Sitting at one of the booths, contemplating life over a cup of coffee or whatever the cafe has on offer right this moment. There's a frown settled on her lips as she stares into her cup, but movement catches her attention and she looks up. ]
[ Dainsleif has never been convinced more than ever that participation in this is just going to damn them completely, but it is hard to know what the next move is to make in order to prevent another reocurrence.
Regardless... ]
...I can't say.
Part of me hopes that what happened up until the end may be enough to stay someone's hands. However, desperation, among other things, can overtake people's senses with ease.
In the end, it will be only actions that convince anyone of anything.
Perhaps. Though, I will warn you that I haven't had friends in a long time.
And, I can't promise I will be someone who can properly support others emotionally in their time of need.
If you don't mind me being this way, then...
[ Dainsleif knows it's not presenting himself in the best manner, but he has never claimed to anyone to be a good person. There had to be a reason so many people found it easy to leave him behind, after all...though, maybe he shouldn't be thinking like that, either.
But other than trust, maybe he's afraid of failing others too. ]
[ Once upon a time, Dainsleif is certain the motions of doing so was easier. But, when all is said and done, and someone is suffering before his very eyes, he can't bridge the gap. It was the same with the Traveler's sibling...when he couldn't even reach out properly. ]
...But, if you don't mind, then we can be friends.
[ He crosses his arms, feeling the heat of the threat in full (jokingly) ]
Metaphors and words can be quite the fierce weapon when used well against others. Even, dare I say it, positive ones.
[ Then, Dainsleif shakes his head, as if he can't believe what he's saying. It's almost like he's among a far more lighter setting, even if those days have left him centuries ago. ]
To be honest, I didn't expect to be talking like this...but, a little bit of levity can be like a balm to the soul.
[ She didn't expect it from Dainsleif either, but it seems like maybe it was something he needed. ]
It's really important. I know it can feel like it doesn't fit sometimes, but... without being able to smile from time to time along the way, all we can think about is the pain we feel.
[ There's a little more sincerity in her smile now, weighty in its gentleness. ]
If we don't have some good out there to remind us it exists, I think it's easy to lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel.
...I'd quip about not smiling in centuries, but then I would be forced to call myself a terrible liar, and that would not do.
[ Dainsleif is very self-aware about his broody personality, enough to make such remarks. But, even so, deep inside of him, he feels unfortunately he may be predispositioned to falling to despair than most. So, the words Aerith give hold weight with her own expression that seems to echo...the truth he can't avoid. ]
Still, despite myself acknowledging such matters, it is often harder for such things to truly sink in. Sometimes, the good - the light - that truly exists out there seems nonexistent as well, when you see only the dark.
It sure can. I can’t pretend that I’ve gone through as much as other people here might have, but… I know what it’s like, to feel like things can’t get better or that you’ll ever find yourself happy again.
[ Because it can be almost impossible to find those little specks of light in an otherwise dark room. ]
But I’m happy now. Back home, I’m happier than I’ve ever been before. It’s made all of the bad feel worth it. So, even if things feel uncertain now or if they feel hopeless… I just gotta keep reminding myself that we can get out of this.
[ She smiles, letting out a little laugh. ]
Sorry, that was super cheesy. I think I’m right, though.
[ Dainsleif looks surprised to hear that from Aerith, before his expression settles. He should know better, having lived for five hundred years, but at the same time he supposes he never could have guessed. ]
...I admit, I hadn't expected you to say that.
[ He will grant that. Yet after seeing her reaction, he shakes his head, not really smiling, yet a reflecting, calm expression is seen on his face. ]
I'm also glad you escaped whatever terrible events that made you felt that way.
And, I don't know. I'm not really the type of person...to be cheerful, and I know it. But, I think it's good that you are - more importantly, I believe you are correct.
We'll need every reminder. Especially since I'm certain this place will try to make us believe we can't escape, at every turn.
Not everyone can be cheerful all the time, so that's why people like me gotta step up to give you a rousing speech every once in a while.
[ Broody people like Dainsleif really need it, she's found. ]
But you're right. Places like this, they want you to feel hopeless... like there's no way we could ever get out of here in one piece. The moment we start believing it is when we've lost.
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hjadningavig) wrote2025-08-24 07:44 pm
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Sitting at one of the booths, contemplating life over a cup of coffee or whatever the cafe has on offer right this moment. There's a frown settled on her lips as she stares into her cup, but movement catches her attention and she looks up. ]
Hey. You come here to think too?
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[ A lot has occurred; no small meaning in the events that unfolded, either.
To put it simply, really. ]
I wonder if either of us expected for any of those scenes to happen as they did.
...I wonder, what it means, for all of us.
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[ The beheading, coming back to life, the biting... the surprise vampirism.
She didn't see any of that coming. ]
I wonder what it means too. Are we doing this again next week? Is it gonna be just as bad?
[ Or will it be worse? ]
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Regardless... ]
...I can't say.
Part of me hopes that what happened up until the end may be enough to stay someone's hands. However, desperation, among other things, can overtake people's senses with ease.
