001 | WheeWhoo

[notthislife]

Tell me, is the Cyclamen Circus a regular affair around here? Or have I discovered something new and uniquely horrifying?

Two somethings, really. Related, if you see a Gestral in a clown mask sniffing at monster feet, try to avoid killing him. He means well.

Usually.

Comments

[lilyberation]

I don't think I've ever heard of a circus in this area...

And, what is a Gestral?

[notthislife]

A nuisance, generally.
Do you not have them here? They look like wooden children sometimes, with brooms on their heads? Sometimes they're bigger. All of them will try to fight you though. Or get you to buy something from you.

Or both.

[lilyberation]

I've never heard of anything like that. It's possible they may be native entirely to your world. They sound... lively!

[notthislife]

Lively is one way of putting it. I've chased down enough of their secret arenas to last a lifetime. Aside from their desire to fight, fight, and possibly fight more, though, they're generally harmless, if you do come across them.

[lilyberation]

Goodness.

They don't sound like anything I've seen before- even the most rambunctious of tribes back in Crispia weren't like that.

[notthislife]

And despite it all, they are terribly charming.
Probably my favorite bunch to be around.
Present company not withstanding, of course~

[lilyberation]

You don't need to flatter us, it's alright. You just met most if not everyone here, if you have met them.

[notthislife]

Charm and flattery are my strong points, my friend. Would you really disarm me?

[lilyberation]

If it makes you feel better, certainly not.

( ... 'my friend'. such a common phrase, and yet... )

[notthislife]

[And completely oblivious to Lily's plight, Verso keeps going.]
Kind of you. Not that you struck me as a "disarm an otherwise helpless old man" type.

[lilyberation]

I'm sure you undersell yourself.

[notthislife]

Modesty is a desirable trait, you know.

[lilyberation]

Oh, right, that's something people are concerned about...

That is a joke.

I don't think that you need to try very hard here, though. The people in the Grove are good people.

[notthislife]

So I've come to understand.
It's... hm. Different? Different is a good word.
I've spent quite a bit of time on my own. And any socializing I did get was with the Gestrals. I'm sure you can piece together how good company is a bit overwhelming.

[lilyberation]

No, I understand. I never fit in back home, not until I found the Silver Kingdom. It was a lot.

Take the time you need.

[notthislife]

Well, now you've made me curious, White Lily. You can't leave me on a cliffhanger. What changed in the Silver Kingdom?

[lilyberation]

I just... felt like I belonged. They understood me more than many others could or did. My village didn't get it. And I love my friends very much but. I don't think they understood me, either.

And then an entire kingdom did. It was a lot!

[notthislife]

I... think I understand that. I struggled to be around people in Lumiere especially after... well, the details of that aren't important. The Gestrals, on the other hand. They're easy. Loyal. Ridiculous and impossible to understand sometimes, but they mean well.

Sometimes home finds you.

sorry for her-

[lilyberation]

This is true.

( ...

she sighs.

sometimes it finds you. but she cannot... hope it will find her again. )

never apologize, sorry for him tho

[notthislife]

It can be hard to believe. I get it.

... and sometimes it goes on too long. I know that better than most, too. But someone has to hope you'll turn out better than me, right?

[He gets it. Even if he doesn't know what she's feeling, he knows it far too well. The weight of existence was far too heavy sometimes.]

terrible, these two

[lilyberation]

I most assuredly haven't! But thank you for the kind words.