Somewhere in the Castle of Illusion, Dianthus and Aria are working together, discussing plans for the future as their progress moves further along.
"I'll be lucky to see it happen in my lifetime. There's still a lot of work that has to be done. If only I were an omen, too." Aria stretches, speaking again before the response she expects from Dianthus. "You don't have to say it. I'm not being serious. That just means I'll have to push twice as hard for results."
Dianthus stays silent. It's not uncommon for her to take a moment to prepare the most appropriate response, but this time it was different. The topic Aria brings up of the human's lifespans strikes an odd cord with her, one that forms a strange noise in her. Dianthus can't help but feel this heavy sensation in her.
"Dianthus?" Aria says, waving her hand in front of the omen.
Her head moves slightly, a small jolt as she stares at Aria. "I'm sorry. Something—no, don't worry about me. I assure you that we will continue working even after you pass. That is our purpose as omens, after all."
"You were thinking about something. Spit it out." Aria says, folding her arms with an annoyed look.
"That is unnecessary. My thoughts are not important to the discussion at hand," Dianthus says.
"The fact that you were thinking about something other than that is what worries me, so tell me." Aria's arms don't budge for a moment, her eyes like trackers stuck to Dianthus.
Moments pass as Dianthus contemplates her choices, before sighing at Aria's stubbornness. "If I must. Your comment on mortality is what caused it, that is all. Humans have a limited life compared to us omen."
Fear, is that what she feels? It doesn't make sense. Dianthus can't die by natural means like humans, so why would it scare her? Why would it?
"Aria. May I pause our discussion?" Dianthus asks.
"What? I mean, sure, why?"
Dianthus freezes in place, that noise leaving her unable to answer. "Please, do not inquire further. There is something I need to do."
Aria's eyes widen for a moment, unsure of what exactly the omen planned to do, but even she could see it wasn't her place to theorize. "Why don't you take the rest of the day off? I'll ask Nivalis to help me instead."
"That-" Dianthus cuts herself off as she tries to push back. "Thank you, Aria." She says before rushing out of the room.
The situation had left her so flustered that she forgot to take the airship, running all the way from the Castle of Illusion to Bird's Eye Brae. She hears the sound of grunting as she finds Ein tending to their farm, a smile on their face as usual. Dianthus was speechless seeing them, that feeling of dread washing away as the human entered their vision.
"Didi?" Ein finally sees her as they look up, having finished their work for the day. "What'd I do to get a lovely lady like yourself to come down here?"
"I-" Dianthus didn't want to push their worries onto Ein. It wouldn't be fair when they're the one who has to worry about their death, not her. "I wanted to visit, that's all. I'm sorry for the intrusion."
"Didi, you never to apologize for bothering me." They step closer to the omen, giving her a playful wink. "In fact, you should do it more often."
"You've made that clear. Am I not interrupting your job?" Dianthus has gotten used to the way Ein asks around her, knowing how much they care is a strange feeling, but not one she dislikes.
"Let's see." Ein's eyes trace around Bird's Eye Brae. "I did everything I need to here, but there are some things I need to deliver. Cres needed the usual stuff, and Emo's throat's been feeling sore, so Cres got some medicine for that, too. Wanna join?"
"Join?" She thinks for a moment they could take the airship, but then she remembers what happened before. "That would only slow you down. I forgot to take the airship here."
"And? I'll just show you the fastest routes. It'll be fun!" Ein takes Dianthus's hand. "You'll have to stay close. I hope you don't mind." For a moment, Ein stares at the omens hand, a certain soft look in their eyes.
Dianthus hadn't even realized, but that dreadful noise had completely vanished at this point as she stares at their hands. Something about this, the farm, Ein's home, it felt right.
"I would like that. Please take care of me, Ein." Dianthus says.
Ein's face flares up for a moment before they clear their throat. "O-Okay! Let's get a move on, then!" They say, before immediately running inside their house, coming back out with their deliveries. "Almost forgot the stuff, oh wow. Now we can move." They take Dianthus's hand again before leaving Bird's Eye Brae.
