young_oldman | IC Inbox: Empatheias

[ Hey hey don't turn this conversation on her! ] Er, yes, I'm fine, but what about you? Have you been... sick this entire time? Where are you-- I'll bring some tea--

[He expected Sanae would offer to do that. Always a kind, thoughtful person.

The kind of person you'd feel bad to lying to, even.]

Ah, it's nothing. I'm working with some farmers who live close to the Ferril Mountains. The work is no light task, but it is manageable.

Oh... That's very kind of you.

[ She doesn't sound skeptical, but she does sound worried. ] Is there.... enough food and water for you up there? Would you like me to bring anything?

I won't deny that the weather is harsh [Tomorrow's forecast: bloody with a dash of screams], but I'm not in danger of starving.

Though...what would set my mind at ease is if you remained in the city. It may just be a feeling, but...I fear that this long stretch of peace, it cannot last for much longer.

I truly wish I could return, but I have a duty to perform up here. But it would...ease my mind to know that you are in Verens, and protecting the people there.

Ah... okay. [ She nods to him, understanding of his wishes. Although she's certain that Verens would be fine if she did leave. ] ....Just know that if you need anything, I'm here.

[ A pause. ] When will you be returning?

That would be...I suppose, between the end of the month and the first week of the next. [That's really just a stab in the dark, but how much more can he take?

As the conversation goes on, the sense of heaviness continues to weigh down on their link. He's trying his best to keep himself calm and collected, and he'd waited, waited until he felt he was somewhat ready to talk to Sanae without falling to pieces. This is truly the best that he could do, and even then it's getting too much for him.

He needs to end this soon.]

Sanae, I should go. I need to get...as much rest as I can. [Such a smooth liar, for someone who's known for his honesty.] Please pass my regards to Alvin and Shun. And...tell Lady Lee and Master Fulbright to be on their guard.

[ The way he seems to want to end the conversation so quickly does send off a few warning bells. Something else is not right, but after some past experiences with other friends, she knows not to inquire to deeply about something. Hopefully, with her offer to help there, he'll have the wisdom to take it-- the same kind of wisdom he instilled in her after Peromei, that there are those there for her. ] ....Mm.

Then, take care. And get some rest, okay?

Please, you need not concern yourself about me. I'll be fine.

[But by that half-hearted sound of acquiescence, he can tell she's not convinced. And he has to convince her; if he doesn't, she would be the sort to come up to the mountains to look for him, and he can't have that.

So he needs to keep this conversation going, if only to convince her that everything is truly alright with him.]

I'm more concerned on you. You didn't enter that tournament, didn't you?

[ She had just been about to cut the connection as he seems to have wished to leave, so... it strikes her as odd that he's continuing. Not that she minds talking to him more! ] Oh? Oh, no... I wanted to-- because did I tell you? I'm trying to learn how to use a sword! [ She says, excitedly. ]

...But I missed the sign-ups, so I couldn't enter.

[This is a new development alright. Not necessarily one of alarm, but honestly, he'd rather not see Sanae using one.]

Is there a reason why you're learning how to use one? With your powers, you don't really have a need for a weapon.

Well, what if there's an emergency and I lose them? It's also good to know how to protect others without any magical abilities.

[ Besides... ] A priestess ought to know how to use one, anyway. Swords can be sacred to us, gifts for the shrines and gods from masters. They also can be used as tools of purification. Using them to sever the evil out of a spirit-- cutting away the ayakashi-- would allow for that spirit to remain just as naturally as it should be.

I can't argue with that...but are you certain that the sword is a weapon that suits your beliefs?

[He doesn't want Sanae going into this and regretting it, which is why he's being quite blunt here.]

It is far easier to kill then to injure and disarm. It may take years before your skills with the sword is sufficient to perform to avoid non-lethal engagements. Purifying spirits is one thing, but if your enemy turns out to be a human or some other living being, would you be willing to cut them down?

