[Mari]

(( Rina ))

After surviving her near death gang-fight in the black market, Raffine had quickly gone to treat her injuries at the hospital before returning to meet Schezo in Rainbow Square. She stopped only long enough to pick up some bubble tea for the both of them before meandering her way over to the square. She had a few bandages on her face, but oddly enough her hands and legs seemed to have gone relatively untreated. She'd probably spent a lot of time training to make them more resilient to injury, whereas one did not simply train their face. ...Unless your name was Mario. ...Or Bowser. ...Or Donkey Kong... You got the idea. Consuming a soul for the first time had left her feeling empty without that surge of power coursing through her. She wanted more--Or rather, her body wanted more. Raffine herself was a little suspicious that she might be experiencing withdrawal, but of course nobody really liked being disarmed. It was difficult to say what the nature of her yearning was, but she knew better than to give in. Not right now, anyway... There was simply no need for that power. Casually nursing her glass of tea, she meandered her way about the square in search of her prince.

[Rina]

Schezo should be sitting around the benches surrounding the fountain, idly waiting for Raffine to come as he requested. The area wasn't crowded, so he shouldn't be too hard to miss. He didn't mind waiting, he'd only feel miffed if she didn't show up at all. The last battle he had was rather over the top near the end. Namely, most of the crazy stuff was caused by Raffine. He used a bunch of supplies to assure the team's safety, but what's more concerning is the tinge of darkness he felt near the end of that day. He really needed to address that before she goes off the deep end. Using soul power falls under the dark arts, and an untrained person can easily be overcome with power lust.

Something he himself had spiraled down into in the past. If he had to watch someone follow his mistakes, then he'd be understandably furious.

[Mari]

Raffine beamed slightly upon spotting Schezo, picking up the pace a bit to close the distance between them. The first thing she did was offer Schezo the tea she'd brought him. "Hello, Prince Schezo~! I've brought us some tea. Have you stopped to tend to your wounds since our battle..?" Raffine greeted, very quickly transitioning to concern. She didn't like the idea that Schezo might have been waiting while she made sure she was okay. ...But...he seemed fine enough. Raffine would move to sit down next to Schezo, crossing her legs and placing the cup of tea in her lap. She then gave Schezo her attention again, watching him carefully as she spoke. "So--What was it you wanted to talk to me about..? You seemed a bit urgent before you left the market earlier." she questioned before falling silent. She had her suspicions about what he wanted to discuss with her, some more romantic than others, but decidedly wasn't ready to jump to any conclusions.

[Rina]

Upon Raffine taking notice, he waved over so she doesn't lose him. He didn't wait too long, so she shouldn't worry. As for the damage report, he only got away with some bruises. He's a bit sore on contact, but he'll live.

"Thank you. I have taken the time recuperate."

Schezo took the tea offered to him, taking a sip of it. He appreciated the kind gesture, especially considering the wild battle they had only just recently. The mild, milky sweetness was something he could appreciate in spite of not being much of a sweets person. The moment Raffine got to asking what he's concerned, he put his tea down and went straight to the point. His expression quickly shifted from idle contentment to a more serious face as he asked his question. An ordinary person would have likely glossed over it, but he is not a normal person. As someone who has the ability to siphon magic, he has a sensitivity to the flow of it so he may choose his targets wisely.

"...I'll be forward with you. You've committed yourself to a dark art in the market, did you not?"

[Mari]

Raffine flinched when Schezo asked his question. He... knew? A part of her had hoped that simply no one had noticed. Raffine seemed to become troubled. She really didn't want to admit her weakness in front of him. Dark magic wasn't what a proper lady involved herself with, but ... She'd just have to trust that Schezo would understand her, somehow. "...I accepted aid from a dark entity, yes." she replied somewhat reluctantly. One could observe that she was a lot more anxious than she usually allowed herself to appear. "I was afraid that if I didn't, one or more of us would have died. You don't blame me, do you?" Raffine would go on to explain and ask, watching Schezo carefully to observe his reaction.

