Monika (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
peninhand) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
isleofavalon2022-06-05 04:25 pm
peninhand) wrote in isleofavalon2022-06-05 04:25 pm
[closed] painful reality
🧙 WHO: Monika and Minako!
⚔️️ WHAT: An absolutely horrible fae took on the "fuck!!!" quest not for money but out of boredom and kidnapped Monika! Thankfully, Minako will save her in time. Or will she?
🕒 WHEN: Early June
🗺️ WHERE: Somewhere in Avalon
⚠️ WARNINGS: The warnings that come with this quest.
[ Now was something unusual: Monika had disappeared. Not just for an evening or something like that, no. It had been days now since she'd last been seen. She'd gone and done her usual things, and then she hadn't come home afterward. That was unnatural of her, especially when she wanted to spend as much time as was humanly possible with her girlfriend. Weirder even was the absolute lack of reply when contacted through AOL. Maybe she'd gone back to her homeworld? That was the logical conclusion after days of absence, right? But what did it mean for her, when she was dead back home and her homeworld was a digital nightmare?
Thankfully, the notion she may have gone back to her "game" was dispelled the moment someone paid Minako a visit. Monika's familiar, the overly grumpy and pink nine-tailed fox. But for once, he didn't look grumpy at all. No, instead he was hurt, wounded and exhausted. He had dragged himself all the way to their house to find Minako, holding in his mouth a piece of cloth: Monika's ribbon. And then he'd collapsed, unconscious but not dead. The familiar would remain so for a while as he needed some serious healing.
Finding clues as to what Monika's last known location was had proved to be a dead end. But retracing the nine-tailed fox's journey? That was a difficult but doable task. From blood traces to people who had seen him, there were plenty of clues for someone determined enough to find where had had gotten Monika's ribbon.
And lo, the trail led to an isolated and run-down, dilapidated house outside of Camelot. The door was wide open there were signs of a fight having recently occurred. Blood stains and scattered pink fur all over the entrance hinted at what had happened there. The familiar had been caught by the culprit as he'd been trying to leave to find someone who could help Monika. He'd succeeded ultimately, but at great personal cost.
Coming from one of the room, Minako would be able to hear someone singing with one of the most irritating and high-pitched voice ever. Indeed, the culprit was a fae and they were singing something about playing with humans, dissecting them and doing all kind of horrors. Worse, they were in the process of crafting a bunch of tools— Each one of them looking more horrifying than the last. Distracted as they were, it would be easy for Minako to get the drop on the fae or avoid them altogether. But still, no signs of Monika.
The door to the basement was locked, both with a lock and a ward preventing the use of Kinetic Magic. The key was still in the lock, so getting it open wouldn't be a problem. The basement was small, poorly lit with a dying candle and there was someone sitting in one of the corners. Monika, and she looked like hell. Her hands were tied together and she had numerous scraps and bruises all over- But it didn't appear any of the "tools" the fae was crafting had been used to torture her just yet, thankfully enough.
Most noticeable was her hair being an absolute mess, worse even than that one time when she had been depressed because of Kipposhi and had stopped properly taking care of herself. More than that, she looked absolutely lifeless. Even if she hadn't been put through the real torture just yet, being all alone here and knowing she may die because of a bored fairy... Was that her punishment for everything she'd done? Her happy ending turned into a pathetic death? And Minako... What would she think? Would she think Monika had abandoned her? Would she renounce love once again because of the heartbreak?
The thought Minako's life might become worse because of her... Now, that was the worse of all. ]
⚔️️ WHAT: An absolutely horrible fae took on the "fuck!!!" quest not for money but out of boredom and kidnapped Monika! Thankfully, Minako will save her in time. Or will she?
🕒 WHEN: Early June
🗺️ WHERE: Somewhere in Avalon
⚠️ WARNINGS: The warnings that come with this quest.
