open ☆ how can you see into my eyes like open doors

[promisedyou]

WHO: Mio Sonozaki and you, fellow dreamwalkers!
WHERE: Mio's dreamscapes
WHEN: August 20th
WHAT: You're stuck in Mio's dreams. Try not to get too lost in it.
WARNINGS: Blanket content warnings for torture, and potential warnings for suicide, murder, and hallucinations. If anything else comes up, let me know and I'll add it to the list.



[ You find yourself outside. The sun is shining brightly and you can hear the cries of the evening cicadas out there — the higurashi. In front of you is a large door that seems to be almost closed tight; there's the strange feeling you get that you shouldn't open it because there's something terrifying behind the door. Like there's fear seeping right through it.

The words come out of nowhere, but the voice is distinct: to those who know her, it seems to be Mio's own voice. But the inflection is a little different than normal. Like she's trying to be someone else. Her tone is firm, but filled with concern for the person behind the door, giving an obvious warning: ]

"You can still go back now. I don't know what kind of impression you have of me, but... it will surely change... once you go in."

[ However, if you make the decision to turn around and walk away, you're greeted by the large expanse of darkness. Of absolute nothingness. It seems that in spite of these words, you aren't given much of a choice but to open the door and enter.

If you do, you're greeted by dark stone steps that seem to lead down into what seems to be almost endless... but in fact, actually isn't. It takes a while, but eventually you find yourself in what seems to be an underground cavern. In the center of the room, there's a place that seems like a person can lie down on it. But with how eerie everything is here and the fact that there seems to be straps on the areas where wrists and feet can be, you can only describe it as a place where someone was to be tortured.

This isn't just an underground cavern.

This is a torture chamber.

In the back of the chamber, there seems to be prison cells, not to mention that there's an area to the side where there might be something more. It's only when your feet manage to reach the bottom step that the owner of the voice shows up. However, there's something different about her. For those who saw her recently, the girl in front of you has her hair long and tied up in a ponytail, not to mention that she's wearing what seems to be a white kimono. There's darkness in her eyes, but is otherwise unbothered by the situation as she looks at you - the visitor. She wears no expression at all as she decides to greet you. ]

"Welcome." [ The words are spoken politely with a bow deep from the waist down. ] "While I am surprised you did not heed my warning, I am pleased to welcome you otherwise. My name is Sonozaki Mion, heir of the Sonozaki family. You are free to look around as you please, but if you have any questions-- well, perhaps I don't mind answering one or two."

[ OOC: As always, feel free to tell me your limits in terms of how comfortable you are with the content warnings given above and I'll match it! I can go as heavy as you'd like, just let me know. And if you have any questions, just ask me either via PM or at endlesseight. ]

Comments

[promisedyou]

"You simply don't get it, do you?"

[ There's a slight tsk as she clicks her tongue before taking a seat on the platform that's normally used to torture people. Honestly, who knows how many people have be on that thing...

Probably doesn't help that the area smells of copper and dead bodies, either. ]

"I can't join you. This place is my coffin. My grave. I cannot leave." [ Stern words, but calm nevertheless. ] "I wouldn't exactly say that. Well, there's one person in here that I wouldn't necessarily call a sinner... but that's supposed to be a secret. Do you want to see them, though?"

[flametheif40]

[He looks saddened when she says its her coffin...He may have been alone, but at least he could move around.

He tries his best not to gag at the smell but coughs anyway, the smell of dead bodies doesn't exactly help]

I'm sorry...So this one that isn't a sinner...why is that person around then?

And...yeah, I would like to meet them, if that is alright with you. I imagine that one keeps you company?

[promisedyou]

"Keeps me company... well, I suppose you can say that."

[ Because it's absolutely the truth. While he might gag at the smell, "Mion" doesn't seem to be bothered in the slightest bit by it as she hops off where she's seated and decides to lead the way. ]

"I keep the one I like all the way in the back. But he's not the only one in here. Follow me."

[ She takes light steps to the back of the area, where there seems to be not just one jail cell, but multiple -- there's plenty of them in what could almost seem like an endless hallway before she gestures at the cells. ]

"Go ahead. You may look at as many or as little as you'd like."

[flametheif40]

[Al nods gently, at least she wasn't alone here...but, what kind of company does she keep here? As she leads them on, he looks at every cell they walk by, looking at her, every so often to make sure he is still following her]

At least your not alone here, so...that's something

[He says with a bit of sad optimism]

But why all the cells here? And...what did all these people do?

