impacter | TP - PERIDOT DORM 1.0

[He nods.]

Are you going to speak with them? They seemed to imply that if we help with... [well. he doesn't know] ...something, then there's a chance of this never happening to the people we care about.

When they'll deign to answer, I plan to be there.

I already tried once tonight and came up empty. We'll just have to hope the consequences of their intervention won't block them off completely from us.

Consequences... This "Father" really is something.

[ ... ]

Well, if you figure something out, and you need help, too, just let me know. I'm starting to think this "wish" might not be worth it.

Mm? Well, I think it would depend on the person. The invitation did say there was a wish at play.

Feelings are a powerful thing. A beautiful thing. But they can lead to people making choices they can't take back. And wishes can come from very desperate places.

They can, that's true. But do you believe a wish is worth it if it means killing innocent people?

I don't, no.

But who's to say others will feel the same?

[Ugh. That's a good point. P frowns.]

In other words, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I guess it's nothing new, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

Have you met very many people yet? Talked to them? Anyone you think is...

[He trails off, but it's probably easily heard, unspoken: -the type of person to kill?]

I'd be more than a little concerned if anyone actually liked it, so I think your feelings are perfectly fine.

[What an open question, though... At least this poor boy's defenses are appropriately raised.]

We've only had one day, so I can't say one way or another. I think jumping to too many conclusions based on appearances isn't the wise thing to do.

Even our little vampire surprise seemed to look horrified at herself at the end of it all.

[Another good point. He nods.]

I know. I felt sorry for her... [He trails off, thinking, then continues.] Well. I guess part of this experience is bonding with each other. We can judge better from there on out.

[Though it sure would be great if no one killed anyone!]

For the most part, at least. All save for whatever fragment of us that has been lost. Shoved into another like a splinter of glass.

[It bothers him deeply that he doesn't know where to even start with what has been taken. His wish, of course, hasn't budged. But looking over an ocean to try to find a single ripple...

...]

I wonder if we'd even realize what might be missing from ourselves until it's too late. But... I guess the most we can do is rely on what we know we still believe. Those feelings, important and bright, that I talked about before, will still be just as powerful so long as we do not waver in them.

[The lost fragment. P puts a hand to his chest, contemplative.]

I don't feel any different... But how would I know if I am, or not, if that part's truly missing?

[Drops his hand, sighing.]

You're really confident about all this. I'll try to follow your lead, sir.

...I'm not the best person to ask about that, I'm afraid. But perhaps time will give us more answers.

[A beat passes. He's returned from the kitchenette by now (rip this dorm PC for sending Solomon in five directions at once rip), so he'll set aside one of the empty cups to pour a glass for the boy.]

I don't think I caught your name.

[He will just kind of hover around like a lost puppy, but he will also help if needed.]

My name is Pinocchio, sir. What should I call you?

"Pinnochio"?

Interesting. I think I remember a boy from an old story with that sort of name.

[Here, Mr. Hover Puppy, you're being offered a glass. Hydrate please.]

You can call me Solomon, Pinnochio.

Really? I've never met—or read of—anyone with a name like mine.

[Strange! He wonders, for the first time, why his father named him what he did.

Oh. He takes the glass.]

It's good to meet you, Mr Solomon. Even if the situation is not... very ideal. [He is just holding the glass.]

Please, just Solomon is fine. I don't like feeling too old.

[He settles back down into his seat with a sigh.]

Maybe we can find the story of it in the books scattered around here, if we're lucky. It's about a wooden puppet that wishes to be a real boy, and the troubles he gets into in his pursuit for fun.

[Turns to face him, though his steps still because-]

...Huh?

[Wait, is this guy messing with him-]

[...]

Eh?

What, did I say something strange?

No. It's just... [Well, that's a lie, really.]

I'm a puppet. So...

[...

Well! That would explain the age.]

In what way? You... seem very self aware.

I'm particularly advanced. Father made me that way.

[Um...]

But I'm not flesh and blood like a human, if that's what you mean.

[Huh. Interesting, if the Father believes Pinocchio to be just as alive as the rest.... but then again they DO have an apple just floating around.]

Fascinating... are you machinery, then, or something else...?

[Pinocchio believes himself to be alive, too, though whether or not that has any actual bearing on the fact itself is probably more philosophical than empirical.]

I think that's the best way to describe it. I'm machinery, but I also house a soul inside of me. And I have memories, and react to experiences with emotions, just like any other human.

A soul? Odd, that... shouldn't be possible, I think... Not like this.

Is it unique to you, or was it taken from something else?

A lot of puppets run on something called Ergo, which is just the refined energy of souls. But mine... my heart is special. It was custom-made by my father. To make my experiences more human in general.

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impacter - 2025-09-01 06:27 (UTC) - Expand