Everett can't help but laugh at Nieven's questions. He honestly doesn't have a good answer for the man. Some things literally are just muscle memory, while other things come to him randomly. 

"Well, I've been very lucky to meet people who have helped me to start." 

Lady Calyptra and Cypress immediately come to mind, shortly followed by Sylvari and Aledune.

"I washed ashore near Sol City." 

Even though that's true, something isn't quite right about it. After all, he met Lady Calyptra in the Marsh Flats before finding himself washed up on the shore in front of the young satyr. Try as he might though, he just can't really remember what happened before that or how he even met Lady Calyptra. She helped him, he knows that, but details on it are hazy as well.

It's confusing, and he probably needs to visit her again and ask what she recalls about the situation. But that would have to wait. 

"To be fair, mallets are not that complicated to figure out."

He refrains from pointing out that Nieven has been using it wrong. He wouldn't want to discourage him from actually doing work after all. 

“Well, I’m happy to hear you have had some good company to help you navigate this horrible situation. I know, I know, none of them have been as great as I am but to be fair no one can be as great as me. Did you wash ashore near Sol City? On a ship? Wrecked? Just in a random place? How do you know your name is Everett?”.



He then chuckles snobbishly, “Well of course anyone can figure out how to use this darned contraption. For it does not take a genius such as myself to make it do my bidding”, the sylvan elf says with completely no understanding that he is using the mallet the wrong way.



“I’m sorry I can’t be of much help regarding your memory because I’ve never experienced something so horrifying. I mean if I woke up and forgot my memory how would I know how amazing I am? Do you have no memories of your past? Not a single one? Not even a small picture in your head of what it looks like? How’d you get those clothes? Did they wash ashore with you? I mean no offense friend but it sure looks like it. Have you thought about shopping perhaps? I always tend to remember everything when I’m on a shopping spree. Maybe that could help”.



Nieven is truly being honest in his concern, a little overly curious and confused but still concerned, “Okay I’m going to be extremely blunt here Everett don’t take offense to this but I am just trying to help. Have you tried thinking or remembering harder? If so, what happens?”.

Oh boy. Nieven hits him with a flood of questions. It's expected but Nieven seems like the kind to ask even more questions with each answer he's given. Like a child.

"Yes, I washed ashore just outside the city's walls. There was no evidence that there was a shipwreck from what I remember. It was just me." 

Nieven's question about his name is one he's asked himself plenty of times. It's hard to explain, but he's gotten somewhat of a grasp on why he's pretty sure of some things he knows. 

"It just...feels like it's right. Sometimes I will say things and then it makes my stomach turn, so I suspect that means what I said is wrong. I don't get that feeling when I introduce myself." 

He shakes his head at the question about his past and memories. "No, it's just foggy." 

The comments about his clothing catch him a bit off guard. Considering the garb Nieven is decked out in he supposes he probably shouldn't be shocked that the elf would ask about his own ratty clothing. 

"Ah, I woke up with them. I don't have much money and I have to travel pretty light. I don't have a place to store anything I can't carry myself." 

He can't help but laugh at the final set of questions. Nieven's bluntness knows no bounds it seems. "I have tried that...sometimes when there's something that poke through the fog. I try to chase those feelings of familiarity, but most of the time I only get a headache for my trouble." 

Nieven places the mallet down now just standing and giving Everett and his memory conundrum his full thought. He found it interesting while also really tragic, the thought of losing your entire past, your entire being, and your previous identity sounded painful and unpleasant.



He cautiously responded not wanting to offend Everett, “So you just washed ashore what was your first thought? What direction did you come from? What did you have on you? Everett is just your name? Do you have a surname by chance? Your body itself is signaling to you what is right and wrong. My friend, that doesn’t sound very good. I believe you might need to get that looked at by a physician that might be a more serious condition”.



He then begins to clasp his hands together and places them next to his mouth as he thinks this is bizarre. He then takes another look at Everett looking at his clothes, “That makes complete sense to me, no offense intended. I really must take you on a shopping trip and get you into much better grab an amnesiac man who must look their best even if they cannot remember. Have you tried Hmm how do I say this? Using a mental lantern? Part of me can’t think of something being wrong with those headaches. Is there something perhaps blocking your memories not wanting you to remember”.

"My first thought?" Everett reflects on when Cypress found him in that cove just outside of Sol City's walls. "I guess I thought about all the sand in my boots. It's course and rough and got everywhere." 

His eyes drift down to his boots as he shuffles a few loose stones under his sole. 

"I woke up near Sol City, then traveled around a bit before coming here."

Admittedly, he's been wandering around aimlessly since waking up. All he's been up to is taking on any jobs he can just to be able to afford food and shelter. It's not anything glamorous, but it's all he can do until he has a better idea of his own history. 

"Uhh..." He thinks for a minute before looking like something comes to mind. "Reykas, and I did get looked at while in Sol City. I also saw a few other healers and magic experts." 

He thinks back on how Cypress tried to help him, and how Lady Calyptra has always been patient with him. He also thinks about his encounters with Aledune, Sylvari, and Leandros. It's hard to believe how many kind people he's been lucky enough to cross paths with, all of whom have extended their assistance to him after learning of his odd condition. Nieven is just another to add to the list it seems. 

"Mental lantern? I'm not sure what that is," he admits before giving a shrug. "There could be, anything is possible I guess. I'm not in a huge rush to figure things out."

