|
Post by Remus on Apr 28, 2015 6:26:54 GMT -6
Nayru was right. In a world where people could conjure about the elements with but a thought and create twisting shadows or radiant pillars of divine light; could he really doubt something? Though he hadn't been rebuked, the priest did feel a bit sheepish. After all hadn't he mentioned earlier that desired nothing more than to do things virtually impossible within a single lifetime by societies likely expectations? He'd have to do better to keep an open mind. The priest chuckled a bit as he responded swiftly, quick to admit his shortcoming. "The potential is certainly there, you are right Nayru. Perhaps I shouldn't be as quick to judge the outcome of anything yet. " After all, there was a certain..air of legend around dragons. Given their mythical stature now, while evidence lingered of the great war so long ago; little was known as concrete fact about them. History did not have a singular defining description of them. What they looked like, what they could do; how they behaved. So little of this was detailed as the primary focus of historical document.
From his shoulders he felt a shift as Amelia leaned to the right now openly in a smack war with Owain. It required the priest to lift a hand and hold the girl's leg at the knee with his free hand to keep her from tossing off his shoulders to the side at her own insistence. Owain was returning the aggression in full fury, an intense war of flailing little hands brewing to his right while he spoke to Nayru at his left. The miracle of patience shown in spades by Remus, who did not bat so much as an eye towards the noise but continued to converse with Nayru regardless of the Great War of Amelian Aggression raging on. The blue haired priest sighed a bit though before speaking, quietly agreeing with the woman. "It provides incentive. Motivation. That we would do something of use with our limited time. so that we might leave a legacy or better path for our successors. You are right. We must do what we can with the time we are given, and hope that we do enough. "
She brought up Athos, and Remus found himself a bit quieter. Before he responded he took note of her tone. Again a slight pause in his thoughts as questions came to mind that he pushed to the back burner. "Yes, but Athos also is more legend than man. So many wild tales told; so many things even in the realm of magic stretch the mind thin...yet all of it entirely possible I'm sure. However, and not to discredit one of the eight; how can you tell what is accomplishment and what is embellishing of history? They say all great tales deserve a bit of embellishment which I can understand or respect; but when gauging things for accuracy it's hard to discern that in this regard. It is hard to tell, what he accomplished as just a man and what was attributed to the legend. Anything he..or Elimine..or any of the others accomplished we too could certainly; but I believe the time and circumstances in which they lived also may have played a serious role in it. " After all, they rose up to the mantle that some might have otherwise not done; to preserve humanity when it waged war with dragons. Who could have said if they would have been as renowned eventually despite this or not.
|
|
|
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on May 1, 2015 22:35:30 GMT -6
Hm... apparently she hadn't communicated her thoughts very well, Nayru realized, as Remus spoke. She wasn't sure if her own words had implied more than they meant, or if the priest had simply looked too far into her comments, but regardless he had taken her commentary differently than she had intended. Which was not to say that he was wrong; she agreed with his statement.
"I cannot say that I care overmuch for his legend," she responded evenly, softly, "but the simple fact that he yet lives a thousand years hence is proof of his power, and his dedication to peace is evident in his actions in recent years." Not reproachful, but there was a curious, barely palpable sense of restraint to her words. But they were the truth as far as she was concerned; while Athos had participated in the butchery of the Scouring, he was the only one of the Eight who had made an effort for restoration. While there were doubtless dragons who could not forgive him for his actions, she knew better than most the meaning to attempting to rectify one's past actions.
"The power of the Legendary weapons was... beyond compare. The mere shells they are today are little more than a mockery of the world-rending power they once held, children's toys little more than rote magical weapons." Nayru smiled sadly. "They drained the world of its magic - brought the Ending Winter upon us all - and obliterated all civilization. We live today in the ashes of greatness, struggling to keep what passes for science afloat. Always in the pursuit of war - of power - even staves are being re-purposed into weapons of torture and control."
