𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐤𝐚 "ate 12 sandwiches & napped" 𝐬𝐮𝐢 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
aquaveiled) wrote2021-06-10 12:41 pm
aquaveiled) wrote2021-06-10 12:41 pm
Abraxas IC Inbox
[ Letters | Network | Domain | Action ]
[ Letters | Network | Domain | Action ]
ιт ιs, үεs. тнσυgн ιт's ησт αη εαsү נσυяηεү ғяσм тнε cαsтℓε.
[ One she would take if it were feasible, even from Solvunn. But she's been to the borders and there are watchful scouts even in the more remote regions. They really don't seem to be wanting people going in and out...without permission. ]
ι тнιηк нε'ℓℓ υη∂εяsтαη∂. тнεяε αяε α cσυρℓε σтнεяs ι cαη тяү αs ωεℓℓ, sσ ωε'ℓℓ sεε.
ι ωση∂εя ιғ εмεт-sεℓcн αη∂ нүтнℓσ∂αευs αяε αωαяε...
[ One she would take if it were feasible, even from Solvunn. But she's been to the borders and there are watchful scouts even in the more remote regions. They really don't seem to be wanting people going in and out...without permission. ]
ι тнιηк нε'ℓℓ υη∂εяsтαη∂. тнεяε αяε α cσυρℓε σтнεяs ι cαη тяү αs ωεℓℓ, sσ ωε'ℓℓ sεε.
ι ωση∂εя ιғ εмεт-sεℓcн αη∂ нүтнℓσ∂αευs αяε αωαяε...
I am hardly unused to difficult journeys.
[ Which Himeka well knows, but Thancred does not hesitate to remind her. If he could handle sojourns into Garlemald, surely he can manage a trip to the Singularity.Then Himeka drops those two names and Thancred permits himself a sigh before replying. ]
I find it hard to believe they wouldn't know. The question is, what do they plan to do about it?
ιт ωσυℓ∂ вε ηιcε ιғ тнεү ℓεт υs υsε ρσятαℓs мσяε ғяεεℓү.
[ She really misses aetheryte travel. ]
ι'м ησт sυяε. ι cαη αsк αη∂ sεε ιғ нε's αт αℓℓ ιηcℓιηε∂ тσ αηsωεя. ι cαη'т ιмαgιηε нε's тσσ ғση∂ тнσυgн, αт ℓεαsт вεcαυsε нε ∂σεsη'т ℓιкε вειηg υρsтαgε∂ αη∂ ғαη∂αηιεℓ's gσαℓs αяε тσ ∂εsтяσү ғσя тнε sαкε σғ ∂εsтяυcтιση яαтнεя тнαη яεвυιℓ∂.
[ Not that she agrees with Emet-Selch's methods--far from it, even with clarity after his death. ]
[ She really misses aetheryte travel. ]
ι'м ησт sυяε. ι cαη αsк αη∂ sεε ιғ нε's αт αℓℓ ιηcℓιηε∂ тσ αηsωεя. ι cαη'т ιмαgιηε нε's тσσ ғση∂ тнσυgн, αт ℓεαsт вεcαυsε нε ∂σεsη'т ℓιкε вειηg υρsтαgε∂ αη∂ ғαη∂αηιεℓ's gσαℓs αяε тσ ∂εsтяσү ғσя тнε sαкε σғ ∂εsтяυcтιση яαтнεя тнαη яεвυιℓ∂.
[ Not that she agrees with Emet-Selch's methods--far from it, even with clarity after his death. ]
[ Himeka nods as she rests her hands in the soft fluff of the cloud mallows. ]
Not originally but from the place we all are, yes. I'm in the Solvunn Commune. I'm not sure if you are as well, but it's not a terribly big community so I think we can scratch that one off.
[ A little disappointed that doesn't ring a bell either. Mayhaps Moogles are universal? ]
You know...that would be an odd thing to hold all the shards together, but you may not be wrong. Their postal service has a very wide network.
Not originally but from the place we all are, yes. I'm in the Solvunn Commune. I'm not sure if you are as well, but it's not a terribly big community so I think we can scratch that one off.
[ A little disappointed that doesn't ring a bell either. Mayhaps Moogles are universal? ]
You know...that would be an odd thing to hold all the shards together, but you may not be wrong. Their postal service has a very wide network.
