melodiesofeternity | A Starlight Carol

Frisk is limp in Papyrus' arms, quiet for a moment. Then they mutter, so low as to be almost impossible to hear, "...doesn't matter if I didn't mean it. I still hurt her. I still almost killed her. It still happened. Being sorry about it isn't going to change that." Besides, did they even deserve to see Lilac again after all... that?

Frisk stays silent. It sure as hell looked like it, but hey. This was Okuyasu's head, not theirs. Not a good place to judge. "...that your brother?" they ask, a twinge of jealousy in their heart.

"Megatron--" Minimus attempts to interrupt, but it's too late. Or rather, he can't find the strength to draw their attention towards himself. Ultra Magnus could command a room to do as he says; no one notices an unaccomplished minibot. "Megatron, please," he adds, withholding his desperation. He has moved on from describing their quest and the situation - reasonable, but Minimus can't shake off the fear that Megatron will use his words to persuade Tyzias into sympathy. A poet, former or practicing, knows how to use subtlety as a weapon.

Now he's fearing what Tyzias will think, having their past brought up in the open. This is veering into territory one would deem "personal."

Minimus turns away when he notices Megatron glance in his direction. He's facing him. Minimus is not a big enough bot to look at him straight in the eye. That conviction when he denounced Megatron before Rodimus and Drift is gone.

"Don't pin the blame on me as if that's the issue is that simple." He manages to bring his arms to his side, fists clenched. "How am I to believe that without any evidence showing otherwise?" From his perspective, Rodimus provided the wake-up call he desperately needed. What mech in the right state of mind would cozy up to a mass murderer and expect nothing to come of it?

"We are not discussing this." They're not. Instead, they're going to watch their past selves hang glowing orbs on the cloaking device with the seriousness of inspecting security footage.

"Nothing really. They just have multiple kids and the kids would have siblings." He tilts his head slightly at her now. Was it not common or a thing to have siblings where she was from?

And who is there to witness the scene, but the unfortunate housemate the two robots got stuck with? She has in mind the message she received but man... It's hard to believe one of them is a mass murderer guilty of killing the equivalent to the entire population of Earth.

"You two look like you are really great friends."

She smiles at Minimus. He doesn't look happy to see this scene and yet... Clearly it is meant to be a happy memory.

That was quite evidently a memory that belonged to Ena. Ah... aha. Well, that was a good occasion to spend time with her without looking like a creepy stalker. It was also an opportunity to get insight into her mind and from there get a better grasp of what would improve her chance... Gosh, why was she doing this? Love wasn't something to be calculated and taken, it's something that should happen on its own, of course.

Monika took a deep breath and approached the present-time Ena. This... Didn't look like a happy memory. She didn't know who any of those people were, who the charred corpse was nor what the context was. But it was obvious enough Ena didn't appreciate seeing this one bit.

"... Hey. Are you doing alright?"

[ That looks like a happy memory, by the look of the other Dylas not being half-monster yet. Why is Dylas so hesitant to watch then...? Doesn't he want to look because that reminds him of better times?

Isn't that the entire point? To be reminded of better times? ]

I won't say anything, but I can follow him, right?

[ And thus Monika rushes to the window. Clearly the real Dylas needs some incentive to face his past. ]

Serge barely notices the added weight. The question of people finding their way into his memories barely fazes him. He skids to a halt in front of a single-story house, suspended on stilts, the back yard opening onto white sand. There's a half-muttered response to Bonnie's inquiry that sounds like 'home', and he's charging up the steps to the front porch, trying to open the door and finding it intangible, stepping straight through the wall-

And into a living room. It's not a very expensive-looking house, with most of the furniture well-worn and mismatched, but there's a definite sense of... care. Everything's well-maintained, the front room covered in decorations, with a large tree taking up one corner of the room. And at the center of it all is a trio of people. A boy with blue hair, who couldn't be more than five, Serge in miniature. A young woman with red hair, laughing at the child's gleeful assault on a brightly-wrapped package.
And a man, with wild hair the exact same shade as Serge's own, one arm around the woman, grinning from ear to ear.