Fired up by her little speech, the dragon turned to Remus, with a hard gaze. "I know not the truth - the necessity - of the Scouring, but the Eight bear the responsibility of destroying Elibe on their shoulders. I cannot believe any war could be worth that. Athos is the only one to attempt to atone for that, and that is why he alone of the Eight, I can not hate."
|
|
|
Post by Remus on May 4, 2015 16:16:20 GMT -6
Here was another fascinating aspect of history. While it was true that the debate of what was fact and what was fiction became grueling at times to separate; one could see it's legacy pass down in each retelling. Though he quietly listened to Nayru as she spoke. However as he had learned, it was easier to wait and address or expound upon something after she had spoken her peace. Though.while she spoke he noticed her mention of the Ending Winter. That name he had seen scarcely. Mentioned legitimately maybe twice. Most texts simply told tales of the heroes defeating the dragons and ending the war. Seldom were the events directly after even mentioned in passing let alone in detail. He would have checked to see whether or not Amelia and Owain were paying attention, on grounds that it could be an important history lesson for them. However...as with every lesson he'd ever tried to teach them at the orphanage they found zero interest. If anything they had started swatting at eachother more since Remus and Nayru had begun their conversation of histories.
Remus briefly composed his thoughts before speaking, wanting to make sense of everything. "Honestly, it's comforting to imagine it but I should ah..hope that those of great power would try to follow in such an example. Though a shame they do not, it does not exactly make him any less of a figure of fascination. Powers most couldn't comprehend; and I don't mean simply in combative magic. Though..while I've heard some of the Ending Winter..maybe it's name a few times and a few ideas of what it was per say..I would hazzard that I don't think there was any way of knowing just how strong the weapons were initially. Nor that their might would bring about any long term form of consequences. It's something not heard of to any degree since and while ah..obviously I was not there to testify I imagine it wasn't a known occurrence prior. "
He sighed a bit before looking to the road ahead before speaking allowed. Once again simply reiterating his thoughts. " Though, faced with the fact that had they not won; humanity could easily be extinct. I imagine they would have made the exchange. It's...saddening to imagine how things might have turned out if a peaceful solution had been optional. There had been peace between man and dragon. Just pondering what life might be like were dragons still here in harmony with us? So many things would be different I am sure. Mayhaps not every situation or problem fixed..but..ah..I guess I can only speculate..as any are left to do. Forgive me, I fear I was about to start aimlessly rambling..er..more than I do already. However.." This time he turned to gaze at her too, though unlike her who could hold such fire in her eyes while containing equal the amount of edged steel..his was but a sad smile and a slightly less bright look to his gaze. "I confess that my high standards of humanities integrity has shaped for a negative of late...where as I would like to believe..hope even that the others might they have survived would well..attempt to right any wrongs. Skeptic though I am of that..I guess all we can do is attempt to right it for them eh? No sense looking to what could have been and not try to make it better! "
Now he had a bit of a pep to his words, and his smile grew. Conviction? Possibly. "Consider me a fool for blind optimism..but as I said before I believe almost all, if not all wounds can be healed. The memory of the pain may linger..but if we can not rise when we fall we are forever stuck in the ground. Maybe some day, we could even mend how things were before the scouring if they were damaged..er..if that makes sense? I feel like I'm rambling again..."
|
|
|
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on May 4, 2015 23:42:10 GMT -6
Well, the children were certainly... animated, she had to give them that. While it was far from her primary concern in the face of historical and philosophical debate, a not-so-guilty pleasure for her, it was still amusing to keep an eye on Amelia and Owain doing their thing. Caught in their own little world, blissfully unaware and uncaring about which ancient batch of egotistical jackasses had been slightly more in the wrong. Ignorance was bliss, the saying went, but Nayru couldn't help but wonder if not caring was every bit as pleasant.
'Not caring' was not, unfortunately, something she could do - nor did gentle Remus seem able to stare it in the face. They might have different perspectives, not to mention quite different histories, but they were both the sort of idiots that couldn't just leave well enough alone. Would probably get her hunted down and him hung sooner or later. What a lovely thought. Perhaps Remus would have more success, though; he yet held more optimism than she could manage. Or perhaps he was just better at expressing it than her after so many centuries of disappointment, in both the world and herself. Elly had certainly been the first of many recent acquaintances that reminded her she still had hope.
Harmony - another nice word that, like most of its kin, quickly ceased to have any real meaning in reality. Utopias like Arcadia worked only under a strict set of conditions, balanced forever on a razor's edge of discovery from without or dissent from within. Even if all Elibe somehow agreed to attempt coexistence once more, it would take very little time for dissent to spring up - mere years or decades at most - and then they would be right back where they started. And that was all ignoring the difficulty of getting fanatics like the Etrurians to agree in the first place! Bern, despite its love of wyverns, held no affection for dragons, and if the tales of the arena battle were true, would be on edge for years to come most likely. As for Ilia - humanity could keep the damn place. Dragons and pegasi had never exactly gotten along.
