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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Yeah, a funny thing to tell a bunch of paladins. Go-getters, all, I'd say, although Rayvon seems to have a bit of balance in his approach. Got the impression that it had been a while since Aleksandr had gone more than a day or two without smiting something.
He releases a long, slow breath. The squire settles by the fountain that marks the bath-house, and trails a few finger-tips in the water, just catching the early morning light.
This sure makes it easier. The sound of water. Could there be a better sound to remind ya that yer just a part of a really big thing, an' sometimes it's way better to just shut up and listen to it?
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Manar nods. "Might be a funny thing to tell us, might not--it's not telling us not to be focused, after all, just not to be so focused we lose track of everything else. As to the sounds.... yeah. Wind through treetops works too, though not as well. Or a wooden flute several houselengths away, when you can't quite tell where it's coming from, just that it's there--that happened a lot, when I was training. Lost a little of its charm when I realized it was Galena noodling on the roof, but still..."
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Malfrin
Malfrin seems thoroughly engaged, but frowns at the end of Manar's story.
Noodling? Just when I thought I'd heard all the cants, something new for me. Noodling?
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
"Songster-speak. Means to just play, hum, sing or otherwise whatever comes into the mind. 'S one of my favorite free-time pursuits." Manar chuckles, her eyes sparkling. "Then again, it's often said music can be a language in and of itself; you've no idea how many times I've had to explain words I thought were common knowledge."
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Malfrin
The squire nods pensively.
Noodling. I like this word. I wonder if it has applications outside of music. Owyn noodles at a poem. Owyn noodles a long-winded prayer...Malfrin noodles his fencing drill.
He grins, and dries his only-slightly-clean hands on his tunic.
Well, I for one would be honoured to hear you noodle sometime.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
"I'll try to arrange that, then. It's pretty rare anyone explicitly asks to listen to me practice." Manar grins. "If nothing else, you've just given me carte blanche to indulge in an old habit of mine...."
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Malfrin sits up at the fountain, now definitely intrigued.
An old habit? You mean you haven't been keeping it up - I would think that, if any of us were to see the need to balance an addition of beauty with the subtraction of ugliness in this world, it'd be you. I'd be delighted to be an audience.
He smiles.
And I suspect I wouldn't be the only one. I'd love to hear what Amun makes of this cacophonous western music.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Manar chuckles. "Practicing nobody minds. I just get rather odd responses when I'm singing in the bath so loud I can be heard in the next over."
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Malfrin chuckles, and stands.
Well, I'll look forward to that. Or listen forward, I guess. My pipes are even rustier than yours, but I had a tenor fair enough to charm few coppers out of old gentlemen on street corners, in my day.
He pauses, brushing aside other thoughts of old gentlement on street corners.
Perhaps I'll try to harmonize from the next bath over. Shall we?
He gestures for her to precede him into the baths.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Manar does so, finding herself a nice portion of the ladies' baths near the shared wall, hums a bit in warmup while preparing for said bath, and then settles in and starts in on one of her old standby tunes, a "redeemer-ballad" called "Rianna and the Firelord"--usually a duet-piece, but at least at the beginning she sings solo. Though she lets herself get into it as usual, eyes closed and focused on the music, she keeps a portion of herself alert for its reception from the next bath over.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Malfrin sighs and swirls the water in the small tub, squirming to chafe just the...yes! Just the right place in the middle of his back.
Manar's voice floats in pleasantly with the closeness of steam and the overtone of lilac soap. Praise be, it's a song he knows, or at least thinks he does.
Allowing Manar to establish the melody and strain in the first verse, he joins in softly with a quiet harmony in the second, and by the third is singing along, usually with the right words, sometimes in the right key, and tapping with his fingers on the copper tub, adding a somewhat muted percussion to her beautiful voice.
