[ looks at the number of times hanako has tried to stab temenos specifically this game. yeah. yeah he thought you'd get it.
ah. the question, though - it makes him laugh a little? and he turns to look at him a little more properly instead of drifting off into his thoughts. ]
... Perhaps I'll tell you a story. And perhaps, even a secret about myself, if you can keep it safe for me. Can you?
[ It's so funny every time I read the manga and Hanako pulls his knife out at the smallest things ]
A secret...?
[ The gears are turning. in before Temenos is actually a demon who had all his negative emotions sucked out of him bc there's no way anybody can keep calm and carry on at all times ]
When I was your age, I used to be a crybaby. I was meek and shy, and spent the majority of my time clutching the hand of... I suppose you could say of my elder brother, and fervently, desperately reading the scriptures, in hopes that I could use them to understand the world around me. I used to be upset at the slightest of things, and I could never contain my tears, no matter how hard I tried.
I don't suppose I've ever really gotten that angry, at least not very often, but part of that is because I learned to control myself and my emotions both. The reason that I learned came partially because I matured, but more than that, it came because of my companion.
[ ... ]
The other cleric that I knew growing up was quite different from me in temperament. He was the sort you would consider a hero, really. Charismatic, brilliant, and utterly, completely kindhearted, with all the determination and drive you would want from an adherent to the Sacred Flame. Being near him was much like standing near a hearth, in the coldest of winters.
... But, while he was a paragon of goodness and kindness, he was also gullible. He trusted too easily, because he saw the absolute best in everyone around him, no matter who they were, or what they were doing. Even I could play tricks on him, if I wanted to. And I realized, that someone like that was in danger.
I learned to be calm, and to doubt everything. Because if he wouldn't protect himself, then I wanted to learn to protect him.
[ So the secret to being calm is to have an idiot to look out for. Somebody good and kind, exasperatingly gullible, a magnet for danger, whom he would do absolutely anything to keep safe, to be there by her side the moment she calls... ]
[ Hanako stares at Temenos like he's never considered what exactly makes him him, searching Temenos' face for clues as if he'd know any better before dropping his gaze back to the ground. ]
Well, I'm... the leader of the School Mysteries. A troublesome spirit... self-serving, violent... stubborn... a slimy brat... who's more trouble than he's worth...
[ now that he thinks about it, he can't really recall anybody ever saying anything good about him ]
he's silent, for a moment, letting hanako stare at him as he tries to figure it out, and then he - carefully, his arm is still injured - folds his arms. ]
Now, that doesn't sound right. The leader of the School Mysteries. Stubborn - I'll give you both of those. But the rest?
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ah. the question, though - it makes him laugh a little? and he turns to look at him a little more properly instead of drifting off into his thoughts. ]
... Perhaps I'll tell you a story. And perhaps, even a secret about myself, if you can keep it safe for me. Can you?
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A secret...?
[ The gears are turning. in before Temenos is actually a demon who had all his negative emotions sucked out of him bc there's no way anybody can keep calm and carry on at all times ]
Of course.
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no its much more mundane than that. ]
When I was your age, I used to be a crybaby. I was meek and shy, and spent the majority of my time clutching the hand of... I suppose you could say of my elder brother, and fervently, desperately reading the scriptures, in hopes that I could use them to understand the world around me. I used to be upset at the slightest of things, and I could never contain my tears, no matter how hard I tried.
A bit hard to imagine, isn't it?
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Well, kids are like that.
[ They're crybabies. He knows he was. still sort of is... ]
It's harder imagining you being angry and throwing tantrums.
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[ maybe. he was just a big baby. ]
I don't suppose I've ever really gotten that angry, at least not very often, but part of that is because I learned to control myself and my emotions both. The reason that I learned came partially because I matured, but more than that, it came because of my companion.
[ ... ]
The other cleric that I knew growing up was quite different from me in temperament. He was the sort you would consider a hero, really. Charismatic, brilliant, and utterly, completely kindhearted, with all the determination and drive you would want from an adherent to the Sacred Flame. Being near him was much like standing near a hearth, in the coldest of winters.
... But, while he was a paragon of goodness and kindness, he was also gullible. He trusted too easily, because he saw the absolute best in everyone around him, no matter who they were, or what they were doing. Even I could play tricks on him, if I wanted to. And I realized, that someone like that was in danger.
I learned to be calm, and to doubt everything. Because if he wouldn't protect himself, then I wanted to learn to protect him.
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[ So the secret to being calm is to have an idiot to look out for. Somebody good and kind, exasperatingly gullible, a magnet for danger, whom he would do absolutely anything to keep safe, to be there by her side the moment she calls... ]
Then... I'll try. For her.
[ Can he? carrying on as he is now? ... ]
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he smiles a little, at that. ]
It is something that doesn't come very easily. It takes practice, to overcome instinct, and a certain type of maturity: but, with time, it will come.
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[ Temenos please, he's dead, he's been 13 for so many years ]
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[ joking, probably ]
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[ his box allegory, except it's his entire existence ]
...I can't change who I am.
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What are the things that make you, you?
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[ Hanako stares at Temenos like he's never considered what exactly makes him him, searching Temenos' face for clues as if he'd know any better before dropping his gaze back to the ground. ]
Well, I'm... the leader of the School Mysteries. A troublesome spirit... self-serving, violent... stubborn... a slimy brat... who's more trouble than he's worth...
[ now that he thinks about it, he can't really recall anybody ever saying anything good about him ]
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he's silent, for a moment, letting hanako stare at him as he tries to figure it out, and then he - carefully, his arm is still injured - folds his arms. ]
Now, that doesn't sound right. The leader of the School Mysteries. Stubborn - I'll give you both of those. But the rest?
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Ah, well you haven't had to put up with me all that long. The rest is direct testimony!
[ And he can't deny any of them. ]
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So the testimony of those who see you here doesn't matter, even if it's direct? Short time or otherwise.
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It matters! But it's not much different here— Rita calls me a twerp, Danny thinks I'm a punk.
[ and they're not wrong ]
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Stubborn...?