eachdraidh | video | backdated to end of December

[Pod starts the video, and is obviously in a library, with her white hair piled carelessly into a sloppily braided-bun to keep out of her eyes, and a book with a howling wolf's head etched into the cover in her arms. It's a big tome, and she looks awkward holding it.

Her wolverine is present, though only by the sound of his snores as he naps in a chair nearby.]

Well met, all. I am still getting used to these, so I'm not sure how best to start...

An introduction will do! I'm Pod of Gray Holt, recently come to this world and court by way of one of the Healwort Guild's chapter-houses in Kelneth. I don't suppose to be fortunate enough to reach the ears of anyone who's heard of any of those, and that is beside the point of this.

[She straightens, losing some of the awkwardness.]

I need to learn more about werewolves. I know there are some, native to this place, and others come here from other... worlds. That still is so strange to say. Anyway, I've found some things written in the books, but I've never heard of werewolves before coming here, so don't know how to tell fact from over-embellished tales.

I was hoping someone, or someones!, here could guide me in the right direction. I especially need to know the proper conduct when trying to talk to a leader about important matters. I don't believe I've the exact right wording of it, though.

((ooc: This is relating to Pod's quest, the log for which should be going up no later than the seventh, and will be linked here when it is. Just wanted to get this part done up so I wasn't juggling a log and an open locket post all in one night. If there are any characters who would like to ICly accompany and/or assist/interfere with Pod's little diplomatic mission and want to be personally notified about the log I can do that!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Despite herself, Reyna manages her own smile before tilting her head in acknowledgement. ]

I think the phrase old habits die hard applies in this situation. You just get used to saying it and can't help but do it no matter what. What does it mean if we weren't here?

It certainly does. And it is the chapterhouse I hail from. I've been at Gray Holt-- [there's a little pause] almost all my life. Many in Kelneth introduce themselves the same way. My friend Conor, for example, once was of Red Dale, but now is of Gray Holt, since he became a Beast Healer.

[ Her eyes narrow just slightly. ]

So he introduces himself as a Gray Holt despite living in Red Dale at one point?

In most times, both are mentioned, as Red Dale is his place of birth, and where he spent his young childhood, and Gray Holt where he had all his training to become a Beast Healer and his home when he isn't traveling. Either is technically correct, and it depends in part if he's on official business for the chapter-house or not. Conor himself is like to say both, but when his place of birth is more important they will say just Conor of Red Dale, or when he's in a bit of a hurry and talking to someone he knows well. Likewise, if it is his current stationing as a Beast Healer that is more vital, Conor of Gray Holt.

[Pod silently prays that it doesn't bring up any discrepancy in her own introduction, but a slow growing unease at the look tells her it will be otherwise. Well, perhaps Reyna is from somewhere where bastards are not looked down upon so strongly. She can always excuse herself as an orphan instead--technically true, as far as her knowledge goes. Yes, that will work.]

Edited 2015-01-27 05:41 (UTC)

[ If Reyna notices the discrepancy, she doesn't comment on it beyond a small arch of her eyebrow. Considering the circumstances around the people at Camp Jupiter with her— and considering her own circumstances, she's not about to judge when it comes to bastards. Technically speaking, all demigods should probably count as bastards if their non-godly parent is alive. ]

It just depends on the situation and— personal preference then. That's not too different from the normal. [ She hums. ] You said Gray Holt was his home when he wasn't traveling, does that mean that when you leave your birth place, you never visit again after?

Well, it depends. Because Conor is a Beast Healer, the guild is his home now. He may visit his family, of course, but it's not the same as returning to live there, and our calling takes up so much of our time that visits would have to be few and far between. Most don't leave their places of birth, of course, excepting those merchants and nobles who travel, and those of us who go into the guilds.

Sounds— confining.

[ Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that, but Reyna's lived in different places and even if she didn't have problems with her birth place, she couldn't imagine staying there her whole life. ]

Do you choose to go into the guilds?

Most don't mind too much, I think. Travel can be very dangerous, after all, and there is comfort in familiar places.

[She takes a moment or two to consider how to answer that. It's a tricky question to explain properly.]

Well, first, there are different kinds of guilds, and of course someone who displays a particular talent will be encouraged to go in that direction if they can. But for Healers, Beast Healers, and Bards, it's a little different, those of us who Heal, especially.

That Healing is a blessing directly from the gods, and to ignore it instead of nurturing it would bring down their wrath. The gift is so very rare, and it is an honor to the families to have a child with it. The most senior Beast Healer may lay claim on a child with the gift if need be, but it's almost never necessary.

And Bards are also so favored of the gods, but their calling is not nearly so simple. Even if they don't have the full blessing of Auvrain someone may still go to learn if they've but a little talent and become a minstrel or an instrument-maker instead.

Familiar places can become dangerous if you don't pay attention.

[ Reyna frowns just slightly as she listens to Pod. It's not quite like how parents would leave their kids at the Wolf House but there's a certain element to it that makes her think about it. She's hardly the type to say that it shouldn't be done that way but— it's odd hearing that somewhere else has something like it. ]

The honor it brings assures that the child— chooses these then. Or at least that they're not coerced into it.

They can be. Familiarity can breed a kind of complacency that makes you not notice small, dangerous changes.

[Pod shrugs a little]

A guild provides lots of benefits. Many of us Beast Healers might never have learned to read or write otherwise, or to speak more than two languages, and this way, no matter what happens, we will always have a calling, and people give us respect for it. Even the nobles.

video | backdated to end of December

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