audience: naminé

[cyclists]

Comments

[cyclists]

Not really. [But they sound amused all the same.] I don't think you guys can actually touch us or anything. But I didn't want to let him waste the paint trying either.

[Although Sol with cat whiskers would have been cute.]

[whitewalls]

What happens if we try?

[ naminé has no plans on attempting it because it seems rude, but she is curious. ]

[cyclists]

I haven't really thought about it. Maybe nothing. Or maybe the hoods would still work and keep us hidden.

[whitewalls]

[ she thinks about it ]

Can I try?

[ two seconds ago: it seems rude
now: well now i'm curious ]

[cyclists]

[It's a good question and one that gives Sol pause. The instinct is to find out an answer themselves, but they're not sure what may happen so it's hard to say.]

I don't know if it's really a good idea yet. The hoods are pretty deep anyway.

[whitewalls]

Maybe we can try later then? After some time has passed and you have more answers?

[ if the answer's still no she won't push for it further. ]

[cyclists]

[There's a quick nod, almost too-fast to be a calm answer.]

Yeah. We can try then. [...] I think...this is the universe's way of telling us that we have to be somebody else for a while.

[whitewalls]

... I understand. Sometime you have to, when you need to get something done.

[ whether you want to or not. ]

[cyclists]

Exactly. [There's a little relief in their voice then.] Why do you think that is anyway?

[whitewalls]

... I'm not sure.

I guess that sometimes... our own feelings will make things complicated, so we have to put them aside to accomplish a goal.

[cyclists]

I think that's what they wanted from us and it's why we can't do anything. Why we can't influence your choices.

But...we can talk to you whenever we want. So that's nice.

[whitewalls]

... that must be frustrating.

To be here with us, but not being able to really interfere besides that.

[cyclists]

...I hate it. Lune says that we can only do so much and I get it, but I don't like it. Somebody got hurt today and there was nothing we could have done to stop it.

[Shoving some ice cream into their hood, they seem to be eating before taking a sheet of paper and picking up a black crayon. ]

I don't know how long I can wait around waiting for them to answer us so we can help you.

[whitewalls]

... don't do anything that would get you into too much trouble.

[ she finishes her mochi. ]

If something happened to either of you, then we'd be even more stuck. And... we're friends, so I want you to be safe.

[cyclists]

[There's a mouthful of ice cream which gives them time to stall in answering. On the other hand, that's sweet.]

...we'll be okay. I'm not going to let anything happen to Lune, and I don't think he'll let anything happen to me either. I trust him. But Naminé...if there was something we could do even if it meant trouble for us...wouldn't that be better to make sure everybody gets an answer?

[whitewalls]

Do you think that something like that might happen?

[ ... she already knows what her personal answer would be, but she's curious if this really is just a hypothetical question. ]

[cyclists]

Maybe. [They don't like it, but they're also bracing themselves for whatever.] Lune and I are following the guidance of the universe, but both of us want more, I think. It's...not a great option, but it's not just about us now. It's everyone.

[whitewalls]

... just don't do anything reckless, okay?

[ she knows that's a lot to ask for, but she's still worried. someone is already dead. ]

[cyclists]

...okay. [There's no promise, but in the end they draw with their black crayon and start creating a scribble of something or other.]

What do you think about what happened today?

[whitewalls]

[ she watches him, before reaching for a blue crayon. ]

... I'm not sure. It feels really surreal.

[cyclists]

Like it shouldn't be happening? [They seem to be drawing a weird little hill...]

[whitewalls]

The thing is, we don't know what should or shouldn't be happening here. We don't know anything.

[ it's not like she can say this isn't the point of all of this. ]

[cyclists]

Don't remind me. [Quietly, because that's a bitter point for them.] But it still feels wrong. Why would you be brought here if this is what could have happened?

[The black hill turns into a river with little black boats.] I wish we could have stopped this. That's all.

[whitewalls]

... we'll try to stop it from happening again.

[ which will be easier once they know how it happened at all. ]

I don't want to see anyone else hurt.

[cyclists]

Me either. [...this is depressing, so there's a pause as they think of what to say.]

Hey, Naminé. What's your favorite thing to draw anyway?