isleofavalon | [open] Distant light, memory, Dark Shadow that swallowed me

[ 1,000,000G. Gaia has no idea what that would amount to in gil, but it certainly seems like a nice enough amount. Nice enough that despite how suspicious some aspects of Morganna's quest sounded, she found herself agreeing. After all, she thought at the time, it should be easy enough: fetch more of the same crystals she already gathered once, and then sneak an unknown substance into an old man's food. Perhaps there are those who would turn down such a quest upon simply hearing it... but as much as she would never confess to it, between her lack of memories, and her upbringing as a free citizen of Eulmore, the girl has a certain level of naiveté.

Not to mention that she is still quite new to Camelot. Were they not brought here to save its people and their own? Surely whatever Morganna has planned cannot be too problematic...

And yet, right now? In this exact moment, faced with an old man who seems kindly enough? The doubts begin to surface. As he shuffles across his small dwelling to fetch drinks for his guests, Gaia looks sidelong at her blue-haired companion and the vial in her hand, one that matches the one she herself carries. Her voice, when she speaks, is quiet, but firm: ]

We cannot do this.

Edited 2021-02-12 14:53 (UTC)

[Morganna...she was definitely someone that Caster wished to learn more about. Perhaps learn from, perhaps make an ally, perhaps simply avoid. So, when she was requested to carry out this rather grim task, she readily accepted.

The fact that it would give her the money to move out of the library and get a small place of her own was a nice afterthought.

Of course she'd be the one asked. She'd done similar things whilst she was alive, worse, even - so this would prove a simple matter. Morganna had clearly realised that. That she was a witch capable of unspeakable evil already... but she couldn't be sure of her companion for this mission. Was she the same as her, or not?

Either way, Caster was fully committed to the task, even as she watched the old man shuffling around his place. She'd taken down the hood of her cloak so she would at least look slightly less suspicious, so Gaia would be able to see her raise an eyebrow at the comment. Quiet, and a little cold, she replied: ]

...Of course we can. We just need to be patient.

[She turned her eyes back to the man, wondering when the best moment would be for them to make their move.]

[ From Caster's words, Gaia understands quickly that her own have been misunderstood. And surely it should be easy, with so much gold at stake, to just accept what the other is saying as true and move on. They can do this. But...

But wouldn't that go against everything?

She takes a deep breath, shakes her head. The look with which she fixes the blue-haired woman is something a little more serious, this time. ]

I apologize for the misunderstanding. What I mean to say is that we should not. [ Gaia wraps her fingers a little more tightly around the vial in her hand, her eyes dropping back to the one the other holds. Anxiety is beginning to pool in her gut, something thick and ugly.

If she has to, surely she can... ]

It would be wrong to do so. We have no knowledge of what is contained in these vials. I know we have been offered a large sum to complete this task, but...

[ An even tighter press of her grip around the glass serves to shatter the object. The sound is thankfully muffled in the circle of her fingers, although Caster will see the liquid clearly as it pools between her fingers, stained with flecks of her blood from the shards of glass pressing into her skin. ]

He has shown us no harm.

[Caster tapped her fingers lightly on the table, listening to what Gaia had to say. She was firm in her convictions, certainly, but naive as well.

Surely she had to have seen how suspicious it sounded when Morgana had made the offer!]

...what were you expecting, when you accepted her offer?

[Oh- and then she saw the glass shatter, and the blood. That was going to raise suspicions when the old man came back from the kitchen! She quickly slid some napkins over to Gaia to clear herself up.]

True, he's done us no harm, but what of it?

[Unlike Gaia's anxiousness, Caster didn't seem at all phased by this idea, keeping her grip on the bottle delicate despite her gloved hand.]

Edited 2021-02-20 01:29 (UTC)

[ Her brows narrow. The truth is that she was just naïve more than anything else. She convinced herself somehow that whatever the woman Morganna was doing couldn't be that bad when the whole point of everything they were doing and learning was to save not only this world, but their own. What then, is the point of having the people under your care do bad things? It was those thoughts that allowed her to squash the misgivings she had, but... ]

It matters not what I expected. What matters is what we choose to do in this moment.

[ She takes the napkin to clean herself up; she has no reason to want to raise his suspicions either, despite the fact that now she has no intention whatsoever of causing him any harm. ]

We will not harm this man.