As for whether or not the legendary weapons were truly capable of what they were said to have been responsible for - well, she hadn't been there to confirm it. But it didn't matter much now. The past was the past, and the future was for the living. "I'll leave it up to you to invent time travel so we can fix the Scouring before it happens." Nayru's mischievous smile suggested she had quite understood what he meant to say, but the wording had been ripe for a bit of teasing.
"In the meantime, the here and now awaits us, and your dream may not be as far away as you think. With the rumors of dragons in recent years - the arena in Bern - the city in Bern put to the torch - supposedly a clash with a dragon on Etrurian borders - I can't say as that I've seen any overgrown lizards wandering around myself, but one wonders whether there is not a kernel of truth to all these rumors, and if there is, what it all means?"
|
|
|
Post by Remus on May 7, 2015 5:40:52 GMT -6
It was in full swing now. The ferocious battle for succession to the throne of the Amelian Empire. Though the Calculated general Owain fought valiantly, he could seldom handle the furious flurry of slaps at such blinding speeds by the aspiring empress herself. Amelia fought with much passion as the two slapped at one another, in reality translating to soft smacks that more often then not battered Remus instead. Mean while, the priest was left to display his ability to block things subconsciously. At this point he was likely to be so skilled he half wondered if he could mentally block out the calamities of nature like a tornado or such. With any luck he'd never have to test that.
Time travel? Yes, he'd get on that. Top of his list of things to do. Chuckling a bit before laughing loudly, Remus replied with a grin on his face as he gazed to the woman while they walked. "I'll get right on that. Then the Eliminian priest and the traveling combat historian/farmer can prevent the entire thing. If we arrive after it's started we'll just sit them down and explain it as a simple misunderstanding. Though surely, we'll have to leave Amelia and Owain behind. Heaven knows we'd come back to find all of history changed given their intervention; far more drastically than just preventing the scouring I wager. "
Entire civilizations surely would have fallen to give way to the ambitions of the raven haired orphan. Though when Nayru mentioned dragons he had to admit it was possible. Though he wasn't sure how true the rumors were..being that they were just that; but the idea dragons survived? Remus slowly looked ahead speaking thoughtfully. "As fantastic an idea as it would be that dragons still live...I'd worry about the effect of their reappearance. I can only imagine most would harbor a distaste towards humanity given the scourings outcome...and humanity I fear would likely try to kill or abuse them. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to know that the dragons as a race aren't extinct. That they've lived on and can one day forgive humanity. I..don't think humanity would prove worthy of that forgiveness as we stand now; the more I think about it...I can only imagine the ambitious who have power trying to exploit that..and it gives me pause to shudder. I..don't know.."
|
|
|
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on May 21, 2015 0:49:05 GMT -6
Genuine laughter - naked and unashamed - Nayru found she rather liked the sound of it, much as she usually did. It was a rarity in this so-called age of sorrows, even among the few people she had found that she could call friend; Veigue and Hayle, like Atlas of old, bore their histories upon their backs like the weight of the world. They were all broken, and Hayle more than a touch bitter - they trusted each other, but there was little true laughter to be found in those bonds of blood.
At least there hadn't been. Now - she wasn't sure. They had been... redefining their relationship since her transformation and the events in Veigue's hometown. Certainly she had changed the most, and the strange blend of Nayrus old and recent had yet to truly settle into the new. At least she was starting to get used to it, though whether it was because she was finding happiness or just losing sight of who she was, Nayru wasn't really sure anymore.
Remus's laughter died down as he launched into silliness of his own. Certainly it would be the end of all history should Amelia be unleashed upon it, and yet in a move to sour the situation even she would be proud of, he continued with a more serious answer.Something she had considered more than once. Powerful humans... often had the goal of furthering their power behind many of their actions. Certainly there was nothing wrong with trying to grow stronger, in theory, and her own birthright of overwhelming destructive power left her ill equipped to judge others for hunting power, but they didn't seek power for its own sake, rather, power over others...
"Power..." Wrapped partially in her own thoughts, Nayru stretched out her hand a little, rotating her wrist to bring the palm upwards before tensing her hand, her fingers, then opening her partial fist once more. She had considered trying to find a - patron before, some human despot willing to turn a blind eye to her race so long as she served him, but... she couldn't really stop traveling while she had had her problem. "Perhaps it is my lack of perspective, but I can't say as that I understand the obsession for power over others."
