Ceabhail:

So... we're moving on. And, as a bonus... I get really personal with Delphine. REALLY PERSONAL.

Oh, and enjoy =^^=

"Are you sure about this?" Delphine sighed, looking out from our carriage to the massive tower. The tower in question was Darklight Tower. The tower where Illia waited for me. My Mage Follower. Since I can't get to the College in Winterhold yet, it would be nice to have a mage follower, perhaps even a teacher. I know she wasn't a teacher in any skill in the base game, but I'm hoping that she is at least capable of helping me learn new magic.

"I really want to get Esbern to this place you mentioned. The Wall… or whatever you called it." Delphine glanced over her shoulder to Esbern. "And every minute we waste, the more likely we are to be found by Thalmor agents."

I jumped out of the carriage, hurrying as I ran up to the Tower. "There's a woman here that really needs our help." And with how things are… I don't know how true that is anymore. But, things usually trigger the way I need them to trigger when I'm in the area. "If we leave, I don't know what will happen to her."

"What do you know, Dragonborn?" Esbern rose from his seat, joining me out of the carriage.

"Her name is Illia. She's a mage living here in this tower. Her mother is trying to become a Hagraven… I think. Anyway, she's been tasked with bringing back a human sacrifice. Illia doesn't want to kill someone, and so… she's going to kill someone and try to escape… until she sees me. And then she'll want to team up to stop her crazy mother. Put a stop to all the violence. If she goes alone… she dies. That simple. And she'd make a good ally for me. A mage. And not to mention… crazy parents… yeah. I'm right there with her. I want to help her. She needs a friend."

Delphine sighed. "Normally, I won't bother with something like this. But… you haven't led me astray yet… somehow."

"Your confidence in me is staggering." I muttered as I readied myself. "If you don't want to come with me, wait here. Take cover, keep your eyes open… oh… and watch out for trolls. There's a lot of them here."

Delphine sighed. "Dragonborn… leaving you alone to die in a tower full of mages would be the dumbest thing I could ever do." She shook her head. "If you insist, then I will have to come along. But after this, we're heading straight for… where are we going again?" She looked over her shoulder to Esbern.

"Alduin's Wall." Esbern replied. "Somewhere in the Reach."

"I know where it is." I shrugged. "It's east of a riverside mining village that houses a silver mine. It's taken over by mercenaries. And someone's child that lives there is the Sybil of Dibella."

Delphine pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head in defeat. "Why do you know that?"

"I know the town you speak of." Esbern nodded. "Yes… if that were the case, I believe I can get us there in no time flat. Two days' time, perhaps."

"If you two really want to get going, I won't stop you. It will give me a chance to get up to the Graybeards. Get their training." I continued walking up to the tower. I had to admit, I was a little worried about going alone. I haven't been alone since I started this journey. And to be honest, I wouldn't be alone here either. I would soon be teamed up with Illia. And if this was a trap, at least I could use my status as the Dragonborn to get me out of danger… or experimented on. Who knows really?

I looked back at Delphine. "You two should probably get going. I'll meet you there. Eventually."

Delphine glanced back at Esbern. "Up to you, old man."

Esbern kept his eyes trained on me, stroking his beard. "I suggest… a different play. We join you for this adventure… and then go our separate ways. Me and Delphine will head to Alduin's Wall and scout the location, perhaps even secure the location, while you play with the Graybeards."

"Why do you want to talk to those old pacifists anyway?" Delphine crossed her arms. I know she had a problem with the Graybeards. She didn't like that they hid from the world on top of their mountain instead of playing their part to end wars and whatnot. I'm not sure if having old men running around the battlefield, or standing their ground in the Imperial City, would have helped defeat the Aldmeri Dominion. Maybe it would have, but I doubt it. I do wonder just how strong the Graybeards will be though. They are supposed to be the greatest Shouters in the world, second to dragons. I wonder just what they can actually do.

I smirked as I walked up to Delphine. "If I were to say that the world as we knew it would end if I didn't get their help… would that piss you off? Impress you? Make you see their value to the world? What if I told you that they would abuse their code of indifference, run against the flow of time that they refuse to tamper with… if it meant helping me achieve my destiny as Dragonborn. What if I told you… that while the Blades stand firm in their beliefs, even choosing to abandon their duty to defend me because I defend a lovable dragon… the same group of people you value as the changing force in this world, the Blades… that the Graybeards are more than willing to go against everything they've ever believed… if it meant helping me achieve whatever I wanted to accomplish."

