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In Symphony of Espers → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
In The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
Leannah




The catgirl frowned slightly at the mention of just telling Lazhira the truth about, well, the girl herself. Yes they owed it to Lazhira to be honest with her, but at the same time it was not something that would likely sit well with anyone. Learning you were made simply to hide a key? Learning your whole existence was not that of a living thing, but basically to hide something? Exestential crisis city, if not worse. To that end, the catgirl let out a long sigh as she nodded back to Narkissa. It was about as much as she could do at this point for the most part, as after sitting there listening to Narkissa in turn that last burst of energy to talk seemed to fizzle right out.

Still...

"What if telling her...also...causes something bad? Imagine...damn..."

Leannah felt a yawn force itself out from her throat after she spoke, and likewise her eyes began to feel heavier than they perhaps should have. It was natural, but she was trying to fight it simply to say something. However, she couldn't fight sleep and exhaustion and so forth forever. Far from it, actually, though she feared things would go to hell if she tried to get any shut-eye. All the same, ignoring it was just as foolish right now after all she'd been through.

In that vein her compatriot was most correct indeed.

"...You're right...need...sleep...talk....later....but...wake me......if....things......go........bad......."

The catgirl's eyelids fluttered shut as the last word drawled out of her mouth, barely legible but enough for Narkissa to hopefully get the point: 'Wake me if things go bad.' A last little message in case, well, in case things went to crap whilst she slept. Perhaps she was overthinking it still, but all the same the reality of gods and monsters and so forth in this world made knowledge that much more dangerous. What if Lazhira reacted very badly to it? What if she tried to open the seal then, or called them all crazy or lied to and kicked them out? What if the Goddess of Conflict made use of Lazhira in that time, pushing her in the direction that would most quickly open that seal?

So many what-if's, and Leannah herself felt there were far too many for her to handle at the moment. At least, to handle alone. So much she didn't know, so much she didn't have a say in, and now this accursed knowledge she'd acquired that opened up the truth but felt like it simultaneously made a can of worms or worse out of the rest of it.

Still, her mind grasped once last time at a small something in her mind as consciousness faded into some much needed rest-

'Goddess...Auset-Kythet...what do...I don't know...what to do...this...'

A tiny attempt at a prayer, as sleepily and exhaustedly delivered as it was, sprung from her worry. Whether it was answered or anything happened or not, however, the catgirl would finally and fully fall asleep before Narkissa's eyes.

Comfort under the veil of unconsciousness would be a small bit of solace, perhaps, before some tough decisions would need to be made.

@Rune_Alchemist@Click This
In Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] → 3 yrs ago Forum: Nation Roleplay
The Xandalian Republic


The Meeting Place


"War of the White Roses"




It was enough that the ECU and Undefeated had thrown themselves into a war against the Zetans before. Even now, the Xandalians were sending supplies and volunteers to the Zetans to try to assist them in some manner or another in recovery in the long term. It was an attempt to make good on their word, a genuine effort. In all of this, they had hoped that the peace would manage to last for some time longer before anything else erupted. Humanity had just rediscovered its scattered remnants, and it was a time they should have been using to talk and try to figure out some things...among which the inevitable and big question of 'what happened to the Gateway network 300 years ago?'

And yet, humanity also remained true to its roots in a particular way as well it seemed.

Civil War.

The ECU had thrown themselves into a gambit against the Zetans, and Republic Intelligence spoke in detail about the growing unrest on their homeworld. People fed up with the seeming repression they'd been held under, given more room to 'wiggle' when their 'police' had been pulled away to fight a meaningless war. Yet thing had finally exploded onto the forefront of things, and the Oligarchs were losing their grip. It was a tragic occurrence the Republic would have refrained from for the most part...save for the 'beneficial' opportunity it presented.

An ECU which might be more peaceful and willing to talk due to those in charge. An ECU government that might be more apt to remain neutral in some matters and perhaps less likely to impulsively start conflicts beyond themselves. An ECU society that would be undergoing years of reform, requiring investment and support to help keep stable and so forth.

