[ Y'shtola responds that she would, in fact, like to hear of it and requests that Nala meet her in the relaxation nook. She's currently sitting on the plush couch, head lifting up and towards the door when it opens. ]
I appreciate that you are willing to indulge my curiosity.
[Nala feels the relief as she steps out of the heavy overpowering sun and back into shade]
I don't mind. It's...nice to reminisce about my hometown. [Even though she wasn't raised there, she lived there for twenty years] What would you like to hear? Or should I begin with its weather?
[Her voice takes on a teasing lilt, as she takes a seat on the opposite chair, curling up as she gets comfortable. What a nice place]
Mm...it is as warm as it is now in the summer, but when it rains, it comes down like a waterfall.
[Nala sounds wistful, lost in memories]
Every time it rained, the roof leaked horribly and we would have to run around, placing buckets on the ground and fixing the fences the floods knocked over.
It was, terribly. When it rained like this, the cacao plants withered and we could not do a single thing about it. Mold would grow in the worst of places and aquaroaches would find refuge in our basement and eat our grains. [And yet] But the sun would always come out, and we would always find ways to laugh about everything afterwards.
Laughter always manages to take root even in the most difficult of times. When the sun shines and you have those you care for nearby, I imagine the rain does not feel so dire.
No. The scent of morning jasmine was always the most beautiful after the rain. And the geese would always frolic freely without a care. [ Smiling as her expression turns wistful] And the residents of the Heartfelt Home always and wondrous stories to share during rainy days. No matter how often they were repeated.
Neither. [Is it safe to share this with people? Only a handful here knew. One of them was dead] I was sealed away in a toy, to be sold off for my bounty. Apparently, it was worth millions, enough to make any soldier want to lay waste to a home of elderly veterans.
I...I think so. I don't know. It was in the hands of this mad man that--he wanted me to kill someone I liked very much. I didn't want to. But I couldn't control my body and she was dying and-- All I remember is a gun shot, and then I was here. [A tiny nervous laugh] I am a little afraid I'll find that damn robot toy here, and my nightmare will begin all over again.
[ She doesn't smile, but her tone grows a touch softer. ]
Before my arrival here, my allies and I fought off the Final Days. Our star had begun to perish—skies lit as red as fire and civilians turned to monsters out of sheer despair. Yet we managed to avert it.
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week 3, monday evening
I appreciate that you are willing to indulge my curiosity.
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I don't mind. It's...nice to reminisce about my hometown. [Even though she wasn't raised there, she lived there for twenty years] What would you like to hear? Or should I begin with its weather?
[Her voice takes on a teasing lilt, as she takes a seat on the opposite chair, curling up as she gets comfortable. What a nice place]
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Why not the weather? 'Tis a good comparison, after all. Is it quite so warm, or is there a chill that permeates the are?
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[Nala sounds wistful, lost in memories]
Every time it rained, the roof leaked horribly and we would have to run around, placing buckets on the ground and fixing the fences the floods knocked over.
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[ But it doesn't sound like so terrible a thing, maybe. ]
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Laughter always manages to take root even in the most difficult of times. When the sun shines and you have those you care for nearby, I imagine the rain does not feel so dire.
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Sounds lovely. I imagine that is where your fondness for jasmine originates, then.
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Is that what drives you now? Protecting those who remain at home?
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I returned home after a very, very long time away. All the people I knew were gone. So I don't know anymore.
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[ It's a tough question, she knows, so she adds: ]
Before my arrival here, I once found myself in a realm in which I knew only two others, and I struck off on my own.
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[Hence, her obsession with sealing magic]
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[ It actually makes her mad. ]
And you escaped that seal through your arrival here?
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[ People do like Nala, after all. She's observed that much. ]
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[And the one who understood her fate the most had been dead for a few weeks now. Go figure]
It would frighten me, to lead them to their deaths too. I don't think I could handle anymore.
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...even times like these?
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[ She doesn't smile, but her tone grows a touch softer. ]
Before my arrival here, my allies and I fought off the Final Days. Our star had begun to perish—skies lit as red as fire and civilians turned to monsters out of sheer despair. Yet we managed to avert it.
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How did you do it? How did you not give into despair yourself?
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[ A selfish motivation, she knows, but there has always been that streak of selfishness in her. ]
I also thought of promises I have to keep.
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[Something like that sparks a memory of a poem she used to read at the Heartfelt home.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep]
...I think it's nice, you had so many things you wanted for yourself.
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[ So in some sense, she understands Nala's feelings, though she'd argue that what Nala deals with is a lot heavier. ]
I promised I would find a way back to them, and I intend to do so.
[ No matter the hours of research she pours into it. ]
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...do you think it's possible? Even if it has been years and years?
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[ She's resolute. ]
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[Nala can't fathom it]
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[ A little smile. ]
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[Resolute people usually get their way]
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[ She rubs a lot of people the wrong way in general, but it's not like she minds. ]
Aside form that, my own safety comes at the cost of my will, though I would not change that about myself.
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Hmm. What is a little danger in pursuit of your goal?
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My thoughts precisely. Though I have certainly faced consequences for my own actions, I would continue to pursue what I desire regardless.