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Post by Shinko on Nov 4, 2014 20:38:06 GMT -5
"Aye, I think I am," the half-elf replied, swinging himself up into Freya's saddle. He nudged her forwards, starting down the road out of town as their well-wishers began to disperse. "Not a bad start, all things considered," he said as they reached the treeline. "I still wish we could have saved that child the first night- all the children really, and everyone else that she killed- but at least we've put a stop to-" He broke off as someone emerged from the trees, and pulled Freya to a halt. It was Kenna's mother Elise, with a man standing beside her- her husband? The half-elf looked down at the woman awkwardly, unsure of what to say. She looked up at the two knights, her expression unreadable. Then, a wobble started on her mouth, and she gave vent to a soft, strangled sob. "So they were right," she said hoarsely. "All along." "Miss, no," Sieg said immediately. "It's not-" "My girl was... she," the man said thickly, though he did not allow any tears to escape from his own eyes. "She was the monster plaguing the town?" "Only half of her," Sieg explained gently. "When her soul was split in two Sir Orrin and I think that half of it got all of her bitterness and resentment about how she was treated in the village, while the other half got her innocence and the love that you had for her. What was hurting people wasn't Kenna, but a fragment of her that had forgotten who she really was." "But still!" Elise sobbed, falling to her knees in the dust of the road. Her husband knelt beside her, putting his arms around her shoulders. Whoops, looks like the boys can't escape quiet yet. There's some rather tragic consequences they still need to sort out.
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Post by Omni on Nov 4, 2014 21:33:14 GMT -5
When the half-elf stopped, Orrin did to. When he noticed the woman with her husband, he was momentarily glad to see her. "Elise?" he called. When he saw her expression, his gladness quickly turned to concern. Soon after, he felt his heart sink. When he saw her drop to her knees, he dismounted coming over to her and kneeling next to her. He was quiet for a moment as he tried to think of something to say. "Miss... Elise, I can't say I'm glad about what happened, either," he said softly. "But if Sieg and I are right, maybe somethin' can be learned from this. The townsfolk feared her because legends say her angry side would get them, then they tormented her about it and created her angry side. Maybe next time a kid with teeth comes around, people can know to treat them better. Maybe we can learn from what happened with her so the same thing doesn't happen again. I think Kenna would like that." The half-dwarf paused, glancing to the side as a bittersweet smile appeared on his face. "And... at least we know for sure she's at peace now." He looked back at Elise. "She doesn't have to endure those nasty things anymore. And I think ya've gained an ally in the hound... Maybe next time ya see it, ya can talk to it. It might help ya. Whadya think?" Orrin attempts to bring Elise some measure of comfort, focussing on the silver lining of the dark cloud that has been cast.
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Post by Shinko on Nov 4, 2014 23:19:23 GMT -5
Sieg hung back as Orrin spoke to Elise and her husband, remaining mounted. He had a feeling this was something the half-dwarf could handle a lot better then he could. But Elise shook her head at the half-dwarf's words, tears rolling unheeded down her face. "My baby... no," she moaned. "It's not f-fair, why? I don't know the hound, I don't care about the hound, I just want my little girl back! I want to remember her as my smiling child, my Kenna, not some thing that killed people!" Elise's husband sighed. "Platitudes only go so far when you've been told your eight year old daughter is a murderer, Sir Knight. Do you really think anyone will learn a lesson from this? If anything it will confirm their superstitions, and make them even quicker to shun the next strzyga child. I wish I could give people as much credit as you do, but all we wanted- all we ever wanted- was to show our child that she was not what everyone said she was. And we were wrong." "For what it's worth," Sieg put in softly, "The children who were killed don't blame Kenna for what happened. We met one of their ghosts- and we saved that little boy. Both of them asked us to save your daughter's soul. And in the end she wasn't forced to move on; the black hound let her chose. She could have stayed in our world and continued to haunt, but she didn't. She saw the half of her being that knew love and happiness, and she followed it into the next world." He looked directly at the two, a crooked smile on his face and raw grief plain in his eyes. "My father told me once that hate is born when you lose something you love, because only someone who truly loves something can care deeply enough to hate. Maybe what really turned Kenna was losing you- the only rock of support she'd ever known. But when she found it again she also found peace. Whatever made Kenna into a strzyga was powerful magic, but in the end your love for her was stronger. Orrin is right- she's free, and I think she has you both to thank for it." "And that makes this okay?" Kenna's father demanded. Sieg snorted. "Nothing can ever make it 'okay.' I understand that better then most people. But all you can do is move forward. If you steep yourselves in bitterness, you'll just stay trapped in this same place." Kinda like I've been trapped, he thought, though he didn't say as much out loud. The Reids aren't exactly mollified by Orrin's words 'cause they sorta skirt around the fact that... y'know, their kid killed people, victimized or not. It's hard to look at things in terms of "we can all learn a valuable lesson from this" when you're busy imagining your little baby gutting people open and eating their insides. ^^; Sieg takes a whack at comforting them, waxing a bit sentimental and hinting at some of his own unresolved issues.
