The ticket machine has a touch screen that displays a list of selectable items, with a label at the top: Prison Shop. Almost all of the items and prices are glitchy and illegible. But there is one option that is clear, and faintly glowing, looking as if it is superimposed over the glitchy screen. It reads:
I know what those plates are. I mean the screen. It lists the cost of an Azure Flute as three plates. Unless you mean us to purchase an item with dishware, I can but assume they are different things.
"Why would a subway station be selling flutes? And you're trading plates for it? I guess if it's at some weird kiosk... I dunno. That can't be right. There aren't any flutes for sale from me, I can tell you that much. I doubt the bosses have any for sale either. It's probably just pulling up random keywords or something?"
You step down the stairs towards the Sphinx Line, and see a train already pulled up to the platform. Only the first car has doors open for you to enter. Thankfully, the fog is much less dense here.
The train is a standard modern subway car. Above the seats, where advertisements would normally be in a train, there are instead photographs depicting different scenes from within the prison.
[ Hm. This sure is all very new to her, but very cool! What isn't new, she realizes as she looks up at the photographs, is the scenery depicted within them. ]
—! Arthur, these photographs... They're of the prison, aren't they?
The scenes depicted in the pictures include: - Emmet and Ingo on a large bed, tangled in colorful strings. - Da Vinci in a wedding dress on the beach at sunset, smiling at the camera. - Vicious and Ingo on a default motel bed (fully clothed, though Ingo's hands are on Vicious's thigh). - Saturn sitting in Ingo's lap on the floor of the Pool Hall, as they hug. - Lucretia confronting her Shadow, a younger Lucretia. - A generic shot of Lear, Gordie, and Piers. - Hilda looking upset as she watches a slideshow. - Ingo hugging Oriphi in tears, in the aerial elevator game. - Arthur in a pile of clothing from Doki Doki Bingo, picking out outfits. - Ritsuka cheering on a Pokemon battle between Ingo and Emmet.
But as you linger over the picture, you understand something:
It's such a strange feeling. It feels too perfect to be true, at the same time as it feels hopelessly doomed. She's so beautiful and talented and charismatic, at the same time as she's frustrating, flippant and stubborn. She knows her own value, but she's always trying to build your confidence for you, too. When it comes down to it, she has the type advantage, and that is as intriguing as it is daunting.
You can't be too daunted when there's a security in this setup that you've never had before, though. Perhaps you can't control her, but you can show her the truth! You already made her accept your romance! Make her accept your life together! If you fail, you will mourn her with a clear conscience, without any regrets! Whether she lives or dies, it is as your beloved!
You had a commonality with him, and you were desperate for the acknowledgment of someone you could trust to be telling the truth, without flattering or consoling you. Yes, you built up momentum in that early desperation, and it carried you very far away... But, in the end, you got what you wanted, didn't you? You really thought you were lying to everyone when you said you would end things definitively, part without regrets, and then be a better friend to him afterwards. Isn't that exactly what happened, though? Incredible. You are sincerely happy to have such a close friend.
As you linger over the picture, you understand something:
For someone from such a distinct culture, you can relate to him. It excites you to witness someone who is comparably fond of his brother, and comparing and contrasting the situations is fascinating. Some things can be universal, even under very different circumstances, you suppose. If you had met Arthur a little earlier, you might have had a complex about him, too—someone so stylish and socially graceful, with the talent to heal others! It is all very impressive. You are honored and relieved that he will consider you a friend.
In the very beginning of your reunion you felt some fear, recognizing how much power he held over you. The vast expectations he had for you. The concept is hard to comprehend nowadays, even if a vague memory lingers. Does the sky hold power over the earth? It is a meaningless question to ask for two things that coexist closely enough to be one continuous whole. When the sky fills in all the gaps of the earth, is a vast expectation so unreasonable for either of you? Should you limit the definition of yourself, just out of fear? You can be considered separately. But why would you want to be?
[ Hey but for real why is that so touching? Arthur will never understand what it's like to be a twin, but he knows what it's like to be a sibling. What a lovely sentiment.
