Finnre`Merayen is wandering through the garden, looking over the different plants, noting those edible herbs, roots, and other plants. Skyla decides to take a short stroll through the gardens, before going down to the city again. It couldn't hurt to enjoy the beauty and complexity of the flowers and herbs, the precise way in which they are planted complement eachother in color and scent. Skyla stoops to smell a particularly fragrant bloom, and upon rising, catches sight of other movement in the garden. She turns, to see Merayen there as well. With a smile, she waves to the other woman. Finnre`Merayen just couldn't understand quite what was wrong with Misati... she was such a confusing person. If only she could better understand why she would find this such a problem Jackal has decided to sit on a bench near the garden and let his food settle. Taking in the sight of the place...it's all alot different from the flora of Nulam. Finnre`Merayen waves back.
Skyla "Merayen," she calls. "Isn't this place beautiful?" She walks towards her, and notices that Jackal is there as well, further on.
Finnre`Merayen Yes, it's quite beautiful. I only wish it could provide solutions to the problems that lay before all of us. Jackal nods to Skyla and Merayen, then looks at a strange yellow flower he's never seen before.
Skyla "Maybe it can." she pats the older woman on the shoulder, and continues on towards Jackal. "They say that all things are related to the martial arts, right? That seems to be what we need... perhaps one of these will calm the beast." Finnre`Merayen laughs softly... "Yes, but not quite the problems that I was thinking of."
Jackal "Well from my own limited understanding of the more...supernatural styles they seem to be incredibly varied. There are some for defense, some for attacking, counter attacking...just very strange. I've never heard of one mending the body or mind though..."
Skyla "I would not be surprised... where do you need medical aid more often than in battle?"
Finnre`Merayen It seems young Misati has very... interesting hypocracies in expendiency and free choice. She would gladly take the life of another if it was expedient and convenient, but when someone does something to help her, she finds it disturbing
Skyla "What do you mean?"
Finnre`Merayen Apparently, my subtle entreaty for the aid of Salas to help Misati was taken less than well. All because I didn't think she'd know to ask for such.
Skyla "Oh. Well did you tell her you wouldn't do it again?"
Finnre`Merayen I said I would discuss it with her first, but I will do what I believe is best if I need to.
Skyla "Is she okay now, then?" Finnre`Merayen shrugs, "I know not, though I doubt it. She seems the very firey sort.
Skyla "Well...we barely know her. Maybe you should let her be for a while. If she's going to travel with us, I'd rather not have her wanting to kill us." Finnre`Merayen nods, "I have tried, but I believe the nature of the south burns greatly in her. She hides the flame beneith her face, but the truth is there for all to see."
Skyla "So... you want to uncover this flame?"
Finnre`Merayen I think such a flame is best seen and most effective if controlled by the one who contains it. Then she can learn to show it's light or hide it with her will.
Finnre`Merayen And she cannot do so while she is hidden from herself, can she?
Skyla "I think you ask too much of someone we know too little about."
Skyla "For all we know, she could just be here to lull us into liking her, and then take off with something we care about."
Finnre`Merayen We have asked more of the Hill Folk, and we go to ask more of the Brilliant Mane... and we know far less of him. Finnre`Merayen sighs... "Then why would she go out of her way to make you feel suspicious of her with these actions?
Skyla "What actions?"
Finnre`Merayen Her talk with me, with such indignant anger over trying to aid her? It only makes me watch her more closely, and most likely all of us. If she were going to try and rob us, she'd not want to draw our attentions.
Finnre`Merayen No matter how indignant she felt.
Skyla "Are you sure it's just that she doesn't trust us?" Finnre`Merayen shrugs non-commitally
Skyla "Or these people, that she doesn't know." she gestures to the city below. "I don't know why she has such a bad reaction to telling people that she is a foundling, with amnesia... But I suppose I would be angry if you introduced me as a slave."
Finnre`Merayen Yes, but you aren't... and if you were, I would do so only if I thought these people could offer aid to you that I myself was unable to do.
Skyla "Not all of us have pasts we wish to return to."
Finnre`Merayen No, but neither can we try to run from them... would you be the same person, even Exalted had you not lived the past you did? You learned from it, and have grown strong.
