Beatrice (and so on) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
boxupallthebutterflies) wrote2011-04-17 01:21 am
boxupallthebutterflies) wrote2011-04-17 01:21 am
Memory 9 - Trivial Negative
THE MEMORY:
[Setting: The golden rose garden in the metaworld. Battler and Beatrice are sitting with teacups, watching the piece Beatrice drink tea with Natsuhi. Meta-Beatrice, however, is almost unresponsive.]
BATTLER: ...Ronove was kind enough to make us some of that Dimbula tea too.
BEATO: ...Nn...
[She mutters vaguely, the first time she has been able to communicate since ending up in this state. Battler notices her interest in the tea, and takes her hand, making her hold the cup.]
BEATO: ...Nn...
[Her eyes tremble sadly, her fingers shaking. She can't even move her fingers of her own volition, and enjoy tea with her own power. Battler puts his hand over hers again, lifting the cup to her lips. She takes a sip.]
BATTLER: ...How is it? That rose aroma makes for a great black tea. Do you like it...?
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...What happened to you...? ...Is this... another strategy? Are you pretending to be in a slump so that you can shock me later?
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...If that's what you're after, the same trick won't work again, so give it a rest. ...If you keep acting like that, even I'll start to feel out of whack.
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: Hey. ...Isn't it about time for you to start laughing loudly, saying "Caught you, dumbass!" or something? Any kind of joke stops being funny if you use it too much. Especially if it's a rehash.
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: Laugh. Just like you're cackling over there as you drink with Natsuhi oba-san.
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...Can't you at least grin...?
BERN: [speaking from somewhere unseen] Never again. This child will never laugh again.
BATTLER: How can you say that for sure?! Quit trying to steal away Beato's right to laugh.
BERN: [appearing] ...Oh, should I say it in red then...?
[Battler shakes his head furiously. Bernkastel glances blankly over at Beatrice.]
BERN: Congratulations.
BATTLER: ...For what?
BERN: Beato is like this as a result of your victory.
BATTLER: ...What are you talking about...?
BERN: You said something interesting in a previous game. You said that this would be torture where you both torment each other. That was right. It's torture for Beato as well. And, you won that torture game. ...That's why Beato's soul was killed, and why she became a doll-like corpse.
BATTLER: Are you saying... that I did this to Beato?
BERN: The battle ends when one of you loses the will to try and win. ...As far as the battle between you and Beato goes, the conclusion was already reached last time. Well, it probably happened without you noticing though.
BATTLER: ...In that case, why hasn't the game ended when I've already won? ...Why is this game still continuing?
BERN: The shackle attached to that girl's ankle. ...That's a rule Lambda made. In the past, I supported you when it looked like you were going to give in. Though you probably couldn't perceive it, I assisted you by giving you hints and making things go your way. That's why you're able to be here now. ...Remember? Remember how I saved you? [staring at Battler] In the same way, Lambda is supporting Beato. And this time, Beato is on the verge of giving in. That's why Lambda's been giving her support this time, to keep her from giving in. That's what the shackle is. By refusing to let her resign, she's saved Beato within the game.
BATTLER: ...How does that work?
BERN: Normally, there are only two ways for this game to end. Either one side will accept defeat and resign, or one side will win the game with a checkmate. Beato was about to collide with the first way. That's why Lambda crushed that chance and managed to just barely avoid losing. That's a wonderful bit of support within this game.
BATTLER: ... Our match has already been resolved. ...Even so, the game won't end. That's why Beato put her trust in me. She told me to win quickly and end this game.
BERN: ...
BATTLER: ...I'm starting to feel like truth doesn't matter anymore. ...That way, the game doesn't matter as long as Beato is satisfied. Beato resigned. I'll ignore the truth about this Illusion of the Witch and return home with my family. ...Is there anything wrong with that?
BERN: ...Whaat's this? Beato has started to look like she's in pain every time you get closer to the truth, so you're suddenly going easy on her...? Then just go as easy on her as you can. And why don't you just let Beato win while you're at it? Then your little sister can have a lonely, tragic future forced on her endlessly.
BATTLER: That's not how it is...
