[a little ice breaker]

[sevenhorrorsmods]

Who: everyone!
When: throughout the week of August 10
Where: everywhere
What: a little mischief
Warnings: nada!

[On August 10th, everyone wakes up to find a series of red yarn strung across the entire school. They dangle from the hallway ceilings, from the classroom door frames, even across some of the trees and bleachers outside. The ones that hang within reach feel warm to the touch! They can be pulled down and removed with little consequence.]

[However, it is not the decorative threads you should be worried about. Throughout the week, any two characters who come in close proximity with each other (they do not have to touch!) may suddenly find themselves tied together with the exact same red thread. If you're lucky, it will only link you via your wrists. If you're unlucky, it might bind you via your ankles, or even wrap you both up back-to-back like a pair of captives. Hm! Concerning!!]

[Any time two characters are tied together, a playful voice echoes in their minds: Hehe. Share a secret. . .?]

[To be released, both characters must share a secret with each other! Something that the other one doesn't know! It should be something significant; the playful threads will not let you go unless it is. But the level of significance may vary from something light to something that is not, so ultimately it is player's choice as to what secrets count and which do not!]

[. . . anyway, for anyone who wants to avoid getting caught, the nurse's office and dorm rooms are completely clear! The threads are also fickle; it is possible for two characters to hang out without being tied up together, if you don't want to play with this effect. Otherwise, go forth and mingle with some optional forced bonding!!]

Comments

[isdf]

[He blinks.]

That is unnecessary. All I ask is that if there's a problem, I would like you to explain it to me so that I can correct it.

[selfportraiture]

It's not always something that needs correcting. Sometimes it's just people being jerks.

[isdf]

. . . I don't understand. If there is nothing to criticize, what is the purpose of teasing?

[selfportraiture]

... Mamoru-kun, sometimes people are just jerks. Sometimes they do it to get a rise out of someone, or because they're insecure themselves.

Like that Garnet guy. He's obviously overcompensating for something.

[isdf]

[He lifts his chin at the mention of Aventurine. It's like she pulled Garnet's name out of his mind from earlier.]

Did he tease you as well?

[He'll think about the rest of what she said later, because that sort of behavior is incomprehensible to him.]

[selfportraiture]

Well, he tried. I got mad at him instead. I don't have to take that from him.

[Yeah.

His name came up for a Reason.]

[isdf]

[Wow . . . ]

You are quite something, Botan . . . Color me impressed.

[selfportraiture]

[...?]

Huh? I mean--yeah, of course I am! [Sure.]

But that's why you should tell me if someone's giving you a hard time for no good reason. I'm used to telling people off for that sort of thing. You can't let them just get away with it or they'll keep doing it.

[isdf]

I see. Then what should I say the next time I ask for a reason and receive no answer?

["I'm gonna tell Botan!"]

[selfportraiture]

[ya]

Just tell him you're done with the conversation, and then let me know when you can. I'll talk to them about it.

[isdf]

[Are they still on the subject of Aventurine—]

Understood. Thank you.

[selfportraiture]

[This is now about anyone who gives Mamoru a hard time.]

Yeah, no problem. I'd do it anyway, so.

[Give Garnet grief, that is.]

[isdf]

[Sweet Ena.]

Anyway . . . ? [He chuckles.] It seems the two of you don't get along very well.

[selfportraiture]

Yeah, he's annoying. He goes out of his way to be a jerk to try to get a rise out of people. I can't stand people like that.

[isdf]

Do you encounter others like that often?

[selfportraiture]

Not that often, but when I do--

[HUFF.]

... It's just not the sort of thing I can let go. Because there are a lot of people who won't stand up for themselves when it comes to something like that.

[isdf]

. . . Do you think I am one of those people?

[selfportraiture]

Well, I didn't until this conversation.

[But now she does.]

[isdf]

I can defend myself against facts, but there is nothing I can do about someone's opinion. Perhaps I should see if I can study debate at the library . . .

[selfportraiture]

I get what you mean, but studying debate isn't going to help you when it comes to someone's opinion of you.

It sucks, but that's just how people are. Once they've made an opinion, it's hard to shake.

[She crosses her arms, head tilting thoughtfully.]

The best you can do is just try to show off your best self.

[isdf]

Regardless of other people's opinions, I have always strived to be at my best. Then I should simply continue to do what I have been doing . . . but is that the same as standing up for myself?

[This is confusing. He wins and loses either way? Humanity is so complicated.]

[selfportraiture]

No, those are two different things.

Striving to be your best self and showing that off to the people around you is being the bigger person.

Telling them to shut up and shove off if they're being rude is standing up for yourself, but it's also kind of not... being the bigger person.

[At least she's realistic.]

[isdf]

[Oh. Is that what it means to stand up for yourself? He doesn't want to tell anybody to shut up. That's rude.]

What about when you stand up for someone else?

[selfportraiture]

[...]

That's just being a friend when they need it.

Or... something like that.

[isdf]

[He looses a mirthful sigh.]

As I thought: You are a good friend, Botan.