=== Alear & Alcryst === --- C --- [Alcryst] Divine One, watch out! There's a wolf! [Alear] What? Where?! [Alcryst] Mr. Wolf! Please go away! Leave the Divine Dragon alone─I beg you! [Alcryst] Ugh... It isn't listening to me... No choice. I'll have to get serious. [Alear] That pose! Is he about to...bow in apology like the incident at the border?! [Alcryst] Mr. Wolf! I'm so, so sorry! [Alcryst] I'm sure that my apologies will enrage you further─to the point you might devour me! [Alcryst] And if I wind up in your stomach, my allies may waste days looking for me, but I must persist! [Alcryst] Please, though I have no right to make this request, I ask you to go home! I'm begging you! [Alear] The wolf is actually turning away... Incredible. [Alcryst] There it goes... [Alcryst] Thank goodness you're all right, Divine One. [Alear] Thank you, Alcryst. I'm glad you're OK too. That was a risky move... [Alcryst] Think nothing of it. Your life is worth far more than mine, so I just did what needed to be done. [Alear] Uh, no. My life, your life, everyone's lives... None of us are above anyone else. [Alcryst] Ah. You're right, Divine One... Looks like I've fallen short yet again. [Alcryst] The Divine Dragon's radiance should lighten my mood, but I've managed to darken it instead... [Alcryst] I sincerely apologize─I should leave. [Alear] What? Alcryst! Wait! [Alear] Wow. He's so fast... --- B --- [Alear] Alcryst? Do you have a moment? [Alcryst] I do, Divine One. What is it? [Alear] Why are you standing like that? Are you OK? [Alcryst] I'm preparing to bow. [Alear] And...why are you doing that? [Alcryst] I want to be ready in case I need to apologize for something. [Alear] Oh, for the love of─ There's no need for that! I just wanted to discuss that wolf incident. [Alcryst] Oh? What about it? [Alear] I need you to understand something about me and about you. I'm not higher. You're not lower. [Alear] We share the same footing. Try not to think or act otherwise, OK? [Alcryst] I wish I could follow that order, but...I just don't believe it. [Alear] Hey, come on... Why is it so hard for you to accept that? [Alcryst] I'm very sorry to disappoint you, Divine One. [Alear] I guess it can't be helped. I worry, but you do get results. Keep handling things your own way. [Alcryst] My own way? Are you sure? [Alcryst] I'm aware that I often bring the mood down around others, and I struggle with compliments. [Alcryst] I'm nowhere near as confident as my brother, so I'm sure my hesitation frustrates people. [Alcryst] Despite all of that...you really think it's OK for me to keep handling things...my own way? [Alear] I do. [Alear] But I hope that, someday, you'll take what I've been saying to heart. [Alcryst] Very well. Thank you for your advice, Divine One... --- A --- [Alear] Alcryst! There's another wolf! [Alear] It's heading toward you! Look out! [Alcryst] Yes. I see it. [Alear] Why are you standing still?! We need to get to safety! [Alcryst] It's OK, Divine One. I can handle this. [Alcryst] Smell that, boy? I brought some jerky with me. Come on, eat up... [Alear] I don't believe it. Alcryst just tamed that wolf! [Alcryst] This is the same wolf that almost attacked you before, Divine One. [Alcryst] You'd better head back up the mountain now. Stay safe out there, OK? [Alear] When did you two become friends? [Alcryst] I've been coming here to practice my archery. He keeps showing up to watch. [Alcryst] We were pretty tense around each other at first, but then I remembered your advice. [Alear] Which advice was that? [Alcryst] You said I should handle things my own way. I didn't want to attack the wolf, so I relaxed. [Alcryst] He must have sensed that because he relaxed in kind. Now it's like we're friends. [Alear] Alcryst! That's amazing! [Alcryst] Thank you. It was all because of your guidance. [Alcryst] Oh! What am I doing?! I'm thanking the Divine Dragon in such an informal manner! I should─ [Alear] Please, Alcryst, no more throwing yourself at my feet. [Alcryst] Huh? [Alear] Don't be upset. Your apologies are impressive, but you could stand to, well, stand more often. [Alear] If you really want to thank me, that wolf did look awfully friendly toward you... [Alear] Could you help me win him over? [Alcryst] That should be easy. Just bring some jerky next time. Then we can all play together. [Alear] I'll do just that! Can't wait. Thank you, Alcryst. --- S --- [Alcryst] Uh, excuse me...Divine One? [Alear] Alcryst? What is it? [Alcryst] Uh... Well, you see... [Alear] You stopped yourself from bowing! Very nice recovery, Alcryst. [Alcryst] Yes. I must try to stand tall. [Alcryst] Please, Divine One, have a look at this. [Alear] Oh! What a beautiful gemstone! It has such a mysterious color. [Alcryst] It's a stone of Brodian origin. The coloring is quite rare, with red and blue mixed together... [Alcryst] My father gave it to me when I was born. He liked how it matched my features. [Alear] Ah, I see! This is a match for your blue hair and red eyes, isn't it? This gem suits you perfectly. [Alcryst] B-but...your features are even more of a match, Divine One. The color distribution differs, but... [Alcryst] It reminds me of you. I see someone I treasure who encouraged me to do things my own way. [Alear] Wow. Someone you treasure, huh? [Alcryst] My father told me to choose an important person to give this to someday. So... [Alcryst] Divine One... Please accept this as a token of... well, a token of my feelings toward you. [Alear] ... [Alear] Thank you, Alcryst. I gladly accept your token. [Alcryst] ... [Alear] Now it's my turn. I'd like to give you this ring. [Alcryst] This is the Pact Ring... [Alear] It is. And now it's yours. [Alear] Prince Alcryst... I, the Divine Dragon, grant you this, a symbol of our special bond. [Alear] Let's share our lives as fellow soldiers...and partners in peace. [Alcryst] C-coo... [Alear] I'm sorry, did you just...coo? [Alcryst] Cool! Astoundingly cool! Impossibly cool! I can't believe this! [Alcryst] I thought I stuck the landing for sure, but then you outshined me with an even grander gesture! [Alcryst] And I don't even mind! This makes me so happy. Th-thank you, Divine One... [Alear] Oh, Alcryst, please don't cry! [Alcryst] I won't. I promise. I'll do my best to stand tall for you─and for myself. [Alcryst] Or, uh...taller than before, at least. [Alear] I suppose that's a start. [Alcryst] And I will get stronger! Despite how I seem, I am a prince of Brodia... [Alcryst] As a son of the kingdom of warriors, I will become someone you can rely on... [Alcryst] And I pledge to always protect you, Divine Dragon . [Alear] Thoughtful as ever, Alcryst. [Alcryst] I can say all of this with the utmost confidence. In fact, I swear it upon this ring. [Alear] I believe you, Alcryst. Thank you. [Alcryst] I will stand beside you proudly and be the best prince I can be, to the very end.