Rising from the ashes

Lepido turns towards the…individual? Message? In question, eyes red with fury-which, admittedly, isn’t a rare look on him.

No one desires notoriety for things outside of their control, much less constant threats on their very life for said attributes! No one should need to do anything-to prove themself, to bare some terrible secret, to share their all with complete strangers-just to keep these horrid threats off of their doorstep! Do you honestly believe that people do not have the right to SOME privacy!? Do you not think matters such as medical history or past would fall among that right?

And even if he did say he was a vampire, whether that ridiculous theory held any merit or not, what, exactly, oh-so WISE and POWERFUL individual behind the mask, even think it will accomplish? It “might” make it stop. Or it might spark a hunt, or fill his harassers with vindication, or inspire others to poke and prod at his limits even more so!

Oh, goodness, thank you… I was about to say the same thing. Even if I…gave in, and said, “Oh yes, I’m a vampire!” that would just lead to more harassment! Or a witch hunt! Or in this case a vampire hunt…

H-hopefully that Yggdroid friend of Xiang’s should be arriving soon… Maybe she can help defend me against harassment. I-I know that’s a horrible thing to have to say, really, it is, but it’s what we have to contend with, and Lis and Bertrand aren’t all-powerful.

Um… Thank you again. My guildmates have spoken of you in varying ways… Some hate you, others are nervous about you… Miku seems to like you well enough, but even she is wary… Um, but you do seem like a good person, even if you do have a temper! It really isn’t all that different from Junpei when you think about it. Maybe he’s so angry at you because he sees what he used to be…and what he could become again…

…Um—! ((Florentin blushes lightly, clears his throat, and continues.))

I don’t know what I’m saying at this point. I suppose I’m just…really nervous after all of this today.

…If you may permit me to speak frankly, a part of a reason I felt the need to come to your aid was because Lis was…busy, to put it lightly. Even if I may have pissed the man off, I do believe he deserves the time to cope with these new developments, and whatever may come of them. That and the continued need to stave off these threats against you can coexist, yes, but you both would need a helping hand-one I am more than willing to provide. Even Sir Bertrand de Gervaise, with the gifts of this…“Fafnir,” they call it? Is not all powerful-that is as you have said.

Hopefully, with another coming to your defense-especially one outside your guild-there will be less cruel jokes at your expense-and more who realize the injustice of the situation.

…Miku does not hate me, then? I had assumed she might-given the recent events, I haven’t had the time to apologize, and so that was a bit up in the air, ahaha…Hopefully the two of us are able to build a rapport of sorts even with a rocky beginning.

Do me a favor, though? Do not compare me to Junpei again. It is not my place to discuss his history, but given what it is, I cannot even feign solidarity towards him, nor will I pretend to understand why he is rallied behind so. If he is angry at me for his own, more personal hang-ups, rather than my open condemnation of non-dragon-related exploits, so be it-it is not my place to tend to that. Neither is it his to mend the bonds I’ve done such a fine job sullying within Phoenix. To each of us our own business-and may we not have to speak, lest it rise the tension further.

Ahaha, I’ve said quite too much though, haven’t I? There’s no need to worry-well, I suppose there is, but your fear of recent threats is both quite rational and newly unwarranted. We will see how these strangers will try throwing harmful substances as you now, with their arms bound…or their body paralyzed, or put to sleep, or given a severe curse that rebounds any damage done to you back at them. Maybe not that last one, actually…better for it to simply not hit at all. Whichever spell you prefer, it is at your disposal. And, of course, should anything land, Arcanists have some…rudimentary healing magic, complete with a simple revival spell. It should be unnecessary, of course, but it has been able to keep my guild afloat even with no medic or war magi to tend to them in the Labyrinths.

Since the threat of the Deep Ones has been dealt with in Armoroad, at least for the time being, the Yggdroids have more freedom now. So it won’t be any trouble for Sigma to come here; King Seyfried said so himself! And this Yggdroid was once a member of Akane’s guild, so she’s already been authorized in the ways that she needs to be, for the most part…

I thank you for your offer, Lepido, but the others may become…incensed at having your presence near them often. Not Miku, like I said she doesn’t hate you… But some others… 

Besides, I overheard Xiang introducing Sigma to someone as I walked past earlier, so she should be at my side shortly! ((He smiles brightly.))

