You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to; I just thought of this as a cute idea.
So, you know know each character has a set of, “About *insert character*” voice lines? What if Scara had a “About puppet reader” voiceline and vice versa? What would they be?
Finally got to answering this!
This is such a cute idea and I may have gone overboard on this! However, I didn't do one for Reader's voicelines, that's something unique to everyone and I want the reader themselves to have their own voice so as compensation - enjoy!
(This ask is related to a published story called Kintsugi, spoilers ahead if you haven't read it yet)
For all versions
About Puppet Reader:
You and your savior complex. Haven't you peered into my memories already? You've gotten all the information you need, I'm not speaking matters about them to you of all people, you've gotten the upper hand for far too long...
When It Rains: (friendship level 4)
Is it raining on your side too...
About Puppet Reader: Kintsugi
It is not my place to answer that, but if your annoying curiousity ends up hurting them - well, you'd be facing the wrath of my newfound power and a different kind of bloodlust. Hehehe, that face... I'm glad you know I'm not fooling around.
For the Canon Ending
About Dottore: Betrayal
I was too foolish, blinded by my own ambition and too careless to see the strings he's been pulling all this time. What else is there to say? The moment I see him, I'll tear him apart for even touching what's mine.
About Regrets: (friendship level 6)
*whispering* No, they're not weak, they'll survive. Even as innocent as they are, they're not naive but - Traveler, if you were in their place, would you... would you be able to forgive me?
Tsk, nevermind. Forget this ever happened.
For the good ending (calling it the Omamori Ending/AU)
Chat: Joining the Party
Alright, I'm here, let's get going. Slow down? Hah, maybe for you, but I've no time for chitchat. The sooner we're done here, the sooner I'm back home.
About Puppet Reader:
That look on your face - what? Can't believe someone like them is associated with me? If I had to pick one person to spend eternity with, I'll gladly destroy the rest of the world so it would be just us. Aren't I romantic? ... Why are you looking at me like that?
About Wanderer: Omamori Charm
It's just a protection charm. (Y/N) had picked up the hobby of making crafts recently, and this is just one of their many talents. You want one for yourself? Psh, please, you'd be a waste of their time - so don't ask them for one.
About Puppet Reader: Kindness
Such pure heart for a puppet wronged by this cruel world... A kindness like that is proof that they are of divine origins, something humans like you could never achieve. And that's exactly why no one else is worthy to stand by them but me.
About Wanderer: Wedding Ring (unlocked after wedding sq)
I'm glad your eyesight is still intact. If you're aware of my predicament now, why are you still separating me from my spouse for your nonsensical tasks?
When the Wind is Blowing (friendship level 4)
Little bird*... You better not be lost on your way home again *sigh*
Hope you liked it as much as I did writing it! Super fun oh it reminds me so much of Universe Reversal voiceline prompts hehe there would be more but this would just end up being a whole ass document if ever
*refers to Kouta, name of the bird they adopted to send letters
Removed scenes, extras, and explanation of the fic Kintsugi; Scaramouche/Wanderer x First Puppet Reader, heavy spoilers if you haven't read the fic, of course
Shorter Version of the Intro
The dead grass fold and shrivel on the wake of his footsteps, the crunch of old leaves the only accompaniment in this dead town.
He has heard of this town with the sakura tree in old tales, from a bladesmith friend that talked about a statue unearthed by said tree for bedtime stories.
A version where it is a ghost instead, lingering around the tree, awaiting an unknown lover.
And another variation, the one that brought him here, spoken by the old man he's tailing. The guardian of eternal slumber, a puppet that rests between the roots of the beautiful tree who opens its eyes to those worthy of its divine gaze, blessing those with worthy offerings.
Shouki no Kami
"And here I thought I'd finally have some peace."
The Traveler thought he was prepared for the sight of his huge opponent, one of which he had seen a glimpse in the short time he had transferred consciousness with the lesser lord, prepared to fight for his life against a newly born god.
But this? The unexpected sight had him hesitating a bit, had him staring after making sure that Paimon and Nahida were okay from the wind that swept them away.
Inside the constructed form stood the Balladeer, and a figure he had not seen before resting, sleeping in his arms. Even from this distance he could see the gentleness of his hold, a gentleness he never knew Scaramouche was capable of.
