[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

[spellcollect]

A pity I can't meet her.

[wolfish]

Who knows? People just pop up here all the time.

[spellcollect]

True. Although the odds seem against it.

[wolfish]

You think so? There're two guys from some other version of Fódlan. After them, a comrade of mine appeared here, as I did some time after that, and another ally of ours followed suit a few months later.

For some, no one else from any iteration of home shows up here. Bit on the unpredictable side, seems to me.

[spellcollect]

Unpredictable might be the best way to put it honestly. So I can't rely on anything or anyone arriving.

[wolfish]

Can't deny that. Wish we did know, but nothing here's about how we want it.

[spellcollect]

Nothing rarely is.

[wolfish]

Can't deny that. No way to please everyone, besides.

[ One reason the Zenith sales pitch fell flat for him, but that doesn't bear mention. ]

[spellcollect]

No, no, that's quite impossible. So it can't be helped.

[wolfish]

Alas... But hey, did you give the food over in Shadytown a try?

[spellcollect]

I did; they have some good flavors.

[wolfish]

Pleased to hear it. Last I was there, I enjoyed the food.

[spellcollect]

I suppose that's a good thing for me; I can enjoy the food no matter where I end up.

[wolfish]

My people know the value of good food, I understand.

[spellcollect]

It helps the body a great deal or so I'm told.

[wolfish]

Certainly does. Bit of a food poverty situation in my homeland, poor soil and all, so we learn a thing or two about what bodies need and how to find it.

[spellcollect]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[ She can't do much about it. But she can learn. ]

How difficult was it?

[wolfish]

Remarkable to other countries, but we're accustomed to it.

[spellcollect]

Being accustomed to hardship still seems like it must be unpleasant.

[wolfish]

It can be, there's really no denying that. But I like to think it makes us more resourceful, too.

[spellcollect]

Perhaps. Although I imagine you would prefer if you didn't have to be.

[wolfish]

Well, sure. No one should have to worry about how they'll get enough to survive.

[spellcollect]

Perhaps there will be a change for the better in the future.

[wolfish]

I've been doing research here just for that reason.

[spellcollect]

Have you found anything worthwhile?