Texts: Texts 4 help

Texts: Texts 4 help
Date of Scene:	03 January 2024
Location:	Texts
Synopsis:	Hinoiri sends out some texts for help with... relationships. Fortunately, she has a great support network. Ha ha. Ha... ha... In the discussions she learns a bit about herself, about Takashi... and the meaning of family. She also stays up WAY too late and learns about EMOJIS! The unicorn is developing, people, be afraid!
Cast of Characters:	Takashi Agera, Hinoiri Kirara, Fuyuko Yuuhi, Usagi Tsukino

---

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Hey, bunny girl. You around?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: uh huh, what's up? are things going better with sharpsong?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: not that you can't text me about other things!! but i know that was really worrying you for a while!

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Yeah.... still... worrying me. Honestly. She's a mess. Both of her, now. It's... it's complicated. She's... kind of... fallen apart. Really split down the middle, as it were.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: ... Okay, I gotta know. I know you're a magic girl. But uhhhh... are you like... a good guy or a bad guy?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: oh no!! is she still two people?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I'm a good guy! I've fought with Sharpsong a few times, but I don't know if she knows who I am. Don't ask! That's spoilers ;)

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Yuuuuuup. Not gonna lie, kind of weird. Like, they're both cute but they're also both a mess. Was hoping her best friend could help pull her together but... nope. It's... rough. And don't worry, like. You don't out a person's secret identity like that. It's just rude.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Right, actually wasn't texting about her. Actually wanted to ask you some advice about another friend. Can't... say who they are. Just... wanted to ask someone who I hoped might have a good view on this stuff. I figured, hey. You're like the sparkliest sparkle girl I know, who better?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I'm sorry. I definitely sounds weird - and it's probably really messy... I hope it's going to be okay though - but - oh?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: Sure!! I'm always happy to help. I know a lot of sparkly people, but I'm glad I'm one of the sparkliest.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: That's good. Not a sparkle myself, so the number I can reach out to is... low. So, this is just between you and me, okay? But uhhhh... one of them is dating one of the bad guys. Kind of. And like... what... do you do with that? Like... is that dangerous for them?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: hmmm

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I'm glad you came to me with this!

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I think there's no problem with dating a bad guy as long as long as both of them know what's going on, you know? Like, the bad guy knows they're dating a good guy, and the good guy knows they're dating a bad guy.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: because you have to know so you can make it work. because if it's a secret, you could find out later and then get really hurt! but if you know, then you can make rules.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: So, like. Even if one of them is dedicated to keeping people safe and the other doesn't care who they hurt so long as they get what they want and are kind of a flank?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: the only people it has to matter to are the people dating, you know? so if the person your friend is dating can either - understand what they're doing, or decide to leave it to just like, work stuff is work stuff, then it can work out.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: if one of them can't handle it, thinks the person they're dating is a bad person for that, it won't work because that's such a bad vibe to bring on a date.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Cool. Thanks, that's some peace of mind. So uhhh... what you been up to? I know I've been kind of... distant lately. First the trip and all. Found out after I got home that hearth's warming here is apparently not a family thing. It's a romantic thing. So... yeah. Think I recovered well. Took the pair of them to the aquarium. We sang, we watched some penguins and mantas, hugged and stuff.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I hope your friend is able to be happy. They deserve it.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Pfft. Is there anyone you don't feel that way about?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I went on a date! For Christmas Eve. It was really nice! Some big things happened in the magical side of things, you might have heard, but the date was a nice time to relax. I'm glad you had a good time too!!

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: Umm.... there are a few people, but they've done some pretty bad stuff. Like, kidnapped and brainwashed people stuff. But otherwise... everyone should be happy.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Eh. Someone like. Turned the night to day and blinded me for about thirty seconds a few days before I went on my trip. Never really found out much about that, though. Probably no biggy. Huh. So kidnappers and mind controllers are your unforgivable lines?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: not just kidnapping. I mean!!!

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: Kidnapping is Wrong and Bad. But I think the victim gets to decide if it's unforgivable, you know? Especially if they came home okay and told their best friend that it wasn't that bad and they didn't need to cry so much.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: but mind controlling - that's really bad! And murdering people... that's really bad too.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Ah, so good kidnappers are okay, but the mean ones need to get blown up? ... Yeah. You can't take back murder. Something like that can't ever be undone even if you want to.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: i'm pretty selfish. i love my friends and my family, so I can forgive a lot for them, and I can hold a lot of grudges for them too.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: And even the bad kidnappers, I don't want them to die, I just... I want them to stop. It would be nice if people stopped.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: ... Yeah, it would. But some people never can, can they?

