Camp: private conversations

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Respond here for a private conversation with Red! All comment threads are screened.

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[fallbymyhands]

[for the first time, Mitsuru feels like she's seeing a little more of Red the person, and a little less of Red the counselor. there's something about this story that tugs at Mitsuru's heartstrings after all-- it's tragic, but she relates to it, in so many ways. even if Mitsuru's own situation was different]

I understand. . . what it feels like to be restricted by people's expectations of you.

[she stops, tilts her head up to gaze out at the lake, arms folded]

And how those restrictions can truly prevent you from grasping what you wish to have, before it's too late.

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[That response...

By the end of it, Red is smiling.]

We're a lot alike, you know. And not always in the best ways either.

[Same strengths, same flaws.]

[fallbymyhands]

[that gets a chuckle out of Mitsuru. a bit wry, but. . . perhaps that's why she was drawn towards Red even long before she knew about Ryoji]

If circumstances were different, perhaps we could sit down at a cafe somewhere and just talk over a cup of café au lait.

[it's not every day Mitsuru gets to spend time with someone without anything businesslike overshadowing the entire interactions. she's too busy for that. she's too restrained for that.]

[but that certainly doesn't mean she doesn't want it. and as she turns towards Red, she links her hands together and bows her head]

I apologize for how abrasive I've been towards you these past two weeks. I want answers, but I am realizing that I am not always. . . at my best, when demanding them.

[Stan slamming a door in her face was kind of an eye opener]

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In Cloudbank, I probably would have taken you on as a pupil and would have taught you how to navigate the social sphere. You would have been good at it, I think.

[It would have been nice, Red thinks. To have a protege like that.]

It's a sign of your forcible personality, I would say. It's good that you don't back down when you want something.

[fallbymyhands]

. . . I would have appreciated such guidance.

[really. which she's a bit embarrassed to admit, but her upbringing is often far more sheltered than she realizes at times]

Perhaps it is. But I suppose force doesn't always help those who need the assistance.

[see: Stan. who apparently doesn't respond well to force at all]

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[Time for her first 'big sister' advice then!]

Find someone whose strengths are your weaknesses. Partnering up to tackle difficult situations is a very strong method.

[fallbymyhands]

Yes. That is why working in teams is preferable, isn't it? So that everyone's weaknesses may be covered by someone else's strength.

[she will treasure this advice, Red!1]

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Exactly. That is why I had a bodyguard in the first place: my songs were quite powerful and moving, but I was not so adept at protecting myself physically. Blue handled things like that for me.

[fallbymyhands]

You? Not so adept physically? That's rather difficult for me to imagine now.

[after hearing about what Red did to protect them from the hunters, she means]

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I used to be a singer and songwriter, you know. There isn't much use for physical strength when you're singing.

[She definitely has some muscles now though. She's picked up a few skills.]

Unfortunately, the end of the world doesn't particularly care what your profession is.

[fallbymyhands]

[a weak laugh]

You're right; it doesn't. I suppose that's when you learned how to defend yourself?

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[She nods.]

Fortunately I'm a quick learner.

[fallbymyhands]

An admirable skill to have. Do you fight with a sword?