Slower perhaps than would be expected, a creeping blush would dominate Sylvari's face, as she stopped to ponder the words Videl spoke. Her thoughts seemed to be knee-deep in mud for how they slogged, unable to comprehend the fullness of her companion's confession for seconds upon seconds.

"I-wh-you-" was all Sylvari could sputter out, her motor function snuffed out like a candle to try and bring more energy to her mind. Ok, slow down. THINK, Sylvi. Surely he could just mean my aesthetic appeal, or maybe an appreciation of my combat prowess? No. Even in my head that's blatantly ridiculous.

"Why does this keep happening..." Sylvari muttered as she finalized composing her thoughts, trying for a diplomatic way to phrase her feelings. "V, I... While I have appreciation for the words you have spoken, I must protest that you lavish altogether too much praise upon me. You of all people should know my ugly side, the monster within that should tear away any lingering warmth of affection like a candle flame before a winter tempest. Something so stained does not deserve such adulation..."

Sylvari stopped short, unable to think of anything else to say. She knew he was fond of her company, a byproduct of her continual work on her personality and bearing to present a kind face to the world, but to be infatuated with her essence... It's wrong. Delusional at best, and deranged at worst.

Why does this keep happening? Hearing those words had left the T'saya at a bit of a loss, considering that he hadn't really thrown his affections at her in a similar manner from what he could recall. Had he? No, no. If it wasn't him than it was someone else. Someone that she encountered in her journey. An understandable occurrence, now that he thought about it. Even though he had understood it though, Videl would by lying if he had said that it hadn't worried him. If such things were happening then whom were they with? Not that it was any of his business, he would have to remind himself.

Not willing to turn around at the moment, feeling that he wasn't quite ready to face her, Videl would attempt to work through what she had just said. What the best response would be in this moment while still remaining true to himself. Dwelling on such a thought had left the T'saya silent for a moment but after that moment had come to pass, he would take a deep inhale before turning around to face her.

"Well I protest your protest, Syl. Being caught up in these kinds of feelings.. There isn't any rhyme nor reason for it. Not any that might make sense to you. It's simply how I feel. And how I feel won't change." A weak smile would take form upon his lips as he had continued on. "The only reason that beauty exists is because there is that ugly side of things. You can't have one without the other. Hence why we all have our good sides and our bad sides. The thing about feelings though.. Is that, in regards to myself at least, I feel this way even with you having this so called ugly side. I lo-.. I admire you for all of what you are. The good and the bad. I have for quite awhile."

Taking a moment to gesture towards the horizon, Videl would continue ever on. "You are the light in my darkness. Such a light wouldn't exist without the darkness. And honestly, Syl? The moment that I decided to traverse the world with you, after knowing that such a part of you existed, I chose to accept that darkness that lingers within. You may not see the beauty that I see.. but that's okay. Because some day, with all of my efforts, I'll get through to you. And you'll see the transcendent beauty that I see before me," he says whilst turning his gaze back towards Sylvari. "Right now."

Sylvari paused, trying to work through Videl's words. She agreed with his reasoning, on principle at least, but she thought his application was warped, as if he was trying to force her to fit within the good of the world.

"Videl, if you'll allow me, I must push back against your reasoning there. Good things are indeed made sweeter by the bad, a hearth is more appreciated in a blizzard than in fair weather, but individual things or people should be wholly good to be cherished. You would not call a mother who neglects her child between loving them more beautiful than a mother who provides proper care at all times."

Sylvari took a deep breath, an instinctual reaction as she prepared to deliver a contentious proposition. "I think your infatuation with me is clouding your vision, masking my faults and unnaturally heightening my virtues. A child who has lived in the dark all his life might think a single ember the brightest thing in the world, until he sees the brilliance of the sun. In the same way, I hope you will find someone unblemished by foulness in the future: someone worthy of the devotion you give in spades."

Sylvari held back the more cutting implications of her words: that Videl had latched onto the first person that had shown him genuine care and love where his life before had been notably lacking. It was an understandable, if lamentable, reaction, but Sylvari worried that it would only make his death at her hands all the more inevitable. It was the one thought she couldn't bear.

