@EveLavrenti

Magic and Hoards [End of Book V]

[ Text Window with Lavi 💞 ]

🟠: Hey.

⚫: everything show up today?

Continue

[ Readers note: Eve is 🟠, Lavrenti is ⚫, Eden is 🔵. ]

🟠: Yup! I've been spending the day going through them.

🟠: I've got a question for you specifically though.

⚫: ?

🟠: You didn't have a hoard here.

🟠: Why?

⚫: well 1st off: if im not staying, why would i

⚫: 2nd off: lol you know what i collect. alfonse would not be down 2 clown.

⚫: 3rd off: go ahead and read 'the mad scientists top 10 hoard theories'. overall mad but parts of their theories r true.

🟠: 🤢

🟠: Okay. Brb.

Sigh.At what age does studying every day end? Never? Sure seemed like it.

Eve shuffled through the stack of books she'd been sent until she spots it- for a mad scientist it's not that thick. Sitting down, the dragon's tail thumped as she absorbed what she could.

Some time later it was clear why the author was a mad scientist. Who writes multiverse theory and thinks they'll be labelled sane.

Especially the notion that some worlds are more connected than others and are fine, while others are more disconnected and prone to destabilization.

Mm. How would you know- Ah.

When Lavi called what she'd seen prior a 'kiddie' version of time and space travel, the common thread was worlds very similar to each other. One's where dragons like her existed, and demons like the brothers were around and kicking.

So a world like this, where neither are true... it's not only a different world but one radically different enough that this theory might hold weight.

...

[ Calling Thing 2 ]

🟠: Hey hey, busy?

🔵: I don't have any more gossip since yesterday...

🟠: I need a favor today, actually.

🔵: Uh-huh?

🟠: You're not going to like it.

🔵: Uh-huh.

🟠: You might need to bring some protective gear.

🔵: Uh... huh...

🟠: Can you... go check on my treasure room?

🔵: Oh.

🟠: Lavi pointed me towards something today. I... just. Stay on the phone with me while you look, okay?

🔵: This is not a good idea. But... okay, I guess. Where's the key? In your room?

🟠: ...

🟠: In the toy box.

🔵: uuuuuuuuuggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

🔵: I'm here. I still think this is a bad idea.

🟠: It's a horrible idea but I can't look for myself. That's the problem.

🔵: Okay...I guess I'll just...slowly open the door...

[ CRASH ]

🔵: SHIT

🟠: Uh oh.

🔵: I- I'm fine! I dodged it!

🟠: Oh no. Wait- Dodged what?

🔵: A--pair of earrings. They went flying across the room as soon as I poked my head in-- Was that not supposed to happen?

🟠: Which earrings were they.

🔵: Um... They had red gems. They- oh. They hit the wall in the hallway. It looks like they broke...

🟠: Fffffffucking great. Yeah, those are not supposed to do that. Since they're broken can you look at them closer?

🔵: Yeah... okay, let's see-

[ BOOM, CLATTER ]

🟠: EDEN?

🔵: [Shuffling (picking up phone off the ground)] I am. [cough, hack] Okay. They fucking blew up.

🟠: You know what. Stay... by the door. Don't go in any further. That place must be ready to blow.

🔵: You want me to go INSIDE?

🟠: Look- can you just look around the room for me. Is there anything else off?

🔵: If something else tries to kill me- fine. [placatingly, to the door] nice hoard... easy...

🔵:[silence]

🔵: I...I think I'm okay for now. Let's...see... The air smells - crackly.

🟠: Is that an insult-

🔵: I think your treasures are becoming unstable. I don't know how long it will stay inert.

🟠: Cool. Perfect. Everything I was afraid of.

🔵: It seems like it's...kind of all pooling in one spot. The magic, I mean. It feels crazy potent in that direction.

🔵: Right... but what should we do?

🟠: I'm going to become an unmarriable whore and have to let Solomon or Diavolo seal up the magic.

🔵: I do not trust Solomon like that.

🟠: I don't trust ANYONE with my hoard! But it's better than a bomb going off in the House of Lamentations! A three year old bomb!

🟠: Look, lock the room back up tight and I'll talk to Lavi first to make sure it's done right.

🔵: Thank god. I'm never going in there again. You can't make me.

After making sure Eden's okay enough to hang up, she bids him goodnight and stares at the wall.

Hm.

He'd mentioned the magic pooling on one side, and similar had happened when she'd attempted to start the hoard here.

Perhaps... if the books theory was correct. That spot was a weak point between the two worlds and the magic was trying to trickle between them. While at the same time the Devildom hoard was destabilizing as if she was gone or dead.

Sealing it up should solve that problem, and let her begin the hoard in Askr fully without issue.

She called Lavi to fill him in. He promised the issue would be resolved by morning and would text her the go ahead when it was done.

...

Man, she really liked those red earrings.

#DragonsWishes
@EveLavrenti

Biology and the Soul [End of Book VI]

Being a beautiful social butterfly is taxing.

Between learning from the royal family I'm constantly working to understand those in my Order.

