Sonata is settled on the edge of the fountain, staring at the sky, one hand trailing in the water. Her eyes are... distracted more than anything else as she watches the clouds float past...

Variance steps quietly(as quiet as his annoyingly hydraulic steps let him be, at least) into the square, oddly enough from the south this time, gazing at the ground in a slight amount of interest. The ground was more interesting than his fit of guilt, at least.

Sonata glances over at the entering Reploid and smiles briefly before turning her attentions back to the heavens...

Rathe wanders in slowly from the south, examining everything around him as he walks, observing the changes in the Cleft during his absence.

Variance actually passes the benches, another odd action for him, and instead settles against a wall, out of the way of the main sidewalks and most activity. His eyes are still trained to the ground, narrowed in thought and endless worry.

Sonata looks at the white Reploid, eyes displaying curiosity...

Rathe sits on the same bench he always sat on, and looks over everyone present. "Things don't seem to have changed much while I was gone..."

Omega wanders into the square from the north, grinning to herself. She appears to be counting a handful of money.

The hesitant beginnings of a female-voiced song glide in from a region just south of the city, a lonely sort of wordless melody that drifts through the atmosphere about and around, each note clear and strong.

Rathe turns his head to the south and listens to the singing distractedly, not sure what to make of it.

Sonata turns her attention from Variance to the melody, cocking her head in interest... She climbs off the edge of the fountain and half-prepares to walk south.

Variance suddenly shifts, crossing his arms over his chest as the song wafts through the area.

Sonata nods firmly to herself and walks off southwards, boots clicking on the cobbled streets...

Omega stops, and headtilts at the singing that came from the south.. and then she heads in that direction idly, still counting her money.

The song continues for what sounds like a repetitive chorus, but quickly cuts out sharply, the way a hidden actor might if he or she had been discovered unintentionally.

Rathe stares southwards. "I am curious as to this singing too, but unsure if I wish to interfere."

Variance still doesn't look relieved as the singing stops, looking fully enveloped in his own thoughts... and his own worries. It's as if he's done something catastrophically immoral...

Rathe turns his head and looks Variance over again, noticing the Hunters logo this time. "You are with the Hunters? I accepted their invitation to join, but not long after I was... needed elsewhere."

Variance looks up, eyes widening fairly in shock. This soon passes, however, and he stands a little straighter as he's addressed. "Yes, I am. Did you need something?"

Rathe says 'I've been away for some time, where I cannot say, but I need information on what has happened during my absence. Last time I was in this village, a Maverick named Vice challenged me to a duel.'

Variance nods complacently. "I see. Well," He turns fully to Rathe, looking a bit more professional than he did previously, "You won't have to worry about Vice for a while; he's currently being held at the Base."

Rathe adjusts his sunglasses briefly. "And who were the brave warriors who defeated him to bring about such a capture?"

"That's the thing..." Variance pauses, a visible amount of concern returning to his features. "He turned himself in."

Rathe looks directly at Variance. "He gave himself up? When I faced him he hardly seemed the sort to surrender to anyone."

You say 'That's what makes it so strange. Before he walked in with the heads of the guards, he was exactly as you described him... It just doesn't make any sense.'

Omega wanders back into the square from the south. She looks around, with a analytical bored look on her face, as if looking for something, but really not caring..

Rathe looks away into the distance. "Yes, a very odd turn of events indeed.."

Rathe suddenly stands up as though startled by something, and faces towards the west, focusing intently as though listening to something, although there was no sound.

Aura sprints past the area from south to north, face hidden in her hands as she seems to make a frustrated dash for the Sanctuary northward.

Sonata walks back in, boots clicking on the pavement, looking deeply worried...

Omega blinks and looks at Rathe, drawn by his sudden movements... and then blinks as someone runs past. ".....?" She headtilts.

Rathe turns from where he's looking slightly and watches the runner on her path northwards, then turns his eyes westwards again.

Variance follows Aura with his gaze, again looking deeply concerned. Aura... He looks back to Rathe briefly, saluting. "I'm sorry, there's something I have to take care of." With a quick nod, he darts north himself...

