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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jan 25, 2015 19:14:30 GMT -6
"Well... you see, Amelia, with great power comes great responsibility," Nayru started off with words that might give Remus some hope, "and also great coincidence. He fell down some stairs and hurt himself. Remember that line, sometimes it even works." ...And immediately ruined it utterly. To be fair, it wasn't exactly her true view of morality, but messing with Amelia was too fun... and messing with Remus by proxy was WAY too fun. She had a feeling he'd be rolling in his grave right now. If he was, uh, in his grave, and also dead, which he wasn't, it was a figure of speech dammit.
The girl's hand-holding thing affected her a bit more than she let on. She really was like a smaller... less pink... less destructive Elly. Nayru knew quite well that comparing one human to your memories of another was a fool's errand at best, but she couldn't help herself; she was only human, as the saying went. And despite the difference in species, the spiritual core of the notion held true. She might be pretty daft by human standards, but they still felt emotions... much like mortals did, even if most dragons went about it somewhat differently, and she went about it rather a lot differently.
Still, she didn't pull away until Amelia did to go be hyper elsewhere. Nayru watched her. She had hoped to run into Elly or at least hear tales of her mighty exploits slash tragedies while in Ilia, but so far no luck. Perhaps she was just looking for her wayward friend in all the wrong places. Amelia was her own person after all, not just a fill-in for her missing counterpart.
"...Sure," Nayru responded a touch listlessly to Remus's query; not resistant, but it was clear her attention was elsewhere. She could see to it that these people were well set and then be on her way. To where... well, she'd figure that out. Too bad Veigue wasn't around, but they weren't attached at the hip, haha that would be crazy. And in a way, wasn't their ability to temporarily split up to pursue different directions the ultimate representation of their trust...? She wasn't really sure what the right way to think about that was, and it didn't much matter, since she missed him anyways.
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Post by Remus on Jan 25, 2015 20:06:44 GMT -6
Amelia examined her as she spoke, as the little girl seemed to hang on Nayru's words. Though hardly healthy for the draconic females ego. Though Remus did not show an expression of disapproval; merely once more showing a sheepish smile as he chuckled and looked back at her he made mental notes to also correct that one. My my, how fast it seemed Amelia's head was going to fill up with uncouth sayings. Then again, she was just a child. Who knew? Perhaps he would not have to bring it up at all once the young girl found her rest for the evening. The blue haired priest however chuckled none the less as the girl enthusiastically nodded before mentally dedicating herself to remembering those lines. Remus approached the stairs, before turning to scoot Amelia in-front of him. This way if she fell down the stairs for any reason she would but bump into Remus and remain perfectly safe. Remus waited for the girl to someone slowly ascend while she held onto both rails. She took a moment at the top steps to heavy herself up at two at once before loudly smashing her feet down and lifting her hands as if to present a prized performance.
This adventure continued onwards for another flight of steps as the stairs were but a half floor each set. Amelia once again showing off her prized gymnastics while Remus chuckled a bit and waited to take the lead once more. Making his way to the door of their room once past the left door he used the key to open it up slowly. As the door was eased open he noted the lanterns and candles still lit. The staff must have maintained them during the day time. He walked into the room, quickly stepping to the right a bit as Amelia rushed in giggling before leaping upwards onto one of the two beds. Pouncing upon it she wasted no time quickly fufilling her oldest hobby. Pillow/blanket nests. She scooped up the blankets and wrapped them around her so she half resembled a cocooned monster of dark hair before flopping to the side in a fit of giggles atop one of the two large pillows on both of the beds. Though Remus laughed at her with a kind expression he took a moment to lower the sleeping Owain into the bed next to her. She blinked and took to staring intensely at him, as if concentrating on waking the boy with just her gaze. Remus, instead of moving to the next bed simply walked over and sat down upon the wooden chair next to a writing desk infront of the window and next to the wooden balcony entrance.
He sighed a bit, stretching as a series of rippling pops made his back feel more at ease. He let his staff prop against the wall along side him with it leaning on the end of the desk to keep from falling to the floor. The room was not overly large, with a simple wooden chair across from the two beds and the one Remus sat on next to the writing desk. Remus looked to Nayru and then motioned, to the bed and then the chair inviting her to sit. "By all means, sit Miss Nayru and join us. If you decide to sit on the bed, may I suggest the one not occupied by the giggle monster. I hear their quite poisonous." A fit of giggles muffled by bed sheets crept through out the room as Amelia tried to make herself as still as possible, blatantly noticeable. Especially since they had just seen her form said nest and cocoon.