"I suppose this arrangement is also acceptable." Leaning down to the unconscious puppet, Scaramouche would close his eyes as he rests his head on top of yours, "When you awaken, there will be no further interruptions as you gaze upon the new world I create."
Only when Scaramouche removed the puppet string attached to your back did the Traveler notice it, their small group silently watching the hand of the Shouki no Kami reach with its palm up in command, and there Scaramouche reaches out to lay you gently.
"What... was that? Who was that?" Paimon finally spoke as the mechanical robot placed your still resting body on one of the elevators, tucking you away from the incoming battle, where he was sure you'd be safe. "Maybe we could -"
"No. That would be unwise." Nahida reasoned as she closed her eyes, hands close to her chest. "We should not stoop so low to use the same tactics as the Fatui, especially someone so innocent. And besides..."
Focusing back on Scaramouche, his gaze on them is full of malice at the realization that they had stared at the direction of where he hid you.
"I can't fathom what terrible calamity he might bring to Sumeru if they were to be harmed."
Mother...?
You watched the intimate moment quietly and a respectable distance away, smiling softly at the sight of Kunikuzushi sharing a heartfelt embrace with the electro archon. Whispers and mumbles you were not privy to were shared with each other.
"I am relieved to see that you have matured in your freedom."
"Don't - " But the puppet pulled away with a measured grimace, stepping back as he gestured an arm towards you. "Do not just forget about (Y/N), why do you not acknowledge them, mama?"
"Kunikuzushi, there's no need for - "
"(Y/N)?" Her wondered gaze looked at you whole, but you can only lower your stare with a slight frown. "I see. It looks like you've found your answers, at least."
"Ma-" You felt your throat tighten as the truth hits you. "You are not my mother." At this, the puppet clad in blue directed his bewildered stare at you, missing the melancholic gaze of Ei.
"Indeed, I am not Makoto." Yet your hand still shook as you gripped the petal close to your chest. "However, I am consoled with the fact that I didn't lose you with her."
Feeling an arm wrap around your shoulder, you turn to find that it was Kunikuzushi by your side, a worried look and a sad smile adorning his beautiful face. The tension leaves your shoulders as you look back at Ei.
"Welcome home, you two."
You two will be all right.
500 years ago
"As expected of my own child."
"Mama? Where are you going?"
Turning away from the red sky, you watch as the electro archon turns to face you, eyes softening at the sight of your yukata for bed. There is a smile on her face as she walks over, adjusting the haori that you seemed to have haphazardly worn to catch up to her.
You must have noticed her presence leaving.
Perhaps, you had also been blessed with visions of soon to be's.
"I am simply fulfilling my duty as the archon, my dear. You should go back to rest."
"Am I not allowed to come with you?" Her giggles were as soft as the wind that brushes past the sakura blooms, as soft as the petal that flutters to her reaching palm, as soft as her hand that cradles your own as she places the blossom on your grip.
"Fate has plans for you, my dear, and it does not end here." The kiss on the crease between your brows coaxes your eyes to close in slumber. "May your future shine as bright as a water moon, my (Y/N)."
The darkness that greets you brings fear in your incoherent mind, stumbling out of the unfamiliar estate in search of her, of your mother.
Her name spills out of your lips desperately as you trip on unfamiliar roots, and yet, she is still not here to wipe the tears away as she always does.
Where is she? Where are you?
Scared and alone, you curl up against the roots of the sakura tree, the lone petal in your hand being your only comfort.
The sky is not red anymore, so why is she not back still?
Bad Ending
"I simply facilitated a long overdue reunion, you can see it for yourself."
And he finds himself where he had been longing to go for years, finally, finally where he had always dreamed every night.
Holding his hat as he descended back to solid ground, Kunikuzushi almost stumbled in his haste to close the distance, hand pressed against the smoking ice to make sure.
Encased in a bed of ice together with the electro gnosis, despite your frozen state, Kuni breathed a sigh of relief. That energy, that connection you two shared is still brimming with life.
You're alive.
"Let's get you out of this uncomfortable place, then." Summoning the winds of his vision, he carefully aimed the slashes to carve away the ice like a sculptor, making sure that he wouldn't accidentally nick you.
