[F08; PP] Peace and Psychology | <<Elvish Treaties>>

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

"Tolerate...that's certainly a word that could be used. I would've leaned more towards taken an interest, but tolerated works too." She gave a flash of a smirk towards Freyd even as she considered everything she'd just learn in the last few moments. She'd known, since first meeting him, that there was more to Freyd than a simple gamer. The man had an aura to him, one that seemed to be shrouded in mystery and allure. One which had caught her attention, but had always remained more question than answer. Now, she found that she had the possibility towards some answers - and she'd already received some. "If you don't have anything more pressing than helping me solve a war, then you're welcome to come along."

She stepped off and lead the way out into the city proper, picking her pace up ever so slightly so that her shorter frame placed itself before the other. Based upon the information available in her mini map, Nari knew that there was some distance to go before they would reach their destination, and she entirely expected to take the time to focus on asking the questions she had, and getting as many answers as she could. Not that she expected to receive any clear indication of what was right or wrong, but she knew that every little bit helped.

"Gemini...I remember that quest. It was...well, I wouldn't be remise in stating that it was an experience. I doubt many people come out of it with extra skills, though." The nod wasn't necessary, and yet she found herself doing it in order to point towards the court they had left behind. She'd been sure, for a moment, that the player had been an elf - and while she would love to admit otherwise, she knew it would be a lie to state that she was able to see through the deceit. "How...did you even come to have such relations with the Elves? And would it be incorrect to assume there's relations elsewhere like this? Perhaps with the Treants themselves? Or on other floors, where there's been whispers of a shadow passing through, leaving behind no trace of it's origins?"

She'd chosen her words somewhat carefully, although she knew they were far from the subtly that could be expected in a high court of royals and mysteries. Subterfuge was far from her skillset, and although she was capable of noticing things that seemed out of place, she was far from perfect in catching the lies before her. She knew that wouldn't stop her from trying, however, and she found herself glancing back at Freyd's form as they walked and spoke, looking for any sign of tension or hesitation, ready to pounce on any forms of deceit that appeared.

---

 

Treant Spared

  

Statblock

Spoiler notes [Theme] Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 33 | P. 57 | HP [940/940] | EN [106/106] | ACC [4] | DMG [9] | MIT [179] | F.AURA [32 MIT; 16 DMG] B.Healing [+51] | STEALTH [-5] |  FRSTBT [40 DMG; -1 ACC] | THORNS [72] | PARA [8+] | HM [+4 B.DMG] Tier 4 | Tier 10 [Laurel Wreath] equipped Póg Deiridh [One-Handed Assault Spear | Tier 4] Enhancement: Frostbite [2 Slots] Enhancement: Accuracy [2 Slots]  Glacadh Morríghan  [H. Armour | Tier 4] Enhancement: Frost Aura [2 Slots] Enhancement: Heavy Momentum [1 Slot] Póg an Gheimhridh [Tier 4 | Heater Shield] Enhancement: Paralyse [1 Slot] Enhancement: Taunt [1 Slot] Enhancement: Thorns [2 Slots]   battle-ready inventory Dimensional Backpack (+1 Battle-Ready Inventory) Teleport Crystal {3} Starter Healing Potions {4} | Heals 50 HP Siúil a Rún {5} | Tier 3 | Support Song | HP Recovery III Sí do Mhaimeo Í {2} | Tier 4 | Support Song | Monsters’ Fortune I [Instant] Níl Sé'n Lá {1} | Tier 4 | Support Song | Monsters’ Favor III Immolation Potions {10} | Tier 4  | [40 DMG] skills Spoiler Utility Skills N/A Combat Skills Battle Healing [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.] Fighting Spirit [Active: Passive. Effect: Attacking and using Howl or Focused Howl generates +1 additional Hate. (Ex. Generate 1/2/3 Hate on a Miss/Hit/Critical attack. Generate 5 Hate when using Focused Howl.)] Howl [Active: Post Action. Energy: 2 EN. Cooldown: 2 turns. Effect: Adds +2 Hate each against up to 4 targets.] [Howl Add-on] Focused Howl [Active: Post Action. Energy: 4 EN. Cooldown: 4 turns. Effect: Adds +4 Hate against a single target.] Weapon Skills Polearm [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 ACC.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus [Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.] [Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.] Armour Skills Heavy Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 35 MIT. Evasion is capped at 1 slot; -5 Stealth Rating.] [Heavy Armour Mod] Impetus [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.] [Heavy Armour Add-on] Iron Skin [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +15 Mitigation and +15 x Tier HP.] Active Extra Skills Assault Mode [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, switch your accuracy and evasion values until the start of your next turn.] Block [Active: Passive. Effect: Requires an equipped shield. User’s evasion cannot be greater than 0 (can still be negative). Grants additional mitigation: 25 MIT.] [Rank 3 Block Mod] Shield Bash [Active: Post Action. Energy: 6 EN. Cooldown: 2 Turns. Effect: Make an attack with an equipped shield. On a hit, deals (Base * 10) damage, stuns the enemy for one turn, and applies status and thorns (and variants)  enhancements present on the shield. Note: When calculating Base Damage for Shield Bash, Weapon Skills do not apply.] [Rank 5 Block Addon] Rampart [Active: Free Action. Energy: 10 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Reduce final damage that would be dealt to you by 25% (rounded down). Effect lasts until the beginning of your next turn.] Brawler [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Increase mitigation by 10*tier until the start of your next turn.] Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.] Meditation [Active: Post Action. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4 * Tier) energy.] Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.] Inactive Extra Skills  Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.] Lady Luck [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Replace a single enhancement slot on your weapon with a random enhancement using the Appraiser’s Identification roll until the start of your next turn.] Combat Mastery Mitigation [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +6*tier Mitigation per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Mitigation enhancement caps.] Familiar Skills Protector Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 3 Posts; Effect: The next time you would take damage, your familiar rushes to your aid, reducing the final damage by 10%.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts Spoiler [x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll. [x11] AOE-I (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x14] AOE-II (14 12 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x16] TECH-A (16 14 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. [x16] TECH-B (15 13 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn. [x16] TECH-C (15 13 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn. [x16] TECH-D (15 13 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT. [x12] TECH-F (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn. [x16] TECH-G (15 13 EN) | BURN | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Burn] on the enemy. [Burn] is a DoT ailment that deals [14 * Player Tier] unmitigated Burn damage for 2 turns. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs Spoiler Estate Buffs Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.] Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.] Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot] Basement [Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.] Extended Workshop [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

[Freyd 0]

"If you don't have anything more pressing than helping me solve a war, then you're welcome to come along."

Pursing his lips pensively, Freyd looked down at his wrist.  He wore no watch.

"Sadly, the best we are likely to manage is to pause it for awhile, but I'd argue that's still very much worth the effort.  My calendar is, fortunately, presently clear."  His eyes drifted once more to the youngsters manning the city gates as they passed, a subtle handwave raising their excited eyebrows and encouraging a swift activation of their ancient mechanisms.

Nari took the lead in their conversation as they traveled through the nearby woods the calls of songbird mingling with buzzing insects and scampering critters in the boughs and underbrush all around.  He seemed amused at being the subject of polite interrogation, instead of said inquisitor himself.  Freyd was usually the one pressing others for answers to his endless list of questions.  She's earned the right, after that bit of drama in court.  Queen Haelia had already given them their instructions.  All that remained was to find the Treants and end a decades-long conflict in an afternoon.  What would they possibly do with the rest of the day, Freyd wondered jokingly.

