We Do What We Must

The young girl would do nothing more than wave briefly towards her opponent. "Don't worry about it- if anything, I expect that we'll be closer than ever." She adds, her smile widening into a Cheshire grin- shot towards that of D. But in any case.. "I wanted to come with you to...Talk about some things. Really, about the feeling that you had the other day. I wanted to ah...Tell you about how I feel. And how I think things should be, if you don't mind.."

She just wanted someone to talk to, really. "That's all."
(Bei Bei)
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[20:14] That caught a surprised glare from him.

Wasn't she mostly pre-occupied being with other friends? That's why Arthur let her go, and that's why he's been cutting on any interaction with her - besides, he's been fairly busy himself on attending classes and grasping new techniques for his growth.

If anything, he assumed she'd need space after what happened between Arthur and Theodore. Maybe he was mistaken, but who knows.

"Alright, then."

"Let's go elsewhere, in that case."

With that said, he'd begin casually walking elsewhere, with Bei following suit.
(Arthur Rowan)
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[20:17] Arriving on the spot, he'd pocket his hands, looking out at the ocean.

It was a common spot for him to train, to hone his Storm magic and try out new techniques everyday; even then, before pocketing them, there were probably marks of burns visible on his hands, if her eye was keen enough to catch a glimpse of them.

And a small cut on his right cheek.

No doubt, a result of strenuous exercise, but he made no commentary on that. It was probably a good hint for Bei to figure out what Arthur been up to lately; without further a-do, he turned his gaze to her and spoke.

"So, something up?"
(Arthur Rowan)
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[20:37]
There were things that even she notices- especially, when it comes to someone that she cares deeply for. Perhaps, it is through her own embarrassment that things of this nature has happened. But in the end, what more could she possibly say? "I was thinking of the things that you said- and...I went and I spoke to my partner about stuff...As far as liking it when you can let go. And..I think I'm kinda starting to realize that it's something that I should do more often, even though I'm afraid of it all."

Her gaze falls towards the sea-- her lithe form leaning over slightly to look into the rushing rapids. "I'm not a mean person- or atleast, I don't try to be. But I've learned that in this academy, if you're not strong or cool, then you kinda have to be that way...Otherwise, people will take it for granted.." she adds.

"Do you think it's supposed to be like that in the real world? I say that I want to help everybody...And people think it's noble but...I don't think that they really get it. Or really get me. I'm almost afraid to say what I wanna say...Or be what I wanna be."
(Bei Bei)
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[20:43] Arthur listened to what she had to say.

To hear that she's had such issue, it was not exactly surprising to him; all people around here act to be something they're not for the people that they wish to impress, even if they don't really notice that. And most of all, they act to appease others, to ensure that others like them.

Or at least, tolerate them.

The scarlet eyes of Valmasian turned to her face, idly examining her expression as she spoke. He could note the particular concerns based from her looks alone, and her words only reinforced that.

"We all do what we have to do, Bei."

"People oft take things for granted, and if you act too nice to them, they will take advantage of it eventually. It's inevitable for the most cases, it just... happens."

"It is why I take caution. It's step or be stepped upon most of the times."

A pause in his words. It's almost sad that starting from such young age, they were already met with such brutal reality of things. But it's only fair if they learn early, right?

"But make sure to not forget who you actually are. Act the way you personally want, and not the way that would appease others."

"Because some masks can grow into our skin so much, we would never take them off."
(Arthur Rowan)

 She finds herself beginning to frown, only slightly. "Well- you know, I'm never really one to believe in fate and things like that. I...I'm often afraid to think about the future, but today, I learned that sometimes...That maybe, I can grow a little too dependent on the people around me that help me." So much so, that she isn't sure as to what she might do without them. There's something about her partner that isn't right. And although her cause is noble...She fears that there might be more to Joy Crane than what the Crane lets on. There's something underneath that stammering little girl...

Something monstrous.

 But in any event, she simply twiddles her fingertips together- her head nodding slightly. "I suppose that you are right though. That it just happens...That we've got to be like that- but I don't know if I can handle it. Between my own magic...And my own feelings, I don't think that I can handle really being fake like the rest of the people at the academy." she says.

 "A lot of them- no...Most of them are really fragile and they wanna look tough for everyone else. But...I don't know. I guess I'm afraid to wear the mask because it's just like you say...I might be too weak to take it off." A light smile appears on her lips then though, her hand lightly patting her cheek.

 "Promise me one thing though, if I'm ever different- could you atleast...Be the one to fix me?"
(Bei Bei)


It was hard to tell if Arthur was any different.

