what lurks in the lake
⤷ anamorphosis: team coronet third week ( the eyeless )
Lex is assuming the best of Valter, and he isn't letting Forsyth tend to his wounds. What a mess. At least he phrases the idea in a way that makes it clear he isn't keen on seeing her perish.
...he's also right about that whole thing with the lake, if he's interpreting that correctly. Jayde did say portal. Does he mean just to transform, or is there a way out he hasn't tried?
Valter won't leave well enough alone, though, interjecting as though it is his civic duty. The worst part is, Forsyth agrees with his logic. Whatever the Moonstone's game is, at least it isn't entirely destructive at the moment.
"That is a definite possibility." If Jayde is even real. His existence could, in fact, shatter with the mirror world itself. Or, it could be their duty to shatter it. "I think it best to pool the information we have to set the best course of action into plan."
Even if one of the boys is their mark, it's wise to stay friendly and avoid needless conflict. This includes within their own numbers, so Forsyth nods acknowledgement to Valter, and includes the most authentic smile he can. It's the effort that counts.
"Are there any loops of note before this one you could advise us on? The one where Yucie attacked, maybe?"
They're probably getting overwhelming at this point, but the information is vital, especially while they are cooperative.
“ Sorry, ” Jayde apologizes at Lex's outcry. “ But since you were all quick to the punch, literally, after being taken through it the first time, I didn't think you'd mind the second...
“ Anyway, do remember what I look like. Being a ghost around normal people isn't really... ideal. ” Jayde's frown deepens just thinking about it. And indeed, although everyone else had transformed between one side of the lake to the other, Jayde has remained entirely the same between the two sides to reality. “ And I turn invisible outside of this forest. I've been tied to here for years, like it or not... ”
For Forsyth's questions:
“ Yucie attacked me a few years ago. That's all I can tell you. It was a normal year otherwise. Every year is for Eri and me. We are stuck in time as everyone else moves forward, forgotten over and over... ”
It's with a depressed sigh and a rueful smile that he finishes:
“ I just hope with help this time, it'll be the last. ”
And Jayde and his mask both disappear into thin air then as the rustling of the forest is heard soon after. The language arts teacher that had bailed Arlo and Greil out the first day of the mission emerges, voice loud and cheery as it had been before, albeit this time with eyes that make him look youthful despite his age.
“ There you all are!! I got some reports you six had gone missing from prep work, but you all just played hooky out here, huh? ” He looks between everyone. “ Well, I get wanting to make a good memory to enjoy your youth, but we still got a SummerFest to set up! One more push, and you'll all have your summer break to make memories with! ”
And with a blast of his whistle, he ushers everyone back out of the legendary forest and towards the school proper. You all leave with a date, a location, and a new knowledge of what might come to be.
A hero, a maiden, a legendary forest...
...and the ending that never is—
— the end.


















