songerein | { mirror mirror }

Entry tags:

{ mirror mirror }

MIRROR MIRROR

With the sleepwalking curse over, everyone will have some time to rest and recuperate—until Jack Frost comes barging in with news of a clue on how to help his beloved Ice Queen who still remains asleep. The clue was the mirror shard that was in her chest, and there are theories that it may have been a fragment of a much stronger, powerful mirror she had been given some time ago. Problem is, he can't find it nor can he remember who gave it to her. He does, however, have a magic incantation that will allow people to enter mirrors and hopefully find a trace. Unfortunately, this horrendously backfires and we have mirror chaos instead. Dammit, Jack.

More details on everything can be found here. We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC .

I. REVEREIN

II. MIRROR WORLD

COMMENTS

I. REVEREIN

It all begins in Reverein, where there's a strange shift in the air upon Jack's attempt to cast the spell. But instead of affecting just one mirror, it reflects off the surface and spreads out to the entire town, hitting every reflective surface instead. Ripples can be seen before the surfaces still, but it's too late. Every reflective surface—glass, mirror, window—is under a different effect because of the botched spell.

And some are being unwittingly pulled into them.

Fortunately It is possible to communicate and even watch people from the other side of the mirror, but it's only through certain mirrors and at certain times. It also will be temporary, so while one mirror might work one time, it may not work again.

A. Strange Reflections. While some mirrors may still reflect proper images, many will have…unusual changes.

🪞 You are what you see. Whether it's an odd hairstyle, change in skin color, or style of clothing in the reflection, suddenly the viewer will look exactly like what's reflected. The most extreme is a different form entirely.
🏡 Glimpses of home. Everyone will have a rare glimpse of their home world, and these can be instances from the past, present, or even a limited future. They are just reflections and cannot be interacted with, and future reflections may be blurry to prevent the person from seeing too much. For those who have memory issues, such visions will also be blurry, but perhaps they can help stir some things…
🔮 Most desired. Mirrors that have a bit of a pink hue to them will reflect the viewer's most desired "thing." It could be an object, person, place, or even a general idea. However, if not careful the viewer may become trapped in a trance and will need to be removed or smash the mirror.

B. Clone Wars. Mirrors that do not show any kind of reflection are to be quickly taken away and covered as it will begin to create duplicates in Reverein of what is reflected within it. Yes, even people, and they will be very obviously fake: wrong colors, different voices, odd behavior, etc. and will usually be harmless. These "clones" will continue to appear and multiply until the mirror has been covered, and will need to either be destroyed or captured and shoved into the mirror, where it will lose its "no reflection" status and become a proper mirror again…only for them to appear on the other side in Mirror World.

C. Mirrorsnatched. A mirror with a black rim has the chance of absorbing a significant personality trait or memory of the one looking into it, and when this happens, the person will walk away feeling very muddle-headed and off. The mirror will "keep" this part of the person and someone from the Mirror World side must find their essence and "shove" it back out onto any mirror surface so that the original owner can break the mirror and retrieve it. The downside of this method is that breaking a mirror means one less mirror those on the Mirror side can use, so they need to choose carefully.

D. The Unknown. Appearing in both the Mirror World and Reverein will be a strange mirror masked, black cloaked figure called "The Unknown." It traverses through the mirrors and through the walls, seeking those with happy reflections and will try to corrupt them with nightmares. People on both sides of the mirrors will be able to confront and try to stop the Unknown, though beware its chocolate attacks.

II. MIRROR WORLD

Everything in this "Mirror World" is, in a word, chaotic. Imagine an AI-generated monstrosity based off of Picasso, Escher, and Dr. Seuss, where everything seems to be upside down, backwards, colors everywhere and nowhere, and everything feels so fragmented that one step feels like walking towards the edge of a cliff. In a way it's nightmarish in an unusual sense, and those inside can feel that touch of "madness" that seeps through the cold air.

Beware the strange creatures in the Mirror World. They are grotesque monstrosities, many of them looking as if they were stitched together from different parts. Fortunately they are susceptible to weapons and dreamotion and those inside the Mirror World will find they are able to use different abilities, especially those with reflective properties.

