pc: euphausia

[sacredpath]

Comments

[trifocal]

I hope so, too. Both for his defeat, and for those people...

And for you to return, as well.

[sacredpath]

Thank you. But let’s get out of here.

[except oops maybe they accidentally wander through eupha’s memory.]

[trifocal]

Right...

[ oh nooo it would be so terrible if we happened to blunder into another memory... so here we go.

Accompanied by near-strangers, you make your way through the temple. Past the halls of weathered stone, you pass through a gray-walled jungle shrouded in vines and grass and bits of debris that litter the floor, following a path on the ground where footsteps have worn away the foliage. This, you know, is the path that other priestesses have walked on their pilgrimages.

At last, the final door is in sight. Beyond it is the altar where the Dragon God should lie dormant in its vessel. Here, you will perform the ritual. You will take the vessel, release the dragon from it, and offer your very life to it.

Once the sacrifice is complete, the village will be saved. However...

( ... also, the little floating particles in the air? You can 100% see them. They are everywhere. ) ]

[sacredpath]

[woooooooow eupha.... maybe she shouldn't watch the whole thing to the end, but it's very cool.

beautiful to see her confront the lie, the ruin of her entire life's purpose, but find meaning in deciding to continue to live.

it's a different journey than her own. they both put their faith in someone who let them down, but she doubts she will find a version of whatever shar is that's worth continuing to believe in, that lets her have a purpose other than...tragedy, death, just as eupha's very sexy friend said.]

...I'm glad to know it ended that way.

[even if she died eventually.]

[trifocal]

[ her friend is truly so sexy.

it's strange to watch all of that from an outside perspective... but she manages a smile. ]

... I am, too. I never would have thought I had it in me.

[sacredpath]

I would hardly have doubted you.

[...]

I'm rather glad you didn't die there. But I do understand. Changing from one's purpose isn't easy.

[trifocal]

It's both terrifying and exhilarating, to suddenly have no notion of what the future may hold.

[ except that she died anyway ]

[sacredpath]

True.

[she can understand that very well.]

But I like the purpose you chose for yourself.

[trifocal]

[ a warm smile at that. ]

Are you still thinking about what your purpose should be?

[sacredpath]

I have to admit, if it isn't Shar, then I don't truly know.

[trifocal]

But the unknown is not such a bad thing. Is it?

[sacredpath]

Maybe it isn't.

[she'll reluctantly agree to that.]

But I think you understand... it's frightening all the same, not to know what awaits, even if what you thought would await was perilous.

[trifocal]

[ a nod. ]

I realize that I am younger than you, and we may end up walking different paths, but if you would ever like someone to talk to about this, even if it is simply to speak of anxieties and frustrations, my door is open.

[ even more so now that her roommate is dead ig ]

Week 3, Saturday

[trifocal]

[ back at the mansion... ]

I was about to make some tea. Would you like some?

[sacredpath]

Tea?

[t... but she'll nod. the vibes are sort of rancid, but she'll try to calm herself a bit.]

I would take some.

[trifocal]

[ NOT THE T

ok. she brews some lavender tea and brings it out for them. ]

I suppose we knew it would not get easier, but...

[ a sympathetic look at her and the perceived vibes. ]

[sacredpath]

And it hasn't.

[agreeing. but sighing, heavily.]

Are you alright?

[trifocal]

I... dread what is to come tomorrow. Mister Dojima has been exceedingly kind to me, all of this time.

But... I will be okay. We will need to move forward from this.

[sacredpath]

Has he?

[because oooh. fuck that guy.]

I don't see how we move forward with it half-unsolved. And the one who killed Zhongli was the one possessed.

[trifocal]

... I don't know exactly how, either. Only that we must, and we shall.

If what Anders said was correct, then the culprit's condition may worsen... is that right?

[sacredpath]

It likely will, though I think not even God himself knows precisely how.

[trifocal]

I do not wish to kill anyone if it can be avoided. But... if we know who it is, we may be able to help them. Or at least try.

[sacredpath]

I'd like to be able to help them, though I don't know if that's something that is even possible.

[sacredpath]

[that's very sweet.]

You are younger, but I doubt that makes you less wise. Perhaps quite to the contrary. I would be happy to speak with you.

[trifocal]

Nor do I, but we would not know unless we try.