Fielton accepts becoming Champion

[22:32] Eisheth Ravnore "Fielton?" the Niben questions as she comes upon him sitting turned to face the outside of the monument rather than the space within it. She notes, too, his lack of armor, and surmising what may be going through his mind without truly spying upon his thoughts she offers a sincered question, "Are you upset?"

[22:33] Ceyanna Ashton Walking along the grounds when she noticed the two. She began slowly making her way to them while taking deep breaths to ease her growing anxiety.

[22:34] Fielton Larethian looks back at Eisheth when he feels her approach, seeming to mull on his thoughts for a moment in an obvious effort to not just blurt something out randomly and emotionally... His eyes trail to Ceyanna for a moment before back to Eisheth, "Well I ain't happy..."

[22:36] Eisheth Ravnore The Vampiress' ears picked up upon the anxious footsteps behind her long before they grow near, but she chooses to wait for an answer from the young man before she turns to address Ceyanna, not wanting to increase the chaotic tumult of his thoughts. "Miss Ashton," she glances vaguely over her shoulder, enough to indicate to whom her attention >>

[22:38] Eisheth Ravnore >> shifts without fully taking her eyes from the unhappy estate of affairs in front of her. "I realize that you were promised a meeting, and you will have it, but first I need to speak to Mister Larethian. Alone. I will seek you out after we are through so we might touch upon your uncharted path."

[22:40] Ceyanna Ashton Nods. "I'll be in the library Lady Eisheth." she said before making her way out.

[22:42] Eisheth Ravnore nods in response to Ceyanna, allowing her time to move away toward the library before she prods Fielton once more. "I know you are unhappy, and I can guess as to why, but I want to hear it from you, Fielton. Explain to me, and I will listen."

[22:45] Fielton Larethian turns around in the seat after staring forward for a few moments, frowning, "Lucian talked to me last night about what I'd heard at the coven meeting... About how the Praetorian ain't goin' t'be around no more. Why's that? He doesn't seem t'know but accepts it just 'cause its what Lady Amalthea told him, which is..." He sighs, "Whatever. I get it.>

[22:45] Fielton Larethian But why? Did we do somethin' wrong? I worked so hard t'be able t'be one and now they're s'pposed t'be gone? What's that mean for me?" He furrows his brow, the hamster wheel working on overdrive.

[22:49] Eisheth Ravnore tilts her head as she listens to the young man, dangling earrings set upon a gentle slope. "No," she begins with a slow shake of her head, "you have done nothing wrong. Neither has Lucian." She breathes deep, a sigh escaping her lips as she walks to the bench near him and seats herself before continuing. "At times, things need to be shifted >>

[22:51] Eisheth Ravnore >> "around to be more efficient--that goes for people as well as things. It is something we call 'lateral movement', which means instead of forward or backward, or up or down, it is side to side. That means it is still of equal worth, but repurposed and given a new place. No, the Praetorian as they were will not exist anymore, but that does not >>

[22:52] Eisheth Ravnore >> "mean your efforts were in vain or that you are worthless now. The entire guard and military structure is being consolidated under the Aristrocracy--do you know what that word means?"

[22:55] Fielton Larethian folds his arms, continuing to be more of his old self with a curt and short response as he talks about the touchy subject, "Ain't got a clue."

[22:57] Eisheth Ravnore quirks her lips just faintly at Fielton's stubborness, but so much as to be taken for a ready smile or mocking. "I supposed I already knew that would be the case--'consolidate' means to merge two or more things together. For example, if you have a few acorns in your left hand, and a couple in your right, if you put them all together into one >>

[22:59] Eisheth Ravnore >> "hand, you have consolidated them. The military structure, guards included, is being consolidated into the Aristocracy. The main reason for this is that part of the Order's edict--the other Vampires greater in power than we--have decided that we are not to have a standing military for the forseeable future as punishment for warring against >>

[23:01] Eisheth Ravnore >> "another Imperial and Order House. The second reason, is Morriel Grimthorne's retirement. She has come to a stage in her life, which has been a long one, where she finds active duty to be too much of a burden. She is now to focus on teaching others martial training instead. As a result of these things combined, we are absorbing the guards of >>

