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“Sometimes, it feels like I don’t really have any options either.”
CHAIN-LINK EVENT
WARNING: this Event is part of an Event Chain! You've lost all control over your own actions and must now sit back while
someone else takes the wheel. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, and hope that you did things right before taking the plunge!
Before the Event begins, AUTO-PILOT informs the listener that they are unable to decide on a song for tonight's monologue, citing the collapsing state of "Terminal 23". After receiving an answer they relay a message from someone unseen.
They first remind the listener that grief manifest in different ways, something they should've realized after the last couple of days. AUTO-PILOT insists this is true and further insists that, should the listener disappear tomorrow, they too would be grieved over – Though, such grief probably wouldn't manifest in the exact same way it did tonight. Most likely, the grief would leave one hunched over a desk, wondering how and if they could help.
The answer to both these questions lie with the listener, for even if no one else alive can understand the pain, they can tend the wounds; The listener just has to let them.
The first slide in tonight's monologue is that of Sara Sakakibara, drinking down glasses of wine while attempting to convince herself that Sensei won't abandon her like her husband had. She feels that such hope is uncharacteristic of herself, having thought optimism like that was knocked out of her like the piece of a tooth her father removed when she was younger. She sits at the bar, drinking and thinking and hoping that Sensei at least sees the fireworks tonight.
The second slide is that of Kaori and Nao-chan, a strange pair with an even stranger place in the story so far. Nonetheless, they carve out a place and a new beginning as their newfound relationship takes shape in the strangest of ways. Despite the bizarre circumstances, Kaori takes a step further, feeling closer to her ideal of motherhood and securing a relationship that won't slip into nonexistence. She gives her surrogate daughter a frog as the girl's first Christmas present, with the narrator noting that the pet would not receive a name due to Nao-chan not realizing it needed one. A note from the desk of the ninth god corrects the narration, declaring that while the clocks will not "strike midnight" anymore, there will be no new beginnings for the battered protagonist.
The third slide opens up with Yasu, seemingly speaking to herself as Noriko and Kirin watch from on high. The two girls call out to her, worried by what seems to be another case of Yasu's religious ramblings. Unfortunately, this upsets Yasu, claiming to be speaking to a being known as the Emissary of Pegasus. As she tries to go back to speaking with it, she finds that it's disappeared.
The fourth slide is that of Yumi and Yuki, meeting up at the Dive Bar while Osako and Wakana meet up with Rika. The narrator notes the weakness in Yumi's mind. A life of neglectful care by the Yakuza, and the influence of shounen and action movies, have all but cemented violence in her mind. But the influx of these influences does not dampen the surprise at the sound of bones cracking, nor does it wipe the blood from anger's indulgence. Still, here she is, meeting up with the one person who never wanted her. She knows she looks weak right now, but has long accepted that 'weakness' is not all that defines a person.
The narration is interrupted by someone, who speaks directly to Sensei and declares they are coming for him. Disregarding the earlier note an disengaging AUTO-PILOT, they incur the wrath of Pareidolia by pleading with him to ignore the voices in his mind. They reveal to him that God is real and longs to use him for their bidding. They cheer him on, telling him to recognize the manipulation if he ever wants to be free.
The fifth slide begins following another brief interruption, showing Molly and Maya preparing a new character sheet. While Molly had initially offered to give the party a quest to revive Maya's fallen player character, she rejected the idea and chose instead to make a new one. The two girls work throughout the night on this character, finishing once the sun is up.
The sixth slide showcases the Arakawa household and the way Ami is spending the night with Sensei.
The night ends, with no Christmas miracles to be found.
Ayane Affection)