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: ...

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: i think everyone can stop. it just depends on what they want, and why they want it.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: typing, deleted, typing, deleted... typing.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: So, now I'm curious. Do you think there's a limit to what people can do? Like... where do you think the line is, where they can no longer make up for the bad they've done?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: i think - if they really want to - they can always try. isn't it better to try?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: even if someone doesn't forgive you, isn't it better to stop digging deeper?

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Hm. Probably. But that's not the question, silly. I'm curious. What's your line? Where's the point where someone has to be stopped, no matter what? That even if they try, you'll never forgive them?

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: typing..... typing... typing...

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: a few months ago a monster hurt my little brother.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: he was so scared. my parents didn't know what was going on.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: i had to stop it. i wanted to stop it. i was angry. i was scared. i - really hated that thing.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: i don't think i could forgive someone who did that again. i told you, i'm kinda selfish.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: *long typing then. Eventually, just a short message comes through.*

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Huh. I... don't think that's bad. You care about your family. I hope they care about you, too.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: i know they do.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: i care about my friends too. and being selfish means - i know if naru-chan like, decided to conquer tokyo or something... i'd still be her best friend. i'd still try to keep her safe.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: You're a good sparkle, Usagi. Oh, wait, Naru-chan is gonna try and conquer tokyo? Dang. I knew I should have tried harder on our date.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: i think if she went bad, she'd wanted to change a lot of things. she's really smart!

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Usagi Tsukino: Yeah. She's pretty smart. It's been nice chatting. I should probably get some sleep. Gotta text some more people before then, though. Night night.

(PHONE) Usagi Tsukino texts to Hinoiri Kirara: sleep tight hinoiri-chan!

------

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Fuyuko Yuuhi: Hey, HR girl? Was said to text this line for this stuff. I gotta file any paperwork if like, I'm dating one of the enemy? Or if she finds out who I am?

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: you know i'm the hr lady, right, not a girl. i'm an adult.

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: you only have to fill out paperwork if you're dating a colleague.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Fuyuko Yuuhi: Wait, so you're not a girl?

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: if you're dating an enemy, you should complete the Avoiding Colluding with the Enemy training as well as the Treason and How to Avoid It training.

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I'm a girl in the sense that I identify as a woman. But girl in this language denotes a youthful person of about your age or younger. When you're my age, you're a lady or a woman.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Fuyuko Yuuhi: Huh. Ironically, I did those back in my world. I wonder how similiar they are. Does the instructor have a branding iron? Ah. Right. so you're a mare, not a filly. Gotcha.

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: perfect analogy. yes, i'm a mare, not a filly. And no, these are online trainings. If anyone tries to brand you on the job, let me know. There are release forms for that.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Fuyuko Yuuhi: Language is such an obnoxious thing. Oh, don't worry. Nobody has ever tried it. I think that dragon only had it as a novelty piece or something. Though, technically I think I'm already doing treason.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Fuyuko Yuuhi: Then again, if I succeed and become sovereign of my world, it's not really treason anymore, then is it?

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: You really shouldn't talk to me about treason unless you want me to follow up with official action. Unless it's against your homeland, in which case we might have a support group for that.

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: Treason against a homeland is a tricky subject, but in general, new sovereign, new laws.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Fuyuko Yuuhi: Treason of KKF. Not Obsidian. Please, if I was considering treason on you lot you'd be so bucked. XD Where else would you ever find anyone even half as effective as me?

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: i imagine my office would certainly be receiving complaints.

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: now i strongly recommend that you not mention dating a mahou on the opposing side to anyone else. i'm sure you understand the risks that could pose.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Fuyuko Yuuhi: Probably. Thanks for the info. Don't worry, there's not a lot of people who are trustworthy over on Team Overly Grim and Depressing Tower. Night night.

(PHONE) Fuyuko Yuuhi texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I'm not worried. I'll email you about the trainings.

