Vent"You posed a question to me not long ago, elantach. And now I am here to present you with my answer." With fluid grace, Yrliet emerges from the shadows of the captain's bridge. Her face seems to glow under the lumen light, her expression slightly more pensive than usual.
YOU"Remind me: what is it I asked you?"
Vent"We talked about how we each see the world in our own way. You were eager to know how Aeldari see the world. Do you still wish to hear the answer?"
YOU"Of course. If you are ready to give it."
Vent"Then listen closely to my answer, elantach. You may struggle to comprehend what is to be said, being accustomed to revelling in your own might and skewing the world to suit yourself. Pitch your understanding not toward my words, but the sense that lies hidden in the shade of their sounds." Yrliet half-closes her eyes, her words unfurling slowly and melodically.
Vent"You try to split the world into pieces, to fragment it: into light and dark, truth and lies, self and other. But I see the world as a single whole, and in this lies its simplicity and complexity. It is not enough simply to see the world and hear its voices. You must understand it."
Vent"Think of the Lilaethan, the world on which our paths crossed. What is it truly? What is its essence? The Lilaethan's magnificence comes not from the green of its vast forests, or from the depths of its waters. Its beauty is in the word. In the way it dances on the tongue. And even you, elantach, can sense it. Try — say the word, slowly, delicately, casting aside all stray thoughts. Feel. Perhaps then you will see."
YOU"Lilaethan."
VentThe foreign word rolls around awkwardly in your mouth and, once released, it immediately sinks without a trace in the sea of voices on the captain's bridge.
Vent"You are rushing, elantach. Try again. Do not force the word — let it take you with it."
YOU"Lilaethan."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Close your eyes, empty your mind, and speak the word] "Li-lae-than..."
VentThe world around you fades and your perception instantly narrows, coming to a single point of focus on the tip of your tongue. "Li" — your tongue delicately tickles the roof of your mouth, and the sound slips along your throat with incredible silkiness, warming as it goes like a sip of fresh recaf. "Lae" — the tip of your tongue touches the same place again and air softly rushes from your chest, the sound like the susurration of leaves as the wind weaves through a forest canopy. "Than" — your tongue taps your front teeth and a gentle vibration spreads through your body, sending a shiver along your spine.
VentGuarded interest gleams in Yrliet's eyes when your gazes meet again.
YOU"I think I am beginning to understand."
Vent"If your words are sincere, elantach... then you are capable of seeing more than you do now."
Vent"Instead of the lifeless clamour of monstrous mechanisms, the roar of engines, and the discordant voices of your followers, I hear and attend to silence. It arises in moments of spiritual serenity, and in that stillness we become witnesses to the transformations of our own inner world."
Vent"Mon-keigh lives pass so swiftly. You rush through them for the sake of a chosen goal, but thoughts of transience and loss frighten you, and so you drive such thoughts away and drown yourselves in the daily tumult. But it is from fleeting moments, which enter our lives and quickly vanish from them, that the soul's fortress grows. A moment's blooming, an hour's wilting — the splendour of each lies in its ephemerality. So too the memories of those who have left our side and no longer walk the path with us."
Vent"And in you, elantach... I see much more than just another mon-keigh. Your true essence lies in your will, which is capable of changing the world around you and within you. It lies in your ability to create and to understand your creation, and in your ability to destroy. It lies in what your kin's minds cannot grasp, what their primitive sight cannot behold... But I can see it."
YOU"I never expected to hear you say such things in reference to me."
Vent"I am but speaking the truth, elantach. However, I ask you not to make the mistake typical of your kind — my words contain no insinuation nor any call for you to act. Your soul... shines brightly in this world. I see you, and this will never change. That is all."
YOU"I never expected to hear you say such things in reference to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Paying me compliments now? So you are attracted to me!"
Vent"Perhaps I was too hasty in my judgement of you. Perhaps your essence is only emptiness inside a colourful shell." A stifled sigh escapes Yrliet's lips. "I warn you, elantach, one more insinuation and any chance of understanding between us will be forever lost to you."
YOU"I never expected to hear you say such things in reference to me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Paying me compliments now? So you are attracted to me!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for telling me how you see the world."
Vent"And what do you make of it, elantach? How differently do you see the world?"
YOU"I also see something greater in the world around me, something deeper than the outer guise of things."
Vent"And what does that mean?" Yrliet asks, with all her attention focused on your words.
