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Post by Krakenbox on Nov 28, 2021 19:53:17 GMT -8
"It should not that that long."
Alexandrite's head titled up, in the facsimile of raising eyebrows as the Ogre pivoted the conversation. "To hone a direction with their wants, so they can better their lives, I suppose. The wanton madness of a faerie soul isn't the will of Spring, but I think a lot of new Emeralds do not quite understand that."
She took a moment to finish her drink.
"And I think that is why the Ivy is choking out the garden. I ask vassals to know themselves and know others, so the direction of our court can move beyond forever owing those who come before." She shrugged, "Network. Help others. It's basic at its core, mister Henley. Do you know what you are looking for, yet?"
The starfield sighed at Mabon Question, "A transition from Summer to Autumn, where Wrath offers its last bounty for the harvest. I suppose whatever the late Indra offered his patron was not fulfilled. He was quite the opposite of Queen Uriel."
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Post by Henley on Dec 1, 2021 23:17:10 GMT -8
"Sensible," Henley replied with a nod. That was fair enough, a balanced approach that wouldn't choke out the world around it. Whether Alexandrite had the pull to make it happen was unclear, but at least she had her head on straight. "That sort of personal insight is sorely lacking in a lot of Lost, and it leads to a lot of fuckery and danger that isn't needed. I do know what I want: retirement. I work hard, and I want to enjoy the fruits of my labor with my friends and Courtmates. Not wealth for wealth's sake. Just..." He shrugged. "A regular, human want. I don't want to work anymore. I don't want to have to struggle. I want to grow my business to the point where it operates itself, with trusted people who are well taken care of. A tee time at two in the afternoon. A beautiful view of the Vegas skyline from the air. Mimosas whenever I wish. And to share that life with others."
He paused, chuckling quietly to himself.
"When I put it like that, it sounds shallow, but... how many of us get to retire? How many of us get to just... enjoy the American Dream? Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?"
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Hua Yuan
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Presence 2 - Nostalgic; SL 1 - Flawless
Posts: 304
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Post by Hua Yuan on Dec 1, 2021 23:46:46 GMT -8
The Grimm's smile slowly melted away at the Knight's words.
I ask vassals to know themselves and know others.
The first part was easy - he did that all the time. Read moods and wants, states of mind. The former, however, was still out of reach. He had thought he wanted to help others, and he certainly did, but he had a difficult time doing it selflessly. When he looked at Mitch and what had happened to him, resentment bubbled in his gut. There had to be more than continuously giving oneself away until nothing was left.
He remembered caring for his mother. He remembered caring for the others at the detention facility. He remembered, vaguely, caring for others beyond the Hedge. But he didn't remember feeling happy doing it.
"I don't think I'm a good candidate, then. I don't know what I want. Well, I just don't remember."
Henley, of course, had things figured out. Of course he did. Yuan nodded as the Ogre expressed the want for a normal life.
"I thought the Ritual failing had to do with Spring," he continued. There was no sense in keeping bargaining chips now. "With the look on Sir Icarus' face, everyone was saying that it was."
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 2, 2021 22:07:18 GMT -8
"Sensible." Henley has his own words repeated back with an uncanny reflection of his tone and cadence, with the Darkling having a bit of fun. "There is nothing shallow about wishing for peace."
Alexandrite spread her hands, "As for your concerns...It is not contingent on the Pledge, Mister Hua. I was under the impression that I was summarizing goals and philosophy that would differentiate myself from the rest of the Knighthood. Your second concern can be solved with me simply using Spring's Contact...and all the rituals flow into each other with the cycle of Coronation. That would mean all of them are holistic to impacting each other, no? If one fails, another has to do better, and so on and so forth?"
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Post by Henley on Dec 3, 2021 14:26:14 GMT -8
"It's paying the power bill. If you don't pay it in March, you've got to pay two month's worth in April. The longer you wait, the bigger the bill comes due. Makes sense."
Henley gave a nod, eyes staring off into the distance for a moment as he let Yuan and Alexandrite discuss the Playmate's needs and he considered the enormity of the Freehold's occult problems. Frankly, Alexandrite sounded like the right kind of Knight for him. It wasn't that you had to know in advance what you wanted. It was about the process of learning it.
