but even if the stars and moon collide [afterparty]

[allatonce]

[Well, that sucked!

After about an hour, invitations written in colorful ink appear under everyone's doors.]

Understandable if you're not up to it, but we're having a memorial and "don't wanna be alone" hang-out in the restaurant again.

[The restaurant has very much been decorated with the most rainbow fabric she could find in the department store. Jonathan got roped in, mainly so she could make sure he was doing okay, but also because she assumed that he knew how to put a tablecloth on a table. He seemed like the type, anyway.

After consulting with Undertaker, most of the food that's been set out is more traditional Chinese funeral food than Victorian—you can get a whole roast duck in the restaurant—but she tried for a mix of things. There is fruit, the aforementioned roast duck, and several vegetarian dishes along with potatoes for some reason and... cookies? Okay then.

Joy's trying, because that was way less terrible for her than it was for basically anyone else.

Happy Pride Wrath, New Rapture!]

Comments

[vholran]

I assumed you meant that they would attempt to engage in combat.

[ ... whomp whomp. ]

If they do vote for me erroneously, I'll make a decent number of their lives cut short.

[ In other words, Vholran would just kill people who would die anyway by his hand as an act of pettiness. It's more personal that way. ]

[buriedstar]

[ He laughs just a little. ]

You remind me of someone, Vhloran. It makes me wonder how much damage control I would need to do if you ever met.

[vholran]

[ Maybe a lot or very little. No in-between. ]

Tell me about this someone.

[buriedstar]

His name is Woo Ragi. He's an echo blade user, a swordsman who can use multiple swords at once in various combination of skills. And he—well it's easy to understand once you meet him, but he's constantly getting into fights no matter where he goes.

The only thing sharper than his blades is his tongue.

[ There's a fondness as he says this, his smile just the tiniest bit softer than usual. ]

[vholran]

A skilled swordsman.

[ He'd like to maybe fight him sometime should they meet. He is always looking to fight against those who are worthy or strong, after all. Or in general, tbh ]

...You sound fond of him.

[buriedstar]

Do I?

[ It's slightly demure, but then he laughs rather than appearing shy. ]

We've been together for more than a decade, and he's one of the founding members of my guild. He's indispensable, as much as he tries to make the case for otherwise with all the messes he makes. I had to hire a separate lawyer just for him, even.

[vholran]

[ If Seo Dawon is fond of him and his capability, he will not judge. ]

Making a mess doesn't mean someone is not indispensable. If it involves getting rid of an enemy, then it is effective, correct?

[ Sometimes you are just so skilled you make messes everywhere you go!

...Said probably nobody in the history of EVER. ]

[buriedstar]

In the end, results are what matter. [ Said like a true businessmen. ]

Especially when you keep making new enemies left and right.

[vholran]

When you have power and control, it's difficult for the results to not be in your favor.

[ Especially when you keep making enemies... ]

[buriedstar]

Mostly, it's still important to watch your back. More so when everyone begins to notice just how much you're worth.

[ His smile is sly. ]

I don't think I need to say that this applies here too?

[ But he just did anyway. He speaks both from experience and from seeing everyone at trial earlier. And maybe just with a hint of bias, even if he hasn't seen Woo Ragi in quite a while. ]

[vholran]

[ ...There's a minute pause on his end, and then it might seem like he's close to something nearing amusement once more with the way he's looking at him, though it is hard to tell. ]

Are you concerned, Seo Dawon?

[buriedstar]

I don't like to see talent go to waste, Vhloran. Particularly when there are others already on the level of fodder taking up the air.

[ ...in present company he can speak more straight than he usually does. ]

[vholran]

Hm. A reasonable assessment.

[ Look at them, saying nicey nice things. ]

But, it's a waste of time to worry. I won't fall to a dagger in my back. Those involved in that 'Crown Contest' presented people more of a threat than the ones here.

[buriedstar]

[ The nicest of things. ]

The 'crown contest'? Something in your world, I take it.

[ His curiosity has been piqued, but first: ]

I'm not really the type of man to worry, though. But perhaps you can view this as an acknowledgement of, hm, interest in continuing to see you around. [ With someone else he might say friendship or even alliance, but he doesn't think they would quite land with someone like Vhloran. ]

Tales of Arise late game spoilers

[vholran]

The crown contest is a false competition crafted by a repulsive entity and its subservient creatures.

The chosen 'Lords' have believed it would grant them the chance to become 'Sovereign', ultimate ruler of Dahna and Rena. But, their real fate is worse than death.

[ Literally you do not even want to know. But if he asks, he'll tell him? He's probably one of the less squeamish here.

Anyway, at the rest, well...Vholran is allergic to the word 'friendship', though surprisingly alliance might not be too bad. He has kind of worked with people before.

Seo Dawon will have time to find that out, tho. ]

I'll accept your acknowledgement. It is mutual.

[buriedstar]

Oh? I'm flattered to have earned that much from you. And I don't think I need to say it but I will as a gesture of good faith—there's no need for concern on your end either. No one can make me do anything or submit to anything I don't want to, no matter who they are and no matter where I am.

[ It's light like most of his words tend to be, but there's a heavy weight on the end, unspoken but felt even with the smile on his lips. ]

But all of that aside, what fate is worse than death?

more spoilers

[vholran]

Concern is not something I feel for others.

[ Vholran... please.

He is very bad at being a person and it probably shows. ]

Each Sovereign is stolen away to the true Renan Homeland, and they are never seen again. Their fate and their end is obvious to me—the usage of whatever is left by the Great Spirit of Rena.

[ He has not seen the monster the heroes faced, but he has pursued them, in a manner of speaking. ]

[buriedstar]

[ Rather than be offended, Seo Dawon laughs. He really could be hearing Ragi-yah right now. ]

So they become something less than they were, an entity that exists for the sake of another with no facility of their own? And let me guess—they also don't resemble who they were and are instead reduced to a husk or disgusting amalgamation?

[vholran]

[ Vholran doesn't seem offended in return. Maybe he made a slight allowance. He is not saying either way. ]

Correct.

You seem to speak from personal experience...?

[buriedstar]

I do.

[ ...this is going to be really funny come Tuesday. ]

Some time ago, something like that was offered to me. Immense power, legendary artifacts, dominion over the Akashic Record and demi-god level familiars. And in exchange I was expected to submit. To give myself over to the system and become a monster, literally and figuratively.

It was so insulting, I think I might have laughed for several minutes? What good is power if you're not the one actually wielding it? I'm not so stupid to fall for the allure of power just for power's sake. It's really, really so—

[ There's more to say here but he stops himself short and takes a breath, a cool smile spreading across his lips. ]

I'll never submit to anyone or anything.

[vholran]

[ Vholran listens to Seo Dawon's words with more than a semblance of interest. Indeed, it looks like the man has had a similar experience in a sense regarding such foolishness.

...Though, he thinks there is a crucial difference:

Each 'Sovereign' did not have a choice. But, that is not something he can exactly prove. It's more of a suspicion, and in the end that does not quite matter. Especially since he will destroy the Great Spirit of Rena himself. ]

I'll be looking forward to that continuing to remain the case, Seo Dawon.

[ But there is no doubt that there is an approval in those words. ]

[buriedstar]

[ Choice is such a funny word. ]

If the system couldn't move me, nothing will. [ Besides himself, obviously. But that should go without saying. ]

I'll be expecting the same of you, of course.