Edited 2015-08-25 06:59 (UTC)

Well, I..... I don't have an exact answer to that, Lu Meng. But if what everyone is telling me to go by, I have a lot of time to figure one out before I ever get to using a real sword. [ According to Milla, it'll take 10+ years for that to happen. ]

But maybe that's what I'll do-- I'll only use a real sword when I'm at that skill level to only disarm and defend without killing. [ Seems like a good solution to her. ]

Then, to repeat your own concerns...what if an emergency happens and you haven't learned enough?

I don't want to discourage you. I believe it's wise for you to pursue some non-magical way of defending yourself. However, I don't think the sword is the best choice. Consider instead hand-to-hand combat or a bo staff. These are weapons that have a light, blunt force, favoring speed and agility for quick and successive hits. They're commonly used by Buddhist monks because they're not meant for killing.

Hm... [ She seems to consider this for a moment. But then she shakes her head and smiles. ] I can't just give up that easily, Lu Meng!

[ She is quite hopelessly optimistic. ] Besides, in a case of an emergency-- [ It's true, she's grateful for his questions. They actually get her to think more about what she's trying to decide to do. At the end of the day, however, she doesn't wish to give up sword play. She's beginning to like it, even if she's terrible at it and is only a beginner.] ...Wouldn't you be the one to protect me?

[...for a few seconds there's no response; if not for the sense that they're still connected through the crystal, Sanae may well think Lu Meng has left the conversation.

But eventually, there's a reply. A quiet one, full of emotion.]

Yes. So long as I draw breath...I will protect you with everything I have.

[And then...a drop of sorrow leaks from his thoughts, sending ripples like a raindrop from the sky that strikes the surface of the pond.]

[ She might have followed that up with a joke-- something along the lines of "then you better get back here quick to stop me from challenging my teacher!"-- but the sudden, if small, amount of sorrow tinges the connection a melancholy blue. ] Ah, --Lu Meng?

[ The concern is back in her voice. ]

[He needs...a moment. The wall he'd built to keep his emotions at bay is cracking, and he's losing control.]

...I'm sorry, Sanae. That was rather silly of me, to feel sad for no good reason. I suppose I'm a bit more lonely than I thought I would be.

When I return, I'll give you some tips on swordplay. You'll have to show me what you can do.

[ That she's mentioned how he would be the one to protect her shows just how much she's learned with her own experience with Peromei. She can comfortably say that she's grateful for her friends who are able to help her, and who don't think she is weak for asking. He, too, was among those friends that guided her to this point.

And it seems he'll be supportive in helping her learn something new! She's truly grateful to have him as a friend. ] Do you promise?

[He does intend to help her, and there's nothing difficult about giving her a few pointers. Logically, it's a promise that he can keep...so long as his gamble pays off and he returns to the city after Ayumi is finished with him.

Somehow...somehow this feels different. He can't reconcile the facts with his emotions and his instinct, and his instinct is telling him that this isn't a promise he should be making.

But to deny Sanae would be suspicious, and so he can't really say no, can he?]

I give you my word.

[ For a moment, there may have been some ounce of suspicion from her-- a skeptical pause that only exists because she's grown. But then she smiles again at that, and through the amulet he'll feel a warmth coming from her heart. It's trust she feels for him, and the promise solidifies it . ] Right--! So.

I'll see you.... soon, hopefully! [ She nods, clapping her hands together. At least he'll notice that she's now reassured with something as only given words. ] Have a good day, Lu Meng! [ With that, she'll cut the communication. ]

Be well, Sanae.

[And just like that she, and the warm, friendly presence she brings with her, is gone. For one weak moment, he'd been tempted to beg her to stay. And he desperately considers it even now; it's truly a sign of how much the past weeks have completely destroyed him

But he cannot. He cannot risk any more lives.

And so he remains silent.]

IC Inbox: Empatheias

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