Intro Log: October 2020

[faileas]

Intro Log: October

I. ARRIVAL Out of nowhere, a glint of light catches your eye; your heart thunders in your ears as your body moves on its own, your mind consumed with inspecting the source. Your reflection stares back at you, just as curious from the surface - a mirror, a pool of water, your most trusted sword, something fleeting that your mind can barely remember - then ripples at your touch. A moment later, you feel a tug, and you find yourself stumbling into a dark, musty room. Behind you, a mirror stands ornately decorated with reminders of home wrought in brass and wood: the faces of people you know, and symbols important to you; all things that send a pang through your chest with the desire to return to them. Touching the mirror's surface does nothing but leave the stain of your fingerprints. When you turn to survey the room, you find there are hundreds of other mirrors. None of them are as decorated as yours - they're plain and dusty, speckled with age. Then you realize a second thing: You're not alone. Distantly, the ringing bell of a clocktower can be heard. But no matter its distance, the time is clear to make out: it chimes three times, stark, resonating like a pulse of something in this mirrored hall that you and many others have found yourselves in. For those familiar with magic, they might feel the power of the witching hour upon them, though it will feel different from what they're used to - in fact, everything does. You're certainly not the only ones here, however. On the first floor, with the doors wide open behind them in the foyer, is a small group headed by two individuals. As people begin to arrive, to come from the higher floor, they're waiting - and they're waiting for you, and your questions. Explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in, or proceed to the foyer? Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is faintly cloudy, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, even so close to the new moon as it is. The Looking-Glass House is rather nondescript two-story cottage made of grey brick, sitting at the edge of The Coven's courtyard; stones which glow as you step on them mark the path to and from the two buildings. While fairly small and plain on the outside, the inside has been enchanted to be the size of a large library, with hundreds upon hundreds of mirrors hanging, standing, and resting inside its walls. Some are broken, some are cracked, and some seem completely uninjured - but all of them are just as plain as the cottage itself, showing age in the silver beneath their glass and in the greening of their metals... Well, all except a character's personal mirror; to characters, one mirror - the one they came through - will be decorated lavishly with metal-and-wood-wrought reminders of home, and the surface will be as clear as a brand-new mirror.

II. THE WELCOME PARTY Whether you've decided to find a way out of the building you've arrived in, or decided to explore the rest of the Looking-Glass House - and perhaps finding a few familiar faces among the crowd - you feel a pull towards the foyer of the first floor. It's like a firm suggestion, as if to take you by the hand and draw you to where it begins, and the source of it becomes quite apparent upon finding one's way to the front room: a tall, comfortably-dressed older woman and her even taller wolfish companion, along with those which feel to resemble yourselves in a world-traversing sense: Mirrorbound, they're called. "My goodness. In the middle of the month! We weren't expecting you, we weren't!" The woman smiles broadly, with her Bonded glancing over the newly arrived and those who may have followed them in to volunteer explanations and assistance to the newest addition of their Mirrorbound bunch. "Let's get through the introductions, shall we? This here's Mhairi Ainsley, ambassador to the Parliament, and of course, my Bonded. And I'm Nerissa Bell, Head Witch of the Coven -- but you can just call me Miss Nessie, you can," she adds with a wink. "I know you must all be tired and confused after all that. We're here to help get you settled, dearest. Let me just..." With nothing more than a wave of her hand, rows of seats are summoned; despite their wooden nature, they're all sturdy and comfortable, filling the foyer and spreading out a ways into the lawn behind them, making room for all of the new arrivals as well as the previous batch. After all, they'll find this just as interesting. The Witches and Monsters that accompanied Nessie and Mhairi move to make room, and some disperse into the building itself to see if there's anyone who needs tending to. Mhairi steps forward as the chairs materialize. "Please, those who are able, join us for a moment. There are many questions that I'm sure you have. We will do our utmost best to answer them, and you may take any that we can't as a promise to find some sort of solution or answer." NOTE: If you wish to handwave interaction with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. All responses will be summarized answers rather than an IC thread. For those that'd like a more player-based interaction, Aefenglom has its own Welcome Wagon! These are players who've volunteered for the role, and those that didn't sign up may assist as well if they'd feel their character would -- have fun, and make friends. Additionally, those with notable injuries or sickness will be attended to ASAP by Coven-based witches, and should anyone be curious about what they are -- namely, if they have magic potential or not -- then this can be done during this and the general hour or so the new arrivals are within the Coven's grounds. There are ongoing classes on magic, monsters, and Bonding as well, though they take place more during the day than at night. Feel free to have your characters attend them at any time!

