aboxfullofstars | [42] A Midsummer Night's Musical!

[42] A Midsummer Night's Musical!

[A large holo-banner is floating on top of City *****'s City Hall.]

Happy Midsummer - And please do enjoy all the Musicals!

[Lina groaned, and buried her face in her hands]

Oh, come oonnnn - Midsummer is already over, it was in June this year!

[A second holo banner poppped up under the first one, then.]

Sorry we were a bit late with this one - Ha ha ha!

[Yes, it's a somewhat special Reality Wave.]

[All kinds of people and beings will find themselves taking part of a musical, no matter what their original plans were.]

[The musical will be loosely inspired from the lives of the characters themselves (including AU versions).]

[All kinds of people they know will be in the audience.]

[Whether the characters are affected or not by the Reality Wave is all up to their Muns. All the Reality Wave's effects will end in 3 days, or whenever the Muns want them to end. The charas will be teleported back to where they usually live in the World Tree System when that happens.]

[This is an open post, and the Muns can make up events and thread with each other as long as it fits the themes.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Yuuko was sipping her tea.]

[Would she be an actor and singer this time around, or part of the audience?]

[It was nice to have so many possibilities, it really was.]

It began with the end.

Reach had been found. The largest Covenant fleet seen up to that point besieged the planet. Battles so ferocious that even the shipmasters of the fanatic Covenant fled the battle in utter terror, as humanity fought to their dying breath to defend their fortress. A world that they had sworn, would never fall to even the genocidal hegemony. But the Covenant, cannibalizing the technology of their lords, and callous of all life, threw more ships than what the might of humanity could muster.

In the end, the world was turned to glass. Of the tiny handful of ships that escaped the carnage, there was a single Marathon-Class Cruiser. Housing Captain Jacob Keyes, The top-of-the-line A.I. Cortana, and what was believed to be the last Spartan.

In their escape, they found a ringworld that had been abandoned for thousands of years. Forgotten, only to be found again at the darkest hour of humanity.

A voice, different from John, sung from within.

Aeons passed with bitter clarity
The ancient tale revives, into which we descend

Here lies the remnants of the Primordial affliction
Why have you come, Reclaimer?
Why have you come to revive abominations?

One hundred millennia passed since the Primordial virus spread avast
This plague lies deep within my keep, so why have you come, Reclaimer?

The ship was surrounded on all sides. A metal casket, engulfed by smooth ships whose hulls resembled that of whales, sporting a predatory beauty. Much like Reach, its end was inevitable, but it would fight to the last.

Should one look closer, past the hails of anti-air gunfire, missiles, MAC rounds, hull, and more, one would see the last Spartan.

In front of an aged Captain Keyes, putting a single chip onto John's armored hand... with a single mission:

Protect her at all costs.

[James slowwwly blinked as he found himself sitting on a chair, watching the stage.]

......Ohhhh?

[Yuuko grinned as she popped up on the chair next to him.]

Well, well, well - this does seem like fun!

Realizing who were the people of the crowd, John's visor stares at Yuuko and James for a single moment. Nervous of the things they would find out. The last year of his war, humanity's darkest hour. Yuuko herself, she already knew, as she saw all strings of fate; but James... James knew about his past, and Cortana, but little about his war. About the Covenant. About Halo.

From that datachip, a woman appeared.

Wait in the dark
With the memories that replay
My lonesome fears

You're still a promise I will keep
You'll always be
My Sword
My Shield

The Spartan took a long look at Cortana as she sung. Memories of his war, and the hell in which they two found each other and protected each other. The figure then vanished... and the Spartan, still seeing the glow in it, observed it.

Then, he slid the chip on. Holographic enemies appeared.

Letting out alien war cries, dozens upon dozens of five-feet tall aliens lumbered forward, carrying methane backpacks and the scars made by their masters. Leading them, eight feet tall saurian beings covered in plate armor, with the golden ones waving their swords forward.

The Spartan brought his rifle up. Faster than how they aimed at him, the Spartan eliminated the holographic aliens, bolting like lightning and dropping them in place -- before they disappeared. Even the golden general swings at him, bolts to dodge, but he is, too, broken by his legs and chin, and shot on the chest, defeated. And the Spartandoes so around a ship that is being overrun by alien enemies, with human soldiers requiring help.

This had been a losing war for humanity, and the Spartan had been the only thing stopping the alien Covenant on their tracks.

