Test Drive Meme #12

[seasonsmods]

Test Drive Meme #12
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION

Arrival

Part 1

You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.

The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:

An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.

All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.

Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.

And it looks like you're not alone.


Part 2

After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.

Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa. The staff nearby tells them that the message has finally been properly updated from the original one that can still be found from the records.

The Message [ Click to Expand ]

Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.

Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here. We wouldn't have resorted to it if we weren't desperate. Our world has lost the majority of power holders who kept the balance in our world and dealt with the dangers of the Segments. Just having one power holder for each Season isn't enough. That's why we have summoned you to become the new Seasonal Power Holders.

This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes. We have recently managed to regain some footing in the segments and made them safer, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The Darkness still plagues our world, but we are constantly finding ways to fight back.

Otherworlders like you have already made great differences to the world. They have managed to find and free the dragons who in turn helped us expand the area we live in. They also managed to find the Fairy Queen and even the Mermaids and Sirens of the Great Ocean Lake are at peace due to the efforts of a few otherworlders. All of these things we couldn't have accomplished with just four power holders.

My sincere wish is that you would join us in working towards saving this world. We promise to send you home afterwards, or enable a way to travel to your world and back, as a compensation for your efforts here. You're even free to stay here, if that suits you better. This world can also be yours.

I know we're asking you a lot and that it might be hard to trust someone who just talks as a hologram, but you are always free to approach us at our guilds to talk in person.

The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sized companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.

In the arrival's hall there are also several stands with information pamphlets.

First type of stand is for the local Guilds and about the benefits of joining one.

Second type of stand is for the Welcome Center that aim to show otherworlders what the world is like and help guide people in the beginning of the journey and helps in getting settled into the new world. They even have people to help if you're unfamiliar with the new phones.

Third type of a stand has various pamphlets about businesses opened by otherworlders.

Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.

Part 3

The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.

All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you a room of your own. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?

NOW KISS

Part 1

Among the holidays adopted by Ellipsan natives, Christmas is one of the bigger ones. However, they have opted to calling the celebration the Yuletide season. The streets of Nightwake, no matter what season the districts falls to, are decorated with different kind of holiday ornaments and lights. The Yuletide, for Ellipsan natives, is viewed as the season of love, affection, closeness and new beginnings (which is why the celebrations continue into January).

One of the classic decorations is, of course, mistletoe. They're placed on very strategic places both inside buildings and outside. This year there are also small helpers. The small-sized fairy bunnies (bunnies with fairy wings and cute ribbons) fly all around Nightwake and bring mistletoes over to pairs who seem like couples to them. Sometimes they will also hang around very sad looking people and try to get them a kiss.

These bunnies can be easily bribed to leave someone alone or to pick a specific target by giving them dandelions to snack on. It's also likely that they will stay around after they get tired of carrying around mistletoes (they can't even nibble on them since they're poisonous) and just sleep on someone's lap or shoulder. They may be messengers of love and affection, but they need breaks!

Workshops have been made around the city where people can make evergreen beds for the fairy bunnies to show their appreciation. These beds they can both sleep in and snack on. The same workshop also instructs people on how to make evergreen wreaths to hang on doors that will bring good luck for the next year.

Part 2
While some of the more modern districts have opted for using electric light displays, some of the more traditional ones like Sunwaning and Dayrise have opted to using natural fire for ambience. The streets are filled with candles of different shapes and sizes. There are even magically floating candles making shapes of christmas decorations in the skies.

Everyone is also provided with free candles to encourage sitting at home in only candlelight. The candles are special and will fill the room with nostalgic aura that will make them feel like they're in the most comfortable place for the people in the room. If their house is already that, there's little to no change. However, the candles will also bring loved ones around as illusions so everyone can spend a night with the people they love.

These illusions can be people that have died or just people who aren't here in Ellipsa. However, illusions can also show someone who is in the world, but just not in the room (or maybe even while the person is in the room, in case someone hasn't confessed their feelings). They will act like the person they know and they can even be physically touched. There can be as many loved ones joining them for the night as they want.

