dev 8 - all it takes is a spark

Of all places to encounter a being like that, he imagined that it would be reasonable to expect a Teraphim here.

If anything, that only makes the Spark approach closer, enough to ensure that it has a good view of it from up close; but where it seemingly nears close enough, the voice speaks out from behind the surface of a cold surface of wooden mask.

"Do ya support Asta?"
(Spark)

"Eh?" Finley turned on the spot. He had been browsing the shops for whatever it was they had stocked here, taking a few potions and drinking them on the spot. He wiped at his face with his sleeve as he looked over to the masked person who had shown up there.

"Oh. You're with the mercenaries then." he said, displaying he already knew at least a little bit about what those masks meant. A bored and tired pale gaze moved from the man to the gate of the Myllenoris.

"Support's a strong word." he went on. "What's support mean to you?"
(Finley)

Was it not obvious?

The mercenaries had no clear cut side in this war, and the masks were used to their best extent in such scenario; a matter in which they could act for one side, and then the other..

Whoever pays more coin, really.

But there's something more about this. Something that could prove to be a rather quaint endeavour, for it knows that Teraphim pledge allegiance to mostly High Lady.

One who happens to be Asta.

"Support defines many things."

"Like who lives, or who dies; or whom gets burned, and who doesn't." Yet, the mask tilts its head. It nears close.

Closer..

"The answer to my question is?"

A reference to what it asked before, no doubt.
(Spark)

"I mean you're still not defining it really." Finley tilted his head some and shrugged. "Do I support what she's done, what she's doing? No. I'm one of those one's who tries to stop her. Go between her and Penelope when I can to stop wars based on lies. When she sent everyone to Ilburg I went on a hike to hunt for witches."

"If you're here to find a fight you're not really talking to the right guy." The Teraphim went on. He put his hands in his pockets and rocked on the balls of his feet. "I support the Vale. Support what wearing this Greycloak means. Support keeping up my hunt for witches and support a real fight against dark magic."

"But no. I don't think I support Asta in the way you're expecting me to. I've told her that much. Told Penelope too." He leaned in, spotting that glint of gold in the eyes. "You're masks says your loyalty's forhire. But your eyes tell me you probably hate Asta for the chaos she's made for your people."

"Am I right?"
(Finley)

The eyes behind the mask narrow upon Finley.

But the more that he talks about all of this, the less it seems that the Spark is taking an approach; after all, when he speaks of lacking any real support for Asta, and that he would merely seek to preserve the world from invasion of witches.. the Spark isn't quick to trust at all.

But it seems to find no compelling reason to lunge either.

"Hrm."

It is almost puzzled, at the very least by the fact that this Teraphim claims to not support Asta; this would be a second Teraphim to claim such - but one of them has actually lived up to their words, after they were confronted.

Was this the same one?

"--Asta has done a lot of unjustified things. Spilled a lot of blood that did not have to be spilled."

Didn't Osrona realize the same? After all, for as much as the flickers of stardust seem to emanate around the Spark.. they're quick to quiet down.

To calm.

Perhaps, the response that Finley has given was deemed 'correct' in the eyes of the Spark. "And you're not wrong."

"Mercenary or not, we're not without morals or our own belief."
(Spark)

Finley seemed to detect some of that lack of trust, so the Teraphim took a step closer, and then another. "I've made a vow to the spirits that speak higher than even the High Lady that I'll never tell a lie. I seek the truth. Realized that such is my purpose when there's so many going around that cause so many bad things to happen."

"Mean it when I say I left to Osrona. I was hunting witches in their sewers when the 'Holy War' hit. I'm sure if you asked Penny she'd tell you who I am too. Probably back up my story. I'm the go-between. A fixer of Myllenoris."

He held his hand out, a strange gesture considering the circumstances.

"Finley." he introduced himself.

"Greycloak of Myllenoris. And the only Teraphim left within its walls who calls Asta out on her bullshit. All the others do it wrong. They do it in public or scream and cry and make her mad." Fin shook his head. "I just give it to her straight. Advisor, sort of. But then again not really."

"Her biggest critic." he continued, his tone neutral and bleak, lacking in emotion or care.

"I get what you're doing here. You might find someone worthwhile if you wait long enough. But Asta's not even at home. And the square inside's pretty vacant too."

"If I had to guess you'll probably be waiting around a while if you're intent on it."
(Finley)

How quaint.

To be hearing this from Teraphim is something that the Spark could never truly expect- for even the likes of another Teraphim that it spoke towards simply felt.. hesitant to actually betray the idea of ever turning away from their High Lady.

But where Finley steps closer? There's no alertness in its eyes.

It keeps on staring behind the cold surface of the wooden mask, but.. "It ain't easy to trust your kind, when most of them support Asta wholeheartedly."

"Even when exposed to her lies and given the overwhelming evidence of such."

Some were simply blinded by their faith. Some decided that they're not going to turn on her no matter what. It's something that they chose to follow, but..

Could it be helped?
Sometimes, violence seemed like the only answer.

"Spark."

The only name that it gives. Why would a disguised person give their true identity? That, after all, would only defeat the purpose of their work.. the purpose with which they wear this mask.

"If what you say is true, then I hope that one day your effort would come to fruition."

"I ain't certain it will, but another Teraphim that sees through her lies is one less enemy that I would have to face against." It fought this war alone, quite often wandering the wild, seeking for something to enact vengeance upon.

Yet it's not enough.

"--No. I won't be awaiting here."

"That would be a suicide, as many could come out. It was a quick sweep.." Although, with a pause, it adds. "It seems I found no target today."

"I'll get going."
(Spark)

"Who do you think actually exposed her lies?" Finley said bluntly. "I told her when she confessed to them I wouldn't support it. I told her I'd tell the public. So I did."

Finley's arms fell to his sides again and he gave Spark a single nod. "I'd hope someday things change. But mostly I've come to decide the storm's inevitable. The wars'll always come. Only thing I can do is find my way through them how I prefer."

"Too many of my kin are prone to blind faith. But that's changing. We'll see." he shrugged again and turned to the shop near his side, once more browsing its wares as if none of this had even happened.

"See you later, Spark. Maybe we'll meet again someday."
(Finley)

Most of his kin were indeed blind with faith involved.

It is something that the Spark has noticed, and it is why the approach was mostly with a tint of hostility to it - approaching with the mindset of being guilty until proven innocent. It is something that, while presumptuous, was actually true..

After all, most of them remained supporters of such.

"Perhaps it will change one day."

"But I believe that ain't gonna come until Asta's head is off her shoulders."

No matter how much talking has been done, no matter how much people proved her wrong, and how much they vied for cooperation.. that simply wouldn't happen.

Perhaps, death is the only solution.

"So long."

And the Spark disappears.
(Spark)