Level 1
Verso approaches Sciel, who seems open to talking.
Verso: You seem less stressed than the others.
Sciel: Is that your conclusion? After your… extensive observation of your team?
Verso: Yes.
Sciel: There must be better uses of your time that analyzing our stress levels.
Verso: Well, it’s important to understand your teammates.
Sciel: Says the mysterious stranger who has yet to share much about himself.
Verso: Then consider this my attempt to be less mysterious.
Sciel: Oh, is that what it is?
Verso: I’ll trade you. A story for a story. Quite fair, I think.
Sciel: Well, there are stories, then there are “stories.”
Verso: …
Sciel: You first, then.
Verso: Something epic then? Full of battle and danger?
Sciel: No, tell me something dark and melancholy. And personal.
Verso: Going straight for the heavy stuff, huh?
Sciel: If we’re going to share, let’s share.
Verso: Story for a story, right?
Sciel: We’ll see.
Verso and Sciel spent the next few minutes arguing whether Sciel should also share. Sciel continues to tease Verso, who remains evasive. Verso and Sciel’s relationship grows a little bit. They head back to the others.
Level 2
Sciel: Story time?
Verso: Hmm. Let me think.
Sciel: …
Verso: …
Sciel: Come on, you’ve been alive for over 60 years, you must have tons of stories.
Verso: Over 100 years, actually, so it’s hard to choose.
Sciel: You’re 100 years old and so indecisive?
Verso: All right, all right, let me think. Okay, I’m going to share something deeply personal with you.
Sciel: Oh, I’m so intrigued.
Verso: It’s about my hair.
Sciel: Your hair? That’s a bit literal on “dark” and “personal.”
Verso: Hey, I’m sharing a heartfelt secret here. Do you want the story or not?
Sciel: Please. Do share.
Verso: Some time after the Fracture, my hair turned completely white. Like… an old man.
Sciel: …
Verso: Luckily, the Gestral Village has a hairstylist quite skilled in colour treatments.
Sciel: Luckily.
Verso: But he’s always napping when I get there and his apprentice always mucks things up. I’m lucky my hair’s not purple this time.
Sciel: Purple could be fun.
Verso: So. Your turn.
Sciel: That was hardly dark or personal.
Verso: White hair. Old man. I’m revealing myself here.
Sciel: All you’ve revealed is that you’re vain and you’re really bad at making appointments.
Verso: Vain? I’m not- Hey, I’m not the one with all the… bracelets and rings.
Sciel: Actually. My students made these bracelets for me. To remember them by. Because chances are, we’ll never see each other again.
Verso: Not necessarily…
Sciel: I’m an optimist, but I’m also a realist. My youngest student is six. Her parents will gommage when she’s 12 and she herself won’t live past 21. her parents did the maths. They’ll have 12 years as a family. And she’ll experience 21 years of life.
Verso: …
Sciel: These are the choices we get to make. The earlier you have children, the more time you get to share with them, and the more life they’ll get to live. And every year, you wait…
Verso: … you’re shortening your child’s life.
Sciel: Precisely.
Verso: You don’t have any children though.
Sciel: No, I don’t. But I have my students. One of my friends, Sophie, said it best. She said… she loves her children so much, the best thing she can do for them… is not to have them.
Verso: …
Sciel: See? Dark AND personal.
Verso: You’ve set the bar high.
Sciel: Come back with a better story next time.
Though Verso’s story was rather lacking, Sciel appreciates Verso slightly more than before. Sciel and Verso spend a bit too long teasing each other, before going back to the others.
Level 3
Verso approaches Sciel, who seems open to talking.
Sciel: Here to make amends for your terrible story?
Verso: I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect things to get so deep so fast.
Sciel: I could tell, I’m not really sure you’re up to the challenge.
Verso: Oh, I can keep up. In fact, I’m here to offer a story.
Sciel: A good one this time?
Verso: Yes, well… you said I’m vain.
Sciel: No, you said you’re vain.
Verso: Would a vain person keep this scar? I could heal it, but I don’t.
Sciel: Oh. Why is that?
Verso: It’s a reminder of the price I paid to stand on my own two feet. But it meant walking away from people I cared about. So there you have it. “Dark and personal.”
Sciel: I feel like there’s more to this story. It’s probably not a coincidence then, that Renoir has a similar scar?
Verso: Maelle’s right, you really do see everything.
Sciel: …
Verso: Yeah. We disagreed on pretty much everything. Tactics, goals… what lines we wouldn’t cross. I had to walk away, but he was… resistant.
Sciel: You fought?
Verso: It was the first time we ever raised a hand against the other.
Sciel: If you can control your healing, that means Renoir can too. And he made the same choice as you. Interesting.
Verso: I never thought of it that way… but you’re right. So. “Dark and personal” enough for you?
Sciel: It was worthy.
Verso: Worthy of the story of that scar on your stomach?
Sciel: Well, we all have scars that won’t heal, don’t we?
Verso: Deep.
Sciel: That’s a story for another time.
