[Fortunately, Urianger manages to spot them before they have a chance to jumpscare him, intentionally or otherwise.]
Sage. [He regards the puppet with a small bow, the tawny-colored wings sprouting from his back outstretched until he returns to his full height.] Mine intent was to locate thee. I've a question, if thou wouldst humor me.
[His gaze falls upon the ears and tail...]
...This is not the question of which I speak, but my curiosity hath been piqued: Surely thy puppet did not sprout those features?
Strange, I would expect thy true body to be afflicted, not thy vessel. The forces of this realm remain ever mysterious in their ways.
[And speaking of that... Before he gets to his primary question, he gets a little more into the changes. He figures Sage has been thinking about this too.]
Though these changes are not as severe as I feared when I first awoke with them, I still cannot help but be concerned about the lasting effects. I...do not feel quite myself at times, and I have witnessed similar bouts of the same affliction among the others.
Occasionally, I find myself overcome with grief. A grief so crushing, 'tis as if my heart hath been rent in twain. Naught can console me 'til it passeth on its own.
[It's a familiar, deep sadness that reminds him of the worst day of his life. And it keeps hitting him, again and again.]
[ A simple statement, though there's an undercurrent of concern intermixed with curiosity there. ]
I've heard others mention a like feeling upon their arrival, though my mind leaps to the cause being something else on this occasion... Or another purpose behind it.
Like them, I experienced that selfsame grief. However, I believe thou art correct to consider another cause. The grief I feel this week is much worse.
As I said before, I have witnessed unusual spikes in emotion among the others. Sadness like mine own, uncharacteristic rage from my comrade... I've the mind to record every instance to search for correlations 'twixt transformation and emotion.
[One of his fellow birds was similarly feeling unusually upset...]
[ Sage is quiet for a moment, the puppet crossing its arms as it thinks. ]
'Twould be prudent to do so, as there may very well be a connection between transformation and the emotional displays you've been witness to. I should like to see it, if you manage.
[Part of him almost feels insane for this, but after his talk with Sorawo and after reflecting on Sage—his own interactions with them and what he's heard them say to others—he just can't get it out of his head.
The worst that can happen is that he's wrong, so he presses on.]
[Just as he gets to his feet, he turns to the direction of footsteps...
And for once in this godsforsaken situation, he's overjoyed.]
Y'shtola...!
[Letting out a light laugh, he closes the distance between the two of them and gently places his hands on her shoulders. It's entirely similar to how he reacted when he found Thancred skulking about the cul-de-sac. He can't help but confirm that Y'shtola is actually standing there.]
Thou art hale, oh, praise be unto the Twelve... Ah, but this doth raise a number more questions of which I know not if thou art able to answer...
[ She looks up at him, soft smile settling on her lips, the sort that's reserved for only very few. ]
In time, I will.
[ Especially for someone she can place her trust in. It's a lot easier to be fully honest then, and she feels the same with Thancred as well. She knows, too, that Urianger will have faith that she'll follow through. After all, she's never been one to hold back on much of anything.
Yet the irony isn't lost on her either. ]
To think I had once criticized you for your tendency to keep secrets, yet here I am now, doing much the same.
Fate doth work in mysterious ways, indeed. Yet I shan't criticize thee in turn, for I have no room in which to speak. I am merely relieved to see thee well.
[And here Urianger thought Thancred would ask before him. But yeah, he's both surprised and not surprised as he reflects on it more.]
I shall let him come to thee on his own, when he is ready. Though I daresay he will be beside himself to see thee. He...hath not taken well to my tidings from Ultima Thule.
[Urianger is in complete agreement on that one. Now if only Thancred would show it more often...
Anyway,]
Very well. I shall depart for now, but I shall return at mine earliest convenience.
...I thank thee for revealing thyself to me, and I shall keep thine identity a secret until thou art ready to reveal thyself.
[As much as he desperately wants to be honest, this is at least a secret he's keeping on behalf of a close friend. It won't weigh too heavily on his heart.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
w1, wednesday
Also, Sage seems to be sporting new appendages today—white cat ears and tail. ]
Searching for something new to read?
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Sage. [He regards the puppet with a small bow, the tawny-colored wings sprouting from his back outstretched until he returns to his full height.] Mine intent was to locate thee. I've a question, if thou wouldst humor me.
[His gaze falls upon the ears and tail...]
...This is not the question of which I speak, but my curiosity hath been piqued: Surely thy puppet did not sprout those features?
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Sage gives Urianger a nod, though the puppets head quickly tilts up, looking towards those outstretched wings.
At that question, Sage nearly sighs. ]
Ridiculous, is it not? Would that I had the opportunity to change my vessel... however, I do not, and I must simply live with this addition.
[ Ah, wait, that was a complaint and not an answer. ]
Yes, it suddenly developed these features. Much in the same way yours did, I imagine.
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[And speaking of that... Before he gets to his primary question, he gets a little more into the changes. He figures Sage has been thinking about this too.]