Serge stands paralyzed in the doorway, looking down at the scene as Bonnie and the Pupu catch up. His voice is a hoarse whisper, when he speaks again.

"Dad..."

Orcelito listens as someone who does not find this explanation of the situation at all unusual. His only obvious reaction is a startled blink and glance to her at the term ‘quarantine.’ Corrin’s tone suggests it was not an urgent or taboo topic, and that allows him to regain a neutral expression, but the word choice stays with him for some time. His smile fades a bit as he makes inferences.

In the reports he’s heard around the Curti Center, Corrin seems capable as a fighter and teammate, and her siblings clearly believe in her. Then, why raise such a daughter outside of the household? He casts a studious glance over the gathering for anything out of place. The siblings are not so varied in looks as himself and his half-brother, but his focus lands on a detail he’d pushed to the back of his mind: Corrin's curiously pointed ears. It’s of no special note on Vaikuntha, and here it could be a coincidence... but considering his own world's history, it could very well not be. And there remains the fact that there’s been no mention of her parents since the memory started.

The gift wrapping comes off, and Orcelito waits for the normal fare of artistry that is popular among noblewomen: flowers or a garden scene. This captures his attention more. Dreary, certainly, but the lights shining out of the windows into the dark feel reassuring... like stars in a cloudy sky. The way the city is laid out is interesting as well, so Orcelito is disappointed when memory-Corrin turns the painting to where he can no longer see it. Although his attention was elsewhere for the exchanged glance, he does not miss the dialogue that follows... or the way present-Corrin reacts.

"Of course." The reply is accompanied by an innocent, relaxed smile. Two can eavesdrop in a dream, right? He will at least do the courtesy of remaining kneeling on the floor, watching the young women comment over the gifts, until Corrin vanishes. And then, silently because he has a great deal of practice, he rises to move closer to the pantry. If the walls here aren't much thicker than his own palace, he should be able to hear at least into the next room. It’s simply a matter of being able to move away before he’s caught.

Yeah. Who else could it be? [Johnny sometimes forgets other people might not know that people don't look like he does back on his world.] I, uh. Yeah, it's definitely me. As a kid.

[Teenage Johnny takes the posters he's collected and balls them up before shoving them in a nearby trashcan. The weather starts to take a turn slowly, with the introduction of those fat, wet snowflakes that sometimes mix with rain. The boy huffs with annoyance when he notices this, as current Johnny speaks up.]

This is the worst kinda weather, I swear. Especially when yer stuck out on the streets.

Corrin follows Xander and Leo's memory selves into the pantry; she doesn't bother with stealth since there's risk of her eavesdropping being discovered. A large cake sits unattended on a kitchen table. As Xander produces a knife from a drawer, Leo opens a cupboard and begins pulling down plates for them all. Corrin-the real one and not the memory of her still in the den-leans against the counter and watches. She does not see or hear Orcelito.

Xander begins to cut the first slice. "Speak your mind Leo, but do so quietly." He says, his voice also kept low.

"Very well, brother." Leo replies. "When we leave the Fortress tomorrow night, we should take Corrin with us."

"You know we can't do that, Leo." Xander replies, carefully cutting the first slice.

"No, Xander, I actually don't know that." Leo places a plate on the table and Xander places the slice on it. "I've never understood why we keep her locked up in this dismal place."

"Her memory loss-"

"Yes, Father quarantined her because of her memory loss, but that was years ago." Leo says dismissively. "Those memories aren't coming back, Xander. And there's been no further sign of damage...there's no point in keeping her here any longer." He leans forward, putting his hands on the table. "Look, we'll tell her it's a surprise gift from Father, and when she's back at Castle Krakenburg with all of us there, he'll-"

"Father would send her right back here." Xander replies quietly. "You know he would. And probably have her punished besides. I won't do that to her, Leo."

"...We can't just let her stay here forever, Xander. It's not right." Leo says after a moment.

"I agree we can't." Xander replies, cutting another piece. "And we won't; I've already arranged her release with Father."

That throws Leo for a loop for a moment. "What are you talking about?"

