I think true evil and malice do exist. But ordinary people are rarely so cut and dry—to dismiss someone's life as a "villain" is to ignore the goodness inherent in anyone.
[ there are irredeemable people out there, and even sidon has limits to what he's willing to forgive, but... ]
In any case, we just as suddenly appeared back here as we were thrown into that world. No explanations either way. Just... there and back again.
It all feels a little pointless, but if it was real, I can hope we did some good while we were there.
Yeah. You get it. It's easy to say that things are black and white but in practice that's not actually true, even if I agree true evil and malice exists. Some people commit crimes they should never be forgiven for, even with an excuse that might absolve them.
...that sounds pretty disorienting to be here, go somewhere else and get used to that, and then get thrown back here. I wonder if there's a way back? Not that I want you guys to go back but it's weird that it happened this way.
[ it's weird!!!!! cyoas can be traumatizing or just deeply fucking weird or both. ]
There are already people in that world that can save it—I hope that none of us should ever find ourselves back there. [ a pause, then he reaches out with his remaining hand to ruffle shoma's hair. ] Mostly, I hope it doesn't happen to any of you. But if it does—steel yourself, Shoma.
[ he is an optimist through and through, but he just experienced this mess for himself, and sometimes optimism means putting faith in the right places: not just hoping that nothing bad happens, but believing that they can survive if it does. ] You are brave and bright, and if you listen to our experiences then I hope they will shelter you in the future, even somewhat.
[ okay i'm going to say this at least, a lot of people have been ruffling his hair lately and he is a classic tsundere, so he tends to duck away after like .5 seconds, but sidon is allowed. it is possibly because he only has one arm, but more likely because he does like the guy. but it's still a short amount of time before he ducks away. ]
...we knew there were other missions that Nut & Bolt took care of besides package delivery, but nobody ever said it would be like this. Or that we'd go so far from this place and maybe not even make it back in one piece. I don't understand why you guys were sent if there were already people there who could fix those problems, but...I hope it doesn't happen like this to anyone either.
[ sidon is an optimist and shoma is not, so he's viewing this more pragmatically than anything. ] You'd think they'd at least pick the right people for the right missions. [ he is...hoping that perhaps he can slip right past the mission system entirely. there's no way he's qualified for this. ] But...thank you. If something does happen I'll keep this stuff inmind.
[ he has no idea if the four of them were really the right people for this job, but they did survive, at least. he so does not want shoma anywhere near these kinds of situations, but it's not like death dodges the young. he'd certainly gotten into Situations in his youth.
he pauses a moment. ]
If something does happen—can I offer you a word of advice?
[ he nods, starting with a story rather than a lecture. ]
When I was young, and defending our realm for the first time, I nearly died. The king had to step in and save me.
[ sidon does not lack for confidence these days, but he's certainly been humbled from time to time. ]
Maybe it's obvious, but he told me that I lost because my heart faltered. I was afraid and... resigned. I gave up because I forgot for a moment how much my father relies on me.
So believe me when I say you are needed here. I know that you can face down an enemy and win! And I hope you will keep your spirit strong, no matter what.
this isn't exactly what he's thinking, but the look on his face does sort of slide into something a little more complicated as he listens. that...makes sense, doesn't it? if something happens where you can't stand on your own two feet, you have to hope someone else can save you.
but at the same time, you can't believe everyone will be there to save you forever. you have to learn how to fight for yourself to protect the things you care about, even if that thing is just yourself in that one moment. what are your options when something happens and you're afraid? you either lay down and take it, or you fight back.
so. this makes sense. he isn't entirely sure he believes he's needed here in the same way other people are, but there are too many things he still has to fix at home to just not try. it's a little funny though, and it's why there's a light huff of a laugh to that. ]
For what it's worth, I am glad you were able to remember that for yourself. But...that is good advice, Sidon. Thanks. I...[ he falters for a second, like he's going to elaborate, but he soon chooses not to. ] I'll remember that if anything ever happens.
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no subject
Hell yeah!
[ anyway. ]
I think true evil and malice do exist. But ordinary people are rarely so cut and dry—to dismiss someone's life as a "villain" is to ignore the goodness inherent in anyone.
[ there are irredeemable people out there, and even sidon has limits to what he's willing to forgive, but... ]
In any case, we just as suddenly appeared back here as we were thrown into that world. No explanations either way. Just... there and back again.
It all feels a little pointless, but if it was real, I can hope we did some good while we were there.
no subject
...that sounds pretty disorienting to be here, go somewhere else and get used to that, and then get thrown back here. I wonder if there's a way back? Not that I want you guys to go back but it's weird that it happened this way.
no subject
[ it's weird!!!!! cyoas can be traumatizing or just deeply fucking weird or both. ]
There are already people in that world that can save it—I hope that none of us should ever find ourselves back there. [ a pause, then he reaches out with his remaining hand to ruffle shoma's hair. ] Mostly, I hope it doesn't happen to any of you. But if it does—steel yourself, Shoma.
[ he is an optimist through and through, but he just experienced this mess for himself, and sometimes optimism means putting faith in the right places: not just hoping that nothing bad happens, but believing that they can survive if it does. ] You are brave and bright, and if you listen to our experiences then I hope they will shelter you in the future, even somewhat.
no subject
...we knew there were other missions that Nut & Bolt took care of besides package delivery, but nobody ever said it would be like this. Or that we'd go so far from this place and maybe not even make it back in one piece. I don't understand why you guys were sent if there were already people there who could fix those problems, but...I hope it doesn't happen like this to anyone either.
[ sidon is an optimist and shoma is not, so he's viewing this more pragmatically than anything. ] You'd think they'd at least pick the right people for the right missions. [ he is...hoping that perhaps he can slip right past the mission system entirely. there's no way he's qualified for this. ] But...thank you. If something does happen I'll keep this stuff inmind.
no subject
Yes—I hope that much is true.
[ he has no idea if the four of them were really the right people for this job, but they did survive, at least. he so does not want shoma anywhere near these kinds of situations, but it's not like death dodges the young. he'd certainly gotten into Situations in his youth.
he pauses a moment. ]
If something does happen—can I offer you a word of advice?
no subject
Sure. [ there's no guarantee he can or will take it, but he respects him enough to at least listen. ]
no subject
When I was young, and defending our realm for the first time, I nearly died. The king had to step in and save me.
[ sidon does not lack for confidence these days, but he's certainly been humbled from time to time. ]
Maybe it's obvious, but he told me that I lost because my heart faltered. I was afraid and... resigned. I gave up because I forgot for a moment how much my father relies on me.
So believe me when I say you are needed here. I know that you can face down an enemy and win! And I hope you will keep your spirit strong, no matter what.
no subject
this isn't exactly what he's thinking, but the look on his face does sort of slide into something a little more complicated as he listens. that...makes sense, doesn't it? if something happens where you can't stand on your own two feet, you have to hope someone else can save you.
but at the same time, you can't believe everyone will be there to save you forever. you have to learn how to fight for yourself to protect the things you care about, even if that thing is just yourself in that one moment. what are your options when something happens and you're afraid? you either lay down and take it, or you fight back.
so. this makes sense. he isn't entirely sure he believes he's needed here in the same way other people are, but there are too many things he still has to fix at home to just not try. it's a little funny though, and it's why there's a light huff of a laugh to that. ]
For what it's worth, I am glad you were able to remember that for yourself. But...that is good advice, Sidon. Thanks. I...[ he falters for a second, like he's going to elaborate, but he soon chooses not to. ] I'll remember that if anything ever happens.