Posts from ☀️ Arselia and Akonia

—These are... very curious theoretical and philosophical trials. I wouldn't be surprised if the final "scores" depend on the "number" chosen now... —he smirked at this unfunny joke, then turned his gaze to his companion. —...It is usually believed that people from large families don't seek something similar in their future lives, and vice versa, but I think this only applies to those whose childhood had more hardships than happiness. For me, there is nothing better than a large and close-knit family, so my answer is obvious, but... your opinion here plays a big role.

Sanex silently takes Klin's hand and walks in the direction indicated by the sign "4+".

Added 19 minutes later
- Oh, my dear, even if you were a land whale, you would still be the most beautiful and most beloved, and we should have enough resources for any kind of family.
Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the signs pointed in completely different directions, and the deceptive picture was created due to the two-dimensional nature of the image.

Added 3 minutes later

-- Mmmmmmm, -- Furia frowned. -- Can you explain the meaning of this trial to me, Am? This is not something we can influence. What's the point of wanting one thing if the universe decides otherwise?

-- From the point of view of some kind of optimality, I'm actually afraid that I would be a very bad mother. How often would I be at home? How long would I live? Wouldn't my family face too many risks because of me? But, from the point of view of leaving some kind of legacy on Anush, mathematically, we should have at least three? Then (almost) certainly someone will carry the family name in future generations, right? That's how I reason...

-- Well, two is a realistic middle ground, or what do you think? But I repeat, I don't have any power here; it doesn't work that way.

- The meaning seems simple to me - it's a task to make you think and cooperate. Imagine that I would like to have a large family, and you wouldn't want to have children at all - then a very unpleasant situation would arise, which would reveal that we are not compatible. Whoever came up with this approached the task carefully and intelligently.

- The meaning seems simple to me – it’s a task that requires thinking and cooperation. Imagine that I would like to have a big family, but I wouldn’t want to have children at all – then a very unpleasant situation would arise, which would reveal that we are not suitable for each other. The person who came up with all this approached the task carefully and thoughtfully.

-- Haaa, I suppose this could lead to a conflict if husband and wife could control the number, but – they can’t!


-- ..... They can’t, right?



-- Hmm, another question: how many siblings did you have in your family, Am? In other words, what was your example?

- Hmm... Some can, others can't – it all depends on their principles. - Am shrugged, smiling at the amusing reaction of the usually fearsome knight. - I was an only child.

-- Yes, me too... In retrospect, the reason was most likely my mother's health: I wasn't told this when I was young, but I remember her being like that. But with my father's health, it was the opposite; he never showed any weakness, and sometimes I think I'm more like him. So, to avoid any surprises, I don't know how things will turn out, and I wouldn't want to make any predictions... Considering that my medical situation will probably be the main limiting factor, both in terms of the upper and lower bounds. Is that acceptable?

"What does 'from principles' mean? Is it about abortion? I definitely wouldn't go for that."

-- If we set all that aside, from the perspective of wishes, I really don't know. Do you want the universe to give you two? Are you considering three, just to be on the safe side?

