Private Tales A Life to Live
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A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
What the hell was she talking about? The Day of Freedom? Festival for the anniversary of the revolution? Edric frowned for a moment, shaking his head but puzzling out an answer.
He'd not been invited to any festival, but if it was something to celebrate the anniversary of the Revolution than he would peg it at a year and some change. Maybe even two. He'd never been one to keep track of the time, not since Graduation especially.
"Oh." Edric said with a frown. "It's been about...about about two years since then."
The Rogue Dreadlord continued softly. "I didn't know there was a festival."
He said as he hopped off a ledge.
He'd not been invited to any festival, but if it was something to celebrate the anniversary of the Revolution than he would peg it at a year and some change. Maybe even two. He'd never been one to keep track of the time, not since Graduation especially.
"Oh." Edric said with a frown. "It's been about...about about two years since then."
The Rogue Dreadlord continued softly. "I didn't know there was a festival."
He said as he hopped off a ledge.
Two years.
Chasmine fell silent once again. Had it really been two years? Only two years? She could not say if the lapse of her unlife had felt shorter or longer than that, but for certain far more that what should have been possible to happen in two years had. The vast landscapes of the spirit realm she had traversed to find her way across Arethil after her death. Seeking out something, anything that could give her a morsel of hope.
Suddenly Gilram felt so very, very far away and all at once Chasmine was overwhelmed by the sensation of something akin to homesickness, though it wasn't quite that.
If it had been two years, what would eternity feel like? What if she truly was stuck like this forever? Just a cold presence in an unremarkable amulet. A forgotten spirit caught between the realms.
"Yes," she replied, "there was funnel cake and a stuffed gryphon."
Chasmine fell silent once again. Had it really been two years? Only two years? She could not say if the lapse of her unlife had felt shorter or longer than that, but for certain far more that what should have been possible to happen in two years had. The vast landscapes of the spirit realm she had traversed to find her way across Arethil after her death. Seeking out something, anything that could give her a morsel of hope.
Suddenly Gilram felt so very, very far away and all at once Chasmine was overwhelmed by the sensation of something akin to homesickness, though it wasn't quite that.
If it had been two years, what would eternity feel like? What if she truly was stuck like this forever? Just a cold presence in an unremarkable amulet. A forgotten spirit caught between the realms.
"Yes," she replied, "there was funnel cake and a stuffed gryphon."
Landing in a small cloud of dust, Edric frowned for a moment. "Right."
He told her, not sure if she was lost in some memory or making an attempt to share part of the life she left behind.
"I guess they probably didn't want me around for a lot of that stuff." Edric reflected, though surprisingly didn't feel the usual bitterness that came with those sort of thoughts. His attention instead focused on Chasmine, why she was bringing up from what seemed like so long ago.
"Is that when you-" He paused for a moment, wondering if it was a question he should be asking. "Was it fun?"
Edric asked, switching subjects as he began to scan the sky, searching for smoke, vulture, or anything else he could run down.
He told her, not sure if she was lost in some memory or making an attempt to share part of the life she left behind.
"I guess they probably didn't want me around for a lot of that stuff." Edric reflected, though surprisingly didn't feel the usual bitterness that came with those sort of thoughts. His attention instead focused on Chasmine, why she was bringing up from what seemed like so long ago.
"Is that when you-" He paused for a moment, wondering if it was a question he should be asking. "Was it fun?"
Edric asked, switching subjects as he began to scan the sky, searching for smoke, vulture, or anything else he could run down.
"I don't... really remember."
It was hard to define her feelings toward that day. Were she still the same person now, thinking the same way as she had at the festival, she would have gladly told him it had been the most pleasant day she could recall in years. Thinking back to it now and how her classmates had so quickly and easily let her slip away without a second thought...
Clarity became once more the definition of abandonment.
"I don't think you missed much," she continued, tone wilted, "by not being there."
"Time... is not the same for me now. It's been two years but ... it could have been ten. Or longer. I can't feel time passing like you can."
