[5:22 PM] Ignia: Pre Chapter 6
Under a setting sun, one that's reflecting beautifully off the Sacred Lake, Artemis sits on a small rock, her pack on the ground besides her, taking her opportunity to peacefully play her flute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nioSbpxlDzY(edited)
[5:35 PM] Kwakado: Persephone's aimless retreat eventually brings her back to the rock where she'd met with Delphine earlier. She hadn't much of a destination in mind, having been fleeing from the wrathful Ethysian swordfighter, the turncoat Wyvern General, her duty, her blood, and her own battered naïveté.
But upon spotting the familiar features of the lakeside, and a familiar figure, Persephone guides Yuridia to a stop by the rock. Her face is stained with tears, her clothes with blood - but she says nothing as she dismounts, silently taking in the song for now.(edited)
[5:42 PM] Ignia: Artemis hears the footsteps approach but continues playing, not feeling any sense of danger from the approaching person. It's only after she finishes her song that she sets her flute down in her lap and turns to her silent audience.
She grimaces, taking in her best friend's state, but only for a moment. She takes out a handkerchief, holding it out to Persephone, "Now, you look like a right mess...do you wish to speak about it, Seph?"
[5:50 PM] Kwakado: "I don't know..."
Persephone bends down to accept the handkerchief, bringing out one arm...then the other...then falls sudenly to her knees, embracing her friend.
"Oh, Arty, I don't know! Where to start, where to turn, I-oh!" She starts to pull back, remembering the state of her outfit. "I-I'm so sorry..."
[5:53 PM] Ignia: "It's fine," Artemis' hand rubs at Persephone's back, "It's obvious from your state that you've had a trying day...come on, dear, take a moment to calm down then you can tell me as much as you want to."
[6:09 PM] Kwakado: "sorry.."
The girl leans back in, resting her chin on Artemis's shoulder. Slowly, her breaths slow down, and her arms don't squeeze so tight.
"...I didn't mean to burden any of you...truly, I've tried, yet..." She takes another moment to try to keep calm. "...It's all I can manage to be here."(edited)
[6:32 PM] Ignia: "Really?" Artemis speaks softly, "I can't imagine what I'd be like in your situation but do you wish to speak more?"
[6:38 PM] Kwakado: "Your big brother...I left him alone at the gate, just when the day was at its darkest." Persephone looks back up at Artemis, anticipating some kind of shout or shocked denial from her.
[6:46 PM] Ignia: "At the castle?" Artemis' tone is soft, focusing on making sure her best friend mentally survived this situation, "I can't imagine you would have left Lorenzo if your own life wasn't at stake. Besides, it's my big brother, enemies break their weapon upon his armor."
[6:54 PM] Kwakado: "But..." Even to Artemis, she could hardly bear to say it. "..he certainly seemed invincible, didn't he?"
Her head shakes slowly.
"It's these Arcians, they're just so...stupid!"
A sudden malaise simmers from her expression, bubbling up angrily through her fearfulness.(edited)
[6:57 PM] Ignia: "And why is that?" She spoke carefully, attempting to coax out the real reason for her friend's state with her questions.
[7:06 PM] Kwakado: It came as little surprise to her that the smartest girl in Junith couldn't relate to such frustrations.
"Perhaps it's nothing to you, but they just don't think!"
Persephone tugs at the opal pendant around her neck, pulling it out for Artemis.
"I tried to make amends with the princess, and she just gave me this! It's maddening, Arty...(edited)
[7:13 PM] Ignia: "They think...it's just about different things than you and I, dear." Whispers, nothing too loud, "Arcians...don't understand the extent to which warfare and battle goes. They trade, they have their pegasus knights but the archduke, and to an extent his people..."
"He's never been one for battle. You can see it in how he charges the field, not understanding that death is a very real thing." The thunder mage ran a finger across the pendant, "Material items and trade...that's the language they know how to speak with."
