Through the Looking Glass (Into a Magical Girl setting)

[X] Sugar Song Bitter Step (was messed up)

Someone rubbec your back as you kept to yourself in a made up corner in the field. Head in your knees, arms over your head, you tried to hide your embarasmment over how utterly awful things had gone. You knew you probably would be out of tune but that, that took the cake. You just wanted to bury yourself in a hole and never come out till knowledge of your very being was lost to the sands of time.

"You're being overly dramatic you know?"

*whimper*

They don't get it, Lupin at least doesn't knows how you utterly destroyed that song but the others do.

"..."

"Refusing to talk won't change a thing."

"..."

You didn't want to hear your own voice after that. Maybe you were overreacting, but you were allowed a bit of self-pity after that, right?

"I've seen worse than that, and you can only improve. At least the others are no longer wary of you."

"Becuase they're too busy laughing their asses off."

"Language. And I'l admit, they may be still laughing... but they will stop soon, right, girls?"

The laughing diminished a bit but you could still hear some chuckles here and there.

"C'mon, cheer up, we all mess up once or twice."

... yeah she was right. Can't dwell on self pity and embarassment. "... I know it's an excuse but... that was the first time I ever tried to sing..."

"Really? Didn't you said being a bard was your thing?" That wasn't sarcasm. That was a genuine question.

"Well, I can play the music just fine. I just... never tried singing before... I didn't knew it would turn out that way." Out o tune, out of pitch, out of rhythm, and on top of all that the fact that your voice came out like through a filter in a single bored tone. If you had actual cheekcs they would be red like a tomato, or worse.

...

The rubbing of your back stopped and you felt a pair of hands on your cheeks. They lifted you head up and you were met with a warm motherly smile.

"Trying new things can be scary, and you may mess up multiple times... but you're really brave you know. Taking that first step is sometimes tha hardest thing to do. What if I do wrong, what if I fall, what will they say, will they mock me? leave me? ignore me? Being able to try despite those thoughts is quite frankly, something amazing."

Melody then sat in front of you, a hand to her heart. "I used o be scared of other so much. I barely left my room you know. I always thought people would talk behind my back, would laugh at me, that they would say nothing but lies and it would be better to not get hurt..." She then looks at you in the eyes, warm oozing from them. Her eyes looked older than those of many others you've seen.

"I didn't pick Melody as my name just on a whim you know. I love music, I love listening to it, to the instruments, to the voices of others, and I love to sing. I was afraid of letting others known, so I closed myself off in my own world. I stopped seeking new things, staying in the same place. My world became dull soon enough. As overly dramatic as it sounds, music was what saved me. One single song spoke to me so deeply, it pireced right through. It resonated with me, and it made me want to express myself so badly. Eventually I gave in and sang again, sang that song and dared to talk with the person who made it. It was scary, not only that time but every single other time that I wanted to talk to them. Sometimes it still is. But.."

She takes a breath and holds your hands with her own.

"... I tried, hard as it was. I dared to hope for something good, and was lucky to get it. I'm lucky, I know that, and I know others may not be, but it's still worth trying! Talking with others, clashing with them, laughing with them, opening up your world and expanding it. You clash, you change, and your world's horizon grow. I may be rambling by now, but I wanted to tell you that what you did was brave and amazing, and that you shouldn't let it stop you from trying a second tine, or more than that."

She sits down a bit and looks at the girls, who seemed to have stopped paying attention to you and her. Only now you notice the faint light covering both of you in a small dome.

"I haven't said any of this to the others. I'm sorry for rambling about myself there, but seeing you like this made me want to encourage you and one thing led to the other. Before I knew it I was pouring my heart out. I was supposed to cheer you up, not cheer myself up..."

You couldn't relaly say anything. She had trusted you, a complete stranger, with something that has been on her mind for who knows how long. You didn't think you deserved to be the one here, listening to her. You aren't her friend or even know her, but perhaps that's the very reason why she said thse things. Sometimes, talking to a complete stranger is way easier than talking to close ones.

...

