orchestra 29 - the plot recap episode [video] (cw: existential crises)

[monkeyinthewrench]

Hey, so, uh...you guys want to recap that massive plot twist that got dumped on us?



I didn't really feel qualified to talk and I already had my turn in the interrogation room, so I hung back to listen. And from what I gather...this whole tether and void travel thing is basically creating spirit clones to go off into the void while our bodies stay home?

Please tell me I misheard something, because that's kinda creepy.

Comments

[happyends]

[ Even when he asks her that question at the end, Madoka is quiet for a moment. Perhaps still thinking about everything he just said, or perhaps she's just thinking of whether or not he told her about something he likes to do.

After a moment or two of that quiet, she carefully answers, with a sidelong peek at him: ]

.. play sports..?

[ Madoka isn't sure if that is the right answer in this context, but it sure seems like something Tidus likes to do. Maybe it helps to clear his head when he feels miserable..? ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Pff- ] That is somethin' I like to do.

But nah- when everything gets too much and stuffy in my head? When I feel like I'm gonna burst before long-

I go and find a place and scream!

[ Delivered, like the most normal person thing to do. Cheery even, and he looks back at her, then to the rest of the room. ]

And you know, there's no one else here. This is a good spot for it!

[happyends]

Oh..!

[ It's a bit of a surprising answer to her. Not in the sense that she can't imagine Tidus doing that - she definitely can, especially since he is by his very nature a louder person than Madoka to begin with.

No, it's surprising because she didn't imagine it's the answer he'd bring up here, and the girl ends up staring at him with big, wide eyes. ]

Actually.. Romeo and I did that back during our last vacation.. [ You know, the few day trip to the festival. ] But we did it because we wanted to be brave, not to feel better..

[ ???

Can some people scream without it requiring a great amount of bravery? This is news to Madoka. It might be why she's not going after the obvious implication of the last thing Tidus just said, since it is A Lot, even though she did it before, only a few days ago. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Look at those big eyes staring at him. S-such power...!! ]

Well, that's the power of a good scream! [ Obviously! ] It doesn't have just one use - it's about what you need it for. It's encouragement! A yell to make you feel braver - or a scream to get out all those bad feelings stuffing up your head! It doesn't make you feel completely better...

[ It'll take more than a scream to do that. ]

But it's one step in whatever you need it for. A good way of toughening up, or deflating! A yell's always valid.

[happyends]

[ Now this is clearly the one lesson Madoka will forever take away from Tidus, no matter whether or nor she manages to apply it in any given situation.

A yell's always valid. Put that wisdom on a tile, slap it up on the wall.

Maybe it's the confidence he says all of this with, but Madoka does look like she's considering it. ]

Then what do you yell about at a moment like that..? [ See, she's even asking for details! Help her work out this yelling plan, Tidus! ]

[blitzcheer]

Hm? It doesn't have to be anything. Just a yell!

[ It makes him wonder what Romeo and her were yelling about for bravery, but that can be asked later. For now, with a pause before his reply, he looks at her, then shifts a little, as if he's preparing to move more. ]

Want me to show you?

[ Are you ready for some nonsensical (but safe*) chaos, Madoka?

(*for safe for ears) ]

[happyends]

O-Okay.

[ There's still some hesitance in it, because.. well, it's Madoka. When is this girl ever not hesitant, especially the moment her mood starts to lower.

But it's not like she's going to stop Tidus when she very well knows the guy is just trying to help her.

So she nods, staring at him. Her hands move a little, like she isn't sure if she should be covering her ears or not? A-Are you sure this is safe, Tidus? ]

[blitzcheer]

[ She's not covering her ears, so he's going to - after humming to her agreement - tilt his head away from her. Inhale some air, clear out those lungs and lift his chin...!

Annnnnd-! ]

A.

[ Behold, the mighty A. A bit loud, but also very very short! Tidus looks at Madoka after a thoughtful moment. ]

Bit weak, right?

[happyends]

[ Clearly Tidus had to think real hard about that shout he just produced.

.. apparently Madoka has to do so too, though not for very long. Just for a moment, so she could ponder if it was okay to say: ]

.. Wasn't that.. a little short?

[ She expected something longer! ]

Does something that small really make you feel better..? [ Is this what Tidus does in his room while no one is watching. Madoka looks a little Concerned.

Then again, she's been looking concerned pretty much this entire time, given her current emotional state. ]

[blitzcheer]

Weeellll.... no.

[ Said, sheepishly. He folds his arms loosely. ]

But I didn't want to go too loud... or I'd make your ears ring. And I was hoping I could lead you into it!

[ He looks over to her, knowing this is daft - but maybe it'll be a daft that can help, just a tiny bit. ]

Show me how long it should be!

[happyends]

[ Madoka gasps. ]

You were trying to trick me!