A. Fragment of their old self. In order to get out of the Mirror World, those inside will need to catch a small fragment of themselves that has escaped and is running around. This fragment is actually a piece of their old self prior to arriving in Songerein. For some, this self may not be so different, but for long-time residents, they may seem a lot more different. To make things more interesting, this self can be from any point of the character's past. It just has to be a version of the character from before entering Songerein. This version will also appear "homesick" and "want" to return to their original home, regardless if the character actually feels that way. Thus the fragment will seek out mirrors that will reflect anything of their home world. Shattering these mirrors will weaken the fragment until it can be caught. But that's only half the challenge. If the fragment is injured, the original will also feel the damage but to a lesser degree. If the fragment is destroyed, then the original will be "knocked out" for a few seconds before a new fragment appears. However, this fragment will be much more distorted and worse than the one before.

B. Distorted Memories. At random points while traversing, characters may come across strange pockets of the world that they will feel drawn to. Following said instinct will lead them to a shifted landscape that will reflect images of home from different points in time (past, present, maybe even future) as if they've just walked right into it, but just like everything else, they are distorted. The changes can be as subtle as the wrong color of clothes, having too many limbs, to something major like the sky now being the ground. The only way out will either be destroying the anomalies or correcting them, and they will be rewarded with a mirror shard that will aid in their escape.

C. Warped Sense of Self. The longer a person stays within the Mirror World, the less "coherent" they will feel, and sometimes sound. Their memories will slowly become more disjointed, their personality feeling a bit "off", and they may even forget who they are or where they are from. Even their physical selves will start to twist and change, starting with something subtle (e.g. eye color) and then growing more drastic as time goes on (where did those extra fingers come from? Or why are they suddenly much shorter?) Finding those reflections of home will help with these anomalies, but those weak of heart be warned: the distortions may only exacerbate the issue and make them believe that they are the truth instead. Help anyone who might be caught in fixing these so that they can recover.

D. Finding an exit. To leave the world, those inside must find a mirror that will connect back to Reverein, and those on the other side can also try to help by posing as "anchors" for those inside to recognize. Otherwise, there are many mirrors in the Mirror World that will lead to different places within Songerein—presumably. However, perhaps due to the magic or needing something else, they will be unable to pass through any mirrors that are not connected to Reverein. This is where players have the fun opportunity to make up whatever kind of location or place the characters may see reflected on the mirrors. They could be existing locations in the game, or new ones that could be explored in the future. One unique place we can mention will be reflections of a city covered in night.

Only upon finding a mirror that leads back to Reverein, but they will also need help from the outside. Someone from within Reverein must also be there to physically reach in and pull them out—while hopefully not accidentally be pulled in themselves.

I. REVEREIN

II. MIRROR WORLD

COMMENTS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ LIFE IS UNFAIR. ]

Yes.

[ IMMEDIATELY ANSWERS, but she turns her resigned smile onto yatoriginal after blinking the fleeing, flame faced blond!yato and squeezes back. she feels a quiet ache in her chest. now and then she thinks of everyone in the waking world and it hurts like this. not terribly, but enough to take a moment to yourself and bring their faces to mind.

good, she still remembers them all.

the others are still hiding around the corner, aren't they? they could learn a thing or two from the blonde-- speaking of. ]

Weirder, though.

[ GIVES THE GROUP A RATHER POINTED LOOK!!! they're born from him ok. ]

[BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE.

Yato huffs at being declared Weird (capital W) with such self-assurance and speed. He's not!! ...that much, anyway. Maybe. POUTS.]

Am not.

[Unaware of her inner turmoil, he holds on just a little tighter to her, as though him being odd might be reason enough for her to shake him off. Even with her turning down his other selves, there's still hints of insecurity lingering in his heart. Like maybe accidentally letting all of himself loose will change her opinion of him. Make her realize she's made a mistake.

His abused heart wouldn't be able to take such a rejection, that much he knows. He's too pathetically weak for it.

At her addition, he opens his mouth to protest, then follows her gaze to the group watching them with pointed interest. One of them waves, another sticks their tongue out at Yato himself, a third discreetly gives him the finger, while a fourth shrugs in defeat. Mr. Military sighs, stepping out from behind the rest.]

