a talk with angelo

Tara's confident demeanor briefly falters, and her expression comes to sour. She leans in a bit, squinting at Ambrose and lowering her voice in a conspiratorial manner.

"Listen.. didn't say I'd win, did I? But.. 's like, on principle y'see. Sometimes ya simply gotta have at it, 'n well, not sayin' that's the time, but 'm just illustratin' things, paintin' you a word picture." A sharp breath is drawn at the conclusion of her hurried ramble, and she stands back up straight.

"Yea, 's what I meant, yenyways."

The girl's arms cross once more, perhaps a bit defensively, her eyes flit between the two blondes.
(Tara Tuffam)

Benedict Delisle bought Maki Roll for 500c from Out Of The Blue!

"You are correct."

"You didn't say that you'd win."

As much as she thought of doing so merely out of principle, the statement of the Prince stands; most seemed to have such confidence in facing him.

But only until they realize what mistake they've done.

"But I see."

It's dismissed nonetheless, and he chooses not to continue the topic. Though, with a pause, he soon remarks.

"Given that you know Baux, and your overall demeanor.."

"I assume you're from Moxtli?"
(Ambrose Roche)

"Yea.. 'm from Moxtli."

Tara sniffs a bit, perhaps in indignance, at the comment about her demeanor. What demeanor? She didn't have a demeanor.. and least she liked to think she didn't. What did he mean by demeanor anyways? This is of course, all shoved under the rug as she recomposes herself to speak.

".. Not born 'n raised, but lived there a good smidgen of my life. The Graces brought me in." The soft padding of her sandal against the ground resumes.

A longer pause, as Tara absent mindedly regards the prince.

"Y'not from Asphodel 'riginally neither, are ya?"
(Tara Tuffam)

"Ah."

There comes a small smile from the Prince, rather amused by such. The fact that she was not only from Moxtli, but also brought in by Graces..

It's expected.

"Figured I've seen something familiar in you. Something similar to Cedar."

Nonetheless, while she asks regarding Asphodel, he shakes his head.

"No. I'm from Apropriya."

"But I was born away from the Midnight Aristocracy." Away from vampirism, away from it all.

"My family did not survive, and I've been made a servant. At that point, one must make do with what they have."

It's a tale of someone clawing their way to the top, no doubt. But in what way, and how?

He doesn't elaborate.
(Ambrose Roche)

Her eyes wandered this way and that as he spoke in a distracted manner, though no less attentive to his explanation, it might appear otherwise. She brings a hand to rub at the back of her neck thoughtfully, considering how to address his tale.

A tad sympathetic? Dead families were always rather sympathetic.

"Humm… but like, considerin' you're in Esshar now, y'could make do anywhere? Y'know, on 'ccount of no longer livin' in vampire land or whatever."

She nods, "But! 've heard o' it, yup, Miss Araceli 'd mentioned the place when we spoke."

"Yahuh… personally, if'n the folks who killed my family had me run off to some far off land, I wouldn't have it, nah, wouldn't go for it 't all." A shake of her head, mournful in its motion, even.

"What brings ya to stick with it?"
(Tara Tuffam)


It's expected she would feel that way.

Truth be told, he actually feels that way too. But few understand what it's like... few understand what exactly Ambrose had to face - and very few could ever relate.

"To understand, you must know context."

There, he begins to elaborate at last- something that could give an insight as to why he does exactly what he does.

"I was born to family of Paladins, from Order of the Silver Sun. They worship an Angel Soliel, and their struggle against vampires has lasted for several centuries."

"All for naught. They keep dying, failing assaults, but this fight just goes nowhere."

In the end, their methods simply don't work.

"My family died to vampires, and I was a servant. Ever since that day, I had to claw my way to the top. To protect myself, I dabbled in dark arts."

"Knowing the defense mechanisms against the dark arts, I ensured I wouldnot go mad from the Occultic influence - yet such arcane arts allowed me to become more free and even make my own way here. But.."

He pauses for a moment. Soon enough, he continues his explanation.

