SEPTEMBER TDM + SETTING UPDATES

[beleos]

BEARING FRUIT (NEW CHARACTERS ONLY)

It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.

And then, it goes wrong.

The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.

So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—

You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.

I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.

You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.

The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.

From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.

And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.

TWO CITIES, ALIKE IN DIGNITY

With the new Shard-Bearers present or en route, it is Kathova and Cetina that approach the established ones, requesting that they form mentorships with the new souls to assist them with the integration process. To this end, they have both provided a centralized zone in both Highstorm and Springstar for a small, casual meet-and-greet to be held before the new Shard-Bearers are unleashed upon Kenos as a whole.

Additionally, as Springstar and Highstorm are holding their events on different days, it is possible for the knowledge-hungry to participate in both informational sessions -- the tones and opinions held by both cities are doubtless to differ, and some Shard-Bearers who have chosen to harmonize with either faction may even find their way to the opposing faction's session as well.

However, for those who have attended such events in the past, they'll note a marked difference—Only newly arrived Shard-Bearers and members of the faction are welcome. If you're a member of the opposite faction, you'll be questioned and ultimately turned away. If you want to join the party, you'll have to be a little sneakier, it seems.

SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

In Springstar, the seat of the Tribune becomes available for such a forum. While a section of the building itself has been reserved for the meeting between fresh faces and experienced Shard-Bearers alike, the hustle and bustle of Heliopolis continues around them -- acolytes still gather their robes and tomes, hurrying from their quarters to lessons. A score of young militants march in step across the yard to the training grounds.

The welcoming party is in the Seat of the Tribune, with tables draped in white-and-gold-trimmed fabrics fare filled with fare typical to Springstar's slowly fading winter -- fruits and wines, savory smoked meats and roasted vegetables, and large bowls of soups like youvarlakia and fasoalda have been lain out to encourage forum participants to snack as they speak. There are plenty of grains and other dishes that elude to an abundant harvest from Alenroux. The atmosphere is ambient with informality and friendliness, though topics will inevitably stray towards philosophic or political, Springstar's meeting grounds are decorated with handsome chaise lounges and slouching klismos chairs in small, intimate groupings. This is a forum in the classical sense, where people are encouraged to speak freely, no matter the topic. Though excitement charges the air, the gathering at the Seat is much more muted than what transpires outside the center of the city.

The mood in Springstar as a whole is jubilant, with not just a party at the seat of the tribune, but elsewhere, including the Psychagogía district. Parties line the streets, establishments that overflow with bodies, drink, and libations of all sorts. There is a sense of excitement in capturing the latest oracle, and the people seem to treat the shard-bearers of Meridian somewhat reverently, and new ones, they will pull aside and explain with excitement about how the Shard-Bearers captured the oracle (with varying degrees of accuracy) and how it is because of them that they will be seen to victory. Cyrus’s name, however, still comes with notes of disdain. It’s clear that the Tribune has not bought much good favor by their victory, and instead, if any ask, or follow the threads, they will hear the names Desmond Ó Ruadháin and Agapitos Voreen as likely successors to the Tribune. However if one asks how that happens… details become a bit more muddy. Apparently, the role of the Tribune is for life. And apparently, the denizens of Springstar trust the Shard-Bearers to see the oracles through, and still see Cyrus as a weak link in their chain.

HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

Eternally in opposition, Highstorm provides the Manor's courtyard as the setting for their informational meeting. Formality is of utmost importance here, with attending Zenith loyalists and residents dressed in beautiful, albeit austere attire -- they are, after all, standing before Lady Yima's home. A buffet-style luncheon is spread alongside one of the largest reflecting pools, wherein you may gaze and find your memories revealed in retrospect upon the water's surface. Soft tunes filter over the courtyard, and if the sounds of them sound familiar – perhaps remind one of home? That’s because they are! Yima’s musicians seem to be able to pilfer strings and strands of music, and weave it all together expertly, to give both new arrivals and old friends reminders of their home.

There are few places to be seated in the Manor's courtyard, resulting in a milling of bodies as they flow and ebb between smaller gatherings, clustering in small-to-large groups with small platters and shimmering flutes of drink held in their hands. Yet, as you look, you’ll see that the selection is also quite interesting. The foods and drinks on offer are from a multitude of worlds, and so you may find a new favorite! Or something not suited to your palate at all. It’s at least a chance to be adventurous. If you try something and don’t like it, might not want to say that out loud, lest you insult someone who’s from that world.

