14 - [Action/Voice]

[winds_voice]

[For those who pass by Eley today as he wanders through the village, they might notice there's something a bit... off about him. Perhaps it won't become readily apparent until they speak with him, but there's an almost hopeless look in his eyes and he seems almost reluctant to make any move to do anything himself. He might stop in front of a shop as if wondering if he should go inside... only to change his mind. Others also might see him watching them doing whatever they're doing, a look that tells them 'no, don't do that'. It's unnerving to say the least. Maybe someone should find out what's going on with him!

At some point he ends up sitting by his recently planted tree up on the Cherry Blossom Hill. It's here he makes a short and rather strange recording.]

[Voice]

I am beginning to wonder why I keep trying. Trying to mend things that are broken, trying to fit in where I do not belong, trying to express feelings I do not understand... and every time I regret how helpless and fruitless I am.

I cannot save anyone... I could not save those who came before.

I should give up. And so should all of you. After all, you cannot regret a decision you never made.

(OOC: So it's time for Eley to be suffering under the effects of the Heart Shard of Regret! Feel free to talk to him about his odd mood or find him under the tree/wandering the village~)

Comments

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

[What is this Saleh is hearing? What could have caused this?]

...Eleytheria? What has happened?

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

[He gives out a gentle sigh.]

Nothing has happened... at least not recently. I am simply beginning to realise how my decisions have changed things for the worse. Therefore I should stop acting on decisions to avoid regretting them in the future.

Would you too not enjoy a life free from regrets?

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

...What sort of decisions have made things worse?

[There's a small pause.]

We are only human, therefore we do make mistakes. Sometimes we do make bad decisions out of ignorance. But when that happens, we learn from our mistakes and strive to make better decisions in the future. I...have made my share of bad decisions, certainly.

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

...decisions far in the past. Perhaps even some more recent. They can change the way another sees me. [Yes he's being deliberately cryptic. He's not sure if he should announce it so easily.]

I understand... but even then those future decisions have the potential to turn sour. You will grow old and become burdened with regrets for all of those mistakes. It would be best if you stopped now... stopped making those decisions.

[voice]

[seleniahymn]

[Her body almost seems to go cold when she hears that first sentence, and what follows after does nothing to subside the flare of concern. But when she speaks her voice isn't shaky in the slightest, rather it is even and almost demanding.]

Eleytheria, where are you? [She is not leaving him alone.]

[voice]

[winds_voice]

...I am on the hill by the site of my tree. Perhaps even here there are things I will hold onto that will haunt me later.

Do not come here.

[His voice isn't threatening, but firm. He's obviously trying to give her a warning.]

Re: [voice]

[seleniahymn]

If I ask what is wrong with going there, would you answer? [Not that it would deter her, she's already on her way toward him. It was only fortunate that her house was so close by.]

[voice]

[winds_voice]

...only that you might regret it.

[Why she would he's not entirely sure. But it was a possibility and that was enough for him to try to deter her.]

If you do not come here then nothing bad will happen. You will be safe.

[Video]

[complicatedliar]

I haven't the foggiest why you keep trying either. It's all rather pointless.

There is no pleasing some people, and it is a fool's errand to even care enough to try.

[Video]

[winds_voice]

Not just me. Everyone, including yourself. You will all become weighed down with regrets, especially those who live the longest. Whatever plans you may have, abandon them now before it is too late.

Re: [Video]

[complicatedliar]

Hah. No.

I have no regrets, because I do not care. You ought to try it.

[Video]

[winds_voice]

You... do not care?

But no, that is the point of my warning. I care for my friends. I do want them to suffer from their mistakes. If I were to stop caring then we would all suffer in the end.

[He seems to be trying to convince himself of these words. These thoughts in his head that seem to have gripped him despite his obvious struggle.]

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

You can't mean that...

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

I do... of course I do. Nobody wishes to suffer... regrets cause suffering. The only way to avoid it is to stop making those choices that will lead to suffering. Surely you must understand that.

voice;

[ducked]

[ The recording strikes her as peculiar, even if she doesn't know the man speaking. Maybe he had just reached his breaking point, but maybe it was more than that. She had been looking for possible signs of heart shards...could it be? ]

But why do you think we should give up? That just sounds so...unhappy.

voice;

[winds_voice]

I believe it would be far unhappier to live a life full of regrets. So why not give up and avoid it entirely? No more will have to suffer... I will not have to suffer either. No, giving up is the only option. I have done enough damage in my lifetime.

voice;

[ducked]

That's not right at all! You can't just be sad and full of regrets all the time. That's much worse!

voice;

[winds_voice]

...at this point I am not sure how to avoid it. I have already done enough damage in the past and I will only continue to do it here, even in Luceti. I do not want to see anyone else suffer because of me. There are already too many regrets in the world.

[action]

[ofwesternwinds]

[Wouldn't you know it? The hill with the cherry blossoms happens to be one of Rudy's favorite places to spend his free time.

... In all honesty, he'd already seen Eley's post earlier. It was worrying listening to a voice that sounded so hollow, distant, and hopeless--especially one coming from whom he considered to be a good friend. It left a harsh, sinking feeling deep inside, and Rudy knew he couldn't just leave him be after hearing that.

Instead of trying to talk over the journals, however, Rudy figured it would be best to seek him out in person. He figures he knows Eley well enough to know where he usually hides out. Yet surprisingly enough, after enough time looking around he finds the spirit here instead.

Quietly, he'll approach the older man. But there's no words coming from him, not just yet. There's nothing but a familiar wave, if the spirit's even noticed his presence yet.]

[action]

[winds_voice]

[By the time Rudy reaches him, Eley is already feeling a little more normal, though he still looks tired and rather thoughtful. What exactly happened here? How did something penetrate his heart so easily without him even noticing?

Just another reason for him to worry about how easily he could be manipulated in Luceti...

Still, at this point he's glad to see another familiar face. He might not notice Rudy straight away but as he looks up he sees that wave. The Spirit looks somewhat embarrassed... but offers a tentative wave in return, watching the boy.]

[action]

[ofwesternwinds]

[There's a soft smile from Rudy in return, finally making it to where Eley's sitting.]

Hey. [He points out a spot next to the spirit.] This spot taken?

[action]

[winds_voice]

[He doesn't make any move to turn him away. Why should he? Perhaps now is a good time for company.

Eley continues to watch as Rudy approaches, shaking his head at the question.]

Ah... no. You may sit if you wish.

[written - private]

[imatreenow]

Have you given up on trying to belong?

[His picture is blocked again - again, he can't believe he's giving into this again - but the fluid, looping handwriting should now be familiar to Eleytheria.]

[written - private]

[winds_voice]

[It certainly was familiar, as was the fact the response was written and without a face to identify the respondent. Well, whoever this was, at least they still seemed to be talking. It was one step closer to letting people in as Eley was sue he wanted to do, deep down inside.

...yet that was not the issue here. Eley's mind was clouded with negative thoughts of his own this time.]

Perhaps. Yes... yes I have decided to give up. It is for the best. If I give up then everyone will be safe... I will be safe. We do not have to suffer in regret anymore.

[written - private]

[imatreenow]

[The almost-familiarity of the words strikes him bluntly - he can feel his chest squeeze his heart, and he can't help but understand a little bit.]

Are you afraid of getting hurt?