"I had the same idea as you." Xander says with a knowing smile at his younger brother. "But I approached Father about it before we left. He was...surprisingly amenable to the idea. But not now. Not for another few months. He wants me to continue Corrin's combat training throughout the winter, and prepare her to leave once the snows melt and the passage to Hoshido becomes clear."

"He wants her to fight in the war?"

"With the rest of us, yes." Xander nods. "Father has said it's time to end this conflict and bring Hoshido into the fold. He has some plan, though he wouldn't share it with me, but he said that I am to ensure Corrin is ready when the time comes."

"We've never been able to press into Hoshido, not with that witch Mikoto's protection spell guarding the place." Leo presses on.

"I'm well aware, but apparently that won't be an issue much longer." Xander finishes slicing the last piece and after a moment, Leo remembers and hands him the last plate. "I'm telling you this because I can count on your discretion; I doubt Elise or Camilla would be able to keep it a secret from her long." Leo looks unconvinced. "Five months, Leo. Five more months, that's all. Maybe four if it's an early thaw. Then Corrin comes home where she belongs and helps us bring victory to this conflict."

"...And Father doesn't want her to know?"

"He thinks if she was aware it might impact her training, make her lose focus. You see? He wants her to come back, but he wants her to be at her best."

Leo remains skeptical. "But I don't understand why she can't complete her training at Krakenburg. Why does she need such extra scrutiny?"

Now Xander's expression grows stern. "Because the King has commanded it so, Leo. We may be his children but we are also his subjects. We will do as we are commanded."

Leo is momentarily taken aback, but nods assent. "As ever, brother, I will do my duty. You need not worry about that." A pause. "Five months. That's not so long."

Xander's stern expression fades; the Crown Prince of Nohr is gone, and Corrin and Leo's big brother is back. "I agree. We'll be here often enough anyway. But even then, we will need to be cautious for her sake. Once the Hoshidans learn she's free, she'll become a target."

"No more than the rest of us." Leo replies, but something in Xander's expression catches his eye. "...What is it?" He asks.

"Corrin is...naive to the world outside these walls, Leo. We know how to deal with Hoshidan assassins, but she has been protected from that knowledge. It will make her...susceptible. Queen Mikoto is canny, and resourceful. She would try to exploit that for her own gain. We must all of us protect Corrin until she is wise enough to understand the world...and her place in it."

Leo regards Xander for a moment. He can tell Xander is holding something back. Corrin thinks. But then he merely nods. "I understand, brother. I won't let anything happen to her."

"None of us will. But remember, for the time being, not a word of this to the girls."

Leo chuckles. "If we told Elise now, town criers would be singing it on every street corner in Windmire by morning."

Xander is also smiling. "We'll tell them before we go to bring Corrin home, but for the time being, this stays between us."

Corrin has watched the discussion with a sad smile on her face. "I didn't know you'd both been trying so hard." She says to the unaware spectres of her brothers. Of course, they'd had no idea how King Garon had intended to end the war and why Corrin herself had been so integral to those plans. They were just happy to know she was coming home, finally. "Thank you both." She says quietly, knowing they can't hear her, but needing to say it all the same. "I love you two."

"Corrin coming home and the end of the war...it's hard to believe this can be happening so soon." Leois saying. "If-"

"Whatever is taking so long?" With a start, Corrin looks over to the entryway. Camilla is standing there. That's right, Corrin remembers, Camilla had gone to check on them. "You two look very serious. Is something the matter?"

Leo and Xander glance at each other. "Oh, no, Camilla, everything's fine." Leo replies easily. "I was just asking Xander for advice on some logistical issues with the army's supply chain that have come up."

"And? Do you think my solution a workable one?" Xander presses. He was always good at adapting, Corrin thinks with a small smile of pride.

"What? Oh, yes. Shouldn't be any issues once I implement them." He turns to face Camilla. "But I apologize for monopolizing him. I know tonight isn't supposed to be about work, but...it's an issue that's been bothering me for awhile."

"Well, I'm glad it's solved then. Here, let me help you bring the food out."

