Give me Birds with Broken Wings

DIALOGUE

i don't think i'm meant to have my life figured out yet.

are you skipping, or just strategically absent?

you're my favorite procrastination partner.

how are you this calm during finals week?

i think i bombed that exam.

i don't think i could do this semester without you.

are you dropping the class?

i can't believe we met like this.

i'm avoiding my dorm on purpose.

you don't have to stay if you're busy.

you going to the party, or pretending you hate parties?

i forgot what day it is.

i hate group projects. i hate them so much.

did you actually read the syllabus, or are you guessing like the rest of us?

you're way too hard on yourself.

that party was a mistake.

do you ever miss home?

why does adulthood hit this fast?

i can't believe this class is mandatory.

you wanna study, or stare at the wall together?

you don't have to be strong all the time.

you feel different than everyone else here.

i can't afford another textbook.

i forgot how loud dorms are.

stop spiraling, it's one grade.

don't talk to me before my second coffee.

you're my favorite distraction.

why does every assignment feel personal?

are we actually friends, or just trauma-bonded by this class?

i should not have signed up for an 8 a.m. lecture.

you're the only reason i passed that class.

this campus feels empty at night.

are you okay, or just academically okay?

i'm glad you're here.

i can't tell if i love this major or regret it.

you smell like coffee and regret.

you wanna walk back together?

are you scared too, or just better at hiding it?

you look like you just crawled out of a group project.

did you pull an all-nighter again?

i trust you more than most people here.

can we just stay in tonight?

you make this place feel less overwhelming.

you're telling me that's due tonight?

you're shaking. did you drink enough water?

i didn't expect college to feel this lonely sometimes.

i think i'm burning out.

this campus feels like a city that never sleeps, but i do.

i didn't expect college to change me this much.

you're living off instant noodles again, aren't you?

you look really good for someone this tired.

why is the library always freezing?

i didn't know who else to call.

i didn't come to campus to be this stressed.

i don't think my brain works anymore.

i forgot to eat today.

don't apologize, we're all barely holding it together.

you're my safe person on this campus.

i'm so tired of pretending i'm fine.

i have not slept in thirty hours, so if i'm mean, that's why.

stay a little longer.

you wanna sit together, or is that weird?

i didn't think we'd get this close.

i don't feel like going back to my room alone.

i swear this professor hates me personally.

ACTIONS

( cram ) : for OUR MUSES to cram for an exam last-minute.

( comfort ) : for SENDER to comfort RECEIVER after a bad grade.

( lecture ) : for OUR MUSES to sit together during a long lecture.

( save ) : for SENDER to pull RECEIVER away from a situation at a party.

( nap ) : for OUR MUSES to take a nap between classes.

( pregame ) : for OUR MUSES to pregame drink before a party.

( crash ) : for OUR MUSES to crash on each other's dorm floor.

( skip ) : for OUR MUSES to skip class and stay in bed.

( rant ) : for SENDER to rant to RECEIVER about a professor.

( breakdown ) : for RECEIVER to breakdown with SENDER present.

( cook ) : for SENDER to make a poor dorm-meal for RECEIVER.

( avoid ) : for OUR MUSES to avoid their roommates together.

( walk ) : for OUR MUSES to walk across campus late at night.

( call ) : for SENDER to call RECEIVER during a late-night spiral.

( wander ) : for OUR MUSES to wander campus with no destination.

( party ) : for OUR MUSES to lose each other at a crowded party.

( food ) : for OUR MUSES to split one sad cafeteria meal.

( stay ) : for SENDER to ask RECEIVER to stay the night.

( leave ) : for OUR MUSES to leave a party early together.

( move ) : for OUR MUSES to help each other move dorms.

( notes ) : for SENDER to lend RECEIVER class notes.

( seat ) : for SENDER to save a seat for RECEIVER in class.

( share ) : for OUR MUSES to share earbuds while studying.

( coffee ) : for SENDER to bring RECEIVER coffee during finals week.

( confess ) : for SENDER to confess burnout to RECEIVER.

( finals ) : for OUR MUSES to stay up all night during finals week.

( study ) : for OUR MUSES to study together.

( bed ) : for OUR MUSES to share a dorm bed.

A confused and irritated look settled in his face.

Relta admired her trusted Admiral, finding Axel to be good company and a wiser advisor than his apparent age would suggest. She smirked at him slightly when she noticed him taking a look at her form as she tore her skirts, finding it a bit amusing as she was usually looked at in reverence rather than with desire, or rather desire for her rather than desiring controlling her. It was part of why she’d decided to speak of this to Admiral Emberwish.

"We can offer incentives outside of pure dedication and base pay. If we strengthen our country and economy, we could afford paying the soldiers and their families a healthy wage." It would be hard fought. They'd have to entirely rely on the resources they'd gain from the other kingdom in exchange for fighters; and that could very well not be enough. "...or we could expand. There's lands with barely any governing bodies that have untapped resources." He knew what he was suggesting; and that such a notion may not be taken as well as the first. But they needed something to offer for trade before they could focus more on other structural components of the kingdom.

"It could be dangerous, but if we can get what we need; we can build long term solutions that don't rely on joining kingdoms."

Kaho propped his elbow up on the counter, long kimono sleeve slipping down against gravity, resting his cheek on his hand as he prepared himself to listen.

The way the story began was no disappointment, that was for certain. His eyebrows raised, smile growing. "What an unusual God. Usually they are very selfish." in his personal experience.