nysalogs | ❪ event ❫ a moment in eternity

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❪ event ❫ a moment in eternity

TO THERE AND BACK

It has been a month of chills uncharacteristic of what you might remember as summer — cold days and even colder nights. The days are short and the nights feel eternal. With the recent disruption of the network and no sign of a resolution for the world outside of Nadril, one has to wonder what the future holds for El Nysa. What of Olympia, Wyver, and their residents? The animals you cared for - are they destined to remain as frozen as wretched Ysverai forever? What will become of the sleeping ones in Thesa when there is nowhere else to go but this icy city?

Yet not all hope is lost just yet. The woman that appeared at the start of the network errors finally shows up again in another network post.

Greetings to you all. I apologize for my abrupt appearance and departure before… My name is Nurray, and I am the closest thing to a monarch that you will find here in Nadril. Magda is... indisposed, so I am here to speak to you in his place.

First and foremost, you will notice that your network devices are fully functional once more. Should you experience any further issues, please report them to me immediately so that it can be taken care of.

Secondly… Investigating the strange frequency interference we've been experiencing has brought some troubling data to light. The passage of time outside of this colony has been halted, of course, but the hold seems... unstable. Whatever it is that Darma has done to contain the calamity, I doubt that it will last for long. Time is an unpredictable force, and attempting to control it can only have adverse effects on the world. You could stay here if you so chose, outside the reach of that magic... but to do that would be to abandon the rest of this planet to an unenviable fate.

...ah, but there is no need to take my word for it. You can see the effects for yourselves, if you wish — merely look outside. "Seeing is believing"... isn’t that the phrase?

Nurray has a point: refugees have not been given a chance to see the outside. The frequent snowstorm barrier of Nadril has made it impossible to see what it's like beyond the colony. Soon after the network post, as though the snow has been "turned off," clouds will clear. With the barrier created by the snow gone, the red sun shines brightly upon the dreary city with its warmth. You can see a purple haze on the south horizon, a indication that Yservai wasn’t all just a dream. He's still there, so far away, yet so close anyway.

Near the entrance, a mound of snow melts, revealing steps leading towards the underground.

It seems to be a part of the subway station you might have found earlier during your exploration of the colony — this time, the station has been powered on. Two trains lie in wait — their destinations read: Olympia and Wyver.

— El Nysa is waiting.

FREEZE FRAME

The technology found in the subway station of Nadril is truly out of this world. The combined efforts of Natha technology and alien minds have truly created state-of-the-art transportation never before seen by the typical Nysan. It takes no longer than one hour for the intercoms to announce their arrival to the outskirts of the Dranbu Kingdom — though, even with the platform available, the train never stops; it instead continues for another half hour for it to reach the North Gate of the Olympian Empire, where it sits until it's time to return to the tundra.

All in all, it takes a mere hour and a half for this high-speed subway travel from Nadril to Olympia.

The second train does make a quick stop at the Olympian Station, but it will be another painless hour and a half until it reaches the jungle of the Wyver Kingdom. Because Wyver is its own island, connected only by a bridge, you might notice that a small part of the travel was underwater. The trip takes only a total of three hours, but there's plenty of time for sightseeing. After all, isn't that the whole point of this trip?

BE STILL MY HEART. Leaving the train, you are immediately hit with the still, warm air of the underground. It's hot, much different from the winter of the north, but perhaps a welcome change. The station is old, but it still has a fairly new smell to it, and not just because it's been unused for so long. It feels out of place compared to the rest of this world, and this is especially true when you reach the surface.

The entrance was hidden under the earth right near the North Gate. Upon leaving the station, you're immediately hit with the familiar wretched smell and atmosphere of the undead. Even if you're new, you won’tt be able to miss Ysverai, the risen Great Dragon. You see this massive creature on the horizon, mouth wide and ready to blast El Nysa into nothing. Yet he remains still — as are all the terrified residents of Olympia.

You've only seen this on the monitors of Thesa Station, and now you're able to experience first-hand how utterly quiet and still the world is now.