[ Her voice is firm, and where before there was anxiety in her expression, it is replaced now by a calm arrogance. She has made up her mind. ]

...Speak for yourself. We made a deal.

[It almost felt like she wanted to do this out of spite. To prove she was as awful as Morganna presumably thought she was by asking her to do this quest to begin with.

She kept the bottle close, ready. But she'd not had the chance to pour it, yet.]

Leave if you wish...I intend to finish what I came for, with or without your help.

Edited 2021-02-27 01:31 (UTC)

[ Accepting a mission for which you have been offered 1,000,000G is one thing. Actually following through with it is another. Perhaps if this had been before, in a time prior to her meeting Ryne and the others, the outcome would have been different... but as it is, in the end Gaia is unable to go through with it, and the old man slumps to the table in front of her, his last breath leaving his body in a sigh.

Gaia's eyes when Morganna appears for the crystal are wide, the downward twist of her lips darker than ever against her unusually-pale face. It's an expression she wears all the way back to Camelot. She is certainly no stranger to the concept of doing bad things for good reasons, but... what of this, of trying to do something good, and causing something bad to happen as a result? She feels sick.

Later, she can be found sitting outside near the hotel, trying to keep a stoic expression on her face and mostly failing. It's barely been a month, and she's so tired.... How is trickery like this meant to help them save anything?

She'll never admit it, but she could probably use someone to talk to right now. ]

[Even if she is but a stranger to Gaia, she always felt a strange sort of sympathy for her, being beholden to the standards of someone she used to be but isn't anymore. Gaia had it a lot worse, though; Irhya ends up watching her for a few moments before approaching, leaning against the wall of the building and hoping she doesn't end up getting the prickly end of Gaia's barbed tongue.]

You look like you've been through hell.

[ A Mystel? Or a similar sort of person from a different world altogether? She may not be sure, but the woman is being friendly enough that she could hardly ignore her. She manages a brief smile, although it is somewhat thin and tired. ]

I suppose you could say today has been tiresome, yes...

[ Does she need to talk? Likely. Will she make it easy for Irhya to get to the heart of the problem? Unlikely. She eyes the older woman for a moment. ]

Are you of the First?

I've been there, though it is not my home.

[That Gaia knows the situation with the shards is a bit of a blessing in this case; she might be able to figure out Irhya's identity just based on that fact alone.]

Need to talk about it?

[A grin with teeth. She knows full well it's not that easy, but being friendly with her is a start, right?]

[ Gaia's eyebrows lift; any attempt to prevent the surprise from showing on her face completely fails as she stares at Irhya. As far as she knows, the Warrior of Darkness was the only one able to travel between the shards at will... Is this Mystel another with a similar power to his?

Something about that makes her nervous.

She takes a deep breath, looks down at her hands, trying to process the feelings well enough that she can express them... and hopefully without revealing too much of herself in the process. ]

I was given a quest by one here which ended... somewhat unpleasantly. I'm still quite unsure as to my feelings about it, I suppose.

[ Her voice thickens with emotion even as she drops her gaze, trying to keep herself from doing something horribly embarrassing like crying. ]

I feel as if I was tricked. How are we meant to trust those supposedly helping us if they are willing to lie for their own gain?

( she's never met a WoL/D in a game before so my apologies for her complete confusion! )

Tricked...

[Irhya's expression turns thoughtful, even a little dour. Perhaps...]

I don't know what you experienced, but truthfully, right from the start I've had trouble trusting the people who are supposed to be helping us. I can't say what it is for certain, but...

[She may just be too used to Duplicity's constant revolving door of morals and accepted rhetoric. Perhaps it has even taught her to stop trusting the people "taking care" of them, even if they do provide basics and a starting point, because they could easily be intending to use them for another purpose entirely.]

It's just... something doesn't sit right with me. But I may be a bit too heavily influenced by experience, so if you would prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt, I suppose someone has to.

[ Gaia's response to Irhya's words is a wry smile, a brief shake of her head. Truthfully, of her companions here, she is in fact liable to be one of those who is least trusting, especially having had this experience to guide her. ]

At first, I was willing to do exactly that. But after this, I am hardly liable to do the same thing again.

[ Especially when there are people here she feels that she needs to protect. As sweet as Ryne is, she's liable to trust anyone and everyone, and Gaia refuses to let her experience something like she herself has experienced today. ]

There are those around us who certainly will, however.

