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[oracledriven]

[Alright. This isn't something he normally does, but everyone else has been so quiet about it that it's starting to drive him a little nuts. So in the true form of someone who can't keep their mouth shut— here's Noel.]

Okay, so. Who else stayed in town when people went out to the desert? I can't be the only one who noticed the people in town acting strange, right?

[He frowns a little, thoughtfully crossing his arms over his chest.] It was like they couldn't figure out what to do with themselves, but even when I ask them what happened, they look at me like I'm crazy. [Which he's not. Right??] Like they don't even remember it happening.

Anyone else notice anything strange happening back then? And for everyone who went out to the desert— anything strange happen with people out there? Anything see anything like that happen since you got back?

[He's about to cut it there, no introduction, no nothing, but he pauses to add:] Thanks.

Comments

[baldrshand]

It's not the most cheerful philosophy, I know. But it is probably the most practical one.

...You haven't been experiencing anything similar, have you?

[oracledriven]

[A faint smile, maybe somewhat wry.] I get you. Cheerful and practical don't always go together.

[He pauses at the question, thinking through it seriously.] ... No, I don't think I have. Not that I know of, at least. But considering the way the locals were acting? If I did...I'm not sure I'd notice.

[baldrshand]

Hm... well, I haven't noticed. What about everyone else who sees you often? They would be able to tell you if you were having moments of... [there's a pause as she searches for a word; psychiatric terms are still tricky for her.] Dissociation?

[oracledriven]

[This is tricky, isn't it? He's not used to having someone concerned about him. In a way, he appreciates it...and it's not like he wants to worry her. So he gives her question a proper amount of thought.]

Dazai might or might not say anything, depending on how he's feeling...but Serah definitely would. No way would she leave that alone. [He offers a smile that he hopes is reassuring.] So don't worry too much on my account, alright? I think I'm okay.

[baldrshand]

Oh, but I worry too much about everyone. That's a healer's job. [She definitely worries extra about Noel, though.] I think I would like to be optimistic about this one. And Serah seems like a sensible sort of person, so I'll trust that she's keeping a good eye on you, too.

Are you two from the same place?

[oracledriven]

Yeah, well, don't forget to think about yourself too, alright? That's part of a healer's job. [Healers are IMPORTANT!!1

His expression takes on a certain fondness at the mention of Serah. Maybe some nostalgia, too.] More or less. I told you I was traveling in time, right? She came with me from the past. We've been through a lot together.

[baldrshand]

All right, Commander Noel. I'll do my best to follow that order.

[HEALERS ARE IMPORTANT!!1 indeed, and she would never argue that! probably the other healers in Sigurd's army kept her in line and vice versa.]

Oh... so she was your companion-in-arms, then? [Ethlyn takes it for granted that they were locked in a struggle with some opposing force.] I'm glad you've been reunited.

[oracledriven]

[The expression brightens to a smile at that, and he nods, satisfied with the answer.

As for Serah-- it's a little more complicated. Fondness, nostalgia, regret...her being here brings a lot back into focus, for him. It's easier to talk about now, at least -- easier than it was when she first arrived.] At this point I think I'd say friends, more than that, but -- yeah, that's basically it. ...And thanks. I wasn't expecting it, but...I am, too.

[baldrshand]

More than that? [Her smile becomes more of a grin.] Is that so?

1/3 LMAO

[oracledriven]

Wh--

[Hold on, it's gonna take him a minute to figure out What's That Look For, but eventually he will, and then--]

2/3

[oracledriven]

NO. No way. No way! C'mon, Ethlyn.

[hELP HIM]

3/3

[oracledriven]

I just-- [yeahhh he's trying to be chill, but he's also completely red in the face.] We're partners, that's all I meant. [... xhfgjhsjdk wait] Fighting partners!!

[baldrshand]

O-oh! My apologies! [god that was. SUCH A PROGRESSION OF FACES THAT NOEL MADE. and her own is more than a little mortified.] I see! Fighting partners! Yes, I understand, that does go beyond normal friendship. That's all you meant.

[she's STILL NOT SO SURE THAT'S ACCURATE BUT. SURE. SHE ALSO GETS THAT AS A BOND.]

[oracledriven]

[Now that he's had that big reaction, he's feeling kind of embarrassed over it --it's really not as big a deal as he just made it out to be-- and gives her an apologetic look for a moment.]

No-- it's fine. It's really not like that, but... I can see why you might've had the thought.

[... Not like that for practically a million reasons, chief among them her being dead, his own issues, and her whole engaged to someone thing.]

[baldrshand]

Yes it's just the--"more than friends," that's what made me think--but no, I do see what you mean. My brother and husband were like that with an old academy friend of theirs. They shared all their hopes and dreams with each other. They were closer to each other than anyone else in their lives back then.

[oracledriven]

[Noel notes the use of past tense -- were. They were close. Whether Ethlyn meant anything by it or not, it resonates with him. Serah's not the only one he's shared hopes and dreams with. She's not even the only person that'd be referred to in past tense.

He nods in agreement, but something in his expression closes off a bit.]

Yeah. I get what you mean. That kind of friendship doesn't come around all the time.

[baldrshand]

No, it doesn't. That's why it's so important to treasure it for as long as you can.

[Eldigan had made his choices, and so had Quan and Sigurd--choices that put them on opposing sides of a battlefield. In the end, no matter where Eldigan turned, there was nowhere to go but towards his own death.

That isn't Noel's past to live with, though, and Ethlyn struggles to regain a more cheerful aspect.]

Sorry. We got serious there, didn't we?

[oracledriven]

[Noel is quiet for a second. He doesn't really know how to respond. Yeul, Serah, even Caius... no matter what they meant to him, it never seemed to last, did it? Even his alliance with Snow and Hope. After Hope disappeared, everything fell apart.

He treasures those friendships. Treasured. Even so-- for a long time, it's been easier to work alone.

It...it's good that she tacks that last bit on. Good that she says something else, anything else to get him out of his head. Whatever happened to those friends of hers -- it's different than him, but that doesn't make it hurt any less for her, he's sure. It takes a moment, but his expression does finally twist back to a bit of a smile, maybe a little rueful.]

... A bit. Yeah. I guess everyone has their own personal stuff to deal with, huh?