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]

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?

[whichwayyoulean]

[Sorry, Ino, he's looking at you like you've grown an extra head]

Ino, I destroyed an entire ecosystem. I messed up the future for people I'll never meet. Of course I would have still felt bad. I still do feel bad. You think I just sit in my tower wallowing in self loathing over nothing?

[His frown softens] The fact they were my friends just made it worse.

[ino]

[ SHE knows that, but ... ]

I know that, but Zelos doesn't.

[whichwayyoulean]

...How does he not know that? I told him my story.

[He even sounds a touch hurt. After all, only those he truly, honestly trusts even get to hear the story from the man himself]

[ino]

But you made an entry in the journal about how nobody could have it worse than you, and then told him you felt bad about all that because it drove away your friends. Can you see how that would make you look really bad?

[whichwayyoulean]

[He squints a little. HE'S TRYING]

Generally I kind of look really bad anyway.

[ino]

[ annoyed ]

You're completely missing the point, here!

[whichwayyoulean]

Probably? [He looks confused, INO HELP]

[ino]

Don't you see how acting like that makes people think you don't care about anyone else?

[whichwayyoulean]

[He shrugs]

It's how I've always been, Ino. I've explained this to you guys. A lot.

1/2

[ino]

[ clenches her fists ... ]

[ino]

[ and then smacks him on the head LMFAO ]

[whichwayyoulean]

[He yelps, rubbing his head]

Okay- OW! Because violence is the answer here. Gosh I have seen the error of my ways now.

[ino]

[ she shoves him ]

You're such an idiot! Even with all that knowledge you have, you're a total idiot!

[whichwayyoulean]

Again: OW!

[He rolls his eyes a little, before frowning ahead of them]

What is it exactly I'm supposed to do here?

[ino]

Didn't you hear me when we talked before?? You aren't just stuck in place like some sort of rock! Instead of always saying that's just how you are and there's nothing that can be done, you've got to try!

[whichwayyoulean]

[He lets out a quiet huff] Because god forbid me just being me is good enough for anyone.

But sure, fine, why not. I'll try to be different.

[ino]

[ she folds her arms across her chest ]

We wouldn't be friends if I didn't care about you as you are. You know you can still be yourself without hurting people's feelings unnecessarily.