PGI: Erin

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A young woman steps to the fore, grasping her hands together. She wears a blue cotton dress over which is a sturdy-looking breastplate - an apparent compromise between formal and battle dress. Her blonde hair is cut short above the shoulder, and upon closer examination the jagged, inexpert ends of the cut become apparent.

"Greetings," she says pressing a hand to her chest and sweeping down into a deep bow. "My name is Sir Erin Kather, Knight-Commander of the Order of the Blue Rose. Among other edicts, my order tries to adhere to practices of mercy and compassion, and above all else a devotion to seeking peaceful solutions among those who desire them. I was chosen for this role even though I didn't understand it well at first, but I have grown to accept it and even relish the thought that I may have a hand in spreading peace across the continent."

She straightens up onto her feet, closes her eyes, and smiles. "You may ask me what you wish."
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Kassandra Arahan: Why compassion? What can it achieve?

"There are... some who believe that what you give away is lost to you from then on, even if those are things we can't touch, like words, or a smile... That you have to be poorer to make someone richer. But does a tree wither or die when it gives us life in its fruit?"

Kassandra Arahan: I can not understand you. Forgiveness is just opening a door for treachery, why insist on it?

"If someone wants to betray me I'll meet them the same way as I had the first time, when I was in a position to forgive them. I wouldn't shirk away from it... My decisions are my own, as are theirs their own."

Kassandra Arahan: "What would it take for you to leave us of Loptyr alone...?"

"...If your cult no longer does harm to those who don't deserve it, you will no longer be an enemy of ours."

Kassandra Arahan: "Those who do not deserve it? Those who do not deserve it? You do not understand. They see a kid casting a spell and they want to find the parents to lynch the three of them. Do you expect us to forgive and forget *that*?"

"Is that a question or an accusation!? I mean, er... I'd be willing to discuss it, but I'm not sure this is the time or place..."

Kassandra Arahan: "Your knight seems to have it difficult these days. Does he need a *hand* for something?"

"That's... not funny. Why would you say that? I've been worrying about him for days, and the Captain's barely been getting any sleep for it."

Kassandra Arahan: "I... I can not understand you. I am your enemy. You are supposed to hate me. What is wrong with you? What is *wrong* with you? Do you really believe in 'compassion' and the likes?"

"I'm... not sure I've ever heard anyone tell me I'm *supposed* to hate my enemies. I've heard 'kill them,' and thing similar to that, but... Well, there's more than one way to reduce the number of enemies you have."
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Flamy: What is the relationship between you and Tsukiko Fluorspar?

"She's a good friend, who may already have a common goal between her and my Order. I can only hope to eventually repay her for the risks she took and the gifts she's given me."
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Red, Flame Paladin
Sorry for my blunt-ness, but what is your goal- not that of the Order's, but yours?

This question gives Erin pause. She hesitates before answering, "My... goal is to make the Order thrive. I hope its lessons can outlive me."
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Hantu Kopek: Do you like demons?

"I hope I never meet one..."

Veyn, Heartless Soul: Do you like monsters?

"In my experience, such creatures either can't or won't meet me with words. And then it becomes life or death, and... I never enjoy the results of that..."
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Tsukiko Fluorspar: In an effort to better ourselves, I would suggest a friendly spar among us. It could be my chance to learn some swordplay from you. In return, I could teach you to wield magical flames.

"I'd be glad to! I mean... er... hard work is good for you, especially when you're honing the skills you need. But..." Erin laughs, clearly nervous. "Magic and I have never gotten along, so maybe I'll pass on that part..."
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Grimnir Troy: "Your order seems much unlike other knights I know. Your order is located rather close to Lopland: have you visited there much?"

"Only for a little, when I was unaware I'd wandered into their borders. Angela was always better at geography than me. The folk in the few towns I visited were nice, though."

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Kedata: If you and Lucas's roles were reversed on the day of the ransom, would you have done for Lucas what he has done for you?

"My duties are always to the helpless; those who cannot fight for themselves, even if it's only for a moment. I... see no reason to think I wouldn't have done the same, for the same reasons."

Kedata: No matter what strength he may possess, don't you think it's at all a bad or dangerous idea to let a child be a part of your Order? Besides, there could be a risk he doesn't have the mentality to hold well in a fight like you can.

"I... took him in just to feed him and make sure he was safe. It was Kei's own idea entirely to join, and I still hesitate to fully call him a knight of our Order... I don't send him on any assignments, or give him any commands aside from trying to spread our message, and I'd consider him more of a "knight-in- training" than anything else."
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Natalie Silvergrace: It is an honor to meet you directly... though, admittedly, I have not paid much attention to your order. The reason ties into my question - who do you think is truly worthy of Fyarae's throne, legality aside?

