The well-paved streets of the Pillars echoed Roen’s brisk footsteps as the paladin descended the avenue from the higher wealthy district towards Foundation. She minded not the drifting snowfall from above; her brows were bent, and her expression dark as the skies.
What does he know? Roen fumed as she recalled the words she and Khadai had exchanged, her arms swinging quickly by her side. She was not even sure what she had expected. Had they not begun their first encounter in a standoff? So why did his adamant views suddenly vex her? His stubbornness was as it had ever been, as was his brusque nature.
“You are a people of paradoxes. You see fit to ignore those people, to simply bury them beneath excuses. 'We do not have arms.' 'We do not have resources.' Yet for that one occasion, all focus was on bringing them a single day of relief. I would ask why you believe such a thing is acceptable."
Khadai’s solution was simple, his ideas unbending. His belief of how a society should behave was so even-handed and efficient, it was almost laughable that he expected such a thing to exist outside of his own idyllic tribe.
And yet, despite his idealistic views, he could not understand the purpose behind a sentimental gesture of giving comfort to those suffering even for one night. In his eyes it was futile; pointless, and perfunctory at best.
So was it his impossible utopian ideas that she was arguing against? Or his objection to charity? What made her dig in her heels and continue to argue against his views?
When she had tracked him down earlier, all she wanted was for him to reconsider in asking Eliane Dufresne the inflated fee he had demanded after passing out the food and drinks on the Elezen’s behalf in the Brume a few nights past. He asked for five times her promised payment after he completed the task, which found Eliane nearly speechless, initially, but the noblewoman gracefully agreed to it without protest.
"I believed the endeavour to be a waste of time. Thus I asked that compensation be raised in acknowledgement of that." Khadai explained when Roen asked him for his reasons. "That is your way here, is it not?"
Why did she think he would support such a cause? Perhaps she thought that his belief that every member in the society should share equally in both prosperity and poverty translated to altruistic gestures as well.
"What did that event accomplish?†Khadai exhaled. “It brought comfort to individuals for a day. Where are those individuals now?"
Roen scowled. "Same place. But a little less hungry. And perhaps a little less cold for a night."
"Same place," the Au Ra had echoed in a tone that could perhaps be called pitiable. He withdrew the slightly crumpled envelope from a pouch on his belt, the paper still sealed with the faded wax sigil of a bell. In one smooth motion, he tore the payment voucher into two pieces and flicked it idly with a finger, where the wind carried the fragments skipping down the cobbled streets. "Your efforts took them to the same place."
The stones beneath her boots turned more rough with loose gravel, the maintenance of the streets leading to the Brume not as immaculately maintained as those in the Pillars. Does he think such problems are so easily solved? She had contended that the solutions were not easy, and that others were making the effort for change, it was just slow in coming and fraught with conflicts and obstacles. But she knew deep down that things may never change, and she herself had not pushed for any either. The paladin had purposefully turned away from seeking out such causes because of her utter failure in Ul’dah.
Was that why she had grown angry at the Xaela? Because in his own way, he was questioning her inaction?
"Though it is not my place, I can speculate how we would solve your problems." Khadai’s tone had hardly wavered during their entire discussion; it was matter-of-fact, without boast. “Your Brume residents would be appraised for their role. Once organised, their equipment would be provided for by artisans. They would be fed by the hunters. The sick would be cared for. They would be guarded by Khadai. All will forfeit something for the greater whole, for it is a great society that gives way to great individuals."
It was so fair, systematic, and equal. Optimistic. Roen had heard similar plans like that before, reading over an outline for implementing changes in Ul’dah. She could still remember his small careful notes on the side on each page. And with that a shadow of his hopeful smile, his confident smirk, and his determined gaze flitted through her thoughts. A familiar pang returned to her chest. "And if there is not enough for all?"
The Au Ra had snorted. "There is enough here, for all. This is not Othard. To say otherwise is a simple denial. Those who have many forfeit what they possess to build a sustainable system for those who are lacking. A temporary cessation gives way to permanent solution."
"And if they refuse?"
“They would not refuse if they possessed sense." His observation was dry.
Khadai still had no understanding of people’s wont to put their own survival over the rest. The paladin too once thought that the world could be ruled by fairness, as he did. She once believed that justice would always prevail. That people would understand and support the efforts to aid those around them, even if it may be at a cost to themselves. She was wrong, and it was pointless to try and change that.
