[... Hm. This sounds like the sort of tale that might end up grim. He continues to step in time with their waltz, but his expression is a little concerned.]
[A look of conflict crosses P's face. It's hard to know where to begin, and there are parts of the tale that are still foggy to his own understanding, told only in pieces of the past that he's stumbled across — sometimes quite literally.]
Above all, he wants to make me like his previous son. Carlo. He was willing to do anything to make that possible; he sent me from place to place to fight threats in the city, and to protect certain people, but the truth of the matter is that... he wanted to strengthen my heart, since Carlo's soul resides in it. He wanted to make me more human, and I think he believes... that pushing me through hardship is the fastest way for that to happen.
[Thing is, he probably wasn't wrong.]
He even... he... [He seems to struggle at this point; as though his love for his father battles, still, with the things he's done.] He was the one who made all the puppets go mad. All because of that.
[... Oh. Immediately, he's frowning. He wanted to make Pinocchio like his son. But then, if Pinocchio had to be Carlo, then where was the space for Pinocchio to be Pinocchio?
...
And then he falters in his steps at the last bit, the dance stuttering for a moment out of its smooth progression.]
Wh... what? "made the puppets go mad"? Why? How would that--hardship?!
[The stumble in the dance makes him look down at their feet briefly, then finally back up to Tsukasa to meet his gaze.
It is really a surprising thing to hear. Seeing someone else's reaction, someone who had no context prior, underlines that in his mind and heart. His father had done bad things all for the sake of trying to regain what was lost, a twisted love that must have run so, so deep to make him act in that way.
He wonders what it might be like to love someone quite that deeply, or at least the idea of a person. It must be something close to madness, and he feels a little guilty thinking that way.]
He's a genius engineer. Puppets in general only really exist because of him. And they're all installed with a Convenant that acts as a sort of rules they all have to abide by — but I found out that he hid a secret directive in it, too. That all of them have to obey him.
So, he turned them all mad on his order. The city went into disarray. I guess there's something to be said about tragedy making someone more... human?
[I forgot the roses bloom in response to any strong emotion, so whereas before it was a slow unfurling of petals, now his rose has fully bloomed as he stares at Pinocchio with wide eyes.
...]
That's... not true. It isn't tragedy that makes someone human.
[He refuses to accept that.]
... I'm sorry. That sounds... horrifying to have to experience. [And for why? For reasons like that? It's not fair.]
[Look they're both too head empty to pay constant attention to the roses, and besides, the conversation at hand is very distracting.
Tsukasa will feel P's grip tightening incrementally, an extra tell of emotion where it just flickers as a frown across his face. He feels bad, in more ways than one: the discontent that stirs in his own chest, having to speak on this matter, even if he's accepted it as truth. And... making his friend feel bad for his sake, too.]
It's okay, Tsukasa. I made friends, too. I learned how to make some people happy. That... makes someone human, too, doesn't it?
[He drags a slow breath in, and then since he still has one of Pinocchio's hands in his own from their aborted dance, he'll just squeeze it in a show of solidarity.]
What you choose to do with your life, the bonds you make with others... all of those things are truly what make you yourself. I suppose tragedy is part of it, but even more important is what you choose to do after said tragedy! And that is all that really matters, I'm sure of it.
[These are lessons that Pinocchio has slowly intuited himself, his adventures having taken him on quite a hero's journey for good or ill, but hearing it spoken aloud by Tsukasa, who always seems so sure and so confident, it's... nice.
Nice to know that he does have that freedom. That he is not confined by the past that his father would tear down the world in order to revive again.]
...Thank you. It makes me feel... [What's a good word?] ...lighter, to hear you say that. I'll have to tell my father this, too, someday.
[They'll enjoy another dance together then! In retrospect, this will be one of the more memorable highlights of his stay in this place — a little bit of light amid all the gloom.]
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... "Complicated"...
[...?]
What happened? What... was he telling you to do?
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Above all, he wants to make me like his previous son. Carlo. He was willing to do anything to make that possible; he sent me from place to place to fight threats in the city, and to protect certain people, but the truth of the matter is that... he wanted to strengthen my heart, since Carlo's soul resides in it. He wanted to make me more human, and I think he believes... that pushing me through hardship is the fastest way for that to happen.