Verso: …
Sciel: The scars look good on you, though.
Verso: I know, that’s the real reason I keep them.
Sciel: I knew it.
Verso: …
Sciel appreciates that Verso opened up to her. She feels closer to Verso now. Sciel and Verso switch to sillier topics for a few minutes, before heading back to the others.
Level 4
Verso: You’re always so calm about everything.
Sciel: Is that a question?
Verso: An observation. Lune’s intense and obsessed. Maelle is nervous and eager. But you, you’re calm.
Sciel: Why is that strange?
Verso: …
Sciel: I guess… Death and I, we’ve walked a long road together.
Verso: I guess that’s true for me too.
Sciel: Death is a friend who will welcome me home.
Verso: “Friend’s” not the word I’d choose.
Sciel: Hm. Life is easier when you think of death as a friend.
Verso: Is it. Or are you just dressing it up to manage your fear?
Sciel: Does it matter? How you view things is up to you. Life continues either way.
Verso: That’s an interesting philosophy for someone so young.
Sciel: True, I’m not quite as old as you. Why don’t you share some of the wisdom you’ve accumulated over your very long life?
Verso: How kind of you to acknowledge my wisdom. Can you mention my wisdom to Monoco sometimes?
Sciel: Oh, actually isn’t Monoco ever older? Esquire too. Perhaps I should ask them instead.
Verso: Please do. You’ll probably learn valuable things about Nevron feet and rocks. All I can offer is another story.
Sciel: Hmm. I’m not really in the mood for stories tonight.
Verso: Ah, and here I had prepared something truly dark and heart wrenching.
Sciel: Save it for tomorrow. Let’s do something else tonight.
Verso: What do you have in mind?
Sciel: That depends. How adventurous are you feeling?
Verso: You mean like hunt Nevrons?
Sciel: …
Verso: What?
Sciel: I’m waiting for you to connect the dots.
Verso: Ohhh. You mean… adventure.
Sciel: You’ve been alone too long on this continent. When was the last time you seduced someone?
Verso: Not counting Monoco? I’ll admit, it’s been awhile.
Sciel: So?
Verso: Do you even need to ask?
Sciel: …
The bond between Sciel and Verso deepens. Verso and Sciel spend some time together away from the others… Verso and Sciel became a bit more than friends. Sciel feels inspired.
Level 5
Verso: You used to be a farmer? Is that why you use a scythe?
Sciel: I guess, yeah, once a farmer, always a farmer.
Verso: Is a double-headed scythe very useful on a farm though?
Sciel: Double the efficiency. You should see how quickly I can harvest crops.
Verso: I’ll bet. I used to love the gardens of Lumière. it must look quite different now.
Sciel: Probably a lot more variety than back then. The Outdome teams brought back loads of new plants from the surrounding islands. That’s actually how I met Pierre. I asked his team for honeypetal samples. He brought me a bouquet of them. AND 15 boxes of plant cuttings.
Verso: Smart man. If you want to romance a farmer, live plants are probably better than dead flowers.
Sciel: Dead flowers are nice too.
Verso: … You don’t talk about your husband much.
Sciel: …
Verso: Sorry.
Sciel: It’s ok… It’s just… it still hurts that he’s gone.
Verso: …
Sciel: Neither of us were perfect, but we were perfect for each other.
Verso: What happened to him?
Sciel: …
Verso: You don’t have to talk about it.
Sciel: He died in an accident on one of the islands near Lumière. His body washed away.
Verso: I’m sorry.
Sciel: I was prepared for his Gommage. But not for him to die in an accident. We were supposed to have five more years together…
Verso: …
Sciel: It’s ok. I’ve learned to be grateful for the time we did have, instead of angry at the time we lost.
Verso: That’s a good way to look at it. You were lucky to have found each other. Not everyone has that.
Sciel: Yeah. I am… very lucky.
Verso: Well, I can’t compete with that.
Sciel: You’re competing in a different event.
Verso: That’s a nice way to say “fling.”
Sciel: …
Verso: Is there a future where I might… compete… in the same event?
Sciel: Let’s just focus on today. And by today, I mean tonight.
Verso: I feel used. But I like it.
Sciel: …
Sciel and Verso’s bond grows even deeper. Sciel and Verso find a nice spot away from the group. They spend an unusually long time together. They return to camp. Lune is upset that Verso skipped sentry duty. Sciel is unable to save Verso from Lune’s displeasure.
Level 6
Verso approaches Sciel with conviction.
Verso: I’m going for a swim with Esquie, care to join?
Sciel: Did Esquie put you up to this?
Verso: What ever do you mean?
Sciel: Esquie’s been nagging me incessantly about swimming lessons.
Verso: He did say you’re a terrible swimmer.
Sciel: Tsk. Esquie.
Verso: Well, you always seem uneasy when we travel over water. You should learn to swim. That way, you can save me if I fall into the water.
Sciel: You can save yourself.
Verso: What happened to teamwork? What if I’m injured or unconscious?
Sciel: Your hypothetical situation is quite specific. I guess it is a good idea though.
