victory_road | Event: The Reveal Glass

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Event: The Reveal Glass

Across the Pokémon world, characters may have spotted a falling star last night. Or at least, one would think that's what it was: a naturally occurring phenomenon, rather than a legendary artifact. Specifically, the Reveal Glass fell to earth during a fight among a group of legendaries started by the return of a long-lost family member. But it's probably best to leave them to handle all that themselves, while your characters deal with other consequences.

The Reveal Glass shattered upon impact, and the shards scattered throughout Kanto, Johto, and the Sevii Islands… And made their way into the hearts of your characters. But bleeding isn't the concern here. Instead, the impact will hit when a character first looks into any reflective service. An eerie feeling hits them as they're transported to the Mirror Dimension.

While this realm can be many different things for different characters, one thing is always true: It is a place of honesty, where true selves are revealed. Those struck by a shard will find themselves facing truths they are no longer able to hide, and now must accept. Fortunately enough, even those who haven't been struck will be able to enter the Mirror Dimension during this event via a reflective surface to offer help. By the end of the 29th, things will return to normal. Characters will be back in the usual Pokémon world and their hearts will be rid of the shards, but time is strange in the Mirror Dimension, and the experience may feel like it goes on far longer than a day. Or, maybe that's just the emotional exhaustion.

The Reveal Glass plot is here. You can swing by the event info post for additional details and FAQ, and play out your characters’ enforced therapy on this post. As with most VR events, this plot is entirely optional and your characters don't need to take part at all.

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[Ryan doesn't seem to see him until he's leaning in and speaking, and he jumps a little - startled out of whatever headspace he was stuck in.]

Min-Gi?

[He lowers his guitar. Despite being here and being the star of every show in the lobby, he's dressed down - jeans with holes in the knees, an oversized shirt, and under it is the original Chicken Choice Judy shirt - except even with everything that's happened since then, all the growth and all of the laundry fuck-ups, it still fits correctly.

This is the part where Ryan would normally smile and act like nothing's wrong with this inner world, maybe even joke about how of course it's a stage. Of course there's a bar. Of course no one's here. But...he doesn't. His mouth even twitches at the corner like he wants to, but it won't come out. When it becomes clear that the only grin he has is the one on his literal mask, all that's left is the truth - something between embarrassment and regret. It's hard to look Min-Gi in the eye.]

...Sorry. I didn't ditch on purpose.

[Which is true - there was the smallest twinge in his chest and then the next time he looked in a mirror he was pulled through against his will. But even if it wasn't intentional, he still worried Min, and that's the last thing he wanted.]

I know.

[That hadn't been what he wanted Ryan to take away from this. His smile drops, and after a short pause he shifts so he can sit beside him instead. He doesn't touch him yet, sitting with his knees drawn up and looking quietly over at him.

Min gives him a minute to just wallow in the silence left by the absence of his guitar, but they can't sit here forever, and historically neither of them have been that great when it comes to talking about their problems. Sometimes they both need a little prompting.]

You want to talk about what's going on?

[His tone is gentle. There's clearly something wrong, but he's not going to push him without giving him a chance to talk first.]

[Ryan sets the guitar aside entirely so he can pull his knees up to his chest. It's an awkward, quiet moment between them, but they've gradually gotten better at those over the years - or at least, Ryan thought he had. He's supposed to be better at all of this by now!

The first couple of times he tries, nothing comes out. His mouth can't make the words he wants to say happen, and it's so frustrating. This is Min-Gi! He can't just sit here and not say anything!

He reaches up to his mask as if he might pull it back down, but he hesitates. His hand trembles as he finally pulls away from it, for almost the same reason. This is Min-Gi. He should be able to talk to him. ...He should be able to really talk to him.

Eventually he settles for hugging his knees and he lets out a deep breath before finally answering.]

