[London. October 26th, 1252. A large underground complex of rooms, formerly Ragged Jenny's stronghold, now Cosimo's...place.] [Cosimo and Moriel have been meeting here every couple weeks for reciprocal lessons, and this evening they're at it again. Right now, sword training in the same large room Jenny's pupils trained in.] [Begin.] again! #06* Cosimo stands before Moriel, his practice sword "sheathed" in his sash. Cosimo is looking directly at Moriel's eyes, encouraging him to make another attack. #06* Moriel is holding a blunted practice blade, facing Cosimo, who is holding...nothing? His eyes are narrowed in concentration, and whatever he/they are doing, he must have been at it for a little while because tendrils of his silvered hair are coming loose from his queue to hang around his face. He slashes at Cosimo in perfect silence, without even a grunt of effort since he doesn't need to breathe. #06* Cosimo dodges the attack with a spin. He stops a few feet to Moriel's left. again! #06* Moriel tries again, a thrust this time. His movements are liquid grace, inhumanly fast - but Cosimo is faster yet. #06* Cosimo jumps back, narrowly avoiding the thrust of Moriel's practice blade. Cosimo smiles briefly. again! #06* Moriel turns to face Cosimo again, then arrests himself mid-movement. His head snaps around to face the entrance. "Someone's coming. Mistress Casale, I think." #06* Cosimo stops short. #06* Cosimo frowns. i see. you will forgive me if i cut our lesson short this night #06* Moriel hangs his practice blade on a nearby rack and brushes stray tendrils of hair from his face. He looks towards where he can hear the footsteps, then back to Cosimo. #06* Moriel nods. "Of course." #06* Cosimo removes the practice blade from his sash and calmly walks over to the rack and sets it down. i have been expecting her for some time #06* Eliana steps into the edge of the room, cloaked so thoroughly in shadows that Moriel can barely see her - and Cosimo not at all. She glances around, then moves towards the center of the room. "Wise," she says, before raising a hand before her face and grasping something ungraspable, pulling it away and the shadows with it. #06* Moriel raises his eyebrows, but doesn't comment. "Good evening, Mistress Casale." so... you have found me #06* Moriel doesn't move an inch from where he was standing - which is probably still by the weapons rack with Cosimo. He just watches the both of them carefully. #06* Eliana nods to Moriel. "Moriel MacRae." And then Cosimo: "Yes. I have been convinced to approach you on relatively even terms." #06* Cosimo raises an eyebrow. "you have been convinced?" #06* Cosimo glances to Moriel. "ah... i see." #06* Eliana nods. #06* Moriel meets eyes but remains a silent observer. For now, at least. #06* Cosimo shakes his head in disappointment before looking back to Eliana. #01 I have been further convinced to take your book, as you left it on stable grounds. it is not my book any longer it was freely given #06* Eliana raises an eyebrow. "And just as freely returned." #06* Cosimo shakes his head in disagreement. "no... it was not returned. it was cast aside in anger and pride" what was given as an attempt to make peace and put our differences aside was so callously discarded. there was no honor there #06* Moriel steps forward, directly in between Cosimo and Eliana. He's not looking at either of them now. He's looking at the floor, in fact. Very quietly he says, "Stop. Please." #06* Eliana 's eyes flash, and she opens her mouth, but then Moriel gets in the way and she glares at him instead. "He is changing his words." #06* Cosimo stares at Moriel, but says nothing. #06* Moriel looks up, first at Eliana, then at Cosimo, then back to Eliana. "I cannot say. I was not there previously." He looks down again and sighs. "Perhaps...I should not have interfered. But as I already have..." #06* Eliana 's voice is hard and still directed at Moriel. "I can. I remember what he said better than he does. He said nothing of 'peace', or of placing differences aside." She blinks once and adds, "Certainly not concerning the book itself." #06* Cosimo remains motionless. #06* Moriel glances back at Cosimo, unhappy lines etching themselves into his face. He opens his mouth, shuts it again, glances at Eliana. The lines grow deeper and he looks down at the floor. Finally he says quietly, "Do you want to fix this? Both of you." You don't have to, and it will certainly be difficult and unpleasant for both of you. But I don't believe recreating your previous argument will be helpful to anyone. #06* Eliana keeps her glare fixed on Moriel. "I was not *trying* to recreate an argument. I was simply stating that he," and she