text; [you tried] sticker goes here

[ourtomorrow]

My name is Ken. I need a job and a roommate.

[ ...that's it, right? Those were the first steps recommended to him, and they make sense. If this world can only be saved by people touching, then first Ken has to find people he's comfortable enough around to touch. He needs to form relationships.

He has no idea how. But he has to.

The world depends on him. ]

Thank you.

[ ....incidentally, anyone walking by Ainea's temple might notice a kid sitting outside of it, absently yet intently people-watching. ]

Comments

[5thchild]

That is what we are asked to do, yes.

Will you do as requested, then?

[ourtomorrow]

I don't want to be responsible for another disaster.

[ ....drat, he was thinking too hard about the question and an adjective slipped in there ]

[5thchild]

Which sort of disaster are you responsible for?

[ourtomorrow]

[ ---and his conversational partner is astute enough to catch it. Ken doesn't want to answer, but part of him also does. To just admit it and get it out of the way, now that it's come up. He can't deny it was him, only work to be someone who won't find that behavior appealing again. ]

.....A bad one.

[ even he can tell that's not enough, though. ]

No actions lack consequences. I....didn't want to accept that.

So I won't run from crises any more.

[5thchild]

And because of such, you believe you can heal from your actions by helping this world? Even though it isn't your own?

[ourtomorrow]

I'm not trying to heal.

[ Not by doing this, anyway. ]

But if I don't help this world, and things go wrong, aren't I responsible?

[5thchild]

Why do you think you are?

[ourtomorrow]

[ Ken is not used to being the one receiving "why" instead of asking it. His gut reaction is "Isn't it obvious?", then realizes he just did a thing he hates when people do to him.

A moment to consider the implications of that, a moment to answer the question. To think out his answer. ]

Because I didn't do what I had to do.

[5thchild]

Back there and here - those are two different places.

Unless you believe you were brought here specifically. Do you?

[ourtomorrow]

Wasn't I?

[ A god picked him, and everything. Nobody picks anybody by accident. There is something inherent to him that made him appealing to be tossed into this situation. That made him the only choice.

This is a fact, to Ichijouji Ken. ]

[5thchild]

[ aha. He wonders. ]

Do you wish to help, or are you only doing so due to that belief? Because it's expected of you?

this is amazing

[ourtomorrow]

[ Oh, no, is he? He'd thought he'd gotten over only following expectations blindly. Ken races through everything he's felt since coming here in his mind. He has to work through this. Has to figure it out.

The next text is terribly slow in coming. ]

i am so sorry ken...............

[5thchild]

Regardless, many claim it is easier to help. You will receive rewards if you do, and that too can be a reason to do something

he walks right into it, you're fine

[ourtomorrow]

[ More possible motives to try and figure out if he feels? Ken's head is spinning. This person is waiting for a reply, and he....

No. Calm. Focus. What's actually here, inside him? If he chases the thread of his determination, where's it rooted? ]

I don't know.

I just don't want...anything bad to happen. On account of me.

[5thchild]

You don't wish to run away then.

[ourtomorrow]

Never again.

[5thchild]

Even if it might hurt you?

[ourtomorrow]

[ Ken has to pause again, this time, but not because he doubts his answer....he just isn't sure how much to share.

Yet, why not? This is a place about connections. If he doesn't reach out, if he isn't fully himself, Ichijouji Ken, he won't be able to do that, will he? ]

Running hurts more.

[5thchild]

[ sometimes, yes. It probably does. ]

Are you scared?

[ourtomorrow]

Are we still talking about my being here?

[ He'll be led, but he also notices things. Sometimes. ]

[5thchild]

[ Ah.

(: ]

In a way, it's related to that.
Running away is a choice. Some choose it, others do not. Each person weighs their choices based on possible outcomes. If running away pains you more than the possible outcome, perhaps acting is for the best.

But it's always based on a possibility. There is always a small doubt in the back of your mid, "Which is the right choice?"
It can be scary, making a decision, for you never know how much it will hurt you.

Are you scared of your decision not to run away from this?

[ourtomorrow]

[ Well, that's a lot. Ken has to read it several times before he even gets to the question at the end, but fortunately, he knows the answer to that - even if he's not sure about his answer, or his opinion, regarding the points raised above.

Running away is never the right choice....is it? Why would it ever be? Are there things he's confronted that he shouldn't have....What would something like that look like? Why would anyone suggest this? ]

I'm not.

[5thchild]

[ kaworu is a lot, let's be honest ]

I see.
That's very brave of you. [ many wouldn't be so certain ]

[ourtomorrow]

Thank you.

[ He's never...been called brave before. Though, he has heard things, from a friend...maybe it's a version of brave? More like - because he's worked hard to change, there's nothing to be scared of any more.

Right, that's a good reminder. There's nothing to be scared of any more. ]

What do you think I should do next?

[ Keeping in mind that he wants to Not Run Away, etc. Asking for advice from someone who has inquired after him isn't a bother, is it? ]

[5thchild]

You wish to help this world.
Therefor, contact with another would be the most logical step, right? [ that's what they are asked to do here. ]