...It's stupid. It's like, so stupid. It's not worth all this--

[Accompanied by a vague gesture around them to this stupid mind theater they're stuck in, or whatever dumb thing is happening this time. Ryan doesn't even know for sure - thinking about it is exhausting.]

[When he reaches for the mask it looks for a moment that Min might grab his wrist. His hand starts to lift, but drops soon enough that it's Ryan who makes the choice not to pull it down.

It's better that way. At least Min-Gi knows it's a good sign that Ryan isn't closing himself off completely even if he is struggling to talk. ]

It's not stupid. If something's bothering you, then it matters. You don't have to keep things from me.

[It's hard not to feel a pang of guilt that he did feel life he had to, but it's not like he hasn't had his fair share of secrets in the past. Now he knows the least he can do is make sure Ryan knows he's here to listen.]

[These are all things he logically knows, and he turns his head so that he's looking to Min instead of directly into his knees. If he knows it's true then he should be able to just say Min's right! So, why don't the words come out?]

No, it's definitely stupid. Like...even the fact that we're here right now, doing this? I'm supposed to be better about this kind of thing now. I don't want to keep being like this, but here I am, doing it again over something that isn't even that big a deal.

[He isn't just upset about whatever's bothering him anymore. It's snowballed, because he couldn't just get over himself and now he's disappointed in himself and ashamed. But...with Min by his side, there's really no getting around it. And he's not lying - he does want to be more honest with Min overall. It was just...hard this time.

So...he takes a deep breath. Then, he puts his face right back in his knees and mutters.]

I reeeeeally wanted to do the contest. But of course, you know. Classic Ryan, missed the fucking deadline. Obviously.

[When it happened, Ryan had waved it off. He gave an awkward laugh and jumped right to pointing out that well, there'll be more contests and then to just supporting Min-Gi as much as he could. Reactions that all felt like objectively Correct Answers in how to react, but all skipped right past how Ryan actually felt about the situation.]

[Min-Gi's watching, but he tries to look casual when Ryan finally does look at him. It's hard for him not to look worried, but the last thing he wants is to add even more pressure.

He stays quiet after Ryan's initial outburst, sensing there's more he has to say. He doesn't want to distract from the real problem. Not when it's something he's already been putting off. It's clearly something important, no matter how stupid Ryan tries to claim it is.

When the admission does come, his stomach drops. He should have known. Min-Gi of all people should have known. It had been strange, but he'd been so wrapped up in his own entry and the fact he wouldn't even be sharing a stage with Ryan at different parts of the contest he'd completely missed why Ryan had backed out.]

You should have told me. If I knew that was why you backed out I would've too.

[Honestly, it had been tempting. If Blitz hadn't been so amped up for something that wasn't causing Min trouble then he probably would have even without knowing the full story.]

[Ryan shakes his head into his knees.]

I know... I know I should've, but I didn't want to be the reason you backed out. You and Blitz worked really hard and your entry was so good. It just...it didn't feel fair to whine about it when it was my own fault and make you feel like you had to drop out or like, throw you off your performance or...something. I dunno. I was the one who fucked up, not you.

[He's harsh on himself, but without his mask on he has to be. He speaks about it like he screwed up on a massive level that warrants tearing himself down piece by piece, limb by limb.]

And I didn't wanna keep hiding it either, I just...it was Valentine's Day after that. And what was I gonna do, mess up Valentine's Day? Our first one as a couple? And don't get me wrong, I had a lot of fun. I don't want you to think I like...lied about that. It was amazing. It made me forget all of this shit for a while.

[But why would Min believe that if he felt like he had to hide other things? Ryan dug a grave for himself here and now he's rolling in it and he hates it down here.]

By the time that was over it felt, I dunno. Too late, I guess? It gets harder to drag up stuff like this after a while. I was like...maybe I can just bury it down and ride it out and just not fuck up next time. ...But I probably will, knowing me.

[He always does, eventually.]

