Memory 21, 22, 23, 24, Skill 7

[boxupallthebutterflies]

I'm going to catch up in memory/skill writeups if it's the last thing I do!!!1 I will also spontaneously change all the memories so they are titled with quotes cause I do what I want.

THE MEMORY:

[Setting: The chapel, at night. Shannon, George, and Gohda have searched for a way inside to no avail, and thus have broken a suitable window to climb inside. The six-corpse Halloween party is still here, though by now the bodies are starting to decay, and flies are gathering.]

GEORGE: ...No matter how many times I see it... it's awful.

GOHDA: ...I sympathize with all my heart. ...Shannon-san, please get the key. ...Even though she is dead, Madam is a lady. I cannot touch her.

SHANNON: ...Yes. [nodding sharply, expression filled with a sense of duty, approaching the table. normally she would resent being stuck with such a dirty job, but she understands Gohda's mental state.] ...Madam... excuse me... [picking a pocket through her servant's intuition, feeling the key as soon as she touches the outside of the pocket] It's here. ...The key to Madam's room.

[As Shannon holds the key up high, George and Gohda watch her with their eyes opening wide. Shannon is startled by their unexpected expressions, not noticing that as soon as she held up the key, a blizzard of gold butterflies seeped up from around the table, trying to suck her in.]

GOHDA: Sh-Shannon-san!! Run!!

SHANNON: Huh?! Kyaa!!!

[Shannon runs unsteadily, expression still shocked. The butterflies dance around Shannon at once, grouping together and trying to swallow her up.]

GEORGE: Shannonnnnn!! Damn it, what is this?! Are these... the gold butterflies you guys were talking about?!

GOHDA: Outside, quickly!! You bastards! Damn it, damn it!!

[George and Gohda rush up to Shannon, driving off the group of butterflies. While the butterflies are scattered, they run towards the broken window, but the area is still covered in broken glass.]

GEORGE: Let's go out through the door!! There's no time to look for a footing!

SHANNON: ...I... It won't open...! It's stuck...!

GEORGE: Give it to me!! Damn it, this piece of crap... nnnnnnnn!!

GOHDA: George-sama, quickly!! Damn it, don't take me lightly, uooooooooooooooohhh!!

[Gohda takes off his jacket, swinging it around and scattering the butterflies, but he is vastly outnumbered. George struggles with the old, broken handle.]

GOHDA: George-sama!! Damn iiiiiiiiiiiit!! You monsteeers!!

[Gohda looks up to suddenly meet eyes with the witch, floating above the party table near the stained glass window. As the golden butterflies decrease, she becomes more visible at the center of the whirlwind, laughing.]

GOHDA: ...Be... Beatrice...

BEATO: *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*, hahahahahahahahahahahaha!! It is almost time for dinner, is it not? ...I am already the host of this mansion. So I must give you a warm reception for your wonderful dinner. ...Aren't you the ideal for the "three people". ...My, my, how truly, truly convenient!!

GOHDA: U... Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

GEORGE: I-It's open!!

SHANNON: Gohda-san, quickly...!! ...! Beatrice... sama...

GEORGE: Huh?! ...?!?!

BEATO: Are you sure it's good to just stand there...? If you think this place is suitable for your cemetery, then very well. *cackle*cackle*!! I'll praise your spirit for wanting to stay by your former master's side and serve him even after death!

[The golden whirlwind bursts, reaching out like an evil hand.]

GEORGE: Hurry!! We can't stand here!!

[Shannon and Gohda are brought back to their senses. They have to resist and fight back against this incarnation of Rokkenjima's new, brutal, and frightening order. They all dash out into the pouring rain without turning back, neglecting their umbrellas as they rush into the mansion. The golden butterflies are weakened by the rain and find it hard to chase after them.]

BEATO: ...*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle* How nice, how nice. If it wasn't like this, it wouldn't be interesting!

[The three unlock the door to Natsuhi's room and rush inside. The scent of Natsuhi's favorite gentle incense still lingers, but there is no time to be calmed.]

GEORGE: Where is it?! You said it was in a treasure box, right...?!

GOHDA: It's just something I heard...! I never knew where it actually...!

SHANNON: ...I-I think it's probably in her dresser, or in the corner by the bed!

[Shannon is guessing based on woman's intuition, but in the corner by the bed there is only an incense burner, a half-read novel, and some glasses. The dresser, however, is elegant with many drawers.]

GEORGE: Natsuhi oba-san, sorry...!! [he starts violently opening each drawer, emptying them one by one and examining their contents. each small makeup box starts to look like a treasure box. finally he finds something slightly larger than a music box, that rustles when shaken.] M... Maybe it's this box... It's locked, and I can't open it...!

SHANNON: N-Normally, you'd hide the key somewhere nearby. ...But maybe some people always take it with them... I don't know... I don't know...!!

GOHDA: There's no choice... break it! But we can't do it with force, right? We might break the mirror inside. Could there be a tool to pry it open...?! Damn it...!! [looking all over the room for some sort of tool, and then noticing the open door. as he approaches to close it, he notices the abominable shadows approaching down the hall.] ...G... George-sama!!! H... Hurry...

[Gohda's voice trails off. Beatrice is approaching clad in golden butterflies with a procession of servants, goats with bright-red eyes like boiling lava. She laughs loudly, trimly directing six of them forward. Gohda hurriedly closes and locks the door, but the lock is undone as soon as he locks it, as if knocked back by a spring. This happens multiple times.]

GOHDA: U-Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! I-It won't close!! Even if I close it, it opens! What's going on, damnitdamnitdamnitdamnit!!

BEATO: Ku-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah-ha...!! Did you think a lock would stop me? Did you think the door to that room would stop the new master of that room?!

[She continues to approach, laughing as if she can see his frantic efforts through the door. Gohda eventually gives up on the lock and slams into the door, holding it closed with his body.]

GOHDA: ...George-sama, quickly quickly quickly!!!

SHANNON: George-sama, what about this?!

GEORGE: A letter opener?! That's better, let me have it! The fountain pen isn't working! [taking it and digging under the lid of the treasure box with more success]

GOHDA: Quickly quickly!! Hiiiiiii, UOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!