Can we come out now? Or are we still in trouble?

[ NO IT SHOULDN'T BE

he shouldn't be offended she called him weird because it WAS with affection. look at her smile. whatever he is, she already chose him. so it's fine if he's a little (a lot) weird at times.

as much as she'd love to have another back and forth ("am not" "are too!") like they usually do, she raises her eyebrows when calling him weird results in him holding her tighter. or... ah. he's eccentric and insane but where is she?

in his arms. patting one of his hands and leaning just the subtlest but, JUST A LITTLE, back into him. Mr. military scares her enough she all but leaps from yato like she's just been caught by a teacher schmoozing at school. worse, by her mother.

IT'S JUST THE TONE. ]

... If you behave yourselves, you can come out.

[ to show she means business, she crosses her arms. put that tongue away, mister. ]

I'm still not sure what to do with you all. [ besides. the obvious. put them BACK in the mirror.

but she's already rather fond of blondyato!! ]

[Oh, he's not truly offended, just slightly put out. (Mostly because he knows it's true.) It was just how fast she asserted it as fact... Isn't he a little normal? Sometimes??

...'kay, probably not. He'll get over it. Eventually. Just perhaps not the lingering worry. She may have to put up with him being extra clingy for a while.

And that clinginess only become more pronounced when she comforts him, then blatant as Stern and Serious intrudes on their moment. It earns a sigh from Yato; they need more seating in the house, for starters. And where are they all going to sleep?! The logistics of keeping them all around is already giving him a headache, resulting in him running a hand through his hair.

The other Yatos though seem pleased at being freed from timeout, cautiously approaching the pair as they file past to the living room and kitchen. A couple mutter to their original: "lucky", "jerk", earning them an irate glare. All afford Hiyori some attention, be it a quick brush over her hand, a gentle brush of hair from her face, to a smooch on the cheek by the gold-eyed one as he drapes his flower garland around her neck.]

Thank you.

Talk to you later, Hiyori~!

How about an orgy?

[That bright suggestion is made by a seemingly inconspicuous-looking Yato. He's not wearing anything odd, his hair is the normal color, as is his eyes. In fact, he could - can - be mistaken for the real thing. He lingers back to flash Hiyori with a sultry grin, one arm planted firmly on the wall beside her head.

For his part, original(?) Yato tries to wedge himself between the two without much luck. The jerk stands firm, so that if he wanted to squeeze in there he'd have to shove Hiyori.]

Don't even start--!! Not happening! We haven't even gotten to second base yet!

[ extra clingy yato, check. hiyori has likely figured out this is just what comes with yato being in a relationship. there were the signs.

the most she can do now is laugh nervously at all the jealousy being thrown around. she gets the feeling that if she ever found a boyfriend, like yato was so concerned about her doing for the longest time, it would be like this. yato muttering things in the background as he hovered around.

and looking for any excuse to touch her. she allows the little gestures. until the smooch on her cheek makes her go red and press her palm to her face with a sputter.

eh? eh?? what is she being thanked for?! what is

WHAT IS AN ORGY?! HELLO?? before hiyori can land an uppercut on that sultry yato, yato saves his clone by interrupting. for that matter, what is second base? ]

That's it! I know both of you are being perverts somehow and you're in prime positions for headlock. Or this new move I've been thinking about and wanting to try where I get both your arms behind your head...

[ WHERE IS BLOND!YATO

wherever he is, she's ducking away from both and running to find him. ]

[One can hardly blame him for being a smidge more possessive than normal when there's half a dozen rivals all sharing his face roaming around, trying to get in on the lovebird action. Having to protect his girlfriend from himself is an ordeal he didn't ever think would happen, and it's more taxing than one would expect.

Not that he can deny that they reflect honest aspects of himself. There's a bit of him in each one, making it all the more disconcerting. Like watching himself kiss his girl. He draws the line there as Mr. Smooch gets swatted at. Not a full-fledged punch, but enough of a smack that it makes things clear.

Clearer than the whole orgy deal, at least. Thank the Heavens she doesn't know the meaning of the word...! Even if she gets the general gist behind it. Both turn towards her at the threat, looking thoroughly chastised.]

