audiences : xion

[cyclists]

Comments

[cyclists]

[That's better at least. The pace they set is leisurely and doesn't seem too hurried at the moment.]

When Lune and I first got our assignments, we were told that we can help but we can't meddle. So even if there are things we know, we aren't always allowed to say yet. But there's still a lot we don't know and we're learning about. It's just as frustrating for us as it is for everybody else.

[It's why they sometimes tolerate people being really angry.] ...it sort of feels like keeping it a secret, but it's a secret we want to tell. Does that make sense?

[blackcoats]

It does. That's... a feeling I know a little too well.

[ she lets the sound of the waves rolling in the distance fill the air before turning to look at them, still careful to watch her step. ]

What kind of things are you allowed to say?

[cyclists]

Well...[Hm.] We're allowed to talk about how the corruption's manifested so far...and about what can happen to a person if it's not removed from them. And about the gateways? [What else might be useful?]

...we knew exactly what happened between Tsurumaru and Mary. But we couldn't tell any of you.

[blackcoats]

[ the mention of mary's name has xion flinch with a hint of guilt. ]

... Why not? What would have happened if... if we were wrong?

[cyclists]

Something really bad. We don't know the exact details, but that darkness in her would have grown and continued changing her. ...it would have hurt her even more if we left it alone. That's the problem.

[There is no kind solution yet. ]

[blackcoats]

So no matter what, we... still would've had to...

[ . . . she doesn't want to finish that sentence. ]

[cyclists]

Mmhm. [A noise of confirmation isn't the same as saying the words so it's fine. ] We're trying to find another way, but the instability is moving faster than we are.

[blackcoats]

What do you mean, moving faster...?

[ she takes this chance to crouch down at their position and start poking through the sand. ]

[cyclists]

It's like...it's like it's growing out of control and has been since before we even got here. Lune and I were called because the instability had already started. Then there were a few weeks between then and when you all arrived.

[Down in the sand they go, digging with their hand.] If we could at least find another angle to come from, we might be able to stop it before it rows in another direction.

[blackcoats]

And... that's why we're here? To find that new direction?

[ ... excuse her for a second or two, though, as she marvels at how sand actually feels between her fingers; she's only ever searched for shells previously with her gloves on. ]

[cyclists]

Uh huh. [They seem to be watching her from under that hood still.] But I don't think that should be your only job here. Since you're here, and there's lot of other people, everyone should be trying to get along and work together...learn new things...stuff like that. If we have the chance, why not?

[blackcoats]

[ good thing she's a sora which means she doesn't notice them creepily staring at her. their words are what catch her attention instead, as she lets grains of sand fall from her hand back to the earth. ]

I want to. But at the same time... I'm scared to get close to anyone. What if they end up being someone the darkness corrupts? What happens if I'm one of those? I... I can't let that happen.

[cyclists]

It's pretty scary, but...I kind of think of it like being able to make memories with people in the time we have with them, even if there's that chance. Like...maybe if they have those same memories of us, too, that will protect them or save them from the darkness.

And not getting close to people sounds pretty lonely anyway.

[blackcoats]

...!

[ she stops sifting through the sand to turn her head and look at them in surprise... which quickly turns soft and warm. ]

That's a... really nice way of looking at it. Just hearing that makes me feel better about all of this.

[cyclists]

Yeah? [They seem to perk up, happy with those results as they dig through the sand. No shells here, but they're just moving sand around in little piles.]

This isn't a fun situation, but at the same time I don't think we should only be focused on the bad. [They unearth a very small, white shell.] Some people here are really nice. I think they're worth getting to know.

[blackcoats]

[ and she, in turn, perks up in excitement when they find the shell. it's tiny, but cute!! ]

Really? Like who? If you like them... then I think I'd like to get to know them, too.

[cyclists]

[They offer the shell to Xion? They can share, it's fine.]

Uh...there's this girl. Her name is Naminé and she's always really fun to talk to. She's really nice. And there's Nana! She bakes a lot of really good stuff. [Me crying that this is pre-smashed Banana.] And Axel's pretty okay, too.

[blackcoats]

[ tiny and smol... kin... but it also reminds her of naminé... ]

What a coincidence—Axel and Naminé are already my friends, so we must have pretty similar tastes. That must mean I'd get along with Nana, too.

[ f ]

[cyclists]

Oh. [They sound pleasantly surprised by that.] They're all great...you'd really like Nana, too. She and Naminé are kind of similar, but Nana's a little more...enthusiastic. [No comment on Axel unless asked, but:] Minato's pretty okay, too. And Emma.

[And then Emma snapped at them in trial today, rip.]

...have you been making other friends already? [She said she didn't want to get close to people, but that doesn't mean it won't happen anyway.]

[blackcoats]

...yeah. [ she's a hypocrite, she knows ] Akane and Futaba showed me how to make flower crowns and origami, Kaoru's really good with clothes, Lili tries to be stubborn but is actually pretty nice underneath...

[ of course keykids are gonna make friends. it's only natural? ]

[cyclists]

[...] I haven't met any of them. [Well. They met Futaba last weekend because they gave her glitter and stuff but whatever.] They sound nice though.

[But!] Someone taught me how to make origami, too. I can make birds and rabbits now. [They also sound very proud of that fact.] ...that's the kind of thing I mean though. Getting to learn stuff like this is what makes this place a little less bad. Even if there are some bad ones, my memories are mine. So I'll cherish all of them.

[...they suddenly get up and begin to walk again, slowly but toeing at the sand to look for more shells.]

[blackcoats]

Oh, I can make flowers! Maybe we can show each other what we know...

[ ... she trails off, especially as sol rises to their feet. she lets the silence drag on for a while as she thinks about what to say next, her eyes focused downward on the small shell in her palm. ]

Hey, Sol... can I ask you something? [ beat ] If it's one of those things you can't answer... I understand. I won't get mad at you for it.

[cyclists]

I'd like that. [They have made uno paper flower and it was Bad, so that's fine by them. But there's a pause before they nod.]

Yeah. Just...don't get mad if I can't. Okay? [She just said she wouldn't, you moron.] I'll try though.

[blackcoats]

[ as she pushes some sand away to unearth another shell—a small cockle shell this time—she tilts her head and says, ]

. . .

Why does it feel... like I know you?

[cyclists]

[Somehow...they had expected that question. They watch as she unearths that shell, taking the time to formulate an answer.]

...it's probably not fair to you, but you remind me of this girl I know. She's really important to me, and I miss her a lot. Maybe...I treat you like I would treat her.