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"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 10, 2023 13:57:55 GMT -5
Sylvari was panting, hard and heavy, as she stared at the man, or rather, the fellblood. Her blood was still up from the chase, and it was clear that while she might have had the advantage if they were determined to fight, he was more than equipped to continue running away from her: an inopportune scenario. Shackling her inner bloodlust, she straightened her posture and smoothed out her flowing hair, which was in quite a state after the mad pursuit.
"That... is a compromise I can brook. I still have words for you about you leaning criminality, but those can be shared on the way."
As the pair exited the small basement, both still a little wary of each other, Sylvari spoke, much more meekly and shyly than before. "I know you see me as some noble toady, even as I see you painting with a brush too broad. Given the circumstances, it's probably inevitable that we got off on the wrong foot. I would like to remedy that now, though, if you'd be so kind. May I know your name, at least? Not... to turn you in later. Justice and law are not always the same thing, and you've shown a caring heart, if a misguided one." Sylvari allowed a small smirk to appear on her face. She pointedly ignored the talk about her drooling, but covertly as she was able, wiped away the streams with her glove.
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Post by Delta on Dec 10, 2023 14:34:56 GMT -5
Dante held up a hand and said, "Dante Discreet, Master of Ceremonies from lowborn to high. The brush is broad because the stroke demands it, and my heart has always led me true. Like how I could see you were about to potentially lose control of... something. I take it it wasn't the law you were following with the threat of death upon your lips? Not that I've never faced peril mind you, but you can't seriously expect me to believe you would murder in order to stop theft."
He stretched and sighed, having grabbed back his coat and mask more for showmanship as the Red Rogue than any serious attempt to hide his revealed identity to her. He said, "Well I suppose we should address the obvious shall we? Who are you, what's your name, why do you drool when you get riled up, that sort of thing. Normally I'd be more polite on the matter but I think it's fair to say an explanation is of minimal recompense for nearly being eviscerated by whatever it was you were about to do to me. And probably more importantly than even that... does your boss know about the glowing red eyes and the thirst for... blood?"
It didn't immediately occur to him due to the intensity of the situation. He had talked to Kamille very briefly about vampire.
"Wait, did I get that on the first guess?"
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Fighter's Guild
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"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 10, 2023 15:36:30 GMT -5
"Perceptive as you are evasive, Dante," Sylvari began cryptically. She had an indiscernible look on her face. While the evident hunger was no longer plain to see, it could be imagined, as if roiling just below the surface.
"I spoke truly before. I am Sylvari Dawnsage, an oath-bound servant of justice. As I mentioned, the law and justice aren't the same thing: while legally you may have only lost a hand, obstruction of my mission may dictate greater consequences. As for the beast within me... while I can't say I have restrained it fully, we have an... understanding. I promised you clemency as long as you surrendered. This agreement was close enough to sate that demand."
Sylvari's voice was imperious and uncompromising, making it clear that, whatever her feelings on the matter, she would absolutely cut down those her oath marked as evil without hesitation. It was also pained, and one had to wonder just how far this 'understanding' with her curse went, if she was so close to losing control.
"Tell me, Dante. Did you target my employer specifically due to a wrong you sought to right with your actions?" The justiciar's tone was not quite accusatory, but it was hard-edged and two-sided. She may sympathize, and even support the thief's plight, but she would never approve of such methods.
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Post by Delta on Dec 10, 2023 16:13:30 GMT -5
Dante sighed and said, "Oh my where do I begin? Well for starters if I were to lose hand for theft then you'd have to execute every noble family in all of Charon. Nobles systemically steal from their people and mask it using the customs of society to do so. As I told you earlier, your master bought up all the competition and even intimidated others from selling. He's using the orphanage as a means of keeping his image clean while also enriching himself on the backs of others. Mark my words, he'll double his prices once he's one of the only competitors in the market for his niche. I've seen his type before, and the word on the street isn't exactly pleased with him. Might not hold in a court of law, but after a dozen or so local merchants start raising a stink over the same issue it's not a hard conclusion to draw that something is up."
He shrugged and said, "Your intentions are noble, but you point the sword at those who do not have the power the higher classes possess. They own and control everyone. Every war that's ever been started with the very rare exception of primordial calamity started because some spoiled, self-entitled twat wanted something from someone else. Reminds me of a famous quote I once read: it's easy to think it's stealing when you think everything is yours."
