@fooltrick said:
"the stars are the same, huh?"
it's late, and what hibiki should really be asking is why marth's still up when the aegis sisters and princess zelda have already gone to sleep and they've got a long trek ahead of them in the morning. ( not to mention a fierce battle, if mythra's foresight and zelda's general sense of unease are anything to go by. ) he does not do this, however, and simply sits down next to the hero-king to gaze up at the heavens alongside him. "it's... kind of weird to think that things are so messed up when you're looking at all this, huh?"
if marth wants to tell him what's on his mind, he can. if not, he at least won't be the only one scolded for not getting enough rest come morning.
He turns his head just enough to see Hibiki in focus rather than in his periphery, making a soft noise of acknowledgment. He should be resting, admittedly- they both should. He hasn’t sensed any darkness of his own, and it’s reassuring that apparently Medeus or Gharnef hasn’t been revived and dragged into this mess, but he sympathizes with the princess of Hyrule and her premonition. Tomorrow will be taxing... yet that is not what has him up tonight. His sword arm is ready, Falchion sharp, and his companions strong. Battle does not frighten him as it once did.
The king detaches one hand from his no longer steaming, but still warm mug of tea (chamomile, by Pyra’s recommendation, to settle nerves and promote sleep) to point up at a particular constellation. “Not exactly. That looks remarkably like the Mage Drake, a constellation from my world. But I’ve found no other familiar ones, and most of the stars I recognise from Japan seem somewhat misaligned too compared to how I remember them...” He shakes his head and takes his mug in both hands again, sipping his tea to give himself time to think of what it is he’s trying to say, here.
“My worry is twofold, I fear. For one, I fear for my family and friends back home. They have little to do with the tourney and by extension should be far from Japan, but... Galeem and Dharkon have smashed so many worlds together. They may well be in danger, or held hostage.” He pauses, wondering if he should acknowledge his second concern. Verbalising it will make it more real, and no longer deniable. “And at the same time... I find myself enjoying this, to some degree. Exploring with a small group, finding our friends and other survivors and saving them. It reminds me of the good parts of traveling with my army in Akaneia, without the horrors of those particular wars. But I know I shouldn’t. This mess has its own horrors, there should be nothing enjoyable about it. Am I changing..? I’ve never enjoyed warfare or battle. And here I am, while my loved ones may be in danger...”
He stops there, shaking his head and drinking the remainder of his tea. “I’m sorry. These aren’t things I should burden you with. What about you, what has you denying sleep?”