[ Now was something unusual: Monika had disappeared. Not just for an evening or something like that, no. It had been days now since she'd last been seen. She'd gone and done her usual things, and then she hadn't come home afterward. That was unnatural of her, especially when she wanted to spend as much time as was humanly possible with her girlfriend. Weirder even was the absolute lack of reply when contacted through AOL. Maybe she'd gone back to her homeworld? That was the logical conclusion after days of absence, right? But what did it mean for her, when she was dead back home and her homeworld was a digital nightmare?
Thankfully, the notion she may have gone back to her "game" was dispelled the moment someone paid Minako a visit. Monika's familiar, the overly grumpy and pink nine-tailed fox. But for once, he didn't look grumpy at all. No, instead he was hurt, wounded and exhausted. He had dragged himself all the way to their house to find Minako, holding in his mouth a piece of cloth: Monika's ribbon. And then he'd collapsed, unconscious but not dead. The familiar would remain so for a while as he needed some serious healing.
Finding clues as to what Monika's last known location was had proved to be a dead end. But retracing the nine-tailed fox's journey? That was a difficult but doable task. From blood traces to people who had seen him, there were plenty of clues for someone determined enough to find where had had gotten Monika's ribbon.
And lo, the trail led to an isolated and run-down, dilapidated house outside of Camelot. The door was wide open there were signs of a fight having recently occurred. Blood stains and scattered pink fur all over the entrance hinted at what had happened there. The familiar had been caught by the culprit as he'd been trying to leave to find someone who could help Monika. He'd succeeded ultimately, but at great personal cost.
Coming from one of the room, Minako would be able to hear someone singing with one of the most irritating and high-pitched voice ever. Indeed, the culprit was a fae and they were singing something about playing with humans, dissecting them and doing all kind of horrors. Worse, they were in the process of crafting a bunch of tools— Each one of them looking more horrifying than the last. Distracted as they were, it would be easy for Minako to get the drop on the fae or avoid them altogether. But still, no signs of Monika.
The door to the basement was locked, both with a lock and a ward preventing the use of Kinetic Magic. The key was still in the lock, so getting it open wouldn't be a problem. The basement was small, poorly lit with a dying candle and there was someone sitting in one of the corners. Monika, and she looked like hell. Her hands were tied together and she had numerous scraps and bruises all over- But it didn't appear any of the "tools" the fae was crafting had been used to torture her just yet, thankfully enough.
Most noticeable was her hair being an absolute mess, worse even than that one time when she had been depressed because of Kipposhi and had stopped properly taking care of herself. More than that, she looked absolutely lifeless. Even if she hadn't been put through the real torture just yet, being all alone here and knowing she may die because of a bored fairy... Was that her punishment for everything she'd done? Her happy ending turned into a pathetic death? And Minako... What would she think? Would she think Monika had abandoned her? Would she renounce love once again because of the heartbreak?
The thought Minako's life might become worse because of her... Now, that was the worse of all. ]
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[ I know. But evidently, she still had doubts. So she remained silent a little while as she tried finding the right words. ]
Come on, scold you...? [She smiled, Monika just couldn't imagine a situation where she ever would have to. But that answer was just a distraction from the topic Minako had brought up.] It's just... Like I said, I'm not really over my old fears.
[ She looked up towards the ceiling. Would she ever be over them...? She kept them in check pretty decently for the most part. Just sometimes, when she was under pressure or stressed, they were harder to keep in check. Like the day before. Then everything came flooding back. ]
It's soon going to be six months since I asked you out... [She smiled.] They've been the six most wonderful months of my life. When I'm with you... [A beat.] Life is beautiful.
[ So much so, words couldn't describe how beautiful life was with her. And they didn't need to. Minako knew already just how much Monika loved her, how happy she was with her. ]
I know you would never leave me just like that... But sometimes, I don't know. It's harder to reason stuff out. [She smiled again, somewhat sheepishly this time.] I... I'm so messed up. I've done so many horrible things.
[ Her friends. How much she had hurt them in the pursuit of love and freedom. No matter how better things got... She felt this would never leave her alone. The guilt she carried now, she would carry it forever. Deservedly so. She then looked down. ]
So when I can't think normally... I just start wondering why. [She tilted her head to the side.] Why should someone as wonderful as you even bother with me? [A pause.] And when I imagine having to go back to life as it was before we met... A life without you...
