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Post by Videl on Dec 19, 2023 13:43:08 GMT -5
Having thankfully managed to join up with the Fighter's Guild, and Sylvari having joined up alongside him, Videl had come to the decision that the pair should take on a quest for the guild. The easiest way to climb the ranks and obtain the training that he had needed from them, after all, was to take on a few jobs that the guild had been offering to them. It was through this action that the pair would now find themselves traversing throughout the Zeinavian desert. A region that had left Videl entirely too uncomfortable, given his experiences here with a particular shapeshifting individual. The task that was assigned to the pair was a rather simple one. There was an item of great interest to one of the reclusive sponsors of the fighters guild and it was their goal to bring said item to this particular sponsor. Obtaining the item was rather simple. The pair had managed to head out to one of the fighter's guild warehouses, where they had picked up the package and been assigned a few individuals to transport the container alongside. The real task was going to be getting said package all the way out to this sponsor. In order to do so, they would have to travel through the Zeinavian Region, pass through the Marsh Flats, and eventually out towards Moonglade's capital. All in all, they were going to be traveling for quite awhile. The first stop that the group was intending on making was going to be over at a village known as Thunderhoof. Once there, they would be tasked with finding further travel arrangements. This wasn't something that Sylvari and Videl had really needed, from Videl's understanding, but he could see how the others might need it. That being said, the group had currently been heading off in that direction. And as they had done so? Videl would be riding astride of Lumi whilst at the back of the caravan that they had been escorting.
Quest Name: What is Sunburn? Chapter: One Description: A very rich and reclusive sponsor of the Fighter’s Guild has an item that is to be transported, he has hired a caravan that will only transport it across the desert to Thunderhoof Village. You are to be extra security for the desert portion and to procure a way to transport the item the other half of the journey. Requirements: - Requires at least two people (you and one other, the other does not need to be interested in the guild) - Each of you must make at least 5 post with each post being 150 words to complete the mission. - Protect the caravan with no damage to the item - Procure transportation for the rest of the journey to Eclipse City - Once you complete this mission you gain access to chapter two. (which needs to be a separate topic)
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 19, 2023 13:58:40 GMT -5
Sylvari pulled at the crimson sash that marked her as a member of the Fighter's Guild. How she went from storming away in indignation at the spectacle of the initiation bout for Videl to becoming a member herself was a bit of a haze for the justiciar. Apparently, their spar had earned the favor of a high-ranking member of the guild, who wished to personally sponsor their ascension. After many reassurances that guild business was in line with her mission, promises of specialized training, and no small amount of prodding and puppy-dog eyes from her friend, Sylvari acquiesced and was promptly sent on an escort mission along with Videl.
As ever, the vampiress found the best way to deal with her personal struggles was to throw herself whole-heartedly into remedying others'. Videl had been quiet and looking increasingly nervous, even paranoid, as the caravan traveled further into Zeinav. Sylvari was worried about her friend and so maneuvered Mercy alongside Mercy to have as private a conversation as their present circumstances allowed.
"V..." Sylvari began, her voice low and soothing, "You've been fighting the enemies of the mind for quite a while now alone. Care to fill me in and gain a comrade in arms?"
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Post by Videl on Dec 19, 2023 14:12:04 GMT -5
The farther the caravan had traveled, the farther in his mind he had begun to slip. A dangerous action for sure, if one were to consider why it was that they had been here. If they had been attacked while he was in such a precarious state, Videl couldn't aptly say that he would be capable of leaping into action as quickly as he should have. Thankfully there was someone that was always capable of remedying any situation for him. Rather than allow for him to stew within his mind, Sylvari would come over and pull him back to the present. She did that quite often, in fact.
While Videl had been a bit concerned at the fact that Sylvari wasn't at the front of the caravan order, he had just as easily brushed it off. Regardless of where she had stood, she was more than capable of leaping into action. And the fact that she had come back here for him had helped to ease his worries. Of course, her words had put him in a bit of a tense situation overall. Especially considering what his answer would have to be.
