The Aspiring Archivist

"Oh. Yes, I know what that is." She looked to Rallohir. "Sorry. You startled me. Um, thanks for trying to help." Vena shivered, and her teeth began to chatter.. "It's... really cold. Really, really cold."

Vena looked to the others, completely bewildered. @Being of Cacophony @The Wandering Wizard @Edema Rue

"Um. Why...?" Vena had gone red herself, and was frustrated to find that she could no longer change her appearance somewhat at will. "...Yes."

Before he could actually do anything, Vena's eyes snapped open, gray ones meeting his, face registering surprise. With a jolt, she pushed him away from her and stared at him, shocked.

A strange glow appeared beneath her skin for a few seconds, then faded.

There was a flash in the trees nearby, and the sound of something falling in the snow. Whatever it was was obscured.

Vena stayed in that not-place for what felt like a long time. It wasn't a pleasant experience. She felt guilty. I've left them all. They'll get hurt. Those serpents might not stay away for long. Rallohir... I still don't know how to feel about that. But I imagine it's hard on him, if no one else. She felt a strange tingling sensation throughout her body. Her body... she could feel it again! The emptiness around her became a darkness, which was then slowly illuminated by pinpricks of light. Stars. She knew where she was. Arbiter's keep. An ever-moving point in space where he kept his true form and essence safe. The sensation of hovering, without tether, surrounded only by impossibly distant stars and galaxies, left her with an intense vertigo. Arbiter himself appeared nearby. His form, to her surprise, was partially disintegrated, steaming the same white light that came from his eyes. He scowled at her. "Your little trick nearly destroyed both of us, child. You drew an inordinate amount of power, then released it all instantaneously with a sloppy command. For what? To save a few humans? You know they all die anyway, right? Kingdoms rise and fall in the blink of an eye. I know, and by extension so do you, that getting attached and eschewing orders causes nothing but problems. But I let you have a chance on your own, and in less than an hour you stupidly and suicidally abused your power!" Vena remained silent, emotions boiling up inside her again. Shame for what she had done, shame for abandoning the group. Anger at herself, and and Arbiter because she couldn't help but feel like what she had done was right. Most of all, regret. A deep, horrible regret for what she had now certainly lost. Eventually, she asked that question. "I'm not going back, am I?" Arbiter shook his head. Vena then felt the opposite of the raging emotion that had been plaguing her. Numbness. "I'm sorry, Vena." The rage had faded from Arbiter's expression, replaced by grim acceptance. "I didn't wish you to suffer. You are the first of my creations to have gone awry in this way. I'm sure it was some mistake of mine than let it happen. But I can't send you back. After what has happened, it would be dangerous and irresponsible of me." He paused, as though struck by an idea. "Unless..." Vena felt a spark beneath the numbness, but she didn't dare give it fuel. "I could make you a person. Cut you off from me completely, give you a body, and let you go." Before Vena could say anything, he continued. "Realize that this means you will be at risk of physical harm and death, and I cannot help you with that. It will also mean you are given no purpose or objective whatsoever, and you will no longer have access to my abilities." Vena nodded quickly, scarcely able to speak. She was terrified, but she also knew now that she wanted this. She wanted to try. "Very well." The world faded away again. @Rallohir

@The Wandering Wizard

Aww. How about this: come up with some convoluted thing to do to a long number, demonstrate it with your phone number, then say it works for all phone numbers and ask for his to prove it.

Vena was... somewhere. Or perhaps nowhere? Is this what being dead feels like? ... I guess I won't get that chance to learn life after all. At least I did one more good thing. I hope everyone is okay.

He caught something out of the corner of his eye, like the shape of a figure in a dress. But when he looked, there was nothing there. It was similar to how one might see a form in the shadows of night.

I mean, I talk to people about stuff all the time. I maybe have some friends in school at the moment, but it all just generally stays contained within school. It's been like this for well over a year now... I don't know.

Mr. Corvus, How does one make friends? More importantly, how does one make friends that one can talk to about feelings and stuff? Respectfully, The Aspiring Archivist

fair enough