Sinking back into the tub, surrounded by the warmth and the music, Malfrin's smile spreads from ear to ear. But wait! Is he doing too much? He pauses towards the end of the song, wanting to give her the room to close out the tune of love and duty as she saw fit.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Manar, once Malfrin begins singing, grins and straightens up a bit in the tub. I can sing it how it's meant to be sung! Splendid! In the middle of the second verse, as the song breaks into the parts of the two title characters, she lets herself fade out during the Firelord's parts, only singing out if Malfrin seems to need a reminder or encouragement, and as it comes back together, she adjusts her volume to almost perfectly match his.... hesitates for a moment as he drops to near-silence, then finishes it in a tone just loud enough to be heard through the division, ending on a smooth upward gliss and fade.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
The two paladins sat in their respective tubs in silence, enjoying the moment stretching out between them. Finally, they each got up, dried off, dressed and left the bath hall. Malfrin was waiting for Manar with a grin on his face by the time she came out, her hair still fairly wet, but at least brushed out. Figuring the rest of the group would be in the mess hall by now, they chatted quietly as they walked in that direction. For a moment, the dream had been forgotten as she sang, but now, it returned to her mind and heart with force, and with it the knowledge that it really wasn’t an ordinary dream. A feeling of dread prickled into her stomach, though she kept up appearances as best as she could while the two walked. Malfrin, sensing somewhat the change in mood, respectfully kept quiet.
The mess hall indeed had everyone else there. Owyn looked somewhat surprised to see Malfrin cleaned up after his stable duty, but he waved cheerily to both of them. Aleksei, on the other hand, was not cleaned up. It was obvious he had already been hard at work training the temple recruits, and catching Owyn’s movement, looked up and waved as well. Samson, as always an obvious figure well above the rest, was leaning down to the smaller Rayvon, listening intently to some story the halfling was telling both him and Amun. The darker paladin listened closely as well, a small frown creasing his forehead.
As the two newcomers approached the table, the other three looked up, Rayvon and Samson with a smile (or what approximated a minotaur smile), while Amun nodded seriously, his face still in the frown he wore a moment ago.
As Owyn opened his mouth to greet them, Manar heard a door open, and the world shifted into slow motion. She turned, somehow knowing before she turned that she would see a temple messenger, something small and unseen in his folded hand, walking towards her rapidly, though the air had seemingly turned thick. A moment later, the door actually opened and the temple messenger walked in. It seemed to her that reality was half a step behind the almost-vision she was experiencing, and when she saw the closed fist, she knew before he reached her that it was for her, and the news was not good. The noises of the other paladins around the table and the entire mess hall faded into an indistinguishable blur of sound, and her sight narrowed down until she could almost physically see the double image of the messenger coming towards her. There was a roaring in her ears and she dimly heard the messenger say to her, “For you, Lady Manar, from your monastery,” the double sound overlapping in the déjà vu and reality.
Numbly, knowing before she physically grasped the paper handed to her that it was from Florian, she opened the note and read it. She did not see Malfrin’s face suddenly crumple in understanding, nor the others begin to stand up, sensing something was wrong. All she was aware of were the words written on the paper. She read them several times before it sunk in and the world caught up to her as time sprung forward into normal movement. She sat down heavily, and she didn’t even know she was crying until she looked up at the faces of Malfrin and Owyn, the two people closest to her, and they were blurry.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Rayvon halts his story and looks at Manar, a mixture of concern and curiousity displayed on his face. He decides not to say anything, leaving it to someone more qualified. He knows he isn't the best with more serious emotions.
Buddy, laying quietly near a the kitchen, trots over and nuzzles his snout under Manar's hand, silently lending his support one of his new friends.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Manar just sits there, half-looking up and fighting a losing battle to regain her composure, eyes unfocused, while her thoughts run in chaotic little downward spirals and she absently scratches Buddy behind the ears.
"....not happening.... NOT happening....." Her voice is barely more than a whisper, and after a moment of shock, she loses the fight with her emotions and crumples over the table and the letter sobbing, completely ignoring everything else.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Death, sorrow, despair... he'd seen it, thought Owyn, seen it far too many times, but... what do I say? Does she want privacy? Does she want comfort? Blessed Torm, sometimes I think the codes of chivalry your priests have written are a little too narrow. I know she would take offense at being treated as an ordinary 'damsel in distress', but treating her as a brother knight also seems ... wrong - how is it that I've been a knight for thirty years and more, and still don't know how to deal with something like this? On the road, I would let their pastor deal with it, someone who knew them well, but it obviously seems my duty to help her...