[That's more difficult to respond to. It feels obvious that wouldn't be the reaction Ryan wanted now, and it's hard to explain himself without making him feel even worse.

He can't say he hadn't wanted to perform without him in the first place. That even if they weren't really competing together the thought of them sharing the stage in some way had still been reassuring. He can't tell him how much he'd been looking forward to seeing what Ryan came up with on his own. He can't even lament the idea they could have worked together on their entries if Ryan was having trouble on his own.

Much as he wants Ryan to trust him enough to talk to him, he isn't sure how he can actually help him.]

It doesn't matter if it's fair. If you're not happy I should know.

[Apparently he's not observant enough to notice it on his own. Min knows Ryan's good at hiding things, but he should know how to see through his mask by now.]

I don't think you're lying. I just... I wish I hadn't been so caught up in what I was supposed to do that I didn't even notice there was anything wrong.

[He still isn't sure what he was really supposed to do. He'd tried, but he still has a lot to learn when it comes to dating. If they hadn't been friends before this he's not sure he'd have any idea how to act around Ryan at all.

He sighs, inching a little closer to Ryan. That's not the main part of the problem here. Just part of the reason it built up to this.]

You're way too hard on yourself. You messed up. Everyone does. That doesn't mean it's going to happen again.

[Min-Gi moves closer and Ryan sighs and sits upright. He reaches for his mask not to put it on, but to move it to the other side of his head so he can more comfortably lean against Min.]

That isn't your fault. I...didn't exactly give you anything to notice.

[How could anyone blame Min for not noticing something Ryan was actively trying to make sure he wouldn't notice? He made it a lose-lose situation for both of them, because he couldn't just be honest.]

I'm not everyone though. I mess up more, and it's always the same stupid stuff. It's not like this is the first time I've ever straight-up missed a deadline. ...Or the first time trying to do something solo fell apart on me. ...Or the first time I've tried to just cover it up instead of talking about it like I'm supposed to.

[God, he's so tired of being a Grade-A fuck-up.]

I'm supposed to be better at this now. Things are actually going great, so why am I...?

["like this?" is how that thought should end, but Ryan just trails off.]

[Min tenses when Ryan reaches for the mask again, but his concerns are short lived. His arms comes up to wrap around Ryan's side when he leans against him, keeping him close.

He lets Ryan speak, resisting any urge he has to butt in when he's talking about himself so negatively. In some ways he's not wrong. These aren't new problems, but they aren't things that have cropped up recently. Probably because there aren't that many things they don't do without each other.

Usually that's not a problem. It's helpful, actually, that their strengths lie in different areas. Ryan can land them shows and make them fun and interesting in ways he would never be able to, and Min can handle the more organized side of things. It works well, but it's clearly still a problem for him when they're working separate.]

Maybe that's something we can figure out?

[That was probably not the best way to put that. Min hurries to elaborate before Ryan can misunderstand.]

Not why you're like this. Or why you mess up more. You don't. But if it's making you feel this bad, maybe you need the chance to learn?

[Having an arm around him helps, and he instinctively snuggles in closer. He listens in return, not even flinching when Min misspeaks. It's not like the original would have been wrong.]

...I guess so.

[Only because in this dumb mirror world he can't make himself summon enthusiasm like he normally would. But they have to try something. Ryan's pretty sure Min can't keep doing this over and over and over. He'll get frustrated eventually.

Despite that, without his mask on he can't help what comes out of his mouth. Min's wanted him to tell the truth, but it's probably more truth than he really wants - or at least Ryan thinks so.]

Learn what though? ...How to suck less?

What? No.

[That's not truth as far as Min's concerned. Whether Ryan believes it or not it's categorically untrue. The problem lies in trying to get him to see that. That, and how to explain what he really means without sounding critical.

Meeting targets like that has never been a problem for Min. He tries to get things done sooner rather than later, but even putting that to one side he doesn't understand how Ryan's always had such a hard time making deadlines at all.]

