Dewfox_Esoterica2=
Tales VII

Dewfox_Esoterica2_Eso2ewfox=
Keeping Watch

02_Banter1=
[]
Hello!

[Madeline left normal]
Hey Finn!
Sorry to disturb you so late. I was getting caught up in situations again!

[]
That is quite okay. 

[Madeline left normal]
Has anything crossed your field of view today?

[]
Oh, the usual birds in the trees, flowers in the grass.
Several other foxes same as always, and the same sort of weasel.
Today there was a gracious deer of some sort; it ran away before I could look too close! 

[Madeline left normal]
That sounds like an eventful day, Finn!

[]
Yes, it was.
Have you found what you wanted to find yet?

[Madeline left normal]
Well, no, not yet. 

[]
What brings you this way? Rest, or some other quest?

[Madeline left normal]
I wanted to talk to you again, Finn! It has been a few days. 

[]
I have been well. I kept watch!

[Madeline left normal]
I see you have! You've done very well.
I also wanted to continue onwards into the woods this time. 
The chirping of the birds in the trees could tell me a great many secrets today. Who can tell? 

[]
That sounds exciting! 
I will be here same as always in the place from which I look.

[Madeline left normal]
Thanks to you, Finn, amongst other names.

[]
And to you, 

05_Banter2=
[]
Hello!

[Madeline left normal]
Hi again, Finn!
How are you doing today?

[]
Quite well,! 
The forest is very much alive today. I kept watch!

[Madeline left normal]
You have! 
I am happy to hear that the forest sees activity. I was hoping to stop by and take a look around.

[]
For what we know? 

[Madeline left normal]
I still do not! But yes, for that.
Have you any direction to point me towards?

[]
Maybe!
I have seen a very rare occurrence! A bunny, hopping over by the fields. 

[Madeline left normal]
Wow! Is it the same one?

[]
Yes, it is! I did not see which way it went (as it left behind me, but I must only watch ahead!) though I know it is still around.
I have also seen the same foxes, bounding through the fields.
One that looks almost like a photograph vanished as soon as I laid eyes on it!

[Madeline left normal]
Interesting! I will investigate further. Thank you for your help, Finn!

[]
Of course! Anytime.
And one last thing, before I forget!
The path to the forest ahead is treacherous and filled with traps. So is the path that leads out of this place!
However, if you wish to continue further, I know of a secret passage that leads to the depths below.

[Madeline left normal]
Understood! I will heed your warning, Finn. 

[]
Stay safe!

09_Bunny=
[]
Oh, it's you. 

[Madeline left normal]
Hello little bunny! How are you doing today?

[]
God, stop with this. Talk to me like a normal person would you. I've had a long day.

[Madeline left normal]
I'm sorry to hear that. I'm also sorry if I made you feel lesser, that was not my intention!

[]
It's not you, never mind me. 
I've been running away, like, all afternoon.
That's why I'm hiding here. But it's so weird running into you again.
You sound different.

[Madeline left normal]
It has been a very long time. Finn told me I might find you here.

[]
Still on your journey or whatever?

[Madeline left normal]
Yes! That's why I'm here. I haven't seen you in forever!

[]
Thought my showing up meant something? I can't blame you, I'm surprised to be back here too.
Honestly though I'm not sure it's all too good for you. Remember how it was last time?

[Madeline left normal]
I do. But that's fine! I'm not planning on chasing you away this time.

[]
Yeah, I kind of have to believe you here.
So look, I don't really hold all the answers. I was kind of minding my business when I saw the woods open up. 
I missed the honeydew and I didn't really care to be found again. So I'm here now.
But I saw that there's a lot more that opened recently, yknow? I hear the caves are up again.

[Madeline left normal]
Wow! It's been a while since I've gone all the way down there.

[]
Say... 

[Madeline left normal]
What's up? 

[]
I know why I'm here but why did you come after me, Russ? 

[Madeline left sad]
Oh...
Well, I don't know. I missed you and I wanted to make sure...

[]
Yep, sorry, my bad. 
That's what you wanted to know, right? If that still fit?

[Madeline left normal]
That's true. I guess that's an answer!
I had to know for sure.

