TaT plot 4: The Rescuing!

[justanimitator]

[It's another hot summer day and Len is once more moping about indoors. He's taken a break from cleaning (again) to thumb through a book he found. It's not very interesting.

He really misses the library. there were many more books there! Wait, thinking that is wrong, isn't it?

He's so bad at being a good Len...]

Comments

[treatandtrick]

Missing the library, Len? [Rin's voice came from a shadowy corner, where one could only just see the outline of her. She'd known Len wouldn't notice her until she announced her presence there; he'd been far too busy being properly depressed recently.

But the entertainment value in watching him mope was wearing thin; after all, Dearest Brother was right where she wanted him, and hiding their darker habits in their own home was becoming rather taxing. The Imitator was no longer needed.]

You look so disenchanted with our books.

[justanimitator]

N-- no! That... that'd be... I mean...

[oideoide]

You don't sound very sure.

[Len chimed in from a shadow opposite Rin, something...different about his smile. Something...

Genuine.]

Are you displeased with the home we've provided you?

[treatandtrick]

Do you want to leave? [Rin takes a step forward, now half in the shadow and half in the light, her eyes bright orange; painting an arguably more creepy portrait than she had previously.]

Just like you left your own Rin?

All alone.

Never to be born.

[justanimitator]

[torn between bewilderment, fear, and guilt]

I-- it's wonderful. I...

[as Rin speaks, Len visibly shrinks in on himself]

N-- no.

[oideoide]

[Len follows Rin's example, taking a slow step.]

H'm~ you still don't sound very sure. But I wouldn't put it past you, really.

You never tried very hard to redeem yourself in the first place.

[treatandtrick]

All you've really done is learn a few manners and mope around the house.

It's annoying, truly.

[justanimitator]

I'm s-- sorry! I'll... I'll stop that! And... and try harder! I promise!

[oideoide]

Try, try, try but never do.

Our patience is running thin, little one.

[treatandtrick]

Do you think you can change, Len?

Do you want us to help you change?
To make up for what you didn't do?

[justanimitator]

[sniffing and nodding very rapidly]

A-- anything!

[oideoide]

Anything at all?

[treatandtrick]

Aaaaaaanything?

[justanimitator]

[for his 'family'? for 'that girl'?]

Yes!

[oideoide]

[A few more steps closer.]

Then you should go be with her.

[treatandtrick]

It's where you belong.

[Rin matches her brother's steps, surely making the room seem much smaller for the Imitator all of a sudden.]

It's the only place you'll truly be happy.