open!

[internalizings]

Who: Tear and YOU!
When: Day 13
Where: all around!
What: arrival, investigation

flower shop/inn

[ it's lucky that Tear's found herself a job pretty much off the bat. working in a flower shop is a lot different from her duties as a soldier, but it's not bad. it's actually nice. ... strange, though, when she comes to her room each night and finds letters addressed from... someone? they're love confessions, too. ]

... Excuse me, [ she says to the nearest person she finds, holding the letter up, ] you wouldn't happen to know who's been leaving these, would you?

beach

[ it's warm, but it's nothing Tear can't handle. she actually thinks the beach is lovely, with the curious shells (she's picked up a few, herself) and-- ]

HEY SWEETCHEEKS, WHY DON'T YOU SHARE SOME OF THAT ICE CREAM WITH US? YOU COULD LAY OFF THE SWEETS ONCE IN A WHILE, YOU KNOW!

[ ugh. ]

Was that really necessary? [ she calls up at them, looking completely exasperated and done with the whole thing.

additionally, she can be found strolling along the beach, which is where she spends quite a bit of her free time. ]

Comments

[internalizings]

[ ... are you sure you want to know, Van... she'll oblige, but... ]

I left the Qliphoth and found you in Baticul, at the fon Fabre manor.

[glorious]

You found me in Baticul...?

[...And now pieces are coming together.]

You followed me there to try and stop me, I assume?

[internalizings]

[ darn you, time shenanigans! Tear stands up a little straighter, her expression hardening. ]

Yes.

[glorious]

[Van is quiet for a long moment...then he lets out a laugh.]

To think that you would be so determined as to go all that way, only to follow me here...I'm impressed.

It's fortunate that you've come here then. If you help me in the labyrinths here, then it won't be necessary to stop me back home.

[internalizings]

[ she's used to that--the off-kilter laughing. Tear is used to it, but it still manages to jar her nearly every time... ]

I'm not sure "followed" is an appropriate word, considering I had no knowledge of your being here.

[ ...? ]

It won't be-- [ oh. ] The Score. That's what you wished about.

[glorious]

So it wasn't intentional on your part...Still, I didn't think that you truly had it in you to go so far to stop me.

[He nods in affirmative. It's more beneficial to share his wish with her now than to try and hide it.]

Of course...I admittedly still have my doubts that the Queen's power is strong enough to unravel the Score with nothing more than a mere wish, but if it's truly possible than my plans will be unnecessary.

[He pauses, more for effect than anything else. He knows exactly how he wants to play this now.]

I spent so long believing there was no other way and have resigned myself to doing what needed to be done...And then just before I could truly put anything to action, an opportunity like this appeared before me.

I have to at least try this and see what good a wish can do, before any blood is shed.

[internalizings]

[ stubbornly, ] I tried to stop you so countless people wouldn't get hurt.

[ ... she can already see issues with his wish. he's still the same brother through and through, but that's not a surprise. so focused on his plan... ]

... Brother, [ she says, the word feeling almost strange to say, ] did you wish for it to never have existed?

[glorious]

...I did, yes. If the Score never existed, then Hod would have never fell. We would have been able to live out our lives peacefully on the Outer Lands.

[internalizings]

So you hate the Score that much...

[ ... it's said sadly. Tear remembers when they were younger, the promise-- the promise they'd made. and it hurts to know that they can never be the same again. ]

And what of any repercussions your wish may have? What if it backfires?

[glorious]

[Van hesitates. The possibility of his wish backfiring was certainly an outcome he had considered, and he already knew his thoughts on the matter...But "I don't care if it backfires" isn't something he could tell his sister...He'd have to get creative.]

I had thought of that, but the likelihood of the wish backfiring was very remote. History would certainly change as a result, but those changes would mean that wars were fought for reasons other than the Score merely commanding it. In situations like that, it's most likely that wars would have occurred far more rarely.

If the problem is truly with the Score, and not the people following it, then I can't see how it would backfire at all. More people being allowed the chance to live would mean more people will be given the chance to do great things. An Auldrant that lived without the Score would be one where everyone was able to reach their full potential.

[internalizings]

[ ... she can see that, she supposes. but at the same time, the world and the people in it are unpredictable. Tear's still unsure and suspicious, naturally; a few pretty words aren't going to change that. ]

Even so, even if you've thought through everything, there are always unforeseen consequences, isn't that right? [ talking with this like her brother, it's... ] No one can predict every outcome.

[glorious]

...Perhaps. But whatever outcome, I know that Auldrant would be a freer world than it is now.

I can't fathom anything that would make me regret wishing for that.

[internalizings]

... And what if, in the Score's place, something similar were to be created?

[glorious]

[a long pause]

And how would 'something similar' come to exist?

[internalizings]

I'm not entirely certain. [ pause. ] But if someone were to consider such a thing necessary... It's difficult to dissuade someone when they're stubbornly determined.

[glorious]

...If you're concerned, I can speak with the Queen about amending my wish to avoid such an outcome.

[internalizings]

[ that's.... surprisingly reasonable? ]

Is it possible to do that?

[glorious]

I'll have to ask the Queen myself, but I'll be surprised if it wasn't. My wish hasn't been granted yet so unless her magic relies on our agreement already being set, then I don't see why I can't at least ask for a small concession.

[Hell knows that the Queen likely owes them all concessions after that most recent labyrinth.]

[internalizings]

[ that brings up another concern: if he does as he says, and he truly intends to do what he's told her-- what does that mean, for her wish? naturally, Tear is still suspicious, but. ]

The Queen does seem to be capable of enormous power, if she can grant any wish.

[glorious]

She was able to bring everyone here to begin with, which seems to be proof enough of her power...It may be worth speaking to her yourself, the next time she makes a public appearance.

[internalizings]

I'll keep watch for her.

[ especially if she doesn't show herself that often. ]

[glorious]

You'll likely know who it is once you see her.

[looking over at the flowers]

I shouldn't keep you from your job much longer. When does your shift end?

[internalizings]

[ nods ]

It should be only an hour until I'm finished.

[glorious]

Very well. Would you mind if I came back then?

[internalizings]

I don't mind, as long as it doesn't interfere with your own duties.