CyberNinja
Lost in blizzard, presumed eaten by Canadians
- Location
- Maine
[X] ... Stay. Loneliness of an Exalt
Hope will never die : a Fire Emblem Awakening quest
- Thread starter Macros
- Start date
I'm fine either way. Guessing the answer is part of the game, but if we're too far off in our guesses or just flat out wrong, it could lead to... issues.
A good compromise might be what Lucina is going into each of these with. What thoughts she has when making them?
What I gathered from Macros' statements so far is that this is going to happen in some ways no matter what we do. It's the same for everyone that's a Sharpard. They are just so far beyond most people that their is a gap there, but do they react badly to them? No.
Arturia's mistake was not that she stood above it all, it's that she, purposefully, kept everyone away.
Would you give a damm? If you were in a state of shock and horror over what has just occurred would you really care if your friend stepped forward to be strong. Even if you could not imagine yourself doing it?
No, I imagine you wouldn't because it is not about being 'relatable.' It involves empathy, yes, but it's not about acting as others expect of us.
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Macros
omnisciently vague councilman
- Location
- Dirac Sea
Well, it's not that you're wrong, most of what you said is right in fact, but you may underestimate some of the consequences. I'm mostly thinking about:
This. Basically, staying isn't just affecting how others see Lucina, it will also affect how Lucina chooses to act with others (though it is somewhat true for each option, I suppose). So even when alone with her friends, she might have trouble letting them in.
Hm. A better option might be to give the main themes of each option, which would end up playing a bigger role in the future.
Two sisters in darkness: solidarity/family (guest-star: Cynthia. Shocking, I know.)
A mother's promise: acceptance/hope (guest-star: Sumia. Once again, duh)
Flames of vengeance: anger/protection (guest-star: Severa)
Cry to Heaven: faith/compassion (guest-star: Yarne)
Loneliness of an Exalt: duty/loneliness (guest-star: everyone, and thus no-one)
I'm a bit more inclined towards the other options in light of that, but at the same time... That duty is ours. And ours alone. No one else but us can be the Exalt.
I favor the Sumia option the most really. Well, second most. Hope is powerful. Though when it breaks... oh, boy does it break.
I favor the Sumia option the most really. Well, second most. Hope is powerful. Though when it breaks... oh, boy does it break.
- Location
- United States
Die and Break are two very different things. Die implies it's gone forever, but Break means its only gone for a while. And that "while" is usually at the worst times, because that is when it is strained and worn away at the most.
Doomed Wombat
Let's go Darling!
- Location
- Dancing on wires!
[X] ... Stay. Loneliness of an Exalt
PrinceArjuna
Until my life is exhausted
- Location
- at home
[X] Retreat to your room. Two sisters in darkness
Macros
omnisciently vague councilman
- Location
- Dirac Sea
Sorry for the delay, guys, had a bit of trouble writing a satisfactory update. Still have, really, but at some point, I suppose one has to power through. Anyway, just as a reminder, the vote result is:
Stay 7: ShadowAngelBeta, Random Asian Person, Hadiz, Alex pears, veekie, Varano, CyberNinja
Room 6: pheonix89, Enshuu, Hanashinobi, PrinceArjuna, Sugnez, MalError
Shrine 2: Ignis, Akasui
Dad's room 1: RexHeller
Training grounds 1: Aurakid
Update tomorrow, that's a promise!
Stay 7: ShadowAngelBeta, Random Asian Person, Hadiz, Alex pears, veekie, Varano, CyberNinja
Room 6: pheonix89, Enshuu, Hanashinobi, PrinceArjuna, Sugnez, MalError
Shrine 2: Ignis, Akasui
Dad's room 1: RexHeller
Training grounds 1: Aurakid
Update tomorrow, that's a promise!
Omake - Sisterly bond
Omake!
... Tell me what you think. I feel like I had to force it in a couple of spots.
Your name was Cynthia. And your father was dead.
Tears and denial and wailing into your mother's chest.
… There were a lot of tears. Even if not all of them were shown on the outside. Fredrick was worse off than most anyone with his wife gone as well, you could see that.
And Lucina… She Stood.
You don't really know how else to say it.
Mom had gone into her room the night… that night. But… that was it. She never came to sleep with mom and you. She never burst into tears suddenly that you saw or heard of. She didn't look like she was crying at all.
And throughout it all… She had His sword at her side.
You could understand the Why. Everyone Looked at her, Saw her, Leaned on her. Even you drew some strength at first from how she kept moving, it made it easier to keep going.
But now… now it was unnerving. Both you and mom helped as well wherever you could, but both of you cried and remembered and even laughed a little when you were in private.
So, here you were. Standing outside her door again. But this time… this time you were able to knock.
"Come in."
You opened the door and slipped in, quietly closing it behind you.
Blue eyes met your own, tilted with her head, and then "Cynthia?" A light concern.
Your own tone was low, you weren't sure about this still, "Hey sis."
One of her eyebrows raised and you knew you were avoiding this. You licked your lips and spoke, "He's gone."
It hurt still, but you could say that much at least. Lucina only glanced at the sword, that you were pretty sure was humming weirdly enough, before she locked eyes with you again, "I know."
Your name is Lucina and it hurts.
Not in the sharp way, the way most everyone else is feeling and slowly overcoming, but in a distant, achy sort of way that is easy to ignore or even channel.
And you really had no idea where your sister was going with this. And now she's befuddled by your response.
"Why…" Her face twisted, already guilty over what she was about to say, before she took a small breath and spoke, "Why aren't you crying?" You rocked back on your heels mentally, and blinked in surprise on the outside.
That was… "It's… complicated in a way."
She still looked a little guilty, but she met your eyes easily, "Then explain it please!" And some desperation mixed in now, but why… "You're never with mom and me and I don't understand…" She didn't say it, but with the way she looked at you…
She didn't understand you. And it scared her.
Looking at your baby sister, and how she was almost ready to fold in on herself, you felt your expression soften, "Ah. Come here."
Sitting in front of each other on your bed you reach out and take her hand in your own, "I cried. Once."
She locks eyes with you, sharp and focused, listening to every word.
"The night mother came in and stayed with me, I cried holding father's sword." You grieved once. You missed him a lot. So much so that "ache" became "hurt" for a few moments. But then you would remember why you Stayed.
For your People. For your Friends. For your Family. ...For your Father.
You Stood strong for all of them.
… You sometimes looked at all of them grieving and wondered if you were still completely human.
Not that it mattered, you were Needed. Something called for you to Stand and you did. Even if Naga was sorry this had happened at all, it wasn't her fault.
Even if you weren't quite human anymore, you were pretty sure you knew what you were. Naga had taken to calling you the Little Hero-Queen after all, even if only slightly mournfully so far.
Your mind came back to the present as you felt your sister shift. She was staring at you with sad, but probing eyes. Probably shouldn't have slipped down memory lane, but oh well.
"I cried once and that was enough for me. It aches still, and it always will I think, but it doesn't hurt anymore."
She looked down at your hands, and then glanced back up. You heart clenched, because you knew what she was going to ask, "Why?"
You didn't want to answer, but… but she was your sister and this too, could be her legacy without even realizing what she was giving up.
Your eyes closed. "Cynthia?" Did you really want to do this? To lay out the paths before her? "Do you know why I never could really get into playing with you and Owan?" She was already going to be either a hero or a Hero.
You heard the negative hum from her throat.
Your own hardened eyes stared into hers and you saw her wilt a little bit, "Because this is what it means to be a Hero. To Stand where others Break and Run and Fall."
You saw something crack in her and begin to break, "I'm sorry! I am. There are heroes out there everyday with healing staves, and stopping fires, and saving people one person at a time. And then there are the Heroes that became something out of a Legend. That were something… other than completely human."
"What's coming… What killed Father," She had started to cry, but stopped when you mentioned father. "It hates us. It hates everyone, but especially our family. And Cynthia… you haven't even been really trying and you can already out-fly most of the entire Pegasus Knights. Everyone, but mother and aunt Cordelia."
A breath as you looked at the top of your sister's bowed head, "I felt like I was Needed. I Stayed there and now…"
You heard her mumble something, "I didn't hear you... Cynthia?"
A breath and her eyes bore into yours with a flint of anger in them. Oops?
"So. What."
Your name was Cynthia and you were a little scared, a little sad, and a little more angry.
You finally nailed down what was off about your sister. She felt distant. And if this was how every Hero felt, as your sister was implying… Well, you could see it in a way looking at the Legends you knew about, but now it just made you want to give them a hug.
That you could be one yourself, you didn't care about that much surprisingly. Or maybe you just didn't care about it right now, because right now…
"So. What." Right now you were a bit angry at her.
"So what if you're not hurting like everyone else is still." And she wasn't, you could see it. The reason you hadn't seen her look sad, was because she hadn't been.
"You're still family. You don't get to avoid us just because you feel different. That's just going to make you feel more lonely." You were not going to laugh at your older sister's pole-axed face. You were not going to laugh. ...If your lips twitched though, that's another story.
You kind of understood why she felt alone though. Ever since that night… she didn't just Stand. She Burned and Shone like the sun. It didn't happen often, but it was there.
But she was family and… "Aren't you the one who says 'With Hope, and Faith, and Family and Friends'?"
Before you could blink you found yourself buried in her chest, her arms firmly wrapped around you, and a light laughter bubbling in her throat, "Thank you Cynthia. Thank you," and a few tears as well.
You just kind of let yourself be hugged, it was nice and she needed it.
"... You're staying with me and mom tonight." You did not sound petulant from the way she was manhandling you with this hug.
You could hear the smile in her voice, "Alright."
It was going to be harder on all of you with how Lucina was… different. But to you, that was just all the more reason you needed to try. You loved her, and she loved you, and that was more than enough to never stop trying to understand.
Even if she was a bit stupid about it sometimes. Like scaring you away from being a Hero. If you were needed, you were needed. Just like she was. And that was alright. Even if it was also a little scary. But just a little bit.
You laid there for a while before poking her in the side, "Come on, mom's probably waiting."
Her hand brushed through your hair, before she got up and grabbed her sword. … Huh, "her" sword, not dad's sword.
Standing up you gave her a hug, "Love you sis."
Hugging you back, "I love you too."
Mom's smile was happier than it had been in a long time when Lucina sidled in through the door after you.
For the most part I was able to let them write themselves. But like I said, I/they stalled in a couple of spots and I had to work around them a bit.
... Tell me what you think. I feel like I had to force it in a couple of spots.
Your name was Cynthia. And your father was dead.
Tears and denial and wailing into your mother's chest.
… There were a lot of tears. Even if not all of them were shown on the outside. Fredrick was worse off than most anyone with his wife gone as well, you could see that.
And Lucina… She Stood.
You don't really know how else to say it.
Mom had gone into her room the night… that night. But… that was it. She never came to sleep with mom and you. She never burst into tears suddenly that you saw or heard of. She didn't look like she was crying at all.
And throughout it all… She had His sword at her side.
You could understand the Why. Everyone Looked at her, Saw her, Leaned on her. Even you drew some strength at first from how she kept moving, it made it easier to keep going.
But now… now it was unnerving. Both you and mom helped as well wherever you could, but both of you cried and remembered and even laughed a little when you were in private.
So, here you were. Standing outside her door again. But this time… this time you were able to knock.
"Come in."
You opened the door and slipped in, quietly closing it behind you.
Blue eyes met your own, tilted with her head, and then "Cynthia?" A light concern.
Your own tone was low, you weren't sure about this still, "Hey sis."
One of her eyebrows raised and you knew you were avoiding this. You licked your lips and spoke, "He's gone."
It hurt still, but you could say that much at least. Lucina only glanced at the sword, that you were pretty sure was humming weirdly enough, before she locked eyes with you again, "I know."
Your name is Lucina and it hurts.
Not in the sharp way, the way most everyone else is feeling and slowly overcoming, but in a distant, achy sort of way that is easy to ignore or even channel.
And you really had no idea where your sister was going with this. And now she's befuddled by your response.
"Why…" Her face twisted, already guilty over what she was about to say, before she took a small breath and spoke, "Why aren't you crying?" You rocked back on your heels mentally, and blinked in surprise on the outside.
That was… "It's… complicated in a way."
She still looked a little guilty, but she met your eyes easily, "Then explain it please!" And some desperation mixed in now, but why… "You're never with mom and me and I don't understand…" She didn't say it, but with the way she looked at you…
She didn't understand you. And it scared her.
Looking at your baby sister, and how she was almost ready to fold in on herself, you felt your expression soften, "Ah. Come here."
Sitting in front of each other on your bed you reach out and take her hand in your own, "I cried. Once."
She locks eyes with you, sharp and focused, listening to every word.
"The night mother came in and stayed with me, I cried holding father's sword." You grieved once. You missed him a lot. So much so that "ache" became "hurt" for a few moments. But then you would remember why you Stayed.
For your People. For your Friends. For your Family. ...For your Father.
You Stood strong for all of them.
… You sometimes looked at all of them grieving and wondered if you were still completely human.
Not that it mattered, you were Needed. Something called for you to Stand and you did. Even if Naga was sorry this had happened at all, it wasn't her fault.
Even if you weren't quite human anymore, you were pretty sure you knew what you were. Naga had taken to calling you the Little Hero-Queen after all, even if only slightly mournfully so far.
Your mind came back to the present as you felt your sister shift. She was staring at you with sad, but probing eyes. Probably shouldn't have slipped down memory lane, but oh well.
"I cried once and that was enough for me. It aches still, and it always will I think, but it doesn't hurt anymore."
She looked down at your hands, and then glanced back up. You heart clenched, because you knew what she was going to ask, "Why?"
You didn't want to answer, but… but she was your sister and this too, could be her legacy without even realizing what she was giving up.
Your eyes closed. "Cynthia?" Did you really want to do this? To lay out the paths before her? "Do you know why I never could really get into playing with you and Owan?" She was already going to be either a hero or a Hero.
You heard the negative hum from her throat.
Your own hardened eyes stared into hers and you saw her wilt a little bit, "Because this is what it means to be a Hero. To Stand where others Break and Run and Fall."
You saw something crack in her and begin to break, "I'm sorry! I am. There are heroes out there everyday with healing staves, and stopping fires, and saving people one person at a time. And then there are the Heroes that became something out of a Legend. That were something… other than completely human."
"What's coming… What killed Father," She had started to cry, but stopped when you mentioned father. "It hates us. It hates everyone, but especially our family. And Cynthia… you haven't even been really trying and you can already out-fly most of the entire Pegasus Knights. Everyone, but mother and aunt Cordelia."
A breath as you looked at the top of your sister's bowed head, "I felt like I was Needed. I Stayed there and now…"
You heard her mumble something, "I didn't hear you... Cynthia?"
A breath and her eyes bore into yours with a flint of anger in them. Oops?
"So. What."
Your name was Cynthia and you were a little scared, a little sad, and a little more angry.
You finally nailed down what was off about your sister. She felt distant. And if this was how every Hero felt, as your sister was implying… Well, you could see it in a way looking at the Legends you knew about, but now it just made you want to give them a hug.
That you could be one yourself, you didn't care about that much surprisingly. Or maybe you just didn't care about it right now, because right now…
"So. What." Right now you were a bit angry at her.
"So what if you're not hurting like everyone else is still." And she wasn't, you could see it. The reason you hadn't seen her look sad, was because she hadn't been.
"You're still family. You don't get to avoid us just because you feel different. That's just going to make you feel more lonely." You were not going to laugh at your older sister's pole-axed face. You were not going to laugh. ...If your lips twitched though, that's another story.
You kind of understood why she felt alone though. Ever since that night… she didn't just Stand. She Burned and Shone like the sun. It didn't happen often, but it was there.
But she was family and… "Aren't you the one who says 'With Hope, and Faith, and Family and Friends'?"
Before you could blink you found yourself buried in her chest, her arms firmly wrapped around you, and a light laughter bubbling in her throat, "Thank you Cynthia. Thank you," and a few tears as well.
You just kind of let yourself be hugged, it was nice and she needed it.
"... You're staying with me and mom tonight." You did not sound petulant from the way she was manhandling you with this hug.
You could hear the smile in her voice, "Alright."
It was going to be harder on all of you with how Lucina was… different. But to you, that was just all the more reason you needed to try. You loved her, and she loved you, and that was more than enough to never stop trying to understand.
Even if she was a bit stupid about it sometimes. Like scaring you away from being a Hero. If you were needed, you were needed. Just like she was. And that was alright. Even if it was also a little scary. But just a little bit.
You laid there for a while before poking her in the side, "Come on, mom's probably waiting."
Her hand brushed through your hair, before she got up and grabbed her sword. … Huh, "her" sword, not dad's sword.
Standing up you gave her a hug, "Love you sis."
Hugging you back, "I love you too."
Mom's smile was happier than it had been in a long time when Lucina sidled in through the door after you.
For the most part I was able to let them write themselves. But like I said, I/they stalled in a couple of spots and I had to work around them a bit.
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Chapter 2-14: Loneliness of an Exalt
Macros
omnisciently vague councilman
- Location
- Dirac Sea
[X] ... Stay
You fight back the impulse to hide. You can't. It might not be official yet, but you guess... you're the Exalt now, in spirit at least. You simply cannot run away now. It's somewhat odd, you think, how easily you manage to shove aside the sadness that threatens to overwhelm you. You can hear Lissa's muffled sobs, echoing Cynthia's desperate cry. You can taste your mother and Frederick's grief, so thick you could almost touch it. You can see the Shepherds defeated faces, and the fear that is beginning to sip among the audience at the dark news that's just been delivered. And you can feel the void that your father is leaving behind, in your lives and in your heart. Still you stand. There is no other choice.
"I... I see."
Your voice is barely above a whisper, but is nonetheless a stark contrast with your sister's broken sobs. You want to cry too... Yet you cannot. Not with the eyes of a nation fixed upon you, looking for any sign of reassurance on what may well be its darkest hour. The feeling of emptiness in your chest is undeniable, but it's as if your mind is disconnected from your body, allowing you to process the situation despite the almost physical pain you're feeling. Your subdued reaction earns you a surprised look from your mother's grey eyes, and even Frederick ends up blinking at the quiet acceptance in your voice. Yet isn't it natural? Only now you realize this might have been the root of your fear all these years along. The event you unknowingly dreaded, that you knew you wouldn't be able to change, has come to pass.
But now, you have to move forward. Maybe there's been nothing you could have done to prevent it, but from this day on, you cannot allow yourself to be passive anymore. Despite your grief, now is the time to act. Your eyes fall on the pommel of Falchion, still presented to you by the grieving knight. Slowly, you extend your hand toward it, your fingers finding their way around the guard, before you begin to slowly, almost reverently, draw the sword from its sheathe.
There's a strange feeling coursing through your body, and for an instant, it seems to you the blade is glowing blue, though this phenomenon is over so fast you're left wondering if you imagined it. You suppose that in another context, the sight might have been almost comical - a young girl holding a sword almost as tall as her. Yet no-one is laughing, as if transfixed by the moment; and there is no doubt in your mind that you have been accepted by Falchion. Father's sword... Father's burden... is now yours. You have no idea how you'd be able to fill in his shoes, how you're supposed to continue his legacy, you just know you have to. As you watch the people assembled here, you realize you're going to have to lead them, if not right now, at least a lot sooner than what everyone did think. And you cannot afford to fail them. Not now, not ever.
"Then I will continue his fight. This I swear on Falchion. I will give my all to protect Ylisse and its people, whatever the cost."
Your voice, carried by the wind, holds no hesitation, only resolve.
"My father... and those who died by his side... I will not let it be in vain. No matter what, Hope will never die."
You don't know what exactly happened yet, exactly. You do not know what is the threat exactly. But you can feel it in the air, this was only the beginning. Dark days are about to come, and you can only pray Naga that she grants you the strength to weather them. As you look at Falchion in your hand, you feel your resolve sharpen. You would fight. And you will save this world, no matter what it ens up costing you. But for that... You can see the surprise in the eyes of those closest to you. Through her tears, Cynthia looks at you as if not understanding what you just said. Mother wears a clearly worried expression, seemingly unsure of what to say. Most of your closest friends seem unsure as well. The only face that reflects understanding is Lissa's; she is crying, but as she looks at you, it is almost as if she's reminded of something or someone - yet that memory seems to be of no comfort to her, as she ends up lowering her head, overwhelmed by her emotions. Still, as you watch the guards stand a little straighter, the nobles looking at you not as a child, but as the heir of Ylisse, and the people seemingly finding a new source of hope in your show of defiance, you know you made the right choice.
You simply wish it didn't hurt that much.
As you stand, surrounded by the people who love you the most in the world, you cannot help but think you never felt so alone. The need to cry, to ask for comfort and help, is growing stronger by the minute, but you know that you cannot indulge in it. As the Exalt, you must be a soource of strength for those around you, and as such, cannot afford to show weakness. Is that what Father felt all these years? It never seemed so, but perhaps he was a better actor than what you thought? Or maybe it was different for him, somehow? Nonetheless, you have the feeling that the road you chose will be a lonely one. You may have family and friends, but now Ylisse needs you to be an Exalt first and foremost. That is not an easily shared burden, you suppose. But as long as you manage to do your duty, it would be alright, you think. You hope.
Only that night in the sanctuary of your room, do you allow yourself to cry, Father's sword clutched against your chest, your mother the sole witness of your tears.
[] Who do you want to talk to the next day?
Characteristic: charisma raised to B
Characteristic: willpower raised to B+
Skill: authority raised to B
Trait gained: Chosen by Falchion
Item gained: Falchion (sealed)
Characteristic: willpower raised to B+
Skill: authority raised to B
Trait gained: Chosen by Falchion
Item gained: Falchion (sealed)
Alright, here we go. Not completely happy about this scene, and a bit shorter than what I wished, but I hope it comes out somewhat okay nonetheless. The vote is basically an occasion for you to request certain scenes if you have a particular one in mind, while allowing me to make a smoother transition for next turn.
Aaaand another great omake by @ShadowAngelBeta. Hmm, this one might be a little less canon than the others. While I really enjoyed some of your insights, I think the "not human" angle might be a bit overblown (well, she's certainly not normal at this point, but still), and there is one very specific psychological problem with Cynthia now that isn't addressed (though it only have been barely hinted until now, so that was to be expected). Nonetheless, I'll think of thematically appropriate rewards for that one, just give me a bit.
Aaaand another great omake by @ShadowAngelBeta. Hmm, this one might be a little less canon than the others. While I really enjoyed some of your insights, I think the "not human" angle might be a bit overblown (well, she's certainly not normal at this point, but still), and there is one very specific psychological problem with Cynthia now that isn't addressed (though it only have been barely hinted until now, so that was to be expected). Nonetheless, I'll think of thematically appropriate rewards for that one, just give me a bit.
Damn, and I thought I did good with Cynthia too since she had taken the reigns from me when I wrote that last section.Aaaand another great omake by @ShadowAngelBeta. Hmm, this one might be a little less canon than the others. While I really enjoyed some of your insights, I think the "not human" angle might be a bit overblown (well, she's certainly not normal at this point, but still), and there is one very specific psychological problem with Cynthia now that isn't addressed (though it only have been barely hinted until now, so that was to be expected). Nonetheless, I'll think of thematically appropriate rewards for that one, just give me a bit.
The not human is kinda being played up because it's recent, it's new, they're kids, and she hasn't talked about it with anyone else yet. Their mom would probably straighten it out but I don't like Sumia and can't write her because of it.
Macros
omnisciently vague councilman
- Location
- Dirac Sea
You did, actually. For the most part, the way you wrote it felt really natural, and I could definitely see her act like this. It's just that there's another issue that she's struggling with - though I suppose she may have put it away for that conversation.
Fair enough.
Well looking at Cynthia's character sheet...
End of a Dream?: there is no longer any doubt in Cynthia's mind, her sister is a true hero. But, when she looks at her... Cynthia is no longer certain she wants to become one herself.
Anyway for our next action I am currently favoring either having a conversation with Marth or going to Naga's shrine.
End of a Dream?: there is no longer any doubt in Cynthia's mind, her sister is a true hero. But, when she looks at her... Cynthia is no longer certain she wants to become one herself.
Anyway for our next action I am currently favoring either having a conversation with Marth or going to Naga's shrine.