(Yuuki belongs to the lovely @anunluckyrabbit! Please check out her blog for additional info!)
Overblot: The Cherry Blossom Harlequin
“Everybody~ It’s time! The one you all have been waiting for is finally here - the one, the only, your bestest friend in the whole wide world: CHERRY!”
Overblot Theme Song
Special Mechanic
Ultra Fan: This witch’s special skill charms attacking units for one turn when activated. Affected units will no longer attack the witch, but rather turn against their comrades. It seems that they were charmed by her song and have decided to ally themselves with her.
Voice Lines
Battle Start: “Cherry doesn’t want to fight, but you’re all bad children so Cherry has to discipline you! Don’t worry! Cherry will make sure you’re all her nice, cute puppets!”
Hit: “Remember everybody! Cherry only does this because she loves, loves, loves you~!”
Miss: “No, no, no! All children need to stand still when Cherry is performing!”
Taking Damage: “Ugh! How could you hurt your precious friend Cherry like that?! That’s not what good kids do!”
Skill Activated: “Everybody~ Please cheer for Cherry! Cherry loves you all so much!”
Win: “Yay~ It’s Cherry’s win! Cherry’s so, so, so, so, so happy!”
Loss: “Why… why do you all hate Cherry…? Even though Cherry always tries her best… it’s never… enough…”
Special Interactions
Blanche Dion
Blanche: Rosalia! This is enough! Cease this immediately!
Cherry: ‘Rosalia’? Who’s ‘Rosalia’? Silly rabbit, there’s only Cherry!
Agatha Voisin
Agatha: It’s… time… to… prune… the... roses… heheheheheheh…
Cherry: Ugh! Gross, gross, gross, gross, gross! Cherry doesn’t like ugly children like you!
Cassandra Delphinne
Cass: Mi-Mi-Miss Morgainne! Please co-co-come to your senses!
Cherry: Huh? What’s this? There’s no one! There’s no one! Only Cherry! Always Cherry!
Special Interactions #2
Vil Schoenheit
Vil: Good grief. This has gone too far, Rosalia. It’s unsightly.
Cherry: If you’re gonna be mean to Cherry, Cherry won’t be your friend! Cherry doesn’t like bullies like you!
Jack Howl
Jack: Grrr! My head is spinning… Drop the act, Rosalia-senpai! What’s gotten into you?
Cherry: What, what, what? Cherry’s Cherry because she’s Cherry! Stop messing with Cherry’s head, you mean mutt!
Rook Hunt
Rook: Aaaah! Reine de la Passion! This light does not become you at all!
Cherry: None of you understands Cherry’s appeal! No one! No one! No one!
Description
The lovely witch invites you to her concerto! The stage is set. Black curtains are pulled to reveal the beautiful arrangement prepared for you. There shall be singing. There shall be dancing. The witch will make sure to capture your heart - entirely.
Please do not leave your seat!
Please do not fight us!
We are merely trying to help.
Now, sit back, relax and enjoy our production of “The Cherry Blossom Harlequin”!
Witch Trial
In the judgement room, tall, large with walls made of white marble, Yuuki is sitting at the ornate bench made of heavy mahogany. It is dark - she can barely see the ground, shrouded by shadows as it is. All she knows is that the room is cold and desolate and frightening. How did she get here? Just moments ago she was on the beach in Rosenhex - the Prefect there, Rosalia, Overblotted. Black ink surrounded her, engulfed her entirely until she wasn’t herself anymore, but a grotesque parody of a Harlequin pulled by its strings. They battled - Yuuki can remember that much. And Alkin was there, some of the dorm members too. In the end, she lost - or so it seemed. She can’t be sure anymore. All she remembers is the mask of the Harlequin breaking and then-
Kit: Hey, hey! Ya better not fall asleep on yer feet! We’re here to judge a crime after all!
The voice - small, high-pitched, and inexplicably cruel startles her. In the darkness, she can’t see anything, until a spotlight suddenly turns on. What it illuminates is the small figure of a familiar face - it’s the creature that has been following her around since the start of the year!
Kit: Yes, yes! I can see ya’re delighted to cross paths with me again, but I’m gonna ask ya to keep yer enthusiasm to a minimum! There is time for ya to sing my praises later!
Johann: Now, now, Kit. You mustn’t be so harsh with our esteemed judge.
The other voice Yuuki recognises as belonging to the other one that has been tagging along as well. He sits there in his large coat, dabbing at his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief.
Kit: Bah! There ya go again, kissing up to others, Johann! Ya have no spine!
Johann: And you are too impertinent, my dear.
Kit: Better that than a coward!
Option 1: Stop! Right now!
Option 2: If you’re gonna keep fighting, can I leave?
