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Open to All | Communion

[Communion begins and despite the source, it's strained. At least, in a way that perhaps it shouldn't be, especially considering that it involves Midna, who seems like one of the most nonchalant individuals in this world. She hasn't, in truth, addressed much of anything or anyone since the Harbinger incident, her death, her relocation to Highstorm, and that is beginning to bite her in the Twili backside.

Of course, if she were less prideful, she might actually address that. But maybe it all comes across in something about her, or what feels like wavering conviction, an otherwise kind of weakness she wouldn't ever intentionally display.]

Poor Springstar. There couldn't have been a better time for me to get out of there.

[Never mind that the discord a Meridian experiences in opposing atmosphere is a real contender. Perhaps Midna will turn as monstrous as those attacking the city of infinite light, except to her understanding, they aren't real monsters. No. Her discord is already manifesting in its own way.]

That said, surely we're keeping it all under control, no? The lot of us perfectly capable. If these little obstacles we go through for the Oracles don't hinder us, I find it hard to believe that a bit of chaos and murder is going to stop us. Well, those of us eager to throw ourselves into the fray that is.

[...So... people who aren't her?]

I'm sure I'll be making a little visit over there eventually, but that's not why I'm here now. Since I've made Highstorm my darling little home, I'd like to learn a bit more about it. It's beautiful, there are some nice places to eat, but I'm afraid I just don't know the area well enough. And I've been asked if I'll be decorating my home. I don't suppose there's a nice place to go shopping or some decorative ideas. Much as I'd love to fill my place with paintings, I've discerning taste.

I promise if I can get a little self-indulgence out of the way, I'll certainly be more helpful to my fellow Meridians.

[Which she may, or may not be. Either way, she thinks she's doing a great job pretending to be... well. Herself. But she's probably laying it on too thick this time.]

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[ He is so unimpressed that it colors the entirety of their Communion. ]

You're not invincible. Unless you want to find yourself dissipated, I suggest you find some way to take care of it.

[She deserves that.]

Visiting Springstar will do that well enough. [Or so she suspects.] I am not as irresponsible as you seem to think I am. [Although he has every reason to think she is... absolutely irresponsible since that is the kind of person she's portrayed herself to be.]

Aren't you?

[ Don't mind him as he just casually calls her out on that. ]

If you're living in Highstorm, you should have some Zenith contacts willing to help you out in case of an emergency.

[ Or so he hopes?? Truthfully given how strained things are between the two sides, he'd also fully believe she's just fending for herself over there. ]

Ah, I didn't say I wasn't, only that I'm not as much as it might seem. Technicalities.

[And even that might not be completely true. Midna's considerably more responsible than it seems, but it seems keeping that to herself is wiser. In this world, she can't ever be sure what might be interpreted as a weakness.]

I do have some here that I would consider myself to be on friendly terms with. Or at least, those, perhaps, who may owe me something if I wanted to collect. A shame that a simple move turns out to be so troublesome, however. All because I wanted some shade.

[ Well, he can't fault her there. How many times has he daydreamed about moving to Highstorm to escape the constant sunlight of Springstar? More times than he can count.

His voice turns a little wry. ]

The curtains weren't enough for you?

Unfortunately not. My circumstances are a bit unique. Not to say that I couldn't have survived. I could and I was, but it wasn't living.

[She could only temporarily tolerate going out and doing things. She wasn't miserable, but she was in a constant state of discomfort.]

For all of the setbacks between Meridian and Zenith, Highstorm is better for me. In heart. In soul. In mind.

And yet you still want to stay a Meridian.

[ It's not so much an accusatory criticism as it is mere statement of fact. (Unless she's planning to switch over? It's not like he talks to her much on a regular basis.) ]

Do you really think that'll be tenable in the long run?

Because I still believe in my people and I still believe they exist.

[She gives some time to think before she responds. Not because of what she intends to say, but rather how she wants to put it.]

There are a great many things I would do for my people. But in order for me to do that, I need to be able to take care of myself. The inconvenience from discord is more manageable than putting myself in a place that I'm not physically compatible with.

[ If there's one thing he can't judge people on it's their reasons for wanting to support Meridian, especially when his own reasoning is as weak as it is. His own personal experience with high Discord has left him with no small amount of trepidation on the matter, but if she says that she can handle it then he has no choice but to believe her in that.

