Artifact

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

Of all the things we’ve seen, done, heard and experienced, why would any of that be the sort of thing that bothers me?

@Valiance

Because it's not the kind of person I've portrayed myself to be. Frankly, it's not the kind of person I wish I was myself.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

I’m glad we agree from both sides of the aisle.

@Valiance

*Seems taken aback*
Really? Even though you found out I'm a nobody, from a dirt-poor family?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

Mm…

@Valiance

I'm not worried about what it showed me. I know the kind of person you are; whether it was true or not won't change who you've proven yourself to be.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

I don’t imagine it put you through any sort of similar thing involving me?

@Valiance

I imagine we saw each other's worlds. Who knows how true it was though?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

I know, Faering. I’ve seen enough to agree.

@Valiance

Just... don't get the wrong ideas. Those things it said about me—they weren't true. Not the way it meant them.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

Inevitable, I could only imagine.

@Valiance

*Narrows my eyes*
I'm not like them, though. I'm human enough that... well, it works.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

I didn’t get to see what happened after they chased you out of town.

@Valiance

I don't remember what happened. Somehow I learned that day that human flesh could reverse the transformation.
*Bites into my hand and my appearance returns to normal*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

That you were vilified and hunted from the moment you proved to be different?

@Valiance

Not quite—
*Crosses my arms, now tense*
The town treated me as well as I deserved. Gave me a place to live on the outskirts.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

*Nods*
Mm. Made it a good test.

@Valiance

*Flies over and grabs the crystal*
Two down. And now that you've seen the truth, perhaps the last for you.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

Just wanted to be as sure as I could that I wouldn’t be hitting you with it.
*Kicks away from the pull off a chunk of the scattered debris that had launched itself back up to our position*

@Valiance

*The implosion continues between the mist reacting with the rocky chunks, coalescing into a crystalline center no larger than a person's thumb*
If I reacted that slowly, I really would be an illusion.