middaeg | [Open] Catchall Log

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[Open] Catchall Log

Who: Mira and YOU
When: All throughout March
Where: Aefenglom, locations listed in the prompts
What: Catch all for the month
Warnings: Potential Shadowbringers Spoilers, feels, and maybe some derp and nerdy

Books, Books, and You Guessed It, More Books: Coven Library (OPEN)

[To some, doing research is far from relaxing. But in the case of the woman curled up in a chair in the corner of some far section, books are a relaxing matter. With the stress for the past couple of moons mostly gone, Mira can get back to work on researching and reading up on new schools of magic. While she does enjoy her alchemy and offensive magics, she needs to focus more on the school she has taken some smaller looks in but important for some: Illusions.

Now she isn't the type to like to hide herself but she can see the benefits for it. That and ponder how to combine this art with the other magics already learned. Mira likes a challenge and as long as she's not overworking her body, it should be fine. But she may have grabbed a few more books than expected. Did you need that book on Illusions? She may have it so it wouldn't be harmful to ask about it.]

What Is Shopping For Yourself?: Shopping District (OPEN)

[Shopping for Mira usually consists of getting either potion ingredients or food and sundries for the house. When it comes to herself, anything outside of the essentials is rather off limits for her. Blame her own upbringing but Mira didn't mind it. She didn't pay much attention to clothing and fashion; her idea of fashion is 'is it comfortable and if it is sturdy enough for more grueling activities.

She can't wear her armor everywhere after all.

But it's one store that Mira can't help but stop and look through the window, noticing the clothing inside. There's a variety between trousers and suits and even dresses and skirts. And they certainly look comfortable to walk around in...]

Wait, what am I doing? I shouldn't even think about it.

[Yeah, poor person guilt here. Hard to get rid of.]

If All Else Fails...Tea: DiplomaTea (OPEN)

[Libraries are not good for wanting to eat or drink since it may hurt the books. But thankfully, Mira remembers the shop where the Valentione's celebration was held and she was in the mood for some good tea. With her nose in a book, she is also going to be trying some teas.

And by trying, we mean order several different blends at once and the table having several cups. What? She's adventerous. Mild flavor? Crazy flavor? She's trying it. Don't question it...or maybe you should.]

Oh...what is this I'm tasting?

[Definitely ask.]

To Feel The Warmth Of Another: House Darkness (Closed to Housemates)

[Emotions have been tough to deal with lately. She gets that with the conversations between those she knows and the past events. But oddly enough, she gets an idea and honestly does not know where it will lead. However, they will notice the extra pillows and blankets somehow going missing if they need one.

But in reality, they're all in the living area as Mira is arranging them in some odd way with any tables or chairs pushed off to the side. Girl, what are you doing?]

Wildcard

[Got another idea not listed? Hit me up!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Nostalgia reasons. That and it's because of the thirst for knowledge that set her on this path. This painful and hopeful path.]

Good intentions end up becoming harmful in the end sometimes. Don't I know it.

[That's what happened with the ancients and Amaurot. That's what happened with Gaius and Thordan as well. Although, Mira still sees those two as pretty harmful and Emet's own mindset of 'those people are sundered, their lives don't matter' as well. And yet she values him more here. Gods, how would it be if the others would show up?]

So. What actually drives you?

[ He doesn't know if he's ever actually asked her that question. ]

[She sighs and has to think for a second. Why does she fight? Why does she keep going despite the pain?]

At first, I think it was to learn more about the world. Where I came from, the city kept itself so isolated that all knowledge was hoarded and kept close to those in power. But now that I have knowledge, the answer changed somewhere along the way. I thought I knew but it isn't so clear to me. Perhaps, it is to find a purpose of my own, not being defined by the title of Warrior of Light alone but by me.

[Her deepest desire...the live out her days in peace and quiet where the Warrior is not needed because the land is at peace. But also...her family. The small family she had found along the way, both in Eorzea and in Aefenglom.]

[ An isolated city... Well it isn't as though Vanitas is unfamiliar with the concept at least. Xehanort kept just as many things to himself as he did "teach" Vanitas things. All the things needed to mold Vanitas into who and what he would become.

And he, too, thought he knew what and who he is. Had known what his priorities are. Now that's all been thrown into disarray, not all that different from Mira. She is trying to find out who she is beyond her title.

Vanitas is just trying to find out who he is. ]

That's... More difficult than what people make it out to be.

[Ishgard did hide the origins of the founding of the nation and how the Dragonsong War began, putting themselves in the light of the righteous. All those who spoke against the teachings were exiled, outcasted, or even forced to their death to prove how loyal they were to Halone...until the truth came out. That highborn and lowborn were the same. The nation was thrown into chaos naturally but they really have to thank Aymeric for keeping the peace, not to mention Hilda and the Hounds and even Lucia and Count Edmont.

So yeah, hiding knowledge is kind of a bad thing depending on the situation.]

I don't doubt that. A long and winding road to walk but one willing to take. I do find good in protecting those who need it, to still help when I can but that cannot be all to it. There has to be something else out there.

[She does love being a dark knight without a doubt and wouldn't change it for the world. But after the world is saved, what then? What purpose could she bring to herself?]

[ Long and winding road. Is that what it is, to figure out some kind of purpose? To find reasons to keep moving forward?

Van sighs. He isn't like Mira. There isn't any desire to protect those that need it. To help when he can. Vanitas doesn't think that will ever be something that fulfills him.

However he does want to get away from the topic. Nothing relaxing in that. ]

Hey Mira? Tell me about where you're from?

Hmm?

[This is the first she's heard of this request to him. But it's nice to speak on the place she calls home, despite its flaws. A good idea indeed.]