[As Gohda screams in terror, an arm reaches through the door as if through water, rubs the back of his hand, slides up his arm to his chest, then to his chin. Gohda's screams no longer sound like his own voice. There is a sweet whispering voice--not Beatrice's, but a young woman's.]

BEELZE: ...*giggle*giggle*. Cuuute. ...Hey. You see it right? Your life flashing before your eyes. ...Tell me. When it's over.

GOHDA: HIIIIIIIIIiiiiiIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiIIIIiii!!

BEELZE: Thanks. It's over already isn't it? ...*giggle*giggle*!

[The arm splits open into something fast and small, jumping around the room at incredible speed. When it buries itself in the center of Gohda's chest, they realize it is a strangely designed stake. Gohda's body shakes, bends backwards, and falls over. The door opens softly without being pushed, as if accepting the room's new master. One by one the six goats enter, then Beatrice, followed by the golden butterflies. The room is wrapped in a blizzard of gold leaf.]

BEATO: ...Shannon. The roulette has chosen you and George. Thank me for your day of release. Do you have any regrets? You don't, do you? Receiving an engagement ring from the man you fell for, and then being killed before spending your first night together, that isn't a regret at all, riiiiiiiiiiiiight??? You wanted him to hold you, didn't yooooooooooou? You wanted him to teach you a woman's joy, riiiiight? Kuhihihyahyahyahyahyahyahyahya!! Ahh, no, no, Shannon, it's hanging, isn't it? Your regret is hanging from your mouth. You can see it dribbling from your moooooooouth, right, Shannonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn?? Hiiihyahyahahahahahahahahahakyaaakyakkyakkyakkyakkyakkya!!!

[The lid to the treasure box breaks and opens with a crack. George up-ends it and accessories, charms, and various small nostalgic treasures fall out. Mixed in with that is a pouch standing out from the rest. He picks it up and checks it immediately--the spirit mirror is inside.]

GEORGE: I found it... this is it...

BEATO: You can't do anything. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!! Die!

GEORGE: ...D-Damn it!!

[As George impatiently tries to remove the mirror from the pouch, the gold butterflies attack him all at once. Then, for an instant, a bright red flash lights up the room, wiping out the raging butterflies, and drawing a circle with Shannon at the center. George is curled up in a ball before he notices Shannon is blocking the path to him, shielding him, glaring at the witch and her servants with an expression she had never shown him before.]

BEATO: ...I'd forgotten. You were also Kinzo's excellent furniture. And you've matured much more than Kanon...

SHANNON: ...Kanon-kun... how could you? ...Not that you killed him. ...How could you, erase his remains... and even try to disgrace his honor...

BEATO: Come now, Shannonnnnn, does that make you mad? If you're lonely because you can't meet Kanon, just ask me, I'll bring you together any tiiiiime!!

[Beatrice snaps her fingers, and one of the six goat attendants glitters gold and changes into Kanon. But although he wears Kanon's face, there is none of the sincere glint in his eyes. They are the vague eyes of furniture that only obeys the witch's orders.]

SHANNON: ...Is it fun?

BEATO: Yeah, it's fun. It's always fun to reunite two that have been torn apart by death. Because I get to enjoy tearing the two apart by death, reuniting them, and then tearing them apart again. So, Kanonnn, play with your sister. If she knocks you about, show her a face with as much anguish as you can manage. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*

[A strangely shining locus extends from the fake Kanon's arm. He plans to tear Shannon apart in a single stroke before she can prepare herself.]

SHANNON: ...I won't forgive you. ...For dishonoring the dead not once... but twice... I won't forgive you.

BEATO: Stop babbling, get killed by your brother, Shannonnnnn, I'm sure you'll be able to have a good dreeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaam!!!

[The fake Kanon draws several purple loci, but an invisible wall seems to have been set up in front of Shannon. The loci leave bright red ripples on the wall, repelling Kanon against the wall and turning him into scattering golden butterflies, which themselves break into pieces until they are nothing but a disappearing golden splash.]

GEORGE: ...Sh... Shannon...

SHANNON: ...George-san, please don't move from there. I don't want to shift the central axis.

BEATO: This is... I'm surprised!! Even though you make a face like you wouldn't hurt a fly... you can display such power?!! I see, so the spirit mirror is lending you power... But you don't have the preparations or the time to draw out the true power of that spirit mirror. I won't give you either of those. *cackle*cackle*cackle*cackle*!

[In George's grip, the spirit mirror lets out a divine sparkle of strength, but even that is no match for the witch's sinister nature.]

BEATO: This is why furniture is frightening! That feeling, like unexpectedly hitting the corner of a cabinet with your little toe. ...This is why furniture is frightening!! You furniture, furniture furnituuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure!!

SHANNON: ...I am not furniture. ...And, I think you are very pitiful right now.

BEATO: Whaat...? Hoh. ...I wonder, what did this furniture, who hasn't lived even a hundred years, just say to a witch of one thousand years...?

SHANNON: ...You are a very pitiful person. ...Of course there will be regrets between two people who love each other. But there isn't even a scrap of the kind of regrets you're hoping for.

BEATO: You dare speak, furniture...!! When you say that, have you forgotten the days that you wanted to be tied to George so much that you licked my shoes?!!

SHANNON: Living with love, and crawling in muck is what humans do. If you plan to sneer at and look down on that, then you are far inferior to them. Especially now, I think you are pitiful. ...How much does it mean to a loving couple when they sleep together and succeed in love on their first night? ...It does mean something, it definitely does. ...But it's completely different from what you're saying. It means something so sacred that one such as you has no right to speak of it wickedly. So I no longer have any regrets. George-san and I have sworn our love to each other. As proof, I accepted the ring. ...With that, our eternal vows were completed! No matter how you torture us with your wicked magic and your malice, you cannot disgrace that for all eternity!!

BEATO: ...Ha! Don't speak as a poet like it's so neat and clean!! Love is lust and can't be measured without sleeping together. Men are flies and maggots that get caught in your female scent and gather around you. Do you still not understand that at your aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaage? You'll despair, after that glasses man behind you gazes at you even once with dark lust, you'll lose heart, be shocked, be dumbfounded, be stupefied, and it's all useless, isn't it, Shannoooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn?? Hiiiihaaaaaaahahahahahaaaha--!! That's enough, stop talking furniture, you furniture furniture furniture, who the hell do you think you are, talking like that, showing off this fraud that love is beautiful when in the end it's filthy filth, don't people become adults when they realize thaaaaaaaaaat, die you trash, furniture furniture scrap, I'll turn you into a filthy maggot, then we'll see whether that glasses guy still loves you, I'll show you that this guy's only had his eyes on your fleeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh, die you piece of craaaaaaaaaaaaap, don't you tell me about looooooooooooooooooove!!

