soulping | DAWON

DAWON

[ You find yourself in a section of the maze walled off by hedges sporting glowing pink flowers. Several tree stumps with rich velvet cushions on them surround a much larger stump, upon which lie a number of cards... ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No! Just-- just stay there, and rest.

[ holding firm, her hand trembling. ]

I don't need to rest! It's fine if it's me, Bengal, okay?

[Yanking harder, eyes gaining a touch of wild hysteria.]

No it's not!

It isn't. It isn't.

[don't you give me shit too]

Why doesn't anyone understand....?! I can do it! I want to do it!

[I can and I will]

I get that you want to protect us, but you don't have to do that kind of thing for us either! D'you think we're okay with you getting hurt?

You guys aren't expendable like me! Just accept that and stop worrying!

You're not expendable and I'm never gonna accept it! You're like my sister, why the hell wouldn't I worry!?

[clenches her jaw....and then she smiles an awful, hysterical smile.]

My reason to live....is to protect you guys in games like these. If I can do that, I don't care about what happens to me.

[oh jesus]

You can protect us, but not at the expense of yourself! If you're not gonna care I'm gonna care for you! Besides, you've got plenty to live for that's not just protecting us!

[her voice drops back into that too-calm cadence, but stronger, empty and off and distorted because she clearly believes what she says with the entire force of her being]

No, I don't. This is all I have. Nothing else makes me happy.....and that's okay. As long as I'm useful, everything can work out just fine.