divus | GODLY AUDIENCES: SIEG

[At least it's properly splinted now. Thank you, Jude.]

People usually avoid the courtyard after a trial.

[But he doesn't really know where else to go after all of that.

Time to limp out into the courtyard and maybe sit at the base of his own statue.]

Wonder why. [That's a little sarcastic, but she follows slowly and sits right on the ground next to him.]

How're you doing, Sieg-kun? That was a lot.

[It's a horrible reminder that they all absolutely suck at trials.]

I've... definitely been better after a trial. We were lucky Ray works so hard.

I think... I need to learn how to doubt people.

You think? What makes you say that? [She doesn't disagree just for his own sake, but she's curious what brought this on.]

... Newt. I was just going to take him at his word.

...Newt fooled a lot of people, Sieg-kun. And it's hard when you want to believe people that've treated you kindly before now.

He was concerned about my lack of enjoying myself. I don't know if he was just saying that or if he really was.

People are complicated sometimes. People can be really bad and do a lot of bad things...but sometimes they have moments of good, too. I don't know if I'd doubt he wanted you to live new experiences, but it makes it harder to trust, huh?

... It sounds like you have some experience with that.

[He nods.]

I'm not used to competitions like this, where there's so much to hide.

There are plenty of people who think they're doing what's right and it turns out wrong anyway. Maybe that's a story for next time though.

[A light smile.] I don't know if a lot of you are. That's what makes it hard...it's good that you trust people. I don't want you to stop. But maybe trust some of them on a lower level than others.

Is it really so good if I get tricked?

Yes. You can't let your heart harden just because someone hurt you once. You'll miss out on a lot of good people and good memories if you don't trust at all.

[There's a soft chuckle.]

I think Astolfo would agree with you.

All the more reason to believe me, huh?

Yes, it is.

And besides...more people have proven themselves trustworthy than untrustworthy to you, right? I think it gets easier to tell when you start talking to even more people.