Hua Yuan
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Presence 2 - Nostalgic; SL 1 - Flawless
Posts: 304
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Post by Hua Yuan on Jan 24, 2022 17:52:35 GMT -8
"Right, right."
He wondered if it was a soft rebuttal or if there really was nothing he could do. "Well, if you ever need someone to help with liaison, let me know." He brought his cup to his lips. Aster's compliment brought the smile back. "Thanks, Aster. Right back at you." He gave the mechanic a playful punch in the shoulder.
"Taking stock, huh? It been a good one, for me. Lots of growth. Both personal and professional, I suppose. Lots of movement, too. It's all I could do to keep track of the freehold's landscape. I'm still not used to how quickly time flows by. It really makes you appreciate the day to day. Could you believe I've already done this five times?" He gestured to the gathering, a wistful look on his face. "We're at the precipice of war." His features grew grim, reflecting the seriousness of the subject. "But I'm hopeful we'll get through it. Together."
He meant the freehold. All the changeling banding to overcome this trial.
"How about you?"
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Post by Aster Blau on Jan 24, 2022 21:41:18 GMT -8
A look is granted to the Ogre with Aster's expression softening. Changelings as a whole were often not strangers to death. It was all part of the long campaign against the Gentry. People died and others became Lost again, fading into the memory of time as they were dragged again to hell that had changed them.
The Viper would grant the Maker a touch if she allowed it, a clawed hand resting on one of Wayland's forearms momentarily as she looks to the Ogre's pained expression.
"I'm sorry for your loss," she offered. Aster didn't need to know the details, she knew the pain nonetheless.
Allowing a beat to pass, the Viper would remove her hand, turning her attention to Yuan's talk of war.
"War has a cost, but, you're right, we're kind of past the time to try and turn it around," Aster says, her tone and expression cut with the experience of a survivor, "Las Vegas can survive... and I think it will. Lots of folks here understand what needs to be given when the drums start."
Life.
"I welcome that duty."
Severe as the statement may have been, their was a great deal of self-assurance on the Viper's face, her zealous colors finally starting to show through. To her, there was few deaths more worthy than one ending in the defense of a season. Aster knew that to become involved with the war to come would mean the strong possibility of death in the defense of her ideal. She was confident that when the dam finally broke and the hands of the Soveriegns were forced, she would be ready.
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Post by Wayland on Jan 25, 2022 20:56:57 GMT -8
The touch surprises her, drawing her attention swiftly back towards Aster. But she doesn't pull away. Simply shares a look with the Venombite for a moment before tilting her chin in a nod, acknowledging her compassion.
And then the talk turns to war. Wayland sets her wine glass, now mostly empty, on the mantle, silver digits gently pushing it's base away from the edge before withdrawing. "How are you two set for gear?" She asks after a moment. "The Freehold has good supplies, not that people seem to know to ask to use them. Weapons, armor, other equipment, stuff like that. But if you need something custom made, I might be able to help."
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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 Jan 27, 2022 15:40:06 GMT -8
"It will depend on the state on Spring Contracts," Yuan confessed at Wayland's prompt. "There's a strong possibility I'll be relegated to medic duty." He shrugged. "It's kind of you to offer, Wayland."
"I mean, I have a gun, if that's what you're asking. I don't know how useful it'll be against the Invasion. Something Hedgespun would be nice. Nothing fancy. I just don't want to keep asking the Sunset Prince for a rifle every time I go into the Hedge."
He offered Aster a sympathetic look. "Duty is good, as long as we don't forget the people behind it." People like him, who often had the bitter pills to swallow. "They shouldn't be taken for granted." There was an edge to his voice, not directed at Aster, but sharp nonetheless.
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Post by Aster Blau on Jan 27, 2022 17:40:48 GMT -8
The Viper offered a shrug at the Maker's prompt regarding gear.
"Ain't ever met something I couldn't cut through," Aster said, raising a hand to extend her claws as she makes her point, "May not have been a sword in Arcadia, but They made damn sure I was a weapon of a sort... Armor maybe. That'd probably keep my guts on the inside this time."
Despite the severity of the statement the Beast chuckles, eyes glazing over as she considers the possible glory ahead of her.
The statement offered by Yuan regarding people does pull Aster out of her reverie, however.
"Sure, people are great, but war is a different beast," Aster offers, attempting to be diplomatic even as her features betray her annoyance, "There comes a time when the feelings of a few and the consequences they fear need to come second. In the end, we need to win."
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Post by Wayland on Jan 27, 2022 21:53:27 GMT -8
Although neither seems particularly enthusiastic about her offer, Wayland takes the measure of them each when they name what might help them. A Hedgespun gun for Yuan. Armor for Aster. As they name them, her pupils widen like drops of ink landing in pools of blue, color pushed to a tiny ring between white and black. Her breathing slows, as do all the little movements of her body. She looks into first Yuan, and then Aster, with a sense of absolute attention. This gaze is met with a single soft, breath, steadily in, holding the air as if tasting it, and then out.