"... if it makes you feel better then feel free to ramble as much as you want. I can listen, and I won't judge. You said I was brave for something so little as trying to sing, but what you did was way bigger than that."

"Still it must be weird to have a complete stranger vent her heart out to you."

"Maybe, but if it helps you then I'll gladly listen. You may be a stranger, but if I can I want to help. It's weird but I've always been that way, caring too much even for those I barely know."

You two sat there in silence for a while. It wasn't awkward, just two people having a silent understanding.

"... I love music too you know." Is how you start. "The feelings and stories that you can express through it. Sometimes the melodies seem to take you to a whole different world, a whole new place, filled with adventure and wonders. It's silly but I love thinking about it, a song can take me to so many places... and to people as well I guess. I... never thought about that last bit. What you said, about opening your world and clashing. I never thought about it before. I was okay with being by myself, just the things I liked, going my way with the flow of things day in and out. I tried to change and be more active, have more initiative, and it worked for a while, but sometimes I think I may have regressed. And I'm the one rambling now..."

...

"Guess we both needed someone to listen to us. And you know, it's never too late to try to take another step fowards. Maybe try a different road to the same place, look at different things. You can even try singing some more."

"Heh, don't thi-"

...

...

"... maybe... if I feel brave enough. And am alone when trying."

"You'll never get better that way, but hey, baby steps. Just like a certain song. You take a simple melody, give it so words, harmony, and sing..."

"..."

La la la la laaa~
La la la la laaa~
La la la laa, la. La la la laa...
Laa, laa, laa, laa.
La la la la, la la la la.
La la la la laa, la laa, lalalaaa~

The melody repeated, once, twice, before you found yourself singing that same tune. A single melody, a single harnomy. You wanted to accompany it with music, little as it could be. So you did

A single piano melody, you heard long ago

La la la la laaa~
La la la la laaa~
La la la laa, la... la la la laa...
Laa laa laa laa
La la la la la la la la
La la la la laaa, la laa, lalalaaa~

Two voices became one, and sang...

La la la la laaa~
La la la la laa~
La la la laa, la... la la la laaa~
Laa laa laa laa
la la la la la la la la
la la la la laa, la laa, lalalaa~

Once the melody stopped, so did you both. Despite of what you were, you passed an arm through your eyes, rising your visor first. Your eyes became slightly wet, and you breathed, in and out.

"Hey... no crying until the end."

"Shut up... that was the end I had the right..."

"Amazing that we both knew that melody. Where did you hear it before?"

"Long ago, as a kid. Despite how I look and everything I ain't from around here... Maybe I'll tell you, some other time."

"I'd be willing to listen."

You both kept silent for a bit longer. Funny how a mess of a song and a simple little melody brough two strangers together...

...
...
...

After a while you both got up and walked back to the others. Lupin was trying to hum the melody you sang, failing to remember how it went. You'd be sure to teach them later. That melody was something prescious, and you felt the need to share it with others. Melody seemed to be the same if your guess was right.

You may have touble with her name later on now that you think about it.

When you got there the other girls surprisingly didn't snicker or laugh at you.

"That was terrible you know." They didn't hold back their words though.

"Yeah yeah... I have to practice. Maybe try something small next time."

"I'm not sure I want a next time."

"That was more rude than neccesary Ruby. But yeaaahh... maybe try to practice next time."

"Yeah I know."

"Anyways, I'm sorry for being so rude before. I was being cautious you see..."

"I get it, no worries. I would probably do the same in your situation."

"Thanks. It was nice meeting you Miss Angel, though I'm afraid we have to go now, compromises. Hope we meet again, goodbye." After saying that Reina dissapeared in a flash of light.

"Wait, is it that late already!? Ahhh what are we waiting for then!! Let's go! Ah yeah, bye bye Angel!" Veronica did the same.

"Hana thought it was fun, thanks for singing Miss Bunny! Bye-bye!!!" So did Hana...

"Sorry if I seemed rude, catch ya later Miss Angel."

They all left before you could correct them. You hung your head low after that. "... I'm not a girl though, how am I gonna fix this..."

