[nature is healing. that's about the one thing he knows right now and it's why he finds himself taking an almost leisurely walk near the woods. despite what they found there just a few days ago, it still feels a little better than being in the town after this morning.
it does and doesn't surprise him to see claude outside, but he quickens his pace to jog up to him.]
Hey Claude. [the look on his face is one of friendliness at least, even if it's not an outright smile right now.] Mind if I join you?
(He's always enjoyed being outside. His mind becomes busy, his thoughts keep moving around, and he needs more than a room to run off all of that energy.
Sora can find him looking up at the sky, feeling all of his troubles shrink until they feel small enough to actually resolve,)
Hm? Oh, Sora. (He smiles. Despite everything, he can still smile. Though, maybe after over a week in this place, Sora may have realized that unlike him, Claude's smiles are sometimes lacking, never quite reaching the eyes and seeming more practiced than genuine. It's the kind of smile he wears now, ) Of course. Couldn't stay inside, could you? Me neither.
[given the fact that he recognizes that sort of smile in other friends, it's something he notices. it sets a tone for everything and it's why sora's softer in his approach, more casual as he shrugs and looks to the sky as well.]
Nah. After yesterday, it didn't really feel right to stay in. [nine hours was a little too long, thank you.] Besides...I think more of the answers we're looking for are out there instead of inside somewhere.
After yesterday, I don't think I ever want to be inside ever again. How do you think my grandfather would feel if I decided to leave the castle behind and live a life in the wild?
(He's joking, he's playing... or is he? Hmm, sometimes it's hard to tell with Claude von Riegan. He can be a little eccentric by noble standards back home.)
Oh? And what are you looking for today, Sora? If you've got questions, I'll let you pick my brain a bit.
[he gives claude a curious and somewhat funny look like he's trying to decide, but he decides to do what he does best and answers honestly.]
I think you should do what feels right. [but he folds his hands behind his head as if to stretch his shoulders a bit.]
I guess the one thing I wanna know is if we can really believe what Virid said. About getting his memory back after what he did to Hajime. Do you think it's true?
Usually people try to come clean before they die. Confess their sins and give their admissions so they can rest in peace or something. Otherwise, why would he lie?
Yeah, uh, I'm gonna be honest. I don't really want to test this sort of thing ever again. [nobody does? but he's just saying.] ...but I've also been thinking about the possibility that maybe there really was a reason that Virid did all this. Something he didn't tell everybody.
[he seems to be watching claude's responses.] It might not have been a good one, but...what if it did exist?
Oh, I have no desire to put this to the test either.
(The problem with growing up the way Claude has is that one becomes sensitive to being watched. It's also why his expression doesn't appear to change much at all except for the way his eyes shift over towards Sora, direct and aware-- "I know you're watching.")
Dead people don't tell secrets, Sora. Speculating about Virid will only take us so far.
(It's only then that he closes his eyes,)
People can have good reasons and still do terrible things. I would have to consider the reasons with the actions to make my judgement... but I would listen.
[....this is a little risky, maybe, but. he trusts claude. claude seems like someone with good intentions, and claude seems like someone who knows how to keep information quiet when necessary. it's why he doesn't shy away when he notices he's been caught watching and instead weighs his words carefully.]
...okay, so...what if he was asked to do it? [and before claude can repeat the idea about speculation, he continues.] I'm not speculating. It's something he told me last night when I went to see him.
(He knew enough people would talk to Virid and he'd eventually be able to shake one down. He didn't expect one to actually come to him though so color Claude von Riegan surprised when he hears Sora, though, he quickly regains his composure and gives him a smile-- cunning, like a trickster or menace from some story,)
Oh? And you're telling me because you trust me?
(That's why, right?)
Careful, Sora. You wouldn't want to say too much to the wrong person.
(A warning to be careful with how he proceeds from here on out. Is he sure he wants to do this?)
