((merry christmas, btw :3))
Schezar listened to the calm, serious girl explain her family's history of military service, pausing for a moment as she mentioned the Order of the Twin Adder. He kept his expression outwardly neutral, but he thought back to his recent meeting with the Elder Seedseer. Remembered telling Kan-E-Senna the fate that had befallen the Wood Wailers in Haukke Manor, how they'd been tortured and transformed into nightmarish voidsent.
Even just the memory of Halicarnassus' scream continued to chill his blood.
Aloud, the Scion agent answered, "It's true, the Adventurers' Guild and the Grand Companies are still welcoming recruits and assistance from anyone willing to step up. Raya-O-Senna of the Padjal, in particular, has been providing guidance and training to those who study the healing arts."
He glanced down briefly at their clasped fingers, giving the girl a single reassuring squeeze, before gently letting go again. "I won't lie to you, Clover - it's a difficult, often dangerous calling. A hard life where one can witness unforgettable horror and cruelty. Where you can lose people you love, in spite of all the training and discipline and preparation in the world."
He knelt down to pick up the puppy at their feet, who had started snoozing as the sun had slowly gone down, and the first stars of the night began to appear in the sky.
Schezar then looked directly at her, as he carried the wolf pup in his arms. "But it's a hard life with meaning. And something tells me that's what you seek." The monk raised his head skyward again for a moment, looking up at the stars. "In all honesty, my only initial purpose here earlier was to explain the Echo a bit to you, to explain how souls resonate, and how to shield your thoughts, for privacy."
The highlander gazed back at the young girl. "In the end, though... only you will decide the path you wish to be on. You'll decide if there's someone you want to fight for, to protect." The clouds began drifting overhead, and rays of moonlight illuminated the two hyur.
"As soldiers, I'm sure your parents wished to protect their families, their friends... but also, most of all, I believe they wanted to protect you, and your future. They wanted to protect your smile." A stray snowflake landed on the man's cheek as he stood before her, cradling the sleeping puppy.
"They fought so you could live free, to choose your own path without fear. I can think of no greater legacy than that."
Schezar listened to the calm, serious girl explain her family's history of military service, pausing for a moment as she mentioned the Order of the Twin Adder. He kept his expression outwardly neutral, but he thought back to his recent meeting with the Elder Seedseer. Remembered telling Kan-E-Senna the fate that had befallen the Wood Wailers in Haukke Manor, how they'd been tortured and transformed into nightmarish voidsent.
Even just the memory of Halicarnassus' scream continued to chill his blood.
Aloud, the Scion agent answered, "It's true, the Adventurers' Guild and the Grand Companies are still welcoming recruits and assistance from anyone willing to step up. Raya-O-Senna of the Padjal, in particular, has been providing guidance and training to those who study the healing arts."
He glanced down briefly at their clasped fingers, giving the girl a single reassuring squeeze, before gently letting go again. "I won't lie to you, Clover - it's a difficult, often dangerous calling. A hard life where one can witness unforgettable horror and cruelty. Where you can lose people you love, in spite of all the training and discipline and preparation in the world."
He knelt down to pick up the puppy at their feet, who had started snoozing as the sun had slowly gone down, and the first stars of the night began to appear in the sky.
Schezar then looked directly at her, as he carried the wolf pup in his arms. "But it's a hard life with meaning. And something tells me that's what you seek." The monk raised his head skyward again for a moment, looking up at the stars. "In all honesty, my only initial purpose here earlier was to explain the Echo a bit to you, to explain how souls resonate, and how to shield your thoughts, for privacy."
The highlander gazed back at the young girl. "In the end, though... only you will decide the path you wish to be on. You'll decide if there's someone you want to fight for, to protect." The clouds began drifting overhead, and rays of moonlight illuminated the two hyur.
"As soldiers, I'm sure your parents wished to protect their families, their friends... but also, most of all, I believe they wanted to protect you, and your future. They wanted to protect your smile." A stray snowflake landed on the man's cheek as he stood before her, cradling the sleeping puppy.
"They fought so you could live free, to choose your own path without fear. I can think of no greater legacy than that."
![[Image: Pi2KNMr.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/Pi2KNMr.jpg)