Hiyori, I didn't mean--

Is that a no?

[Okay. This time he gets a fist over the head. Because OG!Yato seems more put out as Hiyori retreats from them, reaching out to grab her arm too late.

Thankfully the blond Yato is sanely making lunch in the kitchen, and he pauses in the midst of stirring soup to eye her worriedly.]

...you okay, Hiyori?

[ to be fair, hiyori didn't think she'd come home to half a dozen yato either. maybe somewhere, deep deep down, she's ecstatic about being surrounded by yato. very, very deep down. mostly it's PRECISELY the circus you would expect. with the exception of: blond (and military)

whom hiyori rushes over to the sane side of and grips his shirt while looking at the entry to the kitchen warily. things will return to normal when this is over, no doubt, but why was everything else easier to take in stride?

like the candy land, or her slug friend, or the catfish-- ]

They're being perverts, I'm pretty sure. [ BUT THIS ONE WON'T.

(hiyori consistently forgets it was yukine who tried to grope her once upon a time) ]

... Are all of you aspects of Yato's personality?

[Hell, even Yato himself wouldn't blame her for not being thrilled at this development. He's already begun to tire of their shenanigans, and it's himself! How does somebody get sick of themself?!

By being a right old pain in the ass, he supposes. Which he finally realizes they collectively are being. Hence why despite the urge to be by Hiyori's side and to keep the others away from her, the original Yato allows her the space she needs, instead rounding up the rest for a talking to. Number one: no orgies.

Thankfully that's the furthest thing from the blond's mind; Yukine-like he may be, he also seems to be the more sensible side of Yato. So when Hiyori confesses the others are being gross, he frowns and simply pours out a bowl of soup, handing it to her.]

Nothing new there, unfortunately. He-- we? Tend to have that streak in us.

[At her question, he considers it for a moment, then nods hesitantly.]

I think so. We're all him, but with one part more to the forefront. The one who was creeping on you was likely his perverted side. Best to stay away from him.

[ question is: would hiyori get sick of hiyori? they could find out! there's still a mirror out there in the wild, in their bathroom, but it had been too preoccupied with creating yatoes thus far...

~~no orgies in songerein. psls on the other hand.~~

she takes the bowl with a smile, thanks, and fishes in a drawer for a spoon. after that, she doesn't go to a table to eat but hovers at blond yato's side while they talk.

nothing new, yeah. she's well aware he could be a pervert at times, but she's used to dealing with ONE pervert. not multiple. ]

Which side are you? And which side is the one in the uniform...? [ she asks before sipping at some soup.

yum. ]

Mm! This is great! Maybe you're his domestic [ malewife ] side!

[Hiyori is probably too sensible to put herself off. ...although maybe she would get tired of being so buttoned up! It would be a fascinating experiment to try out, that's for sure. Although, boy, would the house be crowded then! They'd likely have to relocate to a park or something.

~~Unlocked sub-event: Yato Porn Party!~~

Once he's dished them both up something to eat, this Yato turns off the stove and takes up his own bowl, not bothering with a spoon. It just seems more efficient this way.

He does, however, keep his eyes locked on Hiyori, eagerly watching for her approval. And when he gets it, there's a childish beam of happiness from him. S-Success! Although her questions leave him blinking owlishly. What side is he...?]

Me? Truthfully, I dunno... You might be right about being his domestic side. I know he doesn't usually cook much, the lazy bum.

[If there's one thing all the Yatos seem to have in common, it's a slight dislike for their other selves. What does that say about the original?]

... can I ask you a question, Hiyori?

[ their treehouse is built for 3, maybe 4 people. they're alrEADY pushing it

~~LMAOSLKJD STOP.~~

having that childish beam of success on a yato face? super effective on hiyori, too. she can feel her heart skip a beat before she inwardly scolds herself. it's yato, but it's not yato!!

luckily, calling ogyato lazy bum makes hiyori giggle. he is, it's true. it's just funny that yato is calling yato a lazy bum, this time. hiyori doesn't think too deep about the meaning of it. there are some things about herself she dislikes, too. isn't that normal? hm. ]

A question? Oh, yeah, sure! Ask away.

