Trickcal: Chibi Go story · Yearning stories
Barong's Yearning story
When I run into Barong at Phantom Marsh, I find Barong in a state of panic, claiming she could see a doppelganger. That must be Barong's Yearning, right?
1 scenes, 92 lines
1. Believe the Liar
92 linesBelieve the Liar
I happened to see a crowd of phantoms one day, grumbling as they went their separate ways.
Hm... It's rare to see so many phantoms together in one place like this... Did Shaydi put on some kind of prank show?
Speaki, what happened here? Why have so many phantoms gathered?
Oh, what brings you all this way, Master?
It's nothing! Some lying phantom said something big happened, so I came to check, but it turns out that was just another one of her baseless lies.
I guess you really can't teach an old phantom new tricks... Wow, you can't trust anyone anymore...
.........
I guess it's just another day at Phantom Marsh... A lying phantom? I suppose she's talking about Barong?
Something big, huh? I've got time before my next appointment—might as well check on her.
Knowing Barong, she might be cooking up some new large-scale prank, too...
I think those phantoms were coming from over there... Barong? Barong, you there?
I think I see someone huddled on the ground over there... is that Barong?
Barong! What are you doing over there?
Eek! M-Masterrr?
What kind of stunt are you pulling this time that made you gather all those phantoms?
Master...! This is serious...! A d-doppelganger has appeaaared!
A doppelganger? Okay, now, where did that come from?
Look, I've fallen for your lies more than enough—wait, what the heck?
Wh-What's that? There's a tiny version of Barong floating next to her head.
But also... It's got a weirdly different vibe...! How can I put it...? It's like it doesn't have Barong's usual eeriness...
The way it smiles has a mischievousness to it, but it doesn't have an evil vibe to it.
Could this be... Barong's Yearning?
I mean it this time, Master! A doppelganger really did show up!
I told the other phantoms, but no one would believe me.
They just said things like, "Barong's at it again with her exaggerations," and left.
I'm telling you! I see something no one else can!
How ironic... Normally, I wouldn't believe a word of something like this from her...
Still... if I leave her like this, she'll definitely cause trouble. And I should explain what a Yearning is, but how?
Urgh... You don't believe me either, do you, Master?
*Sigh* Forget it. Guess I'm just the weird phantom again.
When they all start seeing doppelgangers, too, later... don't come crying to me. I'm not helping.
No, Barong. I believe you.
Huh...? What did you say?
I said I believe you. And I can help you.
This doppelganger you speak of? You're talking about that tiny version of you that's floating next to your head, right?
Wh-What?! You see it too, Master? Do you know what it is?!
You're not messing with me, are you?
Wow, I offer to help, and you go straight to suspicion? Fine, no help for you.
Urgh... S-Sorry.
Oh, she's backing down easier than I thought. Maybe if I give her a plausible explanation to satisfy her, she won't go off and do something reckless.
I don't know how you can see it, but you're not half bad, so I guess I'll trust you this once.
Hmm... How should I explain it...? That thing is like a hologram of sorts.
A hologram? One of those elven devices?
Yeah, something like that. That's why it has no physical form, but you can still see it.
Then who made it? Which jerk is making this visible?
It's your subconscious. It's making your inner desires visible.
It's a bit like a syndrome. Have you heard of those?
I see... I get it now. Seems it's nothing special then.
Wait, she's accepting this that easily? Well, works for me, I guess.
"She's accepting this that easily?" That's what you just thought, isn't it?
Yikes! What the heck?! Why're you getting in my face like that?!
What? Did I hit the bullseye? I did, didn't IIIII?
U-Urgh...!
First of all, there are way too many things in that explanation that don't make sense!
It's so full of holes that I can't even pretend to fall for it! Geez, that was bad!
Right... This is Barong we're talking about. She's someone who lies for fun.
A fabricating master who spits out lies as easily as breathing...
Now that I think about it, there's no way I could fool someone like her with a half-baked story!
That was careless of me.
And it's insulting! Think about how I would feel listening to that!
What? Something my subconscious desires? You're saying that creepy, grinning thing is what I wish to be?
Actually, "creepy and grinning" is pretty close to how she actually is...
I spoke to it for a bit, and that thing's completely airheaded! Going on about "friends" and nonsense like that.
It seems to be a poor imitation of me since it likes pranks... but I don't think it can even tell a proper lie!
I do not want to become a fool like that!
You're messing with me, aren't you, Master?
You're the only one who can see this weird doppelganger...
And then there's this ambiguous story you're trying to get me to accept...!
Just hurry up and get rid of this thiiiiing!
Yikes...! This is bad. I tried to be ambiguous about it and made things worse!
Think... something she'd believe... I need something like that...
Uh... Barong?
Look... I really didn't do this. Please, just trust me this once.
And I know I was being vague, but I wasn't lying...
.........
.........
Ah... I'm screwed.
Huh?
Every time I see this thing, I'll have to think about who pulled this prank and how.
If I keep talking to it and dig for more info, I might figure it out.
Besides, it seems to know how to get on my good side, so it's not really that bad.
You're okay with that? Really?
Let's call it even. You pretended to fall for my act earlier, too, didn't you?
Besides, it's always obvious when you lieee. Hehe.
Now get going, Master. I'll be on my way, toooo.
As Barong disappeared into the distance with a confident smile, her laughter reminded me of her Yearning for some reason.
Judging by what I heard and felt during our brief encounter...
I wonder if Barong's Yearning is a version of herself where she is able to hang out with folks who trust her and care for her without her lies...
That day, Barong looked especially lonely from behind as she retreated with a spring in her step...