[7:36 PM] Kwakado: She nods along with the explanation. A language of trade, materials, reciprocity...it actually explained much of Theron's behavior. From squandering his funds on a supposed "Fancy Hotel", to squandering his life on the battlefield...it did seem like the actions of a crazed gambler to her. Was that why?
"...then they're wastrels, and fools."
Persephone's head hangs low, averting her gaze even from the ghostly lake, and she moves to the side of the rock next to Artemis. Her voice drops to a mumble.
"There's nothing I have now to pay her back."
[7:45 PM] Ignia: "In times of peace, they are the ones who thrive, because their lives do not revolve around conflict but instead in connecting with all those around them. They simply don't know how to make that transition from peace to war..." She sighs, resting her head against her friend's shoulder, "And you do have something that you can pay her back with...Knowledge, my dear."
Artemis smiles softly, knowing just how valuable knowledge was as a currency. It was universal, after all, "You are a warrior, one of the finest I know. At least with the princess, you can help her to not make the same mistakes as her father in these trying times."(edited)
[8:07 PM] Kwakado: Tarsien's voice resonates through her memory, retorting to Artemis's claims of knowledge and strength.
"YOU CALL UPON RHESUS BUT HAVE YOU EVER TRULY CONSIDERED WHAT HE MEANS NOW, BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THAT THE WRATHFUL SPIRIT YOU SO HAPPILY CALL UPON NOW IS THE SYMBOL OF A NATION ROTTING AT THE INSIDE!"
[8:14 PM] Ignia: She...? Artemis pulls back a bit, resting one hand atop the fist and the other hand going to tap at Persephone's forehead, "Knowledge is power, and learning never stops. You know now and that's what matters."
"...and even if you're too late to help one person, that shouldn't stop you from helping another."
[8:41 PM] Kwakado: "Arty....!" Her voice breaks into a cracking sob. The tears come back, and Persephone holds the magical mercenary's hand between her hand and her fist, like a beloved little animal about to escape.
[8:42 PM] Kwakado: Finally, she manages to croak out a terrified whisper, sharing her own knowledge of the weight of this war.
[8:42 PM] Kwakado: "....Quira's..dead."
[8:51 PM] Ignia: Artemis closes her eyes, allowing a quiet cross between a shy and a shudder to leave her. She'd noted the Pegasus Knight's absence and...well, the logical part of Artemis' mind screamed out in her head that This is when it all goes wrong. We've had too much good luck lately. This was inevitable. She squashed those thoughts for now, saving them for when she was alone.
"...back at the castle, I presume?"
[8:57 PM] Kwakado: Persephone's head starts at a slow little nod, which grows deeper and more disturbed as she continues. "After you left. I...t-tried to keep up with everyone, yet they were innumerable...I couldn't go back, they were everywhere, I...I didn't know..!"
[9:04 PM] Ignia: "And you couldn't have." Her grip on her best friend's hand tightens ever so slightly. "Battlefields...losing battlefields are always chaos. You help those you see but only those who are not yet beyond help. After all, if you lose your life trying to help someone when you could have escaped and lived to fight another day, then where's the benefit? There'd only be grief."
Compartmentalize and allow logic to lead the way, that was what Artemis needed to do now, "Do not wallow or mope or you'll disrespect her memory. Cry now...but stand tall later."
[9:17 PM] Kwakado: "There's no benefit to it, Arty...she could have run, she could have escaped but she didn't...because of me." Persephone chokes out the last words, letting her head fall softly onto Artemis's own. "she's a fool."(edited)
[9:24 PM] Ignia: "...A brave fool though." She remember scolding the pegasus knight on her naive ways, "Someone lived to fight another day and to tell her tale, Seph. That's you."
"She chose to make sure you got out, so respect that. Let it become another driving force for you."