The two get more than a few smiling faces at Lethe as Ein drags Dianthus along. Neither hand leaving the other's for even a moment. Ein knocks on Cres's door at a rapid-fire pace before it swings open.
"Ein. You don't have to knock like that." Cres looks over at Dianthus. "Oh, that's a surprise. Ein must've dragged you along with them." She looks down at their hands. "Literally."
"I was with Ein, so they offered me to join them. If that is a problem, I have no issue with leaving." Dianthus says.
"Hey, hey! Cres never said that, right?" Ein says, their eyes looking over at Cres with a pleading look.
"Didn't even wait for me to answer…" Cres says. "I was just pointing it out, though. It's really not a surprise anymore."
"Is it not?" Dianthus's helmet tilts.
Has her routine changed so much to where even others could notice? Nivalis and Aria have noted it before, but they work in close proximity. It's rare that she needs to visit Lethe's doctor, for even her to notice this pattern is strange.
"Not anymore, but it doesn't matter." Cres walks back to her work space inside, looking around for something. "Ein?"
"What is it?" They let go of Dianthus's hand momentarily to walk over. "I brought what you needed. Do you have Emo's medicine?"
"That's what I was looking for. It should be upstairs in a small bag. Everything she needs is there with a note on how to take it." She takes her delivery from Ein. "And thanks again, for always doing this."
"Come on, we're friends! You know I'd do anything for you." Ein says, looking at Dianthus as they walk up the steps. "We'll head back out in just a second, sorry."
"Do not apologize." Dianthus says back.
With the two now alone, away from Ein, Dianthus can't push away the urge to ask Cres about the issues she is having. She isn't a human, but these feelings have to do with the heart, don't they? Despite omens not having them, they can clearly develop similar feelings and emotions. After a long silence, the omen speaks up.
"You've studied how the human body functions, correct?" Dianthus asks.
"Would you trust my medicine if I hadn't?" Cres says before laughing at Dianthus's blank stare. "I'm kidding, of course I have. Is there something you needed to know?"
"It is hard to explain." Dianthus says. "What does it mean when something in your body feels…correct?"
Cres thinks to herself for a moment, trying to find any worthwhile answer. "Could you be specific? I'm not sure what you want help with."
"I'm sorry. These feelings have confused me for a long time, but I feel as if I'm coming to a point where I may finally understand them." Dianthus says. "We are designed to work towards a better future for humanity, to watch over them until our job is complete. That is the path intended for us, and I believe it is the correct choice. Yet something has been driving me away from that cause."
"It's not necessarily in my field, but…" Cres pauses, wanting to be delicate and understanding in how she approaches this topic. "Sometimes, what we know is correct isn't always right. Which sounds silly, but it's true. If I can ask, was there something specific that made you feel like this?"
"It would be hard to pinpoint exactly, but there was one event." Dianthus says, recalling not long ago when she was standing in Bird's Eye Brae. "Outside of Ein's home, they had taken my hand as to not lose track of me on our way here. Ein's presence, being in front of their home, holding their hand, it meant something."
Cres smiles at the omen, already having come to her own conclusion. "I can't say for sure what it is, but maybe you could think about it like this. Would you rather chase after what's correct, or follow what you believe is right?"
"Are those not the same?" Dianthus says, being interrupted before she can continue further.
Dianthus recalls telling Ein something similar, how humans have the ability to resist what is correct. But those are humans. She is an omen. Though, with all the changes that have happened to her, is it possible she's developed the same ability?
"I found it!" Ein shouts as they hop down the steps. "What were you talking about?"
"Nothing. I was just giving Dianthus some advice." Cres gives the omen a wink, who responds with a grateful nod.
"Oh, that's good. Cres is really smart." Ein says, opening the pouch in their hand to check what's inside. "Yep, this should be it. Ready to go?"
Dianthus nods, walking to the door as she looks at Cres. "I don't understand your answer, but I will try. Thank you."
Ein stretches as the two step outside. "I should ask Dim if he can clean the room up there. It was a mess. Cres must be working herself too hard again."