"Oh, erm..." Erin's eyes go wide, and when she recovers she holds up a hand and (in a slight panic) starts counting on her fingers. "Let's see, the dukes of Fyarae are.... Leyvelitail, Helliene - wait, no, he's dead - erm... I... believe this is a matter that the Order should remain neutral in, though we will do anything necessary to ensure the selection is made fairly and without a conflict of arms."
Then she mutters to herself, "And I should ask the Captain for the details..."
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Tardif: "I often observe the acts of, and sometimes directly confront, something best named the 'Dancer Cabal.' Be they a continental organization or many localized groups, what do you think of them?"

"I... would like to shut them and their gang violence down, but I've been told it involves a lot of complicated economics that even kings' court advisors aren't fit to work out, so all I can hope is their energies are directed against myself as much as possible, so they have less time to hurt others."
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Europa: "A group of people devoted only to Peace and Order? This is truly something else. In my times being exposed to the outside world, I have noticed much about human tendencies through observing many kingdoms and rulers, most notably that absolute power corrupts absolutely. To what ends are you willing to achieve everlasting peace? And once you accomplish it, what will you and your Order do?"

"I sincerely hope that the closer we get to our goals, the more others will step in to handle what remains. The world isn't meant to be ruled by people like us; we only fight and speak for those who need a shield and a voice. And if peace is achieved, I'll gladly step back to simply watch what we've created."

Europa: "I see. I understand that you want to see peace and order prevail in the world, but why exactly do you want these things? What caused you to walk this path? It seems that you have quite a force behind you, why not conquest instead? Why not world domination?"

"I don't think we could even if we wanted to! We're less than a hundred strong, after all, and it's only from friends and allies that we're able to do as much as we can. But... even if I had thousands of knights, I wouldn't. Someone has to fight for peace, or at least, it's what I wished someone would do when I was younger.

"Besides, it's what Sir Alec trained me to do... may his soul rest in peace."
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J0: "Are you prepared to martyr yourself for your code? Or would you condone self defense?"

"Don't get me wrong, we *do* fight. But I would never kill just because my foe was trying to do the same to me. That is only for if all other options have been tried and exhausted, entirely, and my life remains in immediate peril. Words are my weapon. Then my shield. Then the flat of the blade. The edge always comes last."
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Eithne Istalri Lopcarota: "Huh, everybody here is asking such tough questions. Ooh, ooh, I know! Let me ask you something easy!
Eithne Istalri Lopcarota: "What is your favorite animal?"

"Well, Espinoza is a favourite of mine... unless you mean a kind of animal in particular, so maybe... rabbits? I kept a few when I was younger, even though pa wasn't really happy with it. Oh, and there's a lot of cute bugs I find when I'm gardening - it's a rare day that I don't have to look out for a snail or two..."
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Alkaid🌠: What is the inspiration behind Erin Kather?

[2:09 PM] Your Daily Dose of Vitamin Bree: (Like all of my HaruFE characters, she had her start in pathfinder [A TTRPG directly evolved from D&D]. For some strange reason, it's a good source for inspiration in medieval fantasy. Anyway, with a few, wonky exceptions, pathfinder almost entirely lacks "tank" mechanics typical to computer RPGs. There's no reliable way to taunt or draw aggro, and CC is almost entirely the domain of mages, so it's hard to force an enemy to deal with you as a melee fighter.
[2:09 PM] Your Daily Dose of Vitamin Bree: The typical answer is to pick up a beatstick, walk up to an enemy, and try to deal as much damage as you can - this now presents you as a genuine threat, and your investment in defenses mostly serves simply to make sure your hp drops more slowly than your opponents.
[2:09 PM] Your Daily Dose of Vitamin Bree: Personally? I don't find that terribly engaging, and at any rate I love building characters no one expects. Enter: Erin Kather, lass with a shield who can hardly do much damage at all - but her mere existence makes it absurdly difficult for an attacker to actually harm any allies near to her. Now, without hurting anyone much at all, she almost has to become priority target just to get rid of her annoying qualities of a brick wall between friend and foe.
[2:09 PM] Your Daily Dose of Vitamin Bree: Her personality grew from there, really. And eventually I learned of ways to use diplomacy as a viable tool to just... end combats, which really is another good way to prevent damage to allies without having to hurt people too hard.)
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Reyson: Since we already had our beach episode.....if we had another beach episode, would you be in it!? If so, watermelon smashing game or volleyball?