[ Portals would be nice, assuming that such a thing wouldn't involve horrific aetherial sickness. Himeka won't know about any of that, so he refrains from mentioning it for now. ]
You may be right. While I would not wish a conversation with Emet-Selch upon anyone, you seem to be able to handle him better than most. If you do get the chance to ask, feel free to pass along what you learn.
нε яεαℓℓү нαs вεεη ση нιs вεsт вεнαvισя sιηcε нε αяяιvε∂.
[ Which where Emet-Selch is concerned may be a low bar, but she does want to alleviate at least one worry from Thancred's mind. Especially now that Fandaniel is there. ]
[ Which where Emet-Selch is concerned may be a low bar, but she does want to alleviate at least one worry from Thancred's mind. Especially now that Fandaniel is there. ]
That doesn't count for much.
[ While Thancred will take what Himeka's saying into consideration, he is not willing to give Emet-Selch the benefit of the doubt either. She's much more forgiving than him, of course, and always has been.Will she feel differently toward the Ascians when she has memories of Fandaniel orchestrating her body being stolen by the likes of Zenos? He hasn't had the energy or the heart to tell her about that. It's over and done with and would only upset her. ]
[ Not for Thancred especially and she doesn't expect that to change. He has more reason than most for not trusting Ascians and it was specifically what he went through that really stayed with her.
Even without knowing what she discovers in her future, her standing with Emet-Selch is...complicated. To say the least.
Her main concern is for Thancred, however. He's her family. ]
ι ∂ση'т ωαηт үσυ тσ ωσяяү.
Even without knowing what she discovers in her future, her standing with Emet-Selch is...complicated. To say the least.
Her main concern is for Thancred, however. He's her family. ]
ι ∂ση'т ωαηт үσυ тσ ωσяяү.
[ As much as Thancred would like to ensure Himeka that he won't worry over her given whose company she must share, it would be a lie, and he owes her the truth. ]
Promise me this. If the situation changes and he crosses any lines, let me know. I will find a way to cross the border and come to your aid.
[ Even if that mainly just consists of punching Emet-Selch in the face. He would relish the opportunity. ]Is he here at the summit?
ι'ℓℓ ℓεт үσυ кησω.
[ Will she also try and address it herself? Yes, that's also very probable. But she does her best to keep her promises all the same. ]
нε ιs, нε cαмε тняσυgн тнε sαмε ρσятαℓ αs ι ∂ι∂.
[ Notably she's left him to his own devices. Now is not the time to share that she has sought out his company purposefully before this. He has been a helpful, if grumbling companion from time to time. In particular his knowledge of the shards and calamities was information she needed, even if that became a dead end. ]
үσυ'яε ησт gσιηg тσ cσηғяσηт нιм, αяε үσυ?
[ Is this going to be Rak'tika all over again? ]
[ Will she also try and address it herself? Yes, that's also very probable. But she does her best to keep her promises all the same. ]
нε ιs, нε cαмε тняσυgн тнε sαмε ρσятαℓ αs ι ∂ι∂.
[ Notably she's left him to his own devices. Now is not the time to share that she has sought out his company purposefully before this. He has been a helpful, if grumbling companion from time to time. In particular his knowledge of the shards and calamities was information she needed, even if that became a dead end. ]
үσυ'яε ησт gσιηg тσ cσηғяσηт нιм, αяε үσυ?
[ Is this going to be Rak'tika all over again? ]
[ It may have been for the best if Thancred had not asked Himeka this question at all, if he'd simply sought out Emet-Selch on his own. The Ascian is not someone who's particularly easy to miss, though he does so enjoy shirking duties and napping instead of participating in much of anything.
Still, Thancred's already shown Himeka his hand. At this point he may as well be truthful about it. ]
Still, Thancred's already shown Himeka his hand. At this point he may as well be truthful about it. ]
I won't make a scene, don't worry. I would like to establish where we stand, however, and to do so with my memories intact.
[ So he wants to even the playing field. Not something easily done with Emet-Selch even without the, term, tension between the two of them. But Himeka won't stick her nose into that. ]
ι'ℓℓ мαкε sυяε тσ gεт α вσттℓε σғ αℓε яεα∂ү σηcε үσυ'яε тняσυgн.
