melodiesofeternity | Doki Doki Vaikuntha Club (Act 1)

Thank you so much everyone! I never expected so many people would join. If the meeting is successful, I hope to make this into a monthly thing.

[ The room is decorated in such a fashion, it looks strikingly similar to your typical Japanese high school classroom, complete with desks, chalkboards and various poster. There are also books, five on each desk. Most of them tend to be fictions and poetry books taken from the Curti Center's library. There are also short stories, dramas, romances, comedies and of course, horror stories. ]

Most people think it's boring, but literature can be anything. Reading, writing, singing. Poetry, legends, history. [A smile] We all practice literature every day without realizing it.

[ There are also refreshments placed on a few desks. Mostly water and cola as well as a homemade cake. Only one thought. One cake for... Twenty people? Monika might not have expected that many members. Please don't tear each other apart over that cake. ]

We have some time until the poem sharing session, so feel free to relax, read some of the books I brought or get to know each other! Words really bring us together. So let's make the best of this, alright?

[ Please feel free to reply with your own mingle sub-thread here! ]

Okay, everyone!

[ After a bit of time passed, Monika called out to everyone in the room. ]

Let's now share the poems we wrote. Find someone to share with and don't be embarrassed! We're quite a lot so we won't have time to share with everyone... But try to at least share with three different people, alright?

[ Please post your own top-level comment in this post for poem sharing. You don't have to put your poem in the top level, after all you should greet your poem-sharing partners first before showing them your poem! Poem sharing sessions involves both characters taking turns to show each other their poems and commenting on them. You can tag anyone you'd like! You also have to tag the partner you were assigned in the sign-up. ]

[ Once her opening speech done, Monika happily goes back to neatly ordering the books and refreshments she brought for the club's opening. She seems really happy that so many people answered the call to literature!

And this Literature Club is genuine, not hiding something dark or evil! Ain't that wonderful? ]

Oh- okay. Uh... I couldn't work out a name but that's okay, right?

[This was his chance to finally be in a club instead of just standing outside the window and looking in while trying to share in a bit of secondhand joy. He stood and unfolded a piece of paper he'd brought, and hoped he kind of understand what exactly poetry was like because he had no idea. But everybody always said poetry was just writing how you felt and letting your pencil run away with you, right?

So he'll just write about something that happened with him recently!]

A floating dock cradled by water,
just her and just me,
The moon big and silver,
the stars and black sea.

We didn't wanna sing,
looks and smiles a fake,
so we offered our no-thanks
and set out for the star-filled lake.

Stars blinked and stars flew,
one-thousand, two-thousand, three.
When I got the constellations all wrong,
you were you, and you never laughed at me.

And up above, within their spheres,
with luck held in their sway,
I'd not give up for fate itself,
the time we shared today.

...Yeah, that's it.

[What an odd poem. But he lowered the paper and stared expectantly, perhaps a bit pink in the face.]

I usually chuck the shit I write and keep it to myself. Well, no more, dammit!

This was a song bestowed to me by a member of my college from back home in Greyhawk. As it turns out, the drones at the Gauntlet failed to record more than a few seconds of it die to "time constraints".

[She made a face and shrugged. But she withdrew her guitar and settled into a seat. Her hand subtly implied a Spellblade (Divine) upon the strings.]

But you get the full version! How lucky! Please enjoy.

[She began to play:]

Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay. . .

[It'd saved her from being eaten by a Behemoth! And, really, music like this had gotten her out of a pickle a great many times. Perhaps a lullaby may not exactly be what the doctor ordered for an afternoon meeting, but after everything that had happened of late, perhaps some form of respite may be what the doctor ordered. The sound was soothing, but at the same time rather invigorating, imbued with but a touch of white magic.

Did you lose any sleep the other night? Get a paper cut while writing your poem? By the time her song finished, they may be mysteriously absent from your form.]

Frisk, for quite possibly the first time that anybody in this room has seen, looks outwardly nervous. What were they doing? Well, that was obvious. The real questions were why they let Papyrus drag them to this thing, and why they gave in and wrote an actual poem instead of a really long pun or a stupid limerick. But they were here now, so... might as well commit.