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jan 26, 2015 6:36:46 GMT -6
Nayru smiled innocently at Remus in response to his sheepish smile, completely unaware of why he might possibly be in any way uncomfortable or amused with her logic. Yes, she could see this becoming a theme, quite easily in fact. The worst thing anyone could possibly do was give her a sign that her efforts were bearing fruit, and intentionally or otherwise, Remus had planted that idea in her head.
Her only regret was that Elly was not here to see this... and make matters decidedly more interesting. On the flip side, Elly would probably have crashed her pegasus into the inn with no survivors, so actually maybe this was for the best. That was - sort of a terrifying thought. Monsters, bandits, and mad human kings move over, there's a new force - or was it farce? - of absolute destruction in town!
Outside of dutifully clapping at the end of Amelia's stunning performance once they reached the top of the stairs, Nayru mostly just hung back a bit and allowed the group to interact among themselves, watching rather than interjecting herself, as was her way. She had spent so long being a watcher that even with her newfound ability to interact with others better, old habits died hard. At least nothing went wrong along the way, which was a pleasant surprise given that Amelia was a thing, and the dragon opted to lean against the wall near the door inside the room, arms crossed, as Amelia claimed her rightful role as the patron deity of monsters living under the bed.
...That was actually a really amusing mental image. Nayru piped up with a smile of her own. "Many children fear the monsters living under the bed. If those monsters do indeed exist, I think they now fear you, Amelia." She didn't make any move to join the group further in, not out of disgust, but a certain level of ingrained reticence all too normal for her among those she did not know.
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Post by Remus on Jan 26, 2015 6:55:36 GMT -6
Remus couldn't help but smile a bit internally. Amelia doubtlessly had found a new friend in Nayru, if not even a second person to champion her antics beyond just himself. It was easy for the Priest to find positive traits in their newly met companion Miss Nayru; however that may have been his biggest point. Though Amelia played the role of energetic youth well, Remus knew like Owain she was frightened. They had lost most of their family, and they had to travel to unknown places with he as the only one left to them not knowing if their brother was alive or not. It was to distract herself that she tried so hard to play and bounce about, so that she might forget her situation; and to her credit it was a smart tactic. Remus would support it entirely, if it made it easier for her to deal with such lifestyles.
As Nayru commented upon Amelia's proclaimed fear installation of the monsters under the bed Remus heard a loud series of giggles muffled under the bed sheets while she scooted about as a slow moving cocoon of blankets. She had even managed to cover her forehead and chin now with them so her eyes, nose and part of her mouth were visible along with miscellaneous strands of black hair that had been caught in the opening. She mumbled in an excited tone, the glee at imagining such conquests over these imagined monsters plainly evident. As she scooted towards the sleeping Oain she reaffirmed it by mumbling it again. "I am the monster king!" With the eloquence and grace of any great dancer she leaned upwards and flopped down upon the bed, like a beauteous dancing slug composed of bed fabric. Remus laughed again, feeling no small mirth fill him.
It was always pleasant to see the children, or atleast Amelia in such high spirits. Remus observed a moment longer before he pointed to her with a smile upon his face."Well, the king of monsters needs her rest just like all the normal monsters. Otherwise she can't remain king." Though she growled for a moment with a body wide wiggle in protest, she could not hide the yawn in time that followed from the blue haired Priests watching gaze. Realizing she was caught in the act he objectively waited as she flopped onto her side in her cocoon and simply closed her eyes to sleep. Remus waited a few moments before talking, knowing it took such a wiry child few moments to actually drift to sleep. "I thank you, thus far for today Miss Nayru. The children have needed such pleasantries, to say the least. Especially Amelia. She would play the part of Herald of Destruction, but she is simply trying to cope. You've helped this, in no small part. For that I am grateful. "
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jan 26, 2015 9:04:24 GMT -6
"A family bound not by blood, but spirit." Nayru's pensive murmur wasn't particularly insightful or hidden from Remus, but she always had enjoyed watching families in action. The closeness of their bond, the casual ease with which they accepted each other's presence as a guarantee... she hadn't really had anything like that since Erim, despite several tries at integrating with existing ones, and by now it was clear the fault was not that of others. But she didn't see the need to be bitter about it. Just watching the happiness of real families was enough for her. If she could do her part to protect that throughout her life, wasn't that, in its own way, a net gift of happiness to the world?