[ .. well, at least it seems like she's getting a tiny bit of her usual energy back? It's audible in her voice when she's saying that. Like that realisation is just completely tearing her mind away from the thoughts of everything else, if not just for the moment. ]

I don't scream that easily, you know.. A-And.. um, doing it right now.. [ Madoka's face turns the same colour as her hair, flustering. ] That's.. a lot..

[ ... ]

Can't I do a short one first too..?

[ Apparently someone has to ease herself into yelling. Go figure. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Look at this apologetic grin! (Can a grin be apologetic?) A hand raising in front of his face to go with it, in a sorry sorry way. But that is a good sign, and not the worst Tidus will feel for being caught out.

... since, he did very well admit to it. Regardless, some of his smile stays around as she comes to her compromise, and he nods. ]

Sure! Let's exercise the lungs!

[ Listen to this determined idea. Yeah - time to make some noise, Madoka. ]

[happyends]

[ Madoka is now officially a student at the Tidus School Of Weird Noises.

And she really intends to go through on her study. Even though it makes some nervous feelings bubble up in her chest - as any situation where she feels like she might be even the slightest disturbance of someone else does - she still goes for it. She opens her mouth, and even though it's a short yell, the shout definitely leaves her mouth. ]

Ah..!

[ .. it's softer than Tidus's own though. Not necessarily overly soft, it's not a whisper, not even a normal speaking volume.

But it definitely is not a 'bottom of the lungs' yell, so to speak.

This young pandawan has much to learn, apparently. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ She does have much to learn. But you know what the best way to learn is?

Through example. So Madoka makes her lacklustre noise - a sound that isn't going to unleash anything deep from within a person's soul, and Tidus knows it needs encouragement. So with her sound, there's a quiet - before sharper, louder-! ]

Ah! [ Listen to that confidence! That sound willing to be heard and not contained!

Match it, Madoka! ]

[happyends]

A-ah?!

[ That's definitely not a yell of any kind, mind you.

That is just Madoka's surprise deciding to vocalise itself at this exact moment, and the girl turns to stare at Tidus with wide eyes. ]

W.. Wasn't it enough?

[ Is that why he's doing it again? It's the kind of signal Madoka is picking up here, but on the other hand, the girl is definitely self-conscious enough to make sure to actually ask, rather than just assume. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Oh! ]

It was a good start! But we're building up, remember? We can't stop there!

[ Madoka, please! We can get louder than this! Much louder. ]

[happyends]

[ Okay..! F-Fine, teacher Tidus! She can do this! If she has to go louder, then she will..! ]

A.. Aaah!

[ A bit longer this time. It's still not quite on the level of Extreme Tidus Noises Yells, but maybe that's an unattainable level for Madoka.

.. especially since she covers up her face in shame the moment after she has released this mini-yell. ]

I-- I can't! It's too much! [ Apparently she already gets flustered at this much, huh.. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ Listen to her go--! --And stop! Which was bound to happen, wasn't it? And Tidus is ready to put a hand on her shoulder. ]

No way, Madoka, that was good! Don't let it stay in! You can be as loud as anyone else - that's your right!

[ Your Madoka right! ]

[happyends]

I think I might have to practice more..

[ It's half-mumbled, half-whined from beneath those hands, because.. this is a lot for Madoka, okay. Especially all at once.

She's notoriously bad at actually exercising her god-given Madoka rights. ]

So then maybe I can do this one day.. [ But maybe not today. Certainly not on a Tidus level! ]

[blitzcheer]

Sure - alright.

[ He doesn't sound disappointed; far from it. If she needs time, isn't that what they all need? Always, often. He throws her a smile, gives her a nod. ]

Just remember you can, even if it feels tough. It's just like everything else - it takes practice.

...it's the same with confidence, [ he adds - for seemingly no reason, of course. Entirely unrelated, with Tidus looking over at the opposite set of bunk beds. ]

I told myself when I was young, I wouldn't be what people thought of me - that I'd stand up for myself. And, to be honest... it was scary. [ And it feels a little dumb, admitting now. ] I used to always have this voice in the back of my head telling me I wasn't good enough.

But you have to learn to ignore it, and prove it wrong. Because - you don't need to give in. You have as much right as anyone else.

[ To what? To life. ]

[happyends]

[ Says Tidus, to the girl who would throw her own life away in an instant if it meant helping even just a few other people...

But ssh, ssh, that's a personal problem, clearly. ]

You are good enough though, Tidus.

[ Is this the point? Not really. Especially since he's saying that he dragged himself on all the same. That he's ignoring it the best he can.

But Madoka still can't resist saying it. Even though she views Tidus as someone with a lot of confidence, Madoka still can't help but want to give him some support in any way she can. And it's so much easier to focus on supporting him than it is to focus on supporting herself.

Especially when it involves her getting some sense of self worth. That's a big ask. How about supporting friends instead, even when times are hard? ]

If someone ever said anything else.. then they were just wrong! You do so many things, and you do them so well. [ From Madoka's - perhaps slightly too rosy - point of view, anyway. ] I think anyone who saw you now would be super proud of you, you know..?