+ 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]

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!!

[postcondition]

Hey, if you want me to stop lying...

[She'll stop and think about that one, there's a lot of things she could say if she's going to stop lying. Or could say, but instead...]

Well, with how Wonderland's going, you might not have to worry about me pretending to be her for too much longer.

[That's not a pleasant thought for her, but that's okay! Makes it worth thining about it.]

But yeah go find her. Maybe your friend'll help you look too.

[moraloutrage]

I would very much prefer to not have to worry about you pretending to be her at all! [He scolds. And then he sighs as he calms down.]

I do not have any time to waste. She could be in danger! You are right about one thing, I will have to call upon Enoshima-kun's help. Now she is someone who I can trust! [With her notebook tucked under his arm, he departs from the room and then tries to find Junko!]

[testcase]

[He'll find her not too far from the room, just down the hall really, going through her network device, maybe to see if Ryoko's posted or just so it looks like she's doing something.]

Hey, did she...hey, wait, is that her notebook? What happened in there?

[She'll look concerned, but really, she's in despair. He wasn't supposed to have that yet.

But it's also fine, she expected the Mirror to do something of her own. It can't hurt things too much at this point. She's still going to double back and get rid of her at some point. There've been far too many Ryoko Otonashis running around Wonderland for way too longer at this point.]

[moraloutrage]

[He moves towards her with an urgent hustle! Ishimaru looks very worked up, with the hints of tears on his cheeks, as he confronts her.]

W-well... I have some bad news for you, Enoshima-kun! That person in that room - that was not Otonashi-kun at all! It was in fact her mirror, posing as her. She has no idea where the real one is!

So, there is a change of plans. Now, we have to focus all of our efforts on finding the real Otonashi-kun! Who knows where she could be right now? And without her notebook on her for guidance??

[testcase]

[Give her a moment to look concerned, then shocked.]

What? That wasn't her?!

[She looks back towards the room like she wants to head right back that way, but no. She'll do that later. Helping Ishimaru with his super hopeless cause is way more important right now.]

Ugh, okay, you're right, we definitely need to find her. She gave you her notes though? Are there any clues in there? Like "I think I'm going to go here" or something like that?

[She's almost certain he hasn't looked at it yet, so she's not expecting a helpful answer there, but it's the right kind of thing to say.]

[moraloutrage]

[Ishimaru frowns. This deception must hurt Junko as much as it does him. Could that be the real reason she was pushing Junko away?]

Yes, I am sorry to say that we were both deceived by that mirror. But I gave her a stern talking-to, and hopefully she will stop trying to play such tricks!

[He holds up the notebook and looks at its cover uncertainly. He doesn't open it yet.]

...Ah... I have yet to actually open it! You see, I am very hesitant at going through someone's private journal without her permission... b-but if there is a clue here that can save Otonashi-kun, I suppose that I will just have to ask for her forgiveness later!

[He takes a nervous gulp before he hesitantly opens the book and starts to lead through it, in search of anything of interest!]

[testcase]

[Junko is in despair as he starts from the back, but she would've been in despair if he'd started from the front as well. Still, she'll wait quietly while he reads.

The handwriting in the back looks like Ryoko's sure (though honestly the mirror probably has the same handwriting). She had a lot on her mind lately (though all of this is scattered across the last few pages), she was worried about the state of Wonderland and the void, increasingly worried about her Mirror being on this side and what if the Mirror hurt her friends?

From there, it changes to worrying about Junko being here, Ryoko seems relieved she can't hurt Matsuda since he's not here, but like with the Mirror worries about her doing something to her friends and wishing she was a brave enough person to do something to keep that from happening.

At the end there, a slightly erratic scrawl from her saying she was going to the attic to see if she could find something, but that's about it in terms of possible hints.]

...so was there anything helpful in there?

[She doesn't think so unless the Mirror's playing a game she doesn't know about it, but hey, you never know!]

[moraloutrage]

[He's really going against his usual style here! Normally, he's a firm believer of starting any book from the beginning. But this case calls for the opposite. After all, logically, any clues would be in Otonashi's most recent notes - which would be found towards the end of the book. And that also could save him from reading more about her private life than he would like!

He scans through the last pages with notes on them. He sees mentions of the state of Wonderland the void, as well as her concerns about the Mirror, which certainly seem justified! Then he frowns as he looks through the parts about Junko and shakes his head.]

...Ah... her impression of you certainly is misguided... [He can't imagine Junko hurting anyone! He still remembers how Junko assuaged the doubts of Otonashi's that he brought up the last time that they were in Wonderland. Now he just sees that Otonashi's suspicions were even more out of hand than he thought!

But then, his eyes light up as he finds that last scrawl. The exact kind of message he was hoping to find!]

The attic!! [He slams the book shut with a sense of determination!] That is where we must check at once!

[Ishimaru pretty much bolts towards the stairs, without awaiting another word.]