Seneca of the Bandages 7

[17:35] Stumbled into the market, finally...

Luck would have it that the Exarch Nerin was there as well! Sometimes Kraus just made things happen. This would be one of those times.

Once again the Cinder-Guard arrived looking as if a cat had viciously mailed them. There ramshackle armor was torn to shred and there flowing white clothe a mess.

"E-exarch, I return with another report." As he spoke he'd bring a hand up to wipe some of the dried blood from his mouth. "I went on a patrol yesterday and became embroiled in a self-defensive battle with a man with silver hair and a muscular build."

As they spoke they'd try and stand tail, though it was clearly a great deal of effort to do so. One would think that within the last few months all the young Cadet could do was get into fights.

"I was bested and captured before a demon intervened and captured both of us. I was further tortured by the demon and forced to participate in a blasphemous ritual." They didn't even hesitate in admitting to the sacrilege. The words were spoken with shame but it was clear the man would speak them.

"I understand it was wrong. Pain and the suffering of those around me prompted me to act." After they'd spoken the tilted there head to the ground. "I understand if this make's me unfit to bear the Order's crest."
(Seneca)
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[17:38] "Hrm.."

When Exarch looks up at Seneca from his seat, he listens in to the tale that he speaks of; yet, what causes him to narrow his gaze is the apparent fact that there was peculiar someone participating in all of this.. peculiar someone he's all too familiar with.

"Bijel�"

It's only a silent mutter under his breath, but.. it's rather evident that it causes Nerin to frown; still, he allows Seneca to finish, if only to exclaim afterward.

"No. It doesn't make you unfit to bear the Order."

"It's just.. it's what I meant when I said that it's dangerous, especially during these trying times. I've seen many cadets die before they could achieve the status of Knighthood."

"You've done well surviving, and you've done well trying to fight such. Just.. just make sure to be safe."

"And try to roam about with others, if possible."
(Nerin lux Altin)
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[17:42] Seemed... Not relieved but something close to it.

Ashen locks fell forwards as the man's head tilted downward obscuring his features for a few seconds before he raised his head once more.

"Thank you Exarch. I must also report the capture of on Ryan... Sparda I think? A Felinae citizen of the city who intervened to try and save me before being bested by a witch. Youthful girl with raven hair."

As he spoke he was trying his best to keep the report as concise as he could. To make sure that the leaders of the First Light understood what was happening within the Kingdom.

"...I was always cursed by black-starlight and my body rended by talons of a demon." They'd reach down and shift aside the lost tatters of there armor. Revealing a scar reminiscent of a crescent moon, as well as over much worse appearing lines of ripped and torn flesh.

"Can you help me once more?"
(Seneca)
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[17:52] "...Ryan."

"That one asked me for personal tutelage in the Energy arts, as well as the style that I possess. It's.. unfortunate to hear that he was captured."

And likely dead by now. But this only causes the Exarch's frown to deepen, if only because he knows one thing for certain - it is yet another cadet to the list of dead. There were so many cadets, so many youthful aspirants to justice and servitude in the Order that had passed him..

So many died.

"--If he doesn't return within few years at most, it can be considered that he's dead."

It's a grim reality, even if every cadet whom he recruited- every cadet that has died- weighs heavily upon the Exarch. At times, it causes him to understand.. why exactly those of the older echelon retired.

It's difficult to see the young approach in such manner, to hear of all the hopes, of all the dreams they had - only to find out that they have died.

Yet, there's only a sigh. He signed up for this when he became a knight, back then, did he not?

"..Of course."

"Come here. Show me the wound."

Already does he put on the gloves, his hands steadily tracing along the torn flesh- his face grimaces a little bit, reaching out to the hydrogen oxide in order to cleanse the wound steadily; the product hisses upon Seneca's flesh, cleansing the bacteria.. if only to be followed by the clamps upon the flesh steadily shutting it together, provided it's exposed.

