SHOWMASTER HEART GAME (SATURDAY)

[showmaster]

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.

...

...

...

...

..."

Comments

[ticketmaster]

You'll never find him, he's gone forever! He's gone! He's not even my brother anymore!

[She doesn't stop walking though she really probably shouldn't be with the way her feet look.]

[restitui]

[ well. that hits a note that's too familiar to him when he races to catch up, ]

Hey. At least let me help you, okay? With clothes, your feet's just going to get more hurt - We can help, he'll still be there.

[ticketmaster]

[The little child flops into the sand, face first, and just starts flailing her limbs in the biggest upset of her life.]

[heartlands]

[trying to gently move her upright just enough that her face isn't on the ground,]

I'm so sorry. I know you're having a really hard time, but - we don't want you to hurt yourself on accident.

[restitui]

You can't get to or help him him if you get hurt.

[he says, nodding along shifting to kneel with them. while gingham tries to get her seated can he help ? heal her at all? ]

[ticketmaster]

[Eventually she's going to get tired and give up on moving at all, just small hiccups and sniffles as she just lets them do whatever they do.]

[heartlands]

[hesitating for a moment, before]

Do you think you can stand up if I help you?

[restitui]

[sorry little showmaster. ]

We're here, you're not alone.

[ticketmaster]

Where are we going...

[heartlands]

We can go wherever you want. Or we can stay here for a while, if you aren't ready to leave yet.

[restitui]

[ not into the ocean he wants to say, ]

Whenever you want. You want to find your brother, right? I know how that is - we can find him, whenever you're ready, family is forever.

[ticketmaster]

[You can tell that she looks distraught. If she leaves this spot, will this be yet another mistake that she makes? What if she can't trust these strangers either? If she doesn't go, will she be responsible for more of her own brother's pain?

Even if she doesn't say these words out loud, it seems to be apparent that these are the kinds of thoughts she's having.]

...where?

[heartlands]

Do you want to decide, or do you want us to help you choose which way we head?

[restitui]

[ nods inclining his head to gingham in agreement - ]

- where is the place you want to go most right now?

[ticketmaster]

I want to go to my brother. I want you to decide. I mess up everythiiiiiiing.

[She begins wailing again.]

[heartlands]

Hey... Hey, I bet your brother doesn't think it's your fault.

[moving to put a hand on her shoulder]

Take your time.

[restitui]

It's definitely not your fault - none of this is your fault.

[he adds quietly, he doesn't reach out for her since gingham has that but he does think a moment. ]

I think we won't find him in the ocean - [they will, but not how she wants ] - but there's a door over there...?

[ticketmaster]

[She throws herself back into the sand.]

No, I can’t go there. I can’t go! I can’t, I refuse!

[heartlands]

[sympathetically]

We're not going to force you. I promise. But - do you know what's through that door...?

[restitui]

[ nodding, empathically. going to sit down again, it looks like ]

You don't have to do anything you don't want to.

[showmaster]

...that's where brother's friend is...

[heartlands]

[after a moment]

Did his friend do something to you?

[restitui]

- or him?

[ticketmaster]

No... she helps keeps his books safe... but she won't help me find him...

[heartlands]

Okay. Well - we won't make you go there if you don't want to. Promise.

[glancing at phoenix, though, and leaning over to whisper to him]

I don't want to split up or leave her, but I think it might be important for one of us to go look in there while we can. What do you want to do?