[23:03] Eisheth Ravnore >> "all stripes and colors under my domain, the Aristocracy. You and others will not be thrown away or forgotten, merely given a new name. You will report to members of the House at large just as before, but now if something more dangerous arises, you will speak with a Templar--which is the position Lucian will now take--or you will speak >>

[23:04] Eisheth Ravnore >> "directly to myself or one of the other Ladies. That is the general idea of it, though your personal direction...varies a bit. Do you understand or have questions so far? I'm certain there's smoke to be coming out of your ears at all this."

[23:06] Fielton Larethian definitely is not quick on the uptake for such lofty information, asking in a somewhat bewildered manner, "But why're the Praetorian gone?" He then pauses a moment before continuing, "If Morriel doesn't want t'do it then couldn't Lucian? I don't want t'be a Tribune. I don't even know what that is. Am I going t'have t'be one'a them? And didn't that

[23:07] Fielton Larethian other House attack us first? I was caged up for most'a that.."

[23:18] Eisheth Ravnore The quirk that teased the Niben's lips spreads first into a flat line, then gradually the ends tig upward in spite of herself. "Fielton," she says his name calmly, but sternly, projecting much the same emotion through their blood bond. "Questions gallop from your mouth faster than a Hammerfell horse, and I've no doubt even those scant keep up >>

[23:21] Eisheth Ravnore >> "with the chaos in your head. Stop. Look at me. Listen." She taps at her cheekbone near her eye then points between them to try and get him to maintain eye contact while she speaks. "Morriel is too difficult to replace. Yes, the other House attacked us first, but the Order still requires such violence to go through channels of permission-->>

[23:25] Eisheth Ravnore >> "we did not follow them. For now, we can only have guards, not a standing military. Lucian is capable, but his talent is with others of talent, rather than the untested. A Tribune is one of the more basic ranks that work under the Aristocracy." She makes layers of her hands to illustrate, "Guards," on the bottom, above that "Tribunes," then >>

[23:27] Eisheth Ravnore >> moving the bottom hand to the top, "Templars." Her hands fall from there into a gesture that is a mix of calming and shushing as she explains, "You do not /have/ to be a Tribune, Fielton, but the reason why is that your situation is unique. Do you know what a Champion is? What is means when one is chosen by a noble of our House?"

[23:30] Fielton Larethian furrows his brow further as he watches the explanation and keeps his eyes on her instead of wallowing in the many thoughts that flit through his head, "I don't know. Is.. that what y'want me t'be? A Champion'a th'House? Wasn't Morriel a champion? Lucian said I could maybe ask for th'Gamekeeper position back since th'Praetorian ain't no more. Could>

[23:30] Fielton Larethian I be a Champion and that? Or would it be like the Praetorian... Would I want t'be Gamekeeper again? Mmn.." He trails off as he quiets down the question barrage.

[23:34] Eisheth Ravnore sets her gaze up on the churning inner turmoil and curiosity mixed up within the man, one corner of her mouth turning up just a bit higher then before. He would feel no anger from her, only perhaps amusement  and that same projected calm. Not that she believes a wild Fielton will actually /be/ calm, but just to try and make sure he doesn't get >>

[23:37] Eisheth Ravnore >> himself too confused and discombobulated. "Yes, Morriel was Lord Gideon's Champion. Atrius is my sister's. And you, Fielton, I have chosen you to be mine. Normally it is not something that is a request--you are told and you accept--but as with your Thralling, I prefer a cohort of free mind and will, so I will let you choose. You can become my >>

[23:39] Eisheth Ravnore >> "Champion, which, yes, will allow you to continue to wear the armor I've a hunch you've become quite attached to. You may even act within the role of Gamekeeper so long as there is no one more suited soley to it. Or--you may chose to decline, become only Gamekeeper once more. You will remain my Thrall, but you will not be my Champion. What >>

[23:39] Eisheth Ravnore >> "do you choose for yourself, Fielton Larethian?"

