Cyouni stands awkwardly off to the side, shifting his weight from side to side. Not knowing what to say, he opens his mouth once or twice to say something, but apparently thinks better of it and remains silent.
Aggron finally realizes why the girl was so distraught. She really thinks I was her responsibility, and she almost dropped it, and it was ripping her apart inside. Wow. White mages think...very differently.
Awkwardly, Aggron holds the girl as she cries on his shoulder. It's not something he's done before, although he's heard of it. Thinking only to her, and speaking slowly and gently, he 'says', <It's okay. I lived, and it's not the worst thing that's happened to me. Don't beat yourself up over this. You still saved me, after all.>
Aggron's thoughts begin slowly to realign themselves around this new idea. I still owe her, but not because she saved me--that really was her job. Still... His thoughts flash to his satchel, where he still keeps the dagger of the mage he killed.
I didn't want to kill her, even if she deserved it. I had to then, because it was her or me, and I'm okay with what I did then.
Does this girl deserve it? This was her fault, too, but... Aggron looks at Janassi, and abruptly he feels sorry for her.
<What's your name?>
OOC: I promise I didn't forget about you, Cyouni, but Aggron totally did. This is kinda distracting for him
<Okay. Janassi.> Aggron tries to fix the name in his mind. <And right now, you're working for the arena--what's your goal? Where are you planning on going with your life?> His tone is still gentle, even though he's asking an odd question.
She grinned as she proclaimed, "I, Janassi Masa, work towards being one of the greatest Paladins Dominaria has ever seen!"
After a moment her grin fades away to an upset expression as she explained, "But that is just a dream. I find myself lacking both in magic and swordplay. The only thing I am any good at is healing."
She looks sideways at where Aggron's old wounds were saying, "Even that skill is lacking."
She lets out a deep sigh saying, "And so I've reduced myself to working in the Arena. All so I can save up some gold for proper training."
Her gaze becomes distant as she fantasizes saying, "Perhaps one day I will have enough gold for training from one of the Yolin masters! Then I would truly become a powerful paladin."
She snaps back to reality quickly though muttering, "But first I must work..."
What the dragonfire is a paladin? Eh, I'll worry about it later.'t know any other white mages.> Aggron thinks for a moment. 'll make a deal with you instead, if you want to.> He closes his eyes, thinking.
'm not really that strong right now. I know it; you know it. You saw how easily that green mage defeated me. That shouldn't have happened.> He winces for a moment at the twinge from his wounds. <But I have a plan. I think I'm just strong enough to go to the other city. That place where mages practice two types of magic at once. I forget its name.>
<When I come back from there, I plan to have command of another type of magic. Whatever it takes, I'll get someone there to teach me.> His mouth quirks in a smile. 've seen so much forest magic that I should be able to learn that without too much trouble.>
<But while I do that, you stay here and get what money and training you can find. And when I come back, I'll take you job-hunting. Lots of people in this city pay mages to do their work for them, and once we're both a little stronger, we'll be able to do a tough one. One that'll earn you enough money to get a really good teacher.>
Aggron looks her straight in the eyes. <You want to do it?>
I think she's definitely suffered enough for her mistake. Someone started me off through an act of kindness that wasn't their job. Maybe it's my turn to do that.
"I do not like the prospect of becoming a mercenary..." she bit her lip before continuing. "But, if the cause is noble and my skills reliable then I will accompany you."
She flashed a smile at him as she pulled out a cloth to dry her cheeks from the swinging moods she had.
Aggron suppressed a grin. Looting a cave? Helping a scientist make drugs? Such noble callings.
He nodded at her, though, and his tone was enthusiastic. 'm sure we'll find a cause to champion.> Carefully, he stands up, helping Janassi to her feet. 'm going to start making preparations for that journey, then. But before I go-->
He pulls off one of the scales near his wound, wincing slightly. He holds it in his palm and calls a little of his mana, using it very precisely: first, he focuses on the idea of corrosion, making his mana acid-like so it cleans the scale thoroughly and rubs off the sharp edges. Then he concentrates on the self-drawn nature of dark mana....
The whole process only takes about ten seconds. When he thinks it's done, he opens his palm for Janassi to take it. <This is for you. It's the first time I've made one, but I think I managed to attune this scale to me. If you hold it and concentrate on me, it should pull towards me a little.> Aggron grins briefly. <Even if it doesn't work, it's pretty enough. Pity I can't mount it in anything.>
OOC: If red mages can make warmth pendants, I figure Aggron can make an item that's imbued with pure selfishness, especially since he's third level. But it's a really useful trinket, so my expectations aren't high.
Cyouni shifts back and forth again. Seeming to come to a decision, he settles down, a hand dipping into his satchel, returning with a small grey gem. As he holds it up in front of him, a crooked grin spreads across his face as he murmurs, "Seems I'm using this too much lately..."
Cyouni tosses the gem up in the air, catching it deftly as it comes back down, simultaneously focusing mana into it. It explodes into a silvery cloak, which he slings around his shoulders. His hand reaches up to pull the hood over his head, and he begins to walk away.
"Why am I doing this anyways....I'm getting soft...."
