2nd Song [video] & [text]

[papipupepon]

[He's sitting cross-legged under a leafy tree, long sleeves rolled up past his elbows; his shoes and hat are sitting next to him on the ground; he's still wearing his name tag. There's a rather large smiley face carved into the bark of the tree.]

So it's a little hot. I still don't see any reason to go running to a clinic with my tail between my

Comments

[iceandivory]

It's nothing to apologize for.

[papipupepon]

But it really was! I... I get angry at situations. A-and maybe start to blame everyone around me?

I mean, if you didn't want to have a conversation with me, that's your choice, right?

[iceandivory]

As you said, it's a new situation, and the heat is uncomfortable.

That much is right.

[Let's be fair. He, of all people, can't get mad at anyone for being affected by the heat.]

[text] kehehe, no, no he can't

[papipupepon]

That's for sure. At least I managed to find a patch of groundwater here - finding ways to keep cool?

[text] He's special like that.

[iceandivory]

You did, hm? Where exactly?

[text]

[papipupepon]

Northwestern quarter, near the fence. There's a tree growing in the middle of a gutted house.

Al's coming by to help me dig something of a well for it.

[text]

[iceandivory]

Ah.

Elric. He'll be able to do it. But don't let him overwork himself.

[text]

[papipupepon]

Elric? Oh. Is that his last name?

O-of course I won't!

... who would keep me safe from the monsters then?

[text]

[iceandivory]

...

You're using him as a bodyguard?

[text]

[papipupepon]

... using is such an awful term. He offered first, after all, when he learned how close I was to the wastelands.

A-and at this point I can't help that I'm absolutely useless in a fight; obviously, something I need to fix, but for now. Well.

[text]

[iceandivory]

I see.

You're not the only one. It wouldn't be difficult to stay at a clinic until you regain your bearings.

[text]

[papipupepon]

I dunno, I kind of like it here. And I hate the idea of just. Giving up and letting other people take care of me. I did that enough in the past.

Here, at least, I'm doing something. Something... useful? The stream dries up - I dig a well. And it's not really so much a matter of "bearings" as it is having no real fighting experience.

But. Like I've told a coupld people now. I can run.
And I can learn.

[text]

[iceandivory]

I said nothing about letting other people take care of you. Very few here would do so. It'd simply give you a bed on which to sleep and a chance to network if you so wish.

If you prefer your current situation, that's your choice.

Good. Then learn.

[text]

[papipupepon]

Heh. You try rolling down the hill as an acorn, and then tell me the ground isn't a perfectly fine bed.

Heh. Is that an order?

[text]

[iceandivory]

...I'll take your word for it.

If you wish to see it that way.

[text]

[papipupepon]

There is a second floor to this place. The stairs are all rotted through, so I haven't been able to get up there, but maybe if I climbed the tree... who knows? there might be a bedroom of some sort.

Not really, you're not my boss so even if I had a habit of following orders there's still a matter of authority. It seems like they're are lot of people around here good at fighting or the like, I'm sure someone would be willing to teach me.