about Ishimaru, but apparently she hasn't decided to look up the person he's with.]

[moraloutrage]

[Although he wasn't invited in her, Ishimaru feels that it's fine to step in. And so she enters. He smiles as she checks her notebook and confirms his identity.]

Well, you see, Otonashi-kun, we are trying to find the hidden meaning behind the gifts that I have been receiving. Specifically, a red paintbrush! I imagine we must use it to paint something red, but what? That is where you come in! With the comprehensive notes you have taken, we feel that you might be helpful in determining the correct place to paint.

[After a moment, he remembers Junko's presence - he glances back towards her and then at Otonashi with an apologetic frown.]

Ah... I hope that it is okay that I brought Enoshima-kun with me! She has been helping me with this, you see...

[postcondition]

...Enoshima-kun?

[Because of course that would be the part that sticks with her as Ryoko looks at what's definitely a total stranger who offers a sort of halfhearted wave while what is definitely Ryoko checks her notes and going pale.]

...she's helping you? Um I don't know what do there. You're my friend and I can help you, but I definitely can't help her. There's just no way!

[moraloutrage]

B-but Otonashi-kun... Surely there must be a way! I apologize if this makes you uncomfortable, but Wonderland is disappearing. And she is only trying to help me to find answers! If we work together and work hard, I am sure that things can work out for the best!

[testcase]

I was hoping it wouldn't be a problem, but...

[Junko'll speak up, looking disappointed like this turn of events.]

But I can leave if you want, then you wouldn't be helping me. Just him. Then it's not a problem, right?

[Ryoko nods, accepting this idea, pretty enthusiastically actually, like it's the best idea she can remember hearing in some time.]

Know you wanted us all to work together, but she's just not gonna go for it.

[moraloutrage]

Ah... [He frowns at how quickly this turn of events has fallen apart. He was sure that he could get through to Otonashi!]

I- I would much prefer if we could all put aside our differences and work together!

[Then, he relents with a sigh.]

...But... If this is how things must be, then I shall relent for now. We shall just work together separately instead! I apologize, Enoshima-kun. I will be sure to catch up to you later!

[postcondition]

[Junko'll make some noncommittal noise and walk off. She'll definitely be around later, but after she's gone the girl in Ryoko's room will look over from her notes and ask a question that's not really relevant to the whole Wonderland falling apart thing.]

How'd you do that? I've never been able to make her go away that easily.

[moraloutrage]

[There goes Junko, regrettably. Ishimaru frowns as he turns back to face Otonashi.]

Ah, what do you mean? She chose to leave of her own volition, in order to be considerate of your feelings! It sounds as if you have... had trouble parting from her before? I did not even realize that you had crossed paths much in this mansion!

[postcondition]

No, not in the mansion. At least I don't think so. But in this notebook, it says I've run into her before, and she's not really the type to go away.

[She'll keep reading, pretending she hasn't looked at all this before, but hey, Ryoko never drops anything really interesting, so if the mirror's going to play the part, she'll share a little more than the Real normally would.]

Um, not even if you bite her apparently.

[moraloutrage]

B-bite her?! Why would there even be a need to resort to that? [He says with a shocked gasp. It sounds very unlike Junko.]

Perhaps your notes might be flawed when it comes to her, Otonashi-kun. I am sure that this is all just some misunderstanding!