Roman's Influential Orb

The Progress

Virgil and Roman are well on the road to get his voice back but they make a pit-stop for a very important reason.

He can listen? It might help to have an extra pair of hands but he might get hurt... I doubt they would hurt him but still...

"You can help if you're careful and listen to me."

"Wh-t-ver, -----."

"We'll never know if that was your best yet?"

"Sh-t -p."

"It's a shame I can still understand you."

"Can we just get my voice back, I n--d -t."

Why was that the one thing that was clear? "Uh sure."

As we wandered down the hallway together, a wave of nostalgia hit and I found myself absentmindedly tapping my foot against the wall.

Walking down this hallway was where I first found out about Veronica, Demi, Stage Performance, Sensitivity, Eli, Hostility and even Laura, Cloud and Diante. Each with their own goal, frustrated with Roman's constant denial of each of purposes.

Why had he decided to life his life like a stage performance?

"Why did your life become a stage performance? I know it's not the best question to ask when we're trying to find your voice but, I want to know."

"Because of how my life was going... I didn't want to keep being mean to you, it honestly broke me everytime I saw how my insults were affecting you. I was mean to everyone and I let you guys down by playing into deceit's hand. Keeping up that behaviour was the hardest thing and it felt like playing a role for one of my plays, so I stuck with that because if I suddenly changed, all of you would question me."

"Wow... you really wanted to change? Why didnt you? The rest of us had changed, improved and learned important lessons."

"I was scared, change is hard. When I was younger, life was so carefree and everyone appreciated my ideas. Thomas took dance lessons as a teenager and I could let my creativity out whenever I wanted to. I guess I was trying to hold onto those times and who I was back then without realising that as you guys and thomas matured, I had to also."

"You can still dance, indulge in your sensitive side, wear those snazzy make-up looks, use as many hand gestures as you want, play as many pranks as you desire and sleepwalk."

"How did you- nevermind, you talked to my inner mind."

"You don't have to grow up just yet, you just have to be honest with yourself and us."

"I should grow up, soon. Maybe not just yet."

"Let's go to your room, you can wear the outfit that Sensitivity and I picked out."

"Okay."

As we walked to his room, I wondered if he would even like it. We spent hours picking it out, he might not like it. I hope he likes it, it makes sense, it was chosen by his mind after all. Technically...

"We're here, -----."

"Okay, your outfit is on top of your desk."

"Okay, thanks."

(511 words)