Sonata settles back on the fountain edge, staring into the waters, still worried...




[Mana Sanctuary]


Variance almost skids to a halt, taking a few quick breaths to recover from the sprint here. "Aura!"

Aura is standing off to one side of the Sanctuary, half hidden by one of the many support pillars lining the sides, her face half-hidden from the shadows therein, with the unmistakeable sound of crying coming from therein.

Variance quietly approaches the sobbing girl, expression one of deep-seated worry. "Aura, what's wrong?" His tone is as consoling as he can manage...

Aura doesn't cease in her emotional fit, her tears flowing as freely as any newborn child. "I.. It's nothing. It's m-my own problem. I'll be fine!" She practically spits the last word out, still hidden in the shadows.

Variance pauses briefly to stand a little closer, though not enough to be considered imposing on her personal space. "It can't be nothing... but... if you really don't want to talk about it, I won't force you."

Omega enters from the south.. She's moving quickly, but quietly. Spotting and or Hearing Variance, she comes to a halt, and just watches/listens..

Aura looks up just a little ways, the light falling more or less partway over her face, her tears lessening -just- slightly. "... Why.. I.. where is Seikou? He told me.. he'd.. and it's.." She sputters.

Aura says 'I feel like.. I've been left behind.. is my presence here really.. so negatively an influence? I don't understand..'

Aura speaks as though she were recalling past events, a frustrated-sort of distant looking coming into her eyes as she does.

Variance unwillingly regains that look of catastrophic misdoing he bore earlier, starting to say things and stopping, trying to decide if it's really the best thing. If he said it, she'd be heartbroken, yet she's already weeping over his absence... A lose-lose situation if there ever was one.

Aura just watches you silently for a moment, before piping up again. "If he was hurt.. why didn't you tell me? I told him I.. I understood his line of work.. just as long as he came back to me, alive.."

Aura says 'That was all I ever asked of him.. I knew that he wouldn't remain.. perfectly, completely safe, all the time..'

Aura seems to have ceased crying more or less completely by now, taking a hesitant step out of the shadows in Variance's direction.

Omega wanders closer, quietly, trying to look around Variance to see who he is talking to...

Variance remains staring at the ground in front of his feet, his conscience and emotion fighting for a chance to take his voice for itself...

A series of tiny green pulses light up the area around the base of the Goddess of Mana's statue in the far back, holding a dim glow for a moment before it, too, fades away completely.

You say '...I was telling the truth when I said Seikou was fine... physically, at the very least. But he's been fighting, and that day in Shrike... he...'

Variance trails off, his inward struggle renewing itself...

Aura moves to take another step towards Variance, but stops before she does, shaking her head in confusion. "Is.. he's alive, right? Please, at least tell me he's alive..?" She sounds worried to death, the pale look on Aura's face evidence of this.

"He's alive," Variance starts quickly, sounding as reassuring as possible, "In fact, he isn't hurt at all at the moment. However..." He pauses again, Emotion screaming at Logic to stop being so heartless...

You say '...He's being held in the containment cell at Hunter Base. He went in of his own decision, to... prevent another incident like the one at Shrike.'

Aura tilts her head confusedly, obviously not knowing anything about this 'incident'. "But.. when he went to Shrike.. I was with him, wasn't I? We went there, together.. he told me about the Hunters, and.. but.."

Aura says 'I don't understand. I never saw him do anything wrong.. he was always kind and thoughtful.. only save for that day, Vaisu got control of him.. but Vaisu's in.. containment, isn't he..?'

"He is now, yes." The tone of concern falters none as Variance continues. "It must have happened after you went there with him... He... Lost control again."

You say 'We're keeping a close eye on them to make sure Vice doesn't do anything to him... I just wish we could do more.'

Aura tenses slightly, looking anywhere but at Variance for a moment before forcing herself to look back towards him. "He didn't.. k.. ki.. hurt anyone.. did he?" The paleness overtakes her face again, both hands closing into fists.