[The invisible column of light around Shannon starts to have bright red ripples drawn all over it, all at once. The wall does its best to withstand the corroding malice.]

BEATO: What is this you think you can resist?! You're insignificant you're frail, just like the pretty picture you try to paint, just a frail pretense, you're just hiding what you don't want to see by covering it with a veil do you stiiill not understand that's why you're furniture you furniture, see see see see see it's being eraaaaaaased crackcrunchsmacksnap how thin how shameful, compared to your frail resistance Parmigiano-Reggiano would take muuch more effort to shaaaaaaaaaaaaaave hiiyahhaaahahaah!!

[The golden windstorm gradually begins to shave off the walls of the column, and the bright-red ripples turn from a pattern of resistance to a red wall of despair wrapping around the two of them.]

SHANNON: ...George-san, I'm sorry... It was impossible... for me... after all...

GEORGE: ...Yes, thank you. ...You fought for my sake. ...That alone makes me happy.

[The round wall that protected them makes something like a scream under its assault, and starts to suck the two of them up instead.]

SHANNON: George-san, can I ask a favor?

[Shannon grasps George's hand, and George hugs her shoulders just as strongly.]

GEORGE: What is it?

SHANNON: In the end... please let me hear you say "I love you."

GEORGE: Yeah. ...Sayo, I will forever--

[Beatrice destroys them with extreme prejudice, laughing maniacally.]

SUMMARY:
- THIS ISN'T ... like I kept changing my mind on whether this was significant or trivial since it's not SUPER significant, but this is one of the few clear glimpses at Beatrice losing her shit over her own issues, so because the issues themselves are significant I pushed it into that category :Ba but a lot of Beato's negative memories suffer from this problem so. when too many negative things happen to you NOTHING SEEMS SIGNIFICANT ANYMORE.
- this is actually the first memory where she learns what exactly was in the chapel in EP2 lolol. By now it was obvious it probably included murder, but Grotesque Halloween Party wasn't actually something she anticipated, good job past self, always outdoing expectations
- she is in full-out villain mode here... flashy evil powers and so on
- Natsuhi has a spirit mirror :|a I think Beato was only aware of the one in the shrine before. but yes, a convenient look at her ~weakness~
- Beelzebub is a lot more competent than Berune. thanks to artistic license.
- ...SHANNON HAS MAGIC??? I don't think this has come up before. But yes she has ridiculous magical defense, and in witchspeak this ties into her being magically created furniture. This memory is good for augmenting witchspeak actually.
- no idea what's going on with all the smearing Kanon's honor and reputation stuff. It would be pretty easy to do natch, but she's a little curious about why she would even need to.
- speaking of which Beatrice's relationship with Shannon/Kanon sure was antagonistic at this point eh
- anyway the LOVE IS LUST rant which is the focal point. It's a lot easier for her to express these feelings this way, accusing "another person" of suffering from them and venting her own frustration through attacking others. her relationship with Sharon in Aather actually reminds me of her relationship with Shannon in canon for this reason which is kind of hilarious :V but anyway.
- THIS EXCHANGE is more just an internal debate between romantic idealism and super-harsh cynicism. It is a debate that happens within Beatrice kind of a lot. He already pledged to love me forever! vs. You don't even have a physical relationship yet!, Love is sacred and meaningful! vs. Men are all just in it for sex after all!, etc.
- ALSO "just like the pretty picture you try to paint, just a frail pretense, you're just hiding what you don't want to see by covering it with a veil" your love is a lie and your life is a facade!!
- however, a lot of the issues that got reinforced from this were already helped by her heart game. though she obviously still remembers it and it holds some weight, the emotional reaction has been eased.



THE MEMORY:

[Setting: The rose garden. The guests have just arrived on Rokkenjima, and Gohda is guiding everyone towards their rooms. Kanon is busy transporting gardening supplies in a wheelbarrow, not paying attention.]

HIDEYOSHI: [shouting and waving] My...! Heeey! If it ain't Kanon-kun! It's been so long, how ya doin'?!

KANON: [realizing he is being called to stop, he sets down the wheelbarrow, takes off his hat and bows his head, speaking dispassionately] ...Good afternoon.

GOHDA: [heading to Kanon's side] Battler-sama, I shall introduce you. He is one of the servants who serve the Ushiromiya head house. ...Kanon-san, greet our guest.

KANON: ...I'm pleased to meet you. I am the servant... Kanon.

GOHDA: [in an urging whisper] Kanon-san. Could you perhaps give them a little more as a greeting...?

KANON: [casting his eyes downwards] ...No. ...Because we... are furniture.

JESSICA: [hurriedly] Ah, uh, Kanon-kun's shy, he's the kind that doesn't talk much. He might not be that sociable, but deep down he's really a good person! Don't get him wrong...! You've been working here for three years, was it? So yeah, you've been here a year longer than Gohda-san, right Kanon-kun?

BATTLER: Ok then, nice to meet you. I'm Battler! I'm 18, how old are you?

KANON: ... [silent, considering whether or not he should answer]

JESSICA: Um, uhh...! If I remember correctly, he's two years younger than us so... sixteen, right?

KANON: ...Yes... that is correct. [though if given a choice, he would have preferred not to say]

BATTLER: Heh he~, I'm glad you're about our age! Just be cool and call me Battler! And I'll call you Kanon!

KANON: ...Thank you very much. But just the sentiment is sufficient... Battler-sama.

[Jessica looks downcast, as if Battler might get a bad impression from Kanon's unsociability.]

GOHDA: Kanon-san, could you perhaps be a little more courteous? A smiling face is also the duty of a servant.

KANON: ...I apologize. ...I shall make an effort.

KUMASAWA: Hoh-hoh-ho... Gohda-san, Kanon-kun is trying his best, isn't he?

