Theater Kid is Experiencing a Long December

[thestarknows]

⭐ Who: Junna... and you!
⭐ When: Throughout December!
⭐ Where: In Yumemigaoka!
⭐ What: A December catch-all! I'll have a couple open prompts but hit me up if you want a different prompt.

Comments

[thezekeinator]

[Zeke shifts his weight to one leg, bringing one hand up and around as if presenting a miracle in his palm.]

Okay, quick challenge for you -- is there any reason at all I wouldn't like them? Any possible notion?

[thestarknows]

W-Well--

[...er.

She hesitates for a second.]

Not... unless you just don't like sugar cookies.

[thezekeinator]

Which I absolutely assure you I do!

[What sane person doesn't?]

Heh, seriously, you're selling yourself short yet again.

[thestarknows]

Fair enough. I'll... I'll work on it. Thanks, Zeke-san.

[It's a bit hard to not be hard on herself, though.]

[thezekeinator]

Hey. [He's suddenly much more serious, straightening up from his slouch to look down at her.] It's a lot to ask you to know who you are, at your age and your place in life. But you should at least know some things about yourself, for facts. What you're good at, and what you're not. What you want to be good at, and what you're okay letting slide.

[He lifts his hand, then clenches it into a fist (way too dramatically, fingers trembling) and slaps it over his heart.]

Your first and last lines of defense? Both here.

[thestarknows]

[Junna blinks when he says it like that. She's still not quite used to Zeke being perfectly serious. She's not entirely sure he's been perfectly serious around her before. Even when he's mostly serious...

There's usually something to try to get a smile out of her, she thinks.

So she takes a second, before she nods. It's smaller than before, because she tends to try to project confidence when she can. Even when that lack of confidence is showing.]

...I think I understand. You have to know yourself. First and foremost. Even if it feels like a tall order some days.

[thezekeinator]

Yup, and there's an important part of that people miss. You have to know your limitations... but also your strengths and your abilities, as well. That means sometimes that self-doubt needs to shut up or get shut up, because it's a weakness right into your core.

[He just... wants to get through to one of them, somehow. Make a difference somewhere.]

[thestarknows]

Mm. I see what you mean. But sometimes... it's something that worms its way back in. [Junna shakes her head.] When you really want it to go away.

[thezekeinator]

And, being a Dreamer, what do we do when a stubborn Torment keeps coming back for more?

[Don't make him wave a pen around like a sword. He'll do it!]

[thestarknows]

[That gets another laugh out of her.]

Give it what for?

[thezekeinator]

Exactly. One way or the other. Being a Dreamer might not be what you want to do with your life, but it's a part of you forever now, and that is the world and your own heart both telling you you can do this. So when that voice is shouting, just remember that the world and everyone in it are screaming louder!

[thestarknows]

Mm. Yeah. That makes sense... I'll try to remember that. And remember what's louder.

[She nods.]

[thezekeinator]

[Zeke delivers a satisfied nod.] Damn straight. Just remember -- the voice I chose to listen to all this time is the one that said I could achieve anything I wanted. And as the younger generation, your job is to do better than mine ever could. So aim for the sky!

[thestarknows]

I'll try to listen to that voice more. And... I'll try to do you and everyone else who supported me proud, too.

[thezekeinator]

You already do.

[Zeke taps her one on the head with the hand not holding cookies, gently.]

Don't you forget THAT, either.

[thestarknows]

[She laughs, in a good-natured way.] Right. I won't.