Was that true? Nayru wasn't really sure. She had once had those dreams - perhaps delusions - that she'd shared with Aerious about trying to encourage greatness in humans... did they count as wanting to control them? How far could you take guidance before it became brainwashing? If the end result was arguably better than the pliable individuals you started with, was it more 'okay' than if not - a white lie of sorts compared to something worse? In some ways she felt like a bit of a hypocrite for even speaking up on the subject - an immortal dragon, destructive beyond even most of her peers, waxing high and mighty about frail humans wanting a bit of control over themselves?
"The more I think about that, the more I think it was a mistake to even start." Nayru snorted, her tone a mix between amusement and hesitation. She WASN'T really sure what the hell she thought, much less how to talk about it. "Someone once asked me if I would prefer a better world, or one more interesting. I still don't know which answer he was looking for - or which I actually believe." She had given a copout answer of course, the one she thought the man had been looking for. He had seemed disappointed and disappeared. Figuratively speaking. ...She thought. Never had been very clear about that. "If dragons are back, the two races will have to deal with each other whether or not they have the answers to that question, or to your thoughts. Perhaps we'll only find out the true answer then. Maybe there is no true answer, and the question is all that matters."
She shrugged. Nayru liked philosophy as much as the next girl, but she wasn't really cut out to be a master of wordplay. Erim was the smart one, she just punched stuf-oh god she was like the bandits of the dragon world, wasn't she? "S'pose it won't matter much if the Baels eat us all first. One genocide at a time, eh?"
|
|
|
Post by Remus on May 22, 2015 7:11:51 GMT -6
Obsession with power? Well..he certainly wouldn't call it an obsession but he wished he had more power. So that he could help fight and protect others easier. It was a long running regret of his and something he was still trying to fix. As Nayru had pointed out, the gift of healing was fairly rare in contrast to those skilled with weapons or combative magic; however that didn't change the fact that he was still helpless in a fight. After all, Nayru had helped and saved him and the children three times total in two days. If he had the power to defend himself that might have never been an issue. Then again it might have also brought more focus and attention onto him, and that was something he had to remind himself of. However it wasn't just power she spoke of. It was power over others. On this, they could agree."I'd heard once..the greatest leaders are those that do not wish to lead..but simply look out for others. The power to rule others seems dangerous just well..saying it. I can't understand the fascination myself but then again..I hope I never do."
If he lived his life unable to understand the sway of such then it would certainly never tempt him; not that he'd have an opportunity for it too. The notion however that he would be ignorant to it regardless was his desire. Too many people in power craved larger bands of followers, greater ruling jurisdictions or expanded might. The world did not need more of those. Far from it. Though Remus found himself particularly fascinated by her question. It was one he had heard prior but never been asked. Something appealed to him though. "While I would like to say better world...as I'm sure would many others instantly insist...I believe a more interesting one would be healthier. The world is ever changing. A "better" world is subjective and might not change. An interesting world insinuates diversity, which is adaptable and flexible. It could weather the tide better I would imagine. "
Nayru had a certain way of putting things. She was about as blunt as a warhammer, if not maybe a bit blunter even. She also housed about as much tender a tone as a warhammer that was certain. In-fact, Remus now imagined if he had to think of the opposite of dainty; Nayru would likely forever come to mind. He spoke up a moment later, chuckling as he acknowledged this simple matter of fact nature. "While your right..we would simply have to manage I think it's true enough. What if's don't really hold much weight if the manifestation of nightmares are crunching on our remains. That'd make a sight for dragons to come back to. I can imagine it now.."Look humanity..were going to give this a second chan-...oh.."" Though he did a poor impression of a sonorous loud deep voice for a dragon..he had ZERO ideas what they sounded like. Seriously..what did a dragon sound like when talking? The same? Different? Maybe they were really high pitched. None could still be su- a small hand smacked the side of his head disrupting his thoughts as Amelia and Owain used both hands to assail eachother. Yes. Thank you Amelia, who needs coherent thought anyone right?
|
|
|
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on May 24, 2015 0:52:49 GMT -6
"Dark Lord Remus, lord of the Sith, scourer of a thousand worlds, footrest of Cosmic Horror Amelia." The ancient and wise and intelligent dragon giggled immaturely like a little girl, hiding her mouth with one hand in some lurid mockery of restraint. "When you take over the world, I do hope Your Evilness will spare lil' ol' me." It was silly - she was being silly - but Nayru had never quite had the implacable pride of her kin, and while she was no more likely to actually grovel than any free-spirited man or dragon, her own imperfection had been forcibly made clear to her so many times that it didn't particularly bother her to act as she did.