Continue

... Part of me knows that Lavi didn't do this as the Summoner, and it might be unnecessary. Yet it feels important. Not only for the information I learn but something else.

The heroes remain curious about me as well. For their Summoner to disappear, and then reappear shorter and more willing to socialize and share herself. Who wouldn't be curious?

All a good opportunity to talk. Especially with the manaketes who are all so interesting.

I've realized something as conversations have dragged on, which I will note here for future me reading her notes: There are two words where they are encompassing a lot and context matters, sometimes including which world a specific hero is from.

Dragon and Fallen.

Some heroes have worlds where dragons and manaketes are clearly distinct, while the difference is blurry or unclear for others due to the lack of either species to clarify.

Manakete however, specifically means they have their true forms bound to a dragonstone (and even this has exceptions because of the vast number of worlds we deal with.)

These varieties are why they're officially called breath units, instead of the fond colloquel of dragon.

As for Fallen- it refers to someone at their lowest, really. The cause can vary from despair, corruption, degeneration, or death. Of course fallen seems to skew toward breath (or 'dragons', but it the category does include manaketes while not including certain Zenith gods) units but it could happen to anyone.

Okay definitions 101 is finished- hopefully future me actually uses those.

The older manaketes have been a blessing in parsing a lot of our differences. Tiki and I have now shared a few sessions of compare and contrast because of it.

It's hard to believe as an adult she's older than me by around 500 years. Anyone would think we couldn't be more than 70 years apart.

Between her and Duma the history of manaketes in Archanea has been made clear, and talking with the others shows a common thread.

Degeneration, war, low populations... commonalities between many of us.

It stands to reason some of our biologies are at least partially related to. While science is not my strong suit, I think I remember a textbook once describing the theory behind transforming.

Some species simply have a non-human like biology that makes transforming natural. Some rely on specific phenomena to transform (like a full moon!), while dragons have their souls.

The soul acting as the link between a two legged form and the draconic form. What is essential to life becomes a tool, a muscle, and that is in part what helps them live for so long.

Of course, this is my worlds textbook, and not all dragons in these worlds can transform.

I think there may still be merit to the theory...

Apparently there are those within the Order who have spent time thinking about dragons just as much.

Word had reached Niime's ears that I was looking into topics like dragons and the fallen and she approached me with a list.

A list of books in Askr's library that might help me find what I seek, and she offered a story as well.

The story is from just before Lavi left but she said he-I- was busy elsewhere at the time and may not have seen the report.

I made her some tea as appreciation while we talked (I think she hated it.) and listened to how Seteth, Sieros and her had worked together to start the process of pulling Lady Rhea back from fell status. Not an immediate success given her status here, but interesting anyway.

Niime said that while age might be a factor in a dragon turning to this feral state, she thinks there's a way to pull them back.

I've taken this to be true this entire time but it appears the number of accounts of such a thing is low.

Agreeing with her I shared the story of my older brother- his return from corruption.

Some of the details were better left out, probably. She seemed uncomfortable. 500 years of being a fallen dragon doesn't leave someone with a pretty story.

Interest remained though. Sometime during my story Lilith had joined us, I think she meant to tell me there were documents that needed my attention, but the story caught her as well.

As Niime and I were about to agree that well placed seeds of hope and reasons to live are the -answer, she chimed in that there was a limit to that. The despair a dragon might see in their lifetime- like the destruction of all their kingdom and death of loved ones- can be too great a burden for some.

Anankos... it's true my conversations with him are rough.

The three of us ended up discussing theories for a long while. The human perspective Niime gave was... hard, sometimes, given that while interested she came from a world where dragons were not regularly considered good. But needed.

Perhaps because the only way many dragons can face death is through battle and bloodshed, when they've given up on life their instincts push them to recklessness. Destroy everything until you are destroyed.

There's something else though... I'm not sure where it might fit in the puzzle.

The dragonstone is considered to seal a manaketes true form- but instead if they are anything like my species perhaps it's more like this:

Dragonstones serve as a protective barrier over the soul, the conduit through which dragons transform.

That barrier prevents the flow of time from wearing a soul down as quickly and can serve as a guard from soul-crushing moments someone may face in life.

If the soul is the answer, the reason our fallen dragons do not continue their degeneration may lie in the fact that the contract of a hero is tied to their soul.

Much like how the contracts regenerative nature helps us, it's also protecting the soul from further destruction.

If the key to a dragon is it's soul, and the soul needs to stay whole to prevent degeneration... but can be repaired enough to reverse it...

Where does my soul currently stand I wonder.

Unfortunately I have an idea of someone who might know. Someone who's already tried to see.

Let's not ask her if we can help it.

#DragonsWishes#Journaling#SoulSearching
@EveLavrenti

SOS: State of the Soul [End of Book VII]

Summoning contracts meant she was safe.

Summoning contracts meant she was safe...

This didn't feel safe.

Continue

[ 🟠 = Eve, 🧙‍♂️ = Solomon, 🧙‍♀️ = Eitri ]

Laying on a medical cot, eyes closed, forcing herself to breath slow. Eitri moving nearby, preparing what she needed.

