Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
To her credit, she didn't tense up as she first wanted to upon his words, taking a moment to mull over her thoughts and chewing slowly to give herself more time. She understood his intentions, and had to admit she was impressed with how he worded it, revealing his own nature as he brought up her own. 'An exchange of trust,' she couldn't but but think, a small quirk of her lips dancing on her features.
"I won't apologize." She stated bluntly, placing down her fork and pushing her mask back down properly so she could see the male and study his reactions. "She had been..." The doctor paused, trying to think of the right word instead of yapping about magic openly in the café of humans. "Casting," She decides on, "recklessly since she walked into that bar. Not only that, she loudly announces her nature in a bar packed with people, she actively tried to start a fight for little to no reason, and would not disarm when ordered." Vieka half lidded her gaze, an almost bored tenor to her voice. "She merely had to drop the bottle, but she refused and threatened me on top. She needed to taught a lesson."
Even she realised that was a slightly power corrupt thing to say, but it was truth that the little brat needed to be brought down several paces fast. To think one is strong is different from actually being strong, and to pick your fights wisely was a skill everyone needed to learn. Hopefully she would have learned her lesson, but if she had not, Vieka would continue to teach her until she did, and not in a pleasant way either.
"those who know how to think need no teachers." -Mahatma Gandhi
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Dec 20, 2015 5:51:31 GMT
Lasair tried to hide the surprise on his face as Vieka filled in memories he was missing, but he was only partially successful. Ratna had done all that? Well now, she’d really need to be talked to. Especially given Lasair’s new position. She broke rules that shouldn’t be broken and put the guild in jeopardy. “Thank you, for sharing that with me. No, I don’t blame you for what you did. If anything, I’m slightly thankful, but only slightly.” He sighed, rubbing his head.
“I gotta say, you hide it well. Then again, don’t we all? At least if we’re sane. Anyway, it is a bit of a relief knowing I’m not crazy. I thought I imagined the fire. You know, with all the liquor and all.” He took another drink of his coffee, only to wince as he burned himself now. Gotta remember to blow on that.
The doctor let out a huffed laugh, knocking her mask half ways back up now that the tension in the air had been settled. "I've spent a lot of time learning to hide. Since the beginning, you could say." She mused, a slight bitterness to her tone as she contemplated her life on the run and her tell tale wings. Taking another wedge of her cake, she chewed and swallowed before making her next comment. "As far as the fire... perhaps that was a bit much, though breaking her arm seemed like the worse option at the time. I didn't expect it to spread so rapidly." ' Though it wouldn't have been a problem if she just dropped the stupid bottle.' she grumbled internally.
"I suppose i shouldn't be surprised though. Fire is like that; it's unpredictable, raw, living. It breaths and feeds and has a will of it's own." She sighed softly, drawing her coffee over to herself. "It can be the warmth on a winters night, the sun that feeds life into the planet. Or it can be the destructive force that burns and destroys all. It's a delicate balance of life and death. I still have much to learn about it."
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Dec 20, 2015 7:47:30 GMT
This time he remembered to cool his coffee before sipping it, listening closely as Vieka spoke to him while munching her own cake. As the mention of needing to learn more came up, he raised an eyebrow to her. “Fire isn’t the only thing that fits that warning, you know. What you used to start the fire behaves much the same way.” He glanced around before continuing, also using the action as a chance to give him just a few moments more to think over the decision before he made it.
It was worth a shot. “Have you heard the rumors?” he began in a slightly lower tone. “About a group offering safety, as well as knowledge to worthy individuals who hold the heritage? I think they’d welcome you with open arms.” He took another sip of his coffee (without burning himself) and then added, “If you’re interested in that sort of thing, I mean.” It wouldn’t hurt to at least give her the information.
"You thought I was speaking about actual fire?" She questioned, a small smirk dancing on her lips. Listening to the red head speak, she took a long slow sip of her coffee, still hot but thankfully not scolding her mouth beyond repair again as she mulled over his words, clicking her tongue in distaste afterwards.