The city itself is more muted than usual. The last dregs of Highstorm’s chill summer are coming to an end, and the cold is an opportunity for Highstorm’s denizens to batter in more frequently, and the chill may have something to do with the lost oracle. Though, if asked, they’ll say nothing of the sort, of course! In opposition to Springstar’s mixed jubilation and doubt, Highstorm’s denizens seem determined that lady Yima will see them through, and that one loss is no reason to fall into despair. Though they are still disappointed, and will say so. Though blame does not seem to have a target, mere disappointment filters through the city, as they start preparing for winter. The prices seem higher, whether one is looking for potions, supplies, or even small trinkets from the The Antiques & Baubles Market. Things seem… leaner in a sense. There’s nobody starving on the streets in Highstorm, but the control of Alenroux continues to lead to tense relations, even though a compromise seems to have been recently reached between the two factions.

SETTING UPDATES

In both locations, information passes between all in a forum, spread and disseminated among the masses - it's a good opportunity for city residents, faction loyalists and interested new parties to share and share alike. Once the meet-and-greet has concluded, twin missives from both faction leads are read out -- invitations for all present to explore the cities to their heart's content, and warnings about stumbling ill-prepared ( or at all ) into the Below, or worse yet, the Beyond. As Shard-Bearers new and old take in their cities, they'll all see it change throughout the month...

OOC, these are all updates to the setting at large that players both new and old are free to interact with as little or as much as they wish! Feel free to use them as prompts on this post, in your characters on-going lives and arcs, or just let them go "that's none of my business" and ignore it. The world of Kenos is shaped by our playerbase, and these are some of the wider reaching effects of various player plots and actions.

THE BLIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Since the Blight’s conclusion, both cities have undergone a fair bit of effort to reconstruct the districts and buildings that were destroyed in the Blight, though Springstar seems a touch further along than Highstorm, due to Shard-bearer efforts. The unusual weather pockets present previously have very nearly all disappeared, though there are some patches still present, lingering in the areas still somewhat ravaged by the Blight. The pockets seem to be losing their effects now, and if one finds themself within, will experience a mild slowing down or speeding up of time. Visions still appear within the small bubbles, reflections of dear ones or important events, though they seem to be only memory, though anyone within the bubble can bear witness.

FURTHER DETAILS

OOCly, characters can still stumble into small bubbles of time, though they are fewer and far between than they were 3 months ago! These time bubbles still have some time-warping energy, and will continue to allow characters to either speed up or slow down, depending on player preference! In addition, the time bubbles are no longer bringing back remnants of Kenosians past, but there is still the chance of some memory reflections to briefly manifest in the bubble. They will come from player characters as a whole, and are purely up to whatever is fun for you! Think of it as brief flickers of memory sharing, they can be as brief or as distorted as you like! Think of this as the last gasp of the Blight, as it withers away thanks to the concentrated efforts of all shard bearers!

CHECKS AND BALANCES

Alenroux continues to improve, and with the new balance between both Springstar and Highstorm, the separate island is safer than ever! The tensions between both factions seem to have reduced over the island, thanks to the efforts of several shard bearers, and the populace seems to be warming to both factions once again.

FURTHER DETAILS

After the resolution of the first Kenos Ambassador agreement, the balance of power in Alenroux is already starting to shift. The island already has a much more evenly-matched number of military forces from both Springstar and Highstorm, the number of troops in the area has reduced significantly. The number of monsters does not seem to have increased at this time, which bodes well for the area. The uptick of Highstorm locals has certainly led to more food flowing into Highstorm than had before, and the people seem pleased with the arrangement – for the moment! The small murmurs of discontent and unrest seem to have alleviated at this time. Though some still seem uncomfortable with the amount of troops, they seem less willing to say that out loud. Though nights in Alenroux will possibly never be wholly safe, the threats seem more manageable, though nobody will ever turn down Shard-Bearer assistance in a pinch!

TO INFINITY – AND BEYOND

Rumbling about temples being erected in the Beyond, which lies outside of Highstorm’s city limits, close to another that had been erected previously. Not one shrine out there, but two it seems. It shines like the sun when the moonlight catches it just right, and it’s visible over the line of trees that marks the edge of the Beyond. The more brave and curious of Highstorm’s denizens have started making more treks into the Beyond for both shrines, and the fact that most come back unharmed seems to encourage others to follow. And for those that may not be able to make the trek safely, there's an opportunity to make a bit of money by leading the way to the shrines and offering the curious pilgrims protection from the Beyond's dangers. There’s rumbling amongst them – Quetzalcoatl – Set – the names of gods of worlds long past, and though there are not many that will stray from Highstorm’s resident deified figure – Lady Yima – there are enough that it’s easy to catch pilgrimages out to the temple, and to visit them yourselves, as well!