BERN: In that case, make sure you kill her. Kill this witch without fail.
BEATO: ...
BERN: Your goal is to kill this woman. ...In the last game, you said it at Beato's request. You said "I'll kill you".
BATTLER: ...Yeah, that may be true, but that doesn't mean you get to complain about it.
BERN: Did you know? When you tear one of your fingernails out, it's better to do it in one go. ...Pulling it out like you do... timidly, twisting and slow... hurts much, much more. What you're doing sounds much more like torture to me.
BATTLER: ...
BERN: If you have any compassion, kill her all at once. That's how killing works.
BATTLER: That's none of your business. I'm the one to decide how to perform her last rites. You and that Lambdadelta witch have nothing to do with this. I'll kill her. I won't let anyone else do it.
BERN: ...As long as you don't lose that willpower. I'm betting on you. Alright? Make sure you don't forget. You will never be released as long as this game remains unresolved. You won't be allowed to abandon this game either.
BATTLER: ...I get it.
BERN: I know what Lambda is after. She wants to make you lose your will to fight just like Beato, to make you a pair of living dolls, and to keep this world in perpetual equilibrium. ...You don't want that, do you? I wouldn't like it either.
BATTLER: Why should I care about what you want? Still, I won't throw this game away. I won't abandon the responsibility of fighting with Beato.
BERN: I'm glad our goals are the same. So, this means you'll be able to kill this child without any hesitation, right?
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...That's right.
BEATO: ... [possibly a bit hurt]
BERN: ...So, about that Beato who's drinking tea over there with Natsuhi. You can handle that, right...?
BATTLER: Yeah... No problem.
BERN: It's the same as it was with Kinzo. Beatrice doesn't exist. This is a fake illusion of a witch that Natsuhi created, believing that she thought up a brilliant plan to overcome hardship by borrowing a witch's power. The only reason it looks like the two of them are drinking together is because Lambdadelta, the Game Master and the one who is telling the story interpreted it that way. If you stare without a fragment of love for Natsuhi, you won't see illusions like that. ...That's why with my eyes, all I can see is Natsuhi all alone, drinking her tea in silence. That's a delusion that Natsuhi's showing us. ...Beatrice doesn't exist there.
BEATO: ...Ugh... [mumbling softly, pained]
BATTLER: ...Yeah, that's probably true. I think your theory is right. But don't say that in front of Beato.
BERN: It doesn't matter where I say it. This is Beato's world.
BATTLER: ...Also, it's not like I'm protecting Beato, but there is a possibility that Natsuhi oba-san really is drinking tea with some unknown person X calling themselves Beatrice. This scene takes place a year before everything. The number of people on the island on this day has never been shown with the red truth.
BERN: ...Sure. Even Lambda hasn't said anything in red about the number of people on Rokkenjima on this day.
BATTLER: In that case, it's possible for Natsuhi oba-san to claim that she really did drink tea with a woman calling herself Beatrice. Just like I can't deny your theory, you can't deny mine. That means you can't say for sure whether the Beato there is an illusion or not.
BERN: ...Oh, the cat box theory? That might have worked on Beato, but it won't work on me.
BATTLER: Why?
BERN: After all, Natsuhi is drinking tea all by herself right there.
[There is a violent sound of glass breaking, and the Beatrice speaking with Natsuhi is erased. There remains only Natsuhi, drinking tea with a tired expression as the wind blows.]
BEATO: ...Nn, ggh... [groaning in anguish]
BATTLER: ...The red truth is kind of like a blade.
BERN: ...
BATTLER: In a battle with a witch, it's a blade that sometimes tears your theories apart, but sometimes becomes a weapon you can fight back with.
BERN: ...I know. So what?
BATTLER: Don't use it without reason.
BERN: ...
BATTLER: A blade is a tool if you use it when you're supposed to... but it's a weapon if you use it out of malice. This isn't about the Illusion of the Witch. ...It's about Natsuhi oba-san's privacy. How could anyone have the right to expose that?
BERN: ...Do you want to acknowledge that a witch actually existed here and drank tea with Natsuhi? Weren't you trying to deny the existence of witches?