[9:50 PM] Kwakado: "...but it was wrong. It doesn't deserve respect!" Even at times like these, Persephone was stubborn as ever, rattling off a rapid response. "Everything's become so perverse. Tarsien said the most awful things about Rhesus, and His Imperial Majesty..we fought, and I hurt Rieze's wyvern, but then the wounds were gone..." She cuts herself off, taking in a deep breath.
"...I haven't the slightest idea where to stand now. Where to be driven. None of it's right anymore."
[8:26 AM] Ignia: Artemis sighed softly, "...war is perverse. All we can do is fight to survive and protect the people we care for. And if we die, then at the very least, someone will carry on our story because real death is when you're forgotten by the world."
"Even if you don't know where your destination is, drive yourself forward, never back. You can figure out where you want to stand on the journey."
[5:06 PM] Kwakado: "You always have the most incredible insights, Arty..."
Most often, Persephone had learned, such wisdom was the result of something Artemis read. Yet the tales of unbreakable bonds, unforgettable heroes... This was a rare subject where Persephone's own repertoire could come out on top, but Artemis's blunt consolation was humbling to her, brimming with experience.
"...I suppose I haven't bothered to understand the extent of this war either." Her face rested in a state of logical resentment. "Better to have loved and lost...and love on all the same." She gave a steep nod, but her expression seemed to grow a little more perplexed.
[6:18 PM] Ignia: A few years as a mercenary and a year of true warfare was where the thunder mage's own expeience had come from. She'd honestly been shocked that it had taken this long for someon to die in battle with a company like this.
She smiled a bit, seeing her best friend's nod, but furrowed her eyebrows, seeing the perplexion, "...what is it, Seph?"
[6:33 PM] Kwakado: She seemed a little embarrassed to speak it, feeling the answer must be obvious...whichever it was.
"Have you...lost a lot of allies?"(edited)
[6:35 PM] Ignia: She frowns, ...I should have expected that question.
"...a fair number. Floribar was in a losing war, after all." Artemis spoke softly, "...and mercenary work is never a peaceful life. One wrong move in any battle can result in a life lost."
[6:47 PM] Kwakado: "A losing war....that hasn't changed, has it." Persephone looked back out to the lake. "But I'd never imagined it to be such an ordeal."(edited)
[6:53 PM] Ignia: "...battles always are. And this level of an ordeal can be frightening when you realize just how extensive it is. But..." She parrotted back a line from a book her brother had read to her once, "Courage isn't the absence of fear, it is facing your fears, head on."
[7:22 PM] Kwakado: "Head on...A test of will." Persephone managed to manifest a faint smile, reciprocating her friend's encouragement. "It's not so different from our troubles back in Floribar...we've simply grown to greater challenges now."(edited)
[7:40 PM] Ignia: "Yes, that's right." Artemis leaned back a bit, "It's a greater stage now...more dangers, yes, but, we've got even more people up to the challenge. It's not just Floribar anymore, after all."
[8:15 PM] Kwakado: "No.." She twirled the opal around her fingers, letting their tips slide along her neck. "..it isn't. And if our fortune holds, the curtain call isn't far from today."
[8:23 PM] Ignia: "...it'll be a tough road to the curtain call though." She ran her hand along her flute, "Hopefully, the sage that his highness wishes to see can shed some light on that road."
[8:34 PM] Kwakado: "They say he can look into the future. ...Is that even possible?"
[8:36 PM] Ignia: "According to the stories I've heard...it's true." She commentedly, looking out to the lake, "I can't dismiss the possibility either. It might take some incredibly powerful magic though."(edited)
[8:44 PM] Kwakado: "It's certainly a curious prospect...mayhap a frightening one." Persephone's fingers lingered on her scar. "What if the future brought only despair?"
[8:45 PM] Ignia: "I don't think a future would be set in stone..." Her voice turned firm, "If the Sage can truly see the future, it's a gift from the gods so that he can prevent terrible calamity."