[you would think that kind of look would deter him, but when you've come face to face with the literal cheshire cat most smiles don't faze you. not to mention the fact that sora feels like he has a good impression of the kind of person claude might be.]
I'm telling you because I feel like a few people ought to know, and I trust you not to spread it around like some others might. The last thing we need to do is start worrying people if it really was a one-time thing.
[the idealist can be pragmatic.] Do you think you might be the wrong person?
(His smile doesn't waver. That's the thing with Claude. He's confident, certain, and above all--)
Of course, I think I'm right.
(He's a dreamer. Someone who believes he can change the world for the better. He has to believe he's right.)
Keeping secrets is one of my talents. But now we have another problem.
If someone out there is getting people to kill, we're in trouble. Helping their pawns might mean letting innocent people die until we can find a solution. You seem like a good kid, Sora, so let me ask you this: Can you live with that?
Okay. [it's that simple. innocent until proven guilty, and based on his own observations and claude's evident charisma, it's not the worst choice to make anyway.
he nods because yeah, that's a problem, but he doesn't answer right away. namely, he doesn't entirely know how to answer, but he seems to be debating how to phrase his thoughts.]
...we've lost people before because of wars other people started. [not that he likes it very much.] If I can find a way to make sure this doesn't happen again, I will. But if I can't, and if this is really something out of my control, then I'll just have to do everything I can to find a solution as fast as possible. And the people we do lose...[...well.] I'll just wish for them to come back in the end.
(Oh, no, that gets a laugh out of Claude, short and sharp. What an answer. He can't help but be amused. If wishes could bring people back... well, if this was a month or two ago, he'd probably dismiss it all. When you're dead, you're dead. There's no coming back.
And yet, he'd seen someone he'd thought he'd lost tear through the sky, and return...
He won't call it a miracle.
(He doesn't really believe in divinity like that.)
But he there's something else he believes in so...)
I think you and I will get along just fine. (He seems to understand the risks and costs involved,) Alright, count me in.
[it almost makes him jump, but he continues to watch him with the same sort of determination he's carried through this conversation. sometimes...you are from a canon where people really, truly, sometimes manage to come back from beyond.]
Nice. [he grins then, a little more than relieved and he looks a bit excited by the prospect.] I'm still figuring out some stuff, but I think I'm starting to understand some things around here. So...having somebody else to share it with should help a lot.
Don't worry too much about it. We're all starting from the same place here so don't stress about how much you do or don't know. The fact is, you know more now than you did before. Me, too, thanks to you. That's a step in the right direction so keep going that way.
(Talking to people, believing in others,)
It's always good to have someone you can toss ideas at but right now...
(Just gonna bump into Sora on purpose,)
A lot's happened. Give your head a bit of a rest. We'll talk again soon.
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w0 sunday pt2
it does and doesn't surprise him to see claude outside, but he quickens his pace to jog up to him.]
Hey Claude. [the look on his face is one of friendliness at least, even if it's not an outright smile right now.] Mind if I join you?
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Sora can find him looking up at the sky, feeling all of his troubles shrink until they feel small enough to actually resolve,)
Hm? Oh, Sora. (He smiles. Despite everything, he can still smile. Though, maybe after over a week in this place, Sora may have realized that unlike him, Claude's smiles are sometimes lacking, never quite reaching the eyes and seeming more practiced than genuine. It's the kind of smile he wears now, ) Of course. Couldn't stay inside, could you? Me neither.
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Nah. After yesterday, it didn't really feel right to stay in. [nine hours was a little too long, thank you.] Besides...I think more of the answers we're looking for are out there instead of inside somewhere.
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(He's joking, he's playing... or is he? Hmm, sometimes it's hard to tell with Claude von Riegan. He can be a little eccentric by noble standards back home.)
Oh? And what are you looking for today, Sora? If you've got questions, I'll let you pick my brain a bit.
(See: He'll listen. He'll help.)
