"What's there to talk about? It's clear you like making light of everything, and seeing everything as one big laugh."
"Darius, if you can't laugh now, then when?
If you wait forever then you won't have any teeth to laugh with."
"Ariel, please."
"Then that would really be a horror movie worthy of one of your songs. Like your...like your....yeah, your Intro song you shared with me.
*BUM...…..BUM...…BOOGGOWOOOOGOOOWOOOGGOOOWOOOO*
"Aaaaaaghhhh.
Stop that. You know I am..."
"Oh, come on; Darius. You have to come out of your shell."
"My shell is more like a mountain."
"Then let me give you a Mustard Seed."
"How do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Just…..live."
"I...…..Just....live."
"Any secrets?"
"My two feet travel more than four walls?
I…..I don't know what you want me to say.
Do you spend your days in four walls?"
"Not my four walls."
"So you allow someone to creep down to your level."
"No.
I just helped her on hers."
"Darius, you're a kid. A…..kid!!!!
K.I.D.
Do you know what that means?"
"Kiss my intelligence, dummies."
"Okay….I think you took too much to drink there. Let me have it back."
"No. But I…"
"I said give it back."
"But I have one drop left. I want to…"
*Whoooosh*
*Striiiieeeeaaaappp*
"What…are you?"
"My shirt? You ripped it with your vines."
"I...I....I thought I saw your skin blink for a sec."
"Now I know you have had way too much and that the age barrier is vastly different on my planet."
"Your what?"
"Darius, you are a kid. You don't have to always act as the smartest guy in the room, nor do anything in your power to impress the other. You have now seen what happens.
Just be a Kid. That's what this School is all about. Let the Adults handle the adult conflicts, and you...just show everyone that beneath all their training and skills; they are all Kids….just like you."
"But I'm not as Sociable as Rainbow. Not as strong as Ruby, nor a butterfly like Jacklyn. I'm not..…."
"You're right. You are none of those things, so stop trying to be. Just be glad I caught you and no one else."
"Then, what do you want me to be?"
"That's for you to decide.
All I know….
Can you take these? He's done with them.
All I know....is that whatever you choose is going to be very, very...impactful."
"...Psst."
"I'll let you meddle in your decision."
"You're leaving...…..already?
…But you left me with so many questions. You started me off, and then unfolded me; but why not complete the last fold?"
"Is it time?"
"I'm afraid so.
You don't want to say goodbye?"
"I have said goodbye to so many people, I....."
"I understand.
Not what he was expecting."
"But what he needs.
As you said, make him be the one to give you a tour, not me. And right now….he is giving a tour...a very important one….of himself. Best not ruin it."
"Follow me, then."