His eyebrows cocked at Nari's assessment of the Gemini quest.  "Hrm.  It was my understanding that everyone who faced their doppelganger came away with an unlocked game mechanic, or didn't walk away at all.  Like so much of the game's content, Cardinal is rather unforgiving on those sorts of choices.  The experience is also often very personal.  How many of us actually have the courage and wherewithal to face something that can read our truest inner selves?  Based on what you've hinted at, to date, I can't help but wonder at the details of your encounter."

Brushing his hands lightly against ferns and flowers marking the edges of the trail they followed, Freyd breathed in the fragrances of the woods as if reliving a childhood from a different life.  There was no effort to conceal his softening gaze and smile as her questions turned to his connection with the elves.

"Aincrad is strange in many ways.  Where quest content is repeatable, the conditions will invariably revert to their original conditions after a time, no matter how heroic the players' interventions.  Take Cleansing the Corruption, or the two branches of the very quest we are on.  We might just as easily be marching on Ellesmora tomorrow to slay their fiendish queen, side by side with our treant allies.  The game is replete with localized reset functions - everything returns to the status quo.  But, what about when no quest are involved?"  Pausing a moment in his answer, he let the question sink in.

"Have you ever noticed how some NPCs are static, doing little more than standing in place or wandering in an endless loop?  Others, meanwhile, are more interactive on a pre-programmed level.  The most interesting, however, are capable of some rudimentary artificial intelligence.  They can hold free-ranging conversations and think for themselves, as least within certain confines.  What prevents an NPC from evolving from one of those categories to the next?  Time?  They've had plenty, as have we, trapped within this cage.  And what comes next for those programs that reach the peak of that evolution?"  Another pregnant pause.

"I have built connections to the elves, and many other NPCs, where possible, because they are our future. Our numbers dwindle by the day.  Theirs do not.  At a pragmatic level, it just good strategy.  We need reinforcements.  They could be allies, if we can nurture and convince them to join us.  Even if I'm just being overly optimistic, would it not at least be prudent to cultivate relations that steer us away from ever growing conflict that we simply can't afford?"  Freyd's brow furrowed at the harshness of the thought.  "We don't have enough blood to pay that infinite price."  Arun's recent disastrous foray against the treants came to mind.

A buck and doe entered the small clearing before them, followed by a pair of fauns.  Freyd held out an open palm in front of Nari, signaling her to pause.  The parents paused and looked in their direction, strangely without fear, the buck dipping its head in odd semblance of acknowledgement, then urged their young back into the thicket.

"As to whispers and shadows," he smiled with a glance over at his companion, resuming their walk, "you'd need to be a tad more specific.  I haven't quite cornered either market, yet."  Sparing a moment for a snack, he offereda portion to Nari as well.

***

Freyd consumes:

Gugnir’s Shard (Untradeable/Unique/Reusable Consumable): Crème Brûlée Tray | ACC 2 | Feast (5/6) - takes 1 portion (filled)

Note: CS (Shades of the Gemini) is in use.  If any other player objects to this, please state in first post and it will be considered inactive.

Freyd | HP: 1160/1160 | EN: 154/154 | DMG: 21 | MIT: 45 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 7 (inc. AA) | BH: 63 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | PARA IMMUNE | P.V.O | REC: 8 | STK: 40

Spoiler

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadows
Level: 33
Paragon Level: 125
HP: 1160/1160
EN: 154/154

Stats:
Damage: 21
Mitigation: 45
Evasion: 4
Accuracy: 3
Battle Healing: 63
Loot Dice: 6
AA
BLGT: 32
PARA IMMUNE
P.V.O
REC: 8
STK: 40

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: The Thing Behind All Lies (T4 Demonic MA, AA, Blight, Static, Para.Ven (Off))   
Armor: Black Cowled Traveling Garb | T4 CA | VD 2 | REC 2
Misc: Fight O'er Flight (ACC 2 | EVA 2

Combat Mastery: Damage R3
Combat Shift: AOE
Familiar Skill: Grappling Familiar
Custom Skill:

Skills:
Martial Arts R5
Battle Healing R5
Cloth Armor R5
Searching R4
Charge
Energist
Quick Change
Extended Mod Limit
Extended Weight Limit
Fighting Spirit
Howl

Active Mods:
Night Vision
Tracking
Athletics
Emergency Recovery
Untraceable
Detect

Inactive Mods:

Addons:
Focus
Precision
Nimble
Reveal
Stamina
Focused Howl

Active Extra Skills:
Disguise
Survival
Meditation
Forgotten King’s Authority

Inactive Extra Skills:
Frozen Hide
Brawler
Photosynthesize
Hiding R2

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystals x7
Mass HP Rec [Inst] (+10% HP) x7
T4 Vitality (+16 EN) x7
Crystal of Divine Light (Reusable) x1
Rhino's Horn (Reusable) x1
Hmr.Pk:  Hope's Covenant - Resolve +4 (T4 Demonic Weapon (MA) - AA, Phase, Frostbite, VO)  x1
EWL: Samael's Pride | T4 MA | FLN 2 | HLY 2   x1
EWL:  Shadowed Rose (ACC 3 | Para.Imm. x1

Housing Buffs:
Rested: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Searching): +1 Rank to the Searching skill.
Angler: +2 Fishing EXP per attempt
Practiced Angler: +2 Fishing EXP per attempt, addition +1 LD/CD to fishing attempts
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [1/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor [Potted Tanabata Bamboo Tree]: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild:
Tanos Statue: +25 Mitigation for a thread.

Wedding Ring: n/a

Fishing: Level 5 | 576XP                                         

Treant Spared:

 

Edited February 20 by Freyd

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

A snort of laughter escaped from Nari Freyd feigned checking his watch, clearly displaying the lack of any such instrument designed to tell time or keep his schedule organised. The laughter was only invigorated by the further jest, confirming that he had some time to spend. It only died down when Freyd continued speaking, beginning what would become a lengthy explanation of his understanding of the world around them, at least to a small degree. Nari was quiet for most of it, refusing to interject and break the continuous flow of information and insight that she was being gifted with - and she wasn't foolish enough to think it was anything less than a gift.

"Yeah...that resetting is...well, spirit killing sometimes." She'd mumbled the words, thinking back on some of the achievements she'd made in the past. Conflicts that had been overcome, things that had been hunted down and villages saved - all for it to revert for the next player to arrive. She understood the necessity of it, there was no mass multiplayer game world such as Sword Art Online without such a reset, but there was a part of her that wished their actions were more impactful. More everlasting, when it came to some of their engagement and involvement with the world. "Wouldn't it be nice if it were impactful...if it were consistently changing?"

She shook her head and stopped her mumbling in order to listen to the rest of Freyd's insight. She gave a soft gasp at the mention of recruiting the Elves to their cause. She'd already been aware of the loss of players, the impact it was having upon their ability to push forwards. It was distressing, to say the least, when she looked at it clearly. There was progress made, and yet Nari couldn't help but wonder if they were coming towards a final stalemate. No longer able to pull together the required strength to go forwards, yet unwilling to give up on the chance at escape. Her face twisted in thought and distaste, even as Freyd's hand came up to stop her movement. Her eyes hovered over the collection of deer, watching them and yet seeming to see through them, her mind filled with the turmoil of the ever growing situation that she'd already noticed.

