#in-character commentary

[mirage-of-the-virtuoso]

:3 For Chrysallus: 💥, 🙉, ✂️, for Aurienal: 😨, 🎭, 🙊, and for Arioch: 👊, 💢, ☄️ (i realize this could be a lot so take ur time <3)

Chrysallus: 💥🙉✂️

💥Collision: What emotions do you have trouble dealing with?

"I feel like emotions are fairly straight forward to understand. Feeling them yourself, however, is another story.

Auri... mentions that I don't linger or even ignore some of the ones perceived as "negative", like anger and sorrow, as well as some positive ones, like joy.

I'm not going to comment about whether they are right or not."

🙉Hear-No-Evil: What is the worst thing you could hear from someone?

"I shouldn't even humor this question. However, it's no secret that having my loyalty questioned causes a lot of problems. There were a few times where I was bedridden because the stress of it got so bad I was coughing up flowers and bloody petals. The Mordremoth campaign is one notable event where this happened."

✂️Scissors: What would be your "last straw" before cutting someone out of your life? How easily do you let go of people?

"I will not hesitate to cut someone out if they treat my friends as expendable, and I won't humor anyone who takes my personal moral code or way of life as a joke.

There was one time where someone claimed that I was "being handled" by my lieutenant like I was some rabid animal and disrespected them. First of all, no one "handles" me. Second, being my lieutenant does not mean I view them as higher or lower than me in the chain of command.

How did that end? Let's just say that poor bastard is still recovering from that, um... conversation. 🤭"

Aurienal: 😨🎭🙊

😨Fearful: When scared, are you "fight" or "flight"?

"I will fight. Being a mender doesn't mean I am a coward. I was a mesmer trainer before I became a mender and Chrys's lieutenant. I trained Chrysallus myself, actually. I pity the one that tries to pick a fight with me because they believe me to be an easy target as a medic."

🎭Masks: Do you act differently around certain people? What are the differences between being around friends/family and being around strangers?

"I would be more surprised if other people acted the exact same way with other people! I do tend to be more sociable with friends and family, Chrysallus especially given our history and relationship, whereas with strangers, it's like meeting new people at a party. Others shouldn't be afraid to talk to me, I do love meeting new people!"

🙊Speak-No-Evil: What is something you refuse to stay quiet about?

"Seeing a mender. I am not going to name any names, but certain people like to take matters into their own hands and prolonging health issues that are better treated with the help of menders and doctors. If it's a genuine problem, go see a health professional first."

Arioch: 👊💢☄

👊Punch: Are you quick to violence?

"So what if I am? Either get with the program or don't waste my time."

💢Anger: What are some habits that you had to take time getting used to?

"Not having to look over my shoulder all the time, for one. Getting used to having people blow me off, for two. And getting used to my Dark Hunt target calling the shots, for three. Smug bastard pisses me off with his two-faced attitude-"

☄Comet: What do people assume about you? Are they right?

"Most assume I'm moody and brooding, or batshit unhinged like the tales they spin in the Grove. The most "unhinged" is my experiments when my potions go wrong and the cocktails explode in my devices. "Unhinged" in the eyes of the Court would be letting a ""Dreamer"" tell me what to do without ripping his head off."

[mirage-of-the-virtuoso]

"It's come to my attention that apparently having a sentient plant that likely came from Mordremoth in my bag to deal with my surplus of bloodstone dust is somehow unsettling to others.

In my defense: I cultivated it myself, it shouldn't be malicious, and it takes care of my bloodstone dust surplus when I don't have the materials to make bricks out of them. I fail to see the problem here."

[mirage-of-the-virtuoso]

• Tell us about your love life? What's your type?

That isn't any of your business. But, in the spirit of the occasion, I suppose I can give a hint. They need to be able to match my energy. It doesn't matter if they are better or worse than me at something, but they do need to be able to keep up. Or, be capable of helping me slow down when I get stressed out.

• Do you get crushes? Who was your first?

..... Yes. My first... isn't here anymore. Sorry, I'd like to move on from this question.