Omega blinks, and listens. She raises an eyebrow.

A tiny little tree-maiden materializes in a small flare of green light, sitting herself down upon Aura's shoulder at watching Variance with a neutral sort of expression, green eyes wide with equal worry as the person she's sitting upon.

Variance again looks at the ground, internal debating beginning anew. No details, no images... His conscience begged him to not say anything at all, to keep her safe... but what -is- 'safe'?

Through all of this inward struggling, the phrase 'a picture is worth a thousand words' comes to mind as Variance's expression again changes, saying everything he was begged to keep quiet.

Aura just... stares at you. Her expression retains most of her former worry, but mixes with confusion, apprehension, and a whole lot of other feelings she isn't quite sure what to make of.

Aura says 'He.. he did, didn't he? He.. killed, more people.. that one day, you came to Truce, to ask me.. whether I'd been to Cosmo Canyon.. was that part of all this, too?'

Aura looks absolutely crestfallen, trembling visibly and openly.

The dryad on Aura's shoulder looks sadly from Aura to Variance, and back again before she lifts off the former's shoulder, gliding easily through the air towards Variance and practically clinging to his arm, silently.

Omega Hmmphs, and steps to the side, to see Aura and Variance. "...So." She crosses her arms. "..Who are they?"

Variance keeps his gaze averted, a look of moral wounding settling itself on his features. He barely notices Omega, occupied with his mental predictions of what Aura's reaction might be, and none of them were even slightly favorable.

With a startled grip increase, the dryad looks wildly over towards the new voice before bursting out of sight in a pile of grass blades and green light, disappearing entirely.

Aura looks upon Variance for only a moment, shifting her gaze from him to Omega, her expression... grim, at best. "This doesn't involve you. All are welcome at this temple, but I would ask you to keep to yourself."

Aura narrows her eyes just subtly, looking again back towards Variance. "I don't.. understand, Variance. What is wrong with him? Every time I asked before, the subject was evaded.. no one wanted to tell me."

Aura says 'Why won't anyone tell me? Is it that much of no importance to me? That something would be wrong with.. with.. the person I love.. and I'm not even allowed to do anything about it.. even if I could?'

Omega blinks, and considers this, watching Aura eyenarrow.. She doesn't leave, but she stays quiet. For now.

Aura seems threatened to let loose with the tears again, her eyes mistying up quite nicely.

Variance speaks quietly, obviously regretting every word that rises from him. "Seikou... is heavily infected with a strain of the Maverick Virus. It's what caused him to lose himself and commit the acts he's done..."

You say 'That's what he's been trying to keep under control, but he's been losing more often recently. He wanted to keep it a secret to keep people from worrying about it, and I agreed to keep it with him... But I suppose it's not much of a secret now, is it?'

Aura grits her teeth at the mere mention of the word 'Maverick', let alone Seikou's accompaniment with it. "N-no.. I guess.. it isn't. There's nothing anyone can do.. for him? At all?"

Aura unclenches her fists, letting her hands drop to her sides, and her gaze follows suit, eyeing the floor almost avidly. "... He's.. so it wasn't entirely Vaisu's fault, to begin with.. was it?"

"He may have had it before he even came here, he's never said anything about it." Variance's gaze is still trained on the ground, though he looks off to a side occasionally...

You say 'But Vice was exploiting it... He may have been able to keep it contained, if not for him...'

Omega eyewidens, and listens more carefully. Maverick Virus, Huh? Who is this Vice?...

Variance winces briefly, hand reaching for his neck like it had so many times before. "...If not for him..."

Aura looks up after a moment, looking upon Variance as if she'd just decided on something. "... 'If not for him'..." She looks past Variance and Omega both, towards the Sanctuary entrance/exit.

Aura says 'He's held.. at the hunter's base.. if not.. for.. him.. urgh..'

Aura proceeds to clench her fists again, raising them in front of her face in an anguished manner, eyes closing tightly. "Why.. of all the.. damn!" The last word rings loudly throughout the Sanctuary walls.

