#im pretty sure they like sweeten the coffee for the kids to brainwash anyways but ALSO YEAH.......... THE BRAINWASHING IS SO UNSETTLING

[yoakenouta]

ㅤㅤTHE idea of magic being born from people's hearts made Kate wonder how much that rang true for not just artworks but perhaps even for shadows or rather morphs themselves. It was clear that their magic was borne from their hidden desire to become something even more than their hollow forms but it only begged the question how such beings came to be. Where did morphs even come from in the first place ? What could've possibly wished them into existence ? Perhaps it was pointless to ponder about where they came from. After all, they had already caused this much suffering to humans and dared not to stop there.

ㅤㅤKate couldn't help but notice that the more she observed Daisuke's transformation, the more she was beginning to understand that his form was indeed affected by his state of emotion. But yet, there was something ... almost familiar about the concept of being unable to control a fluctuating physical attribute. Ah -- it was almost like a shadow's soot. She wasn't sure which was more inconvenient honestly; a shadow snowing soot everywhere or having your appearance completely change to that of a different person ( if it were up to Kate, she would rather not be a shadow at all ).

ㅤㅤThe shadow found herself letting out an endeared laugh at his rather overenthusiastic reaction to her request. " Then Kate ought to be the first one you show your next art piece to or better yet ... perhaps the next time you visit Kate, you can show her your sketchbook. She would love to see what you've come up with until them. " So, it was another promise then ? How exciting.

ㅤㅤKate shifted her attention back over to the painting, curious to how she was going to get inside until Daisuke's arms opened up for her to entrust herself into. She hesitated before approaching, allowing herself to be swept into his arms and into the painting. She clenched her eyes shut, bracing herself for any sudden burst of impact that could come her way but to her surprise, there was none of that.

ㅤㅤShe opened her eyes, gasping in shock as she felt a gust of wind kiss at her skin and what she saw before her eyes was the endless stretch of the beautiful meadow depicted in the painting once hanging lifelessly in her room. The warmth of the sun, the gentle breeze and the scent of the earth -- it momentarily allowed her to forget all about the dark and painful world that was the Shadows House -- rather, it brought her back to a time far before she arrived here ( back when she was simply ... Kate ).

ㅤㅤ" ... If I didn't know any better, I would think I was in a dream. " There was something almost nostalgic about this scenery ... perhaps, she was reminded of the village she grew up in. Thinking about now, she couldn't but wonder how Emily was doing these days. Was she doing alright on her own ? Was she angry or even sick about Kate for leaving her behind ? Despite the lingering resentment Kate held for being sheltered from the world, there were still fond memories that Kate continued to cherish of her. It was honestly a bit of a bittersweet feeling but ... she did miss her. " Who can say where this place is ... perhaps it's a scenery that the artist simply decided to paint on a whim. At the very least ... it's a beautiful sight. " Kate tucked a hand against her hair blowing in the wind while she took in the sight of the vivid sky. " ... How strange. Even though the scenery is different, it's oddly nostalgic of my home in some way. "

ㅤㅤ" ... But say, what's your home like exactly ? "

( oh ? ... i don't know about that . ) the words ring out slowly through his mind , and it rashes ; develops a bothering itch that has him speaking out before he even realizes it . ' even if they do , everything still belongs to the artist --- ' a flush , and then he hesitates . ' i mean , a thing is just a thing . when people's feelings end up imbued into an artwork , then sometimes , it can seem like it's come to life ... ' from the likes of the snow queen and idea to insomnia and argentine , he had experienced it over and over by now --- artworks that seemed to be alive , that birthed all sorts of thoughts and feelings of their own , in tandem with the past's . if nothing else , there were his own father's precious words : ' magic is born out of people's hearts ... or at least , that's how it's supposed to work where i'm from . if something like a portrait really does end up having a mind of its own , isn't it only because someone else gave those feelings to them ? '

the flower trades between their hands , and he smiles . it was the first time too that anybody had ever gasped like that called him --- not just his other , but even him in tandem , amazing . the immediate leap of his heart once more morphs him ; he stares at the passing setting with his own mesmerized wonder . a red dress and a yellow flower , as well as the deep , deep black of live soot in a dim , elegant room --- everything was beautiful , and he indulges for as long as he can . ' meaning ... ' never once had he thought of it in that way . after all , someone like him was controlled so expressly by his most natural feelings , that if there had ever been any sort of meanings , then they had likewise been carried and wholly believed in as unconsciously as the rest . still , wouldn't it have been nice to give meaning to anything that had been decided meaningless by others ? the thought's cut short as kate continues --- it's encouraging , it's a little embarrassing , but her faith and confidence , even her awkward shyness and incredible request , sends his heart immediately into his throat and transforms him again .

' are --- are you sure ?! nobody's ever asked that before , and anyways i ... ' he wanted to paint this scene . the one that he had memorized , of kate and the flower , a sight that would surely haunt him in flashes , memory and its sentimental twinges making every shape and color all that much more rich and luxurious after its steeping . head shakes at the trailing , throwaway end of his words --- ' i mean , if it's really okay , then yes , ' his eyes pinch as elation fills every inch of his expression , ' i'd love to show you my art . '

taking her into someone else's too was little trouble , and when he finally remembers how to walk and move --- ( don't just stand there grinning , you idiot , or i'll take over and take kate in myself ! ) kate's already buzzed and hurried about the room . his arms open out to her , more than somewhat shyly . if he wasn't careful , his heart would ... no , it would be fine --- he could at least control himself this much when it mattered ! and no matter how afraid he was of the idea , she wouldn't think he was gross or a creep for having to touch her just a little bit , right ?!

' please ... excuse me , ' he shuts his eyes even as he can feel dark grinning , pushing on his back , sallying their arms forth in order to gently lift kate , depositing her --- through the frame , into its field ; yet another world , guided and allowed by the magic of the black wings . ' i should stay on this side to be able to bring you back once you're finished , but how is it ? '

even from here , the caressing winds , the field of flowers and sun-lit wheat stretching on for miles without a single building or live soul in sight seemed to be the epitome of freedom . even if it was an oil-lamp lit dusk-night within the manor , it still seemed bright and sunny day within the portrait . was it warm , then ? just as comfortable and faint-scented as it looked ? ' ... if you ask me , i think it's a really nice painting . i only wonder where it's supposed to be --- if anywhere , really . '