Test 4.

[azumods]

KNOWLEDGE Compared to the frigid chamber you've just left, the cavern you enter now is warm. It isn't difficult to see why; while there's still a fair amount of space in here, it's far smaller, and there's a source of heat and light in here - a small fire going near a corner of the room, tucked away behind the wall and difficult to see as you enter, but fairly obvious once you're inside, the light from the flames bouncing off the corner of the chamber and making it decidely easier to see. There thankfully aren't any more of Froslass' "sculptures" in here; there is, however, a person. Candice is in the corner near the fire, pressed back against the wall and watching you as you enter; it's likely obvious from the start that there's something wrong with her, though it's difficult to say what just from looking at her. Her eyes aren't fixed in the same sort of dull, blank stare that the people affected by Team Galactic tend to display, but at the same time, they look viscerally wrong - it's alert but it's empty and almost completely unfocused, as though she's taking in information and she's processing it, but she's not actually seeing any of it. It's unsettling, but she's still watching you, and she's holding something close to her chest as she does so; she's got the thick, blue sweater untied from around her waist, and she's holding it bundled in her arms like she's trying to protect it. Her eyes don't come into focus, even as she addresses you. "I told you that you aren't welcome here. You need to leave. Now." Her gaze darts as she speaks, like she's trying to take in as much as she can, even if she doesn't seem to be registering any of it properly; her expression is hard. Cold. What happens now is up to you.

Comments

[greydients]

[The past tense is most definitely important.]

So you know we're ex-Galactic, and you've heard nothing bad about us. Do you want to know anything else? Things that would make you more comfortable with us being here, and helping you?

[...]

It may not be much of a comfort, and I don't expect you to trust us just on this, but we don't intend to rest until we find Cyrus himself and repair the damage he's done to your world.

[azumods]

By what means?

[It's an actual question.]

Do you intend to force him? He's not willing to listen to reason.

[greydients]

[....okay look they haven't QUITE thought that far ahead...

...

...although, that's interesting-]

...what makes you say that? Have you met him?

[azumods]

...Briefly, a few times.

[greydients]

[...OKAY SHE WASN'T ACTUALLY EXPECTING AN AFFIRMATIVE ANSWER ON THAT-

Hopefully Candice won't get too spooked by Rey moving slightly closer, eyes wide.]

What can you tell me about him? Please, any information would be so helpful for us!

[azumods]

Why do you want to know? Men like that can't be reasoned with, or spoken to as though they're going to comprehend anything that isn't what they want to hear. There's very little to tell, his actions speak for themselves!

[....That's...getting heated, honestly, despite how unfocused she seems; she kind of sways a little, but she remains upright.]

[greydients]

[Upon reflection of this event, Rey will be slightly concerned with how obsessed she is with spotting any sort of emotion in people - for now, however, the sight of Candice's anger gives her hope. She can get as heated as she likes.]

I want to know so we can be as prepared as possible, for when we eventually confront him. Any information is good information when you're flying blind.

Besides...he obviously makes you angry, and what goes against his mad ideas more than channeling your spirit into something productive?

[azumods]

I want nothing to do with him.

[If you're going to be handling him, you're doing it yourself, she's not...]

[greydients]

[...

...there's something very wrong with this girl, and Rey is starting to feel nervous about pushing her like this. But if she has information about Cyrus, information they could use....]

...you don't have to have anything to do with him. That's why we're here, Candice.

[...]

...you don't have to fight alone any more.

[azumods]

You need to stay away from him.

[Her speech is incredibly pressured, sharp despite how unfocused she still looks; this...isn't good, most likely.]

[greydients]

[Rey flinches at Candice's outburst (it's been so long since she's seen someone outside their ragtag group showing such strong emotions), but she doesn't falter.]

We can't. If we don't confront him, we can't reverse what's been done to your home.

[...]

we have Cynthia on our side, if that brings you any comfort. But our meeting must happen eventually.

[Although judging by this reaction, Rey isn't sorry that it hasn't happened just yet.]

[semistableman]

Cynthia also told us not to go after him, didn't she?

Candice has a point.

[greydients]

Well we're going to need to face him eventually.

[...Rey doesn't tend to have a problem with just straight-up confronting Big Bads, to be fair]

[semistableman]

He controls a god. I'd rather not face him at all.

The last person I met with godlike powers, he nearly killed hundreds of millions of people.

[greydients]

So what do you suggest we do, then? By the sounds of things, we either fight him or we fight the God.

I think I'd rather go with the former.

[azumods]

Again, what do you plan to do?

[greydients]

[...just-]

I don't know yet, but...well, then, we'll think of something. That's why I'm trying to get all the information I can before we end up in that situation.

What other option is there? Do nothing? Is that what you want?

[azumods]

Sometimes there aren't any answers that are fair to everyone - sometimes there aren't any answers that are fair at all. It isn't failure to do what you can to not let yourselves be destroyed.

[eudaimonikos]

[from the peanut gallery:]

Does he have any mental or emotional weaknesses that can be exploited?

[azumods]

I don't know!

[She...seems really goddamn messed up by this, just...give her a moment.]

[eudaimonikos]

Okay, just asking...

[He raises both hands, like yeeeeesh]

[hyruglyphics]

[ . . . So like Zelda's in here late with a very sour looking Lickitung and a somewhat apologetic Metang behind her. Bosphoramus is back in his ball in order to get through safely, and she's been working for a bit to get Saber free of that one guy's face via warming that up and... yeah...

But she sort of catches Rey's chat there as she's settling in and once that question's asked... ]

We will probably have to, yes. But I do hope we will not be alone in that.

[azumods]

What do you mean?

[hyruglyphics]

I would ask no more of the people of this world than they are willing to give... but I, at least, want to save it. [ She can't speak for the sense of priorities of everyone else here. After all, she (and everyone else) wants to go home. But in her eyes, if she can't help these people, if she can't help this world...

Then what right does she have to just return to Hyrule. To Link?

Her hands cross in front of her in her comforting pious pose. ]

... but we are not exceptional for this world either. Many people are stronger with battle than us, fought longer, or have more to be attached to. My hope is that we can help bring the guardians, gym leaders, and anyone else who cares for the freedom of the people of this world together, to that end.

[ But it's unspoken that, even if it is just them here then ... well, maybe they can do it themselves. ]

[perfectselfie]

Zelda is right. We aren't exceptional for this world.

[A beat.]

...but I believe we all want to make things better. Maybe we aren't miracle workers, but maybe we don't have to be, as long as we keep our heads up and keep working towards that goal. I believe we're going to be able to bring people together.