A soft yet anxious cough would escape the mans lips as his gaze had begun to drift over towards Sylvari. There was no point in hiding the truth from her. Not only because he vowed to never do such a thing but because she herself had been involved in it. To a degree anyways. Knowing that he had to share this truth with her, Videl would nod for a bit before speaking on what had coated his mind.
"..I've recently run into a bit of trouble out here is all. It's actually something that I wanted to discuss with you." Another cough would slip forth as his hands had begun to tremble a bit. He was genuinely worried about upsetting her. If she thought that he was keeping things from her than things would already be off to a bad start. "You see.. There's a creature that dwells within this region that seems to know of us. A shapeshifter of sorts.. One that coaxed me into fighting it.. because it decided to toy with my emotions and take on your form." The man would wince for a moment as this last bit had slipped out.
"..and to make matters worse," he would say whilst lowering his voice. ".. they seem to be in cahoots with the law enforcement out here. It is very likely that you'll hear some bad things out here about me.. Or that I might be wanted by the guards within this regions capital. So being here sets me a bit on edge.." All he could do was pray that Sylvari hadn't thought he was purposely withholding such information from her. It quite honestly just hadn't come up as of yet. And the pair had unfortunately undergone a few situations in which they barely spoke. So he hadn't quite had the chance.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 19, 2023 14:55:10 GMT -5
"I see."
Sylvari rode Mercy in silence for a long time, mulling over her thoughts on the matter. It certainly did not escape her notice that the action of the shifter assuming her form was what was a catalyst for the truncated version of misfortune that Videl presented. She also noticed the indications of guilt that undergirded her friend's tone. Could it be that he withheld this information because he was ashamed?
Sylvari exhaled slightly, a physical motion that helped her collect her thoughts, even though she no longer had need for such things. Videl had mentioned that he was wanted, but even powerful nobles needed at least a flimsy pretext to declare someone as such, if they wanted to avoid allegations of corruption. There was something Videl wasn't telling her.
"This shifter... While I understand your predisposition against such creatures, given their natural abilties' bent towards mischievousness, I would urge you to be more measured in the future. Justice demands that we hold all creatures in regard and protect them until they prove themselves lawless." Sylvari paused to allow her words to sink in before she ventured into more sensitive territory.
"What happened, V? Did the shifter attack you? Are you worried that it will retaliate?" What did you do?
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Post by Videl on Dec 19, 2023 15:08:25 GMT -5
Videl would sway his head from side to side in response to her words. It wasn't that he hated this being for the very act of being a shifter. It was most assuredly due to the actions that it had taken. "..maybe I'm not explaining it right." A soft sigh would escape his lips at this point, his gaze making its way back over towards Sylvari. "They kept pushing me. Made claims about you that left me uneasy. It was as though they were following us. It got to the point where I just kind of.. lost it. While they didn't physically lash out, they knew what they were doing. They goaded me into it."
Even saying these things now, Videl could see how one might not believe him. Not only could the shapeshifter be a lie but the events that led up to everything had been a bit confusing. At this point, it was practically a haze for the T'saya. "There is also the fact that he mentioned having a friend that would devour the innards of some of these drunks at the tavern. I'm telling you, Syl, he wasn't a good person. He kept going on about how people wanted to be led and insinuated that you are leading them down this path.. He spoke as if he knew you. As though he had been watching us for quite some time." With each mention of the damned bastard, Videl would grow more infuriated. It were as though his true emotions were slipping through the cracks. Emotions that were more often than not bare for Sylvari to see.
Shaking his head once more in irritation, Videl would pull his gaze away from Sylvari and towards the road ahead. He didn't want to look at her with those eyes of his. Those cold dead eyes that arose with each mention of the shapeshifter. "The fact that he dared to take your form, only to push me in the way that he had, was despicable. Especially once he fell back into what I believe to be his regular form.. Attempting to convince the guards that I was his protege. Not only had he messed with my mind, Sylvari, but my magic was strange there as well. It didn't listen to me.. I don't know how to explain it to you."