The only 'safety net' watching her-Solomon on a damned video call, her phone propped up so he could see.

What a safe environment. Eve likes to think this will be the last examination for awhile. Her body aches have never stopped, but she's been stable from what she can observe.

Sure, a few hiccups, but- ough. Eitri has started it seems.

Having the sage even get near her soul feels filthy. Eden's hadn't needed any supervision, but given the information discrepancies, and a lack of trust, Eve had refused to let Eitri do it on her own.

Even outside there were guards-Eve was to leave first, otherwise no one would be exiting this room.

As her head started to swim in the nausea, the dragon heard Solomon's amused voice. The man must really be enjoying finally getting to see a dragon's soul after hundreds of years.

Then, Eitri's piercing laugh.

Awful enough to elicit a confused groan, unable to focus enough on their words to make out if this was good or a sign of death.

Just as she was about to give up on focusing she felt everything stabilize.

Her soul back where it should be, and her frazzled brain settling again.

Eve blinked at the ceiling and fought off a second wave of nausea from the sudden change.

🧙‍♂️: Eve? Are you there?

🟠: Another minute.

Squeezing her eyes shut, forcing a deep inhale, and then rolling her legs over the edge of the cot.

Opening them again and seeing the faces of two magic maniacs grinning back to her.

🟠: ...What?

🧙‍♀️: You exceed my expectations, Summoner. I hope to study you for a long time to come.

🧙‍♂️: What she means is that your body is doing amazing work Eve. It'll take a very, very long time for your soul to be fully reformed but it's already further than I'd anticipated.

🟠: A very long time for who?

🧙‍♂️: For a human, of course. Even I may not live to see it.

🟠: So I'm stuck with these aches and pains for thousands of years?

🧙‍♀️: Quit your whining. Your body is doing something even I haven't figured out yet. You should be more than happy.

🧙‍♂️: The pain may fluctuate at different times too, especially in line with life events. As long as you do not enter realms that interfere with your soul link you should be fine. It seems that Askr is doing good for you.

🟠: I don't plan to be here for thousands of years.

🧙‍♀️: War never ends, Summoner. The great kingdom of Askr may require your help for the rest of time at this rate.

🟠: ... Your hate comment has been noted and will be filed away for later.

Ugh. Eve rubbed at her chest. Though it'd been explained many times that the souls not necessarily located near the heart, it was soothing.

🧙‍♂️: Ah, speaking of war. As much as I'd love to give you an excuse, as of this exam I think you're okay to go back to full duties.

🧙‍♂️: Just avoid time travel where possible.

🧙‍♀️: Such a warning shouldn't even be needed. If you're dumb enough to do that you deserve what comes to you.

🟠: Great. I'll let Queen Henriette and Prince Alfonse know.

🟠: Is Eden doing good too?

🧙‍♂️: Better, actually. Perhaps because despite all the stress he goes through here, he hasn't been as afflicted by time travel troubles. Though anything you go through is still affecting him, as your souls remain connected for now.

🧙‍♀️: Perhaps it'd be better to severe that connection? With the way magic appears to be acting as a supplement to make the soul look fully formed at a glance I'd think-

🧙‍♂️: That'd be too much risk and pain without a guaranteed reward.

🧙‍♂️: Their souls should naturally detach over time as they become more and more their own dragons.

🧙‍♀️: Tch. Interrupting me as you please.

🧙‍♂️: I've heard this theory of yours before. It didn't bear repeating.

🟠: Look, if you two want to fight do it on your own. I think I need a nap.

Getting up and scooping her phone off the table, she realized as she ended the call that Solomon looked worried.

...Whatever his concerns are could wait.

It looks like she'd been out of it longer than expected-her phone battery low. Waving to Eitri dismissively, Eve escaped.

Finally, freedom from the sage's constant hovering and creepy smile.

After her nap she'd give the update, assure them it was fine, and then dive back into danger.

...

She could still feel the nausea. A dragon can only hope people will stop prodding at her soul soon.

#DragonsWishes#SOSmorelikeSS#ShitSucks #SoulSearching
@EveLavrenti

Eden Comes to Askr Event Transcription

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Continue .
#Cycle VIII
@EveLavrenti

Second Chances [Mid-Book IX]

{ The worst of times brings out the most intense of wishes. }

A kingdom divided between four sons is one where peace remains difficult. Changes come with every generation, and neighbors may one day become enemies.

Continue

[ Accompanying Track ]

For one man, as a father, a son, a gatekeeper, all he can ask for, is for his loved ones to stay safe.

As people become enemies, as land becomes desired, that gatekeeper becomes a general. A general in name only, for he holds no position in any respected army.

Simply a man desperate for everyone to live.

That man digs, and digs and digs, through any resource he can find.

Any hope. Dreams, nightmares, rumors, myths.

Myths.

That's it, he thinks one night, spending his time after his first sleep polishing his sword.

It's cold- even in January, spending their wood to stay warm is a luxury. Things are getting grimmer by the day.

Maybe, if that myth has even an ounce of truth, he can save them all.

That morn, to those who keep records, the morn of the 28th, the man leaves his home. His wife and children seem confused. There are no invaders approaching, and he is leaving alone. Where could he be going?

He tells them he is going to go to the woods for a second chance. If he does not return, such a thing does not exist.

Trees greet him, snagging at his limbs as he moves deeper and deeper into them.

Once, a lost merchant had said in the fog of night he'd seen something near the cliff.

That was years ago, but now in desperation, the memory returned.

Hours of searching, before he finds it.

A cave inside a cliff where no one travels by, yet well decorated.

It seems a door had been furnished onto it. The myths inside- had they need for a door? He can't imagine why. He has no time to ask, as he enters with his sword ready.

Nothing greets him, so he lets himself explore. The cave is large, larger than he had any reason to assume.

The further he goes in, the more lived in it becomes. Books start to appear, in piles.

Was this a merchants hoard? He can't think of anyone who would own this many books. /Could/ own this many books. Each one was more than worth his life.

Were they all the word of God?

No... they were all different sizes. That doesn't seem right.

What was this?

He glanced over covers, as if he could read them. Some letters, only vaguely recognized.

This one showed up often when the priests spoke of fate.... he thinks. There's many circles drawn, as well.

Perhaps he could sell these, if he slays the owners. He's more hoping they possess gold and weapons though.

The air gets more and more dense as he approaches the end of the cave. What was causing that? His own nerves, or something else?

The man can only steel himself against the sensation, for this was his final chance to make things right.

Ah- There!

A back, turned to him. Pouring over something, with books opened in front.

His sword comes at them, but they are not human.

They may have looked human in that moment, but his approach was heard. Felt.

Only when he lunges do they let themself move from their important work.

A dragon is what resides in this cave.

A dragon versus a desperate man sounds like a clear battle. What gatekeeper-turned-general could defeat such a being, on his own as he was?

Much less inside their own hoard, surrounded by thousands of years of magic.

Yet somehow. At the end of it all...

[ Accompanying Track ]

Both of them are dying. The dragon looks to a nest on the far side of the room as blood pours from between their scales.

"Maybe I hoped for too much... by raising two eggs. They don't know."

The very reason for the dragon's loss: those eggs, pulling in as much of the room's magic as they could muster, but not yet showing signs of life.

The man yet lives as the dragon falls, and crawls towards the eggs.

A sight no human has seen; little does he know, it's a sight rare for dragons as well. His bloody hand reaches out, touches one.

It's cooling.

Just like the children he left at home, in hopes of keeping them safe. Surely, if he dies here, they'll soon face this fate as well.

. . .

His head slumps heavy against the nesting material, too much for him to lift every again.

If the two parents had connected, if he had attacked sooner, if...

There's so many ifs.

As his blood pools, the man can only think to himself,

"If I had a second chance... if my wife had... if any of us had gotten one... I wish we had; I wish second chances were something we could have grasped."

. . .

His last words, heard by a being approaching from behind. He's too far gone to hear the footsteps that approach, the last sensation he feels as his eyes slip shut.

Warmth.

Was that the warmth of death, or...? No, the warmth reached the tips of his fingers, still against the dragons egg.

The mortal dies, his wish heard by the next generation of dragons. With his dying breath, he grants them life and cause.

Now, as the only living being in the room, Lavrenti steps on the man as he approaches the eggs.

A tragic scene has occurred here, yet the magic in the room is thick, taut, ready to burst with its owner's death.

For those eggs' survival, they will come home with him. He supposes his mate will be quite pleased.

The king of dragons' search for an heir has come to an end, but his duty remains.

He must clean up the mess left behind.

These books must be organized and hidden, lest the world's cycles end by human hands. Truly, dragon's who spend their lives studying seem cursed ill, even those studying the fates themselves.

After the mess is cleaned, Lavrenti returns home with two warm eggs.

Uncertain of when they were laid, it's a surprise when two weeks later the first hatches.

January 28th marks the day the wish was made that brought new dragons into this world, and February 14th will mark the day the first one hatched, and Eve Lavrenti stretched her wings for the first time.

#DragonsWishes#Lore#HappyBirthday
@EveLavrenti

Lavrenti's Journals

Might end up it's own page. Please hold.

Continue .
#Cycle VIII
@EveLavrenti

A Harvest Together [ Mid Cycle IX, Post-Cycle VIII Content ]

This also might get it's own page. We'll see.

Continue

A Harvest Together

A Harvest Together - Opening

[ Almost One Year Ago - Shortly after Book VIII finished. ]

 Eve: Thank you everyone for joining this meeting. I know this seems like a strange collection of heroes, and things have been a biiiit chaotic lately~!

 Leo: Whether you mean the insistence on preparing for the Harvest Festival, or the situation with Yggdrasil, it's true it has been busy.

 Eir (Ascended): But we're happy to help how we can, Summoner.

 Hríd: I'm surprised you called on me, but I will do what I can.

 Mila: Hmm...

 Mila: Summoner, perhaps you are worried about something?

 Eve: I am~! With the ash and smoke still lingering, and the complete change in weather, I wanted to ask you four to work together to see what we can do to lessen the crop destruction.

 Hríd: I hate to say it, but Nifl is not necessarily known for it's crops.

 Eir: Ah, but with the changes, Nifl is warmer now in some regions. Perhaps that could change...

 Mila: What a blessing it'd be for this to be true.

 Leo: Meanwhile, places that were perfect for crops have become too warm. If we could transplant-

 Eve: Exaaactly what I was thinking~! But plants are more complicated than that, right? So please, spend some time looking into it. I'll give whatever support I can.

 Hríd: I see. This would aid Nifl greatly if it works how you imagine Summoner, so I'll lend my aid.

 Mila: We will see what we can provide.

A Harvest Together - Main Story!

A Harvest Together - C

 Leo: Prince Hríd, how goes Nifl after the Ice Festival's interruption?

 Hríd: It could be far better. The melting snow has lead to a myriad of issues that we weren't equipped for. We've never dealt with such temperatures.

 Mila: The ground is likely near bursting from all the never ending winter's water...

 Eir: A death call for anything planted now... But what of the spring?

 Hríd: Springs in Nifl are usually nothing of note, but perhaps this year might be different.

 Leo: I suppose we'll continue looking at all the fertile lands to see our options. Though some crops don't need perfect conditions.

 Eir: Nohr is rocky, right Prince Leo? So you're probably familiar with infertile lands.

 Leo: Correct, though I would not say it's so bleak yet as to label them infertile.

 Hríd: That's true. The Order has been able to withstand extraordinary circumstances, and will continue to do so. This is no exception.

 Mila: However, it looks like a long term solution will take time to find. I have faith we will find one, as man has the right to make their own paths, but it's our responsibility as heroes to right wrongs done.

 Hríd: To right wrongs?

 Mila: Is burning the World Tree not wrong? Though perhaps our Summoner had a reason... we can only trust her decision was thought through.

 Eir: Such thoughts linger in my mind as well... but with so much to get done before the spring, it's hard to think on it for long.

A Harvest Together - B

A Harvest Together - A

Eir: Life Ascendant

Read This One!

Eir: Life Ascendant - C

 Heiðrún: Are you feeling better...? Good. Please take care of yourself.

--

 Eir: Oh... That woman there... She seems to be on her own. Does she need help...?

--

 Eir: I'm sorry to interrupt, Miss?

 Heiðrún: Oh, hello. Please, call me Heiðrún. You're also with the Order, yes? How can I help you.

 Eir: Yes, I am Eir. Actually, I came over to see if you needed any help... It's not often I see someone working on their own like this.

 Heiðrún: It's not work... I just happened to stumble upon some people in need on my way back from town.

 Eir: ...

 Eir: I don't mean to correct you, but this isn't the stretch of road going into town.

 Heiðrún: ...

 Heiðrún: Oh. I see... I was going from person to person, and it seems I ended up a bit far from where I'd started.

 Eir: Is there anyone else who needs your help?

 Heiðrún: No, that was the last one I knew of. Would it be a burden to ask for your help going back? It seems they've gifted me some food as thanks. I'm sure my siblings would- .... they would very much like it.

 Eir: Of course. It's not a problem, as I was heading back as well.

Eir: Life Ascendant - B

 Heiðrún: Oh, Eir... how nice to run into you again. Do you mind?

 Eir: ...? More gifts? How much of your time do you spend healing?

 Heiðrún: This time, these... ahaha.

 Heiðrún: I got overzealous buying gifts for my family. We rarely got the opportunity to do this before.

 Eir: I see. I'm sure they'll be happy you thought of them... Let me do what I can to help you carry all this.

Heiðrún: Thank you.

 Eir: ...

 Heiðrún: ...🎶

 Eir: Heiðrún, would it be rude of me to ask a question?

 Heiðrún: Please, I'd be happy to help how I can.

 Eir: You and your family... they made up the Healing Hands of Yggdrasill, correct? But now it seems you travel far less for healing.

 Heiðrún: That is true... without father, we're not the Healing Hands we once were though. And without Hræsvelgr or Níðhöggr's skills either...

 Heiðrún: Would we do as much good, as we used to?

 Eir: ...

 Eir: I did not realize you'd lost so much of your family in the conflict, Heiðrún. That was insensitive of me to ask.

 Eir: These gifts seem lovely, let's get them back so your siblings can enjoy them.

 Heiðrún: Thank you, Eir.

Eir: Life Ascendant - A

 Eir: ...

 Eir: ...

 Heiðrún: Eir?

 Eir: Oh, my apologies. I don't normally...

 Heiðrún: Are you feeling alright?

 Eir: I'm...I'll be fine. I told myself I would not hold onto these feelings anymore. My life is good now and the pain I've faced is nothing compared to the hope I feel.

 Heiðrún: Hm... Injuries of the heart are something I can't heal with my nectar, yet if you want to sit with me that may do some good.

 Eir: I would like that.