"I want to perform the Grand Cleansing on Apropriya. It has long stagnated - and even Queen Araceli, who also fled Apropriya, acknowledges such."

"Most think it's easy. Most think you can just get an army and go do that."

"But they're fools. They never met the Elders. They never met the ancient vampires that have lived for thousands of years."

"They'd get ripped to shreds."

Their power was simply impossible to match. The Prince realized that much, and so...

"To do what I want, I will need appropriate power."

"My life will need to be extended, because that work will take longer than a single lifetime. To that end, I must acquire immortality."

"I must live - so that my work can continue and see success one day."

Does she not realize it yet? It's a work of upheaving something that has lasted for thousands of years.

A single mortal life is just not enough.

"And Esshar?"

"It's a testing ground for me, the means for growth. Once I've grown to a certain point.."

"It will be time for me to return back to Apropriya to do what I must."
(Ambrose Roche)

Was the Pelleaux overstepping his grounds, a little? Somewhat. Though, as someone who fought against Ambrose in battle, Angelo was content with eavesdropping on the conversation, and even eventually...

Interrupting.

In truth, he had already heard a portion of this story from the Prince, but not within this scale.

The fair-skinned noble talked out, allowing the two to acknowledge his presence, if they hadn't realised already. Though unlike before, there was an aura of sincerity behind it.

"...Prince of Asphodel; Ambrose.

Keeper of the Collective. Fancy meeting you here, wouldn't you say?

You...

Ever since our battle, I've needed to make this clear. I'll never understand what 'Elders' you speak of, but if there's one thing I seek to know, it's...

Why bother shouldering the burden alone? You alone MUST use Esshar as a stepping stone, andembark into the danger alone?"

If anything, there was a tint of sympathy within his voice.
(Angelo ven Pelleaux)

Tara fights back the urge to zone into a hazy fog, plucking the pipe from her mouth. Lots of speaking... words, but important words! So to this, she resolved to try and focus as hard as she can, giving the occasional thoughtful nod as to indicate she was indeed still listening.

"Quite the ah... 's quite the history." She swallows, her head wrappings its way around his speech in retrospect to it all.

"Yahuh… 's uh, well... I do SUPPOSE... it could be said, such 'n endeavor makes a wee smidgen bit o' sense."

Another slight nod, the pipe returns to her mouth, sending a few relieved huffs of smoke upwards and outwards into the dim sky above. "Yea I mean.. well, could not entirely relate t' ya, on those lines... but 'haps you've got a point with the whole immortality thing."

She then begins to come to the brimming realization as to how long 'immortality' really entails. How muchmore ass could you kick with a few thousand more years tacked onto your life? Probably quite a lot...

"Almost 'n honorable ends, 'haps! Aheh…"

The whole subject matter was a bit over the girl's head, but she certainly took her best stab at it. A finger wags in his direction.

"Not t' uh, disrespect your words, but 've got a place t' be soon... and uh, well 's been nice, I s'pose. Been an interestin' convo-sation!" An uneasy chuckle, awkwardness emanating from the tone.

"Coolio... yea, be seein' ya' no doubt Ambrose."
(Tara Tuffam)

The Prince did not intend to keep her.

If anything, as much as he was telling the story of his own, he wasn't exactly full of intention to continue speaking on. After all...

"You asked for my reasons, and I've spoken."

"But if you need to go, then farewell."

Ambrose doesn't speak of such, unless he's asked- yet a particularly familiar voice causes him to tilt his head to the side, if only to look upon Angelo.

A squint follows, once, twice..
Until he speaks out.

"The Elders are gods among men. It's simple as that."

"Anyone here, even the strongest magi on Esshar, will get torn apart with ease within mere moments."

"To contend them, a god-like power is needed." A pause, to which he adds.

"If you think that I overexaggerate-"

"Even Angel Soliel, a being that can wield divine magic, can only go toe to toe with a single Elder at her full power. She cannot decisively overpower any of them."

"If there are two Elders or more? She's done. She would have to retreat." Or physically die, and likely be reborn several years later - as all Angels do.

"What hope do mortals have, then?"