"The four Houses that rule Ishgard prefer to give on their own terms. They will not want to give up their comforts.†Roen frowned at him exasperatedly. "You underestimate people's want for power, but moreover, their fear of losing control. Of their security, of their way of life."
“And that is the difference between your peoples and mine." He jabbed a thumb at the house behind him. "This dwelling houses less than eight people. How many do you believe could utilize it for shelter?"
Roen stared at the random building. Its windows were frosted with heat from within and smoke wafted from its chimney top. She was certain the residents inside were well protected from the cold. “I do not understand it either," she murmured.
"Yet you defend it all the same."
Roen scowled instantly. "I do not defend those who hoard wealth for their own comfort!" Then what was she doing?
Khadai regarded her oddly. "I do not wish to imagine how confused you must be,†he had said quietly.
Her steps came to a stop; the paladin was standing still in the middle of the street in the Brume, staring down an alleyway in front her. She could see shivering figures crowded around a lit brazier, and a few more trembling bodies curled into a ball further down the unlit path.
She had given up on hopes for change. "I only wished for you to see that a little bit of charity for one night was not completely worthless. That is all." Her words had become terse toward the end of the conversation, her argument sounding hollow to her own ears. "I cannot fix this place.â€
"And as long as you believe that, your 'little bits of charity' will continue to be worthless," the Au Ra returned.
Her fingers curled into a tight fist by her side, her head bent low as a cold gust blew through the Brume, tossing her hair before her eyes. He was right. And she hated it.
“Well noted.†Roen had stared at him coolly. "I will leave you to your guard duty. You can pontificate your views on the rest of the world and its faults just long enough before you make your way back home."
She had walked away from him angry. But as she now stood amidst the rubble of the Brume, the paladin knew she had only lashed out at the Xaela because of her own shame.
‘May you forever have the strength to defend what you believe.’
The distant mutterings of those gathered by the fire filtered through her senses as another gale shook the shudders of a few ruined buildings around her. She could see a woman waving her young child back indoors, and a glimpse of blonde braids made the paladin catch her breath. It was a young girl, but her height, her gaunt frame, it reminded her of another child she had left behind in Ul’dah. Sayer would be about her age now…
She lightly tugged at the silver chain around her neck, rolling the two amethyst pendants that hung from it between her fingers. The paladin then spun back around, gravel grinding and stone clacking beneath her boots as she marched out of the Brume, intent on the nearest mail moogle.
What does he know? Roen fumed as she recalled the words she and Khadai had exchanged, her arms swinging quickly by her side. She was not even sure what she had expected. Had they not begun their first encounter in a standoff? So why did his adamant views suddenly vex her? His stubbornness was as it had ever been, as was his brusque nature.
“You are a people of paradoxes. You see fit to ignore those people, to simply bury them beneath excuses. 'We do not have arms.' 'We do not have resources.' Yet for that one occasion, all focus was on bringing them a single day of relief. I would ask why you believe such a thing is acceptable."
Khadai’s solution was simple, his ideas unbending. His belief of how a society should behave was so even-handed and efficient, it was almost laughable that he expected such a thing to exist outside of his own idyllic tribe.
And yet, despite his idealistic views, he could not understand the purpose behind a sentimental gesture of giving comfort to those suffering even for one night. In his eyes it was futile; pointless, and perfunctory at best.
So was it his impossible utopian ideas that she was arguing against? Or his objection to charity? What made her dig in her heels and continue to argue against his views?
When she had tracked him down earlier, all she wanted was for him to reconsider in asking Eliane Dufresne the inflated fee he had demanded after passing out the food and drinks on the Elezen’s behalf in the Brume a few nights past. He asked for five times her promised payment after he completed the task, which found Eliane nearly speechless, initially, but the noblewoman gracefully agreed to it without protest.
"I believed the endeavour to be a waste of time. Thus I asked that compensation be raised in acknowledgement of that." Khadai explained when Roen asked him for his reasons. "That is your way here, is it not?"
Why did she think he would support such a cause? Perhaps she thought that his belief that every member in the society should share equally in both prosperity and poverty translated to altruistic gestures as well.
"What did that event accomplish?†Khadai exhaled. “It brought comfort to individuals for a day. Where are those individuals now?"
Roen scowled. "Same place. But a little less hungry. And perhaps a little less cold for a night."
"Same place," the Au Ra had echoed in a tone that could perhaps be called pitiable. He withdrew the slightly crumpled envelope from a pouch on his belt, the paper still sealed with the faded wax sigil of a bell. In one smooth motion, he tore the payment voucher into two pieces and flicked it idly with a finger, where the wind carried the fragments skipping down the cobbled streets. "Your efforts took them to the same place."
