Lud had been having nightmares for a couple of days after Raet. Still, he did everything he could to be a good ruler of his kingdom.
Shortly after the Nemesis left, Maumar came to look at the situation personally. Tifa asked Maumar "What are you doing here? Something you don't like happened?"
Maumar says "I came to tell you to not come back to the abyss yet."
Tifa says while hugging Lud "I go where I please and you can't stop me."
Maumar says "It is for the betterment of everyone that you don't try to change the past."
Tifa says "And why wouldn't I do that when he is suffering?"
Maumar says "While it would be impossible for a normal singular being, you have the power to go back to your former self in the past and change things. But if you do so, you will only make another timeline. This timeline will continue to exist without you in it, leaving this Ludwig Freigner without you."
Tifa says "It's not like he likes me like he did before. While I try to stay by his side and make him love me again, I'm not yet in the position of an important person."
Maumar then asks "What is your opinion about the woman that is hugging you now, Ludwig Freigner?"
Lud doesn't say anything for a while, but eventually he says "She is… Important… and just the person I need… I think… right now."
Maumar says "Even if Tifa's obsession and deceit are what made Ludwig Freigner love again, Zolotifa and Faust are not yet the same as them. In fact, there are many timelines where Faust Ilumnos falls for women around him. And while this goes a little bit out of my normal visits, I'll tell you that there is a woman that Faust Ilumnos falls for in this timeline as well that's not my daughter."
There is silence for a moment, until Maumar continues "Yet… it is not necessary for it to be a loved one who we show our weakness to in our trying times. Sometimes, a stranger might be a better option for you to let out a little."
Tifa says "So you are telling Lud to go cry on a stranger's shoulder?"
Maumar reiterates "Harsh, but sometimes an outside perspective is what we need. I'm not saying that in this exact situation you should go to a stranger for advice, but you have to remember that sometimes those who love you have a skewed perspective of you."
Tifa says "I can't say I relate to this sentiment. The only person I genuinely love is the man right here in my arms."
Lud says in a bit of awkwardness "I too, don't think I'll just go and cry on a stranger's shoulder."
Maumar says "I think you two are missing what I'm trying to convey here, but it isn't the point of this visit."
Tifa guesses "You mean the part of me not being welcome in the abyss right now?"
Maumar says bluntly "Yes. Although it isn't much of an opinion others have, it is the opinion Zolotifa has."
Tifa says "You mean… another me already is in the abyss?" To which Maumar says "Yes and no."
Tifa digs deeper and asks "What do you mean 'yes and no'?"
Maumar says "It is just how the abyss works. People, even singular beings, can't observe it since they become everyone of those who come to the abyss in each passing moment of many similar timelines."
Tifa says "But for a singular being… no, I heard that if a singular being stays long enough in one timeline, that timeline begins to have normal branching timelines like one that doesn't have a singular being in it. So me being here for quite some time means that there are other mes who have gone back to it. Am I getting this right?"
Maumar says "Something along those lines, yes."
Tifa says "So… did the me that is in the abyss take that bastard's offer?"
Maumar says "On the contrary, she has caused quite a stir around the place to make that person's life miserable. Nothing that it will end anything but… a fly on a wall sort of situation."
Tifa is a bit disappointed by what she hears and asks "Am I that insignificant?"
After hearing Tifa's self doubt, Maumar has a change in aura while still sounding the exact same as before "No, of course you are significant. You are my daughter after all."
Tifa says "So why haven't I been able to make a dent in that bastard's plans?"
Maumar says "Oh you absolutely have, but since time isn't exactly simple in the abyss, the swarm has been able to regrow quite a bit after each of your attempts. There are three factors that make it so.
First: Singular beings are all functionally immortal and unkillable.
Second: You are but one person in the abyss even after your self has been scattered across a few timelines. The Swarm is an operation made possible by many, albeit on the command of a single person.
Third: You focused so much of your time in messing with timelines that you neglected to get to know the layout of the abyss. Since it is the abyss, the swarm has been able to relocate their base many times to evade you."
Lud leaves Tifa's hug, looks at Maumar and asks "But isn't the abyss supposed to be formless or something?"
Maumar says "Yes and no."
Tifa, annoyed, asks "Again with this?"
Maumar says "So you seem to have no idea either. I guess I gave you too much freedom and you didn't even get to know your own home."
Lud says "Like a rich kid in their home mansion not bothering to know any details about their house?"
Maumar says "Something like that, I suppose."