The Spartan leads the soldiers into a ship. He is the last one to board. The ship evaporates, and shows the world that changed the entire course of the war, and the reason behind many bonds and nightmares.

Halo.

[James narrowed his eyes as holo Cortona popped up on the screen, and started to sing - And then, he slowly blinked as a small robot with a anime-style holo girl which somewhat like Cortona floating on top of it popped up in the seat next to him.]

......Oh, ho?

[The holo girl looked at him, and then at Yuuko, and then gave both of them a small bow.]

Hello. I am a Not-Cortona, because I was created by her, but am not her. Please call me Nottie.

[Yuuko grinned at that.]

It's good to meet you, Nottie-chan! I am called Ichihara Yuuko.

[James sighed, then. Well, if Yuuko trusted her...]

[And then, he smiled.]

And I'm called James Mordecai. Welcome, Nottie!

[And that was when Marie, Elizaveta, and a some other people and beings all popped up on stage, surrounding John!]

[They were all wearing different uniforms, too.]

[James sloowly blinked.]

OK, so Miss Marie is wearing the Reach Military's uniform, naturally, but - What's Roderich supposed to be, the UEG?

And Ludwig is apparently the UNSC, which makes sense - He's just too used to dealing with Shitty Leaders and just chugging on when he has to.

[James sighed a bit, thinking about Ludwig, and then looked at Elizaveta.]

....Hmmm, what is Ms Elizaveta suppose to be, though? Her uniform is a hodgepodge - Maybe the Outer Colonies?

[And then, he looked around the stage.]

- And where is Gilbert?

[Aand that was when one of the Spartan MJOLNIR Armor's face guard popped open, and Gilbert waved at them!]

......Ahhh. Gotcha.

"Hmm, so that is the armor John wears when Joan's not taking over," Kyou put her hand beneath her chin, "he's a giant, and yet the armor gives him a few extra inches in height as if that wasn't enough."

Not that Kyou didn't see its use. That thing weighted half a ton, much unlike the senshi, and the enemies he fought were strong... but, there was something she wasn't quite understanding.

Soon, John's fight on the surface of the ring was shown in one story. Then, another story came in place.

"What is all that about Reach," Kyou asked, "and about all of those world-states? This is all from one of the futures of Earth."

"John comes from a war in his world," Kotomi said evenly, hands on her lap. "There are details that are best not asked out of respect for him, and his experiences. But it was a world where humanity sat at the brink of extinction."

Kyou turned to Kotomi... and realized her friend's eyes were focused. Not frightened, but knowing why was John doing this. To gain some peace from the final days of his war.

Kotomi probably read the reports and history books of John's world that she could, because of course she would. Through it, Kyou'd friend learned the things he went through, and why was he usually silent whenever asked about his world. Reading John's name in many of those events made her realize too many things about her adoptive father in this world.

"Before this battle, humanity had lost Reach," Kotomi stated solemnly. "It was what the defeat of Cannae was for the Roman Empire in their war against the Carthaginian Empire. The enemy was now at the gates of Earth. When the Covenant took the planet, humanity's defeat was no longer calculated in a matter of months. After Reach, it was calculated in a matter of weeks."

Edited 2023-09-26 05:28 (UTC)

Marie had fought fiercely. Wounded dozens of worlds as they came for her, forcing them to flee. Ludwig had done his best to cover her. Gilbert had fought fiercely. Leading them, where the alien giants of Sangheilios, represented by a Sangheili; and Doisac, represented by a Jiralhanae, both of them giants that dwarfed even John in full armor. On the back, a decrepit old alien with a long neck, sat High Charity on a litter, carried by Balaho, Eayn, and Palamok. Watching, waiting.

But in the end, Marie, too, fell. Sangheilios, after a long fight, pierced her with a plasma blade. When she fell on the ground, Roderich, humanity, sat still.

It was the end.

In the darkest light we wait to transform into glass
The beam of light emerges and completes the final task
Upon release all life will cease

From Marie's hand, a single crystal bounced... then, it revealed her. A woman that made all of the alien legions pause, not in fear but in wonder, their purpose finally complete.

A woman, bearing skin white like milk and long hair and clothes resembling silver. Beautiful and terrible as the sea, stronger than all the foundations of the universe. She wore complex robes and jewels that seemingly levitated.

Halo. Installation 04. She looked up... and sung a beautiful melody.

