Who wants to go home?

[paradisamods]

[It's been a long and busy past few days, and the giraffes of Terre Haute can sense the uneasiness among the weary travelers. Though some may not quite grasp why, others have a better sense of what's going on.

The three most vocal giraffes approach the group, who seems eager to depart. It seems they have a parting gift for the group, as well as a rather generous offer.]


[RAFFLE'S GIFT | BARRY'S OFFER | RAFFY'S SEND OFF | THE RIDE HOME]

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

Stop that. I know what that smirk is all about.

And that's the plan.

[ino]

What smirk? I'm just appreciating your song.

[ensorceler]

[ Assumes these two are lovers from the way Ino keeps giving the Once-ler that weird look. Smirks herself.

NOW KISS. ]

[whichwayyoulean]

Nuh uh. That's the 'I'm planning things' smirk. [Finger point] I know that smirk, Ino. I spend a good deal of my time living in fear of it.

[ino]

Hmm.

[ SHUT UP ANNE. she keeps the sweet tone and the smile, but ... why is it suddenly scary to look at ]

You're right. What I really meant to use was my "you're in big trouble" smile.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Yeah, suddenly his smile fades because that is a sign to start running. He glances at the ground, considering his chances of jumping off and not breaking his legs in the process]

...What did I do this time?

[ino]

[ your chances are zero and she knows it 8) ]

I just had a very enlightening talk with Zelos about why you two haven't said a word to each other this whole trip.

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh. That.

[Figuring he's doomed to whatever fate she lays down on him, he just slouches in his seat, plucking the strings of his guitar a little]

Yeah well. I finally hurt one of you bad enough to walk away from me. Which, actually, I did warn you all would happen multiple times. [His eyebrows furrow a little] I'm almost relieved he's finally seen sense. At least now I can't upset him any more.

[ino]

Are you retarded?

[ she drops the smile, just looking annoyed now ]

He doesn't hate you, and he hasn't "walked away" or whatever you've invented in your head. He's just mad because you were being a huge jerk! Remember how I told you to apologize while they were upset?

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh yeah. That thing he didn't do]

He was already gone by that point and has been avoiding me since then. [He sighs, fingers drumming on the base of his guitar] It doesn't matter anyway, because everything he said? He was right. I'm not an idiot, you know [yep that insult to his intelligence sure left a mark, it's the one thing he knows he HAS got] I'm aware that I'm selfish and push other people out of the picture. But I don't know how to fix that, and I'm not entirely sure if I even can.

So I stand by what I said. He's better off without me. You all would be.

[ino]

[ a bit of an exasperated noise. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO DIFFICULT. ]

Enough with that crap, I know you don't mean it!

[ well, maybe he does. but she knows, at the very least, he doesn't TRULY want to be alone. so now, more seriously: ]

Do you care about him at all?

[whichwayyoulean]

[Because he is one of most difficult men in existence]

Except I do. Otherwise I wouldn't keep saying it.

[He doesn't, of course. The thought of being alone terrifies him, but he also knows it's his penance. It's what he deserves. Her question does pull him out of his misery long enough to look at her in surprise]

What? Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?

[ino]

[ IGNORES THAT COMMENT. SHE KNOWS YOU BETTER THAN THAT, MISTER. :/ ]

If you both care about each other, then there's no reason you should be acting petty and stupid. Both of you will regret it if that's the last thing you get to say to each other.

[ because either of them could go home at any moment, she knows that all too well ]

So! No more of this bitching and moaning about how you deserved it. Zelos is upset because he thinks you don't care about anyone else, and I know that's not true. Prove him wrong!

[whichwayyoulean]

...Maybe.

[Sadly, the Once-ler had been swayed to that side of thinking...except that did not know the exact reason for Zelos being upset, and so, his frown deepens]

That's what he's angry about?

[ino]

[ she nods ]

That's what he said.

Which ... you know, after that post you made ... it wouldn't be too hard to get that idea.

[whichwayyoulean]

[That frown sure isn't going anywhere]

And I need to prove that I can...what? Be a decent person? That's what he wants? Actual solid evidence?

[His tone is not a happy one. Not even a tiny little bit]

[ino]

[ ... it's creepy, because that was basically the exact wording, so she looks a little surprised, but-- ]

Show him that you value him. As a friend, and as a person.

[whichwayyoulean]

So it's about me proving that I can care about him? [Proving that he can be GOOD ENOUGH is what keeps creeping into his mind and lodging in there]

[ino]

[ a bit of an exasperated sigh ]

It's about you proving that you realize your own happiness and sadness is not the only thing at stake here. That you want to apologize and make up because he's upset, not just because you feel guilty that you upset him.

[whichwayyoulean]

...But if I don't feel guilty about him being upset, me apologising to him about it wouldn't be sincere? I mean...you can't say 'I'm sorry' for something if you're not.

I am, but that's besides the point. Whatever happens in these situations, your own feelings are at stake too, or they wouldn't be real feelings.

[ino]

[ RUBS HER TEMPLES ]

Zelos asked you why you were sorry about what happened at home, didn't he?

[whichwayyoulean]

[No Ino why are you bringing this up]

...Yeah?

[ino]

And you told him that it was because you felt bad that you drove off your friends. Right?

[whichwayyoulean]

Given that it meant I'm going to face five decades of being absolutely alone? Yeah. But I told him it was because it hurt them. They actually cared about me, trusted me, and I betrayed them.

[Like he will with her, with all of them, he wants to say, but even he knows this is not the time for that]

[ino]

So, if they weren't your friends, if you never cared about them at all ... would you still have felt bad?