Chibi
Mara… do you remember the rules?
Mara
Which rules?
Chibi
From yesterday.
Mara
We didn’t play yesterday.
Chibi
Yes, we did.
(A pause.)
Mara
What game?
Chibi
The one with the stones.
(She looks down at the cobblestones.)
Mara
Oh.
Don’t step on the cracks.
Chibi
No.
That was later.
Mara
…
Chibi
At first it was the darker stones.
Mara
Are you sure?
Chibi
Yes.
(She hesitates.)
Mara
I don’t remember.
(They begin walking again.)
Chibi
Let’s play.
Mara
Alright.
Chibi
Same rules.
Mara
Which ones?
(He doesn’t answer.)
Chibi
You’ll see.
(They step forward. Mara follows a pattern. Chibi follows a different one.)
Mara
You’re doing it wrong.
Chibi
No.
You are.
(They stop.)
Mara
That’s not fair.
Chibi
Why?
Mara
Because we need the same rules.
Chibi
Do we?
(A pause.)
Mara
Yes.
Chibi
Why?
Mara
Otherwise it’s not a game.
Chibi
Maybe it is.
(He steps forward again, following no clear pattern.)
Mara
You’re just choosing randomly.
Chibi
No.
Mara
Then what are you following?
(He points down—but nothing is there.)
Chibi
This.
Mara
That’s nothing.
Chibi
Exactly.
(A silence.)
Mara
That’s not a rule.
Chibi
Maybe it is now.
(She frowns.)
Mara
You can’t change the rules while playing.
Chibi
Why not?
Mara
Because then no one can win.
Chibi
Or lose.
(They both stop again.)
Mara
Then what’s the point?
(Chibi looks past her.)
Chibi
Maybe it’s not our game.
(That lands heavier than it should.)
Mara
What do you mean?
Chibi
Try again.
Pick a rule.
(She thinks.)
Mara
Only the lighter stones.
Chibi
Alright.
(They begin. For a few steps it works—then something feels off.)
Mara
…
Chibi
You felt that.
Mara
Yes.
Chibi
It didn’t fit.
Mara
No.
(She tries to correct it. The next step feels wrong again.)
Mara
I can’t fix it.
Chibi
I know.
(A long pause.)
Mara
It’s like the rule keeps changing.
Chibi
Yes.
Mara
But I didn’t change it.
Chibi
No.
(Silence.)
Mara
Then who did?
(He looks at her now.)
Chibi
…
Mara
Chibi?
(A small pause.)
Chibi
You don’t play anymore.
Mara
What?
Chibi
You get played.
Step into a world where even games stop following your rules.
🎭 https://startplaying.games/gm/dunchan
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