Dianthus simply stares at them for a moment. Hearing them talk, that kind desire to help those around them, doing these minor tasks alongside them. It all feels right. It's not just that it feels correct, it almost feels like she wants this.
"Didi? All this socializing isn't too much for you, is it?" Ein asks, snapping Dianthus back to reality.
"I have no trouble with social activities. Do not worry about me." She says.
"I'm always gonna worry about my friends. Why do you think I bug Aria so much?" Ein says with a light chuckle. "And I'm not sure. Sometimes I feel you'd enjoy the quiet farm life. All that thinking's gonna fry your brain."
"We do not have brains, and thinking would not 'fry' them." Dianthus says, there's an uncharacteristic hint of amusement in their voice. "I doubt I would be much use to a farm. From what I have seen watching you, I've observed that it takes a certain 'green thumb' to be efficient at."
"Oh, right. Guess I'm just that amazing, huh?" Instead of the usual light-hearted banter from Ein, their gleeful nature fades as their head lowers. "Emo's probably waiting, so we should hurry." Hoping for the other to take her hand again, Dianthus watches Ein almost leave her behind before turning around. "Sorry. Are you coming?"
Did she say something wrong? Even she could notice that something had changed with Ein, but she couldn't figure out what caused it. She was just saying what was correct. Omen do not have what humans call brains, and she doesn't believe she would be efficient with farm work. But, if she had known saying that could've hurt Ein, she would've stopped herself. How is she supposed to approach this?
"Yes. We should not make her wait." Dianthus says, catching with Ein, keeping her worries to herself.
The strange atmosphere continues into Shatolla, Ein hurrying to the tavern. Without Emo's song, the tavern feels just as awkward and lifeless. There are some guests, but it's much emptier than usual.
"Ein, I figured we could trust you." The bartender says as Ein walks over. "Was your friend able to help?"
They set the pouch on the counter. "Yep. She said there's a note inside that says what to do."
He lets out a sigh of relief. "We owe you once again. I'll take this to Emo right away."
"Excuse me." Dianthus interjects. "If you'd allow it, I could bring it to her. There was something I wanted to ask her."
"You're…?" It takes him a moment. Dianthus has only visited a couple times before, but it's enough for it to click. "Their omen friend, let me ask her." He steps away from the counter, walking to the room at the far left of the tavern, coming back soon after. "Emo said she would be happy to see you, but please keep it light."
"Of course. I don't want to irritate her illness." Dianthus turns to Ein. "Talking to Emo has always made you smile. Would you like to join?"
"What?" Ein looks a bit confused before a fraction of their usual cheery smile returns. "No, I'm fine. I wanted to talk to the bartender, anyway. Just tell me how she's feeling, alright?"
Dianthus nods before leaving Ein to converse with the man behind the counter. She steps inside the Emo's room to see the siren sitting up, like she was waiting for the omen.
"Dianthus, it's so nice to see you," Emo says with a crackle in her voice as she coughs. "I'm sorry for this. It's a little hard to speak right now."
"Do not apologize. It was selfish of me to ask when you're in this state." Dianthus says. "But there was something I need you to answer. I thought someone who understands the heart like you, even if it's through song, could understand."
"Really, me?" Emo asks. "I'll try my best to answer. It must be important if you had to ask me, and you're a friend."
"Thank you. Your input is invaluable to my research." Dianthus says. "Something occurred recently that has…affected my work. I've become used to changes in myself, my heart, as Ein would say, but this was different."
"Maybe you have butterflies in your stomach?" Emo says, giggling at her own joke. "I'm sorry. Heine says funny things sometimes. Do you know why it felt different?"
"Butterflies?" Dianthus's head tilts slightly. Even with the omens vast knowledge of humanity, their phrases still confuse her. "I have some idea. The changes in myself, though sometimes they put a temporary halt to my work, have never changed my desire to support humanity's preservation."
"You don't? Did we do something to upset you? I'm sorry…" Emo says.
"No, never believe that. My experiences with humans have only shown me more reason to further our work." Dianthus says. "That is what confuses me. I want to help your people, but it feels like I will miss something crucial to my 'heart' if I do so."