III. THE HAVEN After an hour or two of general chaos, questions that the natives attempt to help with, and injuries tended to for those who arrive in poor condition, it's time to make the trek to where you'll be staying. As you're leaving -- with Coven and/or Mirrobound escorts as guides -- you'll be given a peculiar-looking device. It's a very special watch, the native Witches explain, compliments of Parliament. These watches are passed around to all the new arrivals, who are given a quick rundown on their functions and encouraged to test them out when they can. They can even do it as they make their way out of the Coven's courtyard and to the Haven. Formerly part of the Aristocratic District, The Haven is just as well-kept and brightly-lit as the district it hails from. The houses err on the tall and ornamental side, large enough to fit several families (or, according to the upper class, their one family, several dozen servants, and guests), especially closest to the Aristocratic District. They become a little more modest and smaller as one gets away from the realm of high society and nearer to the Residential District proper. Newcomers are shuffled here and invited to find somewhere to live, free of cost. The Coven is currently handling expenses for the houses themselves in a program implemented by the Parliament, though if your character wishes to have anything extra -- like maids, chefs, and so on -- they'll have to pay for them with their own earned money. Much of the landscape and fixtures are the same as in the Aristocratic Districts, though it lacks formal emergency services. Much of the housing already has furnishing as well: standard items such as kitchenware, couches, beds, etc. were left behind by the relocated owners for those moving in. Though some are fairly newly-unoccupied, the dust on the floors of other houses suggests they were left long before the new arrivals even showed up -- a reminder that the Cwyld can strike just about anyone, regardless of standing. Another portion of this district has been opened up to the new arrivals: the barracks, the row of buildings pressed against the very edge of the Bright Wall. As the city's military force no longer has the same presence it previously did, the barracks have gone into disuse, and a cleanup effort has been in place since before the new arrivals came through the Looking-Glass House. For those who desire something a little less opulent, the barracks might just be the answer. The barracks can also be used for business, for a welcome center, a communal space, for anything that the residents of the Haven see fit to use them for -- so long as the legality isn't questionable, at least on the surface. To help with filling up the larger houses -- and even some of the smaller ones, or the shared rooms in the barracks -- the Coven put together a little roommate finding service, on a smaller scale from the grand opening of the Haven a while back. For those who aren't entirely sure who they want to shack up with, they have a small survey for them to fill out and post on the board they've magicked up in the center of The Haven. The board also very helpfully reads aloud each form for everyone to hear in a cheerful, monotone voice. It isn't able to be shut up, nor is it easy to ignore, being imbued with a kind of amplification magic. It simply reads the information you've offered up yourself -- or that someone might have written up for you, should that be their idea of fun.

Welcome to the intro log! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs if you prefer! The network system is free to use once characters have their watches as well; information on that can be found at the bottom of the Setting page, while any extra questions about it can be found in the FAQ index. Quests can be picked up throughout the month as well! While new characters will have to get settled in, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the October's Quest Pickup thread on the Quest Board. Finally, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans or if you have any other questions, just let the mods know here!

Comments

[fuelingfire]

"..I did not ask you. This is not the first time you've acted as if I have." In the nightmare he'd also told her he didn't give a damn about whatever information she thought she had that she kept trying to dangle at him!

There is a clear and obvious lack of shock, dismay, horror or rage at her followup proclamation.