points at Cosimo, "said no such thing to me, when I asked him why." #06* Moriel glances at Eliana and says quietly, "I did not suggest that you intended to, merely that it was happening." And then he goes back to looking at the floor. #06* Cosimo merely watches Moriel closely. #06* Moriel glances at Cosimo and his eyes lighten almost imperceptibly. Then to Eliana. Then away again. "...neither of you have answered the question, however." #06* Eliana frowns in thought for a moment. "True." She lowers her arm and moves her focus to Cosimo, though she continues to respond to Moriel: "You are correct. That is what's been happening." #01 One reason I came tonight was, potentially, to 'fix' this. I don't know if that's the right term, but it's adequate enough. So, yes. I suppose I can make an attempt. #06* Cosimo raises an eyebrow at this, but otherwise does not move. #06* Moriel glances at Eliana and a smile flickers across his face. Then he turns to look at Cosimo, though after only a moment his gaze drifts just a hair away from eye contact. "Master Castelletti?" he asks quietly. #06* Cosimo looks directly at Moriel, focusing his gaze. "i wish no feud with any of you. it is not my wish to continue this... this..." He seems to be searching for the right word, his frustration finally begining to show on his face. "this misunderstanding" but i watch my words lest i say something again that raises the ire of anyone #06* Moriel smiles again, eyes flashing bright for just a moment. Then he tilts his head to consider Cosimo. Still, he doesn't say anything. Instead he looks around the rather bare room they've been using for sparring practice. "Do you have a place here where we might sit?" #06* Eliana folds her arms, now watching both Moriel and Cosimo. She had already looked around the room. #06* Cosimo looks around the room, realizing that it is unsuitable for hosting guests without weapons and nods. yes. though i ask that you give me a few moments before you follow. #06* Moriel nods. #06* Cosimo turns on his heel and exits the room through a nearby hallway. #06* Eliana glances at Moriel. How many moments is a few moments, anyway. #06* Moriel tilts his head to look up at Eliana for at least one of those moments. "Thank you," he says quietly. #06* Eliana blinks, but she acknowledges Moriel's thanks with a slight nod. #06* Moriel turns towards the hall Cosimo left down and raises his voice for the first time since Eliana entered. "Master Castelletti! Shall we follow?" #06* Cosimo walks back through the hallway. "indeed... it is safe. please, follow me" #06* Moriel follows Cosimo down the hall, then. #06* Eliana unfolds her arms and walks after Moriel. #06* Cosimo leads his guests down a rather long hallway, past a few dark entrances, around a few corners and through another portal until he comes to a door, which he opens to reveal a rather comfortable sitting room decorated with Italian influences. He gestures to a few chairs and a sofa. #06* Eliana pays careful attention to the path and surroundings before they finally come into the sitting room. She looks around with a faint "hm." #06* Moriel blinks. After a quick glance at each of his companions, he realizes he's probably going to have to be the first to sit down. So he does, picking a chair in as central a location as he can manage. #06* Eliana judges her options, then sits on the edge of a chair to Moriel's left, adjusting her cloak as she does so. She places her gloved hands on her knees. And she looks up at Cosimo, waiting. #06* Cosimo looks at Moriel and then at Eliana. It is evident that he is fighting an urge to remain standing, but he selects a chair on Moriel's right. "is this acceptable?" #06* Moriel smiles faintly. "I expect it will be." #06* Eliana turns her attention to Moriel. "Well?" #06* Moriel looks down at his hands, folded in his lap. "I...am not entirely sure what to do. I *think* I could speak for both of you...and certainly you could correct me if I were wrong," he says with a glance at Eliana. "But...I am not sure that I should." #06* Cosimo nods. "if you feel that would be best, you may speak on my behalf" #06* Eliana raises an eyebrow, then looks at Cosimo. #01 I am not certain where this... misunderstanding lies. #06* Moriel flicks a glance at each of them. He hesitates, then says in a subdued voice, "Stop me if you wish." #06* Eliana nods to Moriel. #06* Cosimo nods. I said I do not know what happened, entire. I can tell you what I think happened. #06* Moriel glances at Cosimo. "You left a book for her to find." At Eliana. "You went to see him, to find out why." #06* Cosimo nods. #06* Eliana folds her arms and leans back, a bit, trying to settle in. She asked. You