Paludrexian Prayer (9/29)

[23:34:54] Dura Levante says, "Fuckssake..."
[23:34:55] Dura Levante says, "Okay."
[23:34:58] Dura Levante says, "Contract?..."
[23:35:45] Dura Levante says, "- Before that."
[23:35:47] Dura Levante says, "You're alright?"
[23:35:52] Rynn Blackwood says, "Hm?"
[23:35:58] Rynn Blackwood says, "I'm hanging there."
[23:36:20] Dura Levante says, "Got some spare food if you're hungry."
[23:36:29] Dura Levante says, "I can give you your annual stipend too, if that's needed."
[23:36:32] Rynn Blackwood says, "Yeah, I'll keep it brief. I joined this side of the war because my friends had been kidnapped by Deliverance. That's no longer longer the case, and my five years are up once this year turns. I just wanted to give you some notice."
[23:36:52] Rynn Blackwood says, "And don't worry, I'm not hungry."
[23:36:55]
The Regent exhales. A slow nod.
(Dura Levante)
[23:36:55] Chat command attempt: /emote The Regent exhales. A slow nod.
[23:37:04] Dura Levante says, "I understand. And appreciate the notice."
[23:37:08] Chat command attempt: /year
[23:37:22]
Rynn closes their eyes, and slowly nods, before opening them again.
(Rynn Blackwood)
[23:37:49] Dura Levante says, "If you'd like to renew your contract and discuss terms? We can."
[23:37:52] Rynn Blackwood says, "I know renewing it is an option, but I won't do it. I don't feel- after what happened, that Providence is entirely interested in ending this war."
[23:38:19]
Dura's turn to close her eyes. This time a long, long inhale.
(Dura Levante)
[23:38:19] Chat command attempt: /emote Dura's turn to close her eyes. This time a long, long inhale.
[23:38:59] Dura Levante says, "You're not the first to tell me this today."
[23:39:15] Rynn Blackwood says, "Listen, I know this War's been going for longer than I've been alive, even. "
[23:39:26] Dura Levante says, "Either of us, I imagine."
[23:39:39] Dura Levante says, "...I could talk to you. I could explain. And I am willing."
[23:39:43] Rynn Blackwood says, "I won't pretend to understand it. But I feel the reasons shifted from the ones it started with, and I feel like there was a solid chance to end it yesterday, and it was squandered. "
[23:40:23] Rynn Blackwood says, "As a soldier, my job is to provide violence, and as leadership, your job is to provide control. Not you in particular, but I feel like there's not been much control being exercised by Providence."
[23:40:57]
Dura tries to push her hand through her hair. Again, it hits the outcropped horns. There's a flash of frustration. Her eyes remain shut.
(Dura Levante)
[23:40:57] Chat command attempt: /emote Dura tries to push her hand through her hair. Again, it hits the outcropped horns. There's a flash of frustration. Her eyes remain shut.
[23:41:01] Rynn Blackwood says, "Like, any other one of the Pillars? I'd get it."
[23:41:27] Rynn Blackwood says, "One is practically a Demon. The other is a deranged lunatic. Caldwell, I feel, was the only one who could be reasoned. Of course, I could be wrong."
[23:42:12] Rynn Blackwood says, "You understand how I feel?"
[23:42:32] Dura Levante says, "...I do."
[23:42:43] Dura Levante says, "And I know that no one but DeLisle and I were there at that negotiating table."
[23:43:26] Dura Levante says, "The decision? Was an informed one. Was it the best? There is no way to know. But we know what they want. We are aware of what they were after."
[23:43:39] Dura Levante says, "This was not done thoughtlessly. "
[23:43:53] Rynn Blackwood says, "Yeah. I don't regret fighting for Providence as a mercenary, taking my licks time and time again."
[23:44:07] Dura Levante says, "Then at least there is that."
[23:44:21] Dura Levante says, "..."
[23:44:27] Dura Levante says, "I am sorry we did not get to speak more."
[23:44:39] Rynn Blackwood says, "It's alright, you're an important person nowadays."
[23:44:49] Dura Levante says, "For the wrong reasons."
[23:45:02] Rynn Blackwood says, "People think I'm a hero or something for the wrong ones too."
[23:45:25] Dura Levante says, "Hero or not."
[23:45:31] Dura Levante says, "There was a time when I enjoyed your company, Rynn."
[23:45:41] Rynn Blackwood says, "I'll be honest, I kind of miss the time before going to the Moon. I was afraid most of the time, but everyone was wishing me well, and I could get any pity lays I wanted, pretty much. Now it feels like the party ended, but I'm still lingering."
[23:46:09]
There's a snort of laughter.
(Dura Levante)
[23:46:09] Chat command attempt: /emote There's a snort of laughter.
[23:46:15] Dura Levante says, "Pity lays. I should've tried that."
[23:46:23] Rynn Blackwood says, "It works surprisingly well."
[23:46:34]
Rynn smiles slightly, but then it's gone, just as quickly.
(Rynn Blackwood)
[23:47:32] Dura Levante says, "Tempting. But. I think I'd rather keep my bed cold than take that route."
[23:47:48] Rynn Blackwood says, "Either way- I wish you strength and fortune in the battles to come. I never really cared about the insitution, but more about the people in it. I hope you make it through this, because you're one."
[23:48:03] Dura Levante says, "..."
[23:48:20]
Dura smiles, but it is a definitively sad thing.
(Dura Levante)
[23:48:20] Chat command attempt: /emote Dura smiles, but it is a *definitively sad* thing.
[23:48:54] Dura Levante says, "I think I used up what luck I had already."
[23:49:01] Dura Levante says, "Pretty sure the horns are proof."
[23:49:28] Rynn Blackwood says, "It don't mean nothing."
[23:49:37] Rynn Blackwood says, "The Eidolons are powerful, but they're not perfect."
[23:49:49] Dura Levante says, "No. They're not. Even the Dragons are capable of being petty bastards."
[23:50:07] Dura Levante says, "...It's a lot to deal with. Don't mind me."
[23:50:17] Rynn Blackwood says, "It's fine. Can I do something to help alleviate it?"
[23:50:54] Dura Levante says, "You got anything to drink?"
[23:51:04] Rynn Blackwood says, "Not on Providence, currently."
[23:51:20] Dura Levante says, "That's fine."
[23:51:30] Dura Levante says, "Say you won't be a stranger, and I think that'll be enough for me for now."
[23:51:55] Rynn Blackwood says, "Of course. I promise."
[23:52:12] Rynn Blackwood says, "Here, give me your hands."
[23:52:17] Dura Levante says, "Good. And maybe a drink when I have five minutes I'm not in meetings-"
[23:52:22]
Rynn extends both gloved hands towards the regent.
(Rynn Blackwood)
[23:53:05]
The look she casts the hands is hesitant. What's up with people asking for her hands lately? But she steps forward and puts her mismatched ones in Rynn's.
(Dura Levante)
[23:56:59]
Rynn grasps the mismatched pair like they were anything but. There is a moment before the mercenary inhales, and then closes their eyes.

