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[ Something about Kor's response confuses Merisia, though only momentarily, before she finds her emotions getting muddled and tangled up somewhere between fear and anger and worry. But, most of all, she's surprised. He's taking this a lot better than she thought. A lot better. Of course, there's always the possibility that he could snap at her later. She just needs to press forward, for now. Stopping to question Kor's reactions is just going to complicate this. ]

... I've been told it protects you from the influence of primals. Then there's strength in battle, and the ability to understand others even if they're speaking in an unfamiliar language. Anything past that is too vague.

[ And therein lies a big part of the problem. Merisia's carefully maintained calm begins to break down. ]

There's no telling what else this damn thing is doing to me. I can't keep my mind to myself, I don't even know if my strength is my own... I've got no say in anything, it's just there and it happens whenever it damn well sees fit! For all I know, there's some horrible price I'm going to have to pay for all of this that I never signed up for! Well, I don't want any of it! I never asked to be deemed beastman myself just because I can understand them! I never asked to be haunted by visions! I never asked to watch Dezel die!

[ Maybe it's a good thing that she's not actually in the same room as Kor right now, because she's trembling a little from pent-up stress. When it comes down to it, Merisia is scared, and some of her older paranoias are resurfacing alongside new ones. What if this ruins the friendship she has with Kor? She'd finally come to trust him; what if this revelation brings that all crashing down on top of her? What if he starts seeing her the same way as the Garleans, and comes after her? Unless that stability Y'shtola talked about extends that far, Merisia has no defense against a Somatic. Kor could destroy her from the inside out.

And yet, here she is, asking him for help anyway. If her past self saw this, she'd think she'd finally gone insane. ]

I've done everything I can to find some way to either get rid of this thing or hide it away. There's nothing. I'd rather not involve you in this, Kor. You're a good friend and I- I trust you, but I'm out of options. So please, even if you hate me, just...

[ Her voice trails off there. With any luck, Kor's calm reaction to things up until this point is a good sign, but there's too much dread for Merisia to really see it right now. ]

[There's a noticeable silence from Kor for a moment. Several tings were starting to click for Kor. One, he was starting to understand the issues between Merisia and Dezel. Two, he was starting to understand why Merisia herself feared this power of hers. But there was plenty he didn't get.]

...Sorry, Merisia. I just... I don't understand. How anyone could think a beautiful gift like that is a curse, or that you're a monster for having it, or anything like that.

[To Kor, that's exactly what the Echo seemed like. Not a curse, but a gift.]

I told you, Fluora created Somas because she wanted to create a way for people to be able to understand each other. And that's what your Echo is. It's the power to understand other people. You can understand what they're saying, and where they're coming from, what they've been through... You can understand it all. If more people could do stuff like that, then there wouldn't be a need for Somatics like me. And if everyone could do that, then maybe you wouldn't have been treated so poorly for having this power...

[There's another brief pause from Kor.]

...Sorry, I know that's probably not the answer you wanted to hear from me. But I mean it, it really is a beautiful gift. But... If you still want me to help you...

[He trails off. If she still wants him to try and remove her Echo, he'll do what he can. Even if he's not sure he could do anything at all in this situation.]

[ Every single worry Merisia had about how Kor would react to this seems to have gone in the complete opposite direction. Of course, now that she's heard his view on this, it makes perfect sense. She almost feels foolish for letting her own biases blind her to the possibility now that it's so plainly in front of her.

Not only is Kor's view on the Echo true to how she knows him, but the way he expresses those views is just as open and unafraid and heartfelt as she should have expected. Even after everything she's said about it, after all the hardship it's caused her, he still thinks it's beautiful simply because it helps her understand people so well. Faced with Kor's viewpoint clashing with her own, Merisia suddenly finds herself forced to dig up and face her issues with the Echo rather than shoving the whole thing away in favor of condemning it altogether. Really, at this point, fear of the unknown and of the lack of control is the only thing she can come up with. ]

If you were forced into someone's Spiria completely out of nowhere and without your say so, wouldn't you be scared?

[ Only now does it sink in that, even though Kor disagrees with her overall view on the Echo, he's still willing to help her. Merisia feels a dull ache in her heart and she pauses, taking a few shaky, uncertain breaths. Damn it all, this kid is too nice for his own good. How the hells did she end up stuck with him?