Just a few organizational skills. Like... maybe you could get into the habit of using the calendar a bit more? It's not like I remember everything. I keep track of things because I mark them, so I know when they're coming up.

[It's not something Ryan's never heard before. Teachers, his sisters, occasionally even his parents-- everyone's has ideas about how Ryan could keep himself organized, and none of them have ever really worked. Because there's something wrong with him, he assumes.

He glances downward and gently bites at his lower lip. He knows why a calendar alone won't help, but he also knows the reasoning is going to be the stupidest thing Min-Gi's ever heard.

Min wants him to be honest though. And he wants to be honest with him. He does. So, after a long pause and a deep breath--]

Then you just...how do you remember to look at the calendar once it's on there? I'd need another calendar to remind me to look at that one, and another one to remind me to look at that one, and another--

[He twirls a finger in a circular motion - it's a cycle that doesn't actually end.]

Once there's that many it's like, did I even remember to fill them all out? Which calendar was the fill stuff out calendar again? ...Literally no one else has to think this hard about calendars.

[His thought pattern is circling back around from the initial sincere (if unusual) question to feeling like shit for having to even ask it.]

[Ryan can probably feel exactly how baffled he is from the way he stills next to him. He doesn't have an answer to that. At least not one he can say out loud without sounding like a dick.

"You just look at it" is not an answer he can imagine Ryan reacting well to even if that's all it is to Min. It's part of his routine even if he knows he doesn't have anything coming up.

Then again, that's another thing Ryan's always struggled with. Distantly he can recall the chaos of Ryan's mind on the day they'd been able to become one person. It leaves him uneasy even remembering it.]

There's got to be something that works.

[That's about as close as he can bring himself to get to admitting he doesn't think he can help. He doesn't want Ryan to give up and pass himself off as a failure without even trying.]

[This is about what Ryan expected, but at least Min-Gi's being nice about it. He counts off on his fingers as he gives other examples.]

Calendars...To-Do Lists...Planners...Sticky notes...I've even tried writing stuff on my hands but it always rubs off.

[Most of this was before he sort of gave up on school and the idea of getting into college. By senior year the plan was to do just enough to graduate, and then-- well, Min knows the rest of that plan. But it doesn't mean he didn't try before that, and have it subsequently drilled into him that other people don't have this problem and that he's just too stupid to remember things the way everyone else does.]

I'm pretty sure I'm the problem here. ...A calendar isn't going to fix me.

[It's not as though Min-Gi's never seen Ryan try that stuff. He hadn't thought Ryan was stupid because he didn't stick with it. Back then he'd just figured Ryan didn't care about that sort of stuff. He never had the same expectations put on him Min did, so why would he?

It had never occurred to him the problem was those things didn't work. Unfortunately he isn't sure what else could.

He pulls away from Ryan slightly, just enough he can turn his head to look at him. He might not know how to help him, but Min-Gi wants him to understand even if this is something that's a problem for Ryan that doesn't mean there's a problem with Ryan.]

You don't need fixing. That's not what I'm trying to do.

[When Ryan looks toward him, his eyes are a little watery. He isn't outright sobbing, but it was a lot easier to say all of this when he wasn't looking directly at Min.]

Really? But--

[It's not that he wants to doubt Min-Gi - he does, a little, but he knows Min believes it. He doesn't want to come across as sounding too shocked Min believes in him. It's touching that he does. Ryan reaches up to rub at his eyes under his glasses.]

...but. If I don't need fixing, then that kind of stuff should just work like it does for everyone else, right? I know it works for you.

So?

[This is easier to navigate. Convincing Ryan he's not a screw up can be hard when he's feeling like this, but he's listening to him. He's not dismissing him without even listening. It's a good start.]

Just because it works for me it doesn't mean it has to work for you. You don't have to be so down on yourself.

