Part 33: Goon Playthrough - Part 33

Let me tell you something, my poor little drone. Maturity has nothing to do with reproducing a pattern you've been presented. 'Watch and repeat'--that's a child's task! Maturity is independence. It is choosing the life you want for yourself and doing all you can to get it. Despite the shadow of the Great Mother trying to block you from the sun.




Oh, the terrible mother! How can she try to protect you, teach you how to live, and expect you to care for your legacy?! Such unjust cruelty!


Maturity is also about being able to create your own relationships, no matter what she told you. We don't have to torture each other, you know? Just because Carmosa trained us to pick on ourselves so that we won't join forces and rebel against her, it doesn't mean we have to do it.


Exactly! We waste all our potential to act responsibly and show Mother that we are adults on constant quarrels. We are not doing half the things that are expected of us—of any responsible person, really. And Carmosa is still giving us a chance. We are so childish!




It's absolutely normal that we aren't happy—who would be? We want things to change, but we lack the means to make that happen. That's why we should rebel against Carmosa! We are more than capable of running this house on our own and she knows it!


Are you serious?


Completely. But for that we'd need to act together. Cooperate and not waste our energy on making each other miserable with our little schemes.


This picture you are painting in front of my eyes seems pleasant, but also not very realistic. It requires one thing which we do not have: mutual agreement. And we will not have that as long as we are not of one mind. That is, as long as Sophia keeps up her silly act.




I'm having trouble picturing her opposed to anything that would bring us more freedom from Carmosa. No Gloria, it's you—you are the unknown in this equation. We can't be sure about your loyalties.


Now this is something I didn't expect—you behaving just like Sophia! It would seem that you two have much more in common than meets the eye. You both prefer to spend your time criticizing me rather than trying to contribute. You could be helping me, helping US somehow! How can we understand each other if you do not even try?


Then maybe you should stop whining about being criticized and start listening! How exactly did you try to communicate with Sophia? How much effort did you put into it? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Sophia isn't exactly the happiest girl in the world. She is broken, deeply wounded by the hate that you and Carmosa poured onto her through the years. Her bitterness and armor of cynicism are like a cry for help. If only you could give her any credit, any recognition, then maybe she'd be willing to help you?


She hardly seems interested in...




Do not be ridiculous, Cinders. I spoke with her as recently as yesterday!


I don't mean commenting on house affairs or managing chores, but actually talking. Like sisters. You do remember that you two are sisters, right? Or is family only important to you if it allows you to put blame on other people?


Alright! I see where this is going. Fine. I am not really certain when it happened, but we did lose our connection. She seems so alien now. I catch myself thinking about her like a stranger. Her face is like a mask shielding her thoughts from me. I agree that it is unfortunate, and it isn't only Sophia's fault that we grew apart. Maybe we could work on changing that.


You may be thinking that I'm telling you this to criticize you, but I'm not. All I want is to hear you say things like this. So that we can stop hurting each other all the time—it is the only reasonable thing to do. And you are always the most reasonable one, so it's good that you are willing to give it a try.




And I AM the only one here that actually does anything to keep up the house.


That might be just a bit of an overstatement, Gloria. Each one of us puts some work into how this place works. For better or worse. We just have different perspectives, and so we give a different kind of input, but—


Surely you realize how naïve that sounds. It is something one might say to a child to spare its feelings. I have tried to help you both understand the importance of Carmosa's rules. And yet I seem to be the only one capable of understanding the requirements to keep a proper household. Will nobody ever learn? How long am I supposed to guide you and work alone against the laziness and stupidity of others?


Hasn't it ever occurred to you that you might not have all the answers? Because that's the root of the problem, right there! You try to be our teacher, or a disciplinarian. You have no knowledge that we lack, nor a higher status. And you are not our mother. Stop trying to imitate Carmosa. Is this how you think a sister should act?