[]
I can't blame you. There's a lot of me in there still. 
You still like to run around. I like running around. 
Being chased, not so much, but you get used to it. I guess you also do. 
And like, the woods are great, aren't they? It's no wonder it's where you looked first.

[Madeline left normal]
That's true! I imagined that the place I would look for first would be the one with all the answers.

[]
Naive, too. You probably do take that from me.
So look, , this has been a fun chat and all but I really gotta run.
Feel the wind and the leaves, you know?
The forest's only just opened up and I want to see if maybe I can find the others. 
I'll leave you be. I don't think you're made for these branches specifically.

[Madeline left normal]
I feel like I am!
But you're right. I want to cover all my bases. I will go to the caves next.

[]
That's the spirit. 
Take care. I'm gonna catch my breath a bit longer and then I'll run.
See you whenever, I guess.

[Madeline left normal]
See you later!

12_Banter3=
{anchor bottom}
[]
Hello!

[Madeline left normal]
Finn! I'm happy to see you're still keeping watch.

[]
I keep watch! I have news to report! But first, what brings you here? I thought you were up above!

[Madeline left normal]
You told me about the passage and about the bunny! I found both.

[]
A lapse in my watch. That is to be expected! I saw a dragon flying around. Can you believe it? It left through here somewhere.
I was so aghast that I turned away from you for a second. But no more!

[Madeline left normal]
That is okay! I'm glad to hear the bunny was right. There is more to find here that we know of!

[]
What did he tell you? 

[Madeline left normal]
That I'm not him, but almost! I like the forest and the trees, and I like to run!
But beyond this, I'm not much of him, myself.

[]
Interesting!
This is good for your quest, no?

[Madeline left normal]
Wonderful! I'm having an amazing time. 

[]
Glad to hear! I have further details that may help you, in this case.

[Madeline left normal]
Do tell!

[]
Given that this rabbit was in the forests but did not give you the answer you seek, I have theories as to where your dragon friend may be.
Before the forest there were the mountains! Some rose from the ground not far from here in the same direction that it left!

[Madeline left normal]
You're correct!
I will proceed. Thank you for the directions out of here, Finn! 

[]
Of course! I will keep watch and not falter this time,!

14_Dragon=
{anchor bottom}
[]
Oh what.
Now there's someone I wasn't expecting to see up here.

[Madeline left normal]
Hello, dragon!

[]
Woah. Yeah. It is you. 
I don't even remember when the last time we talked was.

[Madeline left normal]
I remember it vividly, but it's not important!
Finn and Russell saw you come here so I followed their directions. I wanted to talk to you!

[]
Flattering. I'll have to go say hi to them too, later.
What brings you? 

[Madeline left normal]
I am on my quest!

[]
Ohhh, yeah, the quest.
I remember that. 
You weren't great at exploring back then.
What have you learned?

[Madeline left normal]
Oh, you know. 

[]
Uh huh. 

[Madeline left normal]
So that's why I'm here now! You are the next step in my explorations.

[]
Wild. So you just want me to...

[Madeline left normal]
Go for it!

[]
Right. That's always weird. 
Rawr. Hi Vern. Get it, cause...

[Madeline left sad]
...No.
Never again. 

[]
Figured. I can't even say it seriously, and it's my own dang name. 
I don't really know... ah, whatever.
So I guess this is the problem-solving part. What did this tell you.
If I had glasses right now I'd put them on, that seems like a good glasses kind of conversation.

[Madeline left normal]
Well, I think the mountains feel familiar in a way but less so that the forests.
I know the cold closely and it makes a lot of sense! I see it as a distant relative.

[]
I can't pretend I know what you're saying. 
What about being high up? I've flown a lot recently and it was pretty cool.

[Madeline left normal]
I would love to fly, but I think it's not for me.

[]
So what do we have in common, then? History?

[Madeline left normal]
Hmm... Blue, to some extent!
The snow is not dangerous to either of us. 
I would be suited for the mountains, perhaps, but no more.
You also like to run, or fly fast. This much was accurate.

[]
Neat.

[Madeline left normal]
You're a magical creature. This is intriguing to me. It translated well into the tricky tribulations I went through to get here!

[]
If you say so.

[Madeline left normal]
But I must leave! This is not quite my place yet. 