[Maybe there's another, unoccupied one they can borrow temporarily...

~~LOLOLOL~~

Despite his earlier claims to the contrary, this Yato seems just as easily affected by Hiyori's happiness as all the others: a faint pink color tinges his cheeks at her laughter. Yet all he does is shyly shuffle in place, smiling to himself. A happy Hiyori always makes for a happy Yato, no matter which side of him it is.

When it comes time to ask his question, though, he hesitates. Sets down his bowl on the counter so he can face her with hands balled into nervous fists.]

Which side of Yato do you like best?

[ their little family is growing kya with more on the way kyaaa

the moment he sets his bowl down, hiyori carefully sets her down too and put the full breadth of her focus on the question. she's anticipating something more serious, that'll require a lot of thought and consideration. it might not have a right answer, it might not have a wrong answer.

she's a little blind-sided by what the question is before the answer slips out of her without thought, ]

All of them. [ right after, she flushes and waves a hand while attempting to explain herself. ]

I-I mean, they're all a part of Yato, aren't they? Without one side, he wouldn't be Yato. So... so... [ brain: lkdgjslkjdg ]

S-so I love... all of them.

[They should have a party to celebrate the arrival of them all...!

Looks like little domestique has a serious side, too. Perhaps unexpectedly so. Although maybe he's put too much gravity into what turns out to be a fairly innocent question. But it's important to him, so! He's giving it his all, like Yato always does when it comes to things that matter most to him.

He just... doesn't expect her to answer so blithely. His brows shoot up, expression a little bit hurt. Even though it means him too, he was hoping for something a little more substantial. Thankfully, Hiyori is quick to clarify, getting him to relax a little.]

Oh. [Still, he can't help sounding a bit disappointed. All Yatos want to be Hiyori's favorite, it seems... So... it doesn't matter which of them is here?

[Why does that sound a little ominous...]

Th-that's not true!!

[ in her vehemence, she almost knocks over her soup. come on, blond! you're the one that's supposed to have some sense, right?! that isn't what that means.

it wouldn't be fair to make her choose, either. even if she knows who she would -- who she already HAS.

yato. the one with all of the sides.

he might not expect it, but hiyori steps forward and wraps her arms around him in a hug. before he can say something CONCERNING. ]

I-it does. It has to be my Yato. [ "my" GODS... embarrassing. she feels so AWKWARD but forges on. ] Because he has all sides, a piece of all of you. And, when it comes to Yato, I'm a little... selfish.

[ if she weren't, she probably wouldn't have confessed in the first place. because everyone told her it was better and kinder to cut ties. ]

[The passion with which Hiyori insists on that point stuns the clone into silence, as does the way she quickly closes the distance between them in order to embrace him after such a foolish question. She always knows just what he - they - need at any given moment, be it smack upside the head or a heartfelt hug.

His shoulders sag as guilt overwhelms him for having such selfish thoughts. Of him being the one remaining Yato. Of shoving his original into the mirror so he can have Hiyori and Yato's life all to himself. He may be sensible, but he does have desires of his own. Same as the rest of them. They are all Yato, after all.

Hesitantly, he returns the gesture by holding onto her, fingers twisting into her shirt. Of course she would choose the original. He is hers. One and only.]

Are you sure...? Don't you want a him that's less of an idiot, who thinks things through and doesn't make you uncomfortable?

[There's a pleading note to his voice, even after she's insisted that the complete Yato is the one for her.]

I... I could be your Yato. A better version of him that'll take care of you and won't spring stupid, scary gifts on you suddenly!

[ them all being yato, in their ways, makes booting them back to the mirror all the more difficult for hiyori. it has to be done, eventually. they can't stay forever and they can't take the place of yato, no matter how similar they could be. or how much "better" they think they are.

no matter how much more sensible one of them is.

against his shoulder, she shakes her head and then leans back to take his cheeks in her palms. ]

But it wouldn't be him if he was less of an idiot, you know? [ and this side is in there, too. ]

I'm sorry. As much as I like you, there is no better version. He's Yato. I've thought a lot about this already, long before now. I thought about it when I spoke about love with Anon-san. I thought about it when Nico-san told me it would be better and more kind to cut ties. I thought about it after talking to Ryu-san, too. But I've made my decision, and I will stick with it no matter what happens. If there are problems, Yato and I will work through them together. If that's him making me uncomfortable or if I make him upset. We take care of each other.