→ Option 1
Kit: Hmph! Now ya’ve found yer voice!
→ Option 2
Johann: Please wait but a moment, our dear judge!
Kit: In any case, we don’t have time for this nonsense! We have a sentence to give! So, without further ado, let’s declare the witch gu-
Johann: Wait, dear Kit! We cannot give a sentence without a trial!
Kit: Says who?
Johann: The law.
Kit: Bah! We make the law, Johann! If we say she’s guilty, she’s guilty! I say we prepare the guillotine!
Johann: Not without a trial!
Kit: We’ll have a special, 5-second trial!
Johann: Those are inhumane.
Kit: You’d know.
Option 1: Wait, what’s going on?
Option 2: I’m so lost right now…
→ Kit: What? Ya still haven’t figured out? This is the trial! And ya are the judge! So judge!
Yuuki watches as the lights turn on. A sea of shadows disperses only for another to take its place. In the rows before her, there are countless shadow people of all heights and designs standing there in silence, expressions vacant, except for the eyes - the eyes who watch and follow every movement. Kit and Johann bow deeply before them and then with jolly expressions turn towards the bench again.
Kit: So! Let’s get the show on the road! Whatcha say, human?
Option: What am I supposed to do?
Kit: Funny ya should ask that! Well, ya see, ya just gotta up that large hammer next to ya and yell, as loudly as ya can. “GUILT-”
Johann: Objection!
Kit: Bleh! What now?
Johann: You are influencing the judge, my dear Kit! That is unbecoming!
Kit: Shut up! I don’t want to hear that for a suck-up like ya!
Johann lets out a yell as Kit begins pulling on his tail. Yuuki isn’t sure if she should intervene or not. The whole situation is strange. Looking around her she notices that the shadow people have not moved an inch, simply continuing to gaze at her with terrible, sharp eyes. They don’t care at all for the abuse Kit rains down on Johann, or, she suspects, anything else at all. She wishes they would stop.
Picking up her hammer she raps it once, then twice and finally, Johann is spared. Kit scoffs as he returns to his bench, discontent, and Johann starts dabbing at his forehead again.
Option: Please explain what’s going on here!
Kit: Ya sure are slow today, aren’t ya? Well, that doesn’t matter. Since I’m such a nice guy, I’ll make sure to catch ya up!
Yuuki nods, apprehensive, for it doesn’t seem that Kit has any intention of being wholly truthful. Though she wouldn’t be surprised by that either. Ever since the start of the school year, when she found that old bottle in her room, hidden behind the bookshelf, and released the two by accident, they’ve been nothing but nuisances. No, worse. Pests. They refused to leave her alone - which truly, wouldn’t have been that bad if they weren’t so utterly intolerable most of the time. Kit more than Johann since he was the ringleader.
He’d taunt and mock the rest of the students, quietly, so only she could hear, tell her lies about magic and the world, and sometimes even truths. He’d try to play his pranks, but every time Head Prefect Alkin was near, he’d simply disappear. He was afraid of him, but why that was, Yuuki didn’t know. She stuck close to the nekomata after, and she’d seen less of them, but only until she got back to her room where she’d find Kit rummaging through her belongings like he had any right to do so.
Yes - now that she thought it better, “pest” really fit him well.
Kit: Ya see, ya’re here ‘cause we gotta figure out what to do with the witch that went berserk. “Overblot”? I think that’s what ya humans call it. To us, magic creatures, it’s all the same really! Whether ya die or live - it ain’t our business!
He starts laughing, and Yuuki can’t help but bemoan how grating it is. Luckily, Johann decides to chime in.
Johann: Ahem! Your… status might not be our concern, but this “Overblot” situation is-
Kit: Yeah! Yeah! We get it! Ya wanna feel superior!
Johann: I-
Kit: What? Ya want me to come over and pull yer tail again, huh?!
Johann jumps in his seat, tucking his tail under, but otherwise keeps quiet.
Kit: Anyway, like I was saying! We don’t care about your petty troubles, but this “Overblot” thing is something else.
Option 1: Is it really that serious?
→ Kit: Ya think I waste my breath for any old thing? Huh?!
Option 2: Why do you care about it so much?
→ Kit: Cause we gotta! Otherwise the big boss-
Johann: Ahem!
Kit: Whoops! Said too much there! Anyway, ya heard nothing, got it?
Biting her lip, Yuuki glances over at Johann who seemed to have doubled his efforts in whipping his forehead.
Kit: This “Overblot” thingy that ya humans do is really annoying, ya know? Can’t be having ya all running around and going out of sorts like that! Ain’t good for the magic around here, after all! So when one of ya goes crazy - like that little friend of yours back in Rosenhex did - we gotta step up and fix this shit! Got it?
