Mingly

[wooliefrand]

WHO: Sheep
WHERE:Where ever
WHEN: Evening 60 - Morning 61

[WHAT A DAY HUH? At least by evening the rain starts to let up, and it is noticeably not as cold as it has been. It's a good night for doing whatever, or maybe you're doing dream shit, I'm not your mom.

In the morning, some will notice that along with the storm, there are also no longer patches of snow fluffies, and any snow still on the ground is starting to melt. Additionally, little by little, more wildlife is popping back up in the meadow and forest. With the cold snap gone, it looks like the wildlife scarcity is disappearing, too.

In the cafeteria, there is a small breakfast waiting for those who care for it: coffee or hot cocoa, orange juice, plum tarts, and omelettes made with fish. There is also a banner:

HAPPY ACTUALLY TWO MONTHS IN THE PASTURE SORRY I CAN'T COUNT IGNORE THE OTHER ONE FROM LIKE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO

anyway how yall doing]

Comments

[sparksystem]

Do you think nii-san seems happy?

[quarantotto]

…I don’t think he seems unhappy…but I don’t know him well. I think he’s happy you’re here, but is he fulfilled or has a full life beyond that…? I think he’s willing to accept what he has as long as he has this much.

I don’t think he’s unhappy…but I think he could be happier. I may not be a good person to ask about things like that though.

[sparksystem]

[ . . . ]

He could be happier. Mm. That's right.

[quarantotto]

…but most people could be happier. So it’s not something to worry too much about.

And…hm.

[sparksystem]

. . . and?

[quarantotto]

Not to insult Lethe, but just as I’m not the best person to ask about things like happiness, I don’t think he really has an understanding of what your age is.

[sparksystem]

[ there is a pause

and then he laughs ]

[quarantotto]

…ah?

[sparksystem]

What do you think 'my age' is?

[quarantotto]

There aren’t many people like you so it’s not that easy as just ‘age’.

There’s your appearance but that can either stay the same or change that tomorrow. Then there’s your actual programming and when you were first created. There are also your experiences and what you’ve learned so far. There is also just the speed at which you can learn and process things.

What do you consider your ‘age’? Is it an average of all those things? Or is there one that feels more correct? You’re a person, but you’re not human, so holding you to a human ruler for age isn’t really accurate, is it? Whatever age you pick, something will always be outside of ‘typical’ for that age.

[sparksystem]

I knew you were smart, but you're better than I gave you credit for!

I'm a first year at Night Raven College, but I also wouldn't say that's my 'age'. I've attended the school for three years already, at nii-san's side. But never 'as' a first year, so I'm going to enjoy being a first year.

But here. . . 'Pegasus' isn't a first year. I'm nii-san's teammate and little brother but not the one he remembers.

[quarantotto]

So just socialize with everyone then. No matter what befriending everyone as long as you’re careful about it can only help your team.

Not the one he remembers? So are you from different points in the same timeline or a different one?

[sparksystem]

Something like that.

1/2

[quarantotto]

…

[quarantotto]

[Snaps his fingers]

You’re not different, it’s Areion’s memory that is different. Is that it?

[sparksystem]

Now, I don't want to 'be the brother he remembers' but I want to be his brother.

[ . . . ]

But for the first time in a while I have been thinking again if it's better the other way around.

[quarantotto]

Meaning being ‘that’ brother instead? Or something else?

[sparksystem]

Yes, but that's not possible. Even if I truly wanted to be, we would both still be pretending.

[quarantotto]

There are pros and cons either way. In the short run it might be more comfortable for his mental state.

But. No matter how good of an actor you are and now matter how hard you both pretend, ultimately you cannot replace someone else. If something were to happen to you, even with the same parts and programming, he could not replace you either.

[sparksystem]

[ . . . ]

It's unfair to nii-san, to lose 'me'.

[quarantotto]

It’s unfair to your brother to lose you. So, you should do as you like because living means changing. You were always going to wind up straying from the blueprints because people who are gone don’t change.

[sparksystem]

Because living means changing. . .

[quarantotto]

Makes sense, right?

[sparksystem]

Yes!

[quarantotto]

Good. What does a you-who-changes want to do next?