------

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Hey, lab partner, you up?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: Against my better judgement

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Please. Sleep is time you could spend planning new schemes. BTW, don't tell anyone we had this talk. Got it? Just a private heads up between colleagues. Easter's muscle quit.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Also, so... my girlfriend knows now. About me. Took it oddly well. Are people on this world just like... desperate? For affection or something? Cause like. Dang.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: If I don't get at least some sleep, my schemes don't go off. Also, I didn't text or read anything.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I don't know. I think people here at least need affection in a big way. Or maybe we're just good at finding the ones who do.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: maybe it's got something to do with dorm life away from families for the school, and just really awful parents for Obsidian.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Huh. I guess. But she's not a part of Obsidian. Your parents jerks or something?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: She lives in the dorms, right? so still away from family. My mother wasn't a jerk but I never got the chance to really meet her. My father... I would have ruined his perfectly built life so he didn't want me.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Huh. I didn't know you were an orphan. Maybe it's that, though. I hear missing family can be rough. We had a lot of foals at my old school who broke down within a few weeks when they didn't have their parents to baby them anymore.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: Are your parents back in fourlegsland?

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: No idea. Don't even know if I have any, tbh. They either left me to die in the woods because they didn't want me, or I spontaneously popped into existence in a magic forest filled with dangerous animals. Sora believed it was the latter.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: so possibly we were both unwanted. huh. maybe we were doomed from the start then

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Yeah... probably. My parents probably abandoned me, Sora banished me. Yet, for some reason, people in this world seem to want me. I'm not sure if that says more about you lot or KKF.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: So let's say you get your power and go back and kick Sora off her chair and take it. What's after that, for you? Like. If you can change the world... what would change it to?

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Better. I'd make it a better world. I'd make sure what happened to me never happened to anybody else. Possibly see about fixing some of the problems here. Like what happened to Sayaka. Sora's... distant, I think. Perhaps too distant. She doesn't realize how life is for normal people. She's ruled too long. Doesn't care about our efforts.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: hmm. I wonder if that's the right way to go about it though.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: you know, Hematite and I grew up together, we were like brothers, but he fucked off and took a whole crew with him. but he didn't take me.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I wonder if having power always ends up in loneliness. maybe it's just something power does. pushes people away.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Maybe. Maybe that's why I was chosen. I'm strong enough to take being lonely.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: If he'd asked you to come with him, would you have gone?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I don't know. part of me says yes, part of me says no. I worked hard to get here and he just kinda fell into it. maybe 's why he didn't appreciate it.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: People never appreciate what they never had to work for. They just assume that everyone else fell into it, too. How much of your life would have been a waste if you left here, gave up on dark energy, stopped working with Obsidian?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I dunno, I'd still be a genius. well. actually. I guess if I gave up on Dark Energy totally I'd be dead.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: but. sorry I've monopolized the conversation.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: you texted me. did you get your answer?

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Meh, I don't mind. Actually nice talking to someone who actually gets it sometimes. But I did. Be careful, though. I am... curious though. You say he took his whole crew. The guys in the suits, right? Were they all your brothers too?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: at first I thought so but then they got distant. and they haven't reached out since, either. I'm closer to you than them.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... So a whole crew of brothers... you all grew up together... and not a single one of them thought of you?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: maybe whatever they were doing was more important.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I didn't really grow up with the other 3 tho

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... Oh. So it was just Hematite? Just... replaced you with a new student?

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: With new brothers?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: guess so. Maybe? I don't know. he really wasn't happy here. I was. maybe that's what it really comes down to

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: well as happy as I can be with all of the craziness

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... That's bucked, Takashi. Just... seriously.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: These Sparkle skirts all talk about all this love and caring and crap... but you ever notice the moment it's inconvenient, how quickly they turn on you?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: mmm. So are you saying you wouldn't turn on me if you needed to, to get your win? or just telling me that you'd at least have the decency to let me know