[Kanon has already been well warned about his discourtesy, and yet hasn't improved one bit. Gohda keeps his businesslike smile, but lets out a small sigh of resignation.]

KANON: ...Well then, I still have work to do. ...If you'll excuse me.

[Uncomfortable with remaining silent there any longer, he bows, turns on his heels and starts pushing the wheelbarrow again. But suddenly, the wheelbarrow gets caught on a pebble, wobbles and falls, scattering its contents.]

GOHDA: [urging in a low voice] What have you done... now now, quickly clean it up...!

[Kanon understands quite well without being told. He wordlessly reloads the wheelbarrow with the fallen objects. He does fine with the light gardening tools and shovels, but he has trouble getting his arms around and lifting the sacks of fertilizer.]

JESSICA: Are you alright? You're so careless. Here. [picking up a shovel]

GOHDA: Milady, you will dirty your garments. Please, leave it to us. [taking that shovel with an elegant gesture]

MARIA: ...Uu--. You'll dirty your garments?

BATTLER: Don't worry, the ones I'm wearing aren't that elegant. Besides, I hate guys who make the waitress pick up the fork they dropped at a restaurant. [lifting the other bags with relative ease]

KANON: [turning to him, surprised] ...B-Battler-sama... That's sufficient... I'll take care of everything, so...

BATTLER: Don't you worry! I may not look it, but I've got it where it counts! Heheh!

[Kanon hasn't gone through a growth spurt, and has a relatively weak body. This kind of weight really is too much for him.]

GEORGE: It's quite heavy, isn't it. It's natural that it would be difficult for you. Kanon-kun, don't worry about it.

BATTLER: Ok, my time to shine. This makes up for the boat part from before, right?

JESSICA: Ha! As if your antics earlier could be written off just by this! Ah-hah-hah-ha! Later, I'm gonna tell Kanon-kun too just how funny you were, Battler!

MARIA: Faaall faaall!! Uu-uu-uu--!!!

[Battler piles everything back into the wheelbarrow as the other cousins tease him.]

KANON: ...For letting you see such unsightliness, I beg your forgiveness.

GOHDA: Very well, enough now. Please, go.

[At Gohda's pressing, Kanon leaves.]

SUMMARY:
- I like this memory because it's short but there is background stuff going into it :B AT LEAST THE WAY I INTERPRET IT.
- for example! this is EP1 and the first time that Yasuconglomerate has seen Battler in six years. In later episodes it gets played off more, but here Kanon is clearly pretty... unsettled and uncomfortable and WHAT DO about it.
- I think this is also why it's important that he's Kanon and not Shannon when he meets Battler (in her EP6-start memory too) since Kanon can be a grumpy grump emo kid and that's just how he is while Shannon would have to be ^_^ oh! Battler-sama!! So dealing with stressful things as Kanon continues to be a good strategy in Yasuland \8D/
- he's reluctant to share his age; he knows he's not really 16, and that's not the age Battler would recognize him by anyway. Yasu super wants Battler's recognition and things like fake ages that throw him off the trail are like :x
- I GUESS EVEN AS KANON I CAN'T ESCAPE BEING CLUMSY EVERY SO OFTEN...
- sob sob why so physically incompetent
- why is Battler helping me arrararragh feelings
- Gohda belittles me as much as most of the other servants 9_9 surprise surprise
- ...I wanna see how funny Battler was on the boat .o.



THE MEMORY:

[Setting: Shannon, Jessica and George are chatting in the rose garden. Shannon has just recently become conscious of an infatuation with George, so she is a little blushy and distracted...]

JESSICA: ...Oh yeah, come to think of it, George nii-san, did you finally get a girlfriend?

GEORGE: Wh-What is this, out of the blue...

SHANNON: [trying to get a clear answer] Um... umm... George-sama is very nice... so I'm sure... umm... he's very popular...

GEORGE: No, err... hahahahahahahahahaha.

JESSICA: Quit it Shanno~n. Isn't cornering him like that actually pretty meeean? *cackle*!

SHANNON: I, I wasn't trying to be mean...

GEORGE: Thank you for your happy wrong impression. It's a shame, but I still don't have a relationship with any special girl. As you see, my looks are below average. And I can't speak tactfully in a way that can entertain a girl.

SHANNON: I-I don't think that's true. ...And, I think that a man's charm is decided by something that can't be measured by his appearance. Th-That's why, umm... I think that you might be a, um... very charming man, George-sama...

[Shannon is going on much more than she usually does. George looks fairly pleased, but also a bit surprised. Jessica can barely hold back her laughter.]

GEORGE: Thank you, Shannon-chan. I hope I can quickly run into a girl gracious enough to feel my charm.

SHANNON: Yes, I'm sure you'll run into one. ...I'm sure there's at least one... no, a l-lot of girls that will recognize your real charm. [drawing a Line as a servant before saying that there might be one very close.]

GEORGE: R... Really. ...I guess I'm kind of, embarrassed... [turning just as red as Shannon]

JESSICA: [giggling sadistically] Well, I'm sure you'll eventually find a wonderful partner, George nii-san. But I don't think you'll be able to escort your partner as you are now, riiight? It looks like you're diligent, but it seems that you've been completely abandoning your study of "that."

GEORGE: ...S-Sorry about that. I'll start studying that bit by bit.

JESSICA: How would you do that by yourself? Are you gonna watch movies about love? Or are you gonna learn from Hideyoshi oji-san? *cackle*cackle*!

GEORGE: Che... Acting so triumphant. Men aren't a match for girls when it comes to that.

JESSICA: Then George nii-san, as long as you're okay with it, why not practice a bit with Shannon? You'll keep Shannon entertained all day long on a date! What do you think?!

SHANNON: Wh-Wh-What are you...! M-Milady...! [turning so red steam might be coming off of her face]

GEORGE: Th-That's a very fascinating plan, but... I'd feel bad for Shannon-chan. Wouldn't this just waste your precious day off? I'd be butting in on the ideal moment when you'll be able to be alone with someone you really have feelings for. I couldn't do something so boorish.

SHANNON: I-I... I also, umm... don't have a person I have feelings for or anything, so, umm... caring for me like that is, yes, i-it's unnecessary...!

[With all the blood rushing to her head, Shannon barely knows what she's babbling about anymore. Jessica can't hide her cackling laugh anymore.]

