dev 12 - old wounds

Curiosity remains. From the vulgar actions of one to the obscenities spilled by another...The girl would merely purse her lips in thought. The hand that rests upon her hip is grasped onto as she moves, standing beside the Rhoynish warrior as she speaks. "I don't think that Osrona's going to be much of a problem. When they understand our cause and our position, I'm sure that they'll understand that this is how we leave. Should they, however, attempt to imprison one of ours...That'll be a different story."

 Regardless, the girl smiles slightly. "An expedition of some sort though?" She murmurs in thought. "I suppose...I doubt that we'll be expanding too much, after all, if we move too fast, then we'll definitely be getting attention. For now, with everything being set, we'll just start to move our territory to the bridge, claiming it as our own so." Her chin lifts.

"Get ready for a few fights, yeah? If we control that choke point, we control the left side of this continent." But as for Basil's words...She merely leans against him. "Ah...Don't worry about it, yeah? I'll tell'em. People already know that I'm yours."
(Mars)

The High Lady of Myllenoris can be seen nearby. She caresses the trunk of a tree for a moment.

Dozens of strange shadowy figures stalk her in every direction. They're almost barely imperceptible. One of the more corporeal figures seems to be wearing some form of cloak that masks its face.

All the while, the Teraphim runs her fingers along the bark, an expression of wonder on her face. Just what was she doing in this up-and-coming village?
(Asta Hargrave)

For the time being, he merely holds onto her waistline.. choosing to keep the Felinae close to himself; in such manner, he finds respite in being amidst the mess that is the politics of the Esshar as a whole. But..

"Hm.."

"I ain't think they're gonna leave us alone just like that. For them, it's a new state arising or something - but if they decide to try n' pick us out of our own home, we're gonna have a big problem."

Something that he was more than certain about, but to digress..

"I'd like to attend these expeditions too, if that's the case." After all, there's always promise of adventure and something else happening.

But what attracts his attention is an arrival of familiar figure.

One of Asta - for as much as the peace was declared, there's only a frown upon his countenance. He didn't like the woman at all, and he likely never would.

"...What are ya doing here."
(Basil)

Isn't this place quaint? Warmth and respite promised within the gentle rapids that come from underneath the castle- the gentle breeze from the seaside and the thicket welcoming those around within a careful, warm embrace. Nevertheless, the appearance of another brings about a curious gaze...Her lips pursing, eyes shifting up towards the moon as she hums...

"-Don't worry about them." She says while beginning to purse her lips. "We've got bigger fish to fry- like th'Nethradin and all of that jazz. We'll deal with it when we fix their mistakes in the desert." she adds while watching Asta carefully move towards the tree- placing her hand upon the bark...

"..."

 There doesn't seem to be much of a word from the Mars, herself. Instead, she seemed more incline to watch. Perhaps...Waiting for a reaction before continuing onward. "Hmm."
(Mars)


"No."


The voice calls out from seemingly every direction. The High Lady's lips do not move an inch. She continues to caress and fondle the bark, seemingly entranced by something. Some strange detail of the wood, or perhaps, something within the wood.

She eventually turns her head to face the small group at the bridge.

At once, the shady spirits all around her rise up into the sky, causing the leaves of nearby trees to rattle and sway with some form of force. Certainly not wind. The spirits briefly dance up in the moonlight before disappearing from view altogether, like they individually blinked out of existence.

The air becomes a lot colder. A brief chill that runs deep into the bones of all those present.

"No, I am not looking for Bella or Evergreen," she says, removing her hand from the tree.

"I only wished to see the groves of Alabastre for myself. A place of unique interest." Her eyes begin to wander all around. "The spirits here are afraid of your new works of stone and wood and metal. They owned this land, and now you do."
(Asta Hargrave)

"The spirits have never had any claim over these lands." A hand raises carefully towards her cheek- something, garnered from, perhaps another being within a past, past life. "The realm belongs to those of the living- those that are within the past, before us have respect....But they do not dictate where we stay and what we do with what is ours." Her hand carefully tucks behind her back, her hand raising towards the Rhoynish beside her- pressing upon his shoulder carefully.

"Fear? The smile begins to widen ever so slightly, amusement found upon the Felinae's features as she slowly begins to take a step forward...Moving carefully to ease herself next to the being of Asta. "Silly to say, admittedly. We've built around nature...Although, I imagine that there's still some displeasure." Herhand moves carefully towards the bark, placing her hand upon the tree..

"But that doesn't change the next question, I suppose." She adds, her mind fluttering back to the evanescent dance of the spirits...

"You claim that you are the physicality of these spirits, no? That you simply do what they tell you to do...Hmh? She asks with a gentle hum. "So...What are they telling you to do now?"
(Mars)

There's only so much that he was willing to tolerate in the presence of this woman.

For as much as she may claim to walk with the spirits and nature, she earns nothing but a frown from the Rhoynish; but how could he ever like her? The mistake that she's made is something that cost Rhoynish their lives- and although no magi has faltered that day, it doesn't take away from the losses of already small town by then.

One that has, surprisingly, only expanded upon the failure of Myllenoris.

