(12:09:21 PM) Ikiryo: A few days after the torney ended and it's a slow day, classes having ended. Most people are out and about...Alexa is not so much.
(12:10:36 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina is in the dorm's main room, doing as she normally does... alternating between reading books, fiddling with various AR windows, and staring into her orb. She looks a little rough around the edges... but only a little bit. Perhaps she's not been sleeping that well... still, she's smiling at least.
(12:22:49 PM) Ikiryo: Ainlinn is cuddled up to Alexa
(12:23:56 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina curls against Ainlinn lightly, her tail curled around the other girl.
(12:25:03 PM) Ikiryo: And they are interupted by an AR display popping up. Someone is at the front door of the dorms and is requesting permission to enter.
(12:32:48 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina peers at it, opening a window to see who it is.
(12:34:46 PM) Ikiryo: She doesn't recognise them...though they look familiar. A blue haired girl with a long white streak in her hair, dressed in a black skirt and blouse with gold highlights and earings. She's standing primly outside the door waiting.
(12:35:24 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina frowns. "Do you recognize them, Ainlinn? I... have a feeling..."
(12:37:29 PM) Ikiryo: Ainlinn frowns. "I might be getting the same one..."
(12:39:15 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Wonderful. Well, let's get this over with." She waves a hand, letting them in.
(12:44:12 PM) Ikiryo: She enters...and stops again at the door to the room itself, knocking on the door.
(12:44:28 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "You may enter."
(12:44:55 PM) Ikiryo: She enters and curtsies ever so slightly to Alexa "Good day, Lady Kalina."
(12:45:49 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina inclines her head politely. "I must assume you are... Lady Jager?"
(12:52:48 PM) Ikiryo: "That is correct, yes. Lady Sara Jaeger. It is a pleasure to meet you."
(12:55:42 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Indeed, quite the pleasure. This is Ainlinn Dymitryou, one of my girlfriends." She smiles. "What brings you here today, if I may ask?"
(12:56:22 PM) Ikiryo: She looks to Ainlinn and nods. "An Apology from my house to yours."
(12:57:38 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Indeed?" She quirks her head to the side, blinking.
(12:58:39 PM) Ikiryo: "My brother's conduct was truely deplorable. Regardless of opinions on others, one should act with dignity in all."
(1:04:35 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina nods. "I see. I will admit that he... rather riled me." Her ears flick a bit in consternation. "Still, I do accept the apology. His actions spoke poorly of himself, but yours speak well of your house."
(1:06:09 PM) Ikiryo: She nods "Thank you. I believe that it is better to show the superiority of belkan blood through superior actions, not degrading others."
(1:09:50 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "A very agreeable statement," she responds. "Actions are oft louder than words, after all." [To: Ainlinn - Though one of my ancestors said the loudest of all were shadowed knives and orbital artillery. Something to consider, hmm?] It's an idle message, just a personal thought she wanted to share.
(1:11:00 PM) Ikiryo: [From: Ainlinn - Is that a suggestion?~]
(1:12:02 PM) Ikiryo: "Indeed and my brother's spoke very poorly of us. I hope that a blood price will not be requested."
(1:13:17 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina waves a hand idly. "None will be needed."
(1:14:52 PM) Ikiryo: "Oh, that is wonderful to hear. I had been prepared to pay it, had it been asked."
(1:15:16 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina quirks her head to the side. "Oh?"
(1:16:37 PM) Ikiryo: "Indeed. I hold myself to a high standard of honor, as well as my family." She laughs musically.
(1:18:55 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "High enough to offer your life for it." She nods. "I can approve." [To: Ainlinn - I think capital-C Crazy runs in the Jager family's blood quite more strongly than in my own.] "If I may, is your brother aware of your visit?"
(1:20:03 PM) Ikiryo: "He would, had I not convinced my parents that perhaps...off-world education would do him good." [From: Ainlinn - Are we SURE? :P ]
(1:21:49 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Oh? To where was he sent?" [From: Ainlinn - Being willing to die for one's ideals is a fine thing, so long as the death isn't USELESS. I would give my life to save any one of you. I wouldn't hand it on a silver platter to someone just because my brother's a cock.]
(1:24:08 PM) Ikiryo: "Somewhere...remote." She smiles coldly. "I felt it needed to apologise, however. His conduct was most unbecoming for my family and a true heir of Belka."
(1:29:59 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina pays a bit of attention to the last bit. "Mmm, in many ways, yes."
(1:33:06 PM) Ikiryo: She smiles at Alexa "Some day, I hope to test my skills against you."
(1:34:11 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina returns the smile lightly. Just as coldly, though. "I would enjoy that, myself."
(1:35:02 PM) Ikiryo: "That would be wonderful~" Her eyes glint.