GEORGE: ...I-Is that true...? I can't believe that a cute girl like you would be single, Shannon-chan...

SHANNON: I-I-I... am a servant so, umm... I don't have any relationship with a boy, umm...

JESSICA: Which means that, in the future, if Shannon's gonna have any chance of getting herself a wonderful guy, she needs practice with relationships, right? So you each want the same thing. Alright, that'll work nice, *cackle*!

[George hangs his head, hiding his blush.]

EVA: George, I've been calling for you. Can't you hear me?

[With Eva appearing, both George and Shannon grow even more flustered. Jessica watches, laughing loudly.]

GEORGE: Ah, M-M-Mother...! Sorry, our conversation got complicated. I didn't notice...!

SHANNON: Oh, Eva-sama... my deepest apologies...

EVA: It looks like you young kids are getting really excited. You're all about that age. I know it's hard to stop talking about things like that. *giggle*giggle*giggle*.

JESSICA: Come ooon, aren't you still really young, Eva oba-san? Please tell us how you and Hideyoshi oji-san meeet.

EVA: Oh my, there's no way I could say that. *giggle*giggle*giggle*. Because you're all so young. *giggle*giggle*giggle*.

GEORGE: S-So, what is it, Mother? You called because you wanted something, right?

EVA: Your father and the rest have finished talking. We're going to talk to Grandfather about you, so come on.

GEORGE: About me? What could that be?

EVA: The same topic everyone was just having. Remember, that topic?

GEORGE: O... Oh, that topic. That isn't really something we need to talk to Grandfather about, right...?

JESSICA: What are you talking about? Wait, George nii-san, you aren't getting married to someone?!

SHANNON: C... Congratulations...!

GEORGE: No, no...! Didn't I just say I didn't have a special woman?

EVA: That isn't something to brag about, is it? ...Seriously. [smiling bitterly, a little shocked]

JESSICA: ...Ah... I got it! George nii-san, it's one of those, right? A marriage meeting!

SHANNON: A marriage meeting... you say?

GEORGE: ...Nn... well, yeah. ...Hahahaha... Shouldn't marriage meetings be done at a more mature age...?! I still don't feel like I've become an adult...

EVA: Of course, we have no desire to rush into an immediate engagement or marriage, right? It isn't a problem if you deepen your friendship, and then when you settle down as you age, have her moved to our family register.

[Looking between Eva's forceful attitude and George's somewhat lazy one, it is easy to catch a glimpse of the scheme behind this marriage meeting. Whoever this other person was, she must be profitable to Eva's family in a business sense. Her words just seem like a political strategy.]

EVA: Marriage isn't something you do after you start liking someone. You fall in love after you do it, right? If you marry just based on emotions, you'll definitely regret it. There's definitely nothing wrong with choosing a person with a secure background for your partner in life, and then building up emotions of love.

JESSICA: Eva oba-san, isn't that rude to Hideyoshi oji-san? *cackle*!

EVA: I love that person. I want to always be with him, and to live my life by his side.

SHANNON: ...Eva-sama, that's wonderful. Truly splendid...

EVA: Thank you. But we built up those feelings while we were husband and wife, you see? And I believe that in the future, we will be much, much closer than we are now. I think that's a good way for a husband and wife to be.

GEORGE: Although I don't think that means you can argue that it's alright to marry someone you don't even like.

EVA: That doesn't mean you can argue that it's alright to marry someone you don't even like. A wedding is instantaneous. But your life as a married couple after that is very, very long. So you should search with prudence, and not leave it up to momentary emotions. Don't you think that your mother and the rest of us would be better at that than a person immature in life experience such as yourself?

GEORGE: ...Th-That may be true, but...

EVA: I am proud of you, my only son. I want to make you grow so that you will never be embarrassed no matter where you go. ...And you are the only grandson to carry Father's blood. ...We must prudently choose a fitting partner for you.

[It's well-known that George is the apple of Eva's eye, but for that reason, she had been strict with him rather than pampering him.]

EVA: Your partner definitely won't be selected based on your parents' profit and loss. ...I will let you meet a suitable and truly wonderful woman. Maybe there is some immature youth inside of you that's alienating you from this. ...But at least listen to what your mother says on this point. Have I ever failed to think of your sake?

GEORGE: ...No... you haven't...

EVA: That's enough for now. So, let's go. We're keeping Father waiting. Hurry to the mansion.

GEORGE: Well, sorry, you two. See you later. [bowing to Shannon and Jessica... bowing to Shannon once again, and then dashing off to the mansion]

EVA: Well, Oba-san will go too. Sorry for interrupting your fun conversation, Jessica-san, Shannon-chan.

JESSICA: N-No, no. Please, don't worry about it. Come on, Shannon. Let's go.

SHANNON: Y-Yes...!

EVA: It's alright. I'm sure you'll meet someone wonderful soon too, Jessica-chan. A wonderful person suitable for you.

JESSICA: So if he's at the same level as me, hahaha, you mean a guy with bad grades? That kinda pisses me off, hahaha!

EVA: And of course, you too, Shannon-chan. I'm sure that a wonderful man suitable for you will appear.

SHANNON: Y-Yes!! Thank you very much...

[Eva giggles and smiles, then approaches Shannon's ear with a hand over her mouth, as if trying to tell her a secret.]

SHANNON: ...Huh?

EVA: I'm sure you'll find a perfect match for a lowly servant like yourself. ...Have you forgotten to be grateful for your education? Know your place.

SHANNON: ...Th... That's not what... I meant...

EVA: George is the eldest grandson carrying Father's blood. He's a person who may bear the burden of the Ushiromiya family someday in the future. To answer that expectation, he has studied tirelessly, entered a wonderful college, and is getting wonderful grades. Did you really think you could snatch George away, you uneducated, incompetent, unqualified, uncultured servaaaant?

SHANNON: [feeling as if cold water is being poured into her ear] ...I-I... didn't mean...

EVA: [pulling back with the same smile, and patting Shannon's shoulders as if urging her on] Don't worry, I'm sure that you'll find a "perfect" match for a partner. Right? *giggle*giggle*giggle*giggle*. ...Alright, Jessica-chan. See you later.