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... You don't turn on your colleagues.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: You don't betray your team. There are some things you don't do. That's one of them. If I ever turn on you? You'll know I'm not a part of your team long before then.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I've just seen it a lot here.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: And if this Hematite really saw you as a brother? Even if he thought Obsidian was bucked... he'd never stop trying to get you out. Not replacing you with some new boy band just because it was easier.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Yeah. I noticed. But then, there's a reason I'm effective and a lot of these other jerks couldn't find their tails with a map and two extra hooves.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... Or whatever the human equivalent of that is. Now, disclaimer: I ever resign and THEN you stand in my way? Then you're going to get knocked into a crater. Just FYI.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I dunno it's been like a week. maybe I should give it time. who knows what is going on.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: A lot can happen in a week. But a text takes ten seconds. But I don't know. Maybe family just doesn't mean much. I... thought it was supposed to. But maybe I just misunderstood.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Would you have left him behind?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: That's a good question.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: Maybe I would have. If that's what it took. it's different than stabbing somebody in the back though. just... distancing yourself from them. it's back to power, right? if power makes you isolated, you're alright with that, right.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Heh. Maybe that's it. I guess the question is then. Would you have turned your back on him to get what you want? And if so, do you think he's still your brother for doing the same?

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... If he sent you a text, asking you to come with him, to leave... to be his brother again, would you?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: No. Not now.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: There's a path that makes sense for me and it doesn't involve turning me back on the gifts I was born with or the work I've done to turn them into power.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Exactly. See, you get it.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: plus I have a family that's here.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: They always talk as if it's so easy... like we can just... accept it. Abandon everything we've done, everything we've worked for... and, somehow, giving up everything will make us happier. What a load of crap.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: You ever wonder what it'd be like, to be THAT arrogant? To expect everyone to give up their dreams to satisfy YOUR whims and suspect it'd make them happy?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: All I want them to do is stay out of my way.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I can do things they can't. I can do things nobody else can. With all due respect to my four-legged friend - even things you can't do

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Oh, come on. We both know that's never going to happen. Like it or not, they think they're doing what's best. They're always going to get in our way. And eh. There's a lot of things I can't do. I'm a barely passable cook, for example. Awful baker. The key is to find the things you can't do, and find the people who can.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: I told Sayaka I don't expect her to stop trying to stop me. It wouldn't be her. And who knows? Hematite trying to stop you might be his way of showing he still cares. Or would you rather he just ignored you entirely and pretended you never existed?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I dunno. depends on how effective he is. and how durable.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Barely and eh. That's the joy of being powerful. It's easier to hold back and test their limits... than it is to rise up when you're already trapped beneath them.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: There's a lot of them.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Quantity only goes so far before the quality overtakes it.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: That's the idea, anyways. But if it's possible it'd be best to have both, right.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Yup. ... Seriously, though. Its been a week. If he hasn't contacted you yet, hasn't at least tried to 'save' you or anything? Don't wait for him. All you'll do is be disappointed.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: If Sora asked you to come back and be her student again - if she even apologized - would you?

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: You deserve better. You're one of the few people in this organization who might have maybe been a challenge to me back in KKF. If you hadn't spent your whole life on this backwards world without any actual magic.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... I... have a book. We could talk through it. A lot like texting. I... like... to think if she did, if she asked me to come home... to give up... I like to think I'd say no. That I'd tell her to get bent. I like to believe I'm stronger than that. But I don't know if I am, yet. And... I can't go back and face her yet. I'm not strong enough to meet her as an equal.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: You don't want to go back to just get the same stuff you used to have right?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: that's the thing, if there's someone stronger than you, in the end, you're always at the mercy of their whims

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: But on the day I can? I'm going to open it. I'm going to see what she said. And... it's going to tell me a lot about who she is. And when I face her? I'll let her words decide her fate. I won't be the unicorn she left. Until then... I won't open the book, because I can't take that chance.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: they can just push you around. and there might not always be someone to help. and if nobody helps you just gotta eat it.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... I know if she called me back, if she apologized... it'd just be a lie, anyway. And I can't... I won't let myself fall for a comforting lie. I'm worth more than that.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: people throw themselves on comforting lies all the time, though. promises of power, promises of love, promises of friendship, family.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I bet your people do as well. two legs or four.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: it's hard to live a hard truth, instead of accept a comforting lie.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Yup. Sora talked a lot about friendship. Said she wanted me to have it... but she never had any friends. In the end... it was just another tool she used to try and control me. Comforting lies are only comfortable for so long...