When she speaks again, her voice wavers. She's still scared, but the waves of fear coming from her are more subdued and exhausted, making way for confusion and some unsteady combination of trust and hope. ]

...I was...worried that you would hate me, too. That some way or another, you'd see the Echo as some kind of problem or a threat. Yet here you are, talking about it like it's the best thing that could have ever happened. You're taking this whole thing a lot better than I was ready for. [ She lets out a weak huff... Is it laughter? A sob? An angry huff? Even she isn't sure, but it still helps. ] Even after all of that, you're still willing to help me...?

[ There's an unspoken "Why?" after that, but Merisia doesn't bother tacking it on. Somehow, she has a feeling she knows what kind of answer Kor will give her. ]

[Kor's response this time comes to Merisia almost immediately. If there's one thing Kor understands in spades, it's the concepts of fear and bravery. Even after his change in alignment, it's still an understanding that comes naturally to him.]

Of course I'd be scared. [He can say that with absolute certainty because it's happened to him.] I'm scared any time I'm doing a Spiria Link. I never what awaits me or what I'm going to have to do or if I'm even going to make it out of there. [Despite his talks of fear, though, he speaks with absolute calmness.]

...But the way I see it, if I'm there, I'm there for a reason, even if I didn't choose to be there. If there's something I can do with my power, no matter how small it might be, then I'll do it.

[It's a viewpoint he'd genuinely hope that Merisia could take regarding her own gift, that she can change the world with the Echo, even if it's just in a small way. But that's not something he can make her see.]

Of course I'd still help you. [Even though the why is unspoken, Kor picks up on its implicitness.] I'll always help my friends out, no matter the stakes.

[There's a quiet huff of laughter on his end.] Just remember that it's the help I think you need.

[ And now it all makes sense. Kor might have a lot more control over his Soma than Merisia does over the Echo, but his basic view doesn't change: It's less to do with what those abilities are, and much more with how they're used. Had she just been so stubbornly focused on the dangers and inconveniences that came with the Echo that she'd failed to pay enough attention to...well, anything else that it gave her?

It's true that she's used what she has learned and understood to move some things forward or to make the right choice, but Merisia had only ever seen that as making the most out of a bad situation, rather than properly using the "gift" she'd been given. That Kor essentially shares her fear drives the whole point home a little more, and she can't help but sympathize. Even so, he's adamant about seeing it as a good thing. ]

Hmph. Leave it to you to find the silver lining in this mess, Sparkles. [ It's less that she doesn't agree with him, and more that she just doesn't want to admit it. Not that she'll complain if he can see right through her.

Merisia can't help but laugh at this point. It's quiet, and a bit weak, but more out of relief than amusement. She'd done all that worrying and hesitation for almost nothing. Sure, the Echo was a huge deal for Merisia, but this is Kor. What else did she expect him to say?

Plus, this wouldn't be the first time he's helped her. And, thinking about it, he could have easily done a lot worse. Kor could have easily just brainwashed Merisia into trusting people - and quite frankly, that's what she had expected him to do - but he didn't. He'd found the root of the problem and fixed that instead. Maybe he really could do the same thing with the Echo. Maybe he'd find something she (or even the Scions) never could.

Letting out a sigh, Merisia replies. She almost sounds happy, if a bit quiet. ]

I'd be fine with that. This is your field and all.

[ Kor might be too reckless for Merisia's liking, true, and she has a hard time making sense of him sometimes. But when it comes to stuff like this? He's honest, responsible, and most of all he knows what he's doing. She trusts him. Maybe she should have trusted him with this ages ago. ]

... Thanks.

Sure, any time. [He smiles, a warmth coming over the connection like a radiant ray of sunshine.]

Just say the word and I'll be ready for you.

[ Merisia can't help a weak smile, offering a quiet but noticeable warmth of appreciation in return. It's getting harder and harder to believe that she'd sooner hurl insults and maybe a few miasma spells at this kid rather than speak to him. How did this end up happening, again? Whatever it was, she's glad it happened. ]

Well, I'm not going anywhere. And the sooner we get this over with, the better.

[ And less time for her to change her mind and suddenly back off all over again. If the past has taught her anything, it's that hesitation can be quite a disastrous downfall. ]

I'm home right now, so I'll wait for you here.

