edealistical | Empatheias Inbox

I know what you mean. Two of my closest friends are here - back when I arrived, it was just the one. But it meant all the difference to know that there was someone I could anchor myself to.

[A slight pause.]

Of course... things have changed a bit with time. I feel at home now with quite a lot of people. But I remember how it was, being here at first.

[She nods. Honestly, she's not sure she could survive without Hak. Maybe before she could have, but she would have worry about him too much now; even if she knew he didn't need it.]

One of my friends says there are bandits here, is that true?

[If there are and they're doing bad things then she wants to help out. Maybe Edea can show her where to go once the festival is over.]

Bandits?

[That was a bit of an odd jump in topic, but she nods.]

Yes, it's much like any other city in the world. There's always going to be that type around. ...Why do you ask?

[If Edea knew who she was thinking about it would make perfect sense.]

Back home we had to do a lot of fighting, he said that things weren't as bad here but it wouldn't be a bad thing for me to get a bow because of bandits.

[She wasn't sure if bandits really came out around the outskirts of the city, but she knew Hak worried about her.]

Well... I can certainly help you arrange that if you'd like. If you need to borrow one for the time being, the Enforcers have access to a quite a few spare weapons.

I'll just sign it out until you've earned enough money to purchase your own.

[She tilts her head slightly.]

You're an Enforcer?

[She really hadn't expected that. It wasn't that she didn't think women could be fighters or anything, she just wasn't expecting to meet any in a maze like this.]

That's right. I'm Edea Lee - current co-commander of the Enforcers, Otherworldly Division.

[Most people are surprised by her numerous quirks, to be fair.]

Probably no one would mind if I just gave you one, but I should follow the rules.

Oh ...

[She could see now why Hak came home looking annoyed sometimes. Working for Edea had to be like working for Zeno. Hak would hate that.

Still, she had to take this opportunity to learn more about the Enforcers. Especially since they had an investigations division. No fighting, just investigating. It would be a good fit for her.]

What are the enforcers like?

[Wow, rude, Yona. Working for Edea was like working for the best, most wonderful, perfect infallible employer in the world. Hak was just a butt.]

Well...

We're a division of the native Enforcers meant to keep tabs on the rest of the Otherworlder population. The people of Verens aren't very good at dealing with powers and the like. That doesn't crop up too often, though - primarily our duties are the same as the natives. We enforce the laws, investigate crimes, and keep the peace.

[It is undisputed that Hak is a butt.]

Do the people who investigate crimes have to fight?

[This is super important to her future alright!]

They can if they want. If they don't feel prepared for a combat situation, though, they're always welcome to call in for backup.

[Edea continues leisurely along the maze towards the next barrier as they speak.]

Soooo... it sounds like you might be interested?

Maybe.

[She frowns, thinking. Hak definitely wouldn't approve.]

I don't know if I'd be allowed to.

[Well, Hak wouldn't forbid her or anything, but he WOULD make her life annoying for a good long time.]

Allowed to? What do you mean? You're not beholden to anyone here!

...I mean, not unless your parents came with you, too, but even so, you're old enough to make your own decisions, aren't you?

I ...

[Then Edea mentions parents and the ground around Yona seems to degrade a little.]

It's nothing like that. It's just that the people from my world that are here really worry about me. One of them's an enforcer so he might bother you till you tell me I can't join.

[Or just follow her around on her investigations even if he has other Enforcer business to do and criticize her the whole time. Seriously, Hak was a jerk!]

No way! I'm his boss, if anything. And I say that nothing good comes of sheltering someone simply because you're concerned for them. The best way for you to be safe in this world is for you to... live in it. The way you'd like to. Not to be cloistered away.

[Edea has strong opinions.]

Who is this person? I'll talk to them if they have issues.

[She shakes her head hard.]

It's not like that either. He's not trying to shelter me or anything and he's always thinking of my best interest.

[Unless he's making those awful jokes where he threatens to molest her or pretends he wants to seduce her. Or even when he beats her up by squeezing her hand with all his might and calls her names and flat chested and not pretty. But that's all to make her stronger and because they're friends. Besides, it's not his fault that he doesn't find her pretty.]

He just doesn't want me to get hurt.

Mm... That's fair, but. Getting hurt is a part of becoming stronger. If nobody ever faced any challenges in life, you'd just... stay the same and never grow.

It's not that anyone wants anybody else to get hurt, but... the idea itself isn't something to be completely afraid of.

I know that, and he does too. He just doesn't want me running into danger when I don't really need to.

[She frowns, it's true though that Hak thinks a lot of things are needlessly dangerous when they really aren't needless.]

That's why I was thinking of applying for the investigations group. That way I'm still helping but he can't claim I'm doing something that's too dangerous.

[He's going to say it anyway.]

Well. If you apply, I'll definitely accept it regardless of what he says. Everyone should have a chance to make a difference if that's what they want.

[A slight pause.]

Seriously, though, who is this person?

[She just shakes her head. It sounds like she might have gotten Hak in trouble if she says his name. She might just wait a month or two before applying. Wait for Edea to forget they had this conversation.]

Oh, I like your confidence.

[Distraction with the maze]

...I have a feeling you're avoiding my question.

[Not quite so distracted as Yona might hope.]

Alright, alright. I'll just figure it out by myself.

[Well darn. She really thought that was going to work. She frowns heavily.]

I'd really rather you didn't. He can be a super jerk sometimes.

Aha! That narrows it down to.......!

[a slight pause]

Well. Just about everyone in the Enforcers besides Steve and Tiz.

Still! I'll figure it out eventually.

We still need to get through the maze.

[Maybe if she can get her to concentrate on what they're doing she'll eventually forget.]

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