"If it feels right for you, I think you should do it." Emo says. "I remember when we stopped Lorelei, it felt wrong, but I wanted to stay with everyone in Shatolla and keep singing for them. Even though I felt so selfish about it after what my mother had done, despite how sure I was that they would reject me, no one did. They accepted me like nothing had happened."
"That is what I want to understand," Dianthus says. "Humans have the power to persevere despite doubt from themselves or others. That is not a power we omens have."
"Are you sure?" Emo tilts her head in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Dianthus asks.
"I'm not sure I know all the details, but you were the one who stood up to Geist first, right?" Emo asks, getting a nod from Dianthus. "And you had others agree with you. Isn't that the same as what we do?"
"I think I understand, but Geist was mad. It was not the same as your heart's going against what is believed to be correct." Dianthus says.
"Um, well…" Emo tries to think, but it looks like her head is going to pop. "I'm sorry. I'm not good at this. It just seems similar to me, you chose to believe that we should live, even though Geist and other omens were against you."
"Do not apologize. I am the one who is inadequate for these discussions." Dianthus says. "You are sick. Please rest."
"But I never get to see you." Emo pouts. "Maybe Ein could help? They always know what to say when it comes to hearts, even if they're a little silly."
"I have considered it, yes. Maybe it is time I stop avoiding the inevitable." Dianthus says, leaving the room to let Emo rest.
"I just don't know how to ask her…" Ein had their elbows on the bar, head slouching into their hands as they talk to the bartender, turning as they hear Dianthus approach. "Ah, Didi! Is Emo okay?"
"Her voice sounded worse than it normally does, but she seemed healthy otherwise." Dianthus says. "I assume this ends our trip together, Ein?"
"I guess it does, but there was one more place I wanted to visit. That wouldn't be too much, would it?" Ein asks, an uncharacteristic amount of worry in their voice.
"Of course not. You have no reason to worry, Ein." Dianthus says. "And if I said something to upset you earlier, it was not my intention to have that effect. I'm sorry."
"What?" Ein panics a little, waving their arms to reassure Dianthus. "No, no, no! I was just kidding about the farm stuff. It was just a joke."
"Oh." Dianthus says.
She wanted to say more, but for some reason, the idea that Ein was simply joking about her living on a farm…hurt? It was true, or at least she thought it was. Omens surely had the knowledge to take care of a farm, but they already had their purpose. Except they've proven time and time again that omens were not as simple as only existing for a singular purpose, so why was it so confusing to her?
"Didi?" Ein says. "You went silent for a bit there, everything alright?"
"Yes." She stared at Ein. What was it about them that left her so divided in her purpose? It was always them that caused these noises to build up in her. "Where else did you need to go?"
"Just follow me. It'll take a bit to get there," Ein says, already leaving the tavern.
"If I chose to follow these thoughts, is this what life would be like?" Dianthus asks herself, looking at the bartender. "Thank you for allowing me to speak with Emo. She should recover within time."
"If you want to repay me, visit more often. She likes visitors." He says.
"If I am available, I will consider it." Dianthus says, walking to catch up with Ein.
The two walk for a while back the way they had come, continuing past Lethe and the Bird's Eye Brae to a place very familiar to both. A forest filled with orange, red, and yellow leaves in a perpetual state of what humans call "fall."
"Higan Canyon?" Dianthus says as the two stand in the same spot they met. "Why here?"
"Huh? Well, I just felt like reminiscing a bit, that's all. Is that weird?" Though they said it in their usual cheery tone, Dianthus couldn't help but feel that same tinge of worry.
"Not at all." Dianthus looks around. Not much seems to have changed since then. "It is normal for you humans to think back on times they remember fondly."
Ein's voice gets quieter as they fiddle with their thumbs. "What about you? Do you…?"
"Have fond memories of that time? I do not know, the concept of memory to me is like any other form of storage." Dianthus says, slowly turning to look at Ein. "Though, the information I gathered that day was valuable. I met a strange human that day. They helped and trusted me without a moment of doubt, despite the many rumors that had formed around omens."