The native Olympians are all over — you see most of them running away from the Great Dragon. Others equipped their armors and rode their steeds straight toward the danger in hopes of protecting their Empire. And the civilians, having lost all hope, are huddled together — at least they would have been able to spend their final moments with loved ones.

Up on Thesa Station, you felt dread when you'd observed Ysverai for too long — this remains true here. That dread reaches your heart and clutches it. You feel his pain and suffering, and for those too in tune with emotions, it may be too much for you to be near him. Best to steer clear from him, or perhaps return to the underground. There is much more to be seen, after all.

PRAYING WITH FIRE. Another hour and a half south on the subway, and you'll reach the Wyver Station. It's far warmer here in the station this further south, but Ysverai's dread doesn't reach here. On the surface, you are instead immediately hit with the overwhelming humidity of the jungle. With summer in full swing, the layers you've brought with you from Nadril become a burden.

In Wyver, the mood is far different. The Great Dragon Yservai was once a being that was respected and worshipped by the Wyver people — not to mention that the one responsible is none other than Prince Raysc — thus his revival is met with somber resilience. Most of Wyver natives, instead of running away, had gathered around fires in prayer. Trained dragons that were unaffected by Ysverai's influence bow by their master's sides in acceptance of what they feel in their heart is to come with the Great Dragon's final blow.

You may even spot your own dragon, eyes beamed up toward Thesa, like it knows you were up there at the moment time stood still.

It's hard to imagine where one can go from here. You might start thinking about clean-up efforts, how to achieve proper burials for the fallen ones... but with time frozen, you will find that you cannot actually move anything or anyone. It will be dusk, as Thesa's shines across the skies, when storm cloud gather before Thesa's light.

And from the clouds is a familiar figure —

Once again, she has descended.

TIME & TIME AGAIN

Darma is glowing as bright as the naked eye can perceive. Her massive, true form floats before the world she's built from dust.

Is this world salvageable in your eyes, Refugee? We held time in hopes that we fould find a way to dissolve this Ysverai back to the ashes from which he was reanimated. Unfortunately, we continue to be unseeing, thus uncertain of the future... after all, our powers are near depleted.

Nurray was correct, Refugee, in that I cannot hold time for much longer. There is... another way, however. It is not ideal by any means, but we shall do what we must to keep Ysverai frozen.

As for us... we have expended far too much of our energy — Refugee, I am too aware of the misfortunes you've experienced in your time here. I have failed in my promise to provide better living... perhaps, with more time, I may yet see a better future. Until then, I leave Thesa, our hearts, in your hands. Farewell, Refugee.

Her brightness dims as she says her final words — at the same time, raises her arms, palms wide, then closes her hands into a fist.

In that instant, time is resumed. It's slow at first, as though time is trying to catch up with reality. It takes a several moments until the slow-motion picture before them reaches normalcy. Darma turns her attention to Yservai, whose motion is also returning, but not for long. In her true form, they are comparable in size; Darma's glow continues to dim as she draws closer to the Great Dragon, and then she coils herself around him, holding him still before assimilating into the wretched creature.

By the end of it, time has completely returned to normal, and all residents were able to witness the Natha holding time still for Ysverai —

The process turns the Great Dragon, as well as Darma, into stone.

HIT PLAY TO REPLAY

Darma has resumed time, and Ysverai is no longer a threat. However, it comes with a hefty price for the Natha. The massive, stone statue of Darma embracing Ysverai looms in the valley between the cities of Olympia and Wyver. It's no doubt an intimidating addition to the world, but there is some peace in knowing it's all over. When civilians finally come to, they can't help but look upon the statue in awe — and their respective cities. It's much to take in all at once.

Much destruction has been wrought— buildings lay in ruin, and of the citizens still alive, many look to be in poor physical condition. 1.

I. The Sanctuary has sustained much damage, and with the high demand of medical care, cannot serve as the central healing place for those in need. Instead, it is up to individual citizens to find resources and establish places of care. Those with a medical inclination or healing powers may set up medical tents, or work out of their homes. Not everything has been destroyed, and it is still possible to obtain supplies from the market or request them from The Sanctuary.