Did not not sound more pleasing to the ear? Did it not sound far preferrable than potentially letting a set of more unstable leaders create issue in the future?

The anti-ECU propaganda campaign hadn't petered out in its effects yet, with most of the public had seemingly been stirred into a froth about what the Oligarchs had done to the Zetans. Their Envoy was talking to a representative of the ECU at the very least, trying to answer some questions, and in that vein perhaps peaceful talks would be more possible now so more than before. The prior war hadn't fully petered out of the picture either, the civil war simply being added to the consequences of what was going on. It was a mess and a mix of things, including getting word that the Matuvistans had already sent in forces to help put down the rebellion, but at the same time the potential for getting things rolling was clear.

The people there had made their message as clear as day to the Xandalian Senate. A new government, one that did not send them into meaningless wars. Yet they were being terrorized, shot, and suppressed in order to achieve the ultimate goal of their silence.

All it took was a single meeting of the Senate, presenting the intelligence findings and data they had been able to acquire in the past while. From there things had been clear as crystal.

Envoy Christensen would soon find a message in his inbox to speak with the Zetans. Likewise, Executive Officer Garand would find himself awoken once more in the middle of the Xandalian night as an urgent phone call once again reached his ears. Even Commander Walton Varitian would find himself on the receiving end. Other messages would be disseminated in turn as well, but all were direct orders from the senate.

The current state of the military's mobilization, stalled after the sudden ending of the Zetan War after the announcement of Xandalian support for the Zetans, would recommence in full. Preparations of the Reorganized Xandalian Grand Fleet would be continued. Media outlets would be provided an amount of information and some footage and ilk that would 'happen to leak' from ECU space. Humanitarian aid and evacuation ships would be prepared in greater depth. The Xandalian Gateway would continue to be secured with preparatory measures and further defensive measures to be installed. Home protection forces, ones which would remain at home, were put on a higher state of alert as well.

The gears were turning.

The winds were shifting.

The smell of blood in the water was present, the sound of cries in the night lingering, but care and caution had to be taken in this case.

The buildup could be justified as lingering from the old declaration easily.

All that would be left would be to survey the scene politically and act as needed.

All Hail The Republic.

@Irredeemable



Xandalian Space


"War of the White Roses: A Thorn Emerges"




The secure line crackled with static for a moment in the cockpit, requiring only a minute adjustment before the voice on the other end rang out as clear as crystal.

"This is Nest to Mother Hawk, is your clutch ready?"

The dark-skinned man in the cockpit every so slightly grinned, lowly chuckling before leaning back into his seat as he gripped the controls and connected to the system. The lights on the interior of his cockpit lit up like a Christmas tree as the boot-up process kicked in and the mech sprung to life. Five others nearby would also spring to life equally as fast. That was their signal, clear as day.

"Read you loud and clear, Nest. Clutch is hatched, fully fed, and are preparing for flight lessons."

The voice on the other end did not let out so much as a chuckle. Rather, it simply droned on in the same official voice that the man had heard so many times before. However, this time was definitely different than before. No, it was exciting to say the very least.

"Affirmative, Mother Hawk. Proceed with flight lessons at 0200 hours beyond-nest time, and deploy feather coat to ensure you stay warm for the flight. If you fall too far from the tree, however, you cannot expect assistance. In such a case you must destroy the eggshells."

"We are all well aware, Nest. Eggshells will be removed in full if we fall too far away."

The risks were well-known, but their mission was a simple one. Nothing too big or fancy, just some looking about and poking at a few things where needed. Should things go under, they knew what needed to be done.

It wasn't their first rodeo by any stretch of the imagination either. Was a new place though.

"...And good luck, Sergeant Valens. For the Republic."

"For the Republic."

@Tortoise





The Meeting Place


"New Arrivals"




Another new arrival? At least they used Old English. Used to be the common international language way far back, made sense to try it on a first contact at least.

Even so, Envoy Valeris lightly shook her head back and forth, a long sigh hissing out from between her tired lips.

She'd barely sat down at her desk after all of the moving in, and already she was going to be busy. Made sense, but she'd at least hoped for a drink before any other new nations popped out of the woodwork. The woman had been moved in to act as a redundancy and secondary Envoy to handle the workload...at least after the attempted assassination fiasco. Also in case Christensen got himself shot the next time. If there was a next time. The Republic was far from keen about the matter of an Envoy being shot at so brazenly in a neutral space, and even the security measures in their area of the station had been increased.

Still, the new guys at least had some kind of style. Either that or they were complete idiots.

So she'd just have to see what happened.

The Envoy pressed a button on her desk.

"Yes, Envoy Valeris?"

"Send a broadcasted message to the new arrival, inviting them to speak with us at the station in turn."

That would also give her enough time to take a swig of something. Not enough to ruin a meeting, but juuuuust a small shot of something to soothe the nerves. Preferably some of that derrin root vodka, stuff kicked like a horse and might help her perk back up at least.

@Liotrent
In Symphony of Espers → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay


@BrokenPromise@ERode

It is done. Finally. Stuff like the Leitmotif might need balancing better, but that is one reason I am happy to submit the app for GM review. Yes. XD

Whew.
In Through the Gateways: Humanity [Closed] → 3 yrs ago Forum: Nation Roleplay
@Liotrent

Approved! You can drop them in the char tab and start posting whenever.

It'll be interesting to see how a more normal, science-focused nation reacts to all the weirdness of the other colonies. We've got clones, cyborgs, and... whatever the ECU counts as, I guess.


And Gundams. Xandalians have a LOT of Gundams. XD
In The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
Leannah




The catgirl focused as best she could on Narkissa's words, though some reactions along the way were perhaps a given. Narkissa making contact with the goddess who'd brought them here was one matter that raised her eyebrows for a moment, as did their encounter with The Illuminator as well. Her compatriot's words about Novak, the man who'd been with them on the trip it seemed, were not rather encouraging though. Yet the deal struck there with The Illuminator, however, seemed to make little sense. Help find the orb? Really? It was a contradiction of what she'd learned, and something felt fishy enough about that at its core anywho. The very issue with the cultists was also something of note, bringing a frown to Leannah's face as she pondered what it meant in regards to her own suspicions about the mad god.

It seemed they were in quite a predicament indeed, at the very least!

Still, as Narkissa finished and her own turn came up, the catgirl gave a nod and would only speak where she and Narkissa could hear. She would relate in detail her story about praying to Auset-Kythet and the response, as well as mission, given to her by the cute bird goddess. The golden feather would be shown as proof before being hidden back in the, ah, 'location' she'd been keeping it hidden in. She would speak about her adventure in the temple after falling into the pit, from getting up to heading into the library and all of the puzzle solving. She would even show Narkissa the torn journal page she had acquired, before tucking the page back safely away on her own person and hidden carefully within the picture book.

She would recount her eventual contact with The Illuminator, and how in trying to keep him busy she had goofed up and gotten stuck in a game of sorts to learn about The Illuminator's history. She'd relate the whole of the origin story of The Illuminator in turn as well, and what she'd faced that nearly caused her to turn herself into a furry pile of ash. She'd relate the story about the Sage and her conversation with the Sage, and how she'd ended up inadvertently making a statue for the mad god. She'd relate what looked like an engine and the things seen in his divine realm once she got the door open, and how she'd passed the challenge.

But most of all...

"...And this last part is the most important. True to his word, I was given my chance to ask him a question and get a full answer to it. So I asked him what his plans were, full detail, including if Lazhira was involved. Full disclosure.

What I am telling you are the facts I learned. I wanted to ask you to keep this part most of all a secret because...it is big. I don't know everything going on in this village, what's been done, what is being done, etc. I have far from the full story, and it feels like I skipped to the end of the book for the bombshell reveal that no one would believe."

The catgirl took a deep, long breath, mentally preparing herself to say. Auset-Kythet give her strength for this.

