MUSIC ROOM

[whimsicalism]

The music room's resident, A, can be contacted by playing a flute or other instrument alone in the music room. She's there if you need her. Comments are screened until the end of the round.

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Week 3 Wednesday

[keyringwitness]

[It's been three weeks since Yasu and the rest of the class met A, on that mystical, moonlit night. (The night not actually being moonlit isn't as important as the impression that it had given off in that moment.) Two weeks since Yasu bared her heart to A in the wake of the Principal's announcement.

A week since-

Yasu had been determined to keep it all buried in her heart, no matter how much A's soothing cold that settled into her tie or half-murmured conversations in the music room or simple, companionable silence had tried to dig it up. But after Edward's trial, after his last words, after all those dreams that had only grown in disquieting clarity...

There was never going to be another chance, was there? Not if they stayed here in the academy until Yasu inevitably died, not if she escaped to her home (did she even have one?) to play out her own role.

It's late in the evening when Yasu finally shuffles her way over to the music room for her usual "practice," returning after a few days absence following Edward's trial. She's nervous, fidgeting as she slides into the slightly-oversized bench and starts tapping out a tune, trying to work up the nerve.]

I, um... [Yasu gulps.] Are you there, A?

I... I keep on thinking about, er. How much I'd miss you, if we ever find our way home.

[whimsicalism]

[As usual, the doll toddles over to the bench and jumps up next to Yasu. She inclines her head.] Of course, I am.

[She glances at the piano then back at her.] You would? I know I'd miss everyone here... but you're different than them.

[keyringwitness]

You too! I, um. I...

[Yasu should probably just come out and say it, but... maybe it's her dreams influencing her, maybe it's her nervousness, but she has a sudden desire to be wordy instead.]

I've told you before, but Ira Academy is the first time I've really made any friends. You included. I don't know if I could go back home all alone, honestly. Now that I know what it's like to finally be warm with everyone else, rather than...

[Two beds. One bed. What difference does it make? Yasu trails off for a moment before picking back up.]

But you, you're special. Even among everyone else. I said that I can't go back to being all alone now that I know the warmth of actually having friends, b- but that's not entirely true.

If I had to choose... I'd choose being cold with you by my side than warm with everyone else.

N- Not that I want to choose, um, of course, I just- If it was, if I had to- Oh, gosh, I'm ruining this-

[She's apparently not quite grown enough to write pages and pages of hackneyed prose.]

[whimsicalism]

[She listens. There’s a slight change in the air as she listens.]

You’d… give up them for me? That’s… that would be…

[She stumbles over her words. If she could blush, you know she would.]

I know that wouldn’t be a good place to be, obviously, but—I’m so, so glad. I mean—you know. Ah shoot, this is hard to say..!

[keyringwitness]

I, I, um-

[The force of the stuttering on display here would outmatch the combined awkward might of every cheesy anime romcom protagonist.]

I j- just, I... I really like you, A. I really, really, really, lo- [Yasu hangs her head, biting her tongue before she can complete that fatal syllable. She's twelve. She knows it's too early for real love. But that's what it still feels like.]

When I'm with you, it... it feels like someone sees me. Not just looks at me, but sees me. And I know I can't really look at you, but I hope I can do the same for you by seeing you.

I- If that makes any sense at all.

[whimsicalism]

[A is also blushing and probably stuttering too.]

I... really like you, Yasu. You... really don't care if I'm a spirit or anything like that. It feels like we're growing up together.

[She thinks. It's hard to put into words.] I don't know if that's the right way to put it but... growing up isn't like what that man says it is. We can still be kids and grow up.

[She has no idea what she's talking about, honestly, and it shows especially when she gives a small giggle.]

I'm sorry, I'm bad at this.

[keyringwitness]

Mhm. Just because we can move toward the future doesn't mean that we have to leave behind everything that makes our present magical.

[Wow, that was actually eloquent! Yasu is proud of herself for that one, and it might show a little bit on her face.]

W- Well, then... we can be bad at this together. If that's what you'd like. [Annnd she's lost her streak. Oh well. At least all of what she's saying is from the heart.]

I'll, um, do my best to find a way we can get out of here. Together. You deserve someplace better, too. I don't want to leave you behind if we find a way out of this place.