Main Site |
* Lisl heads out the back door of the Hall, shaking herself a little in irritation and squinting up at the clearing clouds with a small scowl. She turns out of the alleyway, heading towards the docks, and practically runs into Kevil on his way to the Dragon's Den. "Master Kevil." She stops, and nods warily to him. <Lisl> Excuse me. If you don't mind-- I think I've had my taste called into question enough for one evening, thanks. <Kevil> ::frowns at her for a moment, puzzled:: ...Ah. I had not intended it that way. Rather, I was trying to compliment the meade. <Lisl> Well, that's not how it came out, is it? ::shakes her head:: No matter. Enough of that on both sides, I guess. Good night, Kevil. <Kevil> ::Kevil bows low, without flourish:: My most humble apologies, Huntress. <Lisl> ::raising one eyebrow, muttering softly:: I'll bet. <Kevil> ::Kevil straightens, face very serious:: You doubt my sincerity? <Lisl> ::crosses her arms:: Words come easily to you, Master Kevil. How am I supposed to tell when you mean them? <Lisl> Some people mete them out like gold. With you, it's more like pennies. <Kevil> ::sighs and looks at her:: What would you have of me, then, Huntress? How can I accept responsibility for my mistakes if you will not allow me? Should I pay in gold? Open a vein? ::he shakes his head:: Tell me, Huntress, what I must do, and I will do it. <Lisl> Try tendering your words a little more carefully. Think before you speak. You won't have to apologize for mistakes if you can avoid more of them in the first place. <Kevil> ::cocks his head:: You think I speak carelessly? I assure you-- it is my training to speak with extreme care, albeit with seemingly careless ease. But I am a man, not a god: I make mistakes. How, then, to atone for those mistakes? I ask, as apology seems insufficient. <Lisl> ::shakes her head, frustrated:: Why are you asking me? how should *I* know? <Lisl> I'm not your confessor, Master Kevil. <Kevil> ::looks acutely distressed:: It was you who refused my apology, Huntress Lisl. If you will not accept it, then surely you know what you will accept...? <Lisl> ::spreads her hands, making a helpless noise:: Sorry, I don't. <Lisl> Look, it's not worth making such a big deal over this. Never mind. Just forget I said anything. <Kevil> ::looks at Lisl with a guarded expression for a long moment, then sighs, his expression defeated:: As you wish, Huntress. ::He looks like he's going to say more, then shakes his head and turns away, heading toward the 'Den.:: <Lisl> Kevil-- <Kevil> ::stops, but does not look back:: Huntress? <Lisl> Oh, for Aerdrie's sake... ::catching up to him:: Why is this so important to you? <Kevil> I unwittingly insulted you. What else *can* I do, but try to right the wrong? ::he looks sidelong at her, and sighs:: There is wrongdoing enough in the world that is deliberate, Huntress. Should I not attempt to undo what I can? <Lisl> Hm. ::she nods, and studies the cobblestones for a long moment:: <Kevil> ::watches her uneasily:: <Lisl> ::Finally, she looks up, looking more over Kevil's shoulder than at him:: There's a small temple down in Southside, white stone fountain out front, about two blocks this side of the stews, dedicated to Hanali Celanil. She's the elven goddess of love. A lot of half-elves follow her, saying she's the reason they exist. <Kevil> ::nods, but looks confused:: <Lisl> ::watches a stray cat wander out of the alley and cross the empty street:: Of course, she's also the reason a lot of *un*wanted children get born. Especially in the stews, when the girls aren't careful... and even the careful ones make mistakes, sometimes. ::she looks at Kevil:: <Kevil> ::looks back at her, uncomprehending, but obviously trying to understand:: <Lisl> It's kind of a poor place. Poor part of town. But the priestess there, she does what she can to... help balance out the mistakes. She's got a little room in back, and runs a school for the brothel kids. Teaches them, to give them a way out of the stews, if they want it. Help make up for their mothers' mistakes. <Kevil> ::nods slowly:: <Lisl> ::resumes studying the cobbles:: A place as poor as that, they're always in need of whatever coins people can spare. So I'm thinking, if someone were interested in... helping to undo mistakes, that might be a good place to make a donation. <Lisl> And of course, it would help them, if more people knew about the school. * Lisl looks at Kevil again. * Kevil half-smiles. "Nih va." He bows his head, then looks at her. "Will you tell me where?" <Lisl> ::nods:: I can show you, if you like. But I think you've got a job to get to, don't you? <Kevil> ::he shrugs, half-grinning:: I am already late. Let me truly earn the scolding I can no longer escape. <Lisl> ::giving Kevil an odd look, and half-grinning:: Well enough. Come on, then. * Lisl starts off headed southeast. * Kevil follows, looking suddenly happier. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: I despair of understanding you, Master Kevil. <Kevil> ::eyes her:: I am truly a very simple man, Huntress. <Lisl> Hah! Acting simple-minded sometimes, perhaps, but not simple. Not by a long shot, I think. <Kevil> I... want to spread happiness. I often fail, but... ::he shrugs and half-smiles:: Bards were once the sole purview of the Lady-- our goddess. <Lisl> The Lady? The one who takes up ardent worshippers bodily? <Kevil> ::he nods:: Once every several hundred years, yes. Although the priests say she is not taking them up, but that they are... merging themselves with her. <Lisl> ::waves the distinction aside as she turns down a side street:: So what do bards have to do with her? <Kevil> Once, bardsong carried the Lady's blessing and word. It was bardsong that bound circles, bardsong that healed wounds, bardsong that eased births and soothed mourning... ::he sighs softly:: Bards were bringers of comfort, of joy, of... of the heart. <Lisl> So... clerics, of a sort, then. ::nods:: And what happened? It doesn't do that anymore? <Kevil> The bards broke away from the temple. Their reasoning was lost in the sands of time, hundreds of generations ago. Perhaps the temple had become political. Perhaps the bards had. ::he shrugs:: They broke away. There are still holy bards, but the calling is rare. But the Lady is invoked to this day in our oaths. * Lisl turns another corner onto a more open, yet seedier-looking thoroughfare. A ratty-looking group of young toughs loiter on the opposing corner. They look up and start to grin as the two Patrons approach, but back off as Lisl pushes back the hood of her cloak and turns to glare at them. <Lisl> ::looking back at Kevil, replacing her hood:: So... was that what you wanted to do? Be a holy bard? * Kevil barely notices the toughs. "I was not called to the temple, Huntress. I am not a holy bard. But I take my oath seriously, because it only... outlined what I wanted to do anyway. To touch the heart." He looks at her, very seriously. "It is all I wish, Huntress. All I am." <Lisl> Hm. Well.... but touching, that's one thing. You touch someone that way, and you have power over them. But... what do you want to do with those hearts, once you have them? <Kevil> ::he shakes his head, almost impatiently:: I do not *collect* hearts, Huntress. At least ::he holds up a hand to stave off the obvious retort:: it is not what I mean to do. I only want... ::he sighs:: So many do not allow themselves to... to *feel*. I... ::his voice breaks:: <Lisl> ::face closing as she looks away:: For some, it's dangerous to feel too much. <Kevil> ::he glances at her and sighs:: I would argue the point, but it is not a matter which words can resolve. But.... You feel for Zoya, do you not? She names you among her dearest friends. <Lisl> ::nodding:: Yes, I do. She's a close friend. ::a glint of gold flashes for just a moment, deep in her eyes, as she looks at Kevil:: And she knows what that means. What it would mean, if I came up against someone who had wronged her deeply, for example. <Kevil> ::his eyes cloud:: ...and she is not one who... feels, easily... <Kevil> ::he raises an eyebrow:: Do you imply me? <Lisl> ::looking surprised:: Zoya? She's reserved, certainly, but... she was willing to admit how she felt about Marten. Well, with just a little prodding. And she cares very much for Gloss. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: And no, I don't think you fall into that category. She counts you as a friend. There have been others... ::taking another turn, the buildings around getting both seedier and glitzier as they walk:: ...but she's also proved quite capable of taking care of herself. <Kevil> ::smiles:: Truly? ::he sighs:: I thought perhaps she had seemed more... open. But I was not sure if it was a change entire, or... the residue of an old friendship, d'va? I am glad. <Kevil> ::he nods:: Her power has expanded tenfold since we parted ways, it seems. <Lisl> ::nodding:: Her Chains. She said something about her Master having... I don't know, locked away part of her power, when she went into apprenticeship. Well, it's not locked anymore. ::looking sidelong at Kevil:: And she wasn't a priestess when you know her, either, I'd wager. <Kevil> ::he nods:: Much has changed. For the better, it seems. <Lisl> ::nodding:: Yeah. For the most part, I'd say. ::crossing the street and heading into another alley, waving casually at a pair of skimpily-dressed prostitutes on the far corner, who eye Kevil enviously.:: <Kevil> ::Kevil nods courteously at the prostitutes, but otherwise pays them no mind.:: And so Zoya has learned to be more comfortable with her heart, and it is better for her. ::he smiles slightly at Lisl:: Hers is not a unique situation. <Lisl> You're more... how'd you say it? More comfortable with your heart, too? I got the impression you didn't like the situation with Zoya. No offense. * Lisl leads the way out of the alley, and along a thoroughfare. The street up ahead is well-lit, for a change, with red lanterns by almost every door. "Almost there." <Kevil> I think... ::he looks at her directly for a moment, his gaze measuring, before he nods:: I think, if it were not for Sir Marten, she would allow me into her circle on shavala, if not shavalin. I *believe* she does herself a misjustice, for his sake. But her decision has been made, and I will not question it now. <Lisl> Shavala? Shavalin? ::frowns and shakes her head:: I don't know what that is. But here, romantic love comes in twos, not groups. When it's more than a couple, things get tragic. ::shakes her head:: Maybe Zoya's just adapted to it, if it's different on your world. <Kevil> ::he nods shortly:: Perhaps. I am familiar with the concept, although I do not understand it. Shavala is love... purely of the heart. What is between friends. Zoya tells me you have carried her bodily home and cared for her following a battle. This is shavala. ::he glances at her, then looks