In the end, it will be only actions that convince anyone of anything.
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[ Especially those who are desperate, who want to go back home or who have someone that they need to go home to. ]
I feel like... we should come up with a plan or something. I don't like sitting around like this.
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I can't quite think of a concrete plan on how to stop others from being more desperate as of yet.
However, a part of me does believe it may require being able to become a bit closer with some of the others, first. Something I lack skill in.
In lieu of that would be simply knowing more about our general situation.
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[ A smile. An even exchange, of sorts, if Dainsleif is good at investigating. ]
We can start with me. Wanna be friends?
[ She’s mostly asking to see his reaction. ]
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Perhaps. Though, I will warn you that I haven't had friends in a long time.
And, I can't promise I will be someone who can properly support others emotionally in their time of need.
If you don't mind me being this way, then...
[ Dainsleif knows it's not presenting himself in the best manner, but he has never claimed to anyone to be a good person. There had to be a reason so many people found it easy to leave him behind, after all...though, maybe he shouldn't be thinking like that, either.
But other than trust, maybe he's afraid of failing others too. ]
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[ And one of Aerith's best friends doesn't know how to either, and she doesn't mind at all. It makes him, well, him. ]
So, I don't mind.
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I suppose it would be more like "relearning".
[ Once upon a time, Dainsleif is certain the motions of doing so was easier. But, when all is said and done, and someone is suffering before his very eyes, he can't bridge the gap. It was the same with the Traveler's sibling...when he couldn't even reach out properly. ]
...But, if you don't mind, then we can be friends.
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[ A little smile! She's a pretty patient person, and she knows for certain that patience is often well worth it. ]
Besides, relearning is easier than learning from scratch. I bet it'll be like riding a bike for you.
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You have a lot of faith in me.
...Especially for someone who has never ridden a bike. I wonder if you have dealt with someone like this before.
[ Hah. Okay, maybe he shouldn't have made light of it. ]
Nevermind that. I suppose we'll just have to see.
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You wanna hear some good news? Riding a bike is pretty easy too. Maybe a little scary at first, but you get the hang of it eventually.
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...You're trying to really sell me on the ride a bike metaphor, aren't you?
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Got a problem with that?
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[ Dainsleif says, spoken with all the seriousness that is within his soul. Except it ringing hollow, because at this time it's not actually there. ]
But, no. [ ... ] Perhaps something tells me you would choose another one just the same; maybe even with a new set of wheels.
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I sure would! There's all kinds of things I could compare friendship to, you know. You're lucky I'm not gonna list 'em all out right now.
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...Should I consider myself fortunate for once, then?
The way you pose that threat, it is as if to indicate we would be here for hours on end.
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[ She doesn't, but it's a fun sort of threat, the kind that feels light in comparison to just about everything else going on. ]
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Metaphors and words can be quite the fierce weapon when used well against others. Even, dare I say it, positive ones.
[ Then, Dainsleif shakes his head, as if he can't believe what he's saying. It's almost like he's among a far more lighter setting, even if those days have left him centuries ago. ]
To be honest, I didn't expect to be talking like this...but, a little bit of levity can be like a balm to the soul.
no subject
It's really important. I know it can feel like it doesn't fit sometimes, but... without being able to smile from time to time along the way, all we can think about is the pain we feel.
[ There's a little more sincerity in her smile now, weighty in its gentleness. ]
If we don't have some good out there to remind us it exists, I think it's easy to lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel.
no subject
...I'd quip about not smiling in centuries, but then I would be forced to call myself a terrible liar, and that would not do.
[ Dainsleif is very self-aware about his broody personality, enough to make such remarks. But, even so, deep inside of him, he feels unfortunately he may be predispositioned to falling to despair than most. So, the words Aerith give hold weight with her own expression that seems to echo...the truth he can't avoid. ]
Still, despite myself acknowledging such matters, it is often harder for such things to truly sink in. Sometimes, the good - the light - that truly exists out there seems nonexistent as well, when you see only the dark.
no subject
[ Because it can be almost impossible to find those little specks of light in an otherwise dark room. ]
But I’m happy now. Back home, I’m happier than I’ve ever been before. It’s made all of the bad feel worth it. So, even if things feel uncertain now or if they feel hopeless… I just gotta keep reminding myself that we can get out of this.
[ She smiles, letting out a little laugh. ]
Sorry, that was super cheesy. I think I’m right, though.
no subject
...I admit, I hadn't expected you to say that.
[ He will grant that. Yet after seeing her reaction, he shakes his head, not really smiling, yet a reflecting, calm expression is seen on his face. ]
I'm also glad you escaped whatever terrible events that made you felt that way.
And, I don't know. I'm not really the type of person...to be cheerful, and I know it. But, I think it's good that you are - more importantly, I believe you are correct.
We'll need every reminder. Especially since I'm certain this place will try to make us believe we can't escape, at every turn.
no subject
[ Broody people like Dainsleif really need it, she's found. ]
But you're right. Places like this, they want you to feel hopeless... like there's no way we could ever get out of here in one piece. The moment we start believing it is when we've lost.
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