BATTLER: ...Yes, during the game of the two day period from October 4 to October 5, 1986. But I have no desire to question whether or not witches exist outside that game board. In the first place, it's impossible to deny the existence of witches because of the Devil's Proof. And, according to the rules of this game, saying something like that in red is a forbidden move that leads to a stalemate. You can't deny the existence of witches even with the red truth.
BERN: ...True. ...I never thought I'd hear you talk about witches existing. ...Not bad, Lambda. You've done a good job of making Battler stuck between his human culprit theory and the thought that it doesn't matter whether witches exist or not. She really excels at controlling a human's heart. ...Looks like I'd better start helping you out even more.
BATTLER: I really couldn't care less about you two. Disappear. This game is between Beato and me. We're gonna keep this game to ourselves.
BERN: ...No way.
BATTLER: What...?
BERN: After all, I'm enjoying this game too. ...*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... [disappearing, leaving only her laugh behind]
BEATO: ... [hand still on the teacup, staring blankly at the liquid inside]
BATTLER: ...Bernkastel and Lambdadelta... Virgilia called them your friends, but... you really should choose your friends more carefully. Or wait, maybe they actually make a good match with an ill-natured person like you...
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...
[Battler takes Beatrice's hand and brings the cup to her lips again. She drinks another gulp with a quiet sound...]
WHAT SHE LEARNED:
- lol so I guess my game with Battler just ended up in a completely unfun way. as in I tried to give up. and then they told me I wasn't allowed. so now I just sit here not wanting to play an unfun game.
- ha ha I tricked him before what... THIS CASTS THE EARLIER EP3 MEMORY INTO SUSPICION... as if I was ever actually a good person!! D|
- Lambdadelta and Bernkastel are pretty shitty friends, but I guess I halfway already realized that
- Battler still kind of sympathizes with me but it's also not like he's planning on doing anything but killing me anyway :/
- ...wait also I didn't know he had a sister \(o_o)/
- idk everything about my life sucks, this whole time I have just been sitting around waiting for the chance to die
CONSEQUENCES IN AATHER:
+500 dear god I want to die already \:D/
+300 emotional distance.
+50 quietly start undoing all the good person things I did...
[Setting: The golden rose garden in the metaworld. Battler and Beatrice are sitting with teacups, watching the piece Beatrice drink tea with Natsuhi. Meta-Beatrice, however, is almost unresponsive.]
BATTLER: ...Ronove was kind enough to make us some of that Dimbula tea too.
BEATO: ...Nn...
[She mutters vaguely, the first time she has been able to communicate since ending up in this state. Battler notices her interest in the tea, and takes her hand, making her hold the cup.]
BEATO: ...Nn...
[Her eyes tremble sadly, her fingers shaking. She can't even move her fingers of her own volition, and enjoy tea with her own power. Battler puts his hand over hers again, lifting the cup to her lips. She takes a sip.]
BATTLER: ...How is it? That rose aroma makes for a great black tea. Do you like it...?
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...What happened to you...? ...Is this... another strategy? Are you pretending to be in a slump so that you can shock me later?
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...If that's what you're after, the same trick won't work again, so give it a rest. ...If you keep acting like that, even I'll start to feel out of whack.
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: Hey. ...Isn't it about time for you to start laughing loudly, saying "Caught you, dumbass!" or something? Any kind of joke stops being funny if you use it too much. Especially if it's a rehash.
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: Laugh. Just like you're cackling over there as you drink with Natsuhi oba-san.
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...Can't you at least grin...?
BERN: [speaking from somewhere unseen] Never again. This child will never laugh again.
BATTLER: How can you say that for sure?! Quit trying to steal away Beato's right to laugh.
BERN: [appearing] ...Oh, should I say it in red then...?
[Battler shakes his head furiously. Bernkastel glances blankly over at Beatrice.]
BERN: Congratulations.
BATTLER: ...For what?
BERN: Beato is like this as a result of your victory.
BATTLER: ...What are you talking about...?
BERN: You said something interesting in a previous game. You said that this would be torture where you both torment each other. That was right. It's torture for Beato as well. And, you won that torture game. ...That's why Beato's soul was killed, and why she became a doll-like corpse.