In fact there's nothing more than a slight tilt of the head, something that might read as more puzzlement than anything else.

For a few moments there's utter silence as this is contemplated. Eventually: "Why ... do you think I would care?" By her smirking and gloating, obviously she thought he was supposed to. Did she think Emet-Selch wasn't old enough to be making those sorts of decisions on his own?

[omnicrafter]

"...Gods, why are you like this?" Her ears flatten. "I suppose you'll end up finding out the hard way, then. No surprise there."

Though to say she wishes he'd just listen and make everything easier on everyone for once is an understatement, if an unlikely scenario. He'll definitely have to be humbled a bit before any progress can be made on that front.

"You'll not get very far alone, though. Not without a Bond partner in particular, and that's a rather intimate decision to make. It's actually quite dangerous to go for long periods without one, I hear." She steps back and leans against one of the posts of the board. "Not that the threat of death is going to startle you much, but remember you can't just jump into another vessel here, not as you are right now. I don't actually know what happens, but... it's probably less of a smooth process than an Ascian's death."

Raising a hand, she gestures off nowhere in particular. "So, are you just going to look for unoccupied houses? I don't know, maybe you'll get lucky."

[fuelingfire]

Lahabrea does not have time for this nonsense. He has other things to do, which would be literally anything else. "You come to me with a sneer on your lips and mocking in your voice, deliberately trying to provoke me with snide words and unasked-for 'secrets' you intended mayhap shock or horrify.. And then are brazen enough to somehow be convinced it is not your error and I am somehow negligent in not wishing to engage with such artless insolence."

The rest of what she had said is completely and utterly disregarded. It might have even been useful advice, but coupled with her previous approach he has no interest at all in entertaining her or her suggestions. Maybe he would indeed have to learn on his own, which should be interesting for all involved.

There were a few people who had yet to just decide to provoke him for no particular reason here, and they had gained some measure of esteem. Those that had ... he wouldn't forget them. The bare minimums of civility shouldn't be impossible for mortals, and yet they proved him wrong again and again.

[omnicrafter]

Silence.

"Fine," she says after a moment, "I took it too far. I'm sorry."

She's not above apologies, but getting told off by Lahabrea still sucks. Her eyes only manage to linger on him for a few moments before she has to tear them away.

"I'm guessing you're ending the conversation," is what she follows up with. Gods, this would be so much easier if she didn't have some interest in making good with him, even if he doesn't know her reasons why. Or perhaps wouldn't believe them to begin with. There would be at least a few people who wouldn't be happy to hear she was trying to harangue him over something so... minor.

[fuelingfire]

It might be easier, to have such confrontations with Emet-Selch. At least he wore no mask and obscuring robes these days, and it was easier to even try to read an expression.

Maybe it's why he still kept his. He struggled enough with his temper without wearing all his emotions on his sleeve for all to see. Lahabrea is not the easiest person to even BEGIN to get along with. Even his own kind struggled with it. And he'd only gotten worse the longer things went. "Is there a reason I should not?"

She had at least the sense to apologize.

For all the good that it did.

After a long moment, the Ascian sighs, rubbing the skin at the base of his mask with one fingertip. Is. Is that a tiny bomb in his sleeve? "This is only a temporary inconvenience, Warrior of Light, and then we must needs return to the roads set before us. We are not allies; I would dare to say you would never turn your back on your Mother and embrace the true path. Ours is a conflict that cannot end in peace and cooperation. You know this. Attempting otherwise will simply make the inevitable fight harder, and Hydaelyn less likely to triumph. If you intend to win.. maintain your distance."

It's definitely a tiny bomb, and it's making faces.

[omnicrafter]

Hydaelyn again. Irhya's lips thin in a grimace.

"I have learned a lot since we last met, Lahabrea. Hydaelyn... whatever the intent, She has withheld information from me. Quite deliberately. To think I tried to stay neutral, and yet..."

