(open) you're looking at me like you don't know who i am

[entreats]

Who: Ange, Ruby, Break, and anyone who knows any of them.
What: Corruption turned Ange into a true Umineko witch who decided the best way to keep the people she loves safe from this town is to drag them into a pocket dimension.
When: For a while in March.
Where: Ange and Ruby's house-turned-small-pocket-dimension.

Content Warnings: Potential violence if anyone acts particularly antagonistic. Potential talk of violence or gore. Other warnings will be added when things pop up.



Perhaps you have seen Ruby's odd network post and decided to check things out. Or maybe you're just wandering around Trench and notice that Ange and Ruby's house suddenly looks.. different.

The house has been completely overgrown by way oversized roses, big thorns growing out of all the stems, completely obscuring the structure that's supposed to be underneath it. If you get close enough to the cluster of roses, you may feel your connection to any of the three people inside suddenly pull you in. (Please note: only people who know either Ange, Ruby or Break will be able to enter the pocket dimension because of this!)

If you give in to the sensation, everything around you might go black, and when the light returns, you seem to find yourself in.. a hedge maze. A rather odd one, though. As you stumble through it, you may suddenly find yourself in random rooms, and then back out of them into the hedge maze once more. The Moss King's wild plants seem to have even invaded corners of this place, so you might want to watch out you avoid having those snap at you. Retracing your steps through the labyrinth feels impossible, like the way is changing up behind you with every step. Some rooms make perfect sense - like a neat and elaborate kitchen, or a library - and others seem to consist of nonsense with stairs leading upside down or to nowhere, or gravity not working in a specific room at all.

Flying throughout the entire maze are golden butterflies. They seem to fly with direction, and if you follow them, you might find them leading you to one of the people you were looking for..

Comments

[entreats]

[ Look at these sweet, sweet compliments Scorpia is throwing around..

The exact sort of compliments that would usually make Ange screech like a banshee tsun all over the place, and yet none of that is happening right now. The girl is still eerily calm, and there's honestly a lack of really any reaction towards what the other is saying here.

Instead Ange just tilts her head sideways in thought after a moment. ]

You sound nervous.

[ .. apparently she did catch on to that, huh. ]

Why?

[ There's something too accusatory about the simple question, but Ange does sound a touch curious. Like she can't guess quite yet as to why Scorpia would sound that way right now. ]

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia is indeed expecting Ange to get all huffy or try to downplay what an awesome friend she is. But Ange's behavior continues to feel... off. It's the one part of all this that really isn't working for Scorpia, and it's setting her on edge, to boot.]

Oh! Do I? I- I'm not nervous! I mean, I'm not trying to be? [Does anyone try to be nervous? She nervously chuckles.]

I'm just - confused is all! Still wrapping my head around all of, all of this. And, you know, just want to make sure you're okay. Not to be rude or anything, but... you're kinda not being your usual self, Ange.

[entreats]

I'm fine.

[ There's nothing defensive in the tone. She still just says it very calmly as she's staring over at Scorpia - like she's just stating an objective fact here.

She feels fine, after all. Everything is fine, isn't it? ]

At most I could seem a little tired, since I am resting my powers for a moment, but I doubt that would make me seem that different. [ Especially when Ange isn't a high-energy person to begin with.

So either everything is fine with Ange - or she just isn't perceiving the shift herself, but the girl doesn't even seem to consider the second thing an option here. ]

[cuddlery]

Oh. I guess that would explain it, of you're all tuckered out... Magic can take a lot out of you!

[She gives a little laugh.]

It's not like you're a different person or anything! Just, you know, a little unexpected in the behavior department. But yeah it makes sense, you're just one tired incredible witch. Maybe you should go for a nap while you're at it, that's a great way to replenish some energy!

[entreats]

[ A nap? Please, Scorpia, such a radical concept.

.. in fact, even among the rooms that seem to occasionally pop up in the middle of the hedge maze, it seems like there's not even a single bed in any of them.. Weird.. ]

Then what are you going to do? [ Ange stares Scorpia - ever unblinking in this state. ] Are you going to return to Trench?

[cuddlery]

[Yeah it is radical, in tue cowabunga kinda sense of the word!]

Oh - me! [She pauses for a moment and chuckles sheepishly. It's only now she seems to be realizing that the offer has been made for her to just stay here.]

Well, yeah. That's where I live. I have my job there and my other friends. And I want to look out for the people who aren't safe here and all. As nice as it would be to just kick back and chillax here!

[entreats]

.. but you won't be safe out there, Scorpia.

[ Ange says this like she's explaining something to a toddler.

As if Scorpia just doesn't understand, and that that is the reason why she'd even consider leaving this place. Even though it's perfectly safe here. Even though Ange made it that way - on purpose. ]

The Pthumerians have all the control out there. They will hurt you.

[cuddlery]

Maybe they will.

[Scorpia acknowledges that somewhat matter-of-factly. She knows that the Pthumerians aren't necessarily all bad and not all of them do horrible things on purpose, but she still knows there's always danger that comes with it.]