As for his answer - she started talking without taking much time to think beforehand, instead opting to do so as she went. "Is there a need to change if you have already achieved peace? Perfection? Is change inherently good? Chaos is a type of change - perhaps even the natural state of the world - and yet man and dragon alike constantly strive to impose order upon it. Bandits, mercenaries, murderers, all are but symptoms of the greater illness - change." Nayru shrugged. She hesitated only for a second before continuing, remembering that she had given a similar, albeit less well thought out, response to Remus's. "Changing this world will itself take change though - turning chaos into order - making that change its own murderer. And I suppose no one ever defined what 'interesting' even means."
It had taken... longer than she was particularly willing to tell Remus for her to come to this conclusion. Just 'cuz she liked philosophy didn't mean she was GOOD at it. "I don't think there is an answer to the question. They're both bullshit platitudes. The reasoning behind the answer is more important than the answer. You had a lot better reasoning than me the first time I got that question though." She grinned at Remus. "I suppose it was inevitable that one day I would use the terrible power of the question that doesn't mean anything to try to trap some poor mortal soul in an existential crisis. Go now, my pupil, and carry the terrible weight of the eternal query in your mind, your soul, your loins." Nnnnnope nothing weird there. "Use it on someone else when you want to look smart. That is the greatest gift I can give you."
That or a bottle of Amelia repellant. Remus would probably refuse the latter out of some sort of perverse Stockholm Syndrome, but he would soon be driven mad by the relentless cruelty of the Amelian Assault, the greatest military action known to man. Woman. Child. Whatever.
|
|
|
Post by Remus on May 28, 2015 7:33:18 GMT -6
"Haha..I don't know about all that. Save the footrest of Cosmic Horror Amelia bit. THAT I could believe happening some day. Though I'm pretty sure if I ever did take over the world Miss Nayru, you'd have words..or fists with me for no doubt doing it the wrong way. " The priest chuckled a bit while he looked over to the woman, flashing a grin before being disrupted by another sideswipe by one of the two determined and assailing children. His eyes darted to the side and his head cocked to the left warily as he attempted to keep out of distance. With his gaze drifting back to the brown haired woman, the priest briefly listened to her before forming thoughts of his own. It was somewhat swift though in response given he spoke of his own thoughts.
"The thing is though, I think alot of positive things could be attributed to change. Horrible as it is to say, both good and bad are inevitable..despite how much we might seek to change the latter. It will always transpire and we can lessen it by varying severity, yet still change will arrive. Though who am I to put any founding in that observation haha..I'm not even old enough to grow facial hair. " Not that he'd ever grow it, given his luck.
Though with Nayru speaking, he once more took to listening and simply pondering upon her words. These conversations were ones he enjoyed greatly because it gave him much to ponder upon. Though as she grinned at him she returned the expression with a chuckle before looking to the road they walked upon. He tilted his head still safely away from flailing small hands as he took stock in knowing that even a trick question was still a valuable one. When he spoke next he had a lighter tone and more of a chuckle in his voice.
"Well, their probably isn't an answer to it definitively. Though if there is we may not be around to see it haha! In the grand scheme of things, our lives are rather short; so I guess it's on us to make the best with what we have. So that being said..I'll be sure to keep that gem of a question saved for only the most dire situations. When on the cusp of defeat, and my foe sure to win; I'll distract them with it and make good my escape. A fool proof plan I am sure. "
|
|
|
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jun 1, 2015 4:33:17 GMT -6
"Eh, maybe." It wasn't - dismissive per se, Nayru wasn't disagreeing with Remus exactly, but it there was a certain level of distance in her words, indicative of her opinions not completely aligning with his. "Change can be good or bad. Sometimes things need fixing - change. Sometimes things are fine as they are - don't fix what aint broken. Sometimes things are... broken, but they can't be fixed without making them worse, so it's better to just make do with what you have."
She wasn't entirely sure if what she had said was TRUE, exactly, but Arcadia itself was the penultimate example of her words. An oasis in the desert - a literal utopia of human-dragon coexistence - and yet it was little more than a bubble waiting to be popped. If change came for it, there would be blood, humanity returning to finish the job it had begun a thousand years before. That is the change you're talking about, Remus, she thought, the extermination of what little remains of my race. She didn't have any real ties to Arcadia - but she would be damned if she accepted any more genocide. Elibe had seen far too much of that over its lifetime, and if some of the tales she had heard were actually true it seemed that the incarnate races had purged the world of others even before the Scouring.