Omega steps back a little, wondering if Aura is someone dangerous..

Aura lowers her trembling hands after only a moment, opening her eyes immediately following as her face takes on a strained sort of control, narrowed slightly, her voice sharp-sounding. "I'll.. I'll kill him myself."

Variance blinks, finally looking at Aura for the first time in several minutes in a fair amount of bewilderment. "Aura...?" He shakes his head firmly, trying to look at least minutely authoritive through his seemingly eternal concern.

You say 'He may be contained, but that doesn't mean he isn't dangerous! I can understand your wanting to avenge Seikou, but rushing into things isn't going to help anyone!'

Aura looks back at Variance in a challenging manner, though she makes no moves or obvious intentions to move. "He's killed.. so many people.. I realize now, this.. I can only imagine how many more, that I don't know.."

Aura says 'And he's simply.. locked up? And -with- Seikou, no less? How is that.. justice?"'

Aura speaks the word as though it were new to her, but still looks directly at Variance as she stands rigid in her defiance, a terrible blush crossing over her face.

Variance starts looking gradually more imposing, but still retains a tone of worry. "We'll do something about it... To be honest, I would've expected Signas to order deactivation ages ago, but I can't do anything of the sort until it's authorized..."

You say 'It's not justice, true, but we can't do anything else right now! "The System" is hard to understand sometimes, even for me, but something -will- be done!'

Omega blinks.. and smirks, mysteriously.

Aura falters significantly, but still looks as though she were trying not to break down, holding her ground as best she can. "How.. many more will die, before then? I don't.. -want- to understand.. It doesn't make sense..!"

Aura frustratedly reaches up and grasps the black rose entwined in her hair, pulling it free and turning to toss it fiercely towards the back of the Sanctuary, but without much mass, it only flies a few feet, drifting forlornly to the floor.

Aura says 'I'm.. I'm so tired of this.. it's just like before..'

Variance stills into silence, again averting his gaze. He could stay to The Book, say it's the duty of the Hunters to make sure casualties are as close to zero as possible... And with two of the Cleft's biggest threats contained, it wouldn't be too far from the truth...

But how does that stop others from rising to power with a love for bloodshed? How is that supposed to -work-? A quiet, obviously stifled sigh leaves Variance, but he still remains wordless.

Aura watches the floor where the rose fell for a moment, and turns, lowering her eyes as she moves towards the Sanctuary doors, without a word to either of them.

A tiny little voice whispers in your ear, equally-small arms finding a spot upon your cheek to invisibly cling to. "Let Aura go.. she not harm Hunter base, no Vaisu.. time let go alone. Truth hurt, but no pain, not good."

Omega blinks, and turns to watch Aura leave. "...."

Variance numbly complies with the silent request, walking to and subsequently slumping down against one of the pillars around the Sanctuary. "...I hope you're right."

Aura pauses only momentarily at the exit/entryway, idly fumbling with something at her neck in a frustrated manner before she finally grunts in exasperation, making her exit.

Omega watches Aura leave. She turns, and walks towards Variance, and looks down. The smirk still hasn't left her face.

The invisible spirit remains planted against your cheek, an obvious air of sadness accompanying it, too. "Aura be okay.. Dryads know, inevitable, find truth.. no can be silent all time? We know, Vari-reploid try.."

Variance again fails to notice Omega's presence, or at least looks like he does as he dejectedly pulls his knees closer to him, resting his crossed arms on them. "...But... it still doesn't feel right."

The spirit's presence seems tense at Omega's approached form, but remains attached, regardless, trying soothingly to pat your cheek with a tiny hand. "Vari-reploid.. blame us? We ask you, not tell truth.."

"If find fault, dryads for blame.. we ask, selfish, only want Aura happy.. no can blame all self.."

Omega crosses her arms. "So. Your job is to hunt those that do bad things, and then kill them when ordered to? What kind of existance is that?"

Variance turns his head slightly, throwing his still-disturbed gaze in Omega's general vicinity. He'd oh-so-kindly tell her to go jump, if the Sanctuary wasn't a public place. Instead, he stands, offering her no reply as he makes his way out. He mutters something quietly, as if continuing an unknown conversation.

You say 'I don't blame you... you're only looking out for her best interests...'

Omega blinks. She raises an eyebrow. and Follows. Quickly. and Closely.




[Fields of Guardia]


Variance stops again, dropping onto the slightly softer ground and settling against a conveniently-sized stone.

The tiny presence seems to sigh. "We know, see how hard Aura's life.. Aura see friends leave, die.. right in front of. No have family, no comfort turn to.. we warn, Aura realize, she not be happy.."

With a sort of hesitant air, the little female voice adds. "Aura.. different. Not human.. not reploid. We know, all time.. but sworn, not tell. She almost ready.. leave this world, return home."

Omega is still following.. >.>

Variance emerges from his sudden spell of depression enough to look somewhat taken aback. "Return home...?"

The little invisible spirit squeaks in distress, clamping down hard on the side of your face in a 'Shh!' sort of protestive gesture. "No say out loud! Aura in fields, just off west! No want hear, please!"

"Dryads now know all, what happen.. we only servants, Goddess of Mana.. but feel, in all collective heart, almost time. Aura not be here, lots longer. Dryads just know.. all connected at same roots."

Omega blinks, listening as she follows. She gets an irritated, but confused look on her face. Is he pretending to be crazy to avoid answering her? She won't take much more of that..

"We mean, one dryad know, all dryads know. All spirits of mana, all beat with same heart. Power of mana, infinite broad, infinite! Not know why Aura leave.. but we know, soon.."

Variance winces slightly, more out of shock than pain, turning faintly pink. "Sorry, I didn't realize..." He also doesn't seem to realize Omega eavesdropping, and also how insane he looks, talking to something that's invisible to all but himself...

You say '...But... it's all so confusing...'

A small series of green flashes light up the area for only a moment, most embedded in various spots upon the grassy field.

"No.. we not try understand, either. Some spirits, higher than us, know more.. they tell us why, tell us that Aura be taken soon.. only when reach breaking point. Final key, for need to return home.."

"Goddess of Mana, kind and cruel.. all creations, experience pain, pleasure, torment, reviviscence.. Aura feel her share, almost time. All we know."

Omega crosses her arms.. "Hey! Whats wrong with you!?"

Variance suddenly looks very cross, gaze narrowing, yet still staring ahead of him. He mutters a short, quiet "Excuse me," before standing and facing Omega.

The tiny spirit, thought remaining quite unseen, still hunches herself against the side of your face, silently.

Omega raises an eyebrow. "So, you come out of your wierd little mood to finally notice me. I have questions, and I'm going to get answers."

You say 'I'm sorry, but if you don't mind, I need some time to myself. I'm sure your questions can wait.'

Omega blinks.. and thinks, eyeing Veriance. ". . ."

Omega says '... Tell me what the Maverick virus is, and Ill go away. For now.'

The presence alongside your face suddenly grows much warmer...

A sudden, earthy tendril rises up out of the grass between both Variance and Omega, snapping threateningly like a whip in Omega's direction, just inches in front of her face.

Variance's eyes widen in a fair bit of surprise at the sudden tendril... He was about to tell her, just to get her out of his hair, but that works too.

The spirit's voice is much softer than before, but still very audible. "Most.. earth, gnome's element.. but we use force of mana, manipulate grass, tree root.. other girl, not welcome here..!"

Omega blinks. She frowns. She has no way of telling that DIDNT come from Variance.. She steps back, and crouches down a little. "So thats the way its going to be, is it? I didnt even do anything this time.." She clenches her fists, and then stands up. She sounds awfully pissed off, to say the least.

The earthy vine is accompanied instantly by another, and another, and finally a fourth, all of which attempt to shoot towards Omega's body in a constricting manner.

Omega blinks! She jumps back a little, quickly bringing up a hand which glows brightly, and then launches a blast of air at the vines, attempting to blow them back, if not blow them away... "So that's how it is, then!?"

