audience: akane

[cyclists]

Comments

[specialdog]

That's a tough question after this weekend...

[ People are dying, Lune! But that said, she plops down to sit, too. ]

But I'm still here, so I'm checking in, like you said.

[cyclists]

Mm, you are right... and I am pleased to say that I will be able to readjust your accommodations if you but complete a simple task in exchange.

For your power source and a cord for your phone - you will need to do something to lift the spirits and energize three other people.

It is unfortunately not something that I can grant to you freely. Favoritism is a rather worrisome thing.

[specialdog]

[ Akane's tentative smile... totally drops... ]

Lift the spirits and energize...? I don't know how to do something like that.

[cyclists]

No? What makes you say that?

[specialdog]

I don't make anyone happy, here.

[cyclists]

Oh?

Is this a foregone conclusion, or have you asked others?

[specialdog]

What's the point in asking something like that?

[cyclists]

Do you not believe that you might be surprised?

[specialdog]

Of course I wouldn't be surprised. I'm not stupid.

[cyclists]

I never meant to imply that you are.

I suppose I cannot help but be surprised. Even if I cannot speak for anyone else, you have made me happy.

[specialdog]

[ . . . ]

Why? How?

[cyclists]

You have come to speak with me - even despite your own rightful frustrations with the situation.

I am happy each time I get to see you.

Do you believe it has to be a great task in order to bring joy to another?

[specialdog]

[ Hey let's ignore that question entirely! ]

I'm sure lots of people come to visit you.

[cyclists]

Not as many as I am used to -

And even then, the types of visits that I am able to receive now are very different from the ones I was able to before.

For one, we are able to have a conversation.

I like hearing what you think and feel.

[specialdog]

People visited you before, but you couldn't have conversations with them?

I guess if you're some kind of spirit, that makes sense... [ that's her running theory, anyway. ]

[cyclists]

That is correct.

For many years, I was not able to possess a will of my own.

[specialdog]

I guess I can understand why this is better, then.

[cyclists]

I would say so.

Even then - I cannot help but wonder why you neglected to answer my question.

Do you not believe you are capable of bringing happiness to others as you are, as you have done with me?

[specialdog]

[ Akane... Shakes her head. ]

I can't control people, here. I can't set them to think of me a certain way, or feel a certain way.

[ ... When she's not in direct, god-mode control of other people's reality, how is she supposed to make them happy? How could people like her when she can't program them to? ]

[cyclists]

[a thoughtful pause at that]

What do you think of people who are out of your control?

Are they difficult? Hateful? Generous? Kind?

[specialdog]

They're difficult, obviously.

[ Difficult to control, haha, get it........ ]

[cyclists]

[there is a soft laugh at that - in understanding]

Humans are odd, aren't they? So full of complex, varied emotion....

[specialdog]

[ she laughs too, but it's definitely got an edge of frustration to it. ]

It's much better when I'm in control of things, you know...? This kind of thing is totally jarring for me.

[cyclists]

[there is a small nod

then wondering:]

Are you unhappy with it? Is it hard for you to learn?

[specialdog]

Of course I'm unhappy with it.

[ That comes out more aggressive than she means for it to. Quieter, she adds: ]

There's nothing to learn. I just have to get back to my world.