[Shinnosuke]

[thatsthespirit]

[private convos for Shinnosuke!]

Comments

[insincerely]

[That just gets a low, mirthless laugh out of him.]

Careful. Yuna tried pulling the same thing on me and she died the next night. [... Which is all the more reason that this hurts, really.] Besides, are you sure it's me who needs comfort, and not you?

[thatsthespirit]

I'll move forward, past this. I always do. I have no other choice.

[and yet. . .]

Though I don't see why it can't work both ways.

[insincerely]

Because I don't need comfort. I'm fine.

[He's really not.]

[thatsthespirit]

[lies!!]

[nevertheless, she lifts a hand to her chin contemplatively]

Does saying it over and over again make it true? I've noticed a lot of people tend to say that they're fine when circumstances make it clear that they aren't.

I suppose it's. . . ah. "Mind over matter?"

[insincerely]

[...]

Ah, so that's what this is? Part of your study on humans? That makes much more sense.

[thatsthespirit]

It isn't a "study" on humans, per se.

[well, it kind of is, but not for purely academic reasons]

I just wish to understand. [. . .] . . . so I can better understand myself, and those around me.

[insincerely]

Well, I don't think I'm a very good reference for others or yourself, so you're better off picking someone else to understand.

[thatsthespirit]

But I'd like to understand you.

[so blunt]

If you'd let me.

[insincerely]

[...]

And what point is there in that?

[thatsthespirit]

[a deep breath]

Because the number of people still alive in this town is quickly dwindling, as is the number of people I can trust.

And because. . . you were also Yuna's friend.

[insincerely]

You shouldn't trust me. And I... wasn't her friend.

[Though the pause and the quiet way he says it gives him away, even if he weren't already obvious at this point.]

[thatsthespirit]

[he was obvious, but the tone of his voice just makes it more so. luckily for Shinnosuke, she doesn't press that point]

You and I are working for the same goal, are we not? And we share the same role, the same purpose in this game. I think that's reason enough to trust that we can work together.

[insincerely]

[He sighs and shakes his head.]

You and Percy are the same, you know that?

[thatsthespirit]

Hn? Are we?

[she asks, but oddly enough she doesn't seem very surprised to hear that]

Did he say something similar to you?

[insincerely]

Yeah. [...] Honestly, you both make me want to throw up.

[thatsthespirit]

Well, if you're going to do that, make sure you do it in a toilet.

[honestly?? but her next question is more serious]

Why is that?

[insincerely]

Because it's disgusting. Obviously.

[thatsthespirit]

[raises both eyebrows at him, like she's waiting for an actual answer and not just a response that is the equivalent of "eeeew, feelings are like cooties."]

[insincerely]

...

[He can't see her raise her eyebrows, so as far as he knows, they're both just standing here in silence!!]

[thatsthespirit]

[I SAW THAT]

[it's Milla who finally breaks the silence]

That's a surprisingly lighthearted response for such a serious topic.

[insincerely]

[YOU SAW NOTHING]

Was it a serious topic?

[thatsthespirit]

Yes, but I imagine it's difficult to tell with the tone of voice you keep using.

[she thinks she's starting to really understand this sort of approach to dealing with negative feelings]

[there's a hint of a wry smile in her voice when she speaks]

. . . but if this is how you choose to keep yourself strong enough to move forward, then I suppose I'm not in a position to judge you.

[insincerely]

I'll have you know that I'm naturally this way, thank you. But if that's the case, then please stop spouting your crap, and tell Percy the same.

[thatsthespirit]

I don't have any control over Percy's actions.

[she says a bit lightly]

And you also can't control when people worry about you, Shinnosuke.

[insincerely]

They shouldn't. It's unproductive.

[And Shinnosuke's entire policy on emotions is "if it's not needed, then get rid of it."]

[thatsthespirit]

You're right, it is.

[ha]

But not all emotions are. . . productive. Or even logical.

[ALSO DAMN IT JAN!!!!]

[insincerely]

Then they're idiots. Simple as that.

[ :') ]

[thatsthespirit]

It isn't that simple, no. If there's anything I've learned. . .

[it's that nothing is that simple]