towerofanimus | Glamour Failure

[Brushing her off wouldn't have disappointed her. It would have been a normal reaction, and Tohko would have understood. At those words though, Tohko sighed.]

I know how you feel. This is pretty terrible, and I don't think anyone was expecting it. However..you are strong enough to handle this. I know you are! Even if you don't feel like it right now, I'm sure you'll pull through. Just find something that you still know to be true and hold onto it. Keep on running, like Melos.

[ Why are you so nice?! Tavros didn't know how to process all those kind and encouraging sentiments, and his brain is literally malfunctioning. Trolls are weird. Trolls can't handle raging emotions when they are in panic mode. You're killing him, Tohko.

Between juggling his emotions and trying to form words that didn't make him sound like a complete loser, Tavros decided to take a safe round and ask a question instead. ]

W-Who's Melos? It sounds like a person, and that's why I asked about it ...

[ Smooth. ]

[Because that's how Tohko was when crisis came knocking and people panicked. When others needed help, she would try to shove past her own fears and help them out.

However, sadly, Tohko didn't know enough about these trolls to know that her statements were really weird and probably not that helpful. At the question, Tohko smiled.]

He's the main character from the story Run, Melos! by Osamu Dazai. In the story, Melos goes to the market of a nearby kingdom to buy a gift for his sisters wedding. However, when he hears that the king of the town is unjust and corrupt, his sense of justice is ignited, and he tries to break into the castle to kill the king. However, Melos is easily caught, and sentenced to death.

Melos, wanting to see his sister be married before he dies, makes a bargain with the king. He can see his sister be married off, since the wedding will be tomorrow, but if he doesn't get back in town the day after, his best friend will be killed. And so, Melos takes off, runs all the way to his hometown, catches his breath at the wedding, and then starts his return run. But, after awhile, he got sweaty and decided to take a dip in the nearby stream. However, while he was waiting for his clothes to dry, he fell asleep, and when he woke up, the sun was starting to set.

Not even bothering to get dressed, Melos hurried, hoping that he would be in time to save his best friend, hoping that he wouldn't die. He ran buck naked into the kingdom to find that they were just setting up the execution ring for his friend. His act of friendship is so moving that the king completely turns over a new leaf.

[ He loved stories. He loved reading and listening to stories. If this kid had anything special in him, it would be his colorful imagination. It was so easy to forget about his surroundings for a moment there, simply listening to the girl as she spoke.

There were times where Tavros was confused, the slight tilt of his head was a clear indication, but he didn't dare to interrupt. By the time the story ended, he took a few seconds to process the whole thing. ]

Okay, I kinda like his loyalty and bravery, but-- I guess it was pretty stupid of him to stand up against a king all by himself! Don't you think?

[ It was pretty hypocritical of Tavros to say such a thing, considering his own death, and how he went out against a powerful godtier in hope of protecting his friends. He knew he was going to die, and I guess Melos felt the same way in some point, but it was still worth the effort. ]

[Tohko wasn't a book girl for show. When reading, she could forget that she was standing close enough to kiss someone, and it was common for her to interpret literature a bit different than others sometimes if the different interpretation was accurate and would help them. At the question, she smiled.

She had often thought that when she was a bit younger. After reading a bit..she understood the reason.]

It may have been a little foolish of him..but Melos was so concerned about his countrymen and his sense of justice was so high that he didn't really care or think about the consequences of his failure. He just wanted to try and do the right thing.

[ He stayed quiet for a long time before muttering. ]

What is the ... right thing to do?

[ The hesitation in his tone was rather obvious, as if he wasn't allowed to ask this girl such a question. It wasn't her responsibility to guide him, but he was completely lost to the point he didn't even mind sharing his burden with others. Selfish, yes, but he also trusted her for some reason. ]

Where do we go from now?

[As Tohko spoke, she patted Tavros on the head. She didn't know that he didn't think her responsible for his problems, but she was always willing to help out people when they were down, especially friends. Oddly enough, she sported a genuine, warm smile as she spoke.]

I don't know exactly where we'll end up Tavros. But I can say this: we should keep running forward and try to shake off our chains and our oppressors for good. Even if we'll get hurt, and even if we may accidentally put others at risk..it is the right thing to do.

[ The right thing to do. Oh man, he wished it was that easy, and he really wished that he was strong enough to do it. He keeps his head low, relishing the feel of her fingers over his head, and soon after- he was feeling less pathetic and more-- spoiled. He's getting some righteous pap and shoosh right here. He couldn't help it. ]

Keep running forward. Okay. I got it! I will--

-- take your advice once I'm done feeling so miserable. I promise, sis.

