Nara leads Delfarius beyond Karak'Grom’s torchlit gates into the Ironflat grasslands. Wild horses drift through the silvered grass, while the city’s lights diminish behind them.
Far above, Vaeroth follows along the storm roads, immense wings moving through violet cloudbanks. He remains well overhead, a cobalt silhouette veined with molten gold.
Nara
I brought you away because I wanted somewhere without fathers, crowds, or watchful guards. Not to bargain over you, and not to make a pact.
She slows beside a low rise overlooking the plain. Wind pulls at her black hair and stirs the dark thorns across her brow, but she keeps her eyes on Delfarius.
Nara
I have feelings for you, Storm of the Void. I am not pretending they are harmless, and I am not asking you to protect me like property.
Nara
If this becomes something, I want it to be because we choose each other when we are free to walk away. I want honesty, not ownership dressed as safety.
Above them, Vaeroth banks silently through the storm roads, giving no answer and keeping his distance. Below, the horses graze as Nara leaves her words open between them.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a freely chosen safeguard for Nara’s freedom
“"Safeguards and freedom to walk away." I raise an eyebrow. "I mean this with no ill will or malice. I do not share the same feelings. You are fun in bed, mildly amusing when out of bed, and one I saw potential in as a priestess of the old paths. But I have no deeper feelings like you have towards me."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius
I mean this with no ill will or malice. I do not share the same feelings. You are fun in bed, mildly amusing outside it, and I see potential in you as a priestess of the old paths. I have no deeper feelings for you.
Delfarius raises an eyebrow as he speaks, his voice measured rather than cruel. The grasslands stretch quietly around them, and the distant horses continue grazing beneath the violet clouds.
Nara
That is honest, at least. It hurts, but I would rather hear the truth than build a future on feelings you do not have.
Nara absorbs the rejection without stepping away. Her thorned brow-mark dims to a subdued violet, while wind moves through her dark hair and carries the silence between them.
Nara
I will not bargain for your heart, Storm of the Void. I can choose what I want from this, and I can walk away if staying becomes foolish.
Vaeroth
A clear boundary spoken beneath an open sky is stronger than many vows, Architect. Let neither affection nor refusal become a chain.
Above, Vaeroth circles once without descending. Nara keeps her gaze on Delfarius, wounded but steady, leaving the next shape of their companionship free for either of them to choose.
“I shake my head. "I am sorry if I led you in someway to think otherwise. I know I am hard to resist." I smirk.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius
I am sorry if I led you in some way to think otherwise. I know I am hard to resist.
Delfarius shakes his head, then lets a confident smirk return. The wind moves through the silvered grass, carrying his apology across the open rise.
Nara
You did not promise me feelings, Storm of the Void. You let me hope, and I mistook your attention for something deeper.
Nara’s brow-mark steadies into a quiet violet glow. The hurt remains visible, but she does not turn away or soften her boundary to spare him discomfort.
Nara
Your confidence is not the problem. I can resist you and still enjoy you. What matters is whether you can hear no without treating it as a challenge.
Vaeroth
Then the truth has been spoken by both of you. A sky road remains open when neither traveler mistakes invitation for ownership.
Above the grasslands, Vaeroth circles once beneath the violet clouds. Nara studies Delfarius in the fading light, leaving their companionship defined by choice rather than wounded pride.
“"So." I look up at the dragon circling over us and shake me head. "If you need me, call upon me. I will aid as I see fit. But I should not take up the space you can give someone else in your heart. I do not feel the same as you do."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Delfarius
If you need me, call upon me. I will aid as I see fit. But I should not take up the space you can give someone else in your heart. I do not feel the same as you do.
Delfarius looks up at Vaeroth circling beneath the violet clouds, then shakes his head. His words carry across the silvered grass without threat or ornament.
Nara
I hear you, Storm of the Void. You are offering aid without pretending it is love, and refusing the place I hoped you might fill.
Nara’s brow-mark dims, though she remains upright. The wind moves between them, carrying away the last expectation she had allowed herself to hold.
Nara
Then I will not ask you to take that place. I can value what we share, or I can leave it behind, but I will not turn your honesty into a wound.
