[Alexander Pierrot]

Inside every story made with pride,

the architect lives on inside

---

Dream World. What a fantastic stage. Alexander had spent days preparing the perfect set and finally his efforts could bear fruit. He flitted to and fro across the part of the Magic Show locale he'd been permitted to use, moving with such fervor it at times appeared he was in several places at the same time. In fact, there was even a kernel of truth to that.

While the time may have differed he very much was in several places, his quirk manifesting echos in various locations across the ornately patterned tiles. Patterns the man had rigorously memorized to ensure he remembered precisely where he had set up his preparations. 

17F. A flurry of rose petals flew through the air to the amazement of a young girl standing in its midst. As the mirage faded into thin air once more Alexander offered a smile, a wink and wave. To perform had long been his passion yet to have the audience get involved in such a personal manner elevated it to the next level and added so many possibilities. 24O. A replica of Alexander wearing a mask of Thalia appeared in front of a couple, a half bow and a gesture directing them towards where the man himself stood. 

With an dazzling smile Alexander crossed his arms behind his back, cleared his throat and addressed the crowd.

"Come one, come all. Welcome to the immersive theater, Lucid Dreams. Where only you can decide what fantastical displays shall occur. Step forth, ye brave and merry. Reveal what lays hidden."

With a sweep of his arm several mechanism triggered causing flags to unfurl and wave in the wind. Using his quirk to supplement the display a myriad of little lights manifested like fireflies in the sky.

"May I have some volunteers?"



------

Welcome to the immersive theater, Lucid Dreams. This thread will remain open until up to five participants have joined. If there are any dynamics you wish to explore for your character shoot me a message. Let's put on a show!

[Marlene Lovechild]

A world where heroes, villains, and everyone in between could live in harmony.

'Such a strange idea...' - Marlene thought to herself, as she wandered through the crowds of people wearing colorful dresses, enjoying festivities and foods. There were many couples, some of them with children, even. The automaton girl looked almost dour among them, alone, in that black and white dress of hers. It was not by choice that she came alone. But the person she used to 'date' disappeared for some time, thus unable to come with her. Her mother refused, as well, saying that it was some kind of a ploy either for villains or by villains, and that she does not want to be around for it.

But Marlene did not have an option not to go.

After all, her favorite actor invited her here, in person. Not showing up would be ... impolite. And the automaton girl was anything but that. Clutching the entrance ticket in her hands, she followed to where the man she met before said he would be. The magical immersive theater, with a large stage. There were many people around, curious about the performance, even if some were both surprised and weary from the vanishing shadows and silhouettes. Then, she saw him. She recognized the voice. And the suit. Mr. Pierrot was looking for a volunteer. Marlene's heart would have skipped a beat, if she had one. She did not. But ... she wanted to volunteer. 

So, when he called out, the automaton girl stepped forward. She was not alone - there were plenty of girls who wanted to get closer to the handsome masked man. They were all much livelier than her. Like real flowers compared to a plastic replica. Still, this replica stood firm, unblinking glass eyes seeking contact.

"I would like to volunteer, mr. Pierrot, if you would have me."

[Rui Matsui]

Rui was loving the little effects too, but the more she watched the more bored she grew. The amusement park was fun, there was plenty to do, plenty to see and she wasn't getting arrested just for existing. Then again, she knew better than to pick fights out here too. The problem wasn't Alexander and his tricks, it was the lack of violence around her. Wasn't there more violent magic tricks around? Like punching someone so hard that they phase through the ground, or sawing someone in half?

Wait... Did she hear that right? Immersive theater? She could help decide what the show was? He had her at 'Come one, come all.' Besides he said for the brave to step forward too, and Rui didn't know anyone braver than her. Except for maybe Sho, but he also didn't have a sense of humor.

She let out a ''Ooooo'' when the flags waved above, and was almost compelled to chase one of the fireflies that flew around. When he asked for volunteers several people spoke out, so she did the only thing she knew how. She shouted louder than most of the others. That way, he couldn't avoid hearing, or seeing her. If she didn't get picked then whatever, she would just get to see someone else get dismembered. ''Me too, me too!'' She stuck up a hand, having to jump on the spot to increase her visibility in the audience that was gathering for a lucid trip. When she noticed one of the other girls volunteering her eyes went wide, the shock painted all over her face as she pointed a red hand at Marlene. ''7/11!!'' She called out, not angry like the last time they met, but more so shocked to see the automaton here.

Alexander Pierrot
Marlene Lovechild

[Alexander Pierrot]

Inside every story made with pride,

the architect lives on inside

---

Alexander's eyes roved over the crowd, checking features and expressions alike to get a sense for the tales to come. It didn't take him long to spot the one he'd invited; The cold steel encapsulating a warm heart. Yet she was far from the only person of interest he spotted. A man with a bird beak briefly caught his attention before his gaze moved to a woman whose legs -if they could be called as such- resembled those of a Scylla. Both seemed like valid candidates yet Alexander felt like something was lacking, something that would render the story lesser than it could be. That was, of course, until his gaze caught a hopping blonde with large horns on her head. He smiled, the outline of a tale taking shape. 

