Shards of Memory--Act I: The Boundless Void

[unleashed]

Zaeryn T'Erilan, Male Altanian Arcanist

“She was there when the prophecy was initially given, and we discussed it briefly afterward, but to my knowledge she had not seen it since, no. I don’t know, but if what we just faced was, the living face against those that are dead, then the prophecy nears its end... though it’s more the beginning that I’m interested in... as the way it’s worded has me believing that it was you, in the guise of Valyssa, that I met. I could of course be wrong, but Valyssa changed at times once we were aboard this ship, so that reinforces my belief that she ended up being two people... you and your sister, with your sister in that guise when she died. I’m not particularly upset with the deception as such, if it is indeed what happened, as I had such an enjoyable time... I’d just like to know why, as I’d hate to think the worst motives were at work, which would taint the experience... plus it would be nice to know Valyssa goes on, at least in part, if I am not totally misguided in my belief.”

 

[Rystil Arden]

"I know what you're going through--if you needed my help as ship's counselor, you didn't need to come up with this story, you could just ask me. Listen: Denial is a common strategy for coping with grief, but acceptance is the first step towards becoming truly healed. I can give you counseling sessions to help with that if you like. The first thing you have to do is think about this with a clear head--"

"Let's play a what-if game: Valyssa knew about this prophecy, right? As you know, I'm a Dolathi. My name is Allure, but I didn't have to tell you that, right? So let's pretend for a second that this crazy conspiracy theory was true--don't pretend too hard, though, because we don't want to relapse. If Valyssa was actually me in disguise and I was going undercover, then I would know about the prophecy, so I wouldn't use the name Allure since it appeared in the prophecy, and thus I would escape all possible suspicion. It makes no sense for somebody who knew about the prophecy to take that kind of risk."

"See, wasn't that easy? We've managed to dispel that layer of denial, I hope. Let's see if we can get to the heart of it. How does this make you feel?"

 

[unleashed]

Zaeryn T'Erilan, Male Altanian Arcanist

*Zaeryn remains quite calm, even smiling a little as he matches wits with Allure... or whoever she may be.*

“For all I know, you could be Mobility playing at being Allure, I’d likely never know the difference to be honest, since I have little experience with Dolathi. As for denial... my story, as you call it, is certainly possible, and definitely fits events as they have unfolded since I boarded this ship. After all, if I was simply seeking your help as a ship’s counselor, I would have asked directly, rather than bringing this up again. However, I still have a nagging sense that something is not quite right here, though I would not likely have brought it up had events not transpired as they did.”

“Now to your name. Your argument about that seems to stand up, until you consider a few possibilities. One, that you were already signed on to this ship as Allure, and couldn’t manage to change that before reaching the ship without raising suspicion. Two, you could be using the argument you proposed as a double bluff, after all, as you yourself said... who would do that when they knew about the prophecy as it would make no sense. A clever move indeed, proclaiming such a choice as senseless folly, to turn suspicion from yourself.”

“Add to that, that I never saw Valyssa, Mobility, and you together. Hmm, I wonder if anyone else ever saw the three of you together at one time, I’ll have to ask about that, and I think it makes a pretty compelling argument in favour of my supposition. Of course if you wish to persist with pleading a case of innocence and trying to convince me my theory isn’t true, be my guest.”

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Please, Zaeryn, we have to understand how this works. I'm trying to help you with your problem, not 'pleading innocence.' Your paranoia is sailing off into the realm of wild imagination and fantasy--one way to tell that is to look at just how convoluted the logic has become that you need to trust in order for your suspicions to be true. Have you ever heard of the Archduke's Razor? The simplest solution, not the crazy convoluted one, is the one that holds the greatest truth."

 

[unleashed]

Zaeryn T'Erilan, Male Altanian Arcanist

“My, how defensive you’ve become. I understand how this works, but that argument simply doesn’t hold much weight with me, as it’s pertinent both if you are trying to avert suspicion or are actually not involved... it proves neither one side or the other. As for the Archduke’s Razor, while I would agree with you normally, I suspect when Dolathi are involved the balance swings to the convoluted side more often than not.”

*Zaeryn smiles, feeling he’s getting a sense of Allure as they continue.*

“As for what you call paranoia, I call it an intuitive mind following well reasoned logic, backed by a prophecy from someone I trust. It might be paranoia if I had suspicions just because there were Dolathi around me, but that is not the case here.”

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Listen, Zaeryn, I'm not going to be able to help you if you can't first admit you have a problem," Allure replies, unfazed by the accusations and dismissive as if they were ridiculous, "So let's start with something simple. How does make you feel?"

 

[unleashed]

Zaeryn T'Erilan, Male Altanian Arcanist

*Zaeryn chuckles, the humour reaching his eyes as he continues.*

“Well, I admire your dedication, though you seem to be under some mistaken belief that I came seeking help... which I did not. I came to discuss why you are mentioned in the prophecy I received, other things relating to that, and my suspicions. If I find I’m mistaken, which I’m definitely not convinced of yet with the weak arguments you’ve put forth so far, well I can live with that. I’ve already come to terms with Valyssa’s death, though I’m not happy about it and it will be some time until I’m fully myself once again after such a tragic event. For whether it was you in the guise of Valyssa initially or not, I’ve lost her, no matter what I discover here. As even if my crazy conspiracy theory, as you call it, proves to be true, and I can convince you to tell me why such a deception was enacted, it doesn’t seem likely that you would be reprising that role now Valyssa has died so publicly... nor would I want you to. When all is said and done, I will treasure my time with Valyssa, no matter whether she was simply a ploy or was in fact exactly what she appeared to be... ultimately, it just depends whether I go away from our meeting here, satisfied I can trust you or not.”

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Zaeryn, if you don't want to work with me, that's fine. I'm willing to wait until you're ready for counseling. And it is fine with me if you need to keep ranting at me with these fantasies if that's the way you need to let out the angst, but be careful with drawing me into your drama too much--it sometimes happens to counseling patients, and it is rarely healthy. Now, would you like to continue your session at a later date?"

 

[unleashed]

Zaeryn T'Erilan, Male Altanian Arcanist

Seeing as I’m not getting anywhere, I might as well see where Allure is going to take this.

“Well, I suppose a little counseling couldn’t hurt... okay, Allure, we’ll try it your way then,” Zaeryn offers with a faint smile.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Good, good. Admitting that you have a problem is the first step towards recovery. You seem like you're probably a fairly stable fellow in less traumatic circumstances, so I'm sure you'll be fine with just a little bit of therapy," at this point, her voice becomes soft and relaxing, "Now, why don't you recline in that soft chair there and close your eyes, try to relax. There, that's good. Now let your feelings come to the forefront and pour out--you don't have to bottle them up; it's safe here. Just let everything out--talk me through the emotions you are feeling, give them voice."