on coming out of a slump and rekindling my love for her canon

[embodimentofspirit]

...Miss Mundane?

[ Hm? Oh, hey there, Ib. Something wrong? You've, uh, never addressed me directly like this before... ]

I... just wanted to say thank you.

[ What for, kiddo? ]

Well... [Shuffle, shuffle.] I know the past couple months haven been hard for you, and you were thinking about taking me out of Ruby City... but I'm really glad you didn't. Even if it's scary sometimes, and even if a lot of my friends have gone, um, home-- [That's the term used in the city, but she knows there's no real home for muses; they either get tossed into another game, used on a whim in memes, or forgotten entirely.] --I would be sad if I had to leave.

[ Ah. Then, in that case... You're welcome, Ib.

Y'know, it's about time I got to those tags for you built up in my inbox. What do you say? ]

[And she nods again, this time with a smile.] Yeah!

Comments

[paints_demons]

You must be Ib... Mary's told me a lot about you.

[embodimentofspirit]

[She blinks, surprised and unsure.]

...You know Mary?

[Ib and Garry are the only ones who could have known the blonde as anything apart from a painting...]

[paints_demons]

[He blinks and looks to the side, shame and guilt evident on his face.]

Yes. And while you may not know me, you're... intimately familiar with my work. ...My name is Weiss Guertena.

[embodimentofspirit]

[Fear immediately runs through her when Weiss speaks his name, and Ib steps back instinctively, shoulders caving into a defensive position.]

Y-You... made all those paintings?

[Despite the remorse in his expression, after what she went through, she can't help being afraid.]

[arealgirl]

[Mary's been in a similar position...she knows what it's like to be forgotten but..]

Ib! So you're still at that city? It's really big--I bet it's a lot of fun!

[Anywhere outside the gallery is good enough for Mary, after all but--] Oh, uh, I guess Dad is around these days, too. He draws real well!

[She's a real girl, darn it, so Guertena is her dad. Then she starts to out,] Jeeze... you're getting into all sorts of fun without me.

[embodimentofspirit]

Mary!

[The blonde's answer brings a little smile to Ib's face as she nods; it's been a while since they got to talk.]

Uh-huh, I'm still there. [A thoughtful pause, then] Some bad things have happened, but I made a lot of friends. I wish you could meet Alice and Adam!

[But Mary's mention of her "dad" makes Ib tilt her head in curious confusion; it takes her a moment to think of what her friend might mean.]

You mean... Mister Guertena?

[arealgirl]

I can still meet them! [She nods firmly at this.]

That's my dad!

[embodimentofspirit]

[Her smile grows at Mary's assertion.]

Really? Then you have to! [A soft giggle.] You'll like them a lot.

[And though Ib is a little unsure about this "dad" thing...]

I'm really glad you found him.

[arealgirl]

I will! We'll be friends. [A very brief pause.] But I'll still be you're favorite.

[Another nod, more to assure herself.]

Yeah.