Part 2 - here we go!

Discussion - Shinku's POV

"Hey, Shinku. Tea's ready. You coming?"

"Thank you, Jun." I closed my book and jumped off the bed, then strolled out into the hallway. Jun shut the door behind me and I gave him a look. Jun stared back me through half-shut, nonchalant eyes.

"Nope, not this time."
I snapped my fingers in annoyance and when he turned back, I walked up and kicked him hard in the shin.

"Goddamit, Shinku! Stop doing that, you!"

"Really, Jun. You should be more submissive like a servant is to his mistress. Typical of you."

"Alright then, but don't ruddy kick me, y'hear?" And with that, Jun slipped one arm underneath me and carried me into the dining room. Hina Ichigo, Suiseiseki, Souseiseki and Nori were already there waiting for us. Seeing Souseiseki made me think more about how the rivalry between Suigintou and myself began.

"Really, Shinku? You're still making that pathetic chibi human carry you around, desu? I'm not surprised, desu. He's no good for anything else, desu."

"Ah! Jun and Shinku are here now! We can finally eat, na-no!"

Jun set me down on the floor and I climbed into my chair. "Such a welcome. I expect nothing less from you, Suiseiseki," I said, with a smile on my face.

"What do you mean, Shinku? Are you trying to insult me, desu? I mean, it's not my fault I have such a runt for a medium, desu."

"Enough now," shrilled Nori. She sat down and picked up her cutlery, as did the rest of us. "Itadakimasu~!"

After dinner, I walked over to Suiseiseki and Souseiseki, who were washing and drying the plates respectively.

"Souseiseki?"

She turned to me at the sound of her name. "Shinku."

"I would like to confer with you and Jun over a private matter. When you have time, of course," I said, indicating the washing up the twins had to do.

"If it's urgent, I'll come now," replied Souseiseki.

"No, it's not urgent. But I will speak with you Jun please." And I left the twins to finish off.

A little while later, Jun, Souseiseki and I were in the storeroom, just as I had asked them both. I summoned Holie so we had a little light on the subject of the conversation and I then proceeded to brief the pair of them on what had happened between myself and Suigintou.

"So you wanna apologize to Suigintou for this ill-feeling between you two but she's not buying it?" asked Jun.

"Essentially, yes," I replied. "I have called you both here because I require your advice on what I should do next, since Suigintou is refusing to accept. As a Medium and the doll who first rid Suigintou from the Alice Game, I feel that you are both in a good position to assist me." I turned to Souseiseki. "How do you believe I should proceed, Souseiseki?"

Souseiseki raised a finger and wrapped it around her chin in thought, her mismatching eyes gazing at the wooden floor. There was a moment of silence as the Gardener twin mulled the situation in her head.

"Hmmm. If I were you, Shinku, I'd make up her. If you want to find a peaceful way to end the Alice Game in harmony with the other dolls, then do it. That's what I'd do, but I don't make the final call."

"Thank you. Jun?"

Jun scratched his shaggy black eyes and gazed at the floor, much like Souseiseki had done. He sighed.

"Well, I dunno. If you do wanna make up with Sugintou, then do it. But if you don't, then don't. It's your desicion, after all."

"That I understand, but how do you both believe I should proceed after asking Suigintou if she wishes to accept my offer and have it declined?"

"I think Suigintou doesn't truly get the idea that you want to make friends with her," said Souseiseki. "It's practically a mindset for her now to want to defeat you in the Alice Game. Perhaps the concept of friendship is alien to her and she can't accept peace, love or happiness, I don't know. I think you should talk it over with her again but not as a proposal - describing the benefits that friendship can bring to a doll in her position may help Suigintou to reconsider."

I thought over Souseiseki's suggestion:- it was very critical but also very in-depth and thoughtful.

"May this 'mindset' include unwillingness to reconsider?"

"So what if it does?" remarked Jun. "Trust me, I know stubborness like the back of my hand and it is a pretty hard thing to crack. But is is possible. Like Souseiseki said, just talk to Suigintou about it again and you never know, she may think about it."

"Jun, you do understand that there is a big difference between a reclusive boy and a vengefull doll?"

"It's still the same idea - find a negative feeling and slowly take it away. It might be tough, Shinku, but it's not impossible."

I turned away from them. It was now becoming clear to me that I myself was becoming unwilling to go through with trying to convince Suigintou to become friends and sisters once again. I didn't wish to, but after having to fight Suigintou over and over again and carry a constant feeling of unease and anger in my heart every time I faced her, it was hard to relent.

"I thank you both for your input and time, but I shall not cooperate if Suigintou does not. However, I shall consider and evaluate your opinions closely on the matter. Thank you again."

I turned out of the storeroom and went up the stairs. I felt confused and defeated. Maybe Suigintou and I were not meant to be friends. Perhaps that is the way our destinies should remain: twisted and hateful. I wondered how she was feeling at this time or if she felt the same...

Part 3 next! Hope you liked this one!