A Garden of Fake Flowers

| Indie Magilou ToB | Private/Selective | written by Samee | spoilers not tagged | Sideblog to talesofepeolatry |

[lord-of-calamity-blog]

“…I can feel it.

I am fading away… my arm is consuming me. If I cut it… if I cut it, it might stop– I might be able to recover my humanity. But… ”

[lostlegate]

    “Sure, sure, but you really think you’d get it back before the blood-loss got to ya? Hundred gald says you’d die first~”

[lostlegate]

    ;; works for an hour on a PSD. Tumblr refuses to load image.              that’s cool too.

[faintlyglow]

no addressing our problems we downward spiral like men

[lostlegate]

A menagerie would generally imply a group of people. What happens to Magilou's Menagerie when the party goes their ways after the end of Berseria? Does she continue to entertain with Bienfu? Find something else to do?

    Don’t let her fool you- Magilou’s Menagerie continues after the end of Berseria. Just… as a duo. She’ll insist there are other members, if pressed, but they’re busy or she’ll make a flippant comment about how they have better things to be doing ( like keeping the world safe and all that, but why give them more credit than she absolutely has to? ). She and Bienfu very likely continue to perform here and there; after all, how else is she supposed to earn her keep here and there, because if you think she’s going to start some kind of stable job, you are disillusioned my friend. The likeliest thing I can see her doing is continuing performing, but she also writes.

        She writes. A lot. More than you would imagine. Books, poems, anthologies- each has a penname, but a few are tossed out with her name Mayvin attached- namely poetry. My Heart, My Heart, after all, had to be produced somehow. Tbh, I need to go back and play the one portion of Zestiria again that describes the Mayvin, because I firmly think that started ( that portion of the Mayvins ) with Magilou.

[archaeologian-blog]

send me a topic to write a meta about my muse on

I might write anything from a paragraph to a whopping essay, but send me something you’ve noticed about my characterisation or just something you want to know about my muse and I will write what I can!

[lostlegate]

♪⁽⁽٩( ᐖ )۶⁾⁾ ₍₍٩( ᐛ )۶₎₎♪: How are they like when they dance? Are they stiff? Fluid? A good dancer? Do they prefer to dance with a lot of others, with one other person, or alone?

    All things considered, Magilou probably could be an excellent dancer- fluid, but strong, with dedicated movements and performance ability for days. It was probably something that she was made to practice on for her days in the troupe; if nothing else, for performance factor. Controlling your body precisely and being able to move in an aesthetically appealing way definitely have draws, even more so for a young woman of arguable attractiveness. 

    Despite this, I doubt Magilou enjoys dancing unless people are watching. A ton of what she does is for the input, namely praise, of others; so it doesn’t matter if she thinks she’s good at it, or even if she is, as long as someone’s got their eyes on her and as long as someone is happy for it, she’d probably dance. By herself, with others, for money, for whatever. If there’s no gain, however, be it emotional or material in nature, she probably would outright refuse. Everything needs an exchange, after all.

[warrioroflondonbelow]

Physical Detail Ask Meme:

Σ(ﾟДﾟ；): Have they ever sprained or broken their leg before? How about their arm? What was the story behind it?

╰(*´︶`*)╯: Do they appreciate hugs? Would they prefer to give hugs or receive hugs? What kind of hugs do they like to receive and/or give?

ಠಿ_ಠ: Do they look up or down when they are trying to recollect something?

ヽ( ´O｀): What is their body language like when sleepy? 

(Дﾟ≡ﾟДﾟ): When they are surprised by somebody do they physically jump? Scream? 

(⸝⸝⸝ ̑ ̑⸝⸝⸝):  Does their face get red after they drink?

(„ᵕᴗᵕ„): Does their face turn red when embarrassed? If so, how else do they react when embarrassed? (I.E. Shifting of weight upon foot, etc.)

( ๑‾̀◡‾́)σ»: Do they have a sensitive spot/s?

(〇o〇；): What is their body language like when they are stressed? Do they try and hide the fact that they are stressed? How do they recover from said stress?

ಠ-ಠ: Do they like it when people touch their hair?

(ﾉ≧ڡ≦): Do they like to show affection by physically teasing? (I.E: Shoulder punches, etc.)

♪⁽⁽٩( ᐖ )۶⁾⁾ ₍₍٩( ᐛ )۶₎₎♪: How are they like when they dance? Are they stiff? Fluid? A good dancer? Do they prefer to dance with a lot of others, with one other person, or alone?

ง ( ⌓̈ )ง: Are they physically strong when it comes to fights?

(´∀｀): Do they laugh when they get nervous?