Not one that could even begin to atone for her crimes, but a... petty attempt at recompense, she supposed. Perhaps it was a fool's errand, but it would be nice to have accomplished SOMETHING with her life, even if she knew quite well by now she had not the wisdom nor the judgement needed to personally lead humanity into a new age.
As ever, Nayru's ability to deal with gratitude was somewhere between nonexistent and the negatives. When Remus thanked her, she looked to the side rather than meet his eyes, the way her grip on her arms tightened a bit and her facial reaction betraying the fact she was a bit uncomfortable with the subject, or at least embarrassed by it. "...I really didn't do much. I was just lucky to run into you three at the right time." Really, outside of punching the guy out, she didn't do anything that anyone else couldn't have done better, and a wiser warrior might have been able to defuse the situation without violence in the first place. Hm. That guy... "If I may offer some advice - don't stay here too long, and watch your back while you do. You never know when thugs like that will want revenge, and sometimes innocents get drawn into the crossfire."
She spoke all too much from experience. Sometimes it had ended well, but... rarely. The events at the Ilian farm half a century ago were a more common result.
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Post by Remus on Jan 26, 2015 9:21:37 GMT -6
Though she spoke of family, Remus had mis-taken her words to speak of the childrens closeness to eachother. Ironic as it sounded, he himself was unaware of their fondness for him like a caretaker or beyond it. He simply assumed the children looked to him as a source of provided comforts. Growing within the church he had not been privy to the notions of inclusivity and simply kept to himself. He looked to the children with a brief smile as they slumbered side by side. He had realized shortly into the beginning of their trip that he was grateful it was he chosen for this task of escorting them. Most would have found the boundless hours of merely watching the children in silence and task of keeping a protective gaze to them to be a lonely one. However he not only enjoyed it, but found it gave him ample opportunities to reflect on the positives. Remus stood up slowly while she spoke.
He took his staff to his hands, clasping it to gaze out the window while he held the staff double handed."I would wager you've done far more milady. You've arrived when two children needed you, and shown that even in dark places unknown to them that seem unrelenting and cruel that great good can arrive. They were taught growing up that miracles can happen if one searches for them..." He turned around once more to gaze at the woman with a kind smile. The blue haired priest though speaking of miracles seemed less preachy than most would have, attributing the worldly arrival of them to worldly sources. "You placed this faith of theirs into practice. You've helped them have faith in people..if you will. Additionally, I am sure the title of monster king shall follow Amelia for some great time; if not assuring you directly myself. "
He chuckled before walking over to the doors for the balcony and lifting his hand to brush the musty panes of glass. Fingers traced along the cool surface with his tips collecting small deposited of dust and leaving trails along the pane that provided better vision. Creating clarity within the murky grayed unclear mass. He spoke again with his gaze noticing the man that had been laying down slowly starting to stir as if relevant to her words."Would it be that I could..I would have the children away. However after the incident with the orphanage, when we first tried to send them to another they would not unless I went with them. As I can not leave young Joshua..they were insistent. My heart could not bear to force them into the unknown of another home..so I confess I took them with me. Even now I worry I have let that weakened resolve put them in danger; for before we can brave any real danger we must first find those who would protect us to Laus and back. No easy feat..and this seems the only place where we might find such. Even the church refused to offer help in such matters; thus why I was forced to come here." Opening up slightly the priest continued to gaze through the glass, simply speaking as if in thought.
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jan 26, 2015 10:11:35 GMT -6
"...Better her than the original," Nayru retorted thoughtfully. She wasn't actually sure if there was a king to the monsters - certainly she knew more of them than most but by dragon standards her knowledge was a tad less impressive, and by a tad she meant A LOT less impressive. But there were legends, truths lost to time, and she knew enough about monsters to be very aware that they were dangerous enough even without a guiding intelligence. Add one, and Elibe might face greater dangers to its very existence than it had since the Scouring.
Remus's description of her made it sound like she was some sort of shining light in the darkness, a heroine beyond compare. The irony was a palpable force, but the mental image was actually pretty funny. "...The hero Elibe deserves, but not the one it needs right now." She giggled to herself, a clarion ring to her tone. "Elibe is sorely in need of heroes, a need that will only grow as the truth and severity of the monstrous invasion grows. Today’s monster kings may be tomorrow’s saviors.”