At the end of such an evening with the candles, everyone may find an item from home that has magically appeared for them. Basically, it's a free regain of either magical or normal variety and may or may not be related to the people they saw as illusions. The candles only have one use in them and even if they got new ones, they will only get one item.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Part 1

A group of students from the Magical Manor wanted to bring snow into every district, including the summer ones, for the Yuletide celebrations. So they combined their magical knowledge and power to make spells that make snow less likely to melt in hot weather, and tasked strong adventurers to bring in snow from Frostreign and the Winter Segment.

They didn't realize that the snow would include small beings called Snow Sprites. They're balls of ice with wings that go around and cause snow storms happen in small areas. Now these sprites have been woken up from their peaceful sleep and are causing a havoc around the whole city, making it snow where it normally shouldn't.

In a way this was great! They're bringing snow everywhere without anyone needing to carry it for several districts. On the other hand they're not stopping anytime soon. Judging by the screams coming from the Solarpeak beach, the bikini season is on hold. Some of the kids love it and some of the shops are taking an advantage of it by selling warm clothes in places they normally couldn't.

The students are asking for people to help with the sprites. The best way to make them calm down is by singing something for them. The more singers in a group the better. Another way is to make it into a dance competition. The Snow Sprites love dancing, so they will even stop the worst snowstorm to join in.

Part 2
There are several activities inspired by the Yuletide season. All of them promote cleansing the body of the old year and starting anew.

During sunrise hours, each district has a dedicated spot for sunrise Yoga. A moment to relax in the quiet morning hours and doing yoga together with miniature alpacas. The alpacas will act both as if they're doing yoga as well, but also as a distraction by bumping their bodies into people to demand attention. The point is to relax and let negative energies flow out of the body, so there's no shame in just petting an alpaca for the whole yoga session.

The skating rinks are back on every district. Everyone is encouraged to try skating in them to let all their bad feelings out through a dance on ice. This is done with enchanted ice that will promote positive feelings when skated on. Of course, it may not work on everyone, but skating is also fun, so maybe that's enough.

Those who aren't so into sports can participate in one of the artistic workshops, where bad feelings are expelled through different art forms. There are rooms where someone can just paint the walls by throwing water balloons full of paint at them or just quiet spaces to draw, sketch or read. The staff encourages the visitors to write and paint bad feelings on paper, as the paper will help channel them out and leave a more pleasant feeling behind.

The same effect can also be made at the Underground Mall and the Virtual Reality booth, where the games have been selected to promote tranquility. The access is free for games that are feel good. Additionally there's also a very realistic virtual game of power washing that is sure to relax anyone who feels satisfaction of seeing something cleaned with full power.

Part 3

Evenings in Nightwake are designed for the purposes of new beginnings. Various places offer a chance to think about what people want to set as their goals for the new year. They're also advised to look back into the current year to see what they want to carry with them to the new one.

All things that people wish to forget or leave into the past are written on paper and then set on fire. Meanwhile their new wishes, also written, are stored in a box they can take back home. Whenever a person feels lost they can look back to the box and remember the night.

Those who want to make a bigger display of leaving something in the past can also load their papers into fireworks and blast them off.

OOC TIPS

Summary of the prompts [ Click to Expand ]

Arrival
• Characters appear in one of the four seasonal spaces, depending on what season they are
• After half an hour they are teleported to the Research Center lobby and given information
• Hologram of Olwen (Winter Guild Leader) plays, explaining the situation
• They're given their smartphone-like device and told about the Starter Apartments next door
• Possibility of finding a roommate!

