school: mandricardo

[shaft]

Comments

[duranduel]

[A firm nod.]

I just wonder if its a way to try to break us down. Not that I need any help with that.

[shaft]

I... don't think so. I think it's probably meant to be a bonding exercise.

Or, forced bonding as it were.

[duranduel]

...

What a horrifying way to bond with someone. What this is doing is just...telling people not to bond with someone like me at all. And I wouldn't blame them.

[shaft]

Why would you say that? [ he raises a brow ] You're no longer that person.

[duranduel]

Maybe, but...it isn't like I can just erase all that. What happened, happened. Even if I'm just...some magical copy of that man, it doesn't change that is what has been behind me the whole time.

Besides, it just...doesn't look good. I know that.

[shaft]

It doesn't, but people change. You don't need to keep feeling sorry for yourself, you know. It's enough to acknowledge your past and move forward.

[duranduel]

[He looks conflicted.]

When you're created based on your past, and are someone who is like, a smmary that encompasses all that you did, it's...not so easy to just move forward.

[shaft]

I don't think it is, but it's not easy for anyone, I think. Regardless of who or what they are.

[ His brows furrow. ]

But... Don't let me pass judgement on you. I have a habit of giving unsolicited advice.

[duranduel]

...No, it's fine.

[He looks up at Claude.]

You know...I do appreciate what you have to say. I really do.

[shaft]

Is that so? Well, that's something of a relief. I do like you, you know.

[ And he means it, giving Mandricardo a warm smile. ]

You can be as introverted as you like, but being unhappy is something else.

[duranduel]

Y-You do?

[HE IS LEGIT SURPRISED?]

Uh...yeah, that's a point. I guess you can be happy and introverted...it's not bad hanging out with everyone else.

[shaft]

Is that a surprise? Am I not affectionate enough?

[ He's teasing. ]

[duranduel]

[Folding his arms and huffing.]

You don't need to tease me like that...

[shaft]

[ He laughs. ]

I wouldn't! We're compelled to be nice this week, remember.

[duranduel]

...

[??????????????????]

We're...what?

[MANDI NOTICING BECAUSE HE'S JUST NICE]

[shaft]

You haven't noticed? I guess everyone is normally nice to you.

[duranduel]

[THINKING HARD]

I...haven't noticed any difference, no. You say people are "compelled"?

[shaft]

I see... [ Claude mutters this under his breath, looking a little bitter before clearing his throat. ]

I was trying to do my extra credit, but everything I said ended up as a compliment. [ ... ] I wonder why so many of those are antagonistic, by the way.

[duranduel]

...

Honestly? I think its more...things you wouldn't do, naturally. Mine weren't all antagonistic.

[shaft]

Oh really? So far I've been pushed into a river, and poisoned for the sake of extra credit.

[duranduel]

P-POISONED?

[shaft]

That's right...

[duranduel]

Shit...mine weren't so bad...what does this school have against you?

[shaft]

Maybe I make myself easy to bully?

[duranduel]

[Squints at him.]

I guess it would be entertaining to make fun of a guy like you...though, um, I wouldn't find it fun, obviously.