Or dead in an alley with a knife in their backs. ...That was kind of messed up, seriously, what the hell brain? “...I had a friend like her... a companion, rather. More energy than she knew what to do with... innocent, well-meaning, and affectionate.” Nayru sighed, shaking her head. “Within two months of meeting her, she had been forced to take her first life, a bandit in a sacked town where I met another of my traveling companions.” In retrospect, she and Veigue actually had a pretty cool backstory, like something you’d see in a play or something. A pair forged in the fires of hell, forced to rely on and learn to trust each other as they fought their way side by side through trials and tribulations and madmen alike. Granted, it wasn’t likely to be a very happy play, but maybe some sort of drama?
“I would have protected her from that responsibility had it been in my power, but I failed. I... still don’t know if it was for the best,” the dragon admitted a little hesitantly, not really even thinking about how easy Remus was to open up to - maybe all that business with Veigue had ruined something in her head. “Her innocence died that day, but perhaps I had been coddling her too much... one of my companions certainly believed so, and I cannot truly say he was wrong. Humans need a certain level of strength - of self, of character - to survive as adventurers and warriors in this world, and she was slow to develop it. But I do wish it had not been her to be the one to have to rise to that responsibility.”
She looked over at Amelia, at Owain, both resting peacefully... or pretending to. She really couldn’t be sure when it came to one of them in particular. “I hope your charges are never faced with that decision.”
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Post by Remus on Jan 26, 2015 10:35:03 GMT -6
Remus chuckled to her comment. Imagining Amelia taking up residence as a queen of Monsters, sitting upon a throne while unimaginable grotesque creatures provided her with more pillows and blankets to create the grandest of all nests? Why, he half believed if she were to rule over the abominations of Elibe that they would be rather preoccupied and too busy to be harming or harassing the enlightened peoples. Remus turned from his examinations through the window as miss Nayru spoke. The young blue haired priest clasped both hands to the top of his staff, fingers wrapping around the metallic tip holding the small magical gemstone infused atop which kept it's healing spell charged. Remus thought quietly, reflecting on her words. He had admittedly never seen or had to commit acts of violence. As a priest he found it a gift, if not even a literal blessing that his talents had been in that of healing and not other arcane arts associated with violence. However he had suffered through trials. The church had awaken him to the darker themes of the world in other means. Corruption. Officials who accepted money for false blessings. Those who turned the faith of others to their advantage. Such things he could not rightly ignore.
Remus gazed from her to the sleeping children. Though he knew Owain was likely to awake at any point, as usual with a start and a frightened shout; Amelia would slumber through it as she always did. She was not one to half heartedly attempt it, when she slumbered she slept in full so much so that even a raging dragon could not awaken her. While both children slept Remus spoke, his tone though hushed but not quiet enough to be hard to hear. "Would I have the power to shelter them from all the cruelties of the world trust me milady. I would do so at any cost. However I believe...that there is a way to recover from the actions you speak of. While part of it would dawn from our earlier conversation, faith in one another..I believe that we can recover from the harsh realities. I would loath to associate you with violence, but I would assume you have had to take a life before. You simply seem to have that acknowledgment; and yet when interacting with young Amelia one would have taken you for a woman known for naught but kindness. I believe that, and that alone can save others from the harsh realities if nothing else. Tis a frightful world of cruel things we live in...but when others strive to simply lighten our world up with laughter or mirth despite that? It becomes a much easier place to inhabit. "
Remus moved to sit back down in his chair. This time he shifted his hands into his cloak. A series of small chain like jingles sounded as he revealed that beneath his robes he had three tomes bound to him. As ever was his hobby, he had taken reading in great interest. Placing them upon the desk for a later point the Priest stretched outwards and rolled his shoulders before propping his staff upon the floor and desk once more. He looked to her, asking a question of curiosity though hoping not to inquire a personal discomfort. "If I may ask..where are your companions now? I find it hard to imagine you are one to often travel alone, given your disposition. Though I admit I barely know you, and am simply basing this assumption of our current impressions of one another. "
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jan 26, 2015 11:37:33 GMT -6
"Recovering..." Nayru's consideration was quite obvious in the drawn out word as she thought about it, tried to gauge his opinion's value. It did sound nice, but his choice of comparisons had been, unfortunately, lacking in ways he could not have understood. "...I cannot say as that I agree, Remus. The burden of the... countless lives I have taken will ever bear heavy on my shoulders, and while it is something one can certainly live with, it is not a... wound that one may recover from; it is a change in the fundamental nature of a man... or woman, as the case may be... that can never be undone."
She quirked a tired and regretful ethereal smile, no merriment evident to betray her appearance. It was nice that people mistaked her for truly happy, for as carefree as she acted, but it was not entirely the truth. "We all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin." There was a level of regret inherent to her words that spoke of harsh truths learned over centuries, and while Remus might very well not agree, Nayru truly believed in her words, as little as she liked to utter them.