- No, it's not about that,” Ayano said, her shoulders relaxing slightly after a moment of nervousness. “Are you trying to drag it out? Are you pretending you don't understand? You know what I'm talking about; you're aware of my vows. In my homeland, such a path is closed to someone like me, as is marriage itself. It is believed that something like this violates our contract with the Kami-sama, devaluing – or “dishonoring,” if you will – our spiritual connection with them in favor of something mundane and worldly. And after that, such a woman can no longer be considered a miko,” she added after a moment of thought. “Although, now that I think about it, I've never personally seen such sisters. I can't even say at what level this prohibition exists – on a spiritual plane, or ‘just’ as a tradition. But any centuries-old tradition doesn't arise out of nowhere and is fully justified by the history of the people and the divine law to which they are subject, which is why I say ‘just’ in such an emphatic tone. This cannot be ignored.
Irritatedly dismissing the harsh circumstances that force her to think through and articulate such things, she continues:
“Right now, I'm not in my homeland, that's true. From a purely pragmatic point of view, ‘perhaps the divine law is arranged differently here,’ and besides, ‘no one sees me and no one will say anything to me,’ and I uphold our values as I know and understand them, which means I can give them a convenient mental-gymnastics form if necessary. But I don't accept this level of thinking; it's a perversion, a desecration of the memory of all your ancestors, and besides, it's tasteless. To judge spiritual and cultural things in a simplistic, literal way is heresy, in the expressive sense of the word, although not only in that sense. Nevertheless, from that moment in Mitten... I understand that different circumstances may require adaptation; life can exist in different forms, as can duty or worldview, and stubborn rigidity of mind is not a synonym for resilience. Therefore... since then, I have gradually tried, to the best of my ability, to introduce such concepts into my life. Yes, it may not be very fast, and from the outside, it may even look silly or simply absurd and meaningless to someone like you or our fellow citizens. But don't think that this is some kind of ‘burden’ of mine, or that I am a ‘prisoner’ of my calling or traditions; that's not the case. All of this resonates with me. And yet, I'm trying; as I think, for someone like me, it's quite ‘successful’ – which sounds funny, because in my homeland, it would have been a ‘failure.’ ...However, something like this... - a disapproving finger pointed at the sign. - This is already simply arrogance, a blow to the head. It's like asking a preschooler who has just learned to count on an abacus what securities he plans to invest in and what return he expects. ... ... ...although you might not understand me; you don't have such things. Anyway! - she angrily stomped her foot because, at the whim of some unknown old woman, she had to justify herself for something unclear and reveal the entire history of her life from dinosaurs and yekas to the present moment, creating, perhaps, with that gesture, a real image of a spoiled princess in the mind of some outside observer for a moment. - This is an unfair question for me, that's what I'm saying! And you understand that; you could have explained it without me having to! - she sighed, shook her head, and then even snorted at the absurdity of the situation, and finally said. - ...I suppose, if we close our eyes to any moral preparation for just a second and hold the point of a katana to our throat, then in my situation, there will be no difference whether it's 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4+?... Ma ikka,” she waved her hand in the direction of the arrogant organizer, took a few steps in the earth-kite direction, then stopped and lowered her gaze to the floor. - I'm sorry for raising my voice and not thinking about your feelings. Such a long tirade, and it was all about myself, about my distant, fantastical ideas, which, from your point of view, may not have existed at all. ‘High maintenance onna,’ as they said in the buffer-territorial jargon between our countries...
‘You've found a problem for yourself. Did you want trouble?’ - Ayano felt ashamed of herself.
- But this... - she suddenly adds. - Don't blame yourself if such a thought comes to your mind. Even if we had never met, sooner or later, life would have put me in a similar, or some other, position where I would have had to put my ideals, traditions, and upbringing to a serious test. So, on the contrary, I'm quite lucky that I ‘got off so easily’ when this ‘test’ turned out to be a person with such a broad soul in its most radiant manifestation, and not something unworthy.

-- Mmmmmm, -- Furia frowned. -- Can you explain the meaning of this trial to me, Am? It's not something we can influence. What's the point of wanting something, only for the universe to decide otherwise?

-- From the perspective of some kind of optimality, I'm actually afraid I'd be a very bad mother. How often would I be home? How long would I live? Wouldn't my family face too many risks because of me? But, from the perspective of leaving some kind of legacy on Anush, mathematically, I should have at least three, right? Then, (almost) certainly, someone will carry the family name through the generations, won't they? That's how I reason...

-- Well, two is a realistic middle ground, or what do you think? But I repeat, I don't really have any power here; it doesn't work that way.

- Acceptable. - Am replied without hesitation. - Time will tell, and we'll have to base our decisions on the realities of that time, not today, but theoretically, three is a good number. Having agreed with his companion's suggestion, Amamius took her hand and led her towards the "three."

- Acceptable. - Am replied without hesitation. - Time will tell, and we will have to proceed based on the realities of that time, not today's, but on a theoretical level, we can consider three.
Agreeing with his companion's suggestion, Amamius took her hand and led her towards the "troika."

-- Yes, that's rational, -- she said and followed. She had held Amchik's shoulder before, but now, after the warning, she held on even tighter, just in case there were any traps, wolf pits... If he falls, she will try to catch him.

Lord Ravenage could muse about his love and proclaim it once again for all to hear; The Phantom of the Red Moon could philosophize on a variety of topics – about religion, beliefs, the cosmos, and other things that were touched upon in Ayano's long monologue; The Director of "XXX" could assess the economic and cultural aspects of the concerns she voiced; But all of this, he believed, was now completely meaningless. "Don't let this bother you." Without explaining exactly what "this" was, he instead put his arm around her. "Even when you're embarrassed, it doesn't bother me at all." After processing some information in his head, Lord paused for a moment. "...I don't mean that I don't care when you're worried or confused, I just mean that if there's a problem, we'll definitely solve it together, okay? Just don't be shy about voicing them, and at the same time, tell me about your desires, whatever they may be, and I'll try to fulfill them, because nothing will make me happier than seeing a smile on your face, especially if I have a hand in making it happen." _________ The two, separately from each other, come across a new sign. *"Now it's simple – kiss and continue on your way, or admit defeat and turn back towards the exit of the park."*

		Garrett			Harold
Heinos		A very atmospheric performance, sets a cool mood!	10		The kid's got skill to pull off such a flashy theme with a violin.	9
Miyuki		I love the particular same drama, the melody seems to tell a story on its own, which is interesting to listen to regardless of the length.	10		Strummed soulfully, it's captivating.	8
Arivell		It's practically a hymn of a heroic journey, it makes you want to set off on a path toward great achievements.	8		Quite epic, though maybe a bit too pretentious.	7
Swain		The notes fly from the keys in a brisk, dramatic composition, impressive.	8		Brisk and effective.	8
Ahuri		Bright and fiery exoticism, very cool.	10		Sounds unusual and so intense—it's inspiring!	10
Anselm		A curious sad-solemn motif, though a bit monotonous.	8		You add to the atmosphere too, lonely street trumpeter.	7

