[BBS]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias has had to mull over his thoughts for the assembly for a little while. It's just... been confusing him, not being able to get a straight thought about it that made sense to him. So, as he usually has when he's been confused, he's going to the BBS.]

I understand not wanting to be a part of this school sometimes. But why would anyone not want to be a part of Garden itself? Or be friends with us?

And why would they need to attack anyone? Can't they get everyone to "acknowledge them diplomatically" in a way that no one gets hurt?

Comments

[espio]

Well, I met their leader up in Esthar, back when I went to that orphanage. We weren't attacked or anything, they only wanted to talk.

From what I gather, Sol Invictus sees being part of Garden as "selling out" - giving up their independence and personal goals to become part of something that goes against their beliefs. Not to mention, Garden places restrictions on us. Not that we always follow those restrictions, and we don't really get punished for it.

ESPIO

[corruptedsouls]

But we're not giving up our independence. We're here because we're all somewhere away from home. What kind of goals would you have to give up just coming here that you didn't for being here?

[espio]

We don't see it like that, but that's not to say others don't see differently. Some may disagree strongly with the "work for whoever pays most" thing, for example. Others may just want to travel and see the world, even if it's a foreign one - we can't really do that in Garden.

Then there's this: we see the Garden as home. We care about it and protect it. But home means something different to other people - someone who's part of Sol Invictus would see that as home, and they'll care about and protect Sol Invictus. Misunderstandings and a conflict of interest lead to fighting - one faction protects their home, the other protects their own, and it all gets pointlessly drawn out.

[corruptedsouls]

I guess that's not really a good thing to do... but it's better than being alone or not having anyone help you.

...That makes sense.

[I mean, hell, Tobias doesn't exactly fight, but he'd do anything to protect Garden and the other cadets at this point. And now that someone has a choice...]

But if it's just misunderstandings, isn't there some way to fix it so that no one has to get hurt and we can help each other?

[espio]

They've been trying to open up negotiations between them and Garden. I don't know how those are going, or if they're even proceeding with them.

I don't think they're necessarily our enemy.

[corruptedsouls]

That's good, at least. I hope it goes well.

[espio]

So when did they come up? That assembly?

[The one he didn't attend.]

[corruptedsouls]

Yeah. The Commander was talking about them and the mission we did.

[espio]

Guess I should have gone to it.

On a related note, I'm glad you're okay after all that.

[corruptedsouls]

[There's kind of a lengthy pause before his next post.]

[corruptedsouls]

I am too. It was worse than I thought it would be.

[espio]

Oh, I knew you were underestimating it. But I also knew you could pull through ♥

[He totally C&P'd that from one of Grell's posts. He has no idea how to type a heart.]

[corruptedsouls]

[And Tobias is kinda surprised at the heart. It makes him smile, though.]

Thank you. It was hard, but I did it!

[espio]

Yeah!

And I need to talk to you about something, too, when you're free.

[corruptedsouls]

I'm free now.

[espio]

Drop by my room, then.

[Action!]

[corruptedsouls]

[And that is exactly what Tobias is doing! Hope you don't mind that he doesn't knock.]

Re: [Action!]

[espio]

[It's okay! Espio doesn't mind, he was listening out for him anyway.

Espio's room, incidentally, has never been so clean. Never. Well, except when his ninja self decided to murder all his turnips and throw out a whole bunch of accumulated junk, but then it was the other Espio's room.

As Tobias enters, he quickly throws a small blanket over a little pile of things.]

Hey! You got here quick.

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias glances around the room a bit, either not noticing or ignoring the blanket toss, then smiles.]

Well, I figured it was important, so I came right here.

[espio]

Nah, it's not that important. I just...

Well, I withdrew my resignation. So I wanted you to know about it.

[corruptedsouls]

You're going to be an Instructor and SeeD again?

[espio]

Yes.

Like I said, I took time out in Balamb to think about it, and I decided. Garden is my home, and I feel responsible for the cadets I teach - teaching them to fight is important to me... and I don't really want to give that up. If I could, I'd take on more subjects and be a full-time instructor.

I still don't agree with Zabala. But I think teaching things my way will be more valuable than throwing kids to the monsters.

[corruptedsouls]

I'm glad!

[Yep. Smiling and support is all you get, Espio.]

I was actually kind of scared when you stopped being a SeeD.

[espio]

[Toby's smile is slightly too contagious - Espio tries to hide it, but he's pleased that Toby's okay with it.]

Really? I was still gonna stay, you know. Even if I couldn't be a SeeD anymore.

[corruptedsouls]

I know, but still.