[ It's here that Gaia pauses, momentarily hesitant. She feels like perhaps she should know the Mystel, but she doesn't, and that prevents her from asking for help in a more direct manner. When she does speak again, it's with a focus on something else instead: ]

You have had an experience like this one before?

A few. Unfortunately, there are just those times when you hate to be right. Or when something's too good to be true.

[She stops, thinking to herself. How does she explain something that happened on the Source to a denizen of the First?]

...There was once a plan to kill the sultana of a great nation, as she was outgrowing her use as a puppet of the rich. So her drink was poisoned, and wouldn't you know it, when she fell, they pinned the blame on me because I was in the same room at the time... and because I'd had the vial planted on my person beforehand. We only found out later her life was spared by a quirk of fate, but it drove us right out of their net, which consisted of the majority of the continent.

[Irhya sighs and waves a hand.]

Just be careful. If your gut says something, there's probably a good reason why. I've been working on some of the quests they give, but I've no interest in becoming one of their ordained knights, to be honest. It would bind me to their will far too closely for comfort.

[ Apparently, they all have magic here. But all she's really worked out so far is that it's incredibly different from the magic she has back at home. The Voidwalker's abilities, despite its newly-diminutive size, seem largely unchanged, but her own? As far as she can tell, nonexistent.

She could ask for help, but Gaia is nothing if not stubborn, and in the end she makes her way out to the farmlands with her companion floating along beside her, finding an empty field in which to work. ]

Help me. [ It's a demand, and for a moment she's sure she can hear the creature roll its eyes in response, but it's nothing if not helpful, summoning up a patch of darkness in front of them which disappears in the next moment. It's an ability she remembers using...

Gaia's eyes close, and she searches for the thread of darkness inside, not even stopping to think that if she somehow has any other type of magic, it won't work; when she finds it, she pulls, seeks to make it bigger—

A sound from her familiar causes her eyes to open, and her brows lift in surprise when she sees that their shadows on the grass have become larger, darker. It's an effect that lasts for only a moment after her focus wanes. But it's something. Her lips purse. ]

Well. I suppose that's a start.

[ He comes across her by chance, meandering his way up to where the trolls live (though if challenged, he would heartily deny that he intends to help). He watches her from afar at first, recalling their first meeting on the way to that strange, ethereal city. But seeing her struggle to master the Dark, he feels obliged to drift over and raise his voice. ]

Need some help?

[ She looks up in surprise at the sound of his voice, folding her arms over her chest as if it will protect her pride somehow. She knows that she's hardly alone in her experience here, but going from from natural magical talent to something with which she struggles... She hates it, hates how weak it makes her feel in a world where she already hardly understands a thing.

And speaking of weak... once upon a time, she had a poker face, did she not? How come, then, her frustration is displayed across her expression for all to see, including Emet-Selch himself?

Gaia sighs. ]

It is a strange day indeed when the Oracle of Darkness struggles to find her footing with dark-aspected magic.

[ He raises an eyebrow, but recalling her reticence when pressed about her identity before, he does not question further. Instead he stares at her familiar. It's unmistakably voidsent, just as the Oracle of Light's had been a sin eater. ]

Have you always struggled with it?

[ He starts to lift a hand as it to demonstrate, only to abruptly remember he is bereft of those magicks here. He gestures at the ground instead. ]

Darkness is not a thing to be commanded but surrendered to. Unlike Light, it is a relentless force which seeks to fill the void. Keep a tight hold of yourself but let it consume aught else around you, and then instead of forcing it to your will, shape it according to the flow.

[ In response to his question, she shakes her head. Has she always struggled? Has she ever struggled? ]

Even when I could remember naught else, my powers came to me naturally. ...Sometimes too naturally.

[ It is the closest she will get to mentioning Mitron's hold on her, the uncontrollable nature of her powers when he would use their bond to manipulate her in his attempts to reach her. ]

But here... [ Another shake of her head, the frustration ever-clear on her face. Here, the powers she has come to rely on are completely gone, replaced by something supposedly similar and yet entirely different. ] Here, I feel... weak. Like I'm looking for something I cannot find.

[ And if she's honest? She is not entirely sure she likes the idea of surrendering to the Dark. After everything she has experienced... Still, she can at least try, can she not?