Johann: What an uncouth way of putting it… But he is correct, Your Honour! This transgression must indeed be discussed and judged! It is simply unacceptable for it to pass as such. However!
It startles her to hear the confidence in Johann’s voice all of a sudden. He’d always been a meek fellow, hiding in her shadow, always helpless before Kit’s mocking or violent outbursts. She couldn’t count the number of times Johann has decided to hide behind her, whenever trouble arose. At the first sign of danger he would immediately be gone, only emerging again when it had passed, and it would frustrate her to have such a troublesome imp wax self-important speeches on bravery when even sparrows could send him in a frenzy of fear.
Johann: Your Honour! I simply don’t believe that sentencing the witch to her death as such is the right answer! Humanity’s beauty lies in your altruism after all! Allowing even the smallest bud time to flower and enjoying the richness of its beauty, even as it-
A book flies by, soars through the air and hits him right in the head. Kit’s cackling is so loud it fills the room completely.
Johann: You brute!
Kit: Serves ya right! Nobody wants to hear yer dumb speeches! Not when we have a witch to execute!
Johann: Spare!
Kit: Execute!
Johann: Spare!
Kit: Execute! Chop her head off and mount it on the walls! Bwahahahahaha!
Johann: Th-That! Your Honour, you cannot allow that!
Kit: Huh? Why not? It’s what she deserves, ain’t it?
He turns to Yuuki. The distance between them seems much shorter now all of a sudden. His eyes make her think of fire, and witches burning on pyres.
Kit: Think about all the grief she put ya through? Ever since ya got in this place, these witches have been nothing but trouble, haven’t they? Being snide and rude and jeering at you - how long are ya gonna keep turning the other cheek, huh? It’s time ya give them a taste of their own medicine!
She thinks back on her first day here. The confusion as she got off The Endor Express, the sight of witches flying on broomsticks up in the air, the journey up the mountain and being told how unless she had magic she couldn’t attend this school. She remembers her first night in the green room after a talking, two-tailed cat told her she’d be his assistant for the time being until they figured out a way to get her back home.
She remembers her first day on the job - having to look after a group of witches from a dorm called “Rosenhex”. Tall, pretty, vain girls who simply scoffed at her and turned away, ignoring her completely as they went about their day. She’d have wanted to tell them off, tell them how rude and ugly their behaviour was, but somebody else beat her to it. She was about Yuuki’s age, with long, wavy pink hair and brown eyes, and cuter than any doll she’d ever seen. She yelled at them and told them to apologize, that they were besmirching the reputation of their door, but all she got in return was a sneer and then she was waved off, left behind to clench her fists and grit her teeth. Yuuki thought she had seen her eyes tear up, almost on the verge of crying but when she asked her if she was alright, the girl just snapped at her and then walked off.
And it wouldn’t be the first time that would happen. She wasn’t sure how it would happen, but every time she met one of the girls from that dorm, she’d received a mean remark, and before she could respond the girl with the pink hair - who she learned was called Rosalia and was supposed to be the Prefect of that dorm - would jump in to scold them, only to be ignored. Yuuki would try to talk to her, only to see her dart off, leaving her more confused than ever.
It was a hostile place. She missed her home, her family, her world. And this all just made it worse.
She gulps as Kit gives her a smirk, the corners of his mouth pulling so high, all his teeth are barred. Then he screams in pain and is suddenly gone from before her, having turned around to start pelting Johann with his little fists. The latter releases his tail and raises his arms above his head to protect it from the onslaught.
Kit: Ya cheeky shit! Ya think ya’re funny or something, huh? Ya ass-kisser! I’ll show ya what hypocrites like ya get!
Option: ENOUGH!
They both jump, separating from one another and glancing at her apprehensively. Johann starts to dust of his coat, dab at his forehead, while Kit takes off his hat and wrings it in his tiny, sharp hands. He grumbles under his breath before he starts to talk again.
Kit: Well? Aren’t ya cheeky too? Don’t tell me ya got swept in Johann’s shitty speech!
Johann: How vulgar! It is not so! It is not so at all, dear Kit!
Kit: Hmph! Ya don’t say - then!
Johann: Then?
Kit: If ya’re so stubborn how about ya tell your dear judge, why that is?
Johann gulps. His tail starts to tremble, thumping against the hardwood.
Kit: BWAHAHAHAHA! YA CHICKEN SHIT! CAN’T DO IT, HUH?!
Very well, guess I hafta do it then-
Johann: N-No, th-that-
But he’s silenced almost immediately, having his coat pulled over his head and kicked in the knees. He topples over the edge, and Yuuki hears a thump, but in the darkness can’t see the body or the floor at all. Kit laughs again and puts his hat back on his head.
