week 0, wednesday morning

[disilluded]

[Sometimes you're just distracted by the threat of impending death by the sound of armor clanking.

Which is enough to get Sousei to go on the prowl down the hallway, expression contemplative more than alarmed, and then--

There's...

Definitely a suit of armor.

And maybe half of a scrawny teenager beneath the suit of armor that Sousei feels looks a little familiar.

...A beat, and:]

What are you doing?

Comments

[disilluded]

Being willing is the first step towards succeeding.

[So really, he thinks that's great.]

Most of all, we must not give in to despair, and we must not give up hope.

[resumed]

[A long....long pause.]

I might not be the best person for that, truthfully, but I can probably find you people who are good at it.

[disilluded]

[...Hm.]

Do you not believe in your ability to hold onto hope...? Or are you simply prone to despair?

[resumed]

I...[Well?] Both, maybe. What's it matter if I know that?

[disilluded]

[... Hm.]

It does not necessarily matter, no. "Know", though... is it not simply "believe"?

[resumed]

No. [...well.] I believe maybe hope can occur, but I know misery is more likely. Does that make sense?

[disilluded]

There is nothing to be ashamed about for being a cynic.

[Quite frankly...]

[resumed]

I have people who would tell me otherwise. [A half-smile.] But we'll see, won't we?

[He looks away.] Maybe I'll be proven wrong.

[disilluded]

Perhaps.

[They have no way of knowing, but Sousei suspects, unfortunately, that Nico is not going to be proven wrong at all.]

We shall see indeed.

[resumed]

[A nod. And a pause.]

...I've heard the doors are open downstairs. People keep coming back to the castle and leaving again. Are you going to go?

[disilluded]

Yes.

If there is even a slight possibility of finding a way out, I must try.

[He's at least consistent!]

[resumed]

Then let's get going. [He'll even walk out of the armory first like Sousei didn't catch him in the first place. Come along, Sousei, let's head off and out.]