The stones beneath her boots turned more rough with loose gravel, the maintenance of the streets leading to the Brume not as immaculately maintained as those in the Pillars. Does he think such problems are so easily solved? She had contended that the solutions were not easy, and that others were making the effort for change, it was just slow in coming and fraught with conflicts and obstacles. But she knew deep down that things may never change, and she herself had not pushed for any either. The paladin had purposefully turned away from seeking out such causes because of her utter failure in Ul’dah.
Was that why she had grown angry at the Xaela? Because in his own way, he was questioning her inaction?
"Though it is not my place, I can speculate how we would solve your problems." Khadai’s tone had hardly wavered during their entire discussion; it was matter-of-fact, without boast. “Your Brume residents would be appraised for their role. Once organised, their equipment would be provided for by artisans. They would be fed by the hunters. The sick would be cared for. They would be guarded by Khadai. All will forfeit something for the greater whole, for it is a great society that gives way to great individuals."
It was so fair, systematic, and equal. Optimistic. Roen had heard similar plans like that before, reading over an outline for implementing changes in Ul’dah. She could still remember his small careful notes on the side on each page. And with that a shadow of his hopeful smile, his confident smirk, and his determined gaze flitted through her thoughts. A familiar pang returned to her chest. "And if there is not enough for all?"
The Au Ra had snorted. "There is enough here, for all. This is not Othard. To say otherwise is a simple denial. Those who have many forfeit what they possess to build a sustainable system for those who are lacking. A temporary cessation gives way to permanent solution."
"And if they refuse?"
“They would not refuse if they possessed sense." His observation was dry.
Khadai still had no understanding of people’s wont to put their own survival over the rest. The paladin too once thought that the world could be ruled by fairness, as he did. She once believed that justice would always prevail. That people would understand and support the efforts to aid those around them, even if it may be at a cost to themselves. She was wrong, and it was pointless to try and change that.
"The four Houses that rule Ishgard prefer to give on their own terms. They will not want to give up their comforts.†Roen frowned at him exasperatedly. "You underestimate people's want for power, but moreover, their fear of losing control. Of their security, of their way of life."
“And that is the difference between your peoples and mine." He jabbed a thumb at the house behind him. "This dwelling houses less than eight people. How many do you believe could utilize it for shelter?"
Roen stared at the random building. Its windows were frosted with heat from within and smoke wafted from its chimney top. She was certain the residents inside were well protected from the cold. “I do not understand it either," she murmured.
"Yet you defend it all the same."
Roen scowled instantly. "I do not defend those who hoard wealth for their own comfort!" Then what was she doing?
Khadai regarded her oddly. "I do not wish to imagine how confused you must be,†he had said quietly.
Her steps came to a stop; the paladin was standing still in the middle of the street in the Brume, staring down an alleyway in front her. She could see shivering figures crowded around a lit brazier, and a few more trembling bodies curled into a ball further down the unlit path.
She had given up on hopes for change. "I only wished for you to see that a little bit of charity for one night was not completely worthless. That is all." Her words had become terse toward the end of the conversation, her argument sounding hollow to her own ears. "I cannot fix this place.â€
"And as long as you believe that, your 'little bits of charity' will continue to be worthless," the Au Ra returned.
Her fingers curled into a tight fist by her side, her head bent low as a cold gust blew through the Brume, tossing her hair before her eyes. He was right. And she hated it.
“Well noted.†Roen had stared at him coolly. "I will leave you to your guard duty. You can pontificate your views on the rest of the world and its faults just long enough before you make your way back home."
She had walked away from him angry. But as she now stood amidst the rubble of the Brume, the paladin knew she had only lashed out at the Xaela because of her own shame.
‘May you forever have the strength to defend what you believe.’
The distant mutterings of those gathered by the fire filtered through her senses as another gale shook the shudders of a few ruined buildings around her. She could see a woman waving her young child back indoors, and a glimpse of blonde braids made the paladin catch her breath. It was a young girl, but her height, her gaunt frame, it reminded her of another child she had left behind in Ul’dah. Sayer would be about her age now…
She lightly tugged at the silver chain around her neck, rolling the two amethyst pendants that hung from it between her fingers. The paladin then spun back around, gravel grinding and stone clacking beneath her boots as she marched out of the Brume, intent on the nearest mail moogle.