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: do you want to be powerful more than you want to be happy? for me it's kind of one and the same. but for some people I don't think it is

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I think they can be happy somewhere other than the top. But it sounds like that doesn't work for you. Which I get.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: The moment I wasn't comfortable enough... she banished me. She never came after me... instead, she replaced me. I know... I know whatever is in that book is just more lies. It's... well. She had her chance. At this point, it's her fault.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... I could have been happy without being on top, once. But that option was taken from me before I even knew it was there. Now? There's not really any room for me unless I make it.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: If there's no room for you to exist... then you need to either give up and accept it... or make space. That's all there is to it.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I'm trying to imagine a world where I'd be happy listening to someone else. I'm not sure it exists. It feels wrong when I take orders and it feels right when I give them.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: ... I don't know if I need power for it, though. In the end, power is the only way to do it. But... if there were other ways, maybe. But I mean... It's not like I can ever trust her again. The only way there wil be space for me is if I make myself powerful enough she has to take me seriously. Powerful enough it doesn't matter if she turns on me, because it'll be meaningless. Without power? Things would just repeat. And next time I doubt I'll end up in a world where I can gather power without her knowing. So power has to happen.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Pfft. Sound a liiiiiiittle big evil overlord there now, Takashi. :tongue sticking out emoji: Maybe you have a control complex.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: eh. You know, both Japan and China were all disunified into petty little warlord states in history. They've gone over that with you in the courses, right?

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: But, in my experience? The difference, Takashi? You may not like giving orders... but you're still willing to work with people. There's a difference between serving, ruling... and siding with people. I think that's part of your strength in Obsidian. And yeah, our world had times like that too. Realllllly didn't end well for us. Windigos. I'll tell you the story later, go on?

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: the men that unified those countries are seen as villains in both their home countries, but the peace that followed the unification is undoubtly better for everyone than the constant state of petty warfare. I'd rather be Hideyoshi than one of the nameless warlords crushed under somebody's feet on the way to unification. In this theoretical example.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I picked Hideyoshi because he wasn't the dude who did most of the work. he was the second in command and a capable ally, and took control after. while the son of the Chinese warlord cao cao got overthrown because he wasn't trustworthy.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: so it makes more sense than it might at first appear.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Heh. Hee hee hee. Ahhh, Takashi. I like the way you think. I'm happy this world isn't the one I want.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: me too. I don't think I have ambitions beyond this world. maybe we can rip open a permanent portal and trade after we secure things in our respective sides, ne? I would hate to go without more of those donuts.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Possibly. I don't know if a permanent portal would go well. It'd require us to lock both worlds timelines in synchronality, which could affect other dimensions, creating a dimensional rift that caused both of our worlds to be destroyed. But hey, at least I could get you some of those books about dimensional travel and you could have a much grander basis for magic. Cause frankly? This whole 'having magic but nobody in this world knows how to works' thing? It sucks.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Smaller, temporary portals that could be turned off and on for limited times could be doable, though. Those donuts are worth it. Sora I miss them already.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: It's funny how you still use her name so much. If someone was so cruel to me I wouldn't make their name a regular part of my vocabulary. But, I'm petty like that.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: I mean, 95% of my life it was just... the way things are. Instinct, I guess. Conditioning. Ugh. De-conditioning sucks.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: realizing it's a thing you're doing is the first step towards stopping. I can zap you every time you do it if you like.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Yeah, I may not always make the smartest choices but even I know that'd bite me in the flank. XD

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: Just testing you. it's way late, I need to get some sleep. but you know. we should do this more. if it's just gonna be the two of us against our whole worlds.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: It was nice talking with you, Takashi. And... seriously. Its been a week. If Hematite replaced you with new brothers... buck him. You have other family. Be better than he ever was. Remember how he made you feel and... be good enough to never make anyone else feel that way. Then, when you're on top? Laugh when you replace him with better people than he ever was.

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: oh that reminds me

(PHONE) Takashi Agera texts to Hinoiri Kirara: I have some stuff I need you to look at. Star charts and star magic stuff. I think you're a lot more capable with that than I am. I kind of inherited a lot of the stuff... I work for Director Beryl now. I got put in the hole that he left. but yeah I have some stuff here I think you can decipher and make use of better than me.

(PHONE) Hinoiri Kirara texts to Takashi Agera: Hm? Neat. And grats on the (hopefully) promotion. I'll swing by to look at them soon. Sleep well, time for some rest for the wicked. :sleeping unicorn emoji: