audience: emma perkins

[cyclists]

Comments

week 1, post-trial

[cyclists]

[henlo emma, lune will be in the dining hall today! they appear to be in the middle of arranging some flowers? it’s fine]

At times, looking at something beautiful is enough to calm the soul.

Perhaps you ought to have your bubble bath soon?

[foodbin]

...Maybe.

[But for now:]

I wanted to ask you something.

[cyclists]

[there is a soft laugh at that]

... this is familiar.

And so I shall repeat, you are free to ask me whatever you wish.

[foodbin]

I know it’s a power someone has been given, but... I wondered if there was anything I could do to make sure the other pair of people who don’t have a partner are spared. If there was some kind of... extra task I could do, or something to earn it...

[cyclists]

[there is a pause at that, and then a smile blooms in their voice]

You are very kind.

However, that option already rests in the hands of another. It is not something that the young one and I are able to grant, but it would seem that some gifts come from unexpected situations.

Similarly, that is the answer to one of your previous question - if there is another way to purify someone without harming them.

[foodbin]

Unexpected situations...? What do you mean?

[cyclists]

Hmm...

I have not been able to disclose it to others, and I imagine that is the same here. However it is something you will be able to glean from speaking with your fellow participants.

It is simply not my story to tell.

[foodbin]

Can you at least give me a place to start...? Talking to people, sure, but talking about what?

[cyclists]

Perhaps...

How they might have been able to interact with the darkness.

[foodbin]

[...]

Sol said there was another plane or something you could go to if you wanted to check and see how the universe was doing. Is that true?

[cyclists]

That is correct.

However it is off the mark for what you seek.

[just so that she’s aware]

[foodbin]

Okay.

[But, all the same:]

Could I see it?

[cyclists]

[a shake of their head]

You may not.

[foodbin]

I figured as much. Is that a for now thing, or a forever thing?

[cyclists]

[ . . . ]

It is hard even for someone as old as myself to discern the future, I’m afraid.

[foodbin]

Well. If it's ever possible, can I be at the top of the list?

[cyclists]

Ahaha, I shall certainly keep your request in mind.

May I ask why you wish to go?

[foodbin]

[She nods.]

I just think it would help me understand things here better.

[Also—]

What you mentioned earlier, about how people interacted with the darkness. Does it have anything to do with the gateway?

[cyclists]

[there is a smile in their voice at that]

Clever.

[it would appear as though they can’t say more though]

[foodbin]

[From her expression, it seems like she's taking that as a confirmation.]

Thanks. And... I know you told me that there wasn't a way to save both sets of partners, but is there anything that might make it - I don't know, easier for them?

[cyclists]

Easier...

[a pause, and then gently]

... have faith in one another. I believe there is a chance you will find your hopes answered.

[foodbin]

[She looks like she wants to say something else for a moment, but:]

...Okay. Thank you.

[cyclists]

You are welcome.

[there is a smile in their voice]

I have been pleasantly surprised in many ways today. I believe I have reason to think that the trend will continue.

[foodbin]

...You realize that we let one of the corrupted get away with it, right?

[cyclists]

So you did.

But you do not lack the pieces to be able to discern it in the future.