[Rina]

Schezo sighed. The necessity was understandable, but the fact she's toying with something so dangerous is a major concern. He can't simply empathize with her; he's far too experienced with dark magic to fall victim to most of the consequences. It's up to him to warn her of what she's getting herself into.

"I understand the necessity behind what you've done, but it is imperative you know what lines you've crossed."

Schezo's eyes has a very serious gaze to them as he explained in great detail.

"Dark arts are a powerful classification of magic that has a great return. While they are innately of the 'dark' element, they derive from destruction and selfishness. Such magics are not playthings. Mastering dark magic is an arduous trial, but the ability to control it with minimal repercussion is its own reward. However..."

He darted his eyes right into Raffine's...

"...the decision to tap into the darkness to it is not a decision that can be turned away so easily. It is notorious for being 'intoxicating' arts due to the return it gives."

[Mari]

(They say dark magic is something evil, that it corrupts you.)

(Please stop, I'm trying to give Prince Schezo my attention.)

(Oho! That's the most polite you've been to me since we met!)

(And yet you're still just as annoying)

(Hahaha... It's not true though. Dark magic is the same as any other. It's the raw power itself that corrupts. It turns out that when you give the scum at the bottom of the barrel a bunch of newfound power, they start rising to the top and you begin to see their true colors! ...But you're not... a nobody, are you? You're more like the cream of the crop! You'd never allow power to change who you are, would you~?)

(You're right. I wouldn't. But you're a liar. You tried to get me to kill Amitie!)

(Only because I thought it was what you really wanted. Don't you hate her~?)

(Yeah, but I'm not a murderer.)

(Well it's a bit too late for that~ Perhaps I was wrong about you. Maybe you are a nobody.)

Raffine's mind filled with curses. That stupid orb was still pushing it's luck! Needless to say, she appeared distracted for a moment, likely in thought. The moment passed, however, and then the relief settled in. Schezo wasn't judging her. ...What was that he said about slefishness? Eh. It probably wasn't anything she should be concerned with. She produced the eerie soul gem from her bag for Schezo to observe. "...I found this artifact while I was exploring a very hostile cavern deep within a strange world. It has a mind of its own and has been begging me to tap it for a while now. It's not a very pleasant voice, but ...I was satisfied with the results. He says that only the weak are corrupted by dark magic, but I don't think I can trust him. He's as dark as the magic he uses." Raffine explained, finally admitting the true nature of what she was going through to Schezo. She would be silent for a moment, letting those words hang in the air while she considered her next words carefully.

"I wasn't planning on making a habit of using it, but honestly it's very difficult to ignore all of that power. There are so many things I could use it for... What do you think, Schezo? Am I wrong to distrust dark magic this much?"

[Rina]

Schezo took a closer look at the jewel, taking immediate notice of its malicious aura. It definitely radiates with darkness, yet he doesn't even react so strongly. His familiarity with darkness let him gaze into it with little trouble. He listened intently to Raffine's story on how she got the gem, taking in the information. He can't hear its voices, but he is not linked to the artifact. After the silence has passed, allowing him to digest the information, he came to answer the question Raffine had prompted.

"I understand your skeptical nature in regards to this accursed jewel. In truth, that is how dark magic draws you in. It entices you with this power, but then the requests become increasingly grandiose the more you desire it. It will draw you into this deep vortex, becoming a descent that is difficult to pull yourself out of. Those who do not defy the temptation, they will eventually find themselves backed into the most severe of costs to utilize it. The costs may be through one's life force, or if descended in darkest of shadows, they may have already sacrificed their sanity in exchange."

Schezo took a deep breath in between, catching his breath with his lecture.

