Right after trial, Week 4, 8:30ish PM

[dhaosu]

[ A tad bit later, Dhaos had finished up taking care of some business and he wanted to visit Urashima, hence why, he had arranged the meeting. The room... unfortunately is a lot more messier than he likes.

Papers are strewn everywhere, with a multitude of crazy diagrams, and extensive notes on people during trial. So he just, moves most of them to one corner once he steps in, and then he seats himself down. ]

I apologize for the mess. However, if it were possible, I suppose I ... wished to simply speak with you. It is just about the situation... all of it.

Comments

[minogame]

( When Urashima finally shows up to meet Dhaos, he's a little on the flustered side. He did just come out of dubious trial of sorts and immediately after, between everyone dealing with their death shocks, Break had just keeled over like he was actually going to die. Being the compassionate sort, that type of thing really gets Urashima worked up and even if he isn't very close to Break himself, he was still a friend of someone he was close to here so... Well, let's just say that had definitely been a thing that happened.

He doesn't even really notice the mess at first. He's literally that frazzled right now but just give him a second and he'll collect his wits all over again. )

Ah... No, no... it's okay! Don't worry. ( So don't apologize for the state of your own room??? He's just a humble sword spirit that doesn't need to be impressed. ) I wanted to talk to you too...

( You know... since Dhaos and Selena were close. )

Uhm, you can go first, though!

[dhaosu]

[ Seeing Urashima obviously in his state as he was now, made him feel a bit guilty he had not instead elected to leave him to rest-- especially considering what had just occurred. But, it seems the other wished to speak to him as well, so perhaps it was not a bad idea after all.

That said, Dhaos realized he hadn't organized his thoughts as well as he presumed. He doesn't know where to start. ]

It seemed so foolish, when I thought about it. That is...Speaking to someone and wishing to know more about them, despite the omnipresent danger. I knew this and even now, I am sure I am not the only one who does.

Yet, only until now I wonder has it done us any good? If we have so little control until it is whittled down to but a few. Or, perhaps this is just a waste to say and simply beget from what occured a few days ago.

[ As usual, his delivery is awkward, but probably even more so due to what happened... ]

[minogame]

( Dhaos definitely isn't the only person thinking this and hilariously enough, Urashiama's actually had a similar conversation like this before though, the topic came up in another sort of way. It's exactly why he's able to answer easily, )

A lot of people are going to die.

( It's quiet, simple, and an real fact about this place but it doesn't make it any less sad. )

If you make a lot of friends, a lot of your friends are going to die here too. I don't know if it's better if they're victims or killers, though. ( He's had to deal with his friends being on both sides so. It would be better if his friends could just be safe and alive, he thinks, but that isn't how things work here, ) And it's really sad to think about, isn't it? This is just a really sad place.

I don't know if it's really been good when it makes it easier to hurt right here. ( And he touches his chest, right where his heart is, ) And there are some people here... who think it might be better to stay away and be a little more alone. I can understand that.

( There's more he can say here but he stops for a moment to collect some information before he really continues, )

... Did you like Miss Selena?

[dhaosu]

Mm... that they are.

[ He cannot lie, he has thought keeping distance himself. But, he couldn't stand being cooped up in an enclosed space all the time, so he moved around the town often, and inevitably encountered people. ]

...

[ Dhaos makes a pause at the question. At least his only solace is that Urashima wouldn't make a crass joke about it, like Roxy had. His voice is quiet now, barely above a whisper. ]

I did. Only now, such a thing is obvious... am I correct?

[minogame]

( Aaah, so he was right. This really is sad and he'll come over to take Dhaos hands in his own. His hold is gentle-- like Urashima could be rough, hah-- and he gives a reassuring squeeze. It probably seems really strange but he's a sword. Being held in one's hands is the most familiar and thus, most comforting feeling. )

When I'm sad, my brothers hold my hands like this sometimes.

( He won't answer if it was obvious or not. That isn't important. )

I'm sorry.

[dhaosu]

[ Dhaos can feel the warmth when he does, although it is not because his own fingertips are cold. Even so, he wasn't expecting the action, and he did start a little. But he certainly doesn't pull away, as he listens.

Now that he was digesting it all, he didn't know what to say in return in the face of everything that's occurred. No one's tried to comfort him like this in a long time. Dhaos closed his eyes when he feels them become a bit watery as if he may...well -- he gives those hands a gentle squeeze in return. ]

Thank you...Urashima.

[minogame]

( Dhaos is a lot like his brothers in a lot of ways and he smiles when Dhaos squeezes his hands, even if it isn't a happy moment. It's a reassuring one and he gives Dhaos a small tug, )

Can I ask you a question, Mr. Dhaos?