Tifa relents "I get it. Since I am the one who said it, I'll refrain from taking action against my own wishes."
Maumar says "Good. Now you can rest easy and… do whatever you do here and there."
Lud says "It's funny how the end works quite literally this time."
Maumar says "I would smile if I could since my joke got through to someone, but alas, I am unable to. Moving on, Ludwig Freigner, while this will not change much anyways, I'll tell you to take Altair's offer when she comes after this."
Lud says "Sure, but what is it about?"
Maumar says "You'll see soon. But remember, what Rexolthan, or whatever he calls himself, what he wants is possible in theory, the likelihood of him succeeding is as likely as me gaining a bloodchild of my own. That with the added factor of he needs hundreds of thousands of timelines to even attempt one. He is a good representative of the sin he carries."
Then Maumar pops out of the room, leaving the room a bit awkward.
Lud is about to say something to Tifa, but he hears Altair talk to him telepathically "Hey bossman, I detect, or rather my people are detecting a rather unusual readings from the corrupted zone. I've already informed Tiara and Roman about this and I'm about to go investigate the situation with them. Do you wish to join or send some of your people with me?"
Lud is about to say something, but Tifa says "You won't be going anywhere. I don't know what you were asked, but I can tell from your face that you were thinking about leaving. Leave the rest to your subordinates and take time to recover. You need that now."
Lud takes what Tifa said to heart and responds to Altair "I think I will skip this one out. You can take whoever you think will be a good fit. I heard that Li got along quite well with the Roman guy, so I'd personally recommend him."
Altair asks "Okay, but you sound a bit different. Did something happen?"
Lud doesn't know what to say at that moment, so he just stays silent for a moment. Altair sees that something is wrong and says "I see. So something did happen. Still, I won't pry any further so that you can tell me when you are ready. I also think that Li would be a pretty good fit for the job. Maybe even Lili, but I'll decide on that later. Take care."
Lud says back "You too" and they end the telepathic link.
Lud then asks Tifa "Are you sure it is fine? Maumar even took his time to tell us to accept her offer."
Tifa answered "It is fine. I'm sure he knows very well how I act, so he took it into consideration when saying that. Worst comes to worst, we don't end up being the timeline where he comes back to too often."
Meanwhile Maumar is looking at all the timelines connected to the decision of Lud going and not going. He thinks to himself "While there were bound to be timelines where the decision was made to not go with Altair, it still hurts that your child doesn't listen to you. The timelines where Ludwig Freigner does go end up being more favorable, but then again, considering his mental health, my daughter's choice seems to be on the better side."
Maumar ponders for a while and then mutters to himself "I suppose the timelines where my child refuses my suggestion end up being more on the side that I want things to go to. Still, I have to think carefully which part to influence next. Should it be the part where Nemesis makes his most damaging act to my plans, or will I interfere earlier and make use of his secret plan in all of this? I must say, he is a sneaky one, but he still lacks clarity for himself."
Altair goes and grabs Li along with her before she goes to the lower realm and she and Li have this conversation.
Li says "I received an explanation from my lord, so we should be able to go whenever."
Altair says "Yeah. Thanks for agreeing to come. I have a bad feeling about the situation and I still think we need more backup."
Li says "Why don't we ask if Sarah would like to come? Though she won't admit it to me face to face, she has been itching for action for quite a while."
Altair mutters her thoughts "Sarah, huh. She has been able to hold things very well even after Weiss passed."
Li shakes his head and says "Unfortunately, the result of our training has made her more capable of hiding her emotions. Even still, I can feel that she is as distraught about the situation as Ms. Song."
Altair says "Is that so? Where is she now?"
Li answers "She, Serene and Sisu went to investigate one of the rell ruins. Sisu has been learning the rell language quite well and she wanted to go test her skills there. Serene went along with the two presumably because she was bored, but I can never tell with that girl."
Altair says "I see. Then shall we go ask her?"
Li says "Yes."
Li and Altair go to the ruins which look quite alien to the rest of Elysium. Altair comments "It looks incredible. I've never seen anything like this before. How does stuff stay in the air like that? Some kind of magic? No, I don't sense any."
Li answers "The parts that are in the air have some stone in them that was quite ordinary when the rell were around. Even in a world like this, the ana that makes it possible still can function as if the world was still in Mundus."
As Li and Altair walk around, Altair asks "Why is there so much space? It is so open here."
Li answers "This particular ruin was meant to house creatures known as olollitionites, which needed much space for them to be able to move around. There are parts in this ruin that are much smaller where only the rell were operating. That and there were also even smaller rooms, meant for pottirostas, which were basically our version of rodents."
