HELIODOR

[dramatispersonae]

You're in a small grove of trees off the side of the road. Somehow, their thick leaves muffle all sound from beyond, leaving only faint whispers and echoes at the fringe of your hearing.

Comments

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

. . .

I can't help anybody with something like that.

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

Why not?

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

Because . . . that's—what I'm like, too?

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

It's surprising how often people can give good advice, but can't follow it themselves.

And sometimes you can learn to do it too.

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

I don't give good advice, either.

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

Well, that's more a...linear example. More it seems people have an easier time helping others than themselves. Even if you live one way doesn't mean you don't help others.

Not that you SHOULD live that way, but it is kind of...different issues?

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

. . . never mind. I can't do anything, so . . . never mind . . .

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Reaches out to grab his shoulder.]

It's was just a suggestion. Not everyone can do the game thing. There's a lot to do in Aather.

And you can do a lot. You've shown that already.

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

[doesn't really react to the touch, eyes downcast, breathing a little shallow]

I can't.

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

Shinji.

You can.

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

I'll make it worse if I try!

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Welp.]

[He's quiet, waiting to see if he's going to say more.]

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

[he doesn't—just stares at him for a moment, then drops his gaze, looking nervous and ashamed]

Never—mind . . .

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

... [He talks and it's very...gentle.]

[Understanding.]

It does happen. When you do things, you can fail. You can try and try and try and everything just ends up blowing in your face.

Then you keep trying and you get desperate and it just gets worse and you believe can't ever make things better.

But.

Eventually you do something. Maybe it's on purpose, maybe it's an accident. You find something you did right. You made things better. And...it get easier after that. You can still fail, but you know you can do it.

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

[. . . just makes a soft, choked sound, shoulders hunching]

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

[Moving to grab his hands, squeezing them.]

It's hard. It's hard to get out of those beliefs.

But there are people who believe in you, even if you can't believe in yourself right now.

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

She'd say you've all influenced me . . . if I believe you.

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

Is there a problem with that?

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

I don't know . . . I'm afraid . . .

[tightening his grip on his hands]

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

Most are.

But you've proven you're pretty brave.

[Mister get his head cut off.]

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

What good is it . . .?

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

It means you can overcome what scares you and try anyway.

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

And get people killed when I try . . .

Re: DISCUSSION

[wouldntkilladragon]

[This isn't...surprise, but there is a pause.]

If they do, there's usually a lot more going wrong.

Re: DISCUSSION

[oedipuswreck]

. . .

I'm tired.