Menagerie of Lights Event Story 5: Birthday Celebration
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards: None
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Classical Art Gallery
Marius: Can I open my eyes now?
You: Hold on, wait a second!
On his birthday, you arranged to meet Marius at the classical art gallery.
Before he enters the gallery, you cover his eyes with a piece of black cloth.
You: Happy Birthday!
Inside the gallery, light falls gently through the domed ceiling. The shining lantern lights collide gently against one another, making a pleasant sound.
Rembrandt's classic paintings are hung up in the hall.
You remove the black cloth and watch as Marius' face lights up with surprise and delight.
Marius: Are these... authentic Rembrandt paintings?
Marius: I thought the Rembrandt exhibition is supposed to be held in Stellis next month?
You: It'll be too late for your birthday by then.
You: So I asked the gallery owner for the opportunity to visit in advance.
You walk quietly towards a corner of the room, and take out a wrapped gift box. You wave the box at Marius.
You: Today is your birthday. Why don't you guess what's inside?
Marius: Is this a birthday present for me?
You: Yup! But if you get it wrong three times, you need to promise to let me make a wish.
You: I heard that your promise will come true if you make a wish to the birthday boy.
Marius smiles gently and agrees. He purses his lips and thinks seriously.
Marius: I don't know. I really can't guess what it is.
After three wrong guesses, Marius shakes his head. Seeing the petulant look on his face, you smile and hand the gift over to him.
Marius weighs the box and shakes it next to his ear, looking confused.
Marius: Puzzle blocks!
Marius: Let me guess which set this is...
Touching the black and gold gift wrap, Marius gently unties the ribbon and is stunned when he sees the gift.
Marius: The Future Home, designed by Osten himself?
His face is filled with surprise and joy. When he's happy, he really looks like a child.
Marius: I've collected all the works of Osten except for this one, the last set he designed...
Marius: This is not for sale. I've tried many different ways... who would've thought...
Marius fiddles his hands on the building blocks.
Marius: I see, so someone won the prize and lied to me about it.
You: I was just trying to surprise you...
You explain in a soft voice. Then you take out the doll and the notebook you've prepared.
You: Other than the Future Home, I've also prepared other gifts. But before that, I want to make the wish that you owed me.
Marius: What is your wish?
Marius: I will try my best to fulfill your wish.
You: Really? So...
You put your hands together and close your eyes sincerely as if making a wish to a deity.
You: I wish for Marius to never lose his dream of being a painter, and for him to not have any regrets from now on.
You: I wish that he will always love art and his creativity will almost stay pure.
This is what you've been wanting to tell Marius. You also wrote these down on the front page of your notebook.
Marius: ...
You look up and see that Marius is looking at you too. You notice the emotion and vulnerability deep in his eyes.
Marius closes his eyes briefly. When he opens them again, he's back to his usual playful self.
You: W... What are you doing?
Marius walks up behind you. He takes hold of your hand and picks up the paintbrush with you.
Marius: I think your wish is working. I feel inspired already.
You: (?!?)
You feel the warmth of his breath on your neck, followed by a burst of laughter.
Lush green mountains and quaint huts. A sketch gradually appears in front of you.
You: This is... home?
Marius: Yes.
You: Marius, you...
When the painting is finished, Marius, holding your hand, signs "Z" at the bottom right corner of the canvas.
The painting has distinct layers, revealing a sense of sweetness and warmth.
You: You said you are not good at creating home, so how...
Marius: It's all thanks to you.
Marius leads you to sit on the bench to look at the painting in front of you.
Marius: When you made the wish, I suddenly realized the answer I'd been looking for all these years.
Marius: My life seems perfect, but there's a hole in it. It made me unable to understand the definition of home.
Marius: Your existence fills that emptiness in my heart. Because of your care and encouragement, I can now feel the meaning of a home.
You: Marius...
Marius: So... Thank you.
Inside the hall, it's so quiet that you can almost hear each other's heartbeats.
Marius: No one has ever done that for me.
Marius: Don't worry. I don't think it will take long for Z to start making art again.
Marius: And this time, it'll be a brand new theme.
Summary