Altair asks "Why have room for creatures like that?"
To which Li answers "We rell appreciated all kinds of life. Everything our parent made was important to us, so we cherished every aspect around us. Over time however, when the gods came, the original purpose of this ruin was pushed aside after much consideration and it became a place where all the troops rested and told their stories of the war."
Altair was about to ask something, but Li said first "There they are."
Altair looks and sees the three girls "talking" to each other.
Serene runs towards Li, which makes the other two turn to look and notice Li and Altair. This makes Li a bit puzzled, since the sounds of him and Altair speaking should have echoed through the ruin.
Serene hugs Li and Li asks "Did something happen?"
Then Sisu told Li "I just read information regarding a rell known as Argus and when I told Sarah about it, she said to me that the name felt familiar to her somehow."
Li says "I see" and pauses for a moment.
Then Sisu continues "We discussed what it could be, but the only thing we could conclude was that it was a name familiar to the god Kalpa, whose core Sarah has."
Li stays silent for a moment and Sisu asks him "Do you happen to know anything about the rell Argus?"
Li looked at Sarah, who was looking quite sad about the matter. This made Li explain "Argus was the first rell created from our parent and he was one of the most respected rell around. He was also the one who made Sarah's egg from his original song and Kalpa's core before their life ended."
Sarah then looks up to look at Li and asks him "So… Argus was… my father?"
Li nodded and said "As far as I understand, that is what you could call him, yes."
Sarah asks "What… What was he like?"
Li answers "As I said, he was one of the most respected rell back then and the last rell to die in Mundus. Even though all rell saw each other as equals, Argus was the closest thing we had for an idol. He was the one that talked to our parent first and he was the most gentle person around."
Sarah asks "He was… gentle… do… Do you know how he and Kalpa… My mother met?"
Li says "I believe that he told me that they met when they went to deal with another rell's remains. He would not tell any rell about how he felt for Kalpa as he knew the animosity we rell had for gods, but still he confided in me and told the truth during his last moments."
Sarah asks "Did… did he have any last words?"
Li says "The last I saw him. He was holding Kalpa's core and ripping his own original song out for a last ditch effort to create something they wanted. A child. In his last moments, he explained the situation and while I had animosity towards the gods, I had no words for him since he was the last rell besides me. The last thing he told me was 'Please make sure this child is born. Give them a peaceful life and tell them that me and her mother love her.' With those words, he died."
Sarah is starting to cry a little as she asks "And then? Why was I not with you when I was born?"
Li explains "Kalpa's core had to have time to adjust to a rell's original song in order for it to be successful. The ana around the tower would have made that progress impossible, so I hired people to protect the egg and bring the person that was born back to me when it was time in order for me to pass on their parent's will."
Sarah scruffed the tears away and said "And then they didn't do what you asked and kept me for themselves, right?"
Li says "Correct. I was unable to leave the tower during those times, so I wasn't able to reach out for you. That and I didn't know when, if ever you would be born."
Then Sarah looks Li in the eyes angrily and asks "Then why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Li took a deep breath and said "There wasn't a right moment to tell you. Since there was never a situation when rells roamed where this kind of problem would have arisen, I didn't know how to proceed. I saw that you were happy, so I thought that pulling out old wounds would only hurt you."
Sarah says "I would have wanted you to tell me about this earlier, you know."
Li says "I see. Then I apologize for not telling you earlier. But to be honest, I thought at first that you would be smart enough to realize your connection to the rell by yourself as you were a child of the first rell Argus."
Sarah says in a much calmer tone "Yeah. I'm sorry I'm not as smart as you hoped."
Li says "It is fine. Even though I find you somewhat lacking, you are still a child created by someone I admired."
Sarah says "Ouch. Well sorry you find me lacking, uncle."
Li is surprised by the word "uncle" and asks Sarah "Uncle? What is that all about?"
Sarah says "Well… you know… since the rell were all siblings in a sense, you and my dad were kind of like brothers, so… I thought, why not call you uncle since you are kind of one."
Li says "That is…"
Sarah looks at Li with her puppy eyes "Can't I?" and Li relents and says "Fine. Call me whatever you want."
Sarah says "Thanks, and… can… can I… you know… hug you, or something?"
Li asks "Why?"
Sarah insists "It's just… I've seen a lot of families do stuff like hugging and like… since we are kind of like a family… I thought that I'd want to have that sort of moment, and stuff."