It was hard to define her feelings toward that day. Were she still the same person now, thinking the same way as she had at the festival, she would have gladly told him it had been the most pleasant day she could recall in years. Thinking back to it now and how her classmates had so quickly and easily let her slip away without a second thought...
Clarity became once more the definition of abandonment.
"I don't think you missed much," she continued, tone wilted, "by not being there."
"Time... is not the same for me now. It's been two years but ... it could have been ten. Or longer. I can't feel time passing like you can."
Edric frowned, his eyes narrowing as he thought he caught sight of a dark plume rising in the distance. "Yeah, I kinda figured that."
He wasn't a genius or anything, but having spent enough time with Chasmine it was obvious she couldn't tell a day from a week. Sometimes it was kind of funny, when he'd been in prison it had been somewhat annoying. Not her fault, really, but even Edric picked up on that.
For a moment more he watched the plume of smoke, and then shifted to turn their path in that direction.
"Well, when you're back we can go to another Festival." Edric told Chasmine, trying to stop the conversation from taking it's inevitable turn to sadness that every chat between Dreadlords took. "And you can remember that one instead."
The Rogue insisted. "Half the time the past isn't worth remembering anyway."
He commented, continuing down the pebbled cliffside.
He wasn't a genius or anything, but having spent enough time with Chasmine it was obvious she couldn't tell a day from a week. Sometimes it was kind of funny, when he'd been in prison it had been somewhat annoying. Not her fault, really, but even Edric picked up on that.
For a moment more he watched the plume of smoke, and then shifted to turn their path in that direction.
"Well, when you're back we can go to another Festival." Edric told Chasmine, trying to stop the conversation from taking it's inevitable turn to sadness that every chat between Dreadlords took. "And you can remember that one instead."
The Rogue insisted. "Half the time the past isn't worth remembering anyway."
He commented, continuing down the pebbled cliffside.
Another festival. Chasmine's presence shifted at his sternum, the amulet seeming to almost vibrate briefly in excitement. How simple and quaint an idea - using new experiences to overwrite the past. She wasn't sure if it worked that way, but she liked the sound of it. Especially since he'd said we and not you.
And still that he persisted in believing she would come back at all. She still was not convinced, but it was nice that he remained steadfast in his conviction to it.
"I would like that very much," Chas replied, a bit more brightly.
"What is your fondest memory?"
And still that he persisted in believing she would come back at all. She still was not convinced, but it was nice that he remained steadfast in his conviction to it.
"I would like that very much," Chas replied, a bit more brightly.
"What is your fondest memory?"
"Then we'll do it." Edric said simply, figuring that there had to be a dozen different festivals between here and Vel Anir. Dornoch, Oban, Probably even Elbion had something. Maybe if this took long enough they could even go to Turin.
The tournament wasn't exactly a festival, but two birds one stone and all that. Edric still wanted to win a medal at the fucking thing. His thoughts turning to the very event as Chasmine asked him about his own memories.
"I'm not sure." He admitted. "I went to a tournament with Duncan once. Didn't get to finish, but the events were kind of fun."
Edric said, talking for a moment and simply forgetting himself. "Another time I protected some noble Governess at a party, and me and this noble girl beat all the other noble at a bunch of competitions."
A chuckle erupted from his throat as he remembered some of the losers faces.
"I saved Noel once on a mission." He said, recounting his memories in an almost child-like wonder. "And she and I talked on the way back home..."
His head shook, as if he couldn't quite put how he felt about the event into words. Not even mentioning his time with Ral in Wissberg, the Journey through the Desert, nor his time at sea or half a dozen other memories that he couldn't help but smile at. "Most of them...most of my favorite things happened in the last two years."
Edric said quietly, almost as if only realizing it then.
The tournament wasn't exactly a festival, but two birds one stone and all that. Edric still wanted to win a medal at the fucking thing. His thoughts turning to the very event as Chasmine asked him about his own memories.