Twilight compunction, burn this world to ash

Sangheilios approached her. So did High Charity. So did Doisac. They did not notice the rot on her body. Not the lines growing from her. Not the vines spreading everywhere on her, snapping and breaking beauty.

Burn this world to ash

Her eyes turned black like coal, and her smile turned manic. Her hands spread, showing a light that lit like a sun, threatening to end the war, forever. No more life. No more will. No more freedom.

Nothing new but agonizing death, and the rot of wrathful gods.

Burn this world to ash--

Before Sangheilios got to hold her, Gilbert held Halo by her back, and slid her knife on her back.

The Maiden's eyes widened in horror, confusion, but also clarity. She turned to Gilbert, and his emotionless armor, barely able to comprehend the reasons behind her murder. But then, looking at her hand, the rot that spread in her.

Then, the Maiden's hand fell, lifeless. Gilbert, Spartan, released her corpse.

"No!" High Charity screamed, the ancient figure ordering his litter forward, "no, no, no. My beautiful... I had looked for you for so long... no. No!"

"The Master Chief... and... Cortana, a beloved friend of John," she continued, trying to give her respects to her, "landed on an abandoned Halo ring, the ring that had been the focus of the Covenant's faith. To them, what would lead them to godhood..."

Kotomi raised her sight.

"John destroyed it. When he realized the nightmares it held beneath its beauty. That was when the Covenant began to collapse." Kotomi turned her eyes on Sangheilios, "when all of the failures... were blamed not on John-san, but on Sangheilios."

[Madoka slooowly blinked as she found herself on a stage, all of a sudden.]

[So did Homura.]

.........Wait, what?

[Madoka groaned, while Homura looked around the stage.]

- This - doesn't really feel like a Witch's Labyrinth, for some reason.

[Aand that was when a holo banner sprang up in front of them!]

[Welcome to the Musical Event, Goodbeings!

....Oh, so it's a Reality Wave? I did wonder what was going on...

[Madoka turned white as she spun around, and saw who was in the audience.]

.....Mooom!?!?

[Madoka's father waved his hand at her, as well.]

I'm here too, Madoka!

[Aand that was when somebody started waving at the stage from the audience.]

Heeey, Kyoko-Nee!

[Kyoko facepalmed as she saw her little sister in the audience, and her parents sitting next to her.]

.........Hi, Kiddo. Hi, Dad and Mom...

[Sayaka, in the meanwhile, was sweatdropping up a storm.]

...........Oh, noooo - My parents are here, my parents are here...

[She whispered. Kyoko sighed at that.]

Well, so are mine?

[Sayaka groaned at that.]

Kyoko, your parents know about the Magical Girl stuff already, OK!?!?

[The AU Kyubey, in the meanwhile, was also on the stage, and holding his head in his paws.

......Oh, great. Guess who's role I get to play on this stage, today?

Opera Night

Kotomi was quick to invite friends and lover into this. She didn't dress as Saint Lyre, given it was the equivalent of her battle uniform, and feared her royal dress would catch too many eyes, when she was there to listen to music and see her friends. For this, Kotomi wore a dress that gleamed with the light, but was modest enough not to catch attention.

She smiled. As terrible of a musician as she might have been (... not that she noticed until she practiced for years in Infinity and the World Tree), she liked music. She knew the importance of every note, the inspirations behind each tune, the kinds of instruments at play, the finger positions... she wanted to see her friends perform. She wanted to see them at their best, and telling their own stories.

"We are almost here," Kotomi wrapped a gloved arm around her companion for this night, wearing red lipstick, "I ensured we got a good view of our friends."

---
The Dandelion Girl

This song begins with soft piano, with that familiar song about dangos. A single girl, sitting beneath a lone light, reading a book on physics. The only world that she had known for ten whole years. Alone, with only her mind and her books to bring her company. Walls of books surrounding her, with the images of infinite worlds plastered in letters, equations and schematics seen only in dreams.

I was having a transparent dream
It was a tender eternity

Then, a hand reached from the shadows. The hand of a male student, which she looked in befuddlement. Familiar, a visage, that she stands up for, and follows with the spotlight following her. Something powerful enough to drive the barefooted girl through the wooden floors, and out of her library.

The faint, wind-like voice
Is calling me from the high sky

Then, more hands, this time from female students, all reached out, holding her up, lifting her up. Friends that brought her from that solitude, pulled her from the dark, helped her reached higher and higher.