[ Good luck, Thancred. ]
ι'ℓℓ мαкε sυяε тσ gεт α вσттℓε σғ αℓε яεα∂ү σηcε үσυ'яε тняσυgн.
[ Good luck, Thancred. ]
Edited 2022-04-05 18:07 (UTC)
I will gladly take you up on that.
[ Baffled as Thancred may be about Himeka's relationship with Emet-Selch and how she seems to always give him the benefit of the doubt, he at least understands now that it's complicated, given everything to do with her past life as Azem. He won't push her on it, particularly given that she's never questioned his own inability to forgive the Ascian. ]In the meantime, we should both endeavor to enjoy aught else the summit has to offer.
[ A chat with Himeka is long overdue. The plan had always been for him to check in with her via the Horizon soon after his return to Castle Thorne, and yet so much more has happened than he ever could have anticipated in the last few suns. First, the mutual sharing of memories between Summoned which started only the day before. Second, the sudden appearance of Y'shtola, who he discovered upon returning to the castle.
He's been keeping Himeka up to date as best he can with their ability to mentally send messages to each other, yet it's hardly a substitute for a face-to-face conversation. Or as face-to-face as the Horizon allows, in any case.
Late into the evening he returns to his room (and gods, he has missed sleeping in a proper bed), sits cross-legged on his mattress, and slips into the Horizon. It's been three weeks since he's done this, but it comes back to him with little resistance, his domain appearing around him bit by bit.
It's the Wandering Stairs. A drink would be nice about now, even if it's not a "real" one.
Yet as Thancred looks around the area, he spots Himeka already there, seated at one of the tables with a plate of coffee biscuits in front of her. He blinks in mild surprise, but then moves over to join her. ]
Just invited yourself in, did you?
[ Yet despite the question, and his exasperated little sigh, his smile is fond. He has security measures in place, but of course Himeka is always welcome. Even if she had found herself in that set of alleyways, she would have been able to navigate her way through and to the rest of his domain with little trouble. ]
He's been keeping Himeka up to date as best he can with their ability to mentally send messages to each other, yet it's hardly a substitute for a face-to-face conversation. Or as face-to-face as the Horizon allows, in any case.
Late into the evening he returns to his room (and gods, he has missed sleeping in a proper bed), sits cross-legged on his mattress, and slips into the Horizon. It's been three weeks since he's done this, but it comes back to him with little resistance, his domain appearing around him bit by bit.
It's the Wandering Stairs. A drink would be nice about now, even if it's not a "real" one.
Yet as Thancred looks around the area, he spots Himeka already there, seated at one of the tables with a plate of coffee biscuits in front of her. He blinks in mild surprise, but then moves over to join her. ]
Just invited yourself in, did you?
[ Yet despite the question, and his exasperated little sigh, his smile is fond. He has security measures in place, but of course Himeka is always welcome. Even if she had found herself in that set of alleyways, she would have been able to navigate her way through and to the rest of his domain with little trouble. ]
[ It had been something of a whim to travel to Thancred's domain. Though she had reflections of their star and the First in her own, she wanted to see what he would come up with. And...it provided a moment's escape from how confusing her life in Solvunn has just become.
To say she's unsettled to see both Wanda and Nero definitely experience Echo visions right in front of her would be an understatement. And when Himeka can't face something head on, she avoids it.
So she's definitely avoiding it while stuffing her face with fantasy cookies right now.
It's mid-stuffing her face that she hears Thancred's voice. She perks up and smiles, cheeks puffed comically as she smiles around them when he takes a seat. ]
Mhh hhrr whhf uhhnn.
To say she's unsettled to see both Wanda and Nero definitely experience Echo visions right in front of her would be an understatement. And when Himeka can't face something head on, she avoids it.
So she's definitely avoiding it while stuffing her face with fantasy cookies right now.
It's mid-stuffing her face that she hears Thancred's voice. She perks up and smiles, cheeks puffed comically as she smiles around them when he takes a seat. ]
Mhh hhrr whhf uhhnn.
[ Thancred should know better than to try to address Himeka in the middle of a meal. He shakes his head to himself as he takes the seat across from her, glancing at the plate of cookies with mild consideration. After a moment, a tankard full of ale appears in front of him. He's more in the mood for a drink than sweets right now. ]
Do you want to try that again? Unlike you, I can't inherently understand every language.
[ Not that "mouth full of coffee biscuits" is a language, but he's allowed adad joke here or there. He takes a swig of his drink. ]
I'm back at the castle, as you might have guessed. And I returned to another familiar face. [ He pauses for just a moment. He won't leave her in suspense. ] Y'shtola has joined us.
Do you want to try that again? Unlike you, I can't inherently understand every language.
[ Not that "mouth full of coffee biscuits" is a language, but he's allowed a
I'm back at the castle, as you might have guessed. And I returned to another familiar face. [ He pauses for just a moment. He won't leave her in suspense. ] Y'shtola has joined us.
[ Thancred you should be well-versed now, but she'll give him a pass. The right thing to do is to swallow before she speaks, but sometimes Himeak gets excited. She does just that, taking a moment to wash them down with the cup of coffee she'd made sure to acquire along with the biscuits. ]
I said, "the door was open".
[ Metaphorically, at least.
When he says he's back at the castle, she nods and figured as much. Their correspondences while he has been out have been brief messages more than "in person" meetings, so reason would only hold he was somewhere comfortable (and probably alone) to visit his domain properly.
It's the mention of Y'shtola that makes Himeka freeze. ]
Wh--Y'sthola? When?
I said, "the door was open".
[ Metaphorically, at least.
When he says he's back at the castle, she nods and figured as much. Their correspondences while he has been out have been brief messages more than "in person" meetings, so reason would only hold he was somewhere comfortable (and probably alone) to visit his domain properly.
It's the mention of Y'shtola that makes Himeka freeze. ]
Wh--Y'sthola? When?
[ Naturally the door would be open for her. Thancred has no reason to keep her out, his space being as good as hers. He knows the reverse would be true as well, though he has yet to actually find and explore Himeka's Horizon. That will have to change soon, now that he's back.
While he in theory could have come into the Horizon while traveling with Stephen and Yennefer, it had felt more prudent to remain aware of his surroundings at all times. Given the number of monster encounters and other obstacles they'd run into along the way, he believes that was the correct choice. At least he'd still had a means of checking in with Himeka throughout the trip to let her know all was going as planned.
Naturally, she's shocked to hear of yet another Scion arriving. Thancred smiles and nods. ]
She's been here for a few suns now — she arrived while I was still away from the castle. Her magick's currently muted, as with all newly summoned, so she doesn't have her aether-sight. I assured her it would return soon. [ He pauses to take another pull from his tankard. ] I let her know you're here as well, of course. Once she's accustomed to the Horizon I'm certain she'll come find you.
[ There's a great deal for the two of them to discuss. ]
While he in theory could have come into the Horizon while traveling with Stephen and Yennefer, it had felt more prudent to remain aware of his surroundings at all times. Given the number of monster encounters and other obstacles they'd run into along the way, he believes that was the correct choice. At least he'd still had a means of checking in with Himeka throughout the trip to let her know all was going as planned.
Naturally, she's shocked to hear of yet another Scion arriving. Thancred smiles and nods. ]
She's been here for a few suns now — she arrived while I was still away from the castle. Her magick's currently muted, as with all newly summoned, so she doesn't have her aether-sight. I assured her it would return soon. [ He pauses to take another pull from his tankard. ] I let her know you're here as well, of course. Once she's accustomed to the Horizon I'm certain she'll come find you.
[ There's a great deal for the two of them to discuss. ]
[ For a few suns--and neither of them had known! Not that Y'shtola isn't perfectly capable of handling herself with or without her fellow Scions, but--
--goodness, Y'sthola of all people. Himeka isn't sure why it's a shock when all of the closest Scions were the same ones that were transported to the First, but she knows that summonings here have absolutely nothing to do with her, not with the Warrior of Light. Thorne saw fight to take her...and Thancred.
That may not sit entirely well with her, but it doesn't seem like Thorne has summoned anyone it's regretted for several moons now. Mayhaps they are finally safe there.
It's after a moment Himeka realizes she's done one of those things were all she's doing is sitting there staring at Thancred like she's waiting for some prompt to speak. (She's not sure why she does that.) Himeka takes another drink and finishes off her coffee. ]
Yes, yes--...I imagine she's settling in well enough without us around?