"Optimistic, maybe. I would prefer to call it realistic. We barely managed to pull together three assault groups for the previous fight. What if in the future...there's no one else? What if we run out of those willing - or capable - of putting their lives at risk in order to gain freedom." It was more a statement than it was a question. Nari shook her head, a slight humourless laugh escaping her as she looked back at Freyd, a sudden harshness and seriousness in her eyes. "I've found myself wondering of late...what's the point? Why are we fighting for freedom so hard? We're angry that we're trapped here, sure. I understand that. We want out because of the basic statement; we don't want to be trapped. And yet, how many of us came to this world to escape the one we left behind? How many of us came here because the real world wasn't for us; too harsh, too unforgiving, too unwelcoming. Why are we fighting to return to that, if this world was everything we wanted? Is Aincrad so horrible? Do we not have more possibilities here to be something, rather than the nothing we may have been in the past?"

There was no bitterness in her voice. She'd been among those, and still was, who had fought ferociously in order to escape. Sure, she'd joined the fight later than most, but she'd eventually found herself rushing to the front. Now, however, she couldn't help but question why. "There may be those who have something to return to, but I doubt it's many. I would suggest that, perhaps, a good majority of those originally trapped here had little to return to...and only fought so hard because they felt it was what they should do. Whether it be through fear of death, entrapment, or...whatever other feelings they may have had."

Her eyes roamed over the path before them, and not for the first time Nari wondered how different the NPCs and their own lives were. "Everything here is made by Cardinal...you say some NPCs show varying signs of intellect to them...but what if it's not a matter of who is more advanced, but rather a simple question of why hasn't Cardinal made them all as intelligent as itself yet?"

[Freyd 0]

"Wouldn't it be nice if it were impactful...if it were consistently changing?"

"Most of chose to leave that world behind in favour of this one.  What does that tell you?"

Freyd waits patiently while Nari digests and processes his comments.

"Each of us came to be here by different means and for different reasons.  You're not wrong in your assessment. So many of us were fundamentally broken before this prison ever snared us.  So what are we to do about it?  This fight isn't about freedom.  It's about proving our ability to overcome and endure, together.  Some will just fight for themselves.  It's their nature and immutable.  But others, even those who thought it impossible, will find something greater in this than themselves."  Freyd hesitated for a moment, turning his gaze back to the clearing where they'd just seen the buck watching over his family.  

"I used to subscribe to a ruthless pragmatism devoid of any emotional attachment.  Everything was calculated action optimized towards the same goal you just described.  I was good at it, too; frighteningly so.  My purpose was clear and nothing would stand in my way."  Even his voice gave way to a certain detached callousness as he spoke, a harshness spreading over his features.  "But then the strangest thing happened: I met another who was just the same, except that he had chosen a different path.  Where I had made existence all about my chosen singular purpose to defeat Cardinal and Kayaba, his was more noble by far.  He chose to give everyone back their choice, willing to give up everything about himself in order to do so."  Voice softening again, the man's pale features looked wistful and distant as he spoke.

"That's all any of us can every hope for: to choose our fates for ourselves.  That is what Kayaba truly stole from everyone, yet by doing so granted us the opportunity and perspective enough to see the value of what we had lost or taken for granted.  I made an oath to my friend, who was a tank and leader like yourself.  I swore that if he ever fell, I would take up his mantle and do everything in my power to keep hope alive in players' hearts.  Without that, this struggle is already lost."  Despite the airs of confidence and certainty Freyd portrayed about himself, even in the goofiest of moments, Nari could read sincerity and conviction laid bare before her.  

"I'm no leader or hero, Nari.  Heck, I'm not even really a tank.  Nor am I noble or altruistic.  I do whatever it takes to get the willing where they need to go and drag everyone along until they're ready to make their choice, because that's what I promised.  My goal is purely to give those who choose it that second chance, or however many it might take.  Whether I make it out of here is immaterial. You see, I'm also one of those without a life beyond these walls and don't expect to ever leave."  Through it all, Freyd spoke with calm and level certainty.  No hint of doubt or anger, nor hesitation.  Behind any other form of zealous fanaticism, that sort of devotion might have been terrifying.  When harnessed towards a greater good?  He hoped to find out.

"To your last point, it is not in Cardinal's nature to choose, or present others with that opportunity beyond the constraints of its programming.  It is a jailor and the cage itself.  Make no mistake; so long as it remains as it is, and under Kayaba's direct control, the system is our enemy."

It was a lot to absorb, especially for a casual walk in the woods, so they continued in silence for awhile.

"If I may ask," pensive humility obvious behind his query.  "What would you choose, if you could?  It sounds as if you already want to remain?  If so, why?"

What war are we heading to end, Nari-not-Lanreth?  The elves and treants, or your own?

Edited February 18 by Freyd

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

At some point during Freyd's dialogue, she had crossed her arms. An unconscious action that showed a true reflection of Nari's discomfort at the ideas. She didn't ignore them or reject them, instead she found discomfort in the reasonability behind them - a form of truth that she couldn't avoid. As his words came towards a close, she couldn't help but smirk in a non-humorous manner. The man spoke with such conviction and dedication that Nari couldn't help but respond in kind, to a degree. Perhaps this is why we can see the same paths, same intentions and goals. Of like minds and eyes. Arms still crossed, she shifted her left hand to point towards Freyd, bending it backwards in a way that may have looked uncomfortable, and yet Nari showed no sign of distress or pain at the movement.

"You're right, you're no hero or leader." Nari gave pause as she let the words sink in, knowing that the agreement may not confuse someone like Freyd, who would be able to see that more was coming, or perhaps even foresee what she was about to say. The knowledge of such a thing didn't stop or hinder her, however, the nature of her own behaviours and actions far too engrained in her being. "And perhaps that's why you fit into the role so well. You don't desire heroism, nor leadership. You take it on because you must. You do what is required, so that others may survive and benefit."

Her eyes shifted upwards towards the treetops suddenly, a semi-glazed look taking over her expression as she seemed to fall into thought. She considered where she'd been during the beginning of their time in Aincrad, and what had happened leading up to this day; everything that had led her to where she was now. "Would you believe that I never had ambition, in the beginning, to join the frontlines? I was too scared. Too worried about death and finality. Too fearful that I would fail. And I did. Fail. I lost someone because I wasn't able to protect them like I should've - because I was a coward."

She looked back at Freyd suddenly, the glazed look disappearing as her expression hardened, returning to the conversation at hand as memories seemed to recede into the past. There was a hint of pain in her eyes, trauma that was still clearly making it's way through her very core; trauma that would likely never leave. "I failed, due to cowardice. But I didn't overcome it. I didn't find courage in my darkest moments. Despair and distraught were my companions, and on many occasions I considered ending it. A single leap would bring clarity and finality; everyone on the First knew that. Leap from the edge of the town, and all your problems are gone. But I was too cowardly to even do that."