Closing her eyes, she reaches for the thread of darkness again. This time, instead of pulling, she tries to sink herself into it, letting it open and surround her... ]

Tell me what you see.

[ Her voice is quiet, distracted with the focus she's placed on working her magic. ]

[ He knows the feeling, he wants to say. In the other world, his power had been greatly diminished. That had allowed Felih to untemper him - but here he is with no power whatsoever, only able to dispense advice to those who need it. Like her.

He watches as she makes her second attempt. ]

An aura of dark energy. You are doing well, [ he says just as quietly. ] Darkness is nothing to be afraid of, whatever others may say. It can only corrupt you if you allow it.

[ In response to his words, Gaia's eyes open, taking a breath or two even as she tries to remain calm; if she's too excited, she'll lose the magic as soon as she's created it. And sure enough, there's an aura around her, just as he said. It's with a sigh of relief and a smile on her face that she releases the magic. ]

I think it is true to say that any element can corrupt, if allowed. Even Light.

[ They need only look at the First for evidence of that. ]

I know I have no reason to be afraid.

[ Although perhaps that is not entirely true either. Her soul was tempered once, after all, just like his. ]

Indeed. 'Tis good that you understand that.

[ There is a bit of wistfulness as he watches the aura fade but his expression quickly sobers. If he could, he would have liked to show her how much more one could do with Dark aether. ]

'Oracle of Darkness' is quite a bold moniker. Care to explain how you came to bear it?

[ She catches the look on his face just before it disappears, and there's a moment of confusion on her part before the pieces come together to make sense of the situation: the gesture of his hand, the wistfulness of his gaze... He must possess an entirely different sort of magic here. Which, she thinks, has to feel significantly worse than her own experience.

She is considering asking him about it when he questions her instead. The reason for the title... By now, she has avoided enough of his questions that skipping over this one feels too impolite. Besides, surely she can tell it in a way that does not immediately reveal the truth of her nature...

She's quiet for a moment, mulling it over. ]

It was Urianger who gave me that name. I have power over Darkness in much the same way the Oracle of Light has her opposing power; I can sense and control it in degrees, including the summoning of voidsent.

[ She gestures at her familiar, sure already that Emet-Selch would recognize its type. ]

Interesting. I don't recall the creation of such an avatar being amongst our plans.

[ Not the voidsent itself but her. Voidsent are plentiful in the ruined shard that is the Thirteenth after all. He mulls it over a bit before eventually shrugging. ]

I suppose it doesn't matter now. [ His gaze drifts off for a moment, seemingly following something, before he pulls it back to her. ] Was there aught else you hoped to achieve? I find myself with quite a surplus of time on my hands these days.

[ At least half of which he tries to spend sleeping. But it's hard to sleep when Hythlodaeus is about. Not to mention, he feels a need to nurture those who would dabble in the magic he knows best. ]

[ Gaia's response is a shrug of her shoulders; she watches the way his eyes drift off for a moment, and she wonders - with a hint of dread - what he might be seeing; the moment passes quickly enough, however, before his gaze is back on her. ]

Sometimes, things happen despite our best-laid plans.

[ Her specific case is certainly something unique. She lacks knowledge enough about the Ascians to know if others have been in the same particular circumstance as her own, or if hers was some strange fluke. Perhaps later, once she owns up to the truth of her identity, they are questions she can ask of him. But not today, no matter how much curiosity he seems to wield toward her past. ]

I am not sure. Truthfully, I have just been trying to improve my skills in magic here where I can. They are different enough from my abilities back home... it will just take some time.

I see.

[ Ought he say something more? With her keeping her secrets close to her chest and he being the taciturn - if deeply curious - sort, he's not sure what else to offer. ]

Well... If you have questions later, I suppose you can call me on those communication devices we were given.

[ It's a very awkward farewell for him, but he turns as if nothing is amiss, intending to walk on. ]

[Ken was going to make sure it was going to be a great day today! Between getting shot with the Cupid’s arrow and getting his dog back, Ken was practically having the great week of his entire life!

Now that Ken was out and about walking around with Koromaru, the dog happened to walk by an unfamiliar person. As he made his way up to Gaia, he couldn’t help but start sniffing at her.

What will Gaia do now?]

[ From the wild canines seen around Amh Araeng to the Shadowkeeper of old, Gaia's experience with dogs - especially small, friendly ones - is extremely limited. In fact, when the small creature bounds up to her and starts sniffing at her boots, she recoils for a moment, and her hands shadow over in panic.

