fictionalized | log; jae's idea, brah

[The lovely thing is, Sayane has nobody who want her dead. Nor does this lower-winged woman desire harm on Toale, whom she approaches with an amiable smile.]

Ah, hello. May I ask a small favor of you?

[... WARY because you sure don't look like someone from Nelpha.

He doesn't sense any malicious intent from her, however, so for now he'll just stay on guard without actually calling for guards...

Offering a weak smile in return!]

Well, I'm afraid that depends on what the favour is.

[He can be wary all he wants. Sayane's smile doesn't waver, and it doesn't look as though she's going to lose it anytime soon.]

Oh, I don't believe it is too troublesome. This might be a strange question; however . . . where is this?

[Blink.

Er, he wasn't expecting that.]

... Excuse me?

[ . . . well, this is a little embarrassing.]

I seem to have followed the wrong map. What should have been a simple journey led me to this place, a town I'd never set foot on . . .

[YOU'RE NOT EVEN IN A TOWN. YOU'RE IN A CAMP.

Though it has like 30,000 people so it might as well be a town.]

Is that right...? That's a bit worrying, miss.

[In more ways than one.]

[IT LOOKS LIKE A TOWN, OKAY.]

I had thought myself to be well-traveled, but I have apparently misjudged my experience. This is south, yes?

[She presents him with a map. Contrary to what she believes, it's the right map. It's just held 90 degrees to the left.]

[YOU DO REALIZE RIGHT that it does nothing for Toale's nerves to know that some random girl managed to find the camp by getting lost.

... Actually, now that she's here, he's not sure if he can afford to just let her wander away and, you know, tell everyone where he is. WHAT IF SHE'S ACTUALLY A SPY.]

Well... I can't say much about your experience, but miss, I'm sorry—you're holding it the wrong way.

[How rude, she should be named "some random woman." Can someone this spacey be a spy. Really.]

Again? [A low gasp.] That would mean I have been traveling in the opposite direction all along. And I was so certain that this was the right way . . .

[NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES.]

... If you don't me asking, where are you headed? Wandering through Nelpha right now is, well...

[AT LEAST FIX THE ADDRESS.]

I was headed in the direction of the Scarred Mountains. But I have never heard of a location by the name of Nelpha . . .

[She sounds oblivious to the undertones of his words.]

[WHAT ADDRESS.]

... You—what? Then how in the world did you end up here?

[Not that he's ever heard of the Scarred Mountains here...]

[Totally different world, bud.]

It's rather embarrassing to admit that my sense of direction is lacking. Ah, but if I were to backtrack, I must be able to return to a more familiar road.

[It's a half question. Confirm this guess, please.]

[He's still not sure if he can actually afford to just let her go—]

That's...

[...]

If you're not familiar with the very country you're in, then I'm afraid I don't think you're going to find a familiar road.

[Oh.]

Goodness. Nelpha is a country?

Y... Yes.

[Not for much longer, but.]

You really didn't know?

No . . . I suppose I truly am a foreigner. If you could point me in the direction of the Mountains, I might find my way back.

... I'm sorry, but I've never heard of the mountains that you're looking for. Which country are they in?

You haven't? How odd; but then again, I knew nothing of Nelpha.

The Mountains separate Kraltarla from Findeste. Kraltarla is the nation I had previously been in and traveled the most of.

[There's a moment of silence as Toale just stares, unsure how to continue.]

Ah, miss... I've never heard of either of those places.

[Stare all you like, young man. Isn't she pretty?]

Hm . . . but the war between the two nations is quite prominent. Kind sir, what do you think about this anomaly?

[You are not a red-headed girl who is in love with another guy and whom he will almost die for.

He smiles faintly.]

Well, to be honest, I'm not sure what to think about it... I'm rather amazed, actually.

[You managed to wander through a country that's being slaughtered unharmed and never realized you were in the wrong place!]

[Oh, I see, he's hairist.]

Isn't it? I had not expected to come across a country untouched by the forces of dark. At least, that's how it appears.

[They're both talking about different things.]

[idk he kind of fell in love with kiefer at first sight so maybe he has a thing for red hair.]

... Untouched by the forces of dark...?

[/dyes hair red]

Yes. We have been at war for many years. They cross over to Kraltarla through the Scarred Mountains, and although the frontlines are said to be in fair shape, every citizen faces the risk of confronting these forces.

[now you need to be madly in love with someone else.

because nice guys always finish last.

