nexus_sages | +1 fish warrior

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+1 fish warrior

[The Nexus has no shortage of bringing people in from random places and times, and today a small portal seems to open up a few feet away from the question area. Being dumped from said portal is an armor-wearing fish, presumably female, by the long red ponytail she sports. The fish-woman's body seems to be shimming, as if her very body is trying to disappear at any second. Finally, the shimmering aura dissipates, leaving the fish-woman barely alive on the Nexus floor.

She manages to look up, and is taken back by the scenery. This isn't the Underground, nor does she see any monsters around either. Struggling to stand, she musters up a few words to any nearby denizen of the Nexus.]

W-where am I? Is this what it's like to die? Alphys? Asgore? Anyone?

[She's still trying to fully comprehend the situation, but it's clear that she's gravely injured. Help might be something she needs, but isn't willing to ask for.]

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"I am an Argonian," he answers. "Opinions vary, with regard to the monstrousness of the state. But it has been my experience that greeting the world with an open hand ends well more often than not." With a smile, he adds, "my name is Shade-Seeker. I must agree that this place is strange, but I admit enjoying it all the same."

"Argonian? It's like we're speaking two different languages." [She normally has more pride than this, and getting help from other people would be a sign of weakness in the Royal Guard. But this isn't the Underground and it seems like no one she knows is here.]

"Undyne..." [She sighs a bit, letting her pride dissolve for the moment.] "Shade-seeker. Hope you don't mind me shortening that to Shade. Either way, thanks. You really didn't have to go out of your way to help me."

"Argonians are my people, the swamp-dwelling lizard-folk. As opposed to elves, or humans, orcs, or khajiit," he explains, suggesting, "perhaps the usual array of peoples is different where you come from."

He smiles genially as she thanks him. "You are quite welcome, Undyne, and the abbreviation troubles me not. I wished to know if I could help, and to be of help if I could--such is my nature, and was no departure from my way."

"Never heard of any of 'em, except for lizards. Where I'm from, you're either a monster or a humans. But monsters range in appearance and shape, from dogs to bears."

[She's not sure where to go from here, allowing Shade to do the leading instead. But having the extra help is definitely well-appreciated.]

"Help...It feels weird being on the receiving end of it, instead of helping someone else."

He listens, then tsks sadly. "That seems a somewhat unjust dichotomy. Unless 'monster' has a different connotation in your world?" He isn't going far, but after the fall perhaps Undyne would like someplace to sit? There is ample seating to be had.

"We all need help, sometime. I myself have quite often had to rely upon the kindness of others, not the least when I found myself here. It is good to hear that you are in the habit of giving it, as well."

"It's the term we've always known. Maybe something the humans labeled or as...I'm not sure." [She takes a seat on a nearby Nexus couch, her armor creaking as she sits down.]

"Yeah, lots of monsters had their hope riding on me, after all. Until that human showed up..." [Her voice drifts off.]

He sits as well, clinking quietly in turn. "What happened?" he asks gently. His hand glows with a wholesome silver-white light--the offered healing magic--though he holds it up for the moment, waiting for implied or spoken consent to bestow it.

"...It's a long story. Hope you don't get bored with it."

[Despite being injured, she's still wondering just how she got this lucky in meeting a creature of similar appearance and nature. The growing hand causes her to tense up, uncertain at what magic or power Shade possesses. However, he doesn't seem like the type of person who would harm an already injured fish. She nods to him, a signal to let him proceed with the healing.]

"I came from a place called the Underground. Many years ago, monsters and humans lived on the surface world, but a war broke out, and the humans defeated us. As punishment, the humans sealed us underground with a magical barrier. Our king, Asgore, found out that humans souls could be used to break the barrier. So we began collecting the souls of humans unfortunate to fall into the Underground, so that one day, we could break the barrier and be free again."

His healing touch is a gentle thing; aches ease, pain fades, and wounds close without scarring. He keeps it up until Undyne is fully healed--he seems to have some way of knowing.

He listens as she tells her tale, before interjecting a polite question: "how did the humans circumvent the barrier?"

[Feeling the healing magic seep through her armor, Undyne expects it to feel like a bad medicine, bitter and uncomfortable. Instead, the light is warm and starts immediately to heal her cuts and wounds. She sighs in relief as the pain subsides.]

"...I'm not sure how it worked. Humans would fall into the ruins, but it seems like they couldn't escape the barrier once inside." [She shakes her head.] "7 souls to collect. We only needed one more to be free. Then they came along. A young human, but one with the intent to kill. They began murdering every monster in the Underground without thought."

He tsks softly; he's not sure he likes the business of shackling people's souls (though he counts Undyne no less a person--and, he's obliged to admit, he captures goblin and ogre souls for his own use without pangs, so he is in little position to lob criticism), but he certainly doesn't approve of wholesale murder, either. "I am sorry," he offers. "Perhaps, if you have found your way here, you might guide your people here in turn, and so escape the humans' prison and predations."

"...? What are you apologizing for? It's not like you brought that fate upon us." [Although it's rather ironic that the monsters hunting humans has turned into a reverse-case scenario. She lowers her gaze to the floor.]

"That's wishful thinking. A good chunk of the monsters were completely murdered before I even got here. The human is probably on their way to kill the rest right now." [But even as she looks down at the Nexus floor, she smiles.] "But...I have hope that my friends will be able to stop the human, or at least guarantee the safety of everyone else."

"Then I join you in your hope. But... if my wishful thinking should not be so far from the truth, and if you need another pair of hands in holding your enemy at bay while the remainder of your people escape, you may call on me, and I shall do what I can for you."

"...No. I appreciate the healing, but I would not risk your life in any way. That human already killed me once, or came very close to doing so. I was brought here right before death."

[She nods her head a little.] "If you want to provide aid, maybe giving me some pointers on how to survive in the Nexus could be a good thing."

He inclines his head, gratified by her regard for his well-being. "I would be pleased to. Will you be seeking a way back, a place to stay...?"

"Both, I guess. This is foreign territory to me."

[Her voice sounds frustrated, as if still annoyed by the fact that she's stuck in the Nexus until further notice.]

"Gonna need food and water to stay healthy. Also room and board. Can't really live without either."

He nods thoughtfully. "There are inns, and restaurants, and kind people. Will it be troubling for you if some of them are human?"

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+1 fish warrior

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