jacopo.

[tactic]

Comments

[obdure]

[ churin... i am sure you are a good friend and also a terrible friend at the same time. ]

It sounds like to me the problem is that you got caught.

[tactic]

[ How does he be friend. ]

... I did. I very much did. But I apologized, and I want to think that he's forgiven me. Maybe not fully, maybe not until he sees the change for himself, but that's a step in the right direction, isn't it?

[obdure]

I think so. Even without his forgiveness, you should keep trying to better yourself.

[ you are friend-shaped ]

Sometimes, it's difficult to know what is better to keep a secret to spare their feelings or what is better for them to know. I don't think the answer is always so clear cut as telling someone the truth.

It all depends on the context and situation, of course.

[tactic]

Wow, I should go to you for advice more often.

[ Slightly teasing, but he's appreciative too. ]

[obdure]

Maybe I shouldn't hear you out.

[ YOU ARE TRYING HIM!! ]

[tactic]

If you have any problems of your own, I'm sure I could have a thing or two to say about them.

[ Will they be helpful? No. ]

[obdure]

No one has called me a terrible friend as of recent, no.

[ At least seriously. ]

What kind of situation was it, anyway? You don't nee to be detailed.

[ Because he respects this friend's identity and privacy. ]

[tactic]

... Nothing too grave. I guess he felt as though the friendship was growing a little too one-sided because he would lay his troubles on me, but I would never do the same with my own.

[ Mentally gripping his hair. ]

[obdure]

I see. Like you're keeping your cards close while he has shown you all of his?

[ Hmmm. ]

I get it. No one likes feeling like they owe someone in anything. It's important for there to be balance and for people to feel like they have something to offer. [ Sips wine. ] But if you don't have troubles, then there is nothing to share.

[tactic]

[ Peers at Jacopo from where Aventurine is also sipping his wine. ]

Like you?

[obdure]

[ Peers back? ]

Which part are you trying to accuse me with?

[tactic]

I think you should share some of your own troubles. Even the smallest ones.

[obdure]

Was this all a set up for you to learn more about me?

[tactic]

Do you think I would do such thing?

[obdure]

It'd be clever.

[tactic]

Much like how you're delaying a real response.

[obdure]

[ Thinks about it... Equal burdens. ]

I picked up a runaway back at home and it's something I'll have to deal with when I return.

[tactic]

[ EQUAL BURDENS ]

A runaway? As in a troubled child?

[obdure]

I think so. She's trying to pass herself off as twenty, which is ridiculous.

[ WHO WOULD FALL FOR THAT tone. Stupid. ]

But she had been sitting on the same bench, at the same park, for over a week.

[tactic]

She's lucky to have had you stumble upon her.

[ There are too many dangers out there for a young person to face. ]

And you don't know anything else about her?

[obdure]

I didn't, or at least until I got here and regained my memories. [ ... ] She's Morgana.

[ The girl he saved from the Lord, the girl whom he cared for deeply and represented the last of his happy memories, and the same girl he killed in the end.

So like it's complicated. ]

But the point is I have no clue what she's going through and I have little intention of being written down by authorities as a kidnapper, so she's only staying temporarily.

[tactic]

[ Oh. OH. He recognizes the name from Jacopo's memories. ]

... Goodness, you really do have quite a bit to sort through back home.

[ But also, small vibes of concern. ]

Will you be okay?

[obdure]

I do, but fortunately she doesn't remember anything, so... I can just help her through this rough patch and let her be on her way.

[ Just like... Thrums of guilt, some anxiety, maybe some hope. It's conflicting emotions and after all these years he still cares. ]

I'll be fine.