said it served its purpose in bringing her to you. i said that it had served its purpose #06* Eliana nods. "Correct, and I asked what that was. You said, 'You're here.'" #06* Moriel tilts his head. "So. She presumed that its entire and only purpose was to catch her attention, so that she would come to speak to you." He looks back to Eliana, brows drawn slightly. #06* Cosimo shakes his head. #06* Eliana nods again. "Correct." but that was not its purpose i did wish to speak with her, but the book was no lure for that. it was to make peace. #06* Moriel turns back to Cosimo. "There is the beginning of your misunderstanding, then. Why did you think you needed to make peace?" you remember the night in the tower, do you not? #06* Moriel blinks, pauses, eyes flickering as he scans through memories. "...yes." He looks at Eliana. there was fear... there was panic... and there was sacrifice #06* Eliana knits her brow. "Of course." And then her expression clears. "Ah. My book." #01 You offered money, but I returned it. I was angry. the book appeared to be of math... so i offered another it was for peace it was freely given #06* Eliana blinks, still a bit puzzled, then she says, "I asked why. You mentioned no such thing." #06* Cosimo turns his head slightly. #06* Moriel is quiet for now, looking from one to the other. to justify -- to tie a name or purpose to a gift -- is to dishonor the gift and disrespect the person to whom it was given. #06* Cosimo looks to Moriel, clarifying. "when this happens... it becomes a debt or an obligation" Moriel... when you approached me that night, you offered to train me in a skill which i did not possess. but you clarified it... gave it purpose and reason, and such i was unable to accept without reciprocating. it is the same idea. #06* Moriel blinks. "Without purpose it would have been a gift. With purpose...it was simply aid to an ally." #06* Eliana frowns, trying to process this. "What?" no... it has purpose always every gift given has purpose look on every gift you have given or received... #06* Moriel is even more confused now. He pauses and reorders his thoughts. "But then... You say every gift given has a purpose. Does it not become dishonorable or disrespectful unless the purpose is spoken?" no the opposite... if i tell you i am giving you a gift and tell you why, then it is not a gift if you lacked a sword and i gave you a sword but said nothing, you would say thank you but if you lacked a sword and i gave you a sword and told you that i gave it to you because you lacked a sword, you would view it differently -- either as a debt that must be repaid, or as an insult by pointing out your weakness #06* Moriel follows this, frowning, and then his expression clears. "I see. But when she asked you the purpose of your gift, you had to answer." #06* Cosimo nods. "indeed." But you didn't want to tell the true purpose, because you didn't want to destroy it. So you gave another answer. yes #06* Moriel sits back with a thoughtful expression, then looks to Eliana. #06* Eliana is (and has been) looking away and towards the ground: her legs and arms crossed, her hood still up. At Cosimo's affirmation and Moriel's silence, she says, "Foolish." #01 I asked why. I did not ask why to receive a lie. #06* Cosimo looks at Eliana. #06* Eliana doesn't look back, still gazing at nothing. Her voice wasn't hard, though; more thoughtful. #06* Cosimo shakes his head. it was not a lie you were, indeed, there #06* Moriel says softly, "But one may lie by omission as well as outright." #06* Cosimo looks at Moriel questioningly. #01 A fact. The best told lies start with the truth or with silence. but you were there #06* Moriel glances at Cosimo. "You did not intend to lie. But you gave an answer that misled her, even if you did it wishing to...avoid something you thought worse." #06* Cosimo nods. "i did not wish to bring her dishonor" it was given freely #06* Eliana shifts, focusing on Cosimo now. "I fail to understand how answering my question truthfully would cause *me* dishonor, assuming I cared for honor in the first place." #06* Moriel glances at her, then at Cosimo, his expression asking for permission to speak. #06* Cosimo locks eyes with Eliana, "whether or not you care for honor, you receive it. you deserve it. it is your right" #06* Eliana snorts. "Of course." #01 But what I actually care about is answers. #06* Cosimo looks down. #01 And you gave me a false one, I'd assume partially and through omission. #06* Eliana 's eyes flash at the memory, but she continues, just as calmly: "It is past, however, and I reacted to what I understood was the truth." #06* Moriel watches Cosimo worriedly. #06* Cosimo says nothing. #06* Eliana