Emotions will be displayed as: text {emotion} (*) in script will indicate writer's notes. Note: // dialogue taking up one line is the Soldier's / Player's dialogue (Left in for more context) Note: This script is from the beta so there might be some weird things going on and there might be changes to the dialogue in the future ??? some random soldier type character that literally shouts just one word. Arnol here interrupts and gives the idea of using public opinion against the crown. Azael here is more serious and helping to plan out what they want to do next. Bleeding Rose here shows her personallity of wanting affirmation that she is doing something good. She is very desperate to do something to help out and make an actual change. Businessman is a male and he feels like he is very unlucky because of what is happening to him. He is very miserable but should be outspoken about his tribulations. Canopy Fox one of the soldiers under Cileon, seems to only have two lines here. Capital Soldier is a soldier guarding the capital. Here they encounter the player/soldier who is at this point is a very dangerous and wanted criminal. At first alarmed/urgent and maybe a little fearful but then confused when the player/soldier surrenders. Cileon is very curt/short with their words. Talks a bit with Rurie who seems to understand what they are saying. Crimson Dagger acts as a sort of leader for the blossoms and has only two lines here. Dusk Garden here informs the group about what the soldier/player did and is furious and wants them out of the group. Fuhue here has a few lines. Mostly annoyed with having so much work. Gendarme Commander here is reporting to the soviergns, they should sound more respectful but still urgent/alarmed. Gendarme Soldier here is with the capital soldier and encounters the player/soldier who at this point is a very dangerous and wanted criminal. At first alarmed/urgent and maybe a little fearful but then confused when the player/soldier surrenders. Her Majesty here is in a meeting with the soveriegns and then talks with the player/soldier. Here she is mildly annoyed with the disruption that the player/soldier is causing and wants to decisively put an end to it. Kaio here brings up the idea of causing a scene to help out in their plan. Newspaper Merchant acts as a front to the blossom's meeting. Here they have about three lines. Quill here catches up with the soldier and plans their next moves. Rex here is putting her plan into action and becomes more aware of Sui's change. Rurie here is more serious but still has his more lighthearted dialogue. Soosu here is imprisoned and seems to be more reckless and uncaring as she feels that nothing matters anymore. Sovereign Majin here is mostly argueing with Zhiraok passive agressively. Sovereign Tasim here is more certain of his decision. Sovereign Two here helps the player/soldier escape. Sovereign Zhiraok here is mostly argueing with Majin and is trying to convince Her Majesty to put him back into action. Sui here is more reckless and cold. She doesn't bother with plesentries and is more direct. Thorn Blade wants the player/soldier out of the group and is very focused on them being late as a really important reason. Violent Heather here only has two lines. They are more pretentious and petty. Wilted Camellia here cares about Bleeding Rose and learns about Rose's feelings and supports her. Yulie here hates how Syndra's plan failed and the consequences of it and is not subtle about it. They really care about their family and their safety. Yuman is more casual and seems to brush off their time in prison. Yusanu here discovers a new technology and is trying to make use of it to fight against the queen. Zeph here is still affected by his time in the prison and is also very worried/concerned about Sui's change. Sui: ...oh, soldier. Hi. {greeting} Sui: Rex! Weren't you- {slightly confused} Rex: The soldier's here? Good, that means we can- {normal, realizing} Rex: Where's Zeph? {inquiring} Sui: Um... the bathroom, probably. {unsure} Rex: Ugh. ZEPH! Get out of there already! {annoyed} Zeph: C...coming! Jeez, Rex, g...give a man his p- pr- privacy... {slightly annoyed} Rex: ...you're still doing alright? {concerned} Zeph: Rex. I'm f...fine. St- stop asking me that. {slightly embarrassed} Rex: Okay! Okay. Gods forbid I worry about you for even a second... {annoyed} Sui: Rex. You had something to tell us. {reminding} Rex: Right, okay, I'll get to it. These past few days, I have been plotting. I have something... serviceable, I think. {normal} Rex: So, to start with, let's lay out our goal - the destruction of the Crown, the Queen and her Sovereigns included. {normal} Rex: We won't be able to do it ourselves - we're only four people. And we definitely won't be able to do it if their eyes are on us the whole time! {explaining} Rex: Sui and the soldier, you two worked with the Canopy while you were in the Mistwoods. Do you think they have the people and resources to help us? {inquiring} Sui: They do. They've... been fighting openly against the crown for years and haven't been caught. So... they know what they're doing. {explaining} Rex: Good, we'll want to get in contact then. And Yusanu is with them, anyway... it'll be good to see him again. {explaining} Rex: But, uh, moving on. Zeph, you went out earlier and gathered some information on the Highlands, right? {curious} Zeph: Y- yeah! P...people around here seem v- v- very excited for th...the festival. The C- Cr- Crown is gonna be b...busy with preparations for a wh...while. {explaining} Zeph: B- but, uh, Rex, y...you wanted me to- to ch...check out the Dam E- Elevator, right? {inquiring} Rex: I did, yep. What's the guards situation like? Heavily guarded, lightly guarded... somewhere in between? {serious} Zeph: S...somewhere in be- between, I think. Cl...closer to lightly guarded. I don't th- think they're ex- exp- expecting an... a- an attack. {explaining} Rex: Perfect. Perfect, perfect, perfect... so! How do we all feel about committing some light terrorism today? {upbeat} // Ready to go now! Rex: Okay, curb the enthusiasm a little. Let me explain why, first. {serious} // Sounds good! Zeph: Ev- ever the optimist... R- Rex, why do you w...want to take the e- el-... the elevator? {teasing, inquiring} // I'm not sure... Sui: Like we haven't done worse already... um, why the elevator, Rex? {self deprecating, inquiring} Rex: We need to get the Crown's eyes off of us. They won't expect us to try to return to the Auburn Forest - why would we? The enemy is right here. {explaining} Rex: So what happens when we do? They'll start thinking. Why are we doing it? What do we have to gain? {explaining} Rex: They'll start to pay attention to that elevator. And, if we're lucky, less attention on what we're actually doing. {explaining} Rex: ...and, well, maybe if we're fast, we could bring some friends up from Auburn to us. We could use all the help we can get. {explaining} Zeph: Th...that- that sounds nice... it- it's been s...so long already... {hopeful} Sui: ...yeah. Sure. More old faces. {unamused/unsure} Rex: Sui... do you think you and Zeph could handle getting the rest of the Leaves up here? Zeph'll need someone who knows how to find the Canopy, and I need the soldier with me. {normal} Sui: Okay, Rex. {bland/normal} Rex: Well, we'll all be going to take control of the elevator anyway. We can... talk more there. {normal} Rex: Soldier, after we've done that, I'll need you to take me to the Canopy. I want to familiarize myself with their leadership, and start working on an actual plan. {explaining} Rex: Okay! I think that's everything. Let's all get ready, then head to that elevator on the southern side of the dam! {normal} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zeph: Hey soldier. {normal} Zeph: I'm r-ready to see my old friends again... I miss Kaio. {slightly hopeful/excited} Zeph: Was there s-something on your mind? {curious} // How are you really? Zeph: Ah... I... I don't want to lie to you. {vulnerable} Zeph: So... I'm not d-doing great. Everytime I... I close my eyes I s-see that... face. The S-sovereign... {shaken/fearful} Zeph: Everytime I close my e-eyes I feel all that pain. All of it! All the m-memories! {distressed} Zeph: I was... okay with it all e-ending there. {quiet/defeated} Zeph: I know that i-it's over. I know Gikyo is dead but... their ghost still h-haunts me. {uneasy} // What do you think of the plan? Zeph: I think it's a s-solid plan. {normal} Zeph: I j-just wonder how many from the Leaves in the Wind are willing to a-actually come all the way here. {uncertain} Zeph: Kaio for s-sure... {hopeful} // Let's go! Zeph: Meet you t-there. {normal} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sui: Hi, soldier. Ready to fight more of the crown's soldiers? {listless} Sui: ...are you not ready yet? {slightly disappointed} // How are you feeling? Sui: I'm... fine? {slightly defensive} Sui: What? Should I not be? {slightly defensive} Sui: We... have Rex and Zeph back. We're going to reunite with the people we left behind in Auburn. We're going to meet back with the Canopy. {forced} Sui: Everything's... going great. {forced} // You don't sound fine. Sui: Really? And why would that be?! {lashing out} Sui: It's not like- n-not like someone's MISSING! OR ANYTHING!! {angry} Sui: So- s-so maybe I'm not. But it doesn't matter. We have things we need to get done, soldier! I don't have time to- to feel not fine!! {annoyed/frustrated} Sui: Don't push this... please? Just... let's follow Rex's plan. {firm} // Thoughts on the plan? Sui: It's... fine. Solid plan, I guess. {disingenuous} Sui: I couldn't think of anything better at least, so... {self deprecating} Sui: And, um, I'm not the- the tactician, anyway. I'm... glad I don't have to worry about that anymore. {realistic} // Ready to see the canopy again? Sui: Not really. {reluctant} Sui: I... don't really want to face Yusanu again. After... um. You know. {guilt/hesitant} Sui: But... I have to do it eventually. So. {determined} // Let's go. Sui: Yeah. Let's... get a move on. {hesitant} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rex: ...ready for phase one of the plan, soldier? Let's pack up quickly and head out. {normal} Rex: Unless you have some questions? {normal} // How are you feeling? Rex: You know... still awful. But, uh... better, I guess. {casual} Rex: I haven't left the hotel these past few days... but even just getting real food has felt like... like a gourmet meal! {explaining} Rex: It's... hm. I've tried to not really... think about it too much. I'll have time for that when we're not still in danger. {normal} Rex: But, Zeph... he's been isolating himself. Him and Sui both! {concerned} Rex: Sigh... it's hard. Whenever I talk to him, he tries to put on his regular happy persona, but... {frustrated} Rex: I don't know. Obviously things have changed - I don't think you get out of - ha, what was it, weeks? - of imprisonment unaffected. {serious} Rex: ...he's resilient. Sui too. We'll be able to work past this. It's just... going to take time. {serious} // What's phase two? Rex: Still workshopping it! I have a couple of different ideas, but... {thinking} Rex: Well, it's hard to know which will work without knowing what the Canopy has. Too many different things to consider. {practical} Rex: When we join up with them, I'm hoping I can fill in the gaps. And... I guess, get their opinions on it, too. {explaining} Rex: So- all that to say, I've got nothing for you! For now. I'll tell you later, okay? {normal} // Sui? Rex: Sui. {soft} Rex: I... don't know what to do. I really, really don't. {soft/frustrated} Rex: We've... ugh, we've all lost people. Lots of Leaves got arrested for... this or that, over the years. It sucked, but... it happened. {frustrated} Rex: ...it's never been this bad before. Never anyone this close. I mean... sigh. Syndra and Mora. Gods. {frustrated, saddened} Rex: I want to help her get through this, but... she's closing herself off. And... we're still not home free just yet. {frustrated/explaining} Rex: ...when it's over. When it's over. Everything will be okay when it's over. {resolute/determined} // Let's go. Rex: After you! {normal} Rex: Well, here we are. The dam really is something to behold, isn't it... {normal} Zeph: I- I always d...did wonder what it'd b- b- be like to... to t...take this elevator... {slightly curious} Sui: Well, you'll finally get your chance. Come on, let's just fight already. {slightly impatient} Rex: Sui. We can't just- {soft/careful} Sui: What? We can't rush this? The longer we wait, the more suspicious they'll get. {slightly annoyed} Rex: ...fine. Is everyone ready? {relenting} // Give me a moment... Sui: ...don't keep us waiting, okay? {impatient} // Let's do this! Rex: Then let's do this! {determined} Rex: Careful! Looks like they've got backup! {warning} Sui: Bring it on! {determined} Zeph: H...how many p- people can they fit in th- th- that elevator?! {slightly unsure/unconfident} ???: ENOUGH! {shouting/confident/resolute} *Some soldier maybe, idk who* Wings Commander Kaezu: You're the insurgents everyone is on the lookout for! MEN, TO ARMS! CAPTURE THEM! Sui: ...oh. It's over already. {slightly disappointed} Sui: Sigh. Whatever. Let's go... get our people. {tired} Zeph: S- S- Sui, wait- {concerned} Rex: Guys! There's more soldiers approaching! {urgent/warning} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rex: Sui, are you INSANE?! You almost got SHOT! {urgent/reprimanding/serious} Sui: I... didn't see him. {unfazed} Rex: You turned your back when there were enemies still around!! What do you think would have happened if we weren't here? {reprimanding} Rex: Shot. If you were lucky, somewhere that wouldn't have killed - but after what they saw, would they have really taken that risk?! {frustrated/reprimanding} Rex: Sui, stop being so reckless. You're... you're strong, I get that, but... that doesn't mean you're invincible. {worried} Zeph: S...Sui, we dont w- want to l- lo- lose you too... {worried} Sui: But if I'm not good enough, if I'm not f-fast enough, then- then- then I'll lose you, and- and I can't, I can't do that again, I- {emotional/burdened} Rex: Sui! Breathe! {urgent/worried} Rex: You don't need to prove yourself. You've always been good enough for us. {reassuring} Rex: Whatever that- that Sovereign said to you, to make you think everything's that's happened to us is your fault? It's not true! {reassuring} Rex: Sui. Sui. Mora's death is not your fault!! We can blame the crown, blame the Sovereigns- hell, blame me for leaving him there!!! {reasurring} Rex: But it wasn't your responsibility to protect him. To protect us. We're a team - a family, and... and I don't want to see you burn yourself to ash like Syndra did. {solemn} Zeph: R...Rex is r- right, Sui. We can... f- fi- fight together, sh...shore up each o- oth... each other's w...weaknesses. {normal} Zeph: ...b- but we should pr...probably get going, Sui, b- before more backup sh...shows up. {normal} Rex: Sigh. Zeph's right. You guys hurry to the Leaves, while we have the chance. The soldier and I will prepare for your return. {tired/explaining} Rex: ...ugh. {tired} // Let's meet the canopy. Rex: Y... yeah. You're right, we should go too. Come on, let's meet at the Canopy's cave. {normal} // You were kind of hard on her. Rex: A little. But... I don't know how else to get through to her. {normal} Rex: It's so... frustrating! Seeing her taking on all of Syndra's worst traits! I- I know what to look out for, this time, but... {frustrated, slightly worried} Rex: ...but I still don't know what to do. {solemn} Rex: Ha. Maybe I should apply my own advice to myself... {self deprecating} Rex: We should get moving too. Come on, let's meet at the Canopy's cave. {normal} Rex: Well? Let's go. {slightly impatient} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canopy Fox: Halt! Intruders! {commanding, urgent} Canopy Fox: Quick, call Captain Cileon- {urgent/serious} Rurie: Oh, good grief. Look more closely, foxes - these are familiar faces! Or rather, familiar face, I should say - welcome back to the Canopy, soldier! And who might this be? {casual, welcoming/friendly} Rex: ...you're Captain Rurie, right? Sui told us about you. {hesitant, explaining} Rurie: Did she! Then that must mean you are one of the dear captured friends - no no, don't tell me, I can figure it out... Rex, I assume? {friendly, lighthearted} Rurie: Hm... now, I would bring you in, but then Fuhue might have my head for not following her many numerous protocols... and we certainly can't have that... {slightly disappointed} Fuhue: Ugh, just let them in, Rurie. We've been breaking initiation protocols left and right already, I can't be bothered enforcing them anymore. {annoyed} Rurie: Well, would you look at that! Lucky you! Come on in, come on in. Our numbers have grown since last you were here, soldier - many more friendly faces hanging about! {friendly} Yuman: Soldier, Rex!! Man, it's good to see you guys!! {excited} Rex: Yuman?! What're you doing here? I thought they had you locked up in- {surprised} Yuman: In Deraj Prison, yup. Everything they say about it is true- and, and more! They get you workin' in the mines, if you're not... eh, y'know. Disappeared. {casual} Yuman: Lucky us, these Canopy guys showed up and broke us out! There were explosions, and growing plants, and crashing waves, and- and- {explaining/excited} Yuman: And then the feathery birds showed up outta nowhere, like- nothing there, then poof, cloud of smoke, and there they are- and they got us outta there! {explaining} Rex: I'm sorry... Rurie. You all... successfully broke into Gravity's Monolith?! And got people out?! {shocked} Rurie: Ah, it wasn't so tough once we had the plans of their inner workings! Floorplans, guard rotations... the works. {explaining/casual} Rurie: That Warden's a deadly foe, but he sticks to an incredibly firm schedule - out like a light once it turns 9 PM! Of course, the prison goes into lockdown, but we've got our ways around it. {explaining/casual} Cileon: Special guard access. Useful. {curt/interjecting} Rurie: Right you are Cileon, right you are... well, we'll have time to discuss the details later! I must return to my owls, there's much left to do! {casual/lighthearted} Yuman: Is, uh... is Zeph alright? I overheard a couple of things about what you two went through, so... {worried} Rex: What? You worried about him? {slightly teasing} Yuman: Huh? Pfft, nah, 'course not. {brushing off, casual} Yuman: ...but maybe a little, yeah. {awkward, worried} Rex: He's alright. He and Sui will be here later, so you can ask him about it yourself. {normal} Yuman: Oh! Oh, ha, uh, alright- sure, that sounds good, yep. {awkward} Yuman: I'm gonna... get back to my bro up there. Talk to ya more later! {slightly awkward, friendly} Rex: I should go talk to the Canopy's leader, get started on some planning. Come by when you're done talking with everyone, okay? {explaining} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canopy Fox: Soldier. Welcome to the Canopy. Canopy Fox: Your friend has entered the hideout already, please make yourself at home. Cileon: Hm. {thinking} Cileon: Foxes. Guard. {commanding} Cileon: Is important. {serious} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quill: Ah, soldier. I'm glad to see you are well. {friendly} Quill: These have been... a difficult few weeks. For all of us, I gather. We have... been informed of our losses. {grim} Yulie: I still can't believe we let her talk us into... into all of that! {frustrated/angry} Quill: Yulie, let's not speak ill of the dead. We cannot change the past. We can only move forward. {reprimanding} Quill: ...I, too, regret not standing my ground. For her sake, if nothing else. {regretful} Quill: Sigh... her grief and rage consumed her, in the end, and I did little to stop it. I- ahh- my back... {reflecting, pained} Yulie: Quill, you need to rest. Sit down for a while, please. {worried/insistent} Quill: No, no... I'm fine, Yulie. We have work to do, after all. {reassuring} // What's wrong? Yulie: Well, the guards at the prison didn't really care much about who was physically fit to work or not. They just... work you 'till you're dead, I guess! {explaining/trying to be lighthearted} Quill: Harsh treatment, certainly... but I suppose it is no different than the Roughworks, at its core. Only... less obscured. {explaining} Yulie: ... {silent} Yulie: Soldier, Yusanu told us that he only made it through because of you and Sui. So... thank you. For protecting my little brother when I couldn't. {slightly hesitant, grateful} Quill: Yes... thanks to yours and Sui's magic, I hear... {grateful} // Where's everyone else? Yulie: From the Steel Feather? The Canopy has quarters built deeper in these caverns. Anyone uninterested in fighting is staying there, for the time being. {explaining} Quill: ...those we could find, at least. There are many we are still missing, unfortunately. I pray they are still alive. {explaining/grim} Quill: Perhaps when this is all over, we will be able to locate the rest... I can only hope so. {solemn/hopeful} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yusanu: ...so, look, if we try to charge these in this specific order- {serious} Fuhue: No, wait. Your sequence is charging Thunder twice in a row here, when it should only do it once. Too much of a charge, and- {serious} Yusanu: -and it'll destabilize, right. Thanks for double checking my work, Fuhue. {serious/focused} // What are you doing? Yusanu: ...oh, soldier??? I- I completely didn't... notice you were here... {surprised} Yuman: Yeesh. You've gotta fix your lack of awareness, bro. Anyone could sneak up on you while you're hyper focused in on something! {slgihtly teasing} Yusanu: Ugh, yeah, yeah, you keep telling me- if you're not going to be helpful, stop hovering! {annoyed} Yuman: Nah. I wanna see the cool stuff happen when you get it working! Don't want to miss the fireworks or any- {casual} Fuhue: To answer your question, soldier, Yusanu believes he has a working theory on the Resonance Weaver's functionality. {serious} Yusanu: Yeah, but a working theory doesn't mean a whole lot if I can't get results... {focused/serious} Yusanu: Look, these five glyphs - they correspond almost exactly to the ones the Canopy's talismans use. Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Thunder. {explaining} Yusanu: They can be charged to activate them - a simple burst on its own, maybe, but if chained together... you get something more complex. {explaining} Yusanu: Resonance... resonance, resonance, resonance... Soosu was always saying there was something she could not see with her blessing. Intangible, not of the elements... {thinking} Yusanu: Maybe... if we could find it, we could use the Weaver to... to visualize it. Bind it in place, so we can see it... {thinking} Yuman: ...yeah, none of that made any sense to me. Explain it with easier words? {casual} Yusanu: Okay, sure, just for you. Invisible thing in the air. With device, we make it visible. {simple} Yuman: Oh! Why didn't ya start with that! {casual} Yusanu: Ugh... you're insufferable. {annoyed} Fuhue: Ahem. Will we try the updated chain? {reminding} Yusanu: Right, right... got distracted. Thanks, Yuman. {thinking, sarcastic} Yusanu: Here we go... {focused} Yuman: Huh?! {surprised/confused} Fuhue: What is that? {unsure} Yusanu: I... I don't know, but... I think it's working! Fuhue, we did it! {unsure, slightly excited} Yusanu: Maybe if I touch it, something will... {focused} // DON'T! Yusanu: Wh- wha?! What's wrong?! {startled} // I think I know what it is. // You tell them about the Corruption you've seen in Wynn. About what it does to the land and the people. // You tell them about the Corruption you've seen in Wynn. About what it does to the land and the people. // You... don't tell them why you think it's here. About the Queen. It'd be best to tell everyone at the same time. Yusanu: ... {digesting} Fuhue: And what, exactly, is this doing here? A blight that permeates the air... concerning. I'll have to speak to Master Azael. {serious} Yuman: Well, uh... now that it is here, can we do anything with it? Like... charge the glyphs to manipulate it? {slightly awkward, thinking} Yusanu: M... maybe. I'll have to do some thinking. But for now, it'd probably be best to... get rid of it. If I hit all five at once, it should... {thinking} Yusanu: ...there. Gods. Why did the Queen need this thing in the first place...? {thinking} // I'll tell you later. Yusanu: ...yeah, sure, why not. Later. I guess I've got to clean up here anyway. {normal} Yusanu: Seeing as... is that Rex over there? Oh, good. Well, seeing as she's plotting with Azael, I should get ready for that. explaining Yusanu: Yuman, could you help me out? Since you've been annoying me all day. {firm} Yuman: Ughhhhhhh.... fine. See ya, soldier. {reluctant} Yuman: ...I missed you, man. {sincere} Yusanu: Yeah. Yeah, me too. {slightly annoyed/sincere} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rex: ...and if we route through the tunnels - we have a couple options for city sectors... {focused/explaining} Azael: Yes, I see. It would be worth your while to compare notes with Captain Fuhue, she can help narrow it down. {focused} Azael: ...ah, soldier. Young Rex and I were just speaking on our options moving forward. Would you like to join us for this discussion? {welcoming} // Not yet. Rex: Well... go, then! Go talk to people, you have time. {normal} // Sure! Rex: Alright! So, soldier, here's the deal. If we want to take out the crown, we'll need to hit it at its root - the Queen, the Citadel, and her Royal Palace. {explaining} Rex: We're not getting through the front gates, obviously... they're too defended. But we don't need to take the gates - we can come in from below. {explaining} Azael: The caverns and catacombs beneath the Citadel are quite expansive. Captain Rurie has- {explaining} Rurie: Ah, was that my name I just overheard! We're speaking about the tunnels, are we? If you're hoping to traverse them, I'm the man for the job! {confident} Rurie: It's quite an extensive network, really... the owls and I have spent years mapping each and every inch of it - and we still haven't seen it all! It's all very interesting - and that's not to mention- {explaining} Fuhue: Get to the point already, Rurie. They want to reach the Citadel through the tunnels. Is that possible? {impatient/annoyed, serious} Rurie: Hmph. Possible, it certainly is... though results may vary. Looking for something in particular? {pouting, thinking, inquiring} Fuhue: Something easy to take, and easily defensible. University is out of the question... too large. The barracks are out of the question... maybe the Industrial Zone? Someone get me a map- {thinking/serious} Quill: If I- ahh- if I may interrupt... I believe the Market Square should fit the criteria you are looking for. {normal} Quill: It is closed off, and only lightly guarded in comparison to the rest of the Citadel... or, at least, it was in my time. {explaining} Fuhue: Hm... it could work. Rurie? {thinking} Rurie: The Market Square, you say? Yes... yes, I believe it could work! The path is long and winding, but should be plenty large enough to fit a strike team. {thinking} Rex: Good! Captain Rurie, would you be able to map out that route so we can- {happy, normal} Cileon: Attention! Visitors. {calling out} Sui: Oh... everyone's, um, here. {akward} Yuman: Zeph!!! {excited} Zeph: Y...Yuman?! Y- you- you're here? Y...you're okay? {relieved} Yuman: 'Course I am, princess! What, were you worried? {casual/teasing} Sui: Are you done? Weren't we here to plan our next moves? {slightly impatient} Yuman: ...yeesh. Cold. But I guess- {disaproving} Sui: So we're attacking the Citadel through the tunnels? {urgent} Azael: Indeed, we are. It seems we have decided on the Market Square? We will take control of the sector to serve as a launching point for future operations. {explaining} Sui: If that's the only thing we attack, won't the crown immediately realize what we're doing? {inquiring/serious} Rex: Hm... yeah, I guess you're right. We'll want to stage a few more attacks elsewhere, divert their attention... {thinking} Sui: We could launch an attack at the gates? {suggesting} Zeph: Wh- wh- what?! Sui, y...you can't just th- throw yourself at- {concerned} Sui: Just enough to draw their attention! N-not to try and break through, obviously. We kill a few soldiers, then retreat. {confident/reassuring} Sui: If... if we can make them think we're trying the gates, then they won't see the group coming through the tunnels. {explaining/confident} Rurie: Clever, indeed... I suppose we could spare some of our best fighters for such a task. Cileon, perhaps you might be interested? {thinking} Cileon: ...yes. {curt} Rurie: Wonderful! Then I suppose it's settled? One team to the gates, one team through the tunnels- and, naturally, a team to handle communication- {explaining/upbeat} Kaio: Ahem- a moment of your time? Now, admittedly, I may be a tad outta my depth here- but y'all are talkin' a whole lot 'bout fighting? {akward} Kaio: And it seems to me you're disregarding somethin' quite vital. The crown sure ain't lacking in strength... it can always train up new folks to replace the lost. S'done it time n' time again. {concerned} Kaio: But where the crown really lives and dies is the public opinion. Y'know, the whole... ehm, "ordeal" at the Roughworks Festival - it's caused a real stir in the people. {explaining} Kaio: Sovereigns turnin', public exe-... sigh. Public executions. The people ain't happy. Wouldn't take much to... push 'em over the edge. {explaining} Kaio: Now, the crown's got the tools to deal with violence. What it don't got is the tools to deal with civil unrest, 'least not quickly. So it might do well to give that a go as well. {explaining} Rex: That... makes sense. Though, I'm not sure we have the means for something like that... {thinking} Sui: We could ask the Blossom of Blades. {normal} Rex: What?! Ugh, no, they're useless. It was a miracle you got anything out of them the first time, Sui! Trying again is just gonna be a waste of effort. {incredulous, doubtful} Sui: No, it won't. Because it'll work. The soldier and I, we can talk to them, we can... we can work something out. {determined} Rex: ...fine. If you want to try, fine. But when it doesn't work - which it won't - remember that I told you so. {relenting, doubtful} Yulie: Okay. So you've got two distractions. But you're forgetting the most important problem - there is a GOD to worry about. If she catches on, you're done for. {normal, emphasizing/concerned} Zeph: Y...yeah... We- we need a way t...to make sure she d- does- doesn't show up... {thinking} // You suddenly remember. Tasim told you the Queen wanted to speak to you. Maybe you could get an audience...? // She wanted to meet with me. Everyone: What?! {shocked} *Uncertain how we want to do this, if you want everyone here in the scene to record this and get editors to mix or ignore* // I could get an audience. Rex: ...and... distract her that way... {thinking} Azael: A move with great risk, certainly. But one that solves our remaining problems if successful. {careful} Zeph: Soldier, a...are you s- sure about this? {concerned} // Yes. Rurie: Well, then it's settled! To divert the crown's attention - a strike team at the gates, unrest from the gossip group, and the soldier turning themself in! {decisive, explaining} Quill: There are still several days to go before the Highlands Festival... perhaps it could be wise to detail our- aah- our plans further in that time? {explaining} Azael: Indeed. Though, before we dismiss this strategy meeting... Yusanu, you have been hard at work on that stolen device, yes? {normal} Yusanu: Yeah. I... think I know how it works, but it's... hard to operate - it's very abstract, needing to figure out which glyphs to activate to get an intended result- {explaining} Yusanu: But. One thing we managed to do was... reveal some invisible force in the air. The soldier said it was... dangerous. And it's, uh... kind of everywhere. {explaining} Yusanu: I don't know why the Queen needed this device. But The soldier said they might have an idea, and that they'd tell everyone here. {explaining} // Tell them what you know. // You tell them about the War of the Realms. Of Light and Dark and War. // You tell them about the War of the Realms. Of Light and Dark and War. // You tell them about Corruption. About how it has affected Wynn, and how the recruits Fruma sends help keep it at bay. // You tell them about the Queen. About what she is, what she was. That killing her won't be as easy as- Rex: So what? {unimpressed} // What? Rex: I said, so what? We already knew we were facing up against a god. We already knew that wasn't gonna be easy!! {confident} Zeph: Y...yeah... It's a l- li... a little scary, h- hearing about... a- all that... but we can w...worry about it later, r- ri- right? {agreeing, slightly hesitant} Sui: Doesn't really matter what she is. She's still going to die. {determined/cold} Fuhue: It's good information to have. It'll help us formulate the specifics of our plans better. Master Azael, could I have a word with you? {serious} Azael: Ah, yes, certainly. Very well, everyone is dismissed. Get some rest, while you still can - these next few days will be very busy! {normal} Azael: Everyone has dispersed into various groups... you can talk to them, or go rest right now. {normal} *Not sure if Azael actually says this* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yulie: Hey, soldier. {normal} Yulie: Sigh. This is all... going a bit over my head. {slightly overwhelmed} Yulie: Feels like everyone's forgotten why we tried to stay out of trouble for so long. {slightly frustrated/worried} Yulie: We're making big plans to... storm the Citadel, take down the Crown, kill- kill an actual, living God! {overwhelmed/incredulous} Yulie: And... I don't know. It's too much. It's too risky. What are we going to do if it all fails? {worried/concerned} Yulie: Quill and I, we used to be the ones who considered that. Considered the safety of everyone in the Steel Feather. {explaining} Yulie: And- and look, it sucks that Syndra died, it does. But I really wish she would have left us alone. She got Quill feeling guilty again, and... {empathetic, slightly disapproving/frustrated} Yulie: And there's real stuff to feel guilty about. Of course there is. But there's nothing he can really do about it now. So that guilt isn't really serving a purpose anymore. {concerned} Yulie: ...whatever. At this point, I just have to keep my bros safe. I can't change anything else, so that's all that matters. {resigned} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yusanu: It's... good to see you again, Sui. I- I'm glad you were able to find Rex and Zeph. {happy} Sui: Yeah... it's good. I'm, um, glad you got your brothers back too. {slightly akward} Sui: Um... Yusanu. I wanted to- {slightly appologetic} Yusanu: Hey. It's fine. You don't have to apologize for being upset after... y-yeah. And, it's not like I was exactly being helpful... {reassuring} Yusanu: So. It's alright. Water- ha- under the bridge, right? {lighthearted} Sui: ...heh. Yeah. Alright. {happy/akward} Rex: So, Yusanu, you've been... working on that device, right? How's that been? {curious} Yusanu: Slow... but, I think... I think I'm glad I've had it to work on? Because- because everything at the festival would've still... happened, without it. {explaining} Yusanu: But instead, I've been able to focus on figuring it out instead of... everything else. So I'm glad I had it. I'm... glad we took it. {explaining} Rex: ...that's good. I guess at least something came of it. {positive} Rex: Could you, uh, show us the... thing? The- what did you call it, soldier? "Corruption?" {curious} Yusanu: I can, just... one second. And don't touch it!! {eager, warning} Rex: Hm... weird. And you're saying this is invisible everywhere? {focused} Yusanu: I think so. That's kind of what Soosu was implying. Strands of it tied up in everything... {unsure} Sui: ...strands...? {curious} Sui: Oh. Oh. So that's what... I've been... {thinking} // Sui? Sui: The strands. I've been- I've been seeing them for a while, I just... didn't bring it up, because, ha, we had, um, more important, things, going on- {explaining} Sui: Everything has them. They're not, um, unaffected by the- the raging ocean, but it's more like... like they are the ocean, and- and- {explaining} Rex: Sui, calm down. You're talking too fast. {soft} Sui: I could recognize five of them. I- I usually pull on blue and sometimes white, for my- my magic, but- but- but anyway, I can see them, red-blue-green-white-yellow, but- {explaining} Sui: But it's not just them, there- there was always something else, s-something different, something I could feel but couldn't see, and- a-and- {explaining} Sui: ...and it's that. Right there. That's the s-something, and- and you're saying it's... the Queen? {explaining/thinking} Sui: I- I- I thought The soldier could see it too, and just... wasn't saying anything, so I n-never mentioned it, but... but. But you can't, can you? {explaining} // I don't see them. Sui: ...oh. {disappointed} Sui: Oh, so... so it's just another thing wrong with me. Ha. Okay. That... makes sense. Of... of course. {disappointed} Sui: Of course. {self loathing} Rex: It's not... something wrong with you, Sui. Your magic, it's strong, isn't it? Maybe this is just another part of it. {reassuring} Sui: Maybe. I... need to go think. {doubtful, saddened} Rex: Sigh. {tired} Yusanu: Should we... go after her? {unsure} Rex: I don't think anything we say is gonna get through to her right now. You saw it, she closed herself off at the end there. {tired/explaining} Rex: We can try again later, after she calms down a little. Maybe she'll be more receptive to you than she has been to me. {explaining} Yusanu: Maybe... {unsure} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rurie: Hmph. After that last attack from the crown, it feels like you're getting just a touch too close to my kill count, Cileon! {lighthearted/joking} Cileon: It expected. {mater of fact} Rurie: Cileon! My goodness, how rude of you! My thing has always been being the lethal sneaky assassin, lurking in the shadows... {mocking reprimand} Cileon: Sneaky. {agreeing} Rurie: No no no, but is is true, my dear friend! Well, perhaps not the sneaky part... but the rest remains intact! {disapproving} // You understood all that? Rurie: Hm? Oh, Cileon? Yes, it's quite simple once you get to know them. With just a little bit of squinting, the meaning becomes perfectly clear! {casual} Cileon: Hgmh! {confident} Rurie: Yes, exactly. Good one! {supportive} Cileon: New Fledgelings... {trailing off} Rurie: Ah, we have expanded quite a bit, haven't we? And in such short order too! Fuhue's protocols are in shambles right now! {lighthearted} Rurie: But perhaps it's nice to let them fall by the wayside, for a time. We've met plenty of new friendly faces who would have never stood a chance otherwise! {explaining} Rurie: So all's well that ends well, I suppose. Besides, with these plans of ours, any additional help is appreciated, yes? {casual} Cileon: Ready? {impatient} Rurie: Oh, quiet, you. You know just as well as I that we have a few days left! I don't need to be ready just yet, do I? {teasing} Rurie: But I suppose I'm ready for the coming challenge. I can't remember the last time I felt so excited for a mission to come! Goodness, what a rush. {excited} Cileon: Deraj... Save you. {reminding} Rurie: Ha! Gravity's Monolith, that little old thing? Simple and easy work... And, excuse me, you did NOT save me! I was perfectly capable of getting out of that situation myself, thank you! {lighthearted, offended} Rurie: I simply... ehm... wanted you to do something for once! Yes, silly Cileon, always on the... the back lines. {slightly embarassed, lighthearted repremanding} Cileon: ... {disapproval} Rurie: Oh, don't look at me like that! Yes, yes, fine, I appreciate your help and support as always Cileon. Will that do? {lighthearted, relenting} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yuman: Hey, you, uh... didn't even flinch when I called you princess earlier! My charm must be wearing off, heh. {casual} Zeph: Pfft. Wh...what charm? {incredulous} Yuman: Ah, y'know. My manly man charm! Cause I'm so cool, and strong, and talented, right? {confident} Zeph: Hm... n...no, that d- doesn't sound right... I don't th...think y- you're any of those! {thinking} Yuman: Ouch! My heart, Zeph, my heart! I can't believe it... to think, I'm not cool or strong or talented... how will I ever live now? {mock hurt, dramatic} Zeph: Y- you'll m...manage! {uncaring} Yuman: Hah! Yeah, guess I will. {casual} Yuman: Zeph? {slightly serious} Zeph: Y...yeah? {normal} Yuman: I missed you, man. {sincere} Zeph: Oh. I- I- uh, I m- m- missed you too... {slightly embarrassed} Zeph: You probably shouldn't interrupt their reunion. *This is probablly player dialouge not Zeph. Zeph: S...so... what team do y- you think you'll be on? {akward} Yuman: Probably the main one in the tunnels, if I had to guess. Yulie's not gonna let me out of his sight, I bet. {casual} Zeph: O...okay. Just... b- be careful, okay? {slightly concerned} Yuman: Of course I will! Trust me. Cause, I've made up my mind... {confident} Zeph: Oh? Y...you managed to p- pr- produce a thought? {joking} Yuman: Yep! First one ever, if you can believe it! {sincere} Zeph: Heh. B...but, uh... t- tell me? {curious} Yuman: Nah. Not gonna spoil the surprise. You'll just have to wait and see, my prince. {lighthearted} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kaio: Mmn... you again. {serious} Kaio: I did say this path'd only end in tragedy. Saw it comin' from a mile away. {solemn} Kaio: 'Course, that don't make it any easier. No, it just makes it hurt more the last time you see 'em. {solemn} Kaio: Synny... I knew she was linin' up to burn herself to ash. Hoped the kids could keep her goin', but. Well, y'know how it goes. {knowing} Kaio: But Mora... now that'n hurts. Wasn't destined for nothin', should've had a long life lined up ahead of him. {solemn} Kaio: It's a damn shame. Always is. Always will be. {solemn} Kaio: Maybe you folks'll finally sort things through this time 'round. That'd sure be a nice surprise. {slightly hopeful} Kaio: Ah... well, so it goes, so it goes. It'd be nice to be proven wrong, for once. {solemn} Kaio: You've got more folks to talk to, don't you? No need to waste your time on an old, bitter man like me. {lighthearted} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Azael: Attention, everyone! {calling out} Azael: These past few days, we have all been hard at work, preparing for our assault on the crown! {normal} Azael: Tomorrow, the final Festival of the rotation will begin in full. As such, today, we must make our final preparations, lay out the plans, and get into positions. {explaining} Azael: And, so... allow us to unveil Operation Godslayer! {slightly dramatic} Rex: We're splitting up into four groups, each with their own goals. {serious} Rex: Group 1! The strike team that'll assault the front gates, distracting the crown's forces from our real attack coming from below! {explaining/commanding} Rex: We need to avoid putting ourselves at risk, as much as possible, while still drawing the army's attention. {explaining} Rex: I'll be leading the group, and I'm taking Sui, Zeph, and Cileon with me. {explaining} Rurie: My turn, then? Group 2, we're taking the citadel's Market Square by force! Through those neverending tunnels within the plateau, we'll strike where they least expect it! {explaining} Rurie: We'll be taking most of our forces - Fuhue, Yuman, Yulie, as well as the rest of the Canopy. {explaining} Quill: Ah, I'll be handling our third group. We will be responsible for communications and intelligence. Once the second group completes their objective, we will join them. {explaining} Quill: Yusanu, you are with me. And Captain Rurie, I will need your two best owls. {explaining} Azael: And, lastly... the soldier. Our fourth and final group. You, alone, will enter the citadel, with the aim of receiving an audience with the Queen. {explaining} Azael: Our plan hinges on your success... we need her, and as many Sovereigns as possible, distracted until our operation is completed. {explaining} Azael: Once word of The soldier's capture reaches us, we will strike. We will assault the gates, and we will take control of a sector of the citadel! {explainng} Azael: For now, we will split up. Groups 1 and 4 will travel to Hyloch, and stay the night in preparation for tomorrow. {explaining} Sui: Soldier, we'll have to stop by the Blossom of Blades, too... We, um, need to see if we can get them to play their part. {explaining} Azael: Very well. That will be all! May fortune favour us on this coming day, and see us victorious in the end! {announcing} Quill: This is... quite the task you've signed yourself up for, isn't it? {explaining/heavy} Quill: To think... you- aah- you're from beyond the province's walls. You have no stake in this conflict, and yet... {empathetic} Quill: ...well. We will forever be in your debt, if all goes to plan. I pray your mission will succeed. {sincere} Azael: Well, as we will not be seeing each other until this concludes... {explaining} Azael: Good luck. We will have an owl shadowing you, so we will know when to proceed. {explaining} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yuman: Man, I can't wait to get out there and kick some soldier ass! {slightly eager} Yuman: Ugh, can't tomorrow be here already? I'm sick of waiting around! {impatient} // In a hurry? Yuman: Uh... yeah? I can't stay stuck here in this little cave for the rest of my life! I got things to do, places to be! {matter of fact} // Just ask him out already... Yuman: HUH!!! Pfft- uh- erm- huh- you-.... how'd you, uh... know...? {shocked, embarrassed} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rurie: Goodness, back off to Hyloch, are you? I'm very happy not to be joining you, thank you very much. {knowing, teasing} Rurie: But best of luck to you regardless! Find a good way to sneak Cileon in, eh? {friendly/upbeat} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yusanu: Sigh... another day I'm not on the front lines. Maybe Sui was right... {disappointed} Yusanu: ... Whatever. I know I'm not the best fighter. So... I guess I'll do what I can from here. {normal} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cileon: Hmgh- {aknowledging} Cileon: See later. Hotel. {short} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yulie: ...don't die out there. {concerned} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fuhue: Hm. soldier. Good luck out there. {serious} Fuhue: I should inform you that if you are to fail, the rest of our operation will fall apart as well. {serious} Fuhue: So, don't mess up. No pressure. {serious} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newspaper Merchant: Hello again- You really do just keep catching me at the worst times. {mock repremanding} Newspaper Merchant: The shop is all closed up for the night. Though, out of curiosity, did you happen to catch today's edition? {informing, focused} // The password is MOVE. Newspaper Merchant: I- oh dear! That's not formal conduct at all- {disapproving} Sui: Ugh, we don't have time for this. Get out of the way. {annoyed/impatient} // ...uh, Sui- Violent Heather: -nothing to do with the news, I just wanted to ask if I could change my codename? Turns out my aunt just had a daughter named Heather, and- {casual} Crimson Dagger: Ah, put a pin in that for a second? You two, latecomers? Water Grass, Shadow Bush, we have guidelines for these meetings- {interrupting, serious} Dusk Garden: No, Crim, you put a sock in it! These two are banned from the Blossom! {furious} Thorn Blade: Wait, banned?! For what reason? {taken aback} Resistance Members: *dramatic murmuring* {murmuring} *idk bro* Dusk Garden: These two were caught fighting Crown soldiers and openly resisting arrest nearby House Thalas! They're putting our whole operation at risk just being here! {informing/urgent} Dusk Garden: It's just like Toxic Thistle! They went gallivanting off who knows where, talking about much the same, and here we are in the same position- It can't happen again! {worried, determined} Bleeding Rose: Th-They- I was right?! Camellia, I was- {processing, looking for approval} Wilted Camellia: Hush!! Hush, you're already on thin ice- Uh, wow! Really? {annoyed, taken aback} Sui: What operations, exactly? {probing} Dusk Garden: Excuse me?! Without us here, spreading the truth and keeping up with the times, the Resistance would- {offended/defensive} Sui: We'd never even heard of you before we got here. You've been doing nothing! {impatient/frustrated} Sui: We were planning on asking you for help... but I guess that's out the window! {serious/annoyed} Sui: And at least we've got people that can do more than just... complain in a talentless editorial!!! {annoyed/frustrated} Resistance Members: *scandalized gasping* {dramatic} *omg* Violent Heather: ...you know what? I thought Dusk might've been overreacting before, but after that? Yeah. You're not wanted here! Get out! {threatening, serious/angry} Crimson Dagger: Openly flouting the Crown is a risk we can't take. Dusk Garden is right. I support the vote. {serious} Thorn Blade: They were late, too. That's important. {serious} Dusk Garden: So, you rabblerousers- For defying the Crown in such an unsafe way and jeopardizing our important work- {serious/announcing a verdict} Thorn Blade: And for being late! {interjecting} Dusk Garden: ... {silent} Dusk Garden: And for being late, you're hereby banned from the Blossom of Blades! Any objections? {slightly thrown off, passing judgement} Bleeding Rose: I- {hesitant} Wilted Camellia: Rose- {serious/disapproving} Wilted Camellia: ... {tense} Bleeding Rose: ... {unsure} Sui: ... Not even you, huh? {annoyed} Sui: Fine. Fine! We'll come up with something else, then!! {resolute} Sui: Soldier, let's get out of here. {disapproving} Sui: I don't know what I expected... ugh!! I just thought maybe, they could... {frustrated/annoyed} Sui: Whatever. Rex was right, after all. They're not worth- {disapproving/condescending} Bleeding Rose: W-W-W-WAAAAIT!! {urgent/desperate} Sui: Wha- {taken aback} Bleeding Rose: Gaaah, ohohooowww... {pained} // What was that for? Bleeding Rose: Aaah, sorrysorrysorry! I couldn't stop in time, I- {genuine/appologizing, defensive} // We get it, we're out. Bleeding Rose: No, nononono, that's not what- Sorry, sorry!! That was an accident, I promise! {urgent, appologetic} // Are you alright? Bleeding Rose: Ugf...y-yeah. Sorry, I just, I had to catch up to you, I got running, and- {pained, explaining/appologetic} Bleeding Rose: Look, I... A-anything. I want to help. Please, please let me help! {explaining, slightly desperate/eager} Sui: ...really? You didn't stand up for us at the meeting, but... {doubtful} Sui: What's different with you? Why do you want to help, when- when nobody else will!! {resolute, frustrated/angry} Bleeding Rose: ...I... It's... Look, when I stumbled onto them, the Blossom, I thought- I always thought it'd be...more than...that. {explaining} Bleeding Rose: Hyloch gets a lot of news. You can't escape the gossip, the rumors. And, I've always wanted to try and help people. I'm not blind that...that I have it easy here. {explaining} Bleeding Rose: I want to do something, for people who aren't so lucky, but- But- I'm aware, that's all I am! I, I'm not smart, I'm not strong, I'm not sneaky, or, or anything! {explaining/desperate} Bleeding Rose: I thought that, that maybe, the Blossom would give me some kind of...direction. Teach me, point me at something I could do, or handle, but- {explaining/hopeful} Bleeding Rose: It's just...more news! Hearing that it's even worse than I knew! And they're all in the same boat- They don't know what to do, and they're too scared to let anyone try! {explaining/disappointed} Bleeding Rose: I can barely sleep, or, or keep food down, or get through the day without getting completely derailed thinking about other people suffering and how I'm not doing anything to stop it! {explaining/frustrated} Sui: I- {hesitant} Bleeding Rose: If you interrupt I'm not gonna be able to keep talking please shut up til I'm done. {stubborn} Bleeding Rose: All I've got is showing up. Being here. But that's not enough, that's not...anything! It's more than most people do, sure, but what does that matter to, to, to... {explaining, desperate} Bleeding Rose: To some...Agricultural District man who can't feed himself? Or some Auburn family that gets broken up cause their mom accidentally badmouths the Queen and gets jailed? {explaining} Bleeding Rose: But you! You're getting out there, you're taking the risks! You've got plans, and direction, and, and I've got to do something or else I'll go crazy! {aspiring} Bleeding Rose: So...please. Tell me...tell me what I can do. Let me be useful, for once in my stupid freaking life, instead of sitting here like a depressed lump in the lap of luxury. {desperate} Wilted Camellia: ...I had no idea this was such a burden on you, Rose. I knew you were worried, but...I didn't realize how much. {understanding} Bleeding Rose: It...it's... It's been like this for years. I don't know how much more I can handle, and I feel so selfish for saying that, when I'm...here. {explaining} Sui: You... really are serious, huh? {taken aback, understanding} Sui: Well... um. We- we have big plans, and... with your ties to the papers, maybe we can make it happen. {explaining} Sui: We're going to kill Sovereign Majin, and topple the Queen's hold on Fruma. {explaining} Bleeding Rose: Wh- You- For real?! {shocked} Sui: So- so we need you to spread the word. Do whatever you can to make it big news, and... and get everyone here in an uproar about it at the festival tomorrow. {explaining} Sui: We, um. We need that distraction to pull it off. So... are you up for it? {explaining, hopeful} Bleeding Rose: ...I... ...I... {uncertain/overwhelmed} Wilted Camellia: ...Rose. I think we can do this. I have a printing press at home. {reassuring} Bleeding Rose: You're...C-Camellia, you're actually with me this time? {suprised} Wilted Camellia: Yeah. I've been saying "next time for sure" enough. It's time to put my money where my mouth is. {resolute} Wilted Camellia: We'll...we'll make calling cards. Spread them around. You're good with words, and art- you can handle the design. {explaining} Bleeding Rose: And you'll...f-finally, we'll... I can actually... Thank you! Both of you! You can...definitely count on us! {cheerful} Sui: I'm... glad there's still people willing to help. Even here. {releived} Sui: We should, um, get some rest. Before tomorrow. Come on, let's get back to the hotel. {normal} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gendarme Soldier: HALT! {commanding/urgent} Gendarme Soldier: Wait... You're... {relizing/alarmed} Gendarme Soldier: I REQUIRE ASSISTANCE! {urgent/alarmed} Capital Soldier: You... you're the soldier. The most wanted terrorist in the province. {tense} Capital Soldier: Soldiers! Don't let down your guard. {urgent/serious/commanding} // I'm turning myself in. Capital Soldier: ...what. That was... easy... {uncertain/confused} Gendarme Soldier: Didn't that one Sovereign say... {confused} Capital Soldier: How could she have possibly...? {confused} Capital Soldier: Doesn't matter. Soldier, you are under arrest for terrorism and multiple counts of first degree murder! {serious/commanding} Her Majesty: Sovereigns. We meet here today to discuss this ongoing headache which has persisted for far too long. {formal, mildly annoyed} Sovereign Majin: And why has it persisted, I wonder? Perhaps, could it be- {inquiring/slightly hinting} Sovereign Zhiraok: Don't even start, Thalas. In fact, let me begin the summation! The simplest form of the problem is that we don't have our full numbers devoted to a solution! {serious/disapproving, confident} Sovereign Zhiraok: I fought the Cursed nearly to a standstill, and my power's only increased since then! I can divide them out if you plug me into the equation again. {explaining/confident} Sovereign Majin: Oh, and you're the man for the job? Behold, the oh-so-great Sovereign Zhiraok "Third time's the estimated solution" Nasin! How terrifying. {belittling, mocking} Sovereign Zhiraok: You mindless monomial- If you want me to ennumerate on your flaws, I'll factor that in right away! Let's look at the tally! {furious} Sovereign Zhiraok: Soosu messed up my calculations and let them escape, and still won't say why! And Sovereign Gikyo was divided by 0 degrees after they tried to apprehend the Cursed! {frustrated} Sovereign Tasim: As if that's a loss to be mourned. Good riddance. {secretly happy} Sovereign Majin: Now now, settle down. Yes, perhaps our ranger had their... mmm, psychotic tendencies? I certainly wouldn't have wanted to cross them on a bad day! {casual, lighthearted} Sovereign Majin: But still, they proved a valuable asset! Who will train our changeling spies now? And how long might it take to train a replacement? Years? Dec- {positive, concerned} Sovereign Zhiraok: And YOU, Thalas! A TOUR?! All this power and mastery you can't drop your decibels over and you use NONE of it, you factoring fraud?! {furious} Sovereign Two: It seemed unlikely they would give up their information if met with aggression. It was the preferable outcome. {defending/calm} Sovereign Zhiraok: Remember the order of operations? If the Cursed remains a variable here you won't be able to input that important data for your mission elsewhere- and you're overlooking an obvious angle! {concerned/serious} Sovereign Zhiraok: Instead of wasting the lives of our soldiers- our people- You could've gotten the info, and then used some of that "phenomenal cosmic power" while their back was turned! {accusing/serious} Sovereign Zhiraok: And Sovereign Tasim, I'm sorry to say, your prior intersections with the Cursed equal out to a conflict of interest. You've let that rogue integer go how many times now? {accusing} Sovereign Tasim: ...it won't be a concern anymore. {serious} Sovereign Zhiraok: At least your irrationality has a basis. I'd be a hypocrite to act otherwise. But your duties to the crown are more important. {understanding} Sovereign Zhiraok: And has anyone else got an excuse for being so obtuse? I'm not hearing any yet! {accusing} Gendarme Commander: Apologies for the disruption, Sovereigns, Your Majesty. The Spymaster requested she be alerted regarding certain events. {meek} Sovereign Two: Yes, thank you, Lord Commander. I'm afraid I'll need to take my leave for the time being. Carry on without me. {calm} Sovereign Zhiraok: And there's my answer!! No one else has anything to say, our Spymaster can't even be bothered to share her intel, and the problem. Remains. Unsolved! {accusing} Her Majesty: That is enough, Sovereign Nasin! Your frustration is understandable, but- {resolute} Sovereign Zhiraok: With all due respect, Your Majesty, we are exponentially far past frustration! A killer at large, and the objectively most well-suited person to solve the problem is...benched?! {concerned} Sovereign Zhiraok: I've only grown stronger since my failures, and only interference stopped me the second time! No one else is suited for this, the plan is obvious- {explaining} Sovereign Majin: Why, a plan! My, what a wonderful idea- we're finally getting somewhere! Goodness, I thought we'd never hear the end of it. {condescending} Sovereign Majin: Your Majesty, if the Sovereign Nasin has finally concluded his needless tirade, may I take the floor? {condescending} Sovereign Zhiraok: YOU- {furious} Her Majesty: You may, Sovereign Thalas. {calm} Sovereign Majin: How wonderful. Now, as Zhiraok had just helpfully revealed, the Spymaster and I had something of a meeting with our delightfully persistent blight. {explaining} Sovereign Majin: The details are not important- any information gleaned has already made its way to those who need it! Which would be... ah, everyone here besides Nasin! Funny how things work out, mmn? {explaining, mocking} Sovereign Zhiraok: WHAT IS- {furious} Sovereign Majin: As for why we did not take them in, then and there? They are not the heart of this disease of rebellion. If we remove one, we only galvanize the rest. {explaining} Sovereign Majin: We must carve them out in one fell swoop. To that end - our dear Spymaster had placed a tracking spell on their two lovely rescued companions. {explaining} Sovereign Majin: We know where they are hiding out, and the Wings have been stationed in wait for our signal to strike. Our enemies are cornered. {explaining} Her Majesty: Excellent work, Majin. Once this meeting has adjourned, I expect your soldiers to capture them promptly. {approving} Her Majesty: This ordeal is tiring... unfortunately, it would seem one execution has proven not to be enough. {slightly tired, slightly ominous} Her Majesty: Had that brat, Soosu, not thrown her tantrum, perhaps it would have been manageable. But the people are beginning to talk. And we cannot allow such unrest. {disapproving, concerned} Her Majesty: We will execute the remaining dissidents at the festival, and finally rid ourselves of this lasting annoyance. {resolute} Sovereign Tasim: Is that really necessary? If you can take them all captive, you've already solved the problem. It just seems- {hesitant} Sovereign Majin: It's simply a matter of sending a message, Sovereign. Show the public what happens to those who turn against the crown, and it dissuades them from following in those footsteps! {explaining} Sovereign Majin: Really, I understand you're new around here, but catch up, would you? The rest of us don't have the time or patience to wait around while you... ah, get with the program. {disapproving/belittling} Sovereign Zhiraok: ... {seething} Soosu: ... {silent} // Soosu? Soosu: Oh. It's you. So they got you in the end, then. {uninterested} Soosu: I did kinda expect that to happen. Was just looking for a way out, and... figured it'd be better to try than not. {casual} Soosu: Yus still doing alright out there? Can't say I really... care about the rest of you. {curious, honest} // He is. Soosu: Hm! Well, that's good. Good he's still got a chance at life, unlike... {slightly positive, solomn} Soosu: ...well, s'not like I was living much anyway, so. Really, what's the difference? {uncareing} Soosu: Oh, sure, she can dismantle all my golems all she wants! Take them apart piece by piece by PIECE right in front of me!!! {coping} Soosu: It's not like I've already DONE THAT a million times already! It's not like SHE'S the one who taught me that method of stress relief in the FIRST PLACE, noooo, no no no, now it's special !! {hysterical} Soosu: And so what if it is!!! SO WHAT if I had to watch Flowers fall apart BIT by little BIT!!! SO WHAT if she'll keep me STUCK here forever and ever and ever and EVER!!! {hysterical} Soosu: It's all just the same. Not alive, not dead, just STUCK!! Only this time, it's all out in the open for everyone to see. {listless/frustrated} Soosu: So who cares. Really, who cares? Z'll run my district better than I ever did. That's all anyone cares about, anyway. {solemn} Sovereign Two: Once more we meet, soldier. Though this time, it seems you have played the first hand. {slightly intrigued} Sovereign Two: So, this is the path you wish to take? A risk, certainly... you cannot guarantee a favorable result. {normal} Sovereign Two: Will it pay off, I wonder? Or have you thrown your life away for nothing? {curious} Sovereign Two: ...I suppose we'll find out in due time. {light} Sovereign Two: These cells are quite the marvel, aren't they? A complex netting which suppresses all magic within. It's almost like a dead zone in the Weave... but not quite. {explaining} Sovereign Two: It's remarkable work, Soosu. I'd never seen anything like it before. It has certainly proven useful many times in the decades since its invention. {approving} Sovereign Two: Have you reconsidered my proposal yet? The option remains open, as always. {normal} Sovereign Two: Hm. Well, regardless, I should inform you that Her Majesty is scheduled for another visit tonight. {normal} Soosu: I don't care. {blunt} Sovereign Two: Mmn. If you insist. {uncareing} Sovereign Two: You are very fortunate, soldier, that I'm the one here to collect you. You'll have your audience with Her Majesty. {explaining} Sovereign Two: Let's see if your gamble pays off, shall we? {anticipating} Sovereign Two: Follow me. {normal} Sovereign Two: Stand here. {normal} Sovereign Majin: Oh, for heavens' sake- Spymaster, what is the meaning of this?! Why are they here? {slightly annoyed} Sovereign Two: They had requested an audience with Her Majesty. A possibility which had been communicated to them prior. {normal} Sovereign Zhiraok: What is this miscalculation?! We are all together with the murderer, they've got zero chance to win! Your Majesty, ple- {incredulous} Her Majesty: Sovereign Nasin, I have just about had enough of your interruptions today. I will permit them this audience. {slightly annoyed, resolute} Her Majesty: You have been a thorn in my side ever since you first arrived in my province, it would seem. Quite the annoyance. {threatening/annoyed} Her Majesty: And it would seem it is indeed your presence which has galvanized each assorted group of petulant children into action! {annoyed} Her Majesty: So perhaps my dear Sovereign is right. Why should I grant you this allowance? I would be well within my right to execute you alongside your companions. {threatening} Her Majesty: And yet, certainly, you would prove a valuable ally in the coming days. You've proven your value in maintaining Their balance. {thinking} Her Majesty: But in the end, it falls on you to prove whether or not you are worth the effort. You have come here willingly, which is the first step. Now, take the second. {normal} // What are you planning? Her Majesty: Oh, I suppose it makes no difference if you know or not. Either you are aligned with us, or you are out of the picture entirely. {uncaring, explaining} Her Majesty: What are we planning? To delve deep into the Dark's Claim itself, to root out the source of its added weight on the scales. {explaining} Her Majesty: It has acquired power beyond its means, and if it is not dealt with, that little parasite you killed will prove only the beginning of its conquest. {explaining} Her Majesty: Therein lies the reason for the tournament, all those weeks ago. To select a candidate for the task. Powerful, knowledgeable, loyal. {explaining} Her Majesty: And so, for one final time, I will give this opportunity to you. Show me whether you may be considered an asset, or if you are nothing more than the nuisance you have shown yourself to be. {explaining} // How do I prove it? Her Majesty: How, indeed... you have cost me two of my Sovereigns thus far, have disrupted the yearly Festival rotation, and have killed dozens of my soldiers. {explaining/mildly annoyed} Her Majesty: It is no simple task, making up for such acts. And I would require significant assurance that it will not happen again. {explaining} Her Majesty: Perhaps, the truth of the matter is that you cannot. You have caused me far, far too many problems to simply- {explaining} Gendarme Commander: Sovereigns! Your Majesty! The terrorists...they have launched an assault on the Citadel gates! {urgent} Gendarme Commander: And the people of Hyloch...they are in a panic from a dissident's proclamation...the imminent death of a Sovereign! {urgent} Sovereign Zhiraok: ANOTHER?! I swear, if we ignore a statement of that value- {alert} Sovereign Majin: Oh, shut it, Nasin. {belittling} Sovereign Majin: Commander, explain the situation on the way. Worry not, Your Majesty, I'll take care to ensure the fruition of our discussed plans for the festival. {reassuring} Her Majesty: ...very well. See to it. {normal} Her Majesty: A clever ploy, I will grant you that. But I tire of these games. You have proven yourself a waste of effort. You will be afforded no more opportunities. {normal} Her Majesty: Sovereign Two, I expect you to dispose of this problem of ours. {commanding} Her Majesty: In the meantime... it would seem the populace has forgotten who holds control in this province. Perhaps they could use a reminder. {slightly threatening} Her Majesty: Sovereign Zhiraok, Sovereign Tasim. I expect the two of you to join me for the festival. {commanding} Sovereign Zhiraok: I...fine. Yes, Your Majesty. {relenting} Sovereign Tasim: ...this is really where you choose to stand your ground? {disapproving} Sovereign Tasim: ... Goodbye, soldier. {resolute} // What are your terms? Her Majesty: They are very simple. Denounce your allies, and allow this little rebellion to be washed away once more, as it has many times before. {normal} Her Majesty: You are not special, you know. The people do have the knack for rising up in such childish tantrums. But as has been proven time and time again, nothing is beyond my means to bury. {belittling} Her Majesty: So. What will it be? Have you come to your senses? Or- {inquiring} // I won't join you. Her Majesty: A disappointing outcome... but not altogether unexpected. I did not think you would change your stance so quickly. {slightly dissappointed} Her Majesty: Truly, then, all you have done is wasted my time. And that, I am afraid I will not abide. {mildly annoyed} Her Majesty: You will not see the light of day again, soldier. Your allies will fall, and you will not see it happen, but you will know- {oppressing} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sovereign Two: ... {silent} Sovereign Two: How fortunate for you. It seems the cards keep falling in your favour. {normal} // So will you let me go? Sovereign Two: Do not get ahead of yourself. I am still deciding. {normal} Sovereign Two: It would be simpler to dispose of you now. Every notion, each flaw - you have proven them true countless times over. {explaining} Sovereign Two: What use do I have for an unpredictable actor, when there are many more reliable options resting in the wings? {explaining} Sovereign Two: But now that you are a known variable, in your absence, it would seem the shards destabilize. Why? I cannot fathom the reason. {explaining/slightly intrigued} Sovereign Two: Then I am left with only one option. It is unfavorable... but I suppose it will have to do. {slightly reluctant} Sovereign Two: You will bear witness to the uncountable shards of shattered futures. You will see the coming end. And you will prove to me you are a worthwhile alternative. {explaining} Sovereign Two: Is this your reflection? Emptiness? A bottomless well where your self should be stored? {intrigued} Sovereign Two: And yet, you seem hardly affected by the lack... how peculiar. Is this the source of your strength? {intrigued} Sovereign Two: How very troubling. But for now... it will do nicely. Perhaps you will finally come to understand. {normal} Sovereign Two: A shard. Actions taken, decisions made, and the consequences that spiral outwards on and on and on. {normal} Sovereign Two: This should seem familiar. Will you put the pieces together? {inquiring} Sovereign Two: The Shade, the Neverending Night, the Darkness lurking in the deep... lying in wait for the right time to strike. {normal} Sovereign Two: It holds the upper hand, you know. Even with your recent strikes against it. And oh, it has grown to hate you for that, hasn't it? {explaining} Sovereign Two: Do you expect it to hold back? Its nature is to take, consume, repurpose. And it finally holds the means. {explaining} Sovereign Two: And another. Different actions, different decisions, yet the results remain conclusive. Mirrored, in all the ways which matter. {normal} Sovereign Two: Do you see? Do you see it now? The futility? The nigh-inevitability of the coming end? {normal} Sovereign Two: The Dawn, the Piercing Radiance, the Light which casts judgement from above. Blinding all who dare stand in its way. {normal} Sovereign Two: It plays at divinity, claims benevolence... but its nature is no different from the Shade. It will discard the pieces on the board once they no longer serve a purpose. {explaining} Sovereign Two: Removing one actor is not enough. Removing both is near-impossible. What option does that leave? {explaining} Sovereign Two: And here, the final bitter truth. You claim to care for our province? For the people living within? {inquiring} Sovereign Two: Then look upon this final outcome... and do not turn your gaze. {normal} Sovereign Two: Through inaction, this is where the future leads. Dawn or Dusk, it matters not - all will fall to ruin. {explaining} Sovereign Two: If not Her, who would tip the scales? {inquiring} Sovereign Two: Would anyone dare? {inquiring} Sovereign Two: Would you? {inquiring} Sovereign Two: ... How long has it been, now? Years and years and years... all of it erased, destroyed, and still I remain. {explaining} Sovereign Two: It was the only choice I could have made, then. Anyone else would have done the same. {explaining} Sovereign Two: Even now, knowing what I do... would I have followed through? Would I have still...? {thinking} Sovereign Two: I should not expect answers from ghosts. If it's all to be forgotten... so be it. They're my mistakes to bear. {accepting} Sovereign Two: ...ah. I see now my error. Very clever, traversing the shards and reaching through the fractured web into my own past. {relizing} Sovereign Two: But you are not entitled to this intrusion. And you will receive nothing more. {normal} Sovereign Two: Emerge. {normal} Sovereign Two: A satisfactory showing. Perhaps you will manage to surprise me, after all. {satisfied} Sovereign Two: Then I will leave the rest to fate. Either you live, or you die. Both outcomes will resolve favorably. {normal} Sovereign Two: If you are so desperate to change this province... prove it. {normal} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rurie: Hey soldier! Quick! {urgent} Rurie: No time to stay and chat! Come with me. {urgent} Rurie: ...phew! Finally, some time to breathe. "Lightly defended" is perhaps an understatement... though, that's just Aelumia Citadel for you! {slightly tired, explaining} Rurie: Ah... goodness. We're used to battling regional guards, or constables - perhaps a wing at most, rarely? But they simply do not compare to these gendarme. {tired, slightly frustrated} Rurie: We have... learned that the hard way. Three casualties. Two foxes, and one owl. {grim} Rurie: Preparations are in order for burial rites, but we are still deep in the operation! No time to grieve just yet. {serious} Rurie: They knew the risks, as do we all. Joining the Canopy - properly, mind you, not like you did - comes with a willingness to die for the cause, if necessary. {explaining/solemn} Rurie: ...but enough about that! You live! Standing before me, in one piece and not entirely disintegrated! I take it all went well on your end? {curious} // For the most part. Rurie: Excellent! You know, you were beginning to worry us a little. You were in there quite a while longer than we expected. {explaining} // Well enough! Rurie: However well enough it was, it would seem it was plenty good enough for our needs! So, I suppose we can write this one off as a success. {casual} // Eh... Rurie: Well, it could always be worse! As I mentioned- disintegration was one such proposed outcome... Fuhue really does have the strangest ideas about "fun." {positive, explaining, shuddering // Not really. Rurie: Hm... well, I would think "not really" would mean "rotting in prison for all of time," but I suppose we have different definitions. {lighthearted} Rurie: In any case - welcome to the market square? Quite a lovely place, isn't it? {casual} Rurie: We, ah... are holding some residents captive, in the hopes the crown will be less likely to go on a full offense! What with all the high-standing citizens around. {casual/explaining} Rurie: Not to worry, though, we do not plan on hurting innocent people! Physically, at least - emotionally could not be helped, given the whole... holding hostage thing. {explaining/reasuring} Rurie: You'll be happy to hear we recently received word from our owls that the gates assault group has returned to Hyloch! We'll be working to get them in here soon. {explaining} Rurie: What else, what else... owls are stationed on a rotation to defend the walls and keep watch. Foxes are ready to defend the front gates at a moment's notice. {explaining} Rurie: If you'd like a detailed schedule, you'll have to find Fuhue - it's too much information to keep hold of, personally! {normal} Rurie: Speaking of, the others would surely be glad to hear you're safe! Go on and tell them, would you? {urging} Rurie: Well, go on! Find the others and tell them you're safe, would you? {urging} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yuman: Ey, soldier, you made it!!! {glad} Yuman: How did it go? {curious} // I'm alive! Yuman: As for me... I got to join one of the Fox units. We're defending the zone from assaults from the crown! {explaining} Yuman: It... feels good. Finally getting to get my hands dirty, and make a difference. Yulie never would've let me do something like this before. {explaining} Yuman: ...I don't think I'd have had the courage for it, if it wasn't for Zeph. {explaining} Yuman: Like... I dunno. He barely even hesitated back in the Roughworks, before jumping in to help a random woman he didn't even know!! {explaining, slightly admiring} Yuman: And... I want to be like that, y'know? Confident enough to do that sorta thing. {explaining} Yuman: ...don't, uh, tell him I said all that though!! Ha. It's a little embarrassing to actually say out loud. {embarrased} Yuman: You're gonna head over to him and the others soon though, right? Tell him... uh... something. That I hope he's okay? I dunno, I'll come up with something. {normal, casual} // Slight issues. Yuman: Yeah? Can't say that's surprising, since... y'know. Dealing with the Queen. {normal} Yuman: Y'know, it's nice to finally get a break from guarding for a bit! I've been at it for hours... {relieved/casual} Yuman: Hey, have you talked to Azael yet? He's in the command center they've set up in the bank. {normal} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yulie: Oh, soldier, you're alright! That's a relief. {relieved} Yulie: I'd ask you for more details... but somehow I've ended up with responsibilities here. Sigh. {tired} Yulie: I've been trying to help Fuhue keep the owl units on schedule... but, DAMN! {explaining, frustrated/tired} Yulie: Why is everything so precise?! The current squad needs to switch out at... exactly 3:13! Why?! Who needs this level of specificity?! {complaining/irritated} Yulie: Sigh... it's nearly time for the next unit rotation. Talk to you later. {tired} Yulie: ...have you talked to Azael and Quill yet? I think they were waiting for news about you, in the bank. {normal} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fuhue: Oh, not now. UGH! Where did those deers put today's evening rations?! {annoyed, frustrated/irritated} Fuhue: Oh. It's you. {normal} Fuhue: You didn't get killed. Good. {normal} // Appreciate the concern. Fuhue: You're welcome. {normal} // Disappointed? Fuhue: Hm? No. Simply stating an observation. {normal} Fuhue: Either way. I had the deers bring rations and equipment with us, but in the chaos it seems they have not followed my established sorting system! Everything is a mess. {explaining, slightly frustrated/irritated} Fuhue: And now not only do I need to maintain schedules for the foxes and owls, because Rurie is a mess, but I also have to find where our supplies are! {explaining/frustrated/irritated} Fuhue: At least Yulie has offered to help keep track of the owls' movements. That's one less thing to worry about. {normal} Fuhue: I need to get back to finding tonight's food supplies. Maybe you can go be useful elsewhere? {normal} Fuhue: ... You could try telling Master Azael you're alive. He'll be in the command station in the bank. {normal} Fuhue: Weapon crates... check. Water... check. {focused} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quill: ...and we've heard nothing from Hyloch? {inquiring} Azael: Not yet, I am afraid. The festival will be starting within an hour or so, though... {informing/slightly appologetic} Yusanu: Soldier, you're back! {happy} Azael: Ah, how wonderful! You have survived. That makes three of four teams now accounted for. {slightly glad} // Three? Azael: Yes... it would seem the owls are struggling to get ahold of group 1. {normal} // I thought we'd heard from them? Quill: We did, shortly after the attack. But since then, owls have been struggling to make contact. They should have arrived at the hotel, but... {explaining/worried} Yusanu: I'm starting to worry... I know we don't have instant communication, but even still, it's been a while... {concerned} Azael: Hmm. Military activity has increased drastically ever since we took control. We know the owls are struggling to move from here to Hyloch. {explaining/thinking} Azael: It could be something, or it could very well be nothing. There is little we can do but wait. {explaining} Rurie: Master Azael! Oh, ah, and others- news have arrived from the owls! {urgent} Azael: Good, or bad? {serious} Rurie: Bad, I fear. There's quite the commotion in Hyloch - the streets are crawling with soldiers, and the people of the city have been gathered on the festival grounds. {grim/explaining} Quill: Ahead of schedule... do we know which Sovereigns are present? {thinking, serious} Rurie: Thalas, naturally. And likely the Queen as well, given the circumstances. {explaining/serious} Yusanu: Damn it... we need to get people to Hyloch! Our- our friends, they're- {concerned/worried} Rurie: Yes, we must, but I cannot afford to leave my position here... and I don't believe we can spare any of our fighters... {stressed} // I'll go. Rurie: Ah! Yes, that will do. Come, I'll show you the way out of the citadel. {relieved} Quill: Soldier... good luck. We- aah- we cannot afford to lose any more of our people. Get them back to us safely... {sincere/serious} Rurie: Soldier, right this way! {calling out} Rurie: Use this tunnel - it'll bring you near the entrance of the citadel. When you're done, use it from the other side to get back to us... {explaining} Rurie: ...though, ah, take care not to let any of the crown's soldiers follow you through? I'm not sure we can afford the stress! {explaining} Rurie: We're nearing the end, just got to stick the landing. Now, go get 'em! {positive} Rurie: Take care out there, soldier. {sincere} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Businessman: Grumble... grumble grumble... {wronged/annoyed} Businessman: ...As if it wasn't already enough that I missed that train and had to buy ANOTHER ticket... {frustrated/annoyed} Businessman: ...I get home and an insurgency has taken over the damn place??? What is going on??? {irritated/annoyed} Businessman: OH, OH, AND JUST AS I THOUGHT IT COULDN'T GET WORSE, LOOK WHO SHOWS UP TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY. YOU. {irritated/furious} Businessman: SO, WHAT, HUH? WHAT'S GOING ON? IS THIS ALL SOME SORT OF... DIVINE PUNISHMENT FOR THE WAY I SPOKE TO YOU BACK OUTSIDE THE SUBWAY??? I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, OKAY??? PLEASE... MAKE IT END!!! {furious/annoyed, mock apology, desperate} // No. Businessman: GAAAAHH!!! FINE!!! LEAVE ME IN MY MISERY THEN!!! {annoyed/frustrated} Arnol: This is it, we stand at the precipice of change... {anticipating} Arnol: With your help, the resistance can create a better future for Fruma, and put an end to this madness! {confident/determined}