His comment was a little... amusingly ironic, or maybe very perceptive, or completely wrong, she really had no idea. Not one to travel alone. Heh. She'd done it for centuries, so at a face value it was false... but perhaps she had never quite wanted it. How things had progressed after meeting Elly, after Aerious and Veigue and Hayle and Lynessa, it wasn't exactly unfair to say that maybe she had just secretly been waiting for someone to break through her protective shell. And how well that had worked out for all of them! Had the winds of chance blown just a little differently, she would have scattered Veigue's corpse to the winds and Hayle's behind it.
But it wouldn't hurt anything to just answer the question. "...In a nearby town. We split up for a short time to each pursue certain personal agendas." Hers had primarily been to hunt for Elly and try to get better used to her new body, but Remus didn't need to know that... nor would he understand it if she did tell him.
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Post by Remus on Jan 26, 2015 12:24:44 GMT -6
Remus gazed at her quietly. Intently. Listening and taking in every word spoken. He had minuscule experiences in the field of conversation concerning taking lives. While she explained her feelings, the priest quietly pondered it. Allowing every word to sink in and take root so he could try to better grasp the concept. Though he attempted to inspect it from her point of view..a certain lingering sentiment came to mind. Remus was unsure how to properly put it into words so he merely waited. Lingering in thought as she transitioned to the conversation of masks. Hiding ones expressions. This he knew all to well. Though most of his smiles were entirely genuine he had at times hidden his prayer from others so that he might commune better. At times he had hidden his overly real inspection of a negative situation from Amelia; and Owain even though he was less likely to notice if something were to be amiss.
Lifting his gaze upwards he tugged at his staff standing up once more. Taking a few steps to the right he lifted it so it was parallel to the ground with a segment closer to the end resting in his palm and another portion near the center within his palm. He tilted his head curiously as he inspected it before looking up to Nayru. "I confess, my rather obvious inexperience at harming others. I could not begin to profess I understand the reality of, nor have felt the haunting sensations you describe. However...in my naive optimism I find a certain lingering thought. I have healed a few wounds now, the man outside being the second most serious yet. When you kill another, you describe how it does effect you. If the body can be healed, why then can the soul not be? My beliefs may hold little weight, as they are mere fledgling thoughts in the field but..I would argue that the moments we spend with others whom we've forged bonds with..is such healing. Even as you say, it may not be an indefinite cure. Do you truly still find lingering haunting thoughts even when in pleasant company of loved ones? Is that how the soul feels when stained?"
He shook his head while he lowered his staff and lightly pressed the bottom to the ground. A wooden clack quietly echoed as it wrapped to the ground from the placement. He spoke as he gazed at her, smiling yet seeming to contain a certain sheen or fire in his gaze. "If it is as you speak, if that is how the world is then I would dedicate myself to finding an answer, in addition to assisting those I meet in need. What greater a goal, can someone strive to then to help soothe the unsootheable? I would refuse to view myself as any admirable man of healing if I could not ease ones pain entirely."
He looked down at the children with a smile, his expression softening once more. The talk of masks. It brought him to thoughts of Amelia. She was a strong girl, but he saw through her bravado. He had only seen her at her truest once, but in that time her comfort had become his only priority. He looked back up with a soft smile and a chuckle as the memory played out. "That is a field I can contribute in greater too. You are correct, wearing a mask long enough may feel like our very own faces..but I've come to learn that in the right company...any mask can be removed to satisfaction. Sometimes wearing masks is necessity, I wouldn't deny it. It is when you have those who can show themselves without it that truly you find meaning in having worn one for so long."
He gazed further beyond her. As if looking not through, but past her. He thought briefly for a moment as he shifted his weight to lean on his staff. "I would wish then, for your own sake Miss Nayru that when you meet your friends again it is to much joy and festivity. Sharing such bonds, I would imagine is a nice thing." Alas, a slight slip of the tongue. Remus, as he had worded poorly to reveal had not such friendships with anyone of his own age. Many members of the church had been quite unapproving of him, and he had even found most adults in general to find it a trait of dislike within Etruria. Then again he had not met the voice of Etruria. The actual people. Not often enough to forge any lasting friendships. Though at just twenty he was still painfully young.
