text; morning

[bearshermark]

So I guess this isn't the first time I've been reincarnated.

It's happened to me at least once before, and it seems like it was just as confusing then as it is now.

I wonder how different I am from those previous incarnations.

Comments

[bearshermark]

Maybe talent agencies look for something different in Japan?

But if your past self could make it, I'm sure you could again. With more memories, you might get a better glimpse into whatever she did to get there. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

[traceofeffort]

No, I don't think that's it. It's just that Yukina and Sayo were GOOD. Like, could headline HERE. I

[She pauses; she almost has a headache, and she sees something. Feels herself saying something, telling someone something-]

I'm the weakest member of Roselia, so I have to practice hard to keep up with everyone else.

[A beat passes, as she realizes what she wrote as her fingers kept going while she was out.]

fuck.

[bearshermark]

[Well that's more honest than he expected. Maybe he shouldn't have brought it up]

I'm sure you're plenty enough talented, but there's nothing wrong with continuing to work hard to improve your craft.

[traceofeffort]

I saw something, just now. The other me telling someone else that, because she asked me why I was still practicing. I must have just said it to you too without thinking about it. But... does that mean we're both bad? Am I just fated to suck? Am I never gonna be satisfied?

Or am I just looking at it wrong? Sayo IS better than me - both of me - but can I push past her? I can't tell what I'm trying to tell myself anymore.

[bearshermark]

[Memories really can happen at any time, he guesses.]

Is it important to you to surpass her? It doesn't mean you're terrible just because someone is better than you at something.

[traceofeffort]

It's a little important, but... Elliott, music has been my dream since I was little. I wanted to stand on that stage and sing my heart out, play until my fingers were raw. I still do, mostly. I don't want to give up. But seeing what that next step looks like hurts a little bit. I'm not there yet. I don't know if I CAN get there by myself.

...I wanna hear people cheering for me like they did for her. I don't know if that's too much to ask or not.

[bearshermark]

[He feels a bit lucky that he only has a modest dream of saving the world]

What do you think it will take to get there?

[traceofeffort]

[Hey, people cheer for that too, her among them. Don't try to recruit Lisa as a party member, though, she'll make a lousy bard.]

A lot more practice. Not just playing a few nights a week, but actual studio practice time, so I don't piss off my roommate by practicing at home. If I want to play Roselia's - my band's music, I probably need an electric guitar, and maybe a bass if I want to try that. More courage. Maybe bandmates, but part of me wants to get as far as I can by myself before I try that.

...that's a short list, right? Kinda? Not really?

[bearshermark]

Serious dedication then, huh? That makes sense. I'm sure you can do all of it if you really try. I don't know that I can help at all, but let me know if there's anything I can do.

[traceofeffort]

I hope I can. And you've already helped a lot. You're keeping me from going crazy. Well, any more than I already have. You've seen a lot of me at pretty close to my worst, too. I don't think I could ask for much more than that, you know? So... thank you again, Elliott, seriously. Thank you for being there for me. Please, let me know if there's anything I can do for YOU.

[bearshermark]

I like being able to help, so I don't mind at all. Anytime.