The more that he spoke on the subject, the further his aura of cold would push outwards. And with the colder it started to get within the immediate area, the more this temperature change would affect those around him. Some of the caravan riders and their mounts had begun to move a bit more sluggishly because of this. Once Videl had noticed this fact, he would seal off this part of him and bury the emotions away. He couldn't allow for his emotions to get in the way of their job.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 19, 2023 16:36:20 GMT -5
Sylvari couldn't restrain a concerned eyebrow rising over her veil at Videl's particular phrasing. They didn't lash out but goaded you into... what exactly? You're not exactly inspiring confidence here, V. I have the utmost faith in your well-meaning intentions, but experience has borne out that I'm a stumbling block for you.
"On philosophy, it sounds like I don't disagree with this shifter, only in intention. People do desire structure and purpose: this is at the very core of my mission. But you're not telling me everything, V. He didn't lash out at you. He told a fairly innocuous lie to the guards. I'm not understanding your wanted status. What did-"
The justiciar's words were cut short as a cry of alarm came from the forward wagon.
"We're under attack! Bandits!" The shout came from the caravan master, urgency obvious in his tone. Sylvari grimaced, and cut a quick look at Videl before moving to address the threat.
"We will finish this conversation later." It wasn't a request, by the tone of her voice, but a command. There were too many unknowns, and while Sylvari didn't want to assume anything bad about her friend, his continued evasiveness and tricky language did not give her much room for justification.
Growling in frustration, Sylvari dashed forward with a quick snap of her reigns, Noe alert and ready, perched on her pauldron, as was his custom.
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Post by Videl on Dec 21, 2023 13:01:35 GMT -5
A sense of guilt would continue to wrack about within the T'saya as he listened to Sylvari's words. Not only had she agreed with his philosophy but she had believed he was continuing to hold something back from her. While she had been correct in her assumption, it wasn't as though he was doing it on purpose. It simply wouldn't come out in the way that he had hoped it would. So to speak, the words were having a hard time coming to the surface at all.
Just as Videl was about to cut Sylvari's words off, to completely fill her in on what had happened, a warning cry would come from one of the caravan drivers. It was then that Sylvari would leap into action, directing him to speak further with her about this at a later point. The tone that she spoke to him in.. He didn't like it. Yet again, that damned Zeinavian was ruining things for him. Perhaps it would have been best for Videl to keep these thoughts to himself.
Not exactly left with very many options at the moment, Videl would proceed to throw himself into the battle as well. With a slight nudge of his foot to Lumi's hindquarters, Videl would request that his Frigid Steed pick up her pacing whilst leading them off towards the bandits. Thanks to the effects of the slipstream bridle that she had worn, her pace had actually superseded that of those around them. Within a few moments, Videl and Lumi would find themselves briefly ahead of the group and heading towards the bandits.
Once these bandits had fallen within Videl's purview, he would immediately notice something that was off about them. The outfits that they had donned.. They were far too similar to the one that Azazel had worn back when the pair had met. While it was entirely possible for this to be a coincidence, Videl didn't wish to risk possibly encountering the shapeshifter yet again. A sense of rage had built up within him as he saw these bandits. One that he didn't quite understand. It was this rage that would likely make Videl's next actions seem cold and despondent.
Rather than yelling at them or simply leaping into action, Videl would fall into a state similar to the one that he fell into when he fought against Azazel. Or more aptly.. When he had attacked Azazel. All sense of life would leave his eyes as his mana had begun to run wild throughout the area. His aura of cold would begin to push itself outward as his mana had craved to be let out.. And let it out he had.
With a few hand gestures, as Lumi had made her way towards the bandits, Videl would draw upon two powerful spells. The first had collected all of the moisture within the air, forcing it to gather together until it had taken on the form of a hulking ice elemental [Summon: Ice Elemental]. Surely something that had been an oddity within these parts. As for the other spell? Well Videl had learned his lesson after passing through several heat based regions. Rather than allow for his spells to come to an end early due to the heat or fire based magics that some might have, Videl would pump a heap of his glacial mana into the ice elemental, allowing for its ice to reach a state of permanence [Permafrost].