[ It may sound dismissive but it's said with a fond smile. Himeka sets her cup down. ]
It's been so long...for the both of you. And now suddenly you're here.
--goodness, Y'sthola of all people. Himeka isn't sure why it's a shock when all of the closest Scions were the same ones that were transported to the First, but she knows that summonings here have absolutely nothing to do with her, not with the Warrior of Light. Thorne saw fight to take her...and Thancred.
That may not sit entirely well with her, but it doesn't seem like Thorne has summoned anyone it's regretted for several moons now. Mayhaps they are finally safe there.
It's after a moment Himeka realizes she's done one of those things were all she's doing is sitting there staring at Thancred like she's waiting for some prompt to speak. (She's not sure why she does that.) Himeka takes another drink and finishes off her coffee. ]
Yes, yes--...I imagine she's settling in well enough without us around?
[ It may sound dismissive but it's said with a fond smile. Himeka sets her cup down. ]
It's been so long...for the both of you. And now suddenly you're here.
[ While Thancred will sometimes give Himeka a hard time for the silent smiling and nodding, it's not as if he can blame her either. With the sheer amount that she's had to deal with over the years, the stories she's heard and kept close to her chest, it's only natural that sometimes she lapses into "listening mode."
Besides, some of his fellow Scions do have a tendency to go on and on, Alphinaud and Urianger chief among them. ]
I suppose she couldn't bear to let me go ahead on my own. [ He winks as he continues to nurse his drunk. ] But you know Y'shtola. There isn't much that unsettles her. I suspect she'll have memorized all of Castle Thorne's library ere long.
[ That's a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. ]
We may not be with you in Solvunn, but we are here. And I'm happy to help Y'shtola make her way there, if she decides to join you. [ Thorne is a bit of a double-edged sword, knowing what they do about its darker practices. It is still a wellspring of knowledge and that might be difficult for Y'shtola to give up. ]
There's something else, however. [ At this, his expression shifts into something a tad more somber as he regards Himeka. ] Have you noticed any effects among the Summoned in Solvunn? [ He does not yet know if the Echo-like symptoms are affecting all Summoned, but he would not be surprised were that the case. ]
Besides, some of his fellow Scions do have a tendency to go on and on, Alphinaud and Urianger chief among them. ]
I suppose she couldn't bear to let me go ahead on my own. [ He winks as he continues to nurse his drunk. ] But you know Y'shtola. There isn't much that unsettles her. I suspect she'll have memorized all of Castle Thorne's library ere long.
[ That's a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. ]
We may not be with you in Solvunn, but we are here. And I'm happy to help Y'shtola make her way there, if she decides to join you. [ Thorne is a bit of a double-edged sword, knowing what they do about its darker practices. It is still a wellspring of knowledge and that might be difficult for Y'shtola to give up. ]
There's something else, however. [ At this, his expression shifts into something a tad more somber as he regards Himeka. ] Have you noticed any effects among the Summoned in Solvunn? [ He does not yet know if the Echo-like symptoms are affecting all Summoned, but he would not be surprised were that the case. ]
[ Alphinaud tends to go on and on, but Urianger gets lost in translation sometimes. She's gotten better at deciphering him over the years, of course, but initially she just enjoyed listening to him because it sounded fun, not because she was actually parsing much of what he was saying. An attentive, if lost, audience.
Thancred is right, though. Y'sthola is the most unflappable of them all and would readily take on Thorne as a new challenge. She wouldn't say she needs the support, but that Thancred can be there with her is a good thing. A good thing for the both of them.
It strikes her that she may be coming off a little lonely on her own--and, well, she is but that's far from the point. Himeka shakes her head, still holding onto her now empty coffee cup. ]
Knowing what I do of Thorne despite not seeing the nicer parts..it does seem like the sort of place she'll be running given time.
[ The thought in and of itself is a little amusing--Ambrose, having to cowtow to Y'shtola's stubborn quest for knowledge--
--humor that's quickly lost as Thancred brings up the very thing she's absolutely been trying to avoid. The way that her face goes from soft bemusement to sudden panic, then to an awkward attempt to smile through it probably says it all. She's never had the best poker face. That's partially why just saying nothing sometimes has been th best option. ]
...A few things?
