NPC"[Name], I..." Yrliet's usual pride and arrogance give way to awkwardness and confusion. "This is my first time ever having to explain myself like this. But you... more than anyone... deserve to know the truth."
NPC"I understand how unworthy I am in your eyes. This may sound like a ridiculous excuse, but... I did not want to betray you, [Name]. I only wished to learn the truth about Crudarach's demise and find my kin. And when I saw the shard of my world in your dwelling, that trophy mounted on the wall, I was beside myself with fear and rage. And when my dark cousin whispered in my ear that he knew the answers to my questions... I made a mistake. I trusted my kin. And, fearing that you might refuse me if you knew where I had been getting my orders from, I simply asked you to direct your ship to the particular system."
NPC"Did I trust Marazhai? No, of course not. I thought he spoke of my kin's location to crush my soul — that he wanted me to go there and find only death instead of them. But hope... hope for the better... prevailed over my faith in you, elantach." Yrliet sighs awkwardly, avoiding your gaze. "Filled with hope, the thought never even crossed my mind that this single thread, forever slipping from my grasp, would lead us to the very heart of the Dark City. I am sorry, [Name]. And I wanted you to know that."
YOU"Your faith in me? Did I hear that right?"
NPCYrliet looks you straight in the eye. "The time I spent with you, our conversations, the glow of your soul that only I can see... Yes, faith. With you, I..." She stammers, at a loss for words.
YOU"Your faith in me? Did I hear that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I already told you that I know nothing about the shard. That trophy belonged to Theodora, my predecessor."
NPC"So you are not the one to blame for the destruction of Crudarach, but your blood is?" Yrliet purses her thin lips. "No, I will not condemn you and your blood. No more. My accusations have already cost us too much."
YOU"Your faith in me? Did I hear that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I already told you that I know nothing about the shard. That trophy belonged to Theodora, my predecessor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have always been honest with you, Yrliet. You, however, lied to me from the start."
NPCYrliet lowers her head in shame. "There is indisputable truth to your words. I should have realised sooner that you were worthy of more than what I offered you. You are worthy... of my trust. Forgive me my arrogance, [Name]."
YOU"Your faith in me? Did I hear that right?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I already told you that I know nothing about the shard. That trophy belonged to Theodora, my predecessor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have always been honest with you, Yrliet. You, however, lied to me from the start."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I understand why you did that. And I forgive you."
NPCYrliet's eyes widen in surprise. "I give you my word, [Name], I will never betray your trust ever again. You have shown great compassion by accepting me and forgiving my deed. I do not know if I would have been able to do the same."
NPC"It pains me to know the hardships you had to endure because of me. And you still suffer — in this cursed arena, in this cursed city. I also..." Yrliet pauses as if hesitant to continue. "My soul is crushed, elantach. The loss of Crudarach, the horrors of Commorragh, and the Drukhari's attempts to re-educate me... I have fully paid the price. I have lost my Path and can no longer... meditate. My body and my soul know no peace now. And that means that She Who Thirsts will soon turn her predatory gaze on me."
YOU"You are unable to meditate? Can that happen?"
NPC"I have heard stories about Aeldari unable to reach their inner world because of anguish or madness. And every story had a tragic ending."
YOU"You are unable to meditate? Can that happen?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you going to regain your powers now?"
NPC"I... I do not know." Sincere hopelessness rings in Yrliet's voice.
YOU"You are unable to meditate? Can that happen?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you going to regain your powers now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish I could embrace you and give you comfort, but you cannot bear human touch."
NPCYrliet shudders and ponders your words for a long while as she battles silently with herself. But then she shakes her head. "No. I cannot bear it, elantach. But the fact that you remember this and respect my feelings means a great deal to me."
YOU"You are unable to meditate? Can that happen?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you going to regain your powers now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish I could embrace you and give you comfort, but you cannot bear human touch."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot help with meditation, but I am prepared to stay with you and share the silence. That way, you will be able to forget about the horrors of Commorragh, if only for a little while."
NPCYrliet freezes for a second, then gestures for you to take a seat nearby. "We had a saying on Crudarach: in silence you can hear a heartbeat — the music of the soul trying to burst out. Please, share this wordless song with me, [Name]. And may it bring peace to us both."
end of branch
YOU"I hope you find a way to deal with that."
NPC"Asuryan will not abandon his child in such a dark hour, elantach. I am sure of it."
NPCYrliet makes an elegant gesture and nods curtly. "I would love to talk for longer, but any respite in the Dark City does not last long. When you are cornered prey, you must remain vigilant and expect to be tested at any moment. I will prepare for what awaits us."
end of branch
YOU"Everyone gets what they deserve."
NPCA bitter smile touches Yrliet's lips. "But you are here too, elantach?"
NPCYrliet makes an elegant gesture and nods curtly. "I would love to talk for longer, but any respite in the Dark City does not last long. When you are cornered prey, you must remain vigilant and expect to be tested at any moment. I will prepare for what awaits us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot help with meditation, but I am prepared to stay with you and share the silence. That way, you will be able to forget about the horrors of Commorragh, if only for a little while."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I hope you find a way to deal with that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Everyone gets what they deserve."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish I could embrace you and give you comfort, but you cannot bear human touch."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot help with meditation, but I am prepared to stay with you and share the silence. That way, you will be able to forget about the horrors of Commorragh, if only for a little while."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I hope you find a way to deal with that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Everyone gets what they deserve."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are you going to regain your powers now?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish I could embrace you and give you comfort, but you cannot bear human touch."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot help with meditation, but I am prepared to stay with you and share the silence. That way, you will be able to forget about the horrors of Commorragh, if only for a little while."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I hope you find a way to deal with that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Everyone gets what they deserve."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not think I will ever be able to completely trust you."
NPC"I understand, elantach. You have forgiven me and reminded me of the Path I walk. For that alone, I am endlessly grateful to you."
NPCYrliet makes an elegant gesture and nods curtly. "I would love to talk for longer, but any respite in the Dark City does not last long. When you are cornered prey, you must remain vigilant and expect to be tested at any moment. I will prepare for what awaits us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I understand why you did that. And I forgive you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not think I will ever be able to completely trust you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have always been honest with you, Yrliet. You, however, lied to me from the start."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I understand why you did that. And I forgive you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not think I will ever be able to completely trust you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I already told you that I know nothing about the shard. That trophy belonged to Theodora, my predecessor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have always been honest with you, Yrliet. You, however, lied to me from the start."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I understand why you did that. And I forgive you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not think I will ever be able to completely trust you."continues where this line first appears above