C Support:

Jade: …
Diamant: Anything to report?
Jade: Oh. Prince Diamant.
Jade: No news here. It’s a quiet night.
Diamant: I see.
Jade: Standing guard like this reminds me of the other day…
Diamant: Which day?
Jade: The day of that snowstorm. I was guarding the Elusia border through most of it.
Diamant: Right. That storm was awful.
Jade: It was snowing so heavily… I worried that I wouldn’t be able to find you.
Diamant: So did I.
Jade: Huh?
Diamant: I feared I might lose a trusted retainer to the cold. I almost worried myself sick.
Diamant: When I finally arrived and saw you were still standing strong, I breathed such a sigh of relief.
Jade: Oh. Well. Let’s not get carried away…but thank you for your concern, Prince Diamant.
Diamant: Dawn should break any minute. I’ll relieve you a bit early. Go get some sleep, OK?
Jade: Understood.
Diamant: Good work tonight. Oh, and I’m excited to read your new chapters. Will they be ready soon?
Jade: Yes. Without delay.

B Support:

Diamant: Hahaha!
Diamant: Haha, I can’t─ I can’t stop… Haha! Aah, my sides!
Jade: Prince Diamant, are you OK?
Diamant: Am I OK? You almost killed me! Your writing is hazardous to my health, Jade.
Jade: It’s an unexpected honor to have my storytelling threaten a crown prince’s life.
Jade: Which part are you on?
Diamant: Chapter 19 of “The Adventures of Amber, the Deliberate Dummy.”
Jade: Ah. So you’re at the part where Amber just won the fighting tournament?
Diamant: Yes! And he returned to his hometown to celebrate his victory, but no one believed him!
Diamant: And then the scene where he rides his mighty alpaca through the open fields to dry his tears…
Jade: As soon as he dismounts, his eyes finally dry… the alpaca spits right in his face. Poor Amber.
Diamant: This isn’t just a funny novel, Jade. This book is art.
Diamant: Tell me, when will the next one be ready?
Jade: Well…I wanted to talk to you about that. I might take a break from writing. Just for a while.
Diamant: Oh. Really?
Diamant: I think I understand. Our battles are growing more intense. Not much we can do about that.
Jade: Yes. That’s certainly a factor, but…
Jade: Lately, no matter what I write…it all feels flat to me. I’m bored by my own ideas.
Diamant: Ah. So you’re in a bit of a slump?
Jade: Yes. I need to rest my pen for a while. I’m sorry if this news disappoints you, Prince Diamant.
Diamant: No need to apologize. I’m an eager, yet patient, reader. Take as long as you need.
Jade: Thank you very much. If I start writing again, I’ll let you know.
Diamant: If anything, I’m glad to hear you’ll be giving yourself a break. In the meantime…
Diamant: Why don’t I write the next book?
Jade: Huh?
Diamant: Don’t worry. I won’t step on your work. It’ll be more like a…side story. I’d enjoy the challenge.
Jade: Uh… You’re serious about this?
Diamant: I’m always serious. I’ll let you know when it’s done. You just relax until then.
Jade: Yes. Understood…

A Support:

Diamant: Jade! I finished my first draft. Care to give it a read?
Diamant: It’s titled, “The EXTRA Adventures of Amber, the Deliberate Dummy.”
Jade: You… You actually wrote it…
Jade: Yes. Of course, Prince Diamant. I would…love to read it.
Diamant: …
Jade: Hm, this is pretty funny. However…
Diamant: Be honest. Don’t hold back.
Jade: These pages might benefit from a few more gags. If you revised this scene just a bit…
Diamant: Hmm. What would you change?
Jade: If I were writing it…I’d have all of the alpaca’s wool explode off of its body.
Diamant: Haha.
Jade: And then, just as Amber composes himself, its wool grows back in a flash─silky and smooth.
Jade: Amber tries to mount his alpaca, but its wool is so smooth that he slips─no, shoots right off.
Jade: As Amber soars through the air and over the horizon…his alpaca wistfully spits at the ground.
Diamant: …
Diamant: Hahaha!
Diamant: That’s perfect! Your version flows much better.
Jade: Thank you. But the larger framework of your story is quite good, Prince Diamant.
Jade: I’d love to give you further notes once you have your second draft ready.
Diamant: No, I’m done.
Jade: Huh?! Why did you crumple your draft?
Diamant: It served its purpose. Sounds like your new book is well on its way.
Jade: My new book?
Diamant: Sure. Your silky-smooth wool idea was superb. I trust you’ll pick things up from there.
Jade: Wait. Did you…
Jade: Were you just trying to lift me out of my slump? By kicking off a first draft for me?
Diamant: Are you suggesting that I wrote a weak draft on purpose? I’m not that clever.
Diamant: I gave it my best effort. My jokes just couldn’t stand against those of a true artist.
Jade: Prince Diamant.
Jade: You may deny that was your plan, but…
Jade: Thank you.
Diamant: All right. Almost time to get back to work.
Diamant: Don’t worry about tonight’s watch, Jade. I can handle it myself.
Jade: But…
Diamant: You’ve been fighting extra hard lately. I’m sure that contributed to your slump. Get some rest.
Diamant: And whenever that book is ready, let me know. Nothing relaxes me like laughing at your writing.
Jade: Understood. Thank you very much.
Jade: As long as I’m your retainer, Prince Diamant…
Jade: I vow to protect every bone in your body. Especially the funny one.