She shifted, her arms finally uncrossing as they fell to her side, hanging in an obviously uncomfortable manner, yet unable to find a proper resting place. The thumb of her left hand seemed to twitch, a muscle response to everything that was falling from her tongue, now released as she let the words flow. "I'm not new to death. But the one I lost...people say that a single individual is their whole world. She was mine. When I lost her, I lost everything - even the will to carry on. It took a long time to see what that would do to her memory; leaping after her."

A flinch of pain crossed her expression, and for a single second her eyes cast down towards the ground beneath Freyd's feet. She forced herself to look back up, to meet his eyes. "I let cowardice and fear take hold of me, and if I'm being truthful it still stands on the edge of who I am. I'm no hero, no leader. I won't be the one to rush into a fight through courage or brave valors. But I will rush in...because I found a reason to push forwards. I don't know how many thousands remain, but so long as a single reason remains...I'll keep pushing forwards."

"You ask me if I had to choose, would I remain or return?" She turned, waving a hand towards the world around them, a sad smile on her face even as she looked back at Freyd's eyes. "I don't need to choose. I won't remain, and I won't return. Aincrad will be my final resting place, I've known that since the day I fell to cowardice. The day we fell to my cowardice. Until that time, I'll keep pushing forwards, so that all those reasons I fight on have a chance at the choice I don't have."

[Freyd 0]

From the moment of Nari's backhanded endorsement of his worthiness as a leader, Freyd knew where the rest of the conversation was going.  Only people who'd suffered the most grievous of losses or injuries could see such necessities with selfless clarity.  Though some might debate it, the Whisper also knew when to keep his mouth shut.  He just listened.  It was clear that Nari needed to get this in the open, and that she trusted him enough after such a short time to lay bare the burden seething within her was both stark and striking.  

He offered no apologies.  They were not his to give and would have rung empty in her ears, likely drawing ire for the presumption.  He offered no pity.  She clearly felt that she was unworthy, and this wasn't his judgment to make - it was hers.  All he could offer, and all she might accept, was thanks.

"That cannot be an easy burden to share." Words measured and slow in pacing, the timbre of his speech carefully crafted to thread a perilously narrow path.  How apt that they were heading to peace negotiations.  Such skills might be needed again shortly.  "Thank you for the privilege and responsibility.  Please know that I intend to keep it to myself."

When she turned her gaze upon him, his eyes caught hers from their corners, and she could suddenly see why the elves had branded him as they had. She wasn't asking for guidance, advice or absolution, but declaring the substance and rationale of her continued existence.  It was tantamount to serving up your ravaged heart to an enemy and daring them eat it.  But, Freyd was no enemy.  He hoped any such doubts were settled now, explaining why she'd chosen this path.  They each knew where each other stood.  To stare directly at such an overt revelation could also only be insulting or taken as a challenge to its legitimacy by its adherent.  It was a deeply private thing.  He honored it by glancing only, acknowledging the gift while simultaneously respecting it.  Maybe all those samurai movies he'd watched as a kid had taught him something after all.

"Then you've chosen to meet your fate on your own terms. That is courage, Nari. Nothing could be more meaningful, and no more need be said about it, unless that is your wish."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She'd expected argument, or perhaps placating words meant to bring her out of whatever depths of dreary thoughts she'd settled into in the past few moments of her explanation. Instead she was met with a simple statement that left her expressionless for a few breaths as her mind tried to catch up to what she was hearing. She found herself standing, staring with a slightly open mouth, as her tongue lulled uselessly inside, unable to move and produce the sounds required to communicate in the moment. When she finally came to, it was to state a simple word in response, before her mind was fully able to right itself. "Thanks."

She turned slightly away from the other, as if trying to hide the confusion and uncertainty that had spread across her, shaking her head ever so slightly to try and shake off the feelings that had sprung up. Slowly, she found her words returning to her, and although her tone was calm and collected, the turmoil in her facial expressions and inside her mind were anything but. "We may not have known each other long...but I have not shared these thoughts with many others. Two, others, to be exact. I would prefer...I would prefer it not become common knowledge. Many would not understand, and the last thing I desire is pity. Or well wishers who desire to change my mind."

In a sudden shift, she turned and gave a deep curtsy to Freyd, her head bowing and her eyes closing as she performed what was likely a far more impressive curtsy than should've been expected from the knightess. The movement was fluid, a sign of long-practiced routine, and a sombre expression standing over it all. "If there were more people like you in this world, I fear that it would've gone far different...I will not say perfect, as I think we can agree that horrors stand in both our pasts, and mistakes, but far different. Perhaps, in our small actions, we can make things better for others in the future."

She paused only for a few seconds after her comment before turning back towards the path they had been following. In the distance she could see a break in the foliage, unnatural in appearance compared to the rest of the woodlands around them, and the sounds of movement reached her ears. "For the time being...what say you to harbouring a measure of hope in the temporary peace we hope to bring between two mighty...realms? Kingdoms? What would you even call a civilisation of Treants? Woodrealms?"

[Freyd 0]

"Would you mind telling me who the other two are?  You can rest assured that your privacy is safe.  It only tends to make life easier when you know who's avoiding the same tunes."  A sense of satisfaction warmed him, sensing that he'd read the situation correctly enough for a successful outcome.  What Freyd hadn't expected was her curtsey, a single eyebrow raising in surprise, yet falling again just as quickly.  

"If there were more of me in this world, I've have to chase them down and put them in the ground, again.  It's a long story," he added, with a pleasant smile and dismissive wave.  "I can fill you in another time." A short bow seemed appropriate in response to her formality.  Getting too grandiose would just make things awkward.

"You're very formal, aren't you?  Can I ask why?  Not that I mind it in the least, but... it's unusual and somewhat unfamiliar.  Actually," a certain realization dawned, "are you even Japanese?  I only ask because so many I've encountered in the game are not.  Which is strange when you consider SAO's supposedly limited initial distribution, but then so many other things we were told were also lies."

Nodding without hesitation, he needed no convincing to aim at keeping things hopeful.  Convincing others would be all the harder if they couldn't even convince themselves.  A hint of mischief and mirth crossed his features while him companion struggled with terminology.

"I'd just call it a grove, though the word seems slightly lacking in this context." Pointing ahead of them, he clearly meant the one laid out in gigantic and majestic splendor before them.  They had arrived at the Sacred Grove of Baobab.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

"NIGHT, to some degree, and Onora - another player that I've...that I currently live with." There was only the slightest hesitation in her explanation of Onora's relationship to herself. Out of the three, she knew that Onora had learnt the most about her, but somehow she was hesitant to place any sort of labelling upon their relationship. Shaking off the doubtfulness within her mind, she turned to raise an eyebrow at Freyd when he mentioned putting others of himself in the ground again, before nodding in response to the later conversation that may or may not occur. Instead, she turned to the next question with a sudden bark of laughter.

"Formality was driven into me from a young age, actually. Perhaps it's a dying art among many portions of the world, but...well, to certain families it's upheld as a symbol of honour and respect." She gave a sudden shake of her head, the smile spreading more at the secondary question that had occurred. "Only through genetics. Japanese-Canadian, albeit raised in Canada. Father was Japanese, mother was Irish. It made for some...interesting family situations. For better or worse, it meant that I was taught two cultures of...formality."

