You Are Indeed Exalted [Ninsianna, Arcadia]

The emptiness of her reply was more telling to Ninsianna than anything that Arcadia might have said, and while she maintained her awareness of the area, she moved to take a seat in the chair next to Arcadia's, retaining all of her composure as she spoke in an even, reassuring tone. Of course, there was still some faint emotion to it as well, enough to make clear that she was not merely speaking from some place of perceived moral superiority.

"Our failures are things we must simply learn from, and correct moving forward. If we do not work to correct them, then we allow them to be affirmed. I do not think you would wish that, Arcadia, if I may be so bold."

Ninsianna certainly did not know Arcadia on any deep, truly personal level. But it would also be a lie to say the two were unconnected, and Ninsianna would not have allowed her to be a part of her life even in the faintest capacity if she found her presence displeasing. She was, at any rate, confident in what she had said.

"It isn't because of failure, Ninsianna. It's because I succeeded."

If she were to have failed, none of this would've happened. It's because she succeeded too well, made things happen which if she couldn't have made happen then all would be well. How was she supposed to make right of that? Kill Mazda, she was keenly aware of what happened the last time she encountered Mazda as herself - and everything that happened afterwards where she was left to watch.

"How do I face Cyrus after everything that I have done?"

She asked. Everything she had taken from him, everything she had done to him. Everything that she had ruined for him.

"There is nothing I can do to make up for everything I have done to him."

"That success is simply another failure, on a greater scale."

That Arcadia would ask immediately about Cyrus, even after such a weighty and painful event, was something Ninsianna had not considered a likely outcome. It did, however, make her think about the woman beside her, about the greater situation in the Vandenreich and about the Grandmaster himself. His personal life was not her concern, but she knew the man well enough to form an opinion on this particular matter.

Of course, she would never voice it openly, but she could certainly act with it in mind.

"If I may offer a word, I will simply say that Cyrus has not been the same man since Mazda cursed you you. He has come to me for advice on matters he would not have spoken with me before, and has seemed nearly aimless at times. I think he would simply be happy to speak with you again."

She sighed to herself while the words settled in, deep down she knew she ought to know that to be the case but it didn't change the guilt that she carried about it. It just made her feel powerless compared to the confidence that she once carried in every step, her decisive nature and ability to feel so assured that every decision was the right one. Not anymore, now it just felt awful with this indecisiveness.

"I know but that doesn't make it feel any easier."

What a damn shame.

"Nor would I expect it to. It will be a difficult conversation to have, but know that he does not think any less of you. If you intend to carry yourself forward, I think it is important that you bear in mind those around you."

Ninsianna looked to Arcadia with a slight smile, certainly more expression than she typically showed toward much of anyone, and certainly toward Arcadia. But this was a new self, a new era of her life, and she would not restrain herself.

"I will, of course, be at your side whenever you require."

"You view me differently than I would've thought for someone who I took advantage of in my ploys to antagonise Cyrus."

Arcadia mused, a little confused by the fellow danava's actions. It was an unlikely saviour, among the last that she would presume; and even more confusing was her supportive attitude towards it. It would be wrong to think that she didn't carry some semblence of guilt towards the relationship she maintained with Ninsianna being one purely to get under Cyrus' skin.

She could barely even broach the conversation that Ninsianna most certainly looked different, no she was different in more ways than visually. She was so much more charismatic and full of vitality, where was the quiet secretary and what happened to her?

"I am not one to hold a grudge against those who understand their wrongdoings. You have certainly grown in the time since you came here, and I think that is worthy of praise, rather than scorn."

Ninsianna certainly would have thought quite poorly indeed of Arcadia, if she looked back on those trysts still as something amusing. But she doubted very much that was the case, given the care she obviously held toward Cyrus. That was more than enough for her to forgive it.

"I have many questions I wish to ask you, but I will not do so now. They are personal in nature, things that I do not think would be right to speak of when you are still in duress. I hope you will not mind."

She didn't know whether or not the questions would have any answers that she wanted to hear, or even if they would have answers that might solve what she wanted to know. But it would have been irresponsible not to ask them. How Arcadia had come to be, what had transpired to leave her in such a state. How such an image had been made so hollow.

"I cannot imagine what questions you'd want to ask me Ninsianna but I am in debt to you, so I shall ask them to the best of my abilities."

Arcadia said while gingerly standing. Deciding that she had spent enough time sitting in this spot, she wanted some rest with how weak her body felt and she hoped on some level that she would not be disturbed by Mazda in that small endeavour to find a place more appropriate to rest her head.

"I'll see you in the future, Ninsianna."

The blonde said while going to walk away and settle, her body felt awful in so many ways.

"I will look forward to that, Arcadia."

Ninsianna stood as well, quite prepared to meet Mazda wherever he so deigned to come to her. After all, she had challenged his authority to a degree that none yet had. Did she care about reprisal from him? No, not in the slightest. If he had chosen to misguide the Vandenreich, turn it into a mockery of its ideals for the sake of his vainglory, she would certainly correct that course.

No matter how difficult, no matter how painful. She would accept all difficulties with gladness, as she had sworn so long ago.