Facing the Demon

[Rocket!]

Aly sighed. And boy, was this some kind of sigh. It was.... heavy. Tired? Sorta, I guess... but more like weary.

She was tired of hearing that already, then?

"Look Mister... who-ever-you-are," Aly began, facing away from him, "I don't know what world you come from, but I can't... there's nothing like that where I'm from!" She clenched her fists hard. "I can barely understand half the stuff anyone says anymore!"

Throwing her hands into the air, Aly continued, "Defend myself? I'm having a hard enough time staying sane! And-and-and... uaagh!" This... wasn't like her. Standing stiffly, Aly let her anger overcome her... annoy her... and go away.

Ridiculous. I shouldn't have to bother with, with anything like this! she thought. I'm not up to this kind of stupidity! Running for my life... that stupid monster Cwen... I'm doomed to live a life of running away and barely staying alive, aren't I?

Letting go. Letting go.

"...daggers wouldn't do a thing in my hand." Aly muttered. "I'm... useless."

Cwen very much wanted to pop out and whack her feverishly for being a moody teenager. But that wouldn't fix a thing, would it? Needless to say, Cwen's not the type to be up to those "Hallmark Moments". She decided to hold out and see what Prythian said to Aly's meltdown. Monologue. ...mneh. Meltdown.

[prythian]

Prythian pursed his lips. "My home was taken from me when I was only 10 years old. I have been traveling worlds ever since. I suppose the key to staying sane is defining sanity. Quite frankly... if you define insanity as not being able to determine reality from fiction... well, out here amongst the worlds, anything is possible." He swept his hand across the sky. "There are worlds of worlds out there."

He sighed. "I have seen terrible and wonderful things in my travels. Not everything outside of your world is terrible... strange, yes, but there are wonders out there of such beauty they will take your breath away." He glanced at her. "Your... friend. I suppose in a way she is how you defend yourself. My suggestion is that you find someplace you can live... Someplace that you feel you belong."

[Rocket!]

Aly cast a glance downwards. "I don't have a world to go home to." she muttered.

And immediately wanted to whack herself for being moody. "Look, I'm sorry... I've just been-- well, uh, I'm Aly." Bringing a bit of a forced smile to her face, Aly brought her hand up and out to Prythian. "Nice to meet you, uh..."

[prythian]

"Prythian." He shook her hand firmly. "Many who travel the worlds have no home to return to, you know. I have no doubt you will find many others who are not only like you. You'll make friends. While I don't count many as friends... If you need to find me, ask people about the Shuffle Alliance. They may not know much, but I'll doubtless hear about it eventually and come find you."

[Rocket!]

Aly immediately blushed and looked down. Duh she wasn't the only one homeless. Why is it she had to be so... so self centered?

While I don't count many as friends...

Hm?

If you need to find me, ask people about the Shuffle Alliance. They may not know much...

Aly very nearly dropped her jaw. If it hadn't been for her more recent experiences with Cwen, odds are she would've.

Friends? I don't--

..she didn't let herself finish that thought.

Thoroughly embarrassed, Aly gave a quick nod. "Um-- uh, thanks." Every bone in her body was telling her to tell this man she couldn't possibly ask for his help-- even tell him off if she had to-- but the thing was... she probably did need help. Fear-- I mean, pride-- would have to be put on hold for necessity. "I appreciate it." Reaching back to give the back of her head a nervous scratch, Aly kept her eyes pointed downwards.

On a random whim, Aly looked up to the man. "A place where I belong, huh? You have a place like that, then?"

[prythian]

Prythian smiled and looked away. "Maybe I do... maybe I don't. I'm not entirely sure myself, you see. Perhaps the very nature of what I have to worry about prevents me from finding a place... or perhaps I've already found it. Either way... I'm sure you can find yours. I'm... under special circumstances. Try to take care of yourself..." His crest glowed, and his body began glowing red before he disappeared in a burst of flame.

[Rocket!]

Aly nodded, trying to understand Prythian's words more. He definitely had more on his mind than she did.

Walking away from where he'd disappeared, Aly looked up to the night sky, curious.

"A place where I belong..."

Yeah, good luck with that.

She frowned. Cwen again.

Placing her elbow on Aly's shoulder, Cwen gave Aly a sidelong glance. "Gee, that went well."

Aly nodded as though the question had been serious. Cwen rolled her eyes and removed her elbow. "So, what's the plan?"

"I dunno, really. Except..." She lowered her head. "Except that we do need a plan."

Cwen didn't dignify that with a response.

[ END ]