The boy realized he had no place to go. No matter where in the world he went, he would always be an outsider...
… So he decided he would destroy the boundaries between worlds. He would tear down every wall until there was no longer an "outside" or an "inside" and only one world to share. It wouldn't be easy, and the boy would have to hide who he was and take on great burdens to make it happen… but he believed in a world where no one would be hated for who they were.
To do that, he'd have to keep his secret a while longer. If he could convince people to give him a chance as he was, he would speak to them, get to know them, and change their hearts and minds one conversation at a time.
... What do you think of his dream? Crazy? Or brilliant?
[Ah. Empathy blossoms like a flower, an ideal clear and true, even if the reasons and methods struck different chords. But it's a topic she doesn't mind dwelling on, letting her silence sit very, very carefully.]
...I think it's beautiful. And I think, in the end, it would be a dream worth realizing. If his heart knew that the change would be needed, even if it would be enormous, even if it would take a long time.
But...
To do something all alone, to try and make a world of belonging... that's too big a goal for only one person to bear. To be together as one needs a heart that is willing to take the risk to show compassion where there's only been hatred, to speak their mind and let those they love truly make a choice. To do it one by one, to carry that responsibility, is noble.
But what happens to the boy if his burdens become so great, that he cannot run from them? Doesn't he just become like the girl praying on her own? With a heart of pure intention, but... with no one there to truly share the burden of their beautiful desires?
Is that world truly a beautiful thing, if it can't be made together?
(He's quiet, listening to her critique of his story. She's a bright girl and he knows it. They both know that these stories aren't made up and are, in fact, very real and close to their hearts. They aren't fooling anyone.)
You should have told me you knew this story already.
(He laughs,)
It took a while... but eventually the boy grew up and met someone.
(And and here... is where something happens. He can recall that person clearly and when he does, he's fill with so much hope and optimism for the future, he feels invincible. And yet something is missing. There's an ache in his heart and a twinge in his heart, a sense of longing and frustration.
Something is missing and when he recalls it... there's nothing. He can't grasp it. He can't make any sense of it at all.)
That person was... important. (They were certainly important,) Someone who befriended everyone honestly and fairly, regardless of who they were. There was no other intention or special reason... And he found himself wanting that person by his side.
(Why didn't she choose him? Why would she help him so much but not accept his offers? Did she... not believe in him? Not like him? What more could he do...? Ah, the more he thinks about it, the more conflicted he feels and he has to move on. He finds himself mumbling to himself,)
... I don't know why...
(...)
Sorry, I got distracted. You're right. Even if he's grown up, it seems like he's still a boy at heart. (A boy so used to being alone, he just doesn't know how to reach out to others.) But he's learning. Trying to grow.
If he wants to make a world where everyone can live together, freely and as they are without fear, then he'll eventually have to stop pushing people and start leading by example.
[It's an odd moment, to feel him suddenly stumble, to feel that careful wall he has built up now shifting enough to show more than just confidence and charisma and a clever mind. For a moment, he's not a leader, or a brother, or a trusted friend.
He is a boy, aching for the support of another... perhaps someone he though understood.
...
Her heart aches for him, for how he tries to pull that wall right back up. And she knows better than to take a hammer to it. So she'll give him a moment, still keeping her voice gentle.]
I know I'm still really young, Claude. There's a lot I still have to learn about the world, in ways I might not want. But... I still think anyone deserves the chance to try for something better, and to show what matters to them... without compromising who they are. To... make up their minds on their own, and to stick to those choices that truly matter. [It feels familiar, like perhaps someone had told her as much once... but she can't place it anymore.]
I know there's a lot I would never be able to do without my most precious people beside me. I... think I might have wanted to fall apart from being lonely, some days. So I...
I hope the boy, someday, could know it's okay to be brave. And it's okay to be afraid first... just like he told someone that you need to hurt to learn from mistakes. And that maybe, just like his special person that he wanted at his side... there might be more people out there who want nothing more than something truly fair for those around them.
Of course she would agree with him. That's just the sort of girl she is, isn't she? Bright, honest, sincere. The kind of person he wants to make his new world for so they can continue to shine and grow instead of dim and grow weary from the way the world currently is.)