Kit: He rolled over like a log, that ass! BWAHAHAHA! Serves him right for being a pretentious shit! Talking about sparing witches like that. Ya know why he did it? ‘Course ya don’t, ‘cause yer stupid, so let me explain it to ya!
That old shit wants to save the witch just ‘cause she’s cute! Can ya believe that crap? Only a shithead like him could fall for that kind of stuff, hahahahahaha!
He prods at her, tries to make her join in his rambunctious laughter, but gets nothing in return. Yuuki simply sits and ponders over the situation. Is this the truth? Is all that Johann cares about beauty? She could believe it somewhat. Unlike Kit, Johann had always been a little more concerned with the abstract. He liked poetry, he liked literature, to the point he would ‘reward’ Yuuki with long lectures on books and novels she has never heard about - a particularly favourite series of his being “The Azure Witch.” So the appreciation for the arts was there. But she doubted it extended to humans. Not once has she heard him compliment any of the girls or creatures on campus. Not in the way the domovoy tended to do with fierce glares and loud voices, each defending the girls that lived in their dorms.
No, Johann was merely content to watch the birds, and flowers and trees all around them, writing away in his little notebook until his ink ran out or Kit snatched it away.
Kit: Hmph, ya look like ya don’t believe. That’s fine and dandy, I guess. Ya’re just a dumb human after all. So I’ll tell ya another thing!
What that guy understands by ‘cute’ is really messed up.
Option 1: Messed up?
Option 2: Are you saying it’s different from the usual?
Kit: Yep, yep. It’s- Well, it’s creepy is what I’m telling ya. So ya better not be listening to any of his crap. Ya’re just bound to end up in a shitty position after all! Bwahahahahaha!
Anyway, about all this Overblot stuff-
She watches him inch closer to her, smirking as usual, and signals for her to bend down. When she does, hesitantly, he leans over and starts to recount to her the events prior to the Overblot.
It had been a week or so of being insulted by the Rosenhex witches, ‘rescued’ by their Prefect and left to wonder if there really was any hope of going home after all. The Headmistress, steady and firm, assured her that they were doing everything in their power to do this, but that such sensitive matters required precision and knowledge. It couldn’t be done so quickly. So she had little choice but to resign herself to waiting. Except she couldn’t do that because it was simply silly. So that was why she found herself in the big library, scouring through the archives, and books and parchments trying to find anything, any little clue that could help in her predicament.
It was easier said than done. The library was vast and huge and difficult to navigate and she often found herself lost among the shelves trying to reach one section but winding up in another by mistake. It was troublesome. Especially because neither Kit nor Johann - who of course had to accompany her every time she went there - had any inclination of helping her at all. And she couldn’t rely on Alkin either since he was busy walking the grounds of the school to ensure there was no issue or incident about to happen.
Left to her own devices, Yuuki tried her best to make the most of it each day. It did not yield many results. But on her fourth day of doing this, it did lead to an interesting meeting as she passed by one of the lower windows and heard, almost by mistake, the sound of somebody sobbing. She paused. The crying was unmistakably coming from her right, and though she knew she had no obligation to do anything about it, she still went and poked her head out, wondering just who it could be.
It was the Rosenhex Prefect, laying on the ground, hugging her knees and crying her heart out. Her shoulders were shaking, and occasionally she would wipe away her eyes, though it would not do her much good since the tears would just keep coming. She was hiccuping in between sobs, her voice strained, but even so, she still sounded quite endearing.
Yuuki only had time to let out a soft breath, before she jumped to her feet and turn with tear-filled eyes to glare at the black-haired girl.
Option: Are you ok?
Rosalia: Huh? Wh-What’s it to you?! I’m fine! can’t you see I’m fine?
Option: Uh, you’re crying…
Rosalia: !!!
She furiously wiped her tears away with the white sleeve of her cardigan, making Yuuki back away slightly.
Rosalia: I’m not!! See? No tears! So don’t make stuff up!! I’m not a child! I don’t need to cry just because-
She gulped, her eyes filling up again, then with a flustered face she looked back at Yuuki and yelled.
Rosalia: Nobody asked you to get involved! So stop butting into other people’s business! Just leave me alone!
And just like that she was gone, running away in the small woods outside the library until Yuuki couldn’t see her anymore.
Back in the present, she feels Kit’s small, cold claw pat her cheek affectionately. He grins so widely, she’s surprised his mouth doesn’t split open.
Kit: See what I mean, huh? That ain’t how good kids show their gratitude, ya know? Yelling at somebody for showing concern! Ya agree, dontcha?
Option: …
Kit: So why show her any mercy at all? She’s just a pest! She’s annoying! They all are! Treating ya like crap just ‘cause ya don’t have magic! I say we cut off all their heads! Bring out a guillotine! Or better yet! Let’s all go to a tavern - BWAHAHAHAHA!
