[this is a lot. she's listening to all of this because you're not gonna believe there, there are timeline shenanigans in ff7r that aerith may or may not fully know so the idea of parallel universes is a little like "hm." but she lets him talk until he decides he's done, and she chooses to roll both topics into her response.]
...we should maybe ask the likelihood of returning with our memories. [idly, but also kind of related.] But if you think it can be fixed, then I believe you. I've...never really experienced something like that with a friend, and it seemed kind of final. Not to mention what he said about your strength.
[ It really is all theory... Small actions that could change the course of events. He doesn't seem to notice her interest in it since he's so hyperfocused. ]
Yeah.. I had asked if it might be a memory issue before, but... [ Just in general the idea that things could change was something he wasn't sure he was ready to broach yet. ] You said there were other people in a similar predicament with time shenanigans, right? This could change things for them, too.
Yeah, there are a few. I've wondered about that, how much further their timelines will shift with these new memories and having to slate into the old and maybe feeling disjointed. [she won't necessarily have to worry about that part, but the thing she hasn't quite said to anyone at all (and will not) is that she worries about these memories going back into the lifestream. they're not exactly the most pleasant.
but anyway, she kind of grins at him. teenagers.]
Tell you what. Why don't you tell me what you think he was talking about, and I can give you my own interpretation to see what might makes sense. Would that help?
It's not something that can be easily predicted. It depends on the person.
[ Aerith your reincarnation lifestream... corrupted by murdergame memories. He really is a teenager, though.
Satoru will try. It's difficult... He doesn't care about philosophy. ]
It just seemed like to me he was throwing a tantrum. [ He doesn't mean it like that, but as a teenager you're petty especially when inconvenienced (astonished). ] Defining... Identity?
[luckily for everyone involved, she does have patience for kids, teenagers included. she rolls her eyes a little when he says suguru's throwing a tantrum, but she lets him continue.]
Maybe. [she says this in a way that seems to suggest she doesn't entirely agree it's just that.] How long have the two of you been friends? Fighting probably comes a little easier to you than it does to him, doesn't it? To me, it sorta sounded like he thinks you have an easy time telling people they can't accomplish something but that you believe you can do it easily. So the question becomes "are you a strong person because you were born that way, or have you built your entire identity around the fact you're more capable than some other people?"
Do you have idea what he actually wanted to do that you didn't agree with?
We've known each other for a couple of years? [ Somewhere between 2-3. He goes quiet as she elaborates on her interpretation. In the end, he isn't sure what he can do with this, but he is listening, anyway. ] Back at home, my life was anchored on what I was born with.
[ It's difficult to disentangle someone's birth and their value from their identity in jujutsu society, so it is hard for him to imagine it in a different perspective. It has been all his life. It's not on the forefront of his mind despite the topic, instead he murmurs "even then, to be capable of what he wants to accomplish..."
How to cope with something extreme is to make it feel like it isn't so big of a deal, but it's hard to when she asks that last question. His expression instantly hardens with any boyish tinge left on his features disappearing in a second. He knows. ]
[she thinks maybe it's a little hard to form your own sense of identity when you're born with something that shapes your entire life. something that means only you have this capability. only you can be thought of as special, even if it's not a power you want for yourself. he doesn't say it, but she thinks maybe she understands a little because of her nature as a cetra, the last one, the only person left who can serve as a stewardess of the planet.
but he suddenly grows serious, and she pauses a little.]
...I wouldn't even if you didn't ask me to do that. [not entirely her place to judge anything, especially when they're still trying to figure out their place in the world.]
[ Aerith uses her high EQ to extract this from a few words and information about the teenagers... There is nothing that can deny her, either. It is unfortunately the lot of many people's lives.
He loosens up and considers. ]
... Sorry, I don't know if it's my place to say.
[ He rubs his neck and looks off to the side. Sometimes, you're protective and it will mean you might have to shoulder this on your own, alone. And also protect Spoon's CR.
[...it kind of says a lot to her about gojo, actually, that he's not giving up geto's story that easily. so she's not going to push.]
Don't mention it. You're both pretty good kids from what I can tell, so...even if things seem rough, maybe this is a good chance to see what you can do together. If the time difference is only a month, maybe it isn't too late to try and help him figure out this isn't a good path.
[because how else is she supposed to infer the reluctance to share?]
