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Post by Althea on Dec 29, 2016 4:23:16 GMT -6
Althea tensed up a bit when Donovan correctly guessed her nationality, but it wasn't so much something she actively hid as simply something that she did not bring up, so it didn't put her off too immensely. And he had not said it unkindly, but rather as an observation. And it was true. Even if she had left Etruria in her teens, the speech patterns of her origins were far more difficult to shake off entirely. She sighed, her shoulders slumping in the wake of that hump of emotions. "The Etruria I knew... died when Kraft took over. I didn't stay to see what happens next." She knew just fine, after all. It had taken her parents and her childhood. Sometimes it was especially difficult not to hate Kraft, but hatred solved nothing.
The silver tongued mercenary apparently had strong feelings about the subject of meaning, though they apparently disagreed on the specifics. Or... did they? Althea had to think about it a bit. He had made a good point, that meaning rose from events whether or not they were nice, or anyone liked what had come of it. She definitely wouldn't, couldn't, argue that. But she wasn't quite on the same page, not with the result, but with the perception. "...I concede that meaning can arise from any event, but I was referring more specifically to the inherent meaning of an event. A landslide has no will, no purpose of its own, and yet it kills as surely as any blade. One can draw from its results, but I suspect that the loved ones of those it slays would prefer to have their families back rather than struggle to find meaning in tragedy."
...That had... gone in directions she hadn't quite planned. "Though I am not much of a philosopher. I take solace in dusty ruins and old tomes, trying to ignore the realities of Elibe." Althea paused for a moment as she realized how pathetic that actually sounded... the level of passiveness, of unwillingness or inability to contest fate that it it revealed about her. That had sounded so much better in her head. "With Elibe as it is, I should brush up on my magic studies, though. It wouldn't hurt to at least be able to defend myself."
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Post by Donovan on Dec 30, 2016 12:53:40 GMT -6
As they rode through the wood, Don noticed a familiar oak tree with a strange carving in its bark. A symbol he had carved himself the day before when they’d passed this place and a certain young fox had shown interest in a burrow under the tree. Don laughed, delighted at finally finding the spot he’d been looking for and virtually leapt off of Aonbharr. “Hey, come out you lazy beast. We have to get out of this godforsaken patch of wood. There’s evil afoot.” There was a levity in the silver tongue’s voice that had not been there before. He seemed to show his youth for the first time since he’d left Kitchi in the wood to ensure the fox’s safety. After all, Donovan was merely 21 years old.
From within the hole emerged a small, but ever growing fox. Kitchi was no longer a kit, but he was still cuter than all hell and softer than any creature ever had a right to be. Donovan scooped up the fire coated fox and the creature immediately climbed onto the mercenary’s shoulder, coming to rest upon his pauldron. It nipped, hungrily at his ear and he knowingly reached into the saddle bag to pull out some jerky which the creature happily devoured. He remounted the pale horse and got back along their journey. The others in his band acting as if nothing unusual had happened as they joked and talked amongst themselves.
“Everyone needs to know how to defend themselves these days, Althea. There isn’t anywhere that’s free of violence anymore. Not even the furthest reaches of Elibe. This is Kitchi, by the way.”
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Post by Althea on Dec 31, 2016 1:51:55 GMT -6
"Ohmygod it's so CUTE... I mean, t-the fox is... adorable..." The shaman's voice trailed off into a hesitant flat finish as she made a very unconvincing attempt to look less enthralled than she was, but the very nearly outright girlish start had been a note of overly feminine giddiness that had been quite out of character for the utterly calm and composed appearance she usually tried to convey. But by the gods above what WAS that thing? Weren't foxes supposed to be bigger and meaner and... less soft looking? And it was his PET or something?
Althea the outdoorsman, ladies and gentlemen.
She hadn't been sure what the stop was for initially so she hadn't gotten off when Don did, a fact that gave Althea some measure of gratefulness for her hesitation when it turned out he had just planned on getting right back on. Saved her the trouble of looking like a tool anyways! Not that she wasn't quite capable of doing that for herself of course... anyways. Don still seemed interested in their conversation, though he latched on to something different than what she had expected. Still, he raised a good point - that the Elibe of today was more dangerous that it had ever been. She had already known that on some level, but the affirmation aided in driving that truth home. Elibe was not a place where one could simply be interested in the past anymore, unless you had the resources and ability to hire others to guard you forever.