Janassi smiled as she accepted the scale with both hands and then grimaced as the concentrated essence of black mana that washed over her. Slipping the scale into her satchel she looks back at Aggron forcing a smile through the sick feeling the scale was giving her saying, "Thank you. I'll be waiting for your return."
She paused for a moment before asking, "I would like to make a request of you before you leave though..."
Third time would be the charm, I suppose...I'll have to see to it that that doesn't happen.
Aggron touched Janassi's hand briefly. 'll be careful. Don't worry about me. I'll be back in a few weeks.>
Then he turns, ready to face the world again. <Take care of yourself, Janassi.> He walks out of the tent, his mind mostly on the task ahead....but partly on the one he was leaving behind.
Awkwardly, Aggron holds the girl as she cries on his shoulder. It's not something he's done before, although he's heard of it. Thinking only to her, and speaking slowly and gently, he 'says', <It's okay. I lived, and it's not the worst thing that's happened to me. Don't beat yourself up over this. You still saved me, after all.>
Aggron's thoughts begin slowly to realign themselves around this new idea. I still owe her, but not because she saved me--that really was her job. Still... His thoughts flash to his satchel, where he still keeps the dagger of the mage he killed.
I didn't want to kill her, even if she deserved it. I had to then, because it was her or me, and I'm okay with what I did then.
Does this girl deserve it? This was her fault, too, but... Aggron looks at Janassi, and abruptly he feels sorry for her.
<What's your name?>
OOC: I promise I didn't forget about you, Cyouni, but Aggron totally did. This is kinda distracting for him
After a moment her grin fades away to an upset expression as she explained, "But that is just a dream. I find myself lacking both in magic and swordplay. The only thing I am any good at is healing."
She looks sideways at where Aggron's old wounds were saying, "Even that skill is lacking."
She lets out a deep sigh saying, "And so I've reduced myself to working in the Arena. All so I can save up some gold for proper training."
Her gaze becomes distant as she fantasizes saying, "Perhaps one day I will have enough gold for training from one of the Yolin masters! Then I would truly become a powerful paladin."
She snaps back to reality quickly though muttering, "But first I must work..."
'm not really that strong right now. I know it; you know it. You saw how easily that green mage defeated me. That shouldn't have happened.> He winces for a moment at the twinge from his wounds. <But I have a plan. I think I'm just strong enough to go to the other city. That place where mages practice two types of magic at once. I forget its name.>
<When I come back from there, I plan to have command of another type of magic. Whatever it takes, I'll get someone there to teach me.> His mouth quirks in a smile. 've seen so much forest magic that I should be able to learn that without too much trouble.>
<But while I do that, you stay here and get what money and training you can find. And when I come back, I'll take you job-hunting. Lots of people in this city pay mages to do their work for them, and once we're both a little stronger, we'll be able to do a tough one. One that'll earn you enough money to get a really good teacher.>
Aggron looks her straight in the eyes. <You want to do it?>
I think she's definitely suffered enough for her mistake. Someone started me off through an act of kindness that wasn't their job. Maybe it's my turn to do that.
She flashed a smile at him as she pulled out a cloth to dry her cheeks from the swinging moods she had.
He nodded at her, though, and his tone was enthusiastic. 'm sure we'll find a cause to champion.> Carefully, he stands up, helping Janassi to her feet. 'm going to start making preparations for that journey, then. But before I go-->
He pulls off one of the scales near his wound, wincing slightly. He holds it in his palm and calls a little of his mana, using it very precisely: first, he focuses on the idea of corrosion, making his mana acid-like so it cleans the scale thoroughly and rubs off the sharp edges. Then he concentrates on the self-drawn nature of dark mana....
The whole process only takes about ten seconds. When he thinks it's done, he opens his palm for Janassi to take it. <This is for you. It's the first time I've made one, but I think I managed to attune this scale to me. If you hold it and concentrate on me, it should pull towards me a little.> Aggron grins briefly. <Even if it doesn't work, it's pretty enough. Pity I can't mount it in anything.>
OOC: If red mages can make warmth pendants, I figure Aggron can make an item that's imbued with pure selfishness, especially since he's third level. But it's a really useful trinket, so my expectations aren't high.
Cyouni tosses the gem up in the air, catching it deftly as it comes back down, simultaneously focusing mana into it. It explodes into a silvery cloak, which he slings around his shoulders. His hand reaches up to pull the hood over his head, and he begins to walk away.
"Why am I doing this anyways....I'm getting soft...."
She paused for a moment before asking, "I would like to make a request of you before you leave though..."
IC:
Aggron wondered at the flickering of her expression, but mentally shrugged it off. <Sure, what can I do for you?>
The grin faded to a concerned expression as she said, "So don't die on me ok?"
Aggron touched Janassi's hand briefly. 'll be careful. Don't worry about me. I'll be back in a few weeks.>
Then he turns, ready to face the world again. <Take care of yourself, Janassi.> He walks out of the tent, his mind mostly on the task ahead....but partly on the one he was leaving behind.
I'm really looking forward to it, actually. Aggron's been kind of a drifter up 'till now; I'm glad he has something long-term now.
Also, thanks for playing along