text / anonymous (before the last day of the party)

[heartstopping]

[Rolo's not generally bothered by what anyone thinks, but somehow this feels like an extremely embarrassing thing to have to ask, so he sticks with posting anonymously like he has been so far.]

How does one go about "forming bonds" with people on purpose?

[ don't laugh please he has literally only ever stumbled into this by accident ]

Comments

[heartstopping]

[This is the first response he's gotten that's felt like it rings true with the one relationship he does have. But it's unfortunately also probably the hardest thing is deliberately replicate.]

I don't know if I have time to wait for organically shared experiences or finding some mutual goal with someone.

[conflictresolution]

What is it you believe in?

[Clearly someone was committed and needed to 'repent' for their misdeeds. What a pathetic punishment.]

[heartstopping]

It's not a what, it's a who.

[Which is also why he has to do this. He's not particularly concerned with the morality of anything he's done, but threatening to take away the one person that matters is a decent way to get him to cooperate.]

[conflictresolution]

I understand.

[And Silco did. Once, he had believed as much in a person as much as he had in a cause. Now the person was dead and the cause was all that remained.]

I suggest you find a person in their likeness but not exactly who could allow you similar bonds. Assuming, that is, the person you believe in actually believes in you in return and isn't simply keeping you as a means to an end.

Loyalty needs to be both ways.

[heartstopping]

[That was...possibly the worst thing to say. That's a belief that's already been shaken (to put it mildly) and he came out on the other side of it deciding to keep believing anyway. It was as much about choosing something for himself for the first time as it was about Lelouch, and that's not something he'll give up easily.

That slight feeling of understanding evaporates instantly, and his response is quick and curt.]

Don't project your issues onto me. I need new friends, not a replacement for the connection I already have.

[conflictresolution]

Touchy, touchy. Was that comment a little too close to reality?

If you need to ask how to make friends, you don't need them. You need loyalty.

And for the Council's sake, you need to fake a bond long enough for them to accept your repentance.

[heartstopping]

What I need is someone else's advice. Yours turned out to be worthless.

[If only he could use his flip phone for this conversation just so he could snap it shut to hang up. Simply no longer responding just doesn't have the same oomf.]

[conflictresolution]

Suit yourself. You know where to find me.