[Open]

[spellcollect]

[ Frieren's mind opens up; as before, on the surface it's a calm, smooth pond. She's not quite used to this, so the connection (at first) is a touch tentative and then as she feels her way forward it opens more until she thinks she's finally ready. ]

I have a question for all of you. And you may consider it a simple matter of curiosity; I won't take offense at being ignored.

[ There's a pause, as if she's collecting her thoughts. ]

How many of you are long-lived species? Or long-lived by virtue of who you are? My kind are rare, even in my world, so I can't assume others will be particularly more common here, at the end of the universe.

[ It's an open question. ]

Comments

[sterngaze]

Being long-lived? Or being long-lived and living among humans?

Either way, I can understand your curiosity. Many of Kenos's inhabitants do seem to be human, as do many of the shard-bearers. But some of them are not as human as they appear.

[spellcollect]

Both, in a way.

[ There's a flicker of acknowledgement there. ]

Humans do seem to be the most common, but I'll keep that in mind.

[sterngaze]

The place I lived before was not like this. Non-humans were quite rare, and looked upon with curiosity at best.

[He pauses, not entirely sure how much he wishes to share about this topic, particularly with a stranger. Even now, disclosing casual information about his life feels uncomfortable, though there is no real danger in doing so.]

I have found it significantly easier to navigate Kenos, despite its quirks and its dangers. Among those who do not recognize me as a shard-bearer, I generally pass as completely unremarkable.

[Well. He's also handsome and well-dressed. But those are not bizarre or unwelcome qualities to be afflicted with.]

[spellcollect]

I tend to stand out, regardless. I don't make an effort to hide who or what I am. But elves, even if rare, are known - as are dwarves. So it isn't all humans. Just mostly.

[ Hm. ]

Although most don't treat me any differently because of it.

[sterngaze]

Elves were rare in my country, also. Their homeland was located some ways north of our border, and as you mentioned, they were not an especially populous race. They were not ill-regarded, generally but... hm. Taldor is a mostly human country, and people tended to have preconceptions about them.

Even with the number of humans here, Kenos is much more diverse. Springstar especially—or Skysong, I suppose—contains so many cultures that I think people are less likely to make assumptions at a glance.

[spellcollect]

I'm glad to hear that; I think people should do their best to get along with one another... even if there are differences.

[ Unless they're demons.

Fuck demons. ]