Awakening Supports/Miriel Libra
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Contents
C Support
Old Villager:
Thank you, Libra. I feel your words have parted the dark clouds about my heart.
Libra:
It gladdens me to hear that, my child.
Miriel:
......
Old Villager:
The parables you've shared have lent my life a sense of direction. I feel hope rekindled in my breast. I cannot begin to thank you.
Libra:
Your path will hold its share of hardship, but I pray you keep that hope alive.
Miriel:
......
Libra:
Hmm? Oh, Miriel. What are you doing here?
Miriel:
Observing.
Libra:
That conversation just now? I fear it's hardly anything so grand as to merit study. I merely shared the teachings of Ylisse to those villagers eager to listen.
Miriel:
And were they receptive?
Libra:
I believe that faith will find a home in them. Such teachings offer a guide to life and are a steadfast beacon in these dark times. I pray it will also sustain them in the lean days ahead.
Miriel:
If the teachings bear such salubrious effect, why not share them with greater numbers?
Libra:
Naturally, were it possible, I would share them with everyone! Er, but why do you bring this up?
Miriel:
By my observations, your methodology is highly inefficient. It vexes me.
Libra:
Inefficient?
Miriel:
Indeed. Assembling an audience, selecting the venue, promulgating the message... A scientific approach to these factors would yield a far more efficient modus.
Libra:
Perhaps, but that isn't—
Miriel:
Possible? Poppycock. Anything is possible. Given a thorough analysis of the germane phenomena, a sound theory will emerge. However, in the absence of empirical data, you might dismiss it as idle speculation. Therefore I must prove it through a physical implementation.
Libra:
You will do what now?
Miriel:
I will show that it can be done. However, I fear I am unfit to preach the teachings of Ylisse. In this capacity, I would enlist your aid. I will furnish the mechanism, you the words. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must begin planning posthaste.
Libra:
W-wait, Miriel! ...Oh dear.
B Support
Miriel:
I have the results from our previous discussion.
Libra:
Ah, yes. Your method to spread my teachings to a broader audience.
Miriel:
Precisely. A unified fundamental theory has emerged from my investigation. First, the venue must be of sufficient capacity and easily accessed. Before speaking, the event must be made public knowledge among nearby villages. During the gathering itself, wind magic is to be employed to amplify your voice. Now then. For the next—
Libra:
H-hold on just a moment, Miriel.
Miriel:
Is something amiss?
Libra:
Your plan is to gather a large crowd and speak to all of them at once?
Miriel:
Quite. In so doing, you mitigate effort and time requirements by the greatest margin.
Libra:
Yes, but I can't address individual people in such a system.
Miriel:
Nor ought you. Speaking the same words to followers one by one is hideously inefficient. Gathering them and addressing the lot in one fell stroke is a far superior plan.
Libra:
Superior in time and effort spent, perhaps, but—
Miriel:
The plan will succeed. Further peer review is wholly unnecessary.
Libra:
...Very well. If you're that certain, we should try it.
Miriel:
I will make manifest the eminence of my methodology!
A Support
Miriel:
The theory is sound, and yet...
Libra:
Is something wrong, Miriel?
Miriel:
My data shows attendance is waning at your religious gatherings. The logs clearly indicate more people came to the initial meetings than come now.
Libra:
Yes, I'd noticed as well.
Miriel:
But my modus is theoretically sound. I've just revisited all my assumptions, and they withstand the strictest scrutiny. Yet data cannot lie.
Libra:
Well, perhaps your ideas failed to account for a critical element.
Miriel:
Such as?
Libra:
The human heart. Oh, don't get me wrong—your method gets my words to more ears than ever. But the message stops at the ears, I fear, and does not travel to the heart.
Miriel:
A defect in amplification, then?
Libra:
Um... Not exactly, no. Every individual listens to the teachings of Ylisse for different reasons. If I limit my sermons to truths that apply equally to all, they fall short. Only by showing the relevance to each person's life can I truly reach them.
Miriel:
A logical postulation. Perhaps I was indeed myopic in my designs. Were you certain from the start that my method would fail?
Libra:
I thought offering salvation to a mob would be...difficult, yes.
Miriel:
Then why did you consent to the mass gatherings? Or was I simply too heedless and stubborn to hear your objections?
Libra:
A bit, perhaps. But mostly, I thought your plan might yield a different sort of benefit.
Miriel:
And did it?
Libra:
Indeed it did! You've given me the opportunity to meet more people than I ever could have alone!
Miriel:
Curious.
Libra:
I had grown rigid in my methods, Miriel—a lesson I hope you will take to heart. Your work was a success in terms of meeting converts, but it was only a step. And so I must continue the work that we started on a more personal level.
Miriel:
There is merit in what you say.
Libra:
I'm thrilled to hear it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd best head off to have some of those conversations.
Miriel:
I hope you will permit me to offer my continued assistance as well.
S Support
Miriel:
Another successful gathering today?
Libra:
Absolutely. I can't thank you enough for all your help of late, Miriel.
Miriel:
I am glad to be of service. And this has proven a most fruitful area of personal study as well.
Libra:
Oh? What have you learned?
Miriel:
That any system-built theory is only as efficacious as the dedication of the user. This is a known scientific truth, but one I had yet to learn so viscerally.
Libra:
The parables hold similar words. ...Albeit smaller ones.
Miriel:
This endeavor has sparked a curiosity in me to better understand the human heart. This will help transport my theories from the realm of abstraction into the tangible.
Libra:
Perhaps you might begin by examining the contents of my heart?
Miriel:
I had not planned to do so.
Libra:
Then perhaps offering you this will spark your curiosity.
Miriel:
...Ah. A ring. Inductive extrapolation suggests this is a proposal of marriage.
Libra:
Look into your own heart, Miriel. What do you find?
Miriel:
Wonderment and joy in equal parts. Or so it would seem.
Libra:
And do the contents of your heart move you to accept this ring?
Miriel:
The sum of its contents provide an unequivocally affirmative response. Still, it is most curious. These sensations are demonstrably real, but hardly logical.
Libra:
A fine subject for further investigation. I'll have to make sure you never lack for future data!