(1:35:06 PM) Ikiryo: Ainlinn rolls her eyes.
(1:37:10 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "We'll schedule something, then, in the future."
(1:40:10 PM) Ikiryo: "Fantastic." She curtsies again. "Do you have any more questions or any requests of me Lady Kalina?"
(1:41:11 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "If you would, do tell your brother that I did enjoy our fight." She smiles. "And that I hope he learned a thing or two from it."
(1:42:58 PM) Ikiryo: "I should hope he did as well. In practice...I fear not." She laughs musically. "It is rather ironic for someone with talent for the mind, his is so...thick."
(1:46:35 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Some people use their gifts to learn more about themselves and how to improve them. Others use them simply to obtain power over others." She shrugs.
(1:48:15 PM) Ikiryo: "I fear I have not his raw talent for our ancestral magic...but I believe I am the true heir, none-the-less." She nods
(1:49:02 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Indeed? A more wise, far-sighted leader than your brother, hmm?"
(1:50:19 PM) Ikiryo: "And hard work can more than make up for such a lack of talent." She smiles coldy. "One part talent can beat ten parts hard work...but what about one hundred? Or one thousand?"
(1:54:05 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Mmm, I see."
(1:55:29 PM) Ikiryo: "Oh yes...I would be honored if you would accept my hospitality at any of our tea houses in this city or any other. In order to make up for my brother's terrible actions even without a blood price paid."
(1:59:34 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina inclines her head. "You have my thanks."
(2:01:59 PM) Ikiryo: "None are required. Now, is there anything else you would like to discuss before I leave?"
(2:03:05 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina holds up a hand. "One thing, yes."
(2:03:13 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "What is your personal opinion of the things your brother stated?"
(2:05:36 PM) Ikiryo: "Which parts in particular?"
(2:06:48 PM) Alexa_Kalina: [To: Ainlinn - How blund should I be, love?]
(2:08:38 PM) Ikiryo: [To: Alexa - Depends how much you like getting punched~]
(2:10:05 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "The parts about... mmm... well. My relationship with Ainlinn. And Claire. And Atalanta Delta. And my friendship and loyalty to the other members of my squad."
(2:14:44 PM) Ikiryo: "Ah. I can say that I am sorry that he caused you offence with such statements."
(2:15:40 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "A very polite statement. That is not, however, what I asked. Do you agree with them?"
(2:16:10 PM) Ikiryo: "I do not believe that you are wasting what it means to be Belkan, no."
(2:21:07 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Hmm. I see."
(2:21:12 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "In that case, I believe we are done here."
(2:22:15 PM) Ikiryo: She nods and holds out a hand. "It has been a pleasure. You are a fine example of belkan blood and your friends should be honored."
(2:23:03 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina reaches out to take it... carefully, but politely.
~Later~
(3:47:09 PM) Ikiryo: Ainlinn is sitting on the couch of the common room, reading...she's frowning slightly.
(3:49:23 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina walks in, looking at Ainlinn. "Something wrong?" She sits next to her, quirking her head to the side in a very dog-like manner.
(3:50:59 PM) Ikiryo: "...no..." She's blatantly lying
(3:51:23 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "There is. Come one." She nuzzles against the girl's neck lightly. "What's wrong? I'll do my best to help."
(3:51:47 PM) Ikiryo: "I'm alright...it's nothing new."
(3:53:26 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina squeezes her gently. "Please, Ainlinn... it often helps to talk about things. Never know when someone might be able to help you, hmm?"
(3:55:00 PM) Ikiryo: "...alright. I lost."
(3:58:42 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina nods. "I noticed. It was... mm, a bad match up. I'm not sure it's POSSIBLE to trick Altea in a way that would actually let you get a leg up on her."
(4:01:27 PM) Ikiryo: "...yeah but...dammit. I tried doing that fair. I tried doing that whole 'Fight fair and put your heart into it' bullshit...and I lost. Hard."
(4:02:27 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina blinks. "Well, one should always put one's heart into anything one does. If something's worth doing, it's worth doing with your whole being, after all. But fighting fair isn't your strong point, love. Why would you?"
(4:03:01 PM) Ikiryo: "...becuase I don't want to be...m..." She pauses "I don't want to be my Sister."
(4:05:19 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Right, but there's a difference between playing to your strengths, and being your sister. She's a monster. You aren't. Fighting dirty doesn't make one a monster."
(4:07:29 PM) Ikiryo: "Yeah but...well...dammit." She frowns "I want to be...not like." She sighs. "I don't even know."
(4:08:35 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "All I wnat you to be, Ainlinn, is yourself." She gives her a hug. "That's the girl I fell for, after all."
(4:09:45 PM) Ikiryo: "...why would I want to be me?"
(4:12:25 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "You're a brilliant sneak, a wonderful spy, clever, adaptable, pragmatic..."
