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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 13, 2011 9:37:17 GMT -5
I smiled at his words, beaming really, brightened by the fact that he did not turn on his heels and walk away after seeing the Cemetary before us. As he said, where I lead, I would follow. A small part of me wondered if that included leading him back to Gentian, but I discarded thr thought. I had never been a pushy adept, and though my time wasn't always my own, right now I had nothing to do, and so long as I followed the rules, a walk and conversation with a new friend was not going to get me into trouble, or cause any bad luck or discord with Naamah.
"I do not know," I admitted, frowning slightly. "She may have told me once, but I do not recall. I know that going back to Skaldia was not an option for her, having birthed three bastard children, with d'Angeline blood at that," I replied, looking up at him. "My sister might remember, though, but I doubt it. She was too young for such things, and may have just been a glimmer in my mother's eye when that information was divulged." I took up walking with him again, entering the gates to teh Cemetary, which were ajar.
"Have you been back to visit the tribe of your own mother?" I asked, curious as to how he was received if in fact he had. Our situations were very similar, though slightly different. Hehad spent some time with his mother's people, while I had spent none.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 13, 2011 9:55:00 GMT -5
As she walked I did follow, and held open the iron gates as she passed through. In respect for the dead I shut them behind us, and paused a moment in silent prayer to Ohdinn. The dead, even d'Angeline, deserved respect. I was not surprised as Feli relayed that she did not know her Skaldi name. It hurt me, in a way, that she had never known that half of herself. She seemed to be fine with it, and that was good, but I wished better for her, a completeness. I could not hide my sigh.
"I am sorry for that Feli. I wish you knew and then perhaps I could tell you something of them. As for myself, I have not ventured back since the passing of my mother. Part of me wishes that I would go, and this impending conflict has my nerves on edge. I am worried, for both of my peoples. Were I able to impact these events, I would do so, for the betterment of both."
As I walked with her through the cemetery I found myself surrounded by unfamiliar names. Oh, I had heard of them, but every culture was different. My people did not bury the dead. I had seen graveyards in Tiberium, and it had taken some time for me to get used to them. Luckily for Feli they did not bother me at all.
"Where are we headed?" I asked. Escorting her through a cemetery would be awkward, but holding her hand seemed ok. And so I grabbed her hand, a weak smile on my face.
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 13, 2011 10:12:36 GMT -5
His response was heartfelt, and I could see the bit of hurt in his eyes, and I nodded, understanding.
"Sometimes I worry that after what's been going on with teh two nations, d'Angelines would look down upon me, more than d'Angelines already do on the Skaldi... I am a little worrie dhow it might affect assignations, to be honest. Though, the sad upside to the matter is that I have not been in touch with my Skaldi side since my mother left us at teh Night Court, and so if an inquisition were to happen that would play well in my favour. The winds aof change are strong these days, I can feel it," I murmured as we walked, his hand grasping mine as he smiled a soft smile, a very small one. i smiled back, squeezing his hand encouragingly.
"There is a little flower garden with a bench by a large, old crypt, halfway into teh cenetary," I explained, "I find it nice there. There is a tree that shades the bench, a tall white oak tree. It's as lovely as it is eerie," I said with a littl ebit of a nervous chuckle. "But I promise, no harm will come to you. The Cemetary seems to be at rest today," I could not see them, that was not a gift I possessed, but I could feel things, very attuned to everything around me, and not just the people living, but spirits too. If there was an angry spirit, I was certain an aura of some sort would make itself present, or the chill or change of winds would let its presence be known, but I did not fel the like.
"When you were in Skaldia," I continued, "were you received well? They must have known about your father, and that you were not of full Skaldi blood, but did they accept you nonetheless, your mother's people?" I aked, looking up at him again, my hand holding his comfortably.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 13, 2011 10:46:03 GMT -5
"I have met my share of looks and whispers, but I hope that, somehow, this can all be resolved. I think you are right, with the winds of change." I returned the gentle squeeze and smiled down at her.
As she described where she was leading me, I found that I quite liked the idea. Then she mentioned that the cemetery was at rest. I looked at her for a moment, and wondered. I had heard of such people and she seemed like she knew what she was talking about. I trusted her.
I shook my head. "I had my fair share of bullies, if that is what you are asking. They did not know who my father was, my mother never told them I don't think, but my heritage was clear. I had to prove myself, be twice as tough, twice as strong, to make my way. But I made it. Once I proved myself I was accepted. I think I could go back and still be accepted, though I have not been back in some time."
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 13, 2011 13:04:34 GMT -5
I nodded, intrigued by the different cultural dynamic, and wondering how he did prove himself in the end.
"Well at least the bias they hol di snot one that remains, or is impossible to remove. How did you show them? How did you prove to them that you were as much Skaldi and deserved to be there?" I asked, wondering about this man's journeys. I never really thought my life to be interesting, holding no real adventure, unless you call hopping around from house to house, searching for work with my mother, and then being left at Mont Nuit an adventure.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 13, 2011 13:16:24 GMT -5
There was only one word to use to describe what I had done, and if she needed an explanation, then that was coming as well. "Holmgang." I looked at her to gauge her reaction.
"I fought a man much older than me, in a ring. Once you step from the ring, you lose, if your blood hits the ground first, you lose. I challenged a seasoned warrior and won. It was an arduous task, but it won me my respect."
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 13, 2011 13:35:30 GMT -5
My brows rose. My mother had sang me songs of that as a child, and so I knew of the bloodshed, the death, and the glory that comes with the right of passage.
