[She actually didn't catch it until her fifth viewing which was ... A long time ago.]
But don't you think he could have chosen to end it or stay in it with more than a dramatic jump? It's true that we can't be completely sure if he left it or not, but choices like that aren't meant to be cut and dry anyway.
[And the emotional breadth needed to fully expand on that and make either decision as weighted and realistic as needed would be whole other film. Maybe two.] Either way, it's a choice he got to make after learning the truth.
[Boxer fidgets with his hands a little before turning to her.]
If I were him, I wouldn't care that they're "fake"...the relationships in there were way better than the ones he had in reality. I don't understand why he'd go back, other than the attempt to make it sound like the morally right decision.
[He feels bad that he's being all negative again.]
[... He's doing the fidgeting thing again, which still doesn't make any sense to her. He'd seemed perfectly fine on the rest of their date and yet now it was as if he was worried one slight word might throw off everything between them.]
Because ... [She tilts her head to one side, clearly struggling to articulate her words.] Even though the relationships in the simulation are perfectly valid, there's also a whole other world that's just as deserving of experience, right? It's defined as 'real', sure, and it's going to be much harder and much more complicated to survive in, but sometimes you have to try anyway. If you don't then it's like not knowing what could be on that other side is absolutely maddening.
[Nariko tilts her head back, looking up at the ceiling.] And maybe by falling like that, there's a little hope that the other side isn't as bad as it's being presented, and that even if the 'real' world is difficult, the progress that could be made in it would be better than what the simulation can produce.
[Something dark and almost upset passes through her eyes, but she sighs, rights herself, and smiles normally.] Still! I do agree that the way it's presented does make it seem like the 'right' decision and that wasn't the best choice for such a symbolism heavy theme! It's one of those situations where once you start deciding what's 'right' and 'wrong' for the viewer, it's much less fun for them to watch it!
I get it. The perspective makes sense, but I still would've stayed. Maybe it would be selfish some way, but after having a history like that...there's a difference between taking responsibility and willingly exposing yourself to such a toxic environment.
[A shrug.]
We only got one life to live, and you should take whatever path that makes the best of it.
It's exactly because we have one life that it's not selfish at all - it's just a decision.
[It's something they're obviously on opposite ends about but that's alright! It gives her an indication of how fundamentally different they might be, but that they can still talk civilly and such is a much better sign, and way more important.]
But, okay! We can try a super romantic fluffbuster movie now, wash all that philosophical thinking out of our heads!
[He sidles up against her side as the next movie starts, but considering they've already chunked out time with two movies, it's well past this little kraken's bedtime. Even though he's interested in the movie, he can't help but nod off against her, and once he falls asleep enough to let his head fall on top of hers and clonking them together rather painfully, he shoots back to wakefulness.]
[Yeahh, this might have been an incredibly ambitious goal, shoving exactly three movies into an already packed night. The truth is that she's falling asleep right along with him, eyes drooping shut and her chin shoved forward a little. When he knocks into her head Nariko yelps, and looks as disoriented as she feels.]
Wha? [She was definitely asleep there, too.]
Oh, man. [And so was Boxer.] ... I think we're done for the night.
[And even though there's a part of her skull throbbing angrily she grins a bit.]
Shame this couldn't have been a few years ago. I could stay up for days without ill effect...
[He detangles her from his tentacles carefully, then heaves himself into his wheelchair. Boxer yawns and rubs at an eye...he really should have been asleep, like, three hours ago. Oh well...he'll just take a nap after his circuit.]
Yep, but then you get older and things happen and suddenly you're going to bed at ten. It's awful.
[This is hardly the first time she's loathed that changes that Real Adulthood have brought into her life. It's a shame to lose his tentacles but she drags herself up and tries to hide a gigantic yawn between her hands.]
Nah, I'm good! The ringing will stop, probably.
[Hopefully.] You have a very strong skull.
[Said with the same ease as 'hey, the sun is out!']
i can't promise i'll be even remotely as active as i used to be but i have missed this terribly
I'm still marveling at the idea of having something other than coffee and a muffin for breakfast!
[Which is her way of saying 'I definitely won't leave because you're cute and I like you a lot'. So all is well. She snuggles up to him until they make it to the room.]
It's so nice in here ...
[She's referring to the humidity of his room and the sound of his tank! It's sort of like being in the ocean, except phenomenally less wet.]
[Just so he knows. She'd give lemon poppy a try, though!]
A bed is much less complicated than a tank. You pick good sheets, a nice looking comforter and some pillows, and that's it. It looks more than inviting enough to me.
[It's still a little sad that there's no way for the both of them to sleep next to each other comfortably, but one negative outweighs the incredibly long list of things she loves about Boxer.]
It's not a hotel stay if you don't complain about the beds, though! [She shrugs.] Or it's an incredibly amazing hotel if the beds don't suck at all. Depends on who you ask.
[She wiggles right under, watching him near his tank.]
At least until I build something that fixes it. [And she just might, because everyone needs a challenge.]
Maybe I'll have to try staying at a hotel sometime...
[He has to do some non-water travel. It's way overdue.]
Yeah, goodnight! [He grins as he hoists himself into his tank. He drops in, sending a flurry of bubbles through his tank--but he doesn't take in a gillfull of water because he pops back up out of the water shortly after to continue talking.]
I'll make sure that you have a good breakfast to wake up to. Have a good rest, Nariko.
[Well, in his general future is a trip on a boat ...
When they say their goodbyes she's expecting to close her eyes and just gently nod off but he's up before they've even gone anywhere near down. She blinks up at him from under the comforter, and then snorts,]
You are the best. And not because you're offering to feed me.
[He was just - he was great. Cute, intelligent, empathetic, sexy, with the right kind of mystery and contrast to herself. She just really Liked him, and it felt like a good moment to tell him so, in her own little way.]
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[So as for what actually happened to their real world selves is ... Something else.]
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[...it's an interesting thing to bring up: there's only one small tidbit that actually brings up that detail--lots of people would overlook it.]
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[She actually didn't catch it until her fifth viewing which was ... A long time ago.]
But don't you think he could have chosen to end it or stay in it with more than a dramatic jump? It's true that we can't be completely sure if he left it or not, but choices like that aren't meant to be cut and dry anyway.
[And the emotional breadth needed to fully expand on that and make either decision as weighted and realistic as needed would be whole other film. Maybe two.] Either way, it's a choice he got to make after learning the truth.
oops, meant to write "without"
[Boxer fidgets with his hands a little before turning to her.]
If I were him, I wouldn't care that they're "fake"...the relationships in there were way better than the ones he had in reality. I don't understand why he'd go back, other than the attempt to make it sound like the morally right decision.
[He feels bad that he's being all negative again.]
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Because ... [She tilts her head to one side, clearly struggling to articulate her words.] Even though the relationships in the simulation are perfectly valid, there's also a whole other world that's just as deserving of experience, right? It's defined as 'real', sure, and it's going to be much harder and much more complicated to survive in, but sometimes you have to try anyway. If you don't then it's like not knowing what could be on that other side is absolutely maddening.
[Nariko tilts her head back, looking up at the ceiling.] And maybe by falling like that, there's a little hope that the other side isn't as bad as it's being presented, and that even if the 'real' world is difficult, the progress that could be made in it would be better than what the simulation can produce.
[Something dark and almost upset passes through her eyes, but she sighs, rights herself, and smiles normally.] Still! I do agree that the way it's presented does make it seem like the 'right' decision and that wasn't the best choice for such a symbolism heavy theme! It's one of those situations where once you start deciding what's 'right' and 'wrong' for the viewer, it's much less fun for them to watch it!
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[He's quiet and thoughtful at her response.]
I get it. The perspective makes sense, but I still would've stayed. Maybe it would be selfish some way, but after having a history like that...there's a difference between taking responsibility and willingly exposing yourself to such a toxic environment.
[A shrug.]
We only got one life to live, and you should take whatever path that makes the best of it.
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[It's something they're obviously on opposite ends about but that's alright! It gives her an indication of how fundamentally different they might be, but that they can still talk civilly and such is a much better sign, and way more important.]
But, okay! We can try a super romantic fluffbuster movie now, wash all that philosophical thinking out of our heads!
[All movies are good movies!]
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[He sidles up against her side as the next movie starts, but considering they've already chunked out time with two movies, it's well past this little kraken's bedtime. Even though he's interested in the movie, he can't help but nod off against her, and once he falls asleep enough to let his head fall on top of hers and clonking them together rather painfully, he shoots back to wakefulness.]
Ah! I'm sorry!
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Wha? [She was definitely asleep there, too.]
Oh, man. [And so was Boxer.] ... I think we're done for the night.