Torm help me, when did I get so unused to having friends? And why did it have to be Manar? Aleksei I could deal with better, maybe, but ... it shouldn't matter that she's a girl - no, woman - my duty should be clear regardless... so why isn't it?
All this Owyn thought in an instant, circles going 'round in his head as his mouth opened, then closed before sound could escape, his hand tentatively reaching forward, then snatching itself back. He sat there stalled for a few long moments, whatever he was finally going to do doubtless to be interrupted by one of the other knights long before he could make up his mind to do it.
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Amun Natsur
As the grief overcomes Manar, Amun is shaken from his confused analysis of what must be Western storytelling idiosyncrasies. It takes a few moments for him to realize what is occurring, and he quickly lowers his eyes.
He does not rise, though. At home, he would have quickly left the room, as he is not party to the mourning, but the actions of the others shows him that this is not the custom here in the West. Apparently averting eyes is also not part of the customs here, but this one Amun cannot bring himself to ignore. He does not share the grief, so to look upon it would shame her and her mourning.
The silence remains strong and seems even to spread to the other few in the hall as Amun stares at the floor, wondering what could bring such grief to someone who has proven herself so strong. And wondering at how he could have come to think of a woman in such terms.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Malfrin
All of Malfrin's cockiness at feeling clean, spiffed and well fed dissolves in an instant at the sight of Manar's news. A murmur escapes his lips before he catches himself.
Her dream. Oh, gods, her dream.
Rising silently, he goes to stand near Manar and Buddy, not intruding, but at hand. He flails about in his mind for something to say, and eventually seizes on a song, a song a boy once sang for a sister lost, a long time ago. His voice croons soft, a slender tenor reed in a storm of grief.
Last night I dreamed of my Halley
Of my Halley, my sweet Halley
Last night I dreamed of my Halley
For the thought of her is one that never dies
She's sleeping now in the valley
In the valley, my sweet Halley
She's sleeping now in the valley
And the Mockingbird is singing where she lies
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird
Oh the Mockingbird is singing oe'er her grave
Listen to the Mockingbird, listen to the Mockingbird
Still singing where the yellow roses grow
How well do I yet remember
I remember, I remember
How well do I yet remember
For the thought of her is one that never dies
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Samson
As the note arrived, Samson's attempt at a smile reverted back to his usual expression. As Manar reacts, Samson just watches, unsure of what is wrong or what can be done.
Space. In all the trials of my life, I have needed space to overcome them. When I was thinking of my future, when I was learning the Word of Tyr, when ....., I always needed space to recover, to choose my next course of action.
Samson stays where he is, or even moves a little away from Manar, if possible, putting down his flatware and his food, and breathing deeply.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Owyn glares at Malfrin briefly, then looks away, sheepish, as it becomes evident that his charge seems to have hit on something that might even be helpful. Why hadn't it occurred to him? As he continued to look away from Manar's tear-streaked face, he began to notice the silent circle of eyes in the cafeteria, any that were not drawn by Manar's explosion of grief drawn instead by Malfrin's paean. Likewise he noticed first Amun, then Samson drawing away, even Rayvon reserving himself, and looked from face to face among the fellow knights. Why don't they do something? Can't they see that she doesn't deserve to have her grief open like this, for everyone to see and for anyone to come up and ask her about it? Why doesn't one of them do something?
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Somewhat worn and wearly, Aleksei's attention is mostly on his meal when Manar receives her message, but the motion of his companions draws his attention, and he looks, startled, on the scene.
Ill news indeed to grieve a paladin so..
Rising quietly, Aleksei treads resolutely towards the stricken Manar, then kneels and speaks in a low tone, his face sympathetic and serious.
"Dame Manar, I know not what news you have, but your grief is plain to see. I beseech you, share your news, that your siblings in the Light may share your load of woe...and if justice must be dealt, let my blade be drawn with yours. I would not have you suffer alone, friend."