[ Her eyes seemed to fill with tears as she spoke, but she didn't cry. No, because she knew Minako wouldn't abandon her. She knew it. But the enemy was her own mind there. And she found herself wondering if perhaps she had said a bit too much. She wanted Minako to stay with her, of course. But she didn't want for her to do so out of guilt... She didn't want Minako to force herself to stay with her not to hurt her.
Not that it was the case right now...! But that could be the case someday, right? It happened, even to the most loving couples. Maybe she should address that. Yes, that would be wiser. She didn't want for Minako to feel pressured at all. ]
Um... And, you know... Sometimes, people fall out of love. It's natural. So if that was to happen to you... [Monika's speech started getting a bit more awkward. She'd had a clear idea of what to say, but now that she said it she felt so dumb. It was important to say but at the same time she didn't want to say it.] I-I don't want you to stay with me out of pity. Loving someone is also being able to let them go, right? And I can do that if that's what you-you need. I- That would be the worst if you were miserable because of me. [She looked away.] I mean, I know that's not the case right now... B-But, you know if you ever...
[ Monika mumbled awkwardly as she continued looking away. Gosh, what an absolute disaster. Why had she said that? She just didn't want to sound clingy. To sound weird or anything like that. She knew her flaws, she knew what could drive people away from her. Minako away from her.
But she probably sounded weirder than ever, huh? All of that was in her head. Minako loved her so much and yet she was so afraid. She hated it. She hated herself and how she could be.
She tried hiding it, but a tear finally rolled down her cheek as she kept looking away. ]
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But she feels like maybe that's not what Monika needs to hear right now. Even if Minako says that, the other might keep worrying about what will happen in the future, whether it'll change.
So after slowly exhaling, Minako leans over, gently trying to wipe that tear off Monika's cheek before she softly speaks up. ]
Hey.. Let's not think about the future.
[ Sure. Not worrying? It's hard. Minako gets that. But she can't help but say this all the same. ]
If it's such a worrisome and scary place for you, then.. don't think about that time. Just think about the now. [ Minako smiles. ] Especially since.. right now? I'm madly in love with you. Isn't that so much better to think about than worrying about what might or might not happen..?
[ Especially since Minako is fairly sure that Monika's fears will never become reality. Minako is fully intending on taking the other home with her as soon as they're all able to leave this place, after all. ]
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You're right. You're absolutely right.
[ She smiled and nodded. The future was such a scary thing... Once, she hadn't had any. There had been nothing to look forward to in her lifeless and static world. Then when she'd believed to have found a new future, it had all been taken from under her feet.
And now... It was different. So different. She knew Minako wouldn't abandon her. They loved each other so much. They had such a promising life ahead of them. Maybe it was because that future was so beautiful and bright that she was so terrified to lose it. ]
Sometimes I get so caught up in the future... I forget how wonderful my life is right now.
[ She laughed and interlaced her fingers with Minako's. So long as she was near her, she could manage to focus on the present. And for those times when they can't be together, we'll she'll just have to keep busy. It's a slow process, after all.
So much has happened of late that shook them. The blindfolded mission in the forest, those fae and before that the attack on Camelot... But they can focus on the present now. Though there's something coming. It's the future, but the near future. So near, it feels like a good thing to speak of after those heavy and emotional topics. Something they can both look forward to. ]
You know... On July 01st, it's going to be our six-month anniversary.
[ Who the heck even celebrated six-month anniversaries? Monika did! To her it was a pretty big deal. Most couples never got past six months. And here they were, getting closer and close every day. Sure it might not be as big of a landmark as an one-year anniversary, but does it really need to be? ]
We should do something. I don't know what... [A pause.] But it should be very special.
[ She wasn't sure what yet... But she knew she wanted for it to be big. Just as big as Valentine's Day, if that was even possible! Thank goodness they had some time to think on it. ]
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So rather than questioning anything, Minako just smiles. Like it's only natural to do so in the face of what Monika is saying here.
And with that smile, she leans in a little closer towards the other again. ]
Then what do you want..?
