#vero rambles

Now, I'm not saying Ralsei is acting wildly out of character during chapter 2. He still seems largely the same to me, overall (at least at the time of writing this post with only an initial playthrough and first impression under my belt.) I still enjoy him as a character too, he's just too cute not too! Deep down, I think and hope he's still got overall good intentions.

What I'm referring to is, namely, how no one in-game asks him about a very important fact that we learn about Darkners roughly 3/4ths of the way through the game.

We find out from seeing it happen to Lancer, and within a very short timeframe, that when Darkners are outside their Dark World "Realm" or too far away from their original fountain that sustains them, that they turn to stone.

We even see this happen to Rouxls Kaard a little while after Lancer becomes completely statuesque. However, with Rouxls, it seems to have taken longer to affect him (it even stops at his shoulders, likely for comedic effect, I figure,) since I believe I remember seeing the single "glimmer that is the Dark World inhabitant leaving Kris' inventory " that was likely him leaving the inventory when Kris and Susie first dropped into the Computer-Lab-Dark-World. (This is further evidenced by various NPCs referring to Rouxls' shenanigans around the area before you actually run into him, like at the fancy Cafe in Queen's castle that plays the "Hip Shop" theme itself, for example.)

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but maybe being a more powerful Darkner helps stave off the petrification process? Or does it have more to do with "how well" the Dark-World-Hopping Darkner "fits in" with the different Dark World they've invaded? (I believe I remember Ralsei explaining it that way...) Was there an explanation or part of one that I missed in just my first late-night playththrough?

But, whatever the case, this brings me back around to my main question:

Why doesn't Ralsei turn to stone in this new Dark World like Lancer and Rouxls Kaard do?

What makes him "immune"? Is it because he's the prophesized "Prince from the Dark"? Is it because he's a more powerful Darkner than the other two? Or is it... some other reason entirely?

I'm just sitting here pouting that we (as Kris) didn't get the option or a moment to ask Ralsei "will you turn to stone too?" Or that Susie didn't bring that up and confront Ralsei (with good or gruffly worried intentions) about it! I get that there were more pressing matters at hand for most of the adventure but!!! It immediately worried and bothered me!!!

Ralsei himself never seemed to be in a rush. I'm unsure if there are other options, but we definitely see him and Susie just taking their time and enjoying carnival-like activities and happily munching cotton candy. The two of them talk about playing carnival games when Kris and Noelle reunite with them. Ralsei is happy to take a leisurely boat ride with Kris. He never seems to express a need for urgency, like he's worried he's going to turn to stone.

ALSO!!! How he was just able to boop teleport and appear conveniently as soon as he was needed in the Computer-Lab-Turned-Dark-World without being carried there like Lancer and Rouxls had to be through the Light World??? NEITHER KRIS NOR SUSIE COMMENTED ON THAT EITHER!

Cute lil goat prince has something to hide, hmmm?!

I'm definitely thinking there's more to this Fluffy Boi than meets the eye... More than I initially thought and/or more than we've been told so far...

What do you all think?