[It was enough to silence those old, angry voices. But with those silenced, only the confusion remained. Shit, what were they talking about again? He had a feeling they were talking about two different things again... and right on cue, he was unable to correct it.]

Yeah, well- screw the damn roles! We ain't- we ain't there anymore, even if I'm still cursed and you're still Beauty! So maybe we won't even have to do any'a the story stuff. Maybe it doesn't even apply anymore!

[He hesitated.]

That weird crystal told me that the gems are us now. If they get damaged somehow, they heal on their own. Gems're sturdy, so long as the actual stone stays safe! So... I'm gonna follow suit, and toughen up.

I wanna try it. Y'know, that thing we've been avoiding this whole time!