He gestured to Sylvari and said, "You're... condition for instance. What if you did have an employer doing something heinous? What if he blackmailed you for your silence using your inner nature as collateral? If people recoil at the sight of me then imagine the hunters who would come after you. Or maybe he's the fun loving kind of business owner who exceptionally accepting of vampires. All I'm saying is just as easily as you can say my stealing of the rich is wrong, so too can I say your complacency under the rule of the rich and powerful is too. The very taxes squeezed out of the populace is what pays for the knights that cut them down. And please, don't tell me killing me in that basement was proper justice for a bundle of clothes and brief if exhilarating inconvenience. Even dismembering people for something as petty as theft is barbaric."
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Fighter's Guild
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"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 10, 2023 17:19:50 GMT -5
Sylvari's eyes narrowed as Dante continued to speak. Personal insults and goading, she could handle; she was used to such barbs. Even the jabs at her being controlled by nature of her curse, which she was very much ashamed of, she could admit as being likely. When someone cast stones at her role as the arm of justice, however, a role that she had sacrificed her life, effort, and happiness for, she was unable to restrain the indignation that bubbled up like lava from within.
"I would ask you choose your next words with care. I understand that you're upset with the way things are administrated in the lands, but impugning my honor is a deadly proposition. Still you speak in generalities and platitudes. I will investigate these allegations of corruption, and if they turn to be true, I will give him the same ultimatum I've given you: mercy for redemption.
"Your obvious hatred of the wealthy notwithstanding, what would you have me do, if you were justice's arbiter and I was a tool to use as you saw fit? Would you have me murder every noble suspected of shady dealings? Plunge the lands into anarchy in the name of pursuing righteousness above all else? Justice without temperance is nothing. In the scenario I speak of, many multitudes more will die for the sake of idealism. The world we live in is ugly, yes, and necessarily so by mortal failings. This side of the heavens, we will not see the good we wish to. I am not blind, and neither am I bought. But I ask you, which is the greater evil: to sacrifice peace or purity?"
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Post by Delta on Dec 10, 2023 20:43:20 GMT -5
Dante sighed and said, "Look I'm.. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so harsh. I've been going through some trials myself, and it was unfair to you. It seems the adrenaline and giddiness of our meeting has affected my judgment more than drink ever could. But I sincerely mean this in the most kind way I assure you, I believe we are talking in circles. We are like two faces of a coin staring in opposite directions with our own truth that requires the other. I can't speak on the matter of working to fix the system from within, but I've had more experience from without. And.. yes, there is some bad blood I have with the wealthy."
He looked up at the orphanage coming into the distance and muttered, "How fitting that we are traveling to an orphanage. For all the chaos of life it has a kind of poetry to it. My father was killed when he couldn't pay protections to the nobility of my home. My mother... I'm doing what I can for her. And in my time among the upper echelons of society I've discovered a disturbing number of hands with dealings with this particular group. Enough that I've concluded that they have their tentacles across the entire realm."
His jaw set with his own anger, but his Replicant touched his shoulder and silently cast Calm Emotion upon him.
"Thanks old friend." The Replicant winked and disappeared.
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Fighter's Guild
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"I only bite if you want me to, dear"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 11, 2023 0:22:49 GMT -5
Sylvari forced out a heavy sigh, and with it, all the anger and frustration that had stemmed from the night's activities. She had her pride, yes, but such fleeting notions were required to take a place of secondary concern in the wake of someone else's suffering.
"You are right. It's not likely that we will convince each other of the truth of our ideals in a single evening. At the very least, you seem to want to help, and for tonight, that's good enough. For however little I'm sure it's worth, I am sorry for what befell your family. As I mentioned earlier, I don't typically take payment for my services, but I still acquiesce to some offers to help those affected feel free of debt." Sylvari fished in her bag for her coin purse to accentuate her point. She tossed it to Dante, without even looking at the contents within.
"I can't promise it will be much, but you're welcome to whatever is in there, for your mother."
As the pair arrived at the orphanage, the governess in charge peered out the small eyehole when the justiciar knocked. The door opened shortly afterwards.
"Sylvari! What brings you here so late?"
"Evening, Madame Helena. I come bearing gifts, me and my friend," Sylvari said as she smiled, gesturing with her hand to indicate Dante and the rest of the clothing he carried.
