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[He's using his omen for this, it's too important not to. He's been missing for near a week, but...]

I'm... sorry. I don't know if anyone told you what... happened but I... I turned into a beast and I -

[His throat feels like it's being squeezed, tears prickling in his eyes.]

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to worry you.

[ Gaia hadn't heard. But in fairness the month had been a little hard on her as she tried to cope with the out of control reality shaping powers. It had been easy for Gaia to miss what was going on around her. ]

What?!

[ She sounds shocked and dismayed. Likely at the thought that she's been distracted enough to have missed that. ]

Were you purified? Or... Nevermind. Where are you now?

[ There will be sounds that indicate she is gathering things to be able to set out to meet with him. ]

Edited 2022-11-28 11:35 (UTC)

No. I wasn't. The... other option had to be used.

[He doesn't sound too pleased about it, but... well. At least he didn't kill anyone.]

I'm heading home now. You don't have to go anywhere. I'm... I'm fine now.

[At least he damn well better be.]

[ Fine is a relative term. And Gaia isn't going to be angry about one option or the other. So there's no extra outrage in her voice. ]

Alright. I'll start cooking something. We can talk a little while you're on the way here.

[ That way she can make sure he's still heading home. But the sounds in the background change from preparation to the clang of pots and rustle through the pantry. ]

What do you want to eat?

[There's the crunch of leaves under his boots, so at least he's walking towards home.]

It doesn't really matter. I... I feel like I should feel hungry, but I don't.

[There's the faint chittering of his omen, and Nara'a sighs.]

I know I've been... distant, lately. I know I disappeared for a bit too...

[He was in a cocoon for part of the last month, he couldn't really do anything about that.]

... I've just had a lot on my mind lately. Even... even before the corruption set in.

I'll make it something light then. And warm.

[ It's gotten cold. And maybe after a long walk home having something warm waiting will be about more than hunger. ]

You don't have to apologize, you know. It's not like I've been staying in one place myself.

[ In fact this month she's been trying to minimize being in one place too long for worry over whether she's going to change the environment (literally) without meaning to. ]

I probably should have paid attention more. Corruption's like that. Even before you suspect it's there, it's probably been there a while. What's been on your mind though? Do you want to talk about it?

[ Her tone indicates that while it might sound like a request he can say no to, Gaia certainly thinks he definitely should. And not just because she's worried or feels guilty for not being there. ]

Thank you. ... And that's not your fault, either. Trench is... Trench.

[There's really no other descriptor for it. But as to what's on his mind, he just... sighs.]

It's... home. And the Thirteenth - the Void. I've... been there.

[Apparently? He's still unclear as to whether or not he physically left Trench.]

I... a friend from the Source... his sister is trapped there. Being fed on by fiends... it's horrible.

So... like sin-eaters?

[ Gaia is presuming he meant 'before he squidified and came here'. She also isn't sure she remembers hearing about the Thirteenth or the Void before. But it doesn't feel completely unfamiliar? Fortunately this isn't a video call so her confused expression won't be in evidence. The questioning tone probably makes it obvious however.

But... hey, sin-eaters DO hunger for aether, the result of their feeding is just sort of polar opposite. ]

That's horrible. And they're still...

[ Themselves? How? Wait, that's not the issue. ]

...You're distressed because you're not there to help your friend, aren't you?

Yes, though darkness instead of light. And in a world of endless darkness - a very active element - nothing can die. They just come back unless their aether is absorbed by another.

[He sighs and nods, even if she can't see it.]

It's not... as if I could do much anyway. Our only guide through that world is injured, and we need to wait for her to heal. But there's still plans to make... I remember we were talking about you and Ryne, actually.

Since the world is there, not totally destroyed like others are... there's a chance we could bring back the light and life there.

[ There's typical sounds of water being poured and maybe something being chopped up. Gaia's gotten pretty comfortable over the past months with cooking. She might not be a culinary genius but she's at least able to make decent food. ]

So even if you were there, you'd still be waiting. Not that it doesn't make it any less frustrating.

[ So she's not foolish enough to point out that he shouldn't feel so bad. Her attention is focused more on the conversation when she and Ryne are brought up. ]

Us? Oh well I guess you've a point. If there's something there, it can be restored.

[ Maybe. She sounds worrried when moving on. ]

But... Eden is gone. So is Mitron. Correct me if I'm wrong but they were the reason we could do what we did in the Empty. [ Mitron had his own agenda. But it doesn't change that he had been the driving force behind Eden itself. ] Are you planning to look for something like that on the Thirteenth?

[He knows he shouldn't feel bad, but... he can't shake the feeling there's something he can do. Train, maybe. But he can train here, can't he?]

