|
|
Post by Ancelas on Jan 8, 2023 21:21:30 GMT -5
"Ehhhh..." Alain winced a little. "Not quite. They are... serpent people. Their religion is very strict, and their culture is... difficult. Off-putting to outsiders. I haven't spent much time in Skyshroud - I prefer cooler climates."
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Jan 8, 2023 21:29:20 GMT -5
"Serpent people..." Konane frowned. She was almost hoping there was something else out there she could... relate to.
"I see. So they are difficult, like Otori can be." She slightly tilted her head back and forth, before looking to Alain. "Are there any people out there like me? Like Hengeyokai? I don't think you've met any, have you? I forget if I have asked that question already... I have had a lot on my mind the past.. few... months."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Jan 8, 2023 21:35:57 GMT -5
"I'm not sure. There are lycanthropes, and druids often straddle the line between man and beast, but... your nature is somewhat more unique. Most of those like you that I've heard of are Otonin by birth."
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Jan 8, 2023 21:38:09 GMT -5
"Well, yes. I would imagine so... I... suppose." She furrowed her brows and folded her ears back, a little frustrated.
"But you have never met a Hengeyokai, to your knowledge? Most probably hide who they are, anyway... I would probably still be hiding myself if it wasn't for Sae running off..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Jan 8, 2023 21:51:20 GMT -5
"If I have, than they indeed hid themselves, for completely understandable reasons. I have a suspicion that the vanyr are spread further across Otori than Otonins realize, but it is safer to believe them hidden away in their forests. For all involved, really..."
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Jan 8, 2023 22:18:54 GMT -5
"Yes. I've never been there, but I have been told stories from my nana." She pulled her hands from her pockets, and folded her arms. Standing around felt weird. Like she didn't know what to do with herself.
"Maybe someday I will find others. It would be nice to... talk to someone. About all this." She gestured to herself, and ended pointing at her ears.
"I know most from experience, but my nana taught me as much as she could before she... went away."
She paused for some time, watching him. His eyes were lovely, like Alastair's. Mismatched and reminding her of water and trees. She could stare at them all day...
Catching herself, she shook her head quickly to shake the thoughts from her mind. Alastair took a lot after his mother, but there were qualities Alain had given him, that she very much liked.
"Sorry, I went on a thought and lost myself." She coughed some, and smiled. "What are... Lycanthropes like? Alastair mistook me as one when I... first showed myself."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Jan 9, 2023 20:04:52 GMT -5
Alain chuckled, but then his expression grew subdued. "Lycanthropes are like people. There good ones and bad ones. More bad than good, unfortunately - lycanthropy is a curse. It can be controlled, with a great deal of effort, but it is quite difficult. The curse can change your very nature, so it is something best avoided."
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Jan 9, 2023 20:12:09 GMT -5
"Oh. A curse can be lifted, yes? If someone becomes one. How does one get cursed?" This was a good distraction. But she felt like she needed to say something else. But what?
"Do you anger a hag or something?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Jan 9, 2023 20:44:44 GMT -5
"That is certainly one way," Alain said with a genuine chuckle. "Curses are... twists in the weave of magic. They fundamentally alter the world, or people, in specific ways, to specific ends. Part of the difficulty of the curse lies in the lifting - the most difficult ones require specific components and conditions to be met in order for the curse to be lifted. Lycanthropy is one such curse. I've heard of several possible solutions, but I've never met a former lycanthrope, so I cannot speak to their effectiveness."
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Jan 10, 2023 11:36:34 GMT -5
Konane nodded, the talking was nice, and learning some things was a bonus. Alain probably enjoyed the distraction, too.
Talking about things that wasn't himself or his problems.
But she had an itching question.
"Mmn... I see. Makes sense." She paused a moment, and decided to ask.
"What did you do to get exiled? Was it worth it?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Jan 10, 2023 21:18:28 GMT -5
Alain blinked and looked over at her. "My... hrm. You'll have to be more specific. Which exile are we speaking of?"
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Jan 10, 2023 21:25:50 GMT -5
"You are exiled from more than one place? All I know of is the White Tower..." She squinted at him, and pursed her lips.
"Where else were you exiled from?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Jan 11, 2023 7:51:35 GMT -5
"A few taverns. Astor City, most recently. Mostly because of things that weren't my fault, mind you. But the White Tower..."
Alain sighed and shook his head. "That most certainly was my fault, though I'll be damned if I give them the satisfaction knowing my regret. It was... poor form. But I was hurt, and angry, at the time. I had just lost so much, and had returned to the White Tower as it was one of the few homes I've had over the years."
Alain pursed his lips together. "The First Sage was not very welcoming. Words were exchanged. Drink was had."
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Jan 11, 2023 16:30:12 GMT -5
"Oh. That's not any mischief fun like I thought..." Konane frowned, and tilted her head.
"Why Astor city? Is that less... Regrettable?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Jan 12, 2023 18:12:28 GMT -5
Alain barked out a laugh. "It is, if only because I could not save the king from Dimitrios' machinations. That's the exile that led to my capture by the orcs."
|
|