"I'm not sure." He admitted. "I went to a tournament with Duncan once. Didn't get to finish, but the events were kind of fun."
Edric said, talking for a moment and simply forgetting himself. "Another time I protected some noble Governess at a party, and me and this noble girl beat all the other noble at a bunch of competitions."
A chuckle erupted from his throat as he remembered some of the losers faces.
"I saved Noel once on a mission." He said, recounting his memories in an almost child-like wonder. "And she and I talked on the way back home..."
His head shook, as if he couldn't quite put how he felt about the event into words. Not even mentioning his time with Ral in Wissberg, the Journey through the Desert, nor his time at sea or half a dozen other memories that he couldn't help but smile at. "Most of them...most of my favorite things happened in the last two years."
Edric said quietly, almost as if only realizing it then.
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So many good memories to recount. At once she was both happy for him and sad for her own lack of such things. Her fondest memories did not generally involve other people, but the places she'd felt the most safe at the Academy. Where she found the most enjoyment alone. Her gardens, her room, the Blackwood, the graveyards, the ruins.
She had no fond memories of missions - the very few she'd been permitted to attend she had bungled for the other Initiates. Those that had not outright tried to kill her simply ignored her or left her behind. That Chasmine continued to survive and return to the Academy was as annoying as it was unexpected for the Proctors.
"So many nice memories," Chas remarked gently, "you are lucky to have them."
She had no fond memories of missions - the very few she'd been permitted to attend she had bungled for the other Initiates. Those that had not outright tried to kill her simply ignored her or left her behind. That Chasmine continued to survive and return to the Academy was as annoying as it was unexpected for the Proctors.
"So many nice memories," Chas remarked gently, "you are lucky to have them."
Edric smiled for a brief moment as he reached a small cliff-line. Just ahead of it the smoke still rose in fits and starts. "Guess I'm good at making them."
He told her as he began to climb up, his voice dropping into a whisper.
Though not a natural climber, Edric still moved with a shocking silence. Drawing himself over the cliffside and shifting over rock until he could see the other side of the ridge. His lips turning into a frown as he noticed the campsite sitting there; empty.
"Looks like they left." The Dreadlord said, his boots coming down with a thump in the abandoned clearing. "Probably this morning."
He said, kicking over some of the coals. "Means we're probably not far behind."
Edric mused as he squatted down, taking in a long breath. "Might just stay the night."
He finished quietly.
He told her as he began to climb up, his voice dropping into a whisper.
Though not a natural climber, Edric still moved with a shocking silence. Drawing himself over the cliffside and shifting over rock until he could see the other side of the ridge. His lips turning into a frown as he noticed the campsite sitting there; empty.
"Looks like they left." The Dreadlord said, his boots coming down with a thump in the abandoned clearing. "Probably this morning."
He said, kicking over some of the coals. "Means we're probably not far behind."
Edric mused as he squatted down, taking in a long breath. "Might just stay the night."
He finished quietly.
It would probably do him some good to rest, Chas thought to herself. He had, after all, traversed the Steppes to the Fringelands in the ten days spoken - something that should have taken him much longer without a warg mount. But Edric was a person of inhuman abilities. She did not fully understand it, but did have to wonder...
"You don't... actually need to rest... do you," it was less a question and more a quiet observation. She flickered outward from the amulet, manifesting at the other side of the cold campfire remnants, faint and hazy in the fading light of the day.
Her gaze surveyed the immediate area, able to clearly see the spiritual remains of the campfire within her own gaze. She lowered herself to stoop down by it, as if to huddle near a flame that did not exist.
"But I suppose it would be wiser to camp in unknown lands than to wander at night."
"You don't... actually need to rest... do you," it was less a question and more a quiet observation. She flickered outward from the amulet, manifesting at the other side of the cold campfire remnants, faint and hazy in the fading light of the day.
Her gaze surveyed the immediate area, able to clearly see the spiritual remains of the campfire within her own gaze. She lowered herself to stoop down by it, as if to huddle near a flame that did not exist.