She thought back to her younger years, learning the foundational expectations of both higher echelons of society - a society that she had never really fit into either way. "I would harbour a guess that you, yourself, aren't Japanese. Or at least, not a native to Japan? Your voice doesn't carry the typical vocal patterns...there's something about it that just sounds more natural, in a way. As though it's not been pushed through a translator."

She was taking a stab at her guess, and wasn't sure whether it would come back to bite her or not. Like Freyd, however, she'd noticed a large population of non-Japanese players. A clear contrast and difference from the information originally provided by the company's release. Not surprising, considering I got my hands on it though. I should be more surprised if I was the only non-native. She gave a nod towards the edge of the grove, smiling again. "Shall we go meet this...Nagja...Nakgajad....Nakkajori...Ned?"

[Freyd 0]

"NIGHT," Freyd echoed flatly, feigning mild surprise over confirmation of earlier suspicions.  He'd been wondering what she had been playing at for some time.  "She helped me out a lot when I was starting out, mostly by accident.  We've worked together a few times since, but I can't really say that I know much about her at all."  That the swordswoman had remained on his radar this long without more data coming his way was telling.  He already knew that she was highly competent.  That was never in question.  It was her motives and goals about which he was curious.  "The other you mentioned is unfamiliar to me.  Are you close, if I may ask, or merely rooming together?"  No judgment belied his query.  Freyd really couldn't care less about people's preferences, especially in here.  

"Japanese-Canadi... You're the second other person I've met in the past week with similar connections.  I grew up in Vancouver - well, Burnaby, technically, but what-da-ya-know, eh?  Nice'ta meetcha, hoser!"  Snorting at his own  slip into absurd stereotype, it took him a moment to blink and shake off his surprise.  "Whereabouts from?  My parents were both Japanese, and we moved back to Osaka long before any of this nonsense happened, but still... I miss the Rockies."  It wasn't something he'd admitted to himself before, let alone anyone else.  "I can manage in both languages without an accent, or so I've been told, but who knows how that translates through the system.  Small world."

Giant treants lines the outskirts of the groves, serving as residents and guardians all at once.  Trees of every imaginable species could be found here, coniferous and deciduous alike.  Some looked barely tall enough to walk on their own, where others were so laden by their canopies that they could hardly stand.  Nearly all bore marks of flame somewhere upon their bodies - a testament to the toll of this enduring conflict.  

"Strange that there are no other players about.  I wonder whether the quest is instanced in some way."  

Several of the smaller treefolk gathered round, encircling them but implying no hostility.

"What do you want, fleshlings," asked one of them, its voice gruff and low, as it peered in close with the hollows of its eyes to assess them.  "This is no place for your kind."

"Show us your ears," called another, aggressively, imagining the worst.

"Can I stomp them?"  The third had a great charcoal scar running over its face, and ugly demeanor about him, looking like the type likely to hold a grudge against the entirety of fleshy kind.

"Speak," demanded the first once more.  "We've no time or patience for games or deceit.  If you prove troublesome in the least, Ash will get his wish."  It shook its boughs towards the one that looked about ready to fall over onto them and crush them with the greatest of glee.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari considered the question calmly before responding, knowing that she would be doing something that she'd thus far refused to do. When she did speak, her voice was soft, and there was an obvious hesitation to the answer she gave, although there appeared to be no embarrassment of the topic at hand. "We...started out as roommates, I guess. Met on one of the lower floors, back when...when we were lonely. It's evolved...since then. Although what we are now...I cannot really say."

She gave a soft shrug at the end of the sentence, realising that she wasn't entirely sure where the two of them stood. Perhaps something to question later on, when there's more time. She filed the commentary and question away for another time, her face taking on a look of surprise and shock at the sudden tone that took over Freyd's voice. It took her a few moments to recognise the joke within the stereotypical words, and when she'd - barely - recovered, she couldn't help but shake her head and laugh.

"We're not that far away from each other, originally...My parents ow-I'm from Ladysmith, just south of Nanaimo." She quickly glanced away, looking at anything but Freyd as she tried to ignore the slip of the tongue. She'd hated her family situation for a long time, and refused to acknowledge it even now. Instead, she turned her attention towards the approaching Treants, her brow furrowing as they took an almost aggressive stance immediately upon their arrival to the area. Barely containing the anger in her voice as she responded, Nari stared down the Treant that had spoken first, and last, deciding that it would be the main point of contact among the small group of interceptors that had come to meet them.

"I see that the Treants are far from welcoming, a sad portrayal of a once grand populace. One would think that a culture such as yours would adhere to the traditions of welcoming, rather than the aggression of younger, less respectful things." She provided a curtsey to the creatures, even as she spoke in an almost venomous tone, her hand rising at the tail end of the curtsey to pull back her hair and display her left ear. "We come to speak with Ned, King of Treants - and hopefully more inclined towards proper respect of those seeking council and talks. Unless you prefer to feel his, and our wrath, I would advise you do what is best suited for you; remove yourselves from our path, and show us to one who can truly take on the required counselling of those who bring words of peace and prosperity."

[Freyd 0]

It was heartwarming to hear that Nari had found a renewed sense of companionship.  Given the traumatic events she alluded to from hear earliest days in the game, and prior, it was precisely what others would likely say she needed.  Freyd wasn't good with the whole 'emotion' thing, though he'd learned quite a bit from his own burgeoning relationship.  "Ah. I think I understand," he lied, mostly. "Please don't think I was judging. Call it curiosity and a lack of understanding on my part.  Relationships are new to me.  There's still a lot that I don't understand, though that is slowly and painfully changing."  Laughing at his own expense, he was about to turn to more conversations about their old communal stomping grounds, relatively speaking, when they were challenged by several treants surrounding them with less than friendly mien.

Nari's sudden outburst at the aggressive manner of their hosts was a bit stark, in contrast to the tone of their discussion a moment before, yet Freyd had also noticed a pattern.  She was swift to shift and escalate.  He'd witnessed it several times now.  Eying her to gauge how she handled the situation, he practically ignored the other party.  'She was the same way with the Haelia,' he reminded himself.  It was as if she were tempting - no, daring - fate to put her where she believed she should be.  Nari was more on the brink than most realized, possibly including herself.  He'd been there himself, his mind fracturing under the strain.  

Before Freyd could interject, another arbor wandered over to their midst, several of its still-healing injuries looking suspiciously familiar.

"Youmans... spared... me. Deez youmans... friends... to... treants."

"You?!" Freyd burst out into massive guffaws.   "How did you get back here so fast?  I've seen snails race faster than you guys.  Can I call you Sbruce?  You strike me as a Sbruce."  The treant slowly raised its hand as if to object, but Freyd had already barreled on.  "Look, pal, really glad to see you made it back in... mostly one piece.  We're here to see Ned and talk about how to put and end - or bury the h...hatred between you and the elves."  It was close, but he managed to steer clear of a potentially fatal metaphor that could have completely ruined the moment.

"Is Ned around?  Are YOU Ned?!  Sbruce?!  Why didn't you tell us you were Ned!  That could have seriously saved us all a considerable amount of trouble."

