Twenty-Eighth PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

[public]
[There is fumbling on the phone line for a few seconds and a bit of hesitant breathing, as if the speaker isn't sure whether or not he should say what he's about to say.  When he finally gets the words out, though, they are spoken firmly, with confidence.]

I believe him.

I'm not going to ask anyone else to, but . . . I do.  I don't think for a second that he can really get us out of here, but I think he's trying to help us.  It's not out of selflessness or anything -- There's some reason we can't understand . . . If it makes sense, though, I think . . . I think whatever he's after, it's better for him if we escape than if we stay.  It's not for our sake.  But I believe him.

We've fought so hard for so long.  So when somebody offers to help us for the first time . . . If we just refuse and say it's a trick to hurt us even more -- Isn't that a victory for them, too?  We've all been hurt so deeply that our first reaction is to be afraid.  . . . I don't want to become like that.  I don't want to become someone who's bitter and frightened and always suspicious.  I understand -- I'm naive, and I'm stupid.  But I've gotten as far as I have by believing in the good of people, and I won't let Mayfield take that away from me.

 . . . He said something to me.  'Keep on keeping on'. . . .

[filtered to Crowe, Kay, Luke, and Ness]
[He's chosen the people he wants to speak with carefully.  There are so many people he loves and cares for in this place, but . . . He needs a certain type of person for this.  And after carefully considering for another few moments, Lucas slowly and deliberately filters away from his mother.  There are some things he doesn't want her to know.]

I have something to show you.  It might not be a good time now -- When all of this is over, though, I'd like to ask you to come over when you can.  Thanks.

Comments

[Filter]

[bluecapboy.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure whether to believe him or not, but I'd hate to miss an opportunity if this happens to be the real deal.

[Though he's kind of bummed, as he can't find his own ballot anywhere. Little does he know he already filled it out.]

Mind if I come over now?

[Filter]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I don't really think he has the power to help us escape entirely, but I think he'll try to do something.

If you're free now, please do. . . . Are you feeling better, by the way?

[Filter]

[bluecapboy.livejournal.com]

We'll see what happens soon enough I suppose.

Right then, I'll be right over. [A pause.] And um, yes, I'm feeling much better now.

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

What is it, Lucas? I can be over right now if you want.

[Filter]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

It's actually something I should've shown to someone earlier. Um. It's not urgent, but . . . come whenever you can.

[Filter]

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

"I'll be over in a few minutes, then."

[Kay hangs up the phone, and in about 20 minutes or so, she's knocking at Lucas' door.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[This certainly hits home. He wishes he could be optimistic like this. But, he will pass on remarking in it, for now.]


I'm free whenever you need me, Lucas.

[filter]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[If Lucas knew, he would feel pretty bad.]

Well. If you'd like to come over now, you can feel free. . . . I should apologize beforehand, Crowe. You've been through a lot lately.

[filter]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

It's not a problem. I'll be over then in a few minutes.

[Knock knock, right on schedule.]

[scarletheir.livejournal.com]

.....

When one has been damaged constantly, for an extended period of time, that fear becomes part of their psyche. There are those who grew up being indoctrinated into this fear, our ability to trust being seen as a burden.

However... that fear may very well be our greatest weakness.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I understand what you mean. It's too much to expect that people would be able to trust after what we've been through. And I wouldn't be very surprised if I was wrong, either.

But I want to take the chance.

[has-a-name.livejournal.com]

... I doubt that we will actually be sent home, but a chance is a chance, isn't it...?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I don't honestly believe anything worse than what happened this last week can come out of voting. They could surprise me, but . . .

[has-a-name.livejournal.com]

... we'll find out soon enough... hopefully with a favorable conclusion...

[nessbound.livejournal.com]

[God.. This had never been so difficult, even when Ness knew the answer. So much of him wanted to say "No", but he knew deep in his heart that every thing he had also done to this point was always for the good in people. However, Ness chose to keep the answer to himself for now over the wire.]

Just let me know when you're good to meet up, Lucas. I can be over there right away.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas would understand if his point of view was dismissed. It was simply his own; there was no reason for anyone else to accept it.]

I'll be free whenever you are. If you'd like to come over now, you can, or if you'd prefer later, that's fine, too.

[nessbound.livejournal.com]

Mm. I'm on my way over now, then.

[Ness rests the phone back on the receiver. With haste, he slips on his shoes and is out the door.

After a few moments, he now stands at the doorstep of Lucas' residence, rapping a knuckle against the front door.]

*KNocK KNocK*

[politerudeness.livejournal.com]

... You are still young.

[ his tone of voice isn't condescending- Japan doesn't judge others who he is yet to meet, especially young children, even if he thinks that Lucas' words are a bit naive. But it's admirable, in his eyes- this mental strength and determination, this optimism and hope. It's the sort that only the young still have. ]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I may not have lived as long as others, but I don't say this with complete naivete, either.

[politerudeness.livejournal.com]

That much is clear. But, an old man- one such as myself, for instance- would not be able to say these worlds with such confidence, either.

[tsundorapettan.livejournal.com]

... Do you really think so? Do you really think we can trust him? I mean, it's a nice thought, but...

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I don't know if we can or if we can't or if we should or shouldn't, but . . . I will. I want to.

[ra-ra-razputin.livejournal.com]

He already sent me home. It wasn't pretty. I can't... I don't want him to do that to me again.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

It happened to a lot of people, I think. But I'm pretty sure, this time, he means our real homes.

[ra-ra-razputin.livejournal.com]

I wish I could believe that.