"That wasn't anything special. You looked hurt, and I wanted to help. Anyone would've done that." Ein says, keeping their eyes away from Dianthus as they contemplate something.
"Of course that's your answer," Dianthus says, interrupting Ein as they open their mouth. "Before you speak again, I'd like to walk to where our time together here ended. Is that acceptable?"
"Really? Sure, I don't mind." Ein says, looking up to Dianthus with a slightly forced smile. "Let's just try to avoid any monsters. Don't want to head home too late, yeah?"
Dianthus nods and the two walk further into Higan Canyon. The forest stretches for a long while and they reminisce on how they met Unicorn, as well as their later encounter with Hydolanzer as they approach the seaslight.
"It's been a while since then, and you said that would be the last time we'd see each other." Ein says with nervous laughter.
"With what I know now, it was silly to think we would never re-encounter one another." Dianthus's gaze doesn't move from the seaslight, leaving their back to Ein. "I've wondered if I even wanted those words to be true."
"Like, maybe you wanted to see me again?" Ein asks. "If it makes it any easier, I always hoped that it wouldn't be the last time."
"That is comforting." Dianthus says, stepping forward to put their hand on the seaslight. "Could I speak from the heart for a moment? As an omen, it is not something I should be capable of, but I'd like to try."
"Didi…" Ein stares at the other for a moment, a flustered grin covering their face. "Go ahead, I'll listen."
"Thank you." Dianthus says, their body left frozen in place, staring at the seaslight. "You mean something to me, Ein. I don't understand what, but your place here is something I cherish." Dianthus thinks back to something Aria said.
I'll be lucky to see it happen in my lifetime.
"So that's it." Dianthus says, feeling silly for not having noticed it before. "I think this is what humans refer to as 'fear,' isn't it?"
"Fear?" Ein gets closer to Dianthus, a worried look on their face. "Hold on, what's scaring you? You're getting me all worried now."
"Humans can only live for so long, but us omen have no such limitation. That is what scares me." Dianthus says, her hand balling up against the seaslight. "There will come a day where you will pass. This person who could understand me more than even I can. You, who believed a heart existed within me, would no long look at it. That day will come, and it scares me."
"Dianthus…" Ein says. Dianthus's hand shakes slightly at the sound of her full name. "You know I'll always be here until then. I'm not going anywhere for a while."
"That is not enough." Dianthus says, the always-present flat tone of voice breaking. "I will dedicate my existence to creating a world where humans can thrive, but until the day you pass, I want to spend it with you."
There's only silence between them as a desire to take back those words fills Dianthus. It was selfish of her to say any of this. She was the one who would keep living, not Ein. They're the one who decide how they spend their life, not her.
"Do you really mean that?" Ein asks, a surprising shake in their voice. "Even if I won't be here forever?"
Dianthus turns around to see Ein holding up a ring, their hand shaking as a tear runs down their face. "This is…?"
"It means—it means I want to stay with you." Ein says, trying to hold back the rest of their tears. "I know I won't live forever, and I know you'll eventually forget I ever existed. But for however long I have, I want to spend the rest of these days with you. I want to teach you how to farm. I want to watch you cook and eat together. I want to fall asleep next to you. There are so many things I want to do with you, so could you accept this ring?"
There is no correct answer to the question. There isn't a logical way to think about it. Yet, there's never been a clearer answer. Dianthus holds the ring along with Ein's hand, embracing them. She looks down at them, letting her heart move as her head leans down, meeting Ein's lips in a kiss.
"Even if I forget everything, my memories of you will always remain. That is what I believe," Dianthus says.
"Then I'll try to live for as long as possible. Just don't let yourself get lonely when I'm gone, okay?" Ein asks, letting themself get lost in Dianthus's embrace.
"I'm sure Nivalis will always keep me company." Dianthus says. There's only one more thing for them to say. Words that Dianthus never thought she would hear, let alone say.
As Ein slips the ring on her finger, they smile. "I love you, Dianthus."
"And I love you, Ein."
AN: I tried my best to write this type of development for Dianthus while not taking away how she had already developed within the story, which wasn't too easy for me, but I hope it came out alright.