NOW KISS
• It's Yuletide season
• All of Nightwake has been decorated festive style
• Mistletoes are back, this time with helpers from fairy bunnies who carry mistletoes to people
• They are easy to bribe

• Candles are offered to everyone
• The candles have a special effect of making the room feel as comfortable as possibly
• It can also create real-feeling hallucinations of loved ones for one night
• Next day those who lit candles will receive a free regain


Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
• Students of the Magical Manor are arranging snow for all the districts
• This in turn wakes up the Snow Sprites who will cause snow storms all around
• To calm them, one must either sing for them or challenge them to a dance battle

• Yuletide activities are happening all around
• Including: miniature alpaca sunrise yoga, ice skating, artistic workshop, virtual reality gaming
• Focus is on letting out negative energies and feeling, letting in positive ones

• At night, things people wish to leave to the past are written on paper and either burned or put onto fireworks

- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.

- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.

- Test Drive is open for current characters to make a top level as well. New characters can add TDM on their subject line to indicate they're new!

- Current characters cannot access the starting area again to meet new arrivals. They can, however, be at the Research Center when the newbies are teleported in.

- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.

- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!

- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open.

- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.

- You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary.

- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[buttercream]

[ Her expression, when those hands reach for hers, is one of momentary surprise, but Navia is nothing if not affectionate, and quick to accept the kindness for what it is, her hands turning so that she may hold Frieda's in return. And where for a moment she assumes that what she'll be doing is thanking the other, in the end she sits for a moment with wide eyes.

The number of worlds out there must surely be equal to the number of stars one sees in the sky, she thinks. For someone's story to be similar in so many ways...

She takes a deep breath, steadies herself against the emotions that want to carry her away from the moment. Her free hand lifts, dashes at tears that threaten to fall.

She asks: ]

Will you tell me your nation's story, Frieda?

[urtitan]

[She nods, letting go to sit back and collect herself. Her people's story is never easy to tell, gruesome as it is, but after what Navia shared, she can't reasonably withhold it.]

I have to warn you, it's a painful tale.

...

Where I'm from, the nation of Eldia ruled over great part of the world for millennia, conquering other lands with its titan armies. Titans are gigantic, man-eating monsters. Among the people of my world, Eldians alone have the ability to transform into them.

[And usually, they never turn back into a human afterwards.]

After many centuries of oppression and subjugation, an Eldian king came to power who abhorred what his forebears had done. He conspired with the oppressed, orchestrated his own downfall, and led his people into exile on an isolated island. Using the powers of the Founding Titan - the first of its kind, passed down through the royal bloodline - he altered the Eldians' memories, making them believe that they were the last remnants of humanity, the rest devoured by the titans.

[She hesitates before she continues. It's never easy to reveal herself to be of royal blood, considering how no one can really grasp the shame and guilt that comes with it.]

He was my ancestor. With the world's hatred upon us, we can't do anything to make up for all our empire has done to the world, and one day soon, it'll all catch up with us.

[buttercream]

[ Navia listens to Frieda in silence, her brows widening as she talks. Even in the whole of her tale, there are some strange similarities to that of the people of Fontaine—the transformation into something other than human, the memories of the sin taken away from all but one—

She doesn't say any of that, though. She's told their story, even if she didn't go into quite the same detail. Right now, Frieda needs her chance to share, to express her pain.

And what a lot of pain it has to be.

It's like her people's story but worse. Like the people of Fontaine were villains, once upon a time, and the memories were taken, making them believe they were innocent. And then for Frieda to be a descendant of the person who made it all happen...

Navia takes the other girl's hands firmly in her own, squeezing them as she listens. ]

The world truly blames you for something you had no hand in? You can't help being his descendant any more than you can help being born a woman. You didn't get to choose something like that.

[urtitan]

[If she knew of those additional similarities in their tales, Frieda would marvel all the more - but just having Navia's sympathy and support already means the world right now. She closes her eyes for a moment, struggling as her ancestor's will comes to life inside her (that part, she withheld in her attempt to tell the story in brief).]

I didn't choose to be born Eldian, no. But had it not been me, it'd have been someone else's lot to inherit the memories of the world, and to ensure that the reign of the titans doesn't become reality again. That's why I have to keep my people ignorant of the truth.

