MASKTOURN

Darcy wandered out onto the fields after the fight, still trying to make sense of all that. It was... a lot. Too much, really. He didn't know what to think do any of it. He found a rock to sit on and watched the auroras. Funny. That wasn't supposed to happen in a climate this temperate. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

From a distance, a voice could be heard. “Is that who I think it is? It is! It’s my boy!” From a distance away, Kal came jogging up to meet Darcy. He raised an arm and waved at him. “Darcy- Darccyyyyy!!!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy stood up, and waved to Kal as he approached. "Kal! It is me! I'm so glad to see you again- I was wanting to talk to you!" Once Kal was closer to him, he asked, "Did you go to the fight?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I wanted to talk to you, too! I did some crazy stuff earlier, it was wild-” Kal paused as he heard Darcy’s question. His energy and smile dimmed slightly. “Yeah, I did. It was.. It was rough.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

A slight flash of guilt crossed over Darcy's features as he noticed Kal's drop in energy. "I know. It... was so much like the fights in the other tournament, but also.. so different." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Yeah, it’s different,” Kal sighed as he took a seat beside Darcy on the rock. “We actually see the other person die.. That was brutal.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm... I.. guess I didn't expect to see the loosing contestants actually die." Darcy sighed. "Have... you given any thought to what you're going to do during your fight?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal looked up at the auroras. It was a sight he had seen before, one he had witnessed with wide eyes full of wonder. Now, his gaze was just- Sad. “Kind of,” Kal spoke quietly. “Asha spoke to me about ours..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy took in a deep breath, and followed Kal's gaze to the heavens. He didn't know how to say any of this. "I really, really don't want you to die, Kal. I don't want either of you to die, I don't want anyone to die, but especially not you. You're one of my best friends in the entire world. and I don't want you to die." He sighed. "But... Asha told me that her death might have some... unintended consequences. Her loosing might end up with all of us dead- you included. And... I thought you should know that, if you didn't already." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal frowned a little as he listened to Darcy. He kept his gaze on the bright colors that rested above them. Man, he wished he could soar and go through them. It'd be fun to experience it. "Yeah, she told me a bit about that," He mumbled. "That it was like a bomb.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm...." Darcy said. He didn't know where else to go with this point. "I... don't think Asha intends on loosing." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Yeah, I don't think she does." Kal sighed, shifting a bit uncomfortably on the rock. "I don't want her to lose, either.. I'd rather not fight her at all." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy's brow furrowed. "Are you going to... forfeit the fight?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"I didn't even know that forfeiting was a thing," Kal admitted as he rubbed the back of his neck. "That didn't even cross my mind as something we could do." He fell silent for a long moment. "... I don't know if I can do that... But I also don't want her to die, Darcy. I can't die, either. I don't know what to do." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I... really don't think the Lifebringer would stop any of us willingly going to our deaths." Darcy sighed. "I- I'm not asking you to- I really don't want either of you to die. Really- I've been trying to logic out any sort of way you can both live. I think, even if you win, though, you'll end up dead. And Asha would also be dead in that situation." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Maybe, unless it wants a show," Kal sighed. He ran a hand through his hair, looking mildly stressed now. "So, ultimately, you're saying that I should die, because it'll happen anyways because of Asha's bomb? And that at least one of us, Asha, should live?" Kal shifted once more. "Is that what I'm hearing, or am I just kinda- Understanding things wrong again?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That's- not what I'm saying. I don't want anyone to die, I'm just- God, this really is like the trolly problem. Ugh." Darcy began rambling anxiously. "I don't know what I want to happen. I want you to live- I want you both to live- but I just don't think that sort of thing is going to happen unless we can find a way out of here before they kill us all." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Hey, hey, it's okay, I'm probably just misunderstanding," Kal quickly spoke, hoping to ease Darcy a bit. He attempted to smile. "You know me, always getting mixed up with stuff. Hah." He sat up a bit straighter. "Maybe we can be really quick about finding a way out! You know- I'm even tempted to go looking around right now just to see what else's out there and if I missed out on anything." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy seemed to calm down a bit at Kal's reaction. "I know, I'm just... so stressed." He sighed. "Mhm. Finding a way out should be our first priority, over everything else. I've been looking around as much as I can, but... I can't really find anything. I think we're surrounded by water on all sides." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I get that, I get that- It’s a real stressful situation.” Kal nodded in understanding. “Oh, great, surrounded by water, great,” Kal sighed. “Have I ever mentioned that I can’t swim? Because, like, I can’t swim. At all.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Neither can I, so... that rules out swimming to safety." Darcy frowned. "I think we're in another dimension, so... maybe there's some supernatural way out. If I had some paper, maybe I could start drafting up some spells to help us.... but I don't know." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Ey, look at us, besties who can’t swim. Maybe we can build a raft if we really wanted to.” Kal hummed. “Maybe I can find you some paper? I can ask if, like, I could get some to help me do some more writing or something.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"True... we'd have to make a pretty big raft to fit everyone on it." Darcy mused. "Ah, would you? That'd be really helpful. I don't think they'd give me any, if they know how my powers work, but they might give you some. I don't think the Lifebringer is very fond of me, they didn't even let me keep my glasses." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Yeah, I can do that. I don’t think I can ask the Lifebringer, they kinda got mad at me for talking.” Kal chuckled quietly. “But that’s mean, they didn’t let you keep your glasses. That’s petty.” He paused. “I’ll ask someone else for the paper. Reagan was pretty chill, we danced at the party. Maybe I can ask them?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm.... that sounds like them." More Naiyta, than Albanes. "It is. Other people got to keep theirs, just not me..." He sighed. "Oh, that's a good idea. The other side leader, the one for the bird side, might also be helpful. And maybe we could talk to Albanes, instead of Naiyta..." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Man, that's rough. Maybe they knew you'd be too powerful with glasses." Kal hummed. "Yeah, we got options of people to talk to," Kal nodded. "At least that's one good thing about being here." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hah, maybe..." Darcy hummed. "Yeah, I guess so. I think we can trust the side leaders at least a bit more than the lifebringers... though, I haven't talked to either of them." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I’ll talk to Reagan then, I know for sure that they’re super chill.” Kal hummed. He glanced back up at the colors in the sky, seemingly lost in thought for a few moments. “… What do you think I should do about my fight?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy followed his gaze to the heavens, and didn't take his eyes off them, even when he replied. "I... really don't know. I don't think I have the right to say one way or another- I don't think it's my place, when lives that aren't mine are at stake. I already have my mind made up about my fight... but I think that's a much simpler situation. I think... you should do whatever you think is right. That's all I feel is right for me to say." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