"Paludrex, you who art the author of endurance and the Champion of Rhyst, hear our prayer."

Oh yeah, it was going to get weird.

"Thank you for giving me the strength and conviction to complete the tasks you entrusted to me. Thank you for giving me the resolve to keep me me straight and true through the many obstacles in my path. And thank you for keeping me resolute when all around seemed lost.

Thank you for your many signs along the way, through each trial and obstacle. Thank you for any good that I may have done, I'm so sorry about the bad.

Thank you for the friends I made along the way. Please watch over her, and give her the same opportunities to overcome as you have watched over me."

Rynn opens their eyes again, staring at Dura, but then the hands retract, and they take a step back.
(Rynn Blackwood)
[00:03:30]
Even before the horns sprouted from her skull, Dura had never been the praying sort. She expects some kind of magic, but nope. None of that.

It gets weird.

Yet the Regent closes her eyes when faced with the prayer to Paludrex. Her head dips.

A lid creaks open as it evidently draws to a halt. Then the other. She stares back, a few traces of mist in her eyes, then looks away.

Someone should really dust in here.

"...Thank you."
(Dura Levante)
[00:05:57]
Rynn unfortunately, also seems to be the sort to be allergic to dust. The mercenary's eyes are like glass, and they blink away at it.

"And don't worry about the horns. The sins of the father should not carry over to their sons- it don't mean nothing."

There's a subtle nod.

"I hope to focus my efforts on that. I know there'll be other people doing the same."
(Rynn Blackwood)
[00:07:17] Rynn Blackwood says, "Before you're someone with horns, and before you're even Regent, to me you're Dura, and you're my friend."
[00:08:13]
Someone who knows medicine should really start developing some antihistamines.

"No. I think. I think these are mine. Maybe we can talk nextx time when you're up over a drink."

"...I like being Dura best. Not 'Lady Regent'. If I ever hear you use my title, I'm going to be furious," she says with strained laughter.
(Dura Levante)
[00:09:05] Rynn Blackwood says, "I won't, don't worry. Should we get back?"
[00:09:25] Dura Levante says, "Good. I need friendly faces or I'm going to walk off the docks and into the sea."
[00:09:27] Dura Levante says, "But yeah."