How much of that brief talk about Zodiark with the Word of the Mother was true? Would She truly stoop to lies to set Her blessed on the path she wants? Or could it be the beliefs of Her summoner? She leans her cheek into her knuckles.

"I don't have any plans to change anything. Yet. But if push comes to shove... know that I can and will stop championing Hydaelyn. Not to turn to Zodiark, not simply to spite Her, but to find the truth with my own power. After all... I do not avail Her right now, either."

It is then that she notices the tiny bomb emerging from up his sleeve, making silly bomb faces. She blinks, and then snorts.

"Well, I seem to have at least this little one to try and be friends with."

The thought briefly enters her mind that perhaps Azem and Lahabrea had a similarly complex relationship -- was he always this stern? Even back before he'd lost most of his marbles, so to speak? The straight-laced elder and the rebellious wildcard... something to wonder about, perhaps.

[fuelingfire]

It is, as far as Lahabrea is concerned, the root cause of all of it - and the Warrior of Light wasn't precisely titled the Warrior of Ambiguous Alliances. Without Hydaelyn in the picture, there would be no conflict at all! And maybe he could have by now retired to spending the rest of his years puttering around in a private workshop, perfecting some project or other for the ongoing glory of Zodiark. Instead he's doing this.

"Surely reasons other than mere spite have been laid before you by now." What with her ongoing statements about Emet-Selch and all. Certainly any tempered were biased sources, but that held true for Hydaelyn too. "Though you may find you are incapable of resisting Her will, as free as you think you are to make that choice."

It's said as a fact, not a threat or even mocking. Primals were going to do what Primals did, whether or not those touched by them wished it.

Either way, it was irrelevant. 'I might consider doing the right thing some time in the distant future, maybe' simply didn't have resonance with Lahabrea, who preferred the definitive choices over such spineless lack of taking a stand.

That had always been the same. He didn't deal well with shades of gray when it was other people. Even if once upon a time, long long ago, he didn't kick up quite as much of a fuss as people expected when his Concepts were co-opted for some new hairbrained and surely unsanctioned scheme. No, they were always fairly easy to get ahold of.. for some very carefully selected individuals.

Nobody else ever quite got away with as much lunacy as Azem. But then again, nobody else ever tried.

"Bombs do not make for good associates for mortals," he mutters, as his pocket space heater makes its tiny indignation known at being on some world where the temperature was somewhat less than tropical.

[omnicrafter]

"Yes, but I don't have the whole picture yet. I have Zodiark's side of the story, but I want to learn more of the faction that caused Hydaelyn to be in the first place."

And Venat, if such a thing is possible. It will either give her reason to stay where she is, or to turn away from the Mothercrystal altogether. But how? And, if she does manage to break away, then what? Could it be Lahabrea might've been right all along?

Not that she's about to tell him that's where her thought process is taking her. Irhya sighs, bending down to peer at the bomb. "So? That never stopped me before," she says with a rolls of her eyes. They may be even more fleeting than her own kind, but that's no bother to her. And for a vampire, any source of heat is a good one. She tries to coax it out, wondering how much heat it emits and if she can't warm herself by its body.

[fuelingfire]

There is a low, disgusted sound from the Ascian, tone shifting rapidly from almost but not quite neutral to extremely annoyed. "You've had nothing but Her 'side', Warrior of Light. She spoke with you directly, has She not? And still you wish to give Her more and more chances. See how She clouds your vision even now, on another star far from Her direct reach. You do not speak thus of wishing to hear the voice of the one true God yourself. Only Hydaelyn, and more of Her distorted lies. Hoping that in spite of the reality of Her deceit before, that this time She might be truthful and that you might somehow know it is truth and not deception... when you never have before."

He is in fact wasting his time and he knows it. She's incapable of doing otherwise. Has been incapable ever since the whisper of 'Hear, feel, think'. Some of his own words are mere guesses based on Irhya's own words, but it's not hard to extrapolate. It's very unlikely the Warrior of Light had figured out anything on her own, no, she'd been informed by someone else.