The other treants were too stunned by Freyd's ramblings to interject, his rapid-fire screed leaving them all in lost in the pacing of an entirely one-sided conversation.  From her vantage, Nari could clearly tell that he was doing it entirely with purpose, hoping to badger them into a solution before they could catch up and realize what was actually happening.  Unfortunately, Ned wouldn't have it, driving a death knell straight into the heart of the Whisper's plans with two curt, though jovially delivered words.

"Shut... up."

Edited February 23 by Freyd

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She could feel herself blink slowly as she watched Freyd's sudden outburst. An obvious ploy, she realised slowly, in order to detract the path of aggressive diplomacy that Nari had been taking in the moment, and one that she - eventually - realised was likely to be more successful than her own stance against the Treants. Whether through some measure of wisdom, understanding of Freyd's plans and intents, or pure dumbstruck reaction, Nari found herself remaining silent as Freyd continued to drive his overexaggerated excitement home. 

"Shut... up."

The simple words were sudden, and yet slowly, given in response to the maniac beside her. She stifled the laugh that arose in response, a small crack of a grin giving way the battle within herself as the Treant seemed to stare at the Shadow with a mixture of confusion and contempt. Slowly, with a speed that would make a snail jealous, the Treant explained the request of the King - a being which Nari still wasn't sure whether it was the being before them, or another within the grove speaking through the voice of the messenger sent to deliver the proposition.

"Ned proclaims...retrieve the Cypher...Rune of Wood...then...talks of peace...only then..." Without another word the Treant turned to move off, taking steps that were only a fraction of a step faster than the speed with which it had spoken. Slowly, as if something had been decided, the other Treants began retreating back into the grove as well, leaving Nari and Freyd standing and staring after them. A sudden shiver ran down her form, and Nari turned to look at Freyd with a confused gaze.

"That...seemed easy?" She glanced up at the mini map in her peripheral, realising that a point had been added as the next step of the quest. She squinted at it, sudden confusion in her face as she tried to discern something. "What was that bit about relationships being new to you?"

[Freyd 0]

"Eh?"  Face scrunched up in an expression that might have been best described at delightfully offended, Freyd held the pose for the entire duration of Sbruce's (possibly Ned's) entirely too lengthy explanation.  Only when the all the treants had departed did he finally relax, massaging his cheeks with both hands to loosen the rictus that was setting in.

"Oh, goody.  This quest also has a fetch component.  How nice.  Should we gather some boar tusks and dandelions as alchemical fodder while we're at it?"  Clearly joking, Freyd was already heading towards the appointed location.  "They were also all 'Ned', by the way.  I'd pinged the name with Tracking on our way here and gotten multiple returns.  It might explain why the elves have never had much success in rooting out the treant leadership.  Rooting... pfft."  Snickering at his unintended play on words, he led them back into the woods and away from Baobab's heart. Growing pensive again, and revealing a hint of blush at Nari's question, Freyd struggled to find the appropriate response.  

"It's not a topic that I'm particularly good at.  I've spent a lot of time studying people, learning their collective tells, patterns, motives and idioms.  You can get to reading people much like you can predict the idiosyncrasies of mobs, with enough practice.  It's really remarkable how similar the two can be.  Suffice it to say that it's led me to comfortably anticipate what people will do, but not always why - especially in matters of the heart.  Those observations are rarer and more... difficult.  The logic is... fuzzy."  He walked in silence for a few moments.  "I also have someone special in my life.  Like you, it just happened over time, and my ignorance kept me oblivious to the feelings for a very long time.  It felt more... natural, as a result?"  The question seemed aimed at Nari as much as himself, as if searching for confirmation.  "Part of me recoils from it, considering the attachment as a weakness to be exploited by enemies and placing the one I care about at risk.  The rest of me doesn't give a damn and wants nothing more than to have her at my side during every waking moment.  Does that make any sense?"

From anyone else, the entire tone of the conversation might have seemed absurd, but his words carried a desperate hint of need for confirmation mixed with the uniquely sublime state of bliss that can only be known when one truly cares about another being.  The entire exchange was oddly child-like in nature, veering slightly towards a touch of the uncanny valley.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari threw a quizzical glance towards Freyd as he explained the fact that all of the Treants had been Ned, following the revelation with a horrible pun that made her shake her head and laugh. "Really? Really? Rooting? An entire plethora of commentary and possible connections, and you come up with rooting? I swear if I didn't know better I'd say you were a father..."

She followed along behind him as he began leading the way towards the waypoint, his words coming in a change of tone that stirred something within Nari's heart and mind. Somehow it felt more vulnerable than when he'd previously spoken, and it took her a few seconds to realise that he was being far more open, far more revealing, than he had been earlier. A fact that Nari realised meant something so much more than could be put into words, and something she knew she would not abuse. Quietly, listening to each word and syllable, she followed the man into the depths of his mind and heart.

She came to a sudden stop however, as he reached the pinnacle of his explanation. Her face held an expression mixed into wonder, amazement and pure shock as she stared - mouth slightly agape - at the man who suddenly made a lot of sense in her mind. Calmly, slowly, and without any judgement to her voice, she spoke in response to his queries, her words slipping out without consideration as she felt herself slip into the conversation again. "You're afraid. Of loss...of vulnerability...of...yes, it makes sense. I felt that way with Onora, at first. The feeling of wanting to be close, and knowing the danger that closeness can bring...the way in which you worry every moment you're away, wondering if they're safe. If they'll be there when you return, or if their name will become another-"

She stopped suddenly, her face twisting in a motion of agony. Even after all this time, it's still painful. Slowly, with a calmness and determination, she steadied herself and continued her words, switching the topic ever so slightly while looking away into the distance. "That worry will never go away. No matter what you do...no matter what happens. The only solace I can give...from experience, is that eventually it either works out, or you get past it. But..."

She turned and looked at him again, a seriousness in her face that seemed to be similar to when she'd spoken to the the queen and Treants earlier. "...if you have those feelings, don't ignore them. It will only tear you apart. You must decide for yourself if they're worth it. And if they are...no matter the worry that you may feel, you have to realise that if you mean as much to them as they do to you, they likely feel the same. In the end...in the end it's a risk, one that may hurt. No matter what you choose, there's the possibility you lose something dear to you...and sometimes...sometimes choosing to give up is more painful than choosing to embrace, even if that embrace ends in agony."

She wasn't sure if what she said made sense, but she hoped that the emotion behind it, if nothing else, would reach the man. The experiences of the past written plainly on her face, she'd tried to share a measure of the things she'd learnt, the things that she'd gone through, and how they had defined her. A plethora of pain, suffering, joy, depression, excitement, and even fear seemed to sit behind her eyes; all held down by a determination. "The only regrets we can have in life, are those times we chose a path we knew to be wrong, no matter the signs we saw."

[Freyd 0]

Accusations of 'dad-joke in the third degree' brought an ear-splitting grin to the Whisper's face.  He was no father, and certainly had no father figure to look up to in his youth, though certain lingering doubts pointed memories towards the efforts of his grandfather.  That was about as close as he'd ever got.  

Quiet and resigned as Nari laid bare her speculations about his fears, Freyd simply listened, staring at the ground before them as they walked beneath the shuffling bows of the forest canopy.  Streams and beams of light danced before them as a gently, nudging breeze swayed the forest to its silent tune merely by its passing.  Nari's revelations of her own fears and doubts about Onora were dutifully absorbed, including her own path to reconcile what she assumed were similar origins for his own concerns.