Yet before he could make the final cut, cracks appeared on the ice until it exploded in a blizzard, forcing him to step back to shield himself. The cold air would have sent a chill down his spine.
"You're finally awake." He watched as you slowly straightened your form with obvious stiffness to your movements. The cold had always been cruel to you. "I'm here -"
A flash of purple light lit up the room, and the next thing he knew his left sleeve was singed and blown off, missing his body by mere inches. Following the scorched marks on the floor, the root ends on the tip of your sword still pointed at him.
"... Hah. I knew this would happen." If it were the old you, you would have noticed the solemnity in his laugh. But you stared at him with the same coldness he had been subjected to the day he met you in that village. As cold as the ice forming by your feet. "I suppose this is due punishment for all the things I've done, huh?"
"You are trespassing, leave at once. Or else." Your brows furrowed when he took a step closer.
"Or else what?"
A second slash this time chipped at his hip, but he didn't seem bothered by the damage at all. "I end you right where you stand."
You grit your teeth at the sound of his condescending laugh once more, watching him hold his hat down as he almost doubled over in laughter. The empty room filled with nothing but his bitter chuckles, so hollow even as he stopped.
"End me, huh?" Kunikuzushi lifts his head up to reveal a smile, framed by a cascade of tears that seems to never end. "It would be the greatest honor."
The sound of a bell warns the next move, as a slash to your shoulder forces you to stumble back. And the room would glow with bittersweet fury of violets and blues.
"Traveler, I think I found the Wanderer..."
The Traveler and his entourage filed in the room in dreaded silence, taking in the scene in front of them.
Cracks and parts chipped away and falling apart. It was a battle, lacking of blood but still just as gruesome, meant to be fought until the end. Yet it was clear there would be no victor.
But in the face of his demise, Kunikuzushi had a rare smile on his once porcelain face, his exquisite hat discarded as he's slumped forward.
And there on his lap cradled by his broken hands, a puppet lays what's left of its head to rest. Half of its face pulverized in the clash, yet even with the cracks of outlined gold falling apart, your face only reflects what seems to be a dreamer in peace.
At least here, it looks like the both of you had finally escaped your strings.
Details:
This section is focused on some easter eggs and clarifications of the original fic, which you may have already guessed from the scenes written on this post.
First and foremost, yes, you are created by Makoto thousands of years ago. In the second scene in Kintsugi (I), the conversation is between Ei and Makoto during the end of the Archon War. Makoto created you as proof of concept, to test whether she could create life after Ei insisted that she dies so that Makoto could take the throne of the electro archon.
Because of this, you are kept alive by Makoto's essence/consciousness/will, which translates to archonic essence/residue. This is also the reason why the sakura blossom you had throughout the story (from the 500 years ago scene) didn't wilt until you were separated from it. Sandrone and Dottore are the only ones who suspected something is up with you, the latter verifying it during the repairing scene in part 2.
During the lightning strikes, a failsafe of invoking the archon essence inside of you triggers whenever there is potential harm aimed towards you.
So why don't you remember the time between the Archon War and the Cataclysm then? Simple answer: a lil thing called Erosion :) which was showcased in the Bad Ending scene here.
Seeing as Scara/Kuni doesn't know who Makoto was, he believed you were also discarded by Ei, while you thought that the mother/creator/electro archon he was talking about was Makoto.
I also wanted to reflect Makoto and Ei's roles in Scara/Kuni and Reader's story, with how Reader carries the beliefs of Makoto and Scara/Kuni takes on the role of Ei being the shadow/fighter of the twins.
And the "I'm here" dialogues of Scaramouche repeating was actually unintentional at first but I kept it, it looked like a nice way to show the connection he feels between you. It's his way of assuring you that you're not alone, and reinforcing that he would be there for you for eternity.
The title of this post is actually from a play in the Kabuki theatre, Kunikuzushi vs the Spirit of the Cherry Tree (Barrier Gate) which I only found out after writing Kintsugi (I). Ironically, the name of the Kunikuzushi in that play is named Kuronushi, which is Scara's corresponding five kasen image. The coincidence is absolutely uncanny.
I also only remembered about the Dream Sakura (the petal in the dividers) while writing Kintsugi (II) haha.
