5/1 A Peasant Chat

 Chaaca Khan exclaims, "Hello!"
 Kairi exclaims, "Hi Ser Artaghh! Hi Chaaca!"
 Est Kang says, "Good evening."
Artaghh exclaims, "Hey Kairi!"
Artaghh says, "Hey no' Ramsey."
 Est stares. Blankly. As always.
(Est Kang)
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 Artaghh says, "Hmm."
 Artaghh says, "Ya know wha'."
 Eztli was sat on his bed, aura alive!

Though it quickly dissipated.

"Kah... Thanks, Blue. Thanks a ton f'this... Damn..! S'so good t'not have that thing on!"

He went on to keep rubbing the singe that was where his collar was supposed to be.
(Eztli)
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Artaghh says, "I should probably actually ask yer name."
Chaaca Khan asks, "Ya think?"
Est Kang says, "Est Kang. A pleasure."
Artaghh says, "The pleasure's all mine Lady Kang."
Eztli says, "... Tried t'punch em once a long time ago when I was a kid. Cos she looks a lot like a Ghost."
Kairi says, "-do you- want a salve, or something, Eztli? And- you. Don't need to thank me. I didn't do much."
Eztli says, "Ohtli never let me."
Chaaca Khan says, "Oh! Ya got tha collar off of ya."
Eztli nodded!
(Eztli)
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 Est Kang says, "It is a tragic affliction."
 Artaghh exclaims, "Nothin' wrong wit' lookin' like a ghost!"
Artaghh says, "Ghosts are pretty."
 Eztli says, "Kah... Er... Actually yeah, Blue. That'd be nice."
 Eztli says, "... I think my head almos' burst int'flame."
 Eztli exclaims, "... Who makes those things?!"
 Chaaca Khan says, "Good question."
 Kairi says, "...sorry about that, too."
 Eztli says, "S'not your fault nobody labled th'buttons."
 Kairi says, "...they should really lable these things."
 Artaghh asks, "Pfffff, di' ye' shock Eztli?"
 Eztli says, "..."
 Eztli says, "Yup."
 Artaghh says, "Kairi...."
Chaaca Khan says, "Oh jeez..."
Eztli says, "Remote 'ad no lables."
 Kairi says, "...I managed to push every button /but/ the one that released him before I pushed the one to release him."
 Artaghh says, "Good job, it'll build character."
 Eztli says, "Kah... got enough character buildin' f'a lifetime."
 Artaghh says, "Ye' say tha'..."
 Est Kang says, "Oh, you can ALWAYS build character."
 Kairi reaches into a bag and pulls out the remote, showing it to Artaghh. It- is literally just blank, other than four unmarked, identical buttons.
(Kairi)
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 Artaghh says, "Exactly Est! "
 Artaghh exclaims, "Life's full'a opportunities fer growth!"
 Artaghh says, "It's wha' makes us humans, or Sirenians."
 Artaghh says, "Or ghosts."
 Chaaca Khan says, "Makes sense."
 Est Kang says, "Oh, I'm still human. Just on life support."
 Artaghh says, "..."
 Artaghh asks, "Wha'?"
 Est Kang says, "It is a long, very boring story."
 Artaghh asks, "Are ye' dyin'!?"
 Est Kang says, "Ah- no, not exactly, but thank you for your concern."
 Chaaca Khan says, "Stole yer spot."
 Kairi says, "...it isn't that boring."
 Artaghh exclaims, "Vandal...an' nonsense!"
 Artaghh says, "If its a story concernin' yer health, I'm happy'ta hear it."

 The Gehennan balled the both of his hands into fists a few times, watching each one carefully, jolts of blue coursing through him!

He grinned wide at that, excited to see his strength back to 100%

And went to do what he usually did! Jump right out of bed!

With too much gusto.

'CLACK!'

He didn't account for the fact he still didn't have the whole prosthetic thing down.

And faceplanted into the floor, aura lazily burning about him.