Considering the growing up man intends to dabble in the Arts of Necromancy, Riftmancy and even Chaos Arcane, it's only a matter of time until something would go down - inevitably, like a crashing reality all around him, powerful, like the descend of Cataclysm itself.

And only time would tell how he'd cope with it.

But he could understand her concern. To be worried that you may become dependant on others, that you may not be strong enough to actually push through whatever obstacles life may offer to you... it's a scary thought.

A thought of just failing it all.

What then? Abyss? Eternal darkness? Death? It's hard to tell. It could be all of that or even worse, but it's certainly not anything one would wish to happen for themselves; in this world of magi and their power, strength really matters a lot.

"Then don't."

"Don't be fake if you do not wish to. Do not smile to people that you do not like. Do not avoid people you want to speak to. Do not suppress your anger against those that deserve it. Do not suppress your affection to those that attract you."

He paused. His gaze averted elsewhere, and his lips parted once more.

"You know--"

"I've been hearing about this... White Testament. Written by Archon Tragedy. In summary, it's... it's a key to happiness. It's a key to being yourself, and actually enjoying life for what it is."

"We oft live such short lives. Magi, like us, usually die by the time they're thirty or fourty, typically on a battlefield or in act of violence."

"Then why shouldn't we enjoy our lives to its fullest, if our life is so short?"

Her final remark made him waiver. To fix her, if she's ever different? He didn't know if that'd be even possible. Perhaps with the powers that he intends to obtain, it could be done, but--

At what cost? Despite that, with yet another pause, he added.

"--I promise. I will."
(Arthur Rowan)

Then don't.

 There is a brief amount of clarity within his statement. The young girl finds herself beginning to smile- if only briefly...A gentle nod is offered towards the Rowan as she speaks. "Well- you make it sound terribly easy." A soft laugh, that soon erupts into stifled giggles that are snuffed by the tips of her finger. If only briefly though, does she feel some type of way- perhaps...Avoiding many things.

 "I-...Do you really think that something written by an archon can really bring true happiness?" she questions- her gaze drifting back towards the waters themselves. "I know that you're right but ah..well..Sometimes, I think that if we enjoy ourselves too much, that it can end up hurting us too. My mama always tells me that sometimes, living life to the fullest is the worst thing someone can do but ah...I've learned that a lotta my parents teachings aren't so here.." Atleast, that's how people make her feel.

 Calling her a 'Jink' and a 'Bitch' was most certainly culture shock. But...Well...What more do you expect? When people say light, they often tend to destroy it- even if its only there to assist them. In the end though, the young girl just nods..

 "I'll keep that promise then, you know. But mmn..I should ask you a few questions." she says softly. "About arcane and things like that. My partner and I want to learn it, but I was wondering if...The point of mastering the arcane is to just simply...'be' yourself. Do you think that might be the secret? Is to be really 'real' in every situation? To not 'fake' but instead, to sorta...just live with the flow?"
(Bei Bei)

Perhaps it was easier than she thought.

It is, indeed, made to sound terribly easy by what Arthur had spoken. But was there any need to complicate the matters, or try and overexplain something that could be said in just two words? No, there wasn't, not at all.

"Maybe it is easy. Maybe you make it sound much harder than it really is."

"What's going to happen exactly if you stop catering to everyone's needs? Are you going to die? Of course not. Some people will just grow displeased, some will be attracted to new you instead. Some will like it, some won't. It's just like your current mask, your current behaviour - some people will like it, some won't."

"But at least, it won't be a mask this time. It will be you."

A good question followed. Was an Archon capable of writing something that would resemble happiness? It's hard to tell, really - these beings operated on almost entirely different level, and yet many of them were familiar with human concepts of emotion.

"I lived in Aetherius with my parents for quite some time, before Valmasians were re-organized. It's unlikely her teachings truly resemble happiness - but they damn well resemble a large step to it."

A pause, and his head was turned to her once more. Questions about Arcane?

"No. It's not just that."

"The power of Arcane is that to move the world itself. Unless you take a stand for yourself, for your true self, and boldly show it to the world - how do you expect to move it, to submit to you?"

"It simply won't. A simple rule applies here, step or be stepped upon."
(Arthur Rowan)

She thought that the concepts were easily spoken, but not easily lived by. Probably because she feels that it's so easy getting swept up within another's causes, that you forget what you look like until it's all said and done. In some manner though, she understands how it is...That this world is just as how everyone perceives it. Step or be stepped on. But even she believes that it might be different in some cases. That some light, might possibly exist within the world of bloodshed and competition. If only...