"...I think I understand what Rune Lord means by 'Seed of Darkness'. The seed is sown the moment you make contact with dark magic, and the more you use it, the seed is nurtured. However, how you control the 'Flower of Darkness' is reliant on the practitioner. Does it become a well-tended 'Garden of Darkness'? Or will it bloom into a parasitic grove? Perhaps my embrace of my own dark power was the key to attaining that beautiful garden."

...You should have probably withheld that last sentence, Schezo...

[Mari]

"Your beautiful garden?"

Raffine snapped out of her own thoughts and self-reflection when Schezo inadvertantly said something concerning. For a long moment she was silent, considering the full implications. ...Her family would never approve of this. Not only was she getting mixed up with shady characters, but her beloved prince had been keeping his tampering in the dark arts a secret from her? What would her mother say if she knew? This wasn't the romantic sort of dark. It was the drugs and cheating sort of dark. Why should she expect Schezo to exercise any more restraint in chasing another lady than he did chasing power? ...How did this reflect upon her own choices? The fighting princess seemed to search for words but fail to find them, instead eventually turning her gaze back upon Schezo and watching him expectantly. One could rightly assume based on the context that she was waiting for Schezo to explain himself.

[Rina]

Schezo nodded, affirming Raffine's question.

"Yes, my beautiful garden of dark-"

...but the words of what he mused aloud just hit him. Did he just reveal that he's a dark wizard out loud?

"-ness... oh confound it all! My words have vastly betrayed me!"

Schezo buried his face in his palms, completely ashamed that it'd end up at this. Revealing that he's a dark wizard isn't the problem, the fact he lied to her stung harder. ...Would withholding information count as lying, though? True or not, this certainly is taking a dark turn. Though...considering Raffine revealed she's tampering with dark arts, he might as well reveal the entire story to her. He's not going to be able to keep this a secret at this rate anyway. Pulling his face away from his hands, staring back at Raffine's face, understandably filled to the brim of confusion and disbelief. She did not speak, but her face told him that she wanted answers. An awkward silence passed, and Schezo began explaining himself...

"Sigh...I suppose with you revealing a secret, I may as well reveal some of mine. I'll begin with my identity: The reason why I know much of dark magic is because I am not a prince of a distant land, but a dark wizard. I am the current successor of the title, having obtained it at the age of 14, and I was once raised by a mother of magic and a step-father of swordsmanship."

[Mari]

(...I am not a prince of a distant land...)

(...but a dark wizard...)

(Ohoho~!)

(Shut. Up.)

(I'm sorry--Am I interrupting?)

(Yes, and you're being very disruptive!)

(Whoops! My bad~ It does explain a few things, like why he wants anything to do with you, don't you think~?)

(Don't act like you didn't know, you piece of garbage orb.)

(Oh?)

(I bet his soul is as dark as the night sky. You knew! You always knew, and you. didn't. tell. me!)

(Oh, but you never asked, my dear.)

(Shut up! You kept it a secret on purpose for your own benefit, just like Schezo did.)

(...And just what would I have to benefit from that?)

(I'm not sure.)

(Here's a hypothetical. Say I did warn you. Would you have believed me?)

(You have a point. I guess not. But why didn't you try?)

(That's simple!)

(If it was simple, I wouldn't need it explained to me!)

(You give yourself far too much credit, my precious wallflower.)

(Wallflower?? If you don't stop, I'm going drown you out with music again.)

(Don't threaten me with a good time~ It's for your own good that you listen to what I have to say, after all.)

(Get on with it.)

(It's called tough love, dearie. You don't listen when I tell you things, so I let you fail to teach you an important lesson in choosing your friends wisely. )

(But--)

(Silence! )

(How dare you?! In my own mind?!)

(...Ah. Of course. You cannot censor your thoughts, even if you tried. That was my bad.)

(I still don't like the idea of you being in my head all the time.)

(Yes well, I would much prefer if I had my own body but you don't see me whinging at you for it. The thing is, Ms. Raffine, you've been so caught up romanticizing this wretched world and its inhabitants that you've failed to recognize your only. true. friend.)