Probably Emet-Selch. Who is far better suited to these conversations than he was. He wouldn't be getting coldly furious over the whole thing, he'd just sigh and wave her on and keep trying when the opportunity presents itself.

Something in her movement makes him straighten up suddenly, fingers curling around the little bomb in a way that might seem almost protective, expression settling into a very displeased scowl. "It will avail you naught. It is mine."

[omnicrafter]

"...For about fifteen seconds, yes."

And it told her very little, as he says. The recognition keeps her quiet for a few seconds.

"If I do break from Her, I'm not running to Zodiark's waiting arms, I hope you know." She crosses her arms, expression flat. "Besides... I already have heard Zodiark's voice. Surely you know of Elidibus's true nature too, don't you? His is the will of the primal -- salvation. I understand that much, at least."

That one was easy to piece together without him caving and telling them, at least. "I already plan to take Hydaelyn's word with a grain of salt. Just as Zodiark was influenced by Elidibus, so too is Hydaelyn influenced by Her summoner, of whom I know naught but a name. But there might yet be a way to find out more."

When he snaps to the bomb's defense, she huffs at him, her back hitting the post again with a touch of sulk. "Testy, aren't you. I guess this is why we don't debate primal politics, huh."

[fuelingfire]

His protectiveness over the tiny bomb doesn't seem to deter the bomb from its own unhappy struggles, though it seems ANYTHING warm to snuggle up against is perfectly good, be it sleeve or gloved hand. "That which inspires Elidibus is not that which gave Lord Zodiark shape. A difference in purpose, and a difference in role. A ship may be built of wood, but that makes it not a tree." He knows the difference. He and his phantomologists quite nearly invented primals to begin with; Zodiark was made to heal the world and save them all.. Elidibus on the other hand.. held more the dreams of a better future in his hands.

The endless hope that things would, had to get better.. And they would. Seven times they've succeeded.. a few more was all it would take. Just a few more..

"But there is no debate to be had. There is only the will of the star, without whom you and all you know would not exist in any form." His smile is just a whisker away from a smirk. "You should show at least a measure of gratitude to He who saved even you."

[omnicrafter]

Too bad she's the furthest thing from warm right now, despite having a jacket on. "I cannot deny that," Irhya says mildly, and then, "I just wish there had been another way."

Hearkening back to Azem's feelings, once again. Azem certainly wished for the same thing, but there was just no time... right? And she's already told Hades that there's no use lamenting what has already come to pass, so she ought not to do it herself. She is not Azem, never will be, but to take up the torch they left behind... that seems like a feasible goal.

"Keep in mind that you're tempered, Lahabrea. Of course what I say is going to sound ridiculous to your ears, and yours to mine. But I would hope there is some common ground to be found somewhere."

[fuelingfire]

"If there had been another way we would have taken it." There's no ages-old pain in his voice, no grief and loss. It's not a pleasant fact, but it is a fact, and one he's apparently come to terms with. "What's done is done, and what remains is unravelling that grievous wrong."

By slaughtering possibly trillions! It makes perfect sense. Get back an entire population at the cost of the easily replaced! It made sense eons ago, it still makes sense now. If Lord Zodiark hadn't wanted them sacrificed, He wouldn't have created them so fragile and short lived and thus quick to repopulate!

And then, eventually, face the judgment of their own people for the terrible price paid, be it found worthy or not.

For a moment the bomb is released, but it seems reluctant to stray too far from a comfortable heat source; Aefenglom is not exactly warm this time of year and Irhya... is strangely cold for a moving thing. It chooses to tangle itself in what looks suspiciously like several ribbons of long blond hair at the edge of his hood. "I see not why you would wish 'common ground', Warrior of Light. To make life here easier? Would it not be simpler to stay away?"

[omnicrafter]

"That would be the simplest solution, yes. I don't anticipate changing your mind about anything, after all. But... I don't think any distance I put between us is likely to last long."

