2 ✦ text ✦ unseelie locked

[erythristic]

[backdated to August 2nd, sunrise.]

I require several shardholders who can accompany me to Redgate within a few days. Aside from your availability, I also require that you be skilled in combat without magic and that you can take directions without raising a fuss. None of this is negotiable.

If you believe yourself to be capable of this, please respond, and we can arrange to meet.

Comments

[erythristic]

A woman can be curious too, sir. A trait we've had since Pandora walked the earth.

[caditquaestio]

But do I want another woman who reaps tragedy?

[erythristic]

I would hope I'm not as ill fated as that.

[caditquaestio]

Yes. Hope is what you'd have, yes?

[erythristic]

The sole reason humanity perseveres while we suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Minus it, what ruin befalls one!

[caditquaestio]

Ah. Aegroto dum anima est, spes est. But then, humanity need not live at all.

[erythristic]

Is it because humans are too wicked to inflict upon the earth? Or simply because that every one will die in the end?

[caditquaestio]

...no. No, nothing so philosophical. Nothing so perverse.

But we predicate the need for humanity's perseverance: 'Ecce homo! And now, he must live'. And yet, must he? Truly? There is no logical causality between 'is' and 'must continue to be'.

You say will and effort and endurance before hardship dictate existence. I say it's inertia. Habit. At times, fear.

[erythristic]

I can agree with it being a habit. After all, he lives because of those before him and those before them, and those who come after live because of what he has come to expect in his own existence.

Perhaps fear is applicable as well. We praise the martyr for having the courage to die, and shun the traitor for having the cowardice to live. Each are remembered by their choice with where their life went.

[caditquaestio]

Then don't speak to me of hope. Remember the chronicles, the words and the histories: 'He lived for his duty.' 'Begot sons for his clan.' 'Fell for his king.' 'Died for his honour.'

Never do you see written, 'He did all that man could see done because of hope.'

[erythristic]

Have I touched a nerve, sir?

[caditquaestio]

[ And laughter - ]

No. No, of course. Forgive me. This isn't the pleasant conversation a good man makes with a better woman.

[erythristic]

There's nothing to forgive, I rather enjoyed it, all told.

Will you at least give me the honour of your name?

[caditquaestio]

Ah - of course. Valentino. Valentino Masi. Courier to don Lorenzo de Medici.

[erythristic]

I will not forget you, Don Masi. May our paths cross in the future.

[caditquaestio]

You honour me. But I am not a don. I am no one so illustrious. My sort, we live with papers and horses and clean the stables.

Have you your father or brothers here, Madam?

[erythristic]

Unfortunately, I arrived alone, and have had to find my own way. But people have been more than kind enough, so there's nothing to worry about.

[having a small variety of blades helps on the not worrying front.]

[caditquaestio]

I thought a woman spied danger everywhere. Hiding. In wait.

text -> voice

[erythristic]

It's only dangerous when one cannot handle it. Such as it is, little could be called danger within the walls of this court.

[caditquaestio]

[ What a deep voice. ]

Have a care where your wishes lie, Madam. God might choose to have them answered.

[erythristic]

I don't think He's been listening to anything I've said in the past ten years, I doubt He'd begin now. Perhaps He likes you better, though.

[caditquaestio]

He should. Let us say He and I have agreements.

[erythristic]

Then you're a very fortunate man, to be blessed so. But I needn't tell you what you already know.

[caditquaestio]

I don't much mind. A man should know his blessings.

[erythristic]

If you ever get the chance, ask Him if there's an easier way to contact Him that doesn't require hours spent on your knees.