"Let us start with you and you," Alexander spoke both clearly and loudly as he pointed at Marlene and Rui in turn. He was deeply curious how they already seemed to know each other yet appeared here to have met here at random. Joy blossomed deep within him. What could it be but providence at work?

"Step over here. Ah! Young miss," he addressed Rui with wide eyes while using his quirk to echo the space below her waist to a time when no one was standing there making it appear empty. "Can you float over here? You appear to have misplaced your legs!"

Sending a wink at Marlene he gestured for her to halt for a moment. His quirk activating he searched through the past until he found a moment where someone else had been standing in the same space and echoed their legs over Marlene's own. Pointing at them he called out to Rui once more.

"Would those happen to be yours?"

With a chuckle he dissipated them once more and waved Marlene over, fully aware of the cruelty of his act. To make her appear half biologically human was unethical at best yet such an act could easily serve as further motivation to continue her story. Maintaining the echo of empty space over the area Rui was walking he waited until the pair reached him before snapping his fingers and making her legs reappear once more.

"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for our brave volunteers."

The crowd cheered as Alexander gestured at Marlene and Rui. With a wave of his arm he directed the pair's attention to them.

"Please, my wonderful assistants. Introduce yourselves to the audience. Tell us your names, your hopes and dreams and finally, a wish you would see fulfilled today." 

------

Tags: Marlene Lovechild  Rui Matsui

[Marlene Lovechild]

"7/11!"

Marlene's head turned at an uncomfortable (for most people) angle, while her body remained facing the stage, as she identified the individual calling her like that. The realization that it was her nickname she was given did not sink in just yet, the automaton was simply reacting to someone yelling the name of a place she worked at, out loud. The face the voice belonged to was familiar, however. It did not take long for her perfect machine memory to match them together. She knew who it was.

"Ms. Matsui." - she spoke in the same neutral tone she addressed the girl back when she disarmed and carried her off to the police station. "I am surprised to see you being let out of encarceration so soon." - the automaton shrugged. Nothing she could do about it, anyway. This place was a neutral ground, and Marlene always abided by the rules. Even when it was not particularly convenient for her to do so. Besides... though by all accounts she should have been angry with the girl, there was just... nothing. She felt nothing. The realization made Marlene look down, and look away. 

Her favorite actor was about to pick volunteers!

As she waited, the automaton fidgeted a bit in place. Normally, she had no issue with the passage of time, but in this very moment, she wanted the decision to be made as fast as possible. The waiting felt tedious and heavy, somehow. Marlene smiled when she was picked. It was an appropriate thing to do. It was also a much better, more genuine attempt than before. The smile disappeared, though, when Rui was also picked. 'I hope she does not ruin the show.'

Before the two stepped on stage, Mr. Pierrot joked about the legs. Marlene blinked, seeing no legs on Rui, before looking down and lifting her dress a bit. Instead of her own, she saw some other woman's legs. Curiously, she studied them, and even attempted to touch. They did not feel different, though. It was a trick. A shadow on the wall. _{"Mine are better..."} - the automaton muttered to herself, before climbing on stage. It creaked a little, under her weight. Giving a courtsey to the man of the show, and grateful for being picked, Marlene turned around to face the audience.

"My name is Marlene Lovechild." - the machine girl spoke in a nice, demure, yet neutral tone. "My hopes and dreams are to be a Hero and to be a good daughter for my mother." - she stated the purposes for her creation; "The wish I would like to see fulfilled today is..." - the girl suddenly hesitated, as if caught in thought. Like ever so often, she took what she was told at face value. Wishing for something was a powerful thing. The no-brainer responce was to simply wish to be successful in the part of the mission she had trouble with. But ... then the Hero part muscled its way in. It was not very heroic to wish for such a thing for oneself, was it? The real Marlene would have wished for something starry-eyed and naive, like World Peace or whatever. The two parts clashed and bartered with one another for a few microseconds, before coming up with an answer that was both selfish and altruistic at the same time.

"I wish to be more successful in both of my missions."

[Rui Matsui]

''Yeah well no one can keep me locked up not even with reincarnation.'' She replied, completely misunderstanding and mishearing what incarceration was. Contrasting their last encounter Rui was relatively calm and a lot less murdery. She remembered being angry at Marlene, but even someone like her knew better than to provoke the security stationed at this amusement park. Besides, just because she wasn't killing her now didn't mean she couldn't just try to follow her home later or something. That's it. She wasn't losing her edge because she wasn't killing anyone now. This was a strategic no-killing maneuver. As long as she played along here she would get to kill later!

''That's me, hi! I'm the young miss!'' She waved at Alexander, then looked over her shoulder at the crowd to wave, completely oblivious to the fact that he was already using his quirk. ''Can I float?-'' She looked back at him, puzzled. ''That's not my thing I can't do that.'' She finally looked down, eyes widening at her missing legs. ''Woah! How? What?'' She was grinning from ear to ear. Her legs were missing but he didn't cut them off or anything because she hadn't felt any pain. Even with her quirk she wasn't fully exempt from feeling physical trauma. ''How did you do that?'' She grinned up at Alexander before looking at Marlene. ''Hey those are mine, thief!'' She pointed an accusatory finger at the automaton girl. When she made her way up and her legs reappeared after his snap she poked them a couple times, just to make sure her legs actually were back to normal.