Trying their best to calm themself, Frisk coughs and mutters, "Um. This is my poem. It's called 'Cycles.'" At first, their reading is rushed, but as they make their way through the recital Frisk gradually gets into the cadence of their amateur poem.

Yellow shine
Darkness fades
Eyes open
Then close

Time to try again

Step forward
(One after another after another)
Towards foes
Towards fights

Towards friends
(Their stories are now mine to carry)
Deep breath
Path chosen

Long fall
(Stench almost smothers)
Alone again
But not

Claustrophobic memories
(Things to do, can't tarry)
Concentration conquers
Darkness swells

Yellow shine
Darkness fades
Eyes open
Then close

Time to try again

"So. Um. Yeah, that's it," Frisk says, shifting from foot to foot. "Yeah, I know it's bad."

( rutile had only truly been introduced to music and song when they'd arrived here on this planet. it was nothing like the empty motions and the unheard sounds the lunarians made their attacks to. and the words, as they listened carefully... stirred something within them.

made them think of the motionless padparadscha, whose head had been laid down for... how many centuries, now? )

A lullaby... ( they're more focused on anything other than making eye contact at the moment, while these thoughts consume them. ) This is what you sing to someone that sleeps?

Edited 2018-07-28 01:00 (UTC)

( when rutile had heard of the 'literature club' they had envisioned something... well, definitely something different than this. you might call it a real-time interpretation of 'what I expected'— with visions of scholarly types discussing ancient works of history or medicine... vs 'what I got' which is what looks decidedly like a... classroom.

but they'd agreed to be here of their own will, and while rutile could think of several thousand other ways to better spend their time... they had done what was asked— and written something down on the provided materials.

it's written on a small corner of a page though. you can catch a glimpse of it, but they might need a little more coaxing to hand it over entirely... )

Edited 2018-07-28 02:37 (UTC)

[Ravus can't really explain why he showed up today. He's had the strange urge to compose poetry ever since he visited the Swordsmaster Guild. It's not something he wants to do, but he's written out some short poems just to exorcise them from his mind.

He flips through pages in a little notebook, trying to find one that is less embarrassing than the others to share. Maybe he can just...sneak out and pretend this never happened.

...no, damn, the club leader already spotted him, and his moogle is guarding the door to prevent escape. He sighs.]

I have several short poems, in the 'haiku' style. The first is titled "Spring".

[He clears his throat.]

Sylleblossom blooms,
Tranquil blue in fields of green,
Heralding the spring.

[The other people in this room have probably never even seen a sylleblossom. Why did he think this would be a good idea? He scowls and flips through his pages for a less idiotic poem.]

[Ravus nods as Kanji reads the poem, but does not offer feedback right away. Instead, he holds out a hand and gestures for the boy to hand over his paper for Ravus to scan. He wants to read it himself after hearing it aloud.]

The imagery is evocative. Water can symbolize rebirth and transition, a movement from innocence to adulthood.

[Ravus is not sure if he's actually meant to analyze the poem, or if he is supposed to act merely as an audience. Literature was part of his studies, but...his childhood was disrupted by Imperial invasion, and he has never partaken in a 'club' before.]

You would do well to treasure your 'her'- you never know how long you will have together.

[This is stupid. Dylas is sitting at one of the tables with his personal belongings—a water bottle, a journal, a snack. His attention is more focused on Yue and who his partners are and whether or not Monika approaches him. He's only here to make sure Monika doesn't stab Yue.

Whoever approaches the table will find a poem on a sheet of paper sitting there to be read.]

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as “Nevermore.”

The black chocobo, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”
Then the bird said “Nevermore.”

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”

[As if that weren't bad enough, there are some unsettling clues about. Firstly, this poem is marked with a page number. It's also printed, not hand-written. Thirdly, there are tear-edges, because he clearly tore this out of a poetry book. It might be that poetry book over there on the counter. It is, in fact, that poetry book over there on the counter, that someone must have brought in (sorry Monika).

