victory_road | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's a good thing this not-space is so large, because it gives Cecil plenty of time to think as he runs towards the only true person he can see.

Combined together, the white dress and the presence of multiple other figures are alarming; however, the hair he sees is distinctly blond, not green. No Maenads to be found here, then. That would most likely have been a problem, but he cannot deny the twisted familiarity would almost have been appreciated.

The crystals he sees are not his world's; they are not the gods' either, nor do they match the crystalline growth that previously afflicted this world. For all he knows, their power can be used for both good and ill, so he chooses not to judge their presence yet. He still needs more information about this place.

The weeping, though. The weeping ever remains alarming, especially when he comes close enough to recognize–

"...Minfilia."

Minfilia looked up. Her face was stained with tears, looking so very vulnerable.

But her voice, as she spoke, had an echo. It was a kind echo in her voice - but perhaps, the kindness was part of this strange not!space, as the figure turned to face him. "Welcome and well met, Cecil."

(It was not the voice of the Gods Cecil would know. Yet, it still had that feeling of a god.)

The girls clinging to her simply stared, with blue eyes with no pupils. One of them reaching out to hold Cecil, with skin like porcelain. They were all young girls, but many of them had cracks though them like scars. The same shades of blue as their eyes, as the crystal shards.

Though his eyes are ever fixed on Minfilia herself, Cecil allows the other girl to reach out, offers himself as an anchor. He doesn't know if it'll help, but if there's even the slightest chance, he'll take it.

Finding a way for mortals to help the divine is difficult enough as it is, after all. He'll need all the hints he can get, until he knows what everyone present is capable of.

"This place... Its crystals are unfamiliar to me, inasmuch as crystals can be different from one another. Am I correct to assume that it is more familiar to you?"

If it is merely a memory of her world, that's one thing. If it is the source of her distress... Surely, surely there's a way out.

"...Yes." The echoing voice seems to overtake Minfilias'. "We are Hydaelyn, and these are our form."

As She spoke, the crystal seemed to shine. The Light was kind, curling around Cecil, welcoming him in. The girls also felt comfortable, beginning to relax and look him over.

(Minfilia still looked distressed, as the voice came from her.)

The warmth of a crystal is always a wondrous thing, and part of him is glad it helps those other girls feel at ease. Still, Minfilia's obvious distress far outweighs all that. But how can he dispel it?

"...All these, truly? That sounds like a lot of power to sustain for a single, flesh-and-blood base body. Would you like to take a break?"

Do you need to get out of here, is what he'd like to say, but he cannot be certain what reaction those words would trigger.

"This is destiny. Her flesh is to become mine, to save me. Someday, she shall wake from this dream and stop her struggle..." A future yet to come. But perhaps that was why she was distressed.

A dream was one way to see this world, after all. "All is well. There is no need to rest - it is our choice."

All was not well. Minfilias' view of Hydaelyn had grown so very twisted, due to her fears. The girls almost seemed to giggle, looking between the two.

On the one hand, the course of time is not to be meddled with, the laws of the world are not to be modified. They all agreed on that, when Caius described his plans, when he threatened to rewrite history to erase his own mistakes. If Minfilia will someday become this Hydaelyn, there is little Cecil can do about it.

On the other hand...

"Choices change. No destiny is set in stone until it has occurred, and destinies born from distress lead to darkness and ruin. If what she needs at the moment is respite, it is in your best interest to let this world grant it to her."

If this is a rare case of a divine being that cannot understand mortal needs and refuses to learn, well. He'll simply have to be persuasive.

"Would that I could, Warrior from beyond my star." Even if this Hydaelyn was simply what Minfilia saw of her, it held respect for Cecil and the fact another watched over him. In a way. (Or was it the respect Minfilia felt for him?) "She is too afraid, that she refuses to let times' flow continue - nor does she allow herself to relax, for she cannot be sure if she shall stay. I seek to simply show her it is not to be feared.

That her choice is what will make everything better."

Yet, Minfilia weeps. She weeps so openly, unlike the woman that lived in the world outside.

"From what I see, your technique is not working even half as well as you intend. Are those the tears of a woman who does not fear?"

Whether or not this entity is real or simply a reflection of Minfilia's beliefs, she is certainly old and set in her ways. Even Materia at her most stubborn would have tried a different tactic, by now. Still, Cecil has to try.

"I suppose there is little reassurance I can offer myself, beyond the length of my own stay. But I can recognize an attempt that makes things worse."

The being seemed to listen, but it was Minfilia who managed to speak.

"You've reassured me a lot, Cecil. I... I don't want to die." She admitted, as the world was beginning to return to normal. But it wasn't quite back, yet. "Knowing the future is a curse I carry now."

Minfilia's voice brings with it a flood of relief Cecil mostly expected, but did not dare hope for. Yet her actual words cut it short.

"That... truly is a terribly cruel curse, when that future has a known end. This may be little comfort, but... knowing what's coming, we can at least ensure that every moment of your stay in this world is wonderful."

The words sound far too much like what would be said to someone gravely ill, but any other promise is beyond his power, be it in a world of crystals or a world of wondrous creatures.

She moved towards him, the girls letting go. Minfilia whispering to them, a promise she'll someday help them live.

But for now, she approached, trembling a little. "I've been so afraid to tell people. For I fear they'll see me with pity.

But I trust you, Cecil - to simply continue to treat me with the kindness you always have." It's said so happily. Her friend, who she's finally told. Yet-- there's still so much to say. "I know not how long I'll stay - I know you've had the heartbreak of many others leaving before. Yet, I hope I can stay for all of our sakes."

Event: The Reveal Glass

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