If I take off while like this
I can go anywhere

She looks up, a sudden sunlight embracing her. A sky, full of wonders. A new world. This time, the spotlight gained multiple colors, all glowing over her eyes, in a sight of silent awe.

An overview effect, Kotomi came to understand it. The realization of how small your world is in a greater universe, but just as well, how precious it is because of it.

Edited 2023-08-22 04:51 (UTC)

[Kotomi stood up, and marched to the middle of the stage, then.]

Once upon a time, I was a very lonely girl, who blamed myself for the death of my parents -

And I still blame myself for the death of my parents, just a little, if I'm honest.

But then, one day, magical lights surrounded me, and I was transported to a new City in a new world, filled with things I had never dreamed of!

I met some people who baked the most wonderful pasteries, and even let me work at their Bakery part-time - Yes, I mean you, Antique Bakery peeps!

[There was a cheer from part of the audience, then, where the Antique Bakery folks where.]

Th - Thank you so much, Kotomi-chan!

[Chikage said, waving - And Kotomi waved back with a wink!]

And I also want to say thank you to all the people who became my friends here -

[John, Marie, James and the rest of Kotomi's friends she made here all clapped and cheered in her direction, then.]

And to all the friends I made at home, who ended up coming here, too!

[Tomoya and the rest of her friends from Hikarizawa all cheered and clapped too at that!]

- Go, go, Kotomi-chan!

[Kotomi took a deep breath, then.]

But you know what? Some of the most important people I met here are still you two, Mom and Dad!

[Kotomi's AU parents nearly fell off their seats, then.]

....Ko - Kotomi-chan....

[Her AU Mother gasped.]

Oh, I know you two weren't really my parents from the exact same world, but that didn't matter.

And you two weren't the shining paragons I thought my parents were, but that didn't matter either, because - because that's not what my real parents were really like, either!

[Kotomi choked up a little, then.]

......And...Um...I sorry I didn't talk to you more before this, Little Kotomi-chan, and I'm not trying to ignore you or anything like that, sorry, sorry...

[ Little AU Kotomi waved her hands at the stage, then.]

Don't worry about that, Big Sis Me, OK?

Edited 2023-08-29 06:58 (UTC)

Kotomi smiled to everyone. She took one last look at Ami, one of her first friends in this world... and... did her best to hold back tears. So much had changed. So much that she had gone through. In the end, this was a celebration.

She breathed in.

Kotomi was a being of music. From the day she was born, she had been taught the world was cosmic music, all of it resonating in 11th-dimensional space. When she first stepped into this world, it was like learning a new instrument altogether: reality.

Her feet touched the wooden floor. Lines of prismatic light glowed with something resembling as either a gigantic piano or a violin. Every slow step, it set the floor alight. Then, behind her, the background lights up with a night sky full of stars.

In every star, wherever the audience looked, there was a new reality.

That weird girl
Was surprised
To see from her eyes
Our planet looked like an earthrise
A blue orb hovering over the moon’s gray horizon,
with deep oceans and silver skies.

Then, Kotomi's eyes glowed with that same prismatic light. That same melody that she not only heard but saw first-hand. A sky full of stars, and now a world encompassing all that existed.

It was our world’s first glance at itself
Our first chance to see a shared reality,
A declared stance and a commonality;

Those lines were My God, It's Full of Stars, by Tracy K. Smith. A poem about the Overview Effect that she read during her work in America, and that resonated with her upon seeing this. The realization of how crushingly massive all of creation was compared to her tiny blue marble in the canvas of reality.

And how precious it was. It was an experience that marked her forever, and opened her mind to everything.

Hero, survivor, God’s rightful woman, I know she sees the blank
Surface of the moon where I see a language built from brick and bone.
She sits straight in her seat, takes a long, slow high-thespian breath,

Lines from Earthrise, by Amanda Gorman. And fittingly enough, Kotomi first walks up a flight of stairs, before running upwards, wanting to see what awaited her. She extends her hand...

... and then, from the dark, a slender hand intertwined its fingers with hers in affection. Kotomi looked up with a deep breath and a blush of her face. The figure, a humanoid canine, slowly emerged from the night sky, coated in stars as a silhouette, and held hands with her.

Kotomi pressed her forehead onto his.

It felt like the first time.

[Ayaana took Kotomi's hand, then, and they danced across the stage.]

