(Continued from #ArtemisRP on twitter, please check there for more.) "We be not too far, two days tops if we be swift through Ishgard..." Mr. 8 studied the map. With a dull thud, he heard the arrival of the Spirit Guide before he saw her. For the sound she made, she came out of his room surprisingly collected.
โMr. 8, I wasnโt expecting you back so soon. I take it the little matter with Artemis has been settled?โ Mr. 8 looked at her and took off his glasses, โAye, though something werenโt right, everything was back the way it was with Artemis starinโ at the wall.โ
The Spirit Guide paused for a moment, shaking her head, โWell that is definitely odd, did she respond well to you?โ She folded her hands and turned away, โThere was nothing amiss here.โ
โAye, she woke when I disturbed โer anโ we made it tโ Camp Dragonhead tโ stay the night. Though while we was walkinโ, it made me wonder. How did Affinity know I was cominโ?โ The Spirit Guide became defensive, โI donโt understand.โ She faced him again and sat, โShe has the power to spy on dreams, on her master, and you wonder how she knew? Is that what youโre asking?โ He shook his head, โNay, not that. Her words were, โShe said you would come.โ Now that is odd, right?โ The Spirit Guide grew defensive.
โWhat does the answer mean to you? I assume itโs relevant.โ Mr 8 relaxed his shoulders, โIt means a great deal. We had a moment when ye shared ye strength, which I appreciate. Artemis comes first though, anโ I need tโ know if I can trust ye. That ye can tell truths.โ
She sighed, โAfter all Iโve doneโฆ canโt you trust me to know whatโs best for Artemisโ well being? I want you to succeed, thatโs my mission given by the Goddess herself. Sheโs in a good place for many things, and I hope youโd trust me.โ Mr. 8 nodded, โAye, I think ye think wot ye doinโ is best. But would she agree? I dunnae come to argue. Avoidinโ the answer is an answer itself.โ He rubbed at his nose, โThere be no one else it could be but ye.โ
โYe knew by my asking, but ye hid the answer anyways, so why the song anโ dance?โ The Spirit Guide leaned back, looking to the side in the same cute stubborn way Artemis does when she was frustrated. โDid you know, the only thing more powerful than despair is, Hope?โ
She closed her eyes, โAffinity needed to birth hope,or she would have lived without justice. Could you imagine if you were stuck here wondering why Artemis abandoned you?โ
She continued, โYou canโt move on. You canโt die. Your thoughts scream and eats at you bit by bit each day. So sure, blame me when it comes to delivering her hope. Did I tell her to do it? No. But did I give her the idea? Perhaps. Salem must understand the weight of his actions. You know this, otherwise you wouldnโt have made the deal with her.โ
Mr. 8 motioned to yield, โLook, I didnโt ask why ye did it. It helped us out a lot. I only asked tโ see if yeโd admit to it. Ye said we be on the same time, but I dunnae know if I can trust ye, if ye canโt just say โyes, that was me.โโ He leaned forward, โYe kin?โ
She looked at him with suspicion, โYou wish for me to answer truthfully, so answer me truthfully. Do you trust me more now?โ Mr. 8 sighed, โTruthfully, nay. Ye did a shit job answerinโ the question. Not that thereโs no trust. Weโll work on it. First, a second chance. Tell me, how are ye doinโ? I heard ye sliding in here, ye usually graceful.โ
Her eyes flickered an easy to miss expression, โIโm fine. As I said, itโs not easy supporting you. Healing you, attaching your limbs,โ she paused, โKeeping this place comfortable. You are more trouble than youโre worth.โ She rose, โBut, itโs purpose. Donโt worry about me.โ He held up his hands, โAlright, Iโll assume ye donโt lie every chance ye get, and ye mean it.โ He got up and stopped.
โOne last thing, ye wouldnโt โappen tโ know wot it was that attacked me would ye? Didnโt look like a voidsent, anโ me weapon passed clean through.โ The Spirit Guide sighed, โMr. 8. Perhaps the things you think are terrible are actually as they should be.
You struggle, you fight, for what? Perhaps, maybe, you should allow things to occur because it is natural. Destiny doesnโt always come wrapped in light and a pretty bow, but in a form you cannot understand. Just let some things happen.โ โNo can do,โ he said simply, and headed for the door as his outfit appeared on him and he waved over his shoulder, โIโll see ye soon, take care.โ The Spirit Guide only squeezed her fist and without a word she turned and faded out of existence.
