theafflicted | 06

06 - week six

WEEK SIX

Sunday starts with more aches and pains than you might be used to. Florence patched people up after Saturday’s lesson, sure, but it’s not a complete cure - not to mention it doesn’t ease the sting of betrayal. Some classmates that you thought would cooperate wound up breaking your trust in the end, and this week will be interesting with the fallout.

It’s hard to say what this week will have in store otherwise. Things are changing, and it’s not clear what this means for all of you. On the bright side, however, the creatures and places you once knew from home have suddenly disappeared, so that's less that you need to worry about. There are new areas for you to look at as well.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

FLORENCE / LORELEI

FULL NAV

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( she'd hug florence if they weren't busy being cute and also battling tables and stuff, honestly. she's been good, she hasn't doted in a hot minute on anyone but this is temping-

anyways! she'll help with that, then. )

This is a sweet idea. I'm sure the others will enjoy it.

I would hope so. I know this past... lesson did not go as intended, but I had hoped to discuss any possible concerns that may have caused.

[Shizuku is welcome to dote, even if Florence probably won't Get It.

The help will be good, though, so they can actually get things ready sooner rather than later.]

( once more tables are ready, shizuku has set out a bowl and spoon at each one. she's helping!! )

Yes, it was... a little rough.

( she didn't even get as severe a shock as she could have and she still finds herself feeling a bit... numb. )

[...

Florence looks down at the bowls, quiet for a long moment.]

It was not supposed to be.

( oh-- shizuku pulls florence over for a hug, it's hug time now florence. )

I believe you.

[!!!????]

Ah?

[This is their life now.]

--Have you never had a hug before, Florence?

( it sure is because she's not letting go. )

Not that I can recall, no.

[but it's not an attack, so they'll allow it.]

Oh! Well. I'm happy to be your first, but I'm sorry I startled you! It was... a bit instinctual, I thought it might comfort you since you seemed upset.

I was not startled. I cannot feel startled.

[Totally.]

I simply was unaware why you would do such a thing of your own volition, but now I understand.

You certainly seemed startled! ... There's nothing wrong with having been surprised, Florence. But I'll let you go now.

Thank you, Miss Hinomori.

[...]

Do you like ice cream?

[they're doing their best to be normal]

( ohhh she's so proud of them... )

I do! I like matcha and peach and strawberry. Are you able to have ice cream, Florence?

I cannot taste anything, no, and I have no way to digest or process food.

[Sorry, Shizuku. :(]

Oh... in some stories, androids are able to.

( there are no sorries here though, shizuku ruffles florence's hair lightly and looks over the preparations. )

Is there anything else that needs to be done...?

Are you familiar with many stories about androids...?

[They look around the room.]

I think we are as prepared as we may get.

A few, yes. People like to explore what it means to be humans through characters discovering their own humanity, especially where it should be impossible.

( but if they're all ready, she'll have a seat and wait for the others. )

So they are simply stories... for humans to feel good about themselves?

[Which is probably a completely wild interpretation, but. That's what Florence reached, apparently.

But the prep is all about handled, so it's time to sit and maybe have more weird, awkward convos with Florence if she wants.]

To understand themselves. All stories have a purpose, Florence- they help you work out and communicate feelings, process events that have occurred... when you write, I think you're working out part of yourself, and offering the outcome to whoever else may need that as well when you choose to share it.

... Which, I suppose does equate to feeling good about themselves on some level, but not always.

[Florence is quiet for a moment, as if considering all of this. It's not clear what they think about this with their face as impassive as it always is, but...]

I see. I think I understand, then, why storytelling is so important to humans. I thought it was merely for the entertainment...

[...]

Do you write, then, Miss Hinomori?

Some stories are... but there's something to learn from so many stories. Thoughts, feelings, morals... I've seen other girls find the strength to stand up for themselves in stories.

( at their question, she shakes her head. )

Not exactly. I do read quite a bit but my writing is in songs and music, not traditional stories.

Songs and music are still a powerful form of human expression, are they not? Or are they not as good for exploration of subjects such as identity and humanity?

When you put it that way...

They are, yes. Poetry, too. I was writing a song before all of this happened, actually. I'm still working on it a little- it's... something I'm still trying to work on, actually. It was something that came to me while I was struggling with something. I couldn't decide on if I should be my true self, or continue following a script while engaging with my fans.

( to let someone else color her over, or to let her true colors shine. )

I see... And did you decide to be your true self? That sounds like it would be the most difficult option, from what I have learned of idols since the three of you arrived here.

I did. And yes, it will be. I'm... considered clumsy and airheaded, I know. When I said something that didn't suit their image of for the first time, I got a lot of backlash.

( just thinking of it still hurts. "this isn't shizuku", they said- and for an unconventional workout drink. but she shakes her head, clearing her thoughts. )

But I spent so long living a lie with those scripts that made me out to be perfect, and it was suffocating. I felt like I'd been walking on a tightrope over a pit of spikes, and the slightest mistake could be devastating. I never want to live like that again. And... the majority expressed an interest in getting to know the real me, too.

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