...I am Ayaana, son of Lord Percival of the Clay Clans, and of Accordian, my father's Third Concubine, who was a Royal Concubine before that.

[Kotomi put her head close to Ayaana's then.]

I know.

[Ayaana softly kissed her on the head.]

You know now, but I didn't tell you very much at all about my family when we first met...,

[Kotomi groaned at that.]

And I let you think for months that the Dad and Mom I introduced you to here were actually from the same world I came from, remember?

[Kotomi and Ayaana hugged, then.]

I was worried when we both got sent to my world, to be honest - Oh, I had wanted to go home, but the thought of introducing you to my parents made my head hurt so much!

[Ayaana said, and then hugged Kotomi again.]

I didn't want to lose you, you know.

[Ayaana grinned, then, and spun around the stage.]

But then, I realized that, when push came to shove, I could just elope with you, somehow! I mean, my mother chose to live an entirely different life when she chose to become my father's concubine, so - why not?

[Kotomi looked up at Ayaana, then, looking very mindboggled.]

Ayaana-san, I couldn't let you do that - I knew your family was important to you, just like my family was - is - important to me!

[She said, not singing. Ayaana laughed at that, and slowly kissed her lips.]

Oh, I know, but I really was willing to elope with you if there was no other option.

And so, I'm really glad how things turned out -

[And then, they both turned toward the audience.]

[Kotomi started to sing again.]

And though becoming a Queen of a country was never part of my plans -

[Ayaana sang again too.]

And becoming a Prince Consort wasn't part of my plans, either -

[They both held hands, then.]

I'm glad we managed to save at least part of Ayaana's / my world, at least, and we can stay with each other now!

[Tachibana stood up, then.]

Wait, wait, what is this? You saved part of Ayaana-kun's world, and you're now a Queen, Kotomi-chan?

[Kotomi grinned at that.]

Oh, yes - And we're married, now, too!

[The part of the audience that knew that already laughed and clapped, then.]

[Chikage grinned at that.]

Congradulations, Kotomi-chan!

[And the other Antique people clapped at that, too, though Tachibana was still muttering under his breath.]

....She got married without us....or our cakes! Or our pasteries! Oh, woe is me...

Oh, stop that, Tachibana - We can still throw the newlyweds a party or something, right?

[Ono said, while Eiji nodded along with him.]

We totally can! I mean, even if they got married in Ayaana-san's world, they didn't have a wedding party in the City yet, right?

[Tachibana looked around his teammates, and nodded, once.]

....Hey, Kotomi-chan, Ayaana-kun! Let us throw you a "We totally got married!" party, OK?

[Kotomi and Ayaana looked at each other.]

Oh, I'll love to, but I can't let them just throw a party for us without paying them, that's not right...

[Kotomi muttered, while Ayaana smiled at her, and turned toward the stage.]

We'd love to, but let's talk about the money and stuff later, OK?

[Aand that was when he blinked, slowly, and turned toward Kotomi.]

........Kotomi.......Your...Your scent....

[Kotomi blushed, then.]

Oh. Um. I wasn't planning to do this on stage, but....

[And then, she took a deep breath.]

I'm pregnant!

[Kotomi's AU Parents stared at her, their mouths hanging open.]

[So did many other of her friends.]

....You're what!?!?!

[Aand that was when a circle of light formed around Kotomi, Ayaana, and for some reason, the Antique Crew in the audience!]

.....Ohhhhh.

[Kotomi said, and she hugged Ayaana tight as they were teleported away...]

[At Ayaana's world, the Monsters Realm Kingdom.]

[Gwennna stared as Kotomi, Ayaana, and some people she'd never seen in her life before came tumbling out of thin air.]

[So did a rather beautiful Dog Woman who resembled Ayaana a lot.]

....What???

Edited 2023-09-05 06:13 (UTC)

The moment they ended in another world, Ayaana instinctively turned to break Kotomi's fall the moment they neared the ground.

Kotomi rapidly extended her hand to the floor. 'safety', 'deceleration', 'soft' were used as her main enochian runes, followed by the equations for slower gravity and spread of momentum into a safe manner.

Ayaana held her tightly, expecting a hard fall... that never came. He opened his eyes, turned his head back, noticing the circle. Then, he turned his snout to his wife, who was all too happy to lean her body against his chest, holding tightly onto him with a content smile on her face.

He caressed her long hair. That of his wife, who held a future inside of her.