But… Um… I don’t know what the power of Fafnir is… ((He really does seem clueless; perhaps this isn’t something that’s common knowledge even among Phoenix’s members?))

…Oh! Is that the ritual with the Caledonian knight? I remember meeting such a knight long ago—

Uh!! F-forget I said that, if you will. It must be me g-getting dreams confused with memories… The last such ritual was a century ago! And as far as I know, that knight died in the temple in High Lagaard, yes? The ritual has ended, so the cycle of the Fafnir is broken, to the best of my knowledge… So how would Sir Bertrand have gotten such a power? It makes no sense to me…

((Florentin clears his throat, looking rather unnerved, and continues.))

I’m sorry to have made you angry… I don’t mean to justify Junpei’s cruel words to you, or to say that it’s only an understanding of raw and hurtful anger that fuels his anger towards you. He’s definitely mad about the incident that put Havardr in the hospital first and foremost; he’s very protective of us all. I– I probably spoke out of turn. I don’t know much myself about his past…

Then again, I’d also not wish to interfere with Sigma’s duties, should I pose an issue…An Yggdroid seems a more capable protector than even other protectors, at times, and, well…I honestly never even considered that branch as a subclass. I am more about preventing actions before they even begin. I wonder what sort of things Sigma has programmed into her…

…It is not the cruelty Junpei committed ‘gainst me-‘tis nothing at all compared to his other crimes. Sometimes I wonder if that man should even be alive because of them…but only the gods can forgive him for this sin. I do not think I could ever even consider it.

Then again, that in itself is too much to say, when you admit not to know them, ahaha…Still, is it not important to know who you work with?

I’m sure it must be…uncomfortable, to hear me speak of your leader so, but such is the bare truth, and the moment I restrict it, every word I say then comes under scrutiny.

…If he is protective of the guild and keeps its members relatively safe, all should be well within it. That is what matters, yes? Once things expand beyond its comfortable insides, things might change, especially should he deign to repeat those mistakes…but for now, all is…

I don’t necessarily want to say “well,” but I suppose that is the truth, for the time-being.

And, of course, a guild is not its leader alone. Lis and Miku, from what little I’ve known of them, are both noble souls, and from what you’ve told me of Bertrand, Xiang, and Sigma, they also feel that most precious of drives-a duty to see the innocent secure. Furthermore, I’ve met briefly with Harlan, Annette, and Flemming, and all have noble hearts inside and out. It seems a good guild…at the very least, friends are an important thing to have. Even the most solitary species has some sort of rudimentary bonding instinct, and in one as social as us, the need to fulfill that instinct is great. It is good that Phoenix has given you the means to do so.

Yes… I am certain that it will too. Those doctors are very capable, after all. And Junpei speaks so highly of Lynus…

I do know that Sigma was once an astronomer in the Deep City, and that she is also combat-trained, but that is the extent of my knowledge on her.

…It’s fine if you don’t like Junpei. I know he can be unpleasant, and I have a feeling that there are things in his past that I have no clue about. Things that you may know about. I’m not going to treat him any differently based on rumors and half-understood facts, though; that would simply be hypocritical of me!

I do know, however, that he has told us that his primary concern is protecting us and everyone else, and he won’t stop for any authority to do so. He says mistakes in his past came from following authority, and always tells us to be wary of it… And he said that even rebelling in secret still doesn’t keep your hands clean of authority’s crimes.

I… ((Florentin pauses, his mouth opening and closing as though he wants to say something but has no words to do so. Finally, he shakes his head.)) It’s really not my place to discuss such things, now is it?

In any case, I’m grateful for all of my noble and kind friends here in Phoenix: Junpei, Lis, Bertrand, Xiang… All of them.

Hello? You are Florentin, yes?

((Florentin turns around to face the young woman behind him. She’s wearing a long, dark purple cloak with glittering golden dots, not unlike the night sky full of stars. But he can tell from her unnaturally white and shiny skin, and the strange apparatuses over where her ears would be, that she is an Yggdroid.))

Oh! Indeed I am! You’re Sigma, yes? My new bodyguard? ‘Tis a pleasure to meet you.

((He reaches out and takes the hand that Sigma has extended, and shakes it with a smile.))

