1231/Soul's Music

Soul's Music
Date of Scene:	04 March 2024
Location:	Yumegahama Ward
Synopsis:	Sayaka tells Bow all about herself, and then leads Bow into her personalised Concert Hall, where their music intertwines for the second time.
Cast of Characters:	Sayaka Miki, Bow

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Sayaka Miki has posed:
Sayaka is in a random alley in Yumegahama. She had promised Luke to show him something, and so here she is, waiting for him to reach her, ever accompanied by Ula. The koi mermaid aside, Luke will be the first person she actually shows this to.

She has shared her current location with him via a message, and has also reminded him to bring his violin. She had searched a while before contacting him, because she needed a perfect place like this, completely absent of anyone that might see what they are about to do. And now she waits for Luke to reach her.

Bow has posed:
Having gotten the message after class, Bow was quick to agree to seeing Sayaka again. Still feeling flutters in his stomach from their kiss shared, the trip to go camping had been ill-timed and he wanted to make sure she knew he had that planned in advance and wasn't going because of the possible start of a new relationship.

Following the location pin that she sent, when he arrives in the alley she had marked, there was a lift of a brow - but he's come to trust her. And that's a powerful thing as he decided to make his way into the alley to meet her. He's dressed in his normal clothing, a grey long-sleeve shirt with blue trim, blue jeans, and his glasses and sneakers. Going clothes shopping is probably somewhere on the list of things to do.

When he sees Sayaka, his hand raises in a greeting to her, Luke's smile suddenly a little brighter, a little warmer as he approaches her. His violin case is held in his hand. "Hey!" he greets her, not sure exactly how she feels on their affections and the display of them yet, however, she can see that the arm that isn't holding the violin case is rising up, ready to wrap her up in an embrace, if she desires one.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
Sayaka has come out here right after school, only taking the time to change into something other than the school uniform. So she is wearing a simple white shirt embroidered at the hems with a simple floral pattern and jeans shorts, accompanied by an aqua jacket and light green trainers.

The bluenette does indeed see that Bow is intent on hugging her, but is holding back, so when she notices, she smiles at him, and completes the hug herself. "It's totally fine to hug me, Bow. You did it even before, and besides, you are my boyfriend now. You are allowed to do these things, and even kiss me if you feel comfortable with it."

After a few seconds more, she undoes the hug, steps back and says "Anyways, I brought you here because I would like to show you what exactly my friends have been saved from. This is also relevant to a mission I have now. You see, I was briefly a Witch. That's how Witches are born, from Puellae that fall into despair or completely use their magic."

Thinking back on it, she hugs him again, not wanting him to panic. "This is one of Kyubey's many secrets, and I don't know what he gains out of it, but he doesn't think it's possible to come back from it. And yet, here I am, completely fine, and I feeling so much better now. My friends fought to get me back, and they succeeded against all odds. It's thanks to them I can be this happy now, and I won't despair anymore. Instead, as you have known me these days, I am fully intent on doing the right thing and protecting people, just as I did earlier, just as what I became a magical girl for."

Bow has posed:
"You look great, Sayaka." Bow manages to say as he gets a good look at her. It wasn't that he didn't want to hug her - just wanted to make sure she wanted it and now that he's sure, his free arm pulls her in tight to him. He swears she can probably hear his heart race with her next to him, her at level with said heart in their difference in height.

There's amusement and warm mirth in his voice as she makes sure to remind him that he's her boyfriend. "I know!" he says with a soft laugh, pressing an affectionate kiss to the crown of her head as she steps back from him and his arm moves to his side as he holds up the violin case. "Brought it, because you asked. I've been working on the mandolin. Wouldn't mind you hearing it sometime." Because he actually has yet to play that for anyone. She would be his first.

She starts to talk about the Witches, her friends, and he's taken back to their mission together into the labyrinth and the odd world that was, and the danger there - and how well they worked together to stop her. And the small seed that was left around and what the bluenette did after. She had explained most of it to him - but not that she could do the same.

Which makes that second hug needed and she may feel him tighten on her - reassuring her that he's not going to run or flee - and more importantly, he's going to support his girlfriend. "I'm sorry I wasn't here to help." he admits quietly. There's no way he could have known, and he gets to reap the benefit of their efforts in the little bluenette, but he's here now.

"But I'm glad to know you now, Sayaka. And you already know... everything that you can about me so far." He has nothing to hide from her, nor would he want to. And to hear her speak on why she's a magical girl, it reminds him of his own fight as a member of the Rebellion back home. "I'm going to be with you, bluebird." he tells her, his arm leaving from around her to tilt her chin up so that his dark eyes can meet her brilliant blues, and he leans down, a press of his lips to her, lingering longer that that first kiss in the Korma was.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"Same goes for you", Sayaka compliments Bow back, even if she didn't pick anything particularly elegant, she knows this is all rather simple. But that doesn't matter with his comforting hug. She can in fact feel every thump of that accellerated heartbeat, and with the hands on his back, she starts caressing him, as a way to soothe his nervousness.