"My word," I said, rather impressed, though my expression of surprise soon melted into an easy smile, "how old were you when you had to go through this? How on earth did you win?" I asked, intrigued.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 13, 2011 19:52:24 GMT -5
I could not help but chuckle at her reaction. "I was eleven and my opponent was sixteen. A much bigger boy, a young man really. Of course, he was young enough to be overconfident. I was smaller and much faster at the time. I managed to avoid him for the most part, and though that is a sound tactic, it did not win me any favors.
Have you ever seen a broken nose? They gush blood. As he lunged at me I sidestepped and lashed out with a fist. I caught him just right, across the bridge of his nose. It shattered and of course basically exploded with blood. It hit the ground first and I won." I smiled at her, sharing the memory.
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 14, 2011 11:23:45 GMT -5
I laughed softly as we walked, looking from him to the various headstones adn monuments that were errected around us.
"That sounds like you were fighting with your brain. It is always best to outwit an opponent. It is weird, is it not, how it is much easier to gain the respect of another people than it is to get the respect of our own? I know, that we are from both lands but, here it would be harder, if you know what I mean. A simple fistfight, or swordfight would not do the trick."
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 14, 2011 11:28:55 GMT -5
I nodded. "Yes, I know. I just stay out of the way, for the most part. Handle each situation as it comes along." I shrugged. "I wish it were easier, I suppose, though if things become too difficult I can always simply leave. Go back home."
It was a simple truth.
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 15, 2011 9:33:48 GMT -5
I looked up at him.
"But go back home, where? Which one do you call home? A province in Terre d'Ange, or Skaldia?" I asked.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 15, 2011 9:54:59 GMT -5
I smiled. "Home is in Camlach now. I have responsibilities there. My father passed his title to me not long ago. Though I would love to see my Skaldic tribe again. I'm sure there are some that would remember me."
I paused then and looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. "If I went back to visit, would you like to go?"
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 16, 2011 11:02:57 GMT -5
I pondered at his question a moment.
"If I could get leave from teh Dowayne, I would, I think, though I doubt he would give it. My marque is not made, so that much time spent away would have to be contracted, but perhaps, if you went when I was finished my marque, I would be happy to tag along, assuming relations between Terre d'Ange and Skaldia improve some," I added. We continued to walk through the cemetary, my eyes taking in equal measures of Hal's profile as well as the graves about us, marked with headstone, some just with flowers, or withered plants. Some you could tell were regularly visited and kept pristine, others had been left to grow mildew and crumble.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 16, 2011 11:44:46 GMT -5
I nodded with a smile. "I would like that, to go back with someone like me. I have not been to Skaldia in over a decade now, but I plan to go when the army moves. I doubt I can much difference, one man, but I need to go."
I hadn't told anyone that before.
"That's not the time I'm talking about visiting though. That would, hopefully as you said, be when relations are not so bad."
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 21, 2011 16:19:19 GMT -5
My eyes brightened fora moment, going wide before returning to their normal state.
"You are going to fight in teh war then?" I asked him. but of course, a man like him, strong, sure, of course he would be fighting. I had to wonder, in my mind, who he might be fighting for. I could not bring myself to ask though, it seemed too.... rude, an dI was trying to be more aware of myself these days... well at least with people who deserved it.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 21, 2011 16:33:10 GMT -5
I nodded at her question. "I am. I am fighting for our Queen, and our country. Terre d'Ange." I saw the question on her face, even if it was unspoken. It was the next logical query. "Despite my heritage, I am a Baron of Terre d'Ange. My future lies with Terre d'Ange for the most part, even if I love Skaldia as well."
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 21, 2011 16:40:36 GMT -5
I frowned softly. I suppose I did not hide that very well. I looked about us and realised that we had come to the spot, and I turned and motioned towards the bench, a little wooden thing with metal bindings, sitting before a crypt made of marble.
"It must be hard for you... do you not feel torn, your loyalties? Even if more has been given to you, ad more remains for you here... you will be ... killing... brothers?"
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jun 22, 2011 22:17:13 GMT -5
I nodded. "It is very difficult. I am torn, most assuredly. And yes, in many ways I will be killing my own. That is what happens in war. In Skaldia."
I moved to sit as she gestured and then patted the spot next to me.
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jun 29, 2011 10:04:57 GMT -5
I sat beside him, nodding.
"Such is the nature of the beast, I suppose," I mused as I sat, smoothing my skirts daintily, a habit I had learned in Cereus. My eyes went straight to the crypt before us, a crypt made of white marble that sparkled in teh sun, even though mildewgrew at its base, for the most part it shone adn gleamed pristinely, crumbling here and there, with cobwebs in teh doorway and growth surrounding it - flowers, weeds, grasses, trees. It was lovely.
"So what shall you do until you run off to war?" I queried, moving my eyes from the crypt to his, an icy blue mirror that drew me in.
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Post by Hjalmar Fellstone (I) on Jul 1, 2011 13:10:16 GMT -5
I nodded in agreement, then pondered her question. "I'm living life to it's fullest Feli. I want to experience everything. There's a huge difference between being alive and living. I want to live, Feli. That's all."
I looked at her and smiled, a kindred spirit here in Elua.
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Post by Felicja nó Gentian on Jul 6, 2011 15:50:00 GMT -5
I nodded though I did have to laugh slightly at the irony.
"Me too. Though here we are, talking of life and living, when all we are surrounded by is death. I wonder if he lived his life to teh fullest," I queried, more inwardly as I cocked my head and looked upon the crypt again.
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