Immerse yourself with the atmosphere of Kintsugi by listening to this song! It's what I had on loop while writing the fic, together with Scaramouche's boss theme lmao
Some other scene ideas that got scrapped: Scaramouche visiting his friend's funeral before the lightning incident, Columbina's singing reminding Reader of Makoto's lullaby, meeting Albedo in Unreconciled Stars, meeting Dorian/Rubedo, Irodori Festival (originally the timeline of the lightning incident), Dottore check up scene mentioned jn Kintsugi
Thank you again for reading my work, honestly I didn't at all expect the reception of that silly drabble from two months ago but here we are :')) It's such an enjoyable experience, more so your amazing comments and reception upon reading the whole thing <33
The fic was initially meant to end by the kintsugi scene, but I added the ending part after realizing it might be a bad cliffhanger as well as the fact that we got to learn more about him in 3.2 and his drip marketing!
Oh don’t mind me. Just thinking about husband scara and spouse puppet reader bonding over genius invocation TCG. Just ignore me thinking about how puppet reader is better at the game than he is and it makes him grumpy every time he loses. Yeah, don’t mind me.
*me scrambling to collect all the cards rn* Hhhhh don't make me pull out the TCG fic again like I did with Chase The Mirage hahaha
Don't imagine Scaramouche wandering around Sumeru and hearing the game, him immediately buying as many cards he could so he could get a deck for his lover too - don't imagine Scaramouche diligently teaching all he knew about the game's mechanics only for them to be better than him "I can't believe you picked it up so easily..."
Don't imagine him still grumpy about losing but VERY proud when his lover obliterates everyone else. Them walking around Sumeru and some random person challenges his lover to a duel, him smirking while pulling out the deck box of his lover because of course he carries them around for when they want to play out of the blue
Him being a toxic audience, the one who trash talks the opponent despite not the one playing, poking his tongue out to rile up the enemy over his lover's shoulder - and once they win, he'd be all smiley and sweet and congratulatory "I knew you could do it, you're getting really good at this" - before sending a middle finger to the challenger who lost because they were in the middle of a date
Ever since puppet reader got their kintsugi, they have been terrified of thunder and lightning. Hearing thunder would make them freeze for a moment; even seeing the the flash of lightning from the closed blinds of the window would make them shiver.
Now imagine Scara out on a dark cloudy day, doing his own daily business, when he sees a big flash of lightning in the distance followed by a loud boom of thunder and rain starting to fall. Scara knows what is happening and starts making his way home as fast as he could, errands forgotten. By the time he gets home, the storm is in full swing. Once inside, he finds puppet reader curled into a ball in the corner of the room, hands on their ears, and shaking. And Scara just goes to sit besides them, wrapping them in his arms, and just cuddles them whispering sweet nothings till they fall asleep or till the storm is over.
(related story)
My immediate reaction after seeing someone finally mention about the potential of astraphobia in Kintsugi: finally some good trauma
This, this, everything and in between! If it's a particularly bad thunderstorm, Wanderer covers their ears over the veil himself so that reader can focus on clutching on to him, bury their face to his chest to not see the lightning.
On that angle sometimes, he can see the center of the Lichtenberg figures on the nape of their neck and he had to close his eyes too before the anger festers and burns his mind. No matter how beautiful, no matter how many times he reassures that they're safe, he knew there are things that he can't protect them from.
His strength and will alone can never destroy wounds that will never heal.
Okay. I had this idea. I going to be a bit long so please stay with me.
So, a dude in Sumeru sees puppet reader in the bizarre and is immediately enamored. He goes up to them to try to get the ball rolling, only to be immediately shut down and told they are happily married to their husband. They leave the bizarre think that would be the end of it. But this dude is a scumbag. He starts spreading rumors that Scara has been seeing someone else (The traveler probably) and it starts to gain traction.
When Scara comes back from wandering and hears the rumors that have been going around, he is livid. He is able to find the scumbag and confront him. The scumbag starts to argue that he is so much better for puppet reader and it turns into a full blown argument.
After arguing for a while, they both see something from the corner of their eyes. It’s puppet reader. Stone faced. Marching right towards them. Looking at their body language, Scara starts to worry that they actually believe in the rumor. The fact the they just march past him towards the scumbag, not even batting an eye at him, makes the pit in his stomach worse. The scumbag starts to smirk at is victory, only to be quickly erased by a swift kick to his pants. Once he crumbles to his knees, they grab him by the ear and pulls him in so they are face to face.