To say nothing of her guilty conscience, though he'd probably not like to hear that, whether he accepts the future or not. Perhaps her soul just gravitates in a peculiar direction from the others... Would other Warriors of Light not have this same problem? Is it really that strange to want to get to know an enemy as a person, no matter how painful it makes things later?

"Will you not at least humor me?" She draws her hand up to grab at her arm, somewhat defensive. "I have no blessings here, no reason to lash out at you. And I definitely don't have the energy to devote solely to despising you. Unless your grudge just runs that deeply personal, I don't see why you should, either."

She pauses, considers. Continues. "You used to tease Elidibus about working so hard, taking his duty so seriously. I saw it, once. What happened to make you the one on the other side of that now, I wonder...?"

[fuelingfire]

It's not just the tempering Irhya has to contend with, trying to deal with Lahabrea. Eons of mismanagement and poor choices has left some fairly profound differences between him and the Ascian she knew far better in Emet-Selch. Such as the Architect is still able to function as a normal living being, and make actual rational decisions. Not just ones that sound good on paper, or are completely deranged, with little inbetween. Irhya's still struggling to treat Lahabrea like a normal person.

He hasn't been anything close to that for a very, very long time.

"You have yet to provide a reason why," he says flatly, obviously not particularly interested in playing nice by anyone's measure. "Why would I humor you? Why would I tolerate your presence? Were the Praetorium and your disposal of that delightful little toy not between us I would still have no reason to wish to give you my time."

She is, after all, still mortal. Still a broken, pathetic shard that only by extreme effort might be ever remade into a whole being again. "I will allow you a measure of insight - only Emet-Selch is inclined to spend his time willingly with your kind."

There should be more of a reaction than there is, to her continued implications and hints. In anyone else there might be. Questions, demands, insistence that she explain herself - reasonable reactions to confusing elements she should not know.

The reaction isn't there. Not the one that should be. It's like something just isn't processing, or he's deliberately ignoring it. "If you have to ask such an abysmally ignorant question, Warrior of Light, you have not been paying attention at all."

[omnicrafter]

She studies him for a long moment, her expression shifting to something more inquisitive than anything. Another only half-true statement, because Elidibus had also come to her seemingly for a measure of understanding before he stopped playing nice. Had even said himself, Lahabrea isn't exactly an all-knowing paragon.

"To be fair," she says equitably, "it took some time with Emet to actually remain on something that could be called stable ground. I suppose... it will take even longer here."

Hopefully not a set of millennia that she doesn't have. But she's beginning to notice the missing factor; maybe he doesn't want to process it right now, or maybe he literally cannot. But she'd never expected he'd be quite this... broken, both as a conversation partner and as a functional person.

"Not like I've anywhere to be, though. Do you really need a reason to be nice to people?" she asks, not sarcastically for once in her life. "Or have you forgotten how?"

Even without Zodiark eating at his very person, perhaps holding onto oneself through that amount of time can do these sorts of things to someone. Lahabrea was supposed to be the eldest of them, too; how long was 12,000 years compared to what he had already lived?

"Well, I said it to Emet, and I'm going to say it to you too. I'm not going to change my behavior just because you don't reciprocate it. If you don't like it, tough shite. We're stuck here, so get used to it."

[fuelingfire]

And there it is!

The smile that briefly crosses his face is nearly savage. "Oh, well, if that is the state of affairs!" Lahabrea leans forward slightly, teeth showing in a way that isn't at all a smile but is clearly 'meant' to be. "I'm not going to change my behavior just because you don't reciprocate it. If you don't like it, that's too bad. Get used to it."

Of course that's not how it's supposed to go, it's supposed to be some grand declaration of her righteousness, not something he can turn on her without hesitation.

But it's added to, one clawed finger rising. "And your insistence on annoying me can and will have consequences, Warrior of Light. I have been content to deal with you as all polite society does with an irritant - it is ignored until it can't otherwise be. If you persist in drawing my attention so desperately, you may get what you are asking for." And that.. might not really be a good thing. Lahabrea's focused attention certainly isn't going to be pleasant conversation and comradery.