He might have a real poem with him, though. Who knows? He's not even making eye contact with whoever comes to share poems with him.]

Yeah, just...read it. Whenever you're ready.

[Why on earth is the quintessential jock here writing poetry? Well, why not? It had been a spur of the moment decision, made when he saw something in a sunrise. When he approaches, it's with an embarrassed smile and scratch of his head.]

Uh, hey. I know this isn't what I usually do, and that's gonna be pretty obvious, but. Hear me out? It's quick, I promise.

[Okay. Breathe. Begin.]

Drifting through life
Dreaming away
City of lights, so shiny, so bright
Is it all a lie?

Blazing red
The sun arrives
Paints a picture of the skies
It eludes our grasp

At my side
The hand I hold
Smiles and secrets, never told
Under the painted sky

The dream is gone
Our journey's done
Alone under a different sun
I begin again

But don't forget
That whispered word
On the breeze, I hope you heard
My joy, my wish, my love

For you.

Wow, I'm really glad you made it.

[They've met briefly before, but Tidus knows that Lady Madhuri has a talent for these things. He'd feel embarrassed about his own silly poem, but her voice has a calming effect. The dopey smile is back soon enough.]

So you could hypnotize anyone with that?

[All of that sounds pretty familiar. Tidus gave him a smile.]

That was pretty good. It actually kinda reminds me of somebody I know.

[Sheepish grin.]

Not that I want to pry or anything!

[He handed the poem over for Ravus to read, and was interested to know about the evocative stuff. A lot of things had symbolism in them, and he wondered if he should think more about what stuff means outside of a literal sense.]

I didn't know that, all told. That's pretty cool.

[But his body language was rigid, shoulders high and head low when he finished his feedback. What'd THAT mean?]

Treas- o-of course I do! She's my best bud!

[He frowned in thought. What a weird response.]

...Who's it remind you of?

To help them fall asleep, certainly. A lullaby is meant to soothe and draw a listener in, pushing out any thoughts and distractions that may be keeping them awake.

Unfortunately, said songs tend to be reserved for young children, though I believe anyone ought to enjoy something sung to them to help them rest regardless of age... wouldn't you agree?

Hyp- oh! [She laughed, but gently.]

Well, aid them in rest, certainly...!

[But she paused, checked around her as she settled back in her seat, then leaned toward Tidus. Her eyes hooded in mischief, a small smirk forming as she nodded. Yes, back in her world, she absolutely could add a hypnotic flair to such songs.]

[She leaned on her elbows, hands neatly folded as she was in rapt attention. Well now, look who was here and ready to bang out some poetry!

Oh. ...Oh. They do say to write from the heart, don't they? When Tidus finished, she bowed her head.]

Anyone can experience and express themselves with literature. That's what the club is here to teach us, isn't it?

That was marvelous. You've a talent with painting pictures with words, dear. Have you written before?

Well, me. And her.

[She's unavoidably on his mind today, and as embarrassing as it is...]

You really get what it's like.

[He just smiles.]

Actually, I've been wondering about that.

Do your songs work on yourself?

[He ducks his head a little, clearly pleased.]

Just for school. I had to keep my grades up to join the blitzball team, so I worked at pretty much everything when I wasn't in training.

I didn't get writing before. I think I'm starting to now.

Thank you so much for being here! It means the world to me.

[ Monika beams, she seems to be genuinely happy that so many people answered the call. ]

Anyway, here's my poem.

[ Monika's poem is written in a composition handbook, which she hands over to her poem-sharing partner: ]

The Lady who Knows Nothing

An old tale tells of a lady who wanders Vaikuntha.
The Lady who Knew Everything.
A beautiful lady who had found every answer,
All meaning,
All purpose,
And all that had ever been sought.

But here she is,

Crying.

Lost adrift worlds, victim of dreams.

Day after day, she loses.
She loses all she knows.
And when all answers have escaped her,
When all purpose is gone,
Love is all that remains - What she started with.
But her love doesn't look back.

And here she is,

Crying.

Lost adrift her own thoughts, victim of her knowledge.

She loses and she loses even more.
Soon to lose even love.
She waits for a hand to catch her, for love to save her.
But nothing happens.