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jan 26, 2015 17:12:45 GMT -6
Nayru snorted, not quite derisively, but there was a distasteful ring to it regardless. "The business of souls is the arena of religions, not mine." she wasn't necessarily trying to dismiss her entire point, but knowing the truth of Elimine, it made it difficult for Nayru to take her church and its honeyed lies too seriously, even if Remus himself deserved better. The very idea of praying to a dead murderer and it somehow magically absolving one of all sin did nothing but make a mockery of those hurt by it. A simple prayer did not bring the dead back to life, nor did it change the past.
"...The stains of my spirit will never wash out. I can wear a mask, pretend that I am more than what I truly am... I can attempt to atone for them or simply cease to care about lives long since snuffed out by hatred and flame... but none of those can change reality. All I can do is keep moving forward, trying to make their loss mean something." She looked back up at him. "Even if I did not - if I chose to forget the past and live solely for the future - I would still be changed by that past, just in different ways. My hands are already drenched in blood, but I would do anything in my power to spare the innocent that burden.
Hm... bonds. She smiled grimly, a touch amused at the black humor of Remus's words. Her relationship with Veigue was one of trust and friendship... but one sword through swords and forged in blood, two kindred souls with pasts they could never truly atone for, struggling to find meaning meaning in lives shared together... even if they did manage to improve Elibe, they could not simply shirk those burdens. Remus might mean well, and she was finally realizing she miiiight have been a bit harsh on him, but neither could she entirely agree with his sentiments. "...I apologize. I do not mean to belittle your beliefs. I simply cannot condone the concept of... belittling the sins of the past in some quest for redemption. My past... no longer defines me, but it was... is... who I am. It is through shouldering that burden that I can press onward, not by shirking it."
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Post by Remus on Jan 26, 2015 19:08:55 GMT -6
"The business of souls is the arena of religions, not mine."
Remus slowly gazed downwards in pensive reflection upon that statement. That was the general opinion of most people. Though for varied reasons. He was a kind man, but not entirely blind like some would have believed to his demeanor. He knew that many believed that statement feverishly; be it out of not being interested or simply believing they had not the power. Remus was often one to go out of his way to formulate as educated an opinion as possible. His bright emerald eyes closed, as he reflected further on it. Leaning on his staff as he sighed slightly, as if under a great stress. In reality he merely took a single reprieve from the entire day and let it sink in. He lifted his gaze to Nayru, and despite the brief appearance of a man who held no limit to his tired feelings, or weariness his eyes once again were the emeralds that seemed to contain boundless aptitude for kindness. "Healing does not undo entirely. If I heal a man's wounds from the sword..he may forever remember the bite of it as it cut him. Forgiveness is such Miss Nayru. You do not forget. Instead, you accept. It is not to the gods or heavens; nor heroes we should look to for this first. It is ourselves. You accept that what happened, can not change. We have not the ability to go back and alter history..nor should anyone contain such power. Instead, you must fine peace within yourself. If that seems impossible; know that others do. Any horrors you may have done, or that you feel you've done? These things would not, say change my opinion of you. For you were the one that has given me the means to continue caring for these children. Amelia? Why, never have I seen her warm up to someone so quickly. Strange child though she may be, giggles and all she is still able to tell a bad person from good. Forgive me though, I speak as if I have some greater knowledge on the matter when I do not. Simply know, that we all carry around regrets of past failings. Spending time dwelling upon what could have been done differently will merely tear us asunder."
Though he spoke with a smile, even then the sight lingered in his memory. His gaze lowered and the smile masked oh irony the sadness that could have etched it's self upon his face had he let it The blackened charred wood skeleton of the orphanage. The place he had tended to childrens wounds and scrapes, even tucked in sleeping or restless bodies night after night. In flames. The expression on Amelia's face when she too saw. Her tears and the sound of the girls unsure sobs at why such a thing had happened were perhaps the most haunting at all. His inner grief, and the insecurities he had initially felt towards himself felt like something from so long ago. He had; for the first time in his life at that moment felt fury towards himself. Thought himself incompetent. He, with his healing arts could have allowed them to live to escape. So he thought; yet the terms had dawned upon him that had he been there he may very well have also perished. He, and the two little ones bundled in blankets and sleeping upon the bed. No, he would certainly never forget. However he had forgiven himself; so that he could better serve to protect his small little sheep.
