+ 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]

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!

[postcondition]

Flawed? How could they be flawed?

[She definitely seems worried about this.]

These notes are all I have. Um, there can't be any flaws since they're basically what makes up Ryoko Otonashi. If my notes are flawed, then it's like saying my entire existence is flawed!

[moraloutrage]

Ack! I- I apologize profusely, Otonashi-kun! [He gives several, very quick and very apologetic bows.]

I did not mean to imply such a thing in the slightest! You have a very great existence. One that you should be proud of! I... I only meant to suggest that maybe a few notes here and there might have mistakes. N-not your entire identity! After all, you are more than your notes, Otonashi-kun!

[postcondition]

I am?

[She...well, she seems surprised by this, but there's also some definite curiosity her.]

I don't see how I could be, um, how am I more than my notes?

[moraloutrage]

It is simple! Just by existing, you are more than them! Sure, you have memory problems and rely on your notes to know all that you do. But even so, the person ultimately driving your actions is you yourself! You are the one who chooses how to read and write those notes, and how to inerpret them! Without you, what purpose would those notes serve?

Not to mention, the person who I acknowledge as a dear friend is Ryoko Otonashi-kun, not her notes! With that said, and considering your strength of character, I would certainly consider you to be much more than your notes! You are your own person, Ryoko Otonashi!

[postcondition]

Oh wow, um...that's...wow. After hearing that...

[Nope, she can't. She knows she's supposed to stick to the plan, but after hearing that, she can't resist! Besides, the mastermind should've known she'd deviate from the script at some point. She's not some disappointingly myopic mercenary that follows every order to the letter. Nope, not her.]

After hearing that, you should totally tell it to Ryoko Otonashi if you see her again!

[Surprise?]

[moraloutrage]

[Ishimaru is left speechless for a moment by her words and blinks uncertainly. Certainly... she cannot mean what he thinks she means...]

Ah... Wh-what do you mean? Am I not... looking at you right now? [He glances towards the notebook, which should be confirmation that he's dealing with the real Otonashi! ...Right?]

[postcondition]

You're looking at me, but I'm afraid I'm not who you think I am. Otonashi-san's not here at the moment, so I thought I'd hang out in her room for a while.

[Because this whole Wonderland falling apart thing is definitely the appropriate time for this kind of nonsense.]

It was a pretty good impression, don't you think? I thought using her actual notes about that friend of yours would make it all the more believable.

[moraloutrage]

[Ishimaru grows pale, his stomach dropping as he realizes that he's been fooled. Once again.]

N-no... no! It cannot be! O... Otonashi-kun's Mirror? [He shakes his head.] I - I have been fooled once again??

[He's been seized by fear and despair, but it also gives way to anger.]

What is the meaning of this?! Where is the real Otonashi-kun??

[postcondition]

Whoa, scary!

[Not really, but let's pretend.]

But that's a great question! Where is the real Ryoko Otonashi?

[If this were a video game, there might be a handy multiple choice option here. But it's not...though the mirror offers a few choices.]

Could she be out in the void? Or somewhere in the mansion? Or maybe she's...um...I forgot. Who were we talking about again?

[The last one is delivered using her super accurate super cruel Ryoko impression because of course it is.]

Either way, wherever she is she's out there without her notebook and that's probably a real problem isn't it? So...

[It might be expected that this is the setup for some horrible thing. Maybe she'll hang on to the notebook, or worse, destroy it. But instead...]

So you should take this!

[She'll hold out the notebook to him with a bright, seemingly hopeful smile.]

That way when you find her, you can give these back to her. Or if you don't, it's something to remember her by. And if you don't want to do that either, you could totally take a look if you're nosy. Who knows what important details might've slipped her mind?

[moraloutrage]

[Ishimaru is overcome with emotion and begins to tear up! He's furious with the mirror and also extremely concerned for the real Otonashi, especially as the mirror lines up the possibilities. As she holds out the notebook, he snatches it back.]

Of course I will take it! I do not intend to do any snooping either. But I do know that such a thing does not belong in your hands!

[He frowns as he looks back to the door.]

Now, I have to head out and find her as soon as possible!! [This is more important than trying to solve Wonderland's mysteries. He can't let himself lose another friend! He rushes towards the door, but he looks back at her with a glare.]

I do not intend to harm you or force you out of this room! But I must implore you, Otonashi-kun's Mirror. Please stop lying, and please stop pretending to be the real Otonashi-kun! I can only put up with your deceptions so many times!!