[ He offers he a smile... It isn't full of arrogance or confidence, but it's more resigned. ]
I'll figure it out... Even if I go back and nothing changed. [ Maybe the emotion is bittersweet. ] It'd be enough if he's just more like himself here. There are so many awful people in the world, but Suguru—he's meant to be a good person.
Oh, I believe that. But that doesn't change what I said. [just saying that. but she listens, quietly observing as she nods along.]
If nothing else, being together and supporting each other should be a good thing. There's still time to change things, but I don't blame you for focusing on the small parts either. [wanting your friend to be like himself instead of straying down a dark path. or in her case, wanting her friend to be like himself instead of being lost in his own mind.
what's the difference?]
Believe it or not, no? [she grins.] I think even if you can't tell everyone everything just yet, it's good that you're able to say this much so far. So don't worry about that part.
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...we should maybe ask the likelihood of returning with our memories. [idly, but also kind of related.] But if you think it can be fixed, then I believe you. I've...never really experienced something like that with a friend, and it seemed kind of final. Not to mention what he said about your strength.
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Yeah.. I had asked if it might be a memory issue before, but... [ Just in general the idea that things could change was something he wasn't sure he was ready to broach yet. ] You said there were other people in a similar predicament with time shenanigans, right? This could change things for them, too.
[ ... The question about strength, though. ]
What was he even talking about?
[ He hates philosophy. ]
no subject
but anyway, she kind of grins at him. teenagers.]
Tell you what. Why don't you tell me what you think he was talking about, and I can give you my own interpretation to see what might makes sense. Would that help?
no subject
[ Aerith your reincarnation lifestream... corrupted by murdergame memories. He really is a teenager, though.
Satoru will try. It's difficult... He doesn't care about philosophy. ]
It just seemed like to me he was throwing a tantrum. [ He doesn't mean it like that, but as a teenager you're petty especially when inconvenienced (astonished). ] Defining... Identity?
no subject
Maybe. [she says this in a way that seems to suggest she doesn't entirely agree it's just that.] How long have the two of you been friends? Fighting probably comes a little easier to you than it does to him, doesn't it? To me, it sorta sounded like he thinks you have an easy time telling people they can't accomplish something but that you believe you can do it easily. So the question becomes "are you a strong person because you were born that way, or have you built your entire identity around the fact you're more capable than some other people?"
Do you have idea what he actually wanted to do that you didn't agree with?
no subject
[ It's difficult to disentangle someone's birth and their value from their identity in jujutsu society, so it is hard for him to imagine it in a different perspective. It has been all his life. It's not on the forefront of his mind despite the topic, instead he murmurs "even then, to be capable of what he wants to accomplish..."
How to cope with something extreme is to make it feel like it isn't so big of a deal, but it's hard to when she asks that last question. His expression instantly hardens with any boyish tinge left on his features disappearing in a second. He knows. ]
... I don't want you to treat him differently.
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but he suddenly grows serious, and she pauses a little.]
...I wouldn't even if you didn't ask me to do that. [not entirely her place to judge anything, especially when they're still trying to figure out their place in the world.]
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He loosens up and considers. ]
... Sorry, I don't know if it's my place to say.
[ He rubs his neck and looks off to the side. Sometimes, you're protective and it will mean you might have to shoulder this on your own, alone. And also protect Spoon's CR.
There's a longer silence. ]
Thank you.
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Don't mention it. You're both pretty good kids from what I can tell, so...even if things seem rough, maybe this is a good chance to see what you can do together. If the time difference is only a month, maybe it isn't too late to try and help him figure out this isn't a good path.
[because how else is she supposed to infer the reluctance to share?]
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[ He offers he a smile... It isn't full of arrogance or confidence, but it's more resigned. ]
I'll figure it out... Even if I go back and nothing changed. [ Maybe the emotion is bittersweet. ] It'd be enough if he's just more like himself here. There are so many awful people in the world, but Suguru—he's meant to be a good person.
You sick of hearing about a teen's problems yet?
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If nothing else, being together and supporting each other should be a good thing. There's still time to change things, but I don't blame you for focusing on the small parts either. [wanting your friend to be like himself instead of straying down a dark path. or in her case, wanting her friend to be like himself instead of being lost in his own mind.
what's the difference?]
Believe it or not, no? [she grins.] I think even if you can't tell everyone everything just yet, it's good that you're able to say this much so far. So don't worry about that part.