Fuck Wisdom? IDK [7/7] Talk with Arlei

[23:13] Declan says, "Mhm."
[23:14] A bittersweet smile found its was upon her visage as Ohtli congratulated her. She could barely even bring herself to look her mentor in the eyes.

"Thank you, Lady Ohtli. . " she sighed, scratching at her heavily scarred arms beneath her sundress.
(Arlei Zanders)
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[23:14] Declan says, "I'm taking my haitus from being a warchief, and be a proper father."
[23:14] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "A fine decision. And...are you certain everything's alright, Arlei?"
[23:15] Arlei Zanders says, "I'll. . be fine when I come to terms with my daughters condition."
[23:15] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Condition?..."
[23:15] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "Are they alright?"
[23:16] Arlei Zanders says, "She is, but. . "
[23:16] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "Are they ill? Levengard has medics- then what is the matter?"
[23:16] Arlei Zanders says, "Ryujin save me, she'll never be able to leave Dawn."
[23:16] Arlei Zanders says, "She's an Oscuri. ."
[23:16] Arlei Zanders says, "I've already done my atoning. . "
[23:17] Arlei Zanders says, "But. . a child is a child, and I love her all the same, even though. . its going to be a terrible life for her."
[23:17] Arlei Zanders says, "Even if she will end up following Azrael for the rest of her life. . I'm going to instil what positive morals I can into her."
[23:17] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "You are certain they will be an Oscuri and not...well. Take after you more?"
[23:17] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Blood does strange things sometimes."
[23:17] Arlei Zanders says, "I've. . already given birth. I saw the Rieka."
[23:17] Arlei Zanders says, "The child of an Oscuri will always be an Oscuri, according to Emily."
[23:18] Ohtli frowns, pursing her lips.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[23:18] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I would take Emily's words with a heavy grain of salt."
[23:18] Arlei Zanders says, "I've never heard of an Oscuri's child being anything but."
[23:19] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "All things are possible."
[23:19] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "And I also hear Calael here may be researching a way to treat them humanely without the black lines."
[23:19] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Should that be something you wish to pursue..."
[23:19] Arlei Zanders says, "It is something I would like to pursue. I'd heard rumours of such a thing."
[23:19] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I will hardly chastise you though, Arlei. And I will not condemn a child simply for the circumstances of their birth."
[23:19] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Then I advise you speak to him when you can."
[23:20] Arlei Zanders says, ". . Thank you, Lady Ohtli. But, the father likely wouldn't accept it."
[23:20] Arlei Zanders says, "If. . something ever happens to him, I will have it performed."
[23:21] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "...Why would he refuse, if it would not harm the boy, perhaps not even harm his connection, and still have him walk freely where he couldn't before?"
[23:21] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I don't understand."
[23:21] Arlei Zanders says, "After the rebellion failed, he managed to get us pardoned in Dawn."
[23:21] Arlei Zanders says, "He wants to change Dawn from the inside."
[23:22] Arlei Zanders says, "With Sors in charge, it won't happen. We know that, and we've come to terms with it."
[23:22] Arlei Zanders says, "I'd hoped the rebellion had succeeded."
[23:22] Arlei Zanders says, "An Azraelite Dawn is better than a Void Dawn."
[23:23] Arlei Zanders says, "Its the lesser of two evils, and perhaps a new Adjudicator might be more open to peace talks."
[23:23] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Neither is good for the world. Not when Azraelism still tends to breed...zealots."
[23:23] Arlei Zanders says, "Anything is better than the screaming and the rattling that follows Sors around."
[23:23] Arlei Zanders says, "The devastation he causes just by existing. "
[23:24] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "A fair point. I thought only to mention it."
[23:24] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "All the same...I can certainly not tell you what to do with your child."
[23:25] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "But know that I will be here to help how I can, and that I pray for the best for you and yours."
[23:25] Arlei Zanders says, "If. . something happens to Ascalon, I will take the child to the lighthouse and bathe her in it. I want Lirien to live a good life."
[23:27] Arlei Zanders says, "I've lived to care for children for most of my civilised life. Lirien is no different. I've cared for Inari since he was a child, and I consider Skye a son of mine. Ascalon won't accept any form of help from Levengard after what happened to his best friend."
[23:28] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "His best friend?"
[23:28] Arlei Zanders says, "Do you remember Lirien Nina-Leverd? She's the namesake of our daughter."
[23:29] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Only vaguely. So many children have passed in and out of Levengard."
[23:29] Arlei Zanders says, "The girl who was murdered by her father in a dungeon at age fifteen."
[23:29] Arlei Zanders says, "Arthur resurrected her as a perfected Undead. She was. . a close friend to us. To me, regardless of her status. It is probably the only instance of necromancy I learned to tolerate, if only to avoid the loss of a child so young."
[23:29] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "...A close friend to you?...Even given your...patronage to Ryujin?"
[23:29] Ohtli frowns. Heavily.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[23:29] Arlei Zanders says, "She was part of the rebellion. I believe Taiga wayfound her to Levengard after the revolution failed. "
[23:29] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "That does not seem to coincide..."
[23:29] Arlei Zanders says, "It does not, I'm aware."
[23:30] Arlei Zanders says, "I'd encouraged her to seek the lighthouse on multiple occasions."
[23:30] Arlei Zanders says, "And I've already atoned for that sin, too."
[23:31] Arlei Zanders says, "I know it doesn't."
[23:31] Arlei Zanders says, "But. . her circumstances were. . rough. I've atoned for that."
