winds_voice | 14 - [Action/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~)

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...but how? I have already harmed many people... lost lives that can never be returned. I cannot go back to change these things... but I also cannot seem to see a way out. A way forward.

[He was fighting it, he was trying to find that light, but the heavy burden of regret fought back, trying to hold onto his heart.]

The people you have lost...would they want you to feel this way? Would they not want you to be happy, even in their absence?

...the majority of them would likely not even spare a thought for a being like me. Belief in Spirits has dwindled... many do not even feel that I exist.

But... I will admit there are exceptions to that rule. Some of the tribes of Esperando still believe, as do the Agkelons. There are individuals I would even call friend... the King of Agkelos being one of them. Yet... he is dying and I can do nothing to save him. What good am I as a god if I cannot save my friends?

[He shakes his head, still warring with these thoughts.]

There is still some truth to your words. He would never want me to linger on such regrets... but to focus on the future.

[ She nods, leading him on as she hopes he'll hold to that thread. ]

If nothing else, you must consider the wishes of your friends. After all, are they not the ones that give our lives substance? Are they not the ones who bring us happiness? Even if our attachments bring us sorrow, we must seek happiness in the memory of them.

[For someone who was normally rather reserved about doing something like dancing, particularly with someone he had only just met, Eley barely noticed it. He was captivated actually... and her words gave him hope. Perhaps he could let go of this heavy burden. Perhaps he could still find happiness... even if it was through others.]

I must admit that I feel... very different to how I did back home, as a Spirit wrestling with unfamiliar emotions. It is true that I do not understand them entirely yet. But... I have felt contentment if nothing else, particularly in the presence of my friends. I trust them... and I know that they would wish me to be happy, just as I wish them every happiness.

Whether or not this path is the best for a being like me, I cannot say. However, I... want to be happy, if not for myself then for my friends. I do not want to be burdened by regret any longer.

Then you must take a chance on your own happiness, for the sake of yourself and for the people you love. Let that burden on your heart ease up! Let your regrets go!

[ They're to the climax of the dance now, and she hopes, she really hopes, that he'll open his heart enough to let out the heart shard, that he can be unburdened from regret. ]

[Let them go... yes, he had to let them go. He couldn't go on like this, this wasn't right at all. When did he ever feel so burdened around his friends here? When did he let the regrets take control?

It would always be a risk to make his way in the world, particularly now he was much closer to humans. Yet somehow that risk seemed worth it.

He gives a nod.]

You are right, I must not carry such heavy regrets with me any longer. The past has gone and now I am free to make my own decisions. I... I wish to choose happiness. I will walk the path of happiness with my new friends.

[And suddenly everything seemed to become clear again.]

[ There's a flash of red light as the heart shard emerges from Eley, and the light forms into the visage of Mytho, the Prince himself. 'I am the heart shard of regret', he tells her, and Tutu steps away from Eley to accept the shard into her hands. ]

Please, come back with me to the one you belong to.

[ The shard vanishes, and Tutu turns back to Eley with a kind smile on her lips. ]

Thank you. I hope your heart will truly remain unburdened from regret.

[Eley steps back as Tutu addresses the shard, but... he can't help but wonder what on earth happened. Not just what he was seeing in front of him but also how he had gotten involved like that without really noticing.

It was... rather frightening actually, as well as a little confusing. The Spirit places a hand on his chest, certainly feeling much brighter than he did before.]

...what happened to me?

You were possessed by a heart shard. The heart shard of regret, specifically. I wasn't sure at first...but even if you hadn't been, I wanted to help unburden your heart.

[ She couldn't see someone in such pain and not help. ]

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