Catch-All for Cinnabar

[specialdog]

Comments

[globs]

A convenient world like that will never exist. Don't waste your time.

[ they rest their chin on their arms, staring back out into the waters. ]

Even the fact that my poison is gone... I'm sure it's to make me an easier "target" if I get corrupted.

[specialdog]

You're right. The best we can do is change the world to suit what we want.

[ Hmm. Akane looks down at them, quiet and contemplative. ]

That doesn't mean you can't make the best of it, though. Right?

[globs]

... I don't know what to do.

[ everything should be different. Shouldn't they be able to talk to people and make friends and leave the night? Even thinking that, they feel exactly the same as they always have. ]

[specialdog]

You can change. You can transform however you want to.

[globs]

Gems don't change like that.

[ only that idiot did, and look what happened to them because of it!! ]

I'll always be Cinnabar, no matter if I'm poisonous or not. A soft, worthless gem of no use to anybody. Now I can't even protect my friends...

[specialdog]

Why do you need to be of use to anyone? Why do you need to protect anyone?

If you're weak, they should be the ones protecting you.

[globs]

Why should I even exist if I can't do that?

[ they spit back, harshly. ]

You don't understand.

[specialdog]

[ she does not seem upset. ]

Do the people you feel like you need to protect deserve to exist, even though they need protecting?

[globs]

Of course they do. They're my friends.

[ it's easier to say it when they're not around to hear it. ]

[specialdog]

... Then doesn't it work the other way around?

[globs]

It's more complicated than that.

[ they sink their head into their arms further. ]

If you're just going to argue with me, then leave. I'm not interested.

[specialdog]

[ Fine then. Akane goes quiet, frustrated that she can't act her way into friendship with Cinnabar.

But doesn't leave. ]

[globs]

[ why won't she leave them alone...... Cinnabar glares at her surreptitiously from the corner of their eye, then - ever so slightly - scoots away from her where they sit. ]

[specialdog]

[ Wow, rude. Akane gives them a moment, then sighs. ]

If you want to change, then change. You should be happy you're getting the chance to.

[ But have it your way. Akane exits dramatically!!! Or, at a regular pace, but still. She wants to get the last word in, and that's what matters. ]