animus_network | [Video]

[It's Lorelei. For those who haven't encountered him yet, he looks remarkably (one could say exactly!!) like an older, adult Asch or Luke. Right now he looks fairly sober.]

It might be easy, with how things have gone recently, to give into despair and believe none of us are ever getting out of this place. I have chosen to believe that we will, and that our recent efforts against one of our captors proves that where there is a will, there is a way.

We simply weren't prepared enough this time.

[He frowns faintly.]

But aside from that. There is very little I can offer anyone here as consolation. We made our effort, and we failed. ... But I can offer this. Should we ever escape this Tower, should we lose these collars and regain the power that belongs to us.. ... I can't save your worlds. I can't repair the loss of life that's happened there.

But I can repair mine.

[There's no sense of bragging here at all.]

If ... we can't find a way to restore all worlds lost, but find a way to escape, then Auldrant will be open to any and all survivors of the Tower. You don't have to take up the offer, I will not force you. There will be those who would prefer to have their native homes or nothing at all. But for those of you who feel otherwise ... I offer what I can. And I can offer my world. It won't be your first homes, but it will be a home, somewhere to return to that won't ask who you are or what you are or even what you did. Everyone deserves a home. Everyone.

We just have to survive long enough to get there. Don't give up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Dying sucks. Just plain and simple.]

I can't believe we weren't ready for him. There were so many of us. Our plan should have worked.

[There's a brief, faint smile.]

Numbers aren't everything. They help, but they are rarely the deciding factor. That we are helpless before his ability to render us nothing more than wireframes and willpower will need to be addressed if we ever are to try again.

He had that d-damn watch. If we could only t-take it from him...

[She sighs. What's the use in worrying about it now?]

Whatever, w-we'll g-get him next time. You were talking about... s-saving your home?

We'll worry about that when the time comes, if it comes again. He'll likely be more wary now.

[It's true. The future sees to itself!]

Less that, than offering a home to others.

[Veronica's silent for a moment.]

...If m-my world really is gone forever, and t-there's nothing for me left...

I'll consider your offer.

That's what it's there for. It is my hope we'll find a way to repair the damage done everywhere, but it if proves impossible there is no need to be an orphan of the stars forever.

Yeah...

[Her going to another world. How about that? She never really thought about it either.]

We... h-haven't really met before, have we?

I don't think so. Not before..

[There's a brief wave with one hand.]

All of this. I've seen you here and there, though. I'm afraid your name eludes me.

Yeah, I c-can't say that I remember your name either.

[Strange how that works. They fought side by side a few times and they don't even know each other.]

I'm Veronica Madaraki. It's... n-nice to meet you given the current circumstances.

[Just too much going on, otherwise. There wasn't much time for introductions. Maybe for the better, as Lorelei seems pleased at this introduction.]

Veronica then! I hope our future meetings go much better than the last couple. You may call me Lorelei if you'd like.

Right, Lorelei it is then.

[Not the strangest name she's heard around here.]

Right. I don't really intend on d-dying like our last m-meeting.

I don't think any of us really plan on it but we should certainly try a little harder not to die.

[He rubs a hand through his hair, frowning.]

It's really inconvenient. But! It's better to think on more pleasant things.

[She brushes hair from her face, nodding slowly.]

Yeah, a b-better plan for when Jason c-comes back w-would be nice. One that d-doesn't end in everyone dying horribly.

...what's your world like, i-if that's okay to ask.

[She's curious and you wanted pleasent things.]

I have a few ideas for that. ..But this isn't really a good place to discuss it I think. When the time comes!

[Lorelei has plenty of ideas. Whether any of them WORK is another matter.]

Ahhh. Well. It's.. worldlike. I've never actually had to describe it before. It's got a moon, and some rings, and some oceans and continents, and some cities.. It's right at the good distance from Rem and tilted just enough to cause seasons in both hemispheres..

When the time comes.

[Half of his explanation just... flies over her head, but she accepts it.]

Sounds l-like an interesting place! I'll h-have to see it for myself sometime. I mean... if my home really is gone forever.

[Her grin falters a little.] I do hope we c-can fix everything.

I like it, but I'm probably a bit biased.

[Everyone probably was.]

..Hey. Hope for the best, plan for the worst. It's good to hold onto what we want. Maybe we'll find a way to put everything back the way it was. Only time will tell.

Y-yeah, all we have is time to figure it out.

[But time... really isn't on their side anymore.]

I'll keep hoping for the best, a-and I'll prepare for the worst. T-that's all we really can do.

And try to have a little fun in the doing. If everything is serious all the time, even in grim days such as these, then it's easy to get dispirited.

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