"It's just occurred to me that you really do know very little about me, don't you Lassair? That goes both ways i suppose. I know that you have a habit of drinking your problems away when you can no longer keep up the happy persona, and you would selflessly wish to see others happy, regardless of the cost it puts on yourself; traits of your personality but very little of you." she paused, unable to see him again but letting her eyes wonder as if she could, settling herself to try and notice the traces of magic on him. She could feel none, she wasn't that attuned, and her own magic was so haywire at the moment she doubted she could sense much even if she tried to focus all day.
Vieka took another sip of her drink. "Indeed I have heard of the rumours. Hard not to when people think you're apart of them." she tutted, tapping the beak of her mask in tell tale fashion. "Masked assailants that lurk somewhere in the forest, only interested in war and causing strife as far as I'm concerned. As advanced in the arts as they may be, if their focus is equality then they're going about it all wrong. I want no part of it. I've had enough of tyrants telling me what I can do and what I should do and how I should think and feel...."
"those who know how to think need no teachers." -Mahatma Gandhi
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Dec 21, 2015 5:46:42 GMT
He tapped his cup a few times as he pondered over the woman in front of him. “Is that a problem? I know as much about you as I’ve observed. You’re a good doctor, you don’t like to deal with nonsense. Learning about someone takes time, time that hasn’t been devoted to spending time with one another. I never saw an issue with it; some people get along together better than others.” Taking another sip of his coffee, he set the cup back down slowly, watching as the liquid swirled around slowly.
Abandoning his cup, he folded his hands in front of him and let his eyes rest on the table. “They’re not assassins,” he said bluntly. “That’s a different guild. And what would you say they’re doing wrong? How would you suggest they go about in their search for equality?” he raised an eyebrow at her, hoping his tone sounded curious more than concerned. This wasn’t the usual way to go about gathering information for his guild, but it was a method nonetheless.
"you missed my meaning." she sighed in relation to the comment about knowing each other. She had meant about how she reacted and felt to certain things, magic in this case, and the delicate subject of her own race. That was her fault for not being clear she supposed, but she so rarely talked about herself, and she so hated talking about herself, dredging up those old memories best left forgotten, that sometimes it was easy to mess up words when hinting towards what had been.
"Never mind. As far as this... 'secrete guild' goes...." Vieka frowned, visible from the downward curve of her mouth. "I have a slew of problems with them; for one how they go about their business. Stealing supplies is only going to worsen conflict. It was bad enough without the war but now it stuck neck deep in burning buildings and broken bodies and lack the supplies to do anything about it. For people who are after equality, they are harming the very people they supposedly want to help. Anders don't tend to do well for themselves, so when the supplies started running thin, who do you think suffered for it the worst? The residence in the hovel, mostly the ander population. Not to mention stealing from the humans has only risen tension between the two races, not only as they battle for supply and survival but because the humans are now even more suspicious of the other races." Tutting, Vieka took another swig of her drink and another mouthful of cake before carrying on.
"I've had people, both ander and human, begging me to help their children because they simply do not have what's necessary to keep them fed and warm. Perhaps instead of worsening everyone's opinion of them, they should be trying to make a point in making it better..." She paused for a moment then sighed, shaking her head slightly. "but bare in mind i only know what I've heard and seen. No-ones even sure they truly even exist. I for one think they do, I've seen too much of the consequences of it, though i think whoever is leading them needs a good smack around the face."
Finish speaking for the moment, Vieka brooded to herself while Lassair thought of his answer or argument or whatever it was he was going to say. The man seemed to know very specific things (the assassins, for instance, something she was already suspicious of), and she couldn't help but wonder how and why. He did not seem like the type to say things like truth without knowing for sure that they were indeed truth. the question was, how was he so certain?
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Dec 21, 2015 8:12:57 GMT
“My apologies then.” Lasair listened quietly while Vieka voiced her opinions. They weren’t ones unheard to him; a fellow guild member had probably made the same argument to Danny when he started the plan. But there was a method to this madness, one that took a specific mind to see and understand. Lasair at least hoped he was one that could see this through. It was too late to undo all the thievery and heists now.
Picking up his cup once more, he peered into the liquid once last time before downing what was left of it. No more getting lost in its depths; he had to wake up. There was a chance being presented to him, an obvious one if he simply played his cards right. His guild needed members. Were the strict entry procedures doing more harm than good? Perhaps Vieka could be a way to test a different sort of recruitment process. He just couldn’t be so wishy-washy about it; he needed to push her in that direction. It’s not like he had much to lose if she pushed back.
