sketchingideals | 14th sketch - [video/action, backdated slightly to this morning]

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14th sketch - [video/action, backdated slightly to this morning]

[Morning comes.

Jeb gets himself out of bed, plans out in his head what he's going to make for him and Silver for breakfast, gets dressed... and as he's fiddling with the clasp of his bracelet, it dawns on him.

He's been wearing this thing consistently for almost a year. It'll have been a year in a couple of weeks, and he's still wearing a bracelet given to him by someone he was never in love with in the first place. All for the sake of reminding himself of a promise he made.

He still believes in that promise.

Maybe he's foolish for that, too. Or maybe he didn't want to leave Mithos alone because that's his own fear. Being abandoned and left behind for people more impressive, people more good than him.

It scares him. He'd never do it to anyone else--even if they wanted him to.

He has the chance to start over now, doesn't he? ...but if he takes it, does it make him manipulative? Maybe he should get advice on that. After making himself a little more presentable, he makes a video post.]

[Video]

Good morning, everyone! I hope you're all doing well today. I have a question for you all, and it's probably going to sound a little weird. But I hope it doesn't sound too weird, because maybe it's something a lot of people want deep down. Who knows?

Anyway, if you got the chance to start over with someone you know or knew, would you? Or does that seem wrong to you?

Thanks to anyone who answers!

[Action]

[A little later on, Jeb's making a quick run to the flower shop. It may be winter, but ever since his elemental powers awakened, he's felt more at peace around plant life. Feel free to catch him while he looks around!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What's wrong with giving someone a second chance? Or taking a second chance someone has given you? I know there are a lot of different circumstances, but...if both sides are willing to try, then why not?

[Jeb's heart nearly stops. He suddenly wishes, very much, that he had done this anonymously. But still responds to Mithos, and he responds as if nothing's wrong.]

What if they decide, later on, to change their mind?

[He contemplates for a moment.] Then...you at least tried, right?

[That much would be true, wouldn't it?]

Well, yes. I guess the important thing is that I tried in the first place. [He shouldn't be comforted by Mithos' words, considering everything... but he is, and he can't help it.] I don't know why I'm so worried. I'm usually not. I... usually try my best without questioning at all. [He hates that he's questioning anything in the first place.] I guess things are just so different here than they are back home, and I'm still not used to it!

Mithos... do you ever think we could be really good friends? [W-W-Wait where did that come from?] I... I'm sorry, that must seem like a weird thing for me to ask.

Edited 2013-02-05 05:40 (UTC)

[Hold on, he's going to rush past most of what you said and latch onto that last bit.] You really want to be friends with me?

[They had sat at the fountain and eaten together, and they had talked for a while, but he still has to ask, because it wasn't long ago that friendship was foreign to him.]

Of course I do! [His smile is bright, mood suddenly uplifted. It's not as if Mithos has been the only one to encourage him to try anyway, and he... really wants this, so much. Maybe it'll end badly later, but he'll never know unless he goes for it.] Why wouldn't I? Everyone deserves friends, and I've already told you that you being different doesn't matter to me.

[So they're friends now...] I've never had a friend my own age before.

[That surprises him, and he wonders if the same is true for the Mithos he knows more. Nevertheless, he just smiles more.]

I'm glad I could change that for you, Mithos! People around our own age... well, there are some things only we can understand about each other, right?

Right... [He wouldn't know, actually...!] I love my sister, and I'm grateful for Kratos and Yuan, and I care about them and respect them... [Yes, even Yuan sometimes.] But I've always wanted someone who's more like me to talk to.

Well, you can always talk to me. [His voice is soft, sincere.] Whatever you want to talk about, Mithos--you can always come to me about it. Then you'll have someone like that.

[He hopes he's making at least a little bit of sense, here.]

I'd...really like that, Jeb. [He has a friend...a friend who isn't twice his age!]

Then I'm even more happy to do it for you. [...it doesn't matter if Mithos goes back to exactly the way he was after this. For now, Jeb can finally be there for him the way he promised he would.]

Can I ask you something, then?

Of course. What is it, Mithos?

You've been here for more than a year, haven't you? [A space of silence.] How do you handle being away from your family and friends for that long?

I...

[He sorts through his thoughts before continuing.]

I was able to go back for a year during part of that time, but when I returned here only a few hours had passed. To be honest, returning made me miss my friends and family more. [He still doesn't know what he'll return home to.] No one from home is here except me, either. But... I guess the way I handle it is by making new friends, doing my best to make them happy, and keeping everyone from home as close to my heart as possible.

I think that's amazing.

I've only been here a few days, and it's still just sinking in that my sister isn't here with me. And... [It's scary.] I miss her already. But I've met a lot of people here who are really kind, and who I want to know better, so...I'll try to stay focused on that instead.

You... really thank it's amazing? Thank you.

[He's never really thought it was.]

I think as long as you do stay focused on that, you'll be fine. [Smiles.] And I'm sure you can.

[He smiles again, grateful for Jeb's encouragement. Grateful that he has a friend who will encourage him...]

I have all these opportunities here that I never had in my world...I'm going to take advantage of them while I can. [Do not despair, and choose the path that leads to a quiet life.]

I'm glad. I'm really glad to hear that! I think... I'll try harder to do that myself, too. [He hopes he can.]

You mean with this second chance you've been given? [He's curious about what that might be about, but is it his place to pry?]

A-Ah... [He hesitates to answer at first. Had... Mithos figured it out? No, that couldn't be it. Eventually, he does respond.] Yes, at least partially!

[He...didn't seem to want to talk about the specifics too much, did he...] I hope that goes well for you, Jeb.

I hope it does too, Mithos. I really do. There have been so many things I wish they would understand, and... m-maybe they will, now.

If they don't understand, then help them to understand. I don't know anything about your situation with this person, but understanding can take a long time. [This is something he's had to tell himself, a lot, when he gets frustrated with the slowness of change.] If you're patient, and if you keep trying, things can change.