It’s Celesgiri week! This is my first post on tumblr so I thought I’d write using the Day 1 Prompt (Nature). All the prompts for Celesgiri week can be found on this ig post
(Sorry in advance, I’m not much of a writer and it’s kinda rushed)
AU where Celestia doesn’t kill and makes it to the 5th floor along with the other, original survivors. Kyoko joins them to search the new floor and she somehow knows her ultimate title because I forgot she doesn’t know it yet
The warm, humid - and almost foggy - air of the greenhouse enveloped Kyoko in it’s thin blanket of white cloud as she slipped through its doors. It seeped its way into her throat as she inhaled and through the fabric of her violet gloves, making it difficult to both breathe and see. The detective could feel her palms become clammy as she advanced further into the unfamiliar territory — the fog growing progressively thicker with every step.
Adjusting the collar of her shirt, Kyoko made her way to a patch of distant flowers. They had appeared pink through the fog, but upon closer inspection she found that they were crimson. Roses: all in full bloom and perfectly arranged. Their deep red colour was almost unnatural and, paired with their orderly positioning, it seemed impossible that they hadn’t been modified in some way. Knowing that Monokuma had something to do with them, the possibility wasn’t unlikely.
The detective’s eyes briefly scanned the roses. It seemed improbable that there would be some sort of clue hidden in them, but there was no harm in checking.
As her eyes reached the far end of the flowerbed, she noticed that the roses were progressively darkening — some appeared almost black. An immense shadow was cast over them and Kyoko’s eyes followed the large black silhouette of — what appeared to be — a plant through the fog. Peculiar was the only word she could use to describe it.
The plant was scarlet about the edges and towered above the rest of the vegetation. Its very own, personal army of deadly, carnivorous plants surrounded it — as if to guard the strange plant. Kyoko inwardly shuddered at the thought of someone being devoured by the things. Though, it wasn’t anything to worry about considering no one - not even Hiro - was stupid enough to approach a the armada of dangerous plants.
“Why, hello Kyoko.” The lavender haired girl’s head snapped at the voice, searching the fog for its origin. It was thick, but she didn’t need to see the speaker to identify them. She’d know that French accent anywhere. “This greenhouse is quite marvellous, yes?”
Kyoko watched as the fog revealed Celestia Ludenburg, who approached her from the other end of the rosebed. She too had been drawn to the roses, however, unlike Kyoko, she had been marvelling their beauty. The gambler found significantly less interest in searching for clues. Rather, at this stage in the killing school life, she found it pointless.
“Aside from the humidity, it’s extraordinary,” Celestia continued as she faced the detective, complimenting the greenhouse with that false optimism she found herself using a lot these days.
Kyoko, less taken by the peculiar plants, frowned slightly. “I’m just taking a look around.” The lolita smiled, her crimson eyes falling upon the roses. They glistened strangely as they inspected the flowers, matching the unnatural glow the red plants had. Kyoko noticed that both Celestia’s eyes and the roses were the same colour.
“Why are you here?” the detective inquired. She’d never seen Celestia so fascinated by anything other than the recreation room and milk tea. A small giggle escaped the lolita.
“Just because I’m the Ultimate Gambler, doesn’t mean I can’t take interest in other things,” Celes replied, chuckling to herself. She knelt down and took one of the roses in her hand, proceeding to stroke its strangely silky petals. “Red roses happen to be my favourite flower. I have no doubt that these have been modified, but they are beautiful nonetheless.”
Kyoko watched the other girl silently. Celestia’s eyes were now sparkling, and for the first time the detective perceived genuine emotion in the gambler’s eyes. Her legendary poker face had fallen away and even through the fog, her fascination for the flowers was unmistakable.
“I had a dream,” Celestia began, hesitating before she continued. At this stage, dwelling on dreams of the outside world was pointless. Maybe the beauty of the roses had awoken these forgotten fantasies or maybe the situation was so hopeless she never thought she’d see the day they’d escape this dreadful place, or maybe it was because she liked Kyoko significantly more than the others. Regardless, she found herself recounting the dreams that tortured her every night. They haunted her, tugging at the corners of her mind - often threatening to become an incentive to kill. Now, if she ever chose to commit murder, Kyoko would know why.
“I would live in a European castle surrounded by thousands of red roses, and they would grow along its walls.” The lavender haired girl listened, not knowing why Celestia was telling her this. There was an undertone of yearning in her voice — a sadness. If Kyoko weren’t a detective she may have missed it.
“You don’t want that anymore?” she asked, watching as the gambler rose to her feet. Every trace of that rare, genuine emotion had left her face and she became completely unreadable once again.
