audience - axelea

[cyclists]

Comments

[leaberator]

Nope. Nuh-uh. I'm not getting caught up in that kind of thought.

[cyclists]

Why not? [A genuine question. If it could be something good, then...that's better, right? They're curious on Axel's thoughts.]

[leaberator]

Even if the feelings are good... They're not gonna be real. It'd be like putting a band-aid on someone's heart. [ it's hard to explain and he waves a hand around in frustration ] You can't make someone happy by just forcing them to be.

[cyclists]

...Axel. Can I ask you something? What do you count as happiness?

[leaberator]

[


that's a loaded question even if axel's situation wasn't so messy. ]

... I don't know if I'm the right guy to answer that question.

[cyclists]

I don't care. [Softly.] I'm asking anyway.

[leaberator]

... I guess for me being happy is when I'm spending time with my friends.

[ it's wistful, a bit. ]

Why do you ask?

[cyclists]

Just wondering. [Maybe.] How do you know it's happiness?

[It's an idle question, and not really one they expect an answer for.]

[leaberator]

'Cause it feels a lot better than the alternative.

[ ah, he hadn't meant to say that part. he huffs ]

Like I said, I'm probably not the best guy to ask about that stuff.

[cyclists]

No, it's okay. [...] I think I like your answer. It makes sense.

[leaberator]

It does?

[ why does he sound so surprised ]

[cyclists]

Yeah. [Simple.] Thanks for telling me.

[leaberator]

... No problem, I guess?

[ why does he feel like he missed something. ]

[cyclists]

[There's a nod...and he's up, tucking the stick into his pocket.]

We should go back. [Is that the end of the conversation? It seems like that's all they have to say here.]