[He says gently and confused ]

[promisedyou]

...

[ While she could come up with some sort of quip, "Mion" simply says nothing to that, although there seems to be a dark emotion that leaks out in spite of herself. For some reason, it can easily be felt: the enmity coming from her. ]

"They sinned. That's all. Do I really have to explain everything to you? I'm not your mother."

[ The first cell he comes across seems to hold yet another teenage girl -- she's tattered and a mess; her face is also covered with what seems to be a mask, but the long green hair that falls past her shoulders and the bright aquamarine eyes make it obvious who this person might potentially is. ]

[flametheif40]

[Al's eyes grow narrow and feels her enmity...he reframes himself from saying anything back and simply takes it. When he sees the teenage girl that suspiciously looks similar to Mio in a mask. He stops. His tone is firm, with a touch of sarcasm attached. ]

Very broad criteria, so if she littered she'd be sent here? No opportunity for redemption? Or do you lump all sins together and don't even care about the why behind them?

[Al gets closer to that cell and looks at the girl in her eyes]

You...What was your sin?
[He asks curiously ]

[promisedyou]

"Littering isn't a sin, idiot."

[ The sarcasm runs deep in this one, and it shows as she huffs, arms folded. ]

"I know what their sins are. And I know the reasons behind them, too. But for them... it's impossible for any sort of redemption. You can't take back the actions that they've done. It can't be undone."

[ But then he asks the girl a question and she peers up at him with terror in her eyes, even though she manages to speak. ]

"I killed so many people."

[flametheif40]

[He rolls his eyes and simply adds a sarcastic quip]

Oh yeah, just don't tell a tree-hugger that warden.

So, really bad apples then, got it.

Just had to be sure it was for legit reasons.

[When the other girl answers with terror he looks at her with compassion ]

You killed? Why did you do that? You don't seem like a hardened killer.

[promisedyou]

"Revenge."

[ The answer is almost immediate and serious, as if no other explanation is necessary or needed. ]

[flametheif40]

[He cocks an eyebrow in surprise]

Was it worth it? Or did you just find yourself feeling empty?

[He says gently]

[promisedyou]

"Worth it?"

[ Her expression twists and a grin flits on her face, but it's one full of madness. ]

"Of course it was! I enjoyed every last bit of it, right until the very end!"

[flametheif40]

[He looks down in sadness, as he is disturbed by the madness that twisted her face and voice. He looks at "the warden"]

Are they all like this? Without one single regret?

I'm sorry...

[He says sadly and empathetically ]

[promisedyou]

[ "Mion" shakes her head in response to his question, no trace of hesitation in the slightest bit as she answers, her words tinged with a bit of melancholy. ]

"No. The one you spoke to has just simply lost her sanity. She has forgotten so much that all she can do now is thrive in the emotions she felt when she killed all those people. She is a demon."

[ She walks further into the hallway to lead him into the other cells. ]

"Do you still wish to continue? I can bring you elsewhere... but that is only if you want it."

[flametheif40]

[Al steps away from the cell, and looks at her eyes]

I'm sorry you have to deal with a demon...It must be hard in this place.

[He follows her]

Yes, lets keep going. What you go through here...I want to help you with it. Even if I can't really do much.

It's better to have a different sort of company, yeah?

[He sympathetically says, feeling sorry for her, that her grave is here ]

[promisedyou]

"You cannot help me. I am long past saving."

[ The next cell seems to contain yet another girl, however her clothes are more on the modern side, as she seems to be wearing what seems to be a bunny hoodie and jeans. However, her shirt seems to be completely stained with dried blood and her face, like the last, is covered with the same exact mask.

Her hair is also green and her eyes are aquamarine, but the length of her hair is decisively shorter than the one previous, the length only going a little past her shoulders. ]

"This is the next one. Her sin is similar to the last one. But she did not kill multiple people. She has only killed--"

[ And the girl runs right up to the bars, her hands wrapped over it. ]

"Stop it! I don't want to hear you say it! Haven't you done enough already?! You can keep me here, but just... just let him go already! He doesn't deserve to be in here!"

"Shut up! Did I say you were allowed to talk, you bitch?! You were the one who sinned, so I can say whatever I want about you!"

[ In retaliation, "Mion" kicks the bars, causing the other girl behind them to scurry to the back in fear. ]

"My apologies for that display."

[flametheif40]

[He frowns at her answer]

There aren't many people in the world, who say that and speak truth.