Remus lifted his gaze to look at her once more with a slight wave of his hand and a mirth in his smile. His tone was again taken to the kinder uplifting one he was at home with."You've no need to apologize. My beliefs are simply that. My own. You are entitled to your own ideals Miss Nayru. However, to forgive would never be to belittle. Simply to look beyond. If however this path you walk is the one you wish to and see as best for you the continue to walk with chin held high milady. I, as well I feel with great confidence shall Amelia and Owain merely cheer you on upon any occasion we have to while in your company. " He chuckled a bit before gazing back to the sleeping children. "A bit of an ironic situation I confess. I've recalled a child-hood story my father used to tell me. The Keeper and the Knight. A tale of a dragon guarding a lake and a knight turned sellsword. You much remind me of the knight from that tale. " Irony indeed once again
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jan 27, 2015 7:18:52 GMT -6
He was certainly a very different man than Veigue, but there were enough similarities in their philosophies that Nayru found herself taken aback a bit. It hadn't even been that long since Veigue had said something quite alike to her as she lay, an invalid, in his mother's bed... she still didn't know if it was wisdom or foolishness, but she couldn't entirely ignore the sentiments.
"Someone I know..." the dragon began carefully, not really willing to spill all just yet, "-told me something similar." She wasn't really agreeing or disagreeing; Nayru still had a lot of thinking to do about Veigue's words, much less worrying about Remus's. But she had promised to stand by Veigue rather than giving into the darkness, so there was that. It was about as much as she would concede to Remus for now, regardless. She hadn't really planned to get into a philosophical debate. It was a lot easier to live if you just didn't think about that stuff, she was learning.
Without knowing anything of Remus's past she couldn't know what Remus was thinking, but she sensed he was speaking somewhat from experience... maybe not the same as her own or Veigue's, but scars all his own nonetheless. Sometimes she really did wish that everything could be solved with punching. It'd be a more interesting world to live in if nothing else.
Nayru wasn't entirely sure what had brought the story to mind for Remus, but he seemed to be hinting at a desire to tell it, and she didn't see the harm in it. If he'd said she reminded him of the dragon she'd be a bit more worried, but Remus didn't know that... probably. "I can't say as that I've guarded or attacked any lakes lately. What's the story?"
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Post by Remus on Jan 27, 2015 8:43:34 GMT -6
As she lingered in thought Remus looked to her with his typical smile. While he waited for her response he merely gazed on with a bit of his usual expression. The children still slumbered peacefully, though Amelia in her sleeping process had turned a few times managing to free one arm and leg from her impenetrable cocoon; now splayed out with one arm literally over Owain's head with her fore arm almost covering his mouth. Even in sleep she managed to look as ridiculous as possible. Remus spoke with a bit of a chuckle. Explaining the story as his father once had.
"Well. This story takes place in Nabata. Where water is precious and deeds are all the harder for it's climate. A dragon dwelled within the waters of a lake, a dragon of ice. It was an old dragon, having lived since the scouring and yet eluded the armies of man that had sought it. It's body kept the waters far cooler than it would have normally been and thus kept it from turning to dust in the intense heat. The wandering nomads who lived within the desert believed this dragon was also responsible for why the water never ran dry. As such none sought to harm it or even attempt it. Why would you when it offered life to so many? While animals from all over would come to drink, humans to take vases full of it back to their tribes this dragon would quietly sleep; visible in the clear crystal waters below.
Word of this dragon spread all over the land slowly. Rumors and Myth. However, as men are fickle things..both full of great good and great evil; some sought to obtain this dragon and its power. A merchant lord from Ilia hired a great knight. A powerful man once considered a hero who had grown..weary of the world's conquests and entered the life of a simple wandering swellsword. However, once the knight vanished after accepting this contract he hadn't heard of him for many years. He became enraged when he received no word of his death or victory; for this merchant was a man of greed that desired the dragons power.
The dragon would only rise from the water once a year. At times like this, a lone man would visit the waters. A knight of no house who would arrive in the desert. The nomads said he would be seen walking with a beautiful Maiden at night, beneath the moons touch when the desert went from horribly warm to very cool. However by the morning he was gone and this maiden no where to be found. Until a time, when the knight stopped showing up. he had been imprisoned by the merchant lords of Ilia for crimes. He had broken a contract. In a land where mercenaries bound themselves by oath and word it was utmost criminal. So upset was this Merchant lord, that he took the knight with him as a prisoner while he left with a battalion of the finest warriors his excessive wealth could hire. Any of them the knights equal.
When they finally arrived at the oasis, the knight began to show worry. As if he wanted them to leave the dragon alone. The merchant however ignored these signs of fret. Immediately he had mages cast bolts of powerful magic within the depths of the lake to anger the great creature and harm it. The dragon burst forth with a great breath of ice freezing a few to the bone on the spot. The warriors were relentless though. Throwing themselves at the dragon with great wanton. Though it felled many, it started to acquire wounds for though it was a dragon it was not immortal.