There is also, unfortunately, the tragic task of transporting corpses to graveyards and giving fallen citizens a proper burial. The Temples thank you for your service.

II. In order to have a functioning city again, buildings and facilities must be repaired and rebuilt. It's possible your own home was demolished in the battle. With so many important buildings needing to be repaired, city officials are too overwhelmed with the coordination of such tasks to double-check that buildings are restored to their original form. What's more, they seem to encourage design innovation, believing that a new, fresh look to the city will revitalize people's morale. Now is the time to put your own unique flair on the interior or exterior of Olympia's infrastructure. Even parts of the Palace need repair.

Time has resumed, yes, but the magic that Darma employs isn't flawless. As powerful of an entity as she may be, to tamper with time is difficult. Some would say it defies the laws of nature. Nature seems to agree, and in the next few weeks, El Nysa will be facing a few hiccups as it finds its equilibrium once more and citizens try to return to normalcy. Strangely enough, El Nysa natives are not disturbed by the occurrence of these events.

III. Characters may find that they occasionally (or frequently) suffer from lapses in memory. These difficulties with memory may range from light to severe, although they are thankfully not permanent. Within the span of a few minutes to a few hours, difficulties in remembering people and events are resolved. That isn't to say a similar problem won’t happen again tomorrow…

IV. Is it just you, or is your housemate looking a bit old lately? No, it isn't just stress making some citizens appear older. For a short amount of time, some characters may find themselves advancing or regressing in age, both physically and mentally. This particular kind of time hiccup is rare and may be particularly disturbing to the affected person’s friends. Thankfully, there have been no cases of this effect lasting more than an hour.

V. At times, it seems as though objects and people in El Nysa will feel a bit out of place. These are beings and things that belong to what some may call "alternate universes." Their presence is transient, and some will only appear for a few instances before returning to their rightful existence. The ones that linger a bit longer, however, may make your day more interesting. Before you stands a pet just like yours, except it talks...? Perhaps you'll meet another version of yourself, a more bloodthirsty version of yourself. Or maybe you'll run into a version of your friend that really enjoys your company. The possibilities are truly endless, and potentially mortifying.

VI. Towards the end of the month, the frequency of the aforementioned disturbances will decrease. Following this will be an increase in a different sort of disturbance: one that will either make literal seconds seem like an eternity, or force you to move and talk at a speed you never thought possible. It's as though some higher entity is pressing the fast forward or slow down button on life, and considering your mind works at the same pace as normal, the phenomenon is as frustrating as it sounds. Hope you weren't planning to be on time for anything, because it might be awhile before the universe allows you to take that next step.

But these phenomena does draw to a close — and with it, you may wonder what will happen now to those sleeping ones in Thesa now that Darma has turned to stone. After all, it will be near the time of which more refugees should wake... Repairs to Thesa Station should remain ongoing so long as parts can be salvaged from Nadril, at least. And with speed travel via subway possible, it should make travel far easier than ever before.

Even with Darma gone, you will have to move forward. There is still much to be done.

FINAL OOC NOTES

You may acquire REP for Nadril, and either Olympia or Wyver in this log. An AC-eligible thread for ONE (1) NADRIL REP POINT may be submitted HERE BY AUGUST 26TH, 11:59 PM EST.

A second AC-eligible thread for 1 REP for either Olympia OR Wyver may be submitted HERE OR HERE BY AUGUST 26TH, 11:59 PM EST. Please direct questions to the questions thread below! Thank you!

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[Ren probably wouldn't like himself very much if he liked any of this either. His past self might have been fine with the destruction, but even then he hadn't ever condoned death, just necessary brutality, and he dislikes that part of himself enough at times.

Ren stumbles a bit when he's pulled closer, since he's never been the least clumsy person in the world even when he's not distracted by other concerns, but remains upright. Though it'd be a little bit hard to fall over completely in this position anyway. This is a bit of the kind of thing he's heard before, from other people whose words admittedly hold more weight to him than those of someone he just met (however impressive a figure), and he lets out a short breath that he hadn't really noticed he was holding.