“How dare you spread falsehoods about my husband. And how DARE you think I would believe such a thing! It seems that simply telling you no was not enough for you to understand. Our bond is something your mortal mind could never hope to comprehend. And most certainly something you will never hope to achieve in your puny lifespan! I will not have such vile words be spread by you or by anyone else! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?!”
He quickly scurries off after promising he will clear things up with every single person he has ever told the rumor to. One he leaves, they turn to a very shocked and touched Scara with the same smile they always greet him with, apologizing for what transpired and asked him how his recent journey was. And they returned home with their arms linked.
Long story short, this scenario would probably be the only time puppet reader would ever lose their cool. Sorry this was so long. I just had this idea and had to share it with you.
I was really hoping reader would just throw hands - it doesn't matter if it's a slap or a punch, actually make it a backhand, reader's that one post where they got married just so they can shout "that's my husband!" Wait I have it as my Discord profile
I want jaws on the floor Scara and scumbag reaction with a punch as strong as Anya punching Damian in Spy x Family type shit because wow that would make him so proud, and also the rumors would then turn around with how now people don't want to be with the puppet because of their scary punch
I could imagine the next day, they locked themselves up in their room and won't even leave the bed because of embarrassment because they just did that in front of so many people, oh the matra would take them now they have a warrant oh no
Hello!!! i was thinking about puppet reader. to be specific about scara and puppet reader being buried together(with scara) in the cor lapis after reader died AND i was thinking. how this happened? like one day they just stopped working or smth? how did scara found/reacted? how he was feeling? what he was thinking while they were buried. I need to know the answers. suddenly i started thinking and i can't rest.(didn't played 3.3)
Accidentally deleted my answer:))
It would be akin to symptoms of dementia, it's not a one and done thing that happened so suddenly but gradual memory loss here and there.
They'll start to forget things in their daily life, walking around the estate and then they would ask to themselves what were they doing again. Wanderer would notice these signs early on and would guide them as best he can, even taking time away from wandering to accompany them in the house for as frequently as possible
Then they would start forgetting about Wanderer AND themselves too, flinching when they pass a mirror and seeing their kintsugi, forgetting that was them. They'll even forget about his name too, asking shyly what is it because it was on the tip of their tongue but can't seem to get it out
The very power inside of them from the electro archon would also slowly seep out, starting from little sparks on their fingertips, and the worst instance was when they were tending to the sakura tree -
A lightning strike would hit it, setting it up on flames - if not for Wanderer being there, the whole forest would have burned down. Friends would turn to intruders, they'll forget how to make the crafts they've done -
The day it happened Wanderer ran out of the bed after realizing they weren't there when he woke up, only to see them standing in the middle of the field between the sakura trees, silently watching. But the moment they locked eyes, imagine Signora's death scene with the surge of electro! Puppet reader would then be on a rampage, crying about how "you abandoned me!" to Wanderer, and then he realized they thought he was Makoto.
Their friends were informed of the possibility and imminent erosion long ago, and if they see the pillar of Electro in the sky, it was their sign to go and help subdue puppet reader. As the others try and wear them down, Zhongli would look at Wanderer and ask "Is this your final decision?" "Yes, make sure not to miss." And he rushes in to trigger his burst, catch them in mid-air, and that's when Zhongli crystallizes them in Cor Lapiz forever.
Wanderer had long since resigned to their fate, however the ultimate decision came down when he realized their last thought was about being betrayed and abandoned. So he decided that he'll stay with them forever, to prove to his love that he will always be there for them. He is sad for many reasons but is happy that his end to his long life is with the one he loves.
As for puppet reader, the familiar warmth of their mother's hug and a sense of love from his lover sent them off to a peaceful slumber forever.
This cute thought I had was inspired my, “Dreaming Catsody” by KKOMDA on YouTube.
So, anime shenanigans happens, and scara is turned into a cat. And he is NOT happy about it. Hissing, scratching, running everywhere breaking stuff anywhere he goes, the works. The traveler and Nahida try to calm him down, but nothing is working.
