[PT-??] Snow Globe

[Watcher 0]

you don't remember the journey that led you to this point.  you're alone in the midst of an ocean as boundless as the night sky it reflects. the spread of stars across the cosmos's black canvas is senseless, as though it were a product of a child throwing glitter all over an art project, the task of constructing patterns all left to the beholder, rather than cardinal's careful placements reflected all across aincrad's night skies that you know so well from the nights you spent without a roof over your head? your        's writings? and the reflections are so perfect, the divide between heaven and earth so indiscernible from where you are, that were it not for the gravity pulling at your feet, you would have thought you were floating.  yet you have no questions. your mind is silent, and you're strangely at peace with this -- this universe that contains only you -- until you feel more than you see and hear something reaching out from beyond the fabric of your dream.  "i'm sorry... for letting you slip between my fingers back then." and then you're on a bridge -- the sights bleeding into one another for a brief moment before the previous scene fades. the world around you is still in the process of unfolding like cardboard set pieces from a children's storybook and you follow it with your eyes, red wooden slats, the warm glow of the imperial palace at the other end, cherry blossom trees shedding pink leaves from an invisible wind, and a night sky with constellations you feel are ones you know well. "this is the palace of three stars -- your proper destination." a stranger in formal dress is seated upon the peak of the balustrade, fingers covered in black satin gloves lightly curled around the railing, and their head tilted to gaze down at your direction. they are a player, or at least that is what the cursor tells you, but the way their regal disinterested countenance slots so perfectly into the setting almost has you convinced otherwise. "enter," they prompt, in a tone that can only suggest boredom, yet their sharp golden eyes remain on you for as long as you are within their sights. "players aren't allowed here very often, so enjoy what this place has to offer while you can. that's the greatest gratitude you can offer to me." "though before you proceed, i just have two small requests." wooden sandals click against the surface of the bridge as they lower themself onto the ground. they toss you one last glance before they walk toward the palace, taking a turn into the grove of cherry blossom trees instead of entering; they vanish, just as abruptly as they had appeared before you. they had only given you the first: do not speak to anyone of my presence. ::: ::: :::

| Mishiro
Spoiler level seventeen. orion's blessing shift | ST Specialist: +3 multipliers and +2 EN cost: ST-I, ST-II, ST-B. add-ons | Precision: +2 ACC. | Focus: Decreases minor critical and DoT threshold by 1. Mishiro | HP: 340/340 | EN: 52/52 | DMG: 16 | MIT: 24 | ACC: 5 | BLD: 24 | REC: 2 equipped Veyl 2HSS T2E2  |  BLEED II Ebonguard LA T2E3  |  MITIGATION II, RECOVERY I Eye of Horus Enamel Pin  TRINKET T1E3 | ACCURACY III battle-ready inventory -- skills Spoiler ● 2H Straight Sword V     -> Stamina     -> Ferocity EXTRA 01. First Aid V MASTERY Damage III buffs Spoiler		Spoiler -

[Mishiro 0]

The girl remained where the stranger had left her.

She tilted her head forward, lowering her gaze to where she held up her hand, the back of her right’s wrist against the phalanges of her left, and she curled her fingers inward as she would have if she'd caught that phantom in her grasp.

Mishiro still could not feel even the faintest whisper of a breeze.

A small step forward, closer to the small lamp fixed to the end of the balustrade, and she glanced over her shoulder. Everywhere the palace did not claim as its grounds was covered by a dark forest that stretched on for miles. 

She walked up the bridge, with only the sound of her footfalls reaching her ears. And the infinite stagnant loop continued to play -- until she reached the last step.

[♬]

withinablinkyouadvancepastit,awarmtoastyatmosphereinsidetogreetwakinganddreamingvisitorsalike.Within,staffofvariousracesbustleabout,haulingclothanddonning--

Ambience. Light exploding into her eyes, like fireworks in a night sky.

Warmth.

It was too much.

She wasn't in complete control of her actions -- she was reaching up to press her palms to her eyes, she was veering away from the stone path and straight into another player, and then she felt herself stumble and she was trying to catch herself with a surprised gasp when she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders. Steadying her. They didn't feel... unfamiliar. Mishiro placed a hand over one of theirs and tilted her head up, wide gray eyes meeting blue.

"...Pinball?"