Faded.

After a wonderful week with her, he finally had a glimpse of their relationship.

Sitting by the bench, the two of them. Inseparable. Oblivious.
To the one that had a split second to see her face.

M veered away from them. From her and her special person.
His mouth sealed. His tears unable to run down.
Unable to crawl out.
Unable to find their way to her.

And his heart died then.

Black Mage

"Hey, no one has ever done Vivi from Final Fantasy 9 before!"

Her fellow cosplay friend uttered in disappointment, during last week's Cosplay meetup.

His heart however, skipped a beat. Her words became a fiery fuel, a temptation and  desire to create something from out of the ordinary.

A black mage.

 

Black Mage

Croma Black Mage, Female

A significant amount of viewers and followers of the Final Fantasy series know fully how a black mage looks like. This gave him a sense of pride, even more so, taking him to the next step into the Cosplay world.

A costume that will evoke great happiness and joy and probably unlock some hidden potential within him.  His black mage would be a cross between the ever-famous Vivi Orunitia from FF9 and the Croma Black Mage from FF Fables: Chocobo Dungeon.

Croma Black Mage

Tons of ideas came pouring into his mind as of this stage.

Vivi Orutinia

And lately, his dreams are filled with him wearing his black mage costume...on a stage. Everyone applauding.

Another blissful state in life, so he thought.

The art of cosplay.

Cosplay.

A blend of reality and imagination within one person. The innate ability to present oneself, "in an out of this world costume", towards all walks of life in an ever ignorant, bustling environment. Adrenaline flows, the blood pumped. The moment when the costume enters a symbiosis with the body (wearing), a new personality emerges.

Portrayed even.

Albert Silverberg - Suikoden III

The attention perceived from the manner of wearing such "absurd and savory" costumes is thrilling. Compliments regarding work efforts, details etc. brings smiles, content hearts to the cosplayer. And him too.

M now, is an emerging cosplayer, wanting to experience the limelight that he wished for all these years. Someone to appreciate what he has done, a portrayal of regards and believe in him. He wanting more exposure to this world that seemingly opened up to him with open arms...

And he entered a blissful state in his life.

Original Character - Pocky Butler

A darker side.

A friend came over to stay overnight for a personal study time and was left to be. The night came, and she knocked on the restless and sleepy M, asking for the password for his laptop...which she accidentally closed upon.

He did not like disturbances during sleep; the anger rose within him. He stared at the ceiling when the door closed. This moment, this time.
Hatred, anger, jealousy, regret. The overzealous emotions overflowed that room; he could not control it. His past haunted him, he, wanting to vent his anger somewhere.

The unnecessary rumours spreading about him, along with that person responsible.
The lies that surrounded another person that ruined his 3rd year, first semester.
The reluctant emotions of the one who received his Valentine's Day roses, 3rd year, 2nd semester.
The provocation of an imbalanced life, 4th year 1st semester. He was the victim in the crossfire.
And false hopes, just recently.