Honesty.
That is what the pirate promised. But thus far he had answered most of her questions vaguely, and had actually turned the questions back onto her. Roen had not realized immediately that she was revealing more about herself rather than finding out anything about Nero, even though the purpose of this luncheon had been for the latter.
But Roen held no misgivings for it; a part of her was surprisingly relieved to share some of the details from her past. She also hoped that in sharing something about herself, it would ease his guarded nature somewhat, and perhaps encourage him to open up a little. It was obvious now that sharing anything about his past came with great difficulty for the man.
There was a tinge of resentment in his controlled voice and a stiffness to his posture as he avoided her gaze. But where she may have been affronted by his veiled temper and bitterness suns ago, Roen felt a measure of patience about her this day--a sort of serenity--being afforded the smallest of glimpse into the hardships that Nero had suffered early in his life. Having recently discovered a brother who suffered similarly, she knew how it could twist the core of a person. And just like Gharen, Nero did not seem to have encountered much kindness in his life either.
“Stuck in twilight…†the pirate sneered, though his voice was quiet. "You are in the position where you can court the ideals of justice and fairness...and yet you still choose to associate with someone like myself. You still choose to condemn what I feel must be done."
Roen listened, now trying to glean the truths of the man’s intentions and thoughts as he spoke, rather than trying to formulate a defense, a rebuttal against his accusations.
"You feel that you are above the idea of partaking in the darkness, and yet you refuse to fully rejoin the light," Nero continued, his tone distant and cold. “You are stuck between your old life in the Sultansworn and the goals you seek to achieve. You are unwilling to let go of either of them. You do not want to accept that achieving your goals will require sacrificing your virtue. And you do not want to return to a life of law and order because you know you cannot change things."
Roen nodded just slightly, in acquiescence. Her voice remained quiet. "If twilight is my path, I will walk it best I can. I can still see the remnants of the day, and prepare for the night." She glanced back to her drink, her finger resting absently next to it. “You are right, perhaps I do not want to let go of either."
The paladin drew a breath, leaning in as she tried to draw his gaze yet again. "Perhaps I believe somehow, I can change things, without falling to complete darkness. But my eyes have been opened to the fact that night always comes after the sun sets." She gave him a small smile. “And yet so does the sun rise again, giving us hope anew. I owe allegiance to two lands who would fight each other to the death if given the chance. I hope for their peace. Some may call me foolish. Or even a dreamer."
When Nero said nothing in return, only regarding her from the corner of his eyes, Roen continued, emboldened. “You are here, talking to me. Because you do need me. After you have burnt everything to ash, you rely on the goodness of people to rebuild. Even if you hold no hope for yourself, you have to have others with hope, to see your dream come to life." She nodded, peering at him intently as she canted her head. “I can help you in that.â€
"Perhaps it was fate that we be brought together," Nero mused after a long silence.
Roen exhaled, a sense of relief washing over. Perhaps he and she can start anew. She now somewhat understood where his rage came from, and despite his barbed and often cruel remarks, his actions were driven by altruistic motives.
"Appropriate,†the pirate said to himself as he pulled the linkpearl out of his ear and placed it on the table. He turned to face her after what felt like years. "An alliance between us…will not work."
Roen stiffened, her eyes widening with disbelief as his words echoed off the stone ceiling above.
"I have no use for those who cannot make the hard choices." The pirate said in a distant tone. "Protect the people. Provide for them. Guard them from the wolves at the gates." He rose from his seat, leaving a stack of gil on the table.
The paladin sat stalk still, confusion turning her limbs and tongue leaden. She could not formulate a response. Her brows slowly furrowed into a frown.
"As for me..." The smirking pirate facade returned. "Well, I suppose I'll have to find a way to get Satz out of prison. He's probably queasy as all hells right now. Poor bastard." His expression did not waver. "I hope the view here in the twilight lets you see the fireworks. I can assure you they'll look nice.â€
He tapped his fingers twice on the table. “Thank you for humouring my little lunch date. It was…interesting." With a parting ironic smile, he nodded her way once then left, leaving Roen stunned in silence.
