The question suggests that an alternative to water isn't available here. Somnus is already walking away, back in the direction from which he came.]
I will return.
[It's a while before he returns with an herb of some kind, harvested from elsewhere in the town. He holds it out for Duo to take. Mix it yourself, buddy.]
[Duo raises an eyebrow and mutters "A'ight...", focusing on his previous task while waiting for Somnus to come back.
He's still confused about what he's supposed to be doing here, but he's smart enough to figure out herb + water + mix = ??? something related to his sunburn.]
[It's a crude mixture, certainly not refined in technique for the lack of equipment. Once Duo gets that figured out, Somnus reaches for the bottle and blue light envelops the liquid before dissipating into many particles.]
I do not guarantee treatment, but you will feel some sort of effect.
[The power of kings can bestow restorative properties unto consumables; however, he doesn't get to choose what they do.]
[He's never seen something like that before! He's experienced a bit of other people's healing abilities, but not something directly put in to another consumable object.
He takes the bottle and removes the cap again, taking a big gulp of it.
Meanwhile, Duo will feel a change in his body once the drink enters his system. Though it is no cure, the king's magic has enhanced the natural effect provided by the herb to facilitate healing. Perhaps the ache caused by the sunburn will lessen now.]
[He gives the boat a once-over from where he stands. His understanding of boats goes back to the days of old when nothing was motorized. No, he won't be able to help.]
Duo shakes his head, resting hands on the back of his neck with elbows up as he turns to stare out at the still off-color water. A faint breeze picked up from somewhere, but just as much of the town still lacked color, the wind lacked any distinctive smells.]
Back out to where Mythra and I went? Hell no. There ain't shit out there that can help us. But if something happens here that we need to get away from ASAP, I wanna make sure this thing can be ready to evacuate as many as possible.
[Ghost ships and undead pirates really aren't that helpful, no.]
Tch. I'll tie as many rafts, buoys, skimmers and doors to this thing as it takes. But for what it's worth, this ain't the only boat here. A few people have made or repaired others.
[None of this is, of course, a slight against Duo, who's nothing if not resourceful. The lack of resources and personnel is something the town has imposed on them, not a personal failing of his. Still, Somnus continues to probe.]
[He figures as much, but it helps him feel better to state his plans aloud. Like he actually has some handle on the situation despite the fact that there are still a million unknowns hanging in the air.]
Yeah. I mean, I hope it doesn't come to that and we find a way to deal with this forest bullshit peacefully, but... I'm not holding my breath.
[He's just not sure it really matters anymore. There's a sense of finality with everything that's been happening. What sort of finality, he doesn't know yet, but it's leaving him with a sense that all his efforts might not mean shit at the end of the day.]
The timing wasn't right, he'd told Mythra when asked the same. Some time has passed since that encounter, but he's no more informed now than he was then.]
If something should be lacking, I shall write in what is necessary.
The look earns one in return, a morose frown as Duo turns away and goes to lean on the side of the ship, overlooking the still oddly colored water that surrounded their weird little home.]
I don't... really have a reason to go back. Not like you do. The wars are over. We have peace after decades of fighting. We even destroyed our Gundams to make sure no one could use them as a reason to keep fighting. Even if there are still little pockets that disagree with how things are being run now, they're not in any position to throw us back to where we were.
It's not like there isn't anything for me there, but it's not a place I feel a burning need to return to be a hero for either. There's nothing I'm in charge of fixing, nothing that I'm really needed for. I did my part. That's a world that needs healing. Not more soldiers.
In times of war, men live as soldiers; in those of peace, they lay their weapons down and reach for something different.
[Glory isn't all that for which men fight. There are those who fight for the future, but simply paving the way won't do. It falls to the survivors to maintain the future once it's come to pass. In this, everyone has a part.]
Or do you prefer the fleeting nature of this world?
[Duo gives a shrug, slowly tapping fingers on the railing in no real rhythm.]
No, but I didn't really have a set plan back home, either. I've been feeling like I was just sort of drifting for a while now... that there are people way more qualified than I am to take up the new mantle of peace.
