week two | dates

[marriagebroker]

Kiss the girl~!

Or guy.

Or person.

Or Messmer's snake.

Comments

[researcherstory]

... Yes, we do, but that makes it all the harder.

[ Pairing them off appropriately. ]

Especially as you are one of those that aren't as open as you seem, Maya.

[scooptimistic]

Well?

[ She tilts her head, dunking in more bread. ]

Ask me what you want, then.

[researcherstory]

Have you always been so positive, or do you need to be positive?

[ Positivity or bust, after all. And she has plenty of both. ]

[scooptimistic]

Mm.

[ Good question. ]

I think I was always a pretty cheerful kid, but it was my dad who didn't want me to cry when he left to cover a war. I think after that, I sort of developed the mindset that I should always be smiling. It became easier to find the bright spots in anything, after that.

[researcherstory]

You don't neglect the rest of your emotions, do you? Pain and sadness are as much of us as the rest, and a sun that always shines bleaches that which it warms.

[ It isn't good, is what she means. ]

[scooptimistic]

...

[ A sigh. ]

I told our final boss of sorts that I was very sad. Does that help?

[researcherstory]

[ Their final boss "of sorts"...? ]

Speaking manifests, so yes. It does. And have you sought to remedy your sadness, or simply cover it up so no one worries?

[ ... Listen, she knows from experience. Her tone says as much. She has two at home the same way. ]

[scooptimistic]

Both. I hate to admit it, but it's not the easiest habit to break.

[ Even for a determinator like Maya. ]

[researcherstory]

No, it's not.

[ It's easier just to do what one's always done after all, especially if it works. Even if it isn't good for you. ]

You said your father left to cover a war. Is he why you became a journalist?

[scooptimistic]

Partly. Mostly. I did end up following in his footsteps... I wonder what he'd think.

[ About his kid following him in that same line of work. About her reasons. ]

[researcherstory]

[ Hmm. So she doesn't know, whether by distance or... ]

You don't think he'd be proud of you?

[scooptimistic]

He died when I was a little kid. So no. No idea.

[researcherstory]

[ Yes, indeed. The other "or". ]

Hm. It's certainly hard to say then, even imagining.

[ But they can hope he would. ]

I for one think it nice you did. It feels... as if you're carrying his spirit with you, in a way.