Now on to the picture of Ori since she won't do it herself. ]
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Where might we board the Sphinx Line?
[ And I guess they might need tickets?? How does a metaphorical subway operate? ]
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It's right there next to him, and it's displaying something on the screen, though he isn't acknowledging it.
"It's all free. Just go down the stairs where it says Sphinx Line."
He points in the correct direction! Each of the platforms is clearly labeled.
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[ Hm. Before they go to hop aboard the Cat Train, she can't help but look over at the ticket machine. What does that screen show, at a quick glance? ]
I'm no good with technology... Should we just go?
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Azure Flute – 3 plates
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He definitely makes a mental note of that. Three plates? ]
If I may, what are plates?
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"Uhhh... you put food on them so you can eat it without making a mess."
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I know what those plates are. I mean the screen. It lists the cost of an Azure Flute as three plates. Unless you mean us to purchase an item with dishware, I can but assume they are different things.
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I see... well then, thank you again for your assistance. Shall we, Ori?
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... Yes, thank you. Then let's make our way to the Sphinx Line, Arthur...
[ gonna just loop an arm around his to lead them away and toward the direction indicated earlier! ]
It definitely feels like that Azure Flute would be important... Maybe we'll recognize what the "plates" are once we see them!
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[ Steps onto the train with Ori! A pair of catte buddies on a catte train. ]
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—! Arthur, these photographs... They're of the prison, aren't they?
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- Emmet and Ingo on a large bed, tangled in colorful strings.
- Da Vinci in a wedding dress on the beach at sunset, smiling at the camera.
- Vicious and Ingo on a default motel bed (fully clothed, though Ingo's hands are on Vicious's thigh).
- Saturn sitting in Ingo's lap on the floor of the Pool Hall, as they hug.
- Lucretia confronting her Shadow, a younger Lucretia.
- A generic shot of Lear, Gordie, and Piers.
- Hilda looking upset as she watches a slideshow.
- Ingo hugging Oriphi in tears, in the aerial elevator game.
- Arthur in a pile of clothing from Doki Doki Bingo, picking out outfits.
- Ritsuka cheering on a Pokemon battle between Ingo and Emmet.
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They are! Let us take a closer look.
[ He's gonna start with the picture of himself because he's curious. ]
Ah, I remember this.
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[ she trusts Arthur's fashion sense. Just look at him.
She wanders over to some of the other photographs, and sees the one with Da Vinci and— ]
—! This is...! Did they get married without telling us...!?
[ SHE'S TEARING UP A LITTLE?? Miss Da Vinci looks so beautiful! ]
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But as you linger over the picture, you understand something:
It's such a strange feeling. It feels too perfect to be true, at the same time as it feels hopelessly doomed. She's so beautiful and talented and charismatic, at the same time as she's frustrating, flippant and stubborn. She knows her own value, but she's always trying to build your confidence for you, too. When it comes down to it, she has the type advantage, and that is as intriguing as it is daunting.
You can't be too daunted when there's a security in this setup that you've never had before, though. Perhaps you can't control her, but you can show her the truth! You already made her accept your romance! Make her accept your life together! If you fail, you will mourn her with a clear conscience, without any regrets! Whether she lives or dies, it is as your beloved!
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Oh, Mister Ingo...
[ She's absolutely going to blab about this to Da Vinci after this...
For now, she looks at... the photo with Vicious! ]
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Interesting... Ori has yet to meet this fellow, but now she knows about. This. ]
Oh! This one is of Lucretia...
[ She will look at that one, now! ]
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For someone from such a distinct culture, you can relate to him. It excites you to witness someone who is comparably fond of his brother, and comparing and contrasting the situations is fascinating. Some things can be universal, even under very different circumstances, you suppose. If you had met Arthur a little earlier, you might have had a complex about him, too—someone so stylish and socially graceful, with the talent to heal others! It is all very impressive. You are honored and relieved that he will consider you a friend.
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Oh... Ingo, my friend. I'm honored to know you, too.
[ What about... this photo of Emmet? Cause, you know, brothers. ]
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Now on to the picture of Ori since she won't do it herself. ]
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