Yet, the burns themselves? They're covered in the soothing cream, one that is meant to remedy such injury. A pad is laid over, if only to wrap it in the bandages to secure it steadily.

"Change bandages daily."

"You can remove them in two weeks."
(Nerin lux Altin)
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[18:00] It was nice that the hair obscured his face, it gave him moment to reach a hand up and wipe away the tears that had welled within those violet hues. It was hard to truly comprehend that the young cat-man was most likely going to die back in Moonfall while he would live.

What could he have done? Nothing, the weakness he suffered made such a thing impossible. Only the strong could save the weak that was the way of the world. He had to get better, faster, braver or else Ryan's sacrifice would be in vain.

"I understand Exarch."

The words spoke calmly, though if that was to the considering Ryan dead or to the request to see the injury was up to interpretation. Though, he did step forwards and shift aside the ruined adamantite which had offered a modicum of protection within the battle.

There blazing across his ribs was the sign of the waxing moon. It was a terrible injury that screamed of the darker arts of celestial magic. As well as the myriad tunnels of scoured flesh that bespoke of a demons wrath. It was these marrings the Exarch treated first.

It was then that he watched as hydrogen oxide was applied to his flesh. His teeth clenched as a hiss of pain escaped between them. It hurt a lot but they knew that was the best way to kill the taint within the wounds.

The clamp itself was a blessing. It felt more, 'right' to have there flesh pushed together. Though, the cream applied to the moon let the man sigh in relfief. A paid applied otno it to keep it safe.

"I will maintain these healing arts diligently ser. I apologize for being a burden." It was clear the youth was going to become a mass of scars before even a year of service within the order passed. Yet, the fiery passion behind this violet hues hadn't dimmed.

"I have also begun studying the healing arts as well. Perhaps in the future others may benefit from them."
(Seneca)
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[18:05] "It's good that you do."

He learned to grow numb to it. Years, no, decades of service have shaped the Exarch to be more.. accepting of death, but it doesn't mean that it wouldn't hurt each time to hear of yet another cadet become nothing but a memory - especially if he were the one to recruit the said cadet..

Especially when he was the one to give them a look in the eyes, upon their dreamy eyes full of hope, and ask them.

'Are you certain you're ready for this?'

Part of him always feels as if he should tell them no, as if he should tell them that they're simply not ready, that they do not understand what awaits ahead- yet, each time he can't help but see himself, back when he was just a child aspiring to become a Knight within the Order. It's terrible what loss can lead to..

"You're not a burden."

"Don't think of yourself that way. Ever."

With the wound treated, he heavily exhales; albeit, his lips only idly purse. It's difficult to read anything upon Nerin's countenance- for perhaps years of wearing this frown had caused him to appear even cold.. despite the fact that deep on the inside, that's not the case.

"Study these arts."

"Do not allow yourself to be captured like this. Not again."

"You're too young to die. Too young to have your dreams vanish from this world."
(Nerin lux Altin)
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[18:12] Seneca's expression looked a little hurt, almost as if he'd been kicked at the bluntness of Nerin's statements. Though, after a minute of thought, of contemplation of whether he was a burden or not. His lips curled upwards into a soft smile.

"I will Exarch, I've no intention of dying as I am. I will strive to see my dreams fulfilled." The now healed but still aching cadet brought a fist to there chest bumping it softly!

"I won't let you down ser! I'll go now and find my peers and keep practicing to get ready for what's to come!" That is exactly what he went to do. Running away from the market and into the city, well running might have been an overstatement but he was moving!
(Seneca)
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[18:15] "...Good."

Is this enough? Nerin is but one man, and he cannot be everywhere- he cannot safeguard everyone, as much as he wants to. Something about Seneca walking away caused him to furrow his brows, if only because part of him felt as if something terrible could happen soon enough, but..

He says nothing- until he's almost gone, if only to add a single, familiar phrase.

A phrase he tells everyone who's just like Seneca.

"--Good luck."

"Don't die."
(Nerin lux Altin)