"Because if you'd like to suggest the means of overpowering Elders that doesn't include becoming an immortal yourself, be my guest."

It's almost an invitation to challenge the beliefs of Ambrose. Even then... it's very likely Angelo, in his ignorance, would suggest something that simply won't work.

He had no idea, after all.
Even with explanation given.

"I must shoulder that burden alone because nobody will."

"Or did you wish to volunteer, Angelo?"
(Ambrose Roche)

Tara Tuffam asks, "Oho.. seems ah, like a rivetin' conversation t' be had, give me the notes a later time, yea?"

And with that, Tara shuffles off.
(Tara Tuffam)

Baux arrives on the scene just in time, eyes falling upon Ambrose without much of a desire to acknowledge just what sort of important conversation may have progressed as a result of his presence.

At least, not fully as he plants a hand upon his hips.

"Ah... Asshole extraordinaire. Ya' disappear on th' eastern side and can't even be assed ta' schedule a good catchup."

Lifting his hand, a single, clawed digit is curled in his direction. "Ya' gonna tell me what all this elder shit is about, then? And just how long ya' tend ta' play royal with people that obviously ain't your speed?"
(Baux)

"I have no say in the Elder problem. In fact, I fully well trust that someone of your calibre isn't lying about it. Even so, I never knew your cause was for the great Soliel, no less.

I only came across that name once in my childhood. I don't know much about her, either."

Baux's usual aggressiveness prompts the Pelleaux to launch himself over the railing, and stand near him. A hand lands softly on the beastkin's shoulders, re-assuring him.

"Calm down. If there's anything I can say about Ambrose, it's that he's different to Asphodel's inhabitants.

...There's something else behind the scenes."

Finally, he turns a golden-eyed gaze toward the Prince.

"By all means, I'd put my arms up to assist in anything that dares to execute the holiest of Angels. But, Ambrose. . .

The path you're doing it with, is simply wrong, and much harder. The Children of Cain might one day betray you. How do you continue to move forward, knowing this?"
(Angelo ven Pelleaux)

A single glance is given to Baux. But... as much as he may come off aggressive, there's only a smile in response.

"Hello to you too."

"And I've been busy. Very, very busy... besides, I don't think I've seen you around." He pauses.

"I wander around a lot, as you can see... since you met me here now. It's not that difficult to meet me."

"You can always just forward a letter."

Nonetheless, his gaze turns towards Angelo. The Prince had no reason to lie about the Elders, that much is correct - regardless if his reasons are viewed as selfish, selfless, or anything inbetween..

A mortal can never contend with the Elder.
It's just impossible.

"I don't fight for Soliel." He admits, but soon enough, he adds.

"--I just want to see my home freed from stagnation."

There's a certain... pensive tone to thatstatement, so much so that his purple eyes trail off elsewhere. Whatever emotion stirs within his heart remains unknown.

"But you are wrong to think that I do not expect betrayal."

"And you are wrong to think that I'm not prepared for it either."

Truth be told, there were already certain people that he wasn't fond of at all; someone whom he'd rather see dead.

Strangely enough, they're next to him quite often, back at home.

"I continue to move forward because I'm driven. There's no other explanation to this, Angelo."

"It's a small price to pay for what I want to achieve."

He pauses, his gaze turning to the Pelleaux.

"Are you not driven to get up every morning and fight for what you believe in, knowing that you might die?"

"Knowing that the comrades in Osrona at your side might turn traitors? After all, your city is known for its history of traitors."

Something that everyone knew.

"Surely you can relate to this feeling."

"Of being driven."
(Ambrose Roche)

Out of every encounter Angelo had made thus far, Ambrose was particularly the most significant. It wasn't just his raw strength that characterized him for he was, but the mental capacity that came with it.

Even the Pelleaux was driven to a corner against his ideologies. It wasn't anything as simple as petty violence, but much more akin to a clash of beliefs, hypocrisy and differing psyches.

"I have to get this clear.

Out of everyone I've met, Archmagi, Lightbearer, Radiant, Stellus and the ilk, you by far...

- Are the most perceptive.