FURTHER DETAILS

Quetzalcoatl erected a bright and gigantic temple right next to Set's in the Beyond! Right next to Highstorm! I'm sure that's fine and will not have any diplomatic consequences in the future! Both gods have been drawing in new curious individuals – some who may be worshippers with time – and it's drawn the curiosity of many.

SMALLER CHANGES

GRAND LARCENY

An uptick in crime between both Springstar and Highstorm has both the Legion and Yima’s own private guard scrambling as they struggle to find rhyme or reason behind the latest crime spree taken up in both cities. Though there doesn’t seem to be a specific source, local chatter suggests that it might be coming from a mysterious underground, though most can’t say where... there’s vague gestures, and remarks about Below, without any concrete details. Those who are familiar with – or find out about – Kowloon, may find plenty of stolen items within Kowloon’s markets, though if asked, the keeper will simply shrug and say they retrieved it from a reputable source. Who? Well, they don’t know, they don’t remember their face. I’m sure this is fine and won’t lead to trouble later down the line!

Completely unrelated, those who are known to be or obviously affiliated with Springstar continue to encounter difficulty in Kowloon. It’s become a touch more brazen – more pickpocketing, even higher prices, or even some outright derisiveness from some businesses, although they seem to be centered more around Draumahol, and the further one gets from the business in the underground city (or as far as one can get) the more willing businesses seem to engage with those from Springstar, and the more… apologetic they are about higher prices, though they do still seem to be across the board.

FAE MISCHEIF

It’s not just the underground that seems to be reeling from a spike of theft, though this one seems more obvious – and innocuous! Faeries from the Greenwood Yard seem to still be reeling from recent Shard-Bearer intrusions, so bearers new and old may find small items of varying importance are missing. They’ll generally come with a calling card; a small note that is part threat and part invitation for a game, to come find them within the Greenwood Yards. After hearing about the issue, a certain potion shop owner sets up a small stall by the yards, and will offer to help the shard bearer with their predicament – for a price, of course! Better have a few gold coins on you!

The owner will offer bearers a round-trip to tiny town yet again, to retrieve whatever was stolen, though this time it comes with no visions, and generally the fairies will consider things to be even, if bearers come to retrieve it with politeness and a request for it to be returned. If a bearer threatens them… well. Let’s hope you brought a friend along to help with this fae threat, then!

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all new players need an invite to apply to the game, which are now open.

This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this sometimes happens since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They may return to Kenos one day, but for now, weren’t able to make the full journey.

As a note primarily for current players, closed toplevels/prompts are not allowed in this log. If you would like to interact with the setting changes in a way that isn't open to all characters (new and old), we ask that you instead make a log in kenoslogs.

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

When characters emerge from their cocoon/the ground, they may be wearing their normal clothes or nude. Up to you!

At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision about which Faction they'd be drawn to.

As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!

For the Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are freed from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, please see the Navigation page and check out the locations!

New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM until they Harmonize, AKA make a choice of which faction they choose to support. For some characters, this may be an easy decision, but it make take others time. We just ask you keep this in mind!

CODING

Comments

[sheezit]

[ ... ah, right. It is as Yuri said, after all. Dimitri doesn't... know him.

It isn't like Shez to devise overly elaborate strategies before a battle, but this is one he should maybe have better prepared for. ]

Yeah. In... another life, I guess.

[ His usual friendly smile does struggle to stay in place, and he can only hope his tone doesn't betray too much hurt. Slithery origins or not, he's never been great at deception. ]

You do know Yuri, right? He warned me you and Claude came from... uh, a different Fodlan? One where we had never crossed paths. I dunno all the details, but that's the best I got.

[hauntedking]

Oh-

[ Dimitri frowns for a moment and then seems to brighten. He gives Shez a little smile and gestures. ]

You're... Shez, aren't you? I believe I've heard about you from Byleth.

[ He offers a little smile. ]

I'm pleased to finally meet you. I presume you've just, uh, arrived?

[sheezit]

[ Despite himself, he huffs out in amusement. ]

Yeah? Well, don't believe everything that guy says about me. I've gotten a lot better since our first match.

[ Truth is, he has no idea what Byleth would have to say about him, but he feels the need to defend himself on this one, just in case. To this day, that curbstomp loss is one of his greatest shames! ]

Anyway, yeah, I wound up here just recently. I've got the gist of the situation, and Yuri suggested these welcome feasts would probably be the best way to start, so here I am, smack dab in the middle of casual talk of assassination plots. Kinda feels like home, really.

