#measly and thrush are here too

[leather-field]

Assorted patho stuff

[fancifulplaguerat]

I’m so not normal about this

The way that Artemy tries to make Daniil feel better despite not caring solely because Daniil is upset, the “you are also better-crafted than me” like Artemy is telling him not to think of himself as some worthless unloved doll because look at yourself, you’re so much more than that; just that last line the compassion the kindness in it I cannot stand this. I’m not even that into Burakhovsky in canon but this is the most romantic thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life (←light hyperbole) 

I’ve gotten too desensitized to the doll ending that I forget what a gut punch it is. That line “Strangely, there is still not a word to be heard from the Powers That Be. Perhaps they became bored of it all... or were called back home for supper” plain devastates me. Just the futility of it all, how pointless all the characters’ suffering was, in particular the healers’. Though I enjoy the theatre-framing in Patho 2, the ‘children’s game’ meta in Patho Classic gets under my skin far more, as there’s some ‘purpose’ in Artemy/Daniil/Clara suffering onstage, playing their roles for an audience. While Patho 2 implies futility with the ‘you aren’t important, you can be recast,’ that idea of ‘you are not important, and everything you did meant nothing’ hits me harder in the game framing because the healers aren’t even worth being replaced. Everything is just some kids’ make-believe that can be tossed aside when they get bored or are called away. 

But I fucking love “The Powers That Be” concept because it’s so perfectly ominous and vague. Could be anything, likely the government, but sike actually it’s two children who orchestrated your entire living nightmare. I love the subtle references to them throughout the game, too, such as a plague victim telling Daniil “I keep hearing children’s voices... the girls are crying, and the boy is laughing... We mustn’t scare them...” or Aspity asking, “Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat... Can you hear the kids running around?” And granted this might not truly be about The Powers That Be, but it certainly feels like it could be. Or the foreshadowing on Day 1 of the Bachelor Route when Daniil asks the kids, “How did it even cross your mind... to play epidemic!” And Clara directly references them when she goes underground with Artemy, warning him to talk as little as possible so “they who are beyond the wall won’t hear you.” 

She elaborates: 

“I can only feel them. They are obscure. They are the ones in charge of everything here. They’re big but narrow-souled, trying to hide their wretchedness from us. It was all their doing. They haven’t revealed themselves yet. [...] Their time hasn't come yet. They are waiting in the wings. They will probably break into the world when it ends. Tomorrow they will show themselves...” 

I highly enjoy Measly and Thrush’s presence being all over the game unbeknownst to the player and characters (excluding Clara). 

And it creates even more futility to me because there’s no catharsis of just anger against some cruel puppet-master, like I can’t be angry with these children who are just playing. Especially how they ask, “Heal the town, please! Just look, it’s so wonderful... It’s alive and it’s our favorite one... We won’t be able to make another one like this. If it can’t be helped, then it will disappear forever. You know how much we love it?” They’re just kids who want you to save something that they love; even if they can be devious they don’t really have malicious intentions. But even their fears about losing their town aren’t real and I’m just going to go outside and start eating handfuls of dirt 

[thegoldenembers]

The Wood Thrush.

Lanelle Lumiea: As they approached the barred door, the girl struggled to lift the large plank that was fastened across the door. As "old" as it might have appeared, you could see after it was lifted that there had been some attention to it after all. She pushed against the heavy door and the smell of dust and books flooded her senses. A familiar smell that seemed to bring a small amount of joy to her face. Her head continued to pound but Lanelle continued on into the dark room. The moment her foot stepped over the threshold, her head began to feel lighter, and the voice seemed to fade out from her head. Inhaling slowly, the Elezen took another step into the dark, her hand automatically finding a nearby bookshelf. The room was pitch black, and littered with books stacked upon each other, some thrown off to the side, opened and folded onto itself. Papers were scattered about, with their quills and ink not too far from them. Her hand continued to graze the books along the shelves as Lanelle supported herself as she walked deeper into the room. It was a library, depressed at the lack of visitors and attention. But off to the side in a corner was a small cot and a measly blanket tossed across it. The girl seemed to have tripped over a stack of books, but even in the dark, she could see there was a small lantern not far from her. She reached for it and sighed softly, sparking the light in it to cast a faint glow throughout the room, now illuminating the cobwebs that decorated the ceilings. Lanelle inhaled deeply, touching the face of an overturned encyclopedia, before exhaling slowly once more and sitting back against the bookshelf behind her. She began to flip through the pages, and a small smile laced her lips. Not a sound in her mind but the flipping of pages.

Eanrin Farthestshore set the plank carefully to the side and quietly shut the door, looking around as he walked into the forest of books and disarray and some disuse.  He noticed the small cot and watched her settle against the bookcase.  "Come on in,"  Eanrin muttered quietly to himself.  He noted a jutting bookcase a small distance away from her.  "I'll just be over here a moment..."  He said quietly... not even sure the girl was listening. He rummaged in his bag for a fresh change of clothes.  Using some water from his canteen, he at least wiped down some of the dust.

Lanelle Lumiea could hear the man trying to get settled across the way from her, but her eyes didn't leave the page of the book in her lap. "Just be careful," she began, her voice echoing as it's volume was near normal. But it wasn't a warning with threat attached to it, more like concern. "Those shelves have a tendency to leave splinters." Lanelle flipped through the remaining pages of the book and then set it aside.

Eanrin Farthestshore: "Noted.  Thanks." He muttered quietly.  For some reason this place seemed to demand lowered voices.  He didn't say it snappily either, just factually.  His rummaging continued for a bit, then he shouldered his bag and walked back around scrubbing his slightly damp towel over his face.  "Sorry, so much travel dust...  soon to be replaced by book dust."  He said, smiling slightly and glancing around. He found himself a column and settled down.  "Are you alright?" Lanelle Lumiea continued to look about all the books that towered to the ceiling. "Never better." She replied with a tiny grin poking at her cheeks. Even his presence didn't bother her while she was in this space. Nothing did. But the looming and pounding continued across the hallway at the door.

Eanrin Farthestshore: His minds' eye registered that somehow most of the dark seemed to have been stuck behind the door.  He had to admit, that both worried him, and relieved him.  Letting out an exhausted sigh he rested his face in his hands. "What a day."  He muttered into his palms.  'What now?'  He asked in his head. 'I brought her "home." I can't help worry about the kid, but...  what do I do?  It hurts to even think.'

Lanelle Lumiea finally looked over to the Miqo'te sitting across from her and blinked. He seemed to be having a lingering fight in his own head. The thought actually almost made her chuckle, but she swallowed it. "You're peculiar." She whispered to herself, and stared at his hair. She still couldn't figure out how he pulled such a trick. She didn't sense that he used aether as most arcanists did, so how..? She suddenly wondered if it might be in a book somewhere. As she thought all of this, she continued to stare at him, studying.

Eanrin Farthestshore: He laughed softly into his hands.  "Peculiar is a new one...  or at least not often used maybe." Dropping his hands, he raised his head and leaned it back against the column.  "Likewise, really.  This is the first set of five minutes in your presence where I haven't felt either threatened or immensely disliked."  He was drained.  It had already been a busy day, but that major aspect shift was coming back on him now. His head hurt something awful.  'Well isn't this a wonderful situation.  I don't think I could move to leave if I wanted.  Pleeeease don't add his to daily drills.  I feel like overcooked dodo eggs.'  He finally heard a chuckle.  'AND this is far from proper. I'm, like, 10 years older, and she's of age, and... and.. and'  UGH it hurt to think.  "You didn't answer my question."  He finally said out loud.

