005 - [Written/Action]

[whatdeheckisdat]

[Let's face it: Dhaos was born on a glorified comet. He's used to seeing planets come and go like this, though admittedly few so angry-looking, and very rarely lacking the 'go' part. Despite all the deja-vu that comes with impending doom, he doesn't really feel the urgency of the situation-- not a lot has happened since things went downhill last month, and that seems to have taken the edge off of anything unrelated to Derris-Kharlan or Martel's departure.

Strange. It should have had the opposite effect. Maybe he's just too preoccupied with thinking about that to care.  He still hasn't made any progress...

In other news, it would figure that the one experiment he isn't affected by comes when the moon apparently decides the world has existed long enough. He can't even go stargazing with that stupid thing in the sky. Perhaps slightly irritated by this, Dhaos does the only other thing he can think of to pass the time without exposing himself to the ridiculous mask situation: being unsympathetic and logical, for a given definition of logical.]

Instead of gracing you all with yet another remark on the proximity and malevolence of the moon, allow me to point out that the Malnosso are not accepting mission registrations until next month. One can only assume that they believe we will still be alive and in proper condition to volunteer ourselves on the 1st, which would generally imply that they do not believe a local apocalypse to be terribly likely.  Unless they want to wait a week or so, they will most likely have some way to keep the residents alive, if indeed the moon collides with the village at all.

Feel free to be as concerned as you believe the situation calls for, but remember that the continued existence of the village is in the Malnosso's best interest.

[Dhaos isn't leaving: he can be found either idly wandering the village or, more likely, in the library again, passing the time by looking for something to read and answering replies on his journal. The moon makes stargazing a bit of an impossibility, obviously, but he will be outside at night, watching the moon fall. Matter of habit, perhaps? He won't be on a rooftop, though. Probably fell out of the sky sometime when the power cap hit 100% or something.

He had to admit it was rather ominous-looking whether the logic behind it worked or not.]

Comments

[lostinmyway]

They're for everyone, to cheer them up.

[Because for some reason, lots of people are sad today.]

[whatdeheckisdat]

I see... They will appreciate it. It does seem as the moon has the village on edge today.

[For reasons obvious to most. Dhaos looks up at the aforementioned angry moon.]

[lostinmyway]

Yes, it does.

[Grune looks up as well, watching the moon for a moment. Then, she looks back at him.]

Dhaos?

[whatdeheckisdat]

[Dhaos looks back at Grune.] Mm?

[lostinmyway]

[She gives him a warm smile.] Thank you for being my friend. Knowing you has made me very happy. I'm so glad we were able to spend this time together.

[And she's glad she found him so she could give him her important message.]

[whatdeheckisdat]

[Dhaos is caught between wondering if she truly believes this is the end and thinking about her words. Of course it made her happy-- with Grune, the more the merrier.]

...There is no need to thank me for something such as that.

[lostinmyway]

Oh, but I want to thank you. It's very important for you to know.

[whatdeheckisdat]

...I appreciate the sentiment and the effort, Grune.

[How is he supposed to respond to something as heartfelt as that? It was nice, he supposed, to know that he was the source of some happiness for someone yet...]

[lostinmyway]

[She nods, satisfied that Dhaos now knows how important he is to her.]

Fenimore and Norma and Sophie and Walter and I are leaving the village soon. You should come with us.

[whatdeheckisdat]

[Dhaos shakes his head, after a moment.]

I will stay here. But you and your friends should go.

[lostinmyway]

[She gives him a concerned look.]

But if you stay here all by yourself, you'll be lonely.

[whatdeheckisdat]

[Again with the loneliness argument.] I will be fine, Grune. My feelings are not at risk here, I assure you.

[lostinmyway]

Are you sure?

[The ground quakes, just enough to make her stagger slightly.]

[whatdeheckisdat]

I am sure. I prefer solitude. [As he's sure he's told her before, but it's Grune.

Dhaos waits the tremor out-- he has to shift his stance a little, but like the brick wall he is it doesn't seem to affect him much-- and speaks again.] In any case, I have that lovely moon to keep me company.

[lostinmyway]

[She looks up at the moon for a moment. It's very, very close.

When she returns her gaze to him, it's still more troubled than before.] But if you stay here, you might get hurt.

[whatdeheckisdat]

[Dhaos isn't actually sure whether or not the moon is real, but he does know one thing for certain.] I am not afraid. If your companions are, I suggest you leave me and go comfort them.

[lostinmyway]

Maybe you could help. [...She really doesn't want to leave you, Dhaos.]

[whatdeheckisdat]

We are not acquainted enough for that. [And he doesn't really want that to change.] They will be much happier with you alone.

[lostinmyway]

[Grune doesn't reply. Instead, she only stands and looks up at him, visibly conflicted. She's being asked to leave a friend in danger, and that is something she cannot do.]

[whatdeheckisdat]

[...Don't look at him like that, Grune. Dhaos feels like he's just kicked a puppy.]

...Do not worry for me, Grune. I have seen much worse.

[lostinmyway]

But that means you should start having more good luck, not bad luck.

[whatdeheckisdat]

In that case, I will be perfectly safe right here.

[lostinmyway]

...Maybe I should stay with you. [Then she wouldn't be leaving him alone.]

[whatdeheckisdat]

...Were you not listening? Your friends need you more than I.

[And Dhaos is sure Grune would be happier surrounded by more people.]

[lostinmyway]

It's all right. They have each other. They won't be lonely.

[But Dhaos doesn't have anyone.]