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[he nods.]
We'd better prepare... as much as that's possible.
[which is not much.]
We'd better prepare... as much as that's possible.
[which is not much.]
... Hm.
[he's right but zel is part of the problem so he just... looks away]
[he's right but zel is part of the problem so he just... looks away]
[Some time after the trial, Zelgadis is outside in the Subnutica park, sitting on a bench with a guitar in his hands. He's playing a melancholy little tune. I'm sorry he's such a stereotypical anime sadman.
The kitten is also here, sometimes hiding under a bench, then suddenly darting to another hiding spot, as if stalking something.
Zelgadis pauses to greet Rynlan when he sees him.]
... Hey. It's been a long day, huh.
The kitten is also here, sometimes hiding under a bench, then suddenly darting to another hiding spot, as if stalking something.
Zelgadis pauses to greet Rynlan when he sees him.]
... Hey. It's been a long day, huh.
[does zelgadis even know what weed is or why people keep smelling like it on saturday nights. it is a mystery.]
I'm not, really. Haven't played in a long time.
I'm not, really. Haven't played in a long time.
... If you want.
[He'll get back to playing for a while. It's this song. He hasn't learned Wonderwall yet, so don't ask.]
[He'll get back to playing for a while. It's this song. He hasn't learned Wonderwall yet, so don't ask.]
It was often called the 'land of eternal spring'. We preserved its weather to keep the Eversong Woods temperate, despite settling at the northern end of the continent.
...it was always peaceful, there, when I was young. Many of our homes even kept curtains in place of doors.
...it was always peaceful, there, when I was young. Many of our homes even kept curtains in place of doors.
An elven community?
[That's a guess. That sounds very elf-like to his ears.]
... And you preserved the weather... with magic?
[That's a guess. That sounds very elf-like to his ears.]
... And you preserved the weather... with magic?
Huh... Elven magic really is something else.
[He sounds casually impressed.]
[He sounds casually impressed.]
I see...
[Well, that certainly fits with what they talked about before.]
I don't know if it's the same where I'm from. Don't meet many elves.
[Well, that certainly fits with what they talked about before.]
I don't know if it's the same where I'm from. Don't meet many elves.
If they're anything like us, not surprising. We usually like to keep to ourselves unless something affects us, the pace of politics and everything for the others is-- a lot.
[humans are really out there doing things SO much with their shorter lifespans.]
[humans are really out there doing things SO much with their shorter lifespans.]
Makes sense. We humans are pretty hard to live with. Even I can't stand us most of the time.
[His tone is deadpan as ever.]
[His tone is deadpan as ever.]
[There's a small smile at that.]
I'll take that as a compliment.
I'll take that as a compliment.
[Hey Rynlan, we're probably just vibing somewhere when these two suddenly get dumped in the memory-hole. A memory begins playing on the screen immediately.]
[... Perhaps the screen was distracting, but by the end of it, Rynlan may notice that Zelgadis's expression has darkened to one of barely-contained anger. He draws his sword and slashes at the screen -- though it's too late.]
MEMORY: THE GREAT SAGE
"I hear the voices of happy children." Dressed in robes of red, Rezo approaches while you sit, watching the villagers. "What they truly need now is food and water so they may live another day. The meager miracles I work with magic are of no help in that regard. I am sorry for always causing you hardship because of my blindness." He smiles apologetically.
You can hardly believe your ears. This great man... a man who can cure any ailment, who dedicates his life to helping the less fortunate, would humble himself before you? All you did was drive a few bandits away from town... and frankly, you're not even that good of a fighter.
You're quick to dismiss the apology. "All we want is to help the weak however we can."
"Even so..."
"Leave the dirty work to us. Rezo the Red Priest just needs to be a symbol of peace, a great sage that guides the unfortunate to happiness." You rise to your feet, standing to face him. "It's not only food and water. People always need a bright future to continue living for!"
"Zelgadis..."
"We're proud to be of service to the great sage, Rezo the Red Priest!"
"Thank you. I am truly grateful to you." He reaches out to touch your cheek.
"D-don't mention it," you stammer, flustered. "In these times, doing great good also requires a little evil. And to that end, I'll just have to keep getting stronger!"
You can hardly believe your ears. This great man... a man who can cure any ailment, who dedicates his life to helping the less fortunate, would humble himself before you? All you did was drive a few bandits away from town... and frankly, you're not even that good of a fighter.
You're quick to dismiss the apology. "All we want is to help the weak however we can."
"Even so..."
"Leave the dirty work to us. Rezo the Red Priest just needs to be a symbol of peace, a great sage that guides the unfortunate to happiness." You rise to your feet, standing to face him. "It's not only food and water. People always need a bright future to continue living for!"
"Zelgadis..."
"We're proud to be of service to the great sage, Rezo the Red Priest!"
"Thank you. I am truly grateful to you." He reaches out to touch your cheek.
"D-don't mention it," you stammer, flustered. "In these times, doing great good also requires a little evil. And to that end, I'll just have to keep getting stronger!"
[... Perhaps the screen was distracting, but by the end of it, Rynlan may notice that Zelgadis's expression has darkened to one of barely-contained anger. He draws his sword and slashes at the screen -- though it's too late.]
Zelgadis-
[the slash takes him by surprise, ears twitching back briefly before they relax again, but-- rynlan glances over to him, brow furrowed slightly in concern. the reaction gives him some idea, but-]
...is that him?
[the man he'd mentioned before, who did this to him. who, from the sounds of it, made himself sound an awful lot different.]
[the slash takes him by surprise, ears twitching back briefly before they relax again, but-- rynlan glances over to him, brow furrowed slightly in concern. the reaction gives him some idea, but-]
...is that him?
[the man he'd mentioned before, who did this to him. who, from the sounds of it, made himself sound an awful lot different.]
... Damn it!
[He attempts a few more slashes, cracking the screen with each heavy strike as the image fades away. Is he aiming at the red priest, or the bright-eyed youth who looks at him with such admiration?
... Yeah, it's kind of the latter.]
I was such an idiot...
[He attempts a few more slashes, cracking the screen with each heavy strike as the image fades away. Is he aiming at the red priest, or the bright-eyed youth who looks at him with such admiration?
... Yeah, it's kind of the latter.]
I was such an idiot...
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