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[peacetalks]

"Pray speak your piece, and I shall return it anon."

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[peacetalks]

[he hands her a cup--it has the exact amount of cream and sugar she likes in her tea]

I've kept a pot brewing all day, to help battle my weariness.

[he says, with a knowing smile. last night was exhausting for the three of them]

[menphina]

[ Setting the piles of clothing (wrapped in some paper so they don't get dirty) to first accept the tea with a thank you! ]

Oh darling, you ought to have tried to rest. I napped in the library for a spell, and didn't dream at all that I could recall.

[ Standing on tiptoe and trying to quickly peck him on the mouth with hers once she reaches up to get him leaning down. ]

You're alright?

[peacetalks]

I did rest. And now I am feeling restless. But I have decided that I am doing little else today except making tea and reading.

[he leans down for a peck :*]

Although I did meet someone interesting...

[menphina]

Did you? Tell me all about it. Then we can go to your room and look at what I found!

[ Going to drink her tea happily- every sip gets an ear wiggle because Aymeric made it exactly the way she likes it! ]

[peacetalks]

Dayir.

[glances down at his tea, thumb running over the rim]

Have you met him?

[menphina]

I have. He's a Warrior of Light, just like me! We both saw it in each other's Echo!


[ She actually looks quite fascinated by the thought. ]

We've been through the same adventures- met the same folk, yet had different experiences with them! It's amazing! I never imagined such a thing was possible!

[peacetalks]

Aye... I know him, as well. Which is a perplexing feeling--to realize I've two distinct sets of memories with you, and with him, and they are so similar I could almost not tell you the difference... save for the presence of the Warrior of Light.

[menphina]

[ That makes her eyes widen. ]

That you recognize the both of us, though... perhaps it's because the only difference is in who the Warrior of Light is? That somehow our journey as one would have made us meet you at some point or the other, in different worlds? So... rather than have more of you, your memories aligned instead. I saw this happen with Kaeya here, too! There were two of him as well, with similar memories...

[ She wonders what their stories were beyond what they claimed. But... ]

Is it troubling you, Aymeric?

[peacetalks]

'Tis an odd feeling, certainly--not unlike those few weeks after the Seventh Umbral Calamity, where all our memories felt hazy and befuddled, albeit instead of lost memories I've a few more than I know what to do with.

[offers a small smile]

Yet still, he is a dear friend to me, and I could ne'er be unhappy to see him. I am displeased that he is forced into these same circumstances, but he has ever been a bastion of strength where others' wells run dry--as is true of you.

[menphina]

[ She smiles, a bit more proud of hearing that. ]

Full glad I am to know that were it not myself, others would have done the same and done it in ways that would aid you all. But I am not doubtful of mine own place in this tale. Mine own truth is mine, and his is his own. We made precious memories with you, in our own lives.

[ She sets her cup aside, giving him a curious look. ]

What of your feelings? Are they... the same as you've felt for me?

[ Even if he harbored the same feelings, surely there would be some distinction in what he feels for her and Dayir. ]

[peacetalks]

[oh, ah. aymeric ducks his head and looks into his tea]

... if you are wondering if I see you as the same person, the answer is nay. For all my perplexed memories, I could never think to replace either one of you. Of that, I am confident. My feelings are, admittedly, similar... yet they are distinct.

[menphina]

[ Her ears droop for a flicker of a moment, but lift instantly again at that, almost relieved. ]

That- I am glad to hear. I would be troubled, if everything was similar. 'twould feel like there's no choice in our actions, even as different people if they were...

[ Murmured more to herself, but he's right there. Though, she looks a bit sheepish. ]

Not... that I would stop you from acting on any feelings you have given the chance, you know that. But will you forgive me... for feeling a little worried about it in this situation, at least?

[peacetalks]

[aymeric sets down his tea and pulls her into his arms, holding her gently yet closely, one hand at the back of her head and the other around her waist]

I cannot blame you for such. Yet I bid you believe me when I say I love you dearly, with all my heart, with all I have to offer. That has not changed, and, Fury willing, it shall never change.

[menphina]

[ Oh. She relaxes, moving her arms around his back and squeezing him tightly. Every moment with him she cherishes as though it were her last, and she presses her cheek against his front. ]

... thank you.

[ She wants to explain it, that perhaps it's just worrying because- both of them fulfill the same role, in their own worlds. Both of them have been friends with him and all they've met, made those same bonds, seeing as the memories exist together.

It's different when it's an entirely different person, but something like this can give someone an identity crisis- it's just a good thing both Dayir and her seem to be extremely adaptable. ]

Menphina above, I must sound so insecure saying something like that. I didn't mean to put you on the spot, Aymeric.

[peacetalks]

[presses a kiss to her temple]

'Tis no burden upon me to remind you of my love. I shall say it as many times as you need. But tell me, Megumi... how do you feel about it? About Dayir?

[menphina]

Truthfully? Excited! In some world, the Warrior is a charming, strong-looking being, with a kind heart! What's not to enjoy?

[ She draws back just enough to beam at him, eyes twinkling. ]

And he knows how to cook! There may be some hope for my children and me if that means the Warrior of Light isn't a failure in the kitchen across every incarnation!


[ Yes, this is one of her takeaways... ]

[peacetalks]

[oh, you]

Are you trying to convince me that you are none of those things, by contrast? I object.

[menphina]

Nay, but it's reassuring to know that remains true. That the journey has been worth it for them, as it has for myself.

[ To have hope even after all they've been put through. ]

Oh! And Thancred is here, too! You'll probably run into him and mine uncle, as well. And... there's someone who knew me, but I didn't know him. He's very kind, though? His name is Hermes!

[peacetalks]

Someone who knew you, but you do not know them? How curious. I wonder if there are others who can shed light on the matter.

But I shall be certain to give Master Thancred my regards if I should see him. What cell block does he belong to?

[menphina]

Thancred is in Sphinx— he's actually why I posed that question to you earlier. Hermes is with him on the same team. And... he told me something that does make no sense even though I've an understanding of what he's talking about, but..

[ She frowns, looking up at him. ]

The only one who could give me an answer seems to not want to recognize me at all, despite us being cordial... and I would rather not irritate him further, if so.

[ Her ears droop as she looks aside for a moment. ]

... do you think mine actions to aid others arrogant, Aymeric?

[peacetalks]

Is that what Emet-Selch said to you? Or Zenos?

[menphina]

[ Oh, how astute... ]


... good guess. 'twas Emet-Selch. He was upset when I tried to ask after him... his friend Hythlodaeus was also in Bugbear at the time they... and he lashed out at me for trying to help. I understand he was upset, but...

[peacetalks]

He was most certainly attacking you out of some insecurity of his own, I wager. The desire and willingness to help others is a virtue, not a sin--and your intentions could not be clearer.

Which leads me to believe you were merely a convenient target for his ire, and that his true source of anger lies elsewhere.

[menphina]

Aye... better myself than another, I suppose. 'tis been hard to speak with him, though- I suppose that's to be expected, with my hand being the one to fell him. Even if he does not recall it... or me.

[ She shakes her head with a weak smile. ]

I assumed the same. I suppose I'll learn what Hermes meant, sooner or later. Shall we return to your chamber?

[peacetalks]

Aye. I think I should very much like to hold you now, in fact.

[he heads into his room with her and sits on his bed, holding his arm out for her]