"The goddess who summoned us here, the one you prayed to, is Delphiti. Further, the village is placed on top of a seal, one sealing away a part of Delphiti she cut out of herself a long time ago to help save humanity and the world...this part, this aspect she cut out of herself, is literally Delphiti as a Goddess of Conflict. A Goddess of Conflict who has a deep-seated hatred of humanity, and if unsealed has a high but not one-hundred-percent chance of wiping out humanity. When Lazhira mentioned that 'a seal was made' or something a few nights ago, that was what was meant by that bit and was sealed away.

Delphiti wants to take back in this part of herself again, thinks she can control it from the sounds of it. But it is no guarantee. The Illuminator, as much of a pure, unadulterated dick as he can be and probably has been from the sound of things, wants to keep the seal shut because the destruction of humanity would ruin his fun and interests. Not so much good as looking out for himself, but humanity benefits somewhat. However, he is also very angry at all of us that came over from Earth. Hates our meddling with things, according to his own words, and it was easy to tell this anger runs deeper than just amounting to words. I wonder if his influence in the village keeps the seal intact, and so losing his grip here hurts it or something? Maybe. Can't see how 'meddling' on our part would hurt here unless we were causing harm to his plans to keep the seal shut by some means.

I wouldn't put it past The Illuminator to kill half the village if it meant keeping his grip on the seal intact, of that I am more than sure, and he wants to keep the keys to the seal separated and hidden. So having someone help him look for the orb is suspicious at best, because he knows where both keys are. Like maybe some part of himself decided to do its own thing? He is a literal Frankenstein's monster, wouldn't put it past him to be able to break off parts to be in multiple places at once, and his mind is literally a mesh of dead gods. Or maybe it could be the influence of this sealed Goddess of Conflict to cause such a thing or otherwise around here. I don't know, that small bit is conjecture and theory more than anything."

Leannah shook her head, before attempting to sit up again for a second. The strain and tiredness and pain was enough that she would ultimately give up, however, and settle back down. At the least her burns felt better with whatever Lazhira had applied.

"So basically we are caught in the middle of something more 'interesting' than I wish we'd ever come across. Because you're right, completely right, that 'interesting' feels more like a bad thing these days than a good one. Like a curse.

Should the two keys come into contact with each other at all, or likely The Illuminator's grip on the seal fades too much as well, the dangerous part of Delphiti will be released. A Goddess of Conflict unleashed. Humanity is potentially very doomed in such a case, or potentially might not be doomed alternately, and we don't know for sure which result would happen.

Should the seal's integrity be threatened by our actions, somehow, we will get on the bad side of The Illuminator and what would seem to be his cultists you ran into. With the seal seemingly at stake already, and Delphiti wanting to pop it open, I'd venture The Illuminator is already doing things around here to keep the keys and the seal secure. Or trying to. Doesn't explain the paradoxical request to help him find it though, and that is the most fishy and suspicious part of it all. Feels like more than a potential ploy, that is what my gut feeling says."

Leannah grimaced as she moved to the final part, her hands clenching so tight her knuckles began to turn white again.

"But most of all, do not let Lazhira get her hands on the orb or tell her any of what I am about to say. Ever. Not even a touch. And don't let Delphiti or anyone get their hands on Lazhira or know this. It will put her in far more than harm's way, it could maybe kill her, Narkissa...kill her.

...Because the second key to the seal just treated my burns, gave me some food and a hug, and walked away to leave us here in this room to ourselves. Because for some reason, the second key is herself seeking out the first one to 'keep it safe' without knowing the true ramifications. Because it is likely, according to The Illuminator's information, she has been affected by the influence of the Goddess of Conflict...and who knows what other people as well since.

With that in mind, I am not sure anyone would believe what I learned, what I have just told you, or any of it. Could make us look suspicious, crazy, or worse depending on what is going on around here for all I know. The Illuminator knows this, he smirked and questioned what I'd do with all of this information, and so it is a sure guarantee this all could result in bad things happening if we go about blabbing this to people. Do not tell Lazhira especially, as I am not sure how she'd take it all...I don't want to hurt her, but I want to keep her safe.

