[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/UnbEOOT.png[/img][/center]


[hr]
Ennui's brow furrowed as she observed the defenders retreating toward the square.


[color=a2d39c]”This… can’t be good.”[/color]she remarked with a tinge of concern, casting a worried glance at Quincy. [color=a2d39c]”Perhaps… now would be a good time to leave Quincy.”[/color]


Quincy responded with a thoughtful hum, uncertainty lingering in the air. [color=a187be]"But… if we leave now… my new friends… Orion… Lunella…"[/color] 


[color=a2d39c]”You can’t help them Quincy.”[/color] Ennui said firmly. 


[color=a187be]"No!"[/color] Quincy insisted, a spark of determination in his eyes. [color=a187be]"I can help them. If I give them a dream of singing raindrops, it might bolster morale and-"[/color]  


[color=a2d39c]”Quincy. You can’t help anyone.”[/color] Ennui stated, cutting him off. [color=a2d39c]”You aren’t equipped to-”[/color]


[color=a187be]"I can help!"[/color] Quincy interjected. [color=a187be]"I-I must help! I can be more than a never-ending circus!"[/color]


Ennui fell into a prolonged silence, Quincy's words tugging at her heartstrings. [color=a2d39c]”Quincy.”[/color] she said in a hesitant, quiet voice, [color=a2d39c]”The last time you were ever helpful to anyone, was the time you saved a little girl’s life from the nightmarish fiend in the marshes… A life already shattered and broken… The event that led to the creation of me.”[/color]


Quincy frowned, blurred images flickering through his mind, elusive memories slipping away like sand. His hand went to his forehead, a pained expression on his face.


Ennui placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her eyes filled with sorrow. [color=a2d39c]”Please.”[/color] She whispered. [color=a2d39c]”Remember.”[/color]


Her visage seemed to blur, her hand merging into Quincy as if trying to converge with him.


[color=a187be]”No...”[/color] Quincy protested as he collapsed to his knees. [color=a187be]”I can’t… I won’t!”[/color]


Ennui’s image returned to its clear and distinct form. She cast upon him a look laden with both sorrow and comprehension.


Head buried in his knees, Quincy’s voice came out as a whimpering muffle. [color=a187be]”I’m sorry Elina… I’m… so, so sorry.”[/color]


[hr]
After a minute, Quincy regained his composure. By then the defender had begun to regroup and create a defensive posture around the central square of Nexustead. 


Despite Ennui’s continued prodding, his refusal to leave persisted. Running up to a nearby defender, he grabbed their arm. [color=a187be]”Did my idea work? Did hugging the Abyssal Creatures help at all?”[/color] 


By now, it was clear that Quincy’s momentary lucidity had worn away and he was back to his usual self.


The defender gave him an odd look before shaking him off. “They are of the Abyss, you fool. Hugging them is a sure way to get corrupted.”


[color=a187be]”But did it work?”[/color]


“... No?”


No? The answer was no? How could that have not worked? Sometimes the only thing Quincy ever wanted was a hug!


Quincy collapsed to his knees, utterly dejected. What could he do to help his new friends if giving the enemy hugs didn't solve the problem?


[color=a2d39c]”Quincy,”[/color] Ennui began hesitantly, [color=a2d39c]”If you insist on staying, then perhaps it would be wise to regroup with the others. Perhaps we can strategize from there.”[/color]


With a solemn nod, Quincy abandoned the soldier and made his way to the center of the square.