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As I was telling the Señorito, dealing with the worst case scenarios is just what I'm good at. You know this. So, even if it does decide to cave in now, it's not like I still don't got you.

[ Is this the problem? No. He's making it the problem, though. ]

And it does, doesn't it? Talking to others over the past few days has taught me that in other worlds, they really do use the stars to chart their paths. Our predecessors were onto something. It's too bad it didn't pan out.

[ that is definitely not the problem but sometimes you just accept elysium for what he is (someone who just says things).

charting paths, huh. he frowns slightly at the thought, before trying to push the slight unease away.

... ]

Can you explain to me what I forgot again?

[ He tenses just slightly. Ah. In his excitement, he'd nearly forgotten about that, too. ]

Just so I know I'm on the right track, what are you up to these days? Or, what do you remember being up to?

Fiammetta called me an alchemist. And I don't remember why my arm is like that.

[ a pause, as he looks at the space it was. ]

... Was. And I don't know Iberia, but I'm supposed to be from there?

We both are, yeah.

[ A pause, just to continue deliberating his words. ]

Considering how injured you were, it shouldn't be too surprising that the river took something from you of equivalent exchange. It's weird, isn't it? At first, you don't really notice anything missing. It's easy to dismiss it as something that couldn't have been important. But the more you think about it, the more gaps you start to notice and the emptier you start to feel.

People would ask me questions about things, and I'd realize I didn't know the answer, even though I should.

[ was this what it was like for elysium? ]

It's fine if it's too complicated to explain. I should remember it in a few days anyway.

[ but people kept telling him to just ask elysium. and thorns knows that elysium wouldn't be able to fully answer the question, considering how much they dodge sharing things with others, but–there's pieces he could. ]

No, I will. Losing my memories gave me a surprising amount of clarity about myself… both during it and afterward. Though, at this point I think you have yourself pretty much figured out.

[ Unlike him. Still, he leans in a little closer, resting his head against Thorns' with a quiet laugh. ]

Remember what I said about Iberia being an oppressive place? It wasn't always like that. It used to be a prosperous nation, renowned for its naval prowess and technological advancements. Its people were considered the most unfettered, bold, and free on Terra.

That is, until a tide struck and the Seaborn invaded. Do you remember what those are, at least?

... Yeah. That does also fill in something I couldn't remember.

[ he tried to explain the seaborn to someone, but he got stuck at a specific part of the explanation, unsure of why he couldn't remember something in regards to them. ]

What happened?

The nation collapsed without its ruling body, and now it's little more than a shell of what it once was. Laterano took advantage of the power vacuum, and since then, the church has ruled over Iberia with an iron fist, discriminating against Ægir without reason. The descriptions I gave you before, basically.

But that's just the bare minimum you need to understand what I'm about to say. [ … ] We both escaped Iberia for different reasons. I left simply to get away. You, though… I believed you were always meant to return someday. Of everyone I have ever met, you embodied the Iberian spirit more than anyone, and that's the crux of what I think the river took from you: your ambition.

What can one person do for an entire nation? I've always been stuck on that. But you were different. You just did whatever you could without letting the big picture affect you. There's no one you believe in more than yourself, and that's exactly why you never wanted to shoulder responsibility for others. If you failed them, what would that mean of your confidence then?

But more than anything, you believed in freedom—for you and our countrymen. And that's what you're trying to do now, reconquering the seas and paving the way to restore it for everyone else, too, bit by bit. You're incredible, Thorns.

[ thorns is used to people saying things about him. typically, it's negative things, regarding him being too blunt or antisocial. and while, occasionally, there are compliments and positivities mixed in, thorns never really minded it.

but being told all of this at once is... he's not sure what the feeling is. there's a sense of that it can't be applied to him, but also one of surprise that this is what elysium thinks of him? he can't accept it as true, but... there's something that feels right in the world. maybe it's something he can strive to. ]

I don't know how to respond to that.

Enjoy the stars with me, then. Because if it's anything like most other places, it's going to be gone by next week.

[ Head taps. ]

How many constellations do you think we'll be able to remember? Do you think we'll ever be able to see them back home?

[ ... he'll let the topic change, since it does help him mentally regroup.

he settles more against elysium. ]

Who knows? Stranger things have happened. Look where we are.

[ at this point, anything is possible. ]

… You're right. But if I had to choose just one, I'd want it to be the North Star.

[ His hand lifts, finger pointing directly where it rests. ]

It used to be a myth that it ever existed. A pipedream of our forefathers. Yet, there it is, guiding anyone who seeks its light. Just like you do now.

[ he thinks about what elysium had said to him weeks ago, when he was delirious from his injuries.

you were my guiding star.

his gaze shifts from where elysium is pointing to his face. ]

You say that, but right now you're the one giving me direction.

Well, yeah. You're not the thing up in the sky, are you? You don't have to be a bird to need to rest your wings. And even if you are leading an entire crew now, you still have people you can fall back on——like me.

[ He shifts to face Thorns, too. He grins. ]

So it's fine if you forget things sometimes or even lose your way. People aren't meant to be infallible. I told you when you came back, didn't I? Whenever you stumble, I'll be there for you. Whether you ask for it or not.

[ ...

he smiles back. ]

Is that a threat or a promise?

Is there a difference?

[ Flicks Thorns' forehead. ]

[

headbutts him (lightly) ]

Getting creative without your other arm? Ow.

I should have done it harder.

[ "I should have taken your hand sooner." ]

I'm sure I can do other things with just one hand.

That's just hurting yourself in the process.

[ Okay, but was Elysium not completely gone when he'd tried… the timing was so funny. ]

Like what? All that matters is that you can still perform the Destreza, right?

[

he perks up like a fool. ]

That's true.

[ don't just agree. ]

I don't think I've ever seen you do it with your left hand.

[ don't just encourage this ]

Okay. Fight me.

[ NOW? AGAIN? ]

[ There had been a very real part of him that believed Thorns would never want to spar with him again—and he would have accepted that. But once again, he's reminded that Thorns isn't him, his smile stretching from end to end. ]

Perfect. The next location works just as well after a quick match.

[ THEY ARE STUPID!!! ]

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