.5 | video;

[dualbladepaladin]

filter // away from pascal

[Hubert looks a bit downcast today, and as he speaks he does so with a much softer tone than most people would be used to from him.]

I have a... strange question, but I'm hoping for some answers none the less.

How does one... move on from being hopelessly in love? When it's clear that nothing you do will ever make the tides turn in your favor, what would be the next logical step?

[He stops for a moment, as if to say more, but simply bows his head gratefully.]

Thank you for your time...

filter // graces house

I've noticed our home is getting a bit crowded as of late. Rather than make a big deal over it, I have decided to move. I know there will be some protests, but there is a nice two bedroom just down the way, about three houses from ours. I will be fine living alone, so please don't make a fuss over my decision.

Comments

[dualbladepaladin]

[Slow blink.]

Original?

[No one has explained replicas to him yet, obviously.]

[replicatedcourage]

I was made to take his place, but he's more like my brother now.

[Sola's life is complicated.]

[dualbladepaladin]

... I see.

[Kind of. All he can really equate it to is Humanoids and how they're more or less manufactured beings. And Sophie having her own sentience and free will...

Well. It's close. Right?]

[replicatedcourage]

[Actually it's pretty close, only as if a Humanoid had been created to take the place of a person.]

So yeah. I think you should try that since it works. Just don't try and make her love you because that's the wrong way to do things. Stay away from roofs.

[He learned his lesson.]

[dualbladepaladin]

... roofs?

[... what? Okay, just... not going to ask.]

I will... do my best, I suppose. I have no intentions of forcing her in to anything.

[replicatedcourage]

Well of course not! You can't force someone to love you, even if you try. It kind of sucks.

[It'd be easier if you could, even if it's wrong...]

[dualbladepaladin]

I wouldn't want to. If I did such a thing she wouldn't be herself, and that would defeat the purpose of me ever having feelings for her in the first place.

[replicatedcourage]

I never thought of it like that...

[Hmm...]

Well still. I hope it goes okay and you meet someone else who makes you really happy like I did.

[He smiles at Hubert quite earnestly.]

[dualbladepaladin]

I'm not holding my breath...

[He's going to be honest about it. There's no point in not being honest at this point.]

But... thank you, and I will try, if nothing else.