smashacademy | [001E - Audio/Video]

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[001E - Audio/Video] - Arrival

[It is admittedly, the strangest situation Eirika has found herself in. And she has been in a few strange situations. She was intent on going along her way, but greater powers had other plans for her. It was how she found herself at the door to what was being referred to as a 'dormitory' and shortly after, shown inside and offered a key.

It's audio feed first by the one who's helped her in and shown her about. Video feed afterward, leaving Eirika on her own. Her expression paints her transparent. She's... confused, disoriented, and unsure exactly how this even managed to happen. She's just gone from a world of an unnecessary war to a...

They called it a school.

Rapier still in hand, she moves to sheathe it and shows her back to the camera momentarily as she turns to investigate her shared room.]

I should have liked for them to be more hospitable, rather than rushed. Whoever this Miss Lyra may be, I hope she won't find this too much of an unpleasant surprise...

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My arrival here was not intentional.

[Not the way Innes' was, evidently. She's still not sure why King Hayden would send his son to such a place.]

I appear to have come simply by coincidence and before I had the opportunity to depart, a rather large... hand... was enthusiastically welcoming and hurrying me along.

[She has absolutely no idea what she's been roped into.]

[ Shadow gives the smallest snort. Of course. The hands have never been considerate of others, and not even royalty is exempt. He actually pities her. Poor woman. ]

They tend to behave that way. They lack decency and respect.

[ He taps his fingers against his armrest, furtively glancing to his sides. No Resetti. Good. He can never expect when he'll come back to the office with a bunch of rage to spare. ]

My suggestion to you is to attempt to leave. They won't get better.

[Shadow's words seem to resonate with something in her. Perhaps it's Eirika's inability to stand by while people suffer. Or it could be the very same feeling from Magvel that she's trying to pull over into the academy in an attempt not to feel so utterly... lost. Whatever the case may be, she's spurned to dig a little more. To investigate.]

Are the people here prisoners?

[It's a very important question for her to ask. Its answer will define what becomes a priority and what does not as she stays in the academy - provided that she has no ability to return to the war awaiting her.]

Some are, some are not. I choose to stay for my own reasons... but those hands get on my very last nerve.

[ The snarl that bubbles from within his throat is a small one, but it doesn't make it any less indicative. He is not happy. This school... It's a large hub for every universe. If protecting it means protecting not only his world, but every world...

Shadow is just keeping to his promise and expanding it further. He has to protect these people, even if it means making the Headmasters his enemies. ]

You may be included, princess.

[His words are confusing, to be certain. The kind of confusing that she's not sure what he means.

She could be a prisoner. She understands that well enough. But how does she discover if she is or not? Simply via the means of whether she can return to Magvel or not? Is that... how things work?]

I don't understand.

[A clear and clean confession as her eyebrows knit together.] Why do you stay if you dislike it so?

This may be difficult to comprehend, given your likely timeline, but hear me out.

[ Shadow clears his throat. How to make it so this isn't a lengthy novel? ]

This world is a link between all worlds. It is a central hub of sorts, able to communicate with any possible universe and time known to man. This includes my own world, the world that is my duty to protect. Should harm befall this land...

[ His expression grows dark, his gaze no longer fully fixated on one thing. ]

... then my own world can easily be harmed, as can yours.

[It's a... stretched idea, to be sure. Eirika's never heard anything like it. But in a world where magic reigns often supreme and the Demon King was sealed away for having too much power, she supposes it cannot be entirely possible.

What he says sticks with her. That the academy is a link between all worlds. That implies it's also a link to hers. And in the same way he is concerned about the safety of his, she feels she should be concerned over Magvel's status as well. Already it's in the throes of war...

She can't imagine what would happen if she were to really accomplish the restoration with Ephraim only to discover that she was unable to prevent a greater threat from a... a... world beyond. Eirika frowns, and prominently at that.]

I see... That. That is a troubling notion. I was unaware this place held such significance. Is... that why I arrived here, I wonder...? Not for idle antics, but rather to protect my homeland?

[But... what about Innes? Frelia's prince must not know.]

I sincerely doubt that is the Headmaster's intent, but you may as well consider making it yours. Whatever the reason why you're here, it may serve you and your world best.

[ He isn't going to risk leaving himself. If he does, and something happens just because he didn't keep watch on Final Destination, then what? It would mean his lack of dedication prevented the peace he promised to Maria. That...

That would ruin him.

He grunts, tapping his fingers on the desk. He's getting agitated, albeit not towards her. ]

[It's something to think about. Eirika thought she'd just go back to Magvel as soon as she found a way to. But in the event that she does and isn't there to...

Imagine if something happened to Ephraim or Seth. Or even the Innes of her time. Any of them, actually. It'd break her heart.

She nods slowly.]

We really are prisoners. Not because we're held here against our will, but because the daunting threat of never knowing if we face something greater binds us here.

[Will she ever be able to go home...? Will she ever be able to confidently place her eyes on Renais again? Suddenly, life seems a little more bleak. And she cannot be weak to it. She must not be.]

...

[ Shadow sinks into his seat, clearly looking distraught. ]

You have a point. I never did think of it that way.

[ Bleak can't even begin to describe it. He hasn't even touched his own planet since arriving here. Frankly, he isn't even sure he can go back to his time. At some point, he'll have to, but, well... What if he goes back to descending from the ARK? What if he burns through the atmosphere?

He...

He would just have to deal with it. ]

Mm. Our worlds depend on us. We can't turn a blind eye to this place. We have no choice.

[A few more moments of thought goes into her silence. She wonders how Ephraim would approach the situation. He'd demand answers. That's how he is. Ephraim's never been the sort to take something sitting down. He is initiative incarnate.

In comparison... Eirika finds herself minutely passive. In comparison. She doesn't have the same ferocity as her twin, but she supposes she doesn't need to. She is the gentler of the two. He is the wind, whipping about, and she is the breeze with ginger caresses.

But without Ephraim, she must channel his strength to the best of her ability.]

Agreed. I'll allow no harm to befall Renais, even if it should confine me here. We will succeed.

[And she leaves that open ended, already formulating on how she can nullify the threats to other worlds in addition to hers.]

Of course.

[ The smallest smile lines his muzzle. She is a very determined young lady, isn't she? How admirable. Not too many people here are like that. It's a refreshing change. ]

Just don't let your guard down.

[ A pause. ]

... Good luck.

[The subtle change in his expression does lighten the weight upon her shoulders. If only by a bit. For someone who seemed so blatant and stoic before, she sees more in him now.

It's a welcoming feeling. They are fighting for the same cause.]

I understand. Thank you, and may the gods bless you.

[It would seem, this is the discreet beginning to an alliance. Eirika emerges pleased.]

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[001E - Audio/Video] - Arrival

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