[ This is important. She won't pretend like it's not happening, but it isn't easy. Her tail twitches behind her. ]
There...aren't as many Summoned in Solvunn.
Thancred is right, though. Y'sthola is the most unflappable of them all and would readily take on Thorne as a new challenge. She wouldn't say she needs the support, but that Thancred can be there with her is a good thing. A good thing for the both of them.
It strikes her that she may be coming off a little lonely on her own--and, well, she is but that's far from the point. Himeka shakes her head, still holding onto her now empty coffee cup. ]
Knowing what I do of Thorne despite not seeing the nicer parts..it does seem like the sort of place she'll be running given time.
[ The thought in and of itself is a little amusing--Ambrose, having to cowtow to Y'shtola's stubborn quest for knowledge--
--humor that's quickly lost as Thancred brings up the very thing she's absolutely been trying to avoid. The way that her face goes from soft bemusement to sudden panic, then to an awkward attempt to smile through it probably says it all. She's never had the best poker face. That's partially why just saying nothing sometimes has been th best option. ]
...A few things?
[ This is important. She won't pretend like it's not happening, but it isn't easy. Her tail twitches behind her. ]
There...aren't as many Summoned in Solvunn.
[ It does feel like between them two of them, Thancred and Y'shtola may be able to make some headway within Thorne, especially when Thancred also has Stephen and Yennefer as trusted contacts. Indeed, it might be worth updating Himeka on some of that as well, but it's ultimately this sharing of memories between the Summoned that has more of his attention at the moment. Particularly when it comes to Himeka.
No, she's not one who can generally hide what she's feeling, and perhaps Thancred had even been banking on that. For all the time they've known each other, she's never quite been able to pick up any of the art of subtlety from him.
Of course, there is something endearing in that too. Spy work is certainly not for everyone.
He taps his fingers on the table a few times, as if sounding out some tune, before pinning Himeka down with his stare. She can't wriggle out of this one, unfortunately. ]
True enough. There may therefore be less instances of this... well, I may as well come out and say it. It's an Echo-like phenomena. I assume you also had a dream about the eclipse?
[ Thus far everyone who he's asked has reported the same dream. Much like the Horizon is a shared vision of sorts, it seems that the Summoned can even share dreams. All of it comes from the Singularity, it must be, and yet it feels like there's still so little that they understand about the monolith. Frustrating, yet true. ]
No, she's not one who can generally hide what she's feeling, and perhaps Thancred had even been banking on that. For all the time they've known each other, she's never quite been able to pick up any of the art of subtlety from him.
Of course, there is something endearing in that too. Spy work is certainly not for everyone.
He taps his fingers on the table a few times, as if sounding out some tune, before pinning Himeka down with his stare. She can't wriggle out of this one, unfortunately. ]
True enough. There may therefore be less instances of this... well, I may as well come out and say it. It's an Echo-like phenomena. I assume you also had a dream about the eclipse?
[ Thus far everyone who he's asked has reported the same dream. Much like the Horizon is a shared vision of sorts, it seems that the Summoned can even share dreams. All of it comes from the Singularity, it must be, and yet it feels like there's still so little that they understand about the monolith. Frustrating, yet true. ]
[ If anyone can do it, it would be them. Himeka believes that whole heartedly. And she wants to believe that this is all just a temporary situation. They will all find a way back. Estinien has, unintentionally or otherwise, so surely they can as well.
But that's for a future conversation, it seems. Thancred comes right out with and honestly that is usually easier for her than beating around the proverbial bush.
The eclipse...it's not quite a star shower, but a shared vision is something to note no matter the circumstances. It's what's followed that's really thrown her--she saw it first with Nero and then with Wanda, two people who have no connection at all to Hydaelyn or their star. Why would they suddenly succumb to the same visions and same side effects?
Himeka bows her head slightly, fingers tightening on the cup. ]
Mhmm.
[ She nods, then exhales slowly. ]
And then it wasn't long after that I saw a friend's past...and then another's. And then they saw mine.
But that's for a future conversation, it seems. Thancred comes right out with and honestly that is usually easier for her than beating around the proverbial bush.
The eclipse...it's not quite a star shower, but a shared vision is something to note no matter the circumstances. It's what's followed that's really thrown her--she saw it first with Nero and then with Wanda, two people who have no connection at all to Hydaelyn or their star. Why would they suddenly succumb to the same visions and same side effects?