"Not everyone is welcome here."

Does he take it upon himself to make that point? Perhaps.. but he doesn't await for anybody else to say it. Although, as far as he's concerned, that much was already discussed - that this place is only for them and them only.

As for the rest? They have to contribute one way or another.

"An' it's real bold of ya to invite yourself over here, thinking anybody expected you at all."

It's almost silly to him that she would consider coming at all. After all, he imagines that he would not be welcomed in Myllenoris either.

"You listening to spirits tells nothing."

"Wouldn't be the first time you 'misinterpreted' them, or 'made minor mistake' like you like to say, yeah?"

The apology was not a sincere one, and he remembered it ever since the meeting; for the High Lady to admit that she was wrong would be something impossible, he imagines.
(Basil)

"Misinterpreted..."

Asta smiles softly and approaches the light of the bridge, extending her arms out wide in a showy shrug.

"No, no. I do not 'misinterpret'. I 'misdivine'. You see, the prior High Lord of Myllenoris had decades to acclimate to the many millions of spirits that this crown thrusts into your mind. I can hear their whispers, their movements, their songs of magic. Through this, I divine the will of Aschea, the Overseer. This is the core, foundational principle of Aschea's Faith."

She raises a finger to the air as if she's suddenly begun to lecture. It appears as if she is going to ignore the implication that she is not welcome.

"The spirits here do not hate you, they fear you. They fear humans, rightfully-so. But I do not believe they wish to see you gone."

One hand rises up. "There is human civilization, human works.

Another hand rises up. "There is the natural world of spirits and the unseen."

"These must both exist in harmony. Balance is somewhere between the great city of Osrona, and the endless wilds of the Greatwoods. Perhaps, balance looks like this small village, here."
(Asta Hargrave)


I just want to thank you for giving me life. I just want to thank you for all your advice.


 There is gratefulness within this being- that she was capable of being enamored within nature. That she was capable of creating something beautiful that people thought that she wouldn't have. After all, Isn't this area beautiful? Breath-taking? Can you not feel the current of sea-winds brushing underneath your fingers...Can you not see how the trees billow and sway to the dance of your steps? She...Doesn't seem to understand the fear. But she does understand the thought of Mis-divinity...After all, divination is an odd little concept that she cannot particularly understand. But if there's one thing that is clear to her, it is:

"So even the spirits themselves can be wrong." The horizon of her gaze is set low- the twin suns carefully shifting from the bark of the tree to the Hargrave that stands amidst their village. "Understandable to be fearful of humans...After all, I do believe that humans have the most power." So much so, that they can even strike down the gods themselves....So, it's only natural.

 Regardless though, "My goal is t'bring the balance to this world. When any place steps out of line...Like Osrona has. Like Myllenoris has. And Like Theria has, I'll be present, just like I've always been." She takes a somber tone, although, she's terribly serious. If there's something that she strongly feels about, she does not mind pushing the effort.

"I do what's right by th'people. And I make good coin from it too.." With a pause, she does wave. "However...While I do appreciate your visit, it was rather...Unannounced." A moment is given, a pause as her hands fold behind her in a clasp.

"My people get rather antsy- and I'm afraid that you aren't really liked around here, yeah?" she adds with a tilt of her head. "It is best if you...Leave." Another, gentle nudge. What happens after is little to none of her business.

"Although, at the very least- I think that if you want to soothe people's own anger towards you, you could...At the very least, apologize." Although, her smile does widen considerably. She cannot help it, but...She already knows how it'll be regarded..

"Hahaha.."
(Mars)

Misdivine?

There's only a frown appearing on his features. It is true that the High Lady would expect reverence and respect to her - as she should, but the Rhoynish is defiant. There are no kings or queens for him, there are no figures of authority to whom he should bow by default; even Penelope, perhaps the only figure of authority..

Has actually earned Basil's respect.

But in the case of Asta? The opposite seems to be happening, for while she exclaims, it only seems to irritate him more and more, until...

"Ya ain't hear anything important."

"Ya hear what you want, not what matters." A frown, one that is deepening. "Where were you to hear the cries of spirits of the Rhoynish? Where were you to hear that they were being forcibly turned into Nethradin?"

"Where were you to hear that they were robbed of their spiritual duty, starved to death and left to hang as a feast for Dark Lord?"

He doesn't buy it. Not at all.. even now, each time that he sees her face, he feels like his blood could boil; he doesn't believe in her credibility, not in the slightest.. not after what he's seen and experienced.

Something that she was entirely deaf towards.

"Preach harmony to someone who's still unaware how full of shit you are."
(Basil)

Asta clasps her hands together and nods at Mars. "If your mission is to bring balance, this is one that I can respect," she says. "I understand many of your settlement here are Rhoynish from Ilburg. It is only understandable that they would fear me."

Fear. An interesting choice of word, from the High Lady.

"But I truly do not mean any people ill. If it is an apology that is desired, then yes, I am sorry."

She closes her eyes and looks down to the floor.