"GHAK!"
(Eztli)
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 Artaghh says, "Well, nae happy if its bad."
 Artaghh exclaims, "Bu' open ears!"
 Chaaca Khan says, "..."
 Eztli says, "..."
 Chaaca Khan asks, "Want help up?"
 Est Kang says, "It is more accurate to say that I nearly died once, and have spent the past ten years or so living life in what can only be described as a perpetual mist form in order to avoid sustaining further- "
Est Kang asks, "...Are you okay?"
 Eztli wearily offered a thumbs up!
(Eztli)
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Est Kang says, "Ah. Good."
Kairi says, "...he's been basically only lying in bed for months."
 Kairi says, "And he has a new leg."
 Chaaca Khan says, "I mean, I did drag him to Dawn earlier."
 Kairi says, "Okay is probably a strong word."
 Eztli says, "... Got too excited... Jumped too hard."
 Kairi asks, "Yes- but- do you understand how quickly muscles degrade without proper care?"
 Artaghh asks, "Huh, so like ice magi, bu' fer yer own health? How'd tha' end up happenin'?"
 Chaaca Khan exclaims, "Nope!"
 Chaaca Khan says, "But I carried him, so it's fine."
 Eztli says, "... Ghak..."
 Est Kang says, "Unfortunate casualty of one of the battles between Huangzhou and Dawn."
 Est taps at her chest. "Right through the heart. Crossfire."
(Est Kang)
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 Ser Artaghh would grimace, his remaining eye flickering over the misty woman with a degree of concern. "Ye'....didn' deserve all tha'. Tha' wars go' nothin'ta do wit' you...I apologize on Dawn's behalf tha' such trauma was inflicted upon ye'." The commander would bow his bald head to Est firmly in shame.

"Do ye' need a new heart made?"
(Artaghh)
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 Chaaca kneels down next to the downed Eztli, and using his non-limp arm he'd attempt to lift Eztli up... Or at the very least turn him over and lean him up against the bed. Yea, he was gonna need to sort his arm out sooner or later.
(Chaaca Khan)
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 The Gehennan was helped up, a sheepish frown on his face as he rubbed his forehead sorely, sitting at the foot of his bed.

"... Er... Wait... What're we talkin' 'bout..?"

For the moment? Any amount of glum was gone. He felt great, his energy back under his control!
(Eztli)
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 Est gave a small smile to Artaghh, responding with a nod of her own. Water under the bridge, as far as she was concerned. "No, no... had it not happened, I'd still be a peasant, doubtlessly working the fields as we speak - not that there's anything wrong with that," she told him, in a quiet voice barely higher than a whisper. "As awful as it was, it did open doors. I never would have been Lord Eiphraem's daughter. I never would have been here."

Her obsidian gaze shifted to Chaaca and Eztli for a moment and she continued her train of thought, still watching them. "No, my heart was replaced ages ago - by Lord Eiphraem himself. Did you know that, in a pinch, an elk heart is a decent substitute? It's an interesting conversation piece, too: 'hey, I have a deer heart.'"
(Est Kang)
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 Chaaca Khan says, "No clue, Ez."
 Chaaca Khan says, "Wasn't paying attention."
 Est Kang says, "Nothing overly important."
 Eztli says, "... I was tryin' to. Then I ate dirt."
 Eztli says, "... Ghak..."
 Kairi says, "If I remember correctly-"
 Kairi says, "The issue more lies in that her body doesn't really know it's safe not to be mist."
 Est Kang says, "Something like that. We're fixing it."
 Kairi says, "-that's good."
 Freya pokes Kairi in the back of the neck.
(Freya Vishkar)
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 Eztli says, "Keh..? Oh. 'Ay Freya."
 Kairi eeps- then a look of horror crosses her face.
(Kairi)
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Freya Vishkar asks, "Hey Kai- Something wrong?"
Kairi says, "Oh gosh I forgot you wanted me to sit with you."
Eztli asks, "... Kah... Gotta go, Blue?"
Eztli says, "I promise I won't keel over in th'meantime f'so"
Kairi asks, "I'm really sorry, sweetie. Did you- still wanna spend time together?"
Freya Vishkar exclaims, "I'm ready to spend time with you whenever. But, if you're busy, I won't interrupt you!"
Kairi says, "-that is up to my fiancee. I have spent like- /way/ too little time with her recently."
Freya Vishkar says, "I'll wait patiently. "
Ser Artaghh would raise his head to a smile to the white haired woman, a warm, missing toothed grin. "Ano'er optimist then! I like it, Agartha needs more folks tha' see the bes'a bad situations. Havin' a deer heart is pretty badarse! Came from the fields me'self, was'a turnip farmer in a dead patch'a dirt far north'a here. Los' my eye, a third'a my lungs, an' half'a my muscle'ta my service in the legion, bu' it made me more than jus' a commoner, gave me somethin'ta hold on to tigh'!"
(Artaghh)
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Kairi leans herself against Freya.
(Kairi)
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 Kairi says, "As long as I'm not needed here-"
 Kairi says, "I want to spend some time together, mhm."
 Freya Vishkar says, "Well, I'll take you away, if you're free."
 Eztli got out of the bed! Carefully this time. Offering a nod to Kairi! "... Y'don't gotta worry 'bout me any."
(Eztli)
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Kairi asks, "-I thiiink I'm free. Est?"
 Est Kang says, "Ah-"

"That's something I've always admired about Dawn," she muttered, gaze shifting to Kairi and Freya beside her for just a moment.