Variance recedes some, quickly whispering something to a specific nothing that, from the way he's looking at it, appears to be on his shoulder, or close to it. It seems urgent, and if one listens close enough, they can barely make out 'please... tell her, she'll leave... no harm done, alright?'

The blast of wind catches all four tendrils easily, which shrink back and actually fall into the grass below, slinking back under the ground.

Immediately, a tiny tree-maiden materializes in the air in its place, followed by a second, third, fourth.. until at least a dozen of them litter the air, each one hovering silently with tiny hands on tiny hips.

Each one glares at Omega with wide green eyes, palm tree-like hair shaking subtly from a sudden breeze. Collectively, however, they say nothing vocal.

"Not.. wise.. girl going to get self hurt.."

Omega looks around, and then frowns. She looks at Variance. "Is this how you 'hunters' do things, then? Fine. Ill go. Im sure I'll find someone that will tell me what I want to know." She turns around and tries to leave.

Satisfied, each of the dryads twist slightly in the air, poofing, one after the other, into blades of grass that flutter harmlessly to the ground below, leaving everything as though they were never there.

The spirit at the side of your face shivers slightly. "I'm sorry.. I had call friends.. 'cause girl no leave.."

Variance sighs in exasperation, turning his head slightly towards the right briefly before regarding Omega again. "Wait, wait..."

Omega is just almost out of range. She turns halfway, looking over her shoulder at variance. "..." She looks around. "...Yeah?" She is definately irritated about something.

Variance looks a little calmer, though annoyance still tugs at his features. "The Maverick Virus... It's a program that corrupts the personality and memory matrices(is that right?) of reploids, causing them to turn against humans and their own kind with little or no provocation..."

You say 'Most of them go genocidal after infection...'

The little spirit seems relatively annoyed, herself, but only detaches herself from your cheek to plant her wooden bottom, instead, on your shoulder, her tiny weight only just barely noticeable.

Omega raises an eyebrow. "......" She coughs. "I see. That is why you assumed I had that.. virus." She waves a hand. "...Anyways. Thank you for answering at least one question. Ill leave you to your gang." She leaves.

Variance lets out another sigh, looking just a -little- embarrassed. "...It would've been wrong to keep her in the dark about that. I'm sorry."

The invisible dryad wiggles just enough to make sure Variance knows where she is. "No.. dryads not trust her. No have manners, above all else. No manners, no kindness.. and reploid. -Reploid-."

"Reploid, big factor. Mana spirits, all no trust reploids. Not know what capable of; good, bad? We not know. Not predictble, like humans."

Variance sneers a little, knowing he probably won't be heard by anyone unintended. "The manners part, I agree with. I don't think I've ever seen anyone so rude." He decides not to comment on the other half, having heard it before.

The spirit picks herself up, beginning a slow pace up and down long the shoulder she just before had sat upon. "Dryads, we sorry for all trouble.. we realize, Vari-reploid have lots on mind, enough for own worries.."

"Vari-reploid not need us, too.. and Aura problems, on top of everything else. All appreciate help, though.. we stop, think, feel bad for causing grief. Not dryads intention, only want try keep balance.."

"We say before, serve will of Goddess.. only do what ask of us. But things almost get out of hand.. lots of anger, frustration.. we sorry."

Variance shakes his head slowly, idly resting against the same boulder he'd been settled on before Omega ruined the moment. "I understand... Though I appreciate your company, even though it doesn't look like it at times."

You say 'Letting things out into the open is apparently infinitely better than keeping it in to brood about.'

The invisible dryad stops. "We know.. we feel, too. Why else think we trust Vari-reploid, even if reploid? Now, we just worry.. worry about Aura lots. Aura sleep now, cry self to sleep in fields, over there."

"We need try figure out what Goddess means, when tell us that Aura return home soon.. we confused, too. We try, maybe stay with Vari-reploid, too. If want us come along, we try better understand.. way all mana flows."

"Maybe reploid, but we think you know, too. Maybe just not obvious, see flow of mana? We still think you different, somehow. We just not 'xactly sure why.. to tell truth."

