The Rabbit that Wanted to Help: Balan Wonderworld & Vib Ribbon/Ripple Crossover

Ch. 4: A Chat In the Study/Office

(Author's note: the art is by me. Also, I created a soundscape based on the Maestro's study, please check it out! https://mynoise.net/Community/user.php?submission=c64e413b520eaab4e8d4fd191618494947) 

Rainbow flames flickered quietly on candles on each tall bookshelf, filling the study with a gentle, comfortable glow. The soft carpet was a periwinkle blue color, while the walls were a drab gray, with a few theater posters and colorful tapestries, and comfy-looking window seats. Vibri noticed that the books here were more of the sort she had seen before in the waiting room: Theatrical production scripts, essays on their interpretation, and even a few on creating your own stories and costumes for Live Action RolePlaying (LARP) games. 

As they came upon the end of the rows of bookshelves, in front of them sat a desk with numerous pieces of paper and books on it, in front of a large, regal red armchair. Some papers on the desk had scribbles of script on them, while others had sheet music. On the right front corner of the desk, there was a fluffy white feather pen in an ink bottle, as well as a few number 2 pencils, both wooden and mechanical, and a conductor's baton. On the left front corner was a crystal ball, and behind that was a plate of fresh warm biscuits slathered with butter, as well as the aforementioned pile of books. In front of the desk were two short vinyl red stools, the kind you would expect to see at an throwback-to-a-certain-era diner. 

Balan settled into the armchair behind his desk and with a snap of his fingers, ordered the pile of papers on his desk into two neat stacks to the side: one for the script, and one for the music. Another snap caused the big stone fireplace behind him to coax rainbow embers into a gentle cheery blaze of colors and warmth. He gestured to one of the stools in front of the desk. "Please, have a seat." As Vibri did so, he gestures to the plate of biscuits. "There are also some biscuits fresh out of the oven if you would like something to eat."

"Arigato," Vibri replied, taking one and having a few nibbles. There was a squeak, and the white Tim from earlier hop-flapped up onto the stool next to her. 

"Now," Balan said, "that we are in my study's safe seclusion, perhaps you can tell me what caused you to come to your upsetting conclusion." 

"[Don't you know of that already?]" Vibri asked, tilting one polygon ear. 

"Perhaps, perhaps not. I may be missing a few details, then. I also know that saying the problem aloud to a friend often eases the burden." Balan leans in, and it seemed to Vibri that a soothing, trusting aura started coming from his presence. "If you need it, your little Tim is also here. You can hug him when you feel yourself starting to give in to fear." The Tim gave an cute, acknowledging chirp. 

Vibri polished off the rest of the biscuit, then sighed. As much as she loathed getting near that subject, she knew deep inside that the Maestro was right. So she drew in a shaky breath, and began her story, getting right to the point. 

"[A few weeks ago, I had an argument with a friend of mine who came from a different part of the multiverse. It was about which world got the most Players, mine or his. He mentioned that my origin was only a PS1 game, and there two other games of my world since then, while he has had numerous Playstation remakes, spin-offs, and even cameos. ]

[He won the argument, and I swore to throw myself into my games and get more Players.  Which I did, until today.]

[And today, there was no other Players running with me. After a moment's thought, I realized that with that argument I had that day, not only did I lose my friends, I lost a part of myself, to the very game I had created. I had thought I didn't have time to talk to anyone except the Players. I knew I was neglecting the other relationships I had with even the people on my world.  There was no life in me outside the ones and zeros, no real soul outside the game. It was just me and the Vib-Ribbon now. It was terrifying, because I realized that for the first time in my life, I was alone!]"