[His omen nuzzles into him and he sighs. Yes, he knows that he's being somewhat foolish.]

You're right... but there's got to be some way to replicate what was done. Or at least start somewhere, even if it's a small patch. I don't think I can absorb the darkness like I did the light.

[He damn near got himself killed that time, and even if the darkness would balance him out on an aetheric level... he's not going to count on surviving that.]

I should hope you wouldn't try that a second time.

[ Gaia certainly sounds tart. ]

I realize that it wouldn't stop you from doing it if you thought for a second it was going to save someone else the burden. But I think you can certainly do better with all the experience you've gained since then.

I'm also sure there's others trying to find an answer to this solution. Which I will remind you that you should actively consult them before trying to do something foolish.

[ Such as idk sending everyone back to the safety of a ship through a teleport device while you face the giant universe-ending monster alone. While surfing the back of a dragon. ]

You could also consider finding ways to contact our world from here. Maybe there's information you could learn in Trench that the others can make use of.

... I know. I'm going to try to remember that. Sometimes there isn't time to explain...

[That was an emergency! Give him a break, he didn't want everyone to be in danger!]

Yes, Y'shtola is taking the lead on a lot of this. Considering she's our expert on such matters, she's been heading our research into the Void.

I'm not sure what we're going to be able to accomplish communication-wise with our worlds... but the Archives might hold some knowledge that might be helpful. If only we could find it...

Alright that's fair.

[ That there isn't always time to explain. ]

Then at least make sure to tell people so they know what's happening. There are some secrets that it's just foolish to keep.

[ Gaia remembers a little of hearing about Y'shtola. Honestly though it's probably just a name to her. ]

I'm afraid I can't be of any help. I didn't have a lot of time to figure work on my powers before I found myself here. And... well, I can teleport to places in Trench but there doesn't seem to be a way back to our world from here. Or any world really. So it's not like I could practice that.

[ But she has been working on powers the Ascians were shown to have. Some of them parallel so well to Darkblood gifts, it's sometimes hard to tell the difference. ]

That's fair. And... well. That's something. If we could somehow redirect the power from being focused on you to be focused on a space... it might be possible to open some kind of gate. To where though... is unclear.

[How closed-off is Trench? He doesn't know. He's afraid to find out. But there must be some kind of connection...]

I... try not to keep secrets. I just... don't like bothering people. You know how it is...

Edited 2022-11-29 03:50 (UTC)

It'll probably take a deal with the Pthumerians and to be honest I'm not fond of the thought of getting to close to them. I prefer to appreciate the basics but leave one another in peace. You've seen what happens when someone makes one angry that they've tried to move through their domain.

[ Even without the video feed, one can almost visualize how she's wrinkling her nose at the thought. Granted, Jon did extreme things but still. ]

But if it's something we must do, then I'd be willing to try. If only so we could tell the people at home we're fine.

[ Gaia doesn't add any concerns or thoughts about the whole squid business or the feeling of belonging here now. Those are problems for the future. ]

Hah! It's practically the same thing if you put it like that. And no. I don't like dealing with people sometimes. Particularly if they're idiots. But it isn't the same thing as needing to be better about sharing important information. If I've managed to improve on that, then you can too.

[ Gaia will not be fooled by Nara'a's attempt to appeal to her empathy. No sir. ]

Yes, I've definitely seen that... I've no desire to deal with the wrath of another one of them. I don't know how long it'll take to find a way there... but we must. Somehow, we will find a way out of here.

[For now this is 'home', like it or not. And he does feel he belongs here... but he doesn't want to abandon his own world to whatever fate might be conspiring to do.]

I know, I know. I've been trying to get better at it... at least I'm not trying to take on every problem here on my own.

[He could. He wants to. But even his shoulders will eventually crumble if he puts too heavy a load on them.]

You... didn't end up in the Sleeper Farm at any point, did you?

[ Mm hm. She'll believe it when she doesn't see Nara'a falling back into Corruption within a month or two. However she promises herself to be a little better at keeping an eye on him. His next question is successful in changing the topic though. ]

No.

[ The answer is short. She might have been fortunate and avoided the Zealots so far. But it's not like she hasn't heard the rumors. ]

And please don't go calling it the 'Sleeper Farm'. [ The disgust in Gaia's voice is very clear. ] Like capturing and torturing anyone or anything and whatever else they're doing there is something productive or positive.

[ Farms are things like sowing crops in fields and tending livestock. Yes butchery for food is part of that process but there's still an expectation to quality of life which doesn't include torture. In the background, bowls are being placed on a table with more force than necessary, showing her agitation.

Possibly her fear as well. ]

I hope you're almost here, Nara'a. I've just about finished.