BATTLER: Are you saying... that I did this to Beato?
BERN: The battle ends when one of you loses the will to try and win. ...As far as the battle between you and Beato goes, the conclusion was already reached last time. Well, it probably happened without you noticing though.
BATTLER: ...In that case, why hasn't the game ended when I've already won? ...Why is this game still continuing?
BERN: The shackle attached to that girl's ankle. ...That's a rule Lambda made. In the past, I supported you when it looked like you were going to give in. Though you probably couldn't perceive it, I assisted you by giving you hints and making things go your way. That's why you're able to be here now. ...Remember? Remember how I saved you? [staring at Battler] In the same way, Lambda is supporting Beato. And this time, Beato is on the verge of giving in. That's why Lambda's been giving her support this time, to keep her from giving in. That's what the shackle is. By refusing to let her resign, she's saved Beato within the game.
BATTLER: ...How does that work?
BERN: Normally, there are only two ways for this game to end. Either one side will accept defeat and resign, or one side will win the game with a checkmate. Beato was about to collide with the first way. That's why Lambda crushed that chance and managed to just barely avoid losing. That's a wonderful bit of support within this game.
BATTLER: ... Our match has already been resolved. ...Even so, the game won't end. That's why Beato put her trust in me. She told me to win quickly and end this game.
BERN: ...
BATTLER: ...I'm starting to feel like truth doesn't matter anymore. ...That way, the game doesn't matter as long as Beato is satisfied. Beato resigned. I'll ignore the truth about this Illusion of the Witch and return home with my family. ...Is there anything wrong with that?
BERN: ...Whaat's this? Beato has started to look like she's in pain every time you get closer to the truth, so you're suddenly going easy on her...? Then just go as easy on her as you can. And why don't you just let Beato win while you're at it? Then your little sister can have a lonely, tragic future forced on her endlessly.
BATTLER: That's not how it is...
BERN: In that case, make sure you kill her. Kill this witch without fail.
BEATO: ...
BERN: Your goal is to kill this woman. ...In the last game, you said it at Beato's request. You said "I'll kill you".
BATTLER: ...Yeah, that may be true, but that doesn't mean you get to complain about it.
BERN: Did you know? When you tear one of your fingernails out, it's better to do it in one go. ...Pulling it out like you do... timidly, twisting and slow... hurts much, much more. What you're doing sounds much more like torture to me.
BATTLER: ...
BERN: If you have any compassion, kill her all at once. That's how killing works.
BATTLER: That's none of your business. I'm the one to decide how to perform her last rites. You and that Lambdadelta witch have nothing to do with this. I'll kill her. I won't let anyone else do it.
BERN: ...As long as you don't lose that willpower. I'm betting on you. Alright? Make sure you don't forget. You will never be released as long as this game remains unresolved. You won't be allowed to abandon this game either.
BATTLER: ...I get it.
BERN: I know what Lambda is after. She wants to make you lose your will to fight just like Beato, to make you a pair of living dolls, and to keep this world in perpetual equilibrium. ...You don't want that, do you? I wouldn't like it either.
BATTLER: Why should I care about what you want? Still, I won't throw this game away. I won't abandon the responsibility of fighting with Beato.
BERN: I'm glad our goals are the same. So, this means you'll be able to kill this child without any hesitation, right?
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...That's right.
BEATO: ... [possibly a bit hurt]
BERN: ...So, about that Beato who's drinking tea over there with Natsuhi. You can handle that, right...?
BATTLER: Yeah... No problem.
BERN: It's the same as it was with Kinzo. Beatrice doesn't exist. This is a fake illusion of a witch that Natsuhi created, believing that she thought up a brilliant plan to overcome hardship by borrowing a witch's power. The only reason it looks like the two of them are drinking together is because Lambdadelta, the Game Master and the one who is telling the story interpreted it that way. If you stare without a fragment of love for Natsuhi, you won't see illusions like that. ...That's why with my eyes, all I can see is Natsuhi all alone, drinking her tea in silence. That's a delusion that Natsuhi's showing us. ...Beatrice doesn't exist there.