Skyla "I may have been a different person, but I would have learned from other things."
Finnre`Merayen Yes, but would you have ever gotten to know the things and people you know now? What about Balthasar? What about your master in the forge? Would you give them up to escape your past?
Skyla "The bad time of my past was short, but harsh. I do not know that I would give it up, but I would have known my family... I can barely remember them now. My whole tribe.. they were my world, and I don't even know if any of them still live." Finnre`Merayen lays a hand on Skyla's shoulder, "You'll learn of their fate soon. I am sure of it. The sun watches over us, and look at our lives. So many things fall in our path, this will be no different. Skyla looks down, "I used to dream about going back, and everything being the same. But it won't. I was not the only one to be taken. I was the luckiest of them, though."
Finnre`Merayen No, it was not luck... you were determined to make it out. And you were granted the power to give not just yourself freedom, but others in good time. Do not forget it. The sun shows himself to us in visions sometimes. Some freedoms are just harder to see.
Finnre`Merayen Think on the "freedom" of the ravagers from their condition. They chose not this fate, and I doubt they would want it in their heart of hearts.
Skyla "It was none of my doing, Merayen. It was chance that brought me to the ship Balthasar sailed on, and his good deed that brought me to Nulam, and freedom."
Skyla "All I did was survive, and They wanted me to."
Finnre`Merayen Perhaps... but did you not fight? Did you not find the strength to fight on? Why do you think he gave you aid? It was because he saw something in you.
Finnre`Merayen That something was the same thing the sun saw in you on the day of your Exaltation... of this I am sure.
Skyla "To tell you the truth, I had almost given up when I was put on that ship. I was only six years old, I had lost my whole world, and even the friends I had made in the citadel were taken from me. I had tried to escape before, but I couldn't. I was too small, too weak. They laughed at my attempts."
Skyla "They laughed at me, and it was then that I knew I was doomed." Finnre`Merayen pulls off her helm and moves to look right into Skyla's eyes. "But, you had not given up... you fought on and on. What was in your heart was not what you did. Deep in your heart there was hope, and the Sun saw that and guided you to Balthasar."
Skyla "I fought like a mouse, hiding from them. Hoping they would look away, forget about me. They already thought of me as nothing - less than nothing."
Finnre`Merayen The sun cares not how you fight, only that in your heart you stay true to yourself.
Skyla "Can a mouse face a lion? I'm still scared, Mera. I don't know if we can win this." Finnre`Merayen puts her arms around Skyla and rocks her. "You are wise to be afraid, but we not only can do this, we will do this." Skyla leans against Merayen's shoulder, taking comfort in her strength. "We will. I hope."
Finnre`Merayen And that's all you need to do, hope and be yourself. Misati walked quietly through the gardens, looking for a quiet spot. She had managed to sweet talk a bit of cheese and some milk out of the cooks for the great cat that was still follwing her around.
Skyla "What if it's not enough? What if I can't do it? I am not good at making war, like Jackal. How can being good at a forge make a difference?"
Finnre`Merayen You believed the Iron Mandarin that all things relate to Martial Arts, yes?
Skyla "Sort of. I can see it for some things."
Finnre`Merayen Well, the same thing is true of most things... all things are bound together under the light and darkness of the Sun. The question is only how much. A warrior is good, but a proper tool can make him glorious. A fine tool is as nothing if the hand that wields it is improper.
Finnre`Merayen You helped rebuild Nulam... none of the rest of us knew how to do that. It was you and the villagers. Your skills are as valuable, if not more so to all of us.
Finnre`Merayen You give strength and aid to us in any endevor, be it war, fine goods to impress, and so on... Skyla nods, feeling a little better. "Thank you."
Finnre`Merayen You have your own path, Skyla, and let no one else ever convince you such is not true and great in it's own way. Finnre`Merayen sits back down next to Skyla Finnre`Merayen looks around the garden seeing Misati as her eyes take in the moon shrouded glory of the garden Skyla sits in silent contemplation for a while, then speaks, "I'm going to help these people. Give them new tools, and ways to do things." Finnre`Merayen nods and smiles. "Good for you. These are good people and they could use what aid you can give them. I only wish there was more I could do for them."
Skyla "Well...that is if they WANT my help. Some people don't like strangers butting in, saying they're better."
