#mabiyef

Boy, that was a random question, but at the same time he felt somewhat obliged to answer.

...somewhat. He had put the ideas out of his mind, hoping to have some time off, some time to enjoy himself for a while before returning to life as usual.

The answer was quite complicated, wasn't it? And as much as he trusted Aria, that was an answer that he would rather not get into too much detail...though with the fireworks gone, there was nothing easily distracting him from the cold winds, blowing a few different wisps of snow; northern Vales was relevantly calm weather-wise compared to the more southern regions, and deep within the blizzards of southern Vales...

He shook his head slightly to clear the thought.

  "I...come from around Tir Chonial." Gus responded, forcing himself to relax again. "And you? I...I assume you're from...Fillia, since that's where...elves...come....from?"

He highly doubted that was completely truthful, but at the same time really wanted to stay outside. There was currently a pause in the fireworks, but there was sure to be more, right?

  "...alright...but if you get too cold you...can...um...borrow my coat." Gus offered, probably blushing slightly as he did so. Not wanting to look straight at Aria with his face possibly bright red, he looked out across the balcony. There was quite the crowd around at this point, but he could make out the feather from the still un-named stranger who had given him the breadstick - just before the entire switch-bodies fiasco. He couldn't spot Milo - which wasn't a surprise considering the elf's height - or his tall partner Slothie. Maybe they had already left? He frowned slightly at the thought of it - he had actually enjoyed Milo's presence slightly; he had a bad habit of clinging to proactive people, people that didn't mind being hidden behind.

As a bard he liked to hide behind people.

There wasn't really anyone else in the crowd he could recognize, save breadstick-guy's-partner, but did he count? He hadn't even half-talked to him, not even for a fleeting question of a breadstick. Everyone seemed interesting enough, all different kinds of people gathered together...there was something rather comforting about it, even, which was weird - normally he didn't like large crowds, but...it felt like a misfit among a bunch of misfits - heck, there was a Shadow...Corrupt..?...Alchemist out in the crowd somewhere - and it almost made him feel...what was a good word?

The answer came as a great surprise to Damian, and he turned his head over his shoulder to stare at Sedanas. Time seemed to slow down as he processed these words, many emotions flashing through his mind as the dreaded memory threatened to show itself for the second time that day. He turned back to face the fireworks without a word, face blank and eyes not seeing the colours and designs anymore.

Even someone like him… could do it, he thought hollowly. His hands trembled as he lifted one hand to touch his own cheek, feeling blood running down his face as if he was reliving the nightmare once again. The dark silhouette of a person sprawled on the floor exploded with the fireworks, and he flinched. The vision was gone as fast as it had come by. Damian blinked a few times, feeling the prick of tears threatening to spill from his eyes, but wiped his eyes hastily before they could do so.

“You… you are a brave man.” Damian could barely form the words coherently, and his voice cracked. His hands formed fists as he stared at the ground far below the balcony. Internally, he was wound up like a ball of rubber bands, ready to flee at the first sign he wouldn’t be able to control his emotions. Almost bitterly and as an afterthought, he murmured, “I wish I had that kind of courage…”

Nonetheless, the seemingly content mood generated from the fireworks show got him to think and reflect on himself.

He had rarely been to these kinds of gatherings. One, he didn't care. Two, people somehow wind up hurt despite his efforts to stay as far away from them as possible. He could try to go to these events more often for free food and potential loot, but it was usually too risky.

The last one he recalled didn't turn out so great - whoever that woman was who dragged him along to that prom dance disappeared just as quickly as she came. The next thing he knew afterwards had been waking up in the slums of Port Cobh, feeling really buzzed. It had only been later that he discovered she had something to do with the person he had tried so hard to find. And he had been back where he started, drunk in Port Cobh.

This castle...he didn't exactly find anything worth of value to steal, which was his initial goal in coming here. His failure to do so didn't bother him much now, to be honest. He'd had quite enough of living on the fringe of society. He needed to find something better to do with his life other than being a no-good thief...or a bloodthirsty killer.

He smiled unconsciously for a moment, realizing that Damian probably must had thought him a murderer at some point.

He observed the fireworks for a while longer before hearing Damian murmur something.

“What did you do to get that curse, anyways?”

It took him a bit to process what he had heard amidst all the noise.

Sedanas froze as he realized what he had asked.

