I realize it would be ideal for us to speak of this in person, but I am worried about being overheard. I am concerned for Alphen. He has not been himself as of late, and things appear to be escalating, if his appearance is anything to go by. I am certain you have noticed, as well.
I've noticed it, yes, and I'm definitely worried. Either he hasn't noticed it himself or he's ignoring it. You know Alphen, he'd rather worry about others than himself. I don't know what to do, though.
I am worried it is the latter. Perhaps if he thinks he ignores it, it will not get any worse, but that is no way to handle such things.
I am told some have found ways to combat the corruption of nightmare energy, but I do not know how to ask such a thing openly without grabbing Alphen's attention and perhaps making things worse. If he knows we are watching him, he may spiral further.
I can think of a way to ask, if you'd like me to spearhead that line of questioning. With it being an issue of public safety, this would be good information for a potential city guard to be aware of. Alphen would understand that if it came from me, and if we don't confront him directly yet, he might just keep pretending things are fine.
Either way, if he does see it, I'd hope it would give him something to think about.
You make an excellent point. I am inclined to follow your intuition on this; asking from that point of view, I doubt it would raise many suspicions, and it is a matter of public safety.
I should hope it would, as well. He should know better than to ignore something like this... or to try and hide it from us, if that is what he is, indeed, trying to do.
You will have my aid, yes. Between the two of us, I am certain we will be able to find the correct approach.
I am afraid, as well. We have been in this world some time now, and know that nightmare energy need not be the end of someone, but the damage it is able to do... we must look after our friend. I have no doubt he would do the same for us.
[Any one of them would do this for any of the others, in fact. They are family, now.]
Thank you. I'll feel more confident in it with your support.
Alphen would absolutely step in to protect us if something happened. I think that's what is making this so hard. It's likely he's trying to protect us from worrying about this. Why won't he let us protect him in turn?
It is likely he does not want to be a burden. That, of course, is foolish; it is no burden to care for one's companions. I am certain he knows we would do whatever we are able in order to assist him. Perhaps he is embarrassed? He may feel that succumbing to this is a show of weakness.
Alphen's always been bad about recognizing his own weaknesses or injuries. Usually it's Shionne who has to step in and scold him for it, even after he got back his ability to feel pain. He just doesn't notice it. This isn't even physical pain- if it's nightmare energy, it's more subtle than the usual burns on his arms.
Without Shionne here, it'll have to be us who force him to sit down and let himself heal.
Given the nature of nightmare energy, it's very likely it has already done more damage than what we are able to see on the surface, as well. If it is manifesting physically already, there is no telling how it may have impacted him mentally.
It is up to us, but I believe we're up to the task. We make an excellent team.
Somnus and I went to investigate already, which is why I brought it up. There's something growing in the sand, there. Dark energy, forming into crystals.
I should have known you would have wasted no time.
Dark energy… I should like to examine it for myself, see what I might be able to make of it. Was there anything else noteworthy about your trip there?
You can thank him for that. He brought it up and insisted on going at once. I wasn't about to disagree, mind you- it was worth looking into.
The crystals are able to form into monsters that acted to defend themselves. They looked like dragons, but they acted like wild beasts. It was a little like fighting zeugles.
I can take you to see them, if you want to investigate personally.
Only if it would not be a burden, but I do admit that my interest is further piqued, and I do always appreciate your company. It need not be immediate, but regardless, I will make my way to their location sooner rather than later.
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Journal, 1/03
I realize it would be ideal for us to speak of this in person, but I am worried about being overheard. I am concerned for Alphen. He has not been himself as of late, and things appear to be escalating, if his appearance is anything to go by. I am certain you have noticed, as well.
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I've noticed it, yes, and I'm definitely worried. Either he hasn't noticed it himself or he's ignoring it. You know Alphen, he'd rather worry about others than himself. I don't know what to do, though.
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I am told some have found ways to combat the corruption of nightmare energy, but I do not know how to ask such a thing openly without grabbing Alphen's attention and perhaps making things worse. If he knows we are watching him, he may spiral further.
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Either way, if he does see it, I'd hope it would give him something to think about.
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I should hope it would, as well. He should know better than to ignore something like this... or to try and hide it from us, if that is what he is, indeed, trying to do.
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I can't blame him if he's scared of what's happening, though. This is new for all of us. I'm scared for him.
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I am afraid, as well. We have been in this world some time now, and know that nightmare energy need not be the end of someone, but the damage it is able to do... we must look after our friend. I have no doubt he would do the same for us.
[Any one of them would do this for any of the others, in fact. They are family, now.]
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Alphen would absolutely step in to protect us if something happened. I think that's what is making this so hard. It's likely he's trying to protect us from worrying about this. Why won't he let us protect him in turn?
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Without Shionne here, it'll have to be us who force him to sit down and let himself heal.
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It is up to us, but I believe we're up to the task. We make an excellent team.
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There was recently an influx of dark crystals in the wastelands, by the way. Did you see the posting about it?
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I did see the notice. Perhaps we should invite ourselves to investigate? It is certainly noteworthy.
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Somnus and I went to investigate already, which is why I brought it up. There's something growing in the sand, there. Dark energy, forming into crystals.
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Dark energy… I should like to examine it for myself, see what I might be able to make of it. Was there anything else noteworthy about your trip there?
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The crystals are able to form into monsters that acted to defend themselves. They looked like dragons, but they acted like wild beasts. It was a little like fighting zeugles.
I can take you to see them, if you want to investigate personally.
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Very well. I have lessons this afternoon, but perhaps tomorrow?
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Tomorrow works for me. We can head out after breakfast.