The knight seemed to despair. Bound as he was he had no power to draw on. He was but a warrior. What happened next was told to be a miracle. As the cackling merchant lord looked on to the dragons wounds with his battalion of men starting to overwhelm it he heard the breaking of binds. No sooner did he turn around then he was struck down by the knight. A man driven by a fire unlike any other, he fought like the great hero he had once been considered. The distraction caused by this when the other knights turned to hear their hiring lord struck down allowed the dragon to slip back into the lake to heal its wounds. Enraged their fury turned to this man. This lone human.
This man fought with such zeal and passion that even as bolts of magic scorched his body and blades rent his armor he continued onwards. When his blade broke, he used his fists. He managed to bring down the last of the hired warriors even while standing now at the edge of the lake. Two blades within him, and his armor burnt beyond repair the man fell to his knees. At deaths door, he looked to the crystal waters of the lake. However the figure that came out was not the dragon. Our of the waters rose the maiden. The woman he had come to see over the years. Her arms took his and lightly she pulled him into the water, her tired and weary knight. As fate would have it, the stories end at different points. All agreeing however that when he was pulled into the water he was never seen again. What happened to him? That becomes up to speculation. However..."
Here Remus chuckled a bit with a smile towards the woman as he adjusted his staff. "Where it reminds me of you, Miss Nayru is that like the knight..you seem to be a wanderer. You arrived to help someone in their time of need, such as the knight and seem to fight not only others but your own problems as well when you fight. " His words were cut off, by the sudden chiming in of one raven haired little girl. Amelia had, at some point during his story cracked her eyes open as she looked up at Remus now lifting her small body to prop her hands on her hips. "HOLD, on. " She huffed a bit and inhaled almost forcefully. "Dragons dont get hurt by normal people Brother Remus. Why didn't the dragon lady just freeze them all instantly? She's a dragon! Their like..invincible! She could have just flown into the air and killed all the bad guys! She wouldn't need a knight to help her!" Ahh, the imaginations of children. Amelia, Remus feared would not be swayed. He chuckled and smiled to her with a kindly gaze. "Then, when you tell the story Amelia you make sure to add that twist in there. I'm sure you will have your audiences captivated." Posing with a triumphant poise, as if she had want a tournament of strength Amelia nodded before bundling up into her nest of blankets once more and quietly looking at them both with the occasional giggle. Owain, miraculously had slept peacefully yet. It was nice to see him receiving some decent rest for once.
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jan 27, 2015 10:57:40 GMT -6
Nayru decided against pointing out there weren't really any lakes in Nabata, that was why it was a desert, since... well, it was just a story, a folktale, and stories didn't exactly have to be realistic. Every party needed a pooper, and that's why they had invited her... except not really, and no one liked the kind of person who'd interrupt a story to complain about how unrealistic it was. She knew from experience, being a bit of a storyteller herself, her craft honed over the years.
The story itself was quite interesting. She wondered where it had actually originated, and how... it portrayed the dragon of the story suspiciously positively for a human tale. She certainly hadn't heard of it during her own time in Arcadia, nor in the greater world of Nabata, though she had not spent a -great- deal of time in Nabatan civilization so it was possible it was known there. Sometimes the truths that legends were built off of were every bit as interesting as the tale itself, if not more so, and she had the feeling there was more to this one than met the eye.
Remus did a rather good job of telling it too, she decided, her opinion more or less corroborated by Amelia's passion in arguing how it should have ended. She could respect that. His comment as to how it applied to her was insightful as well, in its own way; she didn't know if she liked it, but it had a degree of truth to it. With Veigue's grandfather, Vandalf; with Veigue's sister, Lena; with Veigue himself as the most evident example, and now Remus to boot, not to mention adventures further set in the past. Her little joke about being the hero Elibe deserved came to mind, and while she was no hero, it was an amusing thought nonetheless.
"...I do seem to have a tendency to arrive at a dramatically appropriate time," Nayru agreed with a giggle of her own to match Amelia's. "Perhaps I should invest in a dashing steed and take my rightful role of the wandering prince, saving fair damsels... and you..." her voice was sing-song, disarmingly innocent in its implications "Soon, all of Elibe's maidens will pine for my... actually that's kinda creepy, belay that thought." She didn't care that much for attention in the first place, being a teenage male heartthrob actually sounded absolutely horrific.
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