--

 Heiðrún: You always look so lively, I was surprised to see that sullen look on your face.

 Eir: Ahaha.. when you say that, I really have changed as a person. When I first came to the Order, I would occasionally scare others with how deathly quiet and sad I looked.

 Heiðrún: What made that change?

 Eir: The Order of Heroes helped me see hope, but... When my true mother and Ymir gave me their lives, I felt a new hope spring in me thanks to them.

 Eir: With this hope, I want to restore the realm of life to its former glory.

 Heiðrún: The realm of life... it's been some time since it disappeared.

 Eir: Not quite so long, and not quite so gone. With Ymir's blessings, and as it's princess, it still lives. Even if only in me.

 Heiðrún: But then, why were you staring into space?

 Eir: When we were talking before... I understand what it's like to lose your family, even if I don't remember it. In some ways, Hel was also my mother, though I don't grieve that loss the same.

 Eir: I was just thinking about how... in some ways, you've lost a blossoming realm too.

 Heiðrún: I see.

 Eir: I wouldn't normally talk so much.

 Heiðrún: That's alright. Lay your head here.

 Heiðrún: It's true that things now are dark, but I still have one lively sister and one doting brother. And father seems... perhaps he may return one day. Though I... wonder... if it'd really be the same.

 Eir: ...

 Heiðrún: If your family gave you their lives, they're still with you, and things will turn out okay as long as you're together. Likewise, as long as Ratatoskr and Eikþyrnir are around, I'll be okay.

 Ratatoskr: Heiðrún! There you are! I've been looking for- oh! Hello there. I'm sorry for interrupting.

 Heiðrún: Ratatoskr! You're never interrupting, please. Come here, and the three of us can enjoy our time.

 Eir: Together.

 Heiðrún: Together.

  Ratatoskr: Together?

Eir: Life Ascendant - S

Leo: Sorcerous Prince

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 Leo: Sorcerous Prince - C

 Nephenee: Ah, Donnel, yer here too?

 Donnel: Oh, well what a surprise! It's good to see a kind face.

 Atlas: Hm...

 Mozu: Uhm, so... what makes someone like that call a bunch of farmers together...?

 Nephenee: I reckon he needs help with growing somethin'. I can't thinka what that'd be though. Mozu, shouldn't ya have the best idea?

 Mozu: -Me?!

 Atlas: It is true you're both from the same world after all. But I'm more a woodcutter, not a farmer. Don't know if I can help much.

 Leo: Actually, that'd help more than you know.

 Donnel: ACK! When'd ya sneak up like that!

 Mozu: EEE! Lord Leo! H-h-hi..!

 Leo: Sorry for startling you, but you were expecting me, were you not?

 Atlas: I suppose.

 Nephenee: Ah... How can... we help ya- ya-... ya, Lord Leo.

 Leo: I just have a few questions I wish to ask of all of you, since you all take part in helping around the Order and beyond with farming and other laborious tasks.

Leo: Sorcerous Prince - B

 Ross: Hey, Atlas, mind helping me out with some of this wood?

 Atlas: Got it.

 Leo: ...

 Atlas: ...

 Leo: Hold, what was it you just did there?

 Atlas: What?

 Leo: To that tree, you ripped a branch off of it as you walked by.

 Atlas: It's a bad branch. That's all.

--

 Leo: What was that?

 Donnel: N-nothing sir! Highness! Lord! Sir!

 Leo: Did you pick that ox for a reason?

 Donnel: Well... yessir, this one here's going to be better at the job.

 Leo: And you can tell that by a glance?

--

 Nephenee: Phew... ain't enough time in the day... everywhere I turn there's more.

 Leo: Is there anything particularly hard today?

 Nephenee: Yeep! Dontcha know notta sneak up on-- I mean... that was mighty rude of you ta come up unannounced.

 Leo: ...My apologies. I simply overheard you talking to yourself.

 Nephenee: 'N ya wanted to know what's hard? I guess today it's-

--

 Nephenee: ...He's still followin' us?

 Donnel: Is he- ack! I made eye contact.

 Atlas: He did say he wanted to observe... the whatever. I've heard of young lords doing that sort of thing before.

 Nephenee: It's not like he can do much o' anythin' to us, but it's hard tah get things done...

 Mozu: That's true... at this rate, the crops are going to feel all our anxieties!

 Mozu: I'll... I'll talk to him. I'm sure he'll understand.

Leo: Sorcerous Prince - A

 Mozu: Why did I agree to this... This is so so so- Lord Leo!

 Leo: Hm? Mozu, is something wrong? You look worn out.

 Mozu: Nothing is wrong.... necessarily... but Lord Leo, I-I think you're going about this strangely.

 Mozu: None of us small village folk know what you're looking for, so I don't know if we've been able to help you.

 Leo: I suppose I have been interrupting your work with question after question, haven't I. My apologies, there's not many chances to learn about this in Nohr.

 Mozu: In Nohr...? Oh, the deeper you go into Nohr, the more rocky it is. I remember. It's mostly just animal herding from what Ma told me, and even that-

 Leo: Is full of risks, between the Faceless let loose, natural predators, and any herder desperate enough to get too close to Mount Garou is going to find their herd gone.