Though it's strange that she phrases life in Springstar that way. ]

Does sunlight actively harm you?

I came from a realm of darkness. My people weren't able to withstand the light. That I can is temporary at best and not without considerable discomfort.

[That is to say, direct exposure to light damn near killed her. It's an experience she's not keen to relive. And perhaps, to some degree, she is a touch traumatised by it, though she would never say so. The Light Spirits, of course, gave unto her a gift, that ability to endure the light she so coveted and longed for, but again, it is all a temporary thing.]

I wouldn't much care to see myself directly exposed to it or what effects that might have on me.

[Although that she's so willing to be honest about this must be saying a lot for her current condition.]

[ There's a good chunk of silence after she offers up that explanation, Eustace mulling over the implications of her words. He doesn't need explicit knowledge of the fate that awaits her if she stays out in the light for too long to know that it'll be bad. ]

Understandable.

[ He'll respect her decision to protect herself, even if the alternative isn't great. ]

Apart from the Discord, has everything else been acceptable?

[She won't say it, but she appreciates that he doesn't press for any further, not that she imagines he would. Eustace, for as little as she knows regarding him, he doesn't seem the type to really press for much of anything. On the contrary, he seems somewhat content to not get involved if he doesn't have to. And she can respect that, because she's not too different.

But that's all conjecture.]

Yes, actually. [She replies.] I'm enjoying it. As much as I can, that is. I'll enjoy it more when I get to know the area better. I became so accustomed to Springstar that it's been a bit of an adjustment. Have you spent much time over here? If not, you should accompany me. I believe I owe you just a touch of gratitude for that whole thing at that little amusement park.

[ Oh? What's this? An invitation to go visit her in Highstorm?

It catches him off-guard, a drop of surprise trickling in through their Communion. He's not a particularly friendly person even on the best of days, and he honestly hadn't considered his actions during that (annoying) carnival to be anything worth more than a brief word of thanks, so it's jarring now to hear about repayment for his help. ]

You don't owe me anything. [ The words sound like a rejection, though his tone of voice comes out much softer. ] Though it would be nice to get out of the sun for awhile.

[ So definitely not a no. ]

But there's no need to trouble yourself on my behalf.

Then don't think about it in terms of me owing you anything. Just think about it as this very beautiful woman is telling you to take her out on a date.

[Oh, right. He hasn't seen what she looks like for real. He's only ever known her as an imp. It's true he saw the photo, but she didn't say anything about it to him. He has no reason to believe it was her or if it was simply someone important to her. Regardless, it would be quite the surprise for anyone who only knew her in that gremlin container of energy.]

So really, the only trouble would be for you.

[ A date with a beautiful woman..... Even if he was interested (which he isn't), there's a more glaring problem. ]

I'm already taken. [ Is that a better or worse answer than flatly telling her he's not interested? ] But I don't mind a visit between coworkers.

[ It's always been easier to deal with matters in professional terms, or in any capacity where he can draw clear lines in the sand. ]

When are you free?

[Midna's amusement practically ripples through their communion. As if a date is only for those romantically or intimately intertwined. As much as she's tempted to correct him, she chooses not to. Let him think what he wants. Better that he just assumes she has no idea how to turn off the flirting. It's the image she wants to continue maintaining.

'Coworker,' however. Gods. He's funny.]

Well, someone of my line finds herself more free than some would think. I'm quite flexible. If you throw out a time, I can most likely manifest it into flesh.

[ Quite frankly he doesn't understand what could possibly be so funny, but maybe that's just an unintentional side effect of having a stick lodged permanently up his ass. Regardless, she seems to be taking this whole thing in good enough spirits, so he tries to force himself to loosen up a smidge to match. ]

This weekend then? I should be free.

That sounds very doable to me. Why not meet me at the markets.

[Which means she must have some level of respect for propriety. Shockingly. Otherwise, she would have invited him to her place. Perhaps there is some growth in her remaining.]

At your convenience, of course.

[ The markets....that's not a bad idea, actually. He does have some shopping to get done and there's only so many times a man can peruse the same (admittedly, many) shops in Springstar. Might as well aim for some level of productivity while he's out. ]

Sure. I'll let you know when I'm there.

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