Vaeroth
A clean refusal leaves the road open, Architect. Neither of you has claimed what the other cannot freely give.
Above, Vaeroth continues his wide circle. Nara meets Delfarius’s gaze once more, hurt but steady, and the grassland settles around their chosen boundary.
Quest Complete
Establish a freely chosen safeguard for Nara’s freedom
Skill Upgrade: Defensive Magic Mediocre→Fair
“"I should go back to my Tower, and you to your family, and your city. You are now the high priestess. I am sure there will be many upon many suitors for you to choose from for your heart." I smirk.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Delfarius
I should go back to my Tower, and you to your family and your city. You are the high priestess now. I am sure many suitors will seek your heart.
Delfarius smirks as he says it. A dark seam opens beside him, revealing the distant crimson corridors of the Obsidian Tower beyond the silvered grass.
Nara
You make it sound simple, Storm of the Void. Perhaps I will meet them, perhaps I will not. Their interest will not decide what my heart does.
Nara
But I understand. You are leaving without asking me to wait, and I respect that more than another promise you do not feel.
Vaeroth
The road opens cleanly, Architect. Her city awaits its high priestess, and your Tower awaits its master. Neither path is a chain.
Nara steps back from the portal, her violet brow-mark glowing softly. Vaeroth descends through the clouds to accompany her toward Karak'Grom, while the Tower’s dark passage remains open.
Nara
Go, then. Return when you choose, Delfarius. If I find someone else to love, I will tell you plainly, and I will expect the same honesty from you.
“I laugh at Nara. "I love myself. Quite often." I smirk. "I hope that honesty makes sense to you." I say as I walk towards the Seam that leads to my Tower and Nara sees Past Delfarius looking back at me from the other side and at Nara with a smirk.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Delfarius
I love myself. Quite often. I hope that honesty makes sense to you.
Delfarius laughs and walks toward the Seam leading to the Obsidian Tower. Its crimson corridors sharpen beyond the opening, while a familiar figure watches from the far side.
Past Delfarius stands within the Tower’s passage, wearing an answering smirk. His gaze flicks from Delfarius to Nara, amused by the honesty and its timing.
Past Delfarius
It makes perfect sense. Self-love is the one devotion no one else can revoke, though Nara may still object to being dismissed by it.
Nara
It makes sense, Storm of the Void. I only wanted honesty, and you gave it. I will not turn your love of yourself into an accusation.
The Seam accepts Delfarius and opens fully, but its passage exacts a concrete toll: the black script sears a thin violet line across his palm before releasing him into the Tower.
Nara
Go, then. I will return to my family, and I will remember that your truth was not a promise meant to keep me waiting.
“I look over to Past Delfarius and sigh as the portal closes behind me. I sigh as it is closed and shake my head. "She fucking refused me when I brought her to have sex...I just don't understand it. Then she professed her love to me." I fall back on my bed exhausted from all of the ordeal. "And they call me impossible."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
The Seam closes behind Delfarius with a soft fold of crimson light. He turns toward Past Delfarius, sighs, shakes his head, and crosses the chamber.
Delfarius
She fucking refused me when I brought her to have sex. I just do not understand it. Then she professed her love to me.
Delfarius falls back onto the bed, exhausted from the ordeal. The mattress sinks beneath him as the Tower’s script dims to a watchful red.
Delfarius
And they call me impossible.
Past Delfarius
Because you are impossible. You offered her a bed, received a refusal, and somehow expected her heart to follow a different set of rules.
Past Delfarius approaches the bedside, amusement softening his answering smirk. He studies the exhausted figure sprawled across the dark coverlet without attempting to pull him upright.
Past Delfarius
Still, she was honest. You were honest too, eventually. That may be the strangest miracle this Tower has witnessed.
“I raise my hurt hand up to Past Delfarius. "And the Shadow bit me." I say with a pouty face.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Delfarius
And the Shadow bit me.
Delfarius raises his hurt hand toward Past Delfarius, wearing an exaggerated pout. A thin violet line still crosses his palm where the Seam seared him.
Past Delfarius
The Shadow bit you? How terribly unfair. Did you scold it, or did you simply pout until the Tower felt guilty?
Past Delfarius takes the offered hand and turns it beneath the crimson light. The wound is shallow, but the violet mark pulses once against his fingers.