 Mozu: The Faceless...

 Leo: You're aware of just how bad they'd gotten.

 Leo: So in effort to learn more, I had turned to the heroes with the most hands on knowledge. You all have been very helpful, and I'd like to ask for your help one more time.

 Mozu: We're not /that/ helpful, but we'll give a hand where we can.

--

 Leo: --And that's why I'd like to ask for everyone's aid transplanting crops.

 Atlas: ...

 Donnel: Erm...

 Nephenee: So yer sayin'...

 Atlas: The changes aren't that temporary, and if we don't want to risk a famine, it's better to move everything now.

 Leo: Correct.

 Nephenee: Sorry if this comes across wrong sir, but that sounds like a load of dung.

 Donnel: Or it would, if we weren't rightly concerned ourselves.

 Mozu: Though we'd been planning on using some home remedies to keep them going...

 Atlas: But bad conditions are bad conditions. Before we do all that work, mind showing us where they'd get moved to?

 Leo: Of course. I'd like your insights on every aspect of the operation.

 Atlas: I don't do as much of the farming, but I know enough about hauling trees around. Those are going to be hit the hardest by this idea.

 Nephenee: The roots on a tree 're gonna be too big to move at all... maybe one at a time...

 Ross: I've moved trees plenty before! ... Though, not living ones...

 Leo: I was thinking mages like myself could help with that aspect.

All: ...

 Mozu: Well, let's see where they're moving too first. Then we can say if it'd work... I think.

 Donnel: Gosh, it is high pressure though... To think a prince is asking for that kinda help.

 Leo: ...

Leo: Sorcerous Prince - S

 Atlas: I thought this place would be colder.

 Donnel: Don't they say the ice in Nifl isn't s'pose to melt?

 Leo: Most of Nifl is still like that, for now it seems. But the area closest to where Yggdrasil had opened it's root at the time is the worst effected.

 Nephenee: Ah...

 Atlas: One fire wouldn't do all this.

 Leo: One fire that was so hot it melted through not only magic, but miles and miles of wood.

 Nephenee: How big was that ol' thing?

 Donnel: They kept sayin' it was it's own realm, right? That's gotta mean it's big.

 Leo: Precisely. It may be more accurate to imagine if a whole empire was ablaze, to begin to understand.

 Mozu: That amount of fire...

 Atlas: So for now, things are looking bad. But what about after?

 Leo: After?

 Atlas: Nature is good at recovering. One day those lands will be fine to farm in again. More than likely, after us heroes are long gone.

 Mozu: Yes! So if we move everything too hastily, we might just cause future problems.

 Leo: Hmm...

 Nephenee: But if we don't move any'a them, none o' them will live to see that.

 Donnel: Why don't we split them up then? Hardier crops can stay where they are, while the ones that need more lovin' can go here.

 Mozu: So things like pumpkins, carrots, potatoes... those can stay right in Askr!

 Atlas: That'll make feeding people easier too. Food doesn't travel well, fancy magic or no.

 Leo: I see. But what of the farmers? In some cases, this might split up one farm into two.

 Donnel: Well Mister Sir Lord Your Highness Leo sir, y'see that over there?

 Nephenee: It looks to me like cow d-

 Leo: ...

 Mozu: No- wait- you don't have to--!

 Leo: What is this?

 Donnel: ...

 Atlas: ...

 Ross: ...

 Mozu: ...

 Nephenee: ...

 Leo: ..? Wait, oh no...

 Mozu: Please... put it down...

 Leo: Yes... yes. I will do just that.

 Atlas: Well now he can call himself a real farmer.

 Leo: Ahem ... And what was the significance... of that.

 Mozu: Oh... well, that means there's probably ranchers around. No matter where you go in the worlds, someone has to farm.

 Atlas: In this weather, it's going to be a lot of butter, syrup, and hunting... but I've never been somewhere with no crops. A rancher's gotta feed their animals somehow.

 Donnel: So leave findin' n teachin' them to us! We're not good for a lot, but this is something we can do.

 Leo: Not good for a lot? I'm not so sure about that.

 Nephenee: We're not nothin', but you seem like- er-

 Mozu: Ah! Wait! Why are you bowing?

 Leo: Let me thank you four for your time. I feel like I've already learned a lot from you before we even begun the hard work. I've always known as a prince of Nohr that food is important, when we're a kingdom admittedly lacking in it.

 Leo: People with your knowledge are the core to any successful land. If we can make progress here, we can prevent others in this world from experiencing those hardships.

 Atlas: So that's why you were so willing to move entire farms...

 Mozu: We better get to work before the weather shifts, now that we've been thanked. Oh... that's so embarrassing... I might never stop shaking.

 Donnel: Once ya got a hoe in your hand, you'll be fine Mozu. I've seen it before!

Mila: Goddess of Love

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Mila: Goddess of Love - C

 Mila: My... even this is a lot for a dragon to handle.

