Knights' Roleplay - A New Day

[zarikrahia]

"Do either of you have any idea why Lord Wolf thought it so important that Kit and I be at breakfast this morning? He mentioned to the healer he recruited to heal us, but he didn't say anything about why we had to be here."

Zari shrugged. 'Maybe there's a decision he has to make, but he must ask us all. Maybe he just wants us all here. All'll clear up in the near future.

[KitClairvoyance]

"It might be best if you didn't, actually. When I was with the Mages, I had seen potion-related sicknesses before. In most cases, meals only made it worse. Though, if I remember correctly, certain kinds of tea lessened the pain."

That did it. Kit would have to find Lady Tamia later to get some sort of herbal medication off her. Not being able to have his meals was positively worse than the excruciating pain he had to endure. He wished he had taken something to eat before drinking the potion though, pain was one thing, hunger alongside pain was another. He'd even gladly accept the infirmary's gruel right now, as long as it was something edible. What he wouldn't give for a nice hot loaf of bread with butter. He sighed mentally, the thought of food only made him hungrier, something which his stomach wouldn't appreciate.

"Of course, it might not have been the same thing... though it still might help. I'm not much of a healer or a potion-maker. My interests in magic have always been more combat-oriented. Speaking of magic... your talents appear to be fairly unusual. Er, not in a bad way. I just mean, I've never seen tarot powers like yours before. Are they very rare, or is it something that's more common where you came from?"

At this point, Ikkin had positively caught Kit's interest in the conversation. More often than not, most people would try and steer the conversation away from the topic of his tarot magic. He weighed Ikkin's words, trying to find an ulterior motive to her questioning. What was it that she really wanted? Or could it be that she was just honestly curious?

Still, Kit never got the opportunity to talk about his tarot magic very often, and the prospect of sharing a little of what he did was very tempting. He had always found that his line of magic led him deep into solitude, shunned by most of society because of the inherently evil nature of the magic. Such solitude would have driven him crazy if it wasn't for the mental fortitude he had built up over the years of training with Kristen, and subsequently his acceptance into the ranks of the Knights.

But he had to admit; even among the knights he was still relatively lonely. The temperament he had built up in his years before joining the knights made him one of the less social members of the guild, keeping to himself most of the time. It didn't help that he had taken up residence in the left wing of the castle, away from most of the other Knights' quarters. Perhaps the only other knight whom he talked to on a regular basis was Shade, if only because their nature was a touch darker than the rest and that their quarters were about the only ones in the left wing.

Still, for now he thought that there would be no harm in sharing with Ikkin on his magic.

"Tarot magic is a common branch of magic, even the lowest of divinators can perform a tarot reading. It's just that mine are just a little more unique. I guess you could equate my tarot magic to your swordplay. Any squire can wield a sword, but you combine your swordplay with fire magic, and that makes it deadlier by tenfold. My tarot magic is similar. While I use tarot for its ability to predict the flow of battles, I tie it in with the art of demonology to develop my own style of tarot magic. So to answer your question, yes, it is a very rare style of magic."

As Kit finished explaining on his magic to Ikkin, they turned the last corner to the Great Hall. Already several knights were there, seated at the table reserved for them. The smell of hot food only served to make Kit's stomach tie itself in a painful knot. How tempting the food all lined on the tables were! Still, he couldn't just turn around and walk away like he wanted to. That would be unfitting for a knight.

Then again, stomachaches were rather unfitting side effects for a healing potion to have.

Ignoring the rather passionate protest his stomach was giving, he led Ikkin to the dining table and drew a chair for her. After all, Kristen had placed special emphasis on a strict code of conduct, and that chivalry had its place. And besides, he'd rather delay his own sitting down at the table as long as possible. The later he faced the food, the better. He gestured to the seat as he invited Ikkin to take her place,

"Please, have a seat Lady Ikkin."

[Tam]

((Ship scene yay! =D I didn't forget my promise from several months ago. Really. >.> I'll try to put up more throughout the roleplay.))

