Persona Q: The Wedding Files
Scenario 11: Elizabeth
"Your destined partner is… lo and behold…" The mechanical voice soon finishes, and two spotlights lit up. One was shining on the Leader from Gekkoukan, or P3 Heroine. And the other was on Elizabeth, the middle of the Velvet Room siblings and one of Theodore's elder sisters.
"Oh my…" Elizabeth giggled. "Thank you for inviting me here. Unworthy though I am, I, Elizabeth, will follow you as your destined partner." Soon, the floor beneath Elizabeth and the Leader suddenly vanished.
"Going doooown." Elizabeth said as she fell.
Group Date Café, The Big Day
Elizabeth got up and dusted herself. She noticed the Leader getting up from a spot not too far from hers. Elizabeth looked around their surroundings. It was like something that could be described as a fantasy land for love. The place is a garden of colourful flowers complete with a dirt path that was obviously meant to be stepped on. Heart-shaped arches extended all the way through the dirt path. "My, this place…" Elizabeth commented. "It's almost as if I'm in a fairy tale… My heart is hearting from this sudden encounter with an unknown world." She paused. "Sorry, my mistake. I meant to say, my pound is pounding."
"It seems you have reached your destination."
"Who might this be?" Elizabeth wondered.
"This seems to be a path where lovers who met their destined partners discuss their love for each other." The mechanical voice says. "What could be waiting up ahead? You are free to step forth hand-in-hand, curiosity and fear in your hearts, or you can refrain."
"In other words… we must head to an unknown paradise?" Elizabeth concluded.
"You are free to step forth, or refrain from doing so." The mechanical voice says. "These are your apparent options. Now, step forth!"
Afterward, the mechanical voice went silent.
"It offers the freedom to choose, and yet… It's like playing the role of a weak human who's a slave to fate." Elizabeth said. "There is very rich meaning in this display, when you think about it… We are now alone here, as if we're about to begin a one-on-one grudge match. I sense a conspiracy behind all this."
"Are you having fun?"
"In any case, let's proceed."
"To speak plainly," Elizabeth answered. "my emotions are in a tizzy at this new experience. I am excited to accompany my brother's guest on this journey."
"Are you having fun?"
"In any case, let's proceed."
"I am excited to accompany my brother's guest on this journey." Elizabeth said. "And for that, I cannot help but abandon my duties for a bit… Yes, there is no getting around it."
"Very well, let us proceed onward." Elizabeth said. "In my brother's place, I shall accompany you to the end, so I hope we work together well." And with that, the Leader and Elizabeth followed the dirt path that apparently continued to expand as they took steps forward. Eventually, they reached an area where they could see a portrait resting on a stand, but they couldn't make out what it was from their location. Well, for Elizabeth, who knows?
"Suddenly, all in attendance hear an announcement."
"My, my. What could be next?" Elizabeth questioned.
"Up ahead, they see a bride and groom's joyous commemorative photograph of love." The voice says. "They confer between them whether to look at it, or ignore it."
The voice falls silent once again.
"A "commemorative photograph of love" …" Elizabeth nodded to herself. "Could that be what I think it is? A recording of the limitless depth of love of those who recorded their nuptial vows onto a thin paper… To think we are privileged to view such a valuable artifact… Let us make haste towards it." Elizabeth headed first in front of the Leader to look at it before the Leader too headed to look at the portrait.
"My, will you look at this…" Elizabeth said. "When was such a picture taken? We've only met for a few hours… Well, you'll have to take responsibility for this… Or so I would have said, but this appears to be a fake." As the Leader scanned through the portrait, it depicted a lacy pinkish background filled with pink roses, a "Happy Wedding" written at above the base of the image, and two formally dressed groom and bride. The groom was carrying the bride and one of their hands connected with each other to form a heart-shaped spacing. Although… the faces of the bride and groom… they were Elizabeth's face and the Leader's face respectively. The faces looked like they were taken from another photo before it was torn off from that photo and is pasted on this portrait. Overall, as Elizabeth suggests, it looked like a manipulated photo.
"It's quite an intriguing piece." Elizabeth said. "A prince and princess, like in a fairytale… A carelessly thrown-together photo for unknown purpose… What most piques my interest is the legendary style of embrace, passed down amongst royal families… If a prince directs this skill at an eligible princess, he is guaranteed to take them back to the castle. But it appears that now would be… unsatisfactory since we are of the same gender…"
"What a shame…"
"Why don't you ask Theo?"
"Ah, yes." Elizabeth nodded. "It truly is a shame. Some day, I wish to experience such a secret art once. But who knows when that day will come… Ah, if only I had a guest to take care of…"
"What a shame…"
"Why don't you ask Theo?"
"Could my foolish brother learn such an advanced skill…?" Elizabeth sounded unamused. "As his sister, I hesitate to say. But just as a certain city wasn't built in a day, a backbreaking amount of effort is required to hone a skill." She placed a finger under her chin thoughtfully. "I will have Theo carry me on his back for a thousand leagues as training. I call it: "Operation: True Love.""
"I have also heard that princesses can turn into sea foam, or be the victim of a perfect crime with a poison apple… They may even wed a beast. It seems to be a post requiring the strength to overcome strenuous ordeals." Elizabeth said. "Though if only for an instant, I am honored to have experienced what it's like to be a true princess. Ah, and that goes for you too. Well then, let us proceed onward. Just imagining what might await us ahead makes my heart dance with wild curiosity." The Leader and Elizabeth passed by the photo, noticing a large building far from where they were. They were quite surprised by its' sheer size, well at least for the Leader, surprised that they didn't even notice it from where they landed. And after a long walk, they finally reached the doors of the large building. It looked like a church based on the designs.
"The long-awaited moment has come. The bride and groom are finally about to enter." The mechanical voice spoke suddenly. "The last moment of hesitation has arrived before you are to be wed."
"My… what an extreme turn of events." Elizabeth commented.
"Through your own free will, you decide to vow eternal love to each other." The voice said.
"So this is the final destination… The paradise of love." Elizabeth said. "Is this where our paths part beyond this door? To find our grooms?"
"Now, open the door together!" The voice announces.
Elizabeth looked at the door and advanced towards it. She, and the Leader, pushed the doors open.
"Open sesame!" Elizabeth sang happily as she entered the church.
The Leader and Elizabeth entered the church. Elizabeth is fine with this wedding. Does this mean that she'd experience true love? That question remains unanswered until she finds the answer… The doors behind them closes automatically, and the mechanical voice from the beginning speaks.
"You must vow your unwavering love for one another, in sickness and in health. Now, vow your love!" The voice declares.
"L-Leader!" Fuuka's voice screamed. "A-Are you going to get married to a woman?"
The doors suddenly slammed open and Shinjiro is the first to enter before the rest of the group rushed into the church. "Hold it!" He shouted.
"Oh, my. What a turn of events." Elizabeth commented.
"How can I say this so that you'll understand…" Shinjiro grumbled. "We're cancelling the marriage!"
…
It seems that the wedding has been called off…
Ta-da. Elizabeth is done. I know she's the… 'strange' type, but it can't be helped. I'd think what she does is what she does.
Now, moving on… I've seen the reviews… and I've given in. I'll do scenarios involving Makoto Yuki and P3 Heroine (Which I'll use her stage name, Kotone Shiomi). That wasn't part of my original plan, but I'll do it. Hope you all enjoy the following chapters.