school: nier

[shaft]

Comments

[shaft]

[ He frowns. ]

Is that so? I think you can still be an independent person while in a relationship.

[amain]

Yeah, of course. You're still two different people, but there must be something you two share, right?

[ That's his experience with couples he has met. ]

[shaft]

So then, you could focus on yourself and be in a relationship. Couldn't you?

[amain]

I guess so? But you still have to consider your partner, too, so you wouldn't be able to focus on yourself as much as you could have...?

[ ???????? ]

Why are you even asking me this? I'm single.

[shaft]

You might be single now, but I don't know how many people you've dated.

[ i wish he thought kaine was his girlfriend but alas ]

[amain]

Didn't really have time for that.

[ it's okay. kainé is too good for nier. ]

[shaft]

Oh, what occupied your time?

[amain]

Well... My little sister is terminally ill and it's just us. So I was working to keep us afloat since I was young.

[shaft]

[ Yikes. ]

I'm... sorry to hear that. Did she manage to recover?

[amain]

... I'm not sure. We were separated for five years and I only got to see her for a short time before I got dragged here.

[ Just a sigh. ]

But the disease doesn't disappear so easily. I'm prepared to keep searching for a cure. [ ... ] Sorry, this must be gloomy.

[shaft]

[ Tentatively reaches out to squeeze Nier's shoulder briefly. ]

It's all right—I had no idea you had such a weight on your shoulders. I would hope you're not bearing it alone.

[amain]

[ At first, he tenses at the touch, but then relaxes. ]

My village is filled with kind people, even though we aren't the richest, and I have my friends. [ If that's reassuring at all since that's what Nier is trying to do. ] So why are you single?

[shaft]

[ That's a relief, at least.

Claude leans back in his chair as he considers this. ]

I've been too busy fighting a war for most of life.

[amain]

Claude...

[ Nier's expression drops very fast. He doesn't even know what to say? He has read about wars, though not much since he didn't want to, but he knows what they are and how terribly they can be. ]

[shaft]

Ah, don't give me that look. It's not as tragic as it sounds—I'm one of the luckier ones.

[ He nudges Nier with his foot, a friendly gesture! ]

But it is a terrible thing. I'd like to go back and bring an end to it.

[amain]

Luck isn't something you can always depend on.

[ Claude's words only make him feel worse? People that say things aren't as bad as they sound or look are lying, usually. ]

What are you fighting for? It must be worth it...

[shaft]

Oh, I'm not sure that we want to get into the debate of what cause justifies killing hundreds of men and women.

[ Time to change topic! ]

Let's talk about the future instead. Are you the sort to want a spouse and children?

[amain]

[ what a good boy bottle that shit up Claude—Nier is caught by surprise. Uh. ]

Haven’t really thought about it… When I think about the future, I usually imagine gathering flowers and making garlands with my sister again. You?

[shaft]

That's not a bad future.

[ He means it genuinely. ]

For me... My future just involves being able to sleep peacefully. I guess neither of us really dream big.

[amain]

[ Concern. ]

... Claude... Do you sleep outside your dorm?

[shaft]

No?

[amain]

[ RELIEF ]

All right, I'm glad.

[shaft]

[ ? ]

Is that a concern of yours? I doubt anyone sleeps outside other than Dimitri.

[amain]

[ He frowns deeply. ]

Kainé refuses to sleep inside.

[shaft]

...

[ uh ]

She... why?