You don't need to worry so much for the boy. There's more to the story. It's kind of an ongoing series, you could say. But there are people... people he's been able to meet over time. And maybe they haven't opened up to each other completely just yet... but it's only a matter of time now.
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no subject
The boy realized he had no place to go. No matter where in the world he went, he would always be an outsider...
… So he decided he would destroy the boundaries between worlds. He would tear down every wall until there was no longer an "outside" or an "inside" and only one world to share. It wouldn't be easy, and the boy would have to hide who he was and take on great burdens to make it happen… but he believed in a world where no one would be hated for who they were.
To do that, he'd have to keep his secret a while longer. If he could convince people to give him a chance as he was, he would speak to them, get to know them, and change their hearts and minds one conversation at a time.
... What do you think of his dream? Crazy? Or brilliant?
no subject
...I think it's beautiful. And I think, in the end, it would be a dream worth realizing. If his heart knew that the change would be needed, even if it would be enormous, even if it would take a long time.
But...
To do something all alone, to try and make a world of belonging... that's too big a goal for only one person to bear. To be together as one needs a heart that is willing to take the risk to show compassion where there's only been hatred, to speak their mind and let those they love truly make a choice. To do it one by one, to carry that responsibility, is noble.
But what happens to the boy if his burdens become so great, that he cannot run from them? Doesn't he just become like the girl praying on her own? With a heart of pure intention, but... with no one there to truly share the burden of their beautiful desires?
Is that world truly a beautiful thing, if it can't be made together?
no subject
You should have told me you knew this story already.
(He laughs,)
It took a while... but eventually the boy grew up and met someone.
(And and here... is where something happens. He can recall that person clearly and when he does, he's fill with so much hope and optimism for the future, he feels invincible. And yet something is missing. There's an ache in his heart and a twinge in his heart, a sense of longing and frustration.
Something is missing and when he recalls it... there's nothing. He can't grasp it. He can't make any sense of it at all.)
That person was... important. (They were certainly important,) Someone who befriended everyone honestly and fairly, regardless of who they were. There was no other intention or special reason... And he found himself wanting that person by his side.
(Why didn't she choose him? Why would she help him so much but not accept his offers? Did she... not believe in him? Not like him? What more could he do...? Ah, the more he thinks about it, the more conflicted he feels and he has to move on. He finds himself mumbling to himself,)
... I don't know why...
(...)
Sorry, I got distracted. You're right. Even if he's grown up, it seems like he's still a boy at heart. (A boy so used to being alone, he just doesn't know how to reach out to others.) But he's learning. Trying to grow.
If he wants to make a world where everyone can live together, freely and as they are without fear, then he'll eventually have to stop pushing people and start leading by example.
(By being more honest with others.)
no subject
He is a boy, aching for the support of another... perhaps someone he though understood.
...
Her heart aches for him, for how he tries to pull that wall right back up. And she knows better than to take a hammer to it. So she'll give him a moment, still keeping her voice gentle.]
I know I'm still really young, Claude. There's a lot I still have to learn about the world, in ways I might not want. But... I still think anyone deserves the chance to try for something better, and to show what matters to them... without compromising who they are. To... make up their minds on their own, and to stick to those choices that truly matter. [It feels familiar, like perhaps someone had told her as much once... but she can't place it anymore.]
I know there's a lot I would never be able to do without my most precious people beside me. I... think I might have wanted to fall apart from being lonely, some days. So I...
I hope the boy, someday, could know it's okay to be brave. And it's okay to be afraid first... just like he told someone that you need to hurt to learn from mistakes. And that maybe, just like his special person that he wanted at his side... there might be more people out there who want nothing more than something truly fair for those around them.
He just has to let them in someday.
no subject
Of course she would agree with him. That's just the sort of girl she is, isn't she? Bright, honest, sincere. The kind of person he wants to make his new world for so they can continue to shine and grow instead of dim and grow weary from the way the world currently is.)
You don't need to worry so much for the boy. There's more to the story. It's kind of an ongoing series, you could say. But there are people... people he's been able to meet over time. And maybe they haven't opened up to each other completely just yet... but it's only a matter of time now.
no subject
I'm glad.
[She'll take a moment to fold her hands to her chest and incline her head towards him.]
Thank you for your story, Nii-chan. I hope it turns into a happy one.