Of course Remus didn't know any of that, but there was a certain fundamental disconnect between their outlooks, despite Nayru's own massive difference in thought processes than the average dragon - truthfully by this point she had more in common with humanity than with dragons. While both races proclaimed to hate change, humanity embraced it, and while she did not do so nearly as wholeheartedly as her kin, Nayru too held somewhat to the existing - the static - not a fear of change so much as perhaps a little extra difficulty in seeing the point unless necessary? Hm. She didn't know how accurate that was, perhaps she was overstating and overthinking this, but it was true that she did hold fast to the good things and didn't want them to change... bah. She WAS overthinking this.
"Making the best of what we have... doesn't that hold true regardless of lifespan? And you don't need to live forever to see the effects of change - this world is changing as we speak. The Bernese rebellion, Ilian instability, Lycian power struggles, even rumors of Etruria launching further crusades - and that is all to ignore the coming threat of monsters and the darker things lurking in the blackest corners of the world. You won't need to live for long to witness the world as it changes - you'll just need the luck to survive it."
Man that had gotten a bit dark faster than planned, but the truth was at times depressing. "...Sorry, that got a bit pessimistic I guess. But I tell you what - I've yet to see everything in this world, but I've seen a lot, and in the process I've seen a lot of nice-sounding ideas turn out pretty damn crappy for everyone involved. Change can be every bit as evil as it is good, and as the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Rebellions, uprisings, holy wars - even people who truly believe they are doing the right thing can be responsible for thousands of deaths in the blink of an eye if they're in the wrong place at the right time. 'Change' is a really nice word that gets used for really bad things. It's taught me to distrust it a bit."
|
|
|
Post by Remus on Jun 4, 2015 6:45:01 GMT -6
Nayru was absolutely right. Perhaps that was something he'd have to keep in mind. Change as even he had said it was likely to be ever constant, and with that thought process in mind it was important to remember that the chaotic aspect of change was equally constant. For every good day for crops a farmer had, he was almost guaranteed to have a poor one in his life. Though for the first time in his life, Remus was feeling a bit..tired of a single philosophical point of discussion. Though morality it's self, and the implications there in he could talk about for ages, the actual concept of change they'd discussed a few times in varying forms or another. That their conversation had shifted from history to it was still an astounding transformation in his opinion. Nayru seemed to have this knack for getting the priest to blather on endlessly; though perhaps that was more out of an actual willingness to listen and not tell him to go read a tome on Elimine like the other few educated individuals he'd spoken to.
Then there was the sudden small cuff to his ear by one of two sets of hands. Which, he couldn't say. However Remus felt his unwavering infinite patience flicker for a moment. A tiny spark of irritation that almost threatened to stain his visual features before he cognitively reminded himself who it was. Owain and Amelia were virtually above all forms of negativity from the priest after all. However he could hear the small voices suddenly speaking up as the smacking stopped.
"Owwww..Remus, she hit me!"
Owain looked up pointing an accusatory finger.
Amelia puffed her cheeks from the priest's shoulders. Her indignant tone was an absolute confirmation as the raven haired girl denied any room for this accusation to stand. Her hair messily flailed at the insistence with which she shook her head. " That's not true! I missed you! I hit Remus, so nnnnnnnn!" He didn't have to see her to know she stuck out her tongue. And while he knew she had hit him..he had a suspicion she was being deceptively smart here by hiding her hitting Remus to mask the moments following when she tried to smack Owain too. Then again...they had both been trying to hit each-other so this conversation was ultimately inevitable and bound to happen. The word "hit" though seemed to spark a thought in Amelia. Remus felt his head almost jerk off his shoulders as the girl flailed and adjusted her hands so both were in the shaggy blue strands of hair belonging to the priest; eagerly smiling to Nayru.
"Ohhhh, that reminds me! Miss Nayru! Miss Nayru! Do you prefer to hit people or use your sword dagger thingys?"
Remus...wasn't sure which took him aback more. That Amelia was now asking Nayru how she preferred to harm people...or the use of the phrase "Sword dagger thingys" as an actual question. With a roll of his eyes he looked up at Amelia, seeing the girl's innocent expression convey that the question was a genuine one of interest; even if there was nothing innocent of asking how best to harm people or what another's preferential manner was to go about harming others.