Not exactly true. The only Graybeard that speaks Common does have his hardheaded moments, but at the end of the day, as long as I don't kill Paarthurnax , the Graybeards are only too glad to help me. Meanwhile, the Blades will literally stab you in the back if you don't bend to their every demand.

Delphine's face was bright red. Probably with rage. "Again with these accusations?"

I shrugged. "Delphine. I know the future… well, one course of it. I've already altered it to some extent. Your knowledge in it… maybe it's changed you. But I do know this." I walked up to her face, squinting hard as I jabbed my finger at her. "If I choose to defend Paarthurnax, the leader of the Graybeards, and choose to not execute him… when all he does is help me defeat Alduin, even attacking him directly… if I choose to defend Paarthurnax… you will, at the drop of a hat, will tell me I'm no longer allowed to stay at Sky Haven Temple. You want nothing more to do with me, and would rather I go run off and die than just trust my fecking judgment in the matter of whether or not Paarthurnax needs to die."

And then I looked over to a very shocked Esbern. "And Esbern's no different. While he thinks Paarthurnax could possibly be true to his new nature, Esbern agrees with you, saying that I can't speak to him until I kill Paarthurnax. Because of his crimes in a time of war. How many fecking bandits do we kill on a daily basis? How many lives will I claim before I end Alduin? Do I need to be branded a villain too? Do I need to bend my neck over a chopping block because I'm just doing what needs to be done? Paarthurnax is no different. He may have sided with the dragons until the near of the dragon war. He may have ended countless human lives up until Alduin could be overthrown. He may be a turncoat. I don't know his full history. I don't think many people do."

"I do." Esbern replied. "I have studied that particular dragon to some great depth." Esbern rubbed his chin. "That dragon is perhaps the most hunted dragon, the number 1 hit for the Blades. His crimes are innumerable. He destroyed entire villages, slaughtered entire armies. Abused countless slaves, all in the name of Alduin. In the final years of the dragon war, he turned on Alduin, teaching the first humans how to Shout."

"Correct." I replied. "And while he did all those bad things, he's been atoning for it. Not every crime needs to be answered with death. If it was needed to be, how many Blades should have been murdered for spying on enemy nations, collecting information on…"

Esbern waved it away. "That is different."

I shook my head. "No… it's not. It's really not. You have a master… an Emperor. Like Alduin. He gives you orders, and you obey. You find a dangerous cult, kill its followers. Or spy on a possibly enemy nation like Morrowind, Summerset Isles. Do you think those people who live there wouldn't put your name as one of their hits?"

"The Blades are being hunted by the Thalmor as we speak." Delphine reminded me.

I nodded. "Correct. And once again, we're back to this." I shoved my fingers at Esbern. "Right now… you're the number one hit for the Thalmor. You're their Paarthurnax. The difference between you and that ancient dragon is that he's done nothing but atone for his crimes while you hide in the darkest crime-infested town you could crawl into. If I were to ask Paarthurnax about his crimes, you know what he would say? He wouldn't deny that he committed violent crimes against the mortal realm. He wouldn't shift the blame; he wouldn't say something like 'Those circumstances are different'. He owns up to it. And then he says this. The nature of a dragon is to destroy. And yet, through vigorous meditations, he's managed to overcome his destructive nature. He would say, 'What is better? To be born good or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"

Esbern just stood there. Delphine continued to glare at me. I couldn't keep my mouth shut even if I wanted to at this point. I was on a rant, and by the gods I was going to finish it strong.

"Everyone in this world does bad stuff. Armies destroy nations and then go about their lives as if nothing happened. Even in my original timeline… where I'm from mentally, we have people running around who do nothing but ruin lives for countless people while being protected by the orders of their leaders. Countries destroyed, reduced to resources, and no one ever pays for their crimes. So… yeah… I get it. You want people to pay for their part in their war. And for Paarthurnax, that's what it was. It was war. The same thing you fought. The same thing you killed I don't know how many Thalmor for. Same thing that could be said that I am also guilty of… in another life. It could be said that I deserve the same fate as so many others. And with how many bandits I will kill by the end of my life, I'm sure I'll be some ancient cautionary tale for every bandit child ever born. Don't go out during the day or you'll be killed by the Argonian Shouter." I looked at Esbern and then to Delphine. "And while I agree that sometimes, one great threat, one great evil, must die… I can't just kill Paarthurnax. I won't allow it." If I knew Hitler was still alive and cooking pancakes for Jewish children… would I do whatever it took to find him and end his life to make him pay for his previous crimes? All the men, women, and children he killed with his rhetoric? In the past, I would have gladly done it. I was a soldier after all. I would kill anyone if I was asked to… as long as it served a purpose. Killing an old man cooking pancakes for the same people he slaughtered by the millions? Would I kill that man? I don't know. What is better? To be born good… or to overcome your evil nature through great effort? This fucking game changed a lot of stuff on how I think about people in general. Myself included.