[Shadaras]

((Yay for a picture! Kit looks like a girl, though. *is amused by that*))

"Maybe there's a decision he has to make, but he must ask us all. Maybe he just wants us all here. All'll clear up in the near future," Zari said, shrugging.

"I know. I'm still curious, though." Shade said. "I hope the other knights get here soon, so that he can tell us."

[Ikkin]

((Ooh, cute picture, Tamia! Thanks! ^^ ))

It seemed as if Ikkin had finally managed to catch Kit's interest, as he talked about his tarot magic, though he still seemed to be guarding somewhat. "Tarot magic is a common branch of magic, even the lowest of divinators can perform a tarot reading," he said. Ikkin felt a little bit silly - she knew that; she should have made herself more clear. But, she didn't say anything and let him continue explaining.

It's just that mine are just a little more unique," he said. "I guess you could equate my tarot magic to your swordplay. Any squire can wield a sword, but you combine your swordplay with fire magic, and that makes it deadlier by tenfold. My tarot magic is similar. While I use tarot for its ability to predict the flow of battles, I tie it in with the art of demonology to develop my own style of tarot magic. So to answer your question, yes, it is a very rare style of magic."

As he finished, they turned the corner to the Great Hall. Ikkin wasn't really given a chance to respond before Kit drew out a chair for her. "Please, have a seat Lady Ikkin," he said courteously. She nodded and took the chair graciously, then turned to him as soon as she had sat down.

"Thank you, Sir Kit," she said. "Have a seat yourself - " she gestured to the open seat next to her.

She was still curious about his magic, though, and hadn't had a chance to ask, so she took the chance now. Besides, he still hadn't answered her question about how he'd learned it. She picked up a warm bun from the table and started buttering it as she talked. "So did you create the tie-in with demonology yourself, or did you have a master teach you? It sounds rather dangerous to be self-taught... er, I don't mean to say that's a bad thing. I've probably got a rather different view of demons, being a kitsune at all. You can't imagine how many times I've been called a 'demon fox.'" She sighed, then took a bite out of her bun.

If there was one advantage to being a knight of Dunbarrow, it was the food, she thought. Then, she realized that Kit probably couldn't have any, and rethought eating in front of him. Putting the bun down, she apologized.

"Sorry... I forgot... I shouldn't have been so thoughtless..."

[Kat]

"Do you want me to send a messenger or something to our king and/or the rest of the knights in the infirmary?" asked Kat. "As much as I'd like to eat now, it might be rather impolite if we started before everyone's at the table. Then again, some of us aren't exactly well enough to walk all the way here."

[shadow=purple,left,300](('Ship scene! =D I love the drawing.))[/shadow]

[Shadaras]

Shade shook her head. "Wolf ordered the healers to fix us up. And Kit and I were the only ones in there, anyway."

[Dice]

Pyro followed the Knights to the table and took a seat across from Lady Kat. She shrugged at the mention of Wolf wanting the Knights to be there.

"I haven't the slightest idea, actually. But perhaps to discuss the strange events that seem to be lingering in the back of everyone's memories."

[KitClairvoyance]

"Thank you, Sir Kit, have a seat yourself - "

Kit nearly missed Ikkin's invitation to take his seat. He was preoccupied with trying to stop his stomach from wanting to shred itself. Ever since he had entered the Great Hall, his stomach had hurt more than ever. The smell of the delicious food, and the sight of the other knights eating.. if it weren't for the fact that he'd appear weak, he'd have loved to have just passed out from sheer pain and hunger there and then.

He took his seat, in his pain he forced the chair out a little too roughly. He quickly checked to see if anyone had noticed his little slip, but it seemed that he was in the clear. The table before him was laden with all manner of food. Ranging from baskets of freshly baked buns, to slabs of cheese and butter. Roast corn filled another plate, and slices of smoked meat lined yet another. Jars full of all manner of fruit juices punctuated the plates of food, and to the side were giant baskets full of all manner of berries.

In short, it was as if Kit had been confronted with the mother of all demons.

"So did you create the tie-in with demonology yourself, or did you have a master teach you? It sounds rather dangerous to be self-taught... er, I don't mean to say that's a bad thing. I've probably got a rather different view of demons, being a kitsune at all. You can't imagine how many times I've been called a 'demon fox.'"