(4:16:21 PM) Ikiryo: "I'm a sadist, I can't fight fair to save my life and I'm just...most of those are bad, not good..."
(4:21:24 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina quirks an eyebrow. "Again, why would you fight fair?"
(4:21:58 PM) Ikiryo: "Because that's what good guys are supposed to do..."
(4:21:59 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "You're not good at it. You don't see me picking up a staff and shooting magic balls at people. I'm awful at that sort of thing, so I endevour to fight on my own terms--at blade's length, preferably after freezing their mana flows solid."
(4:24:47 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "No, that's what people like Altea do, because that's the terms she fights best on. Never fight an opponent on their own terms when you can help it."
(4:25:53 PM) Ikiryo: "Yeah but..." She sighs...
(4:26:59 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "But...?"
(4:33:54 PM) Ikiryo: "But I'm trying to not be...a monster."
(4:36:44 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Pragmatism isn't monstrous. Sneaking isn't monstrous. Monsters can be pragmatic, and they can be sneaky, and they can fight unfair--but none of those are signs of being a monster. Being a monster is a *choice*, Ainlinn. If you are worried about becoming one... then you are not one. And I doubt you will ever become one."
(4:38:04 PM) Ikiryo: "...I already am one. I'm trying to stop." She stares at the ground.
(4:43:03 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina quirks an eyebrow. "Tazzari's said the same thing, and I've got the same thing to say to you I have to her. You are NOT a monster." She bends over to kiss the tip of Ainlinn's nose.
(4:44:16 PM) Ikiryo: She blushes heavily. "I am. I'm a toxic monster and...well, as I said. I'm a sadist, I like hurting people."
(4:48:08 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "You're not a monster, Ainlinn." She squeezes her again. "Toxic... that's not your fault, where you were born. Not something you can help, so it doesn't come into play when determining if you're a monster or not." She smiles lightly. "And sadism... it can be a monstrous trait. Yet you don't like that you enjoy hurting people? You know you can be better? That's not a sign of being a monster."
(4:54:03 PM) Ikiryo: "Yes but..." She goes quiet.
(4:56:49 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "And there are many who would consider me monstrous, you know. For my blood, or for the code of honor I follow. That does not make me a monster, either--even though I have performed some monstrous acts." She pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath as the memory of sheering flesh and splitting limbs flashes through her mind. "But that I regret the necessity of those acts and wish I could have..."
(4:57:25 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Done it another way is proof that I am not, though I have the potential to be. But then again, so does everyone else. Anyone could be a monster, if they take that last, willing step down the slope. And I trust you, Ainlinn, that you would never, EVER take that step. That's not the sort of woman you are. The sort of woman I would fall in love with."
(4:58:04 PM) Ikiryo: She opens her mouth and closes it a few times, silent.
(5:00:13 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina gives her a tight hug, letting her consider.
(5:00:31 PM) Ikiryo: "...dammit..." She hugs back, frowning.
(5:01:06 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Mmm?"
(5:09:07 PM) SpaceThor left the room (quit: Quit: ).
(5:11:40 PM) Ikiryo: "...You are wrong but...dammit..." She kisses Alexa on the cheek. "I wish you were right..."
(5:14:22 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina cuddles against Ainlinn. "Then believe it until it is true, Ainlinn. Walk as you wish to be; until the morning where you realize you were what you wanted all along."
(5:15:46 PM) Ikiryo: "...are you drunk?"
(5:18:01 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "No. I am Belkan." She smiles. "Willingness to succeed, stubborn bastardry, good friends and good swords was what the Kalina line was founded upon, after all."
(5:18:55 PM) Ikiryo: "And being really, really wordy?" She gives Alexa a small smile.
(5:21:07 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Sesquipidalian Loquashionness is merely a survival trait when dealing with poncy nobles with lots of cash'," she replies. "One of the few surviving, written quotes of Gustavus Kalina, first of our house." She smiles.
(5:24:06 PM) Ikiryo: Ainlinn stares at Alexa...then giggles slightly.
(5:26:23 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina grins. "There was a time when the best way to become a landed noble was to be good enough at fighting that you got paid in land instead of money. It was during those times that the Kalina line originated. We were Belkan Landschnekts before we were a noble house."
(5:27:37 PM) Ikiryo: "So military contractors?"
(5:30:31 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Professional ones, yes. We built a reputation on completing jobs despite intervening hardship, always following through on our contracts, and in the matters of money and finance being completely honest with those who trusted us with their lives and money."
(5:31:15 PM) Ikiryo: "And stabbing people for money." She smiles
(5:32:08 PM) Alexa_Kalina: "Lots of people for lots of money, yes."
(5:32:12 PM) ***Alexa_Kalina returns the smile.