Then came a sudden crashing down of more people that Kotomi had known in her early years! The two of them turned in worry and concern as the fall, and Kotomi stood up to attend them.

"Tachibana-san! Hold still," Kotomi knelt, "I will cast a spell so the inflammation is reduced, and your bruises repair quickly." She turned to Ayaana and the figure.

"Ayaana-kun, we need to find a shelter... to..."

That woman. Kotomi knew her. Kotomi saw her, back at that library.

"Lady Accordion?"

[James slowly blinked as he found himself on the stage.]

........World Tree. Are you serious?.

[And then, he sighed, as a giggle filled up the stage.]

Never mind - Of course you are.

[Musical Start!]

[The stage changed, looking like the inside of a old fashioned lab.]

Most people are born because their parents loved each other, or at least lusted after each other, correct?

Well, in my case, and in my sibs case - It wasn't like that at all.

We were born because Father Dearest had fanboys and fangirls, tons and tons of them -

[Aand that was when there was a pop, and James's twin David popped up on the stage too!]

- And they couldn't stand the fact that Father was in a coma, and that they might lose him for good!

Of course, Father being Father, he eventually did wake up - And then, oh boy, was he mad when he realized that his friends and teammates had created clones of him without his permission!

[James and David looked at each other, then.]

....Wait, this is an Reality Wave, right?

Well, I'm glad to see you again, anyhow, Twin!

[And then, they bumped fists, David leaning down and James standing on his toes.]

[Aand that was when there was another pop, and one of the middle aged Big Bosses popped on the stage, too.]

You know what, you idiot brats? You're quite right - I hated the fact that the poeple I trusted thought I was replaceble, apparently!

[But then, he paused.]

But what's this nonsense about fanboys and fangirls, and how they didn't want to lose me? That's not how it happened, surely?

[James laughed, then.]

That was really how it happened, at least in my world! Oh, come on, AU Dad - Your Solid and Liquid weren't like us, right?

[Middle aged BB made a face at that.]

Oh, they weren't, at all - My world'd versions of you were big, and healthy, and combat-worthy, and just like...me, when I was younger and full of dreams.

[Middle aged BB sighed, then.]

They didn't have the same personalities as me, though. Not at all. And then, I realized that - They weren't going to live as long as me, either. Oh, it wasn't like Para-Medic and her team did that on purpose, I don't thnk, but...

[James and David looked at each other, then.]

[And then, James stopped singing.]

...You know, that almost sounds like that bothered you or something? Us -or your versions of us, anyhow - not having normal human lifespans?

[Middle aged BB groaned at that, and stopped singing as well.]

Yes, that bothered me, you stupid mutts - Why wouldn't it?

Edited 2023-08-22 06:13 (UTC)

[James looked around the audience as the Antique Bakery people started to sparkle - ]

[And then, he started to sparkle, too!]

- Well, all right, then?

[He said with a smile - And then, grabbed hold of the person he'd just fallen on top of, who happened to be Chikage.]

....Oh, hey, James-kun! Are you OK!?

[James slowly blinked at that, and looked around them.]

[And then, he climbed off Chikage's back.]

Sorry for falling on you, Chikage.

Edited 2023-09-15 05:38 (UTC)

[In the meanwhile...]

[The Dog Lady peered at Kotomi, and tilted her head.]

...Yes, I am Accordian, but - If I ever knew a Hyuumon woman like you, I'm quite sure I would have remembered you?

[Aand that was when Ayaana jumped right over Kotomi, and went over to the Dog Lady, panting.]

.......I - I - Mother!?!?!

[Lady Accordian stared at him, and then sniffed him, slowly.]

- Ayaana? No, wait, this makes no sense - My son is still a small pup, small enough to fit on Arabella's head!

[Kotomi sweatdropped at that, trying to visulize a Puppy Ayaana on top of Arabella's head. Well, yep, the image was cute, she did have to admit, but...]

....Why would you put Ayaana-san on Ms Arabella's head, not your own head?

[Accordian stared at Kotomi, then.]

- If I put him on my head, I wouldn't be able to see how cute he was! Plus, Arabella's head-fur is much easier to hold on to then mine, so...

Tachibana had to hold her hand to remind her to keep treating him. Kotomi yelped, and kept the spell up to heal them. It was little different from doing first aid, but with knowledge on how the human body worked coupled with techniques to treat those injuries, it could prevent worse ones from arising.