I want to keep us both alive and safe as well, as best as I can."

The catgirl looked over at her compatriot, eyes filled with some sadness and enough anxiety as it was. She cared about Narkissa, that much was sure, and enough about their own lives to talk about the matter in its fullness and truth to Narkissa alone right now. She did not want to see the village and humanity exterminated, nor the two of them and Lazhira die. Tragedies like this, or so it felt like one, never ended on a perfect note. There was never a perfect solution, though a most correct one could perhaps be found if they played their cards right. Hopefully.

"And that is all I know. Everything, the whole tale of what happened to me and what I learned and all of the details to boot.

Part of me wonders if we can do anything, get anyone to help, cut a deal with Delphiti or something, or...I don't know. Truth be told I can barely keep my eyes open, and it has been a lot to deal with before being spat out of some god's 'divine realm' and into a pile of snow in the woods. Then I found you and Lazhira talking on some stumps."

@Click This
In Fate/Profane Covenant → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
Rider


Fuyuki Park

- TO -

Miyama Town




Saving innocent lives. If that was the sole focus of his master then it was respectable at least....but also a total fool's errand when within the bounds of a warzone. Not yet had the fighting begun in earnest, but this child did not understand the very nature of war. Never mind if this boy was a magus or not, used magecraft or not, and has mystic codes or not. They were a simple tool in this matter, as with any weapon, but even the best weapons and tools could not alone save a fresh soldier should he face a far more veteran opponent. Had he even been engaged in battle against a foe? Had he seen devastated villages and dying people left at his feet, following the trail of pursuit back to his enemies?

A hero's world was not that of white-knighted and naïve idealism, but fighting for what could be saved and what could be done to achieve victory. Even he knew this much.

If you held yourself responsible for all the innocent lives in wartime, you would go inevitably mad in time. It was a most naïve wish, one that could bode even worse fates lied before the magus if he kept on this path. The heroic spirit felt it in his bones. Even he did not wish devastation upon this place. The people here had done naught but live their lives. But all the same, nothing came without a price. It was bloody, ruthless, and even when pride and honor were on the line it was never pretty. But he would do his duty and follow his compassion upon this poor soul all the same.

This young one who knew not the horrors of war, he prayed that he would be able to teach him. He would need to speak with the boy at some point, really, but for now the boy seemed to be content trying to run off and do as he pleased.

'If this person you wish to meet is found yet turns hostile, your equipment will mean nothing. Be prepared for anything, young one, and I will be by your side for whatever comes at this next location."

And so he would follow along close to his master, all whilst remaining in his spiritual form.

@Letter Bee
In 《 H.E.R.O. 2064 》 → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay

In The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
Leannah




"So we find one of those orbs and you give it to me. It’ll be safe with me, promise.”
A Loveable Heart-Attack Of A Demigod Girl


Wait. Wait. Wait. She hadn't mentioned orbs, which meant Lazhira-...oh no. Oh nonono. What The Illuminator had told her was making even more sense now, and that was not good. Very very not good. She was so very tired, exhaustion burning at her, but there was no time to lose if she was going to at least try to do something or talk to someone. Frankly there was only one other person she trusted at the moment, and that person had seemed to remain with her in this room at least. A small blessing, potentially, but even then Leannah found herself questioning if the others had any odd deific experiences in the temple to boot. Blargh.

She had to start somewhere. Lazhira talking about getting the orb had made the catgirl's heart drop down into her gut in an instant, though she'd been able to hide it behind exhaustion and how she was feeling already at the very least.

But why did they seem to think he was after the orbs? Surely it seemed like a ploy to scare people off at best so far, but other than that she had no idea. It was fishy, however, and she wasn't going to turn down any odd thing like that in this situation. Take it at face value, or an assumed face value, and you could screw things up badly. Thinking too deeply also held the same issue, however, which was something to keep in mind.