[Sounds to him like she wants it done now.]

Great, I'll be over there as soon as I can, then.

[But hopefully, Merisia understands that in all likelihood, Kor isn't going to "remove" her Echo like she seems to be hoping.]

Right...

[ She's not really sure if Kor's eagerness is a good sign or a worrisome one. Better that she doesn't gives this too much thought, or the pain of having to share that secret with him will have all been for nothing but making one grand mess.

Merisia leaves Kor with a brief but clear set of directions to her apartment, mostly through images and maps. ]

I'll leave the door open for you.

[ With that she does the mental equivalent of backing away, though she doesn't cut off the connection. For whatever reason, she doesn't want to just yet, even though she really doesn't have anything else to say. If anything, it's something to focus on to keep her nerves from getting worse than they already are.

It scares Merisia that she has no idea what Kor will even do. He did say that he would be giving the help he thought she needed, not necessarily the help she herself wanted. Would he really remove it? Would he leave it there? He didn't share her negative opinion of it, after all. She had little choice but to trust Kor's judgement, and hope that however he opted to carry his decision out didn't hurt either of them.

When Kor arrives, the apartment will be dark and somewhat sapped of color. Not impossible to see in, but clear enough that some emotional effects are at play. There's also a cold static in the air, flickering about every minute or so. Carbuncle is nowhere to be seen, although there is a large cat sleeping on top of a haphazard pile of books (how he's comfortable there is anyone's guess). Merisia sits at a desk surrounded by even more piles and stacks of books, her back turned and her amulet - a meteor-shaped pendant - clutched tightly in one hand. ]

[It's not long before he arrives at Merisia's apartment, having made his way over there as quickly as his speedy legs would take him. When he does so, he's not surprised by the kind of decor Merisia keeps. She always struck him as the intelligent, scholarly type, so books being everywhere seems just like her. It reminded him of Euclase's house.

What was concerning to him was the emotional effects at play, though. The way Merisia sounded on the amulet seemed fine and normal to him. So seeing this was... worrisome. He decides to call out to her.]

Merisia? Hey, I'm here!

[ The moment Merisia hears Kor's voice, things shift in the apartment. The darkness ebbs - though not entirely - and the air warms. This isn't something she's looking forward to, but as shaky as things are and as apprehensive as she feels, Kor is someone she trusts. He knows what he's doing. ]

You got here fast.

[ She sits up, turning to face her visitor. There's really no point to hiding how worried she feels, so her usual stern look is missing. ]

Just how do you plan on going about all this, anyway? [ She has a feeling she knows the answer, but she might as well ask anyway. For all she knows, Kor is a bag of tricks just like Sora. That and, well...Merisia isn't just worried about herself, here. ]

Honestly... [He hadn't given it a whole lot of thought as to what he was going to do, at least insofar as to be able to give an answer on that. Despite promising her that he'd make an attempt, he didn't really have any intent to actually try to remove her Echo, though he wasn't so sure how obvious that was to Merisia.

Might as well be obvious about his plans.]

I was just planning on winging it. I dunno what to expect when it comes to your Echo.

[ Merisia isn't sure whether that should be amusing - after all, this is Kor, did she really expect anything else? - or worried. She shakes her head. ]

Figures.

[ She really does have little choice other than to trust in Kor. If only that were all there was to this... ]

I'd tell you not to do anything stupid, but there's no point in that. [ She knows your type, kid. ] Just be careful, alright? I don't know what to expect either, and I don't want you getting hurt because of me.

[ She knows precious little, after all, and there could be some dangerous secrets hiding within that she's yet to learn of. The fact that Kor is willing to jump into this without knowing what to be ready for speaks either of his recklessness or his reliability. Merisia is doing her best to lean towards the latter of the two. She trusts him, but she can't help but be worried. ]

[He almost feels like he's being called out here.

Almost. But he can at least tell she's concerned about this. Truly, genuinely concerned, and about him.]

Don't worry, if I think I'm in over my head, I'll make sure to pull out. For your sake.

[If anything happens to a Somatic on a Spiria Link, it's the Somatic's fault for not taking proper precautions. But he certainly can't have Merisia beating herself up over this, now can he?]

