Private Finished Broken Dreams

Keen

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Sela stared down at the scabbard. What did a dragon need that for? If Vinvidir thought that could hurt them, he was in for a surprise. But perhaps Sela shouldn't underestimate the weapons on this island.

"I am not a person. I should not need to follow the rules of people. I've been trapped in a bottle and this island and this school and the awake world. I'm always trapped. I don't enjoy any of this. I was forced here. You're part of the problem. Why should I trust you?"
 

Yung Draco

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"Because unlike others, I have a personal obligation to aid you. Were that not the case, I am otherwise obligated by the rules laid down by the academy to ensure your wellbeing." Replied Vindivir calmly, though now his undertone of cordiality had shifted to that of stern discipline, his facial features turning hard.

"Because until such time as you discover a way to leave the island, you will be considered a person. So long as you are on this island, you will be expected to behave as one, which includes following both the written laws as well as the unwritten laws of social interaction. So long as you exist in this world, you affect it and others with your words and actions, and there are many individuals in this world who may wish to do you harm as a result of a social blunder. Make no mistake, Sela, there are many individuals on this island alone capable of harming you." Vindivir explained.

"All of this, of course, regardless of whether or not you enjoy it, or whether or not your circumstances are voluntary. That is why you have been enrolled at the academy; to help you learn to navigate this world and the people in it. Where in most cases you would be thrown to the wolves and left to fend for yourself, you have been granted an opportunity to learn the complex social rules that make up our society.

"You cannot avoid it, even if you isolate yourself in this forest. Someone is bound to stumble upon you, whether that be tomorrow or next century. The knowledge you learn at the academy, whether or not you legitimately enjoy or understand social interactions, will give you a valuable set of skills that will allow you to avoid being attacked, tricked, or otherwise taken advantage of." Vindivir finally finished, crossing one leg over the other and placing his calloused hands in his lap.

"So please, Sela, I implore you: come back to the academy, and if you will not learn to enjoy life in our society, at the very least take advantage of what they are offering you. Learning the customs of the people you live amongst is a basic survival trait, if you'd like to think of it logically rather than emotionally."
 

Keen

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Nothing made sense. Nothing made sense. Sela form refused to keep a consistent shape. Spikes formed on their body then disappeared. One moment they lost a foot of their height, the next they were two feet bigger. Heavy rainbow waterfalls streamed down their face and faded away when they dropped.

"Y-Yo—Y-Y-Y-Y-You. You asked. Has anyone lied to me? You said. 'I can see that you need no help. I will leave you in peace.' And. And. And. And. Now you speak. Of aiding me. Of telling me to go. Back. Which is it?" Their body seemed to be shaking, yet it was only more of their shape struggling to stay put. "Do I need no help, or do I need aid? Decide."

Their head was becoming filled again. There was water sloshing around, damping and drowning their thoughts. Everything felt gross and soaked. "I am not a person. I am a location. No one understands that! The island won't let me leave. I know I can be hurt. I didn't. I didn't say I couldn't be hurt. I like being with the wolves. In space. I like being in space. I. I. I. I."

Sela could tell this wasn't going anywhere. No one here could wrap their heads around what they are. Who they are. If there was a "who" in the first place. Their eyes still crying and their body still changing, they floated upwards and away from Vindivir. "Do no-o-ot approach me. You do not understand me. No one tries. You all. You all think you have. You all think you have the right way. Rigid."
 

Yung Draco

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"Then help me understand, rather than running." Vindivir suggested, never leaving his seat. "In all my millennia of existence I have never met a being such as yourself. As it stands, I have zero reference. If you wish for people to understand your nature, teach them you nature."
 

Keen

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"I have!" they wailed, causing some strange looking wolf-like and bird-like creatures to turn towards Sela and Vindivir, wondering if they were worthwhile as prey. Sela stared at the creatures and growled. Their voice echoing that as several people probably gave off the impression that they weren't one prey. Along with Vindivir, that was enough to make them back off.

Sela turned back towards the dragon. "I have. I have. I tried to explain. People don't understand. The school doesn't understand. I don't know my species. I don't have an age. I don't have a sex or a gender. My personality isn't consistent. I am not a person. I want to be here. With animals and plants and dirt and rocks. When I sleep, I'll be with my... my... residents. Citizens."
 

Yung Draco

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Vindivir took a moment to take this in, measuring his words before speaking.

"...In essence, then, you are a sentient universe?" He asked. "Correct me if I am wrong. I pieced this together based on your usage of the word 'resident', as well as your self reference as a 'location' rather than 'person'."
 

Keen

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Sela did not move from their spot as they regained control over their form. They shrunk down to their usual adult height and the tears flowing from their eyes lessened.

"Yes. I am a dimension. People are inside me. I am not a person. Not any that the school and laws here can accurately account for. I've already been told that people who's mental age are inconsistent are so uncommon that it's handled case-by-case. I've already been told that I can't be set free because I am legally a child and that would be negligence." Sela tried hard to not let their body shift to their child form. They felt small. Helpless. But if Vinvidir did anything to them, they wanted to be big enough to eat him. "Do not tell me to 'grow up' or 'change.' I have lived many years in the awake world and many more in mine. My mind isn't anything like a human's. It doesn't develop like one. They'll never see me as independent."
 

Yung Draco

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The old dragon pondered this for a long while, trying to piece together a solution. Sela was something other, just as the humans had seen his kind as other. He'd seen firsthand what humans do when overtaken by fear of other. If Sela were ever considered a threat by the island's inhabitants...

No. Never again.

"On the contrary, I believe that one day they shall. But it will not be an easy endeavor. If I may, I would like to explain." Vindivir said, placing an ankle on his knee.
 

Keen

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Their earlier emotional outburst had caused them to suffer a deeper drowsiness than usual. The fight they once had in them passed away, so they lowered themself back onto the branch they were on before, looking down at Vinvidir with an exhausted glare.

"Explain, then. Easy or hard, I want to stay here. I'm happier here. I can be with my people here. I'm never alone unless I want to be."
 

Yung Draco

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"Your mind may not be like a human's, but you are an intelligent being. As such, it shouldn't be much of a stretch to assume that you are capable of imitating patterns?" Asked Vindivir.

"I ask because the academy ever viewing you as independent depends entirely on your ability to do so. Patterns, you see, make up the fundamental basis of society. There are patterns of behavior that dictate social interactions; when one person says 'thank you', the other says 'you are welcome', and so forth. Other patterns of behavior are codified into laws and rules."

This, Sela, is what they are examining when they determine whether you should be left alone: your ability to imitate patterns. Can you follow rules? Can you learn to interact with others?"

Vindivir leaned forward slightly.

"They do not care if you think like a human. They only care that your physical body is able to imitate human patterns of behavior, at least whilst amongst them. Think of it like a game. There are rules that must be followed in every game. Learn the rules, and they will leave you be. You may come spend the rest of eternity in this forest if that is what suits you. What are a few paltry years of toil in exchange for eternal freedom?"
 
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