video

[snowslip]

[ Marianne appears in the video looking more anxious than usual, perhaps because this is her first time addressing so many people at once and she's never liked drawing attention to herself, but also because of the news she's about to share. ]

Um, I wanted to warn everyone that monsters around Aldrip have become more aggressive lately. They've also been roaming closer and closer to town. Even where I usually take the horses out to graze isn't safe. Please be cautious when walking about, and I would avoid the outskirts. Um, those that can fight, it might be good to band together to try and drive them away...

[ ... ]

There's something else...

[ After an agonizing pause, she rolls back the sleeves of her dress to reveal her arm, black marks marring her fair skin. Her expression turns pained. ]

These marks appeared on me shortly after encountering the monsters. Healing doesn't seem to have any effect on it. Something like this happened once before and I...I'm afraid it could make me not myself.

If anyone knows anything about it, please...

[ She trails off, unable to conclude her announcement on an eloquent note. ]

Comments

[laserguy]

It's not your fault, Marianne... so don't be mad at yourself.

[The support's quiet, but there's something a little more resolved about it, like Scott's fully believing in what he's telling her. And why wouldn't he? She's doing her best and it's definitely not her fault for whatever is going on now, in fact, she's at least informed others about all this. It's more than what he's done.

She always cares so much about others.]

Yeah, I don't really have much energy to do anything, but I'll try and get some rest. Maybe it'll help. And I promise to let you know if things get worse. [...] Take care of yourself too, okay?

[snowslip]

Thank you, Scott.

[ She hears his quiet reassurance. It calms her nerves and the voices of self-doubt in her head. ]

In the past, I gave up too quickly. I believed what people said about me, but here everyone is so kind. It makes me believe we can overcome this. So I'll do everything I can.

[ There's a quiet resolve to her voice like she's made a decision. She wants to change. For Claude and Ethlyn and everyone who has supported her, and also for herself. This time, it's not just her own wellbeing at stake. She doesn't want to see Scott or anyone else hurt. ]

I'll let you know if I learn anything.

[laserguy]

Don't get why anyone would say anything about you... guess some people are just assholes. But yeah, we'll get through this, probably.

[He's trying still, in his own way. While his reassurance at the end there isn't entirely convincing, he doesn't say anything to take it back either. It helps hearing the determination in her voice, drawing some inspiration from it. If she's not going to give up, neither should he, right?

Course, easier said than done, when he just keeps himself slumped against the wall.]

Just don't... overwork yourself, okay?

[snowslip]

Yes. Let's not lose hope.

[ She'll remember his words and try to focus on the voices of friends rather than her own self-doubt. While her uncertainty will always be there, Marianne is feeling more positive than before and motivated to roll up her sleeves and get to work. Scott looks very tired, so she won't keep him any longer. ]

I'll let you get some rest.