"Remove them." That was the only command that Videl had given to his golem. His words had been laced with a cold seriousness as he spoke them. And shortly after having received the command? The ice elemental would call upon a spectacularly crafted spear of ice [Ice Elemental used Ice Spike]. One that would mold into its arm, allowing for piercing blows. In the next moment, the ice elemental would bring its sharpened arm down on top of one of the bandits.
The bandit that was about take a spear to the chest could do nothing but laugh at the ice elemental. In their eyes, destroying such a work of magic was easy. All they would have to do was throw a fire spell its way. In order to prevent the ice elemental from crushing them, the bandit would take a sharp inhale before exhaling a cone of flames towards the elemental. Rather than melting as they had anticipated though, the golem would push through the flames and jab their spear-end through the bandit themself. Given how they hadn't expected the situation to play out as it had, this bandit had soon met their demise.. Something that even Videl hadn't quite anticipated. He.. certainly should have been more careful with his command to the elemental.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 21, 2023 14:35:18 GMT -5
Sylvari atop Mercy charged into the fray on the right, even as she saw Videl move to address the bandit on the left. There were only 5 to deal with, a relatively minor threat. These bandits recoiled slightly at the armored justiciar's presence, causing her to believe they had only targeted the caravan as its two protectors were at the back. She silently cursed herself for not keeping to the task at hand and preventing this in the first place. After all, she had to assume some culpability for their wrongdoing by enticing them more than was necessary.
Nevertheless, they set themselves against her now, and she was mandated to end the threat. The vampiress gave a quick look to her dragonling passenger, accompanied by a quick nod, as she commanded him to attack the criminals [Necromancer, Undying Frenzy]. The lichlights had hardly set themselves into the little creature's eyes before he dove off his mistress' shoulder to the ground below. Long-discarded bones seemed to rise up to meet Noe, augmenting his form to being bipedal as he charged forward and began harassing and corralling the bandits towards his mistress.
For their part, the highwaymen were not entirely without defenses, as one strode forward to point a finger at Sylvari, a forking line of lighting erupting from his fingertip. The vampiress merely scoffed and brought her mouth forward, swallowing the emission of arcana whole [Mage Slayer, Spell Drinker]. She rode forward towards the greatly frightened bandits and began doling out blows to incapacitate them with her mighty warhammer, careful to hold her strikes so as not to kill them.
As the fight was going so well in hand, Sylvari had perfect view to see Videl's ice elemental erupt forth, braving a torrent of fire from another mage without a speck of lessening from the intense heat. Sylvari was about to feel a surge of pride for her friend's skills, despite her current suspicion, until she saw the elemental cock back its arm and fully impale the defenseless bandit on its ice spike.
What the hells? Has the summon gone rogue? V, you can't throw out spells you haven't mastered yet! Quickly dispatching the last of her opponents with an easy swing of her hammer, Sylvari whirled Mercy about and rode hard towards the elemental, its frosty form now spackled with blood.
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Post by Videl on Dec 21, 2023 14:50:32 GMT -5
A look of shock had overwhelmed Videl's features as he realized what he had done. Due to his improper phrasing, and the rage that had boiled just beneath his surface, Videl had yet again ended the life of another. Whilst it could be said that this was an act of self defense, there weren't many that believed it. Even Videl hadn't believed it, if he were being honest with himself. What he had just done had been nothing more than cold blooded murder.
It would seem as though a few of the bandits had agreed with this sentiment. Having witnessed the manner in which Videl's elemental dispatched their companion, a mix of emotions had begun to overtake them. A large part of them had been filled with fear. If even fire, which was an ice elemental's weakness, hadn't been able to stop the rampaging golem, than what could they do to really harm the damned thing? At the same time however, they had been filled with rage. Rage at the fact that their friend had been killed before their eyes. Allowing this rage to empower them, the remaining three bandits would proceed to rush towards Videl, ignoring the elemental and aiming for its master.
