Private One Step Forward, Many Steps Back

Keen

Keen

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Konpeitō's nose wrinkled. He carefully considered his words, trying to keep the vitriol of his thoughts out as much as possible.

"Life can be complicated. Not everything is straightforward. But even if I did consider myself a slave, it wasn't a bad thing in my case. It's pretty awful of him to try to make me view my past as something awful and traumatic." He shrugged, trying to play himself as being more relaxed than he was. The tenseness in his shoulders gave his true feelings away. "It's why I don't like considering myself a NEK0."
 
Kait

Kait

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Ganymede just stared at him for a moment.

"But... still. People shouldn't own other people," Ganymede said. "Even if some of us were treated well, like you were... most NEK0 still deserve rescuing. We can agree on that much, right?" He looked at his friend with pleading eyes.

Most of the NEK0, Ganymede wouldn't be this blunt with. Some of the newer ones weren't ready to hear something like this, but surely Kon would. He'd been here as long as Ganymede had.
 
Keen

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Konpeitō stared back.

He shrugged after a short pause. "Yeah, we can agree on most NEK0 deserving rescuing." He could see in Ganymede's eyes the possibility of an irreversible crack in their relationship, if it wasn't there already. He intended to prevent or fix that.

"It doesn't change that it's not Lợi's, or anyone's, place to tell me who or what I am. That's my main point. And since he's a NEK0, shouldn't he be aware of the persuasion stuff? What he did was rude at best, manipulative at worst."
 
Kait

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Ganymede nodded. Good. At least they were on the same page there.

As for Loi's apparent transgression, Ganymede still felt defensive. "...Perhaps he's still not used to talking with other..." he almost called Kon a NEK0 again. "I mean, other people with that affliction. I know that I've made a couple of missteps there myself."

He paused again. "... I'm sorry you had a bad experience with him. I know you were looking forward to meeting another one who was made to look older, and I... guess I'm just stuck like this, forever."
 
Keen

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Konpeitō's eyebrows shot up at the word "affliction." He couldn't tell how he felt about that, but he could see how hard Ganymede was trying to keep things civil, so he let it slide.

What was more concerning was the last thing Ganymede said. "It's alright. I... I know better now. More importantly, I still like hanging out with you. You're easy to talk to and get along with. Plus, can't you get an aging charm? Or, I don't know, I could see about hooking you up with wish granters?"
 
Kait

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Ganymede smiled a little. "Thank you, Kon." Even with his lingering discomfort about this conversation, Kon was kind. Like an older brother to him.

"I think... as far as my aging problems, a charm should be enough. If you're aware of Pietro Popov - he is in a similar position, and he seems to have led a fulfilling life, with only a charm. I may have to wait a while longer for one, but I would rather save wish-granting for something... bigger."

Wishes were a precious resource. He knew of the fox-god Kon had called upon, of course - but there were other ways for him to solve the problem of his aging, and possibly even his dietary limitations.
 
Keen

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"I know him! I've met him a few times at the Community Center when he was still a minister." The idea that Konpeitō could walk down the street and converse with a big name still weirded him out. No. That wasn't what weirded him out. It was how fast he got used to this way of life.

"I think a charm's a great idea. I imagine your dad will pay for it, but if you need help finding places or saving up, I'll happily lend you a hand." Konpeitō was certain Monday would pay for the whole thing, so he wasn't concerned about having to pay too. Worst come to worst, he'll split the bill.

b>"I actually don't know how those things work..." he continued, mostly to himself. "Do you buy them with an age and appearance in mind or will they age yearly with you?" From what he's seen with other charms, there were probably standard, cheap versions and more customized ones.
 
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