[ Gaia may or may not wish to be in company now. ]

True. That's just what I'd heard the others call it.

[He could have worded that better... oh well.]

I had to rescue a friend from there... it was awful. The poor girl was really badly hurt...

[He's still not sure how she's alive, but that's a question for another day.]

Yes, I'm almost there. Are you... you made enough for yourself as well, right?

Ugh, they need to stop.

[ It's not Nara'a's fault exactly. Sometimes it's easier to go with what everyone else says for context. Which was certainly there. ]

I'm sorry about your friend. [ Gaia doesn't ask if they're okay. No one's okay after an experience like that, even though they can mend. ] Those zealots or whatever. They're frightening. But... yeah. It drives home that not every Sleeper is nice.

[ Something that's good to be reminded about from time to time even if this is a horrible way for it to happen. ]

Don't worry, there's enough for both of us. I'm not going to let you feel guilty about sitting there and eating something in front of me.

[ Sure the exasperation sounds a bit forced as if she's trying to put forth a measure of her usual self. But it isn't entirely faked. ]

It... does. The ones we know are, but... there's the terrifying prospect of power going out of control.

[Something he knows only too well... too many people with power using it and abusing it.]

Good. I know full well you can take care of yourself, it's just... I suppose I worry.

[He's not responsible for Gaia, but he feels like he needs to protect her nonetheless. Not just for her sake but for Ryne's and Thancred's and Urianger's as well. Not that he's going to say that in front of her - he can already imagine the exasperated look and frustrated tone.]

Though you worry about me too, so it's even in the end.

[ Of course the really frightening thing about the Sleeper 'farms' is that the Zealots may have a point in what their aim is. Even if there are thousands of other ways to go about it. Who can say though? And it'd be pointless to ask for details from the Zealots themselves and expect an impartial answer.

But for now perhaps it's best to move on to simpler matters. ]

I promise I have no intention of living almost hand to mouth like I had to last winter.

[ To a point that she has probably been caught checking and rechecking her preparations of food, wood, house comforts a bit excessively, particularly during the harvest season. ]

There's certainly nothing wrong in looking out for one another.

[ There is a hint of smile in Gaia's voice. Protecting each other is fine after all. And it's good to have someone trusted to watch one's back. ]

Good. I have a few things that are tradable, if we have an emergency.

[He sighs and starts tromping up the path to the house. He's almost there, at the very least.]

We should check on our neighbors soon. The non-sleeper ones. Make sure they have enough to last the winter as well. They might need a helping hand, given all that's been going on.

As ever, the house is there. Nara'a first arrived at a time when the house's outside had been fully repaired with its mismatch of older walls and newer restoration. The latter has developed some character in the following months; maybe in another year it'll be hard to tell the difference. The garden has been closed down for the season; the last of the plants harvested and preserved, seeds gathered and nutrients mixed into the soil so it can be ready for spring.

Windows are shuttered; one doesn't want to draw too much attention to occupancy even when there aren't crazy zealots kidnapping Sleepers. But there's still some signs of light and smoke coming from the chimney. And as Nara'a comes up the road the door opens and spills welcoming light into... well, it's possibly getting toward dusk? Let's say it's dusk.

Uri had alerted Gaia of someone's approach. While she had certainly been ready for a threat, the canine's reaction told her it was a friend and since she was expecting the miqo'te, there's no surprise on her features. Arms crossed, a half smile and a very Gaia-like comment.

"It's about time you got here."

She hadn't bothered responding on the omni since he'd been so close. It seemed silly to continue to use the thing when they were about to speak face to face anyway. Better than a hug, right?

"And about what you said regarding the neighbors, I like that idea. I'd already planned to check in considering how much they helped me when I first arrived." Though she does make a hrmph noise. "They're probably doing alright but it doesn't hurt to check."

But discussions about the concern and welfare of other people is just going to have to wait because Gaia is already gesturing the new arrival to hasten inside.

"But that can wait for tomorrow. Let's get you inside and warm. It's freezing out here."

Probably a bit of an exaggeration but not by much.

"I'm home." He smiles a bit and steps inside, closing the door against the weather and hanging up his cloak. It's not much, but at least it's something to protect both against the weather and against damage to his armor when he's in it.

His ears flick a little, amused by her warmth and her welcoming in her own way. He sets his bag down and heads over to the kitchen to see if she needs a hand. "I'm sorry for worrying you." Now, and also always. He knows he's... a lot sometimes.

"I'm glad you're all right, though. It's been a... stressful month." Chizuru... but he can't focus on that right now. Going back there is only going to spike his corruption a great deal, which he can't afford right now. "Though that tends to be true every month, doesn't it?"

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