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Hua Yuan
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Presence 2 - Nostalgic; SL 1 - Flawless
Posts: 304
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Post by Hua Yuan on Dec 4, 2021 14:49:06 GMT -8
Nodding at the explanation that was provided, the Beast tucked the information for when it would be useful.
“No, no, I didn’t mean- that’s not-“ He let out a sharp breath as he curbed the stammering of words.
“I’m sorry. I misunderstood that it was a prerequisite.”
He had switched to Mandarin in his fluster. Since everyone spoke it, he hoped it would lessen the language barrier, but he quickly realized that he would then be placing Henley in a similar situation. Returning to English, he turned to Nate.
“No, I get it too. It’s the small things. Enjoying life, instead of worrying about the next problem. It’s not easy, don’t I know it, but I believe everyone deserves that.”
“It’s being able to do what you want, when you want. Our time isn’t infinite, so it’s a shame to waste it.”
It’s isn’t infinite anymore, he couldn’t help but think.
He looked at the begemmed Knight. “It’s why I came to you. What do you offer your vassals in return?”
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 5, 2021 22:21:26 GMT -8
Alexandrite nodded to Henley before pausing at Yuan's open offer of an apology. Given the cultural context, she had not hissed or sucked air through her teeth to indicate he needed to redirect. It was normal for a 'maybe' or 'we'll see' over an outright rejection for the sake of respect and politeness, but the Beast seemed to be in an uncharacteristic hurry when these sorts of conversations normally took at least a few days. He must have been extremely stressed to opt to lose so much Face in public.
"...Other than the usual protections, guidance in political systems both within the Court and among society. I have also been described as more 'hands on' when assisting those sworn to me to seek it."
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Post by Henley on Dec 6, 2021 17:30:42 GMT -8
Henley clearly understood the discussion in Mandarin as he nodded to the 'prerequisite' remark, a look of sympathy on his face. The Beast seemed like he was having a rough go.
"You all right there, Yuan?"
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Hua Yuan
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Presence 2 - Nostalgic; SL 1 - Flawless
Posts: 304
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Post by Hua Yuan on Dec 7, 2021 15:49:08 GMT -8
I’m sorr-
He stopped the sentence before it had even completely formed in his mind. For the first time since the evening began, Yuan wasn’t smiling. Without the careful self-policing of his body language, he came off as distant; something meant to be admired, not interacted with.
“I’m well enough,” he replied. “Long nights, is all. Ogres aren’t the only ones being called on to heal.” He had a dry chuckle, like sand against glass, before deciding to continue. “It’s funny how deeply the idea of ‘some Spring will fix it’ runs. Even with our magic faltering, they still expect us to deal with their aftermaths. Did you know that some Summers were planning on luring in Huntsmen? Never mind the invasion on out doorsteps.” He pinched the bridge of nose.
“So yeah. Long nights.”
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 11, 2021 19:39:56 GMT -8
Alexandrite calibrated as the other two spoke, balancing that Yuan was doing the exact same thing she was doing and swapping between cultural expectations within the presented context.
It could be tiring, but the Playmate was outlining his apprehension in a concise way that she could follow. "I am fine to conduct business in whichever language you are both comfortable with." She gestures vaguely to her face, "I just need to know your expectations. Expecting Spring to shoulder the burden is to be expected, when in another Freehold it might be Summer saying the same thing—Winter has been maintaining the veil of our society since the Las Vegas Freehold was founded. A large population means more to offer. Mister Hua, I would encourage you to report your concern to Sir Solomon so that your connectedness can be put to use."
The hypnotic light within the crystals locked onto him, "Do you see how telling a Summer Knight in charge of social policing would prevent younger members of his court make rookie mistakes when that energy can be placed elsewhere? You would be helping yourself, really, by preventing crisis. Those who are abusing your healing capabilities can be directed to Bloody Mary for proper defense protocol."
There was a beat as things had moved topics, and Alexandrite raised her glass,
"Are we winding down, then?"
The tone was accommodating, with the unsaid question of whether they were satisfied and the rest of the evening would be general socializing as they got to know one another.
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Post by Henley on Dec 12, 2021 17:44:52 GMT -8
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