"You could leave it to me."

As it turns out, Melody was still here, somehow you forgot that.

"Ehhh, yeah so, I'm actually a guy so..."

"Don't make a big deal of it, I assume Hana just, well, assumed and everyone did the same. I'll just tell them that they got that wrong."

You kind f expected a different reaction to you reealing that but she didn't pay it much mind.

"By the way... I wouldn't mind meeting again with you. It was nice humming together, and, well... I wouldn't mind doing it again... also I want to thank you properly for listening to me back there."

Meeting again... you weren't sure about that but being fair, it was nice. You did say you were gonn sing again too, and were kinda hoping to ask her for bits of help. So sure, why not.

"... It's fine, no need to worry about that. Though... how would we meet again? I'll admit that it was fun, and I would like some pointers for singing next time..."

"Well you did say you're not from here, but I don't want to force you to meet face to face... how about... no that wouldn't work... mmmm..." She fidgets in place a bit, a finger on her mouth, eyes closed thinking hard. Being honest, you doubt you'll have much problem actually meeting her. You are used to dealing with kids and young adults up to college thanks to your shop. "... if you're fine with it, I would like to know a bit more about you. I mean, you seem nice but talking with a complete stranger is still weird. Let's tell each other about ourselves a bit first, that way we can see how to meet again better."

"... well I don't mind, but shouldn't you be with the other girls?"

"Not really. We're friends but I'm the older of them, being in college and all. Sure we kind of meet for things like magical girl bussiness, but we don't hang out much in our out of costume personas..." Huh, you thought they were all of the same age zone, but given how some of them were talking it seems as if there are age gaps between them. Her being somewhat around your age also helps you ease you nerves. "Anyways! Why don't we try that? Getting to know each other a bit here."

"Well, sure then, I guess. I guess I'll start since I'l talking already hehe..."

And so you exchanged some basic information as you talked, sitting down in the grass. Lupin had fallen asleep on your lap somehow, which Melody found funny. You simply talked about a few things, like likes and dislikes, as well as talking about singing. Overall, you had a pleasant chat and agreed to try and meet again a week later, on this place.

You didn't really told each other about your lives back home, but that's fine.

[Find a reason to sing: 1/10]

The sky was orange by the time you both were done talking.

"It sure got late here." Says Melody, or Lily, as she looks at the sky. It was still blue but the sun was starting to move towards the sea, it's light betting more orange in tone. "It was nice meeting you Angel. See you soon."

You said your goodbyes and then she dissapeared in a flash of light. This day was quite something. Question was, what to do now?

[] Go back to the village, walk around there and see if anyone actually lives there.
[] Head back to your other house, and back home. You have to think about Lupin and where they'll go as well.

---

Hey there. So... rolls were pretty low so, singing was a disaster. I skipped the whole mess but it happened. If any of you have played Yakuza 0 you may think of that for reference.

Also, I didn't intend on this being this long. At first it was just gonna be a bit of cheering up with Melody thanks to messing up so bad, but the words pretty much cme out on their own and by the time I realized it I had written these big paragraphs. Well, that happens.

Anyways if you guys have any questions or something, just asks!

[X] Go back to the village, walk around there and see if anyone actually lives there.

It took a bit of walking but according to your map you should be at the entrance of the village like area. Lupin is following closely behind you. Once you start seeing more buildings you know for sure that you've arrived at the little village. This time... there's no one around either. It's pretty silent actually. So you walk around for a bit seeing if you find anyone, which didn't take long since after a few blocks of walking you heard a voice behind you.

"Stop right there!!"

Turning around what you see is a small figure completely covered in cloths. They are wearing a plastic mask so you can't see their face but from the tone of the voice it couldd be a young kid.

"What are you doing here hunters!!!"

... hunters?

"Drop it kid, those two aren't hunters." A second voice said once again from behind you. Turning around you see two figures completely covered in cloths, one small like the other while the third one is as tall as you are. The taller one cloths are blue while the smaller ones are green too now that you look better.

"W-what!?"

"Kid, they don't look at all like hunters. They also don't seem to be carrying any of their 'gear'".