[She takes a deep breath to calm her emotions, reminding herself that there's a sliver of hope at least.]

One of my countrymen here in Ellipsa told me that soon, the truth will come to light, and despite severe losses, in the end, our curse will finally be broken - we'll be normal humans. It won't erase our ancestors' sins, but at least the rest of humanity will finally be willing to start a new beginning with us.

[Again, she leaves out crucial elements - her death, in that future, being the catalyst for the truth coming to light, and the extent of war and devastation that will precede the breaking of the titan curse -, finding them too upsetting to burden Navia with, but even with those elements darkening her nation's path, she finds great comfort in the people of Fontaine likewise having been set free.]

[buttercream]

[ She listens in silence, nodding her understanding, a sympathetic expression crossing her face as Frieda tells her that if it weren't her, it would be someone else. It's something she understands, the want to accept responsibility to protect others. But she can't imagine the pain of having to keep everyone ignorant of such a painful truth.

(And her thoughts wander back to Furina, and the pain she lived through all by herself for so long...)

Her head tilts, though, when the other mentions that she's met someone here who told her of her future. It reminds her of the way the memories came through of experiences she didn't originally remember when she came here, and—

She takes a breath, trying not to get too lost in her own thoughts. ]

They're from a point further in your history than you are, then? It must be nice that they can give you that reassurance, no? [ After all, to her it sounds like a happy ending: a new beginning, with everyone aware of the truth, a curse broken. Without knowing the whole of the truth, of course, her words are crueller than she intends. ]

[urtitan]

[She nods, faintly smiling. Levi indicated great loss of lives, and she got the impression that he avoided going into detail of just how many people died to spare her, despite his dislike of her as someone who suffered under her family's rule, but overall, it was still a hopeful revelation. If nothing else, what remains of her people will have a future among the other humans.]

Yes. I'm... I'm really grateful.

...

If I can ask, what was your people's sin? How was it forgiven?

[Did Navia's nation also have a history of tyranny? Was that the reason it was cursed to be drowned? Or was that merely a false belief that was confirmed through a coincidental natural disaster?]

[buttercream]

[ Navia smiles, squeezes Frieda's hand briefly in response to her statement. And then the girl asks a question of her in return: a fair one, and one she's happy to answer—but one that's difficult to answer all the same. She settles back again, looking down at her hands. ]

My people... were not originally human. The original Fontainians were beings of pure water called Oceanids, and they were followers of the Archon—the god—of Hydro, Egeria. They wanted to be human, and Egeria used the waters of the Primordial Sea, pouring it into the Oceanids' bodies and using its powers to grant their wish. The only thing that could turn them back would be coming into a high concentration of Primordial Seawater, which would... dissolve that life, I guess you could say.

Anyway, Egeria didn't have permission from Celestia to do what she had done. The Oceanids-turned-human were branded as sinners, and a prophecy was declared by the gods: one day, a great flood of Primordial Seawater would overtake Fontaine, turning all its people back into their original forms and leaving the Hydro Archon alone on her throne.

[ Her eyes close. There are more details, but she's not privy to all of them, this she knows. The workings of the gods and their ilk are... mysterious at best. ]

After Egeria's death in the Archon War, Focalors took her place and made it her mission to solve the problem. It's hard to explain exactly what she did without telling you a lot of stuff that I don't even fully understand... but to put it most simply, she returned the stolen power of Hydro to its original holder, the Dragon Sovereign. He isn't bound to Celestia's laws, and so he was able to use his authority to judge and find us innocent, absolving us of the brand and making us real, true humans. The flood happened, true to the prophecy. But we stayed human, and our sins were absolved.

[ Her eyes open again, her smile a little more strained now. ]

Unfortunately, we couldn't save those already lost. But... so many were saved.

[urtitan]

[As she listens, Frieda's eyes go wide. As someone who's come to love the underwater world and has close relations to the people of the Great Ocean Lake, the revelation that Navia is a descendant of Oceanids makes her feel yet another bit closer to her.]

