comeatmibro | seventeenth fault; video

[ The feed opens in the capable (if somewhat irresponsible) hands (claws?) of a cheerful-looking Axew. He bares his tusks for the camera in a grin, then turns it around to face the water off the beach of Cinnabar.

Miyuki wades thigh-deep in it a few yards away, stooped over and feeling around on the bottom with both hands. She glances at the 'Gear after a second and grins, sheepish. ]

Dropped my new badge.

[ Turning her eyes to the sky, she says: ] Been here a year today. I'm, like... eleven now.

[ She straightens, holding something shiny between her fingers. The sharp-sighted might recognize it as a bottle cap. With a frown, she tucks it into the pocket of her shorts and keeps searching. ]

I've seen a lot of dudes come and go, too. Friends and stuff, and also jerks. [ The insult doesn't have much bite to it. ] My brother.

People just up and leave, y'know? No warning or anything. I hate it. I'm... tired of it. How are you supposed to have friends or, like, even talk to people? As soon as you start — aha! [ She stops, raising her hands from the water again. This time, she's holding the Volcano Badge.

She dips it in the water once before she wades toward the shore. The camera tracks her progress with much shaking. Flopping on the sand just out of reach of the tide, she drags her bag to her and rummages inside for her badge case. ]

What was I saying? ... Oh.

[ Nestling the Volcano Badge in with the other thirteen — every badge except Viridian and Pewter (of all things) — she continues: ] A girl's just gotta depend on herself, I guess. Anyone else could just disappear or whatever.

[ She sounds a little sad and a lot resigned, though she's trying for nonchalant. The badges catch the sun as she tilts the case back and forth, studying them. ]

It gets kinda boring traveling by yourself, though.

[ Slowly, the camera's viewpoint begins to change. It rises higher, a scant inch at a time, and then becomes inexplicably wobbly. The sound of feet sloshing through water can be heard in the background, and the camera begins gradually moving further away from Miyuki. ]

Maybe after I get these two badges, I'll chill for a while. Work or something, maybe get, like, a house.

[ The camera teeters violently, then careens sideways, earning a squawking 'Xew!' from the cameramon, who — miraculously — catches the 'Gear before it hits the water. ]

Hey! Stupid! Gimme that!

[ The haphazard view of the water suddenly spins, revealing sky, then sand and surf and Miyuki's bare feet splashing into the shallows just before the feed cuts. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, doesn't this sound familiar.]

There's a lot that could be said about the subject. What I've found is that most of it can be condensed down to this:

People, things - they do come and go. That's the nature of life. That everything comes to an end eventually doesn't make it any less valuable.

[But...]

You're eleven years old, you said?...Someone your age shouldn't have to know this, yet.

[ :c ]

[ She looks a little chagrined, but shrugs it off. ]

Yeah, well... eleven is old enough for life to suck. And it does, kinda.

I'm sorry for that.

[He takes off his glasses.]

Your struggle is with...how to depend on people in these circumstances, you said? It isn't easy. It's the better choice, the right choice for your own sake, but easy is the last thing it is.

...If you'd like this to be filtered, I can do so.

[ The idea of filtering is tempting, but when she thinks about it— ]

Whatever. I think everyone knows I'm a big dumb girl already, anyway.

Why is it the right choice to depend on people? Isn't it better if you don't need anyone? Aren't you stronger?

There's a kernel of truth in that. It is good to be self-sufficient, and it benefits you and those around you that you are able to handle your own problems. It also is good to not be completely dependent on others - on their approval, or or on their need, or on their support, because someone who relies on others for everything will never learn to be their own person.

But to be "stronger" for never allowing yourself to rely on someone? Mm...I don't think so. Certainly, it would save you the pain of separation. But one does not become strong by avoiding the bad parts of life.

[ There were at least two words in there that she didn't recognize, but she manages to grasp the message. That last line seems like the most important — it catches her attention and holds it.

Slowly, nodding: ] Yeah... that's right. I wouldn't be as strong as I am if nothing bad had ever happened to me.

[He nods, quickly smiling.]

Having to watch people leave never stops hurting. I would be concerned for you if it did. But the process...the challenge, rather, is learning how to turn that hurt into something that gives you strength, instead of allowing it to rob you of strength. Does that make sense?

[ She nods again, more readily this time. A challenge is something she understands, and growing stronger is, too. ]

I don't know if I... like... understand how to turn it into something else. But... I've gotten hurt before, and bad things have happened, and I'm stronger now because of it. So maybe I just know how to do it without thinking about it. Like breathing, or walking.

Then you're already off to a decent start.

I think every person approaches loss in a different way. Some people can be content with only memories. Others need to take the energy of grieving and put it into purposeful action. So whatever you do, don't force yourself against your character. And if something doesn't work, don't be ashamed to abandon the attempt for a different approach.

[ More words she didn't quite catch, but she put it together all right. ]

So, like... I should just do what I always do, and I'll be okay, right?

I believe you will.

Thanks, Mister.

seventeenth fault; video

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