While he had expected to be turned down at the end of the day, although he had greatly hoped that he wouldn't, the actual words that she had used to do so had stung far more than Videl might have anticipated. Rather than simply stating that she was uninterested, she had gone as far as to speak on the thought that his beliefs were wrong. Warped by his infatuation with her. While some of this may have been true, unbeknownst to him of course, there were other aspects that she hadn't quite considered. Such as the fact that these feelings of his had formed long after she had revealed herself to have a vampiric nature. Even after his discovery of her necromantic abilities. In truth, it wasn't until the two had been apart that Videl had come to understand the root of the feelings that he had held towards her.

No matter how much he had attempted to prove himself to her, or to prove that his belief in his words had been genuine, it would seem that she would shut him down at every opportunity. Stating that she appreciates his words but then offering a rebuttal to his claims. It would have been better, in his eyes, for her to simply state that she didn't want him in a romantic regard. Instead, what she had continued to do, was go on about how she was unfit for these feelings of his. It was this belief about herself, that she had seemed to contain, that had hurt Videl the most. Because no matter how much effort he put in, it was unlikely that he could ever get through to her.

"..you can believe whatever you may. I won't strip that from you, Sylvari. But I swear on all that I am that I shall someday get through to you. I don't need you to accept these feelings of mine. At the end of the day, I just want you to hold better feelings in regard to yourself. That will be my quest." It might have seemed as though he were toying around with the ideal of what an oath truly was but when it had come to this matter, Videl had never been more serious. Whether it be as a lifelong companion or something more, he would spend the rest of his days trying to prove Sylvari's worth to hers.

Subconsciously clutching at his chest, as an emotional pain would run rampant within its confines, Videl would continue to hold his gaze upon her. "You intend to take on every blemish that the world has to offer. It's only right that my devotion to you remain unfazed. And if my devotion ever does falter? Much as you have asked, I will let you know. Don't expect that day to ever come though. After all, I have sworn to remain by your side throughout the ages."

Sylvari sighed but allowed her facial features to fall into a more conciliatory framing. She didn't doubt Videl's sincerity, only his sense of pragmatism, perhaps the more damning label. If he truly meant to make his feelings accepted by the justiciar, he had a larger task than proving she was worthy of his love: he would need to prove to the vampiress that she was worthy of love in the first place. It was a difficult ask, given her own low opinion of herself. After all, if even her father saw her for the monster she was, how could Videl look past her ugliness in the short time they had known one another, however dear to each other they were?

Sylvari allowed herself a dismissive half-smile as she began to speak. "I'm beginning to think my father was a seer. He once told me that I would someday find someone as stubborn as myself, and I daresay his vision came true in you, V. We obviously won't convince each other today, but seeing as we plan to have quite some time together, there's still time for one of us to bring the other to the light. Let's get to that combat showcase, sound good?"

Sylvari desperately hoped there was some manner of audience participation. She needed to work off some anxious energy, and she didn't want to direct it at Videl.

"Stubborn?" While Videl could see where she had been coming from, in saying such a thing to him, the T'saya would need to consider whether or not that phrase had aptly fit. After pondering over it for a couple of moments, he would find himself nodding in agreement with the assessment. "Well I suppose that I am, in some regards. Granted, that really only pertains to this situation." Figuring that he had until his final days to convince her, Videl would decide to save his efforts for another day.

"As you said though; allow us to traverse to the combat demonstration." Thankfully it wouldn't take all that long for the pair to find themselves on another of the Ribbinynh islands. It was here, on this island, that the pair would catch sight of dozens of Ribbinynh warriors, each with a tall flower hat atop their head. Amidst this group of Ribbinynh would even be the guard that had escorted them to their treetop bungalow the night before.

A few minutes after the pair had arrived upon the island, the combat demonstration between the Ribbinynh warriors would come to an end, only for another to be announced in about ten minutes or so. This time around though, the Ribbinynh had been willing to allow the visitors to their land to test their mettle. An act of solidarity between the Ribbinynh people and the outsiders that would allow for both to grow in regards to combat. Of course Videl would opt to remain outside of the demonstration for this point and time. He had felt as though it wasn't necessary for him to get involved, given that he had Sylvari by his side. Those that had joined though? Well it had mostly been an array of Ribbinynh, each wielding a javelin, a spear, or a bow in hand.

While Videl had chosen to keep himself on the sidelines, that by no means meant that he had expected Sylvari to do the same. If nothing else, Videl had almost expected the vampiress to test her mettle against the Ribbinynh. It would only serve to better her combat style after all and such a thing was going to be needed if she were going to accomplish her goal. In the event that she had chosen to join in the demonstration, Videl would wish her luck and stand on the side whilst offering her a thumbs up.

Sylvari eagerly leapt at the chance for combat. The crossing of blades, or hammers, in her case, always served to ease her mind, even now, having lost access to the sacred art of the Vessel. Thinking about what she lost, a frown settled over her face for a few seconds before she shook it away and stepped up to the administrative Ribbinynh who was orchestrating the volunteers.

As a general rule, Sylvari did not exercise arrogance, as she thought it the surest way to downfall. When it came to combat, however, and friendly combat besides, she always tried to engage with the best. At worst, she would exceed expectations and then at least be able to teach someone else where they could improve. She actually cherished her losing, though, to be trounced thoroughly and learn valuable new insights to incorporate into her own style.

Unfortunately, the Ribbinynh before her did not seem to share in this thinking. Apparently, in their culture, bulky armor was the mark of someone unsure of their skills and limited the warrior's greatest asset: mobility. Sylvari took time to compose herself after hearing the veiled insult of calling her cowardly before she once again pled her case. In the end a compromise was reached: Sylvari would face a mid-level fighter, a lesson in humility in the Ribbinynh's eyes no doubt, and if she triumphed would earn the right to challenge a higher-ranked competitor.

Sylvari stepped out onto the field at her appointed time and eyed her opponent: a Ribbinynh warrior with a hat of middling height wielding a spear and little more than reinforced clothing as protection. The tacit prohibition against using magic would certainly limit her prowess, but Sylvari had ample motivation to make this match decisive. Poor little one. I'm sorry you are the casualty of my honor.

When the official declared the match started, it was clear both the spectators and her Ribbinynh opponent anticipated her to lumber forward at a slow pace and test defenses from their expressions and his casual hold on his spear, respectively. Defying expectations, then, she dashed forward in an unnatural burst of speed ^{[Knight, Rushing Charge]}, batting aside the Ribbinynh's spear before he knew what was happening and shoulder checking him out of the ring. The whole fight was over in the span of a few moments, leading to wide-eyed stares from the audience.

Not wanting to disrespect her opponent, Sylvari did not gloat as she felt compelled to do for the haughty administrator, but instead moved forward to offer a hand up to the Ribbinynh, making sure he did not suffer excess harm. At this point, those assembled finally processed what happened and a cheer went up from the crowd as the justiciar was declared the victor.

As the next matches proceeded, Sylvari went to take her seat besides Videl while she waited for her next contest to be arranged, smiling in self-righteous satisfaction as she caught glimpses of the administration being in disarray. Suddenly overtaken with a bit of self-doubt, she turned to her friend. "Was that too much?"

A soft smile would remain plastered upon Videl's features as he had watched Sylvari head up to test her mettle against one of the Ribbinynh warriors. He held a very firm belief that regardless of who her sparring partner was, and even with the restriction of her magic having been temporarily sealed away, that she would come out on top. Of course this smile would find itself slipping away into oblivion as the Ribbinynh had called her a coward. For them to insult his companion in such a way.. It had truly irritated the T'saya. Knowing that Sylvari could handle herself, however, Videl would remain silent and simply watch the fight from afar.

Much to his expectations, Sylvari would quite simply trounce the Ribbinynh warrior. If they had thrown the best of their warriors out at her than purpose they might have offered her a challenge. Given the ranking of the warrior that she had just fought though? Well it was no surprise that things had ended as quickly as they had. Due to their own biases, they had prejudged her and ultimately met their downfall. Hopefully they would come to learn their lesson before she made her way back up for her next bout.

Once Sylvari had rejoined him, taking a seat at his side, Videl would sway his head from side to side. "Not at all. If nothing else, you taught them to keep their biases to themselves. They shouldn't treat you as different just for the fact that you are wearing armor. That was their downfall and I sincerely hope that your next competitor is more of a challenge." A small laugh would escape from the mans lips as he had moved to rest his head upon Sylvari's shoulder for the time being. Only until she had risen for her next match anyways.