[23:33] Arlei Zanders says, "Abused by her father for most of her life, then killed at age fifteen for leaving to go to Levengard and try to be happy."
[23:33] Arlei Zanders says, "When she was raised, it was finally her chance to experience life. Arthur never gave her any form of order."
[23:34] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I doubt that the 'Lich King', had any simply good intentions for an undead."
[23:34] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I refuse to believe it."
[23:34] Arlei Zanders says, "I. . couldn't bring myself to take that from her."
[23:34] Arlei Zanders says, "He might have used her in the future, but for the few years she got from it, he didn't order her to do a thing."
[23:34] Arlei Zanders says, "Not even during the rebellion. She fought of her own accord, to try and rid Dawn of Sors."
[23:35] Arlei Zanders says, "I don't know if you know, but even Arthur knew of Sors' evil. He was in on the rebellion. In fact, he helped lead it."
[23:35] Arlei Zanders says, "The man may be a lich of unspeakable evil. . but if even he wanted to remove Sors because of his actions, that just goes to show how bad Ultovex is."
[23:36] Arlei Zanders says, "But. . no, Ascalon will refuse to help because Ilui Elisheva killed Lirien. He doesn't know Ilui did it. Apparently Lirien started an argument with him and it got out of hand. She was always brash and bold."
[23:37] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Ilui I hear has...been making trouble."
[23:37] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "He's begun taking after his mother."
[23:38] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "But that is nothing I can stop. I fear his parents have left him untended a little...too much."
[23:38] Arlei Zanders asks, "Thera, by any chance?"
[23:38] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Thera and Noel both."
[23:38] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "But I have seen little of them these days."
[23:39] Arlei Zanders says, "Noel did seem cold, when I informed him of Arthur's ritual."
[23:40] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "Well...how would you expect him to feel, hearing about a necromancer's sacrifice of so many?"
[23:40] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "That should not make anyone warm."
[23:41] Arlei Zanders says, "Elayna, luckily, comforted me in my time of need."
[23:41] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "A blessing to hear that not the -entire- world has gone mad..."
[23:41] Arlei Zanders says, "More than I can say for Kia, but luckily I ended things with him before I realised he'd joined the briar."
[23:42] Arlei Zanders says, "You'd be surprised. Dawn lost most of its military."
[23:42] Arlei Zanders says, "And a chunk of the remaining forces still want Sors gone."
[23:42] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I'd heard a few whispers of some rebellion."
[23:42] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I mostly...have been trying to finisht he work here, as you can see."
[23:43] Arlei Zanders asks, "Oh, you do not know much about it?"
[23:43] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Between the fallen angels and Dawn's and the Briars potential advancement on this place? I have found it better to keep my nose to the grindstone, as it were."
[23:43] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I cannot change much, but I can prepare to help defend."
[23:43] Arlei Zanders says, "Most of Dawn's military rebelled against Sors' leadership, Arthur included. Arthur was pushing for Niklaus to be the new adjudicator."
[23:43] Arlei Zanders says, ". . Ah, yes. . "
[23:43] Arlei Zanders says, "If it helps in any way, I will not raise my weapon during the fighting."
[23:44] Arlei Zanders says, "If I raise it for Levengard, I lose my husband and my child. If I raise it for Dawn, I lose a lot of people I care greatly for."
[23:45] Arlei Zanders says, "I cannot stop my fiancé from assisting though. The sheer scorn he has for Levengard over Lirien's death is. . unimaginable. It broke him."
[23:48] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "...I can imagine. But that doesn't make his scorn right either."
[23:49] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I agree of course that all sides should be focusing on the greater evil."
[23:49] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "However, I struggle to recall a time in history where anyone has listened to such things I've said."
[23:49] Arlei Zanders says, "I do my best to follow your advice."
[23:50] Arlei Zanders says, "Though. . I may have followed some parts a little too zealously compared to others."
[23:52] Arlei Zanders says, "In a perfect world, none of this would have to happen. But, alas, this reality is flawed."
[23:53] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "So it is, Arlei...So it is."
[23:54] Arlei Zanders says, "I may commit sins for my own personal peace of mind, but I will atone for them in whatever way I can."
[23:54] Arlei Zanders says, "I met a child in Dawn's cave earlier. A necromancer in training, under Sors. I had trouble hiding my displeasure."
[23:55] Ohtli frowns. "...Arlei. You should not have that outlook."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[23:55] Arlei Zanders says, "But, apparently, he wants the same thing I do; a new nation with the ideals of pre-Elishevan Crafthol--which outlook."
[23:55] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "You should not commit sins for your own gain simply knowing that you can...possibly atone for them."
[23:55] Arlei Zanders says, "Falling in love with an Oscuri and bearing his child is what i mean."
[23:55] Arlei Zanders says, "I can't help who I fall for."
[23:56] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "No. That is true. But that is not a sin to love."
[23:56] Arlei Zanders says, "If I ignored it, it would plague me. I would constantly be mulling over what could have been."
[23:56] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "I don't know why you think it is."
[23:56] Arlei Zanders asks, "No, but to bear his child, knowing it would be an Oscuri?"
[23:56] Arlei Zanders asks, "A warrior of Azrael?"
[23:57] Arlei Zanders says, "I spoke with Arkgvunde about it. He claims that Ryujin would not look down on me for it, but. . I'm unsure. Between that, and one of my best friends having been resurrected after a premature death at the hands of a psychopath. . "
[23:58] Arlei Zanders says, "I feel like I've committed sins against my deity. I can't shake the feeling."
[23:58] Arlei Zanders says, "Even if it isn't a sin, its how -I- personally feel about it."
[23:59] "...Arkgvunde...The Demon?"