It's difficult to know how to phrase the specific issue he's having without making it confusing, so he turns it over at some length before speaking, tone calm and quiet but not quite the same coldness it had been earlier.] I've stopped realities like this coming to pass before, or helped my friends to. I guess a lot of my problem is with the idea that I won't be able to do that again. The kind of strengths I had don't mean all that much here.

[This isn't a political situation, so manipulation has little use but for the people directly around him. Nor does any ability he fought with in his world. All he really has left to him is his laughable physical condition, the remnants of combative knowledge he's gleaned from instances of possessing his units...and Psyqualia, which might help him in a pinch but isn't something it's wise to rely on, for a variety of reasons.

He's standing at the mouth of the path to strength, a path that's led to very bad things for him before, and it's not an enjoyable feeling.]

I don't like the idea that I'm looking into my own future.

[So that's what he doesn't like. Iskandar looks down at him and then looks around at everything around them. The destruction and death. The chaos and strife. It was a sad thing to look upon and could drain the will out of just about anyone. He'd very few things worse than this in his lifetime so witnessing this... And he hadn't even been here when all of this senseless violence had taken place and all these lives lost.]

Your future? Well I think it could be a future but perhaps not your own.

[Using the grip he has on him, he has him face all the damage and death. Has the pair of them stop to just look upon it and really take it in.]

This was a terrible incident, one that will live on in us for many years to come. This is the kind of thing you carry with you no matter how hard you try not to.

[But then he turns him towards where, in the distance, one can see people rebuilding the city. Fixing things. Providing aid where it is needed and showing that life can continue on.]

But from it when can grow stronger. There are those that are working to rebuild and create something new. So while all of this destruction is one future it isn't the only one. Just like I don't think it's necessarily yours.

[The walk continues and he is quiet for a moment. Only a moment though.]

That is something beautiful about futures actually. There are many paths for us to take to determine what future it is we will walk. So I think that perhaps this ahead could be a future for you as well.

[For a brief, but telling moment, Ren resists the turning grip, whether out of lack of desire to see it or lack of desire to let someone else tell him how to feel - it's hard to tell. But he doesn't have the physical strength to do it for much more than that moment, so he does turn in the end, even if it's difficult to see how he feels about it with his face hidden almost entirely by his hair.

The multitude of futures that exist is something that's very familiar to him, especially in light of the last few years of development on his own world and Cray. But in the end, that had also failed. As much as he's disinclined to just give up...the only thing here he really has worth protecting so far is the people who are asleep, and it's a more powerful motivator to stay by their side than necessarily make a future here.

He doesn't want to be stalled, or controlled. But he's slowly having to confront the idea of a future without any of the people who've stayed alongside him, cared for him and been cared for in return, and it's...empty.

Rebuilding is that much harder when you don't have the ground you built on in the first place.]

I need... [To do better next time. To stop things before he ends up here again, alone and abandoned and quietly resentful even if he should know how bad of an idea that is this time around. His hand reaches up and clenches, for just a moment, on the arm around him, as if he wants to cast it aside, and it takes a continual reminder to himself that accepting an offered hand isn't weak and that it would be to fall to exactly the same kind of thinking that's twisted him before to make him slowly let go and let his hand fall to his side again.]

...to make somewhere they can call a home. [He wants them here, but he can't have them, so for now, perhaps, he can make his selfishness productive. And maybe in the process find something else he cares about enough to move him.] I want to protect my own until they wake up. That's...the only thing I care about right now, even if it's not the only thing that matters.

[There's widespread suffering, and he can't look upon that and not feel upset that these people have been confronted with this, disgust that it came to this. It's important, and it matters, but to say he cares in comparison to the other people here, who have lived among these people and experienced the attack themselves, almost feels like an insult to them.]

A future without them isn't something I've ever had to imagine before.

You know, the more I learn about you, the more I like the heart you have.