pauses for a brief moment, then continues, "Given the new truth, as presented, I suppose it would be most accurate to say that I accept your gift." #01 But. Do not presume, if you want to continue decent relations with me, to prohibit my asking why, or to be confused if, when presented with an answer, I take that answer to mean what is presented. I am far from expert at reading others deeply, and I do not think I will suddenly become a master at reading *you*, Cosimo Castelletti. #06* Moriel stills, eyes flicking back and forth to watch both of them in his peripheral vision. #06* Cosimo remains silent, and still. #06* Eliana waits. When a minute goes by without Cosimo saying anything, she frowns. #06* Cosimo says nothing. #06* Moriel 's worried expression deepens. After a while, he looks up to Eliana. "Eliana. Will you please leave for a moment?" #06* Eliana glances at Moriel, then her gaze flicks back to Cosimo. no. she may stay. #06* Cosimo looks up at Eliana and then to Moriel. #06* Eliana starts to stand, and then Cosimo says that. She sits back down, slowly. #06* Moriel looks to each of them, then down at his hands, taut with worry. Very, very quietly he says, "You are neither of you good at bending." #06* Eliana laughs, suddenly. Her hands fly to her mouth, but the laughter is echoing off the walls before she can stop herself. #06* Eliana tries to smother it into giggles with both hands, but damn if she doesn't seem to find what Moriel said funny. #06* Cosimo looks at Eliana somewhat puzzled, before looking at Moriel. #06* Cosimo looks away after only a moment. #01 Sorry. #06* Eliana 's apology is muffled behind her gloves. She clears her throat, giggles, clears her throat again, and then gestures to Cosimo and Moriel. "Sorry," she says again, this time much more clear. #06* Moriel freezes. His eyes flash to Eliana, then to Cosimo, then back to Eliana when she speaks. #06* Eliana still looks somewhat amused, but she's largely in control now. #01 You're right. I am terrible at bending. Yes. #06* Moriel looks at Cosimo. He murmurs, "I...must be better, or we could not...maintain positive relations. Though you also accept my...idiosyncracies." #06* Cosimo looks at Moriel and frowns. "i do not understand your meaning" #06* Moriel says softly, "She will never care for what matters most to me. It pains me, occasionally. But I cannot expect that to change. I cannot interact with her without accepting it, as she accepts that I do not care as passionately for the things that matter most to her." #06* Eliana gives Moriel a sharp look, but she doesn't say anything to that. Instead, she looks at Cosimo. #06* Cosimo looks at Eliana briefly, and then back to Moriel. "so it becomes necessary to yield that which means the most for peace? is that what i should take from this?" #06* Moriel frowns faintly as he thinks how to respond to this. Then he looks back up at Cosimo, scanning his face. "...is that the only solution you see to this? That one of you must relinquish what you value entirely? That there must be a winner and a loser, in every interaction? To be honest with you, I do not completely understand your honor, so I can hardly live by it. And yet you have largely gotten on well enough with me. What is the difference?" #06* Eliana stands, suddenly. "I'll go." #06* Moriel 's gaze flicks to her, then back to Cosimo, intensely focused. #01 Find me in the original room when you're finished. #06* Moriel nods, not looking away from Cosimo. #06* Cosimo looks up at Eliana. "no doubt you can find your way, but i would stick to the exact path. others you might find to be more... unfriendly" #06* Eliana nods, then turns and walks out without another word. Her steps can be heard briskly and exactly retracing the path she used to get to the sitting room. #06* Cosimo watches her leave. #06* Moriel looks at Cosimo, waiting. #06* Cosimo turns back to Moriel. you asked if there must be a winner and a loser in every interaction Among other things. yes it is possible for a tie... but either both win or both lose but what of this? you said you had surrendered that which mattered to you in her presence for the sake of harmony. not that it was completely surrendered. how is that a win? or a tie? #06* Moriel considers Cosimo. "I did not say I surrendered it. Merely that I know she does not care for it. It is not as if I, myself, have given up hope for being a good person." His eyes go sad, and he adds more quietly, "Or for restoring my soul." #06* Cosimo leans forward, peering closely at Moriel. He looks into Moriel's eyes as if looking for something. He turns his head slightly, smiles and leans back. "you have more of a soul than any of us." #06* Moriel