Li ponders for a moment and then says "Fine."
Sarah goes near Li and then the both share a hug that is awkward at the start, but then it becomes a genuine hug when Sarah says "Thanks, uncle."
Li responds with "No problem. My… niece."
After a moment, the hug stops and then Sarah asks "So… what were you here for anyway? Why is Altair here?"
Li explains "Altair has received information that seems to indicate that something is happening in the corrupted zone in the lower realm and we are about to go there to check it with Tiara and Roman. We came here to check if you wanted to tag along since you haven't been on any mission for quite some time."
Sarah then smugly says "I see. Well if my uncle is so keen on wanting his niece around, then who am I to tell him no."
Li is a bit annoyed by this, but stays silent. Altair then asks Li and Sarah "So… are we ready to go?"
Li and Sarah nod in agreement and soon after the three leave.
Sisu communicates with Serene "What a wonderful sight. A family reunited after so long. What do you think Rene?"
Sisu gets a feeling that Serene is displeased about something and Sisu asks her "What wrong Rene?"
But since Serene doesn't talk, she won't tell Sisu the reason.
The three met up with Tiara and Roman in a military zone near the edge of the corrupted zone. There Altair asks them "How is it looking?" To which Roman says "Not good. The corrupted guard have started to venture outside of the corrupted zone. Tiara and the military have taken steps to make sure they CG don't go far, but the area is too large to make sure. Not to mention the fact that there are CGs that can fly."
Li says to Altair "I'll tell Brutus about this. You go pick them up." To which Altair says "Getting bossed around and not needing to think? Almost my cup of tea. Almost."
With that, she leaves to get a couple people from the 2nd battalion.
Li then asks "Do we know the source of this anomaly?"
Roman answers "Yes. The Aquila guild has been helpful as they have given us information from the sky. They have told us that the major shift in the energy around the area has been centered around the Zhyranthar, the center of Cryzalin empire that translates to "The Gleaming Pillar". It is also where the PEACE was released."
Sarah asks "So is the pillar thingy taking energy around the area or just generating it?"
Roman says "Since the surroundings have also begun to become more energized, I'd say it is the generating part. But there is also a chance that the Zhyranthar is taking energy from the planet itself."
Li says "I heard of this. The planets of Lutah have their own mana stored inside of them. The livable planets generate a huge amount of it to keep the radiation from the sun at bay so that life can flourish. But why is it gathering the planet's mana?"
Tiara says "I believe that someone is doing something. The corruption around the area has become unbearable to even those who were generally resistant to it before, so whatever is happening, it is something very big."
Then a man says to all in the tent "You'd be correct that someone is behind it."
Everyone is surprised and looks at the source of the voice and sees a person with no eyes and a crystal in his forehead. Further observation shows that the man looks like he is made out of marble stone. He also has strange clothes around him, but the main aspect of it seems to be that it shines like gold. He is also, very short.
Tiara says aggressively "Who are you and how did you get in?!"
The man says "Forgive me for my rudeness. I am the rightful ruler of the Cryzalin empire, Rexolthan Romulus Nero, but you may call me as Oren as I'm currently called."
Roman asks "You are the… but how? I thought that you were crystalized along with your people."
Oren answers "That is what was supposed to happen, but my lord gave me an offer that I could not refuse. An offer that will let the cryzalin live free of other races. An offer where our sacred rites won't be tarnished! He gave me the sin mark of greed to save my race!"
Li says "I heard that you activated PEACE, which was supposed to keep all that you had with yourself."
Oren says "Then you have heard it wrong. PEACE was meant to give our race a send off to a world that is only made by our race. A world only of cryzalin people to live free lives from the oppression of those who use us. It was supposed to create a new world for us, but instead, it made magic go haywire and create the accursed place you call 'corrupted zone'."
Sarah asks "What did others do to make you go that far? I'm no expert in magic, but I think that creating a world with it is something that is not to be messed around with by mortals."
Oren says "While I hate to admit it, you are correct to some degree. But the magic worked in a way. It is just that… the cryzalin people have now taken a different form. It is no big deal in the end as I'm going to make things right."
Roman says "You… What do you mean by not a big deal? I… I was born from the screams and cries of your people who don't have mouths to scream or eyes to cry from."
Oren says "Well we didn't technically ever have eyes, but we do shed tears from thryza. Still, I have dealt with yous before and I don't really care about the reasons you exist. If I can do what I have planned, then my plan will surely succeed and our people will be sent to a world of our own creation."
