xenologue 2 || video

[fauxmarth]

Hello.

[yes, hi. it's kind of overcast today? but not bad. nice enough to be outside here in chilly ol' Maurtia Falls.]

I've been informed by a good number of people that the season will be changing soon. And that it can be quite a sight out in the countryside, just outside the city proper. Would you say that's true? I'd like to see a lovely spring again. I hope it can be as much that as it could be peaceful, considering how...hectic life can be in this world.

The snow is fine, and even the warm climes farther south of here are pleasant as well, but... There's something special about spring, I feel. One where things refresh and renew, making the whole place feel and even smell different.

[her thoughtful smile twitches into a self-conscious grin as she looks from the sky back down to the screen.]

Is that naive of me to hope here? I'll hardly hide how still new I am to the world at large here.

Comments

[fauxmarth]

[eyebrows...lift.]

Well, I...in my time, the land is in great turmoil, yes. But...people still fight. Are fighting, despite what end awaits.

That's...That isn't similar to yours, is it?

[devoutish]

Sure it does. Yeah.

[He says, just a hint of somberness added to his tone.]

We've just finished with one big war. Now we get a bit of peace before the next.

[fauxmarth]

The next... [little frown.] It's predestined, certain to happen? Or have you learned of it from others of your world, come here from another time?

[devoutish]

It'll happen if my world follows a path similar to this one. This world's past is the same as my own, so it stands to reason the future may be, as well.

[fauxmarth]

Do you truly think so? [MORE frown.] Even with all the incredible things that happen here? All the people drawn here, from so many other worlds?

[devoutish]

And that bit would be why I said it may be, not will be. Still-- another war on my own world would not be a very unbelievable thing.

[Earth is kind of fucked up.]

[fauxmarth]

I pray it won't be so. Should you ever find your way back to that world, I'd hope it a peaceful place to return to, rather than one full of strife. It might be a little naive to wish, but all the same...

[devoutish]

Yeah.

[He doubts it, but it's a nice thought all the same.]

What about your own world, then? Is it a war you've got, or something else?

[fauxmarth]

[her mouth quirks before she can dip her head. a beat, and she looks back up, her shoulders shrugging up a little as she replies:] A bit of both, one could say. No more springs, summers, or any of the like. The world I was spirited from is well and truly over in that time. No future there, save for the chance I have to reset its course in another time.

[devoutish]

Ah - time travel's an issue, then, is it? Can't say I know much about that.

[fauxmarth]

Nor I, truly. It's a very confusing thing, so I'm afraid I couldn't give you much insight into its workings, sir.

[devoutish]

It'd go over my head if you tried; those things are all stories where I come from. The concepts I can understand, but the workings of it - best left to those of you who aren't from my era, I think.

[fauxmarth]

[smiling sympathetically:] Worry not; the last thing I can do is explain the inner workings of ancient, time-traveling magics.

[devoutish]

Are you a witch, then? Of a sort?

[fauxmarth]

No, sir, not me. But magic is a field of study like many others where I'm from; my cousin, here, he's gotten quite adept! As did one of our mutual friends. [with a little shake of her head:] I simply never had the head for it, my expertise more in swordplay.

[devoutish]

Swordplay for show, or are you a soldier?

[A woman being a soldier wouldn't ordinarily be a guess that he'd jump to, but he's gotten more used to the idea here.]

[fauxmarth]

Ahh, ha. [the idea of her being an entertainer? haha. maybe Odin. definitely Odin. but there's no family resemblances there, she's sure.] A soldier, sir. Born out of necessity. But I've trained nearly as long as I could stand, for I wanted to be very much the warrior my father was.

[devoutish]

And that's acceptable, where you're from?

[He's curious, but he also wants to ask delicately, because he's not actually trying to provoke or offend here.]

I only ask, right, because it isn't everywhere; there are those worlds where men do the fighting.

[Like his own, for example.]

[fauxmarth]

Ahh, [she laughs, nodding reasonably.] I understand. Yes, perfectly acceptable. Though--perhaps many would've preferred I take on less...aggressive hobbies for my station, it was hardly opposed when I chose it for myself. Indeed, many great warriors throughout history were fierce warrior women; there are many songs and tales boasting of their incredible feats.

[devoutish]

Sure, we've got those as well. But they're exceptional.

[fauxmarth]

And...contrary to common ways of doing things, I take it?

[devoutish]

Yeah. And we men want 'em out. We say that battle is no place for a woman. Then a hundred years later, the women are talked about as legends and heroes by the men who are telling the women around them that battle is no place for a woman.

[fauxmarth]

[her mouth quirks. hmm.]

"We" men, you say. Do you agree with your fellows?

[devoutish]

Half and half. It's a bit hypocritical, isn't it - but all the same, I wouldn't want my own sisters on a battlefield.

[fauxmarth]

And I'm sure they aren't very thrilled with the idea of their brother in the same predicament. All the more reason to trust in each other's strengths and work together to find an end swiftly.

At least--that's how I see it. Everyone who has a stake in strife deserves a chance to stand up for themselves, no matter their strengths.