Well, it was something to keep in mind, anyways. Not exactly like she could start throwing dark magic while riding someone else's horse, that would just create a great deal of misunderstanding, and she wasn't in great position to be casting anything anyways. So no point in focusing on it for now. Besides, there was something far more important than mere life or death afoot! "Ah... hello, Kitchi," she said somewhat uncertainty and hesitantly, looking back at the creature without the courage to reach out for it like she wanted to. Or maybe it was with the sense not to do that. She could hardly tell the difference sometimes.
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Post by Donovan on Jan 1, 2017 18:50:56 GMT -6
Donovan and the rest of his party rode along quickly from there. He knew that there was only so much he could do for Althea, but he suspected that she wasn’t quite so interested in the aid that he had to offer, at least not yet. But the least they all could do is get the pale young shaman to somewhere safe where no one would be suspecting her of destroying a town.
They arrived at the main city of Tuscana surrounding the castle of the Marquess. This would be the best place for the Shaman to find work and transportation at the very least. They entered the inn as the sun was setting. Brandon and Allie stayed outside to tend to the horses, while Armon and Hutch whispered and glanced back at Althea in hushed whispers. He supposed the Acolyte would naturally be a little suspicious of Shamans, though Donovan could not understand the nomad’s strange behavior toward the girl. The Bernese were not known for their great fear or hatred of Elder magics.
“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in a job, would you? We have a branch of mages that focus primarily on magical research that you might fit right in with.” The mercenary felt he needed to ask, not only would another competent researcher in magics be very helpful to their cause, but he didn’t think that the girl had any means of supporting herself since the entirety of her town was now gone, including all of her funds and research. “And before you answer, I should pay you for your help today. All that information you gave us might help save another town if they’re attacked.” He couldn’t give her much, but he could give her enough for a few days in an inn and a ride out of town. Even if she didn’t take the job, at least she wouldn’t starve on the streets. [exit thread]
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Post by Althea on Jan 5, 2017 13:55:49 GMT -6
The big city. Her favorite. Slightly satisfied that her grasp of sarcasm was still intact, Althea watched and wondered a bit nonetheless at the sizable city, reminded of how little she liked the crush of people and impatient energy in the air. It wasn't that she hated people of course, more that she had trouble thinking surrounded by so much noise and there was always something to distract and keep her busy here. Not so much in the wise of personal space and detachment, so to speak. She dealt with it when necessary, but it had never been a preference, merely a marriage of practicality and necessity.
Donovan's offer was interesting, though. Speaking of practicality... her research was gone, as were most of her belongings. She certainly didn't have a great deal to re-establish herself. It would probably be smart to accept his offer, if only to get back on her feet. But there were two reasons why Althea hesitated against the obvious course of action nonetheless. One, she didn't want to rely on him. She didn't value independence over life, but he had already done a great deal for her. And two... she wasn't ready for the commitment. Not in terms of helping others at all. But if she had gotten nothing else from this little adventure, it was that she needed to stop trying to sit on the fence between independence and relying on others. She couldn't truly carve her own path through life when she couldn't even defend herself. If she was to learn what strength was, it had to be on her own terms. That was just how she was. It didn't matter if it was practical or wise.
Althea hesitated only somewhat as she responded, her voice not quite as strong and certain as she would like but honest enough nonetheless. "Perhaps another time, Donovan." Was it too foolish, even for her, to turn him down? The shaman honestly couldn't tell. Opportunities of this caliber didn't come often, especially given that Don seemed to be someone relatively important, despite his denial. And yet... "I have a... great deal of thinking and growing to do before I would be of much use." Dismounting was a bit of an adventure as always, but she managed it without too much trouble, clutching the grimoire close to her. "Hopefully when we meet again I will be able to show you the fruits of my efforts, and in some manner repay you for your kindness. Thank you, again." She bowed politely, and with that Althea was gone, not eager to participate in long winded goodbyes or negotiations. She had a great deal to do... and apparently another trip back to Nabata to plan. Just because she'd lost what she was working on didn't mean she hadn't had any other projects in mind, after all!
[End topic]
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