[8:50 PM] Kwakado: "Oh..a sort of scout, then!" A hopeful glimmer crosses Persephone's weary eyes, choked by all the uncertainty around her. "Maybe he could help find your true love."(edited)
[8:58 PM] Ignia: "Hey!" She was indignant. "If he has such a power, he has no reason to use it for something as trivial as that!"
[9:08 PM] Kwakado: "If his power is as great as they say, then such a trifle should take but a moment." Persephone, deterred neither by the thunder mage's indignation nor her judgement, tilts her head skyward in a little huff. "I'd do it for you in a heartbeat."
[9:15 PM] Ignia: "By Equona and Ostus..." Sighing in exasperation, the thunder mage shook her head, "I'm happy with just the people I care for right now, Seph. Finding a lover can come later." Or maybe never...
[9:39 PM] Kwakado: "Oh, Arty...." They'd had this bout countless times before, wherein the meek mage would display a resilience that put paladins to shame. But surprisingly, Persephone did not push her perspective any further this evening, either out of a newfound sensitivity or simple fatigue.
"...I'm glad that you can be happy, even just with us."
[9:44 PM] Ignia: The crimson eyed woman blinked in surprise, having expected the topic to continue like it always did between the two of them but Artemis smiled softly, "I am so thankful and happy to have the people that I do. And I'll be here to help you figure out whatever your future destination is."
[10:14 PM] Kwakado: Persephone's smile drifted away as she finally leaned back onto the rock. With this much practice, it was beginning to feel as comfortable to her as a peasant's cot. The expression that remained, resting right aside Artemis, was more comfortable, more content, than just a smile. She'd known her destination for as long as she could remember, but whatever step this was - it filled her heart with something deeper than joy, sweeter than sadness.
"I'll miss you, Arty."
[8:35 AM] Ignia: "Hey...don't be saying that just yet." She winked at her best friend, nudging the Cawdor with her shoulder, "You're still stuck with me for now. You can say 'I'll miss you' when the goodbyes happen for real."
"Even then, you're never going to be rid of me. Being a mercenary during peacetime gives me a fair amount of leeway."
[10:47 AM] Kwakado: "Well, forever's far too long to wait to say it! Best to do it now, then cast the words aside." Persephone playfully pushed at the offending shoulder with her hand, coming as close as she could right now to a giggle.
"After all, there's no shortage of jobs within the Empire...especially with an endorsement from Lady Glamis." She flashed a silly little simper towards Artemis, confident in the endurance of their friendship.
[11:01 AM] Ignia: Artemis laughed softly, not wanting to think about the state that the Empire would be in, should their own group be on the winning side of this war, "I'll have to keep that in mind, Lady Glamis."
[11:23 AM] Kwakado: The bride-to-be held up a single stern finger. "Almost." But her glee was obvious.
"Have you spoken much to Silverwing? The Wyvern Rider?"(edited)
[11:26 AM] Ignia: "...Silverwing?" ...is Rieze not using her real name? A perplexed look crosses Artemis' face for a moment before she answers, "The group's Wyvern Rider? Yes, I have a fair bit."
[11:40 AM] Kwakado: "...Daughter of Anton Silverwing? The Youngest Wyvern General in Ethysian History?" The last few words remind the girl of the gap in their knowledge on this subject. "We've had nothing but quarrels since Davonia..I don't understand what it is that keeps her here.." She glances aside and trails off, not as comfortable with complaining about the woman as she'd thought. It hadn't been long since the duel.(edited)
[11:45 AM] Ignia: "This is what I get for studying Ethysian tactics and not history." She mumbled to herself before looking at Seph, "If you mean Rieze...then she has her own reasons, valid reason for staying with the group. And she's been a help too, since we don't have many fliers in the group."
[11:57 AM] Kwakado: "She's saved my life more than one time, to be sure." A begrudging nod concedes the point to Artemis. "And she brought the most wonderful news of General Kyron..."(edited)
[4:05 PM] Ignia: "...oh? What news did Rieze deliver?"
