log; i don't know cries

[inoperative]

[Congrats, you poor sucker. You're in a post-apocalyptic world! Specifically, you're in an abandoned amusement park (so beware of killer birds. No, really) at night. Doesn't look very nice, but hey, it could be much, much worse. The ferris wheel is pretty to look at, at least, with the moon shining nearby. And there's a... pig fountain thing. It's kind of cute?

... But is it abandoned? There's the sound of movement coming from somewhere, up above, but no one can be seen. Dun dun dun—]

Comments

[triverse]

[That teapot will break one day.

This boy likes to be on the move, doesn't he? It's almost tiresome to keep following along.]

Who knows . . . It could very well be the matter of salvation again.

[inoperative]

[No, it won't, because Crow dies before then—]

Salvation? As if. I don't think there's anything that could save the world at this point. Not enough humans left.

[triverse]

[Crow, your life.]

. . . Let me ask you this, too: what do you think salvation is?

[inoperative]

Never thought about it.

[He shrugs flippantly.]

That kind of thing's a little too far out of my reach. I'm not some hero or looking for one or anything. I'm just out to live my life, you know?

[triverse]

An easy spirit . . .

My salvation is one that removes a soul from suffering. Do you understand?

[inoperative]

Not much else you can do in a place like this.

[He blinks.]

... Removes a soul from suffering? What are you even talking about? Huh?

[triverse]

That's the salvation that I sought to share in the previous world, and one that only I was capable of achieving. The nature of this world is probably much more different than the other—but they may share similarities.

[And that probably didn't explain anything at all.]

[inoperative]

[He holds his hands up.]

Whoa there! I don't think we're speaking the same language anymore.

[triverse]

[He looks sharply at Crow.]

Crow, was it? Do you think you live a life without suffering?

[inoperative]

Wha—? That's kind of a personal question when we're not even friends, don't you think?

[triverse]

Ah, but I'm not asking as a friend.

You don't have to answer. For the time being, your reaction is enough.

[inoperative]

... My reaction, huh?

[Leaning forward again!]

Well then, if you're so smart, then tell me: what did my reaction say about me?

[triverse]

[This time, he pulls away to the side in a still contemplative gesture.]

You staggered. It's not so surprising—it is a rather "loaded" question.

[At any rate,]

I'm sure there are suffering souls around somewhere. It's a matter of finding them.

[inoperative]

In a place like this? Yeah, you'll probably find a bunch. Lots of lonely people, probably. Humans seeking other humans. Typical stuff, y'know?

[He does a back flip, before landing back on his feet, further away from Kongwai now.]

Me, though? Things aren't too bad right now. Sure, they're not perfect, and there's stuff I'm looking for, but I wouldn't say I'm suffering.

[triverse]

[It sounds rather naive.]

Oh? And you're looking for . . .

[inoperative]

Hey now, if you want to ask me more stuff, then you should answer my questions. What about you, huh? Do you think you live a life with no suffering?

[triverse]

[Well, it was about time he stopped receiving easy answers. The slightest incline of his head, and Kongwai simply replies,]

I do.

[inoperative]

[He cartwheels until he's standing by Kongwai's side.]

Really? What makes your life so great, then?

[triverse]

. . . incontinuity, probably. A unidirectional approach to being alive.

[inoperative]

... Man, are you always this confusing? I've got no idea what you're talking about.

[triverse]

It's not a bad thing. After all, life is a broad and heavy concept.

2/2 YEAH

[triverse]

In any case, that's my answer. And yours?

[inoperative]

Huh? What about me? I don't even know what you meant just now.

[triverse]

. . . I suppose it isn't imperative that I know.

Well, then, I'd better be going.

[inoperative]

Off to remove someone's soul from suffering or whatever it was that you said, huh?