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[skiouros]

If I had good judgment, I wouldn't be where I am in the first place.

— Motivational Eizen (@motivationeizen) February 24, 2018

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[skiouros]

[ Fair enough. After running the ID card through the reader, Eizen motions for Skylark to enter the living room.

From the looks of it, either nobody is home or they're all in their private rooms. As soon as they're settled, Eizen will ask Skylark: ]

So what interests you about traveling?

[inspiteful]

[ Even now the fact they they are living rooms, as in actual rooms that you can entertain guests in, still feels weird to Skylark. It was more the fact that there was even space for it to be a thing -- he's been in apartments that were only as big as this living room, even.

Still, he answers instantly when he hears Eizen's question. ]

I want to see other places.

[ Which is true, if not exactly the whole story. ]

[skiouros]

[ It's up to Skylark to sit or stand, but Eizen leans against the wall with his hands in his pant pockets. ]

That's as good an answer as any. Do you do see those places often?

[inspiteful]

[ Skylark takes this opportunity to sit on the couch, then. ]

Well, uhm...I haven't at all, actually. I never left the island before this.

[ As in, the island he lived on, not the one that's home base. ]

[skiouros]

Ah, so you're just starting out. In that case, what do you think about being in Shehui?

[ Aside from the fact that the arrival came as too much of a surprise, given that they've discussed this before. ]

[inspiteful]

[ Skylark has to pause to think for a moment. ]

...It seems like a nice place to live. There's way more space here than I'm used to and my home is nowhere as advanced as this. Everything's a lot more...neat and tidy, I guess. There's even snow.

[ Although he's of the opinion that snow is the devil, after having snow dumped on him twice in a single day ]

From what I can see, life here is easy and it's not too hard to make a living. Honestly, it kind of sounds like it's too good to be true? It feels weird.

[skiouros]

[ All in all, it's an apt summary of Shehui. Eizen finds himself nodding at Skylark's last statement. ]

I agree. This city feels too convenient. The way it richly rewards its citizens—it's almost bereft of stimulation.

But I suppose the overwhelming difference in culture would make it a worthy place to start journeying. There's a lot to take in as a foreigner.

[inspiteful]

Yeah...I kind of wonder what's outside the city. I mean, it's in a dome, so there has to be a reason for that, right?

[ He spoke about this with someone else earlier. It's been on his mind for a while. ]

Mmhmm. The city feels like the kind of place people go to for vacation, except I don't think most vacation spot have restrictions like this.

[skiouros]

[ The dome certainly does pique Eizen's curiosity. He nods, but moves the conversation along. ]

And we don't know nearly enough to make judgments on why the city is the way it is. Maddening, isn't it? But it's what adds to the thrill of finding out.

[ As frustrating as their predicament with the witch is, he can't deny the merits of such wide-scale traveling. ]

[inspiteful]

[ Skylark's not going to deny that finding things out would be exciting, but if there's anything experience has taught him... ]

Wouldn't that mean trouble for us, though? Uhm, not that I wouldn't want to find out myself, but they seem to make it difficult to get real information about this city's history.

[ Which sounds to him like there are things people higher up don't want to people to find out. That was just suspicion on his part, admittedly. ]

[skiouros]

[ Eizen thinks the same. The city, in spite of its festive atmosphere, seems rather controlled. However, his way of tackling the thought differs. ]

It's certainly troublesome, but a venture without risks is no venture at all. Does the thought of challenging the odds and piecing together the truth not excite you?

[inspiteful]

[ It would be a pretty transparent lie to say 'no', because he's 14 and of course on some level he thinks it would be pretty damn badass.

On the other hand, it's also because he's aware he's 14 and has gotten himself into some...deep shit while helping with investigations that he's become a little more cautious. ]

Of course it's exciting.

[ ...He sounds a little more defensive than he would have liked, damn it. ]

[skiouros]

[ The sincerity is there, but Eizen also hears that touch of indignation. His face betrays no emotion, and he asks in a neutral tone: ]

Then why the hesitation?

[inspiteful]

It's just...when big-wigs have things to hide, they usually want to keep it that way, you know? I'm...not sure if I can handle that kind of risk.

[ He is quite possibly jumping to conclusions, but it's hard for him not to consider it. Which is really just a way of saying that he's a little afraid of the idea, but admitting that sounds more cowardly than Skylark wants to admit to. ]

[skiouros]

[ He nods, acknowledging the roundabout confession of fear. ]

Uncertainty doesn't make it a fact, though. You won't know if you can truly handle the risk until you try.

[ It's more food for thought for Skylark, and less Eizen's conducting a lecture. ]

[inspiteful]

[ Skylark knows Eizen has a point. He takes a deep breath, more to compose himself than anything else. ]

...I'll think about it.

[ He means it, at least? ]

[skiouros]

That's good enough for me.

[ As if a thought has just occurred to him, Eizen gives a mirthful huff. ]

You might find that you actually like the change of pace.

[inspiteful]

What makes you say that?

[ He sounds more confused, especially considering Eizen's reaction. ]

[skiouros]

[ The breath has passed, and Eizen's expression turns toward the neutral again. ]

I didn't always venture out into the far seas, dancing with death at every turn. Until recently, I lived a fairly sequestered life.

Then I realized what I'd been missing all along, and I haven't turned back since.

[inspiteful]

I guess everyone has to start somewhere.

[ Even if he would have rather not be sent far away from home suddenly, but when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Or at least you roll with the punches. ]

Uhm, thank you for taking them time to talk with me about this.

[skiouros]

[ He nods. Eizen gets the impression that Skylark is simply inexperienced—and as a result, wary. ]

Is there anything that you're curious about?

[inspiteful]

Uhm...it's a little off-topic, but do you have a sister?

[ Considering he met someone who looks very similar to Eizen. ]

[skiouros]

[ It's like someone's pressed the pause button. Eizen's posture stiffens. ]

. . . Yeah, I do.

[inspiteful]

[ The first thing he thinks is 'Did I mess up.' Maybe this wasn't something he should have brought up? ]

I met someone who looked a lot like you, so I was just wondering...

[skiouros]

[ He knows, logically, that many people have met and will continue to meet his sister. There are many people in Shehui. But the obsessed part of him is having difficulty adjusting. ]

Her name's Edna. [ Then in the most casual, succinct breath: ] If you touch her, I'll kill you.