Duet Night Abyss story · Side stories
The Unseen Horns
Chapter Noctoyager
2 scenes, 108 lines
1. Talk to Faye
43 linesYou... Charon... You're one of us...
(The girl before you mumbles to herself. She seems to be looking at you... or gazing at a faraway place.)
Do you want to help...?
No... I'm not a Sola...
Look, my... demon horns.
(The girl lifts her messy hair to reveal a partially undone pigtail. There is no horn nor stump of any kind. It is more than obvious that she is actually a Sola.)
It's just hair.
No, they're my horns... They're just cloaked by magic, so they look like hair to you! They've all seen them, two, thick, massive horns!
It's true! I don't know how to explain it, but...
I... I don't know how to describe it to you, but...
That's what they said.
Who are "they"?
There you are, Faye! So you came to the outer city. We've been looking for you everywhere!
What, don't you like the special gift we prepared just for you? I spent my entire day's allowance to hire two Charon kids to catch all those rats.
Come back already. Everyone's so "worried" about you.
No... I'm not... I'm not going back...
Hey, look. Isn't that a Charon?
Hahaha! I was right, she's a demon!
So you came to the slums to look for your relatives? How interesting!
I didn't! ...No! No! I'm a...
(The girl covers her ears and runs away.)
(The girl stands at the corner with her head down. She looks very upset.)
(The girl turns her head away. She does not seem very eager to talk.)
It's you...
Were those your... classmates?
Yeah... I'm sorry... Really sorry... I messed up again.
Were they picking on you?
No... It's all my fault...
I can't do anything right. Both my mom and my teachers say I'm stupid.
My classmates are smart. They said that the reason I'm stupid is because I'm a Charon, and my parents hid my horns with magic.
It's all my fault... I shouldn't have showed up among Solas...
(You know that is a blatant lie. It also brings up unpleasant memories of what happened to you and Berenica on Purgatorio Island.)
(Those malicious acts may have been invited because of your weakness and differences, or, perhaps they just happened, the perpetrators only wanted to vent their hatred and you were just unlucky.)
(But this girl is more helpless than you. She didn't even have a friend like Berenica to share the pain.)
It isn't my fault...?
The fault lies with those who are mean to others.
There's nothing to be afraid of. Fight back.
Huh...?
Since they call you a demon, you might as well act like one.
Huh...?
They came up with a lie and made fun of you. But...
Since they call you a demon, you might as well act like one.
Let's go back and confront them.
2. Teach Faye's classmates a lesson
65 linesWhat should I do...?
Umm... Okay... I'll try.
Look! She's back!
She already made friends with a Charon? I knew it! Charons of a horn flock together!
I...
(The girl tries to say something, but she just can't get the words out. Perhaps she needs a little help to tell her classmates how she feels.)
Yeah... Just... get... out of my... way!
...Or I... My friend and I will send you all to hell...!
Or... Since you like worms and rats so much... I... I'll send you into the sewers...!
Wait... No. Even the rats would think you're gross!
(As if breaking free from some intangible shackles, the girl, who was once so quiet, is now unleashing a stream of invective.)
She curses at us?! Is she insane?
Ugh, I'm so pissed off right now! Someone teach her a lesson! Do it properly and this money is all yours!
That white-haired demon is so strong!
Umm... This doesn't look good! We better scoot!
Wait.
For your information, Faye has signed a demon contract with me. If you ever mess with her again, I will show up immediately to deal with you.
You... you...! Hmph!
(The students scamper off quickly.)
See? That's all they can do.
...Yeah!
Thanks for helping me... You looked really cool throwing those punches!
R, Really? I... I just said the things that I'd wanted to say but couldn't.
Thank you so much. I've never felt so relieved and happy in my life!
You're welcome. Your classmates should leave you alone for a while. I'll walk you home. Here, this is my address, come find me if they give you trouble again.
I don't want to go home...!
I'm a Charon and I want to stay with my people...
(The girl gives you a stubborn pout, clearly unconvinced.)
Don't you see that? They acted all tough and mighty towards you, but once someone stronger shows up, they just run away.
They're not as strong as they pretend to be. Likewise, their words are not as truthful as they seem. Faye, don't listen to them. You're a hundred percent Sola.
Remember, never doubt yourself just because someone says bad things about you... My family taught me this, and I hope you'll keep it in mind too.
(The girl blinks her eyes in confusion. She probably doesn't understand everything you just said, but her expression softens.)
Okay... If that's what you say, I'll try my best! But before I leave, I still have a teensy-weensy request...
May I touch your horn?
Thank you!
(The girl carefully extends her frail hand and touches the horn on your head.)
Alright then. I won't touch it. But can I at least get a better look...?
(She carefully approaches you and studies the horn on your head.)
So this is what a real Charon horn looks like...
It's red and really delicate... it even reflects the sunlight. It looks way cuter than my pigtails.
You're the first to tell me that. But my pigtails are all messed up now... I have to braid them again.
(The girl takes out a comb from her bag. She then carefully combs and re-braids her pigtails. Once she's done, she lifts them up.)
Now, do they look like demon horns?
Heheh.
Haha. That's good, too.
I have plenty of hairbands in my pocket. Can I braid a pigtail for you?
Please! I wanna see how it looks!
(The girl stands on her toes and pushes you down to reach your hair. She seems a lot more positive and energetic than before.)
Come on, just squat down a little...
(You feel the girl slightly tugging your hair. She combs your hair very gently. You don't have to worry about losing any.)
Done! Wow, you look so pretty with pigtails!
Too bad I don't have a mirror...
Ah...! I know! I can draw a picture of you.
(The girl opens her backpack and takes out a notebook. She then tries to draw a nice picture of you.)
Oh, I forgot to ask, what's your name?
Okay, Vita! I'll always remember you. Here, keep this picture I drew of you. See you around!
...That is some modern abstract art.
(The girl is about to leave but she suddenly turns around and gives you a serious gaze.)
Oh yeah... While I was combing your hair, I suddenly remembered something.
They kept telling me that Charons are demon's children who are stupid, evil, and are always doing bad things...
I don't think those words are true.
They were just lies made up as an excuse to bully your kind, right?
You must have... suffered way more pain than I ever have.
If there's anything I can do to help in the future, please do let me know... It's not because we're the same kind, but because we're friends.
My classmates still don't like me, but I'm not afraid of them anymore! All thanks to you!