Delphine continued to just glare at me. "Why tell us this, Dragonborn?"

I sighed. "It's your easy out." I glared at Delphine. "You've put up with a lot of shite from me. And… I've done what I said I would do. I freed Esbern. You know the location of Alduin's Wall. At Karthspire… on top of a nearby hill, you will find a cave. It will lead you to Sky Haven Temple. It will be your base of operations while you rebuild the Blades. You… You don't need me anymore. And if my not killing Paarthurnax is the one thing keeping me from being a friend of the Blades… then this is goodbye. I will go on my way, and you will go on yours. I still want the Blades to come back. The world needs the Blades… just not as dragon slayers."

Delphine continued to glare at me, and Esbern hadn't moved from his spot as he looked from me over to Delphine.

"I know what I need to do to kill Alduin." I glanced at Esbern. "I have all the knowledge I need to end his life. There is nothing you can tell me that I don't already know. I didn't find you to learn the one hidden secret that can lead to Alduin's life. I know it's a Shout. I know it's Dragonrend. I don't remember the words to Dragonrend, but I know its existence, and I know how to find its whereabouts. I only went to find you so that you and Delphine could reunite and rebuild the Blades. Do better. Be better." I looked back to Darklight Tower. "I'm going up that tower. Not because I need to, but because there's someone there that may need my help. Because I'm trying to be a better person. If you want to come with me… great. I'd love to have you. But keep in mind that no matter what you say… I'm not killing Paarthurnax. Never will. And if you pull some ultimatum of choosing you over the Graybeards… I will gladly pull my blade on you. So, here's your choices. Goodbye forever… goodbye for now… or march with me up the tower."

Esbern glanced at Delphine. "Your call, Delphine. You've known her longer."

Delphine sighed. She turned to leave. "Goodbye, Dragonborn."

Ouch… that hurt.

"See you at Sky Haven Temple. Esbern and I have wasted too much time as it is, and the Reach is crawling with Thalmor. Time, for us, is of the essence. And as you've said… you know where to find us. So… we'll see you there. And then…" She glanced back at me. "We'll see about getting you trained up and ready to face Alduin. Just… don't forget to visit us after you're done with the Graybeards."

That brought a smile to my face. "Will do. And… thanks, Delphine. Honestly, I expected you to leave while you had the chance. I'm annoying… I know that."

"You are annoying, Dragonborn. But… as much as I hate to say it, you do have a point. An idealistic, possibly dangerous point but a point nonetheless. And I will hold you responsible if Paarthurnax goes on the hunt."

"And if he does… I will be in the front of the line to end his life." I reassured her with a smile.

"Well then, Dragonborn… I guess this will be where we part ways." Delphine nodded head. "The carriage should stay here with you. Esbern and I will want to stay off the road anyway."

"That's a 4 day walk, Delphine." Esbern said with a heavy sigh.

"Perhaps it is, Esbern. But it's safer." Delphine replied. She nodded to Esbern as she started to walk away. "It's getting late, Dragonborn. You should get your quest over with if you want to get an early night's rest in. If that Khajiit spy you mentioned in Riften survived your Jedi friend, then the Thalmor will learn of your existence. You should keep your eyes open for any Khajiits, Bosmer, or Altmer coming after you. Or Imperial troops."

Shite… I forgot about the Khajiit spy. She wasn't waiting for us like I imagined. But then I had a thought. She only exists to hunt me. And since the Thalmor don't know me… she wouldn't follow me into the Warrens. Maybe out of the Warrens in the town, but even then, she didn't show up. Probably knew that fighting two Blades and an unknown was too hard and decided to retreat with knowledge or something like that. Who knows?