Unfortunately for them, as one of them had drawn out a javelin before hurling it across the field and towards Videl, Videl's dancing chain would sense that something was incoming. Rather than allow for its owner to be harmed in any such way, the dancing chain would briefly unfurl from around his waist before snatching the javelin out of the air and tossing it to the ground. Once the javelin had been thrown away, the dancing chain would render itself inert.
Videl and Lumi had both been aware of what happened as well. How, despite the gross feelings that were overtaking Videl, they were going to need to act accordingly and dispatch the remaining bandits. Seeing that this much needed to be done, Videl would level his spearhead towards the individual that had thrown the javelin. "I'm sorry..." With hushed words, Videl would throw his spear towards the aforementioned bandit. His spear would proceed to soar through the air, hitting the bandits shoulder and knocking them to the ground, before reappearing back in Videl's hand [Spell Blade, Always There]. Unlike the other individual from before, Videl hadn't killed this one.
Of course his elemental had still been a factor. Not having received any additional commands, the elemental would approach the remaining pair of bandits before thrusting its spear towards one of them from above. It was then that Videl had remembered what he needed to do. With a single thought, and a raise of his hand towards the elemental itself, Videl would inform the elemental that it should dispatch the remaining individuals nonlethally. This had caused the elementals actions to cease for a moment. After that moment, the ice spike from before would disappear and a regular hand would take its place. Using both of its regular hands, the ice elemental would crush the bandits into the ground. Not to the point of death but to the point of leaving them relatively injured and incapacitated. For all intents and purposes, even without extensive medical care, these bandits would survive.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 21, 2023 15:03:02 GMT -5
Seeing the bandits having been dispatched did nothing to reduce the iron-fisted grip Sylvari had on her weapon. She leapt off her mount and stepped forward, mere feet away from the towering elemental.
"V! Call off your servant before I forcibly send it back to whatever plane it came from! It killed the bandit without even offering redemption, and is a danger to us all." Despite the harsh steel of her words, there was an undertone of trust in her friend. Sylvari still believed Videl could exert his will over the creature and cause it to disperse or at least stand down if he just concentrated on it wholly. In her mind, this failing was one of inexperience, not malice or carelessness, and though she would need to lecture her friend about the proper techniques and responsibilities of a summoner, she wholeheartedly believed Videl would learn from this experience and be better for it.
Seeing his mistress still aggressive despite the defeat of the bandits caused Noe to rush over, looking like a tiny winged dragonkin, albeit a skeletal one. The lichlights in his eyes still burned as he flanked his mistress, growling menacingly at the target of her ire.
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Post by Videl on Dec 21, 2023 15:13:07 GMT -5
Although things had more or less been wrapped up, it would seem as though his emotional turmoil wasn't quite at an end. While he wouldn't outwardly show it, now going out of his way to hide the emotions that had bubbled within him, Videl hadn't been thrilled about any of this. This entire trip.. It did nothing but cause him more trouble. Rather than accept this job from the Fighter's Guild, he should have just avoided this region entirely. Much like he wanted to do from the beginning. He should have listened to his instincts.
Fighting with Sylvari was the one thing that left him with the biggest pit in his chest. Any time she was disappointed in him or upset with him for some reason or another, it had left Videl with the worst feeling in the world. One that he knew he was going to be left with for awhile after all that's happened. Rather than go against her words, Videl would simply nod to Sylvari whilst canceling the temporary pact that bound the ice elemental here. It wouldn't have lasted too much longer out here anyways. "..understood. I'm sorry for letting things get out of hand.." While he had been referring to himself, he could tell that Sylvari had thought this was an issue on the elemental's end. If only she knew how wrong she was..
Once the ice elemental had dissipated, Videl would gesture for Lumi to return back to their position beside Mercy. They would naturally wait for Sylvari to remount her steed at this point, Videl remaining quiet until she had done so. And if she hadn't remounted Mercy? Well Videl would simply remain quiet for a period of time. Once that period came to an end though, Videl would speak up once again. "..my emotions got the best of me and that likely affected the elemental as well.. The outfits that the bandits have adorned.. It's the same thing as that guy I mentioned before.."