About Ishgard...what would you like to know?

Anything, really. I don't have a home, remember? So I suppose I am just curious about what having one was like.

[ And he has no memories of anything that happened before. any home he might have had is beyond reach. Probably forever now. ]

[Anything hmm?]

Well, Ishgard is a city made of stone and glass, a large city but is practically an island surrounded by a sea of clouds. To those who first step through the gates may think it cold and harsh will not be wrong but it's only when one digs deeper to see something more to it.

[Speak of where she knows best. And there's one place she can speak of and not be angry.]

I come from one of the more poorer places, known as the Brume. A hard life for those who live there and yet it is that place where I have my most treasured memories. Might be a little crazy for thinking that but I wouldn't change it. After all, it is where I was raised, where I first learned about dark knights.

[ Aren't most cities made of stone and glass? Vanitas tries to imagine a city on an island surrounded by clouds. It's not much of a stretch to picture something like that. ...Cold and harsh? So does that mean it's imposing?

Vanitas shifts, opting to lean against Mira as she talks. ]

It's not crazy. I wouldn't say my most treasured memories are anywhere but here, but... It sounds pretty normal to be fond of where you come from.

[ But to not change it... Would Vanitas change his past if he could? ]

So what about dark knights.

[It's both a bit disheartening to hear that the boy has no good memories anywhere else but here but also, the fact that now he has good memories still is something she's happy for.]

Dark Knights are...well, there is a branch of knights who protect all of Ishgard called the Temple Knights but lowborn like myself didn't really trust them so much. Those we did were the dark knights, who operated outside of Ishgardian law to do what was right for the people and not by the archbishop or the church. They stood up for those who had no voice to speak and I hoped to do the same when I was younger. Scared a few folks because speaking about them were a bit taboo and could mean danger.

Why was it so taboo to speak about them? Is it just because the didn't follow the laws?

[ Which Vanitas doesn't understand, of course. The whole people following rules set forth by the church is kind of baffling to him. ]

Exactly that. They've been known to disobey the Church, which was the highest law in the land until a friend of mine decided to reform the structure. What they said was law...even if it was something not right by the people. Reminds me of the story of how dark knights came to be.

[Holding up her book to Vani.]

A knight wanting to do good but when he went against the Church to do the right thing, he was shunned and stripped of his title. In reply, he threw his shield down and vowed to protect those who needed it, those without a voice to speak.

I think we need to back up. Why is this Church making law in the first place? I thought those law things were supposed to help out the people... So as long as it is a "good" thing, then how can it be "wrong" to do?

[ He asks a lot of questions, Mira. Apologies? ]

They are supposed to help but there can be loopholes created. For ever since Ishgard was formed, the Church had been the highest power as well as the founding four high houses holding the most sway.

They may say it's 'wrong' but looking at the why can be telling.

[ Vanitas adjusts. He cautiously leans against Mira. ]

What do you mean about the "why?" Does the Church and these houses have something against helping people?

Edited 2020-04-04 23:20 (UTC)

...the high houses in my time had no idea but their ancestors on the other hand...well, when a secret is so damning that you fear it will ruin everything, the ruling powers will try to hide it. One of the High Houses took me in as well as a couple others because of our help to the city prior.

That and his son wouldn't stop praising me apparently. Curious thing.

[Haurchefant was thirsty but Mira never noticed.]

They were the only house willing to work with outsiders, having a garrison outside the city's gates. But it's due to their kindness that I am still standing, believing in a Brumeling like myself and treating me as one of their own. So not everyone was a daft idiot.

[ He chuckles as he makes himself comfortable against Mira. Of course not everyone would behave in an idiotic manner but still. ]

A damning secret, huh? What could be so bad that they would want to hide it?

[ Vanitas sighs just a bit. ]

What it sounds like to me is that even back then you had your fans. Hero.

[The fact that he's leaning against her does make this a bit better; that he's definitely paying attention.]

...the fact that the founding of the city they love and rule and how it came to be was one big lie. How different the powers would become if known.

[But at remembering Haurchefant, her look becomes a bit more wistful. If only...]

Isn't that usually how it goes? History, over time, tends to be forgotten and overwritten.

[ Who knows how different things could have been. Useless to think on it though. What happened has already happened. They are who they are because of those things. Who is to say that they wouldn't be completely different people... Who is to say Mira would have been inspired to become who she is if not for the life she's lived? ]

When did you leave?

Oh no, this was deliberate. Constantly hidden for a thousand years to the point of plucking out a lowborn to carry the burden of the secret to tell every archbishop when he takes the throne. Only to be hidden away and never be seen ever again. And then when they die, the cycle continued.

[Those kids almost met that fate were it not for Briadien and Mira stepping in somehow.]

When I had left...around the time when the previous Calamity had hit. Ishgard was racked in eternal winter and those who knew me had convinced me to leave since they knew spinning on my wheels was never good for me. To discover more beyond the walls.

[ Her voice is sometimes pretty soothing. Vanitas can feel his eyelids grow heavy to the point where he can't really keep them open. He's still listening, of course, but there's something warm settling in. ]

So they supported you leaving... [ Also an interesting side note. ] But eventually you had to come back, right?

[Well, that is the point of all these blankets and pillows. Mira doesn't mind him resting on her after all as she keeps him close.]

Aye, I did. But it was out of a necessity; being framed for regicide will do that and Ishgard was considered a safe place because no one would think to go to their chilly neighbor to find a 'criminal'.

Regicide? ...Mira that's another story within itself.

[ So many stories all tied into one continuous one. One of these days... ]

Gonna have to tell me it from start to finish.

It'll take awhile if you're willing to hear.

[They may need more tea.]

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