"Amelia...that's hardly an appropriate question for a young girl to be asking.."
"But I wanna knowwwww"
Remus sighed a bit shaking his head. He spoke in a half exasperated tone. "Amelia..what am I going to do with you..."
"Keep carrying me on your shoulders?"
"Yes I..ah..har har..."
|
|
|
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jun 4, 2015 9:54:26 GMT -6
Leave it the the Dark Lady Amelia to change the world - and the topic of conversation - in one fell swoop. Truly, Nayru couldn't help but admire Remus's patience with the girl - she quite liked the tumultuous tyke at arm's length, but if she actually had to deal with an assault like that, she was likely to snap sooner or later. Nayru liked kids - she wasn't good with them.
It seemed that she was destined to be dragged into the ongoing catastrophe regardless of her wishes, though, as Amelia addressed her directly with shining eyes and a winning smile. Or maybe it was eyes filled with malice and teeth that could gouge entire worlds. She had trouble telling the two apart sometimes. It was a bit of a... direct question, but no less valid in its simplicity. Considering her issues with actually pulling her disparate fighting styles together, it was in fact one she had asked herself more than once - how dedicated to weaponry was she, really?
It was truly only stubbornness - the refusal to accept that this experiment would end like all her previous ones - that had kept Nayru attached to her idea of wielding the kama... well, that and her promise to Veigue, but she didn't have to USE them to fulfill that one. So it mostly came back to her being a stubborn idiot... same as most of her problems.
On second thought, ixnay on the inking...thay... thing. She dropped one hand to her hip, lightly running her fingers across the handle of the kama. "It's fine, Remus." Was it really? Jeeze, she felt like the irresponsible deadbeat parent here - not entirely an inaccurate position as it happened. "They're called 'kama', Amelia - conceptually similar to farming sickles." The dragon smiled, a little ruefully, as the irony struck her. That something originally meant to help support life had been turned into a tool of death... it did give one pause. "Though mine were clearly crafted as weapons, rather than re-purposed tools, and the assassin I got them from was rather more skilled at their use than I."
"To answer your question - I'm still learning how to use them. Incorporating-" THAT was definitely a word Amelia would know, right? Nayru hesitated for a second then continued, switching to a slightly different tack. "Working them into my existing unarmed combat styles is hard. My natural approach would be unarmed combat, though. These are... somewhere between a handicap and an experiment."
|
|
|
Post by Remus on Jun 8, 2015 5:53:44 GMT -6
Remus had unlimited patience. That was the image he likely projected, given his inability to maintain even the smallest semblance of anger towards the small girl who was excitedly hanging upon the silence between Nayru's words. However Remus felt a shift that almost twisted his neck as she turned to better "face" Nayru. Technically speaking, her attempting to face Nayru was more of her pivoting half her body, but Amelia made do; Remus'es shoulders and neck integrity not withstanding. The bundle of energy's raven hair blew a bit as the cold Ilian breeze brushed past them for a brief moment. Nayru saying it was fine, beyond emboldening Amelia to new heights of defiance in the future, caused her to nod sagely before looking down at the priest with tilted head and tug at his shaggy blue hair slightly.
"See? Nayru said it's fiiiiine~"
Remus laughed quietly before rolling his eyes harmlessly. Amelia was still a little girl after all. Though Remus wouldn't confess it, he himself had a slight interest into Nayru's weapons given he'd never seen them before and had no name to identify with them nor knowledge to pin to them. So, while it wasn't the type of learning he'd seek out on his own volition, it was learning none the less that he'd take an interest in. Amelia on the other hand, took a moment simply to speak the name of the blade. "Karm-Kama...ummm..conceptually....what's that mean? " The girl's puffed cheeks in thought as she lightly bit at her tongue indicated her trying to process the more difficult words that Nayru used. However the girl's hand shot into the air when she heard Nayru say assassin. She knew the rest of the story!
"Ohhh, Did you get it from one of the ones that tried to take us? Did he give them to you? Did you take them from him? Wait...no...you had them before."
Then the recollection of them upon Nayru's person when she first saw them dawned on her. Slightly disappointing because those were the only assassins she knew, if for but a moment, that meant she had no idea who gave Nayru the weapons. However as Nayru answered her actual question, Amelia perked back up as if nothing had happened. Amelia again, puffed cheeks and all, struggled to understand Nayru's larger choice of vocabulary as the word incorporating dropped like a tipped over anvil. However Amelia struggled to make sense of it all.