[ Unless this Dimitri's Fodlan is THAT different, he'll get it. ]

[hauntedking]

Well, I can't think of you being described poorly at any point...

[ Dimitri laughs and then sighs as they segue into assassination talk. ]

It's... certainly familiar and not in a pleasant way. Although I like to think that this sort of talk will die down eventually. It's unpleasant. And I personally want no part in any such attempts on someone's life. And hopefully we can prevent such talk from becoming more than talk.

[ He offers a rueful smile. ]

But let me welcome you, all the same. Have you had anything to eat yet?

[sheezit]

[ Sorry, Dimitri, Shez doesn't mean to stare. He's just... studying the man's face, as though looking for a trace of familiarity.

Ah. There it is. ]

You're still about as soft as I remember, huh?

[ Right. Can't get too familiar now, so his smile is quick to take on a more casual flair as he adds: ]

Anyway, I can always go for another bite. Any merc worth their salt knows better than to pass up on the opportunity for free stuff, and then you can tell me all about how you're planning to prevent that whole murder bit.

[ Plans which surely do not involve taking on more burdens than he can handle, right? Right?? ]

[hauntedking]

Soft...?

[ Dimitri laughs quietly. He... does have a gentle heart. But he's also done some terrible things, so it's difficult for him to completely reconcile the two. ]

In any case... that's a good place to start. Come - let's find somewhere to sit. I'd like to know more about you as well.

[sheezit]

[ Soft! Shez may have a tendency to only see people's rosy qualities at first, but he wasn't wrong about his first impressions of his Dimitri back then, either; he doubts the same doesn't hold true for this one. ]

All right. I'll trust you to lead the way, as always.

[ That's... supposed to be a jab at his own sense of direction, but he belatedly realizes it comes with a different problem. ]

Ah, sorry about that. Must be weird for you to deal with some random guy suddenly acting a lot more familiar than he should, huh? I'll try to keep it down.

[hauntedking]

Well...

[ Dimitri laughs a touch awkwardly and shrugs. ]

It's... something I did to Byleth when I first arrived here. So I'm... well. I'm not used to it, but I understand it. It's something I've tried to ameliorate.

[ He leads the way, starting to walk and wind his way toward a little bench set under some shady trees. ]

[sheezit]

[ And Shez will dutifully follow along as advertised! Making an effort not to get too distracted on their way there, with the solid reminder that this Dimitri isn't familiar with his tendency for... getting sidetracked. And possibly out of sight, if one takes their eyes (eye) off him for a second too long in uncharted territory. ]

Yeah, I'll bet. Got any tips to share? Y'know, other than maybe seeing the guy as an odd twin who happens to share the same name?

[ And probably more? Though Shez doesn't know the extent to which two people can be the same while hailing from a different life... ]

[hauntedking]

[ Fortunately, they're not going far, and Dimitri settles onto a bench in the shade of some trees, gesturing for Shez to join him. ]

Well... in theory, you should join a faction. I'd be lying if I didn't say I preferred Meridian, but... they're both using us for their own ends, I think, even if they do dangle what we want in front of us. But we don't have much choice but to trust that they're telling the truth. The hostilities between factions is... mixed.

[ He leans back, looking thoughtful. ]

Some take it far more seriously than others. But-

[ Oh. His brain catches up. ]

...I suppose that in the case of our situation, it seems that our worlds or timelines are much the same until... for some reason in my own time, Byleth saved myself, Claude and Edelgard from bandits. But according to Yuri and Byleth... that was you, instead. After that, things become very different.

[sheezit]

[ ... yes, Dimitri's brain, thanks for catching up to what he was actually asking about. But just so they're extra clear: ]

Yeah, Yuri's given me the rundown on the situation. Not sure I buy into the whole "end of the world" kinda talk, but I'm trying not to think too hard about stuff that's beyond my control for now. I'll end up where I end up, not that I intend to be standing against you guys.

[ And that's that, the simple, straightforward approach! Yeah, this is the kind of guy some other Dimitri ended up stuck with, have fun with that thought. ]

As for those bandits, was it around a village close to Remire? I only ended up there myself because I'd heard that's where Jeralt's Mercenaries were headed, and then I found the three of you instead. But c'mon, you can't seriously think things were that different just because of which random merc got to rescue you first, right?