“Why not go tell them your opinions? You know, find them. Talk to them. Given the heritage and the fact you know how to cast something, you’re qualified. If they’re not real like you feel, well, then the only thing you would have lost is time.” He debated on whether or not to order another cup. Coming to a decision would take a few moments longer.
There was a pause in the air for a moment where Vieka just looked in Lassairs general direction, her hands wrapped around her cup. "You sound rather certain of yourself," she stated, no accusatory tone, she just sounded like she was stating a bored fact. After another short pause she chuckled and down the rest of coffee, tilting her head to the side some. "Don't tell me you're the one I'm going to have to hit for all the stupid shenanigans." She joked, having no clue as to how she hit the nail on the head. She drew her plate over to herself once more and focused on finishing her cake. "Regardless, i have too much to worry about than to chase around rumours. I have my own problems to deal with."
"those who know how to think need no teachers." -Mahatma Gandhi
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Dec 21, 2015 8:52:38 GMT
Lasair had to give himself credit for the way he didn’t wince as Vieka seamlessly predicted a potential line of future. He made a mental note that he’d need to specify all the thievery was not his idea. But he was the one responsible for it now…
No more coffee, he decided on. He kept getting distracted by it anyhow. It would be better to focus on the person he chatted with, more respectable. “There’s not much to chase. They always leave clear instructions. But yeah, I can see where you’re coming from. Curiosity killed the cat, and all that. The forest is dangerous, there’s a curfew in effect, and in this day and age, it’s better to make people think you’re human rather than embrace any other side of you. Any one of those reasons is enough to turn people away, let along all of them combined,” he ended with a sigh. While speaking, he kept a level tone, one that implied sadness over a lost chance. In a way he wanted to challenge Vieka, but he didn’t want her to figure out those were his intentions. She should already be suspicious of him given his previous comments, it might be more harm than good to increase that suspicion.
“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about following them myself,” he decided to add. “But now more than ever it’s just so…risky.” What he said wasn’t untrue, he did spend a lot of time thinking about it before actually going. But that was the past, as opposed to present his comment implied. He wished he had another cup of coffee to distract himself with now.
Amusement glittered in the doctors gaze, and had they been in a more private setting she might have removed her mask fully. It was just a feeling, but she felt as if she were playing a game of chess with the red haired man opposite her, each thinking through their move carefully and trying to accomplish their own goals. Hers, to figure out his motive, and his.... well, she wasn't sure yet. That was the game. This was all a hypothesis of cause, she couldn't even see his features, but it was the tones he took. Before he had seemed so sure of every word he had said, and now he had withdrawn, trying to sympathise with a cause that wasn't her own. It felt like he was trying to drop a trail of bread crumbs for her to follow, and had she been any other person with any other background, she may not have even noticed.
But she wasn't another person. She was her, and the half breed never had seen the world the way others do.
Vieka pushed her mostly eaten cake to one side, the dark chocolatey treat cast aside in favour of something far more interesting. She leaned forward slightly, a small smirk playing on her features as she laced her hands together with her index fingers pressed together and gently tapping against her bottom lip, elbows on the table. Clicking her tongue, she stopped tapping and pointed the two digits at the man instead. "This is what I mean about you knowing very little about me." She started, with an almost... competitive? tenor laced in her tone. Or perhaps it was intrigue?
"Curiosity is what makes us living, blood is what makes our heritage. I for one have never once deigned to pretend I am not what I am. Pretending is just another form of lying, and there's enough lies in the world without me adding to them. I am what I am, and I know that I am strong, strong enough to defend myself from most of the things that lurk in the woods. As far as the curfew goes, I have a warrant to go out after dark. The perks of being a doctor."
His empathy now meant nothing, since whatever he was feeling she'd made clear she couldn't relate. If her theory was correct, he might attempt a different approach. Of cause, she could be completely wrong and the man truly meant what he said, that there was no ulterior motive behinds his words and he meant exactly what he said. but honestly? She hoped that wasn't the case. A battle of wits was always far more fun, and most certainly more interesting.