You ready, then?

[ Merisia doesn't reply for a few long seconds, opting to stare at the floor for a few long seconds. This isn't really the time for second thoughts, but she can't help having them anyway. Anything could go wrong, after all. ]

...right. Of course.

[ The way he puts it, it's like he's not in that much danger at all. Notmally, that would worry her, but something about Kor's words put her at ease this time. That sort of thing is just like him...

She glances up and gives Kor a curt nod. She didn't come all this way just to throw all that worked-up courage out the window, now, did she? ]

Ready when you are.

[ Within, Kor may find that the imitation of Ul'dah in Merisia's Spiria is in much better condition than his last visit. Unfortunately, it's much darker, making it difficult to see the still-recovering city. The thunderstorm from last time still rages overhead. ]

Edited 2018-05-22 04:12 (UTC)

[With Merisia's permission, Kor initiates the Spiria Link, transforming into an orb of light that enters her body.

Inside, he takes note of the differences between his last visit and this one. The physical condition of this city within her Spiria was noticeably improved, which he could only take as representative of a marked improvement in how Merisia handles her emotions. But he didn't need to see the city to see that; it was plain as day just in his interactions with her that she was making noticeable strides in being more open.

That thunderstorm was problematic though. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Some deeper problem Merisia wasn't dealing with, maybe? But the thunderstorm wasn't why he was there, so the cause would have to wait.]

Where to start, huh...

[This was one confusing looking city, way too many corridors. It was almost less like a city and more like a maze. How do people live in a place like this?]

[ It may be dark , but luckily Kor isn't alone. Or perhaps that's unlucky, considering the state of things...

A brief flash of lightning illuminates what appears to be a beast standing atop one of the walls nearby, but in the next flash it's gone. For a time, there's nothing else, until a soft golden light shines from behind Kor, and a voice rings out. ]

Well, look who we have here! What brings you to this place?

[ Behind him, hopping down from a few crates, is none other than Topaz Carbuncle. He's a bit bigger than the standard Carbuncle, though not by too much, and his glow stretches out enough to illuminate a little of the surrounding area. Beyond that, nothing seems too notable...except, perhaps, the voice that accompanies him. Kor may recognize it; it's the same voice as a certain young swordsman featured in many of Merisia's memories, albeit somewhat disembodied. ]

Not looking for trouble, I hope?

Edited 2018-05-25 02:24 (UTC)

[Kor figured Carbuncle would make his appearance here sooner or later. He was well aware that Merisia and Carbuncle relationship was definitely far deeper than just a pet.

But hearing a voice seemingly coming from Carbuncle? That was new and unexpected.]

Huh? ...Carby, you can talk?! [He recognizes the voice, too. Not as a voice belonging to someone he's personally met, but more as one he's heard before. But.... Nah, it couldn't be. That guy's supposed to be dead, and why would Carby sound like him anyway?]

[ The Topaz Carbuncle chirps in amusement, sitting down to scratch behind one of his ears. ]

Hahah, of course I can! If you can call this talking, that is. Actually, I'm surprised you-

[ Lightning strikes again, this time much closer and brighter. The crash accompanying the strike is followed by a distant growl.

Topaz stands, taking on a somewhat regal air and returning his gaze to Kor. Though his words suddenly sound more urgent, his tone barely changes from its warm and friendly air. ]

As much as I'd like to stand here and chat, this is hardly the place. Whatever it is you're here for, you should do it quickly. [ He bounds over to a nearby passage, pausing to glance back at Kor expectantly. ] I can help you, but first you'll need to tell me why you're here.

[Kor's so baffled by hearing Carbuncle talk that he's not sure how to respond at first. When he finally manages to regain his composure...]

I'm...! [Breathe.] ...Merisia wants me to help her with her "curse". [The way he says that last word carries his doubts as to it really being a curse at all.] Can you help me find it, Carby? Wherever her Echo would be!

Her "Echo"...?

[ Topaz freezes, staring carefully at Kor as he takes in his words. Even as the storm rages overhead, he almost seems like he's looking for something. A few seconds pass before his ears twitch and he glances quietly downward. ]

I see... So this is no coincidence. [ He straightens again, poised and ready to run at any moment. ] You're in luck. What you're looking for isn't far. I can lead you there, but be careful. The closer you get to the truth, the stronger the distortions will get. You'll need more than just your eyes to see.

