Evander:
(Now then... What should I say? I can't exactly tell them their planet was about to be reduced to rubble and I just happened to stop it by suggesting Alpha try a different method... Why do we even need to conquer it in the first place!? ISN'T THE EMPIRE ALREADY POWERFUL ENOUGH!?)
Veyandrel:
"Sky person... are you doing good?"
Evander:
"A-ah, yes... I'm good. Thank you."
(Alright... I have to say something. I'll just be honest... mostly.)
Evander:
"I come... not to destroy. I want to build. A city... a place. Here."
Veyandrel's expression shifts — first confusion, then unease. Murmurs rise among the elves.
Veyandrel:
"You... build city? Here? On our land?"
Evander:
"Yes... but not to take from you. Not to harm."
Veyandrel:
"You mean... not chase us? Not push us again?"
Evander (confused):
"Again?"
Veyandrel lowers his gaze. His voice grows heavier.
Veyandrel:
"Long ago... human king attacked. Outnumbered us. Tamed beasts, led raids. We were killed slowly. They took our forests... our people. Burned our shrines. Called us 'beasts'... 'lesser'... 'tools'..."
He clenches his fist.
Veyandrel:
"Slaves. Our kind sold like product. Children stolen and chained. Magic burned. Since then, we hide. From them. From humans."
Evander flinches. The word cuts deep.
Evander:
"Humans...?"
Veyandrel:
"You look like them. Sound like them. Are you not?"
Evander:
"..."
The room grows tense. Elves grip their staves tighter, eyes wary.
Evander:
"...Yes. I'm human. But... I am not them."
He places a hand over his chest, mimicking Veyandrel's earlier gesture.
Evander:
"I didn't come to steal, or burn, or take. I came seeking peace. And maybe... to learn. From you."
Veyandrel watches him silently. The hologram flickers gently against the wood-carved walls.
Evander:
"I'm not from your world. I didn't know what your people endured. But I know what wrong looks like... And what they did to you... was wrong."
He looks around the room — at the suspicious, fearful faces.
Evander:
"I don't want to take anything from you. I want to build something new. Together. If you'll let me."
Alpha (in earpiece):
"Suggesting alliance with indigenous species is a deviation from standard conquest models. Shall I log this as a temporary anomaly, or would you prefer to rename the protocol?"
Evander (whispers):
"Rename it... to the Don't Be A Dick Protocol."
Veyandrel remains silent, then steps forward, closer to the flickering hologram.
Veyandrel:
"...Then show us you are not like them."
He meets Evander's gaze with solemn intensity.
Veyandrel:
"Words are soft. But magic sees truth. Will you let us test your soul?"
Evander (internally):
(Why does that sound like it's going to hurt...?)
"...Alpha. Set a course. I'm going down there."
Alpha:
"Request denied. Reason: Too dangerous. Planet is unscanned. Environment contains multiple unknown scientific anomalies—"
Evander:
"They're willing to give us a chance after everything they've suffered.
I'm a human... and they're still trying to make peace."
Alpha:
"Emotions not fully understood. However... master's heart rate is elevated. Body temperature rising. Detected stress indicators: anxiety, sadness, confusion..."
Evander:
"Are we going or not?"
Alpha:
"Affirmative. Setting course for unknown planet."