Though these changes are not as severe as I feared when I first awoke with them, I still cannot help but be concerned about the lasting effects. I...do not feel quite myself at times, and I have witnessed similar bouts of the same affliction among the others.
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Not yourself you say…
[ Hm. Sage tilts their head. ]
Would you expound upon that?
screams gently bc I thought I replied
Occasionally, I find myself overcome with grief. A grief so crushing, 'tis as if my heart hath been rent in twain. Naught can console me 'til it passeth on its own.
[It's a familiar, deep sadness that reminds him of the worst day of his life. And it keeps hitting him, again and again.]
LIFTS YOU UP
[ A simple statement, though there's an undercurrent of concern intermixed with curiosity there. ]
I've heard others mention a like feeling upon their arrival, though my mind leaps to the cause being something else on this occasion... Or another purpose behind it.
[ Hmm. ]
Would you say that it is comparable?
[ Or is this feeling worse? ]
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Like them, I experienced that selfsame grief. However, I believe thou art correct to consider another cause. The grief I feel this week is much worse.
As I said before, I have witnessed unusual spikes in emotion among the others. Sadness like mine own, uncharacteristic rage from my comrade... I've the mind to record every instance to search for correlations 'twixt transformation and emotion.
[One of his fellow birds was similarly feeling unusually upset...]
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'Twould be prudent to do so, as there may very well be a connection between transformation and the emotional displays you've been witness to. I should like to see it, if you manage.
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Then I shall observe the others and inform thee of my results.
[He doesn't see why he should bother considering to withhold that sort of stuff from Sage, it's just nerd stuff.]
Now, if I may, I would ask thee something personal. Wouldst thou be willing to listen?
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But as for the question… ]
Speak freely, Urianger. I will hear it.
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The worst that can happen is that he's wrong, so he presses on.]
Do we...know one another?
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There’s a beat of silence, and maybe it stretches too long for Urianger. Or maybe it doesn’t, maybe he doesn’t really want to know.
But. Well. He asked. ]
Secrecy is not my strength, not in the same way it is yours.
[ So, really, it’s no surprise that he asked this. ]
You know me well, Urianger.
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But then Sage responds with that and he draws in a breath. He gets down on a knee to meet the cat-eared puppet.]
'Tis not a strength that I find joy in. Thus was my proclamation to support thee no longer from the shadows, but at thy side.
Y'shtola, is it truly thee?
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But he won’t be left staring after a lifeless puppet for long, as the sound of heels attached to familiar boots clack against the library floor.
An all too familiar voice calls out. ]
Forgive me, but I refuse to watch you kneel before a puppet.
[ There is a lot more that she could say right now, but this will do. A bit of levity, intermixed with sincerity. ]
1/2
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And for once in this godsforsaken situation, he's overjoyed.]
Y'shtola...!
[Letting out a light laugh, he closes the distance between the two of them and gently places his hands on her shoulders. It's entirely similar to how he reacted when he found Thancred skulking about the cul-de-sac. He can't help but confirm that Y'shtola is actually standing there.]
Thou art hale, oh, praise be unto the Twelve... Ah, but this doth raise a number more questions of which I know not if thou art able to answer...
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In time, I will.
[ Especially for someone she can place her trust in. It's a lot easier to be fully honest then, and she feels the same with Thancred as well. She knows, too, that Urianger will have faith that she'll follow through. After all, she's never been one to hold back on much of anything.
Yet the irony isn't lost on her either. ]
To think I had once criticized you for your tendency to keep secrets, yet here I am now, doing much the same.
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Fate doth work in mysterious ways, indeed. Yet I shan't criticize thee in turn, for I have no room in which to speak. I am merely relieved to see thee well.
Ah, doth Thancred know?
[Surely he's come to ask too, right?]
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[ ARR Thancred would have guessed immediately, but Y'shtola knows well the ways in which he's changed. ]
Perhaps he is afraid that which he wants to be true will not be.
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[And here Urianger thought Thancred would ask before him. But yeah, he's both surprised and not surprised as he reflects on it more.]
I shall let him come to thee on his own, when he is ready. Though I daresay he will be beside himself to see thee. He...hath not taken well to my tidings from Ultima Thule.
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Our sacrifices, I see. Surely he understood the reasoning behind it, that we needed to create a path forward for the others.
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[It's just one of those things that never gets easier.]
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[ But she thinks that's a good quality of his.
Her gaze settles on the ground, contemplative. It's unlike her, she knows. ]
I have much to tell you, though now is not the time. Call me sentimental, but I would rather not sour our reunion.
[ aka gimme that audience request seto ]
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Anyway,]
Very well. I shall depart for now, but I shall return at mine earliest convenience.
...I thank thee for revealing thyself to me, and I shall keep thine identity a secret until thou art ready to reveal thyself.
[As much as he desperately wants to be honest, this is at least a secret he's keeping on behalf of a close friend. It won't weigh too heavily on his heart.]
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[ She offers him a smile, soft and full of meaning. ]
Now, do take care to remain out of harm's way.
[ lol
But, it's a sincere sentiment nevertheless. This place isn't exactly easy to reside in, after all. ]