pinocchio

[aspirings]

Comments

[heartstringless]

[He nods.]

Yeah. I should've known better. My city was peaceful once, before everything that happened. I always wondered what it would've been like to live there before all the violence and fear. I thought maybe it could've been someplace like this. Whimsical and even a little magical.

[Fairytale-like.]

...But it's a lesson learned. For you, though, it's just plain unfair.

[Because Tsukasa doesn't sound like he'd have come in with any sort of expectation, based on what he knows of the other young man.]

[aspirings]

[For him, huh? The common thread Tsukasa has heard is that everyone wanted something--if only for a moment--and ended up here.

Tsukasa himself... always wants more. That's his entire dream, after all. It's just...]

It is unfair for all of us! There is nothing wrong with wanting something!

[heartstringless]

[He lifts his gaze and looks at him, frowning faintly.]

I know. Why are we getting punished for it? Wanting things... That's not sinful. That's just part of being human. You improve by wanting more than what you have.

[And yes, you can also become worse by wanting too much, or at the cost of others, which he has seen, too. But that's precisely why it shouldn't be perceived as so black and white, right?]

[aspirings]

That's exactly right!

[Firmly and certainly!! He's getting all worked up now.]

It is by wanting things that we strive to new and greater heights! And that is something we should hold tightly to with pride!

[heartstringless]

[This is something worth getting worked up over. And it isn't better than feeling sorrowful about it, instead?]

I think so, too. You told me about Toya, and how he stood up to his father... I can't help thinking if that's something we can do here, too.

[Though it certainly would not be very easy. He wouldn't even really know how to start, beyond relying on Sika.]

[aspirings]

[He blinks as if that thought had not crossed his mind.]

Oh... that is true!

If we present our beliefs and arguments, I'm sure we could get through to him! [Ha.]

But... we would need to be able to meet with him.

[heartstringless]

[He nods.]

And that's the hard part. Even if we do, there's a chance he won't listen, and just... do something horrible to us.

[Like with Don.]

Sika seems to think that they can stop this from happening again, somehow. To another Troupe, or to anyone we care about back home.

[aspirings]

...

[Right.]

That's right...

Even if--er, rather, when we find a way out, there will still be others, unless we put a stop to it.

[heartstringless]

[Quiet for a moment, then, curiously-]

Do you trust her? Our Dramaturge?

[aspirings]

I do!

[Of course he does, he has not given it a second thought. He's Tsukasa.]

I do believe they are doing everything they can to help us!

[heartstringless]

I do, too.

[Earnestness for earnestness.

Though, the tiniest smidge of skepticm, hewn into him by his own home and this newest revelation, can't help but wonder.]

I just don't want to... be disappointed by them, in the end, too. But if you think they're trustworthy, then that makes me feel better.

[aspirings]

I truly do believe they're trying their best!

[With what evidence... none, absolutely none.]

Perhaps they are under some restrictions currently with what they can do for us, but... surely, if we all work together, there must be a way for us to help them too!

[heartstringless]

[Nodding again. Clearly, he agrees wholeheartedly with Tsukasa on this and sees no reason why it should be scrutinized further!]

I've already told them that I'd help them and Mikaela, if it came down to it. I can't imagine what they have to do behind the scenes, but if the smallest amount of outside assistance makes a difference, then I want to do what I can.

[aspirings]

Yes, I completely agree! I'm glad to hear that you feel the same way, truly!

[Not these two naive boys ready to believe in the NPC with all of their hearts.]

Then if I come across any way to assist, I'll be certain to let you know!

[heartstringless]

[Surely nothing will go badly! Having faith in people has always worked out for him! (except it helped that he could always revive from death back home-)

Hopefully:]

So... you want to make this a collaborative effort?

[aspirings]

Of course! If you are up for it!

[Brightly! He feels more confident working on things with someone else, honestly; he's never been the sort to want to do things alone.]

[heartstringless]

[And in contrast with Pinocchio, it is nice not to feel as though he needs to face a new problem alone.

He nods solemnly. Holds out a hand. (His right, more human-like hand.)]

Deal.

[aspirings]

[And Tsukasa reaches out to take it without hesitation, clasping Pinocchio's hand firmly.]

Then I'll be counting on you. Together, I'm confident there will be nothing we can't do!

[heartstringless]

[A firm grasp, a hearty shake between two naive boys who believe they are making the right decision.]

That's right. Just... promise to be careful if you do figure something out.

[aspirings]

[they're trying so hard... surely that counts for something.]

Of course! Same to you, naturally. Even so, I'm determined to see this through to the end. We both have important things to return to, don't we?

[heartstringless]

[He feels a little better now, sharing that determination with Tsukasa.]

We do. [blinking, remembering something.] Though ideally as our whole selves, too.

[And not with pieces missing. Oops.]

[aspirings]

Naturally. Anything less would be unacceptable.

[Unfounded confidence once again, but... at a time like this, surely it's better to aim for the stars than to dwell on what might occur.]

We'll get through this. If we are both careful, and look out for each other... I'm certain of it.

[heartstringless]

[Ha... there it is again. That confidence.]

There you go again, being prince-like.

[He is joking, gently, adding a bit of levity to the conversation. But yes, he agrees wholeheartedly that the priority is to look out for one another.]

[aspirings]

[His expressions softens at that from that stubborn determination, even as he smiles. But nonetheless, his brows still come together fiercely.]

If I am, then I'd say you are as well!

It was very dashing of you to offer that hand clasp to seal our promise, you know.

[heartstringless]

"Dashing..." [a glint of amusement in his eyes] That's the first time anyone's called me that. I don't think I'd make a very good prince, but I'm happy to hear you say that.