The ride had been rather arduous--the Xaela had never mounted an animal before, and found himself in a constant state of discomfort and unease at the motion of the black-feathered destrier--but the weather had thankfully been clear enough that they'd been able to make a full day's ride to Tailfeather with little incident. The hunters were amiable enough, having grown somewhat used to Kasrjin's hunts bringing him to their gates, and a quick exchange of coin allowed the use of their stables to store his bird. The sun was just about to dip beneath the mountains, leaving less than a bell before nightfall.
Kasrjin's relationship with his chocobo seemed to have ameliorated since the last time he had interacted with the animal like this; Karadwyr shuffled about noticeably less as he checked and re-checked the fastenings of the saddlebags that held his provisions. The chocobo was a massive black destrier meant to carry a fully-armoured knight into battle, so at the least he did not need to worry overmuch about a weight limit. The bird chirped what Kasrjin interpreted as solemn approval as he loosened the straps somewhat, running a hand between the soot-coloured feathers and the faded brown leather of the bags. He hesitated to begin removing the straps and armour of the bird out of a silent fear that he would not be able to re-affix them back onto the chocobo once they had been removed. Karadwyr helpfully warbled in a small protest of discomfort but otherwise, well-trained as it was, it merely poked at the ground with its talons, the buckles of the straps jingling lightly.
He traced his hand very carefully along the straps and fastenings before deciding that he was at least confident enough in his ability to remove Karadwyr's armoured helmet. Karadwyr chirped appreciatively at having been freed from at least the confines of the war helmet, and complied rather easily when the Au Ra shuffled him off into the stables to rest.
There was a telltale jingle of armour and footsteps that continually surprised him in how light they were. Without turning, he could hear the slight clank her gauntlets made whenever she folded her arms together. Kasrjin glanced towards the stables, peering at Roen from the corner of his eye. "Have you sought lodging? The stables are shelter enough for myself."
Kasrjin saw her brows arch and her face crease in combined consternation and curiosity. "Stables? Why not stay at the inn?"
The Xaela was taken aback by her statement, though he was careful not to show it. Roen was not the same caliber of outdoorsman as he was; it was unlikely that she ventured this far from Ishgard very often. Civilised places had civilised functions, but wild frontiers like Tailfeather had little use or reason for such luxuries. "...the only residence I could spy is the hunter's lodge," he responded somberly.
Roen pursed her lips. "You do not wish to stay indoors?" The paladin stepped towards him, her gaze scanning each building. "I have managed outdoors before, but only when there was no other option..."
"I do not seek to impose," Kasrjin grunted as he pushed open the stable windows, allowing the curious black-feathered chocobo to poke its head out and warble. "I am not even sure if there are residences for travellers to stay. The only available housing belongs to the hunters. Caravans often stay with their wagons."
"Stables it is...I suppose..." Roen muttered. The Xaela wasn't looking at her, but he could tell from her frown that she was disappointed and apprehensive at staying in a stable. "At the least, there is no danger of freezing."
He tilted his head at her. Was she not going to seek proper lodging? "I asked because I assume that you had sought shelter indoors. You need not subject yourself to the same conditions as myself."
Roen glanced towards the stables again before letting out a sharp exhale through her nose. "I can make do in the stables." She sounded a bit prideful--unusual. "After all, who knows if we will see lodging once we head further into Dravania. I might as well get used to the conditions." The paladin gave a firm nod, though it seemed to be more for herself than for the Au Ra. "I learned how to weather the cold in Coerthas. I am sure I will survive a night or two in the stables."
He shrugged in response. "As you say." Kasrjin stepped inside the stables. The last gleaming beam of sunset crested over the mountains of Dravania, indicating that nightfall would be upon them soon. He found an empty stable and closed the loose windows, settling down near an empty loft where the hay and straw laid out for the birds was almost impeccably clean. He lay his sword across his chest and leaned back against the hard wood wall, stealing some straw for himself to place beneath the small of his back before closing his eyes.