sighs. "I believe that is up for debate. However...obviously I do not wish you both to lose, or I would not be here. Nor do I wish you to lose alone, or I would not *still* be here. But can you not maintain your own honor while considering the wishes of others? As I said, I do not share your honor, yet you can still interact with me." in order for you to keep to your quest, you must believe in and defend it against that which challenges it, lest you lose sight of the objective and abandon it but you have said that she does not believe in it, and as such, you surrender it while in her presence rather than defending it. why? She has not hampered it simply because it is not her preference. She doesn't care that others prefer to do things differently from her, so long as they do not prevent her from seeking as *she* wishes. Which I do not. She has helped me, in fact. #06* Moriel looks Cosimo dead in the eye. "If I am saner than my kin, if I am more whole, it is because of her." #06* Cosimo raises an eyebrow. #06* Cosimo regards Moriel thoughtfully. #06* Cosimo grins. "oh... i see." #06* Moriel looks rather alarmed. He's never actually seen Cosimo grin before. * Cosimo stands up and walks over to a bookshelf. He runs a finger along the titles of some of the books on the shelf until he comes to a rather large volume. He pulls this one and then moves to another shelf until he finds a smaller one, which he also retrieves. * Cosimo returns to his chair, handing both to Moriel. * Moriel takes them, still rather cautious, and looks at them. the larger one, you will likely have more use for than i. It is a Bible which was given to me as a child. perhaps it will aid you on your quest the second was a gift from someone close to me. the poems within once gave voice to my feelings but now only bring me pain. perhaps it will help you with your trials. #06* Cosimo smiles. #06* Moriel twitches at the mention of the Bible and his fingers curl away from the large book instinctively before he forces himself to relax. Carefully he reaches out to pick up the smaller one and opens it to a random page to discover that he can't read it. He looks up at Cosimo and asks quietly, "Italian?" #06* Cosimo nods. #06* Moriel looks back down at the book of poems. "I can learn. But...I...should not take the Bible. Even if you have no use for it. I have my own, and...I should not take it." #06* Cosimo frowns. why not? #06* Moriel 's hands twitch again, but not enough to make him drop the smaller book. "I am not..." He bites his lip, face twisting. He carefully sets the poetry book down and picks up the Bible to hold it out to Cosimo. "I am not a sane man," he whispers without meeting his eyes. "I cannot. Please keep it." #06* Cosimo nods. "then perhaps another..." he stands and retrieves the Bible, walking back to the shelf and putting it back in the gap where it once stood. "do you have a preference?" #06* Moriel blinks. After a pause he says, "Theology, if you have it." #06* Cosimo looks back at Moriel for a moment. probably not one you would care for a hymnal perhaps? #06* Moriel tilts his head. "...if you are concerned that I would not wish to read the theology of a 'heathen' faith, have no fear on that account. I cannot say I have ever regretted reading an account of God, even one I do not agree with." #06* Cosimo frowns. #06* Cosimo thinks for a moment and then moves to a table on the far side of the room, retrieves a different book and returns, handing it unceremoniously to Moriel. this may not help your quest, but it will certainly help your swordplay #06* Cosimo sits down. "you put a lot of yourself into this..." #06* Cosimo regards Moriel for a moment. "do you require an explanation for these?" #06* Moriel is quiet for a moment, looking down at the books. "I am sorry. I did not intend to offend you." He looks back up at Cosimo. "You may not think much of many members of my faith, and...in many cases I cannot disagree." He looks away again, face tightening. "We are often wrong, as all men must be. But I would *like* to read your theology, if you would allow me. I admit I am far more concerned with theology than with swordplay." #06* Cosimo regards Moriel closely for a moment, weighing things. you avoid the question #06* Cosimo watches Moriel for a moment. very well... #06* Moriel sighs. "I thought an apology was more important. And I also thought that you preferred not to give explanations of gifts. And...I do not understand what you mean when you say I put much of myself into this." #06* Cosimo stands again. "i prefer not to. but then again, my preferences in that do not seem to matter. rather than presume, i thought it best to ask" i shall give you a