Besides, I do like Rainy. She's a part of the household. Yato was being thoughtful in his weird, over-the-top way.

[It's the same reason Yato couldn't quite bring himself to wrestle the lot of them back to where they came from immediately after he realized what was going on. And, when push comes to shove (literally), it's likely why even his doppelgangers would be hard-pressed to actually usurp their original.

Not that it doesn't mean they can't contemplate the notion. Because in the moment, with Hiyori's warmth surrounding him, it makes the blond seriously consider such a devious act.

Selfish, that's what Yato is. All of him.

Sighing sadly, he can't resist nuzzling against her hands, not unlike a cat.]

Yeah... I guess so. You fell for him, stupidity and all. [Sighing, he reaches up to cover her hands with his own, half tempted to pry them off yet at the same time not wanting the contact to end. After listening to her reasoning, he's almost able to smile sadly but can't quite manage it, instead it comes off like a wince.]

You really have considered it a lot, then, huh... Then... I won't push you to choose me. Even if I'd like to stay with you, too. Because I do like you, Hiyori. A lot. More than I let on. I want to take care of you, to see you happy. Not getting overwhelmed by my original self's stupid antics to the point where you need to go hide in your room.

But I suppose there is some merit to his dumbass whole self. He did manage to win you over on his own. Just... promise me you won't sacrifice your own happiness for his. Be firm when you need to be. Even if it means making him take back ridiculous gifts.

[At that last part he does smile, if halfheartedly.]

[ yeah, he took them out for A WALK. it makes sense. when she first met yato, it seemed like he loved himself more than anything else.

his nuzzling makes her warm in the face. his sad sigh breaks her heart, just a bit more. isn't there a hiyori? in the mirror for him? for all of them? the more she think she's sending them back to nothing, the more sad she gets.

it's yato. blond but yato. she would have to be heartless not to be moved by his words. so much that she tears up a little when he's said his piece. (how does he know she hides in her room sometimeslkjsdgs LESS SO NOW!!)

it sounds like yukine, too. that doesn't make it any easier. that last part especially. ]

I-I promise. [ ah, she can't take it anymore. to hide hear emotional state, she uses her hold on his face to pull him in.

to kiss his cheek like she wanted to. IT'S NOT CHEATING. ] Thank you for worrying about me. It's a relief you're within Yato. Not as prominent as now, but when it matters... I know you'll show up.

[And boy was that a fiasco... He probably should've forced them back into the mirror after that, but no, Yato is too damn softhearted, even towards himself.

In turn, they're all soft for Hiyori, even if they can never be her special one. How could they not be, when she treats them all with such kindness and care? Despite their overzealous enthusiasm earlier. The blond Yato may not have been part of the ritualistic to-do, but he has his own flaws, as she's learning. Selfishness, jealousy... None of them are perfect. Especially not their original. It's silly to think any one of them could replace him. It'd just make Hiyori miserable.

And that's the last thing he, or any of them, wants.

So that when she starts crying a little, his eyes go wide with concern and he flails about a bit, fishing out a tissue from a pocket and holding it up.]

P-Please don't cry, Hiyori...!

[Although it becomes an afterthought as her lips press against his pink (now red) cheek. A stunned silence follows as he tries to process what just happened. H-Hiyori kiss... Ah... ♥ Still flustered, he nods dumbly, one hand coming up to cover the warm spot where she kissed him.]

Y..You're welcome. And... thank you, Hiyori. I'll do my best to make sure he treats you right. [It's the least he can do for her sake.]

[ I mean... blond yato has the best bet of making her NOT miserable...

it just wouldn't be the same as having all of yato's facets. every single thing that makes yato who he is. maybe he'll even get the memory of what she said to this yato about how much she thought about the right choice. how, in the end, she chose him over doing what might've been the right choice. or what everyone tried to tell her was the right choice.

she laughs and takes the tissue, dabbing at her eyes. ]

S-sorry! Hearing how much you care just made me a little emotional. I'm okay.

