The Crux of the Matter

[Bront]

"If it is what you wish ma'am, I will do my best to make sure the Crux is destroyed. Lets it fall into... well, fouler hands than it did." Vanitri pats her on the shoulder and smiles warmly.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Love smiles.*

"You are quite gallant, young sir," she gives him a light kiss on the cheek, "Are you Laynie's boyfriend?"

"Oh, what do you mean about falling into fouler hands? The Crux is just there--nobody has it in their hands since no aspects can enter the area just around it."

 

[Bront]

"I... er... Uncle... er... I mean... it's what she calls me."

"I mean... well... Elayna wasn't the nicest of people..."

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Love raises an eyebrow.*

"You do know who we are, right dear?" she asks wryly, "Anyway, Elayna never did anything wrong with the Crux...the problem was when the experiment went awry...everything is so spotty around that fateful moment..."

 

[Bront]

That thought snaps Vanitri a bit. "Well, I saw her destroy the souls of many people, and threaten Laynie while using her as a pawn as well. Dispite being... who you are... it bears being said. But preventing it from getting into anyone's hands is indeed a good goal."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"I'm pretty sure Elayna never did that, even in our younger days...have I forgotten even more? Are you sure this wasn't an evil aspect and not me? How could you have even been alive then, actually? Anyway, Elayna grew mellower in her later years...Laynie, you helped with that. The love we always felt for you is very strong...Would you judge us for the past when when we are all sorry for what happened? Even me?" Love gives a wan look, and with those big eyes and earnest repentance, even the iciest heart would melt.

 

[Bront]

"Guile mentioned something about her being trapped in a book," Vanitri says, making an excuse for her. "And I am a bit older that I look. Honest"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Oh really," Love smiles coyly, but then nods slightly, "I jest, of course. With the temporal eddies around this tower, I guess you could be 100 years old for all I know. Now see here, sir--I won't have Laynie dating someone 90 years older," she wags a finger in jesting reproach.

 

[Bront]

Vanitri blushes, "No ma'am. I've been raising Laynie 'much as anything. As well as a 'folk can on the road."

 

[Rystil Arden]

"Ah, I see. Well, for that I thank you--I owe you thanks for being so kind to my daughter. For what it's worth, for my part of speaking for Elayna, I say that sword and flute seem to suit you more than they ever could me, so I say you deserve them. I can't remember details, but I seem to recall that we considered them to be Medibarian artefacts of unknown origin."