As punishment for his sin, you will be cursed to walk all of eternity alone.

A mysterious masked man, clad in a dark robe, said this to him.

At first, he hardly understood what he had said. But Sedanas became painfully aware of the meaning behind those words the more he tried to connect to others. Most of all, when he finally found him again after all they had been through.

In exchange for his freedom, you must give up yours.

Strangely enough, he didn't feel the least bit of resentment. He was doomed to spend the rest of his days either alone or eventually hurting anyone close to him. And that was fine, knowing that one of them would be safe.

Maybe love worked in strange ways after all.

After a pause or so, he finally answered.

  "Sorry, I got really-ow..." Gus said, though his "cry of pain" sounded rather sarcastic - he might of been a very, very squishy bard but he could still hold up somewhat...somewhat. Aria's small punch did sting a bit...more than a bit, but not to the point where it forced a reaction.

Aria muttered something under her breath, now looking rather cold herself.

"OH right! You’re probably up here to see the firework show, right? Well, I don’t know how much longer it’s gonna last but, I… Never mind, let’s just enjoy the show, alright?"

"Yes, I came here for the fireworks. Cuan and a giantess is on their way up here to watch as well. I also brought some food in case if you were here, since I hadn't seen you at the ground floor."

Uro handed Lobhadeir the plate of food.

"Also, don't worry. The drumsticks aren't tainted or anything. I tried them myself. They're a bit cold, but it should still be good."

Uro gazed at the fireworks as they erupted one by one. He didn't like how loud the fireworks were, but it was pleasing to look at.

It's a nice view.. Hm.. I wonder if Lobhadeir had been here the whole time we were eating? I'll try asking her.

"Well." Lolo started, not necessary speaking to anyone but herself. "This has been a fun party. But.. I don't know, I guess I was hoping to make more friends or something. I never even got to see Slothie for Lymilark's sake!"

She sulked, her somber attitude absorbing her attention away from the fireworks show. "I guess it doesn't matter really, but I just like being with people. I... I honestly need to stop talking to myself. No wonder I haven't made any friends."

Her sulking was interrupted by a familiar gray skinned alchemist in a warm black robe. "Wait a second. Is that..." Lobhadeir stared at him for a few seconds before calling out to him.

"Hey Cuan! Or... Uro! I'm sorry, I'm not quite sure who you are but... but is that food in your hands?" At the sight of the drumsticks in Uro's hands, Lolo immediately remembered something very important.

She was hungry.

Guess that would make sense given how she completely forgot to eat in the midst of all the crazy events.

"Hey uh... okay two questions really. Question one, if I eat that, am I going to turn into a turkey? I know that sounds weird but given the events I just can't tell anymore. Question two. If the answer is no, can I pleeease have one of those? I haven't eaten all night."

Another firework went off.

"OH right! You're probably up here to see the firework show, right? Well, I don't know how much longer it's gonna last but, I... Never mind, let's just enjoy the show, alright?"

And with that, Lolo smiled and joined her new Fomorian friend on the balcony.

* * *

"Ed. I'm gonna ask you this once. Where is my staff?" the Minty Elf Mage demanded.

"Your what?" Ed retorted, hiding his hands precariously behind his back.

Without another word, she extended her hand. And with that, her staff emerged from behind Ed and flew back to its owner. Firmly and snug in her hand.

"Well. That answers that question. Now, before I deal out your punishment, I want to know why. Why did you host a giant party full of madness with my staff?" Her normally calming voice turned harsh and cold.

"My plans are secret. Revealing it to anyone, ESPECIALLY you, would be disastrous." Ed replied, with a tone of rebellion mixed with fear.

"Then maybe this will convince you!"

And with that, Mihari's staff glowed a radiant blue, followed by a cloud of green dust surrounding Ed. Again. And again. And again.

"You're not - pffft pbpbtbtb - getting anything - zzzzzzzzzzzip - out of me, y - fwwwwshhhhhhhhhh - you hear?"

Her cold voice had turned furious. "WILL YOU STOP TRYING TO ACT CRYPTIC FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!? It's one thing that you'd steal from me, but you made my daughter upset!"

At those words, Ed's resistance faded. "Wait. You mean she - pffffffbbbtbttb - STOP THAT! This whole thing actually made her upset?"

"Well, what on Erinn were you expecting? The child can barely hold a conversation with her family, let alone a bunch of disgruntled toy-people."