"I will say that your bout has taught me something though." Even as he had rested his head upon Sylvari's armored shoulder, his gaze would remain firmly upon the Ribbinynh that had taken up the mantle of the next round. "These Ribbinynh and I follow a similar method of combat. Albeit I make use of some things that they could never hope to. Still.. With how quickly things had ended with that bout, I almost feel as though a similar result would occur if the two of us were to fight. I'll have to start putting in the work to enhance my strengths in the meantime. Can't have you protecting me all of the time, you know? This ultimately showed me that I need to obtain the strength to protect you as well."

A fond smile graced Sylvari lips as she looked down to where Videl rested his head on her shoulder. It was a familiar gesture, and one that Sylvari took pleasure in as a constant reminder that she was a person that could be relied upon for strength and comfort.

"Their downfall was arrogance, V. If anything, I would say you suffer from the opposite problem of excessive modesty. You are a capable and imaginative fighter. As long as you are mindful of your shortcomings, due your best to mitigate them, and follow through with confidence, you will outstrip most fighters in this world. Combat is mostly keeping your mind at all times focused on the fundamentals. Don't let your emotions cloud judgement. Be fluid and tranquil as water, and you will emerge victorious. As for needing to protect me, don't worry about such things, dear. A warrior does not begrudge a shield its purpose to defend, and neither do I take hardship with my role. You well know that I would take upon my shoulders the suffering of others if, in doing so, I could alleviate their pain."

Sylvari had been on her own too long to realize the dismissive and arrogant nature of her words. She spoke with confidence, assured in the subtle pride of her sentiment, which disguised itself as compassion. In truth, the insidious root of her feelings was an implicit assumption that she could bear such burdens unsupported where others would falter. In fairness to the justiciar, time had born out that she was capable of bearing with suffering admirably, but such was rapidly becoming a badge of honor for her, as if merely shouldering pain made her more virtuous.

While he had known that there were a few shortcomings within his way of thinking, he hadn't realized that they were bad enough to be qualified as a problem. Was excessive modesty truly such an issue? The way that he had saw it, that modesty was enough to motivate him to do better. It might have been a downfall in regards to how he had viewed himself but outside of that, it had only solved to further embolden his resolve. As for his secondary undoing? Well that was how his emotions had influenced his magic.. It might not be as free and unbending as water, given its glacial aspects, but it had still fallen under the same purview. If one were to consider the source of such magics, the source being the creator of waves, seas, and emotion, than they might even say that it was a good thing. When it had come to Videl though? That wasn't necessarily the case.

"I'll be sure to keep your words in mind, Syl. Perhaps, with enough time and dedication, I can reach ideal version of me that you seem to have. Until I can reach such heights though? I'll just have to continue putting in as much work as I can. You may not require a shield or a protector of any sorts but there is one role that feels similar that I would like to have for you. I intend on being someone that you can rely on no matter the situation. Someone that you can fully heartedly believe in and are willing to allow to take over things if the need were to come."

His gaze still firm on the fights that were taking place before him, Videl would further adjust his body so that he could fully rest against Sylvari. "I hope to reach a time in which you can place your head on my shoulder and feel relief. It's one of the few goals that I now have. Goals that I'll work towards until the end of time if need be. Given how long and arduous our journey will be." Although it might seem odd if one were to notice, the cold that had constantly fluctuated around his person had begun to feel a bit of warmth in this moment. Not enough for the cold itself to dissipate but as though its wielder had allowed for some part of themself to thaw out.

Sylvari clamped her mouth shut to avoid accidentally voicing the dark doubts that swirled within her. She was happy that Videl was motivated to work towards bettering himself, touched even that she and her mission were the cause of such inspiration, but there was a primal, piteous fear that worked its way into her breast at the prospect of trusting another so wholly again.

Even wild beasts knew to avoid flame after they had been burned once; how much worse thinking beings had it when they could consider the myriad intricacies that would provoke such a cause. It had been many months since her ignominious parting from her people, her family, and yet the thought of her exile still cut to the quick of her heart whenever Sylvari recalled the memory. In stripping her of her place in the clan, her people had not only deprived her of a family, they had cast into doubt any other who would make such proclamations in the future.

