04 | Voice

[as_you_command]

[ Guilford has been absent for some time. The man has no recollection of how -- or even precisely when -- he made it to the temple. Not even after he woke up and left.

On his way to the city proper, he makes his presence (and irritation) known. ]

This is Guilford. [ Said as if those who might still be around, if they are, need that introduction

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voice;

[remedyings]

[There’s a soft sigh as Estelle replies, her voice trying to express her usual cheer but there is a noticeable hint of sadness.] Did you also not know or participate in the war until now? [A beat.] However, to answer your question - this is Estellise, and I was…I was not a casualty of this war.

[as_you_command]

I was... indisposed for some time. Over a week. [ Guilford was supposed to feel refreshed, but it's hard to convey that in his voice when he feels disappointment for leaving his contacts alone for so long.

Well, and then a war breaks out and he misses a chance to be useful. ] Though I am still retrieving all the details I can, I am relieved to hear from those who escaped the situation unscathed, Ms. Heurassein.

((ooc: Assuming that Guilford would get an introduction at some point in their last thread? And, of course, he insists on that address. OTL))

[remedyings]

Yes, I...I was unharmed. [And hnng, she really doesn't like her name being used like that! However, in this world no one would know that name...but still...] Please call me Estellise. [Even Miss Estellise would do.]

[as_you_command]

Very well, Miss Estellise. [ He pauses. ] I wonder if this will appear in this world's history, should those theories prove themselves to be true. [ It certainly sounded like an earth-shattering event, given the Twelve were directly involved. ]

[remedyings]

Yes, I do wonder as well. [She pauses thinking on this for a moment.] Even as short as this war was, the events that led up to it, there’s isn’t any way that this wouldn’t end up in a history book of some sort. I guess all we can do is wait and see if this theory is true.

[as_you_command]

[ He'll probably come back to that later, but there's something else that catches his attention. ] What events? I have yet to hear what could have sparked this.

[remedyings]

[She thinks over the events that occurred that lead up to this battle.] Well, first the sun set and the temperature dropped dramatically. Then the next morning, from what I know, we all woke up with a cake, more specifically a raisin cake tied to us with a red ribbon. The temperature dropped even more and the sun did not rise. There were also earthquakes which seemingly caused the power to go out in the entire city and then candles spontaneously appeared in front of us. Then there was one last quake and after that, it looked like a scene from a fantasy novel. It’s honestly quite difficult to explain, but that’s when the battle had started.

[She sighed after saying that. Even though she had experienced it, just telling someone about it almost made it not seem very believable.]

[as_you_command]

A... raisin cake. [ She is just going to have to forgive the disbelief in his voice, but to be fair, the doubt isn't directed at her. ] I cannot fathom the symbolism in that.

[ There is a faint click on his end as he removes his glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose. It's unbelievable, she's right, but he has no reason to think that the story is anything OTHER than true, after all he has personally witnessed. Perhaps that's why, despite the predicted reaction, he sounds almost... amused? ] Yet I managed to sleep through all of this. I cannot decide if I should consider myself blessed, or not...

[remedyings]

I did not understand it either. It was quite…confusing to say the least. [She didn’t blame him for doubting her.]

I…I believe you were blessed to have missed such a battle. [Though she would have been torn either way. If she slept, then she would not have been the cause of someone’s death, however if she wasn’t there, she wouldn’t have been able to save the lives she did. After a bit of silence, she sighs softly.]

[as_you_command]

Blessed? [ Guilford clicked his tongue and sighed. ] Hardly. I would have been able to put my expertise to use and, at the least, observed the events unfolding first-hand. [ A beat. ] Though I do appreciate the information you are giving me. Understanding the situation is the first step toward a solution. [ Even if the gods throw these so-called curve-balls their way. ]

[remedyings]

[She nods slowly at his statement.] I am sure that you would have been a great help on the battlefield. However, still…our foes were strong. And with my power diminished as it was, while it saved lives…the exhausted state I was in from casting so many healing spells caused a death. [That was probably the hardest part on her, though she had managed to stay strong somehow. ]

[as_you_command]

You exhausted your ... resources, and overstepped your limits. It happens to many. [ Guilford attempted to be reassuring, there. ] You must also know by now that death is impermanent; or was, for the time.

[ A slow breath. He is discussing healing magic and apparent immortality, for crying out loud. What has happened to his life? ] Had you the ability, you would have still aided that individual, of that I have no doubt. [ He might, but it would be unwise to say that there could have simply been another death down the line for the same reason. ] That is what you must remember.

[remedyings]

[Overstepping her limits. While it may not have been in the sense he meant it, it reminded her of the time she went to save Belius and only brought about her death… She did it again. She only meant to help people and yet brought death upon them.] Is death really impermanent? Because…because…. [Because the person that had died before her eyes has not shown himself. Yet she really wasn’t all too surprised.

Yet his words sunk into her much like Belius’ did.] Yes, if I was not so exhausted, nor did my powers have a limit on them, I would have saved them. I…I know I would have… [Yet she still blames herself for her death. It was her vulnerability that had led to him pushing her out of the way and being attacked by the enemy instead.]

[as_you_command]

[ There's a brief pang of sympathy. The guilt of being unable to help someone in need; for not being the one to protect them, or even lessen their burden, despite one's own wishes... it is a sinking feeling he is far too familiar with.

But he also believes that stopping such a feeling in its tracks is the best option, so his reply comes swiftly. ] Then take that experience and let it serve as a guide for your response to any future incidents. [ And stop doubting yourself, he wants to say, but even he lacks that confidence. ] There is no use in dwelling on it. It changes nothing about the past.

[remedyings]

Yes, that is all I can do, isn’t it? [To learn from her experiences and let that guide her in the future. She’s made mistakes in the past and she’s learned from them. While it was a rather painful learning experience, in a sense that’s what it was. If another war were to come up, she now knew better how to react in such a battle.]

The past can’t be changed, I know that. I wish I could change it, but that wouldn’t make me a stronger person in the end. [Yes, the past is something that is used to make someone stronger. However, if she continued to look back, then she would be unable to go forward. All she can do now is move forward with a smile.] Thank you for your words, Guilford. [She really means that.]

[as_you_command]

[ This is a hard lesson to learn, he knows. It isn't even something he is necessarily comfortable speaking on, but it could not be ignored now that it was right in front of him. At least she is getting the message. ] I am glad that my words reached you, but there is no need for thanks. Had you not seen reason, I might have doubted you. [ Blunt, but at the same time, he is giving her credit for taking that information in. ]