Histories [Garnet/Aleth C]

[Garnet]

OoC: Sometime before we go chasing down bandits in "A Promise Made", Ilia.

Garnet turned in his slim sword to the company blacksmith, handing over the scabbard he was so used to having at his side. It had nicks and chinks missing all up and down the blade. He probably ought to have turned it in sooner to be worked on, but he hadn't. Too busy keeping it on hand in case of a fight. He was about to go fighting again it seemed, but the sound of a cracked weld in the blade had him wary of bringing it with him this time. Only a fool went into battle with unreliable equipment.

As he turned, a dark shine, accented with a deep red caught his attention. Aleth's new armor was a work of art. Even he could tell that, with no smith training. And the red cloak went extraodrinarily well with the black armor. It seemed to change Aleth's appearance from a cheery benevolent young woman to, well, almost royalty in Garnet's estimation. Or something a hero out of legend would wear. He shook his head at the reaction. It was just a change of clothes. But, it was definitely impressive.

"Still getting used to the new armor, Aleth?" He sauntered over towards her, dropping his left hand to correct part of the back-rig for his two-handed sword. "How does it feel? It looks like excellent work."

[Aleth]

Aleth had settled herself onto a crate, it supported her weight enough even as her new armor felt heavier then her original ones. She felt relaxed now and her face showed it as a small smile was cracked in front of it. The whole business with the bandits was messy but she was alive. Her new gifts here felt strange especially their origins. She felt even more separated from her family now. When Garnet approached she moved over a bit so that he could at sit or lean over if he wanted.

"Hey Garnet and yeah, I've had my older armor for years now," she stated, shifting under her armor. It actually seemed perfect in a sense. It was neither too large or too big and left room for growth. It was a shame she was unable to use the other set of arms because she was missing it.

"It is really quite perfect or as close as it gets," she beamed but then turned to a contemplative thought. With everything going on she had forgotten about how special today was supposed to be. It was strange that her parents remembered.

"I guess it really is quite nice," she remarked, examining the intricate work of the armor before continuing,"I can't believe I forgot today was my birthday..." She began to go on muttering about being twenty two years of age. It made her feel older than she should.

[Garnet]

Garnet moved in and seized possession of the corner that Aleth left for him. She seemed to go from delighted with it to pensive. Almost distracted, he'd call it. Alot had gone on the last several days. Perhaps she'd spill what was on her mind if he kept waiting.

He didn't have to wait much longer for it. It practically leapt out to get him.

"Hold on a moment! Today's your Birthday, eh?" She'd completely forgotten about it, too. He'd done the same, on occasion. It hadn't held the same luster for him since his coming of age, but now that he knew it was Aleth's Birthday, he started feeling inklings that he ought to do something nice for her. Of course, with how helpful and nice she was all the time, she deserved something anyway, but now he wanted to put a bit of effort towards her.

"Happy Birthday then. If you'd let me know ahead of time, I'd have planned something for you.... But you didn't. He sat on the crate, hunched over with his arms on his knees, and fingers laced together. Then he leaned sideways just a bit and nudged her playfully with his shoulder.

He smiled, relaxing a bit and watching the business of the day go by. Soon enough, they'd be moving out too, but not immediately. Twenty-two years old.... That was how old he'd been when he'd left Etruria. Been chased out by the destruction of his home. For years he'd sulked, and while not expecting special treatment, he'd used his past as justifications for a hatred which had threatened to destroy his sense of self. Only in recent months had he finally beaten off despair, and in doing so, realized that there were many people passing through, or in the same circumstances he'd been in. Now, at least, he was free to live without being in bondage to his past. Giving a swift shake of his head, he put those thoughts away and forced a smile on his face.

"So, anything in particular you want? Maybe we can pick it up at the next settlement."

[Aleth]

Aleth began to ponder on her past birthdays but each one that she thought was happy sent shivers down the spine. It always seems to turn horrible one way or another. Let it be getting lost or simple neglect, they were never quite…or even close to perfect. At least she got a little bit more during her special day. She never quite understood the point of a birthday anyways. What reasons was there to celebrate it?

“There is no need, its good enough that live for another year,” she replied, she tried to be an optimist. A pessimist would have thought a birthday is just celebrating one more year closer to death. She scratched the back of her head, feeling a bit guilty. She hoped she didn’t give the man the wrong impression; she was trying to lure him into giving her anything. Aleth was very independent and some might say too independent for her own good.

“Sorry about not telling you, I don’t think a birthday is so important, I tend to forget it up until now,” she stated, beginning to change the subject. She knew little of Garnet. Then again she hadn’t been with the company for too long. All she knew was that the man was an exceptional fighter and leader. What she would do to be able to rally others for a true cause…

“So, Garnet what about you? How you ended up here? I can tell you’re not from Illia,” she asked, keeping up with her appearance. She wasn’t sure how she appeared to be others to be honest. Her main focus had always been what she can do for other people.

[Garnet]

"It's not a big deal." Garnet waved away any worries she may have had that he was upset her not speaking of her Birthday. It wasn't a big deal at all, but it was something different. A chance to break any routines that may be getting old, and clear out any staleness. He still intended to do something special, but he'd come up with it on his own, sometime when opportunity presented itself in the future.

"It's not a long story. When things became rough in Etruria, the lucky ones got out early. I wasn't a lucky one...." At times, there was still a sense of loss that tried to overtake him when he thought of his home. He wouldn't live under the rule of bad memories though. He wouldn't roll over and die just because misfortune visited his life.

