CYOA - W3

[afflictionmods]

ic date: friday, w3
ic time: 7pm - 10pm

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[afflictionmods]

[She stops, body swaying.]

You're still together. You're still you. You're still real

[She raises a hand to her face, jerky and uncoordinated.]

You're the real one. Aren't you? Aren't you?

[fabulation]

I am.

[ ... ]

And who or what exactly are you supposed to be? Can you also tell me why there are fakes ones running around?

[ Xingqiu is keeping calm, but he is definitely on guard about this. ]

[afflictionmods]

I'm -

[There's a crackling noise and a high-pitched whine.

Miach coughs, shaking her head.]

I'm - I am who I a-a-am.

[Speaking seems to be something of a struggle, but she takes a moment to take several deep breaths.]

We want to be real. I think. I think....

[fabulation]

[ That explains literally nothing. It's fine. ]

...Why aren't you real, then? Did someone make you?

[ She sounds like a machine of some sort... ]

[afflictionmods]

No. Yes? No.

[Now you've just gone and confused her!]

I made myself.

[fabulation]

[ ...Well then. Not exactly his intention, but he'll just. Keep trying. ]

And can you tell me how you made yourself? I've never heard of anything like that being possible...

[afflictionmods]

It's - it's...

[Sorry, give her a moment.]

I had to. So I did it.

[She seems lost.]

Because you don't... You're real, but you don't fit here.

[fabulation]

Alright.

[ He says this, while being like :unsure: inside, but you know what, this is fine. ]

Well, no. This place isn't our home.

But my next question is, right now? Where are we, exactly?

[afflictionmods]

[Of course it's fine. Hasn't this entire circus been fine?]

You're inside.

[Which is a very helpful answer!]

But I don't - I don't - I don't know if you'll be inside for long. Or will you fall out?

[fabulation]

[ This has been a disorienting, strange experience.

So there is a moment where he goes quiet, but fortunately despite his time over at the museum, Xingqiu is a relatively calm person—more patient than most people can be, in certain circumstances. ]

I don't know either. It's hard to tell, isn't it?

[ ... ]

What is your purpose? What is the meaning behind all of this—being inside, that is?

[afflictionmods]

[It is. It is hard. She nods jerkily, but Xingqiu's calmness seems to be helping her relax.]

I'm... We're here to help you fit in.

[She takes a breath.]

You don't work the way this world works.

[fabulation]

[ That's...something. At the very least, Xingqiu will count it as progress (?) of some sort.

Though, the words are strange nonetheless and the way this conversation is going doesn't follow a linear kind of logic. ]

No, we don't. Though, the easiest answer for that is because we don't come from here. But, I imagine you might understand that.

[ He can't truly tell what she does or doesn't understand at times. ]

How are you to help us fit in this world, exactly?

[afflictionmods]

[Does she? Does she not?]

We can replace you. With the right version.

[:worry:]

[fabulation]

[ Debatable, from where HE'S standing, or perhaps not so much. ]

That's your idea of making us fit in? If you ask me, I'd have to say your idea isn't very...original.

[ Hah. Original.

That was a good one. ]

[afflictionmods]

[:worry:]

It's not my idea! I think. I don't know... All I know is it has to be true.

[fabulation]

[ Look, that was a good pun. No one can judge him for it!!

It is just too bad she could not see the humor in it. Alas, anyway... ]

So you're just certain this is a fact? Well, what else do you know is 'true'? As in...how this world works, exactly?

[afflictionmods]

[Everyone can judge him for it!]

You don't know? Can't you...

Can't you feel it? Everything going on around you?

[fabulation]

[ Wao!! ]

...What do you mean by that? I don't understand.

I've been able to bump into people, if that's what you mean.

[afflictionmods]

The way it gets cold... or hot... from the people around you?

You can't feel that?

[fabulation]

[ ??? ]

It does?

[ ...when he bumped into that person he doesn't recall feeling that. ]

[afflictionmods]

It's supposed to... That's what makes this world different. That's how the people are.

[She seems very, very convinced of this.]

[fabulation]

[ ... Which tells him like, not a lot.

Maybe. He does recall the marks do make them feel certain things... ]

Has it always been like this?

[afflictionmods]

Yes... For as long as anyone can remember, that's been what the people of this world can do...

[Which. Still tells him not a lot, huh.]

But it's... it's worse, isn't it?

[fabulation]

[ . . .

No, it doesn't. But, Xingqiu this time will simply tilt his head. ]

What's worse, exactly? The condition of this false world?

[afflictionmods]

The world beyond this place...

[She shakes her head, as if that'll help her sort through her thoughts.]

These people... they came in here, just like you.

[There's an attempt to gesture at the fair going on around them.]

But they're right in a way you're wrong. And everything is worse, which is how they ended up here. They're stuck here, but... you're not. So if you can be right but still be able to get out...

[She trails off for a moment.]

These people could get out too. Right? We can get out or... or we could get more people to come in...