YOU"I find I am especially drawn to imperfection and destruction."
Vent"Sometimes it is so." Yrliet closes her eyes as though she is sinking into a memory. "Even the ruins of long-forgotten worlds contain the stories of the past and of those who came before us."
VentYrliet says nothing for a time, silently watching you from under her half-lowered lids. "Now that we have each shared our truth about this world... I would like to know if your thoughts about me align with those of your kin, elantach, or if you see me differently."
YOU"I see you as an intelligent and highly dangerous being. An ally, at present."
Vent"I accept your answer, elantach. As long as you do not attempt to get under my skin or demand... something else... of me." She places particular emphasis on the last few words. "I will go now, elantach. Guide your steel-winged bird."
end of branch
YOU"To me you are a foreign yet beguiling world, Yrliet. I hope that one day I will come to know you. And on that day, my own world will become much deeper."
VentYrliet goes still and looks at you intently as if seeing you for the first time. "It seems there are many facets of your soul that I have not considered, elantach. Interesting... I accept your answer and thank you for speaking with me. This is the first conversation on board this vessel that has truly brought serenity and joy to my soul."
end of branch
YOU"Your appeal is... unusual. It springs from within, evoking disquiet... and a craving to know what is hidden from my eyes."
VentYrliet goes still and looks at you intently as if seeing you for the first time. "It seems there are many facets of your soul that I have not considered, elantach. Interesting... I accept your answer and thank you for speaking with me. This is the first conversation on board this vessel that has truly brought serenity and joy to my soul."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are beautiful and alluring. I like you."
Vent"That is enough, mon-keigh. Did I not warn you about the consequences?"
VentYrliet's face hardens and she puts as much distance between you as she can. "Our conversation has opened my eyes — your understanding of my soul is just as limited as your kin's. Let us stop there. You no doubt have important affairs to attend to. I will not distract the overlord of the mon-keigh any longer."
end of branch
VentYrliet's face hardens and she puts as much distance between you as she can. "Our conversation has opened my eyes — your understanding of my soul is just as limited as your kin's. Let us stop there. You no doubt have important affairs to attend to. I will not distract the overlord of the mon-keigh any longer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do not worry, I am not attracted to you in any sense of the word."
Vent"Your words do not trouble my soul. On the contrary, they bring only relief. And now that this conversation is over, I will leave you to return to guiding your steel-winged bird." Yrliet nods curtly and melts into the shadows of the bridge.
end of branch
YOU"I try not to think about you at all — and I will order my crew to do the same."
Vent"That will be best, I think. The less conspicuous my presence is on your ship, the more at peace my soul will be. I will go now, elantach. Guide your steel-winged bird." Yrliet nods curtly and melts into the shadows of the bridge.
end of branch
YOU"I see the suffering of those around me, and it compels me to act."
Vent"If you speak of our souls' ability to overcome hardship... then the experience of suffering does indeed become a symbol of our abiding strength and inner growth. And it gives hope that we can overcome life's trials."
VentYrliet says nothing for a time, silently watching you from under her half-lowered lids. "Now that we have each shared our truth about this world... I would like to know if your thoughts about me align with those of your kin, elantach, or if you see me differently."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see the uniqueness of every creature, every thing. And it pleases me."
Vent"I can follow the line of your thoughts, elantach. Every form, colour, creature, and being possesses its own charm and capacity to stir our emotions. Millions of stars in the darkness. The inimitability of void crystals. The plethora of intelligent and primitive life forms that inhabit the galaxy... The world manifests itself in endless diversity — and in that lies its true magnificence."
VentYrliet says nothing for a time, silently watching you from under her half-lowered lids. "Now that we have each shared our truth about this world... I would like to know if your thoughts about me align with those of your kin, elantach, or if you see me differently."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The world is full of random occurrences. I recognise this and surrender myself to the courses of fate."
Vent"I understand. There are times when something sublime can arise from the accidental combination of colours on the celestial palette. Or from the tangled threads of fate of two souls weaving together at a particular moment. In this unexpected and elusive instant, the world acquires a particular allure."
VentYrliet says nothing for a time, silently watching you from under her half-lowered lids. "Now that we have each shared our truth about this world... I would like to know if your thoughts about me align with those of your kin, elantach, or if you see me differently."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I believe I am tired of this conversation now."