Variance looks to the ground again, doing very well at hiding the fact that he's stumbling over his words. "...Maybe... Maybe I -am- different."

You say 'I'm not sure how or why I would be, but... I'd appreciate it if you -did- accompany me, but it's alright if you stay with Aura.'

A small, sardonic smirk tugs at his lips as Variance continues, "Heaven only knows what Shima had in mind for me... And I'm not even sure -that's- an accurate statement."

There is a lengthy pause, before the dryad's form manifests into a visible figure, obviously comfortable with showing itself at this point. She looks up towards Variance's face with her enormous green eyes.

"We not sure, either.. we not claim know all about world.. only follow flow of mana, and mana flow differently for all creatures. Aura, though.. not same. Mana flow strangely in her.. never seen same as anyone else."

"We come with Vari-reploid, too.. and stay with Aura. Not know? All of us, connected at our roots.. undine, dryad, shade, wisp, sylph, gnome, luna.. all mana spirits connected together."

"You tell me, all mana spirits in world know. All connected by same heart, same root, same bounds. Such is flow of mana, and varies strength according to power of heart. Why Aura so strong, we see.."

"Aura heart, strong. Afraid show, why always blame self for bad things.. afraid to show heart, for what truly is. Main reason why we know not reploid since born."

Variance idly crosses his arms before his chest, shifting slightly, managing to throw an understanding nod amidst the burst of subconscious actions. Of course, he doesn't understand why Aura is what she is, but he figures it's a common unknowing, so he doesn't say anything about it.

The dryad proceeds to idly step along your shoulder until reaching the socket point, where she stops. "If Aura leave, not come back.. we not sure, but prepare for worst. Seikou.." She pauses, turning to look at Variance.

"We -still- not know what make of Seikou.. but, for Aura sake, we still want good for him, too. If Aura leave, we wonder.. what happen?"

Variance leans forward slightly, resting his left arm on his corresponding knee(or its equivalent). "Good question..."

The dryad turns, throwing Variance an odd, confused sort of glance. "We... know lots, about heart.. affects flow of many, from person to person. What we not know lots 'bout.. 'love'? We feel, from Aura, so much.."

"Feelings, like flow of mana.. tangible for us, mana spirits. But we feel love from Aura, not know what make of it. New to us, new to Aura, too! Why we go ask Vari-reploid for help, most 'cause we not sure what think."

"We not say Vari-reploid supposed know, either.. but when not have lots options, mana spirits turn to most trusting person we can find. In this case.. we chose you. We watched for lots of days, not say anything."

"We saw you handle bad, handle good, handle unknown.. even if Hunter. Dryads specially not like Hunters -or- Mavericks, 'cause all do is fight, violence, hurt. We not know where begin with each."

She pauses, waving her little arms out on either side, as if trying to shake something off. "But, you not same.. you fight. But.. not fight, if all costs against? Not want fight, if not have to?"

"We interested, intrigued. New to us, hunter who not want hunt if not have to, if have other choice."

Variance offers a reassuring, if strained, smile at the near-immediate dismissal of any possible moral questioning, taking it into his own hands as he looks towards the sky.

You say 'I'd like to say the Hunters are doing the right thing, but as you put it, all we end up doing is fighting back, thus adding to the lovely little circle of war...'

Variance becomes distant, lost in his own budding philosophies. "I'm still not sure if joining the Hunters was the right path for me, though it seemed like it when Vice first showed me what a Maverick is..."

The little dryad looks suddenly fearful, already-large green eyes growing even wider. "War! We thought hear before.. fighting, war! One for other, all end in same! Same course, all lead for death.."

She makes a dash up along your arm only to latch onto the side of your neck, her fear quite obvious. "No war.. we remember, same way mana tree destroyed, so many years ago! All sides fighting, war."

"Mana spirits hold flow of many, try maintain order in world.. but not always succeed. War break out, disrupt flow of many.. Mana tree destroyed again, years, years, and years before new sprout.."

