Your Honest Feelings
Nov. 17th, 2021 10:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
runarunesWhile it's also true for other stories too, it is Very recommended to read while playing the story in game since this story has a lot of location change, sfx, and animation!
Episode 1
Your Honest Feelings
[Location: Hallway]
Akira: Oh, isn’t the one over there...
I was taking a stroll with Snow and White around the Wizard Manor when I spotted Arthur standing alone while looking out of the window, staring at something.
Snow: Arthur, could it be that there's something interesting in the courtyard?
Arthur: Good morning, Lord Snow, Lord White. Ah, and Master Sage, too.
Arthur: There's nothing special of any sort... I was just watching the Central wizards' training.
Akira: You're not going to participate, Arthur?
Arthur: I'm not. I need to go back to the castle to attend some official business there.
As he said that, his gaze went back to the courtyard, and then he smiled a little sadly.
Arthur: Well, I should get going. If you'll excuse me for now...
Akira: Arthur looked a little down...
White: Indeed. He didn't say it out loud, yet his expression made it quite obvious.
Snow: Arthur's a good boy. Unless it was a matter of great importance, he wouldn't let out any complaints.
White: When he was younger, he would be a bit more honest about his feelings… But...
Snow: Now he has grown into a fine young man, that's for sure. It brings us joy, yet to say that we're not feeling a bit lonely would just be a lie.
Akira: Arthur's sense of responsibility as both one of Sage's wizards and also Central's crown prince is strong, after all…
Akira: I hope he won't push himself too hard...
Snow • White: .....Ah!
Snow: I was struck with a fine idea. Master, do lend me your ears for a moment...
[Location: Snowfield]
A few days later. Snow, Arthur and I went to the North Country.
Arthur: Thank you for inviting me today. I've been very much looking forward to our outing in the North Country, that time seemed to pass before I knew it!
Arthur: But it's a shame that Lord White couldn't make it...
Snow: It couldn't be helped. For it would be quite troublesome should Mithra and the others choose to do some mischief in lieu of both of our absence there.
Snow: It is very regrettable that he's not here to play together with us. Yet, that's all more of a reason why we should have a lot of fun today, so much that we'll be able to make up for his part as well!
Akira • Arthur: Okay!
Akira: (But why would Snow bring us all the way to the North Country?)
Arthur: What game are we going to play today?
Snow: We're going to play tag! I remembered that back then, you used to do a lot of practice to beat us in playing tag.
Snow: And in doing so, I realized that it's been quite a long while since the last time we've played that.
Arthur: Haha, how nostalgic. I was so frustrated since I kept getting caught by you two...
Arthur: But I'm definitely going to win today!
Snow: We shall see about that. And so, let the game begin!
[Location: Forest of Frost]
Akira: We've come quite deep into the forest... With so many trees, isn't it hard to fly here?
Arthur: Please don't worry. I've played tag in this area before, so I'm used to it!
Arthur: Besides, it would be less likely to get caught if we run through the forest, since there are more obstacles here.
Akira: I see. But it seems to be dangerous too if you go too fast...
Arthur: Yes… Back then, there was a time when I accidentally hit a tree head on.
Arthur: A huge amount of snow fell on me because of that, and it nearly buried me alive. That really shocked me.
Akira: Huh? Wasn't that the part when you're supposed to say that you were scared...?
Arthur: Oh, no! I had no doubt that Lord Oz was going to come and save me.
[Location: Snowfield]
After some time, we reached an open space. When I was still trying to get used to the brightness of that field of snow, suddenly...
????: Graaaagh!
Akira • Arthur: .....!?
Episode 2
Your Honest Feelings
[Location: Snowfield]
Akira: That's...!
When I looked over to the way that groan came from, there stood a very humongous rabbit-like creature. I could see sharp fangs peeking out from its open mouth even from the place I was at.
Arthur: Please don't worry, Master Sage. I'm here to protect you! Please tighten your hold on me!
Arthur: 《 Pernoctant Nix Zo 》!
[Smokescreen appeared on screen]
As he enchanted his incantation, a huge plume of snowflakes started to whirl up. It kept getting bigger and bigger, until it erupted into a blizzard that would snatch away your field of vision, and assaulted that monster.
Arthur: ......
At Arthur's direct and sharp intimidation, the monster stiffened, then...
[Flash]
It suddenly dissipated into a smoke of light, and disappeared without trace.
Arthur: Huh… Just what...?
Snow: It was but an illusion that I created.
Akira: Ah, Snow!
Snow: Hohoho. I do apologize for the scare. I just have this sudden urge to see Arthur's magic with my own eyes.
Arthur: My magic?
Snow: Indeed. It couldn't be helped that I was curious about the growth of my great-pupil, wouldn't you agree?
Snow: I was worried that I had overdone it, yet it would seem that it was but a needless worry. You've grown to be so strong, Arthur.
Arthur: !
Snow: That was a brilliant cover screen spell that you have displayed. Was it Oz that taught you that?
Arthur: No. That was something I've been practicing on my own.
Arthur: That was the first chance I got to use it in a real fight, so I was quite nervous...
Akira: Whoa, I can't tell that. You're so amazing to manage to pull it off!
