Hey everyone! For the very few people that will read this, hello! This little skit was written for the Kamihime Project Official Discord Server. It's the ending of the first Community event we did, along with the introduction. Since I made this category, I figured I'd put something in it until I have more ready to upload. If you're interested
This skit takes place before the events of "Holy Night Symphony". Every character in this is my vision of their portrayal. Their representation may not match 1:1 to what they are in-game. Enjoy the read!
Heading back to the inn after your short trip to the nearest city, you walk down the warm path with the bright sun in your back and the even brighter Sol right beside you. Yet, in the distance you could hear the voice of your companions. What's this?
It seems that they are discussing something about 'being the best'. As you and Sol inch closer, you can't seem to quite make out what they mean by that. The best at what exactly? Any points they bring up don't quite seem to relate to each other.
Soon, your presence is noted by the always observant Amaterasu. And as she calls your attention, the rest of the girls turn to you and Sol as well. Like a flock of sheep, they all surround you, each of them asking different questions. "Who do you think is the best?" "It's me, right? No one else comes even close to my power!" "Power? It's all about looks! Just look at me!" "Looks are nothing if you've got a heart as dark as ichor."
Each of them convinced that they are the 'best', and so determined to have your opinion in the matter, they all inch closer and closer towards you, towering over you from all sides... until Sol pushes everyone back. "Heeeey! Wait just a minute!" she exclaims before stomping the ground. A pout on her face, she gives every Kamihime in the mix a quick glance. "If all of you want Leader to tell you which one is the best... Well... Everyone get in a line!"
"A line...?" You ask. Yet, somehow, every Kamihime present seems to oblige with Sol's request. Each of them paired up with one and another, they all are eager to get your opinion... You're still not sure what you should be judging these girls by. Whether it is by skill, looks, personality, or even personal preference, all you know is that they won't let you go until it's been decided.
Let the voting begin!
At last, the game was nearing its end. Before you sit Nuwa and Poseidon. Two girls who you granted your vote of confidence to be the 'best girl'. Even if you still don't know what that meant, it looked to be a great deal to all of them. And even if you felt a little bad for a handful of the other girls, there could only be one winner.
"Well then, darling," Poseidon began, leaning closer on the table separating all three of you. "Who will it be? Lovely little ol' me. Or Nuwa?"
Breathlessly, Nuwa holds her fist, shaking back and forth on her seat. She bites her lip in anticipation, awaiting your final vote.
Your eyes moved between Poseidon and Nuwa. Back and forth you go on your decision. You'd rather not pick one over the other. But this is what they wanted.
Ultimately, you raised your hand, causing both of them to gasp audibly. Your finger points towards Nuwa… and her eyes lighten up with excitement as Poseidon slumps down in her seat with a heavy sigh of disappointment.
"Wait… I-... I won?" Nuwa asked innocently. You nod at her question. "I won! Yay! I really did it! I won!"
Poseidon folded her arms and grumbled: "Well that's quite disappointing. So close yet so far. Hm… Well, congratulations on your win, Nuwa. I suppose that means you are the best… In Master's eyes," Poseidon muttered at the end.
A sore loser, but still understandable. You offer Poseidon a nod and turn to Nuwa who seemed to be absolutely overjoyed to have won the game.
With gratitude, Nuwa hops off her chair—her legs were too short to reach the floor while on it—and wanders over to your side. "Master... Thank you for supporting me. I-... I'd like to try and play you something I practiced."
Your look goes from happy to uncertain. Even if Nuwa practiced, her magic is still unstable. Sure, the tune would be soothing. But it would leave you incapacitated for days, right?
You vocalise your thoughts… And Nuwa quickly responds.
"Don't worry. I've been working on my magic control a lot. It won't do anything to you... P-Probably. Eheh…"
It wasn't exactly the vote of confidence you were looking for, but it had to do. Hesitantly you nod your head and like the eager little sugar plum Nuwa is, she takes your hand and drags you off your seat. "Alright! I'll show you what I practiced in my room!"
