#durenda

Durenda was growing rather frustrated with her increasing number of failed attempts to solve the problem plaguing them. Parts of Elysion were collapsing. Their home was, quite literally, falling apart. She’d gone on numerous investigations, trying to find something, anything. She always came back empty-handed, with nothing to think about, and nothing to give to Hugo for his help either.

He did reassure her, energetically, that it would be fine, that he was working on a solution to the problem. That he’d almost figured out the source. He almost had it! He’d have it within the week!

But the truth? He had no idea. And she could tell. Because if he’d made any actual progress, she knew, he would have come to her first, brimming with excitement and dumping information all about what he’d figured out, because he always went off on tangents, even when the situation was too dire to listen to him. But he hadn’t done so.

They would continue to look for a solution, as anxiety set deeper in both of their usually uniquely-stoic personalities.

Theodore’s birds were not helping much either. He sent them out, but he often lost track of them. He lost their signal, they never came back. Only once did he even find the remains of one, sitting in front of the pink Elysion tree.

Even though it distressed him, he remained calm, as he always had, although his usual serene smile had faded into a more completely neutral expression.

Bernard came to him asking for help, to get the birds to go into the Palace and bring out information, because he was receiving no orders or information at all as their city crumbled. Theodore’s neutral expression became a slight frown, as he had to confess that he’d already tried, and already failed. It hurt him to disappoint Bernard. Bernard sighed, but tried to tell him it was okay. He’d already checked in with the others, and perhaps he was already aware that there was nothing that could be done in this situation.

He asked Theodore to continue to try, because he believed if they would simply be patient, he would bring in important results. If they would just wait.

“Poor man, he’s not looking like usual,” murmurs Theodore, stroking one of his birds.  “I wonder what’s up…”

“It’s really no surprise,” drawls Durenda.  She leans on her sword.  “Haven’t you heard the adventurers who come by?  They’re… ah, grinding him.”

“I never hear adventurers,” says Theodore cheerfully.  “They never come visit me.”

There’s an awkward silence, then Hugo makes a cough-like sound.  “People, huhuhu, cometomeand say - haha - that they buy potions forgrinding him~”

“Speak properly,” snaps Durenda.  Theodore sighs.

“So he’s being forced to constantly fight?  Hmm… How annoying.  Perhaps we should help him out.”

“How do you propose that?” asks Durenda.  “Our character models don’t have the necessary animations for us to fight, as much as I like to posture with this sword.”

“Who said anything about fighting?” asks Theodore innocently.  Then he turns around to his birds and claps his hands.  With a thousand chirps, they all start multiplying until the sky of Elysion is black with metal birds.

The world around them flickers.  Theodore smiles.

“Theodore!”

Nasods weren’t supposed to be able to feel surprise, but Theo still jumped as Durenda came striding up to him. One of his little birds perched in her hand, chirping happily.

She came to a stop in front of him and held out the bird.  “One of your creatures came over to my stall again.  You have cages around; why don’t you use them so they won’t run off?”

“Thank you for returning him.”  Theo took the bird gently and stroked its head.  “But didn’t you read the message it carried under its wing?”

“Message?”  Durenda gave Theo a blank stare.  Well, blanker than normal - all stares by Nasods tended to be blank, seeing as their eyes were made of glass.  “I didn’t check it over.  I simply saw it, let it sit on my shoulder for a while, and came to return it.”

Wordlessly, Theo commanded the bird to open its wings.  It did.  He then handed the bird to Durenda, and watched her face as she read the note.

“I see,” Durenda said after a long pause.

If Theo had a heart, it would have sunk.

“You wish to enter into a partnership with me,” Durenda continued.  “Very well.  I accept.  I was just about to ask you the same question myself, in fact.  Your way was much more creative.”

Theo smiled, his nonexistent heart light again.  “I see.  I’m glad you agree.  Keep the bird, will you?  His name is Lavan, and he’ll ferry messages between us.”

“Clever,” Durenda mused.  “You’ve truly thought this through.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgxAeRIl8EE)

Elsword Elysion NPC

Chief of Elysion - Bernard Equipment Shop Owner - Durenda Accessory Shop Owner - Theodore Alchemist - Hugo + ???