[OPEN] You're not really sure what you're doing this for...

[bisection]

WHO: Sinistra & Anyone
WHAT: Mulling about, quests, Soap Search 2018
WHERE: Bluo and elsewhere
WHEN: All of October
WARNINGS: None yet



ONE.

[ The stressful ebb and flow of this village upheaved any chance of Sinistra having a normal sleeping pattern. That might be why he's sleeping beneath a few books in the library, strewn like a fallen bird in a chair. His sleep even looks clumsy, head drooped to one side so he's leaning partly off the chair and arms laying limp and open. He's snoring ever so softly. He's never been able to breathe well in his sleep.

He has a few fairy tale books open in his small lap. None of these books were factual or direct, but if he'd learned anything during his religious upbringing, it was that truth could be found between the words of fables. He's got a mission, now, to succeed in the seemingly impossible task his brother has given him. He is rife with the fear of dying again or being left all alone.

Luckily, despite all of this, he is still a light sleeper. It'll take little for an interested party to stir him back to the waking world. ]

TWO.

[ Like a hoverhand on prom night, Sinistra is lingering an odd distance from the Bluo group home his brother is currently living in. He's still afraid to go in, though the residents have started to approach him on occasion. He can't blame them for their hesitance. He can't seem to bring himself to enter it or even get close to the door.

Instead, he's sitting on the ground, digging a small hole with a stick. He's not sure what to do with himself while he waits for his brother on the occasion where he feels brave enough to stop by to see him during the day. Being with his brother is still awkward as it is. Waiting near the house where he betrayed him so terribly is... far, far worse.

He'd rather sit quietly. He'd rather be left alone. If someone comes to bother him, he'll look up, meet their gaze with deadly seriousness and ask: ]

Do you know where I can find soap?

WILDCARD.

[ Lemme know if you want a special starter. I'll be adding threads below as the month goes on. For plotting, you can dm or add me on plurk @ nautical ]

Comments

[bisection]

[ He nods, pointing in the direction that Minato is facing. He's gotten used to finding his way back home, at least. ]

Mm, there may have been someone, but I have not seen anyone around since the week everyone arrived.

[messianic]

[Oh... that's sad.]

You're okay with that? That sounds... kind of lonely to me.

[bisection]

Living alone? I suppose it is, but it might be for the best.

[messianic]

Why do you say that...?

[Why would it be for the best to be lonely...?]

[bisection]

If I am alone there, there is no one to leave me or reject me. Maybe that seems odd to you, but I would rather not have someone decide it would be better to leave me behind in that place. I would rather be alone from the start.

[messianic]

[... It doesn't sound that odd to him, honestly. Even if he doesn't want to agree with it, because it's something that's sad and a little tragic--

But he's been there. He remembers when he was there, when he felt the same way. When he didn't want to get to know people or open up because they would always leave, and it was nothing but painful that way.

But...

... When he opened his heart up, his life was so much more enriched. But...he also knows that that's not something you can just tell someone. Sinistra needs to discover it for himself.]

... I see. In that case...

Is it okay if I come over more often? [It won't fix living alone, but it might make it a little less lonely.]

[bisection]

[ There's no pause between Minato's question and Sinistra's nodding. He's starting to get used to other people, but Minato is still the one that makes him feel the calmest. Even if he doesn't make sense sometimes, his quiet demeanor and his gentleness are soothing. ]

I want you to. When you visit, I know you are safe... I can see you are doing well. It puts me at ease. So, you are welcome at any time.

[messianic]

[... Oh. Oh, that's...

That's incredibly sweet, and Minato legitimately needs a moment, blinking, to process that. He knows Sinistra has a good heart, and yet...

When he says things like this, so warm and sincere and kind, it's plain just how purely giving he can really be. So Minato's voice is soft, his head dipping.]

... Thank you. It makes me feel better to see you too. It makes me happy to see you adjusting to this place.

So... I guess that works out for the better for both of us.

[bisection]

So it seems... so, my door is always open to you. Please, feel free to stop in when you want.

[ It's just his honest feelings. When Minato paused, he was nearly worried that he'd said something wrong or strange. But, he agreed with him and Sinistra's shoulders felt all the lighter. ]

Can we go watch the stars sometime?

[messianic]

[...!

Minato's pretty sure this is the first time Sinistra has properly asked Minato to do something with him, as opposed to Minato being the one to ask. It's... it feels momentous? In its own way, this feels huge to Minato, and he's so, so glad for it.

So quietly, but very willingly, Minato nods, unhesitating.]

Of course. I'd really like that. The stars never get old here, somehow.

[Probably because Minato's still unused to seeing them in a sky with no light pollution.]

Whenever you want, just let me know, okay?