[And even though there's a part of her skull throbbing angrily she grins a bit.]
have i been gone for long enough? smh
Shame this couldn't have been a few years ago. I could stay up for days without ill effect...
[He detangles her from his tentacles carefully, then heaves himself into his wheelchair. Boxer yawns and rubs at an eye...he really should have been asleep, like, three hours ago. Oh well...he'll just take a nap after his circuit.]
Need any ice? For your head.
ahhhhhhhhhh!!! YOU CAME BACK such joy ;_;
[This is hardly the first time she's loathed that changes that Real Adulthood have brought into her life. It's a shame to lose his tentacles but she drags herself up and tries to hide a gigantic yawn between her hands.]
Nah, I'm good! The ringing will stop, probably.
[Hopefully.] You have a very strong skull.
[Said with the same ease as 'hey, the sun is out!']
i can't promise i'll be even remotely as active as i used to be but i have missed this terribly
Gotta keep all this blubber standing up straight somehow.
[He turns his chair to face Nariko.]
Wanna ride?
that's cool we can take it one thread at a time if that's easier -- are you doing okay tho?
[That, and all the other lovely features that compromise one (1) Boxer. The offer puts a grin on her face.]
I'd appreciate it, kind sir.
[Even though he's far sturdier than she could ever hope to be, Nariko is still careful about sliding onto his lap.]
how could i ever choose though? also: yes!
[He gives her a smirk and a gentle kiss to the temple before scooting them into his bedroom.]
I'm looking forward to having breakfast with you before we go to work tomorrow.
[Which is kind of his way of saying 'please don't leave early'.]
ehh will start here and wing it. And good!
[Which is her way of saying 'I definitely won't leave because you're cute and I like you a lot'. So all is well. She snuggles up to him until they make it to the room.]
It's so nice in here ...
[She's referring to the humidity of his room and the sound of his tank! It's sort of like being in the ocean, except phenomenally less wet.]
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[He brings a hand to his chin thoughtfully. Blueberry...lemon poppy...he's never made them from scratch for breakfast before!]
Really? I'm glad. I know I've put a lot of effort into my tank, so I keep worrying that my "guest bed" comes off as an afterthought...
[When it clearly isn't, but there's only so much you can do to a bed and still keep it a restful place.]
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[Just so he knows. She'd give lemon poppy a try, though!]
A bed is much less complicated than a tank. You pick good sheets, a nice looking comforter and some pillows, and that's it. It looks more than inviting enough to me.
[It's still a little sad that there's no way for the both of them to sleep next to each other comfortably, but one negative outweighs the incredibly long list of things she loves about Boxer.]
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[He gives it a few hearty, affectionate pats.]
I'm glad you like it. No one really gave me feedback--then again, I suppose I never asked for it, either.
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[But Nariko finally resigns herself to losing Boxer's warmth and size, crawling onto the bed and working the covers back.]
It's next to you, so right now it's a pretty great place to be as far as I'm concerned.
[... Was that too much? Too cheesy for the end of a first date/almost breakfast date??? Who knows, she went for it anyway.]
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...then again, they might not be taking the complaint to management.
[With Nariko off of his lap, he goes to scoot himself over to the other side of the tank. He smiles at her.]
Yeah...that was the idea. I don't like keeping my guests away from me...but this is the closest I can get.
[And by guest, given that he doesn't have any family, the implication is that they're all intimate guests.]
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[She wiggles right under, watching him near his tank.]
At least until I build something that fixes it. [And she just might, because everyone needs a challenge.]
For now, goodnight?
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[He has to do some non-water travel. It's way overdue.]
Yeah, goodnight! [He grins as he hoists himself into his tank. He drops in, sending a flurry of bubbles through his tank--but he doesn't take in a gillfull of water because he pops back up out of the water shortly after to continue talking.]
I'll make sure that you have a good breakfast to wake up to. Have a good rest, Nariko.
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When they say their goodbyes she's expecting to close her eyes and just gently nod off but he's up before they've even gone anywhere near down. She blinks up at him from under the comforter, and then snorts,]
You are the best. And not because you're offering to feed me.
[He was just - he was great. Cute, intelligent, empathetic, sexy, with the right kind of mystery and contrast to herself. She just really Liked him, and it felt like a good moment to tell him so, in her own little way.]
Goodnight, and you rest well, too.
[They'd see each other in the morning.]