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I think you should do what feels right. [but he folds his hands behind his head as if to stretch his shoulders a bit.]
I guess the one thing I wanna know is if we can really believe what Virid said. About getting his memory back after what he did to Hajime. Do you think it's true?
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(It's such a strange thing to lie about. )
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Sometimes people say things to justify their actions. Even if they don't think of it as a sin or whatever.
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Hmm... I suppose you have a point there.
(Yeah, he can definitely see it. )
Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to test it again and again until we have enough samples...
(Like a science experiment. Which. Well, Sora should see the problem there.)
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[he seems to be watching claude's responses.] It might not have been a good one, but...what if it did exist?
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(The problem with growing up the way Claude has is that one becomes sensitive to being watched. It's also why his expression doesn't appear to change much at all except for the way his eyes shift over towards Sora, direct and aware-- "I know you're watching.")
Dead people don't tell secrets, Sora. Speculating about Virid will only take us so far.
(It's only then that he closes his eyes,)
People can have good reasons and still do terrible things. I would have to consider the reasons with the actions to make my judgement... but I would listen.
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...okay, so...what if he was asked to do it? [and before claude can repeat the idea about speculation, he continues.] I'm not speculating. It's something he told me last night when I went to see him.
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Oh? And you're telling me because you trust me?
(That's why, right?)
Careful, Sora. You wouldn't want to say too much to the wrong person.
(A warning to be careful with how he proceeds from here on out. Is he sure he wants to do this?)
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I'm telling you because I feel like a few people ought to know, and I trust you not to spread it around like some others might. The last thing we need to do is start worrying people if it really was a one-time thing.
[the idealist can be pragmatic.] Do you think you might be the wrong person?
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Of course, I think I'm right.
(He's a dreamer. Someone who believes he can change the world for the better. He has to believe he's right.)
Keeping secrets is one of my talents. But now we have another problem.
If someone out there is getting people to kill, we're in trouble. Helping their pawns might mean letting innocent people die until we can find a solution. You seem like a good kid, Sora, so let me ask you this: Can you live with that?
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he nods because yeah, that's a problem, but he doesn't answer right away. namely, he doesn't entirely know how to answer, but he seems to be debating how to phrase his thoughts.]
...we've lost people before because of wars other people started. [not that he likes it very much.] If I can find a way to make sure this doesn't happen again, I will. But if I can't, and if this is really something out of my control, then I'll just have to do everything I can to find a solution as fast as possible. And the people we do lose...[...well.] I'll just wish for them to come back in the end.
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(Oh, no, that gets a laugh out of Claude, short and sharp. What an answer. He can't help but be amused. If wishes could bring people back... well, if this was a month or two ago, he'd probably dismiss it all. When you're dead, you're dead. There's no coming back.
And yet, he'd seen someone he'd thought he'd lost tear through the sky, and return...
He won't call it a miracle.
(He doesn't really believe in divinity like that.)
But he there's something else he believes in so...)
I think you and I will get along just fine. (He seems to understand the risks and costs involved,) Alright, count me in.
(Requirements met, recruitment unlocked.)
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Nice. [he grins then, a little more than relieved and he looks a bit excited by the prospect.] I'm still figuring out some stuff, but I think I'm starting to understand some things around here. So...having somebody else to share it with should help a lot.
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Don't worry too much about it. We're all starting from the same place here so don't stress about how much you do or don't know. The fact is, you know more now than you did before. Me, too, thanks to you. That's a step in the right direction so keep going that way.
(Talking to people, believing in others,)
It's always good to have someone you can toss ideas at but right now...
(Just gonna bump into Sora on purpose,)
A lot's happened. Give your head a bit of a rest. We'll talk again soon.
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there's more to say, but he can also acknowledge that it sure has been a long day, so he settles for a grin and he nods again.]
Yeah...I have a few more things I want to do before then, but I will. I'll come find you again if I learn anything else.