Option: …
Kit: Ya get it? Ain’t no need for sparing anybody here! They’re all just filthy witches who deserve the pyre! So let’s just get to it! It’s gonna be fun! Trust me! We’re gonna-
Johann: OBJECTION!
She startles. The one who shouted right then was none other than the same Johann who is now trying to climb over the edge, and onto the desk. He’s grunting and sweating more than she had ever seen him before and it almost makes her worried for him. She’s the only one showing such altruism.
With quick steps, Kit closes the distance and with a certain glee begins to kick Johann’s head and hands, making his climb so much harder.
Kit: Huh? So ya climbed up all the way here? Not bad for a kid like ya! Let’s see how far that determination will take ya!
Johann: Ah! Ple-Please cease this immediately! If you don’t, I will - ack! - I will fall into the abyss again! Ack!
Kit: Maybe this time ya’ll get stuck there, ya-
Option: ENOUGH!
Yuuki uses the hammer to emphasize her point, and it seems to work as Kit backs away until Johann is able to eventually climb up again. He doesn’t seem worse for the wear at all, though he’s shaking like a leaf and trying to fix his little bow, that almost got undone.
Johann: Your Honour! I don’t know what foul words my associate might have used to trick you, but please be kind and show mercy to these witches! To simply execute them like that- It’s a crime beyond any words!
Just think back on the confrontation at the beach, please! That should bring at least a tear to your eyes!
And she does. She remembers the scent of seawater, the sand being stirred gently by the breeze, the look of utter despair on Rosalia’s face. Her eyes have gone blank. She sits rigidly there until the third year old that was addressing her starts to speak again, haughty voice carried by the wind.
Rosenhex Girl A: Well?
Rosalia: Huh? Well?
Rosenhex Girl A: Tch. You’re always so- Are you ready for the Witch Duel or not?
Rosalia: Witch Duel? What?
There’s a scoff and the girl’s glare becomes harsher. Around her Yuuki can hear the rest of the Rosenhex dorm whispering under their breath - the comments are less than friendly. Next to her, Soulis Dergos sighs and pulls his cap lower on his eyes. Up on the cliff, the heads of the domovoy can be seen peeking out. The commotion has caught their attention as well.
Rosenhex Girl A: What do you mean “what”? Are you telling me you had no idea that this was coming? You’ve been a nuisance ever since you came here. Getting special treatment just because you have been on TV, while you keep acting like a brat.
Rosalia: … A nuisance? Is that… Is that what everybody thinks… ?
The look that she gives the crowd makes Yuuki avert her eyes to the side. Alkin told her that she was merely to observe, not intervene. The witches govern themselves. It is not their place to act. But even though she knows this, she can’t help but feel sorry for Rosalia. The day when she caught her crying outside the library building flashes through her mind.
Rosenhex Girl A: Of course. Nobody here can stand you, but it’s not surprising with the way you’re acting. Look at the petition. It’s almost full.
The piece of paper that she produces is filled with names and signatures all the way to the bottom. Rosalia simply stares at it with no discernable expression. The wind seems to pick up in intensity.
Rosalia: Aaah… That’s a lot of signatures…
Rosenhex Girl A: Of course. You would have figured it out too if you weren’t such an idiot and actually paid attention to things around you.
Soulis grunts and the girl shuts her mouth, though Yuuki can see that she had a lot more to say. Rosalia continues to stay quiet, her gaze never wavering from the piece of paper before her.
Rosalia: Aaah… So everybody is mad at me…
Rosenhex Girl A: That should be obvious, given-
Rosalia: Why?
Rosenhex Girl A: Huh?
Rosalia: Why... is everybody... like this?
Rosenhex Girl A: What? Are you even listening to me? Don’t you dare ignore me!
Rosalia: Aaaah… I don’t get it… I don’t get it at all… Why? Why? WHY?
The earth shook. Yuuki could feel it. The tremble travelled through her entire body, the aftershock nearly throwing her off her feet. The girls behind her screamed, huddling together as the scene around them turned black and grey. The sea was raging on, the waves erratic and reaching higher and higher every time they smashed against the cliffs.
Rosalia clutched the fabric around her chest, gripping her magic gem in her hands. Ink as black as night began to coat them, staining the ground beneath her as they dripped slowly. The girl who was previously so confident and haughty had begun to back away too. Her ears twitched and the hair on her tail stood up.
Rosalia: EVEN THOUGH I TRY MY BEST- EVEN THOUGH ROSALIA TRIES- EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY-
I HATE IT!! I HATE THIS!! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! IT SHOULDN’T HURT!
