The Moon's Successor

Little Shadow Stories

Ah! The shadow play! It's that one thing where Mac says the thing and everyone freaks out! Can Linwan get that moment too? Saying that something that makes everyone say "woah" to? Lmao I wish.

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─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽Sandy's Boat☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄Linwan⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

A knock on the door was answered by a large blue demon, who smiled down at Linwan who smiled back up. "Sorry for coming early, Sandy. I just found a new tea blend I never heard of and bought it so you could try it!" The blue demon stepped outside of his boat and she gave him the tea blend so he could start making it. "It's funny. I found a new type of hot chocolate mix that I felt you'd enjoy too." The girl gasped. "Really?" He nodded and walked back inside. "I'll make it with the tea and we can talk!" "You got it!" She happily sat on one of the seats on the boat's deck and waited as she hummed. She had found out recently (literally this morning) that humming or singing would drown out the whispers, so she found herself doing it nearly every moment there was silence.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽Shadow Theater☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄Macaque⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

Meanwhile on the other side of town, the group of MK, Mei, Pigsy, and Tang were readying for a shadow play. "Good, they're here." Macaque put his cloak on and prepared himself for a show while MK whined about this not being a movie and the others speaking on him not hanging out with them anymore. 'Huh, so it's not just Little Shade. That makes this all the more important. I know I said no more scheming, but... this is more of a lesson. Sorry, kid. I'll just make it up to her.' He cleared his throat as he made a shadow puppet fly past the audience and dangle from the ceiling above the stage. "Tang, what kind of play did you say this was?!" The dark monkey smirked at how worried her boss sounded and dramatically opened the curtain to reveal himself as the Puppeteer. "Welcome viewers to a shadow play the likes of which have never been seen! It follows the tragic tale of a legendary warrior, and how those who bring light into this world inevitability bring darkness to those they hold dear." MK suddenly spoke up. "Mei, I just realized something." Mei looked at him. "What?" "I... I don't have snacks!" "Kid, relax, you literally just ate!" Pigsy tried to tell the boy but he seemed ready to combust as he spoke again. "Must get snacks!" "Ugh, fine. Go grab some snacks." MK bolted out of the theater as Tang tried to speak but Pigsy shushed him. 'Wow, perfect timing.' "Like light, heroes bring warmth, hope, and friendship. But they also give life to the darkness." He held the lantern up and allowed it to suck the three then smirked. "And now we bring the kid back." He glanced back at Rumble as he summoned him and allowed him to leave out of the lobby into the alley, knowing it'd be enough to bring MK back. What could he say, he knew the kid well, both from his own meetings with him and Linwan.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽Sandy's Boat☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄Linwan⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

Speaking of Linwan, the girl had just finished showing off her new abilities to Sandy and the two seemed to be having a bit of fun with it until their drinks were ready. Once they were, Linwan seemed to think about something. "Lia, are you okay?" "Hm? O-oh yeah!" She paused. "Hey, you wanna hear a story? I'm thinking of pitching it to someone and wanna have an outsider's perspective on it first." He smiled a bit. "Of course! Start when your ready." "Okay." She took a deep breath then sighed. "Once upon a time- Ah, sorry that's a cheesy start." "I think it's fine." "R-right. Uh, so, once upon a time, there was a small town that many people lived in. One was a girl who lived in rags and stole often. One day, she stole from the wrong person... A very terrifying man that people avoided. She had been caught red handed immediately, but instead of harm her as many rumors had stated, the man showed her kindness." She glanced at Sandy but continued anyway. "The man brought her into his home. He didn't have too much more than her, but managed to stay afloat somehow. He made it his personal quest to be her champion and he had succeeded." "Awww." She paused and giggled at the reaction he gave before getting back to the story with a small frown. "Unfortunately, the man became tired with their situation and thought to himself, "How can I raise a child here? She's far too young to know this strife. I must take her away from here. Somehow." He eventually got them both prepared to leave. It seemed others had heard of this departure. Others that did not like the man... So they ran. They ran far and the man fought hard. The girl was injured more than once and he decided she was safer if she journeyed on her own." He gave a small gasp and Linwan began to play with the mug in her hands before taking a sip. "He left her. Told her that he'd return after facing the enemy. He quickly ran into battle bravely after handing her his most prized treasure. Something the girl always awed at. He... did not return." She held the mug tighter and looked away from Sandy. "Lia?" "Sh-she went back for him and actually found him. She was far too late though. The man, as he was dying, demanded she run so, with a treasure in her hand, she ran. She always listened and this was her loving father's last wish." Sandy stared at her then sighed as he looked down. "She ran and ran, on and on, never stopping. She had continued to be attacked for seeing what she was not meant to." "And what did she do?" She trembled a bit and watched him closely as he put a hand to her shoulder. "We can take a break Lia." She thought about it... then nodded softly before focusing on her warm drink. "Keep going, child. I wish to know too." 'Go away, this story isn't meant for you.' "Don't you want my opinion on it?" She immediately began to hum and occupy herself with her drink.