REAPSODY Week 4 - Miki

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke approaches Miki whenever she's alone in gay baby jail the pit. He's holding his sketchbook and looking plainly distraught by the turn the trial has taken, but still -- determined.]

Kuroda-san. I've been thinking about your request before... and I turned you down, because I was ashamed about my entry fee.

But if you have some time -- and if you do not mind the poor quality -- I'd like to fulfil it now.

Comments

[paook]

[ miki is just chilling in the ballpit, lying on her back to the ceiling, and only looks up when she sees yusuke... upside down. she sits up as he speaks. ]

Your entry -- oh. [ she pauses, not realizing it until now: ] Can you not draw anymore Yusuke? Is that what you were talking about before?

[wantsnudes]

Yes. I'm sorry I was so vague about it before. My shame at my own inability made me reluctant to admit to anything.

[He grabs a chair, moving it so he can sit as close to her as he can.]

I can draw nothing more than childish, unskilled scribbles. My talent is gone. But even if what I produce is ugly and worthless... Even if it receives only mockery and scorn... If I can try to simply grant a final request, I think I can be satisfied as an artist.

So... Knowing that, is there anything you would like me to draw?

[paook]

Yusuke...

[ she's speechless for a moment. it's such a kind and heartfelt offer, and after she was rather rude about it on the day she asked. she doesn't understand why it's being offered to her of all people. ]

You don't need to force yourself if you can't. I won't think less of you.

[wantsnudes]

No. I'm doing this of my own accord, not because I'm forcing myself.

It's a bit personal, but... May I tell you something?

[It almost seems ridiculous, to be shy about personal matters after hearing something so personal as her confession, but even so.]

[paook]

[ well, if he wants she won't stop him. whatever is most true to the heart - but first: ]

What is it?

[wantsnudes]

My mother was also an artist. When I was very young, she fell ill. She knew her health was failing her, so she spent the final weeks of her life putting together a beautiful Japanese-style portrait, of a woman with a baby in her arms. A self-portrait, of herself, and me.

She poured all her feelings into that painting. Even after she passed away and the identity of the artist was lost, it was hailed as a masterpiece. More importantly, whenever I gaze upon it and see her gentle smile, I will always be reminded of my mother's love for me.

[He pauses and looks down at the closed sketchbook in his lap, taking a shaky breath.]

...These might be the final days and weeks of my existence, too. Even if my art can no longer be beautiful, I want to draw and paint purely for the sake of others with what time is left, just as she did.

[paook]

...That's so beautiful.

[ beautiful in its sorrow, in the life she lived and what she gave to her son. and the pang in her heart wells into tears in her eyes, but she sniffs and closes them. god she's done enough crying today. ]

Ok. I can describe her to you. And I don't care what it looks like - I don't even have a photo of her. Whatever you can do, I'll take it because it's yours.

[wantsnudes]

Ah... My apologies. I didn't tell you that story to make you cry.

[Rather, so she could understand his reasons. Just as he wants to help her feel closer to Miki, perhaps he can feel closer to his mother in this way, and to fulfil what he's sure it means to be an artist. Fulfilling a dying wish. What is art, if not meant for preserving thoughts, feelings, hopes, even in the years and even centuries after those people are gone, over history?

He opens his sketchbook on his knees, and turns to a blank page -- for the first time in the Game, pushing aside the disgust he feels at his own art.]

Perhaps we should try a more abstract piece that encapsulates your feelings for her... and compensates for my lack of both a reference and skill. If it isn't too painful, I'd like you to tell me about her, in as much detail as you can.