"...I don't think there's anything left to do for now," she said quickly. "Go, go. It's important."

Right, back to Artaghh - "Seems like you can really make something for yourself, regardless of origin, regardless of background. It's an admirable thing. I wasn't a magi until I was forced to be, but- perhaps I'd have been in the same position as you, in another life."

A shrug. Mere speculation.

"It was mostly wheat for my family. Good, honest work - on weekends I used to go to the next town over and learn how to play the banjo from Farmer Dean."

Much love, Dean. She'd pour one out for him later.

"But life always has a way of turning out in ways we don't expect. In... our case, I'd say it's better, hm?"
(Est Kang)
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 Freya immediately picks up Kairi bridal-style and flies off. Woosh.
(Freya Vishkar)
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 Kairi flails slightly as she gets picked up- then haphazardly points at the shelf! "Chaaca, shelf, dark-blue bottle, red label, Eztli, burn, hurt, smother." And that string of loosely related words is all she has time to say before being taken off!
(Kairi)
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 Eztli exclaims, "Er... Seeyah!"
 Eztli says, "..."
 Est Kang says, "...Those two are adorable."
 Eztli whispers something.
 Chaaca Khan asks, "What... What am I doing?"
 Eztli shrugged!
(Eztli)
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 Artaghh says, "Aye, good'ta see they make each o'er happy."
 Chaaca Khan says, "I'm confused."
 Eztli says, "... Somethin' 'bout a bottle with a red lable."
 Est Kang asks, "...Smother him in his sleep with the contents of the bottle?"
Est shrugs.
(Est Kang)
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 Eztli says, "... Don't sound like a thing Blue'd say."
 Eztli exclaims, "'Ay Eva!"
 Evalina sporadically waves.
(Evalina)
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 Ser Artaghh would chuckle, crossing his burn scarred, bandaged arms across the plate of his black metal cuirass as he glanced across the room towards Eztli and Chaaca before returning his gaze to Est. "Exactly so! Perhaps I might've had a peaceful, two eyed, borin' life on the fields had I ne'er moved'ta Dawn. Bu' then I ne'er would'a had the adventures, thrills, an' boundless experiences tha' this stake in life provided me! I made friends, foun' family, an' seized the strength I required'ta protec' those tha' need protectin'. Tha's one'a the core tenets of knighthood."

The knight would think fondly to the Sunlight Hall, the tavern were his peasant companions had shared tales and jolly raucus upon the outskirts of Dawn, so many winters ago. "So wha'da ye' do Est? Figure ye' mus' kill time somehow in Crafthold."
(Artaghh)

 Chaaca Khan says, "Happy birthday."
 Eztli asks, "Keh?"
 Est Kang says, "...Huh. Thanks."
 Chaaca Khan says, "Weird how everyone has the same birthday..."
 Eztli says, "... S'it? Nobody actually ever told me what day it is."
 Chaaca Khan says, "Dunno."
 Chaaca Khan asks, "Do you feel older?"
 Eztli says, "Been trapped in 'ere f'months."
 Eztli says, "Yes."
 Chaaca Khan says, "There ya go."
 Chaaca Khan says, "It's ya birthdayl"
 Eztli says, "... Dunno f'that's how it works."
 Chaaca Khan says, "Shush."
 Chaaca Khan says, "Pretty sure that's how it works."
 Eztli leaned against the bed! Offering Chaaca his Kazoo back. "Y'forgot this, by the way."
(Eztli)
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Chaaca Khan says, "..."
 Chaaca nods to Ez, as he grabs his precious kazoo, and places it back into his pocket.
(Chaaca Khan)
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 Chaaca Khan says, "Thank ya."
 Sure, it may have seemed odd to claim such a thing, considering the injuries - but Est really did mean it. Losing an eye, losing a heart - it was all worth it, if it led to personal growth. Maybe it was only a thing the peasantry understood. Great loss was something to be expected when rising above one's station, and if they truly sought it then any loss would be worth it.

"I spent my youth studying under Lord Eiphraem," she told him, as insufficient an answer as that was. As she spoke, she crossed her own arms - it wasn't a perfect gesture, and that revealed itself immediately once her arms dissolved into mist and overlapped with each other. "Magic, philosophy, theology, politics..." She shrugged. "These days, I mostly try to enact that - and sotp Crafthold from catching fire on a daily basis. I suspect, one day, I'll be running things. Until then... real estate, firefighting, and sustaining injuries on expeditions. The usual. Not quite as exciting as the life of the illustrious Ser Artaghh, hm?"
(Est Kang)
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 Chaaca Khan says, "Riiight, well you guys have fun. I'm gonna go back to Dawn to like... Bother Chroma or something."
 Chaaca Khan says, "Take it easy."
 Eztli says, "Kah... Kah... I dunno what I wanna do. I kinda wanna try an' walk outside again."
 Chaaca Khan says, "Go for it."
 Ser Artaghh would nod steadily as he listened intently to Est, waving a hand towards them with a shake of his head and a light smirk as he heard of his "illustrious" reputation. "Excitin' is a word. Goin' dragon huntin' in a fortnite actually, ancient beast'a energy tha's sure'ta take the o'er half'a my body while huntin' it. Bu' me an' my six companions are those I trus' the mos' in Dawn, so maybe I'll survive an' ge'ta tell ye' abou' it?"