The kid looks down after hearing that.

"Sorry... I thought you were hunters trying to hurt this place..." He makes a movement to remove his mask before a voice stop him.

"Hey, what are you doing? Don't go revealing your face to these strangers." The voice was firm and feminine, but deeper than your current one.

"But-" "Kid, we don't know why they are here, or what they are. So, I'll give you two a chance. Tell me the answers to those questions and I may let you go with a warning..." Deep crimsom eyes met yours through cracks present in a mask made of a round plate and you felt a sudden pressure fill the place. It was just like that other time. Whoever this person is, they demand answers, and you should probably give them.

"Um, ah, I..." Geez, just their gaze is making your nervous. "We were heading to the other edge of this place actually. Just passing through. Ah! I'm Angel and this is Lupin." After introducing them Lupin waves in a shy way towards the figures.

"*Huff* And what do you want with the edge of town? There's nothing there but empty buildings and a broken bridge. There, I saved you the trouble of walking, go back where you came from."

"We, uh, I... actually..." You start to say fidgeting in place. The tall person seems to be getting impatient judging from their stare. The pressure they give is increasing and you swear that you're feeling more cold by the second until the small figure next to them tug at their cloths. "Big sis, they don't seem like bad people. Can't we let them see around?"

"Y-yeah! Big sis said they aren't hunters, and we gotta make up for mistaking them for those guys!"

"We?" As soon as the titled big sis says that the young kid starts stammering their words until the taller one sighs.

"... fine, we'll let you go there. But we'll follow you. Also you gotta show us what's behind your masks."

Uh, masks? You don't have any masks on... but Lupin does. You haven't seen what's behind their mask either to be fair, and you're not sure if they're comfortable with that. "Eh, excuse me..." You catch their attention and point to your face, making sure to open your mouth to show that this is your face. "I'm not wearing any mask or anything... this is my face."

You can see their eyes widen slightly at that but quickly dismiss it. "What about your companion? What's under that bone mask?" Their gaze turns to Lupin who does looks umcorfotable. You want to tell them something to get them off Lupin taking the mask off but then Lupin looks at you in the eyes. They seem scared... but determined as well, for some reason.

With shaking hands, they go over their mask and pull it up slowly...

*GASP*/"EEEHHH!!!"/"..."

You aren't sure how t react to what you see. Behind he mask is, well, not an human head, but a head that looks ike that of a wolf, with bits of bones coming out of the cheeks as if they were some kinda spikes or tusks. The lower half of their head is all covered in bandages, a bit of them have some red in them. The face isn't fully animal. The muzzle isn't as long as that of dogs or wolves, and the eyes definitely don't look neither human nor animal, completely black except for the irises.

A pair of blue-ish yellow irises looking straight at you. As terrified as they were back when you first met them.

"...!" You can see that they're starting to breath quickly, too quickly. They're shaing in place with eyes closed. Almost inmediately you pull them into a hug to calm them down. "It's okay, it's okay... here let's put it back on..." You say and guide their own hands to put their mask back on their face. Their old kinda hoodie covering the back of their head, and the animal ears they seemed to have. They seem to be trying desperately to hide.

You hug them again.

They were scared, terrified. You can't understand why but you know that reassuring them that everything will be fine is the first thing to do. "It's okay, everything will be fine. Everything's okay..."

You continue like that for a while, hugging them tightly and moving your hand up and down their back, as they cling to you for dear life, as if you were to dissapear at any moment. Eventually the shaking stops, and you feel a pair of eyes on you.

The same scared eyes as before. They quicly look away, as if ashamed of something. You just hugh them tightly once again, and tell them "It's okay, it's okay... no need to try to hide yourself from me. I'll stay with you regardless of what you are if that is what's scaring you. I won't leave, I'm staying with you..." They high you tightly, and you hear quite sobbing.

It takes a bit to calm them down but eventually they stop shaking and sobbing. You hold their claw with your hand, firmly, to show that you won't let go. Giving them a warm smile as well.

"Wha-Big sis!! What are you doing!?"

