therookery | 001.

Entry tags:

001.

FORM: Crystal! Or action, if you happen to be around Kirkwall's Lowtown.
SENDER: Arohaerd
RECIPIENT: Everyone with a crystal
WHAT: Aro has itchy feet and wants some advice.
WHEN: Today, mid-morning
WHERE: Lowtown, Kirkwall
NOTES: Crystal or action welcome! Please add any warnings to thread headers.

Hello, everyone. I'm Aro. I know some of you already, I'm sure, from the unfortunate snowbound arrival last month, and then the...incident with that mine, and now some more new faces have arrived too! Anyway.

I'm sure there's many more of you that I don't know. I know that some of you are from this world, and some of you are from others, as I am, but...we're all here, in this city, which is ruled by something called the Inquisition, as far as I can tell, and. Well.

[ A deep breath, while he thinks very carefully about how to word this. ]

While I'm grateful for the hospitality, and please don't think I'm not. There must be more to this place, this world, than Kirkwall. Getting out to see Amaranthine was brilliant, even though we were there to bring the others back. Don't any of the rest of you want to explore? We can go together, make a quest out of it!

And those of you who live here, or who've been here for a while, tell me of the other lands, and cities, and places of this world. Tell me where you like, tell me where I should visit. I just need to know where to start.

[ If you happen to be in Kirkwall to hear this in person, Aro will be the young half-elf sitting on a wall by the side of the road, with a flute dangling from his fingertips. He's very pale and blond, hair short enough for the slightly pointed tips of his ears to show.

Both before and after the broadcast, he'll be seen playing the flute, sounding out a variety of folk songs from his own world. They're strange to people here, but it all sounds like home to Aro. ]

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Should you learn some exciting things will you share with others?

[ Guess who is finding Kirkwall a little stifling, given everything. ]

Of course! I can only hope I find something to share. Does the road also call to you?

[ He'd not be surprised. How anyone lives in such an urban landscape all the time is beyond him. ]

Somewhat. I am not used to being in one place for so long. It has been trying.

[ There's only so many times you can hit the same training dummy... ]

That's exactly how I feel. Not everyone likes the idea, though.

[ Mainly the people who work for the Inquisition, which honestly isn't surprising. ]

I'm not used to staying anywhere at all, except for a night or two when I pass through a town. Most of the time I stay on the road. I miss that, I miss seeing different ground and meeting different people every day. Nothing teaches you about a place like that.

Some are more comfortable with the familiar. I have never shared that sentiment.

[ She's never found it particularly easy to take root in a single place. It's what had made life as a mercenary so much easier - life travelling, following jobs... Until Adrian. Until Sarenrae. ]

I travelled in my world, searching for people to help and jobs to take. I never felt the need to have a place to return to - I do not understand the necessity.

[ A part of her wishes she did understand it, that she knew what home was, but... ]

Neither do I.

[ He doesn't wish for it, either. The whole world had been his home. He has never had any desire to change that, and still doesn't. ]

I like the wide, open places far more than cities. I feel stifled if I stay in one place for too long. I don't know how anyone does it. I know some people need it, though. I've seen them need it, that's just never been me.

You know you would be more than welcome to come with me, if you wanted. To see more of this place I mean.

I used to travel a great deal before I was brought here. It is an interesting place, but their mission is not my own. There is no one for me to follow and Sarenrae...

[ The God doesn't reach this far, that's what she's been told time and time again. The idea of settling down and making a name for herself here makes her uneasy, especially with the burden she carries on her back. ]

It is their life to do with as they please. As long as they make no comment on mine I have no reason to argue with them. [ A sigh. ] I would be glad to venture with you... But I fear we cannot travel too far.

Because of the shards. Or whatever you call them.

[ Aro looks down at his hand. Sometimes, he can almost forget the green invader is even there. Then he sees its light, or feels the different texture in his palm, and he despises it all over again.