He manages a sheepish smile even though inside he's just WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT THIS RIGHT NOW—]

... Miss, I'm sorry, but I really don't know what you're talking about...

[DON'T BE JUDGIN'.

Smile, smile. Sayane really sees nothing wrong with this conversation.]

Simply evidence that Nelpha has been untouched. Though, my apologies; I sound to have derailed our discussion with a history lesson . . .

[... Yeah, that gets a dry smile.]

Well, I wouldn't say it's untouched, exactly...

[Maybe not in the way she's thinking of, but.

He waves a hand.]

No, it's fine.

[For a second, she looks curious, but the expression fades back into a smile quickly.]

Is it? With so many people around, you must be busy with whatever the case may be. I oughtn't keep you like this, then.

[...]

Well, you're right about that. Unfortunately, you can't really just walk out of here...

[Just in case you really are a spy—]

[Paranoid, much?]

Eh? Why is that?

[You would be too if you had the most powerful country in the south and possibly your own father out to kill you personally.

And now, his expession is stern.]

Do you really not know where you are right now?

[But she doesn't. c: So she doesn't look very much bothered, even if his expression is a little hard.]

Somewhere in Nelpha . . . That is as much as I know.

[...]

And do you have any idea whom you're speaking to right now?

A kind man who taught me all that I've learned regarding this country. But there is more, yes?

Ah? Well, I wouldn't call myself 'kind' right now...

[Normally, he's all for manners and good etiquette and everything, but he knows that he doesn't have that luxury in a war.

... Ugh. If she's really innocent, then he doesn't want to treat her badly, but he can't afford the risk of her not being innocent.

He sighs, pressing a hand against his face. This is giving him a headache.]

You say that as though kindness is a temporary condition.

[But she's not stupid. She can easily sense that this man is conflicted, and it's causing him pain.]

Shall I give you some time to think?

[He just gives her a wry smile. Perhaps not, but kindness is something that can fade, and Toale would be afraid of that happening to him, were he not so convinced that he's going to die soon anyway.]

No, you—I'm sorry, but I need you to stay here.

[Why do all the nice, brown-haired men become destined to die?]

Oh, I won't leave camp. It simply looks like you could use the time alone.

[Hey, Toale miraculously manages to live, at least.]

... You'll have to pardon me if I can't quite trust your word alone.

Please, it's all right. I promise that I will not get myself lost.

[Oops.]

... No, that's not...

[Welp.]

I'm afraid that, going by how you ended up lost here, I can't quite trust that either.

[YOU'RE A GENTLEMAN, HAVE SOME FAITH IN HER.]

Do you think so . . . ? Then, shall I take a seat beside you as you cogitate?

[HE'S A GENTLEMAN BUT HE'S PRACTICAL OKAY.]

Aha... if you want, I suppose.

[No.]

The offer is for your benefit, kind sir. I shan't seat myself if it makes you uncomfortable.

[Yes, it would make him uncomfortable because it would be pretty easy for you to kill him like that...]

Well, this doesn't have to be entirely about me...

[She would have stabbed you by now if you were a bad guy.]

Ah, but it is. You are not feeling well, so I must let you be at home. A stressed mind has needs before it is cleared, you know.

[To quote Ryner:

"...... woah, Toale-chan I say, you're pretty cautious."]

... I appreciate the thought, but I'm afraid there's not much that can be done about that.

[HE IS NEVER GOING TO BE NOT STRESSED OUT.]

log; jae's idea, brah

brah, and toale's life always sucks.

IT WAS BETTER BEFORE.

EVERYTHING IS BETTER -AT FIRST-.

IT WAS A /LOT/ BETTER BEFORE.

IT WAS STILL BITTER.

WELL OKAY BUT AT LEAST HE WASN'T IN DANGER.

THAT'S A FUNNY DELUSION.

... OH RIGHT FROAUDE WANTED TO KILL HIM. DAMN IT.

I WON AN ARGUMENT WITH JAN, YAH YAH.

... I HATE YOU.

that's a lie.

... shush no

is that a "no, that's a lie"?

... let me get back to you on that

I already know the truth.

... [cal]

[jan]

[jae]!!

[jan2]

... you have a jan2

it's your [jae], just because.

... WHY

ONE AND SAME.

OHOHO.

D'OHOHO.

D'OHOHOHO!

IT'S JANTA CLAUS.

WHAT THE HECK

LOOK AT YOUR OWN LAUGH.

... OH.

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