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Post by Marion Aurea on Jul 8, 2024 10:46:31 GMT -5
Marion, once again, sparkled at the influx of information that came in for the topics he was so interested in- and the little elf quickly dug around his satchel to produce a notebook and a bit of charcoal, flipped it to one of the blank pages near the back, and began scribbling down the trivia that was given.
"- oh, that makes a lot of sense! The fur and all, I mean. But it is sad how people are encroaching on the habitat... they would need a lot of calories to sustain themselves, especially in the cold. "
His ears drooped abit at the thought, but moved upwards as he wrote.
"How large was the specimen you have hunted- how tall, and was it heavy? The injuries on it beforehand, was it mainly caused by people, arrows, knife wounds, snares, such and such, or are there any other evident injuries, like bites and claw marks? Does it still have the same white-furred appearance in that season?"
The little elf fired away, even if he was quickly working away in the notebook, using the cornermost bit to scratch out words in quite a small font, and circling points of interest as he continued to take notes.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jul 14, 2024 17:02:42 GMT -5
Cyran nodded in agreement.
“It’s an unfortunate problem so far up in the north.” Perhaps the yetis would not have been an issue, if it weren’t for the lack of animals within a sustainable food chain. It meant they wandered closer and closer to human territories. It meant more danger. He did not imagine the creatures were an especially peaceful sort in the days before they began acting so bloodthirsty, but they fell within the natural order. Bigger animals hunted smaller ones, and those were hunted by even bigger monsters. For instance, the yeti were hunted by glacier ticks, ticks were hunted by bigger dragons and beasts… so on and so forth.
And yet, everything had been turned upon its head in the past year.
“The specimen was probably… fifteen feet tall or so?” He mused. “And yes – the injuries it sustained was due to the fact that we lured it into a different campsite. They fought it with mortal weapons, mainly crossbows and the like. I don’t particularly remember it having other injuries from other yetis. Oh-! It’s worth noting that the specimen we encountered was unusually aggressive for its species. It wandered to human villages to eat and stayed away from other woods. So we’ve no ken what its interactions with other monsters looked like. Though it did have the signature white fur…”
It was these precise threats which made it so important for a coalition of people who understood, implicitly, how creatures behaved. Cyran was familiar with the human psyche, in a passing sense. It was as much his tool of the trade as his blades. But it was knowledge, experience as to what people wanted and feared, how they loved and hated, that was what gave him an edge. However, when it came to beasts, Cyran knew practically nothing. It was people like Marion that directed blades like him.
“With your knowledge of animals, I’m certain that you’d be a good fit for the expeditionary force… I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I definitely think it’s a worthwhile cause. Some monsters just simply need to be taken care of so that life can go on.” A bit of a harsh sentiment… but Cyran hadn’t been an assassin for nothing. Some might even call it hypocrisy at the fact that it was only the death of his best friend which had caused him to quit.
But Cyran did love life, which was why he knew that sometimes death was the gentlest option.
He paused, finishing off his water.
“But I digress. I don’t want to push anything on you that doesn’t spark your interest. But just from listening to you, I can tell you’re passionate. I just want you to be able to do what makes you happy.”
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jul 14, 2024 22:01:44 GMT -5
"I do understand. It is really unfortunate... but as long as nothing goes to waste and all is returned to the grand cycle, then it will not be a terrible thing."
Marion smiled, abit tight-lipped, and his eyes looked sad.
"It is only... well, when people have caused such troubles and then blamed it on the creatures themselves, who is only trying to live like everyone else- that's not good. I don't know, if I'd be able to make a difference, but- I'd like to. I would want to try. If more people understands creatures better- if more people understand each other better, then it will be a much gentler world."
Those words are big words coming from a little elf, but oddly, it doesn't feel unfitting to him- and the sentiment is not something echoed, but what he truely believes in. That is what made it so... convincing.
Closing his notebook and wiping the charcoal stain with a paper napkin, Marion proceeded to cheer himself back up with his sweet treats- he had finished his strawberry crepe between the conversation, but he had also ordered a nice little apricot pudding with icecream to go along with it.
"I will definitely check it out at the capitol! Just the opportunity to study new creatures and plants are such a privilege- I'll try my best to get in!"
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jul 21, 2024 8:08:58 GMT -5
Cyran nodded.
“It is an awful shame.”
He was all too familiar with the cruelties of mankind.
“Those are problems that I myself cannot fix.” He fiddled with the ring on his finger, twisting the band of metal and glass. With survival his only goal for years, there was never any time to devote to thinking about that which existed beyond his scope. That which was beyond his own did not - could not - concern him, lest he drown. But it was nice to see people like Marion… people who cared enough to start making a difference. It get less daunting to leave the future in the hands of kids like Marion.
“Which is why I am not the one who can. But I do not doubt that you’ll be able to make a difference. I mean, just look how much you’ve already taught me in only one afternoon.”
At this point he’d long since finished his food and ordered a glass of wine, which had also reached its dredges. Amidst the conversation he’d not even noticed how much time had passed, in relative peace. The guards had not bothered them since the initial incident, which Cyran took as a good sign. He set down his glass and cracked a smile as Marion ordered another pudding. He did have to resist the instinctual urge to warn Marion against spoiling his dinner with too much sugar.
“I’ve no doubt you can.” He meant it. “And if there’s anything I can do to help you, you can reach me at Shade’s Valley Orphanage in Darkveil, okay? I’m happy to supply whatever I can while you reach your goals.”
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jul 21, 2024 8:38:00 GMT -5
"Oh, I'd love to visit! And I'll make sure to bring gifts too!"
The little elf seemed rather chipper at the prospect, and those long ears perked right up again.