Finnre`Merayen I have no doubt they would welcome your aid. Skyla smiles a little, "Who can tell? As we talked about before, some people wish to walk their own path."
Finnre`Merayen I only wonder if they know exactly what you are. Finnre`Merayen thinks on it.
Finnre`Merayen Salas knew us right away, but would he tell his people and disciples? Skyla shakes her head, "I don't know... but maybe he has taught them not to fear us."
Finnre`Merayen Yes, and if so, then likely they will not only accept, but want your aid as they wanted his teachings. Misati kneels down as the large panther melts out of the shadows and gives him a rare genuine smile of affection as the feeds him her tidbits from the kitchen Finnre`Merayen laughs, "You might find that there are those who will wish to be your disciple!" Skyla smiles, "I wouldn't take his people away from him... he seems like a good master." Finnre`Merayen nods, "But, tell me it doesn't appeal to you to teach these people the knowledge you have, perhaps to let them protect themselves better in the future?
Skyla "Oh, yes. But I would rather do so by visiting here for a time, to help, rather than taking them away."
Finnre`Merayen I didn't say they'd have to leave, but yes... I did imagine that you'd have to stay here with them for a time. Perhaps after we deal with the Brilliant Mane, we could stop here to train and teach
Skyla "They seemed to be doing things I hadn't done before too... maybe we could teach eachother." Finnre`Merayen smiles softly, "I was thinking that exact same thing."
Skyla "That would be excellent... I love finding new ways to do things!" Finnre`Merayen puts back on her helm, putting down the mask as she looks over the garden in the silvery light
Skyla "That armor you wear... is that your way of hiding from your past?"
Finnre`Merayen No, it is a way for me to make others more comfortable. A warrior bound into her armor is a far different thing than a woman scarred terribly by time and war.
Finnre`Merayen One is acceptable, one... is not
Skyla "So you are hiding from your present, then."
Skyla "I've seen people come through on ships, that were scarred. That were wrinkled with age. Is it so terrible?"
Finnre`Merayen No, I... I wish to not cause undue disturbance in others by my appearance. When you look at me unarmored, what do you think?
Finnre`Merayen When you see scars that are unnatural even upon slaves, what do you think of?
Skyla "I think 'There is my friend. She has been through much, that would have killed a lesser person."
Skyla "I think I want to hurt the ones that hurt the scarred slaves." Finnre`Merayen turns her face to look at Skyla, "Those I have spoke to before, they seem to think of themselves covered in such scars... and it both revulses and terrifies them. So I wear armor, not for my own protection, but for that of others.
Finnre`Merayen The terrible part is, I chose this for myself, though I had not understood completely what it meant... I think you can never understand the truth of the Gunzosha without wearing the armor yourself.
Finnre`Merayen But, by the time you have chosen, it is already long past too late. Misati chuckles softly as barely audible purr can be heard
Skyla "Many things can't be understood without living them, I think."
Finnre`Merayen Yes, but some are more harsh than others, as we both know. Skyla nods "it's true."
Finnre`Merayen But, that's my advice for you
Skyla "Thanks, Mera. I don't know what I'd do without you." she smiles Finnre`Merayen smiles softly behind her mask and nods.
Skyla "I should go down, and see what I can do for them."
Finnre`Merayen "Alright. I shall see you later then, Skyla." Skyla rises, and sets off to the city below, with renewed purpose Skyla nearly trips over Misati and her panther, as the sun has drawn low, and the shadows are long. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were in the garden, Misati." Misati not the least bit surprised. "Good evening, Skyla"
Skyla "How are you? .and your panther?" Misati continues to scratch his ear, "Well enough, and yourself?"
Skyla "I'm doing pretty good. I just talked to Merayen, and she helped me sort some stuff out."
Misati gives a tight smile and looks like she's going to say something but thinks better of it
Skyla "She told me... about your disagreement earlier. I'm sorry about that." Misati looks a bit surprised. "You have nothing to apologize for"
Skyla "Well, I know she doesn't see what she did wrong, but I can see your side to it. My past isn't something I want brought up to strangers either." she smiles a little.