"those who know how to think need no teachers." -Mahatma Gandhi
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Dec 22, 2015 3:16:46 GMT
If he weren’t playing a somber mood right now he would have chuckled. She carefully picked apart his reasons one at a time and in their absence she left a sort of challenge, seeing if more would take their place. At least, that was the feel he got given her previous tone. Whether or not it were true, he could imagine Vie peering at him from behind her mask, trying to dissect him and pick apart his mannerisms. Body language, expression, all those things. Time to up his game then, there was no going back now. He had her interest and he’d better use it before it’s gone.
“I’m learning more about you all the time,” he began in a level tone, option to abandon the sadness. He found himself replaying her answer again and again in his head. Now it was his turn to pick apart her words. “Your words imply you’re familiar with the forest; is that why you’re so certain the rumors are only that?” He left a short pause before continuing in the same neutral tone. “And if you’re as strong as you say, strong enough to take on those beasties, then you should have nothing to be afraid of.” Another pause. “If I were as powerful as you claim, I would have gone and investigated. Knowledge is power, especially knowledge that others would prefer you didn’t know. I don’t think I could resist a temptation so great. After all, knowledge is something I actively pursue.”
As he finished speaking, it clicked in his head that recruiting her wasn’t the only goal he had in mind. He wanted to learn more about her, more about how she thinks and how she behaves. Now why did he want to know more about it? Was it simply because she could join his guild, or was there something more? An actual friendship, perhaps? Now that would be a surprise.
Knocking down her mask so it was sat properly on her face, it hid the pleased grin sprawled across her face. Her guess had been spot on it would seem, proven as soon as the male had dropped his sad tenor like the drop of a pin. Lassair would indeed not be all he appeared at first glance, a fact that very much excited her. How long has it been since she received a mental challenge? A while for sure.
"But with knowledge also comes arrogance. Those who think they know better look down on others, and eventually even begin to believe they have the right to decide the fates of others. Knowledge in anything can lead down to that path. Never forget your limits, never forget humility. And attain your knowledge the right way. What if theirs is not the right way? What if it leads you down a path you don't want to take?"
Saying that, ignorance wasn't fine either, but she was interested to see what he would reply with.
"those who know how to think need no teachers." -Mahatma Gandhi
Post by Lasair Landevier Lupen on Dec 23, 2015 22:09:01 GMT
She was steering away from the topic he would have preferred to keep; the forest and the rumors. Hmm, he’d have to find a way to turn it back to that road as soon as possible. In the mean time, she did present an interesting train of thought, one he hadn’t considered before.
“But what if they never start to think they know better? What if the quest for knowledge is simply a never ending quest, and those who choose to end it prematurely become what you describe? In my opinion, the only time to stop learning is when you, yourself stop living.” He drummed his fingers on the table, thinking over the last thing to say. More specifically, whether or not to omit two words from it. Two words that could change the way she received it.
“And if it takes me down a path I don’t want to be on, well, then I wouldn’t stay on the track.” Had he been playing a more careful game, he would have said “I wouldn’t want to stay,” but no risk meant to reward. By taking those words out, he began to dance on the line between hypothetical and fact. Would she catch onto him approaching that boundary, however? And would she connect it back to those rumors he so very much wanted her to follow? This conversation was getting more interesting by the second.
She caught it instantly, her eyes narrowing slightly behind her mask and a slight tilt of her lips curling on her features. 'He's apart of that group,' She thinks instantly, or at the very least she strongly suspects. Vieka isn't foolish enough to think that his words aren't picked carefully at this point. Every word has been thought out and concise, portraying a certain emotion or triggering a certain thought. He wouldn't lead her to this train of thought without it being intentional, and why else would he lead her down this route if but not to confirm to rumours true?
At the same time however, the doctor doesn't feel quite like outright calling him out on it either. Such a direct approach seems unbefitting of the mental brawl they were having and the chances are he would only disagree anyway and reject the accusation. so then, how to reply?
Leening her cheek on her palm, a small frown began to lace on her features from concentration. "Won't stay on the track huh..." She murmured, more to herself as she mulled over the words. "You're determined that i go, aren't you? Why?"
It was still pretty direct in the end, but she found her curiosity won out. Why did he want her to search out these people so much?
"those who know how to think need no teachers." -Mahatma Gandhi
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