The Cost of Solitude
Luca: Happy Dragonyule! Let's have some fun, everyone!
Luca: Hey, Lily!
Dragonyule Lily: Everyone looks like they're having a great time. What are you all doing?
Luca: It's a party, Lily! A Dragonyule party!
Luca: Just a small one, though. Figured we'd make a little noise, get some food, exchange presents, that sort of thing.
Luca: But hey, not every party's gotta be a rager. You should join us, by the way!
Dragonyule Lily: Thanks, Luca. I will!
Durant: Tch...
Odetta: ......
Dragonyule Lily: What about those two? Shouldn't we invite them?
Luca: I don't think they'd join in even if we did.
Dragonyule Lily: Well that's kinda sad. I'm gonna try, at least!
Luca: Wait, I—aaand she's gone. Welp. Good luck with those party poopers, kid.
Lily: Hey, aren't you lonely over here? Come party with us!
Durant: Shut up. I ain't gettin' involved.
Odetta: I don't like big crowds. Makes me feel tied down.
Dragonyule Lily: Hrmmm... Fine, but I'm not gonna give up on you! Just you wait!
A few days later...
Dragonyule Lily: Durant! Odetta!
Dragonyule Lily: Aw. They just ran off.
Dragonyule Lily: Do they hate me or something?
Euden: Heya, Lily. Why the long face?
Dragonyule Lily: Euden... Can we talk?
Euden: I see. So they up and left, huh?
Dragonyule Lily: Do you think I offended them somehow?
Euden: No, not at all, Lily. Those two can be... Well, let's just say they're not the most straightforward people around.
Euden: I do want to ask, though—why are you trying so hard to get them to join in?
Dragonyule Lily: *sniffle* It's just that they seem so... lonely. It makes my heart hurt a little.
Euden: Lonely?
Dragonyule Lily: Yeah, like...they're all on their own. Isn't that kind of sad? I was really lonely by myself until I met you and everyone else.
Dragonyule Lily: I don't want them to feel like I did.
Euden: Lily...
Durant: Damn kid... I'm calling shenanigans on the crying.
Odetta: Aw. The Mad Dog, moved by a little girl's tears. Turns out you're actually a softie.
Durant: You LOOKING for a beatdown?
Odetta: Not really. But...she's crying for us, you know.
Durant: What, so she just decides on her own that we're "lonely" and then has the nerve to start bawlin' about it? Talk about annoying.
Odetta: Indeed. Even if we are alone, you and I no longer feel loneliness.
Odetta: At some point, solitude became the new norm for each of us.
Durant: Psh, speak for yourself. I got friends.
Odetta: Hee hee. Sorry. But you aren't exactly the most trusting guy in the world, are you?
Odetta: In that way, you and I are the same—we instinctively keep distance from people. We don't feel loneliness. In fact, our solitude is our strength.
Odetta: But by the same coin, that strength comes at the cost of our ability to show kindness— the kindness those tears of hers represent.
Odetta: If we had someone to reach out to us before we got accustomed to being alone, the way she did, maybe things would have been different.
Odetta: Instead of shielding our hearts in sinew, we could've opened them to affection... And we could've ended up like her. Maybe.
Durant: No point in wondering "what if." If I were nicer, I wouldn't be the guy I am now.
Durant: But hey, I'm not heartless enough to shake off the kid's gesture.
Odetta: Well said. Shall we go, then?
Durant: Hey. Turn off the waterworks, kid. Saint Starfall ain't no crybaby.
Dragonyule Lily: Durant... Odetta...
Durant: If you've got something on your mind, you should just spit it out.
Durant: Doesn't make a lick of sense for you to get up in our faces day after day, shoutin' about party this and party that.
Dragonyule Lily: I'm sorry...
Durant: And I'll have you know that I'm not lonely at all. Flying solo's just how I do things.
Dragonyule Lily: Really? I don't understand.
Odetta: Our hearts don't hold the same kindness yours does. Likely because we've never come across anyone quite like you before.
Dragonyule Lily: I... Um... What?
Odetta: Hee hee. Maybe this is all still a bit over your head. But with all that said...
Odetta: I wouldn't mind talking with you more. My gut tells me you know a thing or two about a whole world I'm unfamiliar with.
Odetta: Will you allow me to accompany you to a party?
Dragonyule Lily: *gasp* Really?! You want to go to a party with me?
Durant: Thought we made that clear.
Dragonyule Lily: Yay! Thanks so much, you two!
Dragonyule Lily: Right. The party venue awaits!
Euden: See you around, you two. It's Dragonyule. Have some fun.
Odetta: We'll be going now. Off to a new world, escorted by an adorable little Saint Starfall.
Durant: She doesn't make a lick of sense. ...Hey, wait up!
Euden: I really can't believe she's managed to rope them into the group.
Euden: It's a Dragonyule miracle...and all precisely because our kind friend Lily knows what it means to be lonely.
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