[He pats his shoulder lightly, something that still has some weight to it just because his hand is so, well, big. But he doesn't try for getting Ren out of the mood he's in. Sometimes a person just needs to be bitter or determined about things for a bit. Or both. It can help a bit. At least that's what he's seen with other people since he can't say he's ever really felt bitter about situations in his life. Not even when he was in exile.

But that desire to want to build a life for those you care about because a future without them is unimaginable? That's noble. It's something he plans to do as well even though he doubts he will ever see the majority of the people that he loves. Many of their names have been lost to history and even then they're all dead.

Perhaps they aren't even in rest because they're in a Reality Marble that he can't access right now. He honestly can't even say and he prefers not to dwell on it. If he's not meant to see those of his past ever again then so be it. He has new people he can build a life with and he will treasure those of his past to honor all the memories he's made with them. It's true he could say all of this to his young friend but he decides not to.

Why?

Well, he doesn't want to have Ren think he's looking down upon how he's handling this situation since it's not that at all. If anything he's proud of him. Of what he's doing and who he is as a person.

So he decides to say this instead.]

You know, if there is ever anything I can do to help you build a home for them then simply send for me. I will gladly do all I can to aid you.

[Despite the mood he's in, that particular remark Iskandar makes first puts a slight smile on Ren's face, even if it's also a faintly bitter one. He can't drop the attitude that easily right now, but it is a little bit funny, and he supposes he should expect it from someone like a conqueror.]

That's funny, it usually goes the other way around. [People meet him, assume he's purely a benign and sweet airhead, and then recoil as soon as he demonstrates otherwise. Even a lot of the people who know full well what he's capable of fear these kinds of sides of him coming out. But at the same time, it feels fitting in some way - part of the reason he trusts those people so much is because they're well aware of his darkness as well as his light, and appropriately wary of it without failing to accept him as he is.

It's something he feels will be difficult to replicate with anyone here, but as a start, he supposes...yes, it's useful to have people who are willing to help. Loneliness is merely going to drive him further back towards the friends that remain asleep instead of trying to move forward, as loneliness always drives him to undesirable places. He's been working to try and rectify that since he came here, and though he hasn't been here long enough to form a real connection with anyone, he feels as if there are at least a few with potential.

And really, he'd rather not spend this entire conversation reeking of bitterness, so he forces his smile to linger a little longer.] I probably don't sound very grateful for it right now, but that's sweet of you to offer. I'll see if I can find a fitting use for it.

Bah. You have a right to feel as you do. I don't fault you for it at all.

[He brings the hand that has been around up to rest on his head. Then he gives him a grin before actually rubbing his head and messing up his hair a little bit.]

The offer will be there when you feel better as well. Until then I am glad to just be able to give you companionship as we walk through this. I know that I find it helps me to have company since it reminds me there's still so much worth fighting for.

[Iskandar settles his arm around him again, looking ahead. Yes, there really is so much worth fighting for. What they've experienced here is really something so small in the long run. It doesn't feel that way but he knows it to be true. Just like how small the territory that he conquered really was in the grand scheme of things. But he likes that actually. That something so small can ripple into the larger picture to influence how it will look.

Like how they're rebuilding now, respecting the dead around them. Being together with friends as well.]

I look forward to meeting your friends when they wake up.

[It's not quite open surprise that Ren offers to that first sentiment, but there's certainly something in his face that says that's not a reassurance he hears very often. People tend to prefer he hides his negative feelings because of what he can be like about them, but the idea that he has a right to them is...odd, if somewhat comfortable once he thinks about it.

The rubbing at his head distracts him a bit, though, and he ducks and gives a faintly whiny noise at his hair being messed up. Not that it's not already a mess, but still.

He lets out an exaggerated huff as he straightens up, letting the arm fall around him without resistance this time, though he might poke at Iskandar's fingers a bit in an almost distracted manner. Even if there's no mistaking the wistful smile he gives at the idea of his friends waking up.] I hope it happens soon, I'm sure they'd be interested to meet everyone here too. But I guess that also means I should make sure I make lots of new friends so they have plenty of people I can introduce them to as well. Or for whatever other reasons...