Himeka bows her head slightly, fingers tightening on the cup. ]
Mhmm.
[ She nods, then exhales slowly. ]
And then it wasn't long after that I saw a friend's past...and then another's. And then they saw mine.
[ As uncomfortable as Himeka may be with discussing this, there is truly no safer place to do so. No one will be walking in on them, not when Thancred's domain has certain security measures in place which make it something of a chore to navigate. ]
That must have been an adjustment. You've seen the memories of so many others, and yet is a rare thing for them to see yours.
[ Rare, or perhaps even unprecedented. Had Minfilia or Krile or anyone else with the Echo ever glimpsed a silver of Himeka's past? If so, news of it had never made it to Thancred.
Following a brief pause, he leans forward, bridging a few ilms of distance between them. There is still the majority of the large table separating them, but the shift is a silent indication that what he's about to say is something he means sincerely, and that he wants Himeka to listen. ]
I know what you're thinking. That somehow, this is your fault. The Singularity is capable of much that until now, we would have thought impossible. [ He lifts one arm to gesture at the facsimile of the Crystarium around them. ] The Horizon, for one, but it also possesses energy that puts the Crystal Tower to shame. Let's heap the blame on it, shall we?
That must have been an adjustment. You've seen the memories of so many others, and yet is a rare thing for them to see yours.
[ Rare, or perhaps even unprecedented. Had Minfilia or Krile or anyone else with the Echo ever glimpsed a silver of Himeka's past? If so, news of it had never made it to Thancred.
Following a brief pause, he leans forward, bridging a few ilms of distance between them. There is still the majority of the large table separating them, but the shift is a silent indication that what he's about to say is something he means sincerely, and that he wants Himeka to listen. ]
I know what you're thinking. That somehow, this is your fault. The Singularity is capable of much that until now, we would have thought impossible. [ He lifts one arm to gesture at the facsimile of the Crystarium around them. ] The Horizon, for one, but it also possesses energy that puts the Crystal Tower to shame. Let's heap the blame on it, shall we?
[ She nods again. An adjustment is a kind way to put it. It isn't as if Himeka hasn't realized how invasive it must feel for others when she sees their pasts, their moments of weakness and memories they would prefer not to revisit, but...she hadn't fully understood how it can be. Too used to being on the receiving end. ]
I hadn't realized-...
[ Just how awkward it made one feel? Something like that. But the rest of her thought dies on her tongue as Thancred hits the nail on the head.
Himeka looks up slowly at that. Of course he can see right through her, can't he? IT does feel like her fault. How or why it's happened she doesn't know, but it's much too close to the Echo to ignore. And with no one else seemingly in possession of that ability, it...it has to be coming from her, hasn't it? Somehow... ]
...
[ G'raha had been able to control the Crystal Tower. He was bound to it. If...she were somehow the same with the Singularity, could she control it?
She could send all of them back? ]
...
[ No, he's right. It's so much more powerful, beyond their current understanding. It's a long moment but Himeka finally nods and forces something of a somber smile of her own. ]
Yeah...you're right, Thancred.
[ Looking down at her cup again, it changes from a coffee cup to a tankard, now full of ale. She needs it. ]
It does seem like that whole eyeball dream and the visions are connected, but I don't know how.
I hadn't realized-...
[ Just how awkward it made one feel? Something like that. But the rest of her thought dies on her tongue as Thancred hits the nail on the head.
Himeka looks up slowly at that. Of course he can see right through her, can't he? IT does feel like her fault. How or why it's happened she doesn't know, but it's much too close to the Echo to ignore. And with no one else seemingly in possession of that ability, it...it has to be coming from her, hasn't it? Somehow... ]
...
[ G'raha had been able to control the Crystal Tower. He was bound to it. If...she were somehow the same with the Singularity, could she control it?
She could send all of them back? ]
...
[ No, he's right. It's so much more powerful, beyond their current understanding. It's a long moment but Himeka finally nods and forces something of a somber smile of her own. ]
Yeah...you're right, Thancred.
[ Looking down at her cup again, it changes from a coffee cup to a tankard, now full of ale. She needs it. ]
It does seem like that whole eyeball dream and the visions are connected, but I don't know how.
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