asgardmeridiem | [Closed] One, two, three, not only you and me.

That sounds - terrible. A whole house at war. I hope nothing like that happens.

[Now the chill she feels won't be alleviated by a blanket, but she still smiles softly at the offer.]

Thanks, Johan. That's really thoughtful of you. [She accpets it and spreads a bit over her own lap, then looks at him, blushing a little - it's very intimate to offer to share it with him, but she can't just ignore him there, possibly just as cold.]

[ Silent at her gratitude, but wearing an acknowledging smile, Johan folds his hands to rest in his lap. He appears to be not picking up on Nakama's conflict about the blanket and their proximity. ]

Are the other animals at this place mutated in such a way?

[When he makes no signal, she just lays the blanket out on her lap, but with lots of room for him to accept some if he's cold. It's not inappropriate if she makes the silent offer, right?]

Mutated? [He has some dark thoughts sometimes, she thinks curiously.] Do you think they're mutated? I just thought they must come from a world where it's normal.

I suppose that depends on whether or not the other animals are similar. [ He looks ahead at the horses as he engages her in conversation, as he smiles with an expression of the most subtle pity. ]

Don't you think this world has some horrible secrets? I come from a world that does this sort of thing all the time. Why not this one? [ He looks over to Nakama again. ]

Edited 2012-01-27 21:06 (UTC)

Well, most of the other animals... no, all of the ones in the petting zoo are normal. [She hugs herself a little, looking at the horses in a whole new way.] That's... animals are the way they are for a reason. You shouldn't play with that. What if it hurts them to have those extra legs?

It probably comes with quite a few health complications. [ Though, in a place like this, it could always just be from magic. Johan pretends not to notice how uncomfortable the implications are making Nakama. ]

I have a rather serious question for you. You may answer it, or you may not. After all, we don't know who could be listening.

[She's grateful for the distraction, but even being asked if she can be asked a serious question makes her a bit nervous. He seems to be in a darker mood today, and there's no way of knowing what he could ask.]

Okay. Sure.

Do you think the Gods here truly care about their people?

[That stops her cold. Why is he thinking such terrible things all of a sudden?]

Um...

[But then she looks a little more certain.]

Kidnapping people and bringing them here to revive the place... that seems pretty desperate, doesn't it? If they didn't care, they just would've let them fade away.

But there's a difference between needing someone alive, and wanting them alive. Isn't there? [ Johan looks concerned, almost sad for the people of this world. ]

What - do you think maybe without the people and the city, the gods will fade, too?

It's strange. I almost feel afraid to speak these words aloud -- they must be listening, after all. [ He looks away from Nakama, in conflict, and seemingly to hide the emotion on his face. ]

I'm... probably alarming you. I'm sorry. I don't have anyone else I feel I can talk to.

[Suddenly she feels terrible for questioning all of these dark thoughts. Everyone must have doubts and concerns about this place, and he feels he can share them with her and only her. She can't begrudge him such misgivings.]

I've heard people say a lot worse, and they haven't been punished. I think you'll be alright.

And - it's okay. I have thoughts like this sometimes, too, about my own world. When you don't know very much, it's easy to think the worst.

[ He's silent at that for a while, nodding and staring at the back of the driver's head. ]

My friend, Jr. - he calls the gods "bastards" in full voice whenever he wants. Even over the network. And he was moved to a different God House, but nothing bad has happened to him.

[Just nattering, trying to fill the silence. She's a bit worried about this mood Johan seems to be in.]

Hm. [ He looks over at Nakama, smile returning to his face with a graceful fluidity instead of enthusiasm. ]

You're such a kind person. What a good friend you are. Don't let this place change you.

Wh - [She stares blankly, her cheeks flooding with colour. What brought that on?]

[ He places his elbow over the edge of the cart now, resting his chin in his palm as he looks at her. ]

W-Well - thank you. [She can't quite meet his eye.]

Remember what I have said just now. You make this place better for many, I'm positive. You probably have brought more life to it than anybody else. [ That's okay, his eyes will just continue to stay frozen on her. ]

[She doesn't know how to take this. She's faced nothing but criticism her entire life, and now being showered with praise - someone sharper might be suspicious, but she really just wants people to like her, so this is too much like a dream to question.]

I-I'll remember. [She sounds like she could cry.]

[ Johan's smile fades, for a moment, as a wave of sympathy seems to rush over him. The smile that returns now is far more caring -- almost paternal, as he reaches for her hand gently. ]

When you begin to believe what I'm saying, you won't have to cry anymore.

[Again he knows - he knows exactly why it's upsetting instead of uplifting. But this time, she doesn't suspect him of anything. She just smiles sadly.]

You're working against a lot of time hearing the opposite. I'm sorry.

[ He gives her hand a small squeeze of support, before releasing it. ] Well, I'm sure we can help each other out. How long have you been here?

[Her smile warms a little.]

Well, I got here on the first day, so it's been... I think today is the twenty-fourth day?

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