The sudden words snapped you back to the situation at hand as you see the titular big sister just a few steps away from you. They gaze firmly into your eyes, and you gaze back. Then, with a... paw!? With a paw they take off their mask, revealing a young woman's face. Their robes fall a bit back allowing their hair to fall out. Long hair with thick bangs, mostly dark deep blue but it turns white at the edges. They sport two wolfish ears fur the same color as their... paw and hair.

"Fenrir."

"Uh?"

"My name is Fenrir, I'm the one in charge of this place and these kids, Walder and Jade." Fenrir points at the kids who are looking dumbstruck at the current thing going on. "We live here, safe from those Hunters that go on so called 'patrols' on the woods outside from time to time." Their eyes fix on yours once more. "... I apologize. You're not like them, not like those hunters bastards..." Their last words were spit with so much venom in them. There's an history there, but you won't ask unless given permission. It's clearly a sensitive topic.

Also...

"... If you want to apologize to someone, then apologize to Lupin. I understand being cautious, but what you put them through was a bit too much."

Their eyes widen a bit at our remark but quickly go back to normal. They sigh, and turn to Lupin. Bowing their head slightly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have forced you to do something like that, to expoe you like that... to dig on those wounds... I'm sorry."

Lupin looks at them, then at you, then back at Fenrir again before offering a claw to them. They sure seem to be surprised a lot in this little while if their eyes are any indication. Their face comforts to a small, genuine smile. They take Lupin claw and hold it firmly for a bit.

"Huff, you two are strange. Alright, I'll take you to where you want to go, but the kids are coming with me. I won't leave them alone."

"It's okay, I can understand that." After those words Fenrir starts waking away, in the direction where your other house is if you remember right.

"Um..." A small vice to your right makes you turn to see one of the small figures. "Please don't be mad at big sis. She's a bit rude, but she's nice. She just wants to protect us, so please don't be mad at her."

The other small figure lowers their whole upper body before talking, "Please! Big sis just carres a lot about this place, and with those ugly Hunters roaming around, making a mess of things, she's been dealing with a lot. Please don't hold it against her!"

These two kids seem to have Fenrir in a very high regard, and to be fair, you're not that mad at Fenrir. Oh, you're mad, just not that much. If Lupin seems okay with her, then you'll give them a chance. "You two care a lot about her don't you?"

""Yes!"" They reply in unison. "She taugh me all that she knows on how to be a Forest Ranger!" says the boyish voice as they strike a pose. "She's always taking care of us, making us fud, telling us bedtim stories, playing with us, and she's really nice when we're sick. She's the best sister ever!" The slightly girly voice said.

"Oy! Are you all gonna stand there or are oyu going to come?"

""We're going!!"" And so the kids start running. You assume they're kids from their way of acting.

You, on the other hand, just reafirm your grip on Lupin's claw and ask them if they're okay with going. Lupin nods slowly, but with eyes free of worries towards you. There are still traces of fear and worry, but for the most part, they seem happy.

And so you follow Fenrir, Walder and Jade over to where your other house is, listening to Walder's stories about how he protected the forest from hunters and saved the whole place, Jade always cheering for him as it happens. Midway through though she says she's starting to feel sleepy, so Walder start carrying her on his back. Fenrir looks back with slightly worried eyes, but keeps on walking almost inmediatly.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

There are many things going on in many places, and while we can't tell all these stories in one go, we can take a quick look at them.

[] The princess and the dragon. Mobile game version!
[] In between epissodes, magical girls free time.
[] The mystery of the neon city living in their own time.

---

Hello there! First off, sorry this took me so long. I've been more focused on my drawing hobby and my university thesis stuff that I left this for later.
I ended up rewriting this whole chapter becuase the first time it came out too forcefull on interactions and weird. This feels a bit more natural, and I got to thank a certain mobile game for that, given their most recent story event rerun. I played it, I cried, I loved it.

This is a bit of a sidestory choice here. You can guess what they are about, though one of them may not be what you expect. Thanks for sticking with this siple quest of mine! See you later!!