[ After all, Valentine's Day had very much been about Monika spoiling Minako, even though Minako did do something for the other in return at the very end of that day.
But Minako rather likes spending their six month anniversary as a special wish fulfilment day for Monika. ]
Tell me your wishes, and I'll make them all come true on our very special celebratory day.
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That said, Monika was taken a bit aback and laughed awkwardly. ]
Oh, um... I'm not sure really.
[ Oh gosh. She hadn't expected Minako to ask her what she wanted exactly for that day...! What did she want anyway? She closed her eyes for a moment and thought about it. Her wishes... There were so many things she dreamed of doing. So many, she didn't know where to begin. ]
I know I want it to be just you and I. [She looked at her.] How about I let you decide? [Is that cheating? Pretty sure that counts as cheating.] If it comes from you, I'll be happy no matter what it is.
[ It would be fun to see what Minako would come up with. Though she didn't want for her to do all the work. She was going to find a little thing to surprise Minako, same way she had been surprised at the end of Valentine's Day. ]
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[ Sorry, Monika. Minako can't help but point it out - though she seems to be amused to do so. It's not an angry kind of accusation - instead Minako seems to be laughing as she says it, like she can't help but let the laughter bubble up from her mouth as she's saying it. It's just a relief after all the tension they've had the past few days..
Besides, her girlfriend is cheating. She's clearly allowed to point that out. ]
What if I do something and you find it totally stupid, huh?
[ .. of course the chance of that is very low with how head over heels Monika seems to be for Minako, but sssh. Ssh. Let her whine about this, leaning closer to place a peck on Monika's lips before talking on. ]
It'd be the worst six month anniversary ever!
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Ahaha! There's no way I'd find anything you do stupid.
[ If anything, she would love to see what Minako could come up with. She had a way to think of things that would never even cross Monika's mind. ]
I like surprises. And besides... [Monika leaned back on the bed.] I'm still recovering, you know?
[ Cue the most obvious fake coughing ever and a devious smile. ]
Aaah, I'm so weak and tired... [She opened an eye to look at Minako, winking at her.] I may even need some help to do my hair in the foreseeable future...! How tragic.
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[ Which is clearly so hard on Minako! Imagine her having to do her girlfriend's hair! Nicely brushing it and all! Such a tedious, tedious task...
Look, two can play at this game of being dramatic. So Minako lets out a sigh deep enough to make it sound like her very soul is leaving its body, and then moves to flop onto the bed as well, right next to Monika. ]
I mean, isn't the least my girlfriend could do is letting me cuddle with her while she's this weak..?
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[ Which means, yes, she totally will! With moderation of course, she doesn't want to become a bother... But whining playfully to get Minako to do her hair every now and then? Most definitely. Not as if they needed an excuse for that in the first place anyway.
Regardless, Monika immediately closed her arms around Minako and rested her forehead against hers. ]
Mhm... I suppose that would be acceptable...! [Says the girl who started cuddling her girlfriend within seconds of her having flopped on the bed.] They do say cuddling is the best medicine, after all.
[ Who even said that? Well, she did. ]
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Maybe even scooting the tiniest bit closer towards her. ]
I guess staying in bed for a bit more can't hurt..
[ Sure, Monika has been in there for a long time now. But it's exactly the sort of long time where half an hour more or so can't really hurt. ]
And maybe I could use a slight nap.
[ Because everything from the past few days did leave her pretty tired - and Minako has already been up for longer now, watching over the girl while Monika slept for so much longer.
She can make sure Monika eats something and all a little bit later, especially if the cuddles are helping Monika too. ]
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... Well maybe not, her stomach was going to start disagreeing with her if she did that. But there was nothing wrong with a half hour of cuddling, right? ]
Mhm! [She beamed at her and closed her eyes.] There's no rule on when cuddle time is.
[ Monika was joking about playing sick and the likes, but she knew it must have been just as hard on Minako. It was over now, thank god, and they were together. But that didn't mean she didn't deserve some rest.
And that was a good way to end this very heavy and painful chapter, wasn't it? ]