(It's you, isn't it. And what makes you think we're friends?)

(There you go again with that paranoia. I have nothing to gain from wronging you, woman. The only reasons I've ever crossed you is for your benefit. Do you earnestly believe I want nothing more than for you to dispose of me in some trash receptacle somewhere? Surely I would find someone who listened better eventually, but who knows when exactly that will be? It's far more prudent that I try and work with you here and now...)

(I suppose I see where you're coming from.)

(Excellent. If you listen to me more often, you'll find that your place in this world is going to become a lot clearer... Spoiler alert~ It's on top, assuming you let me help you.)

(What makes you think I need help that much, huh?!)

(Oh you poor thing... You don't actually believe that, do you?)

(What are you talking about??)

(You've been trying to become a great magician for years, isn't that right? Hasn't Ms. Accord been ever so patient with you..?)

(You have no right to bring that up.)

(Remember that lesson we just learned, hmm? Listen. Now, you've worked very hard haven't you? You've been very diligent and you've never given up on your studies no matter how many times you inevitably fail to cast even the simplest of spells.)

(That's not fair!)

(You're right! It isn't fair. It's not fair to you. Is that it?)

(That's right.)

(Right. And poor Ms. Accord--She doesn't have the heart to tell you the truth. That she can't help you. She tries her best, but at the end of the day she's never surprised to see cheat with that little pouch of yours.)

(She doesn't know that!)

(Poppycock. Did you think you were simply that clever, to pull that little trick off every single day without anyone noticing? I can't speak for your classmates, but the only reason you got away with it was to protect your feelings, Raffine.)

(You're being cruel.)

(I'm being honest. And if you paid attention, you'd have realized it isn't all doom. Unlike your teacher, I can make you a better magician. You just have to accept my aid...)

...

(Maybe you're right.)

(You know, many in your situation would be straight out of luck. You should consider yourself blessed to have discovered such a powerful artifact as I.)

(Whatever. I just can't believe this is what it's come to. Why me?)

(Some are simply born unable to cast magic, just as some are born without the use of their legs or their eyes. Surely you must realize that now.)

(Are you comparing me to a cripple?)

(It's not your fault, really. Fate simply dealt you a bad hand, and I'm offering to stack the cards in your favor~)



There was a long moment of silence as Raffine silently had this conversation with the orb. It likely appeared that she was deep in thought, attentively listening to Schezo's words and then processing what he'd just told her after he finished. Except--Then Raffine began to cry. No longer content to take her feelings out on that orb, she turned them upon Schezo. "...You've made a fool of me... Schezo!" Raffine snapped. For a brief moment it looked like she intended to turn on Schezo and hit him. Her fists trembled with anticipation as she rose, or perhaps something else. What remained of her tea spilled on the ground as it fell from her lap. Yet, just as she finished getting up she almost immediately turned about and sprinted away from Schezo. She hadn't even waited for Schezo to explain why he'd lied to her, more concerned at that moment with preventing him from seeing the breakdown she was just about to have.

[Rina]

It's unsurprising that she'd be stunned at the revelation. And he isn't surprised that he was expected to get punched. He suffers a lot of abuse from putting his foot in his mouth so he was expecting to get a black eye out of it. But he was taken aback when she bolted off elsewhere, just to run away from the truth.

"Ah-! Raffine, wait! hear me out!"

He stood there stunned...letting her get distance. It's happened again. Someone leaves his life all because he's a dark wizard. He stared out, despondent that he's stuck in this spiral. No... he's not going to sit down and accept it. He's going to make her listen to his story no matter how hard it hurt. He gave chase to her, trying to grab hold of her. Though, running in armor isn't going to get him anywhere...

"...What am I doing? I have my Ninja abilities."


"Shinobi...TRANSFORMATION!"