Xander nods. "Of course. Here, the biggest slice for Corrin. I thought it appropriate, considering."

Camilla laughs demurely as she takes two plates. "Such a generous big brother we have."

The cake gathered, Corrin's siblings make to leave the pantry and rejoin the party. Corrin pushes off from the counter to follow. She reaches up and quickly wipes a small tear away from her eyes as she does so.

"PERHAPS AN APOLOGY ALONE WON'T, BUT YOU'VE LEARNED FROM IT. AND YOU CAN ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE IT UP TO HER BY BEING A GOOD FRIEND. WHICH YOU MOST CERTAINLY ARE, FRISK!!!"

Nope, he's not letting go. They clearly need this right now. He's just... not sure what else to do. How else to show them how great they are right now. It's... tricky.

"Yeah," he sighs. Young Okuyasu resorts to licking his hands clean of the frosting. "He was my bro. Took care of my after...that thing happened to our dad."

He walks around the room in search of something and sends up walking the perimeter twice. The bow and arrow aren't in this room. Keicho must have hidden it somewhere back then so Okuyasu wouldn't hurt himself with it.

"Yeah. Bro was nicer when he was younger."

No kidding. Tokyo never gets this cold, and even then it sucked in the winter.

[He and Keicho were living in the basements of old apartments. When you're squatting, you can feel every inconvenience compound.]

Who's that guy over there?

Minimus' finger twitched. His hand was attempted to reach for his facial insignia for fiddling, but thankfully he stopped that unnecessary behavior.

"Very well. What is the point of seeing these visions other than to cause us distress with half of them?"

Vaikuntha Minimus and Past Minimus share the same stern look, but the one beside Monika is holding back some sort of emotion he is afraid to acknowledge. Regret, nostalgia, he isn't sure. He's not a poet.

The two robots in the past discuss what they are to do once all of the field amplifiers have been strung up - review the steps the crew must take to hide from he Maulers, check if the B.E.D.s function, call Rodimus again...if Minimus hasn't warned Monika of Megatron, she would be forgiven if she believed that the two were always close.

"Not now. Then, maybe." He tears his eyes away from the scene of Megatron lifting him once more. "I do know that I trusted him."

"WELL, I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AM SURE THAT YOU'LL REUNITE IN GOOD TIME!!! AND WHEN THAT TIME COMES, IT'LL ALL BE RIGHT AS RAIN."

So, maybe it's not his place to encourage such things, but Papyrus is nothing if not positive. Though as the body guard comes in, he can't help but gasp. What a big, strong physique! So impressive! Like that one wolf who likes throwing ice cubes into the river... just slightly less hairy. And with actual clothes.

"AH. THAT WAS NICE OF HIM TO SHARE A GIFT WITH YOU! NOT MUCH OF A TALKER, THOUGH, IS HE?"

Not that this is bad! Chatter isn't for everyone. If anything, it's just an attempt at light smalltalk to ease the situation.

"I hope so. I really want her to meet everyone at school."

He thinks she'll like his friends and that thought makes him pretty excited if she does come home. Adrien has to chuckle nervously.

"He's really not. I don't even know his name, but he might be one of those bodyguards who don't talk to the person they're guarding? ... Also, the gift was from Marinette, but I don't really open it until later."

It's weird they haven't really left the room, and right now, he thinks the PuPu is supposed to show him his dad's perspective of the night, but maybe the PuPu knows he knows what his dad is doing. He does it almost every day so standing with Nathalie and his bodyguard is awkward. Until Nathalie turns and heads up the stairs while the bodyguard goes to decorate the tree more... huh.

Tyzias' eye twitches. She was clearly in over her head with this. It sounded like this "Cybertron" place operated on a plane far beyond any that the Alternian Empire could ever hope to go. But unfortunately for all three of them, she counted Megatron and Minimus as friends. Seriously, fuck the capacity for empathy, it made far more trouble than it was worth.

So she takes her glasses off, sighs, rubs her forehead... then snaps her finger at Megatron. "You. Tell mmmme wwwwhat the fuck you did in the first place to get so mmmmany people to hate you. And you," she glares at Minimus. "Look himmmm in the fuckin' eye. He deserves that courtesy, at least."

