[ While he's waiting for Shoka to arrive, Zelkova starts to build a small snowman outside of the ski lodge itself. He's only got the base part of it finished by the time she warps in. ]
[ Wow, she should be super impressed with his snowman!! ]
What keeps you logging in, Shoka?
[ It's a cryptic question, but there's a reason behind it. She's been through a lot with this game, hasn't she? Logging out and never looking back would be ideal for her of all people. ]
[ What she'll find etched onto his face is genuine curiosity, and nothing more. Maybe it's because he's simply learning as the bits and pieces of code that many have come to think he is, or maybe it's out of some sort of concern.
Will she regret playing, eventually? ]
You've been through a lot here. You couldn't feel your body or log out, you felt cold after visiting an area... why do you keep logging in? Do you think it's worth those scary moments?
[ Zelkova holds out his hand and a strange prism appears in his hand. ]
You won't need to use it immediately, but there might come a time where you need to. I can't tell you when that might be or where, but you'll know. I'll tell you.
[ In a flash, the prism disappears again back into Zelkova's inventory. He knows she won't take the item, not immediately.
Besides, he has a question he wants to ask first before he offers it over. ]
[Her eyes widen at the sudden appearance of... some kind of item, probably? Not that she can tell much about it before he puts it away, because in the end it's just a weird prism. Once he returns it to his inventory, her expression remains doubtful, even a little suspicious.
...Up until he surprises her all over again with that question.]
I-
[Maybe if she was her regular self, she would have answered differently. But because of the sickness going around, she can only give the truth:]
[ He grins, more than satisfied with her answer. ]
I was wondering if an answer like that was in there somewhere. That's why I asked why you still log in. I think most people wouldn't, not after that log out error you had.
[ Even Zelkova would support someone who decided to quit in that instance, so he figured there might be people still playing that she continued to log in for. Seems like he was right.
Bonds are the most important thing between all of them, after all. ]
[Auuuuuuugh how could she let herself be Seen like this!!]
Yeah, well...
The whole reason I joined in the first place was so I could play with a friend. And... I mean... I don't want the other players getting hurt either. So.
[ That's what he's gleaning from this, from what he's Perceived. ]
I won't be able to tell you everything, because there's a lot I don't know myself. I'll answer whatever you ask me, though, but sometimes I just can't give a good answer.
[ Which means, unfortunately, his knowledge is unhelpful a lot of the time. ]
But... I have one condition. Don't tell anyone about this yet. I don't want anyone panicking because I'm asking for help.
[ And, well, surely she knows that they would by now. Just look at the forums. ]
ΩQuiet Winter’s Wanderlust
Long time no see.
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Hey.
So? What's all this about?
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What keeps you logging in, Shoka?
[ It's a cryptic question, but there's a reason behind it. She's been through a lot with this game, hasn't she? Logging out and never looking back would be ideal for her of all people. ]
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[She looks him up and down - like she can sus out an ulterior motive just by looking at him.]
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Will she regret playing, eventually? ]
You've been through a lot here. You couldn't feel your body or log out, you felt cold after visiting an area... why do you keep logging in? Do you think it's worth those scary moments?
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[She is just. So doubtful.]
What's it to ya?
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[ Sorry, he's going to be cryptic for a little longer. ]
But I wanted to hear your answer before I made a decision.
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[Why are you ALL allergic to explaining shit!!!]
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He'll actually explain himself. ]
Asking for your help.
[ Well. Sort of. ]
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What the heck would you need my help for?
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[ Zelkova holds out his hand and a strange prism appears in his hand. ]
You won't need to use it immediately, but there might come a time where you need to. I can't tell you when that might be or where, but you'll know. I'll tell you.
[ In a flash, the prism disappears again back into Zelkova's inventory. He knows she won't take the item, not immediately.
Besides, he has a question he wants to ask first before he offers it over. ]
Do you want to protect people, Shoka?
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...Up until he surprises her all over again with that question.]
I-
[Maybe if she was her regular self, she would have answered differently. But because of the sickness going around, she can only give the truth:]
Of course I do!
[-And then look shocked at her own words.]
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I was wondering if an answer like that was in there somewhere. That's why I asked why you still log in. I think most people wouldn't, not after that log out error you had.
[ Even Zelkova would support someone who decided to quit in that instance, so he figured there might be people still playing that she continued to log in for. Seems like he was right.
Bonds are the most important thing between all of them, after all. ]
But you persisted anyway, and you still do.
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Yeah, well...
The whole reason I joined in the first place was so I could play with a friend. And... I mean... I don't want the other players getting hurt either. So.
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[ That's what he's gleaning from this, from what he's Perceived. ]
I won't be able to tell you everything, because there's a lot I don't know myself. I'll answer whatever you ask me, though, but sometimes I just can't give a good answer.
[ Which means, unfortunately, his knowledge is unhelpful a lot of the time. ]
But... I have one condition. Don't tell anyone about this yet. I don't want anyone panicking because I'm asking for help.
[ And, well, surely she knows that they would by now. Just look at the forums. ]
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[Just look at the forums, dude.]
...But fine. I'll help. And I won't tell.
Am I the only person you've asked all this?
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No. You aren't. I'll tell you who else is helping me soon.
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[ The AI has jokes! ]
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...Actually, does Hien know?
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