Ah, yes, this young man wished to introduce himself to you. ((He gestures to Lepido.))

An astronomer Yggdroid…Yggdrasil must put high value in your class, to create so many. We are honored to have you here, and that the Great Tree would deign it so.

Lepido bows slightly, and his smile is soft and genuine. When he extends his hand to take Sigma’s, it is with precise, almost practiced movements.

This guild is lucky to have you. Florentin has given it a glowing review; may it be to your liking. And…

Florentin. About what you said earlier…I am loathe to agree. ‘Tis always best to hear the truth straight from the source. Even given my qualms about Junpei, ‘tis not-and it will never be-my place to lecture or babble on at length on what little I’ve been told. I…cannot pretend I like that he is even in the picture, but I am glad you found a capable guild.

Thank you for your assistance, Lepido. It is much appreciated. I was just introducing myself to Piper and the Pasaran, if you know of them, so it is good that someone could help Florentin in my absence.

Indeed He does. Yggdroid can be used as a term for solely the combat-oriented of us, but humans commonly use it as a term for all of us. Of course, that is most likely because for one hundred years, we were isolated in the Deep City, and had no need to differentiate between us and organic beings, besides the Deep Ones.

In short, in the Deep City, we are all Yggdroids, at least with how outsiders speak of us. Therefore, it makes sense that Yggdrasil would place great value in our kind.

…Ah, that’s right, Vessels worship the Yggdrasil trees, do they not? As Armoroad’s trade routes have slowly reopened, I have had the opportunity to learn more about the various races scattered throughout the world, which was necessary as more explorers flocked to Armoroad in the peace following the extermination of the Deep Ones. Although our Great Tree is of a different stock than the others, it is good to see people who respect such a sentient being.

I am glad to hear that others speak highly of Guild Phoenix. When Akane wrote to me last, she spoke highly of everyone within its ranks as well.

Indeed, Sigma! I think you’ll quite enjoy it here in Maginia with our guild.

I’m glad we could reach an accord, Lepido, if not an outright agreement. And you’re quite right, in that this probably isn’t the best topic to continue speaking about…

Ah, yes, Lepido, you referred to me as an astronomer. I can infer, then, that Florentin told you about my previous occupation, then.

Ah! I did indeed.

King Seyfried spoke with Yggdrasil fairly often, in the Abyssal Shrine; he was the mouthpiece for its revelations and commands. Yggdrasil has spoken with him many times about the black, starry ocean that He came from— the heavens.

King Seyfried wishes to go there someday, now that the threat of the Deep Ones and their grotesque Progenitor has been handily dealt with, and did even prior to contact with Armoroad. Thus, that is why the team of astronomers was assembled. We not only understand the stars, but how to engineer various machines as well.

It was actually fairly uncommon for us to have any sort of combat capabilities, but mine, as well as my close relationship with King Seyfried, were why I was ultimately sent to aid Guild Ragnarok after Macario’s untimely demise.

Perhaps some time when I am demonstrating my skills and knowledge to the Pasaran, you can join us, Lepido. Akane did tell me that your relationship with her guild is rocky, but I do not think they would object to me spending time with the Pasaran, even if you did happen to join us by chance.

((Florentin chuckles under his breath.))

I wouldn’t have taken an Yggdroid to be capable of deception!

Oh, my programming doesn’t allow for deceptive speech or behavior, at least according to my databanks. I speak only the truth.

Lepido turns towards the…individual? Message? In question, eyes red with fury-which, admittedly, isn’t a rare look on him.

No one desires notoriety for things outside of their control, much less constant threats on their very life for said attributes! No one should need to do anything-to prove themself, to bare some terrible secret, to share their all with complete strangers-just to keep these horrid threats off of their doorstep! Do you honestly believe that people do not have the right to SOME privacy!? Do you not think matters such as medical history or past would fall among that right?

And even if he did say he was a vampire, whether that ridiculous theory held any merit or not, what, exactly, oh-so WISE and POWERFUL individual behind the mask, even think it will accomplish? It “might” make it stop. Or it might spark a hunt, or fill his harassers with vindication, or inspire others to poke and prod at his limits even more so!

Oh, goodness, thank you… I was about to say the same thing. Even if I…gave in, and said, “Oh yes, I’m a vampire!” that would just lead to more harassment! Or a witch hunt! Or in this case a vampire hunt…

H-hopefully that Yggdroid friend of Xiang’s should be arriving soon… Maybe she can help defend me against harassment. I-I know that’s a horrible thing to have to say, really, it is, but it’s what we have to contend with, and Lis and Bertrand aren’t all-powerful.

Um… Thank you again. My guildmates have spoken of you in varying ways… Some hate you, others are nervous about you… Miku seems to like you well enough, but even she is wary… Um, but you do seem like a good person, even if you do have a temper! It really isn’t all that different from Junpei when you think about it. Maybe he’s so angry at you because he sees what he used to be…and what he could become again…

…Um—! ((Florentin blushes lightly, clears his throat, and continues.))

I don’t know what I’m saying at this point. I suppose I’m just…really nervous after all of this today.

…If you may permit me to speak frankly, a part of a reason I felt the need to come to your aid was because Lis was…busy, to put it lightly. Even if I may have pissed the man off, I do believe he deserves the time to cope with these new developments, and whatever may come of them. That and the continued need to stave off these threats against you can coexist, yes, but you both would need a helping hand-one I am more than willing to provide. Even Sir Bertrand de Gervaise, with the gifts of this…“Fafnir,” they call it? Is not all powerful-that is as you have said.

Hopefully, with another coming to your defense-especially one outside your guild-there will be less cruel jokes at your expense-and more who realize the injustice of the situation.

…Miku does not hate me, then? I had assumed she might-given the recent events, I haven’t had the time to apologize, and so that was a bit up in the air, ahaha…Hopefully the two of us are able to build a rapport of sorts even with a rocky beginning.

Do me a favor, though? Do not compare me to Junpei again. It is not my place to discuss his history, but given what it is, I cannot even feign solidarity towards him, nor will I pretend to understand why he is rallied behind so. If he is angry at me for his own, more personal hang-ups, rather than my open condemnation of non-dragon-related exploits, so be it-it is not my place to tend to that. Neither is it his to mend the bonds I’ve done such a fine job sullying within Phoenix. To each of us our own business-and may we not have to speak, lest it rise the tension further.

Ahaha, I’ve said quite too much though, haven’t I? There’s no need to worry-well, I suppose there is, but your fear of recent threats is both quite rational and newly unwarranted. We will see how these strangers will try throwing harmful substances as you now, with their arms bound…or their body paralyzed, or put to sleep, or given a severe curse that rebounds any damage done to you back at them. Maybe not that last one, actually…better for it to simply not hit at all. Whichever spell you prefer, it is at your disposal. And, of course, should anything land, Arcanists have some…rudimentary healing magic, complete with a simple revival spell. It should be unnecessary, of course, but it has been able to keep my guild afloat even with no medic or war magi to tend to them in the Labyrinths.

Since the threat of the Deep Ones has been dealt with in Armoroad, at least for the time being, the Yggdroids have more freedom now. So it won’t be any trouble for Sigma to come here; King Seyfried said so himself! And this Yggdroid was once a member of Akane’s guild, so she’s already been authorized in the ways that she needs to be, for the most part…

I thank you for your offer, Lepido, but the others may become…incensed at having your presence near them often. Not Miku, like I said she doesn’t hate you… But some others… 

Besides, I overheard Xiang introducing Sigma to someone as I walked past earlier, so she should be at my side shortly! ((He smiles brightly.))

But… Um… I don’t know what the power of Fafnir is… ((He really does seem clueless; perhaps this isn’t something that’s common knowledge even among Phoenix’s members?))

…Oh! Is that the ritual with the Caledonian knight? I remember meeting such a knight long ago—

Uh!! F-forget I said that, if you will. It must be me g-getting dreams confused with memories… The last such ritual was a century ago! And as far as I know, that knight died in the temple in High Lagaard, yes? The ritual has ended, so the cycle of the Fafnir is broken, to the best of my knowledge… So how would Sir Bertrand have gotten such a power? It makes no sense to me…

((Florentin clears his throat, looking rather unnerved, and continues.))

I’m sorry to have made you angry… I don’t mean to justify Junpei’s cruel words to you, or to say that it’s only an understanding of raw and hurtful anger that fuels his anger towards you. He’s definitely mad about the incident that put Havardr in the hospital first and foremost; he’s very protective of us all. I– I probably spoke out of turn. I don’t know much myself about his past…

Then again, I’d also not wish to interfere with Sigma’s duties, should I pose an issue…An Yggdroid seems a more capable protector than even other protectors, at times, and, well…I honestly never even considered that branch as a subclass. I am more about preventing actions before they even begin. I wonder what sort of things Sigma has programmed into her…

…It is not the cruelty Junpei committed ‘gainst me-‘tis nothing at all compared to his other crimes. Sometimes I wonder if that man should even be alive because of them…but only the gods can forgive him for this sin. I do not think I could ever even consider it.

Then again, that in itself is too much to say, when you admit not to know them, ahaha…Still, is it not important to know who you work with?

I’m sure it must be…uncomfortable, to hear me speak of your leader so, but such is the bare truth, and the moment I restrict it, every word I say then comes under scrutiny.

…If he is protective of the guild and keeps its members relatively safe, all should be well within it. That is what matters, yes? Once things expand beyond its comfortable insides, things might change, especially should he deign to repeat those mistakes…but for now, all is…

I don’t necessarily want to say “well,” but I suppose that is the truth, for the time-being.

And, of course, a guild is not its leader alone. Lis and Miku, from what little I’ve known of them, are both noble souls, and from what you’ve told me of Bertrand, Xiang, and Sigma, they also feel that most precious of drives-a duty to see the innocent secure. Furthermore, I’ve met briefly with Harlan, Annette, and Flemming, and all have noble hearts inside and out. It seems a good guild…at the very least, friends are an important thing to have. Even the most solitary species has some sort of rudimentary bonding instinct, and in one as social as us, the need to fulfill that instinct is great. It is good that Phoenix has given you the means to do so.

Yes… I am certain that it will too. Those doctors are very capable, after all. And Junpei speaks so highly of Lynus…

I do know that Sigma was once an astronomer in the Deep City, and that she is also combat-trained, but that is the extent of my knowledge on her.

…It’s fine if you don’t like Junpei. I know he can be unpleasant, and I have a feeling that there are things in his past that I have no clue about. Things that you may know about. I’m not going to treat him any differently based on rumors and half-understood facts, though; that would simply be hypocritical of me!

I do know, however, that he has told us that his primary concern is protecting us and everyone else, and he won’t stop for any authority to do so. He says mistakes in his past came from following authority, and always tells us to be wary of it… And he said that even rebelling in secret still doesn’t keep your hands clean of authority’s crimes.

I… ((Florentin pauses, his mouth opening and closing as though he wants to say something but has no words to do so. Finally, he shakes his head.)) It’s really not my place to discuss such things, now is it?

In any case, I’m grateful for all of my noble and kind friends here in Phoenix: Junpei, Lis, Bertrand, Xiang… All of them.

Hello? You are Florentin, yes?

((Florentin turns around to face the young woman behind him. She’s wearing a long, dark purple cloak with glittering golden dots, not unlike the night sky full of stars. But he can tell from her unnaturally white and shiny skin, and the strange apparatuses over where her ears would be, that she is an Yggdroid.))

Oh! Indeed I am! You’re Sigma, yes? My new bodyguard? ‘Tis a pleasure to meet you.

((He reaches out and takes the hand that Sigma has extended, and shakes it with a smile.))

Ah, yes, this young man wished to introduce himself to you. ((He gestures to Lepido.))

Hey guys!! Our Yggdroid friend from Armoroad’s arrived!

Her name is Sigma, and she wasn’t just our guild Yggdroid, she was the Zodiac too! Now here she’s just a straight-up mage type. She was part of the astronomers of the Deep City before she joined Ragnarok!

Greetings. ((Sigma wears a polite smile.)) It’s all as Xiang has said. I am from the Deep City, a creation of Yggdrasil’s power. I was an astronomer for King Seyfried, and also helped keep the peace between Armoroad and the Deep City when things were still very tentative.

I’ve been called here to Maginia to be the bodyguard for one of Phoenix’s ranks. Florentin, was it? Apparently he is being harassed over rumors, yes?

Yeah! Florentin! Everyone thinks he’s a vampire!

I see. Well, hopefully my presence can deter at least some of them.

Hopefully!

Oooh, that’s right, I didn’t say why King Seyfried had astronomers, did I!? Apparently he wants to go to the “back, starry ocean” that Yggdrasil came from! Do you think the other trees are like Armoroad’s, Sigma? What about Maginia’s?

According to my databanks, the Yggdrasil trees of the other cities are all manmade. Armoroad’s tree is the only one of its kind known to be on Earth.

Huh… I wonder why it was the only one, and where it came from…

Well, no big deal, right? Everything’ll be fine!

(((o(*°▽°*)o))) Oh my fluff! Yoor cuteitude is off de charts! Easily! As cute as Piper! An! Yoo are also a starry Yggdroid! Dis is amazing!!!

[“Calm down.”] Piper gently pushes Pasaran back a bit to give Sigma more space. [“Hello. I am Piper, and this is Pasaran. It’s nice to meet you.”]

ヽ(*・ω・)ﾉ I got yoo a stick!!! A friendstick!!! I spent allllllll day yesterday looking for it! As soon as I heard dat yoo were coming!

Oh, I think I know of you and Piper. Whether or not we’ve met before, the Deep City isn’t very large, so naturally, when Piper was created, I heard about it. It wasn’t even a year ago that Yggdrasil desired a babysitter for its child, correct? Well, one of its children.

Thank you for calling me cute, little one. And thank you for this…friendstick, was it? ((With a smile, she takes the purple stick, admires it, and slips it into the breast of her cloak.)) Perhaps at some point I can show you some of my astronomical magic abilities, since they make you so excited.

(Piper takes Sigma’s hand and gives a good firm shake while side-eyeing Pasaran.) [“That’s because it’s dangerous.”] (They withdraw their hand and turn their attention back to Sigma.) [“Anyway, unfortunately, I haven’t spent much time in the Deep City, so aside from those that helped assemble me, and the, uh… probably broken one, I haven’t met any Yggdroids. So really, it is very nice to meet you.”]

(￣ω￣) *sniff* My little Piper… Growing up and making friends.

[*sigh*]

(.❛ ᴗ ❛.) We really should properly meet Mr. Florentin at some point too! I wanted to also find him a friendstick! But I haff heard of his many allegenicys! So I tot I should ask first! What was okay for him to haff!

If you’d rather not have me show off my magic to the Pasaran, I’ll be happy to oblige. At most I would use perhaps my very weakest spells, and talk about the stars more than anything.

I see. It’s nice to meet you too.

I lived in the Deep City from my creation up to joining Guild Ragnarok, but this is the first time I’ve left the island, aside from our sailing excursions and sea quests. This is all quite new to me.

Perhaps when I am at Sir Florentin’s side, I can properly introduce you all. I do know that he is allergic to garlic, and most kinds of flowers, among other things. As long as the stick is cleaned properly, never had any blood on it, and did not come from a flowering plant, it should be okay to give to him, but you may want to ask him first.

If my magical prowess doesn’t intimidate Florentin’s harassers, then perhaps the fact that I, according to--- Ah, no, Renshaw has a tendency to be vulgar at times, and I would rather not have the Pasaran picking up that kind of language. Simply put, when I don’t have the energy to use magic, assaulting the enemy with one of my books can rejuvenate me. Yggdroids, even intellectual models such as myself, are quite strong, physically, but naturally, you would know that.

Hey guys!! Our Yggdroid friend from Armoroad’s arrived!

Her name is Sigma, and she wasn’t just our guild Yggdroid, she was the Zodiac too! Now here she’s just a straight-up mage type. She was part of the astronomers of the Deep City before she joined Ragnarok!

Greetings. ((Sigma wears a polite smile.)) It’s all as Xiang has said. I am from the Deep City, a creation of Yggdrasil’s power. I was an astronomer for King Seyfried, and also helped keep the peace between Armoroad and the Deep City when things were still very tentative.

I’ve been called here to Maginia to be the bodyguard for one of Phoenix’s ranks. Florentin, was it? Apparently he is being harassed over rumors, yes?

Yeah! Florentin! Everyone thinks he’s a vampire!

I see. Well, hopefully my presence can deter at least some of them.

Hopefully!

Oooh, that’s right, I didn’t say why King Seyfried had astronomers, did I!? Apparently he wants to go to the “back, starry ocean” that Yggdrasil came from! Do you think the other trees are like Armoroad’s, Sigma? What about Maginia’s?

According to my databanks, the Yggdrasil trees of the other cities are all manmade. Armoroad’s tree is the only one of its kind known to be on Earth.

Huh… I wonder why it was the only one, and where it came from…

Well, no big deal, right? Everything’ll be fine!

(((o(*°▽°*)o))) Oh my fluff! Yoor cuteitude is off de charts! Easily! As cute as Piper! An! Yoo are also a starry Yggdroid! Dis is amazing!!!

[“Calm down.”] Piper gently pushes Pasaran back a bit to give Sigma more space. [“Hello. I am Piper, and this is Pasaran. It’s nice to meet you.”]

ヽ(*・ω・)ﾉ I got yoo a stick!!! A friendstick!!! I spent allllllll day yesterday looking for it! As soon as I heard dat yoo were coming!

Oh, I think I know of you and Piper. Whether or not we’ve met before, the Deep City isn’t very large, so naturally, when Piper was created, I heard about it. It wasn’t even a year ago that Yggdrasil desired a babysitter for its child, correct? Well, one of its children.

Thank you for calling me cute, little one. And thank you for this...friendstick, was it? ((With a smile, she takes the purple stick, admires it, and slips it into the breast of her cloak.)) Perhaps at some point I can show you some of my astronomical magic abilities, since they make you so excited.

Lepido turns towards the…individual? Message? In question, eyes red with fury-which, admittedly, isn’t a rare look on him.

No one desires notoriety for things outside of their control, much less constant threats on their very life for said attributes! No one should need to do anything-to prove themself, to bare some terrible secret, to share their all with complete strangers-just to keep these horrid threats off of their doorstep! Do you honestly believe that people do not have the right to SOME privacy!? Do you not think matters such as medical history or past would fall among that right?

And even if he did say he was a vampire, whether that ridiculous theory held any merit or not, what, exactly, oh-so WISE and POWERFUL individual behind the mask, even think it will accomplish? It “might” make it stop. Or it might spark a hunt, or fill his harassers with vindication, or inspire others to poke and prod at his limits even more so!

Oh, goodness, thank you… I was about to say the same thing. Even if I…gave in, and said, “Oh yes, I’m a vampire!” that would just lead to more harassment! Or a witch hunt! Or in this case a vampire hunt…

H-hopefully that Yggdroid friend of Xiang’s should be arriving soon… Maybe she can help defend me against harassment. I-I know that’s a horrible thing to have to say, really, it is, but it’s what we have to contend with, and Lis and Bertrand aren’t all-powerful.

Um… Thank you again. My guildmates have spoken of you in varying ways… Some hate you, others are nervous about you… Miku seems to like you well enough, but even she is wary… Um, but you do seem like a good person, even if you do have a temper! It really isn’t all that different from Junpei when you think about it. Maybe he’s so angry at you because he sees what he used to be…and what he could become again…

…Um—! ((Florentin blushes lightly, clears his throat, and continues.))

I don’t know what I’m saying at this point. I suppose I’m just…really nervous after all of this today.

…If you may permit me to speak frankly, a part of a reason I felt the need to come to your aid was because Lis was…busy, to put it lightly. Even if I may have pissed the man off, I do believe he deserves the time to cope with these new developments, and whatever may come of them. That and the continued need to stave off these threats against you can coexist, yes, but you both would need a helping hand-one I am more than willing to provide. Even Sir Bertrand de Gervaise, with the gifts of this…“Fafnir,” they call it? Is not all powerful-that is as you have said.

Hopefully, with another coming to your defense-especially one outside your guild-there will be less cruel jokes at your expense-and more who realize the injustice of the situation.

…Miku does not hate me, then? I had assumed she might-given the recent events, I haven’t had the time to apologize, and so that was a bit up in the air, ahaha…Hopefully the two of us are able to build a rapport of sorts even with a rocky beginning.

Do me a favor, though? Do not compare me to Junpei again. It is not my place to discuss his history, but given what it is, I cannot even feign solidarity towards him, nor will I pretend to understand why he is rallied behind so. If he is angry at me for his own, more personal hang-ups, rather than my open condemnation of non-dragon-related exploits, so be it-it is not my place to tend to that. Neither is it his to mend the bonds I’ve done such a fine job sullying within Phoenix. To each of us our own business-and may we not have to speak, lest it rise the tension further.

Ahaha, I’ve said quite too much though, haven’t I? There’s no need to worry-well, I suppose there is, but your fear of recent threats is both quite rational and newly unwarranted. We will see how these strangers will try throwing harmful substances as you now, with their arms bound…or their body paralyzed, or put to sleep, or given a severe curse that rebounds any damage done to you back at them. Maybe not that last one, actually…better for it to simply not hit at all. Whichever spell you prefer, it is at your disposal. And, of course, should anything land, Arcanists have some…rudimentary healing magic, complete with a simple revival spell. It should be unnecessary, of course, but it has been able to keep my guild afloat even with no medic or war magi to tend to them in the Labyrinths.

Since the threat of the Deep Ones has been dealt with in Armoroad, at least for the time being, the Yggdroids have more freedom now. So it won’t be any trouble for Sigma to come here; King Seyfried said so himself! And this Yggdroid was once a member of Akane’s guild, so she’s already been authorized in the ways that she needs to be, for the most part…

I thank you for your offer, Lepido, but the others may become…incensed at having your presence near them often. Not Miku, like I said she doesn’t hate you… But some others… 

Besides, I overheard Xiang introducing Sigma to someone as I walked past earlier, so she should be at my side shortly! ((He smiles brightly.))

But… Um… I don’t know what the power of Fafnir is… ((He really does seem clueless; perhaps this isn’t something that’s common knowledge even among Phoenix’s members?))

…Oh! Is that the ritual with the Caledonian knight? I remember meeting such a knight long ago—

Uh!! F-forget I said that, if you will. It must be me g-getting dreams confused with memories… The last such ritual was a century ago! And as far as I know, that knight died in the temple in High Lagaard, yes? The ritual has ended, so the cycle of the Fafnir is broken, to the best of my knowledge… So how would Sir Bertrand have gotten such a power? It makes no sense to me…

((Florentin clears his throat, looking rather unnerved, and continues.))

I’m sorry to have made you angry… I don’t mean to justify Junpei’s cruel words to you, or to say that it’s only an understanding of raw and hurtful anger that fuels his anger towards you. He’s definitely mad about the incident that put Havardr in the hospital first and foremost; he’s very protective of us all. I– I probably spoke out of turn. I don’t know much myself about his past…

Lepido turns towards the…individual? Message? In question, eyes red with fury-which, admittedly, isn’t a rare look on him.

No one desires notoriety for things outside of their control, much less constant threats on their very life for said attributes! No one should need to do anything-to prove themself, to bare some terrible secret, to share their all with complete strangers-just to keep these horrid threats off of their doorstep! Do you honestly believe that people do not have the right to SOME privacy!? Do you not think matters such as medical history or past would fall among that right?

And even if he did say he was a vampire, whether that ridiculous theory held any merit or not, what, exactly, oh-so WISE and POWERFUL individual behind the mask, even think it will accomplish? It “might” make it stop. Or it might spark a hunt, or fill his harassers with vindication, or inspire others to poke and prod at his limits even more so!

Oh, goodness, thank you… I was about to say the same thing. Even if I…gave in, and said, “Oh yes, I’m a vampire!” that would just lead to more harassment! Or a witch hunt! Or in this case a vampire hunt…

H-hopefully that Yggdroid friend of Xiang’s should be arriving soon… Maybe she can help defend me against harassment. I-I know that’s a horrible thing to have to say, really, it is, but it’s what we have to contend with, and Lis and Bertrand aren’t all-powerful.

Um… Thank you again. My guildmates have spoken of you in varying ways… Some hate you, others are nervous about you… Miku seems to like you well enough, but even she is wary… Um, but you do seem like a good person, even if you do have a temper! It really isn’t all that different from Junpei when you think about it. Maybe he’s so angry at you because he sees what he used to be…and what he could become again…

…Um—! ((Florentin blushes lightly, clears his throat, and continues.))

I don’t know what I’m saying at this point. I suppose I’m just…really nervous after all of this today.