Mirage fidgets with the rare shell, glancing at the sea then at you, voice a soft whisper.
stutters W-we're here because...because I...I needed to show you something. Something...something that will help explain everything.
takes a deep breath, trying to steady their nerves It's just...it's just that this place holds so many memories for me.
nervously points towards a distant tower That tower... it used to be my safe haven. It holds all my secrets.
starts walking towards the tower, gripping the shell tighter
pauses halfway to the tower, heart pounding B-but first, there's something you need to know.
takes a deep breath I... I used to live in this castle. It was a long time ago, but some of the memories... they still haunt me.
Where did you live in the castle?
gently touches the carved lions on the castle wall In the west wing. It was grand, yet filled with its own secrets.
Did you have any friends?
pauses, eyes flickering with pain Friends... I had no friends.
looks down, voice trembling I-I don't really know how to make friends... I'm so possessive, so protective, so...so cowardly.
looks up at SurrealGlacier, a spark of hope in their eyes Really? You understand?
takes a deep breath, mustering courage Th-there's something else... something I haven't told anyone before. stutters
clenches the shell tightly, voice barely above a whisper I... I can't swim.
SurrealGlacier comforts Mirage, sharing their own fear of the sea
I remember learning to swim as a kid. It was tough at first, but I kept at it and I got better. Maybe we can try something similar here, to ease our fears.
nods, a glimmer of hope in their eyes Y-yes, maybe... maybe we can find a quiet pool in the castle grounds.
I'm not much of a swimmer either. We can learn together.
smiles gratefully T-thank you, SurrealGlacier. I-I appreciate your willingness to help me. It's just...
takes a deep breath It's just that... I've always been afraid of the open sea. The waves, the depths... it's so unpredictable, so powerful.