Almost imperceptibly, his fingers tighten on his saberhilt.
If some scum has dealt ill to your kith or kin, I will send them to stand before the judges of Heaven and Hell!
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
...all right, pull myself together... bless him, it's only been a day and he already knows me too well.
Manar joins Malfrin's song, singing out a bit more than usual, almost as if she can chase the news away by sheer dint of performance; once it ends, she lets out a long breath and looks up at the confused paladins around her. "....it's.... my teacher's sick. Something the healers can't do anything for. I...."
....had a job to do....
She shakes her head abruptly, as if to clear it. "....should probably go see if I can find out what and how urgent our business is. He wanted to see me, though at a time like this...."
She stands, somewhat shakily, pockets the letter, and works her way towards the door; while the demeanor she projects is closer to her usual sunniness, the fact that she trips over three different benches on the way out makes it pretty clear where her mind is.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Duty. Never before have I seen it as a harsh mistress, said Owyn to himself. Looking at Manar, though, with her duties to this church conflicting with duties to family, just the notion that her mission would preclude her from joining her loved one however briefly in his hour of need is... hard, very hard to accept. Owyn frowned at that, watching the girl - no, the young knight - weave her way across the room as if she was punch-drunk. Her teacher... Florian, wasn't it? He was a paladin; he would understand duty. He should. Oh, Abyss take it, Torm's province is duty. Let's go see what I can do to keep these from interfering with each other. Owyn rose from the table to follow Manar, then froze when the attention of the other paladins naturally turned to him. "I, er, ah... I think I can help," he stammered, before turning his head aside to hide the color he could feel spreading in his face and quick-stepping after Manar. Malfrin never goes red in the face when he decides to help a la- a fellow knight; what's wrong with me? He should be the one acting like the callow youngster here. Singing. Hah! I should have thought of that.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Rayvon continues to stay silent. Rayvon never much liked condolences or apologies during tragic times, they never said enough. Instead he did the one thing he could do, be there for his new friend. He nimbly intercepts Manar as she heads to the door, and reaches his small hand up and gently squeezes her's. He lets his hand drop and moves over towards Buddy, who had stayed at Manar's heel as she moved across the room.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
As Manar and those who go with her leave the room, Amun visibly relaxes. He had never been good in such awkward situations. Despite being less tense, he is obviously still concerned, though most who look at him will likely only see the normal look of concern he has worn since his arrival.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Malfrin
Giving Manar the space to move, Malfrin will nonetheless leap to be beside her after the second bench. When Owyn makes his desire to accompany her clear, Malfrin nods and seeks out his mentor's eyes, beseeching permission to join them.
Waiting until Manar and Owyn have passed, he nods silently to the others, then follows them out.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Samson watches them leave, and returns to his meal after a short interval.
Let her manage her pain as she will. If she must go, however, I wish her safe travels and a swift return. Her acceptance was very courteous.
As the group departs, Samson looks to Amun, and attempts to strike up a conversation...
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Feeling somewhat awkward in the presence of someone so distressed, Aleksei elects to stay with Samson and Amun.
I am no healer of strange illnesses...let those more suited for the job go with Manar.
He listens to Samson, but does not yet attempt to enter the conversation.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Manar doesn't seem to notice any of the pretty much inevitable talking as she passes, but she does almost smile when Rayvon takes her hand for the moment, more so when they get into the halls and there are few enough distractions that she can notice her "escort". Her path, predictably enough, is a beeline for the audience chamber, with scarcely a pause en route; the closest she comes to hesitating is a brief pause to (rather unsuccessfully) wipe her face with her sleeve and make herself something approximating presentable before she knocks on the doors of the chamber itself.
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Re: A Paladin's Heart
Owyn takes his place behind Dame Manar and to the right, trying not to look too uncomfortable at the circumstances in which he had found himself. He had almost considered telling Malfrin not to come, but finding no real reason for him not to had simply closed his eyes and turned his gaze back towards Manar. As Manar attempts to wipe her face on her sleeve, Owyn taps her on the shoulder gently and offers a handkerchief with an apologetic smile.