Misati "hmmm i'm not sure if do or not, i don't seem to have one at the moment"
Skyla "are you interested to find out?" Misati pauses for a moment. "Mostly, although i have to admit not knowing has some appeal to it" Skyla smiles a little, "I can see that, I suppose... but it seems like a mystery to unravel... I lost my family... do you remember yours?"
Misati "No. I remember nothing before about a year ago"
Skyla "I think I want to go back, to try to find my family. I'm not sure if they're even still alive, or still there, where I grew up. Do you want to come with me, when I go?"
Misati "Certainly, if I can"
Misati "That is if you still want me too when the time comes"
Skyla "Do you plan on, you know, betraying us or anything mean like that? Cause if not, then you'll be welcome."
Skyla "This one girl, Opal Blossom, she was a Solar like us, but she did that." Sky scowls. "I want to find her and smash her flat."
Misati "I'm not planning, but while I have do not know the life I lead before, I am neither a kind or nice person. Information has a way of changing things" Skyla thinks about that for a bit, "But you can choose who you are now. Even if your past isn't what you would like. We can all change."
Misati "Who says I want to a nice person?"
Skyla "Well, do you?"
Misati "No. Nice people get taken advantage off. Nice people aren't necessarily good people, they just hide they're flaws better."
Skyla "Does that mean you don't want to be friends?"
Misati "Friendships are complicated affairs that take their own course. I can not say whether or not I wish to be friends, we simply will or we won't"
Skyla "Well... warn me if you suddenly remember you want to kill me or something, okay? Misati gives you a sneaky smile. "Now why would do that?"
Skyla "Because I'm a nice person?" she smiles. Misati smirks. "That sounds like a personal problem, you should do something about that" Skyla shrugs, "I can't help it, really. I don't know how to sneak, and hide my words and things like that. It just confuses me."
Misati "It's not so difficult really, you simply decide what you want people to know, them tell that." Skyla scratches the back of her neck. "I tried to lie once. Jhord saw through it in about one second. Then he made me do extra chores." she grimaces.
Misati "There is a grain of truth in all the best lies. You always stick as close to the truth as you possibly can, wording is critical"
Skyla so... tell me a lie about Xocolotl."
Misati "He's only a cat"
Misati "It's misleading but not a outright lie" Skyla tilts her head, "Does that mean he's really more than just a cat?"
Misati "Well would you consider a panther a mere cat?"
Skyla "Hmm, no. But he is a type of cat... a big, strong one."
Misati "yes but when most people here the word 'cat' they think a small house cat, not panther. you give them as little information as possible and they will fill in the details they want" Skyla nods thoughtfully, "I see... it would be saying like.. I'm only a girl."
Misati "Yes, true technicly, but not really" Skyla smiles.
Misati "The secret is misdirection, not bald face lies"
Skyla "I think I understand, a little."
Misati "People make assumptions about the things they see or hear, you can use those to your advantage"
Skyla "But aren't they angry when they find out the truth?" Misati shrugs. "One is that your concern, two, who are you to control what they think. They may blame you but truly it's their own fault for not paying attention or asking the right questions" Skyla frowns thoughtfully..."I guess you're right."
Misati "Not everyone thinks that way....but they're wrong"
Skyla "Well, I think I'll just let you do the talking, then, because I'll probably just say something stupid." Misati gives Xocolotl a final scratch, as the huge cat just watches the two girls. "Oh I think there are plenty of others to do the talking in this group. As long as it isn't about me, I content to let it stay that way"
Skyla "Can I touch him? Will he bite me?" she gestures to the big cat. Misati looks at Xocolotl questioningly and the big cat stands up and sniffs Skyla's hand Skyla crouches down, letting him sniff her hand, "Hello, handsome." she smiles, and tentatively scratches him as she'd seen Misati do. "You're not just a cat, are you?" she coos.
Misati Xocolotl purrs as he has his ears scratched Skyla beams, "I never thought I'd see the day I got purred at by the Great Xocolotl... much less saw him." Misati chuckles Skyla rises, after marveling for a long moment, "Well, I should go. It's getting late, and I have a lot of work to do."
Balthasar ((And a lot of bow chicka bow wow.))
Misati "Don't stay up too late" Skyla waves, and heads down to the city below. "I won't." Misati waves good bye to Skyla
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