"I don't know what Angela's told you, but I promise I'm not much to look at without my armour on."
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Izaya: Tell me, what interest has the Order in the business of information? I don't often take interest in humans so boringly simplistic, but one *does* have to make ends meet, after all.

"...Oh, do you sell books? Captain Fuka's been getting me all sorts of books about history, and I've started to enjoy them even if it takes me so long to read even one of them... But I know it's necessary for me to learn as much as I can about the continent, so I'd gladly try to buy any good books you have with you!"
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Red, Flame Paladin: Very important question for you.
Red, Flame Paladin: How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll at the center of a Tootsie Pop™?
Red, Flame Paladin: I asked Quadra and Kass but neither seemed to know...

"Wouldn't that depend on how strong your tongue is?"
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Kei: "Hey! Hey! Heyheyhey! Can I have a piggyback ride?"
Kei: "I could fly you around sometime in return!!!"

Erin giggles. "Of course, Kei. A little fun every now and again never hurt anyone."

Kei: "Oh, I know! What if I tell you some DRAGON FACTS?!"

"I get the feeling I'll get them whether I ask or not."

Kei: "Well, you'd be RIGHT! How are you so right all the time?"

"I'm not. I'm really not. Especially when it comes to geography, but also when it comes to other things. I'm just trying my best..."

Kei: "Is there any other hobbies you have besides gardening?!"

"Nothing much, no. You have to be real clever for a lot of the more interesting hobbies, but flowers? Flowers just need love and patience."

Kei: "Do you think dragons are the GREATEST THING EVER?!"

"They're certainly a gift to the world."
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Liluye: “Hi, miss!! Umm... what’s your favorite candy? And do you give headpats??  Mister bossman gives really nice headpats and I thought you might, too!”

"I didn't have much candy growing up, but my mum did sometimes slip me bits of honeycomb. I loved those. And erm... I guess I could pat your head? Though I don't know why you'd ask for that..."

Liluye: “Headpats are the same as telling someone ‘good job!’ Or ‘Good girl!’ That kinda thing. Did you not get a lot of headpats while growing up...?”

"Well... no, not really."
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		The Dornarena, Round 2 (Special scene between Erin and Dornar)
"How do you define peace?" Dornar asked. It appears he had fallen off the context wagon yet again.

"Much as I'd like to think otherwise, there will always be disputes, reasons to argue... But when those topics can be settled with honesty, and without hurting or killing, that is what I would call peace."

"I see. How do you feel about those who follow Loptyr?" Dornar asked next.

"From what I've seen they seek power and a means to exercise it - regardless of what happens from it. I hope they eventually see they don't require power like that to live and thrive."

"Where do you think they could thrive?"

"The cult? Or... I don't know who exactly you mean by 'they.' Sorry. At any rate, I don't see why it should matter where they go..."

"Followers of Loptyr are who I meant. Are you saying they could live and thrive anywhere?"

"They could, if they left their foul practices behind. Their ability to do so doesn't have anything to do with where they live, I would hope."
"...Sometimes I wish I had more of a chance to speak to the cultists on more neutral ground. It seems to me so many are just... lost and frightened with the state of the world. But I still can't let them hurt others..."
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		Erin teaches some boys and girls what the Blue Rose is all about (Featuring Callisto and Sarissa!)
Callisto was intrigued by the monologue. "Mercy and compassion? Peaceful solutions? I've heard of very few leaders who vouch for such things." Callisto nodded. "Its refreshing to hear such talk from someone in power. Lady Erin, or should I address you as Sir Erin?" Callisto paused, concerned about how to address her. "I would be very interesting in serving a noble cause such as yours, would you allow me in your ranks?"

"Please I'm... I'm not of noble birth. My name isn't inherited, it only serves to remind me of my home town of Kathe... 'Sir' is all the title I can claim for myself. But... yes. If you would accept our vows, you would be welcome in the Order."

Sarissa: "Miss Erin, miss Erin! What are the duties of a knight?"
"What are the vows of the Order?" Callisto asked, eager to learn about them.

Erin's eyes close again. Her lips move silently at first, as if she's mentally running down a memorised list.
"Do not seek violence as a first recourse. If you involve yourself in conflict, end it with a minimum of bloodshed. Protect the land and its people from wars they neither started nor wished to fight. Always encourage peaceful resolutions to disputes, and mediate them if need be. Conduct yourself with honesty wherever possible. Provide a foe with their own means to cease a conflict and better themselves. And do not, ever, allow those who have surrendered and you have granted quarter to come to harm - even if it means aligning yourself against your own allies."

Sarissa: "Do you truly believe it to be possible, miss Erin? That a peaceful world can exist?"

