distressedude | 021 ~ [Voice]

[Even with the month of February coming to a close, the weather has still been rather cold. But that didn't stop spring from trying to make its way through, and even now, one could see the start of buds on trees around the forest. Appropriately bundled up for the weather, Ion rests at the foot of the largest tree in the cherry tree grove just north of the village. Taking in a long, steady breath, he absentmindedly opens his journal. When he speaks, it doesn't even seem like he's addressing the journal at first. His voice sounds distant; he's had a lot on his mind lately.]

I wonder what it would be like to live in Luceti longer than I lived back on Auldrant... so far. [Those last words are added rather hastily, like an after-thought. There's a wistful smile on his face.] Thinking about it used to make me feel sad... now I'm almost not sure what to think. It feels like the longer I'm here, the greater the chance is that I might start to forget things about home. The sound of the city bustling to life in the morning. The way the sun shines off the fonbelt in the sky at sunset. The faces of all the kind people I've met...

[He trails off before smiling a little more brightly.]

But I guess it really hasn't been all that long. [Two years in Luceti. Almost a year back on Auldrant. Nearly a quarter of the time he's been alive.] Besides, there are things here that I never want to forget as well...

[He trails off and looks off into the distance. The only sound for a few moments is that of birds chirping overhead. Aburptly, he looks back down at the journal.]

Ah. I think I lost track of where I was going with this. I'm sorry for rambling.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Anise...? Oh, you're friends with her? [...] And maybe someday, if Engi ever comes here, I could let you visit her dream world. It'll be perfectly safe!

Yes, I am. We're both from the same world as well. [Awww look, his smile brightened a bit, talking about Anise.]

So is this Engi a friend of yours from the dream world, then?

Oh, I never knew that! We've only hung out together once before.

And that's right. She's the coolest Dream Demon you'll ever meet. [Just don't bring up her sister and she's chill]

Does that mean you met her in a dream? You mentioned it was a world not many people in your world know about... if you don't mind my asking, how did you learn about it?

Mm. I did. That's how I found out too...she wanted me to help her. [There's a short pause. She hasn't exactly told anyone about Engi like this afterall]

She needed to find someone in my world who took her older sister away. You see, in order for a dream demon to travel our world, she needed a vessel.

A vessel... [It made sense, in a way. Dreams existed in the minds of humans; how else would a dream enter the world other than to use a human?]

So you allowed yourself to be her vessel in order to help her find that person?

Yep. And together we've been looking for a dream demon that came to our world. His name is Heracles, and he's big trouble for our world.

[And mean and evil and rude. A sigh.] Engi still apologizes for having to use me, but I was the one who allowed her to. [why can't she get that?]

[A dream demon who was causing trouble for her world... Ion really had no idea about Yui's life back in her world, did he? To think that she was dealing with something like that... she really is strong, wasn't she? He smiles.]

Perhaps she only apologizes because she's worried about you? Even if it is something you're willing to do, it's natural for people to worry about the ones they care about, right?

That's true...I worry for her as much as she does for me. Eventhough I know she's capable of a lot of things, she's got a vulnerable side too. [Like whenever her sister ever came up.]

I wish there was more I could so I don't feel like a burden or have her worry so much about me. I can't really fight like she can. When we go into the dream world to fight a demon, I always have to find someplace to hide and stay safe, away from the battle.