[omnicrafter]

Fearlessly, Irhya leans in his direction and leers at him with a simpering grin in turn. "Ah, didn't want to borrow my strong wording, huh? You know, it'd have more of an impact if you lilted your voice a little bit..."

It's an exceptionally silly slight and she knows it, but he's hardly performing any better at the moment as far as she's concerned. The warning he issues might as well be an invitation, for all that it's like to stop her. "Those are awfully close to fighting words, you realize. I don't think I need to remind you what happens when you and yours try to screw around with me?"

Never let it be said that the Warrior of Light can't be a petty little shite when push comes to shove. Or that she doesn't attract trouble like a flame does fireflies, and with just as dangerous a relationship.

"Well, have it your way for now." She flicks a hand at him, tilting her nose up. "Go settle your lodgings and hope that no one encroaches upon your territory in the meantime. I'll have my blade at the ready in the future should you finally lose your patience."

the downsides of BOTHER ME EVEN THOUGH MY CHARACTER DISLIKES YOU

[fuelingfire]

"When you regale your companions about how you boldly stood up to the evil Ascian, make certain you mention where you could not even answer why your enemy should tolerate your deliberately spiteful and provocative presence, and refused to desist when warned away.. more than once." There's fangs in his friendless smile, the barest tips of razor teeth. It's a threat. "And be certain to mention the dire threats against you, which can only come to fruition if you continue to annoy your so-terrible foe, who has in his vast litany of crimes done the great and truly unthinkable wrong of telling you to go away."

It's not attracting trouble when she's going out of her way to find it, and then pokes at it til it explodes. If he's supposed to be intimidated by her counter-threat, she's clearly not been paying attention. All of that is utter bullshit after all.. no matter how much potential evidence there actually was for their inevitable complete defeat, and the death of Nabriales a consequence of his own foolishness. There were other Nabriales to be found and raised up. The rest was simply impossible.

"Which of course may only happen if you cannot manage the simple courtesy of ... staying away from one who wants nothing to do with you and your foolishness. It is truly a grievous sin against you, is it not? May the knowledge that you are surely justified in your idiocy comfort those left to deal with what remains afterward. Mistake me not, Warrior of Light. It is a threat. Continue to go out of your way to inflict your presence upon me, and there will be repercussions you have brought knowingly and willingly upon yourself."

The only problem is .. he's not leaving. She approached - she can damn well go away. But he's made his warning as absolutely clear as he possibly can. If Irhya keeps provoking him, keeps bothering him when he's been nothing but excruciatingly obvious about his lack of interest in being around her, then she has nobody to blame but herself when it goes awry.

whoops~

[omnicrafter]

A long, long moment of silence and staring as she eases back, the look on her face smoothing out.

"Are you done?" she finally says, unmoved by the display. "It's not really anyone else's concern but mine, anyway."

Her vision centers, away from him, tilted towards the ground as she glares down at it. Here comes the irritating part.

"But, fine. I'm sorry if I took the joke too far, little though I know that means." Her back finally leaves the sign post; she takes a moment to adjust her ponytail self-consciously and makes a few steps forward. "I am not here to make your life miserable, and I dare say the opposite is also true. Though don't blame me if something comes up and we're inextricably stuck together or in some equally unfortunate circumstance."

[fuelingfire]

"Little indeed, for a mistake repeated is a mistake one does not seek to remedy."

While Lahabrea might hope that perhaps the Warrior of Light has finally come to terms with the fact that he's not about to make friends with someone who bars the goals of the Ascians, he's also pretty certain she, like all other mortals, is incapable of not making the same errors over and over.

There's nothing else to add, for the time being - he's made his warnings, and he has no interest in continuing to listen to her oscillate between an unmeant 'apology' and then repeating her behavior minutes later. There's no way to tell with what he wears if there's a measured stare accompanying his silence.