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Post by Omni on Nov 6, 2014 11:29:54 GMT -5
"Platitudes only go so far when you've been told your eight year old daughter is a murderer, Sir Knight. Do you really think anyone will learn a lesson from this?"
'Platitudes'?!Orrin hadn't exactly expected what he said to have much effect. He knew what he'd had to say was a long shot, and that he'd likely run out of ideas after saying it; he had to reach just to come up with what he did. Still, something about the way Kenna's father replied tweaked a nerve. The half-dwarf generally tried to be sympathetic and understanding, though at this minute, he found himself holding his tongue as the others spoke, reminding himself that the couple had gone through a lot, to breathe deeply, and to slowly count to ten. He tried his best to remain calm and composed, but a subtle darkening of his features and flailing of his nostrils betrayed his inner emotions. After Sieg finished speaking, the half-dwarf was silent for a tense moment, silently running through what to say before speaking up. Orrin took a breath, his gaze shifting downward. "...Well ya all are right about one thing: we can't really help ya. Ya have to be the ones to help yerselves." He looked back at the couple. "But like Sieg said, the kids wanted help for Kenna. Trust me when I say that could count for a lot. We even heard that the adults didn't want her hurt. Believe it or not, ya just might have started a change for the better." He glanced to the side. "The Kenna ya knew wasn't a monster. But like I told ya earlier, Ms. Reid, bein' a monster is a choice. So I hope ya can find it in yerselves to still love her. And to forgive her. And the town, and everyone involved." And I'm going to choose not to be a monster today...The half-dwarf stood up, turning toward his mount. "Like I said, if ya see the hound, please, talk to it. Talk to Nightsinger. If ya find someone ya can talk to that helps, talk to them. But if this conversation's gonna amount to nothin'..." The Stallion knight stroked his horse's neck before climbing onto the saddle. "Then we'd best be goin'." Orrin knew his words would be a longshot, and is offended when Kenna's father seems to put down his attempt at trying. He has to exercise his self-control, and tries to reaffirm that things could be alright, though his words still have a sting to them and he admits that there's not much the knights can really do to help. Not wanting to risk further anger from their words, or to hurt the grieving couple even more, he gets ready to leave.
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Post by Shinko on Nov 6, 2014 14:11:28 GMT -5
Orrin's obvious anger made Sieg wince. He could sympathize with the half-dwarf's frustration, but he could also understand that the couple wasn't exactly in much of a state right now to listen to reason. It was hard to be reasonable when you were struggling with grief and betrayal. He had certainly seen that with Ophelia. "I do love her," Elise said softly. "At that's why this hurts." This was hitting a little too close to home for everyone involved, though in different ways. Orrin started to mount up, saying that it was perhaps time for them to move on. But Sieg just... couldn't leave this, not on such a negative note. He couldn't think of what to say or do, but... well there was one thing that had worked before. Softly, he began to sing. " You've seen the damage words can do, When full of thoughtless spite; Now heed the wiser voice in you, End this long and dismal night. How long must there be anger here, Before we can rejoice? Embracing love instead of fear, Is but a simple choice." The half-elf realized that he could hear, very faintly, the sound of a canine howl in harmony with his voice again. He didn't see the Nightsinger anywhere, nor did he see that signature black mist, but... he couldn't just be imagining that sound. And it wasn't just the hound, he realized. There was a high, childish voice that was also singing along with his. The Reids seemed to hear it as well, because they jolted upright, looking around as if trying to find who was singing. "K-Kenna?" Elise whispered falteringly. " It's hard for us to see you fall, So bitter and so blind, When the truest nature of us all, Invites us to be kind- Bloom, bloom, may you know, The wisdom only time breeds. There's room, bloom and you'll grow, To follow where your heart leads. Bloom and may you live, The way your life was meant to be! There's room, bloom and forgive... May sweet compassion set you free." As Sieg fell silent, so did the voice of the child, and the hound. There was a fresh rush of tears down Elise's face, but they weren't the painful, wracking sobs she'd been venting before. The half-elf glanced at Orrin in confusion; he honestly hadn't been expecting that to happen. Huh. Looks like Orrin was right about the hound after all, Mr. and Mrs. Reid.