Tiara asks "Then what is it that you are planning to do exactly?"
Oren answers "Simple, I overload what remains of cryzalins from the surrounding area, that being the planet we are standing in, and when they have taken all that the planet can offer, I'll send them to the abyss where their other timeline counterparts are already ready and waiting. Eventually, I'll get to the point where I can cast PEACE once more and then our new world will be created. I must say, it is a rather genius plan."
Altair then speaks up as she came back a little earlier "But Irnlear will be destroyed."
Oren says uncaringly "That is a sacrifice I'm willing to make."
Tiara says "You are insane." and Roman mutters under his breath "Says you." Tiara heard it, but given the situation, she doesn't comment on it. She swears however that Roman will hear from this after the crisis.
Oren says "Then if you are so keen on keeping this planet alive, just go to Zhyranthar and disable the main crystal. You'll never make it though."
Li leaves the tent and says as he leaves "Bet."
Then Li begins to run as fast as he can.
Altair just says "I mean, I could probably teleport him there in an instant, but I don't know if I'd come back from it given the aether in the vicinity. So… props… I guess? If that is what he was going for anyways."
Sarah makes a "Hmph" sound and then says "I have no doubt that he won't make it. He is MY uncle after all."
Oren places his hand on his chin as he ponders something. Tiara notices this and says "Ooh? You thinking your plan won't succeed?"
Oren stays silent as he thinks.
Then Maumar comes and says "He isn't sure what will happen because strangely, this has never happened before."
Everyone but Sarah and Altair are surprised and Oren shouts "You are… you are Maumar?!"
Maumar says while ignoring Oren and speaks like a commentator in his monotone voice "For you see, out of all the sin carriers, the sin carrier of greed you see here is the newest sin carrier. For the moment at least.
While he has done this thousands of times before, it isn't enough time for him to have witnessed Li Last's power at play."
Oren says "You… you think I'll fail?"
With that, Maumar makes a peace sign and pops off. This time it made a little "bop" sound.
At this moment, Oren starts to look a little nervous as he bites his finger as he thinks. If he had sweat glands, he would sweat profusely at this moment.
Oren thought to himself "Thrask! ("Shit!" in cryzalin language)
If that Li makes it there in time, all the efforts that we made with the cult will go to waste! All that prep work and scheming will all go to thrask! I should have planned things more carefully in advance! I should have made countermeasures for potential intruders! What should I do?!"
Tiara notices Oren's nervousness and smugly asks "What's wrong Oren? Getting worried?"
Oren responds with "NO! I have everything under control, so stay quiet!"
Sarah starts to look smug together with Tiara and both look at Oren like a pair of devils while Oren tries to think of something.
Oren's thoughts were "I should have accounted for Ill's variants to be powerhouses like him! What should I do?! At this rate, that bastard is going to eat me! What should I do?! WHAT SHOULD I DO?!!!"
Then a pair of hands touch Oren's shoulders and a woman's voice can be heard asking "Dear oren… What have you gotten yourself into this time?"
If Oren could have shivers, he would since this person was someone who could easily destroy him.
The other people at the tent take a closer look at the woman.
A ghostly woman drifting in the air, her form both alluring and unsettling. The black dress she wore clung to her as though woven from shadows themselves, its dark fabric swirling around her feet as she moved without a sound. The skirt was adorned with spiraling circles in a deep, glowing orange, each ring twisting inward as if drawing in everything around it. Within the spirals, faint shapes emerged—jagged teeth, half-hidden, as though the dress itself hungered.
The patterns became more intricate as they rose toward her waist, where the spirals gave way to flames that licked up her torso. Orange fire danced across her chest and shoulders, the bright tendrils of flame illuminating her spectral form, but they did not burn. Instead, they flickered hungrily, as though feeding on her very presence.
Her face was beautiful yet pale as a dead corpse. She had orange eyes and long dark hair that almost looked like it joined the dress in a way, yet independent still. It had few glowing orange parts as if the flame that yearned to eat was reaching out for the unseen aether.
The woman says to Oren, who is terrified of the woman "You seem quite troubled. Do you perhaps… want someone to get you out of this mess?"
Oren says "Roth… I… I'm fine without your help. I'll just…"
Roth asks "You'll what? My little stone friend, Oren?"
Oren doesn't have anything he can think of, so he shoves Roth aside, goes to his knees and begs Roth "Please… If you don't help me, our lord will eat me alive. You'll have to do something."