And yet, her computer mind still processed the face of the woman.

"Lady Accordion," Kotomi mumbled to herself. Realizing the situation at hand, she straightened to Tachibana and the rest of her friends.

"Tachibana-kun... in the months I was absent, I was in another world with my fiancee at the time, Ayaana," she begins, "it was there when we found many figures related to him. Among them, Lady Accordion..."

She turned towards her. In spite of being a Queen, deferential, and humbled by her presence.

"... my mother in law."

Kotomi turned to her, and bowed.

"My name is Kotomi Ichinose... I wish I could have met you," she raised herself, finding her introductions being harder to make as time passed. "I can only presume this may be the action of temporal relativity related to the difference in dimensions, which causes time to cross at different paces, or even in different time points entirely."

While she explained this, she wasn't sure how good would it be to drop the fact she was a Queen, now. While she knew the importance of it in this world, a part of her wanted Lady Accordion to see her for who she was: Not as a figure of nobility, or an usurper; but simply someone who wanted to learn, that married her son.

[Lady Accordian tilted her head as she heard what Kotomi was saying.]

......Hmmmm.....

[The Bakery People, on the other hand, looked confused indeed.]

....Um, Boss? What is Kotomi-chan tryin' to say, anyhow? Do you get it?

[Eiji mumbled. Tachibana sighed and got shook his head - And then, he looked around too, and was a bit relieved to realize that most of the locals clustered around them seemed to look as confused as they were.]

Nope! But on the other hand, I don't think that most of the people here get what she's trying to say, either, soo...

[He whispered - And that was when Lady Accordian smiled!]

So. Am I supposed to been transported to the future, or have you people come back to the past?

Assuming that we're in the same world to begin with, of course.

[Kotomi smiled widely at that.]

You're in the future, Ma'am! And yes, this is the same world you've been born in, as far as I know...

[Accordian nodded at that, and then went up and grabbed Ayaana's face, sniffing him.]

- Boy, you've gotten so big.

[And then, her face wrinkled a bit.]

.......And why do you look so much like my father did when he was young and could get away with anything because he was so handsome, anyhow?

[Ayaana stared at Lady Accordian, and then wrinkled his nose, too.]

- Oh, you really are my Mother, aren't you - I'd forgotten how annoying you could be!

[He said, and briskly pulled her hands off his face.]

[And then, he sighed.]

....Ugh. Do I really look that much like my grandfather used to be?

- I'm afraid so.

[Accordian then pointed at Kotomi, then.]

- And - Um, son of mine, who in the world is this strange Hyuumon woman, and why did she just call me her mother in law, of all things?

[Ayaana stared at her, and then looked up at the skies.]

- Mother? Um, she's my wife, as a matter of fact?

[Accordian looked poleaxed at that.]

...You - Your father got you married to a Hyuumon!?!?

"I-- I swear it is absolutely justified, mom-in-law!" Kotomi suddenly found that word too instinctive to use, "it came after months of thought and necessities born from this world! Even divine intervention! I swear on it!"

Her hands wrapped around Ayaana, large bust pressing onto him.

"I love Ayaana-kun deeply, and we planned marrying long before I even knew of his own bloodline. Even if he had been born poor or of common blood, I would have still chosen to be with him."

Kotomi then frowned, sadly, "we went through so much to be able to spend our lives together. I know you are a good person, and you want the best for Ayaana-kun. So do I. But I still want to be with him, politics or otherwise."

[Lady Accordian stared and stared at Kotomi.]

.......Ummmmmmmm..........

[And then, she turned toward Ayaana, and grabbed his collar.]

Ayaana??? What in the world is going on?

You...You can't just go and marry somebody just because you like them, or like how they look, or...or...

[Ayaana sighed at that.]

Lady Mother. I'm not my Granda, and she is not my Grandma.

We'll be fine, all right?

[And then, he tilted his head.]

And, um...Now that I've gathered more info about how Granda and Grandma actually got married, I'm not sure that marrying anybody else would have been better for either of them, or either of their families for that matter.

They both were the "leftovers" of their generation, right?

[Accordian groaned.]

Well, yes, but she married him for his looks, basically, and he married her for her minor title and minor lands, basically, and...

[Ayaana gave her a hug, then.]

- And they got along with each other, even if they tended not to get along with anybody else. Correct?

[Aand that was when there was a cough, and a tall familiar Dog Man came their way.]