She crosses her arms. "Unfortunately for all of us, I count you idiots as friends, wwwwhich mmmmeans I'mmmm saddled with the task of mmmmaking you twwwwo kiss and mmmmake nice. And I swwwwear to gog that if I have to bear wwwwitness to one mmmmore mmmminute of overblowwwwn robot mmmmelodrammmma then I wwwwill kick both your asses! You both knowwww I have precisely zero timmmme for bullshit, so wwwwe are going to resolve this Twelfth Perigee-grade pile of crap before you can mmmmmake up an excuse to run off because you don't wwwwanna deal with feelings, Mmmminimmmmus. And if you keep on being evasive and cagey about all this I wwwwill give up and just lock you twwwwo in a roommmm to sort this out yourselves, Mmmmegatron, wwwwhich I guarantee wwwwill take a long fuckin' timmmme because you're apparently incapable of straightforwwwward commmmunication. You twwwwo are literal orders of mmmmagnitude older than mmmme. Act like it, you immmmmature fuckwads! I don't have any patience for dealing wwwwith wwwwigglers acting playing at being growwwwn mmmmen!"

"I suppose to learn some sort of lesson. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm in a fairly good position and have for the most part moved on. It's picking a scab at this point... just as irritating and messy."

She sighed and dusted off.

"I'll never understand a world's customs at this rate. As soon as I jump, it's square one of course, but this one's filled with facing one's terrible memories on frequent occasions..."

The girl who keeps making jokes...that's Ami. And there's me...and that's Iori. We've come a long way since our debut.

[Azusa smiles brightly. She starts walking closer to the stage so she can hear everyone, but then she suddenly turns and looks next to the camera.]

Can you see her, Bonnie-chan? With the glasses there. That's my producer, Ritsuko.

[She lets go. She's not going to hold Naoto captive in her bosom. As soon as she tries to escape, Azusa lets her.

But the Azusa in the memory is...eating the pudding cup. It's the same pudding cup. It's as if the memory rewound, but that couldn't be right.]

I'm sorry. I just wish you didn't have to see me like this.

[She finishes this Gorgeous Celeb Pudding...and without Azusa in her way, Naoto can see that the box Azusa carried had twelve puddings in it. She's reaching for her third.]

It's special bread. If you eat it, you get inspired.

[That's how it works in Selphia. You eat farming bread, you suddenly know how to make new tools. Recipe bread, crafting bread, it's all the same. Dylas stares at the bread behind the glass counter.

And then he turns back to the other three. The girl and the man start aggressively wishing this Dylas a happy Christmas. The Dylas in the memory looks flustered, his tail swishing nervously, a blush on his face as he backs away from the cheer. It's easy to tell he's equal parts delighted, overwhelmed, and unsure how to respond.]

This was my first Christmas with them.

[He doesn't want to watch. He's also starting to cry and hasn't noticed it yet.]

[Poor Bonnie. Dylas doesn't want to hold hands. He feels someone reaching for him and his first instinct is to cross his arms. When he looks down to see what company he's sharing, he even looks annoyed. Of course it would be someone bright and cheery who definitely isn't an assassin at all.]

Don't be cute. If you tell anyone about what you're seeing, I'll do a lot worse than kick your ass.

[His words are a mixture of anger, fear, and annoyance—but his bark is a lot worse than his bite.

The memory continues, with the gangsters reminding Dylas not to leave any evidence behind when he 'cleans up.' Dylas' gaze in the memory is cold and distant, like he's not even there. He agrees, and he takes a stack of bills. It's not even a lot of money, and Dylas shoves it into his shirt pocket.]

Wha—?

[No! Don't look through the window. The Dylas inside is setting down his things and examining the restaurant space. It's empty, but even standing outside one can smell all the bread. It's heavenly, far moreso than Monika's company is.]

Don't follow him! Sit down and wait for this to be over like I am!

[He's pouting.]

A Starlight Carol

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Silent Light

Regret

The Good

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