Fields of Mistria Caldarus

CaldarusWelcome, Ari!

CaldarusI am glad that you could make it.

CaldarusPlease, take a seat. I am nearly done preparing our meal.

CaldarusAh... yes, I think that should do it.

CaldarusHere you are. Freshly made Onion Soup.

CaldarusIt is customary to serve soup first in this era, is it not?

CaldarusI hope that it is to your taste, Ari.

Mmm, it's good!

Keeping the onions whole and unpeeled was... creative!

CaldarusIs it really? I admit that the onions were somewhat challenging to work with.

CaldarusI am glad that leaving them whole and unpeeled preserved their flavor.

CaldarusPlease, have as much as you like.

CaldarusYou know, lately I-

CaldarusI have been making an effort to learn more about human customs.

CaldarusI gather there are limits to what one can glean from observation alone.

CaldarusI believe that more firsthand experiences will be essential-

CaldarusTo understand the many intricacies of my new... situation.

CaldarusI am grateful that you are here, Ari. I feel that I can truly rely on you.

Of course! Anything in particular I can help with?

You mentioned there was something you wanted to talk about?

CaldarusPerhaps there is. But first...

CaldarusI seem to be forgetting my manners.

CaldarusAllow me to serve you the next dish I have prepared.

CaldarusThere we are. I believe this Mushroom Rice is fittingly substantial for a main dish.

CaldarusDo you find it... agreeable?

Indeed!

Um. How much soy sauce did you use?

CaldarusWonderful.

CaldarusI am glad that Balor was able to secure a case of Soy Sauce for me.

CaldarusI was uncertain how much to use for this preparation.

CaldarusPerhaps it did not require all three bottles.

CaldarusBut I am glad that you find the result to be palatable.

CaldarusIt was a pleasure to share this repast with you.

CaldarusI have little experience playing the role of host.

CaldarusBut thanks to you, I have learned much today.

CaldarusWould you care to join me in the courtyard, Ari?

CaldarusI find that a little fresh air and music are most enjoyable after a meal.

CaldarusThank you for coming today, Ari.

CaldarusI have thoroughly enjoyed spending this time together.

CaldarusI-

CaldarusThere is a matter I have been meaning to discuss with you...

CaldarusIt has been difficult at times, adjusting to life in this form.

CaldarusDo not misunderstand me. I do not regret my decision.

CaldarusNot in the least. The truth is...

CaldarusEverything I thought I knew has changed.

CaldarusNot just my body. My mind and my heart have, too.

CaldarusIt may seem unthinkable, given a dragon's long lifespan-

CaldarusBut lately, everything feels brand new.

CaldarusEvery meal, every song, every emotion...

CaldarusThere is a new dimension to all of it. As if I am experiencing them for the first time.

CaldarusI suppose it makes sense, considering that I am now-

Caldarus...

CaldarusWhat I am trying to say, Ari-

CaldarusIs that I do not always know how to put into words what I am feeling.

CaldarusAnd... I was hoping that you might be able to help me articulate it.

Of course I'll help you!

What is it you're feeling?

CaldarusWell, since the night we celebrated the Starbinding Ceremony together...

CaldarusI have begun to feel an ache in my chest when I am alone for a time.

CaldarusPerhaps it is... loneliness?

CaldarusHowever, I find that I am reprieved of this pain-

CaldarusWhenever you are near to me, Ari.

CaldarusInstead, I feel a great warmth in its place. It spreads throughout my body in an instant.

CaldarusIt is... a joyous feeling. I do not know quite what to make of it.

I feel the same way! It's because we're best friends!

I think it's because we have... romantic feelings for each other.

CaldarusBest friends...?

CaldarusYes... best friends! That is one way to describe it, certainly.

CaldarusI think I understand, now.

CaldarusI knew that I could count on your help, Ari.

CaldarusI am reminded once more that I made the right decision...

CaldarusChoosing you as my Dragonsworn-

CaldarusAnd as my dearest friend.

CaldarusNow, shall we head back inside?

CaldarusAll this fresh air has reminded me-

CaldarusIt is about time I prepared some tea and dessert.

Afterwards

CaldarusI had a wonderful time with you, Ari.

CaldarusI had a wonderful time with you, Ari.

CelineThere seems to be something in the air today, Ari.

CaldarusThese woods are beautiful this time of year.

CaldarusMoreso with your company.

CaldarusThis place... something about it always brings you to mind.

CaldarusIt is an old, melancholy feeling...

CaldarusAnd a new, joyous one.

CaldarusThese emotions... they should be at odds, should they not? But instead, they fit together like a puzzle.

CaldarusForgive me. I always come to you when I cannot understand my own feelings.

You're cute when you're like this.

You've always been a guide. It's my turn.

CaldarusIs that so? Perhaps I need not be so shy about sharing, then.

CaldarusWhen you repaired my statue and woke me, my first thought was of Mistria.

CaldarusAnd what kismet it was, to form a pact with a soul who instinctively understood my life's purpose.

CaldarusI thought you would come to me only when you were in need, as it has always been between myself and mortals.

CaldarusBut sometimes you would come to me simply to... talk. And it was in those times that I felt my heart begin to change.

CaldarusBefore you, I had always thought of my role as that of a caretaker... tending to the garden of Mistria while being held slightly apart.

CaldarusWho I am has always brought with it a certain measure of deference, even worship...

CaldarusAnd I thought I was happy being only what others needed me to be.

CaldarusBut it is not so. You have shown me that I wish to stand in the garden, too.

It was your guidance that helped me find my place as well.

Our pact is important, but what really helped me were the times you listened.

CaldarusTruly? Then it seems it is mutual.

CaldarusIt is undeniable, the ways I have begun to change under your influence.

CaldarusMingling with the townsfolk, learning to cook...

CaldarusThese are things I would not have allowed myself, once.

CaldarusBut you have shown me the way...

CaldarusYou have opened my eyes, and my heart.

CaldarusI wish for us to always be together, Ari. Regardless of lifetime, regardless of form.

CaldarusThat is why I put chisel to stone for the first time in a millenia...

CaldarusTo sculpt the Dragonsworn Statue.

CaldarusI thought of you as I worked.

CaldarusAs I... frequently do.

CaldarusAnd I thought that perhaps you could place the statue on your farm, near my own.

CaldarusSo that no matter how much time passes... a part of us will remain there together, always.

CaldarusForgive me for speaking at length.

CaldarusThere was something you wished to discuss today, was there not?

I wanted to talk to you about our future together...

Let's talk about it another time...

CaldarusOur future together.

CaldarusAri...?

I love you, Caldarus. Will you marry me?

Actually, let's talk about it more another day.

CaldarusAri... you...

Caldarus...

CaldarusYes. It would be my honor...

CaldarusAnd my most heartfelt wish come true!

CaldarusYou have made me so happy this day, Ari...

CaldarusI love you. With all my heart!

CaldarusOh my... This calls for a ceremony, does it not?

CaldarusLet us make it a celebration to remember.

Afterwards

CaldarusIs something troubling you, Ari?