Test 5.

[azumods]

VERITY The journey this month has been easier on you in several ways; despite your losses, your numbers have been bolstered by the addition of two more this month, and unlike the unforgiving terrain on the way to Lake Acuity the routes to Lake Verity seem downright hospitable - they're straightforward, the climate is far more temperate, and there are patches of cheer visible here and there along the paths in the form of those brightly-colored flowers, even as you make your way toward the lakefront. But the lakefront itself is perhaps unsettlingly silent; a reminder, perhaps, of what you're here to do, of the importance of your task. You'll reach the lake sometime in the evening. The sun isn't down yet, but it looks as though it won't be too long before it dips below the horizon; there's more than enough light for you to see what the lake itself looks like, however - the water is still and clear, to an extent where you can see straight down to the bottom regardless of how deep it gets. There's no bridge or other way to cross over the lake that you can see, but once again there's a large rock formation rising out of the center of the lake and a good-sized opening in the stone, leading to what's likely a system of caverns further inside. Your exploration starts here, next to the crystal clear waters of Lake Verity; what happens next is up to you.

Comments

[enjoymyatelier]

I'm not really surprised, honestly. We've got our fair share of unnecessarily capricious individuals back home, with the main difference being that they usually at least have the excuse of having transcended humanity in some way.

[discutio]

I have to say I've worn very tired of 'mysterious benefactor ends up being not what they appear', but that's my own experience talking.

[semistableman]

I'm fine with not trusting her from here on out.

[It's not like he was trusting her to begin with.]

[discutio]

At the bare minimum, I feel it prudent to regard her with a bit more caution. She did point us in the direction of the guardians, and so far that has seemed genuinely beneficial.

But being aware of ulterior motives or ill intent is to err on the side of caution, I think.

[enjoymyatelier]

Honestly, I don't see any reason to think she's going to go out of our way to make our lives harder... but I don't think we should rely on her by any means. If she decides to help us, wonderful, but.

[shrug.]

[hyruglyphics]

Dismissing everything she has to say would be foolish.

[ Like.

Kayneth's more right than anyone here but Zelda shrugs. ]

[semistableman]

She also hasn't bothered to get into contact with us in months. She might not have lied to us, but she's not our friend.

[hyruglyphics]

And if she were to return, what would be your advocation. Does distrust mean hostility, or to simply ignore her? Does it mean to consider anything more we hear to be lies?

[semistableman]

I'm not stupid enough to take on a person confident enough to fight a man with four gods and win.

We decide as a group whether or not to take her advice. My vote is obvious; after all, we have a lead after helping the third, and it came from one of the guardians.

[hyruglyphics]

[ Exhale. ]

I should hope that no one is.

[ And that's her main point here. This whole "oh we officially distrust Cynthia!!" thing that Michael pushes loudly at every chance and that Ignis and Bucky shifted to over time. Yes, they can't, something Zelda must admit now, but this whole continued blanket statement - what, is the intention to make an enemy of someone strong who did indeed point them on this direction in the first place?

She shakes her head. ]

[semistableman]

[I mean you have a point.

But also Cynthia apparently sent a child to die fighting Cyrus.]

[hyruglyphics]

[ Hence why she doesn't have a stronger argument. She's working out her own feelings on that story, because that doesn't seem - well, logical or ethical or in keeping with their impression.

But it does also mean, yeah, she probably doesn't necessarily have their best interests at heart. ]

[eudaimonikos]

That's really no excuse. I've never even been human to begin with, and I at least make an effort.