"I'm glad you found each other," he replied sincerely, once she had said her peace.  "It sounds like your feelings for Onora might provide you with a path forward previously obscured by grief. I mean that only in the most hopeful manner, and not to diminish the details of your prior loss.  Nothing can truly do that.  But thank you for sharing those thoughts and insights.  They ring as both wise and true, in the context you describe."  Pausing as he walked, Freyd seemed to be gathering his thoughts before continuing.  

"My fears, as you call them, may not be what you think.  I'm not afraid of suffering loss, but more of causing its effects and consequences.  It's a reality we all contend with every single day, in this life or any other - though perhaps acutely so in here."  Waving his hand around, the contrast of such ominous talk against the beauty of their surroundings felt jarring.  "I'm less concerned about external threats than I am about the one I represent, myself.  I have no illusions, Nari: I am a monster, for no other reason than my willingness to do whatever it takes to get me to my goal - even a selfless one.  It was precisely what drew my friend to ask me to swear my oath in the first place.  He knew, as I did when I made it, that I would take absolutely any action necessary, even if meant sacrificing those things I care for the most in this world.  That isn't fair to them, and it's what terrifies me - knowing I could... would, make that choice. Doing so would validate every accusation of being a heartless abomination that I have or may ever face.  And I know that I would still stay the course, because it is my nature."

Freyd paused, as if struggling to reconcile that reality inside himself once more, like it was weighing down his very soul and tearing him apart from within.  Looking upon him, only now did she notice that none of the dancing beams of light from above managed to touch him where he stood, moving everywhere save the place he occupied at any given moment.  Shadows crowded against him, around him, as if cradling and jealously sequestering his presence for themselves.  Maybe there was more to his nickname than most ever assumed?

"So, to carry forward your words, knowing that I would make the wrong choice for the right reasons, can I live with those regrets?"  Without answering, eyes still downcast, Freyd resumed his forward march.  The very light of the forest parted once more against his resolute and relentless advance.

Edited February 24 by Freyd

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She didn't grin in response to his kindness, the words clearly spoken from a level of his heart - or where one would find a heart, in a being such as themselves - in an earnest attempt to show his warmth towards Nari. The knightess found the words somehow more welcoming than the many placating, half-false attempts that others had made, and the corner of her mouth twitched towards smiling as she cocked her head to the left. Without breaking stride, her hands reaching down and tugging slightly at the small purple skirt that surrounded the upper layers of her armoured legs, she gave what could only be described as a somehow messy, and yet perplexingly well-handled curtsey. 

"Most people simply attempt to appease the idea of caring for another, and the idea of eventually moving onwards. Thank you." She fell silent and listened as he continued, coming to a stop at the same time as he did. She ignored the waving hand, keeping her eyes on Freyd as the man spoke of the truth behind his fears - different, and yet aligned with what Nari had first concluded. She waited until she was certain he was finished, letting the silence flow for a few seconds before following after him, stretching her step in order to align herself beside the shadow-surrounded figure. When she eventually spoke again, her voice was calm and levelled, although soft, as though to keep anyone in the distance from listening into what she had to say. She kept her eyes ahead, not looking at Freyd as she spoke, but there was no emotion in her features that would suggest any sign of fear or discontent with the man, instead an almost understanding look had entered her eyes.

"We are all monsters, Freyd. Whether we know it or not...we are monsters, to some degree. Whether it be through action or inaction, it doesn't matter - and anyone who tells you otherwise, or acts as if they aren't..." She let the sentence fade away. There was no need to bring voice to the ideology that they both would understand even if it were left empty on the wind. Instead, she carried on with another thought, one parallel to the original she'd been making. "You say that you're afraid of what you may do. That, in itself, is a fear of loss...the loss that you create through what you call necessity. Necessity of whatever action was given to you, the charge and agreement that you came to...but the amount of that loss is up to you."

She took a few quick steps and spun to face Freyd, forcing the man to stop in his tracks through her sheer, short presence alone. Staring up into his face, her eyes hardened and set with a determination that had shown when she spoke to the queen and the Treants earlier, she spread her hands wide on either side of her form. "You say that you swore to do whatever it takes, in order to reach your goal. I do not pretend to know this goal - I may guess it's intent and meaning, but I do not know. However, if it's anything like the promise I made, then I would say only this; remember that a goal, a promise, an oath are only as worthy as the finality."

Still staring up into his face, her expression shifted slightly into a look of pain as she made a sudden decision. A single tear touched the edge of her left eye, hovering in existence at the memories. "I swore to Evelyn - the one I lost - that I would do anything to free everyone from this world, because it's my fault we're all here. I promised I would do anything, including the sacrifice of my own life, upon her dying breath, in order to fulfill that goal. I will uphold that oath, promise...whatever you wish to call it...but I remember one thing about it - I made that promise to save all those around me, through whatever self-sacrifice need be made. But that promise...that death wish fails if my actions bring the death of another."

She took a soft breath, the tear wiped away with a sudden shift of her left hand towards her face, and a strand of hair pushed aside. "I do not know if your promise is similar, identical or entirely different, but I do know you have a choice over your actions, at least to some degree. You say you care for this person - do you care enough to find any solution within your grasp to save them, given the chance, and still fulfill your promise? If you do...keep them close, because they may become a part of that promise...not a hindrance, but a resolution. We walk a lonely road, but we don't have to...not if we realise the actions we can, and cannot, take."

She waited, not moving, staring up into Freyd's eyes. She knew that he would answer, but how much he would give her was still to be seen.

[Freyd 0]

"We are all monsters," he repeated, as if this perspective had yet to be considered to its fullest.  Doubt flooded his mind at the prospect and ran a dozen simultaneous scenarios, knowing what he knew about those he considered most noble or innocent in this world.  The mental effort expended to reconcile the outcome in so brief a time might be considered epic, under different circumstances.  Such was the abundance of data to be processed, tabulated and compared.  So many of the variables were subjective, denying attempts to quantify or even qualify beyond the realms of instinct or opinion.  People were so hard to model.

"Evelyn," he echoed, burning the name to memory, the bulk of his attention still hyper-focused on Nari's other words and determination, both blazing with fierce fire behind the armor of her eyes.  "We are in agreement, in principle.  I'm not some reckless madman tearing through the universe like a raging bull towards a distant bloody curtain obsessing my focus and driving me to oblivious destruction.  The potential and consequences of my actions are crystal clear, and tempered by measures of wit, prudence and subtlety.  I aim to be a scalpel, not a tenderizer.  Our goals sound very much aligned, as do our promises, and you can rest assured that I will never throw lives away with callous disregard.  But," he interjected sternly, "I am prepared to make the inevitable choices when they come; the leader's burden, if you will, where fates are decided.  It is the true test of anyone who would take on such a role, and few are properly prepared to face it."  Calm afflicted every word, devoid of any negative emotion or inkling of ego.  It was as if the man had none, functioning instead upon a rare and contemplative self-awareness that had led him towards a place of zen.  He mused a moment while she barred his passage, content to entertain her resolution.