I sighed as I waved goodbye to Delphine and Esbern as they fully turned to leave. And I stood there, watching them leave. I knew that if I stepped into that tower, one of two things would happen. Either I would trigger a new quest and make a new friend… or I would walk in on something wrong and twisted. Something that would probably kill me. Time to see just how structured this world is. Does me going into this tower start the event? Is Illia just standing around in a given space waiting for me to trigger her escape? Or…

"Who are you?" A voice called over my shoulder.

I turned my head around seeing a breathless woman dressed in blue mage robes standing not too far from me.

"You're… wearing college mage robes." The woman drew her dagger. "You're a mage. Why are you here?"

"Illia?" I asked.

The look on her face. It was like I just told her the world was ending. "I'll ask again before I turn you into a frozen monument to Argonians. Who. Are. You?"

I sighed. "My name is Talia Cearbhail. I'm the Dragonborn. Also a seeress, but that's not important right now, is it, Illia? Just killed a mage, escaped Darklight Tower… and thinking… Jee… I really want to stop my mother from turning into one of those Hagraven things. But I can't do it on my own. Am I close?"

I could see the bloody knife in her hands, and her right sleeve stained with blood. So, me arriving here seemed to trigger the event. And while I waited out here, the scene played out. Good to know.

Illia's free hand started glowing as she started preparing a Frost spell to blast me with. "I don't know why you're here, but you better get to the point before I kill you. I… I mean it."

"You won't kill me, Illia." I shrugged. "You're a good person at heart. You want to make a difference in the world. After all, you would rather fight a whole coven of witches and even kill your own mother just to end the horrific practices of the mages living here. You were living in this tower for years, maybe, learning magic while not knowing what would happen to you or your mother. Or maybe you didn't know how Hagravens were created… the amount of lives, sacrifices that had been going on inside this tower. Honestly, I don't really know your backstory too well. But I do know your future… if you decide on it. The two of us can rush this tower, kill the witches inside it, and… you can choose to kill your mother if you wish it. Or… you can leave with me, right now. Put all this behind you. Join me at my new settlement. We need a mage, an honest one. A good one."

Illia stood there, her eyes wide. "I can't just leave…"

"You were about to. I wasn't even inside the tower. You came out here."

"But… you're right. I can't just leave my mother like this. I have to try. Try to make her see reason." Illia shook her head.

"Well… I have a plan, if you're willing to hear me out." I can't believe I never thought of this. This was a masterful plan. And possibly the worst one I could think of.

Illia arched her eyebrows, her Frost spell dissipating from her hand. "I'm listening."

"The witches have sent you to bring back a sacrifice, right? Well… bring me as the 'sacrifice.' We can just walk up the tower to the top where your mother waits. And then… we talk to her, try to talk her out of doing this. And then… the three of us leave. No bloodshed needed. Hopefully." If all goes that easily, we'll just scale down the mountainside or something. And then… we'll all leave. Or… Illia and I will have to fight through her mother, possibly kill her, incapacitate her, or whatever we need to do. And then make our way through the tower.

To be honest, I was scared. I haven't faced a mage yet. All I've fought… and it hasn't been a mage yet. I don't know what they're like. I don't know how they fight. And I don't have that magicka saber. You know… the one that can absorb all magicka casted at me. Just me and my training. Which is to say… almost none. Sure, martial arts and soldier training is one thing, but… fighting whirling blizzards? Not so much. Evading flying fireballs? Maybe those years of gym dodgeball will finally amount to something? I sure hope so. If nothing else, Frisbee Tag will come in handy. That was a game my friends and I played as children. We threw these lightweight Frisbees at each other, dodging. The objective was like Freeze Tag, only with a Frisbee as your tagging method. Once it got too boring, we upped the numbers using Frisbees. And when that proved too much a challenge, everyone got to carry a deflector weapon. You could deflect the Frisbee with your selected weapon. Usually a stick we used as training swords. We were fun kids. I can use my summoned sword in a similar manner, I'm sure.

All this while, I was waiting for Illia to contemplate the idea. "I guess it might work. Getting up there might be easier. Getting out though…"

"Three against a few at a time. If your mother is strong enough to be considered for a Hagraven transformation… she has to be powerful. And while I'm only Level 4… I must say I'm not too weak. I killed a Thalmor wizard just a few hours ago." By cheating… but… if I can kill a possible Level 30+ by just slashing him with my swords, severing his head… chances are, the whole Leveling System is more underpowered than I thought. Lives are still lives. And our bodies are still bodies. If I catch an arrow, whether it's iron or glass, chances are it will kill me all the same. And the same with a sword. The reason for better weapons and armor would probably be to cancel out the lesser versions. Maybe a glass arrow can pierce iron armor more easily than a steel arrow. I don't know yet. All I know is that I have an iron chestplate resting on top of mage robes. That's what I'm wearing right now. And my only weapon is the Bound Sword to which I can summon when I need.