Ser Artaghh would bark out in laughter at that, reminded once more of the danger on the horizon in his days to come. What's new, he supposed. "Sounds'ta me like yer doin' real important work ye'self! Any peasant tha' uses their brain'ta rise up in'ta world is the o' the highes' esteem inmy eyes. Migh' no' be excitin', bu' yer doin work as illustrious as dragon huntin'."
(Artaghh)
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 Kairi whispers: Freya realized five years have passed since she became a knight.
 Well.

Energy restored, Eztli was feeling 100%
...
Eh. More like 75%, on second thought.

"... Y'know, Artaghh. Swear Miss Ohtli asked y't'make sure y'-didn'- fight the dragon." he commented idly, rolling his shoulders as he CAREFULLY started for the door.

Full power? He felt confident trying to take outside again, nodding to Kairi!

He notably still had his neck singed. He probably missed the memo. "'Ay again, Blue. How'd it go?"
(Eztli)
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 Eztli says, "... ANYWAYS. Gonna go out. F'uh... F'I faceplant somebody pick me up."
 Artaghh says, "See ya Eztli."
 The phantom's pitch-black eyes lit up at that - dragon hunting, like in the fairy tales! He may have laughed at 'illustrious' being used as an adjective - but Est truly meant it. "By all means, I'd like to hear the tale if you do. Dragons are... never easy opponents."

Doubtlessly, she spoke from experience.

"We managed to take down the Ghoul King's pet dragon without any severe injuries, but..." She let out a brief whistle. "Well- good luck, Ser Artaghh. You'll need it."

But it was her turn to wave a hand and smirk. "I think you'd find spending a day solving minor disputes in Crafthold would make anyone wish they were out fighting dragons, though. Still- you get it, too. It's more than anyone like us could normally accomplish, so I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Her gaze turned to the door as poor Eztli stumbled on out, and she added: "...Should he be unsupervised? Ah- he'll be fine. Reminds me, though- should be getting home soon."
(Est Kang)
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 Ser Artaghh would smile warmly to Est as he nodded in agreement, shutting his remaining eye with a flash of his jagged teeth as he crossed his right arm over his chest, bowing his head to Est respectfully.

"If I live'ta tell it, ye'll be the firs' person'ta hear Est. Should be a tales fer the songs! Well, sad song or happy song dependin' on how it goes, bu' ye' know tha'! Bahah!"

The commander would nod in agreement, pacing towards the door and holding it open as he prepared to leave the clinic himself. "A'course, gettin' late. It was real nice talkin' wit' ye' Miss Kang, cou' see myself doin' it again sometime."
(Artaghh)
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Est Kang says, "Take care, Ser Artaghh. Until next time."
Kairi says, "-oh."
Artaghh says, "Aye, til nex' time."

-A few hours later-
Ser Artaghh sat in meditation over the cliffs of Dawn, humming to himself as he thought upon his chat with the ambitious Est Kang. The dense, vibrant mystic energies flowed about his unarmed form as he persistently gathered and flowed the mana of the spirit realm throughout his body, familiarizing himself with the power he was still thoroughly a novice of, regardless of his regular application of its spectral might and agility. It was one thing altogether to have manifested the breakthrough and first be capable of harnessing the ethereal powers, another entirely to master them. Siphoning energy from the spirit realm and calling it his own was no mean feat in itself, but to truly master it?

That was an altogether different beast.

The dense, ethereal mana flowed about him like a conscious, vibrant river, and Ser Artaghh thought to Est Kang's plight in that discomforting state of perpetual mist. Were that energy was so easy to mold into translucence, the knight would have had half the groundwork down already. Yet, no matter how much mana he will through his circuits, mystic or mundane, he only ended up with sore arms and a lot of sweat. He was pretty sure actually exploding was the only way he could be all energy right now, and that frankly didn't sound too appetizing.

Glancing into the distant, snowy peaks as the sun slowly rose, the warmth of dawn spread across Ser Artaghh's scarred, worn cheek as he gazed into the distant horizon. He had a long way to go, but he would make the mystic arts his own. Giving up because it was difficult just wasn't in the peasant knight's nature.