Welcome back to the Xenoblade Heart to Hearts series! Last time, we wrapped up Melia's chats in her hometown of Alcamoth. This time, we're bringing back someone we haven't heard from in some time. The Hero of Sword Valley, Dunban! So let's not waste a minute! Here we go!

Heart to Heart 65: When War Is Over

Participants: Spyro and Dunban

Location: Melfica Road

Affinity: Pink

Introduction

Spyro: Dunban? Are you around here somewhere?

Dunban: Right here, Spyro. What's up?

Spyro: Just wanted to talk to you about something.

Dunban: Well, I'm all ears.

Spyro: Then I guess I'll just be direct. How did you do it?

Pass/Pass

Dunban: How did I do what?

Spyro: After Sword Valley, how'd you just... go back to being a civilian?

Dunban: That's... a really out of left field question. What's got this on your mind?

Spyro: I guess I just had a peaceful moment to think about it, finally.

Dunban: Good point, you were just a kid when you were dragged into your war against Malefor.

Spyro: And seen so much that I wouldn't wish on anyone. So how do you just come back from that?

Dunban: To be honest... I really didn't. Physically yes, I came back. But mentally, I was someone different. It's really not a matter of "coming back", it's really accepting your new reality. You'll never be who you were again, you've just got to accept who you now are.

Spyro: I... never thought about it that way before.

Dunban: It may not make sense now, but you'll see what I mean eventually.

(Net Affinity: +10)

Pass/Fail

Dunban: How did I do what?

Spyro: After Sword Valley, how'd you just... go back to being a civilian?

Dunban: That's... a really out of left field question. What's got this on your mind?

Spyro: I guess I just had a peaceful moment to think about it, finally.

Dunban: Good point, you were just a kid when you were dragged into your war against Malefor.

Spyro: And seen so much that I wouldn't wish on anyone. So how do you just come back from that?

Dunban: You don't.

Spyro: Huh?

Dunban: War changes people. The you that goes into war never comes back. What you need to do is welcome the you that comes back, with all their scars, physical and mental.

Spyro: I... guess that makes sense.

Dunban: It will in time.

(Net Affinity: 0)

Fail/Pass

Dunban: What on Bionis are you talking about?

Spyro: I didn't think I'd have to spell this out for a former soldier. After what happened in Sword Valley, how did you just return to being a civilian?

Dunban: Oh, that transition. That's... a tricky subject.

Spyro: Tricky how?

Dunban: Well... while you may come back physically, I don't think you do mentally.

Spyro: You've lost me.

Dunban: I'm assuming you mean how do you go back to the mindset you had before the war. And the short answer is that you don't. You just have to get used to a new one. And that process can take a while. Sword Valley nearly broke me, physically and mentally. It took years to get to where I am now, and I wouldn't say I'm the same person I was before my first battle.

Spyro: Okay? I think I get it.

Dunban: You will with time.

(Net Affinity: 0)

Fail/Fail

Dunban: What on Bionis are you talking about?

Spyro: I didn't think I'd have to spell this out for a former soldier. After what happened in Sword Valley, how did you just return to being a civilian?

Dunban: Oh, that transition. That's... a tricky subject.

Spyro: Tricky how?

Dunban: It's not particularly easy to spell out. Mostly because I'm still working on it myself.

Spyro: To be honest, I probably should have thought about that before asking him. Really?

Dunban: Yeah, it's not something that just happens. I'm not sure it really ever happens.

Spyro: That really doesn't answer anything. I guess that makes sense.

Dunban: Still, I wouldn't burden yourself with stuff like that for now. We're still in the middle of the mission.

Spyro: Good point.

(Net Affinity: -10)

And that looks like a good spot to wrap up for now. Yes, I know this sounds like a conversation Cynder would have. But I feel like in knowing that she has some form of PTSD from what she experienced, we forget that Spyro went through the same war. He probably has some degree of PTSD as well, maybe not to the same degree as Cynder but he still probably does. So being someone who's completely naive to the horrors of war, it seems like a question Spyro would ask. Cynder would probably realize she's not the same person who went into this a lot sooner than he would. Anyways, how do Cynder and Dunban interact here in Alcamoth? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!