• Explain this mysterious hanahaki like disease you're dealing with

"Hanahaki"? Oh, what did that translate to again? I know it's a Canthan thing- *he's flipping through a book he has about Canthan myths and legends, then through fiction tropes*

Right, okay. So, traditionally, it's some sort of fictional romantic cliché, typically used as a symbol of unrequited love, and if the love isn't accepted, the sufferer dies from heartbreak. Or, something along those lines. It felt a lot like guilt tripping or forcing relationships, so I don't like the concept as a whole.

Looking back, I understand why others may assume it to be similar. Coughing up flowers and whatnot is... pretty grim in retrospect. Hm. My particular case is a symptom of high stress. Some soldiers I've worked with have had similar conditions where they felt like they were having strokes or chest pains when under extreme stress. Mine manifests in the form of flowers, similar to this hanahaki disease thing.

As much as I despise it and want it to disappear entirely, it does help me learn better stress management. So long as I'm not under too much stress, I won't have to deal with it. If it gets too bad, I could black out from the pain and nausea as well. All things I'd rather not deal with.

I'm also unsure of how common it is. I don't hear of other sylvari suffering from this illness either, so I'm of the belief it's fairly rare.

• Who is Aurienal to you?

They are the closest I have to family. They have bent over backwards for me, regardless of inconvenience and personal cost. They are my lieutenant command and most trusted advisor and mender in the Pact. They have done more for me than I could wish or ask for. I only wish they would be a little more selfish sometimes.

(Auri: ..... Not that I'm not grateful for this praise, he speaks about himself in these words and doesn't realize. He is far more giving and self-sacrificing than myself. He will drive himself to ruin and self-destruction if he's not careful)

[mirage-of-the-virtuoso]

"He didn't get this far by shattering like glass."

"..... I mean, if we want to be technical about it-"

"Chrys-"

"Is it not referred to as 'shattering' my illusions and sound like glass breaking?"

"The funny thing is he can say that and make it sound like a flex."

"Why are both of you like this?"

"Careful, Auri, you might shatter my fragile pride."

"Damn it Chrys-"

[mirage-of-the-virtuoso]

Is it possible to bribe any of you?

Chrys: If there was, do you really think I'd tell any of you? Arioch, on the other hand, is very easy to bribe. It wants information and secrets. Give it a reason that it'll get the answers it seeks, and it will do anything you say like a praise-starved fern hound.

Arioch: Ha, the Catmander really said that behind my back? Little bitch- two can play at that game! He's a sugar fiend! I have never seen anyone with such a chronic sweet tooth in my life! He is such a sapling, thinking he knows it all and has no weaknesses-

Auri: Hm, I don't think there is a way to bribe me? Though, I am fairly protective over Chrysallus, for personal reasons. Unless you count people and personality traits, though, I think "no" is the answer for me.

As for the two saplings bickering in the background, both of them have a soft spot for soft objects. Don't tell them I said anything though.

[mirage-of-the-virtuoso]

"I have been considering the question about my views of Ventari's Tablet. I have no strong opinions either way, save for one.

'All things have a right to grow.'

That's the only teaching I have ever taken to heart. The rest are more like advice that I can either follow or ignore as I please. Many would disagree, but I can't afford to please everyone.

Though it's been an inconvenience when you follow one specific teaching to the letter and they accuse you of being a sympathizer. *Sigh* And they wonder why the Court believes them to be brainwashed or deceived by the Tablet.

I'm not affiliated with them, but I am capable of understanding their views of other Dreamers."

[mirage-of-the-virtuoso]

"Some say my talents are wasted as a mesmer by choosing another group over the Order of Whispers. I say that's a ridiculous stereotype, and some of us mesmers would prefer knowledge and wandering over sneaking in the shadows.

However, if asked, I wouldn't be opposed to a little sabotage."

[mirage-of-the-virtuoso]

"Do I feel at home in the Grove?

Well, I mean, yes, I do live in the Grove technically, not that I'm often home over the last few years. Elder dragons and all, you know.

... That's not the question? Oh, you meant-

I see. Hm, well, I won't get into it currently, but I am still free to travel into the Grove as I please. My curiosities about the world has left some distaste amongst the more devout Dreamers. I believe some would refer to my spare time work and hobbies as some form of... oh, what was the word humans used?

I'm sure it'll come to me later, but their discontent with me is not my problem. I had to learn a long time ago that I can't please everyone.

Still, the fact remains that I am still welcome and I do visit the Pale Tree to see how she's doing."