"But I suppose it would be wiser to camp in unknown lands than to wander at night."
"It depends." Edric said as he poked around the camp for a few more minutes. Eventually wandering around the now dying fire and sitting himself down.
"If there's a lot of life around, no." He explained. "In a places like the Reach or the Falwood...I could keep going for days, if not years."
The thought had occurred to him more than a few times. "Out here?"
For a moment, Edric close his eyes. A long breath dragged into his lungs, as if he were searching..reaching out towards something that was difficult to see. After a few heartbeats, he opened his eyes.
"A day or so, but then even I'd have to sleep." Edric said softly, admitting out loud what two years ago had been sacred knowledge. They had always been supposed to hide details of their magic, and Edric had done so even after the Republic had formed. Old Habits. Few knew the depths of his abilities. "But, truth is."
He told her softly. "I kind of wanted to be alone."
"If there's a lot of life around, no." He explained. "In a places like the Reach or the Falwood...I could keep going for days, if not years."
The thought had occurred to him more than a few times. "Out here?"
For a moment, Edric close his eyes. A long breath dragged into his lungs, as if he were searching..reaching out towards something that was difficult to see. After a few heartbeats, he opened his eyes.
"A day or so, but then even I'd have to sleep." Edric said softly, admitting out loud what two years ago had been sacred knowledge. They had always been supposed to hide details of their magic, and Edric had done so even after the Republic had formed. Old Habits. Few knew the depths of his abilities. "But, truth is."
He told her softly. "I kind of wanted to be alone."
Wasn't difficult to confess ones weaknesses to someone who could do nothing to take advantage. Chasmine thought on this as he spoke, wondering if he felt comfortable telling her these things because of the fact that she was dead. And even if they somehow managed to bring her back, he had no need to fear her knowing such things because who in their right mind would fear Chasmine Grey?
Perhaps she might tell others. Others that would take advantage. Could take advantage and pose a true threat. Like Gilram.
The ghost settled down on her knees, her pale figure losing detail as it seemed to fold into less of the image of a girl and more of a shape that suggested one. She frowned at his last words, feeling the all-too-familiar spike of painful awareness that perhaps she had worn out her welcome with him. Even if she had been reticent for the majority of the past ten days.
"Would you like me to leave you alone for the night?"
Perhaps she might tell others. Others that would take advantage. Could take advantage and pose a true threat. Like Gilram.
The ghost settled down on her knees, her pale figure losing detail as it seemed to fold into less of the image of a girl and more of a shape that suggested one. She frowned at his last words, feeling the all-too-familiar spike of painful awareness that perhaps she had worn out her welcome with him. Even if she had been reticent for the majority of the past ten days.
"Would you like me to leave you alone for the night?"
"What?" Edric asked in confusion, not understanding for a moment before the puzzle pieces clicked Into place. His head quickly shaking as he objected. "No no."
He was quick to assure Chasmine. "I wanted us to be alone."
Edric examined as he looked around what had once been a small camp. Finding the spot where there had once been a tent and bedroll and tossing his own meagre things there.
They hadn't made camp in quite some time, but for some reason a bed sounded good tonight. Even if it was just a mat on the floor. "Ya know...without the..."
He gestured back towards the direction Sharruk had gone in.
"I figure the next time we meet someone else things are gonna get loud." The Rogue reasoned. "Thought it would be nice to enjoy the quiet together."
He was quick to assure Chasmine. "I wanted us to be alone."
Edric examined as he looked around what had once been a small camp. Finding the spot where there had once been a tent and bedroll and tossing his own meagre things there.
They hadn't made camp in quite some time, but for some reason a bed sounded good tonight. Even if it was just a mat on the floor. "Ya know...without the..."
He gestured back towards the direction Sharruk had gone in.
"I figure the next time we meet someone else things are gonna get loud." The Rogue reasoned. "Thought it would be nice to enjoy the quiet together."
"Oh." Chasmine looked at him, strangely reassured, "Okay."