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Uh. No? What am I supposed to have?
[He still hasn't mastered mind reading, okay.]
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The question suggests that an alternative to water isn't available here. Somnus is already walking away, back in the direction from which he came.]
I will return.
[It's a while before he returns with an herb of some kind, harvested from elsewhere in the town. He holds it out for Duo to take. Mix it yourself, buddy.]
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He's still confused about what he's supposed to be doing here, but he's smart enough to figure out herb + water + mix = ??? something related to his sunburn.]
Uh. Thanks.
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I do not guarantee treatment, but you will feel some sort of effect.
[The power of kings can bestow restorative properties unto consumables; however, he doesn't get to choose what they do.]
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[He's never seen something like that before! He's experienced a bit of other people's healing abilities, but not something directly put in to another consumable object.
He takes the bottle and removes the cap again, taking a big gulp of it.
A little bitter, but not completely unpalatable.]
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Meanwhile, Duo will feel a change in his body once the drink enters his system. Though it is no cure, the king's magic has enhanced the natural effect provided by the herb to facilitate healing. Perhaps the ache caused by the sunburn will lessen now.]
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[He feels like he can move and not have to wince every few seconds.]
So what's up? What's got you wandering around down here?
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I do not require sleep, and the town is susceptible to change. I go where I am able.
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I'm gonna guess you probably don't know anything about boat repair? This one got pretty beat up.
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You mean to set sail again.
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Duo shakes his head, resting hands on the back of his neck with elbows up as he turns to stare out at the still off-color water. A faint breeze picked up from somewhere, but just as much of the town still lacked color, the wind lacked any distinctive smells.]
Back out to where Mythra and I went? Hell no. There ain't shit out there that can help us. But if something happens here that we need to get away from ASAP, I wanna make sure this thing can be ready to evacuate as many as possible.
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What of those who are left behind? Whom will you evacuate first?
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Tch. I'll tie as many rafts, buoys, skimmers and doors to this thing as it takes. But for what it's worth, this ain't the only boat here. A few people have made or repaired others.
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You will coordinate with them, then.
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Yeah. I mean, I hope it doesn't come to that and we find a way to deal with this forest bullshit peacefully, but... I'm not holding my breath.
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Have you written in the book?
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[What did he write?
Who knows! Because he's being oddly closed off about it.]
You?
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[This is the problem, he thinks. Communication between townsmen is poor. But he sees a kernel of it, and so he must give it its due credit.]
Did it stay?
[What Duo wrote, that is.]
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It did.
[His turn.]
Are you going to?
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The timing wasn't right, he'd told Mythra when asked the same. Some time has passed since that encounter, but he's no more informed now than he was then.]
If something should be lacking, I shall write in what is necessary.
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It almost seemed like that was the end of the conversation, but suddenly Duo asked:]
Do you want to leave Chroma?
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[Staying in Chroma has always been out of the question. Somnus regards Duo with an almost inquisitive cant of his head. What of him?]
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[That was about the answer he was expecting.
The look earns one in return, a morose frown as Duo turns away and goes to lean on the side of the ship, overlooking the still oddly colored water that surrounded their weird little home.]
I don't... really have a reason to go back. Not like you do. The wars are over. We have peace after decades of fighting. We even destroyed our Gundams to make sure no one could use them as a reason to keep fighting. Even if there are still little pockets that disagree with how things are being run now, they're not in any position to throw us back to where we were.
It's not like there isn't anything for me there, but it's not a place I feel a burning need to return to be a hero for either. There's nothing I'm in charge of fixing, nothing that I'm really needed for. I did my part. That's a world that needs healing. Not more soldiers.
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[Glory isn't all that for which men fight. There are those who fight for the future, but simply paving the way won't do. It falls to the survivors to maintain the future once it's come to pass. In this, everyone has a part.]
Or do you prefer the fleeting nature of this world?
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No, but I didn't really have a set plan back home, either. I've been feeling like I was just sort of drifting for a while now... that there are people way more qualified than I am to take up the new mantle of peace.
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