"We can try a duo with the mandolin next time", Sayaka smirks as he tells her about his practice, and she answers to his kiss with one of her own, reaching up to place a peck on his right cheek. "I think it shouldn't be hard to find a composition that goes especially well with the mandolin."

"It's ok, Bow, you couldn't have known, could you? We didn't even know each other existed, much less what we were going through, because you too had your share of difficulties. Mine caused by Kyubey, yours by Hordak and Horde Prime." The fact he hasn't chosen to run away, though? A true blessing in her eyes. She wouldn't have blamed him at all if he reacted negatively and needed to calm down first. That's a big thing she just dropped on him, much bigger than the next two parts.

"That means a lot to me, Bow", Sayaka stares at him with crystalline eyes of pure water, appreciating the solid comfort of his hug as he tightens it and pressing back her lips against his for several seconds before she needs to talk again. "There is something else you have to know. First, Soul Gems are literally that, Kyubey took the liberty to transfer my soul in there when I had my wish. And secondly, well, this one is better if you see for yourself." Stepping away from Bow, Sayaka walks towards a circular portal that just appeared, one blue at the border and white at the center.

In the white section, a thick C with a small sphere in its vacant space and a curved line that extends diagonally above it to the upper right and ends in a curl are visible. If Bow decides to step through after Sayaka, he will find himself in an odd looking concert hall with the typical style of Labyrinths. Inside it, he can see two Grief Seeds and a scroll on the ground.

"Don't touch the Scroll, please", comes Sayaka's warning. "That one is dangerous."

Bow has posed:
Retreat really isn't in Bow's vocabulary. Tactical withdrawl is, but that's not something he's even considering at the moment, as the kiss breaks and he steps back as Sayaka starts to explain and open her world - and her heart - to him a little more. The fact that now that they are alone and she's dropped calling him Luke and stuck with Bow is not lost on him - and it's appreciated. He feels like he can be his true self with her - not the cover that was crafted for him to 'fit in' on Earth.

"No, I suppose we were in different universes at the time, just waiting for the moment for things to align to bring us together." Who know what may have happened had it been someone else on that beach the night Bow arrived and Sayaka was introduced to his life.

Speaking of introducing new worlds, as Sayaka opens that portal, Bow's eyes widen slightly, even as she explains what Kyubey did to her soul, trapping it in a small gem. His hands go to his heart, considering that himself, and not sure if he could have had been as brave as she was to take on such a task, knowing what the cost may be. The cost of a wish.

With Sayaka making her way into the portal, Bow shores himself up and follows. No henshing, no grabbing his bow. She's made it clear that this is her space, and as he steps through and into unknown to him. As he passes through and finds himself within the concert hall, he's taken aback. Yes, there were ampitheaters and halls similar to this back on Etheria, but this one is different, because he feels like -- in this moment. "Are we in your soul?" he asks Sayaka softly, a glance towards her. Because if a Witch creates a Labyrinth from the grief in her heart which eventually becomes a grief seed, it's not that much of a leap for Bow to assume that they are somewhere deeply personal to the bluenette Puella Magi.

She warns him of the scroll and the seeds, and his eyes are immediately drawn to them. But, he does heed the warning, unable to sate his curiosity. "What is it?" he asks of her, dark eyes still taking it all in before following Sayaka as she leads him deeper within.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
A pleased chuckle follows Bow suggesting that their meeting was just one in waiting, because what idea is better than that? That's an extremely romantic concept, and one that appeals lots to Sayaka as a result, and it's not an unknown concept to her: it's the same idea as the red strings of fate, that indissolubly tie together a person to their significant other. "That sounds lovely, Bow."

Sayaka is slightly surprised by the question of whether this is her soul or not. Is it? She was Oktavia after all, and even now the Witch rests deep with her, and she is sure she can call that aspect of herself out at a moment's notice, just as she knows Oktavia will listen to her, as they are the same person.

"I think you are right", she muses. "I never thought of it like that, but a Labyrinth comes from the mindset of the Witch, and I am Oktavia, just healed and back to calling herself Sayaka Miki. So, yes, we actually are in my soul", she concludes, herself surprised at the concept.

And then Bow inquires about the Scroll she warned him about. "That one is the Lost Logia Chrono had mentioned to you, the Scroll of Ka. It split my soul in two halves, and there were essentially two of me around for that time. Now I am keeping it here until Chrono gets it back."