"As for you," she says, not clarifying who 'you' was referring to. "You seem to be one of those under the impression that I am a fraud of sorts. I am not a god, I do not feign omniscience. I only divine the whispers of the unseen world, and through that, determine Her will, and the state of the world. What was told to me, through the spiritual world, was that evil lurked in Ilburg."

"They were not wrong."

She opens her eyesslowly.

"And I will be rectifying this with Penelope. For this, I cannot apologize. I can only apologize for the damage that I have caused."
(Asta Hargrave)

"Fear?"

It is something that causes for his fist to flinch. For if there's anything in this world that he felt towards this woman, it was anything but fear; even now, he felt like he could lunge at her just about any moment, should such need arise.. perhaps, teetering along the edges of the fate he could tempt - or perhaps, merely far too bold for his own good.

But.. what follows is not an assault.
At least, not physical.

"I have no fear towards you."

"All I have is pity, frustration and disdain for you." A pause, to which he speaks out. "Pity, cause you spun a web in which any mistake will cost you dearly. Frustration, cause you're too quick to act, without thinking twice. Disdain, cause you hurt my people."

Could she not tell of the spiteful gaze hidden in the golden eyes that stare upon her? Perhaps, there's reflection of the stars, of the purifying flame that she has experienced upon her very own flesh.. but the young warrior she fought before is not that young anymore.

Before her stands no longer a boy - but a man.

"Ya claimed that spirits are never wrong, an' that you listen to the spirits." A pause. "That is where ya claim your absolute superiority, inability to fail or lose - but you already messed up far beyond others ever forgetting that."

"An' you will live for the rest of your life with that failure. Just cause others accepted peace in the face of bigger adversity - do not ever dare to think that anyone forgot any of this."

Vengeful? Perhaps.. but the star which he follows, Alph, is often spoken to embody judgment - and to promote charisma all the same. Perhaps, subconsciously, he's become that way..

To pass judgment onto Asta.

"And the worst tragedy.."

"Ya will never realize the folly of your ways." But.. truthfully? He might as well enlighten her?

"You draw wisdom from a single source - spirits."

"But such wisdom ain't worth anything. If ya draw wisdom from a single place, it becomes rigid and stale - an' ya never learned to draw it from anyone else."

"Cause you view yourself too good for the rest. Too high, too mighty, too right."

Is he wrong, though? The mistake she's made is only a testament to such.. had she listened to others, then siege of Stellus, of this rushed operation that turned into bloody battlefield..

It wouldn't need to happen.

"An' that's what's gonna kill ya one day."
(Basil)

Her choice in words are amusing. So much so, that laughter is stifled betwixt claws of the Felinae- while the other hand continues to rest upon the shoulder of the Rhoynish warrior beside her. She presses her form against the side of the male as a means to restrain him. After all, the implication of fear isn't something that she knows that Basil like...However...

"We've had our little exchange in the past, when I was young and dumb- but I never really felt as if you were truly terrible. There were times when I was extremely skeptical of your purpose, especially due to how temperament spirits can be." She adds while shifting. "But this apology seems rather...Genuine." Much different than the reaction that she had expected out of the Hargrave...

Huh.

"For future reference though, I suggest y'slow down the pace when it comes to these happenings. Lives are at stake...And it's best to go through a thorough investigation." After all, they weren't necessarily wrong, but people did die for little to no reason.

But to digress..

"..Hm.." She has nothing else to say.


(Mars)

Asta shakes her head slowly, then turns to the west. Basil speaks to Asta, but somehow, she doesn't seem to really listen. Or at least, not directly acknowledge anything he was saying. Instead, keeps her arms clasped together and looks up at the dim sky, a strange smile on her face.

"He who drinks from the purest stream of knowledge, knows enlightenment."

She chuckles a little. Something about that was funny to her. "He who would drink from polluted rivers as well as the purest stream of knowledge, knows... what?"

She shoots a quick look at Basil and Mars.

"What does that make someone? To drink from the streams of both the earth, and Avalon?" She cocks her head to the side. "What does it mean to taste from the pure fruit of Yggdrasil, but as well the dark berries of corruption from Helheim?"

She shakes her head once more and begins walking west.

"Many questions. Many uncertainties. All one can do, is follow their pure stream of knowledge."

As the High Lady passes by a tree, she disappears from sight completely. Like she was never truly there.

Gone.
(Asta Hargrave)

It's almost as if she described herself.

Unironically, when his gaze pertains upon her features, when he keeps on staring at the High Lady.. despite the scowl present on his face, there's something about the way that he stares at her - one which could only tell a single thing..

He most certainly doesn't agree with what she says.

"They know the difference, Asta."

"They know not to be biased towards the knowledge they drink from, an' they understand the flaws in each. Proper knowledge comes from arguments n' debate."

"It ain't come from you sitting in your echo chamber."

One in which she could never understand what he's talking about. But they come from different worlds, don't they? He comes from the place that does not allow weakness, such sheltering..

But she?

"That light can be blinding, just as much as dark can be suffocating."

They would never come to an agreement, it seems. But does he make any effort to pursue her? He does not.

For he deems it rather futile to keep speaking.
(Basil)