"Are orcs... usually loud?" the next question seemed to ask itself, though it begged less of an answer and more of an ear as she thought aloud, "That last group was rather quiet."
"You handled them well," Chas added rather abruptly then, a soft sort of smile showing as she thought back on it, "like a true diplomat."
"Are orcs... usually loud?" the next question seemed to ask itself, though it begged less of an answer and more of an ear as she thought aloud, "That last group was rather quiet."
"You handled them well," Chas added rather abruptly then, a soft sort of smile showing as she thought back on it, "like a true diplomat."
As Edric got himself comfortable in the already half made camp, he let out a scoff. "Uhh, yeah!"
He told her confidently.
"Maui and the ones who were with her practically brought down the House." Edric said, remembering how raucous they had been. "Though I guess Ral and I didn't help...but point is I think things are going to get a little bit crazy."
There was no telling exactly where this little adventure would go. Either they would be pointed towards the nearest well of Souls, or he was going to be murdering a lot of orcs. He figured a little bit of rest was due, especially after the last ten days of running.
He smiled as he leaned back against his rock perch, Chasmine's compliment bring an odd sort of life to his expression. "Thanks!"
Edric said rather chirpily.
"I tried to approach it like Duncan would." He continued, as if needing to tell her how he managed to have a normal conversation with a stranger. "Turns out, I'm pretty damn nice."
The Rogue said with a wry chuckle.
He told her confidently.
"Maui and the ones who were with her practically brought down the House." Edric said, remembering how raucous they had been. "Though I guess Ral and I didn't help...but point is I think things are going to get a little bit crazy."
There was no telling exactly where this little adventure would go. Either they would be pointed towards the nearest well of Souls, or he was going to be murdering a lot of orcs. He figured a little bit of rest was due, especially after the last ten days of running.
He smiled as he leaned back against his rock perch, Chasmine's compliment bring an odd sort of life to his expression. "Thanks!"
Edric said rather chirpily.
"I tried to approach it like Duncan would." He continued, as if needing to tell her how he managed to have a normal conversation with a stranger. "Turns out, I'm pretty damn nice."
The Rogue said with a wry chuckle.
The ghost canted her head to one side, thoughtfully amused for a brief moment.
"You are much nicer than I imagined," she said, "I think Duncan would have been proud of you."
It was easy to please Duncan and the man was perhaps one of the kindest Dreadlords Chasmine had ever met. She rather liked his company and conversation - he was ever a wealth of knowledge on many things. Like an older brother, he'd come to look after her under Gilram's lead, but still...
Sometimes the feeling that Duncan was not telling the truth strongly saturated their exchanges.
"I'm afraid I will be of little help once we find your friend. Do you really think she will welcome you?"
"You are much nicer than I imagined," she said, "I think Duncan would have been proud of you."
It was easy to please Duncan and the man was perhaps one of the kindest Dreadlords Chasmine had ever met. She rather liked his company and conversation - he was ever a wealth of knowledge on many things. Like an older brother, he'd come to look after her under Gilram's lead, but still...
Sometimes the feeling that Duncan was not telling the truth strongly saturated their exchanges.
"I'm afraid I will be of little help once we find your friend. Do you really think she will welcome you?"
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Edric smiled for a long moment. Taking in the s;mall moment of pride that he felt in Chasmine's voice. It was rare that he felt anyone express something of the like towards him. Even at the Academy, they had preferred he be put down as little more than a dog doing his duty.
A slow, long breath filled his lungs. Eyes closing as he shifted against the rock wall. "I hope so."
He admitted.
"I want to keep my promise to you." Edric said honestly, staring down at the coals where a fire had once sat. His fingers slowly slipping between one another. Thumbs gently pressing together as he shook his head. "And I think this is the best way to do that."
At least without going back home, but he wasn't quite ready to do that. "But...ummm..."
Edric cleared his throat.
"Don't disappear when we're around the Orcs, alright?" He told her. "I need someone to be...reasonable with me."
