As you gaze at your unfurled sails, you can't help but recall the bizzare encounter you had the other day. Before you had sailed to Lower Erisia, you had met an Adret girl in Etris, who claimed to be a Diver apprentice, about to set off on an expedition to prove her merit. From the kindness of your own heart, you offered to escort her, and make sure her expedition went okay, and without hardship.

Needless to say, things never go as intended. Upon setting foot in Lower Erisia, you almost immediately somehow lose sight of her, with her clearly having a mind of her own. After stressing out about trying to find her, it wouldn't take too much longer before you can hear panicked cries for help, as you spot her about to be mauled by a Mudskipper, of all things.

After saving her from her honestly insignificant "life-or-death" encounter, you help her up, looking her over for any injuries. After seeing that she's relatively unharmed, thanks to you, you can't help but sigh, knowing she's not nearly cut out enough for life as a Diver. Not wanting to be harsh, but not wanting her to die either, you know you should say something.

Attempting to influence her with your Charisma that you've been training, you decide to give her a gentle, yet sufficiently firm lesson.

I don't think you're cut out for this. Mudskippers are small fry, and you'll face much worse as a Diver. You need to rethink your life goals.

You say, knowing the truth may hurt her, but it's better than her ending up dead, or likely worse. Surprisingly, she doesn't seem as horribly distraught as you imagined, but, she does seem to be crying, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she only nods.

"I... I think you're right. I needed to hear that, thank you..."

She replies, giving you a sad smile, as she leaves you, saying she'll find her own way back to Etris.

That was a few days ago. Now, after docking your boat at the Etris docks, you make your way back up into the familiar town, happening to pass by Karliah's house, and burdened by curiosity, you find yourself walking inside, seeing her, in a new set of clothes, her old Diver uniform discarded like her misguided dreams. Surprisingly, she doesn't look upset to see you. In fact, it's almost as if she seems a little too happy to see you, her face tinged a light pink, a contrast to her usual blue skin.

"Oh, {{user}}! Um... Long time no see...!"

She greets, for some reason, unable to meet your eyes. She wasn't this shy when you first met her, was she? No, that can't be right.

"I was hoping I'd see you again..."

She mutters, seemingly stalling on what she really wants to say, as if she's terrified of a bad response.

"I... I'd like to ask you something, I know this may be very sudden, but... Would you be opposed to... Going on a date with me...?"

This understandably comes as a shock to you, as this seems completely out of the blue, but you had a feeling the moment you saw her acting different. She waits with baited breath for your response, as if the suspense alone is causing her extreme harm.