Lanelle Lumiea could feel her eyebrow rise with confusion as to what the man meant. "And this is the first that you're not annoying." She said curtly in response. He lost her attention, and she looked back up at the books, focusing on one with a leather-bound exterior nearer to the ceiling. "It's finally quiet..." Lanelle sighed, again not properly answering the question he was asking. Truth be told, she didn't know how to answer it. But the quiet was something she rarely had these days.

Eanrin Farthestshore: Smirking he kept his eyes shut.  "Touché."  He sat quietly, and contemplated just how she could find him annoying if this is how she passed her days.  All in all, a better place than he had to live in... but so alone... and that darkness. She had looked so ill, and he was half worried they wouldn't make it here.    He put on a brave face for Mallo, but he wasn't much better off. A nineteen year old and her puppet master left him reeling worse than the last pack of bandits and dragons he'd dispatched.  He was almost embarrassed. Lanelle Lumiea took the win with a content sigh. There was a small growl outside the door that caught her attention, and Lanelle felt her heart skip a beat. Suddenly she felt a bit anxious, but tried to push past it. Putting her hand back on the book beside her, she picked up it and held it out toward him. "Would you place this on the stack beside you?" She said softly, as if trying not to let anyone else hear her.

Eanrin Farthestshore slowly opened his eyes and with an effort, reached out and took the book; doing as she requested with utmost care.   Slowly lowering his arm back down,  his ears twitched as he felt the darkness seem to seethe outside the door and he watched her.  "Does that voidsent attach himself to you every time you leave here?"  He looked at her sadly.  He was suddenly relieved he had only his own demons to torment himself in his darkness.

Lanelle Lumiea suddenly felt as if she had be hit with a ton of bricks. And she must have looked it, too, when her eyes darted over to look into his. Her heart felt heavy as she looked back over to the door, and suddenly felt herself start to tremble. Lanelle closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them to look at the Miqo'te in front of her. "This is the only place I can think to myself... he doesn't come in here.." She whispered with extra care, looking back at the door.

Eanrin Farthestshore turned his head slowly and stared at the door.  His ears turned back.  "A shame, that."  An understatement if he'd ever made one.  His head drooped.  Nope, he wasn't making it home tonight either.  Rayn and Mallo were going to start worrying again... at least Mallo had seem him recently.  He slid slowly down the column to curl up on the floor.  "Plz dun kil me wh sleep."  He muttered almost intelligibly.

Lanelle Lumiea stared at the Miqo'te in disbelief. Was he.. actually going to fall asleep? Here?! Lanelle sighed softly. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Standing to her feet, she placed her footsteps carefully as she walked over to the cot in the corner, pulling the blanket up. She dragged it back over to the man and gently let it fall on him. Lanelle bit her lip. Is this what normal people do when they have company? Shaking her head, she looked back up at the book with the leather binding and promptly returned back to her spot in the corner. Aethelbald Passerine: The door cracked open a bit and a head poked in while a hand gently knocked on the door.  He ignored the snarling mass of hostility behind him, and quietly asked, his voice soft and low.  "My apologies.  I am sorry to intrude... but I fear my apprentice may have passed out in your library.  May I enter?"

Lanelle Lumiea looked over to the door and let out a small gasp, quickly shuffling her way as far back into the corner as she could. Hearing his words and his tone, she looked from the Au'ra at the door, to the Miqo'te, and then back to the new man. 'His voice...' Lanelle brought her knees close to her chest and gave a small, shaky nod in response.

Aethelbald Passerine smiled warmly, and he shut the door gently before walking forward a few steps. He bowed to the Elezen.  "My thanks."  He said pleasantly.  Again, not raising his voice very high.  He moved over and knelt down, resting his hand on Eanrin's head.  "I may have caused him to overdo it a bit today." His hand glowed with white magic as he ran his hand over Eanrin's forehead then ruffled his hair a little. "He should just need rest."

Lanelle Lumiea felt herself relaxing at his tone, but instantly felt her hair stand on edge when she saw his white magic shining across the Miqo'te's face. It felt like her voice was lost, as she tried to open her mouth, but couldn't manage to get anything out. Instead she just watched intensely at everything the man did. The screaming at the door was completely muted at this point.

