Welcome back to the Xenoblade Heart to Hearts series! Today, we finish off our chats on Bionis' Leg before moving on to the next major location, and we conclude with Cynder and Shulk speaking again. So, what do they have to say this time? Read on to discover...
Heart to Heart 29: Ornate Shackles
Participants: Cynder and Shulk
Location: Bask Cave Passage
Affinity: Lavender
Introduction
Shulk: Hey Cynder, I've been meaning to ask you something.
Cynder: That being?
Shulk: Where did you get that iron-wear? I honestly think Fiora might like something like them, and was hoping to get some details sketched in Colony 6.
Pass/Pass
Cynder: (Rubbing her neck) I... really don't think so. Something tells me Fiora's had enough of things like these.
Shulk: (Now curious) What gives you that idea?
Cynder: Because she's already worn something like them.
Shulk: When?
Cynder: When she was a Face Mechon.
Shulk: What?
Cynder: These things aren't some sort of jewelry I wear because they look nice. They're shackles. The remnants of the chains that bound me many years ago.
Shulk: Oh my...
Cynder: I know you meant well, but trust me. Fiora knows this story. She knows what these are.
Shulk: (Shocked) I can't believe I thought Fiora would want a copy of those!
Cynder: I don't blame you. You didn't know what the story was. And admittedly, they are weirdly ornate. I guess Malefor thought I'd be more willing to wear them if they were pretty.
Shulk: It seems kind of hard to believe someone would believe that.
Cynder: Well, he was dealing with a child. (Realizing how uncomfortable she feels right now) But that's a story for another day.
Shulk: She was only a child when her tragic past happened? My goodness... No wonder she doesn't like talking about it.
(Net Affinity: +10)
Pass/Fail
Cynder: (Rubbing her neck) I... really don't think so. Something tells me Fiora's had enough of things like these.
Shulk: (Now curious) What gives you that idea?
Cynder: Because she's already worn something like them.
Shulk: When?
Cynder: When she was a Face Mechon.
Shulk: What?
Cynder: And here I thought you were the smart one, Shulk.
Shulk: What was that about?
Cynder: They're not jewelry. They're not beautiful, they're a reminder of my previous state as Malefor's slave.
Shulk: What?
Cynder: Before now, I'd have been willing to tell you. But right now, you've ticked me off.
(Net Affinity: 0)
Fail/Pass
Cynder: Trust me, she wouldn't want these.
Shulk: Why not?
Cynder: To put it simply, they're not what you think.
Shulk: I'll admit, they might be plainer than my initial thoughts, but still...
Cynder: (Sighs) No, Shulk, it's not the ornateness that's in question. This isn't jewelry.
Shulk: Then what is it?
Cynder: A reminder of the past, a past I'd rather forget, but I'm afraid I can't.
Shulk: (Realizes this is a touchy subject) Oh. Okay. I'll take your word for that then.
Cynder: Please do.
(Net Affinity: 0)
Fail/Fail
Cynder: Trust me, she wouldn't want these.
Shulk: Why not?
Cynder: To put it simply, they're not what you think.
Shulk: I'll admit, they might be plainer than my initial thoughts, but still...
Cynder: They're not jewelry you dense buffoon! They're slave's shackles!
Shulk: They're what?!
Cynder: Don't play dumb. You heard me.
Shulk: If they're that bad, then why are you still wearing them?
Cynder: As a reminder of what I've done.
Shulk: (A little bit confused) What?
Cynder: You know what? I'm not going to tell you. You should be able to figure it out.
(Net Affinity: -10)
And that wraps up today's chat, as well as our segment in Bionis' Leg. A little short, I know, but it's still worth having done, at least in my mind. Also, small note, this whole view of Cynder's iron-wear wasn't originally my idea. I've seen it thrown around a few times, but notably by a DeviantArt user called RusCSI, the person behind Pure Light currently, who has a piece regarding this exact topic. I saw it at one point, and it stuck with me. So here it is. Anyways, what's our next location? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!