[]
I figured. Why aren't you just going to talk to... yknow. The weasel guy. 
I forget his name. He had mine, for a bit. Before you changed it. 

[Madeline left normal]
You're right! 
Where can I find him?

[]
There's a stream somewhere above ground.
Despite how open this place is, it's still underground, yknow. 
I just hated being kept in a tiny space, I can't really fly around that way.
It's just up through this roof. 
I'll stay here. The cold's nice. But I hope you find what you're looking for,.

[Madeline left normal]
I do too! Thank you for your help.

[]
Anytime. 
Stay safe.

15_Banter4=
[]
Hello!

[Madeline left normal]
Hey, Finn!
Funny seeing you here! 

[]
I keep watch! Where else would I be? 

[Madeline left normal]
That is very true! I forget that there is more world to watch around these parts.

[]
That is normal! Have you noticed the cold? 

[Madeline left normal]
I have! Hyvern's elected residence below, in the snowy mountain caves. The cold is drifting up from there!

[]
Oh, that makes sense! 
I feel like my watching is failing us somewhat. I never noticed!
What did he tell you? 

[Madeline left normal]
Nothing very useful I'm afraid!
I learned only that I was no more him than I was the bunny from earlier, though he gave interesting insight.
Why am I on this quest to find a name if I already have one that fits me?

[]
The old name? From the forest? 
Well, you simply aren't using it right now, even though you could be!
You're not the same person as anyone else using this name, even if that person is yourself!

[Madeline left normal]
Funny choice of words!

[]
You get what I mean!

[Madeline left normal]
I think you are correct. But then, why did I choose to be called by all those names if I already knew which one I preferred?

[]
You don't prefer it now!
Regardless, that is a question for you to answer.


[Madeline left normal]
I cannot answer it.

[]
Well, in that case, let me tell you what I've seen.
Since the day you've known me, I've seen you exist in this world.
You have climbed mountains and explored various forests!
You have done none of these things under the name you claim to love, and even now you are hesitant to use it with me!
Why?

[Madeline left normal]
Well, I've climbed other mountains with that name.

[]
You have! And you were happy to use that name then. But not now. Where does the difference lie?

[Madeline left normal]
I don't know! You raise a valid point.
But I'm still on this great unknowable quest. Surely a name is not all it is about.

[]
My thoughts exactly!

[Madeline left normal]
With every encounter, I've learned more about what makes me who I am.
I think I must keep going.

[]
You should!

[Madeline left normal]
Have you seen which way our friend went last? Or have you watched its whereabouts? 

[]
I have! It lies not too far from here, across the Vast Field. 
I believe you should get there very soon if you do not delay!

[Madeline left normal]
Thank you, Finn. I appreciate your help!

[]
And yours. But I do not know what to call you still. Though I have doubts, I hope you will soon see with your own eyes.

[Madeline left normal]
Do you know me better than I know myself?

[]
Well, no. But I keep watch!

[Madeline left normal]
That you do.

19_Marten=
[]
Hey.

[Madeline left normal]
Hello!

[]
Uhh. What's up.
How are you doing.

[Madeline left normal]
I'm doing well! I'm on my quest. You know the one!

[]
Oh, right, yeah.
How's that going?

[Madeline left normal]
I have narrowed things down significantly! You are the last animal left for me to talk to on my quest!
After this surely I will have all the answers.

[]
Right, yeah, no pressure.

[Madeline left sad]
But I know that I'm not you, either.

[]
Well, that's okay. You're you. I'm not sure what you've been doing this whole time.
Want me to do the name thing?

[Madeline left normal]
Sure. 

[]
Hey, Reynard. Yeah, I know, been a while, right?

[Madeline left sad]
...I thought you'd be the answer.

[]
Well, sadly no. 
But I think that's an answer in itself, right? 

[Madeline left sad]
...

[]
Don't be so sad about it. That's progress. 
Look. Word of advice.
I may not be as keen-eyed as Finn, but I've got some things I noticed.
Everyone's got their own place in here, right? 

[Madeline left normal]
I guess so!

[]
So I'm out in the fields. You've been to the other two, in the mountains and the forest, right? 

[Madeline left normal]
Yeah! I have. It was pleasant.

[]
But what's your place? 

[Madeline left normal]
Well, I'd imagine it's everything else!
This nebulous and unknowable space!

