[76]

[silversnowfall]

[On the 21st, Nephry wakes up young. Not so young as to know nothing of the world, but young enough that no real cracks have appeared in her beautiful vision of it.

Much of her day is spent navigating the strange and empty-feeling village without snow. Very few people seem to know what's going on, helpful signs or not. Nephry is not without the courage to ask around, but that's what everyone is doing. There must be a better way. That's how she gets lost in the library for much of the day, finding solace in stories from- other worlds? Other worlds really?

On the 22nd though she has found the only thing that really matters to her - the chance to be with Peony again, no matter how unusual the circumstances. Expect to see her exerting minimal effort to get him to go with her on a picnic. It's a thing she's read about.

Later on in the week, when she isn't spending every waking moment with her beloved or trying to avoid that other person from Auldrant on her trail, Nephry remembers something else she read about, never mind the few people who seem cognizant of mentioning it. Spirits. They sounded so much like the fonon sentiences, just with different names, and less...mystical and unreachable.

So Nephry finds herself both by the river in the southern part of the village, and north of her temporary home near a large important-seeming tree, sitting quietly and waiting for something to happen. When nothing does, it's hard to keep quiet.]

Hello? Is anyone there?

[[ooc: At the tender age of almost-23, Nephry is a romantic at heart and believes good things about the world and ties her hair up with a big ribbon. She is so in love with Peony that it might rot your teeth how sweet they are. And she's lost almost all of her cool diplomatic self.

Other days/times are totally cool in this post as well!]]

Comments

[silversnowfall]

Yes. But time and distance aren't the same.

[wise_maiden]

... Fair enough. [They aren't, and she shouldn't have jumped them to a confusing topic to begin with.]

[silversnowfall]

So I still don't understand what you mean. I'd like an explanation if you're willing to give one.

[wise_maiden]

All I mean is - when you're sent back, you likely won't remember this location. It would be as if you hadn't left.

[silversnowfall]

Sent back? [She must mean back to Keterburg.] Why wouldn't I remember? This is so unusual.

[wise_maiden]

I'm afraid I can't explain the 'why'. Then again, for all we know, you might remember. It's hard to say. [Explaining, or not explaining the situation is becoming more complicated with each person.]

[silversnowfall]

If you can't explain, then how can you be so certain of anything?

[wise_maiden]

[That might be the best way to go about it. Let her just think she was some crazy woman who didn't know what she was talking about. In a week, this would all be over anyway, wouldn't it?]

Not everything has an easy explanation. Besides, I shouldn't have said anything about it. Nothing I've said is set in stone, after all.

[silversnowfall]

Nevertheless, you did say something about it. I want to know. Please.

[How could a thorough explanation possibly hurt? Broadening her understanding of the situation is the only avenue she thinks she has.]

[wise_maiden]

Well... you're aware of most of the differences about this place than you'd ordinarily find in Auldrant, yes? The wings, for one thing. And... don't you find it strange that no one really seems to know where they are or why they're here?

[silversnowfall]

I would, if I didn't keep encountering someone, every so often, who did know.

[Her eyes say it: someone like you.]

[wise_maiden]

If you already have, then I'm surprised you haven't heard an explanation yet.

[silversnowfall]

I'm willing to hear one now.

[She suspects this woman is stalling.]

[wise_maiden]

There's not much more that I can say that can be proven at this point in time.

[silversnowfall]

Then suppose for now that I don't need to have anything proven yet.

[wise_maiden]

Then - suppose, if you will - of a World with no connection to the one you're familiar with - that had the capability to draw you here, and provide you with wings to support your ability to live in it. Suppose then, that you're kept separated from the greater part of that World by a barrier, designed to both keep you inside and keep other things out. In this enclosure you are provided with all you'll ever need, since there is no commerce; food, shelter, books - and, well, company of those who are in a similar situation. And ... eventually you are sent back to where you came from.

[Or will remember the truth. But she knows Nephry will retain even this memory, until she truly does leave the world. Even if this Nephry isn't aware of that.]

[silversnowfall]

When is "eventually"? You stay only for a certain amount of time?

[wise_maiden]

In some cases it could be a few days, others a few years.

[silversnowfall]

You're right. It's very hard to believe. And yet, here I am, as you say, with wings and no real way home.

[wise_maiden]

Indeed. And I don't know if you've seen the posters, but those are something you don't want to lose while here.

[silversnowfall]

I don't want to lose the posters?

[wise_maiden]

... I was referring to your wings.

[silversnowfall]

They don't appear to be very easy to lose.

[wise_maiden]

Then you're already doing well.