Once Upon a Dream - Joseph x Reader

[ Chapter 2 - First Matches ]

I woke up from sleeping, I was really nervous so I kept tossing and turning all night. What would happen during the games? What if I fail? These questions began to take over my mind, my thoughts were interrupted by knocking on the door. "Come in, it's open", I said. Emily walks in and says "Good morning! make sure to wear one of your "costumes" and head on down for breakfast!". She closed the door and I looked into my closet. I picked out a plain white gown that was ankle length and put it on. In the corner of my eye I noticed the ribbon that I left in the basket. I went up to the bureau and grabbed the ribbon from it. I tie my hair using it in a ponytail.

I put on some plain white shoes and walk out the door to the kitchen. As I arrived there were the same people from yesterday sitting at the same spots as last night. I sit in the empty chair next to Emma and begin to eat the oatmeal. It was flavorless, but I ate to prevent myself from getting sick. I definitely needed to get used to food soon, because it was very bland.

Once I finish I notice not many people are left. Emma looks over to me and says "Let's play the first match of the day, follow me!". "Okay, but how do you know when you have a match?", I ask. She looks to me and says, "We don't have any knowledge of what time it is here, if you haven't noticed in every clock the time is frozen at 5:18. Just like how the boxes and food appear out of thin air we get match offers, it seems like this manor possesses strange magic. See, we usually get letters that says someone requested a match, they can appear at random times. ". I nod my head and think for a moment, I respond to her, "Oh I see... How strange this manner is".

She nods and says "You can accept and decline matches as you please, but you must play because you need to play to be able to write in your diary. There are rumors of a survivor who refused to write in their diary and they were punished by the Baron...Apparently they turned into a hunter...". I pause for a moment, "What exactly are hunters? What are we?", I ask. She sighs and says "The hunters are the people who hunt us down during matches, to prevent this we run away from them and use resources like pallets. We are supposed to decode 5 ciphers and escape through the gate or dungeon". I don't think this sounds too hard... I ask Emma, "Now that we have arrived at the parlor, what do we do now?". She opens the door and says "Follow me". We both headed inside and it was really dark inside the room. The only thing that stood out was a table and four chairs. Emily was patiently waiting there and we both sat down. There was only one person missing... A girl ran in, she had a cane in her hand and wore a pink dress that resembled cake so much. She sat down and the sound of broken glass could be heard.

I open my eyes and find myself in a new place, I look around and there are machines scattered, I could see Emma in the distance using the machine. I try my best to do what she said, to "decode" the machine. I manage to get the calibrations on time, not perfect but still getting them. I finished this machine and I read 3 ciphers left. I walk into the building in the middle of the area, and begin to decode the machine. I see a geisha follow Emily and hit her. I was confused and saw her heal herself with a syringe. I decided to continue doing what I'm doing since she seemed to know what she was doing.

I finish my cipher and notice only 1 cipher is left. As I'm walking away to search for another machine, Emily gets knocked down and the last cipher is finished allowing her to return to full health. I recall Emma saying you can leave through the dungeon or the exit gates, I run to the orange box and begin to decode it like I would a cipher. Once I finish I exit the gate. I return to the parlor and wait for the others to return. The results came in, and I read them from the paper they were written on, 3 people escaped, Emma, Helena and me. It seems that the girl with the cake costume is named Helena. I saw the 3 of the others approach me and they were happy.

We walk out and head in different directions. I decide to go to the library and find a book to read while I wait for one of those match invitations. I strolled around the library, there was no one else there and I took the liberty to explore the book options. I found a book that stuck out the most, it had a red-brown spine with gold writing that read "The Tale of Tales". I open the book and flip a few pages, I notice some distasteful content and put the book away instantly. I grabbed another book and opened it, it was full of supernatural tales. I closed it and read the title "Ugetsu Monogatari". I put the book against my chest and took it with me upstairs.

Once I arrive I set the book down on my nightstand when I get an invitation for another match. I accept it right away and begin to play my next match.

-Timeskip-

I can't tell how long it has been since my arrival, new people have come just like I have. The empty rooms began to be used by new people, there has only been one new hunter since my arrival. I step out of my room and go to the reception hall.

Once I arrived I noticed that there were decorations and the tables and chairs were all ready for what seemed to be a party. I walk into the library and see Emily bandaging up Emma, I walk up to them and ask, "Rough match? "Emma looks in pain and says "Yup! Things are going to become more interesting, because a new hunter is rumored to be arriving soon since the reception hall seems to be decorated for a ball". I recall the "ball" that was held for ''The Feaster" upon his arrival, it felt more like a get-together than a ball. Everyone just stood around and chatted. I wonder what kind of part it will be. I respond to Emma "Oh I see, I wonder what their ability will be". Emma shrugs and Emily says "Well I heard rumors of another survivor coming soon as well. I hope they aren't bad people". I nod and excuse myself to go back to my room.

As I walk out I bump into someone, it was Helena. "Hi Helena, I'm sorry for bumping into you". She smiles and says "It's alright I'm sorry as well". We both part ways and I walk towards my room, my mind begins to wander and I wonder what the next hunter will be like? Are they arrogant and classist like the others? Or are they kind and don't care about that? But who cares? Regardless of how kind they may be they will still hunt us down and kill us as many times as it takes to reach their goal.

I can't help but think of him... was he alright? did he manage to survive? So many questions yet little answers. I needed to write my thoughts down, so many words to express my worry and yearning for him, if only he had never left.

I enter my room and sit down on the chair laid in front of my bureau. I open one of the drawers and find some paper and a fountain pen next to a pot of ink. I lay out a piece of paper and dip my feather in ink. I begin to write down my concerns and thoughts...

...

[An Unsent Letter]

Mon amour,

From the depth of my heart I write this letter, you may never receive this letter, but I want this to be proof of my undying love.

It seems like it was just yesterday when we were kids running around the forest without any care. Everything that I once had...I have no more. I lost myself in an abyss, sadness and tears dominate my life. I must endure my defeat and let you go forever. Deep in my soul I cling to the thought of your return, but the memory of us and everything we had and did... will forever be the sweetest memory of my life.

Since I last saw you, I love you even more. My love is still strong as ever, I can only live knowing that you are alright and safe. That said, I know it is selfish of me to ask of you to only be mine, I hope you found yourself another person to make you happy. I do hope you spend the rest of your life by their side living as a happy family.

I often think of you, I have yet to regain my memory, but the thing that is certain is I remember you and little things like what we did and what you like. You always supported me in what I did, you never shut me away for my flaws. I recall I told you about my hobby and how I would use it to get far in life, but I never told you how everything I would make or do came from the memory of our precious time together... I have come to realize that the most precious piece of art is yourself. I love you with all my heart, I hope you find yourself well and healthy...

Sincerely, yours

...

I finish writing the letter and take a look at it. It's best I use this letter to tie the loose ends and do whatever it takes to get out of here... I received an invite to a match and accepted. I put a piece of paper in my book and run off to my next match.

The match finished and it was nighttime. I decided to skip dinner and go straight to sleep. I get to my room and lay in bed. I think back to the letter I wrote and begin to think about him. I end up falling asleep.