Aethelbald Passerine: As soon as he finished healing Eanrin, he smiled at the blanket draped over his charge and smiled to himself.  "I am Aethelbald, by the way.  I do apologize, should've offered my name first.  Would you honor me with yours?"

Lanelle Lumiea still stared at the man's hand, near frozen in fear. But her attention was torn away from his hand as he made his introduction. She hadn't given out her name in so long... "L--" she stuttered, clearing her throat and giving the door a quick glance. "Lanelle.."

Aethelbald Passerine dipped his head in a nod.  "Lanelle then.  Well met."  He smiled genuinely.  He followed her gaze to his hand.  He'd stopped casting, but he wondered if she still saw something.  "You have nothing to fear from me.  I will not harm you.  In fact, I will leave the moment you ask.  Though I do humbly request you allow my friend to stay and rest here."

Lanelle Lumiea couldn't shake the feeling she had sitting in her chest. Nervously she looked to the door again, but couldn't hear a single groan. There was complete silence now... and it scared her. "Your aether.." she started, her eyes looking back to the man. "Who are you...?" Her hands clutched around her knees tighter.

Aethelbald Passerine followed her gaze to the door and then focused back on her. "Aethelbald."  He grinned again.  "I mean you no harm.  In fact, I'd offer you friendship if you would accept it."  Her fear was almost palpable, so he just returned a hand to Eanrin's shoulder.  "This is Eanrin."  He really is a decent sort.  I assure you."

Lanelle Lumiea's eyes narrowed, almost offended. "I.. I can't have friends.." She said with a hushed tone, and looked over to the sleeping Miqo'te. So that was his name... but decent? She'd laugh if she wasn't so on edge.

Aethelbald Passerine tilted his head sadly.  "I would ask 'why' if I even expected an answer, but I know better."  Smiling at the expression she was shooting Eanrin's way, his shoulders shook.  "You don't have to believe me if you don't wish."   He tilted his head to the side, staring at her and taking in her condition.  He noted the voidsent's torture and wanted badly to help heal her even a bit. "Are you well, m'lady?"

Lanelle Lumiea looked the man in the eye and felt her eyes come to water. What is she doing?!.. Lanelle shook her head vigorously and put her head against her knees, not sure she was ready to look Aethelbald in the eye again. The girl felt vulnerable, and the sight of white magic kept flashing through her mind, as if she had almost seen it before... but how?

Aethelbald Passerine: He closed his eyes checked on Eanrin once more.  Eanrin muttered and stirred a bit, pulling tighter into a ball. "Isst morning already?" the miqo'te moaned even as he fell back asleep.  Aethelbald's shoulders seemed to relax a bit.  "Yes, he'll be fine.  Good." Aethelbald slowly stood, and he fixed his eyes on the girl huddled in the corner.  "Do not so quickly scoff at friendship, m'lady.  Cords are always stronger, the more threads are weaved together. "Even Eanrin, I think, is coming to understand this." Aethelbald grinned.  "I think.  Well, I will not trouble you further.  Perhaps we will meet again."

Lanelle Lumiea lifted her head as he spoke again of friendship, then wiped her eyes from the would-be tears. Reactively she stood with him and then looked to the door as she began to hear murmurs again. "Poisons tend to test a cord's durability..." She said to herself, still staring at the door as the snarling grew louder once again. Lanelle turned to the man once again, her heart beating a mile a minute. "I don't think we will." Aethelbald Passerine's face was sad, and he inclined his head to her.  "As you wish."  He bowed. "The hope remains, at least for me. Thank you for allowing Eanrin to rest here.   Stay safe." Lanelle Lumiea was taken aback by how much he... actually... cared. Did he?.. Lanelle gave a small nod to the Au'ra, hearing the voice calling out clearly to her from beyond the door. So much for silence... "I.." She wanted to say something.. to ask him how he could completely silence the voidsent. Was it him? How could he? Instead she stepped past Aethelbald and over to her cot in the other corner, sitting huddled with her face at her knees yet again.

Eanrin Farthestshore with a jolt, he woke up.  Nothing he saw looked familiar... frankly, it was kinda dark.  And it smelled funny.  And it was dusty.  And "Ooooooh gosh whyamionthefloor?!"  He squawked quietly, curling in tighter then stretching out slowly, avoiding knocking over the piles of books he registered were present. Add in the looming dark presence he sensed a second later and he had the blanket pulled up to his chest. "Ohhhh."  He whispered.  'AH GEEZ.  I SLEPT HERE.'  He mentally flailed.  He looked to the corner and saw the girl was missing.   Slowly he stood, still clutching the blanket, cause crap that voidsent was a scary thing to wake up to, and shambled his way around.  He noted the girl on the bed.  If he didn't know any better she looked like she cried herself to sleep.  Then he twitched, and looked at her then down at the blanket.  His face softened.  'Aww.  Did she give this to me?'  Quietly he edged over to the cot and laid the blanket on her. Then he slowly backed away like she was a live landmine. And there he stood.  Scrubbing his hair and wondering what in the heck he should do.

Lanelle Lumiea subconsciously felt the blanket being draped over her, and naturally she curled up underneath it, clutching the blanket in her hands and holding it close to her face. Even if it felt like there might have been someone there, the feeling wasn't hostile, and she continued to sleep.

Eanrin Farthestshore watched her move a bit and chuckled quietly.  "They look so cute when they're asleep."  He mockingly recited.  Well, it looked like she might sleep a little longer.  Hmm.  He couldn't cook worth a darn... maybe he could grab some breakfast to repay her hospitality... and come to think of it... where was her book?  What were the odds it was still there...  His ears turned back when he turned and rested his hand on the door latch.  Taking a deep breath, he quickly and quietly snuck out.

Lanelle Lumiea's eyes shot open at the sound of the door closing. Remembering what happened the day before, she gasped and shot up from the cot, holding the blanket tightly to her. It felt like she was holding her breath forever until she took a couple of small steps around the bookcases and over the stacks of books. She expected to find the Miqo'te still curled up, but she found the place empty. Lanelle exhaled sharply, relieved but also worn out. What happened to her yesterday..? It seemed like so much had occurred, and yet... that Miqo'te.. what was his name? Eanrin? 'Funny name...' She thought to herself with a scoff, but then remembered the Au'ra who came in to look after him. Now that man... he was something.. else... The girl held her blanket in front of her and looked at it carefully. No residue of aether. Looking back to the spot the Miqo'te slept in, she didn't see any either. Her face fell confused, and she slowly started to straighten out some of the books that were thrown about. Maybe it was about time she cleaned up.

Eanrin Farthestshore: The door opened a crack and he gently knocked.  "You awake yet?"  He asked quietly.  Not quite sure he should peer in or not. A hand extended past the door, holding a paper parcel.  It waved a few times.  "I brought breakfast."  He also added quietly, in case she was awake.

Lanelle Lumiea turned quickly to face the door and stood frozen staring at it for a moment. She thought that once he left, he wouldn't ever be back. But... Lanelle walked over to the door and pulled it open to widen the crack just a bit, basically hiding behind the door. 'You wretched girl... how lo--' the voice was clear this time, and she shook for a moment. Reaching around the door, she grabbed Eanrin's sleeve and pulled him in quickly before pushing her body against the door, slamming it shut.

"Gyah!" Eanrin squawked as he semi tumbled in.   Straightening, he smiled ruefully. "Sorry to call you to the door. Maybe not the brightest move..." He looked around a bit.  The hand that wasn't holding breakfast was clutching her book.  "Umm. For you?"  He offered out both.  "Well, not the egg and cheese sandwich.  That's mine."  He grinned a bit.