She had to start somewehere, and after picking back up her plate and she downed the rest of the food as best she could before she looked over at her current compatriot. Narkissa. The catgirl took several deep breaths, trying to focus her mind as best she could. She imagined sparring someone, or performing meditation, anything that would help her in getting some reign over herself once more. Truth be told she felt more fragile than she had for a long time...it scared her. Badly. Yet at the same time, she couldn't just sit and do nothing either.

Too many lives were at stake.

"Thank You....b-but I need to talk to you. Just the two of u-us."

Leannah forced herself to sit up a little more as she spoke in a lower volume and tone where just she and Narkissa would be able to hear, wincing in pain and soreness as she did so but still managing to stabilize herself a bit. A bit. Better than nothing, she supposed. Even so, her still-reddened eyes seemed to reflect a seriousness, a great gravity that even now the catgirl perhaps felt on her shoulders.

"I want to...hah...I want to know everything that happened back at the temple to the rest of you. Talking to gods if that happened, fighting things, the cultists, all of it. If that...if that's ok...hah. Need to talk to that 'Novak' guy later if I can too.

Won't slouch in return though I also want to tell you what I learned, but you must promise to tell no-one else. Swear it to me. Nobody else learns about it from you. Not the gods. Not anyone else. The village itself...Lazhira...and humanity...hah...all are at stake here....everything is."

It was a lot of heavy things she knew, but she knew her knowledge was imperfect. Spotty. In that sense like The Illuminator, but not mad in the head as of yet at least. She couldn't just have someone spouting it out everywhere. Truth be told, this was the kind of information that felt like you either sound crazy for saying it and are distrusted or were scolded later or worse by others for not telling earlier when others would actually believe you once things hit the fan badly enough.

The Illuminator didn't want meddling either, and that meant he was willing to do things with the menace he put into that. She had no doubts. Delphiti was, if all was true, involved in this as well with her own aim. The village, then, was caught in the middle of the struggle and...well, the Bastelian girl had no idea what to make of it since she knew so little about here thus far and how the village believed.

But Lazhira's advice to "do what comes naturally" felt oddly fitting for this somehow. If she was going to try anything, she needed information. As much as possible. She'd have to give in return to get it unless Novak or such were cooperative in her being curious, but hopefully nothing too damning too early would come into play or so forth. Then again that felt like a line to think of moments before something went badly sideways. Ugh.

She just hoped Narkissa would be willing to tell her everything from back there first. She would be honest in return, as promised.

They had to figure something out. Maybe they could even rope in Nobunaga and the fluffy-tailed woman who she in her head called 'the Japanese duo', whom she really did need to try to at least talk to after the other night's accident, and anyone else who could be of assistance to saving this place. Well, depending. She had no idea of the other two's dispositions, or of Novak's beyond their brief time around each other, and so forth.

...Narkissa was right not long ago. 'Interesting' was far more of a curse than it was chocked up to be.

In The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll → 3 yrs ago Forum: Casual Roleplay
Leannah




Iva? Wait, was that a local name for The Illuminator? Though Lazhira seemed to be familiar with the mad god's dungeon-based and puzzle-loving antics, which validated some of what the catgirl had been told some thus far at least. It was equally relieving and terrifying at the same time, given the whole contents of what she'd learned. Even so, Leannah let herself be led back to Lazhira's cabin in silence, a small pang of guilt kicking her in the stomach along the way.

The girl likely had business with the others, anything, and here she was getting escorted back like the wet, limp noodle she was. Someone who...well, there wasn't much to recount. She'd not been here as long, not talked to Lazhira as long, and yet here she was getting help. She'd made a dumb mistake back at the temple in regards to The Illuminator, albeit it wasn't all fruitless at least, but it wasn't like she had experience talking to GODS of all things. Still, she was gone for a day due to divine realm shenanigans and all. Also got half burnt, exhausted, and tired out in the process.

Ugh. Yet there was nothing to do but go on from the point she was currently at, and she knew it.

