wylderrant | [Aefenglom] IC Inbox

[Ah, no need to repay her! But Marie’s intention was to make new friends among the Mirrorbound in the first place, so she will be taking the invitation and knocking on the same door a few days after Modranicht]

[ Iramaat isn't quite expecting anyone, but she's still pleasantly surprised when she answers the door. She peers at Marie curiously for a long moment and then flashes a smile. ]

Hello there! To what do I owe the pleasure?

[ Still no face to a name, after all. ]

The pleasure is all mine! My name is Marie Antoinette.

[She offers a bright smile. First impressions are important, after all!]

I am here because you wanted to meet the person who left you Modranicht cookies, is that right? Did you like them?

Marie - that's a lovely name!

[ Iramaat holds her hand out, as if to shake. ]

I'm Iramaat - and I was wondering who would leave cookies. I have to say I am completely charmed - they were delicious.

[And Marie does indeed shake her hand!]

I’m glad to hear this! Truth to be told, I am actually a newcomer to any kind of culinary arts, so to hear that these cookies were enjoyed means a lot to me!

Oh! I've been here... for...

[ Iramaat pauses and taps her chin. ]

Almost a year, it feels like? I'm not good at keeping track of time...

[ After a moment she shakes her head. ]

Either way, for a first-time effort, I ahve to say you've done surprisingly well - oh, do you want to come in? I shouldn't leave you on the front porch.

If you would have me over, I would love to come in. Thank you for the invitation!

[Marie enters and closes the door behind herself. Hopefully that would help them avoid some cold. Not that she minds it much but a whole conversation outside in the middle of winter... yes, it would be better to have it indoors]

You have been here longer than I have. It’s just been a few months for me, but it does feel like much longer.

[ Iramaat bows - maybe a little courtly - and then gestures her inside, ushering her into a lavish sitting room. The people she and her roommates nicked this from had great taste, apparently. ]

Yes... I'm not very much used to having to care about the passage of years.

[ She hums thoughtfully. ]

But here I am! Would you like tea? Water?

Tea would be lovely, thank you! I have no real preference for any kind of tea, so anything would be nice!

[Marie looks around the room and nods in appreciation. That’s the style she is used to, after all! Once she is done admiring the decorations, she takes a seat]

What exactly do you mean by that? Does passage of time not exist in your homeland?

Then I'll just pop in to the kitchen...

[ She doesn't answer that question. Not right away. Instead she vanishes and comes back about a minute later. ]

There - the water's set to boil. Now, ah, what was it you were asking...?

Ah, I was just wondering... Since you mentioned not being used to the passage of time. I was wondering if that is something that’s nonexistent where you come from. Could you tell me about it?

[She takes a seat on the nearest chair]

[ Iramaat slides into the chair next to Marie's with a little shrug. ]

Oh, that! Well - I experienced the passage of time, but... [ She waves her hand. ] I didn't age. Eternally youthful. I didn't have to worry about that sort of thing. Here it's different. It's only been a year or so, but still...

Ah, I see... It was a bit similar for me. I was an existence called a Heroic Spirit and as one, I also did not age. However, I have been human before, so arriving in Aefenglom did not bring anything unknown for me in that matter...

[Marie thinks for a while]

How old are you, Iramaat?

[Right to the point]

Oh, that sounds fascinating. How were you - ah - elevated-?

[ Well, she was going to ask that. Marie's rather blunt question shoots right through everything else and Iramaat blinks for a long moment. ]

Well- [ She frowns and tries to count back. ]

...a few centuries, I should think. I don't really keep track.

[To be honest, Marie also does not exactly look like her human age]

I lived my life as a human until I met my end. However, since the memory of me remained strongly with the society, it became possible to summon me as a type of familiar.

[She’s giving the short version of the story. Workings of the Grail and the Throne of Heroes were quite complicated after all and possibly a topic for another conversation]

How are you taking it, Iramaat? Being made... mortal, I mean.

Oh, it's... alright, I suppose.

[ Which isn't the whole truth, honestly. ]

I'm not sure I much like it. [ Iramaat frowns. ]

Living every day with the knowledge that you could just die any moment. It's awful.

[Yeah, that sounds about as Marie imagined it might have felt to her]

I understand. But wouldn’t that mean that you should live every moment to the fullest? So you would not regret it later...

Regret. I try not to regret, but that's just as new...

[ Iramaat frowns. ]

Mortals are strange, aren't they? Although you used to be one, so I suppose this all old hat to you.

If I am to be completely honest, I am a bit worried. Anything can happen and I won’t be able to just be summoned again.

[She makes a small pause]

And yet, I cannot help but be excited about the return to mortal form.

There is a bit of a thrill, isn't there? The idea that anything might happen...

[ She rests her chin in her hand with a little frown. ]

But worrying about death - I don't like that. Don't like that at all.

I suppose so... I have died before, like I told you. It... was not a good experience.

[And a rather painful one in more than one way, so her expression turns a bit more serious]

Exactly. It sounds... horrible. And I'd rather avoid oblivion as long as I can. But now I live every day knowing that it's getting closer.

Awful.

[ She frowns. ]

It’s... not like this, you know? As long as others remember you, you stay alive in their hearts.

[And in the case of Marie, a Heroic Spirit, this is very much literal]

Is that life, though...?

[ Iramaat frowns. ]

I suppose it will have to do. Nothing else for it.

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