A Glimmer of Crystal (Bow)

A Glimmer of Crystal (Bow)
Date of Cutscene:	09 March 2024
Location:	Archery Fields - Radiant Heart
Synopsis:	Bow and Crystal Hope have a 'talk' while Bow practices archery. They agree on next to nothing except that the mission is still important.
Cast of Characters:	Bow
Tinyplot:	Crystal Nope

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School hours and club activities had ended some time ago. With the sun starting to set, there was a lone figure out on the archery range. With noone else around, Bow felt more comfortable to fire as he knew best. As he drew arrow after arrow, he fired them downrange with percision, striking each of the targets in turn. And as he did so, it became clear he was not alone.

"We should be out looking for Adora, Bow. Not here, practicing." Crystal Hope, set on Bow's shoulder, commented, a frown on her usually peaceful vistage.

Drawing back an arrow to fire, Bow focused on a target. "We found her. We can't stop her if I wanted to. I just have to trust that with her new friends, I'll get a chance."

"But you're not trying to stop her." came Crystal Hope's soft chiding chime - that was still soft and melodious. "Have you forgotten why we're here?"

"N-no." Bow said, frowning as he drew back another arrow to fire. As he let it go, he let out a breath. "You said it yourself, when we get the Sword, we can go back to that moment, that exact moment. And we can make it all better. And there's no way I can stop her by myself. That's why I asked for help, if you recall right."

"I did say that." Crystal Hope chimed, "But I think that you are also wasting time. Bow, you know that once you leave this world, you're not coming back. Making temporary allies is one thing. But why are you making these frivilous decisions? Making new friends. Exploring. Arcades. Dating? Celebrating a birthday of someone that is not a Princess?"

Bow released an arrow and struck another target. "...you wouldn't understand. Have you never wanted to adventure? To explore? To grow? You're just a computer, a sentient computer, but don't you think I want to explore and develop these new feelings, here? Now? I have a feeling that getting home may not be as simple as you want it to be."

"And I think that you're dilly-dallying. Yes. I know what it means to grow. To develop feelings and affections." Crystal Hope sounds... miffed in her chimes. "But you can do that on Etheria. Your friends there. Your Adora. Your... Glimmer."

The arrow that Bow fired went wide of the target, smacking into the ground. "I don't know what you're talking about, Crystal. Adora and Glimmer... you know exactly what happened. And if we succeed, then it'll be like it never happened." he said, a frown crossing his features.

"I'm saying, Bow, we need the sword back - and we can return to Etheria. Fix what's wrong. And then you can experience all this growth with the ones that you should be experiencing it with. It's time to get back on task. What would Glimmer say if she saw you here? Without her. Playing games, going out and doing things without her." Crystal's voice was soft, but the disapproval was clear.

"Glimmer would understand." Bow countered. "She's been my best friend since I can remember. She would probably be more worried if I wasn't doing all this!" He drew back another arrow. "She's always been my friend."

"Even though you lost her." Crystal Hope reminded.

Bow drew back the arrow. He could feel the tension in the string, the tightness in his arm as he held the pose before he fired again. Another strike. "We'll get her back."

"You let her go off on her own. You let her try to activate the Heart, after all, you could have kept her from it. You caused this. You need to fix it. You need to forget Sayaka. Forget Earth. Focus on the Sword. Focus on saving Etheria. You need to focus on Adora."

"Adora's not even from our timeline. It may not work!" Bow countered as he started to draw another arrow. Why was he feeling so tired? He pulled back and fired again - another target strike, but it was no longer bullseyes. Still well in target, but not the sure strikes he's used to.

"You're right, Bow. But she's from the future. And I know you may not have considered it..." Crystal Hope chimed softly, as if she was worried about sharing her thought. "...she could tell you about your future. What happened with you. What happened with them. Didn't she say they won? She even said that her and Catra had planned their wedding. Don't you want to know, Bow..." she asks quietly, "...with her."

Another arrow - another wide miss. "It's not my place to know. She's not my Glimmer." Bow growled, his eyes narrowed, for the first time, feeling a pang of anger, mixed with guilt in his gut. He did want to know. Did that Bow rescue his Glimmer? Were they still friends? He drew back the bow to take another shot.

Crystal Hope was quiet for a moment, making soft chiming noises. "But Bow?" she asked him finally. "What if it could be?"

The bow string snapped.