She seems to try and calm herself, if only by a small margin, trembling quite badly. "Horrible times.. with no Mana tree, no mana.. no spirits. All life become dark, unbearable.."

The dryad seems to be remembering times past, speaking even though they may or may not even bear any correlation to current events, or future ones.

Variance turns his head slightly, obviously regarding the Dryad clinging to his neck. A visible amount of guilt surfaces on him, as it had what seems to have been hours before.

You say 'Forgive me, I didn't mean to make you recall such troubling memories...'

The miniature tree-girl only holds tighter. "No.. not fault. Not know, 'cause memories not linger outside Mana Tribe. All in power, fight for prevention against the Mana Tree's destruction. But.."

"War outside world, all sides fighting, both good and bad are bad and good.. peace in world, we want, too.. but we confused on what fighting is good, and what fighting is bad.."

She pauses, loosening her hold a fraction. "... Mess, big mess. Bad memories of past.. not want bother Vari-reploid. Not problem, now, but we try keep things quiet, still.. Mana Goddess wisdom, for all to know.."

"She tell us all, before.. 'Time flow like a river, history repeat self'. Know what mean?"

Variance offers his gaze to the ground once more, sinking into thought again. "...I'm still too young to the Cleft to know exactly what history's being referred to..."

She shakes her head, but remains held onto the side of your neck. "We know.. try not worry lots. It take lots fighting, lots war, lots death, before Mana Tree start decay.. then signs show, and Mana Tribe warrior come.."

"We dryads decide, best if stay with you. We keep eye on activity, make sure balance try not step too far out. Like we say, not big thing right now, but if not have take chances, why, understand?"

Variance nods in his familiar variety of complacency, still staring at the grass. "I see..." His thoughts don't allow him to offer more than that as a reply.

She seems as though she were about to add something else, but scratches that away as sizeable (no pun intended) yawn escapes from her tiny mouth. "Mm.. early time, not realize.. maybe time for sleep."

"We find time for sleep.. maybe, if try not worry so much 'bout things, tonight. If we try, Vari-Reploid try do same? Not give dryads more worry about?"

Variance straightens a bit suddenly, looking to the tiny tree-woman again. A short laugh rises from him, accompanied by a plainly visible embarrassed blush and somewhat apologetic smile.

You say 'I'll try not to think too hard about it, for your sake~... And... thank you.'

The tree-maiden gives a bit of a wiggle in response, rising up only to poke gently at the tip of your nose. "We always watching you, Vari-reploid. Remember, flow of mana embrace all things.."

"Some... just willing to listen better than others..." As she fades out of sight, with a familiar accompaniment of small blades of grass.

Variance gently lets one of the blades fall into his outreached hand, bringing it closer to him with the same soft smile he had offered the being it came from. The flow of mana... His gaze raises once again to the sky, briefly taking in the gradually lightening plane before closing his eyes in the beginnings of sleep. Maybe he'd spent the night a little closer to Mana tonight, like the first night he'd seen...






Variance settles into his usual spot on a bench near the fountain after arriving from the south, looking merely neutral, if not a little thoughtful.

Fortissimo is leaning against a wall, looking bored out of his mind...

Variance shifts idly, trying to settle back into sitting something other than the ground for an extended length of time... Speaking of, it looks as if he's been outside all night, from the errant spots of dirt and grass marring his usually perfectly clean uniform.

Fortissimo glances over at the white Reploid, and mutters to himself, "Dear God, do -all- the robots in this world sleep on the grass?"

Variance 'hm?'s briefly, attention turning to the source of the comment. He then looks to himself, finally noticing the small bits of soil adorning him. "Oh. Well, not usually, it's just... special circumstances."

Fortissimo shrugs. "All I know is, first broken-girl was in the dirt, and now you're covered in it. And since you two are the only robots I've seen..."

/Broken-girl.../ A visible tone of concern crosses Variance's fair features at the mention and the name it calls, but is quickly hidden. "Well, I can assure you that we don't -all- do it."

((Sudden stops make logs sad.))