audience: shess

[cyclists]

Comments

[cyclists]

It is not anything worthy of thanks.

[but then they'll proceed with what they were doing]

May I offer you anything else? You are free to stay as long as you wish, and any topic of discussion is yours to decide.

[nonbelligerent]

[moving on sounds good?? thank god this isn't lili]

How are you and Sol?

[cyclists]

[DEFINITELY ISN'T.]

As well as we can be.

[ . . . ]

I had an interesting conversation with someone regarding the young one recently. It would appear that he's made a friend.

[lune is

so fond]

[nonbelligerent]

That's good. I imagine I'm not allowed to ask who it is.

[cyclists]

I do not believe I can say, no.

However it has led me to believe that some might not be as kind to the young one as I had hoped, despite my cautioning of his youth.

[TROUBLED]

[nonbelligerent]

That's unfortunate.

[cyclists]

So it is.

[there's actually a small frown in their voice, as if disappointed]

I do not know if I may promise you anything in return, but perhaps if you are able - if others are to speak to Sol, I would advise them to exercise patience and to place more faith in him. It will certainly allow him to speak his mind more freely, and more calmly.

He is trying just as hard as anyone else to be of assistance.

[and here's lune

arranging flowers]

[nonbelligerent]

You want me to tell people to be nicer to Sol?

[cyclists]

[there is a laugh]

Only if it comes up naturally - and perhaps not phrased in such a way.

He would not take well to be treated as if he is a rowdy infant either.

[nonbelligerent]

I was wondering how I was going to suddenly bring that up.

But all right, I don't mind.

[cyclists]

Thank you, thank you. I can offer you my gratitude at the very least.

[lune is now appeased, thanks shess]

After all, while I do not believe that anything will deter his willingness to help...

I do not wish him to be upset either.

[nonbelligerent]

That's admirable of him—to try and help people who don't necessarily treat him well.

[cyclists]

It is, isn't it?

Burning so brightly that it may scorch others, but nonetheless a warm guiding light to illuminate all equally.

He is quite worthy of his new namesake.

[nonbelligerent]

You really do seem to care about him greatly.

[cyclists]

In truth, I care for each of you.

However it is the young one who shares my responsibility in seeing this through as well as we can. He has a burden that is separate from everyone else present.

He carries it very well.

[nonbelligerent]

Guiding others is a difficult task even for those of age, never mind for the young.

[cyclists]

[there is a laugh]

Yes, I believe so as well.

And how is it on your side? While we are able to oversee the village to some degree, I wonder if it is never going to be the same as living within it.

[nonbelligerent]

You gave us some direction at the start of the week, but I don't know if we're any closer to a solution.

[did the cyoa group never come back from the war]

[cyclists]

[haha

lune will just pause thoughtfully at that, as if admiring the sculpture in their hands]

... a solution to the greatest mysteries, perhaps not.

However I do believe that steps forward are being taken.

[nonbelligerent]

[THAT HAHA IS WORRYING DANA]

Am I allowed to ask about those steps?

[cyclists]

Not from myself, I am afraid.

Others among you might be able to speak more freely.

[nonbelligerent]

It's a little worrying that if steps are being taken, the rest of us aren't aware of them.

[cyclists]

Perhaps they are simply waiting for the right time to speak.

[thoughtfully, as if trying to give them the benefit of the doubt]

Or they, the same as you, are still determining who to trust.

[nonbelligerent]

For an end goal we're meant to collaborate on, it certainly feels like it's been set up to divide us.

[cyclists]

[a pause, as if considering, and then a nod]

It may be seen that way.

Though I wonder just as much if it is not merely meant to encourage each of you to reach out to one another more, even if it is uncomfortable.