So your people's humanity was their sin... as a human, I have to say that that's apt, in a way.

[A wry smile briefly passes over her face. Humans have such potential for cruelty - whatever reason the Oceanids had to want to become like them, she wonders if the transformation itself wasn't enough punishment already.]

But that's just my cynicism speaking; forgive me. I'm truly glad that your people were forgiven. It's... it's all we can wish for, isn't it?

[She's moved enough by the outcome of Navia's tale to have to dab at her eyes yet again. Moreover, though, something strongly rang a bell for her...]

I heard of Fontaine and the Hydro Archon before - Neuvillette told me that she appointed him as Iudex. But surely, he couldn't be..?

[She felt from the start that there was something different about him, but could he really be akin to a god? The prospect makes her reel, given how she casually discussed matters and faced obstacles at his side.]

[buttercream]

[ Navia smiles, shakes her head in response to what Frieda says. Cynicism or not, as a native of the city of justice, of course Navia understands. By their very nature, many humans are just that: sinners. Even those of them who do their best to do the right thing must sometimes break the rules a little along the way; her own organization is proof enough of that.

She's about to comment on it, on what the other woman continues to say, about being forgiven, when the realization strikes Frieda, has her mention Neuvillette. A warm flush works its way over Navia's cheeks as she tilts her head in admission.

It's not something the pair of them have spoken about since she confronted him with the truth she had realized: whether or not he is okay with others knowing.

Perhaps it is something they should discuss, if they're each to talk about their home to others. ]

I did not realize you knew our Chief Justice. [ He smile is fond. ] I'm not sure how comfortable he would be with this knowledge being made public, but... between just the two of us, yes. His power over Hydro, including the Primordial Sea, is second to none.

[ And then, because when it comes to Neuvillette, she apparently can't help but sing his praises: ]

Before the brand was absolved, I fell into the Primordial Sea during an expedition. I was completely submerged in its waters. I would have become one with the others had he not followed me in and saved me.

[urtitan]

[Yet again, Frieda's eyes widen. She could feel that Neuvillette was a good person from the start, but to hear that he saved Navia's life underlines that in the strongest way possible.]

That's..! I'm so glad that he was there for you! How was he able to save you from that?

[From what Navia explained before, she assumed that the effect of the Primordial Sea were irreversible, but it seems that Neuvillette's powers can overcome even that (now past) law of nature. That aside, for him to have personally dived after her, he must truly care greatly for the people of Fontaine - or for her in particular.]

[buttercream]

[ Well, she's come this far. She'll apologize to him later, if she needs to. She smiles, nodding as she thinks back on that moment. Being on trial, Melus and Silver defending her one last time...

There are tears in her eyes, though she doesn't notice. ]

It is somewhat complicated. My right hand men, they had previously been taken by the waters and turned. Although their memories were fading, they recognized me and protected me for the scant few moments it took Neuvillette to dive in after me. With his control over the waters, he was able to hold them at bay and pull me out.

[ She doesn't go so far as to explain that the Iudex need not worry about the water's transformative nature, although perhaps it's obvious enough from her speech. ]

[urtitan]

[If nothing else, Frieda is good at keeping secrets - and keeping Neuvillette's won't be anywhere near as painful a burden as keeping the truth about her world from her people was. Hearing that Navia lost her closest affiliates (and friends, she's sure), she reaches out to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, likewise once more struggling to hold back tears.]

That's... Navia, I'm so sorry, but... you were so loved by them. To hold on to their memory of you and protect you as long as they could...

[She gets choked up for a moment, needing to wipe her eyes.]

The Oceanids fully became one with the sea once more? They won't be able to interact with the Fontainians anymore?

[Part of her is hoping that even with the memories of those lost to the waters erased, they might be able to build something new with those who remained humans, like the Ellipsans and the people of the Great Ocean Lake were able to - but the finality with which Navia described to turning of those lost doesn't seem to promise such a future.]

