dear_mun | On considering a second game.

Making new friends isn't that hard.

Unless you're a hikikomori.

[like she's the one to talk. she hasn't even been in one single game yet!]

I don't need to make friends.

"I don't need to make friends." [She repeats his words, her smile widening.]
Saa, saa. What an adorable little child of mud you are.

I'm not a child. [And not made of mud either. :|]

[mud child= child of man, child of earth, child of stardust. it's not meant to be an insult.]

Really now? Then don't behave like one.

[and she giggles somewhat.]

Refusing to make friends is like refusing nature itself.
[EVEN YOU CAN HAVE FRIENDS, TOO.]
Come now, don't be shy.

[Most things are an insult in his mind.]

Tch. I'm not shy, and I don't want to make friends.

I have no use for them.

But you are, you are. [And she moves closer to him, her kimono drifting lazily behind her.]
Do you fear being hurt? Do you fear being left alone?
Betrayed? Better without them?
That is your shyness.

[He just scowls and stands his ground. He's not intimidated by her or what she's saying.]

Do you really think that I'm afraid?

But of course, Child.
[and she offers her hand to him]
Would you take my offer of friendship?

I think not. I think you are afraid.

No.

[And he looks disdainfully at her.]

I'm not in the mood for games. If you're convinced that I'm afraid, it won't take submitting to prove that I'm not.

[After all, he's armed.]

[So is she.]

I am not playing with you.

Merely giving you...advice of the ages.

I don't need your advice.

[He's bristling, because he doesn't like to be looked down on.]

[ah, she sees that. so she tries to be gentle. her hand still hasn't lowered. and though he may not take hers, it's a symbol that it's always there.] The first step is not trust.

The first step is letting go of that fear.

I'm not afraid.

[He's still irritated, but not actually going to raise arms against her. Not yet, anyway. There's no point in it.]

[smiles again.]

Prove it so.

Take my hand.

I could cut it off.

[It's just a snippy comment he tosses out while he's considering it. In the end, he can't really think of a reason not to. So he does as she asks, looking disgruntled the whole time.]

[she lets out a light laugh. her motions are still delicate while shaking his hand. even if he cut her hand, she'd still be okay. she's been hurt before. in comparison to him, she does trust too easily-- which is why she's almost surprised he doesn't cut her hand off.]

[and then it's as if her demeanor changes from someone who speaks like they're not of this world...to someone who's grounded in reality. even her handshake becomes more firm, more assertive.] There, there. That wasn't that hard, was it?

[Well, he can safely say that this is a first. Not that it turned out badly in the end, but he still thinks this is weird. No one is really friendly to him. That's just how life is.]

Tch.

[And he looks away, refusing to admit that this was ever an issue.]

[and she's still holding onto his hand, her skin cool to the touch.] You'll be doing much more of this, I'm sure. Practice is good!

...I'm not going to do anything with them. It won't matter anyway.

[Mrrgh. Why is she still holding his hand, anyway? He doesn't see the point in her playing nice with him.]

[She brings her other hand up, placing it on top of their handshake, holding this connection still. It's not a matter of being nice or not. Things like this...it should be standard. ]

You cannot prevent red strings from attaching....from becoming stronger....or breaking.

[her eyes close for a moment.] But having them, nurturing them, and mending them will make you stronger.

[He pulls back somewhat, although not roughly. He seems to be torn, not wanting to shy away from what he sees as a challenge, but feeling uncomfortable about this awkward situation. It might be normal behavior between humans, but to a demon--even if he's only half--the only kind of interaction he has is violent.]

They're already broken. That's the way it should be.

[Ah, but she is like him, too. An 'oni'. A spirit. A demon.] But there is no guarantee they will remain that way. [Her hands drop to her side, and once again that aura of being something more than she seems prevails. Still, her voice is gentle.] Have hope.

[Not quite the same, since the reactions that humans have toward him are worse than they are for spirits in other worlds. And the demons just want to kill him outright. They are similar, but there is far less of an understanding in their reality.]

I don't care what happens.

[He steps back once she lets his hand go. Whether she is human or god or anything else doesn't really concern him. He just doesn't really have a reason to relate to anyone--the exception to that rule being his brother, and that is usually pretty rough too.]

And I can handle myself just fine.

Many men have walked the path you do now.

[The hierarchy of humans, demons, or otherwise being perceived as subservient to gods should, in reality, be flipped. The gods, the kami- they are the ones that keep the world running as it is, making sure that all of creation is able to have its freedom to love, to hate, to make peace, to declare war. To protect the entire world for eternity despite its vices is something only a god can do. ...But she is nothing so grand.]

I wish you better luck than them.

[He's quiet, mulling over that one. It is something he's considered before, and there were regrets. But everything was already torn apart, and he couldn't really justify not aiming for the top. The alternative is suffering, and while he's not relishing his decision, like Arkham, he's determined.]

This is what it takes. There's no reason to turn back.

[she's not one to turn others away from their goal, but merely lay out other options and suggestions to alternates. she'd never impose. she's not sure if this is a quest for love or revenge or honor but--] If forgiveness is beyond you, have mercy.

[words for any scenario. for his enemy should he win. for himself should he fail. there's still some sympathy there. she hardly understands why others have the need to push themselves like this, if it brings them pain.]

Mercy.

[He says the word like he doesn't know what it means. There are plenty of people who would assume just that, and he certainly does nothing to dissuade them from their belief. But whether he does or doesn't, he looks down all the same, contemplating her advice in his own way.

Pushing oneself to the end of all limits is part of living for some. It's a validation of existence, especially for those who don't have any other way to validate that they exist.]

Mercy is useless to a demon.

[ No, mercy and other concepts of compassion are not quickly associated with demons. She knows this. But...such things are what make humans that much stronger. ] It is possible for you to be strong...strong and human.

[ Her smile is set. Even if they might not be in the same game, even if they won't meet each other again- ] And I await the day you will be.

On considering a second game.

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1/2

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asdfghjl; GO TO SLEEP

orz yes I need to

/taps foot

8|

oh good.

I think I died once

you got my sympathy man but join the clubb???

=w=

ooh. this just keeps on going, huh. well then: \(~.^)/