Jasper sets the lantern on the crystal ledge and opens the food packed by their father. Bread, dried fruit, and salted meat make a modest meal between them.
The cavern continues chiming far below, each note softened by distance. Jasper examines the scrape across Sapphire's armor, then carefully checks the soreness beneath it without disturbing the damaged plate.
Jasper
It is not deep, but we should clean it before we move. Father gave us remedies for exactly this sort of trouble.
He pours a little water over a cloth and offers it to Sapphire, keeping the rest of the flask untouched. For once, no stones shift and no arrows answer their breathing.
Jasper
You faced that trap because you are stronger than anyone I know. But I keep wondering what happens when your powers wake up, and whether I will be useful beside you.
Jasper lowers his gaze to the silver bow resting beside the meal. The distant chimes continue, but the ledge holds steady, granting the siblings a rare pause and leaving his worry in the open.
✓ Quest Accepted
Speak honestly with Jasper about their fears
“Sapphire put a hand on her brothers shoulder. "Of course I will still need you. When my bakers clothes got replaced with this armor I was scared and confused, but with your eyes you calmed me. And then this instinctive feeling took over inside me telling me to protect the village so that is what I did. I will need you every step of the way. Before my powers wake up, after they wake up and when I use them. I need you, don't forget that."”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +2)
Sapphire places a hand on Jasper's shoulder. The quiet contact steadies the small space between them as the lantern glows over their half-finished meal.
Sapphire Stone-heart
Of course I will still need you. When my baker's clothes were replaced with this armor, I was scared and confused, but your eyes calmed me.
Sapphire Stone-heart
Then an instinctive feeling took over inside me, telling me to protect the village, so that is what I did. I will need you every step of the way.
Sapphire Stone-heart
Before my powers wake up, after they wake up, and when I use them. I need you. Do not forget that.
Jasper's blue eyes widen, then soften. He covers Sapphire's hand with his own, his worry giving way to a quiet, certain smile.
Jasper
I will not forget. I was afraid I would only slow you down, but I am your brother before I am anything else. I am staying beside you.
The distant chimes continue beneath the ledge, no longer seeming to press upon the silence. Jasper returns the cloth and water to the pack, then reaches for his bow.
Quest Complete
Speak honestly with Jasper about their fears
“Sapphire smiled. "Let's make a promise to each other, a code. Together, no matter what we will stick together."”
FAILURE (Fair Willpower, rolled -2)
Sapphire Stone-heart
Let's make a promise to each other, a code. Together, no matter what, we will stick together.
Sapphire smiles and offers the promise across the lantern-lit meal. The cavern answers with a deep chime that folds her final words into the crystal walls.
Jasper
I heard most of it, but not the end. The mountain swallowed the part that makes it a code.
The echo returns in fragments, repeating together, together, while the lantern flame trembles. Jasper's smile fades as he searches Sapphire's face for words he can trust himself to have heard.
Jasper
I promise I will stay beside you, but we cannot seal this with a spoken code here. We need something the cavern cannot twist.
He taps the silver bow, then the lantern, proposing familiar signs instead of repeating the vow. The failed promise leaves them together, but its meaning remains unfinished between them.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a code with Jasper