Roen followed him into the stables, although her steps were audibly uncertain. Another long exhale was released just before she rounded the corner to enter the stables. She watched him from the corner of her eyes before gathering some hay to arrange into something resembling a cushion.
"You are unused to living outdoors?" Kasrjin asked, his eyes still closed shut.
"Hm?" Roen sounded distracted as she arranged the hay, the shuffling of the straws sounding rather noisy in the confined stable. "Ah. Well...um. ...No. I Suppose not. I suppose I have always been used to some lodging. I have slept on a bedroll and in a tent... but not often."
One of his eyelids peered open at her in mild surprise. "You did not bring one?"
Her frown was almost audible. "I have one!" Roen gestured to the saddle she had brought in with her. "I am just trying to see if this stack of hay would be a soft base." Her voice sounded a bit unnerved. "I have never slept in a stable before. What do you do with this hay? Do you use it as bedding?"
"As a cushion, at most," Kasrjin responded. "Many Au Ra do not sleep on their back or sides." As if to demonstrate, he lightly tapped the tapered, sharp horns affixed to the side of his head. "I imagine you evenly distribute it before laying your bedroll upon it." His eyes were open and he glanced at her.
Roen blinked eyes wide, turning in her seat to inspect him. "You... do not lay down to sleep...?" She stared at him for a moment longer, cocking her head and narrowing her eyes to study his horns.
"It depends on the horns. There are some Au Ra who cannot sleep on their sides. Comfort does matter."
"So you learned to find... that position... comfortable?"
Kasrjin nodded. "It is workable, yes. It also allows me to respond quickly to threats."
Roen stared at him for a moment longer before self-consciously beginning to rearrange the hay, standing to retrieve her bedroll from the corner. She snorted at his response as she began to unwind the bedroll, not looking at him. "Practical.. but such vigilance does not make for restful sleep I would imagine."
"One learns to adjust," the Xaela said. "The beasts and the black ones both do not take particularly merciful stances to those they catch unawares."
He heard the clanking as Roen began to undo her gauntlets, tugging them off her arm. "Were you always so vigilant, even when sleeping amongst your people? I would imagine there would be some occasions where you could just... not be ready to fight. At least for a bit."
"Our role demands it," Kasrjin said matter-of-factly. "It is possible to have restful sleep and be alert simultaneously. Even when the....groups came together, I would imagine most Khadai would remain vigilant."
Roen's mouth curled into a frown. "Such a burden on those chosen to be Khadai." She turned back to arranging her bedding, working to unclasp her spaulder, beginning to fluff her bed. "If you could choose another role, what would it be?"
He paused before answering. "...whatever the Tsenkhai determined would be optimal for me." Tsuven Tsenkhai was in a different role, but Kasrjin could not even begin to explain the...disassociation he felt from his previous role.
Roen turned in her seat again, this time to sit on the top of her bedroll as if to test out its thickness atop the straws. She gave a lopsided grin at Khadai. "Oh, just humour me. What job would you imagine for yourself? If say... you were to choose as a Tsenkhai."
He pursed his lips in thought. "...I do not know. It is not something I have ever thought about." Kasrjin could not begin to imagine such. To determine one's own role, to attempt to judge one's own capabilities with regard only to wants? This was how people in this land determined things. It sounded like utter chaos. "Personal inclinations are considered, but such as it is, people do not know what they want to do until they have already done it. They cannot be relied upon to make such a judgment themselves. That is why it is--and should be--for others to decide."
"Well then," Roen said, putting her hands on her lap. "Perhaps then this is your opportunity to...do a lot of things. And see if it is something you want to do."
"I do not quite understand your meaning."
"You said it yourself, people do not know what they want to do until you do it. I have seen you fish, and work with leather, and hunt. Do you not take enjoyment in any of those things?"
Kasrjin frowned. "Those are...chores. They serve a purpose."
Roen rolled her shoulders. "People do fish, for fun. Why I have done it myself." A small smile tugged at her lips.
He did enjoy fishing. The Jungsai were loathe to bring one outside of their caste, but those moments were...enjoyable at times. "...I can see the appeal." His admission was quiet. "But all that I do has a purpose in it. I have yet to do any of these things for the sake of implicit enjoyment."