I'm young, immature and imperfect. Even so, there's room for me to perfect myself. If I were to foolishly repeat the mistakes of my predecessors, Osrona would only fall into a perpetual cycle of warfare, and conflict.

- Just like when Grandfather ruled. Violence, bloodshed and senseless murdering. It's because of this senseless murder, that my Mother no longer breathes, orUcnle, and Aunt. I'll miss them dearly.

...Even so, I'm not the one to decide where Osrona heads.

I place faith in those I've grown up around, and hope they would never turn their backs against us.

And if they did...?

I'd save them. That's just how I am."

Angelo clenched his palm, and somehow found a chuckle in his voice. It was disturbing enough to find humour in the situation, but there was finally a chance where they could speak at even headed levels.

"And if I'm to die in my attempts to understand them...?

Then it was a good life."
(Angelo ven Pelleaux)

"I suppose that's true. It would be rather simple, though there's no fun in that sort of shit..." The beastkin tosses his hands up behind his head, if ever lax.

The thought of philosophical speech and aligning morals however seemed to be ver against him, as there is certainly a care for those about his person, and his obligations, but all the same is there a desire to simply honor the instinct within that desires conflict.

The Roche could at least feel the bloodlust that rides upon the winds within his person, and yet there's little tension reserved within the sharp canines flashed amidst his grin.

"But I'd rather leave th' excitement up ta' the moment in which fate determines we properly cross in th' fields. It's still a hunt... So ta-ta'."

A wave is offered, if only because there isn't a desire to listen for long. After all, he figures if there's anything that needs to be discussed, a letter would be tossed his way.

Even if that sort of concept brings about everyone's disdain. Especially Baux's own.
(Baux)

Amidst such talk, there's but a glance spared towards Baux; and a smile his way, followed by a brief statement.

"I suppose there might be no fun in that."

"But it's a reliable way to get my attention, if you need me."

Given the turbulent lifestyle that Ambrose led, it was very likely that he could be distracted by all too many things at once- so much so that there's no telling what he was doing at the moment.

Though... while he listens to what else Angelo had to say, he quietly hums.

It's a long consideration. The praise of his perception is certainly appreciated, but it almost felt like flattery; as much as Ambrose was certainly sharp, he was by no means that much full of experience and wisdom.

At least, not yet.

"If you are not the one to decide where Osrona heads-"

"Then others will decide for you, Angelo."

It may be a simple statement, but it harbors much more meaning than it may seem on the surface. Quite often people fall to such chains, of having to follow whichever has been decided for them, but..

As much as it is understandable, where does that leave their dreams and aspirations?

"But your soul must be beautiful, to think that way." A pause.

"--Even if the most noticeable thing in you was your rage."

The Prince smiles. That was no doubt a reference to their battle - for as much as Collective was a mysterious thing, it offered him quite an extraordinary extra sight.

To know what lies deep within the hearts of people.

"I anticipate that one day you will be hurt greatly by following such lifestyle."

"Someone, someday.."

"They will take advantage of your kindness."

But perhaps Angelo knew that. Perhaps he was even prepared for that, which is why Ambrose makes no further comment on it.

"I suppose if you'll live with no regrets, then it's worth it."
(Ambrose Roche)

"A life without regret is a life lived well."

Angelo stared to the skies, and briefly sighed. With his mind spoken, and his words expressed to the way he sought, there weren't any regrets present. As such, he has spoken his mind.

The Roche's clever remark on his most prevalent trait had been noted, to which the Pelleaux attempted to dismiss. How a juxtaposition of nature can exist, is truly an anomaly. Within any case, his mind is set.

"...Then it was a good talk.

Until next time."

With Baux's departure, it's likely that it was time for him to leave also.
(Angelo ven Pelleaux)

"It is."

In a sense, the life that Ambrose intended for himself is the one that would be without any regrets. With how he moved forward quickly, it's only a matter of time until he becomes strong enough to rival these Elders.

And even if he were to ultimately fail?
At least he tried.
He wouldn't regret it.

"And yes. It was a good talk."

"Farewell."

A small wave is given in departure.
(Ambrose Roche)