JESSICA: Yes, see you later. Then, please tell me about your story with Hideyoshi oji-sa~~n!!

EVA: No waaay. Ahahahahahahahahaha...!

[Eva laughs dryly, heading back to the entrance hall. Jessica cheerfully waves... and Shannon, behind her, reflects very, very deeply on Eva's words about knowing her place.]

...I am seriously reflecting on how I got into a bit of a good mood. I had forgotten. I am furniture. Furniture isn't human. So I am a being who must feel gratitude for even being treated like a human, and I am not permitted to wish for anything more. Even if people develop affection for furniture that they're used to using, that is an emotion on the human's side, and the furniture's side has no right to hope for that. ...They should just serve with simple honesty every day. But that feeling I felt when talking with George-sama and Jessica-sama... is a forbidden drug for me. In other words, it may be an emotion I must not know.

SUMMARY:
- :x :x inadequate feelingsssss
- Shannon, you are such a loser... ////
- Jessica is such a pushy and meddlesome friend too .///.
- obviously they get engaged later, so :|a not sure if actually go on that date
- Eva is just as much an enemy and a control-freak as a person as she is as a witch o9"
- what a boring view of marriage, this just makes me hate that arranged marriage game even more (actually that was the game she won it in 8|)
- "And you are the only grandson to carry Father's blood." :? this is still when Battler wasn't showing up on Rokkenjima but did that mean he was completely removed from the family...
- ...INADEQUATE FEELINGSSSSSSSS do i really deserve love



THE MEMORY:

[Setting: The metaworld parlor. Beatrice is sitting across from Rosa as the latter wakes up from a very deep sleep. There is tea prepared between them, and golden butterflies are flitting about.]

ROSA: ...

BEATO: [speaking to Rosa, but it's mostly a one-sided conversation with how out of it she is] ...Anything is fine. If there is anything you want, I'll give you it all. You can think of it as my reward for your good luck, and as a proper trade for my demands. It probably isn't that big a thing for you at all. However, that is the only meaningful transaction as far as I am concerned. It's just that... I am very much a witch. I think it would be wise to ask for something that only a witch can grant. Isn't this a rare chance. You can actually receive a favor from me, Beatrice the Golden. *cackle*cackle*!

ROSA: ...ooh... [still sluggish]

BEATO: I am commonly called the Golden Witch. Bestowing a mountain of gold, like I gave to Kinzo, is no problem for me. ...In any event, you can convert all pleasures of the human world into money. Therefore, gold is equal to all the pleasures of the human world. Can you imagine? A mountain of gold that you couldn't use up as long as you lived.

[She blows on her pipe, and rainbow smoke wraps around the surroundings. The inside of the parlor is suddenly filled with stacks of gold ingots, like a shining golden wall.]

BEATO: ...However, the human world is difficult. I know that there are some things that cannot be satisfied no matter how high into the sky you pile up gold. I know that there are cracks that can't be filled. I won't make light of that, which is why this is a gift that only a witch such as I can give. ...Why don't I fill those cracks in for you? Yes, how about this. It's something that only I can give. You should be very happy. ...You don't have to say it out loud. I can understand it right away, it's written on your face and in the corners of your heart, *cackle*cackle*! How far must the deep wounds in your heart recede before they can be healed? ...This is... deep, deep. ...Sometimes, wounds close up while a fragment of something is still inside. ...Even when those wounds appear to have healed, they will continue to throb for all eternity. Sometimes you have to open the wound once to completely heal it. [staring deep into Rosa's eyes...] ...So your pain, is being stuck with a fate from the time you were born. ...How heart-breaking. ...You don't have to say it. I understand. ...I understand...

[Rosa keeps staring into Beatrice's eyes, hypnotized. She sees visions from her childhood, of Krauss hitting her, stealing and breaking her things, "punishing" her. Eva lying, tricking and bullying her. Rudolf mimicking his older siblings and transferring his bullying onto Rosa. Even though so much time has passed, Rosa feels like she can't move on and be an adult--Beatrice pities that, and smiles, saying she can heal that pain.]

BEATO: ...How could I heal you? It's possible, but not easy. ...I could even rewind time, and give you a world where you have no older siblings. But that way, your "memories of being hurt by your older siblings" wouldn't remain, and in that sense, while you could call it a gift, you wouldn't be able to accept it. If starvation is healed, that person is satisfied. Even if you erase starvation itself, no one will thank you. Just like how there are no young people who give thanks for their daily gluttony. ...Understand?

[It's a subtle difference. Healing isn't the same as erasing pain. It's the pleasure earned from withstanding pain. To know the joy of healing, you must know the pain.]

BEATO: In that case... there is joy as a reward for your pain. You can boast of the suffering in your past. Because you are qualified to know a kind of pleasure that those who have not known suffering cannot taste. ...Those that have known this pleasure, cannot help but give the same joy to other people... *cackle*cackle*...

[She snaps her fingers. A fabulous tablecloth appears on top of the table, covered with wonderful cooking, almost like a banquet in a castle from a fairytale. Rosa looks surprised--part happy, part disappointed.]

BEATO: Food contains many of the human pleasures. You must eat like a pig as long as you live. If one meal isn't enough, then as many as you want. Until the pain of your heart is healed, why not continue this gourmet banquet? ...Begin it, furniture.

[She claps twice, and this time two goat servants appear to prepare the meal. They pile the delicious-looking food up on Rosa's plate. They tie a napkin around her collar, and bring forward a glass of before-dinner alcohol, tilting it against her lips. Rosa still can't drink it very well, and some of it dribbles from her mouth.]

BEATO: It's a sweet aperitif of noble rot German-made wine. A wine cocktail of white wine mixed with a crimson golden drop. If I had to give it a name, I'd call it a Bloody Krauss. Soaked with just a golden drop of your brother's blood that was squeezed out of a compressor.

[Rosa coughs violently. The wine staining her face makes it look like she's coughing up blood...]

BEATO: You know a lot about black tea, so you should know what it means, right? "Golden drop" refers to the last drop. It is called the most precious drop in black tea. ...So a golden drop of blood is the same. The last and most precious drop of blood squeezed out of a human. It's squeezed with that.