He sighs. ]

They say that being together makes the pain easier, and that's why it doesn't hurt so much here. I don't know if it would be unbearable if we left. Perhaps it would be, or perhaps we could find another way, and the Inquisition simply doesn't want to tell us because it's in their interests for us to stay.

[ Yeah, or maybe Aro's a little paranoid. That's also an option. ]

This isn't my mission, either. Which isn't to say I don't agree with their cause, I just don't like being drafted to it, thats all.

Yes. We are leashed to this place.

[ It's frustrating and irritating and - a thousand other words that Six holds on the tip of her tongue. She wants to lash out, but now is not the time; the training dummies at the gallows have seen enough of her greatsword to last a lifetime or two. There are better plans to make for now and she recognises that this might be an opportunity.

The paranoia is understandable but she has yet to sink into it herself. All she can do is sigh, uncertain and lost without someone or something to guide her. ]

Then perhaps the two of us being together will be enough. We won't know the answer unless we make the attempt.

[ Then, quieter; ]

I have no reason to stay. They hold no sway over me and I will not bend to those who do not offer knowledge and truth in return.

[ The word leashed only unsettles Aro further. He's always had a wanderlust, much more so than any full-blooded human he's ever met. In his experience, they don't tend to understand it very easily, so he's unsurprised to have met resistance here. That word, though. That word makes his feet itch all the more. He doesn't want to be leashed by anyone.

He needs to get away from the city. It doesn't even have to be permanent. He can come back, as long as he has the freedom to leave. As long as he's not just a glorified prisoner held in a place named after a hangman's block. ]

Nor will I. There's every chance we could find more information out there, in other towns and other lands. Who is to say this is the best place we can be if we've never looked beyond its walls?

I want to look. I'll risk the pain, I'm not afraid.

[ It's not something that Six is comfortable with either; she had been trapped, once, to a man who had loathed her and treated her terribly, to a home that thought she was worth nothing, and she detests the idea of not claiming her freedom again. She had been young the last time but now? Now she has experience, strength, power. Now she can protect herself and others without fearing falling apart.

Her hand goes to the hilt of the sword at her side, the broken one she carries with her, and she takes a deep breath. There is no place for it - or her - here. There is no tie, nothing to keep her settled. There is a world to wander through and she will not stand idle. ]

I am not afraid either. They may try to stop us, but I do not fear their wrath.

[ Slowly, she closes her eyes and bows her head. She's silent for a moment, but - ]

You have my blade, should you wish to leave.

[ Aro has never had anyone offer him a blade before. He's momentarily startled, and then feels his cheeks burning even though she can't see him. ]

I…well.

[ Honestly, paladins. They wear solemnity like a cloak, it's really quite impressive. ]

Thank you. You have mine as well. Not that…it's actually a very good blade. I mean, I have some knives, but.

[ This is not the same level of solemnity; this is ridiculous. ]

I'd like traveling with you. So would Iessa, I'm sure.

I am sure you have other skills that are equally as useful.

[ Six had spent the last ten years of her life working to develop her skills with the blade, with a greatsword in hand, proving herself - to others, to her past, to herself. If she can use it to help protect someone then she knows it will all have been worth it. ]

I'll be at your side, then, wherever you may go. You know where to find me, should you need me before then. You and Iessa both.

Yes, of course.

[ He pauses, smiling to himself. ]

I was able to find a place for her here, to give her some privacy. If you wanted to visit, I know she'd be happy to see you.

I would be glad to come and see her.

[ And Aro himself, of course, but that doesn't need saying. ]

I will visit whenever you have the time for me.

Well. Perhaps tomorrow night, then? If that would suit, I mean. Honestly, it's not as if Iessa and I are overly busy.

Tomorrow night is acceptable. Tell me where to meet you and I shall come.

Iessa has space in the stables, at the Gallows. If you know where that is, I could meet you there?

I know of it. It will not take me long.

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