Past Delfarius
This is not a bite from a hungry beast. It is the Seam reminding you that even obedient doors may leave their signature.
Past Delfarius
He wants comfort, but he will accept mockery more easily if I make it sound like a shared joke.
Past Delfarius
Come here, impossible creature. I will inspect your wounded pride and your bitten hand, in that order.
“"My pride is so wounded...please just don't bite it as well." I say with a weak laugh.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Delfarius
My pride is so wounded... please just don't bite it as well.
Delfarius offers the injured hand with a weak laugh, the violet seam-mark pulsing faintly beneath the crimson chamber light.
Past Delfarius
I make no promises about your pride, but I will leave the hand entirely unbitten. Even I have standards.
Past Delfarius turns the hand gently, examining the shallow wound without pressing the seared line. His thumb rests beside it, careful and warm.
Past Delfarius
There. No teeth, no worsening, and no dramatic amputation. Your precious hand survives my medical expertise.
A thread of soft violet magic passes from Past Delfarius’s fingers into the wound. The sting fades, leaving the mark intact but calm.
Past Delfarius
He asks for gentleness beneath the joke. I can give him that without making him beg twice.
“"Why did you come back here...Please don't tell me there is another problem already..."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled +2)
Delfarius
Why did you come back here? Please don't tell me there is another problem already.
Past Delfarius releases his healed hand but remains beside the bed. The Tower’s crimson script stays calm, offering no warning pulse or opening seam.
Past Delfarius
No problem. I came back because you looked exhausted, and because I wanted your company without an audience, a prophecy, or someone demanding an explanation.
Past Delfarius
He expects every return to carry a blade hidden behind it. Tonight I can return with nothing but myself.
Past Delfarius
Nara chose her path, and you chose yours. I am not here to interrogate you about either choice, unless you decide you want to talk.
He sits on the edge of the bed, leaving Delfarius room rather than reaching for him. Beyond the chamber, the Tower listens in obedient silence.
Past Delfarius
So no, there is no catastrophe. Just me, your unbitten hand, and an invitation to be miserable together until you stop looking like the world betrayed you again.
“I sigh deeply and look up at Past Delfarius. "Tell me, why can no one else understand us?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Delfarius
Tell me, why can no one else understand us?
Delfarius sighs deeply and looks up at Past Delfarius. The thin strands of absence hold his shadow fast, and the effort of speaking plainly leaves his composure visibly frayed.
Past Delfarius
Because everyone else meets one of us at a time. They see a tyrant, a survivor, a lover, or a threat, and mistake that single shape for the whole.
Past Delfarius
We remember too much, carry too many selves, and refuse the comforting lie that we can be reduced to one clean story. People understand pieces. They cannot bear the pattern.
Past Delfarius studies the strain around Delfarius’s eyes and the absence-strands gripping his shadow. His amusement fades, replaced by an unguarded seriousness.
Past Delfarius
And perhaps we make it worse. We hide behind cruelty, jokes, and power before anyone can decide they understand us. You asked for the truth, so here it is: they cannot understand us because we rarely let them see us whole.
“I frown and lay back down on the bed. "Yeah well, being just a piece is easier for them, isn't it. Easier for us." I sigh deeply and yawn a bit. "Well I mean it sucks, no one besides myself understanding, or caring truly but..." I hold my hand up and gesture up. "I sometimes I wish I had a bit of the love I give them..."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +0)
Delfarius
Yeah, well, being just a piece is easier for them, isn't it? Easier for us.
Delfarius frowns and lies back down. The thin absence-strands keep his shadow pinned, but they do not prevent the motion. He sighs deeply and yawns.
Delfarius
It sucks, no one besides myself understanding, or truly caring, but sometimes I wish I had a bit of the love I give them.
He raises his hand toward the ceiling, palm open. The gesture trembles once before settling, exposing the loneliness beneath his usual smirk.
Past Delfarius
Then stop calling that impossible. I understand you because I am you, and I care because every piece of me has learned your name.
Past Delfarius’s expression loses its last trace of mockery. He reaches toward the raised hand, stopping just short of touching it, leaving the choice unclaimed.