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Post by Omni on Nov 6, 2014 17:03:43 GMT -5
Once mounted, the half-dwarf waited for his fellow knight so they could begin riding. He looked at the road in front of them, not bringing himself to look at either the Reids or the half-elf. He just wanted to be off before things got any worse. Things were quiet, and then Sieg started singing. The fact that he was singing struck Orrin as odd, but from the first line, what really caught his attention was the lyrics. Once again, he felt his heart sink, this time further than before. It had been difficult to tell for certain when he spoke to the Reids a minute ago, and while they weren't intended to be, it was now painfully obvious that the words were hurtful. As he thought he heard the voices of Nightsinger and Kenna, he couldn't help but feel that the song was partly for him. His features tightened, and he found himself covering his face with an upper hand - partly in self-annoyance at how stupid it seemed he'd been a minute ago, partly as if to hide his guilt for accidentally adding to the problem, partly to obscure his tears. The song stopped, and the half-dwarf was silent for almost a minute, sitting there with his hand on his face. He tried to bring himself to a point where he'd be able to speak without the tightness in his throat interfering with his voice, but once he realized he wouldn't be able to and he was just delaying himself and his friend, he gave up, lowering his hand and taking a breath. "Sorry about that... the anger..." he said quietly, turning to the Rieds briefly as he held the reigns. "Farewell. And 'Woo bless." Guilt sets in for Orrin as Sieg sings his song, accompanied by a couple spirits. He apologizes for his earlier tone and gives a proper farewell to the Reids.
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Post by Shinko on Nov 6, 2014 17:44:44 GMT -5
When Sieg saw Orrin's reaction to the song, his stomach squirmed with guilt. This whole situation really was hitting all of them pretty hard. "Sir Braham, Sir Ironbeard, I..." Elise swallowed, leaning into her husband's shoulder. "Thank you for saving the village. And... and Kenna. The Woo watch over you both." "And you," Sieg replied, nodding to her. The two humans stood shakily, and walked back into the forest. Sieg sighed, and once he was sure they were out of earshot he nudged Freya towards Orrin. "I'm sorry, Orrin. I just... sometimes when I don't really know how to say what I'm thinking, it just comes out like that. I didn't mean to... to upset you." He smiled crookedly. "I really do have a bad case of foot-in-mouth. Though I um..." He glanced out over the trees on either side of the road, where presumably the Nightsinger was, somewhere. "I wasn't expecting the accompaniment. I guess it's not just troubled ghosts the hound can sooth with its song." Reids accept Orrin's apology and leave. Sieg then awkwards at Orrin because the silly derp mad Orrin sad, ohnoes must fix. D=
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Post by Omni on Nov 8, 2014 2:10:56 GMT -5
"I'm sorry, Orrin. I just... sometimes when I don't really know how to say what I'm thinking, it just comes out like that. I didn't mean to... to upset you."The half-dwarf shook his head, waving a hand dismissively as the knights began to ride. "Naw, it's okay," he said quietly, still a bit choked up. 'In fact, thank ya. I'm sorry ya had to see that. I try not to get angry at things, but... it's hard." He listened as Sieg mentioned Nightsinger returning to accompany him. "Can't say I was expectin' that, either. I guess what happened the other night left a... connection, or somithin'? And I guess it'd make sense - people have spirits too, right?" Orrin took a moment to think silently. He was kind of disappointed at how this turned out. After helping the people, the hound, and Kenna, he thought they should leave the town glad and triumphant. Instead, there was anger and tears. Then a thought came to him. A way to turn the mood back around. Was it appropriate to share it, though? It did mean a lot to him, to them both. Maybe it was time to share it with someone, though. The two of them had hoped it would be the type of thing the whole world would hear some day. Might as well start with one person... especially someone Orrin could call a friend. "Say," the half-dwarf said, turning to his fellow knight. "May I tell ya about somethin'?" Orrin thanks Sieg for making him cry. He also apologizes that Sieg saw him angry. He thinks that Sieg bringing the hound back with it's song may have left a residual connection, thus why the hound sang with him and helped soothe Orrin and the Reids.