Illia crossed her arms. "You beat a Thalmor wizard? On your own?"

I shrugged. "Well, it's like this." I summoned two Bound Swords to my hands. I felt a dip in my magick reserves. I felt exhausted by the summoning. Well… I guess I can't do this too often after all. I need to up my Enchanting game. When I caught my breath, I smiled at Illia. "This Thalmor wizard was hunting my friend, and I had these babies just waiting to come out and play. And so, I slashed at him with both of these on both sides of him. He blocked, catching the attack with some Ward spell. And then… this will feel weird, but don't attack me. Okay?"

Illia nodded. "Okay?"

I Fus'd her. Just light enough to make Illia stagger her feet.

"And then, when he lost his balance, I ran my swords through his neck on both sides. He tried to do a healing spell, but I held my swords in there. I cut into his chest, stabbing the lungs and then… bam… dead Thalmor."

Illia stood there, nearly speechless. "And that worked?" She arched an eyebrow.

I nodded. "Yup."

Illia stood there. "Is Bound Sword your only spell?"

I shook my head. "No, I also have a spirit animal. The Summon Familiar spell. Shock, Flames. Healing. Healing Hands. Firebolt, Lightning Bolt. My fists are super strong. And an Enhancement Spell that makes me really fast. I can also Slow Time. And I have Fury… don't really know how to use it though. Oakflesh too. Same deal as Fury." I'm slowly becoming a basic mage.

Illia arched her eyebrows. "Wow… that's quite the magickal arsenal. Most of my sisters can either do some element, or two chosen schools. Mostly it's either Destruction and Restoration, or Conjuration and Restoration. Sometimes Alteration." She rubbed her chin. "Don't know how to use Fury or Oakflesh? How can that be? They're part of you, and you don't know how to use them?"

I nodded. "Yup. Weird, I know. I haven't been able to do much practice. My life's been pretty hectic as of late." I waved to Illia. "And that's kind of why I'm here. This new settlement, I want it to be something special. And we need people for that. And you're an awesome mage. One of the few that's not locked up in the College. I was hoping you could be my teacher. And teacher to the newer generation of free mages."

Illia arched an eyebrow again. "Huh… that doesn't sound bad. But… you need to help me with my mother first. Help me deal with her, and I'll come back with you." Illia stuck her hand out for a handshake.

I gladly took her hand in mine. "You got a deal, Illia. So, how do you want to do this? Walk up the tower, or… go in slashing?"

Illia sighed. "Let me find out." Frost started to build on her fingertips. "Let's see what you can do, Argonian."

I summoned a Bound Sword to my hand. "Talia, if you don't mind." I felt a burn in my hand and arm. Huh… reminds me of ki burnout. Wonder if I'm drawing too much on my magicka.

Illia didn't wait for me to get myself ready. She launched an Icicle Spear at me with one hand and then launched one from her other hand. My early days of dodgeball training and Frisbee Tag were actually useful as I skimmed around the Icicle Spears, and actually tried my hand at deflecting Icicle Spears with my Bound Sword. Good news… it works. It's hard, and I need both hands to hold the sword still enough in my hands to not only take an impact but throw it away from me, but… I can do it. Icicle Spears are pretty light for how big they are. Solid thinned out water.

"Good, you can at least do that much." Illia replied. "Time for step two." Illia blasted that Frost Whirlwind spell she has multiple times from her hand, all while making her way to me.

I didn't think I could slam this spell with my sword so I decided to skip the whole experience by actively dodging the spell. It's a slow-moving spell. It's powerful but completely useless in long-range open conflict. This spell was better used on tight corridors and staircases.

As I dodged her second spell, Illia was suddenly in my face, her body wrapped in Frost Armor. A… newer spell I haven't heard of or seen in action. New content? Just what is this world going to do to me with all this new glorious stuff?

Illia slashed at me with her iron dagger, now covered in a longer frost shell, making the dagger the size of a short sword. I deflected her attack by knocking her blade to the side. I did a quick analysis of her armor's composition, took a quick look for any open spots that could be exploited without causing any harm, and then… kind of went off script.