While this is happing, puppet reader comes by looking for scara, and finds the absolute chaos before them. The traveler and Nahida explain the situation, exhausted and out of ideas.
When puppet reader just goes up to hissing kitty scara and picks him up, he freezes on the spot. They just sit down and starts giving him small rubs, scratches, kisses on the head, and he just m e l t s. Starts purring uncontrollably. And the traveler and Nahida just stare in shock of how much control they have over this boy.
Dreaming wha-
This is so adorable! So cuuuute! I think it would be cute if he just stayed that way hahaha kidding I can imagine he's still not cured by night time and when they have to sleep, instead of going to the cat's play area where they set up a lil bed for him
He hisses at it and goes to the bed next to them, curled up on his side of the bed against them because he's clingy. Funny aftermath, either he ends up turning into a catboy instead (not full cat but at least there's progress) or the reader is the one turned into a cat while he returns to normal, reversed roles!
Alright, all I have left for the Loud House are 3D puzzles, geocaches, and Jenga. I tried lol.
For Scara and puppet reader’s wedding, it could either be a mix of both Sumeru and Inazuma? Or they have both. They have enough money to do that. I don’t imagine it to be very big. Small and intimate. Maybe Nahida should officiate the wedding… Hm, Ei would come, I believe. And with her, something to symbolize Makoto so both would be there for the pair. The Aranara should be wedding guests. They’re too cute to not invite.
I do have tentative ideas for the rings tho. I just want to joke about how fast Scara’s untying puppet reader’s obi cause he’s like lightening, aha sorry Cyno and Tighnari, I just had to. Scara legit having a smug look on his face when he realizes he’s the only one happily married. There’s exceptions yea (CtM) but would Traveler really want to have a team composing of Scara, Vyno, and Tighnari? There’s no Nahida to mediate unless… oh and Nahida might have puppet reader with her in Sumeru city when he’s out. Which does make me think that puppet reader covers up and is never seen without layers or their entire body covered except for Scara (and Dottore but that doesn’t count). But pretty puppet reader turning heads in Sumeru City (especially because of their kintsugi) is a THOUGHT. And Tighnari now has matching scars with them lol.
Bloom anon
Omg geochaces with these three?! That would be so cool, and the games, it's those activities that they can get along in but jenga is a really reaaaally rigged game (and don't worry about hcs for them, the first fic for poly kavetham is intentionally vague)
I did some searching and there's a LOT of things for their wedding that it's absurd, especially when mixed. But the funny bit is that most pre-wedding traditions in Inazuma Scaramouche had already unintentionally done, like providing labor to his future spouse and exchanging important items with one another. So when Ei told him about these, he was so proud that he was doing it right.
There's also the sakaki tree branch offering in the Japanese traditions, so imagine Nahida plucking two branches from Irminsul for the wedding skdbdikeks did you know in Persian traditions, when doing the "I do" part, the bride is actually asked three times to signify the journey of the husband's effort to work for their love? I think it's adorable to see Scara's smile growing in every "I do" aww
And there's also the Chuppah, the canopy held over the lovers where the four corners are raised by four close female friends during the wedding procession. So I'm thinking Paimon, Lumine, Ei, and Nahida (if Zhongli is the wedding officiator, if not, then Hu Tao). And finally, the shower of flowers but it's mainly the Aranara throwing sakura blooms at them <33
And definitely no to that team, Cyno would try to backstab that man every chance he gets lol but now that you say it, the clothes in Sumeru do cover up a lot of skin it would be perfect to wear those when they're in the city so they don't attract too much attention. But yes, with the Kintsugi and being artificially made, the attention is a definite must more so with the Lesser Lord accompanying them <33 Scara doesn't know whether to be smug or infuriated about this info (while rings are not part of the culture, I think this incident is what convinced him go get one)
Also fuck I forgot Tighnari got struck too ajdbxkankb they definitely have a closer bond then, and looking at Reader's kintsugi (can't really hide the ones on their face) he wonder if he should get his scars tattooed over with gold too, although the pain kind of scares him enough to back down every time. Their friendship would be the bridge to all four (Cyno and Scara) of them getting along honestly, at least to remove the obvious hostility.
Puppet reader 🤝 Tighnari struck by lightning while also having bfs with lightning powers