Verso: It is. Go get changed and meet me at the lake.
Sciel: Okay.
Verso and Sciel get changed. Verso reveals that he keeps secret swimsuits in Monoco’s bag. And a lady’s swimsuit as well. Just in case. Sneaky Verso.
Sciel: For the record, I do know how to swim. I mean, I grew up on an island. It’s just have… an aversion to swimming.
Verso: Oh, I can help you with that. I had an aversion to mushrooms, but I got over it.
Sciel: Oh, do share your secrets then.
Verso: Exposure. Avoiding just makes it worse. Esquie fed me so many mushrooms. I died the first few times, but now I’m immune.
Sciel: This is your idea of an inspirational story?
Verso: I was also the swim captain at school…
Sciel: Is that supposed to be impressive? That you swam with other kids 100 years ago?
Verso: I’m still a good simmer now, it’s not something you forget. Come on. Let me help. It’s about control. We need to help you feel in control of the situation, give you time and space to react and not panic.
Sciel: All right then, oh, wise and skillful swim captain. What first?
Verso: Just sit here in the water for a little bit. Then when you’re comfortable, we’ll got a bit deeper. Then a bit deeper still. Until we get to the trees on the island there.
Sciel: …
Sciel gathers her courage and enters the water. She panics, but Verso helps her get over her fear. She begins to feel more at ease. After a little while, she manages to swim to the island.
Sciel: I did it! I can’t believe that worked! Thank you.
Verso: And you doubted me…
Sciel: You are indeed an excellent swimmer and teacher.
Verso: Now, let’s see you swim back.
Sciel: What, no inspirational pep talk this time?
Verso: So you admit it was inspirational.
Sciel: It was… something.
Verso: Actually. Are you feeling adventurous? How about we stay here a little longer?
Sciel: Oh. Verso…
Verso: What’s wrong?
Sciel: I’m afraid things are different now. Maelle can bring Pierre back. I’m sorry.
Verso: Oh. No, right, of course. I understand, don’t worry.
Sciel: I do think we should spend the night here, though.
Verso: You do?
Sciel: Our time together was special to me. Let’s celebrate it one last time.
Verso: Let’s celebrate.
Sciel: You can show me your other swim moves.
Verso: I do have excellent technique.
Verso and Sciel stay on the island. They spend one final night together. It is truly passionate. Sciel and Verso experience something unforgettable. They spend hours on the island before swimming back. They are exhausted so the swim is more complicated.
Level 7
Verso approaches Sciel, eager to talk to her.
Verso: You never told me… How do you go from being a farmer to running a school?
Sciel: What, it’s not obvious?
Verso: I’m not as smart as you, you’ll have to connect the dots for me.
Sciel: It’s good that you can admit I’m smarter. Pierre… used to volunteer at the school, teaching the kids how to sail and survive in the wild. After his death, I … was in a bad place. Being at the school, I still felt bad, but at least I could feel his presence. Hear stories about him from the kids. Continue his work.
Verso: Mmm. Makes sense.
Sciel: I understand why your mother did what she did.
Verso: …
Sciel: She wanted to feel closer to her son, to still feel Verso’s presence.
Verso: Would you have created a copy of Pierre, if you could? Knowing it wouldn’t be the real thing?
Sciel: If you asked me now, then no. I’ve seen how this torments you. I wouldn’t wish that on others. But if you had asked me back then…
Verso: …
Sciel: I would have done anything to see him again. To hear his voice. To feel his arms around me. Every day, I just felt the LACK of him. The negative space he used to inhabit. The dip in the chair where he sat, the hollow of his shoes, the emptiness inside his jacket… You want to know why I dislike water?
Verso: …
Sciel: I tried to drown myself.
Verso: What?
Sciel: When I lost Pierre, I… I tried to swim away from Lumière. I swam for as long as I could, as far as the waves would carry me. Until I could no longer swim.
Verso: …
Sciel: But… I woke up the next day in Lumière, on the docks. I was alive… and I have no idea what happened. What I didn’t know then… What the hospital told me… was that I was pregnant. But that I had, um… That I had lost the child.
Verso: Sciel…
Sciel: I desperately want Maelle to bring everyone back, to bring Pierre back. But I don’t know how to tell him I lost our baby. She would have been six.
Verso: I’m so sorry.
Sciel: “Dark and personal,” right?
Verso: I’ve… had similar thoughts before. Not of drowning specifically, but… you know. It would solve a lot of problems. For everyone.
Sciel: Verso…
Verso: It’s a choice, like any other choice.
Sciel: It is.
Verso: But there is a creature that Verso painted into his canvas. One who always helps people when they become consumed by their dark thoughts.
Sciel: You mean…
Verso: Yes, him.
Sciel: …
Sciel has confided her darkest secret to Verso. Bound by grief and dark thoughts… Their connection deepens. Verso and Sciel spend more time together, looking at the stars. Two close friends, able to enjoy the silence together. Sciel is inspired by the evening stars. And time flew by.