Roth taps her forefinger to her lips multiple times as she pretends to ponder "Hmm… What should I do? My junior sin carrier is in trouble and I have the means of saving him. What should I do?"
Oren begs "Please. I beg of you."
Roth then gives a sinister smile as she says "Well it can't be helped. I am your senior, so I'll give you a hand this time."
Oren says happily "Thank you Roth, you won't regret this!"
But Roth shuts him up and says "Shhh… Only if you give something to me afterwards, okay?"
Oren is nervous as he asks "What… what do you want?"
Roth smiles in a sweet yet scary way "Oh, I'll tell you after I'm done."
Then Roth extends her hand and asks "Do we have a deal, poor little Oren?"
Oren, sure that what she'll ask is something big, is hesitant at first to take the offer, but then he remembers what will happen if he fails, so he shakes Roth's hand.
Roth says "Well then. I'll be on my way. Just wait a moment."
Roth disappears and Oren, although scared of what he just agreed to, boasts about it to the rest "HAH! You see?! I do have things under control! I just needed to wait for my dear senior to come. I will always get what I want! I'll always…"
Then Roth comes back and says "Yahhaloo! I'm back!"
Oren is confused for a moment and asks "Wha… so fast… I…I thought it would take a little longer to stop Ill's variant."
Roth begins to laugh hysterically and Oren is now even more confused. Oren asks the laughing Roth "What are you laughing at?"
Roth manages to catch her breath for a moment to speak "You… you told me to just deal with the mess you are in. Not to stop this timeline's Li Last."
Oren is in disbelief as he asks "Then… what did you do?"
Roth then gives a sweet smile as she says "Oh I just convinced our darling leader to let you live this time. Li Last is still on his way to end your plans."
Oren shouts "But why?! This isn't what we agreed to! You… You tricked me!"
Roth then taps Oren on the head and says "Oh, don't worry little Oren. It won't be that bad. You just won't have any memories after I'm done with you."
Oren says in desperation "Wa- WAIT!"
Roth opens her mouth and some sort of light begins to be flowing from Oren's body to Roth's mouth.
Oren keeps screaming "No! NO! It can't end like this! It ca…" but then Oren completely collapses to the ground.
Roth then starts to carry Oren like he was princess and she says to the rest "Thank you all for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to have a tasty meal like this. As a reward for your actions, I'll give you some time before I'll take action in this timeline. When this is, I won't tell you, but wait patiently and create many beautiful memories, since I'll come to eat them relatively soon. Toodeloo!"
And with that, Roth disappears.
Roman asks "Wha… What was that? What is she even?"
Altair answers "Oriapleater. An abyssal being that eats aether, causing people to lose memories."
Tiara says "Oriapleater… I heard of them before. So they truly exist."
Altair responds "Yes. They are a near constant issue with the star elves, but I never expected one of them to serve Nemesis. In hindsight, it should have been obvious, but still."
Roman says as an attempt to lighten the mood "Well, let's hope that Li will succeed."
Altair says "No. There is no need for doubt. If a sin carrier came to take the other away, it is highly likely that Li will succeed. But to think… a sin carrier to be able to eat the memories of another sin carrier. How far apart are they from each other to be able to deal with each other so easily."
Roman says "I agree. Oren might have appeared weak, but I could sense his strength was formidable."
Tiara says "Well I think I would have been able to deal with him easily if push came to shove."
Roman says "Being confident is a good trait Ti… Dear, but you shouldn't underestimate anyone you meet."
Tiara says "Good. You have learned how to call me. You earned a cookie my love. But you should know better not to lecture me in front of guests."
Roman says "If we don't at least appear to have attempted to correct our leader's… let's say "admirably enthusiastic" ways, we would be the laughing stock and in the grasp of rebellion sooner rather than later."
Tiara says triumphantly "Well I share the blood of the great heroes of old. Mathews Witsur and Miranda Altrenas."
Roman sighs and says "Here we go again."
Tiara is a bit offended by Roman's words as she asks "What? It is a good story to tell someone when we are waiting."
Altair says "I already know of the two, so I don't need to hear it. Sarah has gone outside to help deal with the corruption guards."
Tiara is actually a little saddened by this as she says "Is… is that so."
Altair leaves the tent to help Sarah and Tiara and Roman are left in the tent alone.
Then Tiara says "Now that others aren't around, let me go with a punishment for you."
Tiara puts a barrier around the tent and Roman asks "What are you doing?"
Tiara would soon strip herself as well as Roman so that Tiara can put out a "punishment" for Roman.