Reaching out

[Nephrite]

So noted.

Moore smiles. "I'm glad someone approves of our growth."

[Anastasia]

"It's a step forward," Xandra says, "We're moving at a good pace now, aren't we?"

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Yes. You know, I noticed that she did it again. When I asked her if she was stuck there until all the doors were closed, she didn't give me an answer."

[Anastasia]

Xandra sits before, "She's hiding something - I fear her situation is complicated yet, and she all but said she knows of something dark that looms before us. That this great task we are on will be one of sacrifice and pain for us, and that we may all pay the greatest price to triumph."

[Nephrite]

"Yes, I agree." Moore says. "Let me ask you something... if you can only see the truth that something else believes, what if that truth is a lie?"

[Anastasia]

"That means it wasn't a truth at all," Xandra says, "But something mistakenly believed as a truth."

[Nephrite]

"We already know the Incarnations aren't really omniscient. Or, rather, they are, except... they can only see things in... certain colors, let's say." Moore says. "So I think Sylvie's only seeing what 21 is showing her, and I think she can't pull herself away from those truths."

Moore blinks. "'Be not blinded by the light of truth.' ...Something like that, anyway."

[Anastasia]

"Infinite power doesn't come with infinite knowledge, or at least for things outside of what they are," Xandra muses, "It's almost as if they're trying to learn something a Far Realm creature showed them, but they can't force it and they're not learning it well."

[Nephrite]

"It would make sense. I mean, all this time, we're told that beings from the Far Realm are hostile to Creation. ...What if it's really the other way around?" He asks as he looks out a window. "What if the Incarnations simply couldn't accept or understand what the Far Realm had to offer? I mean... it ultimately doesn't matter right now, but..."

He takes a breath. "I think you're right. I think this is a situation where as smart as Sylvie is, she's been exposed for so long to a truth that isn't her truth, she has no choice but to see it to its conclusion. If that's the case, then the best we can do is show her Hope -- something that 21 has no understanding of."

He taps his finger on his knee. "It didn't work on that phantasm, but I... still think I understand better how to communicate in the Far Realm, now, than I did before."

[Anastasia]

"We have four more doors to work on her," Xandra says at last, "And to learn as well."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Oh, yes, apparently The Master of the Illuminated Heavens has Tryll working on a task, so I don't think he'll be available for this. I suppose we'll see what happens after the other three doors, regardless. Still... I won't give up on her. I will bring her home."

[Anastasia]

"I'll be there with you," Xandra promises, "We've only begun this. I also want to see why I have these songs and how far they reach. I took that wyrmling to Bahamut's Palace, they'll tend to him. I prayed on the matter and was guided there, so I have no fears about it now."

[Nephrite]

Moore smiles. "We've both grown quite a bit since I met you in that mountainside house. You know, I've been wondering, why do you think He had said it was too early to come with me that one time? Or do you think it was all just a test of whether I was listening or not?" He asks.

[Anastasia]

"I don't know," Xandra confesses, "But often it simply isn't the right time, not yet. The answer isn't no, but the answer is to wait and accept the fullness of time."

[Nephrite]

"Well, I think it worked out anyway." Moore says.

He then blinks once. "You know, I've been considering something, but I don't know if it's appropriate. What does your intuition tell you about asking Medi for help? He's clearly transcended himself somehow, and he seems like the type who'd be able to figure something out about helping Sylvie."

Full disclosure, my phone autocorrected that to 'clearly transgendered',