You're a Mentor now, aren't you? You'll be busy training that one....
[Cinnabar's English pronunciation is as sharp and meticulous as their Dreamer uniform. They incline their head towards Mantle, letting crimson hair fall over their face so they don't have to make eye contact, but the floating amoebas of mercury surrounding them pulsate anxiously and betray some of their unease.]
...so you'll need extra backup if you're venturing into an unknown region, obviously. Don't get careless now that you have a little bit of experience, Hanako.
[It's a sensible justification that does nothing to explain why Cinnabar is there right now, of course, but they hope that Hanako won't think too long on that. The truth is enough to bring an almost imperceptible flush of color to Cinnabar's pale face: they were worried about him.
The last time they'd gone on an Excursion together, back when Hanako was still relatively new to the Dream Sphere, they only encountered mid-level enemies... but Cinnabar was so unaccustomed to fighting alonside other Dreamers that they'd accidentally covered their own student in toxic mercury. It had taken all their strength to drag Hanako to safety, but all their strength simply wasn't enough to reverse the effects of the poison. That was when Cinnabar had sworn off mentorship for good. At least now they had a chance to do something worthy of a mentor, and make sure that their former student's first time leading an Excursion went as smoothly as possible.]
no subject
[Cinnabar's English pronunciation is as sharp and meticulous as their Dreamer uniform. They incline their head towards Mantle, letting crimson hair fall over their face so they don't have to make eye contact, but the floating amoebas of mercury surrounding them pulsate anxiously and betray some of their unease.]
...so you'll need extra backup if you're venturing into an unknown region, obviously. Don't get careless now that you have a little bit of experience, Hanako.
[It's a sensible justification that does nothing to explain why Cinnabar is there right now, of course, but they hope that Hanako won't think too long on that. The truth is enough to bring an almost imperceptible flush of color to Cinnabar's pale face: they were worried about him.
The last time they'd gone on an Excursion together, back when Hanako was still relatively new to the Dream Sphere, they only encountered mid-level enemies... but Cinnabar was so unaccustomed to fighting alonside other Dreamers that they'd accidentally covered their own student in toxic mercury. It had taken all their strength to drag Hanako to safety, but all their strength simply wasn't enough to reverse the effects of the poison. That was when Cinnabar had sworn off mentorship for good. At least now they had a chance to do something worthy of a mentor, and make sure that their former student's first time leading an Excursion went as smoothly as possible.]
Besides, I'm acquainted with Mantle.