Old Friends, New Faces

"We got a return trip. Thanks anyways!" Cechec lowers his hand after waving at the confused portal attendant in Portal Plaza and turns to look at the others that had come through the misty portal ahead of him.

To Lolli and Lilia, Blessed and Anåbæl, he turns, his eyes narrow. "So do I have your leave? Or do you have more questions."

Ana is the first to speak. "Look, you've been through a lot today, and you must be exhausted so I won't keep you too long. Though please at least consider letting me know what your real name is before you go."

She pauses briefly, before adding (more hesitantly): "Trusting people can be hard, I know, but you've got to start somewhere or this world becomes a very scary, lonely place indeed..." Her face becomes a bit less serious, and softens back into a smile. "... and much less exciting too!"

"My real name?" Cechec's eyes narrow, and he sighs heavily at the question. "Cechec Wulxan is real. Ylana Lightmane, too. These are all real names. Are you any different? Are you the same Ana for Darunia as you are for a friend?"

Cechec swings his head around, eyeing the others who may be listening. "This is why my family keeps to ourselves. But since you've seen me, you may know that amongst my family I am also known as Wik."

"Wik" whispers Lilia.

She then extends a gloved hand towards Cechec. "Lilia Reshel. Pleasure meeting you, Wik," she says politely. Her face does not show judgement or disgust for their previous actions, nor does it show any ill intent. Her near-blank look seems to have genuine interest for the name 'Wik'.

Cechec flinches slightly at the mention of the other name, but extends his hand out slowly to take Lilia's. "Cechec, please."

As Cechec takes her hand, even through the leather of the gloves, he can still feel a chill coming from underneath it. "For now. And you need not worry about me on what we saw and heard today," she says as she retreats her hand, "it is not my story to tell."

Cechec nods in thanks towards Lilia.

Ana is not offended by Wik's outburst. As Cechec continues to speak she looks thoughtful, then smiles gratefully and nods at the name 'Wik'.

Hearing Wik's clearly stated preference for the name 'Cechec' right now, she replies:

"Thank you Cechec. It seems that we still have something more to learn about what life is like for others, what preferences they might have for how they are referred to, and how this changes with time and circumstance. Please forgive me for insinuating that who you currently are is in any way 'less real' than the name or identity that others first gave to you."

"My only prior experience with shapechangers was with doppelgangers and mimics, who only take on another's form superficially, and for very functional reasons ... or roguish masters of disguise. Whereas for you (as I understand it), Cechec is (currently at least) who you are...? Forgive me if I have missed the mark again, with this hypothesis."

His eyes remain narrowed, though he nods slowly at the apology. However, at the mention of other shapechangers, an eyebrow ridge rises. "I’m not sure I like being compared to these... others," he slowly speaks, spitting the final word. "We all change our appearance, but we are very different. Should I compare you to a mad magician? Or to a blood-thirsty raider? You weave spells and carry an axe." Cechec shakes his head. "I'm who I am. With this or any other face."

"You can compare me to whomever you like, but this time it is you who might wish to consider their prejudices.

"I honestly meant no offence by referring to those others, who are also proficient at projecting different forms to the outside world. Not all mimics are bad, neither all rogues, nor all doppelgangers too I suspect."

She speaks plainly, calmly, and sincerely, before continuing in a lighter tone, her wry smile returning to her lips.

"A number of my family and my tribe would indeed be considered 'blood-thirsty raiders' by some, but again that is not their whole story ... and as for 'mad magicians', I would like to assure you that they can make very good company indeed!"

Cechec eyebrow ridge remains raised, joined shortly by fingers that roughly push at the scales there. An exasperated sigh is followed with a low grumble. "You're right. Clearly I know nothing." The hand lowers, a thumb hooked into one of the leather straps that keeps his leather armour strapped atop his chest. "Have you both asked your questions?" he continues, eyeing Lilia as well.

After a moment of silence from Lilia, her face as cold and blank as always, she gives a short nod. "Farewell," she says, turning to leave the group, "until we meet again." Cechec returns Lilia's nod.

Ana's face falls a bit at the cool reception to her well-intended words.

"It would seem that I have misspoken once again. Conversation is not my strong point, and is something that I'm working on."

"However, since you offered something of yourself and of your past even when I so clumsily asked, I would like to share something with you also - something that I have not shared with many here in Kantas. Both to show my gratitude, and to reciprocate so that you do not feel somehow held at a disadvantage."

Cechec turns back to Ana, expression blank. He slowly blinks his eyes closed as he inclines his head towards her, prompting her to continue.

She pauses. Her eyes drop briefly (apprehensively?) and then raise again, as she takes a breath and continues.

"When you asked if I have always been just the 'same Ana' for everybody, and if I should be called a 'blood-thirsty raider' , you were closer in your guess than you would know.

"I was indeed born 'Anåbæl Two-Stœp' of the Hard Rock Tribe, but ..."

She pauses again, seemingly unsure of how best to share whatever she has to tell.

"On my long, wandering journey which brought me here to Kantas, I was running from many things (as well as to a different future, or so I hoped).

"Firstly, I was running from the expectation that I would forever be a member of a barbaric warrior caste: a fighter, a hunter, and perhaps in time a leader too - but a killer, and little else. Denied the right to be a shaman (a druid) instead."

She chuckles wryly to herself. "In escaping that, I have been somewhat successful.", and she smiles as her eyes turn a deeper, sparkling shade of blue and she opens herself up once again to any magic in her surroundings.

"Secondly, I was running from those situations where I might be overtaken by a rage, which I could not at that time control, and which had caused pain to others who I cared for.