[4:10 PM] Kwakado: "She called him an insufferable braggart." Strangely, her eyes fill with wistful joy. "And that he still speaks fondly of me, after all these years...It's a dream come true."(edited)
[4:47 PM] Ignia: Artemis sighed fondly, "As lovestruck as ever you are. Verone must be postively delighted to have such a devout follower."
[6:20 PM] Kwakado: Heavens, she must be, with such a generous blessing." Her feet swayed unconsciously side to side as she spoke. "I'm so glad to hear he's kept faithful."
[2:10 PM] Ignia: "Lucky you." She smiled, not really knowing where to continue with this line of discussion.
[7:08 PM] Kwakado: Persephone smiled back, appreciating the silence. With anyone else it would have been uncomfortable. But quietly killing time was, in a way, the "rock" that their friendship had been built on. By now, a chessboard wasn't even required to do it. This felt so natural to her, as she kept her various sorrows at bay, that Persephone did not notice her brother's horse at the lakeside, refreshing herself with a long drink of the only water available.
[7:15 PM] Ignia: Artemis leaned back, almost leaning completely against her best friend, enjoying the comfortable silence, reminded of their days in the library, playing chess all day long. She did giggle noticing where Persephone's horse was, "...well, it looks like your horse is having a taste of the best water around."
[7:34 PM] Kwakado: "Mm?" Missing the metaphor, Persephone's head leaned around to look quizzically at the silver-haired maiden. "Whatever do you mea--ah!!!" The moment her gaze turned to follow Artemis's eyes, the young knight saw exactly what her horse was up to. A shrill cry came from her in that same instant.
"Yu-ridia! What are you doing, you brazen beast--Yuridia! No!"
She started a startled scramble from the rock, stopping partway through, then got up in a way that wouldn't disturb her friend's position as much.
"Pardon me Arty, she's...ugh, practically a pig sometimes."
[7:45 PM] Ignia: Artemis was laughing behind a raised hand, "She must want her endless life and took the chance when she saw it."
She stood up with Persephone, "Shall we retrieve Yuridia then?"
[11:24 AM] Kwakado: Persephone pouted, not finding it nearly as amusing.
"I suppose.."
They made their way to the scruffy-looking destrier, whose coat seemed lighter than usual. Almost as if the scenery seemed to shine through it from behind. Crossing her arms, Persephone came around in front of the mount, who was still lapping up the lake.
"Yuridia...that's enough."
The horse paused, and looked up to find a stern stare from her exasperated rider.
[4:52 PM] Ignia: Artemis stood a bit behind her best friend, self-aware of her bad relationship with basically any animal that she came into contact with. "She's always like this, then?"
[5:39 PM] Kwakado: Persephone nodded to her with a look of resignation. "Back in Cawdor, they'd always give her the food no other horse would eat. Yuridia's appetite just doesn't discern between trash, treats, and..." She looked back into the blessed water, with a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. "...this."(edited)
[3:52 PM] Ignia: "Well, you would think that when she's been spoiled like that, her taste buds would be more picky." The thunder mage giggled out in amusement. "Still, at least this wasn't trash, right?"
[4:12 PM] Kwakado: "...as long as she doesn't mind an eternity playing with pegasi." With a sardonic smirk, Persephone finished tightening the saddle, then sprung onto Yuridia. She extended a warm hand to Artemis.(edited)
[4:14 PM] Ignia: "...oh man." She eyed Yuridia warily, "You know my reputation with animals, Seph."
[4:18 PM] Kwakado: "Oh, please." The gluttonous Galloway seemed to return the mage's hesitation, but Persephone was undeterred. "The village's hardly a warm-up away...I'm certain we can manage."
[4:21 PM] Ignia: "...don't say that I didn't remind you." She took Persephone's hand, sitting side saddle behind her best friend, "Let's move then."