Mad nutjob of a deity was probably laughing at her somewhere, maybe through some other set of eyes watching her using some bird statue-...mmm, actually not a bird statue. Last bird he probably ever met smashed one of his because he pissed her off. Said cute bird was also the Bastelian Goddess of the Sun.

Yet as Narkissa spoke up in turn as well, the catgirl's ears perked up at the mention of what had happened to the rest of them. It at least caught her up to speed, and gave her some retroactive worry, though one thing among it all seemed to catch her attention. Novak, the man, had made a deal to help The Illuminator acquire a stolen artifact? A 'stolen artifact' was what Narkissa had said, but in truth the orb (one of the keys) was the first thing that came to Leannah's mind when such a thing was mentioned. It was her first suspicion at least, given what she'd heard and learned. Then they were hunted by cultists?

Was The Illuminator trying to drive them away from finding the artifact by pretending to seek it? It seemed likely, but also something felt 'fishy' about it as well. Delphiti was seeking it too, and the conflict goddess essence could be warping things somehow. She could not discount those details, not after her prior adventure. She needed to talk to Novak, it seemed, and further ask the others once she was rested up more. Because in the very hypothetical case 'stolen artifact' meant 'the orb', then it made zero sense if he wanted to find it. He didn't want anyone to find it, but why have them help you find it if you don't want them to? Why grab up Lazhira if keeping her close was apparently a bad idea to him? He said it was in a safe place, which meant that there was no need to drive the ploy so far along, right? In such a case, either he was 'that' mad or something oddly fishy was up. Leannah felt far more inclined to the latter.

That aside, as she was laid on the bed and had bandages applied the catgirl let out a long, deep sigh. The cute but knowledgeable human girl would lecture her at first, it seemed, and frankly the catgirl felt she deserved that one. Badly. Sure it saved her life, and that was still true, but it was also incredibly stupid to fiddle with her own light magic before getting Auset-Kythet's approval by slaying an Elder Beast. Delphiti had put her in a hell of a spot in that regard, and she herself and further done so by praying like an idiot in a world where DEITIES ACTUALLY EXISTED.

"And you met him! Ugh, ha...I suppose now is probably a good time to talk with you."


Wait, what?

Leannah's stomach would growl as the first smells of cooking food reached her nose, and frankly by now she wasn't going to be picky. Her body seemed to thrum with the primal urge of hunger, regardless of her state, and when the plate of food was extended to her the catgirl's hands would lightly shake as she took it. Despite trying to not appear as worse off in that sense, however, she eagerly and rapidly wolfed down a couple of big bites of fish and veggies and berries in tandem with each other. Nearly choked at the end of the second bite, but a couple of coughs and thumping her chest with one fist was enough to get it down safely in the end.

But-

“So...uhm...he probably told you I’m his uh, daughter right?”


-the catgirl stopped, frozen in place right before almost going for another bite as Lazhira spoke to her again. Hell. It did confirm that information from The Illuminator, which meant-...no. She would take this bit by bit. One thing at a time.

Leannah would gently set the plate on her own lap, before looking over to Lazhira sitting next to her.

"H-He...He did. Called you...ah...his 'Little La-Zha'-"

The catgirl abruptly paused as she said the last bit, slightly cringing before letting out a sigh.

"S-Sorry...not sure if that, ah...if you needed to hear that tidbit of information..."

Running a shaky hand through her own hair, Leannah looked back over at Lazhira. Focus. She needed to focus. The nerves couldn't just fry her right here and now, she just needed to focus on the person in front of her. Lazhira. A cute human girl, interested in the past, wanting to learn history, kind, hospitable, and frankly the kind of person Leannah felt she treasured right about now.

...They had only just met the other day or so anywho. Why was she thinking like this already? Idiot. She was just an idiot.

"I also learned about how he was made, who made him, and all of it. The full story, the full legend, from start to finish. I spoke to your grandmother, the one who made him, and even learned more about Delphiti and some secrets things about this area."