		Garrett			Harold
Erefir		Unexpectedly melancholic for our brave commander, though such an approach isn't bad either.	8		Well hm, it's kind of dismal, but you can tell she knows how to sing.	7
Sanexa		Performed so lively and carefree, cute.	8		A funny little tune, though the voice is a bit harsh.	7
Klin		Also a bit unexpected... A sort of cheerful, life-affirming song for a beautiful day, excellent.	10		Spirited and colorful.	9
Giyyon		Here, it's not so much the mood that surprises me as the performance itself, very expressive.	8		Alright, I believe it, the man really gave it his all from the heart.	8
Amirega		Behind this thunderous song, an unshakable confidence in a glorious victory for a righteous cause rests upon the lips.	10		Now that's what I call a fighting spirit!	10

On their way, they also stop by the adventurers guild, where Garrett collects his reward for as many as two completed quests.

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- It's really simple, - Beata said happily. - I don't know... It feels... too simple? What if... - Guiyosha, for crying out loud, - the adventuress rolled her eyes. - If you keep being paranoid, I'll spank you. - Why??? - On the butt! - And you won't argue, - Guiyon smirked. Beata resolutely pulled him closer, drawing him into a kiss. He didn't resist.

Garrett is thanked for his good work and receives a reward of 1000 rem.

The two of them, standing separately, face a new sign.

"Now it's simple: kiss and continue on your way, or admit defeat and turn back towards the park exit."

After a moment of silence, she looks at Ama.

-- Everything was going so well... Do you think it's because we chose the wrong direction? No, probably not. Objectively, it was the safest option, but to avoid any deception – a non-binding kiss on the cheek – the commander paced back and forth near the sign, pondering. -- And yet, it's a kind of double interpretation, and it's not certain that the universe will consider this a completed quest.

She turns modestly, leaning her head to the side and folding her arms.

-- We can retreat... But really! Really, despite the incredibly rapid development of this storyline, if you've truly only strengthened your intentions (and I, for my part, have – yes, I won't hide it). If we're truly heading in that direction, then we can just go ahead and get engaged. In a practical sense, yes. We're not obligated, and it's a big responsibility, a promise to each other not to turn back, but right now, it doesn't seem unrealistic to me. What do you think?

- For any normal person, such a "problem" wouldn't be worth a penny; they would look at me as a silly eccentric at best, and at worst... I don't even know, - she decided not to invent any additional insults for herself. - And I understand that for someone not burdened by such things, it's nonsense. But, I suppose, each of us has our own personal quirks, and what matters is whether they will be played out in the end, and if so, how. Okay, this is a vague conversation, - she waved away her own nagging thoughts once again. - But I understand you. Thank you, I will keep this in mind, - she ends the conversation on a neutral and reassuring note.

- Ah, I see? - Aiyano crosses her arms gloomily. - She's probably hiding somewhere with a camera, right? What if she doesn't admit defeat? People can have all sorts of cultural peculiarities. Or even - what if one of them has a cold?

The couples, separately from each other, encounter a new sign.

"Now it's simple - kiss and continue on your way forward, or admit defeat and turn back towards the exit of the park."

—And I said we would complete the task ahead of schedule... I wonder, is this sign only for the 4+ path? 🤔

- We could retreat... But in general! In general, despite the incredibly rapid development of this line, if you are truly committed to your intentions (and I, for my part, am – why hide it?). If we are truly heading in that direction, then we can just get engaged. In the everyday sense, yes. We are not obligated, and this is a great responsibility, a promise to each other not to turn back, but right now it doesn't seem unrealistic to me. What do you think?

- The Knights, as far as I know, never back down from a challenge, right? Faster than I initially expected, but I think this will be the right course of events given the circumstances.
After spending some time searching for flowers that are resistant to cold weather, Amamius cuts one and twists its stem into a ring, making sure to tie it into a loop so it doesn't come undone, then kneels before the main Carnelian and takes her hand in his, pausing for a moment before putting the improvised flower ring on her finger. - Erephir Lin'el Darvening, will you be my bride?

Added 13 minutes ago

- Oh, is that how it is? - Aiyano crosses her arms gloomily. - She's probably hiding somewhere with a camera, right? And what if you don't admit defeat? People can have different cultural peculiarities. Or even - what if one of them has a cold?

- I think she would answer that in Margel, you live like a Margelian, or at least within the framework of her event... And did you hear that the fastest way to recover from a cold is to pass it on to someone else? I have a pretty strong immune system.

Added 1 minute ago

- And I said we would complete the task ahead of schedule... I wonder if this sign is only for the 4+ path? 🤔

- We can ask the others later when we all get together again... By the way, how do you think they are doing? It's probably not a very romantic topic for discussion, but I'm suddenly very curious.