“If you recall, we are trapped here. It is likely that we will all die before we are allowed to leave,” Celestia replied bluntly, twisting a large tuft of pitch black hair about a finger. Her gaze had averted from the roses. Instead her dull, red eyes were searching the fog. Kyoko remained silent. “We must all let go of our dreams, otherwise we will all become murderers.” What she’d said wasn’t necessarily incorrect. The detective found herself considering the statement. Celestia, however, wasted no time in leaving.
“I will be on my way now,” the gambler said abruptly, both of her hands rested just beneath her chin. A sweet smile had been forced onto her lips as she spoke her parting words. “Goodbye Kyoko.”
The detective’s mouth was slightly parted at the lolita’s sudden transformation of mood. She herself didn’t show much emotion, but the way Celestia was able to manipulate her’s was was perplexing to her.
The fog swallowed the gambler’s silhouette as she walked away and only the clicking sound of her heels offered an indication as to where she was. Then the shutting of the door.
Kyoko’s eyes then fell upon the roses and the slightest frown appeared on her lips.
---
Celestia sat at her desk, using the mirror on her desk to remove her extensions. Night-time was approaching with haste but the gambler had no intention of falling asleep. Sleep would soon become inevitable, but if she could avoid it, she would. Dreams of European castles and red roses would eventually drive her to insanity. Besides, she wouldn’t have to worry about her body aching in the mornings or black rings about her eyes or being interrogated by her peers; her unrivalled poker face and heavy make-up made a wonderful team.
She had just removed the last of her accessories, and had organised them neatly on her desk, when there was a knock at the door. There were only a few minutes before her night-time rule would be enforced. She considered ignoring them: she didn’t have her extensions or her head accessories on. However, if someone had come to visit her at this hour then, knowing she was the creator of the night rule, they wouldn’t keep her for long. Celestia sighed, eventually someone would see her without her extensions. Fortunately for her, she hadn’t yet removed her make-up.
Accepting her fate, the gambler left her desk and walked to the door. She unlocked it, tiredly pulling open the handle. Now, standing before her, was Kyoko and in her gloved hands a single red rose — which Celes was certain came from the greenhouse. Its stem seemed as if it had been torn off in a hurry; it was slanted and ugly, and jagged at the bottom. Odd bits of epidermis had been scratched away — revealing the plant’s green, gooey insides. As for the rose’s petals, they no longer sparkled strangely like they had in the greenhouse. Instead, they shimmered in the faint light that seeped through Celestia’s bedroom door.
“Well, this is a surprise.” Was all she could manage as Kyoko handed her the ruined plant. The girl seemed unfazed by the gambler’s lack of hair or accessories, but Celestia took no notice. This entire situation had caught her off guard.
“What is this?” she inquired, slightly irritated at the lack of explanation and the sad state of the rose. Her crimson eyes remained fixed on the object in her palm, careful not to sting herself. The detective innocently placed a hand on her chin and a thoughtful expression overcame her face.
“I remembered you like roses.” Celestia glanced up, suddenly regretting that moment of vulnerability she’d had with Kyoko in the greenhouse. “You were so taken by them,” Kyoko continued, naming an observation she’d made of the gambler that morning. Even though she was still confused by the detective’s true intent, Celeste’s annoyance subsided and she managed to collect herself.
“Why exactly are you here?” the black haired girl asked, demanding an answer. At this, Kyoko looked up. Her eyes locked with Celestia’s, glinting like amethysts as she spoke her next words.
“There’s no reason to give up Celestia. We have leads and reason to believe this will all be over soon. Your dreams can serve as a form of hope instead of an incentive to kill,” she stated, as direct and forward as ever. Her words were simple, yet they meant a great deal to Celestia.
Red eyes fell upon crimson petals, which suddenly became significantly meaningful. A red as deep as the rose she was holding began to creep up her neck. It spread across her cheeks beneath her heavily applied make-up. The lolita could feel a tingling sensation about her throat and had to clear it before speaking next.
“May I interest you in a game of othello?” she asked, this time it was Kyoko who had evidently been caught off guard by the sudden invitation. “I happen to own a copy of the game.” Intrigued by the proposition, Kyoko nodded.
“Excellent!” Celestia cried, delighted with the detective’s answer. She held open the door, making way for Kyoko as she entered. The gambler locked then locked it, allowing the detective’s eyes a moment to wander around the room.
Her own eyes fell upon the rose again. It was beautiful — now glistening in the light of the room. Her eyes twinkled as she brushed a hand across the petals.
After a while, she looked up — embarrassed to find that Kyoko was staring at her. Once again, she cleared her throat — resisting the bright red colour that threatened to spread from her neck up.
