Yuri

So, Hapi. Are you going back home or what?

Hapi

That came out of nowhere. Haven't you noticed there's a war going on? I can't leave now.

Hm, hadn't noticed, nope. Now that I have, will you head home once it's over? To check on your parents.

No. Even after the war, I can't return. With my curse, I might destroy the whole village. I won't put them at risk like that.

True. I want to say you could go there and everything would be dandy. The way things tend to shake out, though, it can be pretty hard not to sigh...

What about you? You don't mind spending all this time away from...wherever you call home?

Can't say I've spent much time thinking about it. Maybe after the war is over. I've got plenty to keep me occupied. If I drop things and head home, my people will lose respect for me. I can't have that.

I see. I know I should visit home at some point. It's been more than a decade since I left, though. They probably think I died.

They might. All the more reason for you to go back. I know you're scared. But if you keep your visit brief, it'll work out fine. I don't know about yours, but my mother would want to know that I'm OK.

I suppose I could stop by for a short visit. That might be nice...

Still worried? I can accompany you. I'm sure you'll find some use for me.

You know you'll be so caught up in my lively conversations, you'll have very little time for sighing.

... Hmm... That plan could backfire. I might find the conversation boring, and then...

That would never happen. I wouldn't allow for it. And on the off chance a beast does appear... Well, that'll clear up your boredom pretty quickly, won't it?

You've got a weird sense of humor, Yuri-bird. I like that. I guess I wouldn't feel so nervous about going home if you went with me. I might even have a good time. When you're there, you feel closer to the stars. They look so clear and bright. I'd love to show you.

Ahaha. I look forward to it. I bet we'll even see some of the stars you taught me about.

And maybe I'll finally lay eyes on that constellation you told me about. A fishing rod, was it?

Let me get this straight. The stars aren't moving, but the ground we stand on... is?

Yup. We're on a big round thing that's always spinning, and that's why the stars seem to move through the sky. Hard to believe, isn't it? But it's true.

I admit I'm having a difficult time wrapping my head around it. How is it you know these things, anyway? If you were a noble, it would make sense that you'd have a formal education on all of this.

In the village where I was born, there were people who studied the stars. They taught me.

A village of stargazing folk, huh? Do tell. I've never heard of such a place.

It's a... very well-hidden village. It was a small settlement deep in the forest where no one ever bothered us. I was born there, grew up there... But when I got older, I felt like I needed to see the world. I couldn't live my whole life in one place, y'know? So I struck out on my own.

I always knew you were an odd little bird, but your birthplace makes you a rare little bird.

Yeah, well, pretty soon after leaving her nest, this rare little bird was put in a cage. I thought it might be some kind of punishment for leaving the forest.

What the hell? You think that because you wanted to live your life, you'd be punished? That's ridiculous. Look at this objectively—was it punishment, or was it just plain bad luck? There's nothing wrong with wanting to see the world and expand your horizons. Take me... Had I never left that gutter I call home, I'd have gone my whole life never learning how to look at the stars.

Yeah... I left my village because I thought I'd find a better life beyond the forest. Now I'm not so sure.

Regret is pointless. What matters is how we live right here, right now. You know?

I could say no, but I'd be lying. I've been feeling homesick lately. Nothing happened there, for better or worse. There wasn't much to be scared of. Everyone said the outside world was dangerous, that beyond the forest, all we'd find was an early grave. That wasn't exactly true, but my life was for sure easier when I lived there. I used to spend my days fishing, hunting for pretty flowers, running around for no reason...

Seeing you smile in that way. You're always so... I don't know... neutral?

That's not true. I smile when there's something to smile about. It's strange, though. When I'm talking to you, I can't help but let my guard down. I don't like to discuss where I came from. But with you, I feel like I can open up. You know, I've been thinking a lot about my mom and dad lately. I wonder... are they even alive?

You know I don't care. Night watch or not, it's still just for training purposes. Though, you'd likely get in trouble if someone sees you catching z's.

You wouldn't wake me if someone was here? Fine then, I won't sleep.

You're being so quiet, Yuri-bird. Say something.

I don't always fill the void with my voice, you know. Sometimes it's pleasant to just enjoy the quiet and stargaze.

No, thanks. Stargazing is a waste of time. The stars don't even stay put all year, those jerks.

See that one? That star is home to the goddess... Yeah! Watching over us from afar.

That's called the Blue Sea Star, but it doesn't look blue... at all, really. Wait, no. Hang on. Maybe it wasn't that one. But that big one over there–that's it... isn't it?

You don't know the first thing about stars, do you? No one ever taught you?

Well, the Blue Sea Star is really big. It stands out. Sometimes you can't see it at all, but other times it's the brightest thing in the sky.

Interesting! So then, which star was I pointing out just now?

You might have to point it out again. Which constellation were you pointing at?

Let's see... It looks a bit like a cat... No, no, that's not right. Maybe more like a fish? Or a... fishing rod!

What? I'm serious! See, those stars there are forming a shape that looks very much like a fishing rod.

OK, sorry, but that looks nothing like a fishing rod. Or a cat. I'm surprised you know so little about stars. I thought you knew everything.

Who do you think I am–the goddess herself? There is plenty I don't know. But I'm always aiming to learn more. I'm uncomfortable not... knowing things. So come on then, Hapi. Teach me about the stars.

As painful as sitting here idling? It's not like you're going to sleep at this point. Clearly you know quite a bit about them–teach me.

Fine, fine. Look up there, to the north. Your other north. See that star? That's called the King's Right Hand.

Triangle Attack