Rosenhex Girl A: He-Hey, ju-just calm down… You’re… You’re going be-berserk…
Rosalia: SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! ROSALIA ISN’T LISTENING! ROSALIA DOESN’T WANT TO HEAR THIS! IF YOU’RE NOT ROSALIA’S FRIEND, THEN SHUT UP!!
The earth was shaking. She could feel it properly now. Her body fought to stand upright, but it wasn’t long before she sought shelter on the ground. Next to her, Soulis Dergos swore as he tried to get up and walk over to the witch who was now on her knees, still clutching her gem, as ink continued to coat her body.
Rosalia: Aaaaaaaah… But there’s nobody here who is Rosalia’s friend is there? No, no, there isn’t. Even though Rosalia tried her best to get along with everybody… She still was hated…
Aaaah… Ahhhh... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA- THAT’S FUNNY! SUCH A FUNNY JOKE! ROSALIA IS LAUGHING! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Soulis: Shit! This is Overblot! Morgainne! Snap out of it! If you keep going down this path, it’s gonna end up badly for you!
Rosalia: AHAHAHAHAHA! WHAT A FUNNY THING TO SAY! AAAAAAAAAH!
Everybody looks so concerned for Rosalia! How sweet! How nice! But you don’t have to worry, because Rosalia is fine! She’s gonna make everybody happy again! Yup, yup! Just wait and see!
But they don’t have to, because the ink overwhelmed her completely, moving and swirling around her until all that left was a strange figure of red and black patterns, red strings pulling at her joints. She moved in spasms as if she had no control over her body as if it had been left in somebody else’s care. Grinning she stood before them as the world was dyed into darkness.
Cherry: See? what did I tell you? Isn’t it all better now that the one and only, your bestest friend in the whole world, Cherry, is here?
There was a fight then, but after she can’t remember much.
Inside the quiet judgement room, the shadow people begin to squirm in their seats. The air feels so much colder all of a sudden. Yuuki shivers, and Kit takes this as his opportunity to talk.
Kit: Guess ya remembered, huh? So whatcha think? Pretty gruesome, right? Ending things like that just because of a dispute. What kind of a solution is that? I’m telling ya these witches are just no good! It’s best that we do away with them right now! Before any have a chance to go berserk!
Johann: OBJECTION!
Kit: Ugh.
Johann: My dear Kit! How can you be so cruel, when it is clear that the child was merely hurting?! That’s why she reacted as such! We should strive to understand her-
Kit: There ya go again with yer speeches! Can’t ya see nobody cares for that, huh? I’m telling ya, these witches should be executed! I should know!
Johann: Why is that?
Kit: ‘Cause I’m older, ya idiot!
Johann: A-Ah! But then oughtn’t you be wise enough to see-
Kit: HUH?! ARE YA TRYING TO CALL ME STUPID, YA LITTLE SHIT?!
Johann: ACK! NO! NO!
Yuuki had seen Kit fuming before, but not like this. He looked ready to scorch the earth in his wake. She raps the wood with the hammer to attract their attention and that seems to help calm him down somewhat. Though she might have spoken too soon as she notices the wide grin that passes over Kit’s face. When he speaks his voice is chipper and benevolent, and it makes her certain that he is up to no good.
Kit: Ya know, now that I think about it - ya might just be right there, Johann, old boy.
Johann: Oh? I-I beg your pardon?
Kit: Yeah, yeah. I think I got all carried away there for a moment and acted uncouthly.
Johann: O-Oh? I-Is that so? My, that truly shows how wisdom does come with age after-
Kit: Yeah, yeah, yeah - age and all that. But ya know. I’ve been thinking here, with my wise brain, that we forgot one important thing. Don’t ya think so?
Johann: An important matter? Just what on earth-
Kit: Well! Ya been talking about making things fair, and thinking about the other’s feelings and all that cra- I mean, all those good points. And it just occurred to me that we’ve forgotten to speak to one person. The most important person I’d say!
Johann: The most important?
Kit: Exactly! The star of the trial itself - The Harlequin!
Johann: You cannot possibly-
Kit: BRING OUT THE WITCH! LET’S SEE WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY ABOUT ALL THIS!
Johann: Ack! Kit, my dear, just-
But it is too late. The ground begins to shake and tremble, and Yuuki has to hold onto the desk in order to make sure she isn’t thrown off her chair. Johann isn’t as lucky, and soon enough he falls to the ground on his belly, his arms raised above his head. Kit shows no signs of distress, no fear or even apprehension. Nimbly he begins to dance, joyously laughing, as a platform descends from the abyss. On it the Harlequin, a grotesque vision of black ink and colourful patterns, sways from side to side, the chains she is bound in clinking away as they bump against one another.
