Well. . . I was invited by a lady in a mask to go to a meeting, because they said I would learn how to be popular there. But instead, it was nothing to do with being popular. Instead, it was a weird religious group, and the leader was putting creepy masks on everyone to make them laugh.
[So, this story's great already.]
I. . . don't laugh. [He's a little sensitive about that.] I never laugh, at anything, even when everyone else is. And when the leader tried to put a mask on me or use his powers to make me laugh, it didn't work. Eventually, he started saying really terrible things, like - if I can't laugh, I won't be able to make friends, or laugh with a girl I like, or get along with everyone. He told me a to "get a clue." [His voice, for some reason, starts to get angry at that.] I hate when people say that. And it's like I told you - when I get angry, I can be dangerous.
Fortunately, he turned out to be an evil spirit, not a human. So I was able to simply exorcise him.
[ Jeanne can't physically feel anything today, but the gesture is more for Mob. She reaches out and gently takes one of his hands.
She remembers how his emotions felt last week, like it was through a filter or a fog. She isn't sure whether it's something he built so he wouldn't get angry or if it's from a culmination of things from his childhood, but she knows one thing. ]
You did well in exorcising him. Leaving a cult like that is a little dangerous, but... Shigeo, is laughing something you want to be able to do?
[He can't feel anything, either, but he still appreciates the gesture.
He has to think about her question for a moment. It's not as simple as that, is it?]
I. . . would like to be able to get along with everyone and have fun. But I would also like not to have to laugh to do that. Why is it so important? Why does it matter that I feel the same things everyone else does?
[ They're two people who can't feel sweet gestures. This is funny.
Jeanne shakes her head. ]
You don't have to laugh to get along with everyone. You shouldn't have to be just like everyone else to have fun. Being able to relate to and understand others is important, but people having their own feelings and wishes... that's what's wonderful about people. That we can all respond to each other in unique ways because we are different people and because we all have our lives and ways of thinking.
[Nod nod! Looking at her like she just said something very wise.]
Master Reigen says that, too. He says "you are the protagonist of your own life." [Whatever that means - but it means something similar to what Jeanne is saying, that you don't have to decide to do things just because others say you're supposed to.]
I agree. You are, and you should be. The choices you make should be what you want. If what you want is do something for other people, that's just as good as doing something for yourself.
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Shigeo, did something good happen?
[ They all need that lately. ]
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I remembered something that I'd forgotten!
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Did you? What did you remember?
[ A beat. ]
But be careful about who you tell that you remembered something, okay, Shigeo?
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[Wait, but - ]
Be careful? Why? Isn't it good news, if we can get our memories back?
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[ And that was because he killed someone, ostensibly?
No one would believe he'd murder, but at the same time, everyone would let Mob get away with murder. ]
So unless you know why you regained the memory, I'd be careful saying so to everyone.
But please tell me about your friend.
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[Mob definitely murdered Raven.]
Mm. . . well, he's an evil spirit. It sounds weird when I put it that way.
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[ She doesn't know for sure, but that's a theory. ]
An... evil spirit? It does sound a little worrying.
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It's not really worrying. He's very weak. I exorcised him before and only part of him survived, but now he follows me around a lot.
I remembered all of that, but I forgot that Dimple is my friend.
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[ She smiles. ]
He doesn't do anything other than follow you, does he?
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[So he is a friend, although. . . ]
He's done some suspicious things, too . . . He encouraged my brother to get in some trouble. But I'm not afraid of him.
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Have you scolded him for that? He shouldn't get your brother into trouble if he wants to be a good friend.
[ jeanne, do evil spirits even want to be good friends ]
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[Don't worry, he is not shy when it comes to his brother..]
I really didn't like that he did that. But he won't do it again, or I'll exorcise him.
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That’s what good brothers do.
[ jeanne don’t encourage young teens to threaten. ]
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But Dimple also. . . he's helped me, when I'm in danger. And he's stopped me, when I might go too far. So I'm glad that he's there.
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[ give her the lore ]
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[So, this story's great already.]
I. . . don't laugh. [He's a little sensitive about that.] I never laugh, at anything, even when everyone else is. And when the leader tried to put a mask on me or use his powers to make me laugh, it didn't work. Eventually, he started saying really terrible things, like - if I can't laugh, I won't be able to make friends, or laugh with a girl I like, or get along with everyone. He told me a to "get a clue." [His voice, for some reason, starts to get angry at that.] I hate when people say that. And it's like I told you - when I get angry, I can be dangerous.
Fortunately, he turned out to be an evil spirit, not a human. So I was able to simply exorcise him.
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She remembers how his emotions felt last week, like it was through a filter or a fog. She isn't sure whether it's something he built so he wouldn't get angry or if it's from a culmination of things from his childhood, but she knows one thing. ]
You did well in exorcising him. Leaving a cult like that is a little dangerous, but... Shigeo, is laughing something you want to be able to do?
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He has to think about her question for a moment. It's not as simple as that, is it?]
I. . . would like to be able to get along with everyone and have fun. But I would also like not to have to laugh to do that. Why is it so important? Why does it matter that I feel the same things everyone else does?
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Jeanne shakes her head. ]
You don't have to laugh to get along with everyone. You shouldn't have to be just like everyone else to have fun. Being able to relate to and understand others is important, but people having their own feelings and wishes... that's what's wonderful about people. That we can all respond to each other in unique ways because we are different people and because we all have our lives and ways of thinking.
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Master Reigen says that, too. He says "you are the protagonist of your own life." [Whatever that means - but it means something similar to what Jeanne is saying, that you don't have to decide to do things just because others say you're supposed to.]
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I agree. You are, and you should be. The choices you make should be what you want. If what you want is do something for other people, that's just as good as doing something for yourself.
You are the star of your life.
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I'll remember that!