yumemigaoka | THOU ART MAIDENLESS, AND THUS THOU ART ALONE

[Mari was ready to ignore the smell of chocolate lingering through the hallways, writing it off to be a part of a ritual she had zero interest in - but when she gets to the break room, it seems that ignoring it is plain impossible.

After a good look around at the whole - frankly, rather resourceful - setup, she's ready to say something. But then Ango cuts in, and it takes her enough by surprise to shut her up again.

Regaining herself, and with a glance at the empty packets of laxatives, she starts to piece things together a little. How wicked of him.]

Really, now? What kind of a special someone?

There's this guy who has a huuuuge crush on me...

[That's gotta be why he keeps running into Hubert, right? The guy is obsessed! The DU research team said that due to the activity of a newly identified Nightmare, it seemed that Dreamers with secrets to hide were being drawn together in the Dream Sphere... and it wouldn't be the first time that weird shit happening in the Dream Sphere has spilled over into the real world.]

But he's toootally not my type. Way too stuffy. So I've gotta get him off my back, at least until somebody deals with that Nightmare and all this unrequited love stuff settles down.

...Hey, you just started working here, right? I'm Ango. You can help yourself to any of the other chocolates - once I start cooking, it's hard to stop.

[It's even more wicked than she thought. Resisting the urge to smile, she maintains a slightly concerned - but, ultimately pleasant - expression.]

Oh, my. What a messy situation. You'll let him down gently, won't you?

[She says it with a feigned innocence, but knows all too well that is the literal opposite of what he's doing. As Ango continues to speak, she shuffles over to clear some space on the counter to make way for the kettle.]

Since you've worked so hard, I'll make you some tea in exchange. [Filling it up with water, she puts it on in a frankly precarious position where it's just about balancing on the counter. It's fine, health and safety isn't her department.] Oh - look at me, I got so carried away I forgot to introduce myself. My name's Mari. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[She half hopes he might recognise her as the Dreamer she was in her youth....but that was over ten years ago now, and she faded into obscurity when she went off the grid. It's fine. Her ego can take it. Probably.]

I'll let him down gently off a nice, high cliff, preferably one with jagged rocks and broken glass at the bottom.

[Ango's not much of a tea drinker - his breakfast beverage of choice is coffee and a fistful of ibuprofen - but he's not about to refuse a treat from the DU's new office hottie.]

Mari-chan, huh~? I just started here a couple of months ago myself.

[...Actually, hasn't it already been almost a year? Either way, Ango doesn't recognize her... it's not like he was thinking about Dreamers at all a decade ago.]

Really now?

[She’s read his file, she knows exactly how long he’s been here for. Still, she decides to indulge him.]

And how have you found it so far? [Shuffling around, she pops some tea into a pot and prepares two cups for them - she doesn’t expect her tea set will last long kept in the staff room, but at least that’s an excuse to buy a new one.] I’ve heard you’ve made quite the impression.

Honestly, this is the longest I've ever managed to hold a steady job. When you cause enough trouble, the DU has to keep you around because you're less likely to cause a reality-warping disturbance in the fabric of the universe when they can keep an eye on you.

[Ango laughs and starts putting together a little cellophane bag of chocolates for Mari to take back to her desk.]

So is that why you're here?

[At that she simply smiles, crisp and genuine.]

Sounds like you've got it all figured out.

[It definitely suits her that he's so willing to be upfront about it, not to mention interesting that anyone could be, rather than consumed by embarrassment and shame about causing such a thing.]

Are you asking me if this is really a chance encounter, or if your exploits were enough to drag me out of retirement?

[Conjuring his own imaginary waifu and causing a near-catastropic break in the Dream Sphere doesn't even crack the top ten most embarrassing things Ango has done in his life. Self-destructive depression-fueled binges are kind of his thing.]

Ooh, are you some kind of stalker?

[He sounds a little too pleased by that idea. Mentally unstable women are also kind of his thing.]

You don't look anywhere near old enough for retirement, though... wait, you mean you're a retired Dreamer, right?

[Where Ango sounds a little too pleased, Mari simply gives no comment. Just a smile.

His second question, she actually gives a response to.]

That's right. I used to be known as Dreamer Echidna.

[Having given up on that triggering any kind of recollection in Ango's mind, she says it in a rather flat tone - not wistful, not proud, just a statement of facts as it is.]

Though it's been many years since anyone called me that. Now I just watch over you all as Mari-chan.

[She lets out a small laugh.]

I'll still be taking your comment as a compliment, however.

Echidna, huh? Isn't that like, some kind of platypus hedgehog thing?

[Now he really wonders what her Dreamer form was like...]

Haha, I feel like I probably oughta recognize you, but to be honest, I wasn't paying much attention to Dreamer stuff until I became one. It ain't a bad gig so far, though.

[It would probably be rude to ask why she quit being a Dreamer... but Ango can't help being curious. Do magical girls suffer from burnout the same way 9-5 office workers do?]

[She smiles with some amusement.]

Haven’t you heard of the Echidna of Greek myth, the demonic she-viper that birthed many of history’s greatest monsters?

[She stops herself with a giggle. Look at her, getting carried away. She turns her attention back to the tea she was in the middle of making.]

Well, I suppose I can’t blame you for not paying attention. [It dulls the pain somewhat…] Though, now I am curious what could’ve been so interesting to draw your attention away from Dreamers.

[Because, to her, she can’t think of anything more interesting than that.]

Hey, I went to a second-rate Buddhist college. You're lucky I know what a platypus is.

[An ancient Greek monster mommy is definitely a weird inspiration for a Dreamer, though... aren't they supposed to be fighting the monsters? Unless Mari-chan could command Torments to do her bidding... it's not that much of a stretch. Ango would probably do whatever she asked, too.

Before he woke up from the worst dream of his life with a Sandglass in his hand, Ango thought about Dreamers the same way he thought about idols - they were a cutesy marketing gimmick designed to cover up blatant child labor law violations. But beyond that, he really didn't give them much thought at all.]

Honestly... a whole lot of stupid crap, most of which I brought upon myself. I used to be a writer, and I dabbled in the movie business for a while. Being a Dreamer is a bit like the entertainment industry, I guess... they're both a lot less glamorous behind the scenes.

A writer, hmm?

[Her interest is piqued as she pours out the tea for them both. Setting down Ango's cup wherever she can find free space on the counter beside him, she hovers beside him.]

That sounds like quite the exciting life. Why give it up?

THOU ART MAIDENLESS, AND THUS THOU ART ALONE

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject