[-----LOG TAKEN FROM GFORTE'S PERSPECTIVE-----]

Fa'Diel - Oreyndur Forest
Bending tightly from north to southeast, the soft dirt that creates a
grassy trail leads on near-relentlessly within this splendid forest, the
trail itself being covered here and there by various bits of overgrown grass
and other mild vegetation. A couple open patches within the overhead growth
allow a decent amount of sunlight in, enough to maintain life on the forest
floor. A small glade lies hidden beyond the brush to the west.


Jillian walks the path through Oreyndur along with you, sometimes leading, sometimes following, but always moving at an indifferent if somewhat leisurely pace, as if she didn't really care how soon or late she arrived wherever she was going. Her tail waves dismissively about her backside almost the entire time.

Gforte quite frankly, is two steps away from lost as hell. Several maps have been posted on the inside of his cockpit, and all of them have failed him. "Jill. I think it's about time to say it. I have no idea where we are anymore. This damn forest has changed allright. Swear you can't keep the cheeks on your ass in this place."

Jillian smiles faintly, but it is only a cocky sort of smile, perhaps a less-obvious form of eye-rolling. "Worry not, my friend. If we were to cut a sheer path due west of here, we would all-but reach Viorar's east gate. Unfortunately, the trail doesn't allow such a simple path. But we will reach our destination, to be sure."

Jillian says 'However, if I have steered us slightly of course, you have my apologies. Coincidental as it may seem, however, we are very close to my quarry. His mana flow is unmistakeable.'

Gforte grumbles to himself from inside of his mech. "'doesn't allow such a simple path'. Pah. The Lobster could get me there." Tearing the maps down, he takes a look at his monitors and speaks up. "So who's this quarry of yours again? Some guy you're going to kill?"

Jillian says 'Naught. I say 'quarry' as though it were coming from a bounty hunter, but this is far from the case, I suppose. A boy and his father, and I only need a few words with them, that's all.'

Jillian stops after a moment, her tail whipping back and forth slightly as she studies some nearby foliage with sudden interest.

Gforte vaguely considers making a crack about Jillian's race, remembers she disliked it the last time he did, and grins. "So Jill. A man and his kid eh? Someone with a mana trail you remember unmistakably? I sense a story."

Jillian says 'Oh, a "story" is the understatement of the evening. This child is... special. By all rights and means, he should not exist as he does. And his father once played a part in history that allowed the world to remain as it is today.'

Jillian continues checking the surrounding woodland, as if searching for something, without even turning to look at you as she speaks.

Gforte senses that Jill is one-upping him with her matter-of-fact information. With a shrug, he idily primes a weapon system at random in case her prey doesn't want them around actually, and sits back. "You know, I used to fight dudes that wanted to end the world."

Jillian straightens, looking satisfied with herself. "I have no reason to doubt your words. There are plenty of heroes in the world, and some have done more than others. Some are more artificial than others, but they tend to not last long. Nevertheless, they all have done or will do their parts."

Jillian says 'To that end, however, I've found what I'm looking for. That which I seek is just through the underbrush here.'

Ezekial says ' DAMN!'

Ezekial struggles out from hiding under a bush.

Ezekial mutters " so much for a perfect survailence spot..."

Ezekial peers at Jillian quizzically.

Ezekial says ' I trust you got my letter?'

Gforte steps his mech forwards, and levels a claw at Ezekial before the claw splits open to reveal what look like hundreds of randomly aquired bladed weapons stuck in it. "So who are you then?"

Jillian tilts her head. "Whatever are you referring to, soulless one?" She makes no attempt to pull any punches on her wording, not even seeming surprised at Ezekial's emergence.

Jillian rolls her eyes upward slightly, addressing you. "Don't harm him, if you please. He's not a threat."

Ezekial slowly backs away from Gforte, trying to talk fast. " You did get my letter right? My partner brought it to you?"

You say ' He's babbling. It's a distraction tactic. Keep an eye out Jill.'

Ezekial licks his lips nervously.

Jillian doesn't seem to take to heart Gforte's advice, placing a hand nonthreateningly on her hip. Her tail curls up and around, brushing against the side of her cheek in an oddly-provocative gesture. "I'm afraid not... You see, I've been away for awhile now." Even Jillian's tone takes on a somewhat breathier aspect as she addresses Ezekial.

Ezekial stammers " The boy. I found that boy you were looking for..

Ezekial says ' they always return to the scene of the crime...I followed him here, been waiting for my partner to return with you.'

Jillian smiles, gesturing westward. "Fantastic! So this friend of yours... is he the one?" She turns slightly, looking up toward Gforte's mech's cockpit region.

Gforte growls from inside his mech, and keeps the claw full of pointy bits leveled at Ezekial.

Jillian says 'Oh dear. I guess that's a 'no', isn't it?'

You say ' If this dross is unimportant, then let's continue Jill. I'm burning fuel and patience, and I don't like being surprised.'

Jillian says 'Aside from this, I don't feel any surprises waiting for us. I can see why the boy and his father have taken up residence here, this is one of the most peaceful biomes I've had the opportunity to traverse firsthand.'

Ezekial attempts to ignore the pointy bits leveled at him.

Jillian looks at Ezekial. "You seem interested in the same child I am. Will you accompany us to his abode, then? You needn't go any further, by all means."

Ezekial frowns.

Ezekial says ' I'm here till the job is done.'

Ezekial says ' though there is the small matter of ...payment...'

Ezekial grins slyly at Jillian.

You say ' Consider yourself paid in the form of not being ventilated.'

Ezekial whimpers loudly.

Jillian shrugs peaceably. "Knowledge is the best form of payment. Come with us for a moment, and I'm sure what you learn will be well worth your time."

Ezekial coughs loudly.

Ezekial says ' right knowledge sure thing.'

Ezekial glares icily at you, you feel cold to your bones.

Ezekial says ' you just keep your thug away from me...'

Jillian stands straight, and proceeds to push past the western brush, into a clearing that lay beyond...

Fa'Diel - Secluded Glade
A canopy of lush, verdant leaves shelters this decidedly spacious
natural expanse, suppressing the glare of the sun during the day and
controlling the temperature as a ceiling would at night. Sturdy oaks and
other hardwood trees form the outer barrier of the clearing in a
surprisingly accurate circle, save for an almost hidden break in the same
direction as the sound of running water, and a wider one to the east, back
towards a larger trail in the forest. The ground is relatively empty, bare
of most signs of inhabitance other than particular patches of worn grass.

Jillian pushes her way in through the eastern underbrush, bending a few smaller tree branches out of the way as she does. Assumedly, she is followed by a rather large lobster mech, and another fellow.

Seikou is settled by a tree, just enjoying the breeze. He looks up, startled, at the parade arriving. "Um... can I... help you all?"

Gforte glares around at the general area, and scoffs to himself. "Nice area. Could have used something like this in construction."

Ambience is climbing up the same tree, half-hidden in some of the larger branches; his head pokes out of some leaves, blinking wide red irises at the arriving company.

Jillian smiles at Seikou, then raises her eyes to the child in the tree, then back at Seikou again. "A pleasure to finally meet you. Though I must admit, you're not quite the sight I expected as a father of such a radian child."

Jillian speaks bluntly, but nonthreateningly. Her attire seems a bit affronting given her speech, but she seems to be attempting courtesy, somewhat.

Seikou looks maybe a touch hurt by that. "I've... been through quite a lot. But, ah, can I ask what... brought you all here? I mean..." He shrugs. "We're out of the way for a reason."

Seikou seems a bit uncomfortable.

Ezekial sits down on the ground.

Ambience seems to remain silent where he is; he makes no attempt to hide further, but something on his face does make plain that he recognizes the pale, tailed woman.

"So these were the two you were looking for? Not what I expected from someone who saved the world." The lobster cranes it's head to the right, examining Seikou closely with it's gem eye. A vauge annoyance grows in Gforte for a reason he can't remember.

Jillian studies Seikou for a moment, her smile not fading. "You don't need to directly save the world to change it, or to be a hero. Sometimes it is... the little things." She advanced toward Seikou, attempting to remain nonthreatening. "Did the little one inform you of my impending visit, by chance?"

Seikou stands to meet Jillian. "He mentioned meeting someone, briefly. I assume that would be you. But the others?"

Ambience frowns softly, poking his head out further from the branches above. "I didn't know when you were comin', or if you even were. It's been a li'l while since then."

For some reason, Ambience seems rather uneasy in the presence of the large machine, specifically.

You say ' Name's Haut. Me and Jill here have been travelling for a while at this point. You got some kind of problem with me kid?'

Jillian stops near Seikou, leaning forward just a tad. -Just- enough to be slightly enticing about it. "I am Jillian. And yes, the two of us are heading west. The other fellow, whose name I don't yet know, seems to be a stalker of some sort, however unimportant." Her tone is rather sweet, even with the meaning in her words.

Ezekial attempts to stay out of sight behind the lobstermech.

Jillian says 'I merely came to discuss with you some small matters of mild importance. Your son has... acquired something, recently, and I only mean to warn you of potential problems that may involve them. And.. something else.'

Seikou frowns, but finally nods, giving a sigh. "I suppose... things couldn't stay quiet forever. Please, tell me everything." He looks over at the mech and the figure behind it. "There's a spring just a little off from here, if you're thirsty."

Ambience seems to realize what may be going on here, and proceeds to leap down from the tree; his height could've afforded some danger to such an action, but he rolls across the ground upon landing, completely unharmed. He gets to his feet, moving to stand next to Seikou, wordlessly.

Gforte raises an eyebrow from inside his cockpit, and flips a few switches on his control panel. The Lobster's claw closes and a few clunking noises come from inside of it's arm, but that's all that seems to happen from this.

Jillian says 'Have you seen the shard? It looks familiar to you, does it not?'

Seikou nods. "In a decidedly disconcerting way, yes." He idly fiddles with a bit of hair.

Ambience frowns softly, looking up between the two of them before taking out the piece of black glass in question; the shard glints ominously, harboring a subtle light within it.

Gforte leans closer to the monitor inside his mecha to try and get a look at what Ambience has, but then leans back and scoffs. This was Jillian's stop anyways. Not even any useful scrap around here to reclaim.

Jillian nods, then proceeds to hold out her hand in front of her; with a dim flash of white light, a similar shard appears in her grasp, glinting with the same strange light. "It isn't the only one. I believe there are eight in total, from what I understand." Her tone drops the sweet demeanor about it from earlier, going serious.

Seikou frowns, shaking his head. "I doubt this is a good thing. What can they do? Do you know?"

Ambience looks surprised at seeing another black shard, peering up at Seikou in confusion.
Ambience says 'Da, have you seen these before? What are they?'

Jillian pauses, waiting for Seikou to address Ambience's concern before speaking further.

Seikou massages his forehead as he speaks. "Crystal like this surrounded the Dark Manabeast before it broke out properly." He shrugged. "I never knew quite what it was, but... anything connected with that thing is dangerous."

Jillian smiles faintly; if she was concerned, it isn't showing. "The past returns to haunt us all when we least desire it, it seems. But you are correct; even in pieces, these contain the same capacity for darkness as they did whole. I wish I could say what it is, but my foresight is limited."

Her tail waves faintly, the spade-like end folding up slightly against Jillian's back on random occasions.

"Uhm. Now, call me ignornat." Gforte speaks up from behind the group "But something called a 'dark mana beast' sounds like a right bitch. Does this go up the alley of that mana tree you were talking about?"

Ambience says 'The Mana Tree...'

Seikou looks to Gforte, nodding. "It's... a whole complex of mana things that I could never follow, but yes, they're related." Pain crosses his face for a moment and he looks away into the trees.

Jillian watches Seikou briefly, her expression flickering. "Though I know not exactly what these are capable of, there is another matter I'd like to address."

Ambience looks from Seikou to Jillian; something in his eyes almost screams that he knows what's coming.

Seikou looks back at Jillian, composing himself again. "What is it?"

Jillian smiles again. "Your mate."

Gforte is watching the events before him with much more interest than before.

Ambience almost drops his shard, but reattains a tight grip on it. "Mama...?"

Seikou looks startled, but there's maybe a flicker of hope in his crimson eyes. "Aura? You... you know about her?"

Jillian nods once more, placing a hand on her hip. "I do. I know something of her predicament, but a small series of research before this journey has given me the information I needed. She is doing very well, if a little homesick."

Jillian says 'I am afraid to admit that the resurfacing of these shards may be affecting the barrier that normally surrounds her realm. It could be associated with the lack of communication between the two of them.'

Jillian looks sidelong at Ambience for a moment, as if assuming her meaning was clear enough.

Ambience merely nods, understanding, but without words.

"You know Jill, suddenly what you said makes more sense. You." Gforte points the lobster's claw to Seikou. "You're not human. That much is obvious. So what's up with the kid?"

Seikou nods, looking thoughtful, but then looks at Gforte with a wry grin. "I... never fully understood either. Something about dreams, and mana, and maybe the boundaries of reality being a little different in some places."

Seikou says ' But he's my son, and I love him dearly.'

Jillian thinks for a moment, looking first at Seikou, then Ambience, before turning to Gforte (or his mech, at least), her expression thoughtful. "Do you want the short story, or the long story?"

You say ' Life's never short. Belt it out Jill.'

Ambience frowns softly, before suddenly turning and making a break for the glade's eastern exit, dropping his shard in the grass as he does!

"Ambi--!" Seikou breaks off running after his son with inhuman speed!

Jillian frowns softly, watching the events.

Gforte looks at the two running off, and pushes his mecha forward slightly, using it's claw to pick up the shard with a surprisngly gentile touch before it drops it in it's mouth.

Gforte catches the shard as it falls into his cockpit and turns it about in his hands. A smile hits his face, and then he tucks the shard in his pocket. "What's up with those two?"

Ambience reaches the edge of the glade, but in attempting to hurry through to the main road, he gets caught in a thick section of foliage, wrestling against it.

Ezekial thows himself into an alert crouch, as the mech he has been dozing against moves.

Seikou grabs Ambience's shoulder. "What are you doing?!"

Jillian watches the mech pick up the shard, but neither says nor does anything to prevent it; her expression only remains thoughtful, as if considering a whole slew of things.

Ezekial mumbles whozat...payment...

Ambience says 'I don't wanna hear anymore! I don't like always bein' put on the spot! Ever since she came around, it's always been "this boy that" or "the special child this"! I don't wanna hear it anymore!'

Ambience looks thoroughly frustrated, his face bright red.

Ambience says 'How am I different than anyone else here? Look at all of you! A giant crab, a girl with a tail, and Da's a robot! Why am -I- the "special" one?!'

Seikou frowns... then bends and hugs his son close. "Ambi... to me, you're special and important because you're my son. Because I love you as my son. Anything else about you doesn't matter half as much as that."

Seikou says ' The world may see you as something different, but know that I love you as my precious little boy.'

Jillian averts her eyes, seeming to realize something, but saying naught of it.

Ambience still fumes at the predicament, but halfheartedly hugs his father in return, still looking like he wished he understood.

Gforte looks towards the two, then back to Jillian. "We still needed here? This might get akward quick."

Jillian says 'Maybe. I only wished to infer upon them information, but I may have overstepped my boundaries.'

Jillian seems to lack any real emotions in her statement, her eyes still not looking toward any of them.

You say ' Shit happens. We can leave before they get back.'

Seikou ruffles Ambience's hair affectionately. "I love you, Ambi. And I won't ask you to do anything you don't want, now or ever."

Jillian says 'In but a moment. His father needs to at least know that the Oracle will soon make an appearance within this realm. It will bring him comfort, which I feel he desperately needs.'

You say ' Sure, let the guy know his girl's coming.'

Ambience's frown softens somewhat, but he nods. "I know. I love you too, Da."

Seikou smiles affectionately at Ambience. "Now, want to stay here a bit, or want to go back with me? I'll clear out our visitors, don't worry."

Ambience thinks for only a moment, but looks back eastward. "I wanna go find someone. I need'a talk to her about something... something she might understand. Because she's different, and knows it, too."

Seikou pauses, but then nods, ruffling Ambience's hair as he stands. "Stay safe, alright? I trust you."

Ambience nods, straightening himself. "I'll be okay. Sylvan and Layla will look after me to make sure. I'll be home in just awhile, promise."

Ambience turns, and pushes his way eastward, out of the glade.

Jillian remains where she is, seemingly waiting.

Seikou heads back to the main grove. "I apologize for that." He scans the grass, frowning as he realizes the shard is gone.

You say ' Kids are kids.'

Jillian pivots on one foot, turning as Seikou's voice addresses her and Gforte. "Indeed. I apologize, myself, for instilling any negativity. I wish I could say the boy's outburst was unwarranted, but he has every right to be confused."

Seikou nods a little, sighing. "He's so young... younger than he looks and acts, even. I worry about him. I've done what I can to make his life a good one, but... it's been hard."

Jillian thinks for only a moment. "I would not dwell on it too deeply, at this time. You soon won't be alone in your parental endeavours, I believe."

You say ' Smooth Jill. Best way to break it right there.'

Seikou blinks, a bit of a hopeful smile on his lips. "...Really?"

"Thank you, Haut." Her tone is rather flat, but Jillian nods in respect to Seikou's single-worded query. "If I am not mistaken, my superior is soon finding her current situation to be fruitless. Her next task will soon begin, which involves a certain restoration of the Mana Tree's power."

Jillian says 'She has become aware of the difference in power between the Holyland and this realm, and how the barrier reacts to it. She will attempt to restore that balance, thus enabling the Oracle's freedom.'

Seikou smiles warmly. "It would be... amazing to have Aura back. Really. You don't know how long I..." He trails off, looking more content than he has since the parade invaded his grove.

You say ' Just a quick bit of advice man, you might wanna get yourself fixed up a bit if she is coming back. You're a bit... disheviled.'

Jillian says 'Words are beyond anything I could assume you to feel. And worry not, for they aren't needed. Just watch for any signs that may foretell this; I don't know how long it will be, but I do believe the situation is to become a reality.'

Jillian looks up at the giant lobster mech, and her demeanor changes to a less serious tone. "I never did answer your question earlier when you asked for the longer story, did I?"

You say ' Not at all.'

Seikou idly fiddles with his hair again, seemingly trying to straighten it with his fingers.

Jillian sighs, but straightens; her tail reaches up to brush lightly under her chin, her expression slightly distant. "Aura was to become the next incarnation of the Goddess, in the form of the Tree of Mana."

Jillian says 'Before this happened, she gave birth to Ambience in a form of... mana egg. A sleep consumed by mana, where reality does not often have limits attached to it. The boy's birth did not require a paternal figure, only Aura's desire and emotion.'

Jillian says 'When Aura awoke, she was pregnant. That is the simple part.'

You say ' Wait. Wait wait wait. Wait. So She and this guy had mind sex and she got preggers.'

Seikou blushes a tiny bit.

Jillian seems to retroact her previous statement, after noting Ambience's birth did not actually take place within Aura's slumber, waving a hand dismissively to herself.

Jillian says 'That wasn't it at all. No intercourse actually occurred. Aura's will, hope, and desire to carry on her own legacy provided her the pregnancy needed to carry out her own wish. The boy's physical traits took on that she wished most as the "other" parent alongside herself.'

Jillian says 'Consider it selfish, if you will, but when you are to ascend to Godhood, stranger things could have happened. It was not a dumb maneuver, I would think.'

Seikou smiled fondly. "Well, I'm grateful for the results."

You say ' ... So she mind raped him. Jesus I would have prefered the mind boning instead. Though I have to admit the whole godhood thing interests me.'

Seikou shakes his head, frowning at Gforte. "Not like that. Gods, do you take the worst possible view on things?"

You say ' Generally. Expect the worst, be happy when it's something better than that. Besides, it's funny to get people flustered.'

Jillian puts a hand on her hip again, looking thoughtful only for a moment. "Think of Ambience as the child of a Goddess that never made it to her ethereal throne. Aura may be the strongest force in the world, outside of the actual gods themselves, at this time. But her power is concealed, for good reason. But that is a story for another time."

Jillian says 'Ambience's potential is limitless. He may well transcend Aura's at some point, so it is understandable that he is concerned and confused by his current predicament.'

Gforte scraches his head, and then sighs. "Ask me you should treat the kid good, but have a hand on a knife at all times. 'Limitless Potential' is never a good thing, why can't people get that? Absolute power and whatnot.

Seikou glares at Gforte, a hand traveling to the saber hilt at his hip. "If you try to touch my son..."

Jillian moves to stop Seikou, placing a hand on his arm. "Please don't. He speaks nonchalantly, but he is mostly harmless."

You say ' Gee, thanks Jill. Havn't seen me do anything and suddenly I'm harmless.'

Jillian looks up toward the mech's cockpit. "You haven't harmed me yet, so I assume my statement to be valid until proven otherwise. Besides this, you assume me to stand idly by should such a situation arise, which is entirely not the case."

Jillian looks back at Seikou, her tone gentle. "Your son is nothing to fear, but I don't need to tell you this. He is a brave and strong person, but he is right to be concerned about his placement in this world. If he understood better, he might feel more... stable."

Seikou nods, sighing. "I just... I barely understand everything that happened all those years ago myself, and I don't know how to help him."

Jillian nods understandingly. "Wait for the Oracle to return. Answers may yet be given to you, but you need the patience before they can be provided."

Seikou looks up at Jillian. "Is there... anything I can do? Myself? About any of this? I feel like I'm always waiting for other people to fix things, and that's... that's why Aura and Vari..." He falls silent.

Jillian thinks for a moment. "I must ask you to be on high alert for those glass shards, as well. As I said, there should be eight in total, but my hope is that they do not all come together at once. This is all the warning I can give."

Seikou says ' I don't know where the one Ambi dropped got off to...'

Jillian says 'Secondly, as harsh as his tone was, I could agree with Haut, at least in concept. If you know of a mechanic, you could do with some, how do you say, sprucing up? At least get your arm refitted, perhaps.'

You say ' Hell if his potential is so limitless, then why not throw the kid a few technical diagrams. Have him learn a trade skill.'

Jillian says 'We have it, so there is nothing to worry about. I will see that he gets it back, should he desire it. For now, however, he doesn't need anyting else to worry about.'

Seikou nods. "Fair enough. I'll get myself refitted. And I've been teaching Ambience, don't worry."

Jillian nods, and turns to leave. "Well then, we should be on our way. Viorar is still a bit of a ways off, and I'm sure you have much to prepare for. I hope my visit has been helpful, at least somewhat."

Seikou nods. "...Thank you. I mean it."

You say ' Good luck with the kid, just keep an eye on him. And don't forget to give him dessert, for all our sakes.'

Jillian looks up at the mech for a moment, with a short sigh, and nods. "Keep your mind sharp. I don't know what may transpire from all of this, but I meant every word when I expressed the potential danger those shards hold. If you find any, hold on to them."

Seikou grins at Gforte. "Don't worry, I've become a decent baker." He looks back to Jillian. "Understood. I'll keep any of them safe."

Kage falls in from above and lands on his arse, standing up scratching his bum, looking around.

Jillian goes to leave, but stops; visitors seem to be coming out of the proverbial woodworks today, and apparently not just in Seikou's eyes.

Kage takes a moment to look around.

Kage says 'You! '

Kage points at noone accusingly.

Kage notices he is pointing at noone.

Jillian pipes up. "Can we help you, perhaps? Are you a wandering performer, perhaps?"

Seikou stares at Kage. "What in the name of the Gods..."

Kage raises an eyebrow at Jillian.

You say ' Is this that guy's partner from before?'

Seikou says ' Why is everyone coming into my house?'

Kage says 'I am here on my own behalf. I have no business with you today..'

Jillian brightens in realization. "Ah, of course! The two of them must be in tandem. Or maybe it is just part of the act."

Jillian shrugs, then nods at Seikou. "We will be going, then. Take my words to heart, and be safe. If you need me for any reason, as I said, we are leaving for Viorar."

Seikou says ' Why are you in my HOUSE?!'

Kage raises an eyebrow at Seikou.

Seikou looks to Jillian, giving a little nod.

Kage looks at Seikou.

Kage says 'Our business is not done.'

Jillian makes to leave the glade, her stance a bit on the haughty side. Or maybe that's just how she always walks. Probably the latter.

Seikou looks to Kage. "And that would be..."

Kage says 'I heard you know of a master forge that can do something with this'

Gforte shrugs and follows after Jillian. He's got no buisiness with the emo-bishi, and the shard in his pocket is calling to be examined closer.

Kage gives Shasras Steel to Seikou.

Seikou looks at Shasras Steel in his hand.

Seikou says ' ...I think you may have the wrong person. I've always used energy weapons myself, or weapons built on the wrong side of the Cleft.'

Seikou gives Shasras Steel to Kage.

Seikou shakes his head.

Kage raises an eyebrow.

Kage says 'No I'm sure its the right person, maybe the wrong material.'

Kage says 'I have this thing called clairvoyance.'

Seikou says ' I know where to get Reploid repairs done and the like, I suppose, but really...'

Fa'Diel - Oreyndur Forest
Bending tightly from north to southeast, the soft dirt that creates a
grassy trail leads on near-relentlessly within this splendid forest, the
trail itself being covered here and there by various bits of overgrown grass
and other mild vegetation. A couple open patches within the overhead growth
allow a decent amount of sunlight in, enough to maintain life on the forest
floor. A small glade lies hidden beyond the brush to the west.

Jillian pauses on the main road through Oreyndur, looking up at the mech pointedly. "Now that a good amount of information has been divulged, do you have any questions about anything before we continue? I'd rather there be no lingering confusion."