VentThe Aeldari inclines her head and makes a subtle hand gesture whose meaning is unknown to you. "Some questions are destined to remain unanswered. You no doubt have important affairs to attend to. I will not distract the overlord of the mon-keigh any longer."
end of branch
YOU"In this world of endless war and peril, I see only one beacon of hope, and that is the God-Emperor."
VentYrliet's breath hitches quietly. "Your understanding of the world is not all that different from your kin's. Perhaps my conclusions about you were premature."
VentThe Aeldari turns away, but before she leaves she looks at you once more: "Do not take my words to heart. There is no shame in thinking as others of your kind do. It is much more difficult to follow a different path from the rest."
end of branch
YOU"I try to turn my attention to that which delights my ears and my eyes — music, art, wealth, and power, of course."
VentYrliet's breath hitches quietly. "Your understanding of the world is not all that different from your kin's. Perhaps my conclusions about you were premature."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A foolish question. The world belongs to Humanity."
VentYrliet's breath hitches quietly. "Your understanding of the world is not all that different from your kin's. Perhaps my conclusions about you were premature."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I believe I am tired of this conversation now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I haven't understood a word you've said."
Vent"Lack of understanding between our kinds is to be expected, elantach. I did not assume that you would grasp all of what was said... Nevertheless, I did hope that your mind would be capable of more."
Vent"Still, it was fascinating to observe your reaction. Now I am curious to know how you see this world."
YOU"I also see something greater in the world around me, something deeper than the outer guise of things."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"In this world of endless war and peril, I see only one beacon of hope, and that is the God-Emperor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I try to turn my attention to that which delights my ears and my eyes — music, art, wealth, and power, of course."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A foolish question. The world belongs to Humanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I believe I am tired of this conversation now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"More Aeldari claptrap. I wish I'd never asked."
Vent"Mon-keigh grow angry when they do not receive an answer. And when they do receive an answer, they grow angry then, too." Yrliet steps back and looks away from you. "Let us leave this conversation in the past, and move on."
end of branch
YOU"Thank you for telling me how you see the world."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I haven't understood a word you've said."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"More Aeldari claptrap. I wish I'd never asked."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Paying me compliments now? So you are attracted to me!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for telling me how you see the world."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I haven't understood a word you've said."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"More Aeldari claptrap. I wish I'd never asked."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is a word like any other — there is nothing special about it."
VentYou almost miss the flicker of disappointment in the Aeldari's eyes. "This is only the beginning, elantach. I have more to tell you."
Vent"Instead of the lifeless clamour of monstrous mechanisms, the roar of engines, and the discordant voices of your followers, I hear and attend to silence. It arises in moments of spiritual serenity, and in that stillness we become witnesses to the transformations of our own inner world."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"More Aeldari claptrap. I wish I'd never asked."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, but no. Is that all you wanted to say to me?"
VentYou almost miss the flicker of disappointment in the Aeldari's eyes. "This is only the beginning, elantach. I have more to tell you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"More Aeldari claptrap. I wish I'd never asked."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Close your eyes, empty your mind, and speak the word] "Li-lae-than..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you, but no. Is that all you wanted to say to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"More Aeldari claptrap. I wish I'd never asked."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Oh, that... The topic no longer interests me."
VentThe Aeldari inclines her head and makes a subtle hand gesture whose meaning is unknown to you. "Some questions are destined to remain unanswered. You no doubt have important affairs to attend to. I will not distract the overlord of the mon-keigh any longer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have my complete attention."
Vent"Then listen closely to my answer, elantach. You may struggle to comprehend what is to be said, being accustomed to revelling in your own might and skewing the world to suit yourself. Pitch your understanding not toward my words, but the sense that lies hidden in the shade of their sounds." Yrliet half-closes her eyes, her words unfurling slowly and melodically.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Gesture for her to continue]
Vent"Then listen closely to my answer, elantach. You may struggle to comprehend what is to be said, being accustomed to revelling in your own might and skewing the world to suit yourself. Pitch your understanding not toward my words, but the sense that lies hidden in the shade of their sounds." Yrliet half-closes her eyes, her words unfurling slowly and melodically.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have come too late for an audience, Yrliet. My receiving hours have long since ended."
VentThe Aeldari inclines her head and makes a subtle hand gesture whose meaning is unknown to you. "Some questions are destined to remain unanswered. You no doubt have important affairs to attend to. I will not distract the overlord of the mon-keigh any longer."continues where this line first appears above