When I was younger, I took things for granted. My family, my friends, my home, my life. Of course I appreciated it all. Why did I need to say how much they all meant to me out loud? They'd always be there--after all, I was a kid. I had all the time in the world to see new places, have new experiences, make new memories with all those familiar things.
I learned very quickly that, sometimes, you don't get to. You miss your chance to tell them what they truly mean to you. And you'll never get another.
Places change. Memories fade. People die.
So I do mean it when I say you're my friend, Claude. And that's why I worry.
[ for as sleek as hope's room looks, there's not really much in here... it's kinda impersonal. the only things that look organic are the stacks of papers that litter the desk, but the writing on them is unintelligible—the only thing legible is the line "by hope estheim, director of the academy."
he shakes his head. ]
My father died of natural causes, and I made peace with my mother's death a long time ago. I live to carry their memory... and to find my friends. They're still somewhere out there—I know this.
Haha... maybe. [ while claude sits down, hope remains standing, placing his hand on the desk covered in papers filled with what must be his handwriting. ] That would be ideal, wouldn't it?
...that future depends on us surviving this first, of course.
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I do appreciate it, Hope.
I'm sorry to make you worry.
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I learned very quickly that, sometimes, you don't get to. You miss your chance to tell them what they truly mean to you. And you'll never get another.
Places change. Memories fade. People die.
So I do mean it when I say you're my friend, Claude. And that's why I worry.
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Knocks on Hope's door. ]
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Hello, Claude.
[ his room has this kinda vibe i'm too tired to properly describe a thing ]
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Claude gives him a little wave. ]
Hey, Hope. I'm in one piece. It felt a little awkward to answer you pouring your heart out over text.
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I appreciate it.
[ he takes a step back to allow claude to come in, if he wants! ]
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I'm sorry to hear that, by the way. About your family. [ glances at him ] I'm sure coming here doesn't offer much respite from that pain.
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he shakes his head. ]
My father died of natural causes, and I made peace with my mother's death a long time ago. I live to carry their memory... and to find my friends. They're still somewhere out there—I know this.
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[ his brows furrow in mild concern ]
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...The possibility of seeing you all again has been my driving force ever since.
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Those must've been some difficult years. It's still hard for me to believe that it's been so long for you...
[ sits on a bland chair ]
Hopefully you'll still be able to contact us once this is over. Perhaps we could help find those friends of yours.
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Haha... maybe. [ while claude sits down, hope remains standing, placing his hand on the desk covered in papers filled with what must be his handwriting. ] That would be ideal, wouldn't it?
...that future depends on us surviving this first, of course.
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That goes without saying. All we can do is be smart and hope that's enough to unravel this mystery before it comes to that.