A cold shiver went up Sylvari's spine as Videl pressed closer to her, and it wasn't a result of her friend's omnipresent accompanying chill. The closer he got, the more he became a family member to her, the more wary Sylvari became of the lasting promise of his company. She worried for his sake, of course, but some neglected child within selfishly lived in terror that it would have its hopes reaffirmed only to be disproven once more, and Sylvari knew in her bones she would not survive a second sundering.

Pragmatism won out for the justiciar in the end, though. Even if she could not be fully convinced of the steadfastness of Videl's pledge, verbally casting it into doubt would accomplish nothing good. Charitably, this might have been concluded because she wanted to believe in his loyalty, despite her doubts. A more detached, cold view, however, could reasonably conclude that this was the justiciar's way of keeping a potential foe placated in her company.

Whatever the case, as Sylvari couldn't begin to fully know her own feelings, she gave Videl a weak smile.

"I know you will grow in strength to be a fine warrior," was all the vampiress could muster.

Unaware of everything that had been running about within Sylvari's mind, Videl had decided to make the most out of the situation that he was currently in. "As long as I have you by my side, Sylvari, I'm sure that I can accomplish anything." That was all that he could say before the match before him had come to an end. Given that things were starting to come to a close, the announcer would call upon Sylvari once more. They had been willing to allow her to test her mettle against a stronger member from their warrior unit. "Looks like it's time for you to head on up there."

Figuring that it had been enough time for his requisitioned work to have come to a close as well, Videl would rise from his seat and offer Sylvari a single hand. "Good luck up there, alright? I'll do my best to finish up some things before your finished here but given your combat abilities, I'm sure that I might miss it." A soft laugh would escape from his lips as he turned his attention towards the Lantern Wood. "Try not to make them look to bad, alright?"

With his target in sight, Videl would begin to make his way on over towards the Lantern Wood before heading on inside. He would then procure his work from the Ribbinynh vendor before heading back. If she had decided to join in on the next match, Videl would indeed attempt to get back before she had finished up. And if she had decided to accompany him instead? Well he would choose to present his gift to her then and there. Either way, once he had made contact with Sylvari once more, Videl was sure to extend his gift out to her with a deep bow.

The gift that he had been presenting to her had been a crimson red origami flower. Within each petal of the flower had been a singular name written in beautiful calligraphy. Sylvari. Mercy. Noe. Videl. And of course, on the final petal had been an drawing of a heart. As for what was written in the heart in miniature calligraphy? Well that was the phrase: 'Know the love that we have for you.' "This might be a bit of a silly gift but well.. I just want to make sure that you never forget."

Sylvari gave a fierce grin, glad to have a bout of combat to clear the weeds and thorns that had grown up in her mind. "No promises, V." She arose in time with her friend as she made her way down to the arena. As she watched Videl disappear off to the makeshift market, Sylvari entered the ring once more to scan her opponent.

She could tell from a single glance that this Ribbinynh was significantly more experienced than her last opponent, not the least of which for his much taller hat. Experienced warriors know that the key to excelling in warfare was a constant state of readiness for anything to happen. She could see her foe's adherence to this principle in small ways, despite his seemingly relaxed posture: standing on the balls of his feet, ready to spring into action, the sure grip on his dual scimitars, relaxed but secure. Sylvari gave the slightest of nods to her opponent, a respect repaid in kind. It seemed this veteran did not share the predilection of his fellows, perhaps because he saw the very same marks of experience within the justiciar.

For a few seconds after the bout was formally begun, neither party moved, but despite what a casual observer might suppose, the match had long since started. Each side was scanning the other for weaknesses, making minute adjustments that the crowd could hardly see as a silent war raged between them. 

At last, as if there was some silent trigger only the participating parties could acknowledge, Sylvari and the warrior dashed forward at the same time, in perfect unison. Despite her heavier armaments, none of the spectators could doubt the justiciar's alacrity. She and her opponent were twin blurs on the crafted battlefield, their strikes and parries much too fast for any amateur enthusiast to see. Only the cacophonous ringing of metal was evidence of the frenzied back and forth strike and parry the pair engaged in.

