★ ( SHADOWHEART. )

[punnier]

meme here eventually

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[sacredpath]

I have not. I don't want to know what either its trick or its treat might be.

[she says it in a tone where it's obvious she's suggesting it's kinky]

[punnier]

[ Siffrin just taking a good step away from said skeleton. No thanks!! ]

Best we continue to avoid it then. [ They can go look at the cute lit-up pumpkins instead. ] Do you have any celebrations back in your world, Shadowheart?

[sacredpath]

Plenty of them, but I'm not much for participating.

[shar does not have cute festivals.]

I would say most are either very solemn and holy, or some variation on alcohol, masks, and debauchery? What of you.

[punnier]

[ That's valid, it isn't as if Siffrin could say any differently regarding participation. ]

I guess festivals do tend to have a particular theme depending where... [ A blink. ] Mmm, I've spent a lot of time traveling so I never really familiarized myself with Vaugardian festivals. I do remember their winter one though.

[ At least they can remember that much. ] "Love Arena Day." It's where everyone battles to give the most perfect gift to their loved ones. The one who makes the other cry wins.

[sacredpath]

...That's very sweet.

[she smiles for a second, blushing just a bit, and then she stops herself abruptly, grabbing her hand tightly and grimacing.]

[punnier]

[ It's definitely more of a touching festival, but no more festival talk when they catch sight of that grimace and they peer at her with worry. ]

..Shadowheart? Are you alright?

[sacredpath]

[she shakes her head, taking a deep breath.]

I'm fine. I have an old wound that troubles me now and again, but it always passes very quickly.

[punnier]

[ Relaxes just a little, though still concerned. ]

Even with it healed?

[sacredpath]

It never fully heals. It's a magical quality of it.

[punnier]

Like a curse?

[sacredpath]

Well. A little, but it's not a curse. More of a bond.

[punnier]

A bond.. Not the kind of bond you expect between people, I assume.

[ Unless..? ]

[sacredpath]

No, not like that. A bond between myself and my goddess.

[punnier]

[ A quiet 'ah' before they grow curious. ]

What is your goddess like?

[sacredpath]

She is the Nightsinger, the mistress of darkness. We know the world is cold and cruel, but we don't fight against that knowledge. We embrace it, and use it as our strength and our shield.

[punnier]

Some would definitely say that you find strength in knowledge.

[ So for a religion, a belief to embrace it as such.. it's not too surprising. It's interesting actually. ] ...Where I'm from, we follow the Universe with our beliefs. "The Universe leads, and we can only follow."

[sacredpath]

[oh.]

What does that mean? Blind faith? Following signs and portents?

[punnier]

It's - [ Suddenly, they pause, like they had the thought before.. they blink a bit, slowly, expression confused. ]

I.. [ (It was there, and then...) ] ..I don't remember.

[sacredpath]

[ah. okay.]

...That's alright. Do you struggle to remember things?

[punnier]

[ A flinch. ]

..Yeah. Sometimes.

[sacredpath]

It's alright. I'm the same - there are things I only remember in the general, not the specific.

[punnier]

..Really? Has it.. always been that way for you, too?

[sacredpath]

[shaking her head.]

...Well, how would I know. But as far as I'm aware, this is something that happened recently. I had to give up some of my memories to maintain secrecy for my order.

[punnier]

An exchange?

[ Is it better or is it worse knowing you had to? ] For me, it just.. happened one day. No warning.

[sacredpath]

Not an exchange, so much as proof of my devotion. My goddess demands much of her followers.

[...]

Really? None at all? No idea why it happened, even?