[ There's a furious screech and a bolt of lightning strikes a wall nearby, sending chunks of rubble tumbling to the ground and revealing a pulsing crystal beneath. Topaz darts towards a different path nearby, stopping in front of it to wait for Kor. ]

Hurry! You can tell me what kind of "help" you intend to offer on the way!

O-okay!

[The lightning strike catches him off-guard, causing him to jump, ironic considering how prevalent lightning and electricity is in his fighting style. ~~You might even say it shocked him.~~ He shakes it off and goes after Topaz, following him down the path.]

Honestly... I haven't really decided what I'll do. Merisia, she... She wants me to get rid of it, and I might be able to, but...

[There's a pause as he regains his composure, swallowing hard.]

A Somatic's job is helping people come to terms with themselves. So what I want to do is help Merisia accept that she has a beautiful gift, not a terrible curse! I want to help her understand it!

[ Topaz tenses when Kor mentions removing the Echo, as though he's just as keen on the idea as Kor himself is. Despite this, he remains patient and attentive, allowing Kor to finish. When Kor is done speaking, some of that tension leaves him, and he chirps in approval. ]

I like your answer, young man, but I wonder if you really know what you're getting into. [ There's a beat as he seems ready to continue that line of thought, but he opts not to...for now. ] Convincing her won't be easy, but if you've made it this far, perhaps you have a chance. Besides, the way to a secret like that won't open for just anyone.

[ Continuing on, Topaz leads Kor down a winding path through the twisted streets of Ul'dah, the storm raging overhead and occasionally striking either behind them or at the walls on either side. The further they go down the road, the more crystalline its appearance becomes. Fortunately it actually is crystal this time, and not ice.

And just as Topaz said, it isn't long before the end of the road arrives. There's a small, unassuming wooden door to their left near a dead end, flickering in and out of existence and only solidifying as Kor draws near. Topaz skids to a stop in front of it. ]

It should be through here.

[ There's another echoing growl, and storm once more strikes the path behind them, leaving a smoking crater. Bits of crystal peek out of the damaged street, some of them shifting from a vivid navy blue to a sickly dark yellow. Another beastly silhouette appears nearby in the flash of lightning...was it closer this time?...but it's gone in the blink of an eye. ]

[Kor smiles fondly at Topaz's commentary, thinking back on everything he's been through with Merisia over the past year or so.]

Heh... Convincing her's never easy, but never giving up on her is why I've made it as far as I have with her.

[As they arrive to the destination, Kor gets a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. There was something foreboding about this place right now, the way things had begun changing. But it was surely also the sign that this is where he needed to be. The most well-guarded secrets were well-guarded for a reason, after all.

He lingers in front of the door, not yet going in.]

Merisia's told me bits and pieces, but... Not the whole thing. Can you tell me why she hates the Echo so much, Carby?

[he's probably heard enough from Merisia to be able to piece it all together himself, but there might be a difference between how Merisia on the surface perceive it, and how her subconscious would.]

[ Topaz Carbuncle dips his head low, his eyes closing and his ears drooping. He's eager to get away from this storm, but...well, answering Kor's question will have to come first. ]

She doesn't...hate it, necessarily. She's afraid of it.

[ The storm churns overhead, and Topaz offers Kor a sincere look. As sincere as a Carbuncle can, anyway. ]

There's too much that she doesn't know about it. Everything it can do, everything it does to her... She scarcely even knows when she acquired it. She has no control over its powers to speak of, and the visions occur without warning. But one of her greatest fears is that it might somehow bring harm to herself, or to those she's come to care about...and there would be little that she can do to stop it. [ He shakes his head. ] Uncertainty has always been one of Merisia's greatest enemies. Not knowing if she can trust a stranger is difficult enough, but that's something she can handle. Not knowing if she can trust her own power, well... There's not much you can do to escape something that's a part of you, is there?

[ If anything, Topaz seems to agree more with Kor's sentiments than Merisia's, judging from his warm tone. Even so, there's still a sadness to his words, a level of concern that isn't outright stated, but still eager to make itself known. ]

If you really can help her...maybe that'll heal the damage it's already wrought.

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