"...Have you ever thought to?" She regarded him curiously. "To do something just for the sake of enjoyment?"
"I have not. I am sure there are some among my people who have. But I have not."
Roen began to undo her belt, setting the metal plating that fell around her waist and hips aside. She set it aside along with her shield and sword. "Why not?" She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. "Your people must know that enjoyment can replenish the spirit and the mind."
He frowned. "There are games of chance. War simulations. These things can be enjoyed, but as with all things, they are done with a purpose in mind."
The last thing she slid off where those boots, just the heavy metals were set aside to allow her to slide into her bedding unencumbered. "You can still enjoy those things, whether they had purpose or not."
"And I have. But they were not done solely for enjoyment's own sake."
"Ah!" Her eyes lit up and she held up a finger. "So what activities did you enjoy then?"
Kasrjin rubbed his jaw. "Fishing can be relaxing....although frustrating if the yield is low. Some of our war games can be amusing if the snow is not too deep. The Khadai, Jungsai, and Nayantai often compete in athletic contests." "Contests" was a bit of a generous word for it. The Nayantai always won the races. The Jungsai always won hunts. The Khadai always won the sparring. Still, there was some amusement to be had, even as the result was pre-determined by their capabilities.
"Hmm," she hummed, her gaze softening. She watched him for a moment longer before she slid further into her bedroll. It was after she shifted a few times over the hay, before she turned on her side to look back at the Au Ra. "Do you miss them?" Her question was quietly asked, a soft murmured thing.
"...perhaps what they represented," he responded equally softly, though he did not elaborate.
She narrowed her eyes in thought, as if waiting for him to elabourate. When such an elaboration failed to make an appearance, she just peered up at him for a moment longer. "I hope... I hope this gets you a step closer to finding what you are looking for." Roen let out a sigh, and her voice lowered even further. Perhaps she was getting sleepy, it had been a long ride, or perhaps she had grown somber for another reason. "Then you would be able to return to your people..." Her eyes grew half lidded. She turned in her bedroll to face the other side of the room.
He glanced at her, but did not say anything, merely watching until her chest began to rise and fall with rhythmic breathing, before facing forward and closing his eyes himself.
Kasrjin's relationship with his chocobo seemed to have ameliorated since the last time he had interacted with the animal like this; Karadwyr shuffled about noticeably less as he checked and re-checked the fastenings of the saddlebags that held his provisions. The chocobo was a massive black destrier meant to carry a fully-armoured knight into battle, so at the least he did not need to worry overmuch about a weight limit. The bird chirped what Kasrjin interpreted as solemn approval as he loosened the straps somewhat, running a hand between the soot-coloured feathers and the faded brown leather of the bags. He hesitated to begin removing the straps and armour of the bird out of a silent fear that he would not be able to re-affix them back onto the chocobo once they had been removed. Karadwyr helpfully warbled in a small protest of discomfort but otherwise, well-trained as it was, it merely poked at the ground with its talons, the buckles of the straps jingling lightly.
He traced his hand very carefully along the straps and fastenings before deciding that he was at least confident enough in his ability to remove Karadwyr's armoured helmet. Karadwyr chirped appreciatively at having been freed from at least the confines of the war helmet, and complied rather easily when the Au Ra shuffled him off into the stables to rest.
There was a telltale jingle of armour and footsteps that continually surprised him in how light they were. Without turning, he could hear the slight clank her gauntlets made whenever she folded her arms together. Kasrjin glanced towards the stables, peering at Roen from the corner of his eye. "Have you sought lodging? The stables are shelter enough for myself."
Kasrjin saw her brows arch and her face crease in combined consternation and curiosity. "Stables? Why not stay at the inn?"
The Xaela was taken aback by her statement, though he was careful not to show it. Roen was not the same caliber of outdoorsman as he was; it was unlikely that she ventured this far from Ishgard very often. Civilised places had civilised functions, but wild frontiers like Tailfeather had little use or reason for such luxuries. "...the only residence I could spy is the hunter's lodge," he responded somberly.
