whatdeheckisdat | 004 - [Action/Written]

004 - [Action/Written]

[When had Dhaos returned to Luceti...? On the first of August, as he recalled. With the kidnapping effect in place, the confusion in its subsequent removal, the return of Luceti Land, and the draft, Dhaos has had little time to reflect on anything that has happened since then. But now that everything has quieted down again, he can think...

If you are content to wait and let time take its course, then the world will have returned to nothingness long before you recall your purpose.

Those words were not meant for Dhaos, but the truth in them rang clear in his ears. Time might not move while he stays in Luceti, but he is no closer to saving Derris-Kharlan than he was when he arrived-- or when he left. And he's been in Luceti for half a year now. Regardless of how helpless he might seem, sitting here and doing nothing would get him nowhere. There was a planet waiting for him.

He doesn't trust the humans and half elves. Arche is an enemy. Kratos is a mystery. Yuan, while apparently trustworthy as far as Dhaos has seen, already knows more than him-- and is too intelligent for Dhaos to risk widening the knowledge gap between them by telling him what he knows. That leaves one person-- the one person from Aselia Dhaos knew for absolute certain would never intentionally compromise him.]

[Written, Filtered to Martel: 80%]

Forgive me, but there is

[The filter breaks.

...

Dhaos closes the journal and hurls it into the opposite wall. Sorry, Luceti, no announcements from him. Feel free to question the filter failure-- or not.

Anywho, regardless of his mood when she arrives,

lostinmyway has decided it's about time she fulfilled that promise to introduce Dhaos to all her friends. If you are on Grune's CR chart, if you have ever spoken to Grune even once, or even if you've never met either of them in your life, Grune wants you to meet Dhaos. Come make the poor Demon King's life as awkward as possible! He's also available at night, as always.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sometimes, Robert does actually go outside.

Today, he's out more for the sake of exercise than anything, just finished pottering around the Memory Garden like he generally does. He doesn't notice Grune or Dhaos at first, but chances are, Grune will call attention to the little scientist sooner rather than later.

... Now might not be the best time to suggest a picnic.]

[When she spots Robert in the Memorial Garden, Grune's perpetual smile widens.]

Dhaos, it's Robert! We should go say hello.

[...Dhaos is going to stop thinking "more humans" whenever he meets one of Grune's friends. From now on, he'll just try to notice when they aren't human. It'll be much easier.

Anyway, given that Dhaos has agreed to go meet all of Grune's other friends, he has absolutely no reason to refuse her.] Mm. Lead the way.

[You've beaten him into submission, Grune.]

[... Okay, as if it wasn't awkward enough to meet Grune - who, despite not being on bad terms with Robert, is perpetually confusing when she insists on their friendship despite only speaking a few times - now she has someone else in tow. Someone Robert has never seen before in the entire time he's been at Luceti.

He drops his gaze instantly to the ground, nodding in anxious acknowledgement over at the two.]

A-Ah... salutations, Grune... a-and, er... your accompaniment...?

[... Sorry, Dhaos. This one isn't simply a human, he's probably one of the most pathetic excuses for one you've seen yet. At least he's polite?]

[As always, Grune simply assumes Robert is a little shy and fails to notice the extreme waves of awkward coming off him.]

This is my very good friend, Dhaos. Dhaos, this is one of my new friends, Robert.

[...Alright, extremely socially awkward person, Dhaos can see. Too bad you're human, Robert, or he might even have been sympathetic. You get the slightly bizarre person treatment instead!]

...I see. Exactly how new...?

W-We first met during the... e-establishment of the Memory Garden of... Luceti.

... So, er, the... fourteenth of A-August... [Robert cringes a little more into himself, uncomfortably.]

It is... a pleasure to meet you, Dhaos...

We planted all kinds of flowers together. It was a lot of fun!

Hm... So I heard.

[Dhaos didn't come, obviously, but he has seen the memorial since then. And he pretty sure it was the sort of thing Grune would have loved.]

The pleasure is mine. [NOT.]

[Robert can't infer that "not"... otherwise he'd be even more uncomfortable than he is already.]

... W-Was I... interrupting anything...? I, er, do not wish to... interfere, of course...

[He absentmindedly bites his lip, his eyes going anywhere except at Dhaos' or Grune's.]

Oh, no. I'm introducing Dhaos to all my friends! [Including you, Robert. Don't you feel so lucky?]

...She seems to have very many of them.

[Way too many. Especially of the human kind. But it's part of what makes Grune such a nice person, so he has no right to complain.]

[Oh, yes, Robert feels absolutely gifted right now. All these uncomfortable social situations he can't deal with! It's great!]

Ah... y-yes, I... I would concur.

... Th-thank you, Grune. I... I appreciate the effort... [Even if it is hideously awkward for him.]

You're welcome! I hope you and Dhaos can become very close.

...Hn.

[...Kind of doubtful, that. Robert is just lucky Dhaos isn't planning on commenting on the constant stuttering.]

[It's made even more doubtful by the fact Robert is hideously awkward and nervous around new people as it is. ~~And he'll probably make Dhaos jealous by doing something sappy for Grune eventually.~~]

Dhaos is... w-welcome to come to the Memorial Garden at... at any point. It is... open for e-everybody to use...

[... Not that he can't deny he'd be more than a little anxious if they did run into each other again.]

[And that gives Grune an idea!]

We should all work on the garden together!

[Oh yes, these two are going to be wonderful friends, right. ~~And how dare he.~~

As for Grune's suggestion...]

...I was under the impression that additions to the garden were only to be made when a resident goes home.

[Could be wrong, though. it's not like he's been paying attention.]

Ah, well... that, er, w-was the original intended purpose, but...

[He looks a little awkward a moment.] Well, in the interests of... f-fairness, there is no restriction on... usage of the garden.

Hmm.... Maybe we could do some weeding. [That would be fun, right?]

[Sigh... Sorry, Grune.]

I would rather leave that to the others, truthfully. But I suppose I may visit it now and then.

[... Sadly, Robert would actually enjoy weeding things...]

It is... c-certainly up to you, Dhaos. As, er, to wh-when you wish to visit.

[Trying a veeeery nervous smile right now.]

... Are you and Grune on g-good terms...? If I may ask...

[Grune beams.] Oh, yes, we're very good friends.

...She did insist upon my meeting her other acquaintances.

[It's... not hard to be on good terms with Grune.]

[That is admittedly very true. Grune is one of those sorts that is difficult not to get along with.]

I, er, h-hope that everybody involved has... taken well to each other...?

[... The last thing Grune needs is for all her friends to be awkward with each other.]

[Action] | If this is okay for you and Grune-mun? :3

[Action] XD It's very okay with me, but poor Robert!

[Action] Oh dear, yes XD

[Action] I enjoy being atrocious to him 8]

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[Action] | fff this notif fail

[Action] I had 55 unread messages in my inbox this morning. FFF INDEED.

[Action] VERY MUCH FFF YES.

[Action] Let's hope they're fixed now... D:

[Action] *knocks on wood*

[Action] ^^

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[Action] knocks on wood