"Do you know the tale of Paul Atreides?  He's a character from a series of novels called 'Dune' that has long been a favourite of mine.  Paul was unique in his ability to accurately foresee the future - all potential futures, in fact - and steer the course of human history towards or away from certain outcomes.  He could manipulate fate.  I'm not suggesting that either of us has that power, though perhaps our vows cause us to share some sense of similar responsibility.  The peril of prescience is that some outcomes remain inevitable.  No matter what decisions or moral choices you make, certain consequences cannot be evaded.  They can only be postponed.  That is our dilemma.  How far will we go to protect the ones we love, the lives of others, our principles, and ultimately our very selves for the sake of that promise.  How much or how many can be sacrificed?  There is no right answer.  There are only choices, extending into infinity and reflected upon by those moments of inevitability."

Crossing his arms as he spoke, Freyd gently stroked his chin with the oddly synchronous beat akin to the pacing of a metronome.  She could have set a clock to it, with certainty.

"The author offered a mantra by which some characters in his stories could prepare to face such monumental choices, including Paul.  They called it the Litany Against Fear."  Clearing his throat, Freyd summoned a massive greatsword from thin air, holding it upon two open faced palms.  The blade was polished black steel, with a an elongated hilt and wide cross guard.  Fine and elaborate script was engraved along the black blade's fuller, which he read aloud on the assumption that she was not already familiar.  That he carried such an item spoke to the importance and consideration be placed upon the passage.

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

Dismissing the blade as swiftly as it had been summoned, Freyd took a deep breath as if refreshed by its refrain.  Was he telling her this to provide Nari with some sense of comfort when facing her fears, or trying to quell his own?  In effect, regardless, it served to restore and reinforce his perspective through review.  When Freyd finally continued, he seemed at ease with himself once more, a hint of joy and warmth finally spilling into the space behind his words.

"I will not cast aside love for foolish pride.  Nor will I set aside wisdom or need for the sake of selfishness.  I will choose hope.  If it means that I must be cut to reach the end, then so be it.  I accept that as inevitable consequence for daring  to walk so brazenly along fate's cruel knife's edge.  And, to whatever extent it may be in my power, she, along with every other soul that we can spare, will reach the end alive.  Does that satisfy your concern, Nari?  Would it be worthy of Evelyn?"

 

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She'd fallen silent listening to Freyd's commentary and explanation. Much of it seemed to resonate in her mind to similar ideals, if not exact replicas of her own understanding of her purpose and the path she had chosen. The quote, along with the name given regarding a series she had heard of, but took little interest in, caused her to respond for the first time since he had begun speaking. The words were soft, barely more than a whisper as she spoke them, and yet she found them coming naturally after so long; a mantra of her own that she had been raised with, as long as she could remember. A mantra that had driven most, if not all, the choices in her life.

"Fear not the outcomes of future, past and present, for they are in the arms of the Sisters Three, ever watchful of the fates twined." Her eyes shifted only slightly to look at the greatsword before returning to look at Freyd, watching the man's complexion and composure with a curiosity that could've been misconstrued with intense investigation, desire or interest. It took several seconds following his proclamation, and his returned question, before Nari found herself speaking again. Her voice, this time, was held at a natural volume, and carried a lint of humour to it, as if she found something oddly entertaining about the entire experience. "Yes, I do believe that it satisfies any concerns I may have had. I know all too well how easy it is to throw everything away in the pursuit of passion, desire and determination...whether that determination is inherently good or evil, as some would argue. As to whether it would be worthy of Evelyn...only the gods can judge that, and I will not try and become a goddess myself."

She turned away from Freyd for the first time, looking over the area that they had entered. It had the air of a war camp, or at least one that had once been a war camp. The area was wholly deserted, long ago abandoned following whatever conflict had washed over it and driven inhabitant from tent and leisure, and yet Nari saw no signs of carnage that she would expect to find in such a place. Somehow, even with the atrocities that had likely befallen the area, it held an area of peacefulness over it. "I would, if you will allow me to be so brazen as to suggest so, say that we have similar goals with differing pathways leading to our finality. Perhaps there are different steps along the roads we take, and mayhaps our fates are not entirely aligned - yet I believe that they do, in some way, meet throughout and in eventuality. Whether that is alongside one another, in conflict, or in friendly competition...well, that's not for me to say."

She threw a smile towards Freyd as she paused, holding up her left hand with her index finger pointing towards the man. "What I will say, and you'll have to tolerate the correlation and assumptions behind it, is that you and I may not be so different. We're both broken individuals, who have reasons to continue onwards...reasons which may be gloriously inglorious in facet and factuality. They give us purpose, and reason to live...but we cannot allow them to consume us to the point that we are no longer human. Our purposes may be heroic, idealistic, or simply required...but we are people still, and that means that although we have a finality, a fate, we are still required to carry on our lives during the pathway to that fate. Part of that means being there for those we care for, and protecting them from the eventuality we may face...as hard as that may be for all."

She closed her eyes suddenly, thinking back on the phrase that she had inscribed once, her voice taking on a monotone, remembrance tone as she spoke it from memory. "The fates give, so that we may understand that which is lost, for only in loss can you understand that which you have held."

[Freyd 0]

Freyd heard some, but not all of what Nari whispered to herself under her breath.  Judging by her demeanor and the conversation to date, they held compatible perspectives on their circumstances.  Her comment about refusing to chase after divinity earned her a smile and chuckle.  He knew what she meant, and took the declaration to heart.  This manner of candor was refreshing after the endless and ineffable dance required by most others. Both of them scanned the derelict war camp as they entered, Nari's wary eye surveying for dangers while he set about poking and prodding with black-gloved hands.  

"Speak for yourself," came a jovial retort when she claimed they were similar.  "I'm..."  Whatever witty retort was brewing died in his throat, Freyd's shoulders slumping ever so slightly.  Nari deserved better than his endless routine of deflection and misdirection.  She was right.  They were akin, or at least as much as two individuals from different branches of fate could arguably be. 

"No.  You're right.  We are broken, and in similar ways.  It's a rare thing to find someone else who truly understands what that means.  It would be insulting to pretend otherwise after the truths we've exchanged.  You're an unusual bird, Nari-not-Lanreth.  I'm glad those pesky winds along the castle's edge never succeeded in claiming you.  Let's both keep howling back against them and see how far  defiance carries us."

Sifting through ash and rubble with his boots, he caught a glimmer of something metallic - unusual among elven and treants alike.  Wiping more debris aside revealed what first looked like a decorative plate or bit of filigree embossed over some discarded placard.  

"This is iron," Freyd added, running his spider-like fingertips along the rune.  "Sylvan folk aren't overly fond, as I'm sure you're aware."  His appraising skills were showing again.  "To get this level of detail would have required fine craftsmanship.  I don't pretend to understand the full meaning behind the symbol, but elf and treant alike would have shied away from this."  Slipping two fingers into revealed slots, he pulled, and the leaf dislodged, revealing a tight, narrow passage descending into the dark.

"I can see just fine down there, and can serve as scout if you need a free hand to work a glowstone.  But I'm guessing that whatever this," his eyes scanned the desolate camp, "was meant to cover for, is actually down here."

***

ID 219818 | Searching for trap door | LD 10+6=16 (Success)

Edited March 4 by Freyd