Yuuki inhales sharply, clutching the handle of the hammer in her grasp. The Harlequin is staring right at her, and when the platform finally stops moving, so that they are on the same level, though at a reasonable distance she throws up her arms and starts giggling.
Cherry: Hellooooooooooooo~ Long time no seeeeeeeeeeee~
Option 1: Ye-Yeah…
→ Cherry: Awwwww~ Are you shy? You don’t have to be! Cherry loves you no matter what~
Option 2: You’re in a good mood.
→ Cherry: Of course Cherry is in a good mood! Cherry’s seeing her bestest friend ever, isn’t she? It’s so nice it makes Cherry tingle with excitement~
Kit: Ya’ll be tingling with terror soon enough, BWAHAHAHAHA!
Johann: Kit, my dear! What is the meaning of-
Kit: Shut it! Ya wanted a fair trial, I’m giving ya a fair, trial. Ain’t I?
It’s gonna be so fair, it’ll end in a bang! BWAHAHAHA!
Johann: Aaaah! I think this is not-
Kit: Witch! Yeah! I’m talking about ya! Look over here, would ya!
Cherry: Hmmm~? Yuck! What are you supposed to be? Cherry doesn’t like ugly things, you know?
Kit: Grrrrr, ya little- Ahem! Forget about that and just answer us all some questions, will ya? Yer life kinda depends on it, ehehehehe! Though even if ya keep quiet, I guess I can spin it to my advantage- Ooops! Guess I said too much there!
So, witch, tell us!
Cherry: Tell you? Tell you what?
Kit: Why ya Overblotted! Of course!
Cherry: Overblot? Who did? Oh no! That sounds bad! Hm? But what’s Overblot again?
Kit: Trying to lie won’t help ya!
Cherry: What? Are you calling Cherry a liar?! Cherry would never lie! Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever and ever! Only bad kids lie! And Cherry has never been a bad kid!
Kit: Oho? Those are bold words there, given what ya had done on that beach! Ain’t that right, human?
Option: You put everybody in danger…
Cherry: Huh? Danger? Danger how? Cherry was just playing with her friends! Cherry loves doing that more than anything in the world! Being friends with all the children is Cherry’s greatest wish! How could that be wrong?
Johann: E-Exactly!
Kit: Huh? So ya found yer voice at last?
Johann: Ack! We-Well, it is not about me, but rather about our accused, so I must intervene…
Be-Because as you can see, my dear Kit, there was nothing cruel about her actions at all! They were done out of love-
Kit: Misguided!
Johann: Um, well, th-that’s true- But it’s still love and thus-
Kit: Geh! If were to hit ya in the back of yer head just cause I feel like it, would ya still considered it love, huh? Hm~ Then again knowing ya- BWAHAHAHAHA!
Johann: AAAAAH! KIT! PLEASE DO NOT GIVE OUR DEAR JUDGE AND WITCH ANY ODD IDEAS ABOUT ME! I AM A DECENT IMP OF GOOD UPBRINGING!
Cherry: Oooh~ How cute! You two seem like good friends~
Kit: Blegh, hardly.
Johann: Um, I am afraid things are more complicated than that, my dear…
Cherry: Hm? Are they? You joke around and laugh together, don’t you? That’s what friends do! Cherry knows because she has seen it on TV all the time! It’s really, really, really cute!
Option: Seen it on TV? Don’t you mean you’ve experienced it yourself?
Cherry: Eh? Experienced myself? Hahahahahaha, you really are cute! Cherry loves you a lot for that! Thinking that things like friends exist in real life is really, really cute!
Yuuki pauses. The Harlequin is smiling, with no sign of mockery or viciousness present, and yet she can’t help but feel like there’s something wrong underneath.
Kit: See! What did I tell ya? Her head’s really screwed on wrong. Who would ever think of saying this but demented witches? So we should just-
Cherry: Huh? Cherry isn’t a witch! Cherry is really cute, and witches are all ugly! They say mean things about you, and treat you like trash! Cherry has never done anything like that! No, no! Cherry hates bullies more than anything!
Option: Is that why you always intervened on my behalf?
Cherry: Huh? Oh, oh, you mean that? Hm~ Well Cherry felt bad for you because you were treated like Cherry used to be before she became the one in charge! Everybody always made jabs and mean remarks at Cherry, even though she always did her best to make friends with everybody!
Johann: Yes! Indeed! We can see clearly that she did not mean-
Cherry: That’s why Cherry got really angry at the beach. All those bullies ganging up on Cherry to tell her how much they all hated her. Hmph! How mean! How rude! Cherry is a good girl! How dare they treat her like this? I had to punish them! I had no other choice!