When she’s finished, which only takes a moment, she has their measure. Literally their measurements, in a sort of metaphysical sense. Knows how to craft a rifle for Yuan that will fit snug into his shoulder, a cheek rest at just the right height, a balance that will not be too heavy, a barrel length that he will find quick and agile instead of clumsy and awkward. Knows how to fit Aster for armor, where it should be tight and where it should be loose, where it must be rigid and where it must be flexible, how heavy it can be without overburdening her and where she can wear that weight.
The blue of her eyes returns and the moment passes, as does her uncanny stillness. “I don’t know how much it’ll help either,” she admits to Yuan. “But it’s what I can do. I don’t want to anyone else to die for lack of tools to protect themselves.”
Her silver hands find their way into the pockets of her trousers, changing the shape of her jacket as it falls over her shoulders and tightens at her waist in an interesting way. “The only wars I’ve ever been in have been pretend. And I doubt this enemy is going to politely line up opposite us with weapons made of rattan, and judges and medics standing by, then go drinking with us afterwards.”
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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 Jan 30, 2022 19:41:07 GMT -8
The conversation was getting derailed fast. They were supposed to be celebrating, not thinking of everything that had been lost. It was a dangerous line of thought for Yuan, one that he always did his best to steer away from. And yet, it was an undeniable truth. "You can't blame yourself for that," he told the Ogre. "It's their responsibility to make sure they have everything they need before rushing off into danger." He rubbed his temple, trying to stay calm. "And as I've come to understand recently, you need to put your efforts in the right place. Watch, observe. If you think the newer recruits don't know their drills, refer them to the proper Officers. I don't mean to be insensitive, believe me. I've lost count of the amount of wounds I've had to dress, I know how you feel. But ultimately, it's the Knights' job, not ours."
"Because you will work yourself raw and still not be satisfied with the results. You will give of yourself willingly and others will take advantage of that. And still, still, you won't be able to save everyone." At some point, his speech had devolved into a rant. It wasn't even clear if Yuan was talking about Wayland anymore, or if he was just spilling his frustration at his predicament. He seemed lost in the moment, influenced by Summer's Mantles that were surrounding him.
He put down his mug next to Wayland's, his features sharp as he focused entirely on the subject at hand. "Win." Yuan paused for a moment, piecing his thoughts together. "At any cost? Even if that cost is sacrificing the very thing you fight to protect?" His own demeanour turned sour for a moment. It was a first; the Beast usually hated philosophical debates and saw no point in them. "There's no meaning in victory if you have nothing to return to." He finally turned to Aster. "That's not bravery. It's delusion."
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Post by Aster Blau on Jan 30, 2022 22:54:11 GMT -8
The Viper granted the Maker a perplexed look as Wayland's pupils widened, but, as she seemed to return to normal, Aster relaxed. Lost had their quirks and Wayland didn't seem any worse for wear with whatever she just did.
Then, as the Maker deprecates herself by referencing her time 'playing war' as her only means of training, Aster's gaze locks on her, her expression plain.
"You are smith. You are strong in body, the rest you will learn," she offered plainly, "If you are unsure about things, we can spar. Find me at home, I'll keep it wild to help you learn to adapt."
It was a simple truth. It did little good for the Freehold to lament the coming conflict. Debates, complaints, and self-deprecation did not train fighters, nor did it light forges. It was for this reason that Yuan's closing statements visibly irked the serpentine Beast before him.
"Yes. At any cost," Aster repeated, rolling her eyes as her expression grew unamused by the Peacock and his sentiments, "Look, you want to chat the philosophy of it all, then that's your gig. I ain't gonna stop you. I'll leave ya with this. The cost of losing this thing is pretty damn simple: Death or Worse. So when the time comes to pull the damn trigger I hope to fuck you do. 'Cause if you don't, you ain't the only one that's gonna get dragged off. And I ain't just talking about our kind of people."
Mortals were often among the casualties and disappearances when the Fae forced a conflict.
However, like Yuan, Aster was disinterested in debate. Far as she was concerned, she was right and Yuan wasn't just wrong, his thoughts were also dangerous this close to the war. Debate and setting aside time to muse over the ethics of the coming conflict wasn't going to prepare soldiers or draw up battle plans. It was a distraction which could cost Lost and mundanes alike their most precious commodity: Freedom.
Thus, the Viper unceremoniously departed, granting only a shaking head of disapproval to the Peacock's views as she chose to depart before Wrath boiled over.
"Have a great night."
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