[ He shuffled closer, somewhat leaning toward her side. Since they are nothing but odd looking wire-frames, he thought he could get away with a lot of things. In other words, it was A-Okay to get all comfortable and rest his head against her laps. ]

[While Tohko didn't expect to get called 'sis', she didn't mind the fact that Tavros might have seen her as an older sister. What did surprise her was the fact that..he was resting his head against her lap. Once again, she was reminded a bit of a huge cat.]

That's alright! Rest for as long as you need to..but you know..people might get the wrong idea about our relationship if you have your head in my lap.

--Huh?

[ Too busy trying to find the perfect posture; one that didn't involve him accidentally stabbing Tohko with his large horns. Once he was comfortable and happy, the lowblood considered her words again while staring up at her. ]

It's okay, you can tell them I was dead or something! I can stay perfectly still, as long as I don't get to leave.

[ No? His little joke didn't bring any ease to the girl? Ok, let's be serious then. ]

Do you really care what others think? As long as you're cool with it, it's fine. Yeah?

[Tohko let him adjust himself. After all, if her lap was going to be used as a pillow, she would rather not be gutted while doing so. The small joke did make Tohko smile, and as she spoke, she nodded, thinking.]

Well..I'm alright with it. I was just wondering if you were. But, if you want to rest and people ask, I'll just tell them that I'm helping a little brother out.

[Little..? Tav might want to question that one.]

Wow, no. Let's all take a minute to discuss that 'little' part, shall we?

[ You know, for someone who's trying to take a nap, he should be less chatty and maybe-- focus on getting some proper rest, instead? ]

I'm all down for being the bestest brother you'll ever have in this shitty tower, but I'm guessing you're a little confused here. I won't be the little one, that's kinda your thing? For being so tiny and all.

[ A pause. ]

Unless you're older than me, then maybe you're right, but ... uh, I'm not allowed to ask girls about their age. I did it one time and this lady got really angry at me. So-

Edited 2013-06-11 15:10 (UTC)

[He should be, but, sadly, Tohko was never one to tell people when exactly they should be sleeping, for better or worse. At this small speech though, Tohko sighed.

Looks like she had been a bit confused about the 'sis' part. Why did she keep looking like a younger one to people?]

Well, some people do get annoyed about questions like that because they think that the information's private..and while I don't know your age, I can tell you that I'm eighteen. But how is that my kind of thing?

Uh.

[ Are you fucking kidding me?!!! He had to bite his own tongue to avoid saying that, but it paid off. Instead, he cleared his throat and moved a hand to scratch at the center of his head. ]

Well, damn. I guess that makes me the younger one, after all. I'm fourteen in human years, so-

[ In regard to her other question, Tavros shrugged. ] It's your kinda thing because you're tiny? Err, I don't mean it in a bad way. It's adorable, I guess? [ shut up just-- shut up! ]

... I should sleep.

[Tohko wasn't the only one who was surprised. Tavros seemed to be about sixteen or so. She didn't think he was that young..but, then again, age didn't mean much sometimes in terms of what people could and couldn't do.

At the second comment, she couldn't help but sigh..and chuckle a little. So she was just like a little sister in how she looked? Well..she could understand that, in a way. Even if Tav's cute awkwardness did make him seem like a younger brother. As she spoke, she patted his head.]

..It's fine. Don't worry about it! Younger or older, I guess I'm still like your sister, so it's not that big of a deal. But..I'm pretty sure things will look better in the morning, after you get some sleep.

Most precious sister. Heh.

[ Tohko won't be able to see it due to their odd wire-frame figures, but the smile on his face is genuine. It was nearly impossible to find any sense of comfort in this situation, but the company of a kind friend was enough to make everything less agonizing. And with that thought in mind- ]

... Thank you, Tohko. It means a lot, having you here and saying all those things earlier. I really appreciate it.

[ He toys with his fingers for a bit before shifting to the side slightly, in a way that made it more comfortable for him to settle in for a good nap. The little shit had no shame in using this girl as his personal pillow, but he will make it up to her. One day. It's a promise. ]

[Most precious..well, Tohko wasn't expecting that line. While she couldn't see Tav's face, Tohko did pause..and genuinely smile at that comment, which was a small feat, since Tohko had a habit of wearing a mask of a smile when she was hurt, sad, or scared. Or putting up a brave front.]

You're welcome! I'm always happy to help out my friends and loved ones. I'm just glad you're feeling a bit better.

[Tohko leaned back against the wall a bit as he shifted around so that he could do so without poking her in the gut or head with those horns. While Tohko didn't know if Tav would make it up to her in the future or not, she wasn't one to care about such things. She wasn't looking for payment.]

Glamour Failure

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