away:: Shavalin is... the addition of physical desire to shavala. <Lisl> And Marten... ::shaking her head emphatically:: I can tell you right now, Moon Dancer certainly would *never* have gone for a threesome. I doubt Marten feels very differently. <Kevil> ::laughs briefly, if bitterly:: He certainly seemed adverse to the idea. ::he sighs:: I have sworn to abide by her decision, Huntress. I tell you my mind only because you ask. <Lisl> Oh. So shavala's caring, and shavalin is... caring and lusting? <Kevil> ::frowns, then shrugs:: Close enough. <Lisl> ::nodding:: Fair. I... ::gnaws on her lower lip:: There *are* reasons, Master Kevil. I'm not sure Marten would even know why he'd feel about it so strongly, but... if it helps, there are reasons. <Lisl> ::comes to a stop and nods across the street at a small, poor-looking, but well-kept building. Rather than having a large red lantern by the front door, as so many other apartments along this street, this has small red votive lights floating in the waters of an old fountain bubbling out front:: <Kevil> ::nods:: There always are. ::he looks away, apparently engrossed in the cast of light of one of the lanterns against a puddle:: She allows me yet the honor of shavala. I... try to be worthy of it, in my own poor way. ::he glances at Lisl:: <Lisl> ::grinning:: Such as in putting up with the whimsies of her odd friends? ::pointing with her chin:: That's the place I was talking about. <Kevil> ::he smiles somewhat:: Indeed. I... She gives me to understand that our first meeting was flawed by reason of my excitement clashing with your... desire for privacy. For that, if you will accept it Huntress: I am indeed sorry. <Lisl> ::chuckles:: Well, that's certainly one way of putting it. And I think that's an apology I can accept. <Lisl> Though, I have to say... ::shaking her head:: You *do* get excited about some strange things. I don't know *what* Zoya's been telling you about me, but I'm sure at least half of it's exaggeration. <Kevil> ::Kevil stops in front of the fountain and looks down at its small lights. When he speaks, his voice is very quiet:: Thank you. You are... loved by one I love, d'va? I... wish us to be friends, Huntress. ::he glances back at her:: <Kevil> I do not know if I have much to offer, in your estimation. I am only a wordsmith with a few useful tricks. But if you will allow it, I will do what I may in the name of hope. <Lisl> ::looking away, a bit flustered:: Well... love might be a little strong, but... ::shrugs uneasily:: I don't... trust easily, Master Kevil. And you're not an easy person for me to trust. But... ::studies him for a moment in the flickering light of the little lumineres:: I think, at least, there's hope we could be friends. Eventually. <Kevil> ::smiles and sighs with something like relief:: Thank you. I will... strive to be worthy of the honor, Huntress. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: I know you care for Zoya, but... I think you make way too much of my regard. <Kevil> ::shakes his head:: No regard is worthless, Huntress. <Lisl> I didn't say that. But... ::gestures to the temple:: You're going to some lengths, here. * Kevil scoops one of the tiny lanterns out of the fountain and carries it, still-glowing, to the temple door. He glances at Lisl with a shadow of mischief and knocks. He exchanges a few brief words with the elf-woman who opens the door, then bows, offering her the lantern. The woman looks at the light, then stretches up on her toes to kiss Kevil. He returns the kiss, then touches her face gently before turning back to Lisl. * Lisl raises both eyebrows in amusement, leaning her hip against the rim of the fountain and trailing her fingers idly in the water as she watches. <Kevil> ::he smiles gently at Lisl:: To bring joy, Huntress. To touch a heart. To prove that... love is not a monstrous thing. <Kevil> Come. I am to return in the morning. <Lisl> ::laughs shortly:: Ah, Kevil, if you *only* knew. ::shakes her head:: C'mon then. I'll escort you back. Otherwise, you're not likely to get out of here with your clothes on. <Kevil> ::looks at her with somewhat wounded dignity:: I have that much control. <Lisl> Yeah, but *they* don't. Anything for the chance of a gold piece. And you certainly look like you'd be worth a gold piece. ::jerking her thumb over her shoulder, indicating the gathering group of prostitutes hanging out their windows, lounging at their doorways under the lanterns, all of them eyeing Kevil with the gleam of avarice in their eyes. <Lisl> And I'm *not* sure you know what that kiss means around here. ::chuckling softly:: <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow:: Care to enlighten me? <Lisl> The johns come here to get the Kiss of Hanali for ::ahem:: potency. It's said to grant all-night staying power, if Hanali is with you. * Lisl grins. <Kevil> ::chuckles:: Too bad I have no one to share it with, then. <Lisl> No one to share it with? ::looks disbelieving as she nods towards the prostitutes:: You've got a whole *district* here you could share it with. And half the Hall, if they're not asleep already. <Kevil> ::smiles sadly:: I do not begrudge these people their coin, but I would only be spending my energy along with my coin and my seed. *Sharing* would be shavalin. Come on. ::he heads back down the street the way they came.:: <Lisl> ::shakes her head, muttering as she follows:: See, Zoya? I *said* I'd never understand him... |
|
|