[video]

[invasif]

[ A woman dressed in a black, a small glowing locket around her neck, sits in the grass at the base of a tree: ]

Many of our Circle have been heartbroken for what they witnessed. I am sorry for that, for those who have never seen such large casualties before. I have never wished that experience on another person, and yet I have never possessed the power to prevent it either.

I ruled a kingdom that had been ravaged by war. I was raised a refugee in that war, and when I become queen it was to a country of heartbroken war orphans, all like myself. I could do little to heal their hurt beyond recognizing we shared it. It is a pain that never goes away, even if you muster yourself to live on and strive hard, loss will always haunt your steps.

I'm sorry.

I have no comfort to offer you in this, but if you wish to confess your hurt I will gladly be an ear to it. Perhaps you can unburden a little of yourself, and I can surely bear the weight.

My name is Lady Ilde, and I am here if you wish.

Comments

Video

[additionalmemory]

I like your locket. [It’s easier than commiserating about tragedy. Or opening up her vulnerabilities. Or asking more of a stranger than she should.]

It must be special.

[invasif]

[ Her look is a somber one, ]

It is. They are the ashes of my lord. I keep them in mourning for him.

[additionalmemory]

[YIKES.]

Oh...I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up something sad or traumatic...[Although, given the circumstances...there’s not much else to talk about in general.]

It’s nice that you keep him with you all of the time.

[invasif]

I did not take offense. They call me the Lady of Cinders, it is well known I keep them.

[ And some people found her saintly devotion and suffering to be charming. Others rightly feared what powers she had inherited from that Lord, and what power might lurk in his ashes still. ]

He raised me. As his ward, I became queen. But I was born a common girl.

[additionalmemory]

Rags to riches, huh?

I guess you really have been through a lot. I mean, not “I guess”, you have.

Do you...mind being called that? Seems kinda mean...

[invasif]

I do not mind it, I am the keeper of the cinders.

[ Glowing softly at her throat... buffing her magic attacks +5... ]

But Lady Ilde will do well enough here. Neither my lord nor his kingdom have clout here.

[additionalmemory]

Lady Ilde, then.

How long have you been here for?

[invasif]

Not as long as some. Akvos was the first world I had visited, but I did spend some time here at the temple before we departed.

And yourself?

[additionalmemory]

Same as me, then.

...My name is Ayano, by the way.

What happened to Akvos gave me a lot of perspective. On the situation we’re in. I don’t know what I thought I was doing until now...But I don’t know how to help, either. It’s...frustrating.

[invasif]

A pleasure, Ayano. It is hard for many of us, we don't have the insights to see the full measure of our predicament.

[additionalmemory]

You must have a pretty good grasp of this stuff though, huh?

I mean, being royalty and all...

[invasif]

I have a certain perspective, I suppose.

[ She certainly is a... unique... lady... ]