Sol, who had been kind of dozing off from all of the voting, suddenly snaps awake again. "Heh? HEH!? Nuwa! Bring Leader back! We're supposed to f—"
The door of the room is slammed shut by Nuwa's small hands. With a precious smile across her face, she gently takes your digits between her own and continues to guide you along.
The entire way there, Nuwa remains silent. You can tell she looked happy, but also a little anxious. The way her hand trembled as she held yours was a dead giveaway. It's her first rehearsal before another person, after all. Well, her first successful rehearsal you hope. A part of you was already bracing itself to be in bed for the next few days. But joy finds the naïve by itself or something, right?
The door to Nuwa's room clicks open. It's as tidy as you expected it to be. The inn's room was as unexceptional as your own. A room with a stone-cold floor decorated with a plain wooden bed and a well-carved desk. Nuwa's seat before it definitely looks in better shape than the one in your room. At least this one has all its legs.
Just to be safe, you take a seat at the foot-end of her bed.
Nuwa cheerfully takes a close seat beside you, huddling her side against your arm. A look of innocent glee in her eyes, she takes her instrument in both hands and experimentally caresses the string. A short chime plays across the room with each vibration of the strings. One that filled your heart with the faintest traces of renewed energy. Nuwa's magic is potent.
"Alright. I'll just-... play a few short strings then. I-It won't be much… Just a few-... Y-Yes…"
One gulp later, Nuwa once again begins to play with the strings as a warm-up. You shake your head and tell her that she should try and relax. She won't be able to focus if she is this tense.
"Eh? Well… It's just-..." Nuwa looks down at the ground with a somber gaze. "The last time I played something for you… I hurt you so much. Even if it was to save you, I should've known I couldn't control my magic."
As she speaks, her fingers strike the same cord again and again, seemingly forgetting to continue down the row. "I practiced a lot since then. Mostly because I was afraid that I might hurt you again."
There's a moment where neither of you said anything. Nuwa's finger plays with the same cord still, letting its high note play across the room repeatedly. Ultimately, you sigh and put a hand on Nuwa's back, pulling her closer into a soft embrace.
"H-Heh? Master? What are you-...?"
You tell Nuwa that you trust her. After all, you did not pick her to be the 'best' if you didn't think she could pull this off without anyone getting hurt.
"But w-what if something goes wrong?" Nuwa asked, leaning her head on your chest. In response, you tell her that she didn't practice for nothing. All that effort must amount to something, right?
Shakily holding her harp at first, Nuwa firmly grabs it and stows away her doubts. She takes a deep breath and rehearses the first five notes of her song two times over. "You're right… I can do this. I won't let you down, Master!"
Then, finally, her play began. Her eyes closed, she moves her hands over her harp, doing so elegantly and with confidence. Note after note, her mesmerising theme is rehearsed flawlessly, filling the room with its soothing tone.
For not a moment did you doubt Nuwa. You could feel the magic behind the music. It filled your mind with energy… Yet, never did it become unbearable. Never did you feel like you were much stronger than naturally possible. Never did you think you would collapse again like the day you met Nuwa.
As time went on, Nuwa finds herself closing her eyes and leaning her head against your chest again. In response, you place your free hand on her thighs and pull them over your lap. Nuwa hardly seemed to mind. If anything, a genuine smile makes its way on her face as she continues to play.
Seconds turned to minutes as you both got lost in the symphony's entrancing effects. Your eyes are glued to Nuwa's focused but content expression.
Slowly, however, her rhythm started to drop, her pace growing slower with each second. You wonder why that was… until you heard a faint snore from the musical girl. She fell asleep…?
You blink in confusion… Your eyes wander up to find the room illuminated in orange. The sun was setting. How long have you two spent your time like this?
Carefully, you put Nuwa's harp away and take her up on the bed. The moment you were about to let go of her, her small hands take hold of your sleeve and hold you dearly.
"Successor… Just… a little longer… Please…"
The words hit your heart like a flaming arrow. Perhaps you could join her side for just another five minutes then…