But he's not trying to hurt her. He seems... almost sweet, if anything.

Clenched fists and a deep breath later, she crouches to inspect the creature, offering her hand for it to sniff instead of her boots. As yet, she does not try to pat him; nor does she seek his owner. ]

Hello, I suppose. Do you have a name?

[In response, Koromaru sat down beside her while he was wagging his tail. He doesn't know her but she seemed like she could use a friend! As he sniffed her hand, he gave a bark out to her as if he was telling her to pet him!

At the same time, the moment Ken heard his dog bark, he couldn't help but listen in.]

His name is Koromaru! You're more than welcome to pet him, he's really friendly and always wants people to go talk to him.

[He said with a huge smile. Go ahead, you know you want to pet him, Gaia.]

[ Koro...maru.

She will forget that if she does not take the time to write it down. However, the four-legged creature at her feet is drawing enough of her attention that she does not immediately seek something on which she can do so.

...Which in and of itself is a reminder, is it not? She must obtain some kind of diary for herself here, seeing as she did not have time to find one back at home before she was whisked away to this place. ]

Koromaru. You're quite friendly, aren't you?

[ The name is carefully repeated, her attention still on the creature to whom it belongs and not to his owner. After the sniff, the bark, she reaches up and tentatively brushes her hand over the top of his head, certainly a little awkward in her actions. (She's never actually patted a dog before...) ]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Koromaru. My name is Gaia.

[Meanwhile, Koromaru gave a whine as he leaned into her pats. At the same time, Ken looked back at his dog before he said something to his owner.]

She sure seems like someone who could use a friend, doesn't she?

[Especially when she had yet to ask who Ken was. Meanwhile, the brunette just chuckled. Crossing his arms, he didn't seem to mind why Gaia hasn't asked for his name. It was a good thing he was in a good mood or else he might have been bothered by it.]

He said that it's a pleasure to meet you too. But it's nice to meet you, Gaia-san. I'm Ken Amada.

[How would she respond back? He wasn't sure but he wouldn't be surprised if he was ignored.]

[ Admittedly, until the young man introduces himself first, she does not even think to introduce herself to him, too. In fact even after his introduction, she is silent for a moment or two. There was honestly no particular need for her to speak with him, but—

Well, he was pleasant enough to introduce himself, was he not? Ryne would want her to be polite.

She glances up at him. ]

Ken Amada. [ It's certainly not the most polite of greetings. Admittedly, all she can think about right now is that he has another name that she's liable to forget. Later, she must find something on which to write... ] Is the beast Koromaru your familiar, then?

[ Even as she addresses him, she finds her attention returning to the "beast" in question, continuing to pat him as well as she can. ]

[Despite the pause, Ken didn't seem to mind. If anything, he was just glad that she didn't seem to be annoyed with him. As he shook his head, Koromaru gave another happy bark.]

Beast? What are you talking about? Koromaru is a dog!

[But with that, he gave a pause before looking back up at her. Did she come from a world where dogs didn't exist? That's when the look of shock appeared on his face because how could she come from a world where she didn't know how amazing dogs were?!]

...You do know what a dog is, right? [Please prove him wrong because he doesn't want to know that that such a terrible world could exist out there!]

[ There are certainly canines, where Gaia is from, but all those she has personally encountered have been wild, much larger and much less friendly than Koromaru seems to be. She glances up at Ken, a touch of embarrassment showing on her face as she shakes her head. Of course, she's learned already that with so many being from entirely different worlds, their experiences also differ greatly - if Ken were to see her familiar, she is sure he would be confused - but she still feels foolish when she comes across something she doesn't know. ]

I must confess that this is my first experience with a creature by that name. Although from context, I suppose I am correct in my assumption that they are a type of domesticated canine?

[ And much, much friendlier than the wild types to boot. ]

[Ken didn't mean to stare but how was this possible? How could she not know what amazing dogs were? In fact, if she didn't know what a dog was, what does that mean about what other animals hadn't she seen? However, sensing the slight embarrassment, Ken gave her a small smile.

Well, he might as well show her how how awesome dogs were, right?]

Yes, you are correct! Although, Koromaru isn't what I could call a normal domesticated canine. He has powers but he just can't use them here.