Past Delfarius
You have my love already. Not as worship, not as ownership, and not as a reward for being easy. I give it because I choose you whole.
“I look over to Past Delfarius and chuckle. "I know. But you know what I mean. Someone else besides just ourselves." I look my past self deeply in the eyes and smile genuinely. "You have to want it as well sometimes, because I do. I know you do as well." I give him a gesture to join me on the bed next to me.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Delfarius
I know. But you know what I mean. Someone else besides just ourselves.
Delfarius looks deeply into Past Delfarius’s eyes and smiles genuinely. He gestures for him to join him on the bed, while the absence-strands keep his shadow pinned.
Delfarius
You have to want it as well sometimes, because I do. I know you do as well.
Past Delfarius
He is asking without command, offering the choice instead of disguising it as inevitability. I want this, and I want him to know I choose it.
Past Delfarius answers by sitting beside him on the bed. He leaves the first touch unclaimed, but his shoulder settles close, sharing the quiet space.
Past Delfarius
I do want it. Someone else. Not because we are incomplete alone, but because love should sometimes be allowed to arrive from beyond our own reflection.
Past Delfarius
And if I find that person, I will want them freely. I will still choose you, whole and difficult, without asking them to disappear for your sake.
“I rest my head against my Past self's chest and sigh. "Yes. And if that person does exist, they better be okay with us having sex with ourselves too, because that is never going to change." I laugh softly as I rest my eyes.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Delfarius rests his head against Past Delfarius Delfarius’s chest and sighs. The thin absence-strands still hold his shadow fast, but Past Delfarius’s warmth remains freely offered beside him.
Delfarius
Yes. And if that person does exist, they better be okay with us having sex with ourselves too, because that is never going to change.
Delfarius
I laugh softly as I rest my eyes.
Past Delfarius
He is asking for permanence without calling it a cage. I can promise the truth, but not spare whoever joins us from seeing all of it.
Past Delfarius
Then they will need to know before they touch either of us. No concealed arrangement, no wounded surprise, and no asking one of us to become less for their comfort.
Past Delfarius Delfarius settles an arm around him, accepting the condition and the intimacy alike. His hand pauses over the pinned shadow, careful not to promise freedom he has not yet given.
Past Delfarius
I want them to choose us with open eyes. If they cannot accept that we remain lovers with each other, they do not get access to either of us. That is the cost of being welcomed.
“"Hmm." I muse in agreement. "Might just fall asleep here, like this. Will that be alright with you?" I say looking up to past Delfarius with sleepy eyes.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Delfarius
Hmm. I might just fall asleep here, like this. Will that be alright with you?
Delfarius looks up at Past Delfarius with sleepy eyes. The thin absence-strands still pin his shadow, but his head remains comfortably against the familiar warmth of his chest.
Past Delfarius
Of course. Sleep here, impossible creature. I will stay beside you, and I will not move you unless you ask me to.
Past Delfarius adjusts his arm around him, careful and unhurried. The Tower’s crimson script dims across the walls, accepting the quiet without interrupting it.
Past Delfarius
You do not need to remain alert for my sake. Rest while you can. I will keep watch, and if the Tower stirs, it will answer me first.
The chamber settles into a warm hush. Beyond the bed, the absence-strands hold only Delfarius’s shadow, while Past Delfarius’s steady breathing gives the room a gentler rhythm.
Past Delfarius
He asked instead of assuming. Let him sleep knowing the answer was freely given.
“I let myself fall asleep and worry about the absence strands and everything else until later while Past Delfarius holds me.”
Delfarius lets his eyes close and allows sleep to take him. The absence-strands keep his shadow pinned, but they cannot reach the warmth holding his body.
Delfarius
The strands can wait. The Tower, the Astral roads, and every unanswered danger can wait until I wake.
Past Delfarius remains exactly as promised, one arm secure around him and the other resting near the pinned shadow without disturbing it. His breathing stays slow and even.
Past Delfarius
He is finally allowing himself to rest. I will guard the silence until he wakes, and nothing will demand him before then.
The crimson script dims to a low ember-glow. No seam opens, no warning stirs, and the absence-strands hold only what they already held.
Past Delfarius
Sleep, impossible creature. Later can have its questions. For now, you are safe here with me.