Leannah rested her hands on either side of herself, one being in reach of Lazhira as it sat between them on Leannah's left. The catgirl clenched her hands tightly without thinking, her knuckles turning white as she did so. Her eyes struggled to look at Lazhira, or anything for that matter, unfocused and almost hazy as if something was playing out before Leannah's very eyes within the confines of her own mind.

Even so, her mouth continued to move. Yet her words would be shaky, a chill running up her back as she spoke and a light tremble running through her limbs.

And...I learned things I wish I hadn't at the end as well.

I learned things that haunt me even now, knowledge that he knows no one here would believe. Truths that I'd...you'd...anyone...that e-everyone would...t-things he knows would cause trouble, and would hurt others.

And...I-I...I-I-I...I don't know what to do..."

The last sentence came out soft, audible clearly to Lazhira but almost a whisper compared to Leannah's usual manner of speaking. Even her gung-ho attitude to explore and learn seemed quashed, as if the gravity of what she'd learned was tearing away at her, all whilst a few tears genuinely began to trickle down from her reddening eyes.

And to Leannah...how could it not get to her like this?

What else could be a nightmare, than to realize doom loomed over things alongside just how tiny you were and how little you knew despite knowing a lot otherwise? She was exhausted. She was tired. She barely had put two bites of food into herself, and so she couldn't hold it back well at all if she tried. It was terrifying, and for once she felt very much human once more.

Lazhira, the bright, beautiful, intelligent girl next to her was a living key. If she got the orb, she was dead...everyone here was. A living key to a seal holding back a Goddess of Conflict that wanted humanity's collective heads, and was tainting the village and affecting even Lazhira herself. If Lazhira found the orb, and if the village scoured out all traces of The Illuminator, then humanity was potentially very doomed. Potentially He also seemed to be the sort who'd maybe even turn on the village if it kept humanity as a whole alive and the seal from breaking for his own benefit. He was a madman, for heavens' sake! A mad god of knowledge! A Frankenstein's monster cobbled from dead gods of old his 'Auntie' probably even knew!

A slim chance it wasn't, but it was phrased so worryingly Leannah knew she'd have to calm herself down about it.

At first she'd taken it somewhat in 'stride'. Yet the more she thought over it, the more cold dread crept into her from her extremities down to her core.

Real lives were on the line here, many of them, and all were not beings from some anime or video game or whatever. Humanity in this world, not even her own people or even the humanity she'd formerly known anymore in this life, was in danger of potential annihilation. Again. This time without a Sage willing to simp for a goddess so hard they managed to save the world. Hell. It was all combined something that made her want to scream as loud as possible, but her mouth felt sewn shut somewhat.

Plus on the flip-side, the situation was screwed as hard as she could think of it in regards to her own knowledge otherwise.

She had yet to learn about this place and what they believed in and so forth.

She knew so little yet so much at the same time.

She had talked to three deities yet knew nothing much about them. She had seen an immortal in person and spoken with them, and yet couldn't even so much as keep her trap shut around a mad god when she needed to.

She hadn't so much as killed a thing but those experiments in the puzzle and one of them back at the lab, having burned half of herself in the process of saving her own life during the former and lost her only weapon after the latter, but was expected to go and kill an Elder Beast of all things to prove herself and stabilize her 'gift'.

Now here she was, crying and rambling and sitting next to a person/stranger she wanted to get to know more. Someone she felt an urge to protect without fully knowing why but feeling like it was the right thing to do. And she was saying all of this to this local girl, unabashedly, like an idiot. Like a stupid idiot who runs into an ancient temple and pulls on the traps and without thinking. Like a stupid idiot who falls in love at first sight with someone who has a brilliant mind and heart. Like a stupid idiot who cries and spouts out their feelings in front of a stranger two days after being reincarnated into a new world.

Indeed...what a fool she truly felt like she was right now. Even bigger a fool than a Sage who falls in love with the moon and Frankenstein's dead gods into a new one by paying a rather great price.

@Rune_Alchemist
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