[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjk2LjE2YTc1ZS5RM2x5ZFhNLjA/nature-impact-demo.regular.webp[/img][/center]
[color=7AB295]
[b][color=16A75E]Time:[/color][/b] Evening
[b][color=16A75E]Location:[/color][/b] Gaurav Village: Phia’s Room
[b][color=16A75E]Interactions:[/color][/b] Viola[@13org], Menzai[@samreaper]
[b][color=16A75E]Equipment:[/color][/b] A pack with some supplies, seeds (in his pockets), a small knife, a [url=https://i.imgur.com/g2Sg5vN.jpg]mask[/url] that hangs from his belt, a weapon with a shifting charm that is either a [url=https://i.imgur.com/4Xs4QCG.jpg]sickle[/url] or a [url=https://i.imgur.com/gyIiCzI.jpg]glaive[/url], and a [url=https://i.imgur.com/TNEke0P.jpg]shield/drum[/url] with an unbreakable charm.
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Frustrating; it was a good word for the bittersweet reunion. Of course, it was wonderful to know Ophelia lived, had found a place that welcomed and loved her, and was kept safe from so much of the pain that existed outside the secluded village. But it hurt to be forgotten, a pain that must be so sharp for Viola who was left forgotten by all that knew her during her imprisonment. Even if Phia’s life was not as idyllic as it appeared, she was not alone. In his suffering, Cyrus had not been alone. But Viola had suffered alone. Although Cyrus glanced in Menzai’s direction when Viola mentioned an intruder, he did not yet acknowledge the wolf, Viola got his undivided attention. 

[color=16A75E]“I do not believe she chose to forget, but that does not make it hurt any less, does it?”[/color] Cyrus spoke once Viola had finished, a question that needed no answer, as his eyes fixed upon the twin moons above them. There was a great deal of suffering, but no true culprit for it here. Phia and her fractured mind were not the true cause of it, only symptoms of horrors inflicted by the Dark Elves. Something deeply buried flared and burned as he thought of the children of Halastra and what they had done to his family. His hand rested upon the mask that dangled from his belt until the feeling was again buried. Then he again looked only at his sister. 

[color=16A75E]“Few have suffered as you have suffered, and fewer still could carry it with your strength and grace. I would have wilted had I been in your place. I faltered and stumbled along my path, a fate far kinder than yours. Though you never left my mind, I did not take action for you either, and that is worse. For my part in your fate, I have only shame to carry and a humbled offering of sorrow. And I am sorry Viola, for how deep your pain runs and my part in that. You deserved better.”[/color] He spoke as if Menzai did not lurk in the shadows, words Cyrus knew he should’ve said before now. Few things were harder to give voice to than guilt and shame, and what was more shameful than how little effort he had put forth to locate his siblings before now? 

[color=16A75E]“If your thoughts are hard to ignore, then explore them. They ask for your attention, they will not settle without it. I will always listen, you will never be judged by me.”[/color] 
 
Cyrus then turned to greet Menzai with a respectful bow. Where Viola might understandably see this wolf as a stranger, an intruder on a family discussion, Cyrus saw Menzai in a different light. This wolf threw himself to the mercy of the indifferent hands of fate simply to protect Phia. The wolf lost an arm but very well could’ve lost his life. Menzai protected Phia like family, and so now the wolf was as dear, and as trusted, as family. 

[color=16A75E]“Noble wolf, you have my deepest gratitude for all you have done for our sister, Ophelia. You know who she is, the crest she wears even if she has forgotten where it came from. Our secrecy is an unfortunate necessity, our family name is dangerous to speak of; many wish us dead. Many have tried. I do not wish to continue hiding the truth from Phia but I believe you now know her better than we do, so I request your guidance. Do we tell Phia who we are, who she is, and possibly bring her pain? Or leave her in ignorance and spare her the pain of knowing what happened to her family?”[/color] If anyone could best predict how Phia would react, it was the wolf before then, and Cyrus knew he could trust that Menzai held Phia’s best interests above all else. [/color]