ಥoಥ: How are they like when they cry? Do they just stream tears nonstop? Does their nose get clogged to the point that it’s hard to breathe? Is it easy for them to speak when they are sobbing? Do they hiccup when they cry?

ಸヮಸ: Do they lean back or forward when they laugh hard? Do they snort? Slap their knee? Do that seal-esque clap? Do they often laugh to the point that you can’t hear their laugh anymore?

「(°ヘ°): How does one calm them down when they are freaking out? Do they prefer physical comfort, or would they rather be left alone?

⊙.☉: Does their voice get an octave higher when they lie? Does it crack?

( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡): Does having somebody stroke their head make them feel relaxed?

(ꈍᴗꈍ)ε｀*): Do they prefer kisses on the cheek? Forehead? What about neck kisses?

(-.-): How should one wake them up? Do they get out of bed easily?

(ó﹏ò｡): Are there any foods that make their stomach upset?

[lostlegate]

formsix:

“What, a man can’t perform an ornate fan dance shirtless? It’s a traditional family ceremony. I was practicing!”

    “Aren’t family traditions supposed to stay in the family? And besides, it’s a bad influence. Wouldn’t want tall, dark, and hungry to make a meal outta you for giving Laphicet ideas, would ya?”

[lostlegate]

[thereapersbooty] "If you're going to be telling ghost stories to my crew, I'd appreciate the chance to hear them myself."

    “Not for nothing, Eizen, but weren’t you a ghost story once upon an overcast night? C’mon, listening to a ghost story is only scary if you’re talking about the Reaper, not with him!”

[thereapersbooty]

“Aye, I was. Almost.” Aifread being the lone exception. Eizen couldn’t argue with that. “But any good ghost story has a kernel of truth to it that’s worth digging up, despite whatever fear’s involved.” 

[lostlegate]

    “Right, right, and you’re that kernel. Can’t have you spooking off my listeners with your...” She gestured flippantly to the all of him. “Now why don’t you either blend in to the ambiance or blend into audience~”

[lostlegate]

Tch, tch, tch, tch...

    “Wahh! Oh no, this chill- this horrifying, terrifying, gut-wrenching nip in the air! It can only be the Reaper, set upon me for vengeance!”

    “What? Here to ruin another of my shows...?”

[lostlegate]

formsix:

“Uh huh. if that’s the case…”

“… why don’t you tell me exactly what it is you saw me do?”

    “Rokuro! Daemon or no, I expected you to have some shame! Think of the children, of darling little Laphicet! If he heard the things I saw you do, why I think even he would-- no, I daren’t say it! I mustn’t! For the good of the known free world, you and I both must take this to your grave.... capisce?”

[lostlegate]

  ◈◈  I can think of 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 more 𝓫𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰                     than your 𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓵 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭.                        A garden of fake flowers                            Good for show and 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮. ◈◈

[lostlegate]

formsix:

“Nothin’! You disappeared for weeks–I thought maybe you got eaten.”

    “Did I disappear, or could you just not see me? How much attention were you paying, little Rokuro? Don’t think I didn’t see what you did.”

[ufemew-wexub-blog-deactivated20]

                                               Lιvιɴɢ ιɴ αɢoɴy, 

                                                   ιɴ тrαɢedy 

                                Iѕ lιĸe α cυrѕe вroυɢнт υpoɴ yoυrѕelғ 

                                   'Cαυѕe αѕ yoυ’re cαllιɴɢ oυт 

                                             αɴd ғαllιɴɢ dowɴ                                          

                                         Yoυ cαɴ'т вe recovered 

                                      Aɴd ιт нυrтѕ lιĸe нell

             [ Indie | Non Selective | Eizen of Tales of Berseria | As penned lovingly by Kat ]

[lostlegate]

[thereapersbooty] "If you're going to be telling ghost stories to my crew, I'd appreciate the chance to hear them myself."

    “Not for nothing, Eizen, but weren’t you a ghost story once upon an overcast night? C’mon, listening to a ghost story is only scary if you’re talking about the Reaper, not with him!”

[lostlegate]

bonafidebittersweet replied to your post:     ;; That being said, if anyone has icons for a...

Rokurou looks at you VERY EXPECTANTLY

    “What, Sword for Brains?” 

