[Hm. Considering the events of last week and what he's gone through already, it makes him wonder if some of those ghosts came back to possess a few more of their number. So with some caution, he'll call out to the other.]
[At the sound of his name, Xingqiu's head snaps up with a sickening cracking noise. The song fades away with a whine that sounds like microphone feedback.
Xingqiu smiles.
Or does he scowl?
It's hard to say. It's hard to make out what he's feeling, and it's hard to focus on his face the same way it was hard to focus on the bus schedule.]
[He narrows his eyes at this unnatural reaction, and finds himself on guard for whatever may come out of this encounter. He can't hear anything in this place, and he doesn't even know if he'd be able to detect this particular brand of strangeness, but they know Florence exists in this world. Other machines built in the the form of people wouldn't be so unusual.]
[He finds himself blinking at that, taken aback. Of course, it makes sense in some twisted way. If there was a double of Xingqiu, then there's nothing to say that there couldn't be a double of himself--a double of the person called Shinei Nouzen.
And while there's something rather eerie about the thought, he shoves it out of his mind almost automatically. That isn't something he needs to think about at the moment.]
[He turns his head away slightly at the gust of wind, but then he looks back at "Xingqiu", examining him carefully. Is there anything unnatural about his body? Say, like the eyes seeming glassier than a normal person's or if there's anything under the skin that shouldn't be there, etc.?]
Why do you care so much about what others think of you?
[Shin's only known Xingqiu for a couple of weeks and he can tell they're already failing step one when it comes to being real, but he's not going to be the one telling them that.
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Xingqiu. What are you singing?
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Xingqiu smiles.
Or does he scowl?
It's hard to say. It's hard to make out what he's feeling, and it's hard to focus on his face the same way it was hard to focus on the bus schedule.]
You knew it was me?
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Is there a reason I shouldn't have?
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All the others said I was the worst one, but you know it was me, so that means I'm perfect.
[Which isn't a reason at all, but he seems very, very pleased with himself.]
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There's honestly a lot he could ask, but let's start out with this one.]
Who are the others?
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[Obviously.]
The you that's not you, but it's you, but is he as perfect as you? As me?
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And while there's something rather eerie about the thought, he shoves it out of his mind almost automatically. That isn't something he needs to think about at the moment.]
I wouldn't know. I've never met "him".
[...]
What are you, then? Are you like Luscinia?
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[He seems legitimately confused by the question about Florence, but then he nods, brushing off the question entirely.]
You'll see him. You should see him. You'll know if you're you if you see you.
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...Where is he, then?
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[He's annoyed at that question, scowling - and as he does there's a sudden gust of wind.]
He's probably with the rest of them. They think they're better, but they're no. Are they? They can't be...
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Why do you care so much about what others think of you?
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Except for his behavior.]
I need to be the real one, and that's the best way to prove it!
[Obviously!]
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Instead, let's question their motives more:]
Why do you need to be real?
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It's for your own good! All of you.
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That gets him to blink though.]
...How is it for our own good?
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[Obviously.
Xingqiu(?) seems very convinced this is a fact, at least.]
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But if I don't belong here, then where's "here"?
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[Isn't it? Of course it is.]
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I don't know... what is it like for you?
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Or it's - it's supposed to be the same.
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And if that's the case, doesn't that mean you don't belong here either?
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So it's different. But you not being from here is why you're wrong.
[This is clearly a logical train of thought.]
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Also that... is one way of wording it. The nuance is a little different compared to before.]
If me being here makes me wrong, then how do I leave this place?
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If you let him replace you, you won't have to worry about that.
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What would happen to me if I did? Would I remain trapped here?
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