Roen pursed her lips. "You do not wish to stay indoors?" The paladin stepped towards him, her gaze scanning each building. "I have managed outdoors before, but only when there was no other option..."
"I do not seek to impose," Kasrjin grunted as he pushed open the stable windows, allowing the curious black-feathered chocobo to poke its head out and warble. "I am not even sure if there are residences for travellers to stay. The only available housing belongs to the hunters. Caravans often stay with their wagons."
"Stables it is...I suppose..." Roen muttered. The Xaela wasn't looking at her, but he could tell from her frown that she was disappointed and apprehensive at staying in a stable. "At the least, there is no danger of freezing."
He tilted his head at her. Was she not going to seek proper lodging? "I asked because I assume that you had sought shelter indoors. You need not subject yourself to the same conditions as myself."
Roen glanced towards the stables again before letting out a sharp exhale through her nose. "I can make do in the stables." She sounded a bit prideful--unusual. "After all, who knows if we will see lodging once we head further into Dravania. I might as well get used to the conditions." The paladin gave a firm nod, though it seemed to be more for herself than for the Au Ra. "I learned how to weather the cold in Coerthas. I am sure I will survive a night or two in the stables."
He shrugged in response. "As you say." Kasrjin stepped inside the stables. The last gleaming beam of sunset crested over the mountains of Dravania, indicating that nightfall would be upon them soon. He found an empty stable and closed the loose windows, settling down near an empty loft where the hay and straw laid out for the birds was almost impeccably clean. He lay his sword across his chest and leaned back against the hard wood wall, stealing some straw for himself to place beneath the small of his back before closing his eyes.
Roen followed him into the stables, although her steps were audibly uncertain. Another long exhale was released just before she rounded the corner to enter the stables. She watched him from the corner of her eyes before gathering some hay to arrange into something resembling a cushion.
"You are unused to living outdoors?" Kasrjin asked, his eyes still closed shut.
"Hm?" Roen sounded distracted as she arranged the hay, the shuffling of the straws sounding rather noisy in the confined stable. "Ah. Well...um. ...No. I Suppose not. I suppose I have always been used to some lodging. I have slept on a bedroll and in a tent... but not often."
One of his eyelids peered open at her in mild surprise. "You did not bring one?"
Her frown was almost audible. "I have one!" Roen gestured to the saddle she had brought in with her. "I am just trying to see if this stack of hay would be a soft base." Her voice sounded a bit unnerved. "I have never slept in a stable before. What do you do with this hay? Do you use it as bedding?"
"As a cushion, at most," Kasrjin responded. "Many Au Ra do not sleep on their back or sides." As if to demonstrate, he lightly tapped the tapered, sharp horns affixed to the side of his head. "I imagine you evenly distribute it before laying your bedroll upon it." His eyes were open and he glanced at her.
Roen blinked eyes wide, turning in her seat to inspect him. "You... do not lay down to sleep...?" She stared at him for a moment longer, cocking her head and narrowing her eyes to study his horns.
"It depends on the horns. There are some Au Ra who cannot sleep on their sides. Comfort does matter."
"So you learned to find... that position... comfortable?"
Kasrjin nodded. "It is workable, yes. It also allows me to respond quickly to threats."
Roen stared at him for a moment longer before self-consciously beginning to rearrange the hay, standing to retrieve her bedroll from the corner. She snorted at his response as she began to unwind the bedroll, not looking at him. "Practical.. but such vigilance does not make for restful sleep I would imagine."
"One learns to adjust," the Xaela said. "The beasts and the black ones both do not take particularly merciful stances to those they catch unawares."
He heard the clanking as Roen began to undo her gauntlets, tugging them off her arm. "Were you always so vigilant, even when sleeping amongst your people? I would imagine there would be some occasions where you could just... not be ready to fight. At least for a bit."
"Our role demands it," Kasrjin said matter-of-factly. "It is possible to have restful sleep and be alert simultaneously. Even when the....groups came together, I would imagine most Khadai would remain vigilant."