[Beatrice snaps her fingers again. A bright red veil is drawn back, revealing a solemn and massive machine. It looks like a large coffin, a sinister torture device with many large bulb-like things stuck to it. With a human's strength, it looks like it could be used to tighten and compress something, and indeed there are bright red squeezed dregs remaining, staining it.]

BEATO: But you can't take more than one golden drop at once. No matter what kind of human you take it from, you can't get more than one drop. But I am a witch. It is also easy to revive a person.

[Once again she snaps her fingers, and the human compressor begins to shake. A groan comes from within, from someone struggling to get out. Beatrice has revived the squeezed dregs to their original state. Three muscular goats approach the compressor and start tightening the large bulb. An unearthly moan comes from inside.]

BEATO: It is fitting for cooking to be done in the kitchen. That is enough, stand back. ...Do you understand how precious a golden drop is? To have it stained this crimson requires that several dozen people's worth be squeezed.

[Only one golden drop can be taken from a single human, but as a witch, she obtained dozens of people's worth from a single human. Before the Golden Witch Beatrice, who can kill a single human "endlessly," death does not mean release.]

BEATO: Do you need me to say it in a different way? Have you forgotten the day this man hit you, and you swallowed the blood that ran into your mouth? That's right, remember that taste. Remember the taste of the tears that you spilled until you were dry. I believe this aperitif will be sufficient to heal that regrettable memory. *cackle*cackle*!!

[The goats tilt the glass to Rosa's mouth once again. Rosa tries to close her lips, but her mouth is still hanging open in shock, and the wine is relentlessly poured in. She tries to spit it out, staining herself in blood and wine. Still, the banquet continues.]

BEATO: That is a double-tongued salad made from vegetables in season. ...As you hoped you could one day chew to bits on your 9th birthday, here is that salad you desired, made from Eva's tongue.

ROSA: ...!!!

[Rosa looks like she's about to vomit, but the goats stick a fork in the pink meat of the salad, carrying it to Rosa's mouth.]

BEATO: How does your double-tongued sister taste? It must be quite soft and enchanting, right? *cackle*cackle*!

ROSA: ...mnnnnnnnnnnn!! Mnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!

[The goats keep shoving the salad in Rosa's mouth, and Rosa keeps spitting it out. The salad becomes covered in saliva, but the goats carefully return it to the plate and carry it to Rosa's mouth over and over again.]

BEATO: It goes without saying, but I made this salad liberally using five of Eva's tongues. You can't steal more than one out of one tongue. But I can steal it over and over. *cackle*cackle*!!

ROSA: ...nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!! Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!

[Rosa's tears drip down as she resists, half-crazed. She can do nothing but refuse to swallow.]

BEATO: Does it please you...? There's still much more food. Sea bass pie wrapped in the skin of Rudolf's face. Soup with boiled brains, liver pate. And look forward to dessert, *cackle*cackle*!! It's not just your siblings, see? I have lavishly arranged all of those who you have trusted and yet betrayed you. Why don't we continue this banquet for all eternity, until your heart is satisfied. For all eternity. ...You're happy, right, Ushiromiya Rosaaaa? Don't pretend that you hate it, I know that you're really happy, alright? If you want to laugh, then you can laugh, if you won't feel better until you've heard a raw performance of your annoying older sibling's screams, then I'll let you hear them as often as you want. It's alright that you are so unwilling. That's your personality, right? You're actually so happy that your skin is crawling all over. And yet, on the outside, you're just pretending to act like you're in pain? It's alright. Here, there is no need to worry about honor or your public image or anything, so laugh as much as you want and chew it to bits. Isn't this the beeest banquet, Ushiromiya Rosaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa???

ROSA: ...st... please... stop... *cough*, *hack*!! eeeeh...

BEATO: Oh, I'm sorry, I kept the dessert a secret to surprise you, but let me reveal it anyways. If I reveal it, maybe that will be enough incentive for you to eat up the full course. The dessert is that beloved daughter that you had to keep pretending to love, oven-baked Maria and apples. Doesn't that sound yummy? If you eat this, you will be released from everything. Freedom, you see, freedom! Finally Rosa will gain freedom as an individual person, aren't you happyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? You should be happy, drool is hanging from your mouth, just try looking in a mirroooooooooooooooooor, hyahahaaahaahaahaha!!

[A muscular goat cook arrives, holding Maria under his arm. Maria gazes at Rosa with only a slightly sad expression.]

MARIA: ...Mama... Was Maria... a burden...?

ROSA: ...nnnnnnn!! You aren't a burden!! Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!! [still spitting out the food, covered in filth and saliva and blood, screaming in resistance]

MARIA: ...If Mama... thinks Maria is a burden... it's fine if Maria is eaten. ...After all, Maria always does horrible things to Mama. Even when Mama brings a man over, Maria can't stay quiet. When Mama stayed over with a man, Maria got lonely and unruly and made a mess of the room. When Maria went to search by herself, she got lost, the police picked her up and Mama was shamed. Mama, who cried after Maria didn't come home for several days, who had to be consoled by the neighbors, was shamed. Because Maria's like this, she's an annoyance to Mama. Sorry for being born. So Maria will become delicious oven-baked apples for Mama's sake.

BEATO: And then, maybe Mama will be happy Maria exists for the first time. Maybe she'll eat Maria and think she's delicious. Isn't it delicioooooooooooooooous? Be choked up with tears of gratitude, your daughter is saying this much for you, riiiiiiiiiiiight? Oven-baked apples and your beloved daughter make for the best dessert! You've managed to raise such delicious ingredients, aren't you the best mother, Ushiromiya Rosaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa???

MARIA: ...Mama, thanks for everything. Bye bye.

ROSA: Wait!! Wait, Maria, that's wrong!! Stop it already, stop it already, nooooooooooooooooooooooo!! I didn't want something like this! Please stop, please forgive me!! No, stop it already, don't put it, in my mouth... uuuuulg, geeeeeeeeeeee!!

BEATO: Have you been satisfied with my hospitality...? Then I'll have you accept it. That I am a witch. Proclaim it. "Ushiromiya Rosa accepts that Beatrice is a witch!!"