moment to make that decision. where i go, do not follow. i shall return in a moment. #06* Cosimo turns and leaves via a different door than they had entered. #06* Moriel sits very still after Cosimo leaves, taut. Very carefully he sets the two books resting on his knees straight, squaring their edges against each other. He takes a deep breath, then another, trying to relax. It only helps a little. When Cosimo returns, he's sitting perfectly straight, staring down at his folded hands. #06* Cosimo returns after about ten minutes. When he does, he holds a rather elegantly bound book. He walks over to his chair, sits back down, and gently rubs his hand across the cover. #06* Cosimo looks at the book and then at Moriel. #06* Cosimo nods, perhaps reassuring himself and then holds the book out to Moriel. #06* Moriel takes it, though he doesn't meet Cosimo's eyes immediately. Instead he looks down at the book, growing tenser. If he keeps it up he'll start vibrating. After a long moment he whispers, "You do not bend well, Master Castelletti." i still do not understand your meaning #06* Moriel looks up at Cosimo and his eyes are a little too wide. There is a struggle taking place behind them, leaving the rest of his face drawn. "About bending? I am not - certain - I can explain it just now." With slow, precise movements he picks up the books resting on his knees and sets them aside, carefully placing them down in a neat stack out of the way. Then he clamps his hands around the seat of his chair. #06* Cosimo eyes Moriel warily. #06* Cosimo leans closer to Moriel, attemping to stare into his eyes. His own eyes narrow slightly, perhaps searching for something. "Take your time," he says softly. #06* Moriel 's eyes flick back up to Cosimo and something in them *burns*. "I am *upset*," he says, his diction clear and precise despite his accent. "It makes it difficult to think." you are... upset? #06* Moriel bites out each word, though he doesn't seem aware of it. "I offended you. I am sorry for that. I apologized. And you...accused me of a deliberate unkindness which I never offered you, and which I never will." I don't believe that was fair of you. I do not know what your honor believes of it. I...am trying...to keep caring. my honor? neither you nor Eliana seemed to be interested in my honor. you simply choose to hide behind the security of not understanding it. well whether or not you want to hear it, i will tell you. honor is life. without honor, you are dead. your lifeless body continues the motions it has become accustomed to, but you have no existence. from this point on, you only wait your turn to be culled from the earth #06* Cosimo leans closer, his eyes cold. "i have bled my honor... trying to make right with the two of you. and each time i try, i fail... and again, i am robbed of honor." i give gifts... things that are dear to me... sacrifices... not because i have to... but because i choose to. because i am trying to regain my honor. but what does that matter to those who care nothing for it. #06* Cosimo scowls. "you are upset... ha!" #06* Cosimo regards Moriel closely. He stares deep into Moriel's eyes. The predatory gleam flashing brightly in the dim light. He leans closer still, seeming to have seen something. His scowl melts away to his usual emotionless countenance. He leans back and puts his hand to his chin in a thoughtful look. #06* Moriel watches Cosimo through this torrent of words, and the burning thing in his eyes grows brighter and brighter. He smiles, and the smile is terrible. And then he freezes. Terror and anguish flash through his eyes. He turns away and bows his head, and suddenly the only expressions remaining on his face are weariness and sorrow. I care. I would not be here if I did not care; I would not have stayed if I did not care. But caring is not enough, it seems. I failed. I am sorry. You woke my madness; I did not expect that. #06* Moriel rises, picks up the books, and sets them on a table near Cosimo without once looking at him. "I shall trouble you no more. Good night, Master Castelletti." #06* Cosimo shakes his head sadly. He speaks softly, his voice again calm and measured. "you are mistaken. you did not fail." i have heard your words. i have an understanding i did not before. you are a strong man, Moriel. I admire that. #06* Cosimo stands. "caring is rare in this world and in this life" #06* Cosimo picks up the book of poetry and the elegantly bound book and holds them out to Moriel. #06* Moriel looks at Cosimo, then down at the books. He says softly, "Not strong enough. I wanted...to ease pains, calm anger. I failed." His eyes flick back up to Cosimo again. "It is not only for your sake that I say I