(Card Story) Screams Echoing in the Night

[schoenheit]

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Card: [SR] (A Thorny Grin) Owen
Event: A Guiding Light for Those Lost in the Night
Characters: Owen, Faust

Chapter One ✧ Chapter Two ✧ Training Episode ✧ Bonus

Chapter One

Location: School Corridor (Night)

Akira: I guess I shouldn't be surprised how different the school feels at night... There's just this peculiar, eerie feeling everywhere... It sure is creeping me out.

Owen: Ohh? Are you scared of this sort of thing, Master?

Faust: If you have time to talk, you have time to investigate. Keep moving.

Owen: (Sighs) This place is so boring... There's no people wailing and screaming, and we haven't found a single one of those monsters the humans were spreading rumors about.

There aren't any spine-chilling ghosts, nor any Nightwalkers. Boring, boring, boring.

... Oh, I know.

(Owen smiles, disappears, then reappears; then glows faintly with magic)

Faust: You. What are you doing.

Owen: Nothing, really. I'm being a good little boy, that's all.

Faust: Don't tell such an obvious lie. You're the only one who could've drawn that summoning circle. ... What did you summon?

Owen: Does it matter? This school already has so many curious rumors... What's one more?

Faust: And most of those rumors are nothing more than silly gossip. It's part and parcel of any old building.

Owen: And where do you think that "gossip" came from? Didn't they just come up with those stories because they were so tired of their tedium?

They tell themselves they're afraid of running into the Nightwalker, they worry themselves over what they'd do if they ever did, and yet... they're so desperately heads over heels with the idea they yearn for it as much as they fear it.

Faust: ......

Owen: And all I'm doing is granting that wish.

Chapter Two

Owen: I'll summon monsters more horrifying than they could ever imagine, just as they desire.

And then they'll experience a terror so much more enjoyable than coming face to face with a Nightwalker.

Faust: How ridiculous...

Owen: ... Ohh? Who's the "ridiculous" one here? Me? Or the pathetic humans here?

Faust: ≪Salliuqnart Mullcreed≫

(Sound of magic)

Owen: Ahh~hh... You went and erased the circle I put so much effort into crafting.

Faust: The only "ridiculous" person in this equation is you. Owen.

Owen: (Frowning) ......

Faust: Humanity may be foolish, but the people here are sinless. Stop being such a child.

Owen: Haha... I don't see why I have to listen to you.

Oh, I have a great idea. Why don't I make that face of yours into a pulpy-squishy mess for you? And here I'd thought I wouldn't get my fill of screams tonight... Really, your timing is impeccable.

Faust: (Tense frown) ......

Akira: Ahh!! Is that the Nightwalker!?

Owen & Faust: ... Huh?

Snow in the Portrait: (Offscreen) Calm your heart, Sage. That was nothing more than the flutter of a curtain reflected upon the window-pane.

Akira: O-Oh, you're right... Thank you, Snow.

... Eek! Wait, this painting isn't Snow...!?

Riquet: (Offscreen) Lord Snow's portrait is over here, Master!

Faust: ... Sage...

Owen: Ahaha...! You're all scared even when there's nothing here. You're an unmatched buffoon, Master.

You know what, hearing your screams is so much better than listening to the screams of the people here. I suppose I have no choice but to grant you a level of suffering so much, much more enjoyable than this.

Faust: Owen, wait—

... I swear. I hope your heart can take it, Sage.

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Training Episode: The Twins' Lesson Plan

Location: Manor Hallway (Night)

Owen: Oh? Wandering around hallways in the middle of the night, Master?

Akira: Ah! Owen! You nearly gave me a heart attack.

Owen: If you can't sleep, why don't I tell you a bedtime story? You won't believe what happened at the school not so long ago... Something so unbelievably unnerving you'll be a trembling wreck the moment you hear it.

Akira: Um... I think that'd keep me wide awake, so I'm afraid I'll have to decline...

Speaking of, what is it like for you, being in a school and all? I imagine it must not be very common for you to end up on a campus.

Owen: It was crowded and depressing. I wouldn't want to go a second time.

Akira: T-That's fair. Still, you seemed like you were having a lot of fun...

Owen: Mm. I don't know if any of the rumors were real or not, but it was fun seeing everyone scared witless by them. I can't believe how funny it was.

Akira: (I suppose it is very like Owen to derive enjoyment from a situation like that...)

How was sitting in on lessons? I imagine they were very unlike the type of lessons the twins teach.

Owen: I don't recall ever getting any actual instruction from those two. They only teach "lessons" in name— in truth, all they do is host murderous free-for-alls.

Akira: So Northern lessons are about survival of the fittest, huh...

Owen: Still, they give me candy when I participate, so I have no choice but to attend.

Those two always use us however they please... I can't stand them.

Akira: (You say that, but there's something incredible about the lengths you'll go for such a small prize...)

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Bonus

Voiceline (Homescreen)
Owen: There's nothing more boring than going to class. Just what's the point of just sitting and listening to someone prattle on and on? I have no interest in following directions, and I'd much rather put smallfry in their place than learn with them.

Voiceline (Skill Activation)
Owen: You want me to escort you?

Card Skills
Skill 1. I Suppose You'll Be Next
Skill 2. Rippling Doubts

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Thank you kizuowen @ Twitter for the raws!