Roen's mouth curled into a frown. "Such a burden on those chosen to be Khadai." She turned back to arranging her bedding, working to unclasp her spaulder, beginning to fluff her bed. "If you could choose another role, what would it be?"
He paused before answering. "...whatever the Tsenkhai determined would be optimal for me." Tsuven Tsenkhai was in a different role, but Kasrjin could not even begin to explain the...disassociation he felt from his previous role.
Roen turned in her seat again, this time to sit on the top of her bedroll as if to test out its thickness atop the straws. She gave a lopsided grin at Khadai. "Oh, just humour me. What job would you imagine for yourself? If say... you were to choose as a Tsenkhai."
He pursed his lips in thought. "...I do not know. It is not something I have ever thought about." Kasrjin could not begin to imagine such. To determine one's own role, to attempt to judge one's own capabilities with regard only to wants? This was how people in this land determined things. It sounded like utter chaos. "Personal inclinations are considered, but such as it is, people do not know what they want to do until they have already done it. They cannot be relied upon to make such a judgment themselves. That is why it is--and should be--for others to decide."
"Well then," Roen said, putting her hands on her lap. "Perhaps then this is your opportunity to...do a lot of things. And see if it is something you want to do."
"I do not quite understand your meaning."
"You said it yourself, people do not know what they want to do until you do it. I have seen you fish, and work with leather, and hunt. Do you not take enjoyment in any of those things?"
Kasrjin frowned. "Those are...chores. They serve a purpose."
Roen rolled her shoulders. "People do fish, for fun. Why I have done it myself." A small smile tugged at her lips.
He did enjoy fishing. The Jungsai were loathe to bring one outside of their caste, but those moments were...enjoyable at times. "...I can see the appeal." His admission was quiet. "But all that I do has a purpose in it. I have yet to do any of these things for the sake of implicit enjoyment."
"...Have you ever thought to?" She regarded him curiously. "To do something just for the sake of enjoyment?"
"I have not. I am sure there are some among my people who have. But I have not."
Roen began to undo her belt, setting the metal plating that fell around her waist and hips aside. She set it aside along with her shield and sword. "Why not?" She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. "Your people must know that enjoyment can replenish the spirit and the mind."
He frowned. "There are games of chance. War simulations. These things can be enjoyed, but as with all things, they are done with a purpose in mind."
The last thing she slid off where those boots, just the heavy metals were set aside to allow her to slide into her bedding unencumbered. "You can still enjoy those things, whether they had purpose or not."
"And I have. But they were not done solely for enjoyment's own sake."
"Ah!" Her eyes lit up and she held up a finger. "So what activities did you enjoy then?"
Kasrjin rubbed his jaw. "Fishing can be relaxing....although frustrating if the yield is low. Some of our war games can be amusing if the snow is not too deep. The Khadai, Jungsai, and Nayantai often compete in athletic contests." "Contests" was a bit of a generous word for it. The Nayantai always won the races. The Jungsai always won hunts. The Khadai always won the sparring. Still, there was some amusement to be had, even as the result was pre-determined by their capabilities.
"Hmm," she hummed, her gaze softening. She watched him for a moment longer before she slid further into her bedroll. It was after she shifted a few times over the hay, before she turned on her side to look back at the Au Ra. "Do you miss them?" Her question was quietly asked, a soft murmured thing.
"...perhaps what they represented," he responded equally softly, though he did not elaborate.
She narrowed her eyes in thought, as if waiting for him to elabourate. When such an elaboration failed to make an appearance, she just peered up at him for a moment longer. "I hope... I hope this gets you a step closer to finding what you are looking for." Roen let out a sigh, and her voice lowered even further. Perhaps she was getting sleepy, it had been a long ride, or perhaps she had grown somber for another reason. "Then you would be able to return to your people..." Her eyes grew half lidded. She turned in her bedroll to face the other side of the room.
He glanced at her, but did not say anything, merely watching until her chest began to rise and fall with rhythmic breathing, before facing forward and closing his eyes himself.