[bisection]

[ Alas, Sinistra thinks nothing of the big leap in development he just made. It'll be a long time until he's good at acknowledging his own accomplishments. Minato seems happy about the question, though, and that's all that matters to him.

He makes a soft, relieved sound and looks up at the sky. ]

I will let you know when it seems like a good night. Even though the it is dull, I want to keep enjoying an untainted sky.

[messianic]

[Minato is very happy--sometimes, that's good enough.]

... Me too. It reminds me that we're making a positive impact here, no matter what happens.

[The stars are bright--bringing those back couldn't have been a mistake, right?]

[bisection]

Mm. Despite my concerns about this place, seeing the world improve is a good feeling. Despite my brother's efforts and my own efforts, our world was in an all or nothing state. Here, it feels less hopeless.

[ Which at least makes any efforts they make feel worthwhile. It's such an improvement. It might be why his brother is so much happier. ]

[messianic]

[... Yeah...

Every time Minato hears about their world, and what Dextera and Sinistra have gone through...]

...Maybe it'll be something that helps you...in the future. For handling your own world, and the changes that need to be made. Maybe these experiences will help you both grow.

[bisection]

...

[ He goes silent for a long moment, steps slowing down. ]

I have... been told we are not going home.

[messianic]

... Ah.

[Slowly, Minato blinks--and his memories of his chat with Dextera all come to the forefront of his mind.

How Dextera had asked about running away, and why Minato hadn't, and...]

... I see. Your happiness is important too, Sinistra-san, and so is Dextera-san's. [He can't judge that decision. It's not their fault the weight of the world is on their shoulders.

They don't owe it to a broken world to try to fix it.]

You should pursue that happiness.

[bisection]

... I am only following my brother. The... the truth is, that is why I was here today. That is why I went to the library.

[ He crosses his arms over his chest. ]

I am sure you understand my concerns when I say this, but... leaving here. I do not know if I can really survive outside of this place. So, in reality, I might not actually be able to follow him. I was hoping to find some clues about the magical properties of this place. To find out what my fate will be.

[messianic]

[... Minato frowns a little to himself, dipping his head. In truth, despite also being dead, he's never had those concerns. He's always accepted that he'll return to being dead when his time here is done--that that's just the way it is.

But after a long pause...]

... There must be a way. This is a fairy tale, right? Or... a place where fairy tales exist. So if that's the case, then coming back to life permanently doesn't seem so far-fetched to me. It happens a lot in fairy tales.

[bisection]

So even though the fairy tale does not extend to our own worlds, it might still act upon us beyond this place? Do you really believe it might be that way?

[ It's an honest, quiet set of questions. He has no proof yet and that's what makes it too much to accept. He's never been so lucky. He never will be. Will he? ]

[messianic]

I'm not sure, honestly.

[He has to be scrupulously sincere, but...]

But I think so.

It's not entirely logical, but not a lot here is. So... I don't see why it couldn't work.

[bisection]

[ Sinistra nods solemnly. He wants to believe. He wants to trust his brother and Guren and Minato, but how can he when there is no proof? He just can't accept things blindly.

He reaches out, trying to take Minato's sleeve between his thumb and index finger. ]

Would you... think less of me if I ask you to stay with me a little while once we get to my home? Just until I fall asleep again?

[messianic]

Oh... no, not at all.

[Minato flashes Sinistra a small smile, tiny but sincere, and shakes his head.]

I'd be happy to.

[If anything... it still makes him really happy that Sinistra is opening up to him like this, and slowly letting him in. That's more than enough for Minato. He pauses, glancing at the way that Sinistra's got his sleeve...and then just shifts to quietly take his hand in his instead. Is that better...?]

[bisection]

Thank you, Minato.

[ He doesn't expect him to take his hand, but with a moment's hesitance, he accepts it and clasps it in his own slim, chilled palm. He's always a little bit cold to the touch, but it makes holding hands with other's something that's becoming more pleasant.

He goes quiet again, mulling over Minato's words and his brother's and Guren's all at once until he's realized he's wandered to his own door. ]

I have said this before, but no matter what, I think I will always be thankful that we met, Minato. Thank you again, for today and for coming here with me after.

[messianic]

[They make it to the door, but Minato doesn't bother to let go; he's going to stay awhile, after all.It's fine--all of this is fine.

And, softly:]

I'm thankful too.

[To be able to be a part of Sinistra's life like this... it's felt incredibly rewarding. For him... it makes it feel like maybe he really is here for a reason.]

I'm really glad we're friends, Sinistra-san.

[bisection]

[ Sinistra nods, bringing his other hand up to gently and briefly hug Minato's arm. He lets go and lets out a small, relieved sound before smiling in a small way that mimics the smile Minato is wearing for him. ]

Me too, Minato...

[ He opens the door for them and leads him inside. His home is as sparse and dusty as ever, but at least it looks more lived in than on prior visits. ]