But that's the thing. There's plenty of people out there who also won't be safe, so... I get you protecting people here and I'm all for it, I am super for you being safe, but I need to be there for anyone else who might need me. And if that means putting myself out there and getting hurt in the process? That's just life. Been there, done that.

[entreats]

[ But it doesn't have to be life.

Ange doesn't want it to be life. Isn't that why she created this place? They can't trust the Pthumerians, they will just hurt all of them, so-- so she has to take charge instead.

She has to keep her friend safe. ]

Then bring those people here too.

[ Does Ange dislike the idea of people she doesn't know ending up in this place? Kind of. She'd like to vet them all first, but that can come later. Right now it feels more important to convince Scorpia of the importance of this place. ]

Isn't it better to be safe here? We won't need Trench anymore.

[cuddlery]

[She pauses and considers that for a moment. It would be great to have all of her friends safe here. But would they all agree to that?]

W-well I mean... Trench isn't always so bad. And the thing is, I can bring in everyone I know, but... I'd still be worried about anyone else left dealing with Trench life out there.

[Scorpia thinks more and just keeps finding more reasons to worry. More cracks in the plan.]

And new Sleepers will keep coming too! Someone has to be out there for them. People any of us know could arrive any month... and people we don't know could really use someone looking out for them. ...I'm sorry Ange, but staying here... It doesn't feel right to me.

[entreats]

[ ...

That answer is so much like Scorpia, huh? Something Ange would usually admire about the other girl, but in this moment.. a part of her kind of hates it. Why does Scorpia have to be so nice? Why does she have to care about people who might not even care about her in return, or try to hurt her? Not all Sleepers are so kind, Ange knows it very well. ]

.. I don't know if the boundary between this place and that is going to remain forever open.

[ It's just a fact. Once this world is done, she will have to seal it off properly - to try and keep the Pthumerians out, which is the most important part about this place. If Sleepers can pass through, then so could the Pthumerians. ]

If you leave, you might never see me again.

[cuddlery]

Wait, what?

[That makes her falter. She looks at Ange with worry in her eyes.]

What do you mean? Like... This place is really going to be like it's own world?! [Cut off completely and out of reach.]

B-but, this is all so sudden? Is there any chance to make it not come to that?

[This definitely isn't how she imagined her last time every seeing Ange would be. This just doesn't feel right at all!]

[entreats]

Of course there's no chance. As long as this place is still connected to Trench, it's going to allow the Pthumerians to slip through, even when it's just a little bit. [ There's no particular tone at all in Ange's voice when she speaks of this.

It's like she just talks about a fact. An objective reality. Something that just can't be changed, no matter what. ]

You've seen, right? The Moss King's plants are in here. I am fairly sure at this point that it is because the border between here and Trench is still open. I can't risk everyone here by keeping things that way.

[ Ange should probably be sounding a little more worried about the implication of never seeing Scorpia again in that case, but the same tone just continues.. ]

[cuddlery]

[There's a growing distess on Scorpia's face as Ange speaks, the exact opposite of Ange's own expression. The idea of being cut off from Trencu forever... Of them being separated possibly forever.]

W-wait! But if you do that, it'll be cut off for good! Everyone in Trench... Maybe even any chances of going back home! A-and I know I'm not ready to leave this place for good... We can deal with the Pthumerians. And- wait.

[She pauses as she realizes something that makes her heart sink.]

A-Ange, if I didn't come here... Would you have just left forever without me knowing?

[entreats]

[ There's a lot of things Ange could say even to all of the initial things Scorpia hastily mentions, though she's instead just listening, her expression just as passive as a moment ago.

And in the light of the latter's question, she just decides to address that compared to everything else. ]

Oh, I would have reached out to you somehow. [ Sure, Ange wouldn't have come out of this world. But she could've sent her Omen over, maybe. Or some butterflies. ] We are friends. Of course I would have given you the chance to come live here instead anyway.

[ She says it so simply. Like it just solves the problem. Like there's clearly nothing left to be worried about in the face of this answer. ]

[cuddlery]

Oh! Oh... Okay. Good... to know.

[She responds slowly. Even if that answer is one she'd want to hear in this situation, she feels no relief from it. The lack of emotion in Ange's words really troubles her. It's like she's checking a list rather than really thinking of her friends.

She rubs at the side of her head uncertainly as she looks towards her.]

So you're saying that if I leave this place... I might never see you again? Just like that?

[entreats]

Yeah.

[ .. another simple answer, huh.

Though Ange doesn't just leave it at that. Sure, there's a faint pause after that brief 'yeah', but then she does continue, tilting her head slightly to the side as if she's thinking. ]

Don't misunderstand. I would prefer for you to stay here. [ There's nothing forceful about it at least, so that's good. And while Ange does mean the sentiment, it might be hard to understand as much when she's still using the very same tone the entire time. ] I don't want you to have a life full of hardship, after all.