will trouble you no more. The past several minutes were quite exceedingly painful for me, and seemed to destroy all I hoped I had wrought." I do not understand you, Master Castelletti. You say I claim that falsely, as an excuse, but I do not. If I did...I would do better. nor do i understand you, that much is clear i do not mean to bring pain or suffering. that is not my purpose. I know. i tried to bring peace #06* Cosimo looks down at the books in his hand. "i never bring peace" i bring only death. that is my place... that is all i am good at. #06* Moriel tilts his head to consider Cosimo. After a long moment he says quietly, "You are going to live...so to speak...for a very long time. You can learn new skills." #06* Cosimo does not look up. "new skills... for what end? my role was cast well before i took to it." By whom? What prevents you from choosing your own end? i am no peace maker... that has been proven twice this night #06* Moriel snorts. "Neither is she. That is why I wanted to be there when she found you." He eyes Cosimo. "However, there are ways to help people aside from making peace alone." What do you want, Master Castelletti? what do i want? #06* Cosimo frowns, but says nothing. #06* Moriel watches Cosimo. "You are not much accustomed to considering what you want to be, I expect. What you must be, what you ought to be...those are more familiar to you. But if you do not wish to kill...do you believe you must?" yes Why? because others will if i do not. but they will not be just or merciful. #06* Moriel sits back and says quietly, "That is an excellent reason." He eyes Cosimo more, thinking. "Does it preclude leisure time?" leisure time? no... not entirely. #06* Cosimo runs his other hand over the poetry book he still holds. Then if you wish to be something other than a judge and executioner, you may do it then. and leave that role to murderers? #06* Moriel blinks. "I meant that you should carry out your role when you must, and do as you will otherwise. Your leisure time. Unless that is constrained by your role as well." no... it is not. i do what i can. when i can #06* Cosimo smiles briefly. "our lessons... for what they're worth" #06* Moriel says quietly, "Do you wish to continue them, then?" is that really my decision to make? Yes. #06* Cosimo turns to look at Moriel. "i still cannot hear beyond this room, nor see what hides in the shadows." #06* Moriel actually smiles faintly at that. "Well then. Continue we shall." #06* Moriel 's eyes go distant with thought, and wander involuntarily towards the room where Eliana waits, hidden by walls. "I suppose part of what I mean by bending is forgiveness. Knowing that when others harm you, they do not always intend to do so. Knowing that even though others harm you, it is still worth continuing..." #06* Moriel looks back at Cosimo. "I cannot tell you the number of times I have feared I have...destroyed our relationship. Though she probably can." He smiles a faint, wry smile, then spreads his hands. "Yet...we go on." #06* Cosimo 's eyes soften (is that... no... wait... it may be... a tear?). "that happens. but yet you go on... if you are strong enough." you are a strong man, Moriel #06* Moriel sighs. "You keep saying that." He shakes his head. "But if you choose to put it that way...not everyone is strong. But that is not their fault. The question is whether you take them as they are anyway." She does not deal well with people, in the main. And she does not bend well, though she tries for those she cares for. She respects you, and trusts you enough to believe you prefer not to harm her. #06* Moriel shrugs. "It is your choice if you wish to interact with her. But if you do, you must accept that she is as she is." #06* Cosimo nods thoughtfully. "she is hard to predict. she does not follow any rule. therefore it is hard to plan with any measure of accuracy." she does not deal well with people, yet, i find she deals well enough with all but me. yet she does not ignore me as she might some... i try... but always fail #06* Cosimo looks down. #06* Moriel smiles faintly, but his eyes are sympathetic. "*I* cannot predict *you*. Nor can she. I expect she finds that rather disconcerting as well." #06* Moriel tilts his head. "As to dealing with others...for the most part, she does not. Have you not noticed that when we have traveled together, she spends nearly all of her time reading? She rarely speaks to anyone." neither do i #06* Moriel says wryly, "Perhaps you both need more practice. Though if that is the case, it seems unwise for your first trial to be each other." and yet that trial is upon us. and we have both failed rather spectacularly. she sells herself short, though... #06* Cosimo