If he was being completely honest with Nieven, he would admit that he's scared of learning the truth about his past or what led to his memory loss. Maybe he's better off not knowing...

“Oh how dreadful”, Nieven shudders, “You have my deepest condolences, having sand in your clothing is the worst feeling. Especially if that was the first thought that you can remember since forgetting everything from before”.



Nieven recalled in his head one time when his brother Vonoros had tricked him into wearing what a hat that had sand in it. Gosh, it took him days to get all the sand out of his hair since then he cannot bring himself to wear a red hat because he’s instantly reminded of the horrible prank.



“You wake near Sol City, an interesting thought that raises even more questions about where you’re from. I’m glad you’ve been looked at although following your body’s reaction to things is still a little odd. Oh, Everett Reykas sounds like a good name my friend although not as good as Nieven Loreas Oakenthorn”, he chuckles snobbishly.



“Oh, I should’ve explained, a mental lantern is a strategy I use sometimes when I need to focus or am feeling a little anxious. Focusing on a single thought or feeling and letting that guide me to whatever I need to do. And of course, my friend there’s no rush at all, it is best to just let live sometimes. I can’t say I can relate to something so horrible but I offer you my condolences and hope nothing but the best for you. I must say I do admire my strength and consider you to be doing well for yourself by the looks of it”.

"At least there weren't any jellyfish or crabs in my boots," he laughs a bit. Things could always be worse. 

"I'm glad you approve." He can't even muster the energy to be sarcastic towards Nieven anymore. The man might be full of himself, but he's actually pretty genuine. It's hard to dislike him. 

He considers Nieven's words and the concept of the mental lantern. Maybe he should ask Aledune or Lady Calyptra about it.

"It's worth a shot. Though, I am a little worried about remembering unpleasant things."

He glances down towards his missing arm. The circumstances that led to his current situation cannot be good ones. He just hopes that whatever misfortune befell him did not result in any shockwaves. Who knows who else has suffered from whatever events transpired.

Sitting back and staring at the clouds lazily floating across the cyan sky, he takes a breath and just feels the wind on his skin for a moment before responding to Nieven. 

"Thank you. I really appreciate all the concern you've shown for me despite us having just met. You're kind." 

He looks back at Nieven with a smile. "I'm sure you'll do well in rebuilding your life."

The same he could not necessarily say for himself. Not yet at least. 

“Oh my word”, Nieven shudders, “Jellyfish and crabs in your boots that sounds dreadful now that you mentioned that sand in clothing doesn’t seem like the worst thing anymore”.



“Of course dear friend, sure it’s not as great as my name but you know it’s pretty good I’d say. It’s strong and resilient just like its namesake and I’m glad that you have considered my words. I know it’s difficult and genuinely seems incredibly terrifying but it’s worth an attempt. If you’re okay with staying as is that’s more than fine, perhaps not remembering is better than whatever you were before. Although I think it’s important to remember who we are not for the good or the bad but at least to know what came before us. After all, if we can’t remember our past, how can we move forward carrying its weight on our backs?”.



He stands and bows to the other man, “Of course, it’s no problem at all if I didn’t have the heart I did I wouldn’t be me. To care for people is a wonderful thing no matter who you are or what you do. It is my responsibility to care for everyone I come across. I had a rough time in my life so I try my best to make sure that everyone is appreciated and treated with respect”.



He then motions towards himself, “Thank you for your kind words although I’m sure I’ll do more than well considering who I am”.



Eventually, it begins to darken and the two finish up the rest of their duties before walking over to the supervisor to receive their reward. He scoffs as the two walk up being made aware that the two kind of just sat around and take their sweet time with their work. He hands them their Solars for the day and waves them off without even the courtesy of a farewell.



So Nieven eventually walks over to the edge of the site and gets ready to say farewell to his newfound friend, “Well Everett Reykas, it was an absolute delight getting to work with you as I’m sure it was more than amazing to work with me in return. I hope everything goes well with your past and you’re able to live a life worth living even without your memories. If you ever need anything or need someone to help you out with your wardrobe feel free to find me. I promise you I won’t be hard to miss. I am glad to call you my friend and I hope that we meet again although not in as dreadful of an environment as this, farewell”, he then walks away headed towards a Stormgale village towards a bathhouse he heard about.

Everett smiles at Nieven after they have received their payment and completed their tasks for the day. He ignores any judgment from the other workers and doesn't make a fuss over the measly amount they end up receiving for their time and work. It'd be enough to last a few days which was all he was expecting anyway. 

"Likewise," he nods in response to Nieven's sentiment. Though he couldn't really agree that they did much amazing work together. "It was nice to chat with you."

He chuckles a bit at Nieven's offer to help him with his wardrobe. The man's priorities were consistent at least. "I appreciate the offer, and I'll keep it in mind."

Adding another person he can call a friend to his short list wasn't his goal for today, but he appreciates it all the same. Nieven, despite his introduction, sure did make an impression. A good one even. He smiles to himself as he watches the man turn and leave for Stormgale. 

He doesn't follow. He stands there at the edge of the village and watches until Nieven disappears into the distance. His eyes drift across the landscape before being drawn to a storm brewing in the distance. The hair on his skin stands on end with static charge and he feels an almost magnetic pull towards the dark storm clouds. Taking a deep breath, he sets out from the town and out into the Lightning Fields. 

"I won't forget you, Nieven," he says under his breath, less a promise to the elf and more a promise to himself.