 Celica: Greetings Earth Mother.

 Mila: Ah, child, I'm glad to see you well.

 Celica: Thank you. You seem troubled, is there anything I can do to lift your burdens?

 Mila: I'm simply surveying the land after all that's transpired. The smoke and ash stopped lingering in the air weeks ago, yet the ground appears choked by their remains.

 Celica: ... This is true... It's had many unexpected consequences we're still discovering. Perhaps it's naive of me to say, but I had no idea a fire could become so destructive.

 Mila: From what I've heard, it's a type of fire no mortal should witness. It saddens me to see the land in such a state though.

 Celica: ...Earth Mother, if I may?

 Mila: Yes?

 Celica: Can you not aid the people of Askr with your blessing, if that's the case?

 Mila: No, I should not.

 Celica: Why-

 Celica (Ascended): If the goddesses power is what we need to make it through, we ought to use it ourselves.

 Mila: Humans will know what they need better than a goddess who is only here during this short time we've been summoned.

 Celica (Ascended): Should she bless the land and then return home, what might happen to those who live here? They must wait for another god to arrive and save them when disaster strikes?

 Celica: Ah, another version of myself? I see you have thought through this more than I.

 Celica (Ascended): I understand your way of thinking, as you are me, or me of the past. But with Alm and our friends at our side, we can accomplish far more.

 Mila: My children seem to have been blessed with wisdom beyond what I could teach. While I may not bless the land like you envision, if there's anything I can help with, I am a hero alongside you here in Askr.

Mila: Goddess of Love - B

Mila: Goddess of Love - A

Mila: Goddess of Love - S

Hríd: Icy Blade

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Hríd: Icy Blade - C

 Reginn (Aided): King Hríd, I hope your trip to Niðavellir was fruitful. It's good to meet you in person.

 Hríd: Ah, Princess Reginn. It has been, on both fronts. On behalf of Nifl, let me thank Niðavellir for taking care of the citizens who came as refugees.

 Reginn: On behalf of Niðavellir- it was only right. I'm glad you were able to find them. Though I'm surprised to see you in Askr now.

 Hríd: Right. Just for a short time, while working on some business. I'm sure you know, some things are just better done in person.

 Reginn: Ahaha. Don't I know it. If you need any help with you're here at the Order, let me know! I'm sure Princesses Fjorm and Ylgr would be happy to see you.

 Hríd: My sisters... Right. Perhaps I'll see them around. I ought to be off for now, though. My apologies.

--

 Sharena: Oh! There you are, King Hríd. What're you doing back here with the horses? Is something wrong with your mount?

 Hríd: ...(💧) No, just checking to make sure she's prepared for our trip tomorrow.

 Sharena: Tomorrow? I thought you were meeting with Alfonse tomorrow?

 Hríd: That is true, but after... ah, excuse me. I've been busy ever since I arrived at the Order, and I'm afraid I'm running behind.

 Sharena: Oh! No worries! Please don't let me make you late.

--

 Fjorm: Sharena, was my brother just here...?

Hríd: Icy Blade - B

 Fjorm: Oh, hello Merlinus. Have you seen my brother?

 Merlinus: He was just through here, I believe he went that way.

 Fjorm: Thank you!

--

 Mirabilis: What a lovely nap...

 Fjorm: Mirabilis! It's nice to see you. Has my brother been by?

 Mirabilis: Oh... I'm sorry, I just woke up... I'm- yaaaawn- not sure.

--

 Fjorm: Ahh... ah-ha! Surely...

 Felix: Don't you know better than to run around like a lunatic?

 Fjorm: Sorry. Just- have you seen my brother Hríd around?

 Felix: No.

 Fjorm: Drat... okay. Maybe he's over near the armory.

 Felix: What was I just saying? Stop running around. You'll end up hurting someone.

 Fjorm: ...

 Fjorm: You're right. Okay, I'll take a breather and then start again.

 Felix: Didn't ask. There's a bench over there.

--

 Nifl: To make me leave the comfort of my room, how dare you...

 Hríd: What-. Lady Nifl, you startled me, my apologies.

 Nifl: I need more than apologies from you... do you know how much noise you've caused?

 Hríd: I've caused...? I'm afraid I'm unaware of what you're talking about.

 Nifl: Fjorm has been running around looking for you since your arrival. She's even asked me where you are.

 Hríd: I see.

 Hríd: It appears I've caused more than enough worry. With everything going on, I've focused too much on my ambitions.

 Nifl: Hm.

 Hríd: I'll speak with Fjorm soon.

 Nifl: In the future, make sure you do that before it's a problem.

 Nifl: ...

 Hríd: Lady Nifl? Is there something else I can do for you?

 Nifl: ...Hm.

 Nifl: For someone who cares for this... family of yours, you are stubborn about facing problems alone.

 Hríd: That-

 Nifl: Don't be so loud. I tire of this. I'm retiring for the day.

 Hríd: Rest easy, Lady Nifl.


 Hríd: Perhaps...

Hríd: Icy Blade - A

Hríd: Icy Blade - S

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