Diplomatic Immunity--Preface: Vasha's Discovery

[Bront]

She sniffs a bit. "Feelings are more than that, and of course you think different than me, you wouldn't be you if you didn't."

"It just feels like I'm always so alone. I can't even embrace nature here. I'm out of even Arris's reach. It's times like this I just want to be held, or hold someone. I guess Puddle's has always been there for me for that. But he's never been good at conversation." she giggles a little and tries to wipe away some of her tears.

"I know I cry a lot, even when I'm happy. I think that perhaps it's my Naiad nature, to express myself with water."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Yes, I guess that makes sense...Myself, I find I have an affinity with the cold, which isn't such a good thing when Arris is such a desert, so I count myself lucky to live in here...Anyway, I always hope that my predilection for cold will never lead me to adopt an icy or frigid temperament like the cold itself, so I try to display my affection openly..."

 

[Bront]

"I know people say that the Amaranthian way is frivilous, but I think that people hold their love back too much. Why hold such a beautiful thing back? Especialy when there is someone in need."

Vasha curls up in her seat, wraping her arms around her knees as she rocks herself gently. "I guess it's such a strange thing for such a lonely girl to be so open and sharing. You must thing me silly and frivilous."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"No, I don't see you as silly and frivolous...well at least not so frivolous, though a bit. But I can understand you, I think, and so I don't find it silly...I think you are a bit naive but at the same time quite admirable. You are kind and compassionate and selfless in wanting others to feel good no matter how it hurts you...I guess that is the Amaranthian love of which you speak and which I cannot fully understand. It is either childishly simple or else deeply profound...Or perhaps both..."

 

[Bront]

"You know, in the languages of Amaranthia, there are so many ways to say the word love, and yet in most others, there are so few. So, in saying my love for you, or my love for Arris, or my love for Zythryd, or even my love for Vrymiin does not come accross as well. But even language is a barier for love. It is why my sisters express it in all forms."

"Perhaps it's best if I restraing my love. Other than Puddles and mom, those I love end up hurt, or worse." Tears occasionaly still fall from her face, as she continues to rock herself in her little ball.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"There is a saying among my people. Love will always hurt you in the end, but the pain is bliss compared to what you feel if you never try."

 

[Bront]

"It's not hurting me, it's hurting others that I worry about."

She sighs "Springwater to bathe in, and the loving caress of another. Apparently that's too much to ask."

Somewhat dejected, Vasha forces herself to stand and begins to shuffle her way to her room.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"I don't think it is too much to ask, Vasha. That others are so willing to see themselves hurt to protect you only means that they love you so much that they would be hurt a thousand times more to see you suffer than they would to take the pain themselves...There will always be danger as long as you are carrying the power inside you on which those evil Dragonlords seek to get their clutches...Maybe if you and Alyz manage to extract it and hide it someplace safe, you'll be able to live carefree and happy forever after...I hope so, Vasha...You deserve love, and not having those you love hurt around you...I'm so sorry that this happened, Vasha."

 

[Bront]

Vasha turns and bursts into tears again, and runs into Louteah's arms again. "Thank you. I hope my love for you and Alyz doesn't get you hurt as well."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Don't worry, Vasha. They can't possibly do anything much to Alyz, I promise, and there is certainly no way for you to hurt her...There are only two people who could ever hurt her, and one is dead, and the other is far away, so you needn't worry, okay? Cheer up, Vasha. You're safe for now, and Zythryd will be safe, too. Plus, I was snooping around today and I found a letter for you. I was saving it for last to help cheer you up."

*Louteah pulls a letter from a loose pocket in her dress and hands it to Vasha. It reads:*

"My Dearest Sister, Vasha,

I am writing this letter to let you know that I am well and unharmed. The Dragonlord discovered the switch, but she let me go when she realised that I had no idea where you were either, and so I'm sending this letter to the top three places where I think you might be because I don't want you to worry about me. I'm going to see you soon, okay? Oh, and Gralas is still alive--in fact, the Dragonlord apparently found an ancient Mojiin Preserver and threatened to kill his children until he used powerful magic to restore Gralas's missing body. I can only hope that soon his mind will heal as well.

Your brother from across the stars,
Bertram 'Ammon' Atreides