[23:42] Fielton Larethian frowns, looking down at himself, scratching at his arm idly as he tries to keep his thoughts together, which is a bit easier with her presence calming his thoughts a touch. "Lucian said I could keep the armor... I do like wearin' it.. I could wear it as your champion? Well.. er.. Well even without that, 'course I'll be your champion. And that uh..>

[23:44] Fielton Larethian " He scratches at his head now, trying to decipher if his desire to serve her is born from the blood or his own desire, though it seems to be a mix in truth, "Well... whatever, 'course I will. And I can be Gamekeeper too unless there's someone else... But I don't think there is. So I can be your Champion here and Gamekeeper out there. Don't know >>

[23:44] Fielton Larethian what I'd need t'do as your Champion but.. I'll do it."

[23:48] Eisheth Ravnore snorts as the man, typical to himself, just jumps right in. "So long as you are willing to learn, there will be no issue, and hardheaded as you are, you're actually a very good student when you put your mind to it." Only now does she allow herself a small smile. It is an expression of sincere good spirits, and through their link he might feel a >>

[23:51] Eisheth Ravnore >> sense of pride in her directed toward him. "I was ready to kill you when first I saw you, but you've come to be curious puzzle in my life that I am determined to keep. With your acceptance, you will be officially named as my Champion, Fielton. That means you will have the authority to act in my name, and the priority of protecting my life >>

[23:53] Eisheth Ravnore >> "above others. In turn, I will continue to teach you as I have been, so that you may be able to perform your duty on a battlefield, or in political courts. I will see that you are reinstated as our Gamekeeper rather than a Tribune. When you are not running amok in your forests, I ask that you are just as prepared as when you bore the name >>

[23:56] Eisheth Ravnore >> "Praetorian, and wear the armor you earned in its name." She pauses, then adds, "I regret that this transition has caused you grief. I wished to speak to you after the Coven meeting, but as you know, that was not to be. You have handled yourself well in spite of it. You have done well for yourself, and I am proud of you."

[00:04] Eisheth Ravnore snerks as the former hunter hits the nail on the head. Coughing a time or two she finally nods, "Yes, that is probably part of why I wanted to kill you." Composing herself she admits, "If I wished to be devious, dear one, I could have fed you my blood first, and then it would have made the pull stronger and upended your mind. I did not, because I>>

[00:06] Eisheth Ravnore >> "wanted your honest answer. And I would have respected it either way. I will have a 'special' glass sent to your room later, just like the one we practiced with. It will keep you strong, but you will have had time to think about all of this first, without the fuzziness that consuming my vitae may cause. You have done something, for all your >>

[00:09] Eisheth Ravnore >> "difficult nature, you have earned my respect. By naming you my Champion I raise you higher than you were as Praetorian, or you would have been as Tribune. Even for one that does not care for 'fancy titles', I suppose there may be some pride in that. You seem less conflicted now, with that out of the way. Has this eased your ever-active mind?"

[00:15] Fielton Larethian rubs at the back of his head, "Well.. I s'ppose so. And.. th'titles don't matter much s'long as I'm doin' what I want t'do. Right now that's protect you and do whatever y'need me to. So I'll do that as your Champion and just like as a Praetorian I won't do nothin' t'make y'want t'kill me." He tilts his head, "Or I'll try to I s'ppose."

[00:17] Eisheth Ravnore offers a telling arch of her brow as she stands. "I think 'try' is the more honest answer, so I'll take that. To be fair, I want to kill a lot of people a lot of the time, so you're really doing quite well." She looks down the path then back to Fielton, "I've a little bird to attend to down the way, probably chaffing by now. Do you have any other>>

[00:18] Eisheth Ravnore >> "questions for me before I go?"

[00:19] Fielton Larethian squints, then nods.

[00:21] Eisheth Ravnore "Good eve then, Fielton. I shall send your drink along shortly." She dips her head then turns on her heel to navigate the open path back toward the library's front.

[00:22] Fielton Larethian nods and watches her go, "Have a good night, Lady Eisheth."