I stuck out my free hand, blasting Illia with Shock. Frozen water is still water. And therefore… lightning is very effective. My Sparks traveled through her armored stomach just as easily as I thought it would. She absorbed most of the attack, but it did catch her by surprise. I took that time to slam my forearm into her chest, elbow bashing her. With my Monk's Fist passive skill still a thing, I threw Illia off her feet. She ragdolled across the ground for a few seconds. I slammed her with a prepared Lightning Bolt, one that numbed my whole left arm. I could taste blood in my mouth, blood pulsing in my earholes. I had to end this now.

I quickly ran up to Illia, placing my Bound Sword on her neck. "Checkmate."

She glanced down at my sword tip and then looked up at me. "Well… you can fight. Good for you. I think we can do this then."

"I'm tapped out." I replied. "My magicka reserves are now spent. I'm running on dying spare energy."

Illia smiled. "I can help with that." She reached into her pocket, pulling out a necklace. "This is enchanted with magicka rejuvenation. You'll recover your magicka faster by about… 15 percent, I think?"

I gladly took the necklace from her. It was silver with a blue moonstone imbedded in it. Cool. I could already feel magicka flowing into my body just from holding it. I quickly threw the necklace over my neck, taking a deep breath as new magicka started flowing into me.

"If you're tired, you must not have a lot of magicka reserves." Illia said as she started standing up. "You'll need to work on that if you're going to be a mage."

I dropped my astral sword, which vanished as soon as I willed it. I reached into my pocket, pulling out my Personal Scroll. "Take a look."

Illia glanced the scroll in my hand, giving me an arched eyebrow. "Really? Just like that? You're handing me all your information? Jeez… you're too trusting."

I smiled. "What can I say? I trust you. You haven't done me wrong in all the thousands of times we've met." Even married you on a couple playthroughs. Had to get a mod specialized for that though. Worth it. Every other time I made her a steward of one of my houses. Usually the one in Morthal. Thought she'd be right at home there. Better than living in a desolate tower filled with decomposing corpses of her old friends. That just seemed weird for me.

Illia rolled her eyes, taking my scroll from my hands. She unrolled it, taking a look. "Magicka, 100, Health 112, Stamina 183." She gave me a look. "You're a mage that has lower magicka than her stamina and health?"

I shrugged. "I don't really know how to make my magicka more than my health. Up until now, I haven't really relied on my spells. Only my cunning, my swordplay, and my quick feet. It makes sense that my stamina would improve. And I'm constantly working on my body. So… Health. Makes sense."

Illia sighed. "We'll work on that. If you're going to be a mage, I'll make sure you're a good one."

That brought a smile to my lips. "You're going to teach me magicka; my sword friend is going to teach me sword stuff. Now I just need an archery teacher." Angi's Camp comes to mind. She has a whole area dedicated to learning archery. And then there's Faendal. Either of them could teach me archery. And if I can pick up Alchemy and Enchanting, I can pretty much do anything I need to do. Here's to hoping that Illia knows either of those things.

"Do you know how to Enchant? Or any Alchemy?"

Illia gestured to my new necklace. "That necklace was my older pieces. Having magicka come back faster is essential when you have nothing to work with. My newest necklace boots my magicka total. In fact, I should probably give that to you instead."

I shook my head. "Right now I only have a few spells, and they don't take much charge from me. And so… this refilling necklace is perfect. I already feel back to normal."

Illia showed me my scroll. "89 of 100 units. I'd say you're pretty much back." She handed me my scroll, gesturing to the tower. "I think we can pull this off, Talia. So, let's go up that tower, confront my mother, and then… well, if all goes according to plan, you'll have two mages to join you in your settlement."

…

[Mysterious Stranger]

If all goes according to your plan?

Hahahaha, I don't think so.

…

[Back to me again. Wait… why does this happen at moments when I'm being betrayed?]

Something felt wrong. Very wrong. She said the forbidden words. According to plan. Nothing ever goes according to the plan whenever someone suggests that it might! I should know! I write this kind of stuff with suggestive words to make sure everyone knows something is going to go wrong! Why? Why did she have to use the forbidden words?!

Cearbhail:

So, I'm finally beginning to come into my own. But... who is this Mysterious Stranger watching me? Are they even watching me? What if they're watching someone else and I'm doing a fake out?