=== Alear & Ivy === --- C --- [Ivy] ... [Alear] Oh, Ivy. Did you need something from me? [Ivy] No, Divine One. [Ivy] Must I require something to remain near you? [Alear] No, it's not that... [Ivy] I see. Then please feel free to ignore me. [Alear] I would, but...it's difficult to ignore the anger on your face. [Ivy] ... [Alear] The kingdom of Elusia worships the Fell Dragon, doesn't it? [Alear] If that's the case, I can certainly see why you would feel uncomfortable around me. [Ivy] You can't imagine how I feel. [Alear] If you can explain it, I'd love to understand. [Alear] It might reduce this...distance between us. [Ivy] True. [Ivy] But we should...get used to each other first. We'll talk when we're...more comfortable. [Ivy] For now, I will leave you be... [Ivy] and worship from afar. [Alear] Worship? --- B --- [Ivy] ... [Alear] Ivy, do you think maybe it's time we talked? [Alear] Whatever you're feeling toward me, I'm prepared to listen. [Alear] As allies, I'd like there not to be walls between us. [Ivy] Very well. [Ivy] I am rather more comfortable around you now, so...I suppose it's time. [Alear] I'm glad to hear that. [Alear] Can we start with why you seem to have such anger toward me? [Ivy] I love you. [Alear] Huh? [Ivy] I love you, Divine One. My feelings began long before I met you. [Ivy] Understand, I...do not mean romantically. I adore you as a worshipper adores a deity. [Alear] But...you looked so upset when you were staring at me before. [Ivy] My deity was standing before me, in the flesh. I was nervous. [Alear] Oh... [Ivy] Do you understand now? [Alear] Yes, um... Thank you for sharing that. [Alear] I, um, like you as well, Ivy. [Ivy] Yes... [Ivy] May I be excused? [Alear] Oh. Yes. Yes, of course. And... [Alear] And...I'm sorry. [Ivy] We'll speak again later, Divine One. --- A --- [Alear] Ivy, can I ask why you call me your deity? [Ivy] During all the hardest moments of my life, the one thing I could turn to was the Divine Dragon. [Ivy] My faith in you gave me strength to survive. [Alear] Survive what, exactly? [Ivy] My whole world─the place where I was born. [Ivy] Elusia Castle is a den of treachery and double-dealing. No one is safe there. [Ivy] And the worst part is...I had no escape. [Ivy] My mother was at the center of every scheme. I was forced to be near every foul conspiracy. [Alear] Your own mother... [Ivy] In her world, every smile is a dagger looking for a back to stab. [Ivy] I hated that place. I hated what it did to everyone who set foot there. [Ivy] The one thing that kept me from despair was my faith─my faith in the Divine Dragon. [Alear] But why me? [Ivy] At first I worshipped merely to be contrary. They chose the Fell Dragon, so I chose Divine. [Ivy] It was a small, invisible act of rebellion. But it was what I needed. [Ivy] The more I thought about you and your life, the more I knew I didn't belong in the castle. [Alear] I'm glad to have been some help, if only indirectly. [Ivy] Ah, forgive me─to experience your kindness in such a familiar way is an intense thing for me. [Ivy] Could you please act a little more like a deity? [Alear] Heh, understood. I'll try to be more considerate. [Ivy] In all seriousness, Divine One... [Ivy] You are my strength, even now. Thank you. --- S --- [Ivy] This is where you wanted to meet, Divine One? [Ivy] Why all the way out here? What could you possibly be planning? [Alear] I have something important to talk to you about. [Ivy] That doesn't explain why you picked this place. I would happily speak with you anywhere. [Alear] I wanted to be alone with you. [Ivy] I see. [Ivy] Well, here we are. [Alear] Are you OK? You're blushing. [Ivy] I am? Of course I am. [Ivy] It's all right. Whatever you have to say to me, I am prepared to hear it. [Ivy] Proceed. [Alear] Very well. [Alear] Princess Ivy, please accept this ring as a token of my favor. [Ivy] That's the Pact Ring. [Ivy] The Divine Dragon bestows this gift only to deepen the most meaningful bond. [Alear] Knowledgeable as ever. [Ivy] You're really giving this to me? [Alear] There is no one I would rather have by my side. [Alear] You are the one I feel closest to. [Ivy] I am, as ever, in awe of how forthright you are with your feelings. [Alear] I wouldn't be a very good deity if I hid my thoughts from someone so devoted to me. [Alear] You opened your heart to me, Ivy. It's only fair I return the favor. [Ivy] That's true. [Ivy] Very well. In that case, I accept. [Alear] Good. [Ivy] I already feel so much closer to you. [Ivy] A bond with the Divine Dragon is more than I ever dared hope for. Thank you, . [Ivy] Now and forever, you have my endless devotion and adoration.