 If only she could find a way to change all of that without getting caught up within those that are...worse. A moment of silence is given, if only briefly before she nods. "I suppose that it's one of the fewer experiences that archons have, huh?...The ones that make them feel 'human'?" she questions.

 "...Do you think that Tragedy and the others might've felt that happiness before- even if it might not be the real thing?...Do you think that they might've cried before? That they could...feel the same way that we do? Or even worse?" She was curious, because she was taught something different, despite being 'half-n-half'.

 "I know it's step or be stepped on but...At one point, everyone was beneath atleast someone, right?...I think that's how the most beautiful people grow too, even you." Her arms pull into her knees- holding herself in a slight bundle as she goes on.

 "A lot of things to feel- but ah...You're right. I guess it's time to just be better than everyone else and go for what I wanna go for without caring." she says, her lips pursing in thought, only briefly.

"Thanks...Arthur."
(Bei Bei)

Concepts only mattered for as long as they were employed.

That's also one of the truths he's already realized in his fairly short lifetime, in which he's been only growing up. Even then, delving into so many different studies, actively reflecting on what he achieved and even speaking to others, as well as observing them, it already granted a greater degree of understanding how this world functions.

Besides, he's had quite the learning material.

"No."

"Archons never truly felt the emotions that us humans feel. In a sense, they're... beneath us, when it comes to such things. They can acknowledge emotions, and they can learn how they work, but the hearts of dark that beat in their chests can never experience the joy of humanity."

"Humanity concepts, such as courage, are only ours. A flea, for example, that jumps onto a larger animal to bite it, do you think it shows courage? No. It knows nothing of such higher feelings. It acts on instincts, and so do Demons."

"But when a human takes up arms against something far stronger than they are, when a human is determined to rescue someone, when a human is determined to avenge someone, or when they're ready to sacrifice their own life just for someone else--"

"It is the joy of humanity. It is something they will never understand."

"It is our emotions, our greatest bane and our greatest strength. It is something we're cursed with, and blessed with. It is something that can make us fall apart, or give us the strength of thousand men."

A pause was made as he'd listen to her further words, that everyone was beneath someone at some point; it is true that it is like this, and many people have started low--

'It is how most beautiful grow too, even you' - did she just call him beautiful?

Arthur decided to downplay it as just her wording. With a squint, he exclaimed.

"--Yes. It is how everyone was, at one point."

"And you're welcome, Bei."
(Arthur Rowan)

"..." She finds herself beginning to tilt her head. "But if that is the case, then why is it that they can feel all of the negativity so easily? I understand that darkness comes with harsh emotions but...In every dark heart, there is something. There's just got to be something." Isn't that what makes them different from those back at home, in Valmasia? That they can experience, or at the very least, fathom certain concepts of emotions...And even, nearly scrape the idea of possibly feeling sad or hurt or even happy without the need for destruction?

 She knew. "I'm gonna drive myself crazy and stuff by tryin' to argue it so I guess I'll stop." She just laughs it off, although, her wandering mind does make her terribly, terribly curious about all off their existences. Buut to digress on a less important topic.

 Yes. And no. The concept of beauty is merely what it says...To Bei Bei, Arthur has a beautiful soul despite all that he has experienced. To blossom in concrete- within the shade of his brother and classmates -is most certainly a feat that not many others could possibly do. But well...

 They are children. And even he, might not really get that compliment all too well. But still..

 "In any case, I think I already told you about the stuff. I want you to come and speak with Joy about the idea of our little club since...well...I want you to be one of the first ones that I invite." A nod is given.

 "A lot of students think its illegal but hey...its worth the try, atleast.."
(Bei Bei)

That's a good question.

Why is it that Archons could comprehend the negative emotions so well, and could actually acknowledge different ones to the point of understanding how they function exactly? It could be their intelligence, or them acting on the instinct, or both- but one thing was certain, they do not feel the same way as humans do.

"Ah--"

"If I were to guess, as sentient beings, they simply get to understand that. Maybe it's part of their nature to be drawn to negative emotions as well, but... still, they're not feeling the same way we do."

He shrugged once she offered to end the topic. He didn't really mind to do so - the material on that one was running thin as well, anyway.

"Yes, you did tell me about the club."

"And... while it is probably illegal, I'm sure something could be worked out, especially how this first season is drawing near to its end."

"I suppose you told Joy about me, then?"
(Arthur Rowan)