[Ren and loneliness don't mix well at all, so he's at least been trying to make a network of people since he woke up, even if actual friendship will take time.] Tell me, since we're talking about it already...what is it you find yourself fighting for the most...?

[He's curious, honestly, about the motivations of a conqueror who also seems so open to kindness and companionship. Recorded history is always biased, after all.]

The chance to be human again.

[There's no hesitation when the answer comes. Iskandar knows exactly what he fights for, what he longs for, what he would wish for more than anything. It's greedy and selfish but does he care? No. This is what he wants and this is what Ren has asked. He's not a man to lie about anything so obviously he isn't going to start now.]

That is my greatest desire right now so that is what I fight for.

[It's not the easiest thing to achieve but if all wishes were easily granted would they be satisfying when they were?]

[That's definitely a little bit confusing to hear without the context of wherever Iskandar came from to clarify it, so Ren gives a thoughtful frown for a few moments. And then he apparently decides he isn't going to figure it out without asking, so he shrugs and goes ahead.]

What is it you are right now, then? [It makes some kind of sense that he's not human right now if he's still alive, here, and apparently somewhat familiar with trappings of modernity judging by their previous encounter, but it's not obvious what he actually is beyond that.]

I am a Heroic Spirit. One who lived a life that tales are told about later then summoned years later by a mage.

[He puts a hand over his heart as he looks down at him to explain further.]

I am known through history as Alexander the Great as you know. I was summoned as a Spirit with powers based on all that I did and was known for in my lifetime. Some are closed off to me right now but even then I still am not human yet. That is what I wish to be again.

[That actually sounds pretty interesting as a concept, and Ren gets distracted for a few moments just thinking about the kinds of entertaining things that could lead to. He comes back to himself after a few moments, though, still looking rather curious.]

Is being human a more permanent existence than what you are now...? It sounds like what you are would be pretty powerful, so becoming human would be a step down from that if there wasn't something else important about it.

[In Ren's experience, though, spirits are supposed to be transient and nothing else. Perhaps there's a physicality to being human that he currently lacks, or it's something sentimental.]

[He gives him such a warm smile as he nods.]

You don't realize that you've actually figured out exactly why I want to be human again. I am powerful like this. I could do anything I wished and conquer the universe. But where would the pleasure and satisfaction be? No, I want to be just as small and weak as everyone around me. To have the same limitations as any human. To achieve greatness with those odds would be glorious and worthy of great tales and song.

[That's quite possibly the best way he could've chosen to explain to make Ren understand the sentiment immediately. As someone who is willing enough to dominate but much prefers the struggle of crushing someone in order to get there, that idea immediately makes Ren perk up a bit before he smiles slightly in understanding.]

Oh, I get it now. It is pretty boring to just be able to step straight to the top without any kind of challenge to get there. The struggle for victory and finding people worthy to fight you is the best part~

[He says that in the same upbeat tone as ever, as if it's an entirely normal sentiment for anyone to express.]

[That gets a laugh from the large man. It's not often one finds another who understands exactly what one is talking about. At least not when it comes to matters like this.]

Yes, exactly. So I desire to be human once again. When I am I will take up my conquest once more since it is far from complete. That which I conquered is so small in comparison to the world, after all.

Well, hopefully I'm around to see it when you do. It'd be interesting to see something like that in person. [Or stand against it. Ren isn't really the type to let something like that go without a challenge of worthiness, though he's definitely going to have to get better at physical combat while he's here.

He huffs a little, as if it's a bit of an annoyance.] I guess I'll have to start working harder, though...the way I fight wouldn't do a thing on this world...

[Though the fact that he definitely doesn't have the build of a physical fighter is probably a dead giveaway of that.]

If you become one of my allies then you could always see it for yourself as you fight with me.

[Honestly he's content to linger on this topic. It's distracting Ren for a time. Times are hard enough without the almost unending sorrow this destruction has brought them. If there can be something to lift the spirits for a time then he wants to make use of that. That will be what will get them all through this.]