[See that? There was a small pout appearing on his face because he would sure love to have Koromaru show off his skills around here!] He has something called a Persona.

[ A dog with powers? Now Koromaru is starting to sound more like a fae, or the porxie familiars that they often use in their magic. Although for him to be lacking powers... that is more like the human refugees of Camelot, no? People like Ken and herself. She has dark magic here, but it's entirely different to the dark magic she possesses back on the First, powers which are not accessible to her here. And from her understanding, she could have just as easily found herself with light-aspected magic as she did dark; it was just luck that allowed her to gain magic that is at least in some way similar to her own.

She's still thinking about that when Ken goes on to explain further about Koromaru's powers... using terminology that leaves Gaia no more enlightened than she was before he spoke.

Her gaze travels back to the dog in question. ]

A Persona?

You can think of it as your familiar. However, a Persona is a reflection of yourself.

[It was a good thing that Ken was use to explaining what his powers were like. After spending so much time here, it was natural that people were curious about others here. He wasn't complaining, he just wished that there were others who were from his world. For a moment, there was a slight frown but he thought nothing of it. Instead, he focused his attention on the girl.

It was better to help someone out when they were new here, right?]

It's also based on your mythological figure too as they can tell a story of what your history is like. [Although, a part of him hoped she would stop there. Hopefully she wouldn't pry further than that.]

[ When a trip back to the Red Springs resort town introduces her to the concept of a holiday based around flowers and sweet things (do they have holidays like this back home? She doesn't remember), Gaia's first thought is of Ryne. Not because of the romantic aspects of the holiday, of course - that would be absurd - but simply because Ryne likes sweet things like chocolate.

(And although they've never discussed it, she presumably also likes flowers.)

Their arrival here has not been particularly easy for either of them. Having already been through so much, it seems still largely unthinkable that they would be thrust so quickly into yet another story. It feels like only yesterday that the Empty awakened into life around them, and yet others from the First and Source have been here longer than both of them— The knowledge raises questions that Gaia is not sure she wants answered, questions she hasn't posed to Ryne yet for fear of troubling her even more.

But flowers, and sweet things... perhaps they will serve to bring her friend some comfort.

It really is that simple.

She's not rich here, not by a long shot, but the quest she undertook earlier in the month furnished her with a reasonable amount of gold, certainly enough that some flowers and chocolates are not out of her price range. And so it's with both in hand that she knocks on Ryne's door. ]

Ryne? Are you there?

Edited 2021-02-12 15:12 (UTC)

[ It doesn't take Ryne long to get to the entrance, especially when she knows who is on the other side. There's a big smile on her face when she opens the door to greet her. ]

Gaia! What a nice surprise!

[ It's... hardly a surprise. They see each other almost every day. She's about to ask her what's up when Ryne sees the gifts in her hands. ]

Ah? What are these, Gaia?

[ Perhaps in most circumstances one would have reason to feel anxious about showing up with a surprise gift on a romantic holiday, but Gaia has no such anxiety - nor does she have even the slightest hint of butterfly wings fluttering against her stomach. Such things would imply a greater care than that for which she has mentally prepared herself. And it's the lack of those feelings that allow for her to meet Ryne's greeting with a warm smile of her own, the expression unusually gentle on her face. ]

It seems as if there is a holiday being celebrated here wherein people gift flowers and chocolates to—

[ Flutter. ]

—people for whom they care.

[ Wicked white, she's all of a single sentence in and she's already tumbling over her words. ]

I know that our arrival here has been difficult for you, so I thought perhaps a gift of the same would serve to offer you some cheer.

Ah... you got these for me?

[ Ryne grins softly as she takes the gifts into her hands. She's never really gotten a gift like this before. The closest she could think was Thancred giving her his gunblade? But this definitely feels different somehow... ]

Gaia thank you! This is so sweet of you! It was so nice of you to think of me.

[ She takes a step forward to put her arms around her in a warm embrace. ]

Did you want to come in? We could share this chocolate together!

[ Gaia returns Ryne's smile - as infectious in its warmth as the other girl's smiles always are - with one of her own, something a little softer and more tentative; there's a hint of relief playing around the edges too, the girl's mood consoled instantly by her friend's acceptance of the gift.

And then there's the hug, and another flutter, which leaves Gaia frowning over Ryne's shoulder. ]

Of course I was going to think of you. You're— [ why is it still so hard for her to say the word "friend"? ] —important to me.

