Erm… Great Mage? I need to speak to you- or rather ask you some questions? I mean you don’t have to come if you don’t want but… I’d like to ask- erm
( @archmage-valryn )
Vanus appears almost immediately. "Yes, Valryn?"
(Cut for length)
"Yes, sorry, I was getting to that. What is this severing you speak of? Why can Valryn not return to her home kalpa?"
Hmm let’s see [she takes a sip of chai as she thinks] I mentioned my work, preventing the timeline from shattering; there are a couple ways that timelines are destabilized, the two big ones are convergences of the many paths and dragonbreaks- well technically the events leading up to dragonbreaks, because dragonbreaks are Akatosh’s interference to prevent the shattering, but that’s neither here nor there- this path, “kalpa” as you call it, has multiple convergences of the many paths, and multiple dragonbreaks, while it’s somehow stabilized, not all the kalpas that are drawn into the path are so lucky.
My path, my specific timeline, has managed to become entangled with this kalpa, that’s why it’s so easy to travel between them, because of that my Lady ordered me to sever our path from the similar ones, in order to protect those timelines…
My path and this path, are no longer able to connect to Valryn’s.
"Ah. That is... very unfortunate. I don't suppose there is a way to reverse that?"
[Valryn speaks before Vara can] There is, but it’s not worth it, not if it endangers my home Kalpa…
"Right. That makes sense. I am sorry, Valryn. Truly."
As am I, I wish it didn’t have to be this way… [she places a hand on Valryn’s back]
Vanus considered for a moment. "You know... you are not the only person who has been taken from their home kalpa. There are... way too many, at this point. I would imagine that you all need friendship. Perhaps forging friendships with those who are in similar situations may bring some amount of comfort, however small that may be."
…Maybe… but I’ve never made friends easily….
"Well, a shared experience is already a good foundation, I hear. I... can't really tell you much more than that. I am also not particularly adept at making friends."
I’m sure you will, you’re spectacular!
[she pauses a moment]
Do you have any more questions for me, Vanus?
Vanus paused for a moment. "Your Vanus... you were in a relationship with him? What was that like?"
[Her eyes widen, and she walks across the room] We were friends, I loved him, take that how you will.
It was private, we got to be… people together.
Vanus nodded. "I can understand that." He paused for a moment before hesitantly asking his next question. "Your Vanus... he did not have to alter himself? He was born... in alignment with his soul?"
I wouldn’t know, I suspect so; Valryn’s father definitely was, but that was not my timeline.
Gnithrus isn’t something dunmer really talk about, it’s normal, and you only really need to tell people about it when it comes to having children. I can’t have children anyway, so it never came up.
Vanus nodded. "That makes sense. Forgive me for the odd question."
It’s no problem, and it’s natural to be curious about other versions of yourself. I remember the first time I experienced a different lifetime…
"What was it like?"
Confusing at first, the more I’ve done the less confusing it is.
That life time, was a universe where Nerevar had never died, because he and Dumac communicated and stopped Kagrenac. My life was so different, it was better. So many lives… but I had to give it up.
"Because it wasn't your life?"
… yes, but also because it was a world without free will. My first time in another Kalpa, was a kalpa of Jyggalag’s design “where everything went how it was supposed to”
"Ah. Yes, that sounds quite terrible."
Only because the people who inhabited it did not choose it. Is it better that the tribunal never could betray Nerevar even though they would? Perhaps. But choice has value, I can’t take that away from people, no matter how much better the world seems without it.
"Yes, I agree. Free will is quite valuable."
That was years ago not, the very end of the second era, I’ve been to many more universes now, including Valryn’s, or at least when very similar to Valryn’s.
"That must be incredible, to be able to see so many kalpas."
It can be… but it can also be difficult, look at Ithelia or Sotha Sil, they’re both a little mad for it. Or Jyggalag for that matter.
"That is true. I hope it has not had too much strain on your mind."
I don’t see nearly as much as they did, I don’t have future sight, that basically allows you to see infinite timelines. [she shudders] Almost everyone I’ve met with the sight is either crazy or distant, and distant’s just another form of crazy.
[her voice goes quiet and she glances over to where Valryn is sipping her tea.]
Vanus furrowed his brow. Why was she looking at Valryn? "Are you alright?"
We’re going to have to look after her, y’know?
"Well... yes, but surely she doesn't need parenting at this age?"
heh, I didn’t say parenting. Unfortunately she’s too much like me and too much like you to be left on her own.
"Hm. I suppose that is fair. I will be sure to keep an eye on her."
… I think I’ll take her to your grave, my you’s grave, soon.
"Right. I should probably be going, soon, anyway. I am not much good at comforting others."
That’s not true. I think you did a great job.
Vanus smiles. "Well, I'm glad you think so. I'm not particularly socially savvy."
neither am I…
"Perhaps it runs in the family. Either way, though, I should be going. If either of you need me, speak my name with purpose. Alright?"
Let me walk you out, when a house gets ripped off of nirn by Akatosh it can be kind of difficult to leave, not to mention the different Kalpas!
[After walking into the courtyard, she fusses with the door until it opens up into the correct version of The Rift]
There you are!
Vanus bows his head. "Thank you, Vara. Until we next meet." He heads through the door and vanishes.
