risingwinds | Twenty-Fifth Shooting Star

[It's been a while now since Fuuko's departure. During that time, Ven's been quieter than usual. Not tearful, but a bit more subdued than his usual, goofy self.

Even when he addresses the journal, his tone's a bit soft.]

You know, I gotta wonder. I know lots of you guys have found love here, but how do you guys deal when that person disappears? D'you keep waiting 'til they come back, or do you just... move forward? It's kinda tough spot for me. I'm not gonna let it bring me down or anything, but it's still sad. And it's just like when anyone else leaves-- unexpected.

But it was nice while it lasted. Fuuko's a great person, and I think she brought something special to the village. Who else would go outta their way to throw a huge starfish festival? To tell you the truth, I don't think I'll ever look at starfish the same way.

[He pauses.]

Wonder what Terra and Aqua'd think, though. It's been almost three years now...

[He doesn't expect anyone to react to that last bit. After all, his friends haven't shown up in a long time.]

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Yeah, and also things that make crunchy sounds. I think a breaking ornament satisfies both of those things pretty nicely. Of course, she couldn't play with them once they broke, but I think she was happy just knocking them down.

That's right. I don't like the idea of preaching violence at all. It's must better to learn to kiss a book by its cover.

I would suggest both of them. I'm not overly fond of having to fight the Malnosso's problems.

[especially since they caused so many of their own]

But why is evisceration okay for one party and not the other?

Well, if they're from the past, that's still okay, right? You could learn something outside of what your master would have taught you. It'd probably be better if they were from your future, but if they're not common anymore...

[He shrugs, though that's probably not very visible.]

Just something to keep in mind if you go on another mission.

That might be true, but isn't it because the future is unclear that you have the ability to choose the future you want for yourself? Though it might be a little difficult to see so long as we're still here in Luceti...

[Under the Malnosso's rule, subject to experiments that can warp their very perceptions of reality--]

You may not know whether or not you'll have the chance to go back, but there's no reason not to hope that you will, right?

You know, that's a good point! Who knows what kind of tricks I could learn from old Masters? Even old apprentices. There could be all kinds of cool techniques that got lost over time...

[Isn't that how it usually goes, anyway? Like old legends and dead languages, maybe there's some kind of lost magic.]

But the weird thing is, a lot of old fairy tales have... er, well, dark versions. I've found stories about people I knew, like Cinderella, but things were all wrong. Like her step sisters cutting off parts of their feet just to fit into a shoe.

[He shudders at the mere thought. Good thing he hasn't eaten recently.]

Hmm. Maybe you oughta dangle some toys from the ceiling some time! I don't have a lot of experience with cats, but if you got some kind of ball with a bell inside, I bet you could keep her busy for hours.

[Especially if the toy was tied securely, making it a challenge to knock down!]

Yeah, you're right. It's just like worrying about if and when people are gonna leave; get too stressed out about the future, and you can't enjoy the present.

I'd like to think I can turn everything around. Just wish I had some kinda assurance, you know? Especially since we'll probably forget everything once we leave.

Hey, I wasn't saying evisceration's okay! Just that, if I had to choose between hurting one or the other, it'd be the Third Party, since they go above and beyond what the Malnosso do. They want to kill us, while the Malnosso just want results.

[A change of topics would probably help them both, really, so Ven nods, smiling weakly.]

Well, you said you've still got stuff to teach me. How 'bout we start there?

The ceiling seems kind of high... I bet it'd work if I just hung them from the coat rack or something like that. It wouldn't take nearly as much string, and it would be a lot easier to swap them out for different toys sometimes.

But a ball with a bell sounds really good. She likes things that make noise when she swats at them.

[Oh of course, the piano lessons.]

Oh yes of course. We could return to my home and start on your piano lessons.

But a sun is not made of scales. Perhaps the name refers to the shape of the sun. But then again, how does one determine the shape of the sun. Shades are required to be able to look into the sun.

This is quite a conundrum, dear stranger.

What kind of shape do sand dollars have?

[Allow Loki to do a long and thorough chinstroke.]

[He's shuddering, too.]

Why- why would anyone do that?!

...yes, I know what you mean.

[Here Ion was trying to help keep Ven's spirits up and now he's unintentionally led him to dragging Ion's down. He can't hold it against him -- he doesn't know Ion's situation -- but it stings a bit to hear nonetheless.]

[He'll just focus on something else then.]

You know, it's actually still a little strange to think that way sometimes. Back on Auldrant, people felt they needed to rely on the future to live in the present. By reading the Score, one could know the future. But even then, it wasn't always beneficial.

Ever thought about getting one of those catnip toys, too? Well, I mean, you probably have, since you're the one taking care of her, but I remember reading that cats really like that sorta thing.

[Come to think of it, could he try some of these tactics with his Dream Eater? There's a thought...]

I dunno, and I really don't wanna think about it.

[It's too creepy, not to mention gross... and morbid.]

But uh, on the upside, Cinderella's world wasn't that bad when I visited it! Sure, her stepsisters and stepmom are still awful to her, but the worst they did was push her around. That's way better than... that.

Plus, she still kept her spirits high.

Really? So this... Score, was it like some kinda fortune teller?

[That's the first thing that comes to mind. Even then, are predictions always truth? Does destiny exist?]

And was it always right? I mean, you'd think that the future's one of those things that can be changed, since it hasn't happened yet.

True, but in books and pictures, you usually the sun described with colors like yellow and orange. Maybe that's why they call it a sunfish? Or maybe it's some kinda combo of shape and color...

[Ven scratches his head. Man, this is a tough one.]

Anyway, sand dollars are kinda circular, like a living disc with bristles and hairs.

Hey, that works for me! I need something new to practice, anyway. Training's only gonna get me so far.

[Plus, music's always seemed like a fun pursuit. It'll stretch out his boundaries. Give him something new to strive for!]

Wait, you actually visited her world and she's a fairy tale?

The last time I gave her catnip, it ended up with a bag of flour being shredded and tracked all over the kitchen...

Training? Do you mean combat? I could use it for myself.

[Because he is way out of practice.]

Apparently! And it's not just Cinderella, either. Princess Aurora, Snow White... even Hercules has stories and myths, even if they don't all match up.

[Some people might find it alarming. Some would end up with existential crises...

Ven just figures those stories are from other worlds.]

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Twenty-Fifth Shooting Star - voice;

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[video] (sorry for the late, I have been on hiatus)

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[video] no worries! I've been busy due to school, anyway!

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