"I won't turn down your offer, but- well, if there's anything I can help with, I'm happy to as well. Aside from knowing creatures and plants and fungi, I am also the son of a healer."
And the light affinity came with him since birth- whether from the sun elf lineage or the circumstances of his conception, the Aurea's golden hair seemed to almost glow, the gentle radiance hard to tell if it's physical or simply from Marion's own personality. It makes sense that he'd also know recovery spells, how light is always portrayed nurturing and a blessing.
But is it really that case? If you ask Marion, perhaps he would agree. But there are certain things that he does not speak of, ever, because life had never been about looking back at the unchangeable givens- and Marion is always trying to look forward, and then there would be no shadows in sight.
"I think- you are making a difference too. Everyone is, in their own way- and if only a little, it's still going to be worth it." He smiled.
"And we'd head onto a better tomorrow, one steps back and two steps forward."
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jul 28, 2024 19:22:24 GMT -5
“Ah, there is no pressure to do so… though I’m sure the kids would adore that.” His shoulders slumped, unspoken tension easing somewhat. It was easy to gauge whether you could trust someone based on how well they treated children. Marion was definitely kind, but hearing that he would be so unquestionably kind to the kids of Shade’s Valley made it all the easier to open up to him.
“I do appreciate that, truly.” Cyran nodded. “And I will keep that in mind. Given that I’ve no talent for healing myself, there’s a good chance I will need to call upon you for aid if need be.” He did not want to inflict anyone else with the burden of his dependence, though he knew reciprocity was important.
Marion fell silent for a moment, and the sudden compliment caught Cyran off guard. He blinked, unsure what to make of Marion’s words. The young man scarcely had an impression of Cyran to say anything of the sort with such conviction. He had no idea of the decades-long trail of ghosts he’d left behind him, the lives he’d severed from this plane of existence. Cyran’s own existence unquestionably made the world a worse place due to his presence within it. No amount of pretending that he was doing good day by day taking care of his family and the kids made up for it.
He blinked again; this time, staving away tears.
It would not do to cry in front of a stranger.
“I do wish I had your optimism.” Cyran muttered, trying for a smile in turn. It was so utterly wonderful to see that there were people who still cared for life and all its goodness… a trait within the ex-assassin that had lain dormant for centuries at this point. It was just unfortunate that Cyran was one of the very shadows Marion was trying to avoid. “I hope one day I can feel the same way you do. For now, I shall settle for supporting people like you who are doing tangible change in the world.”
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jul 29, 2024 21:09:36 GMT -5
“… it’s okay, you can cry.” Marion said, softly.
The glimmer in one’s eyes is one Marion knows too well, and he never thought it inappropriate. He knows it from his father’s eyes, and he knows that tears is never a sign of weakness- but of love. “I’ll be honoured to be of help- it is going to be a unique opportunity for me as well! Getting to know new people and go to new places- oh, I do hope I’d be able to. It’s been really wonderful so far… and the world had been so kind and lovely. If I can give back to it in my time- ”
Sighing, he smiled.
“- I mean, enough about me. Are you planning to stay the night in the city? “
That was quite abrupt of him with the pivot in conversation- but Marion didn’t seem to be too conscious about that. With the lights coming up as dusk deepened, and their food finished, it is probably a reasonable thing to ask.
“I wouldn’t want to impose, but it’d be nice to be able to spend the night with a friend. I’ll pay my dues, of course! And cover for food for as many as you’d like.”
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jul 31, 2024 8:28:56 GMT -5
The sudden assurance that it was okay to show feeling gave him pause.
A far cry from the environment he remembered, lessons ingrained since youth that stoicism was a necessary part of life. The rest was weakness. No matter how he tried to break those shackles as the cycle continued anew – ensure his kids never felt the same – Cyran never had been very good at practicing what he preached.
“You are very kind.” He murmured, wiping at his misty eyes. “I am glad to have met you. Wherever life takes you – do not let it dim your light, okay?” Such was the only advice he could offer for someone who would be so kind to a stranger, to pay for their meals and treat them with kindness even upon learning of their unsavory past. It… did give him hope, somewhat, for the future. Perhaps not all was meant to be bleak shadows and grim darkness.
Cyran stopped and glanced at the setting Sun at the sudden question. It was late… later than he’d thought. Time had passed in a blink in the wake of good food and conversation. “I have a place to stay.” He’d be sleeping in an inn at the edge of the city. One that catered towards more unsavory folks; people who needed a place to hide. It might not be the safest place for Marion, but Cyran could keep him safe.
He of all people understood the burdens of loneliness.
“You are absolutely free to stay with me. If we’re going to be doing some traveling together, then the company is more than welcome.” The moon elf waved a hand. “No charge, of course. You were already so kind in paying for my meal.” He was more than happy to let Marion stay for free.
He stood, drawing his cloak further around his shoulders. Despite the heat of the summer, the evening brought about an unexpected chill. “Very well. Shall we get going, then?” It had been an unexpectedly busy day, and he was not as young as he used to be.
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jul 31, 2024 8:57:33 GMT -5
"I'll be your care, then-"
Getting up from his seat as well, Marion looked up to the other, and reached out to hold his hand, and the little warmth he has is shared.
And he smiled, and patted the back of your hand, the motion meant as comfort. He didn't make any promises, not just yet, but he said, instead-
"-Let us go together."
And so in the dimming light of a summer's night, the two of them headed into the city's depths- their little voyage had only just begun. Perhaps they'd trade stories for bedtime, or share a magnificent starberry tart for breakfast, or visit the bazaar together, or run into more trouble- but all that are for another time. Now the stars are just starting to twinkle, and their voices and figures faded into the din of the city's crowd, in this lovely gentle evening.
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