That is what the pirate promised. But thus far he had answered most of her questions vaguely, and had actually turned the questions back onto her. Roen had not realized immediately that she was revealing more about herself rather than finding out anything about Nero, even though the purpose of this luncheon had been for the latter.
But Roen held no misgivings for it; a part of her was surprisingly relieved to share some of the details from her past. She also hoped that in sharing something about herself, it would ease his guarded nature somewhat, and perhaps encourage him to open up a little. It was obvious now that sharing anything about his past came with great difficulty for the man.
There was a tinge of resentment in his controlled voice and a stiffness to his posture as he avoided her gaze. But where she may have been affronted by his veiled temper and bitterness suns ago, Roen felt a measure of patience about her this day--a sort of serenity--being afforded the smallest of glimpse into the hardships that Nero had suffered early in his life. Having recently discovered a brother who suffered similarly, she knew how it could twist the core of a person. And just like Gharen, Nero did not seem to have encountered much kindness in his life either.
“Stuck in twilight…†the pirate sneered, though his voice was quiet. "You are in the position where you can court the ideals of justice and fairness...and yet you still choose to associate with someone like myself. You still choose to condemn what I feel must be done."
Roen listened, now trying to glean the truths of the man’s intentions and thoughts as he spoke, rather than trying to formulate a defense, a rebuttal against his accusations.
"You feel that you are above the idea of partaking in the darkness, and yet you refuse to fully rejoin the light," Nero continued, his tone distant and cold. “You are stuck between your old life in the Sultansworn and the goals you seek to achieve. You are unwilling to let go of either of them. You do not want to accept that achieving your goals will require sacrificing your virtue. And you do not want to return to a life of law and order because you know you cannot change things."
Roen nodded just slightly, in acquiescence. Her voice remained quiet. "If twilight is my path, I will walk it best I can. I can still see the remnants of the day, and prepare for the night." She glanced back to her drink, her finger resting absently next to it. “You are right, perhaps I do not want to let go of either."
The paladin drew a breath, leaning in as she tried to draw his gaze yet again. "Perhaps I believe somehow, I can change things, without falling to complete darkness. But my eyes have been opened to the fact that night always comes after the sun sets." She gave him a small smile. “And yet so does the sun rise again, giving us hope anew. I owe allegiance to two lands who would fight each other to the death if given the chance. I hope for their peace. Some may call me foolish. Or even a dreamer."
When Nero said nothing in return, only regarding her from the corner of his eyes, Roen continued, emboldened. “You are here, talking to me. Because you do need me. After you have burnt everything to ash, you rely on the goodness of people to rebuild. Even if you hold no hope for yourself, you have to have others with hope, to see your dream come to life." She nodded, peering at him intently as she canted her head. “I can help you in that.â€
"Perhaps it was fate that we be brought together," Nero mused after a long silence.
Roen exhaled, a sense of relief washing over. Perhaps he and she can start anew. She now somewhat understood where his rage came from, and despite his barbed and often cruel remarks, his actions were driven by altruistic motives.
"Appropriate,†the pirate said to himself as he pulled the linkpearl out of his ear and placed it on the table. He turned to face her after what felt like years. "An alliance between us…will not work."
Roen stiffened, her eyes widening with disbelief as his words echoed off the stone ceiling above.
"I have no use for those who cannot make the hard choices." The pirate said in a distant tone. "Protect the people. Provide for them. Guard them from the wolves at the gates." He rose from his seat, leaving a stack of gil on the table.
The paladin sat stalk still, confusion turning her limbs and tongue leaden. She could not formulate a response. Her brows slowly furrowed into a frown.
"As for me..." The smirking pirate facade returned. "Well, I suppose I'll have to find a way to get Satz out of prison. He's probably queasy as all hells right now. Poor bastard." His expression did not waver. "I hope the view here in the twilight lets you see the fireworks. I can assure you they'll look nice.â€
He tapped his fingers twice on the table. “Thank you for humouring my little lunch date. It was…interesting." With a parting ironic smile, he nodded her way once then left, leaving Roen stunned in silence.
