Overlap ~ The Other Side

Chapter 010: Nature and Nurture

Chapter Theme Music: Fairy Forest ~ Rita Raga

<03/02/149,559 {Avion 148} - 17:41 | Corral Position, Genosis, Altiri Sector Space>
<Karnak to ACS414 Date Equivalent: 03/02/2003>

"I'm sorry. I just don't understand it." Sounding rather annoyed again, Ashiela tried once more to comprehend the reason behind my choice in persons of interest. Even though only two days have passed since I've seen Reed, I've been keeping close eyes on everyone in my mental notes.

"There isn't much to understand," I defended. "Reed isn't a female, nor does he behave in a manner presenting like one. That said, he also doesn't behave in any manner like the average heathen either. All aggression is absent from his mind. Any desire to control anything is also removed from his priority. Heathen or not, he isn't like the other students around him, and so he remains isolated, desiring friendship while failing to find it due to the rough nature of those nearby." It's not like I've done anything wrong, nor am I in any trouble from anyone. Still, there are four of us in particular who have zero tolerance and patience for anyone who even might be a heathen, so they weren't happy to hear when I told them that Reed was a male child.

"Would the four of you knock it off?" I wanted to hug Junko right then and there for being the voice of much needed reason. "We've observed countless heathens in our time of observation, and never was such an observation held against any scrutiny. If you do not cease hounding Lumina for her list of interests, I will personally put all of you in line." I have to remember never to get on Junko's bad side. She's quite a fighter, nearly impossible to defeat in most techniques.

The four of them, Fionne, Ashiela, Hurma, and Derria did in fact knock it off as Junko requested, though the conversation would persist longer, since Sherika was still curious about the matter. "I would still like to ask, in curiosity, what about this individual has peaked your interest so, especially considering his stable life and young age."

"That's just it." A majority of those who are most insightful usually have or used to have something significant happen to them, usually negative. Aside from the obvious fact that Reed seems to be alienated from every other student around him, given that his weirdness isn't well hidden, there are not many shortcomings in his life. His parents seem nice enough at least; I followed my view of him through the bus ride all the way to his house, wondering if I would have more clues there. From all of this, maybe I was wrong to think that it takes significant happenings to be an insightful person. At his age though, even I must admit it is rare. "Reed is strangely insightful about the world around him. I know I keep saying that like a broken record player, but you'd just have to see it for yourself to understand. The other three I'm tracking have a level of insightfulness about them as well, but it isn't exactly the same, I think."

Without more than a second, Junko stood up for me once again, even though Sherika's question held no other meaning or intention. "You have nothing to explain Lumina. There are going to be many weird or interesting people of the world. I don't know if we can say that people of the south are different from people of the north, but you were still correct all along, in assuming that our search would be worth it. Even I have found a few rare individuals, or hidden gems as you like to call them... Just be careful not to get too attached."

I wanted to argue that Junko had the wrong idea to think that, but it has happened to me before. I've seen woman of interest make horrible decisions, just after I started to care about them more than I should have. When I see someone suffering past the point of willful suicide, it's impossible for me not to wish I could somehow intervene. No matter what, we Altiri cannot intervene though. We can't send out a blip or signal to tell somebody to do something differently or to encourage them. It's the biggest downside to watching someone long enough with our clairvoyance. I don't want to fall into a depression like before ever again, so I know already not to let myself get too attached. "Oh Junko. I've since learned my lesson from before. Even if I prioritize or prolong my viewing of these specific humans, I'm not going to wind up in a desperate situation like before." I wish I could forget how horrible it felt, to watch someone die, to watch someone want to die, and have no power to stop it.