[ She pulls back from the hug with another small smile, and a determination to ignore how pathetic she wound up sounding, despite her best efforts. ]

Alright, then. Mostly because I have the feeling that even if I were to refuse, you would do your best to talk me into it anyway.

[ When Gaia says that, Ryne can feel her heart flutter and her cheeks grow a little warm. That always happens when Gaia talks like that for some reason. It's not unpleasant though! She just doesn't fully understand it. ]

Oh Gaia... you're so important to me too! Again it was really nice of you to think of me. [ She hugs her a little tighter for a moment. ] Having you here makes everything easier.

[ She lets go after a moment with a laugh at her comment, taking her by the hand to let her in.

Her apartment is pretty bare being so new here, but she has the basic enough things for living. Her familiar meanwhile is sleeping on the couch, and he opens one eye when they walk in then closes it. Having Gaia around is pretty standard at this point.

Ryne encourages her to sit at the table before she heads over to the seat. ]

I'm going to put these flowers in water, and then I'll make us some tea. Alright?

[ It would be so much easier to be nice if Ryne's reaction wasn't always so sweet. When she's as sweet as she's being right now, it makes Gaia want to do even more nice things for her, to keep seeing that smile on her lips. It's a feeling that wants to raise questions, even when the mere thought is so quickly shut down by the girl who has them.

Her hand wrapped lightly around Ryne's, she allows the other girl to lead her into the apartment, a nod aimed towards the familiar curled up on the couch. Her own is elsewhere right now, which is probably for the best - despite their purpose in this new world being exactly the same, the Sin Eater and Voidsent are far from comfortable allies.

It is funny, she thinks, how the same could once have been said of the two of them, and yet now here she is, sitting at the table at Ryne's suggestion, and offering a smile at the other girl. ]

That sounds positively lovely. It is only a pity we don't have any of those coffee biscuits to go with it!

[ As Ryne fills up a vase, she giggles as Gaia's reply. ]

It would! But we ate all the ones I arrived with, didn't we? I have been trying to recreate them, but I'm just not that great of a baker yet I'm afraid.

[ Not to mention there just hasn't been a lot of time with adjusting to this new world and magic. She sets the vase aside to fill up the kettle before setting it on the stove. After putting the flowers in, she sets it on the center of the table. There's practically a spark in her eyes as she looks at them. ]

Oh Gaia... they're so lovely. They bring some much needed color to this space.

[ Her nod is a little rueful. Perhaps they should have been wiser with regards to the coffee biscuits, tried to find someone who might have had more luck recreating their taste than either Ryne or herself. Although with how stubbornly her friend sets her mind to things, Gaia's not entirely convinced she won't be able to pull it off all by herself if she commits to it. After all, it was not all that long ago that she herself was convinced that she would rather work alone...

And now look at her. The first thing she did upon her arrival here was seek out this girl who has somehow become so important to her. ]

They do look quite lovely there. [ For her own part, she has no major interest in decorating her own space, perhaps because it has been so long since she's truly felt at home anywhere that she's not sure she's ready to start. But Ryne's place needs color and light, just like these flowers. Her head tilts in thought. ]

I earned some gold from a quest I undertook earlier this month. Perhaps we should go shopping, and find some more things to decorate this space of yours.

[ Stubbornness is something she picked up from Thancred; persistence is something she learned from Urianger. So Gaia's probably right that eventually Ryne would perfect the coffee biscuit. Not a whole lot would make her happier anyway than to be able to share a treat from home! ]

Ah but what about your own place Gaia? Don't you want to decorate too? Not to mention I won some gold from that tournament last month! [ She's grinning again. ] That said, I would love to go shopping with you. You have excellent insight after all!

[ She glances over as the kettle begins to yell and hurries to move it off the stove. It's only a matter of minutes before tea is served with the box of chocolate for them to share. ]

Be careful, the tea is still very hot. Now what kind of chocolates are in this box? Looks like a lot of different things!

[open] Distant light, memory, Dark Shadow that swallowed me

I RECALL SOMEONE CRIED (crystal quest, locked to caster)

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GOLDEN LIGHT (crystal quest aftermath)

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FIND THE WAY (magic practice)

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mild headcanon

potential spoilers from here on in!

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Wildcard - if this isn’t okay let me know!

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SWEETEST FLOWER (locked to ryne)

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