[dhaosu]

[ Dhaos' eyes reopen at the tug, and he considers the question. ]

...Yes, of course. What is it?

[minogame]

( Aaaah, he can see the way Dhaos' eyes are watering now and he feels bad for asking now, )

Can you tell me why you don't like humans? Or... didn't?

( Selena was human so he gets the feeling some sentiments have changed, maybe a little... )

[dhaosu]

[ He blinks a bit of the tears away. ]

... Hm. It is surprising no one thought to ask until now. Or I suppose not really.

[ There's a wry smile. ]

That said, I can tell you. However, only if you are willing to listen... as it may be a bit long in order for it to be completely understood.

[minogame]

Mhm! ( He nods, ) I'll listen to everything, promise.

tl;dr....

[dhaosu]

I hail from a world called Derris-Kharlan. In that world, I was known as a Prince, and once upon a time it was supported by an essential life-force called 'mana' from our World Tree. However, great catastrophe struck when a weapon called the 'Mana Cannon' was used and The World Tree that supported our land died instantly. As a result, 150,000 individuals died, and whoever didn't suffered from mana deprivation-- a condition where lacking sufficient mana has the body slowly eat away at itself.

Nonetheless, we located a planet called 'Aselia' with its own World Tree, where it would be feasible obtaining a 'Mana Seed' to regrow a new World Tree. If that occurred, the one billion inhabitants from my world would be saved. However, only one person could go and it was decided unanimously to be myself.

I reached Aselia and I was found by Winona and traveled with her briefly, up until I found out about the state of Aselia's World Tree. I learned it could not even produce a Mana Seed. I wondered why, only to find it was because humans were producing magitechnology.

Such technology drained mana from the World Tree. The humans built the Mana Cannon as well, and this was centered in the Kingdom of Midgard. I set up an audience with their king to warn of the danger, and Winona elected to accompany myself.

Then, we arrived, but intercepted by the head of the magi-technology division-- his name was Reisen. We never reached the king, because when we informed Reisen of our intentions, the dark-hearted man did not wish for his pet project to halt. He wanted glory and saw the chance to take advantage of two people who were none the wiser.

He framed myself as a Demon King and sent assassins after the human child I was with when I was unaware -- in the process Winona's left arm was cut off. I tried to appeal to the humans, but they would not listen, and already deciding to declare war on myself before they could hear my side. Some humans even knew of Reisen's treachery, but they desired war and glory as well.

My people were dying and I was desperate. I knew there was only one option, since I could not face this alone, and went to leave Winona where she would be safe.

[ He hesitated, unsure of saying something. ]

...Despite fighting back, however, I was to meet my end at a human's blade. I failed my mission and it was all due to those accursed humans. But it was not like I could do anything about it. Selena was the first human in so long who did not leap to conclusions concerning my 'title'.

[minogame]

( It isn't that Urashima is oblivious to the idea of large numbers of people dying. He's head the stories from other spirits, even if he himself has been sheltered for all of his life. Massacres, mass suicides, famine, disease-- he's definitely heard of the stories and so it isn't like he's surprised by Dhaos' story but it doesn't make it hurt any less.

He tries his best-- he really does-- to keep his face straight and as neutral as he possibly can. He tries his best to emulate his older brothers who are always so strong and mature even when the worst of news is delivered to them. He never smiles, immediately realizing what a serious topic this is so he doesn't have to worry about his expression betraying him but it's the little things that give him away like the way his hands squeeze Dhaos' a little tighter and his eyes give away everything. He understands how cruel people can be. He's sympathetic to Dhaos' cause. And he's so sad and upset because none of it is fair. )

I'm sorry. ( That humans have been cruel to Dhaos. ) It isn't fair.

( And he reaches out to wrap his arms around Dhaos' neck in a hug, )

I think you're kind. So kind, it isn't fair how cruel they were to you.

[dhaosu]

[ Dhaos pays attention to Urashima as he speaks, as the painful memories resurface anew. At the very least, he knew the other listens intently, from his actions and those eyes.

When Urashima hugs him, his mind goes blank for a moment, as he didn't expect it. His hands tremble, along with the rest of himself at Urashima's actions and words. When's the last time someone hugged him? It must have been whilst he was still oh-so-very young. When's the last time someone bothered to listen to his reasons for why he disliked humans?

Never.

And saying something like that?

Dhaos' hands hover, uncertain, until moving to encircle the other a bit. How can he even begin to explain how much this means to him?

He tries to say something, and manages to get out Urashima's name. The rest doesn't come and he hopes that will have to do for now. ]