[ video ] open to both courts (backdated a week or so)

[knightspirit]

[ A video clicks on of a teenage boy. He looks a little worn out, almost making him appear older than he really is. When he speaks, his tone is brusque. ]

... Hey. If we haven't met, my name is Tsurugi Kyousuke. [ not one to spare words, he jumps straight into business: ] I recently learned something everyone should know.

You might know that people seem to disappear on occasion. Sometimes they leave their Shard behind. Sometimes we just can't seem to contact them. [ he pauses, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. ] Apparently, those people die. Or worse, they either get trapped between worlds, or forget everything and lose their forms. I'm told that while we're here we a thin connection to our worlds, and that connection can be lost forever.

[ It's probably clear enough why he looks so tired now. He's talked to a few people he can't seem to find anymore, and thinking that may have happened to them is ... unpleasant, to say the least. ]

I can't tell anyone what to do with all that, but I think that makes it clear enough that we need to find a solution instead of dragging out this war. We don't need to lose more people.

.... That's all I had to say.

[ the video cuts off abruptly. ]

Comments

[wilder]

Yeah, hearing that I might die or worse 'cause of some connection failure isn't exactly making me warm up to this whole being abducted into a war idea.

[Seriously hating on monarchs forever thanks to this BS]

I'm pretty new here, so just about how often do people 'disappear'? Do you know?

[knightspirit]

Couldn't say. It doesn't seem like it's happened to many, but it was enough to get me curious. There might be others unaccounted for.

[wilder]

If he's telling the truth, it sounds like too many to me.

[In the thousands of years, if it is true, just how many people have faced such a horrible fate...?]

I don't suppose he mentioned if there's any way to save these people, huh?

[knightspirit]

You're right.

[ He's been seeing a lot death here lately, and it's difficult for him to stomach. First that useless battle, and then the news of this. ]

That was my first thought. If not saving them, we could at least let them rest properly. But I was told it'd be like finding a single grain of sand in a whole universe. Those were almost the exact words.

[ He's been doing a decent job staying calm, but bitterness and frustration start break through toward the end. He's taken a long time to come out with this just to center himself again beforehand, but thinking too hard on it again is beginning to undo all his work. ]

[wilder]

[He picks up on that bitterness and frustration that is breaking through, and his expression softens some. That's right. Terrible as the idea may be to Zelos, this guy probably asked because he lost someone he knew. And to find out there's a chance that's their fate...]

...I'm sorry.

[There's a pause as he seems uncertain about what to say. He thinks about Colette would do. She was always much better at these situations than him.]

I don't...know how much you believe in this sorta stuff, but maybe I could offer them a prayer? I can't say if it'll do anything, but I'm a pretty high member of the church in my world so maybe...

[He wrings his hands a little in his lap and glances down a little] I don't know. You can say no if you want.

[knightspirit]

[ That catches him off guard a little, and honestly makes Tsurugi a little irritated at himself. He hadn't meant to make his distress so obvious. ]

No, it's... fine. [ he does appreciate the sentiment, but most of his losses were just acquaintances he'd talked to once or twice. Not that it made them less important, but some had lost people much more dear to them. It wouldn't feel right to be put on the same level as them. Though the real problem, for him, is more a matter of not being used to any of this. His voice goes a little quiet. ] ... Where I'm from, we always managed to save everyone. Things like this make me think I'm not doing enough.

[ he's not really one to talk about his feelings—quite the opposite, in fact—but he's been stressed enough that it just sort of slips out. ... It's kind of awkward. In person this would be the point where he walks away without a word just to not continue the conversation. But snapping the locket shut would be abrupt even for him, so instead he tries to draw attention away from it. ]

At any rate, that's all I know. Even if we don't want to believe it, I think it's safer to assume it's true.

[wilder]

[It's okay Tsurgui. Zelos is pretty good at picking up things anyway, so yeah]

[He scratches his head a little, not really sure if that was a yes or no. Ugh guess that means he'll have to figure out what to do later. He's really not good at this part of being a Chosen]

That's...understandable. Situations like these are never easy.

[He's been in far too many of them. Even if his journeys ended successfully, there were always heavy costs. Always people they couldn't save. But he considers the boy's words]

I don't think there's such a thing as a safe way to go about this, not when there's nothing we can do. Maybe you prefer to accept this, but for others it might feed into their despair when we don't how true it is...

[He shakes his head a little]

But I'll keep an eye out for any evidence that might exist.

[knightspirit]

[ sorry zelos he has an unfortunate talent for being vague ]

... I guess that's true. [ people handle situations in very different ways. he knows what's right for some isn't necessarily going to work for everyone. ] But personally, I'd rather assume the worst and get proven wrong than the other way around. At least in a case like this.

I will too, though I'm not sure what we could find. [ they're considered disappearances for a reason, after all. not like they can just stumble onto it out of stupid luck. ]

[wilder]

[wow rude tsurugi!! especially when he's always clear and concis-- okay that's a bit lie]

Yeah. I can feel you on that one. I for one am hoping it's proven wrong.

[But whatever will be, will be. But he'll try to submit some cheer]

Heh, hey you never know, Curlburns! Sometimes the truth has a way of showing up in the weirdest places!

[knightspirit]

[ raises eyebrow... ]

... "Curlburns?"

[ what's a sense of humor???? ]

[wilder]

Well, yeah! I'd say it's an apt description!

[knightspirit]

I think I'll pass on the nicknames.

[ SO YOUNG yet so stuffy... ]

[wilder]

Hm?

Oh, that's alright. You don't have to come up with any nicknames if you don't wanna.

[knightspirit]

[ .... Dammit. He walked right into that one. But pressing the issue will probably just have the opposite effect, so—]

Really. What should I call you, then?

[wilder]

[Dat's right Curlburns, you're stuck]

Hm? Ah, right. Still getting used to people not knowing who I am.

I'm the great Zelos Wilder. But calling me Zelos will do.

[knightspirit]

[ >:c he refuses ]

Zelos, then. Were you famous back home or something? [ or possibly just conceited. ]

[wilder]

Famous?

Heh, something like that!

[knightspirit]

Oh? What for?

[wilder]

Hmmm...

It's not really important!

[Yeah that's not incriminating sounding at all]

[knightspirit]

[ riiiiight. ]

Like criminal "not important?"

[wilder]

[He holds up his hands, albeit casually like he's really not that bothered.]

Hey now. I assure you, any accusations that I am are completely unfounded.

[knightspirit]

Well, whatever. Forget I asked.

[ he doesn't honestly care enough to pester him about it. ]

[wilder]

Will do, Curlburns!

[He grins a little, before the expression turns a bit back more into serious]

And thanks...for telling us. I'll let you know if I find anything.

[knightspirit]

[ yeah he's not even responding to that. but he does level off when things start getting serious again. ]

Right. ... Thanks.

[ he honestly does feel a little better now. although he doesn't really plan on sharing that out loud. ]