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"I think... we share some similarities."

[ Particularly about the possibility of either of them dying or "leaving" soon.

Yes, that thought is being projected. Didn't Hien say that he didn't die? Yeah. ]

No, it was something else.

[ There's an amused sound all the same, with something like a "Really? That's what he thought of first?" as his hand comes up again to poke at Hien's side. ]

I would've done the same as you. If I had the power to save the people who matter to me… I would try, and try, and try again, no matter how many times it took. I guess I felt something like a camaraderie with you. In that court of law, I could've been as equally guilty.

[ "I don't even remember those times, but my body feels it all the same."

Hien is poked and tries to keep his balance on the shoulder. ]

"No matter how many times they kept dying?"

[ No hesitation: ]

If there's even the smallest chance they could be saved. Yeah.

"Do you have someone like that?"

[ His voice is a little quieter than usual. ]

"Someone who you'd do that for?"

… I would have to, to be able to relate.

[ He even matches his voice to Hien's. ]

The ending will probably be the same, too. Someone always has to leave first, and much too soon, at that.

[ "He really reminds me of how I used to be." ]

"... Sorry."

Aw, why are you sorry? That's just how life is.

[ … ]

We have to make our now count more than ever.

[ "If only it were that easy. You have to think about the people who get left behind." ]

"I try to live in the present as much as I can."

[ That's just how he works in general. ]

"Stop overthinking too much."

Keyword's try, huh?

[ How long has he been walking now? A stupidly long time. Still, at least he's managed to reach his destination. Hope Hien likes his astrology, because it's the star room. ]

I'll stop overthinking if you do. You've got an entire party going on in your head, bro.

[ Elysium's gonna find out real soon whether Hien likes astrology or not. ]

"That's what I deal with all the time when I'm conscious. I hear too many of these voices to the point that I went insane at some point. Took a long time to stop being insane and some more time to figure out how to filter it so that I could pay attention to my surrounding environment too."

[ Other than that, Hien is mostly no thoughts, head empty. ]

"Why are we here?"

Must be real convenient for you this week, then. I had to listen really closely to hear your voice—which, sorry by the way, I just got curious enough to see if you were in there. Didn't really hear anything important.

[ But more pertinently: ]

I just like looking at the stars, why? Don't feel like stargazing with me?

"I don't mind. There's little that I'd hide with anyone who knows of my true nature already."

[ That he's a world eater, probably going to file for cessation of existence some time soon, etc.

Hien also looks up. ]

"No, I like it... I can't tell you much about constellations though, like the box with the tail."

[ Ursa minor...................... ]

[ Not the cessation of existence… ]

It's not like I can tell you anything about them either, you know? The stars back home aren't anything like the ones here. I just think they're nice. Relaxing, I guess.

[ Well. It had been nice to learn about he existence of the Polaris, and that it wasn't just something people had pulled out of nowhere. His eyes settle on its constellation, mouth a wistful smile. ]

What do you do with your time here? Besides getting into trouble?

"Think about how I'm on a vacation while people suffer around me."

[ Sure!!! He also looks up. ]

"... 'When I look up at the stars, I feel so small and insignificant. But you... you look like you're right at home under the night sky'..."

[ He tilts his head. ]

"What do you think about that quote?"

It really isn't so bad when you aren't being dragged deeper into the mazes. Still, there are a bunch of us who I think should've never gotten involved. [ There's a slight laugh. ] You're funny, Hien.

[ Shout out to all of you eighteen-year-olds… But he tips his head, mulling over the quote as if it's something he hasn't already turned over countless times before, an amused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ]

I'd wonder why the person feels so small and insignificant. Not because I don't understand the feeling, but because we're all responsible for our own actions. There are things you can't change, sure, and there are times where you're truly powerless. But sometimes, it's enough to do what you can do and let that be enough.

Even people who feel at home can get lonely. A star shines just as brightly whether or not anyone is there to see it—its light still travels somewhere. Still… I think it's a little sad if there's no one there to look up and appreciate it properly.

What do you think?

[ Hien is quiet as he listens to Elysium, eventually scooting himself further closer to the neck and leans against it while sitting on the crook of it. ]

"Yeah. People deserve to be acknowledged for their efforts when they work hard, even if it doesn't go anywhere. Sure, it's frustrating, but they tried... and they can ask for help too. Humans are generally social creatures, and it looks like it also applies for most humanoid species too."

[ He quietly breathes out and closes his eyes. It's warm here... ]

[ A single observation: ]

What about your efforts? And when you need help?

[ Hien's movements tickle. He is once again lucky Elysium doesn't immediately try to evict him. ]

[ yeet this tiny man ]

"I ask for help when I need it and I don't need my efforts to be validated. My efforts vary on a personal level, and whatever anyone else thinks about it doesn't matter to me."

We just talked about how nice it was for them to be validated anyway, though?

[ The desire to yeet may be rising. ]

You're such a busybody. That behaviour has comforted a lot of people here.

[ YEET HIM ]

"Me validating people? Yeah. People want to feel validated for the things they do. I don't care about it personally for my own things and to put my standards on someone is unfair and it's something I'll never do."

[ He's quiet. ]

"Are you one of them?"

You say you don't care, but that doesn't necessarily mean you don't appreciate it when it happens.

[ If Hien were anywhere but one of his blind spots, he'd give him a look. Stupid. ]

Yeah. That's why I wasn't epistemic about what I said.

[ Hien just won't acknowledge the first part anymore, because he doesn't feel like arguing about it. Let Elysium believe what he wants to believe.......... ]

"If it helps you... then... I'm fine with that."

[ His voice almost trailed off, but he managed to finish it. ]

[ Okay…… ]

I'll flip the question on you. What about you? Why are you so interested in me?

"Because I like you and want to make you happy."

[ Easy.

He doesn't have complicated reasons... but he couldn't bring himself to say "love" instead. ]

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