[Thing is, he probably wasn't wrong.]
He even... he... [He seems to struggle at this point; as though his love for his father battles, still, with the things he's done.] He was the one who made all the puppets go mad. All because of that.
no subject
...
And then he falters in his steps at the last bit, the dance stuttering for a moment out of its smooth progression.]
Wh... what? "made the puppets go mad"? Why? How would that--hardship?!
no subject
It is really a surprising thing to hear. Seeing someone else's reaction, someone who had no context prior, underlines that in his mind and heart. His father had done bad things all for the sake of trying to regain what was lost, a twisted love that must have run so, so deep to make him act in that way.
He wonders what it might be like to love someone quite that deeply, or at least the idea of a person. It must be something close to madness, and he feels a little guilty thinking that way.]
He's a genius engineer. Puppets in general only really exist because of him. And they're all installed with a Convenant that acts as a sort of rules they all have to abide by — but I found out that he hid a secret directive in it, too. That all of them have to obey him.
So, he turned them all mad on his order. The city went into disarray. I guess there's something to be said about tragedy making someone more... human?
no subject
...]
That's... not true. It isn't tragedy that makes someone human.
[He refuses to accept that.]
... I'm sorry. That sounds... horrifying to have to experience. [And for why? For reasons like that? It's not fair.]
no subject
Tsukasa will feel P's grip tightening incrementally, an extra tell of emotion where it just flickers as a frown across his face. He feels bad, in more ways than one: the discontent that stirs in his own chest, having to speak on this matter, even if he's accepted it as truth. And... making his friend feel bad for his sake, too.]
It's okay, Tsukasa. I made friends, too. I learned how to make some people happy. That... makes someone human, too, doesn't it?
no subject
[He drags a slow breath in, and then since he still has one of Pinocchio's hands in his own from their aborted dance, he'll just squeeze it in a show of solidarity.]
What you choose to do with your life, the bonds you make with others... all of those things are truly what make you yourself. I suppose tragedy is part of it, but even more important is what you choose to do after said tragedy! And that is all that really matters, I'm sure of it.
no subject
Nice to know that he does have that freedom. That he is not confined by the past that his father would tear down the world in order to revive again.]
...Thank you. It makes me feel... [What's a good word?] ...lighter, to hear you say that. I'll have to tell my father this, too, someday.
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I'm glad to hear it. And... I'm glad you'll be able to tell your father.
I hope it goes well. But... mm, even if it doesn't, this is your own life to live. You deserve the chance to live it how you want to.
[And that's important.]
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Saying stuff like that, so easily... You really are like a prince, aren't you?
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[He doesn't get it...]
Was it strange to say?
Ah--but of course, naturally I'd fit the role of prince perfectly!
[:D??? he doesn't get it]
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No, it wasn't strange. It was very princely. "You deserve the chance to live it how you want to." Full of confidence and hope.
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Tsukasa considers that briefly, and then ruins the moment by tossing his head up with a grin and laughing heartily.
Peak HA HA HA! moment, truly.]
I see! So I'm princely even without trying! Of course, that suits someone like me perfectly. As expected of a future world-wide star!
[horrible]
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I think it has to do less with performance and flair and more… [Hm.] —heart.
[Not that Tsukasa said it was one or the other. But P wants to make it clear, that it’s something deeper than just stage presence.]
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Hm? Well, yes, of course! That, too, is part of being a star!
[Only in Tsukasa's brain.]
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I guess. I wouldn't know. But it definitely also makes you a good person.
[Tilts his head, glancing up at the direction of his flower that can't really see from this angle.]
How's it doing?
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[He got so distracted, but! Tsukasa glances over and beams brightly.]
A perfectly bloomed rose, as expected of the both of us. Thank you for a wonderful dance!
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As expected. [Good! A task... well done!]
Hey, can I ask for something selfish?
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Yes, of course! What is it?
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[Even if the rose has already bloomed.]
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[A big smile spreads across his face at that, and he gladly offers Pinocchio his hand again.]
Of course we can! That isn't selfish at all!
May I have this dance, then?
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Thanks, my prince!
[They'll enjoy another dance together then! In retrospect, this will be one of the more memorable highlights of his stay in this place — a little bit of light amid all the gloom.]