The question cut deeply into Kit's heart. Ikkin said that she had a different view on demons, yet regarded demonology as something so dangerous that it was implausible for one to self-learn. Demons themselves had earned a soft spot in Kit's heart, especially since he had developed such a close friendship with Maya. And as such, he loathed it whenever someone called them evil or dangerous. Yes, perhaps some were evil and dangerous, but weren't humans the same? And the way Ikkin spoke, it was as if she hated being called a 'demon fox', as if demons had some sort of negative meaning to her.. like it did with everyone else. And he did have a master of sorts, Kristen was the only mentor he had ever had. But Kit didn't feel like telling Ikkin about Kristen now, she would probably regard her as cold and evil.. just like everyone else.

But no, Kristen wasn't cold and evil.

She just wasn't.

She saved him after all.

"Sorry... I forgot... I shouldn't have been so thoughtless..."

Kit shook himself out of his thoughts, wondering what the cause of the apology was for when he saw the half-eaten bun in front of Ikkin.

"No, please go ahead and have your fill of breakfast. Don't go hungry on my accord. After all, you're not the only person eating anyway. Don't worry about me." Kit smiled, at least if Ikkin took to her meal, she'd forget about the question. He really didn't want to answer that yet.

[zhunter]

"Nervous about something, m'lord?"

Shino said as he came up behind the King with his hands behind his back.

What's going on around here? It seems everybodies' unusually jumpy. Like they came to a banquet and didn't know the evening wear. Unrest like after a war or something, Shino thought secretly to himself. He had though, seen the cooks doing a fabulous job with the recently-hunted wild boar. It was fit for the King, to be sure. To be served at a delicious luncheon meal, most likely.

Alll things considered, Shino thought everything was going considerably smooth, for the first day on the job.

But his dear companion, Wolf, seemed to have been exhaling as if he had stress abound. The weight of the land on his shoulder's of course, but that came with the title. Was it getting to him? He hadn't had any pre-coronation jitters before, so maybe now it was catching up with him and affecting his state of being.

[Tam]

"I haven't the slightest idea, actually. But perhaps to discuss the strange events that seem to be lingering in the back of everyone's memories."

"Hmm," Tamia mumbled, not really getting into the conversation. She swilled her fruit juice around her cup. One ear was being treated to Kit and Ikkin's conversation from just a few seats down the table, and try as she might, she couldn't ignore them.

"I guess you could equate my tarot magic to your swordplay. Any squire can wield a sword, but you combine your swordplay with fire magic, and that makes it deadlier by tenfold. My tarot magic is similar. While I use tarot for its ability to predict the flow of battles, I tie it in with the art of demonology to develop my own style of tarot magic. So to answer your question, yes, it is a very rare style of magic."

She grimaced, turning away to hide her expression. It wasn't that she resented the Grey Knight -- in fact, quite the opposite. Being the one who had first come across him and the young knight Shade, unconscious on the dungeon floor near the end of the mysterious events of the previous night, Tamia knew better than any his role in the safety of the castle and his devotion to his friends and allies. It was selfish for her to wish that he didn't have to use demonology to do so, but she couldn't shake the thought.

Must you embarass yourself?

Tamia started, shocked for a moment to hear Oran's thoughts again. When she finally caught the meaning of his words, she hurried to wipe the look of criticism from her features. After glancing around, she saw the cat perched elegantly on the far corner of the table. Hesitantly, Tamia left her seat and moved away from the rest of the knights.

"Oran," she began quietly when she was out of earshot. "I... I know I made some mistakes yesterday." The cat said nothing, but watched her through his piercing green eyes. "I didn't listen to you when it mattered, and... and I can't even quite recall why it mattered. But I somehow think that if I maybe would have just tried listening to your advice for a change..." She averted her eyes, uncomfortable. "I'm sorry."

In true feline form, Oran was silent for a moment. You and I have a thing or two to discuss, he said finally.

Tamia's curiosity was piqued. "What?" she whispered.