ROSA: ...I accept it!! U-Ushiromiya Rosa... accepts that... Beatrice is a witch!! So give Maria back!! Release meeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

BEATO: *cackle*cackle*, hahahahahahahahahahahahah-hah-hah-hah-hah-ha!! I finally made you accept it!! That crafty Battler has already surrendered, and I made Rosa, the fool who denied me even after being invited to the Golden Land, accept it!! Perfect!! It's perfect!! I've accomplished my perfect victory!! Ku hahahahahahahahakya-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HA!! Come, bring Maria, prepare a delicious oven roast for Rosa!!

ROSA: NoooooooooooooooooooooooMariaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

BATTLER: Looks delicious. Slice up your cow tits and make me a sandwich.

BEATO: Wha... th-that voice!! Ooof?!

[Battler grabs the back of Beatrice's head and smashes her face into the table. She breaks into golden butterflies and reforms a short distance away.]

BEATO: Ba... Battler?!?! Y... You bastard... you should have surrendered so that even your soul was furniture!!

BATTLER: I had planned to... but while I was listening to that gross recipe, I started to get a little hungry. Now I feel like eating a whole roast witch!! And Maria. It's ten years too early for you to talk about having someone eat you. But in ten years, you'll have to say that to me. Promise.

MARIA: ...Uu--. Promise.

ROSA: Ba... Battler-kun...!

BATTLER: Sorry to keep you waiting, Rosa oba-san. I had forgotten. This was a one-on-one fight between me and this woman. I definitely can't give in. ...Thanks to Rosa oba-san's persistence, I've regained my will to fight!!

...Th... This person, he gave up in the depths of his soul, and supposedly surrendered to me... I see, he doesn't know when to give up, just what I'd expect from Ushiromiya Kinzo's grandchild...! So the chick of a phoenix is a phoenix after all...!

BEATO: Fu, fuhahahahahahahahaha, how vigorous, I like it! I wouldn't have it any other way!! I wouldn't have you any other way, Battler!! Try to deny me, I'll completely and thoroughly smash you to bits! Let me make you surrender over and over again. I'll teach you, one who has licked my shoes, the taste of defeat over and over again!!

BATTLER: No problem, I'll teach you that I, Ushiromiya Battler, am a man who'll stand back up even after crawling in the mud!! I've never had the experience of being invincible in a fight. I lost many times. But I'll definitely crawl in the mud and stand up again. Then I'll finish this!! In a man's fight, you don't lose until you accept defeat, no matter how much you get beat up!! Don't think I'm out just because you took a shot at me. Entertain me, Beatriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!

BEATO: I'll accept your challenge, Ushiromiya Battler!! Furniture, begin preparations for the next game!! While we're waiting, why don't you tell me all about it? There were a lot of closed rooms in this game. Using red, I've smashed to bits most of the methods by which you tried to talk yourself out. What other evasive quibbles will you show me now?!! The lock to the chapel, the lock to Jessica's room, the lock to the servants' room, the lock to Natsuhi's room, the lock to the parlor!! Use your bizarre specialty, those delusions, rantings, daydreams, and bluffs, all slanted with ridiculous, incredible turns of events, and show how you can thoroughly deny meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

BATTLER: Aaah, it's useless, it's all useleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess!!!

SUMMARY:
- EL OH EL...............
- "...So your pain, is being stuck with a fate from the time you were born. ...How heart-breaking. ...You don't have to say it. I understand. ...I understand..." so uh, clearly, Beatrice is sympathizing with Rosa here! she is trying to give Rosa something to ease her pain because she has that same kind of pain.
- and OBVIOUSLY the way to deal with this pain is endless cathartic violence :)
- there is really not much to say about the banquet except GOOD JOB SELF, YOU'RE A TERRIBLE PERSON. although it is stated in the ???? afterwards that Beato is doing it mostly because she's trying to incite Battler into not being a useless lump anymore, by doing dastardly deeds. KEEP THAT IN MIND I guess.
- I thiiink this is the first hint of Rosa and Maria's relationship being strained, from Beato's perspective. :(a I thought I was bros with Maria but apparently that doesn't mean I won't cook her to prove a point.
- "And Maria. It's ten years too early for you to talk about having someone eat you. But in ten years, you'll have to say that to me. Promise." why do I like you W H Y
- "I wouldn't have it any other way!! I wouldn't have you any other way, Battler!!" :x having Battler as furniture was a fun concept but it really is no fun. ANYWAY good to know he got out of that funk in good time, even though it was obvious by now he did eventually.
- ALL IN ALL she has been mentally skewing a bit more evil lately. When she first got back memories of being a terrible person, she DID have SOME inkling of her motivations, but they were still vague and more pure emotion and she was trying to be a terrible person mostly because... that's how she thought she should be! And it seemed fun and stuff. But now like... after all of the memories in this post combined, she really has an understanding of why being an awful villain is a release for her. :|a It's a little bit frustrating for her because she doesn't have the freedom to be awful here. There's a part of her that tries to seek out situations where she can destroyyyy. Like, going into the caves -> MAYBE I CAN SET EVERYTHING ON FIREEE



OKAY as for skill. These two things go hand in hand because they usually go together? She usually transforms into butterflies and then the butterflies disappear. It's pretty rare that she stays in the butterfly step, but I guess she could, and it would probably be slightly less drain under the powercap.

Speaking of! ...I am using RO rules here :V So she can turn invisible! But here is how that will work.
1) If she can't get there normally, she can't get there while invisible. She can't just teleport willy-nilly through walls or whatever. (Since she has flying/floating though, there are a lot of places she can get to regardless... and because she becomes butterfly form first she can sneak through cracks :|b)
2) She IS intangible. You won't run into her or be able to touch her on accident. She is not physically there.
3) And yet she will register as a spirit! So if you can DETECT THAT thennnn you know where she is and non-physical attacks will still hit. I figure some of the Aather monsters can do this seeing as in RO it's like every other monster knows where you are. assholes. FOR NOW THOUGH she doesn't have many offensive skills so defense is helpful 8(
4) Staying invisible will be a constant SP drain. If she stays that way too long she will just reappear AND ALSO be completely exhausted. Like her other magic though, she won't stop abusing it despite that, so she will pretty much be constantly tired. She'll proooobably avoid hitting her hard limit on a day-to-day basis, but she will almost definitely be a little worn out. BECAUSE BEING INVISIBLE IS JUST SO CONVENIENT 8(

uh i think that's it idk.