She then glances at the Grief Seeds. "Those are full, and can't be used to purify a Soul Gem of its taint anymore. Back before we knew the truth, we would give them back to Kyubey, but now, no way I am giving my fellow magical girls back to him, especially since this Labyrinth can keep them stable, something only Kyubey could do before. I am taking this as my duty, to be the assistant of a saviour that will be able to get them back to normal, just as my friends did for me."

Sayaka's gaze is calm, but in her eyes, a resolute determination can be seen, the knowledge this is not the end for them. "Kyubey himself didn't expect turning me back was possible, and this is why I am fully convinced of this hope, that one day a way to help them will be found."

Bow has posed:
"Scroll makes two of you, don't touch it. Don't think you'd want two of me." Bow offers with a small grin, as he watches her reaction as his question seems to have intrigued her, and the answer that she gives causes him to smile. "I'm glad that I have the complete you." he admits as he reaches for her hand, hoping she accepts it.

"Be careful." he offers to her quietly. "I realize why you are doing this - and it's noble. But try not to overfill yourself with the grief of others." His hand squeezes hers as he glances again towards the seeds - once the hopes and dreams of a girl's heart, now twisted and spent and worth nothing to anyone but Kyubey. If he were back on Etheria, he could use the library, maybe research and try to find a way to return them. But he's not.

"You and your friends will find a way." comes his reassuring comment, his hand releasing hers as he considers her. "After all, you proved the theory is possible. Just need to find a way now to make it so that any of them can follow your example."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
She, in fact, does not want two of him, much like she does not want two of anyone. "Yes, I prefer you whole, Bow", Sayaka replies to him. "Being split in half is a terrible affair, and you will find your more hopeful side arguing with your depressed half until none of you can stand the other anymore." It's an experience she really doesn't suggest.

And when he tells her to be careful, Sayaka moves in a hug. "It's ok, they can't really affect my soul. They are completely inert in here, I am letting them rest completely. Though, regarding the grief of others, I should tell you something: there is no telling how others might react to the truth behind Puellae and Witches, so this has to stay a secret. Ok, Bow?"

And then she lets go of him, turning around to look at the empty concert hall. With a wave of her hand, a piano appears in there. "I didn't call you here only to listen to these things, though. I figured you would have liked playing in a concert hall. I can't let you experience the real deal, but I have one all for me now, so how about it? Do you want to play with me again, in here?" she invites him with an affectionate smile.

Bow has posed:
"I have a depressed half??" Bow winks at Sayaka as she makes that suggestion. That might be something to seriously ponder. But not really go theorizing about as he understands Sayaka's thoughts on the matter and makes sure to keep his distance.

Though his focus returns to the bluenette as his hand reaches to touch her shoulder, as she squeezes in a hug, his arms around her, a light caress. "Alright." he says, not completely sure, but it's her secret and she understands it better than him - he won't go spreading it - mainly because all he can offer at the moment would be disinformation anyway.

She releases him and his hug lasts a couple of moments longer before she pulls away and summons her piano. "It could be a corner of a street, Sayaka, and I would want to be in a concert with you." he offers to her warmly, a lift of his violin case as he gestrues.

"Lead the way, bluebird." A pause. "Is it okay if I call you that? I mean, you favor blue... you sound beautiful... and bluebirds sing such sweet songs of happiness, like the one you put in me."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"I seriously hope not", Sayaka tells Bow. Why would she wish for him to be like that? "If you are depressed, I would be there for you and try to help you the normal way, not with the aid of that scroll", she remarks. That is pretty high on her list of terrible ideas.

Bluebird... That's a very different nickname from the one Hinoiri gave her, but Sayaka can only appreciate it when Bow outlines his motivations for. "That works and sounds nice, thanks, Bow!"

And when pondering what would suit him instead, Sayaka pulls up the photo of a red squirrel standing between two branches, showing it to Bow. "This is a squirrel, they are very intelligent, industrious and caring animals with these big eyes. I think it would suit you, what do you think?", she grins at him.

After, he gives his answer, she starts pulling him towards the piano, and then she sits on it, ready to play the instrument of her soul. She is just waiting for Bow to signal he is ready.

Bow has posed:
"Don't worry, not gonna happen!" Bow offers encouragingly, "And like you said, you'd be there to snap me out of it." A wink towards the bluenette. Even further encouraged to flirt with his little bluebird when she accepts the nickname. He passes by her for a moment, a hand trailing up her arm, a playfully light touch to entice her.

And then he turns to press behind her and look over her shoulder as she brings up the picture of the squirrel. "That's what squirrels look like here?" he asks curiously, breath warm on her ear. "Squirrels on Etheria are kinda... bluish green with little antenna and three eyes." he admits.