"I used to be an Etrurian Refugee, I guess. I'm more of a drifter now. I've traveled Northern Lycia, Etruria, Western Sacae, and parts of Ilia as a sell sword and caravan guard. I'll probably be doing it for a long time too.... Sound familiar?" From what he could gather, Aleth had wandered her whole life, much the way he was now.

"How about you? What was growing up in a mercenary band like?" His own village had been filled with its own exciting happenings, but a traveling group of fighters was bound to have some stories behind it.

[Aleth]

Aleth nodded as he listened to Garnet's basic overview of what he has been through. It must have been difficult for the man but this was no time to be too sympathetic. Sympathy and pity were similar in nature. She didn't want to offend the man if possible. Besides many people have gone through similar things or even worse events in their lives.

"It is busy to say the least," Aleth replied with a slight laugh behind it. She had been severely damaged mentally by her parents. Their mercenary band was unlike so many others, she should know with all her travels.

"We're always moving, never to stay in one place for more than a week, wherever there is a job, we always have to go to it," she said, stating the basics in the matter.

"There really wasn't anybody to take care of me, before I could hold a sword, my mother might stay behind in town or be carted off by someone they trusted until the end of a mission," she frowned at the details.

"As soon as I could hold a sword, I was as close to the action as the others in the group but don't misunderstand they always protected me. It is just so frightening though, to be in the middle of a battlefield, loud, smelly," she couldn't help but have shiver go down the spine. When she realized she was beginning to rant about her own problems, she quickly shut up. There were more horrible instances like her acrophobia but there was no need to trouble the red haired hero.

[Garnet]

Raised on the move and by a bunch of sword toughs. Not that those couldn't be good people. His Uncle had raised him in a band of fighters of sorts, although people tended to have different expectations from town guards and militia. The redhead spared a moment to wonder what it would be like if he had been raised like the white-haired swordswoman he was now talking with. Elimine! Would things be different if she had been raised as he had? Pointless questions and idle fancies. Such maybes were an exercise in guessing games.

"Doesn't sound like a cake walk." Garnet grunted out as she finished her story. He didn't know if he was becoming less sympathetic or not, but she seemed to get by fine without sympathy. Her family had toughened her enough to not need it. What was amazing was that she was so generous, because he didn't see that in any of her family member's natures.

There was a short lapse in conversation as Garnet allowed his mind to wander. Eventually, he came out of it though, looking her over once more.

"So... is the arm a sensitive subject?" He wasn't sure if now was the right time to be asking about it, but she treated it with such indifference that he couldn't help do the same. How she'd lost an arm, and yet remained a swordfighter was.... well, it was probably fairly unique. Most people called it quits after dealing with something like that.

[Aleth]

"Worst mistake of my life," Aleth started, instinctively feeling the stub of an arm there. Her voice was dry and uncaring. She didn't mind the lack of arm if it didn't prevent her from getting her job. It had made it difficult for her so many times. She cared little for their pity, they would be the cause of her death.

"I might be Illian but I can't overcome all the cold," she described the main cause of her suffering.

"Never underestimate the desperate even if they are bandits," she warned patting Garnet on the back with her good arm. Then she tried to change the subject around and reassure the hero.

"I swear I can do anybody with two arms can do, except shoot an arrow," she continued, resting her chin on the palm of her arm. She was never a good shot to begin with, so it didn't affect her much. There was a pause as she thought of something else to say.

"Hey Garnet, sometimes I wonder if I try to be a little too helpful, I'm beginning to doubt my own character," she managed to state. It was a sensitive subject, she believes that her tendencies to help with little things here and there was due to her own rebellious attitude.

[Garnet]

Garnet listened as Aleth spoke. She seemed to be sputtering. Trying to reassure him, talking about the desperate, changing the subject,.... He'd just asked if it was a sensitive subject to speak on. Her reaction left him thinking now wasn't the best time to talk about it. The redhead considered something. Aleth had used the word "desperate". Was she desperate? Had she been?

Her switch in topics caught the redhead off guard for a moment. Too helpful? Aleth was one of the most generous people he'd met, he wasn't sure about her being "too helpful".

"I'm not sure such a thing exists, Aleth. Why? Something been bothering you?"

[Aleth]

Aleth opened her mouth to reply but found no words. She unsteadly glanced down and thought deeper on the matter. Why was she incapable of making a simple reply? Her expression seem to deepen into a frown before she perked up to reply.

"It is just, I guess...I'm afraid I seem too nosy whenever I ask to help," she managed to formulate a semi-coherent thought. Then she jumped off her seat, landing with a solid thud onto the ground.

"I wonder if my helping is for a selfish reason," she said out loud but she had to. For some reason, such a thought would tear her apart unless she got it out.

[Garnet]

Garnet watched Aleth quizically, wondering what was troubling her. She normally seemed so chipper. Even while helping others, she always seemed to have a smile on. Was she getting burnt out? He wouldn't be surprised at that, but something told him that the whitehaired swordswoman had maintained this personality for a long time. It was difficult to find a reason for it to change now.

"Being nosy?" Garnet chuckled as he made the comment, then sobered up a bit as he realized she was really troubled. " Well, you never know whether it's being nosy until you ask. Then they either say yes or no. You just have to trust others to tell you the truth." The idea of people helping others for a selfish reason seemed a bit odd to Garnet. Perfectly possible, but Aleth seemed worried about it.

"I... don't see the issue here." Garnet said, hopping off of the box and following her the few steps. "As long as you're happy helping people, and they're happily being assisted, I'm happy. Seems like everyone would be. You wanna talk about it more though?" The redheaded swordsman found himself curious about the Aleth's motivation. "What sort of selfish reason could you have?"