While this wasn't something that he wanted to really discuss any further, Videl was smart enough to know that he didn't have much of a choice in the matter. "You asked what I did.. He goaded me into attacking him. When I did, he simply stood there and took my attacks. Blood was everywhere.. but that didn't phase him. In an instant, his wounds were entirely patched together. The blood remained. That's why the guards thought that I caused trouble. And why I distanced myself from the man.." It was very likely that he was digging himself into a deeper hole but he honestly wasn't sure if he was at this point or not. There wasn't much reasoning behind his actions. With everything going on, his mind was a mess.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 21, 2023 16:58:18 GMT -5
Sylvari's face was an impassive mask as she remounted Mercy and listened to Videl's words. The only thing that betrayed the justiciar's displeasure was the flexing of her neck muscles as she clenched her jaw.
"I see." Sylvari ushered Mercy to the side of the caravan master and assured him the bandits would be taken care of. After extracting promises from the criminals they would recant their thieving ways, Sylvari moved to the front of the column and motioned for them to follow her lead. she looked to Videl with a slight frown. "With me. We must have words but cannot afford to leave the convoy unattended from the front again."
Once he complied, Sylvari would remain silence for several agonizing minutes as she though of how she should address Videl's actions. He was in the wrong; that much was clear to her: for his interaction with this Zeinavian shifter first and his careless, emotional killing of the bandit now. Even so, the fact that such misjudgment was on behalf of a devotion to her made the vampiress squirm in discomfort. Finally choosing to make her voice heard, she address Videl without looking at him.
"You know you were wrong, I presume?" Sylvari paused waiting for an answer, pressing on when he gave her one. "I am disappointed in your judgment, Videl. Where you were goaded with words, you responded in violence. When you were in the heat of battle, you allowed your emotions to control you, and a man died for it. Know that the only reason I don't judge you guilty here and now is because I believe these mistakes were born of a misguided loyalty and not a seated desire towards darkness. Learn from this mistake, and I shall let it fall away to never be repeated. But if you should make error like this again, I will stand to oppose you. My heart begs me give second chances. My oath does not allow thirds."
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Post by Videl on Dec 21, 2023 17:29:34 GMT -5
That cold and authoritative manner in which she spoke to him.. He hated it. More than he hated Azazel's own actions even. Even before she got to the crux of the conversation, she had made it seem as though he was nothing more than a soldier under her command. Not the loving companion that would throw his life away for her. Not the one that had agonized over her disappearance for months. All it took was a single fuck up and everything had felt as though it were crumbling away.
Once the point came where she would blatantly tell him that he was in the wrong.. Well that was the most cruel feeling that he had thus far experienced. She hadn't been there. How could she possibly claim that he was in the wrong when she was only hearing his explanation of things? His poorly spoken explanation at that. To follow this statement up with the fact that she was disappointed in him? It was almost enough to cause the T'saya to depart on his own. While he might have physically been at the age of an adult, given his overall lack of experiences and attention growing up, he was veritably a child within. His actions were more often than not colored by this fact.
Rather than take such a drastic action in the face of his emotions, Videl would simply nod. He didn't have much to say in response to the vampiress' words. If he had allowed his emotions to control him ever again, she would stand against him. And if such an event were to befall him, she would likely strike him down. It was unreasonable. Bullheaded. Nigh antagonistically ironic. She was someone that was spending the entirety of her life to combat evil whilst offering all of these chances to those that don't deserve it. And yet, when the one person that has attempted to stand by her side through it all falters, she pushes such a strong ultimatum his way. As though there was no repentance to be had.
Several thoughts had begun to run about within the T'saya's mind, almost all of them conflicting with one another. He devoted himself to Sylvari and was willing to lay down his life for her. But she was likely to be the death of him. He had stood in place for her honor and was now facing what he felt to be a cruel and unusual punishment for it. And most of all, he wanted to put an end to the one that started it all. To remove that damned Azazel from the face of the planet, even going as far as to follow him into hell to strip him of his life evermore. And yet, if he were to ever take such a move, Sylvari would turn against him. Now add in the fact that Azazel could take on Videl's form and commit crimes in his name and appearance. Who was to say that Sylvari and himself wouldn't come to blows because of it?