[lostlegate]

    ;; Making a little posty-post here as a test post, sure, but let’s take advantage of the fact that I need this to do a little word dumping-

    Which means Samee’s understanding of Magilou’s backstory. Essentially what I understand, and what I’ll operate with until proven otherwise, is that Magilou was born with a natural, surprising amount of resonance. She could communicate with Malakhim and naturally see them, which to the normal humans around her seemed supernatural and witch like. Let’s call it psychological terms and coin it labeling theory that she just sort of took to the title, not the least of which because it seems that she was mistreated and abused for the purposes of using this seemingly otherworldly power for the purposes of a traveling Troupe. How this troupe procured her is up for debate, but I’m assuming it was either luck of the draw, or some less than savory means ( given how Stolkholm attached she is to the title of witch, I would assume the latter ). Enter Melchior, seeing her in one of these shows, and whoops~ suddenly her savior has the Troupe fall to an unfortunate death, from which she is somehow never found. 

    At this point, she travels with Melchior, probably seeing him not only as a father figure but a savior of sorts, and dons the mantle of future duty as a Mayvin ( even going so far as to adopt the name ). Now this is where I get to reference actual dialogue from the game: 

        "She could be crushed under the weight of his expectations.          She could simply reach her limit and lose hope.          Either teacher or student could abandon the other.          And say she one days meets his standards of perfection.          Who knows whether it would even make her happy.          It's human nature to end up wanting to stay with someone,                  if that person is someone who needs you.”

    So, going by this, we can assume that Magilou was cutting herself to the quick and working herself every day to meet Melchior’s seemingly absurd expectations ( and I mean, who can be surprised, given that this man seems to have taken an Oath that literally prolonged his life exorbinantly in order to accomplish his duties and undertake this Crusade against humanity of Innominat ). But for whatever reason, which I have not found yet, she snaps. She fails. She breaks. I think... honestly... it’s her love of humanity, her unwillingness to let go of the beauty of the tragedy and failing that is people. I mean, her speech to Melchior says just that: 

          "The wellspring of all malevolence. Thus must emotion be quelled,              and reason bring order to the world, until the day that humanity can              repent and overcome their sins. We are the instruments of change,              hated for our sacrifice. We are the shadow of the Shepherd who brings             salvation.           ... I can think of nothing more boring than your ideal world.             A garden of fake flowers. Good for show and nothing else.            Can a flower hold beauty if it does not wilt?! Can a wolf be satisfied           eating grass?! ... Let the biting bugs go ahead and eat what they want           to eat. Let the weeds grow where they wanna grow! Some may look down           on them and scoff at their foolishness, but their unwavering wills are proof           that they're alive! If that's what you call evil,                     then I will live and die with evil as my mantra!"

    As warped and perverted as her love is of humanity, I think it’s largely born out of a disconnect with it. She didn’t fit in as a child, and was warped into constantly advertising and profiting off of it. But still, she loved the fact that they are flawed, that humanity is damaged and that that’s just part of the game. Because if it isn’t, where does she fit? Magilou refers to the fact that her emotions broke when she’s speaking to Laphicet early on; it’s out of self defense, anyone can tell, but that’s why she’s so absurdly off the wall- she was made to be a performer right out of the gate, so spectacles and attention grabbing, living for praise, believing that everything must have a price tag or exchange in order to be realistic, nothing being done out of kindness or kinship- it’s all just a product of her early life. And even Melchior had something drastic to gain out of her natural innate ability and talent.

      So long story short, her justificaiton exists, and her life sort of leads her there. It’s in finding Velvet and Rokuro that she, oddly, becomes vindicated in her surprisingly unbroken view and passion for at least observing, if not detaching from, humanity. After all,

         I watch the world with measured gaze as moments turn to history.         The world, a lute the people play, and history its melody.         Venture on. Venture on. Let your actions turn the world.         And I shall watch, and I shall watch. Until the final star winks out.         If solitude must be my fate, then people are my heart, my heart.        I know your sins and shrieks and joys, for people are my heart, my heart.

    And it’s pretty safe to assume she wouldn’t have come to this ( ^^^ ) conclusion without traveling with Velvet. I honestly think one of her primary justifications for continuing to travel with them, beyond Bienfu and her claim at revenge ( which I think was just a further jab at making fun of Velvet and the absurdity of her quest ), was to watch someone else crumble. She broke, and she faults herself for being tossed away into the cell to rot ( because obviously someone knew too much to be just released if she refused to perform ). Seeing Velvet’s determination and drive, much less at 19 ( probably Magilou is mid-twenties at least ), probably sparked a little too much recognition, even if the drive was significantly less intrinsic and personally focused. She wanted the affirmation that if she couldn’t do it, no one else could, and yet seeing Velvet keep going, and going, and.... going... and going... sort of is the proof she needs to rebuild herself, if only a little bit; gave her the strength to stand up against Melchior too.

..... obviously this is all subject to change once I find more on her backstory woven into the game...