You say ' These shards. You said they're some kind of residue from a giant evil soul monster. Right?'

Jillian says 'A containment piece, more so. They provided the house for that soul, yes. Though given their presence, it can only be assumed that a similar situation may arise between them. That much I do not know, yet.'

Jillian says 'I don't fear anything will come of it unless more of them were closer together. The resonance is what causes disturbances, where they are concerned.'

"Huh. Interesting. I wonder..." Gforte kicks the hatch to his Lobster open, and scrambles out and up to it's head quickly, examining the red gem there in it's eye.

You say ' Hey. Jill. Do you know what this Gem is?'

Jillian watches him, tilting her head. "I suppose I don't. But if I can assume it to be an amplifier of any kind, I can tell you that you won't harness any energy from the shard. It is literally just a piece of a broken vessel."

Gforte looks a bit crestfallen, and climbs down from the gem. "It's a rock that I pulled out of some guy's chest in the purple space when I was dead. Oh well." Gforte climbs back in the mech, and starts it up again. "Lead on Jill, I'm still lost as hell."

Jillian nods, her expression complacent as she meanders onward, following the trail as westward as it would allow.

You say ' Hey Jill. Why is it I see you approach things from the side most often?'

Jillian says 'I don't want to be any more involved than I need to be, and I don't want to directly influence anything. Remember when I told you I was merely a messenger? That wasn't a lie, and I take my job very seriously.'

Jillian seems to belay this statement with a similarly-serious tone.

You say ' Well you're not on the job right now are you? No need to be ramrod around buddies. Or a travelling companion. Whatever I am.'

Jillian says 'My job could change at any moment. As a result of that, I am prevented from being too close to anyone. The term "friendship" has no real meaning to me, despite how I seem to praise the side of law and order. As you recall, I have my superiors, and my orders come from them.'

Jillian says 'Thankfully, she is generally a peaceful soul. So I have not had any reason to question orders at this time.'

Gforte looks at Jillian from his lobster's monitors, and sighs. "Shit though. Even I need a shoulder to lean on sometimes. Isn't good to go through life all bottled up Jill. Even if you are worried about having to be ready the next moment."

Jillian says 'Fear is also not part of my programming, if I may use the term proverbially. If you fear anything, you avoid things you might otherwise not. You can be prepared for anything without having to be afraid of it.'

Jillian is specifically not looking toward the mech as she walks and talks, her tone a complete straightforward and self-explanatory approach.

Gforte groans in fustration, and shakes his head. "That was NOT the point of what I just said Jill. Besides, being worried about something isn't the same as fearing it at all."

Jillian merely smiles to herself, but walks on. "Here's a lot about me I'm not going to try to explain because it would clash with the values of too many people that currently exist, yourself included. I've given you what would pass as a legitimate answer to any question you've asked."

Jillian says 'The problem therein lies in fact that every answer anyone gives is typically opinion-based. As such, I have mine, and you have yours. A good answer from me may not be the same for you.'

Gforte sets his face into his palms, and sighs deeply. "I can make a fucking lobster mecha out of scrap but I can't hold a conversation with someone without getting lead mentally around a bush and then thrown off a cliff. This is what happens when I try to make friends."

Jillian says 'I do not believe succubi make the best of companions, anyway. To my understanding, they are well known for being a treacherous sort. How do you not believe me to be so, as well?'

Jillian says 'You should take matters more lightly than you do. Learn to let things glance off your shoulder, and dismiss that which you don't understand as simply "unnecessary" to you.'

You say ' Because you've said several times how you're not a normal succubi, and I'm not someone that's interested in you for the sole purpose of tappin' that. And don't give me the "Don't get so worked up over things" talk. Being strung this way is what has me alive right now.'

Jillian says 'Then I would politely ask that you be more accepting of my mannerisms. That's all, and I will attempt to do the same for you. This is how I am, and how I will continue to be; by not taking direct sides, much conflict is avoided. This is my desire.'

Gforte sighs for a final time. "Sure. Whatever. Never mind that I wasn't asking you to take sides, or to help me in a fight or whatever." Gforte proceeds to shut up and pilot his mech.

Jillian says 'I believe this was the prime question. You asked why I always approach situations "from the side", did you not? This was my answer, in my previous statement. But yes, we should be arriving at Tonoe in awhile, after passing through the highlands.'

Jillian meanders on, wiggling her tail dismissively as she goes.