Ohtli blinks.

"...No. I doubt he would look down on it. But I'm not sure why you are citing a demon as an authority on Ryujin at all," she claims, clearly confused.
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
[00:04] Arlei shrugged.

"Arkgvunde has been hosting sermons on the various deities of Agarthan races in Gehenna. I happened to be there for his sermon upon Ryujin." she says, seemingly completely unbothered by it.

"He was there at the time, and. . I didn't feel I could come to you." she sniffed, wiping a few stray years from her face. Today had been. . highly emotional.

"I was scared I'd let you down. That you'd be disgusted in me. Its. . why I've only just worked up the courage to come up, after all of this time. I spent almost a year in Agarthan wilderness, giving thanks to Ryujin in whatever way I could." she mutters, rubbing her arms, then her back.

"I shouldn't even be moving around all that much. I only recently gave birth. Yesterday, in fact. . but seeing the furious green rieka lines upon my daughters body made me realise that I can't avoid it any longer."
(Arlei Zanders)
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[00:06] The Drakan frowns. And above all she looks...well. Wounded.

"Why...why on earth would you think that I would be disgusted with you, little one?" she asks, taking the adjacent chair.

"I'd imagined you were out living your life, happy with your own devices rather than hanging about some old hag's tower. I didn't suspect that you were...well, afraid?"

In spite of that hurt, however, her duty is still clear.

"...You should not be moving too much, yes. If you need a place to rest, you know you have it here."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
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[00:16] A small smile crept up the left side of Arlei's lips as Ohtli comforted her. Cared for her. She didn't miss the wounded look upon Ohtli's face though.

"I. . thought you'd be disgusted because I'm marrying an Oscuri. Because I birthed an Oscuri. Because I was friends with an undead. Because I'm still, somehow, in Dawn due to my obligations, even though I hate it there."

"All of those seem like things you wouldn't approve of, and I was terrified of. . well, losing you. I've lost enough people recently. I didn't. . want to risk the scorn of someone I care greatly for." she sniffed, light shakes running through her body as she fought to hold back further tears.

"I'd. . love to take the offer, but I need to get back to the manor at some point. I've left Lirien in the care of her uncle. He's still a bit of a child upstairs, so I don't want to burden him for a whole night."

"And, Lady Ohtli? Never refer to yourself as an old hag again. You're one of the most wonderful people I've had the pleasure of meeting during my life. I'd never think of you in such negative terms." she whispered, a hand reaching inside of her sun dress to withdraw her amulet. The colour-changing crystal was fading in its lustre, since Kia wasn't a part of her life before, but if the old bird looked closely, she could still see the scale she had given Arlei many years ago now, held behind the crystal, close to her heart.

In truth? Arlei revered the master Spiritmancer. She was full of knowledge, wisdom, strength and care. All the things Arlei wanted to be filled with as she pressed on through life. Perhaps it would be better to say that the Tezcacoatl was Arlei's idol. Someone that she hoped, one day, she could be like. Thefirst person to show any form of what Arlei perceived to be maternal care for her. She was someone the Drakanite held very, very dear, and the idea of hurting her, or making her reject Arlei, killed her inside with every second the intrusive thoughts lingered.
(Arlei Zanders)
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[00:18] "I am...admittedly confused about some of them. But even I myself had once befriended an undead for a greater purpose. And Crafthold had never been the cleanest either. If I were to chastise you for your actions, I'd have surely been no better."

While she doesn't keep that company any longer, it's not something she wants to hide.

Arlei chides her for her terminology and she laughs softly.

"I call them as I see them, hatchling. That is all. But I am glad that even if was something so simple...that I could've helped you."

Her eyes are getting strained, getting old, but even she can see the glint of the gifted scale.

"I will not keep you from where you are needed then, little one, should you need to return to your family. I'd never dream of it."
(Ohtli Tezcacoatl)