[He exhales through his nose, and shakes his head.] No... I mean... I haven't exactly been making myself easy to find, either, so I can't really blame you...
And besides, just like I said in the letter, I just kind of want to... talk. Get to know you a little better.
...I appreciate that. [He sounds like he means it, too.] A lot of times when people talk to us it's just for information. So the other's nice when we can get it.
Tell me a little more about you. You're one of the participants I haven't heard much about besides your own letter.
[Thank god for Luke. He doesn't move back or anything and lets him come closer, thinking that over.]
It's just a thing, probably. I wouldn't say it's a bad thing except maybe it means I'm not doing my job right. [Amused.] ...I like hearing what you guys have to say mostly. So tell me about...I don't know. Something good that's happened in the last week. Tall order, I know.
[But Merriment believes in trying to keep some light in things anyway.]
There was, uh, the stuff on Wednesday, that was okay! I got to hang out with Fortune--Sheba again, and Ludger, and we all had cake... we did that dumb ball [Piety again, he's not mentioning that, though] and the fireworks were cool... uh... I showed Catra some anime, and I think she liked it...
No, I know! That's definitely important to have friends here. [But also, lmao.]
I was actually sort of impressed with Wednesday... Beauty and Sincerity went all out to make sure everybody had a good time. [His tone softens a little.] Thank you guys for thinking of Fortune, too.
...Catra and anime is a sentence I never thought I'd hear, but you're getting really into that, aren't you?
...Well, there's no, uh, electricity in Daath... [which is DEFINITELY what Piety is building, no question there.] ...and even if I did win, it's not like I could take it back with me without explaining...
[he looks genuinely at odds with himself]
...Maybe I can just tell some artists what I saw in a dream, and get them to draw some stuff...?
I don't think white lies are so bad when it's harmless stuff like that. [A shrug.] And even that's not really a lie. You got here via dream, didn't you? It makes enough sense.
I mean, I don't want them to copy a series or anything! I'd like to see what artists in Auldrant would come up with, if I talked about... manga and stuff!
[His eyes are pretty bright, talking about this.]
Like, what kind of plots would they come up with? Ah, I really wish I could draw better...!
Practice! We've got paper and stuff around here somewhere...you could always ask Madoka for pointers, too. [But he nods along.] What're your favorite plots so far?
Madoka draws? Oh, right, her statue said she's kind of good at art! [MADOKA!!!!]
My favorite's gotta be One Piece and Dragon Ball Z! They're totally different, but I really like them both. Oh, the Ninja Adventures of Nart and Sack are great, too!
Yeah, she does. Her art's pretty cute. [Please commission Madoka.]
So like...action types. [There's a slow nod.] I've always heard that the best stories are based on stuff you know. If you make up something with just a litttlle bit of the truth in it, I bet you could come up with something good.
[Give him a moment. He's going to hold out his hand and as Luke looks he'll find a crystallized patch of ice appears, forming into a singular snowflake. The snowflake lifts in the air before it turns itself into a small bird, flying around a bit before disappearing.]
[Luke...it's fine, Merriment laughs in genuine amusement.]
Yeah! Yeah, it totally was. [He's very pleased with this reaction.] It's just something I can do...from before, you know? Before the ascension. Snow's sort of my thing.
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And besides, just like I said in the letter, I just kind of want to... talk. Get to know you a little better.
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Tell me a little more about you. You're one of the participants I haven't heard much about besides your own letter.
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making his way forward, he stands near the table, arms crossed.]
I don't know if that's a good thing, or a bad thing. I guess it makes me more mysterious... what kind of thing do you want to know?
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It's just a thing, probably. I wouldn't say it's a bad thing except maybe it means I'm not doing my job right. [Amused.] ...I like hearing what you guys have to say mostly. So tell me about...I don't know. Something good that's happened in the last week. Tall order, I know.
[But Merriment believes in trying to keep some light in things anyway.]
1/2
[his face pulls and pinches, and he's clearly struggling, here.
hrmmmmmmmm]
2/2
hM,]
Uh.
I talked to Piety on Monday. [part of it was good.]
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That counts. You two are pretty close, aren't you?
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[he continues on, trying to list other stuff.]
There was, uh, the stuff on Wednesday, that was okay! I got to hang out with Fortune--Sheba again, and Ludger, and we all had cake... we did that dumb ball [Piety again, he's not mentioning that, though] and the fireworks were cool... uh... I showed Catra some anime, and I think she liked it...
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I was actually sort of impressed with Wednesday... Beauty and Sincerity went all out to make sure everybody had a good time. [His tone softens a little.] Thank you guys for thinking of Fortune, too.
...Catra and anime is a sentence I never thought I'd hear, but you're getting really into that, aren't you?
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Catra's pretty into it, too. [no she's not] We were watching some stuff together. It's gonna be hard, leaving Japan behind!
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Who says you have to leave it behind? Why not take part of it with you?
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...Well, there's no, uh, electricity in Daath... [which is DEFINITELY what Piety is building, no question there.] ...and even if I did win, it's not like I could take it back with me without explaining...
[he looks genuinely at odds with himself]
...Maybe I can just tell some artists what I saw in a dream, and get them to draw some stuff...?
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What would you have drawn first?
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I mean, I don't want them to copy a series or anything! I'd like to see what artists in Auldrant would come up with, if I talked about... manga and stuff!
[His eyes are pretty bright, talking about this.]
Like, what kind of plots would they come up with? Ah, I really wish I could draw better...!
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Practice! We've got paper and stuff around here somewhere...you could always ask Madoka for pointers, too. [But he nods along.] What're your favorite plots so far?
[What's your animanga taste, Luke?]
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My favorite's gotta be One Piece and Dragon Ball Z! They're totally different, but I really like them both. Oh, the Ninja Adventures of Nart and Sack are great, too!
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So like...action types. [There's a slow nod.] I've always heard that the best stories are based on stuff you know. If you make up something with just a litttlle bit of the truth in it, I bet you could come up with something good.
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[FANFICTION...]
What about you? Can you do any creative stuff?
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But. Merriment laughs a little.] I can do some things, yeah. I'm sort of known for creating unique patterns and everything. And I can draw a little.
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Unique patterns? You mean, like... shapes and stuff?
[THAT IS KIND OF A WEIRD GOD POWER]
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Something like that.
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stares at it
fluttering around the room
when it disappears, his jaw is still dropped, like an enthralled child. All the joking is gone from his expression.]
How'd you do that?! Was that snow!?
[He's totally into it.]
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Yeah! Yeah, it totally was. [He's very pleased with this reaction.] It's just something I can do...from before, you know? Before the ascension. Snow's sort of my thing.