BEATO: ...Ugh... [mumbling softly, pained]
BATTLER: ...Yeah, that's probably true. I think your theory is right. But don't say that in front of Beato.
BERN: It doesn't matter where I say it. This is Beato's world.
BATTLER: ...Also, it's not like I'm protecting Beato, but there is a possibility that Natsuhi oba-san really is drinking tea with some unknown person X calling themselves Beatrice. This scene takes place a year before everything. The number of people on the island on this day has never been shown with the red truth.
BERN: ...Sure. Even Lambda hasn't said anything in red about the number of people on Rokkenjima on this day.
BATTLER: In that case, it's possible for Natsuhi oba-san to claim that she really did drink tea with a woman calling herself Beatrice. Just like I can't deny your theory, you can't deny mine. That means you can't say for sure whether the Beato there is an illusion or not.
BERN: ...Oh, the cat box theory? That might have worked on Beato, but it won't work on me.
BATTLER: Why?
BERN: After all, Natsuhi is drinking tea all by herself right there.
[There is a violent sound of glass breaking, and the Beatrice speaking with Natsuhi is erased. There remains only Natsuhi, drinking tea with a tired expression as the wind blows.]
BEATO: ...Nn, ggh... [groaning in anguish]
BATTLER: ...The red truth is kind of like a blade.
BERN: ...
BATTLER: In a battle with a witch, it's a blade that sometimes tears your theories apart, but sometimes becomes a weapon you can fight back with.
BERN: ...I know. So what?
BATTLER: Don't use it without reason.
BERN: ...
BATTLER: A blade is a tool if you use it when you're supposed to... but it's a weapon if you use it out of malice. This isn't about the Illusion of the Witch. ...It's about Natsuhi oba-san's privacy. How could anyone have the right to expose that?
BERN: ...Do you want to acknowledge that a witch actually existed here and drank tea with Natsuhi? Weren't you trying to deny the existence of witches?
BATTLER: ...Yes, during the game of the two day period from October 4 to October 5, 1986. But I have no desire to question whether or not witches exist outside that game board. In the first place, it's impossible to deny the existence of witches because of the Devil's Proof. And, according to the rules of this game, saying something like that in red is a forbidden move that leads to a stalemate. You can't deny the existence of witches even with the red truth.
BERN: ...True. ...I never thought I'd hear you talk about witches existing. ...Not bad, Lambda. You've done a good job of making Battler stuck between his human culprit theory and the thought that it doesn't matter whether witches exist or not. She really excels at controlling a human's heart. ...Looks like I'd better start helping you out even more.
BATTLER: I really couldn't care less about you two. Disappear. This game is between Beato and me. We're gonna keep this game to ourselves.
BERN: ...No way.
BATTLER: What...?
BERN: After all, I'm enjoying this game too. ...*giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... [disappearing, leaving only her laugh behind]
BEATO: ... [hand still on the teacup, staring blankly at the liquid inside]
BATTLER: ...Bernkastel and Lambdadelta... Virgilia called them your friends, but... you really should choose your friends more carefully. Or wait, maybe they actually make a good match with an ill-natured person like you...
BEATO: ...
BATTLER: ...
[Battler takes Beatrice's hand and brings the cup to her lips again. She drinks another gulp with a quiet sound...]
WHAT SHE LEARNED:
- lol so I guess my game with Battler just ended up in a completely unfun way. as in I tried to give up. and then they told me I wasn't allowed. so now I just sit here not wanting to play an unfun game.
- ha ha I tricked him before what... THIS CASTS THE EARLIER EP3 MEMORY INTO SUSPICION... as if I was ever actually a good person!! D|
- Lambdadelta and Bernkastel are pretty shitty friends, but I guess I halfway already realized that
- Battler still kind of sympathizes with me but it's also not like he's planning on doing anything but killing me anyway :/
- ...wait also I didn't know he had a sister \(o_o)/
- idk everything about my life sucks, this whole time I have just been sitting around waiting for the chance to die
CONSEQUENCES IN AATHER:
+500 dear god I want to die already \:D/
+300 emotional distance.
+50 quietly start undoing all the good person things I did...