[He nods gently at her, then when the girl runs to the bar, pleading with her, He gets a bit closer]

No,No worries. I would get batty here too with all of these people.

[He looks at the other one]

You seem to have regrets...why do you regret it?

[He says with some wamrth, just trying to understand everything going on. Why do they look the same...and persecuted by the same one as them? All of them look like Mio...]

[promisedyou]

"I don't know where you get that idea from, but whatever you're thinking, it's all fiction. "

[ She can't help but sigh a little self deprecatingly, arms folded over her chest. ]

"... go ahead. Answer the question."

"Because the one I killed was the one I loved the most. That's why... I wanted her to let him go. Please. He's done nothing wrong. Let him go. You shouldn't keep him here much longer."

[ The girl's words seem completely torn and upset as she manages to choke them out, tears spilling out of her eyes. However, "Mion" on the other hand remains firm, her words clipped as she answers: ]

"I cannot do as you ask. You already know the reason why. He must stay here forever."

[flametheif40]

[Al smiles and laughs, hardly believing what he is saying]

Oh something my mother said, before I got her killed.

Even if it's a one in a million chance, there is a chance for people to be saved or do enough good that they may have changed.

[Al looks at the girl with pity and sighs]

Why would you still plead for him after you killed him?

[promisedyou]

"That's bullshit."

[ And those two words are the only ones that she can say before sighing and allowing the other girl with shorter hair to respond. ]

"Because... I love him. I didn't mean to kill him. He doesn't deserve to be here with everyone else. He has done nothing wrong."

[flametheif40]

["didn't mean to kill him" catches his attention. Then looks at the other. He lets the other comment drop and looked to "mion"]

If she didn't mean to kill him...is it only the act you are judging on? and not her regret?

[He asks with curiosity, refraining from judging. But some disapproval can be sensed from him, clearly pitying her side of the story]

[promisedyou]

"Whether she regrets it or not changes nothing. She killed someone important to her. That's a sin. Not only that, with his death, she ended up hurting so many other people. So her regrets do not outweigh the sin she's made."

[flametheif40]

[He nods his head, thinking that he understands "mion's" role]

So your the law, looking at what they have done and punish them for it. Not looking to see if they may one day change to be better then they once were.

[He looks to the other girl]

I'm sorry that you can't do anything, to try to turn your regret and do something good with it.

[promisedyou]

"Me? The law? Give me a break. They can't change. It's impossible for them. They've tried so many times before, but they've failed each and every step of the way. Like for example.

The girl who killed her boyfriend promised that she wouldn't become like the first girl we met.

But she failed. She killed her boyfriend anyway. Sure, she regrets it because she had her agency ripped out of her, but it changes nothing. She could have stopped herself before it was too late. And she didn't. It's unfortunate, but the truth. And that's why there's someone in her life that can no longer forgive her for what she's done."

[ "Mion" waves her hand rather dismissively with a sigh. ]

"Well, that isn't to say that I don't pity her. And I'm not any better, either, since I've been the one imprisoning them here. But this was all my choice. If I keep them here, then those sins of mine never have to come back out of the surface. And he will never leave my side ever again. That's all."

[ When he refers to the other girl, she doesn't say a word. Instead just keeping himself silent the whole way through, not wanting to get "Mion" angry again. ]

[flametheif40]

[He looks away from the girl and looks at Mion again]

So only now, she regrets, because she was punished?

And this other guy, the one you care about so much, wouldn't be able to see past this, and still have some sympathy for you? No one, is free from sin. But we aren't always what we do...yes her regret alone does nothing. But we can never know if it will ever grow into anything else.

[He says, filled with more curiosity then anything, and is sad for both of them. One having the duty to guard so many, the other having a regret she can never mold into action.]

If this was your choice, then you could stop doing this if you wanted, but it looks like your trying to hold a hard job, and no one is helping you with it. You see this as necessary, hence why you don't leave.

[promisedyou]

"Oh, him? He loves me, more than anybody else. Not even once has he blamed them. But it's because he did exactly that I have to be the one who punishes them. It's the only thing that I can do now, to wash away their sins. I can't do anything else. It's not my job to do so.

But I can't stop either. If I do, they'll be let loose. I can't let them escape. And more importantly," [ she smiles, just a little wistfully -- although it's not directed at him ] "I can't just simply latch onto someone to help me. It's not fair to them. Nor does anybody deserve to be burdened with all of my problems. Everything you're seeing here... is just the surface level stuff. It gets worse, deeper down there."