The Rogue said, his voice dropping as he pleaded. "Please."
A slow, long breath filled his lungs. Eyes closing as he shifted against the rock wall. "I hope so."
He admitted.
"I want to keep my promise to you." Edric said honestly, staring down at the coals where a fire had once sat. His fingers slowly slipping between one another. Thumbs gently pressing together as he shook his head. "And I think this is the best way to do that."
At least without going back home, but he wasn't quite ready to do that. "But...ummm..."
Edric cleared his throat.
"Don't disappear when we're around the Orcs, alright?" He told her. "I need someone to be...reasonable with me."
The Rogue said, his voice dropping as he pleaded. "Please."
There he went, talking about that promise again. The doubt still had yet to evaporate from her mind but it was getting slightly easier to ignore the voice of it speaking in opposition to her thoughts.
"I am not sure it is a good idea for me to stay visible around them," Chas murmured, her pale gaze wandering elsewhere, "most people are afraid of ghosts."
Plus, she had no idea the capabilities of orcs. Could they use magic? Did they hold or maintain spiritual beliefs or powers? Did they employ the role of shamans? She already knew those sorts could spell trouble for her.
"I'll just stay in the amulet, if that's alright with you."
"I am not sure it is a good idea for me to stay visible around them," Chas murmured, her pale gaze wandering elsewhere, "most people are afraid of ghosts."
Plus, she had no idea the capabilities of orcs. Could they use magic? Did they hold or maintain spiritual beliefs or powers? Did they employ the role of shamans? She already knew those sorts could spell trouble for her.
"I'll just stay in the amulet, if that's alright with you."
"Yeah, that's...that's fair enough." Edric said softly.
He knew better than most that it wasn't always nice to scare people. Though he'd never blame anyone but himself, Edric could well remember the terror on some of the faces of the nobles at the party after he'd come out of his haze.
Most of them had looked at him as though he were some sort of monster. "Just ya know."
He said, smiling slightly.
"Listen in." Edric urged. "Or something."
Time was wonky for her, he knew that, but he wasn't sure if that meant she didn't have the...aptitude to listen when she did or didn't want to. Either way, he still wanted, or hoped, that she could guide him. Keep him from saying or doing something stupid.
The last thing they needed was for him to make this whole side mission for naught.
He knew better than most that it wasn't always nice to scare people. Though he'd never blame anyone but himself, Edric could well remember the terror on some of the faces of the nobles at the party after he'd come out of his haze.
Most of them had looked at him as though he were some sort of monster. "Just ya know."
He said, smiling slightly.
"Listen in." Edric urged. "Or something."
Time was wonky for her, he knew that, but he wasn't sure if that meant she didn't have the...aptitude to listen when she did or didn't want to. Either way, he still wanted, or hoped, that she could guide him. Keep him from saying or doing something stupid.
The last thing they needed was for him to make this whole side mission for naught.
"I am always listening," Chas replied gently, leaning aside to sit on her rear and tuck her legs up in front of her where she hugged at them, chin rested on her knees, "people usually don't care about what I have to say, so I don't say anything."
That hadn't usually stopped her from speaking her thoughts before, but usually her thoughts had been rather nonsensical to others, even if they made perfect sense to herself.
"I know I don't always make sense," she continued quietly, "I just... see things differently."
That hadn't usually stopped her from speaking her thoughts before, but usually her thoughts had been rather nonsensical to others, even if they made perfect sense to herself.
"I know I don't always make sense," she continued quietly, "I just... see things differently."
"That's good." He said softly. In truth, the last few days had been somewhat tumultuous in his head. Despite how 'well' he'd done with the previous group of orcs, he was concerned what would happen when they did find Maui's tribe.
There was no doubt in his mind that she would welcome him, she had told him as much, and there was no doubt that she would help either. As long as he gave her something back, he was positive she would do what she could.
The problem would be the rest of her tribe. All of the orcs, really.