To Sylvari the match was a dance, no less beautiful or graceful than the one she shared with Videl a short time ago. Every strike was a proposition, every parry a retort, delivered in the divine eloquence that only masters of physicality could hope to attain. There was to be no mistake, for all her surprising speed, Sylvari was still outmatched in terms of agility, as she found herself defending on all sides against a furious but elegantly mounted offense from her opponent. Her edge remained in her durability and striking power, a fact that Sylvari was keenly aware of, and so she bided her time weathering the strikes by parrying what she could and letting the rest slide harmlessly off her armor.

Bit by infinitesimal bit, the Ribbinynh warrior was tiring, his onslaught slowing just the barest amount, until Sylvari saw her chance. By virtue of her armor, she was able to lean into a sword thrust, despite every preservatory instinct she had cultivated screaming at her to dodge the telegraphed blow. The strike skid off her cuirass until it plunged into the space between her arm and chest, and at that moment, Sylvari clamped her arm against her side like a vise, trapping the weapon. Using the momentary indecision, Sylvari launched forward in a headbutt, briefly disorienting her opponent and allowing her time to hook her hammer behind his legs, pulling him to the ground. The match was called as Sylvari held the head of her hammer to the Ribbinynh warrior's chest.

The contrast between the combatants was chilling: while the warrior heaved with exertion from spent breath, Sylvari merely stood unmoving as an imperious statue with a neutral expression. After a moment, her fierce combat midset gave way to her kind heart as she reached down to offer a hand up and expressed her gratefulness for the bout. The warrior was likewise conciliatory and the two parted on amicable terms, Sylvari returning to her seat in the stands where she saw Videl already there.

Seeing the gift that awaited her, Sylvari could only smile. "It's beautiful. Thank you, V."

Having returned to the scene before the combat had come to an end, Videl had been there to watch how Sylvari had trounced her Ribbinynh opponent. For longer than he might have expected, Sylvari and the Ribbinynh had seemed to of been evenly matched. This.. This was something that Videl couldn't have anticipated. For someone to go blow for blow with Sylvari? Well it was something that Videl couldn't quite believe. Of course this much wouldn't last for all that long. With enough time, the Ribbinynh would find himself growing tired, whereas Sylvari had remained unfazed by the heat of combat. Ultimately she would pull out a display that would cease the fight entirely, with her having been declared as a winner.

After having given his gift to his companion, Videl would find himself glancing all across Sylvari's form. Despite the state of disrepair that he armor had been in, she had continued to persevere against all odds. Her methods might be a smidge worrying for Videl but at the end of the day, she had continued to come out at the top. All that he could hope was that her stride in such regards wouldn't break.

"You know, aside from today, I don't believe I've really ever seen you fight like this. Keeping yourself restrained and taking blows that are acquainted with high risks. It's.. interesting. If we were to come to blows with these kinds of conditions, I might even stand a chance against you..! If we were to come to blows while you were fully empowered though? I can't even think on how such a matter would go." Especially considering the fact that she could devour his magic. "I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't interested in finding out though. Once all is said and done, and we depart from this village, would you perhaps be willing to indulge me in uncovering that answer? We could call it a test between the two of us.. To see how far we have come."

Sylvari smiled, discreetly lifting her veil she Videl could see how her fondness for him crinkled her eyes, as she reached over with her other hand to tousle his hair affectionately. 

"As ever, my dear, you sell yourself too short by half. I've never doubted your capability, not since the first day with the poachers all those moons ago." A half smile graced the justiciar's face as she decided to share a self-deprecating joke to lessen the blow of her criticism. "You must know my self-righteous crusade of suicide is wholly separate from how I view you as a fighter. I would die to protect you, yes, but I know you don't need such from me. You would make a wonderful justiciar. Your strength of arms is formidable, your motivation to grow is inspiring, and your heart... bears more hope than mine ever could."

Sylvari grabbed one of Videl's hands and enclosed it in both of hers. Th smile she bore was sad, but not out of pity for herself, nor to patronize her friend. She was merely sad that he wasn't part of her clan: that he wasn't there to believe her and accept her when no one else would, and that she couldn't do the same, shielding him from the fools amongst his own people.

"I know you'll surpass me one day, and I am happy to spar with you until then and beyond."