[buttercream]

[ Navia smiles sadly, but doesn't say anything straight away. Instead, after a moment, she shakes her head, the expression slow and silent as she processes the question, and readies herself to answer it.

It's not easy to say what she needs to say, after all.

After a moment: ]

That's right. Those who had already transformed back, there's... no way for us to interact with them anymore. For the most part, they lost their memories of being human. That means that Melus and Silver are gone.

[ There's a slight pause as she thinks to the tattoo branded over her heart. ]

...Would you like to see them?

[urtitan]

[It's Frieda's turn to hesitate at the offer. "Meeting" those two, however abstractly, will certainly make her feel Navia's grief all the more keenly... but then, won't the shared sorrow lessen the pain Navia has been bearing alone? Eventually, she nods.]

If that's possible, I'd be honoured.

[These are Navia's personal memories and relationships, but Frieda's duty to be the sole person in the Walls to remember her people's history has left her predisposed to a sense of responsibility when it comes to bearing witness to the past.]

[buttercream]

[ Navia nods, and then closes her eyes, putting her hand on her heart and reaching momentarily for the power of the tattoo branded into her skin since coming to Ellipsa. Melus and Silver appear at either of her sides in ghostly yellow: two men in suits and fedoras, one young with sunglasses, the other older with glasses and a moustache. With no evident danger, the guardian spirits simply stay motionless at her side as she gestures to each of them with a small smile. ]

This is Melus— [ indicating the younger of the men, and then the older: ] —and this is Silver. They can't talk, and the spirit having their image is really just that... there's none of their personality or anything, either. But being able to see them is a comfort, at least to me.

[urtitan]

[Frieda can't help but tear up yet again as she realises what they are - that they're the shape Navia's guardian spirit took, still protecting her even now -, but this time, she manages to keep a smile on her face, gently nodding at the manifestations in greeting.]

I'm... I'm glad. This is what they'd have wanted, I think. To still be by your side in some form.

[Their conversation has left her so emotional, and Navia must be feeling the same (hopefully cathertic) exhaustion, but Frieda finds it hard to think of bidding her farewell after they both bared their emotions and memories to each other... and when her eyes wander back to the papers, entirely forgotten while they spoke, her smile turns even more wistful.]

This task - writing down things to leave behind - feels even harder now, doesn't it? Perhaps, it's alright if we want to hold on to everything.

[Even if it's painful, these memories hold so much meaning.]

[buttercream]

[ Navia smiles in response to the other woman's statement, and nods her head. It's true... knowing Melus and Silver as she did, this is what they would want, she knows that. And yet at the same time it's important for her to remember that it's not really them, that defending them at risk to herself would be foolish.

And so, when Frieda's attention turns back to the paper, the young woman shakes her head, reaching out to gently cover her hand. ]

I don't think so. Actually, I think this reminded me of something important.

[ She gestures a hand, and her guardian spirit disappears. Navia's eyes close, but this time, she does not cry. ]

"Letting go" doesn't mean "forgetting". It is a release of the pain and nothing more. If we choose to release something, we're choosing to let go of the hold that the pain has over us. Not the love or the memories we still have.

[ Without another word, Navia's pen etches into the paper in front of her.

Papa
Melus and Silver

She looks up at Frieda, and there are tears in her eyes, but she's smiling. ]

I won't forget these people, or the events that took them from me. But it's time for me to let that pain go.

[urtitan]

[Listening to Navia explaining the distinction, Frieda once more marvels at how wise beyond her years she is. Or maybe I'm just still a child, despite having inherited such a wealth of experience and knowledge.]

You're remarkably strong, Navia. I'm not sure if I'm able to do this yet. I may need more time to come to terms with it.

[It's complicated for her, seeing how the pain of the world that suffered under the Eldian Empire is so important to remember, such a vital guarantee that she'll live up to her ancestor's vow of atonement, but nevertheless, she commits Navia's words to her memory. Perhaps in the future, she'll find a way to separate the suffering from the remembrance.]