The room breaks in a murmur. The shadow people all band together to exchange what she presumes are their impressions of the case so far, though she can’t be sure. The distance is too great for her to make out anything, and even if she would try to strain her ears it would be useless. Kit already began to speak.
Kit: Aha! So we see the real reason!
Johann: The re-real reason?
Kit: Are ya stupid? Or just acting? BWAHAHAHA! Not like there’s a difference in the first place! But ya heard her loud and clear! She didn’t care about friends or any of that crap! She just wanted revenge! Like a witch would!
The shadow people begin to speak louder, and now Yuuki can catch fragments of their conversations. The words “evil”, “unnatural”, “pathetic”, “dangerous” seem to echo over and over again. She swallows as the intensity with which they are uttered seems to increase.
Johann: No! There must be another explanation too! We should-
Kit: Ya should shut up! The witch herself admitted it already! Did ya not, huh? Witch?
Cherry: Hm? Did I?
Kit: Didn’t ya just say you wanted revenge on those witches, huh?
Cherry: Oh? I did!
Kit: So ya wanted to hurt them!
Cherry: I did!
Kit: Make them pay, right? Skewer them alive? Drown them in water? Burn them on a pyre?
Cherry: I did~ I did~
Kit: AND THERE YA HAVE IT! THE BARE AND NAKED TRUTH! ALL THE WITCH EVER WANTED - ALL THAT WITCHES EVER WANT - IS TO KILL AND MAIM YA! ‘CAUSE THAT’S THEIR EVIL NATURE!
The court erupts in screams. They all seem to agree with Kit, their passion translated into wild euphoria that sends a shiver down her spine. Suddenly, the shadow people seem more human - she sees more defined traits, more details and she looks away before their faces come into focus. She’d rather not find out if any of them look familiar.
Next to run Johann is panicking, breaking out in a sweat and wringing his handkerchief in his hands.
Cherry: Huh?! Everybody is angry at Cherry? But why? What did Cherry do?
Option 1: You admitted to your faults, remember?
→ Cherry: Faults? Cherry did?
Option 2: You said some awful things…
→ Cherry: Awful? Cherry would never do that! She’s a good, good, good girl!
Kit: KEEP QUIET, WILL YA?
Yer sentence is about to be passed!
Cherry: Sentence?
Kit: Yep, yep! Our esteemed judge over here is about to pronounce yer punishment: EXECUTION! BWAHAHAHAHA!
Cherry: Hehehehe~
Kit: Oho? Ya’re laughing? Sure ya get what’s about to happen, witch?
Cherry: Hm? What is that?
Kit: Ya’re about to be guillotined!
Cherry: That won’t happen, ehehehehe!
Kit: What?
Cherry: That won’t happen because Yuuki is a good kid!
Option 1: Huh?
Option 2: What do you mean?
Cherry: Hehehehe, it’s just like I said! Yuuki is a good kid who wouldn’t hurt others! Cherry has known this since that time you cheered her up back then outside the library!
Option: You remember that?
Cherry: Of course! Cherry was soooooooo moved! Nobody had been that nice to Cherry ever since she came to this school! They all sneered and laughed at her… Cherry thought you would do the same when you saw her crying, so Cherry felt really mad that you saw her like that!
But you didn’t, and that made her really, really, really happy!
Cherry wants to be loved by everybody, so Cherry won’t be hurt again! If Cherry has love, Cherry feels like everything would work out! That’s why all the children should love Cherry and be Cherry’s friend!
Kit: AHA! THERE YA HAVE IT!
Cherry: Hm?
Kit: Making demands from people like a spoiled brat! Is that what a good kid would do? No! Not at all! Good kids keep quiet and don’t lash out at others! Only witches do evil things like that!
Yuuki keeps quiet as Kit turns to her, his grin reaching from horn to horn as his tail swishes back and forth menacingly. Behind him the court has erupted into a cacophony of screams and yells of outrage, everybody calling out for blood. The word “Execute” is repeated consecutively, until she can’t recognize it anymore. But the anger, the fury - those are pouring from every direction and leave her dizzy.
Kit: Well, ya heard the people! It’s time to give the witch her just deserts! Time to execute!
Johann: Wait just one more minute-
Kit: We’ve waited enough! It’s time to make the choice! There’s only one right answer, so make sure ya pick the right one! BWAHAHAHAHA!
In the chaos, Yuuki grips her hammer tightly and glances all around: Kit continues to smile at her, assured of her victory; Johann has covered his eyes with his palms, trembling; the crowd continues to yell for blood, figures distorted; and the witch - she seems not to care or even be aware, merely staring at her with a serene expression.
Yuuki gulps. She clears her throat, raises her hammer high in the air and prays she has made the right choice.
Option 1: Execute the witch.
Option 2: Spare the witch.
Are you sure? There is no going back.