He then remembers something that might lighten the mood, and asks if Sieg wants to hear about it.
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Post by Shinko on Nov 8, 2014 8:35:45 GMT -5
"Everyone gets angry," Sieg pointed out softly. "I know I do, you saw that back in Destrier when Stephen brought up the Courdonians. Just that I have different triggers. It's not getting angry that's the problem, its how we handle it. You were trying to leave before your emotions escalated, and there's no shame in that. I just... I wanted to do something to make it better, even if only a little." His mouth quirked a little at the corner when Orrin mentioned a lingering connection with the hound. "I don't know, maybe. Though I do hope that doesn't mean I'm going to get a howling accompaniment every time I sing from now on." He hummed a little, but the only sound he heard was his own voice, to his relief. The two of them fell silent for a time, each to their own thoughts. Then, suddenly Orrin spoke up again. "Say, may I tell ya about somethin'?"The half-elf tilted his head, wondering what had prompted this. "Well, certainly. What's on your mind?" Sieg tells Orrin not to be silly and apologize for having emotions and sore topics like a normal person would. Then he invites Orrin to tell whatever it is he wishes to tell.
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Post by Omni on Nov 8, 2014 17:31:21 GMT -5
"It's not getting angry that's the problem, its how we handle it. You were trying to leave before your emotions escalated, and there's no shame in that. I just... I wanted to do something to make it better, even if only a little."The Stallion knight gave an awkward, nervous grin. "Er... Well, thanks," he said, figuring it best to leave the subject as it was. When Sieg asked Orrin to tell what he was thinking about, the half-dwarf paused nervously, but for a different reason. "Well... There's this Dwarven song that mama taught me, and... I sang it to my knight-master once, told him what it meant. He liked it, and suggested we make a Kythian version - I wouldn't say translation, since we changed some things and left others out, but... Well, it meant a lot to us. Both. Er... each." He gave another pause. "I'd like to share it with ya. Listen..." Orrin took a moment to ready himself, then took a breath. He began singing, and as he did, Freddie promptly adjusted his gait to match the tempo, lifting his head and hooves higher to the glad mood of the melody. "Joyful, all we mortal children Foreign-born or Kythian With our spirits burning brightly Lord Woo, to yer loft we'll come There our peoples, now devided By yer feathered wings unite Kings and peasants, sing together Brotherhood and love delight!
"Those so blessed, or filled with longin' Friend of friends to have and be Or to feel a love familial Let them join this jubilee! Be we gathered in our homesteads Or travelin' by stars or sun Heartfelt music draws us closer Dancin', singin', everyone!"Orrin nervously explains that there's a song he and his knight-master shared, then sings it. Freddie (Orrin's horse) dances along. And yes, that's an adaptation of Ode to Joy/Hymn of Joy.
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Post by Shinko on Nov 8, 2014 18:18:49 GMT -5
Sieg listened curiously as Orrin sang the song, somewhat amused by the way his stallion seemed to dance along to it. Almost in spite of himself he began flicking his fingers, catching the beat. "That was lovely Orrin- you never told me you were a lyricist," Sieg said with a grin. "If there is one thing music is good for, it's bringing people together. I can certainly see how working together on this song would be important to you and your master. Maybe one of these days you can teach it to me, if you don't mind. Although-" He gave his mare's neck a few pats, "I don't think I'm ever going to convince Freya to dance to it!" The blue roan tossed her head, stamping a hoof scornfully. Sieg only laughed, long used to her temper by now. Sieg likes Orrin's song and asks Orrin to teach it to him, though Freya is less inclined to dance along.
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Post by Omni on Nov 8, 2014 19:35:42 GMT -5
When Sieg's mare showed contempt, her rider gave a laugh. Freddie give a small head-toss in return, snorting in what seemed like pride, or amusement, and Orrin couldn't help but laugh as well. "I'd be glad to teach it to ya, Sieg," the half-dwarf said as the knights started around a bend. "It'll take awhile to get to the lake. Would ya like to start now..." Orrin give a sly grin. "Or would ya like to sing somethin' else?" Sieg laughed in reply, and before long the voices of both of the knights rose over the forest in exuberant song, gradually fading into into the distance as they left the now peaceful village of Haflinger. Orrin agrees to teach the song to Sieg, though jokingly implies that he might get sick of it by the time they get to the lake. The knights then ride off through the forest, up the mountain.
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