Tales from New Eridu

Astral Sea
Time Immoral

"In the short time we've been here, you've already acquired 3 links," Skuld was standing on the ocean's surface with her arms crossed.

"Yeah. Anby and Billy I can understand, but Qingyi? That was...weird," the Player crossed one arm over to support the other as he pressed his fist against his mouth. "Connecting with her was unlike anything I've felt before. It was like she forced the link between us."

"Hmm... Now I'm wondering whether the connection between you and Qingyi is unique, or whether it's part of something bigger."

"Knowing our luck? Perhaps."

"You also mentioned that strange sensation you felt with Wise and Belle. Was that another impromptu link?"

"...Nah. That was something else entirely. With those two, I saw this strange vision. They were standing by this giant Hollow and I couldn't hear what they were saying, but there was another voice. It said 'Rewind' and 'In the End.' Whatever that's supposed to mean."

No matter how Skuld tried to approach the problem, she always came up short and dropped her arms to her side. "None of this makes sense," she sighed. "I know we keep saying it's best to go with the flow until something happens, but this mystery is working my brain. And I still can't remember anything before the Hollow event."

"I hear you. Hey, at least we made some friends here. We're not alone."

Skuld gave the Player a disinterested look. "You made friends," she corrected. "I don't coalesce with humans."

"...We're not all bad. You do pretty well with me, right?"

"You're different. You know you're different," Skuld said with a comical yet piercing half-lidded gaze.

"Are you flirting?" The Player teased, knowing full well she wasn't.

Skuld raised her hand and poked the Player's head with her index finger, sending him flying across the infinite sea until he blinked out in the distance.

Wise's Room, Random Play
July 7th, 10:10am

The Player had been meditating on the couch when Skuld interfered in the Astral Sea.

"GAH!"

He jumped out of his meditation with a gasp. He nearly lost his balance and fell onto the floor from the sudden jolt. After he caught his breath and surveyed his surroundings, he sighed in relief.

"Oh, right, back in waking. Sheesh, why do celestial beings always have to be bratty toward humans?"

Skuld: I can hear you.

"...Goddamn symbiosis."

Belle poked her head in the door and knocked. "Hey," she waved once she'd gotten the Player's attention. "Are you okay? I heard you yell."

"Hey, Belle. Yeah, I'm good. I was meditating and almost fell off the couch. It just surprised me as all."

"Oh... Be careful. You don't want to hit your head on the table. If you'd like, I can spare my yoga mat so you can sit on the floor."

"You're into yoga?"

"Naah. I tried it before, but it never resonated with me. It was just boring, y'know? I gave up after just a week, so now all the equipment is gathering dust."

"Aah, gotcha. Well, if that's the case, I'll take you up on that. Thanks, Belle."

"No problem! I'll leave the mat in the room once we get done with work. Speaking of, Nicole and the others will be here soon. Are you ready?"