[ she's spent enough time hiding away... but she wants to finish her soup first because it's delicious. ]

Do you remember being in the mirror? Is there another world in there?

[That's why he thought he might have half a chance at convincing her to let him stay. But even he isn't as good as the original, it seems.

That's the problem with being a simple double from a mirror, apparently. Never quite able to match up to the person they were created from. It's a depressing state of affairs in reality. Yet he's happy enough knowing that no matter what, Hiyori will have someone dedicated to her. However this turns out.

Hesitating a moment, he in turn pats her head, trying to be reassuring.]

As long as that's all it is. I don't mean to make you cry...

[The question comes as something of a surprise, although it shouldn't. Hiyori is so thoughtful and empathetic. He nods, taking up his own soup again.]

It's a distorted world, with everything topsy-turvy and fragmented. Compared to in there, this world feels... stabler. And oddly whole. Simple, in a way, yet more peaceful. I think that's why we were eager to get out.

[ it's not a matter of being as good. choosing one side of him isn't fair. it's not right. it's a little controlling and a little cruel to choose like that. it would've confirmed all of yato's fears if she did, but she could never replace yato with someone else. not even himself.

after giving each of them a head pat, she giggles again (a bit wetly) when he's giving a head pat in return. ]

I know. You never do. [ it's reassuring.

then she listens to his world. it doesn't sound pleasant. ]

... Yeah, but... if there are multiple of you, aren't there multiple of me in there... waiting for you to come back?

[It's a stance that makes perfect sense, and yet perhaps that's why he (and the other mirror Yatos) are so opposed to it: nothing else was very logical in their world. It makes trying to adjust to this "real world" all the more difficult.

But this one is trying. He's doing his best. The others may be fixated on Hiyori this, and Hiyori that, but he's trying to maintain a sense of balance.

As for his world... He shakes his head, slowly. Sadly.]

...no. We weren't just waiting to come out from the mirror or anything. As far as I know, we were created when Yato left the mirror exposed to himself. So there's no Hiyori there because you haven't been subjected to the mirror. That's what they were trying to do earlier - put you in front of it so there'd be Hiyoris like us.

[ ... this is a bad idea but--

but if they can go back to their fragmented world just a little happier... not as lonely...

she bites her lip and grabs his hand. ]

Come on. [ first, she peeks out of the kitchen doorway to see what the other yato are up to. once the coast is clear and they're not paying attention, she sneaks them both to the bathroom and locks it behind her while sighing in relief that they didn't get caught. one at a time. ]

If it's me, I can probably be convinced to go back to help you. Any mirror version of me will be happy, as long as I'm at your side. But... let's test it, first.

[ taking a deep breath, she walks to the mirror and uncovers it slowly so she can see her -- no reflection. at all. what in the--

no reflection turns into a face appearing out of the mirror, hiyori's cloned face, and dressed in

wrestling gear.

she's immediately put into a headlock by her clone. ]

GAH!!

YEAHKDJHGKJS but also it's fun uwu

LMAO yeah, that it is |'D

hiyo now wants ogyato and blondyato on either of her arms pls ty

omg that would make the others so jealous;;

MILITARY YATO IS COOL TOO

BECAUSE HE'S ACTUALLY SOMEWHAT SANE LMAO

THAT AND MILITARY :9 UNIFORM

OH HO~ LIKE THAT IS IT >3

M-MAYBE!!

GUESS THEY'LL HAVE TO PLAY DRESS UP AT SOME POINT

lawd have mercy

NO MERCY, ONLY FETISH FUN

ON THAT NOTE ARE YOU ON TFLN AGAIN LMFAO

LMAO I'M SORRY I'VE JUST BEEN ITCHING TO PLAY ALL DAY

KDLJGLKDGJD GRABS UR FACE!!! THE WEEKLY TFLN YATORI

WHO CAN RESIST!!

NOT ME..........

HEHEHE.....

my weakness

shovels more of it on~

yes good more

uses a backhoe to shovel it on in there

mORE

BRINGS IN THE UHAUL FULL OF IT

IT'S NOT ENOUGh