shroom wars: revenge of the doll

[hyphanated]

WHO: An Zhe and anyone in/around the monastery
WHEN: Mostly the first half of September
WHERE: Various parts of Garreg Mach
WHAT: An Zhe asked Aurora for a human and got a certain doll from his past instead...
NOTES\WARNINGS: none

[Seeing Clive and Torgal together had given An Zhe the idea that maybe he could get Lu Feng as well. Not having any particular reason to hesitate, he made the request, then came home to find Lu Feng!

...Or the replica Lu Feng he'd once made, anyway.

He stares at that doll in silence for a long moment, before finally moving forward to deal with it.

For the next week or two, people around Garreg Mach might see a new face around the grounds. Maybe you'll visit An Zhe's room and find Lu Feng sitting on a chair staring right at you; maybe you'll see him in the dining hall seemingly waiting for An Zhe to finish cooking; maybe he'll be leaning against a wall in one of the hallways, looking totally nonchalant. An Zhe will always return to collect the doll eventually, but until he figures out what to do with the thing...hey, maybe you can hold a one-sided conversation with the thing.]

Comments

[backtostart]

It's not a game, either?

Then, should I help you put it back in your closet?

[hyphanated]

I...

[He stares at Lu Feng again.

It's been a long time since he saw real!Lu Feng.......]

....Maybe I could put him on a chair, and turn him around if I need to?

[backtostart]

Oh, that's right, you could put it at a rotating chair near your desk. That would look pretty natural.

And if it's in your room, it shouldn't be accidentally damaged by anyone.

[hyphanated]

[Somehow, he hadn't considered the idea of a rotating chair...he's not sure if that's better or worse, honestly.

But he's also starting to resign himself to the thought that nobody wants to see this fake Lu Feng staring at them. At least he's used to it...so keeping it in his room might be the kindest option? Even if his closet here isn't quite the kind he can stuff a whole colonel into.

But also, despite his rather negative thoughts towards it, Setsu's last comment has him looking up at them with a somewhat worried look on his face.]

Do you think people would damage it?

[backtostart]

[ What, you don't want Lu Feng to rotate around to face you due to gravity and a naturally unlevel floor?

Anyway, Setsu shakes their head. ]

Not purposefully, but startled people are clumsy. They might spill something on it or knock it over.

[hyphanated]

[That sounds especially cursed!?

Also, An Zhe is taking this new thought under serious consideration.]

....I don't know how I'd repair him, or fix his clothes...maybe my room would be safer after all.

[He's getting convinced...!]

[backtostart]

[ Don't be silly, it'll be like Lu Feng is really there, inside the doll.

Which Setsu isn't thinking about. They're too focused on An Zhe's actual doll problem. ]

That's true, too... There aren't many stores that sell clothing, and even washing them isn't very intuitive... At least in your room, you can ensure it stays clean.

[ Though...it looks pretty cumbersome for him... ]

Should I carry it over for you? I can move your furniture to make space for it, too.

[ It might be a weird doll, but it's An Zhe's weird doll, and Setsu at least doesn't think An Zhe is weird. ]

[hyphanated]

[Real Lu Feng, sitting on a spinny chair, staring.....but he ultimately does give the nod to Setsu's suggestion.]

Could you? He's very heavy...it's not a hollow doll.

[As heavy as a real Lu Feng!]

[backtostart]

[ Setsu is simply relieved that An Zhe's doll won't be startling people. Their eyes narrow gently. ]

I see. I'm surprised you carried it out here on your own in that case...

[ Considering the doll is clearly larger than An Zhe. They shuffle around to the chair Lu Feng is in, lean forward, and scoop him up in a princess carry like he's a particularly large and unwieldy quilt. His arm and head awkwardly dangle off to the side...but he's up! Setsu has him! ]

All right. So, where is your room...?