???

Tall buildings, silent streets, clear sky. All of it was colored either orange or purple mostly. The colors weren't really important either way, they were just like that due to the time of day and the way light worked.

At least, how it seemd to work in that place.

Luka didn't really fancy herself a detective, nor an investigator nor anything of the like. She just liked puzzles, and had a good memory and intuition to be fair. And despite her appearance, she preferred to think a bit before facing a problem. That was all, yet she was usually asked to help solve problems every now and then. Seriously, didn't the guys on this side have actual proffessionals or something? It was like they relied on them for everything. Back then she was naive and she jumped at the opportunity of having an exciting adventure. Looking back, she could've thought things better.

Starting with her looks, that always brought some trouble wherever she went. She was human in appearance. Mosty, sure she had slit-like pupils, bright yellow eyes, a pair or horns, a tail and claws instead of hands, but aside from that she still looked like a human teenager.

... she had to admit though, her smile wasn't really friendly, what with her shark teeth.

Anyways, despite looking like a mix between a girl and a lizard of sorts, with horns, she wasn't really scary. But everyone was usually too scared of her to even try to speak and find out she wasn't gonna eat them r breathe fire or whatever passed through their minds. Honestly, she was just rambling with herself but she wanted to vent a bit.

"Haaa..." Enough of that. She had a job to do. Despite it all, she was more than willing to help others, specially since an old friend was the one asking for it. Truth to her friend's words, this place looked more like it belonged to the outer layers, if only becuase of how modern it was. These places weren't layered from phantasy to moder to futuristic stuff as they went, but most tended to fit in that positioning in a way, which is why anyone who knew about it expected to find automatons or things related to them on the outer layers rather than this close to the center. However, that wasn't that special. Some outer places were more ruins than anything, others were basically a medieval kingdom right next to a futuristic city, so yeah, these things happen.

What was weird in this place was the lack of people and the time.

Not all areas had people on them but you expected something like that from a city, yet the place was dead silent. Not a sign of life for the few hours she had spent there. She was happy timers didn't seem to mess up in here, given that her phone only showed that 3 minutes had passed.

The whole place seemed to be inside some kinda bubble, you couldn't get in unless you passed a gate though, and when time started getting distorted wasn't clear. What was clear was that more time passed inside than outside. Kind of like the hypervolic time chanber thing, just, way less of that scale. It was a wild guess but the clock tower at the very centre of the city may have some answers as to why time was so weird there.

And so Luka spent a good while walking through the empty streets, casually beating up a garbage moonster that appeared here and there with minimal effort. The sky was starting to turn dark and the air chilly, which made her happy with her choice of clothing. A fluffy collar jacket, jeans, boots and stuff. She was warm and comfy. She was also the most colorful thing around she had seen in a while. Everything seemed to have the same dull tone wherever she looked. Despite that, the place didn't look dead. It felt alive to her. Just... empty. There were multiple stores, for many things: games, books, cooking, sculpting, karaokes, clothing, lots of things and they repeated. They were all closed too. Despite their unique designs they all had that dull tone to them, as if the spark was there but it hadn't ignited yet.

Eventually the sky turned completely black, leaving it all in darkness. Luka didn't need to light a flame though, as one by one, lights started to go on. Inside the stores, buildings, in the streets, they all started lighing up one after the other. All vibrant, flashy, neon 80s aesthethic could be used to describe them. It seemed to be automatic though, not someone's doing. Despite that, the place seemted as devoid of life as always.

As Luka continued walking through the streets making her way to the clocktower she started hearing a low sound. It seemed like a voice, though she couldn't tell what they were saying given it was pretty low. It could be her imagination but she felt compelled to follow that voice. Maybe she would find someone.

As she passed through some of the more secluded streets, moving between the space of some buildings, the voice, or rather, voices, started making themsevels more clear. Eventually Luka was able to pick up words and, if it weren't for her enhanced hearing, she wouldn't have noted that they were, in fact, singing.