looks towards the training room. #06* Cosimo starts to speak, but then turns back to Moriel. #06* Moriel tilts his head, but doesn't ask. "Well? It is up to you. She will work with you regardless. You will no doubt make her angry occasionally, and she will make you angry occasionally, because you do not understand each other at all and neither of you is good at dealing with others. Knowing that, do you wish to continue?" #06* Cosimo considers Moriel's words for a moment. He starts to speak, but stops himself. He looks down... finding the book of poetry, which seems to hold his gaze. she was... #06* Cosimo seems lost briefly. "difficult. it hurt." #06* Cosimo blinks, realizing his place and looks back at Moriel. "sorry... its just... she reminds me of someone." #06* Cosimo turns to face Moriel again. "i will try. i have to try." #06* Moriel looks at Cosimo and within his puzzled expression his eyes unfocus. After a just a moment, though, he comes back to himself. "Ah." #06* Cosimo tries to manage a smile. "you shouldn't tell her that." #06* Moriel takes a breath. "I will not. However...she does not manipulate, nor lie, nor use others. Not by choice. Though she might do it to survive. You should also know that at the moment, despite her respect she does not have any particular attachment to you. She...will not be careful of you." #06* Cosimo 's smile fades. "i accept these terms. but i cannot promise i will yield on everything." if i must try to accept and understand, so too must she try. i only ask that she try #06* Moriel sighs. "She actually does try. But her patience is not very long, and you are...not easy to understand. As for acceptance - as I said. She will accept you perfectly well so long as you do not constrain *her*." #06* Cosimo frowns. i do not presume to try to constrain her #06* Moriel says wryly, "Let us hope that she perceives that." i am not a free man, Moriel. i do not wish any to be bound. if she cannot percieve this, then she imposes it upon herself. i will try to show her this but she has to see it for herself #06* Moriel studies Cosimo, but he sighs at that. "Bending. Master Castelletti...simply because the both of you do not see the same thing in the same way does not mean one of you must be at *fault*." His tone turns wry again. "Though I suppose if that happens again either of you may call on me, and I can try to untangle matters. Though I am not sanguine of success." #06* Cosimo smiles. "and yet you care enough to try. i believe there is a line... 'blessed are the peacemakers'? as I have said before, you are a strong man, Moriel. you face the fire willingly and do not flinch as she laps at your clothes. you walk into the den of the lion and hear his roar. you confront your own demons and emerge. and peace follows you." #06* Moriel pauses. "Well, I hope I may accomplish something, at any rate." He makes an open-handed gesture towards the door. "Shall we go speak to her?" #06* Cosimo nods. He holds out his hand again, again offering the books. "Please?" #06* Cosimo smiles. #06* Moriel smiles back. "Of course." He takes the books, then follows Cosimo out the door. #06* Cosimo leads the way back to the training room. #06* Eliana is seated in the training room and against the wall, near the entrance, as she had promised. A sizable book with a black cover lies open on her lap, and her hands are bare and hood is down. When the two wampyrs enter, she turns her attention up to take them in, her gaze lingering on the new books in Moriel's possession. "Finished?" #06* Cosimo nods silently. #06* Moriel nods, then glances between the two of them. "I expect you two have things to discuss. A language to create, and all." He smiles. "Though I don't know if you intend to do so tonight." #06* Eliana smirks and stands, closing her book as she does so. "I've already started." #06* Cosimo raises an eyebrow and smiles slightly. #06* Eliana turns her attention to Moriel. "You're welcome to stay if you wish; likely, you will be the first to learn it beyond the two of us." Hm. You're right. It would likely be useful. Well enough. Though you may have to explain parts of it to me later, if I do not understand. #01 Of course. #06* Cosimo smiles. #06* Eliana tucks her book into her satchel and turns to Cosimo. "I propose a series of quick gestures in cases of fast communication: duck, attack, silence, stay, and so forth. Sentence structure: object verb subject. We'll need a base alphabet and language for when we must adapt vocabulary quickly." #06* Moriel makes himself unobtrusive and listens. #06* Cosimo nods. "that seems most reasonable" #01 [And so, they finally get to creating their silent language.] #01 [Mini End!] [Finally]