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[oversea]

HELLO

"What do you want?"

GOODBYE

TEXT | VIDEO | VOICE | ACTION

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[oversea]

[ 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.

[transmit]

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?

[oversea]

[ ... 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. ]

[transmit]

… 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.

[oversea]

[ 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.

[transmit]

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.

[oversea]

[ ...

he smiles back. ]

Is that a threat or a promise?

[transmit]

Is there a difference?

[ Flicks Thorns' forehead. ]

[oversea]

[




headbutts him (lightly) ]

[transmit]

Getting creative without your other arm? Ow.

[oversea]

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.

[transmit]

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?

[oversea]

[



he perks up like a fool. ]

That's true.

[ don't just agree. ]

[transmit]

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

[ don't just encourage this ]

[oversea]

Okay. Fight me.

[ NOW? AGAIN? ]

[transmit]

[ 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!!! ]

[oversea]

[ he squeezes his hand again and finally lets go.




to take his sword. i rolled a 5 which should probably be expected considering he has one hand and it's not even his dominant one. ]

[transmit]

[







i don't know what else to tell you but i rolled a 2 so he's really just clowning around. thorns probably hates him so bad. ]

[oversea]

[ OKAY

kills him with his mind. ]

You are so annoying.

[transmit]

[ HE'S JUST A GUY!!!!!!! ]

Isn't it only fair that we both used our non-dominant hands? But that's a swordmaster for you. Wow.

[oversea]

[ annoying!!!

thorns closes in for a moment so that he presses against elysium, raising his sword so that the blade will just lightly poke elysium on the cheek. boop.

and then he steps back. ]

What's the next area?

[transmit]

Hmmm.

[ Just before Thorns steps away, Elysium tugs him back. ]

Why are you so ready to move on? I like it here.

[oversea]

[ he thinks back to the simulation, of them leaning in to whisper to each other. ]

Comfortable?

[transmit]

[ Yeah. It's the feeling of it just being them under the night sky.

When they go back, it really will be such a long time before they can experience it again. It hasn't been a question of whether they'll be able to get back, ever—as they will. It's just a matter of how much of themselves they'll be able to retain in the process. Or even how much they'll gain and/or lose. ]

I've been. You?

[oversea]

... I am.

[ for the first time in a while.

sometimes you don't quite notice how much something has been weighing you down until you're finally free of it; it's the chance to finally take a step back to marvel at what's been place right in your reach. his fingers can practically curl around it. ]

And I'll keep being it.