Moving Forward

[Vincent Black]

Vincent nodded, absorbing Seraphina's words with a sense of relief. "You're absolutely right, Seraphina. Communication is the cornerstone of our unity, and I appreciate your willingness to address any misunderstandings head-on. Rest assured, I'll keep that in mind moving forward."


He listened intently as she recounted past challenges, recognizing the weight of her leadership and the sacrifices she had made for the Freehold. "I understand the gravity of our situation, and I assure you, I'm fully committed to standing by your side whenever danger rears its head. Your trust in me means a great deal, and I won't take it lightly."


Vincent met her gaze, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you for your honesty and for giving me the opportunity to clear the air. If there's ever a problem between us, I promise to address it openly and honestly. You've always been a steadfast friend, and I value our bond more than words can express."


He nodded thoughtfully at her assurance, a sense of determination settling over him. "I'll continue to support our Freehold in any way I can, with the same eagerness and dedication you've noticed thus far. Together, I have no doubt we'll navigate any challenges that come our way."


With a genuine smile, Vincent extended a hand in friendship. "Let's put any doubts behind us and focus on what truly matters – the safety and prosperity of our Freehold. I'm grateful to have you as an ally, Seraphina, and I'll always be here to lend a hand whenever you need it."

[Seraphina]

“Misunderstandings are a fact of life, they happen all the time. If someone is unwilling to address them and hear the other out, then that speaks volumes to their character. Everyone deserves the chance to explain themselves, and I’m not above admitting I’ve made mistakes with communication and other things as well.” She wasn’t perfect, despite the mask she showed to the world, she was not, in fact, perfect.

“Trust is all we have. The Wrydstone provides a small amount of it, but not true trust, the one that comes from knowing each other. But it’s not standing by my side in danger, I will stand alone if I have to, but the Freehold as a whole, and those who reside within.” This wasn’t about her right now.

“I’ll always be honest with you, the truth can hurt at times, but it needs to heard. And thank you for saying if there is a problem, you’ll tell me. I can’t help you, or improve on myself unless I know what is needed.” Did she think the matter was settled? She didn’t know, only time could tell. “Maybe something we need to sit down and get to know each other. We’ve never really gotten to do that, try and understand the other better.” Sometimes it was a good thing to do.

Nodding, “At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about, protecting the Freehold.” The place they had all decided to call home.

A translucent hand accepts the hand shake, her was solid despite not looking it.

[Vincent Black]

He squeezed her hand gently, a silent gesture of solidarity.

Appreciating Seraphina's wisdom and humility. "You're absolutely right, Seraphina. Misunderstandings are inevitable, but it's how we address them that truly defines us. I'm grateful for your willingness to listen and to extend understanding, despite any shortcomings we may face."


He acknowledged her point about trust, recognizing its significance in the fabric of their community. "Trust is indeed our most precious asset, and it's something that must be earned through honesty and mutual respect. I understand the distinction – it's not just about standing by your side in perilous moments, but about safeguarding the collective wellbeing of our Freehold and its inhabitants."


Vincent's expression softened as Seraphina spoke about honesty and self-improvement. "I admire your commitment to transparency and growth. You're absolutely right – open dialogue and a willingness to learn from one another are essential for our continued success. I'm certainly open to sitting down and getting to know each other better. It's long overdue, and I believe it could strengthen our bond and enhance our collaboration."


"Protecting the Freehold will always be our top priority. Together, I'm confident we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way. Thank you, Seraphina, for your honesty and for your unwavering dedication to our community. It's an honor to stand alongside you in this endeavor."

[Seraphina]

“I’m always willing to listen, sometimes all we need is to know we have someone there to lend an ear.” And it was true, she would always be there for those around her.

A light shrug, “I just think it’s important to be open about my own constant drive to improve and grow. That if others see I’m not as perfect as I portray, that they’ll also push to grow. And sometimes it takes a misunderstanding to drive the point home that everyone has something to improve on.” But there was a smile, it was finally there, “That would be great! Lets get something setup! I would rather have it some place we can speak openly, I find the best conversations are ones where we don’t have to tiptoe around the truth.” Not that she couldn’t, after all, it was how they survived. Being able to hide the truth.

A single nod, “I had a feeling it was, you fight fiercely for the Freehold.” She remembered the way he fought with the Dream thing. “I’m curious, where to did you learn to fight in a Dream? You’re quite skilled at it.” Maybe not her level skilled, but there was no denying his skill.

[Vincent Black]

Reflecting on her question about his proficiency in dream combat. "I honed my skills long before I found my way back to the mortal world. During my time in Arcadia, I was tasked with tracking down other changelings who dared to defy our captors. It was in those harrowing hunts within the Dream that I learned to navigate its treacherous landscapes and face its inhabitants head-on."


He met Seraphina's gaze once more, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "Those experiences forged me into the fighter I am today. While my time in the Dream was fraught with danger and despair, it also taught me resilience and resourcefulness – qualities that have served me well in our ongoing struggle against the forces that seek to oppress us."


Vincent offered a nod of appreciation. "Your recognition means a great deal, Seraphina. If my skills can be of service to our Freehold, then I'll wield them with pride and dedication. Together, we'll continue to defend our home and ensure that no one suffers the same fate I endured in the clutches of the True Fae."

[Seraphina]

Learning to navigate the Skein wasn’t unheard of while under the control of Them. It just wasn’t as common. But hearing the words hunt and dreams used together brought back memories of the Huntsman and his dogs. “Not something most would admit to. But we didn’t have much of a choice in such things while under control.” There would be those who would hold such knowledge against him. But not Sera, she understood they did what they were told to do to survive. Nothing more.

Her personal lessons with navigating Dreams was different.

“Not many are willing to admit they learned things while there. But I always think we can learn something from the most harrowing of experiences. We can grow strong, and like you said, resilient. Every thing we have gone through and continue to go through teaches us something if we look for it.” Always find something useful in something bleak. "If you don't mind the question, what has been the best lesson you've learned in your years?" she wasn't sure exactly how old he was, and wasn't going to ask.

“That’s good to know in case on of Them comes knocking again. We’ll need everyone and everything they have.” It had brought the Freehold together, each doing whatever they could.