Lanelle Lumiea: It took a moment for her to focus back on the man standing in front of her, and when she looked up, she noticed the food and more importantly her book. A disbelieving smile came quickly to her face, and she took the book carefully in her hands, her fingers going across the same damages that she examined the previous day. "Thank you.." She whispered, and looked back to Eanrin with the same smile. The hissing at the door continued, causing a drop of sweat to bead on her forehead.

Eanrin Farthestshore turning to the door, Eanrin muttered, "Ummm, should we step a bit further in? Would that help?"

Lanelle Lumiea nodded without hesitation and quickly strode over to the cot in the corner.

Eanrin Farthestshore settled on the ground.  "I didn't know what you liked..."  He dug in the bag and pulled out his sandwich, "So there's another sandwich, a pastry, aaaand an apple in there."  He offered her the parcel.

Lanelle shifted uncomfortably and reached for the bundle of food. Pulling out the apple, she carefully took a small bite and nervously looked over to the books lining the shelves. She couldn't exactly remember the last time she had an apple, but the flavor definitely satisfied her taste buds. Swallowing what felt like a rock due to her nerves, she cleared her throat. "You didn't have to bring anything.. or even the book." Still she was grateful, and for once, didn't want to seem like she wasn't.

Eanrin smiled. "It was the least I could do... I... think I passed out on your floor."  Eanrin was truly embarrassed at such a sign of weakness.   He quietly chewed his sandwich for a moment. "I've never seen the like, how you seem to pull the ink from the books.  Does the print fade?"

Lanelle Lumiea blinked in response to his inquiry. No one really seemed all that interested in her skill, and those few that were practically called her a heretic and called her insane. She held the book out to Eanrin and flipped open the cover, her fingers crossing over the first line. "Normal ink, yes, but enchanted ink does not. It simply needs to be awakened." She said casually at a normal volume, and then as if caught speaking too loud, put her hand to her mouth in a moment of panic. Eanrin Farthestshore: "Enchanted ink, eh? I suppose that would make a difference. Funny how I never thought about it. 'Course, most of my books are horribly average and covered in notes instead of spells."  Brushing his hands off on his pants, he continued. "Still, a pretty amazing gift, and the first I've heard of it.  Who did that to your eyes if I may ask?  I saw the aether around them burning. "  He cut himself off.  "Look at me, asking things that are none of my business."  He looked at the floor. "And I haven't even asked your name.  Like a typical ass."  He laughed.

Lanelle Lumiea: The girl took a moment to try and stifle a laugh and cleared her throat once again. "I don't know how I got these markings," She started, taking another bite of her apple. Lanelle tapped the open book with her index finger like she demonstrated the day prior and the ink shot a small spark outward and onto the floorboard beside him. "I can't even say what kind of ink it's made from." she continued. Nervously she glanced to the side. This was the second time someone asked for her name barely in the span of two days, and she wasn't used to this kind of conversation. "Lanelle," she barely got out before quickly taking another bite of her apple.

Eanrin Farthestshore: "Lanelle is it?  That's actually quite lovely.  Mine is Eanrin."  He dipped his head in a small bow.  "Such a mystery though, about your eyes.  Sad you can't remember.  Had them all your life then?"  'Oy, Eanrin, what's with the infinite questions?!'  He shouted at himself.  "And there I go again... if there's anything you want to ask me... fair's fair, right?"

Lanelle Lumiea: 'Actually?' She thought and felt a twinge of sarcasm just wanting to let loose. But instead she took a small breath. "I know your name." She said idly, and then nodded, biting into the apple. Sad, it was almost gone. "As far as I can remember, yes..." She spoke softly about this, her eye trailing to the door. There were faint whispers there, but she quickly looked back to the man in front of her. "I'm not so used to... this.." Lanelle motioned between them, although she wasn't used to it at all, since it never happened to her. Not in many years.