[4:30 PM] Kwakado: Responding much more eagerly (or anxiously) than her rider expected, Yuridia takes off into a trot along the lakeside, reluctant to turn back towards the village. Persephone leans further to the side, nearly falling off from fatigue, and her brother's horse relents - but with an unsteady pace.
"H-hold on..."
[4:31 PM] Ignia: "I think you're the one that needs to hold on, Seph. Come on, you can crash when we get back to where we're staying."
[4:39 PM] Kwakado: "Right...I'm not about to fall off again, don't worry." But she was. And she worried, too, as she steadied herself and tried to guide the destrier back to Emille. But there was no one she'd rather worry with than Artemis.
[4:43 PM] Ignia: "Right, dear." She put a steadying hand on Persephone's shoulder, smiling, "Let me know if you have any requests after you've rested, by the way. It'll be nice to play to an audience after so long."
[4:50 PM] Kwakado: "Mmm..." The young noble settled in her saddle, with the hand steadying both her hand and her shoulder. "Oh! What about Lonhengrin?"
[4:52 PM] Ignia: "...why am I not at all surprised by your request?" A quiet sigh and, "You'll only get the flute version of course."
"But. After you rest."(edited)
[5:04 PM] Kwakado: A delighted giggle rolls from her. "You're the best, Arty." With eventual discretion, the girl eases up and calls out to their agitated mount. "Whoa, whoa!" There would be another time to prove their valour.
[5:10 PM] Ignia: Artemis' gripped tightened on Seph's shoulder and where she was holding onto the saddle, "I sooooo reminded you!"(edited)
[5:26 PM] Kwakado: "And I said to hold on!" Taking a hand off the reins and onto her hilt, the knight squeezes in even harder, tugging back at the reins. "heavens, Yuridia.."
The horse does slow down, but not before giving the girls a turbulent trot.
[5:41 PM] Ignia: "How far are we now?" Exasperation fills her tone.
[6:08 PM] Kwakado: "That's it just ahead, you see?" Persephone motions towards it with her head, catching her breath while Yuridia walked on. The village was indeed well within sight, with humble lamps glittering like fallen stars.(edited)
[7:26 PM] Ignia: "I see it...let's hurry up then, Persephone." Her grip was tightening ever so slightly.(edited)
[7:39 PM] Kwakado: "Sorry...we would have been better off walking, wouldn't we." The horse walked on through the village, promptly reaching the spacious camp where Finn's forces were staying. Persephone dismounted, waiting for Artemis to get off before tending to Yuridia.
[7:53 PM] Ignia: Artemis takes her opportunity to get off the horse before responding, "...yes, probably. Animals and I have never seen eye to eye."
[8:06 PM] Kwakado: Persephone shrugs her shoulders as she unfastens the buckles. "Then animals are foolish and dull. You'd best pay their judgment no mind."
[8:13 PM] Ignia: She giggled, "Thank you. I tend to already but with the number of knights in our group...it can be hard."
[8:39 PM] Kwakado: "And then there's people like that stableboy Mateus...those Wyverns simply adore him." She set the saddle down and patted Yuridia's pale coat, bidding her hypocritical horse adieu.
[8:41 PM] Ignia: "...right, I saw those wyverns. They look like a handful and a half." She giggled, "Now, I do believe you need the rest after the day you've had."
[8:45 PM] Kwakado: "Yes, I..." Persephone sighed in assent. "..a good night's rest would be a boon. What about you?"
[8:46 PM] Ignia: "Same here." She nodded in agreement, "I've had enough horse rides to last for over a week."
[8:58 PM] Kwakado: "Then..let us meet again, in a better tomorrow." Smiling, Persephone hugs her friend one last time before heading back to her tent.
[11:11 AM] Ignia: "In a better tomorrow, Persephone." The thunder mage parroted the parting line, smiling before walking back to her own tent, beginning to hum Lonhengrin to herself.
[11:11 AM] Ignia: ==END RP==
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