[ lol. lol lmao. ]

[hauntedking]

It was close to Remire, but instead of you, it was... Byleth. And things apparently did change a great deal. Byleth became a professor at the Academy and helped me a great deal - although events accelerated. There were... kidnappings. Violence. Edelgard revealed herself as the Flame Emperor and attempted to steal artifacts from the Church and that launched an all out war - one that lasted for five years and one where I almost lost my way entirely.

[ He gestures at his eyepatch. ]

I realize it's hard to believe, but... I lived it.

[sheezit]

[ ...

Dimitri. Dimitri, buddy. Easy on the traumadumping, okay, he's just met you. ]

It's not that I don't take your word for it. If anything, being in this place at all is enough reason to believe stuff I otherwise wouldn't, right?

[ But, hmmm, this Dimitri seems to be at least just as... morose as the one Shez knows, so how should he approach this... ]

The war, violence, kidnappings... all of that happened where I come from, too. [ He places a careful hand on Dimitri's shoulder, hoping to be of some small measure of comfort. ] But whatever went down so differently for you was probably just the result of everyone making different choices, not just one isolated event. Can't say whether the outcome was better or worse, but--

[ Hmm, would this be getting too familiar? Maybe. But he'll make an exception this once, because: ]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say you're probably blaming yourself for whatever went wrong, and I don't think you should. So don't, okay?

[ And also, don't blame the mercs, either. They were just doing their best. ]

[hauntedking]

[ LOOK, Shez asked for a description, he gave him one. Dimitri leans back in his seat a little, gaze a touch distant as he listens. ]

...I have blamed myself in the past, yes. Although I can't do so any longer and I try not to think of it in those terms. Whether it was for the better or for the worse, I can't say. I haven't lived in the timeline you and Yuri and Byleth come from. I don't know what's changed, beyond what I've been told.

[ He offers Shez a smile and reaches up to pat the hand on his shoulder. ]

But I am glad that I have a chance to meet you here, if nothing else.

[sheezit]

[ Hmm.

HMMMMMM.

Yeah, Shez notices how Dimitri pointedly says he can't blame himself any longer, not that he in fact doesn't. Is it a distinction without a difference? He wouldn't think so, but he's going to let that slide for now. ]

Yeah, me too. Not that it's the best time or place for that, what with the looming threat of our whole worlds being gone, but that's just another rough patch we'll have to face together.

[ In order words: his Dimitri or not, you're now stuck with him, buddy. That is the law. ]

Plus, if you're curious about the Fodlan I come from, I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. Who knows, maybe there's something you can borrow for your own Fodlan, huh?

[hauntedking]

I'm glad to have your support. Just know that you have mine as well.

[ Dimitri, it seems, is quite happy to lean into this mutually beneficial arrangement and be quite friendly, no matter what timeline they might come from. Or what mental health issues he might have. ]

If I can learn anything from you, then I will be very pleased. The offer is likewise extended to you, of course. Although I'm not sure what there is about my Fodlan that you might find interesting...

[sheezit]

[ Shez nods his acknowledgement, also quite happy with this odd arrangement despite their circumstances. ]

Aren't you forgetting the most important part-- that is to say, the Kingdom's position in the war? Where I come from, we'd finally managed a decisive victory against Thales and the Empire, and reclaimed Garreg Mach for the Seiros folks. How were things looking up from your side?

[ Go on, buddy, traumadump some more, he is Prepared now. ]

[hauntedking]

Ah...

[ Dimitri's expression falls a little. ]

...it's ended, actually. After five years of bloodshed. And in our case, the Kingdom of Faerghus has won. And now I face the task of uniting a continent and rebuilding everything that has been destroyed.

[ He sounds wistful. ]

[sheezit]

[ ... yeah, that isn't how a victor usually sounds, but he can say the Dimitri he knows wouldn't be too different. What remains is figuring out what exactly troubles this one. ]

I understand that's a lot of work to take on, but there's something else weighing on you, isn't there?

[ His smile is understanding, and the question is only meant to encourage, not to pry. Sometimes it helps to talk things out with a stranger-- well, from Dimitri's perspective, anyway. ]

[hauntedking]

Nothing more than usual.

[ He half laughs. ]

But people had to die to get us there. Edelgard is dead.

[ There's a soft sadness in his tone. ]

Along with most of her House.

[sheezit]

[ Yes, death is the usual outcome of any war, but Shez is at least wise enough as to not say this out loud to Dimitri, of all people. He really does seem like as much of a softie as the one he knows... ]

In my world, Dimitri said Edelgard was an old friend of his. It must be the same for you, huh...?

[hauntedking]

...yes. We were childhood friends. But we didn't quite realize it until it was too late to do anything but go forward with our chosen paths.