expiationlogs

i.
[After the events of the maze, Astralin found it a bit difficult to relax. Everything was a bit too overwhelming, and even though he's recovered since then, he's been a bit restless. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any sort of hot springs or spa opened in Aldrip, and he wasn't about to visit the neighboring villages and towns to try and relax. So, as one does, he took it upon himself to use the remaining land that he had now to incorporate a hot springs on his land.

It's busy on the farm again with construction, and despite the citizens of Aldrip being much more... Wary of the chosen, he still managed to find a few of them that would still work with him on the construction. So, you'll find Astralin hovering over the construction with his arms crossed. His focus on some of the construction workers as they begin working on the hot spring. Ready to open it to the public once it was constructed.]

ii.
[After the construction, you'll find Astralin still outside. He isn't relaxing, but instead, honing his magical abilities. The maze has left a scar on him that certainly left him traumatized, and he feels like he needs to practice more to ensure he can keep the people he calls friends here, safe. It's the least that he can do for them, but even then, it seems like his powers didn't have any affect on the illusions when he did try and attack them.

He tries not to let that bother him though, and he focuses on summoning his icicles from thin air. Those icicles being hauled forward and toward their intended targets that he had set up. The whole farm filled with lingering frost that may or may not shift into Aldrip while he practices.]

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[Both his arms cross over his body, and he waits for Ethlyn to answer his question. Not expectedly, of course -- more like he's waiting for her to either say how she feels, or brush off the question. The latter being more understandable after everything they've been through in the maze and all. Not everyone would want to talk about it. Which is why he's a bit surprised that she chooses to speak up, rather than keep quiet.

So, he listens, and it's no surprise to him that the maze basically messed her up as well. Astralin shooting a emphatic gaze toward her, as he reaches his hand out toward her shoulder to pat it softly. A soft sigh escaping from him as he pulls back.]

I am sorry to hear... I truly do not know what happened, but I hope it brings some solace that your children are alive. Although, I do understand the worry that they are not well.

[Being a Dad and all, he does understand her worries and the cruelty of that maze.]

... I try not to think about it, really. But I will be alright, as I always am.

They grew old enough that they're able to defend themselves... even without their mother and father to protect them in such a dangerous world. I'm trying to think about that. That they have time for their lives to get better.

[And it means Finn survived too. She and Quan had left the young knight back in Leonster to defend their son. To see Leif girt in sword and armor, hale in body if not in spirit, means that Finn was able to keep him safe and teach him well.

As for Altena... the longer she thinks of her daughter's appearance, the more she believes that she was raised by their enemies. It's hard for Ethlyn to even conceive of. She had hoped Travant was intelligent enough to use Leonster's heir as a hostage--but to think that he stole her for his own is beyond what even he seemed capable of. Still, so long as she is alive there is the hope she may yet return to her people.]

...I won't press you on what you saw yourself. But I can speak from experience that bottling it all up can just make things worse.

[That may be presumptuous, given that Astralin is much older and more experienced than she is, but she can't help but give him a piece of gentle advice nonetheless.]

It is the best you can do in that situation. It is hard for a parent, especially when you are not there to supervise them, but... I am sure that they will be alright.

[The corner of his lips curve into a soft, but sympathetic smile. Although not quite understanding himself, since they have immortality in their world, so he didn't have to worry about such things, but he understands the worry as a parent. He hopes that Ethlyn will have some sort of peace after the maze, and of her children's futures.]

Ah, it is not that I am bottling it up. I have come to terms with what I saw and heard before the maze. I am alright, truly.

[He smiles at her again, and it's a surprisingly genuine smile. He truly has moved on from what he heard, and although it shook him to his core when he first heard what he did, he knows now that it wasn't real and that was enough to help him press on.]

I hope so. [She grips her elbow with one hand.] It is all I can do for them.

[She doesn't know what it would take. The terrible enemy that was overthrown only by miracle has returned to rule her homeland. Her daughter raised by the man who killed her parents. Her son possibly fighting the war his parents couldn't win.]

But the knowledge is a gift. No one from my homeland has arrived here, and even if they did, there's no guarantee that they could have told me what happened. At least now I know.

[She gives Astralin a smile in return, though. She can see that his words are sincere... that is a relief.]

I'm glad to hear you say that. Coming to terms to things is... so very difficult.

I do understand how hard it is as a parent... If you are having any trouble, you re more than free to speak to me about it. I do not think I am the best parent, but it is good to have someone that can understand to some extent.

[It's honestly the least he can do, and he tries to comfort her the best he can by placing another hand against her shoulder. Gently patting her shoulder, before slowly pulling away as he nods his head.]

I am glad. Sometimes... Knowledge is not always a good thing, but I am glad that you are seeing the positives. Even though it is hard.

[He brushes some of his hair back, and laughs a bit.]

I suppose my problems were not as extreme. Just some issues that I dealt with in my youth, that I never really brought to light until the maze brought it up again. However, I had friends that helped me through it, and that is more than enough.

[Ethlyn gives Astralin a warm smile, grateful for his understanding. It seems there are few other parents here, which has always seemed unusual to her... most everyone is around the age of Sigurd and his friends, and almost all of them had one or even a second on the way when she and her husband left the main force of her brother's army.]

It's been keeping me up at nights since I've arrived here. I left my daughter in a terrible situation of my own making and my son was in the care of our family knight. But now I know that they did live to an age where they can defend themselves, I can perhaps rest a little easier.

[What she regrets is not having more time to be a parent. Leif was still just a baby when she and Quan made their terrible ride into the desert.]

I'm sorry we didn't meet each other in there, but I'm glad that you were able to work through it with others. Whatever power operated that maze had an unpleasant talent for dredging up the worst in our memories.

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