In the eyes of Videl, this entire situation was ridiculous. Unfair. And yet he knew that the world was unfair as a whole. If there was anyone that knew that amongst those placed upon this earth, he was one of the rare few that would understand it. He had thought Sylvari to be of the same kind as himself. But her path had clearly led her to no longer consider herself as such. Judge. Jury. Executioner. Apparently only she could hold such a title. These were all thoughts that run throughout the mans mind and yet he would never speak them aloud. How could he? No matter how much he resented the situation, his love for Sylvari held true. It was he himself that was in the wrong. And that would stick with him.
Several moments had come to pass in which Videl had thought on these subjects. Nothing was said throughout that time. Not by Videl anyways. He couldn't even say that he was mad at Sylvari for what she said. If nothing else, her words had helped to cement the self-hatred and paranoia that had been growing since meeting that Zeinavian. One could only hope that he holds onto these emotions, keeping them sealed deep within himself to never see the light of day. Of course this silence wouldn't remain. After several moments had come to pass, Videl would say but a single thing. "It won't come to that."
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 21, 2023 17:47:45 GMT -5
An armored knuckle brushed aside the half veil for a pure crimson side eye as Sylvari watched Videl process her words. It pained her to see him retreat behind a mask of impassivity, even more so because she both caused the distress and had modeled the coping mechanism. Beyond her mere worry as a concerned friend, Sylvari agonized over the fact that she had such a profound and obvious effect on Videl. She hated it. She never asked for it. What a joke, to be responsible for someone else's happiness. I am not even able to manage that for myself. Truly, the gods cursed you for meeting me first, V.
Of course, the justiciar said none of this aloud. She was meant to be a bastion, a port of safe harbor, and she was on a job besides. Therefore, she put on her brightest smile, convinced it was thoroughly fake, and gave a sharp nod. "Good. Then let us speak no more of it. Your mastery of magic and tactical measurement of combat seems to be progressing well, V. I am proud of you. This guild surely struck gold with your acquisition." At the warm words of pride she spoke over her friend, a modicum of sincerity crawled into her smile.
"Well, we're nearly at the port city. We should be able to acquire a ship there for the last leg of the journey to Moonglade and put this job behind us."
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Post by Videl on Dec 21, 2023 17:59:31 GMT -5
Unlike when she had spoken such words before, at this moment, they held no value to the man. He hadn't been too concerned about her proudness over him. Not when he still had to cope with the apparent disappointment. When it came to which of the two held a stronger value to him, it was clear that her disappointment took the cake. Add in the fact that she had offered them after claiming her disappointment in him and the overall effects of this proudness were diminished.
He wouldn't offer Sylvari a fake smile in response. That wasn't something that he wanted to do anymore. When it came to baring the brunt of his emotions, he would face them in his own ways. For some, he would seal them away. And for others? Well they needed to be genuine to be put on display. That said though, he wasn't quite willing to leave her without any sort of response. Even with his emotions having been all over the place, he still held respect for her.
"I appreciate your kind words." There wasn't any sort of his usual warmth behind these words but his sincerity had held true. He truly did appreciate these thoughts of hers. It was just that he couldn't handle them at the moment. "It's not the guild that I strive to grow for though." With this, his gaze would briefly run over her, meeting her crimson eyes, before returning to the caravans ahead of him. "Regardless, I believe that it's best to leave the ship acquisition to you. Aside from the ship that we took to the Marsh Flats together, I've never been on one. I wouldn't have the faintest idea about how to acquire travel for a caravan such as this."
It wouldn't take all that long for Lumi to catch onto how Videl had been feeling. The only time that she had seen him act this despondently was during that time in which Videl and Sylvari had been apart. It was a bit confusing for her, given that Sylvari was right there, but she had more or less been able to piece together the humans emotions. While there wasn't all that much that she could do to offer him a sense of relief, she had been sure to rustle her head a bit so that her mane would fall over his legs. From her current positioning, beneath him, this was about as much as she could do.
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