"Thirdly, I was running from a name. One which some people in my tribe would use to refer to me from time to time ... Mareridt ... which translates as something a little like your word for Nightmare.

"It means not only a bad dream but is also the word used by my tribe to refer to a fiendish hag-like being of the same name, who 'rides' their victims to death in the night. Not the same as the horse-like demons that I've heard also called Nightmare here.

"When I flew into a rage as a child I would often find myself sat on top of whomever provoked me, laying into them with my fists. So they called me that sometimes ... and I hated it. It represented everything that I didn't want to be, and everything that I felt I could not escape: a blood-thirsty, unfeeling monster, who would never fit in. I still feel this way sometimes, even changed and grown as I am. So now you know.

She closes her eyes briefly, inhaling and then exhaling, as if a great weight has been lifted from her shoulders, after a very long time.

Cechec listens as she speaks, watching as the young goliath unburdens herself in front of him. He waits patiently, and as she sighs, he nods.

"Thank you Ana. I understand the names folk give to others based on their abilities. The stories folk tell of monsters that come to steal their children. I understand wanting to run from that." He cocks his head to the side, shaking it slowly. "As I said Ana, we are more alike than you assume. But then, because of that, I would expect you to understand why I keep some names close. Or why I am careful about how I let the world meet me."

"I was naïve, I guess, to the idea that a person could sincerely inhabit more than one form and more than one name, without one of these somehow being 'truer' then the rest.

"I do understand better, I hope, and I can now see a likeness between your 'other' name and my own. Regardless, your secret is safe with me."

Cechec's eyebrow ridges raise briefly as he breathes deep, before falling with an exhale. "I hope your curiosity has been satisfied. I ask that you not tell anyone what you learned today. Goodbye, Anåbæl."

Nodding again at Cechec's parting request for secrecy, Ana makes to leave;

"If I can ever offer assistance or company in future, you may contact me via the staff at the Three-Headed Dragon here, or those at the Cavernous Seashank in Port Ffirst.

"Goodbye, and farewell Cechec."

Just as Ana walks away from Cechec, the small lilac harengon who was waiting for an opening to approach hops over.

"Hey… Wi…Cec… Cechec, sorry to catch you off guard. I just wanted to say I am really sorry for nearly blowing your cover when I cast ‘True Sight'. It's only a new spell I learnt, haven't had much use for it on adventures to date. But one thing I know now using that spell is that it's not my place to out anyone's secrets. Everyone should be able to do that when they want to and if they want to". Lolli pauses for a second and quickly adds "Oh well unless of course that person is gonna do something to harm someone in anyway… then I would have to say… But you weren't… so yes… I'm sorry".

Cechec turns his gaze away from Ana’s leaving, and his mouth curls in a small, sad smile. He leans down slightly to be closer to the harengon. "You have nothing to apologize for, Lolli. I am grateful that if anyone discovered what I am that it was you. Though it seems you just learned earlier than the others." He shrugs, his large shoulders rolling in the folds of the red fabric that he still wears from when we wore a different face. "It's a powerful ability, seeing things as they truly are. I am glad you understand that."

Lolli nods "I do! It's definitely something powerful… But your secret is safe with me anyway". Lolli pauses again thinking of something else then adds with a slight smile "Out of curiosity, how many times have we met? Has it been a few?"

Cechec chuckles. "A reasonable question. We've only met once before: Ms. Èirigh requested help in the Sunset Spines with that upstart dragon god. You knew me as Cechec then too."

Lolli laughs "Ha, how interesting. I wonder how many other times we could have met without me knowing. You know maybe next time we meet and if you're someone I haven't met before maybe you could do a signal like.. oh… you wink when you say your name or something. Then I know it's you… But oh no maybe that won't work… Ah never mind". Lolli trails off quickly.

Cechec holds his wrist up where the corsage sits. It fits perfectly on the dragonborn's wrist even though it was made for a far more slender elven figure, and he closes his eyes as the scent of fresh flowers wafts up into his nose. "You'll know me by the rose, Lolli. Others will start to, too. I might not ever be The Thorn, but I'll carry her with me anyway." He nods slowly as he speaks, and sets his arm back down.

Lolli smiles at the rose and back to Cechec. "Ok noted. I'll keep an eye out now. I'm glad we could help you today. Well, I hope it did help you anyway… Are you doing ok after everything? Have you ever done something like… what we did today before?"

"Never. This is... new to me. My names, they..." The next words catch in Cechec's throat, and he casts his gaze around for eavesdroppers. Finding none, he returns to Lolli, twirling the fingers on his left hand around in midair to punctuate his words. "I was given my names, same as most. I was not told where they came from." He sighs. "I have many questions. I am sure there are fewer answers."

Lolli looks up to Cechec and says "I'm sorry to hear. I can imagine you'd have questions if no one has ever told you. You know if you ever need help with research, I can do some if you like? Not sure what I could find though but I'm alway here to help fellow adventurers. And if it doesn't suit you today, you can nearly always find me at Fitzgrove Fashionables in Daring Heights whenever you do need it".

"Thank you, Lolli. I will keep that in mind. I fear the answers I need are not easily found, though."

"Hmm… Yeah… Maybe… or maybe not. But do let me know if you need help". Lolli smiles. Then she glances around "Oh wait where did the others go? Did they go off for a drink? I might go join them… are you coming too?".

"I think the others did leave already, yes. I might leave now as well, Lolli. I have many things to think about. And I... thank you. I did not tell the others, but you all helped me greatly today."

“Well I’m glad we could help. If I find the others I’ll tell them you say thanks. Until next time”, Lolli smiles, gives a wave goodbye to Cechec and hops along to where the others might have gone for a drink.

"Until next time, Lolli."