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Post by Delta on Dec 11, 2023 10:26:53 GMT -5
Dante wasn't sure how to take her gesture of goodwill towards his mother, but he didn't question it given that it was indeed for his mother. He said, "Thanks" and turned his attention to the task at hand. He smiled and said, "Yes, we figured that perhaps using the Red Rogue to stir up a little excitement this holiday season would be rather endearing. I even have the sack to bring the whole ensemble together." He set the back down, a sweater here and a hat here poking out from the exposed opening of the bag.
Helena excused herself for a moment to bring some of the children, giving Sylvari and himself a brief moment to themselves.
"You know Sylvari, we may have started off sour but it doesn't have to end that way. I'm preparing a soiree for the heroes of the realm against the vile Vulcadraeus in the Frost Gale. I've met someone there you might recognize: does the name Videl ring a bell? We cleared some ice at port in the city not too long ago. He told me he was doing it for the people yes, but also so he could see you again."
He smiled and said, "No need to dance around the issue, we both know the boy takes a shine to you. If not romance at the very least you should come just to spend time with him as friends. He would certainly appreciate it at the very least, and perhaps you'll have an opportunity to see my better side."
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 11, 2023 10:55:45 GMT -5
Sylvari flushed at the sudden mention of Videl and how he clearly had made his affections well known to this perfect stranger. That particular subject was one of some contention and deliberation. Her friend had made it abundantly clear that he wished to be more, but Sylvari's self-loathing and justiciar oath got in the way of her feelings developing in kind. Even now as he committed to accompanying her on her travels, Sylvari didn't quite know where they stood.
"Considering I was not amongst those who fought the dragon, and I would certainly not consider myself a hero, I don't know that I would have much role at such an event." Sylvari faltered in her speech, unsure of how to proceed. She certainly would feel out of place in such esteemed company: the radiant mystique of heroes would contrast with her own unworthiness and threaten another spiral of despair. Even so, if it was for Videl's sake, she might try; she certainly caused him enough pain that a little pleasure was in order.
"That said-"
Sylvari was spared from having to voice her thoughts, and her decision, as Helena again opened the door with several wide-eyed children in tow to greet them.
"Look now little ones, Sylvari and a Red Rogue have brought presents for you!"
Sylvari winced slightly at the proclamation, unsure how she felt of encouraging the impressionable youth about the validity of the holiday, but her misgivings melted in the face of their starry eyes and barrage of hugs in reunion.
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Post by Delta on Dec 11, 2023 13:09:27 GMT -5
Dante beamed with delight and used his sheer charisma to carry the part. Even one who had the ability to detect magic would not sense anything come from him when he said, "Well hello there little ones! I hope you have all been very good this year. I would hate to give you lumps of coal. Do I have any naughty boys and girls tonight?" A few would point to some of the troublemakers and giggle a bit. Dante waved his hand to get their attention again and began to toss jackets, sweats, hats, and socks among the crowd of children. He made sure they landed in their hands or laps, saying, "I'm just pulling your legs everyone, I know you've been good this year."
The children cheered, and some began to rush the bag. He looked to the leader of the charge, an older girl approaching adolescence and dumped the remaining contents on her head. This got some laughs, and he said, "My young helper here has volunteered to pass out your gifts! How delightful and kind of her to volunteer. Now make sure everyone gets one now, come along now dear."
The gifts were distributed with some help from Helena as the children haphazardly organized their gifts to something that was equitable for everyone. When the gifts were passed out, Helena thanked Dante and Sylvari. Dante chuckled and winked, saying, "It was of little consequence and trouble my dear. I hope you all have an excellent evening and children, remember! The Red Rogue always knows when you've been naughty or nice."
He waved them goodbye and in a poof of smoke used his Blink to exit outside and around the corner. Sylvari wouldn't have trouble finding him, the display more so a matter of performance than anything.
When they were together and alone once more, he said, "To address your earlier point, I think having folks such as yourself will provide the heroes a chance to meet some of those they saved. Vidal will be there! In fact, he helped scope out the venue. I can assure you that he has good taste in scenery. And Sylvari..."
He extended an invitation which seemed to come from nowhere or perhaps his sleeve and extended to her.
"I hope you do come. At the very least, look into the gentleman I mentioned. Talk to the people he's affecting. I'm sure you'll see where I'm coming from even if you don't agree with my methods."
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