She looked at Marlene as she introduced herself, waiting for her turn to speak. ''I'm Rui!'' She raised her voice, perhaps a little too loud. ''My hopes and dreams is to have lots of fun!'' She grinned, even if it was at the expense of others! Marlene's introduction was sweet, painfully so. She really was a goody-two-shoes, wanting to be a good daughter and a hero. It was nice, but it didn't bring any excitement! ''My wish is to see people hurt real bad.'' She pointed at Marlene, then gestured to the audience. ''Like her, or one of them, or many of them!''

Marlene Lovechild
Alexander Pierrot

[Alexander Pierrot]

Inside every story made with pride,

the architect lives on inside

---

For a moment Alexander had to use his quirk to cover his face. The smile that threatened to tear his cheeks was anything but what he wanted the world to see. It only took a split second for him to push it back down, the personable echo fading into an indistinguishable amicable smile. 

"Everyone, please welcome Marlene and Rui!" He said in his best showman's voice, both of his arms raised to the side behind them as the audience applauded once more before settling down almost entirely in tune with him lowering his arms once more. Alexander was no stranger to playing a crowd and with such an enticing set of circumstances before him all his ingrained lessons came out to handle it leaving his unadulterated focus available for the two in front of him; And what a pair they were.

The angel seeking naught but good and the devil here to throw a wrench in the plans. He doubted even his quirk could hide the gleam in his eyes. When had he last found such perfect candidates?

"How exciting, ladies and gentlemen. A hero and villain duo in the making! Who, pray tell, will come out on top?"

With a wink and a smile he took a step back and put a finger to his lips, his quirk activating to make him vanish as if he'd been sucked into an invisible whirlpool. Adjusting and activating the microphone wire on his throat he made sure his whispered words would be broadcast evenly all throughout both the stage and the audience. 

"Will either?" An echo of his quirk whispered into the duo's ears, carefully positioned through his subtle guidance to stand exactly where he'd intended for them to be, in sync with the whispers coming from the speakers. "Can what stalks these starlit streets be vanquished or will it claim two more, forever lost to its dastardly schemes?"

In Alexander's opinion mixing truth into a performance was the best way to make it feel real. For what better way to come across as genuine than to truly mean what you said? It was good that he wore a mask when he reappeared, for the act he chose was no act at all. Oh, he had no intent to bring down those who shared his stage. But claim their fates he would. 

Gleaming eyes observed Marlene from behind his mask. The girl who longed to be more, yet who did not wish to change. A doll chasing an ideal forever beyond not just her own but anyone's grasp, doomed to fail but even so eternally pursued. The perfect daughter. The exemplary hero. The puppet on a string of her own creation. 

His gaze shifted to Rui. The girl who longed to have more, yet did not wish for anyone else to be excluded from her fun. A demon chasing joy through placing others in her grasp, doomed to chase ever greater tragedies but even so never truly fulfilled. The harbinger of ruin. The bringer of chaos. The puppeteer twisting and prodding without ever realizing she was getting entangled in her own strings. 

Two people so different yet in many ways so alike. 

Hundreds, nay, thousands of paths laid before him. Each greater than the last. Yet the future could not be repeated. He could only follow one. Only make one come true. Alexander would make sure his actions shaped it into the greatest one imaginable. Failure was not an option. Who could say when a chance such as this could possibly come again? Yet there was no time to think. No hours to plot, scheme and plan. He could only hope his preparations and rehearsals did not fail him in this most important of hours.

The desire to be a hero and the wish to cause pain. Two interests Alexander would use to the fullest; And fun it would be. He clapped his hands to get their attention.

"Reality and fiction oft bleed together on the stage. Who can say what is real and what is not?" 

Alexander stepped towards them, his arms extended to the sides.

"You have stated your dream and wishes. Yet can words truly encompass a person's deepest desires? Is it even possible to truly know them yourself? Pray tell, how could one seek to find their true inner self..." Alexander said as he stepped between them, his arms phasing through them as it became clear the figure walking in their midst was nought but a fantasm. "...if they cannot even see true outside themselves?"

The echo turned as it reached the front of the stage, its back to the audience and its gaze looking past Rui and Marlene.

"Pray tell, my magnificent volunteers." Alexander's voice resounded through the speakers. "If I am not me-" The echo waved an arm at the audience. "-then who am I?"

With that the echo let itself fall backwards off the front of the stage, vanishing into thin air before it hit the ground.

"Which of you two will be able to find me? Who will decide my fate? Shall it be the hero of justice or the demon of pain? Remember, my dear volunteers. No violence is allowed here. Find me through your own methods but without touching any of the other guests. The search is on."

------

Tags: Marlene Lovechild Rui Matsui