.........And I must admit that I was shocked when my son first brought a Hyuumon woman home, and told us she was his fiancee, but it wasn't like he was my heir - Sorry, Ayaana - And besides, she was so much like you, my dear.

[Accordian started at Ayaana's father, her mouth dropping open.]

...Lord and Husband? Is that you?

[Ayaana's mother came closer, then.]

Yes, my dear - And unlike you, I am not as young as the time you disappeared.

[Accordian sniffed at him, and then, slowly walked toward her husband.]

...You're still handsome, though.

[And then, she flung herself into her husband's arms, and started to cry.]

Kotomi felt as if she had to defend her right for the hand of her husband. It was a union that had long since been consummated, and she carried his children with happiness and pride. At first, she looked with sadness as Lady Accordion still hesitated, arm curled around Ayaana's own.

Then, Ayaana's father came. He narrated the events behind their relationship, and why was she accepted. The fact she, and Lady Accordion, were alike.

She held Ayaana's hand, in a sad happiness for the two of them. Kotomi knew what was it like to lose the love of your life for years. She vowed not to let that happen again with Ayaana.

"All marriages need to work on a level of trust, and love," Kotomi said, "I know marriages... often need to consider family bonds, future economy, alliances, and many more factors. But this is something that, I feel, is fate. Just as you love each other, and use it to work together, me and Ayaana-san do the same."

Kotomi looked up to Ayaana, silently asking if she they should tell them about the recent revelation they gave back in the World Tree. Something that, in many societies, meant her husband was now welded to her. He nodded. The truth would come out, sooner or later.

"And... it is not a contract me and Ayaana-san will be able to break," Kotomi ran a hand over her waist, "the reason is... I am pregnant, with his children. From now on, he is as bound to me, as I am bound to him."

[Lady Accordian sighed at that.]

Do you really come from a place where having children gurantees that the marriage will not fail, and end in divorce?

[Kotomi sighed.]

Well, no, I can't say that that, since many marriages have ended in divorce even with children involved in the land where I came from, but -

[Ayaana came up to her, then, and they held hands.]

....But we're not going to get divorced. We're reallly not, Mother.

We're going to stay together, and bring up our children together, and be a good - Um, have a good life together!

[Lady Accordian sighed, at that - And then, she smiled, and walked over to Kotomi.]

.....Hmmmmmmm? Twins, huh? A girl and a boy, probably...

[She said, sniffing at Kotomi, and then, she sighed again.]

Well, alright. You have my blessing, though I'm not sure how much that's worth since you two already got married and all...

[That was when some of the other people who were watching started to clap!]

......Congradulations, Queen Kotomi, Prince Consort Ayaana!

[Accordian stared at the people around them, and then, slowly stared at her husband, and then back at Ayaana and Kotomi again.]

.........What!?!?

[Aaaand that was when a ball of light came flying on top of them!]

Well, there you are, to be Queen of 4 Segments! We were getting worried that you'd never make it out of that dimension hole. Your name is Accordian, correct?

Kotomi leaned back slightly, upon having her mom-in-law sniff her. Even with her first term barely over, she had believed it was too early to know what was she expecting. But once Lady Accordion blurted out she had fraternal twins, Kotomi took a while to process it. Even as she gave her blessings to her and Ayaana in resignation.

When people clapped, Kotomi pressed her back onto Ayaana's chest, and guided his hands down to the barest curve she would sport with pride.

Koutarou, Mizue, Kotomi ran her fingers over her waist, I promised we would see each other again during that reality wave... and we will.

However, that celeberation was cut short. She turned her head to where everyone else was looking--

It was the orbs. Kotomi gasped. She wished she could bow right now, as the most she was able to do was lower her head, with a slight curve of her back.

"I am Queen Kotomi Ichinose, wife and childbearer of Prince Consort Ayaana. Lady Accordion... is my mother-in-law." She straightened to introduce her, as another question ran through her head.

"You... said she had been in a dimension hole...?"

As much as Kotomi had come to love the multiverse, and be enthralled by every dimension she explored, she feared what would it be like, to be lost in another world, with no way back. As it had happened to some friends of hers for years.

Yuuko's Shop

Reclaimer

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1/2

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Madoka Musical!

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The Dandelion Girl

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James's Musical!

Ayaana and Kotomi (plus friends) return to Ayaana's World

Re: Ayaana and Kotomi (plus friends) return to Ayaana's World

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