Brushing his moment of being Captain Obvious, he took out his ninja scroll and quickly transformed into his ninja garb so he may catch up. Never mind the fact he did it in front of a bunch of people, never mind the fact he left his tea behind. He had a story to tell to Raffine, and it's a rather dark tale. He continued pursuing her, attempting to catch her and continue, using his increased speed from forgoing his armored clothes. He was running decidedly un-ninja like, driven purely by his absolute concern. He might cause trouble if he tried using his ninja arts to stop her, so he stood by non-aggression. That'd make things worse.

Raffine...If the revelation spurned you towards that path to darkness...
Please, don't tread the same steps I did. I don't want you to condone the same mistakes I did.

A fool, evil, or even a pervert. I've been subject to contempt and ridicule everywhere I go. I'm well are that you've been living in a romanticized lie by calling me a prince, but I lack the qualities of being one from the very beginning.

My innocent childhood has long passed...
I narrowly avoided the horizon of insanity...
I don't even know if I should follow my temporal age or the age I froze by...

I want you to know that I was also living that lie alongside you.
Because save for myself... I have nothing.

Perhaps...perhaps these two aren't so different. With one loud outburst, he called to her.

"RAFFINE!"

[Mari]

Raffine was now mostly blinded by tears. She flinched when Schezo called her, but did not stop running. She refused to be seen like this. Albeit, Schezo could probably catch her. She was becoming a little clumsy because of her crying and she wasn't completely sure where she was going anymore. So clumsy had she become that she would likely run straight into Schezo if he tried to stop her. "N-Not now!" Raffine blurted out. It was all she could get out without blubbering too much...

[Rina]

With Raffine beginning to slow down, the distance began to narrow as he maintained his speed. In trying to catch up to her, he sprinted with all he could, eventually overtaking her distance and...

...get almost rammed to the ground because of her. The crash caused him to lose his footing a bit, but he held his ground, attempting to keep her in his arms if she tried to run. With her in earshot, he tried to continue his story. He defied her demands, as just leaving her alone would mean the end of this conversation...and likely their connection.

"Raffine, I know naught of your inner struggles, but hear me out. I am not immune to hardships. In truth, I've carried my heavy burden for as long as I remembered. Ever since I've attained my power, not a single person would dare approach me once they learn of what I am capable of. My family is long gone to time, never to be seen again. I may not appear to have anguish, but I have merely learned how to keep my emotions in control. I've put up a facade of embracing my dark power..."

Schezo attempts to look her in the eyes, tears or no tears.

"...Because that is all that I am worth. I only have myself and the dark power I have succeeded. I don't even know my own age because I forgot my own birthday. I have no place in my home world, your home world, and likely not this one either. I may be a successor to my power at the age of 14, but it matters so little because it cost me my place in society."

"...and I don't want you to be one more of those people that shun me. Why do you suddenly not trust me to tell what consumes you? Is it because I am a dark wizard? I assure you that no matter what flaws you have, you have a place to belong in me."

[Mari]

Raffine was trying to get away somewhere where she could vent without being judged when she abruptly managed to run right into Schezo! The startled fighting princess clumsily attempted to stumble backwards only to find herself being held. ...For a moment she was very tense with her arms held up against her chest. Schezo risked being hit by holding her like this against her will, but after a moment he could feel the strength and tension melt from her body. She almost seemed to go limp, but not quite. It seemed she had given up trying to run. She would not, however, meet Schezo's eyes. Not only was her head turned away from Schezo, but her eyes were closed as she tried in vain to hide the steady stream of tears leaking from them. Her face was a mess. Raffine was quiet as Schezo spoke, seemingly listening or perhaps taking the moment to regain her composure. She was tempted to point out exactly what Schezo had done, but her mood didn't allow her to. "...I don't want you to see me this way or that..." Raffine replied ever so softly, choosing her words very carefully because of how difficult it was to speak at that precise moment. It seemed she'd deigned to admit it was a matter of pride on her part.