Snow: That just showed how hard he has been working. You're such a hard worker, Arthur. I have no doubt that Oz is very proud of you.
Arthur: I would be glad if that's true… To tell you the truth, I've been practicing so I can show it to Lord Oz...
Snow: Do it, and I'm sure that Oz shall praise you for your effort. And while you're at it, why don't you also tell him about your honest feelings?
Arthur: My honest feelings...?
Snow: Mmhm. You've been feeling a bit lonely, haven't you?
Arthur: ...I see. Indeed, I think I was feeling a bit lonely.
Arthur: To be honest, when I saw Lord Oz praising Cain or Riquet lately, I felt happy, yet… It made me a little jealous at the same time.
Arthur: Lord Oz is kind to everyone, so I know I shouldn't feel this way about it.
Arthur: But, I...
Snow: And what is so wrong with being envious of others? Isn't it but a lovely feeling that would make you feel childish again?
Snow: You've worked so hard every day, Arthur. 'Tis why, today, I shall praise you for it.
[A flash, and Snow changed into adult form]
Arthur: Ah!
Snow: There, there. You've worked so hard, Arthur.
Arthur: Lord Snow...
Snow: Mhm? Oh, you haven't been petted enough? Very well... There! This is your punishment for being such a good boy!
[Rustling sound]
Arthur: Whoa?! Ahaha, even I will feel a bit embarrassed to be doted on this much…
[Location: Elevator room, evening]
Arthur: I had a lot of fun today. Thank you very much!
Arthur: Should the next opportu… Oh?
The three of us climbed up the tower, and as we arrived in front of the lift, White appeared before us.
Episode 3
Your Honest Feelings
[Location: Elevator room, evening]
Snow: White, I see that you've come to pick us up.
White: Indeed. It's getting late, after all. Arthur, did you have a lot of fun today?
Arthur: Yes!
White: Hohoho. I'm glad then. And you shall play with me too, next time!
White: Since we've been living in the Magic Manor, Arthur just keeps hanging out with the Central wizards. Oh, how I have missed him dearly.
Snow: I do agree, dear brother. If Arthur won't spare some of his time to play with us, then we'll sulk!
White: We'll get jealous!
Snow • White: After all, we also want to play and have lots of fun with our beloved Arthie!
The twins puffed out their cheeks while saying that. Immediately, Arthur rushed over to reassure them.
Arthur: Me too, I also want to play and talk about a lot of things with you two!
Seeing Arthur like that, Snow and White then smiled gently and took both of his hands in each of theirs.
White: Arthur. Should you ever be troubled about anything in the future, there's no need for you to hesitate to rely on us.
Snow: Indeed. Since both as a fellow Sage's wizards, and also someone who have watched over you since you were a child, we want to lend you our strength to help you.
Arthur: Lord Snow, Lord White... Thank you very much.
Arthur: I'm sorry that I have caused both of you so much worry. And thank you very much for your consideration, Master Sage.
Akira: Oh no! To be honest, I've been wanting to play with you too. That's why I had a great time today!
Akira: And thank you for protecting me from that monster, Arthur. You were very cool!
[Location: Elevator room, night]
Arthur: It's my honor that you feel that way, Master Sage.
Arthur: As one of the Sage's wizards, I will continue to give my all in order to protect you and the world.
Then, I heard something falling to the ground nearby. When I looked to see what it was, I saw that Snow and White had been sealed away in their frame.
Snow in a painting: Mmrr, it would seem that we're back at the painting. 'Tis true that time does fly away when you're having fun.
White in the painting: Master, would you be a dear and help us in carrying our frame?
Akira: Okay! Then I suppose we'd better get back to the Wizard Manor now.
Arthur: ......! Master Sage, Lord Snow, Lord White!
Arthur: Look, it's an aurora!
[Location: Night Sky]
As I turned back, my gaze chased over to where Arthur's gaze was. What I saw was an aurora painting over the whole night sky.
Akira: Wow... It's so beautiful...! Huh, and what are these floating particles of light...?
[Location: Elevator room, night]
Arthur: These are… These are the light of the spirits...
Arthur: it was said that the spirits would sometimes dance cloaked in the light on nights when the aurora were visible in the sky.
Arthur: But the chance to actually see it is quite scarce...
Snow in the painting: Hohoho. Then it would seem that both you and Master are in luck today.
Arthur: Yes!
Arthur was looking at the scenery with sparkling eyes, and I noticed something as I looked at him.
Akira: (I've noticed that the way Arthur smiled in front of Oz, and also Snow and Co., is more boyish than his usual one, but...)
Akira: (Maybe it's also because of this place… Probably, North Country is also a place where Arthur can just be himself without any need of pretense.)
Akira: (I guess this is the reason why Snow suggested we go all the way to the North Country to play today.)
Arthur reached out to the shining light, a smile was framing his face. Not a smile of the prince of Central Country, nor a smile of one of the Sage's wizards, but just a genuine smile that suited a boy of his age.
Arthur: Ahaha, do you want to dance with me?
I'm sure this was how Arthur would have smiled when he was younger.
Akira: (...And may that from now on, everyone can be themselves and smile freely, for a long time to come.)