"So...your okay at them....but you like to punch things alot too?"
Remus felt a grin slowly creeping further onto his face. Amelia was still learning, and like any child had cognitive hurdles to leap in life yet; but he liked to imagine her and Owain were both very smart children and rather quick learners. Perhaps she could try to discern new words from this conversation.
|
|
|
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jun 8, 2015 6:35:29 GMT -6
Note to self: do not bet life on ability to be a school teacher. Nayru chuckled at Amelia's antics, and a little at her confusion. She didn't -try- to talk confusingly, but being extremely well read had had the effect that her speech did, at times, resemble that of a book... a little awkward for communication at times, sometimes overly flowery, bereft of the simplicity and brevity of normal human conversation. It wasn't a dragon thing per se but it was a relatively common malady for many more knowledgeable dragons, THAT much Nayru remembered quite well from Arcadia. Then again, she also remembered plenty of human scholars there doing it to some degree as well, but it did seem more common among dragons, who had centuries or millennia to develop unique speech patterns.
"Conceptually similar... basically the same thing as saying that it's almost the same idea. Kama ARE basically farming sickles, just changed around a bit to be better at making bad guys stop moving." She decided not to go into detail about blood channels and all the nitty-gritty details, Amelia definitely didn't need to know THAT just yet. Also, she had the feeling Amelia and Remus both would miss some of the beauty in the crafting... she wasn't much of an artisan but it was good to notice that stuff. "No, I got these from another group of assassins a few weeks back. Er, not that assassins are a regular..."
Nayru trailed off, her shoulders slumping as she realized that yes, yes they god damn were, and no it wasn't going to go anywhere - and this was all when she hadn't really even blown her cover (that) badly yet!
"...Yeah, ok, they kind of are, but it wasn't MY fault! Er, that time. Veigue has - it's a really long story but uh some bad guys really don't like him and, well, we run into their friends sometimes." And then murder them horribly, RIP Zarius and the unnamed dumbass who donated his kama to her. There was probably some irony in that; she didn't have legendary dragonbone blades forged in the pyres of a burning Arcadia and whetted in the blood of her race, just a couple of fancy swords from some nobody assassin. Really felt like she was supposed to have upgraded her gear tier by this point. "So yeah, these kama were donated by a kind man who just didn't have any use for them anymore."
It was not... technically... inaccurate, though she had a feeling Remus would know exactly what she meant while Amelia would focus more on what she said, but that was fine. She wasn't in the least bit ashamed of their source, not after the promise she had made over them with Veigue, but discussing murdering people and taking their stuff didn't really sit well with her idea of interactions with Amelia. "I'm still trying to learn the basics of using these weapons, I'm a martial artist more than a warrior."
|
|
|
Post by Remus on Jun 8, 2015 6:51:38 GMT -6
As she explained the words to Amelia, there was almost a visible moment to process everything. As if looking at Amelia revealed cogs within her mind turning in calibration to cognitively process and comprehend the actual word. Amelia nodded once she believed she had a grasp on the phrase, conceptual. Amelia lifted a finger as she attempted to look educated and scholarly, nodding in agreement with her own phrasing. "So your saying that the assassins you fought and the people that tried to take us are conceptual! I understand, yes, yes. " Feeling satisfaction at saying such a big word while knowing what it meant, she giggled quietly before resting her palms on the blue haired priests head and smiling brightly at Nayru. Remus rolled his eyes a bit with another grin. He had a feeling he'd be hearing the word conceptual far more often from now on.
Though as Nayru started to talk about Assassins, he chimed in before Amelia could try to steer the conversation towards some darker more macabre one such as how she killed them. Interjecting, he spoke up quietly. "It seems you have encounters with men of a negative disposition, that have rather proficient skill sets in blades. That's..well I can't commend your luck much Nayru, but I'm certainly glad you were there for our encounter haha..." Amelia chimed in either way, suddenly lifting her hand into the air again as she patted Remus'es head. "Brother Remus, it's simply a matter of her running into people of conceptual skills." Her tone heavily indicated her best attempt to imitate the priests as they gave information to the public. Then Amelia chimed in back to her hyperactive tone while she questioned Nayru once more. "Wellll, which do you enjoy using more? Does martial artist mean you like punching more?"
|
|