Even in the brief moment of time with that other group, he had sensed it. There had been a tension in the air, a need from either side to prove themselves. Edric knew it, because he felt that tension almost constantly. It was why Chasmine was so good for him. Even if she didn't give him that odd feeling of calm, she was at least a voice of reason.
One he badly needed. "I know."
Edric said softly as she trained to explain herself. They had spent enough time together that it would have been impossible for even him not to notice. He had still been a bit clueless before Alliria, but since then things had clicked into place.
"It's okay." He said with a deep breath. "I'm doing my best to meet you half-way."
The Dreadlord said, spouting the other realization he'd recently had; It wasn't always about getting what he wanted.
There was no doubt in his mind that she would welcome him, she had told him as much, and there was no doubt that she would help either. As long as he gave her something back, he was positive she would do what she could.
The problem would be the rest of her tribe. All of the orcs, really.
Even in the brief moment of time with that other group, he had sensed it. There had been a tension in the air, a need from either side to prove themselves. Edric knew it, because he felt that tension almost constantly. It was why Chasmine was so good for him. Even if she didn't give him that odd feeling of calm, she was at least a voice of reason.
One he badly needed. "I know."
Edric said softly as she trained to explain herself. They had spent enough time together that it would have been impossible for even him not to notice. He had still been a bit clueless before Alliria, but since then things had clicked into place.
"It's okay." He said with a deep breath. "I'm doing my best to meet you half-way."
The Dreadlord said, spouting the other realization he'd recently had; It wasn't always about getting what he wanted.
I'm doing my best to meet you half-way.
She glanced over at him again at those words, somewhat taken-aback by the statement. It was so hard to understand Edric for how little she really knew him, but he was surprising her each day.
A breath and a blink passed. Chasmine filtered across the distance between them and settled down at his side as she had done before beneath the trunk of the dead tree. The ghost settled in against him, warmth suffusing her cold presence for a time.
"Thank you for trying."
She glanced over at him again at those words, somewhat taken-aback by the statement. It was so hard to understand Edric for how little she really knew him, but he was surprising her each day.
A breath and a blink passed. Chasmine filtered across the distance between them and settled down at his side as she had done before beneath the trunk of the dead tree. The ghost settled in against him, warmth suffusing her cold presence for a time.
"Thank you for trying."
Goosebumps ran up his skin like rivers wherever she touched him, but Edric didn't hesitate in unfurling his arm and wrapping it around her spectral form.
"Don't worry about it." He assured her. "I figure I had to start somewhere."
It might as well be the only person that was around him. Edric knew that he wasn't be the best, that he had his failings, but least he could do was try. There was no doubt in his mind he would misstep eventually. He was just waiting for one of these orcs to say something wrong.
But he could wait, and hold it in.
At least for a little while. "I still don't really care about a lot of people."
Edric confessed quietly.
"Ya know?" The tone was so casual that it was almost hard not to think he was right to think that way. Years, decades, of indoctrination had truly taken root in Edric. More than most Initiate's he had been made to kill. Life, unless proven otherwise, was cheap. "But...I care about you."
He assured her, as though he didn't sound near something to an absolute sociopath. "So lets get through this Orc stuff, get you back, then find home."
Then they would get the others too. Simple as.
"Don't worry about it." He assured her. "I figure I had to start somewhere."
It might as well be the only person that was around him. Edric knew that he wasn't be the best, that he had his failings, but least he could do was try. There was no doubt in his mind he would misstep eventually. He was just waiting for one of these orcs to say something wrong.
But he could wait, and hold it in.
At least for a little while. "I still don't really care about a lot of people."
Edric confessed quietly.
"Ya know?" The tone was so casual that it was almost hard not to think he was right to think that way. Years, decades, of indoctrination had truly taken root in Edric. More than most Initiate's he had been made to kill. Life, unless proven otherwise, was cheap. "But...I care about you."
He assured her, as though he didn't sound near something to an absolute sociopath. "So lets get through this Orc stuff, get you back, then find home."
Then they would get the others too. Simple as.