"... you're all actors anyway, no one to watch,​
you're all part of the play."​

Luka started to pick up her pace as the words became clearer. Luka also took note of the more tuned down vibrant colors in favor of standard lights and designs.

"Always been me, empty, a body but nobody here to see..."​

Luka eventually reached the source of the voice, in sn slightly open area with an actual open store. Juddging from the chairs and tables around it seemed like either an open cafe or a restaurant. There, in the middle of it, one person stood. Tall and pale, white shirt, black gloves going past their elbows, black pants and long green and black hair. They didn't had an apparent distribution, apparently some strands were green and others black. What catched the eye the most though was the mask. A simple mask that seemed to change everytime Luka stopped looking at it, even hen she blinked the mask changed of design.

"... twist the plot dramatically aga- uh?" As the multiple voices, all seeming to come from the simgle individual, were reaching a high note they all stopped, and became a single one as the masked person took notice of Luka. "... a person?..." Mutiple voices said at once...

Luka would later add another note to the mistery of the city. It's sole empty inhabitant.

You were on the floor. After arriving at your other house Fenrir said that they had stuff to talk with you alone, so they forced themselves into the place with you.

Then they proceeded to punch you in the face.

So yeah, you're on the floor, confused as to what happened and with a surprising lack of pa-oh wait, nevermind, there's the pain. It hurts. Obviously but geez it hurts!!

"W-what was that for!!?"

Fenrir just looks at you, not saying anything. Geez does punch hurt this much? You never got into a fight, maybe you got slapped once or twice when you weere a kid but you can't remember.

"... it hurts doesn't it?"

"Of course it does!!"

"That means this is real, this isn't a game you know."

"What?"

Fenrir lowers themselves a bit to look at you straight in the eyes. Once again, you feel great pressure. Something in their eyes is making you nervous but you can't turn you gaze away. Your mouth is dry, your breathing faster. Your whole body feels like lead put under heavy pressure.

Fenrir's eyes have you trapped in place.

"You're naive, just like the kids. However, you, are not a kid like them." They sound angry for some reason. "I've seen many people come and go, they do very rekless things, both for themselves and for the world around them." Fenrir's tone is harsh. It doesn't waver but there's clear emotion behind it. "You, who come from that other side over here thing that everything is fun and games. That nothing bad will happen to them. That they can just goof around with no consequences whatsoever. Guess what? There are consequences, for us."

A heavy silence engulfs the area. Fenrir's words haven't quite passed through yout head fully, but you already have an idea of what they mean. Just a sick feeling rather than a concrete idea of what's going on.

"I just gave you a taste of pain to remind you that this is real, this is not your world sure, but it is your reality now. And how do I know you aren't from here? I've lived a lot, seen a lot, experienced a lot. I have a good instinct for these kind of things."

Two big claws grab the sides of your head, taking you closer to Fenrir's face. Their icy blue eyes pierce into you.

They press a bit.

It hurts.

"I'm not one for words, I rather take action. So listen well... I normally would've let you be in your way, let you mess up and probably get yourself killed or something, but your actions aren't afecting only you anymore. The other one? Their life, is. In. Your. Hands." More pressure! "I don't know what happened, but that beast is linked to you in some way. You probably don't even know it." They release your head, your vision is blurry. You realize there are tears in your eyes. "I don't hate you by the way. Agaim, I would've let you be, but, you remind me of the kid. Naive, good heart but naive..."

Your head hurts, you can't think clearly.

"Haa... don't take it personal, the pain will help you remember what I said." A claw on top of your head, you close your eyes expecting pain again, tears fall from your eyes.

...

The pain doesn't come. Instead a slight chill goes through you, numbing the pain a bit but keeping it there. You open your eyes and, as expected, Fenrir is looking at you. Their gaze less harsh than before.

"The one you're with, that beast. They're young. They already latched onto you. Just answer me this. Why?"

... c'mon, calm down. Breath in... and out... in... and out... You're shaken by what just happened, can't think clearly but you don't think you are in a position to negotiate. So you simply talk.

"I... I just found them... they were running from something, scared... I took them, ran away, waited till it was safe. They, just followed me and I didn't question it."