[ And Ange knows it's what Scorpia will have out there in Trench.

It's how things work there, after all. ]

And I would like to still see you. But I guess that will be impossible at this rate.

[cuddlery]

It... it doesn't have to be impossible.

[She rubs at her arm uncertainly as she looks towards her friend, trying to look into those golden eyes.]

Ange, can't you reconsider? I get making this safe space and all, but cutting it off completely... That just feels like too much. I can't leave this place completely like this, and I don't want to leave you either. Whatever security risks this place might have, we can deal with it! We've been here so long and been through so much. We can keep on enduring together!

[entreats]

Scorpia.. I know we compromised before.

[ A fact that Ange doesn't really mind, not even while she's like this. Her corruption happens to focus on some very specific things, after all, leaving other things alone entirely. Compromising between how extroverted Scorpia is and how introverted Ange is wasn't a bad thing in her mind, not even now.

But-- of course there's always a but in these matters, hanging in the air before she even speaks on. ]

This is something I can't compromise on, however. If I leave those security risks in place, then this place won't be any better than Trench. The Pthumerians will be able to meddle as much as they want, and I can't put people at risk like that. It's my responsibility.

[cuddlery]

['Compromised'. The way she says that, it feels so clinical and devoid of emotion, like it was a business negotiation rather than an understanding reached between friends talking it out.]

B-but it doesn't have to be your responsibility! Ange, something's wrong here. Are- are you sure you're in your right state of mind? You feel so... different! [Without that endearing warmth that shone beneath her grumpiness... and without even the grumpiness.]

I think something happened to you, a-and we have to get to the bottom of it!

[entreats]

[ She still sounds so calm when she speaks up again. It's starting to contrast more and more with Scorpia's own attitude, so much more emotional - and yet it's like Ange doesn't see the problem the way the other can whatsoever. ]

I'm sure.

[ She sounds so sure of it too, which only makes the problem even bigger, huh. ]

Are you sure that there's nothing wrong with you? Maybe Trench is trying to mess with your mind. It could be trying to keep you from leaving. [ It makes perfect logical sense in Ange's head - that's what Trench is like, after all. It's insidious.

Not that Ange wants it to happen to Scorpia though. She should just stay the same as she always is. ]

[cuddlery]

M-me?!

[Her eyes widen in surprise at her remark. In other circumstances, it would be easier to put stock in. After all, people's behaviors can change suddenly without them realizing it. Scorpia tried catching people in nets sometime in the past! But even so, she still feels like herself... while Ange still feels completely off.]

...I don't know, Ange. You tell me. Do I seem different to you? Am I... unlike myself? [She shakes her head.]

Because it really seems to me that something happened to you! You haven't acted grumpy about anything, or... or shown any emotion at all! A-and I'm sorry, but it feels like you're making this decision kinda - kinda coldly! If something's wrong with you, I kinda think it might not be the time for a big decision like this!

[entreats]

Then when is it the right time?

[ It sure seems like she's dodging a lot of what Scorpia is saying here, huh.. Though it's not really a conscious dodge. Ange truly can't see what's wrong with her, after all, and she supposes that nothing is necessarily wrong with Scorpia, even though it's odd that the other girl can't see what Ange is trying to do for her here.

What Ange is trying to do for everyone.

It's just that the part she's actually addressing feels like the most important part here to Ange. ]

How long do we just have to sit back and allow ourselves to suffer because of the Pthumerians? Everyone is saying this isn't the solution. [ Maybe not everyone, sure, but enough people have showed up like Scorpia, saying similar things..

Things Ange just can't understand like this. ]

But no one is presenting any other solution.

[ So how could she not do this?

At least she's doing something. ]

Just going back to Trench and trying to protect people over and over from the Pthumerians and failing half of the time isn't an option to me. [ Not anymore. ] I'm tired of that.

[cuddlery]

I don't know if there was a right time for something like this, Ange. Not unless new Sleepers stop coming to Trench.

[She responds quietly to that part. Ange's selective response bothers Scorpia further, but she tries to deal with her patiently.]

It's less a problem of the right time or the right solution... and more that this isn't the right you. I feel like the worst time to make a decision like this is when you're not you.

[Scorpia gives a weary sigh.]

I- I get it. After all this time, awful things still happen here. I'm tired too, but I just can't give up. This place has still become my home... and I'm going to keep on fighting to make it a better place for all of us. And I'm here for you too, Ange. I want to carry you through this.

[entreats]

.. I'm not giving up either.

[ That part doesn't sound argumentative, at least. More just Ange mirroring Scorpia's sentiment - because to her, this place isn't giving up. It's trying something. It was supposed to be something positive, even if almost no one seems to understand as much.

She slowly shakes her head. ]

So.. I guess it's better for you to do your best over there, and for me to do my best over here.

[ Even if it means never seeing each other again. Does that hurt? Yes-- of course it does, but Ange knows that she can't give up this world, no matter what.

She has to make it work somehow. ]