showmaster | SHOWMASTER HEART GAME (FRIDAY)

SHOWMASTER HEART GAME (FRIDAY)

A familiar voice can be heard above you, you're not sure if they're talking to you or not but it does feel like you're part of this conversation:

"What a Wonderful Story that you have. I've read it many times when I was feeling sad. You know, I wanted to keep it in my personal collection, but it doesn't seem that's going to be possible. To grant my wish, I'd have to sacrifice what it means to be a reader ... to become the story. That's The End that I'm looking for.

...

...

...

...

..."

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[The man sighs and holds out the book to him.]

I don't think it's very exciting, but I guess I wouldn't be trying to write something like this if I didn't want people to read it...

Ma'am, you should be more supportive of your friend's passions.

[takes the book; does it have a title on it, or is it just a blank cover?]

May I ask what it's about?

Absolutely not. Stories are awwwwwwwwwwful.

[It's a blank cardboard cover, tied together by string!]

Well, you see, the main character and the party is meant to rescue the heroine who has been locked up for a long time. However, the tragedies that befell the main character have taken a deep toll on their psyche. There could be a happy ending where they recover and complete their rescue and live happily ever, but it feels fake. But if I try the realistic approach, I can only think of abject misery for the main hero and that seems ... like an ending I don't particular like.

Why does a happy ending feel fake to you?

I don't want to erase everything that has happened, I don't think it CAN be erased . . . but it almost feels disconnected . . . if that makes sense . . .

I think it does. You don't want to disregard all of the things that happened just to reach a satisfying conclusion that doesn't feel earned, is that it...? You just have to think of a say to connect things in a way that makes sense.

If you're stuck, why not try brainstorming with other people? Sometimes a new perspective can open your eyes to different possibilities. Not everyone is going to have the same opinion on what does and doesn't feel disconnected, after all.

. . . would you be interested in helping?

If you think my opinion is worth listening to, then I'm happy to help. I'm the kind of person who isn't satisfied unless something comes with a happy ending, so in that regard it sounds like we're similar.

You must be someone who understand's a siblings love.

[Nods.]

Of course! It's the greatest thing on this planet! What else could be better?!

Nothing! Nothing is better!

[

]

[...]

[you just don't get it, ticketmaster, smh]

That should be the core of your story, don't you think? Even if things seem impossible, if you love your sibling, you can get through anything together!

But what if you get into a situation where you cause them the trouble?

Then...well...if it's a story, of course there are bound to be some trials and tribulations. That happens in real life, too. Just because you love someone doesn't mean you can't hurt them, even if it's just on accident.

If you're the one causing problems for your sibling, then you have to apologize and fix it. I'm not saying that's an easy thing to do, but, it has to be done.

[After pausing through those words and some consideration, he lets go of the book so Eugene can look through it.]

If you wish to take a quick glance and if you have ideas, I'll listen.

[If he chooses to look through the book, it isn't a story about an adventurer at all.

It's very clearly the story of the Showmaster and her life.

It showcases a young girl who once enjoyed a happy life in the gardens with her large family. It describes her being taken away to "receive blessings" and a lot of the pain she went through during this time. It showcases a brother who was unaware of what was happening, but would send her stories to keep her company. A brother who eventually met a Legend of Stories and received his own blessings. A brother who found out the truth of what was happening to his sister. Who punished those who were responsible. Who tried to rescue her but failed to do so. Who became part of the experiments. Became part of the ocean.

The girl who wanted to rescue said brother was stuck because the family who had any chance of answers were eradicated. The girl who had practically no family left and only had her brothers books to read. She wanted to wish that the Legends would come help but they too suddenly disappeared and no one even remembered who they were. Even the Storyteller Legend refused to grant her wishes.

She was stuck. She was stuck forever. Because she could not die. Her brother could not die. All she had were his books.]

Edited 2026-01-18 18:57 (UTC)

[of course he's gonna look he's NOSY

he reads through it, quietly, trying not to tear up]

Uhm. I suppose you can't edit the past, so...couldn't you just wrap up the story nicely...? It seems like they've already gone through enough troubles.

I know . . . but I can't figure out a believable solution to the story without rewriting the whole thing.

[he scratches his head with a pencil he had in a pocket]

[shakes his head]

There's no need to rewrite anything. That might just mess things up. But...well...at least part of the issue seems to be that these siblings are stuck and can't die.

I don't think that dying is a good end to a story. But maybe giving up their immortality is a suitable equivalent price? It's giving up unlimited life, which has to count for something.

I think so but I wonder how to just... take the immortality out... hmmmm...

Immortality is tied to "Legends" right? So they just need to pull the "Legends" out of them and that should help. We've already proven that can be done, since people on the ship have already done it temporarily. Just make it something more permanent.

[Ash looks a little confused, but the Ticketmaster smiles.]

That's an interesting idea.

Someone who doesn't understand a sibling's love should keep her opinions to herself. I already know any ending you'd want to pick would be unsatisfying.

But I think it's a fair resolution, isn't it? If the "Legends" are what's causing problems, then just split them off and let them go. I know I'm simplifying it by a lot, but it seems like something within the realm of possibility.

I feel like we're talking about a different story...?

[He coughs.]

Anyways, I think that sounds like a viable? Solution? But I'm not sure... how to go about it...

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