pc catchall for jiji.

[agleam]

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week zero, monday

[unsaid]

[ 2. You open a door and find yourself in an art gallery, full of paintings of people you know from your own world and from your sojourn into your previous games. They're watching you. Always watching you. The paintings appear normal, at first, but slowly shift until they depict the people you know in horrifying, traumatic situations, their eyes fixed on you accusingly. No matter where go, their eyes follow you. After what feels like an entire day in the gallery you find yourself back in the hall, disoriented and with the unshakeable sensation of being watched. Only four minutes have passed.

mikazuki enters the art gallery and glances behind him to rupert, smiling faintly though it does not reach his eyes.]

Has your heart been prepared for this exploration, Rupert?

[agleam]

[he looks a little surprised as he enters in, seeing all these portraits, but... since the worst of it is that the paintings all seem to be staring at him, he frowns, but doesn't appear too disturbed yet.]

...It's weird, but I'll be fine.

[unsaid]

Should that change, be sure to speak up.

[otherwise, mikazuki will keep his leisurely pace walking down the art gallery - though he always remains a step away from rupert, like he is ready to defend him at any moment.

for all the eyes that are fixed upon mikazuki, he meets them with the same unmoving, neutral smile]

[agleam]

I don't think it will, but - okay.

[he looks uncomfortable as he walks through, following behind, but not so uncomfortable that he's tempted to leave. hold your head high, and all.

that doesn't necessarily change when he notices one of the paintings start to shift into something more dangerous, but he does pause in step for a moment.]

—Wait. Did you see that?

[unsaid]

[mikazuki will pause when prompted, glancing in its direction.]

Ah... And - this one, as well.

[another painting shifts. a man with long, white hair seems to suddenly find himself at a cliff edge, battered and beaten. the ground beneath his feet is crumbling. his red eyes glare into mikazuki's soul]

... it has been a while since he has looked at me that way.

[agleam]

[he looks at the portrait mikazuki stops at, partially just to avoid looking at anyone he knows, and after a short pause:]

...Who is he?

[unsaid]

... a good friend with a pure heart.

[he reaches out to the portrait, though he stops just short of his fingers making contact]

Until next we meet, little fox.

[he begins to walk away]

[agleam]

[he follows after, glancing once more at the painting before looking towards mikazuki.]

...I'm sorry you had to see him like that.

[unsaid]

[ . . . . ]

We have been in similar situations before - desperate and in the midst of battle. Though normally I am at his side...

Rather than apparently the cause of his troubles. [a beat, then honestly amused:] Though I am occasionally that as well, ha ha ha.

[agleam]

You must be pretty close, in that case.

[...]

...I don't know why they'd want us to see people we care about like this. Is it entertaining for them?

[the idea that this is what they were looking for when they brought everyone here... it's not hard to tell it makes him angry.]

[unsaid]

In a twisted way, there is a chance of that.

[that this is the entertainment they want. mikazuki looks over to rupert and smiles briefly]

The ways in which emotion disrupt monotony - even that which is vicious and difficult may appear amusing.

[agleam]

I doubt they would've put the effort into this room if they didn't think it was important for it to be here.

[angy!!]

I know we're here to play along or whatever, but part of me really doesn't want to give them that satisfaction.

[unsaid]

[oh he is angy...

mikazuki cants his head to the side, now more curious about rupert's reaction than anything]

Fufu... Then what ought we do, Rupert? Destroy the paintings? Set this gallery ablaze?

[agleam]

[he snorts, calming down a little]

Yeah, no, I'm going to guess that would end very badly for us.

[unsaid]

Oh, who's to say.

[mikazuki laughs to himself]

It could very well still be quite satisfying. Though... the destruction of galleries is not particularly rare in history.

[agleam]

[he frowns.]

If it was literally any other gallery, I wouldn't even consider it. That kind of thing is really common where you're from?

[unsaid]

Some art will be claimed and salvaged before destruction can reach them. They will be regarded as spoils of war, and then handed down through the generations.

But not all treasures are held equal, and not all are saved. That which is beloved by your enemy is simply something that can follow them to the afterlife, in some battles.

[mikazuki will glance at the portraits all around them, different friends staring upon them with contempt. only sadness seems to creep into his gaze]

It is not the first time my comrades would have burned.

[agleam]

[after a few moments:]

Are wars like that common where you're from, then?

[unsaid]

Yes.

Though I believe most wars look alike, after some time.

[agleam]

You must have seen a lot of them, in the amount of time you've been alive.

[...]

It must be hard.

[unsaid]

[he laughs faintly at that]

... what do you believe, Rupert? That it would have been better to witness conflict, but know that you could do nothing - and live in that certainty?

Or to know that conflict is happening, and to possess your own two hands with which to involve yourself, but to wonder if you can enact any change at all?

[agleam]

[without much hesitation at all:]

The second one. I'd always choose the second one. There's an option for me to try and help people that way.

[unsaid]

[ . . . he smiles faintly.]

Then you need not worry whether my life is difficult or not.

[agleam]

[after a moment:]

How do you mean?

[unsaid]

Only what I have said.

[he smiles easily, before continuing to walk along. grandpa riddle hour.]

Now where is that exit...