audience: akane

[cyclists]

Comments

[specialdog]

[ she nods! ]

We got some cool stuff from the last gateway, even though it was a huge hassle. I hope we get cool stuff from this one, too.

[cyclists]

Ah, yes. You all did quite well in your last challenge.

Thank you for handling that matter for us.

[specialdog]

Thanks! And you're welcome!

It sucked!

[cyclists]

From what I could tell, it looked quite difficult.

Do you still harbor frustrations over it?

[specialdog]

[ Her smile... Falls.


Hm. ]

I didn't like the hands. I didn't like that it reached out for me like that. [ The dark. The corruption. ]

[cyclists]

That it beckoned you? Or that it would touch you?

[akane seems to have a thing about being touched after all]

[specialdog]

[ Both. Both. ]

... That it would touch me.

[cyclists]

The darkness does work in rather sinister ways.

[there's an acknowledgement there, and an unspoken apology]

Were you scared?

[specialdog]

[ Hrm. She doesn't like admitting it.

But Lune is the closest thing they have to an authority figure around here--and hasn't been mean to her a single time yet. ]

A little. Anyone would be.

[ Well. Everyone else dealt with it without collapsing to the ground in a heap and then doing nothing for the rest of the adventure, but that's. Fine. ]

[cyclists]

.... certainly they would - but I do find myself worried about you in particular.

[akane is the one they're speaking to right now, and her feelings matter]

[specialdog]

[ That might be comforting to other people, but to Akane it's. Not. ]

Why? Why me?

[cyclists]

You are the one in front of me - and I am worried after your well-being. I would always rather you be happy than scared.

So even if it is a time where you feel something that is less than palatable, I am relieved that you would let me know.

It means that you are not holding it all to yourself.

[specialdog]

[ That's Upsetting. She wants to be holding it all to herself, and so she just goes quiet. Talking........ Bad....... ]

[cyclists]

... ah, I'm sorry.

[though lune will at least pause at that]

I did not intend to upset you further.

[specialdog]

[ ugh. ugh!!! she brightens! ]

... It's fine! I'm not mad. ♪

[cyclists]

Is that so? That is a relief.

Is there is a better way to care for you, I am afraid that I may need instruction. I do not always know the preferred ways in which humans like to receive attention.

[specialdog]

It's not like you can just cater to everyone no matter what they want.