I would enjoy being your King.

[The notion seems to amuse Ren slightly - he's not opposed to it entirely, but at the same time, it's not really his type of position.]

Mmm, I'm more used to leading, though maybe not in the same context. I'm not sure it would be very fun to let you just have me like that.

[Ren does usually seek alternate routes towards power, perhaps obvious given his reaction to a battlefield like this one. But it's an entertaining thought, and also means he doesn't have to think too hard about what's currently around them, so he's happy to keep playing around with it.]

Oh? Then in that case it seems a challenge is in order.

[He chuckles at that. If it's a challenge to get something or someone that he wants then you can be sure that he'll sign himself up for it.]

What should we do for this? What will you have me do to get you to say yes? I have to say I love challenges a great deal. The harder the better.

[Ren curls a hand against his mouth briefly to disguise the somewhat less than benign way his smile curls up at that, though it's harder to disguise that deeper, more grounded tone that comes with it.]

Don't be tempting. I'll have you know it takes more than token gestures like that to get me to take someone else's lead.

[It's one of those matters Ren tends to be firm on, considering his preference not to be tied down.]

I wasn't talking about token gestures. Obviously it should take more than that if you are going to refuse from the start. That is why I speak of challenges.

[Because some might think he's just messing around but he's actually quite serious about this. He wants Ren and it seems that Ren might agree if it's worth it.

So obviously he has to make it so.]

Well, some people have very different ideas of what a challenge is~ [It's also not really something Ren can easily quantify, though, which is probably given away by the lengthy hum of consideration he gives out as he muses on it.]

...Though, you know, I don't know that I take the idea of earning loyalty quite that literally now that I think about it... [This is harder than he expected it to be, because token gestures and mild amusements are really the kind of thing he's much more used to considering when it comes to an offer like this. Something that he'd actually stake something he holds in such high regard as loyalty on is a tall order, though he's reluctant to give that away considering how much he's already revealed this conversation.] I don't like deciding things in advance, either, which I guess is kind of the problem.

[He prefers to decide whether he's going to follow someone's lead in the heat of the moment, not because he decided to. Unless it's someone who did something truly meaningful for him.]

[In the end, he just laughs a bit, patting his friend on the shoulder.]

I like you. Don't worry for I will convince you some day.

[Never mind the fact that literally no one at all has expressed concern about this. Such is life when dealing with Iskandar though. He's always just sort of barreling through things and dragging people with him, already assuming his victories before he's seen them. It takes a major ego to do it and he's got one to back it up.]

How are you feeling?

[Now that he's distracted him for a bit.]

[Ren gives a slightly amused smile in response to that.] Sounds like fun.

[Possibly fun to watch more than anything else, but then, it's hard to say until it actually happens. Ren is content to wait until then rather than make a decision now.

His expression sobers some at the question, though. Not completely, but enough to make it fairly clear he'd been trying to avoid circling back to that topic.]

Hmm...better. Though I think any more than that will have to wait until things get a little bit better here as well. [Ren's not overly fond of overlooking this kind of suffering for a variety of reasons, so he's not likely to feel entirely at ease until bodies are buried and rebuilding has started in earnest.]

I would never ask for more. I had only meant to distract you for a time. The fact that I could bring a smile of any kind back to your beautiful face was reward enough for my efforts.

[He gives him a warm look before looking ahead of them.]

It means that there is still a light in this darkness. A seed that will grow up and flower. I like to see such things during these times.

[Ren gives a slight huff of a laugh at the initial comment, like he's trying to find it a little bit funny but can't quite bring himself to. Everyone's so sincere here, and he generally does find that pretty funny, but...well, it's nice as well, in a way.]

I guess someone like you would've seen a lot more of it than someone like me. Though I guess I've seen a little bit as well. [By proxy, for the most part, but to be a "prayer granter" means to overhear and sometimes even oversee Cray in times of both war and peace.] Anything that flowers is fine by me, anyway~

[He likes flowers, he had to make that bad joke sometime.]

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