...

"... why did you help them?"

"Because... I just wanted to..." Breath in... breath out... "They were scared to death, I don't know yet what was going on, but, I could see it on their eyes... I just wanted to help them..."

Your head feels a bit dizzy, the pain is almost gone but it's still there, more annoying than anything, as if your leg had fallen asleep or something.

"... was that all you did?"

"... I helped cover a bit of their wounds... I don't know what happened, just that they were hurt, so I helped them a little while we were hiding..."

Speaking about numb limbs? You are sure your legs are sorta asleep now, oww...

"... haaa, alright, get up." You're grabbed on both sides and pull up to a standing position.

...

... only to almost fall asleep due your legs. Almost, Fenrir catched you while you were wobbling. "Geez, I didn't hit you that hard you know." It took a bit but you're able to stand on your own now. "By the way, I forgot I wanted to ask you, what's with this house? It was completely blocked off until yesterday, how do you know of it?"

The pain is gone so you can think better now. You were thinking of how to answer but you're pretty sure Fenrir could see if you lied or something, not to say you don't have a reason to lie at all. Fenrir also guessed you're not from here so...

"... I came through here. I mean, from the other side." You point to a mirror, or at least were gonna do so when you realize there's no mirrors in this room. "Umm... I kind of pass went through the mirror, if that makes sense..."

"That simple?" Huh? "That doesn't explain why this place opened up, but, that means you're going back aren't you?"

You can't tell if they tried to or not, but after what they said before you feel a bit guilty, like you're running away.

"What are you planning to do? Leave this place like that?" Okay, they definitely are taking it as running away. Now you are too. "What are you gonna do about the beast?"

"Lupin."

"What?"

You take a deep breath and look into Fenrir's eyes. "Their name is Lupin, not beast." Aaaand now you wanna run away for reals. You feel like Fenrir is about to tear you apart here and now for talking back.

"... alright... regardless, what are you going to do?"

... what will you do? You can't leave Lupin here just like that... can you? No, you can't. Be it stupid pride or stubborness, you aren't gonna show Fenrir that you're running away. But, what can you do?

"...!"

Huh? But how... wait, who said that?

"..."

Turning to the said you see lupin just standing there, looking straight at you behind the skull mask. How...? You heard words, but they did't talk, did they?

"Big sis! It's getting late!" One of the little kids come in and start tugging at Fenrir's arm. "Oh, uh... did you find what you wanted, uh, mmm..." Oh, you think you know what they're having problems with.

"Mister, I'm a boy, despite appearances." You look at Fenrir, ready with your answer. "I'm going back with Lupin. I won't leave them behind." Before Fenrir can answer back you continue. "I don't know well what I'll do yet, but I'll come back. Well, maybe not exactly here but I'll come over, I... still have to figure this out." You aren't sure if you should mention the other side to the kid, so you don't. Thankfully Fenrir seems to have catched upon what you meant.

*Huff* "Well if you're sure about it. Remember our chat. Well let's go kid, that's enough fun for a day." And just like that Fenrir starts leaving, shooting you a glance and a small nod before leaving. You see the kid remain for a bit before going up to you.

"Umm... Walder and I found this on one of the boxes while waiting around. Walder says to not take other's people's things so I wanted to apologize. Here." They say before giving you a...

[] Toy fox (You'll get a debuffer in the future)
[] Toy plant (You'll get a healer in the future)

"It was nice meeting you. Goodbye!" And with that they leave.

Well, this day was quite something. Lupin tuggs at your arm, like the kid did to Fenrir, and nods at you. Despite the lack of words you can tell the intent behind the actions. Time to go home uh, you're not sure what'll happen on the other side if you bring Lupin but you'll manage. Walking to the room with the mirror, you press your hand against it and leave...

---

Hey guys, long time no see. I was quite busy lately, and kinda forgot that I was writing this since like a week ago or something. So yeah, I may have lost track a bit of what was going on in my own quest but I'll get back to to track soon enough. What type of party member would you prefer in an RPG? Heavy debuffer or a healer? Well, laters.