She looks in the distance and sees shadows of a dream,
But the shadows speak with an hollow voice.

"You have found no answer.
You know of no meaning.
You know of no purpose.
And you seek only the impossible.
You are no legend.
For you know nothing."

And they turn away, leaving her alone with her tears.

[ No escaping, Ravus. Especially since your first poem-sharing partner just so happens to be the club president herself. ]

Hm! That's pretty good. It's the first time I have a club member write a haiku.

[ Then she sees him flips through his pages. ]

I know exactly what you're thinking. I had a club member who used to think the same way. Please don't. Because it is short or a style others won't easily understand, doesn't make it back. Haiku are very expressive and very short, most people won't realize it but it's pretty difficult to write one successfully.

[Oh boy! Time to show off his literary brilliance! ...Granted, writing poems is a lot trickier than one would think. True, he considers himself highly literate! A true wordsmith! But poetry and monologues are very different.

Or are they?

Well, regardless, Papyrus greets the rest of the club with a grin, his chin up, chest out, and overall posture exuding confidence.

...which is good because deep down he's maybe just a teensy bit nervous. No matter!]

FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE CLUB, BRACE YOURSELVES, FOR I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AM ABOUT TO DELIVER TO YOU TRUE LITERARY GENIUS!!!

[Just let him... pull out his poem. One moment.

DEEP BREATHS.

He's got this!!!]

HOPES SHATTERED, FEAR REIGNS, HEARTS CRYING FOR JUSTICE!
STUCK IN A PRISON, UNABLE TO SEE THE STARS, YEARNING FOR THE WORLD LEFT BEHIND

DAY BY DAY, WEARING FAKE SMILES TO MASK THE STORM WITHIN
THEY SAY "EVERYTHING IS FINE"
BUT THE SMILING MASK BEARS ITS SHARE OF CRACKS
IT ISN'T FINE AT ALL

A PROMISE ONCE MADE TO REKINDLE LOST HOPES
TO BREAK DOWN WALLS, FREEDOM FOR ALL!
DETERMINATION BURNING BRIGHT
LIKE FLAME UPON A CANDLE

BUT LIKE ALL CANDLES...

[He pauses. This got... personal. Maybe this wasn't the best idea. But he's come this far. Besides, it's all rather abstract, isn't it?]

THE LIGHT FLICKERS. THE WAX MELTS.
A BRIEF GLIMMER, FLEETING.
BUT THE WORDS ECHO THROUGH THE DARK.
"EVERYTHING IS FINE!"

DESPITE FURTHER CRACKS, THE MASK PERSISTS

SO TO DOES HOPELESSNESS, AMPLIFIED BY TWISTED TRUTHS
GONE IS THE MONARCH. THE CRY FOR FREEDOM AMPLIFIES INTO AN EXPLOSIVE BURST
NOW MORE THAN EVER, THEY YEARN FOR HOPE

BUT HOPE IS NOT LOST
IT'S NEVER LOST FOR GOOD
SOMETIMES IT JUST HAS TO BE FOUND

SOMETIMES THAT HOPE DOESN'T EVEN REALIZE HOW MUCH IT MATTERS
SOMETIMES THAT HOPE WEARS A MASK AS WELL

FAKE SMILES, STILL CRYING "EVERYTHING IS FINE"

IT'S HARD WHEN THE WORLD IS AGAINST YOU
WHEN PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE YOU CAN MAKE A CHANGE
BUT YOU AREN'T ALONE
OTHERS CAN REKINDLE THE FLAME, CARRY THE TORCH
KEEP THAT DETERMINATION BURNING, SHINING

AND ONE DAY, WE CAN ALL BASK IN THE STARLIGHT ANEW, SIDE BY SIDE

[There! That was very wordy. But hopefully at least a certain someone there will feel a bit better now.

And it was important to get some of this off his chest in a loose way that won't immediately make it clear what the context is. Probably.]

Doki Doki Vaikuntha Club (Act 1)

ARRIVAL & MINGLE

(frozen comment) POEM SHARING

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