Whatever happens in this game will pass - even death. But, such experiences will change people.
[ quietly ]
Beyond physical pain, there is surely the emotional struggle this will create. I can say that physically, they will recover. Emotionally - I do not know.
...I still do not understand how death can simply pass. It seems to me that the emotions should be more easily recovered from. Everyone I have spoken to since arriving seems...okay.
They will reanimate our bodies to defy death. Such is the nature of this place.
But the experience remains. Even when the pain has disappeared, the memory of the wound will endure.
It is not just the emotions of this trial that one must recover from. One must consider, too - that this will happen again. One can recover if the end is in sight, but when there is no light at the end of the tunnel, that is when the heart suffers.
. . . One game at a time. Do not become overwhelmed.
The future can wait for when it happens. Right now, think of now - think of what you will do after this game. Think of that which lightens your heart - the good that you know.
no subject
[ trails off, not sure where he was going with that ]
I suppose it does not matter now. They all have stronger bonds to consider.
no subject
[ with a pause, moving to pet his hair ]
Did you make friends?
no subject
...I do not understand when someone becomes a friend. But I believe I met people who would say that I am one now.
Still, I...I doubt it will have any bearing on their decisions.
no subject
[ continuing to pet him, his expression hardly any less scary but somehow trying to offer comfort ]
no subject
...Do you think the other units will be alright?
no subject
[ quietly ]
Beyond physical pain, there is surely the emotional struggle this will create. I can say that physically, they will recover. Emotionally - I do not know.
no subject
[ More or less. ]
no subject
But the experience remains. Even when the pain has disappeared, the memory of the wound will endure.
It is not just the emotions of this trial that one must recover from. One must consider, too - that this will happen again. One can recover if the end is in sight, but when there is no light at the end of the tunnel, that is when the heart suffers.
no subject
[ starting to look more rattled now, leaning into Silver's side ]
no subject
Talon. Hold fast to your heart.
no subject
no subject
The future can wait for when it happens. Right now, think of now - think of what you will do after this game. Think of that which lightens your heart - the good that you know.
no subject
no subject
[ a beat ]
Silver seems to like that. Do you like animals?
no subject
no subject
[ he's trying , ]
no subject
Alright.
no subject
no subject
...Thank you, Matcha.
no subject
[ quiet, comfortably silent as he keeps petting him. he doesn't know how to help kids but at least he dialed it back from fucking it up. thank god ]