Not now. Later. He flicked his tail and hopped to the floor below. In the meantime, I believe it would be in your best interests to return to the Knights' table. He looked at her once more before vanishing into the shadowy maze of feet and table legs. I have a feeling that last night's little adventure won't be our last.

[zarikrahia]

Zari glanced around, hoping fervently no-one was staring. She could understand Humans weren't used to Fae at all, but she hated staring. 'Pyro, I c'n remember perfectly well the gist of last night. However, many thing have just -slipped- my memory. They'll be back.'

[Ikkin]

A coldness passed over the table after Ikkin had finished her comments on demonology. Oh, no... She must have insulted him in some way... her attempt to be understanding had obviously come off wrong... Why did this always have to happen to her?

In any case, she needed to apologize, and try to make him understand what she meant... She really didn't want to come off as intolerant...

Before she could say anything, though, he shook himself out of his thoughts and replied to her apology about eating. "No, please go ahead and have your fill of breakfast," he said. "Don't go hungry on my accord. After all, you're not the only person eating anyway. Don't worry about me." Kit smiled, but it didn't seem quite natural.

"As long as you don't mind," Ikkin said, almost apologetically. She wasn't quite sure what to say to make up for her other thoughtless comment, so she finished the rest of her bun to buy time. It wasn't good to waste food, after all.

She considered taking more food so she wouldn't have to say anything yet, but then thought better of it. If she kept procrastinating, she might never be able to say anything. So, she steeled herself to say something, and hoped that this time it would come out right.

"I don't think I quite said what I meant to about demons... I didn't mean to say I thought they were all evil or anything... just that..." She paused, not sure about how to phrase what she wanted to say.

She really wanted to explain how she felt about demons, how her understanding of them as a kitsune was rather different than the way humans understood it, and quite a bit more specific. How the word "demon" to a kitsune implied only the specific race of fallen angels that was, in general, highly untrustworthy and very dangerous, but that other creatures that humans considered demons could be quite different than that.

But, she really couldn't figure out how to phrase any of that in a way that wouldn't offend him any further. It really was rather frustrating...

She poured herself a glass of milk and took a quick sip of it, hoping to avoid the impression that she couldn't figure out what to say. It was probably too late for that anyway, but...

Finally, as she finished off her glass (far more quickly than she would have normally) and poured herself a second, she figured out what to say.

"What I really meant to say was, I can understand what it's like to be feared for something you can't help, because people don't know what you're really like. It's just that... making deals with other intelligent creatures - whether human, demon, or other - seems to be inherently risky, particularly when those creatures are a great deal more powerful than yourself. Not that I thought it was dangerous because it's demons that you're dealing with."

Well, that was a bit more awkward than I intended, Ikkin thought. Though, she thought she might have managed to get her point across in there somewhere, at least. She took a slice of meat for herself and began to pick at it, wondering whether she should try to further explain herself, or if that would just make her look even more foolish.

She decided that saying one more thing couldn't hurt - "I'm sorry... I have trouble getting my point across sometimes..." Hopefully, if she hadn't managed to get her point across this time, he might be willing to see it as something other than an intended personal offense or some kind of hypocrisy.

[Dice]

'Pyro, I c'n remember perfectly well the gist of last night. However, many things have just -slipped- my memory. They'll be back.'

Pyro's gaze sharpened on Zari as she caught the other Knight's nervous glances around.

"Well, your memory's better than mine," she said casually. "All I remember is fighting...and some other stuff. It'll come back, I guess, as you say."

[Kat]

Kat wasn't listening to anyone. She was oblivious to pretty much every conversation that was going on in the dining hall - something new, as she was often alert, most of the time even to the point of nosiness. Picking at the last of her breakfast, the Purple Knight pondered the events that seemed like so long ago.

The evil shadow over the castle. The man who had tried to kidnap her. The fights...the coronation...it was all a blur in her head. Kat sighed, and stopped poking around with her leftovers. Instead, she stared down at them as though hoping they would tell her something she didn't know.

"What now?" she wondered aloud before realizing that she was no longer just thinking to herself.