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[bleeding_heart]

[Anyone passing through Union's parks today will likely happen upon a somewhat odd sight.  Merrill is sitting on a bench, leaning forward with her hands on her knees and staring with great interest at a Sawsbuck.  The Sawsbuck doesn't seem to be doing anything terribly interesting, splitting its time roughly equally between staring back at Merrill, standing and looking regal as it listens for potential danger, and grazing lightly on the grass.  Despite this, however, its trainer's attention remains absolutely riveted on the Pokemon, as if she's expecting it to do something amazing any moment now.]

Oh, I can't wait...!

Comments

[wise_maiden]

Their organization is very notable for explorations... but I hope that means you don't rely on them as a source of income.

[bleeding_heart]

Oh, no, of course not! Yuuna earns all the money.

[wise_maiden]

You're completely relying on someone else? [Must be a Union thing...]

[bleeding_heart]

Yes, she's very reliable.

[Right over her head.]

[wise_maiden]

Well, it sounds like that... system must work for you both.

[bleeding_heart]

It works very well. We've been together for over a year now.

[Catching no subtext here at all.]

[wise_maiden]

[Mostly she's a little baffled, but... well. It's not her place to question, especially of a stranger. Most arrangements did seem to have only one provider after all.]

That's good. [Now how does she get out of this awkward topic...] So, these places you've traveled to. What did you think of them? Is there anywhere in particular you'd recommend checking out?

[bleeding_heart]

The Ancient Battlefield to the west was a very interesting place. You could almost feel the history there, somehow.

[Being from Sanctuary, Raine should be at least somewhat familiar with it herself, considering its proximity to the city.]

That's why I like the Seekers. They're always finding new pieces of history. I think maybe someday they'll even find the history I'm searching for.

[wise_maiden]

I've always thought exploring that area would be impossible... it's strange to think of it being accessible after all this time. [She tilts her head at that last bit, however.] Oh? What are you searching for?

[bleeding_heart]

[There is something steely in Merrill's gaze as she answers - a noticeable change from the relatively carefree personality she displays most of the time.]

A lost civilization from a thousand years ago. The ancestral home of my people. We called it Arlathan.

[wise_maiden]

That's a time from even before the Calamity. To think that even in my studies, I've never come across a name like that before... what do you know about it?

[bleeding_heart]

Not much, I'm afraid, apart from the name and why it doesn't exist anymore.

[wise_maiden]

So many civilizations have been lost to time. What was the cause? One of the ancient wars, or...?

[bleeding_heart]

Yes. It was invaded by a much larger country, the culture destroyed and its people enslaved. I think it had to be the ancestors of modern day Gigas. But it's hard to say, since so much of what existed then has been lost. Whatever was left after that, the rest was surely lost during the Cataclysm.

[wise_maiden]

... Ah. I can see why recovery has been difficult for you, in that case. Hopefully with the way change has been coming to the world, a chance will be had to find out more about it...

[bleeding_heart]

I don't even know where to start. My people re-settled after a few centuries, but I'm not sure where. The legends mention a lush green valley, but that could exist anywhere. And that second home was wiped out again when the Pokemon rebelled. We've been nomads ever since.

[wise_maiden]

Is that the real reason you joined the Seekers organization? I'm sure if there's any way to stumble upon the records of the past first hand, that would be the way to go about it.

[bleeding_heart]

Yes, that's why. I thought maybe they would know something. They didn't, but I do get to look at lots of ruins and things. One of them has to be Arlathan eventually.

[wise_maiden]

It could be that some have been found, and they just haven't been identified properly yet. So the best thing to do is keep searching. Do you have any clues to base a discovery off of?

[bleeding_heart]

I know some of the old language, and would recognize it if I saw it.

[wise_maiden]

-- Is that so? Do you have any samples of it written?

[bleeding_heart]

No, but I can write something down for you if you'd like.

[wise_maiden]

Really? Yes, please. I'd love to see it.

[And of course, a scholar is never without a trusty notebook to offer.]

[bleeding_heart]

[Merrill takes the notebook and pencil and writes down a string of characters. Apparently the Dalish alphabet is different as well.]

There.

[wise_maiden]

[For someone whose made a point of studying ancient letters this is certainly different from anything she's come across.]

Fascinating... I can't believe I've never come across this language before!