Eanrin Farthestshore: Glancing back towards the door momentarily he frowned, "No, I suppose you wouldn't...."You knew my name?"  He was completely puzzled.

Lanelle glanced away again and finished off her apple, trying not to make eye contact with the man. She instead let her fingers play on the ink of the book that was open, letting it shoot out little sparks about the floor. Then she pointed to a stack of books shoved off to the side. "Grab one." She said with her mouth still partially full.

Eanrin Farthestshore: His ears perking with interest, he followed her hand to the stack and carefully snatched one off the top of the pile, holding it out to her.

Lanelle Lumiea: The Elezen smiled playfully and quickly swiped her hand across the page, illuminating the letters to a shimmering gold that lit up both their faces. "Gold ink." She smirked.

Eanrin Farthestshore: "Cor." Eanrin exclaimed.  "Do you just know these books that well or can you tell what ink by looking at it?"

Lanelle Lumiea: Grinning proudly, she looked around the room again before the ink slowly began to fade, bringing the shadows back into their restful places. "A little of both, I guess.." She whispered contently. There was much about the library that was familiar to her, other corners left completely untouched. Still, for once she felt... content. And there was a momentary excitement that came with getting to show someone... finally. Someone that wouldn't try to scorn her immediately after showing these things.

Eanrin Farthestshore: He nodded considering her answer.  "That is an amazing skill!"  He smiled brightly.  "Alls I can manage is a close simulation of bird song.  And if I try -really- hard they can even see where I'm imagining. That's about the extent of my 'prodigious' skills."  He shrugged.

Lanelle Lumiea: She furrowed her eyebrows in a moment of confusion. "Bird song?.." In the moment, she felt intrigued, but a familiar feeling settled in her stomach. This wouldn't last. Maybe all of this was a trick. For certain he wasn't asking all these questions because he actually was interested. As it was, just the previous day he gave her the same look she had seen all her life. None of those people ever changed to actually want to know more about her... much less, be a friend or help her. The sickening feeling grew stronger, and suddenly she started to hear the growling clearer. 'You know your place... it's time you came back...' Lanelle's face grew sad, as much as she tried not to let it show. Leaving the book open, she stood and pushed back her hair from her face. "I do believe that you had someplace to be.." Her voice returned back to its quieter state, and again she avoided eye contact. The growls seemed pleased to sense her discomfort.

Eanrin Farthestshore: He was actually in the process of removing his flute from the depths of his travel satchel where he kept it safe, when he caught her quiet words.  He slowly halted and his ears fell back and his face echoed that of his Protector.  He seemed to shake himself and held up a hand with his index finger pointing up. "I always have time for one song."  He said, firmly.  His face was stubborn and even a little hurt.  With a flourish, he brandished his mother's flute and before she could say a word, he closed his eyes, channeled his aether, and played.  A haunting note at first that very well became the song of a wood thrush.  As his song carried on, it almost seemed as if the library looked like an area deep in the Shroud.  A small breeze stirred the leaves, and a few of them scattered and danced around her head. And then it was done.  The woods swiftly faded.  And Eanrin was crying.  He wordlessly repacked his flute and bowed.  As he turned for the door, he muttered.  "There's always hope, Miss.   If you ever need anything, send word through the Maelstrom.  They'll find me."

Lanelle Lumiea: The song struck deep within the Elezen's mind. As if she could almost smell the air crisp with pine and dew, she was transported when the music reached its crescendo. The images and feeling of seeing the foresty area rooted in her mind, and the girl felt nothing but peace. As the bard finished, she didn't even realize that tears had been flowing down her cheeks through the duration of the song. Her glossy eyes looked at Eanrin as he stopped at the door, but she couldn't find the words to say anything at all. As he shut the creaky door behind him, the silence fell back into place, and Lanelle felt herself drop to the cot, left wondering if that was a dream that would continue on, or if that moment would fade as quickly as the vision of the Shroud did.