"I... don't know. But if I tell myself 'no,' I worry that will make the sacrifice of those who brought me this far meaningless..."

Callisto nodded. "I think I can follow those vows. I merely have one more question about the Order" She sighed. "After leaving my family and all of my friends behind, Im curious. You claim that the Order is all about supporting peace and cooperation, it seems like the perfect place for a person like myself. Would you say that the Order would be a place where I could find a... family?"

"I'm glad you have an interest. Genuinely. And well... we've been called a family once or twice." Erin drops her voice to a whisper. "Don't tell her I said this, but Captain Fuka *will* turn her head if you shout, 'Big Sis!'"

Kedata: For that matter, has there been anything you've sacrificed for the path you walk?
Callisto laughed. "That's a very comforting thought. Have you ever had to leave everything behind before Sir Erin?"

"I've lost my family, my home, a life I'd hoped to live, and a mentor to me, all because I wasn't strong enough before for the duties of the Blue Rose. And... sometimes I feel like this even still isn't the path I was meant to walk, but I lost all that for this path anyway..."

Callisto: "How do you feel about Pegasi?"

"They're beautiful. And I'm pretty sure Kibou's far smarter than she lets on..."

Sarissa: "Miss Erin, what's your favorite flower?"

"Besides roses?"

Sarissa: "...right. Order of the Blue Rose. Yeah, besides roses!"

"I do enjoy the sight of lilies. Angela's told me that lilies are for death, but I can't shake the feeling there's something better to them..."
[4:52 PM] Your Daily Dose of Vitamin Bree: I preemptively deny any surmised meaning behind that last answer
[4:53 PM] Flamblebee: Of course you would
[4:53 PM] Flamblebee: >:c

Callisto: "Have you ever been to Snaergard, and if so what did you think about it? Its the homeland that I have left behind..."

"Snaergard? That's in... the southest of the continent, right? I haven't been, but I've heard... erm... I'm... sorry, I don't actually know geography that well."

Callisto: "Do you get lost often? Have you ever wandered into Viridel?"

"Not... yet. I mean, I have not yet been there, but I'd love to visit if you would have me!"

Callisto: "Have you ever rode on a Pegasus before?"

"Oh... aha..." Erin chuckles. "Not for long. Kibou is a little strong-willed for me."
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		E-Rena (Special scene between Rena and Erin)
So... if I was to ask you about dragons..." Rena's question surprises no one, "What do you think of them? There is so much that perhaps we don't even know... but they're something that will forever fascinate me. What about you?"

"I... don't know as much about dragons as I'd want to. Sometimes they worry me... not because I think they'll hurt me, but I feel like I'd do them some disservice, or something."
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		Eringela (Special scene between Angela and Erin?! feat. Kei)
A minor noble woman walks in wearing a bright red dress, with matching red eyes and bright orange hair.
"My dear, do you mind a bit of artistic freedom? I know during the horrible event that I was unable to assist in, you were wearing a rather simple brown dress correct? Would you mind if I used green instead?"

"Oh! Angela! Hello, it's been... been too long! I don't even have words for how happy I am to see you, and I promise I'm not mad you couldn't make it in time, and..." Erin ends her blathering with an embarrassed cough. "I don't mind green, but... wait! You don't need to lie to make me look prettier..."

"Don't be silly. You are the center star of the recent events.. at least in my world." Angela smiles a bit. "I have been traveling for far to long and I got rusty.. would you mind if I stay at your organization and practice my fighting once more?"

"Oh, I would... so very much like to have you; you're always welcome with the Order, Angela. You're practically an honourary member!"

Kei tilts his head. "Wait, who's Angela? I've never met her before!"

"Angela is... a very dear friend of mine. And someone to whom I owe my life many times over. Sir Alec began my training to knighthood, but Angela showed me what it meant to be a knight in the real world. For a time, she was the only one it seemed like I had, especially after my home was taken from me.

"I joined her to be a member of her honour guard, but she always treated me like someone destined for greater things - and she told me so, almost every day. Even though the Order of the Blue Rose wasn't her destiny to lead, she supported it with everything she had.  And I did my best to do the same for her, even though I don't have even a fraction of the grace or skill she does...

"I may not be her honour guard anymore, but my shield will always be hers, would she need it."

Angela waves.

~~Kei, not knowing Angela, waves back energetically anyways, while still not knowing she is actually Angela~~

Kei: "Oh, oh! Can Angela sing? Can you sing?!"

"She says singing is, 'beneath her talents,' or something. As for me, my voice is usually a llittle too rough for it. I could never make it like bards do."
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