Though he's studying the picture closer. "Awww, you think I'm that cute?" he whispers to her. "I thought you were the cute one." Though his eyes are probably about as bright and expressive as that image. "But I accept."

And then she's grabbing his hand to tug him to the piano and he follows after her. As she settles in, he opens the case, pulling out the violin - and then daringly perches on the edge of the bench, close to her, his back to her, as he nods. "Your heart - you lead, I'll follow."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
Sayaka grins a little at the playful touch of her boyfriend upon her touch, welcoming it, even if her response in going to be in the melody of the piano, rather than in her flirting back. The grin is plenty visible however if Bow expects a reaction.

"I would say those are weird squirrels, but you probably would say the same of yours", Sayaka ponders out loud. At least, those things can't be any weirder looking than the alien critter she already knows.

"Well, yes, you are", Sayaka replies tentatively, uncertain when he turns his question into a statement for her. She is not going to repeat her opinion on her cuteness, he already knows it and he'd rather that she accepts the compliment.

And then it's the time to start the melody, with Bow wanting her to lead. When he sits close with his back to her, she brushes against it slightly with her shoulder - the contact of a second, wanting to feel the closeness - and then she begins playing, the notes, filling the empty Labyrinth with the melody of her love.

Bow has posed:
There are times where you flirt with words. But there are far more intimate ways to flirt. The brush of her shoulder against his back was not missed. He doesn't lean into it, instead, he listens for her to start. As she starts to lay out the first part of the melody, Bow's foot gently moves, keeping time with her chords.

Just as she reaches her first bridge, Bow lifts the violin, setting it into postion. When she reaches that natural cue, he drops in, his fingers dancing over the fret as his bow is pulled against the catgut, the soft accompanyment almost not noticable at first.

And that is on purpose. For a moment, Sayaka is alone. Just her song as she plays it. But Bow's starts to join with her, building up gently around her, his melody played to bolster hers. To accenuate her - to show her that she can stand on her own, but there is that gentle supportive tune underneath.

He may have dropped into her life in a rush and under fire - the build of their relationship... he slows his tune... once... twice... and thrice, before finally, he joins her in earnest.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
And just like the first time she played with Bow, her melody joined together with his is a spectacle that steals her heart even as she herself is part of that spectacle. She smiles when her heart is gently nudged along, and she is confirmed in her feelings for Bow once more.

The bluenette is closely playing it to what Bow is doing, even if she doesn't quite gets the reasons of those disappearances from the playing in unison. Still it's clear she is enjoying doing it with him a face truly content with her situation.

Eventually though, it turns to an end. It's impossible to say how long it has been, but for how useful it is, her Labyrinth isn't able to stop or slow down time, so they do have to get out eventually. "How did you like it?" Sayaka asks happily to Bow.

Bow has posed:
Ah, but Bow did. And someday, if she asks, he'll explain them to her. For now, the song continues and his heart is joined with hers in that symphony of soft delights and newfound love that has been planted and waiting to be nurtured to see if it sprouts and bears fruit for the young couple.

Eventually, as Sayaka slows, so does Bow, his notes drifting back off to allow her soft piano refrain to be the last notes. And when she speaks to him of his enjoyment, he sets aside the violin for a moment.

His hands gently cup her face and he lifts her gently to guide her into a fuller, more giving kiss. His mouth holds against hers, dark eyes closed as he just breathes her in, before breaking away. "I think we play wonderfully together, Sayaka." he tells her gently, the smile on his face genuine affection. "You?"

Sayaka Miki has posed:
There is a clear feeling of anticipation in Sayaka's face when Bow cups her face. She knows what's coming and if not for the feeling Bow would prefer setting the pace right now, she would push herself up to finish the job herself, the upcoming romantic moment setting her heart fluttering.

And he gently guides her towards that kiss, making Sayaka finally content when the contact happens, leading her to kiss him back lovingly then, wanting him to feel all the affection her heart holds for him. "I think we match perfectly Bow", Sayaka replies. "I couldn't be happier that I came into your life."

Bow has posed:
"I'm glad I'm in yours, bluebird." Bow responds. A quick, smaller kiss and he pulls back from her. "I don't know how long you can keep this hall up - but I wouldn't mind if we left and went to get a bite to eat?" he suggests.

Totally a date. No need to ask anymore. They're dating, it's official. She can change her relationship in her facebook page and everything.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"Eating together sounds good", Sayaka exclaims, taking the hand by which he isn't holding the violin and leading him outside, closing the portal and leading him to a place she enjoys lots, Gullwing Coffee.