[Ryan can't meet his eyes anymore. He glances downward. This isn't how he wants this conversation to turn, but without the ability to just brush off the fact that he doesn't like himself this way, it's the only way it could possibly go.]

...Yeah, I do. If I'm not, I'll just stay shitty forever, you know? At least this way I know I suck and can try to...to. I dunno.

[He trails off. The realization is hitting him that it doesn't actually work most of the time, but...well. Maybe he's doing this wrong too.]

...Try to do something about it, I guess.

[Like laugh it off. Change the subject. Smile and make sure no one else sees this dark unhappy part that rises up in him whenever he messes up. Disappear to process things alone, so he doesn't drag other people down with him when he's drowning.]

[Min-Gi reluctantly removes his arm so it's no longer around Ryan. Not because he wants to pull away from him, but he needs to be able to look at him. He positions himself so he can be in front of him. Gently he reaches out so he can tilt his head up slightly, discouraging him from looking away.]

There's a difference between knowing something's hard for you and thinking that means there's something wrong with you. You know that, right?

[It's not as though he hasn't had his own struggles there. He knows it isn't always easy to distinguish, but he needs Ryan to see it.]

[This is the sort of question that should have an automatic answer. Ryan knows this. His face is being held in Min's hand so carefully, and he knows the answer that's objectively correct. The answer that Min-Gi surely wants to hear.

But instead, he looks stunned. Struck. He has to take a deep breath and a hard sniffle so he doesn't turn into a puddle right here and now.]

I...no one's said that before.

[Literally no one. Not his parents. Not his sisters or brothers. Not any teachers or exes. He's never really given Min-Gi the chance either way. It just...was a universal truth that everyone else understood, that was drilled into him over and over in every possible way.]

[That's a difficult thing to hear. They've known each other their whole lives. He hadn't understood when he'd been younger. In a lot of ways he'd been jealous. As far as he could see Ryan had the freedom to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

Now, though... now he knows better, and he wishes he'd realised he needed to hear it sooner.]

Ryan...

[There's no apology, but the guilt is there for someone who knows him as well as Ryan does to see.]

Look, I'm... not sure what would make things easier for you. You already listed off pretty much everything that I would do. But if this is something you want to figure out, we'll try. Like you help me with the things that I find hard.

[Ryan can feel that guilt like it's his own, but the most he can do with his face in Min's hand is glance downward again. Not only did he make Min-Gi feel bad, but if Min doesn't have an answer there might not be an answer.

But Min keeps going, and the mood turns around. He finally returns Min's gaze, cautiously hopeful.]

I...don't usually have to figure it out. You already help like, a lot.

[He's helping right now, just by being there without assuming the worst, or treating him like he could do this on his own if he just tried harder.]

What if there isn't an answer though? What if I'm just like this?

[It still feels like a failing somehow, but...Min's being really patient with him. Maybe he really won't get sick of putting up with him.]

[Min's still pretty sure there is an answer, even if he isn't sure what it is right now. That's not Ryan's question though. He hesitates, unsure how to respond without either dismissing him or putting him down.]

I... don't know.

[It's not an answer he wants to give, but he has to give him something. Even if it's not the one either of them want.]

What would you want? If there wasn't an answer?

[It's not as though he minds being the one in charge of most of their scheduling. But usually it's for things that both of them are doing. Together. They don't do much separately and that's how both of them like it, but that doesn't mean Ryan wants Min-Gi putting pressure on him when it comes to the few things he does do individually.]

I...don't know.

[It's easy to echo him. After all, no one's ever tried to help like this before, so how can he really know what he wants? It's a placeholder answer though; Ryan's still visibly thinking even after he says it.]

Maybe just. Patience? I don't want it to turn into a constant excuse or be annoying about it all the time, but...yeah, patience, I think.

[He lifts a hand up to place on top of Min's, holding it there between his palm and cheek. For the first time in this theater without his mask on, he gives a smile - tiny and genuine.]

And you're good at that.

Event: The Reveal Glass

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