[]
That's the spirit. 
...Look, I can't outright give you the answers. Only you yourself can do that. 
But I can tell you there's one more space beyond here, far towards the cliff and then maybe a little bit beyond it.
Go see what awaits there, maybe?
I've never been, myself, but I heard something else lives there.

[Madeline left normal]
That sounds vague. 

[]
It is. But that's fine. You like an adventure too, right? And the unknown? 
You're a fan of getting too close to the sun.
Me personally, I'm sticking it out here, by the sea.
That's why we're different. 
When you're out here, you dare to try things I wouldn't.

[Madeline left normal]
You're right!
I will venture further. 
Thank you, Rey. 

[]
That's weird. Don't call me that. 
But yeah. Sure. Anytime, fox. 

22_Fox=
[]
Hello.

[Madeline left normal]
Something's not right.
Where's Finn? 
This looks like the kind of place Finn would be.

[]
Why do you say that?

[Madeline left normal]
Reynard said this is where every answer would be revealed, or something.
It said there would be something, at least.
But this isn't much.

[]
Finn kept watch for you. 

[Madeline left normal]
Yes. That's true.

[]
But now Finn isn't here.  

[Madeline left normal]
Who are you?
Are you this honeydew they talk about?

[]
Me? No. Never. 
The honeydew is hard to explain.
You're under its influence right now! You're fighting, that's admirable.
I'm not quite you. 
I'm not quite Finn, either. 
I keep watch in every realm.
But I can't be everywhere at once. 

[Madeline left normal]
What's your name? 

[]
I don't have a name yet. Kind of like you. 
I was given one, rather, much like you have, but it never felt right, did it? 

[Madeline left normal]
...No, you're right.
What name did they give you? 

[]
Don't ask me to speak it aloud. 
While it's a correct answer, it would confuse you more than it would help you. 
And besides, it doesn't fit the current situation.

[Madeline left normal]
What do you mean? Do you have many different names?

[]
No, no, just the one, right now. I'm also figuring the other ones out. But it's not really going anywhere.

[Madeline left sad]
Are you Finn, in some way?

[]
I guess I could be. Why do you ask?

[Madeline left normal]
It's how you talk. 
It reminds me of Finn.

[]
...
Well, I guess I am! But not in the way that you think.
Your Finn is many things but I'm not one of them.

[Madeline left normal]
And what does that mean for me? 

[]
...
You talk like Finn, too.

[Madeline left normal]
You're right. Finn is my friend. 

[]
Yeah. I think that makes sense. 
You're not exactly Finn, either. Even the name is wrong. 
But I noticed. 

[Madeline left normal]
I've noticed too, I think.

[]
...
You know. I keep watch here, sometimes, right? 

[Madeline left normal]
Right.

[]
You're the first I've seen come across these woods. Ever. 

[Madeline left normal]
Really? 

[]
Yeah. I swear.
No other animal has come by. 

[Madeline left normal]
That's neat. 
I'm glad to hear it. 

[]
I wish I could have helped more.

[Madeline left normal]
You've helped plenty, Finn. 

[]
No, no, not quite. 
Close, though. Close. I'll keep looking.

[Madeline left normal]
Stay safe, .

[]
I will. Thank you. 

[Madeline left normal]
Anytime.
I'll keep watch for you, if you want. On your own quest. 

[]
I appreciate that. 
I'll see you around, maybe.

[Madeline left normal]
Of course!
See you around. 
...
Wait, before you go...

[]
What's wrong? 

[Madeline left normal]
Is this your place? Beyond this cliff? 

[]
No, no, I don't think it is.
I prefer being elsewhere. What about you? 

[Madeline left normal]
...No, I don't think it is either!
That's okay. I was just wondering.

[]
I guess it means we keep looking?

[Madeline left normal]
Yes. We watch. 

[]
You're right. We watch.

dewdug01=
[]
Careful! Careful when running through the forest.
You don't know this place like the back of your very own paws.
You don't know the back of your very own paws. 

dewdug02=
[]
Careful! Careful when looking through the woods.
You only see the things you are used to seeing.
You only see the things you are.

dewdug03=
[]
Careful! Careful when talking to us birds.
You don't know the same things we know about you. 
You don't know you.