".. A part of me kinda wants to be told what to do," Kal admitted. He ran a hand through his hair with a tired sigh. "I dunno.. What I think is right is different from what I feel is right, and- I don't like those two things being different." With another sigh, Kal laid down fully on his back, still staring into the sky. He wondered if his mom was one of the stars looking down at him. Was she proud of him? Could she be proud of him and the person he'd potentially become in the future? "She's a mom, Darcy," Kal whispered. "A mom. She's got kids- She's got a baby. I.. It should be an easy decision.." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy sighed, and closed his eyes. "I don't think it's wrong to value your own life. Even if she has children, and a family- your life matters too, Kal. You have things to live for, too. I... don't know what I would do in your situation. I'm... really sorry." "But... no matter what your choice is... I love you, Kal. You're one of my best friends in the entire world. I won't think badly of you, no matter what you choose." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Uncharacteristically, Kal was silent. He was silent for a bit too long. The only sound that came from him was when he rolled onto his side away from Darcy and curled up slightly. A hand clutched at the dog tags that hung around his neck. “I’ve always been reckless with it,” Kal mumbled quietly. “Because- I’ve never felt alive before. I don’t even know what I have to live for, if I’m real honest. I don’t mean to be all gloomy, but.. She’s a mom, and I went most of my life without mine. I know what not having one’s like. But, even knowing that, I don’t know what to do.” His voice dropped down into a quieter tone. “I love you too, Darcy.. Thanks for being one of my best friends..” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy let Kal have his silence for a good long while. He didn't know what to say- he didn't have answers to these questions, he didn't feel like he had the right to weigh in with his own judgement. "I... I don't know either, Kal." He sighed. "But I'll trust your choice, no matter what it is." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Thank you..” Kal stayed in his position before he uncurled himself. The necklace around his neck was taken off. “Hey, Darcy? Think you could- Do me a favor?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course. What is it?" Darcy turned towards Kal. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Can you uh, do me a favor and hang onto this?” He slowly sat up again and presented the necklace to Darcy. “Call it a bad feeling? Foreshadowing? Something like that- This means a lot to me, and I kinda feel like it might be safer in someone else’s hands.” Kal gave him a small smile. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh- of course." Darcy carefully took the necklace into his hands, and tucked it into his robe pocket for safe keeping. "Mhm.... I hope I'll get the chance to return it to you." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Yeahhh- If not, that’s chill, too,” Kal chuckled. “I’m just happy to know it’s in someone’s hands who’s trustworthy and stuff.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll keep it safe-" Darcy began, but the announcement sounded in his mind before he could say anything else. "Oh- oh, no. Kal, I'm so sorry-" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Oh, oh wow. Talk about timing, huh?" Kal laughed, though it sounded completely hollow. "Wow- What was the word I used? Foreshadowing, yeah- Talk about a feeling!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy didn't return the laugh. "Ah- yeah. Good luck, Kal. I'll be rooting for you." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Thanks, thanks.." Kal sat up. "Thanks.." He got up and made his leave. Yippee. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy left to the arena also...