compnetwork | 001 [video]

[The video flips on and a young boy with golden blonde hair and somber blue eyes blinks slowly into the camera for a few moments. His speech is hesitant and his manner apologetic.]

Hi.

I, um... I think this is working now. Can anyone hear me? ...I'm sorry if I'm not doing this right; I've never used anything like this before. But they said this was how I could communicate with everyone, so... hello.

[He shifts uneasily as he speaks, though he manages a small smile as he introduces himself; his gaze falls now on a point just slightly right of the camera. Technology was not something he was terribly familiar with using - or ever really wanted to be.]

My name is Lucas. And it's very nice to meet all of you. I guess I'm using this now, because I... I'm happy to be here and help, I am, but I don't think I really understand why I'm here. I mean, I do understand about the monsters and the 'demons' and all of that kind of thing, and... of course, I want to help, but what I mean is... I'm not sure I understand why me and why... now. I-I know it's a bit selfish, but I...

I'm very tired.

Do you think I can go home for a little bit before I start here? I promise I'll come back and help; it's just -- you see, the thing is, I sort of needed to see if there was a home to go back to, still, and then this happened, and I really should... check.

[He swallows, and his eyes flicker to his feet as his speech becomes ever more incoherent.]

Um. Sorry, that didn't come out right at all. It's not like that -- I mean, it is, a little bit, but not very; it all should be fine, I just -- Oh!

...I'm sorry. This wasn't how this was supposed to go.

[He blinks hard and brushes briefly at his eyes before reaching to fiddle with the COMP, trying to turn it off. It will take him some time to be successful.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've read a number of stories like that in traditional mythologies. Quite often, the destruction of a world is immediately followed by its rebirth, in a sort of universal karmic cycle.

[Lucas's reaction is a slight jolt of surprise as he swings his head up to look her straight in the eyes.]

...W-What do you mean by that?

You're not saying... this kind of thing happens often?

Well, they're just stories. But even myths tend to have a kernel of truth in them somewhere. They're created to explain natural occurrences, after all.

Natural...?

['Natural'... wasn't that what his journey had been about? Changing things back to the way they used to be. The way they were supposed to be. Was that what the dragon was about?

Returning man to a more innocent state... A more natural state. The way he was always meant to be.]

I don't know if this is very natural...

But you're right. The Dragon is supposed to destroy the world and recreate it as the reflection of the heart of the one who called him.

Then there shouldn't be anything to worry about, as long as that person is firm in his convictions.

[Fumi should know - she's seen it happen firsthand.]

...But how can anyone ever be sure of that? No matter how firm you might think your convictions are, isn't there always a part of you you can't ever really know?

No one is perfect. No one should have to be perfect.

You don't need to be perfect to have strong convictions. I'm personally acquainted with at least half a dozen deeply flawed individuals who nonetheless have some very strong beliefs.

I guess, then...

How can you know if your convictions really reflect your heart or if you're fooling yourself?

I think most people have a fairly good idea of what it is they really want.

...

[Lucas is silent for a few moments. It seems he wasn't conveying his fears adequately... Or perhaps she just didn't seem to think it was an issue. After a bit, he speaks again.]

...Well. In any case, the worst that could have happened shouldn't have come to pass. The world will be recreated... somehow. So that's something to be thankful for...

[It's the second thing, really. That and the fact that Fumi doesn't fully appreciate what it's like to feel fundamentally unsure of oneself. She's always worked very hard at what she wanted, and met with great success at nearly every turn. She doesn't sympathize well with anyone who lacks self-confidence.]

So what kind of world did you ask the Dragon to create, then?

I-I never said it was me!

[was it really that obvious]

I -- It was... I was helping this person who -- He, um... went on this journey to wake the Dragon, and I... was also there.

[Despite Lucas's many talents, lying was not one of them.]

...Well, what did he ask for, then?

[Whatever, if playing along is what he needs her to do, then that's fine.]

...I don't know.

[His voice is even softer, if possible.]

The Dragon isn't like that. It doesn't ask. It doesn't test you. It probably isn't even a real dragon. It just... awakens.

Hmm. Well, it probably turned out all right.

I know you're probably trying to make me feel better, but you weren't even there...

[No she wasn't]

No, but I've experienced something rather similar.

...What do you mean?

Presenting one's desires to an inscrutable being of unimaginable power in order to recreate the world according to those wishes.

...

[He would ask her whether or not this was actually some kind of common occurrence, but she wouldn't know. Lucas furrows his brow for a moment or two.]

...And it worked out alright?

It worked wonderfully.

[Although the world they got out of it would probably not agree with Lucas at all.]

Oh.

[Lucas will slowly process this with a few small nods.]

Thanks.

Um. ...I mean, I still can't help worrying about my world, but... that helped. Thank you.

[Still. 'Wishing' wasn't the same as what was in your heart, was it? But for now, he would have to cling to what security he could find.]

You're quite welcome.

...

[After a few moments of silence, he offers a small smile.]

I'm Lucas, by the way. I don't know if I said it yet...

[He had.]

You did, but that's fine. Fumi Kanno.

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